Our Projects

Welcome! The grade levels and ages listed here are estimates, simply meant to guide you. You know your kids and students best—every reader grows at their own pace. Many books are wonderfully universal and work well across multiple age groups, and some titles remain a perfect fit for readers who may still be developing their skills, especially with a bit of guidance or support. And remember: nonfiction picture books can be powerful tools at any age—even in high school—as supplements, mentor texts, or just great stories worth encountering. Thank you for sharing books with young people, embracing beautifully diverse stories, and keeping the magic of reading alive.

Feel free to use and share any of the educator materials provided here—just kindly credit Room 228, and please note that none of our resources are permitted for resale. Read away!

Educator Guide for Katherine Marsh’s The Lost Year

Thirteen-year-old Matthew is faced with the challenges of a worldwide pandemic. And he is home all. the. time., which sets in motion a journey through the past with his great-grandmother. What he learns exceeds any lesson he could have acquired in a classroom. Matthew is tasked with helping his hundred-year-old great-grandmother GG rummage through boxes of her packed away belongings. What begins as an annoying undertaking ends up as a twisty, turny, unimaginable, emotional journey through history. This educator guide helps teachers prepare their students for a deep dive into history by highlighting relevant historical and 21st century terminology, sharing resources to facilitate discussion, and offering activities that explore global and enduring themes.

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Author’s Guide: Jacqueline Woodson

Woodson’s mastery of examining sophisticated topics through age-appropriate story-telling is inspiring. This author study guides educators through many of Woodson’s chosen techniques so students can analyze, evaluate and practice them in their own reading and writing.

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Educator Guide for Kevin Hart’s Marcus Makes a Movie

This was a ridiculously fun educator guide to work on! Kevin Hart’s middle grade book is so funny and has so much heart (pun totally, absolutely intended). It’s gut bending and warm at the same time. This educator guide celebrates creativity and allows for ample opportunity for the young people in your classroom or in your life to shine. Check out the step-by-step movie-making adventure!

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Classroom Guide for MAX EINSTEIN – THE GENIUS EXPERIMENT (Book One)

This guide is full of interdisciplinary hands on activities that connect to multiple subject matters. Our expert educator, Michelle Assaad, uses her experiences as a middle school STEAM specialist to find the most engaging ways to bring students into the world of Max Einstein. An immediate NY Times #1 Bestseller, “Max is a heroine for the modern age and will be looked up to by readers for generations to come.” We couldn’t agree more!

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Classroom Guide for BIRTH OF THE COOL: HOW JAZZ GREAT MILES DAVIS FOUND HIS SOUND

This picture book offers a wide range of learning possibilities. For younger learners, it introduces Miles Davis in a vividly unique way by using art and language together. For more mature readers, it adds depth and texture as a source of biological information. Through rich discussion and interdisciplinary activities, all ages will enjoy learning about the musical life of Miles Davis.

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