Aldine ISD Library Services 2026–2027
Embedded Files
The A-List District
The A-List District
Reading Challenge
Reading Challenge
Twelve hand-selected books for every grade band, EC/PK through Grade 12. Read the list, create something that responds to a book you love, and share it with your school and community.
What is the A-List?
The A-List is a district-wide reading initiative for every student from EC/PK through Grade 12. Its goal is to build a shared culture of reading across Aldine ISD. Each grade band has its own list of books chosen by our campus librarians.
The lists include graphic novels, novels in verse, nonfiction, and picture books alongside traditional fiction. They reflect our students’ backgrounds and reading levels and connect to the stories students meet in class. Every title is on the shelf in each campus library and available as an eBook or audiobook through Sora.
Students read from their list, choose one book, create a project that responds to it, and share that work with classmates, families, and the community.
A celebration,
not a competition
A celebration,
not a competition
There are no judges, scores, rankings, or winners. Every student is recognized for taking part and for the thinking they share.
4
grade-band lists
PK–12
every student
12
books on each list
A video message from Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, Aldine ISD Superintendent:
The A-List Reading Initiative (2026) (Version #1).mp4Find your A-List
Choose your grade band to see the full poster. Every book is in your campus library and on Sora.
Browse the Titles
Browse the Titles
Every list in text form, for quick reference and screen readers.
Primary A-List
EC/PK – Kindergarten
Home in a Lunchbox — Cherry Mo
A is for… a Rabbit’s Tale — Jackie Hosking & Lucinda Gifford
How to Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich — Bambi Edlund
There Was a Party for Langston — Jason Reynolds, Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey
Abuela’s Super Capa — Ana Siqueira & Elisa Chavarri
We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish — Ryan T. Higgins
Alpaca Goes Back-a to School — Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen & Leeza Hernandez
Angélica and la Güira — Angie Cruz & Luz Batista
The Fire-Breathing Duckling — Frank Cammuso
POP! Goes the Nursery Rhyme — Betty Bird & Andrea Tsurumi
The Sea Hides a Seahorse — Sara T. Behrman & Melanie Mikecz
Poo Pile on the Prairie (Tiny Habitats) — Amy Hevron
Elementary A-List
Grades 1–5
Every Monday Mabel — Jashar Awan
Big — Vashti Harrison
Pizza and Taco: Rock Out! — Stephen Shaskan
Adela’s Mariachi Band — Denise Vega & Erika Rodriguez Medina
Fireworks — Matthew Burgess & Cátia Chien
There Are No Ants in This Book — Rosemary Mosco & Anna Pirolli
Another — Christian Robinson
Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir — Pedro Martín
Stuntboy, in Between Time — Jason Reynolds & Raúl the Third
Legendarios Book 1: Wrath of the Rain God — Karla Valenti & Vanessa Morales
Mad Scientist Mom: Saved by the Smell — Jarrett Lerner
The Girl Who Figured It Out — Minda Dentler & Stephanie Dehennin
Middle School A-List
Grades 6–8
Isle of Ever — Jen Calonita
Camp Sylvania — Julie Murphy
The Marvellers — Dhonielle Clayton
Pocket Bear — Katherine Applegate
Dear Jackie — Jessixa Bagley & Aaron Bagley
The Squad — Christina Soontornvat & Joanna Cacao
BOMB: Graphic Novel — Steve Sheinkin & Nick Bertozzi
Invisible — Christina Diaz Gonzalez & Gabriela Epstein
Blood in the Water — Tiffany D. Jackson
The Bletchley Riddle — Ruta Sepetys & Steve Sheinkin
A Seed in the Sun — Aida Salazar
Mid-Air — Alicia D. Williams
High School A-List
Grades 9–12
An Impossible Thing to Say — Arya Shahi
Courage to Dream — Neal Shusterman & Andrés Vera Martínez
Lunar New Year Love Story — Gene Luen Yang & LeUyen Pham
Kaiju No. 8 — Naoya Matsumoto
Frontera — Julio Anta & Jacoby Salcedo
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity — Saka Mikami
Hearts Overboard — Becky Dean
Ruin Road — Lamar Giles
Insomniacs After School — Makoto Ojiro
Dungeons and Drama — Kristy Boyce
Wander in the Dark — Jumata Emill
Divine Rivals — Rebecca Ross
How the year works
Four phases, from the first book to the red carpet.
1
1
Fall
Fall
Read & Explore
Students read from their grade’s A-List. Campus librarians introduce the creation tools students will use later
2
2
January – March
January – March
Create
Each student chooses one A-List book and creates a Choice Board project in response, working in class or during library time.
3
3
March – April
March – April
Campus Showcases
Every campus hosts an A-List Celebration of Learning with a gallery walk. Each campus selects five Spotlight Projects.
4
4
April 28, 2027
April 28, 2027
District Showcase
Spotlight students present their work at a district evening event. Each receives a presenter certificate and a book.
Ways to respond: the Choice Board
Students pick the format that fits how they think. Campus librarians teach the tools.
Animated book trailer
Theme Collage
Book Review
Character Interview
Puppet Retelling
Map Maker
Art
Poem
Alternate Ending
Book Cover
Research
Game
Diorama
Social Media
Soundtrack
Families, join us!
Ask your child what’s on their A-List, and read along with them.
Track your reading
Track your reading
Students log A-List books in a reading passport. Ask your campus librarian for one.
Family Literacy Nights
Family Literacy Nights
Hosted with FACE or ELA Departments this spring.
Read anywhere on Sora
Read anywhere on Sora
Every A-List title is available as an eBook or audiobook. Open Sora
Virtual A-List Gallery
Virtual A-List Gallery
Student projects will be on view here year-round. Link coming soon.
Questions about the A-List?
Questions about the A-List?
Talk with your campus librarian, or contact Aldine ISD Library Services at JLJackson@aldineisd.org.
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