Skip to Main Content

Illinois State Reading Lists

Gryphon Award Honor Title

Being Frog

Illustrated by April Pulley Sayre
This edition: Hardcover, 32 pages
Publication date: February 04, 2020
Ages: 3 - 8

From award-winning author and photographer April Pulley Sayre comes a stunning photographic look at the fascinating lives of frogs.A frog is a bein...

2024 Rebecca Cauldill Young Readers' Book Award Master List

My Life in the Fish Tank

This edition: Hardcover, 320 pages
Publication date: September 15, 2020
Ages: 9 - 13

From acclaimed author of Maybe He Just Likes You and Halfway Normal comes a powerful and moving story of learning how to grow, change, and survive....

Frankie & Bug

This edition: Trade Paperback, 288 pages
Publication date: October 25, 2022
Ages: 8 - 12

“Joyful, occasionally heartbreaking, deeply moving.” —R. J. Palacio, bestselling author of Wonder In the debut middle grade novel from #1 New York ...

Alone

(Part of Alone)
This edition: Trade Paperback, 416 pages
Publication date: May 03, 2022
Ages: 10 - 99

A New York Times bestseller! Perfect for fans of Hatchet and the I Survived series, this harrowing middle grade debut novel-in-verse from a Pushcar...

2022 Rebecca Cauldill Young Readers' Book Award Master List

Genesis Begins Again

This edition: Hardcover, 384 pages
Publication date: January 15, 2019
Ages: 9 - 13

A Newbery Honor Book Winner of the Correta Scott King - John Steptoe for New Talent Author Award A Morris Award Finalist An NPR Favorite Book of 2...

The Okay Witch

(Book #1 of The Okay Witch)
Illustrated by Emma Steinkellner
This edition: Hardcover, 272 pages
Publication date: September 03, 2019
Ages: 8 - 12

A School Library Journal Best Graphic Novel of 2019 A YALSA 2020 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers A YALSA 2020 Great Graphic Novel for ...

Maybe He Just Likes You

This edition: Hardcover, 304 pages
Publication date: October 01, 2019
Ages: 9 - 13

A 2020 ALA Notable Children’s Book A Washington Post Best Children’s Book of 2019 Barbara Dee explores the subject of #MeToo for the middle grade a...

2021 Rebecca Cauldill Young Readers' Book Award Master List

Long Way Down

This edition: Hardcover, 320 pages
Publication date: October 24, 2017
Ages: 12 - 99

Longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner An ode to Put the Damn Guns Down, this is Na...

The Only Road

This edition: Hardcover, 320 pages
Publication date: October 04, 2016
Ages: 8 - 12

PURA BELPRÉ HONOR BOOK ALA NOTABLE BOOK “Powerful and timely.” —Booklist (starred review) “An important, must-have addition to the growing body of ...

2023 Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers Choice Award Master List

Love from A to Z

This edition: Hardcover, 352 pages
Publication date: April 30, 2019
Ages: 14 - 99

A Today Show Read with Jenna Book Club Pick “The bighearted, wildly charming, painfully real love story I’ve been waiting for.” —Becky Albertalli, ...

2021 Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers Choice Award Master List

Dry

This edition: Hardcover, 400 pages
Publication date: October 02, 2018
Ages: 12 - 99

When the California drought escalates to catastrophic proportions, one teen is forced to make life and death decisions for her family in this harro...

2023 Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers Choice Award Master List

Today Tonight Tomorrow

This edition: Hardcover, 384 pages
Publication date: July 28, 2020
Ages: 12 - 99

“A dizzying, intimate romance.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Funny, tender, and romantic.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) The Hating Game...

2023 Illinois Reads List

Would You Come Too?

Illustrated by Diana Sudyka
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: April 05, 2022

This whimsical and poignant picture book celebrates playing outside and invites readers to grab some friends, gear up their imaginations, and immer...

Would You Come Too?

Illustrated by Diana Sudyka
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: April 05, 2022

This whimsical and poignant picture book celebrates playing outside and invites readers to grab some friends, gear up their imaginations, and immer...

Stella Keeps the Sun Up

(Part of Stella)
Illustrated by Lynn Gaines
This edition: Hardcover, 48 pages
Publication date: March 08, 2022

In this incandescently fun, hijinks-filled picture book, a young girl schemes to keep the sun up in the sky so she never has to go to bed.If Stella...

2022 Illinois Reads List

Secret, Secret Agent Guy

Illustrated by Celia Krampien
This edition: Hardcover, 32 pages
Publication date: May 11, 2021
Ages: 4 - 8

Send little spies to sleep with this hilarious, tongue-in-cheek lullaby set to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.Dear Fellow Agents: Your mi...

Would You Come Too?

Illustrated by Diana Sudyka
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: April 05, 2022

This whimsical and poignant picture book celebrates playing outside and invites readers to grab some friends, gear up their imaginations, and immer...

2021 Illinois Reads List

All That I Can Fix

This edition: Hardcover, 320 pages
Publication date: June 12, 2018
Ages: 12 - 99

“A superbly entertaining read.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Will win over teens.” —School Library Journal (starred review) A teen boy’s world...

The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street

This edition: Hardcover, 304 pages
Publication date: October 10, 2017
Ages: 8 - 12

A girl unravels a centuries-old mystery after moving into a haunted house in this deliciously suspenseful mystery.Tessa Woodward isn’t exactly thri...

2023 - 2034 Bluestem Book Award Master List

The Great Stink

How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London's Poop Pollution Problem
Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: August 31, 2021

A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book! Discover the true story about the determined engineer who fixed London’s pollution problem in this funny, accessible...

New from Here

This edition: Hardcover, 368 pages
Publication date: March 01, 2022
Ages: 8 - 12

An instant #1 New York Times bestseller! This “timely and compelling” (Kirkus Reviews) middle grade novel about courage, hope, and resilience follo...

The Only Woman in the Photo

Frances Perkins & Her New Deal for America
Illustrated by Alexandra Bye
This edition: Hardcover, 48 pages
Publication date: February 04, 2020
Ages: 4 - 8

Discover the incredible life of Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet and the mastermind behind Franklin D. Roosevelt...

Long Distance

Illustrated by Whitney Gardner
This edition: Hardcover, 320 pages
Publication date: June 29, 2021
Ages: 10 - 99

From the creator of Fake Blood comes another exceptionally charming middle grade graphic novel about friendships both near and far, far away.Vega’s...

2022 - 2023 Bluestem Book Award Master List

Blended

This edition: Hardcover, 320 pages
Publication date: October 30, 2018
Ages: 8 - 12

Eleven-year-old Isabella’s blended family is more divided than ever in this thoughtful story about divorce and racial identity from the award-winni...

Framed!

(Book #1 of Framed!)
This edition: Hardcover, 304 pages
Publication date: August 23, 2016
Ages: 8 - 12

Get to know the only kid on the FBI Director’s speed dial and several international criminals’ most wanted lists all because of his Theory of All S...

Roll with It

(Part of Roll with It)
This edition: Hardcover, 256 pages
Publication date: October 01, 2019
Ages: 10 - 99

A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 “A big-hearted story that’s as sweet as it is awesome.” —R.J. Palacio, author of Wonder In the trad...

2021 - 2022 Bluestem Book Award Master List

Lifeboat 12

This edition: Hardcover, 336 pages
Publication date: September 04, 2018
Ages: 8 - 13

“This page-turning true-life adventure is filled with rich and riveting details and a timeless understanding of the things that matter most.”—Dashk...

Power Forward

Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport
This edition: Hardcover, 144 pages
Publication date: May 08, 2018
Ages: 7 - 10

From the critically acclaimed author of Amina’s Voice comes the first book in an exciting new middle grade series about a fourth-grader with big dr...

2023 - 2024 Monarch Award Master List Selection

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao

(Part of Amy Wu)
Illustrated by Charlene Chua
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: October 01, 2019

A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019 Meet the funny, fierce, and fearless Amy Wu, who is determined to make a perfect bao bun today. Can she ...

Sulwe

Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
This edition: Hardcover, 48 pages
Publication date: October 15, 2019
Ages: 4 - 8

A New York Times bestseller! Featured in its own episode in the Netflix original show Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices! Recipient of a Coretta S...

2022 - 2023 Monarch Award Master List Selection

Mia Mayhem Is a Superhero!

(Book #1 of Mia Mayhem)
Illustrated by Leeza Hernandez
This edition: Hardcover, 128 pages
Publication date: December 18, 2018
Ages: 5 - 9

Meet Mia Macarooney, an ordinary eight-year-old who finds out she has an extraordinary super-secret in this first chapter book in the brand-new Mia...

2021 - 2022 Monarch Award Master List Selection

Bilal Cooks Daal

Illustrated by Anoosha Syed
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: June 04, 2019
Ages: 4 - 8

A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019 An Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book 2019 Six-year-old Bilal introduces his friends...

2022 Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers Choice Award Master List

Sorcery of Thorns

This edition: Hardcover, 464 pages
Publication date: June 04, 2019
Ages: 14 - 99

A New York Times bestseller! “A bewitching gem...I absolutely loved every moment of this story.” —Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling a...

2021 Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers Choice Award Master List

Obsessed

A Memoir of My Life with OCD
This edition: Hardcover, 368 pages
Publication date: September 19, 2017
Ages: 14 - 99

A brave teen recounts her debilitating struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder—and brings readers through every painful step as she finds her w...

A Heart in a Body in the World

This edition: Hardcover, 368 pages
Publication date: September 18, 2018
Ages: 14 - 99

“This is one for the ages.” —Gayle Forman, author of the #1 bestseller If I Stay “A book everyone should read right now.” —The New York Times Book ...

Price of Duty

This edition: Hardcover, 192 pages
Publication date: July 17, 2018
Ages: 14 - 99

From award-winning author Todd Strasser comes a gripping new novel that explores the struggles of war, the price paid by those who fight in them, a...

2022 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book List Selection

Lawless Spaces

This edition: Trade Paperback, 512 pages
Publication date: January 17, 2023
Ages: 14 - 99

Perfect for fans of Deb Caletti, this “powerful, absorbing, and beautiful” (Booklist) coming-of-age novel in verse follows a teen girl who connects...

Love Radio

This edition: Hardcover, 320 pages
Publication date: May 31, 2022
Ages: 12 - 99

“Readers won’t be able to get enough of these dope-ass characters.” —Elizabeth Acevedo, author of Clap When You Land Hitch meets The Sun Is Also a ...

Cultivando a un artista (Growing an Artist)

La historia de un jardinero paisajista y su hijo
Illustrated by John Parra / Translated by Adriana Domínguez
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: May 17, 2022
Ages: 4 - 8

El galardonado artista John Parra nos trae un conmovedor y engañosamente simple cuento infantil ilustrado inspirado por su propia niñez, sobre el l...

Growing an Artist

The Story of a Landscaper and His Son
Illustrated by John Parra
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: May 10, 2022
Ages: 4 - 8

Four starred reviews! A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year From award-winning artist John Parra comes a “heartwarming family story that u...

Holding On

Illustrated by Isabel Roxas
This edition: Hardcover, 32 pages
Publication date: August 30, 2022
Ages: 4 - 8

A young girl in the Philippines uses music to connect with her grandmother as her memory fades in this warm and moving picture book perfect for fan...

Impossible Moon

Illustrated by Tonya Engel
This edition: Hardcover, 48 pages
Publication date: June 14, 2022

A young girl undertakes an impossible trip to the moon, makes friends with the stars, and brings back something priceless in this gentle and lyrica...

The Talk

This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: October 18, 2022
Ages: 4 - 8

A Coretta Scott King Author Honor winner! As a little boy grows into a bigger boy, ready to take on the world, he first must have that very difficu...

Can Blue Hide?

Ready-to-Read Pre-Level 1
(Part of Shark Chums)
Illustrated by Pauline Gregory
This edition: Trade Paperback, 32 pages
Publication date: August 30, 2022
Ages: 3 - 5

In this second book in the funny Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read Shark Chums series, Shark plays hide-and-seek with an octopus!Shark and an octopus named...

2021 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book List Selection

Blood Like Magic

This edition: Hardcover, 496 pages
Publication date: June 15, 2021
Ages: 14 - 99

“High stakes, big heart, and lots of Black Girl Magic…unputdownable.” —Aiden Thomas, New York Timesbestselling author of Cemetery Boys A rich, dark...

The Great Stink

How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London's Poop Pollution Problem
Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: August 31, 2021

A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book! Discover the true story about the determined engineer who fixed London’s pollution problem in this funny, accessible...

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe

This edition: Hardcover, 432 pages
Publication date: August 10, 2021
Ages: 14 - 99

“Breathlessly atmospheric…A gorgeous, hopeful book.” —Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of Today Tonight Tomorrow The Hating Game meets I Am Not Your Per...

Jump at the Sun

The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston
Illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara
This edition: Hardcover, 48 pages
Publication date: January 12, 2021
Ages: 4 - 8

From the Newbery Honor–winning author of Genesis Begins Again comes a shimmering picture book that shines the light on Zora Neale Hurston, the extr...

Nothing Fits a Dinosaur

Ready-to-Read Level 1
(Part of Ready-to-Read)
Illustrated by Jonathan Fenske
This edition: Hardcover, 32 pages
Publication date: August 31, 2021
Ages: 4 - 6

Nothing Fits a Dinosaur is a Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Honor Book! From award-winning author and illustrator Jonathan Fenske comes a funny, rhymin...

The Other Talk

Reckoning with Our White Privilege
Introduction by Jason Reynolds
This edition: Hardcover, 272 pages
Publication date: September 21, 2021
Ages: 12 - 99

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Brendan Kiely starts a conversation with white k...

A Sled for Gabo

Illustrated by Ana Ramírez González
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: January 05, 2021
Ages: 4 - 8

The Snowy Day meets Last Stop on Market Street in this heartwarming classic in the making about a young boy who is in a new town and doesn’t have m...

Un trineo para Gabo (A Sled for Gabo)

Illustrated by Ana Ramírez González / Translated by Alexis Romay
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: January 05, 2021
Ages: 4 - 8

The Spanish language edition of this heartwarming classic in the making about a young boy who is in a new town and doesn’t have much, but with the ...

Yolk

This edition: Hardcover, 400 pages
Publication date: March 02, 2021
Ages: 14 - 99

“Sneaks up on you with its insight and poignancy.” —Entertainment Weekly From New York Times bestselling author Mary H.K. Choi comes a funny and em...

2021 - 2022 Joliet Reads List

Maybe He Just Likes You

This edition: Hardcover, 304 pages
Publication date: October 01, 2019
Ages: 9 - 13

A 2020 ALA Notable Children’s Book A Washington Post Best Children’s Book of 2019 Barbara Dee explores the subject of #MeToo for the middle grade a...