The following databases are good sources to start with to start researching books for high schoolers to read.
- Gale Books and Authors
- This database is perfect if you already have a preferred genre or favorite books. This has over 100,000 recommended fiction and non-fiction book titles, many with plot summaries and awards information. Search by genre, subject, author, title, series, and more!
- Gale Literature Crticism
- This database provides access to a wide range of literary analysis and scholarly commentary on authors and their works from all periods and literary traditions. This may not point you towards your next book, but it can inform you about the author if you are interested in learning more about the authors of books you have already enjoyed.
- Digital Public Library of America
- This database is free, open-access digital library that brings together millions of materials from libraries, archives, museums, and other institutions across the United States. This isn't a book recommendation site. However, you can search by genre or topic and can also get access to banned books. It's a great resource to find lesser-known or public domain titles.
- WorldCat
- Now that you have some ideas on books you want to read, you may be wondering, "Where do I find them?" You can use this database to search your school's catalog and beyond. It lets you search millions of items near your location. It also specializes in WorldCat.org, which locates unique, trustworthy materials that you often can’t find anywhere except in a library.
- Common Sense Media
- Common Sense Media is an excellent website for parents to use to assess the maturity and explicit content of movies, apps, TV shows, games, and books suitable for their kids. This may sound like something only parents can use, but I also think it's helpful to use if you're a teen and you know your parents have rules about what you can read, watch, or play. This can help you create a list of books you'd like to read, and if you need your parents' help to obtain them, you will be armed with the argument needed to justify why it is appropriate, and wow them with your thoughtfulness and research skills!