Finding Diverse Books 2026 | Grades 3-5

Updated January 16, 2026
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Oregon City Public Library
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Rachel Friedman Is Not the Queen
Kapit, Sarah/ Kote, Genevieve (ILT)
Paper Book
In this heartwarming chapter book, Rachel celebrates Purim--and learns the joy of sharing the stage. Rachel is so excited about Purim, and she's especially excited to star in her Hebrew school's Purim spiel! She'll get to dress up like a queen and put on a play in front of...

The third book in Sarah Kapit's beginning chapter book series about a neurodiverse Jewish girl explores jealousy, as attention-loving Rachel struggles with her best friend being given the leading role of Queen Esther in the Hebrew school Purim pageant.

Ella Josephine : resident in charge
LaCour, Nina
Paper Book
The second book in bestselling author Nina LaCour's delightful chapter book series for young readers. "LaCour's ... series is cozy and classic-feeling ... Ella's curiosity and gregariousness are infectious, and she'll easily sweep readers into her charming world....

A spunky elementary-age girl helps the residents of her family's apartment house in San Francisco. Featuring a family with two moms, the writing and setting combine to create a the feel of a classic.

The gate, the girl, and the dragon
Lin, Grace
Paper Book
A New York Times and IndieBound bestseller! A Boston Globe Best Book of the Year! A Kirkus Best Book of the Year! A BCCB Best Book of the Year! This gorgeous DELUXE LIMITED EDITION available...

A mischievous young dragon needs the help of a human girl and her friends to return to the spirit world before the gate he inadvertently opened closes for good. Another modern fairy tale steeped in Chinese folklore from the author of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.

Also available as an e-book and a digital audiobook.

Outsider kids
Tang, Betty C.
Paper Book
Can one spoiled cousin upend three kids' hard-won happiness? Find out in this hilarious, big-hearted, high stakes companion to the award-winning bestseller Parachute Kids! Perfect for fans of School Trip, A First Time for Everything, The Tryout, and The Squad...

In this sequel to the Parachute Kids graphic novel, the Lins--a trio of undocumented siblings struggling to get by on their own after their parents sent them to the US--deal with a snobby cousin visiting from Taiwan who threatens to disrupt their hard-earned equilibrium.

Also available as an e-book.


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