The Young Hoosier Book Award Program encourages self-selected reading among elementary and middle school/junior high students. Teachers, librarians, and students from all across Indiana vote on their favorite recent books. This program is run by the Indiana Library Federation (ILF). Check out the list of the 2024–2025 Intermediate nominees! Recommended for ages 8–10.
Compiled by:
Jon S.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Sorosia)
Genius lab rat Clementine is freed by a compassionate technician and when free, discovers a whole new world of wonders. How can she enjoy her freedom when those she cares about are not?
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 597.62 Ale)
Life in the deep, dark “midnight zone” of the ocean is a place where only the strongest survive. The prehistoric looking anglerfish seems to have several advantages against predators.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Lopez)
Series: ChupaCarter
Jorge is upset when he’s sent to live with his grandparents. At his new school, he makes fast friends a kid who shares his interest in junk food and video games. The only problem? The kid is a chupacabra in disguise!
(Juvenile Fiction - J Acevedo)
Cuban-American Frank befriends a strange girl who only wears old-fashioned clothes at the lighthouse in Spectacle Key, Florida. He learns the island is under a curse and she needs Frank’s help to lift it.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Snyder)
Ever wanted your fairy tale to end differently? Now it can! Make your own choices in some of the most beloved fairy tales to give characters like Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel different endings to their stories.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Cisnero)
Best friends Isaac and Marco both want to make important changes to improve their home lives. Basketball seals their friendship, but will it help their situations at home?
(Juvenile Graphic Novels - First Cat In Space v. 1)
Series: First Cat in Space
It's up to a bioengineered cat to save our moon and Earth from being consumed by rats! With the help of the Moon Queen and toenail clipping robot LOZ 4000, can they save the moon in time?
(Juvenile Graphic Novels - J-GN Galliga Freestyle
Dance crew captain Cory is plagued by bad grades and parents who are on his case for not doing better. When he is forced to a get a tutor, Sunna, he learns a new skill and starts skipping dance practice. Will he remain with his dance crew, or give it up for his new friend?
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 921 Green Bol)
Mailman Victor Hugo Green creates a guide book for Black people in the 1930s so they could travel safely and avoid being a victim of the Jim Crow laws. It starts small, but it soon becomes a must-have book for Black people during The Great Depression.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Yoon)
Series: Lia Park
Craving some exciting action, Lia sneaks out against her parents’ wishes and finds out she has broken a magical protective spell. Her parents are then kidnapped and she must rescue them by finding a mysterious ancient jewel.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Grabens)
Series: Mr. Lemoncello's Library
In a prequel to the Lemocello series, we meet Luigi Lemoncello as a teenager obsessed with puzzles. He soon gets a job working for incredible showman Professor Marvelmous at a carnival. When Marvelmous leaves town at the end of the carnival, he leaves puzzle for Luigi that leads to a fantastic treasure!
(Juvenile Fiction - J Gibbs)
Series: Once Upon a Tim
Tim is just a peasant, but dreams big. When Princess Grace in the kingdom next door is kidnapped, he joins the Prince’s army to rescue her. Though he isn’t very skilled, he’s determined to become something more.
(Juvenile Graphic Novels - J-GN Loux Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring)
Prunella is told that monsters live just outside her town’s gates, but, she doesn’t pay them any attention until she finds a strange skull ring in her garden. When placed on her finger, she changes into one of those whispered-about monsters. Now, she must figure out how to reverse the curse, or does she even want to?
(Juvenile Fiction - J Warga)
Taking on human characteristics, Resilience, the new Mars rover, must perform the tasks he was designed for and waylay the inconvenient emotions he finds himself feeling. With trusted friend Fly, the drone helicopter, can Res complete his mission?
(Juvenile Fiction - J Balcarc)
Soccer star Luz loses it all when she injures her knee. Now, what’ll she do? She soon discovers a talent for coding that brings back her confidence. If only she can win the May Showcase and impress her teacher and brilliant Trevor, she’ll give her parents a way to cheer for her again.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Reed)
Series: Simon B. Rhymin'
Sixth-grader Simon Barnes has dreams of one day achieving rap stardom—that is, if he can get past the class presentation about something that impacts him and his community. Will Simon face his public speaking fears and get that A?
(Juvenile Graphic Novels - Two Headed Chicken v. 1)
Series: Two-Headed Chicken
Crack open this absurd graphic novel featuring a two-headed chicken being chased by a chicken-hungry moose! Laugh along as you visit worlds with a mermoose! Or ones covered in pizza sauce! Just watch out for the moose!
(Juvenile Fiction - J Peters)
Series: Unforgettable Logan Foster
When orphaned Logan Foster soon finds himself courted by “PPs” (prospective parents) who are actually superheroes, he finds himself in the middle of a battle between them and dastardly forces. Can Logan save the day while also finding his forever family?
(Juvenile Fiction - J Khan)
Series: Zara's Rules for
Zara Saleem is used to being queen of her neighborhood. She always organizes the games and fun and makes sure everyone has a great time. Then, Noami moves in with other ideas. If only Zara can reclaim the attention she misses! But will this mean also giving up the chance for a new best friend?