News

The State Library of Ohio and the Ohioana Library Association, with the Ohio Center for the Book and the Choose to Read Ohio Advisory Council, are pleased to announce the 20 books selected for the 2021 & 2022 Choose to Read Ohio (CTRO) booklist.

From rising stars including debut author Justin A. Reynolds and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Oge Mora, to the late literary giant Toni Morrison, the new booklist gathers exciting, talented creators who work across genres, explore a wide array of topics, and appeal to all age groups.

The CTRO initiative promotes reading across Ohio through a biennial booklist of 20 representative titles for all ages. CTRO booklists spotlight and celebrate the rich and diverse tapestry of published literature by Ohioans.

CTRO helps libraries, schools, families, book clubs, and others build communities of readers and an appreciation of Ohio authors, illustrators, and literature. CTRO promotes reading across the Buckeye State by encouraging Ohioans of all ages to read and share books created by native Ohioans and Ohio residents.

Of note especially during the public health emergency: CTRO can help create these communities even in a time of social distancing. Many titles on the new booklist, such as Go Ahead in the Rain, The Lake Effect, Invisible Emmie, and others, are available as ebooks through the Ohio Digital Library and other ebook providers. Many previous CTRO selections are also available digitally.

Also, each CTRO book features a free downloadable readers’ toolkit. The toolkits are packed with ideas and resources, including an author biography, discussion questions, activities, book jacket and author photos, and links for further exploration of the book’s themes, topics, or setting. Toolkits for all CTRO titles through the 2019 & 2020 booklist (115 books in all!) are available at library.ohio.gov/ctro. Toolkits for the 2021 & 2022 titles will be created and added starting in fall 2020.

Previous CTRO booklists have spotlighted titles by Ohio authors and illustrators including Jacqueline Woodson, Susan Orlean, Wil Haygood, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Drew Daywalt, Louise Borden, Denise Fleming, Will Hillenbrand, Virginia Hamilton, Angela Johnson, Paula McLain, J. Patrick Lewis, Daniel Kirk, Dav Pilkey, Katrina Kittle, and many others.

The 2021 & 2022 CTRO booklist was developed by an advisory council representing schools, libraries, and literary organizations, with input from 59 Ohio teachers, librarians, and other book lovers who served as CTRO electors.

2021 & 2022 Choose to Read Ohio Booklist

Books for Adults

Hanif Abdurraqib, Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest

Robert P. Madison* with Carlo Wolff*, Designing Victory: A Memoir: The Architect Who Dared, Dreamed, and Achieved International Acclaim

Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye

Michael J. Rosen, A Mile and a Half of Lines: The Art of James Thurber

George Takei, Justin Eisinger*, Steven Scott*, and Harmony Becker*, They Called Us Enemy

Books for Teens

David Arnold, Mosquitoland

Christopher Barzak, The Gone Away Place

Ronni Davis, When the Stars Lead to You

Erin McCahan, The Lake Effect

Justin A. Reynolds, Opposite of Always

Books for Tweens/Middle Grades

Mary Kay Carson, The Tornado Scientist: Seeing Inside Severe Storms

Sharon M. Draper, Blended

Michelle Houts, Count the Wings: The Life and Art of Charley Harper

Terri Libenson, Invisible Emmie

Jasmine Warga, Other Words for Home

Books for Young Children

Skila Brown, Clackety Track: Poems About Trains; illustrated by Jamey Christoph*

Matt de la Peña, Love; illustrated by Loren Long*

Rukhsanna Guidroz, Leila in Saffron; illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova*

Rita Lorraine Hubbard, The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read; illustrated by Oge Mora*

Sandra Markle*, Hush Up and Hibernate!; illustrated by Howard McWilliam

*Asterisk denotes Ohio creator of co-created book.

Download the new 2021 & 2022 booklist formatted for printing and sharing.

Teachers, librarians, and others graciously offered their time, support, and expertise as CTRO 2021 & 2022 booklist electors, by reading and assessing many nominated books of interest to one or more age groups. The CTRO Advisory Council and the CTRO partner organizations are indebted to these librarians and educators for their generous participation:

Alison Huey, Children’s Services Manager, Barberton Public Library
Ally Doliboa, Youth Programming Coordinator, MidPointe Library System
Annisha Jeffries, Youth Services Manager, Cleveland Public Library
Arin Burton, Associate Children’s Librarian, Lima Public Library
Audrey Hogan, Assistant Coordinator of Youth Services, Fairfield County District Library
Brenda Gehm, Director of Libraries (retired), Monroe Local Schools

Carol Kapostasy, Educator; Writer, Orange City Schools
Casaundra Bronner, Library Media Specialist, Dayton Public Schools / Stivers School for the Arts
Cassie Greenlee, Youth Services Assistant, Wood County District Public Library
Christina Getrost, Teen Librarian, Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library
Christina H. Dorr, Ph.D., Media Specialist, Hilliard City School District and Adjunct Faculty, Kent State University
Courtney Brown, Library Specialist, Ohioana Library

Deborah L. Dubois, Outreach Coordinator, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library
Desiree Thomas, Librarian, Worthington Libraries
Don Boozer, Manager, Literature/Ohio Center for the Book, Cleveland Public Library

Elaine Betting, Director of Community Engagement, Lorain Public Library System
Emmalee Coontz, Intermediate/Teen Librarian, Akron Summit County Public Library / Maple Valley Branch
Eric Nickels, Adult Services Librarian II, Greene County Public Library / Fairborn Community Library
Eric Pfeffinger, Librarian, Toledo Lucas County Public Library
Erin O’Reilly-Mazon, Intervention Specialist, Saint Brigid of Kildare
Evone Jeffries, Subject Department Librarian, Cleveland Public Library
Gail Greenberg, Educator/Media Specialist

Joseph Prince, Curriculum & Outreach Educator, Jerome Library, Bowling Green State University
Jan Sandro, Teacher Librarian, Mad River Local Schools / Stebbins High School
Jennifer C. Young, Selection Librarian, Columbus Metropolitan Library
Jennifer Maschari, Teacher, St. Brigid of Kildare School
Jennifer Metz-Fischer, Library Media Specialist, Dayton Public Schools
Jenny Oney, Library Associate, Worthington Libraries
Joan Gudorf, District Librarian (retired), Fairborn City Schools
John Edward Jarvey, English Teacher (retired), Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Judy Ignasiak, Teacher/Librarian (retired)

Kaitlin Booth, Children and Teen Acquisitions Librarian, Medina County District Library
Karen Hildebrand, Library Director (retired), Delaware City Schools and Curriculum Chair for the Delaware County Historical Society
Kathy Halsey, Children’s Writer, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Kathy Shahbodaghi, Public Services Director, Columbus Metropolitan Library
Katie Porteus, District Librarian, Cardington-Lincoln Local Schools
Kevin D. Cordi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Education (Literacy and Literature), Ohio University Lancaster and Professional Storyteller
Kim Karshner, Professor of English, Lorain County Community College
Krista Tokarz, Children’s Librarian, Cuyahoga County Public Library / Brooklyn Branch

Laura Griffin, Youth Collection Development Specialist, Upper Arlington Public Library
Lisa E. Hemphill, High School Library Media Specialist, Dayton Public Schools
Lisa Patrick, Marie Clay Endowed Chair, The Ohio State University
Luke LaBuhn, Student, Kent State University

Marley Krivchenia, Children’s Librarian, Delaware County District Library
Mary Plews, Teen Specialist, Toledo Lucas County Public Library
Meg Brown, Director of Children’s Education, Thurber House
Megan Chrusciel, Adult Services Librarian, Westerville Public Library
Michelle L. Garver, Youth Services Manager, Columbus Metropolitan Library / Reynoldsburg Branch
Morgan Peters, Program Coordinator, Ohioana Library

Pam Magelaner, Library Circulation Department Manager, Denison University Library
Rachel Myers, Children’s Librarian, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library
Renee Baum, Librarian, Athens City School District, Morrison Gordon Elementary
Robin Sanders, Fourth Grade Teacher, St. Bernadette School

Sarah Granville, Teen Services Librarian, Barberton Public Library
Sondra Presley, Mid-Size Branch Manager, The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County
Stephanie Bange, Children’s Literature Consultant

Terry Tocchi, Children’s Librarian, Stark County District Library
Therese Phillips, Reference and Adult Services, Grove City Public Library
Vicky Schmarr, Adult Services, Delaware County District Library

CTRO is a project of the State Library of Ohio and the Ohioana Library Association, in collaboration with the Ohio Center for the Book and Ohio’s libraries.