Association for Library Service to Children. The Newbery and Caldecott Awards: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books, 2012 Edition. Chicago: American Library Association, 2012. (Revised annually)
Blass, Rosanne J. Windows on the World: International Books for Elementary and Middle Grade Readers. Santa Barbara, Calif: Library Unlimited/ABC-CLIO, 2010.
Crosetto, Alice, Rajinder Garcha, and Mark Horan. Disabilities and Disorders in Literature for Youth: A Selective Annotated Bibliography for K-12. Lanham: Scarecrow Press, 2009.
Pearl, Nancy. Book Crush: For Kids and Teens : Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Interest. Seattle, WA: Sasquatch Books, 2007.
Additional listings under Diverse Populations.
Print Sources for Children's Reading, early reader through Grade 3
Bailey, Alan R. "Early Essentials: Developing and Sustaining Birth-Kindergarten Library Collections." Children and Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children Volume 7, No. 3 (Winter 2009), p. 17-24 (includes sidebar, "The Definitive Collection" on pages 20-24 -- "The following is a representative, but not all-inclusive list, of recommended books to include in a birth-kindergarten collection. You and your library may have your own favorites to add, but this is a great place to start.").
Barr, Catherine, and John Thomas Gillespie. Best Books for Children: Preschool Through Grade 6. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2006.
Barstow, Barbara, Judith Riggle, and Leslie Molnar. Beyond Picture Books: Subject Access to Best Books for Beginning Readers. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
Price, Anne, and Juliette Yaakov. Children's Catalog. New York: H.W. Wilson Co, 2001.
Trachtenberg, Ellen. The Best Children's Literature: A Parent's Guide. Los Angeles, Calif: Parent's Guide Press, 2003.
Print Sources for Middle Schoolers Reading (4th grade through early junior high)
Anderson, Sheila B. Serving Young Teens and 'tweens. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2007.
Barr, Catherine, and John Thomas Gillespie. Best Books for Middle School and Junior High Readers: Grades 6-9. 2nd ed. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
Baxter, Kathleen A., and Marcia Agness Kochel. Gotcha Good!: Nonfiction Books to Get Kids Excited About Reading. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2008. (also covers materials for younger children)
Gillespie, John Thomas. The Family in Literature for Young Readers: A Resource Guide for Use with Grades 4 to 9. Santa Barbara, Calif: Libraries Unlimited, 2011.
Gillespie, John Thomas. Historical Fiction for Young Readers (Grades 4-8): An Introduction. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
Lesesne, Teri S. Naked Reading: Uncovering What Tweens Need to Become Lifelong Readers. Portland, Me: Stenhouse Publishers, 2006.
McDaniel, Deanna. Gentle Reads: Great Books to Warm Hearts and Lift Spirits, Grades 5-9. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
Barber, Raymond W., and Patrice Bartell. Senior High Core Collection: A Selection Guide. New York: H. W. Wilson Co, 2007.
Bartel, Julie and Pamela Spencer Holley for YALSA. Annotated Book Lists for Every Teen Reader: The Best from the Experts at YALSA-BK + CD-ROM. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2009.
Bodart, Joni Richards. Radical Reads 2: Working with the Newest Edgy Titles for Teens. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press, 2010.
Booth, Heather. Serving Teens through Readers' Advisory. Chicago, American Library Association, 2007.
Carstensen, Angela, editor for YALSA. Outstanding Books for the College Bound: Titles and Programs for a New Generation. Chicago: American Library Association, 2011.
Cole, Pam B. Young Adult Literature in the 21st Century. Burr Ridge, Ill.: McGraw Hill, 2009.
Dresang, Eliza T. Radical Change: Books for Youth in a Digital Age. New York: H.W. Wilson Co, 1999.
Fraser. Elizabeth. Reality Rules! A Guide to Teen Nonfiction Reading Interests. by Elizabeth Fraser. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
Frolund, Tina, ed., for the Young Adult Library Services Association. The Official YALSA Awards Guidebook. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2008.
Gillespie, John Thomas, and Catherine Barr. Best Books for High School Readers: Grades 9-12. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2004.
Herald, Diana Tixier, and Bonnie Kunzel. Strictly Science Fiction A Guide to Reading Interests. Greenwood Village, Colo: Libraries Unlimited, 2002.
Herald, Diana Tixier. Teen Genreflecting: A Guide to Reading Interests. 2nd ed. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2003. Includes Appendix III: Genre Fiction for Reluctant Readers.
Holley, Pam Spencer. Quick and Popular Reads for Teens. Chicago: American Library Association, 2009.
Honnold, RoseMary. The Teen Reader's Advisor. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2006.
Jones, Patrick, Maureen L. Hartman and Patricia P. Taylor. Connecting with Reluctant Teen Readers Tips, Titles, and Tools. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2006.
Keane, Nancy J. The Big Book of Teen Reading Lists: 100 Great, Ready-to-Use Book Lists for Educators, Librarians, Parents, and Teens. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2006. Includes lists for reluctant boy and girl readers.
Koelling, Holly, and Betty Carter. Best Books for Young Adults. 3rd ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 2007.
Knowles, Elizabeth and Martha Smith. Boys and Literacy: Practical Strategies for Librarians, Teachers, and Parents. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2005.
Libretto, Ellen and Catherine Barr. High/Low Handbook: Best Books and Web Sites for Reluctant Teen Readers. 4th ed. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2002.
Martínez, Sara E. Latino Literature. Santa Barbara, Calif: Libraries Unlimited, 2009.
Nichols, C. Allen. Thinking Outside the Book: Alternatives for Today's Teen Library Collections. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2004. Includes "But Those Aren't Really Books! Graphic Novels and Comic Books," by David S. Serchay.
Peck, Penny. Readers' Advisory for Children and 'tweens. Santa Barbara, Calif: Libraries Unlimited, 2010.
Schall, Lucy. Genre Talks for Teens: Booktalks and More for Every Teen Reading Interest. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2009.
Sullivan, Michael. Connecting Boys with Books: What Libraries Can Do. Chicago: ALA, 2003.
Sullivan, Michael. Connecting Boys with Books 2: Closing the Reading Gap. Chicago: American Library Association, 2009.
Thomas, Rebecca L., and Catherine Barr. Popular Series Fiction for Middle School and Teen Readers: A Reading and Selection Guide. Children's and young adult literature reference series. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2005.
Welch, Rollie James. A Core Collection for Young Adults. 2nd. ed. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2011.
Young Adult Library Services Association. More Outstanding Books for the College Bound. Chicago: American Library Association, 2005.
Sources for Gifted
Some of My Best Friends Are Books: Guiding Gifted Readers by Judith Wynn Halsted, M.S. 3rd ed. Scottsdale, AZ: Great Potential Press, 2009.
Polette, Nancy. Gifted Biographies, Gifted Readers!: Higher Order Thinking with Picture Book Biographies. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2009.
ALA Library Fact Sheet 23: ALA Recommended Reading, a page that compiles many different reading lists for various age groups, especially children and teens, most of which can be found online at the ALA web site.
All Together Now (ATN) Reading Lists ATN Reading Lists was started in 1996 as part of a librarian collaborative project, All Together Now, begun by Dale Copps. The site contains targeted lists based on author, genre, read alikes, read alouds, age groups, school subjects, themes, and values.
Children's Book Sequels (UK): A-Z arrangement of children's books in series, sorted and searchable by author and series.
Capitol Choices, selected by librarians, teachers, booksellers, children's literature specialists, reviewers, and magazine editors who work in cities, suburbs, and rural areas in and around Washington, D.C.; the lists are grouped by age levels.
Guys Read - Offers a list of books recommended by the webmaster, children's author Jon Sczieska, and others suggested by visitors to the website.
Reading Rockets Find Great Kids' Books and Authors
Worlds of Words: International Collection of Children's and Adolescent Literature, based at the University of Arizona, College of Education. The mission of the site is to promote high-quality culturally authentic children's and YA literature.
Book Recommendation Websites
Abram, Stephen. The DNA of Books, August 31, 2011. - Column points to several book recommendation websites
Burns, Mary M., compiler. Children's Classics: A Booklist for Parents. From The Horn Book Magazine, 2009.
Kids' Reading List at Oprah.com, prepared by the ALSC Quicklists Consulting Committee, which works to promote books and other resources through recommendations, compilations of lists and related services. (Oprah's site reads 03/04/2010: Give your children the gift of reading by using our guide from the American Library Association to select books that match both their abilities and interests. Jump-start your kids' imaginations through reading. You'll change their lives!)
Publishers Weekly All-Time Bestselling Children's Books: A listing of hardcovers that have sold 750,000 copies and paperbacks that have topped the one million copy mark over the years, from Publishers Weekly, 12/17/2001. While not exactly a source for recommendations, this is a record of what has been popular!
READ.GOV Booklists -- Read.gov presents a sampling of suggested books that will spark the imagination and transport readers to new and exciting places. Look for these books in your local library. The books supplement the online resources in the American Memory website. Following each list is a link to the corresponding online resources. Books & Related Info for Kids, Teens, Adults, and Educators & Parents.
Teen Books about Music and Media at the YALSA Wiki.
The Ultimate YA Bookshelf, from YALSA, highlights must-have teen materials for libraries.
YALSA Young Adult Literature & Teen Reading, which itself is a set of links to resources for summer reading, themed book lists (including Clean Reads for Girls), and information on the Teens' Top Ten, a list finalized during Teen Read Week.
The MashUp: A Blog About Books For Teens at AdLit.org: Adolescent Literacy
National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance news blog. Purpose: "to share news that may be of interest to everyone and anyone who cares about kids, reading, writing, books, libraries, and art."
Readability and Leveling
There are several systems of assigning readability levels, some with databases to help locate books at a particular level.
More information on computerized reading management programs can be found at Leveled Books.