SJPL Staff Picks
Monthly Staff Picks
SJPL Picks: Celebrating Women's History
Learn all about women who made their historical mark through these non-fiction titles, especially for children.
SJPL Picks: YA Historical Fiction ft. Women in History
Honor Women's History year round by meeting amazing women throughout history in these novels (and several novels-in-verse).
SJPL Picks: Black Women's Voices
Amplify Black Women's voices! This list, a mix of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry recently (~past 2 years) written by Black Women.
SJPL Picks: Spring is Here!
Read about bunnies, flowers, butterflies and a whole lot more! These books are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers to read.
SJPL Picks: Celebrating Women's History
Learn all about women who made their historical mark through these non-fiction titles, especially for children.
SJPL Picks: YA Historical Fiction ft. Women in History
Honor Women's History year round by meeting amazing women throughout history in these novels (and several novels-in-verse).
SJPL Picks: Black Women's Voices
Amplify Black Women's voices! This list, a mix of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry recently (~past 2 years) written by Black Women.
SJPL Picks: Spring is Here!
Read about bunnies, flowers, butterflies and a whole lot more! These books are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers to read.
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!
Picture Books
SJPL Picks: Planes and Flying
To celebrate the Wright Brothers Day (December 17th), let's read some fun and informative books about planes and flying.
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: Robots
Did you know that the word "robot" was used for the first time exactly 100 years ago? Titles are suitable for children in grades K-3rd.
SJPL Picks: Picture Books for Cat Lovers
From fluffy to hairless, housecats to strays, these feline picture books are sure to put you in the purr-fect mood for reading!
SJPL Picks: Planes and Flying
To celebrate the Wright Brothers Day (December 17th), let's read some fun and informative books about planes and flying.
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: Robots
Did you know that the word "robot" was used for the first time exactly 100 years ago? Titles are suitable for children in grades K-3rd.
SJPL Picks: Picture Books for Cat Lovers
From fluffy to hairless, housecats to strays, these feline picture books are sure to put you in the purr-fect mood for reading!
SJPL Picks: Sports fiction (~Grades 3-7)
These books revolve around sports and all the highs, lows, and goals, that comes with competing, as well as where sport and life intersect.
SJPL Picks: Short Stories (~grades 3-6)
For those that prefer to get through the beginning, middle, and end of a story in one sitting, try out this list to suit your needs.
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.
SJPL Picks: Realistic fiction (~Grades 3-7)
From humorous stories on aging to serious stories of real life tragedies, this list features realistic fiction for readers in grades 3-7.
SJPL Picks: Sports fiction (~Grades 3-7)
These books revolve around sports and all the highs, lows, and goals, that comes with competing, as well as where sport and life intersect.
SJPL Picks: Short Stories (~grades 3-6)
For those that prefer to get through the beginning, middle, and end of a story in one sitting, try out this list to suit your needs.
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.
SJPL Picks: Realistic fiction (~Grades 3-7)
From humorous stories on aging to serious stories of real life tragedies, this list features realistic fiction for readers in grades 3-7.
SJPL Picks: Inspiring Young Women Making History
These nonfiction books highlight women making history—from athletes to activists—showing how they lead, break barriers, and inspire change.
SJPL Picks: YA Books Exploring AI, Robots & Beyond
Tech meets humanity in these thrilling YA books! AI, robots, and futuristic tech collide, sparking thoughts on tomorrow and today.
SJPL Picks: YA Dystopian Fiction
This list features YA Dystopian reads from the past five years, selected by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: YA Short Stories
Each entry on this list is a short story anthology, usually on a unifying theme or genre. Selected and curated by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: Inspiring Young Women Making History
These nonfiction books highlight women making history—from athletes to activists—showing how they lead, break barriers, and inspire change.
SJPL Picks: YA Books Exploring AI, Robots & Beyond
Tech meets humanity in these thrilling YA books! AI, robots, and futuristic tech collide, sparking thoughts on tomorrow and today.
SJPL Picks: YA Dystopian Fiction
This list features YA Dystopian reads from the past five years, selected by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: YA Short Stories
Each entry on this list is a short story anthology, usually on a unifying theme or genre. Selected and curated by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: Romantasy
Looking for fantasy with a heavy dose of spice? Selected and curated by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: Historical Fiction
What better way to spark a passion for history than through stories? Historical Fiction gives voices to those lost to the passage of time.
SJPL Picks: Athletes' Stories (Sports Nonfiction)
Sports history, life stories, memoirs, biographies, and autobiographies from or about notable athletes, selected by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: Memoir
Fascinating stories about fascinating people - told in their own words.
SJPL Picks: Romantasy
Looking for fantasy with a heavy dose of spice? Selected and curated by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: Historical Fiction
What better way to spark a passion for history than through stories? Historical Fiction gives voices to those lost to the passage of time.
SJPL Picks: Athletes' Stories (Sports Nonfiction)
Sports history, life stories, memoirs, biographies, and autobiographies from or about notable athletes, selected by SJPL Librarians.
SJPL Picks: Memoir
Fascinating stories about fascinating people - told in their own words.
More Reading Recommendations
Want more ways to discover your next favorite read? Check out these recommendation tools.
Grade Level Lists
- SJPL Picks: Books for Toddlers
- SJPL Picks: Books for Preschoolers
- SJPL Picks: Nonfiction for Toddlers and Preschoolers, opens a new window
- SJPL Picks: Kindergarten
- SJPL Picks: First Grade
- SJPL Picks: Second Grade
- SJPL Picks: Third Grade
- SJPL Picks: Fourth Grade
- SJPL Picks: Fifth Grade
- SJPL Picks: Sixth Grade
- SJPL Picks: Seventh Grade
- SJPL Picks: Advanced Young Reader Selections
Graphic Novels
- SJPL Picks: Graphic Novels for Adults
- SJPL Picks: YA Multicultural Graphic Novels
- SJPL Picks: Multicultural Graphic Novels for Kids
- SJPL Picks: YA Graphic Novel Adaptations
- SJPL Picks: LGBTQIA+ YA Graphic Novels
- Find Yourself: Diverse Comics for Readers
- Find Yourself: Diverse Comics for Pre-Teens
- Find Yourself: Diverse Comics for Teens
- Find Yourself: Diverse Comics for Older Teens & Adults
- Exploring Gender Identity
- Magical Education in Graphic Novels
- Sweet Enough to Make You Swoon
- Moody Mysteries
- Epic Adventures!
- SJPL Picks: Manga for Teens
Español
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) Picture Books for Kids / Libros bilingües e ilustrados para niños
- Libros en español para niños: del kínder y primer grado
- Libros en español para niños: del segundo y tercer grados
- Libros en español para niños: del cuarto y quinto grados
- Libros en español para niños: del sexto y séptimo grados
- Libros ganadores del Premio Newbery traducidos al español
- Libros ganadores del Premio Caldecott traducidos al español
- Libros sobre la inclusión
- Libros ilustrados antirracistas para niños
- Libros antirracistas para personas de diferentes edades
- Literatura Española e Hispanoamericana
- Bilingual Books :Libros sobre la inmigración para niños . Immigration for kids
- Comidas sabrosas para los dias de fiesta
SJPL Recommends
- SJPL Recommends: Racial Equity & Social Justice
- SJPL Recommends: #BlackLivesMatter An Antiracist Reading List
- SJPL Recommends: Facing Racism Through Fiction
- SJPL Recommends: Antiracist Nonfiction for Grades 9-12
- SJPL Recommends: Antiracist Fiction for Grades 9-12
- SJPL Recommends: Antiracist Books for Grades 3-5
- SJPL Recommends: Antiracist Books for Grades 6-8
- SJPL Recommends: Antiracist Books for Grades K-2
- SJPL Recommends: Antiracist Books for Young Children
- SJPL Recommends: Resources for Helping Children in Grades 4-8 Process Community Violence or Personal Tragedy
- SJPL Recommends: Resources for Healing After Traumatic Events
- SJPL Recommends: Resources for Helping Children After Traumatic Events
- SJPL Recommends: Books and Resources for Gender Expansive Kids and their Parents
- SJPL Recommends: Stories to Help Teens Process Gun Violence in their Communities
