Rising Voices Libraries bring underrepresented voices into your classrooms, so every child can see themselves in the books they read and learn to appreciate the experiences of others.
Rising Voices Library | Grades K–5
Every Voice Has a Story
Rising Voices Library | Grades K–5
Every Voice Has a Story
Rising Voices Libraries bring underrepresented voices into your classrooms, so every child can see themselves in the books they read and learn to appreciate the experiences of others.
What Are Rising Voices Libraries?
Rising Voices Libraries are culturally responsive book collections for Grades K–5 that pair diverse stories with instructional materials to broaden the perspectives of students from all backgrounds.
Student Well-Being
Enhance students’ well-being by integrating reading with life skills, fostering empathy and understanding while honing analytical and executive function skills.
Teaching with Meaning and Purpose
Equip teachers with the tools to implement robust literacy instruction combined with support to broaden students’ understanding of the world around them.
Stories for Everyone
Elevate school communities with engaging books that appeal to all students.
Choose from a Growing Selection of Libraries
Each collection has been carefully curated by a diverse team of educators, mentors, and publishers—many still active in the classroom. We're constantly working to create new libraries to ensure that every voice is heard, and every child is celebrated.
Celebrating Black and Latino Boys
Celebrate boys of color as the heroes of their own stories.
Empowering Girls in STEAM
Shatter misconceptions about women as leaders in STEAM fields.
Celebrating Girls of Color
Tear down stereotypes and build up girls of color.
Elevating Latino Stories
Share the joy and diversity of Latino experiences with your students.
Rising Voices en español
New for 2025, this collection brings the power of Rising Voices to your Spanish-speaking students. Featuring Spanish-language titles and transadaptations, multilingual learners can now explore a wide range of cultures in their home language.
Children of color make up nearly 50% of the U.S. student population. But in 2018 only 28% of children’s books published featured protagonists of color.
Statistics from University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education Cooperative Children’s Book Center
See the Research
Every Scholastic Education solution is backed by rigorous research—and Rising Voices is no exception.
Rising Voices White Paper
Research shows that students of all backgrounds benefit from access to diverse books. Learn more about why culturally rich stories matter in our Rising Voices white paper.
The Power of a Diverse Classroom Library Webinar
Join Superintendent, Dr. M. Ann Levett and Harvard-trained surgeon and author, Oneeka Williams, as they discuss how educators can use inclusive classroom libraries to elevate engagement and achievement for all students.
The Protagonist Chart
Get a glimpse at the status of diversity in children's books with this easy-to-share graphic.
Each Library Is Available in Six Grade Levels
Each grade level (K–5) includes:
50 Culturally Responsive Books
25 titles (including 5 anchor texts; 2 copies each) provide authentic stories for everyone as well as essential historical, social, and linguistic context.
Teaching Cards
Each grade-level library is centered around five anchor texts, each with its own Teaching Card. Teaching Cards include vocabulary, reading strategies, writing, discussion, and other creative activities.
Teacher’s Guides
Give educators the tools to lead whole-class read-alouds, book clubs, independent reading with prompts for conferring and connecting with students.
Storage Bins and Labels
Easily organize your new books!
Digital Resource Site
Online instructional materials help teachers explore themes more deeply, initiate important conversations, and model excellent writing.
