Pennsylvania State Reading Lists
Award Lists
Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award
Keystone to Reading Secondary Book Award
A Baker's Dozen: The Best Children's Books for Family Literacy
Lynd Ward Prize for Graphic Novel Winner
2018 - 2019 Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award
Bulldozer Helps Out
A very little bulldozer learns that taking care of kittens is a very big job in this darling follow-up to Bulldozer’s Big Day from award-winning au...
2020 - 2021 Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award List
Dancing Hands
How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln
Winner of the Pura Belpré Illustrator Award A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book In soaring words and stunning illustrations, Margarita Engle and Raf...
Puma Dreams
“A lovely, beautifully illustrated story of a child's dream fulfilled.” —Kirkus Reviews “Beautifully illustrated with a strong conservation message...
You Are Home
An Ode to the National Parks
Award-winning author and illustrator Evan Turk showcases the beauty and importance of the National Parks in this gorgeous picture book that takes r...
Hibernate with Me
Based on the song of the same name by Benjamin Scheuer, Hibernate with Me is a gentle reminder that no matter how sad, small, or scared you feel, y...
One Dark Bird
From award-winning author Liz Garton Scanlon and celebrated artist Frann Preston-Gannon comes a gorgeously illustrated, lyrical counting book that ...
Trains Run!
We’ve already learned that trucks roll, planes fly, and boats float. Now, all aboard for the fourth book in George Ella Lyon’s transportation serie...
Nobody Hugs a Cactus
Celebrated artist and lead character designer of Brave, Ratatouille, and Despicable Me, Carter Goodrich, shows that sometimes, even the prickliest ...
Skulls!
Debut picture book author Blair Thornburgh and award-winning illustrator Scott Campbell put their heads together to celebrate one of the most impor...
Truman
An NPR Favorite Book of 2019 A New York Times Best Children’s book of 2019 A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019 A School Library Journal Best...
2020 - 2021 Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award Nominee
If I Was the Sunshine
A breathtaking picture book about the relationships we share from New York Times bestselling storytellers Julie Fogliano and Loren Long in the trad...
2019 - 2020 Keystone to Reading Secondary Book Award
Dry
When the California drought escalates to catastrophic proportions, one teen is forced to make life and death decisions for her family in this harro...
2020 - 2021 Keystone to Reading Secondary Book Award List
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...
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...
Maybe He Just Likes You
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...
Lion Down
Teddy Fitzroy returns as FunJungle’s resident sleuth when a lion is falsely accused of killing a distinguished dog in the latest novel in New York ...
Straw into Gold
Fairy Tales Re-spun
“Ten old yarns cleverly ‘re-spun.’” —The Wall Street Journal “Abundantly magical.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) Award-winning author Hilary ...
Roll with It
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...
2019 A Baker's Dozen Title
Something Smells!
Elliot wakes up one morning to the most terrible smell. But what could it be? Find out in this gentle introduction to hygiene that’s stinkin’ adora...
Teddy's Favorite Toy
A mom goes to great lengths to rescue her son’s favorite doll in this delightful tribute to treasured toys—and mothers.Teddy has a lot of cool toys...
Who Eats Orange?
Who eats orange—a chicken? A bunny? A bear? Find out in this unique exploration of colors and animals’ favorite foods.Animals eat a rainbow of diff...
2020 A Baker's Dozen Title
The Fisherman & the Whale
Jessica Lanan’s dreamy and dramatic watercolor paintings bring to life a wordless story about wonder in the natural world.A fisherman takes his son...
Truman
An NPR Favorite Book of 2019 A New York Times Best Children’s book of 2019 A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019 A School Library Journal Best...
2019 Carolyn W. Field Award
The Big Umbrella
“A subtle, deceptively simple book about inclusion, hospitality, and welcoming the ‘other.’” —Kirkus Reviews “A boundlessly inclusive spirit...This...
2019 Carolyn W. Field Award Honor Title
Hunger
A Tale of Courage
“The first-person narrative portrays Lorraine’s family and community with realistically drawn personalities and relationships as well as fine-tuned...
Stay Sweet
“A delectable mixture of ice cream and romance.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “For fans of Jenny Han.” —School Library Journal “A rare, enjo...
2020 Carolyn W. Field Award
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...
2019 Lynd Ward Prize for Graphic Novel
2020 - 2021 Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Master List
All That Trash
The Story of the 1987 Garbage Barge and Our Problem with Stuff
An ALA Notable Book “The year was 1987 and a ship full of trash was about to become famous…The narrative is immensely readable…A fresh take on a st...
Blended
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...
Just Like Rube Goldberg
The Incredible True Story of the Man Behind the Machines
Discover how Rube Goldberg followed his dreams to become an award-winning cartoonist, inventor, and even an adjective in the dictionary in this ins...
Rising Water
The Story of the Thai Cave Rescue
The incredible true story of the twelve boys trapped with their coach in a flooded cave in Thailand and their inspiring rescue—as seen in Ron Howar...
Leila in Saffron
“Glorious.” —Kirkus Reviews A colorful journey of self-discovery and identity, this sweet, vibrant picture book follows young Leila as she visits h...
Frankie Sparks and the Class Pet
Ivy and Bean meets Aliens in my Pocket in this start to a brand-new chapter book series about Frankie Sparks, a third grader who uses her love for ...
Brave Face
A Memoir
“[P]rofound…a triumph—a full-throated howl to the moon to remind us why we choose to survive and thrive.” —Brendan Kiely, New York Times bestsellin...
2020 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Title
You Are Home
An Ode to the National Parks
Award-winning author and illustrator Evan Turk showcases the beauty and importance of the National Parks in this gorgeous picture book that takes r...