Book Lists & Recommendations

 

Youth Services Staff, who specialize in books for children and teens, are happy to make recommended reading lists. Please allow a minimum of 2 business days to fill these requests. You do not need a library card for this request.

 
 
Workflow: 
Published

Imagine Your Story- Global Tales

One-Grain-Rice
One Grain Rice
Dara's-Clever-Trap
Dara's Clever Trap
Shark-King
Shark King
Singing-Rock
Singing Rock
Why-Mosquitoes
Why Mosquitoes
Never-Trust-a-Tiger
Never Trust a Tiger
Dragonslayer
Dragonslayer
Origin-Day-and-Night
Origin Day and Night
Little-Red-Ant
Little Red Ant
Tortoise's-Gift
Tortoise's Gift
Dragons-MTH
Dragons MTH
Loathesome-Dragon
Loathesome Dragon
Masha-and-the-Bear
Masha and the Bear
Stories-from-India
Stories from India
Cara-and-the-Wizard
Cara and the Wizard
Anansi
Anansi
Stone-Soup
Stone Soup
Mother-Daughter
Mother Daughter
Nelson-Mandela's-
Nelson Mandela's
Wise-Fool
Wise Fool
Rapunzel-board
Rapunzel board
St-George-and-the-Dragon
St George and the Dragon
Pretty-Salma
Pretty Salma
Dancing-Turtle
Dancing Turtle
Hungry-Wolf
Hungry Wolf
Swiss-Myths
Swiss Myths
Maui-Slowed-the-Sun
Maui Slowed the Sun
Owl-Rabbits
Owl Rabbits
Riding-a-Donkey
Riding a Donkey
Tama
Tama
Japanese-Children's-Favorite
Japanese Children's Favorite
Tales-from-the-Rainforest
Tales from the Rainforest
Princesa
Princesa
Mufaro's-Beautiful-Daughters
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
Feathered-Ogre
Feathered Ogre
Rumplestiltskin
Rumplestiltskin
Paul-Bunyan
Paul Bunyan
Guji-Guji
Guji Guji
Princess-Warrior
Princess Warrior
Red-Butterfly
Red Butterfly
Egyptian-Mythology
Egyptian Mythology
Gods-and-Heroes
Gods and Heroes
D'aulaires-greek-myths
D'aulaires greek myths
Norse-Mythology
Norse Mythology
Three-Billy-Goats-Gruff
Three Billy Goats Gruff
Ganesha's-Sweet-Tooth
Ganesha's Sweet Tooth
Lion-and-the-Mouse
Lion and the Mouse
Mangoes-Mischief
Mangoes Mischief
Kai-Monkey-King
Kai Monkey King
Monster-Atlas
Monster Atlas
Workflow: 
Published

Summer Camp Books

Sam-Wu
Sam Wu
Field-Guide-to-Getting-Lost
Field Guide to Getting Lost
The-Lost-Cipher
The Lost Cipher
Like-Bug-Juice-on-a-Burger
Like Bug Juice on a Burger
Captain-Awesome-Superhero-Camp
Captain Awesome Superhero Camp
Summer-According-to-Humphrey
Summer According to Humphrey
Bad-Magic
Bad Magic
Camping-Trip-Changed-America
Camping Trip Changed America
All-Summer-Long
All Summer Long
George-Brown
George Brown
Babymouse
Babymouse
Lost-Campers
Lost Campers
Runaway-Ralph
Runaway Ralph
Just-Grace
Just Grace
Nerd-Camp
Nerd Camp
Werewolves-Summer-Camp
Werewolves Summer Camp
Be-Prepared
Be Prepared
Camp
Camp
Outdoor-Survival
Outdoor Survival
Just-Like-Me
Just Like Me
Middle-School-Survival
Middle School Survival
Here's-Hank
Here's Hank
Bad-Kitty
Bad Kitty
Cam-Jansen
Cam Jansen
First-Girl-Scout
First Girl Scout
Not-So-Normal-Norbert
Not So Normal Norbert
Heidi-Hecklebeck
Heidi Hecklebeck
Boxcar-Children
Boxcar Children
Week-in-the-Woods
Week in the Woods
Terrible-Two
Terrible Two
Camping-with-Unicorns
Camping with Unicorns
Spy-Camp
Spy Camp
Secret-at-Mystic-Lake
Secret at Mystic Lake
The-Camping-Trip
The Camping Trip
Strange-Birds
Strange Birds
Workflow: 
Published

Learning to Read

Farm-Animals:-Nat.-Geo.-Kids
Farm Animals: Nat. Geo. Kids
Biscuit
Biscuit
Bob-Books
Bob Books
Care-Bears-Phonics
Care Bears Phonics
My-Little-Pony-Phonics
My Little Pony Phonics
Paw-Patrol-Phonics
Paw Patrol Phonics
Pete-the-Cat-Phonics
Pete the Cat Phonics
TMT-Phonics-Power!
TMT Phonics Power!
Pinkalicious-Phonics
Pinkalicious Phonics
Star-Wars-Phonics
Star Wars Phonics
Big-Dog-and-Little-Dog
Big Dog and Little Dog
Trucks:-Nat.-Geo.-Kids
Trucks: Nat. Geo. Kids
Daniel-Plays-Ball
Daniel Plays Ball
Hop-On-Pop
Hop On Pop
Ollie
Ollie
Just-a-Little-Sick
Just a Little Sick
Morris-the-Moose
Morris the Moose
Short-Vowel-Phonics
Short Vowel Phonics
A-Big-Guy-Took-My-Ball
A Big Guy Took My Ball
Cat-In-the-Hat
Cat In the Hat
Danny-and-the-Dinosaur
Danny and the Dinosaur
Go-Dog-Go
Go Dog Go
Hi-Fly-Guy!
Hi Fly Guy!
I-Am-Lost
I Am Lost
Workflow: 
Published

Awesome Animals- Kids Nonfiction

Cute-as-an-Axolotl
Cute as an Axolotl
Clever-Hans
Clever Hans
Bee-Book
Bee Book
Truth-About-Crocodiles
Truth About Crocodiles
Born-in-the-Wild
Born in the Wild
Big-Cats
Big Cats
Who-Would-Win
Who Would Win
Science-Comics-Bats
Science Comics Bats
Animals-by-the-Numbers
Animals by the Numbers
True-Stories-of-Amazing-Animals
True Stories of Amazing Animals
Cheetah-Math
Cheetah Math
Flying-Frogs
Flying Frogs
Eek-You-Reek
Eek You Reek
Does-It-Fart
Does It Fart
Blobfish
Blobfish
Cheetah-v-Ostrich
Cheetah v Ostrich
Dark-Emperor
Dark Emperor
Baby-Pigs
Baby Pigs
Animal-Atlas
Animal Atlas
Critter-jokes
Critter jokes
Fire-Dog
Fire Dog
Dog-Finds-Lost-Dolphins
Dog Finds Lost Dolphins
Eat-Like-a-Bear
Eat Like a Bear
If-Polar-Bears-Disappeared
If Polar Bears Disappeared
Homes-in-the-Wild
Homes in the Wild
Super-Shark
Super Shark
It's-Fun-to-Draw-Safari-Animals
It's Fun to Draw Safari Animals
Migration
Migration
Songbird-Dreams
Songbird Dreams
Presidential-Pets
Presidential Pets
Kangaroo-Rescue
Kangaroo Rescue
Truth-About-Hippos
Truth About Hippos
Time-For-a-Bath
Time For a Bath
Extinct-Animals
Extinct Animals
Actual-Size
Actual Size
Ocean-Animals
Ocean Animals
Zooborns
Zooborns
Coral-Reefs
Coral Reefs
Disgusting-Critters
Disgusting Critters
Workflow: 
Published

First Chapter Books

Major-Eights
Major Eights
Press-Start
Press Start
Fergus-and-Zeke
Fergus and Zeke
Dragon-Masters
Dragon Masters
Here's-Hank
Here's Hank
Yasmin
Yasmin
Mercy-Watson
Mercy Watson
Haggis-Tank
Haggis Tank
Junie-B-Jones
Junie B Jones
Mighty-Robot
Mighty Robot
Weird-School
Weird School
Sofia-Martinez
Sofia Martinez
Nate-the-Great
Nate the Great
Humphrey
Humphrey
My-Furry-Foster-Family
My Furry Foster Family
Diary-of-a-Pug
Diary of a Pug
Narwhal-and-Jelly
Narwhal and Jelly
Sophie-Mouse
Sophie Mouse
Buddy-Files
Buddy Files
Yeti-Files
Yeti Files
Infamous-Ratsos
Infamous Ratsos
Bea-Garcia
Bea Garcia
Bink-and-Gollie
Bink and Gollie
Princess-in-Black
Princess in Black
Workflow: 
Published

2nd - 3rd Grade

Armadillo-and-Hare
Armadillo and Hare
Mr-Wolfs-Class
Mr Wolfs Class
Lola-Levine
Lola Levine
Race-the-Wild
Race the Wild
Alvin-Ho
Alvin Ho
Juana-and-Lucas
Juana and Lucas
Jasmine-Toguchi
Jasmine Toguchi
Dog-Days
Dog Days
Ugly--Cat-and-Pablo
Ugly Cat and Pablo
Hamster-Princess
Hamster Princess
A-to-Z-Mysteries
A to Z Mysteries
Sports-Illustrated-Kids
Sports Illustrated Kids
Geronmio-Stilton
Geronmio Stilton
Heidi-Hecklebeck
Heidi Hecklebeck
Ralph-Mouse
Ralph Mouse
Sarai
Sarai
George-Brown
George Brown
Wayside-School
Wayside School
Trouble-with-Chickens
Trouble with Chickens
Ivy-and-Bean
Ivy and Bean
Heroes-in-Training
Heroes in Training
Stink
Stink
Zoey-and-Sassafras
Zoey and Sassafras
Boxcar-Children
Boxcar Children
Franny-K-Stein
Franny K Stein
Kitty
Kitty
Ellray-Jakes
Ellray Jakes
Fabio-Flamingo
Fabio Flamingo
Workflow: 
Published

4th-5th Grade

Mysterious-Benedict-Society
Mysterious Benedict Society
Spy-School
Spy School
Penderwicks
Penderwicks
War-that-Saved-My-Life
War that Saved My Life
Fudge
Fudge
Hazardous-Tales
Hazardous Tales
Wild-Robot
Wild Robot
One-Crazy-Summer
One Crazy Summer
So-B-It
So B It
Love-That-Dog
Love That Dog
Hugo-Cabret
Hugo Cabret
Last-Kids-on-Earth
Last Kids on Earth
Esperanza-Rising
Esperanza Rising
14th-Goldfish
14th Goldfish
Lemonade-War
Lemonade War
Smile
Smile
Ranger's-Apprentice
Ranger's Apprentice
Swindle
Swindle
Wing-and-Claw
Wing and Claw
Candymakers
Candymakers
Hoot
Hoot
Holes
Holes
Mixed-Up-Files
Mixed Up Files
Upside-Down-Magic
Upside Down Magic
Unicorn-Quest
Unicorn Quest
Science-Comics
Science Comics
Boy-Called-Bat
Boy Called Bat
Workflow: 
Published

If You Like Dog Man

Mac-B
Mac B
Real-Pigeons
Real Pigeons
Two-Dogs-in-a-Trenchcoat
Two Dogs in a Trenchcoat
Klawde
Klawde
Stick-Dog
Stick Dog
Bad-Guys
Bad Guys
Kung-Pow-Chicken
Kung Pow Chicken
Lucy-and-Andy-Neanderthal
Lucy and Andy Neanderthal
Sparks
Sparks
Dragonbreath
Dragonbreath
Evil-Emperor-Penguin
Evil Emperor Penguin
HiLO
HiLO
Inspector-Flytrap
Inspector Flytrap
Catstronauts
Catstronauts
Bad-Kitty
Bad Kitty
Edison-Beaker
Edison Beaker
Hot-Dog
Hot Dog
Bird-and-Squirrel
Bird and Squirrel
Yeti-Files
Yeti Files
Knights-vs-Dinosaurs
Knights vs Dinosaurs
Mighty-Jack
Mighty Jack
Investigators
Investigators
Catwad
Catwad
Platypus-Police-Squad
Platypus Police Squad
chicken-squad
chicken squad
Billy-Stuart
Billy Stuart
Snazzy-Cat-Capers
Snazzy Cat Capers
Dog-Diaries
Dog Diaries
Workflow: 
Published

If You Like Raina Telgemeier

Emmie-and-Friends
Emmie and Friends
Breakaways
Breakaways
Click
Click
Berrybrook-Middle-School
Berrybrook Middle School
Roller-Girl
Roller Girl
all-summer-long
all summer long
Lucy-and-Andy
Lucy and Andy
Zita-Spacegirl
Zita Spacegirl
Sunny
Sunny
Babysitters-Club
Babysitters Club
Meg-Jo-Beth-Amy
Meg Jo Beth Amy
Cardboard-Kingdom
Cardboard Kingdom
Zebrafish
Zebrafish
Best-Bad-Babysitters
Best Bad Babysitters
More-to-the-Story
More to the Story
Finding-Perfect
Finding Perfect
Save-Me-a-Seat
Save Me a Seat
Okay-Witch
Okay Witch
Making-Friends
Making Friends
Sanity-and-Talullah
Sanity and Talullah
Star-Scouts
Star Scouts
Stargazing
Stargazing
Snapdragon
Snapdragon
Stepping-Stones
Stepping Stones
Nat-Enough
Nat Enough
Super-Hero-High
Super Hero High
Real-Friends
Real Friends
Donut
Donut
Be-Prepared
Be Prepared
Workflow: 
Published

Scary Stories

Gloom-Town
Gloom Town
Serafina
Serafina
Scary-Stories-for-Young-Foxes
Scary Stories for Young Foxes
Scary-Tales
Scary Tales
All-the-Lovely-Bad-Ones
All the Lovely Bad Ones
Night-Gardener
Night Gardener
Ghosts-of-Graylock
Ghosts of Graylock
Thickety
Thickety
Tale-Dark-and-Grimm
Tale Dark and Grimm
Doll-Bones
Doll Bones
Scary-Stories-to-Tell-in-the-Dark
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Seer-of-Shadows
Seer of Shadows
Ghosts-of-Tupelo-Landing
Ghosts of Tupelo Landing
Lockwood-and-Co
Lockwood and Co
Whichwood
Whichwood
Ophelia-and-the-Marvelous-Boy
Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy
Short-and-Shivery
Short and Shivery
Haunting-Urban-Legends
Haunting Urban Legends
Jumbies
Jumbies
Creepover
Creepover
On-the-Day-I-Died
On the Day I Died
Thornhill
Thornhill
Chill
Chill
Haunted-States-of-America
Haunted States of America
Beanstalker
Beanstalker
Werepenguin
Werepenguin
Ghost-of-Mill-House
Ghost of Mill House
Nest
Nest
Babysitting-Nightmares
Babysitting Nightmares
Workflow: 
Published

If you like Mysteries

Greystone-Secrets
Greystone Secrets
Three-Times-Lucky
Three Times Lucky
Parker-Inheritance
Parker Inheritance
Pseudonymous-Bosch
Pseudonymous Bosch
Boundless
Boundless
Greenglass
Greenglass
Al-Capone
Al Capone
Secret-Keepers
Secret Keepers
Book-Scavenger
Book Scavenger
Westing-Game
Westing Game
Truth...Mason-Buttle
Truth...Mason Buttle
Explorer
Explorer
FunJungle
FunJungle
Holes
Holes
Capture-the-Flag
Capture the Flag
Theodosia
Theodosia
wollstonecraft
wollstonecraft
Floors
Floors
Lost-Cipher
Lost Cipher
Detective-Gordon
Detective Gordon
When-You-Reach-Me
When You Reach Me
Lemoncello's-Library
Lemoncello's Library
Goolz
Goolz
Unbelievable-Oliver
Unbelievable Oliver
Great-Pet-Heist
Great Pet Heist
All-the-Greys
All the Greys
Workflow: 
Published

If You Like Harry Potter

Nevermoor
Nevermoor
The-Unwanteds
The Unwanteds
League-of-Secret-Heroes
League of Secret Heroes
Furthermore
Furthermore
Echo
Echo
When-the-Sea-Turned-Silver
When the Sea Turned Silver
Kiranmala
Kiranmala
Theodosia
Theodosia
Upside-Down-Magic
Upside Down Magic
Five-Kingdoms
Five Kingdoms
Wildwood
Wildwood
Girl-Who-Drank-the-Moon
Girl Who Drank the Moon
Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs
Familiars
Familiars
Land-of-Stories
Land of Stories
Girl-Who-Circumnavigated-Fairyland
Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland
Amulet
Amulet
Serafina
Serafina
Spiderwick-Chronicles
Spiderwick Chronicles
Magic-Misfits
Magic Misfits
Dragon-Egg-Princess
Dragon Egg Princess
The-Witch's-Boy
The Witch's Boy
Winterborne-Home
Winterborne Home
Oddmire
Oddmire
Workflow: 
Published

If You Like Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Big-Break
Big Break
Knights-vs-Dinosaurs
Knights vs Dinosaurs
Sam-Wu
Sam Wu
Peter-and-Ned
Peter and Ned
Origami-Yoda
Origami Yoda
Terrible-Two
Terrible Two
Doctor-Proctor
Doctor Proctor
My-Life-As-a
My Life As a
NERDS
NERDS
Big-Nate
Big Nate
Cleopatra-in-Space
Cleopatra in Space
13-Story
13 Story
Josh-Baxter
Josh Baxter
Lunch-Lady
Lunch Lady
Dork-Diaries
Dork Diaries
Captain-Underpants
Captain Underpants
Charlie-Joe-Jackson
Charlie Joe Jackson
Melvin-Beederman
Melvin Beederman
Timmy-Failure
Timmy Failure
Wayside-School
Wayside School
Jedi-Academy
Jedi Academy
Qwikpick-Papers
Qwikpick Papers
Max-Crumbly
Max Crumbly
Tapper-Twins
Tapper Twins
Awesome-Dog-5000
Awesome Dog 5000
Tom-Gates
Tom Gates
Max-Midknights
Max Midknights
Dumbest-Idea-Ever
Dumbest Idea Ever
Workflow: 
Published

If You Like Rick Riordan

Epic-Series-Failures
Epic Series Failures
AntiHero
AntiHero
When-you-Trap-a-Tiger
When you Trap a Tiger
Aru-Shah
Aru Shah
Dactyl-Hill-Squad
Dactyl Hill Squad
Seven-Wonders
Seven Wonders
Storm-Runner
Storm Runner
Ranger's-Apprentice
Ranger's Apprentice
Jumbies
Jumbies
Dragon-Pearl
Dragon Pearl
Tristan-Strong
Tristan Strong
Gregor-the-Overlander
Gregor the Overlander
Menagerie
Menagerie
Race-to-the-Sun
Race to the Sun
Tombquest
Tombquest
Love-Sugar-Magic
Love Sugar Magic
Olympians
Olympians
Thunder-Girls
Thunder Girls
Unicorn-Rescue-Society
Unicorn Rescue Society
Max-Helsing
Max Helsing
Anya-and-the-Dragon
Anya and the Dragon
Dark-Lord-Clementine
Dark Lord Clementine
Workflow: 
Published

Sports Stories

The-Contract
The Contract
One-Last-Shot
One Last Shot
Breakaways
Breakaways
Power-Forward
Power Forward
Takedown
Takedown
Soar
Soar
JV-Girls
JV Girls
Game-Changers
Game Changers
Roller-Girl
Roller Girl
Hero-Two-Doors-Down
Hero Two Doors Down
Max-Axiom
Max Axiom
To-Dance
To Dance
Million-Dollar-Goal
Million Dollar Goal
I-Only-Surf-Online
I Only Surf Online
Unstoppable
Unstoppable
The-Kicks
The Kicks
Maniac-Magee
Maniac Magee
Playbook
Playbook
Distance-to-Home
Distance to Home
Rip-and-Red
Rip and Red
Rhino-in-Right-Field
Rhino in Right Field
Get-a-Grip-Vivy-Cohen
Get a Grip Vivy Cohen
Who-Got-Game-Baseball
Who Got Game Baseball
Workflow: 
Published

Iowa Children's Choice 2019 - 2020
Workflow: 
Published

Iowa Children's Choice - 2020 - 2021

Amal-Unbound
Amal Unbound
Because-of-the-Rabbit
Because of the Rabbit
Bob
Bob
Front-Desk
Front Desk
Captain-Superlative
Captain Superlative
Great-Treehouse-War
Great Treehouse War
Harbor-Me
Harbor Me
Lousiana's-Way-Home
Lousiana's Way Home
New-Kid
New Kid
Saving-Winslow
Saving Winslow
Squirm
Squirm
Unteachables
Unteachables
Perfect-Score
Perfect Score
Greetings-From-Witness-Protection
Greetings From Witness Protection
Vanderbeekers
Vanderbeekers
You-Don't-Know-Everything-Jilly-P
You Don't Know Everything Jilly P
Lemons
Lemons
Rhino-in-Right-Field
Rhino in Right Field
Workflow: 
Published

Goldfinch Book Awards 2019 - 2020
Workflow: 
Published

Goldfinch Book Awards 2020 - 2021

After-the-Fall
After the Fall
Drawn-Together
Drawn Together
I-Am-Human
I Am Human
There-Are-No-Bears-in-This-Bakery
There Are No Bears in This Bakery
The-Bad-Seed
The Bad Seed
Dreamers
Dreamers
I-Walk-With-Vanessa
I Walk With Vanessa
We-Don't-Eat-Our-Classmates
We Don't Eat Our Classmates
Elbow-Grease
Elbow Grease
Rescue-and-Jessica
Rescue and Jessica
Counting-on-Katherine
Counting on Katherine
Word-Collector
Word Collector
Workflow: 
Published

Waukee Schools' Best of Books 2019-2020

The-Jumbies
The Jumbies
Insignificant-Events-in-the-Life-of-a-Cactus
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
New-Kid
New Kid
The-Strangers
The Strangers
Shouting-at-the-Rain
Shouting at the Rain
Lifeboat-12
Lifeboat 12
Whatshisface
Whatshisface
Stolen-Girl
Stolen Girl
Buried-Alive
Buried Alive
Coyote-Sunrise
Coyote Sunrise