Statistics
“The Issue.” RIF.org, 4 Nov. 2021, https://www.rif.org/literacy-network/the-issue.
Data Regarding Literacy:
1 in 4 American children grows up without learning how to read.
California is ranked 44th in the nation for the lowest teen literacy.
Children who read more have been shown to perform better in vocabulary, writing, and mathematics.
Low literacy rates in elementary and middle school have been correlated with high dropout rates in high school.
Recommended Reading
3rd Grade Books
Charlotte’s Web by EB White.
Telarana de Carlota
This novel tells the story of the friendship of a livestock pig named Wilbur and a barn spider, Charlotte. She manages to save him from slaughter by writing messages about him in her web. Heartwarming story with key theme of friendship.
The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes
El Ano de Billy Miller
This story is about 7-year-old Billy who has an accident at the end of summer causing him to show up to 2nd grade with a lump on his head. He learns to handle the stresses of school, bossy girls, and siblings all while sharing some laugh-out-loud moments.
Fast Pitch by Nic Stone
Tono Rapido
Shenice and her team are preparing to win the Fastpitch World Series when she discovers that a crime her great-grandfather was accused of may have been a set-up all along.
Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
Flora y Ulysses
The book tells the story of Flora and a squirrel named Ulysses who developed strange intellectual and physical abilities after being sucked in a vacuum cleaner.
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
Cuando Atrapas a un Tigre
A young girl makes a deal with a magical tiger in order to save her grandmother but tigers are not always what they seem. She slowly gains the courage to face the tiger and find her voice.
Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden
Vuelo del Frailecillo
One small act of kindness, a card, sets off a chain reaction that ends up making a difference in the lives of some kids that could use a boost-whether they are dealing with bullies, unaccepting families, or grief.
I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day
Puedo Hacer Esta Promesa
This book tells the heartfelt story about a family whose connection with its Native American heritage has been disrupted. Family secrets are uncovered, the theme of coerced adoption is brought up, and we are given a glimpse into life on a reservation.
Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
Cuentos de un Cuarto Grado Nada
This classic book focuses on 9-year-old Peter and his relationship with his toddler brother, Fudge. Fudge constantly causes trouble and each chapter tells the story of one of Fudge’s antics.
The Fairy-Tale Detectives, Sisters Grimm series Book 1 by Michael Buckley
Las detectives de Cuento, Las Hermanas Grimm
Two orphaned girls realize they are descendants of the famous Brothers Grimm, whose classic book of fairy tales is actually a collection of case files of magical mischief. Now the girls take on the family responsibility of being the fairy tale detectives.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S by David Levithan
La Misteriosa Desaparicion de Aidan
Aidan disappeared for 6 days and just as suddenly as he vanished, he reappears. Where was he? The story he tells is impossible but his brother Lucas tries to believe him despite everyone telling him not to.
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
Dragones en una Bolsa
When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she's not his grandmother--but she is a witch! She needs his help delivering baby dragons to a magical world where they'll be safe. There are two rules when it comes to the dragons: don't let them out of the bag, and don't feed them anything sweet. Before he knows it, Jax and his friends Vikram and Kavita have broken both rules!
4th Grade Books
The Rhino in Right Field by Stacy DeKeyser
El Rinoceronte en el Campo de Beisbol Derecho
A boy who loves baseball must get past his hard-working immigrant parents-and the rhino in the outfield-to become a batboy in this hilarious middle grade novel.
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
Un Verano Loco
This story set in 1968 Oakland tells the story of three sisters who travel to meet their mother who abandoned them. While the girls had wanted to go to Disneyland, their mother sends them to a day camp run by the Black Panthers and unexpectedly the sisters learn a lot about their family and country and themselves.
Mananaland by Pam Munoz Ryan
Tierra de Manana
Max Cordoba loves stories, especially the one he has heard about a mystical gatekeeper who can let travelers journey into tomorrow. With a compass and a few other items, Max sets out to find this mythical Mananaland.
Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk
Montana de Echo
After losing everything to the Great Depression, Ellie’s family is forced to leave their home and start over in the wilderness in Echo Mountain. Though Ellie has new found freedoms, her life is incredibly different as she manages many new struggles.
Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
La escapatoria
This is the story of a 11-year-old Black boy, William, and his elderly White grandmother (G’ma) who run away from home in an RV. The story is fast-paced and clever as they explore the South and uncover a whole bunch of family secrets.
Crossover by Kwame Alexander
El Crossover
This book told in verse is a fast and furious novel about family and brotherhood. It follows the twins Josh and Jordan, basketball stars, as they grow up on and off the court.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Esperanza Creciente
The novel focuses on Esperanza, who has a wealthy family and lives in Mexico. After her father is murdered, her family and household servants all flee to California during the Great Depression where they find agricultural work that is hard and pays very little.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Mi Lado de la Montana
This book features a boy who learns courage, independence, and the need for companionship while attempting to live in the Catskill Mountains of New York State alone. He befriends animals and depends on his wits and skills for survival.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by JK Rowling
Harry Potter y la Piedra Filosofal
Harry Potter is the most miserable, lonely boy you can imagine. He is raised by relatives who don’t care for him and lives in a closet. His world is completely changed on his 11th birthday when a magical half giant, Hagrid, informs him that he is really a wizard, and soon will be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This leads to an amazing story where Harry fights evil, makes new friends, and starts to learn his destiny.
5th Grade Books
As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds
Tan Valiente Como Tu
When two brothers decide they need to prove how brave they are, everything backfires. Genie and Ernie are leaving their home in Brooklyn to spend their summer out in rural Virginia with their grandfather.
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Contando por Siete
Counting by 7s tells the story of Willow Chance, a 12-year-old genius who is obsessed with diagnosing medical conditions and finds comfort in counting by 7s. She suffers a great tragedy and then an unusual group of people help her cope and grow.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
La Evolucion de Calpurnia Tate
“Callie” Tate is an eleven-year-old in 1899 and is fascinated by nature. As she explores the world around her with her grandfather and navigates the dangers of living with six brothers, she learns what it means to be a girl at the turn of a century.
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Yo Soy Malala
This is a remarkable true tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, the fight for girls’ education, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that values only sons. Malala gets shot while insisting on attending school, survives, and goes on to be a global champion for girls education.
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
De Adentro Hacia Afuera y de Regreso Otra Vez
This story written as a set of poems, follows Ha, a ten-year-old girl who flees Vietnam with her mother and brothers while escaping the Vietnam War and building new lives in Alabama.
Out of My Mind by Sharon M Draper
Fuera de Mi Mente
Melody Brooks is a 10-year-old who has cerebral palsy who can’t walk, talk, or pretty much do anything. She gets integrated in mainstream classes, makes the quiz team, and yet finds out how mean and judgmental the other kids can be.
The Outcasts: Brotherband Chronicles Book 1 by John Flanagan
Los Marginados: Brotherband Chronicles Libro 1
In Skandia, there is only one way to become a warrior. Boys are chosen for teams called brotherbands and endure three months of gruelling training on the sea filled with fights and challenges.
Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
Eco
Lost and alone in a forbidden forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and suddenly finds himself entwined in a puzzling quest involving a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica.
6th Grade Books
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Como Pez en un Arbol
This story follows smart and talented Ally, but because of dyslexia she struggles in school. Since her father is in the military, she moves around a lot and is always able to hide this from her teachers. That is, until her new teacher, Mr. Daniels, finds out.
Wonder by RJ Palacio
La leccion de August
Wonder is a powerful story of a 10-year-old boy named August Pullman who has a facial anomaly. He is a regular kid who plays video games, loves Star Wars, but despite 27 operations will never look normal.
Ghost by Jason Reynolds
Fantasma
Ghost is a young adult novel which follows seventh grader, Castle “Ghost” Cranshaw as he joins a track team and struggles to deal with his past and his present. He struggles to overcome his difficult childhood and find new direction with his mentor, Coach Brody.
Al Capone does my Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Al Capone Me Lava la Ropa
This novel is about 12-year-old Moose Flanagan and his autistic sister, Natalie. When their father gets a job as an electrician on Alcatraz, the family moves there and the siblings adjust to living on an island that houses some of the most dangerous criminals!
Shelter by Christie Matheson
El Albergue
Fifth grade can be tough for anyone. But after tragedy strikes her family, Maya has a painful secret that makes many days feel nearly impossible. She is homeless. Shelter explores the power of empathy, friendship, and love and looks at homelessness through Maya’s view.
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Caddie Woodlawn
Set in the 1860s, this novel is about a lively eleven-year-old tomboy named Caroline Augusta Woodlawn, nicknamed "Caddie", living in Wisconsin. She would rather hunt than sew, plow than bake, and tries to beat her brother’s dares every time.
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
La Fabula Refugio
The book centers on two siblings, Kendra and Seth Sorenson, who visit their grandfather's mansion, which unknown to most of the world, is a reserve for mystical and magical creatures.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by Bryan Mealer and William Kamkwamba
El Nino que Domo el Viento
This is an inspiring true account of a curious African teenager who constructed a windmill from scraps to create electricity for his entire community.
Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs
Belly Up
Teddy has got a murder on his hands. The new hippo at the zoo, FunJungle, has gone belly up. Even though he was told it died of natural causes, Teddy suspects something is not right so sets out to find the truth.
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
Hola, Universo
This is a funny and poignant neighborhood story about unexpected friendships. Told from four different points of view, the novel celebrates bravery, being different, and finding your inner hero.
7th Grade Books
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk
Mas alla del Mar Brillante
Twelve-year-old Crow has lived her entire life on a tiny, isolated island in Massachusetts. Abandoned and set adrift on a small boat when she was just hours old, Crow's only companions are Osh, the man who rescued and raised her, and Miss Maggie, their fierce and affectionate neighbor across the sandbar. They support her as she goes to search for her family’s roots.
Ungifted by Gordon Korman
No Dotado
This book’s plot revolves around Donovan Curtis, a troublemaker who gets wrapped up in a major prank gone wrong. Due to an accident caused by the superintendent, Donovan gets sent to a school for academically gifted and talented students, where he clearly does not belong.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Dador
The Giver is an interesting story about a young boy called Jonas who lives in a society free of crime and sadness. At the age of 12, children are assigned their jobs, which they will train for and then work at for the rest of their lives. Everything is chosen; from your parents to your partner. Jonas starts to defy these strict expectations and this creates a host of problems.
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
El Puente a Casa
Life is harsh on the teeming streets of Chennai, India, so when runaway sisters Viji and Rukku arrive, their prospects look grim. Very quickly, Viji discovers how vulnerable they are in this uncaring, dangerous world. Fortunately, the girls find shelter–and friendship–on an abandoned bridge. They enjoy their new freedom from their abusive father but they have to balance this with their struggles to survive.
The Fog Diver by Joel Ross
El Buceador de la Niebla
A deadly white mist has cloaked the earth for hundreds of years. Humanity clings to the highest mountain peaks. As the ruthless Lord Kodoc patrols the skies to enforce order, thirteen-year-old Chess and his crew scavenge in the fog-shrouded ruins for anything they can sell to survive.
I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka, Liz Welch, and Martin Ganda
Siempre Volvere a Escribir
The true story of an American girl and boy from Zimbabwe. As an assignment, Caitlin wrote to an unknown student. That letter was the beginning of a correspondence that spanned six years and changed two lives. In this dual memoir with Caitlin and Martin they recount how they became best friends.
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
Un Largo Paseo Hasta el Agua
This powerful tale is based on the true story of Salva, one of the 3800 Sudanese “Lost Boys” airlifted to the USA in the mid 1990s. Before leaving Africa, Salva’s life was harrowing as he was separated from his family by war, survived starvation, animal attacks and ultimately leads a group of 150 boys to safety in Kenya. Eventually he moves to New York, learns English, and goes to college.
Refugee by Alan Gratz
Refugiado
Refugee is a historical fiction novel that features 3 stories; Josef, a Jewish boy escaping Nazi Germany, Isabel, a Cuban girl escaping Castro's regime in 1994, and Mahmoud, a Syrian boy fleeing from the conflict in Syria.
Keeper of Lost Cities, Book 1 by Shannon Messenger
Guardián de ciudades perdidas
Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has a secret. She’s a Telepath, which means she can hear the thoughts of everyone around her. Everything changes the day she meets Fitz, a strange boy who appears out of nowhere and also reads minds.
What If a Fish by Anika Fajardo
Que Si Un Pez
Half-Colombian Eddie has never felt Colombian and it is worse after his Papa died. Then the perfect opportunity arises. Eddie is invited to spend the summer in Colombia with his half-brother but as his adventure unfolds, he feels more like a fish out of water. He’s not sure he’ll ever figure out how to be a true Colombiano.
96 Miles by JL Esplin
96 Millas
96 Miles, is the story of two brothers, 13 and 11, walking down a remote highway in the wilds of Nevada and trying to survive. The situation is desperate, because the power has gone out, there's no word from the outside world, their widowed father is away on a business trip, and armed adults have robbed them of all their supplies -- food, water, generators, gasoline -- so they're determined to trek nearly 100 miles in the blazing heat to reach family friends.