One Family's Blog: Elementary Public School Textbooks - ISBN Numbers, Used And List Prices

In US public schools, it is NOT mandatory for students to purchase textbooks. However, there are situations, when investing in textbooks makes sense:

Your children are enrolled in a highly competitive public school and your kid is not quite falling into the groove,
You are homeschooling,
One of more of your children are disadvantaged in some way where it is difficult for them to internalize the subject matter and/or communicate about that, and
It is more efficient for you to prepare your offspring as opposed to enrolling them in private tuition through programs such as Kumon.

From experience we know the confusion involved in identifying the textbooks that are recommended by the school district for each specific grade. Public schools mandate you sign a Damage Liability Contract at the beginning of the school year for the textbooks allotted to the child used in the classroom and that is a good starting place. Unfortunately, the titles are pretty generic and ISBN numbers are rarely listed. This makes it really hard for parents to be able to find and purchase the textbooks.

The publishers used for textbooks vary widely between school districts. Below is a list of books and their ISBNs separated out by grade level recommended for our public school (Alameda Unified School District – AUSD, East Bay, CA). Also listed are alternative school textbooks that may be used by other school districts:

Kindergarten:

	ISBN-10, ISBN-13	List Price	Best Online Price**
Harcourt Math	0153522216, 978-0153522215	$30.70	$20

Kindergarten Alternatives:

	ISBN-10, ISBN-13	List Price	Best Online Price**
Scott Foresman - Reading Street Grade K	B002KN15WW	$30	$12
McGraw Hill - Open Court Reading: Kindergarten Blackline Master Book	0075723131, 978-0075723134	$40	$25
Harcourt StoryTown – Read-Aloud Anthology	978-0153517822	$35.50	$25
Harcourt Language Pupil Edition (Consumable)	978-0153179983	$22.50	$15
Harcourt School Publishers (HSP) Math Student Edition	978-0153412585	$30.70	$20
Harcourt Math 2007 Grade K Unit Books (Consumable)	978-0153527111	$31.80	$20
Houghton Mifflin Science Study Guide Level K (Consumable)	978-0618688692	$15	$10.80
Scott Foresman: Social Studies - Here We Go - Grade K	978-0328019373	$10	$6.05
Zaner Bloser Handwriting Grade K	978-0736751421	$30	$21
Comprehensive Curriculum Of Basic Skills – Kindergarten	1561893676 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1561893676 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1561893676 end_of_the_skype_highlighting	$19.95	$12
Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills – Prek-K***	1561893749, 978-1561893744	$19.95	$10
Harcourt - Trofeos Pre-K Stories And Activity Book***	978-0153492914	$9.20	$7

*** These are Pre-K books. If your Kindergartner finds it too tough to handle the Kindergarten ones, these are good options.

First Grade:

	ISBN-10, ISBN-13	List Price	Best Online Price**
Harcourt Math	0153522224, 978-0153522222	$44.75	$17.00
Houghton Mifflin Mathematics Level 2	978-0395462126	$44.72	$10.00
Science	None
Reading: Houghton Mifflin – Here We Go	0618257772, 978-0618257775	$26.61	$7.00
Reading: Houghton Mifflin – Let’s Be Friends	0618257780, 978-0618257782	$26.61	$7.00
Reading: Houghton Mifflin - Surprises	0618012281, 978-0618012282	$28.78	$8.00
Reading: Houghton Mifflin - Treasures	061801229-X, 978-0618012299	$28.78	$8.00
Reading: Houghton Mifflin - Wonders	0618-01230-3, 978-0618012305	$28.78	$5.00

First Grade Alternatives:

	ISBN-10, ISBN-13	List Price	Best Online Price**
McGraw Hill - Open Court Reading Grade 1, Book 1	0076026906, 978-0076026906	$33.24	$17
McGraw Hill - Open Court Reading Grade 1, Book 2	0076026914, 978-0076026913	$33.24	$18
McGraw Hill – Open Court Reading Level 1, Book 1	0075692422, 978-0075692423	$51.28	$10
McGraw Hill – Open Court Reading Level 1, Book 2	0075692430, 978-0075692430	$51.28	$10
Harcourt School Publishers (HSP) StoryTown Grade 1 Volume 1 through 5 (Five Books Each)	978-0153431685 to 978-0153431722	$33.70 to $36 per volume	$15 per volume
Harcourt Language Pupil Edition (Consumable)	978-0153178313	$30	$15
Harcourt School Publishers (HSP) Math Student Edition	978-0153412592	$42.10	$25
Harcourt Math 2007 Grade 1 Unit Books (Consumable)	978-0153527128	$43.80	$20
Harcourt Science 2006 Student Edition, National Version	978-0153400605	$58.70	$15
Harcourt Health and Fitness Student Edition	978-0153375248	$45.40	$30
Science: Previously Harcourt Science Grade 1	015317496-X, 978-0153174964	$36.81	$5
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) Science Grade Level 1 Pupil Edition	978-0618492237	$64.20	$30
Scott Foresman Social Studies - All Together - Grade 1	978-0328075683	$60	$32
Harcourt (HMH) - Your Health - Grade 1	978-0153101397	$40	$4
Zaner Bloser Handwriting - Grade 1	978-0736751438	$25	$18
Comprehensive Curriculum Of Basic Skills – Grade 1	1561893684, 978-1561893683	$19.95	$8

Second Grade:

	ISBN-10, ISBN-13	List Price	Best Online Price**
Harcourt Math	0153522232, 978-0153522239.	$44.75	$20.00
Science:	None	NA	NA
Reading: Houghton Mifflin - Adventures	0618012311, 978-0618012312	$42.64	$6
Reading: Houghton Mifflin - Delights	061801232X, 978-0618012329	$42.64	$6
Sadler - Progress in Mathematics Grade 2 (2000)	978-0821526026	$30	$11

Second Grade Alternatives:

	ISBN-10, ISBN-13	List Price	Best Online Price**
Premium Education Series – Language Arts Grade 2	1586108042, 978-1586108045	$7.95	$4
McGraw Hill – Open Court Reading Grade 2	0075695383, 978-0075695387	$33.24	$6
McGraw Hill – Open Court Reading Level 2	0075692449, 978-0075692447	$54.12	$15
Reading: Harcourt School Publishers (HSP) Grade 2 Volume 1 and Volume 2 Student Edition	9780153431739 and 9780153431746	$50.90 per volume.	$35 per volume.
Reading: Harcourt Language Pupil Edition	978-0153190940	$50.40	$30
Harcourt Language Arts: Out Of The Blue – Signatures	0153063998, 988-0153063992	$45.45	$5
Math: Harcourt School Publishers (HSP) Math Student Edition	978-0153412608	$42.10	$30
Harcourt Math 2007 Student Edition, National Version	978-0153522239	$42.10	$30
Harcourt Math 2007 Grade 2 Unit Books (consumable)	978-0153527135	$43.80	$25
Math: Scott Foresman, California Mathematics	0328004669, 978-0328004669
Scott Foresman – Addison Wesley Math	020169012-8, 978-0201690125
Harcourt Math Practice Book	015320436-2, 978-0153204364
Harcourt Math Unit 1 through 6	015321841X, 978-0153218415	$40
Previously Harcourt Science Grade 2	015317497-8, 978-0153174971.	$36.81	$5
Houghton Mifflin Science Grade 2 Pupil Edition	978-0618492244	$64.20	$42
Scott Foresman Social Studies Grade 2 - People and Places - Gold Edition	978-0328239726	$60	$40
Harcourt Science 2006 Student Edition, National Version	978-0153400612	$58.70
Harcourt Health and Fitness Student Edition	978-0153375255	$45.40
Harcourt - Your Health Activity Book - Grade 2	978-0153346729	$16	$14
Zaner Bloser Handwriting Grade 2 Workbook Edition	978-0736751445	$40	$30
Comprehensive Curriculum Of Basic Skills – Grade 2	1561893692, 978-1561893690	$19.95	$7
Scholastic Success with 2nd Grade Workbook	0439569702, 078-073569700,	$16.99	$5

Third Grade:

	ISBN-10, ISBN-13	List Price	Best Online Price**
Harcourt Math California Edition	0153155132, 978-0153155130	$59.70	$10.00
Reading: Houghton Mifflin - Rewards	0618012338, 978-0618012336	$42.64	$6.00
Reading: Houghton Mifflin - Horizons	0618012346, 978-0618012343	$42.64	$6.00
Science: Delta Education FOSS – Science Resource Book Foss	1592429955, 978-1592429950	$26.40	$17
Sadler - Progress in Mathematics Grade 3 (1996)	978-0821517031	$60	$16

Third Grade Alternatives:

	ISBN-10, ISBN-13	List Price	Best Online Price**
McGraw Hill – Open Court Reading Level 3	0075692465, 978-0075692461	$57.96	$15
Reading: Harcourt School Publishers (HSP) Grade 3, Volume 1 and Volume 2	9780153431753 and 9780153431760	$53.70 per volume
Harcourt Language Pupil Edition	9780153178337	$62.60
Harcourt Math National Edition	0153427175, 978-0153522246	$82.30	$32
Scott Foresman Math	0201363852, 978-0201363852	$76.96	$6
Harcourt School Publishers (HSP) Math Student Edition	9780153412615	$77
Harcourt Science 2006 Student Edition, National Version	978-0153400629	$65.40
Harcourt Health and Fitness Student Edition	978-0153375262	$54.70
Harcourt Science California Edition	0153176520, 978-0153176524	$75	$6
Social Studies: Scott Foresman – History-Social Science for California		$16.20
Houghton Mifflin Science – Grade 3	978-0618492251	$60	$42
Scott Foresman - Social Studies - Grade 3 - Communities	978-0328075706	$60	$24
Harcourt - Your Health - Grade 3	978-0153101410	$9	$4
Zaner Bloser Handwriting - Grade 3 - Opens the Door to Communication Workbook Edition	978-0736712132	$20	$12
Comprehensive Curriculum Of Basic Skills – Grade 3	1561893706, 978-1561893706	$19.95	$6
McGraw Hill - California Test Practice Grade 3	0769630332, 087-577904337	$15.95	$7
Houghton Mifflin English Level 3 (Houghton Mifflin Harcount - HMH)	978-0618030798	$79.99	$10
Houghton Mifflin Math Level 3 (Grade 3)	978-0618277209	$75.99	$16

Fourth Grade:

	ISBN-10, ISBN-13	List Price	Best Online Price**
Harcourt Math California Edition	0153155140, 978-0153155147	$59.70	$8
Reading: Houghton Mifflin - Traditions	0618157204, 978-0618157204	$74.67	$6
California Math, Student Edition (Grade Level 4)	978-0618827404	$60	$15
California Science: Grade 4 (Student Edition)	978-0022843786	$45	$45
California Studies: History-Social Science, Grade 4 [STUDENT EDITION]	978-0618423927	$69.25	$23
Traditions: Level 4, California Edition (Houghton Mifflin Reading Nations Choice)	978-0618157204	$74.67	$17
Science: Delta Education FOSS – Science Resource Book Foss	1592429963, 978-1592429967	26.40	$14
Sadler - Progress in Mathematics Grade 4 (1993)	978-0821526149	$80	$49

Fourth Grade Alternatives:

	ISBN-10, ISBN-13	List Price	Best Online Price**
McGraw Hill – Open Court Reading Level 4	0075692481, 978-0075692485	$77.72	$19
McGraw Hill – Open Court Reading Grade 4	0076026965, 978-0076026968	$50.34	$27
McGraw Hill – Open Court 2002 Paperback Edition	0075725118, 978-0075725114	$16.56	$6
Harcourt Grade 4 Student Edition, Winning Catch	9780153431777	$73.30
Harcourt Language Pupil Edition	9780153178344	$62.60
Harcourt School Publishers (HSP) Math Student Edition	9780153412622	$77
Harcourt Math 2007 Student Edition, National Version	9780153522253	$77.30
Harcourt Math 4 - National Edition	0153522259, 978-0153522253	$82.30	$53
Harcourt Science 2006 Student Edition, National Version	978-0153400636	$65.60
Harcourt Health and Fitness Student Edition	9780153375279	$57.80
Social Studies: Scott Foresman – History-Social Science for California		$16.20
Comprehensive Curriculum Of Basic Skills – Grade 4	1561893714, 978-1561893713	$19.95	$6
Houghton Mifflin Math Level 4 (Grade 4) - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)	978-0618277216	$75.99	$16
Houghton Mifflin English Level 4 (Grade 4) - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)	978-0618310005	$79.99	$25
Houghton Mifflin Spelling & Vocabulary Level 4 (Grade 4) - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)	978-0395855317	$23.73	$11
Houghton Mifflin Science Grade 4 (HMH)	978-0618624614	$60	$45
Scott Foresman Social Studies Grade 4 - Regions	978-0328239740	$75	$68
Harcourt Your Health Grade 4 Assessment Guide	978-0153113468	$20	$14
Zaner Bloser Handwriting Grade 4 Workbook Edition	978-0736751476	$80	$40

Fifth Grade:

	ISBN-10, ISBN-13	List Price	Best Online Price**
Harcourt Math California Edition	0153155175, 978-0153155178	$59.70	$10
Reading: Houghton Mifflin – Expeditions	0618012362, 978-0618012367	$77.07	$6
Science: Delta Education FOSS – Science Resource Book Foss	1592429971	$26.40	$16
Sadler - Progress in Mathematics Grade 5 (2006)	978-0821582053	$100	$54

Fifth Grade Alternatives:

	ISBN-10, ISBN-13	List Price	Best Online Price**
McGraw Hill – Open Court Reading Level 4	0075692481, 978-0075692485	$77.72	$19
McGraw Hill – Open Court Reading Grade 5	0076026973, 978-0076026975	$50.34	$45
McGraw Hill – Open Court Reading Grade 5 - 2002 Paperback Edition	0075695685, 978-0075695684	$17.88	$6
Harcourt StoryTown Grade 5 Student Edition, Ride the Edge	978-0153431784	$73.30
Harcourt Language Pupil Edition	978-0153178368	$68
Harcourt School Publishers (HSP) Math Student Edition	978-0153412639	$77
Harcourt Math 2007 Student Edition, National Version	978-0153522277	$77.30
Harcourt Math National Edition	0153522275, 978-0153522277	$82.30	$53
Harcourt Science 2006 Student Edition, National Version	978-0153400643	$72
Harcourt Health and Fitness Student Edition	978-0153375293	$59.10
Comprehensive Curriculum Of Basic Skills – Grade 5	1561893722, 978-1561893720	$19.95	$5
Social Studies: Scott Foresman – History-Social Science for California		$18.90
Houghton Mifflin Math – Grade 5	978-0618277223	$83.20	$11
Houghton Mifflin English Level 5 – Grade 5	978-0618310012	$72.07	$15
Houghton Mifflin Spelling & Vocabulary Level 5	978-0395855324	$27	$17
Scott Foresman - Building a Nation - Social Studies	978-0328075737	$80	$60
Harcourt - Your Health - Grade 5 Activity Book	978-0153113413	$10	$4
Zane Bloser Handwriting Grade 5: A Way to Self Expression	978-0880851749	$40	$5

**For a used copy with no markings or tears and includes shipping.

When it comes time to actually purchasing these books, there are some basic options:

Purchase it new from a bookstore or over the Internet,
Purchase a used copy, and
Acquire it on a temporary basis from resources such as the local library.

Considering the list price on most textbooks are upwards of $40 and that each one easily outweighs a pound, our recommendation would be for acquiring them on a temporary shared basis from resources such as the local library, should such an option be available. Used textbooks are almost always available in significant quantities through online sources, so buying these textbooks used is a very good option as well. Needless to say, by choosing one of these options, you save some trees too!

We will continue to update this post as we dig up information on textbooks used in different public schools…

Frugal Tip: Previous versions of some textbooks are much more affordable compared to the latest version and in many cases, the content is not substantively different. To make an informed purchase decision, your best bet is to check with the instructor.

Last Updated: 08/2010.

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