Wondering what to read next? Check out these recommended reading lists featuring titles vetted by Oak Park’s children’s librarians and discover the newest titles for kids in the library catalog »
By age & grade | By topic, genre | Creators & stories | Award winners | Reading Olympics
Recommendations by age & grade
Lists also available as PDFs; download below:
Suggestions 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)
- Mysteries (pdf)
- Romance: Sweet Reads for Kids & Tweens (pdf)
- Scary Stories (pdf)
- 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 & Traditional Tales (pdf)
Black creators
- Fiction, Easy Readers, Early Chapter Books & Graphic Novels (pdf)
- Nonfiction, Biographies & Awards (pdf)
- Picture Books (pdf)
Disability reads
Latinx creators
LGBTQ+ creators
Native American & First Nation creators
Award winners
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 »
More award winners
Reading Olympics: Spring 2022
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 and learn more about the program »
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