The Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. launched the Commissioner’s Book of the Month, a monthly reading challenge to promote literacy and reading engagement in K-12 schools. Each month, Commissioner Diaz will highlight four recommended books – one per selected grade range.
“The Commissioner’s Book of the Month will be an opportunity to highlight authors and titles, offering students rewarding opportunities for classroom and at-home discussion,” said Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “This new initiative will add to Florida’s ever-present focus on providing students access to challenging books that increase critical thinking skills and deepen understanding.”
The Commissioner’s recommendations for March 2023 are:
- Grades K-2 – “The Lion and the Mouse,” by Aesop
- Grades 3-5 – “Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates,” by Jonah Winter
- Grades 6-8 – “Lifeboat 12,” by Susan Hood
- Grades 9-12 – “The Raft,” by S.A. Bodeen
The selections, along with guiding questions for educators and parents, can be found each month on the Commissioner’s Book of the Month page of the FDOE website.