California State Reading Lists

Scythe

Two teens must learn the “art of killing” in this Printz Honor–winning book, the first in a chilling new series from Neal Shusterman, author of the...

Long Way Down

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...

What Miss Mitchell Saw

Discover the amazing true story of Maria Mitchell, America’s first professional female astronomer.Every evening, from the time she was a child, Mar...

Even More Fantastic Failures

True Stories of People Who Changed the World by Falling Down First

Even the most well-known people have struggled to succeed! This follow-up to Fantastic Failures offers up a second dose of fascinating stories feat...

Crossings

Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals

This powerful nonfiction picture book explores wildlife crossings around the world and how they are helping save thousands of animals every day.Aro...

Fred's Big Feelings

The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers

An inspiring picture book biography about the inimitable Fred Rogers, beloved creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.Fred Rogers was a qui...

Kamala Harris

Rooted in Justice

Discover the incredible story of a young daughter of immigrants who would grow up to be the first woman, first Black person, and first South Asian ...

Our Dogs, Ourselves -- Young Readers Edition

How We Live with Dogs

This middle grade adaptation of Our Dogs, Ourselves is an eye-opening, entertaining, and beautifully illustrated look about humans’ complicated and...

A Place to Belong

A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 A Japanese-American family, reeling from their ill treatment in the Japanese internment camps, give...

WildLives

50 Extraordinary Animals that Made History

From the illustrator of Herstory (a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2018) comes a fascinating and touching book about fifty extraordinary animals th...

Born Curious

20 Girls Who Grew Up to Be Awesome Scientists

“An inspiring look at women who realized curiosity plus tenacity equals success.” —Kirkus Reviews “[A] captivating compendium.” —Publishers Weekly ...

Gridiron

Stories from 100 Years of the National Football League

This accessible, informative, and beautifully illustrated book celebrates the 100th anniversary of the NFL and is the perfect keepsake for football...

Equality's Call

The Story of Voting Rights in America

Learn all about the history of voting rights in the United States—from our nation’s founding to the present day—in this powerful picture book from ...

Feel the Fog

Discover the wonder and science behind fog in this stunning and immersive nonfiction picture book from award-winning author and photographer April ...

Harlem Grown

How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood

As featured on Humans of New York “Hartland’s joyful folk-art illustrations bop from the gray-toned jazzy vibrancy of a bustling city neighborhood ...

How to Find a Bird

A joyful and informative guide to birdwatching for budding young birders from an award-winning author-illustrator duo.How do you find a bird? There...

Joey

The Story of Joe Biden

“(Jill) Biden’s anecdotal portrait of her spouse’s early years spotlights his competitiveness and risk-taking…his role as a peacemaker, devoted bro...

Lift as You Climb

The Story of Ella Baker

Learn about the civil rights activist Ella Baker in this inspiring picture book from Sibert Honor winner Patricia Hruby Powell and Caldecott Honor ...

Marjory Saves the Everglades

The Story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas

“Vibrant…an ideal starting point for further learning.” —School Library Journal “A lively portrayal of Douglas as a remarkable individual and a sig...

The Only Woman in the Photo

Frances Perkins & Her New Deal for America

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

RESPECT

Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

Winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustration Award! From a New York Times bestselling author and an acclaimed illustrator comes this vibrant portr...

Oil

Mother-son team Jonah Winter and Jeanette Winter tell the story of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and its devastating and lingering effects in this poe...

SLAY

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019! “Gripping and timely.” —People “The YA debut we’re most excited for this year.” —Entertainment Weekly “A boo...

The Perfect Candidate

From debut author Peter Stone comes a heart-stopping, pulse-pounding political thriller that’s perfect for fans of Ally Carter and House of Cards. ...

Love from A to Z

A Today Show Read with Jenna Book Club Pick A School Library Journal Best Young Adult Book of 2019 A YALSA 2020 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adul...

How We Became Wicked

When an insect-borne plague begins to envelop the world, three sixteen-year-olds struggle to survive amongst the healthy “trues” and the infected “...