Family Reading Lists

kids reading in front of Santa Barbara Junior High for the unplug and unfold a book campaign

Santa Barbara Unified School District is committed to supporting joyful literacy experiences for every student and family. Reading at home—whether through books, audiobooks, or digital libraries—strengthens vocabulary, comprehension, and a lifelong love of learning. In a world filled with screens and constant notifications, opening a book offers families a chance to slow down, reconnect, talk, laugh, and explore stories together. When we unplug and unfold a book, we invite curiosity, imagination, and meaningful moments to unfold as well, creating space for shared discovery and the simple joy of getting lost in a good story.

Librarian & Staff Book Recommendations

Elementary Schools

Adams

Cleveland

Franklin

Franklin Elementary Library Shares Top Picks for "Unplug and Unfold a Book"

As part of SB Unified’s winter campaign, "Unplug and Unfold a Book," the Franklin Elementary library is highlighting some fantastic reads to keep students engaged and inspired over the winter break.

Superintendent Maldonado recently visited our library to discuss the importance of "letting technology rest" and allowing students' imaginations to grow through literature. Whether your student is just starting their reading journey or looking for a complex adventure, the Franklin library has curated these special recommendations:

For the Tech-Breakers: Bored Panda. This story follows a panda who discovers there is a whole world of fun waiting for him once he puts down his tablet.
For the Mystery Lovers: Who Donut?. A festive "whodunit" featuring the fan-favorite characters Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast. It’s the perfect seasonal mystery for a cozy afternoon.
For the Adventure Seekers: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. This series by Brandon Sanderson is a hit for older students (around age 11). It’s a fast-paced, "crazy adventure" that even adults will enjoy reading along with their kids.

We are so proud of our Franklin readers and can’t wait to hear about the stories you "unfold" this winter!

Harding

McKinley

Monroe

Roosevelt

SB Community Academy

Washington

Junior High Schools

Goleta Valley

La Colina

La Cumbre

Santa Barbara

High Schools

Alta Vita/ La Cuesta

Dos Pueblos

San Marcos

Santa Barbara

Additional Recommendations

Winter Reading Guides

Pre-School

Winter break is a perfect chance to slow down, unplug, and enjoy stories together. For preschoolers, reading aloud is one of the most important ways families can build language, imagination, and a love of books. Young children learn through talking, singing, playing with sounds, asking questions, and listening to stories, even for just a few minutes a day. Shared reading time helps build vocabulary, early comprehension, curiosity, and connection as a family.

During winter break, try:
• Read aloud together every day—even short, cozy moments count
• Point to pictures and talk about what your child notices
• Play with rhyming words, silly sounds, and repetition
• Let your child turn pages, name things, and “read” the pictures
• Reread favorite books to build confidence, joy, and memory

Book Recommendations — Preschool

Book Title	Author	Theme	Description
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?	Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle	Pattern / Observation	A rhythmic, colorful favorite that encourages naming animals and colors.
Goodnight Moon	Margaret Wise Brown	Routine / Comfort	A soothing bedtime classic that invites calm and connection.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar	Eric Carle	Sequencing / Nature	A playful introduction to counting, days of the week, and life cycles.
Llama Llama Red Pajama	Anna Dewdney	Feelings / Family	A sweet story about bedtime worries and parental reassurance.
Dear Zoo	Rod Campbell	Curiosity / Animals	A lift-the-flap adventure that builds prediction and engagement.
From Head to Toe	Eric Carle	Movement / Participation	Encourages young children to move, follow along, and repeat phrases.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom	Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault	Alphabet / Rhythm	A lively introduction to letters with musical language and fun illustrations.
Dream Big, Little One	Vashti Harrison	Identity / Inspiration	Introduces young children to trailblazing women in history.
Last Stop on Market Street	Matt de la Peña	Community / Gratitude	A warm story that celebrates everyday beauty and kindness.
The Snowy Day	Ezra Jack Keats	Wonder / Exploration	A timeless winter classic about imagination and discovery.
The Big Slide	The Big Slide	Feelings	A story of a child becoming brave and the emotions around something new.

Grade TK & K

Winter break is a perfect chance to slow down, read together, and enjoy stories as a family. Young learners grow significantly when they hear language every day — through talking, singing, playing with sounds, and listening to stories read aloud. According to the SBUnified Family Guide for TK–K, one of the most powerful things families can do at this age is read daily, pause to talk about pictures, and encourage children to retell stories in their own words. A few minutes a day builds vocabulary, early comprehension, imagination, and a love of reading.

Family Guide Reference: https://www.sbunified.org/departments/educational-services/grade-level-expectations

During winter break, try:
• Read aloud together every day
• Ask What do you notice? What do you think will happen next?
• Play with rhyming words and beginning sounds
• Let your child retell the story using pictures and memory

Book Recommendations — TK–K

Book Title	Author	Theme	Description
Dreamers	Yuyi Morales	Family/Journey	A mother and child find belonging through books. (Available in Spanish)
Paletero Man	Lucky Díaz	Community/Joy	A joyful neighborhood paleta adventure. (Available in Spanish)
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners	Joanna Ho	Identity/Heritage	A celebration of beauty and cultural pride. (Available in Spanish)
Round Is a Tortilla	Roseanne Thong	Culture/Everyday Math	Shapes and cultural details in daily life. (Available in Spanish)
Fry Bread	Kevin Noble Maillard	Tradition/Family	Stories alive through food and memory. (Available in Spanish)
Sulwe	Lupita Nyong’o	Self-Worth/Identity	A journey toward self-love and light. (Available in Spanish)
The Rabbit Listened	Cori Doerrfeld	Empathy/Healing	Listening can heal a hurting heart. (Available in Spanish)
Bilal Cooks Daal	Aisha Saeed	Friendship/Culture	Sharing food + friendship over time.
The Big Umbrella	Bates	Inclusion/Welcome	A warm metaphor for belonging.
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon	Lovell	Confidence/Uniqueness	A bold reminder to shine as you are.
Going Down Home With Daddy	Lyons	Roots/History	Honoring family ancestry and place.
Bear Came Along	Morris	Connection/Adventure	New friends on an unexpected river journey.

Grade 1

Winter break offers a valuable opportunity for first graders to build reading fluency, expression, and comprehension. Students at this developmental stage shift from learning to read toward reading to learn, and consistent reading helps strengthen sight words, vocabulary, and story understanding. According to the SBUnified Family Guide for Grade 1, discussing characters and their challenges, noticing patterns in text, and retelling stories helps deepen comprehension and confidence. Even 10–15 minutes of shared reading daily has a big impact.

Family Guide: https://www.sbunified.org/departments/educational-services/grade-level-expectations

During winter break, try:
• Read aloud together daily and take turns
• Ask Who are the characters? What is the problem?
• Notice rhyme and repeated phrases
• Retell or act out a story using pictures

Book Recommendations — Grade 1

Book Title	Author	Theme	Description
The Proudest Blue	Muhammad	Identity/Strength	Cultural pride, sisterhood, confidence. (Available in Spanish)
Gustavo the Shy Ghost	Drago	Courage/Belonging	A shy ghost finds friendship. (Available in Spanish)
Ada Twist Scientist	Beaty	Curiosity/Innovation	Scientific thinking + persistence. (Available in Spanish)
Abuela	Dorros	Family/Adventure	A magical city journey with grandma. (Available in Spanish)
Ruby Finds a Worry	Percival	Feelings/Self-Management	Naming and navigating emotions. (Available in Spanish)
Julián Is a Mermaid	Love	Expression/Identity	Imagination + self-celebration. (Available in Spanish)
The Coquíes Still Sing	González	Resilience/Community	Rebuilding after the storm. (Available in Spanish)
The Most Magnificent Thing	Spires	Problem-Solving	Learning through mistakes. (Available in Spanish)
Juna’s Jar	Bahk	Memory/Imagination	Wonders created from memories.
Someone New	O’Brien	Inclusion/Welcome	Kindness toward newcomers.

Grade 2

In second grade, readers continue developing fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension by reading increasingly longer and more complex texts. Students benefit from summarizing stories, discussing character choices, and examining how events unfold. The SBUnified Family Guide for Grade 2 highlights the importance of rereading favorite books, trying new ones, and exploring vocabulary together. Discussing story structure — beginning, middle, and end — supports deeper understanding and memory.

Family Guide: https://www.sbunified.org/departments/educational-services/grade-level-expectations

During winter break, try:
• Ask What happened first? Next? Last?
• Explore new vocabulary as you read
• Read both old favorites and new titles
• Compare characters across two books

Book Recommendations — Grade 2

Book Title	Author	Theme	Description
A Different Pond	Bao Phi	Memory/Fatherhood	A quiet fishing trip filled with family story and love. (Available in Spanish)
Nana Akua Goes to School	Elam Walker	Cultural Pride	Sharing tradition and courage in a new space.
The Undefeated	Kwame Alexander	Strength/Legacy	A powerful tribute to Black history. (Available in Spanish)
Emmanuel’s Dream	Laurie Ann Thompson	Resilience/Ability	A boy bikes across Ghana using one strong leg. (Available in Spanish)
The Water Princess	Susan Verde	Water/Justice	A young girl imagines a world with clean drinking water. (Available in Spanish)
Maybe Something Beautiful	Campoy/Howell	Art/Community	A city is transformed by color + creativity. (Available in Spanish)
Malala’s Magic Pencil	Malala Yousafzai	Courage/Advocacy	Reimagining fairness and girls’ education. (Available in Spanish)
The Wild Robot	Peter Brown	Adaptation/Belonging	A robot learns to survive and connect with nature. (Available in Spanish)
Sharice’s Big Voice	Sharice Davids	Leadership/Identity	Speaking up as a young Native leader. (Available in Spanish)
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures	Finley	Neurodiversity/Innovation	Temple Grandin’s story told for young readers.
Lulu and the Brontosaurus	Judith Viorst	Empathy/perspective	Tells a story of a spoiled child who is very demanding and she learns a new way via her new friend.

Grade 3

By third grade, students are expanding reading stamina, deepening comprehension, and using text evidence to support their ideas. They benefit from discussing theme, comparing characters, and explaining how ideas develop across a story. The SBUnified Family Guide for Grade 3 emphasizes that asking questions, exploring vocabulary, and connecting stories to real-life experiences builds understanding. Reading a mix of fiction and nonfiction helps students grow as readers and thinkers.

Family Guide: https://www.sbunified.org/departments/educational-services/grade-level-expectations

During winter break, try:
• Stop and ask What lesson or message does this story teach?
• Compare two characters’ choices or traits
• Explore new vocabulary together
• Read fiction + nonfiction during the break

Book Recommendations — Grade 3

Book Title	Author	Theme	Description
Front Desk	Kelly Yang	Immigration/Resilience	A brave girl manages a motel for immigrant families. (Available in Spanish)
The One and Only Ivan	Applegate	Friendship/Empathy	A gentle gorilla dreams of freedom. (Available in Spanish)
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind	Kamkwamba	Innovation/Perseverance	Creativity brings electricity and hope. (Available in Spanish)
Sofia Valdez, Future Prez	Beaty	Leadership/Voice	One girl makes change in her community. (Available in Spanish)
The Year of the Dog	Grace Lin	Identity/Culture	Finding belonging and self-understanding.
Stella Díaz Has Something to Say	Dominguez	Bilingual Identity	A shy student learns to use her voice. (Available in Spanish)
Wishtree	Applegate	Community/Kindness	A wise old tree tells a story of friendship. (Available in Spanish)
A Long Pitch Home	Lorenzi	Courage/New Country	Adjusting to life after moving abroad.
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street	Glaser	Family/Community	Saving home + strengthening bonds. (Available in Spanish)
The Lemonade War	Davies	Problem-Solving/Business	Sibling competition grows into learning. (Available in Spanish)

Grade 4

Fourth graders continue strengthening reading stamina and independence. They learn to analyze character development, theme, and key details — and begin using text evidence to support claims. The SBUnified Family Guide for Grade 4 encourages families to discuss how characters change, explore vocabulary in context, and read fiction and nonfiction to broaden knowledge. Asking students to summarize chapters, explain the author’s message, or compare characters builds strong comprehension skills.

Family Guide: https://www.sbunified.org/departments/educational-services/grade-level-expectations

During winter break, try:
• Ask How has the character changed from the beginning?
• Explore new vocabulary together and use it in conversation
• Pause to ask What evidence shows that?
• Read both fiction + informational text for variety

Book Recommendations — Grade 4

Book Title	Author	Theme	Description
The Wild Robot	Peter Brown	Nature/Adaptation	A robot survives and learns to belong. (Available in Spanish)
Wonder	R.J. Palacio	Kindness/Empathy	A moving story about acceptance. (Available in Spanish)
Front Desk	Kelly Yang	Courage/Immigration	A girl advocates for her family and community. (Available in Spanish)
Inside Out & Back Again	Thanhhà Lại	Displacement/Resilience	A poetically told immigration story. (Available in Spanish)
The Lightning Thief	Riordan	Mythology/Adventure	Percy Jackson discovers his power. (Available in Spanish)
Esperanza Rising	Pam Muñoz Ryan	Class/Justice	Farm labor, courage, and hope. (Available in Spanish)
Because of Winn-Dixie	DiCamillo	Healing/Friendship	A lonely girl finds connection through a dog. (Available in Spanish)
The Girl Who Stole an Elephant	Farook	Justice/Adventure	Clever escape, loyalty, bold action.
The Last Last-Day-of-Summer	Giles	Humor/Time Bend	A wild, magical final day of break.
Frindle	Andrew Clements	Language/Creativity	A student challenges authority by inventing a new word, showing the power of language, voice, and creativity.
Serafina and the Black Cloak	Beatty	Mystery/Courage	Secrets beneath a grand estate.

Grade 5

Fifth graders read across genres — historical fiction, memoir, poetry, informational text — and analyze how ideas develop across chapters or events. They learn to compare characters, evaluate the author’s message, and identify supporting evidence. The SBUnified Family Guide for Grade 5 encourages reading widely to build vocabulary, content knowledge, and stamina. Discussing theme, perspective, and real‐world connections strengthens academic reading and critical thinking.

Family Guide: https://www.sbunified.org/departments/educational-services/grade-level-expectations

During winter break, try:
• Ask What theme or life lesson stands out most?
• Compare how two characters respond to challenges
• Explore why the author wrote this story
• Read articles, biographies, and novels for variety

Book Recommendations — Grade 5

Book Title	Author	Theme	Description
Save Me A Seat	Sarah Weeks & Gita Varadarajan	Friendship/Belonging	Two very different students form an unexpected friendship while navigating school, bullying, and finding their place.
Wonder	R.J. Palacio	Kindness/Humility	A powerful story of courage + compassion. (Available in Spanish)
The Wild Robot Escapes	Brown	Identity/Growth	A sequel about survival + belonging. (Available in Spanish)
Brown Girl Dreaming	Jacqueline Woodson	Memoir/Voice	Poetry-style life story. (Available in Spanish)
Refugee	Alan Gratz	War/Survival	Three migration journeys collide. (Available in Spanish)
Inside Out & Back Again	Thanhhà Lại	Refuge/Transition	War, displacement, and rebuilding. (Available in Spanish)
Esperanza Rising	Muñoz Ryan	Labor/Justice	A farmworker girl rebuilds her life. (Available in Spanish)
The Night Diary	Hiranandani	History/Separation	Letters from Partition.
Harbor Me	Woodson	Trust/Healing	Friendship circles build courage. (Available in Spanish)
Amina’s Voice	Hena Khan	Identity/Belonging	Holding faith, family, and culture.
A Wolf Called Wander	Parry	Nature/Instinct	A journey of survival + distance.

Grade 6

Sixth graders transition toward more advanced reading, deeper analysis, and independent interpretation. They benefit from reading multiple genres — memoir, poetry, informational text, historical fiction — and discussing how authors develop ideas, themes, and points of view. The SBUnified Family Guide for Grade 6 encourages families to ask questions that stretch thinking: What is the author saying? How do we know? What symbols or details matter most? Reading for meaning builds strong readers prepared for secondary literacy.

Family Guide: https://www.sbunified.org/departments/educational-services/grade-level-expectations

During winter break, try:
• Ask What idea is the author exploring?
• Compare how characters face conflict
• Explore symbolism, imagery, or repeated details
• Read across multiple genres for depth + variety

Book Recommendations — Grade 6

Book Title	Author	Theme	Description
Refugee	Alan Gratz	War/Survival	Three refugee stories across time. (Available in Spanish)
The Giver	Lois Lowry	Memory/Freedom	A society without pain or choice. (Available in Spanish)
Brown Girl Dreaming	Jacqueline Woodson	Voice/Identity	Memoir in poetic verse. (Available in Spanish)
A Long Walk to Water	Linda Sue Park	Water/Hope	Two stories of survival in Sudan. (Available in Spanish)
Ghost	Jason Reynolds	Speed/Self-Discovery	Running toward identity. (Available in Spanish)
New Kid	Jerry Craft	Belonging/Code Switching	Navigating new spaces + hidden pressure. (Available in Spanish)
The Parker Inheritance	Varian Johnson	History/Mystery	A hidden letter reveals long-buried injustice.
The Bridge Home	Venkatraman	Poverty/Sisterhood	Two sisters surviving alone. (Available in Spanish)
Amal Unbound	Aisha Saeed	Courage/Injustice	A young girl fights for freedom. (Available in Spanish)
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky	Mbalia	Mythology/Africa + Diaspora	Adventure rooted in folklore. (Available in Spanish)
Oceano Horses From the Sea	Thomas Sanchez	Historical Fiction/The Hero’s Journey	Set in Santa Barbara, this is the story of a young girl rescues a drowning horse and goes on a heroic journey to challenge traditional roles.

Free Library Access

To support meaningful, screen-free moments at home, SBUnified has curated this collection of free online reading platforms, free public library resources, and little free library access points. Every resource listed below is available at no cost to families

Local Public Libraries

Your public libraries offer free access to books, audiobooks, storytimes, and welcoming spaces for families to unplug and read together.

Santa Barbara Central Library
40 E Anapamu St | https://sbplibrary.org
Free library cards, bilingual storytime, parent resources, and e-books via Libby.
Eastside Library
1102 E Montecito St
Free bilingual storytimes and family reading programs.

Free Community Book Sources

Online Reading Libraries

(All resources listed are completely free.)

Unite for Literacy – Picture books with multilingual audio
https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/

Storyline Online – Children’s books read aloud by actors
https://www.storylineonline.net/

International Children’s Digital Library – Global children’s books in many languages
http://en.childrenslibrary.org/

Open Library K-12 (Internet Archive) below

https://openlibrary.org/collections/k-12

StoryWeaver – Multilingual stories for early readers through teens
https://storyweaver.org.in

American Library Association Notable book list 2025 for K-6

https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb

Pura Belpré Award and Honor Books, 1996 to present Outstanding works of literature for children and young adults that best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience

https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/belpre_winners_coms_1996-to-present.pdf

Santa Barbara Public Library Online Login Page (Library Cards are Free)

https://catalog.sbplibrary.org/MyAccount/Home

How to Use Santa Barbara Public Library Catalog

https://library.santabarbaraca.gov/account-info/how-use-our-catalog

How to Use Santa Barbara Public Library Catalog in Spanish

https://library.santabarbaraca.gov/es/mi-cuenta/como-usar-nuestro-catalogo