13 Stories about HarrisAmy Schwartz, illustrated by Amy SchwartzShort playful vignettes are paired with simple line illustrations to capture moments in a toddler’s urban childhood. Perfect for emergent readers and toddlers.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD480LATOS Book Level 3.6View book detailsBank Street Best Children's Books of the Year 2021
The 2021 edition contains 690 selections published by Bank Street College of Education. The source organizes the selections into Under Five, Five to Nine, Nine to Twelve, Twelve to Fourteen, and Fourteen and Older. It belongs to Bank Street's annual bibliography of books reviewed by its Children's Book Committee.
The Best Children's Books of the Year [2021 edition]See the original list
Selections690
Published byBank Street College of Education
Sections5 sections
Browse sections5 sections
Under Five
116 selections
13 Stories about HarrisAmy Schwartz, illustrated by Amy SchwartzShort playful vignettes are paired with simple line illustrations to capture moments in a toddler’s urban childhood. Perfect for emergent readers and toddlers.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD480LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
ABC What Can I Be?: YOU Can Be Anything YOU Want To Be, from A to Z (ABC for Me series)Jessie Ford, illustrated by Jessie FordA diverse group of children are introduced to both traditional and nontraditional jobs, arranged alphabetically from astronaut to zookeeper. Animated, colorful illustrations with minimal text.Under FiveView book details
All along the RiverMagnus Weightman, illustrated by Magnus Weightman, Magnus WeightmanJoin Bunny and her brothers in a journey to recover her beloved Little Duck. Detailed illustrations and picture clues abound in this search-and-find adventure.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 560LATOS Book Level 3.7View book details
Almost TimeGary D. Schmidt, Elizabeth StickneyYoung Ethan must be patient as he waits for the sap to run and for his loose tooth to fall out. Expressive digitally colored illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD500LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
Animal Families series • Animal Families: Forest • Animal Families: SafariJane Ormes, illustrated by Jane OrmesBright colors, sturdy flaps, and simple text introduce readers to animal families in these visually striking interactive board books with screen-printed illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Animal Olympics: Creatures Great and Small Competing in Incredible, Impressive, and Extraordinary Events!Carron BrownThe surprising animal winners competing in twelve Olympic games are introduced with accompanying facts. Animated color illustrations, humorous endpapers. Back matter.Under FiveView book details
At the PondGeraldo ValerioIn this wordless book, a child befriends a swan. When the swan is leashed, the sky turns black. Only when the swan is freed do the pastel colors return. Mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
The Bear and the MoonMatthew BurgessAfter befriending a stray balloon, a gentle bear experiences the joy of companionship, heartache of loss, and relief of forgiveness. Evocative illustrations create a gentle mood.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD580LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
Bedtime for Sweet CreaturesNikki GrimesA young child and her menagerie of wild creatures get ready for bed. Colorful mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
BeehiveJorey Hurley, illustrated by Jorey HurleyUsing only one word on each two-page spread, the author follows the life cycle of a bee busy making honey. Soft pastel illustrations. Back matter.Under FiveWord Count 15View book details
Bird HugsGed Adamson, illustrated by Ged AdamsonWhat if your body could not do the one thing you had imagined it had been built for? Embrace your differences! Amusing watercolor and pencil illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD480LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
Bo the BraveBethan Woollvin, illustrated by Bethan WoollvinA griffin, a kraken, and a dragon help Bo show her brothers that girls can hunt monsters too. gouache illustrations in a limited palette.Under FiveView book details
Brian Wildsmith’s Animal GalleryBrian Wildsmith, illustrated by Brian WildsmithIn this reissued artistic treasure, see animals in their habitats and learn what a group of each is called. Watercolors, chalk, colored pencil, and gouache.Under FiveView book details
BrickHeidi Woodward SheffieldA loving Latino father and son work toward a dream of owning their “always” home in the United States. Creative collage-based digital paintings.Under FiveView book details
Bye, Penguin!Seou Lee, illustrated by Seou LeeIn this wordless tale, a stranded penguin travels the world on a shrinking ice floe, passing famous sights like the Statue of Liberty, and returns on a surfboard. Colorful digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Cannonball Coralie and the LionGrace Easton, illustrated by Grace EastonWhen Coralie is dismissed by a cruel ringmaster, her bravery and dignity motivate her lion friend and others to follow. Quirky engaging digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Cat Dog Dog: The Story of a Blended FamilyNelly BuchetIn this nearly wordless story, two people move in together very happily. But will their pets get along too? Humorous energetic digital ink illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Catch That ChickenAtinukeSpare, alliterative text joins bold mixed-media illustrations in this joyful tale of a resourceful Nigerian girl in her quest to catch chickens.Under FiveWord Count 304View book details
Cave DadaBrandon Reese, illustrated by Brandon ReeseWhen Baba demands the perfect bedtime book, Dada looks for the perfect stone tablet. Hilarious color pencil, and gouache Photoshopped illustrations.Under FiveView book details
CozyJan Brett, illustrated by Jan BrettExquisitely detailed watercolor illustrations immerse us in this gentle tale of Arctic tundra animals sheltering from a storm within a musk ox’s coat.Under FiveView book details
Danbi Leads the School ParadeAnna Kim, illustrated by Anna KimNew to the United States from Korea, Danbi bravely goes to school, but no one plays with her until a magical moment at lunchtime! Soft, sweet illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD490LATOS Book Level 2View book details
Dandelion’s DreamYoko Tanaka, illustrated by Yoko TanakaDigitally colored charcoal illustrations depict the ethereal adventures of a flower as it transforms into a yellow-maned dandelion before it goes to seed.Under FiveView book details
Don’t Worry, Little CrabChris Haughton, illustrated by Chris HaughtonGently encouraged by Very Big Crab, Little Crab finds the courage to overcome his fear of the ocean and discover a new world. Simple, colorful digital illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 241LATOS Book Level 2View book details
Families BelongDan SaksFamilies of various configurations show many ways of being together. Colorful illustrations depict multiple racial representations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD530LATOS Book Level 3.5View book details
Federico and the WolfRebecca J. GomezA resourceful Latinx boy saves the day in this rollicking Red Riding Hood retelling. Colorful Photoshopped illustrations. Salsa recipe. Spanish/English glossary included.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD600LATOS Book Level 3.9View book details
Fight the NightTomie dePaola, illustrated by Tomie dePaolaAnimated, crosshatched black ink/color illustrations elevate the story of a young boy’s struggle to resist sleep. Refreshed edition of a 1968 classic.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 490LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
Friday Night WrestlefestJ. F. FoxRollicking text, vibrant digital art, and a diaper joke will have young readers sharing one family’s fun—their weekly bedtime tradition.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 361LATOS Book Level 2.6View book details
Green on GreenDianne WhiteShare a family’s joyful experience of a pregnancy as the seasons pass. Lyrical rhyming text. Engaging watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 350LATOS Book Level 2.5View book details
The Heart of a WhaleAnna Pignataro, illustrated by Anna PignataroA whale’s song is filled with kindness, but it takes another whale's friendship to bring happiness and fulfillment. Evocative watercolor illustrations.Under FiveWord Count 189View book details
How to Be a PirateIsaac FitzgeraldCan girls be pirates? CeCe sets out to learn from her grandfather if she has what it takes. Bright, engaging illustrations.Under FiveView book details
How to Potty Train Your PorcupineTom Toro, illustrated by Tom ToroA sister and brother go to extreme measures in an attempt to potty train a porcupine. Rollicking antics ensue. Very entertaining color illustrations.Under FiveView book details
I Am BrownAshok BankerChildren celebrate being brown and take pride in who they are and where they come from. Bright, cheerful illustrations.Under FiveWord Count 290View book details
I Love You, Little MooTilly TempleIn this simple lift-the-flap board book, animal parents express their love for their children. Bold colorful illustrations.Under FiveView book details
I PromiseLeBron JamesThe activities at the school James started in Akron, Ohio, are the focus of this account of the joyful experience of learning together. Exuberant colorful digital illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD520LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
In a GardenTim McCannaCritters, insects, and plantings abound as friends and neighbors come together in a community garden throughout the year. Colorful, playful mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD770LATOS Book Level 4.9View book details
In a JarDeborah Marcero, illustrated by Deborah MarceroWonderful watercolors show us the world of Llewellyn, a rabbit, who loves to collect things in jars. After he meets Evelyn, they collect and share sunsets, rainbows, and even heartbreak.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD580LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
In My HeartMackenzie PorterA child is reassured by her mother that even when they are not together, she is always in her mother’s heart. Bold, textured illustrations.Under FiveView book details
In the CityChris Raschka, illustrated by Chris RaschkaInk and watercolor illustrations vividly capture the pulse of a busy city where winged and two-legged creatures find and make friends. Rhyming text.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 580LATOS Book Level 3.9View book details
It Is a TreeSusan Batori, illustrated by Susan BatoriWhen blindfolded animals must identify an elephant, their guess reflects their self-referenced perspective. Based on an ancient Indian fable. Sparse text and humorous digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
It’s My TreeOlivier Tallec, illustrated by Olivier Tallec, Yvette GhioneA squirrel must figure out a way to keep everyone else away from “his” pine cones. Can he enforce his proclamation? Should he? Expressive illustrations with an emphasis on yellow and orange.Under FiveView book details
Ivy BirdTania McCartneyIvy spreads her imaginary wings and imitates the sounds and manners of twelve birds as she goes about her daily activities. Vivid playful illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Julia’s House Moves OnBen Hatke, illustrated by Ben HatkeJulia is faced with many challenges as she tries to move her house full of lost creatures. Beautiful exciting watercolor illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Keith among the PigeonsKatie Brosnan, illustrated by Katie BrosnanKeith, the cat, wishes he were a pigeon. Maybe if he pastes feathers on his body, he can become one. Bright colorful illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Lali’s FeatherFarhana ZiaSet in India, this gentle story of a creative little girl who finds a stray feather celebrates the power of imagination. Colorful, detailed illustrations of Lali’s rural community.Under FiveView book details
Let’s Swap for a DayShu-Ti Liao, illustrated by Shu-Ti LiaoA child and her dog enjoy trading lives for a day until… Child-friendly, energetic illustrations match a humorous, breezy tale.Under FiveView book details
LiftMinh LêThe exuberant emotional maturing of a little girl who loves to push the elevator button is shown through the power of her imagination. Sparse text and dynamic illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 390LATOS Book Level 1.3View book details
Little Baby’s Busy Day: A Finger Wiggle Book (978-1-5362-1278-5) Little Baby’s Playtime: A Finger Wiggle Book (978-1-5362-1279-2)Sally SymesA toddler’s activities are enhanced by colorful cut- out illustrations that allow children’s fingers to poke through holes to create legs.Under FiveView book details
Little Bear’s TreasuresStella Dreis, illustrated by Stella DreisNo one appreciates Little Bear’s humble treasured objects. Then Little Bird comes along. Soft, muted pastels with accents of color magically capture the wonder of friendship.Under FiveView book details
The Little Duckling Who Wouldn’t Get WetGek Tessaro, illustrated by Gek TessaroA duckling refuses to go in the water until he is good and ready. Colorful cut-paper collage illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Little Penguin (Little Animal Friends series)Julie AberyAn emperor penguin chick takes his first step in his journey to leave his mama. Warm, textured illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Little Wise WolfGijs van der HammenToo busy to engage with others, a wolf with superior abilities is humbled by the kindness of friends. Words and illustrations add a touch of magic.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD490LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
Looking for SmileEllen TarlowBear learns that he may not always feel happy, but a friend and a song can help restore his mood and smile. Tender illustrations; color palette reflects changing emotions.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD420LATOS Book Level 2.9View book details
LouisTom LichtenheldIn this sweet relatable story, a beloved teddy bear speaks out about all the unreasonable requirements of his job, Expressive vibrant artwork created on an iPad using Procreate.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 329LATOS Book Level 2.4View book details
LoveMatt de la Peña, illustrated by Loren LongA girl learns the power of perspective in life and art as she defends her vision of love to her diverse family. Watercolor illustrations. Art lesson included.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD830LATOS Book Level 3.7View book details
Mommy, Carry Me PleaseJane Cabrera, illustrated by Jane CabreraAnimal mothers carry their babies on their tails, in their arms, and in many other ways. Evocative vibrant illustrations.Under FiveView book details
The Most Amazing BirdMichael Arvaarluk KusugakAn Inuit girl overcomes her dislike of ravens, eagerly awaiting their return during the harsh winter after other species have migrated. Soft-tone illustrations illuminate the changing seasons.Under FiveView book details
Motor Mouse Delivers (Motor Mouse series)Cynthia RylantFollow a very philosophical mouse on three humorous adventures. Richly detailed mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
My Rainy Day Rocket ShipMarkette SheppardA stay-at-home day challenges a creative girl to create an imaginative rocket ship for a space adventure. Bright painterly illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD520LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
Natsumi’s Song of SummerRobert Paul WestonYoung Natsumi welcomes her American cousin to Japan and shares her favorite things about summer, including cicadas! Traditional Japanese verse is showcased by soft vibrant illustrations. Back matter.Under FiveView book details
No Ordinary JacketSue-Ellen PashleyAmelia’s favorite jacket doesn’t fit her any more. What will she do to keep it forever? Engaging collage illustrations.Under FiveView book details
On the Go AwesomeLisl H. DetlefsenA young boy imagines himself not only watching a variety of things that go, but actually operating them. Bold over-the-top digital art captures the excitement.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD450LATOS Book Level 3.1View book details
Only a Tree Knows How to Be a TreeMary Murphy, illustrated by Mary MurphyAll living things, including trees, dogs, fish, and people, have unique characteristics that define them. Digital illustrations in brush and ink.Under FiveView book details
Only the Cat SawAshley Wolff, illustrated by Ashley WolffWarm acrylic gouache illustrations on double-page spreads showcase a cat experiencing the natural world around him as his family goes about their daily activities.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD370LATOS Book Level 2.6View book details
The Perfectly Perfect WishLisa MantchevA girl who is offered one wish shows what it means to be empathetic and kind. Watercolor and digital illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD470LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
Play Outside!Laurent Moreau, illustrated by Laurent MoreauChildren, sent outside to play, embark upon a worldwide adventure and “discover” 250 animals. Simple illustrations. Chart with data on each animal.Under FiveView book details
Plenty of HugsFran ManushkinTwo moms and their toddler spend a day celebrating nature and their time together as a family. Vibrant illustrations.Under FiveView book details
A Polar Bear in the SnowMac BarnettSimple words and cut-paper collages in white, greys, and blues invite us to follow a black nose on a polar bear’s joyous journeying in the Arctic.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD360LATOS Book Level 2.6View book details
Prairie DaysPatricia MacLachlanMixed-media illustrations filled with period details perfectly complement this lyrical ode to life on the farm in days gone by.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD920LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
Red Red RedPolly Dunbar, illustrated by Polly DunbarA toddler wants a biscuit, falls, and has a temper tantrum. Mom comes to the rescue with a way to help him calm down. Simple, warm illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD480LATOS Book Level 2.7View book details
Share Some Kindness, Bring Some LightApryl Stott, illustrated by Apryl StottWhen Coco sets out to help her friend, Bear, prove that he is not mean, the other animals soon learn the true meaning of kindness. Joyful watercolor and digital ink illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD510LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
Smart GeorgeJules Feiffer, illustrated by Jules FeifferPuppy George resists his mother’s simple arithmetic problems but is caught in a dream where trees and other creatures demand answers. Hilarious cartoon illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Snail CrossingCorey R. TaborWhimsical watercolor illustrations depict a humorous and heartfelt burgeoning friendship.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD480LATOS Book Level 2.3View book details
The Snow DancerAddie BoswellSparkling illustrations full of playful motion magnify the magic of a snowy day that neighborhood children discover when they’re inspired by a young girl.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD510LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
A Space for MeCathryn Falwell, illustrated by Cathryn FalwellTired of sharing a room with his younger brother, Lucas, Alex creates a space for himself in the backyard, but it makes Lucas sad. What will Alex do? Coloful cut-paper collage illustrations.Under FiveView book details
A Stopwatch from GrampaLoretta GarbuttWhen a young child is left a watch by a beloved grandfather, it evokes their connection, intensifies the child’s grief, and reawakens their memories. Evocative colorful gouache and graphite pencil illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Studio: A Place for Art to StartEmily ArrowRhyming text shows a bunny searching for a creative space for art. Digital illustrations include a black outline and bright color scheme.Under FiveView book details
Summer SongKevin HenkesIn the green grass, children hear music everywhere from frogs, even in silence, in a lyrical description of summer. Acrylic paints in full-color illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Sun and Moon Have a Tea PartyYumi HeoSun and Moon argue about the activities that each celestial orb sees on Earth, until Cloud helps to reconcile their differences. Delightful mixed-media and digital illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD470LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
Sun Flower LionKevin Henkes, illustrated by Kevin HenkesSix short chapters introduce three recurring shapes interacting in a satisfying story. Brush and ink illustrations artfully employ a limited palette.Under FiveView book details
Superhero GranTimothy KnapmanNothing’s more fun than a day with Gran—except one that turns into a sleepover. Colorful digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Ten Ways to Hear SnowCathy Camper, illustrated by Kenard PakOn the way to visit her grandmother to make warak enab (stuffed grape leaves), Lina listens to the many sounds that snow makes. Serene digital illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD520LFountas & Pinnell Text Level NView book details
This Is GusChris Chatterton, illustrated by Chris ChattertonGrumpy Gus doesn’t like (among other things) walks, being petted, and birthdays, but there are two things he does like. Amusing simple text and bold colorful illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD290LATOS Book Level 2.2View book details
The Three Billy Goats Gruff: The Full StoryRichard JacksonThis humorous retelling retains the fear and suspense about whether the bullying troll will succeed. Colorful, large-scale illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Turtle WalkMatt Phelan, illustrated by Matt PhelanIn luscious watercolors, a family of turtles is shown slowly walking through the seasons, asking “Are we there yet?” It ends in pure joy.Under FiveView book details
Two Little TrainsMargaret Wise BrownRubber stamp artwork provides an imaginative and appealing new look at an old, favorite tale of a steam engine and a sleek modern train traveling across the United States.Under FiveView book details
Two Many BirdsCindy Derby, illustrated by Cindy DerbyWhen one bird goes too far in trying to control all the other birds, a revolt results in positive change. Humorous watercolor illustrations accompany this allegory.Under FiveWord Count 103View book details
Under the Great Plum TreeSufiya AhmedWith friendship, quick thinking, and bravery, a good- hearted monkey survives after almost being betrayed by her friend, the crocodile. Both are horrified. Colorful illustrations incorporate Indo-Persian designs.Under FiveView book details
Up on BobMary Sullivan, illustrated by Mary SullivanA dog clears the bed of dolls and toys to settle down for a nap, but an intruder spoils his plans. Expressive digital art.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD220LATOS Book Level 0.9View book details
Vinny Gets a JobTerry Brodner, illustrated by Terry BrodnerSeeking to imitate his owner, a pet dog gets a job but continually misunderstands directions. Humorous illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD570LATOS Book Level 3.7View book details
Welcome to Your WorldSmriti Prasadam-HallsA mother introduces mountains, valleys, oceans, and skies to her baby. Lyrical rhymes and brightly colored illustrations illuminate the natural world.Under FiveView book details
What Matters MostEmma Dodd, illustrated by Emma DoddIn simple rhymed text, a horse reassures her foal that their love will endure. Emotionally evocative muted color illustrations with embossed foil.Under FiveView book details
Where’s Baby?Anne HunterFinely textured pen and pencil drawings in black and white against a pale blue sky and river reveal a rust- colored baby fox that Papa can never quite see.Under FiveView book details
Who Will You Be?Andrea Pippins, illustrated by Andrea PippinsA mother invites her child to consider whether she will grow up to be loving, bold, joyful, curious, or adventurous like her relatives. How will she become uniquely wonderful? Digitally colored illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD430LATOS Book Level 2.9View book details
Witchy ThingsMariasole BrusaWorried that her blue hair doesn’t make her scary enough, a witch decides to snatch a boy. This leads to unexpected and delightful consequences. Humorous illustrations. Also available in Spanish.Under FiveView book details
Woodland DreamsKaren JamesonOn her way home, a girl stops to sketch woodland creatures and uses lyrical rhyming verse to beckon them to bed. Warm, earth-toned illustrations.Under FiveWord Count 208View book details
You Are Ready!: The World Is WaitingEric Carle, illustrated by Eric CarleAnimals offer their offspring advice and reassure them that they will be able to face life’s challenges on their own. Minimal text. Bold, colorful illustrations.Under FiveView book details
ABC AnimalsChristopher Evans, illustrated by Christopher EvansAn arresting ABC showcases a variety of mammals, reptiles, birds, and more. Artistic finely textured digital woodcuts.Under FiveView book details
The Button BookSally NichollsIn this interactive book, animals press different buttons to explore shapes, colors, and actions. Humorous splashes of colors match the buttons. Mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD440LATOS Book Level 3View book details
Do I Have to Wear a Coat?: A Journey through the SeasonsRachel Isadora, illustrated by Rachel IsadoraVaried activities of a diverse group of children celebrate the seasons. Ink and watercolor illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Every Little LetterDeborah UnderwoodIn this “not an alphabet book, ” lowercase letters convince uppercase letters to welcome strangers by breaking down barriers. Vibrant digital illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD480LATOS Book Level 2.3View book details
The Hidden RainbowChristie Matheson, illustrated by Christie MathesonColors, numbers, and the important work of bees coalesce engagingly in this interactive book. Inviting mix of watercolor and collage art. Endnote on bees.Under FiveWord Count 292View book details
I Love My Tutu Too! (Never Bored Book series)Ross Burach, illustrated by Ross BurachJoin the counting fun with animals, word play, and tutus. Brightly colored cartoons display numerals, written-out numbers, and dancing animals.Under FiveView book details
Knowing the Name of a BirdJane YolenPoetic language and vivid illustrations of birds gently deliver the important message that we cannot understand any living creature, including a fellow human, without striving to connect deeply.Under FiveView book details
My Favorite Color: I Can Only Pick One?Aaron Becker, illustrated by Aaron BeckerA gorgeous spectrum of color palettes viewed through translucent light and accompanied by lyrical text provide an invitation to understand what a favorite means.Under FiveView book details
The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness CountsTrudy LudwigStraightforward minimal text and colorful expressive illustrations spotlighting specific examples enhance the message that even the act of a single person can effect positive change. Back matter.Under FiveView book details
Some Dinosaurs Are SmallCharlotte Voake, illustrated by Charlotte VoakeA reassuring message for small children is subtly offered in the simple descriptions of a variety of dinosaurs. Bright watercolor and ink illustrations help make the point.Under FiveView book details
Christmas Is JoyEmma Dodd, illustrated by Emma DoddA little reindeer discovers the true meaning of Christmas—joy, love, family, and peace. Gentle expressive digital illustrations on double-page spreads.Under FiveView book details
Cookie BooRuth Paul, illustrated by Ruth PaulVibrant digital illustrations and a shiny cover enhance this rhyming tale of cookies escaping the cookie tin for an adventurous Halloween night.Under FiveView book details
The Ghosts Went FloatingKim NormanAll types of spooky creatures make their way across vivid, playfully illustrated pages in this Halloween counting book. Rhythm and rhyme inspired by “The Ants Go Marching. ”Under FiveView book details
Bug Dipping, Bug SippingMarilyn SingerSimple, rhyming text introduces bugs and their habits. Colorful digital art and bug facts.Under FiveView book details
Feel the Fog (Weather Walks series)April Pulley SayreReaders are immersed in fog in this poetic volume. Stunning full-color photographs. Extensive endnotes provide opportunities for further exploration of this surprisingly exciting meteorological phenomenon.Under FiveView book details
NestingHenry Cole, illustrated by Henry ColeBeginning with the male’s early-spring mating song, simple but elegant text traces the life cycle of this family of robins. Arresting pen and acrylic illustrations add lively details.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 241LATOS Book Level 2View book details
Secrets of the LoonLaura Purdie Salas, photographed by Charles DaytonRhymed text enveloped in lyrical settings captures an aquatic bird’s first year as she learns to survive and spread her wings. Striking photographs. Back matter.Under FiveView book details
Up to My Knees! (Storytelling Math series)Grace Lin, illustrated by Grace LinA child plants a sunflower seed and measures how tall it grows by comparing its height to her body. Clear, colorful illustrations. Back matter.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD340LATOS Book Level 2.5View book details
What Will Fit? (Storytelling Math series)Grace Lin, illustrated by Grace LinAt the farmer’s market, a Black child tries to put a “just right” object in her basket. An age-appropriate exploration of spatial skills. Bold colorful art.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD400LATOS Book Level 2.8View book details
When the Storm ComesLinda AshmanHow do people and animals shelter to protect themselves from storms? Simple rhyming text and colorful digital and pencil drawings provide some answers.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD520LATOS Book Level 3.4View book detailsFive to Nine
184 selections
I Dream of a JourneyAkiko Miyakoshi, illustrated by Akiko Miyakoshi, Cathy HiranoA small-town hotel owner enjoys the stories of varied guests and longs to travel the world. Anthropomorphic animal characters; glowing, soft-textured drawings.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD590LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
Madame BadobedahSophie DahlA seemingly grumpy hotel guest and a young girl share imaginative journeys without ever leaving Room 32. A heartwarming intergenerational tale depicted with playful watercolor illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 650LATOS Book Level 4.2View book details
One AfternoonHsin-Yu Sun, illustrated by Hsin-Yu SunExquisitely detailed illustrations follow a young art designer bicycling through Taipei performing his daily activities while his dog enjoys his own activities at home. Wordless.Five to NineView book details
Numenia and the Hurricane: Inspired by a True StoryFiona Halliday, illustrated by Fiona HallidayWhile migrating south, a courageous, determined little bird battles through a hurricane to be reunited with her family. Traditional and digital mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Once upon a Winter DayLiza Woodruff, illustrated by Liza WoodruffYoung Milo learns that nature is full of stories when he follows a mouse’s tracks in a wintry wood. Lush, detailed wordless spreads capture the activity. Mixed- media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
This Way, CharlieCaron LevisA friendship between a horse and a goat at a rescue center teaches each how to handle life’s challenges. Luminous illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Fabled Life of AesopIan LendlerA life in enslavement taught Aesop to express ideas in allegories, the wisdom of which is still celebrated. Stunning intriguingly detailed illustrations. Afterword and bibliography.Five to NineView book details
Max & Mo’s 100th Day of School (Max & Mo series)Patricia LakinTwo hamsters learn some important lessons about counting and size. Ink and watercolor drawings. Activity and game instructions.Five to NineView book details
Max & Mo’s Science Fair Surprise (Max & Mo series)Patricia LakinCan hamsters figure out how to grow bean sprouts? Ink and watercolor drawings. Instructions on growing plants from seeds.Five to NineView book details
Ty’s Travels: Zip, Zoom!Kelly Starling LyonsEveryone is busy, so Ty turns a box into a locomotive and plays engineer. The fun is infectious, and his family joins in. Playful, joyful illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Dance Like a LeafAJ IrvingThrough the passing of the seasons, a young girl grieves and heals from the loss of her grandmother. Vibrant acrylic illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Facts vs. Opinions vs. RobotsMichael Rex, illustrated by Michael RexColorful digital art with humorous and concrete examples dramatizes the importance of understanding the difference between facts and feelings.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD480LATOS Book Level 2.6View book details
Memoirs of a TortoiseDevin ScillianThe truth that every life must end is told gently and with humor through the eyes of a tortoise who loses his human age-mate. Realistic, painterly illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Outside InDeborah UnderwoodLuminous watercolor, ink, and graphite illustrations and spare text assure us that, even if we are inside, we are always inextricably part of the wondrous world outside.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD490LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
The President of the JungleAndré Rodrigues, Larissa Ribeiro, Paula Desgualdo, Pedro Markun, illustrated by André Rodrigues, Larissa Ribeiro, Paula Desgualdo, Pedro Markun, Lyn Miller-LachmannUnhappy with things Lion is doing as king, the animals decide to elect a new leader. Digital cut-paper and charcoal illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD500LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
Simon at the Art MuseumChristina SoontornvatSimon finds visiting an art museum baffling and frustrating, until he notices how people are reacting to the art. Lively, colorful illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD540LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
Where Lily Isn’tJulie PaschkisA girl thinks about the places her beloved dog, Lily, isn’t going to be anymore, but she knows Lily will always be in her heart. Mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Why Do We Cry?Fran PintaderaA mother sensitively and reassuringly explains to her son all the possible causes of our tears. Soft, colorful illustrations perfectly capture the mood. Back matter and activities.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD590LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
Big Papa and the Time MachineDaniel BernstromIn his time machine car, an African American grandfather drives his fearful grandson through his personal landscape of experiences, encouraging bravery and hope. Expressive, uplifting soft mixed- media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Everything Naomi LovedKatie Yamasaki, Ian LendlerEleventh Street is changing, leaving Naomi lonely and sad, but Mister Ray knows how she can cope. Colorful, whimsical art brings the city to life.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD510LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
I Am the StormJane Yolen, Heidi E. Y. StempleWhat is it like to live through a tornado, blizzard, forest fire, or hurricane? Calming lyrical text and vivid illustrations capture children’s experiences of extreme weather and its aftermath. Back matter.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD490LATOS Book Level 3View book details
I Talk Like a RiverJordan ScottA father comforts his son by comparing the child’s stutter to a river—often choppy and churning, but ultimately smooth. Extraordinary impressionistic art.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 480LATOS Book Level 3.1View book details
Julián at the WeddingJessica LoveAt the wedding of two women, Julián makes a new friend named Marisol, granddaughter of his abuela’s old friend. Subtle mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 43LATOS Book Level 0.8View book details
Lulu the One and OnlyLynnette MawhinneyBiracial Lulu is tired of people asking what she is. Her brother tells her she needs a power phrase that answers who she is instead. Whimsical cartoonish illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Salma the Syrian ChefDanny RamadanFriends at a welcome center help Salma, a Syrian refugee, prepare a traditional dish, foul shami, to help ease her mother’s sadness. Cheerful illustrations convey resilience.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 570LATOS Book Level 3.7View book details
Stand Up! Speak Up!: A Story InspiredAndrew Joyner. Schwartz, Wade BooksMinimal text brilliantly captures a young girl’s community activism, followed by real examples of young activists. Digital charcoal illustrations highlighted with green add to the charm.Five to NineView book details
Sugar in MilkThrity UmrigarThe auntie of a lonely, homesick immigrant girl tells her an ancient story of Persian refugees finding a home in an Indian kingdom. Lush colorful illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD740LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
Woodpecker GirlChingyen Liu, I-Tsun ChiangA girl with cerebral palsy learns to paint using a headband with a paintbrush. Impressionist drawings and original art of the child this story is based upon.Five to NineView book details
Desert Girl, Monsoon BoyTara DairmanIn India, one family leaves their wind-ravaged desert home, searching for water. Another leaves their storm- flooded home for higher ground. Will each find refuge? Digitally painted illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD250LATOS Book Level 2View book details
One Little Bag: An Amazing JourneyHenry ColeFollow the journey of a brown paper bag through this wordless story of a family over the years. Detailed black-ink illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
Family/School/Community The All-Together QuiltLizzy Rockwell, illustrated by Lizzy RockwellA diverse and multigenerational community comes together to create a beautiful quilt. A comforting story beautifully illustrated in vivid watercolors and fabric.Five to NineView book details
Ani’s LightTanu Shree SinghVibrant illustrations and gentle text seamlessly combine to portray the emotional resilience of a child facing his mother’s terminal cancer.Five to NineView book details
Bedtime BonnetNancy ReddThe youngest girl in a multigenerational Black family searches for her special bedtime bonnet as she describes the way everyone else cares for their hair. Vibrant illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Blue DaisyHelen FrostNeighbors Sam and Katie describe in poetry and prose how a stray dog brings together unlikely friends. Recipes, author’s note, expressive full-page illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Boy and the GorillaJackie Azúa KramerSuffering the loss of his mother, a young boy searches for answers in the company of an imaginary gorilla. Vibrant watercolor and ink illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 92LATOS Book Level 1.2View book details
Butterflies Belong Here: A Story of One Idea, Thirty Kids, and a World of ButterfliesDeborah HopkinsonA young immigrant is called to community action to save endangered butterflies. Luminous digital artwork.Five to NineView book details
The Camping TripJennifer K MannExcited when she’s invited on a camping trip with her aunt and cousin, Ernestine finds camping in the wilderness isn’t exactly what she expected. Woodsy mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Can Bears Ski?Raymond AntrobusAfter missing some jokes and greetings, Little Bear visits an audiologist. Engaging and expressive ink and paint illustrations.Five to NineWord Count 588View book details
CannonballSacha CotterA Maori boy’s grandmother helps him hear his inner voice to find his own style of diving. Digital painting.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD520LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
Covid-19 HelpersBeth BaconThe many people who are combating the virus, from community workers to children, are applauded for doing their parts to help. Simple colorful illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
A Doll for Grandma: A Story about Alzheimer’s DiseasePaulette Bochnig SharkeyWhen her beloved grandmother is moved to an assisted-care home because of her failing memory, Kiera finds a way to bond with her. Colorful, expressive illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Escape GoatAnn PatchettNicolette wants justice for the poor goat who keeps getting blamed for the minor misdeeds of others. Detail-filled ink and watercolor illustrations of a farm family’s life.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 530LATOS Book Level 3.5View book details
Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving AwayMeg MedinaTwo young girls promise to forever be each other’s número uno even though one is relocating. Vibrant mixed-media illustrations of urban scenes. Also available in Spanish.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD700LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
From My WindowOtávio JúniorA boy looks out his window and sees the poverty and the treasures of his neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Vibrant acrylic illustrations finished digitally.Five to NineView book details
A Gift for Amma: Market Day in IndiaMeera SriramA little girl in South India shops for a present for her mother and describes the market products. Vibrant mixed-media pictures. Back matter includes information on international markets.Five to NineATOS Book Level 4.1AR Interest Level Lower Grades (LG K-3)View book details
Ginger and ChrysanthemumKristen Mai GiangYoung girl cousins of different temperaments work out their differences to bake a special cake for their grandmother’s birthday. Supportive bright digital art with Chinese motifs.Five to NineView book details
Grandma and the RoosterYimei WangA young girl saves a rooster from becoming her family’s soup when she discovers the bird’s positive impact on others. Eye-popping watercolors capture the Chinese New Year.Five to NineView book details
Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea Transformed a NeighborhoodTony HilleryWhen a new teacher, Mr. Tony, saw the trash-filled empty lot across from PS 175, he and his students created a community vegetable garden. Whimsical gouache illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD540LATOS Book Level 2.4View book details
HikePete OswaldIn this nearly wordless story, a father and child spend a day in the woods, observing woodland creatures and planting a tree seedling. Angular softly colored digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
I Will DanceNancy Bo FloodWheelchair-bound Eva longs to be able to dance. Will it ever be possible? Watercolor and graphite illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD520LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
If You Come to EarthSophie Blackall, illustrated by Sophie BlackallIn this profound paean to our precious planet, a young boy describes the earth and all its complexity. Exquisite, luminous, and often quirky ink and watercolor illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD520LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
I’ll Be the Water: A Story of a Grandparent’s LoveAlec AspinwallA grandfather reassures his grandson through simple similes that even after his death, he will always be with him. Gentle evocative watercolor wash illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard TreasuresTricia SpringstubbAn unlikely friendship develops between Khalil and his elderly neighbor as they find treasures in Mr. Hagerty’s garden. Brightly colored mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Lubaya’s Quiet RoarMarilyn NelsonPoetic text and warm oil and crayon paintings tell the story of a shy girl whose drawings give her a voice in a protest march.Five to NineView book details
Me & MamaCozbi A. CabreraA young Black girl eagerly wakes to enjoy a rainy day with her mother. Vivid acrylic paintings and simple text portray a lovely mother-daughter relationship.Five to NineView book details
Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business (Mindy Kim series)Lyla LeeIn this new series, seven-year-old Mindy finds her way as the only Asian American in her new school. Black- and-white digitally realized cartoon illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Most Beautiful ThingKao Kalia YangKalia grows to understand her grandmother’s experiences (and her own) as a Hmong refugee, focused on love of family. Lush mixed-media illustrations magnify the story.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 650LATOS Book Level 4.2View book details
My Big FamilyYanitzia CanettiA young boy welcomes his grandmother, aunt, and cousins from Cuba to his home. But will there be enough room for them? Exuberant, vivid illustrations enhance the story.Five to NineView book details
My Day with Gong GongSennah YeeMay isn’t very happy about spending the day with her grandfather. He doesn't speak English and doesn’t seem to understand her. Or does he? Colorful watercolor illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD480LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
Nana Akua Goes to SchoolTricia Elam WalkerZura introduces her beloved Ghanaian grandmother to her classmates, and everyone learns something about beauty and kindness. Jewel-toned illustrations that resemble fabric envelop the characters.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD830LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
NeighborsKasya Denisevich, illustrated by Kasya DenisevichA girl moves into a new apartment building and wonders about her neighbors. Sparse text with extraordinary ink drawings relate stories about the people, including her new school friend.Five to NineView book details
Nothing in CommonKate HoeflerTwo children who live separate but parallel lives reunite a lost dog with its owner and, in doing so, discover each other’s marvelousness. Mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineWord Count 405View book details
‘Ohana Means FamilyIlima LoomisThe customs, values, and environment of the Hawaiian people are all elements in the making of poi, a favorite dish. Vivid, evocative, panoramic illustrations. Author’s note, glossary.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD710LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
The Old TruckJarrett Pumphrey, Jerome Pumphrey, illustrated by Jarrett Pumphrey, Jerome PumphreyA hard-working farm truck grows old alongside a girl who grows up to rescue and restore it. Distinctive retro art incorporates over 250 handmade stamps.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD260LATOS Book Level 1.2View book details
Our Little KitchenJillian Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian TamakiUsing donated food and produce from their garden, a wonderfully diverse group prepares a meal each week for their neighbors in need. Lively, colorful illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 241LATOS Book Level 2View book details
Over the MoonJames ProimosCan two wolves nurture and raise a human baby? Absolutely! A sweet story about family love. Gouache, color pencil, and ink illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Papa, Daddy, & RileySeamus KirstA classmate pressures a young girl to name which of her two dads is her real dad. A loving message, accompanied by colorful watercolor illustrations, offers a satisfying conclusion.Five to NineView book details
A Quiet GirlPeter Carnavas, illustrated by Peter CarnavasMary is keenly in tune with the natural world but so soft-spoken that her gentle ways are overlooked. Watercolor illustrations. Mindfulness tips included.Five to NineView book details
Remembering EthanLesléa NewmanA little girl shows her parents how important it is to talk about sad things as well as happy ones. Warm illustrations. Back matter suggests how to talk about grief.Five to NineWord Count 814View book details
Rita & Ralph’s Rotten DayCarmen Agra DeedyAfter a game goes bad, two friends find a way to meet in the middle. Based on a classic hand game. Playful digital art. Also available Spanish.Five to NineView book details
Speak UpMiranda PaulChildren at school find ways to make their voices heard. Colorful illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD610LATOS Book Level 4View book details
Thank You, MiyukiRoxane Marie GalliezOver the course of a day, a grandfather models meditation to his curious granddaughter. Lush, immersive, dreamy illustrations show a deep appreciation for Japanese arts.Five to NineView book details
Uncle Bobby’s WeddingSarah S. BrannenUncle Bobby and soon-to-be Uncle Jamie reassure Chloe that their love for each other still leaves plenty of room for her. Lively illustrations show racial diversity.Five to NineView book details
¡Vamos!: Let’s Go Eat (¡Vamos! series)Raúl GonzalezLittle Lobo feeds nine hungry luchadores. Graphic, novel-like illustrations evoke the culture of the U.S.- Mexico border. Spanish-English food glossary.Five to NineView book details
Ways to Make SunshineRenée WatsonRecently, Ryan and her African American family have experienced some hard times, but this tight-knit family knows how to navigate changes. Cheerful black-and- white spot illustrations.Five to NineWord Count 27746View book details
Your Name Is a SongJamilah Thompkins-BigelowA young Black child, distressed that her name was not pronounced correctly, comes to advocate for its musicality. Realistic, detailed pastel illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Barnabus ProjectTerry, Eric, Devin Fan, illustrated by Terry, Eric, Devin FanImprisoned along with other failed pet projects, Barnabus displays the courage and compassion that allow him to fulfill his dream. Gentle, finely detailed digital graphite illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD590LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
Dandan’s DreamXiaowen ZhuExquisite illustrations and words tell the tale of Dandan, a Chinese girl, who mails herself to the South Pole to visit her father.Five to NineView book details
Ellie’s DragonBob Graham, illustrated by Bob GrahamEllie and her dragon are constant companions at first, but as Ellie’s interests change, she notices the dragon starts to fade. Watercolor and ink illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 459LATOS Book Level 3.1View book details
Felix and the MonstersJosh Holtsclaw, Monica Holtsclaw, illustrated by Josh Holtsclaw, Monica HoltsclawThrough the magic of music, guards who have been following orders to exclude a group of monsters learn to be inclusive. Mixed-media and digital artwork.Five to NineView book details
Letters from BearDavid GauthierLetters in poetic form and deep rich illustrations, some with hidden images, depict the travels of Bear, who makes her way South to visit her friend Bird.Five to NineView book details
Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us (Our Friend Hedgehog series)Lauren CastilloWhen Hedgehog’s beloved stuffed dog is carried away by a storm, new friends join her quest to find him. Chapter book format. Heartwarming color illustrations.Five to NineView book details
SandcastleEinat Tsarfati, illustrated by Einat TsarfatiExplore each of the fanciful rooms in the sandcastle a young girl builds at the beach one summer day before the waves come. Imaginatively detailed illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Soraya and the MermaidSalima AlikhanWhen Soraya helps a mermaid return to her ocean home, she learns that what friends want matters. Lively illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Swashby and the SeaBeth FerryCurmudgeonly Captain Swashby initially rebuffs his friendly new neighbors, but eventually has a change of heart after the sea intervenes. Warm, richly detailed illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD620LATOS Book Level 4View book details
The Little MermaidJerry Pinkney, illustrated by Jerry PinkneyA young mermaid sacrifices her voice in exchange for legs and the hope of friendship. Striking pencil and watercolor illustrations. A reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale.Five to NineView book details
The Phoenix of PersiaSally Pomme ClaytonA firebird rears a baby abandoned by his royal father. Deeply colored scratchboard illustrations. A QR code gives access to the story told with music.Five to NineView book details
Rónán and the Mermaid: A Tale of Old IrelandMarianne McShaneA young boy, rescued by a monk, hears the song of the sea and searches for the mermaid who sang to him. Expressive ink and watercolor illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Three Billy Goats BuenosSusan Middleton ElyaA popular tale retold with a twist. In rhyme with Spanish words within an English text. Pencil, collage, and digital illustrations. Glossary with pronunciations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD510LATOS Book Level 2.7View book details
The Weather’s BetStephen CowanIn this lyrical reimagining of Aesop’s The Wind and the Sun, majestic mixed-media collages convey the power of natural forces, with the earth and sun ultimately triumphing.Five to NineView book details
Northbound: A Train Ride Out of SegregationMichael S. Bandy, Eric SteinMichael must sit in the segregated section of a train until it leaves Atlanta, when he quickly befriends a white boy. Realistic, watercolor illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Sleeping with the Lights OnDavid UngerWar in Guatemala in the 1950s changes the life of a young boy and his family. Ultimately, they flee to the United States. Detailed black-and-white illustrations.Five to NineView book details
A Is for Another RabbitHannah Batsel, illustrated by Hannah BatselLots of rabbits and protesting Dr. Owl roam through the alphabet in a clever, humorous style. Painted acrylic, black ink and gold leaf illustrations.Five to NineATOS Book Level 2.6AR Interest Level Lower Grades (LG K-3)View book details
Agent LionDavid Soman, Jacky DavisSilliness abounds as a clueless detective searches for a missing pet cat. Pen and ink and watercolor illustrations highlight the humor.Five to NineView book details
Bunny Braves the Day: A First-Day-of-School StorySuzanne Bloom, illustrated by Suzanne BloomBunny has endless excuses to avoid school, but his sister’s wise words change his mind. Vivid illustrations show emotions.Five to NineView book details
I Am Goose!Dorothia RohnerA group of very talkative animals argue with each other as they play a game. Clever mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineWord Count 490View book details
Wondrous RexPatricia MacLachlanWhen a magician arrives with a mysterious dog to help Aunt Lily overcome writer’s block, the dog inspires young Gracie too. Black-and-spot illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Let’s Go to Taekwondo! A Story about Persistence, Bravery, and Breaking BoardsAram Kim, illustrated by Aram KimAnimal friends join Yoomi as she learns Korean self- defense. Her grandmother and friends help her pass the board-breaking test. Cartoon, colored pencil, and pastel illustrationsFive to NineView book details
Black Is a Rainbow ColorAngela JoyA young girl proudly reflects on Black history and culture and on what the legacy means for her. Free verse. Brightly painted, collage illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineWord Count 394View book details
Child of the UniverseRay JayawardhanaAs his daughter prepares for bed, her father compares her to the elements of the cosmos. Intense, spectacular colored pencil illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD680LATOS Book Level 4.4View book details
I Am Every Good ThingDerrick BarnesA joyful celebration of Black boys and the wonderful things that they are and can be is told in energetic lyrical language, accompanied by boldly colored oil paint illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD610LATOS Book Level 4View book details
Ice!: Poems about Polar LifeDouglas Florian, illustrated by Douglas FlorianPlayful turns of phrase about the inhabitants of earth’s frozen zones are enhanced with colored pencil and oil pastel illustrations.Five to NineView book details
In the WoodsDavid ElliottFifteen poems in varied forms and moods offer vivid portraits of woodland creatures. Expressive watercolor and mixed-media art. Includes short animal profiles.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 479LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
Just Like MeVanessa Brantley-Newton, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-NewtonSimple, upbeat poems foster appreciation for what it is like to be a girl. Brightly colored mixed-media drawings convey warmth and humor within diverse contexts.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 701LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
Night Wishesillustrated by Jen Corace, Lee Bennett HopkinsIn these lyrical verses by thirteen poets, the moon, a teddy bear, a blanket, and more accompany a dreaming child. Soft gouache illustrations.Five to NineView book details
No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making HistoryLindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V . Dawson, Jeanette BradleyPoems by diverse writers feature children fighting for environmental change, LGBTQIA+ equality, and other social issues. Short bios and digital illustrations. Back matter includes information on poetic forms.Five to NineView book details
Whoo-Ku Haiku: A Great Horned Owl StoryMaria GianferrariThe nesting, egg-laying, hatching, and flights of an owl family are dramatized through haiku and expressive dreamy watercolor/sepia ink illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
The Highlights Book of Things to Do: Discover, Explore, Create, and DoHighlights Press, illustrated by Highlights PressClear text, diagrams, and photographs provide information on one hundred indoor and outdoor activities to foster physical, mental, creative, and personal growth skills.Five to NineView book details
When Emily Was SmallLauren Soloy, illustrated by Lauren SoloyAs a young girl, the artist Emily Carr finds beauty, awe, and wonder in nature with the help of a new friend, the Wild. Sumptuous mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed EverythingAnnette Bay PimentelJennifer, a six-year-old with cerebral palsy who experiences daily obstacles to wheelchair access, becomes an unrelenting activist for disability rights. Digitally painted illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis’ Fleet-of-Foot GirlMegan ReidBorn in Harlem in the 1940s, a Black girl broke racial barriers to become one of the world’s greatest tennis champions. Animated expressive illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Beautiful Shades of Brown: The Art of Laura Wheeler WaringNancy ChurninWaring, an early 20th-century Black artist, was commissioned to paint portraits of prominent African Americans. Painterly reproductions beautifully capture the brown facial tones.Five to NineView book details
Bread for Words: A Frederick Douglass StoryShana KellerWith wit, drive, and determination, an enslaved child who grew up to become an abolitionist leader learns to read and write. Beautifully detailed illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Cubs in the Tub: The True Story of the Bronx Zoo’s First Woman ZookeeperCandace FlemingThough Helen Martini couldn’t have children of her own, she became a mother to rejected lion and tiger cubs at the Bronx Zoo. Playful illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Digging for Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He BuiltAngela Burke KunkelA garbage collector in Bogotá, Colombia, known as the Lord of the Books, scavenges to create a library in his barrio. Whimsical digital art. Background notes. Also available in Spanish.Five to NineView book details
Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith HaringMatthew BurgessHaring, an iconic pop artist, strove to make art accessible to everyone. Vibrant illustrations. Biographical notes.Five to NineView book details
The Efficient, Inventive (Often Annoying) Melvil DeweyAlexis O’NeillQuirky and compulsive, Dewey created a library cataloging system, started the first library training school, and promoted free libraries. Digital illustrations. Author’s notes, time line, and sources.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 600LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and Her Poetic BeginningsJane YolenThis fictional portrayal of Emily Dickinson as a young child follows her through the days as she discovers delight in wordplay. Joyful watercolor illustrations. Historical back matter and bibliography.Five to NineView book details
Emmy Noether: The Most Important Mathematician You’ve Never Heard OfHelaine BeckerWhen no male scientists could make sense of Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity, Emmy Noether could! Humorous illustrations and lively text introduce this brilliant, independent thinker.Five to NineView book details
Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn BrooksSuzanne SladeBorn in 1917, Brooks grew up to become the first Black American to win the Pulitzer Prize. Beautifully detailed painterly illustrations. Endnotes.Five to NineView book details
Fauja Singh Keeps Going: The True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a MarathonSimran Jeet SinghOvercoming lifelong obstacles, a Sikh broke all records in 1911 as the first 100-year-old man to run the marathon. Collage-like illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD730LATOS Book Level 4.4View book details
Fly High, John Glenn: The Story of an American HeroKathleen KrullGlenn’s lifelong passion for flying began in childhood and clearly continues as he flies at age 90. Realistic oil illustrations.Five to NineView book details
A Girl Named Rosita: The Story of Rita Moreno: Actor, Singer, Dancer, Trailblazer!Anika Aldamuy DeniseA determined young Puerto Rican became the talented performer Rita Moreno, breaking barriers for Latinx women. Vibrant illustrations showcase the star in action. Author’s note, time line.Five to NineATOS Book Level 3.7AR Interest Level Lower Grades (LG K-3)View book details
Hello, Neighbor! The Kind and Caring World of Mister RogersMatthew Cordell, illustrated by Matthew CordellThe birth of his television show and Fred Rogers’s path are depicted in clear text and inviting ink and watercolor illustrations.Five to NineView book details
How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing ChampionAshima ShiraishiA famous Japanese American shares her patience, perseverance, creative strategies, and failures, essential for her successful climbs to challenging summits. Vivid, colorful illustrations. Time line.Five to NineView book details
Jane Goodall: A Champion of ChimpanzeesSarah AlbeeGoodall’s life and work studying and protecting chimpanzees is presented in simple language and enhanced by color drawings. Back matter includes photographs and additional information.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 420LATOS Book Level 2.9View book details
Joey: The Story of Joe BidenJill Biden with Kathleen KrullFrom boyhood on, competitiveness, leadership qualities, and struggles with stuttering have been facets of the 46th president’s life. Watercolor and gouache illustrations. Sourced quotes, time line, and back matter.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 890LATOS Book Level 5.7View book details
Nacho’s Nachos: The Story behind the World’s Favorite SnackSandra NickelWhen a restaurant customer requests something special, Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya demonstrates his imagination and talent in the kitchen. Realistic, painterly illustrations match this real-life story.Five to NineView book details
The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to ReadRita Lorraine HubbardEnslaved at birth but emancipated at 15, Walker fulfilled her life’s dream, at age 114, to achieve literacy, receiving community recognition. Evocative expressive collage illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
Perkin’s Perfect Purple: How a BoyColor with Chemistry by Tami Lewis Brown, Debbie Loren Dunn, illustrated by Francesca SannaTrying for a medical breakthrough, a chemistry student discovered a new hue that satisfied Queen Victoria’s wish for a truly purple gown. Playfully illustrated. Rich historical and scientific back matter.Five to NineView book details
The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. PayneLesa Cline-RansomeFighting discrimination all her life, the “First Lady of the Black Press” combined her talent for writing and passion for justice to take her from her Chicago childhood to the White House press corps in 1954, where she remained for almost 50 years. Stylized acrylic illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile BallerinaLea Lyon, Alexandria LaFayeAn African American girl, denied admittance to ballet school, taught herself to dance using books from a bookmobile. Lively digitized illustrations and back matter.Five to NineView book details
A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights StorySharon Langley, Amy NathanSharon Langley recalls being the first African American child in 1963 to ride a carousel in a restricted amusement park after community protests. Softly textured illustrations. Author’s note, time line, bibliography.Five to NineView book details
The Strange Birds of Flannery O’Connor: A LifeAmy AlznauerFlannery loved to write about all things strange and fantastical, especially birds. Bold illustrations, steeped in color, sweep across the pages. Background notes and sources.Five to NineView book details
Terry Fox and MeMary Beth LeatherdaleTerry, once the shortest, worst athlete in his class, lost a leg to cancer but persevered to run across the width of Canada on a prosthetic leg. Pencil, crayon, and ink illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 580LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
Thanks to Frances Perkins: Fighter for Workers’ RightsDeborah HopkinsonFollowing heart and mind, Perkins fought for laws for workplace justice. Authentic period illustrations depict FDR’s secretary of labor, the first female cabinet member. Well referenced.Five to NineView book details
A Thousand Glass Flowers: Marietta Barovier and the Invention of the Rosetta BeadEvan Turk, illustrated by Evan TurkCaptivated by fire and sun, Marietta defied societal rules to become a female glassblower. Orange-, gold-, and indigo-toned illustrations evoke Renaissance Venice. Enchanting text.Five to NineView book details
Were I Not a Girl: The Inspiring and True Story of Dr. James BarryLisa RobinsonA physician, born female, decides to live as a man from age 18 to his passing. Gorgeous mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an AirplaneKirsten W. LarsonSome people thought women couldn’t invent things, but Emma Lilian loved solving problems. Could she improve on early designs for flying machines? Bold, energetic illustrations. Extensive source notes.Five to NineView book details
Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary AnimalsKaty S. DuffieldLively, colorful pencil and digital illustrations showcase human-made structures that help wildlife safely cross roads and highways. Map, additional animal information, bibliography.Five to NineView book details
If You Want to Visit a Sea GardenKay WeismanExplore a clam garden, a food source that Indigenous people in the Pacific Northwest have cultivated for thousands of years. Bold, digital illustrations. Author’s note with color photographs.Five to NineView book details
Pika Country: Climate Change at the Top of the WorldDorothy Hinshaw Patent, Marlo Garnsworthy, photographed by Dan HartmanThe shrinking of the alpine habitat as a result of climate change threatens the pika’s existence, which in turn threatens their ecosystem. Diagrams and striking photographs.Five to NineView book details
The ABCs of Black HistoryRio CortezThe important names, dates, and places in Black history and culture are related in rhyming text. Bright, boldly colored illustrations.Five to NineWord Count 1411View book details
Honey: The Dog Who Saved Abe LincolnShari SwansonYoung Abe Lincoln’s compassion and affinity with nature are celebrated in a rescue story with a dog hero. Engaging digital illustrations. Time line.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 670LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
Jacob Riis’s Camera: Bringing Light to Tenement ChildrenAlexis O’NeillAtmospheric ink and pastel drawings augment the life story of the journalist-photographer whose accounts of impoverished tenement dwellers led to important social change. Includes Riis’s photographs. Extensive sources.Five to NineView book details
Kamala and Maya’s Big IdeaMeena HarrisWarm, colorful panels show how young Kamala and Maya Harris worked to unite a community to get a neighborhood playground built.Five to NineView book details
Mother Jones and Her Army of Mill ChildrenJonah WinterMother Jones narrates her own story of her protest march with child laborers in 1903. Watercolor illustrations capture her spirit and the times. Bibliography, author’s note, endpapers featuring quotes.Five to NineLexile Text Measure NC990LATOS Book Level 6.6View book details
The Pig War: How a Porcine Tragedy Taught England and America to ShareEmma Bland SmithIn 1859 the United States and England almost went to war over the shooting of a pig. Alkyd paints on paper. Time line, resources, and author’s notes.Five to NineView book details
Rescuing the Declaration of Independence: How We Almost Lost the Words that Built AmericaAnna Crowley ReddingIn 1814 Stephen Pleasonton, Secretary of State Monroe’s clerk, skillfully secured the safety of crucial documents when the British threatened to burn Washington. Energetic illustrations. Well-documented.Five to NineView book details
The Teachers March!: How Selma’s Teachers Changed HistorySandra Neil Wallace, Rich WallaceA little-known aspect of the African American fight for voting rights is dramatically depicted with vibrant acrylic illustrations. Fictionalized dialogue. Time line, bibliography.Five to NineView book details
Addy’s Cup of SugarJon J. Muth, illustrated by Jon J. MuthWhen her pet dies, Addy turns to a wise panda, Stillwater, for help and comfort. Adapted from a Buddhist tale. Evocative watercolor art.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD470LATOS Book Level 3View book details
The Seed of Compassion: Lessons from the Life and Teaching of his Holiness the Dalai LamaHis Holiness the Dalai LamaChosen from an ordinary family in Tibet, the great Buddhist spiritual leader shares his personal journey and ethical values inspired by his mother. Expressive, digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Law and Justice I Voted: Making a Choice Makes a DifferenceMark ShulmanColorful ink drawings accompany this accessible explanation of voting. Expanded back matter clearly explains how national and state governments work. Additional resources.Five to NineView book details
Parenting All Because You MatterTami CharlesA stirring ode to empowering children of color through love, comfort, hope, and pride in their heritage. Strong emotive illustrations. Notes.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD810LATOS Book Level 3.9View book details
Always, JackieRon Rabinovitz, J. Patrick LewisJackie Robinson responded to a letter from the father of a young fan, and so began a life-long correspondence and friendship. Realistic paintings. Bibliography.Five to NineView book details
Swish!: The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem GlobetrottersSuzanne SladeDespite racism, members of a Black high school basketball team were catapulted to worldwide fame for their athleticism and theatrics. Energetic illustrations, archival photographs. Time line, sources, notes.Five to NineView book details
All the Birds in the WorldDavid Opie, illustrated by David OpieVibrant illustrations depict the many similarities and differences among birds from all over the world. Where does a kiwi bird fit in? Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Birds (Nature All Around series)Pamela HickmanBite-sized, well-organized, and diverse facts highlighted by brilliantly colored, detailed watercolor and gouache illustrations include tips and encouragement for potential young birdwatchers. Glossary.Five to NineView book details
Dinosaurs Are Not Extinct: Real Facts about Real DinosaursDrew Chenman, illustrated by Drew ChenmanA humorous presentation of the evolution of dinosaurs into birds is enhanced by clever cartoon drawings with witty captions.Five to NineView book details
Dive In: Swim with Sea Creatures at Their Actual SizeRoxie Munro, illustrated by Roxie MunroLavish color drawings portray the creatures that dwell in the world’s oceans and reefs. Back matter, glossary, map.Five to NineView book details
Frogs (We Both Read series)Sindy McKayThe life cycle, predators, and diet of these amphibians are presented in simple text for beginning readers. Color photographs and back matter.Five to NineView book details
If You Take Away the OtterSusannah Buhrman-DeeverOtters play an important role in the northern Pacific Coast ecosystem. Discover what happened to their thriving home when they temporarily disappeared. Luminous mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD910LATOS Book Level 5View book details
I’m Trying to Love RocksBethany Barton, illustrated by Bethany BartonA humorous interchange between a doubting narrator and an enthusiastic young scientist provides a wonderful invitation to study geology. Bold lettering and comical illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 570LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
Insects:Seymour SimonThe life span, size, and behavior of a wide variety of insects are presented in infographics. Life-like torn paper illustrations.Five to NineView book details
A Last GoodbyeElin KelseyAnimal mourning rituals provide a reassuring introduction to the topic of losing a loved one. Ink and watercolor cut-out illustrations. Back matter references scientific research.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 610LATOS Book Level 4View book details
MigrationGail Gibbons, illustrated by Gail GibbonsAnimal migratory habits are engagingly depicted with vibrant watercolor illustrations. Clear facts, maps of migratory patterns, and an interwoven glossary make this a great resource.Five to NineView book details
Nature Did It First: Engineering through BiomimicryKaren AnsberryPlants, animals, and insects have inspired many modern inventions. Poems, interesting facts, and colorful illustrations introduce the concept of biomimicry, showing how we can learn from nature.Five to NineView book details
The Nest that Wren BuiltRandi SonenshineWrens build their nests with surprising elements, making them secure for hatchlings, until the fledglings fly away. Soft, realistic ink and colored paper illustrations. Back matter, including glossary.Five to NineView book details
The Oboe Goes Boom Boom BoomColleen AF VenableA patient teacher introduces his students to eight musical instruments. Energetic illustrations highlight funny and informative text, explaining how sound is created.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 530LATOS Book Level 3.5View book details
Over and Under the Rainforest (Over and Under series)Kate MessnerA child and older companion hike through the Costa Rican rainforest, observing and talking about the ecosystems native to that area. Bright mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Packs: Strength in NumbersHannah SalyerSimple text and colorfully captivating mixed-media illustrations explore how different creatures live in communities, using teamwork to survive and thrive.Five to NineView book details
Pitter PatternJoyce Hesselberth, illustrated by Joyce HesselberthLu and her family and friends find patterns in nature, music, dance, the city, and their homes. Vibrant mixed- media and digital pictures help readers detect these designs.Five to NineWord Count 381View book details
Plants Fight Back: Discover the Clever Adaptations Plants Use to SurviveLisa J. AmstutzDynamic bold color illustrations and rhymed text introduce the various defenses plants employ to survive predators. Glossary, activities.Five to NineView book details
Rare and Blue: Finding Nature’s TreasuresConstance Van HovenThe habitat and current status of eight species with blue coloration are presented with simple, lyrical text. Detailed illustrations. Back matter includes bibliography and definitions.Five to NineView book details
Run, Sea Turtle, Run: A Hatchling’s StoryStephen R. Swinburne, photographed by Guillaume FeuilletLarge photographs depict the first months of the leatherback sea turtle, from its hatching to its first swim in the ocean. Back matter includes notes on life cycle and further information.Five to NineView book details
She Leads: The Elephant MatriarchJune SmallsPainterly illustrations on double-page spreads honor the female elephants whose love and leadership serve as enviable models for humankind. Factual matter accompanies simple, lyrical text.Five to NineView book details
Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in NatureRachel WilliamsSelected animals and plants display the mysteries of the natural world. Accessible text and charming, painterly illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Thump Goes the Rabbit: How Animals Communicate (Let’s Read and Find Out series)Fran HodgkinsThe variety of ways animals send messages and reveal feelings are revealed in simple text accompanied by colorful digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Turtle Dove’s Journey: A Story of MigrationMadeleine DunphyEach autumn, turtle doves migrate thousands of miles by night from England to Mali. How do they do it? Vibrant watercolor and digital oil illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Who Will It Be?: How Evolution Connects Us AllPaolo VitaleThe evolution of diverse life forms, from cells to unique creatures, is poetically described. History, charts. Vibrant illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Whooo Knew?: The Truth about OwlsAnnette WhippleHow do owls hunt? Do they sleep all day? Striking photographs and clear text answer questions about these fascinating birds.Five to NineView book details
Winged Wonders: Solving the Monarch Migration MysteryMeeg PincusScientists, schoolchildren, Mexican villagers, gardeners, and teachers were among those who helped discover where monarch butterflies’ annual journey from Canada ends. Colorful, detailed illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Cat Man of AleppoIrene Latham, Karim Shamsi-BashaA Syrian ambulance driver rescues the cats of Aleppo left behind when their owners flee the war-torn city. Dramatic ink and Photoshopped illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD610LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
My Bed: Enchanting Ways to Fall Asleep around the WorldRebecca BondMagnificent, detailed handstitched artwork invites children to explore beloved beds in many countries. The message gently celebrates human similarities and differences.Five to NineView book detailsNine to Twelve
146 selections
ForeverlandNicole C. KearWith trouble at home, 12-year-old Margaret runs away to her family’s favorite amusement park. Another resourceful runaway helps her navigate the challenges of life’s roller-coaster ride.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Great UpendingBeth KephartTwelve-year-old Sara, facing a rare disease, hatches a dangerous plan with her brother Hawk to unravel the mystery of the strange tenant on their troubled farm.Nine to TwelveView book details
No Place for MonstersKory MerrittLevi enlists fellow loner Kat to help him find his sister , who hasn ’t just just disappeared: she’s been erased! Spirited, witty black-and-white illustr ations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 619LATOS Book Level 4View book details
Shirley & Jamila Save Their SummerGillian GoerzJamila, a brown-skinned Muslim girl, becomes involved in solving a mystery with white-skinned Shirley, a kid detective. Full-color animated illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure GN340LATOS Book Level 2.5View book details
The Smartest Kid in the UniverseChris GrabensteinThree seventh gr aders encounter a bizarre science experiment and look for buried treasure while trying to sa ve their middle school from demolition.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 640LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
Tales of the Feathered Serpent: Rise of the Halfling King (Tales of the Feathered Serpent series)David BowlesA magical boy from Mayan mythology faces impossible tasks and a ruthless king to save the people of Mexico. Vivid, dramatic illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Total Eclipse of Nestor LopezAdrianna CuevasWhen your father’s in the military you have to mov e—a lot. Nestor thinks making new friends isn’t worth the trouble, until a shape-shifting witch shows up.Nine to TwelveView book details
A Whale of the WildRosanne ParrVega, an orca, leaves her family to bury her stillborn sister. Her little brother follows her, and they get caught in a tsunami. Dramatic black-and-white illustrations. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 720LATOS Book Level 4.6View book details
Brave Like ThatLindsey StoddardCyrus, 11, knows he will not be a football hero or fireman like his adopted father, but it takes a stray dog, new friends, and a loving grandmother to teach him just how he is brave.Nine to TwelveWord Count 55317View book details
Don’t Stand So Close to MeEric WaltersThirteen-year-old Quinn and her classmates work through their new realities during the coronavirus pandemic.Nine to TwelveView book details
Mature contentKing and the DragonfliesKacen CallenderDevastated by the death of his older brother, King is forced to deal with the pain of loneliness, grief, and self- acceptance.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 830LATOS Book Level 4.9View book details
MigrantsIssa Watanabe. Gecko PressIn this wordless book, colorful pencil illustrations against a nearly pitch-black background depict the arduous, yet hopeful, migration of a group of anthropomorphized animals.Nine to TwelveView book details
My Life in the Fish TankBarbara DeeTwelve-year-old Zinny’s world is turned upside down when her beloved older brother is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Can she move on with her life?Nine to TwelveView book details
No VacancyTziporah CohenMiriam’s family relocates to upstate NY to manage a motel. A faked apparition of the Virgin Mary sparks overt anti-Semitism, but the community rallies to support the business.Nine to TwelveView book details
NonstopTomi Ungerer, illustrated by Tomi UngererThis is an uncompromising warning tale of the end of civilization. Hope remains if we persevere. Apocalyptic landscapes complement this dark, inspiring call to action.Nine to TwelveView book details
Sara and the Search for NormalWesley KingSara endures panic attacks and selective mutism. Can she save her only friend from her father’s abuse? Should she hope to be “normal”?Nine to TwelveView book details
Seven Clues to HomeGae Polisner, Nora Raleigh BaskinA year after the death of her best friend, Joy has the courage to follow the clues in the scavenger hunt he left behind. Poignant yet heartwarming.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 810LATOS Book Level 5.2View book details
The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & TruthWade Hudson, Cheryl Willis HudsonThirty diverse, predominantly BIPOC authors and illustrators share personal anecdotes in the form of stories, letters, and comics addressing racism, culture, and advocacy.Nine to TwelveView book details
Three Keys (Front Desk series)Kelly YangIn the 1990s, the resourceful sixth-grade daughter of newcomer hotel owners finds her voice and rallies her community to fight California’s anti-immigrant Proposition 187.Nine to TwelveWord Count 62497View book details
What Lane?Torrey MaldonadoComfortable with diverse friends, Stephen, a biracial sixth grader, wants to speak up when surrounded by racist behavior. Told in the language of NYC youth.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure HL500LATOS Book Level 3.5View book details
When Stars Are ScatteredVictoria Jamieson, Omar MohamedWith resourcefulness, intelligence, and kindheartedness, two brothers living in a Kenyan refugee camp wait in hope of resettlement in the United States. Based on a true story. Colorful panels provide multiple visual perspectives.Nine to TwelveView book details
Family/School/Community 365 Days to AlaskaCathy CarrRigel, 11, lives “off the grid” in Alaska—no running water, no electricity. Moving to noisy, congested Connecticut seems an impossible challenge.Nine to TwelveATOS Book Level 4.5AR Interest Level Middle Grades (MG 4-8)View book details
The Boys in the Back RowMike JungWhen their school marching band is chosen to play in a competitive festival, sixth-grade best friends Matt and Ethan plan to sneak away to a comic con.Nine to TwelveView book details
Duck DaysSara LeachInitially wary of new friendships and a school mountain biking day, third grader Lauren uses strategies to cope with her autism spectrum disorder. Line drawings.Nine to TwelveView book details
Five Things about Ava AndrewsMargaret DillowayStruggling with her anxiety and heart disease, 11-year-old Ava uses improv to help herself and her community.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 619LATOS Book Level 4View book details
Isaiah Dunn Is My HeroKelly J. BaptistHis mother is barely coping following his father’s death, but Isaiah’s inherited literary talent and a supportive community help the family begin to recover.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 700LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
The Lonely Heart of Maybelle LaneKate O’ShaughnessyMaybelle’s courageous road trip to a singing contest, where she plans to meet her father for the first time, provides opportunities for self-discovery and empathy.Nine to TwelveView book details
Lupe Wong Won’t DanceDonna Barba HigueraLupe, a seventh grader who describes herself as Chinacan or Mexinese, loves baseball and doesn’t understand why square dancing is part of P.E.Nine to TwelveView book details
One TimeSharon CreechAs 11-year-old Gina and her classmates struggle with the question “Who are you?” their imaginative teacher’s writing experiments cause them to begin to define their worlds and relationships.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Only Black Girls in TownBrandy Colbert978-0-316-45638-8) Two middle school friends bond when they discover the secrets in journals left behind by a young woman passing for white in 1950s California.Nine to TwelveView book details
Orphan ElevenGennifer CholdenkoIn 1939 four young people escape from an abusive orphanage and find hope when they join the intriguing world of a traveling circus.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 640LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
Pine Island HomePolly HorvathFour sisters in a missionary family go to live on a British Columbian island with an aunt after suddenly losing their parents. Then their aunt dies.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Reluctant StorytellerArt Coulson with Traci SorrellA fictional story about contemporary Cherokee life, a folktale, and an informational section about Cherokee people today are accompanied by bold illustrations and colorful photos.Nine to TwelveView book details
RickAlex GinoSixth grader Rick struggles with his identity and with a best friend who is a homophobic bully. Can the new Rainbow Spectrum club help him find some answers?Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 780LATOS Book Level 5View book details
Something to SayLisa Moore RaméeJenae’s fear of public speaking challenges her when she becomes her best friend’s debate partner. Grayscale illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Space between Lost and FoundSandy Stark-McGinnisWhen seventh grader Cassie’s mom develops early- onset Alzheimer’s, Cassie wants to give her mom a memorable experience—swimming with dolphins.Nine to TwelveView book details
Stand Up, Yumi Chung!Jessica KimOne day after summer cram-school class, Yumi stumbles into a comedy camp of her dreams and is mistaken for an absent student.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 620LATOS Book Level 4.4View book details
That’s What Friends DoCathleen BarnhartSeventh-grade best friends Samantha and David are the pride of their Little League-loving fathers. A new kid at school upends more than their friendship.Nine to TwelveView book details
Tune It OutJamie SumnerLou has a sensory processing disorder and has lived a nomadic life. When placed in a home that offers food and shelter security, she tentatively tries to make a friend.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 670LATOS Book Level 4.4View book details
TwinsVarian JohnsonTwins Maureen and Francine do everything together. When they start middle school, their bonds are challenged. Expressive, vibrant illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure GN360LATOS Book Level 2.9View book details
We Could Be HeroesMargaret FinneganAutistic fourth grader Hank and his new friend Maisie plot to rescue an epileptic dog they believe is being abused. Complications ensueNine to TwelveView book details
When Life Gives You MangosKereen GettenTwelve-year-old Clara can’t remember anything that happened the previous summer after a hurricane, and lately Gaynah is not acting like a best friend.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 720LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
WinkRob HarrellDespite tear-duct cancer, Ross discovers a new talent and finds new friends in middle school. Humorous black-and-white comics and spot art.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 580LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
The Wish and the PeacockWendy S. SworeTwelve-year-old Paige has been trying to save the family farm since her father’s death. Can her plans to sabotage her mother’s decision to sell the farm succeed?Nine to TwelveView book details
Cinders & SparrowsStefan BachmannOrphan Zita Brydgeborn, 12, learns she’s a witch when she inherits a haunted estate housing her petrified family. Can she reverse the curse that has bewitched them?Nine to TwelveView book details
The Circus of Stolen DreamsLorelei SavarynAndrea, 12, feeling guilty and unhappy over the disappearance of her brother, seeks relief from reality in a dream world. Can she return to the real one?Nine to TwelveView book details
Embassy of the DeadWill MabbittThe Embassy governs the use of magic, but Jake has no idea there are ghosts until he opens the wrong package. Engaging black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch (Eva Evergreen series)Julie AbeWith some help from her friends, an apprentice witch learns to believe in herself. Then her magic grows! Detailed black-and-white spot illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Gloom TownRonald L. SmithWhen biracial Rory becomes the valet of Foxglove Manor, he doesn’t anticipate the danger and adventure involved in recovering stolen shadows with his friend Izzy.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 731LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
The IckabogJ. K. RowlingTwo best friends face off against unscrupulous advisors to the crown who have wrested control of the kingdom by inventing supposed threats from a legendary monster. Lively illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 1090LATOS Book Level 6.8View book details
IkengaNnedi Okorafor12-year-old Nigerian Nnamdi is given an ikenga from his dead father that gives him superpowers to fight crime and solve his father’s murder.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 670LATOS Book Level 4.6View book details
MañanalandPam Muñoz RyanWhen Max, 11, discovers a family secret, he knows he must go on a journey to discover the truth about his mother, who disappeared shortly after his birth.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 650LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
Maya and the Rising DarkRena BarronWhen her father disappears, Maya faces the news of her godling origins and must find a way to avert war with mythical creatures from the Dark.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 720LATOS Book Level 5.2View book details
The Midnight HourBenjamin Read, Laura TrinderAfter receiving mysterious letters in the night, Emily’s parents disappear. Following them takes her to another plane of existence and leads to revelations about her own magical nature.Nine to TwelveWord Count 57118View book details
Of Salt and ShoreAnnet Schaap, illustrated by Annet Schaap, Laura WatkinsonIn an adventure filled with mermaids, pirates, and misfits, a lighthouse keeper’s daughter faces terrors and finds her true self. Atmospheric, full-spread black- and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure HL550LATOS Book Level 3.9View book details
QuintessenceJess RedmanWith the aid of three other Elementals, 11-year-old Alma, plagued by panic attacks, attempts to save a fallen star and send her home.Nine to TwelveView book details
Skunk and Badger (Skunk and Badger series)Amy TimberlakeBadger accepts Skunk as his roommate in his Aunt Lula’s brownstone. Then Skunk’s 100 chicken guests arrive. Classic color and black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The WandererPeter Van den Ende, illustrated by Peter Van den EndeDetailed pen and ink drawings, reminiscent of Escher, depict the surreal, wordless, epic ocean voyage of a paper boat.Nine to TwelveView book details
A Wish in the DarkChristina SoontornvatAfter escaping the orphan’s prison, Pong, 13, is pursued by Nok, the prison warden’s daughter, as a revolution against the tyrannical governor of Chattana is planned.Nine to TwelveView book details
Wishes and WellingtonsJulie BerryAt strict Miss Salamanca’s School for Upright Young Ladies in London, boarder Maeve discovers a hidden, magical djinni and learns to harness its powers for adventure and personal growth.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 700LATOS Book Level 4.9View book details
Witches of BrooklynSophie EscabasseCharmed by her eccentric aunts, Effie, a temperamental rock star in crisis, begins life as a witch. Lively, full-color panels.Nine to TwelveView book details
A Wolf for a SpellKarah SuttonAn orphan, a witch, amd a wolf all want to protect the forest, but the rules of the forest require a favor for a favor. Black-and-white digital illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Wonder of WildflowersAnna StaniszewskiIn Amberland since she was five, Mira, 10, is still seen as an outsider. Will a magic dose of Amber change attitudes?Nine to TwelveView book details
Blue SkiesAnne BustardIt’s 1949, and Glory Bea, 11, is convinced her dad is finally coming home from the war on the French Gratitude Train when it stops in Gladiola, Texas.Nine to TwelveView book details
Gold Rush GirlAviIn 1848 Tory stows away to San Francisco, and with the help of two boys, one white, one Black, eventually finds her kidnapped brother.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 730LATOS Book Level 5.09View book details
Leaving LymonLesa Cline-RansomeIn the 1940s, an African American boy faces terrible family problems but is strengthened by the love of his father, grandfather, and music.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 760LATOS Book Level 4.9View book details
Not Your All-American GirlMadelyn Rosenberg, Wendy Wan-Long ShangIn 1984 in Virginia, after losing the lead role in the school play to her best friend, Lauren begins to question her Jewish/Chinese identity and what makes an all-American.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 630LATOS Book Level 4.4View book details
Overground RailroadLesa Cline-RansomeEloquent text and evocative watercolor and pencil illustrations capture the hopes and tribulations of a Black family migrating north in 1930s America.Nine to TwelveView book details
Pixie Pushes OnTamara BundyIn the 1940s, Pixie’s world is upended when her sister is stricken with polio, but she is supported by family and friends.Nine to TwelveView book details
Prairie LotusLinda Sue ParkHanna, 14, who is half-Chinese, and her white father hope to be accepted into an 1880s Dakota Territory frontier town. Author’s note.Nine to TwelveView book details
Red MenaceLois RubyIn the summer of 1953, when Martin’s parents are accused of being communists, it tears his family apart. Author’s note, discussion questions.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Summer We Found the BabyAmy HestWhen Julie and her younger sister find an abandoned baby, they want to keep it, but then the mother and a surprise visitor show up. Set during World War II.Nine to TwelveView book details
War Is OverDavid AlmondDuring World War II, a British boy sees how the cruelty of war is affecting his townspeople. When will it end? Simple, evocative black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 631LATOS Book Level 4.1View book details
We Dream of SpaceErin Entrada KellyDuring the 1986 Challenger disaster, three siblings struggle to find their true selves. Thought-provoking and moving.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 720LATOS Book Level 4.6View book details
Sal and Gabi Fix the UniverseCarlos HernandezIn zany language, Sal tells a weird story about his Miami theater arts middle school, multiverse adventures, and his friends—some human, and some artificial intelligence devices.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 740LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
The Secret Time Machine and the Gherkin SwitcherooSimone Lia, illustrated by Simone LiaBest friends don’t always want to do the same things, but some quick thinking might just save the day. Playful line drawings animate the quirky adventure.Nine to TwelveView book details
Yorick and BonesJeremy Tankard, Hermione TankardShakespeare would laugh up his puffy sleeve at the antics of “poor Yorick” and the furry friend who digs him up. Vibrant, colorful illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Silver ArrowLev GrossmanIt’s Kate’s 11th birthday and she is bored with her life. Everything changes when her mysterious uncle shows up with a real train.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 740LATOS Book Level 4.9View book details
Some DaysMaría Wernicke, illustrated by María Wernicke, Lawrence SchimelSpare, vibrant, and evocative illustrations help capture a young girl’s ability to deal with fear and loss.Nine to TwelveWord Count 156View book details
The Time of Green MagicHilary McKayWhen 12-year-old loner Abi moves to an eerie new home with her stepfamily, strange things happen.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 750LATOS Book Level 4.8View book details
What We Found in the Corn Maze and How It Saved a DragonHenry ClarkWhen three kids discover magic spells that can only be cast a few minutes a day, they cooperate to save a dying magical world, its last dragon, and themselves. Clever wordplay.Nine to TwelveView book details
When You Trap a TigerTae KellerWhen her grandmother becomes very ill, Lily makes a deal with a magical tiger—she’ll return the stories her grandmother stole in exchange for her grandmother’s recovery.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 590LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
GlitchLaura MartinWill Regan and Elliot overcome their differences as they travel through time to save the “Academy” and prevent the disruption of American history?Nine to TwelveWord Count 77528View book details
Becoming Muhammad Ali: A NovelJames Patterson, Kwame AlexanderWith the support of a loving family, friends, and a fierce dedication to boxing, racial justice, and peace activism, Ali becomes a legend. Powerful black-and-white digital illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 1010LATOS Book Level 5.4View book details
Before the Ever AfterJacqueline WoodsonZJ’s father was a Super-Bowl-winning football star. Now, migraine headaches and incipient dementia prevent his playing.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 780LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
Dan UnmaskedChris NegronWith his best friend, Nate, in a coma after being hit by a baseball, Dan, 13, believes their favorite comic book series holds the key to Nate’s recovery.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Derby Daredevils: Kenzie Kickstarts a Team (The Derby Daredevils series)Kit RosewaterFriendship conflicts and a first crush challenge an 11-year-old girl’s efforts to form a roller derby team. Grayscale illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen!Sarah KapitAn unlikely friendship between a major-league Black knuckleball pitcher and autistic 11-year-old Vivy leads to e-mail exchanges as both struggle with life and the knuckleball.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 650LATOS Book Level 4.2View book details
Construction PeopleLee Bennett HopkinsEach of 14 well-known poets offers an ode to machines and people who are essential to building a skyscraper. Colorful illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
A Hatful of Dragons: And More Than 13.8 Billion Other Funny PoemsVikram MadanExpect the unexpected from the pangolins, aliens, oysters, and other creatures in these antic verses. Rollicking, playful language and comical black-and- white illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 669LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
Land of the CranesAida SalazarNine-year-old Betita recounts how she survives and holds onto her humanity in the horrific conditions of a for-profit ICE detention center.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 890LATOS Book Level 5.1View book details
Love, LoveVictoria ChangWhite bullies make Chinese American Frances miserable; her only outlet is tennis. Meanwhile, her sister is experiencing inexplicable hair loss, and Frances determines to solve the mystery. Resources.Nine to TwelveView book details
On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily DickinsonJennifer BerneDickinson’s own poetry beautifully enhances this short, accessible biography. Gouache and watercolor illustrations with fantasy elements. Includes suggestions for how to read, write, and share poetry.Nine to TwelveView book details
A Place inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the HeartZetta ElliottA Black child’s joyful summer is shattered by a police shooting. Support from community and friends inspire him to take pride in his heritage. Lively, thought- provoking illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
This Poem Is a NestIrene LathamUsing the words of a poem about a nest, the poet creates an inventive collection of verse. Writing instructions and index. Digital grayscale ink wash illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
What the Chickadee Knows (Great Lakes Books series)Margaret NoodinPoems in Anishinaabemowin and English about nature, relationships, history, and tradition reflect the Anishinaabe worldview. Author’s preface.Nine to TwelveView book details
Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to JusticeMahogany L. Browne, with Elizabeth Acevedo, Olivia GatwoodYoung poets are encouraged to find their own voices and stand up for what is right. Bold, stylized illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
How to Build a Story ... Or, the Big What IfFrances O’Roark DowellAn encouraging “how to” about writing fiction focuses on plot development. Humorous black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
How to Build an OrchestraMary Auld, with Rachel LeachEvery orchestral instrument is described as it is played, from audition to rehearsal to classical music concert. Includes CD and descriptions of each piece; also available to download. Line drawings, glossary, index.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Magic of ClayAdalucía, illustrated by AdalucíaA picture book guide explains in clear language the chemical makeup and molding, forming, heating, and glazing of ceramics. Collage-style illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Rise Up!: The Art of ProtestJo Rippon, in collaboration with Amnesty InternationalThe power and historical significance of posters about social justice and environmental issues helped promote activism. Includes reproductions of posters.Nine to TwelveView book details
The TempestWilliam ShakespeareThis accessible picture-book retelling of the Shakespeare play includes some of the original lines. Enticing watercolors with lush foliage.Nine to TwelveView book details
World of Glass: The Art of Dale ChihulyJan Greenberg, Sandra JordanFull-color photographs showcase Chihuly’s art and the creative process of his contemporary glassblowing techniques. Endnotes, bibliography, list of locations of Chihuly’s works.Nine to TwelveView book details
Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed BasketballJen BryantBefore Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem to protest racial inequality, Baylor’s protests helped change NBA policies. Sumptuous oil illustrations reflect his athleticism. Source notes and time line.Nine to TwelveView book details
Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to FreedomCarole Boston WeatherfordAfter his enslaved family was sold, Henry Brown decided to mail himself to freedom with the help of his friends. Colorful mixed-media collage illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Boy Whose Head Was Filled with Stars: A Life of Edwin HubbleIsabelle MarinovFollowing his childhood passion, the renowned astronomer used advanced telescopes to discover many new galaxies and an ever-expanding universe. Mixed-media illustrations with a contrasting color palette. Notes.Nine to TwelveView book details
Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip FreelonKelly Starling LyonA math- and art-loving Black child grew up to build the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Mixed-media illustrations. Endnotes.Nine to TwelveView book details
Mary Seacole: Bound for the BattlefieldSusan Goldman RubinDespite racism, Mary, a Creole from Jamaica, traveled to Crimea in 1854 to care for wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Bold, colorful digital illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
On the HorizonLois LowryLowry shares memories and gives a voice to the lives lost in two horrific events of World War II: the bombings of Pearl Harbor and of Hiroshima. Black-and- white graphite illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure HL580LATOS Book Level 4.2View book details
Out of Hiding: A Holocaust Survivor’s Journey to AmericaRuth GruenerAfter Ruth and her family survive the Holocaust following the Nazi invasion of Poland, they struggle to build a new life as they immigrate to Brooklyn.Nine to TwelveView book details
Peter’s War: A Boy’s True Story of Survival in World War II EuropeDeborah Durland DeSaix, Karen Gray RuelleAfter the Nazis arrest his parents in France, Peter must outwit the Gestapo until he escapes to Switzerland. Muted watercolor illustrations and archival black-and- white photographs. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Rainbow Revolutionaries: 50 LGBTQ+ People Who Made HistorySarah PragerConcise biographies highlight the myriad accomplishments achieved by people in the LGBTQ+ community throughout history. Colorful, stylized art.Nine to TwelveView book details
Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Big Words series)Doreen RappaportStriking, realistic illustrations depict the life of the remarkable woman who never stopped fighting for gender equality and justice. Back matter, bibliography.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure NC870LATOS Book Level 5.4View book details
Sharuko: El arqueólogo peruano Julio C. Tello/ Sharuko: Peruvian Archaeologist Julio C. TelloMonica BrownAn Indigenous boy surmounts many obstacles to study the lost knowledge and history of his Incan ancestors. Detailed gouache illustrations. Endnotes. Bilingual in Spanish and English.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 1050LATOS Book Level 6.3View book details
A Sporting Chance: How Ludwig GutmannLori AlexanderThe neurologist whose methods promised recovery for people with spinal cord injuries also enhanced their lives through sports. Cartoon illustrations and archival photographs. Time line, athletes’ profiles.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 960LATOS Book Level 6.6View book details
Stay Curious!: A Brief History of Stephen HawkingKathleen Krull, Paul BrewerThe world-renowned physicist’s creativity, curiosity, and playfulness continued to shine despite his struggle with ALS. Multifaceted, powerful mixed-media art. Source notes, bibliography.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Story of Civil War Hero Robert Smalls (The Story Of series)Janet HalfmannDemonstrating intelligence, bravery, and ingenuity, an enslaved man escaped the Confederacy, serving as a Union boat pilot. Black-and-white illustrations. Glossary, time line, and extensive sourcing.Nine to TwelveView book details
This Is Your TimeRuby BridgesAfter the 2020 murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests, Civil Rights activist Ruby Bridges encourages young people to keep fighting for equality.Nine to TwelveView book details
William Still and His Freedom Stories: The Father of the Underground RailroadDon Tate, illustrated by Don TateBorn free in Pennsylvania to parents who had escaped their enslavement but had to leave their other children behind, Still made it his life’s work to help freedom seekers. Expressive sepia-toned and color illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an EcosystemJude IsabellaReintroducing a keystone species restored the complex balance of Yellowstone’s ecosystem. Accessible format and colorful illustrations. Glossary, index, resources.Nine to TwelveView book details
A Forest in the City (ThinkCities series)Andrea CurtisHow can urban areas take care of their trees so that they not only survive, but thrive? Lush, playful illustrations. Glossary, sources.Nine to TwelveView book details
OilJonah WinterSimple, poetic text describes how humans’ extraction and use of oil, and particularly the Exxon Valdez disaster, have impacted flora and fauna. Textured illustrations. Author’s note.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 620LATOS Book Level 3.7View book details
All of a Sudden and Forever: Help and Healing after the Oklahoma City BombingChris BartonSeedlings from an elm tree still standing after the bombing of the Federal Building become an important part of the healing process. Ink folk art-style illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Black Heroes of the Wild WestJames Otis SmithLittle-known but legendary African Americans, including stagecoach Mary, Marshal Bass Reeves, and horse wrangler Bob Lemmons are depicted with vibrant graphic illustrations, archival photographs. and extensive back matter about cowboy life.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure GN740LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
Desert Diary: Japanese American Kids behind Barbed WireMichael O. TunnellPages from a third-grade classroom in the Utah relocation camp help explore the experience of children in incarceration during World War II. Archival photos, glossary, bibliography.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Escape of Robert Smalls: A Daring Voyage out of SlaveryJehan Jones-RadgowskiA perilous plan to steal a loaded Confederate munitions ship at night hinges on an enslaved man’s ability to impersonate a white captain. Evocative illustrations. Glossary, map, sources.Nine to TwelveView book details
The HouseThomas Harding, illustrated by Britta TeckentrupA reclaimed country villa near Berlin bears witness to a turbulent time by providing a window into the lives of its different inhabitants. Poignant mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
If You Want a Friend in Washington: Wacky, Wild, & Wonderful Presidential PetsErin McGill, illustrated by Erin McGillUnited States presidents have had a wide variety of pets in the White House, including some very unusual ones! Cartoon-like color illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Lizzie Demands a Seat!: Elizabeth Jennings Fights for Streetcar RightsBeth AndersonIn 1854 African American Elizabeth Jennings challenged the seating policy on a whites-only New York streetcar. Bold watercolor illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Maurice and His Dictionary: A True StoryCary FaganA young boy pursues his education as he and his family flee the Nazis and settle in a Jamaican internment camp. Illustrations in a muted palette.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Mayflower (History Smashers series)Kate MessnerHistorical facts replace longstanding mythologies concerning pilgrims and Native Americans. Appealing child-friendly language. Humorous illustrations, comic strips, diagrams, photos, and maps. Extensive sourcing.Nine to TwelveView book details
Railway Jack: The True Story of an Amazing BaboonKT JohnstonIn the 1880s, after losing both legs, a South African railway inspector trained a baboon to help him perform his tasks. Animated period illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazis on the KindertransportDeborah HopkinsonThe rescue operation that saved 10,000 Jewish children from the Nazis between 1938 and 1939 is recounted with oral histories, memoirs, and interviews. Copious photographs. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Once upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy15 Muslim VoicesFifteen Muslim children from Philadelphia, a Syrian refugee camp on a Greek island, and many other places celebrate the annual Eid festival. Grayscale illustrations, including a story in graphic format.Nine to TwelveView book details
AMAZING Islands: 100+ Places That Will Boggle Your MindSabrina WeissWhat are the origins of islands around the world? Who inhabits these isolated places? Which plants grow there? What animals live there? Informative, double- page illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Changing the Equation: 50+ US Black Women in STEMTonya BoldenInspiring profiles celebrate Dr. Rebecca Crumpler, who earned her MD degree in 1864, and other Black woman who defied discrimination to become computer scientists, doctors, mathematicians, and more. Archival images and photographs. Extensive source notes.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Dog Patrol: Our Canine Companions and the Kids Who Protect ThemRob LaidlawAn abundance of engaging information augmented by color photographs and side bars presents the history of dogs and the responsibility of ownership. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Eye by Eye: Comparing How Animals SeeSara Levine, illustrated by T. S. SpookytoothWhat animal’s eyes are at the end of its arms? How many eyes does a spider have? Humorous illustrations help you see the answers.Nine to TwelveView book details
Follow Those Zebras: Solving a Migration Mystery (Sandra Markle’s Science Discoveries series)Sandra MarkleScientists using GPS trackers discovered where and why a herd of 2,000 South African plains zebras migrate during the dry season. Captioned photographs, maps, and back matter.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 1050LATOS Book Level 6.2View book details
Grasping Mysteries: Girls Who Loved MathJeannine AtkinsIn poetic language, Atkins celebrates the lives and work of women who used math and ingenuity to rise above discrimination and make change. Well documented. Pencil illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Grow: Secrets of Our DNANicola DaviesLearn how plants and animals are governed by a set of instructions that differentiate us and unite us as living beings. Colorful, detailed watercolor illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis MelliferaCandace FlemingFollow a worker bee as she grows and performs many tasks: tending to the queen, building the honeycomb, gathering nectar, and more. Meticulously detailed oil illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Pretty Tricky: The Sneaky Way Plants SurviveEtta Kaner, illustrated by Ashley BarronPlants have developed many ingenious adaptations to survive. Clear prose accompanied by vivid collages. Index, glossary, sources.Nine to TwelveView book details
Your Place in the UniverseJason ChinDramatic illustrations with clearly labeled diagrams and child-friendly text convey the majesty and the relative sizes and distances of various components of the cosmos.Nine to TwelveView book details
You’re Invited to a Moth Ball: A Nighttime Insect CelebrationLoree Griffin Burns, photographed by Ellen HarasimowiczLearn how to create an outdoor science lab to attract and study moths. Color photographs. Glossary, resources.Nine to TwelveView book details
RiceHongcheng Yu, illustrated by Hongcheng YuBeautifully detailed paintings depict a year of the process of cultivating rice in mountainous Yunnan province. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book detailsTwelve to Fourteen
104 selections
The Canyon’s EdgeDusti BowlingAfter a flash flood carries away her father, Nora finds herself alone in an isolated southwestern canyon. A harrowing tale of survival, bravery, and healing.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Longest Night of Charlie NoonChristopher EdgeIn 1933 three English children spend a night in a frightening woods where time bends and glimpses of their potential future appear. Can they change what happens?Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Truth According to BlueEve YohalemBlue, 13, searches for a sunken family treasure, hoping she’ll then be identified as more than “Diabetes Girl. ” But will a celebrity’s snobby daughter and a millionaire foil her plans?Twelve to FourteenView book details
Ana on the EdgeA. J. SassAna, 12, a champion figure-skater, becomes increasingly drawn to a non-binary identity.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Black Brother, Black BrotherJewell Parker RhodesTwo biracial brothers in prep school present themselves differently. The one who lives as a Black person is bullied, but finds empowerment in fencing.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure HL400LATOS Book Level 2.8View book details
Blood SportTash McAdamA foster transgender child mourning the death of his sister finds some consolation in the boxing ring.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The King of Jam SandwichesEric WaltersThe relationship of eighth graders Robbie and Harmony begins with a punch in the nose, but they bond when they discover both have dysfunctional single parents.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The List of Things That Will Not ChangeRebecca SteadAfter her parents’ divorce and her father’s engagement to another man, Bea, now 12, an only child, tells of her eagerness to meet her new stepsister.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 680LATOS Book Level 4.2View book details
A Many Feathered ThingLisa GerlitsClarity, who has trouble speaking, dreams of becoming an artist. When she accidentally breaks elderly Mr. Vogelman’s lawn ornament, he lets her pay in service in his studio.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Music for TigersMichelle KadarusmanLouisa is sent to a family camp in remote Tasmania. Will she be able to find the courage to sustain her passion for the violin and her new passion for endangered animals?Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Places We SleepCaroline Brooks DuBoisBodily changes, a new school, and the 9/11 tragedy profoundly impact 12-year-old Abbey. A novel in verse.Twelve to FourteenView book details
A Song Only I Can HearBarry JonsbergMysterious messages pose challenges to Rob, a painfully shy, imaginative 13-year-old who harbors a secret.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Summer and JulyPaul MosierWhen goth girl Juillet, 12, meets surfer girl Summer, 12, Juillet’s July is filled with overcoming fears, facing harsh realities, and discovering who she really is.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Things Seen from AboveShelley PearsallApril, a sixth grader, develops a relationship with Joey, a fourth-grade loner making strange designs in the playground dirt—and learns about perspective. Evocative digital and pencil illustrations.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 750LATOS Book Level 5.2View book details
Things You Can’t SayJenn BishopThree years after his father’s suicide, 12-year-old Drew faces his anger over his loss and his worries that he might have his father’s tendencies.Twelve to FourteenView book details
War StoriesGordon KormanTrevor, 12, loves everything about World War II, especially his great-grandfather’s war stories, until a trip to France for D-Day celebrations opens his eyes to the harsh realities of war.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 888LATOS Book Level 5.7View book details
The Water BearsKim BakerA terrifying woodland bear attack leaves 13-year-old Newton Gomez slowly recovering but plagued by nightmares. Family, friendship, and possible magic support his recovery.Twelve to FourteenView book details
ChirpKate MessnerAfter being sexually harassed by her gymnastics coach in Boston, Mia, 12, moves to Vermont where she gains confidence and solves a mystery at her grandmother’s cricket farm.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Crossing the Farak RiverMichelle Aung ThinHasina, her brother, and her cousin must survive on their own after anti-Rohingya forces in Myanmar destroy their home and they are separated from their parents. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
DisplacedDean HughesDesperate, Hadi, who peddles gum on a Beirut street to help his Syrian refugee family survive, makes a bad decision that endangers them.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Dress CodedCarrie FirestoneMolly leads a protest against her middle school’s unfair dress code while coming to terms with changing friendships, family problems, and the stresses of being 13.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 760LATOS Book Level 4.8View book details
Efrén DividedErnesto CisnerosWhen his undocumented mother is deported, seventh grader Efrén takes on new responsibilities, caring for his younger siblings and going to Mexico to assist with bringing his mom back.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 710LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
The Invincible Summer of Juniper JonesDaven McQueenIn this grim view of the South in 1955, a biracial teenager is sent to Alabama to live with white relatives as punishment for his striking a classmate.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Magic FishTrung Le NguyenLoving family, supportive friendships, and fairy tales help Tiê´ n navigate a cultural divide with his Vietnamese parents and newfound feelings for his best friend. Graceful illustrations.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure HL400LATOS Book Level 3View book details
Santiago’s Road HomeAlexandra DiazAn orphaned boy creates a new family with other migrants heading to El Norte and then spends months in a psychologically scarring U.S. youth detention center.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Sunnyside PlazaScott SimonSally Miyake, 19, can’t read, but she notices things and values kindness and honesty. Can she figure out why deaths are increasing in her group home?Twelve to FourteenView book details
A Thousand QuestionsSaadia FaruqiIn Pakistan, Mimi from Houston helps Sakina, a servant to Mimi’s grandparents, learn English; Sakina helps Mimi discover the charms of Karachi – and find her missing father.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 750LATOS Book Level 4.8View book details
We Didn’t Ask for ThisAdi AlsaidHolding others hostage, Marisa and her friends chain themselves to the doors of an international school for days, demanding environmental change.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Family/School/Community All Together Now (Eagle Rock series)Hope Larson, illustrated by Hope LarsonBina’s new band is great, until two bandmates start dating. Illustrations in muted tones with expressive, bold lines.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Any Day with YouMae RespicioWhen her treasured great-grandfather announces his intention to return to the Philippines, Kaia is devastated and resolves to convince him to stay in Santa Monica. Ink-sketch spot illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Becoming Brianna (Emmie & Friends series)Terri Libenson, illustrated by Terri LibensonBri grapples with mixed feelings about religion, having a bat mitzvah, and her quarrel with her best friend. Text with amusing spot illustrations interspersed with graphic format pages.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Class Act (New Kid series)Jerry Craft, illustrated by Jerry CraftFriends Jordan, Drew, and Liam spend eighth grade learning to understand each other’s different economic circumstances as their private school tries to become more woke. Colorful graphic panels.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Closer to NowhereEllen HopkinsWhen troubled 12-year-old Cal comes to live with his aunt’s family, he and his cousin, Hannah, share the impact. Verse with alternate voices.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 490LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
Everything Sad Is Untrue: (A True Story)Daniel NayeriSteeped in Persian history and culture, Daniel is just trying to survive seventh grade and make sense of his journey from Iran to Oklahoma.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Mature contentFighting WordsKimberly Brubaker BradleyDella finds the strength to speak out and acknowledge the multiple abuses she and her sister have suffered.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure HL540LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
Fly Back, AgnesElizabeth AtkinsonDealing with troubling friendship issues at school and the challenges of recently divorced parents, 12-year-old Agnes creates a new self-identity. Then she must deal with the results of her lies.Twelve to FourteenView book details
In the Role of Brie HutchensNicole MellebyBrie, 13, soap opera fanatic and aspiring actor, likes girls. When her mother finds out, Brie lies to distract her—but will their relationship ever be the same?Twelve to FourteenView book details
Keep It Together, Keiko CarterDebbi Michiko FlorenceJunior high brings new challenges and stresses to Keiko and her two long-standing “besties. ” Further complications include busy, distracted parents, social competition, and a growing interest in boyfriends.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 560LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
Mary UnderwaterShannon DoleskiWhen 13-year-old Mary’s violent and abusive father returns from prison, she finds courage and safety in building a submersible with her first love, Kip.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Me and BanksyTanya Lloyd KyiInspired by a real graffiti artist, Dominica and her classmates use her street art to combat cyberbullying and the school’s invasive security cameras.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 660LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
Tornado BrainCat PatrickFrankie, 13, is on the autism spectrum. Can she help find her estranged friend who has mysteriously disappeared?Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 720LATOS Book Level 5View book details
Turtle BoyM. Evan WolkensteinKids bully seventh grader Will Levine because of his odd-looking chin. His new challenge is his bar mitzvah community service project—hospital visits. Ugh!Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 640LATOS Book Level 4.1View book details
Mature contentWhen You Know What I KnowSonja K. SolterAfter being molested by her uncle, Tori, 10, is helped by family, friends, and professionals, and begins to heal. Free verse.Twelve to FourteenView book details
All Sales FinalSarah S. ReidaIn a small town in 1956, a new magical shop gives 11-year-old Anna an opportunity to be extraordinary, but what price must she pay?Twelve to FourteenView book details
BloomKenneth OppelAs the earth is covered with possibly carnivorous plants, three unusual young people discover their ability to confront the invasion. First of a trilogy.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Girl and the GhostHanna AlkafSuraya has inherited a ghostly demon from her grandmother. Its friendship can be either destructive or healing. Which aspect will prevail? A contemporary version of a Malaysian folktale.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Into the Tall, Tall GrassLoriel RyonIn a tale filled with magic, two sisters learn about their family’s past as they work to develop their future.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Lizard in a Zoot SuitMarco Finnegan, illustrated by Marco FinneganIn 1943 two Latinx zoot-suit sisters rescue a reptilian creature and try to find his family before a corrupt scientist gets his hands on him. Yellow, black, and white artwork with a retro feel.Twelve to FourteenView book details
PoisonedJennifer DonnellySeven brothers give Princess Sophie a mechanical heart after hers is stolen. Will she be able to rescue her kingdom before the heart stops? A reimagining of Snow White.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Scritch ScratchLindsay CurrieReluctantly helping her father run a ghost-themed Chicago bus tour, Claire is astonished and terrified to find a young spirit repeatedly haunting her and apparently seeking her help.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure HL610LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
A Song of Wraiths and RuinRoseanne A. BrownMalik, a refugee, and Princess Karina find themselves falling in love though knowing they must murder each other. A West African-inspired tale involving action, magic, and romance.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Superman Smashes the KlanGene Luen YangWhen a Chinese family moves to Metropolis, the Klan of the Fiery Kross tries to run them out of town. Can Superman save the day? Colorful retro illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Wonder Woman: Tempest TossedLaurie Halse AndersonPrincess Diana flees from the island of Themyscira to New York City to rescue drowning refugees. Boldly colored illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Mulan: Before the SwordGrace Lin, illustrated by Grace LinMulan feels herself to be a less worthy daughter than her younger sister, but aided by immortal allies, she embarks on a quest that reveals her bravery. Black-and- white spot illustrations.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 820LATOS Book Level 5.8View book details
Brother’s KeeperJulie LeeAfter war erupts, 12-year-old Sora flees south from North Korea with her brother. Author’s note, family photographs, Korean glossary.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Catherine’s WarJulia BilletTo survive in Nazi-occupied France, Rachel, Jewish, becomes Catherine and moves throughout the country photographing everything she sees. Subtle ink and watercolor panels.Twelve to FourteenView book details
A Ceiling Made of EggshellsGail Carson LevineProud to be her grandfather’s companion as he works to keep Jews safe from persecution in 15th-century Spain, Loma still longs to realize her own dreams.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 670LATOS Book Level 4.8View book details
Echo MountainLauren WolkDuring the 1930s Great Depression, 12-year-old Ellie develops new friendships in the Maine woods while helping her father recover from an accident. Lyrical prose about an idyllic natural world.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 690LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
In a FlashDonna Jo NapoliCaught in Tokyo as World War II engulfs Europe and Asia, two motherless young Italian sisters struggle to survive with their father, an Italian embassy chef. Extensive bibliography.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Mature contentThe Maps of Memory: Return to Butterfly HillMarjorie AgosínFourteen-year-old Celeste returns to Chile from Maine to uncover the truth about what happened in Valparaíso during the dictatorship and to find Lucila, her missing friend. Grayscale pen and ink illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Saving SavannahTonya BoldenIn 1919, when Washington DC is on the cusp of chaos from anarchist bombings and race riots, an upper-class Black high school student finds his identity among those less privileged.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Show Me a SignAnn Clare LeZotteIn 1805 Mary, 11, is struggling with the accidental death of her brother, when a suspicious scientist arrives on Martha’s Vineyard to study Mary’s deaf community. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 730LATOS Book Level 5.1View book details
Mature contentTrowbridge RoadMarcella PixleyIn 1983 when AIDS is a lethal mystery that kills June’s father and renders her mother dangerously germaphobic, a new kid with his own problems becomes a special ally.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Village of ScoundrelsMargi PreusIsolated villagers in Vichy France rescue, hide, and help Jews and other victims of Nazism escape to Switzerland. Photographs and stark grayscale illustrations. Time line, bibliography.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 899LATOS Book Level 5.8View book details
The BraveJames BirdFinally meeting his mother and encountering his Ojibwe heritage, Collin, 13, experiences love, spirituality, and the strength to conquer his crippling OCD.Twelve to FourteenView book details
A Game of Fox & SquirrelsJenn ReeseEleven-year-old Sam embarks on a quest prompted by forest animals depicted in a card game. Fantasy elements closely mirror trauma in her family. Grayscale spot illustrations.Twelve to FourteenATOS Book Level 4.6AR Interest Level Middle Grades (MG 4-8)View book details
SnapdragonKat LeyhWith the help of her gender-nonconforming best friend, Snapdragon becomes an apprentice to the rumored town witch and discovers surprising family connections. Dynamic cartoon-style artwork.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 329LATOS Book Level 2.4View book details
The Last Lie (The List series)Patricia FordeLetta, a teacher, is part of a rebel group looking to restore their community, created after the “melting. ” Are freedom of speech and peace possible?Twelve to FourteenView book details
A High Five for Glenn BurkePhil BildnerLike his baseball hero Glenn Burke, Silas, 12, is gay. He’s terrified people will find out and needs to talk to someone he can trust.Twelve to FourteenATOS Book Level 4.1AR Interest Level Middle Grades (MG 4-8)View book details
One Last ShotJohn David AndersonMalcolm, 12, yearns for his father’s approval, but sports are not his forte. Life changes dramatically when he uses his unusual analytic talent playing miniature golf.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 680LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
All He KnewHelen FrostIn the 1930s a deaf boy, erroneously deemed unteachable, faces inhumane treatment at an institution until a kindly worker there sees his potential.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 760LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
The Bird in Me FliesSara Lundberg, illustrated by Sara LundbergThis novel in verse with nature-inspired watercolor and collage illustrations explores the life, art, and writing of Swedish artist Berta Hansson. Back matter with archival photos.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Flooded: Requiem for JohnstownAnn E. BurgIn lyrical verse, a chorus of six children and other witnesses share their personal stories about the catastrophic collapse of a dam in 1889.Twelve to FourteenView book details
With a Star in My Hand: Rubén Darío, Poetry HeroMargarita EngleBorn in Nicaragua, Rubén, abandoned by his mother, began experimenting with different forms of complex poetry at a young age and became famous as el niño poeta.Twelve to FourteenView book details
A Bowl Full of Peace: A True StoryCaren StelsonWorld War II brings devastation to Japan and suffering to Sachiko’s family, but grandmother’s bowl, found intact amid the wreckage, evokes treasured memories and hope for future peace. Warm digital illustrations.Twelve to FourteenATOS Book Level 3.6AR Interest Level Lower Grades (LG K-3)View book details
Chance: Escape from the HolocaustUri ShulevitzDeeply evocative drawings by a renowned artist intensify the story of his life as a Polish Jew whose family escaped the Nazis, only to face harrowing experiences in the Soviet Union. Afterword.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Even More Fantastic Failures: True Stories of People Who Changed the WorldFalling Down First by Luke ReynoldsVignettes of famous and not so famous people depict the adversities they overcame.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Finish the Fight!: The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought for the Right to VoteVeronica Chambers, the Staff of the New Y ork TimesFeaturing a diverse group of activists, this comprehensive book focuses on women who fought for the 19th Amendment and other social justice issues. Colorful digital illustrations and archival images. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Kiyo Sato: From a WWII Japanese Internment Camp to a Life of ServiceConnie Goldsmith with Kiyo SatoThough once incarcerated, Japanese American Kiyo never gives up hope for progress in the United States, serves in the US Air Force, and advocates for human rights. Extensive back matter, archival photos.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Mature contentThe Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War IIMichael RosenThe account of a search for family members who had gone missing in the Holocaust provides lessons for today’s world. Many suggestions for further reading.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Sing and Shout: The Mighty Voice of Paul RobesonSusan Goldman RubinAn extraordinary voice and a passionate commitment to universal civil rights marked the life a much-loved performer. Photographs and extensive back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Earth Day and the Environmental Movement: Standing Up for EarthChristy PetersonIn 1970 different environmental groups joined together to celebrate the first Earth Day and increase awareness about the urgent need to protect the planet. Bibliography.Twelve to FourteenView book details
All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer TeamChristina SoontornvatAn incredible international effort led to the rescue of 12 Thai children and their coach, trapped in a flooded cave. Endnotes, bibliography, archival photos.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 1020LATOS Book Level 7.2View book details
Attacked at Sea: A True World War II Story of a Family’s Fight for Survival (True Rescue series)Michael J. Tougias, Alison O.LearyA family shares the harrowing tale of their experiences after their ship is destroyed by a German submarine during World II. Photographs. Bibliography, notes. Young readers edition of So Close to Home: A True Story of an American Family’s Fight for Survival during World War II.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Guardians of Liberty: Freedom of the Press and the Nature of NewsLinda Barrett OsborneA succinct history of communication in the United States explores the value of a free press in a democracy. Includes guidance on evaluating news. Photographs, time line, index, and bibliography.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Lifting As We Climb: Black Women’s Battle for the Ballot BoxEvette DionnePowerful Black women led the charge for women’s suffrage, and in 1920 women finally gained the right to vote. Racism, however, continued to pose obstacles. Archival photographs and documents.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and YouJason Reynolds, Ibram X. KendiThis powerful examination of the roots and evolution of racist ideas in America is a remix of Dr. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning. Extensive source notes and further reading.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 1000LATOS Book Level 7.4View book details
Star Spangled: The Story of a Flag, a Battle, and the American AnthemTim GroveUnder attack by the British during the War of 1812, Baltimore fought back, and Francis Scott Key wrote what became our national anthem. Maps, illustrations, and back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Strong Voices: Fifteen American Speeches Worth KnowingTonya BoldenThe stirring words of Patrick Henry, Fannie Lou Hamer, and thirteen others provides insight into significant issues and events in American history. Striking oil portraits. Time line, back matter.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 1140LATOS Book Level 8.2View book details
Language Alphamaniacs: Builders of 26 Wonders of the WordPaul FleischmanWomen and men invent, rediscover, and play with language in 26 challenging and entertaining entries. Artful and colorful collage illustrations. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Law and Justice Conspiracy: Nixon, Watergate, and Democracy’s DefendersP. O’Connell PearsonCombined efforts of journalists, prosecutors, the judicial system, and Congress forced Richard Nixon to resign from his presidency. A clear account of the Constitution triumphing.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Finding a Way Home: Mildred and Richard Loving and the Fight for Marriage EqualityLarry Dane BrimnerThis landmark U.S. Supreme Court case legalized interracial marriage and became the precedent for other marriage equality cases. Archival documents and photographs. Source materials.Twelve to FourteenView book details
For Which We Stand: How Our Government Works and Why It MattersJeff FosterThis account of how our democracy came to exist explains the government’s different roles and functions and emphasizes the need for citizen activism for its preservation. Black-and-white and full-color illustrations. Back matter, resources.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Give Us the Vote!: Over 200 Years of Fighting for the BallotSusan Goldman RubinLearn about the struggle for suffrage in the United States, including the passage of the 19th Amendment, the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and today’s voter suppression controversies. Extensive back matter and source notes.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Into the Streets: A Young Person’s Visual History of Protest in the United StatesMarke BieschkePeople from across the political and social spectrum have marched for their belief in the power to change laws and practices. Archival photos. Source notes, bibliography, index.Twelve to FourteenView book details
We Are Power: How Nonviolent Activism Changes the WorldTodd Hasak-LowyNonviolence’s powerful effect on world history is examined through various struggles, including those for suffrage, civil rights, India’s independence, migrant workers’ rights, and the mitigation of climate change. Index, endnotes, photos.Twelve to FourteenView book details
You Call This Democracy?: How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the PeopleElizabeth RuschHow have the electoral college, gerrymandering, voter suppression, and more failed democracy? How can concerned teenagers effect change? Enlightening diagrams and charts. Source notes, bibliography.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Wild Girl: How to Have Incredible Outdoor AdventuresHelen SkeltonA guide with real-life adventure stories encourages girls to seek adventure locally or globally by using positive self-talk, planning, and creativity. Colorful illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Beyond Words: What Wolves and Dogs Think and FeelCarl SafinaLearn about the behavior of wolves and what makes them both different from and similar to humans. Footnotes, bibliography, and index. Young readers edition.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Big One: The Cascadia Earthquakes and the Science of Saving Lives (Scientists in the Field series)Elizabeth RuschPlate tectonics, continental drift, the Cascadia Subduction Zone, earthquakes, tsunamis, and the efforts of scientists and engineers to predict and mitigate their impacts are clearly explained. Maps and photographs.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Bill Nye’s Great Big World of ScienceBill Nye, Gregory MoneAn accessible overview of a multitude of subjects, including the human body and climate change, draws upon the expertise of working scientists. Full-color graphic and photographic images, extensive sources.Twelve to FourteenView book details
How We Got to the Moon: The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science behind Humanity’s Greatest AdventureJohn Rocco, illustrated by John RoccoEnlivened with anecdotes, this highly informative history brings clarity to the complex rocket science of the Apollo space program. Finely detailed, realistic illustrations. Source notes, bibliography.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Into the Clouds: The Race to Climb the World’s Most Dangerous MountainTod OlsonFollow the perilous journeys dared by undaunted men during three early expeditions attempting to climb K2, the second-highest mountain on Earth. Archival photographs. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Sisters of the War: Two Remarkable True Stories of Survival and Hope in SyriaRania AbouzeidTwo Syrian girls, one Sunni, and one Alawite, experience the civil war that began in 2011. Map. Author’s note.Twelve to FourteenView book detailsFourteen and Older
140 selections
Above All ElseDana Alison LevyTwo teens have trained for years to climb Mt. Everest, but nothing can prepare them for the reality of the physical and emotional toll. Map.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentDogchildKevin BrooksIn a brutal postapocalyptic world, Jeet, raised by wild dogs, now lives among people in one of only two surviving communities. Is he safe within its besieged walls?Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Inheritance GamesJennifer Lynn BarnesAvery, an impoverished teenager, suddenly inherits a multibillion-dollar legacy, but along with it comes a family rife with rivalry, jealousy, and secrets.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 640LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
Take Me with YouTara AltebrandoFour teens are forced to work together to unravel the intrigue behind an eerily prescient black cube that hacks into every aspect of their private lives.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Truth App (Liars series)Jack HeathJarli, an Australian teen, invents an app that detects conversational truths and falsehoods. It goes viral, but some are willing to kill to keep their secrets hidden.Fourteen and OlderView book details
What I Want You to SeeCatherine LinkaSabine, homeless due to the recent death of her mother, wins an art school scholarship but plays a risky game trying to survive in that cutthroat world.Fourteen and OlderView book details
19 Love SongsDavid LevithanStories and verses about attraction and love are featured in this collection that centers on boys and men finding their partners.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure HL830LView book details
Come On In: 15 Stories about Immigration and Finding HomeAdi AlsaidThis engaging anthology includes tales of teen immigrants and young people in immigrant families from a variety of countries.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Foreshadow: Stories to Celebrate the Magic of Reading and Writing Y AEmily X. R. Pan, Nova Ren SumaThis collection of 13 short stories by diverse YA authors explores the ways in which the writers used prompts and techniques to develop their narratives.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentOut Now: Queer We Go Again!Saundra MitchellSeventeen short stories feature teens representing various gender identities. The theme of self-acceptance balanced against societal pressure runs throughout.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Rural Voices: 15 Authors Challenge Assumptions About Small-Town AmericaNora Shalaway CarpenterAuthors explore and celebrate issues of identity and growing up in rural America. Includes black-and-white spot illustrations and two black-and-white graphic format stories.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Be Not Far from MeMindy McGinnisResourceful, courageous, and stubborn 17-year-old Ashley flees her boyfriend’s infidelity; she survives weeks in the wilderness learning respect for herself, nature, and human connections.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentBeing ToffeeSarah CrossanFleeing an abusive father, Allison finds shelter, empathy, and friendship with an elderly woman suffering from dementia. Free verse.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Black FlamingoDean AttaCypriot, Jamaican, and gay, Michael journeys from painful childhood to empowered manhood. In free verse.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Blood MoonLucy CuthewThe intersection of burgeoning sexual curiosity, menstruation, and online shaming form the backdrop for this fast-paced novel that could encourage teens to reexamine their preconceptions.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentBreak the FallJennifer IacopelliAbout to strive for a medal in her last Olympics, Audrey, a US gymnast, is staggered by accusations of a coach’s abuse.Fourteen and OlderView book details
BreathlessJennifer NivenAfter her parents’ divorce, Claudine travels with her mother to a remote island to heal where, floundering for support, she falls in love with Jeremiah.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentThe BridgeBill KonigsbergTwo teens contemplate committing suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge. Four separate scenarios present potential outcomes as they struggle for survival. Author’s note, resources.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentCharming as a VerbBen PhilippeHaitian American Henri dreams of acceptance at Columbia University. His plans go awry when classmate Corinne blackmails him into helping her change her reputation.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Dark Matter of Mona StarrLaura Lee Gulledge, illustrated by Laura Lee GulledgeGrayscale and spot yellow cosmic illustrations dramatically depict Mona’s journey to manage her depression. Back matter includes reading list and self- care plan.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentEvery Body LookingCandice IlohNigerian American Ada’s upbringing by a strict father and uninvolved mother renders her submissive and secretive; leaving home for college gives her room to bloom. In verse.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Felix Ever AfterKacen CallenderFelix, 17, Black, trans, and queer, suspects that the anonymous bully tormenting him is his chief rival for a competitive art scholarship. Revenge-seeking leads to surprising consequences.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 800LATOS Book Level 5.1View book details
Finding My VoiceMarie Myung-Ok Lee, foreword by Kat ChoIn a small Minnesota town, Korean American Ellen Sung grapples with pressures of college choices, overt racism, and demanding parents.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentFlamerMike CuratoThe boys at St. Michael’s bully biracial Filipino American Aiden for his weight, race, and mannerisms. He hates boys, he’s Catholic; how could he possibly be gay? Monochrome illustrations with bright highlights.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 479LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
Goodbye from NowhereSara ZarrWith a girlfriend and a loving extended family, life is good for Kyle—until he learns his mother is having an affair.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Henna WarsAdiba JaigirdarWorking to balance her Muslim Bengali family background with the culture of her predominantly White Irish girls’ school, 16-year-old Nishat is also challenged by her growing lesbian identity.Fourteen and OlderView book details
I Am Here NowBarbara BottnerIn 1960, a teenager and her gay 11-year-old brother live with an abusive mother. Despite her father’s absence, she strives to find solace and strength. In free verse. Abuse resources.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentIf These Wings Could FlyKyrie McCauleySeventeen-year-old Leighton struggles to protect her sisters and mom from her father’s domestic abuse but longs to flee herself.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentIt Only Happens in the MoviesHolly BourneAudrey gave up on romance before meeting aspiring filmmaker Harry at the cinema where they both work. Does real love look like love in the movies? Sexual content.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Lightness of HandsJeff GarvinSixteen-year-old Ellie, bipolar, lives on the road with her father, a brilliant magician whose career is in a downward spiral. Can she help him turn things around?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Making Friends with Alice DysonPoppy NwosuStudious Alice quietly devotes herself to her parents’ expectations. In her senior year, everything changes with her unexpected friendship with Teddy Taualai, the school outcast.Fourteen and OlderView book details
My Eyes Are Up HereLaura ZimmermannGreer’s enormous breasts dominate her life in ways she knows are unhealthy. A possible boyfriend, a powerful sports bra, and her volleyball teammates help.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Not So Pure and SimpleLamar GilesIn a small Black community in Virginia, where high school sex education courses get cancelled despite numerous teenage pregnancies, Del and his classmates face unprecedented social pressure.Fourteen and OlderView book details
One Way or AnotherKara McDowellDecision-making is beyond challenging for 17-year- old Paige. Two very different possibilities for a special Christmas experience unfold in alternating chapters in this romantic story.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Only Mostly DevastatedSophie GonzalesOllie has a perfect summer fling with Will. When they unexpectedly attend the same school in the fall, Ollie is thrilled—until Will says their relationship must remain secret.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentPrivate LessonsCynthia SalaysaySeventeen-year-old Claire gets more than she bargained for when her protective Filipina mother agrees to let her take piano lessons with a prestigious, demanding male teacher.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Surprising Power of a Good DumplingWai ChimIn Australia, Chinese immigrant Anna must cope with her mother’s increasing mental illness, while contending with academic pressure at school and the busy restaurant that supports them.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentThree Things I Know Are TrueBetty CulleySeventeen-year-old Jonah is brain damaged after accidentally shooting himself with his friend’s father’s gun. His sister advocates for him while struggling with the aftermath. Free verse.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Turtle under IceJuleah del RosarioThis novel in verse explores the evolving grief of two Filipino Chamorro American teenage sisters after the deaths of their mother and then of a miscarried half- sister.Fourteen and OlderView book details
What I CarryJennifer LongoAbout to age out of foster care, Muir finds her fierce self-preservation strategies confounded by a wonderful foster mother, friends, and a passion for the outdoors.Fourteen and OlderView book details
What I Like about MeJenna Guillaume16-year-old Maisie, overweight and struggling with her self-image, forges new paths toward self-expression.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentYou Know I’m No GoodJessie Ann FoleyAfter she punches her stepmother, 17-year-old Mia gets sent to a facility for troubled teens. There she begins her arduous road toward self-awareness and recovery.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The BurningLaura BatesWhen Anna’s nude photos are distributed on social media, she and her mom escape to Scotland, where she learns about historic female persecution. Unfortunately, the scandal follows her.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentDarius the Great Deserves BetterAdib KhorramDarius’s depression is under control, and he has a wonderful boyfriend. But his family is struggling financially and his beloved Iranian grandfather is dying. Life is complicated.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentDear JustyceNic StoneIn letters, Quan, 17, relates the events that led him to prison, and his observations of how the juvenile justice system treats African Americans. Sequel to Dear Martin.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure HL780LATOS Book Level 5.3View book details
Mature contentThe Everything I Have LostSylvia ZélenyIn her journal, Julia records the tumultuous year her family escapes from Juárez, Mexico, to El Paso, Texas, as she gradually acknowledges her father’s criminality and her mother’s helpless love for him. Line drawings.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Here the Whole TimeVitor MartinsWhen Felipe’s mom announces that Caio—his neighbor and lifelong crush—will stay with them for 15 days, he must confront his shyness and body-image insecurities.Fourteen and OlderView book details
How It All Blew UpArvin AhmadiWhen a blackmailing classmate threatens to out him to his conservative Persian parents, Amir bolts to Rome, where new friends teach him the joy of gay culture and community.Fourteen and OlderView book details
I’ll Be the OneLyla LeeSixteen-year-old Korean American Skye dreams of becoming a K-pop star, but everyone—especially her mother—says that fat girls can’t dance. Can she prove them wrong?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Just BreatheCammie McGovernFriendless Jamie, recovering from depression, volunteers at the hospital where ultrapopular David has been admitted for cystic fibrosis. They might be the only ones who understand each other.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Last WordsLeanne BaughSixteen-year-old Claire meets a young man on a Vancouver bridge, who says, “I’m sorry” and then jumps off. The narrative follows Claire’s reactions to this horrific event.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Long Way Down: The Graphic NovelJason ReynoldsA young teen struggles to decide if avenging his brother’s killing is the right thing to do. Lyrical text with ink and watercolor illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mad, Bad, & Dangerous to KnowSamira AhmedIn Paris, French-Indian-American Khayyam and Alexandre Dumas’s sixth-great-grandson hunt for a lost Delacroix painting rumored to have been given to the famed author.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentParachutesKelly YangScholarship student Dani hosts wealthy Claire from Shanghai when she enrolls in Dani’s private school in California. Initial antipathy gives way to alliance as they each face their own traumas.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentPunching the AirIbi Zoboi, Yusef SalaamOne bad punch during a confrontation between groups of boys results in Amal’s incarceration. This novel in verse reveals his sensitivity, talent, intellect, and worth.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 888LATOS Book Level 5.7View book details
Mature contentSanctuaryPaola Mendoza, Abby SherIn 2032 Vali, 16, and her brother flee from Vermont to California after her mother is captured by the Deportation Force; a horrifying picture of a future dystopian USA.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Six Angry GirlsAdrienne KisnerA high school Mock Trial team ousts its only female member, Millie. She then forms her own all-female team, but what starts as retaliation grows into true social activism.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Stay GoldTobly McSmithPony is unwilling to reveal he is transgender. Cisgender Georgia has trust issues from a prior relationship. There’s an attraction, but what are they willing to risk?Fourteen and OlderView book details
This Is My AmericaKim JohnsonTracy’s father sits on death row. Working to overturn his conviction, Tracy investigates the murder of a fellow journalist that may uncover past injustices. Back matter.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure HL640LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
This Is My Brain in LoveI. W. GregorioJocelyn, 16, feels overwhelmed by academic pressure and the failure of her family’s Chinese restaurant. New hire Will secretly grapples with anxiety. Can they help each other?Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 951LATOS Book Level 6.3View book details
This Train Is Being HeldIsmée WilliamsIsa, a ballet dancer, and Alex, a baseball player, meet on the subway. They are drawn to each other, but family secrets and societal issues threaten their relationship.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Together We Caught FireEva VLane’s emotional walls, built after witnessing her mom’s suicide 13 years earlier, are tested by her father’s marriage to the mother of her childhood crush.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Voting BoothBrandy ColbertTwo politically active Black teens meet on Election Day, battling polling mishaps, break-ups, and a missing pet cat while forging a new relationship.Fourteen and OlderView book details
We Are Not from HereJenny Torres SanchezThree young immigrants from Guatemala flee the horrors of their gang-ridden town determined to escape to the United States. Brutally realistic.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Family/School/Community The AssignmentLiza WiemerWhen high school seniors protest their assignment to reenact the Wannsee Conference, during which the “Final Solution” for European Jews was debated, their community is thrown into turmoil.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Clap When You LandElizabeth AcevedoTwo 15-year-old girls, Camino in the Dominican Republic and Yahaira in Harlem, describe learning about each other’s existence when their father suddenly dies. Free verse.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Edge of AnythingNora Shalaway CarpenterAn unlikely friendship develops between star athlete Sage and loner Len. Both girls are struggling in very different ways while learning the meaning of true friendship.Fourteen and OlderView book details
It Came from the SkyChelsea SedotiWhen gay, teenaged Gideon’s science experiment including explosives goes awry, he and his brother blame the gaping hole in a nearby cornfield on extraterrestrial activity.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Under Shifting StarsAlexandra LatosFraternal twins Clare and Audrey are devastated after their older brother’s death. Clare discovers she may be nonbinary; Audrey must come to terms with her neurodivergence.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentWhen You Were EverythingAshley WoodfolkCleo and Layla have been best friends for years, but 11th grade brings challenges that tear them apart. Where can Cleo go from here?Fourteen and OlderView book details
WishboneAnna Garcia SchaperIn alternating time lines, we see a Mexican American teen and her great aunt, 45 years apart, in their heartfelt fights against misogyny and fat-shaming.Fourteen and OlderView book details
AshlordsScott ReintgenAshlords, with the help of their gods, tyrannize their empire and dominate the annual phoenix races. The stakes couldn’t be higher for competitors.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentBearmouthLiz HyderNewt has been satisfied working in a coal mine since age four, never seeing daylight, but when a new boy arrives, questioning working conditions, trouble ensues.Fourteen and OlderView book details
BurnPatrick NessIn an alternate racially intolerant Washington state during the Cold War era, Sarah’s father hires a dragon to work on their farm, unaware of an imminent threat from a dragon-worshipping cult.Fourteen and OlderView book details
DisplacementKiku HughesTeen Kiku travels back in time to experience the traumatic World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans, including the grandmother she never knew. Nuanced colored panels. Back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Empire of DreamsRae CarsonWhen orphan Red’s adoption is thwarted, she petitions to join the all-male Royal Guard. A planned coup will test her mettle.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Girl, Serpent, ThornMelissa BashardoustSoraya is poisonous to anything she touches. Isolated and lonely, she grasps at a chance for change, potentially dooming her family and kingdom. Inspired by Persian lore.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Gravity of UsPhil StamperSeventeen-year-old Cal’s ambition to be a journalist and his quest for a boyfriend could be scuttled by his father’s sudden acceptance into a space mission to Mars.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Puppetmaster’s ApprenticeLisa DeSelmA wooden puppet brought to life by her father’s use of forbidden magic, Pirouette is forced by an evil ruler to create an army of marionettes.Fourteen and OlderView book details
RaybearerJordan IfuekoTarisai must find the strength to seek justice rather than revenge, but her mother’s enchantment seems impossible to overcome.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 860LATOS Book Level 5.5View book details
Mature contentRebelwingAndrea TangIn a near-future dystopia, diverse teenage activists and a sentient mechanized dragon join the resistance against a totalitarian military-industrial complex.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentRed HoodElana K. ArnoldAfter Bisou, 17, kills a wolf, its body turns into that of a classmate. More attacks follow. Is Bisou a hunter or a murderer?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Splinters of ScarletEmily Bain MurphyIn 19th-century Denmark, Marit’s father dies in a suspicious accident. Can her magical abilities solve the mystery and save others suffering from deadly magical sickness?Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Way BackGavriel SavitThe arrival of the Messenger of Death in the shtetl of Tupik sends a boy and a girl on intersecting journeys, full of demons, sorcery, and Hasidic mysticism.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Woven in MoonlightIsabel IbañezWhen the king, a usurper, demands the hand of the deposed princess in exchange for hostages, warrior Ximena volunteers to go in her stead. Map. Spanish and Quechua glossary.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Iron Will of Genie LoF. C. YeeGenie wants a normal senior year, but she’s the reincarnation of a magical weapon of Chinese legend, and a demon has just started an extra-dimensional war.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Black KidsChristina Hammonds ReedWealthy African American Ashley Bennett goes on a journey of self-discovery as rioting flares up in Los Angeles in 1992 following the Rodney King beating.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure HL830LATOS Book Level 5.3View book details
The Blossom and the FireflySherri L. SmithIn Japan in 1945, Taro, 17, a kamikaze pilot, is willing to die for his country. Then he meets 15-year-old Hana. Author’s note, glossary, bibliography.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Cane WarriorsAlex WheatleFourteen-year-old Moa fights for the freedom of enslaved people in Jamaican plantations. Based on the true story of Tacky’s Rebellion against the British in 1760.Fourteen and OlderView book details
A Cloud of Outrageous BlueVesper Stamper, illustrated by Vesper StamperIt’s 1348 in Yorkshire; 16-year-old Edyth, a synesthete, illuminates manuscripts in a priory, where terrified townspeople flee from the Plague. Elegant watercolor illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The DegeneratesJ. Albert MannIn 1928 four young girls are among those incarcerated for life in an institute for the “feeble-minded. ” How can they change their fate?Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Enigma GameElizabeth WeinDuring World War II, a Jamaican British 15-year-old finds a smuggled German encryption device near an RAF airfield in Scotland. Companion to Code Name Verity.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 860LATOS Book Level 5.5View book details
Mature contentThe Light in Hidden PlacesSharon CameronIn Poland during World War II, 17-year-old Fusia, a Catholic, harbors 13 Jews. Harrowing, inspirational. Based on the unpublished memoir of Stefania Podgórska. Family interviews, author’s note, photographs.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentOpen FireAmber LoughKatya joins the 1st Russian Women’s Battalion of Death during World War I. Intensely violent battles fuel her ambivalence about patriotism, Bolshevism, class struggles, and misogyny.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep: Voices from the Donner PartyAllan WolfThe harrowing, tragic story of the Donner Party is told in free verse, narrated by multiple voices. Extensive back matter, sources, and maps.Fourteen and OlderView book details
This Light between Us: A Novel of World War IIAndrew FukudaLeaving Manzanar, Japanese American Alex enlists in an all-Nisei combat unit, hoping to find his French Jewish pen pal, who has disappeared. Black-and-white illustrations. Back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
We Are Not FreeTraci CheeFourteen West Coast Japanese American teenagers tell intertwining stories of their incarceration in internment camps during World War II. Archival photos and ink drawings. Back matter, maps.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 860LATOS Book Level 5.5View book details
Pretty Funny for a GirlRebecca ElliottHaylah is heavy (she says fat), clever, witty, and funny. Can she make it as a stand-up comic, or will she forever ghostwrite Leo’s sets?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage WizardEcho BrownGrowing up in Cleveland, Echo is determined to “rise” even as her crack-cocaine addicted mother struggles to stay alive. Are they really both wizards?Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 920LATOS Book Level 6.1View book details
Mature contentCemetery BoysAiden ThomasLady Death, who empowers the brujx to guide spirits to the afterlife, accepts transgender brujo Yadriel as a boy. Will the rest of the community?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Dark and Deepest RedAnna-Marie McLemoreIn 16th-century Strasbourg, Lala, a Roma, is blamed for a deadly dancing fever. Five hundred years later, red shoes bind to Mexican American Rosella’s feet, forcing her to dance.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentDaughters of JubilationKara Lee CorthronEvvie draws on magical powers, inherited from generations of Black women, to fight against a man who assaulted her as a child and has returned to find her.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Hello NowJenny ValentineOut of an ordinary, futureless existence, Jude finds Novo and boundless love in a timeless, magical moment and comes to understand love and loss.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentTigers, Not DaughtersSamantha MabryWhen the oldest teenage sister in a contemporary Mexican American family dies, the other three grieve, suffer, and receive different messages from her restless spirit.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Watch over MeNina LaCourAfter aging out of foster care, Mila gets an internship on a remote farm on the California coast; then mysterious gifts connected to her past start to appear.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The BetweenDavid HofmeyrA cinematic adventure through seven worlds in a multiverse provides Ana the opportunity for self- actualization, growing self-awareness, and a possible romance. Sequels are in the offing.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The EndMats StrandbergA meteor is hurtling toward Earth; two Swedish teens try to solve a murder while deciding what they truly value and who they ultimately want to be.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentHard WiredLen VlahosQuinn discovers his entire life is an AI fabrication. What does it mean to be sentient, to be real? Who has the right to control someone’s life?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel AdaptationOctavia E. ButlerIn a near-future, violently apocalyptic United States, hyperempathic Lauren flees her community, hoping to establish a safe space to practice her Afrofuturistic religion. Deep tonal digital illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentWhen We Vanished (Call of the Crow Quartet series)Alanna PetersonFour teens attend a protest at a local food manufacturer and end up being part of a bizarre experiment. First of a quartet.Fourteen and OlderView book details
FuriaYamile Saied MendezCamila, aspiring to a professional soccer career, faces an anti-feminist Argentinian society, an abusive father, and a choice between her boyfriend and her sport.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 769LATOS Book Level 4.9View book details
Golden ArmCarl DeukerStar pitcher Laz, 19, hampered by poverty and learning disabilities, could pitch for a more competitive school and maybe get drafted by the majors; but it will mean leaving his community.Fourteen and OlderView book details
We Are the WildcatsSiobhan VivianA high school girls’ field hockey team comes to recognize the excessive manipulation and intimidation tactics of their coach and mounts a resistance.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Everything Comes Next: Collected & New PoemsNaomi Shihab NyeLooking through a lens of connectivity, the Poetry Foundation’s Young People’s Poet Laureate offers over 100 profound and memorable poems. Creative black- and-white spot art.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentThis Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work (Empower the Future series)Tiffany JewellThis workbook encourages teens to explore, develop a positive racial identity, and work in solidarity against racism. Bold, colorful, dynamic illustrations. Endnotes, glossary, bibliography, suggested further reading.Fourteen and OlderView book details
This Is What I Know about Art (Pocket Change Collective series)Kimberly DrewA Black curator, writer, and activist describes her passion for art and for taking action to make art institutions more welcoming spaces for BIPOC audiences and to increase representation of artists of color in museums and galleries. Spot illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Almost American Girl: An Illustrated MemoirRobin HaLife in Alabama is difficult for Ha, 14, a South Korean immigrant. A comic drawing class helps her find the way forward. Colorful comic art.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Apple: Skin to the CoreEric Gansworth, illustrated by Eric GansworthAn Onondaga writer/artist growing up among the Tuscarora shares his memories of unrelenting lifetime struggles with cultural dislocation. Vivified with his poetry, artwork, and family photographs.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Banned Book ClubKim Hyun Sook, Ryan EstradaJoining a banned book club opens college student Kim Hyun Sook’s eyes to political realities in the authoritarian regime of 1980s South Korea. Illustrations in Korean comics (manhwa) style.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Beauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn MonroeCarole Boston WeatherfordAlthough she was a beloved movie star, this iconic Hollywood star’s life was traumatic.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Call Me AmericanAbdi Nor Iftin. Delacorte PressAbdi grows up in war-torn Somalia, learns English, becomes excited about American culture, meets journalists, does some writing himself, and finally immigrates to the United States. Young readers edition.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Cat I Never Named: A True Story of Love, War, and SurvivalAmra Sabic-El-Rayess with Laura L. SullivanLove, resourcefulness, and a faithful cat give Muslim teenager Amra and her family the strength to survive the 1992–1995 Bosnian genocide. Black-and-white spot illustrations. Resources.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Dancing at the Pity Party: A Dead Mom Graphic MemoirTyler Feder, illustrated by Tyler FederFeder describes her grief at the death of her mother when she was was a 19-year-old college freshman. Colorful, hand-lettered illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in PicturesNoelle Stevenson, illustrated by Noelle StevensonA graphic novelist chronicles her highs and lows from 2011, when she was 19 and in art school, to 2019 when she married her wife. Stevenson’s signature, sketchy cartoons illustrate the text.Fourteen and OlderView book details
A Hopeful Heart: Louisa May Alcott before Little WomenDeborah NoyesWell-connected socially and intellectually but poverty stricken, Alcott is portrayed as a caring, brave, driven, and talented woman living in a complex world.Fourteen and OlderATOS Book Level 8.1AR Interest Level Middle Grades Plus (MG+ 6 and up)View book details
Invisible Differences: A Story of Asperger’s, Adulting, and Living a Life in Full ColorJulie Dachez, inspired by, in collaboration with Fabienne VasletWhen Marguerite, 27, receives an Asperger’s diagnosis, she begins to change her way of living. The illustrations’ palette becomes more varied as Marguerite learns more about herself. Back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
One Real American: The Life of Ely S. Parker, Seneca Sachem and Civil War GeneralJoseph BruchacThis unique figure in US history achieved success in two worlds, yet was caught between them. Archival photos and images, maps, endnote, bibliography, and time line.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Rise and Fall of Charles LindberghCandace FlemingThis unflinching account of the pilot’s life includes his solo flight from New York to Paris, his son’s kidnapping, and his embrace of eugenics and Nazism. Bibliography, source notes, and index.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Sarah Bernhardt: The Divine and Dazzling Life of the World’s First SuperstarCatherine ReefA once-temperamental French teen blossomed into a legendary actress and world-wide celebrity. Illustrated with numerous archival photographs.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentWalk toward the Rising Sun: From Child Soldier to Ambassador of PeaceGer Duany with Garen ThomasWar-torn Sudan turns Duany’s carefree childhood into a daily fight for survival. Escaping to America at 18, Duany struggles to build a new life.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Health The Self-Love Revolution: Radical Beauty Positivity for Girls of Color (Instant Help Solutions series)Virgie TovarTovar addresses the importance of self-love by sharing her own journey and guides girls to self-love with exercises and insight on societal standards for women.Fourteen and OlderView book details
1789: Twelve Authors Explore a Year of Rebellion, Revolution, and ChangeMarc Aronson, Susan Campbell BartolettiSnapshots of pivotal events on both sides of the Atlantic describe the social upheavals that informed early America’s policies on human rights.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Blood and Germs: The Civil War Battle against Wounds and Disease (Medical Fiascoes series)Gail JarrowNumerous diseases that killed more soldiers than bullets are described with in-person accounts and photos of the fighters, doctors, and nurses affected. Archival photographs. Back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentThe First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George WashingtonBrad Meltzer, Josh MenschIn a conflict with constantly shifting loyalties, it became clear that espionage would play a key role if the revolutionaries were to prevail. Extensive back matter. Young readers edition.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Freedom Summer for Young People: The Violent Season That Made Mississippi Burn and Made America a Democracy (For Young People series)Bruce WatsonIn the summer of 1964, college students registered black voters in Mississippi and opened schools for youngsters. Archival photos, extensive back matter. Young readers edition of Freedom Summer.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Law and Justice The Black Friend: On Being a Better White PersonFrederick JosephThe author describes race-related experiences from his youth, weaving in interviews with artists and activists, to help develop readers’ capacity to be racial justice accomplices. Rich back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Stolen Justice: The Struggle for African American Voting RightsLawrence Goldstone, foreword by Henry Louis Gates, JrGladstone traces how African Americans have fought for voting rights from 1787 to the 21st century. Archival photographs and images. Back matter, sources.Fourteen and OlderView book details
True or False: A CIA Analyst’s Guide to Spotting Fake NewsCindy L. OtisThis engaging history of and primer on spotting false information in the news and on social media could not be more timely or essential. Archival photographs. Extensive sourcing.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Dragon HoopsGene Luen YangThe author describes how a graphic novel was created from the compelling story of a high school’s drive to become basketball state champions. Full-color illustrations. Extensive back matter.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure HL550LATOS Book Level 3.9View book details
Mature contentIn Search of Safety: Voices of RefugeesSusan KuklinFive refugees from three Asian and two African countries describe the danger they fled to seek safe new lives in the United States. Color photographs. Extensive back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details