Participants: 

  1. Choose the book(s) from the list of titles below to read and discuss.
  2. Send your decision about your book choices via email to [email protected]  or via the Google Form.
  3. Use #readthewayWSRA and Tweet your book choices, conduct Twitter chats, and other ways 

A few ideas to consider for your part in the project:

    • Read the titles yourself then share and do book talks with students, colleagues, family, friends...
    • Connect your choices in the Read Ins
    • Add the #readthewayWSRA books to your school and/or classroom library 
    • Organize  literature circles with a few copies of selected titles
    • Build community with a read aloud
    • Record a book talk and submit it to WSRA to post on the Wisconsin State Reading Association's YouTube Channel. 
    • Design lessons and units around the #readthewayWSRA project books
    • Empower friends and reading councils to organize #readthewayWSRA book clubs 
    • Start a #readthewayWSRA club 
    • Attend @WSRA 2020 February 6-8, 2020 Learning Together in Communities of Practice conference in Milwaukee and learn from amazing presenters. Registration opens in October, 2019. 
    • The possibilities are endless. Spread the word. 

WSRA 2020 is proud to announce that the following authors and illustrators will present in February 2020 @WSRA2020 Learning Together in Communities of Practice. Click HERE to read biographical information. Click HERE to review session titles.  More information...

Nic Stone @getnicced (on Twitter) www.nicstone.info

Books by Nic Stone

      • Dear Martin
        • (Middle Grade) Justyce McAllister is a good kid, an honor student, and always there to help a friend—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. Despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can’t escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates.
      • Odd One Out
        • (YA) Courtney Cooper and Jupiter Sanchez (Coop & Jupe!) have been next-door neighbors and best friends since they were seven-years-old. She's his partner-in-crime and other half. But lately, Cooper can't ignore he might want something more than friendship from Jupiter.
      • Jackpot! All Bets Are Off
        • (YA) When Rico sells a jackpot-winning lotto ticket, she thinks maybe her luck will finally change, but only if she--with some assistance from her popular and wildly rich classmate Zan--can find the ticket holder who hasn't claimed the prize. But what happens when have and have-nots collide? Will this investigative duo unite...or divide?

Hena Khan @henakhanbooks (on Twitter) www.henakhan.com

Books by Hena Khan

    • It’s Ramadan, Curious George
      • ( Picture Book) It's the first day of Ramadan, and George is celebrating with his friend Kareem and his family. George helps Kareem with his first fast and joins in the evening celebration of tasting treats and enjoying a special meal. Then, George helps make gift baskets to donate to the needy, and watches for the crescent moon with the man in the yellow hat. Finally George joins in the Eid festivities to mark the end of his very first Ramadan.
    • Amina’s Voice
      • (Middle Grade) The story centers around Amina dealing with the start of middle school, friendship drama, family conflict—familiar challenges for any kid. But Amina is also a Pakistani American Muslim, and the book is a window into her faith, culture, and community.
    • Under My Hijab
      • (Picture Book) Written in sprightly rhyme and illustrated by a talented newcomer, Under My Hijab honors the diverse lives of contemporary Muslim women and girls, their love for each other, and their pride in their culture and faith.
    • Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns
      • (Picture Book) From a red prayer rug to a blue hijab, everyday colors are given special meaning as young readers learn about clothing, food, and other important elements of Islamic culture, with a young Muslim girl as a guide.
    • Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets
      • (Picture Book) From a crescent moon to a square garden to an octagonal fountain, this breathtaking picture book celebrates the shapes—and traditions—of the Muslim world!
    • Night of the Moon
      • (Picture Book) When the moon's first crescent reappears, it's time to celebrate "The Night of the Moon" (chaand raat in the Urdu language) and the gift-giving holiday of Eid—when Yasmeen has a wonderful gift in store.

Cynthia Leitich Smith @CynLeitichSmith (on Twitter) https://cynthialeitichsmith.com

Books by Cynthia Leitich Smith

    • Hearts Unbroken
      • (Young Adult) As tensions heighten at school, so does a romance between Lou and Joey—but as she’s learned, “dating while Native” can be difficult. In trying to protect her own heart, will Lou break Joey’s?
    • Rain is Not My Indian Name
      • (Young Adult) After the unexpected death of her best friend, Cassidy Rain Berghoff reconnects to her family and community through the lens of a camera.
    • Thanku Poems of Gratitude
      • (Picture Book) A fully illustrated, concept picture book celebrating gratitude and featuring numerous children’s poets.
    • I Remember: Poems and Pictures of Heritage
      • (Picture Book) From the joyous to the poignant, poems by award-winning, diverse poets are paired with images by celebrated illustrators from similar backgrounds to pay homage to what is both unique and universal about growing up in the United States.
    • Jingle Dancer 
      • (Middle Grade) Jenna, a contemporary Muscogee (Creek) girl in Oklahoma, wants to honor a family tradition by jingle dancing at the next powwow. But where will she find enough jingles for her dress?

Monique Gray Smith (on Twitter) @ltldrum

Books by Monique Gray Smith

    • Speaking Our Truth
      • (Professional) Guided by acclaimed Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith, readers will learn about the lives of Survivors and listen to allies who are putting the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into action.
    • Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience
      • (Middle Grade) Tilly has always known she's part Lakota on her dad's side. She's grown up with the traditional teachings of her grandma, relishing the life lessons of her beloved mentor. But it isn't until an angry man shouts something on the street that Tilly realizes her mom is Aboriginal too — a Cree woman taken from her own parents as a baby.
    • Tilly and the Crazy Eights
      • (Middle Grade) With friendships forged, love found, hearts broken and mended, Tilly and the Crazy Eights feel ready for anything by the time their bus rolls to a stop in New Mexico. But are they?
    • You Hold Me Up
      • ((Picture Book) This vibrant picture book, beautifully illustrated by celebrated artist Danielle Daniel, encourages children to show love and support for each other and to consider each other's well-being in their everyday actions.
    • My Heart Fills with Happiness 
      • (Picture Book) This beautiful board book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy.

Rafael Lopez, Author/Illustrator (on Twitter) @rafaelopezart  https://rafaellopez.com/

Books illustrated by Rafael Lopez

    • The Day You Begin
      • (Picture Book) Rafael López's dazzling art celebrate the bravery it takes to go forth even when you feel like an outsider. And they remind us that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our story, others will be happy to meet us halfway.
    • We’ve Got the Whole World in Our Hands
      • (Picture Book) From the rivers to the mountains to the oceans and to the seas, we’ve got the whole wide world in our hands.
    • Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
      • (Picture Book) In Just Ask, United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor celebrates the different abilities kids (and people of all ages) have. Using her own experience as a child who was diagnosed with diabetes, Justice Sotomayor writes about children with all sorts of challenges--and looks at the special powers those kids have as well. As the kids work together to build a community garden, asking questions of each other along the way, this book encourages readers to do the same: When we come across someone who is different from us but we're not sure why, all we have to do is Just Ask.
    • Dream Drum Girl
      • (Picture Book) Girls cannot be drummers. Long ago on an island filled with music, no one questioned that rule—until the drum dream girl. In her city of drumbeats, she dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bongós. She had to keep quiet. She had to practice in secret. But when at last her dream-bright music was heard, everyone sang and danced and decided that both girls and boys should be free to drum and dream. Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers.
    • Book Fiesta
      • (Picture Book) Take a ride in a long submarine or fly away in a hot air balloon. Whatever you do, just be sure to bring your favorite book! 
    • Bravo! Poems About Amazing Hispanics
      • (Picture Book) Musician, botanist, baseball player, pilot-the Hispanics featured in this collection come from nay different backgrounds and from many different countries. Celebrate their accomplishments and their contributions to a collective history and a community that continues to evolve and thrive today!