For Parents: Reading Lists & Shelf Help

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Growing Readers: Kids

Search the Kids Catalog

Discover books, movies, music, and more - just for kids!

Early Literacy

Your library is a Family Place Library™ and here to support families' play, learning, and growth with special collections, welcoming spaces, programs for our littlest learners, and trained and enthusiastic staff.

Award Winners for Kids

From the Texas Bluebonnet Award to the Tejas Star, we've got Texas-sized reading lists for kids.

Children's Shelf: Personalized Picks for Kids

Is your child struggling to find a good book? Too busy to browse the shelves for something to read? Need a contactless library experience? The Children's Shelf is the place to be!

Recommended Reads

Discover some great reads hand-picked by our Children's Librarians: from picture books and early readers, to chapter books and fun nonfiction.

TumbleBook Library

Animated picture books, read-along chapter books, and more for kids in grades K-6.

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NoveList

The NoveList database connects readers with great books and inspiring stories. Free to use with your Helen Hall Library card!

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Shelf Help

Discover some shelf navigation strategies in our Shelf Help series.

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Growing Readers: Teens

Browse What's in the Stacks

Explore teen collections of fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and more.

Navigating Teen Collections

Need help finding what's right for you or your reader? Check out our collection guide!

Teen Reading Lists

  • Official Reading Lists: Texas Lone Star, Maverick, Spirit of Texas, Tayshas, Texas Topaz
  • Realistic Fiction: Historical Romance, Novels with Sports Themes, Contemporary Romance
  • Fantasy: Fairy Tale Retellings, High Fantasy, Romance, Tough Girls, Urban Fantasy
  • Mystery: Detective, Do Not Read These After Dark, Ghost Stories, Supernatural
  • Sci-Fi: Paranormal Romance, Post-Apocalyptic, Steampunk, Supernatural, When Tech Goes Wrong, Zombies
  • Inspirational: Biographical, Christian, Self-Acceptance
  • LGBTQ+: Fantasy, Paranormal, Realistic Fiction, Romance
  • Easy Reads: Fast Reads for Book Reports, Gentle Reads, High-Interest, Poetry, Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
  • Unique Book Types: Short Stories/Anthologies, Epistolary, Multiple Narrators, Novels In Verse
  • Graphic Novels & Manga
  • Nonfiction: Cooking, Mental Health, Great Adult Nonfiction for Teens
  • Audiobooks
  • Read-Alikes: Recommendations for fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Warriors, and more!

Teen Book Box

Do you love visiting the Library but don’t always have time to browse for a good book? Then sign up for a Teen Book Box! Available in our spring and fall semesters for ages 12-18, Teen Book Box offers monthly boxes filled with treats and a book selected just for you. For more information, visit our Teen Programs page.

Personalized Readings Lists

Have you read through all of your favorite authors? Are you looking for something new to read? Our librarians are here to help you with personalized reading recommendations.