GRADE 5 BOOKS
I Am Roberto Clemente written by Jim Gigliotti
FAMILY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY continued
An incredible athlete with big dreams and a big heart, Roberto Clemente is remembered as both an incomparable baseball player and a humanitarian. He showed the world his talents once he was chosen for the Pittsburgh Pirates in Major League Baseball, getting 3,000 hits during his time on the team. Unfortunately, his life and career
Tortilla Sun written by Jennifer Cervantes*
Twelve-year-old Izzy wants to know what happened to her father, who died before she was born, but when her mother is called away for a research expedition in Costa Rica, it seems like she may never find out. Sent to stay with her grandmother in
were cut short when he died in a plane crash while on his way to help victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua. After his passing, he became the first Latin American player to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
a village in New Mexico, Izzy discovers that answers to her
questions—and more—end up being closer than she ever expected. Filled with Mexican wisdom, stories, and a touch of magic, Tortilla Sun follows Izzy’s journey as she learns about her heritage, about her past, and that knowing the truth will help her love her parents harder, even if it hurts.
Mañanaland written by Pam Muñoz Ryan*
Maximiliano Córdoba wants more than anything to follow in his family’s footsteps and become a fútbol star and to know about his mother who left when he was young, but Papa has been reluctant to help in either
HEROES AND ROLE MODELS
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situation. Then Max finds out about his father’s involvement as a Guardian of the Hidden Ones—those who protect and escort refugees seeking Mañanaland, a place Max has only heard about in his grandfather’s stories—and the surprising reason Max’s spot on the fútbol team may be threatened, and everything he knew about himself and his family is upended. With an opportunity to help guide a runaway to safety in Mañanaland, Max will have to gather his courage to become a Guardian and find out who is he in the process.
Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonia Sotomayor* and illustrated by Lulu Delacre*
Whenever Sonia Sotomayor has faced a change or a difficult time in her life, she has turned to books, and they have always taught her something. Whether it’s learning to be fearless or just and fair, books have shaped Sonia Sotomayor into the leader she is today. In this autobiography, she shares the beloved books that
propelled her along on her journey through life, eventually leading her to serve as a justice in the Supreme Court.
Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene written by Emma Otheguy*
Sofía Acosta is thankful for her family and the home she grew up in. As she learns that she’s much more into designing ballet costumes than dancing like her parents and siblings, she also starts to learn more about the suburb she lives in, which has a small Latino population. After confiding in her friend Tricia, she wonders why Tricia is excited
Cesar Chavez: A Hero for Everyone written by Gary Soto* and illustrated by Lori Lohstoeter
As a child growing up in the 1930s and then as a young man, Cesar Chavez experienced unfair treatment and bad working conditions for himself and the people around him. He became a leader who worked throughout his life to empower Mexican American farmworkers to work toward not just better working conditions and fair wages, but a
to throw a party for their Irish teacher, who is a new citizen, but opposes Sofía’s family friend emigrating from Cuba to join an American ballet company. Now Sofía is questioning how people really feel about her Cuban American family being a part of this neighborhood and must speak up to understand what is really going on, even if it means making a scene.
better quality of life. This is the story of the man who proved that if the people came together, they could win against the rich and powerful. And win they did! ¡Viva la causa!
Scholastic Rising Voices: Books Elevating Latino Stories: Grade 5 Books | Back to Top | 28 *Denotes an author or illustrator of Latino descent † Comparable substitutes will be provided for titles no longer available.
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