The books in this collection navigate themes and ideas appropriate for younger readers. Whether you're looking for contemporary hits like Front Desk by Kelly Yang or beloved classics like Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, you can explore this collection to find a title that will excite the young readers in your life.
Publication year 2018
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Mothers, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Historical Fiction, Social Justice, Race / Racism, African American Literature, Children's Literature, History: World
Publication year 2019
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth
Tags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Historical Fiction
Publication year 1946
Genre Short Story, Fiction
Themes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal
Tags Classic Fiction, Military / War, Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Fantasy
Publication year 2017
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family
Tags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction
Lauren Wolk’s historical novel Beyond the Bright Sea (2017) takes place in 1925. Its narrator, 12-year-old Crow, was put to sea alone in a boat just hours after her birth. Now, she lives on the Elizabeth Islands off the coast of Massachusetts with the solitary painter who found her, Osh. As Crow searches for clues about her birth family and origins, she also strengthens bonds with Osh and the world she has grown up in... Read Beyond the Bright Sea Summary
Publication year 2010
Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Fate, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Values/Ideas: Fame
Tags Humor, Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Education, Education
Publication year 1945
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Friendship
Tags Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Animals, Action / Adventure
Jim Kjelgaard’s novel Big Red (1945) traces the adventures of protagonist Danny Pickett after he befriends a unique Irish setter named Red. Danny has lived at the edge of the Wintapi wilderness with his father, Ross Pickett, for as long as he can remember. Although he loves his father, their life together, and the surrounding woods, Danny longs for a friend. Danny is thrilled when Mr. Haggin, the Pickett’s property owner and boss, hires Danny... Read Big Red Summary
Publication year 1991
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Fantasy, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure
Publication year 1877
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Class, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Natural World: Animals
Tags Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Animals, Addiction / Substance Abuse, Class, History: European, Poverty, Religion / Spirituality, Social Justice, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Urban Development, Victorian Period, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Children's Literature, History: World
Black Beauty was written by English novelist Anna Sewell, and published in 1877. It quickly became extremely popular, and led to increased activism and public concern for the humane treatment of horses and other animals. It went on to become one of best-selling novels of all time, and has been adapted numerous times into films and theatre productions. Sewell used her novel to explore themes such as kindness and responsibility, and to critique social problems... Read Black Beauty Summary
Publication year 2021
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Identity: Race, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags History: U.S., Race / Racism, Social Justice, Politics / Government, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Children's Literature, History: World
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Identity: Race
Tags Realistic Fiction, Sports, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Race / Racism, Children's Literature, Social Justice, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 2018
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Race, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Fathers, Society: Colonialism, Society: War
Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Afrofuturism, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Children's Literature
Publication year 1993
Genre Novel, Fiction
Tags Mythology, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction
Black Ships Before Troy: The Story of the Iliad is a children’s novel written by Rosemary Sutcliff and illustrated by Alan Lee. The novel was published posthumously in 1993 and retells Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad, for elementary school readers. Sutcliff has received great acclaim for her ability to make dense material accessible to younger audiences; Black Ships Before Troy follows her widely praised retellings of Arthurian legends. Sutcliff received an OBE in 1975 for... Read Black Ships Before Troy Summary
Publication year 2018
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age
Tags Magical Realism, Race / Racism, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction
Blended is a 2018 novel by veteran young adult fiction writer and lifelong educator Sharon M. Draper. In it, she invokes elements of magical realism and explores the impact of both racism and divorce on adolescents through the vehicle of a precocious and talented 11-year-old, Isabella Badia Thornton, who narrates the novel. Izzy struggles with her sense of identity; her father is Black, her mother white. That struggle deepens as she experiences first the impact... Read Blended Summary
Publication year 2006
Genre Novel, Fiction
Tags Historical Fiction, Colonial America, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Action / Adventure
Elisa Carbone’s 2006 historical novel, Blood on the River: James Town 1607, introduces the reader to Samuel Collier, a 12-year-old boy. The reader meets Samuel in London and accompanies him on his voyage to the New World as he makes his way to the first permanent English settlement in North America as servant boy to Captain John Smith.Plot SummaryThe novel begins on the streets of London, where Samuel, an orphan, is trying to survive in... Read Blood on the River Summary
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Relationships: Friendship, Natural World: Flora/plants
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Action / Adventure, Fantasy, Children's Literature
Publication year 1974
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Friendship
Tags Bullying, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Children's Literature, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction
Publication year 2011
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Grandparents, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Grief / Death, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction
Bluefish (2011) is a young adult novel by Pat Schmatz. This text is also sometimes classified as middle grade. The novel centers around Travis, an eighth grader who has lost his parents and dog and recently moved to a new school. Travis befriends Velveeta, a charismatic girl who is grieving the loss of her stand-in father figure, Calvin. As Travis and Velveeta’s friendship develops, they explore the challenges of coping with loss and family trauma... Read Bluefish Summary
Publication year 2018
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Food, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Grandparents, Relationships: Mothers, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction
... Read Bob Summary
Publication year 2012
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt
Tags History: World, Military / War, Children's Literature, WWII / World War II, Science / Nature
Publication year 1991
Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Relationships: Family
Tags Fantasy, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure, Humor