Houston Area Independent School Library Network
Recommended Reading List
Librarians at private schools in Houston have a vibrant organization to provide mutual support and professional development. We produce an annual reading list for K-12, updated by committees of our librarians; titles are included when at least two librarians on the committee have read it and agree it is a strong selection. The 2025 edition is posted now, and most back issues are also linked on the same page.
I am long retired from participation in the making of this list, but I was the instigator in the beginning and continue to share it often with friends, family and librarians.
From the HAISLN website:
About the HAISLN Recommended Reading List
This list of titles has been compiled by librarians at member schools of the
Houston Area Independent Schools Library Network (HAISLN). It includes both
fiction and nonfiction books by some of the best authors for children and young
adults.
Books on this list are evaluated annually by grade-level committees.
Committee members rely on recommendations from standard, professionally prepared
evaluation aids and on input from students and teachers, as well as the
collective HAISLN expertise. A conscious effort is made to appeal to the broad
range of interests, maturity levels, and reading abilities of students.
In most cases the number of books by any given author is limited to one or
two per grade level list. An older title with superior literary quality may
remain on the list despite newer publications by the same author. Before reading
a recommended author's book that does not appear on the student’s grade list,
readers should be aware that authors often write for multiple interest and age
levels. Books that are part of a series are also noted, but not all books in a
series are appropriate at the indicated grade level.
Students may find that some titles that are required reading for their
classes appear on this list. Be advised that if a book for required reading is
selected for independent reading, it may have to be re-read with the class at a
later date.
This list is offered as one possible source of reading guidance. Additional
lists of award winners and recommended books may be obtained from your school or
public librarian. We hope that books from this list bring students many hours of
enjoyment and encourage the life-long love of reading.
I am long retired from participation in the making of this list, but I was the instigator in the beginning and continue to share it often with friends, family and librarians.
From the HAISLN website:
About the HAISLN Recommended Reading List
This list of titles has been compiled by librarians at member schools of the
Houston Area Independent Schools Library Network (HAISLN). It includes both
fiction and nonfiction books by some of the best authors for children and young
adults.
Books on this list are evaluated annually by grade-level committees.
Committee members rely on recommendations from standard, professionally prepared
evaluation aids and on input from students and teachers, as well as the
collective HAISLN expertise. A conscious effort is made to appeal to the broad
range of interests, maturity levels, and reading abilities of students.
In most cases the number of books by any given author is limited to one or
two per grade level list. An older title with superior literary quality may
remain on the list despite newer publications by the same author. Before reading
a recommended author's book that does not appear on the student’s grade list,
readers should be aware that authors often write for multiple interest and age
levels. Books that are part of a series are also noted, but not all books in a
series are appropriate at the indicated grade level.
Students may find that some titles that are required reading for their
classes appear on this list. Be advised that if a book for required reading is
selected for independent reading, it may have to be re-read with the class at a
later date.
This list is offered as one possible source of reading guidance. Additional
lists of award winners and recommended books may be obtained from your school or
public librarian. We hope that books from this list bring students many hours of
enjoyment and encourage the life-long love of reading.
