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You are reading: Picture books for 5th graders
Illustrated books? in grades 3-5?
you can bet! Many teachers find solid picture books to use as interactive read alouds, and you can too. In fact, I wrote a post on how to use picture books to build comprehension in the middle grades; you can read it here.
Today I’m sharing 15 solid picture books you can use in your third, fourth or fifth grade classroom; many of them would surely work in elementary classrooms as well. some of the texts are long, and some are short. some have a simple vocabulary and others use more complex language. But here’s one thing they all have in common: They’re great for promoting discussion and building understanding.
When available, I have included the guided reading level for each book. if you want, get a list of printable books here.
strong picture books for grades 3-5
the wonders of the junkyard, by patricia polacco guided reading level: p
patricia polacco is an author of solid picture books for children in the middle grades. Her books are long but engaging and often tackle difficult subjects. This is a story from Polacco’s own childhood, in which she is placed in the “junk” classroom because she is not a good reader. But with the help of her inspiring teacher and her brilliant classmates, Trish learns that she and her classmates are true wonders. highly recommended.
emmanuel’s dream, by laurie anna thompson & Sean Qualls Guided Reading Level: n This is the true story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, who was born in Ghana, West Africa, with a deformed leg. In a country where people with disabilities are expected to become beggars, Emmanuel achieved her dreams. when he was a kid, he would jump more than two miles to and from school on one foot! Years later, he cycled 400 miles around Ghana, spreading the message that disability does not mean disability and that people with disabilities have the same rights as other citizens.
the sweetest fig, by chris van allsburg guided reading level: p
monsieur bibot is a ruthless dentist who only cares about himself. when a patient pays him with two figs “that will make your dreams come true,” he angrily fires her without painkillers. But Bibot soon discovers that when he eats a fig at night and wakes up the next day, his dreams of him from the night before come true! Marcel has big plans for the second fig, but someone else gets there first. Kids will love how justice is done in this engaging story.
star of fear, star of hope, by jo hoestlandt
this is a powerful, yet peaceful book about the holocaust. Told from the perspective of an elderly woman, Helen laments her last interaction with her childhood best friend. she was angry that her friend left her birthday party early, only to find out the next day that her friend’s family was rounded up and arrested in a Nazi raid. the book will definitely provide opportunities for deep conversations.
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thank you, mr. falker, by patricia polacco guided reading level: m
I’m sure my kids won’t like me reading this book to them because it always makes me cry. It is the beautiful true story of its author, Patricia Polacco. School was torture for Patricia as she struggled to make sense of letters and numbers. she was bullied horribly and she hid in a dark stairway rather than be subjected to the cruelty of the other children at recess. But her kind fifth-grade teacher found out that she had dyslexia and, with her help and dedication, she became a reader.
the wall, by eve bunting guided reading level: p
This is a moving book about a boy who visits the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with his father. together, they search for the name of the boy’s grandfather, who died many years ago when the boy’s father was young. a powerful and fascinating story.
knock knock, by daniel beaty guided reading level: n
This is a very powerful, inspiring and very simple book. It’s about a boy who loves his father very much, only to be devastated when his father doesn’t come home. As he laments all the things he won’t learn from his father, he receives a letter from his father encouraging him to lead a beautiful life.
We learn at the end of the book that the author’s father was imprisoned when he was a child.
summer of freedom, by deborah wiles
This is a book about two boys who are friends in 1964; one is black, and one is white. the boys are excited when an anti-segregation law means the town pool will finally be open to everyone. unfortunately the town fills the pool with concrete instead of allowing integration. an honest but hopeful book.
wilma unlimited, by kathleen krull guided reading level: q
This book tells the incredible story of Wilma Rudolph, the 20th girl born into a poor black family in 1940. At the age of five, Wilma contracted polio. her busy mother made a 50-mile trip with her each week to the nearest hospital that would treat black patients. after years in braces, wilma learned to walk again. Then, at age 20, Wilma became the first American woman to win three gold medals at a single Olympics – for running! reserve this book right now. It’s too good to miss!
brothers at bat, by audrey vernick
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I include this book as a break from the deeper topics on this list. is the incredible true story of a baseball team of brothers (there were 12 of them!). The book takes us from their childhood, through their years on a baseball team, their service during World War II, and finally their return to baseball and having families of their own. sure to draw attention!
when jessie crossed the sea, by amy hest guided reading level: s
This is an unforgettable story about a young girl from a poor village in Eastern Europe. she is devastated when she finds out that she has been chosen to leave her grandmother and travel to america. but while she’s there, she finds purpose and love.
fly away from home, by eve bunting guided reading level: p
This is a beautiful and simple story about a boy who lives with his father at the airport, always trying to avoid being noticed until they can get a house of their own. a wonderful book for teaching compassion and empathy.
pink and say, by patricia polacco guided reading level: v
In this true story of the civil war, passed down from generation to generation, Polaco Shares tells of the friendship between two union soldiers, one black and one white. I highly recommend this book for older listeners, but be prepared for the tragic ending.
cats in krasinski square, by karen hesse guided reading level: v
Based on a true story, this book tells the story of a brave young Jewish woman who smuggles food to starving Jews in the Warsaw ghetto. it is very difficult to write about the holocaust for children, but hesse has done a masterful job. this is a great book to introduce children to a very dark period in history.
the sunsets of miss olivia wiggins, by lester l. laminack guided reading level: q
This is a sweet book that tells the story of a boy who visits his great-grandmother in a nursing home. miss olivia wiggins doesn’t speak and barely moves, but she lived a rich and full life. She read this book to teach her students about dementia and develop compassion and empathy for older people.
look for more posts in my series on reading comprehension in grades 3-5!
See Also: 10 Self-Help Books that Have Made Me Feel More In Control of My Life | GQ
See Also: 10 Self-Help Books that Have Made Me Feel More In Control of My Life | GQ