Reading
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Reading helps build social and emotional skills, sparks creativity and imagination, promotes bonding, and helps kids do well overall in school.
It doesn't matter if your child is three-years-old or three-months-old - there's no better time to start than now!
Stop by the Library to pick up a reading log to track each book you read together. While reading is the real reward, visit the Library when you hit 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 books to choose a small prize and have your picture taken for our Frame of Fame. When you complete the program, receive a completion certificate! Happy reading!
You may also log your reading with beanstack, an online platform, and app, designed to motivate you to reach your reading goals by tracking when, how much, and what you read.
Kids' Book Awards Lists
The Monarch Award
The Monarch is designed to encourage Illinois children in grades K-3 to read critically and become familiar with children’s books, authors, and illustrators.
View and download the 2027 Monarch Award book list.
The Bluestem Award
The Bluestem is designed for students in grades 3-5 who are ready for longer titles than found on the Monarch list, but not quite ready for the sophistication of some of the Rebecca Caudill titles.
View and download the 2027 Bluestem Award book list.
The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award
The Caudill is designed for students in grades 4-8. An annual award is given to the author of the book voted most outstanding by students in participating Illinois schools.
View and download the 2027 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award list.
School District 54 Battle of the Books
District 54’s Battle of the Books encourages students in grades 1-6 to read. Each year, the school district develops lists of books for the Battle.
View and download 2025-2026 Battle of the Books lists:
Grades 1-2; Grades 3-4; Grades 5-6