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 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Colonial America, Children`s Literature, Military & War, World History, Historical Fiction, American Revolution

Forge tells the story of Curzon Smith, a runaway slave who enlists in the Colonial Army during the American Revolution. A sequel to Anderson’s previous book,Chains, Forge begins in earnest after Curzon has been abandoned by Isabel, a fellow slave who has freed him from captivity at the end of the previous novel. Isabel has left in search of her lost sister, Ruth – an action Curzon has tried to prevent in order to keep... Read Forge Summary

Publication year 1997

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Social Class, Mothers, Siblings, Fear

Tags Realistic Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Grief & Death, Trauma & Abuse, Social Class, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

Forged by Fire is a novel for young adults written by Sharon M. Draper. It is the second book in the Hazelwood High trilogy, which focuses on the lives of high schoolers in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was first published in 1997 and won the Coretta Scott King Award. Forged by Fire focuses on the life of Gerald Nickelby, a young African American boy, and his struggles with physical and emotional abuse. Other books in the... Read Forged By Fire Summary

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Mental Health, Friendship, Childhood & Youth

Tags Realistic Fiction, Disability, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Future, Appearance & Reality, Friendship, Teamwork, Fame, Wins & Losses

Tags Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Sports, Modern Classic Fiction, Action & Adventure

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Trust & Doubt

Tags Science Fiction, Children`s Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Action & Adventure

Found is the first book in The Missing series by New York Times bestselling author Margaret Peterson Haddix. This time-travel thriller, published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in 2008, follows Jonah Skidmore and his best friend Chip Winston as they try to stay one step ahead of time and figure out where (or when) they came from. Found won over 10 awards, including the Buckeye Children’s Book Award, the Louisiana Young Reader’s... Read Found Summary

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Friendship, Justice

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Humor, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Animals

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Family, Friendship, Teamwork, Justice, Safety & Danger

Tags Children`s Literature, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Action & Adventure, Humor

Publication year 1993

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Disability, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

Freak the Mighty tells the story of two boys—a slow-learning giant and a genius in a disabled body—who become friends, share adventures, and defend themselves against bullies and social rejection. Published in 1993, Freak the Mighty sold two million copies in nine languages, received multiple awards, and was made into a Golden Globe-nominated film, The Mighty, starring Sharon Stone, Kieran Culkin, Gillian Anderson, and Harry Dean Stanton. Max’s adventures continue in a sequel called Max... Read Freak the Mighty Summary

Publication year 1972

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Conflict, Self Discovery, Love, Coming of Age, Gender Identity, Childhood & Youth, Mothers, Siblings, Beauty

Tags Fantasy, Humor, Children`s Literature, Coming of Age

Publication year 1954

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hope, Disability, Femininity, Race, Environment, Family, Teamwork, Colonialism, Politics & Government, War, Equality, Justice, Safety & Danger

Tags World History, Biography, Children`s Literature, US History, Historical Nonfiction, American Civil War

Publication year 2019

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Family, Mothers, Shame & Pride, Hope, Gratitude, Hate & Anger

Tags Realistic Fiction, Poverty, Trauma & Abuse, Children`s Literature, Biography

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Community, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Self Discovery, Safety & Danger, Friendship, Family, Perseverance

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, African American Literature, Race & Racism, Children`s Literature, World History

Publication year 1961

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Hate & Anger, Safety & Danger, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Historical Fiction, World War II, Holocaust, German Literature, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Military & War, World History

Friedrich was written by Hans Peter Richter and was first published in Germany in 1961. It is a work of historical fiction, focusing on the rise of the Nationalsozialistische Deutscher Arbeiterpartei (Nazi Party). Richter was born in 1925 and personally witnessed the rise of the Nazi movement and Hitler’s subsequent dictatorship. Richter himself also fought during the war. After the war, he went on to study psychology and sociology. He wrote many books and was... Read Friedrich Summary

Publication year 1996

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Language, Education, Community, Coming of Age, Childhood & Youth, Literature, Conflict

Tags Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Humor, Modern Classic Fiction, Education, Education

Frindle is a 1996 middle grade novel by children’s author Andrew Clements, illustrated by Brian Selznick. The story follows a fifth-grade boy named Nick Allen who—both for fun and to exasperate his strict language arts teacher—creates a new word for pen: “frindle.” Nick’s new word captures more attention than he expected, and soon the entire country is engaged in a discussion about how people ought to use vocabulary. The novel explores themes about differing adult... Read Frindle Summary