Dawn reading in classroom

At home, school, or at the fair, readers make valuable contributions to children’s literacy

A Letter from Executive Director Dawn Miller

Twenty-some years ago when Kelly Griffith was teaching first grade, her class studied honeybees for a month.  

“Anything and all things honeybee,” she said. “I used my standards. We did research together. We tasted honey on biscuits. We studied beeswax and candles and crayons.  

“I had a beekeeper come in, and he brought them all little test tubes of honey to taste.  

“We dissected honeycombs. We watched videos.  

“And we read tons of different texts and different levels of texts about honeybees and flowers.”  

A month later the Title 1 teacher came in to “DIBEL” the kids, or to administer a common test called Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills.  

Then one day both the Title 1 teacher and an administrator walked into Griffith’s classroom with the results. “What did you do?” they asked.  

Griffith’s first graders, who had been grouped in her class because they struggled with reading, had “knocked it out of the park.”  

By happenstance, one of the passages that the kids were tested on was about honeybees.  

“That was powerful to me,” said Griffith. Now a coordinator for academic support with the West Virginia Department of Education, she co-leads the department’s “Ready. Read. Write.” initiative to improve reading skills across the state.  

To many older readers the effort will look familiar – teach children to accurately sound out words, explicitly and systematically, using data to differentiate instruction. That is a big part of it, and it is based on decades of research illuminating how the brain learns to read.  

At the same time, children must build knowledge and vocabulary with rich and fascinating texts and topics. For this knowledge-building work, everyone gets the support they need to access the same grade-level texts and topics regardless of decoding ability. That way, each child can enjoy and learn from the most interesting books and activities.  

Just as Griffith’s first graders did all those years ago.  

She wants community members and families to understand their role.  

“Little things, like activities in the car or during bathtime can actually make an impact in how your child makes connections, and the knowledge they come to school with, which is a huge predictor of being a proficient reader,” Griffith said.  

Reading aloud is an excellent way to give students opportunities to experience more challenging texts than they might be able to read on their own. Enter your classroom Read Aloud reader. Volunteers show up each week with another book or another chapter to enjoy together, full of rich vocabulary and complex ideas to explore, all while modeling reading for fun.  

Or a nightly bedtime book. Or the books parents keep in the car or stroller for unexpected waits. Or any reading habit anywhere. Walks through parks or historical sites. Trying and discussing new foods or interesting documentaries.  

“It’s not just decoding words,” Griffith said. “It’s having conversations. Digging in the dirt. Telling them what is in the dirt.  

“I want families to hear that message, because I want them to know that they have an important role in their students’ literacy. The knowledge they bring to school helps with those literacy skills, even before they start reading on their own.  

“I don’t know that I knew that even as a young teacher.” 

Throughout this newsletter, you will find communities where the message has been received. Reading role models are carrying out their important role – at the Jackson County Fair, at an event for new and expectant mothers in Raleigh County, at Women and Children’s Hospital in Kanawha County, and in Read Aloud classrooms all over the state.    

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Ten to try: Comics and Graphic Novels

We are big proponents of letting children read whatever interests them, including comic books and graphic novels. But some may be surprised to learn that comics, despite having fewer words, can have just as great an impact on vocabulary growth! Research from the University of Oregon found that comic books averaged 53.5 rare or complex words per 1,000. This exceeds the rare word average for children’s books at 30.9 and even for adult books at 52.7.

The following titles would be great options to offer a child or teen in your life:

Thea Stilton Graphic Novels #1: The Secret of Whale Island

written by Elisabetta Dami, illustrated by Rafaella Seccia and Christina Giorgilli
ages 7 and up

It’s the start of the new school year, and the five Thea sisters have arrived at Ratford College. Every year at this time, the whales move off the coast of Whale Island, but this time, a savage killer whale threatens the peace.

Series recommended by Marion Tanner, Fayette County


Coraline: The Graphic Novel

written by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by P. Craig Russell
ages 8 and up

When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvelous. But there’s another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go. Coraline will have to fight with all her wit and courage if she is to save herself and return to her ordinary life.

Recommended by Becca Revercomb, Kanawha County


The Last Kids on Earth

written by Max Brallier, illustrated by Douglas Holgate
ages 8 and up

Ever since the monster apocalypse hit town, average thirteen-year-old Jack Sullivan has been living in his tree house, which he’s armed to the teeth with catapults and a moat, not to mention video games and an endless supply of Oreos and Mountain Dew scavenged from abandoned stores. But Jack alone is no match for the hordes of Zombies and Winged Wretches and Vine Thingies, and especially not for the eerily intelligent monster known only as Blarg. So Jack builds a team: his dorky best friend, Quint; the reformed middle school bully, Dirk; Jack’s loyal pet monster, Rover; and the fiercest girl Jack knows, June. With their help, Jack is going to slay Blarg, achieve the ultimate Feat of Apocalyptic Success, and be average no longer!

Recommended by Blake Kemlock, Age 8, Fayette County


Sanity & Tallulah

written and illustrated by Molly Brooks
ages 8 and up

It can get pretty dull living on a small, out-of-the-way station like Wilnick SS. Best Friends Sanity Jones and Tallulah Vega do their best to relieve the monotony of every day space life by finding adventures, solving mysteries, and taking turns getting each other into and out of trouble. But when Sanity’s latest science project-an extremely-illegal-but-impossibly-cute three-headed kitten-escapes from the lab and starts causing havoc, the girls will have to turn the station upside down to find her-before the damage becomes irreversible!


I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912: A Graphic Novel

written by Lauren Tarshis, illustrated by Haus Studio
ages 8 and up

George Calder must be the luckiest kid alive – he and his little sister, Phoebe, are sailing with their aunt on the Titanic, the greatest ship ever built! George can’t resist exploring every inch of the incredible boat, even if it gets him into trouble. But one night while George is off exploring, a terrible boom shakes the entire boat. Soon the impossible is happening: The Titanic is sinking.


Bad Kitty Gets a Phone (Graphic Novel)

written and illustrated by Nick Bruel
ages 7 and up

Kitty has everything any cat could want–a warm bed, plenty of fresh litter, a machine that dispenses food whenever she wants! But Kitty isn’t satisfied. She has her eye on something that will make her the happiest, most grateful cat in town. Something all the other cats have but that her owners refuse to get her! Something she desperately needs!

Kitty wants…a cell phone. And she can have one if she does all her chores with zero complaints. But can she handle the responsibility?

Series recommended by Peyton Ice, Age 12, Marion County


Girl on Fire

written by Alicia Keys and Andrew Weiner, illustrated by Brittney Williams
ages 14 and up

Lolo Wright always thought she was just a regular fourteen-year-old dealing with regular family drama: her brother, James, is struggling with his studies; her dad’s business constantly teeters on the edge of trouble; and her mother . . . she left long ago. But then Lolo’s world explodes when a cop pulls a gun on James in a dangerous case of mistaken identities. Staring down the barrel, with no one else to help, Lolo discovers powers she never knew she had. Using only her mind, she literally throws the cop out of the way. Problem is that secrets like Lolo’s don’t stay a secret for long.


Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American

written and illustrated by Laura Gao
ages 14 and up

After spending her early years in Wuhan, China, riding water buffalos and devouring stinky tofu, Laura immigrates to Texas, where her hometown is as foreign as Mars—at least until 2020, when COVID-19 makes Wuhan a household name.

In Messy Roots, Laura illustrates her coming-of-age as the girl who simply wants to make the basketball team, escape Chinese school, and figure out why girls make her heart flutter.


Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

written and illustrated by Marjane Satrapi
ages 13 and up

Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s best-selling graphic memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.


Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal

written by G. Willow Wilson, illustrated by Adrian Alphona
ages 13 and up

Marvel Comics presents the all-new Ms. Marvel, the groundbreaking heroine that has become an international sensation! Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City – until she is suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the all-new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! As Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Or will the weight of the legacy before her be too much to handle? Kamala has no idea either. But she’s comin’ for you, New York!

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Ten to try: Read Around West Virginia

We converted our usual in-person spring fundraising event Read-A-Palooza to a COVID-safe poster to both raise money and serve the mission. The Read Around West Virginia poster features books set in or written by authors from the Mountain State alongside our 31 sponsors, listed below. A celebration of West Virginia literacy, culture, and art, the poster was hand-drawn by Charleston-based artist Brenda Pinnell of HepCatz Design.

Posters will be shared with enrolled schools and community partners this winter onward. They will be sold in Charleston’s Taylor Books and Lewisburg’s A New Chapter, as well as other potential vendors.

Email stateoffice@readaloudwv.org if you’re interested in offering Read Around WV posters in your business.

This Ten to Try includes a sample of children’s books featured in the poster, and why we think they’re great.

The Star Fisher

by Laurence Yep | Ages 8 and up

Set in Clarksburg in 1927, fifteen-year-old Chinese-American protagonist Joan Lee, shares an emotionally complex story of prejudice and the immigrant experience in Appalachia, weaving a traditional Chinese myth about the half-bird, half-human starfisher throughout.


Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Put Astronauts on the Moon

Written by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk | Ages 5 and up

The true story of Katherine Johnson, a Black mathematician and White Sulphur Springs native, and how she went from a curious, gifted student to a prominent contributor to the NASA space race, saving lives and making history with her calculations.


Golden Delicious: A Cinderella Apple Story

Written by Anna Egan Smucker, illustrated by Kathleen Kemly | Ages 4 and up

The true story of how a Clay County farmer – Anderson Mullins – discovers a tree of Golden Delicious apples on his farm and collaborates with the Missouri-based Stark brothers to make them a staple of the apple world.


Mothman Learns the ABCs

Written by Michael Schang, illustrated by Danner Seyffer-Sprague | Ages 0 and up

An ABC book starring West Virginia’s most famous cryptid, Mothman, who travels the Mountain State on a quest for knowledge.


More Than Anything Else

Written by Marie Bradby, illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet | Ages 8 and up

A fictional account of nine-year-old Booker T. Washington living in a West Virginia settlement after emancipation, working in the salt works, and longing to learn to read.


The Boys Start the War

By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor | Ages 8 and up

A prank war between the four Hatford boys and the three Malloy girls is started when the Hatfords attempt to antagonize their unwanted new neighbors into leaving West Virginia and returning to Ohio.


Passing the Music Down

Written by Sarah Sullivan, illustrated by Barry Root | Ages 5 and up

A tale told in lyrical free verse and inspired by the lives of renowned fiddlers Melvin Wine and Jake Krack, this book follows a young boy who learns from an old-time fiddle player, joining a tradition of passing the music down.


Up Molasses Mountain

By Julie Baker | Ages 10 and up

Set in Clay, WV in 1953, two young narrators tell the story of a divided mining town. Elizabeth, whose father and brother are opposed on unionization, and her classmate Clarence, who is shunned for his cleft-palate, face turmoil and heartache together, weaving a narrative of empowering friendship amongst adversity.


The Relatives Came

Written by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Stephen Gammell | Ages 2 and up

In a time when big family get-togethers are much rarer than they used to be, who wouldn’t enjoy this sunny story about a long and boisterous visit from the relatives?


Venola the Vegetarian

By Cheryl Ware | Ages 8 and up

Seventh grader Venola Cutright isn’t afraid of a challenge. In a world where hotdog eating contests are the norm, she decides to become a vegetarian, attempting to convert her family, friends, and the unsmiling cafeteria lady along the way.


Thank you to our sponsors!

The Becker Family

Andy Richardson

William Maxwell Davis

John T. Gibson, DDS, PLLC

Tom Heywood and Melody Simpson

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Ten to try: By kids, for kids

We asked our Read Aloud Families participants to send us recommendations for books that they think our readers need to know about, and we were not disappointed! Here are ten of their picks with quotes from each child explaining why they like the title.

Salt

by Maurice Gee | Grades 7th and up

“Like all dystopian books I have read, I can say that this book was good and if anyone asks, I recommend it. The events of this book are real enough that if humans don’t watch it, it could happen in the future. The ability to talk telepathically actually could be the result of a mutation or exposure to radioactive material. And deep salt itself could be the product of nuclear energy and some gem fusing underground.”

— Joshua | Age 14 | Monongalia County


Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

by Dr. Seuss | Grades PreK and up

“This book is really cool. It’s by Dr. Seuss. He is my favorite author.

— Rose | Age 7 | Harrison County


The Wingfeather Saga

by Andrew Peterson | Grades 3rd-6th

“This series is great because it’s a lot of adventure and the children are the main characters.”

— Jamin | Age 8


Flora and Ulysses

by Kate DiCamillo | Grades 2nd and up

“I like how it gives the point of view of the squirrel and how there is a lot of funny stuff in it.”

— Kylie | Age 13 | Brooke County


Ramona Quimby Series

by Beverly Cleary | Grades 3rd-8th

“Good for younger kids to read, but entertaining enough for older kids and even adults to read as well. Told from the perspective of Ramona Quimby, read through the series as she makes various silly mistakes and makes a lot of funny choices. It will keep you laughing out loud to the very end!!!!”

— Ginger | Age 12 | Monongalia County


Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian

by Rick Riordan | Grades 4th and up

“It is action-packed and very gripping. Right before the war against the monsters, Percy is determined and says, ‘It’s time to get this war started.’ Everything from the chapter titles to the actual words is gripping. I was pulled in on the very first paragraph. Overall, it’s a very good book.”

— Josephine | Age 10


Island Of The Blue Dolphins

by Scott O’Dell | Grades 4th and up

“It’s always a mystery. You never know what is going to happen next.”

— Maria | Age 11 | Randolph County


The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes

by Bill Waterson | Grades 4th and up

“Its funny because in one Calvin’s naked and goes down stairs. In another one Calvin has a sled and is going to ride a loopty loop and Hobbes doesn’t want to do it and Calvin says he’s a sissy.”

— Brady | Age 10 | Monongalia County


Piggy Bunny

by Rachel Vail | Grades PreK-2

“Piggy show how you can be anything you want to be.”

— Westen | Age 5 | Greenbrier County


The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown | Grades 3rd-6th

“I like that Roz the Robot learns how to live in the wild and becomes friends with animals. She goes on adventures and is very helpful too.”

— Peyton | Age 10 | Monongalia County


Honorable Mentions

Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss – anonymous
The Impossible Quest by Kate Forsyth – Kaylie, Age 12
Magic Kitten by Sue Bentley – Jade, Age 10
Wacky Wednesday by Dr Seuss – Jamie & Calvin, Age 6
Rex vs. Edna: The Very First Chicken by Douglas Rees – Zayne, Age 7

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A beautiful partnership

Young, autistic illustrator and her former teacher publish a picture book

By Amanda Schwartz

One day, Amee S. Neal gave her teacher at Ashton Elementary, Janet Rowe, a drawing she had made. Amee is autistic and was very shy and reserved at that time, but she loved to draw and read. She was always the Accelerated Reader of the month and year; Janet thinks she may still hold the school record today.

Janet Rowe (middle) and Amee Neal (right) with Janet’s granddaughter and book namesake, Aliera.

“I was honored she would give me drawings. I became friends with her family,” Janet said, describing via email how she taught Amee’s older sister then Amee herself. “I told her, if I ever wrote a book, I would ask her to be the illustrator.”
Janet was an elementary educator for 34 years in Mason County and retired in 2013. After retiring, she began volunteering as a Read Aloud WV classroom reader, reading to her granddaughter’s Kindergarten class and a first-grade class at Martha Elementary. During this time, she was inspired to write her own children’s book, making good on her promise to Amee years before.

“I approached Amee and her mother, Kelly, about going on an adventure to become an illustrator for a story I had written,” Janet said. “I explained, I knew nothing about being an author and getting a book published, but I was going to research it and find out. Amee was thrilled and so was her mother.”

Two years later, Janet came into some unexpected money and used it to self-publish their book – Aliera Wants to be a Monkey – through Covenant Books, Inc. The process took eight months, and both Janet and Amee were a little disappointed in the end to find out that their book would only be available to purchase online, not in stores.

Janet reads Aliera Wants to be a Monkey to granddaughter (and book namesake) Aliera’s class at Martha Elementary in Cabell County.

Even so, they persevered. Amee and Janet began visiting local schools to share their story and promote their book. “I would read the book aloud and Amee would talk about being an illustrator and draw the picture that is on the cover of our book while talking,” Janet explained. “She did a great job and got better and better.” Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to these visits, but the pair hopes to resume them next year.

In the meantime, they finished their second book! Janet is currently searching for an agent to represent them, with the hope that this book can be sold in retail stores.

“I would like Amee to be in the spotlight!” she shared. “She does many artistic pieces other than illustrations for me. She wants to use her talents to be an inspiration for others, and I would like to see our book get published so we can be partners all the way through life.”

Top 10 - Abigail Lake

Tempt your students with a Virtual Book Tasting

We want to give your class books!

By Amanda Schwartz

Read Aloud West Virginia is offering a new way for teachers to put books in their students’ hands: a Virtual Book Tasting.

We’re calling it a “book tasting” because like a cake tasting, you get little samples of a bunch of options. Then students can make informed choices of books they get to keep.

Students also get opportunities to have meaningful conversations about what they read. They can recommend books to friends or warn them off.  They can practice the habits of lifelong readers and learners – to read by choice and to discuss readings with colleagues.

 “The research base on student-selected reading is robust and conclusive,” literacy experts Richard Allington and Rachel Gabriel wrote in the 2012 article “Every Child, Every Day”. “Students read more, understand more, and are more likely to continue reading when they have the opportunity to choose what they read.”

Researchers also agree that giving students time to discuss books with peers is essential. According to the same Allington and Gabriel article, reading outcomes were better “when kids simply talked with a peer about what they read than when they spent the same amount of class time highlighting important information after reading.”

Our book tastings emphasize choice and create opportunities for students to chime in with opinions and questions. They even include a conversation starter “The Worst Book Ever,” in which a volunteer presents a popular book they don’t recommend, and participants are prompted to respond with their own opinions. This activity is intentionally designed to demonstrate to students that readers don’t love every book they crack open, and that it’s OK to quit a book they don’t enjoy and try something else. It is designed to welcome students who have not already discovered pleasure in reading, as well as avid readers.

After the book tasting, students will have an opportunity to choose a book from those discussed. We’ll pack the selected titles, tag them for each student, and arrange to deliver them to the school for distribution.

All schools enrolled with Read Aloud qualify for free book tastings and other book distributions, and because of  pandemic pressures on school staff, all schools enrolled in the 2019-20 school year have been automatically re-enrolled with us for 2020-21, unless schools have notified us otherwise.

Click here to fill out an application to request books for your students. We look forward to hearing from you!

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10 to try: Our readers recommend

At the end of every school year, we ask our volunteer readers to tell us about their experience and share some books that worked well in their classrooms. Here are some favorites!

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles

“I have found children enjoy learning about other cultures.”

­— Derniere Marshall, Jefferson County


A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements

“I highly recommend A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements! I read this to a 5th grade class after asking the classroom teacher if she had any recommendations of stories she thought her students would enjoy. She was spot-on with this recommendation! The students were mesmerized by the story! Their recall of what they had heard the prior week was amazing…recalling many details and responding without prompts! This story held their interest, had many twists in the storyline, and included humor and compassion.”

— Kathleen (Kathy) Bennett, Berkeley County


I Am a Bee: A Book about Bees for Kids by Rebecca and James McDonald

“I used a hand puppet (Bee) and the children (PreK) loved interacting with the puppet. Had I been able to read again I would have used my possum puppet.”

­— Paulette J. Buzbee, Raleigh County


Fortunately, The Milk by Neil Gaiman

A madcap story with pirates, piranhas, adventure, aliens, time travel and breakfast cereal.

— Margaret (Meg) Squier, Greenbrier County


Painter and Ugly by Robert J. Blake

“I always try to make the kids laugh. I hope my choice of books is interesting so it keeps their attention.”
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— Cathy Shaffer,
Preston County


Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown

“Every year I pick up second-hand books and arrange a couple of situations where I distribute a book to each member of the class… It’s especially nice when some of the books I have are ones I’ve read to the class and the kids are eager to get those titles. This year I read Flat Stanley and then during their Trunk or Treat event at Halloween, I set up a Flat Stanley display. It turned out really cool and I was able to find numerous Flat Stanley books for the kids to choose from and keep.”

­— Judy Hurst, Marion County


The Star People: A Lakota Story by S.D. Nelson

Two children stray from their village and are helped by their deceased grandmother, one of the Star People.

— Sandra Summers, Jackson County


Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds

“I look forward to reading exciting and interesting stories to the children this fall, hopefully, in the traditional classroom setting. It’s such an enjoyable experience.”

— Crystal Morgan, Mason County


The Cay by Theodore Taylor

“I always do an activity with the students after reading the book. For example, after The Cay, I brought in coconuts and we cracked them and tasted the milk and flesh. Very few of the students had ever seen a real coconut before. After a book on Helen Keller, I teach them braille and sign language.”

— Sheila Amato, Preston County


Tanka Tanka Skunk! by Steve Webb

“A hit with both my first grade readers as well as my fourth grade readers. I brought egg shakers for every student and we made the Tanka Tanka beats together. I had to start bringing it every week!”

— Amy Dinaldo, Nicholas County

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10 to Try: West Virginia Day

West Virginia Day celebrates the anniversary of West Virginia joining the Union and becoming its own state, separate from Virginia, in 1863. In celebration of our state’s founding, we collected a list of children’s books featuring the mountain state and its many stellar authors. We enjoyed putting these together so much that this 10 to Try actually features twelve great books because we just couldn’t narrow it down to ten. Enjoy!

When I Was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant (Grades K to 3)

An evocative and eloquent tribute to growing up in rural Appalachia.

— Suzanne Wood, Fayette County


From Miss Ida’s Porch by Sandra Belton (Grades 3 and up)

A Raleigh County native, Sandra Belton paints a picture familiar to West Virginians, the very best time of day, evenings on the porch. In her warm, conversational way, she lets readers sit alongside the kids in the story to hear their old-timers talk about life before the Civil Rights movement, and after.  


More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby (Grades 1 to 5)

This is the story of Booker T. Washington who would write “Up From Slavery” as an adult. In this story he is a child laboring at the salt works and struggling to teach himself what he wants to know “more than anything else.” Beautifully illustrated by Chris Soentpiet.


The King of Little Things by Bil Lepp (Grades K to 5)

Champion West Virginia storyteller Bil Lepp can make almost anyone sound good with his rhythmic rhymes, telling the story of a modest little king and the unsung odds and ends that stick up for him. It is wonderfully silly and subtle.


Panther Mountain: Lydia’s Story by Christy Perry Tuohey (Grades 5 to 8)

I would highly recommend Panther Mountain: Lydia’s Story by Christy Perry Tuohey. The book deals with the area that would become the state of West Virginia and includes several local references such as Gauley Bridge and Summersville. I purchased the book last fall with the hope of reading it to the Fifth Graders at Fayetteville Prek-8. 

— Janice Wiseman, Fayette County  


Passing the Music Down by Sarah Sullivan (pre-K to adult)

There may be no Vandalia Gathering this year, but you can enjoy a lyrical story, inspired by the tradition of passing the music down to each generation. Any age can find something to appreciate here.


Where, Oh Where, Oh Where, Could We Go? by Tony Caridi (Ages 3+)

Travel across the mountain state touring popular locations and learning to identify the unique WV shape hidden on each page in this rhyming, fast-paced adventure.

— Jeremy Crites, Putnam County


No Star Nights by Anna Smucker (Grades 2 to 5)

The author remembers growing up in Weirton, when smoke from the steel mills blocked the night sky. 


Golden Delicious: A Cinderella Apple Story by Anna Smucker (Grades 3 to 5)

I read this to preschoolers and they enjoyed that West Virginia was highlighted in the book, and they also enjoyed their golden delicious apples from Clay County.

— Deb Blakeman, Kanawha County


John Henry by Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney (Grade PreK to 3)

There are several books about John Henry, the legendary West Virginia man who challenged a new steam-powered tool to stop it from taking the men’s jobs. This one draws details from several versions passed down over the years, highlighting the aspirations of the men.


Mountain Christmas by Marc Harshman (Grades K to 3)

Track Santa on his way to West Virginia with state Poet Laureate Marc Harshman.


West Virginia: A History by John Alexander Williams (middle school to adult)

Each of seven chapters stands alone as a readable, discussion-prompting story for middle school students or older. Each takes on a problem or topic in West Virginia history. Visit Point Pleasant, Harpers Ferry, Droop Mountain, Tug Fork, Paint Creek, Hawks Nest or Buffalo Creek.


The majority of the links above will route you to the online store of Charleston’s Taylor Books. You can still have your books sent to you, as with most online retailers, and your purchase will benefit a West Virginia small business and help to keep local bookstores open!

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10 to Try: Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the anniversary of June 19, 1865 when the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the enslaved people of Texas, the last state to get the news. We decided to celebrate this Juneteenth by collecting a list of book recommendations from our volunteer classroom readers and supporters.

Our readers know the importance of exposing children to diverse texts. It helps every child find books with characters that look like them and their communities, but it also ensures that children are exposed to new cultures, ideas, and experiences that will help them become more accepting, empathetic adults. That’s why it’s important for books like these to be staples in your library all year long, not just today.


Nobody Owns the Sky: The Story of “Brave Bessie” Coleman by Reeve Lindbergh (Grades 2 and up)

Every year I read this book about “Brave Bessie” Coleman to my school group to let them know that with persistence, dreams are possible. Bessie Coleman became the first licensed African-American aviator in the world.

— Jeannie Plumley, Kanawha County


Jackie & Me (Baseball Card Adventures) by Dan Gutman (Grades 4-6)

— Helen Herlocker, Morgan County


Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson by Katherine Johnson (Grades 4-6)

I read the Jackie Robinson book to 6th graders at PawPaw Elementary (they loved it so much that I read it again to the following year’s class) and I’m planning to read the Katherine Johnson autobiography in the fall. Both are particularly relevant to our current Black Lives Matter national issue.

— Helen Herlocker, Morgan County


Juneteenth For Mazie by Floyd Cooper (Grades 1-4)

The illustrations were beautifully done. We enjoyed how the importance of Juneteenth was translated into a way children could understand it. It was done in such a way that I was able to open up with my children about how the history of Mazie’s family was different than our own. It allowed them to sympathize with a social issue by sympathizing with another child. It helped them to grasp the benefits they have that others did/do not.

— Nicole Walls, Marion County


We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices edited by Wade Hudson & Cheryl Willis Hudson (Grades 3-7)

What do we tell our children when the world seems bleak, and prejudice and racism run rampant? With 96 lavishly designed pages of original art and prose, fifty diverse creators lend voice to young activists.

— Caitlin Gaffin, Kanawha County


Zoey & Sassafras series by Asia Citro (Grades 1-5)

— Tess Jackson, Putnam


Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol series by Andres Miedoso (Grades K-4)

Both “Zoey and Sassafras” and “Desmond Cole” feature people of color as main characters without the narrative being based around race. Zoey and her cute cat Sassafras use the scientific method to care for mythical creatures. Desmond and his best pal, Andres, investigate paranormal happenings.

— Tess Jackson, Putnam County


Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor (Grades 6 and up)

This book poignantly tells the story of how 9-year old Cassie Logan and her close-knit family face violence and racism during the depression era. I read this book to my high school seniors and they loved it. A great book to read aloud!

— Meg Ashby, Nicholas County


New Kid by Jerry Craft (Grades 5-8)

I suggest you search the Corretta Scott King Book Awards Web Site for many wonderful books with their descriptions for all ages. This is a valuable resource any time of the year. Why wait for Juneteenth for diversity?

— Ghee Gossard, Kanawha County


What Color is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Raymond Obstfeld (Grades 3-7)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball legend and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, champions a lineup of little-known African-American inventors in this lively, kid-friendly book. Offering profiles with fast facts and framed by a funny contemporary story featuring two feisty twins, here is a tribute to black inventors whose ingenuity and perseverance against great odds made our world safer, better, and brighter.

— Peshka Calloway and her 9-year-old son


The links above will route you to the online store of Charleston’s Taylor Books. You can still have your books sent to you, as with most online retailers, and your purchase will benefit a West Virginia small business and help to keep local bookstores open!

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10 to Try: Black History Month

Read Aloud teamed up with the YWCA Charleston Racial Justice Program to bring you ten children’s books to try for Black History Month. Whether you’re a classroom reader, a teacher, or a parent, these books are a great way to celebrate the rich culture of America and the lasting impact of leaders of color! We encourage you to not only use titles like this in honor of Black History Month, but to incorporate texts with diverse characters into your reading all twelve months of the year!

A huge thanks to the YWCA for pulling this compelling list of titles together.


If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Ringgold (Grades K -5)

Marcie, a young black girl on her way to school, gets picked up by a strange bus. She later finds out this is the famous “Rosa Parks bus”. This bus ride with Marcie will leave listeners interested and engaged in the rich history behind civil rights leader, Rosa Parks.


Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterfly (Grades PreK – 3)

Hidden Figures shares the story of four African American, female mathematicians working at NASA. While facing racial and gender bias, they prevailed by participating in some of NASA’s greatest achievements. This book features a local legend Katherine Goble Johnson, a native of West Virginia and a West Virginia State University alumna.


Be A King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You by Carole Boston Weatherford (Grades PreK – 3)

This dual narrative shares moments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, while also sharing the strong principles of equality he stood by. Students, performing a Dr. King inspired school project, learn about the adversity Dr. King faced and his hope for an equal society. This book encourages children to enact the principles of Dr. King’s legacy into their own lives.


Firebird by Misty Copeland (Grades PreK – 3)

Firebird showcases the story of a young dancer who is questioning her own ability. Misty Copeland, the first African American woman to become a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, uplifts this young protagonist by sharing her experiences.


What Color is My World: The Lost History of African American Inventors by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld (Grades 3-7)

This book uplifts the stories of little-known African American inventors. What Color is My World honors the ingenuity and determination shown by these inventors to make our world a better place.


Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford (Grades 1-3)

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom is a poetic tribute to the strength and devotion of Harriet Tubman. Through prayerful dialogue, Harriet Tubman shows determination and perseverance to free her people.


Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o (Grades 1-3)

Sulwe is a heartwarming story that inspires children to see their own unique beauty. Sulwe has trouble accepting her darker skin, but she’s reminded that her skin is just as beautiful and valuable as lighter skin tones.


I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley (Grades K and Up)

I Love My Hair is a story about a African American girl celebrating her beautiful natural hair. This imaginative book highlights the significance and versatility of African American Hair.


Mixed Me by Taye Diggs (Grades 1-3)

The main character, Mike, learns to embrace and celebrate his mixed racial heritage. This delightful, textured, fun-filled picture book takes on the questions children of mixed races face with humor and offers a strong, positive message of self-love. 


Same Difference by Calida Garcia Rawles (Grades 4-6)

This charming, upbeat books begs to be read aloud! Two cousins find themselves at odds over their physical appearance. This book reminds us that you can find beauty in any shade of brown and that we are much more alike after all.


Message from the YWCA Charleston Racial Justice Program

We hope that you love these books as much as we do! Thank you to Read Aloud West Virginia for this amazing opportunity. We would also like to thank our amazing Racial Justice Committee Members for suggesting such good reads. We hope that these books share important pieces of Black History and highlight the beauty of the black experience.