Kids Need to Read Book List

Preschool (Ages 0-4)

Cassie's Word Quilt by Faith Ringgold

Don't Worry Bear by Greg Foley

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Good Luck Bear by Greg Foley

Not A Box by Antoinette Portis

Not A Stick by Antoinette Portis

Peek-A-Boo by Francesca Ferri

Thank You Bear by Greg Foley

Where is Baby's Belly Button? by Karen Katz

Lower Elementary

Book Fiesta by Pat Mora, Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams, Illustrated by Gregory R. Christie

Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship and Freedom by Tim Tingle, Illustrated by Jeanne Rorex Bridges

Diary of a Baby Wombat by Jackie French, Illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French, Illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Dinotrux by Chris Gall

Elena's Serenade by Campbell Geeslin, Illustrated by Ana Juan

Elephant and Piggie: Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems

Elephant and Piggie: I Broke My Trunk! by Mo Willems

Elephant and Piggie: My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems

Frida by Jonah Winter & Frida Kahlo, Illustrated by Ana Juan

Gracias Thanks by Pat Mora, Illustrated by John Parra

Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend by Jerrie Oughton, Illustrated by Lisa Desimini

Library Mouse series (3 titles) by Daniel Kirk

• Library Mouse
• Library Mouse: A Friend's Tale
• Library Mouse: A World to Explore

Little Ty Cooney National Wonders series (3 titles) by Steven Riley

• Little Ty Cooney and the Big Yellowstone Mystery
• Little Ty Cooney and the Big Yosemite Race
• Little Ty Cooney and the Grand Canyon Tour Company

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

Magic Pickle graphic novel series (4 titles) by Scott Morse

• Magic Pickle
• Magic Pickle vs. the Egg Poacher
• Magic Pickle and the Creature from the Black Legume
• Magic Pickle and the Garden of Evil

My Best Friend by Mary Ann Rodman, Illustrated by Earl B. Lewis

My People by Langston Hughes, Photos by Charles R. Smith Jr.

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, Illustrated by Bryan Collier

Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by Hudson Talbott

Stitchin' and Pullin': A Gee's Bend Quiltby Patricia C. McKissack, Illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera

Tell Me a Dragon by Jackie Morris

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

The Snow Leopard by Jackie Morris

The World of Quest graphic novel series, Volumes 1-2 (2 titles) by Jason T. Kruse

Through Georgia's Eyes by Rachel Victoria Rodriguez, Illustrated by Julie Paschkis

Zen series (3 titles) by Jon Muth

• Zen Shorts
• Zen Ties
• Zen Ghosts

Upper Elementary

Actionopolis series (7 titles) by various authors

• What I did on my Hypergalactic Interstellar Summer Vacation by Adam Beechen & Dan Hipp
• Zombie Monkey Monster Jamboree by J.J. Hart & Will Meugniot
• Blackfoot Braves Society: Spirit Totems by Christopher E. Long & Michael Geiger
• The Forest King: Woodlark's Shadow by Dan Mishkin & Tom Mandrake
• Spirit of the Samurai: Of Swords and Rings by Gary Reed & Rick Hoberg
• Heir to Fire: Gila Flats by Rob M. Worley & Mike Dubisch
• The Anubis Tapestry: Between Twilights by Bruce Zick

A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson, Illustrated by Eric Velasquez

Any Small Goodness: A Novel of the Barrio by Tony Johnston, Illustrated by Raul Colon

Babymouse graphic novel series (14 titles) by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm

• Babymouse: Queen of the World!
• Babymouse: Our Hero
• Babymouse: Beach Babe
• Babymouse: Rock Star
• Babymouse: Heartbreaker
• Babymouse: Camp Babymouse
• Babymouse: Skater Girl
• Babymouse: Puppy Love
• Babymouse: Monster Mash
• Babymouse: The Musical
• Babymouse: Dragonslayer
• Babymouse: Burns Rubber
• Babymouse: Cupcake Tycoon
• Babymouse: Mad Scientist

Bone graphic novel series (9 titles) by Jeff Smith

• Bone: Out from Boneville
• Bone: The Great Cow Race
• Bone: Eyes of the Storm
• Bone: The Dragonslaye
• Bone: Rock Jaw: Master of the Eastern Border
• Bone: Old Man's Cave
• Bone: Ghost Circles
• Bone: Treasure Hunters
• Bone: Crown of Horns

Diary of a Wimpy Kid series (6 titles) by Jeff Kinney

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: A Novel in Cartoons
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever

Dog Heroes series (24 titles) by various authors

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

Football Heroes Making a Difference series (10 titles) by various authors

Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story by Lila Perl & Marion Blumenthal Lazan

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Soft Rain: A Story of the Cherokee Trail of Tears by Cornelia Cornelissen

Special Ops series (6 titles) by various authors

Survivors: True Stories of Children in the Holocaust by Mara Bovsun Zullo

Tangerine by Edward Bloor

The Day My Butt Went Psycho! By Andy Griffiths

The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex

Tortilla Sun by Jennifer Cervantes

Middle School

Bluford High: The Bully by Paul Langan

C.H.A.O.S. series (2 titles) by Jon S. Lewis

• Invasion
• Alienation

Calamity Jack graphic novel by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, Illustrated by Nathan Hale

Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac

Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs

Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-fattah

Fat Cat by Robin Brande

Hatter M graphic novel series (3 titles) by Frank Beddor & Liz Cavalier, Illustrated by Sami Makkonen

• Hatter M: Far from Wonder
• Hatter M: Mad with Wonder
• Hatter M: The Nature of Wonder

Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt

I Am the Cheese by Robert Cormier

Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse

Moccasin Thunder: American Indian Stories for Today by Lori Marie Carlson

OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy

Pendragon graphic novel series (10 titles) by D. J. MacHale

• Pendragon Series: The Merchant of Death
• Pendragon Series: The Lost City of Faar
• Pendragon Series: The Never War
• Pendragon Series: The Reality Bug
• Pendragon Series: Black Water
• Pendragon Series: The Rivers of Zadaa
• Pendragon Series: Raven Rise
• Pendragon Series: The Quillan Games
• Pendragon Series: The Pilgrims of Rayne
• Pendragon Series: The Soldiers of Halla

Rapunzel's Revenge graphic novel by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, Illustrated by Nathan Hale

Red Glass by Laura Resau

Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez

Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood by Ibtisam Barakat

Tequila Worm by Viola Canales

The Crazy Horse Electric Game by Chris Crutcher

The Looking Glass Wars series (3 titles) by Frank Beddor

• The Looking Glass Wars
• Seeing Redd
• ArchEnemy

The Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Galante

The Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. Flake

The Softwire series (4 titles) by PJ Haarsma

• The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1
• The Softwire: Betrayal on Orbis 2
• The Softwire: Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3
• The Softwire: Awakening on Orbis 4

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

Twisted Tales series (2 titles) by Maureen McGowan

• Cinderella: Ninja Warrior
• Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer

What the Moon Saw by Laura Resau

High School

A La Carte by Tinita Davis

Dark Sons by Nikki Grimes

He Forgot to Say Goodbye by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Muchacho by Louanne Johnson

My Double Life by Janette Rallison

Ouran High School Host Club graphic novel series, Volumes 1-18 (18 titles) by Bisco Hatori

Red Hot Salsa by Lori Marie Carlson

The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series (6 titles) by James A. Owen

• Here, There be Dragons
• The Search for the Red Dragon
• The Indigo King
• The Shadow Dragons
• The Dragons Apprentice
• The Dragons of Winter

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection by Matt Dembicki

Wings series (3 titles) by Aprilynne Pike

• Wings
• Spells
• Illusions

High School Mature Content

Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos

Jude by Kate Morgenroth

Party by Tom Leveen

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The Battle of Jericho series (3 titles) by Sharon M. Draper

• The Battle of Jericho
• November Blues
• Just Another Hero

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Wake series (3 titles) by Lisa McMann

• Wake
• Fade
• Gone

X Indian Chronicles: The Book of Mausape by Thomas M. Yeahpau

Zero by Tom Leveen

Lower Elementary

Don't Laugh at Me by Steve Seskin & Allen Shamblin, Illustrated by Glin Dibley

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by E. B. Lewis

Enemy Pie by Derek Munson, Illustrated by Tara Calahan King

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud, Illustrated by David Messing

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Bullies by Howard Binkow, Illustrated by Susan F. Cornelison

Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Jo Napoli, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, Illustrated by Bryan Collier

One by Kathryn Otoshi

Paulie Pastrami Achieves World Peace by James Proimos

Peace Week in Miss Fox's Class by Eileen Spinelli, Illustrated by Anne & Kennedy

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patti Lovell, Illustrated by David Catrow

The Ice Bear by Jackie Morris

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by E. B. Lewis

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles, Illustrated by George Ford

Weezer Changes the World by David McPhail

When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry . . . by Molly Bang

Upper Elementary

Bullying and Me: Schoolyard Stories by Ouisie Shapiro, Photographed by Steven Vote

Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet by Graham Salisbury, Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers

Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's “Chocolate Pilot” by Michael O'Tunnell

Feathers and Fools by Mem Fox, Illustrated by Nicholas Wilton

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull, Illustrated by Yuyi Morales

Jay McGraw's Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies by Jay McGraw, Illustrated by Steve Björkman

Little Ty Cooney and the Grand Canyon Tour Company by Steven Riley

Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World by Jane Bresken Zalben

Selavi, That is Life: A Haitian Story of Hope by Youmi Landowne

The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss

The Liberation of Gabriel King by K. L. Going

Yellow Star by Jennifer Rozines Roy

Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth

Middle School

Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Countdown by Deborah Wiles

Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories Edited by Megan Kelley Hall

Drawing Out the Dragons: A Meditation on Art, Destiny, and the Power of Choice by James A. Owen

Jay McGraw's Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies by Jay McGraw, Illustrated by Steve Björkman

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach & Russell Munson

Kennedy Through the Lens: How Photography and Television Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Leader by Martin W. Sandler

Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead

Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

M.L.K.: Journey of a King by Tonya Bolden & Bob Adelman

Nelson Mandela by Reggie Finlayson

Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World by Jane Bresken Zalben

Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

Schooled by Gordon Korman

The 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey

Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges

Warp Speed by Lisa Yee

High School

Architects of Peace: Visions of Hope in Words and Images by Michael Collopy

Gandhi – An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments With Truth by Mahatma Ghandi

Grace by Elizabeth Scott

Habibi by Naomi Shihab Nye

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach & Russell Munson

Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil by Deborah Rodriguez & Kristin Ohlson

Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Connor Grennan

New York Times Tree Shaker: The Story of Nelson Mandela by Bill Keller

Peace Is the Way: Bringing War and Violence to an End by Deepak Chopra

The 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey

The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore

We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success by Dr. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, Rameck Hunt, & Sharon Draper

Lower Elementary

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson, M.D. & Peter Parnell, Illustrated by Henry Cole

Mommy, Mama, and Me by Leslea Newman, Illustrated by Carol Thompson

My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis, Illustrated by Suzanne Desimone

The Family Book by Todd Parr

Tutus Aren't My Style by Linda Skeers, Illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf

Upper Elementary

No Castles Here by A. C. E. Bauer

Middle School

Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

Geography Club by Brent Hartinger

Kiss by Jacqueline Wilson

Newsgirl by Liza Ketchum

So Hard to Say by Alex Sanchez

Tillmon County Fire by Pamela Ehrenberg

Totally Joe by James Howe

High School

David Inside Out by Lee Bantle

Down to the Bone by Mayra Lazara Dole

Freak Show by James St. James

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel

It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living Edited by Dan Savage & Terry Miller

Luna by Julie Anne Peters

Out of the Pocket by Bill Konigsberg

Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez

Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez

Rainbow Road by Alex Sanchez

The Last Exit to Normal by Michael Harmon

The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed by Judy Shepard

The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd

Lower Elementary

Highlights High Five

Highlights

Upper Elementary

Highlights

Cricket

Middle School

Cricket

High School

Cicada