Kindergarten (Pre-K–K)

Focus: Picture books, rhyme, basic nonfiction, foundational stories

1. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña – Caldecott Honor, multicultural urban story
2. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems – Silly and engaging interactive story
3. Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall – Courage and family support
4. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats – Caldecott Winner, classic diverse title
5. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle – Patterned text for early readers
6. My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero – Mexican-American culture and family bonds
7. We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom – Caldecott Winner, environmental and Indigenous themes
8. A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin – Asian heritage, Caldecott Honor
9. Not a Box by Antoinette Portis – Imagination and creativity
10. Whoever You Are by Mem Fox – Global diversity and inclusion

1st Grade

Focus: Simple chapter books, beginning nonfiction, engaging stories

1. Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard – Caldecott Winner, nonfiction culture
2. Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant – Early chapter book about a boy and his dog
3. What If… by Samantha Berger – Creative expression and possibilities
4. The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander – Caldecott Winner, powerful poetic nonfiction
5. Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish – Hilarious misunderstandings build vocabulary
6. Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love – Celebration of identity and imagination
7. Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed – Nonfiction picture book about Mae Jemison
8. Fox the Tiger by Corey R. Tabor – Geisel Award winner, early reader
9. Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn – Diverse, relatable story about literacy and nature
10. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin – Fun, musical, predictable text

2nd Grade

Focus: Chapter books, multicultural tales, longer picture books, nonfiction

1. Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne – Time-traveling fun
2. The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson – Embracing diversity and uniqueness
3. A Different Pond by Bao Phi – Caldecott Honor, quiet and deep story about family
4. The Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron – Gentle stories about a Black boy and his family
5. My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits – Korean-American immigrant experience
6. Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton – Graphic novel for early readers
7. Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty – Girl empowerment and STEM
8. The Water Princess by Susan Verde – Based on a true story of water scarcity
9. Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! by Grace Lin – Twins and individuality
10. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison – Nonfiction biographies

3rd Grade

Focus: Series books, global stories, deeper chapter books, factual content

1. Front Desk by Kelly Yang – Immigrant experience, realistic fiction
2. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – Classic animal story with deep themes
3. Who Was Rosa Parks? by Yona Zeldis McDonough – Nonfiction biography
4. Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot by Dav Pilkey – Humor and action for reluctant readers
5. Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai – Memoir for children
6. Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott – Fantasy rooted in urban culture
7. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate – Newbery winner, based on a true story
8. The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin – Chinese-American coming-of-age
9. I Am Jane Goodall by Brad Meltzer – Nonfiction for young readers

4th Grade

Focus: Complex plots, layered themes, cultural identity, history

1. Wonder by R.J. Palacio – Empathy and acceptance
2. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin – Chinese folklore and adventure
3. Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan – Historical fiction about immigration and class
4. El Deafo by Cece Bell – Graphic novel memoir about hearing loss
5. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown – Environmental and emotional story
6. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh – Classic middle-grade mystery
7. When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed – Refugee experience
8. What Was the Underground Railroad? by Yona Zeldis McDonough – Engaging historical nonfiction

5th Grade

Focus: Emotional complexity, social justice themes, fantasy, nonfiction depth

1. Ghost by Jason Reynolds – Track series, fast-paced and heartfelt
2. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander – Sports and poetry, Newbery winner
3. Wonderland by Barbara O’Connor – Friendship, change, and dogs
4. The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson – Mystery, racism, and history
5. Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly – Newbery winner, friendship and destiny
6. We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly – Family dynamics and science dreams
7. Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan – Historical fiction about immigration and class