Unit Materials for 1st Grade English Language Arts
Explore the texts and supporting materials used in each unit of 1st Grade English Language Arts.
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Download the text list for the 2026–27 school year, which includes ISBNs and guidance on ordering quantities.
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Being a Good Friend
Core Texts
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Book: The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael López (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018) — AD980L
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Book: The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig and illustrated by Patrice Barton (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2013) — 680L
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Book: Matthew and Tilly by Rebecca C. Jones and illustrated by Beth Peck (Puffin Books, Reprint edition, 1995) — 570L
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Book: Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell and illustrated by David Catrow (P. Putnam's Sons, 1st edition, 2001) — 560L
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Book: Ruby the Copycat by Peggy Rathmann (Scholastic, 52850th edition, 2006)
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Book: Enemy Pie by Derek Munson and illustrated by Tara Calahan King (Chronicle Books, 736th edition, 2000) — 550L
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Book: The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Tricia Tusa (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2010) — 570L
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Book: The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi (Dragonfly Books, 2003) — 590L
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Book: Jamaica and Brianna by Juanita Havill and illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien (Clarion Books, 1996) — 470L
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Book: Big Al by Andrew Clements (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Reprint edition, 1997) — 740L
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Book: Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2012) — 530L
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Assessment Text: “Your Name is a Song” by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow (The Innovation Press)
Supporting Texts
- Resource: Book List for Further Reading
Folktales Around the World
Core Texts
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Book: A Story, A Story: An African Tale by Gail E. Haley (Aladdin, 1988) — 590L
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Book: Anansi and the Talking Melon by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Janet Stevens (Holiday House, 1994) — 500L
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Book: Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Janet Stevens (Holiday House, Reprint edition, 1988) — 470L
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Book: Anansi and the Magic Stick by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Janet Stevens (Holiday House, III edition, 2002) — 500L
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Book: Anansi Goes Fishing by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Janet Stevens (Live Oak Media, Reprint edition, 1993) — 510L
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Book: The Lion and the Mouse by Bernadette Watts (North-South Books, Reprint edition, 2007) — 540L
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Book: Borreguita and the Coyote by Verna Aardema and illustrated by Petra Mathers (Dragonfly Books, Reprint edition, 1998) — 560L
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Book: The Paper Crane by Molly Bang (Greenwillow Books, Reprint edition, 1987) — 660L
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Book: Mama Panya's Pancakes by Mary and Rich Chamberlin and illustrated by Julia Cairns (Barefoot Books, 2006)
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Book: It Could Always Be Worse by Margot Zemach (Square Fish, Reissue edition, 1990) — 590L
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Book: Doña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart by Pat Mora and illustrated by Raul Colón (Dragonfly Books, 1 Reprint edition, 2010) — 860L
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Book: The Empty Pot by Demi (Square Fish, Reprint edition, 1996) — 630L
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Book: Why the Sky is Far Away: A Nigerian Folktale by Mary-Joan Gerson and illustrated by Carla Golembe (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 1995) — 800L
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Book: Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Michael Austin (Peachtree Publishers, Reprint edition, 2014) — 610L
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Book: Juan Bobo Goes to Work: A Puerto Rican Folk Tale by Marisa Montes and illustrated by Joe Cepeda (Rayo, 1st edition, 2000) — 540L
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Assessment Text: “The Crane Girl” by Curtis Manley and illustrated by Lin Wang (Shen's Books)
Supporting Texts
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Book: The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi (Dragonfly Books, 2003)
- Resource: Book List for Further Reading
Amazing Animals
Core Texts
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Book: What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins and illustrated by Robin Page (Clarion Books; Reprint edition, 2008) — 510L
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Book: What Color Is Camouflage? by Carolyn B. Otto and illustrated by Megan Lloyd (HarperCollins, 1996) — 610L
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Book: Living Color by Steve Jenkins (Clarion Books, 2012) — NC950L
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Book: Gecko by Raymond Huber and illustrated by Brian Lovelock (Candlewick, 2019) — AD820L
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Book: What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? by Steve Jenkins (Clarion Books; Reprint edition, 2001) — AD760L
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Book: Sisters and Brothers: Sibling Relationships in the Animal World by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page (Clarion Books; Reprint edition, 2012) — 980L
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Book: Lizards by Laura Marsh (National Geographic Children's Books, 2012) — 460L
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Book: Frogs by Elizabeth Carney (National Geographic Children's Books, 2009) — 470L
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Article: “Dog Days” by TIME for Kids
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Article: “Hope for Tigers” by Brian S. McGrath (TIME for Kids)
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Article: “Eagles Soar” by Lillian Stone (TIME for Kids)
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Assessment Text: “My First Day” by Robin Page; Steve Jenkins (Clarion Books, 2013) — 590L
Supporting Texts
- Resource: Book List for Further Reading
Love Makes a Family
Core Texts
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Book: Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer (Chronicle Books)
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Book: Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match by Monica Brown and illustrated by Sara Palacios (Children's Book Press, Bilingual edition, 2011) — 580L
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Book: In Our Mothers' House by Patricia Polacco (Philomel Books) — 750L
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Book: Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Sophie Blackall (Puffin Books, 2013) — AD710L
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Book: Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o and illustrated by Vashti Harrison (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers) — 580L
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Book: The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali and illustrated by Hatem Aly (Little Brown Books for Young Readers) — 500L
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Book: Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan and illustrated by Sophie Blackall (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2010) — 490L
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Book: My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete and illustrated by Shane Evans (Scholastic Press, 1 edition, 2010) — 540L
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Book: A Tale of Two Seders by Mindy Avra Portnoy and illustrated by Valeria Cis (Kar-Ben Publishing)
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Book: Visiting Day by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by James E. Ransome (Puffin Books, Reprint edition, 2015) — 520L
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Book: Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 1 edition, 2015) — 610L
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Book: Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker and illustrated by April Harrison (Schwartz & Wade)
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Book: I Love Saturdays y domingos by Alma Flor Ada and illustrated by Elivia Savadier (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Reprint edition, 2004) — 510L
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Book: Grandfather Counts by Andrea Cheng and illustrated by Ange Zhang (National Geographic School Pub, Reprint edition, 2003) — AD570L
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Book: Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina and illustrated by Angela Dominguez (Candlewick, 1st Edition edition, 2015) — 560L
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Book: Ojiichan’s Gift by Chieri Uegaki and illustrated by Genevieve Simms (Kids Can Press) — 800L
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Book: Dear Juno by Soyung Pak and illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung (Puffin Books, Reprint edition, 2001) — 500L
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Book: Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal (Roaring Brook Press)
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Book: Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith and illustrated by Ying-Hwa Hu and Cornelius Van Wright (Heartdrum) — 650L
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Book: Freedom Soup by Tami Charles and illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara (Candlewick)
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Book: First Laugh - Welcome Baby! by Rose Ann Tahe, Nancy Bo Flood and illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Charlesbridge) — 500L
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Assessment Text: “Sitti's Secrets” by Naomi Shihab Nye and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter (Aladdin) — AD650LL
Supporting Texts
- Resource: Book List for Further Reading
Inspiring Artists and Musicians
Core Texts
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Book: A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2013) — 610L
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Book: Action Jackson by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan and illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker (Square Fish; 1st edition, 2007) — 750L
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Book: Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh (Harry N. Abrams; Illustrated edition, 2015)
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Book: Diego Rivera: His World and Ours by Duncan Tonatiuh (Harry N. Abrams; First Edition, 2011) — AD1040L
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Book: Frida Kahlo and her Animalitos by Monica Brown and illustrated by John Parra (NorthSouth Books; Illustrated edition, 2017) — AD780L
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Book: Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; First Edition, 2016) — 1050L
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Book: Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud and illustrated by Kalila J. Fuller (Penguin Workshop, 2022) — AD910L
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Book: Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra by Andrea Davis Pinkey and illustrated by Brian Pinkney (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2007) — AD800L
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Book: When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson by Pam Muñoz Ryan and illustrated by Brian Selznick (Scholastic Press; 1st edition, 2002) — 920L
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Book: When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana by Michael Mahin and illustrated by Jose Ramirez (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018) — 610L
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Book: When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop by Laban Carrick Hill and illustrated by Theodore Taylor III (Roaring Brook Press, 2013) — AD770L
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Book: Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews and illustrated by Bryan Collier (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2015) — 760L
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Book: Misty Copeland (You Should Meet Series) by Laurie Calkhoven and illustrated by Monique Dong (Simon Spotlight; Illustrated edition, 2016) — 850L
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Book: Firebird by Misty Copeland and illustrated by Christopher Myers (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers; First Edition, 2014)
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Book: Misty Copeland: Ballet Star by Sarah Howden and illustrated by Nick Craine (HarperCollins; Illustrated edition, 2020)
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Book: Bunheads by Misty Copeland and illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey (Nancy Paulsen Books; Illustrated edition, 2020) — AD950L
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Assessment Text: “Yayoi Kusama: From Here to Infinity” by Sarah Suzuki and illustrated by Ellen Weinstein (Museum of Modern Art, 2017) — 1000L
Supporting Texts
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Painting: School Studies by Horace Pippin (1944)
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Painting: One: Number 31 by Jackson Pollock (1950)
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Painting: La Gran Tenochtitlan by Diego Rivera (1945)
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Painting: Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird by Frida Kahlo (1940)
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Painting: Untitled by Jean-Michel Basquiat (1982)
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Illustration: Calaveras by José Guadalupe (Lupe) Posada
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Painting: Domino Players by Horace Pippin (1943)
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Article: “Express Yourself” by TFK Editors (TIME for Kids, 2022)
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Painting: White Light by Jackson Pollock (1954)
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Painting: Self Portrait with Monkeys by Frida Kahlo (1943)
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Painting: Gold Griot by Jean-Michel Basquiat (1984)
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Video: “The Eagle Dance by Ria Thundercloud (Sandia, Ho-Chunk)” (Indian Pueblo Cultural Center)
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Painting: Red Eiffel Tower by Robert Delaunay (1911–1912)
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Poem: “Things” by Eloise Greenfield
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Song: “Black, Brown and Beige”
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Song: “Oye Como Va”
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Song: “Where Y’At”
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Song: “B-Boy Boogie”
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Song: “Take the A Train”
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Song: “Didn't It Rain”
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Song: “Tripped Out Slim”
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Video: “Misty Copeland: An Unlikely Ballerina’s Story” (Simon & Schuster Books)
- Resource: Book List for Further Reading
The Power of Reading
Core Texts
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Book: Book Fiesta! by Pat Mora (HarperCollins Publishers, 2016) — AD490L
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Book: The Good Little Book by Kyo Maclear (Tundra Books, 2015)
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Book: That Book Woman by Heather Henson (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2008) — AD920L
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Book: Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown (Tricycle Press, 2011)
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Book: Tomás and the Library Lady by Pat Mora (Dragon Fly Books, 1st Dragonfly Books Ed edition, 2000) — 500L
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Book: Little Libraries, Big Heroes by Miranda Paul and illustrated by John Parra (Clarion Books; Illustrated edition, 2019) — 750L
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Book: Digging for Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built by Angela Burke Kunkel (Schwartz & Wade; Illustrated edition, 2020) — AD730L
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Book: Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges (Chronicle Books, Reprint edition, 2015) — 860L
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Book: Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan by Jeanette Winter (Beach Lane Books, 2009) — 630L
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Book: Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard (Aladdin, Reprint edition, 2005) — 520L
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Book: Grandmother School by Rina Singh (Orca Book Publishers; Illustrated edition, 2020)
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Book: Running the Road to ABC by Denize Lauture (Aladdin, Reprint edition, 2000) — 710L
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Book: The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard (Schwartz & Wade; Illustrated edition, 2020) — AD830L
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Book: More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby (Orchard Books, 1995) — 570L
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Book: The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles (Scholastic Paperbacks, Rep Anv Sp edition, 2010) — 730L
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Book: Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh (Harry N. Abrams; Illustrated edition, 2014) — AD870L
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Book: Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco (Philomel Books; Illustrated edition, 2012) — AD650L
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Book: Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jen Bryant (Knopf Books for Young Readers; Illustrated edition, 2016) — 590L
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Assessment Text: “Dear Librarian” by Lydia M. Sigwarth and Romina Galotta (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) — 530LL
Supporting Texts
- Resource: Book List for Further Reading