GRADE 5 BOOKS This Rising Voices Library offers empowering and engaging fiction, poetry, and informational texts that celebrate girls of color. By fostering a classroom community that supports positive representation and equity, children of all backgrounds will benefit as they build respect and understanding. Your Grade 5 library includes 50 books in all: two copies of each theme’s anchor text, plus two copies of each of the additional titles listed below. †
Gabby Garcia’s Ultimate Playbook by Iva-Marie Palmer* and illustrated by Marta Kissi
SOMEONE LIKE ME/MEMORABLE CHARACTERS
Gabby’s life was just how she wanted it. She had the best grades, a loyal fanbase, the respect of her teammates, and an impeccable baseball record. But all that had to be put on hold when her school had to be evacuated and all the students needed to be temporarily transferred. And Gabby got transferred to the worst school of all—the school of her
Anchor Text
Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson*
The suburbs of Beaverton, Oregon, are a lot different from New York City. But when Amara gets the chance to visit her dad’s family in Harlem, she jumps at the chance. While there, she vows to get her dad and grandfather, who haven’t spoken since Amara’s birth, talking again. As she learns about her dad’s childhood and why her father and grandpa no longer speak, Amara
rival team. How will she ever survive? But Gabby had a plan to keep her status, even if she had to write out every step.
Josephine Against the Sea by Shakirah Bourne*
discovers her family’s identity and connection to the Black community of Harlem—and gains a deeper appreciation of her own identity along the way.
Josephine likes the life she has with her widower father, and she doesn’t want that to change. But after she is told she cannot join the cricket team, her problems are only beginning. She always finds a way to shoo away her father’s potential girlfriends, but when a new woman shows up, Josephine can’t get rid of her so easily—and it just might be her own fault.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang*
In this award-winning novel inspired by the author’s own childhood experiences, Mia Tang dreams of becoming a writer. But for now, when she is not in school, fifth-grader Mia helps out at the front desk of the Calivista Motel where her family lives and her parents manage the motel and clean the rooms. Sometimes her parents help new immigrants by
Twins by Varian Johnson* and illustrated by Shannon Wright*
Until sixth grade, twins Maureen and Francine were inseparable, but now that the two sisters have different classes and schedules, Francine reinvents herself—without Maureen. Without her sister by her side, Maureen struggles to find her own identity. It only gets more complicated when the two sisters run against each
allowing them to stay temporarily in the motel’s empty rooms. But if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they’ve been letting people stay for free, they’ll lose their jobs AND their home. It will take all of Mia’s courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year.
other for a spot on the student council. Throughout the race, both girls discover more about themselves, whether they’re together or apart.
Scholastic Rising Voices: Celebrating Girls of Color: Grade 5 Books | Back to Top | 24 *Denotes an author or illustrator of color † Comparable substitutes will be provided for titles no longer available.
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs