Children's and youth literature

Jigsaw artwork response to children's literature.

Children’s and young adult (YA) literature is rich and diverse, spanning multiple formats and genre. Increase your knowledge and understanding of the literature, and discover strategies to evaluate and promote it to engage students in reading.

Contents

Teacher reading aloud to his class.

Getting to know read-alouds

Reading aloud to children and teenagers stimulates interest, imagination and language, and exposes them to the joys of reading. Finding and choosing a 'read-aloud' that you and your students will enjoy is crucial, so here are a few tips and resources.
Girls reading picture books.

Picture books

Learn what makes a good picture book and how to use them to engage students with reading.
A selection of early chapter books.

Early chapter books

Early chapter books (young fiction) help young readers transition from picture books to fiction. This stage of reading can span a number of years and a range of reading needs, from eager young readers to struggling older readers.
A young person enjoying a sophisticated picture book.

Sophisticated picture books

Sophisticated picture books weave words and pictures to tell a story, making them highly effective at engaging students with reading. Visual and literary features provide subtle subtexts and require readers to draw on existing knowledge.
2 tweens reading a book in the school library

Books for tweens

Capturing the imagination of your tween readers (aged about 9–12 years) requires a broad range of genres and formats — fiction and non-fiction with plenty of series fiction, humour, and mystery.
Arrange fiction by genre.

Genres and forms for young adult and young fiction

Find out about popular young fiction and young adult (YA) fiction genres and forms so you can help students choose books they'll enjoy.
An engaging display of poetry books.

Poetry

Find out how poetry enhances wellbeing through self-expression and empathy, and engages children with reading and writing. Using wordplay, humour, and insights into the ordinary and extraordinary, poetry captures emotions and can confront serious issues.
Boys reading graphic novels

Graphic novels

Graphic novels are a long-form type of comic. Find out how to use them to engage readers and develop visual literacy skills.
School librarian or teacher searching through shelves for childrens's and young adult (YA) books

Books and Reads — for kids and teens

Use our Books and Reads tool to explore, find, and share children’s and young adult (YA) books and reviews, and find reading communities.
Reading engagement
Children's and youth literature