April 2021
Looking for something great to read? Try some of these award winners and recommended-reading lists! There are selections for all ages. Discover books and authors that might not have been on your radar – you may find a new favorite!
Texas Library Association Reading Lists:
- 2x2 -- Recommended books for children age two to grade two to encourage voluntary reading; a Children's Round Table (CRT) project. (print)
- Little Maverick -- Graphic novels for children grades K – 5.
- Texas Bluebonnet Award -- A unique program that encourages reading for pleasure for students in grades 3 – 6. Each year, 20 books are chosen for the Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List. Schools and libraries around the state participate in the program, encouraging students to read a minimum of five books from the list. In January, students vote for their favorite title. The author of the book receiving the most votes wins the Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA). (print)
- Tejas Star - Bilingual reading list for ages 5 – 12. The Tejas Star Reading List (TSRL) provides a recommended reading list to encourage children ages 5-12 to explore multicultural books and to discover the cognitive and economic benefits of bilingualism and multilingualism.
- Lone Star -- A reading list for grades 6, 7 and 8. The Lone Star reading list is developed by public and school librarians from the Young Adult Round Table. The purpose of the list is to encourage students in grades 6, 7, or 8 to explore a variety of current books. (print)
- Maverick -- Graphic novels for grades 6 – 12. The Texas Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List (TMGNRL) is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Young Adult Round Table (YART). The purpose of the list is to encourage students in grades 6-12 to explore a variety of current books.
- Tayshas - Fiction and nonfiction for grades 9 – 12. The goal of the TAYSHAS reading list is to motivate young adults to become lifelong readers and to participate in the community of readers in Texas. Students in grades 9 – 12 are encouraged to read books for pleasure from the list which includes fiction and nonfiction titles.
- Spirit of Texas (SPOT) Reading Program (grades 6-12) hopes to encourage a greater understanding of what it means to be a Texan, and to develop an appreciation for the literary works of and about Texas and Texans. SPOT is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Young Adult Round Table (YART). The purpose of the list is to encourage youths in grades 6-12 to explore a variety of current, quality books from Texas authors and illustrators, develop critical reading skills, and to encourage greater interaction between Texas authors and illustrators, Texas librarians, and Texas youth.
- Texas Topaz - Nonfiction gems for all ages. The purpose of the Texas Topaz Reading List is to provide children and adults with recommended nonfiction titles that stimulate reading for pleasure and personal learning. It is intended for recreational reading and is not designed to support any particular curriculum.
- Lariat -- Outstanding fiction for adults. Since 2009 the goal of the Lariat Adult Fiction Reading List has been to highlight outstanding fiction that is simply “a pleasure to read.” Each year, 25 outstanding fiction titles are selected by a nine-member committee.
American Library Association Awards
- Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction & Nonfiction -- Recognizes the best fiction and nonfiction books for adult readers published in the U.S. the previous year.
- Batchelder Award -- The Batchelder Award is given to an American publisher for a children's book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States.
- Belpré Medal Winners -- Established in 1996, this award is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
- Brody Medal -- The Sophie Brody Award from RUSA (Reference and User Services Association, a division of ALA) is given to encourage, recognize and commend outstanding achievement in Jewish literature.
- Caldecott Medal Winners and Honors – This award is given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. (print)
- Coretta Scott King Awards list -- A complete list of the Author, Illustrator, John Steptoe, and Virgina Hamilton winners (and honor books where appropriate). Given to African American authors and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions, the Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream.
- Geisel Award Winners -- The Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States.
- John Steptoe Winners -- The Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award for New Talent affirms new talent and offers visibility for excellence in writing and/or illustration at the beginning of a career as a published African American creator of children's books. List of winners of the John Steptoe New Talent Award.
- Morris Winners -- The William C. Morris Award honors a book written for young adults by a first-time, previously unpublished author. (scroll to the bottom of the page to view the list links)
- Newbery Medal Winners & Honors -- This award is given annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. (print)
- Printz Winner and Honor books -- This is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the links to the lists)
- Schneider Family Book Award -- The Schneider Family Book Award honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.
- Sibert Medal -- The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the preceding year. Information books are defined as those written and illustrated to present, organize, and interpret documentable, factual material for children.
- Stonewall Book Awards -- The Stonewall Book Awards of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Round Table of ALA are given annually to English-language works of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender experience.
- W.Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction -- This is an award honoring the best fiction set in a period when the United States was at war. It recognizes the service of American veterans and military personnel and encourages the writing and publishing of outstanding war-related fiction for young adults or adults.
- YA Nonfiction winners and finalists -- The YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of ALA) Award for Excellence in Nonfiction honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18). (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the links)
Other Reading Lists (All Ages)
The American Library Association, of which Booklist Online is a part, juries some of the most highly regarded book and media awards and honors in the world. While this list does not include every book and media award given, ALA has selected those that they feel are most relevant to their audience — including a few non-ALA awards such as the National Book Award and the Booker Prize.