Juvenile Literature

The books in this collection navigate themes and ideas appropriate for younger readers. Whether you're looking for contemporary hits like Front Desk by Kelly Yang or beloved classics like Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, you can explore this collection to find a title that will excite the young readers in your life.

Publication year 1979

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Children's Literature, Relationships

James and Deborah Howe’s 1979 children’s novel Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery is the first book in a series of seven. The novel was written by the husband-and-wife duo, but Deborah Howe died before their work was published. Bunnicula has been adapted for the stage and turned into various animated series.Plot SummaryBunnicula follows the Monroe family, which consists of Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, their two sons Pete and Toby, Chester the cat, and Harold... Read Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery Summary


Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Relationships: Fathers, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Relationships: Family

Tags Bullying, Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

Bystander (2011) is a teen/young adult novel by James Preller that explores middle school bullying and the factors that enable it. Griffin Connelly, a two-faced bully, uses his charisma and good looks to keep members of his school clique in line as he perpetrates acts of cruelty against weaker classmates. No one stands up to Griffin until Eric Hayes, a newcomer, disrupts the status quo—questioning Griffin’s bullying and the silent complicity of the other students.The... Read Bystander Summary


Publication year 1939

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Siblings, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude

Tags Classic Fiction, Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Auto/Biographical Fiction, History: World


Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community

Tags Humor, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction


Publication year 1935

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Action / Adventure, Classic Fiction

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink is a work of historical fiction written for young adult audiences. It was originally published in 1935 and is set in the 1860s, during the time of westward expansion and pioneers. Much of the book is based on Brink’s grandmother’s stories about her family and their adventures as settlers in Wisconsin. In fact, many of the locations mentioned in the text can still be visited today. Caddie Woodlawn won... Read Caddie Woodlawn Summary


Publication year 1957

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: War

Tags Children's Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction, Romance, Action / Adventure, Classic Fiction


Publication year 1940

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: Community

Tags Classic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Education, Animals, Relationships, Religion / Spirituality, American Literature, Children's Literature, Education, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction


Publication year 2018

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Tags Children's Literature, Military / War, History: World, Biography

Call Me American is a memoir written by Somali author Abdi Nor Iftin, co-authored with Max Alexander and published in 2018. It documents Iftin’s escape from a war-town Somali, buoyed by his love of American culture.Plot SummaryAbdi Nor Iftin is born in Somalia “probably in 1985” (7). Both of his parents are nomadic farmers who move to the city of Mogadishu during a drought in the 1970s. The residents of Mogadishu look down on the... Read Call Me American Summary


Publication year 2004

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Society: Immigration, Relationships: Family, Identity: Language

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Children's Literature, Latin American Literature, Arts / Culture


Publication year 1990

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: Colonialism, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Self Discovery

Tags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Realistic Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Survival Fiction, Children's Literature


Publication year 1997

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Friendship

Tags Humor, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature

Dav Pilkey’s graphic novel for children, The Adventures of Captain Underpants (1997), spawned a long list of sequels and adaptations in other media. The Captain Underpants series has won numerous awards, including the Garden State Children's Book Awards (Children's Fiction) 2000, the Buckeye Children's Book Award (Grades 3-5) 2001, and the Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Grades K-3) 2000.Plot SummaryThe story begins by introducing two best friends, George and Harold. They love to pull pranks... Read Captain Underpants Summary


Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Teams, Society: Class, Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure, Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature


Publication year 1955

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: Education, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Identity: Masculinity

Tags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World


Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Siblings, Identity: Disability

Tags Realistic Fiction, Disability, Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 1994

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Tags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Religion / Spirituality, Class, Gender / Feminism, History: European, British Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Children's Literature, History: World, Humor

American author Karen Cushman’s middle grade novel, Catherine, Called Birdy, explores the life of a young woman in 13th-century England. Published in 1994, the book won the Newbery Honor the following year. It is currently being adapted for the screen by actor, writer, and director Lena Dunham. This detailed work of historical fiction immerses the reader in the very different world of medieval England, with its emphasis on religion as the organizing force behind daily... Read Catherine, Called Birdy Summary


Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: Community, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality

Tags Historical Fiction, American Revolution, Race / Racism, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Military / War, History: World

Laurie Halse Anderson's middle-grade novel Chains (2008), a National Book Award finalist and Scott O’Dell Historical Fiction Award winner, is the first installment in her Seeds of America series. The historical fiction, set in 18th-century New York City, follows a young Black girl on her journey to escape slavery while the sparks of the colonists’ rebellion gradually ignite the American Revolution. The protagonist, 13-year-old Isabel Finch, narrates her search for identity while caring for her... Read Chains Summary


Publication year 1948

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Family

Tags Classic Fiction, American Literature, Humor, Post-War Era, Parenting, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction

American author Shirley Jackson’s short story “Charles” (1948) was first published in Mademoiselle, then in Jackson’s 1949 collection as well as in her 1953 novel Life Among the Savages. Though “Charles” is not in the horror genre, Jackson is a renowned horror writer and has influenced modern writers like Neil Gaiman and Stephen King. The story does, however, have an element of mystery—another genre for which the author is famous. This study guide cites the... Read Charles Summary


Publication year 1964

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family

Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Classic Fiction, Humor, Children's Literature, British Literature

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) is a fantasy children’s novel by renowned British author Roald Dahl, a man known for his strange and wondrous imagination. The story follows Charlie Bucket, who wins a tour in a chocolate factory owned by the eccentric Mr. Willy Wonka. In the years following publication, the novel became a classic and spawned two major film adaptations, one starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka (1971) and a remake starring Johnny... Read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Summary


Publication year 1972

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Life/Time: Aging, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Humor, Children's Literature, Classic Fiction


Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Relationships: Siblings, Relationships: Teams, Society: Immigration, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Tags Children's Literature, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Action / Adventure