Research and Course Guides: Children's and Young Adult Literature: Finding Books

Searching for Books: Tips and Tricks

Use LibrarySearch to search for books:

If you are looking for a title, type it in the search box. When you are looking for books on a particular subject, try a keyword search for the term(s) - it can help to add the term "juvenile" to focus the search.
For an author, type the last name first.
Limit the "St. Thomas Location" to "Keffer Library - Children's Literature Collection" on the left-sidebar.

If Keffer Library doesn't own a book you are looking for, request the title through Interlibrary Loan and get it for free.

Reference Guides

The books below may help you identify relevant books for your project. Almost all are located in the reference collection at the Keffer Library.

A to Zoo: Subject Access to Children's Picture Books, 9th ed.
Call Number: Keffer Ref Z1037 .L715 2014
Need a picture book on a specific subject? This will help. A to Zoo provides easy subject access that helps them build, enhance, and organize story time programs and reading lists, and support curricular needs. A logical subject arrangement supports quick and easy discovery of great titles.
Best Books for Children, Preschool Through Grade 6, 10th ed.
Call Number: Keffer Ref Z1037 .G48 2015
Tthis comprehensive professional resource helps teachers and media specialists identify and use the best fiction and nonfiction books published for children grades P-6. It provides helpful indexes for easy and quick access, including author/illustrator, title, and subject/grade level, and it helps teachers build reading lists based on themes and genres.
Outstanding Books for the College Bound
Call Number: Keffer Ref Z1039.C65 O9 2011
This book provides information on 400+ titles considered essential for college bound teens.
Critical Survey of Young Adult Literature
Call Number: Keffer Ref PS 490 C75 2016
This comprehensive collection provides thoughtful examination of the authors, works, genres, themes and film adaptations that have contributed to the popularity and success of the young adult genre. It includes author biographies, genre overviews, plot summaries, theme overviews, and film analysis.

Contact me for assistance

Conrad Woxland

he/him/his

Contact:

conrad.woxland@stthomas.edu
Charles J. Keffer Library | MOH 206F

651-962-4662

Subjects: Education, Psychology

Need a specific reading level?

How do I find books for reading level 3.4 (substitute your level)? Mackin is a local company that works with schools and libraries and has an excellent online catalog that will help you identify books at specific reading levels--also Lexile level, Accelerated Reader, or Fountas & Pinnell levels. You need to set up a free account to search their catalog (and then you will need to use LibrarySearch to see what books are available at Keffer). Use the advanced search option to search for reading and interest levels.