Read Across America: December 2021- Lend a Hand

Every Month, NEA's Read Across America highlights books for young readers that explore a topic related to diversity and inclusion.

The theme for December is Lend a Hand.

Help students see the value of helping others through characters that lend a hand to those who need it.

Here are the recommended books of the month. Find discussion questions and more resources at their website.

Elementary: The Lost Package by Richard Ho

Middle Grade: Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas

Young Adult: How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi

Win it Wednesday: The Wheels on the Bus at Christmas

Every Wednesday we will give away a new book. For a chance to win, just fill out the form at the bottom of the page and you'll be entered into a drawing. The drawing will run from Wednesday through 11:59 PM Friday and winners will be announced on Mondays. (Note: you must be a Fresno County resident to be eligible for Win it Wednesdays.)

The Wheels on the Bus at Christmas by Sarah Kieley

Let's ride the bus on Christmas Eve! Who will we find inside? Grab a ticket and hop aboard the most Christmas-y bus ride ever!

Families will love creating a new Christmas tradition as they sing along to this joyful, boisterous, holiday version of the classic song "The Wheels on the Bus". With a gaggle of adorable Christmas passengers, including reindeer, elves, snowmen, Christmas cookies, and of course Santa himself as the bus driver, this bright and festive book is sure to have children eager to read it (and sing it!) again and again. Peek-through "windows" in the front cover give kids a sneak glimpse of the characters they'll find inside.

Fill out this form for a chance to win our next Win it Wednesday!

Win it Wednesday: The Tree That's Meant to Be

Every Wednesday we will give away a new book. For a chance to win, just fill out the form at the bottom of the page and you'll be entered into a drawing. The drawing will run from Wednesday through 11:59 PM Friday and winners will be announced on Mondays. (Note: you must be a Fresno County resident to be eligible for Win it Wednesdays.)

The Tree That's Meant to Be by Yuval Zommer

A small, crooked fir tree is left all alone after the others near it in the forest are chosen by families as Christmas to bring home. But when the forest animals gather around the lonely little tree to cheer it up and celebrate the season, it finds the warmth of the holidays in the heart of a cold, snowy forest.

Congratulations Megan F., you are our latest Win it Wednesday winner!

New YouTube Channel: Fresno Library Kids

Enjoy video programs just for kids, including virtual book clubs, fun science experiments and more! Subscribe to keep up to date on all our videos.

Click this link to visit: Fresno Library Kids.

Kids' Book Club: Healer of the Water Monster

Join Miss Alyssa and Miss Teresa as they discuss all their favorite parts in this month’s book club pick, Healer of the Water Monster, by Brian Young.

Win it Wednesday: Space Shuttle Scam

Every Wednesday we will give away a new book. For a chance to win, just fill out the form at the bottom of the page and you'll be entered into a drawing. The drawing will run from Wednesday through 11:59 PM Friday and winners will be announced on Mondays. (Note: you must be a Fresno County resident to be eligible for Win it Wednesdays.)

Space Shuttle Scam by Ron Roy

Mystery takes off in 3. . . 2. . . 1!  Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are in Florida, visiting a space museum, Alice's Space Shuttle. There, they get to check out cool NASA gear! But someone is sneaking around Alice's house, and not because they want a tour. They want Alice's property! Why? Only Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose can solve this Jupiter-size mystery!

Congratulations Anne L., you are our Win it Wednesday winner!

The Rebellious Miss Breed: Write to Me by Cynthia Grady

San Diego Public Library is hosting programs reflecting on the World War II experience of Japanese Americans. This program series includes lectures, films, and a postcard exchange partnership with Fresno County Public Library.

The project also highlights the activism of Clara Breed, a San Diego librarian who advocated on behalf of Japanese American children. Kids can learn about this remarkable true story by borrowing Write to Me, available in November with no wait.

Check out your own copy of the book.