Kids & Teens Recommended Reads
Pre-Kindergarten
Toddlers and Preschoolers
Grade Level
SJPL Picks: Books for Toddlers
Fun books to share with your toddler, selected by SJPL Librarians
SJPL Picks: Books for Preschoolers
Fun books to share with your three to five year old, selected by SJPL Librarians
SJPL Picks: Nonfiction for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Nonfiction picture books that are great for reading aloud or one-on-one sharing, selected by SJPL Librarians.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) Picture Books for Kids
Recommended bilingual (English & Spanish) picture books for preschooler to lower elementary grade levels selected by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: Books for Toddlers
Fun books to share with your toddler, selected by SJPL Librarians
SJPL Picks: Books for Preschoolers
Fun books to share with your three to five year old, selected by SJPL Librarians
SJPL Picks: Nonfiction for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Nonfiction picture books that are great for reading aloud or one-on-one sharing, selected by SJPL Librarians.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) Picture Books for Kids
Recommended bilingual (English & Spanish) picture books for preschooler to lower elementary grade levels selected by SJPL Librarians.
Elementary
From Kindergarten to 5th Grade
Grade Level
SJPL Picks: Kindergarten
Recommended reading for kindergarteners, selected by SJPL Librarians
SJPL Picks: First Grade
Recommended reading for first graders, selected by SJPL Librarians
SJPL Picks: Second Grade
Recommended reading for second graders, selected by SJPL Librarians
SJPL Picks: Third Grade
Recommended reading for third graders, selected by SJPL Librarians
SJPL Picks: Kindergarten
Recommended reading for kindergarteners, selected by SJPL Librarians
SJPL Picks: First Grade
Recommended reading for first graders, selected by SJPL Librarians
SJPL Picks: Second Grade
Recommended reading for second graders, selected by SJPL Librarians
SJPL Picks: Third Grade
Recommended reading for third graders, selected by SJPL Librarians
Español
Picture Books
Libros en español para niños: del kínder y primer grado
Lectura recomendada para niños del kínder y primer grado, seleccionados por bibliotecarios/as de las Bibliotecas Públicas de San José
Libros en español para niños: del segundo y tercer grados
Una list de libros recomendados de ficción (novelas) para niños de los segundo y tercer grados.
Libros en español para niños: del kínder y primer grado
Lectura recomendada para niños del kínder y primer grado, seleccionados por bibliotecarios/as de las Bibliotecas Públicas de San José
Libros en español para niños: del segundo y tercer grados
Una list de libros recomendados de ficción (novelas) para niños de los segundo y tercer grados.
Picture Books
Picture Books
SJPL Picks: Green Reads (Pre-K to Early Elementary)
Explore nature and learn how to take care of our beloved planet Earth with these Green Reads for young readers.
SJPL Picks: Stories, books, and Libraries
Picture books about the wonderful world of stories, literary creation, and libraries.
SJPL Picks: Feelings
What are they? How do you control how you feel? Stories about those pesky emotions.
SJPL Picks: Potty Training Picture Books
For families hoping their last diaper change will arrive soon, this list is for you! This list was curated by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: Green Reads (Pre-K to Early Elementary)
Explore nature and learn how to take care of our beloved planet Earth with these Green Reads for young readers.
SJPL Picks: Stories, books, and Libraries
Picture books about the wonderful world of stories, literary creation, and libraries.
SJPL Picks: Feelings
What are they? How do you control how you feel? Stories about those pesky emotions.
SJPL Picks: Potty Training Picture Books
For families hoping their last diaper change will arrive soon, this list is for you! This list was curated by SJPL Librarians.
Personalized Staff Picks
Looking for your next good read? Fill out our 5forU form, and our experts will email you within 5-10 days with a list of five books, selected just for you!
Middle School
From 6th to 8th Grade
Grade Level
SJPL Picks: Sixth Grade
Recommended reading for sixth graders, selected by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: Seventh Grade
Recommended reading for seventh graders, selected by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: Advanced Young Reader Selections
Books for young readers seeking higher Lexile and AR scores, selected by SJPL Librarians. Books are listed by Lexile level from low to high.
SJPL Recommends:Resources for Helping Children Grades 4-8...
These books and resources can help older children in processing their feelings and dealing with the effects of violence in their...
SJPL Picks: Sixth Grade
Recommended reading for sixth graders, selected by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: Seventh Grade
Recommended reading for seventh graders, selected by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: Advanced Young Reader Selections
Books for young readers seeking higher Lexile and AR scores, selected by SJPL Librarians. Books are listed by Lexile level from low to high.
SJPL Recommends:Resources for Helping Children Grades 4-8...
These books and resources can help older children in processing their feelings and dealing with the effects of violence in their...
Graphic Novels
Teens
SJPL Picks: Award Winning Graphic Novels (~Grades 3-7)
This list showcases the diverse, award-winning graphic novels for readers in approximately grades 3-7, selected by SJPL Librarians.
Find Yourself: Diverse Comics for Pre-Teens
Comics are for everyone! Enjoy these imaginative graphic novels for pre-teens about characters with diverse experiences.
SJPL Picks: Multicultural Graphic Novels for Kids
Looking for something a little different? Check out these graphic novels highlighting various cultures and subcultures of people.
SJPL Picks: Award Winning Graphic Novels (~Grades 3-7)
This list showcases the diverse, award-winning graphic novels for readers in approximately grades 3-7, selected by SJPL Librarians.
Find Yourself: Diverse Comics for Pre-Teens
Comics are for everyone! Enjoy these imaginative graphic novels for pre-teens about characters with diverse experiences.
SJPL Picks: Multicultural Graphic Novels for Kids
Looking for something a little different? Check out these graphic novels highlighting various cultures and subcultures of people.
More Reading Recommendations
Want more ways to discover your next favorite read? Check out these recommendation tools.
High School
From 9th to 12th Grade
Teens
SJPL Picks: YA Lit with Disability Representation
For these reads, characters with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities take center stage.
SJPL Picks: Romantic Comedies for Teens
Are you a fan of meet-cute, hating to dating, or fauxmances, with giggles and belly-laughs to boot? Then you'll adore these YA rom-coms.
SJPL Picks: Novels in Verse for Teens
Novels in verse are perfect for those looking for a more emotional response from their reads, or for a read that requires some reflection.
SJPL Picks: YA Dystopian Fiction
Discover dark futures with these dystopian reads. Journey from sunken worlds to tech-driven societies, all handpicked for thrill-seekers.
SJPL Picks: YA Lit with Disability Representation
For these reads, characters with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities take center stage.
SJPL Picks: Romantic Comedies for Teens
Are you a fan of meet-cute, hating to dating, or fauxmances, with giggles and belly-laughs to boot? Then you'll adore these YA rom-coms.
SJPL Picks: Novels in Verse for Teens
Novels in verse are perfect for those looking for a more emotional response from their reads, or for a read that requires some reflection.
SJPL Picks: YA Dystopian Fiction
Discover dark futures with these dystopian reads. Journey from sunken worlds to tech-driven societies, all handpicked for thrill-seekers.
Graphic Novels
Teens
SJPL Picks: LGBTQIA+ YA Graphic Novels
Celebrating identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella in these beautiful, heartwarming, complex, flawed, fantastical graphic novels.
Find Yourself: Diverse Comics for Teens
Comics are for everyone! Enjoy these imaginative graphic novels for teens about characters with diverse experiences.
SJPL Picks: LGBTQIA+ YA Graphic Novels
Celebrating identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella in these beautiful, heartwarming, complex, flawed, fantastical graphic novels.
SJPL Picks: Manga for Teens
Recommended manga reading for teens, selected by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: LGBTQIA+ YA Graphic Novels
Celebrating identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella in these beautiful, heartwarming, complex, flawed, fantastical graphic novels.
Find Yourself: Diverse Comics for Teens
Comics are for everyone! Enjoy these imaginative graphic novels for teens about characters with diverse experiences.
SJPL Picks: LGBTQIA+ YA Graphic Novels
Celebrating identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella in these beautiful, heartwarming, complex, flawed, fantastical graphic novels.
SJPL Picks: Manga for Teens
Recommended manga reading for teens, selected by SJPL Librarians.
Educators
Educators
Teachers & Educators
SJPL provides free resources, class visits, and programs to support San Jose's educators and teachers.
Educator Library Card
San José educators can now get a special library card that allows for an extended checkout period and no fines on overdue materials.
Lesson Plans and Activities for Teachers
Lesson plans and activities for K-12 teachers about Race and racism.
Teacher Appreciation Week
We'd like to acknowledge the dedication, commitment, and positive impact that teachers have on the lives of their students and our community
