These must-reads for kids of either gender range from picture books to graphic novels, from fantasy to family fun. Several important cultural touchstones that belong in every child’s library. Others help kids think outside the boundaries of their own culture. And some current publications that preserve the eternal appeal of classics, the type that are discussed in the classroom and passed down from sibling to sibling. Whether you’re an ardent reader or a reluctant reader, take a look at these tried-and-true books. (For those aged 12 and up, we’ve included more than a dozen!) Visit our Best Books for Kids and Early Readers series for many more outstanding selections.
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Children's Picture Books - Ages: 2 - 5 years,
Table of Contents
Book
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
by -Mo Willems (Author)
Silliness that appeals to preschoolers.
Ages: 2 +
Book
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
by - Sherri Duskey Rinker (Author)
Charming bedtime book is magic for truck lovers.
Ages: 2 +
Book
Goodnight Moon
by - Margaret Wise Brown (Author)
Ultimate going-to-bed book has stood the test of time.
Ages: 2 +
Book
The Snowy Day
by - Ezra Jack Keats (Author)
Classic captures a kid’s delight in freshly fallen snow.
Ages: 2 +
Book
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by - Carle Eric (Author)
Funny, colorful look at caterpillar’s development.
Ages: 2 +
Book
Where The Wild Things Are
by - Maurice Sendak (Author)
Classic all-ages masterpiece has a wild imagination.
Ages: 2 +
Book
Fry Bread
by - Kevin Noble Maillard (Author)
Lyrical tale shows role of special food in family, culture.
Ages: 3 +
Book
Harold and the Purple Crayon
by - Crockett Johnson (Author)
Imagination reigns in timeless classic about drawing boy.
Ages: 3 +
Book
Tale Of Peter Rabbit
by - Beatrix Potter (Author)
Beatrix Potter’s first and one of her best.
Ages: 3 +
Book
The Cat in the Hat
by - Dr. Seuss (Author)
The kids’ classic that put Dr. Seuss on the map.
Ages: 3 +
Book
Last Stop on Market Street
by - Matt de la Pena (Author)
Tender story of Nana showing grandson city beauty via bus.
Ages: 3+
Book
Madeline
by - Ludwig Bemelmans (Author)
Rhyming classic is a sure winner with kids.
Ages: 3 +
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Little kids Books - Ages: 5 - 7 years,
Book
The Complete Tales and Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh
by - A. A. Milne (Author)
Beloved, classic stories and poems in one volume.
Ages: 5 +
Book
Mercy Watson to the Rescue: Mercy Watson, Book 1
by - Kate DiCamillo (Author)
Funny, silly pig story great for early readers.
Ages: 5 +
Book
Sofia Valdez, Future Prez
by - Andrea Beaty (Author)
Girl takes on city hall in fun, diverse tale of persistence.
Ages: 5 +
Book
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
by - Roald Dahl (Author)
Classic morality tale is wildly entertaining.
Ages: 6 +
Book
Ivy & Bean - Book 1
by - Annie Barrows (Author)
Friendship tale a sure hit with kids starting chapter books.
Ages: 6 +
Book
Stuart Little
by - E. B. White (Author)
Excellent bridge from chapter books to novels.
Ages: 6 +
Book
Where the Sidewalk Ends
by - Shel Silverstein (Author)
Irresistible collection of clever, hilarious poems.
Ages: 6 +
Book
Charlotte's Web
by - E B White (Author)
Gentle, much-loved barnyard classic delights all ages.
Ages: 7 +
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BIG Kids Books - Ages: 8 - 9 years,
Book
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Harry Potter, Book 1
by - J. K. Rowling (Author)
Magical start of the fantastic boy-wizard series.
Ages: 8 +
Book
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Book 2
by - C.S. Lewis (Author)
Classic Narnia tale has exciting battles, Christian themes.
Ages: 8 +
Book
New Kid, Book 1
by - Jerry Craft (Author)
Funny, heartfelt middle school tale explores race, class.
Ages: 8 +
Book
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread
by - Kate DiCamillo (Author)
Brave mouse adventure a modern classic; great read-aloud.
Ages: 8 +
Book
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: The Original 1865
by - Lewis Caroll (Author)
A classic that both adults and kids love.
Ages: 9 +
Book
Anne of Green Gables: 01
by - L. M. Montgomery (Author)
Beloved classic features lovable, imaginative heroine.
Ages: 9 +
Book
The Bad Beginning: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 1
by - Lemony Snicket (Author)
A cliff-hanging orphan adventure wrapped in black humor.
Ages: 9 +
Book
Bridge to Terabithia
by - Katherine Paterson (Author)
Honest, moving story of friendship and loss.
Ages: 9 +
Book
Bud, Not Buddy: (Newbery Medal Winner)
by - Christopher Paul Curtis (Author)
Well-crafted tale of orphan boy’s search for home.
Ages: 9 +
Book
The Crossover
by - Kwame Alexander (Author)
Soaring, poignant, novel in verse hits all the right spots.
Ages: 9 +
Book
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid (Book 1)
by - Jeff Kinney (Author)
Laugh-out-loud-funny series start tucks lessons in stories.
Ages: 9 +
Book
Front Desk: Book 1
by - Kelly Yang (Author)
Immigrant kid tackles racism, bullying in powerful tale.
Ages: 9 +
Book
The Hobbit
by - J. R. R. Tolkien (Author)
Brilliantly written, inventive pre-LOTR tale.
Ages: 9 +
Book
PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTINING THIEF
by - Rick Riordan (Author)
Greek myths meet fast-paced adventure in boy-demigod tale.
Ages: 9 +
Book
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
by - Judy Blume (Author)
Toddler antics bug brother, amuse readers in 1st Fudge book.
Ages: 9 +
Book
WHEN THE SEA TURNED TO SILVER
by Grace Lin (Author)
Rich folklore-fantasy blend makes a great read-aloud.
Ages: 8 +
Book
A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L'Engle (Author)
Classic sci-fi story still inspires and gets kids thinking.
Ages: 9 +
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Tweens Books - Ages: 10 - 12 years,
Brown Girl Dreaming
by - Jacqueline Woodson (Author)
Captivating poems depict coming-of-age in tumultuous 1960s.
Ages: 10 +
ESPERANZA RISING
by - Pam Muñoz Ryan (Author)
Historical fiction at its best in story of ’30s farmworkers.
Ages: 10 +
I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World
by - Malala Yousafzai (Author)
Inspiring memoir of teen Nobel laureate shot by Taliban.
Ages: 10 +
Inside Out and Back Again
by - Thanhhà Lai (Author)
Inspiring verse story of immigrant’s new life in the U.S.
Ages: 10 +
REVOLUTION IS NOT A DINNER PARTY
by -Ying Chang Compestine (Author)
Gripping story, great intro to China’s Cultural Revolution.
Ages: 10 +
Wonder
by - R. J. Palacio (Author)
Moving tale of facially different boy with inner beauty.
Ages: 10 +
The Diary of a Young Girl
by - Anne Frank (Author)
Inspiring wartime journal reveals teen’s inner life.
Ages: 11 +
The Fellowship of the Ring: Book 1
by - J.R.R. Tolkien (Author)
Spectacular fantasy classic is where Frodo’s journey begins.
Ages: 12+
The Hunger Games: 1
by - Suzanne Collins (Author)
Exciting, provocative tale of lethal reality show.
Ages: 12 +
Legend (LEGEND Trilogy Book 1)
by - Marie Lu (Author)
Stylish dystopian thriller in a not-so-future Los Angeles.
Ages: 12 +
March: Book One: 1
by - Andrew Aydin (Author)
Powerful graphic novel captures spirit of desegregation.
Ages: 12 +
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
by - Jason Reynolds (Author)
Conversational history traces U.S. ideas about race.
Ages: 12 +
The Outsiders
by - S E Hinton (Author)
Story of ostracized kid a timeless fave of teens, preteens.
Ages: 12 +
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