5th grade books about Art
6 books commonly assigned to 5th grade students explore art— every title’s grade range covers 5th grade, so each is grade-appropriate by curriculum placement. Each links to its reading level, themes, and the curricula that cite it.
Reading difficulty: the typical 5th grade text-complexity band is 740–1010L (Common Core Appendix A). Of the 2 art titles here with a Lexile score, 1 is grade-level, 1 is more accessible, and 0 are stretch texts. Match a book to your reader’s measured Lexile rather than to the grade alone.
What this list holds: All 6 titles are cited by at least one US curriculum or award list for 5th grade, first published between 1967 and 2025. Themes these books most often share besides art: family (2), mystery (2).
6 5th grade books about art
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Surviving the Applewhites
Stephanie S. TolanCited in 3 curricula across 3 states, taught from grade 5 to 8. Also covers family and growth.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
E.L. KonigsburgCited in 3 curricula across 2 states, taught from grade 4 to 6. Also covers independence, running away and mystery. At 700L it sits just under the 740–1010L band for this grade.
A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall
Jasmine WargaCited in 1 curriculum, taught from grade 3 to 6. Also covers mystery and friendship.
Ancestory: The Mystery and Majesty of Ancient Cave Art
Hannah SalyerCited in 1 curriculum, taught from grade 4 to 8. Also covers history and humanity.
When Sea Becomes Sky
Gillian McDunnCited in 1 curriculum, taught from grade 3 to 6. Also covers family, nature and change.
A Single Shard
Linda Sue ParkCited in 1 curriculum, taught from grade 5 to 8. Also covers perseverance, mentorship and poverty. At 920L it falls inside the 740–1010L band for this grade.
Art books at other grades
Other 5th grade themes
Friendship · Family · Courage · Identity · Humor · Adventure · History · Schools
← Full 5th grade reading list · All artbooks →
Frequently asked questions
What art books are good for 5th grade students?
6 books exploring art have a grade range that covers 5th grade and are assigned across US-school curricula — Common Core exemplars, AP, IB, Cambridge, and state ELA standards. Each title on this page links to its full curriculum citations and reading level.
Are these art books grade-appropriate for 5th grade?
Every title's grade range covers 5th grade. The typical 5th grade text-complexity band is 740–1010L (Common Core Appendix A); of the 2 books here with a Lexile score, 1 is grade-level, 1 more accessible, and 0 a stretch. Match a book to your reader's measured Lexile rather than to the grade alone.
How many art books are on the 5th grade list?
This page lists 6 5th grade titles about art, ordered by how many US curricula cite each one for this grade (ties alphabetical). The list expands as more curriculum references are verified.
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