Trade Book Tuesday: The Boy Who Changed the World

Welcome to my second ever weekly feature! This week for Trade Book Tuesday you are in for a real treat! I have been so torn as to what book to share with you this time, but I just kept going back to this one. The book is entitled The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews.

TITLE: The Boy Who Changed the World
AUTHOR: Andy Andrews
GENRE: Nonfiction
SKILLS THAT COULD BE TAUGHT USING THIS BOOK: Theme, Cause/Effect, Asking Questions, Point of View/Perspective, Author's Purpose, Making Connections

Click on this book to order your copy from Amazon.com! 

Oh. My. Word. AH-mazing! {Emphasis oh the "AH" part!}

First, watch this little preview below. It's just 2 minutes, but well worth your time.

Secondly, I have only recently stumbled upon this wonderful children's book a little over a year and a half ago. I discovered it upon reading Andy's adult version of The Butterfly Effect . The inspirational, true story of how one person's split second decision changes the lives of generations after ward was amazing to me. It's hard to fathom how just one thing we say or one thing we do has such a profound effect on others. "Everything you do matters!" As I searched on Andy's webpage one day, I stumbled upon the children's version of The Butterfly Effect. I knew I had to get a hold of it.

As I read through this book one day, I learned of the life of Norman Bourlaugh, the boy who changed the world. How he learned as a young man to work hard on the farm with this family, and how blessed he was and the importance of sharing his blessings with others. This story tells how Norman grew up to create a super-seed to feed billions and because of one action, saved billions of people's lives. But then, we meet another a boy named Henry Wallace. He was the boy who changed the world...or was he? Then, as we continue reading, we find out about George Washington Carver and his amazing true story of survival and triumph and how one kind gesture of another can impact millions of people. And maybe he was the boy who changed the world...

The point is is that not one single person is capable of changing the world, but lots of kind, unselfish actions do. And when we work hard to realize how kindness {and even cruelty} has such negative affects on others, it makes a difference in everything.

I couldn't wait to get this book to school to read it to my babies. It's a definite higher order, critical thinking book {PERFECT for Common Core}, AND it's nonfiction on top of that! We had great discussions and the kids asked super questions {some that I never thought to ask as a reader} and the connections they made were phenomenal!

But it's much more than that.

It's truth. Truth, because of the importance that children need to know how everything they do, good or bad, affects others. How they can be the child that changes the world if they just believe in themselves.

I started out the 2011-2012 school year in an inner city school in the housing projects of New Orleans. Talk about culture shock for Little Mrs. Kentucky girl!! But you know what?! I read this book to those babies {well, big babies...there were some 14 year olds in 5th grade} and it's exactly what they needed to hear.

They can make a difference in the lives of others.

They hold the key to their future ahead.

They matter.

Everything they do matters.

I look forward to starting out this school year again with my babies reading this beautiful story to them, to encourage them, and to inspire them.

And you know, teacher-friend, everything we do matters. So thank you, for loving on the babies that aren't always loved, because you are the wind beneath their sweet little {sometimes broken} wings.

Click HERE to download a FREE butterfly worksheet activity to go along with  The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews. Directions: Copy this on construction paper or colored card stock, and have the kids illustrate and caption how they could be the kid that changes the world!