100 Things I Know How to DoAmy Schwartz, illustrated by Amy SchwartzFamiliar activities of young children are accompanied by bouncing couplets. Clear, vibrant gouache illustrations.Under FiveView book detailsBank Street Best Children's Books of the Year 2022
The 2022 edition contains 651 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 [2022 edition]See the original list
Selections651
Published byBank Street College of Education
Sections5 sections
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Under Five
129 selections
100 Things I Know How to DoAmy Schwartz, illustrated by Amy SchwartzFamiliar activities of young children are accompanied by bouncing couplets. Clear, vibrant gouache illustrations.Under FiveView book details
All Dressed UpAndrea ZimmermanChef? Diver? Cowgirl? Whatever the profession and activity, each has its own attire. Bright, engaging illustrations on double-page spreads.Under FiveView book details
All of the Factors of Why I Love TractorsDavina BellIn rhyming dialog, a young boy gives his protesting mother a detailed defense of his library selection, another book about his beloved tractors. Colorful digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
All of UsKathryn ErskineChildren the world over engage in activities that exhibit love and friendship. Rhymed text and subtly colored, soft digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Atticus CaticusSarah MaizesA day in the life of a boy and his irrepressible cat, told in rhythmic verse. Humorous digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Australian Baby AnimalsFrané Lessac, illustrated by Frané LessacJoeys, hatchlings, chicks, fry, puggles, pups, and platypups all live as babies under the care of various parents and siblings. Simple presentation and colorful illustrations.Under FiveView book details
The Barking Ballad: A Bark-Along Meow-Along BookJulie Paschkis, illustrated by Julie PaschkisChildren join in with barks and meows in this rhyming tale of a stray cat who heals an injured dog. Folk-art style illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Baseball Baby (Sports Baby Book series)Diane AdamsA toddler enjoys a baseball game with his family and, in rhyme, explains the basics. Bold illustrations. Also available in Spanish.Under FiveView book details
Bear Can’t WaitKarma WilsonAs Bear and his friends get ready to throw a surprise party, he almost ruins everything when he gets too excited. Vibrant acrylic illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Bear Wants to SingCary FaganSubtle graphite illustrations capture Bear’s frustration and dejection as his song gets interrupted, and his ultimate joy when a friend stands by his side.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD490LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
The Best Place in the WorldPetr Horᡠcek, illustrated by Petr HorᡠcekIs Hare’s meadow the best, most beautiful place? Hare explores and discovers what makes it special. Splashy, brilliant colors in full-page spreads.Under FiveView book details
The Big House and the Little HouseYoshi UenoWhen a storm threatens Mouse’s little house, his newly found friend and neighbor, Bear, comes to the rescue. Detailed illustrations in a gentle pastel palette.Under FiveView book details
Blue Floats AwayTravis JonkerAn iceberg floats away from his parents, experiences the ocean, and undergoes a sequence of physical changes before returning home. Mixed-media collage illustrations.Under FiveWord Count 239View book details
Brave As a MouseNicolò Carozzi, illustrated by Nicolò CarozziAnimated life-like muted pastel illustrations and minimal text show the dramatic moments when mice ingeniously protect their goldfish friend from looming disaster.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD180LATOS Book Level 1.6View book details
Bright Brown Baby: A TreasuryAndrea Davis PinkneyA collection of stories uplift Black and Brown babies and encourage love, affirmation, and understanding of child development through family interactions. Gouache and acrylic illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Bubbles … Up!Jacqueline DaviesAs a mother and younger sibling look on, an exuberant child frolics in a neighborhood pool. A celebration of swimming and splashing. Imaginative wordplay, effervescent digital art.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 221LATOS Book Level 1.9View book details
Carpenter’s HelperSybil RosenRenata loves helping Papi build their new bathroom, but the project is interrupted when a wren comes to nest above the bathtub. Rich language and detailed illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Chaiwala!Priti Birla MaheshwariRichly hued collages and simple text describe a train stop in Jaipur where an Indian mother and daughter have just enough time for a delicious drink of chai.Under FiveView book details
Chez BobBob Shea, illustrated by Bob SheaBirdseed featured on the menu of a restaurant attracts birds for the alligator owner to devour. But will making new friends prove even more delicious? Zany illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 491LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
The Circles All around UsBrad MontagueA child draws larger and larger circles to widen their world, enhancing it. Simple effective analog and digital illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD500LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
City BabyLaurie ElmquistAn Asian mom and baby walk through their diverse North American city, visiting the park, a café, and a festival. Bold collage and digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
DaddyLeslie Patricelli, illustrated by Leslie PatricelliDaddy can do everything (according to a diapered narrator)! Bright, acrylic illustrations accompany simple rhyming text.Under FiveView book details
The Day the Rain Moved InÉléonore Douspis, illustrated by Éléonore Douspis, Shelley TanakaA family’s persistent source of distress and sadness is ameliorated by looking at things through the wondering eyes of others. Digital art in a subdued palette.Under FiveView book details
Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It)Carrie FinisonNeed a clear, polite way for children to assert their right to be hugged or not? Constructive alternative greetings offered. Vibrant digital illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD370LATOS Book Level 1.7View book details
Everybody in the Red Brick BuildingAnne WynterColorful collage art aptly depicts the sounds that wake apartment dwellers from their sleep. Word repetition makes this urban bedtime story a great read aloud.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD650LATOS Book Level 4.2View book details
Families CanDan SaksA celebration of the American family in its many permutations. Warm illustrations portray diverse households.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD480LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
Family ReunionChad Richardson, Dad RichardsonA young boy reluctantly attends the reunion of his extended African American family and finds he really enjoys getting to know everybody. Vibrant illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Fish and Sun (I Can Read! Comics series)Sergio Ruzzier, illustrated by Sergio RuzzierFish finds a new friend, Sun, who makes the world warm and exciting. Very simple graphic novel format with beautifully painted watercolor panels.Under FiveWord Count 182View book details
FreeSam Usher, illustrated by Sam UsherA lost bird becomes friends with a young boy and his granddad. In helping the bird find its home, they enter a magical world. Detailed ink and watercolor illustrations.Under FiveView book details
The Froggies Do NOT Want to SleepAdam Gustavson, illustrated by Adam GustavsonColorful images of leggy amphibians catapult across double-page spreads. The frogs ride unicycles, fly spaceships, and train beasts in their bedtime-resistant romp.Under FiveView book details
Go Be Wonderful!Donna GephartEncouraged by her biracial family from birth, Daisy passes each childhood milestone with confidence and success. Will that continue when she starts school? Whimsical mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Hardly HauntedbyJessie Sima, illustrated by byJessie SimaA creaky haunted house longs for someone to make it a haunted home, but who will be brave enough? Spooky sounds abound; atmospheric digital art.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD450LATOS Book Level 1.7View book details
Hello, MoonJulie Downing, illustrated by Julie DowningFollow animals from dusk to dawn in this gentle tale told in quatrains. Saturated watercolor artwork.Under FiveView book details
Hello Preschool!Priscilla Burris, illustrated by Priscilla BurrisVibrant animated double-page spreads show a diverse class of enthusiastic children experiencing routines and activities on their very first day of school.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD310LATOS Book Level 2.3View book details
Home Is …Hannah BarnabySimple rhymed text celebrates homes for people and animals in mountains, seas, small towns, and big cities all over the world. Jewel-toned illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD210LATOS Book Level 1.8View book details
Honey for You, Honey for Me: A First Book of Nursery RhymesMichael RosenCaptivating watercolor illustrations accompany this diverse collection of nursery rhymes sourced from historical anthologies. Each one tickles the tongue.Under FiveView book details
HugoAtinukeThrough the seasons, park warden Hugo the pigeon helps his neighbors. Eventually, he coaxes a mysterious Somebody out to play. Soft digitally colored illustrations.Under FiveView book details
I Am a BirdHope LimA young child is initially frightened by a cross-looking woman. Then the girl learns that they both love to sing to birds. Sunny, soft, textured art.Under FiveView book details
I Can Make a Train NoiseMichael Emberley, Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, illustrated by Michael Emberley, Marie-Louise FitzpatrickA little girl and her family enter a café. With a short declaration, she transforms it into a moving train. Detailed mixed-media illustrationsUnder FiveView book details
I Like TrainsDaisy Hirst, illustrated by Daisy HirstA young puppy really likes trains—to play with, to drive, to read books about, and to take to visit his grandma. Simple screenprinted illustrations.Under FiveView book details
If I Were a DogJoanna Cotler, illustrated by Joanna CotlerThis simple story shows the joys of being human and of being a dog, and the similarities between the two. Expressive watercolor illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD330LATOS Book Level 2.4View book details
I’ll Build You a Bookcase/Te haré tu propio libreroJean Ciborowski FaheyChildren and adults of many races and cultures share the gift of reading with others. Acrylic and digital illustrations. Bilingual in Spanish and English. Also available in Arabic-, Mandarin-, and Vietnamese-English editions.Under FiveView book details
Inside CatBrendan WenzelInside Cat thinks it has seen it all through the windows, but then the front door is opened. Lyrical rhyming text. Stylized mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD320LATOS Book Level 2.4View book details
Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for BreakfastDavid Ezra Stein, illustrated by David Ezra SteinThe little red chicken returns in this third adventure, hungry for cookies and hilariously shattering nursery rhymes to persuade his father to give him those treats. Bright mixed-media art.Under FiveWord Count 658View book details
Itty-Bitty Kitty-CornShannon HaleKitty wants to be a unicorn, but her friends poke fun at her games. Bright candy-colored illustrations add humor to this story of friendship and self-acceptance.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD490LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
Jenny Mei Is SadTracy Subisak, illustrated by Tracy SubisakRecognizing Asian American Jenny’s sadness, her Black friend tries to help by listening carefully. Appealing India ink, watercolor, pastel, and colored pencil illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Lala’s Words: A Story of Planting KindnessGracey Zhang, illustrated by Gracey ZhangEvery day, rambunctious Lala rushes out to water city plants and whisper loving words to them. They listen! Endearing hand-drawn illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Leo and the OctopusIsabelle MarinovProne to sensory overload, Leo struggles to make sense of the world, until he bonds with an octopus in the local aquarium. Acrylic and ink illustrations include details of octopus behaviors.Under FiveView book details
Like a DandelionHuy Voun Lee, illustrated by Huy Voun LeeAs an Asian child and her mother journey from a refugee camp to America, their resiliency is likened to the small but strong dandelion. Poetic text; graceful digital art.Under FiveView book details
ListenGabi SnyderChildren are called to listen, moving beyond the noises around them to the sounds of words, of feelings, and of nature. Gentle pencil, watercolor, and Adobe Fresco and Photoshop illustrationsUnder FiveLexile Text Measure AD470LATOS Book Level 1.5View book details
The Little Blue BridgeBrenda MaierThis reimagining of the Billy Goats Gruff features a young Latina whose ingenuity surprises both a bully and her own big brothers. Joyful illustrations and a STEM component.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 381LATOS Book Level 2.7View book details
The Little OneKiyo Tanaka, illustrated by Kiyo Tanaka, David BoydA young Japanese girl spends an afternoon playing with a mysterious magical creature before she meets with her father. Delicate black-and-white copperplate etchings.Under FiveView book details
Looking for a JumbieTracey BaptisteFrightening Caribbean folklore characters are found to be kind companions in this tale of a young girl’s brave exploration. Lively repetitive text; colorful digital art.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 301LATOS Book Level 2.3View book details
The Lost PackageRichard HoWhen a dark-skinned boy finds a box that has fallen out of a USPS truck, he decides to deliver the package himself. Masterful watercolor illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD330LATOS Book Level 2.4View book details
Maybe …Chris Haughton, illustrated by Chris HaughtonAnimated wide-eyed monkeys displayed on vivid red backgrounds are warned by their mother to stay away from the mango grove for fear of tigers. Do they listen? Expressive illustrations.Under FiveView book details
The Me I Choose to BeNatasha Anastasia TarpleyCreative Photoshopped images show Black children exploring their boundless potential.Under FiveView book details
Mel FellCorey R. TaborA brave fledgling kingfisher leaves her nest to fly for the first time. Innovative vertical format. Engaging pastel illustrations. Author’s note.Under FiveWord Count 281View book details
Mole in a Black & White HoleTereza SedivaMole prefers to stay in his underground home, but what happens when he ventures beyond his comfort zone? Horizontal, linocut prints depict Mole’s journey from a stark black-and-white world to one of vibrant colors.Under FiveView book details
MommyLeslie Patricelli, illustrated by Leslie PatricelliMommy can do everything! Bright, acrylic illustrations accompany rhyming text.Under FiveView book details
Monster ClothesDaisy Hirst, illustrated by Daisy HirstEverybody—including a behemoth—needs to find something to wear in the morning. Humorous screenprinted illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Moose, Goose, and MouseMordicai GersteinA rollicking adventure on a runaway caboose leads three animal friends to the new home that fulfills each of their wishes. Bright and playful computer-generated collage illustrations.Under FiveView book details
More Than FluffMadeline Valentine, illustrated by Madeline ValentineHer friends can’t resist touching cute, fluffy Daisy the chick, but she needs some personal space! Her mother helps her hatch a plan. Cheerful digital graphite and watercolor illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD520LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
My Time series • It’s Big Brother Time! • It’s Big Sister Time!Nandini AhujaSomebody has to teach baby the house and family rules! Told from the point of view of the older sibling. Humorous, expressive mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Never, Not Ever!Beatrice Alemagna, illustrated by Beatrice Alemagna, Jill DavisA young bat uses her extraordinary secret powers to overcome her first-day-of-school jitters. Collage and crayon art.Under FiveView book details
New HouseDave Wheeler, illustrated by Dave WheelerA toddler explores his fascinating but unfamiliar new home and is assured of familial love. Humorous mixed- media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
The Nice Dream TruckBeth FerryWith clever rhymes and energetic illustrations, this lyrical bedtime story depicts children’s dreams.Under FiveView book details
Noah’s SealLayn Marlow, illustrated by Layn MarlowWhile waiting for Nana to fix their sailboat, Noah shapes a sand seal. A storm washes it out to sea, but then … Textured watercolor and collage illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Nosotros Means Us: Un cuento bilingüe/ A Bilingual StoryPaloma Valdivia, illustrated by Paloma ValdiviaA mother holds her child on her lap and expresses her enduring love. Soothing mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Off to See the SeaNikki GrimesA Black mother turns bath time into a magical adventure. Told in free verse. Playful, brightly colored mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD530LATOS Book Level 3.5View book details
Oh Look, a Cake!J. C. McKee, illustrated by J. C. McKeeSloth and Lemur invent absurd reasons for not sharing the large, tempting cake they have found, but their greed has consequences. Humorous illustrations.Under FiveWord Count 227View book details
One DayLee JuckGrandpa is gone. His grandson contemplates the belongings left behind and imagines where his grandfather might be; perhaps among the stars? Gentle illustrations in a subdued palette capture the child’s loss.Under FiveView book details
Oscar’s Tower of FlowersLauren Tobia, illustrated by Lauren TobiaColorful illustrations, including some full-page spreads, present touching, wordless scenes of a boy missing his special someone. A planting project shared with diverse neighbors turns sadness to joy.Under FiveView book details
Our Shed: A Father-Daughter Building StoryRobert BroderA daughter learns carpentry skills alongside her father and enjoys the work breaks they take together during the project. Colorful, playfully detailed illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Out of NowhereChris Naylor-Ballesteros, illustrated by Chris Naylor-BallesterosWhen its caterpillar friend disappears, a beetle’s search for her ends in an amazing discovery. Stark black-and- white illustrations punctuated with red reveal the caterpillar’s whereabouts.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD540LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
The Pocket ChaoticZiggy HanaorAlexander finds life in his kangaroo mother’s pouch crowded and jumbled. He tries to organize things, but is it perhaps time to move out? Simple humorous illustrations.Under FiveView book details
The Rice in the Pot Goes Round and RoundWendy Wan-Long ShangA multigenerational family shares their traditional Chinese foods and love. Told in refrains based on an American folk song. Joyful animated color illustrations. Detailed glossary with Chinese characters.Under FiveView book details
Run, Little Chaski!: An Inka Trail AdventureMariana LlanosLittle Chaski runs into trouble on his first mission, to carry a message to the Inka king. Colorful stylized illustrations. Glossary, map, and information about the Inka. Also available in Spanish.Under FiveView book details
A Small KindnessStacy McAnultyOn the first day of school, kind acts spread through a diverse class like a game of tag, bringing smiles to everyone. Spots of bright color in mainly sepia illustrations show the path of the kindness.Under FiveView book details
Spin a Scarf of SunshineDawn CaseyNari’s sheep’s fleece is sheared, washed, brushed, spun, dyed, knit, worn, and composted in this story of sustainability. Watercolor and color pencil illustrations.Under FiveView book details
The Star FestivalMoni Ritchie HadleyAmid the vibrantly illustrated backdrop of a traditional summertime Japanese folklore festival, a young girl seeks her grandmother in the crowd of celebrants. Back matter.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD610LATOS Book Level 4View book details
Terrific!Sophie Gilmore, illustrated by Sophie GilmoreFive animal friends would like to find a wonderful activity they can all do together. Then snake arrives with a different plan. Watercolor and ink illustrations in a subdued palette.Under FiveView book details
The Thingity-JigKathleen DohertyBear wants to share his wonderful find with his friends. He needs their help to move it, but they just want to sleep. What to do? Colorful pencil and ink illustrations, digitally rendered.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD500LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
A Thousand White ButterfliesJessica Betancourt-Perez, Karen Lynn WilliamsSnow and a new friend lift the sadness of a Colombian child who has recently settled in the United States. Bright, textured illustrations. Spanish vocabulary throughout.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 480LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
Thunder and Cluck: Friends DO NOT Eat Friends (Thunder and Cluck series)Jill EsbaumOne large and one small dinosaur parry, ultimately becoming fast friends in this vibrantly illustrated easy- to-read story.Under FiveView book details
Time for Bed, Old HouseJanet Costa BatesA young Black child finds his first overnight at Grandpop’s exciting but scary. Can Grandpop find a way to make it a fun experience? Watercolor illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Tiny Kitty, Big CityTim Miller, illustrated by Tim MillerA kitten adventures alone in the city. When it begins to snow, where will the kitty go? Detailed acrylic gouache illustrations invite discussion.Under FiveView book details
The Tree in MeCorinna Luyken, illustrated by Corinna LuykenThe beauty of the natural world enters a child of color through the bite of an apple. Glowing gouache artwork pulls the reader in.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD330LATOS Book Level 2.4View book details
TroubleKatherine Battersby, illustrated by Katherine BattersbyA mouse fears the worst when a bear becomes her neighbor. Sparse text and humorous cartoon-like illustrations combine cleverly in this story about misconceptions.Under FiveView book details
Way Past Jealous (Great Big Feelings series)Hallee AdelmanYaz’s jealousy prompts her to act out against her best friend. Can she heal herself and the friendship? Awareness and discussion is encouraged. Expressive colorful illustrations.Under FiveView book details
We All Play: KimêtawânawJulie Flett, illustrated by Julie FlettSoft and spare illustrations and alliterative sounds depict animals and children at play in parallel ways. Back matter includes Cree translations.Under FiveView book details
We Became JaguarsDave EggersA young boy and his grandmother role-play at being jaguars, exploring the woods until it is time for the boy to go to school. Mesmerizing richly colored illustrations.Under FiveView book details
We Love FishingAriel BernsteinSquirrel is not as enamored of the fishing trip as his buddies are, but despite his attitude and actions, their friendship endures. Humorous colorful pencil and digital illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD470LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
Welcome Flower Child: The Magic of Your Birth FlowerBrigette Barrager, illustrated by Brigette BarragerLyrical, rhyming poetry combines with sumptuous full-color illustrations to introduce young readers to 12 species of flowers that celebrate birthday months.Under FiveView book details
What If Wilhelmina: A Story of Imagination Run WildJoseph Belisle, illustrated by Joseph BelisleWhen her cat is missing, a Black child anxiously fantasizes about her beloved pet’s possible fates. Sporadic text and cartoonish humorous illustrations capture family involvement.Under FiveView book details
When We Say Black Lives MatterMaxine Beneba Clarke, illustrated by Maxine Beneba ClarkeWarmth, strength, and hope stand side by side with anger as Black parents help their young child understand the significance of the Black Lives Matter movement. Pastels evoke stained glass.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 530LATOS Book Level 3.5View book details
The Whole Hole StoryVivian McInernyAn adventurous Black girl goes around the world and back again when she falls through a hole in her pocket. Colorful, humorous illustrations.Under FiveWord Count 898View book details
Wonder WalkersMicha ArcherExquisite, evocative textured and patterned paper collages capture two children of color imaginatively pondering the structure and function of the natural world they encounter.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD310LATOS Book Level 2.3View book details
Woodland Dance!Sandra Boynton, illustrated by Sandra BoyntonOn special nights of the year, forest creatures meet for an important soirée. Rhyming text and earth-toned illustrations.Under FiveView book details
The Worm Family Has Its Picture TakenJennifer FrankThe oldest daughter wants the family portrait to be perfect, but will dressing up to hide their worminess do the trick? Amusing mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD550LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
yes & noElisha Cooper, illustrated by Elisha CooperA day in the life of two very different companions: an exuberant puppy and a cool cat. Spare text; expressive ink and watercolor illustrations.Under FiveView book details
1 2 3 Cats: A Cat Counting BookLesléa NewmanIn rhyming text, counting from 1 to 12, felines participate in fun, kitty-centric activities. Sumi ink on watercolor paper.Under FiveView book details
ABC Cats: An Alpha-Cat BookLesléa NewmanTwenty-six felines interact in different ways with colorful oversize alphabet letters.Under FiveView book details
All We NeedKathy WolffRhyming text with warm illustrations of diverse children and adults in varied settings show that everyone needs air, water, education, a home, food, family, friends, and sharing.Under FiveWord Count 250View book details
Black and WhiteDebora VogrigBlack invites White to join forces. Galloping zebras, a chess set, and a piano keyboard are some of the bold images these opposites create. Spare, elegant illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Bodies Are CoolTyler FederA rhythmic, rhyming tribute to every individual and every type of physical characteristic. Detailed illustrations in vibrant colors help bring home the cheerful message of inclusivity and acceptance.Under FiveView book details
Ducks on the Road: A Counting AdventureAnita Lobel, illustrated by Anita LobelOn a walk behind mama and papa, 10 baby ducks are distracted by new friends. Invites participation. Cheerful gouache and colored pencil art.Under FiveView book details
A HouseKevin HenkesIn this read-and-response book, readers are invited to consider what a house is and what makes it a home. Simple, soft watercolor illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Orange Is an Apricot, Green Is a Tree Frog: Explore the Natural World through ColorPascale Estellon, illustrated by Pascale EstellonThe colors of various animals and plants are illustrated in a series of vivid gouache paintings.Under FiveView book details
RedLaura Vaccaro Seeger, illustrated by Laura Vaccaro SeegerSimple verse tells a story of a young fox who loses its family; an unusual poetic look at many shades of red. Intense, painterly acrylics.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 170LATOS Book Level 1.6View book details
Red House, Brown MouseJane GodwinRhyming text accompanies a little mouse’s journey through a colorful city. Bold illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Ten Animals in Antarctica: A Counting BookMoira CourtIn this informative counting book, collage illustrations and short sentences that are wonderful to read aloud explore an array of Antarctic animals. Back matter.Under FiveView book details
Thank You, Farmeditors of Storey PublishingChildren thank animals, plants, and the soil for all of the bounty they produce. Colorful, detailed illustrations.Under FiveView book details
There Is a RainbowTheresa TrinderVivid colored pencil drawings depict scenes of families enjoying one another in varied environments. Repeating text assures readers that even crises like pandemics will pass.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD150LATOS Book Level 1.5View book details
Time Is a FlowerJulie MorstadA playful and thoughtful way to think about the passage of time. Artwork made with pencil, markers, and pastels, assembled digitally.Under FiveLexile Text Measure AD490LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
We Are All under One Wide SkyDeborah WilesCounting up to 10 and then back down again, rhyming text accompanies detailed illustrations of children from many different countries, shown in their environments and in group scenes.Under FiveView book details
Boo! Baa, La La La!Sandra Boynton, illustrated by Sandra BoyntonA cow sends forth a Halloween greeting and is met by a chorus of animals returning the spooky salutation. Humorous, mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
The Little Owl & the Big Tree: A Christmas StoryJonah WinterIn this true story, an owl is discovered in the tree chosen for the Rockefeller Center Christmas display. How will the little owl react to the urban environment? Evocative, colorful, stylized illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Shabbat Shalom!Douglas FlorianSimple rhyming text and cheerful, colorful mixed-media illustrations describe an Orthodox Jewish family’s Sabbath evening celebration.Under FiveView book details
We Go to ShulDouglas FlorianA young family celebrates Shabbat, the weekly Jewish day of rest and prayer. Detailed mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Beautiful Day!: Petite Poems for All SeasonsRodoula PappaA boy experiences the seasons through haiku-inspired poems. Stylized, delicate, colorful illustrations include images of origami, carp kites, and other Japanese objects.Under FiveView book details
Chase the Moon, Tiny Turtle: A Hatchling’s Daring Race to the SeaKelly JordanSimple rhythmic text and vivid print and digital illustrations depict a turtle hatchling’s journey across the dangerous sand to the sea.Under FiveView book details
I Love Insects (I Like to Read series)Lizzy Rockwell, illustrated by Lizzy RockwellA Black girl and an Asian boy explore the ways in which insects can be beautiful, scary, surprising, and helpful too! Colorful gouache and watercolor illustrations.Under FiveView book details
In the DesertMichaela WeglinskiThis introduction to life in deserts has outstanding photos from many locations. Water and temperature issues are featured.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 400LATOS Book Level 2.8View book details
Little Loon Finds His VoiceYvonne PearsonBaby loon cannot make the unique sounds his father makes, but when a threat appears, he finally finds his voice. Finely detailed illustrations. Links provided for sound files.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 590LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
Night Becomes Day: Changes in NatureCynthia ArgentineNature is constantly changing and evolving. Simple clear text and extraordinary contrasting photos provide examples of these transformations.Under FiveView book details
Night Creatures: Animals that Swoop, Crawl, and Creep While You SleepRebecca E. HirschA mother and child camp out in the backyard as the world of nocturnal animals reveals itself from dusk to dawn. Lush, detailed illustrations. Lyrical text. End notes.Under FiveView book details
Odd Bods: The World’s Unusual AnimalsJulie MurphyLarge clear text and magnified, boldly colored photographs introduce various species whose unique physical features help them adapt to their environment. Extensive back matter.Under FiveView book details
Show Us Where You Live, HumpbackBeryl YoungLyrical text with dreamy watercolor ocean images shows how humpback whales rear their calves with tender love. Narrated by a young boy who mirrors the calf.Under FiveView book details
Zee Grows a TreeElizabeth RuschZee nurtures and grows with a tree that was planted on the day she was born. Information about trees weaves through the story. Mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.Under FiveLexile Text Measure 720LATOS Book Level 4.6View book detailsFive to Nine
187 selections
Faraway ThingsDave EggersYoung Lucian’s discovery of a cutlass washed up on the seashore heralds a mysterious encounter and a moment of personal growth. Soft, mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Follow That Frog!Philip C. SteadWhile recalling her many worldwide adventures, Aunt J urges young Sadie to ignore whoever is at the door. A fast-paced romp with punchy language and comical illustrations.Five to NineWord Count 484View book details
Hope at Sea: An Adventure StoryDaniel Miyares, illustrated by Daniel MiyaresLove shines through when Hope stows away to join her sailor father. Detailed pen and ink art takes readers out to sea.Five to NineView book details
The CapybarasAlfredo SoderguitWhen hens declare strict rules separating a group of unfamiliar arrivals, a chick and a young capybara forge a forbidden friendship. Artwork employing a limited palette.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD500LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
A Midsummer Night’s DreamWilliam ShakespeareShakespeare’s classic comedy of love, mistaken identity, and enchantment is retold in picture book format. Vibrant watercolor illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Baloney and Friends: Going Up! (Baloney and Friends series)Greg Pizzoli, illustrated by Greg PizzoliBaloney, Bizz, Krabbit, and Peanut go on a camping trip, write their theme song, and more. Tips on drawing expressive cartoons.Five to NineView book details
Battle of the Blanket Forts (Fort Builders Inc. series)Dee RomitoThings take on a competitive bent when Kiara’s and Caleb’s cabins both aim to win the CREATE award at summer camp. Will their friendship survive? Black-and- white illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Geraldine Pu and Her Lunch Box, Too! (Ready-to-Read Graphics series)Maggie P. Chang, illustrated by Maggie P. ChangComic-style illustrations exalt the power of friendship as Taiwanese American Geraldine and Jamaican American newcomer Deven overcome ostracism because of their ethnic lunches.Five to NineView book details
Ivy Lost and Found (Book Buddies series)Cynthia LordLibrarian Anne’s childhood doll Ivy had been long forgotten, but she becomes one of the library’s Book Buddies and embarks on an adventure with a new girl. Black-and-white retro illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Protest (Dive into Reading! series)Samantha ThornhillLily and her friends from diverse backgrounds work to save a community garden. Bright, mixed-media illustrations. Activity page.Five to NineView book details
See the Dog: Three Stories about a CatDavid LaRochelleThis laugh-out-loud beginning reader depicts a cat subbing in for a dog. Gouache illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Sydney & Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World (Sydney & Taylor series)Jacqueline DaviesTwo friends, a hedgehog and a skunk, leave their “perfectly perfect” burrow for a grand adventure. Colorful gouache and pencil illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Tag Team (El Toro & Friends series)Raúl the ThirdQuirky characters and dynamic comic-style illustrations evoke the world of lucha libre wrestling, while subtly promoting self-confidence and teamwork. Embedded Spanish phrases.Five to NineWord Count 454View book details
Ty’s Travels: Beach Day! (My First I Can Read! series)Kelly Starling LyonsUsing their imaginations, two children of color turn an ordinary morning in the sandbox into a beach day. Colorful art with imaginary scenes in childlike crayon.Five to NineView book details
How BeautifulAntonella CapettiA caterpillar, puzzled at being called beautiful, sets out to discover what that means. Finely detailed pencil and digital illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD550LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
I Is for ImmigrantsSelina AlkoFrom ambition and African dance to zest and ziti, the myriad contributions and cultures of immigrants to the United States are celebrated. Colorful, richly detailed illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure NP0LATOS Book Level 0.1View book details
Jacob’s School Play: Starring He, She, and TheyIan Hoffman, Sarah HoffmanIn an early grade classroom, the students learn a new identity pronoun as they put on a show. Colorful illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Someone Builds the DreamLisa WheelerDetailed, realistic acrylic illustrations and rhyming text show the crucial role skilled workers play in executing the ideas of scientists, engineers, authors, illustrators, and other initial creators.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD610LATOS Book Level 4View book details
Uma Wimple Charts Her HouseReif Larsen, illustrated by Ben GibsonA young girl loves to make charts, but she worries when she gets a school assignment to chart her own home. Mixed-media and digital illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD510LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
What If, Pig?Linzie Hunter, illustrated by Linzie HunterWhen Pig shares his worries about the success of his upcoming party, he encounters unexpected responses from the invitees. Colorful digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Alien NationSandro Bassi, illustrated by Sandro BassiCan anything disturb humans with oversized headgear, deeply absorbed on their mobile phones? A wordless allegory. Dramatically detailed black-and-white crosshatched illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Being You: A First Conversation about Gender (First Conversations series)Megan Madison, Jessica RalliSimple and engaging text encourages children to learn that being yourself is beautiful. Colorful digital artwork.Five to NineView book details
Eyes That Kiss in the CornersJoanna HoAn Asian American girl celebrates the shape of her eyes that connect her to her family, her heritage, and her culture. Boldly colored Asian-themed digital illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD610LATOS Book Level 4View book details
Facing Fear: An Immigration StoryKaren Lynn WilliamsBecause it poses dangers to his undocumented family, Enrique struggles with his desire to play in his soccer tournament. Colorful, bright illustrations convey a range of emotions.Five to NineView book details
From the Tops of the TreesKao Kalia YangThe father of a Hmong child climbs a tall tree to show her how big the world really is beyond the gates of the refugee camp. Gentle illustrations in a natural color palette.Five to NineView book details
Jayden’s Impossible GardenMélina MangalWhen some people in Jayden’s African-American neighborhood doubt that nature exists in the city, he and his wheelchair-bound older friend prove otherwise. Bright illustrations. Back matter includes activities.Five to NineView book details
Our Skin: A First Conversation about Race (First Conversations series)Megan Madison, Jessica RalliA child-friendly guide about how skin color plays an important role in who we are. Watercolor and graphite digital artwork.Five to NineView book details
Outside, InsideLeUyen PhamPoignant digital illustrations and soothing rhythmic language reflect on acts of humanity during pandemic times.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD470LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
The Sour Cherry TreeNaseem HrabA young girl wanders through her grandfather’s house after his death, thinking about all the things that made their relationship special to her. Soft pastel illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Watch Me: A Story of Immigration and InspirationDoyin RichardsA boy from Sierra Leone, determined to come to the United States to have a better life, becomes a doctor. Richly colored illustrations using oils over acrylic.Five to NineView book details
What the Kite SawAnne Laurel CarterIn a town occupied by soldiers and under curfew, flying kites with his friends helps a boy cope when his father and brother are taken away. Evocative somber illustrations.Five to NineView book details
WishesMượn Thị VănDuring the night, a Vietnamese family flees their home, beginning a terrifying and perilous journey toward a new life across the sea. Emotive illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD130LATOS Book Level 1.3View book details
The First Blade of Sweetgrass: A Native American StorySuzanne Greenlaw, Gabriel FreyA grandmother and her grandchild harvest sweetgrass for basket making, honoring Native American traditional practices. Soft oils and pastels.Five to NineView book details
The Fox and the Forest FireDanny Popovici, illustrated by Danny PopoviciGouache, watercolor, and pencil illustrations evocatively chronicle a young boy’s growing appreciation of the forest and even the rebirthing after a wildfire. Helpful back matter.Five to NineView book details
If I Were a TreeAndrea ZimmermanA multiracial family sets out on a camping trip to explore a forest, and the children imagine what a tree feels, tastes, smells, hears, and sees. Printmaking and digital collage art. Back matter.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD420LATOS Book Level 2.9View book details
The Wall and the WildChristina DendyAna, a dark-skinned girl, wants to create a neat and orderly garden, but nature doesn’t cooperate. Colorful illustrations against a dark background.Five to NineView book details
Wild Is the WindGrahame Baker-Smith, illustrated by Grahame Baker-SmithA swift, in its global migration, bears witness to the extraordinary power of the wind, from carved desert landscape to swirling waves. Lyrical text paired with radiant dramatic illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Zonia’s Rain ForestJuana Martinez-Neal, illustrated by Juana Martinez-NealAn Asháninka girl in the Peruvian Amazon is called to action when her beloved jungle comes under attack by developers. Illustrations on bark paper with delicate details. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Amira’s Picture DayReem FaruqiAmira loves celebrating Eid at the end of Ramadan; but it’s also picture day at school, and she longs to be there too. Lively, digital illustrations of diverse worshippers at her mosque. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Beautifully MeNabela NoorA Bangladeshi American girl’s confusion about body image is sensitively handled, with a joyous conclusion. Cultural elements are seamlessly integrated. Digital art.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD530LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
The Big Bad Wolf in My HouseValérie FontaineThis intense tragic tale of domestic abuse ends on a note of hope. Gouache and digital art.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD510LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
The Big Bath HouseKyo MaclearA girl visits her grandmother in Japan, where women of various ages and body types joyfully gather at a communal bath. Cheery mixed-media illustrations. Japanese glossary.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD540LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
Bird BoyMatthew BurgessNico, a young African American boy, is the new kid at school. His classmates come to appreciate his imagination, kindness, and love of nature. Mixed-media color illustrations gently blend reality and fantasy.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD700LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
Birds on Wishbone StreetSuzanne Del Rizzo, illustrated by Suzanne Del RizzoWhen Maureen welcomes a Syrian refugee boy to her diverse community, their friendship blossoms as they discover their mutual love of birds. Mixed-media illustrations create a three- dimensional effect. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Bright StarYuyi MoralesA doe teaches her fawn about the wonders and dangers of the world, all the while reminding her that she is loved. Mixed-media illustrations including artisanal work. Also available in Spanish.Five to NineView book details
CalvinJR Ford, Vanessa FordDespite his initial apprehension, a Black transgender boy reintroduces himself with his new name to his supportive family, grandparents, and school community. Warm, evocative illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD520LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
Change Sings: A Children’s AnthemAmanda GormanLyrical language and detailed, colorful illustrations of diverse children encourage young readers to embrace change in themselves and their community.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD470LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
Coffee, Rabbit, Snowdrop, LostBetina BirkjærFirst to notice his beloved grandfather’s dementia, Stump attempts to maintain their connection. After a crisis, he and his grandmother become loving caretakers. Gentle illustrations in a varying palette. Afterword.Five to NineView book details
The Cot in the Living RoomHilda Eunice BurgosInitially jealous of the children her parents babysit for overnight in their apartment in Washington Heights, New York City, a Dominican American girl develops empathy for them. Colorful, digital illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD490LATOS Book Level 2.7View book details
Dancing with DaddyAnitra Rowe SchulteA father and his wheelchair-bound daughter joyfully enjoy a school dance. Digital artwork realistically portrays a loving family meeting challenges.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD540LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
Dreams for a DaughterCarole Boston WeatherfordA Black mother voices her love, hopes, and dreams for her daughter. Watercolor, gouache, and India ink illustrations with a great sense of movement and color.Five to NineView book details
The Electric Slide and KaiKelly J. BaptistMultigenerational African American families, including supportive male role models, experience joy and dance moves together. Lively digital illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD540LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
Fatima’s Great OutdoorsAmbreen TariqAfter emigrating from India, Fatima has a hard time at school but learns more about herself when she goes on her first family camping trip. Amusing illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Goodnight GaneshaNadia SalomonTwo young South Asian children say goodnight to all the objects in their grandparents’ house. Sumptuous ink and digital stylized illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The GoodyLauren Child, illustrated by Lauren ChildA complex problem—the peril of parental expectations becoming self-fulfilling prophecies—is presented in a truthful, humorous, and relatable way. Expressive collage art. Great discussion prompts.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD630LATOS Book Level 4View book details
Hair TwinsRaakhee MirchandaniA young Sikh girl and her father bond over their long dark hair during morning routines. Vibrant digitally collaged illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Harry versus the First 100 Days of SchoolEmily JenkinsHarry is anxious about starting first grade. Will teachers yell? Will learning to read be hard? Colorful illustrations accompany this warm, humorous story. Chapter book.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 600LATOS Book Level 3.9View book details
I Can HelpReem FaruqiZahra always volunteers to help Kyle whenever asked. Yet when classmates make fun of her for doing that, she retreats. Mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD490LATOS Book Level 2.6View book details
I Dream of PopoLivia BlackburneAfter a girl and her parents move from Taiwan to San Diego, her visits to her beloved grandmother are limited, but their bond is unbreakable. Bold illustrations. Notes, glossary.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD510LATOS Book Level 2.9View book details
Josie DancesDenise LajimodiereTo dance in the next powwow, Josie asks the women in her Ojibwe family—her mom, her aunty, and Grandma Greatwalker—to help create her regalia. Colorful watercolor illustrations. Glossary, map.Five to NineView book details
Keeping the City GoingBrian Floca, illustrated by Brian FlocaA tribute to the essential workers—from health care providers to first responders—on whom everyone depended during the COVID pandemic. Exquisitely rendered watercolor art.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD630LATOS Book Level 4.1View book details
Kiyoshi’s WalkMark KarlinsKiyoshi asks his poet grandfather where poetry comes from. Grandfather demonstrates by spontaneously writing haiku about things they see, hear, and imagine. Painterly digital illustrations. Afterword.Five to NineView book details
Let Me Fix You a Plate: A Tale of Two KitchensElizabeth LillyA family visits loving grandparents Mamaw and Papaw in West Virginia and Abuela and Abuelo in Florida, enjoying the different cultures of the two households. Warm, colorful art.Five to NineView book details
The Little Library (Mr. Tiffin’s Classroom series)Margaret McNamaraJake, a reluctant reader, gets hooked on a book about woodworking selected with his librarian and uses it to create a special project. Animated mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Longest StormDan YaccarinoA megastorm forces a single-parent family into an extended lockdown, fraying nerves and testing everyone’s ability to restore family harmony. Bold, dynamic illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD490LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey (Maybe Marisol series)Erin Entrada KellyA girl with an irresistible personality and a huge imagination spends one hot Louisiana summer playing with her best friend and tackling her anxieties. Expressive line drawings.Five to NineWord Count 12507View book details
Milo Imagines the WorldMatt de la PeñaWhile riding the subway to visit his incarcerated mother, Milo observes other passengers and speculates about their lives. Colorful collages and Milo’s own crayoned art.Five to NineView book details
My First DayPhùng Nguyên Quang, Huỳnh Kim LiênA Vietnamese boy sets forth in a small wooden boat through the Mekong Delta on his way to school. Lush digital art. Map and author’s note.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD680LATOS Book Level 3.1View book details
My Two Border TownsDavid BowlesRhyming couplets and striking painterly illustrations tell a tale of family love, loss, and continuity.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD680LATOS Book Level 3.5View book details
On the TraplineDavid A. RobertsonA Cree man takes his grandson to visit his childhood home, showing him how the community once lived on the land together. Spare language and simple illustrations in a muted palette. Glossary.Five to NineView book details
Our TablePeter H. Reynolds, illustrated by Peter H. ReynoldsViolet’s family is just too busy for meals together at the table. When it shrinks, then actually disappears, she knows what she must do. Monochrome and full-color illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD520LATOS Book Level 2.5View book details
Over the ShopJonArno LawsonA grandparent and granddaughter finally find tenants for the shabby apartment above their store, gaining neighbors who brighten their lives. Wordless. Gentle ink and watercolor illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Paletero ManLucky DiazA boy’s search through his community to find the beloved ice pop man yields some surprises and a lot of kindness. Vibrant digital illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD420LATOS Book Level 2View book details
Ride the WindNicola DaviesAfter losing his mother, Javier hides an albatross injured by his father’s boat, hoping to nurse the bird back to health. Mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
SkywatcherJamie Hogan, illustrated by Jamie HoganA city-dwelling boy really wants to see the stars he reads about in comic books. On a camping trip with his mother, he does! Descriptive pastel illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Sona Sharma: Very Best Big Sister?Chitra SoundarSona’s not sure that she can be a good big sister, but her extended family in Chennai, India, helps her. Humorous black-and-white mixed-media illustrations. Glossary.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 590LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
A Song of FrutasMargarita EngleA Cuban American girl helps her grandfather sell fruit in the streets of Havana and wishes that travel restrictions between countries will end. Culturally authentic illustrations. Also available in Spanish.Five to NineView book details
Soul Food SundayWinsome BinghamA large Black family gathers for an abundance of mouthwatering traditional dishes. With Granny’s warm approval, her youngest grandson helps prepare them. Rhythmic repetitive text. Bold color illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Stacey’s Extraordinary WordsStacey AbramsA leading Black voting rights activist tells the story of how learning new words became her power. Bold, vibrant digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Sunrise SummerMatthew SwansonA young girl travels 4,000 miles to Alaska with her family to spend the summer crewing on a fishing boat. Vibrant, detailed, mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
THAOThao Lam, illustrated by Thao LamArriving in Canada from Vietnam as a young child, Thao must start school with a simple name that no one can pronounce. Collage illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD420LATOS Book Level 2.9View book details
Too Small TolaAtinukeEndearing Tola helps her family, copes with bullies, and supports a neighbor. Black-and-white spot art captures the vibrant and diverse city of Lagos, Nigeria.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 610LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
WandaSihle Nontshokweni, Mathabo TlaliBuoyed by her mother’s affirmations, grandmother’s stories, and photos of prominent Black women’s hair styles, South African Wanda comes to appreciate her Afro hair. Emotive colorful illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Water Lady: How Darlene Arviso Helps a Thirsty Navajo NationAlice B. McGintyA Navajo woman travels throughout her New Mexico reservation delivering water to community members. Cody, a young boy, waits eagerly for her. Watercolor illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
WatercressAndrea WangA Chinese American girl, angry and embarrassed when her immigrant parents gather watercress from a roadside ditch, learns why it is important to them. Rich watercolor-washed illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD610LATOS Book Level 4View book details
The Welcome ChairRosemary WellsA chair is handed down through many generations, but always welcomes immigrants. Based on family memories, colored by the author’s imagination. Evocative, realistic watercolors.Five to NineView book details
What Will You Be?Yamile Saied MendezAsked what she wants to be when she grows up, a young girl imagines different possibilities with her abuela’s help. Colorful digital illustrations. Also available in Spanish.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 491LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
When Grandfather FlewPatricia MacLachlanImpressionistic watercolor and pastel illustrations capture the legacy of a grandfather’s shared love of birdwatching, inspiring a grieving youngest child to envision an avian afterlife.Five to NineView book details
When Langston DancesKaija LangleyInspired by an Alvin Ailey dance performance, Langston, a young Black boy supported by a loving mother, enrolls in a ballet class. Realistic digital illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD580LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
When Lola VisitsMichelle SterlingThe delicious smells of summer are used to describe the varied delights of an extended visit from Lola (Filipino for grandma). Carefree gouache and digital illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 750LATOS Book Level 4.8View book details
When My Cousins Come to TownAngela ShantéCollage-style art shows the strong connections in a Black extended family. A celebration of family bonds and the fun of earning a nickname.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 660LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
It Fell from the SkyTerry Fan, Eric FanA colorful wonder falls from the sky into a garden. A greedy spider takes the opportunity to charge a fee to see it. Delicate, dreamlike illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD670LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the ForestPhoebe WahlA tiny witch learns life’s lessons, involving adventure, friendship, nature, and community, in each of the four seasons. Colorful vintage-style woodland imagery.Five to NineView book details
Sato the RabbitYuki AinoyaFrom floating on the sea in a watermelon to collecting stars during a meteor shower, Sato has many fabulous adventures. Colorful, luminous illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Teaflet and Roog Make a MessJeanne BirdsallSiblings prepare for a party, but their house must be inspected for cleanliness, and it’s full of animals! Charmingly constructed scenes using figures made of wool and wire.Five to NineView book details
There’s a Ghost in this HouseOliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver JeffersAn unnamed little girl invites readers to join a comedic hide-and-seek search for ghosts in a supposedly haunted house. Loose line drawings and black-and- white photographs interspersed with translucent pages.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD470LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
Kuan Yin: The Princess Who Became the Goddess of CompassionMaya van der MeerA modern retelling of the story of the enlightened Buddhist who is said to exemplify compassion and love. Elaborate illustrations evoke the Tang Dynasty. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
The Little Wooden Robot and the Log PrincessTom GauldAfter an accident separates them, devoted siblings overcome challenges to find each other. This original traditional-style folktale includes a helpful goblin and a witch. Digital art.Five to NineWord Count 1245View book details
Moon PopsHeena Baek, illustrated by Heena Baek, Jiuen KiaerIn this Korean fairy tale, Granny shares the drops of the moon with neighbors and helps homeless bunnies in the sweltering heat. Dark illustrations infused with light.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD540LATOS Book Level 2.8View book details
A Day for Rememberin’: InspiredLeah HendersonA young boy describes the Decoration Day tribute paid to fallen Union soldiers by his community of formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina. Poignant painterly illustrations.Five to NineATOS Book Level 4.8AR Interest Level Middle Grades (MG 4-8)View book details
Red and Green and Blue and WhiteLee WindA fictionalized account of a town bonding together to stop bigotry, told with stunningly simple language. Colorful layered images created with brushwork on a Wacom tablet.Five to NineWord Count 377View book details
The Passover GuestSusan KuselDuring the Depression, a poor Jewish girl meets a magician who advises her to run home for a seder she’s convinced her family is too poor to have. Chagall- inspired illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Santa in the CityTiffany D. JacksonJust before Christmas, African American Deja begins worrying about how Santa can deliver presents to kids living in apartments without chimneys. Luckily, her mom has some answers. Vibrant digital illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD650LATOS Book Level 4.2View book details
Seven Special Somethings: A Nowruz StoryAdib KhorramWhen Kian and his cat upset the Persian New Year haft-sin table with its seven items, Kian has to find substitutions for them. Brightly colored cartoon-like illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
Dumplings for LiliMelissa Iwai, illustrated by Melissa IwaiWhen all the grandmothers in Lili’s building run out of a different ingredient while making dumplings, Lili runs around borrowing and delivering the one each needs. Colorful, detailed illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD650LATOS Book Level 4.2View book details
Gladys the Magic ChickenAdam RubinIn ancient times, Gladys, a lucky and maybe magical chicken, meets many comic characters in a series of Disneyesque misadventures. Animated full-color digitally painted illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD900LATOS Book Level 5.8View book details
The Incredible Painting of Felix ClousseauJon Agee, illustrated by Jon AgeeCan a French artist reclaim his reputation after his unusual paintings, causing chaos and destruction, are confiscated and land him in jail? Bold somber colors underscore the humor. Reprint.Five to NineView book details
The King’s Golden BeardKlaas Verplancke, illustrated by Klaas VerplanckeA self-centered king is outwitted by his own laws and ignorance. Colorful, humorous, cartoon-like illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Rock from the SkyJon Klassen, illustrated by Jon KlassenFive connected stories about a turtle, an armadillo, and a snake form a meditation on companionship, stubbornness, and intuition. Deadpan humor abounds. Muted mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineWord Count 547View book details
Room for EveryoneNaaz KhanAs a daladala travels to the beach in Zanzibar, the driver encourages an alarmingly growing crowd of people to climb aboard. Irrepressible verse. Dynamic mixed- media art.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD620LATOS Book Level 4View book details
Bear IslandMatthew Cordell, illustrated by Matthew CordellAfter her dog dies, grieving Louise meets a sad bear. They help each other heal, but is the bear real? Ink and watercolor illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD480LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
The Midnight FairGideon StererAfter seeing people enjoying a fair, a group of forest animals break in at night to have their own fun. Soft watercolor, gouache, and color pencil illustrations.Five to NineView book details
When We FlyJess McGeachin, illustrated by Jess McGeachinLucy is determined to help a bird with a broken wing, but can everything be fixed? Subtle clues in the sun- drenched illustrations deepen themes of loss and healing.Five to NineView book details
The BarnLeah H. RogersFree verse poems describe a barn and the creatures living inside and around it. Inventive imagery. Luscious watercolor and gouache art.Five to NineView book details
The Book of Not Entirely Useful AdviceA.F. HarroldImaginative mixed-media collages and cartoons illustrate quirky observations and warnings about everyday life, written largely in free verse. Witty and thought-provoking.Five to NineView book details
Dear TreefrogJoyce SidmanA treefrog grows throughout the changing seasons while a lonely girl addresses it, her kindred spirit, in lyrical, metaphorical free verse. Lush, verdant illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD1100LATOS Book Level 7.7View book details
I Sang You Down from the StarsTasha Spillett-SumnerA mother welcomes her baby to the world with a bundle of sacred gifts, following Native American cultural traditions. Watercolor illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineWord Count 421View book details
I’ll Meet You in Your DreamsJessica YoungIn rhyming couplets, parents assure a child that their love for him will transcend time, space, and even consciousness. Rich mixed-media depictions of fantastic scenes.Five to NineView book details
PeaceBaptiste Paul, Miranda PaulLyrical rhyming text introduces the concept of peace. Folk art-style illustrations in warm hues. Also available in SpanishFive to NineView book details
How to Make a Book (About My Dog)Chris BartonAn author details the creation of a nonfiction picture book, from initial idea to manuscript to finished product. His dog makes humorous appearances. Cartoon illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Opposites AbstractMo Willems, illustrated by Mo WillemsPairs of abstract colored ink and acrylic paintings require viewers to think about concepts such as light and dark, intentional and accidental, and inclusion and exclusion.Five to NineView book details
Areli Is a Dreamer: A True StoryAreli MoralesA DACA recipient recounts her story of coming to New York City from a small Mexican town. Gentle digital illustrations in a subdued palette. Glossary, author’s note. Also available in Spanish.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD550LATOS Book Level 3.1View book details
Bartali’s Bicycle: The True Story of Gino Bartali, Italy’s Secret HeroMegan HoytA renowned cyclist used his skills and fame to rescue hundreds of Jews during World War II. Bold, poster-like mixed-media color illustrations evoke the historical period. Time line, author’s note, sources.Five to NineView book details
The Boy Whose Head Was Filled with Stars: A Story about Edwin HubbleIsabelle MarinovDespite his father’s disapproval, Hubble became an astronomer seeking to understand the universe and discovered that the Andromeda nebula was a galaxy. Limited color palette with spots of light. Extensive back matter.Five to NineView book details
Classified: The Secret Career of MARY GOLDA ROSS, Cherokee Aerospace EngineerTraci Sorrell, illustrated by Natasha DonovanDrawing on her traditional values throughout her life, a Cherokee girl who loved numbers created a trail- blazing career. Mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 940LFountas & Pinnell Text Level RView book details
A Dinosaur Named Ruth: How Ruth Mason Discovered Fossils in Her Own BackyardJulia LyonColorful digital illustrations capture a young girl’s determination to establish that bones found on her family farm were a link to the creatures that once roamed there.Five to NineView book details
Dr. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America’s DoctorKate MessnerAlways following his father’s advice, Fauci carefully worked out how to achieve his research goals, including how to make sick people better. Colorful digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Fearless World Traveler: Adventures of Marianne North, Botanical ArtistLaurie LawlorNorth’s 19th-century English family tried to keep her from studying art, but she developed into a wonderful botanical painter. Lush illustrations resemble the artist’s paintings. Excellent back matter.Five to NineView book details
I Am an American: The Wong Kim Ark StoryMartha Brockenbrough, Grace LinBorn in California to Chinese parents in 1873, Wong Kim Ark brought his case before the Supreme Court to be recognized as an American citizen. Back matter. Simple digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale HurstonAlicia D. WilliamsAn irrepressible spirit, fascination with stories, and her mother’s encouragement led to African American Neal Hurston’s remarkable achievements as a writer, folklorist, and anthropologist. Joyful mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
King of Ragtime: The Story of Scott JoplinStephen CostanzaThe life and musical development of the talented son of formerly enslaved parents is told in rich, lyrical language enhanced by colorful mixed-media folk art- style illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD930LATOS Book Level 6.1View book details
A Life Electric: The Story of Nikola TeslaAzadeh WestergaardA creative boy, fascinated with electricity, grew up to invent the groundbreaking alternating current (AC) motor, but his prominence was short lived. Illustrations evoke late-1800s Europe and America.Five to NineView book details
Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi Calls the House to OrderCarole Boston WeatherfordDigital illustrations accompany this account of Nancy Pelosi’s life and career. Time line and bibliography.Five to NineView book details
Make Meatballs Sing: The Life and Art of Corita KentMatthew BurgessStarting as Sister Mary Corita and then leaving her order, the artist used her talents as a silk screen creator to speak out for social causes. Brightly colored naïve-style illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Mornings with MonetBarb RosenstockPainterly illustrations and engaging text reveal the famous artist’s strict adherence to methodical daily practice that resulted in his magical work. Author’s note.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD790LATOS Book Level 5View book details
Niki Nakayama: A Chef’s Tale in 13 BitesJamie Michalak, Debbi Michiko FlorenceDespite unrelenting gender-based discrimination in a male-dominated profession, Japanese American food- lover Nakayama became a world-renowned master chef. Appetizing illustrations add important details. Time line, recipe, notes.Five to NineView book details
Nina: A Story of Nina SimoneTraci N. ToddA gifted, classically trained musician used her experiences and extraordinary voice to formidably interpret the Black struggle in America. Vibrant acrylic paint and collage illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Reshaped Libraries with Her StoriesAnnette Bay PimentelEnchanting tales from Belpré’s native Puerto Rico captivated her audiences and drew children to her Harlem branch library. Lively, joyful illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Rock by Rock: The Fantastical Garden of Nek ChandJennifer BradburyChand, a self-taught artist, created a sculpture garden in the jungle to remind himself of the childhood home he had to leave following the partition of India. Vibrant digital illustrations. Time line, afterword.Five to NineView book details
Saving American Beach: The Biography of African American Environmentalist MaVynee BetschHeidi Tyline KingBetsch used her body as a canvas to protest the tearing down of a Florida beach that her great-grandfather purchased during the Jim Crow era. Vibrant acrylic and collage illustrations.Five to NineView book details
A Seat at the Table: The Nancy Pelosi StoryElisa BoxerPelosi’s career, values, and contributions to the United States are highlighted in this thoroughly sourced, digitally illustrated book.Five to NineView book details
Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine ScientistEvan Griffith, illustrated by Eleanor TaylorA 19th-century woman achieved recognition for studying sea animals in her home-built aquarium and fish cages, laying the foundation for future research. Animated illustrations. Extensive references.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 830LATOS Book Level 5.9View book details
Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a CongresswomanSharice Davids, Nancy K. MaysA young member of the Ho-Chunk Nation grew up to become a lawyer and, eventually, the first openly LGBTQIA+ congresswoman from Kansas. Stylized digital illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: AstronomerKathryn LaskyDespite a host of obstacles, Stevens Fleming persisted in her study of stars, becoming the first woman to work at the Harvard College Observatory. Whimsical cartoon-like illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Shirley Chisholm Dared: The Story of the First Black Woman in CongressAlicia D. WilliamsThe Brooklyn-born daughter of Barbadian parents grew up to be a political trailblazer. Acrylic and mixed- media collage illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Sing with Me: The Story of Selena QuintanillaDiane LópezOvercoming racial and gender discrimination and a genre divide, a Mexican American singer learned Spanish to connect with her people, achieving stardom in the Tejano music world. Illustrations augment biographical details.Five to NineView book details
The Singer and the ScientistLisa RoseIn 1937 legendary contralto Marian Anderson was denied lodging at a Whites-only hotel. Albert Einstein offered her shelter, thus beginning a long friendship. Vibrant, stylized illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 750LATOS Book Level 4.8View book details
Stitch by Stitch: Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly Sews Her Way to FreedomConnie Schofield-MorrisonAn enslaved woman who was also a gifted needleworker purchased her freedom and ultimately became Mary Todd Lincoln’s dressmaker. Mixed-media illustrations including oil paint, fabric, embroidery, and appliqué.Five to NineView book details
The Story of BodriHédi FriedEvocative watercolors heighten the poignancy of this memoir of a Hungarian Jewish girl who, along with her little sister, survived Nazi death camps to find that their dog had waited for them.Five to NineView book details
Two at the Top: A Shared Dream of EverestUma KrishnaswamiAn ethnic Sherpa and a White New Zealander joined forces in 1953, becoming the first climbers to reach the highest peak in the Himalayas. Told in alternating voices. Brilliantly colored naïve-style illustrations. Extensive back matter.Five to NineView book details
A Walk in the WordsHudson Talbott, illustrated by Hudson TalbottA young boy, labeled a “slow reader, ” chronicles the challenges he faced learning to read and his escape into art when feeling overwhelmed. Mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD540LATOS Book Level 2.9View book details
We Wait for the SunDovey Johnson Roundtree, Katie McCabeDigital illustrations capture the love between Black army veteran, lawyer, and activist Dovey Johnson Roundtree and her grandmother. Informative back matter extends the story.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD840LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
What Isabella Wanted: Isabella Stewart Gardner Builds a MuseumCandace FlemingA lyrical, well-sourced account of an unconventional woman and the creation of her controversial, eclectic collection. Watercolor art.Five to NineView book details
What’s in Your Pocket?: Collecting Nature’s TreasuresHeather L. MontgomeryBiographical sketches of nine diverse scientists and how they got their start. Colorful digital illustrations depict them as children and adults. Well-researched back matter and notes from illustrator and author.Five to NineView book details
Anteaters, Bats & Boas: The Amazon Rainforest from the Forest Floor to the TreetopsRoxie Munro, illustrated by Roxie MunroBasic facts about 30 animals from ants to primates drawn true to size, illustrated with lush acrylic paintings. Detailed back matter contains a conservation plea.Five to NineView book details
Be a Tree!Maria GianferrariA playful, poetic text links the characteristics that trees and humans share. Lush mixed-media art. Back matter.Five to NineWord Count 291View book details
I Am SmokeHenry HerzExplore the various ways that smoke has always impacted nature and the lives of humans, both positively and negatively. Swirling, smoky illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Last Straw: Kids vs. PlasticsSusan HoodHow do scientists and young people work to reduce the harmful effects of plastics on our planet? Colorful, detailed illustrations. Extensive back matter.Five to NineView book details
Dear Mr. DickensNancy ChurninA Victorian Englishwoman asked the famous author to confront his anti-Semitism, and her persistence convinced him to change his attitudes and writing. Painterly illustrations. Sources, author’s notes.Five to NineView book details
Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls Answer the Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone OperatorsClaudia FriddellBeautiful, historically accurate illustrations combine with engaging language to tell an uplifting wartime story. Meticulously researched with time line, photos, and supplementary facts.Five to NineView book details
Let Liberty Rise!: How America’s Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of LibertyChana StiefelAn iconic symbol of freedom might never have been erected without the donations of the nation’s children. Lively illustrations and inspiring text. Time line, photos, and additional information.Five to NineView book details
¡Mambo Mucho Mambo!: The Dance That Crossed Color LinesDean RobbinsWhen Latin jazz came to New York’s Palladium Ballroom in the 1940s, dancers started partnering with people of different races, ethnicities, and religions. Realistic artwork. Notes.Five to NineView book details
Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green BookKeila V . DawsonIn 1936 a determined, enterprising African American postal worker created an ingenious resource to guide and protect Black travelers. Poignant realistic illustrations. Author’s note provides context for today.Five to NineView book details
The Rabbi and the Reverend: Joachim Prinz, Martin Luther King Jr., and Their Fight against SilenceAudrey AdesA rabbi who fled Nazi Germany represented the Jewish community as an activist and organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. Brightly colored illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Runaway: The Daring Escape of Ona JudgeRay Anthony ShepardA seemingly dignified life in George Washington’s household distinguished Ona Judge from other enslaved people, but the only dignity that mattered to her was becoming free. Lyrical writing. Painterly illustrations.Five to NineView book details
All Kinds of Animal FamiliesSophy Henn, illustrated by Sophy HennA celebration of the diversity of animal families provides simple information about each creature. Bold, colorful illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Begin with a BeeLiza Ketchum, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Phyllis RootThe life cycle of the rusty-patched bumble bee is described with wonder and lyrical language, enhanced by vibrant scratchboard artwork and abundant supplemental information.Five to NineView book details
Butterflies Are Pretty Gross!Rosemary MoscoButterflies are beautiful, but that’s not the only reason to take a close look at them. Humorous digital illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD500LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
The Cicadas Are Coming!: Invasion of the Periodical CicadasDoug WechslerSpectacular photographs accompany fascinating information about the insects who emerge from the ground every 17 years. Back matter includes additional facts, resources, and a map.Five to NineView book details
Fourteen Monkeys: A Rain Forest RhymeMelissa StewartDiscover how 14 different monkey species coexist in Peru’s Manú National Park. Naturalistic cut-and-torn- paper collage illustrations. Detailed profiles of each species.Five to NineView book details
The Gravity Tree: The True Story of a Tree That Inspired the WorldAnna Crowley ReddingThe source of Isaac Newton’s brilliant discovery also inspired Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and many others who have honored the legendary apple tree. Lively text, engaging illustrations, and supplementary information.Five to NineView book details
Hear the Wind BlowDoe BoyleWith mounting intensity, each poetic stanza evokes shifts in weather and matches a category on the Beaufort Windforce Scale. Engaging illustrations. Glossary and supplementary resources.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD760LATOS Book Level 4.9View book details
How to Build an InsectRoberta GibsonThe body parts of an insect are assembled to create a model. The function of each is explained and compared to an anatomical feature of humans. Exquisitely detailed illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 490LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
I Am ElephantJ. Patrick LewisMellifluous words spoken in the first person provide a wealth of information about elephants. Watercolor and pencil art illustrations. Endnote.Five to NineView book details
I Am the SharkJoan HolubA great white shark competes with other sharks in this humorous and fact-filled picture book. Bright collage illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD620LATOS Book Level 3.1View book details
If You Were an ElephantLeslie StaubAccessible text and collage-like painted illustrations depict the family life, survival tools, and tight-knit communities of these intelligent giants. FAQs.Five to NineView book details
Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the WorldAnn HobbieFollow the life cycle and migration of the monarchs, and learn ways to help preserve them. Scientific illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
The Mysterious Sea BunnyPeter Raymundo, illustrated by Peter RaymundoA slyly funny book compares the features of a sea slug to those of a soft white bunny, which it uncannily resembles. Painterly, cartoon-like illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD510LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
A Peek at Beaks: Tools Birds UseSara LevineBird silhouettes and a beak-focused question create a playful guessing game that provides much information about the design of beaks. Colorful mixed-media collages.Five to NineView book details
Sea Lions in the Parking Lot: Animals on the Move in a Time of PandemicLenora TodaroAnimals were on the move during the COVID pandemic, often into people’s spaces. Realistic, amusing illustrations. Back matter about habitats and ecosystems.Five to NineView book details
The Shark BookSteve Jenkins, Robin PageIntroduces 42 sharks, offering fascinating tidbits as well as basic information. Eye-catching, precise, torn-paper collage art. Extensive table of shark facts. Index.Five to NineLexile Text Measure 888LATOS Book Level 5.7View book details
So You Want to Be an OwlJane PorterIn 10 lessons with humorous illustrations, Professor Olaf provides instruction on how to hoot, hunt, and see in the dark. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Star of the Party: The Solar System Celebrates!Jan CarrThe planets’ witty banter as they plan for Sun’s 2.6 billionth birthday while orbiting in party attire is studded with stellar and planetary facts. Bold colorful illustrationsFive to NineView book details
Summertime Sleepers: Animals that EstivateMelissa StewartRealistic watercolors on double-page spreads with informational inserts introduce animals who slumber through hot dry weather. Additional information. Notes, sources.Five to NineView book details
When Cloud Became a CloudRob Hodgson, illustrated by Rob HodgsonA lighthearted account of the water cycle from lake to sky and from drizzle to snow to thunderstorm. Humorous drawn and Photoshopped illustrations.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD540LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
World Record AnimalsOldřich Růžička, illustrated by Tomás PernickýWhich creatures are the fastest runners, the most dangerous, the longest lived? Engaging format and colorful illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Light for AllMargarita EngleSimple poetic text illustrates the experiences of immigrants, without shying away from America’s complicated history. Textured illustrations with saturated hues illuminate diversity.Five to NineLexile Text Measure AD1010LATOS Book Level 6.8View book detailsNine to Twelve
124 selections
Across the DesertDusti BowlingJolene is the only person who knows that a 12-year- old pilot has crashed in the desert. With a mother struggling with opioid addiction, Jolene tackles this life- or-death situation alone.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 650LATOS Book Level 4.2View book details
Ophie’s GhostsJustina IrelandIn 1922, after her father is lynched in Georgia, 12-year-old Ophie and her mother move to Pittsburgh, where ghosts reveal deaths rooted in racism—and opportunities for justice.Nine to TwelveView book details
Shirley and Jamila’s Big Fall (Shirley and Jamila series)Gillian Goerz, illustrated by Gillian GoerzTwo friends confront a school blackmailer and changes in their friendship. Warm humor. Bright, lively graphics.Nine to TwelveView book details
Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black BoyhoodKwame MbaliaShort pieces by acclaimed contemporary Black male and nonbinary authors center on Black boys and their power and interests, from skateboarding to saving the universe.Nine to TwelveView book details
BordersThomas KingOn the way to Salt Lake City, a 13-year-old and his mother are caught between the US and Canadian border when they claim Blackfoot citizenship. Vibrant graphic illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Born behind BarsPadma VenkatramanKabir, 9, has always lived in a prison with his mother in India. Suddenly released, he must learn to make his way alone in an unfamiliar world.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 720LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
Healer of the Water MonsterBrian YoungDebut Native author Brian Young weaves Navajo customs, magic, and language into an action-packed adventure of a young boy’s struggle to help end a drought. Glossary. Author’s note.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 731LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
LinkedGordon KormanWhen swastikas start appearing around the school, a community of middle schoolers enter a journey of self- discovery and understanding, and form stronger bonds.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 829LATOS Book Level 5.3View book details
Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun BearTrang Nguyen, illustrated by Jeet ZdungA young conservationist returns a Vietnamese sun bear to the wild. Based on the author’s life. Handsomely detailed graphic format.Nine to TwelveView book details
Amina’s SongHena KhamA visit to Lahore is transformative for Pakistani American Amina, but her friends back home don’t seem interested. How can she share her love for Pakistan?Nine to TwelveView book details
Annie Lumsden, the Girl from the SeaDavid AlmondA mother’s love and imaginative storytelling embolden a girl with disabilities to embrace her uniqueness. Muted watercolor illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom (Cookie Chronicles series)Matthew SwansonBen’s fortune cookie advises him to live each day as if it were his last. What can he cram in? Digital and hand- painted illustrations convey the ensuing manic hilarity.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 630LATOS Book Level 4.1View book details
Better with ButterVictoria PiontekMarvel, 12, paralyzed by anxiety disorder, finds herself defending a goat, who faints when startled, against bullies. Their growing bond changes them both.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 700LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
Bounce BackMisako Rocks!In NYC, Japanese Lilico faces bullying, but with the help of a talking cat, she finds friends and basketball again. Manga art in soft colors. Back matter includes lessons on drawing manga.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure HL120LATOS Book Level 2.1View book details
BumpMatt WallaceA bullying classmate causes MJ, 12, to abandon gymnastics. Then watching professional wrestling leads her to a wrestling club. But will her mother support her joining it?Nine to TwelveView book details
Carry Me HomeJanet FoxWhen Lulu’s father disappears from the RV park where her family has been living since their mother’s death, she vows to take care of herself and her younger sister.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Chance to FlyAli Stroker, Stacy DavidowitzAfter her family’s recent move, wheelchair racer Nat Beacon, 13, pursues her love of musical theater by joining a community youth production of Wicked.Nine to TwelveWord Count 54321View book details
Finding Junie KimEllen OhAfter interviewing her grandparents about the Korean War, Junie considers speaking up against a racist act at school.Nine to TwelveWord Count 73575View book details
Hope SpringsJaime BerryEleven-year-old crafter Jubilee discovers the true meaning of community, friendship, and family when she and her paternal grandmother move to the home of her TV idol.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 811LATOS Book Level 5.2View book details
The Last Super ChefChris NegronFifth grader Curtis Pith enters a televised cooking challenge to win the cash prize so he can help out his struggling mother and sister.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Lost LanguageClaudia MillsReviving an endangered language helps a sixth-grade girl recognize her own powerful voice and some truths about friends and family. Tender-hearted verse.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 829LATOS Book Level 5.3View book details
The Many Meanings of MeilanAndrea WangA family feud forces Meilan’s parents to move from Boston to Ohio, where her name is changed to Melanie, and she fights to get her identity back.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 730LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
Maya and the RobotEve L. EwingBlack fifth grader Maya, feeling lonely without her best friends, finds a robot and uses her scientific skills to make it work. A whole new world opens for her. Greyscale illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 700LATOS Book Level 4.6View book details
Merci Suárez Can’t Dance (Merci Suárez series)Meg MedinaThe travails of a Cuban American seventh grader continue as she negotiates school, friendship, and family. A sequel to 2019 Newbery winner Merci Suárez Changes Gears.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 710LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
Miosotis Flores Never ForgetsHilda Eunice BurgosA Dominican American girl growing up in Philadelphia learns how to help herself and those she loves.Nine to TwelveView book details
Not All HeroesJosephine CameronZinnia’s family relocates following her brother’s death. Friendship with neighbors assisting others helps her heal. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
The One Thing You’d SaveLinda Sue ParkChallenged to select the one thing they’d rescue if their home were burning, students learn a lot about themselves and their classmates. Verse inspired by Korean sijo poetry. Full-page black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Playing the Cards You’re DealtVarian JohnsonA young Black boy dreams of measuring up to his father’s expectations at the card table, but fate has other plans.Nine to TwelveView book details
Rez DogsJoseph BruchacDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, Malian is quarantined on the reservation with her grandparents, who tell her stories about their family’s and people’s history and traditional Penacook tales.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 830LATOS Book Level 5.1View book details
Room to Dream (Front Desk series)Kelly YangWhen the Tangs vacation in China five years after emigrating to California, a much-changed extended family and country create big changes in Mia’s life.Nine to TwelveView book details
Simon B. Rhymin’Dwayne ReedAspiring rapper Simon enters fifth grade struggling with self-confidence, until a school project allows him to use his talents. Black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 800LATOS Book Level 5.1View book details
Stuntboy, in the MeantimeJason ReynoldsTen-year-old Portico loves living in Skylight Gardens and keeping everybody safe with his super-stunts. Word play and vibrant comic book-style art.Nine to TwelveView book details
A Tale as Tall as Jacob: Misadventures with My BrotherSamantha Edwards, illustrated by Samantha EdwardsA realistic and often funny look at living and loving a brother with ADHD. Colorful, animated graphic drawings. Based on the author’s childhood.Nine to TwelveView book details
Ten Thousand TriesAmy MakechnieAs Golden struggles with his father deteriorating from ALS, his friend moving, and achieving his own goals as a soccer player, he accepts that he can’t control everything.Nine to TwelveView book details
UnsettledReem FaruqiNurah, 13 and Muslim, struggles to define her identity after moving from Pakistan to America. Free verse. Mehndi-like illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Violet and the Pie of LifeD. L. GreenViolet’s dad has moved out, her mom won’t stop nagging, and her BFF is mad at her. Can math and the school play help her solve these problems?Nine to TwelveView book details
The Accidental Apprentice (Wilderlore series)Amanda FoodyDullshire is the only home Barclay has ever known. Having accidentally used magic in the woods, will he be driven away and sent into the wilderness?Nine to TwelveView book details
The Adventure Is NowJess RedmanShipped to remote Lone Island to spend the summer with his uncle, Milton P. Greene needs to find fanciful flora and fauna to save it.Nine to TwelveView book details
Amira and Hamza: The War to Save the WorldsSamira AhmedSiblings Amira, 12, and Hamza, 10, accidentally enter a parallel world, filled with characters from Islamic folklore, where they have been chosen to prevent evil forces from taking over Earth. Map, glossary. Black- and-white spot illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Egg Marks the Spot (Skunk and Badger series)Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Jon KlassenDuring a rock-collecting expedition, odd-couple housemates Skunk and Badger have surprising adventures involving a gigantic dinosaur egg and a treasure-hunting cousin. Expressive black-and-white and color illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 619LATOS Book Level 4View book details
Einstein: The Fantastic Journey of a Mouse through Space and Time (Mouse Adventures series)Torben Kuhlmann, illustrated by Torben Kuhlmann, David Henry WilsonAfter traveling through time, a mouse inadvertently lands in Switzerland in 1905, where he gets Einstein’s unwitting help to return to the present. Detailed watercolor illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Luna Howls at the MoonKristin O’Donnell TubbCan Luna, a dog being trained to understand and help humans with their emotions, keep her group of disturbed children safe?Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 600LATOS Book Level 3.9View book details
The Magical Reality of Nadia (The Magical Reality of Nadia series)Bassem Youssef, Catherine R. DalyNerdy Egyptian American Nadia and her friends enthusiastically enter a museum exhibit-designing contest but are distracted by a new antagonist and potentially supernatural phenomena. Humorous black- and-white illustrations; partially graphic format.Nine to TwelveView book details
My Ex-Imaginary FriendJimmy Matejek-MorrisDeserted by his parents, 10-year-old Jack decides he needs his ex-best friend George, half-walrus, half-human, to help him put his family back together.Nine to TwelveView book details
NightingaleDeva FaganAn orphan turned thief to survive, Lark accidentally steals a magic sword from young Prince Jasper. Is she the “Nightingale” who must thwart an ancient evil?Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 660LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
The School between Winter and FairylandHeather FawcettAfter her twin brother goes missing, Autumn enlists Cai, the kingdom’s heir, to help find him, in exchange for joining forces against Cai’s enemy.Nine to TwelveView book details
Sisters of the NeverseaCynthia Leitich SmithTwo stepsisters, one Muscogee Creek and one White, try to rescue themselves, the Lost Boys, and all those trapped in Neverland. A reimagining of the Peter Pan tale.Nine to TwelveWord Count 60766View book details
The Stolen Prince of CloudburstJaclyn MoriartyTwelve-year-old Esther, ignored by her mother, is determined to keep her school safe from dangerous Shadow Mages, despite having no magical powers of her own.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 769LATOS Book Level 4.9View book details
The Thief of WorldsBruce CovilleFour characters from different spheres, needing wind, fire, earth, and water, travel together to save their worlds from environmental disaster.Nine to TwelveView book details
WillodeenKatherine ApplegateWhen a village eradicates the unlovable screechers, its beloved hummingbears also disappear. Magic with an environmental plea. Gentle, detailed black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 610LATOS Book Level 4.2View book details
The Beatryce ProphecyKate DiCamilloAssisted by a goat, a boy, and a monk, a girl who is hunted fights evil forces to find her rightful place as royalty in this fairy tale/medieval epic. Stylized illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 580LATOS Book Level 4.4View book details
The Three Princes of Serendip: New Tellings of Old Tales for EveryoneRodaan Al GalidiTwenty Middle Eastern fables and folktales are paired with vibrant cut-paper art.Nine to TwelveView book details
We BelongCookie Hiponia EvermanAt bedtime, a Filipino mother weaves together her immigration story and Tagalog mythology for her two daughters. Free verse. Blue, black, and white spot art. Glossary, songs, and afterword.Nine to TwelveView book details
37 Days at Sea aboard the M.S. St. Louis, 1939Barbara KrasnerRuthie, 12, recounts how she, her family, and 937 other Jews bound for Cuba to escape the Nazis were denied admittance. Emotive blank verse, Note, time line, bibliography.Nine to TwelveView book details
Barefoot Dreams of Petra LunaAlda P. DobbsIn 1913 Petra and her family flee their Mexican village to escape military forces, and then travel across the desert to the United States. Author’s note and time line.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 730LATOS Book Level 4.8View book details
Being Clem (Finding Langston trilogy)Lesa Cline-RansomeAfter his father dies in an infamous disaster during World War II, African American Clem, a brilliant student, grapples with his own fears until he meets Langston, who helps him regain his balance.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 900LATOS Book Level 4.8View book details
Cuba in My PocketAdrianna CuevasSent to the United States to escape Castro’s Cuba in 1961, homesick Cumba, 12, must adapt to his new home, school, and language. Author’s note. Glossary.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 760LATOS Book Level 4.8View book details
Equal (Bakers Mountain Stories series)Joyce Moyer HostetterIn North Carolina in 1959, Jackie, 13 and White, meets Thomas, 13 and Black. Can the two boys overcome society’s prejudices and become friends? Back matter and archival photographs.Nine to TwelveView book details
How War Changed RondoRomana Romanyshyn, Andriy Lesiv, illustrated by Romana Romanyshyn, Andriy Lesiv, Oksana LushchevskaWar nearly destroys a happy, vibrant village. But residents, injured but unbowed, turn back the aggressors and start to reclaim their hometown. Vivid collage and mixed-media illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Long Road to the CircusBetsy BirdIn 1920, Suzy, 12, longs to escape from the farm. Will learning to ride her neighbor’s ostrich help make her dreams come true? Expressive black-and-white illustrations. Archival photos. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
A Place to Hang the MoonKate AlbusWhen their grandmother dies, three orphaned children are evacuated to the countryside from London during the Blitz, hoping to find a new, welcoming family.Nine to TwelveWord Count 62475View book details
Voyage of the SparrowhawkNatasha Farrant, map by David DeanAfter World War I, friends Ben and Lotti cross the English Channel to find missing relatives.Nine to TwelveView book details
War and Millie McGonigleKaren CushmanIn 1941 Millie is hard-pressed to find laughter in her life after Gram dies, but her imagination and humor can’t be suppressed.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 680LATOS Book Level 4.4View book details
Otto: A PalindramaJon Agee, illustrated by Jon AgeeOtto searches for his dog, Pip. All words—even words on drawings—are palindromes, reading the same backwards and forwards. Delightful graphics.Nine to TwelveView book details
When Pigs Fly (Batpig series)Rob Harrell, illustrated by Rob HarrellWhen an average pig develops superpowers, his indiscreet friend experiments and accidentally creates a supervillain. Humorous, dynamic illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
LoteríaKarla Arenas ValentiAs she tries to rescue her cousin from dangerous Las Pozas, Clara, 11, becomes an unwitting participant in Life and Death’s game of Lotería. Black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Monsters of RookhavenPádraig KennyTwo orphans find a magical house inhabited by an unusual family feared by local townspeople. The humans and supernatural beings learn new lessons of cooperation. Enchanting black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 720LATOS Book Level 4.6View book details
Pax, Journey HomeSara PennypackerThough it’s been a year since Peter and Pax have seen each other, when Pax’s kit becomes ill, he brings her to Peter to heal. Evocative black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 750LATOS Book Level 5.2View book details
The Year I Flew AwayMarie Arnold978-0-358-27275- 5 Gabrielle is sent from Haiti to Brooklyn to live with relatives, learn English, and attend public school. A witch seems to help, but then . . .Nine to TwelveWord Count 58912View book details
Atlantis: The Accidental InvasionGregory MoneTwelve-year-old Lewis, his eccentric scientist father, and his father’s genius assistant collide deep underwater with 14-year-old Kaya, an inhabitant of the secret world of Atlantis.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Lion of MarsJennifer L. HolmEleven-year-old Bell, four teenagers, six adults, and a cat live on Mars in an American settlement. Life is good—until all the adults get sick.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 30LATOS Book Level 4View book details
The 1619 Project: Born on the WaterNikole Hannah-Jones, Renée WatsonWhen a young Black girl comes home upset over a school assignment, her grandmother teaches her 400 years of her history, beginning in 1619. Free verse. Expressive illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 860LATOS Book Level 5.5View book details
Aquí era el paraíso: Selección de poemas de Humberto Ak’abal/ Here Was Paradise: Selected Poems of Humberto Ak’abalPatricia Aldana, illustrated by Amelia Lau Carling, Patricia Aldana, Hugh HazeltonAk’abal’s poetry, originally written in K’iche’ and translated into Spanish by the Mayan poet, is illustrated with vibrant mixed-media images. Bilingual in Spanish and English.Nine to TwelveView book details
Hard-Boiled Bugs for Breakfast: And Other Tasty PoemsJack PrelutskyA collection of funny verses in varied forms, from haiku to concrete poems. Perfect for reading aloud. Cartoon- like illustrations in black, grey, and white.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the CountryAmanda GormanA young poet hopes to inspire people to take action and help the United States reconcile with its past and present for the sake of its future.Nine to TwelveView book details
Spi-ku: A Clutter of Short Verse on Eight LegsLeslie BulionShort poems with detailed digital illustrations and descriptive passages introduce spiders’ hunting, mating, and offspring-rearing behaviors.Nine to TwelveView book details
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race MassacreCarole Boston WeatherfordIn 1921, Greenwood, an African American community in Oklahoma, was attacked and set ablaze by a White mob. Free verse. Sepia-toned paintings.Nine to TwelveView book details
The World below the BrineWalt WhitmanLush, immersive illustrations accompany Whitman’s poem that marvels at the vast, deep, and mysterious world beyond our shores.Nine to TwelveView book details
My Thoughts Are Clouds: Poems for MindfulnessGeorgia HeardPoems about comprehensive mindfulness techniques from around the world include descriptions of such key practices as “deep breathing, ” “being present, ” and practicing “loving-kindness” to achieve inner peace. Whimsical illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the NahuaGloria AmescuaWhen her indigenous culture is threatened, one young woman holds fast to her traditions and language, becoming an iconic model and teacher. Distinctive Mixtec-inspired art. Authoritative back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
ChunkyYehudi Mercado, illustrated by Yehudi MercadoHudi, Mexican American and Jewish, laughs his way through his struggles with sports and his health issues, with the help of an imaginary mascot. Bold, dynamic artwork.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Elephant Doctor of IndiaJanie ChodoshAn entertaining, informative account of veterinarian Kushal Konwar Sarma’s lifelong love of Asian elephants and his career treating and saving them. Photos. Glossary.Nine to TwelveView book details
Escape: One Day We Had to RunMing Chen, Wah ChenTwelve accounts of people forced to leave their homes highlight their courage in overcoming incredible hardships. Colorful digital illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Genius under the Table: Growing Up behind the Iron CurtainEugene YelchinA boy desperate to define his place within his eccentric family grows up in the former Soviet Union. Black-and- white illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Hear My Voice: The Testimonies of Children Detained at the Southern Border of the United States/ Escucha mi voz: Los testimonios de los jóvenes detenidos en la frontera sureña de los Estados UnidosWarren Binford for Project AmplifySixty-one children, 5–17, from five countries, testify on their experiences in detention facilities at the US southern border. Heart-wrenching artwork. Bilingual in Spanish and English.Nine to TwelveView book details
Joe Biden: Our 46th PresidentBeatrice GormleyA thorough portrait of the current US president, from early childhood to his role as commander-in-chief. Bibliography, source notes.Nine to TwelveView book details
Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big DreamersJuliet Menéndez, illustrated by Juliet MenéndezSupreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, NASA engineer Evelyn Miralles, and singer Selena Quintanilla are among the notable Latina women presented. Beautiful earth-toned folk art-style illustrations. Sources. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Mahalia Jackson: Freedom’s Voice (Very Important People series)Denise Lewis PatrickThe awe-inspiring life of the queen of gospel music included forming a friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. and performing at the March on Washington. Two- color illustrations. Time line.Nine to TwelveView book details
Other BoysDamian Alexander, illustrated by Damian AlexanderA therapist helps seventh grader Damien, who’s bullied as different, to handle his grief after his mother’s death and to accept his homosexuality. Bold, colorful artwork.Nine to TwelveView book details
The People’s Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with ArtCynthia LevinsonRefusing to paint gentle, bucolic scenes, a bold artist cried out for social justice by creating starkly realistic stories on canvas. Vivid illustrations convey Shahn’s style.Nine to TwelveView book details
A Plan for the People: Nelson Mandela’s Hope for His NationLindsey McDivittAfter 27 years in prison for fighting to dismantle apartheid in South Africa, Mandela continued in the struggle and became his country’s president. Lush, vibrant illustrations. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
RBG’s Brave and Brilliant Women: 33 Jewish Women to Inspire EveryoneNadine Epstein, introduction, selections by Ruth Bader GinsburgThe first Jewish woman to serve on the Supreme Court introduces short biographies of other trailblazing Jewish women, from biblical figures to congresswomen. Historical background. Full-color portraits.Nine to TwelveView book details
StitchRob Sanders, illustrated by Jamey ChristophA tribute to the man who envisioned a fabric masterpiece. Evocative artwork. Discussion guide, time line, and supplementary biographical information.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Stuff between the Stars: How Vera Rubin Discovered Most of the UniverseSandra NickelWhen astronomy was an all-male field, a girl fascinated by the night sky grew up to make remarkable discoveries. Mixed-media illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Unbound: The Life + Art of Judith ScottJoyce Scott, with Brie SpanglerAfter 35 years in an institution, a woman with Down syndrome was rescued by her twin sister and became a renowned fiber artist. Mixed-media artwork.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure AD810LFountas & Pinnell Text Level TView book details
Unforgotten: The Wild Life of Dian Fossey and Her Relentless Quest to Save Mountain GorillasAnita SilveyFossey’s research on gorillas and dedication to them included a controversial relationship with poachers. Full-color photographs. Exemplary documentation, detailed maps.Nine to TwelveView book details
Butterfly for a King: Saving Hawai‘i’s Kamehameha ButterfliesSusan L. Roth, Cindy TrumboreRealistic collages adorn this account of the Kamehameha butterfly, efforts to restore its declining population, and the history of its native habitat. Informative photographs. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Wisdom of Trees: How Trees Work Together to Form a Natural KingdomLita JudgeTrees communicate and cooperate via complex underground networks that deforestation is disrupting. Soft watercolors and short poems. Resources.Nine to TwelveView book details
Health Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, a Dog, and the Discovery of InsulinDeborah KerbelIn the 1920s, a young surgeon thought of a way to potentially save children suffering from a deadly disease. Delicate artwork in a subdued palette. Includes discussion of ethical considerations for using animals in scientific research.Nine to TwelveView book details
It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, Gender, and Sexual HealthRobie H. HarrisAn updated edition of a comprehensive discussion of the social perspectives and scientific information regarding human maturation and reproductive health. Engaging cartoons.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun’s TombCandace FlemingThe search for ancient Egyptian burial sites by British explorers led to an important archaeological discovery, but misfortune came to many in contact with it. Archival photos. Bibliography, source notes.Nine to TwelveATOS Book Level 6.8AR Interest Level MG+ 6 and upView book details
If You Lived during the Plimoth Thanksgiving (If You Lived series)Chris NewellMisrepresentations surrounding the lives of the Plimoth pilgrims and the Wampanoag people are peeled away to reveal inaccuracies and misconceptions. Engaging line and color illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He RescuedPeter Sís, illustrated by Peter SísIn Prague in 1939, Nicholas Winton quietly arranged transport and refuge for 669 Jewish children fleeing Nazi persecution. Detailed illustrations in varied palettes.Nine to TwelveView book details
The People RememberIbi ZoboiPowerful free verse sensitively tells the histories of people of African ancestry in America. Sumptuous full- bleed digital art. Robust back matter.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 899LATOS Book Level 5.8View book details
Rescuing Titanic: A True Story of Quiet Bravery in the North Atlantic (Hidden Histories series)Flora Delargy, illustrated by Flora DelargyIn April 1912 the Carpathia raced to rescue survivors of the Titanic. Vivid illustrations highlight the heroic crew and passengers. Glossary, resources.Nine to TwelveView book details
Together We March: 25 Protest Movements That Marched into HistoryLeah HendersonFrom the mill children who walked with Mother Jones in 1907 to the activists in today’s Black Lives Matter protests, people demonstrate the power of fighting together for social justice. Bright cartoon-like illustrations. Time line and bibliography.Nine to TwelveView book details
Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown SoldierJeff GottesfeldAn account of how the United States came to honor its soldiers who died nameless in the line of duty. Evocative pencil and digitally painted illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Across the Rainbow Bridge: Stories of Norse Gods and HumansKevin Crossley-HollandFallible, capricious, and enigmatic, the gods of the Scandinavian peoples sometimes interacted with humans on a whim, with unpredictable results. Haunting limited-palette illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Language Dreyer’s English: Good Advice for Good WritingBenjamin DreyerA longtime copywriter’s entertaining and informative guide to rules and current practices. Includes an amusing, helpful chapter on “trimmables”— redundancies such as “blend together, ” “closed fist, ” and “fall down. ” Young readers edition of Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style.Nine to TwelveView book details
They’re So FlamboyantMichael GenhartA series of collective nouns is presented through the story of a family of flamingos who move into the neighborhood, upsetting the other birds. Clever word play. Colorful, stylized illustrations. Glossary, back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Amazing Treasures: 100+ Objects and Places That Will Boggle Your MindDavid LongA rich compendium of architectural and natural wonders, precious artworks, and more. Colorful illustrations. Glossary. Sources.Nine to TwelveView book details
It’s Outta Here!: The Might and Majesty of the Home RunMatt DoedenFor baseball fans, there’s nothing more exciting than a home run. A fascinating history of the long ball with stories, photographs, statistics, and explanations of the physics involved. Glossary, sources, index, and further reading.Nine to TwelveView book details
Big Brain Book: How It Works and All Its QuirksLeanne Boucher Gill“What is the brain made of?” and “Why can’t we tickle ourselves?” are among the questions answered in an accessible, engaging format. Colorful illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Book of Amazing TreesNathalie TordjmanExtensive information about tree species, growth, reproduction, and adaptation, organized in an interesting, accessible format. Detailed illustrations. Quizzes.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Deadliest Diseases Then and Now (The Deadliest series)Deborah HopkinsonA meticulously researched and resourced study focuses on the enormous strides made in science and medicine in treating illnesses, from the Black Plague to COVID-19. Glossary, bibliography, source notes.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Frog Mother (Mothers of Xsan series)Hetxw’ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson)A member of the Gitxsan clan describes the life cycle of the Columbia spotted frog of Northwestern Canada. Bright illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
From Here to There: Inventions That Changed the Way the World MovesVivian KirkfieldVision and persistence led to mobility-related inventions like the bicycle, steam engine, and industrial robot. Watercolor illustrations finished digitally. Time line, source notes, and bibliography.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 931LATOS Book Level 6.1View book details
The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London’s Poop Pollution ProblemColleen PaeffA lively account of how an engineer created London’s sewer system in the 19th century. Humorous watercolor and ink illustrations. Discussion of contemporary solutions for waste pollution. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Guitars (Made by Hand series)Patricia LakinFollow the history of guitars, then go behind the scenes to see how acoustic and electric guitars are crafted by luthier Meredith Coloma. Colorful photographs and clear diagrams.Nine to TwelveLexile Text Measure 900LView book details
The How and Wow of the Human Body: From Your Tongue to Your Toes and All the Guts in Between (Wow in the World series)Mindy Thomas, Guy RazDigital cartoon layout and illustrations enhance this humorous and nonjudgmental explanation of human bodily functions, including breathing, barfing, and pooping. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
InventedAnimals: Meet the Creatures Who Inspired Our Everyday Technology by Christiane DorionThirty-two animals share their unique characteristics that have inspired human inventions, including robots, surgical needles, and weatherproofing. Engaging format and colorful digital illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Message: The Extraordinary Journey of an Ordinary Text MessageMichael Emberley, illustrated by Michael EmberleyLush illustrations help demystify the intricate dance of human neural networks, electrical networks, and fiber optics that enables us to speedily send our thoughts to others. Sources.Nine to TwelveView book details
Nano: The Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) SmallJess WadeAn award-winning physicist explains atoms, elements, and nanos, the tiny building blocks used to create many new inventions. Helpful colorful illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Planet Ocean: Why We All Need a Healthy OceanPatricia Newman, photographed by Annie CrawleyDivers who explore the Arctic, the Coral Triangle in Southeast Asia, and the Salish Sea in western North America discuss local issues that affect us all. Colorful photographs. Sources include video links.Nine to TwelveView book detailsTwelve to Fourteen
100 selections
Amber and ClayLaura Amy SchlitzBrought together by the gods of ancient Greece in the time of Socrates, an artistically inclined enslaved boy and an aristocratic girl with an untamed spirit fulfill each other’s destinies. Meticulously researched. Endnotes, bibliography.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 781LATOS Book Level 5View book details
Crossing the StreamElizabeth-Irene BaitieTwelve-year-old Ghanaian Ato and his friends create an organic garden to win entry to a bird sanctuary as they battle an unscrupulous religious leader who opposes their community.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Frankie & BugGayle FormanIn 1987 Venice, California, biracial Bug’s brother has no time for her. But with new trans friend Frankie, she solves a mystery and deals with issues of identity.Twelve to FourteenView book details
JukeboxNidhi Chanani, illustrated by Nidhi ChananiTwelve-year-old Bangladeshi American Shaheen’s music-obsessed dad is missing. Using a magical jukebox, Shaheen and her cousin time-travel to legendary concerts to find him. Vibrant digital art.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Leak: For the Love of TruthKate Reed PettyWhen 12-year-old Ruth discovers a toxic substance in her neighborhood lake, she uses her investigative journalist skills to uncover the source. Bright graphic illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Losers at the Center of the GalaxyMary Winn HeiderMiddle school siblings find separate paths to wholeness following the disappearance of their father, an ex- football player with CTE. Poignant, yet sometimes laugh-out-loud funny.Twelve to FourteenView book details
PonyR. J. PalacioIn 1860s Ohio, a 12-year-old sets out to rescue his father from a counterfeiting gang—with the help of a ghost and an Arabian horse.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 740LATOS Book Level 5.1View book details
The Secret Life of Kitty GrangerG. D. FalksenAn autistic teen with uncanny observational and puzzle-solving skills is recruited by a spy organization to help foil a fascist coup in 1960s London.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Secret StarlingJudith EagleAn abandoned ballet slipper found in Braithwaite Manor leads Clara and her new friend Peter to revelations about her family’s sinister secrets. Black- and-white full-page illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for KidsCynthia Leitich SmithStories at a powwow in a high school gym in Michigan bring together families from different tribal nations to celebrate their ancestors and their heritage.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Pity PartyKathleen LaneAn eclectic selection of short stories reveal the teeming inner thoughts of a relatable cast of characters as they face impending adulthood.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Recognize!: An Anthology Honoring and Amplifying Black LifeWade Hudson, Cheryl Willis HudsonPoems, stories, essays, graphic format pieces, and full- color artwork celebrating Black life, produced from 2020 to 2021 by 30 authors, poets, and artists. Back matter includes biographies of contributors.Twelve to FourteenView book details
This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and UsKatherine Locke, Nicole MellebyA unique collection of stories, including a few in graphic format, with diverse characters—most at the beginning of adolescence—exploring their gender and sexual identity.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Across the PondJoy McCulloughAfter Callie moves to an inherited castle in Scotland, she overcomes her unhappy American middle school experience, makes friends, and develops an interest in bird-watching.Twelve to FourteenView book details
AloneMegan E. FreemanMaddie wakes from a canceled sleepover to find her Colorado town has been evacuated. Shuttling between the homes of her divorced parents, she struggles to survive. Free verse.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 690LATOS Book Level 4.4View book details
Barakah BeatsMaleeha SiddiquiAttending public school for the first time, Nimra joins a band despite her worry that it violates her Muslim faith.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 650LATOS Book Level 4.2View book details
Both Can Be TrueJules Machias, illustrated by Jules MachiasDaniel and Ash initially bond over rescuing a dog; attractions form, but what will happen when Daniel discovers Ash is nonbinary? Alternate voices. Occasional black-and-white illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Boys Run the Riot (Boys Run the Riot series)Keito Gaku, illustrated by Keito Gaku, Leo McDonaghRyo, nonbinary and transgender, doesn’t want to stand out at school, until a new friend helps him turn his fashion tastes into a business. Sharp greyscale illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Ciel in All Directions (Ciel series)Sophie LabelleNonbinary transgender Ciel campaigns to become a class officer while completing a science project, managing a YouTube channel, and figuring out if a crush is reciprocal. Can they do it all?Twelve to FourteenView book details
Clues to the UniverseChristina LiTwo seventh grade students—Benji, a talented artist, and biracial Chinese American Ro, a gifted lover of science and invention—face social exclusion but dazzle everyone with an amazing science fair entry.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 701LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
The Elephant in the RoomHolly Goldberg SloanFollowing her mother’s forced return to Turkey, Sila becomes withdrawn, until an eccentric widower befriends her and her father, and they rescue a retired circus elephant.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 790LATOS Book Level 5.1View book details
Jude Banks, SuperheroAnn HoodWhen his beloved sister, Katie, dies, 12-year-old Jude and his parents are submerged in grief. Jude also struggles with a terrible secret: he believes he killed Katie.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 840LATOS Book Level 5.4View book details
MiddletownSarah MoonThirteen-year-old Eli and her older sister, Anna, lean on each other to feign a life of normalcy when their single mother gets sent to rehab.Twelve to FourteenView book details
NeverforgottenAlejandra AlgortaTen-year-old Fabio flies through the streets of Bogotá on his bike, until one day he forgets how. An allegory about loss, truth, and friendship. Detailed charcoal illustrations. Bilingual in Spanish and English.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Summer of BraveAmy Noelle ParksCompliant Lilla has always done what her competitive, bickering, divorced parents wanted, but they have conflicting visions for her future. How can she forge a path for herself?Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 610LATOS Book Level 3.9View book details
Thanks a Lot, UniverseChad LucasBrian’s family’s breakup does nothing to help his social anxiety. Queer, biracial Ezra, a fellow basketball team member, reaches out a hand in friendship—or maybe more.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 580LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
Treasure of the WorldTara SullivanAna, 12, yearns to leave the Bolivian silver mine where her family works. A mining accident forces her to confront her fears and make dangerous choices.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Boy, EverywhereA. M. DassuAfter a privileged life in Damascus, Syria, Sami’s mother and sister suffer psychologically from a bomb attack, and his family become asylum-seekers in England.Twelve to FourteenWord Count 70601View book details
Everywhere BlueJoanne Rossmassler FritzWhen Maddie’s older brother runs away from college, she tries to solve the mystery of where he went. Her only clue—his concern about climate change. Free verse.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Golden HourNiki SmithIn a farming community, steadfast friends and a creative outlet—photography—help Manuel process trauma after he witnesses a school shooting. Vivid illustrations and archival photographs. PTSD resources.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 401LATOS Book Level 2.8View book details
Himawari HouseHarmony Becker, illustrated by Harmony BeckerA multinational group of roommates attending a Japanese language institute explore friendship, romance, and cultural identity. Multilingual text throughout. Illustrations mix realistic and manga conventions.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Renegade ReportersElissa Brent WeissmanThree middle-school journalists discover that the company providing the school district’s media software is secretly collecting students’ personal data to sell to advertisers.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 810LATOS Book Level 5.2View book details
Samira SurfsRukhsanna GuidrozForced to flee Myanmar, a Rohingya family rebuilds their lives as refugees in Bangladesh. Surfing provides friends and empowerment. Free verse. Stark black-and- white illustrations. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 680LATOS Book Level 4.4View book details
The Samosa RebellionShanthi SekaranIn Mariposa, where Whites refer to themselves as “Butterflies” and to people of color as “Moths, ” Latinx and Asian residents join a besieged Indian family as they struggle to maintain their lives in the community. Black-and-white spot art.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 561LATOS Book Level 3.7View book details
Sunny Days Inside: And Other StoriesCaroline AddersonChildren develop unexpected friendships as they deal with the frustrations and challenges of being cooped up in their apartments during the COVID-19 pandemic.Twelve to FourteenView book details
One Small HopMadelyn RosenbergGlobal warming has created numerous shortages and destroyed much of the animal population. When young friends discover a single living male bullfrog, they try to sneak it into Canada where a female bullfrog awaits.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 610LATOS Book Level 4.4View book details
Family/School/Community Ahmed Aziz’s Epic YearNina HamzaMoving from Hawaii to Minnesota would be challenging for Ahmed even if his dad wasn’t critically ill. The bullying neighbor assigned to his group project adds to his tension.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Bea Is for BlendedLindsey StoddardChallenges await Bea and her mother when they join a new stepfamily in Vermont.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 829LATOS Book Level 5.3View book details
Breathing UnderwaterSarah AllenOn a road trip from Knoxville to their former home in San Diego, 13-year-old photographer Olivia follows a secret plan to help Ruth, her depressed 16-year-old sister.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 800LATOS Book Level 5.09View book details
Flight of the PuffinAnn BradenSeventh grader Libby creates inspiring postcards that reach three middle schoolers across the country. Whether it’s about bullying, homelessness, or grief, the connection helps each feel supported. Told in four voices.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 650LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
It All Begins with Jelly BeansNova WeetmanRiley, a type 1 diabetic adjusting to a new school, and Meg, dealing with her widowed mother’s deep depression, meet in the school nurse’s office. Can they forge a friendship? Black-and-white spot art.Twelve to FourteenView book details
A Kind of SparkElle McNicollEleven-year-old Addie fights to get her Scottish village board to memorialize local women who, centuries before, had been persecuted as witches. Could they have been autistic like her?Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 580LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
The Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S. (as told to his brother)David LevithanTwelve-year-old Aidan vanishes. When he returns, he doesn’t think anyone will accept the truth about where he’s been—with good reason. Who would believe that another world exists?Twelve to FourteenView book details
An Occasionally Happy FamilyCliff BurkeAfter an exhausting camping vacation ends in an unwelcome surprise, teenage Theo, his sister Laura, and their father finally contend with their grief at the loss of the children’s mother.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Polo CowboyG. NeriWhen Cole, 14, remains in Philadelphia with his father and the Black cowboys, he also becomes a stable hand for an elite polo team. Can he navigate the two worlds? Striking black-and-white illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Shape of ThunderJasmine WargaBefore Cora’s sister was killed by Quinn’s brother in a school shooting, Cora and Quinn were best friends. Can they time-travel to prevent the tragedy?Twelve to FourteenWord Count 57218View book details
A Soft Place to LandJanae MarksFinancial problems force African American Joy, 12, and her family to move from a much-loved home into a small apartment in a new area. Starting a dog-walking business with a friend helps, until one dog runs away.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 600LATOS Book Level 3.9View book details
What about WillEllen HopkinsTrace struggles to decide how best to help his beloved older brother, who has become addicted to pain medications. Free verse.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure HL500LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
Worst-Case CollinRebecca CapraraAfter his mother dies in an automobile accident, 12-year-old Collin deals with his father’s increasingly serious mental illness and his own trauma and grief. Free verse.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 680LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
The Broken Raven (Shadow Skye Trilogy)Joseph ElliottThree unusual teens, Agatha, Jaime, and Sigrid, exhibit extraordinary bravery and ingenuity as they enable their clans to survive destructive wars waged by brutal rulers.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Fire with FireDestiny SoriaTwo Mexican American sisters are on opposite sides of a war between humans and dragons—until a more dangerous enemy presents itself.Twelve to FourteenView book details
My Contrary Mary (The Lady Janies series)Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi MeadowsA clever, humorous account of the intrigues and treacheries threatening the 16th-century Scottish queen, betrothed to Francis, heir to the French throne. This queen is sometimes a mouse!Twelve to FourteenView book details
Once upon a CamelKathi AppeltIn Texas in 1910, Zada, an elderly camel named for Scheherazade, protects two young kestrels by calming them with stories. Realistic greyscale oil paintings.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 820LATOS Book Level 5.6View book details
Pahua and the Soul StealerLori M. LeeTake a deep dive into Hmong culture, folklore, and cosmology along with Pahua, who has only three days to rescue her brother’s soul from the spirit world.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 829LATOS Book Level 5.3View book details
The Republic of BirdsJessica MillerWhen 12-year-old Olga’s family is exiled from the capital of Tsaretsvo, she is happy to escape the city— until her sister is kidnapped.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Wild HuntsboysMartin StewartIn a war-torn city, Luka bonds with brainy Hazel and muscular Max to combat offended faeries threatening their lives and the life of Luka’s young sister.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Legend of Auntie PoShing Yin KhorMei, 13, narrates life in an 1885 logging camp, using Paul Bunyan stories with Chinese matriarch Auntie Po as protagonist. Bold digital pencil and watercolor art.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Living Ghosts & Mischievous Monsters: Chilling American Indian StoriesDan SaSuWeh JonesThirty-two shivery tales, both contemporary and traditional, reflecting the diversity of Native American folklore. Pen and ink artwork. Detailed background and sources.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the AmericasMaría García EsperónCreation stories, cautionary tales, and more from the many Indigenous peoples who lived in the Americas thousands of years before Europeans arrived. Striking digital black, white, and blue illustrations. Excellent back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Between Shades of Gray: The Graphic NovelRuta SepetysIn 1941 Lina, 15, and her family are arrested by the Soviet secret police and sent to Siberia. Their crime: they are Lithuanian. Detailed full-color artwork.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Freedom SwimmerWai ChimAfter famine kills his parents during the harsh reign of Chairman Mao, Ming, surviving as a field worker, bonds with Li, a city boy brought to Ming’s village to be “re-educated. ”Twelve to FourteenView book details
How to Find What You’re Not Looking ForVeera HiranandaniIn 1967 when Ariel Goldberg’s Jewish parents oppose her big sister Leah’s plan to marry a man from India, the older girl disappears.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 690LATOS Book Level 4.6View book details
Red, White, and WholeRajani LaRoccaReha, 13, feels torn between two worlds: American at school and Indian at home. Then her mother is diagnosed with leukemia and everything changes. Free verse.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Soul LanternsShaw KuzkiIn Hiroshima every August 6th, people float paper lanterns down the river, each one commemorating someone they’ve lost. Nozomi’s mother always leaves one lantern unnamed. Whose could it be?Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 850LATOS Book Level 5.8View book details
Strong as Fire, Fierce as FlameSupriya KelkarIn 1857 colonial India, child-bride Meera flees her home to escape a cruel custom. Then, as a servant to a British official, she realizes she has traded one form of subservience for another and fights back. Historical notes, time line, glossary.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 850LATOS Book Level 5.6View book details
View from Pagoda HillMichaela MacCollIn 1878 a Chinese American girl struggles when she is forced to leave Shanghai to go live with her American father’s parents, who she barely knows.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Mature contentWhen the World Was OursLiz KesslerOn the verge of World War II, three nine-year-old German friends—two Jewish and one a future Nazi— find their lives torn apart.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure HL630LATOS Book Level 4.4View book details
World in Between: Based on a True Refugee StoryKenan, Susan ShapiroDuring the 1992 Serbian invasion of Bosnia and the ensuing massacre of Muslims, Kenan, 11, and his family flee. A moving and hopeful look at the vicissitudes of building a new life in the United States.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 769LATOS Book Level 4.9View book details
Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations series)B. B. AlstonBrave and resourceful Amari, bullied for being Black and determined to find her long-missing brother, receives an invitation in his handwriting to join the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Black-and-white illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Hollow ChestBrita SandstromIn 1945, when Charlie’s brother comes home to London from the war, he is not the same. Charlie embarks on a quest to find his brother’s heart, eaten by mysterious wolves. Delicate full-page black-and-white illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Second SleepDiane StanleyAt their grandmother’s cabin by the lake, Max and Rosie start to have identical dreams that contain clues to their mother’s past and disappearance.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Temple Alley SummerSachiko KashiwabaFifth grader Kazu realizes the new girl in his class is a spirit, whose existence is threatened by local elders. What should he do? Evocative spot illustrations.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 620LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
Daughter of the DeepRick RiordanIn this homage to 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, Ana leads a diverse team of fellow teen scientists and warriors on a mission to prevent powerful technologies from becoming tools of destruction. Black-and-white spot art.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 700LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
Fast PitchNic StoneTwelve-year-old Shenice, captain of a pioneering all- Black softball team, is determined to clear her great- grandfather’s name and restore him to his rightful place in baseball history. Black-and-white spot illustrations.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 790LATOS Book Level 5View book details
Burying the MoonAndrée PoulinThe women of a rural Indian village use a distant field at night for sanitation, until Latika speaks up. Rich, violet- hued illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem RenaissanceNikki GrimesUtilizing the golden shovel poetic form, Grimes creates contemporary poetry using lines borrowed from poetry written by women during the Harlem Renaissance. Bold stylized illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Seventh RavenDavid ElliottWhen his daughter is born dying, a father curses his seven sons, who turn into ravens. Haunting black-and- white illustrations. Back matter on the varied poetic forms used.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Accused: My Story of Injustice (I, Witness series)Adama BahBah, who was born in Guinea and grew up in New York City, didn’t know she was not American until 9/11. Then suddenly she was falsely accused of being a suicide bomber.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Living the Confidence CodeKatty Kay, Claire Shipman, Jillellyn RileyShort bios focus on interviews with capable girls the world over who are making a difference. Graphic format art, spot illustrations, and photos. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
One LifeMegan Rapinoe, with Emma BrockesRapinoe’s honesty shines through in this sports memoir that shows how her family and experiences as a gay person shaped her career and activism. Archival and family photos. Young readers edition.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Other Talk: Reckoning with Our White PrivilegeBrendan Kiely, introduction by Jason ReynoldsThrough relatable personal anecdotes, statistics, and history, the author explores White privilege and what White people can do to combat racism. Author’s note, endnotes, bibliography.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Robert Smalls (Tales of the Talented Tenth series)Joel Christian Gill, illustrated by Joel Christian GillIn 1862 an enslaved African American man who was an experienced sailor and expert navigator smuggled 13 compatriots to freedom by commandeering a Confederate supply ship. Evocative artwork.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a RevolutionJudith Heumann, with Kristen JoinerHeumann, paralyzed at 18 months after falling ill with polio, has engaged in an inspiring lifelong fight for people with disabilities to be treated as equal citizens.Twelve to FourteenView book details
SylvieJean Reidy, illustrated by Lucy CumminsSilvie’s joyful childhood in the French school where her father was principal gave her the tools to pursue art and carve her own life path. Cartoon-like art.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure AD660LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
While I Was AwayWaka T. BrownWaka, 12, details her difficult school experiences and life with her standoffish grandmother during an extended stay in Japan in 1984.Twelve to FourteenLexile Text Measure 800LATOS Book Level 5.1View book details
The Woman All Spies Fear: Code Breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman and Her Hidden LifeAmy Butler GreenfieldA pioneer in the field of cryptography, Friedman developed code-breaking techniques along with her husband, saving thousands of lives from World War I to the 1960s. Photographs. Extensive back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Wonder Women of Science: Twelve Geniuses Who Are Currently Rocking Science, Technology, and the WorldTiera Fletcher, Ginger RueEngaging portrayals of twelve extraordinary women and their accomplishments in engineering, computer game development, climate science, and more. Colorful full-page portraits, photographs, and diagrams. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Health Welcome to Your Period! (Welcome to Your Body series)Yumi Stynes, DrA health writer and a doctor provide practical advice and scientific information about menstruation. Colorful, informative illustrations. Glossary.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Ensnared in the Wolf’s Lair: Inside the 1944 Plot to Kill Hitler and the Ghost Children of His RevengeAnn BausumThe Valkyrie plot to assassinate Hitler and the retribution suffered by the children of the perpetrators are grippingly recounted. Meticulously researched. Complete source notes.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians but Were Afraid to AskAnton TreuerAn Ojibwe scholar debunks stereotypes of Native peoples of the current-day United States and Canada. FAQ format. Archival photographs. Back matter. Young readers edition.Twelve to FourteenView book details
In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers: The Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, Months, and Years after the 9/11 AttacksDon BrownMoving stories from 9/11 survivors engender an understanding of this tragedy as more than just a date in history. Pen and ink illustrations with digital paint. Extensive back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Picturing a Nation: The Great Depression’s Finest Photographers Introduce America to ItselfMartin W. SandlerRenowned photographers, including Gordon Parks, Dorothea Lange, and Walker Evans, documented everyday life during the 1930s Great Depression. Black-and-white and color photos. Photographer profiles. Source notes.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Race to the Bottom of the Earth: Surviving AntarcticaRebecca E. F. BaroneAccounts of the races between Scott and Amundsen in 1911 and Rudd and O’Brady in 2018 to reach the South Pole. Archival photographs. Sourced quotes, maps, and social media posts.Twelve to FourteenView book details
We Must Not Forget: Holocaust Stories of Survival and ResistanceDeborah HopkinsonProfiles of 12 Jewish children and teens from countries occupied by the Nazis in World War II, and the different ways they were able to survive. Archival photographs. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Law and Justice Separate No More: The Long Road to Brown v. Board of EducationLawrence GoldstoneA meticulous, step-by-step account of the incremental progress in the fight against racial segregation in the United States. Archival photographs.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Threads of Peace: How Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Changed the WorldUma KrishnaswamiThe comparison of the lives and approaches of these champions of nonviolent struggle illuminates the influences they had on their countries and the world. Photographs. Glossary, sources.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Beneath the Waves: Celebrating the Ocean through Pictures, Poems, and StoriesStephanie Warren DrimmerExplore the ocean, the waters that cover more than 70% of Earth’s surface and are home to 99% of the inhabitable space on the planet. Outstanding photos.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Do Animals Fall in Love?Katharina von der GathenAn illuminating and frank compendium of all the weird and wonderful ways the animal kingdom courts and reproduces, and then cares for their offspring. Detailed, labeled, and often witty illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
FungariumDavid L. Hawksworth, Laura M. Suz, Pepijn W. Kooij, Kare Liimatainen, Tom Prescott, Lee Davies, Ester GayaAn explanation of how life on Earth depends on fungi, organisms more closely related to animals than to plants. Lush botanical illustrations. Index, resources.Twelve to FourteenWord Count 10096View book details
Finding Refuge: Real-Life Immigration Stories from Young Peopleand edited by Victorya RouseRouse’s ESL students wrote these affecting stories of difficult situations around the world and their families’ decisions to come to the United States. Includes country facts and histories. Black-and-white photos. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book detailsFourteen and Older
111 selections
Lucy Clark Will Not ApologizeMargo RabbLucy’s suspension from boarding school results in her being assigned to care for a wealthy woman with dementia—who thinks, possibly correctly, that she’s the target of a murder plot.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Summer of Lost LettersHannah ReynoldsAbby Schoenberg, 17, spends the summer on Nantucket trying to solve the mystery of her family’s past after receiving a box of love letters written to her grandmother.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Unearthed: A Jessica Cruz StoryLilliam RiveraIn this contemporary Green Lantern comic, ancestral Aztec gods call Jessica Cruz to action after ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) arrests her father. Vibrant, tonal artwork.Fourteen and OlderView book details
When You Look Like UsPamela N. HarrisWhen Jayson’s sister goes missing, he assumes her drug-dealer boyfriend is responsible. Has Jayson’s judgment been affected by stereotypes that others apply to his Black community?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Battle of the BandsLauren Gibaldi, Eric SmithSixteen high school bands compete in a once-a-year performance to win a recording contract. Their interrelated stories of music, love, and identity take place during one night.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentBlackoutDhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Nicola YoonA blackout in sweltering NYC occasions changing relationships for six Black teens navigating in the darkness: love found, confessed, renewed, reexamined, or altered.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentEveryone Dies Famous in a Small TownBonnie-Sue HitchcockA wildfire and a missing girl provide the backdrop for this captivating collection: nine exquisitely written stories of the struggles and triumphs of small-town teens.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Living beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in AmericaMargarita LongoriaA varied selection of stories, poems, graphic format pieces, and personal essays about life as a Mexican American. Many take place in the Rio Grande Valley.Fourteen and OlderView book details
That Way Madness Lies: Fifteen of Shakespeare’s Most Notable Works ReimaginedDahlia AdlerTragedies and comedies are transformed by young adult authors into contemporary stories with a variety of diverse characters and settings. Back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Chlorine SkyMahogany L. BrowneA self-effacing African American girl who shines on the basketball court comes to find her voice and embrace her strength. Free verse.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Destination AnywhereSara BarnardPeyton is 17 years old and has never had a real friend. She leaves England in a plane bound for Vancouver, Canada, hoping to change her life story. Black-and- white spot art.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Great GoddenMeg RosoffIn elegant prose, an unnamed and gender-unrevealed narrator chronicles an English summer romance and the upheaval produced by a visit from two American siblings.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake DatingAdiba JaigirdarTwo Bengali girls in Ireland, one Muslim, one Hindu, couldn’t have more different personalities. They pretend to date others but fall for one another.Fourteen and OlderView book details
In the Wild LightJeff ZentnerDelaney and Cash, best friends since losing parents to addiction, win full scholarships to a prep school far from their rural Tennessee home. As their worlds expand, could they lose each other?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentThe Life I’m InSharon FlakeChar struggles to take care of an abandoned child and falls prey to a sex-trafficking ring. Does she have the strength and perseverance to survive and break free?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Love Is a RevolutionRenée WatsonWhen 17-year-old Black teen Nala tells too many lies to impress a boy she likes, she learns an important lesson about loving herself first.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Love Is for LosersWibke BrueggemannLondoner Phoebe is determined to avoid falling in love. In her diary, she explores her friendships, reacts to events in her life, and eventually, discovers her own sexuality.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Maybe We’re ElectricVal EmmichHiding in a museum during a snowstorm after being confronted with a truth she can’t face, Tegan, who has symbrachydactyly, is suddenly joined by popular classmate Mac. An intense bond forms, but will Tegan’s secret destroy everything?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Metal Fish, Falling SnowCath MooreBiracial Dylan, grieving her mother’s sudden death, drives across Australia with her mother’s devastated boyfriend to a painful but ultimately healing destination.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Misfit in LoveS. K. AliWhile helping to plan her brother’s traditional Muslim wedding, teeming with guests and relatives, Janna hopes to confess her feelings to her longtime crush.Fourteen and OlderView book details
A Love StoryLoan LeTwo Vietnamese American high school seniors from rival family restaurant businesses find romance blossoming along with their gifts for writing and art.Fourteen and OlderView book details
She Drives Me CrazyKelly QuindlenScottie suffers an embarrassing basketball loss to her ex-girlfriend’s team. Her plans for revenge might require help from her nemesis, Irene.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Things That GrowMeredith GoldsteinHigh school senior Lori’s grandmother (and de facto parent) dies, stipulating that her ashes be scattered where things grow, which gives Lori the road trip of a lifetime.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentWe Run the TidesVendela VidaIn 1980s San Francisco, Eulabee and Maria’s friendship ruptures when they disagree on whether they witnessed an indecent act. Then Maria goes missing. Was she kidnapped?Fourteen and OlderView book details
When We Were InfiniteKelly Loy GilbertBeth fervently wants her friend group to stay intact through college, but fractures appear after she and Brandon see Jason’s dad hit him. Asian American cultural values explored.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentYour Corner DarkDesmond HallFrankie longs to leave Jamaica and take advantage of his US college scholarship, but then becomes enmeshed in family criminal and political activities in order to save his father, who has been shot.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Zoe Rosenthal Is Not Lawful GoodNancy WerlinZoe, 17, trades in her perfectly staid boyfriend and their planned future together for a sci-fi TV series—and creative friends she bonds with at secret fan cons.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the WorldBenjamin Alire SáenzHaving loving, supportive families helps Mexican American Ari and Dante navigate the challenges of being gay and in love in a homophobic world. Richly told lyrical sequel to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Between Perfect and RealRay StoeveDean chafes at being identified as a lesbian. Cast as Romeo in the school play, he wants everyone to see him for the boy he knows himself to be.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Cheer Up!: Love and PompomsCrystal FrasierAnnie joins the cheerleading squad, rekindling her friendship with Bebe, a transgender girl who is navigating her path in family and school relationships. Bright, colorful artwork.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentThe Cost of KnowingBrittney MorrisAfrican American brothers Alex and Isaiah are cursed with supernatural abilities that have arisen out of generational traumas; now they need each other to break the cycle.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentGirl on the LineFaith GardnerFollowing a suicide attempt, Journey reassesses, advocates for herself, and rebuilds family and social relationships. Back matter with mental health resources.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Hello (From Here)Chandler Baker, Wesley KingMaxine and Jonah meet just as the pandemic lockdown begins. Can their relationship overcome quarantine, having to communicate remotely, family problems, and grief?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentKneelCandace BufordAfter a police shooting, Russell, co-captain of his football team, takes a knee during the national anthem. The ensuing protests tear his Louisiana town apart.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Love in EnglishMaria E. AndreuAna moves from Argentina to New Jersey and struggles to learn English to understand what is happening around her, and more importantly, to fit in.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Not Here to Be LikedMichelle QuachChinese American Eliza finds herself at the center of a schoolwide controversy over gender equality when her private outrage at being passed over for editor-in-chief of the Bugle becomes public.Fourteen and OlderView book details
One Great LieDeb CalettiResearching an ancestral poetess for a summer writing program in Venice with her favorite author, Charlotte learns how powerful men historically abused and silenced women, then experiences it herself.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Passing PlaybookIsaac FitzsimonsUnaware that Spencer’s trans, a soccer coach recruits him. Difficulties arise when Spencer’s birth certificate is needed in order for him to join the team.Fourteen and OlderView book details
PreppedBethany MangleBecca’s family lives in a doomsday community. An arranged marriage looms after high school graduation, but Becca is planning a different life.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Rosie Loves JackMel DarbonRosie has Down syndrome, but she is determined to reach her boyfriend, Jack. A snowstorm shuts down the trains, leaving her alone and lost in London.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentRules for Being a GirlCandace Bushnell, Katie CotugnoHigh school senior Marin, star student and coeditor of the school newspaper, is headed for the Ivy League, until a disturbing event torpedoes her plans.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentTake Me with You When You GoDavid Levithan, Jennifer NivenBea disappears from home, leaving her brother an email address. In their correspondence, they begin to unpack the story and experience of their abusive home. Can they free themselves?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentTonight We Rule the WorldZack SmedleyAfter bisexual Owen, who is on the autism spectrum, is sexually assaulted, he hides the identity of the perpetrator to avoid losing his girlfriend, Lily, and his tight-knit friend group.Fourteen and OlderView book details
We Are InevitableGayle FormanAs 19-year-old Aaron struggles to keep his family’s bookstore afloat after his brother overdoses and his mother leaves, the dire financial difficulties bring help from unexpected allies.Fourteen and OlderView book details
What Beauty There IsCory AndersonJack, 17, is the only one who can prevent Child Protective Services from taking his younger brother. Themes of abandonment, survival, and brotherly love are movingly told in this thriller.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentWhen We Make ItElisabet VelasquezSarai, 14, struggles to overcome the problems of her single-parent family in gentrifying Brooklyn: poverty, housing insecurity, and mental illness. Written in verse by a Boricua author.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Where I BelongMarcia Argueta MickelsonMillie, a Guatemalan American, becomes a reluctant activist and part of the national debate on immigration when a senatorial candidate mentions her achievements.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 740LATOS Book Level 4.9View book details
Why We FlyKimberly Jones, Gilly SegalSenior year is full of challenges for Eleanor, White, and Chanel, Black, college-bound stars of their cheerleading squad. The political act of kneeling during the national anthem at a game brings serious consequences and threatens their futures.Fourteen and OlderView book details
You’d Be Home NowKathleen GlasgowInspired by the author’s experience and the play Our Town, the novel explores opioid addiction in a small town, through the eyes of the sister of a struggling boy. Resources.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Family/School/Community American BetiyaAnuradha D. RajurkarRani falls hard for artsy Oliver but must keep their relationship secret from her strict Indian parents, with devastating resultsFourteen and OlderView book details
Firekeeper’s DaughterAngeline BoulleyAs her Ojibwe community is ravaged by drug overdoses, Daunis, 17, works with the FBI to identify the dealers. A richly detailed view of tribal life.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Made in KoreaSarah SukTwo Korean American teens, each trying to balance family duty with their own ambitions, find themselves in a hostile entrepreneurial rivalry, complicated by their mutual attraction.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Other Side of PerfectMariko TurkAfter an injury ends her ballet career, Alina confronts the racial discrimination she encountered in dance class. Joining the high school musical helps her discover new opportunities.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Problem with the Other SideKwame IverySallie and Uly’s love for one another is pitted against sibling loyalty as their sisters wage vitriolic, racially charged campaigns for high school president.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentSugar Town QueensMalla NunnLiving in a post-apartheid, South African shantytown, biracial Amandla, 15, has never met her White mother’s relatives. Friends help her uncover family secrets and truths.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Sway with MeSyed M. MasoodPakistani American Arsalan lives a cloistered existence with his 100-year-old great-grandfather. Then a tempestuous girl asks Arsalan to be her dancing partner, and his world opens up.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Jade Fire GoldJune CL TanLiving in the desert of the Shi Empire, Ahn, 16, discovers her magical powers. She joins with Altan, rightful heir to the throne, to battle evil forces and restore peace.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentLoreAlexandra BrackenThe last survivor of the House of Perseus, Lore battles for survival in an ancient deadly game of the descendants of Zeus. A complex story set in Manhattan.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 921LATOS Book Level 6View book details
The Other MerlinRobyn SchneiderMerlin’s daughter replaces her magically-challenged brother as the apprentice wizard in Arthur’s court. Rollicking humor, wry wit, and smoldering romance flourish amid political intrigues.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne (Scarlett and Browne series)Jonathan StroudTwo misfits, with secrets of their own, team up to survive in a brutal, dystopian Britain where pursuit, danger, and death await any who do not conform.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Walking in Two WorldsWab KinewAn Anishinaabe girl on a Canadian reservation who has a superb reputation in the gaming world bonds with a Chinese Uyghur boy forced to flee his country.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Yesterday Is HistoryKosoko JacksonA life-saving liver transplant imbues Andre with the ability to time travel as his organ donor did, which could be dangerous for a Black teenager.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous TalesSoman ChainaniSophisticated contemporary reinterpretations of 12 old tales, including Bluebeard, Peter Pan, and Hansel and Gretel. Appropriately scary dark illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentHouse of HollowKrystal SutherlandWhile trying to save their sister, teenagers Vivi and Iris learn about who the real monsters are in their past and present.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Angel of GreenwoodRandi PinkTwo African American teens living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, slowly connect over poetry and dance until a vicious White mob sets fire to the Greenwood district, known as the “Black Wall Street. ” Back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Beyond the Mapped StarsRosalyn EvesIn the western United States in the 1870s, Elizabeth, 17, struggles to reconcile the expectations of her Mormon faith with her dreams of becoming an astronomer.Fourteen and OlderView book details
BluebirdSharon CameronAt the end of World War II, the daughter of a notorious concentration camp doctor makes it her mission to keep him from committing further atrocities.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentDon’t Breathe a WordJordyn TaylorSkipping between 1962 and today, the book unravels the mystery behind an authoritarian secret society and a psychological experiment that goes tragically wrong in a private school’s fallout shelter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Last Night at the Telegraph ClubMalinda LoAspiring scientist Lily Hu, 17, is conflicted between the expectations of her traditional upbringing in 1950s Chinatown and her awakening sexuality. Sensitively nuanced coming of age portrayal.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 900LATOS Book Level 6.3View book details
Rebel DaughterLori Banov KaufmannEsther, a high priest’s daughter challenging traditional Jewish female roles, faces loss, love, capture, and enslavement during the Roman siege of Jerusalem during the first century CE. Well-referenced.Fourteen and OlderView book details
A Sitting in St. JamesRita Williams-GarciaA chronicle of the terrible history of the Guilberts and the traumatic impact they had on the enslaved workers on their Louisiana plantation. Back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Your Heart, My Sky: Love in a Time of HungerMargarita EngleA stray dog unites teens Liana and Amado, who evade oppressive “voluntary” labor. Set in a period of Cuban history when people on the island struggled with starvation. In verse.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Beasts of PreyAyana GrayWith differing motivations, indentured servant Koffi and warrior-in-training Ekon join forces to hunt a murderous monster lurking in the forest. A richly textured Pan-African novel. Author’s note.Fourteen and OlderView book details
GlimpsedG. F. MillerCharity, 18, is an actual fairy godmother who loves making wishes come true, but those “happily-ever- afters” might be less successful than she thinks.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Home Is Not a CountrySafia ElhilloA bullied Muslim teen immigrant living with her widowed mother in an unnamed, post-9/11 American town dreams of a homeland she’s never seen. Free verse.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Instructions for DancingNicola YoonAfrican American Evie, 17, is done with love after witnessing her father’s infidelity. Can handsome X and a dance competition change her mind? An endearing romance with a dash of magic.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Me (Moth)Amber McBrideGrieving for her deceased family, African American Moth, 17, helps Sani, a Navajo boy, overcome depression by sharing her grandfather’s hoodoo wisdom. Free verse.Fourteen and OlderView book details
A Snake Falls to EarthDarcie Little BadgerWhen a cataclysmic event on Earth occurs, the real world of Nina, a Lipan Apache teen, and the spirit world of Oli, a cottonmouth, are brought together with strange results.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 829LATOS Book Level 5.3View book details
We Can Be HeroesKyrie McCauleyBeck, Vivian, and the ghost of Cassie, their beloved friend, seek revenge and justice after Cassie is shot by her abusive boyfriend, son of the town’s powerful firearms manufacturer.Fourteen and OlderView book details
DustbornErin BowmanIn a post-apocalyptic world, Delta struggles to interpret the map carved on her back that will free her family from the tyranny of the General.Fourteen and OlderView book details
In the Same BoatHolly GreenSeventeen-year-old Sadie teams up with an estranged former friend for a 265-mile, multi-day canoe race. Conflict, courage, and endurance will change their relationship.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Carry On: PoetryYoung Immigrants by students from the PGLO high school in Outremont, QuébecNewcomers from many lands express loss and pain about what they’ve left behind and their hopes and concerns about their new homes. Free verse. Expressively painted portraits.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Girl Who Became a Tree: A Story Told in PoemsJoseph CoelhoFourteen-year-old Daphne, mourning her father’s death, finds refuge in the library until she falls into a magical world of monsters. Free verse. Black-and-white spot illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
You Don’t Have to Be Everything: Poems for Girls Becoming ThemselvesDiana WhitneySixty-eight poetic voices share their experiences to help guide and ease girls’ transition from adolescence to adulthood. Organized thematically. Elegant, colorful illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Disability Visibility: 17 First-Person Stories for TodayAlice WongFrom an outgrowth of the Disability Visibility Project and Story Corps come personal stories of living and loving with disabilities. Content warnings, author profiles, further reading. Young readers edition.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentGrowing Up Trans: In Our Own WordsLindsay Herriot, Kate FryIn a variety of writing genres and art media, trans youth explore their experiences of self-care, dysphoria, transphobia, acceptance, school issues, and more. Glossary and resources.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentWild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed: 15 Voices from the Latinx DiasporaSaraciea J. FennellWhat is it like feeling you never fit in? Writers from Afro-Latinx, Caribbean, and Central American communities share their experiences of racism, identity, culture, and self-acceptance.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Power of Style: How Fashion and Beauty Are Being Used to Reclaim CulturesChristian AllaireBright photographs accompany clear text about non- mainstream fashion styles. Emphasis on diverse body shapes, body decoration, and cross-dressing. Simple, elegant illustrations. Well sourced.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Beautiful Struggle: A MemoirTa-Nehisi CoatesAcclaimed author Coates describes growing up in Baltimore and the influences, especially those of his father and brother, that shaped him. Young readers edition.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Becoming Michelle ObamaMichelle ObamaMichelle Obama relates her journey as an African American girl from modest circumstances who became a highly respected First Lady of the United States. Young readers edition.Fourteen and OlderLexile Text Measure 1080LATOS Book Level 7.5View book details
Boy from Buchenwald: The True Story of a Holocaust SurvivorRobbie Waisman, with Susan McClellandRomek (now Robbie) was 14 when he was liberated from the Buchenwald concentration camp in 1945. Here he chronicles his survival and return to society. Photos. Back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost ChildhoodGary PaulsenPaulsen’s first experience with a stable family at his aunt’s farm ended abruptly when his alcoholic mother came to take him to the Philippines.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Notes from a Young Black Chef: A MemoirKwame Onwuachi, with Joshua David SteinOnwuachi, with Nigerian, Southern, and Caribbean roots, faced racism and poverty on his difficult journey from the Bronx to high-end restaurants. A frank memoir. Includes recipes. Young readers edition.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Paul Robeson: No One Can Silence Me: The Life of the Legendary Artist and ActivistMartin Duberman, foreword by Jason ReynoldsThe great singer and activist’s magnetism and flaws, along with the accusations that he was a Communist that had a devastating effect on his career, are explored. Archival images. Listing of videos and recordings. Young readers edition.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Singled Out: The True Story of Glenn Burke, the First Openly Gay MLB Player and Inventor of the High FiveAndrew MaranissThe promising career of the outfielder for the L.A. Dodgers and Oakland A’s was cut short, largely because of anti-gay prejudice. Archival photos. Back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
When I Grow Up: The Lost Autobiographies of Six Yiddish TeenagersKen Krimstein, illustrated by Ken KrimsteinLife in Eastern Europe is described by contestants in a 1932 literary contest for Jewish teenagers. Filled with joy, romance, humor, and tragedy. Delicate two-color illustrations. Back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race MassacreBrandy ColbertMoving backward and forward in time, Colbert interweaves survivors’ histories with her own to contextualize the obliteration of Greenwood, an affluent African American community in Oklahoma, by a White mob. Extensive notes, sources, additional reading.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War ShowdownSteve SheinkinA dramatic recounting of the tension-fraught years of the relations between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II, ending in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Archival photos. Extensive back matter includes source notes.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Four Streets and a Square: A History of Manhattan and the New York IdeaMarc AronsonAn ode to the city’s endless change through a look at the arts and the creativity born of the great diversity of its population. Maps and archival photos. Excellent back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s GhettosJudy BatalionEight young Jewish women served as couriers and bravely fought, along with many others, against the Nazis in Poland. Archival photographs. Glossary, sources, bibliography. Young reader’s edition.Fourteen and OlderView book details
No Way, They Were Gay?: Hidden Lives and Secret LovesLee WindExtensive primary sources enhance a breezy text depicting the lives of many LGBTQIA+ individuals throughout history. Photographs. Letters, footnotes, and author’s note.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave RevoltsRebecca HallThe personal story of a historian, interwoven with an account of the centuries-long—and still resonating— transatlantic slave trade that she painstakingly researches. Stark black-and-white artwork. Sources.Fourteen and OlderView book details
We Hereby Refuse: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime IncarcerationFrank Abe, Tamiko NimuraThree American citizens, at great personal cost, challenged having their rights unlawfully stripped solely on the basis of race. Dynamic, well-researched illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Law and Justice Allies: Real Talk about Showing Up, Screwing Up, and Trying AgainShakirah Bourne, Dana Alison LevyThis anthology of essays and a black-and-white comic strip showcases power, privilege, and allyship in support of others in the quest for social justice. Many resources and activities.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Free Speech Handbook: A Practical Framework for Understanding Our Free Speech Protections (World Citizen Comics series)Ian RosenbergThis graphic-format adaptation of The Fight for Free Speech: Ten Cases that Define Our First Amendment Freedoms is a must for every civics classroom. Colorful artwork.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentIn the Name of Emmett Till: How the Children of the Mississippi Freedom Struggle Showed Us TomorrowRobert H. Mayer, foreword by Leslie-Burl McLemoreFollowing 14-year-old Emmett Till’s 1955 lynching, young people in Mississippi rose up to launch the civil rights movement. Map and archival photos. Extensive back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Kids on the March: 15 Stories of Speaking Out, Protesting, and Fighting for JusticeMichael G. LongProfiles of young activists, from participants in the 1903 March of the Mill Children to teens who organized protests following the 2020 murder of George Floyd. Archival photos, suggestions for organizing, and notes.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the PeopleKekla MagoonMagoon illuminates the history of the Black Panther Party and its work to protect and support Black citizens, despite persecution by the FBI. Archival images and photos. Fully documented.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Together: An Inspiring Response to the “Separate-but-Equal” Supreme Court Decision that Divided AmericaAmy NathanDescendants of the opponents in the infamous Supreme Court decision that established racial segregation joined forces to teach the continuing impact of the historic Plessy v. Ferguson case. Archival photographs. Extensive back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Black Hole Chasers: The Amazing True Story of an Astronomical BreakthroughAnna Crowley ReddingHow can you take a picture of something you cannot see? It takes a small army of scientists with big dreams. Diagrams and archival photos. Bibliography, source notes.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentDetermined to Stay: Palestinian Youth Fight for Their VillageJody SokolowerAn American social studies teacher interviews Palestinian youth about their heartbreaking trauma under Israeli occupation, connecting their resistance to that of Native Americans. Photos, maps. Glossary, footnotes.Fourteen and OlderView book details