By 1808Delaware
The newest edition of the Choose to Read Ohio booklist is out, and it offers a wide, lively sweep of storytelling from creators with deep ties to the state. The State Library of Ohio and the Ohioana Library Association partnered with the Ohio Center for the Book and the Choose to Read Ohio Advisory Council to develop the 2026 list, which gathers 20 books for readers of every age.
A Showcase of Ohio’s Creative Range
The list reflects the unusual range of work produced here. Poetry, nonfiction, picture books, biography, middle-grade fiction, and speculative storytelling all sit side by side. Some names are nationally known; others may be new discoveries for many readers. What ties them together is a connection to Ohio and a willingness to tackle subjects that matter.
Past lists have highlighted everyone from Toni Morrison to Paula McLain. This year’s group continues that tradition with creators who bring fresh approaches and strong voices. The advisory council shaped the list with input from 55 teachers, librarians, and other reading advocates from across the state. Their role isn’t ceremonial; electors read the nominated works closely and vote on what they believe will resonate most with Ohio readers.
Books for Adults
The adult selections include photography, biography, short fiction, and poetry. Ian Adams and Randall Lee Scheiber’s This Place of Silence blends evocative images of burial grounds with text by Robin L. Smith. Taylor Byas offers a dynamic poetry collection in I Done Clicked My Heels Three Times. Keith O’Brien revisits a complicated American sports figure in Charlie Hustle. Nnedi Okorafor continues her blend of imagination and folklore in She Who Knows. Ghassan Zeineddine’s Dearborn brings together stories grounded in identity and place.
Books for Teens
This year’s teen list includes mystery, magical realism, and graphic storytelling. Kara H. L. Chen’s Asking for a Friend explores friendship and expectation with humor and heart. Mindy McGinnis, well-known to Ohio YA readers, offers Under This Red Rock, a story that leans into tension and interior conflict. Safe Passage, written by G. Neri and illustrated by David Brame, moves between emotional depth and visual energy. Adam Rex’s A Little Like Waking shifts into dreamlike territory, while Alison Stine’s Dust brings readers into a stark and layered near future.
Books for Tweens and Middle-Grade Readers
Richard Jenn Bishop’s Free Throws, Friendship, and Other Things We Fouled Up leads this group with a look at middle-school life through sports and relationships. Kate Messner’s The Next Scientist, illustrated by Julia Kuo, introduces young readers to the early sparks that shaped great scientific minds. Tricia Springstubb’s How to Tell a True Story, Phil Stamper’s Eli Over Easy, and Andrea Wang’s Summer at Squee round out the list with stories of curiosity, personal growth, and unexpected adventures.
Books for Young Children
This year’s picture book selections carry a quiet mix of humor, nature, and wonder. Jashar Awan’s Every Monday Mabel brings gentle charm. Kellie DuBay Gillis offers real-world guidance in If You Find a Fawn, illustrated by Wazza Pink. Jacob Grant’s Umami plays with the senses. Quartez Harris’s Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer, illustrated by Gordon C. James, introduces young readers to a major literary voice. Barb Rosenstock’s The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure, illustrated by Jamey Christoph, ties regional geography to inspiring imagery.
Why CTRO Matters
The strength of the CTRO program lies in its aim: helping Ohioans connect with books created by people rooted here. Libraries, schools, book clubs, and individual readers use these lists as starting points for conversations about identity, history, and imagination. The selections also encourage a sense of local pride in the creative work produced in our communities.
The full list is available here for download, along with a printable poster. The State Library also hosts a complete roster of the 2026 electors who shaped this year’s picks. All is available here.
