The Georgia Center for the Book has selected 32 prize-winning authors and illustrators with Georgia connections for its inaugural list of “25 Books All Young Georgians Should Read.” The prestigious list was revealed Thursday in a private event at Parker’s on Ponce steakhouse in downtown Decatur. A free public event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon on the Decatur Square to allow readers to meet many of the authors and illustrators and get books signed.

The list, selected by the writers, educators, librarians, and media representatives who comprise the Center’s advisory council, represents the first time a compilation of some of the best of children’s literature by Georgia writers and artists has been made available. Many of the authors and illustrators on the list will participate in free public readings throughout Georgia libraries and schools over the next two years.

The books selected for the inaugural list of “25 Books All Young Georgians Should Read” include:

Picture Books (Pre K+)
• Liz Conrad (illustrator) – Little Duck
• Carmen Deedy (author), Thomas Gonzalez (illustrator) – 14 Cows for America
• Elizabeth O. Dulemba (author & illustrator) – Soap, Soap, Soap – Jab?n, Jab?n, Jab?n
• Nathaniel Lachenmeyer (author), Aki Sogabe (illustrator) – The Origami Master
• Eric Litwin (author), James Dean (illustrator) – Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
• Danny Schnitzlein (author), Bill Mayer (illustrator) – The Monster Who Did My Math
• Diane Z. Shore & Jessica Alexander (authors), James Ransome (illustrator) – This is the Dream

Early Readers (grades K – 3)
• Lola Schaefer – Mittens

Graphic Novel (grades 4+)
• Andy Runton – Owly

Middle Readers (grades 4-8)
• Evelyn Coleman – Freedom Train
• Ted Dunagan – A Yellow Watermelon
• Gail Karwoski & Loretta Johnson Hammer – The Tree that Owns Itself and Other Adventure Tales from Out of the Past
• Shelia Moses – Joseph
• Mary Ann Rodman – Yankee Girl
• Vicky Alvear Shecter – Alexander the Great Rocks the World
• Kim L. Siegelson – Honey Bea
• Doris Smith Buchanan – A Taste of Blackberries
• Laurel Snyder – Any Which Wall
• Deborah Wiles – Each Little Bird That Sings

Young Adults (grades 7+)
• Jodi Lynn Anderson – Peaches
• Lynn Cullen – I Am Rembrandt’s Daughter
• James Dashner – The Maze Runner
• S.A. Harazin – Blood Brothers
• Terra McVoy – Pure
• Walter Sorrells – First Shot

Learn more at www.georgiacenterforthebook.org.