Have you ever stopped to examine your classroom library and compare the make up of the characters in your chapter books with the make up of the students in your classroom? Even if the make up of your classroom and school isn’t particularly diverse, it’s still so important to share a variety of diverse chapter books with our students that reflect our students and the overall population. That’s why I’ve teamed up with Steps to Literacy to bring you 4 series of diverse chapter book that your students will absolutely love!
I’d like to thank Steps to Literacy for sponsoring this post. I received compensation for this post, but all opinions, ideas, and thoughts are mine. I only share about resources, products, and companies that I use and believe in and I believe will be beneficial to you as well!
A Diverse Classroom Library
My favorite moments in my classroom are always the times when I look around the room and all of my students have their nose in a different book. When I see each of my students engaged in reading (and I’m sure you feel like same) I know I’m doing something right as a teacher. As teacher, we strive to provide fiction and non-fiction books. Books on dinosaurs and plants and space. Classics and new reads. Chapter books and picture books… and so on. But, it’s so important to be sure our classroom libraries reflect the religions, genders, and ethnic make up of both our classroom and society in general. Representation matters. Students want to see themselves in their books, and when they do, they are more likely to connect with the story and develop a love of reading.
That’s why I absolutely love Steps to Literacy‘s Diverse and World Perspectives: Character Packs! These sets have been carefully and thoughtfully curated to enhance your existing classroom library. They are the perfect way to make sure you’re representing all students so your students can see themselves, their peers, and the vast unique and wonderful make up people! It also allows them to learn about other culture’s food, holidays,and traditions! They specifically work with publishers who are committed to providing diverse titles like Capstone, Lee and Low, among several others. Additionally, Steps to Literacy in general strives to provide teachers and students will diverse titles. So, here are 4 fantastically diverse chapter book series that all of your students will love!
Diverse Chapter Books Series
Molly Mac by Marty Kelley
Students will love this spunky, silly character and the shenanigans she gets herself into! Molly is an inquisitive little girl who loves tacos and wants to be an artist, animal trainer, superhero, and a pirate when she grows up! Students will laugh along as they read about her adventures, and they’ll also relate to her thoughts, questions, and problems. The illustrations are beautiful, and students will be drawn in right away from the “about me” page! I adore that this series features a strong, opinionated female character that students will love! Molly Mac books are a guided reading level L.
Sofia Martinez by Jacqueline Jules
There are so many reasons students will pick up the books in the Sofia Martinez series and not want to put them down! First, this bilingual book includes Spanish words throughout and a Spanish glossary in the back. This is perfect for students who are Spanish English Language Learners, especially. There are also discussion and writing topics at the end of each book, which are perfect for a literature circle or guided reading group. And finally, seven year old Sofia as a character and the stories themselves are incredibly relatable and fun! Students will be able to identify with her feelings and the situations she’s dealing with while laughing along with her as she gets herself in and out of trouble! Sofia Martinez books are a guided reading level K.
Keena Ford by Melissa Thomson
Keena Ford is a spunky little girl who loves to write in her journal, and students who enjoy that dear diary, first person, format will love this series! Once again, students will be able to see themselves in the very relatable mishaps and mix ups that Keena finds herself facing. This humorous series will draw your students in, and might even teach them a few lessons along the way! With a strong female lead of color, Keena Ford is the perfect book for your classroom library. Keena Ford books are a guided reading level K.
The Mysterious Makers of Shaker Street by Stacia Deusch
If your students love a good mystery, than The Mysterious Makers of Shaker Street is the perfect series for them! These fun mysteries feature a diverse cast of three friends who solve mysteries and will have your students chuckling along the way! They’ll also love the science/STEM aspect, as the trio often flexes their maker skills! This series is written by Stacia Deusch who has written over 200 books, including Nancy Drew, Clue Crew, and some of the The Box Car Children books. I guarentee your students will not be able to put down this engaging series! The Mysterious Makers of Shaker Street books range from a guided reading level P-Q.
All of these diverse chapter books can be found in the Steps to Literacy Diverse Perspectives Collections for grades 2-3. See them in the online catalog here, and browse the entire Diverse Perspectives Collection here.
Want to see more of my favorite resources from Steps to Literacy? Check out the posts below.
Listening Libraries Diverse Chapter Books Rich Mentor Texts NGSS Science Book Collections Back to School Favorites White Board Tips Tactile Letters Christmas Crafts Small Group Organization STEM Tools Brain Breaks Calm Down Kit Ideas
