Staff picks

Explore poetry books and novels-in-verse for grades 3-5 to celebrate National Poetry Month (or to enjoy whenever!). 

A custom book list created by Multnomah County librarians. Are you a teacher that lives or works in Multnomah County? Need a custom booklist? https://multcolib.org/assignment-alert (Jackie P.)

(Updated 7/2025) Fiction and nonfiction materials about plants and seeds for grades 1-3. The library has already-prepared Buckets of Books on this topic that you can check out. The Buckets contain books similar to those on this list (though not every title is exactly the same) plus a teacher's guide. To see the list of Buckets, go to: http://web.multcolib.org/educators/school-corps/bucket-books 

A custom book list created by Multnomah County Library School Corps librarians for assignments. Are you a teacher that lives or works in Multnomah County? Need a custom booklist? https://multcolib.org/assignment-alert

This list features new and upcoming books for Spring 2026--March, April, and May. This list contains multiple genres, styles, and age ranges, though its primarily queer adult speculative fiction and horror (my favorite genres). Take a peek and see what intrigues you! 

And remember, if there are new books you want but don't see in the library catalog, you can always suggest a purchase from within your Library Dashboard. 

One Book, One Coast connects West Coast libraries through a shared read. This year's selection, They Called Us Enemy, by George Takei, is a graphic memoir about family, identity, and resilience. Here are some more titles that are similar in theme.

A selection of books from incredible women authors over the age of 50, from the Pacific Northwest.

Alice tumbles down the rabbit hole and discovers a world of music and madness in this original jazz musical. Northwest Children's Theater is a My Discovery Pass partner. 

Newspapers, magazines, and journals published by Indigenous or Tribal organizations and presses, or with substantial Indigenous content that may be of interest to the community, that are available through Multnomah County Library as well as select online Native news outlets and resources. This list was created by Multnomah County Library's Indigenous Team.

Novels and graphic novels for grades 4-6

To celebrate Black heritage and family/community gathering, the library has cooked up a list of comforting picture books to read about the joys of creating new family memories and honoring cultural traditions through cooking together.

This Black History Month, we are celebrating prominent historical moments that have taken place in the last century: movements, leaders, inventions, art, and groundbreaking events that impacted the Black community. This list is focused on showcasing 100 years worth of influential Black/African Americans. Created by the Black Cultural Library Advocates team, we invite you to see how Black leaders have impacted society across various industries!

Hip hop and sneaker culture go hand in hand. Here are some books that explore the rich histories and stories behind these two cultural phenomena.

Fiction and nonfiction by Black writers 

A collection of nonfiction materials about African-American History for students in grades 5 through 8.

Resources for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers in Multnomah County

It’s about time to add some excellent reads to your list! For Black History Month, our Black Resources Collection selector Alicia T. curated a list of graphic novels by Black authors. There is a little bit of everything for readers of all ages. This list has a special focus on authors from the Pacific Northwest.

Discover how to draw, cook, love, be antiracist, and so much more!

Everybody Reads 2026 celebrates Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s memoir "Lovely One". This book covers her journey to becoming the first Black woman to be appointed as a Supreme Court justice. Readers get an intimate look into her personal and professional life throughout the book. She shares stories of her family’s heritage, experiences in segregation, learning to channel her voice, and the triumphs and challenges of her career

Books from the young adult section featuring Muslim teens.

Stories featuring Muslim American children and tweens. For preschoolers to grade 7

Children can also be part of Everybody Reads, a community reading event, and explore the themes of Black excellence, community, the power of representation, and Black history through the lives of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and other Black female lawyers, representatives, and a Vice President.