Nothing like getting to the last page of a book in front of a bunch of 8-year-olds and find yourself with tears streaming down your face. If this is something you enjoy, try some of these, listed in order of the number of Kleenexes you will need:
Be A King by Carole Boston Weatherford
Published by Bloomsbury
I loved this book so much that I wanted to put it on a year-end list. It connects Martin Luther King Jr.’s life to kids today in a way that I find inspiring. However, the emotion is more stirring than sad, so I give this a 0 Kleenex rating.
Published by Candlewick
A father and son work together through the night to clean the school. The father’s love and devotion to his son shine through, resulting in a 1 Kleenex rating.
I Walk With Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoet
A touching wordless picture book about a girl who stands up to a bully and inspires the rest of the school to join her. Not sad at all, but the sight of all those kids joining forces to show kindness to the new girl leads me to give this a 1 Kleenex rating.
The Rough Patch by Brian Lies
Published by Greenwillow Books
When Evan loses his dog, he must find a way to work through his grief before he is ready to love again. Even with the happy ending, it’s a 2 Kleenex read.
Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Krensky and Patrick Downes
Published by Candlewick
Is it just because I’m from Massachusetts that this book by two Boston Marathon bombing survivors gets me every time? I still can’t read the last page without choking up, so I must give this the highest 3 Kleenex rating.
A Kids Book A Day 