Bogart, Jo Ellen.
Jeremiah Learns to Read.
Orchard Books, 1997.
2–5 PB

Even though he is elderly, Jeremiah is determined to learn to read and he reaches his goal by working hard at the task.

Curtis, Jamie Lee.
I’m Gonna Like Me: Letting off a Little Self-Esteem.
Joanna Cotler Books, 2002.
K–3 PB

A little girl and boy announce proudly that they like themselves, no matter what kinds of mistakes they make.

Gerstein, Mordicai.
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers.
Millbrook Press, 2003.
3–5 PB

A French street performer walks on a tightrope stretched between the two towers of the World Trade Center.

Green, Michelle Y. A.
A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson.
Puffin Books, 2004.
4–5 CB

The biography of Mamie Johnson, one of only three women to play for the Negro Baseball Leagues.

Hopkinson, Deborah.
Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings.
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2003.
2–4 PB

A girl with extraordinary baseball skills works toward and achieves her goal of playing on an all-male baseball team.

Johnson, Angela.
Just Like Josh Gibson.
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2004.
2–5 PB

A young girl’s grandmother tells about the day she played on a boy’s baseball team and swung the bat “just like Josh Gibson,” the Babe Ruth of the Negro Baseball Leagues.

Khan, Rukhsana.
Ruler of the Courtyard.
Viking Children’s Books, 2003.
2–3 PB

Saba convinces herself to confront what she thinks is a poisonous snake. Her triumph over one fearful situation empowers her to “walk wherever I wish to go.”

Krauss, Ruth.
The Carrot Seed.
Scholastic Inc., 1974.
K–1 PB

A young gardener’s positive thinking and determination contribute to positive results.

Krull, Kathleen
Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph became the Fastest Woman.
Harcourt Brace, 1996.
2–5 PB

Wilma Rudolph overcomes the effects of polio to become a gold medalist in Olympic track competition.

London, Jonathan.
Hip Cat.
Chronicle Books, 1993.
3–5 PB

A musically gifted cat encourages himself to practice and perform in order to become a great jazz/scat artist.

McCully, Emily Arnold.
Mirette on the High Wire.
G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1992.
2–5 PB

Mirette helps a tightrope walker overcome his fear of falling.

McPhail, David.
Mole Music.
Henry Holt, 1999.
2–5 PB

Mole is determined to learn to play the violin. As he becomes more proficient, many people benefit from his self-discipline and artistry.

McPhail, David.
Something Special.
Joy Street Books, 1988.
K–3 PB

After feeling conspicuously ordinary in his talented family, Sam learns that he has a special ability to be proud of.

Nicholls, Judith.
Billywise.
Bloomsbury USa Children’s Books, 2002.
K–3 PB

A brave owlet convinces himself to take a trial flight.

Pilkey, Dav.
Paperboy.
Orchard Books, 1999.
2–5 PB

Delivering newspapers early in the morning takes discipline and commitment from a young boy.

Piper, Watty.
The Little Engine That Could.
Platt and Munk, 1976.
K–1 PB

An undersized engine, talks itself into trying harder and harder to pull his load of cars up and over a mountain. Readers learn about the power of positive thinking.

Young, Amy.
Belinda the Ballerina.
Viking Children’s Books, 2002.
2–5 PB

Belinda’s enormous feet are an obstacle to her taking the normal route to stage and stardom as a ballerina. Instead, her love of dancing and her strong spirit prevail and she is recognized for her talent in a most unusual setting.