Kids Reads
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At Isaac’s first sleepover, he gets to help Grandpop with a very special routine—putting the house to bed—in a story that’s just right for children visiting a new place, or for adopting a new ritual at home.
In this stirring, much-anticipated picture book by presidential inaugural poet and activist Amanda Gorman, anything is possible when our voices join together. As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes—big or small—in the world, in their communities, and most importantly, in themselves.
Squirrel loves counting the leaves on his tree--red leaves, gold leaves, orange, and more. But hold on! One of his leaves is missing! On a quest to find the missing leaf, Squirrel teams up with his good friend Bird to discover who the leaf thief could be among their forest friends.
A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers'. They have big, round eyes and long lashes. She realizes that her eyes are like her mother’s, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. They have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea, crinkle into crescent moons, and are filled with stories of the past and hope for the future.
Everyone makes mistakes. Here's a straightforward (and laugh-out-loud) guide to saying you're sorry.
Traveling to the southern tip of India, Sejal, Mommy, and Pati find their way to Kanyakumari, where three oceans meet, and delight in making it to the end of the earth together.
A young girl experiences a rain storm from seeing the storm roll in, to splashing in the puddles, and then finally watching the sun coming back out.
Cole's excitement over his tiny new dinosaur toy that grows in water turns to worry when Dino-Gro becomes too big to fit inside the house.
One-osaurus, two-Osaurus, three-Osaurus, four! With big, bold numerals, an array of dinosaurs in comical poses, and a humorous twist at the end, this tribute to a child's imagination makes learning numbers a gigantic treat.
A young narrator describes herself as many things at the same time - a girl, a granddaughter, Indian, American, both selfish and generous, mean and kind - and these seeming contradictions are precisely what makes her a unique individual.
A child, a doll, and an adult go for a walk on the beach one late afternoon on a cold winter day, before heading home for dinner and a bedtime story.
No matter who you are or where you're from, step in and discover all the rituals and wonders of the mosque, from grandmothers reading lines of the Qur'an and the imam telling stories of living as one to meeting new friends and learning to help others, mosques are centers for friendship, community, and love.
Doggo, an older dog, learns how to welcome and accept a young puppy into the household
Have fun finding silly hats--a flat hat, a bat hat, and even a cat hat.
Armed with bubbles, shampoo and a cat toy, Kami is determined to give Flubby the fussy feline a bath, even if she has to get creative!
Zapped into his favorite video game by a sneaky bolt of lightning, mischievous Jack finds himself racing around game puzzles while outmaneuvering a pounding boss.
The rhyming story of a lizard who is able to change shape to become anything he wishes, from a surfboard for a whale to a boat with a sail.
When Frog and Goat turn a simple game into an all-out competition, things get out of hand...until finally, they're over it.
Zoom Squirrel and the Squirrel pals are looking forward to going to the beach!
This playful picture book will keep readers guessing as they find out how animal eyes are like-and unlike-those of starfish, owls, slugs, and more!
A lyrical and informational nonfiction picture book that tells the story of trees and the hidden ecosystems they create.
An introduction to the life and art of Judith Scott, a renowned artist.
A biography of Nina Simone, an acclaimed singer whose music gave voice to the struggle for racial equality during the Civil Rights Movement.
A Shot in the Arm!, book 3 in the Big Ideas that Changed the World series, is the history of vaccinations and the struggle to protect people from infectious disease. Beginning with smallpox-perhaps humankind's greatest affliction to date-and concluding with an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brown traces the evolution of vaccines and examines deadly diseases such as measles, polio, anthrax, rabies, cholera, and influenza.
Natalie has just arrived at summer camp and soon realizes it isn't anything like the brochure. Instead of spending the summer with her best friends, Zoe and Flo, Natalie is stuck with her ex-BFF, Lily, and someone even more annoying than the endless mosquitoes: Millie Flatbottom. Even worse, she's constantly pushed out of her comfort zone and forced to come face-to-face with some of her greatest fears. Although summer camp isn't at all what Natalie expected, could it be exactly what she needs?
Baloney and friends continue their adventures that include creating a theme song, having a sleepover, using their imagination, and learning to appreciate the meaning of life.
Jim Panzee is out for his usual Wednesday walk when he accidentally squishes his stress orange into orange juice. He and his friends must cross the jungle before all of the fresh oranges are gone.
Follows two bug friends, Stag-B and Rhino-B, as they explore their world and share adventures.
Having a good-looking, friendly, outgoing older brother sucks--especially when you're the total opposite, someone who likes staying home and playing video games. Your parents like him better (even if they deny it!), and everyone calls you 'Kyle's little sister' while looking disappointed that you're not more like him. I was really hoping I'd get to go to a different middle school, but no such luck. At least I have my friends--until he finds a way to ruin that, too! Argh! What do I have to do to get out of his shadow?
In 1935, when her mother gets a job housekeeping for a woman who does not like children, eleven-year-old Turtle is sent to stay with relatives she has never met in far away Key West, Florida.
A mysterious jukebox, old vinyl records, and cryptic notes on music history, are Shaheen's only clues to her father's abrupt disappearance. She looks to her cousin, Tannaz, who seems just as perplexed, before they both turn to the jukebox which starts...glowing? Suddenly, the girls are pulled from their era and transported to another time! Keyed to the music on the record, the jukebox sends them through decade after decade of music history, from political marches to landmark concerts. But can they find Shaheen's dad before the music stops?
Third grader Aven Green, who was born without arms but believes that her missing arm cells went to her super-powered brain, tries to solve two cases involving her teacher's missing lunch and the disappearance of her great-grandmother's dog.
In desperate need of a friend--and a science project--Maya finds a robot named Ralph in Mr. Mac's convenience store, and once she gets him up and running, a new world of connection opens up.
Bullied and shamed her whole life for being fat, twelve-year-old Ellie finally gains the confidence to stand up for herself, with the help of some wonderful new allies.
Sydney & Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World by Deborah Hocking
Taylor, a hedgehog, and his friend Sydney, a skunk, set out from their comfortable burrow under Miss Nancy's potting shed on an expedition to see more of the "Whole Wide World."
When a teacher asks her class what one thing they would save in an emergency, some students know the answer right away. Others come to their decisions more slowly. And some change their minds when they hear their classmates' responses. A lively dialog ignites as the students discover unexpected facets of one another--and themselves.
With insight and a light touch, best-selling, Newbery Honor-winning author Gary D. Schmidt tells two poignant, linked stories: that of a grieving girl and a boy trying to escape his violent past. Following the death of her closest friend in summer 1968, Meryl Lee Kowalski goes off to St. Elene's Preparatory Academy for Girls, where she struggles to navigate the venerable boarding school's traditions and a social structure heavily weighted toward students from wealthy backgrounds. In a parallel story, Matt Coffin has wound up on the Maine coast near St. Elene's with a pillowcase full of money lifted from the leader of a criminal gang, fearing the gang's relentless, destructive pursuit. Both young people gradually dispel their loneliness, finding a way to be hopeful and also finding each other.
A volume of interconnected stories and poems set at a Native American Dance for Mother Earth Powwow celebration in Ann Arbor, Michigan, includes contributions by such new and veteran writers as Joseph Bruchac, Dawn Quigley, and Traci Sorell.
Do you know the true story of the Thanksgiving feast at Plimoth? Carefully crafted to explore both sides of this historical event, this book is a great choice for Thanksgiving units, and for teaching children about the true history of this popular holiday
Cartoon-style illustrations and astonishing facts send readers on an exploration into the unique world of insects in this quirky, engaging primer of bugs.
(Hoopla: Readalong)
In this STEM-ready book, an acclaimed physicist takes readers into the cutting-edge world of nanoscience where they will learn about the tiny building blocks that make up the world around us.
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard (Hoopla: ebook, eReadalong)
Celebrates the Native American tradition of sharing fry bread during family meals, in a story about family, history, culture, and traditions, both new and old.
How the Stars Fell into the Sky by Jerrie Oughton
A retelling of the Navajo legend that explains the patterns of the stars in the sky.
Hiawatha, a Mohawk, is plotting revenge for the murder of his wife and daughters by the evil Onondaga Chief, Tadodaho, when he meets the Great Peacemaker, who enlists his help in bringing the nations together to share his vision of a new way of life marked by peace, love, and unity rather than war, hate, and fear. Includes historical notes.
With over 50 activities for your children to enjoy, you can explore Native American culture in a hands-on way to engage your learners.
A long-tailed rabbit who wants a nibble of the highest, tastiest leaves uses his special snow song in the summertime, despite the protests of the other animals.
When the weather changes and the ever-falling snow threatens to engulf all the animals, it is Crow who flies up to receive the gift of fire from the Great Sky Spirit.
The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences. Written by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, this look at one group of Native Americans is appended with a glossary and the complete Cherokee syllabary, originally created by Sequoyah.
At the mountain's base sits a cabin under an old hickory tree. And in that cabin lives a family -- loving, weaving, cooking, and singing. The strength in their song sustains them through trials on the ground and in the sky, as they wait for their loved one, a pilot, to return from war.
Using rhyming lyrics from a previously written rap song, Midewin author, Manitoba politician, and creator Kinew tells the stories of diverse Indigenous heroes both historical and contemporary from the U.S. and Canada.
Recommended Reading Archives
Check out more of our suggestions! The following lists were put together by the staff of the BTL Children's Department.
Native American Heritage Month
Tails & Tales- Summer Reading 2021 Early Literacy | Independent Readers | Middle Grade
Imagine Your Story- Summer Reading 2020
Asian/Pacific Heritage Month 2020
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