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Poverty & Hunger: A Reading List for Grade School

Living in poverty means that people are often going without basic needs such as food, clothing, and adequate shelter. We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue...

  • 5 stars out of 5

The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag

Aster was born to be a shape shifter, but he wants to be a witch.  He knows he can do it and do it well, but his family does not...

Posted by on December 22, 2022

Indigenous Voices & Experiences: A Reading List for Grade School

We hope these selections serve to educate, celebrate, and encourage dialogue on the diverse nations, cultures, and experiences of Native peoples throughout North America. Celebrate Native American Heritage Month—and continue...

  • 5 stars out of 5

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat

Twelve Thai boys and their soccer coach bike out to a cave to explore. What they couldn’t have planned on was the rain that would flood the cave in the...

  • 5 stars out of 5

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

Starfish by Lisa Fipps tells the story of 11 year old Ellie who is carrying the weight of being fat shamed at school and at home. She spends her life...

Posted by on May 26, 2022

  • 5 stars out of 5

New From Here by Kelly Yang

Drawn from the author’s own experiences, this is a moving story that explores the stress that a pandemic can put on an Asian-American family.

Social Justice in Poetry and Verse: A Reading List for Children and Families

We hope these selections of poetry and books in verse serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of social justice.

Black Voices & Experiences: A Reading List for Children and Families

Celebrate Black History Month with books by Black authors and writing focusing on Black voices, characters, history, and culture. We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue...

  • 5 stars out of 5

Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman

Kabir was born in an Indian prison.  His mother, an inmate, is innocent, but she is also a member of the lowest Indian caste, poor, and without recourse to her...

  • 5 stars out of 5

It’s Trevor Noah: Born A Crime: Stories From A South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah is known in the USA as the host of The Daily Show since 2015, but this book tells the story of his youth.  Trevor Noah grew up in...

Posted by on December 2, 2021

YTS Staff Picks 2021 – Our Favorite Books of the year

Check out some of our Youth & Teen Services staff favorites, all published in 2021. These books represent a wide variety of formats and intended audiences. We hope you will...

Posted by on November 22, 2021

  • 5 stars out of 5

Fake Blood by Whitney Gardner

Its tough feeling ordinary, especially when your friends are all out having epic summer adventures. From bungee jumps to volcano hikes, AJ can’t help but feel that his summer spent...

  • 4 stars out of 5

Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh

Harper knows her family has moved because of her, and she knows she spent time in a hospital, but she still can’t put all the pieces together. Her mother won’t...

Posted by on October 7, 2021

  • 5 stars out of 5

Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty

Serafina has always been different and shut away. Living with her Pa in the basement at the Biltmore Estate she has never been allowed to interact with other people. One...

  • 5 stars out of 5

Slider by Pete Hautman

David Miller can eat a large pepperoni pizza in 4 minutes and 36 seconds. His parents are not impressed.

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