Diversity Collection
Whether we speak of diversity or inclusion, our goal is the same — to offer stories that expand the world of children through characters who are similar to and different from the reader.
Our stories reflect differences in skin color, gender roles, life styles, customs, ethnic, family, and tribal practices.
In addition, we have included some fables and legends in the packages as insight to a range of cultures.
ALL of the books in these packages are part of our larger Books for Young Learners collection. These packages were curated based on needs expressed by teachers.
Illustrated by Joanne Friar
Description:
Max and Toby find lots of things to do at school.
(Fiction)
F/P Level: F
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 10 6
INT Level:
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 94 102
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
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Illustrated by Sally Schaedler
Description:
A boy’s letter writing has happy consequences.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: F
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 9 8
INT Level:
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 73 70
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Illustrated by Cheryl Kirk Noll
Description:
A sister helps her older brother make a beautiful kite.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: F
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 7 5
INT Level:
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 64 59
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Rhonda Cox
Description:
Children express their joy by dancing at a powwow.
(Informational)
F/P Level: F
Grade Level: 1
Reading Stage: Emergent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 8
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 29
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Anne E. Schraff
Illustrated by Deborah Zemke
Description:
Too many friends want to share a little girl’s hat.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: F
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 9
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 79 73
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Buket
Description:
Paco and his grandmother plant a small salad garden.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: G
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 12 12
INT Level:
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 120 111
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Viki Woodworth
Description:
A literal interpretation of the expression “digging to china.”
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: H
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 14
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 108
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Patrick Kelley
Description:
Big sister assists in getting her little brother to talk.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: H
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 14
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 204
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Laura Freeman-Hines
Description:
A small sailboat is caught in a wild, wet, windy storm.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 16
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 135
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Linda Finch
Description:
A classroom pet plays a trick.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2 1-2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 14 16
INT Level:
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 176 178
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Description:
Goha learns that you cannot please everyone.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 13
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 114
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Description:
A story of trust between a curious child and gentle sea creature.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2 1-2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 10
INT Level: 15
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 114 121
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Joanne Friar
Description:
A child and her mother enjoy helping each other.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 13
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 216
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
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Description:
Children observe tiny tadpoles change into leaping frogs.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2 1-2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 14
INT Level:
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 91 101
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
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Description:
Pretty pearls and beads help neighbors overcome the language barrier.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2 1-2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 10
INT Level: 18
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 98 101
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Description:
Shintaro helps his grandfather create umbrellas for many uses.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2 1-2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 16 8
INT Level:
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 95 116
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Description:
A banana-loving rabbit devises a clever plan to fill his tummy with his favorite fruit.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 18
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 198
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Author: Arama Christiana
Illustrated by Stephen Taylor
Description:
Children share the joy of childhood and their love for their country.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: J
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 18
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 142
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Description:
A boy and his grandmother remember the little frogs that sing back home in their native land.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: J
Grade Level: 1-2 1-2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 12
INT Level: 16
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 140 134
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Tracy Monaghan
Illustrated by Deborah White
Description:
A lonely girl and her father help each other through loss and sadness.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: J
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 17
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 277
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Billy Mark Stegall
Illustrated by Matthew Archambault
Description:
A little girl lends a helping hand to her dad at a soup kitchen for the homeless.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: J
Grade Level: 2 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 16 17
INT Level:
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 187 190
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Ginger Baker
Illustrated by Pamela R. Levy
Description:
A little boy is anxious about walking home alone from school.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: J
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 16
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 327
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: M. Hamilton and M. Weiss
Illustrated by Bruce MacDonald
Description:
Dog never completes his mission.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: J
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 19
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 237
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Author: Cassia McClain
Illustrated by Deborah White
Description:
It’s more than just bacon that makes the kitchen such a special place on Saturday mornings.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: K
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 20
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 363
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Nathan Zimelman
Illustrated by Deborah Zemke
Description:
Archie’s lucky find makes everyone smile.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: K
Grade Level: 2 2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 7
INT Level: 18
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 167 165
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Marjorie Jackson
Illustrated by Mark Mitchell
Description:
Two children celebrate the Chinese New Year.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: K
Grade Level: 2 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 8
INT Level: 15
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 153 170
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Dr. L. David Furr
Illustrated by Tom Simonton
Description:
A young boy meets a basketball legend.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: K
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 20
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 929
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: David Zirin
Illustrated by Deborah White
Description:
A young girl brightens the life of her lonely, hard-working mother.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: K
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 19
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 804
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Adrian Warren
Illustrated by Craig Brown
Description:
A boy and his dog discover the wonders of nature as they walk by the river.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: K
Grade Level: 2 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 20
INT Level: 18
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 118 141
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Casey Lynn Allen
Illustrated by Gregory G. Newson
Description:
A retelling of a Native American tale about the creation of birds.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 19
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 175
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Author: Lisa Brochu
Illustrated by Ned Butterfield
Description:
Though things may change on the outside, the love that a child and her father have for each other will never change.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level: 2-3 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 17 20
INT Level:
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 212 206
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Candy Grant Helmso
Illustrated by Joanne Friar
Description:
A young boy learns about a special African-American tradition.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level: 2-3 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 6
INT Level: 15
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 122 140
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Janice Kuharski
Illustrated by Jo-Ann E. Kitchel
Description:
Clever Raven tricks the Chief of the Sky into sharing the light with all the creatures of the earth.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level: 2-3 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 17 18
INT Level:
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 160 173
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Author: Sherry Bowen
Illustrated by Pat Paris
Description:
Spilled purple grapes + hot Egyptian sun = raisins.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 20
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 590
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Elizabeth Westra
Illustrated by Kenneth Robert Ampel
Description:
A perceptive young boy tames a spirited stallion.
(Historical Fiction)
F/P Level: M
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 23
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 434
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Candy Grant Helmso
Illustrated by Stephen Taylor
Description:
A little girl shares the fun of an old African-American custom with her classmates.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: M
Grade Level: 2-3 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 18
INT Level: 20
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 252 271
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Gay W. Holland
Description:
Loving relatives weave a dream catcher to hang above the bed of a little girl.
(Informational)
F/P Level: M
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 16
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 159
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Candy Grant Helmso
Illustrated by Joanne Friar
Description:
A family of women work together to help friends find a path to freedom.
(Historical Fiction)
F/P Level: M
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 22
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 300
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Sherry H. Bowen
Illustrated by Kathleen Kuchera
Description:
This Native American legend tells why the pigeon’s feathers are gray, and how she learned that being yourself is the most beautiful way to be.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: M
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 20
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 473
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Douglas Hood
Illustrated by Tom Simonton
Description:
A story of how the ancient, underground army of the first emperor of China was found.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: M
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 20
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 849
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Item#: 733
Author of Cuban Kids; Helping Out; My Camera; Ricardo’s Day, Sheep Dog and more.
Genre: Nonfiction
Hispanic culture
Description:
Students will learn what is involved in developing a story, editing and revising, and how the authors became writers.
F/P Level: O
Grade Level: 2-5
Page Count: 32
Meet the Author books are:
- Excellent resources to engage your students in the writing process
- Perfect for author studies
- Authentic models of good writing
- Inspiring to young writers
- Hardcover
Featured in these packages:
Item#: 724
Author of Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back and IRA Teachers’ Choice Many Nations: An Alphabet of Native America and more.
Genre: Poetry
Native American culture
Description:
Students will learn what is involved in developing a story, editing and revising, and how the authors became writers.
F/P Level: O
Grade Level: 2-5
Page Count: 32
Meet the Author books are:
- Excellent resources to engage your students in the writing process
- Perfect for author studies
- Authentic models of good writing
- Inspiring to young writers
- Hardcover
Featured in these packages:
Item #A736PB, 736PB
Single – $9.00
6-Pack – $43.20
Author of The Keeping Quilt; The Blessing Cup; Fiona’s Lace; Bully; Rechenka’s Eggs; Thank you, Mr. Falker; Mrs. Katz and Tush and more.
Genre: Children’s Stories
Russian Culture
Description:
Students will learn what is involved in developing a story, editing and revising, and how the authors became writers.
F/P Level: O
Grade Level: 2-5
Page Count: 32
Meet the Author books are:
- Excellent resources to engage your students in the writing process
- Perfect for author studies
- Authentic models of good writing
- Inspiring to young writers
- Hardcover
Featured in these packages:
Item #A735PB, 735PB
Single – $9.00
6-Pack – $43.20
Author of more than twenty books for children and young adults, including Before It Wriggles Away and more.
Genre: Poetry
Chinese culture
Description:
Students will learn what is involved in developing a story, editing and revising, and how the authors became writers.
F/P Level: O
Grade Level: 2-5
Page Count: 32
Meet the Author books are:
- Excellent resources to engage your students in the writing process
- Perfect for author studies
- Authentic models of good writing
- Inspiring to young writers
- Hardcover
Featured in these packages:
Item: #602
Single – $10.00
Author is the recipient of the 2006 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Her distinguished works include ALA Notable book award What is Goodbye?, Jazmin’s Notebook, Dark Sons, and The Road to Paris (Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books). And creator of the popular Meet Danitra Brown and more.
Genre: Poetry
African American culture
Description:
Each book offers students valuable, inside information about writing and the writing process, the challenges and the rewards of writing from the perspective of the authors and their work, with rare colorful pictorial and illustrative glimpses into the private life of each author.
F/P Level: W
Grade Level: 4-7
Page Count: 64
Author at Work—UNIQUE and INSPIRING
Author Memoirs for Upper Elementary and Middle School Students in Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Grades
Featured in these packages:
Need a custom quote? Contact us directly to get an estimate, place an order, or receive more information.
Richard C. Owen Publishers, Inc.
(800) 336-5588
M-F 9:00-5:00 EST
PO Box 585
Katonah, NY 10536
Email: RCOstaff@rcowen.com
