Todd Nesloney
Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership at TEPSA
Book Recommendations:
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âI love this book from @JerryCraft and even got to interview him for #TellYourStory!! https://t.co/Hnmx0usD4uâ (from X)
Winner of the Newbery Medal, Coretta Scott King Author Award, and Kirkus Prize for Young Readersâ Literature! Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Gene Luen Yang, New Kid is a timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real, from award-winning author-illustrator Jerry Craft. Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worldsâand not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself? This middle grade graphic novel is an excellent choice for tween readers, including for summer reading. New Kid is a selection of the Schomburg Center's Black Liberation Reading List. Plus don't miss Jerry Craft's Class Act!
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âLove this book!! #SparksInTheDark https://t.co/mPycRoSDSeâ (from X)
When Grandma gives you a lemon tree, definitely donât make a face! Care for the tree, and you might be surprised at how new things, and new ideas, bloom. âCharms from cover to cover.â âKirkus (Starred review) âWhen life gives you lemons, make lemonade.â In this imaginative take on that popular saying, a child is surprised (and disappointed) to receive a lemon tree from Grandma for her birthday. After all, she DID ask for a new gadget! But when she follows the narratorâs carefulâand funnyâinstructions, she discovers that the tree might be exactly what she wanted after all. This clever story, complete with a recipe for lemonade, celebrates the pleasures of patience, hard work, nature, community . . . and putting down the electronic devices just for a while.
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âI donât know why it took me so long to get around to reading #FrontDesk but WOW! This book was full of so much heart and I shed tears throughout. A must read for sure. Get yours here: https://t.co/qstKk5KzOT #SparksInTheDark #kidlit #affiliatelink https://t.co/9fmAWu8a8bâ (from X)
Four starred reviews and over ten best-of-year lists!* "Many readers will recognize themselves or their neighbors in these pages." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review Front Desk joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content! Winner of the Asian / Pacific American Award for Children's Literature! Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests. Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed. Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language? It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âI love this little book from @Lin_Manuel! Great daily pick me ups. Get yours here: https://t.co/JTKgA3h2s1 #SparksInTheDark #affiliatelink #tellyourstory #kidsdeserveit https://t.co/mFut4gG8kgâ (from X)
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER â˘Â From the creator and star of Hamilton and In the Heights, with beautiful illustrations by Jonny Sun, comes a book of affirmations to inspire readers at the beginning and end of each day. âWhen the world is bringing you down, Gmorning, Gnight! will remind you that you are awesome.ââBooklist Good morning. Do NOT get stuck in the comments section of life today. Make, do, create the things. Let others tussle it out. Vamos! Before he inspired the world with Hamilton and was catapulted to international fame, Lin-Manuel Miranda was inspiring his Twitter followers with words of encouragement at the beginning and end of each day. He wrote these original sayings, aphorisms, and poetry for himself as much as for others. But as Mirandaâs audience grew, these messages took on a life on their own. Now Miranda has gathered the best of his daily greetings into a beautiful collection illustrated by acclaimed artist (and fellow Twitter favorite) Jonny Sun. Full of comfort and motivation, Gmorning, Gnight! is a touchstone for anyone who needs a quick lift.
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âThis year, I'm not doing the typical "one word", I'm doing 12. Thank you @writtentospeak for the BRILLIANT idea! check out his post here: https://t.co/hIlq9r0M3m If you haven't gotten his book, you are missing out! Get it here: https://t.co/i5pxeWmPx0 #KidsDeserveIt #TLAP https://t.co/ZlCIx678l6â (from X)
Tanner Olsonâs Iâm All Over the Place is a collection of poetry and prose about the daily learning of hope, grace, and faith. Tannerâs style of writing is simple and insightful, as his words attempt to make sense of the soul which lives in both a heavy and hopeful world. This unique book reminds you to ponder the Truth as you think, pray and wonder through life in deep and authentic ways. Tanner began writing poetry as a way to process his own wanderings and wonderings of faith. As he slowly began to share his poems with friends, mentors and community, he realized that, while his story is unique, his experiences are common. This realization inspired the mission of Written to Speak, a spoken word and writing project that seeks to spread hope and announce love through written and spoken word.While this book is partly autobiographical, Tannerâs hope is that, through this collection of thoughts and words, you would begin to understand that life is not a solitary experience. Each page and poem is an invitation for readers to breathe in deeply and know that they are not alone. This anthology of poems will encourage, challenge and inspire you to seek out beauty in the world around you.Through his online presence, Tannerâs poems have reached the hearts of people all over the world, connecting them with poetic reminders of the Love that is waiting to be shared and Hope that is worth announcing. Tanner has shared poems in stadiums, coffee shops, in videos and in person - and many times, heâs been asked the question: âWhere can I get a copy of that poem?â This book is an answer to that question. Each of these poems is written to be spoken aloud, and some of them are even recorded and available to hear online, but reading them provides the unique opportunity to slow down and let each line capture your full attention.So, take a moment. Maybe two. Unplug from the overstimulation of the world, and sit with a handful of words. Dive into them. Then, emerge on the other side with a renewed spirit as you begin, wander, or continue on your journey today.
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âI love this book series and #TheCoolBean might just be my favorite one yet! A fun story about what it really means to be cool....by being kind. Get yours here: https://t.co/uhmjezLnyl #affiliatelink #sparksinthedark #kidlit https://t.co/2reZc1vrpDâ (from X)
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! The âtoo-cool-for-schoolâ third picture book from the #1 New York Times bestselling creators of The Bad Seed and The Good Egg, Jory John and Pete Oswald Everyone knows the cool beans. Theyâre sooooo cool. And then thereâs the uncool has-bean . . . Always on the sidelines, one bean unsuccessfully tries everything he can to fit in with the crowdâuntil one day the cool beans show him how itâs done. With equal measures of humor, wit, and charm, the #1 New York Times bestselling duo Jory John and Pete Oswald craft another incredible picture book, reminding us that itâs cooler to be kind. Check out Jory John and Pete Oswaldâs funny, bestselling books for kids 4-8 and anyone who wants a laugh: The Bad SeedThe Good EggThe Cool BeanThe Couch PotatoThe Good Egg Presents: The Great Eggscape!The Bad Seed Presents: The Good, the Bad, the Spooky!The Cool Bean Presents: As Cool as It GetsThatâs What Dinosaurs Do
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âI absolutely love the book #IAmPerfectlyDesigned by @bestofkaramo. A wonderful story of a father reminding his son of all the ways that he was perfectly made. Get yours here: https://t.co/dfCZ2hTOxR #affiliatelink #kidlit #sparksinthedark #kidsdeserveit https://t.co/kDFKTuhrx6â (from X)
I Am Perfectly Designed is an exuberant celebration of loving who you are, exactly as you are, from Karamo Brown, the Culture Expert of Netflix's hit series Queer Eye, and Jason Brownâfeaturing illustrations by Anoosha Syed. In this empowering ode to modern families, a boy and his father take a joyful walk through the city, discovering all the ways in which they are perfectly designed for each other. "With tenderness and wit, this story captures the magic of building strong childhood memories. The Browns and Syed celebrate the special bond between parent and child with joy and flair...Syed's bright, cartoon illustrations enrich the tale with a meaningful message of kindness and inclusion."âKirkus
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
â@BethanyMartino1 @madisond181 Thank you for having me!! I love sharing @PatZMiller book!! It's one of my favorites!!â (from X)
"Be Kind is a sweet and thoughtful picture book about kindness that gets the message across without being heavy handed." - Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor A New York Times bestseller! âThese days, it seems more important than ever for books to show young people how to act with thoughtfulness, civility, and kindness.â âThe New York Times Book Review When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate wants to make her feel better, wondering: What does it mean to be kind? From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving story explores what kindness is, and how any act, big or small, can make a differenceâor at least help a friend. With a gentle text from the award-winning author of Sophie's Squash, Pat Zietlow Miller, and irresistible art from Jen Hill, Be Kind is an unforgettable story about how two simple words can change the world.
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âI love the book #ThoseShoes sooooo much. This is a book that needs to be in every classroom. Especially during this season of the year. Get yours here: https://t.co/NmMaZR0y0b #affiliatelink #kidlit #sparksinthedark #kidsdeserveit https://t.co/GaoNZE4ItAâ (from X)
"In this witty, wise picture book, Boelts presents a kidâs-eye view of a consumer fad that rages through school at gale force." â Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review) All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremyâs grandma says they donât have room for "want," just "need," when his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet arenât much fun, and Jeremy soon sees that the things he has â warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend â are worth more than the things he wants.
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âTodayâs book share is #Elliot. A unique story of foster care, adoption, & what love can look like, forever forever. This book would be an excellent conversation piece for kids about adoption and family. Get your copy here: https://t.co/SuEsjkwbw7 #SparksInTheDark #kidlit https://t.co/oTAiRMu3HCâ (from X)
Elliot's parents love him very much, but all is not well. When he cries, they do not understand why. When he yells, they do not know what to do. When he misbehaves, they do not know how to react. One day a social worker named Thomas comes to visit, and Elliot's world turns upside-down. Manon Gauthier's soft collage illustrations feature approachable rabbit characters, while Julie Pearson's soothing, repetitive text guides Elliot gently through the foster child system. The new families that care for the little boy are kind, but everything is strange and new, and the sudden changes make him want to cry and yell AND misbehave. Then, when it becomes clear that Elliot's parents will never be able to take him back, Thomas sets out to find Elliot one last home - a forever, forever home with a family that will love and care for him no matter what.
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âTodayâs book share is #MostPeople. Oh how I love this book. Instead of a focus on those few who make poor decisions, do bad things, or are mean, this book reminds us all that most people arenât like that and to find the good everywhere. #sparksinthedark #readingsummit #kidlit https://t.co/fmlWpOsyDOâ (from X)
2017 Gold Moonbeam Children's Book Award: For dedication to childrenâs books and literacy and for inspired writing, illustrating and publishing. The world can be a scary place. Anxious adults want children to be aware of dangers, but shouldnât kids be aware of kindness too? Michael Leannah wrote Most People as an antidote to the scary words and images kids hear and see every day. Jennifer Morrisâs emotive, diverting characters provide the perfect complement to Leannahâs words, leading us through the crowded streets of an urban day in the company of two pairs of siblings (one of color). We see what they see: the hulking dude with tattoos and chains assisting an elderly lady onto the bus; the Goth teenager with piercings and purple Mohawk returning a lost wallet to its owner; and the myriad interactions of daily existence, most of them well intended. Most People is a courageous, constructive response to the dystopian world of the news media. Fountas & Pinnell Level M Color throughout
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âOk everyone, I donât say this often, but WOW. This is probably my new favorite picture book EVER. This book has everything Iâd want my boys to hear. Everything. I love it soooooo much. #sparksinthedark #KidsDeserveIt https://t.co/tKPMDivPUYâ (from X)
2020 "Rise: A Feminist Book Project Top Ten" winner (ALA) & Winner of the 2019 Eureka! Gold Awards There's more to being a boy than sports, feats of daring, and keeping a stiff upper lip. A Boy Like You encourages every boy to embrace all the things that make him unique, to be brave and ask for help, to tell his own story and listen to the stories of those around him. In an age when boys are expected to fit into a particular mold, this book celebrates all the wonderful ways to be a boy.
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âTodayâs book share is a new book! A wonderful story abt a young girl who realizes that she doesnât just want to be âone thingâ when she grows up, like all the adults keep asking her. Instead she wants to be a lot...& thatâs ok! I love this story!! #SparksInTheDark #KidsDeserveIt https://t.co/Fefwl7w7ZTâ (from X)
What do you want to be when you grow up? Tomorrow is Career Day at school, and Willow has to decide what she wants to be when she grows up . . . and it is not an easy decision! She loves art and science and cooking and photography. How will she ever be able to choose just one thing? When there are so many things you love to do, it is okay to say, "I want to be a lot!"
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âI had so many students who had to get glasses & felt so uncomfortable with them. This is a great book that shares the story of Douglas the dog getting glasses & how he finds out life only got better, not worse, when he could really see! #SparksInTheDark #kidsdeserveit #kidlit https://t.co/G8UBuo0tT5â (from X)
Meet Douglas, a dog with a big problem: he needs eyeglasses but doesnât know it, and his bad eyesight tends to land him in some pretty hairy situations. Readers will laugh along with the new picture book character Douglas as he chases a leaf that he mistakes for a squirrel, walks through wet cement because he canât see the warning sign, and annoys the neighborâs dog by mistakenly eating out of his bowl. And when Douglasâs owner Nancy finally takes him to what is clearly an eyeglass store and Douglas asks, âWhy are you taking me to a shoe store?â everyone will be giggling. After an eye exam confirms that Douglas needs glasses, and Nancy helps him find the perfect pair, readers will rejoice with Douglas as he sees all the amazing things heâs been missing! Both kids and parents will laugh out loudâand may even recognize themselves!âwhile reading this utterly irresistible, hilarious picture book.
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âTodayâs book share! So many of our students can become embarrassed by their hair. Not this girl. She embraces it and lives life (and her imagination) to the fullest! This is another great read aloud to add to your classroom! #kidsdeserveit #sparksinthedark #tellyourstory https://t.co/OrWjQpgtBMâ (from X)
2019 Award-Winning FINALIST in Children's Mind/Body/Spirit category INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS The inspiration behind the title character, Little Miss Crazy Hair, comes from our niece, Vivian. When Vivian was 5 she was preparing to embark on a new life experience - a new school. As any person at any age would be, she was nervous. She was leaving behind the comfort of her Montessori pre-school and entering a land of unknown and scary Elementary School. She questioned, "What if they don't like me?," "What if I am different?" Of course, that is ridiculous. Who wouldn't love our beautiful and talented Vivian? One of Vivian's many special characteristics which makes her so unique is her thick, beautiful, curly hair. Vivian and her mom have a daily bonding ritual where every morning she and her mother work Vivian's hair until a masterpiece is created. Time, trust, patience, and sometimes tears produce results that only make you smile. During these daily sessions Vivian earned the nickname, Little Miss Crazy Hair. The Adventures of Little Miss Crazy Hair - The Girl with Curl, is the story of a girl and her best friend, her dog Duke, who go on daily adventures created by how Little Miss Crazy Hair decides to wear her hair for the day. This book captures 7 days of hair choices which power Little Miss Crazy Hair's ability to fly through the air, roar through the jungle, and even command crocodiles to move out of the way. But this book is not only about hair styles and imaginary adventures. It also quietly provides learning and growth opportunities as Little Miss Crazy Hair demonstrates how her adventures can lead to BEEing a better person. Embedded in the illustrations for each adventure is a BEE who quietly highlights the daily learning. Little Miss Crazy Hair learns to BEE Brave by commanding crocodiles to move out of the way. She discovers how to BEE Determined by practicing her ballet moves until they are perfect. She learns to BEE Adventurous by flying through the air and exploring her city from the clouds. Little Miss Crazy Hair's 7 BEEs are not called out in the text of the book. They are creatively placed within the illustrations. The child is encouraged to find the BEE and identify the learning. Any discussion that follows is determined by the reader and the child. The length and depth of the discussion is relative to that child's personal story.
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âOh my. I love this book sooooo much. A gorgeous story where every page is an illustration of different âmotherâ and child combination with the underlying message that whoever I call âmomâ doesnât have to look like me at all to love me. #SparksInTheDark #kidsdeserveit https://t.co/nEDUZnseRGâ (from X)
What is a Mama? A mama is someone who is always there for you. She makes you your favorite food, takes you to the park, and kisses your boo-boos better. Some mamas didn't hold you in their belly, but they will forever hold you in their hearts. Mamas come in all different shapes, colors, and ages, but they all have one thing in common. They love you! Enjoy the multiple characters in this childrenâs story which explores the loving tasks of what makes a mama.Recommended ages 1-7
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âCheck out this fantastic book #WriteToMe! An important read to share with our friends and students. #SparksInTheDark #WeLeadTX #TNT https://t.co/hAcYhHPTdm https://t.co/NQ9HETo73câ (from X)
A touching story about Japanese American children who corresponded with their beloved librarian while they were imprisoned in World War II internment camps. When Executive Order 9066 is enacted after the attack at Pearl Harbor, children's librarian Clara Breed's young Japanese American patrons are to be sent to prison camp. Before they are moved, Breed asks the children to write her letters and gives them books to take with them. Through the three years of their internment, the children correspond with Miss Breed, sharing their stories, providing feedback on books, and creating a record of their experiences. Using excerpts from children's letters held at the Japanese American National Museum, author Cynthia Grady presents a difficult subject with honesty and hope. "Â A beautiful picture book for sharing and discussing with older children as well as the primary audience" â Booklist STARRED REVIEW "A touching tribute to a woman who deserves recognition" â Kirkus Reviews "[An] affecting introduction to a distressing chapter in U.S. history and a brave librarian who inspired hope" â Publisher's Weekly
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
â@SarahSuggs13 I love that book, have spoken with the author, and did an entire staff book study. Again, had you even tried to see my work that I do, you'd have learned that. You seek to divide and that is it. Great lesson for our students.â (from X)
The New York Times best-selling book exploring the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality. In this âvital, necessary, and beautiful bookâ (Michael Eric Dyson), antiracist educator Robin DiAngelo deftly illuminates the phenomenon of white fragility and âallows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to âbad peopleâ (Claudia Rankine). Referring to the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, white fragility is characterized by emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and by behaviors including argumentation and silence. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium and prevent any meaningful cross-racial dialogue. In this in-depth exploration, DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively.
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âJust finished @writerkmc book #TwoCanKeepASecret and WOW!! Sooooo good. I loved her first book (One of Us is Lying) but this book was even better. Full of unexpected twists and turns and one amazing ending. That last sentence tho!! đŹ Great for 8th g⌠https://t.co/LY1h6teijQ https://t.co/Ndb1fIJQzyâ (from X)
The "must-read YA thriller" (Bustle) from #1 New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying about a small town with deadly secrets. "When it comes to YA suspense, Karen M. McManus is in a league of her own..." --Entertainment Weekly Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery's never been there, but she's heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows. The town is picture-perfect, but it's hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone has declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing. Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she's in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous--and most people aren't good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it's safest to keep your secrets to yourself. Fans of the hit thriller that started it all can watch the secrets of the Bayview Four be revealed in the One of Us is Lying TV series now streaming on NBC's Peacock!
Recommended by Todd Nesloney
âIâve had a chance to read this book! Itâs awesome!! Get one to share with kids you know!! #KidsDeserveIt #sparksinthedark #tlap #leadlap #tellyourstory https://t.co/YPtukjl0ofâ (from X)
Discover something new with Scarlett and her amazing science experiments. Scarlett invites you to mix colorful lights and ask the question, What color will it be? all while learning about our amazing gift of sight and how our eyes can see the world in color. Come along on this fun adventure and explore surprising results along the way!
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