As many teachers are pivoting to at least some form of remote learning for the upcoming school year, and as parents are being called upon to come up with supplemental or independent reading ideas,  we wanted to highlight some of the resources that you can access through the New York Public Library. In addition to some of the titles that teachers already assign (many available via grab-and-go pick-up at a limited number of branches or as e-books through our SimplyE app), the library has a number of resources that allow unlimited check-outs and are always available. 

Here is just a small selection of books appropriate for students in third, fourth, and fifth grades including how-to books, a range of biographies and titles related to social activism.

STEM, Nature, and Hands On Activities

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Cool Drawing by Anders Hanson

Karakuri: Paper Made to Move by Megan Borgert-Spaniol

The Lost Key: Manga Math Mysteries by Melinda Thielbar and Tintin Pantoja
 

     

Cool Quick Breads: Easy Recipes for Kids to Bake by Pam Price

Marine Science For Kids by Josh and Bethanie Hesterman

Pedal It! How Bicycles Are Changing the World by Michelle Mulder

 

History and Biography

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Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code by Joseph Bruchac

A Spy Called Jame: the True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agents by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Anne Frank: A Light in the Dark by Tamara Leigh Hollingsworth, illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes
 

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Aretha Franklin: Legendary Singer by Duchess Harris

Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal by Vaunda Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
 

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Sonia Sotomayor: A Biography by Sylvia Mendoza

The Harlem Renaissance by Duchess Harris

 

Social Activism and Civil Rights

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The Women's Rights Movement by Eric Braun

The American Indian Rights Movement by Eric Braun

Black Lives Matter by Duchess Harris
 

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Gay & Lesbian History for Kids by Jerome Pohlen

John Lewis: Civil Rights Leader and Congressman by Duchess Harris

 

Fiction

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Elsie Mae Has Something to Say by Nancy J. Cavanaugh

Dinosaur Boy by Cory Putman Oakes

 

We have many more titles for a variety of age levels that have unlimited checkouts:

• Always Available: Titles for Pre-K and Kindergarteners
• Always Available: Titles for 1st and 2nd Graders
• Always Available: Titles for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders
• Always Available: Titles for Middle Grade Students
• Always Available: Titles for High School Students
• Always Available: Documentary Films for High School Students