Don’t judge a book by its cover. Instead, guess the book by its cover! So many books have cover art that we could pick out from a crowd. The splashy colors, the intricate illustrations, the stunning photography—you’d recognize them anywhere.
Can you guess the titles of these 17 books based on artwork alone? For a hint, check out the book descriptions!
Are you an art aficionado or clueless about covers? Take the test to find out!
Book 1
A satirical novel about the absurdity and paradoxes of war, centered on a World War II bombardier, Yossarian, who tries to maintain his sanity while navigating a bureaucratic rule that prevents him from escaping dangerous missions.
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Book 2
An astonishing technique for recovering and cloning dinosaur DNA has been discovered. Now humankind’s most thrilling fantasies have come true. Creatures extinct for eons roam with their awesome presence and profound mystery, and all the world can visit them—for a price. Until something goes wrong…
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Book 3
Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words from a spider, high up in Zuckerman’s barn. The spider tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur’s life when he was born the runt of his litter.
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Book 4
The hero-narrator of this book is an ancient child of 16, a native New Yorker named Holden Caufield. Through circumstances that tend to preclude adult, secondhand description, he leaves his prep school in Pennsylvania and goes underground in New York City for three days.
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Book 5
When 17-year-old Bella Swan moves to Forks, Washington, she expects a dull, uneventful life. Instead, she finds herself strangely drawn to Edward Cullen, a mysterious and aloof classmate who seems to despise her. However, after Edward saves her life, Bella uncovers his secret: he and his family are vampires, and his standoffish behavior hides the danger their connection poses to her.
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Book 6
When literature student Anastasia interviews successful entrepreneur Christian, she finds him very attractive and deeply intimidating. Unworldly and innocent, Ana is shocked to find she wants this man, and excited when she realizes that he wants her too. As they embark on a passionate love affair, Ana discovers more about her own desires, as well as the dark secrets Christian keeps hidden away from public view.
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Book 7
Jonas’s world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training. This teacher holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.
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Book 8
Sent by their mother to live with their devout grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.” At eight years old and back at her mother’s side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns that love for herself, the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.
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Book 9
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.
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Book 10
Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.
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Book 11
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter navigates life between her poor neighborhood and a wealthy prep school, but her world is shattered when she witnesses the police shooting of her unarmed childhood friend, Khalil. As his death sparks national protests, Starr faces pressure and danger, knowing that her testimony could change everything.
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Book 12
The adventures of a little boy in the city on a winter day. The story has become a favorite of millions, as it reveals a child’s wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever.
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Book 13
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. He wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past his extraordinary face. Beginning from Auggie’s point of view and expanding to include others, the perspectives converge to form a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.
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Book 14
A great white shark terrorizes a small beach town as the local police chief, a marine biologist, and a professional shark hunter work together to stop the deadly predator.
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Book 15
This is the story of a small caterpillar that eats through various foods before finally transforming into a beautiful butterfly.
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Book 16
A young boy named Max travels to a magical island inhabited by creatures and becomes their king before returning home to find comfort in his mother's love.
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Book 17
Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.
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Be sure to borrow these iconic books on the Libby app. They may be pretty on the outside, but they’ve also got a lot to offer inside too.
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Published Jan 22, 2025