Social and Emotional Learning Collection - SELNEWLIST
The Social and Emotional Learning Collection was created to showcase our popular, printable Social and Emotional Learning Diverse Reading List. This list was curated by our Literacy Specialist and is divided by Social Emotional Learning theme, including empathy, positive relationships, recognizing and managing emotions, problem solving, grit and perseverance, and perspective-taking.
The collection below includes diverse books that feature situations where students can recognize and respond to characters demonstrating empathy, having strong relationships with family and friends, and looking at the world through another’s eyes. These exemplar texts, all educator favorites, will help you model and explore strategies for tackling challenges and building community.
Download the Social and Emotional Learning Diverse Reading List and browse the included books below!
Please note that pricing, availability and books in the Social and Emotional Learning Diverse Reading List are subject to change.
Social and Emotional Learning Collection (60 Books): | $997.00 |

Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Slavery, Similarities and Differences, Siblings, Sharing & Giving, Identity/Self Esteem/Confidence, Responsibility, Poetry, Overcoming Obstacles, Native American Interest, Latino/Hispanic/Mexican Interest, History, Heroism, Grandparents, Friendship, Families, Dreams & Aspirations, Discrimination, Cultural Diversity, Coping with Death, Conflict resolution, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Bullying, Breaking Gender Barriers, African/African American Interest, Biracial/Multiracial Interest, Biography/Memoir, Bilingual, Asian/Asian American Interest, Adoption, Empathy/Compassion, Human Impact On Environment/Environmental Sustainability , Integrity/Honesty , Optimism/Enthusiasm, Persistence/Grit, Realistic Fiction, Respect/Citizenship, Self Control/Self Regulation, Pride, Inventors / Inventions, Courage, Tolerance/Acceptance, Collaboration, Kindness/Caring, Diversity
Included formats shown below in BOLD
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Sam and the Lucky MoneyBy Chinn Illustrated by Wright / Hu |
Guided Reading: N
AR Level: 3.6 - 0.5 |
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Benji, the Bad Day, and MeBy Pla Illustrated by Min |
Guided Reading: L
Lexile Level: AD500L |
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The Crane GirlBy Manley Illustrated by Wang |
Guided Reading: R
Lexile Level: N/A |
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The Can ManBy Williams Illustrated by Orback |
Guided Reading: P
AR Level: 3.4 - 0.5 |
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Lend a HandBy Frank Illustrated by Ladd |
Guided Reading: M
AR Level: 4.4 - 0.5 |
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Twenty-two CentsBy Yoo Illustrated by Akib |
Guided Reading: V
AR Level: 6.5 - 0.5 |
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Under the MesquiteBy McCall |
Guided Reading: X
AR Level: 5.7 - 3.0 |
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The Perfect Gift (Confetti Kids #6)By Yoo Illustrated by Ng-Benitez |
Guided Reading: I
AR Level: 2.2 - 0.5 |
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Love Twelve Miles LongBy Armand Illustrated by Bootman |
Guided Reading: U
AR Level: 3.2 - 0.5 |
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The Hula-Hoopin' QueenBy Godin by Brantley-Newton |
Guided Reading: P
AR Level: 3.4 - 0.5 |
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Family Pictures / Cuadros de familiaBy Garza Illustrated by Garza |
Guided Reading: Q
AR Level: 4.3 - 0.5 |
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Summer of the MariposasBy McCall |
Guided Reading: Z
AR Level: 5.4 - 13.0 |
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Calling the Water DrumBy Redding Illustrated by Boyd |
Guided Reading: P
Lexile Level: AD550L |
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Juna's JarBy Park Illustrated by Hoshino |
Guided Reading: L
AR Level: 3.4 - 0.5 |
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The Happiest TreeBy Krishnaswami Illustrated by Jeyaveeran |
Guided Reading: N
AR Level: 3.1 - 0.5 |
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Moony Luna / Luna, Lunita LuneraBy Argueta Illustrated by Gómez |
Guided Reading: K
AR Level: 2.9 - 0.5 |
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My Diary from Here to There / Mi diario de aqui hasta alláBy Pérez Illustrated by Gonzalez |
Guided Reading: R
AR Level: 4.0 - 0.5 |
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Kiki's JourneyBy Orona-Ramirez Illustrated by Day |
Guided Reading: Q
AR Level: 4.2 - 0.5 |
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BirdBy Elliott Illustrated by Strickland |
Guided Reading: Q
AR Level: 3.8 - 0.5 |
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Chess RumbleBy Neri Illustrated by Watson |
Guided Reading: V
AR Level: 3.5 - 1.0 |
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The Turtle ShipBy Rhee Illustrated by Kong-Savage |
Guided Reading: O DRA: 34 |
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Destiny's GiftBy Tarpley Illustrated by Burrowes |
Guided Reading: P
AR Level: 4.0 - 0.5 |
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Rainbow Weaver/Tejedora del arcoírisBy Marshall Illustrated by Chavarri |
Guided Reading: P
Lexile Level: AD580L |
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Finding the Music / En pos de la músicaBy Torres by Alarcão |
Guided Reading: P
AR Level: 3.5 - 0.5 |
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The Mangrove TreeBy Roth / Trumbore Illustrated by Roth |
Guided Reading: R
AR Level: 6.4 - 0.5 |
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Seeds of ChangeBy Johnson Illustrated by Sadler |
Guided Reading: S
AR Level: 4.8 - 0.5 |
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Martí's Song for Freedom/Martí y sus versos por la libertadBy Otheguy Illustrated by Vidal |
Guided Reading: W
AR Level: 5.3 - 0.5 |
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The Wind Called My NameBy Sanchez |
Guided Reading: V
AR Level: 4.4 - 8.0 |
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George Crum and the Saratoga ChipBy Taylor Illustrated by Morrison |
Guided Reading: R
AR Level: 5.3 - 0.5 |
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Take a Picture of Me, James VanDerZee!By Loney Illustrated by Mallett |
Guided Reading: S
AR Level: 4.3 - 0.5 |
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Catching the MoonBy Hubbard Illustrated by DuBurke |
Guided Reading: R
AR Level: 4.3 - 0.5 |
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Drum, Chavi, Drum! / ¡Toca, Chavi, Toca!By Dole Illustrated by Tonel |
Guided Reading: N
AR Level: 3.1 - 0.5 |
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Ira's Shakespeare DreamBy Armand Illustrated by Cooper |
Guided Reading: U
AR Level: 5.3 - 0.5 |
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Step Up to the Plate, Maria SinghBy Krishnaswami |
Guided Reading: V
Lexile Level: 680L |
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Home to Medicine MountainBy Santiago Illustrated by Lowry |
Guided Reading: P
AR Level: 4.1 - 0.5 |
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Tiny StitchesBy Hooks Illustrated by Bootman |
Guided Reading: U
AR Level: 5.9 - 0.5 |
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Ana Maria Reyes Does Not Live in a CastleBy Burgos |
Guided Reading: V
AR Level: 4.2 - 9.0 |
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Under My HijabBy Khan Illustrated by Jaleel |
Guided Reading: K
Lexile Level: AD710L |
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Mamá the Alien/Mamá la extraterrestreBy Colato Laínez Illustrated by Lacámara |
Guided Reading: N
Lexile Level: AD560L |
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Sparkle BoyBy Newman Illustrated by Mola |
Guided Reading: M
Lexile Level: AD490L |
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A Man Called RavenBy Van Camp Illustrated by Littlechild
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Guided Reading: S
AR Level: 3.3 - 0.5 |
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Poems in the AtticBy Grimes Illustrated by Zunon |
Guided Reading: N
AR Level: 3.9 - 0.5 |
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AhimsaBy Kelkar |
Guided Reading: Z
AR Level: 5.3 - 8.0 |
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YummyBy Neri Illustrated by DuBurke |
Guided Reading: V
AR Level: 3.4 - 1.0 |
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I Am Alfonso JonesBy Medina Illustrated by Jennings / Robinson |
Guided Reading: Z+
Lexile Level: GN640L |
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She Was the First!By Russell-Brown Illustrated by Velasquez |
Guided Reading: T DRA: 44 |
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The Electric Slide and KaiBy Baptist Illustrated by Johnson |
Guided Reading: O DRA: 34 |
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Julieta and the Diamond EnigmaBy Armendáriz |
Guided Reading: U DRA: 44 |
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Kiyoshi's WalkBy Karlins Illustrated by Wong |
Guided Reading: O DRA: 34 |
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Seven Golden RingsBy LaRocca Illustrated by Sreenivasan |
Guided Reading: Q DRA: 40 |
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Strong as Fire, Fierce as FlameBy Kelkar |
Guided Reading: Z DRA: 80 |
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Dream BuilderBy Lyons Illustrated by Freeman |
Guided Reading: S
Lexile Level: AD810L |
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When the Shadbush BloomsBy Katz / Messinger Illustrated by Fadden |
Guided Reading: O
AR Level: 4.8 - 0.5 |
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I RememberBy Hopkins |
Guided Reading: W
Lexile Level: NP |
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Boy, EverywhereBy Dassu |
Guided Reading: Z
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Just Like MeBy Artists Illustrated by Artists |
Guided Reading: R
AR Level: 4.9 - 0.5 |
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The Three LucysBy Charara Illustrated by Kahn |
Guided Reading: P
AR Level: 3.6 - 0.5 |
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Juna and AppaBy Park Illustrated by Hoshino |
Guided Reading: M DRA: 28 |
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All Around UsBy González Illustrated by Garcia |
Guided Reading: M
AR Level: 2.8 - 0.5 |
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Blessing's BeadBy Edwardson |
Guided Reading: Z
AR Level: 4.9 - 6.0 |
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