READING LIST

Rebekah Hurst, one of our Visitor Services Associates, complied a reading list for children and young adults featuring books like My Museum by Joanne Liu, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi and Grover and the Everything in the Whole Wide World Museum by Norman Stiles. For Hurst, these books were inspiring, imaginative and visually captivating. "A lot of these taught me the importance of creativity and self-expression growing up. As an adult, I still enjoy many of these works when I read with my nephews or by myself!" she says.

Grover and the Everything in the Whole Wide World Museum by Norman Stiles, K-2nd grades

With Grover leading the way, explore a kooky museum filled with everything in the whole wide world. This is a great book to read to little ones or test your young reader’s skills. Throughout the story you learn to categorize all sorts of things and get excited about what you might see next time you visit a museum! 

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, K-2nd grades

            Harold and the Purple Crayon is the perfect bedtime story. This book follows Harold using his purple crayon to imagine his own adventure before going to bed. Exercise your imagination and quick thinking to draw your own journey like Harold!

Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne, K-2nd grades

Four individuals, represented only by their voices, visit the park, and each remember the day very differently. This book is filled with hidden references to things like famous artworks and fairy tales. When you read this book look carefully and think about how each voice might feel based on how they experience and remember the day! This book is a great way to learn about empathy and putting yourself in other’s shoes. 

Three Pigs by David Wiesner, K-2nd grades

            This isn’t your traditional Three Little Pigs story! These pigs get crafty and put a new twist on this classic fairy tale.

My Museum by Joanne Liu, no words 

            My Museum is a short and sweet picture book that takes you on a trip to the art museum. Try to spot some of the famous artworks in this brightly painted world!

My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok, 9-12th grades

            My Name is Asher Lev tells the emotional tale of a young man living at odds with his artistic passion and his religion. Asher is born to a devoutly Jewish family who is unsure of how to deal with his early artistic talents. He grows up struggling to find a balance between the art world, his need for expression, and his religious upbringing.   

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Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, 9-12th grades

            Persepolis is a beautiful, two-part comic memoir written and drawn by Marjane Satrapi. In the first part, The Story of a Childhood Marjane recalls her daily life as a child in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. The second part, The Story of a Return, details Marjane move to Vienna to avoid the Iran-Iraq War. There she is introduced to the outspoken philosophies of her new Western friends. She eventually moves back to Iran and discovers how much she and her country have changed.