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.