Extended Reading Lists This document contains a list of texts aligned to every Magnetic Reading unit so your students can continue to build knowledge about important and intriguing topics. Each list includes a range of picture books, informational texts, and novels that give you the flexibility to support learners who are still building background knowledge as well as the opportunity to offer additional texts for students who are hungry to learn more! Read each text, and use your discretion to select texts appropriate for independent reading, shared reading, or read alouds.
Embedded Files
Table of Contents
Grade 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Grade 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Grade 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Grade 3
Unit 1: Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unit 2: Ocean Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unit 3: Making a Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unit 4: Changes in the West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unit 5: Wild Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unit 6: Artful Ideas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unit 1
• Lesson 1: Clever Thinking
• Lesson 2: Learning from Others
• Lesson 3: The Simplest Solution
• Lesson 4: Everyone Makes Mistakes
• Connect It: A Hero Among Us
Learn More about Solving Problems
Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes written by Wab Kinew; illustrated by Joe Morse Kinew’s rap song showcasing indigenous heroes is transformed into a celebratory picture book.
The Book of Mistakes written and illustrated by Corrina Luyken
This picture book shows how mistakes can transform into new ideas.
The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do written and illustrated by Ashley Spires
When Lou faces a challenge, her friends support her and help her overcome the problem.
My Happy Life written by Rose Lagercrantz; illustrated by Eva Eriksson
This illustrated chapter book is about a young girl who always find optimism, even when facing challenges.
Coyote Tales written by Thomas King; illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler
This book presents two traditional trickster tales about Coyote.
What Do You Do with a Problem? written by Kobi Yamada; illustrated by Mae Besom A young boy is plagued by a problem and discovers what can be gained from facing it.
Stuck written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
A child uses different problem-solving skills to get his kite out of a tree.
Pushing Up the Sky: Seven Native American Plays for Children written by Joseph Bruchac; illustrated by Teresa Flavin
Native tales with tricksters and heroes are adapted into plays in this collection.
Unit 2
• Lesson 5: Habitats of the Ocean
• Lesson 6: Survival Skills
• Lesson 7: Group Survival
• Lesson 8: Protecting the Ocean
• Connect It: Reefs at Risk
Learn More about Ocean Survival
The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World’s Coral Reefs written by Kate Messner; illustrated by Matthew Forsythe In this book, the story of sea conservation pioneer Ken Nedimyer is used to educate readers about the importance of coral reefs and work being done to restore them.
Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators That Saved an Ecosystem written by Patricia Newman This informational book explains the essential role sea otters play in their ecosystem.
The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just written by Mélina Mangal; illustrated by Luisa Uribe This informational text is about African-American scientist Ernest Everett Just, who closely observed sea life. His observations led to a better understanding of egg cells.
Secrets of the Sea written by Kate Baker; illustrated by Eleanor Taylor This informational text provides illustrated information about Earth’s oceans.
Freaky, Funky Fish: Odd Facts about Fascinating Fish written by Debra Kempf Shumaker; illustrated by Claire Powell This highly visual informational text is about fish with surprising adaptations that help them survive.
Alba the Hundred Year Old Fish written by Lara Hawthorne This story of a fish that has spent her life collecting precious objects from the sea floor illuminates the impact of pollution on sea life and the ocean.
If Sharks Disappeared written and illustrated by Lily Williams Readers learn about sharks and discover what the world would be like without them.
Down Down Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea written by Steve Jenkins This informational text gives an up-close look at life along the ocean floor.
Unit 3
• Lesson 9: Young Voices
• Lesson 10: Books Change the World
• Lesson 11: We Can Help!
• Connect It: Fair Play
Learn More about Making a Difference
The Big Beach Cleanup written by Charlotte Offsay; illustrated by Katie Rewse When a local sand castle–building competition is canceled because of litter on the beach, Cora decides to do something about it. This fictional story is centered on a young environmental activist.
Book Uncle and Me written by Uma Krishnaswami; illustrated by Julianna Swaney A retired teacher, whom the kids call Book Uncle, lends books from a corner stand in 9-year-old Yasmin’s neighborhood. Yasmin loves borrowing books from him, so when the authorities try to shut down the book stand, Yasmin takes a stand.
The One Day House written by Julia Durango; illustrated by Bianca Diaz Wilson wants to help his friend Gigi, whose house needs repair. Neighbors unite to help Wilson help Gigi.
Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You! written by Marley Dias Marley Dias, the girl who started the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign, writes this informational book about how to achieve your goals.
Be the Difference written by Jayneen Sanders; illustrated by Cherie Zamazing This informational text provides kids with more than 40 ideas for practical things they can do to make a difference in their communities.
The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng written by Sophia Gholz; illustrated by Kayla Harren This picture book biography tells the story of Jadav Payeng, who grew an entire forest in northeastern India on his own.
Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood written by Tony Hillery; illustrated by Jessie Hartland This picture book tells the true story of Tony Hillery. He makes a big difference in his neighborhood by starting a farm that creates beauty and builds a sense of community.
Unit 4
• Lesson 12: On the Move
• Lesson 13: Travel Before and After Trains
• Lesson 14: Crossing Paths in the Changing West
• Connect It: The Ways of the West
Learn More about Changes in the West
Apples to Oregon written by Deborah Hopkinson; illustrated by Nancy Carpenter This picture book tells the tale of a family traveling west on the Oregon Trail. Not wanting to leave behind their beloved fruit trees, the family builds a special wagon to help their trees make the journey west.
motive by Brian Floca This picture book provides an illustrated account of a ride on the transcontinental railroad.
Buffalo Bird Girl: A Hidatsa Story written by S. D. Nelson This illustrated biography about Buffalo Bird Girl uses her historic records to tell her story.
Voices of the Western Frontier written by Sherry Garland; illustrated by Julie Dupré Buckner This collection of narratives shares voices of several historical figures who bring the journey of westward expansion to life.
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy US Marshal written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson; illustrated by R. Gregory Christie This biography tells the story of Bass Reeves, a formerly enslaved person, who was the longest-serving deputy US marshal in the area formerly known as Indian Territory.
The People Shall Continue written by Simon J. Ortiz; illustrated by Sharol Graves This book offers the Indigenous people’s perspective of the European-American invasion of their lands during the 1800s.
Minnow and Rose: An Oregon Trail Story written by Judy Young; illustrated by Bill Farnsworth Set during the mid-1800s along the Oregon Trail, this is a story of two girls from two very different backgrounds who find friendship and understanding in each other, in that remarkable way that children can do
Unit 5
• Lesson 15: Weather Watch
• Lesson 16: Studying Extremes
• Lesson 17: Weather Verses
• Connect It: Weather All Around
Learn More about Wild Weather
I Am the Storm written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple; illustrated by Kristen Howdeshell and Kevin Howdeshell This book details the importance of preparedness when dealing with weather emergencies.
Wild is the Wind written and illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith This story uses the journey of a healed swift released to its flock to illustrate the power the wind has on shaping the landscapes the swift flies over.
Science Comics: Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology, and Climate written by MK Reed; illustrated by Jonathan Hill This illustrated graphic novel explores extreme weather, including floods, landslides, tornadoes, and fires.
Gust, Gust, Gust! written by Ray Jaramillo This is the story of a young boy who is afraid of the wind and must reconcile his fear with the necessity of the wind to supply electricity and water to his village.
When the Storm Comes written by Linda Ashman; illustrated by Taeeun Yoo This book illustrates how people prepare for and react to a storm, including making the best of power outages.
Extreme Weather: Surviving Tornadoes, Sandstorms, Hailstorms, Blizzards, Hurricanes, and More! written by Thomas M. Kostigen This informational book is an overview of extreme weather. It describes different types of extreme weather and how to prepare.
A Storm Called Katrina written by Myron Uhlberg; illustrated by Colin Bootman This fictional story, told from the point of view of a 10-year-old boy, shows the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the people who lived in New Orleans at the time.
Unit 6
• Lesson 18: Natural Creativity
• Lesson 19: The Power of Art
• Lesson 20: Art in Action
• Connect It: Creative Solutions
Learn More about Artful Ideas
The Secret Kingdom: Nek Chand, a Changing India, and a Hidden World of Art written by Barb Rosenstock; illustrated by Claire A. Nivola This is the story of how the Rock Garden of Chandigarh came to be and how a community protected the creation, which Nek Chand had kept secret for 15 years.
Aaron Slater, Illustrator written by Andrea Beaty; illustrated by David Roberts This story captures the power of art in finding your voice and telling stories in unique ways.
Hey, Wall: A Story of Art and Community written by Susan Verde; illustrated by John Parra This picture book tells the story of how art can bring a community together.
Magic Trash: A Story of Tyree Guyton and His Art written by J.H. Shapiro; illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton This picture book biography tells the story of Detroit artist Tyree Guyton, who recycles old and found items to create works of art.
Doodleville written and illustrated by Chad Sell This graphic novel tells the story of a group of kids who are artists. When one of their works of art turns into a monster, they must work together to stop it.
Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood written by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell; illustrated by Rafael López This picture book tells the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California.
Anywhere Artist written by Nikki Slade Robinson This is a book about creating art from anything, anywhere.
The Shape of the World: A Portrait of Frank Lloyd Wright written by K. L. Going; illustrated by Lauren Stringer This book tells the story of how Frank Lloyd Wright was inspired by shapes in nature.
Report abuse