Three Great Places to Find New Books to Add to Your TBR Pile

by Bryan Patrick Avery

If you’re like me, you have a To-Be-Read pile stacked up high enough that it might one day topple over and crush you but that doesn’t keep you from buying books to add to the pile. Where do I get suggestions for new books to add to my shelf? I browse the myriad of reading lists published by ALA, SLJ, and even independent groups and individuals. Whether I’m looking for a mentor text, some inspiration, or just a good read, I’m always able to find what I’m looking for. This month, I’ll share with a few of my favorite sources for reading lists. First up School Library Journal’s (SLJ) Hot Reads Summer Series.

SLJ’s Summer Series covers everything from picture books to YA, and even includes graphic novels and nonfiction. The books are grouped by category. Clicking into a category will give you additional options. For example, the chapter books section includes lists for graphic novels, realism, humor, and mystery, all written at the chapter book level. 

​Another great resource for finding new books is the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). This list is broken up into four categories: Birth- PreK, Kindergarten to 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade to 5th Grade, and 6th Grade to 8th Grade. Each list is available as a PDF download. 

​I’m frequently looking for books from Black creators. One of the best resources I’ve found is The Brown Bookshelf campaign 28 Days Later. This campaign runs every February for Black History Month. Each day features a new creator (author, illustrator, or both) and their latest work(s). It’s a great opportunity to find some wonderful books and get a glimpse into how they were created. Though the campaign runs every February, the lists for each year going back to 2008 are available year-round. 

I hope you’re able to find some wonderful books using these resources. If you have a reading list you love, drop it in the comments.
​
That’s all for this month. Happy reading and have a magical month.

Bryan Patrick Avery writes poems and stories for children from toddlers through middle grade. His middle-grade story, “The Magic Day Mystery”, appears in SUPER PUZZLETASTIC MYSTERIES, an anthology from HarperCollins and the Mystery Writers of America. His picture book, THE FREEMAN FIELD PHOTOGRAPH, was published in April 2021 by Clearfork Publishing/Spork. His early reader series, MR. GRIZLEY’S CLASS, will be available in August 2021. Bryan lives in Northern California with his family.

---