The United States Board of Books for Young People’s (USBBY) mission is to “[build] bridges of international understanding through children’s and young adult books." The annual Outstanding International Books List recommends approximately 40 titles for readers, preschool through high school. 

Chosen by a committee of people who love and study children’s and young adult literature, these books represent the outstanding bridges authors, illustrators, and translators from around the world create each year. One of the many reasons people become lovers of literature is the ability books have to teach us. To reach us. They teach us to understand people better, see our world differently, or examine our place within it. They reach places in our minds and hearts that we, as readers, never expect. Books build bridges.

The Outstanding International Books list represents why we love literature—it highlights books that appeal to our hearts and minds and leave us wanting more. Download the full list here.