Kentucky Humanities, which serves as Kentucky’s Center for the Book, is delighted to announce its 2026 Great Read selections, honoring two outstanding works by Kentucky authors that celebrate the power of stories, Kentucky history, and imagination.
For 2026, the Kentucky Center for the Book has selected My Kentucky Moonlight School by Kim Michele Richardson as the Youth Great Read, and The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer as the Adult Great Read.
“These selections reflect the range and richness of Kentucky storytelling,” said Jay McCoy, Director of the Kentucky Center for the Book. “Together, these books honor our state’s deep literary roots—from real histories of education and perseverance to imaginative journeys that spark a lifelong love of reading. They remind us that stories have the power to preserve our past, engage our present, and inspire future readers.”
The Kentucky Center for the Book is part of a network of 56 Centers for the Book, representing every U.S. state and territory, all affiliated with the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Each year, the Centers participate in the national initiative “Great Reads from Great Places,” highlighting books that reflect local culture, history, and storytelling traditions. In most cases, selections are written by authors from the state or territory, are set there, or meaningfully engage with local heritage.
The Kentucky Center for the Book selects its Great Read titles through a nomination and review process that brings together readers and community voices. The 2026 selections reflect Kentucky’s commitment to literacy, education, and the humanities.
Both books will be recognized nationally at the 2026 National Book Festival, hosted by the Library of Congress on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Details are available at loc.gov/bookfest.
Kentuckians are invited to read My Kentucky Moonlight School and The Book Witch, available through local libraries and independent bookstores statewide.
Youth Selection
My Kentucky Moonlight School
Written by Kim Michele Richardson
W.W. Norton, 2026
Best‑selling Kentucky author Kim Michele Richardson brings to life the inspiring true history of Kentucky’s pioneering Moonlight Schools, the first official adult literacy movement in the United States.
Set in the moonlit hills and hollers of early‑20th‑century Kentucky, the story follows young Jewel and her grandparents as they travel to graduation night at their Moonlight School. There, adults from all walks of life learn to read, write, and do basic math—transforming their daily lives and reconnecting families. Jewel’s Papaw will finally read her a bedtime story, a simple act that underscores the profound power of education.
Drawing on authentic regional history and language, My Kentucky Moonlight School celebrates literacy as a force for dignity, opportunity, and community connection.
About the Author
A native‑born Kentuckian, Kim Michele Richardson is a New York Times, L.A. Times, and USA Today bestselling author of six novels, a memoir, and two children’s picture books. Her work has been published in more than 18 languages, and she is a two‑time Southern Book Prize finalist. Her novel The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is widely taught and has been adopted as a Common Read by communities and colleges nationwide.
Adult Selection
The Book Witch
Written by Meg Shaffer
Penguin Random House, 2026
In The Book Witch, USA Today bestselling author Meg Shaffer delivers a joyful, imaginative love letter to books and readers everywhere.
Rainy March is a third‑generation Book Witch, tasked with protecting works of fiction from harm. Armed with a magical umbrella and a feline familiar, she jumps in and out of novels—from Alice in Wonderland to Arthurian legend—repairing damaged plots and rogue characters. But Book Witches live by strict rules, especially one: never fall in love with a fictional character.
When Rainy’s beloved grandfather goes missing and a priceless book is stolen, she enlists the help of the Duke of Chicago, the fictional detective she’s been forbidden to see. Their adventure across classic literary worlds uncovers hidden enemies, family secrets, and the enduring magic of storytelling itself.
About the Author
Meg Shaffer is the USA Today bestselling author of The Lost Story and The Wishing Game, a Book of the Month finalist for Book of the Year and a Washington Post and Reader’s Digest Best Book of the Year. Her work has been translated into 21 languages. Shaffer holds an MFA in TV and Screenwriting from Stephens College and lives in Kentucky with her spouse and two cats.
About Kentucky Humanities
Kentucky Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Since 1972, Kentucky Humanities has worked to promote a greater understanding of the humanities in Kentucky through programs, grants, and cultural heritage initiatives. For more information, visit kyhumanities.org.
Kentucky Center for the Book
The Kentucky Center for the Book is a program of Kentucky Humanities and a designated affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. It celebrates Kentucky’s robust literary heritage while promoting literacy and a lifelong love of books, reading, and writing. The Center serves as an information resource and develops literary initiatives and partnerships to strengthen communities and foster civic engagement across the Commonwealth.
