Community
DiSalvo-Ryan, DyAnne. New York: Harper-Collins, Pub, 1994.
all grades
Marcy feels sad every time she sees the vacant lot across the street. When she and Miss Rosa start work on their windowsill gardens, Marcy decides to lease the vacant lot from the city as a community garden. One by one all her neighbors offer labor and supplies to change an eyesore into an oasis.
***Lesson idea: tie into Peace Garden or Earth Day
Ajmera, Maya. Charlesbridge Publishing, 2006.
all grades
Colorful photographs from around the world and simple text introduce the characteristics of a neighborhood and the concept of community.
Weatherford,Carole Boston. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 2006.
4-5
Young Ovella rejoices as her community comes together to raise money and build a much-needed school in the 1920s, with matching funds from the president of Sears, Roebuck, and Company and support from Professor James of the Normal School.
Saltzberg, Barney. Cendlewick, 2003.
all grades
Stanley is determined to have the craziest hair ever for Crazy Hair Day at his school. Then he discovers that he has gotten the date wrong. It’s School Picture Day. But his classmates won’t let him hide all day in the bathroom; they fix it so Stanley looks right at home in the class photo.
Kerley, Barbara. Washington, D.C.: The National Geographic Society, 2002.
All grades
Depicts people around the world collecting, chilling, and drinking water.
Tarpley, Natasha Anastasia. New York: Lee & Low Books, 2004.
3rd-5th grade
Destiny’s favorite place in the world is Mrs. Wade’s bookstore, so when she finds out it may close, she stirs the community to help out, then works on a special gift of her own to encourage Mrs. Wade. (This book treats the subject realistically in that the outpouring of support from the community may not provide a permanent solution for the bookstore owner’s troubles, but it ends on a positive note about the important gifts children can give.)
Smith, David J. Tonawanda, NY: Kids Can Press, 2002.
5th grade
With a world population of more than 6 billion people, it’s hard to imagine so many people at one time – but what if we imagine the whole world as a village of just 100 people? This look at the world as a global village tells who we are, where we live, how fast we speak, what religions we practice, and more.
Gilley, Jeremy. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2005.
4th – 5th grade
Do you believe that one person can make a difference in the world? Many people believe the answer is “no”, but Jeremy Gilley proved that the answer is “yes”. Jeremy Gilley’s determination brought him around the world and to the United Nations in his efforts to convince world leaders to establish a day of global cease-fire and nonviolence.
*** Also: Conflict Resolution
by Harriet Ziefert
Members of the community with different skills all chip in to make Anna’s new coat.
by Ashley Bryan
A blackbird shares its coloring with the other birds who are not as beautiful.
by Roni Schotter
The children of Vinegar Lane spy on scary Captain snap until one day they realize he is sick and nurse him back to health.
by Jane Cowen-Fletcher
When Yemi loses her brother in their African Village, she learns that many of the residents have watched over him while he was missing.
(Chosen by Grade 4, Spring 2007)
by Roni Schotter
When Eva’s teacher tells her to write about something she knows, she is surprised to find that there is so much to write about after observing her neighborhood from her stoop.
by Peter Spier
Beautiful illustrations show the differences between people and how they all combine to make the world a more fascinating place.
by Alice McLerran
Roxaboxen is an imaginary town created and brought to life by a group of children.
by Miriam Cohen
When a first grade class takes an end of the year trip to the beach, they all pitch in and help a classmate who leaves her swim bag at home.
by Margaret Hodges
The wise old man of a village in Japan saves his people from a tidal wave through an
extraordinary measure.