Book Finder

Use our Book Finder tool to create your own customized list of fiction and nonfiction books.  Search through more than 5,000 books on Reading Rockets — by author, illustrator, age, genre, format, and topic. Book Finder also makes it easy to discover titles about diversity in our community.

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Madeline in America and Other Holiday Tales

Ludwig Bemelmans

Illustrator:

John Bemelmans Marciano

Age Level:

3-6

Genre:

Fiction

Madeline and the Cats of Rome

John Bemelmans Marciano

Age Level:

3-6

Genre:

Fiction

The Gift of the Magi

O. Henry

Age Level:

9-12

Esperanza is nervous as she and her grandmother weave tapestries with intricate designs to sell in the market. Will the people in the market still want to buy something handmade? Will they be scared by grandmother’s birthmark? On market day, Esperanza feels alone, but soon realizes she has nothing to worry about after all. Gentle acrylic illustrations capture the Guatemalan countryside and busy market, as well as the beautiful fabrics central to the story. Spanish version available.

Abuela’s Weave

Omar S. Castañeda

Illustrator:

Enrique O. Sanchez

Age Level:

6-9

Meet Abuela and Isabela, who tell each other stories while Abuela braids and unbraids Isabela’s hair every day. When Isabela discovers Abuela can’t read, she finds a wonderful way to help her grandmother. Lovely illustrations bring Isabela and Abuela to life in this heartwarming book about the importance of passing down traditions across generations.

Braids

Kathleen Contreras

Illustrator:

Margaret Lindmark

Age Level:

6-9

It is time to visit Grandma! First a taxi, then an airplane, one more bus — and there she is! This book for young readers uses very simple bilingual text to follow the journey from home to Grandmaâ€™s front yard, telling the story with colorful illustrations. Children will enjoy poring over the detailed artwork, and readers will feel a glow when everyone is finally juntos — together.

My Grandma

Ginger Foglesong Guy

Illustrator:

Vivi Escriva

Age Level:

0-3

“Summer arrived gently, carrying a blue and cloudless sky, making it a perfect season for dreaming.” So begins the story of Octavio Rivera’s strange dreams of falling guitars and turtles that he shares only with his granddaughter. The compelling paintings of Esau Andrade Valencia, said to follow in Diego Rivera’s footsteps, capture the fantastic nature of the dreams. Bilingual text.

A Perfect Season for Dreaming

Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Illustrator:

Esau Andrade Valencia

Age Level:

6-9

As Daniela walks in the woods with her grandfather, they play a game in which they express how much they love each other. Children may wish to continue the game on their own with their family members after finishing the story! Colorful illustrations bring Daniela and her grandpa — as well as the surrounding forest, wildlife, and nearby wetlands — to life. Bilingual text.

A Walk With Grandpa

Sharon Solomon

Age Level:

3-6

Nana has come to visit, but she is still sad after the death of her beloved husband. What can be done to make her feel better? Amada Irma Pérez’s story is based on her memories of the unforgettable time when her grandmother came to stay with her family after her grandfather’s death. Maya Christina Gonzalez’s vibrant illustrations combine acrylic paintings, photos, fabrics, beads, and paper into textured collages. Bilingual text.

Nana’s Big Surprise

Amada Irma Pérez

Age Level:

6-9

When Thembi’s family learns that South Africa will hold elections, her 100-year-old grandmother announces that she too will vote now that she has the opportunity. This story of quiet determination pays tribute to the people of South Africa and the privilege of casting a ballot. Pastel sketches convey the joy and warmth of the bond between Thembi and Gogo.

The Day Gogo Went to Vote

Elinor Batezat Sisulu

Illustrator:

Sharon Wilson

Age Level:

6-9

Genre:

Fiction, Historical Fiction

The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds

Rodman Philbrick

Age Level:

9-12

Small boy, small boat, big dreams, big fish. If twelve-year-old Skiff Beaman can hook a valuable bluefin tuna, he’ll have the money to repair his father’s fishing boat and get his family back on their feet-and not just financially. Depression over the death of Skiff’s mother has left Skiff’s father a couch-bound alcoholic. Skiff is determined to help his dad and honor the promise he made to his mother.

The Young Man and the Sea

Rodman Philbrick

Age Level:

9-12

Unless you are one of the genetically improved that are permitted to live in Eden, you live in the Urb, the ragged ruins of a once great city. Spaz lives there, surviving by stealing for the gang lead by Billy Bizmo. When Spaz is ordered to rob Ryter, he gets more than the old man’s meager possessions — he finds a friend who is willing to help him help his dying sister.

The Last Book in the Universe

Rodman Philbrick

Age Level:

9-12

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

Rodman Philbrick

Age Level:

9-12

Dream Freedom is based on a real-life teacher and her students who worked to make a difference in the lives of Dinka slaves in modern day Africa. After reading a newspaper article to her class about atrocities in Sudan, Miss Hazelâ€™s class wants to help.Â Their research uncovers a way to buy back slaves and the students work to raise money to purchase liberty for as many slaves as they can and to educate others about human rights and freedoms.