All Booked Up | Community (Dec 2025)

A few of our favorite books about community for this month's All Booked Up reading challenge. Not seeing anything you like? Browse more books about community in the library catalog in English or español, or request a personalized recommendation from library staff.

BONUS! Let us know what book you read for a chance to win free ice cream from Mike's Drive In and a book to keep.

All Booked Up is a partnership between the Oregon City Public Library and OCSD connecting literacy, family engagement, and school attendance for student success.

Updated October 28, 2025
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Oregon City Public Library
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Community service and volunteering
Andres, Marco
Paper Book
One of the easiest ways to be an active and involved citizen is to volunteer your time and services in your community. Readers will learn about the importance of community service and volunteering. This interesting social studies subject is brought to life through primary sources and full-color...

Kids learn the why and how of helping their communities through service and volunteering opportunities. With practical ideas and suggestions, kids will be inspired and ready to go out and help. (Nonfiction)

All of us
Berger, Carin
Paper Book
Acclaimed and award-winning picture book creator Carin Berger shares a moving story of community, empathy, and the power of love. With a universal message and stunning paper collage art, this striking book is just right for fans of Matt de la Peña's Love and Emily Winfield...

Simple text and illustrations of a diverse array of community members share the message that caring for each other makes a better world possible. (Picture Book)

The wild robot
Brown, Peter
Paper Book
Now a DreamWorks movie available on Prime Video! This #1 New York Times bestselling illustrated middle grade novel from a Caldecott Honor winner tells an extraordinary story full of action and thought-provoking questions as a robot learns to survive--and...

In the first book in the series that inspired the movie, a robot washes up on a remote island and slowly becomes part of the community of animals who live there. (Children's Fiction)

Also available as a Spanish book or as an e-book & digital audiobook in the Libby app.

It takes a village
Clinton, Hillary Rodham
Paper Book
"It Takes a Village offers a universal, unifying message. It captures perfectly Clinton's vision of a multicultural America working toward a constructive goal. So hopeful and forward-looking." --The Washington Post "Inspired by her 2006 book of the same name, Clinton's...

In this picture book version of former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton's It Takes a Village, a diverse community comes together to help make the world a better place for everyone. (Picture Book)

Mercy Watson to the rescue
DiCamillo, Kate.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! A Wall Street Journal 20 Best Children's Books of the Past 20 Years Selection From the one and only Kate DiCamillo comes an irresistible new hero for early chapter book readers, brightly captured with comic nostalgic flair by Chris Van...

A spunky pig named Mercy Watson brings her neighborhood together in both the Mercy Watson and Tales from Deckawoo Drive series. (Bridging Fiction)

Also available as a Spanish book, an English CD audiobook, and as an e-book & digital audiobook in the Libby app.

The shelterlings
Durst, Sarah Beth
Paper Book
A group of magical misfit animals learns to appreciate their seemingly useless powers--and themselves--when they work together to thwart a villain's attempt to steal their magic. Holly, a grey squirrel, and her animal friends have accepted that they will never be wizards' familiars. Though...

A story of animals, magic, and found family from the queen of cozy fantasy. (Children's Fiction)

A kids book about community
Feldman, Shane
Paper Book
Every kid wants to feel like they belong somewhere-and they do. We're all part of a community even if we don't know it yet. Community is about action, about sharing the things that are important to you with others and create bonds and experiences that will stay with you forever. This book is meant...

In a community, everyone belongs and has an important role that connects them to others. Readers can learn how they can connect to their community. (Nonfiction)

Sunny Parker is here to stay
Finnegan, Margaret
Paper Book
A determined girl spends the summer before middle school learning to stand up for her low-income community in this funny, fast-paced read just right for fans of Kelly Yang's Front Desk. Sunny Parker loves the Del Mar Garden Apartments, the affordable housing complex where...

A thoughtful exploration of the experience of being inside and outside a community. (Young Teen Fiction)

Carry me home
Fox, Janet S.
Paper Book
"A poignant and powerful reminder that homelessness is not hopelessness." --Kirby Larson, author of Newbery Honor book Hattie Big Sky Two sisters struggle to keep their father's disappearance a secret in this tender middle grade novel that's perfect for fans of...

Two sisters trying to hide their family's difficulties discover they are surrounded by a community of friends and neighbors who want to help in this Willa Award finalist. (Children's Fiction)

You, me, we : a celebration of peace and community
Gandhi, Arun
Paper Book
Coauthored by one of the grandsons of Mahatma Gandhi, this gentle guide to cultivating peace will find a welcome place at home and in classrooms. Peace is you. Peace is me. Peace is the great big WE of community. Where can we find peace? It shows...

Combining principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Maria Montessori, this picture book shows ways that we can all cultivate peace through our connections with each other. (Picture Book)

Take back the block
Giles, Chrystal D.
Paper Book
"This book made me want to step aside, hand over the mic, and listen to Wes. A must-read." --Mariama J. Lockington, author of For Black Girls Like Me Brand-new kicks, ripped denim shorts, Supreme tee-- Wes Henderson has the best style in sixth...

When 6th grader Wes' neighborhood is threatened by a real estate developer, he fights back to save his community from disappearing. (Children's Fiction)

Teamwork trouble
Gutman, Dan
Paper Book
With help from Coach Deen, Ryan wants to form a sports team with A.J. and Andrea, but it's for one of the weirdest sports there is: curling! Will the sweepers be able to get the stones to the house, or will trouble among the teammates end in one weird mess Join the gang from Ella...

A school community comes together for a curling competition in this My Weird School spinoff for younger readers. (Early Reader)

The door is open : stories of celebration and community by 11 Desi voices
Khan, Hena
Paper Book
Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular celebration in this warm-hearted novel of interconnected stories that celebrates the diversity of South Asian American experiences in a local community center. Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular...

A collection of 11 short stories by different South Asian authors that revolve around the friendships built through a neighborhood community center. (Children's Fiction)

Also available as an e-Book & digital audiobook in the Libby app.

The apartment house on Poppy Hill
LaCour, Nina
Paper Book
Winner of the 2024 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ+ Children's Literature A charming new chapter book by bestselling author Nina LaCour.   Welcome to 1106 Wildflower Place: It is no ordinary apartment house, but you,...

A young girl whose mothers own a charming apartment house in San Francisco makes sure all of their residents feel welcome in the first Ella Josephine book. (Children's Fiction)

Also available as an e-Book & digital audiobook in the Libby app.

Noodle & Bao
Lu, Shaina
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Animal Crossing and Measuring Up, this whimsical and empowering middle grade graphic novel follows a girl who helps her friend's humble food cart stand its ground against the gentrification of their Chinatown neighborhood. Momo has lived in Town 99 her...

Momo and her best friend Bao try all the tricks they can to save Bao's food cart and their neighborhood from those who want to "beautify" the neighborhood by erasing it. (Children's Graphic Novel)

More than enough : inspired by Maimonides's golden ladder of giving
Michelson, Richard
Paper Book
A community grows as neighbor helps neighbor in this heartwarming story inspired by the Golden Ladder, a Jewish approach to charity intended to create a fair society. Moses isn't used to jingle-jangle in his pocket, so he's reluctant to give money when Barefoot Benny clink-clanks...

Neighbors build community through acts of service to each other, based on the Jewish concept of the Golden Ladder, in which small acts of giving build a better community for everyone. (Picture Book)

Helping in the community
Parker, Victoria.
Paper Book
This book teaches readers what volunteering is, why it is important, and how they can volunteer to help their community become a better place.

Practical tips for kids to get involved and help in various projects throughout their community. (Nonfiction)

The cardboard kingdom
Sell, Chad
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier, Awkward, and All's Faire in Middle School, this graphic novel follows a neighborhood of kids who transform ordinary cardboard into fantastical homemade costumes as they explore conflicts with friends, family, and their own identity. ...

The Cardboard Kingdom is ruled by a group of neighborhood kids who use cardboard and their imaginations to build friendships and support for life's battles. (Children's Graphic Novel)

Also available as an e-Book in the Libby app.

Watership down : the graphic novel
Sturm, James
Paper Book
EISNER AWARD WINNER * OHIO BOOK AWARD WINNER * A beautiful and faithful graphic novel adaptation of Richard Adams's beloved story of a group of rabbits on an epic journey in search of home. NOMINATED FOR THE RINGO AWARD AND THE HARVEY AWARD "Every rabbit...

A beautifully illustrated graphic version of the original tale. Hazel, Fiver, and their rabbit community flee their home and their dangerous human neighbors in search of a peaceful place to call home. (Young Teen Graphic Novel)

I am we : a book of community
Verde, Susan
Paper Book
Cultivate connection and kindness in I Am We, a companion to the New York Times bestsellers I Am Human and I Am Love We are part of something bigger than ourselves, and when we each turn our goodness and compassion outward, we can...

Part of the author's popular I Am series, this book focuses on how caring for one's self helps us to be better able to care for others around us, building a stronger community. (Picture Book)

Hey, wall : a story of art and community
Verde, Susan
Paper Book
"Verde's unique style and simple yet increasingly important messages of peace, mindfulness, and community make her stories a must-share...A must-purchase." --School Library Journal (starred review) "Walls do not just create barriers and divide spaces. They can be...

A community comes together to create a mural that celebrates what is special about the neighborhood and each other. (Picture Book)

Also available as a Spanish book.

Trusty town hall : a community helpers book
Ward, Lindsay
Paper Book
Fans of Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy World will enjoy this fun, interactive Community Helpers picture book that introduces children to everyone who works together within the local government. Welcome to Trusty Town Hall! Everyone here helps keep the town of Honey...

A fun, interactive book that explores the people and departments of city government that make a town run smoothly. (Nonfiction)

Our world is a family : our community can change the world
Whitehill, Miry
Paper Book
Learn how to welcome new neighbors into your community, particularly when they might be far from home, in this uplifting and diverse picture book that champions human connection and inclusivity. After all, the world is everyone's home and we're one big family! When we see someone new in...

Illustrations of a diverse community show how children can build community, particularly by welcoming and including newcomers and celebrating our connections across cultures. (Nonfiction)


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