"Reading to Make a Difference shows teachers how to move beyond including diverse literature in their classroom to become caring citizens and agents of change. With examples from many classrooms across grade levels, Lester and Katie engage students in critical conversations around topics that arise in literature and in life. They share concrete steps for how teachers can support students to take action and make a difference in their classroom, school or community"--

Jess and Ben are twins. Jess is a girl and Ben is a boy but in all the BIG ways, there is NO difference between them! Explore with children the issues of gender equality and respectful relationships. Combining cheerful illustrations and a simple but effective narrative, children will understand that, fundamentally there is no difference between us.

"Reading with a Difference is a collection of eighteen essays that examines how issues of gender, race, and cultural identity inform texts from the seventeenth century to the present. Together the contributions document recent significant shifts occurring in the theoretical approach to the texts they study and illustrate how shifts in each of these categories affect how the others are viewed." "The first section of this anthology explores the notion that identity - particularly gender identity - is a cultural construct. The essays in the second section consider ways in which race and gender intersect with cultural identity and how encounters between different cultures challenge any identity constructed in isolation." "First published in the journal Criticism, these essays offer no blueprint for reading. Instead they encourage a rereading of canonical texts and a questioning of how these texts face matters of gender, race, and cultural identity; how they respond to the differences and the incongruities within the cultures from which they arise; and to which they speak."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Same Difference is a charming book for young readers (4-8 year olds) that addresses the sensitive and sometime divisive issues of beauty and identity. It has a lyrical, upbeat air that begs to be read aloud and offers an engaging rhyme pattern for young children. Vivid illustrations capture the spirit and innocence of Lida and Lisa, two first cousins who find themselves at odds with each other over their physical differences. With the help of their wise grandmother, the girls soon realize that their bond is deeper than what they see and our differences are what make us beautiful.

Leah and Dexter are brother and sister but they don't always get along. Will Leah and Dexter learn to put their differences aside and join forces for good? Could small, random acts of kindness in the community really make a big impact for all ages?Find out how the ooey, gooey jelly donuts in this story become a delicious testament to the power of kindness, caring and generosity. Great book with a GREAT LESSON! &★&★&★&★&★ "Our 2nd grade class loved this book because it taught us a good lesson about being kind. The story was realistic and we thought of ideas of how we could be kind to others. The book taught us about sharing and caring. We recommend this book for all kids to read." – Verified Amazon Review The best book for teaching kindness and empathy. The Jelly Donut Difference by award-winning author Maria Dismondy also carries message of sibling rivalry, the power of community and inclusion. This book comes with a free Reader's Companion, complete with discussion questions, lesson plans and activities for children to go beyond the book. Download your copy direct from the publisher website.

Today's parents are increasingly concerned about the reading and spelling skills taught in schools and are taking charge of their children's education. Full of ideas and suggestions--from innovative preschool exercises to techniques that older children can use to increase reading speed and comprehension--Straight Talk About Reading will instantly help any parent lay a solid foundation for their child's formative educational years.

"How do we work with young children and their families in ways that are truly responsive to their differences and effective in combating bias? Over the years NAEYC has played a leading role in addressing this question and publishing significant works in the area of anti-bias, culturally responsive education. This collection of readings from Young Children, NAEYC books, and other respected publications reflect the strong, continuing current of thoughtful work on teaching young children in a diverse society. Collectively they provide the current knowledge base as well as thought-provoking discussion on a wide range of issues--culture, language, religion, inclusion, socio-economic status, and more--with emphasis on building respect and understanding. Useful both as an independent resource or as collected readings to accompany other course materials."--Publisher website.

A literary scholar who is an adult adoptee delves into one of the enduring themes of literature--the child raised by other parents

Photographs and simple text celebrate friendship, diversity, and acceptance.

George Orwell set out 'to make political writing into an art', and to a wide extent this aim shaped the future of English literature. While 1984 and Animal Farm are amongst the most popular classic novels of all time, this new series of his essays seeks to bring his writing on politics and literature to a new readership. A Hanging, the ninth in the Orwell's Essays series, tells the story of the execution of an unnamed convict in Burma. With the veracity of the story unknown, but thought to be loosely based on Orwell's own experiences in Burma, the haunting tale leaves the reader contemplating the heavy topic of colonialism, and the right of one to take the life of another.