Kids Reading Lists

• Early childhood (pdf)
• Kindergarten (pdf)
• First grade (pdf)

• Second grade (pdf)
• Third grade (pdf)
• Fourth grade (pdf)

• Fifth grade (pdf)
• Sixth grade (pdf)

Arab & Arab American creators

• Picture Books, Fiction & Nonfiction (pdf)

Asian & Pacific Islander creators

• Fiction & Graphic Novels (pdf)
• Picture Books, Easy Readers & Early Chapters (pdf)
• Nonfiction, Biographies & Traditional Tales (pdf)

Black creators

• Fiction, Easy Readers, Early Chapter Books & Graphic Novels (pdf)
• Nonfiction & Biographies (pdf)
• Picture Books (pdf)

Disability reads

• Disability Reads: Books for kids with and without disabilities (pdf)

Latine creators

• Fiction & Graphic Novels (pdf)
• Nonfiction & Biographies (pdf)
• Picture Books (pdf)

LGBTQ+ creators

• Picture Books, Graphic Novels, Teen Graphic Novels, Fiction, Nonfiction & Biographies (pdf)

Native American & First Nation creators

• Board Books, Picture Books & Traditional Stories (pdf) 
• Fiction, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels & Biographies (pdf)

Bluestem Award 2023 (pdf)

Illinois' Readers' Choice Award (grades 3-5). More about the award »

The Caldecott Medal 2022 (pdf)

Given annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. More about the award »

Coretta Scott King Book Awards & John Steptoe New Talent Awards 2022 (pdf)

• 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. More about the award »
• 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. More about the award »

The Monarch Award 2023 (pdf)

Illinois' Children's Choice Award (grades K-3). More about the award »

The Newbery Medal 2022 (pdf)

Given annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. More about the award »

Pura Belpré Book Awards 2022 (pdf)

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. More about the award »

Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award 2023 (pdf)

Illinois' Children's Choice Award (grades 4-8). More about the award »

Sydney Taylor Book Award

Presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. More about the award »

More award winners

Other children's book and media awards »