Common Reads presents a list of classic and contemporary dystopian fiction with offerings for all-ages, ideal for use in both first-year and community reads.

As a young kid not knowing where I fit in, when I found punk music I found myself. More importantly, after years of existing in the margins at school and at home, I found a community. It wasn’t just about music (entirely), it was about a collective that accepted people for who they were, not

By Amber Bauer 5th Grade Language Arts Teacher at Conger Elementary School Delaware, OH As teachers, we all know that little pit you feel in your stomach when your principal says, “How would you feel about . . . ?” Six years ago, my principal came to me asking if I would take over a

Savvy is celebrating its 10th anniversary of publication with a special paperback edition! This Newbery Honor book has everything you could want in a coming of age story (and more): adventure, magic tattoos, and a rickety bus full of determined kids. For generations, the Beaumont family has harbored a secret. At the age of thirteen, every

Bibliotherapy, or the therapeutic use of literature, can support students as they develop empathy and a deeper understanding of themselves and each other. Reading engaging and timely books in one classroom, one school, or one entire community can help educators in their mission to build a culture free from stigma and bias. JUST UNDER THE

The 2018 Global Read Aloud selections were announced and Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed was the upper elementary/middle grade selection! The Global Read Aloud aims to connect teachers and students across the globe by reading aloud the same book during a set 6-week period every fall. Amal Unbound is story of a girl’s fight to regain

Every January (or sometimes February), the ALA youth media awards are announced at the American Library Association’s Midwinter conference. Among those awards is the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature for YA books published in the previous calendar year. This year’s honorees included heavyweights such as Jason Reynolds’ Long Way Down and Angie

How to Use Wonder Beyond “Choose Kind” by L. Bruce Coffey Jr., Director of Programs at Read to Them®   At Read to Them, our mission is to help entire school communities read, explore, and share rich children’s novels. For the last six years, R. J. Palacio’s Wonder has been a very special title in

We’re thrilled to welcome author Rob Buyea to the Common Reads blog to share his own personal experience with audiobooks and why they are perfect for teachers and students.

The 2017 Global Read Aloud kicked off this month and features Victoria J. Coe’s Fenway and Hattie for its early reader selection! The Global Read Aloud aims to connect teachers and students across the globe by reading aloud the same book during a set 6-week period.  The project started on October 2nd and runs until

September 17th commemorates the 230th anniversary of the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution, and recognizes the efforts, rights, and responsibilities of all citizens. To celebrate the occasion, we’re highlighting 3 books that we hope will not only help readers gain a better understanding of the Constitution, but also more fully appreciate its continuing

by Shelley Pearsall Last summer, my novel The Seventh Most Important Thing went around the globe. It traveled in suitcases and backpacks to Israel, France, Iceland, and England. It sat on a beach. It became part of someone’s wedding photo. It went to football practice. Mayfield High School, a large suburban high school outside Cleveland,