Inspire Kids’ Research Projects Using ALA Notable Children’s Books (2025)
As educators, librarians, and homeschool parents, we know how important it is to ignite curiosity and foster a love of learning in children. One of the best ways to do this is through research projects that not only challenge students but also engage them with books that are both meaningful and inspiring. Each year, the American Library Association’s (ALA) Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best children's books through the ALA Notable Children's Books list, and these books can be the perfect springboard for exciting and enriching research projects for students.
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Early Elementary: Exploring Nature, Animals, and Diversity
For younger students, research projects can be centered around topics found in picture books or simple informational texts. Notable picture books often explore nature, animals, or social-emotional topics.
What Makes a Book "Notable"?
The ALA Notable Children’s Books list is a prestigious selection of books that are recognized for their excellence in literature for children and young adults. According to the Notables criteria, a book is considered "notable" if it is worthy of notice for being distinguished, important, and outstanding. These books exhibit creativity, originality, and exceptional quality in their respective genres, which can include fiction, poetry, information books, and picture books. The best part? These books reflect children's interests and encourage exploration in dynamic, age-appropriate ways.
For teachers, librarians, and homeschool parents, using these books as inspiration for research projects provides a rich opportunity to spark children's imaginations and help them dive deeper into various subjects. Here’s how you can incorporate ALA Notable Children’s Books into research projects for different age groups.
Abuelo, the Sea, and Me
Ismée Williams
A Cuban American girl bonds with her abuelo as they share stories about his childhood and visit the ocean.
- Cuban culture
- Grandparents
- Ocean animals
- Family stories
Adela's Mariachi Band
Denise Vega
Adela longs to join her family's mariachi band and finds her unique way to contribute to the music.
- Mariachi music
- Family bands
- Mexican traditions
- Musical instruments
Ahoy!
Sophie Blackall
A parent and child embark on a high-seas adventure, exploring imagination through a living room voyage.
- Pirates
- Ocean animals
Barnaby Unboxed!
Terry Fan, Eric Fan, Devin Fan
A pet feels the ups and downs of love, jealousy, and heartbreak in a story of resilience and reunion.
- Pets
- Friendship
- Resilience
- Emotions
Be Careful, Xiao Xin!
Alice Pung
Xiao Xin wants to prove he's brave, but his family worries about his safety in this bilingual story.
- Safety rules
- Bilingual books
- Courage
- Family care
Being Home
Traci Sorell
A young Cherokee girl moves back to her ancestral homeland and embraces her heritage.
- Cherokee culture
- Native American traditions
- Family
- Moving homes
The Book That Almost Rhymed
Omar Abed
A boy’s rhymes are hilariously disrupted by his sister, leading to a collaborative story.
- Rhyming words
- Siblings
- Storytelling
- Creativity
The Boy and the Elephant
Freya Blackwood
A boy imagines an elephant in a city green space, and fights to save it from being developed.
- Elephants
- City parks
- Imagination
- Saving animals
Built to Last
Minh Lê
Two boys form a friendship while building with blocks, leading to a creative yet spectacular failure.
- Building blocks
- Friendship
- Problem-solving
- Creative play
Chooch Helped
Andrea L. Rogers
Chooch’s helpfulness frustrates his sister until she learns the value of patience and teaching by example.
- Helping others
- Patience
- Siblings
- Kindness
Desert Song
Laekan Zea Kemp
A family plays music together on their porch in the Texas desert, connecting with their ancestors.
- Desert animals
- Music
- Family traditions
- Texas
Dive, Dive into the Night Sea
Thea Lu
This interactive book explores the wonders of the night sea with textured illustrations and lift-the-flaps.
- Ocean animals
- Nighttime
- Interactive books
- Sea creatures
Dog vs. Strawberry
Nelly Buchet
A competitive dog races against a strawberry, creating a humorous and imaginative chase.
- Dogs
- Strawberries
Drawn Onward
Daniel Nayeri
A grieving boy embarks on a quest, discovering that those we love are never truly gone.
- Grief
- Adventure
- Family love
- Fantasy stories
The Dream Catcher
Marcelo Verdad
Miguelito helps his abuelo sell dream catchers and cocoanuts, ultimately finding peace in the present.
- Dream catchers
- Grandparents
- Peace
- Native American culture
Exactly as Planned
Tao Nyeu
Fox and Moose experience the same day differently, showing two perspectives of the same event.
- Animals
- Different perspectives
- Friendship
- Moose
The First Week of School
Drew Beckmeyer
A class pet, Pat, notices the new student might be out of this world, setting up an unusual school year.
- School pets
- New students
- Alien stories
- School life
A Flicker of Hope: A Story of Migration
Cynthia Harmony
A girl waiting for her father’s return parallels a monarch butterfly’s journey, highlighting migration.
- Migration
- Butterflies
- Family reunions
- Hope
Fox versus Fox
Corey R. Tabor
Two foxes, a red fox and an Arctic fox, test each other’s abilities before forming a friendship.
- Foxes
- Arctic animals
- Friendship
- Competition
Go and Get with Rex
David LaRochelle
A humorous adventure ensues when Rex, a dog, makes unexpected choices in a game of fetch.
- Dogs
- Fetch
- Humor
- Animal behavior
Gray
Laura Dockrill
A child learns it’s okay to feel “gray” sometimes, receiving reassurance about emotional ups and downs.
- Emotions
- Color gray
- Feelings
- Self-acceptance
Heatwave
Lauren Redniss
The intense heat of a summer day contrasts with the cooling relief of a rainstorm in vibrant illustrations.
- Weather
- Heatwaves
- Rainstorms
- Seasons
Hello Day
Charlie Mylie
A child’s exuberant greetings to the world teach their father to appreciate the small things around them.
- Greetings
- Mindfulness
- Father-child relationships
- Nature
Hello Hello Colors
Brendan Wenzel
A board book introduces endangered animals through a rainbow of colors, fostering early environmental awareness.
- Endangered animals
- Colors
- Environmentalism
- Animals
Home in a Lunchbox
Cherry Mo
A Chinese girl bridges cultural divides and forms new friendships through the comfort of her lunchbox.
- Friendship
- Chinese culture
- Food
How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way
Rachel Michelle Wilson
A humorous guide teaches children how to handle embarrassing situations, focusing on self-acceptance.
- Embarrassment
- Humor
- Self-confidence
- Potty training
If You Run Out of Words
Felicita Sala
A girl’s “what if” questions are answered by her father’s whimsical tales of love and reassurance.
- What-if questions
- Storytelling
- Family love
- Imagination
Joyful Song: A Naming Story
Lesléa Newman
Zachary and his family celebrate his sister’s naming ceremony in a joyful procession through their community.
- Naming ceremonies
- Family traditions
- Joyful celebrations
- Community
Just What to Do
Kyle Lukoff
A child navigates how to comfort others in times of loss, learning the value of different coping strategies.
- Grief
- Emotions
- Friendship
The Last Stand
Antwan Eady
A young narrator helps his grandfather protect their family’s produce stand, highlighting the work of Black farmers.
- Black farmers
- Small businesses
- Family support
- Farming
Let's Go!
Julie Flett
A young boy learns confidence and builds community while learning to skateboard with his mother’s old board.
- Skateboarding
- Confidence
- Adventure
- Family
Life Is Beautiful
Winsome Bingham
A girl cherishes weekends with her grandmother, learning to find beauty even in life’s most challenging moments.
- Grandparents
- Beauty
- Family bonds
- Happiness
Lone Wolf Goes to School
Kiah Thomas
A wolf, who enjoys solitude, faces numerous interruptions when trying to be alone at school.
- Wolves
- School life
- Friendship
A Maleta Full of Treasures
Natalie Sylvester
Dulce prepares for her abuela’s visit from Peru, thinking of ways to send back special items for family members.
- Peru
- Family traditions
- Gifts
- Culture
Millie Fleur's Poison Garden
Christy Mandin
Millie Fleur’s passion for poisonous plants inspires a community of plant enthusiasts.
- Poisonous plants
- Gardening
- Nature
- Community
Monster Hands
Karen Kane and Jonaz McMillan
Milo and his friend face their fear of monsters, communicating with sign language to overcome their fear.
- Monsters
- Sign language
- Overcoming fear
- Friendship
Mr. Lepron's Mystery Soup
Giovanni Zoboli
A rabbit, Mr. Lepron, faces the challenges of growing fame and success in his soup-making business.
- Soup
- Business
- Rabbits
- Creativity
My Daddy Is a Cowboy
Stephanie Seales
A lyrical celebration of a father and child's bond as they share a special horseback ride through the city.
- Cowboys
- Father-child bonds
- Horses
- Adventures
My Olive Tree
Hazar Elbayya
A young Palestinian girl and her grandfather plant olive trees to symbolize hope and resilience.
- Olive trees
- Hope
- Resilience
- Gardening
The Noisy Puddle: A Vernal Pool through the Seasons
Linda Booth Sweeney
Children observe a vernal pool and its diverse life forms through the changing seasons.
- Puddles
- Animals
- Seasons
- Wetlands
Noodles on a Bicycle
Kyo Maclear
A historical picture book showcasing Tokyo’s bicycle food-delivery men balancing noodles in crowded streets.
- Tokyo history
- Bicycles
- Japanese culture
- Street food
The One & Only Googoosh: Iran's Beloved Superstar
Azadeh Westergaard
A biography of Iranian singer Googoosh, showing her early life and impact of the Iranian Revolution.
- Iranian history
- Googoosh
- Music in Iran
- Iranian Revolution
One Day This Tree Will Fall
Leslie Barnard Booth
Follows a tree’s life from seed to decomposition, focusing on its impact on the ecosystem.
- Tree life cycles
- Ecosystem
- Environmental science
- Nature's impact on communities
One Giant Leap
Thao Lam
A wordless book about a child’s imagination as snowfall transforms the world into a new planet to explore.
- Snowfall
- Space exploration
A Pinecone!
Helen Yoon
A whimsical story of a child collecting pinecones while walking the dog.
- Pinecones
- Nature walks
- Dogs
- Collecting objects
Rising
Sidura Ludwig
A quiet day of making challah and celebrating Shabbat with family and friends.
- Shabbat
- Jewish traditions
- Family celebrations
- Bread-making
A Sleepless Night
Micaela Chirif
A toddler’s crying disrupts an apartment, and Grandmother's remedy saves the day.
- Toddler behavior
- Apartment living
- Grandparents
- Sleep
Spider in the Well
Jess Hannigan
A young boy uncovers a spider's scheme behind a malfunctioning wishing well in a small town.
- Wishing wells
- Spiders
- Small towns
- Problem-solving
Touch the Sky
Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic
A child learns to swing high enough to touch the sky with help from a new friend.
- Swinging
- Friendship
- Learning new skills
- Outdoor play
Towed by Toad
Jashar Awan
Toad, a tow-truck driver, learns even helpers sometimes need help.
- Tow trucks
- Helping others
- Friendship
- Problem-solving
Two Together
Brendan Wenzel
A cat and dog experience adventures together, traveling through nature to find their way home.
- Animals
- Friendship
- Nature adventures
- Teamwork
Up High
Matt Hunt
A child enjoys a new perspective from his father’s shoulders as they explore the city.
- City exploration
- Father-child relationships
- New perspectives
- Urban adventures
Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains
Anita Yasuda
The story of Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Everest, with a focus on sustainable climbing.
- Mount Everest
- Women in history
- Climbing
- Sustainability in climbing
Ursula Upside Down
Corey R. Tabor
A catfish realizes she's been navigating the world upside down, but embraces her unique perspective.
- Fish behavior
- Perspective
- Self-acceptance
- Water ecosystems
Vacation: Three-and-a-Half Stories
Ame Dyckman
Bat, Cat, and Rat plan a vacation but discover they have work to do and decisions to make.
- Vacation planning
- Friendship
- Humor
- Decision-making
Volcanoes
Nell Cross Beckerman
The drama of volcanic eruptions presented through expressive language and artwork.
- Volcanoes
- Natural disasters
- Earth science
We Are Definitely Human
X. Fang
After three aliens crash land, they are helped by the community while repairing their ship.
- Aliens
- Space exploration
- Helping others
- Community hospitality
The Yellow Bus
Loren Long
A school bus lives many lives, serving different communities over time.
- School buses
- Community change
- Transportation history
- Local communities
Upper Elementary: Historical Research and Social Issues
As children grow older, they’re ready to explore more complex topics. Many notable books address historical events, social issues, and cultural movements, making them ideal resources for upper elementary students’ research projects.
Cross-Curricular Integration
One of the great advantages of using ALA Notable Children’s Books is the wide range of subjects they cover. Whether your students are studying history, science, art, or language arts, there’s likely a notable book that fits into the curriculum.
Incorporating Technology and Multimedia
In today’s digital age, children have access to a variety of multimedia tools that can bring their research projects to life. Encourage students to create digital posters, short videos, or even podcasts to showcase their findings from a research project inspired by a Notable Children’s Book. These projects could be shared with peers, parents, or even a broader community through online platforms, promoting engagement and collaborative learning.
Why ALA Notable Children's Books?
The ALA Notable Children’s Books list is a treasure trove of high-quality literature that not only entertains but also educates. These books introduce children to new ideas, cultures, and topics that can spark deep curiosity. By using these books as inspiration for research projects, educators, librarians, and homeschool parents can encourage children to explore important issues, develop their research skills, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning.
So, next time you’re planning a research project, consider pulling from the pages of a recently announced ALA Notable book. Whether it’s an exploration of social justice, a deep dive into history, or an investigation into the wonders of nature, there’s an inspiring project waiting to be discovered!
Beti and the Little Round House
Atinuke
Beti and her family live in a little round house, connected to nature and enjoying the changing seasons.
- Traditional homes
- Seasons
- Nature living
- African culture
Bog Myrtle
Sid Sharp
A macabre graphic novel about capitalism, sisters, spiders, magical thread, and sweaters.
- Capitalism
- Spiders
- Graphic novels
- Magical realism
Buffalo Dreamer
Violet Duncan
Summer, a Cree girl, learns about a nearby residential school and dreams of a girl who escaped.
- Indigenous history
- Cree culture
- Dreams
Call Me Roberto!
Nathalie Alonso
A biography of Roberto Clemente, Puerto Rican baseball player who fought racism and inspired Latin American players.
- Roberto Clemente
- Baseball history
- Latin American athletes
- Puerto Rico
City of Leafcutter Ants
Amy Hevron
A look into the complex social structure of leafcutter ants, comparing them to a human city.
- Ants
- Animal behavior
- Cities
- Nature comparisons
Evidence! How Dr. John Snow Solved the Mystery of Cholera
Deborah Hopkinson
The story of how Dr. John Snow traced the source of a cholera outbreak in London and stopped its spread.
- Cholera
- Epidemiology
- Public health history
- London history
The Fabulous Fannie Farmer
Emma Bland Smith
The biography of Fannie Farmer, who revolutionized cooking with standardized measurements.
- Fannie Farmer
- Cooking history
- Measurement in cooking
- Kitchen science
Golden Gate: Building the Mighty Bridge
Elizabeth Partridge
The story of the Golden Gate Bridge's construction, told through the eyes of two children in San Francisco.
- Golden Gate Bridge
- San Francisco history
- Engineering feats
- Construction challenges
Home
Isabelle Simler
A poetic exploration of various animal homes, from treetop bedrooms to cactus holes.
- Animal homes
- Nature habitats
- Poetry for kids
The Hotel Balzaar
Kate DiCamillo
Marta hears stories from a mysterious guest at the hotel where she lives with her mother during wartime.
- Hotel life
- War stories
- Mystery tales
- Family relationships
Island of Whispers
Frances Hardinge
Milo becomes a Ferryman, delivering souls to the Island of the Broken Tower while trying to evade a dangerous ship.
- Ferryman myths
- Islands
- Eerie tales
- Courage in adversity
Johnny, the Sea, and Me
Melba Escobar
Pedro, a boy obsessed with pirates, gets lost on a Caribbean island, discovering resilience and friendship.
- Pirates
- Caribbean culture
- Resilience
- Friendship stories
John the Skeleton
Triinu Laan
John, a retired skeleton, explores life and death through humorous tales in a family setting.
- Skeletons
- Life and death
- Estonian folklore
- Family humor
Kareem Between
Shifa Saltagi Safadi
Seventh-grader Kareem deals with middle school, football, and his family’s struggles as his mother faces a travel ban.
- Middle school struggles
- Football
- Family challenges
- Immigration issues
Lola
Karla Arenas Valenti
Lola embarks on a magical adventure to save her sick brother, with help from fantastical beings in her garden.
- Mexican folklore
- Siblings
Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All
Chanel Miller
Magnolia Wu solves the mystery of missing socks in her parents’ NYC Laundromat.
- Laundromats
- Mystery solving
- Friendship
- New York City life
Max in the House of Spies
Adam Gidwitz
Max trains to become a spy during World War II in London, with the goal of rescuing his parents from Berlin.
- World War II
- Spies
- Kindertransport
- Berlin history
Mistakes That Made Us
Irene Latham & Charles Waters
A collection of poems where authors confess to childhood mistakes, reminding readers no one is perfect.
- Poets
- Learning from mistakes
- Poetry
My Antarctica
G. Neri
An author shares his adventures and observations during a two-month stay in Antarctica.
- Antarctica
- Exploration
- Animals in Antarctica
- Survival in extreme climates
One Big Open Sky
Lesa Cline-Ransome
Lettie, her mother, and a young teacher journey westward during the Black homesteader movement.
- Black homesteaders
- American west
- History of migration
- Independence in history
Onyx & Beyond
Amber McBride
A young Black boy faces his mother’s dementia and the civil rights movement while navigating his changing world.
- Civil rights movement
- Dementia
- African American experiences
- Family struggles
Poetry Comics
Grant Snider
Poetry and graphic panels illustrate a year-long journey through the seasons in this whimsical comic.
- Poetry comics
- Graphic novels
- Seasons
- Creative storytelling
Popcorn
Rob Harrell
Andrew’s worries escalate on picture day, leading to a panic attack that threatens to "pop."
- Picture day
- Panic attacks
- School life
- Overcoming anxiety
Uprooted: A Memoir about What Happens When Your Family Moves Back
Ruth Chan
Ruth, a 13-year-old, shares her experience moving from Canada to Hong Kong, feeling out of place.
- Immigration
- Family moves
- Living in Hong Kong
- Belonging and identity
We Are Big Time
Hena Khan
Aliya navigates high school pressures and becomes co-captain of her all-girls basketball team at her Islamic school.
- Basketball
- Muslim identity
- Teamwork
We Sing from the Heart
Mia Wenjen
Simon Tam fights for free speech when his band’s name is challenged all the way to the Supreme Court.
- Free speech
- The Slants® band
- Supreme Court cases
- Asian American culture
