Welcome to the Pennsylvania Center for the Book!

The mission of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book is to study, honor, celebrate, and promote books, reading, libraries, and literacy to the citizens and residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 

Graphic about the PA Center for the Book celebrating its 25 years as an established center



NEW AT THE CENTER:

Graphic advertising the nomination of books for the 2025 Pennsylvania Great Reads

Great Reads from Great Places

2025 PA Great Reads Nominations

The PA Center for the Book seeks nominations for young readers and adult books for Pennsylvania's 2025 Great Reads from Great Places! Nominated books must have some relevancy to Pennsylvania, such as being written by a Pennsylvania author or based in the state, reflect the diversity of Pennsylvania residents, and be no more than two years old! 

Nominations are open until March 15th and can be sent to pacftb@psu.edu. We look forward to receiving your nomination!

Graphic of five African American authors from Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Authors Spotlight

African American Authors from PA

To celebrate African American History Month, we are highlighting a few African Americans authors from Pennsylvania: 

Graphic with book covers of five books written by Pennsylvania authors

Celebrating Penn State

Books by Penn State Alumni

To celebrate Penn State's 170th birthday on February 22nd, we are highlighting a few books written by Penn State alumni: 

A photo of a red library cart with children's books

A Baker's Dozen Booklist

2025 Jury Update

The PA Center for the Book has hosted two jury meetings for the 2025 A Baker's Dozen: The Best 13 Books for Family Literacy booklist. For more than 20 years, this list has been used by libraries, schools, and family centers to inspire children to become lifelong readers! This year's jury has already screened 349 children's books published in 2024. 

The 2025 list will be available this spring!

Pennsylvania Authors Spotlight

Children's Book Authors from PA

To celebrate Children's Authors and Illustrators Week in February, we are highlighting a few children's book authors and illustrators from Pennsylvania: 

Graphic of the three books that won ALA Youth Media Awards from Pennsylvania authors

2025 ALA YOUTH MEDIA AWARDS

Award Winners from PA

Congratulations to this year’s American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Award winners, including the following recipients from Pennsylvania: