Books and Reading

eBook Websites | Award Winners | Booklists on the Web

eBook Websites

Digital Library of Illinois
Download eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines with your library card!
TumbleBookLibrary logo TumbleBookLibrary
Animated picture books online. Download free books and the free TumbleReader to enjoy eBooks offline too!
eRead Illinois
eRead Illinois is an online collection of digital books shared by hundreds of libraries in Illinois!
NoveList K-8 Plus
NoveList K-8 Plus is source for book recommendations by author, subject, reading level, theme, and many other search criteria!

Award Winners


2025 Newbery, Caldecott, and other Children's Book Awards Announced!



John Newbery Medal
For the most outstanding contribution to children's literature


Winner



The First State of Being
written by Erin Entrada Kelly

Honor Books



Across So Many Seas
written by Ruth Behar

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All
written and illustrated by Chanel Miller

One Big Open Sky
written by Lesa Cline-Ransome

The Wrong Way Home
written by Kate O’Shaughnessy




Randolph Caldecott Medal
For the most distinguished American picture book for children


Winner



Chooch Helped
illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz
written by Andrea L. Rogers

Honor Books



Home in a Lunchbox
illustrated and written by
Cherry Mo

My Daddy Is a Cowboy
illustrated by C.G. Esperanza,
written by Stephanie Seales

Noodles on a Bicycle
illustrated by Gracey Zhang,
written by Kyo Maclear

Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains
illustrated by Yuko Shimizu,
written by Anita Yasuda




Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award
Recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults

Winner



Twenty-four Seconds from Now...
written by Jason Reynolds




Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
For most distinguished informational book for children


Winner



Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall
written by Lynn Brunelle




Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
For the most distinguished book for beginning readers


Winner



Vacation
written by
Ame Dyckman




See the whole list of ALSC book and media award winners here!



2024 Monarch, Bluestem, and Caudill Awards Announced!




Monarch Award
Awarded by Illinois Young Readers in grades K-3


Winner



Chez Bob
Bob Shea




Bluestem Award
Awarded by Illinois Young Readers in grades 3-5


Winner



Allergic
Megan Wagner Lloyd




Caudill Award
Awarded by Illinois Young Readers in grades 4-8


Winner



Alone
Megan E. Freeman



Booklists on the Web

Can't decide what to read? Check out these websites for some great book lists!


Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award
Check out the nominees for this award given by Illinois readers in grades 4-8.
Bluestem Award
Check out the nominees for this award given by Illinois readers in grades 3-5.
Monarch Award
Check out the nominees for this award given by Illinois Readers in grades K-3.
New York Public Library Recommendations
100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know: From the New York Public Library!
Mid-Continent Public Library
Series Fiction and Sequels: Want to know the order of your favorite series? Check out this site from the Mid-Continent Public Libraries!