Jamie's Little Library

Few books capture wonder, curiosity, and heart the way A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga does. This upper–middle grade novel blends science and emotion in a way that feels fresh and necessary—especially for young readers who may be meeting the ideas of robotics, space exploration, and empathy for the first time. Warga invites us to imagine what it means to be “alive,” to learn, to feel, and to connect. Whether read aloud in classrooms or discovered independently, this story re

A Map for Falasteen by Maysa Odeh is a heartfelt picture book about a young Palestinian-American girl searching for her homeland—and finding that home lives within her family’s stories. Perfect for classroom discussions on identity, maps, and belonging.

Cooking connects people in ways words sometimes can’t. In Measuring Up, Cici learns that recipes carry memories, and that belonging can be found one dish—and one friendship—at a time.

Marya Khan and the Disastrous Class Project by Saadia Faruqi is a fun, heartfelt story about friendship, culture, and finding confidence when things don’t go as planned. When Marya is paired with Waleed, a new student from Pakistan who misses home, she’s sure their country project will be amazing — until her big ideas start to spin out of control. Through humor, teamwork, and a few mistakes along the way, Marya learns that kindness and understanding can turn any “disaster” in

Best Seat in First Grade by Katharine Kenah, illustrated by Abby Carter, is a joyful early reader that celebrates the excitement of starting school and making friends. This charming story follows Sam, a first grader whose unbelievable tale about a baby elephant turns out to be true! In this post, you’ll find a book review, classroom discussion ideas, and activity suggestions that make The Best Seat in First Grade a perfect addition to any first-grade classroom or library coll