What Kids Are Reading
Explore the world’s largest annual study of K–12 student reading habits. The new 15th anniversary edition shows you the most popular books at each grade level, exciting new titles, and much more.
Data & Connections
Tools
Explore the world’s largest annual study of K–12 student reading habits. The new 15th anniversary edition shows you the most popular books at each grade level, exciting new titles, and much more.
Since 2008, What Kids Are Reading has been a go-to resource for teachers, librarians, families, and students themselves. Using data from Renaissance’s Accelerated Reader program and myON digital platform, the report lists the books students are reading the most—along with new and noteworthy titles, popular Spanish titles, and much more.
With this edition, we celebrate the 15th anniversary of What Kids Are Reading, with the same goal we have every year: providing inspiration to kids searching for that next great read.
For 15 years, these books have ranked #1 the most times in each grade range:
To celebrate the report’s anniversary, we’re highlighting authors who’ve contributed essays over the years. Download the 2023 report to see the full list—and to access the complete text of every essay.
Reading has been one of the biggest influences in my life—not only in my profession, but my thoughts, actions, values. Knowing I’ve opened this door for others will always be my most rewarding accomplishment.
What Kids Are Reading: 2009 Edition
I believe if we are to survive on this planet it is essential that we accept each other and respect our differences as well as our similarities. Reading enables us to explore each other's cultures. Being equal is seeing equal
What Kids Are Reading: 2017 Edition
I owe everything I am and everything that I will ever be to books.
What Kids Are Reading: 2010 Edition
One day, middle grade students will be in charge of our world. In the meantime, I write to celebrate their intellectual and spiritual resourcefulness, and to remind them that they are unique and wonderful.
What Kids Are Reading: 2021 Edition
Books can stir us, move us, grab us, own us. Books can tap into our deepest, most secret feelings. They can mirror, confirm, and legitimize our personal experiences, reminding us that, yes, I’ve felt that way too, that the very same thing has happened to me.
What Kids Are Reading: 2016 Edition
That’s what reading provides: a place to go that is yours alone, available at no cost from your local library, and carried with you wherever you may go.
What Kids Are Reading: 2015 Edition
We cannot really know another person until we honor that person’s story.
What Kids Are Reading: 2021 Edition
Books can build bridges of compassion and break walls of ignorance and hatred.
What Kids Are Reading: 2022 Edition
There is, I believe, no such thing as someone who doesn’t enjoy books. There are only people who haven’t yet discovered the kind of books they love.
What Kids Are Reading: 2016 Edition
What Kids Are Reading is a great resource for introducing students to engaging new titles and intriguing new authors. Check out these articles for more insights on motivating daily reading practice and supporting literacy growth from kindergarten through high school.
Grade 4
No data available.
You can create your own What Kids Are Reading report! Use this Custom Report Builder tool to see specific results for your state—and to make custom book lists for individual students and reading groups.
Based on the currently selected filters