Elementary Books

Cam Jansen (whole series of mysteries) by David A. Adler*(some have cassettes)

Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner*

Aunt Flossie's hats (and crab cakes later) by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard*
Bunnicula by Debroah and James Howe*
The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne* (some have cassettes/cds)
A-Z Mysteries by Ron Roy* (some have cassettes) various mystery books
Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin*
Dear Mrs. Larue : letters from obedience school / written and illustrated by Mark Teague. (you can find these (in hardback) for $2.50 at some Kohl's stories!!!)
Step into Reading series various books by various authors

Upper Elementary/Middle book ideas

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen*
The Skin I'm in by Sharon Flake*
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson*
Monster by Walter Dean Myers*
Shooter by Walter Dean Myers*
(Walter Dean Myers has a lot of other good books too!)
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis*

Books by Mildred Taylor
Roll of Thunder, Hear my cry*
The Friendship
The Gold Cadillac
Mississippi Bridge

The fighting ground by Avi
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen* (and there is a movie about this book!!!)
The Jacket by Andrew Clements
My name is Maria Isabel by Alma Flor Ada
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli*
Sounder by William Armstrong* (and a movie!!)
Joey Pigza Swolled the key by Jack Gantos*
Books with * are available on CD (or cassette) from the Milwaukee Public Library

Building a positive classroom environment

Check out the resources below for ideas on making your classroom a positive community...meaning that kids feel welcome, a sense of belonging, and want to learn- which in turn will make you want to come to work;)
Book Suggestions:
Power Struggles by Allen Mendler
He and Richard Curwin have a number of books (available at the library!)
*Discipline with Dignity
*Motivating students who don't care successful techniques for educators

Web resources
Probably best place to start with 'ideas' of what to do....LD online is GREAT!!!!!
http://www.ldonline.org/article/14545
http://www.plsweb.com/resources/newsletters/enews_archives/37/2004/09/07/
Some basic thoughts on EBD kids
http://www.as.wvu.edu/~scidis/behavior.html
Beginning ideas on strategies
http://specialed.about.com/cs/behaviordisorders/a/Behavior.htm
More strategies and resources
http://specialed.about.com/od/behavioremotional/Behavior_aned_Emotional_Disabilities.htm
Variety of resources from Jim Wright (he does a lot with behavior)
http://www.interventioncentral.org/index.php