Teaching 21st Century Skills Through Literature

During a lesson the other day, we were talking about the different themes that exist in books. We are just finishing our social issues unit and many of the books have multiple themes. Since we also talk regularly to our students about 21^st century skills and the importance of having growth mindsets, our discussion centered on some of the thinking skills and habits of mind that we want our students to develop.

Traditionally, I have categorized the books I read in terms of genre. We also teach in terms of genre. I am wondering out loud in this post about also categorizing books in terms of habits of mind and thinking skills. In the chart I have included below, overlap definitely exists so some of the books appear in multiple columns. However, I definitely think that some books lend themselves more to talking about specific skills than others.

Here is a list that we have started and I am asking for help in developing it. As we collect titles, the vision is to group them by grade level so that this chart becomes a resource of books that help to segue into conversations about 21^st century skills with elementary students. I would so appreciate suggestions of titles that are appropriate for grades K-8 and I will continue to develop this chart. Thanks!

Perseverance	Empathy	Collaboration	Ethical Citizenship	Creativity	Global Awareness
The Running Dream Wendelin Van Draanen	The Running Dream WendelinVan Draanen	Hunger Games Suzanne Collins	Flying Solo Ralph Fletcher	Ivan the One and Only Katherine Applegate	The Hundred Dresses Eleanor Estes
Close to Famous Joan Bauer	Okay For Now Gary Schmidt	Among the Hidden Margaret Peterson Haddix	Hunger Games Suzanne Collins	Close to Famous Joan Bauer	The Cloud Spinner Michael Catchpool
One Handed Catch MJ Auch	Out of My Mind Sharon Draper	Drums Girls and Dangerous Pie Jordan Sonnenblick	How to Steal a Dog Barbara O'Connor	Okay For Now Gary Schmidt	Inside Out and Back Again Thanhha Lai
Out of My Mind Sharon Draper	Bystander James Preller	Lightning Thief Rick Riordan	The Marvin Redpost Series Louis Sachar	Gollywhopper Games Jody Feldman	Gleam and Glow
The Red Pyramid Rick Riordan	Thank You Mr. Falker Patricia Polacco	Gollywhopper Games Jody Feldman	Mr. Peabody’s Apples Madonna	The Maze Runner James Dashner	Smoky Night Eve Bunting
Under the Persimmon Tree Suzanne Fisher Staples	The Hundred Dresses Eleanor Estes	The Maze Runner James Dashner	Sugar and Ice Kate Messner	How to Steal a Dog Barbara O'Connor	The Other Side Jacqueline Woodson
Inside Out and Back Again Thanhha Lai	The Thirteen Reasons Why Jay Asher	No Talking Andrew Clements	Shine Lauren Myracle	Chopsticks Amy Rosenthal	The Boy in Striped Pajamas John Boyne
Wonder RJ Polacio	Racing in the Rain Garth Stein	Turtle in Paradise Jennifer Holm	Lost and Found Andrew Clements	Emma's Rug Allen Say	Faithful Elephants
Dancing in the Wings Debbie Allen	Journey Patricia MacLachlan	The Fourth Stall Chris Rylander	My Life as a Book Janet Tashjian	Dot Patricia Intriago	Shooting the Moon
Eye of the Storm Kate Messner	Wonder RJ Polacio	Flying Solo Ralph Fletcher	The Giver Lois Lowry	Henry the Dog With No Tail Kate Feiffer	Crow Call Lois Lowry