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Recommended Literature List

Collection of outstanding literature for children and adolescents in grades prekindergarten through grade twelve in all disciplines.

Overview

The California Department of Education (CDE) coordinates the development of Recommended Literature List with the assistance of teachers, teacher librarians employed by schools and public libraries, administrators, curriculum planners, and parents.

Background

Recommended Literature: Prekindergarten through Grade Twelve (Recommended Literature List) is a searchable database of books for children and teens which helps students, teachers, and families find books that entertain, inform, and explore new ideas and experiences. The list is updated annually with the latest and best in children’s and young adult literature. These selected titles should not be viewed as an all-inclusive list; districts can use it as a tool to develop their own lists and update their school and classroom libraries. Ultimately, though, the titles selected for each school and district are a local decision.

The purposes of the recommended literature list are to:

  • Encourage students to read literature related to all curriculum areas and to view such reading as a worthwhile activity.
  • Help students choose quality literature to further their understanding of all curricular areas.
  • Aid parents in choosing quality literature to enhance and extend their child's understanding of all curricular areas.
  • Help school curriculum planners and teachers select and infuse literature into all classes.
  • Promote the cross-curricular connection between English language arts curriculum and all curricular areas.
  • Promote the latest in children’s and young adult literature to encourage schools, districts, and households to update their libraries with the latest and most relevant titles for California students.

It is important to note that the Recommended Literature List is intended as a tool to assist districts as they select literature, but the list only recommends titles. Literature used in a school is determined by the district, and each district should have a selection policy that explains the procedures it uses for selecting literature that reflects the school's education mission, program, and the ages and interests of its students. The selection policy should describe the process for reconsidering the use of a title.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the district to select literature according to the selection policies that are in place.

Many of the literature selections available within the Recommended Literature List contain material that can be considered provocative or controversial. By its very nature, literature can stimulate debate and disagreement about important issues. The Recommended Literature List is designed to give local educational agencies a range of materials to choose from to meet the needs of local teachers and students. In California, specific decisions about classroom instruction are made at the local level by teachers and local administrators, rather than in Sacramento. It should be understood that inclusion of a variety of diverse materials on the Recommended Literature List does not preclude local teachers and administrators from selecting those specific materials that best suit the needs and interests of their local students.

Acknowledgments
Lists individuals who have worked on the Recommended Literature List

Questions: Literature List Staff | LiteratureList@cde.ca.gov | 916-323-6269 
Last Reviewed: Monday, August 19, 2024
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