4th-5th Grade

The Berkeley Unified School District stands with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community. This reading list promotes books published in recent years that are devoted to uplifting Asian-American and Pacific Islander history, celebrating heritage, affirming identity, and promoting antiracism. Sharing these books is one part of our effort to develop anti-racist consciousness with and for our youth and ensure they know they are not alone.

Boomi's Boomboxby Shanti Sekaran
Genre: Science Fiction
Audiobook available!
Published: 2023


A Duet for Homeby Karina Yan Glaser
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Audiobook available!
Published: 2022

Enlighten Meby Minh Lê
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Published: 2023
Finally Heardby Kelly Yang
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Published: 2024
Finally Seenby Kelly Yang
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Audiobook available!
Published: 2023
Freddie vs. the Family Curseby Tracy Badua
Genre: Fantasy
Audiobook available!
Published: 2022

Gigi Shin is Not a Nerdby Lyla Lee
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Published: 2023
The House Before Falling Into the Seaby Lyla Lee
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Published: 2024
Kozo the Sparrowby Allen Say
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Published: 2023
Key Playerby Kelly Yang
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Audiobook available!
Published: 2022


The Last Mapmakerby Christina Soontornvat
Genre: Fantasy
Audiobook available!
Published: 2022


Love in the Libraryby Maggie Tokuda-Hall
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Audiobook available!
Published: 2022

Maizy Chen's Last Chanceby Lisa Yee
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Audiobook available!
Published: 2022
Marikit and the Ocean of Starsby Caris Avendaño Cruz
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2022
Mirror to Mirrorby Rajanni LaRocca
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Novel in Verse
Published: 2023
The Misfits: A Royal Conundrumby Lisa Yee
Genre: Mystery / Humor
Format: Illustrated Novel
Published: 2024
My Lost Freedomby George Takei
Genre: Memoir
Published: 2024
New From Hereby Kelly Yang
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Audiobook available!
Published: 2022


Nura and the Immortal Palaceby M.T. Khan
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2022


Omar Risingby Aisha Saeed
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Published: 2022


Parachute Kidsby Betty C. Tang
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Audiobook available!
Published: 2023
Patsy Mink (She Persisted)by Tae Keller
Genre: Non-Fiction / Biography
Published: 2022




The Secret Battle of Evan Paoby Wendy Wan-Long Shang
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Audiobook available!
Published: 2022



Saving Sunshineby Saadia Faruqi
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Published: 2023



Sona and the Golden Beastsby Rajani LaRocca
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2024
A Spoonful of Timeby Flora Ahn
Genre: Science Fiction
Audiobook available!
Published: 2023
Surely Surely Marisol Raineyby Erin Entrada Kelly
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Published: 2022




Those Kids from Fawn Creekby Erin Entrada Kelly
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Audiobook available!
Published: 2022



Troublemakerby John Cho
Genre: Historical Fiction
Audiobook available!
Published: 2022



The Tryoutby Christina Soontornvat
Genre: Realistic Fiction / Sports
Format: Graphic Novel
Published: 2022



The Untold Story of Larry Itliong: Labor Rights Heroby Cristina Oxtra 
Genre: Non-Fiction/Biography
Format: Picture Book
Published: 2023


You Are Here: Connecting Flightsby Ellen Oh
Genre: Realistic Fiction / Short Stories
Audiobook available!
Published: 2023

How do I read these books?

Many of these books are available through Berkeley school libraries as a physical and/or ebook. For more information about any of these books, or to check one of them out, ask your school librarian.

For more information and instructions on accessing ebooks and audiobooks, visit our Digital Books page.

At a time when so many small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, we also encourage folks to support our local bookstores: 

Ashay by the Bay, Bandung Books, Eastwind Books, Marcus Books, Moe’s Books, Mr. Mopps, Books Inc., Pegasus Books and Mrs. Dalloways.