Read for a Lifetime 2025-2026

Read For A Lifetime is a state wide reading program that targets high school students. This initiative promotes the enjoyment of reading by encouraging students to read both classic and contemporary literature, and rewards them for their efforts. By participating in the program, students develop a love of books and reading that will last a lifetime.
For more information please check out the website at: https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/library/center_for_the_book/rfl.html
Or visit the Teen Loft Desk at the library.

• Sign up for the challenge on the Beanstack App.
• Read at least 4 books off of the official 2025-2026 list to finish and earn a drawing ticket for gift cards.
• Read 4 books off of the official 2025-2026 list to earn a certificate of achievement signed by the Secretary of State and State Librarian.
• Read all 25 books off of the official 2025-2026 list for even more state recognition.
• This program is sponsored by the state and looks great on college applications!

• • Sign up anytime between now and April 1, 2026!
  • Last day to report books is April 2, 2026
  • Certificates will be given to finishers once we receive them from the state.
  • Gift Cards will be awarded to drawing winners the same time as the certificates.

#MurderTrending

by Gretchen McNeil

In a dystopian near future, society engages in the public execution of convicted criminals via the streaming app, The Postman, from Alcatraz 2.0. Seventeen-year-old Dee Guerrera awakens in a warehouse, realizing she is the next target despite being innocent of any crimes. Determined to evade a wrongful execution, she allies with a group she names the Death Row Breakfast Club. Together, they must race against time to prove her innocence and survive against the app’s lethal executioners.

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83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary

by Don Brown

Journalist Don Brown presents a poignant account of the devastating impact of Russia’s invasion on the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. Once a peaceful residential area, it has transformed into a battleground where civilians are forced to seek refuge in cellars amid scarcity of food, water, and medical supplies. The narrative highlights the relentless siege endured by the city, drawing parallels to historical instances of fierce resistance such as the Alamo and Dunkirk. Through Brown’s compassionate lens, the book not only captures the suffering of Mariupol’s inhabitants but also reflects the broader human cost of conflict that echoes across Ukraine, challenging notions of patriotism and survival in the face of overwhelming odds.

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Aisle Nine

by Ian X. Cho

Jasper, a teenage nobody with no friends or family, spends his days working as a checkout clerk at the Here for You discount mart, where a hell portal in aisle nine means danger every shift. But at least here he can be near the girl he’s crushing on—Kyle Kuan, a junior member of the monster-fighting Vanguard—who seems to hate Jasper for reasons he can’t remember or understand. But when Jasper and Kyle learn they both share a frightening vision of the impending apocalypse, they’re forced to team up and uncover the uncomfortable truth about the demons that haunt the world. Because the true monsters are not always what they seem, the past is not always what we wish, and, like it or not, on Black Friday all hell will break loose, starting in aisle nine.

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All Better Now

by Neal Shusterman

A novel virus is spreading, resulting in profound and unprecedented effects on those who survive complete and lasting contentment, which eradicates negative emotions such as stress and depression. While many embrace this newfound state, those in positions of power, who rely on discontent to drive consumerism, perceive this happiness as a threat to productivity and societal stability. In response, they initiate campaigns declaring eternal happiness to be perilous and begin searching for a vaccine. Concurrently, a movement emerges among the “Recoverees,” individuals who wish to disseminate the virus to promote global well-being. Amidst this chaos, three teenagers from diverse backgrounds, each affected by the virus in distinct ways, find themselves at the epicenter of a struggle that has the potential to reshape humanity.

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After Life

by Gayle Forman

On a seemingly ordinary spring afternoon, Amber returns home on her bike, an unsettling event as she was presumed dead seven years ago after a tragic accident. Her unexpected reappearance profoundly affects her family, particularly her sister Melissa and estranged parents who are in conflict over Amber’s return. The repercussions extend to her friends and acquaintances, all grappling with the legacy of her past. Throughout this turmoil, Amber reflects on her identity and the purpose of her second chance at life. This remarkable narrative by author Gayle Forman artfully examines the fragile boundary between life and death, the significance of individual impact, and the intricate beauty of existence.

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Better Than the Movies

by Lynn Painter

Liz Buxbaum, an eternal daydreamer, has long harbored feelings for her elusive crush, Michael, who never truly acknowledged her before moving away. With his return to town, Liz is determined to capture his attention and possibly secure him as her prom date. To achieve this, she enlists the help of her annoyingly attractive neighbor, Wes Bennet, who has been a source of irritation since childhood due to their pranks against one another. As Liz and Wes collaborate to bring her closer to Michael, Liz unexpectedly finds herself enjoying Wes’s company. This evolving relationship compels her to reassess her understanding of love and reconsider what a “Happily Ever After” truly entails.

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Bless the Blood: A Cancer Memoir

by Walela Nehanda

Walela recounts their experience following a diagnosis of advanced stage blood cancer at the age of twenty-three. Faced with a medical system that often disregards their identity, including issues related to their pronouns, Walela navigates the challenges posed by both health and societal expectations. The journey not only highlights the intersectionality of their identities—disabled, fat, Black, queer, and nonbinary—but also fosters a deeper connection with their ancestors. This pivotal moment catalyzes a profound self-realization and ultimately reveals their resilience in confronting mortality within a flawed healthcare framework.

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Brownstone

by Samuel Teer & Mar Julia

Almudena, who has long contemplated the father she never knew, faces a transformative summer alone with her Guatemalan father, Xavier, after her white mother embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Xavier is eager to bond but expects Almudena to assist in renovating his dilapidated brownstone, all while she grapples with his rapid Spanish, which she struggles to understand. As she acclimates to her new surroundings, Almudena meets the diverse residents of Xavier’s Latin American neighborhood, each with their own experiences and cultural expectations of her identity. Some question her connection to her roots, while others believe she does not fully belong. As the summer progresses, Almudena and Xavier must bridge their emotional distance and integrate their disparate backgrounds, ultimately seeking to transform their relationship into a familial bond amidst the complexities of their individual lives.

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Call Me Iggy

by Jorge Aguire & Rafael Rosado

Ignacio “Iggy” Garcia, a Colombian American teenager from Ohio, faces the complexities of adolescence after a chance encounter with Marisol, a girl preoccupied with her own challenges. While Iggy seeks to win her affection, he receives misguided romantic advice from the ghost of his deceased grandfather, leading to a series of personal revelations. “Call Me Iggy” narrates Iggy’s quest for identity within his family and community against the backdrop of the shifting political landscape during the 2016 election. This story explores tema of familial relationships and emerging love, while questioning perceptions of Latino-American identity and highlighting the potential of youth.

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Dungeons and Drama

by Kristy Boyce

Riley Morris, an avid musical enthusiast with aspirations of becoming a Broadway director, faces a setback when her spring show is canceled. To revive her theatrical ambitions, she must navigate her responsibilities at her father’s game store, which he prioritizes over family. Seeking a way to elevate her status, she recruits her co-worker, Nathan Wheeler, to help her create a facade of a romantic relationship. In return, she intends to assist him in making his crush jealous. As they pretend to be a couple, Riley surprisingly discovers enjoyment in Nathan’s role-playing game and finds that her feelings for him may not be mere pretense after all.

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Everything We Never Had

by Randy Ribay

In “Everything We Never Had,” the narrative spans four generations of the Maghabol family, each grappling with their identity and societal expectations. In 1930, Francisco Maghabol struggles in California’s fields, contemplating his decision to leave the Philippines amidst growing violence. By 1965, his son Emil faces prejudice in school while working at his aunt’s restaurant, determined to forge his own path, distinct from his father’s legacy as a labor organizer. In 1983, Chris rebels against his father’s control and discovers a newfound interest in Filipino history after a school assignment disrupts his life. Finally, in 2020, Enzo deals with personal anxieties and family tensions during a pandemic, seeking to mend the rift between his father and grandfather through their shared history. The story is intricately woven through multiple perspectives, illustrating how the Maghabol men navigate their challenges while passing down their values and flaws, culminating in Enzo’s quest to unify their experiences.

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Heartless Hunter

by Kristen Ciccarelli

In the wake of a catastrophic revolution, witches are hunted and diminished, and Rune must conceal her true identity. While leading a double life as a glamorous socialite by day and the vigilante Crimson Moth by night—rescuing endangered witches—her plans are complicated when a rescue attempt fails. To divert attention, she courts the alluring but brutal witch hunter Gideon Sharpe, who has his own motives for infiltrating her life. As he navigates her world of superficiality, he discovers her intelligence and kindness, conflicting with his role as her pursuer. Kristen Ciccarelli’s “Heartless Hunter” launches The Crimson Moth duology, weaving a tale of romance and danger in a society where love poses as great a threat as witchcraft itself.

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Heir

by Sabaa Tahir

In a poignant narrative, acclaimed author Sabaa Tahir intricately weaves the lives of three distinct characters within the Martial Empire, each facing personal trials that intertwine with themes of power, treachery, and love. Aiz, an orphan and fierce avenger, endures the hardships of the Kegari slums and seeks retribution for her past. Meanwhile, Sirsha, a banished tracker reliant on magic, reluctantly accepts a perilous mission to apprehend a child-killer, only to find herself entangled in a complex emotional conflict. Lastly, Quil, the crown prince, grapples with the heavy legacy of his father while confronting a formidable new threat to the Empire. Together, their journeys highlight the harsh consequences of ambition and greed, ultimately leading them to confront the potential loss of their lives and hearts.

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James

by Percival Everett

Jim, an enslaved man, learns of his impending sale to a buyer in New Orleans, prompting him to conceal himself on Jackson Island while he devises a plan for escape. Concurrently, Huck Finn fakes his own death to evade his abusive father. This sets in motion their perilous journey down the Mississippi River, seeking freedom in the uncertain promise of the Free States. While retaining familiar elements of *Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*, including natural disasters and encounters with con artists, the portrayal of Jim is reimagined, highlighting his agency, intellect, and compassion. The work, infused with humor and keen insights, cements James Everett’s status as a pivotal figure in contemporary American literature.

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Looking for Smoke

by K. A. Cobell

When local girl Loren includes Mara in a traditional Blackfeet Giveaway to honor Loren’s missing sister, Mara thinks she’ll finally make some friends on the Blackfeet reservation. Instead, a girl from the Giveaway, Samantha White Tail, is found murdered. Because the four members of the Giveaway group were the last to see Samantha alive, each becomes a person of interest in the investigation. And all of them—Mara, Loren, Brody, and Eli—have a complicated history with Samantha. Despite deep mistrust, the four must now take matters into their own hands and clear their names. Even though one of them may be the murderer.

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Powerless

by Lauren Roberts

In the kingdom of Ilya, only the extraordinary are deemed worthy, as the Elites possess powers bestowed by a devastating Plague. Those labeled as Ordinary, such as Paedyn Gray, face banishment, leading her to navigate life as a fugitive. Having learned to adapt, Paedyn masquerades as a Psychic to survive in the harsh slums. However, her fate alters when she inadvertently saves a prince, drawing her into the perilous Purging Trials, which highlight the very abilities she does not possess. As she grapples with the life-threatening competition, she also confronts her growing feelings for the prince, a situation fraught with danger should her true identity be revealed.

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Project Hail Mary

by Andy Weir

Ryland Grace finds himself as the lone survivor of a critical space mission, unaware of his identity or the specific nature of his assignment. Awakening in deep space, accompanied only by two deceased crewmates, he gradually retrieves fragmented memories. Faced with the daunting challenge of solving a scientific enigma to prevent an extinction-level disaster, he must rely solely on his capabilities, with the nearest human being light-years away. Time is running out, and the burden of humanity’s survival rests on his shoulders.

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Shut Up, This is Serious

by Carolina Ixta

Belén Dolores Itzel del Toro grapples with the complexities of adolescence in East Oakland, where her desires for love and normalcy are overshadowed by personal challenges. With her father’s departure, looming graduation issues, and her best friend Leti’s unexpected pregnancy— complicated by Leti’s secretive relationship with a Black boyfriend against her family’s racist views— Belén feels increasingly overwhelmed. By providing support to Leti and engaging with an older peer, she attempts to navigate her own struggles, only to face the harsh realities of her situation. As her friends prepare for their futures, she questions her own path, reflecting on the cycles of her environment and the journey toward self-discovery. This debut novel by Carolina Ixta offers a poignant exploration of friendship, family bonds, and the transformative quest for identity.

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Snowglobe

by Soyoung Park

In a perpetual winter, the citizens of Snowglobe, the last warm haven on Earth, enjoy a seemingly perfect life within a dome, shielded from the harsh, icy wasteland outside. Their daily routine involves commuting to a power plant essential for sustaining their climate-controlled home, while their lives are broadcast for the less fortunate outside, who yearn for a similar existence. Among them is Chobahm, an avid viewer of the popular show “Goh Around,” featuring the beloved star Goh Haeri. However, when Haeri’s death leads to Chobahm being selected to assume her role, she discovers that life in Snowglobe is a far cry from the glamorous facade presented on screen, revealing deeper, unsettling truths behind its idyllic surface.

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The Boys of Riverside: A Deaf Football Team and a Quest for Glory

by Thomas Fuller

In November 2021, an email from the California Department of Education caught the attention of New York Times reporter Thomas Fuller, who learned about the California School for the Deaf’s football team in Riverside, which was enjoying an undefeated season. Drawn to this uplifting story amidst the challenges of the pandemic, Fuller traveled seven hours to explore the dynamic between the team of underestimated boys and their deaf coach, Keith Adams. “The Boys of Riverside” chronicles the 2021 and 2022 seasons, highlighting personal narratives such as a player who spent nights in a car and another who played through a broken leg. Through these stories, Fuller depicts the essence of high school athletics, the spirit of camaraderie, and the experience of deafness in America.

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The Collectors: Stories

by A.S. King (Editor), and an All-Star Cast of Contributor

The anthology presents a diverse range of narratives exploring the theme of collections, each crafted by nine prominent young adult authors responding to a prompt from A.S. King. The storytellers, including M. T. Anderson, e. E. Charlton-Trujillo, A.S. King, David Levithan, Cory McCarthy, AnnaMarie McLemore, G. Neri, Jason Reynolds, Randy Ribay, and Jenny Torres Sanchez weave tales that reflect unique perspectives—ranging from a non-binary individual’s quest for identity to 1970s skaters navigating challenges. This collection not only showcases the innovative storytelling of award-winning authors but also highlights the multifaceted nature of storytelling through the act of gathering, ultimately illustrating how any collection can illuminate deeper narratives.

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The Glass Girl

by Kathleen Glasglow

Fifteen-year-old Bella grapples with the pressures imposed by her family and the void left by her deceased grandmother. Seeking refuge from her difficulties, Bella turns to alcohol as a coping mechanism, believing she can control her drinking. However, following a harrowing experience of waking in the hospital after a Thanksgiving party, she is compelled to confront her reality and enter rehab. This novel offers a poignant and empathetic examination of the societal influences that can lead young women toward addiction, highlighting the path to recovery.

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The Reappearance of Rachel Price

by Holly Jackson

Eighteen-year-old Bel grapples with the enduring mystery of her mother Rachel’s disappearance, which occurred sixteen years ago. Despite being the only witness, Bel has no recollection of the event and yearns for closure. The family’s decision to participate in a true crime documentary brings the past crashing back, leading to Rachel’s unexpected return. Rachel shares a story that challenges Bel’s perception of reality and raises questions about her mother’s true nature and the circumstances of her absence. Amidst ongoing filming, Bel is compelled to uncover the truth about her mother and confront the implications of this revelation on her life and understanding of family.

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Twenty-Four Seconds from Now

by Jason Reynolds

Twenty-four months ago, Neon experienced an embarrassing moment when he was chased by a dog in a church parking lot, an event that became significant due to his connection with the dog’s owner, Aria, who captivated him with her casual appearance. Over the past two years, Neon’s relationship with Aria has deepened, coinciding with discussions about intimacy prompted by his father. Recently, a discovery made by Neon’s mother about intimate apparel in his room indicated preparation for a significant milestone in their relationship. Following a work shift, Neon brought Aria her favorite chicken tenders, a modest but meaningful gesture. Currently, he finds himself in a state of anxiety, trapped in her bathroom as he grapples with his feelings and fears regarding their impending intimate moment.

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When the World Tips Over

by Jandy Nelson

The Fall siblings reside in the scorching Northern California wine country, where their lives were disrupted years ago by the mysterious disappearance of their father. Now, twelve-year-old Dizzy bakes cakes and yearns for a romantic adventure, while her brother Miles, seventeen, balances his roles as a scholar and athlete, hoping to discover his ideal partner. Nineteen-year-old Wynton, a gifted violinist, grapples with his ambitions in the pursuit of fame and the risk of self-destruction. Their lives take a turn with the arrival of a mysterious girl with rainbow hair, who appears to play a significant role in each sibling’s life. However, a catastrophic event exacerbates their struggles, leaving them more fragmented and longing for unity. This narrative intricately weaves together themes of love, rivalry, family curses, and the legacies of joy and sorrow, illustrating the complex dynamics of the family’s past and present, and their desire to reshape their futures.