The Indiana Center for the Book - a program of the Indiana State Library and an affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress - has announced its selections for the 2026 Great Reads from Great Places program. The program features a curated list of books for adults and young readers representing all 50 U.S. states and six territories.
The Indiana Center for the Book has chosen “Imogene’s Last Stand,” written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter, as the Great Reads from Great Places youth selection. The book harmonizes with the U.S semiquincentennial and highlights how young people can make a difference in their communities.
“The Last Adieu: Lafayette’s Triumphant Return, the Echoes of Revolution, and the Gratitude of the Republic” by Ryan L. Cole is the 2026 Great Reads from Great Places adult selection. The book details when the Marquis de Lafayette returned to the U.S. in 1824 as an aging hero of the American Revolution.
The Great Reads from Great Places books are recognized each year at the National Book Festival. The free, public event hosted by the Library of Congress brings together bestselling authors, poets and illustrators for a full day of presentations, book signings and family-friendly activities.
The National Book Festival will take place on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.