BLOGS > OCTOBER 8, 2024
Amplify CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) recommends these books for a curriculum that combines content rich in science, history, literature, and the arts with a systematic, research-based approach to developing literacy skills in young readers.
View the Top 5 most popular books in the Amplify CKLA Book Collection below and see the full list here:
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1. The Birchbark House (Book 1)
By Louise Erdrich
Omakayas, a seven-year-old Native American girl of the Ojibwa tribe, lives through the joys of summer and the perils of winter on an island in Lake Superior in 1847.
“Eager readers beguiled by her sturdy and engaging person will scarcely notice that they have absorbed great draughts of Ojibwe culture, habits and language. It's hard not to weep when white settlers drive the Ojibwe west, and hard not to hope for what comes next for this radiant seven-year-old.” – Kirkus Reviews
By Sandra Cisneros
A young girl living in a Hispanic neighborhood in Chicago ponders the advantages and disadvantages of her environment and evaluates her relationships with family and friends.
“While there are some mature moments, readers will be invested in the characters and their experiences, and a detailed and guided discussion on tough topics will benefit younger students. This story about change and growth will resonate with high schoolers long after the final page is turned. VERDICT Recommended for all collections.” – School Library Journal Xpress
By Kelly Yang
Recent immigrants from China and desperate for work and money, ten-year-old Mia Tang’s parents take a job managing a rundown motel in Southern California, even though the owner, Mr. Yao, is a nasty skinflint who exploits them. While her mother (who was an engineer in China) does the cleaning, Mia works the front desk and tries to cope with demanding customers and other recent immigrants – not to mention being one of only two Chinese in her fifth grade class, the other being Mr. Yao's son, Jason. The book also includes bibliographical references.
“With bittersweet information on Chinese immigration to America added in an author’s note, this book captures many important themes to explore individually or in the classroom. Many readers will recognize themselves or their neighbors in these pages.” – Kirkus Reviews
By E.B. White
Wilbur the pig is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer’s Christmas dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte, decides to help him in this Newbery Honor book.
By Norton Juster
Milo finds a cure for his boredom and discovers the importance of words and numbers on a journey through a fantastical land.
“Family photos, scrawled notes and images of handwritten and typescript manuscript pages further gloss a work that never ages nor fails to astonish. A timeless tribute to learning as play, much enriched with background on even the (seemingly) throwaway lines and puns.” – Kirkus Reviews
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