Books

Learning Commons students participating in a Gallery Walk

Search the library catalog, view new arrivals and reading recommendations.

eBooks and Audiobooks

Click HERE for directions to apply for a Johnson County Library eCard and checkout online books, audiobooks, magazines, etc.

Gale Virtual Reference Library Saint Thomas Aquinas Library reference ebooks.

Johnson County Public Library (see eLibrary under Explore tab)

Kansas City, MO Public Library (library cards issued to KS residents with proof of address)

Mid-Continent Public Library (reciprocal agreement with Johnson County Library)

Project Gutenberg

ManyBooks

Open Culture

LibriVox (audio books)

Reading Recommendations

Mrs. Davis’ Reading Recommendations/Faves in no particular order - you can look up summaries on Amazon or Johnson County Library to see which you would love:) I know there are MANY other great books not included below - I can’t list everything so please don’t judge me!

You can also check my Instagram @stalearningcommons for book reviews

Favorite Authors

Jason Reynolds (amazing on IG!) - realistic - Long Way Down
Jeff Zentner (IG!) - realistic - Serpent King, Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee, Goodbye Days
Angie Thomas (IG!) - realistic - The Hate You Give (yes, it was a book first:)
Melina Marchetta - realistic, sci-fi - Finnikin of the Rock series, Saving Francesca, Jellicoe Road
Kwame Alexander - sports - Rebound, Booked, Crossover
Elizabeth Acevedo (IG!) - realistic - Poet X

Favorite Books

Just Mercy (Bryan Stevenson) comes in adult and YA (condensed version) - non-Fiction (yes, it was a book first:)
Killers of the Flower Moon (David Grann) - non-Fiction
Dumplin (Julie Murphy) - realistic
The Center of Everything (Laura Moriarty) - realistic
If I Stay (Gayle Forman) - realistic
Caraval (Stephanie Garber) - sci-fi
Watership Down (Richard Adams) - sci-fi
Scorpio Races (Maggie Stiefvater) - sci-fi
We Were Liars (E. Lockhart) - suspense
Under the Beetle’s Cellar (Mary Willis Walker) - suspense
Power of One (Bryce Courtney) - historical
Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd) - historical
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (Lisa See) - historical
Eleanor & Park (Rainbow Rowell) - romance

Books for Reluctant Readers

Books for reluctant readers kids who just haven’t found the right book - but REALLY good books - I OFTEN have students come back and say, I don’t like to read but want another one like THIS book:)

Beanball (Gene Fehler) - sports
Long Way Down (Jason Reynolds) - realistic
The Hate You Give (Angie Thomas) - realistic
Rebound / Booked / Crossover (Kwame Alexander) - sports

Favorite Series

Reading Lists / Award Winners

Joco Library eLibrary Teen Picks - https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/lists/show/81656180

Amazon Best YA

NYPL YA Staff Picks - use the drop down to change the Season for more suggestions

Printz Award Winners - Excellence in Young Adult Literature; scroll down for previous years

Morris - Outstanding first-time author for Young Adult Literature; scroll down for previous years

Student Favorites

I haven’t read these (don’t stay on the shelves long enough for me to read!) but they are EXTREMELY popular at STA

Robert Muchamore Cherub Series - action/adventure
Chris Lynch Vietnam Series - action/adventure
Allen Zadoff Assassin Series - action/adventure
Kiera Cass Selection Series - romance
Jenny Han To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series - romance (Netflix hit, yes it was a book first:)

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