Read

Our library catalog, Destiny Discover, is available for you 24/7. Through this catalog you can search our physical library collect and access eBooks and eAudiobooks. 

Here are some directions about accessing your library account. 

Have your own book club and need help getting copies or title suggestions?  The library staff is happy to support your group! 

Contact Dr. Wyatt for more information!

The Highland Reads program aims to strengthen community by offering a common learning experience. Selected books strive to be engaging and accessible to Highland students, put a spotlight on a range of voices from differing perspectives, and give readers exposure to various genres and formats. Highland students get choice and voice in the selection process by suggesting titles and voting in the selection process. 

2026 is the 10th year of the Highland Reads Program!

Something new for this year, there are multiple titles to choose from for readers around the book bundle, Beyond the Label.
The titles are: 

• Button Pusher by Tyler Page - graphic memoir
• Disability Visibility Young Adult Edition ed. Alice Wong - essay collection
• Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyati - novel in verse
• Whale Eyes by James Robinson - memoir, nonfiction

A look back at past titles:

• 2017 - I Will Always Write Back and I am Malala (summer)
• 2018 - Breakthrough and Temple Grandin (summer)
• 2019 - Becoming Kareem and The First Rule of Punk (summer)
• 2020 - Front Desk (fall, got copies for everyone)
• 2021 - New Kid (fall, tried a book on Hoopla)
• 2022 - House Arrest (fall, Hoopla & videos on YouTube)
• 2023 - Framed (fall. print, Hoopla)
• 2024 - Free Lunch by Rex Ogle (fall, print)
• 2025 - Restart by Gordon Korman

(plus a couple All School Reads before we started this version of the program! - Of Beetles and Angels, A Monster Calls, Dave at Night to name a few)

Readers Choice Awards: 

Caudill, Lincoln, Bluestem Program

About the Readers Choice Program at HMS

In Illinois there are several Readers Choice Award programs for students to read and vote each year for the best nominated book.
We run a hybrid program at Highland and have all the Caudill books and some books from the two other lists. 
6th graders are invited to read from the Caudill and Bluestem selections at Highland.
7th graders are invited to read from the Caudill, Bluestem, and Lincoln selections at Highland. 
8th graders are invited to read from the Caudill and Lincoln selections at Highland.
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The Battle of the Books team will start in January!
Highland's team finished 1st and 4th in the Lake County Battle of the Books in 2026. Help us defend our title in 2027!
 Interested students should contact Dr. Wyatt. 
Our book list is the 2027 Caudill nominees.

The 2027 program will run from September through February. There are several different ways to get involved in the fun:

• Vote for the Caudill winner! Read 3 of this year's Caudill books between now and March 2027 in order to vote for the winning author.
• Represent Highland in the Battle of the Books! The Battle of the Books will take place sometime after Caudill voting has taken place. Answer questions based on the books with lightning speed to help bring Highland glory as we compete against other area middle schools.