It’s here! Our curated list of the best books for readers of all ages! From fantasy tales to retellings of classic fables, sci-fi to real-life, graphic novels and memoirs, these books have been recommended by Braintrust tutors, parents, and students. Reading is a lifelong habit that can be truly transformative. We hope this list will inspire a family trip to the library or local bookstore to discover a new story, and perhaps even revisit some old favorites!
Kindergarten Through Grade School
The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie DePaola – A retelling of an old myth with charming illustrations and themes around community and selflessness.
Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats – There’s nothing that hasn’t already been said about this beautiful story. A classic for a reason!
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig – Imagination, humor, and one donkey’s journey to accepting himself as he is.
Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold – A beautifully illustrated story about family.
Pezzetino by Leo Lionni – A beautifully illustrated fable about the search for identity.
Another great one from Leo Lionni: Frederick – A spirited mouse with a way with words.
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes – A great story about self-esteem and acceptance.
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson – A fun story that celebrates how cleverness is mightier than size.
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey – Whether you’ve got a little boy or a baby bear, parenting is the same adventure!
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Sciezka – There are always two sides to every story, and this fun tale tells a classic from the sly pig’s perspective.
Tuesday by David Wiesner – A book that lets the pictures do the talking so kids can learn to tell a story!
Middle School
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster – Another classic. A wonderful story to read aloud to catch all the great puns.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio – A best-selling novel told from multiple perspectives with themes of kindness, bullying, and compassion.
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh – Our favorite anti-hero: A tale about eleven-year-old Harriet and her adventures in friendship, spying, school, and being true to oneself.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin – A Newbury Honor book that is part fantasy and part Chinese folklore.
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett – For mystery lovers and art lovers!
My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi – A story of a young girl finding her place in a changing world, with some great sci-fi themes, as well.
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie – A beautifully written adventure about the importance of family and imagination.
The Lightning Thief series by Rick Riordan – This page turning series will get even the most resistant readers hooked and they’ll learn all about Greek mythology at the same time—a real win-win!
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card – Featuring a child protagonist who saves the world by playing video games, this novel is sure to pique the interest of even the most resistant readers.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry – A powerful work of historical fiction that celebrities the power of bravery and standing up for what’s right.
Call of the Wild by Jack London – A thrilling (and sometimes violent) tale of a dog’s survival in 1880’s Alaska. This story is adventurous and will inspire kids from the city to the suburbs and beyond!
High School Readers
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas – The story of a young girl coming to terms with racism, police brutality, and activism. Appropriate for ages 13 and up, this book deals with real-life issues in honest, thoughtful ways. An excellent read for adults, too!
Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi – A relatable YA novel about falling in love in the age of texting.
Moccasin Thunder – Ten short stories centered around the lives of Native teens. Includes stories from Louise Erdrich, Sherman Alexie, Joy Harjo, and more.
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi – A graphic autobiographical story about coming of age during the Iranian Revolution. Creative, funny, and eye-opening.
House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros – A vignette style novel with slightly more mature themes that tells the story of a young Latina girl coming of age in Chicago.
Animal Farm by George Orwell – Yet another timeless story that will resonate with teens for its moving story, clarity, and real-world parallels.
Dune by Frank Herbert – A sweeping sci-fi series with powerful world-building and a page-turning plot that will spark imaginations and ideas.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – On every reading list for a reason! Harper Lee’s tale of conscience in a small southern town gets right to the heart of human behavior: Who’s innocent, what guilty means, and the limits of love and hate.
Being Jazz: My Life as a Transgender Teen by Jazz Jennings – With the support of her parents, Jazz began her transition at the age of 5. This memoir reflects on themes of perseverance and compassion, and shares her inspiring mission to reshape mainstream attitudes about the transgender community.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo – Perhaps not a typical YA recommendation, but this short novel is full of meaningful insights and inspiration for teenagers.
Maus: A Surviror’s Tale by Art Speigelman – Affecting, impactful, and powerfully told, this two part graphic novel tells the story of the Holocaust.
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