diverse book list

Teachers College Reading and Writing Project

DiverseBook List

2019-2020

Prepared for: Kerry Powers ([email protected])

Copyright 2021 Reading and Writing Project. of 33

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©2019 Teachers College Reading and Writing Project Schools who partner with TCRWP have permission to duplicate for classroom use.

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Prepared for: Kerry Powers ([email protected])Copyright 2021 Reading and Writing Project. of 33 c

When considering books for readers who are reading at levels A-I, you will find that it is more helpful to have a list of publishers than individual titles. This list features several publishers who have made it their mission to carefully and accurately represent diversity. We feel confident in recommending these publishers as a great place to start when seeking to make your classroom libraries more representative.

Lee & Low is the largest multicultural children’s book publisher in the United States. They make publishing books by unpublished authors and illustrators of color a priority and their books are carefully vetted by a team of editors. Their imprint offers over 90 titles at Levels A-L. Here are a few of their strongest titles:

100 Day by Anastasia Suen (Level B) African Dance, Drumbeat in Our Feet by Julio Leitao, Patricia Keeler (Level J) At the Firehouse with Dad by Tina Athaide (Level H) At the Park by Judy Nayer (Level D) Bedtime Fun by Barbara J. Newkirk (Level D) Big or Little? (Level C) Can You Top That? by W. Nikola-Lisa (Level H) Chinatown Adventure (Level F) Cold and Hot (Level C) Everybody Wears Braids (Level C) Family Picnic (Level C) Fancy Dance by Leslie Johnson (Level G) Flora’s Box (Level C) Hey! You’re Eating My Homework by Della Ross Ferriri (Level H) I Need to Ask You Something by Miriam Marx (Level E) Jazz Baby (Level E) Kama’s Lei by Robin Montgomery (Level G) Loose Tooth (Level C) Mama Elizabeti by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen (Level J) My Chores by B. Flores, E. Castro, and E. Hernandez (Level B) My Family by Karen Hjemboe (Level B) My Horse by Karen Hjemboe (Level B) Ruby’s Whistle by Renee Londer (Level F) Shapes Where We Play (Level B) Shapes Where We Play (Level C) Sister, Sister by Anne Sibley O’Brien (Level E) Snapshots by Edith Hope Fine Illustrated by Judy Sakaguchi (Level D) The Goat Goes to Town by Phillis Gershator (Level G) We Play Music by Dolores Johnson (Level A) What a Street by Barbara Shook Hazen (Level C) Yum, Apples! (Level C)


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Books For Young Learners is a collection of Leveled texts from . They specialize in fiction and informational texts. Some recommended titles are:

A Small Sailboat by Shawny Bennett (I) I’m headed to the Rodeo by Emmi S. Herman, illustrated by Claire Louise Milne Jake’s First Word by Jane Luongo (Level H) Mai- Li’s Surprise by Marjorie Jackson Nothing in the Mailbox by Carolyn Ford (F) Our Polliwogs by Claire Livesey (Level I) Pat and Pea Soup by Billy Mark Stegall (Level J) Perlitas by Judith A. Chamberlain (Level I) Shintaro’s Umbrellas by Marjorie Jackson, pictures by Linda Finch (Level I) The Dollar by Nathan Zimelman (Level K)

Capstone is a publisher of children’s books and digital learning content. The particularly excel in their transitional chapter book series. Capstone is committed to serving marginalized communities and actively seeks out own voices contributors. Some highly recommended series for lower level texts are:

Katie Woo series by Fran Manushkin (Level J) Max and Zoe series by Shelley Swanson Sateren (Level I) Pedro series by Fran Manushkin (Level J) Yasmin Series by Saadia Faruqi (Level K)

Green Light Readers from are a collection of lower level series books featuring dynamic and engaging characters. You will want to consider the following series:

The Bradford Street Buddies series by Jerdine Nolan (Level J) The Daniel series by Alma Flor Ada (Level F)


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Hameray is a publisher of literacy resources for students in grades K-8. Some recommended titles are:

A Surprise for Mia by Debbie Miller (Level F) Bobo’s Hat by Joy Cowley (Level G) Can You Do This by Robert Young (Level A) Friends Together by Susan Bennett Armistead Ph.D. (Level A) Getting Dressed by Gaynell R. Jamison (Level E) Getting Dressed by Gaynell R. Jamison (Level F) Good Food by Jean Elliott Junis (Level C) Halloween Night by Gaynell R. Jamison (Level C) Hands by Jacqueline Grenier (Level A) Helping Mom by Jane Hunter (Level D) Here I Am! by Heather Schlecht Hill (Level A) Hot and Cold by Carolyn M. Harding (Level D) I Can Read by Susan Bennett-Armistead (Level A) I Can Write by Susan Bennett-Armistead (Level B) I Like to Eat by Robert Young (Level A) Ice Fishing by Christine Jojola and Owen Topolnicki (Level G) Molly’s Bike by Rebecca Shoniker (Level E) My Big Sister by Teri Horner (Level E) My Birthday by Rhonda McDonald (Level A) Pet Day by Nancy Brekke (Level G) Socks (Level C) The Boy who Cried Wolf retold by Jeffrey L. Williams (Level F) The Dunk Tank by Patti Lindsay (Level D) The Oscar Series by Joy Cowley (Level E/F) The Tarp Monster by John McCarrier (Level E) Tortilla Sundays by Christine Jojola (Level E) What is a Friend? (Level C)

Kaeden Books is also a publisher of literacy resources for students in grades K-8. You will want to consider the following titles:

Ashley’s Elephant by Evan Zaretsky (Level J) Camping by Karen Hooker (Level D) Carla’s New Glasses by Mia Coulton (Level I) Flowers (Level B) Hats (Level B) It’s Football Time (Level C) My Brother Wanted To Be Like Me by Jan Mader (Level D) My Day (Level C) My Native American School (Level F)


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Night Walk by Ann Prokopchak (Level E) Robert Makes A Graph Written by Mia Coulton (Level H) The Drummers by Carol Gould (Level G)

Townsend Press is an independent educational publisher. Their collection consists of 85 books between Levels C-J. This series prioritizes the representation of characters from a variety cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. Some recommended titles from this series are:

A Messy Room (Level F) At Home Sick by Carole Mohr (Level E) Derek Plays (Level A) Finders Keepers by Carole Mohr (Level G) Guests from Japan by Beth Johnson (Level H) Halloween by Barbara Stavetski (Level H) In the Army by Beth Johnson (Level F) In the Tub (Level A) Kendra Sees (Level A) Let’s Jump Rope by Carole Mohr (Level D) Magic Tricks by Barbara Stavetski (Level F) Magic Village by Barbara Stavetski (Level G) My new Shoes (Level C) Oh no! by Eliza Comodromos (Level D) Snow by Carole Mohr (Level E) Soccer with Dad by Beth Johnson (Level E) The Cookie Problem by Carole Mohr (Level D) The Cupcake (Level F) The Reading Contest by Judith Nadell (Level H) The Roller Coaster by Barbara Stavetski (Level H) The Shopping List by Eliza Comodromos (Level D) Then And Now by Carole Mohr (Level H) What Mom Lost by Carole Mohr (Level E) When I Grow Up by Beth Johnson (Level G)

Sundance/Newbridge are publishers of print and digital literacy resources for grades Pre K- 8. They specialize particularly in informational titles. Some highly recommended titles are:

A Pet for Me Written by Sarah Prince (Level E) A Star Named Jade by Grace Cameron (Level H)


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Alphabet Party (Level E) Are We There Yet? (Level C) Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere (Level E) Caring for Plants (Level C) Changing Seasons (Level D) Growing Tomatoes (Level E) Hiccups (Level D) Kalo Li’s New Country by Hazel Edwards (Level J) Making a Car (Level D) Making Butter (Level C) My Face (Level D) My Family Written by George Ivanoff (Level D) My Farm (Level D) Needs (Level E) Oily Feet by Grace Cameron (Level G) On Saturday (Level C) Painting (Level C) Roads and Bridges by Roger Carr (G) Ruby Ace Inventor by Becky Gold (Level H) Show and Tell written by Greg Lang (Level E) Stop that Dog by Sue Whiting (Level G) The Lost Mother by Sarah Prince (Level D) The New Kid by Michele Bright (Level E) The Park (Level D) Too Busy (Level C) Treasure Hunt (Level D) When We Started School (Level D) Will’s New Friend by Linda B. Ross (Level I)

Rigby from is a set of imprints of Leveled readers. Some highly recommended titles are:

A Fish Named Goggles by Jackie Tidey (H) A Friend for Max by Annette Smith (Level G) Around and Around (Level B) Award Day by Carmel Reilly (Level G) Baby (Level A) Birthday Balloons by Beverly Randall (Level F) Birthday Presents by Dawn McMillan (Level G) Bowling at Home by Dawn McMillian (F) Brad’s Birthday Cake by Dawn McMillian (Level H) Dino at the Park by Dianne Irving (Level E) Down by the Sea by Joan Jarder (Level G) Ducks on the Run! by Annette Smith (Level I)


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Ella and the Toy Rabbit by Dawn McMillan (Level D) Friday Afternoon Fun by Julie Ellis (Level J) Going on Vacation (Level A) Harry and the Little Robot (Level D) Harry’s New Hat by Carmel Reilly (Level F) Jake and the Big Fish (Level E) Jake Kicks a Goal (Level D) Jake’s Car (Level D) Jake’s Plane by Annette Smith (E) Jordan and the Big Game by Jenny Giles (Level I) Katie’s Butterfly by Jenny Giles (Level H) Katie’s Caterpillar by Annette Smith (Level E) Kris’ Family by Elsie Nelley (E) Late for the Party by Jackie Tidey (H) Lily’s Playhouse (Level C) Look Up, Look Down (Level D) Making a Little Raft (Level E) Meg’s Family (Level F) Mitch to the Rescue by Annette Smith (Level I) Mother’s Day by Beverly Randell (Level E) My Dog (Level A) My Grandma and Grandpa by Jenny Giles (Level E) My Little Sister by Jenny Giles (Level E) My School Bus (Level E) Our Mom by Jenny Giles (Level E) Playing with Jip (Level E) Playing with Milly by Carmel Reilly (Level F) Popcorn Fun by Annette Smith (Level H) Rabbit Ears (Level F) Rain is water (Level E) Rani Comes to Stay (Level E) Red and Blue and Yellow by Annette Smith (Level D) Roar Like a Tiger by Margret Clough (Level E) Sally’s Red Bucket by Beverley Randell (E) Sandy Gets a Leash by Carmel Reilly (Level D) Teasing Mom by Annette Smith (Level G) Telling the Truth by Dawn McMillan (Level G) The Beach Boat by Dawn McMillan (Level F) The Best Hats by Annette Smith (Level G) The Big Helicopter by Annette Smith (Level D) The Broken Flower Pot by Annette Smith (G) The Classroom Caterpillars by Dawn McMillan (Level H) The Grab Bag (Level C) The Kite that Got Away by Pamela Gates (Level I) The Leaf Boats (Level E) The Little Giraffe (Level C) The Nest on the Beach by Annette Smith (Level H) The Park (Level A) The Picnic Tree (H) The Relay Race by Jenny Giles (H) The Secret Cave by Annette Smith (Level I)


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Tom’s Ride by Jenny Giles (Level G) Up and Down (Level B) Walk, Ride, Run by Jenny Giles (Level D) Zac and Chirpy (Level C) Zac and the Duck (Level C) Zac’s Train Ride (Level E)

Red Rocket Readers is an imprint of . They specialize in Leveled readers and have over 700 titles in print. Some highly recommended titles are:

Clean up Time (Level C) Friends Are Fun (Level C) Make a Snowman (Level D) Our Weather (Level A) Pass It On by Pam Holden Snack Time by Pam Holden (F)

Pioneer Valley Books is a publisher of fiction and nonfiction books for students in grades Pre-K to 4th. Some highly recommended titles are:

A Fruit Smoothie (Level C) Choose a Pet (Level A) Community Helpers (Level A) Dad is at Work (Level A) Look Who’s Reading Me (Level A) Moms (Level A) My Classroom (Level A) My School (Level A) Parts of the Body (Level A) Pets (Level B) Ping Pong (Level D) Reading Partners (Level A)


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In higher level books, especially XYZ and YA books, your students may encounter topics and content that feel mature to you, or to them. One of the features of texts at these levels is that the themes, symbolism, and character motivations become more complex -- and there's typically romance, sometimes references to teenage situations like peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, or violence, and occasionally language you'd prefer your students not use. (Think of frequently-taught texts like Romeo and Juliet, for instance!) Though we aren't including titles that we suspect will be unacceptable to all our school communities, what is acceptable varies widely among different communities. As always, we encourage you to read as widely as you can within your classroom library, and to research titles that you are concerned about. One place you can visit to research titles is Common Sense Media. We also encourage you to think about, and talk with colleagues, families, and students about, what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate, and how literature is sometimes doing the job of reflecting life situations that are, themselves, ones we'd rather our teenagers not experience.


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https://www.commonsensemedia.org/


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