CCBC booklist are compiled from books we have recommended in various editions of CCBC Choices. Most of these booklists are updated annually. You can also select books from one or more booklists to create a custom list, which can also include additional books from the CCBC-Recommended Book Search.

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Religion in the Lives of Children and Teens

Faith, spirituality and religion is important in the lives of many children and teenagers historically and today. This bibliography offers books about specific faiths and religions, books that show children and teens practicing their faith, and books featuring young people considering what their faith means to them.

Compiled by Merri Lindgren

PreK-Grade 3

Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis
by Asim, Jabari
Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2016. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

Beautiful Moon: A Child's Prayer
by Bolden, Tonya
Illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Abrams, 2014. 24 pages. Ages 3-7

Let It Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals
by Bryan, Ashley
Illustrated by Ashley Bryan. Atheneum, 2007. 40 pages. Age 5 and older

The Masjid Kamal Loves
by Franklin, Ashley
Illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel. Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster, 2023. 32 pages. Ages 4-7

Hannah's Way
by Glaser, Linda
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson. Kar-Ben, 2012. 32 pages. Ages 5-9

Yo Soy Muslim: A Father’s Letter to His Daughter
by Gonzalez, Mark
Illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini. Salaam Reads, 2017. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

How Dalia Put a Big Yellow Comforter Inside a Tiny Blue Box and Other Wonders of Tzedakah
by Heller, Linda
Illustrated by Stacey Dressen McQueen. Tricycle Press, 2011. 32 pages. Ages 4-7

Like the Moon Loves the Sky
by Khan, Hena
Illustrated by Saffa Khan. Chronicle, 2020. 28 pages. Ages 2-6

Sunday Is for God
by McGowan, Michael
Illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson. Schwartz & Wade, 2010. 32 pages. Ages 4-7

The Boldest White: A Story of Hijab and Community
by Muhammad, Ibtihaj and S. K. Ali
Illustrated by Hatem Aly. Little, Brown, 2024. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

Who Will I Be, Lord?
by Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux
Illustrated by Sean Qualls. Random House, 2009. 32 pages. Ages 5-8

In Your Hands
by Weatherford, Carole Boston
Illustrated by Brian Pinkney. Atheneum, 2017. 32 pages. Age 6 and older

Grades 4-8

Honey and Me
by Drazin, Meira
Scholastic/Scholastic Press, 2022. 283 pages. Ages 9-13

Will on the Inside
by Eliopulos, Andrew
HarperCollins/Quill Tree, 2023. 292 pages. Ages 9-13

Starfish
by Fipps, Lisa
Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House, 2021. 244 pages. Ages 8-12

Saint Training
by Fixmer, Elizabeth
Zonderkidz, 2010. 240 pages. Ages 10-13

With a Name Like Love
by Hilmo, Tess
Farrar Straus Giroux/Margaret Ferguson Books, 2011. 249 pages. Ages 10-13

Amina's Voice
by Khan, Hena
Salaam Reads, 2017. 208 pages. Ages 9-13

Enlighten Me
by Le, Minh
Illustrated by Chan Chau. Little, Brown, 2023. 137 pages. Ages 9-12

The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman
by Lowe, Mari
Levine Querido, 2023. 162 pages. Ages 9-12

The Witch of Woodland
by Snyder, Laurel
HarperCollins/Walden Pond, 2023. 290 pages. Ages 9-12

The Tryout
by Soontornvat, Christina
Illustrated by Joanna Cacao. Graphix/Scholastic, 2022. 255 pages. Ages 8-12

A Patron Saint for Junior Bridesmaids
by Tougas, Shelley
Roaring Brook, 2016. 272 pages. Ages 9-12

Ways to Make Sunshine
by Watson, Renee
Bloomsbury, 2020. 175 pages. Ages 8-10

A Song Called Home
by Zarr, Sara
Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 2022. 356 pages. Ages 9-12

Grades 9-12

The Poet X
by Acevedo, Elizabeth
HarperTeen, 2018. 361 pages. Age 12 and older

The Head of the Saint
by Acioli, Socorro
Translated by Daniel Hahn. Delacorte, 2016. 181 pages. Age 12 and older

Saints and Misfits
by Ali, S. K.
Atheneum/Salaam Reads, 2017. 328 pages. Age 13 and older

The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen
by Blum, Isaac
Penguin Random House/Philomel, 2022. 218 pages. Age 14 and older

Eddy, Eddy
by De Goldi, Kate
Candlewick, 2024. 287 pages. Age 14 and older

The Opposite of Hallelujah
by Jarzab, Anna
Delacorte, 2012. 452 pages. Age 14 and older

Buffalo Flats
by Leavitt, Martine
Holiday House/Margaret Ferguson Books, 2023. 232 pages. Age 14 and older

49 Days
by Lee, Agnes
Illustrated by Agnes Lee. Levine Querido, 2024. 341 pages. Age 14 and older

Dress Codes for Small Towns
by Stevens, Courtney
HarperTeen, 2017. 337 pages. Age 13 and older

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