5th Grade Book List
Ancient civilizations—Greece, Egypt, Persia, India—and U.S. geography. Fifth grade explores humanity's greatest achievements.
Unit 1: Lammas (First Harvest)
- D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d'Aulaire
Essential Greek mythology
- The Creation (Greek) by Various
Chaos, Gaia, and the Titans
- Demeter and Persephone by Various
Harvest and seasons
- The Golden Fleece by Padraic Colum
Jason's quest
- U.S. Geography introduction by Various
Regions and landforms
Unit 2: Mabon (Fall Equinox)
- The Olympians by Various
Zeus, Hera, and the gods
- Athena by Various
Wisdom and crafts
- Apollo and Artemis by Various
Sun and moon, music and hunt
- Egyptian Myths by Various
Introduction to Egypt
- Tales of Ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green
Egyptian stories
Unit 3: Samhain (Ancestors)
- Osiris, Isis, and Horus by Various
Death and resurrection
- The Book of the Dead by Retold for children
Egyptian afterlife
- Anubis and the Underworld by Various
Judgment of souls
- Mummies and Pyramids by Various
Egyptian burial practices
- The Odyssey by Retold for children
Odysseus's journey home
Unit 4: Yule (Winter Solstice)
- Ra and the Sun Boat by Various
Egyptian sun god
- The Iliad by Retold for children
Trojan War
- Theseus and the Minotaur by Various
Hero's journey
- Perseus and Medusa by Various
Courage and cunning
- Winter Solstice celebrations by Various
Ancient traditions
Unit 5: Imbolc (Brigid)
- Persian Tales by Various
Introduction to Persia
- Zoroaster and the Fire by Various
Persian religion
- The Shahnameh by Retold for children
Persian epic
- Cyrus the Great by Various
Persian empire
- Botany introduction by Various
Plant studies begin
Unit 6: Ostara (Spring Equinox)
- Tales from India by Various
Introduction to India
- The Ramayana by Retold for children
Rama's journey
- The Mahabharata by Retold for children
Great Indian epic
- Krishna stories by Various
Hindu tales
- Buddha's life by Retold for children
Siddhartha's journey
Unit 7: Beltane (May Day)
- The Olympics by Various
Greek athletic tradition
- Hercules by Various
Twelve labors
- Atalanta by Various
Female hero
- Ancient inventions by Various
Greek and Egyptian innovations
- U.S. Geography review by Various
States and capitals
Unit 8: Litha (Midsummer)
- Comparing civilizations by Various
Connections and contrasts
- Legacy of the ancients by Various
What we inherited
- Democracy's origins by Various
Greek contribution
- Ancient wisdom today by Various
Philosophy and ethics
- Year-end review by Various
Portfolio and celebration
🏛️ Essential Mythology Collections
- D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d'Aulaire
Best Greek introduction
- Tales of Ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green
Classic Egyptian tales
- The Children's Homer by Padraic Colum
Iliad and Odyssey
- Black Ships Before Troy by Rosemary Sutcliff
Trojan War retelling
- The Wanderings of Odysseus by Rosemary Sutcliff
Odyssey retelling
- Tales from India by Various
Hindu and Buddhist stories
📚 Tips for 5th Grade Reading
- • Compare civilizations - How did each culture answer life's big questions?
- • Map the stories - Where did these events take place?
- • Connect to today - What did we inherit from these civilizations?
- • Research projects - Students can dive deep into topics of interest
- • Create timelines - When did these civilizations flourish?