Free book list available

Concurrent with Children's Book Week (Nov. 16-20), a useful free listing of more than 100 of the most popular 1980 books for young readers is being made available.

Youngsters in classrooms around the country selected these from over 3,000 children's books published last year.

The booklet, titled ''Children's choices for 1981,'' is compiled annually by the Children's Book Council in cooperation with the International Reading Association. Some 500 titles on a range of subjects for K-8 grade levels are sent to each of five teams, who test them in the classroom. Each team, made up of a children's literature specialist and classroom teachers, involves at least 2,000 children. Pupils' ballots are tabulated to determine the annual list, which appears first in the October edition of The Reading Teacher magazine.

To receive the booklet, send a stamped self-addressed envelope to: The Children's Book Council, 67 Irving Place, New York, N.Y., 10003, Attn: Children's choices.