Thematic Book Lists
Genres for All Ages
Adventure
- Heading Off On an Adventure: 10+ Adventure Titles for Ages 3-7
- Adventure Awaits: 15+ Adventure Titles for Ages 8-12
- Looking for Adventure: 13+ Adventure Titles for Ages 13 and up
- Real Life Adventure: 10+ Nonfiction Titles for Adventure Readers
- 20 Amazing Middle Grade: Action & Adventure
Fairy Tales
- Fractured Fairy Tales: 10+ Fairy Tales for Ages 3-7
- Fairy Tale Retellings: 15+ Fairy Tale Titles for Ages 8-12
- Once Upon a Time: 13+ Fairy Tale Titles for Ages 13 and up
- Fairy Tale Classics: 10+ Original Titles
- 12 Magical Middle Grade: Fairy Tales & Retellings
Fantasy
- Dragons, Fairies, and Magic: 10+ Fantasy Titles for Ages 3-7
- Castles, Wands, and Unicorns: 15+ Fantasy Titles for Ages 8-12
- Wizards, Witches, and Warlocks: 13+ Fantasy Titles for Ages 13 and up
- History & Science of Mythology: 10 Nonfiction Titles for Fantasy Readers
- Fantasy Titles Beyond Harry Potter
- 16 Middle Grade Fantasy Titles
Funny (Humor)
- Laugh Out Loud: 10+ Funny Titles for Ages 3-7
- Laugh Till Your Stomach Hurts: 15+ Funny Titles for Ages 8-12
- Laugh Often: 13+ Funny Titles for Ages 13 and up
- Funny & True: 10+ Nonfiction Titles for Readers Who Like Funny Books
Historical Fiction
- Stories Based on Facts: 10+ Historical Fiction Titles for Ages 3-7
- Learn From the Past: 15+ Historical Fiction Titles for Ages 8-12
- History Repeats Itself: 13+ Historical Fiction Titles for Ages 13 and up
- History’s Facts & Figures: 10+ Nonfiction Titles for Historical Fiction Readers
- Historical Fiction for Middle Grade Readers (2022)
- Historical Fiction for Middle Grade Readers (2024)
Magical Realism
- A Wee Bit of Magic: 10+ Magical Realism Titles for Ages 3-7
- A Little Magic Here and There: 15+ Magical Realism Titles for Ages 8-12
- Realism and Surrealism Combine: 13+ Magical Realism Titles for Ages 13 and up
- Hard to Believe It’s True: 10+ Nonfiction Titles for Magical Realism Readers
Mystery
- Observe, Deduce, and Solve: 10+ Mystery Titles for Ages 3-7
- Motive, Alibi, and Suspect: 15+ Mystery Titles for Ages 8-12
- Witness, Murder, Killer: 13+ Mystery Titles for Ages 13 and up
- True Crime & Forensics: 10 Nonfiction Titles for Mystery Readers
- 20 Middle Grade Mysteries (2022)
- 21 Middle Grade Mysteries (2023)
Nonfiction
- Animal Nonfiction
- Award Winners
- Board Books
- Coding Books for Kids
- Easy Readers
- Encyclopedias
- Graphic Novels
- Historical Nonfiction
- Middle Grade
- Outer Space
- Picture Books
- Picture Book Biographies
- Poetry
- Science Nonfiction
- Young Adult
Realistic Fiction
- Windows & Mirrors: 10+ Realistic Fiction Titles for Ages 3-7
- Family, Friends, & School: 15+ Realistic Fiction Titles for Ages 8-12
- Where Do I Fit In?: 13+ Realistic Fiction Titles for Ages 13 and up
- Real Life: 10+ Nonfiction Titles
Scary (Horror)
- Boo to You!: 10+ Scary Titles for Ages 3-7
- Sleep With the Lights ON: 15+ Scary Titles for Ages 8-12
- Books to Give You Chills: 13+ Scary Titles for Ages 13 and up
- Real-Life Scary Stories: 10+ Scary, Nonfiction Titles
- 20 Spooky Middle Grade: Horror
Science Fiction
- To Infinity… : 10+ Science Fiction Titles for Ages 3-7
- Aliens Among Us: 15+ Science Fiction Titles for Ages 8-12
- Dystopian Worlds: 13+ Science Fiction Titles for Ages 13 and up
- Popular Science: 10+ Nonfiction Titles for Readers Who Like Science Fiction
- Out-of-this-World Science Fiction for Middle Grade Readers
Sports
- Run, Kick, Catch!: 10+ Sports Titles for Ages 3-7
- There’s No I in Team: 15+ Sports Titles for Ages 8-12
- Staying on Track: 13+ Sports Titles for Ages 13 and up
- Practice, Practice, Practice: 10+ Nonfiction Titles for Sports Readers
Pop Culture
Disney Princess Traits
- Snow White – Compassion for Animals
- Cinderella – Hope
- Sleeping Beauty – Loyalty
- Ariel – Curiosity
- Belle – Intelligence
- Jasmine – Independence
- Pocahontas – Respect for Nature
- Mulan – Bravery
- Tiana – Ambition
- Merida – Determination
- Rapunzel – Sense of Adventure
- Anna – Optimism
- Moana – Courage
Level Up: Pairing Video Games with Children’s and YA Books
- Destiny
- Grand Theft Auto
- Disney Infinity
- Call of Duty
- Just Dance
- Fallout
- The Legend of Zelda
- Skylanders
- Halo
- Mario Bros.
- Sports Games
- Assassin’s Creed
- Minecraft
- Pokémon
Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Iron Man
- Hulk
- Thor
- Captain America
- The Avengers
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Ant-Man
- Doctor Strange
- Spider-Man
- Black Panther
- Captain Marvel
A to Z Themes
Themes
- 2024 – Adventurous Readers
- 2023 – Books for Every Reader
- 2022 – Tips for Reaching Reluctant Readers
- 2021 – Early Literacy Tips
- 2020 – Books & Cooks
- 2019 – Diverse Books
- 2018 – Programming
- 2017 – Leadership Traits
- 2016 – Storytime Themes
Board Books & Picture Books
- 2022 Holiday Picture Book Gift Guide
- 2023 Holiday Picture Book Gift Guide
- 2023 CLEL Bell Award Winners
- Afraid of the Dark
- Alphabet Books
- Animals (Black & White)
- Artists
- Babies/Kids
- Back to School
- Bad Day
- Baking
- Bathtime Bubbles
- Bears
- Bedtime
- Best Books for Baby Showers
- Biographies About Musicians
- Biographies About Writers
- Birds
- Birthday
- Black Characters
- Board Books for Baby Showers
- Board Books for Little Ones (2023)
- Boats
- Boats 2021
- Books for 0-6 Months
- Books for 7-12 Months
- Books for 1-Year-Olds
- Books for Toddlers
- Bread
- Breakfast
- Bunnies
- Bunnies 2021
- Campfire & Flashlight Titles
- Camping
- Cats
- Cats & Dogs
- Chickens
- Chocolate/Dessert
- Christmas Elves
- Christmas Trees
- Cinderella (25 versions)
- Cleaning Up
- Colors
- Combining Colors
- Community Service
- Cooking
- Debut Picture Books 2022
- Debut Picture Books 2023
- Debut Picture Books 2024
- Dinosaurs
- Dogs
- East Asian Authors
- East Asian Illustrators
- Emotional Intelligence
- Every Child Ready to Read 2
- Fall/Autumn
- Family
- Farm
- Farm 2021
- Favorite Board Books & Picture Books of 2020
- Favorite Picture Books of 2019
- Food
- Fractured Fairytales/Tall Tales
- Garbage Trucks
- Gardens
- Ghosts
- Gingerbread Man
- Grief
- Hair
- Haircut
- Harold and the Purple Crayon Readalikes
- Hispanic Heritage
- History
- Holidays
- Hot Chocolate
- Imagination
- Immigration Experience
- Insects
- Jungle
- Kindness
- Llamas
- Lyrical & Poetic Picture Books
- Math
- Mermaids
- Mice
- Mindfulness
- Monkeys
- Monsters
- Monthly Read Alouds
- Moose
- Music
- Napping
- Narwhals
- National Button Day
- National Dog Day
- National Love Your Pet Day
- National Picnic Month
- National Tailgating Day
- National Underwear Day
- New Siblings
- Nonfiction (2016-17)
- Old MacDonald Versions
- Otters
- Owls
- Patience
- Peace
- Picture Book Gift Guide 2023
- Pink Shirt Day
- Pirates
- Pizza
- Poop & Potty Books
- Potty Training
- Presidents/Elections
- Prehistoric from Dinosaurs to Cave Paintings
- PreK Math Concepts
- Pumpkins/Fall
- Pumpkins
- Puppies
- Reading/Books
- Recycling
- Red Riding Hood Variations
- Reindeer
- Road Trip
- Santa Claus
- School
- School Buses
- Shopping
- Sing-Along
- Sloths
- Sniffles
- Snow
- Snowy Day
- Snowmen
- Social Justice, Equality, & Diversity
- Social Justice, Equality, & Diversity (update)
- Spring
- Sports
- STEM
- STEM Biographies
- Strong Girls
- Summer
- Summer 2021
- Thankful-For Stories
- Trains at Night
- Travel
- Tree Houses
- Twas the Night Before Christmas
- Tyrannosaurus Rex
- Under the Sea
- Weather
- Winter
- Winter Wonderland Board Books
- Witches
- Wordless Picture Books
- Wordless Picture Books for Families
Easy Readers & Chapter Books
- Adventurous Guys
- Best Books for Beginning Readers
- Books for Reluctant Readers
- Chapter Book Read Alouds for First Graders
- Chapter Book Read Alouds for Five Year Olds
- Chapter Book Read Alouds for Young Kids
- Chapter Books for 1st-3rd Graders
- Diverse Easy Readers
- Diverse Easy Readers & Chapter Books
- I Survived Read Alikes
- Fantasy Chapter Book Series
- Favorite Easy Readers & Chapter Books of 2020
- Fly Guy Read Alikes
- Mysteries
- Nonfiction Series for Beginning Readers
- Read Alikes for Elephant & Piggie Fans
- Read Alikes for Magic Tree House Fans
- Realistic Fiction Early Chapter Books
- Strong Girls
- Superheroes
- Transition From Chapter Books to Middle Grade
Middle Grade & Young Adult Book Lists
- 2018 Star Reviewed Middle Grade Titles
- 2023 Debut Picture Book Authors
- 6th – 8th Grade Back to School Reading List
- Middle Grade Gets Real – Books About Tough Topics
- Debut Middle Grade 2024
- Debut YA Authors 2024
- Debut Middle Grade 2023
- Debut YA 2023
- Debut MG 2022
- Debut YA 2022
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- Bibliotheraphy for Teens
- Animals
- Anxiety
- Adoption
- Asian Protagonists
- Atmospheric Middle Grade Titles
- Audiobooks for Middle Grade Readers
- Audiobooks for Teens
- Back to School
- Baking
- Biracial Characters
- Black Characters
- Black Characters by Black Authors
- Black Characters in Middle Grade (2020)
- Black Characters in Middle Grade (2017)
- Black Characters in YA (2017)
- Caribbean Characters
- Cats
- Civil Rights
- Crafty Characters
- Depression
- Diversity
- Dog Man Read Alikes
- More Dog Man Read Alikes
- Dragons
- Dyslexia
- East Asian Middle Grade Authors
- East Asian Young Adult Authors
- Environment & Climate Change
- Fantasy Titles Beyond Harry Potter
- Favorite Middle Grade Books of 2019
- Favorite Middle Grade Books of 2020
- Foster Care
- Friendship
- Gay & Lesbian Characters in Middle Grade
- Gay & Lesbian Characters in YA
- Global Middle Grade: Set Outside the U.S.
- Graphic Novel Adaptations
- Graphic Novels (Fantasy)
- Graphic Novels (Realistic Fiction)
- Historical Fiction Set During the Revolutionary War
- Historical Fiction for Middle Grade Readers
- Hispanic Authors (MG)
- Hispanic Authors (YA)
- Homeless
- Immigration & Refugee Experience
- Incarceration
- Indian Voices
- Indigenous Voices
- Inspired by The Magician’s Elephant
- Intergenerational Characters
- Jewish Voices
- Journal-Style Middle Grade Reads
- Korean Characters
- Latinx Characters in Middle Grade
- Latinx Characters in YA
- Mental Health
- Middle East
- Middle Grade Anthologies
- Middle Grade Books for World Mental Health Day
- Middle Grade Illustrated Titles
- Middle Grade in a Winter Setting
- Middle Grade Sci-Fi Books with Female Protagonists
- Middle Grade Set in NYC
- Middle Grade with Mulitple Narrators
- Modern, Middle Grade Classics
- Moving
- Muslim Voices
- Must-Read YA Novels
- National Cooking Day
- National Dog Day
- New Books in 2019
- Newer Middle Grade Titles for 90s Kids
- Novels in Verse
- Novels in Verse 2021
- OCD
- Outer Space Theme
- Pairing Classic Favorites with Contemporary Titles
- Poetry for Teens
- Poverty
- PTSD
- Queer Voices
- Refugee Experience
- Rick Riordan Read Alikes
- Robots & Coding
- Romance Awareness Month
- Science Fiction
- September 11
- Set at Sea
- Set on an Island
- Short Middle Grade
- Social Justice
- Social Justice in YA
- Somewhat Scary Stories
- Spies
- Sports Fans
- STEM
- Summer Camp
- Summer Vacation
- Survival
- Teachers
- Therapy-Positive MG Books
- Time Travel
- Trans Characters
- Universal Stories
- Vegetarian & Vegan Characters
- The War That Saved My Life Readalikes
- Weight & Body Image
- White Bird Readalikes
- Winter Break Reads for Tweens
- World Theater Day
- Xenophobia
- Young Adult
- YA Beach Reads
- YA Historical Fiction
- Generation Z
Three on a Theme
- Challenging Gender Norms
- Back to School
- Christmas
- Día de los Muertos
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Homelessness in Middle Grade Lit
- Math-Themed Picture Books
- Snow
- Unicorns
- Winter Animals
- Women’s History Month
- Wordless Picture Books
- World Braille Day
Four on Friday
- Airplanes
- April Showers Bring May Flowers
- Celebrating Rosh Hashanah
- Country Music
- Days of the Week
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid Read Alikes
- Dolphins
- EMS Week Picture Books
- Exploration
- Father’s Day
- Feisty Foxes
- Fire Prevention Week
- Fireflies
- Flag Day
- Flamingoes
- Foster Care
- Frogs
- Gone Fishin’
- Halloween Witches
- Hiking
- Hurricanes
- International Cat Day
- Jackie Robinson
- Jumping Rope
- King Tut & Ancient Egypt
- Lions
- Lions in the Library
- Love
- National Bagel Day
- National Bicycle Month
- National Candy Corn Day
- National Dance Like a Chicken Day
- National Endangered Species Day
- National Motorcycle Day
- National Space Day
- Not-Your-Typical Princess
- Nuts & Seeds
- Ocean Animals
- Octopuses
- Penguins
- Pigeons
- Public Speaking & Debate
- Ramadan Picture Books
- Saxophone Day
- Summer Camp
- Tails & Tales
- Take a Walk
- Unexpected
- Wiggly Worms
- World Children’s Day
- World Farm Animals Day
- World Kindness Day
- Worries
Themes to Span Age Groups
- 2024 ALA Youth Media Awards
- 2023 ALA Youth Media Awards
- 2023 CYBILS Award Winners
- 2022 CYBILS Award Winners
- Activists
- Activity Books for Summer Vacation
- ALSC Notable Lists
- Artists
- Aspiring Writers
- Audiobooks for the Whole Family
- Award Winning Audiobooks
- Back to School
- Ballet
- Bathroom & Underwear Books
- Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeti
- Black Panther Tribute
- Book & Movie Pairings
- Book Discussion Titles
- Books for Kids Who Love to Collect
- Celebrating Poetry through Picture Books
- Chess
- Classroom Community
- Cookbooks
- Cumulative Tales
- Fairies
- Fall 2023 Publication Dates
- Family Game Night
- First Day of School
- Football
- Found Family
- Friendship
- Gamers
- Graduation Gifts
- Graphic Novels
- Hamilton Fans
- Healthy Eating
- Heartwarming, Gentle Read Alouds
- Horse Lovers
- Jokes & Riddles
- Keep You Cool This Summer
- King Tut Day
- Lego Fans
- Libraries
- Look & Find Books
- Mars – The Red Planet
- Middle Eastern Characters
- National Cat Day
- National Fossil Day
- National Foster Care Month
- National Jukebox Day
- National Milk Chocolate Day
- National Parks
- National Potato Day
- National Typewriter Day
- National Voter Registration Day
- Nonfiction About Dogs
- Outdoor Enthusiasts
- Olympic Games
- Paralympic Games
- Pi Day
- Play Monopoly Day
- Poetry
- Read Alouds for Older Students
- Readers
- RIP Notorious RBG
- Say My Name
- Set in Afghanistan
- South Asian Cuisine
- Sports
- Stargazing
- STEM
- STEAM Books with Crafts & Experiments
- Strong Female Characters
- Summer Reads
- Teacher Gifts
- Time Travel
- Tornadoes
- Transgender Characters in Kidlit
- Weddings
- World Chocolate Day
- Wright Brothers’ Day
- Zombies