CurriConnects Book List - Louisiana
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Louisiana
This collection of books celebrates Louisiana's vibrant culture, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes through titles spanning three reading levels to support learners at every stage. From the bayous and jazz halls of New Orleans to the traditions of Cajun and Creole communities, each book offers a meaningful connection to the Pelican State. Every title includes a description and age range to help educators and families find the perfect fit, with Lexile levels provided for many selections to further support precise reading placement.
Picture Books
Bill and Pete to the Rescue - Tomie dePaola, (978-0698118843), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 600
When Little Jane Allison Crocodile is kidnapped by a villain from Louisiana, Bill and his bird buddy, Pete, travel to the United States to stage a rescue. The mission becomes even more complicated when Pete is captured by a wealthy woman, forcing Bill to step up and save both of his friends.
Chef Creole - Johnette Downing, (979-8314472903), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3
Set to “Aiken Drum”, this colorful and interactive story invites children to piece together Louisiana's most beloved foods to create Chef Creole — a delicious character with arms of boudin and eyes of red beans.
Epossumondas - Colleen Salley, (978-0152167486), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 600
Epossumondas is a loveable possum who takes everything literally. His momma and his auntie love him more than anything, but they have to be careful about what they say because they never know what they'll get.
Feliiana Feydra LeRoux: A Cajun Tall Tale - Tynia Thomassie, (978-1589802865), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 910
Feliciana secretly accompanies her grandfather on a dangerous but exciting alligator hunt in the Louisiana bayous.
Mr. Williams - Karen Barbour, (978-0805067736), Fiction
Interest level: 1-5, Lexile: 650
An African American man recounts his life in rural Louisiana when everyone worked together, and life was simple.
P is for Pelican: A Louisiana Alphabet - Anita Prieto, (978-1585361373), Non-fiction
Interest level: PreK-3
From the festive parades of Mardi Gras to the wildlife-filled swamps of the Gulf Coast, this alphabet book introduces young readers to the remarkable diversity of Louisiana's culture, history, and natural wonders.
Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood - Mike Artell, (978-0142500705), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 610
Readers will enjoy the Cajun culture version of the classic Red Riding Hood tale.
Rent Party Jazz - William Miller, (978-1600603440), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 820
Sonny learns how to organize a rent party, a community event common among African American families during the Depression, to raise enough funds to keep their home.
Middle Grade Books
Fiddle Fever - Sharon Arms Doucet, (978-0618776825), Fiction
Interest level: 4-8, Lexile: 870
Set on a quiet Louisiana farm in 1914, young Félix Leblanc's world is turned upside down when his charismatic uncle, 'Nonc Adolphe, arrives in town and fills the air with the irresistible sounds of his fiddle. Despite his mother's firm disapproval — fearing Félix will follow his uncle's wandering ways — the boy cannot deny the music stirring in his blood.
Honey Bea - Kim Siegelson, (978-0982902707), Fiction
Interest level: 5-8, Lexile: 940
A young enslaved girl grows up learning to balance the family-endowed magical powers with her life as a servant on a sugar plantation in Louisiana.
Liberty - Kirby Larson, (978-0545840729), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 640
Fish and Olympia find an abandoned dog and work together to take care of it, despite racial tensions in 1940s New Orleans.
Sounder - William Armstrong, (978-0064400206), Fiction
Interest level: 5-7, Lexile: 900
In this children's classic, a young African American boy finds comfort and companionship in his faithful dog, Sounder, while his father is in jail.
The Memory Thieves - Dhonielle Clayton, (978-1250174970), Fiction
Interest level: 4-7, Lexile: 740L
Ella, Brigit, and Jason have returned to Arcanum Training Academy for their second year at the global magic school. Ella’s New Orleans community is unhappy about her return and her shift in focus.
Through My Eyes - Ruby Bridges, (978-0590189231), Non-fiction
Interest level: 4-7, Lexile: 860
Ruby Bridges, in her own words, describes her experience as the first African American child to enter a white school in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Young Adult and Adult Books
All The Pretty Things - Emily Arsenault, (978-1984897084), Fiction
Interest level: 9-13, Lexile: 700
Ivy is looking forward to a summer of roller coasters at the local amusement park with her best friend, Morgan. Morgan finds the body of a classmate who worked at the amusement park, and the pieces are not coming together for Ivy.
Dead Ends - Erin Jade Lange, (978-1619630802), Fiction
Interest level: 8-13, Lexile: 730
Dane and Billy D are unlikely friends. One is a bully with strict rules about not hitting girls or special needs kids, and the other has Down Syndrome. Billy reaches out to have Dane help him piece together clues his father left him, and the boys discover that Billy D is carrying a heavy secret.
Her Name in the Sky - Kelly Quindlen, (978-0316449939), Fiction
Interest level: 10-13
It is senior year, and Hannah has everything planned out. When she starts to fall for someone who was not part of her plan, she is confused and must come to terms with feelings that do not fit.
Shattered Midnight - Dhonielle Clayton, (978-1368046428), Fiction
Interest level: 9-13, Lexile: 730L
Zora wants nothing more than to blend in, which is hard when she has magical powers. She meets an unassuming pianist in a jazz club and learns how much they have in common. They have to keep their relationship a secret, but they discover a complicated connection between their families.
The Lying Woods - Ashley Elston, (978-1368014786), Fiction
Interest level: 8-13, Lexile: 760
Owen Foster learns that the privileged life that he is used to was built on stolen money. When he returns to his hometown, he and his mother face hostility and threats. He finds solace working in a pecan orchard that has its own secrets.
Your Plantation Prom is Not Okay - Kelly McWilliams, (978-0316449939), Fiction
Interest level: 8-13, Lexile: HL720L
Harriet and her father have turned an old Louisiana plantation into a museum dedicated to enslaved people. Layla and her mother decide to turn the plantation next door into a premier wedding venue, and Harriet is faced with a racist narrative that is prevalent in the South. When the school decides to host the prom at the wedding venue, Harriet tries to leverage social media to stop it.