Find kids’ reading lists below. See what’s new in the catalog for kids. And to hear what’s coming up next, subscribe to our “Kids & Families” email.
Suggestions by age & grade | By topic & genre | Creators & stories | Award winners | Reading Olympics
Suggestions by age & grade
Lists also available as PDFs; download below:
By topic & genre
Trending topics
New! More on these topics for all ages
Genre lists available as PDFs; download below
- Chapter Books to Read Aloud: For Younger Kids, Ages 4-7 (pdf)
- Chapter Books to Read Aloud: For Older Kids, Ages 8-11 (pdf)
- Fantasy & Tabletop Gaming (pdf)
- Historical Fiction (pdf)
- Updated! Mysteries (pdf)
- Updated! Romance: Sweet Reads for Kids (pdf)
- Scary Stories (pdf)
- Updated! Science Fiction (pdf)
Creators & stories
Arab & Arab American creators
Asian & Pacific Islander creators
- Fiction & Graphic Novels (pdf)
- Picture Books, Easy Readers & Early Chapters (pdf)
- Nonfiction & Biographies (pdf)
Black creators
Disability reads
Jewish creators
Latine creators
LGBTQ+ creators
Native American & First Nation creators
Award winners
Bluestem Award (2024, pdf)
Illinois' Readers' Choice Award (grades 3-5).
The Caldecott Medal
Given annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
Coretta Scott King Book Awards & John Steptoe New Talent Awards
• The Coretta Scott King Book Awards: given annually to recognize outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience.
• The John Steptoe New Talent Award: offers visibility to excellence in writing and/or illustration which otherwise might be formally unacknowledged by the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee.
The Monarch Award (2024, pdf)
Illinois' Children's Choice Award (grades K-3).
The Newbery Medal
Given annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
Pura Belpré Book Awards
Given annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (2024, pdf)
Illinois' Children's Choice Award (grades 4-8).
Sydney Taylor Book Award
Presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.
More award winners
Reading Olympics: Spring 2025
Reading Olympics is a literature enrichment program sponsored by Oak Park Elementary School District 97, River Forest Public Schools District 90, Oak Park Public Library, and River Forest Public Library, as well as several private schools. Find titles for the upcoming Reading Olympics (linked to the library's catalog) below.
