3-5 Books | University of Central Florida

This collection contains materials from the DIVerse Families bibliography organized by Grades 3-5.

DIVerse Families is a comprehensive bibliography that demonstrates the growing diversity of families in the United States. This type of bibliography provides teachers, librarians, counselors, adoption agencies, children/young adults, and especially parents and grandparents needing to empower their children with materials that reflect their families.

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1001 Cranes

Naomi Hirahara

With her parents on the verge of separating, a devastated twelve-year-old Japanese American girl spends the summer in Los Angeles with her grandparents, where she folds paper cranes into wedding displays, becomes involved with a young skateboarder, and learns how complicated relationships can be.
13

Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish

Almost thirteen-year-old Evan Goldman learns what it means to be a man when his parents separate and he and his mother move from New York City to Appleton, Indiana, right before his bar mitzvah.
42 Miles

Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

As her thirteenth birthday approaches, JoEllen decides to bring together her two separate lives--one as Joey, who enjoys weekends with her father and other relatives on a farm, and another as Ellen, who lives with her mother in a Cincinnati apartment near her school and friends.
A Band of Angels

Deborah Hopkinson

The daughter of a slave forms a gospel singing group and goes on tour to raise money to save for Fisk University.
A Boy No More

Harry Mazer

After his father is killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor, Adam, his mother, and sister are evacuated from Hawaii to California, where he must deal with his feelings about the war, Japanese internment camps, his father, and his own identity.
Absolutely Almost

Lisa Graff

Ten-year-old Albie has never been the smartest, tallest, best at gym, greatest artist, or most musical in his class, as his parents keep reminding him, but new nanny Calista helps him uncover his strengths and take pride in himself.
A Card for My Father

Samantha Thornhill

A Card For My Father by Samantha Thornhill with illustrations by Morgan Clement is the first title in a trilogy of picture books exploring the lasting effects, big and small, of a father’s incarceration on his first-grade daughter, Flora. In A Card For My Father, how can Flora complete her class assignment to write a Father’s Day card when she’s never met her father?
A Chair for My Mother

Vera B. Williams

A child, her waitress mother, and her grandmother save dimes to buy a comfortable armchair after all their furniture is lost in a fire.
A Child's Calendar

John Updike

A collection of twelve poems describing the activities in a child's life and the changes in the weather as the year moves from January to December.
A Clear Spring

Barbara Sjoholm

While visiting relatives in Seattle, twelve-year-old Willa explores the ethnic diversity of her family and investigates the pollution of a salmon stream.
Adopted like Me: My Book of Adopted Heroes

Ann Angel

Adopted Like Me is a children's picture book that tells the stories of famous and inspirational people, all of whom were adopted. Read about great musicians like Bo Diddley, politicians like Nelson Mandela, stars like Marilyn Monroe as well as inventors, athletes, a princess skilled in judo and fencing, and many more.
Adoption is for Always

Linda Walvoord and Judith Friedman

Although Celia reacts to having been adopted with anger and insecurity, her parents help her accept her feelings and celebrate their love for her by making her adoption day a family holiday. Includes factual information about the adoption process.
A Forever Family

Roslyn Banish and Jennifer Jordan-Wong

Eight-year-old Jennifer Jordan-Wong describes her adoption by a family after four years of living as a foster child with many different families.
A Friendship for Today

Patrick C. McKissack

In 1954, when desegregation comes to Kirkland, Missouri, ten-year-old Rosemary faces many changes and challenges at school and at home as her parents separate.
A Handful of Stars

Cynthia Lord

When her blind dog slips his collar, twelve-year old Lily meets Salma Santiago, a young Hispanic girl whose migrant family are in Maine for the blueberry-picking season, and, based partly on their mutual love of dogs, the two forge a friendship while painting bee boxes for Lily's grandfather--but as the Blueberry Queen pageant approaches Lily and Selma are confronted with some of the hard truths of prejudice and migrant life.
Aitor Has Two Moms (Aitor Tiene Dos Mamas)

María José Mendieta

Aitor has always wondered why he has two mothers, but it isn't until his best friend Imanol's parents forbid him from attending Aitor's ninth birthday party that Aitor sees how some in his small town see his family situation.
Alan Cole Doesn't Dance

Eric Bell

As if it were not bad enough to be bullied for being gay while trying to navigate a budding relationship, Alan's father insists he take June Harrison to a school dance.
Alan Cole is Not a Coward

Eric Bell

Hoping to keep his older brother Nathan silent about his secret crush on another boy at their school, twelve-year-old Alan agrees to a ruthless sibling competition involving nearly impossible tasks--from standing up to their demanding father to getting a first kiss.
All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome

Kathy Hoopmann

Pictures of cats in usual and unusual positions help illustrate how the behaviors of people with Asperger's syndrome are similar to those of cats.
All Dogs Have ADHD

Kathy Hoopmann

All Dogs Have ADHD takes an inspiring and affectionate look at Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), using images and ideas from the canine world. Charming colour photographs of dogs bring to life familiar ADHD characteristics such as being restless and excitable, getting easily distracted, and acting on impulse.
All Families are Different

Sol Gordon and Vivien Cohen

Discusses differences in families in today's society, as well as what makes each family special.
All Mixed Up! (Amy Hodgepodge, #1)

Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts

Attending a "regular" school for the first time, former homeschooler Amy, whose family is racially mixed, meets new friends who celebrate their differences and include Amy in their song and dance routine for the upcoming talent show.
Also Known as Harper

Ann Haywood Leal

Writing poetry helps fifth-grader Harper Lee Morgan cope with her father's absence, being evicted, and having to skip school to care for her brother while their mother works, and things look even brighter after she befriends a mute girl and a kindly disabled woman.
Amber Brown Goes Fourth

Paula Danziger

Entering fourth grade, Amber faces some changes in her life as her best friend moves away and her parents divorce.
Amber Brown Horses Around

Paula Danziger, Bruce Coville, and Elizabeth Levy

Amber's excited to be spending the summer after fourth grade with her friends at Camp Cushetunk, but things start getting complicated when she learns that her worst enemy, Hannah Burton, is one of her bunkmates.