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.
Celebrating 15 years of What Kids Are Reading
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.
1st Edition
2009
3 million
US Students
9,898
Schools
78 million
Print Books
102,661,888
Digital Books
50 billion seconds
Or 1,576 years of student reading
15th Edition
2023
5.4 million
US Students
22,185
Schools
171 million
Print Books
155,823,367
Digital Books
71 billion seconds
Or 2,265 Years of Student Reading
Most popular books over the years
For 15 years, these books have ranked #1 the most times in each grade range:
Grades K-2
Green Eggs & Ham
Green Eggs & Ham
Grades 3-5
Charlotte's Web
Charlotte's Web
Grades 6-8
The Outsiders
The Outsiders
Grades 9-12
To Kill A Mockingbird
To Kill A Mockingbird
Inspiring words from world-famous writers
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.
SE Hinton | Author of The Outsiders
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
Melba Pattillo Beals | Author of Warriors Don’t Cry
What Kids Are Reading: 2017 Edition
I owe everything I am and everything that I will ever be to books.
Gary Paulsen | Author of Hatchet
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.
Jewell Parker Rhodes | Author of Black Brother, Black Brother
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.
Judith Viorst | Author of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
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.
Rodman Philbrick | Author of Freak the Mighty
What Kids Are Reading: 2015 Edition
We cannot really know another person until we honor that person’s story.
Pam Muñoz Ryan | Author of Esperanza Rising
What Kids Are Reading: 2021 Edition
Books can build bridges of compassion and break walls of ignorance and hatred.
Padma Venkatraman | Author of A Time to Dance
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.
Jeannette Walls| Author of Glass Castle
What Kids Are Reading: 2016 Edition
Resources to motivate student reading
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.
Blog post
Popular books in each state
State
Grade
Grade 4
Most popular books in Grade 4 in Wisconsin
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Download the 2023 edition of
What Kids Are Reading
Explore the grade-level lists of the top print and digital titles, see students’ favorite books over the last fifteen years, and much more.
