Each Kindness by Jaqueline Woodson

I needed a book to follow up Wonder by R.J. Palacio to continue our theme of kindness. Jaqueline Woodson's Each Kindness was perfect. It is not a feel good book, and I warned my students. I invited my fourth and fifth graders to comment or make a connection, and I was touched by their thoughts. Many talked of being bullied themselves. Others told me of an unkindness they had done and could not take back. One child noticed that the girl that they had been unkind to in the book seemed happy and unfazed. Maybe this student will realize that even though the girl was poor and in hand me down clothes, she had dignity and confidence, maybe a proud and strong family behind her.This book will stick with you long after you've read it. "Each kindness makes the world a little better."