Sept. 4, 2025 – The 2025-2026 Iowa Children's Choice books have been announced, and the library has them available at both the Downtown and Ladd locations. Each spring, 3rd through 6th grade students across Iowa take part in the nomination of books for the Iowa Children's Choice Award, which is put on by the Iowa Association of School Librarians. Students around Iowa will get the chance to vote for their favorite, and a winner will be announced in the spring of 2026.
Come into the library to check these books out, or put them on hold in our catalog by clicking on their covers below.
"Dogtown" by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko
In Dogtown, a shelter for unwanted canine and robot dogs, an extraordinary bond develops between Chance, a longing three-legged dog, Metal Head, an empathetic robot, and Mouse, their friendly ally, as they strive to find forever homes.
"Drawing Deena" by Hena Khan
When aspiring artist Deena’s anxiety reaches a breaking point, both she and her mother learn the importance of asking for help, and that, with the right support, she can create something truly beautiful.
"Ferris" by Kate DiCamillo
During the summer before fifth grade, Ferris Wilkey has her hands full with her little sister terrorizing the town, her Uncle Ted moving into their basement and her grandmother seeing a ghost – one who has wild, impractical, and illuminating plans.
"The Firefly Summer" by Morgan Matson
When her estranged grandparents invite her to stay with them for the summer, Ryanna meets many relatives on her late mom’s side of the family and discovers a whole new side of herself – and a place where she really belongs.
"Good Different" by Meg Eden Kuyatt
Seventh-grader Selah Godfrey knows that to be ‘normal’ she has to keep her feelings tightly controlled when people are around, but after hitting a fellow student, she needs to figure out what makes her different – and why that’s ok.
"Half Moon Summer" by Elaine Vickers
Two seventh graders, Drew and Mia, spend their summer in Half Moon Bay, California, training for a half-marathon and supporting each other as their families struggle with medical and financial problems.
"Hands" by Torrey Maldonado
Twelve-year-old Trevor has an adult problem to deal with: how to protect himself, his sisters, and mother from his abusive stepfather, and he thinks the way to do that is to take up boxing – although he would really rather draw.
"How to Catch a Polar Bear" by Stacy DeKeyser
In 1948 Milwaukee, 12-year-old Nick’s expectations for summer crumble when he ends up working at a frozen custard stand, but with a tricksy competitor and a runaway polar bear, Nick’s summer turns out more eventful than he imagined.
"It Found Us" by Lindsay Currie
Hazel, a 12-year-old aspiring detective, must decode a series of ominous clues tied to a century-old tragedy to find a missing teenager before it is too late.
"Just Gus" by McCall Hoyle
After guardian dog Gus is injured defending his flock of sheep, he is sent to recuperate and heal with a young boy, Diego, whom Gus finds he can help by learning how to work as an emotional support animal.
"Just Keep Walking" by Erin Soderberg Downing
Twelve-year-old Jo finds herself on a 100-mile hike. As one obstacle after the next continue to test her strength and ultimate survival, Jo will have to confront her greatest fears head on and learn how to be alone.
"The Labors of Hercules Beal" by Gary D. Schmidt
Seventh-grader Hercules Beal has to figure out how to fulfill his teacher’s assignment of performing the Twelve Labors of Hercules in real life and discovers important things about friendship, community, and himself along the way.
"The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor" by Aubrey Hartman
Twelve-year-old Poppy meets a water nymph and exchanges her favorite book for a lion, but her deal has unexpected consequences that Poppy must fight to correct.
"The Lost Library" by Rebecca Stead
When a mysterious Little Free Library guarded by a large orange cat appears overnight, 11-year-old Evan plucks two weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change.
"Max in the House of Spies" by Adam Gidwitz
To find his way back home to his family in Germany during WWII, protagonist Max, with a kobold on one shoulder and a dybbuk on the other, sets out to do the impossible – become a British spy.
"Not an Easy Win" by Chrystal D. Giles
Nothing has gone right for 12-year-old year old Lawrence since his Pop went away. After getting expelled from school for fighting, he discovers the world of chess, and things begin to change.
"Nothing Else but Miracles" by Kate Albus
Living on their own on Manhattan’s Lower East Side while their Pop is off fighting in World War II, 12-year-old Dory Byrne and her brothers discover an abandoned hotel that proves a perfect hideout just when they need it most.
"The Probability of Everything" by Sarah Everett
When an asteroid has an 84.7% chance of colliding with the Earth in four days, 11-year-old Kemi, who loves scientific facts and probability, assembles a time capsule to capture her family’s truth as she comes to terms with saying goodbye.
"Rewind" by Lisa Graff
Twelve-year-old McKinley O’Dair somehow finds herself back in time in 1993 – and it’s not all kitschy parachute pants and "Jurassic Park," but before she can return to the present, she’s going to have to make a big change.
"A Royal Conundrum" by Lisa Yee
An elite group of underdogs trained to fight crime must save their unique school from shutting down.
"Shiny Misfits" by Maysoon Zayid & Shadia Amin
When Bay Ann’s crush catches her before she falls (which was his fault anyway) and gets all the ‘fame,’ she is determined to beat him at his own attention-seeking game.
"Something Like Home" by Andrea Beatriz Arango
When a lost dog helps Laura find a way home to her family, they discover family in each other along the way.
"The Superteacher Project" by Gordon Korman
Oliver and Nathan, determined to get to the bottom of their new homeroom teacher’s fishy behavior, discover Mr. Aidact is actually an AI robot from a secret experimental program.
"A Work in Progress" by Jarrett Lerner
Hiding himself in baggy jeans and oversized hoodies, Will resorts to drastic measures to transform his appearance to win over his crush, until he meets someone who helps him see his body as an ever-evolving work in progress.
"You are Here: Connecting Flights" by Ellen Oh
These tales of 12 young Asian Americans crossing paths in a busy Chicago airport are a powerful and engaging exploration of contemporary Asian American identity.