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.

Photo of a person reading a picture book.

Photo of two hands placing an award seal on a picture book.

Book Awards

Our awards celebrate exceptional picture books, children’s poetry, graphic novels, and community reads that inspire lifelong literacy.

colorful mural on side of brick building celebrating August Wilson and his plays, 2037 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh.

Literary & Cultural Resources

Discover Pennsylvania’s literary and cultural heritage through interactive maps and digital tools that deepen learning with primary sources and place-based exploration.

small children sitting on floor with books

Teaching Materials

These research-informed resources and lesson plans support a wide range of learners while aligning with both Pennsylvania and national curriculum standards.

New at the Center

2027 Pennsylvania Great Reads

Nominations Now Open!

The Pennsylvania Center for the Book is currently accepting nominations for the 2027 Pennsylvania Great Reads from Great Places program!

All 56 Centers for the Book, which represent all 50 states and six U.S. territories, select an annual Great Read for Young Readers (<18) and a Great Read for Adult Readers (18+) to represent their respective state or territory at the National Book Festival.

We are seeking nominations from Pennsylvania librarians, authors, educators, and the general public. To be considered for the 2027 PA Great Reads, nominated titles must have some connection to Pennsylvania, such as the book is written or illustrated by a PA author and/or based in PA, and must have been published within the last two years. Additional selection criteria can be found here.

Nominations for both young readers and adult titles must be sent to pacftb@psu.edu by Thursday, December 31st.

Pennsylvania Authors Spotlight

Fall Reads

To celebrate the start of fall on September 22nd, we are highlighting a few books from Pennsylvania authors that feature some of our favorite elements of the season: