5th Grade Reading List | Plastic Pollution

See our Teacher Tool Independent Reading (K-5) for guidance on how to use the suggested texts below.

Fiction Texts with Connecting Topics and Themes

Flush by Carl Hiaasen (770L) *
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer (860L) *
World Without Fish by Mark Kurlansky (1160L) **

Informational Texts to Build Content Knowledge

Endangered Oceans: Investigating Oceans in Crisis (Endangered Earth) by Jody S. Rake (830L) *
Endangered Oceans: Investigating Oceans in Crisis (Endangered Earth) by Jody S. Rake (830L) *
Human Impact (The Restless Sea) by Carole Garbuny Vogel
Human Impact (The Restless Sea) by Carole Garbuny Vogel
One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul (570L)
One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul (570L)
Plastic Soup: An Atlas of Ocean Pollution by Michiel Roscam Abbing
Plastic Soup: An Atlas of Ocean Pollution by Michiel Roscam Abbing
Plastic, Ahoy!: Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by Patricia Newman (900L) *
Plastic, Ahoy!: Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by Patricia Newman (900L) *
The Plastic Problem by Rachel Salt
The Plastic Problem by Rachel Salt
Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion (Scientists in the Field Series) by Loree Griffin Burns
Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion (Scientists in the Field Series) by Loree Griffin Burns
What a Waste by Jess French (IG920L) *
What a Waste by Jess French (IG920L) *

* lower Lexile or qualitative measures than core text.

** higher Lexile or qualitative measures than core text.

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Independent Reading Suggested Books for Protecting the Earth: Plastic Pollution