Library staff love recommending books for children and teens.
Our SamePage Catalogue is the best place to find recent book lists created by Librarians.
50 Best Books for Babies
The books on this list were chosen by Read to Me with assistance from a group of Nova Scotia children’s librarians. The selected books contain strong rhythm and rhyme to help build vocabulary, feature bright colours and bold images for visual stimulation and help nurture bonding and attachment by encouraging playful interaction between parent and child.
Stories to Share
100 Terrific Books to Give Your Child a Head Start Before School
- 20 Bags – 5 books in each
- Books recommended by library staff
- The bags can be requested at any library branch or bookmobile
- A checklist of all 100 books is available from your local library
More Reading Lists on the CBRL Pinterest Page
The following is a list of Pinterest boards from the CBRL Pinterest page which feature books for children and teens. This list is in alphabetical order. Follow the links to see the boards. Pinterest works best when logged in with your own free Pinterest account.
Back to School…for all ages! : Teachers and parents may find useful titles on this board!
Black Canadians : Books about Black Canadians, particularly those pertaining to Nova Scotia. A mix of fiction and non-fiction, for both children and adults.
Bookflix: Kids : Watch the movie, read the book. These books for children and teens that have been adapted into films. We have both in our catalog.
Bullies and Bullying : From picture books through teen fiction, personal stories to anti-bullying techniques for both kids and concerned adults, a selection of works showing bullying in its many forms from the varying perspectives of the victims, the perpetrators, the bystanders, and the oblivious, and those who want to help.
Canada 150: YA : In honour of Canada’s 150th birthday, here are 150 teen books written by 150 Canadian authors. Click through the pin to go to the library catalogue and place a hold.
Chilling Tales: Scary Stories for Middle School Kids
Clare’s Picks for Teens : Looking for a great young adult novel? Check out these books.
Cultural Diversity for Kids : Broaden your horizons by reading about children who are different race, culture, or religion than you. These books are aimed at the middle grades (ages 9-12).
Cultural Diversity for Teens : Broaden your horizons: check out a book where the main character is a different race, culture, or religion than you. These books are all aimed at youth ages 12 to 18.
Culturally Diverse Picture Books : Broaden your child’s horizons by reading together about children who belong to different races, cultures, and religions. These books are aimed at children from Preschool – age 8.
Disabilities: A Mile in My Shoes : Whether you have a disability or you’re just wondering what it’s like, you’ll relate to these junior and teen protagonists dealing with disabilities.
Don’t Call me Princess : Tired of magic, fairies, and rescuing the princess? Then check out these books starring feisty elementary-aged girls.
Dyslexia-Friendly Kids’ Books : These books feature fonts, page layouts, and paper that make it easier for those kids with dyslexia to read them, and stories that make them want to keep on reading.
Expanding Family : Books about new babies for new siblings! Some books focus on pregnancy and waiting for baby, others focus on what it is like to be a new big brother or sister. All are available at Cape Breton Regional Library.
Fault in our Stars Read-Alikes : You’ve heard great things about The Fault in our Stars by John Green. You’re excited about the movie. You want to read the book but all our copies are checked out! Here’s what to read instead.
Fiction Reads for Older Teens : Great books for mature young adults to enjoy!
Indigenous Reads: First Nations, Metis & Inuit :A collection of books written by predominantly Canadian Indigenous authors as well as educational books to introduce students to important topics in Indigenous history.
Fun Crafts, Activities, and More for Kids of All Ages – From Two to Teen!
Free To Be Me : If it annoys you when people say boys, girls, and families have to look or act a certain way, you may find these picture books refreshing.
French/English Childrens Books to Enjoy in Both Languages. Childrens Books with both English and French versions in the CBRL collection. The French book is usually shown, the English (or French, as needed) title of the book is listed. Most books are for Preschool-Gr.2. Those for older children have the note “(Gr.3+)”.
French Series Fiction: Many popular children’s and teen series are available in French at our library branches.
Graphic Novels for Kids and Teens : What’s even better than a great story? A great story with lots of cool pictures! Here are some of our favorites…
Great Series for Teen Boys : Thrilling book series that teen boys won’t be able to put down!
The Halifax Explosion: On December 6, 2017, two ships collided in Halifax harbour, resulting in the largest man-made explosion prior to the development of the atomic bomb. The story and scope of the disaster and its aftermath is revealed in fiction and non-fiction narratives for both adults and children in these selections from the collection of the Cape Breton Regional Library.
Halloween Books for Children : Looking for your next “spooktacular” read? Check out these titles for a guaranteed scare!
Harry Potter Read-Alikes : Did you finish the Harry Potter series and wish there was more? These middle grade and young adult fantasy books may be able to slake your craving for magical learning.
Hot Series for Teens : Something for every teen!
Just In For Teens! Our Newest Teen Reads
Kat’s Picks for Middle Graders : If you’re a 9-12 year old who loves to read by yourself or a caregiver looking for a story you and a child will both enjoy reading aloud, check out these books!
Kat’s Picks for Teens : Looking for a great YA novel you can get at your local branch? Check these out.
Lego for Everyone: If you love LEGO, we have a book for you! Find projects for all ages and skill levels, as well as looks at various characters and creations.
LGBTQ+ for Young People :Are you Queer/Questioning? Undecided? Intersex? Lesbian? Transgender/Transsexual? Bisexual? Allied/Asexual? Gay/Genderqueer? Just curious? Then check out some of these chapter books and graphic novels!
LGBTQ+ for Teens: A reading list for young adults of books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes.
Manga Series : Whether you’re a grown-up or a kid, whether you like action, romance, mystery, magic, horror, or a little bit of everything, you should be able to find something new to try among these Japanese (and Japanese-style) graphic novel series. Click through each pin to go to the library catalogue and place a hold.
Non-Fiction Reads for Teens – From how-tos, to fashion, to life choices and biographies, something for every teen. (See the QUILTBAG board for more books specific to LGBTQ interests.)
Wimpy Kid Read-Alikes : Can’t get enough of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid books? Here are some more kids’ novels that combine diary entries and doodles.
Wise and Wonderful Childrens’ Books : You’re never too old to appreciate these books. Philosophical, metaphorical, and timeless classics.