Book Suggestions for Various Grades

*Compiled by Diane Katakowski

3rd Grade:
Books were chosen based on the following criteria:

Short in length
Plot and problems/issues of characters might be of interest to reader based on
age/experiences
Themes relatable to reader based on age/experiences
Character development sophisticated enough to study and reference in Unit 2
Character Study

These criteria and suggested text can be used to choose alternative text throughout the
unit based on teacher/school resources.
Books in BOLD print are referenced in mini lessons throughout the unit to serve
as examples.
Digital Text

Monster Box (short French animation) by BelleCour Ecoles

DArt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM4CWXwkyZ0&hd=1

Picture Books

One Green Apple by Eve Bunting

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

Getting Through Thursday by Melrose Cooper

The Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume

Collections of Short Stories

More Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron

Bink and Gollie Best Friends Forever by Kate Dicamillo

Short Chapter Books (50-100 pages)

My Name is Maria Isabel by Alma Flor Ada

Soccer Shootout by Jake Maddox

Tornado by Betsy Byars

How Oliver Olson Changed the World by Claudia Mills

Informational Text

Any short informational text related to content area studies or readers interest
should be utilized within the read aloud and can be utilized/referenced in numerous mini

lessons (Sessions 7-11) or reversely, the mini lesson teaching point referenced in read
aloud with the informational text

Sports Illustrated for Kids Blog and News www.sikids.com

National Geographic for Kids http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

PBS News http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/daily-newsstory/?topic_id=781&utm_source=FeatureWellB&utm_medium=Text&utm_campaign=H

omepage
Chapter Books

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate Dicamillo Begin reading near the end of

Launching Unit in order to utilize and reference in Third Grade Character Study
Unit 2

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Dicamillo

Tale of Despreaux by Kate Dicamillo

4th Grade:
Books were chosen based on the following criteria*:

Short in length

Plot and problems/issues of characters might be of interest to reader based on

age/experiences

Themes relatable to reader based on age/experiences

Character development sophisticated enough to study and reference in Unit 2

Character Study
*These criteria and suggested text can be used to choose alternative text throughout
the unit based on teacher/school resources.
Books in BOLD print are referenced in mini lessons throughout the unit to serve
as examples.
Digital Text

The Play That Changed Lives for the Better Short informational text followed
by video clip
Runtime: 3:06
Added: November 5, 2013
http://inspiremykids.com/2013/play-changed-lives-better/
Picture Books The use of short stories/picture books aides in teaching complex
strategy work in quick time due to fewer words to read.

The Memory String by Eve Bunting

Better Than You by Trudy Ludwig

Those Shoes By Maribeth Boelts

The Summer my Father was Ten by Pat Brisson

Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting

Collections of Short Stories

Every Living Thing: Boar Out There by Cynthia Rylant

In the Land of Lawn Weenies and Other Warped and Creepy Tales by David
Lubar

Short Chapter Books (50-120 pages)

Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner

Kindred Souls by Patricia MacLachlain

Informational Text

Any short informational text related to content area studies or readers interest
should be utilized within the read aloud and can be utilized/referenced in numerous mini
lessons (Sessions 7-11) or reversely, the mini lesson teaching point referenced in read
aloud with the informational text

Sports Illustrated for Kids Blog and News http://www.sikids.com/

National Geographic for Kids http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

Inspire My Kids http://www.inspiremykids.com/

PBS News http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/daily-newsstory/?topic_id=781&utm_source=FeatureWellB&utm_medium=Text&utm_campaign=H

omepage

Chapter Books-Begin reading at least one story with strong character

development near the end of Launching Unit in order to utilize and reference in
Fourth grade Character Study Unit 2

The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo-Referenced in Unit 2 Fourth Grade

Character Study

The One and Only Ivan by K.A. Applegate

Dont Make Me Smile by Barbara Park

5th Grade:
Books were chosen based on the following criteria*:

Short in length

Plot and problems/issues of characters might be of interest to reader based on

age/experiences

Themes relatable to reader based on age/experiences

Character development sophisticated enough to study and reference in Unit 2

Character Study

*These criteria and suggested text can be used to choose alternative text throughout
the unit based on teacher/school resources.
Books in BOLD print are referenced in mini lessons throughout the unit to serve
as examples.
Digital Text

How a 14-Year-Old Turned Shooting Baskets Into $100K For Troops' Families

With Operation Hawkeye, 14-year-old Will Thomas is using his jump shot to help U.S.
troops and their families.
Runtime: 5:50
Added: June 27, 2013 9:28am
http://www.sikids.com/sikidstv/how-a-14-year-old-turned-shooting-baskets-into-100k-for-troops-families

Picture Books The use of short stories/picture books aides in teaching complex
strategy work in quick time due to fewer words to read.

A Days Work by Eve Bunting

Just Kidding and/or My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig

The Can Man by Laura E. Williams

Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen

Keep the Lights Burning Abbie by Peter and Connie Roop

Collections of Short Stories

Hey World, Here I Am! by Jean Little

Chicken Soup for the Kids Soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor
Short Chapter Books (50-120 pages)

Shoeshine Girl by Clyde Robert Bulla

The Most Beautiful Place in the World by Ann Cameron

Edwards Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan

Informational Text

Any short informational text related to content area studies or readers interest
should be utilized within the read aloud and can be utilized/referenced in numerous mini
lessons (Sessions 7-11) or reversely, the mini lesson teaching point referenced in read
aloud with the informational text

Sports Illustrated for Kids Blog and News http://www.sikids.com/

National Geographic for Kids http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

PBS News http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/daily-newsstory/?topic_id=781&utm_source=FeatureWellB&utm_medium=Text&utm_campaign=H

omepage

Inspire My Kids http://www.inspiremykids.com/


TCRWP: Resources
http://readingandwritingproject.com/public/themes/rwproject/resources/booklists/nonficti
on%20sets/Fifth_grade_researchTextSets-2.pdf

http://readingandwritingproject.com/public/themes/rwproject/resources/booklists/n
onfiction%20sets/Hybrid_Nonfiction.pdf

http://readingandwritingproject.com/public/themes/rwproject/resources/booklists/n
onfiction%20sets/Fifth_grade_researchTextSets-2.pdf

Chapter Books-Begin reading at least one story with strong character

development near the end of Launching Unit in order to utilize and reference in
Fifth grade Character Study Unit 2

Wonder by R.J Palacio-Referenced in Unit 2 Fifth grade Character Study

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Hatchet by Gary Paulson

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick