“It’s a book that celebrates differences, quirkiness, and real life. It’s a bit messy, but life is that way. The story is funny, yet moving. I love sharing this book with students and teachers. It’s “my” book of 2013 and I am so thankful Holly Goldberg Sloan wrote it. Definitely a book to share!” Sherry from Indiana

In this season of Thanksgiving, we here at Nerdy Chicks Rule asked librarians a simple question:

What is a book that you are thankful for and why?

Here are some of the fabulous answers we got:

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

“My fifth graders and teachers can’t get enough of this book! It teaches compassion with such humor and grace. We all cheeried for Augie at the end! And we agree, everyone should experience a standing ovation.” Mary from Sayreville, NJ

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

“When I was about 8 years old, someone gave me a $1.25 copy. I read it over and over. I had to ask grown-ups what some of the words meant, but I loved that story so much. I would read the book out loud to my little brother and cousin – they would have to act out the story while I was the narrator. I’ve always loved the magic and the humor in the book, and the fact that Alice is a nasty, mostly unlikable little girl. That book also helped make me into an anglophile. When I finally visited England, I bought tons of Alice gear at Harrod’s. It sits in my library at home, next to a tin of Alice jelly babies from Harrod’s.” Christy from Columbia, MD

11 Experiments That Failed by Jenny Offill

“Fun way to teach the scientific method and hypothesis.” Tom from Franklin Lakes, NJ

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo

“For reminding us all that, indeed, ‘stories are light’, and for playing a role in the story my wife and I now share. We read the story aloud to one another during our courtship, found truth in its words, and have continued to read aloud together every since.” Matthew from Columbia, MD