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!

Teacher’s Guide: The Port Chicago 50 – Disaster, Mutiny, And The Fight For Civil Rights by Steve Sheinkin

Steve Sheinkin’s award winning books explore fascinating topics – and Port Chicago 50 is no exception. Help students examine the prejudice and lack of human rights that black men and women experienced in America during World War II – even as they fought to defend that same country. This guide offers content specific vocabulary, multimedia and supplemental materials, and thoughtful activities to analyze the hows and whys of the Port Chicago 50 tragedy.

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Teacher’s Guide: The Boys Who Challenged Hitler by Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club

Another inspiring book by Phillip Hoose shows how young people can absolutely make a difference in the world, even in war. Through this true story of heroism and through activities in this guide, students can explore how words hold power and how actions can be courageous – at any age.

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Educator Guide for Odin’s Ravens by K.L. Armstrong and M.A. Marr (Little Brown, 2014)

This adventure novel lends itself to classroom activities that get your students moving! Dramatize particular scenes that highlight conflicts and characters’ motivations. Go behind the writing curtain and close-read passages to better understand the author’s chosen craft. Action is bursting from the pages in this book and there are so many ways to grab on for an exciting ride!

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