4th-5th Grade

Banner Image: "Design for Wall Hanging" by Anni Albers, MoMA

These reading lists, organized by grade level, represent recently published books that celebrate Jewish-American heritage, affirm identity, and promote cultural awareness. Sharing these books is one part of our effort to develop a diverse consciousness with and for our youth and ensure they know they are not alone, and that they can speak out to help stop the spread of bigotry.

Aviva vs. the Dybbukby Mari Lowe


Becoming Briannaby Terri Libenson


Chunkyby Yehudi Mercado

Ellen Outside the Linesby A. J. Sass



The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtainby Eugene Yelchin



Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen!by Sarah Kapit


How To Find What You're Not Looking Forby Veera Hiranandani

The Lost Ryuby Emi Watanabe Cohen


A Place at the Tableby Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan






Recipe for Disasterby Aimee Lucido

Starfishby Lisa Fipps

37 Days at Sea: Aboard the M.S. St. Louis, 1939

by Barbara Krasner




Turtle Boy

by W. Evan Wolenstein

Welcome Back, Maple Mehta-Cohen

by Kate McGovern

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.