Guided Reading List: Juvenile Fiction and Juvenile Nonfiction Y

This book list was created using Guided Reading Levels provided by Fountas & Pinnell, and children’s publishers such as ABDO Publishing, Capstone Press, Cavendish Square, Children’s Press, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Random House and Scholastic.

Please note in this book list besides juvenile titles, you will find titles that are classified as Young Adult and Adult. A book is classified as Young Adult (YA) if it is written for a teen audience (typically ages 12-18), features a teenage protagonist, and deals with themes and concerns relevant to adolescence, such as finding one's place in the world, first experiences like love and responsibility, and navigating more mature topics like sexuality or independence. YA is an age-based category that encompasses various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, and mystery, rather than being a specific genre itself. An Adult book is classified by its intended reading audience, typically readers over 18, and is differentiated from young adult (YA) by its sophistication of themes and emotional focus.

Updated September 24, 2025
S
Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Nothing else but miracles /
Albus, Kate
Paper Book
From the author of A Place to Hang the Moon comes a hopeful World War II story about three scrappy siblings on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. When 12-year-old Dory Byrne's pop left New York City's Lower East Side to fight Hitler, he promised her and her brothers that...
Across so many seas /
Behar, Ruth,
Paper Book
NEWBERY HONOR WINNER SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD HONOR WINNER "As lyrical as it is epic, Across So Many Seas reminds us that while the past may be another country, it's also a living, breathing song of sadness and joy that helps define who we are." --Alan Gratz, New York...
Betrayal by the book /
Beil, Michael D.
Paper Book
A writer's conference brings twelve-year-old Lark's favorite writer--and a suspicious death--to Swallowtail Island, in the second book in this middle grade mystery series by an Edgar Award-nominated author. Swallowtail Island is hosting the Swallowtales Writer's Conference. Lark...
Code talker :
Bruchac, Joseph,
Paper Book
Throughout World War II, in the conflict fought against Japan, Navajo code talkers were a crucial part of the U.S. effort, sending messages back and forth in an unbreakable code that used their native language. They braved some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with their code, they saved...
Because of Mr. Terupt
Buyea, Rob.
Paper Book
Seven students are about to have their lives changed by one amazing teacher in this school storysequel filled with unique characters every reader can relate to. It's the start of a new year at Snow Hill School, and seven students find themselves thrown together in Mr. Terupt's...
Daydreamer /
Cameron, Rob,
Paper Book
An eleven-year-old boy copes with the challenges of his city life by weaving his reality into a magical realm of dragons, foxes, and trolls-until he must use the power of his creativity to save both of his worlds from destructive forces. This stunning debut is a profound exploration of...
The Mona Lisa vanishes :
Day, Nicholas,
Paper Book
"The tale of a stunning art heist with a contagious love of stranger-than-fiction true stories!"--Steve Sheinkin, Newbery Honor-winning author of Bomb The true story of how Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece became the most famous painting in the world after being stolen from the...
Raymie nightingale
DiCamillo, Kate
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller! A 2016 National Book Award Finalist! As featured on The Today Show's Read with Jenna Jr. Book Club Two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo returns to her roots with a moving, masterful story of an unforgettable summer...
Raymie nightingale /
DiCamillo, Kate
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller! A 2016 National Book Award Finalist! As featured on The Today Show's Read with Jenna Jr. Book Club Two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo returns to her roots with a moving, masterful story of an unforgettable summer...
Taxi ghost /
Escabasse, Sophie,
Paper Book
In this hilarious and heartwarming graphic novel, a young girl's first period brings an unexpected gift- the ability to see ghosts! As she meets these spectral visitors, she uncovers her family's secret lineage of mediums, while learning about the power of compassion and community.
A game of Noctis /
Fagan, Deva
Paper Book
An "exciting, fast-moving" (School Library Journal) middle grade fantasy about a girl who must participate in a deadly game with a ragtag team of players to save her grandfather from a terrible fate--perfect for fans of James Riley and Shannon Messenger! In the opulent,...
Rewind /
Graff, Lisa
Paper Book
Back to the Future meets When You Reach Me in this powerful novel by National Book Award nominee Lisa Graff, in which a young girl is able to make sense of the present--and change her future--by meeting her father in the past. As far as twelve-year-old McKinley O...
0101820548077
JX GRA
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller!Alan Gratz, bestselling author of Refugee, weaves a stunning array of voices and stories into an epic tale of teamwork in the face of tyranny -- and how just one day can change the world.June 6, 1944: The Nazis are terrorizing Europe, on their evil quest to...
Allies /
Gratz, Alan,
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller!Alan Gratz, bestselling author of Refugee, weaves a stunning array of voices and stories into an epic tale of teamwork in the face of tyranny -- and how just one day can change the world.June 6, 1944: The Nazis are terrorizing Europe, on their evil quest to...
The color of sound /
Isler, Emily Barth
Paper Book
"[A] salient celebration of family, music, and neurodiversity." --starred, Publishers Weekly "A top pick for any middle school collection; a perfect book club pick and a reminder to all that patience and understanding can change lives." --starred, School Library Journal Twelve-year...
Redwall /
Jacques, Brian
Paper Book
One of TIME Magazine's 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time The book that inspired a legend--the first novel in the beloved, bestselling Redwall saga. Welcome to Mossflower Wood, where the gentle mice have gathered to celebrate a year of peace and...
Redwall.
Jacques, Brian
Audiobook
When Redwall was published in 1987 it catipulted author Brian Jacques to international stardom. And small wonder! This enthralling tale is jam-packed with the things we long for in a great adventure: danger, laughter, hairbreath excapes, tragedy, mystery, a touch of wonder, a truly despicable...
Messenger
Lowry, Lois.
Paper Book
Strange changes are taking place in Village. Once a utopian community that prided itself on its welcome to new strangers, Village will soon be closed to all outsiders. As one of the few people able to travel through the dangerous Forest, Matty must deliver the message of Village's closing and...
Messenger
Lowry, Lois.
Paper Book
Strange changes are taking place in Village. Once a utopian community that prided itself on its welcome to new strangers, Village will soon be closed to all outsiders. As one of the few people able to travel through the dangerous Forest, Matty must deliver the message of Village's closing and...
Freewater /
Luqman-Dawson, Amina
Paper Book
Winner of the John Newbery Medal Winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award  An Indiebound Bestseller A New York Times Bestseller Award-winning author Amina Luqman-Dawson pens a lyrical,...
Freewater :
Luqman-Dawson, Amina/ Johnson, Sisi Aisha (NRT)/ Hite, Cary (NRT)
Paper Book
Winner of the John Newbery Medal Winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award  An Indiebound Bestseller A New York Times Bestseller Award-winning author Amina Luqman-Dawson pens a lyrical,...
The firefly summer /
Matson, Morgan
Paper Book
Three starred reviews! "Heartfelt and hilarious, witty and wise, with indelible characters and laugh-out-loud humor. A fantastic read for any season of the year." --Stuart Gibbs, New York Times bestselling author In New York Times bestselling author...
This is not a cookbook :
McGarry, Flynn,
Paper Book
In thisuniquely accessible, fully illustrated nonfiction work for young readers, Chef Flynn McGarry, who at an early age discovered a passion for food and cooking and has since gone on to receive wide-acclaim as a chef, shares his insights and exploresthe elements of creativity as he encourages...
Telephone of the tree /
McGhee, Alison,
Paper Book
An unforgettable story of grief and the support of community as a young girl, faced with aching loss, begins to understand that what we love will always be with us. Ayla and her best friend Kiri have always been tree people. They each have their own special tree, and neighbors...
Bird of a thousand stories /
Monsef, Kiyash
Paper Book
In this "breathless...entrancing" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) companion to the New York Times bestselling Once There Was that's perfect for fans of Impossible Creatures, Marjan travels around the globe in search of a mythical bird in terrible danger, whose fate...
The ice apprentices /
North, Jacob,
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Skandar and Wilderlore, this "chilling page-turner" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) follows a magical apprentice in a land of ice and snow who must uncover why strange monsters are attacking his fellow apprentices...or else suffer the tragic consequences. ...
Mick Harte was here /
Park, Barbara
Ebook
How could someone like Mick die? He was the kid who freaked out his mom by putting a ceramic eye in a defrosted chicken, the kid who did a wild dance in front of the whole school--and the kid who, if only he had worn his bicycle helmet, would still be alive today. But now Phoebe Harte's...
The seventh most important thing /
Pearsall, Shelley
Paper Book
One Kid. One Crime. One Chance to Make Things Right. It was a bitterly cold day when Arthur T. Owens grabbed a brick and hurled it at the trash picker. Arthur had his reasons, and the brick hit the Junk Man in the arm, not the head. But none of that matters to the judge-he is ready to...
I Am Wind :
Poliquin, Rachel/ Wada, Rachel (ILT)
Paper Book
In this award-winning mock-autobiography for middle-grade readers, Wind tells fascinating stories that describe their cultural, historical and technical importance to humans. Make no mistake: Wind is not shy or humble. Wind is violent, impulsive, arrogant and unpredictable -- now...
Period
Redford, Ruth
Paper Book
Backed by the experts at Mayo Clinic, PERIOD. is the no-nonsense guide kids and caregivers alike can trust to navigate menstruation, period. Periods. Every person who menstruates has a different relationship with their "Aunt Flow": some good, and some.....
Packing for Mars for kids /
Roach, Mary
Paper Book
"America's funniest science writer" (Washington Post) asks the questions children ask in this young readers adaptation of her best-selling Packing for Mars. What is it like to float weightlessly in the air? What happens if you vomit in your helmet during a spacewalk...
The Night Train
Savaryn, Lorelei,
Paper Book
The past has come calling in the town of Hush, and for one girl, that means facing her ghosts. Perfect for fans of the satisfyingly scary Small Spaces quartet! Maddie Maverick likes to win. Whether it's track team races or one-liners she delivers on her parents' home renovation...
Lolo's light /
Scanlon, Liz Garton
Paper Book
For readers who love The Thing About Jellyfish and Counting By 7s, Lolo's Light is a deeply honest middle grade novel about grief, redemption, and life as a kid facing both. This is a truth about growing up: Once in your life, sometime after...
The curious vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby /
Schmidt, G. Z.
Paper Book
The Amadeuses were always considered somewhat strange. Even before the incident. When six-year-old Beatrice Willoughby vanished at the Amadeuses' annual All Hallows Eve party, people in the tiny mountain town of Nevermore were quick to whisper: They were always odd. Their...
Tig /
Smith, Heather,
Paper Book
A new, heartwarming middle-grade story from the critically acclaimed author Heather Smith featuring Tig, a young girl struggling to find peace within herself and in her new family. For fans of Rebecca Stead, Wendy Mass and Lynda Mullaly Hunt. After months of living without...
Half Moon summer /
Vickers, Elaine,
Paper Book
Two seventh graders discover it takes more than grit and a good pair of shoes to run 13.1 miles. You've got to have a partner who refuses to let you quit. Drew was never much of a runner. Until his dad's unexpected diagnosis. Mia has nothing better to do. Until she realizes...
Leviathan /
Westerfeld, Scott
Paper Book
It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship,...
Wretched waterpark /
White, Kiersten.
Paper Book
A middle-grade mystery series that's spooky, creepy, and filled with gothic twists!Meet the Sinister-Winterbottom twins, who solve mysteries at increasingly bizarre summer vacation destinations in the hopes of being reunited with their parents-or at the very least finally finding a good churro....
Finally heard /
Yang, Kelly
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk comes the sequel to Finally Seen "that tackles tweenhood and technology woes head-on" (School Library Journal, starred review) when Lina tries to navigate social media, only to discover not everything online is...
Kid confident.
Zucker, Bonnie,
Paper Book
"Smart and essential!"--Jeff Kinney, author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid series "They used to tell kids to chant 'sticks and stones' or 'just ignore it.' It didn't work. This book helps kids find the opposite approach: don't ignore it; understand it."--Tom Angleberger, Origami Yoda Do...

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