Avocado Magicwritten and illustrated by Taltal LeviAs Ellie waits to get bigger, she nurtures an avocado seed, and they grow together through the years. Warm, muted illustrations. Avocado planting instructions in back matter.Under FiveView book detailsBank Street Best Children's Books of the Year 2025
A large annual list organized by age group and subject.
The Best Children's Books of the Year [2025 edition]See the original list
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Published byBank Street College of Education
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Under Five
140 selections
Avocado Magicwritten and illustrated by Taltal LeviAs Ellie waits to get bigger, she nurtures an avocado seed, and they grow together through the years. Warm, muted illustrations. Avocado planting instructions in back matter.Under FiveView book details
Bed! Bed! Bed! (Baby Step series)Douglas FlorianFrom putting away their toys to listening to lullabies, children get ready to go to sleep. Gently soothing rhymes. Colorful, bold, digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Being HomeTraci SorellA Cherokee girl and her mother move from the city back to their ancestral lands to be closer to their community. Rich, expressive, mixed-media illustrations. Cherokee glossary.Under FiveLexile AD450LATOS 3.1View book details
A Best Friend for Bearwritten and illustrated by Petr Horá` c ´ekLonely black bear and lonely brown bear both want a best friend and decide to look for one together, with surprising results. Mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Big Bear and Little Bear Go FishingAmy HestIt’s time to fish, but Big Bear remembers one important task after another before setting out for the lake. Gentle, bucolic illustrations in watercolor and pencil.Under FiveWord count 555View book details
The Boy and the ElephantFreya BlackwoodA lonely boy protects the imaginary elephant behind his house when the trees that form the elephant’s body are marked for removal. Wordless. Pencil and oil painting illustrations.Under FiveView book details
BrosCarole Boston WeatherfordA celebration of the friendship among several young Black boys as they spend a joyful day exploring their neighborhood. Sparse, rhyming text. Bold digital illustrations.Under FiveWord count 62View book details
Bunny Should Be SleepingAmy HestWhen Dad forgets to check on him at bedtime, Bunny leaves his bed to bring Dad water, a cookie, and their favorite story. Soft digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Bye Land, Bye SeaRené Spencer, Rodolfo MontalvoDramatic mixed-media illustrations show the dual perspectives of an English-speaking girl lost at sea and a shipwrecked Spanish-speaking boy, who must learn to communicate and survive together. Told in Spanish and English.Under FiveView book details
Can I Sit in the Middle?written and illustrated by Susanne Strasser, translated from the German by Melody ShawReading will commence once everyone is ready! A fun look at how hard it is to settle down before story time. Delightful acrylic illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Comet & Star: A Story of Cosmic FriendshipLee JuckThrough brief encounters once every 76 years, two celestial bodies become friends. Bright, gentle illustrations. Author’s note provides information about Halley’s Comet.Under FiveView book details
Crick, Crack, Crow!Janet LordAn adventurous crow plays a trick on a cat, escapes a hawk, and more. Rhythmic text. Luscious gouache and pen and ink art. Bibliography and crow facts.Under FiveView book details
Dalmartian: A Mars Rover’s Storywritten and illustrated by Lucy Ruth CumminsA doglike alien befriends a young boy and learns the ins and outs of life on Earth. Playful ink, charcoal, and digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Desert SongLaeken Zea KempUnder the stars, a family plays instruments and sings together to honor their ancestors. Dynamic flat-style art in gouache and colored pencil, digitally edited.Under FiveView book details
Emma Full of Wonderswritten and illustrated by Elisha CooperVibrant watercolors thickly outlined in bold black ink express the joys and concerns of a gentle dog as she looks forward to tomorrow.Under FiveView book details
Everyone Gets a Turnwritten and illustrated by Marianne DubucBear, Mouse, Turtle, and Hare find an egg and nurture the chick inside with warmth, food, and encouragement. But can they relinquish their overprotectiveness? Colorful comic-style panels.Under FiveView book details
Everyone Loves Career Day but Zia (Zia series)Jenny LiaoHow can Zia’s Chinese mother tell the class about her job as a seamstress when she doesn’t speak English? Zia has an idea. Expressive illustrations. Author’s note, Cantonese glossary.Under FiveView book details
Everyone Starts SmallLiz Garton ScanlonEngaging text and bright digital art celebrate growth and change in a pastoral landscape filled with plants, animals, and personified elements of nature. Author’s note with environmental resources.Under FiveView book details
Exactly as PlannedTao NyeuMoose and Fox unwittingly find each other’s lost gifts; their stories begin at either end of the book and meet in the middle. Whimsical silkscreen and colored pencil art.Under FiveLexile AD540LATOS 3.6View book details
The Fire FoxAlexandra PageGrieving a loss, Freya visits a cabin in the snowy woods and encounters a magical fox in the moonlight. Luminous digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf (Gina Kaminiski series)Craig Barr-Green, illustrated by Francis MartinEntering fairyland to prevent the woodcutter from killing the “big bad wolf, ” an empowered young reader finds a way to change the wolf’s fate. Humorous sketchy illustrations punctuated with emotionally charged emojis.Under FiveView book details
The Girl Who Planted TreesCaryl HartA young girl dreams of reforesting a barren mountain. After many attempts and with the perseverance of her inspired village, she finally succeeds. Lush colors capture the landscape.Under FiveView book details
Go and Get with RexDavid LaRochelleHave big fun with four consonants, two kids, and a pup with a smart sense of humor, as they fetch mostly correct surprises. Cheery gouache art.Under FiveView book details
The Good Little Mermaid’s Guide to BedtimeEija SumnerBeware the ferocious mergirl who mocks the instructions of a saccharine book on bedtime etiquette … until she starts feeling drowsy. Cartoon-style digital art, equally hilarious and terrifying.Under FiveView book details
Good Night Belly Buttonwritten and illustrated by Lucie Brunellière, translated from the FrenchA wide-awake baby is gently lulled to sleep as, with every flap turn, a blanket progressively covers her body from little toes to little chin.Under FiveView book details
Harriet’s Reflectionswritten and illustrated by Marion Kadi, translated from the French by Marion Kadi and Abram KaplanWhen an old lion dies, his reflection lingers and joins up with a young girl, who starts acting like a lion herself. Vivid, energetic acrylic paintings.Under FiveView book details
HeatwaveLauren RednissA boy spends a sweltering day at the beach. Expressionistic mixed-media art emphasizes the scorching heat in bold red; cool cyan begins taking over after a welcome downpour.Under FiveView book details
A Home That Means the Worldwritten and illustrated by Victoria TurnbullWhen their tree is cut down, an ant family journeys far in search of a new place to live. Fanciful graphite and colored pencil art with pale, delicate textures.Under FiveView book details
A Horse Called NowRuth DoyleA contemplative horse reassures a series of animals anxious about the future, encouraging them to focus on the here and now. Soothing natural imagery.Under FiveView book details
I Can Help (I Can Help series)written and illustrated by David Hyde CostelloA variety of animals come to each other’s aid. Sturdy construction. Mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
I Do Not Like Waterwritten and illustrated by Eva Lindström, translated from the Swedish by Annie PrimeA boy finds an ingenious way to participate in aquatic activities with his friends without getting wet. Whimsical gouache and watercolor illustrations capture mood and landscapes. Humorous endpapers show swimming tadpoles.Under FiveView book details
I Like Your Chutzpah: And Other Yiddish Words You’ll Likewritten and illustrated by Suzy UltmanLearn how to tell a child all the delightful things about them—their punim (face), seykehl (cleverness), and more—in Yiddish. Humorous, bold, colorful illustrations.Under FiveView book details
If You Run Out of WordsFelicita SalaIn this swashbuckling fantasy adventure, a father gives soothing reassurances to his daughter’s worried “what if?” questions. Rich, vivid mixed-media art.Under FiveView book details
Jump for JoyKaren Gray RuelleA girl and a dog, each alone and friendless, build companions out of flowers and snow. Finally, they discover each other. Brush, ink, and found art collage illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Just Like MillieLauren Castillo, illustrated by Lauren CastilloIt takes a new pet dog to help Millie overcome her shyness and anxiety when she moves with her mother to an urban apartment. Watercolor and soft pastel illustrations.Under FiveLexile 361LATOS 2.6View book details
Just One More!: A Bedtime BookMara ConlonA toddler uses numerous tactics for delaying bedtime. Simple mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
King Lionwritten and illustrated by Emma YarlettA lion alienates his kingdom with his coarse manners until a brave young girl approaches him to make friends. Illustrations contribute gentle humor.Under FiveView book details
Knight Owl and Early Bird (Knight Owl series)written and illustrated by Christopher DeniseA no-nonsense owl who keeps watch over a medieval castle is frustrated by his adorable, energetic new volunteer. Warm, glowing digital art.Under FiveView book details
L Is for LoveAtinukeBefore dawn. a family packs up their harvest of lemons and starts the long journey to the market in Lagos. Lush, frolicking mixed-media art.Under FiveView book details
Little Bunny: A Peek Through Bookwritten and illustrated by Petr Horá` c ´ekA baby rabbit explores the forest, meeting other animals along the way. Sweet mixed-media illustrations with die cuts.Under FiveView book details
Little Lamb, Where Are You? (Baby Faces series)written and illustrated by Ekaterina TrukhanAn introduction to farmyard friends. Bright acrylic illustrations with mirrors and flaps.Under FiveView book details
Lonely Bird’s Dreamwritten and illustrated by Ruth WhitingA paper bird embarks on a daring quest to soar through the air like the other birds. Cheerful oil paint and cut- paper collage art.Under FiveView book details
A Maleta Full of TreasuresNatalia SylvesterWhen her abuela visits from Peru, a young girl creates memories with her, sharing food, stories, time, and love. Digital illustrations inspired by Andean art.Under FiveLexile AD760LATOS 4.9View book details
Mama in the MoonDoreen CroninAfter tumbling to the ground at night, Baby Sloth is comforted by his mama, who encourages him to observe nature’s wonders. Striking dark backgrounds with splashes of pastel colors.Under FiveLexile AD430LATOS 2.9View book details
The Mango Tree/La mata de mangowritten and illustrated by Edel RodriguezTwo island-dwelling boys spend their days playing in their beloved tree until they are separated by a ferocious storm. Wordless. Woodblock printing and sumi ink with digital media.Under FiveView book details
The Midnight Panther (Poonam Mystery Fable series)written and illustrated by Poonam MistryA panther tries to imitate other jungle cats before learning to appreciate its own unique beauty. Glittering, ornate ink and digital illustrations inspired by the folk art of India.Under FiveView book details
My Book and MeLinda Sue ParkClear, joyful words and exuberant paintings celebrate the many ways to appreciate a favorite book.Under FiveLexile AD390LATOS 2.7View book details
My Daddy Is a CowboyStephanie SealesA Panamanian American girl expresses pride and joy during her early morning ride with her dad. Striking illustrations capture the colors of daybreak.Under FiveLexile 580LATOS 3.8View book details
Night SongMk Smith DespresA frog who wishes to sing like the morning birds is reminded of his important vocal role at dusk. Lyrical text and idyllic art in pencil, ink, and watercolor.Under FiveView book details
Not PerfectMaya MyersFrustrated by her errors, plucky young Dot tackles a school art project. Can she live up to her best friend Sam’s “perfect” standard? Cheerful colored pencil artwork.Under FiveWord count 839View book details
Oh! Look, a Boat!written and illustrated by Andrew J. RossAfter a folded paper boat drifts up to his front door, a mouse steps in and embarks on a grand voyage around the world. Bright collage-style art.Under FiveView book details
On a Summer NightDeborah HopkinsonWho has awakened a child and a series of animals in the evening stillness? A gentle, cumulative refrain leads to the answer. Dark, purple-tinted digital art.Under FiveView book details
One Giant LeapThao LamWith the zip of a snowsuit and the push of an elevator button, a child becomes an astronaut exploring the moon. Playful collage art conveys the wordless narrative.Under FiveView book details
Our SpotLindsay WardA girl and her papa share special memories of Mama on their weekly evening fishing trips. Warm-hued mixed- media art.Under FiveView book details
Out of the BlueRebecca Bach-LauritsenA boy’s lonely existence is upended by the arrival of an energetic bear. Soft greyscale drawings with spots of blue and brown.Under FiveView book details
The Pelican Can!written and illustrated by Toni YulySoar, fly, spy, dive, splash, and scoop along with a busy pod of pelicans at the shore. Torn paper collage art.Under FiveView book details
Pretty UglyDavid SedarisA young ogre turns herself adorable to scare her family, but the prank backfires when her face freezes. Can she fix her mistake? Hilariously grotesque cartoon drawings.Under FiveLexile AD470LATOS 3.2View book details
PrunellaBeth FerryBorn with a purple thumb, prickly Prunella grows up loving only the oddest, foulest plants. Will she ever allow friends into her wild garden? Lively digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Roar-Choo!Charlotte ChengDragon has a fiery cold but, wanting to look fierce, rejects Phoenix’s healing tea and soup. Will Dragon slow down and rest? Humorous mixed-media illustrations. Author’s note.Under FiveLexile AD470LATOS 3.2View book details
The Shadow & the Ghostwritten and illustrated by Cat MinSeparated by the cycle of day and night, two supernatural beings forge an unlikely friendship by writing messages on a rock. Bright, expressive mixed- media art, digitally finished.Under FiveView book details
Shinewritten and illustrated by Bruno ValasseEntranced by the stars, a little moth boy ventures out into the night, where he meets wonder, danger, and new friends. Earth-tone mixed-media art with printed textures.Under FiveView book details
The Ship in the WindowTravis JonkerThe proud builder of a model ship keeps it safely displayed indoors, but a brave, curious mouse wants to sail it on the open water. Hand-drawn, hatched illustrations.Under FiveView book details
The Strangest FishKatherine ArdenWhen Daisy wins a “weird-looking” goldfish, she helps find his appropriate habitat after he outgrows a series of homes. Exquisite pen, ink, and watercolor artwork.Under FiveView book details
Summer Is HereRenée WatsonSummer comes to life joining a young Black girl from morning till night, sharing the joys of the season. Bright mixed-media art adds to the fun.Under FiveView book details
The Teeny-Weeny UnicornShawn HarrisAfter accidentally squashing the car of a grumpy gnome, a frustrated miniature unicorn learns that size is relative. Comical neon-bright art in chalk pastels.Under FiveLexile AD590LATOS 3.8View book details
That’s Not My Dog . . . (That’s Not My series)Fiona WattYou can’t be my pup because . . . Bold, colorful illustrations include mirrors, fake fur, and other tactile elements.Under FiveView book details
This Baby, That BabyCari BestTwo babies playfully wave to each other across their apartment windows and then begin their daily routines, ending with a playdate in the park. Appealing layout, vivid acrylic art.Under FiveLexile AD310LATOS 2.3View book details
This Is the Way in Dog Townwritten and illustrated by Ya-Ling HuangCanine youngsters of diverse breeds perform their daily activities to the rhythmic pattern of a familiar nursery song. Action verbs accompany each activity, set on colorful whimsical pages.Under FiveView book details
Time to Eat!Vickie LeeIt’s time for dinner, but everyone in the family wants something different. Told in Mandarin, English, and Pinyin. Colorful digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Touch the SkyStephanie V. W LucianovicVern wishes he could use the swings all by himself, but first he’ll have to learn how to pump. Mixed-media illustrations with eye-popping colors.Under FiveView book details
Two Homes, One HeartJessica YoungA child splits time between two loving parents’ homes and discovers opportunities for individualized activities, attention, exploration, and creativity. Childlike drawings reinforce the protagonist’s point of view.Under FiveView book details
Two TogetherBrendan WenzelA cat and a dog have wild adventures on their way home. Rich, luminous art in acrylic, watercolor, and colored pencil, digitally finished.Under FiveLexile AD240LATOS 2View book details
Ursula Upside DownCorey R. TaborA happy-go-lucky catfish is dismayed to learn that she has been swimming upside down; rotate the book to follow her changes of heart. Mixed-media art, assembled digitally.Under FiveWord count 334View book details
Wake Up, WoodlandsKaren JamesonChildren give a fond hello to nature as they journey out into the warmth of spring. Bright, cheerful digital illustrations.Under FiveLexile AD590LATOS 3.8View book details
The Walk of the Field MouseNadine RobertDespite onlookers’ jeers, a steadfast mouse rolls a fallen robin’s egg back to its nest atop an enormous rock. Bold, textured digital art in luminous colors.Under FiveView book details
We All Play/kimêtawânawwritten and illustrated by Julie FlettA celebration of playtime and of the connection between children and the natural world. Warm- toned illustrations and creatures’ direct gazes invite engagement. Cree pronunciation guide and glossary.Under FiveView book details
What’s New, Daniel?written and illustrated by Micha ArcherA question from his beloved grandpa sends thoughtful Daniel off through the park to discover the newness in the world around him. Acrylic ink and patterned-paper collage.Under FiveLexile AD510LATOS 3.4View book details
When I Became Your GrandpaSusannah ShaneA grandfather lion describes his joy in sharing the world with his grandcub. Warm, colorful illustrations.Under FiveView book details
When You Have to WaitMelanie ConklinAn Asian American girl can hardly wait to get into the pool, see her mom after a business trip, and ride a bigger bike. Soft gouache and crayon illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Where to Hide a Starwritten and illustrated by Oliver JeffersAfter a game of hide-and-seek goes wrong, a boy, a penguin, and a Martian journey to the North Pole to find a missing star. Bright, playful illustrations.Under FiveLexile AD580LATOS 3.8View book details
Wonderful Goodbyeswritten and illustrated by Kelly WuSoft, introspective illustrations move thoughtfully between past and present as a girl and her family spend time with their beloved dog in the final few hours of its life.Under FiveView book details
The Wrong BookDrew DaywaltA bookmark stumbles upon a topsy-turvy world of characters making unexpected wrong sounds. Animated and hysterically funny graphics make it a great read aloud.Under FiveLexile AD470LATOS 3.2View book details
Yaya and the SeaKaren Good MarableOn the first day of spring, a Black girl watches her mother and beloved aunties give ritual offerings to the ocean. Radiant acrylic and oil paintings. Author’s note.Under FiveView book details
You’ll Always Be My ChickadeeKate HosfordA mother expresses love for her daughter through metaphor as they explore the wonders of nature. Brilliant, glowing art combines gouache, watercolor, pencil crayon, and digital technique.Under FiveView book details
Winter Lightwritten and illustrated by Aaron BeckerDie-cut holes with translucent inserts surround pale watercolor images of snow-covered nature and the warm hearth. Lyrical text.Under FiveView book details
Baby’s FirstsNancy Raines DayDiverse children are featured in this photographic chronicle of the milestones occurring in the initial 12 months of life.Under FiveView book details
Big Gorilla: A Book of Oppositeswritten and illustrated by Anthony BrowneDifferent primates’ sizes, bodies, and facial expressions depict opposites. Finely detailed, eye-catching watercolor and gouache illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Cat and Bird (So Can We! series)written and illustrated by Jo EmpsonTwo friends show each other their talents, and then collaborate to share a skill with a new friend. Delightful mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Counting WinterNancy White CarlstromCount the creatures that live in a snow-covered forest. Free verse. Scratchboard and watercolor illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Country BabyLaurie ElmquistA toddler and mother enjoy a wonderful day on the farm. Colorful mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
D Is for DogEm LynasA diverse pack of dogs acting in exuberantly doggy ways introduce letters of the alphabet. Humorous illustrations. List of dog breeds in back matter.Under FiveView book details
¡Fiesta!: A Festival of Colorswritten and illustrated by Duncan TonatiuhA joyful own voices review of the food, music, and colors of Mexican celebrations. Illustrations evoking Mixtec codices. Bilingual in Spanish and English.Under FiveView book details
Finding ThingsKevin HenkesWhat might happen if you discovered little treasures on your daily walks and brought them home? Gentle acrylic art in small frames and full-bleed pages.Under FiveView book details
Flora and Friends: Colors (Flora and Friends series)written and illustrated by Molly IdleCombine colors and create a rainbow. Expressive illustrations and flaps.Under FiveView book details
The Fruit Shop/La frutería (Teeny Tiendas series)by Lourdes Heuer, illustrated by Zara González HoangMr. Manzano sells all sorts of wonderful produce in his local store. Mixed-media illustrations of his multi- ethnic customers. Bilingual in Spanish and English.Under FiveView book details
Goodbye, Hello: A Going Home Travel AdventureAngela H. DaleA biracial US Navy family travels by taxi, plane, and bus to meet Mama in Japan. Rhymed couplets, staccato phrasing. Fine-lined, digital illustrations with saturated colors. Author’s note.Under FiveView book details
Gus & Sully Watch the Weather (Gus & Sully series)written and illustrated by Steve LightA mouse and rhino experience different weather conditions, each in very different ways. Humorous pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Hello Hello Shapeswritten and illustrated by Brendan WenzelMeet a range of lively creatures in a wild mix of shapes. Vibrant mixed-media art. Back matter.Under FiveView book details
I See You CareDeborah Farmer KrisSharing, comforting, and helping are among the ways a child shows he cares about others. Sweet mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Love Is My Favorite ColorNina LadenRollicking verse and elegant metaphors invite readers to celebrate concepts like peace, gratitude, and knowledge. Pencil and digital art with swirling lines and eye-popping colors.Under FiveView book details
On Powwow DayTraci SorellCount the activities and objects and identify the colors at a traditional Native American gathering and celebration. Vibrant Illustrations.Under FiveView book details
One Sweet SongJyoti Rajan GopalAs diverse people create a communal melody with voices, instruments, and other things that make sound, music transforms a neighborhood into a celebration. Vibrant digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
There Was a ShadowBruce HandyA poetic look at the shadows and their emotional resonance that a child encounters throughout a day. Bright, expressive illustrations of nature and home.Under FiveView book details
When You Find the Right RockMary Lyn RayA poetic exploration of pebbles, stones, and boulders and their place in our world. Quietly philosophical text with richly colored mixed-media art.Under FiveLexile AD600LATOS 3.9View book details
Abuelita’s Gift: A Día de Muertos StoryMariana Ríos RamírezJulieta finds her own special way to bond forever with her dead grandmother at her family’s Día de Muertos celebration. Mixed-media art. Spanish glossary. Back matter.Under FiveView book details
EidT ale: An Eid al-Fitr Adventure (Abrams Trail Tale series)written and illustrated by Aaliya JaleelTwo Muslim children celebrate a traditional festive holiday with their family and community. Warm, cheery tableaux with occasional surprise-revealing foldouts.Under FiveView book details
Santa’s First ChristmasMac BarnettRealizing Santa has never celebrated Christmas, the elves decide to introduce him to the warmth and good cheer of the holiday traditions. Soft watercolor and gouache illustrations.Under FiveView book details
A Stickler Christmaswritten and illustrated by Lane Smith, design by Molly LeachA bizarre creature cheerfully delivers stick-based gifts to animal friends in a snowy landscape. Oil, gesso, and cold wax illustrations, with digital pencil.Under FiveWord count 419View book details
A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy WishDaniel BernstromA little fish traveling upstream eludes capture by a goofy, bumbling bear. Engaging, comical digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Below the IceMichaël EscoffierIn the Arctic, a little fish and her would-be captor fight for control, with the help of some friends. Humorous blue and white illustrations with touches of color.Under FiveView book details
Loveykinswritten and illustrated by Quentin BlakeAn eccentric lady finds and nurtures a baby bird, feeding him until he flies away but then comes back to return her kindness. Whimsical pastel-colored illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Still LifeAlex LondonWhile introducing his grand, formal work of art, a painter fails to notice the objects within coming to life. Pencil drawing combined with digital illustrations.Under FiveView book details
An Anishinaabe ChristmasWab KinewOn a wintry car ride from the city to the Rez, a child learns that home is both where you live and where you come from. Intimate illustrations. Anishinaabe glossary.Under FiveView book details
AnxiousLuciana De LucaA girl learns to process her worried feelings through gentle care and deep breathing. Expressive illustrations with faded colors. Extensive resources on childhood anxiety.Under FiveView book details
Bao’s Dollwritten and illustrated by Bo LuMisunderstood by her mother, a Taiwanese girl attempts to steal a beautiful doll. Digital art with powerful contrasting colors emphasizes the journey from emotional distance to healing connection.Under FiveView book details
Bookie & CookieBlanca GómezTwo little friends who live on opposite pages of a book learn to compromise. Cheery digital art with paper collage.Under FiveLexile AD530LATOS 3.5View book details
The Boy on Firewritten and illustrated by Sarthak SinhaA boy who spends his life literally burning with anger finds a kindred spirit in a star descended from the night sky. Vivid, powerful art.Under FiveView book details
Built to LastMinh LêTwo boys collaborate on ever bigger construction projects, experiencing failure and success along the way. Reality and fantasy blend in bright colored pencil and watercolor art.Under FiveLexile AD540LATOS 3.6View book details
Cranky (Cranky and Friends series)Phuc Tran, illustrated by Pete OswaldA yellow crane truck in a bad mood, encouraged by fellow vehicles to share his feelings, discovers the value of their advice. Colorful, animated illustrations accompany punny text.Under FiveView book details
First Day, Hooray!June SobelChildren learn to accept a wide range of emotions, broadening their vocabulary with specific words that will help them self-regulate their feelings. An invaluable classroom resource. Expressive illustrations.Under FiveView book details
The Green Baby SwingThomas KingWhen Nana dies, Xavier and his mother explore Nana’s possessions. uncovering family stories and sharing memories. Delicate watercolor illustrations.Under FiveView book details
I Lived Inside a Whalewritten and illustrated by Xin LiInside an imaginary whale, a girl seeks refuge from the noisy world, and a new friend helps her unlock her talents as a storyteller. Bright mixed-media art.Under FiveView book details
I’m Sorry You Got MadKyle LukoffWith the support of his patient teacher, Jack writes a series of notes as he struggles to apologize to his classmate. Expressive illustrations filled with humor and heart.Under FiveView book details
Is That the Bus?Libby KoponenAnticipation builds as a little boy waits impatiently for his older sister to come home from school. Illustrations use a soft, bright color palette.Under FiveView book details
Lionel Is Just Like Dad (Lionel series)written and illustrated by Éric Veillé, translated from the French by Daniel HahnLionel sings, combs his hair, and more—just like his father. Brightly colored illustrations.Under FiveView book details
MelaMaddalena SchiavoThis story of patience, warmth, and gentleness celebrates the growth of love and trust between a girl and a rescue dog. Expressive, finely detailed art.Under FiveView book details
My Thoughts Have WingsMaggie SmithWhile a young girl is falling asleep, her mother gently helps her acknowledge and release her worries. Imaginatively painted illustrations digitally assembled.Under FiveView book details
Peace on EarthSmriti Prasadam-HallsA trio of travelers explore an idyllic wilderness and, with love and harmony, settle a fierce dispute. Ink, paint, and digital art in glowing colors.Under FiveView book details
Ready to Soarwritten and illustrated by Cori DoerrfeldAfter folding a paper airplane, Riley encounters a series of birds whose unwanted advice keeps getting in the way of a proper liftoff. Cheerful digital illustrations.Under FiveLexile AD470LATOS 3.2View book details
Ruffles and the Red, Red Coat (Ruffles series)written and illustrated by David MellingA puppy realizes that the way to play outside in the cold with his friend Ruby is to wear a coat to stay warm. Humorous illustrations in primary colors.Under FiveView book detailsSee, Touch, Feel: Look at Me (See, Touch, Feel series)created by Roger PriddyDiverse babies and toddlers clap hands, play peekaboo, hug their teddies, and more. Photographs and mixed- media art. Interactive format with mirror.Under FiveView book details
TowedJashar AwanA young tow truck driver enjoys helping others, but avoids being helped by anyone himself, until he has no choice. Rhyming text. Lively illustrations of various vehicular woes.Under FiveLexile AD300LATOS 2.3View book details
What Can a Mess Make?written and illustrated by Bee JohnsonTwo sisters share a joyful day of art projects, pillow forts, and tea parties. Richly colored flat-style art.Under FiveLexile AD360LATOS 2.6View book details
You’re SO Amazing!James Catchpole, Lucy CatchpoleOne-legged Joe wants to be “Just Joe” to everyone. His friends and perseverance help him see he’s both amazing and ordinary, as we all are. Expressive gouache art. Back matter.Under FiveView book details
Solar BearBeth FerryEndangered species around the world take on a mystical glow to reveal the importance of their survival. Rhyming text with haunting mixed-media art. Back matter, including conservation resources.Under FiveView book details
Nature’s Architects (Little Nature Explorers series)by Amber Hendricks, illustrated by Gavin ScottBeavers, ants, and other creatures design different styles of homes that help protect their young. Poetic text. Clear supportive illustrations.Under FiveView book details
Sleepy: Surprising Ways Animals SnoozeJennifer WardLively rhyming text and fascinating facts introduce readers to the amazing slumber styles of 17 animals. Vibrant digital art. Back matter.Under FiveView book details
The Wonderful Wisdom of Antswritten and illustrated by Philip BuntingHumorous text and vibrant animated graphics depict the life cycle and social behavior of ants.Under FiveView book details
Forestwritten and illustrated by Christie MathesonRhymed verse and soft watercolor textures depict plants, animals, and other aspects of nature in the peace and quiet of a woodland environment.Under FiveView book details
A Tree Is a Community (Books for a Better Earth series)David L. HarrisonExuberant verse and digitally enhanced drawings depict a tree’s role in its ecosystem.Under FiveView book detailsFive to Nine
228 selections
Adventuremice: Otter Chaos! (Adventuremice series)Philip Reeve, Sarah McIntyrePedro longs for adventure, but can he and his new- found friends save the mouse community from a fearsome otter? Bright, colorful illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Case of the Golden Bone (Detective Sweet Pea series)written and illustrated by Sara VaronAll the animals in Parkville get along until the town’s prized attraction goes missing. Local artist Sweet Pea the dog solves the mystery. Comic-style illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Duck, Duck, Goose!written and illustrated by John HareIn this humorous romp, introducing counting and rhyming to beginning readers, a moose helps three birds complete their disruptive migration south. Hand- drawn pencil and bold digital color illustrations.Five to NineLexile AD490LATOS 3.3View book details
A Little Like Magicwritten and illustrated by Sarah KurpielA girl who uses a wheelchair reluctantly goes out in the cold to watch ice-sculpting with her mother. The sweeping sculptures create indelible images in her mind. Delicate digital illustrations.Five to NineLexile AD510LATOS 2.6View book details
The Night MarketSeina WedlickWith a bag full of coins, a young girl visits an African night market and marvels at the many sights and sounds and all the different wares for sale there. Bright digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Thank You, Everythingwritten and illustrated by Icinori, translated from the French by Emilie Robert WongIn this ode to gratitude, everyday objects morph into a child’s fantastic odyssey around the world. Bright, bold tricolor printed art reveals one marvel after another.Five to NineView book details
A Voice in the Stormwritten and illustrated by Karl James MountfordOverwhelmed by inner turmoil, Rat encounters Bear, who helps her understand and express her emotions. Geometric digital art in purple, blues, and greens.Five to NineView book details
The Zebra’s Great EscapeKatherine RundellA young girl enlists a menagerie of animals to free a zebra’s parents and other creatures stolen from a zoo. Animated, bold, color illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Is This a House for Hermit Crab?Megan McDonaldA persistent hermit crab searches for a new home. Rhyming text. Vivid mixed-media illustrations. Extensive back matter.Five to NineLexile 600LATOS 3.9View book details
Addy McBean: Numbers Queen (Quix Fast-Fun-Reads series)Margery CuylerIn preparing for a class math project, Addy is not paired with her best friend. Mishaps and lovely discoveries occur with her new partner. Black-and-white spot illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Ava Lin: Best Friend! (Ava Lin series)written and illustrated by Vicky FangEquipped with lunchbox, backpack, and pencil, Chinese American Ava has everything she needs for first grade—except a best friend. Simple text, including speech bubbles. Greyscale illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Gigi and Ojiji: Perfect Paper Cranes (Gigi and Ojiji series)written and illustrated by Melissa IwaiA young Japanese American girl wants to make an origami paper crane. After several attempts and much encouragement, she succeeds. Expressive illustrations. Origami directions. Japanese glossary.Five to NineView book detailsHenry and the Something New (Henry series)Jenn BaileyHenry overcomes his fears on a class trip to a museum and learns to enjoy the day while staying true to himself. Ink and watercolor illustrations.Five to NineView book details
How to Love a Kitten (I Can Read It AllMyself Beginner Books series) by Michelle MeadowsA brown-skinned child finds a cat and four kittens under a porch, cares for them, and finds their original owner. Simple poems. Warm appealing illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Luna Sisters and Their Amazing Lunafish (I Like to Read series)written and illustrated by Dan YaccarinoTwo very different sisters put their quarrels aside to save their pet fish from an unscrupulous space entrepreneur. Graphic format illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Monti and Leo: A Newcomer in Pocketville (Monti and Leo series)written and illustrated by Sylvie KantorovitzMonti the Mole’s routine is disrupted when Leo the Lizard moves to town. They become friends, but will the rest of the community be as welcoming? Playful, expressive illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Nothing Scares a Dinosaur (Ready to Read series)written and illustrated by Jonathan FenskeThe sounds and shadows at bedtime don’t scare a dark- skinned boy when he imagines he’s a brave dinosaur. Poetic text, lively cartoon-style art.Five to NineWord count 238View book details
Animal Albums from A to ZCece BellA collection of album covers feature animal music styles from armadillo Americana to zebra zydeco, with track listings, song lyrics, and memorabilia. Quirky, colorful paintings and cut-paper collage illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Are You Big?written and illustrated by Mo WillemsA series of increasingly large anthropomorphic entities, from a hot air balloon to a galaxy, demonstrates that size is relative. Wacky collage-style artwork in bright, bold colors.Five to NineLexile AD330LATOS 2.4View book details
Are You Small?written and illustrated by Mo WillemsA series of increasingly tiny anthropomorphic entities, from a book to a quark, demonstrates that size is relative. Humorous bold, colorful illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Bird Is DeadTiny FisscherA delicate journey through grief as birds suffer the loss of their friend, supporting each other through a range of emotions. Watercolor and collage art.Five to NineView book details
The Cat Who Couldn’t Be Botheredwritten and illustrated by Jack KurlandA kitty makes friends and creates a peer group simply by expressing what he really wants. Expressive illustrations.Five to NineView book details
GrayLaura DockrillEmotive gray and blue mixed-media illustrations and simple poetic text depict a child’s experience of sadness, reassuring parental love, and acceptance of their emotions.Five to NineView book details
The Spark in MeMiguel Tanco, illustrated by Miguel TancoWhile searching for answers, a young brown-skinned girl discovers her interest in physics and begins to research her questions, entering them on notebook pages. Colorful, detailed, ink and watercolor illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Taro Gomi’s Big Book of Wordswritten and illustrated by Taro GomiBright, playful illustrations of people, animals, and objects with informative labels that include names and conversational phrases help simplify the complexities of language and communication.Five to NineView book details
There’s That Sun AgainMk Smith DespresLyrical text conjures the sensory experiences of two children over the course of a day. Luminous graphite and digital art tinged with surrealism and fantasy.Five to NineView book detailsWhy Not?: A Story About Discovering Our Bright PossibilitiesKobi YamadaAn ode to children’s unique traits and limitless potential, explored through fantasy imagery of animals and nature in glowing, jewel-toned art.Five to NineView book details
CagedKao Kalia YangA young Hmong girl shares her challenges and dreams as her family waits for release from a refugee camp. Poetic verse. Evocative digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Dress in the WindowRobert TregoningExcited after seeing a red dress that he wants to wear and swirl in, a boy does chores to earn enough to buy it. What happens when he discovers that it has already been sold? Animated vibrant color illustrations.Five to NineView book details
I Know How to Draw an OwlHilary Horder HippelyThe secret to Belle’s skill in drawing owls at school? She sees them nightly in the park where she and her mother sleep. Illustrations in acrylics on Masonite.Five to NineLexile 381LATOS 2.7View book details
The Last StandAntwan EadyWhen an aging Black farmer grows tired, his grandson takes over their produce stand. Bright stamped and digital illustrations. Author’s note on the history of Black farmers.Five to NineView book details
Leo’s First Vote!Christina SoontornvatA young boy learns about the voting process and its importance from a classroom mock presidential election and discussions with his dad and others. Lively, colorful illustrations. Extensive back matter.Five to NineView book details
SimoneViet Thanh NguyenWhile California wildfires rage, Simone and her Vietnamese immigrant family shelter in a high school gym, finding community with other evacuees. Monochrome spreads contrast with undulating colored pencil and watercolor illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Somewhere for Little Bearwritten and illustrated by Britta TeckentrupAfter a forest fire destroys his home, Little Bear goes in search of another one. Not welcomed anywhere, will he ever find a place to live? Earth-tone illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Your Voice, Your VoteLeah HendersonOn election day in an urban African American neighborhood, Quetta joins her mother and grandmother on the long line to cast their vote. Digitally created color illustrations.Five to NineLexile 549LATOS 3.6View book details
Angela’s GlacierJordan ScottFrom the day of her birth, a girl’s life is enriched by her sensory connection to an Icelandic landmark. Immersive gouache artwork. Extensive back matter.Five to NineView book details
The City Sings Green: And Other Poems About Welcoming WildlifeErica SilvermanPoetic verse and informational text introduce 11 regionally specific ecological problems endangering species from bees to turtles and describe the efforts to find solutions. Whimsical, scenic illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Climbing the Volcano: A Journey in HaikuCurtis ManleyTrekking with his family to the peak of South Sister—a volcano in Oregon—a boy describes the natural world he encounters, from wildlife to changing landscapes. Animated childlike illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
The Noisy Puddle: A Vernal Pool Through the SeasonsLinda Booth SweeneyA temporary shallow wetland ecosystem of plants and animals, changing throughout the year, stores rain and has other important environmental benefits. Seasonal colors showcase the wildlife and curious children. Back matter.Five to NineLexile AD400LATOS 2.8View book details
Secret Gardeners: Growing a Community and Healing the EarthMaija Hurme, Lina LaurentDetailed gardening information is introduced through varied colorful layouts as three children become involved in helping transform an abandoned urban plot into a sustainable community garden. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Family/School/Community Adela’s Mariachi BandDenise VegaThough not yet able to dance or play an instrument, a girl finds her own way to participate in the family band. Colorful digital illustrations. Also available in Spanish.Five to NineView book details
All That Growswritten and illustrated by Jack WongA child learns about plant life from a knowledgeable older sister while exploring the neighborhood and working in their garden. Soft, deep-hued pastel art.Five to NineView book details
Always Carry Me with YouHervé ÉparvierStones large and small create amazing things, but a father wishes he were a pebble in his daughter’s pocket to remind her how much he loves her. Lively mixed- media art.Five to NineView book details
Back Home: Story Time with My FatherArlène Elizabeth CasimirLune learns the power of stories when her father shares magical tales of his life in Haiti, inspiring her to create her own narratives. Lush, colorful digital illustrations. Haitian Creole glossary. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
The Blue PickupNatasha TripplettA Jamaican granddad and his granddaughter bond over caring for a beloved truck that he promises to pass down to her. Bold, colorful illustrations. Based on the author’s childhood.Five to NineWord count 650View book details
Chooch HelpedAndrea L. RogersOlder sister Sissy gets mad at Chooch every time he tries to help but messes things up. Can she learn to have patience with him? Mixed-media illustrations. Cherokee glossary.Five to NineLexile AD440LView book details
Danté Plays His BluesAllen R. WellsA Black boy works through severe homesickness when his musician uncles painstakingly teach him how to play the saxophone. Poignant mixed-media/Procreate illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Every Wrinkle Has a StoryDavid GrossmanWith warmth and humor, a grandfather explains the origin of his wrinkles to his grandson. Gentle, dreamy illustrations.Five to NineView book details
A Flicker of Hope: A Story of MigrationCynthia HarmonyA Mexican girl’s father journeys north to look for seasonal work, paralleling the migration of the local monarch butterflies. Simple, emotive text. Evocative mixed-media illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
The GaleMo YanA young Chinese boy and his grandfather spend a whole day cutting grass for their livestock to eat. As they head home, a wind blows it all away. Atmospheric acrylic illustrations.Five to NineView book details
A Garland of HennaVarsha BajajNikita wants to become a traditional henna artist like her mother and grandmother, but her first attempts at palm drawing are discouraging. Will she succeed? Bold color illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
Grandma’s Roof Gardenwritten and illustrated by Tang Wei, translated from the Chinese by Kelly ZhangAn independent Chinese grandmother grows vegetables and tends poultry on her urban rooftop. Poetic text with some rhyming lines and distinctive colored pencil drawings. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
The Heart Never ForgetsAna OtAt the first masquerade festival a little girl attends after her grandfather’s death, she is sad, but honors him by dancing. Evocative gouache paintings. Back matter about West African masquerades.Five to NineView book details
Home in a LunchboxCherry MoJun has just moved to America from Hong Kong and knows no English. Everything goes wrong at school except having her lunch, which smells and tastes like home. Digital illustrations. Cantonese glossary.Five to NineLexile GN160LView book details
How to Eat a MangoPaola SantosCarmencita is NOT fond of mangoes. They are sticky, drippy, and stringy. Fortunately, her abuela has five steps for enjoying this special fruit. Exuberant illustrations convey warmth and love.Five to NineLexile 459LATOS 3.1View book details
I Am La Chiva!: The Colorful Bus of the AndesKarol HernándezA bus filled with people of all ages describes its daily trip to and from a Colombian marketplace. Bright illustrations depict the landscape and evoke energy and joy. Rhyming text.Five to NineView book details
I Miss You MostCharlotte ChengAn Asian child recounts the many ways in which her grandfather touched her and her family’s life, and how she will remember him. Soft digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
I’ll See You in IjebuBunmi EmenanjoIn Nigeria, Olu, whose family members celebrate each other’s traditions together, helps her grandmother prepare the feast for Eid al-Adha. Vivid illustrations pulse with energy.Five to NineView book details
It’s Powwow Time!Martha TroianBineshii anticipates the food, music, regalia, and community of the annual gathering of Indigenous groups as he joins the joyful dances. Full-color digital art.Five to NineView book details
Just What to DoKyle LukoffA young child learns some strategies to support loved ones who are experiencing grief. Child-friendly digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Little Shrewwritten and illustrated by Akiko Miyakoshi, translated from the JapaneseThree slice-of-life stories depict the daily routine of a sensible mammal as he experiences little changes that brighten his world. Gentle illustrations in pencil, charcoal, and gouache.Five to NineLexile 640LATOS 4.1View book details
Lost & Found: Based on a True Storywritten and illustrated by Mei YuA terrified young émigré from China uses a sketchbook to build her own English picture dictionary. Her Canadian classmates and teacher gamely help her acclimate. Lively illustrations. Mandarin glossary. Semi- autobiographical.Five to NineView book details
A Map for FalasteenMaysa OdehDuring a school project on family origins, a girl cannot find her country on the map. Childlike illustrations filled with color and symbols of traditional Palestinian life. Author’s note, bibliography.Five to NineLexile AD590LATOS 3.8View book details
Meena’s SaturdayKusum MepaniWhen South Asian Indian American Meena notices that the men at a weekly community dinner are served first even though the women do the work, she decides to change things. Mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Memory GardenZohreh GhahremaniHelping tend their garden in America, a young girl is transported back to her ancestral home in Iran through her grandmother’s stories. Colorful gouache art. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
MishkaEdward van de Vendel, Anoush ElmanAfter fleeing Afghanistan and living in refugee camps for five years, Roya’s family has finally settled permanently in Holland. Now it’s time for a family pet. Muted full-color illustrations.Five to NineView book details
My Block Looks LikeJanelle HarperDancing through the Bronx, a young Black girl shows readers the streets, trains, street art, and people of her community. Poetic text and detailed paintings.Five to NineView book details
My Mother’s Tongues: A Weaving of LanguagesUma MenonSouth Asian Indian American Sumi and her mother speak two languages. As Sumi says, the more languages a person can speak, the more people they can talk to. Bold, colorful mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
My Sister and Mewritten and illustrated by Joana Estrela, translated from the Portuguese by Daniel HahnThey put stickers on the cat and scribble in your books. Grrr… little sisters can be so annoying! Humorous cartoon-like drawings.Five to NineView book details
Pasta Pasta Lotsa PastaAimee LucidoA romp in rhyme where many relatives and friends bring different pastas and enjoy cooking and eating them. Italian words clear in context. Amusing, colorful, digital collages.Five to NineView book details
PerfectWaka T. BrownJapanese American Miki is heartsick after breaking her favorite teacup, a handmade gift from her grandmother. But Obaachan mends it in a way that celebrates imperfection. Realistic mixed-media illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
The Pie ReportsHayley Lowe, illustrated by Hayley LoweNoor and Granddad love to make pies when together and talk about pies virtually when apart, until his health gets in the way. Digitally colored graphite stick illustrations.Five to NineLexile 730LATOS 4.7View book details
The Rock in My ThroatKao Kalia YangA Hmong American child witnesses her family being met with disrespect when speaking English and stops speaking in school. Autobiographical story. Soft digital illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
Rostam’s Picture-Day PusteenRyan Bani TahmasebAn Iranian immigrant boy dreads photo day at school because he is being made to wear a traditional vest, but it unexpectedly helps him find acceptance. Digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Sister FriendJamilah Thompkins-BigelowAmeena’s classmates didn’t seem to register her presence in her new school. Then one day another student who didn’t look like all the others showed up. Gentle pastel illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Stella & Marigold (Stella & Marigold series)by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie BlackallFreshly told adventures of sisters—imaginative Stella, 7, and spunky Marigold, 4— in seven episodic chapters. Captivating art on every page.Five to NineView book details
Still Sal (Miller Family series)written and illustrated by Kevin HenkesSal can’t wait to start first grade, but not being in the same class as her best friend Griff is the first of some difficult disappointments. Black-and-white spot illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Stitches of Tradition (Gashkigwaaso Tradition)Marcie RendonWith love, an Ojibwe grandmother creates vibrant traditional ribbon skirts for her growing granddaughter, passing on traditions and the resilience of her people. Rich digital art. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
The StorytellerLindsay BonillaThrough the gift of his grandmother’s marvelous stories, Griffin learns to make sense of the world and finds enduring purpose in his life. Rich, inviting mixed- media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The TableWinsome Bingham, Wiley BlevinsForced to move, a loving family leaves their table, the center of family life, by the side of the road. Luckily, it is found by another loving family. Mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Tala Learns to SivaKealani NetaneTala, a little girl in Hawai’i, yearns to dance as gracefully as Aunty Sina, but finds that the traditional Samoan taualuga dance is very difficult. Detailed digital illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineLexile 401LATOS 2.8View book details
That Daywritten and illustrated by Pierre-Emmanuel Lyet, translated from the French by Sarah ArdizzoneA boy leaves the mourners’ room to find solace in the outdoors, remembering precious moments with his departed grandmother. Impressionistic-style, vivid color illustrations.Five to NineView book details
This Rock Is Mine!Kaye UmanskyTwo frogs fight over a living space until they realize the best way to survive is to partner and collaborate. Mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Verts: A Story of Introverts and ExtrovertsAnn PatchettIntrovert Ivan doesn’t want a birthday party, but big sister Estie can’t imagine not wanting to celebrate and throws him one, inviting all the neighbors. Whimsical mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Wanjiku ˜ , Child of MineCiiku ˜ Ndu ˜ ng’u ˜ -CaseWanjiku ˜ shares her journey from her childhood in the Kenyan countryside and then in the streets of Nairobi, to her adolescence at boarding school, always remembering her cultural identity. Evocative illustrations. Glossary. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
When the Stammer Came to StayMaggie O’FarrellWhen chatty, outgoing but disorganized Min suddenly develops a stutter, her quiet, organized sister Bea tries to help and learns something surprising about herself. Ink and watercolor illustrations.Five to NineView book details
With DadRichard JacksonA boy remembers a cherished camping trip with his lovingly mentoring father, who is now at a “far-away war. ” Nostalgic pen, ink, watercolor, and gouache art.Five to NineView book details
The Yellow BusLoren LongA school bus loved the schoolchildren who rode her. After being retired, she is repurposed several times and still finds joy in each one. Scratchboard black, white, and color illustrations.Five to NineWord count 417View book details
Ahoy!Sophie BlackallAn imaginative child cajoles his adult to play along as they embark on a wild sailing adventure. Speech bubble dialogue with colorful nautical terms. Swashbuckling mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Between Words: A Friendship Talewritten and illustrated by Saki TanakaLiving a nomadic lifestyle with his father, Kai has trouble making friends, until he has a chance encounter with a mermaid. Warm pencil and watercolor art. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
The Elephant and the Seawritten and illustrated by Ed VereRejected by the village water rescue team because of his size, Gabriel the elephant builds his own lifeboat. Loose mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Felix Powell, Boy Dogwritten and illustrated by Erin Entrada KellyA thrift shop blanket magically turns Felix, 8, into a dog. How will he return to being a boy? Humorous dialogue. Short chapters. Simple line drawings.Five to NineLexile 561LATOS 3.7View book details
Hekla & Lakiwritten and illustrated by Marine SchneiderTwo mysterious mythical beings, an old giant and a young boy, live together in the crater of an ancient volcano. Moody, richly painted illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Into the Goblin MarketVikki VanSickleA girl must rescue her sister from the clutches of a sinister goblin band. Rhyming couplets. Stark black- and-white ink art with red accents, digitally edited.Five to NineLexile AD560LATOS 3.7View book details
Meeselphewritten and illustrated by Claude Ponti, translated from the French by Alyson Waters and Margot KerlidouA girl traverses a bizarre landscape, solving riddles and outwitting monsters. Uproarious wordplay and metafictional tomfoolery. Surreal cartoon-style art.Five to NineView book details
Miguel Must Fight!Jamie OfeliaMiguel confronts El Dragón, using his artistic talents instead of the swords wielded by his family. Amusing, action-filled acrylic, gouache, and Photoshop illustrations. Spanish glossary.Five to NineLexile 440LATOS 3View book details
The Most Boring Book EverBrandon SandersonWhile droll narration tells readers of a boy’s boring experiences, dynamic pen-and-ink illustrations with digital color reveal him tangling with flying machines and a dragon in the sky.Five to NineWord count 131View book details
Mr. Lepron’s Mystery SoupGiovanna ZoboliA rabbit patriarch’s vegetable soup becomes world famous, its extraordinary taste tied to the power of his dreams. Bright, fanciful art in watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil.Five to NineView book details
Orris and Timble: The Beginning (Orris and Timble series)Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Carmen MokOrris the rat hesitates to help Timble the owl, who is caught in a mousetrap. Will he regret freeing the bird of prey? Gentle mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineLexile 540LATOS 3.6View book details
This Is My TreehouseGuillaume GuéraudA child’s hidden retreat provides a sanctuary for richly imagined worlds of wonder and enchantment. Text and spot illustrations opposite dramatic full-page art in pencil, watercolor, and ink.Five to NineView book details
Winnie-the-PoohA. A. MilneThe adventures of that silly old bear and his friends in Hundred Acre Wood come to life in this graphic adaptation. Simple black-and-white illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Chang’e on the Moon (Everlasting Tales series)retold by Katrina Moore, illustrated by Cornelia Li, translated from the Mandarin by Jaime ChuLyrical rendition of the Chinese legend of Chang’e, the moon goddess who saved her people through self- sacrifice. Vivid illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
Godfather DeathSally NichollsA fisherman strikes a sinister bargain with the Grim Reaper. An eerie atmosphere and the darkest of dark endings. Bold, rich illustrations evoke medieval woodcuts.Five to NineView book details
Kevin and the BlackbirdsDavid AlmondTold to remain inside the monastery, young nature- loving Kevin reaches out of his window, befriending two blackbirds who proceed to build their nest in his hands. Realistic gouache illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Legend of Tiger and Tail-Flowerwritten and illustrated by Lee Gee Eun, translated from the Korean by Aerin ParkWhen a flower attaches itself to the tail of a grumpy tiger, it slowly shows the tiger the importance of kindness and friends. Digitally painted illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Message in the Mooncake: A Legend from Ancient ChinaSapphire ChowSu-Ling must give her uncle a message, concealed in a mooncake, about a rebellion. Will Mongol guards stop her? Evocative illustrations. Endnotes.Five to NineView book details
Night Stories: Folktales from Latin America (TOON Latin America Folktales series)LiniersSiblings terrify and fascinate each other at night with recountings of The Owl of Doom and other Latin American folktales. Comic-style illustrations. Introduction and endnotes. Also available in Spanish.Five to NineView book details
The Schlemiel Kids Save the Moon (The Schlemiel Kids of Chelm series)Audrey BarbakoffWhen the residents of Chelm are alarmed by the disappearance of a reflected moon that they believe is “stuck” in the water, two children help enlighten them. Colorful illustrations capture hilarious rescue attempts.Five to NineView book details
Way Back ThenGermaine Arnattaujuq, Neil ChristopherAn Inuit father tells a bedtime story about the days when the world was magic. Full-page evocative drawings by an Inuit artist. Inuktitut glossary and pronunciation guide. Bilingual in Inuktitut and English.Five to NineView book details
Barrio Rising: The Protest That Built Chicano ParkMaría Dolores ÁguilaWhen the city begins building a police station instead of a promised local park, a Mexican American neighborhood launches a peaceful protest. Energetic mixed-media spreads. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Boy Here, Boy Therewritten and illustrated by Chuck GroeninkA Neanderthal boy leaves his family to explore the world, where he encounters Homo sapiens humans for the first time. Warm, expressive mixed-media and digital art.Five to NineLexile AD370LATOS 2.6View book details
The Day Madear VotedWade HudsonTwo brothers experience their mom’s joy when the day that she can exercise her hard-won right to vote has finally arrived. Digital watercolors and mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineLexile AD620LATOS 4View book details
Five StoriesEllen WeinsteinOver the span of a century, five diverse immigrant families make their home in the same Lower East Side tenement. Detailed gouache and digital illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
Freedom BraidsMonique DuncanYoung Nemy follows the women to their braiding space where she is welcomed, taught the meaning of braids, and nourished. Digitally created artwork; informative endpapers.Five to NineView book details
My Olive TreeHazar ElbayyaA little Palestinian girl plants an olive tree in her war-torn country. Her grandfather and the whole community help restore what is lost when the tree is destroyed. Digital, muted illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Noodles on a BicycleKyo MaclearIn Tokyo of long ago, children revel in following and imitating the amazingly talented soba deliverymen. Ink and gouache paint illustrations capture the time and place.Five to NineLexile 479LATOS 3.2View book details
The Running Machine: The Invention of the Very First Bicyclewritten and illustrated by Keith NegleyWhoever thought of creating a bicycle? What was the inspiration? Energetic illustrations in a muted palette. Author’s note provides historical context.Five to NineView book details
The Secret Elephantwritten and illustrated by Ellan RankinDuring World War II, a zookeeper protects a baby elephant from bombardment by bringing her home every night. Mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
A Star Shines Throughwritten and illustrated by Anna DesnitskayaA mother and daughter find little ways to feel less lost after the two are exiled to a strange, new country. Evocative mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineLexile 430LATOS 2.9View book details
They Call Me Teach: Lessons in FreedomLesa Cline-RansomeHaving secretly learned to read and write, a young Black enslaved boy surreptitiously teaches those skills to others in stables, moonlit fields, and cabins. Realistic watercolor illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Trim Sails the Storm (Adventures of Trim series)Deborah HopkinsonTrim watches as everyone on board a ship prepares for a storm, but he’s still scared. He finds an albatross in a lifeboat, and the two ride out the gale together. Humorous illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Trim Saves the Day (Adventures of Trim series)Deborah HopkinsonCausing all kinds of havoc doing his chores, Trim notices a leak in the ship’s cask. Can he save the ship before it sinks? Mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
What Happened on Thursday?: A Nigerian Civil War StoryAyo OyekuA young boy narrates the story of his Biafran family’s experience of homelessness and starvation amid war, until they finally return home from a refugee camp. Animated illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Mr. Santawritten and illustrated by JarvisA young girl wakes up and discovers Santa putting presents under the tree. Naturally, she has many questions as they set off on some fun adventures. Digitally created illustrations.Five to NineView book details
One Wise SheepUlrich HubWith the shepherds missing, an unruly flock follows a bright star in search of a special child. Humorous account of the Christmas story from the perspective of the sheep. Amusing illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Ramadan KareemM. O. YukselA little girl describes how her family and community celebrate Ramadan with fasting, praying, and feasting. Gentle free verse. Lively digital artwork.Five to NineLexile 561LATOS 3.7View book details
RisingSidura LudwigA child and her mother mix dough and braid it to make challah for the Sabbath. Sunny mixed-media illustrations. Recipe. Author’s note. Hebrew glossary.Five to NineLexile 381LATOS 2.7View book details
The Band in Our BasementKelly J. BaptistThe grownups in a Black family are jamming after bedtime. Will the kids get caught sneaking downstairs for a peek? Rhyming text. Bright, lively gel printing and digital art.Five to NineView book details
Bear’s Lost GlassesLeo Timmers, illustrated by Leo TimmersBear searches for his missing glasses (which are on top of his head), mistaking everyday objects for exotic animals along the way. Bright mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Book That Almost RhymedOmar AbedAs a boy attempts to narrate a straightforward fantasy adventure, his sister interrupts with outlandish plot details that subvert his meticulously planned rhymes. Zany digital illustrations.Five to NineLexile AD510LATOS 2.9View book details
Chicken Little and the Very Long Race (The Real Chicken Little series)Sam Wedelich, illustrated by Sam WedelichSlow and steady might just be the way for Chicken Little to win the marathon. Humorous illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Dictionary StoryOliver JeffersWanting a narrative like the other books, a dictionary lets her words come alive, but they soon start to run wild. Zany mixed-media art.Five to NineWord count 3798View book details
The Egg IncidentZiggy HanaorBecause his uncle had a serious accident, Humphrey’s parents are extremely overprotective. Can he dare risk playing with a new friend? Lively cartoons contribute to the fun.Five to NineView book details
The Great Expeditionwritten and illustrated by Peter CarnavasA group of youngsters face difficult challenges as they deliver a cupcake to their grandmother. Mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineLexile AD510LATOS 3.4View book details
The HoysKes GrayCan confused Pirate Jim, accompanied by his parrot, become a real pirate by finding a hoy? Colorful, detailed, comedic illustrations accompany rich language laced with piratical nuance.Five to NineView book details
Overdue: The Misadventure of Bob the BookGloria KosterAn anthropomorphized book relates his bumpy mishaps from having been an all-time favorite to becoming buried and forgotten by his newest borrower, Sebastian. Full-color illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Roy Is Not a DogEsmé Shapiro, Daniel Newell KaufmanA boy sets out to prove his mysterious neighbor is actually a dog in disguise. Quirky, colorful illustrations combine painting and collage with digital technique.Five to NineLexile AD690LATOS 4.4View book details
Soren’s Seventh SongDave EggersAn eager young whale must revise his creative new song after friends politely reject his terrible first attempts. Uproarious deadpan writing sprinkled with scientific terminology. Zany digital art.Five to NineView book details
The Three Little Tardigrades: A Slightly Scientific Fairy Talewritten and illustrated by Sandra FayWhen Mother Tardigrade sends her three microscopic children away from their water drop home, each one thrives in a new environment. Comical illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Too Many GolemsJane YolenAbi, eager to learn Hebrew, steals a synagogue scroll for practice, inadvertently summoning Jewish folklore monsters and redirecting their powers to tutor him. Humorous animated illustrations. Legend explained.Five to NineView book details
TumblebabyAdam RexA baby rolls out of their parents’ home, meets up with scoundrels and coyotes, and even wins a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. Whimsical language. Acrylic and gouache paintings.Five to NineWord count 850View book details
The Blue Butterfly of CochinAriana MizrahiAfter thousands of years, a Jewish community relocates from Cochin, India, to Israel. Young storyteller Leah details the journey, with a magical component. Vibrant full-page illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Giant on the ShoreAlfonso OchoaThrough footprints, shadows, and negative space, moody acrylic paintings reveal a timid giant lingering in the shallows as the narrator imagines him coming ashore and meeting the townspeople.Five to NineView book details
PuppetDavid AlmondElderly Silvester and his last wooden creation, who seemingly comes to life, meet a young girl willing to learn the craft of puppet-making. Black-and-white line illustrations.Five to NineLexile 549LATOS 3.6View book details
The VoyageStéphane ServantA Black woman’s ocean odyssey becomes a metaphor for life, adventure, and the human spirit. Wild, expressionistic artwork.Five to NineView book details
The Last ZookeeperAaron BeckerA steadfast construction robot rescues a menagerie of animals from rising floodwaters in a post-apocalyptic landscape. The wordless story unfolds through stunning, cinematic ink and watercolor art.Five to NineView book details
ViewfinderChristine D.U. Chung, Salwa MajokaIn this wordless story, a young space traveler explores Earth after an ecological catastrophe there and discovers a time capsule with a viewfinder showing scenes from the planet’s past. Dreamlike digital painted artwork.Five to NineView book details
We Are Definitely HumanX. FangThree aliens seek help mending their broken spaceship while maintaining the implausible claim that they are ordinary earthlings. Graphite pencil art, colored digitally.Five to NineLexile AD530LATOS 3.5View book details
This Wolf Was DifferentKatie SlivenskyIn prehistoric times, a gentle wolf pup separates from her pack and forges a powerful connection with a human. Softly textured charcoal, pencil, and digital art.Five to NineView book details
Best in ShowDavid ElliottRhyming poetry and illustrations in various forms combined with factual information provide a celebration of many different breeds of dogs.Five to NineView book details
Bless Our Pets: Poems of Gratitude for Our Animal FriendsLee Bennett HopkinsPoetry in various styles, by 14 authors, celebrates people’s relationship to the animals in our lives. Sweet mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
How to Sing a SongKwame Alexander, Randy PrestonA song grows and flows by listening to the world all around, until it bursts out in joy. Mixed-media art.Five to NineView book details
In Praise of MysteryAda LimónThese verses, chosen to be engraved on a NASA space probe, are a paean to the human spirit and its sublime connection to the wonders of nature. Rich, whimsical art.Five to NineView book details
Leafy Landmarks: Travels with TreesMichelle SchaubPoems in various styles accompanied by informative insets trace a family’s cross-country tour of 14 historic tree sites. Illustrations capture colors and details of their settings. Poetic forms explained.Five to NineView book details
The Mistakes That Made Us: Confessions from Twenty PoetsIrene Latham, Charles WatersUsing a variety of poetic forms, renowned poets from Margarita Engle to Jane Yolen divulge their early mistakes. Detailed insets provide the writers’ accounts of lessons learned. Emotive colorful illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Winner of the 2025 Claudia Lewis AwardThe Smell of Wet Dog: And Other Dog Poems and Drawingswritten and illustrated by Barney SaltzbergTold from the perspectives of dogs and their owners, these 27 poems capture all the mixed emotions elicited by the canine/human relationship. Digital line illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Book That Can Read Your MindMarianna Coppo, illustrated by Marianna CoppoA rabbit magician predicts which character the reader has chosen from a theater audience. An interactive book with fanciful illustrations drawn in ink and digitally colored.Five to NineLexile 440LATOS 3View book details
If You Want to Ride a HorseAmy NoveskyPoetic, introspective language and soft mixed-media art introduce readers to the joys of horse care and horseback riding. Engaging back matter complements the sophisticated vocabulary throughout the book.Five to NineView book details
Everywhere Beauty Is Harlem: The Vision of Photographer Roy DeCaravaGary GolioImmersive, luminous watercolors and lyrical text invite us to see a beloved 1940s neighborhood through an artist’s eyes. Biography, time line, bibliography, suggested museums for viewing DeCarava’s work.Five to NineLexile 570LATOS 2.5View book details
Sashiko’s Stitcheswritten and illustrated by Sanae IshidaJapanese fisher folk turned clothing mending into an art form called sashiko. A child learns to cope with difficult emotions through this practice. Expressive illustrations of girl stitching.Five to NineView book details
Time to Make Artwritten and illustrated by Jeff MackThrough questions to a diverse group of artists, a young girl prepares to create her own artwork. Digital mixed-media illustrations. Back matter profiles artists featured in text.Five to NineView book details
Abzuglutely!: Battling, Bellowing Bella AbzugSarah AronsonInfluenced by her family’s Jewish values, lawyer, activist, and congresswoman Bella Abzug fought unrelentingly for justice and equality for minorities, consumers, and women, Colorful quirky illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Bea Breaks Barriers!: How Florence Beatrice Price’s Music Triumphed over PrejudiceCaitlin Delems, illustrated by Tonya EngelThe first Black woman whose symphony was played by a major orchestra composed over 300 works, including a spiritual sung by Marian Anderson. Soft-colored period illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
The Bicycle: How an Act of Kindness Changed a Young Refugee’s LifePatricia McCormick, Mevan BabakarA kind neighbor’s gift of a bicycle helps a young Kurdish refugee in a distant, unfamiliar place begin to adjust. Atmospheric mixed-media art.Five to NineView book details
Born Naughty: My Childhood in ChinaJin Wang, with Tony JohnstonJin fondly recalls her adventures at home and school when she was eight and living in a mud hut in Inner Mongolia in 1982. Ink and pencil illustrations.Five to NineLexile 650LATOS 4.2View book details
Claudette Colvin: I Want Freedom Now!Claudette Colvin, Phillip HooseA brave teenage girl in Montgomery, Alabama, refused to give up her bus seat months before Rosa Parks’s better-known protest. Strikingly realistic illustrations accompany a truly inspiring story.Five to NineView book details
Dazzling Zelda: The Story of Fashion Designer Zelda Wynn ValdesAura Lewis in collaboration with Farai SimoyiPatching, mending, and stitching were not enough for Zelda. She wanted to design dresses that would complement each of her customers and to mentor other Black designers. Cheerful illustrations and sketches.Five to NineView book details
Ernő Rubik and His Magic CubeKerry AradhyaWhat led to the Hungarian inventor’s creation of the world’s most popular puzzle? Mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Extraordinary Magic: The Storytelling Life of Virginia Hamiltonwritten and illustrated by Nina CrewsThe award-winning African American children’s book author was inspired to retell stories she’d heard as a child on her Ohio farm. Free verse. Digital illustrations and archival photos. Extensive back matter.Five to NineView book details
Farmer Eva’s Green Garden Life (Food Heroes series)Jacqueline Briggs Martin, afterword by Eva SommaripaA pioneering woman turned her passion into community, both above and below ground. Collage illustrations. Extensive back matter.Five to NineView book details
Freedom on the Sea: The True Story of the Civil War Hero Robert Smalls and His Daring Escape to FreedomMichael Boulware MooreAn enslaved seaman commandeered a Confederate ship, liberating himself, the rest of the crew, and their families. Striking paint and collage illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master StorytellerBreanna J. McDanielInfluential Black librarian Augusta Baker brought her love of story, learned from her grandmother, to children everywhere. Mixed-media illustrations highlight Baker’s enthralled listeners. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Growing Up Under a Red Flag: A Memoir of Surviving the Chinese Cultural RevolutionYing Chang CompestineYing recounts her harrowing childhood in the People’s Republic of China during the period from 1966 to 1976. Detailed, historically and culturally relevant ink and colored artwork resonates with the text.Five to NineView book details
Guts for Glory: The Story of Civil War Soldier Rosetta WakemanJoanna LapatiPosing as a man, a brave 19-year-old girl joined the Union Army. Includes excepts from her letters home, time line, and extensive back matter. Bold scratchboard art imitates wood engravings.Five to NineView book details
The Heartbeat Drum: The Story of Carol Powder, Cree Drummer and ActivistDeidre HavrelockPowder overcame the bias that women should not play drums, and as an elder, she continued to share this revered and skill with young people. Playful illustrations and author/illustrator notes. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
It Belongs to the World: Frederick Banting and the Discovery of InsulinLisa KatzenbergerWorking tirelessly to find a drug to treat people with diabetes, Banting discovered insulin and then sold his patent for one dollar. Colorful informative illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
A Life of Song: The Story of Ella JenkinsTy-Juana TaylorThe author weaves together Jenkins’s childhood love of music, especially jazz, and her life as a civil rights activist and renowned figure in children’s music. Digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Maya Angelou Finds Her VoiceConnie Roop and Peter Roop, illustrated by Noa DenmonFollowing a traumatic assault, young Maya refused to speak for years, until the wise and patient Mrs. Flowers helped her find her words again. Artwork portrays the time period, capturing both joy and sorrow.Five to NineView book details
Winner of the 2025 Flora Stieglitz Straus AwardThe One & Only Googoosh: Iran’s Beloved SuperstarAzadeh WestergaardIran’s most famous singer, even when she was a child, was forced to stop performing after the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Written in the second person. Collages. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
A Party for Florine: Florine Stettheimer and Mewritten and illustrated by Yevgenia NaybergA young girl is captivated by her resemblance to the pioneering American modernist painter, their shared religion, and their mutual creative spirits. Vibrant illustrations move and flow.Five to NineView book details
Peach Heavenwritten and illustrated by Yangsook ChoiThe author recalls the day when peaches rained down on her South Korean village during a powerful storm. Bright, energetic art.Five to NineView book details
Pedro’s Yo-Yos: How a Filipino Immigrant Came to America and Changed the World of ToysRob PeñasA struggling immigrant reimagined the yo-yos he loved to play with as a child and popularized them in the United States. Realistic artwork. Author’s note includes information about the history of the Philippines.Five to NineView book details
Rumi: Poet of Joy and LoveRashin KheiriyehInfluenced by an idyllic childhood, a 13th-century Persian scholar and teacher became a renowned poet whose writing was inspired by the loss of a friendship. Colorful illustrations rich in ornamental details. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
She Sells Seashells: Mary Anning, an Unlikely PaleontologistHeidi E. Y. StempleAn English girl helped support her family with the sale of ancient bones and seashells and taught herself about fossils, becoming the first dinosaur scientist. Digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Sole Man: Jan Matzeliger’s Lasting InventionShana KellerIn the late 1800s, a bright and determined Black mechanic from South America arrived in the United States, and despite all odds, designed an intricate machine for making shoes. Colorful, stylized illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Up, Up, Ever Up!: Junko Tabei: A Life in the MountainsAnita YasudaThe first woman to reach Mount Everest’s summit subsequently determined to protect the area, cleaning it and planting trees. Imaginative, soaring mixed-media illustrations. Time line, resources. Japanese glossary.Five to NineView book details
Vigdís: A Book About the World’s First Female Presidentwritten and illustrated by Rán Flygenring, translated from the Icelandic by Jonas MoodyA Reykjavik girl grew up to be the first single woman in Iceland to adopt a child and the first democratically elected female president in the world. Detailed, whimsical illustrations.Five to NineView book details
A Voice of Hope: The Myrlie Evers-Williams StoryNadia SalomonA shy Black girl with musical talent put her dreams on hold to fight hatred and continued to work for civil rights after the assassination of her husband, Medgar Evers. Lyrical language. Expressive, realistic artwork.Five to NineView book details
Whirligigs: The Wondrous Windmills of Voillis Simpson’s ImaginationCarole Boston WeatherfordUsing spare parts and scrap metal, a creative mechanic constructed huge, elaborate, brightly colored towers on his North Carolina farm. Cheerful, dynamic illustrations. Color photos. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David AttenboroughHayley RoccoThroughout his career, the internationally honored conservationist has shown animals in their habitats and sounded warnings about Earth’s future to audiences worldwide. Vibrant mixed-media illustrations. Photos. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
The Wire Zoo: How Elizabeth Berrien Learned to Turn Wire into Amazing ArtNatasha WingFrustrated by art teachers who wouldn’t acknowledge that she was left-handed, a girl with a love of animals finally discovered the medium that allowed her talent to soar. Digitally rendered, realistic illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Yasmeen Lari, Green Architect: The True Story of Pakistan’s First Woman ArchitectMarzieh AbbasA lifelong listener and learner, Lari has brought eco-conscious and traditional practices to her male- dominated profession, addressing the ravages of natural disasters. Striking cut-paper illustrations. Extensive back matter.Five to NineView book details
Finding Home: Words From Kids Seeking SanctuaryGwen Agna, Shelley Rotner, photographed by Shelley RotnerThis photographic picture book captures the resilient and hopeful voices of children and families seeking asylum. Back matter provides additional resources.Five to NineView book details
Change Is in the Air: Carbon, Climate, Earth, and UsDebbie LevyThere is too much carbon in Earth’s atmosphere. Discover why that’s dangerous, how it happened, and what can still be done to protect our planet. Detailed pen and digital illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Fire Flight: A Wildfire EscapeCedar PruittLyrical text tells the story of a screech owl seeking safety in a helicopter during the 2020 California Creek forest fire. Dramatic illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Gifts from the Garbage Truck: A True Story About the Things We (Don’t) Throw AwayAndrew Larsen, foreword by Nelson MolinaAs a sanitation worker in NYC, Nelson Molina saved more than 45,000 items from his truck, including toys, musical instruments, and thingamajigs. Digital art.Five to NineView book details
The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater TreasureBarb RosenstockLearn how the five largest lakes in North America were formed, the many ways we depend on them, and how we can protect them. Detailed watercolors mixed digitally.Five to NineView book details
Inside the Compost BinMelody Sumaoang PlanBold, realistic illustrations accompany this step-by-step explanation of what goes on inside a compost bin. A story to inspire gardeners, young and old. Substantial back matter.Five to NineView book details
Something About the SkyRachel CarsonThe legendary marine biologist and conservationist evoked what we experience when we look up at the sky and observe the natural world around us. Dramatic cut- paper illustrations. Detailed illustrator’s note.Five to NineView book details
Water: Discovering the Precious Resource All Around Us (Spectacular STEAM for Curious Readers series)written and illustrated by Olga Fadeeva, translated from the Russian by Lena TraerLearn how rivers form, why oceans are salty, what causes tides, and much more. Rich acrylic paint and water illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Wildlife Crossings: Protecting Animal Pathways Around the WorldCatherine BarrFollow seven animals as they find alternate, often man- made, crossings that make their migrating and traveling safe as they encounter highways and other obstacles. Colorful mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Behind My Doors: The Story of the World’s Oldest LibraryHena KhanFounded by a woman in 859 and renovated by a woman beginning in 2012, this centuries-old Moroccan library tells its own story. Subtle, detailed digital illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Lefty: A Story That Is Not All RightMo WillemsMixed-media illustrations, including googly-eyed puppets made from photographs of the illustrator’s own hands, narrate the history of left-handedness in society.Five to NineView book details
Let Us March On!: James Weldon Johnson and the Silent Protest ParadeYohuru Williams, Michael G. LongIn New York City in 1917, the civil rights leader who wrote “Lift Every Voice and Sing” organized a silent protest march of 10,000 people in response to the East St. Louis Massacre. Expressive digital illustrations. Authors’ notes.Five to NineView book details
Our CongressChristy MihalyGhosts of past leaders and a charming cat teach Alice about the branches of the US government. Simple, clearly drawn illustrations.Five to NineView book details
The Sioux (First Americans series)Virginia Driving Hawk SneveA brief portrayal of the history and culture of the Sioux, from their creation myth to the present. Painterly, detailed, mixed-media illustrations. Map. Photographs.Five to NineView book details
All About the Brain (All About the Body series)Dr. Gabriel DabscheckWhat is the brain’s role in speech, memory, movement, and more? Accessible explanations of complex concepts. Amusing, instructive illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Animal Superpowers!Amy CherrixDefying gravity, electrifying their prey, and using camouflage are among various animals’ astonishing survival behaviors. Engaging format. Vibrant, colorful artwork. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Behold the Hummingbird!Suzanne SladeLearn about the tiny, elusive creature, endemic to the Americas, that can migrate up to 5,000 miles a year and is an important pollinator. Jewel-toned illustrations. Photographs. Sources, suggested reading.Five to NineView book details
Bounce!: A Scientific History of RubberSarah AlbeeThroughout history, people have observed the amazing properties of a material used for play, clothing, and transportation. Pen and ink and watercolor artwork. Graphics, time line, author’s note.Five to NineView book details
Brave Baby HummingbirdSy MontgomeryOrphaned hummingbirds are rescued and nurtured at a sanctuary where they learn skills necessary for survival in the wild. Strikingly vivid, lifelike illustrations resembling photographs.Five to NineView book details
Brown BearsDr. Nick CrumptonA mother bear and her two cubs emerge from their den, and she teaches them how to survive. Additional explanatory text on each page. Mixed-media illustrations. Author’s note.Five to NineView book details
City of Leafcutter Ants: A Sustainable Society of MillionsAmy HevronEnergetic text details the lives of the queen ant and myriad workers, including soldiers, foragers, and even pharmacists. Acrylic art on wood and paper, digitally collaged. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Clever CrowChris ButterworthA guide to the many different types of crafty, playful, intelligent crows and other corvids and how they survive. Rich mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Dive!: The Story of Breathing Underwaterwritten and illustrated by Chris GallFor thousands of years, scientists and inventors have developed increasingly sophisticated tools for survival in the deep. Vibrant, detailed illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
The Dog That Dug for Dinosaurs: A True Story (Ready-to-Read series)Shirley Raye RedmondIn 19th-century England, while on a fossil hunt with her dog, 12-year-old Mary Ann Anning uncovered amazing dinosaur bones. Color illustrations in a muted palette.Five to NineView book details
Evidence!: How Dr. John Snow Solved the Mystery of CholeraDeborah HopkinsonSomber illustrations depict London in 1854, when one persistent doctor applied detective skills to prove to naysayers the true source of a devastating illness.Five to NineView book details
Golden Gate: Building the Mighty BridgeElizabeth PartridgeTwo children of a lighthouse keeper observe daily as the then longest suspension bridge in the world is built amid treacherous conditions. Evocative illustrations capture the surf and fog and the bridge’s iconic reddish- orange color.Five to NineView book details
Great Gusts: Winds of the World and the Science Behind ThemMelanie Crowder, Megan BenedictPoems and informational text introduce 14 patterns of air in motion, including their locations and complex causes. Settings vividly illustrated. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Habitats: A Journey in NatureHannah PangSplit pages reveal how different animals exist in six varied habitats around the world. Extensive information. Detailed, realistic illustrations.Five to NineView book details
How Do You Become A Mad Scientist?: A Book Full of Science ExperimentsMadeline J. HayesThese step-by-step projects nurture creativity and expand scientific knowledge. Clear diagrams, playful illustrations. Glossary. Back matter.Five to NineView book detailsThe Iguanodon’s Horn: How Artists and Scientists Put a Dinosaur Back Together Again and Again … and AgainSean RubinA fascinating look at how information about the Iguanodon has evolved over the years with each new scientific discovery. Lavish, full-color digital collage. Extensive notes.Five to NineView book details
Mysterious, Marvelous OctopusPaige Towler, foreword by Sy MontgomeryA playful exploration of the science of an octopus. Color photography, with many close-ups, bring these highly intelligent undersea creatures into focus.Five to NineView book details
Narwhal: Unicorn of the ArcticCandace FlemingA giant-toothed marine mammal jousts with his pod members, breathes through ice holes, and uses echolocation to find food and migrate safely. Luminous blue-tone illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
The Oddball Book of ArmadillosElizabeth ShreeveThe evolution, behaviors, and physical characteristics of these armored animals are presented in clear, inviting language and vivid, detailed illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
One Day This Tree Will FallLeslie Barnard BoothWitness the life cycle of a tree, from a seed on the wind to a full-grown home for other organisms. Colorful, detailed mixed-media art. Back matter with glossary and bibliography.Five to NineWord count 357View book details
What’s Inside a Bird’s Nest?: And Other Questions About Nature & Life Cycleswritten and illustrated by Rachel IgnotofskyInformative text and cheerful, intricately labeled soft, colorful illustrations depict how different birds hatch, nest, raise their young, and more. Includes ways we can help protect birds.Five to NineView book details
A World of Dogs: A Celebration of Fascinating Facts and Amazing Real-Life Stories for Dog LoversCarlie SorosiakLearn which breeds are oldest, whether dogs dream, the many ways they help people, and much more. Informative colorful illustrations. Index, glossary.Five to NineView book detailsNine to Twelve
147 selections
The Adventures of Invisible Boy (The Adventures of Invisible Boy series)written and illustrated by Doogie HornerAfter two boys become invisible when a science project goes awry, they each use their invisibility for very different purposes. Fast-paced dialogue and bright illustrations convey a story of humor and heart.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Deadly Daylight (Alice England Mystery series)Ash HarrierCan 12-year-old Alice, who works alongside her father in the family funeral home, solve the clues to an intriguing mystery with the help of her new misfit friends?Nine to TwelveView book details
The Long Way AroundAnne NesbetA family camping trip in Sequoia National Park takes an unexpected turn when three young cousins find themselves stranded in a harrowing wilderness disaster. Black-and-white spot illustrations and greyscale map.Nine to TwelveLexile 770LATOS 5.5View book details
The Perilous Performance at Milkweed MeadowElaine DimopoulosThe arrival of turkey performers leaves rabbit Butternut sidelined when her siblings are dazzled by the newcomers. Expressive black-and-white illustrations. Map. Sequel to The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow.Nine to TwelveLexile 750LATOS 4.8View book details
The Sherlock Society (Sherlock Society series)James Ponti, map by Yaoyao Ma Van AsSummer vacation in Miami leads four friends to investigate rumors of Al Capone’s buried treasure, but they discover a toxic waste dump that could lead to environmental disaster. Map.Nine to TwelveView book details
Spotting DottieGail Anderson-DargatzCharlotte uses her new gift drone to search for the lake monster. Her film sets off a media flurry and challenges her environmental values.Nine to TwelveView book details
Black Girl Power: 15 Stories Celebrating Black GirlhoodLeah Johnson (editor)Upbeat collection of short stories and poems by contemporary Black female authors, reflecting the joy, strength, and experiences of Black girls today.Nine to TwelveWord count 66673View book details
A Little Bit Super: With Small Powers Come Big ProblemsLeah Henderson, Gary D. SchmidtShape-shifting, time travel, and inter-species communication are just some of the talents that kids employ to deal with their real lives. Poem and short stories by multiple authors with a greyscale graphic format narrative woven throughout.Nine to TwelveView book details
On the Block: Stories of HomeEllen OhTwelve interconnected stories of the identity and culture of the diverse kids and their families who live in one apartment house.Nine to TwelveView book details
Colossal Words for Kids: 75 Tremendous Words—Neatly Defined to Stick in the MindColette HillerSelected vocabulary, defined in rhymed poems and peppered with wordplay and quotes from literary figures, challenges children to discover the richness of language. Colorful, whimsical illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
This Book Is Full of Holes: From Underground to Outer Space and Everywhere In BetweenNora NickumThe causes, functions, locations, and origins of a staggering array of empty spaces, natural and man- made, are depicted through colorful, playful double- page spreads offering contrasting examples. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Finally HeardKelly YangFifth grader Lina, a recent immigrant from China, struggles to keep up with her new classmates on social media. Highlights the pros and cons of today’s technology. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveLexile 580LATOS 3.8View book details
Hummingbird SeasonStephanie VIn the middle of the first, disorienting, and isolating year of the COVID-19 pandemic, young Archie bonds with a local hummingbird, awakening his interest and empathy. Free verse.Nine to TwelveView book details
Save Our Forest!written and illustrated by Nora Dåsnes, translated from the Norwegian by Lise Lærdal BrynMiddle schoolers learn, through trial and error, how to advocate effectively for a beloved wild area. Colorful, dramatic artwork. Sources. Includes guide for fledgling activists.Nine to TwelveLexile HL290LATOS 2.2View book details
The Tenth Mistake of Hank HoopermanGennifer CholdenkoAfter his single mother disappears, 11-year-old Hank and his three-year-old sister find themselves at the mercy of friends and the foster care system. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming.Nine to TwelveLexile HL560LATOS 3.7View book details
Gracie Under the WavesLinda Sue ParkOn a snorkeling vacation in Honduras, 10-year-old Gracie copes with her energetic younger brother while learning about the plight of the world’s reefs. A warm family adventure wrapped around an ecology theme. Maps. Greyscale spot art.Nine to TwelveATOS 4.7AR interest MG 4–8View book details
Family/School/Community The Color of SoundEmily Barth IslerEveryone knows that 12-year-old Rosie is a violin prodigy, but no one knows that she sees music in colors. Can she confide in Shanna, the mysterious girl?Nine to TwelveView book details
Coyote Lost and Found (Coyote Sunrise series)Dan GemeinhartAfter a year of processing the tragic loss of her mother and sisters, Coyote uncovers a secret that leads her and her father on a journey of change and discovery.Nine to TwelveView book details
Cruzita and the MariacherosAshley GranilloCruzita, 12, works in the family’s failing bakery during summer vacation. Pressured to take mariachi lessons, she learns about a music contest that could save the family business.Nine to TwelveView book details
CurveballPablo CartayaLatine baseball-playing middle schooler Elena Rueda uses a minor injury to escape her mother’s pressures and tries live-action role-playing with her brother and his friends. Vibrant cartoon panels.Nine to TwelveWord count 6112View book details
Drawing DeenaHena KhanPakistani American Deena worries about how much her parents argue over money. If she helps her mother’s clothing business do better, will things improve? Black- and-white spot art.Nine to TwelveWord count 46595View book details
FakerGordon KormanWhen 12-year-old Trey, his younger sister, and their professional con artist father move to a new town and begin a new scam, an inspiring teacher and an environmental cause change Trey’s outlook.Nine to TwelveLexile 800LATOS 5.09View book details
FerrisKate DiCamilloFerris Wilkey, 10, spends summer vacation helping a ghost find her way. She discovers, just as her grandmother always said, that every good story is a love story.Nine to TwelveLexile 630LATOS 4.4View book details
Invisible IsabelSally J. PlaShy Isabel’s stomach hurts from the “worry-moths” as she struggles to be heard at home and at school. Expressive black-and-white drawings.Nine to TwelveLexile 650LATOS 4.2View book details
Isabel in BloomMae RespicioAfter joining her mother in the United States, Isabel overcomes homesickness for the Philippines through gardening and cooking, new friends, and a growing relationship with her mom. Novel in verse. Author’s note.Nine to TwelveView book details
John the SkeletonTriinu LaanJohn, a classroom skeleton, is retired and taken in by Grams and Gramps, who treat him like one of the family. Black, white, and hot pink pencil illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Magnolia Wu Unfolds It AllChanel MillerChinese American Magnolia is stuck helping at her family’s laundromat this summer. But a new acquaintance makes a game of finding owners for orphaned socks, and a new community blossoms. Expressive greyscale illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile 850LATOS 5.4View book details
Mama’s Chicken and DumplingsDionna L. MannIn 1930s Virginia, Allie, a 10-year-old Black girl, faces challenges: honing her flute-playing skills, a rivalry with a classmate, an entrepreneurial venture, and finding a mate for her now single mother.Nine to TwelveView book details
Maybe It’s a SignE. L. ShenChinese American seventh grader Freya Sun struggles with grief after her dad’s death, but she finds her own direction and a new passion for baking. Recipes.Nine to TwelveView book details
Next StopDebbie FongPia Xing, a shy middle schooler and social outcast, embarks on a life-changing bus tour that offers promising miracles to help her cope with her grief. Colorful and nuanced graphics.Nine to TwelveLexile GN400LATOS 2.8View book details
Not the Worst Friend in the WorldAnne RellihanCan Louise, 11, who gave away a secret and hurt her best friend, be trusted by new girl Cece, who is convinced her father has kidnapped her?Nine to TwelveView book details
Picture Purrfect (Bodega Cats series)Hilda Eunice Burgos, illustrated by Siara FaisonMiguel, an aspiring artist (despite his parents’ objections) creates superhero comic books that feature Super Cat, the Dominican American family’s newly-adopted bodega cat, Lolo. Detailed greyscale illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Red Bird DancedDawn QuigleyAriel and Tomah find their voices as they mourn the suspicious death of Ariel’s missing Auntie Bineshiinh with their Ojibwe community, inspiring activism. Lyrical text. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Ribbon Skirtwritten and illustrated by Cameron MukwaHumans and animals help a two-spirit Ojibwe child make a ribbon skirt for a powwow. Bold graphic panels combine realistic details with fantasy elements. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveLexile GN530LATOS 2.5View book details
The Science of FriendshipTanita S. DavisRylee believes in the sanctity of friendship, until she is pranked and abandoned in eighth grade and must plan to survive as a loner.Nine to TwelveView book details
Telephone of the TreeAlison McGheeSpare, striking language depicts the grief process of an 11-year-old girl as she moves from magical thinking to acceptance. Heartbreakingly beautiful. Delicate, greyscale spot art.Nine to TwelveLexile 660LATOS 4.3View book details
TigHeather SmithAbandoned by her alcoholic mother, 11-year-old Tig is rescued by her loving uncle and his partner, but struggles mightily with the abuse she has suffered.Nine to TwelveView book details
Tree. Table. Book.Lois LowryIn an effort to help her 87-year-old friend remain in her own home, Sophie, 11, uses cognitive tools to improve her friend’s memory, eliciting unexpected and deeply affecting responses.Nine to TwelveWord count 29169View book details
Unhappy CamperLily LaMotteMichelle is unhappy when she is sent to camp with her sister to learn about her Taiwanese heritage, but will she perhaps learn something important about herself? Digital illustrations.Nine to TwelveWord count 12028View book details
WeirdoTony Weaver, Jr.Tony, a Black boy, is bullied because of his love of comic books and anime, until he finds other nerdy kids and himself. Semi-autobiographical. Emotional graphic drawings in many different styles.Nine to TwelveLexile 491LATOS 3.3View book details
Wild Wave (The Wild series)Rodman PhilbrickAfter a powerful tsunami destroys their coastal town, classmates Nick and Jess escape through a devastated forest but must struggle to get aid for missing helpers who they met as they fled.Nine to TwelveView book details
Wildfulwritten and illustrated by Kengo KurimotoA chance forest encounter gives Poppy a fresh appreciation of the wondrous web of existence, opening a path, for both her and her mother, away from grieving. Sepia ink and Photoshopped artwork.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Wrong Way HomeKate O’ShaughnessyFern and her mother have been members of the “Ranch” for six years. Their escape to California from this closed community leaves Fern questioning everyone and everything she has known and loved.Nine to TwelveLexile 640LATOS 4.1View book details
The Gray Citywritten and illustrated by Torben Kuhlmann, translated from the German by David Henry WilsonRobin has moved to a city where everything is gray, controlled by the Gray Works Company. Defiantly wearing her yellow raincoat, she is determined to change that. Detailed watercolor illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The House with a Dragon in ItNick LakeSummer embarks on a dangerous quest when she finds a bottle guarded by a dragon in a sinkhole in her foster family’s living room. Captivating black-and-white spot art.Nine to TwelveView book details
Jax Freeman and the Phantom ShriekKwame MbaliaFrom the moment he arrives in Chicago, strange things keep happening to Jax, a 12-year-old Black boy. How is he connected to the five magical summoning families, and what powers does he have?Nine to TwelveView book details
Lunar Boywritten and illustrated by Jes Wibowo and Cin WibowoIndu, a trans boy, lives on the moon until he is adopted and transported to New Earth, where he struggles to be himself and accepted by his new family and peers. Incandescent illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Out of the Valley of HorsesWendy OrrHoney’s Australian family once found refuge from a pandemic in a hidden, magical place. But now her dad’s sick, she needs help, and the refuge won’t let her leave.Nine to TwelveView book details
Plain Jane and the Mermaidwritten and illustrated by Vera BrosgolPlucky Jane embarks on an epic underwater adventure full of menacing sea monsters, evil mermaids, and a handsome selkie. Hilarious dialogue, exciting plot twists. Mesmerizing graphic panels in a muted palette.Nine to TwelveWord count 7622View book details
The School for Invisible Boys (Kairos Files series)Shaun David HutchinsonWhen his best friend cruelly rejects his invitation to be his boyfriend, Hector wants to disappear. When that actually happens, he discovers that he’s not the only student who has vanished.Nine to TwelveLexile 700LATOS 4.5View book details
The Selkie’s DaughterLinda Crotta BrennanCan Brigit, whose mom is a magical creature, save her parents and their Nova Scotia village from a curse inflicted by the wrongdoing of some in the community?Nine to TwelveView book details
Unicorn Boywritten and illustrated by Dave Roman, colors by Heather MannBrian Reyes inexplicably grows a unicorn horn and gains superpowers. Can he rescue his best friend with help from a magic muffin and black cat? Amusing text. Colorful panels.Nine to TwelveWord count 6626View book details
When Wishes Were HorsesCynthia VoigtTwo girls and two boys each receive a mysterious letter offering to grant two wishes, with the caution “Be wise. ” The wishes come true, but in surprising ways. Greyscale spot art.Nine to TwelveView book details
Animal Tales from India: Ten Stories from the Panchatantra (Nosy Crow Classics series )Nikita GillFables about clever jackals, proud elephant queens, singing donkeys, and other animals from the famous Sanskrit text, with a voice that speaks directly to readers. Deeply colored lush illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Anzu and the Realm of DarknessMai K. NguyenA Japanese American girl, facing racist taunts at school, finds herself whisked to the Shinto underworld, where she is called on to rescue spirits of the departed from limbo. Energetic illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile GN420LATOS 2.9View book details
Daughters of the LampNedda LewersParallel tales connect a modern Egyptian American girl, struggling with her bicultural identity, to the magical mission passed down to her from a 10th-century ancestor.Nine to TwelveLexile 750LATOS 5.3View book details
The Fairy Tale Fan Club: Legendary Letters CollectedC. C. Cecily by Richard AyoadeA narrator closely connected to storybook characters conveys their responses to inquisitive children, many of whom question the improbable elements in these classic tales. Comical pen and ink illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Hummingbird/ Aamo-binasheewritten and illustrated by Jennifer Leason, translated from the Anishinaabemowin by Norman Chartrand and Jennifer LeasonChildren are admonished by their grandparents to flee the dreaded Windigo, a manifestation of dehumanizing forces, and embrace Hummingbird, the messenger who nurtures the spirit. Lyrical text, dreamlike acrylic illustrations. Bilingual in Anishinaabemowin and English.Nine to TwelveView book details
Amil and the AfterVeera HiranandaniAfter fleeing with his family from Pakistan to India in 1947 following the partition, Amil, 12, struggles to cope through his drawings. Spot pencil illustrations. Glossary. Author’s note.Nine to TwelveLexile 731LATOS 4.7View book details
Lion of the SkyRitu HemnaniWhen India’s long-anticipated independence from British rule in 1947 pits Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims against each other, a Hindu boy’s family must relocate and reinvent their lives. Free verse.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Misunderstandings of Charity BrownElizabeth LairdIn 1950s England, a girl recovering from polio grapples with changes in her family, the teachings of her strict religious community, and her first experiences with a wider world.Nine to TwelveView book details
Onyx & BeyondAmber McBrideIn 1970 a 12-year-old Black boy, Onyx, dreams of space and astronauts as he tries to protect his mother, who is living with dementia, keep himself safe, and accept help from others. Free verse.Nine to TwelveView book details
Safiyyah’s WarHiba Noor KhanAfter the Nazis occupy Paris, Safiyyah, a Muslim girl, becomes involved in her father’s resistance work, sheltering Jews in the city’s Grand Mosque and helping them escape to safety.Nine to TwelveView book details
A Sea of Gold: A Ukrainian Family’s Story Through the Generationswritten and illustrated by Patricia PolaccoFrom the years before independence to the days of the current war, a Ukrainian family grows and then must emigrate to the United States. Vibrant, emotive, mixed- media illustrations show traditional customs. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Spy RingSarah Beth DurstAn inscription on a ring supposedly belonging to Revolutionary War spy Anna Smith Strong inspires two 11-year-olds to try solving her mysterious message. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Turning TwelveKathryn OrmsbeeHomeschooled Katie is looking forward to seventh grade and being in the musical Annie, but life gets complicated when she develops a crush on Grace. Set in 2004. Expressive, full-color art.Nine to TwelveView book details
Violin of HopeElla SchwartzA violin, seized and discarded by the Nazis, is lovingly restored. The new owner breaks its years of silence, filling concert halls with Jewish music. Poignant illustrations. Author’s note.Nine to TwelveView book details
Mature contentWarrior on the MoundSandra W. HeadenThe orphaned son of an ace Negro League pitcher dreams of following in his beloved father’s footsteps. But North Carolina in 1939 is a dangerous place to be Black.Nine to TwelveLexile 701LATOS 4.5View book details
Wings to SoarTina AthaideViva and her Indian family adapt to a British camp for Ugandan Asian refugees, but face greater hardships at their relatives’ London home while waiting for her father’s return. Archival photographs. Author’s note.Nine to TwelveView book details
On All Other Nights: A Passover Celebration in 14 StoriesChris Baron, Joshua S. Levy, Naomi MillinerFollowing an explanation of each step of the Jewish seder, well-known authors using diverse literary forms share reimagined connections to the ritual. Dramatic black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Bog MyrtleSid SharpHappy-go-lucky Beatrice receives magic yarn from a spider witch, but her crabby sister Magnolia exploits the material to start a business. Wacky mixed-media panel illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile 600LATOS 3.8View book details
PopcornRob HarrellPicture day might be Andrew’s worst day ever. Greyscale comics and drawings. Author’s note on OCD anxiety. Resources.Nine to TwelveView book details
Rica Baptista: A Week of ShenanigansJanet Costa BatesWhen Rica’s grandfather sprains his ankle, it threatens to ruin their yearly adventure week. Humorous black- and-white digital illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
SlugfestGordon KormanAlthough a super athlete and reasonably good student, Yash can’t graduate from middle school without taking a state-mandated class (physical education equivalency) in summer school. Can he salvage the summer?Nine to TwelveWord count 56965View book details
Summer Vampwritten and illustrated by Violet Chan KarimMaya, accidentally sent to a (benevolent) vampire camp, unexpectedly makes friends with campers who are very different from her and has a better summer than she anticipated. Bold, colorful panels.Nine to TwelveLexile GN420LATOS 2.9View book details
They Call Me No Sam!Drew DaywaltWhat child hasn’t thought that his first name is No? Sam, the dog, is no different! This is his diary of his misadventures. Humorous digital illustrations.Nine to TwelveWord count 18199View book details
Juneberry BlueCandice RansomAndie expects to work in her grandmother’s diner and create a magical recipe, but has she inherited the family gift? All she wants is for her father to come home. Greyscale spot illustrations and map.Nine to TwelveView book details
RosaStarlight by Hilary McKayAn orphaned girl, raised by cruel “in-laws, ” is taken from her beloved family home and abandoned in Venice. Will she find solace with the cats and magic she craves? Black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
That Curious Thingwritten and illustrated by Chris RaschkaWhen Cleo searches for her pet cat, Muffin, at their Manhattan apartment building, she discovers a secret warring cat spy world and a plan to hold pet dogs for ransom. Whimsical black-and-white spot illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile 829LATOS 5.3View book details
Tryouts (The Brinkley Yearbooks series)written and illustrated by Sarah SaxWhen immensely athletic Al ages out of Little League, she wants to continue playing baseball. Is her new coach jeopardizing the team’s success by bringing attention to Al’s gender? Bold, colorful art.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Secret Language of BirdsLynne KellyThirteen-year-old Nina is thrilled that her parents are letting her attend her aunt’s summer camp. Nature and wildlife beckon, as well as a group of girls called the Oddballs.Nine to TwelveLexile 720LATOS 4.6View book details
Aunt Sue’s StoriesLangston HughesIn this Harlem Renaissance poem, paired with bold, emotional illustrations, a child listens intently to his aunt’s tales of life as an enslaved person.Nine to TwelveView book details
Eating My Words: And 128 Other PoemsBrian P. ClearyA feast of global poetic forms served with skillful amusing examples from haiku to acrostics, each clearly defined. Topically diverse and spiced with puns and wordplay. Colorful illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
I Heard: An American JourneyJaha Nailah AveryThe narrator relates major events of Black history in the United States, from its African roots to today’s struggles and triumphs. Told in lyrical verse. Lush paintings. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
She’ll Be the Sky: PoemsWomen, GirlsIdentity, emotions, nature, family, activism, and daily rituals are among the themes of these poems. Colorful illustrations. Engaging introduction.Nine to TwelveView book details
We Who Produce Pearls: An Anthem for Asian AmericaJoanna HoStrong free verse praises the Asians who settled, worked, and created in North America, but were disregarded or discriminated against. Bold digital illustrations. Discussion questions and “starting points” in back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Nothing: John Cage and 4’33”Nicholas DayIn 1952 an avant-garde composer challenged an audience to listen as pianist David Tudor sat at the keyboard and didn’t play. Imaginative watercolor, pencil, and ink illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Signs of Hope: The Revolutionary Art of Sister Corita KentMara RockliffInspiring quotations from the “pop art” nun who changed the art world in the 1960s. Vibrant mixed- media illustrations with messages of peace, love, and hope. Technique instructions. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Amazing Abe: How Abraham Cahan’s Newspaper Gave a Voice to Jewish ImmigrantsNorman H. FinkelsteinAn immigrant from Russia cofounded, and for 50 years edited, the Yiddish language newspaper Forverts (the Forward), offering guidance and advice along with the news. Colorful gouache illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
BarracoonZora Neale HurstonIn 1975 anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston interviewed Cudjo Lewis, one of the last people living who had been brought from Africa and enslaved in the United States. Dramatic black-and-white prints throughout. Young readers edition.Nine to TwelveView book details
Bird Girl: Gene Stratton-Porter Shares Her Love of Nature with the WorldJill EsbaumA young girl who became one of the leading naturalists of the 20th century helped save and restore important wetlands and other wild places. Watercolor illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Cactus Queen: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National ParkLori AlexanderA wealthy socialite saved a threatened California desert by bringing elaborate natural displays to major cities to inspire awe and encourage stewardship. Mixed-media illustrations. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Call Me Roberto!: Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for LatinosNathalie AlonsoPress and fans initially devalued the contributions of one of baseball’s greatest players, who always wore his Black and Puerto Rican heritage with pride. Impressionistic illustrations. Time line, glossary, sources.Nine to TwelveLexile 669LATOS 4.3View book details
The CircuitFrancisco JiménezA young family from Guadalajara, Mexico, now migrant farm workers in California, are constantly fearful of immigration authorities. Together they resolutely face exhausting labor and meager comforts. Warmly colored panels. Glossary.Nine to TwelveLexile 880LATOS 5.3View book details
Comet Chaser: The True Cinderella Story of Caroline Herschel, the First Professional Woman AstronomerPamela S. TurnerWith the aid of her brother, an 18th-century German girl destined for a life of housework became a feted cosmologist. Dark impressionistic illustrations evoke a sense of the cosmos. Endnotes. Bibliography.Nine to TwelveView book details
Coming Home: A Hopi Resistance Story/Tutuqaykingaqw Nima Hopisino Pahan Tutqayiwuy Ep Yorhomtiwritten and illustrated by Mavasta Honyouti, translated from the Hopi by Marilyn ParraMavasta retells the story of his grandfather’s unhappy life at a residential boarding school for Native Americans. Hand-carved painted wood panels recreate the events effectively. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Continental DrifterKathy MacleodKathy’s blended Thai American family lives in Bangkok. A trip to her father’s family in Maine has her wondering where, if anywhere, she belongs. Detailed digital illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Crown of Stories: The Life and Language of Beloved Writer Toni MorrisonCarole Boston WeatherfordPassionate about books even as a young child, Morrison grew up to become the first Black woman to receive the Nobel Prize in literature. Acrylic, oil, collage, and homemade-paper illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Dear Dad: Growing Up with a Parent in Prison—and How We Stayed ConnectedJay Jay Patton, with Kiara ValdezPatton tells her story of fighting for the right to stay in touch with her dad, even developing an app to do it. Brightly colored comic panels.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Fabulous Fannie Farmer: Kitchen Scientist and America’s CookEmma Bland SmithA 19th-century food lover turned home cooking into both a science and an art form. Detailed, mixed-media illustrations. Time line, bibliography, suggested reading. Recipes.Nine to TwelveView book details
Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John LewisLesa Cline-RansomeKnowing love and rage during a segregated childhood, Lewis chose the message of Martin Luther King and stood strong in the fight for truth and justice. Vibrant collage-like illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Glenn Burke, Game Changer: The Man Who Invented the High FivePhil BildnerBurke, African American and the first openly gay MLB player, faced discrimination despite his excellence on the field. A joyful greeting he invented showed his love for baseball and his teammates. Evocative digital illustrations. References. Time line.Nine to TwelveView book details
Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James BaldwinMichelle MeadowsThe story of a young boy growing up in Harlem who became a civil rights activist and one of America’s greatest authors. Expressive, warm, mixed-media illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Mr. Pei’s Perfect Shapes: The Story of Architect I. M. PeiJulie Leung, illustrated by Yifan WuThe signature structures of a Chinese-born architect reflect his ground-breaking vision of integrating design and environment. Dazzling illustrations showcase Pei conceptualizing his creations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II StoryGeorge TakeiActor George Takei recalls childhood experiences of prejudice and injustice in an American internment camp during World War II. Mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
One of a Kind: The Life of Sydney TaylorRichard MichelsonSarah Brenner, aka Sydney Taylor, began writing about growing up on the Lower East Side after her daughter asked for stories with Jewish protagonists. Colorful digital illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Outspoken: Paul Robeson: Ahead of His Time: A One-Man ShowCarole Boston WeatherfordDivided into four acts—Youth, Artist, Activist, and Erased—this stirring first-person, free-verse narration, interwoven with lyrics of spirituals, plays tribute to the iconic actor and singer. Arresting oil paintings. Sources, notes, bibliography.Nine to TwelveView book details
Planting Hope: A Portrait of Photographer Sebastião SalgadoPhilip HoelzelThe life and work of the award-winning Brazilian photojournalist, humanitarian, and environmental activist, are chronicled through text and representational watercolor and pencil illustrations. Map. Author’s note. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Queer and Fearless: Poems Celebrating the Lives of LGBTQ+ HeroesRob SandersSeventeen LGBTQ+ activists and politicians, from Harvey Milk to Pete Buttigieg, are introduced through poems, biographical sidebars, and colorful, painterly, evocative illustrations. Back matter. Poetic styles explained.Nine to TwelveView book details
Remembering Rosalind Franklin: Rosalind Franklin & the Discovery of the Double Helix Structure of DNATanya Lee StoneA brilliant young woman who loved to solve problems unlocked the secret to DNA, but was never given credit for it during her lifetime. Delicate watercolors. Notes, sources.Nine to TwelveView book details
Spying on Spies: How Elizebeth Smith Friedman Broke the Nazis’ Secret CodesMarissa MossA remarkable woman cryptographer worked tirelessly from World War I to her death in 1980 to decipher the messages of criminals and spies. Greyscale graphic- novel style illustrations. Archival photos. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Toypurina: Japchivit Leader, Medicine Woman, Tongva RebelCheyenne M. Stone, Glenda ArmandIn 1785 Toypurina led an unsuccessful rebellion against the Spanish, who encouraged her people to join the San Gabriel mission and then mistreated them. Strong, detailed illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Backwritten and illustrated by Ruth ChanWith courage modelled on her father’s origin story, Ruth navigates the challenging move from Toronto to Hong Kong. Cartoon-style pastel-colored panels.Nine to TwelveView book details
Wat Takes His Shot: The Life & Legacy of Basketball Hero Wataru MisakaCheryl KimInitially relegated to racially segregated teams in pre-World War II Utah, in 1947 a determined Japanese American became the first non-white player in professional basketball. Atmospheric digital illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Wildflower Emily: A Story About Young Emily Dickinsonwritten and illustrated by Lydia CorryDickinson and her dog Carlo come to life as she wanders meadows in search of flowers. Dramatic, engaging panels interspersed with Dickinson’s poems. Biographical highlights, suggested reading.Nine to TwelveView book details
Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy MillsBilly Mills, Donna Janell BowmanClinging to his Lakota values and his athletic dream, a boy who experienced extreme poverty, racism, and grief became an Olympic winner. Sensitively rendered illustrations. Photos. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveWord count 1545View book details
Animal Climate Heroes!Alison Pearce StevensWhales, sea otters, elephants, echidnas, and other creatures contribute to improving the climate in surprising ways. Cartoon-style greyscale art. Advice on participating in climate activism.Nine to TwelveView book details
Winner of the 2025 Flora Stieglitz Straus AwardLife After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale FallLynn BrunelleWhen a whale dies and sinks to the ocean floor, a rich ecosystem of diverse organisms develops around it. Finely detailed, realistic watercolor and gouache illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Rewild the World at Bedtime: Hopeful Stories from Mother NatureEmily HawkinsTwenty tales explore ecology projects around the world and their positive impact on native species and the environment. Mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Wolf Effect: A Wilderness Survival Story (Voice of the Wilderness series)Roseanne ParryInformative lyrical, rhyming text and lively talking animals bring the story of repopulating gray wolves into the Rocky Mountains to life. Detailed watercolors. Map. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
World of Rot: Learn All About the Wriggly, Slimy, Super-Cool Decomposers We Couldn’t Live WithoutBritt Crow-MillerAccessible text and format and dynamic color illustrations portray the complex contribution of organisms in the stages of the decomposition process and its effect on climate change. Experiments and activities included.Nine to TwelveView book details
And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and ResistanceSupriya Kelkar, illustrated by Supriya KelkarTwo South Asian children guide readers through the tumultuous, centuries-long journey of their land’s magnificent gem. Stolen by oppressors, recut, and resized, it remains undimmed. Lyrical text. Stylized collage illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II (Scholastic Focus series)Candace FlemingThe riveting individual stories of young women recruited to help crack the Nazis’ coded messages along with detailed explanations of how they did it. Numerous archival photographs. Exemplary sourcing.Nine to TwelveView book details
Everybody’s Book: The Story of the Sarajevo HaggadahLinda Leopold StraussA 14th-century Jewish wedding gift read at Passover that originated in Spain was handed down through generations and cared for by people of different faiths. Colorful, stylized illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
I See Color: An Affirmation and Celebration of Our DiverseValerie Bolling, Kailei PewCelebrate our rainbow of humanity and multicultural efforts to create a just world. Expressive digital art. Biographical back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Kindred Spirits/Shilombish IttibachvffaLeslie Stall WidenerIn 1847 the Choctaw Nation’s compassion for the suffering of the people of Ireland began decades of reciprocal giving, most recently including the Hopi and Navajo Nations. Evocative illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Soldier’s Friend: Walt Whitman’s Extraordinary Service in the American Civil WarGary GolioAfter locating his wounded brother hospitalized in Virginia, a future beloved poet provided care and comfort for over 10,000 Civil War soldiers in the nation’s capital. Evocative painterly illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
They Saved the Stallions (World War II Close Up series)Deborah HopkinsonA riveting chronicle of the heroic efforts to protect the Lipizzaner horses of Vienna during World War II. Archival photos. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Tree of Life: How a Holocaust Sapling Inspired the WorldElisa BoxerAgainst the odds, a seedling maple, smuggled into a Nazi concentration camp and tended by children and their teacher, survived to propagate hundreds of offspring around the world. Digital illustrations in a muted palette.Nine to TwelveView book details
Law and Justice We Sing from the Heart: How The Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme CourtMia WenjenA rock band battled to keep its chosen name, a racial slur that its own members had been called. Expressive digital art. Short biographies of other Asian American activists. Sources. Song lyrics.Nine to TwelveView book details
Parenting It’s So Amazing!: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families (The Family Library series)Robie H. HarrisA candid, factual guide to the various biological and emotional aspects of sex, sexuality, and reproduction, with some humorous help from a bird and a bee. Inviting, colorful, mixed-media illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Giga Town: A Guide to Manga Iconographywritten and illustrated by Fumiyo Kouno, translated from the JapaneseA pictorial table of contents leads readers to detailed definitions (and cartoon strip examples) of a wealth of symbols found in Japanese kids’ cartoons. Gently humorous black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Who’s Writing This Story?Robin NewmanThe three little pigs and the big bad wolf commandeer an oft-told tale and give it an exciting, modern twist while teaching the components of great stories. Graphic novel-like illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Asteroid vs. Comet (Cosmic Collisions series)Dr. Marc J. KuchnerWho will survive the smackdown between a dense minor planet and a speedy falling star in this celestial contest? Dramatic, accessible text. Vivid detailed illustrations. Illuminating endpapers.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Great Wolf Rescue: Saving the Red Wolves (Sandra Markle’s Science Discoveries series)Sandra MarkleRed wolves, unique to North America, were nearly extinct; scientists developed a fostering plan for them to live free in protected areas. Photos and maps. Glossary, sources, suggested reading, index.Nine to TwelveView book details
How to Explain Robotics to a Grown-UpRuth SpiroA light-hearted, clear explanation of how robots work and why they are so useful. Clear, digitally created illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy BirdCandace SavageAmong the smartest of the dinosaurs’ descendants, corvids use tools, have complex social lives, protect one another, and even carry grudges. Graceful mixed-media illustrations. Varied activities. Glossary, resources.Nine to TwelveView book details
I Am Wind: An AutobiographyRachel PoliquinSpeaking in the first person, Wind describes what causes air to move, how it manipulates landforms, and what its historical and emotional impact on humans is. Emotive illustrations. Table of contents, index.Nine to TwelveView book details
My Antarctica: True Adventures in the Land of Mummified Seals, Space Robots, and So Much MoreG. NeriA chronicle of the author’s experiences on this extreme continent under the auspices of the National Science Foundation. Scrapbook-like format with photos, cartoon drawings, and personal reflections. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Observologist: A Handbook for Mounting Very Small Scientific ExpeditionsGiselle ClarksonEvery page of this playful, informative field guide for young scientists and aspiring entomologists is elevated by detailed, comedic digital illustrations. Index.Nine to TwelveView book details
One Long Line: Marching Caterpillars and the Scientists Who Followed Them (Discovery Chronicles series)Loree Griffin BurnsJean-Henri Fabre’s challenge to earlier explanations of the unique leader-follower behavior of caterpillars exemplifies the methodical process of scientific discovery. Evocative green-tone illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
A Planet Is a PoemAmanda West LewisScience and poetry merge on 14 solar system journeys, each with a gatefold fueled with facts and a differently styled poem, bursting in brilliant celestial hues. Poetic forms defined. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Remember This: The Fascinating World of Memory (Orca Think series)Monique PolakAccessible text, photos, and colorful cartoon-style illustrations give clear, concise insights into the various forms of memory. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Sick!: The Twists and Turns Behind Animal GermsHeather L. MontgomeryInternational scientists explore how different animals cope with pathogens and parasites, and what humans can learn from them. Humorous cartoon-style color illustrations. Sources. Index.Nine to TwelveView book details
VolcanoesNell Cross BeckermanMagnificent illustrations and poetic language depict the five types of eruptions and more, while conveying the power and mystery of volcanoes.Nine to TwelveView book details
Whales and Us: Our Shared JourneyIndia DesjardinsWhales and humans have a powerful impact on each other. How can we use our knowledge of their biology and behavior to keep them safe? Informative digital illustrations. Index, references.Nine to TwelveView book details
What Is Color?: The Global and Sometimes Gross Story of Pigments, Paint, and the Wondrous World of ArtSteven WeinbergThis overview clearly defines scientific principles like the electromagnetic spectrum while describing the connections between color and art throughout history. Energetic cartoon-style illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveLexile 770LATOS 4.9View book detailsTwelve to Fourteen
106 selections
Hamlet Is Not OKR. A. SprattSelby hates reading. Then her tutor helps her with her Hamlet assignment. When they find themselves actually in Elsinore, the adventure helps her understand the magic of books.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Legendary Mo Seto (The Legendary Mo Seto series)A. Y. ChanChinese American Mo wants to be best at taekwondo for her father. She breaks all the rules to audition for their idol’s upcoming movie, but can she survive it?Twelve to FourteenView book details
Swimming with SpiesChrystyna Lucyk-Berger, map by Jim McMahon/Mapman®In 2014, with Russian aggression escalating in Ukraine, 12-year-old Sofiya works with her father, director of the Sevastopol dolphinarium, to save the animals in their care. Based on true events. Greyscale map. Back matter. Glossary.Twelve to FourteenWord count 56257View book details
War of the WindVictoria WilliamsonAfter Max loses his hearing in a boating accident, he is angry and friendless. Will the new wind turbines bringing great Wi-Fi to his island help him? ASL and BSL charts. Map.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Door Is Open: Stories of Celebration and Community11 Desi VoicesWhen the Desi kids in Maple Grove learn their beloved community center is going to be demolished, they work together to save it.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Chronically DoloresMaya Van WagenenDealing with severe symptoms of her chronic disease, Dolores meets a fellow outsider, Terpsichore, who is on the autism spectrum. Can their growing friendship help them heal and adjust to high school?Twelve to FourteenLexile HL640LATOS 4.7View book details
Gut ReactionKirby Larson, Quinn WyattStarting a new school in eighth grade, Tess faces many challenges: the loss of her father, making new friends, recurring abdominal pain, and a bake-off competition. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenLexile 561LATOS 3.7View book details
I’m from Here TooKashmira ShethAt school, 13-year old Anoop, a South Asian Indian American Sikh, is bullied by two boys because of his religion. Can he use the teachings of his faith to deal with their threats? Free-verse novel.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Leila and the Blue FoxKiran Millwood HargraveWhile on an Arctic expedition tracking a blue fox, Syrian English Leila, 12, struggles to come to terms with her absent scientist mother and how to rediscover herself. Bright blue illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Mallory in Full ColorElisa Stone LeahySeventh grader Mallory has difficulty saying no, causing her to repress her feelings. A new nonbinary friend leads her to involvement in the library’s drag queen story time. Dramatic black-and-white illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal VoiceAnna LaperaInspired by her Guatemalan aunt’s activism and her grandmother’s urging her to find her voice, 12-year- old Mani, along with her friends, advocates for free menstruation supplies at school. Unexpectedly, their project gets sidelined.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes (Matt Sprouts series)Matt EicheldingerAfter he causes Jenna to break her collar bone, 11-year-old Matt, a soccer player, has a series of bone- breaking accidents. Is he cursed because of Jenna’s lost summer? Amusing black-and-white line drawings.Twelve to FourteenLexile 730LATOS 4.9View book details
Murray Out of WaterTaylor Tracy978-0-06- 332681-1 Numerous challenges confront 12-year-old Murray: a destroyed beachfront home; the loss of her magical connection with the ocean; an emerging LGBTQ+ identity; and a censorious, homophobic mother. Free verse.Twelve to FourteenLexile 811LATOS 5.2View book details
UltravioletAida SalazarElio, 13, grapples with first love and conflicting feelings about his role as a boy within his Mexican culture. Affecting, unusual portrayal of male puberty. Free verse.Twelve to FourteenView book details
We Are Big TimeHena KhanAliya exits her basketball league to move from Florida to Wisconsin. At her Muslim school, she challenges stereotypes that question her ability to excel in basketball while wearing a hijab. Dynamic artwork.Twelve to FourteenLexile GN320LATOS 2.4View book details
Where Wolves Don’t DieAnton TreuerNinth grader Ezra is wrongly suspected of murder and arson. His father sends him to the Canadian Ojibwe reservation for safety and to learn traditional skills from Grandpa Liam. Bold greyscale spot art.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Born a Girl: It Takes CourageAlice Dussutour, illustrated by Alice Dussutour, David WarrinerFive girls from around the world fight gender- related issues. Each chapter is followed by additional information about the problem addressed in it. Vibrant illustrations. Back matter. Resources.Twelve to FourteenView book detailsBreaking into SunlightJohn CochranThirteen-year-old Reese is torn between following what his mother expects of him and searching for ways to help his drug-addicted father.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Buffalo DreamerViolet DuncanSummer’s idyllic vacations on the reservation include picking sweetgrass, dancing at powwows, and riding horseback. But this summer she also learns about her grandfather’s painful past in a residential school. Black- and-white and greyscale spot art.Twelve to FourteenLexile 790LATOS 4.9View book details
A Galaxy of WhalesHeather FawcettIn the Pacific Ocean’s Salish Sea, Fern and Jasper’s families run rival whale tours. But after her best friend deserts Fern, she teams up with Jasper to enter a photography contest—and makes a new friend.Twelve to FourteenLexile 810LATOS 5.3View book details
Kyra, Just for TodaySara ZarrKyra, 13, and her mother, a recovering alcoholic with a house cleaning business, are very close. When Kyra suspects her mother is drinking again, she feels life slipping out of control.Twelve to FourteenWord count 68953View book details
The OutsmartersDeborah EllisLiving with her irascible grandmother, 12-year-old Kate navigates her traumatic past by starting a business, finding friends in unlikely places, and passing her GED. Complex themes handled with compassion and humor.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Pizza FaceRex OglePuberty, pimples, poverty, mood swings, and thrift clothing destroy seventh grader Rex’s school friendships. Can he survive and help others having the same experience? Bold, dynamic artwork. Also available in Spanish.Twelve to FourteenLexile GN250LATOS 2.6View book details
The ReckoningWade HudsonLamar, a Black boy, wants to make movies but thinks he doesn’t have a worthy subject. When his grandfather gets killed, unraveling the injustice behind the murder becomes Lamar’s passion.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Monarchs of Winghavenwritten and illustrated by Naila MoreiraPreteen naturalists Samantha and Bram bond as they observe and document the flora and fauna, including butterflies, of a nearby field and pond. Detailed black- and-white nature drawings. Map. Extensive back matter.Twelve to FourteenLexile 731LATOS 4.7View book details
Family/School/Community And Then, Boom!Lisa FippsWith the help of his friends and his rescue dogs, 11-year-old Joe tries to fend for himself after his grandmother dies and his mom leaves. Free verse.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Answers to DogPete HautmanWhen 12-year-old Evan goes running, a border collie starts following him, and the two begin to bond. But his mother is adamant that he cannot have a dog.Twelve to FourteenLexile 619LATOS 4View book details
Averil OfflineAmy Noelle ParksGifted 12-year-old computer whiz Averil struggles with over-protective helicopter parents and the intrusive new technology—Ruby Slippers—which tracks and reports every aspect of her life.Twelve to FourteenLexile 670LATOS 4.3View book details
Between Two BrothersCrystal AllenWhen his beloved older brother suffers a brain injury in a car accident, Isaiah (Ice), a Black boy, defies dire predictions and devises ways to help him recover. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenLexile 650LATOS 4.2View book details
Call Me AlWali Shah, Eric WaltersAli’s parents have high expectations about his academic achievements and future career, but when he experiences anti-Muslim behavior, it’s writing that helps him sort through his emotions.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Deer Run HomeAnn Clare LeZotteAbused and neglected, a deaf girl does her best to survive with only the sporadic help of her sister. Told in spare but intense free verse. Author’s note.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Dinner at the Brake FastRenee Beauregard LuteTacoma’s efforts to retrieve her depressed father’s prized memento, stolen from the wall of her family’s truck-stop diner, lead to unusual adventures with two new friends.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Jupiter RisingGary D. SchmidtEighth grader Jack loves his three-year-old foster sister, Jupiter, daughter of his dead foster brother. Their rural community rallies in support as Jack fights to keep Jupiter in his life.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Kareem BetweenShifa Saltagi SafadiSeventh grader Kareem struggles to reconcile his Syrian heritage with his dream of being an all-American football player. In verse.Twelve to FourteenLexile 731LATOS 4.7View book details
Kicked OutA. M. DassuLiving in England after escaping the war in Syria, Ali and Sami need to raise money to help their friend pay for legal fees to avoid deportation. Greyscale spot art. Author’s note. Glossary.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Last Apple TreeClaudia MillsSonnet and Zeke reluctantly agree to collaborate on an oral history project, which leads to discoveries about their families and themselves. Author’s note.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Listen to ThisJennifer BlecherDual perspectives show how Lily and Will cope with middle school, friendships, family, and change. Greyscale spot art.Twelve to FourteenView book details
My So-Called FamilyGia GordonAsh feels she has nobody to depict in a family tree for a school assignment, but growing friendships with unconventional classmates teach her otherwise. Discerning teachers also come to her rescue.Twelve to FourteenLexile 710LATOS 4.5View book details
Winner of the 2025 Josette Frank AwardNot NothingGayle FormanAfter committing a juvenile offense, Alex, 12, is assigned to Shady Glen Retirement home for community service. A 107-year-old Holocaust survivor there helps them both to heal.Twelve to FourteenWord count 49525View book details
The Partition ProjectSaadia FaruqiPakistani American Maha, 12, wonders if she can turn her grandmother’s experiences during the 1947 partition of India into a documentary film for a school assignment.Twelve to FourteenLexile 650LATOS 4.2View book details
ShakenJames PrellerKristy, 13, lives and breathes soccer and expects to be a national or Olympic competitor, until a concussion forces her to deal with an invisible injury and find a new path.Twelve to FourteenLexile HL590LATOS 3.8View book details
Shark TeethSherri WinstonSeventh grader Sharkita, a Black girl, wants to keep her family together and to enjoy school. But can she do that when her mama keeps disappearing?Twelve to FourteenLexile 669LATOS 4.3View book details
SlouchChristina WymanSeventh grader Stevie is 5’10” and has to deal with unwanted comments about her appearance. Joining the debate club gives her confidence to speak out. Moving author’s foreword.Twelve to FourteenWord count 74788View book details
What’s Eating Jackie Oh?Patricia ParkSecond-generation Korean American senior Jackie struggles with her parents’ expectations but finds solace at her grandparents’ deli. Her passion for food lands her on a competitive cooking show. Recipes.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Wires CrossedBeth FantaskeyOutsider Mia is thrilled when her science camp friend Tariq moves to town. But excitement soon turns to disappointment—until the science Olympics is announced. Brightly colored artwork.Twelve to FourteenView book details
With Just One WingBrenda WoodsAfter a curveball summer, Coop, an almost 12-year-old adopted Black boy, faces giving up the maimed baby mockingbird he had rescued.Twelve to FourteenLexile 750LATOS 4.8View book details
The World DividedPiper by Caela CarterAbout to participate in an Academic Decathlon, 11-year-old Piper resists her mother’s efforts to end the injections Piper has been receiving to treat precocious puberty. Black-and-white illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
DragonfruitMakiia LucierSam is determined to find a rare seadragon egg to cure his mother’s grave illness. But as his friend Hanalei knows, that will come at a terrible price.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Game of NoctisDeva FaganThe stakes are high in the perilous Game of Noctis competition. Twelve-year-old Pia joins the Seafoxes team, hoping that the prize money will help her grandfather and herself.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Impossible Creatures (Impossible Creatures series)by Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Ashley MackenzieWhile rescuing a griffin, Christopher stumbles into a magical archipelago and meets a girl who can fly. Together they must save the world. Line drawings. Glossary of magical beasts.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Island of WhispersFrances HardingeFourteen-year-old Milo seeks to take over his father’s profession of ferrying the dead to a final resting place. Black, white, and blue illustrations.Twelve to FourteenLexile 888LATOS 5.7View book details
Madsi the TrueS. J. TaylorOn a hazardous journey from her Norwegian village to find her sister, Madsi and her friends brave extreme weather, dead Vikings, monsters, and an avalanche. Glossary of creatures.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Monster Locker (Monster Locker series)Jorge Aguirre, Andrés Vera MartínezWith the help of a few friends, Pablo saves his middle school from a vengeful Aztec goddess. Dramatic artwork.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Not Quite a GhostAnne UrsuViolet, a middle child, is challenged by her relationships with her birth father and her Black stepfather, being sick and very tired, losing friends—and a ghost appearing in her bedroom!Twelve to FourteenLexile 800LATOS 5.09View book details
Sona and the Golden BeastsRajani LaRoccaSona discovers that she’s the product of an illegal mixed marriage. She must journey with a friend and an orphaned wolf pup to a sacred space to free her land.Twelve to FourteenLexile 769LATOS 4.9View book details
Splinter & Ash (Splinter & Ash series)by Marieke Nijkamp, illustrated by Vivienne ToReturning to her kingdom after a long absence, Princess Adelisa (Ash) discovers the palace is not safe. Splinter, a girl wanting to be a squire, vows to protect her. Map. Greyscale spot art.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Taxi GhostSophie EscabasseOriginally unnerved to discover that she can see ghosts and communicate with them, Adèle comes to embrace being a medium and the adventures it brings her. Lively, colorful artwork.Twelve to FourteenLexile GN320LATOS 2.4View book details
Beastly BeautyJennifer DonnellyIn this retelling of Beauty and the Beast, an imprisoned noblewoman and a handsome thief break a century-old curse once the maiden learns to love herself.Twelve to FourteenLexile 750LATOS 4.8View book details
Across So Many SeasRuth BeharBeginning in 1492, four 12-year-old Sephardic Jewish girls in different times and places leave their homelands, carrying their traditions with them, with great courage. Author’s note. Sources.Twelve to FourteenLexile 830LView book details
Adventures of Mary JaneHope Jahren, map by Virginia NoreyFollow the perilous 1850s journey of Huckleberry Finn’s friend, the undaunted 14-year-old Mary Jane, southward on the Mississippi River from Minnesota to Mississippi. Rich period details. Map. Greyscale spot art. Extensive back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Mature contentBlack Star (The Door of No Return series)Kwame AlexanderIn the American South in the 1920s, Charley’s summer revolves around her Black family, church, and playing baseball. An encounter with white teenagers changes everything. In verse. Sequel to The Door of No Return.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Bletchley RiddleRuta Sepetys, Steve SheinkinDuring World War II, Lizzie’s American grandmother insists that she leave England before the Germans attack. But Lizzie needs to find out what secrets her brother is hiding, and why their mother might be missing.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Code Name KingfisherLiz KesslerLiv’s bubbe has never talked about her past, but when Liv is assigned a family history school project, she learns about her grandmother’s extraordinary life in Holland during World War II.Twelve to FourteenWord count 65750View book details
Lifeboat 5Susan HoodAfter their ship was torpedoed by Nazis during World War II, Bess and her best friend clung to an overturned lifeboat in the Atlantic Ocean for 19 hours. Free verse. Based on a true story.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Luminous Life of Lucy LandryAnna Rose Johnson, map by Emily Faith JohnsonIn 1912 Lucy, a French Ojibwe orphan with an active imagination, finds life with a foster family in a lighthouse to be challenging. Greyscale map. Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) glossary; French glossary.Twelve to FourteenWord count 49286View book details
Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II (Operation Kinderspion series)Adam GidwitzDuring World War II, 11-year-old Max is sent from Berlin to London to live with Jewish spies. Two creatures comment from Max’s shoulders. End notes.Twelve to FourteenView book details
One Big Open SkyLesa Cline-Ransome, map by Allira TreeIn 1879 Lettie and her Black family leave Mississippi seeking a better life in Nebraska, their arduous journey detailed in prose poetry and multiple voices. Author’s note. Greyscale map.Twelve to FourteenView book detailsPearlSherri L. SmithJapanese American Amy, 13, is sent to Hiroshima in 1941 to visit her ailing great grandmother. While she is there, Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, and Amy cannot return home. Artwork in shades of blue and grey.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Mature contentThe Songbird and the Rambutan TreeLucille AbendanonIn 1942, 11-year-old Emmy, a Dutch national, is interned in the Japanese-run Tjideng prison camp. Can she survive its brutal conditions? Based on the author’s grandmother’s experience.Twelve to FourteenLexile 690LATOS 4.4View book details
Mature contentThe Book of DenialRicardo Chávez CastañedaA boy grapples with his father’s harrowing literary project on the killing of children throughout history. Bold graphic illustrations on each page explore the devastating themes.Twelve to FourteenView book details
OlivettiAllie MillingtonWhen his mother goes missing, shy dictionary-loving Ernest must rely on her old Olivetti typewriter and a new-found friend to try to find her.Twelve to FourteenWord count 39511View book details
On a Wing and a TearCynthia Leitich SmithAfter Great-Grandfather Bat injures his wing, he asks humans Charlie Halfmoon, Charlie’s grandson Ray, and Ray’s friend Mel to drive him to the Great Ball Game between the Birds and Mammals.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Twelfth NightWilliam ShakespeareFeste the Fool tells the story of mistaken identities, clever disguises, and unrequited love when shipwrecked twins Viola and Sebastian arrive separately on the shores of Illyria. Watercolor illustrations.Twelve to FourteenLexile 1170LATOS 8.6View book details
The First State of BeingErin Entrada KellyMichael, 12, and Gibby, 15, sense something is way off with Ridge, who tells them he is from 2199 but fascinated with 1999. Does Ridge know what Y2K will bring?Twelve to FourteenLexile 681LATOS 4.4View book details
Thunder City (Mortal Engines series)Philip ReeveA small band of unlikely allies race to overthrow a dictator in a world where combative mobile cities can mow down and absorb smaller ones.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Westfallen (Westfallen series)Ann Brashares, Ben BrasharesThree children in 2023, able to communicate with three children in 1944, share information about World War II, changing the outcome. Can they reverse what they have done?Twelve to FourteenView book details
Clutch Time (Shot Clock series)Caron Butler, justin a. reynoldsAs Kofi, a star Black basketball player, spends his summer reuniting with his old team, his father returns from prison. Can they rebuild their relationship?Twelve to FourteenView book details
Winner of the 2025 Claudia Lewis AwardBlack Girl You Are AtlasRenée WatsonWritten in various poetic forms, this semi- autobiographical collection celebrates Black girlhood and Black sisterhood, and encourages young people to embrace their future boldly. Vibrant, mixed-media illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel CarsonAnn E. BurgA first-person, free verse narrative of a biologist and author who ignited the environmental movement despite personal tragedy and the challenges of working in a male-dominated field. Naturalistic black-and-white illustrations.Twelve to FourteenLexile NP0LATOS 5.9View book details
The Bard and the Book: How the First Folio Saved the Plays of William Shakespeare from OblivionAnn BausumExplore the complicated and eventful history surrounding the survival of Shakespeare’s plays in the First Folio collection. Folk-art-style illustrations. Rich back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Wall to Wall: Mural Art Around the WorldMary Ann Fraser, with Elizabeth NicholsonThe ancient Cave of the Hands in Argentina, Shamsia Hassani’s contemporary graffiti in Afghanistan, and 15 other masterpieces are depicted, along with information about their history, the techniques used to produce them, and their creators. Lush illustrations. Photographs. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Ballerina of AuschwitzEdith Eva EgerWith grit and humanity, Edie, an accomplished gymnast-dancer, and her sister Magda survive the horrors of Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Young readers edition of The Choice.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and SurvivalEstelle Nadel, with Sammy Savos, Bethany StroutAfter the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, Enia and her extended Jewish family fled. Aided by neighbors, Enia and two of her brothers survived and emigrated to the United States. Digital pen, ink, and watercolor artwork. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Lost at Windy River: A True Story of SurvivalTrina RathgeberDuring a snow storm, Ilse, a 13-year-old Indigenous girl, became separated from her family and had to survive the bitter cold wilderness alone. Clear, full-color illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Puzzled: A Memoir About Growing Up with OCDwritten and illustrated by Pan CookePan lives in fear that his obsessive, anxious thoughts are taking over his life, making him feel different from everyone else. Simple, clear illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Three Summers: A Memoir of Sisterhood, Summer Crushes, and Growing Up on the Eve of WarAmra Sabic-El-Rayess with Laura L. SullivanAmra describes her strong family ties and life as a Muslim in Bosnia before the war there in 1992 tore her community apart. Extensive back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in SchoolTiffany JewellStatistical information intertwined with deeply personal narratives of people of the Global Majority expose systemic racism in education. Includes insightful short bios of all contributors, an extensive list of recommended readings, and resources.Twelve to FourteenView book details
When Forests Burn: The Story of Wildfire in AmericaAlbert MarrinA detailed history of forests, forest fires, and firestorms in America from the Ice Age to the present day. Archival photographs. Notes, sources, index.Twelve to FourteenView book details
BiteBite: American History Through Feasts, Foods, Side Dishes by Marc Aronson, Paul Freedman, with contributions from Dr. Frederick Douglass Opie, Amanda Palacios, Tatum Willis, David ZhengStarting with prehistory, the authors show that “American” food is multicultural, with many traditions that started long before any Europeans arrived. Black- and-white illustrations. Back matter. Sources.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Radar and the Raft: A True Story About a Scientific Marvel, the Lives It Saved, and the World It ChangedJeff LantosThanks to brilliant inventions and courageous countrymen, injured and starving survivors of a cargo ship torpedoed in shark-filled waters were rescued at the eleventh hour. Watercolor illustrations, archival photos. Index, sources.Twelve to FourteenView book detailsThe Wild River and the Great Dam: The Construction of the Hoover Dam and the Vanishing Colorado RiverSimon BoughtonA comprehensive history of the people, the politics, and the astounding engineering feats behind the building of the Hoover Dam, with commentary on its current environmental impact. Archival photographs. Extensive back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Winner of the 2025 Flora Stieglitz Straus AwardWitch Hunt: The Cold War, Joe McCarthy, and the Red ScareAndrea Balis, Elizabeth LevyThe rise and fall of a senator from Wisconsin who exploited post-WWII fear of the Soviet Union and communism, unjustly persecuting many without evidence. Black-and-white illustrations. Extensive back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Religion Odin (Asgardians series)written and illustrated by George O’Connor, colors by Norm GrockValkyries whisk a warrior from a bloody battlefield to Valhalla, where he hears the complex story of Odin and the numerous Norse gods. Dramatic graphic art. Extensive page notes, glossary.Twelve to FourteenView book details
A Greater Goal: The Epic Battle for Equal Pay in Women’s Soccer— and BeyondElizabeth RuschA wide analysis of women’s fight for equality in sports and life, using the 2019 US Women’s National Soccer team’s suit over unequal pay as a focal point.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Astrochimps: America’s First AstronautsDawn CusickUnderstanding how chimpanzees reacted to space travel lay the groundwork for sending human astronauts on NASA missions. Spaceflight glossary and detailed resources.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Mountain of Fire: The Eruption and Survivors of Mount St. HelensRebecca E. F. BaroneFor two months in 1980, scientists recognized the signs of an imminent earthquake in Washington State. The power and destruction of the volcano dwarfed predictions. Back matter.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Virus Hunters: How Science Protects People When Outbreaks and Pandemics StrikeAmy CherrixScientists spend their entire careers searching for the cures to a single disease. The author details the journey to discover vaccines for smallpox, HIV/AIDS, and COVID. Photos. Bibliography, index.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Ash’s Cabinwritten and illustrated by Jen WangNonbinary outlier Ash, 15, decides to live alone in his grandfather’s remote cabin with their dog, Chase. This proves to be more difficult than they had thought. Earth-tone watercolor illustrations.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Gulfwritten and illustrated by Adam de SouzaStruggling to face the future after high school, three friends run away to a commune, illuminating their frailties and, more importantly, their strengths. Dynamic ink sketches in a limited palette.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Reappearance of Rachel PriceHolly JacksonWhen her mother reappears after vanishing 16 years earlier, Bel determines to untangle an increasingly knotty web of lies to get at the truth.Twelve to FourteenLexile HL620LATOS 4.7View book details
The Summer She Went MissingChelsea IchasoAudrey has vanished. Her brother and her best friend, Paige, encounter a number of false leads when they search for her. Then Paige finds a secret in Audrey’s room.Twelve to FourteenView book details
The Black Girl Survives in This One: Horror StoriesDesiree S. Evans, Saraciea J. FennellFifteen suspenseful stories center Black girls who triumph over human and paranormal evil.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Age 16written and illustrated by Rosena Fung, colors by Rachel NamChinese Canadian Roz and her Chinese mother and grandmother each contend with restrictive cultural norms. Interwoven stories of three generations. Comic art with a unique color for each time period.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Mature contentThe Atlas of UsKristin DwyerAtlas spirals downward following her father’s death, drops out of school, and loses her job. Court-mandated community service on a wilderness trail allows her to reinvent herself.Twelve to FourteenView book details
Breathing UnderwaterAbbey Lee NashSwimming is a refuge for Tess. Her hopes for a scholarship hinge on her performance, but a diagnosis of epilepsy changes those plans.Twelve to FourteenView book details
BrownstoneSamuel TeerThe summer she turns 15, Almudena meets her Guatemalan father, helps him renovate his house, and grows close to her Latine neighbors. Colorful digital artwork.Twelve to FourteenLexile 361LATOS 2.6View book detailsFourteen and Older
94 selections
Bunt!: Striking Out on Financial AidNgozi UkazuWhen her scholarship unexpectedly falls through, Molly Bauer, a queer Black girl, discovers a loophole to afford her art school tuition: athletics. Colorful digital illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Calculation of You and MeSerena KaylorSeventeen-year old Marlowe, a math-science whiz on the autism spectrum, is devastated when boyfriend Josh dumps her. She is determined to get him back, enlisting the aid of a new friend.Fourteen and OlderView book details
A Constellation of Minor BearsJen FergusonMolly couldn’t wait for this post-graduation trip, but now she holds Traylor responsible for her brother’s near-fatal climbing accident. What will happen on the epic trek? Told from three perspectives.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Even if It Breaks Your HeartErin HahnA grief-stricken teen deals with the death of his best friend, Walker, by trying to complete each task on the list Walker left behind for him.Fourteen and OlderView book details
In RepairA. L. GraziadeiNathaniel hopes that as a college freshman he can leave his traumatic and troublemaking past behind. So is jumping out a window at a party a good idea?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentLibertadBessie Flores ZaldívarAmid a contentious presidential election, Libertad struggles to find acceptance and expression for her lesbianism by writing poetry. Will she have to leave home to be herself?Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Ping-Pong Queen of ChinatownAndrew YangTwo Chinese American teens have a complex but growing friendship as they struggle with parental expectations and hopes for admission to expensive and highly selective colleges.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentPunk Rock Karaokewritten and illustrated by Bianca XuniseIn the summer following high school, three best friends learn to stand up for each other while balancing their band’s dreams and life’s responsibilities. Boisterous illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentQueerceañeraAlex Crespo325740-5 Joaquin is celebrating his queerceañera on his 18th birthday. WhatsApp chats keep his extended family informed. His first crush is his date; will the event turn out perfectly?Fourteen and OlderView book details
RedAnnie CardiA teenager is vilified by her Christian peers after getting an abortion. She vows to protect the father until she realizes he was a predator. Author’s note.Fourteen and OlderView book details
A Second Chance on EarthJuan VidalAfter Marcos’s father dies, his grief-stricken family takes his ashes to Cartagena. There, Marcos finds friendship, discovers Gabriel García Márquez, and connects to his rich Colombian heritage. Free verse.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Shut Up, This Is SeriousCarolina IxtaMexican Americans Belén and Leti are best friends, but can their friendship survive a secret pregnancy, the stress of college admissions, poverty, and systemic racism?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Stepping OffJordan SonnenblickWhile Jesse, 16, is trying to decide if he is in love with Chloe or with Ava, his parents’ marriage disintegrates. Then COVID hits. Affecting and heartfelt.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Sticky Note Manifesto of Aisha AgarwalAmbika VohraAn ambitious South Asian Indian American scholarship high school student is stumped by a Stanford application prompt about a time she stepped out of her comfort zone. Then a new friend takes her there.Fourteen and OlderView book details
There Is a Door in This DarknessKristin CashoreIn 2020 Wilhemina’s gap year before college brings a pandemic, a fraught presidential election, the death of a loved one, a new relationship, and supernatural visions.Fourteen and OlderView book details
LeapSimina PopescuThree girls in a performing arts school in Romania navigate romance, sexuality, and commitment to their art and to each other. Dramatic sepia and grey-toned panels.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Louder than HungerJohn Schu, foreword by Kate DiCamilloMiddle school student Jake undergoes treatment for anorexia nervosa, which manifests as a controlling “Voice” in his head. Free-verse poetry dramatically expresses his harrowing journey to health.Fourteen and OlderLexile 549LATOS 3.6View book details
The No-Girlfriend RuleChristen RandallFrustrated by her inability to join her boyfriend’s role- playing game, Hollis, 17, finds an all-female RPG group, and in so doing, discovers her true self.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentSpilled InkNadia HashimiTwo Afghan twins flee the Taliban to a small Virginia town with their family. Then one of them is victimized in a hate crime. Back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Wide Awake NowDavid LevithanHigh school lovers Duncan, who’s Jewish, and Jimmy, who’s multiracial, protest a recount in the election of the first gay Jewish president. A reimagining of Levithan’s novel Wide Awake.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Family/School/Community 49 DaysAgnes LeeAs family and friends mourn, Korean American Kit reflects on her life while navigating the Buddhist transition period between death and rebirth. Muted brush, pen, ink, and digital illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentAriel Crashes a TrainOlivia A. ColeQueer 17-year-old Ariel experiences violent compulsions as a monster inside her. Will new friends support her efforts to break the spiral of intrusive thoughts? Free verse.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Break to YouNeal Shusterman, Debra Young, Michelle KnowldenWhen Jon, a Black teen, finds Adriana’s hidden journal, the two inmates in a gender-segregated juvenile detention center start a dangerous, forbidden correspondence.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Call Me IggyJorge Aguirre, story by Jorge Aguirre, Rafael RosadoAfter accidentally releasing his abuelito’s ghost, Iggy connects with his Colombian roots and develops his own identity as he begins high school. Expressive artwork.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Conditions of a HeartBethany MangleWhen hiding a medical disability complicates her relationships and gets her suspended from school, Brynn rethinks the need to keep her secret.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentEllie Haycock Is Totally NormalGretchen SchreiberHospitalized high school junior Ellie connects with fellow teen patients while undergoing treatment for a genetic disorder. Explicit scenes of medical interactions. Friendships and romance lighten the narrative.Fourteen and OlderView book details
I Hope This Doesn’t Find YouAnn LiangChinese Australian super student Sadie manages stress by drafting cathartic hate emails and leaving them unsent. When the emails are mysteriously exposed, major difficulties ensue.Fourteen and OlderView book details
IcarusK. AncrumIcarus, a queer high school student and trained thief of art paintings and statues, forms a relationship with Helios, the son of his dad’s nemesis.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentJust UntilJoseph MoldoverThe year before Hannah, 17, plans to go to college, she and her widowed father temporarily take in her troubled sister’s two boys. Author’s note on the child welfare system.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Light Enough to FloatLauren SealEvie, a good student who is unaware of her eating disorder, can’t quite believe that she needs to be hospitalized. Inspired by the author’s real life struggles.Fourteen and OlderLexile 1040LATOS 7.1View book details
Made GloriousLindsay EagarEmbittered scholarship student and social outcast Rory schemes to land the lead role in the senior musical, Shakespeare’s Richard III, set in a modern private school.Fourteen and OlderView book details
On the Bright SideAnna SortinoWith the Brandview School for the Deaf defunded, Ellie must attend public school. Jackson is assigned to help her, not knowing he’s on the verge of a life-changing diagnosis. Author’s note on multiple sclerosis (MS).Fourteen and OlderLexile HL730LATOS 4.7View book details
Mature contentWhere Was Goodbye?Janice Lynn MatherIn Nassau, Bahamas, high school senior Karmen can’t make sense of her brother’s recent suicide. Now suspended for breaking a school lab window, she resolutely researches his life and her own feelings. Resources.Fourteen and OlderView book details
With Love, Miss AmericanahJane IgharoAfter her father’s death, Enore’s Nigerian family moves to America, where she must choose between submitting to her mother’s rigid expectations and following her own heart toward music and romance.Fourteen and OlderView book detailsAmazing Grapeswritten and illustrated by Jules FeifferTransported to an alternate dimension, a family embarks on a phantasmagorical, emotionally draining adventure. Feiffer’s signature sketchy artwork is enhanced with color.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Animals RisingD. J. PanecIn an alternate Earth, giant Mira, 17, rescues Hawk, a wild human, from being killed and eaten. But Hawk has come from his forest village on a dangerous mission.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentCompass and BladeRachel GreenlawLiving on an island that survives by looting shipwrecks, Mira longs for the outside world. When authorities arrest her father, Mira springs into action to save him.Fourteen and OlderView book details
DarkerFour by June CL TanRui trains as an exorcist to destroy Revenants—the undead monsters that killed her mother. Her fate intertwines with the fate of two boys, uncovering the darkest secrets of the Exorcist Guild.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Dead Things Are Closer Than They AppearRobin WasleyIn a supernatural tourist town, a Korean adoptee of white parents who feels nearly invisible finds her resolve, courage, and love tested by a magical cataclysm.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Deep Is the FenLili WilkinsonIn a well-crafted world of magic and secrets, Merry struggles to prevent her friend from joining a cult. Or does she just not want to grow up? Greyscale spot art.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentA Drop of VenomSajni PatelAfter a brutal sexual assault, temple apprentice Manisha gains fearsome powers. Dispatched to destroy her, Pratyush, a monster slayer, does not realize he is hunting the girl he loves.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry (Sunderworld series)Ransom RiggsLeopold is drawn into a parallel world by strange visions of a fantasy TV show his mother recorded on a VCR before her death five years ago.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentHeirSabaa TahirThe stories of a revenge-seeking orphan, an outcast tracking a murderer, and a reluctant crown prince interconnect as the three face evil forces in this magical, action-packed adventure and romance.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Into the Sunken CityDinesh Thiru, map by BMR WilliamsIn a flooded future world, a mysterious woman enlists 18-year-old Jin to raid an underwater city for a priceless treasure. Captivating world-building and a rip-roaring adventure. Greyscale map.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Last BloodcarverVanessa LeSurviving by her wits in an industrial city-state, Nhika attempts to use her healing gifts—which seem magical to some and monstrous to others—with devastating consequences.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Lunar New Year Love StoryGene Luen YangDespite a family curse, Vietnamese American Valentina hopes to find romantic love as she journeys through high school. Occasional use of Vietnamese and Korean. Vibrant color illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Second Chance of Darius LoganDavid F. WalkerDarius, a Black 16-year-old, escapes a prison sentence by joining a prison reform program known as Second Chance, but learns that someone within the program is out to kill him.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Sheine LendeDarcie Little BadgerIn an alternate contemporary America, a resourceful 17-year-old Lipan Apache girl uses inherited supernatural abilities to search for missing children. Can she rescue them and her own mother? Gentle greyscale illustration and spot art. Prequel to Elatsoe.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Song of the Six RealmsJudy I. LinXue, an orphan, is under contract as an apprentice when a wealthy young nobleman buys her services as a musician, but to what end? Includes glossary and realm guide.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Where the Dark Stands StillA. B. PoranekLiska flees her village, which views her magic as evil, and enters the servitude of a forest demon who can rid her of her powers.Fourteen and OlderView book detailsMature contentThe Fox Maidenswritten and illustrated by Robin Ha, typography by Dana FrittsIn 16th-century Korea, Kai must reckon with her destiny after she manifests dangerous abilities that expose her mother’s long-kept secrets. Digital art, occasionally blood-splattered.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Bridge Across the SkyFreeman NgWhile awaiting the fate-determining entrance interview, in 1924 a Chinese boy hoping to enter the U.S. endures detention at the infamous Angel Island Immigration Station. Free verse. Historical notes.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentThe Color of a LieKim Johnson, map by Mike HallIn 1955 Calvin Greene, a Black teen from Chicago, has moved with his family to Pennsylvania and is “passing” there. While adjusting to his school, he is forced to decide where to place his loyalties. Detailed map. Greyscale spot art.Fourteen and OlderLexile HL600LATOS 3.9View book details
Dust SpellsAndrea LynnDuring the Great Depression, three sisters struggling to survive in the Dust Bowl find comfort in a mysterious realm where the burdens of their impoverished lives vanish.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Everything We Never HadRandy RibayA Filipino American family’s story, from the early 20th century through the present, told by four generations of sons—Francisco, Emil, Chris, and Enzo—as each deals with their identity. Greyscale spot art. Family tree. Recommended resources.Fourteen and OlderLexile 820LATOS 5.3View book details
Mature contentEyes OpenLyn Miller-LachmannIn 1960s Portugal, Sónia longs to become a poet, but her activist boyfriend’s arrest by the dictatorial government forces her to leave school and work in a laundry.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Kill Her TwiceStacey LeeIn 1930s Los Angeles, Gemma and May Chow try to keep their father’s flower business afloat. They discover the body of a famous Chinese American movie star—their former classmate.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Medici HeistCaitlin SchneiderhanIn 1517 Florence, a band of thieves plan to rob the tyrannical Medici pope and cardinal of money they amassed by selling forgiveness of sins to credulous parishioners.Fourteen and OlderView book details
No Rules TonightKim Hyun Sook, Ryan EstradaIn South Korea in the 1980s Sook’s adventure at a winter camp allows her and others a night of freedom and a chance to keep a banned book club alive. Expressive graphics. Semi-autobiographical.Fourteen and OlderView book details
A Suffragist’s Guide to the AntarcticYi Shun Lai, maps by Filippo VanzoIn 1914 an 18-year-old suffragist signs onto a hazardous expedition to the Antarctic and fights for gender equality. Detailed black-and-white maps. Inspired by an actual expedition. Author’s note.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Take a Sad SongOna GritzJane stayed out late with a boy, but her mother reported her a runaway. Sent to a girls’ reformatory, Jane struggles to cope and finds others to support her there. Set in 1970. Free verse.Fourteen and OlderView book details
TanglerootKalela WilliamsNoni Reid, 18, uncovers shocking secrets when tracing her Black enslaved and white enslaver ancestors in a rural Virginia town. Author’s note on research.Fourteen and OlderView book details
To the BoneAlena BruzasEllis arrives in Jamestown glad to leave her poverty behind, but life in the colonial settlement is so much more grim than she expected. Author’s note.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentTrajectoryCambria GordonAfter her mathematician father suffers a stroke, Eleanor conceals her problem-solving skills. Recruited in 1942 to an all-female team to improve ballistic trajectories, she comes into her own.Fourteen and OlderView book detailsYours from the TowerSally NichollsIn Victorian England, three friends—idealistic Polly, socialite Sophia, and lonely Tirzah—leave their boarding school and keep in touch by writing each other letters.Fourteen and OlderView book details
When the World Tips OverJandy NelsonIn a small Northern California wine country town, a mysterious rainbow-haired girl upends the lives of three broken siblings whose father disappeared 12 years before.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentThe Ballad of Darcy & RussellMorgan MatsonDarcy and Russell meet after a music festival and have an immediate connection, but family secrets may tear them apart.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Bite Me, Royce TaslimLauren HoAfter an injury ends her track career, Chinese Malaysian high school senior Agnes Chan turns to stand-up comedy to excel, competing against her former athletic archrival.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Daniel, DeconstructedJames RamosFiguring out feelings is hard for Daniel, who is on the autism spectrum, but he thinks Gabe and Mona would be a perfect match. Is he right?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Escaping Mr. RochesterL. L. McKinneyBertha Mason (Mrs. Rochester) and Jane Eyre alternate as narrators in this imaginative postmodern retelling of the literary classic.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentIf You Can’t Take the HeatMichael RuhlmanDevastated by a medical emergency that upends his high school athletic career, Theo, 16, meets Julia, who introduces him to the world of restaurants and gourmet cooking.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Joined at the JointsMarissa EllerBoth Ivy and her sister Caroline have chronic illnesses, but Ivy is the one isolating herself and staying home to watch the Food Network. Will a support group help?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Just Another Epic Love PoemParisa AkhbariWhy did Mitra’s Iranian father enroll her in a Roman Catholic school? Unexpectedly, she makes a best friend there and falls in love through poetry.Fourteen and OlderView book details
My Fair BradyBrian D. KennedyTo convince Reese, his ex-boyfriend, that he isn’t self- absorbed, high school senior Wade plays Pygmalion to shy, nerdy Elijah, introducing him to his theater world. But then ...Fourteen and OlderView book details
Shooting for StarsChristine WebbSkyler wants to complete her dead mother’s scientific research, but does she want that more than a budding romance? And does anything justify lying to her father?Fourteen and OlderView book details
Time and Time AgainChatham GreenfieldPhoebe, a Jewish lesbian with a chronic illness, wakes up every morning and repeats August 6 over and over. It’s not even a great day. Then one day a car crash disrupts the endless loop.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentTwenty-four Seconds from Now...: A Love StoryJason ReynoldsNeon, a Black 17-year-old high school senior, comically traces his intimate relationship with Aria, 17, beginning with his current anxieties, looking back on their developing relationship, and finally returning to the present moment.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Ghost RoastShawnelle Gibbs, Shawneé GibbsWhile working with her ghost hunter father, Chelsea realizes she can communicate with spirits and uncovers a secret about the murder of a biracial philanthropist. Colorful, dynamic, digital illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentSnowglobeSoyoung ParkIn a frozen future, 16-year-old Chobahm is recruited to join a reality television show in a climate-controlled glass dome for the elite and soon discovers dark secrets.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentBright Red FruitSafia ElhilloA modern telling of the Persephone story, in a variety of verse forms, explores the motivation of the character, caught between conflicting desires. Layered, believable, and compelling.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Grace Notes: Poems About FamiliesNaomi Shihab NyeIn this collection of free verse poems, Nye recalls the life of her white, depressed, American mother, her Palestinian father, and their divorce.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Poemhood: Our Black RevivalAmber McBride, Taylor Byas, Erica MartinA powerful anthology of Black poets past and present, highlighting the complexity and diversity of Black life through personal narrative, history, and folklore. Explanatory outros. Greyscale illustrations. Back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
The Unboxing of a Black GirlAngela ShantéIn a mixture of free verse, haiku, and vignettes, the author creates a poetry memoir of her own girlhood in New York City and the lives of Black girls elsewhere.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Halfway There: A Graphic Memoir of Self-Discoverywritten and illustrated by Christine MariChristine, 19, struggles with her mental health from being bullied because she has a white American father and a Japanese mother. Can she make a fresh start in Tokyo? Expressive artwork in a muted palette.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentHomebodywritten and illustrated by Theo ParishFollow Theo’s journey of self-discovery, in which they emerge as transgender and nonbinary. Comic illustrations keep the narrative fresh and appealing.Fourteen and OlderView book details
How the Boogeyman Became a PoetTony Keith JrIt takes Tony years to believe in his own talent and strengths and to accept his sexuality. Performing his poetry in public helps give him courage.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentJust Another Story: A Graphic Migration Accountwritten and illustrated by Ernesto SaadeCarlos, 19, and his mother leave El Salvador in 2006 to migrate to the U.S., encountering harrowing dangers on their journey. Based on the author’s cousin’s experiences. Pastel illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentUkraine: Remember Also Me: Testimonies from the WarGeorge Butler, illustrated by George ButlerUkrainians, young and old, told this acclaimed artist about their wartime experiences as he drew their portraits. Poignant, defiant, heartbreaking, and matter- of-fact reminiscences alongside ink, watercolor, and collage illustrations.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Visitationswritten and illustrated by Corey EgbertTeen Corey and his younger sister survive a terrifying kidnapping by their increasingly mentally ill, albeit loving, mother. Gentle pastel illustrations. Author’s note. Includes mental health resources.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Mature contentThe Gender Binary Is a Big Lie: Infinite Identities Around the WorldLee WindAn engaging and informative look at historical conceptions of gender identity, with close examination of a wide range of primary sources.Fourteen and OlderView book details
American Wings: Chicago’s Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the SkySherri L. Smith, Elizabeth WeinA comprehensive examination of how a group of determined Black pilots, beginning in the early 20th century, rose above racism and segregation. Archival photographs. Extensive back matter.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Be a Scribe!: Working for a Better Life in Ancient EgyptMichael Hoffen, Christian Casey, Jen Thum, images selected by Michael Hoffen, Christian CaseyThis translation of a papyrus dating from ancient Egypt’s Middle Kingdom tells the story of a teenage boy living almost 4,000 years ago. Photographs of artifacts and reproductions of artwork.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Law and Justice Whose Right Is It?: The Fourteenth Amendment and the Fight for Equality (Whose Right Is It? series)Hana BajramovicAn examination of how “equality” has been defined by the 14th Amendment and how the law has shifted as applied to 21st-century issues. Photographs. Footnotes and resources.Fourteen and OlderView book details
Discovering Life’s Story: The Evolution of an Idea (Discovering Life’s Story series)Joy HakimAn excellently researched history of the scientists who contributed to our understanding of evolution. Well-placed, informative sidebars. Archival images and photos. Bibliography, index.Fourteen and OlderView book details