2024-2025 Booklist


SUBMIT YOUR TITLES HERE! The deadline to submit is April 11, 2025.


Read for a Lifetime is a statewide reading program that targets high school students. This initiative promotes the enjoyment of reading by encouraging students to read both classic and contemporary literature, and rewards them for their efforts. By participating in the program, students develop a love of books and reading that will last a lifetime.

Illinois high schools participating in the program receive a list of 25 book titles, which represents a mixture of classic and contemporary literature.

  • Each student who reads at least four titles from the posted booklist during the school year will receive a certificate of achievement signed by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White.

  • All books must be read and reported to Ms. DeSoto by April 11th.

Program Statistics

  • Over the history of the program 19,567 students and adults from more than 500 high schools and public libraries throughout Illinois have read 90,777 books.

  • 490 high school seniors have received special recognition for having completed the program requirements during all four years of high school.

  • 161 students have read all 25 books on the list in a given school year.

  • 12 high school seniors have received special recognition from Secretary of State Jesse White for completing the program requirements all four years, by reading all 25 titles each year.


2023-2024 Read for a Lifetime Booklist & Award Recipients

  • Liliana Sanchez

2022-2023 Read for a Lifetime Booklist & Award Recipients

2021-2022 Read for a Lifetime Booklist & Award Recipients

  • Esenia Banuelos
  • Mia Romo

2020-2021 Read for a Lifetime Booklist & Award Recipient

  • Esenia Banuelos

2019-2020 Read for a Lifetime Booklist & Award Recipients

  • Esenia Banuelos
  • Jimena Esparza
  • Valeria Ezparza
  • Edgar Guzman Jacobo
  • TeKyla Manuel
  • Benjamin Munoz
  • Litzi Ramirez

2018-2019 Read for a Lifetime Booklist & Award Recipients

  • Aguilar, Andrew
  • Arriaga Hernandez, Karyme
  • Banuelos, Esenia
  • Chaparro, Gabi
  • Cordova, Alexis
  • Cruz, Dayana
  • Diaz, Emily
  • Dillard, Malik
  • Gamble, Chanyrah
  • Garcia Merino, Javier
  • Godina Correa, Edgar
  • Gonzalez, Caroline
  • Gonzalez, Princess
  • Gray, Isis
  • Harper, Briana
  • Hernandez, Toby
  • Hester, Breiyan
  • Hodges, Mikyla
  • Kindred, Angel
  • Maxey, Eleanor
  • McDonald, Kaylah
  • Melendez, Denise
  • Owusu, Godrein
  • Paige, Kaylin
  • Smith, Ariana
  • Valdivia, Michelle
  • Winburn, Alicia

Information gathered from Illinois Center for the Book.