Rank 1The Yellow BusLoren LongShe loves carrying children from one important place to another. Every morning they climb in . . . And they fill her with joy.As time passes, things change.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeWord count 417View book detailsCBC Favorites Awards 2025
Annual favorites chosen by children, teachers, and librarians from books submitted by publishers.
2025 CBC Favorites AwardsSee the original list
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Kids Favorites — K–2nd Grade
70 selections
Rank 1The Yellow BusLoren LongShe loves carrying children from one important place to another. Every morning they climb in . . . And they fill her with joy.As time passes, things change.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeWord count 417View book details
Rank 2Built to LastMinh LêTwo friends' block worlds crumble, testing their friendship's strength.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD540LATOS 3.6View book details
Rank 3Mr. Fox’s Game of No!David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike WohnoutkaFox by saying 'NO' to every tricky question?Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Rank 4Penelope Rex and the Problem with PetsRyan T. HigginsPenelope Rex might finally have bitten off more than she can chew—a pet saber tooth tiger!—in this companion to the #1 New York Times bestselling We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins.Most kids have dogs and cats and fish and guinea pigs.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD460LATOS 3.1View book details
Rank 5Two Little Red MittensKirin Hayashi, illustrated by Chiaki OkadaThe little red left mitten and the little red right mitten enjoy their life as a pair, keeping Little One’s hands warm and toasty.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Rank 6Are You a Sleepy Monster?Guilherme Karsten, illustrated by Guilherme KarstenMonster has your scary pajamas ready and UNDER the bed is looking perfectly yucky and monstrous. Wait, what do you mean you sleep ON THE BED?Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Rank 7Pretty UglyDavid SedarisA monster's face turns human. Can she reclaim her true self?Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD470LATOS 3.2View book details
Rank 8Spider in the WellJess HanniganA broken well, a town in chaos, and a newsboy on a mission for truth.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Rank 9No Cats in the LibraryLauren Emmons, illustrated by Lauren EmmonsA cat sneaks into a library, defying the rules to explore a world of books.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Rank 10The Book That Can Read Your MindMarianna Coppo, illustrated by Marianna CoppoPick a character, and this magical book will reveal your choice.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile 440LATOS 3View book details
All Aboard the Alaska TrainBrooke Hartman, illustrated by John JosephCome aboard the Alaska Train for a rollicking rhyming adventure through the breathtaking landscapes of Alaska and alongside some of the state's most beloved animals.Five shiny train cars roll down the railroad track, picking up passengers along the way-a porcupine, grizzly bear, caribou, and more.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD490LATOS 3.3View book details
Alpacas Make Terrible LibrariansKristi Mahoney, illustrated by Chantelle Thorne, Burgen ThorneWinner of the Children’s Book Council’s 2025 Children's Favorite Award The last thing you expect when you go to the library is to see your librarian replaced with an alpaca.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Arlo Needs GlassesBarney SaltzbergA dog discovers the joy of glasses and a new way to play.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile 157LATOS 1.5View book details
A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy WishDaniel BernstromFrom the creators of A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree comes another fun-to-read romp featuring lovable, hungry Bear. This time, he’s after a determined fish, who has an altogether different plan!Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Bear’s Lost GlassesLeo Timmers, illustrated by Leo TimmersBear can't find his glasses. He must have left them at Giraffe's house.On the way over, Bear sees all kinds of animals he didn't notice last time: an elephant, a crocodile, a flamingo, a deer.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
A Big Juicy EarthwormKatarina Macurova, illustrated by Katarina MacurovaThree friends embark on a quest for a mysterious earthworm, sparking unexpected adventures.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD590LATOS 3.8View book details
BrianosaurusGed AdamsonCan Brianosaurus find happiness by being true to himself?Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD490LATOS 3.3View book details
Broommates: A Brewing Boundary BattleLynne Marie, Brenda Reeves Sturgis, illustrated by Nico EcenarroA sibling rivalry with a Halloween twist to be enjoyed all year long! There's room for improvement when witchy sisters Mathilda and Malin share a broom, and a room!Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Buffalo FluffaloBess Kalb, illustrated by Erin KraanThis laugh-out-loud story by an Emmy-nominated comedy writer shows it’s okay to be yourself.I’m the Buffalo FluffaloI heave and I huffaloLeave me alone because I’ve had enuffalo.Buffalo Fluffalo arrives on the scene puffed up with self-importance.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD580LATOS 3.8View book details
Butt or Face?Kari LavelleCan kids guess if they are looking at the top or bottom of animals? A hilarious guessing game book that will have kids exploring over and over.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Chicken Little and the Very Long Race (The Real Chicken Little)Sam Wedelich, illustrated by Sam WedelichIf you like Mo Willems' Pigeon, you'll love Sam Wedelich’s Chicken Little! So when a marathon—featuring local-record holder, Hare!—is announced in the barnyard, she doesn't understand all the fuss.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Chooch HelpedAndrea L. RogersSissy is frustrated that her two-year-old brother Chooch gets credit for helping whenever he makes a mess.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD440LView book details
CrankyPhuc Tran, illustrated by Pete Oswald"Tran’s “Cranky & Friends” series is perfect for readers [who love construction equipment like cranes, dump trucks, and cement trucks]." --School Library JournalFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Food Group series, Pete Oswald, and debut picture book author Phuc Tran, this is a hilarious picture book about big…Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Dictionary StoryOliver JeffersDictionary's words come alive, but chaos ensues.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeWord count 3798View book details
Dinosaurs in SpaceTodd Sturgell, illustrated by Todd SturgellWe know about the dinosaurs from the fossils they left behind. But did you know some of those fossils might be on the moon?Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD550LATOS 3.6View book details
DorisLo Cole, illustrated by Lo ColeDoris dances to her own tune in this whimsical and emotionally resonant tale about finding the courage to be yourself.Doris has always reveled in the warmth of a spotlight.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Fox Is Coming!James Patterson, Joe Kulka, illustrated by Joe KulkaEight chicks flee a fox, but the chase hides a surprising twist.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Ghost Who Was Afraid of EverythingNadia Ahmed, illustrated by Nadia AhmedA ghost must conquer his fears to enjoy Halloween treats.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD490LATOS 3.3View book details
Gifts from the Garbage Truck: A True Story About the Things We (Don’t) Throw AwayAndrew Larsen, foreword by Nelson Molina"Informative and inspirational... will have readers rethinking the value of items that appear seemingly worthless. Instead of seeing something broken, you saw something to fix?Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Gina Kaminski Saves the WolfCraig Barr-Green, illustrated by Francis MartinGina enters into the fairy-tale world of Little Red Riding Hood to fix what she's decided are the Wolf's three big mistakes.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Girl Who Loves BugsLily MurrayA girl's love for bugs disrupts a family gathering.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Hank Goes HonkMaudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Duncan BeedieA rude goose learns the value of friendship and kindness.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Hello: How Nüwa Created the WorldViola WangThe creation of humankind begins with Nuwa, a lonely young goddess, a handful of clay, and a single "hello" in this vibrant and touching tale inspired by Chinese mythology.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
I Am a PotatoZiggy Hanaor, illustrated by Elliot KruszynskiA creature's quest to discover its true identity sparks a whimsical journey of deduction.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
José Feeds the World: How a Famous Chef Feeds Millions of People in Need Around the WorldDavid Unger, illustrated by Marta Álvarez MiguénsWhen a terrible earthquake hit Haiti in 2010, chef José Andrés knew he needed to help. Within a few hours of the disaster, he had gathered friends, they flew to the island, and they began cooking rice and beans for the hungry locals.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Jump for JoyKaren Gray RuelleIn this charming and imaginative tale of friendship, picture book readers will delight in what it means to have a furry best friend.For as long as she can remember, Joy has wanted a dog.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Last ZookeeperAaron BeckerA robot builds an ark to save zoo animals in a flooded world.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Little Green Swing (Little Ruby’s Big Ideas)Brenda Maier, illustrated by Sonia SánchezCBC Children’s and Young Adult Favorites Award CBC Teacher Favorites Award Oklahoma Book Awards Finalist Ruby's mind is always full of ideas.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
LostMariajo Ilustrajo, illustrated by Mariajo IlustrajoThis is an action packed novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It will have you questioning your detective skills and whether or not Kate's entire adventure is a dream.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Lucky DuckGreg PizzoliFrom the critically acclaimed author of The Adventures of a South Pole Pig comes a heartwarming middle grade animal adventure story about Frank, the odd one out in a family of ducks, who discovers both his courage and unique identity as he braves the unknown to save his family from an invading…Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile 600LATOS 3.9View book details
Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a KittenMichelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin HawkesA spider pretends to be a kitten, but can he keep up the act?Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile 511LATOS 3.4View book details
The Man Who Didn’t Like AnimalsDeborah Underwood, illustrated by LeUyen PhamDiscover how a tidy man becomes a farmer with unexpected animal friends.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
María MariposaKarla Arenas Valenti, illustrated by Ana Ramírez GonzálezA butterfly's magic challenges a girl's confidence in a new world.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD730LATOS 4.7View book details
Merry Christmas ZooLola M. Schaefer, Lisa Eickholdt, illustrated by Laura Watkins’Twas the Night Before Christmas goes to the zoo! Inspired by true events, this picture book celebrates the magic of Christmas and the spirit of giving.It’s Christmas at the zoo, and all the animals are in for a spectacular holiday surprise!Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Millie Fleur’s Poison GardenChristy Mandin*A great book for holiday gifting, and one of the best picture books of 2024! *An instant New York Times and Indie Bestseller!Wednesday Addams meets The Curious Garden in this delightfully peculiar story.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
A Mischief of MiceChristie Matheson, illustrated by Christie MathesonA group of mice vanishes. Can the animals solve the mystery before fall ends?Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD560LATOS 3.7View book details
Moo HooAudrey Perrott, illustrated by Ross BurachA bull's tears lead to unexpected friendship and self-acceptance.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Most Beautiful WinterCristina Sitja Rubio, illustrated by Cristina Sitja Rubio, Vineet LalA restless animal seeks companionship during a lonely winter while others hibernate.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile 510LATOS 3.4View book details
Mr. Round and Mr. SquarePatricia Fitti, illustrated by Patricia FittiSquare live opposite each other. Every day, they look outside. Round’s house, it’s sunny, but at Mr. They always see things differently.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
No Bear AnywhereLeah GilbertA young boy learns to cope with disappointment and embrace the unexpected in this infectiously charming, beautifully illustrated picture book.2025 CBC Children's Favorites Awards List When his family takes a walk on Bear Creek Trail, Bruin is determined to spot his favorite animal (a bear).Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Old Clothes for Dinner?Nathalie Alonso“Cleverly written and laughoutloud funny, this infinitely rereadable picture book is ripe with socialemotional learning opportunities around misunderstanding, as well as serving as a warm welcome into Cuban culture” – Barnes & Noble Magaly loves the yummy Cuban food her Abuela has been cooking since arriving from Havana, but when Magaly’s sweater…Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Open Me…I’m a DogArt SpiegelmanNot so much a book as it is three-dimensional art, Art Spiegelman's Open Me ... I'm a Dog! is a fun romp through the usual expectations of children's stories, in this case a dog who is transformed into a book by a wizard.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Oy, Santa!Joyce Schriebman, illustrated by Gila von MeissnerA laugh-out-loud interfaith holiday story celebrating Jewish joy, friendship, and the beauty of every tradition!Enjoy this heartwarming and hilarious holiday picture book as Jewish, bi-racial Oliver Overstreet teaches Santa that Christmas and Hanukkah are not related—at all!Oy, Santa! shines as a festive story that celebrates Jewish pride and tradition, sprinkled with laughter…Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Pascal the Very Hungry PenguinNishani Reed, illustrated by Junissa BiandaGet ready for this fast-paced and big-hearted rhyming adventure about a penguin who loves curry!When Pascal the penguin tries Nabil's delicious biriyani rice, Pascal decides to leave the zoo and go home with him!Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Peg Gets CrackinJo Renfro, illustrated by Jo RenfroAn egg-bound creature faces the fear of hatching into the unknown.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD500LATOS 3.3View book details
Pig Town PartyLian Cho, illustrated by Lian ChoA girl stumbles into a secret pig party, leading to chaos and cake heists.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Quickest Bedtime Story Ever!Louise Fitzgerald, illustrated by Kate HindleyWelcome to the quickest bedtime story ever! Your little one will be asleep in seconds. There are a couple of things you must do Have you warmed up your reading voice?Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Quiet As MudJane Yolen, illustrated by Nicole WongDiscover the quiet power of being true to yourself in a noisy world.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Rainbow BearBill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, illustrated by Nathalie BeauvoisJoin a bear's colorful journey after hibernation.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
RhythmJackie Azúa Kramer, illustrated by Taia MorleyIn this powerful story of resilience and hope, one girl observes her community through the changing rhythm of each season. The Children’s Book Council (CBC) - K-2nd grade CHILDREN'S FAVORITE In a town once vibrant but now affected by unemployment and food insecurity, one girl watches the seasons go by.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Scooper and Dumper The Pumpkin ParadeLindsay WardAutumn fun with small-town vehicles.Crisp fall days are here, and Scooper and Dumper are in high gear, getting ready for the pumpkin parade.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Sour AppleLinda LiuAn apple left behind discovers self-acceptance and patience.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The SpacemanRandy Cecil, illustrated by Randy CecilA stranded Spaceman discovers Earth's wonders and a potential new home.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
A Sundae with Everything on ItKyle Scheele, illustrated by Andy J. PizzaA mom and son travel through dimensions seeking the ultimate dessert.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Teeny-Weeny UnicornShawn HarrisA tiny unicorn questions his size in a world too big for him.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD590LATOS 3.8View book details
Togo to the RescueMélisande Potter, illustrated by Giselle PotterA husky braves a deadly blizzard to deliver life-saving medicine.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Turkey’s Birthday BashWendi Silvano, illustrated by Lee HarperTurkey's birthday is forgotten, but a secret in the backyard awaits.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD530LATOS 2.6View book details
When an Elephant Hears NODazzle Ng, illustrated by Estrela LourençoWhen an elephant hears NO, a tantrum may follow, and a steaming, stomping elephant blowing up is BIG trouble. But what every little one must understand is that NO can mean an enormity of things.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Willow the White House CatJill Biden, illustrated by Kate BerubeJill Biden.When Willow leaves her cozy barn for Washington, DC, and the big white house where she will now live, Willow discovers new rooms to explore and is welcomed by the nice lady she met at Farmer Rick’s farm.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Worm’s Lost & FoundJule Wellerdiek, illustrated by Jule Wellerdiek, David Henry WilsonA picture book for anyone who has ever lost anything! Worm runs one of the best lost and found offices in the world.Kids Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsKids Favorites — 3rd–5th Grade
50 selections
Rank 1You Made Fun of My SandwichJessica Pegis, illustrated by Harry BriggsWhen a kid is teased about their lunch— the response is one of humor, creativity, and empathy. When a classmate mocks their lunch, the storyteller's imagination takes flight.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 2Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder: A Graphic Novel (Dog Man #12): From the Creator of Captain UnderpantsDav Pilkey, illustrated by Dav PilkeyDog Man got sprayed by a skunk! After being dunked in tomato juice, the stink is gone but the scarlet red color remains.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 3This Is My BrainElise Gravel, illustrated by Elise GravelA Schneider Family Book Award winner! A Bank Street Best Book of the Year!Told in dual narrative, This Is My Brain in Love is a stunning YA contemporary romance, exploring mental health, race, and, ultimately self-acceptance, for fans of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter and Emergency Contact.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 4The Café at the Edge of the WoodsMikey Please, illustrated by Mikey PleaseA chef faces bizarre culinary demands from enchanted forest creatures.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 5Orris and Timble: The BeginningKate DiCamillo, illustrated by Carmen MokA rat must decide whether to save an owl, risking an unexpected friendship.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile 540LATOS 3.6View book details
Rank 6Kindred Spirits: Shilombish IttibachvffaLeslie Stall WidenerA nonfiction picture book about the inspiring true pay-it-forward story that bridges two continents, 175 years, and two events in historyconnecting Ireland, Choctaw Nation, Navajo Nation, and the Hopi Tribe.Choctaw author Leslie Stall and Navajo illustrator Johnson Yazzie come together to share the importance of empathy and kindness.1845.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 7Mighty Scared: The Amazing Ways Animals Defend ThemselvesErin Silver, illustrated by Hayden MaynardLearn about the wild, wacky and downright disgusting ways some animals react out of fear. Are you afraid of the dark? Or of something you saw in a movie?Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 8Time BuddiesMatthew Cody, Colleen AF Venable, Marcie Colleen, illustrated by Chad ThomasA future owlet and present-day kid race through time.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile GN340LATOS 2.5View book details
Rank 9Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-Emma!Jenny Alvarado, illustrated by Jenny AlvaradoFans of Narwhal and Jelly & Pizza and Taco, prepare to meet your new favorite duo! This hilarious new early-reader graphic novel series follows the adventures of two best friend school supplies: Pencil and Eraser!Pencil is a joyous adventure seeker and Eraser is a cautious curmudgeon.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 10Pup and Dragon: How to Catch a UnicornAlice Walstead, illustrated by Paul GillCan Pup and Dragon catch the elusive unicorn hiding in the zoo?Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile GN530LATOS 3.5View book details
And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and ResistanceSupriya Kelkar, illustrated by Supriya KelkarThe story of one of the world’s most famous diamonds—stolen from South Asia during colonization and now among the crown jewels in London—is a call to action for readers to decolonize and hold their heads high.The Kohinoor diamond, one of the most famous diamonds in the world, was stolen from India and…Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Bird Girl: Gene Stratton-Porter Shares Her Love of Nature With the WorldJill EsbaumThis lively STEAM picture book is about the life of Gene Stratton-Porter, a pioneering wildlife photographer and popular author from the late 19th and early 20th century, who showed the world the beauty of nature, especially birds, and why it was worth preserving.Gene Stratton-Porter was a farm girl who fell in love…Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Bodega Cats: Picture PurrfectHilda Eunice Burgos, illustrated by Siara FaisonIn the Heights meets Front Desk in this heartwarming and funny illustrated story about the friendship between a bodega owner’s kid and his newly-adopted furry friend, with a focus on family and community.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Brobots: The Complete CollectionJ. Torres, illustrated by Sean K. Dove"...as brightly colored as a box of crayons, peppered with dialogue filled with puns and wordplay [ Brobots is] sure to elicit chuckles from younger readers and emerging manga aficionados." - Kirkus They’re BROTHERS.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Cactus Queen: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National ParkLori AlexanderA 2025 Bank Street College of Education Cook Prize Silver MedalistThe Nature Generation's 2025 Green Earth Book Award Short ListHow did the Joshua Tree National Park in California come to be?Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Camp ProdigyCaroline Palmer, illustrated by Caroline PalmerTwo kids face identity and anxiety challenges at orchestra camp. Can they overcome their fears?Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
ChampPayam Ebrahimi, illustrated by Reza DalvandA three-legged dog named Champ makes Riley realize baseball is not the most important thing in his life. Together, Riley and Champ make a great team. 187 pages.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Crowning Glory: A Celebration of Black HairCarole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Ekua HolmesCelebrate the beauty of Black hair creations through the rhyming text and vibrant collage art of lauded Coretta Scott King Award winners Carole Boston Weatherford and Ekua Holmes.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Gertie Is Not All DogsSiski Kalla, illustrated by Siski KallaSammy's world brightens with the arrival of his new dog, Gertie. Overflowing with excitement, Sammy is ready for all the adventures ahead.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Gigi Shin Is Not a NerdLyla LeeA girl starts a tutoring club to fund her dream art camp, but chaos ensues.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeWord count 33332View book details
Gracie Under the WavesLinda Sue ParkGracie Under the Waves is a middle-grade novel by Linda Sue Park about a young snorkeling enthusiast whose family trip to Roatán, Honduras, leads her to confront a threatened coral reef and discover how children can help.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeATOS 4.7AR interest MG 4–8View book details
Grateful!: A Choose Your Own Attitude BookGail Hayes, illustrated by Helen FlookFeeling grateful is like magic. It is magical because it changes so many things in our life. It can change the way we feel in our heart, our head, and our body.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Guts for Glory: The Story of Civil War Soldier Rosetta WakemanJoanna LapatiSo, one day she made a brave, bold choice: she cut her braid and disguised herself as a man.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
How Do You See the World?Noureddine Melikechi, illustrated by Michelle SimpsonWhat is it like to see the world through someone else's eyes?If you've ever been curious about how your eyes work, why some people need glasses, or what it's like to be color blind, How Do You See the World? has the answers!Eyes are complicated, and each little part has to work…Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Insects: A Compare and Contrast BookAszya SummersDid you know that there are more insects than any other group of animals? The diversity of insects is staggering. What do ants have in common with bees?Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
InvestiGators: Agents of S.U.I.T.: From Badger to WorseJohn Patrick Green, Christopher Hastings, illustrated by Pat Lewis"When I'm faced with a Pilkey fan looking to branch out, this graphic novel is the first book I reach for...Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Iris and the TurtlesMelanie Mathis Miller, illustrated by Karissa Miller LaffeyIris loves to swim with all the beautiful marine life in the ocean near her home, but Sea Turtles are her favorite.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
It Is OkayYe Guo, illustrated by Ye GuoThey love meeting up to eat canned grass together. But when they share coffee, a hike, or dinner at Bunny’s burrow, Goat and Bunny realize that they aren’t as similar as they thought.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile 520LATOS 3.4View book details
Jackson’s Wilder Adventures Volume 1: Habits and HabitatsSarah Davidson, illustrated by Sarah DavidsonThe first installment of chapter book graphic novel series, Jackson’s Wilder Adventures, dynamic duo Irwin and Jackson make science fun and accessible through their adventures far and wide, from the subpolar Faroe islands to the tropical Yunque Rainforest and African savanna.Jackson Wilder and his imaginary friend Irwin the Thylacine are having a…Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Letters to Never Send Santa: Confessions, Complaints, and Outlandish Requests from the Files of St. NickDavid Griswold, illustrated by Luis San VicenteYou better watch out, you better not . . .Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
MahoganyJanay Brown-Wood, illustrated by John JovenStone Barrington is hired to protect a former intelligence agent with amnesia—and secrets worth killing for—in this heart-stopping thriller in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Minerals and Rocks: A Beginner’s GuideKim TaitDiscover the fascinating world under your feet in Minerals and Rocks. Written by a top mineralogist, this essential guidebook for young readers introduces key geological and scientific concepts and delves into the main features of minerals and rocks.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
NestPrecious McKenzie, illustrated by Jennifer ArdFollow a baby bird's journey through its first year of life.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Noodle & BaoShaina Lu, illustrated by Shaina LuMomo has lived in Town 99 her entire life. She knows all its quirks and rhythms: the best places to buy fruit, practice tai-chi in the park, and, most of all, get the best meal: Noodle & Bao, run by Momo's best friend, Bao, and their amah, Noodle.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Out of the Valley of HorsesWendy OrrThe valley of horses has been a safe haven for Honey and her family for seven peaceful years, but this seemingly perfect valley has also become their prison.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Record Breakers at the Olympic GamesRob WalkerRecord Breakers at the Olympic Games celebrates the best records, achievements and stories in the history of the modern summer Olympic Games.Comprehensive in scope, the book features record performances in every sport and discipline since Athens 1896, and highlights the jawdropping efforts and dramatic moments that make up the Games' tapestry of…Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Saint Valentine the Kindhearted: The History and Legends of God’s Brave and Loving ServantNed Bustard, illustrated by Ned BustardWe celebrate Valentine’s Day with flowers, candy, and cards for the people we love. But have you ever wondered why we do this on February 14?Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Save The…PandasAnita Sanchez, illustrated by Anita SanchezPandas are shy, which makes them hard to find in the wild. They can live to be 20 years old. But pandas are in danger.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Shiny Misfits: A Graphic NovelMaysoon Zayid, illustrated by Shadia AminA hilarious story about fame and friendship, by comedian and disability activist Maysoon Zayid, paired with Shadia Amin's absolutely perfect art! Bay Ann wants to shine.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Spider-Man: Cosmic Chaos!Mike MaihackA friendly and neighborly Spider-Man must stop the Collector from using seven ancient celestial talismans to become an actual universeKids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeWord count 2847View book detailsSpider-Man: Quantum Quest!Mike Maihack, illustrated by Mike MaihackIn Spider-Man: Quantum Quest!, the action-packed and hilarious second graphic novel in the Mighty Marvel Team-Up series, everyone's friendly neighborhood super hero is sent to the Quantum Realm with the Fantastic Four!Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Spin to Survive: Deep Space DangerGiles Sparrow, illustrated by R FressonSpin to Survive: Deep Space Danger , the fourth in the series, launches you on your most daring adventure yet: surviving on board a spaceship heading for disaster. *2025 CBC Children’s Favorites Winner* The innovative Spin to Survive series boldly goes where no game-in-a-book has gone before with its fourth instalment.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
The Tale of The Other GloveMonica, Abigail Berg, illustrated by Sonia Possentini"Abigail embarks on a new adventure alongside her babysitter, Carol, and her best friend, Ben. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they encounter an unhoused man at the bustling subway station, who takes something from Carol and refuses to return it.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
This Book Will Self-DestructBen Sanders, illustrated by Ben SandersA spy dog with gadgets must thwart a mysterious plot.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile GN540LATOS 3.6View book details
Ultimate Bugopedia, 2nd Edition; The Most Complete Bug Reference EverDarlyne Murawski, Nancy HonovichUpdated, expanded, and buzzing with the latest information on all the wild, wacky, cool, and creepy insects and spiders that kids love, this is a must-have title for all young explorers!Get ready to meet even more incredible bugs in the second edition of Ultimate Bugopedia!Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Unico: Awakening (Volume 1): An Original MangaOsamu Tezuka, Samuel Sattin, illustrated by GurihiruAn adventure across space and time awaits!"A spellbinding masterpiece." -- Dav Pilkey, #1 bestselling creator of Dog ManUNICO tells the incredible story of a young unicorn who, after enraging the evil goddess Venus, is banished from the heavens and forgets all he once was.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Warriors Graphic Novel: The Prophecies Begin #1Erin Hunter, illustrated by Natalie RiessA house cat enters a world of wild clans, facing danger and destiny.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeWord count 10033View book details
Who’s Writing This Story?!Robin NewmanWho's the real boss of a story? The writer or the characters who live to tell the tale? Or both together?Follow the three little pigs as they argue with the writer over what kind of story to tell.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView 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.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Winnie-the-PoohA. A. MilneThe beloved children’s classic appears as a graphic novel for the first timeLynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize winner Travis Dandro takes a left turn from his detailed autobiography and returns with the charming tales of Winnie-the-Pooh.Kids Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsKids Favorites — 6th–8th Grade
50 selections
Rank 1HoverGirlsGeneva BowersThe web comic sensation about magical girls by acclaimed illustrator Geneva Bowers, now in a beautiful print edition, featuring an expanded storyline and revised art!Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Rank 2The New Girl: A Graphic Novel (The New Girl #1)Cassandra Calin, illustrated by Cassandra CalinInspired by Cassandra Calin’s immigration experience, The New Girl follows Lia as she leaves Romania, begins school in a new language, and copes with getting her first period amid the changes of a new country and a changing body.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeATOS 2.6AR interest MG 4–8View book details
Rank 3Winston Chu vs. the WingmeistersStacey LeeA mysterious fog and memory loss plague the city. Can Winston uncover the truth before it's too late?Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Rank 4The World-Famous NineBen Guterson, illustrated by Kristina KisterCan Zander and Natasha uncover the secrets of The Nine before it's too late?Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeWord count 67283View book details
Rank 5And Then, Boom!Lisa FippsA boy faces homelessness, hunger, and a looming tornado, finding hope in unexpected places.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeWord count 25904View book details
Rank 6Answers to DogPete HautmanA boy and a dog defy bullies and find courage together.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 619LATOS 4View book details
Rank 7It Watches in the DarkJeff Strand"She glanced over her shoulder. It stood there, smile stitched on its face, but now it felt like a smirk."Prepare to be scared silly in this creepy middle-grade novel!Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile HL610LATOS 4View book details
Rank 8Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes that Dot Our PlanetGeo Rutherford, illustrated by Geo RutherfordDive into the most mysterious waters around the world (if you dare) in Spooky Lakes , an illustrated nonfiction book from TikTok star and educator Geo Rutherford.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Rank 9PopcornRob HarrellWinner of The Schneider Family Book Award The beloved author of Wink is back with a hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety on a day when everything is going wrongAndrew’s just trying to make it through Picture Day, which is easier said than done when it seems like the whole…Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Rank 10Alone Together: A Curious Exploration of LonelinessPetti Fong, illustrated by Jonathan DyckThe world is facing an epidemic of loneliness. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us new words, like isolation , quarantine and social distancing .Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The Adventures of the Flash Gang, Episode Two: Treasonous TycoonM. M. Downing, S. J. WaughWhere is the Flash Gang? Pittsburgh’ s most notorious thieves haven’ t struck for a year, not since a devastating fire resulted in the supposed death of two streeters.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Ain’t it FunnyMargaret GurevichA girl uses comedy to mend her fractured family amidst rising anxiety.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 650LATOS 4.2View book details
All Mixed UpRaj TawneyWINNER, 2024 FOREWORD INDIES, HONORABLE MENTION, JUVENILE FICTIONCBC 2025 MIDDLE-GRADE & TEACHER FAVORITESA DÍA READING LIST 2025 PICKA NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOKS FOR KIDS 2024 PICKFrom New York Times essayist Raj Tawney comes All Mixed Up, a powerful middle-grade novel that explores identity, friendship, and the challenges of growing up…Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
All The Ways to GoJessie JanowitzFrom the author of The Doughnut Fix comes another funny, heartfelt book about overcoming the fear of letting down the people you love and the amazing things that can come from a summer of nothing going your way.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
AlterationsRay Xu, illustrated by Ray XuMargaret is an acclaimed fashion designer, devoted mother, keeper of order and elegance in a city that never slows. But one morning, she simply doesn’t get out of bed.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Amil and the AfterVeera HiranandaniA boy seeks hope and identity in post-partition India.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 731LATOS 4.7View book details
Another First ChanceRobbie CouchAnd every day since, he’s had to pass by the depressing billboard that appeared as a result: a texting and driving PSA that reduces Dylan to a cautionary tale.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Blood City RollersVeronica Park Anderson, illustrated by Tatiana HillA young skater joins a vampire roller derby team to save their league. Can she help them survive the season?Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile GN400LATOS 2.8View book details
The Books of Clash Volume 3: Legendary Legends of Legendarious AchieveryGene Luen Yang, illustrated by Kendall Goode, Alison ActonBased on the global hit Clash of Clans and penned by superstar graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang, this third volume of a new action-packed series brings the characters from everyone's favorite mobile gaming sensation to life!Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Cactus Kid and the Battle for Star Rock MountainEmmanuel GuerreroJoin Cactus Kid as he zooms through the Neverending Desert on his sweet ride, seeking the ultimate magical powers to become the greatest wizard of all time.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Chasing StarsMeg GaertnerWhen Ryan chose to return to 2012 to save Eden from certain death, he knew that he would be altering the timeline of the world--but he didn't expect to be followed, or that the "cleaner" from his own time would be so ruthless.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The First State of BeingErin Entrada KellyIn August 1999, anxious twelve-year-old Michael Rosario meets a mysterious boy from the future.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 681LATOS 4.4View book details
The Girl Who SangEstelle NadelA young girl's survival in Nazi-occupied Poland reveals hope amid horror.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 420LATOS 3.2View book details
Here I Am, I Am MeCara BeanThis colorful graphic novel adventure through the brain demystifies and destigmatizes emotional and mental health for children through accessible language and lessons.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The Hoop Con (Play the Game #1)Amar ShahYOU CAN’T WIN IF YOU DON’T PLAY Raam Patel is eager to prove himself ever since he didn’t make the middle school’s basketball team.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Impossible CreaturesKatherine RundellTwo kids must save a fading magical world before it's too late.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile HL650LATOS 4.2View book details
In Search of Superpowers: A Fantasy Pin World AdventureBriana Lawrence, illustrated by Joanna CacaoFour preteens receive mysterious enamel pins that grant them superpowers. Together, they must put aside their differences and embark on an epic journey to find the mysterious pinmaker, discover the truth behind the new theme park, and of course, trade pins—all while learning how to navigate their new superhuman skills.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
It Came from the TreesAlly RussellA creature lurks in the woods. Can Jenna save her friend before it's too late?Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 870LATOS 5.6View book details
Jax Freeman and the Phantom ShriekKwame MbaliaA boy discovers a hidden world of magic, family secrets, and vengeful spirits.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The Last Rhee WitchJenna Lee-YunA haunted camp reveals secrets and challenges everything Ronnie knows.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
A Magic Fierce and BrightHemant NayakAdya wants nothing more than to be left alone. Content to be loyal to no one but herself in the isolated jungles of South India, she dreams only of finding her lost sister, Priya, and making enough money to take care of their family.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal VoiceAnna LaperaBest of the Year: School Library Journal •Booklist • New York Public Library - Social Justice BooksFor fans of Donna Barba Higuera's Lupe Wong Won't Dance and Aida Salazar's The Moon Within comes Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice comes a contemporary middle grade novel full of spunk and activist heart —…Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken ToesMatt EicheldingerA middle schooler must break a mysterious curse before it breaks him.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 730LATOS 4.9View book details
Maya Plays the PartCalyssa ErbA young girl navigates a summer of unexpected challenges and self-discovery in the world of theater.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 730LATOS 4.9View book details
The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.SJohn Hendrix, illustrated by John HendrixThe Mythmakers is a graphic novel biography of two literary icons—C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien—following the story of their friendship and creative fellowship, and how each came to write their masterworks Through narrative and comic panels, Hendrix chronicles Lewis and Tolkien’s near-idyllic childhoods, then moves on to both men’s horrific tour of…Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The Old Willis Place Graphic NovelMary Downing Hahn, illustrated by Meredith LaxtonDiana and her little brother, Georgie, know every inch of the land around the old Willis place, a crumbling mansion that some people say is haunted.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Read at Your Own RiskRemy LaiA game with spirits turns a diary into a haunting nightmare.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 560LATOS 3.5View book details
The ReckoningWade HudsonA powerful contemporary novel about an aspiring 12 year-old filmmaker whose world is turned upside down when his grandfather is slain in a senseless and racist act of violence.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Safiyyah’s WarHiba Noor KhanViolence lurks in the streets, her best friend has fled, and even her place of refuge—the library—has turned shadowy and confusing, as the invaders fear the power of books.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Secret Society of Rebel Girls: Nina and the Mysterious MailboxMarti Dumas, illustrated by Kristina Kister"Girls running for office, secret leadership lessons from the past, and a dash of mysterious mailbox magic? Yes please!" —Kate Messner, New York Times best-selling author of Breakout and the History Smashers series A school election.A mysterious mailbox.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The Squad: A Graphic Novel (The Tryout #2)Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Joanna CacaoBreak out your pom poms! The highly anticipated, stand-alone companion to the instant #1 bestseller The Tryout promises even more cheer, higher stakes, and relatable middle-school drama.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools (Scholastic Focus)Dan SaSuWeh JonesThese books help readers learn about the world in which they live and develop their critical thinking skills so that they may become dynamic citizens who are able to analyze and understand our past, participate in essential discussions about our present, and work to grow and build our future.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
A Suffragist’s Guide to the AntarcticYi Shun Lai, maps by Filippo VanzoClara Ketterling-Dunbar is one of twenty-eight crew members of The Resolute—a ship meant for an Antarctic expedition now marooned on an ice floe one hundred miles from the shore of the continent.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Summer at SqueeAndrea WangA summer camp challenges a tween's understanding of culture and belonging.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 800LATOS 5.2View book details
Taxi Ghost: (A Graphic Novel)Sophie EscabasseIn this hilarious and heartwarming graphic novel, a young girl's first period brings an unexpected gift: the ability to see ghosts!Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
True ColorsAbby CooperDiscover the power of being true to yourself in this beautifully illustrated book.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
UltravioletAida SalazarHis feelings that flow like lava. His relationship with Pops, who’s always telling him to man up, the Solis way. And especially Camelia, his first girlfriend.But then, betrayal and heartbreak send Elio spiraling toward revenge, a fight to prove his manhood, and defend Camelia’s honor.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Wild DreamersMargarita EngleLeandro has struggled with debilitating anxiety since his family fled Cuba on a perilous raft. One moonlit night, in a wilderness park in California, Ana and Leandro meet.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Wings to SoarTina AthaideA historically relevant middle-grade novel-in-verse about a girl's resiliency when faced with hatred towards refugees.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook For KidsDavid Borgenicht, Justin Heimberg, illustrated by Wenke KrampThe best-selling (and wildly hilarious) Worst-Case Scenario series is back with 40 extreme survival tips for kids ages 8-12, great for adventurous fans of the I Survived books.Kids Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsKids Favorites — 9th–12th Grade
50 selections
Rank 1The Glass GirlKathleen GlasgowA teen's struggle with alcohol spirals after a blackout, leading her to confront harsh realities.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile HL620LATOS 4View book details
Rank 2Lunar New Year Love StoryGene Luen YangShe was destined for heartbreak.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 3Six Truths and a LieReam ShukairySix teens accused of terrorism must choose: betray each other or reveal secrets to clear their names.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile 899LATOS 5.8View book details
Rank 4RecklessLauren RobertsTHE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES! In a good way!’ Bookseller Review With more than 60 million views on TikTok, the second heart-racing instalment in this bestselling and sizzling fantasy romance trilogy.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 5Ghost RoastShawnelle Gibbs, Shawneé GibbsGhost Roast delivers a paranormal adventure full of first crushes, lost histories, and the impossible task of fitting in when your dad is a professional ghosthunter.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 6An Illustrated History of Urban LegendsAdam Allsuch BoardmanFrom the campfire to the digital rumor mill, urban legends have flourished wherever we tell stories. Whether once true, sprouted from half remembered facts or entirely fictional, we have scrutinized these legends for centuries.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 7It’s Only a GameKelsea YuHe's a man who knows the importance of hard work and he's living proof that it pays off.TERRY BRADSHAWIT'S ONLY A GAMEThis is the absolutely guaranteed 100% mostly true story of the man who gained sports immortality as the first quarterback to win four Super Bowls and who became America's…Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 8Blood at the RootLaDarrion WilliamsBlood at the Root: A Racial Cleansing in America is a 2016 non-fiction book written by Patrick Phillips investigating the 1912 racial conflict in…Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 9Grief in the Fourth Dimension: A NovelJennifer YuJennifer Yu’s Grief in the Fourth Dimension is a moving and unique speculative YA novel about the afterlife and the unexpected connections that can be made in death.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 10Transformers: Robots In DisguiseDaniel Warren Johnson, illustrated by Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike SpicerAfter the Alchemor crashed on Earth, fugitive Decepticons were scattered across the globe. Only Bumblebee can recapture the villains. His new away team includes the legendary Optimus Prime, Sideswipe, Windblade, and the mysterious Drift and his Mini-Cons, Slipstream and Jetstorm.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
10 Things I Hate About PromElle Gonzalez RoseNot just next-door neighbors, they’re platonic soulmates. At least, that’s what Ive thinks, until Joaquin decides to ask Tessa Hernandez, the same girl who stole Ive’s boyfriend, to prom.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
49 DaysAgnes LeeIn Buddhist tradition, a person travels for forty-nine days after death before crossing over; the book follows Korean American teenager Kit and the family…Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Apple Black OriginsOdunze Oguguo, illustrated by Odunze OguguoIn this light-novel prequel to the Apple Black series, Willow and Gideon together take on the evils that riddle Eden in their adventure to find gold.*2025 CBC Young Adult Favorites Winner*Many years ago, humans acquired “Black” fruits from a tree that descended from the skies, turning humans into sorcerers.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Bite Me, Royce TaslimLauren HoBite Me, Royce Taslim is a novel written by Malaysian author Lauren Ho who is based in Singapore.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Black Girl You Are AtlasRenée WatsonExplore the journey of Black girlhood through poetry and art.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
The Brightwood CodeMonica HesseTimely and unforgettable, The Brightwood Code sheds light on hidden history and the brutality of being a woman in a war built by men.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Compound FractureAndrew Joseph WhiteA trans teen battles a corrupt sheriff in a deadly Appalachian feud.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile 781LATOS 5View book details
Death at Morning HouseMaureen JohnsonDates should be hot, but not hot enough to warrant literal firefighters. Akilah, the girl Marlowe has been in love with for years, will never go out with her again.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
A Drop of VenomSajni PatelCirce goes YA in this unapologetically feminist retelling of the Medusa myth steeped in Indian mythology, a YA epic fantasy addition to the Rick Riordan Presents imprint.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Haphaven Deluxe EditionNorm Harper, illustrated by Louie Joyce2025 CBC Young Adult Favorites Winner 2025 CBC Teacher Favorites Winner “. . . much more than a mere checklist of superstitions, Haphaven is sure to please fans of unique fantasies.” —Foreword Reviews How far would you go to change your luck?Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
HappyHeadJosh SilverA bold new dystopian thriller about an experimental mental health retreat center for young adults where everything is not what it seems—and one boy who will risk everything to escape.Seb has been selected for a new experimental mental health center called HappyHead, designed to solve the national crisis of teenage unhappiness.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
HeirSabaa TahirPrepare for the action-packed, ruthless, and romantic new fantasy from the #1 New York Times bestselling and National Book Award winning author Sabaa Tahir about love, legacy, and vengeance.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
HelgaCatherine YuHelga is not the obedient science experiment her father intended. And though she has only just awoken, he leaves her in the care of his lab assistant Penny to go on a business trip.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Hurdles in the DarkElvira K. GonzalezA Mexican-American teen girl dreams of winning an athletic scholarship against all odds in a Texas border town. It's 2006 and Elvira's hometown of Laredo, Texas, has become engulfed by the Mexican Drug War.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’sHanna AlkafBernadette di Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, adalah sekolah incaran para gadis karena terkenal selalu menghasilkan lulusan terbaik. Meski ada kasus-kasus jeritan di sana.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
The Kill FactorBen OliverDetective-Sergeant Doug Roberts and his partner, Inocencio Gomez, investigate the murder of a Mexican illegal immigrant, who was discovered beaten to death Read more Report an issue with this product or seller Previous slide of product details Print length 214 pages Language English Publisher Hale Publication date June 13, 1985 ISBN-10 0709017820…Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Lie Until It’s TrueJessie WeaverA Good Girl’s Guide to Murder meets Knives Out in this haunting YA thriller. To redeem herself, true crime TikToker Amanda Pruitt spends the summer in Colorado investigating a murder that seems open and shut.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Lies We ConjureSarah HenningFeatured in: Fangirlish and PW's "New and Noteworthy" Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games with magic in this standalone supernatural thriller by Sarah Henning: thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly whodunit.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Looking for SmokeK. A. CobellA REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICKIn her powerful debut novel, Looking for Smoke, author K. A. Cobell (Blackfeet) weaves loss, betrayal, and complex characters into a thriller that will illuminate, surprise, and engage readers until the final word.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
The Lost Souls of BenzaitenKelly MurashigeA fantastical and heartfelt debut, quirky and transportive, that follows a young outcast on a journey of transformation . . . into a robot vacuum cleaner "I wish to become one of those round vacuum cleaner robots." That's what Machi writes while praying at the altar of Japanese goddess Benzaiten.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Love Requires ChocolateRavynn StringfieldShe’s created the perfect itinerary and many, many to-do lists after collecting every detail possible about Paris.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Maelstrom: A Prince of EvilLorian MerrimanMaelstrom is a half-demon prince pining for a place in history. (Honestly, he’s just bored and searching for a way to pass the time.) Twigs is the young, prophesized Hero of Virtue fated to face him―or so we’ve been told . . .Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Make My Wish Come TrueRachael LippincottOne chance to convince everyone they’re in love. Arden James is Hollywood’s hottest teen actor. Infamously reckless, she’s a constant in the tabloids.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Neopets: The Omelette FaerieRebecca Mix, illustrated by Heather BurnsBased on the popular online game Neopets comes the first in a series of graphic novels!Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Okay, CupidMason Deaver"OMG the feels in this book. Probably one of my all time favorite books." -Sam, Goodreads ReviewerHazel McCallister loves her life. Until her perfect boyfriend cheats on her with her perfect best friend.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
On the Bright SideAnna SortinoA Deaf girl and a boy with a secret illness navigate new challenges and unexpected connections.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile HL730LATOS 4.7View book details
Perfect Little MonstersCindy R. X. HeSomeone has murdered the queen bee of Sierton High School. All the dead girl's friends are suspects. And each one has a reason for wanting her to die.Ella Moore was the most popular girl in school…and also the most hated.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
The Rez DoctorGitz Crazyboy, illustrated by Veronika Barinova, Azby Whitecalf, Toben RacicotYoung Ryan Fox gets good grades, but he’s not sure what he wants to be when he grows up. It isn’t until he meets a Blackfoot doctor during a school assembly that he starts to dream big.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Skater BoyAnthony Nerada»Ich habe es so satt, jemand zu sein, der ich nicht bin.« Wesley »Big Mac« Mackenzie, der eingeschworene Bad Boy der Stonebridge High, fällt in der Abschlussklasse durch.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
SnowglobeSoyoung ParkOutside Snowglobe is a frozen wasteland, and every day, citizens face the icy world to get to their jobs at the power plant, where they produce the energy Snowglobe needs.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Stephen KingBev VincentStephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Strong Like YouT. L. SimpsonI haven’t cried one time since you disappeared. Not even at football practice when Paton Roper told the whole team you were probably dead.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Sun Don’t ShineCrissa-Jean Chappell"A mining disaster thrusts an isolated Montana town into the national spotlight, forcing a community to face its deepest fears. Everything Lucas Kaari believes in changes in a tragic instant.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
SyncEllen HopkinsSync is the story of a dazzling kind of order in the universe, the harmony that comes from cycles in sync. The tendency to synchronize is one of the most far-reaching drives in all of nature.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
There Is a Door in This DarknessKristin CashoreHer high school years began with a shocking presidential election and ended with a pandemic. In the midst of this global turmoil, she also lost one of her beloved aunts, a loss she still feels keenly.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
TriggerC.G. MooreAn unflinching LGBTQIA+ verse novel about a teenage boy who is sexually assaulted in an attack he struggles to remember.A Kirkus Best Teen & YA Verse NovelA Children's Book Council YA FavouriteA School Library Journal Best Young Adult BookJay wakes in a park, beaten and bruised.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Twenty-Four Seconds from NowJason ReynoldsAnd definitely one he would have loved to forget if it weren’t for the dog’s owner: Aria. Dressed in sweats, a t-shirt, hair in a ponytail.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
The Vanishing Station: A NovelAna EllicksonA lyrical and bold YA debut about an underground magic system in San Francisco—and the lengths one girl is willing to go to protect the ones she loves Eighteen-year-old Filipino American Ruby Santos has been unmoored since her mother’s death.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
The White Guy Dies First: 13 Scary Stories of Fear and PowerTerry J. Benton-WalkerAN INDIE NEXT PICK!13 SCARY STORIES. 13 AUTHORS OF COLOR. 13 TIMES WE SURVIVED... THE FIRST KILL.The White Guy Dies First includes thirteen scary stories by all-star contributors and this time, the white guy dies first.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Zodiac RisingKatie ZhaoReverse Harem.Kara Martin is drowning in men, but she wouldn't want it any other way. As a half-witch/half-Coyote shifter, she's got her hands full with four gorgeous shifters.Kids Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsTeacher Favorites — K–2nd Grade
70 selections
Rank 1A Sundae with Everything on ItKyle Scheele, illustrated by Andy J. PizzaA mom and son travel through dimensions seeking the ultimate dessert.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsRank 2A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy WishDaniel BernstromFrom the creators of A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree comes another fun-to-read romp featuring lovable, hungry Bear. This time, he’s after a determined fish, who has an altogether different plan!Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Rank 3The Spotless GiraffePeter Millet, illustrated by Allison HawkinsA spotless giraffe struggles to fit in at school. Can she embrace her uniqueness?Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Rank 4Counting WinterNancy White CarlstromFollows one red fox, two ravens, and other animals through the snow-covered woods.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsRank 5The Yellow BusLoren LongShe loves carrying children from one important place to another. Every morning they climb in . . . And they fill her with joy.As time passes, things change.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeWord count 417View book details
Rank 6I’m Sorry You Got MadKyle LukoffNewbery Honor winner Kyle Lukoff explores the importance of learning to apologize.Jack wants to apologize for hurting Zoe's feelings. He just can't seem to find the right words.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsRank 7No Cats in the LibraryLauren Emmons, illustrated by Lauren EmmonsA cat sneaks into a library, defying the rules to explore a world of books.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsRank 8The Man Who Didn’t Like AnimalsDeborah Underwood, illustrated by LeUyen PhamDiscover how a tidy man becomes a farmer with unexpected animal friends.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Rank 9More Dung!Frank Weber, illustrated by Frank WeberA dung beetle's quest for more leads to unexpected consequences and a lesson in greed.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Rank 10Addy’s Chair to EverywhereDebi Novotny, illustrated by Jomike TejidoAdventures await, wherever friends are! This whimsical picture book celebrates children's imagination and inclusive play.Addy worries about making friends, but through her vivid imagination, she draws other children into her play.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
A is for AthleteBill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, illustrated by Dawn DavidsonFrom A to Z, meet the women who changed the sports game and practice the qualities it takes to make a player truly great!Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The ABCs of Queer HistorySeema Yasmin, illustrated by Lucy KirkThis is a book of people, of ideas, of accomplishments and events. It’s a book about Allies and Ancestors , about Belonging and Being accepted, about Hope , Knowledge , and Love .Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Abuelo, the Sea, and MeIsmée WilliamsPura Belpré Honor Book for Children's IllustrationAbuelo, the Sea, and Me is a tender, heartwarming picture book that vividly explores intergenerational connections, family history, and the immigrant experience.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Adela’s Mariachi BandDenise VegaAdela loves everything about her family's mariachi band--except that she isn't in it!Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Adventuremice: Otter Chaos!Phillip Reeve, Sarah McIntyre, illustrated by Sarah McIntyreHe's tiny, but he's looking for a BIG adventure. When his first try at an adventure goes a bit wrong, Pedro is rescued by the ADVENTUREMICE!Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Afro Unicorn: The Land of Afronia, Vol1. April Showers, illustrated by Anthony Conley, Ronaldo BarataAfronia is known for being bright and colorful, but what happens when a disgraced unicorn wants to take the color away? Join unicorn best friends Divine and Unique as they journey to save Afronia in this all-new, action-packed graphic novel that celebrates Black joy and beauty.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Agent UnicornJenny Alvarado, illustrated by Jenny AlvaradoA unicorn dreams of becoming a detective, but can he solve a case with no experience?Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Aiko and the Planet of DogsAinhoa Cayuso, illustrated by Christoffer Ellegaard, Irene VázquezTalking space dogs + courageous girl astronaut + giant hungry catfish = one fun picture book Aiko is a courageous astronaut, specially trained to brave the extremes of space.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsAll Aboard the Alaska TrainBrooke Hartman, illustrated by John JosephCome aboard the Alaska Train for a rollicking rhyming adventure through the breathtaking landscapes of Alaska and alongside some of the state's most beloved animals.Five shiny train cars roll down the railroad track, picking up passengers along the way-a porcupine, grizzly bear, caribou, and more.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD490LATOS 3.3View book details
The Amazing Power of Girls: Meet the universe’s most powerful and invisible forces!Maria Marianayagam, illustrated by Skylar WhiteAn accessible and beautiful picture book about our universe's most powerful and invisible forces: girls. Light-hearted, I go with the flow. Just let it go .Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Angélica and La GüiraAngie CruzAngélica has spent the summer in the Dominican Republic with her tías and primas, her grandparents, and their parrot, but soon she'll have to say goodbye.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Archie Celebrates an Indian WeddingMitali Banerjee Ruths, illustrated by Parwinder SinghHer Poppy Uncle is getting married in a big Indian wedding, and Archie and new friend Emma realize that love and fun are universal.In this cross-cultural friendship story, Archie helps Emma, who isn’t Indian, learn everything she needs to know when Archie’s Poppy Uncle and Emma’s Auntie Julie get married.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Be Careful, Xiao Xin!Alice PungXiao Xin believes he is a fire warrior, but his family thinks the world is too dangerous for him. Can he inspire his family to trust him?Xiao Xin believes he is a fearless Red Fire Warrior, but his family is always telling him to be carefulhe's too little to be a warrior!Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
A Big Day for BikeEmily Jenkins, illustrated by G. Brian KarasA community bike's first day brings unexpected adventures and new friendships.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Big Sister, Long CoatNelly Buchet, illustrated by Rachel KatstallerNeither rain nor a series of setbacks can put a damper on a young girl’s day spent with her big sister. A picture book that captures the love between siblings!A young girl is thrilled to spend the day with her big sister, but things don’t go as planned.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Bijan Always WinsAdib KhorramWinning isn't everything; can friendship be lost in the pursuit?Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD500LATOS 3.3View book details
Billu ButtonsGus Singh, illustrated by Delzin ChokseyThere is nothing more fashionable than confidence in yourself! Billu is one independent kid. He loves doing things himself, especially getting dressed in the morning.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Birth of the Chosen One: A First Nations Retelling of the Christmas StoryTerry M. Wildman, illustrated by Hannah Noel Buchanan, Holly BuchananA Classic Holiday Picture Book from the Pages of the Bestselling First Nations Version! Adopted from the Gospel of Luke, Birth of the Chosen One is a unique retelling of the birth of Jesus told in the tradition of Native oral storytellers.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Blink and GlowRaven Howell, illustrated by Ann PilicerThat is until Grandma's wisdom guides the children and teaches them respect for the freedom and light of the natural life surrounding us.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Blue BowlFlo LeungA young boy realizes, thanks to his family, that he can enjoy both his Chinese and North American cultures through his favorite dishes Max loves his family’s Cantonese meals, like steamed rice and gai lan greens with oyster sauce, homemade dumplings, and scallion bread.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsBrianosaurusGed AdamsonCan Brianosaurus find happiness by being true to himself?Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD490LATOS 3.3View book detailsBroommates: A Brewing Boundary BattleLynne Marie, Brenda Reeves Sturgis, illustrated by Nico EcenarroA sibling rivalry with a Halloween twist to be enjoyed all year long! There's room for improvement when witchy sisters Mathilda and Malin share a broom, and a room!Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Bubbly Beautiful Kitty-Corn: A Picture BookShannon Hale, illustrated by LeUyen PhamA beautiful, bewitching, bubbly dream:Unicorn longs to be a mermaid!(Sometimes.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsBuffalo FluffaloBess Kalb, illustrated by Erin KraanThis laugh-out-loud story by an Emmy-nominated comedy writer shows it’s okay to be yourself.I’m the Buffalo FluffaloI heave and I huffaloLeave me alone because I’ve had enuffalo.Buffalo Fluffalo arrives on the scene puffed up with self-importance.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD580LATOS 3.8View book detailsBuilt to LastMinh LêTwo friends' block worlds crumble, testing their friendship's strength.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD540LATOS 3.6View book details
Bunnygirl: Treehouse FriendsHolly Jayne, illustrated by Holly JayneJames lives in the most amazing treehouse, but he's too shy to let anyone see it. Can Bunnygirl help him find a way to connect with people?Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Bunso Meets a DuwendeRev Valdez, illustrated by Rev ValdezIn this exciting sequel to Bunso Meets a Mumu, Bunso encounters a new mythical creature from Filipino folklore—the Duwende!Known for its mischievous tricks, the Duwende loves to hide things, steal toys, and cause mayhem, especially when kids aren’t paying attention.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsButt or Face?Kari LavelleCan kids guess if they are looking at the top or bottom of animals? A hilarious guessing game book that will have kids exploring over and over.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Cake for EveryoneThé Tjong-Khing, illustrated by Thé Tjong-KhingA group of animals chase their stolen picnic in this wordless look-and-find adventure picture book full of intricate detail and comical storytelling.Time for cake!Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
CampinglandAme Dyckman, illustrated by James BurksBut they don’t know what they’re doing, and it does NOT go well. Then they see Campingland, a perfect indoor camping theme park!Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Can I Sleep Here Baby LionElla BaileyBaby Lion has been hard at play all day long and needs to find a safe, cosy and warm place to sleep for the night. Can you lift the flaps to help find the perfect spot?Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Case of the Disappearing CastleEric Hogan, Tara HungerfordA celebration of nature, curiosity, discovery and mindfulness! Daisy has built a sandcastle on the beach. After she and Scout go for a walk along the shore, when they get back, she notices her sandcastle has disappeared.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Clack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball StoryTraci Sorell, illustrated by Joseph ErbVann, a struggling stickball player, competes in a game on the Cherokee Nation. Can he help his team win? Vann loves playing his tribe’s stickball game, but he’s not as skilled as his teammates.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Daisy the DaydreamerJennifer P. GoldfingerA daydreamer must prove herself to lead a field trip.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeWord count 297View book detailsDorisLo Cole, illustrated by Lo ColeDoris dances to her own tune in this whimsical and emotionally resonant tale about finding the courage to be yourself.Doris has always reveled in the warmth of a spotlight.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsThe Ghost Who Was Afraid of EverythingNadia Ahmed, illustrated by Nadia AhmedA ghost must conquer his fears to enjoy Halloween treats.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD490LATOS 3.3View book detailsGifts from the Garbage Truck: A True Story About the Things We (Don’t) Throw AwayAndrew Larsen, foreword by Nelson Molina"Informative and inspirational... will have readers rethinking the value of items that appear seemingly worthless. Instead of seeing something broken, you saw something to fix?Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsGina Kaminski Saves the WolfCraig Barr-Green, illustrated by Francis MartinGina enters into the fairy-tale world of Little Red Riding Hood to fix what she's decided are the Wolf's three big mistakes.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsI Am a PotatoZiggy Hanaor, illustrated by Elliot KruszynskiA creature's quest to discover its true identity sparks a whimsical journey of deduction.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Just Like MillieLauren Castillo, illustrated by Lauren CastilloA shy girl discovers courage with the help of a rescue dog in a new city.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile 361LATOS 2.6View book details
Just UsMolly Beth Griffin, illustrated by Anait SemirdzhyanHow can it be the holidays if everyone isn't together?Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Kitten NinjaColleen AF Venable, Marcie Colleen, illustrated by Ellen StubbingsA kitten ninja faces tiny foes on his path to heroism.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile GN520LATOS 3.4View book details
Like You, Like MeJenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw, illustrated by Jenny Sue Kostecki-ShawTwo pen pals discover shared joys across continents, bridging worlds through letters.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Look Up!: Fontaine the Pigeon Starts a RevolutionBritt Gondolfi, illustrated by Amanda RomanickFontaine, a small pigeon, is fed up with the world's addiction to technology. In response, he rallies a cohort of birds and, with their help, leads an ICKY revolution that forces people to put down their phones, look up, and connect with nature and each other.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Martee Dares to DanceHarry Shum Jr, Shelby Rabara, illustrated by Bianca Austria“A suggested purchase for collections seeking more books that will empower young readers.” – School Library JournalIn their first children's book, actors and dancers Harry Shum Jr (Grey’s Anatomy, Glee) and Shelby Rabara (Steven Universe) remind young ones that while embracing our true selves takes courage, it often leads to our greatest…Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Midnight MitzvahRuth Horowitz, illustrated by Jenny MeilihoveBut not everyone is thankful for her good deed. When Hanina realizes Mathilda Squirrel is embarrassed to admit she needs help, she hatches a plan to deliver nuts in secret under the midnight hour.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American WWII StoryGeorge TakeiGeorge Takei is four years old when his world changes forever. Two months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares anyone of Japanese descent an enemy of the United States.George and his family were American in every way.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsNo Bear AnywhereLeah GilbertA young boy learns to cope with disappointment and embrace the unexpected in this infectiously charming, beautifully illustrated picture book.2025 CBC Children's Favorites Awards List When his family takes a walk on Bear Creek Trail, Bruin is determined to spot his favorite animal (a bear).Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
No More Señora MimíMeg Medina, illustrated by Brittany CiccheseFrom Newbery Medalist Meg Medina, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, comes a poignant salute to the caregivers who enter a child’s tender world.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile 459LATOS 3.1View book details
The Ofrenda That We BuiltJolene Gutíerrez, Shaian Gutíerrez, illustrated by Gabby ZapataWith warmth and energy, this spirited picture book is a joyful ode to family traditions and the memory of loved ones who have passed but whom we continue to remember.It is Día de Muertos—the Day of the Dead—and the family ofrenda is at the center of the celebration!Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile NP0LATOS 0.1View book detailsOld Clothes for Dinner?Nathalie Alonso“Cleverly written and laughoutloud funny, this infinitely rereadable picture book is ripe with socialemotional learning opportunities around misunderstanding, as well as serving as a warm welcome into Cuban culture” – Barnes & Noble Magaly loves the yummy Cuban food her Abuela has been cooking since arriving from Havana, but when Magaly’s sweater…Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsThe Quickest Bedtime Story Ever!Louise Fitzgerald, illustrated by Kate HindleyWelcome to the quickest bedtime story ever! Your little one will be asleep in seconds. There are a couple of things you must do Have you warmed up your reading voice?Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsRainbow BearBill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, illustrated by Nathalie BeauvoisJoin a bear's colorful journey after hibernation.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Soil in Jackie’s GardenPeggy Thomas, illustrated by Neely DaggettDiscover the magic of gardening and composting in a cycle of growth and renewal.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Sorry SeedsTina Shepardson, illustrated by Bong Hyun ShinSaying the words "I'm sorry" isn't always easy and sometimes words alone don't feel like enough. But with a courageous heart, finding a way to ask for forgiveness can make even rotten feelings grow into something sweet.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
StrongClara Anganuzzi, illustrated by Clara AnganuzziMaurice is different to the other dragons. He isn't very scary, and he doesn't like to breathe fire or snarl or growl.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Sun Never HurriesRoxane Turcotte, illustrated by Lucie CrovattoA young girl learns the art of savoring time with her grandfather.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD570LATOS 3.7View book details
Where Is Little Stripe’s Daddy?Deborah Bruss, illustrated by Cornelius Van WrightLittle Stripe the zebra cannot find his daddy! Luckily, he befriends a monarch caterpillar who proudly wears black-and-white stripes, and wants to help.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Before the Ships: The Birth of Black ExcellenceMaisha OsoBefore the Ships is a powerful and poetic celebration of the early roots of Black history. The great achievements and accomplishments across Africa prior to the Transatlantic slave trade are told through melodious text and evocative illustrations, that culminate into the strength and resilience of modern-day Black people.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsThe Little Green Swing (Little Ruby’s Big Ideas)Brenda Maier, illustrated by Sonia SánchezCBC Children’s and Young Adult Favorites Award CBC Teacher Favorites Award Oklahoma Book Awards Finalist Ruby's mind is always full of ideas.Teacher Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsTeacher Favorites — 3rd–5th Grade
50 selections
Rank 1IllumipediaCarnovsky, illustrated by CarnovskyIn Illumipedia, discover animals, insects, dinosaurs and the ocean deeps with your three-colour lens as you explore the world and its natural phenomena like never before.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 2The Hotel BalzaarKate DiCamilloA girl seeks her missing father in a hotel where a countess's tales may hold the key.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsRank 3This Is My BrainElise Gravel, illustrated by Elise GravelA Schneider Family Book Award winner! A Bank Street Best Book of the Year!Told in dual narrative, This Is My Brain in Love is a stunning YA contemporary romance, exploring mental health, race, and, ultimately self-acceptance, for fans of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter and Emergency Contact.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 4The Pigpen Problem: How to Calculate Area and PerimeterBill Wise, illustrated by Davilyn LynchWith furrowed brows and scratching heads, they wonder: How will they even begin? Sheep steps up with her impressive math skills, but does the rest of the crew know what to do?Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 5Cat Kid Comic Club: Influencers: A Graphic Novel (Cat Kid Comic Club #5): From the Creator of Dog ManDav Pilkey, illustrated by Dav PilkeyThe newest graphic novel in the #1 bestselling series by Dav Pilkey, the author and illustrator of Dog Man! The Cat Kid Comic Club is in crisis!Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 6Wildlife in the Balance: The Species that Shape Earth’s EcosystemsDr Sharon Wismer, illustrated by Terri PoMeet some of our planet’s most important animals and discover the remarkable ways they are helping save our planet.Learn about 25 keystone species around the world from elephants to wolves, honeybees to beavers.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 7Heroes of World War II: 25 True Stories of Unsung Heroes Who Fought for FreedomJarett Keene, illustrated by Ricardo GualbertoThey've been called the Greatest Generation, and now their stories are being passed on to kids in this new group biography.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 8Sonia and the Super-Duper DisasterRachel Funez, illustrated by Kelly KennedySonia's adventure-filled story with worry-fighting gadgets helps kids learn how to cope when it feels like everything is going wrong.When Sonia forgets Mom's birthday, she's determined to whip up a super surprise and become Mom's hero.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 9Abzuglutely!: Battling, Bellowing Bella AbzugSarah Aronson2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book Winner"As long as people are reading this book, Bella will be with us still." —Gloria SteinemMeet unique and outspoken Bella Abzug, the iconic Jewish politician and activist who fought for justice and women’s rights, in this compelling picture book biography.Battling Bella Abzug was born bellowing!Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 10The Super VolcanoSuzanne Jacobs Lipshaw, illustrated by Brie SchmidaA secret superhero lies beneath Yellowstone National Park…In a wonderfilled trip through an iconic destination, discover the spectacular powers of the supervolcano hidden below the ground.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsAnd Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and ResistanceSupriya Kelkar, illustrated by Supriya KelkarThe story of one of the world’s most famous diamonds—stolen from South Asia during colonization and now among the crown jewels in London—is a call to action for readers to decolonize and hold their heads high.The Kohinoor diamond, one of the most famous diamonds in the world, was stolen from India and…Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Bog MyrtleSid SharpMagic yarn sparks a sweater factory, but spiders strike back.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile 600LATOS 3.8View book details
Buckle Up: (A Graphic Novel)Lawrence LindellFiguring out family is no easy street, especially in a divorce. Lonnie is going through big changes in his life—with his parents newly divorced, he's trying to figure out his new normal.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsThe Café at the Edge of the WoodsMikey Please, illustrated by Mikey PleaseA chef faces bizarre culinary demands from enchanted forest creatures.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Cat Out of Water: (A Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel)Art Baltazar, Dr. SeussSeuss’s whimsical world like never before in this colorful graphic novel companion to The Cat in the Hat!Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
The Children’s Book of the FutureLavie Tidhar, Richard Watson, illustrated by Cinthya AlvarezAn illustrated, imaginative exploration of future technology and science for children that carries a message of hope and optimism. This narrative non-fiction book offers an inclusive and hopeful vision of the future for children aged 7-9, taking inspiration from the latest scientific research.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Curlilocks and the Three Hares: A Modern Fairy-Tale SeriesAndrew Hacket, illustrated by Jan DolbyWinner- 2025 Children’s Book Council-Teacher’s Favorite.“A fun tale that will appeal to reluctant readers and fans of fractured fairy tales.” -School Library Journal Dripping dye, sizzling styles, and excess accessories -just-right?Curlilocks is a modern fairy-tale early reader for guaranteed fun.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Dear Ruby, Hear Our HeartsRuby Bridges, illustrated by John Jay CabuayNational civil rights activist and icon Ruby Bridges responds to letters from thoughtful and concerned young students from across America."I've heard their hearts and now share those hearts with you.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
The Empty PlaceOlivia A. ColeA girl ventures into a mysterious forest to uncover her father's secrets and find her way home.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile 631LATOS 4.1View book details
Frankenstein’s Matzah: A Passover ParodyK. Marcus, illustrated by Sam LomanVee, Victor Frankenstein's great, great, great Jewish non-binary grand decendant, wants to win the science fair and be the world's greatest scientist.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Genius Ears: A Curious Animal CompendiumLena Anlauf, illustrated by Vitali Konstantinov, Marshall YarbroughFrom the creators of Genius Noses comes an illustrated collection of animal ears and their amazing functions. Early STEM has never been more fun in this fact-filled book featuring everything kids ever wanted to know about animal ears around the world!Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
The Gingerbread Man: Buttons on the LooseLaura Murray, illustrated by Laura MurrayA gingerbread man searches the school for his missing candy buttons.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile GN500LATOS 3.3View book details
How Do You Become a Mad Scientist?Hayes, illustrated by Srimalile BassaniHave you ever wondered how to become a mad scientist? Try out some of these wacky and fun science experiments including making your own slime, making a balloon blow up on its own, making a bouncy egg, and so much more!Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
I Belong Here: Duke the Deaf Dog Series Chapter BookKelly Brakenhoff, illustrated by Caterina BaldiDuke the Deaf Dog learns that sometimes fitting in can be tough. Meet Duke, a fun-loving second grader who loves to draw, play baseball, and explore the world around him.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
If Lin CanRichard Ho, illustrated by Huỳnh Kim Liên, Phùng Nguyên QuangThis biography of basketball superstar Jeremy Lin is an anthem of Asian American pride that speaks to any child who feels underestimated or misunderstood.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsInvestiGators: Agents of S.U.I.T.: From Badger to WorseJohn Patrick Green, Christopher Hastings, illustrated by Pat Lewis"When I'm faced with a Pilkey fan looking to branch out, this graphic novel is the first book I reach for...Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsIris and the TurtlesMelanie Mathis Miller, illustrated by Karissa Miller LaffeyIris loves to swim with all the beautiful marine life in the ocean near her home, but Sea Turtles are her favorite.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
It Happened to AnnaTehlor Kay MejiaA ghost haunts Sadie, sabotaging friendships. Can a new ally break the curse?Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsIt Is OkayYe Guo, illustrated by Ye GuoThey love meeting up to eat canned grass together. But when they share coffee, a hike, or dinner at Bunny’s burrow, Goat and Bunny realize that they aren’t as similar as they thought.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile 520LATOS 3.4View book details
A Kid’s Guide to the Night Sky: Simple Ways to Explore the UniverseJohn A. ReadLearn how to stargaze and discover the most amazing sights in the night sky—no telescope required! This easy-to-use stargazing guide for kids explores the popular night sky constellations, visits the brightest stars, and tours our solar system.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Kwame VotesDr. Artika Tyner, illustrated by Chasity HamptonKwame is excited to tell his family who he voted for and why in his school student government election.To his surprise, his family is also getting ready to be part of Election Day.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
The Life-Changing Magic of Chess: A Beginner’s Guide with Grandmaster Maurice AshleyMaurice Ashley, illustrated by Denis AngelovThe Life-Changing Magic of Chess is a beginner’s guide to the strategy game for children, with secrets from Grandmaster Maurice Ashley. Discover why the world’s first Black Grandmaster Maurice Ashley thinks that chess is one of the best skills in life.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Mid-AirAlicia D. WilliamsA boy struggles with guilt and identity after his friend's tragic death.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
National Geographic Kids Almanac 2025National Geographic KidsThe most exciting edition yet of the world's best-selling almanac for kids! Including animals, space, inventions, history, and more, it's a one-stop shop for every curious kid!Kids who want to know everything about everything need the National Geographic Kids Almanac.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsNestPrecious McKenzie, illustrated by Jennifer ArdFollow a baby bird's journey through its first year of life.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsNoodle & BaoShaina Lu, illustrated by Shaina LuMomo has lived in Town 99 her entire life. She knows all its quirks and rhythms: the best places to buy fruit, practice tai-chi in the park, and, most of all, get the best meal: Noodle & Bao, run by Momo's best friend, Bao, and their amah, Noodle.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Operation: Happy: A World War II Story of Courage, Resilience, and an Unbreakable BondJenni L. WalshA girl, her dog, and the list that saved them... As World War II enters her backyard, a young girl tries to keep her family together and cope with the war by completing a bucket list with her best friend: her dog Happy.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
PuzzleheartJenn ReeseTwelve-year-old Perigee has never met a problem they couldn’t solve. So when their Dad’s spirits need raising, Perigee formulates the Plan: a road trip to Dad’s childhood home to reunite him with his estranged mother.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsRecord Breakers at the Olympic GamesRob WalkerRecord Breakers at the Olympic Games celebrates the best records, achievements and stories in the history of the modern summer Olympic Games.Comprehensive in scope, the book features record performances in every sport and discipline since Athens 1896, and highlights the jawdropping efforts and dramatic moments that make up the Games' tapestry of…Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Ripley: Fire Station FiveW. Bruce CameronA brave puppy must prove himself at a fire station and help a girl face her fears.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Salt, Pepper, Season, Spice: All the Flavors of the WorldJacques Pasquet, illustrated by Claire Anghinolfi, Ann Marie BoulangerThe stories of the flavors we love are steeped in history, mythology and cultures from around the world. Did you know that salt has been around for almost 5,000 years or that pepper was once called black gold ?Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
She Persisted: Naomi OsakaKekla Magoon, illustrated by Kekla MagoonNaomi Osaka grew up in Japan and the US, with one foot in each place. But wherever she was, she loved to play tennis—and she worked hard at it too, always practicing and improving.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Stolen, Golden Goose Eggs (Claw & Order: Fairy Goose Unit Series, Book #2)Donna Boock, illustrated by Nivya Kuriakose– A 2025 Children’s Book Council Teacher Favorites Winner in 3rd–5th Grade Category. Meet Jack B. Quack and Hickety Pickety McChickety—the Fairy Goose Unit’s fiercest “ducktectives”—as they waddle into their trickiest case yet!Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsThe Tale of The Other GloveMonica, Abigail Berg, illustrated by Sonia Possentini"Abigail embarks on a new adventure alongside her babysitter, Carol, and her best friend, Ben. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they encounter an unhoused man at the bustling subway station, who takes something from Carol and refuses to return it.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsToothed or Baleen?Cathleen McConnellMarine mammals known as cetaceans are broken into two large groups: toothed whales (including dolphins and porpoises) and baleen whales. One group has a single blowhole to breathe air, the other has two.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
The VoyageStéphane ServantA swashbuckling tale of leaving home, and the joy of adventure.Drawn to the horizon since she was small, the heroine of this story longs to discover what lies beyond it.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
What Happened on Thursday?Ayo OyekuHonor Book for the Children’s Africana Book Award A Notable Social Studies Trade Book A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year A Children’s Book Council Teacher and Librarian Favorite A powerful story of family love amid the backdrop of war, as seen through the eyes of a child.The Nigerian Civil…Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsWho’s Writing This Story?!Robin NewmanWho's the real boss of a story? The writer or the characters who live to tell the tale? Or both together?Follow the three little pigs as they argue with the writer over what kind of story to tell.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView 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.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsWinnie-the-PoohA. A. MilneThe beloved children’s classic appears as a graphic novel for the first timeLynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize winner Travis Dandro takes a left turn from his detailed autobiography and returns with the charming tales of Winnie-the-Pooh.Teacher Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsTeacher Favorites — 6th–8th Grade
50 selections
Rank 1The 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.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Rank 2Louder Than HungerJohn Schu, foreword by Kate DiCamilloJake battles inner demons and an eating disorder, risking everything to find his voice before he vanishes completely.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 549LATOS 3.6View book detailsRank 3Safiyyah’s WarHiba Noor KhanViolence lurks in the streets, her best friend has fled, and even her place of refuge—the library—has turned shadowy and confusing, as the invaders fear the power of books.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Rank 4What Do We Eat?: How Humans Find, Grow and Share FoodMegan Clendenan, illustrated by Meegan LimEvery day, no matter where we are or where we need to go, humans need food. Imagine carrying meals with you as you parachute into a war zone.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Rank 5The Lonely Belowg. haron davisA new student senses a sinister force at her school, linked to a deadly past. Can she uncover the truth before it's too late?Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 800LATOS 5.1View book detailsRank 6Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes that Dot Our PlanetGeo Rutherford, illustrated by Geo RutherfordDive into the most mysterious waters around the world (if you dare) in Spooky Lakes , an illustrated nonfiction book from TikTok star and educator Geo Rutherford.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Rank 7Shark TeethSherri WinstonA girl fights to keep her family together as secrets threaten to tear them apart.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 669LATOS 4.3View book details
Rank 8A World of Dogs: A Celebration of Fascinating Facts and Amazing Real-Life Stories for Dog LoversCarlie SorosiakWritten by children's author and accidental American Dingo-owner Carlie Sorosiak, this gorgeous celebration of fascinating facts and amazing real-life stories is the perfect gift for dog lovers.Throughout human history dogs have been by our side, paw prints following our footprints wherever we roamed.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Rank 9Loch Ness Uncovered: Media, Misinformation, and the Greatest Monster Hoax of All TimeRebecca SiegelYALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book WinnerCCBC Choices 2025The New York Public Library Best Books for Teens 2024 2025 Texas Topaz ListAn extensively researched, myth-busting account of the world’s most famous monster hoax—the Loch Ness Monster—and a cautionary tale on the dangers of misinformation.In 1934…Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Rank 10Freedom Fire: Black Girl PowerLeah Johnson (editor)Fifteen stories and poems by Black women writers celebrate the imagination, friendship, courage, joy, and everyday power of Black girlhood.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeWord count 66673View book detailsAll Mixed UpRaj TawneyWINNER, 2024 FOREWORD INDIES, HONORABLE MENTION, JUVENILE FICTIONCBC 2025 MIDDLE-GRADE & TEACHER FAVORITESA DÍA READING LIST 2025 PICKA NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOKS FOR KIDS 2024 PICKFrom New York Times essayist Raj Tawney comes All Mixed Up, a powerful middle-grade novel that explores identity, friendship, and the challenges of growing up…Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsAll The Ways to GoJessie JanowitzFrom the author of The Doughnut Fix comes another funny, heartfelt book about overcoming the fear of letting down the people you love and the amazing things that can come from a summer of nothing going your way.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsAlterationsRay Xu, illustrated by Ray XuMargaret is an acclaimed fashion designer, devoted mother, keeper of order and elegance in a city that never slows. But one morning, she simply doesn’t get out of bed.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Banned Books, Crop Tops, and Other Bad InfluencesBrigit YoungShe listens to her parents and follows every rule. After all, rules are there for a reason . . . right? And adults always know best.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Barracoon: Adapted for Young ReadersZora Neale Hurston, illustrated by Jazzmen Lee-JohnsonAn Instant New York Times and Indie Bestseller!In the first middle grade offering from Zora Neale Hurston and Ibram X. Kendi, young readers are introduced to the remarkable and true-life story of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last survivors of the Atlantic human trade, in an adaptation of the internationally bestselling and…Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Benny Ramírez and the Nearly DepartedJosé Pablo IriarteA boy and his ghostly grandfather must find greatness before New Year's Eve.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 730LATOS 4.7View book details
Boy 2.0Tracey BaptisteThey seem eager to welcome Coal, but he’s wary of trusting them. So, he doesn’t tell them that he went for a walk with chalk in his pocket to cover a nearby street with his art.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Deadendia: The Divine OrderHamish Steele, illustrated by Hamish SteeleOn the seventh plane, known to us as Earth, Norma Khan and Barney Guttman have allied with the demons in a search for both freedom and peace.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Fake Chinese SoundsJing Jing TsongA girl faces bullying and identity struggles, seeking her voice.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile HL420LATOS 2.9View book details
The Ghosts of Nameless IslandCarly Anne West, illustrated by Teo SkaffaGus Greenburg can see ghosts; in fact, he uses this paranormal superpower to help them “go on.” But when Gus and his mom move into an old mansion on the mysterious and remote Nameless Island, he meets a ghost that's set out to hurt him .Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Gunhild, Volume 2Fred Tornager, illustrated by Fred TornagerTo save the world, Gunhild must save the innately untrustworthy God of Mischief, the irredeemable Loki.*2025 CBC Teacher Favorites Winner*Gunhild refuses to be defined by others who believe she is unworthy of respect as an orphaned Jotun.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Hannah Edwards Secrets of RiverwayAshley Hards“Clever Heroine and Paranormal Intrigue.” - School Library Journal Something's Rotten in Riverway! Sleuth Hannah Edwards teams up with friends, talks to a ghost, and plans a frog apocalypse to solve her father’s disappearance while navigating her undiagnosed ADHD.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsHere I Am, I Am MeCara BeanThis colorful graphic novel adventure through the brain demystifies and destigmatizes emotional and mental health for children through accessible language and lessons.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsThe Hoop Con (Play the Game #1)Amar ShahYOU CAN’T WIN IF YOU DON’T PLAY Raam Patel is eager to prove himself ever since he didn’t make the middle school’s basketball team.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsHoverGirlsGeneva BowersThe web comic sensation about magical girls by acclaimed illustrator Geneva Bowers, now in a beautiful print edition, featuring an expanded storyline and revised art!Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
HumWilliam David ThomasIn a hot and gritty city populated by super-intelligent robots called ‘Hums’, May seeks some reprieve from recent hardships and from her family’s addiction to their devices.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsIt Came from the TreesAlly RussellA creature lurks in the woods. Can Jenna save her friend before it's too late?Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 870LATOS 5.6View book detailsIt Watches in the DarkJeff Strand"She glanced over her shoulder. It stood there, smile stitched on its face, but now it felt like a smirk."Prepare to be scared silly in this creepy middle-grade novel!Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile HL610LATOS 4View book details
Jasmine Is HauntedMark OshiroAN INDIE NEXT PICK!A novel of ghosts, grief and the friends who make it all ok by #1 New York Times bestselling co-author Mark Oshiro!"Heartfelt, funny, fast-paced, and spooky—this book will indeed haunt you in all the best ways.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsThe Last Rhee WitchJenna Lee-YunA haunted camp reveals secrets and challenges everything Ronnie knows.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The Love Report Volume 2BeKa, illustrated by MayaIn this second book in the addictive graphic novel series for tweens, Grace and Lola uncover more truths about romance and friendship at home, at school, and on an island holiday.BFFs Grace and Lola are back in volume two of The Love Report.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsMani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal VoiceAnna LaperaBest of the Year: School Library Journal •Booklist • New York Public Library - Social Justice BooksFor fans of Donna Barba Higuera's Lupe Wong Won't Dance and Aida Salazar's The Moon Within comes Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice comes a contemporary middle grade novel full of spunk and activist heart —…Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Moko Magic: Carnival ChaosTracey BaptisteFrom the best-selling author of the Jumbies series comes a magic-and-mythology-filled novel for 8–12-year-olds that celebrates Afro-Caribbean culture and Black history Weirdness and wonders abound in this Afro-Caribbean-inspired action-adventure novel about 3 cousins who discover they are mokos—protector spirits—during carnival season in Brooklyn Twelve-year-old Misty and her mother have just moved from…Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsThe Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.SJohn Hendrix, illustrated by John HendrixThe Mythmakers is a graphic novel biography of two literary icons—C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien—following the story of their friendship and creative fellowship, and how each came to write their masterworks Through narrative and comic panels, Hendrix chronicles Lewis and Tolkien’s near-idyllic childhoods, then moves on to both men’s horrific tour of…Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The Queen of ThievesJohan Rundberg, A. A. PrimeA young orphan must solve city thefts to protect her friends from a grim fate.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 750LATOS 4.8View book details
School for Invisible BoysShaun David HutchinsonInvisible boy faces unseen threats at school. Can he uncover the truth before it's too late?Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 700LATOS 4.5View book details
Second Favorite Daughters ClubColleen OakesFor fans of Sisters and Netflix’s The Baby-sitter’s Club, a contemporary series for the siblings who always come in last.Santana Barnes is tired of playing second fiddle to her ballet protégé, honor student older sister Victoria.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsSecret Society of Rebel Girls: Nina and the Mysterious MailboxMarti Dumas, illustrated by Kristina Kister"Girls running for office, secret leadership lessons from the past, and a dash of mysterious mailbox magic? Yes please!" —Kate Messner, New York Times best-selling author of Breakout and the History Smashers series A school election.A mysterious mailbox.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Sightseeing With AliensInsha Fitzpatrick, illustrated by Lilla BöleczDiscover everything about aliens in this funny and informative handbook packed with weird science, fascinating history, and plenty of trivia—perfect for curious and adventurous readers ages 8–12.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The Songbird and the Rambutan TreeLucille AbendanonA young girl must find her voice to survive a war-torn world.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 690LATOS 4.4View book detailsThe Squad: A Graphic Novel (The Tryout #2)Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Joanna CacaoBreak out your pom poms! The highly anticipated, stand-alone companion to the instant #1 bestseller The Tryout promises even more cheer, higher stakes, and relatable middle-school drama.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsStealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools (Scholastic Focus)Dan SaSuWeh JonesThese books help readers learn about the world in which they live and develop their critical thinking skills so that they may become dynamic citizens who are able to analyze and understand our past, participate in essential discussions about our present, and work to grow and build our future.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsA Suffragist’s Guide to the AntarcticYi Shun Lai, maps by Filippo VanzoClara Ketterling-Dunbar is one of twenty-eight crew members of The Resolute—a ship meant for an Antarctic expedition now marooned on an ice floe one hundred miles from the shore of the continent.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
We Are Big Time: (A Graphic Novel)Hena KhanA Muslim teen joins a struggling basketball team, discovering true success beyond the score.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile GN320LATOS 2.4View book details
Who Was Her Own Work of Art?: Frida Kahlo (A Who HQ Graphic Novel)Terry BlasA story of independence, determination, and finding beauty within one's scars, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves into the incredible power of one of the greatest artists of all time—brought to life by gripping narrative and vivid full-color illustrations that jump off the page.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The Wildcat Behind GlassAlki Zei, Karen EmmerichA stuffed wildcat's secret note leads Melia into a dangerous adventure amidst political turmoil.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 840LATOS 5.4View book detailsWinston Chu vs. the WingmeistersStacey LeeA mysterious fog and memory loss plague the city. Can Winston uncover the truth before it's too late?Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
A Witch’s Guide to BurningAminder Dhaliwal, illustrated by Aminder DhaliwalDhaliwal creates a land ruled by magic and fire, where the sky is thick with witches A witch’s work is never done when she works for the people.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsThe World-Famous NineBen Guterson, illustrated by Kristina KisterCan Zander and Natasha uncover the secrets of The Nine before it's too late?Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeWord count 67283View book details
Zawa + The Belly of the Beast SCMichael Dialynas, illustrated by Michael DialynasThe elusive guardian spirit Zawa is eternally trapped inside her mountain, a folk legend with only industrial sludge to eat, and nothing to nourish her.Teacher Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsTeacher Favorites — 9th–12th Grade
50 selections
Rank 1Kill Her TwiceStacey LeeSo the girls instantly know it’s Lulu when they discover a body one morning in an out-of-the-way stable, far from the Beverly Hills home where she lived after her fame skyrocketed.The sisters suspect Lulu’s death is the result of foul play, but the police don’t seem motivated to investigate.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsRank 2Twenty-Four Seconds from NowJason ReynoldsAnd definitely one he would have loved to forget if it weren’t for the dog’s owner: Aria. Dressed in sweats, a t-shirt, hair in a ponytail.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 3Break to YouNeal Shusterman, Debra Young, Michelle KnowldenAdriana knows that if she can manage to keep her head down for the next seven months, she might be able to get through her sentence in the Compass juvenile detention center.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 4All the Truth I Can StandMason StokesA Whippoorwill Award for YA Literature Honor BookA gay teenager in 1990s Wyoming must contend with the violent loss of a loved one in this historical YA novel that draws from the tragic murder of Matthew Shepard in 1998.Juniper, Wyoming, high school student Ash is still reeling from his mother’s death and…Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 5The Merciless King of Moore HighLily SparksWhen the adults of Brockton, Connecticut, morphed into gigantic, bloodthirsty monsters nine months ago, the students at Jefferson High barricaded themselves inside their school.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 6The Color of a LieKim Johnson, map by Mike HallA teen risks everything to expose dark secrets in a racially divided town.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile HL600LATOS 3.9View book detailsRank 7Queen’s Council: A Sword in the SlumberSara RaaschIn this sweeping series of interconnected novels that can be read out of order, Disney’s Princesses grow up—and learn to rule—guided by the magical Queen’s Council.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsRank 8The Rez DoctorGitz Crazyboy, illustrated by Veronika Barinova, Azby Whitecalf, Toben RacicotYoung Ryan Fox gets good grades, but he’s not sure what he wants to be when he grows up. It isn’t until he meets a Blackfoot doctor during a school assembly that he starts to dream big.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 9Diet Soda ClubChaz HaydenWhen their mom leaves, Reed must care for his sister who has a life-threatening condition—even if that means breaking the law.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 10Where Wolves Don’t DieAnton TreuerTightly woven Indigenous YA thriller that explores masculinity and love between generations of familyEzra Cloud hates living in Northeast Minneapolis. His father is a professor of their language, Ojibwe, at a local college, so they have to be there.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Ariel Crashes a TrainOlivia A. ColeShe already feels like she is too big, too queer, too rough to live up to her parents' exacting expectations, or to fit into what the world expects of a "good girl." And as violent fantasies she can't control take over every aspect of her life, she is convinced something much deeper…Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Beastly BeautyJennifer DonnellyA cursed girl and a skeptical thief must confront their fears to break a castle's spell.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile 750LATOS 4.8View book details
Born A Girl: It Takes CourageAlice Dussutour, illustrated by Alice Dussutour, David WarrinerMeet Kaneila, Jade, Mahnoosh, Makena and Luisa. They are five girls in five different countries whose lives are overshadowed by violence and injustice, just because they are female.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsThe Brightwood CodeMonica HesseTimely and unforgettable, The Brightwood Code sheds light on hidden history and the brutality of being a woman in a war built by men.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Call Forth a FoxMarkelle GraboNow, her father is gone, the garden has withered, and their family is struggling. Her mother and sister want to move into town, but Ro doesn't want to give up the memories of her father and his stories—or the charming village girl who shares Ro's love of the trees.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Carol Gilligan and the Search for VoiceBill Cole, illustrated by Sarah GreenA biography of the life and work of groundbreaking developmental psychologist Carol Gilligan, intended for high school age readers, part of the APA's Extraordinary Women in Psychology series.The Children’s Book Council (CBC) - 9th-12th grade TEACHER and LIBRARIAN favoriteCarol Gilligan has devoted her life to discovering, uncovering, and recovering voices belonging to…Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Clever Creatures of the NightSamantha Mabry"Eerie, atmospheric, and simmering with dread. When Case arrives at a run-down, ivy-covered house tucked deep in the West Texas woods, an ashy haze lingers in the air and the sky is tissue-paper pink.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsCompound FractureAndrew Joseph WhiteA trans teen battles a corrupt sheriff in a deadly Appalachian feud.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile 781LATOS 5View book details
Conditions of a HeartBethany MangleThat Brynn is head of the yearbook committee, the favorite for prom queen, and definitely not crumbling from a secret disability that’s rapidly wearing her down.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
A Game Most FoulAlison GervaisA mystery about a teen writer determined to discover what happened to a missing classmate, who finds herself caught up with a pair of very familiar detectives named Watson and Holmes.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsGhost RoastShawnelle Gibbs, Shawneé GibbsGhost Roast delivers a paranormal adventure full of first crushes, lost histories, and the impossible task of fitting in when your dad is a professional ghosthunter.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Gorgeous Gruesome FacesLinda ChengA cutthroat K-pop competition leads to a dark obsession in this twisty sapphic horror-romance. With their other BFF, Candie, the trio had been the hottest up-and-coming teen pop group, until it all suddenly ended.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsGrief in the Fourth Dimension: A NovelJennifer YuJennifer Yu’s Grief in the Fourth Dimension is a moving and unique speculative YA novel about the afterlife and the unexpected connections that can be made in death.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsHaphaven Deluxe EditionNorm Harper, illustrated by Louie Joyce2025 CBC Young Adult Favorites Winner 2025 CBC Teacher Favorites Winner “. . . much more than a mere checklist of superstitions, Haphaven is sure to please fans of unique fantasies.” —Foreword Reviews How far would you go to change your luck?Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsHurdles in the DarkElvira K. GonzalezA Mexican-American teen girl dreams of winning an athletic scholarship against all odds in a Texas border town. It's 2006 and Elvira's hometown of Laredo, Texas, has become engulfed by the Mexican Drug War.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
IcarusK. AncrumHe steals priceless art and replaces it with his father's impeccable forgeries. For years, one man-the wealthy Mr. Black-has been their target in revenge for his role in the death of Icarus's mother.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Icon and InfernoMarie LuAnd a mission that's playing with fire. A year has passed since superstar Winter Young last saw secret agent Sydney Cossette. After barely surviving their first assignment together in London -- and their intense chemistry – the two haven’t spoken at all.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Ida, in Love and in TroubleVeronica ChambersBefore she became a warrior, Ida B. Wells was an incomparable flirt with a quick wit and a dream of becoming a renowned writer.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsAn Illustrated History of Urban LegendsAdam Allsuch BoardmanFrom the campfire to the digital rumor mill, urban legends have flourished wherever we tell stories. Whether once true, sprouted from half remembered facts or entirely fictional, we have scrutinized these legends for centuries.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsIt’s Only a GameKelsea YuHe's a man who knows the importance of hard work and he's living proof that it pays off.TERRY BRADSHAWIT'S ONLY A GAMEThis is the absolutely guaranteed 100% mostly true story of the man who gained sports immortality as the first quarterback to win four Super Bowls and who became America's…Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Lady Sunflower: stories, songs, and poems from the desk of kill.gertrudeSierra Shuck-Sparer, illustrated by Chloe TylerLady Sunflower is an achingly poignant collection written by Sierra Shuck-Sparer when she found herself grappling with the high-risk medulloblastoma. At the age of fifteen, Sierra was thrust into her harrowing battle against Gertrude (the name she gave her cancer).Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsThe Lies We ConjureSarah HenningFeatured in: Fangirlish and PW's "New and Noteworthy" Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games with magic in this standalone supernatural thriller by Sarah Henning: thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly whodunit.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Little Jade: Memoir of a Young Eurasian ImmigrantKatherine Haas, Zina FattahKatherine Haas came to the United States on a ship, at the young age of eleven. The next few decades unfolded a lifetime of adventure as this young Chinese-German woman navigated identity, culture, and politics in a world different from the one she was raised in.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsLunar New Year Love StoryGene Luen YangShe was destined for heartbreak.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Mamie Phipps Clark, Champion for ChildrenLynette Mawhinney, illustrated by Neil EvansThis inspiring graphic novel tells the story of groundbreaking psychologist and civil rights activist Mamie Phipps Clark, PhD, and her research in the racial identity and development of self in Black children, the work that ultimately played a vital role in the landmark Brown v.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Mismatched: A Modern Graphic Retelling of EmmaAnne Camlin, illustrated by Isadora ZeferinoA teen social media star learns he can’t control everything in this delicious, queer graphic novel adaptation that relocates Jane Austen’s Emma to a modern-day high school in Queens, New York.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Navigating with YouJeremy Whitley, illustrated by Cassio RibeiroA charming POC-led WLW romance where two new friends hit the road in search of the missing volumes of their favorite manga.Neesha Sparks is a disabled, vocal community activist with a passion for costume design.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Of Her Own DesignBirdie Willis, Nicole Adelfinger, illustrated by Jess Taylor, Fiona MarchbankAn all-new YA graphic novel from Maverick!Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Only for the HolidaysAbiola BelloThe Love Hypothesis meets The Holiday in this fake dating YA romance about a city girl and country boy’s lives colliding at ChristmasCity girl Tia Solanké is dreading the festive season.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Our Shouts EchoJade AdiaFrom the author of There Goes the Neighborhood, winner of the 2024 Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award, comes an unforgettably powerful coming-of-age story about a 16-year-old LA transplant whose plans to build a doomsday shelter in her backyard collide with an unexpected summer romance.Survival Tip #1: The world is going…Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Out of Left FieldJonah NewmanA girl challenges baseball's gender rules, uncovering forgotten female players.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile 640LATOS 4.1View book detailsPerfect Little MonstersCindy R. X. HeSomeone has murdered the queen bee of Sierton High School. All the dead girl's friends are suspects. And each one has a reason for wanting her to die.Ella Moore was the most popular girl in school…and also the most hated.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Possible HappinessDavid EbenbachEleventh-grader Jacob Wasserman is just trying to get by. Under the radar, he spends his weekends at home by himself, leaning on TV and video games to distract himself from the weight— these days we would call it depression— inside him.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rapunzella, Or, Don’t Touch My HairElla McLeodSelected for the ALA 2025 Rise: A Feminist Book Project list!Rapunzella is a genre-bending novel that weaves together a young girl's ordinary life and a wildly dangerous fairytale universe, celebrating Black hair and the power of coming into your identity."Recasting classic fairy tales in the context of Blackness, the marvelous novel Rapunzella…Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rules for CamouflageKirstin Cronn-MillsA neurodivergent teen battles school challenges and bullying, seeking her place in the world.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile 669LATOS 4.3View book detailsSix Truths and a LieReam ShukairySix teens accused of terrorism must choose: betray each other or reveal secrets to clear their names.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile 899LATOS 5.8View book detailsStephen KingBev VincentStephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsSyncEllen HopkinsSync is the story of a dazzling kind of order in the universe, the harmony that comes from cycles in sync. The tendency to synchronize is one of the most far-reaching drives in all of nature.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsTriggerC.G. MooreAn unflinching LGBTQIA+ verse novel about a teenage boy who is sexually assaulted in an attack he struggles to remember.A Kirkus Best Teen & YA Verse NovelA Children's Book Council YA FavouriteA School Library Journal Best Young Adult BookJay wakes in a park, beaten and bruised.Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsVoid Rivals: More Than Meets The EyeRobert Kirkman, illustrated by Lorenzo De Felici, Matheus LopesThe blockbuster Oblivion Song team of ROBERT KIRKMAN and LORENZO DE FELICI launch an all-new shared universe connected to the Transformers and G.I. Joe!The Energon Universe starts here!Teacher Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsLibrarian Favorites — K–2nd Grade
70 selections
Rank 1Built to LastMinh LêTwo friends' block worlds crumble, testing their friendship's strength.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD540LATOS 3.6View book detailsRank 2Gifts from the Garbage Truck: A True Story About the Things We (Don’t) Throw AwayAndrew Larsen, foreword by Nelson Molina"Informative and inspirational... will have readers rethinking the value of items that appear seemingly worthless. Instead of seeing something broken, you saw something to fix?Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsRank 3The Yellow BusLoren LongShe loves carrying children from one important place to another. Every morning they climb in . . . And they fill her with joy.As time passes, things change.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeWord count 417View book detailsRank 4The Man Who Didn’t Like AnimalsDeborah Underwood, illustrated by LeUyen PhamDiscover how a tidy man becomes a farmer with unexpected animal friends.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsRank 5Arlo Needs GlassesBarney SaltzbergA dog discovers the joy of glasses and a new way to play.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile 157LATOS 1.5View book detailsRank 6Rainbow BearBill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, illustrated by Nathalie BeauvoisJoin a bear's colorful journey after hibernation.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsRank 7The Ofrenda That We BuiltJolene Gutíerrez, Shaian Gutíerrez, illustrated by Gabby ZapataWith warmth and energy, this spirited picture book is a joyful ode to family traditions and the memory of loved ones who have passed but whom we continue to remember.It is Día de Muertos—the Day of the Dead—and the family ofrenda is at the center of the celebration!Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile NP0LATOS 0.1View book details
Rank 8The Spell of a StoryMariajo Ilustrajo, illustrated by Mariajo IlustrajoIt's the end of term, and a little girl is given the unreasonable task of reading a whole book over the holidays.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsRank 9Bubbly Beautiful Kitty-Corn: A Picture BookShannon Hale, illustrated by LeUyen PhamA beautiful, bewitching, bubbly dream:Unicorn longs to be a mermaid!(Sometimes.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Rank 10Hug MeSimona CiraoloEver feel like you need a hug, a really big hug from someone? That's how Felipe the young cactus feels, but his family just isn't the touchy-feely kind.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsAbuelo, the Sea, and MeIsmée WilliamsPura Belpré Honor Book for Children's IllustrationAbuelo, the Sea, and Me is a tender, heartwarming picture book that vividly explores intergenerational connections, family history, and the immigrant experience.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsAfro Unicorn: The Land of Afronia, Vol1. April Showers, illustrated by Anthony Conley, Ronaldo BarataAfronia is known for being bright and colorful, but what happens when a disgraced unicorn wants to take the color away? Join unicorn best friends Divine and Unique as they journey to save Afronia in this all-new, action-packed graphic novel that celebrates Black joy and beauty.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Ahoy!Sophie BlackallJoin a child captain and parent first mate as they embark on a wild high seas adventure…all without leaving the living room!Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Aloha EverythingKaylin Melia GeorgeIn this exciting adventure, you'll encounter mighty canoes crashing over ocean waves, regal hawks soaring high above the clouds, and brilliant lizards jumping nimbly through forest trees!Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD940LATOS 4.5View book detailsAngélica and La GüiraAngie CruzAngélica has spent the summer in the Dominican Republic with her tías and primas, her grandparents, and their parrot, but soon she'll have to say goodbye.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
AnonymooseShawna J. C. Tenney, illustrated by Shawna J. C. TenneyA humorous, heartfelt story about shyness, blending in, and the courage it takes to step out and speak up when it matters most.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD580LATOS 3.8View book detailsArchie Celebrates an Indian WeddingMitali Banerjee Ruths, illustrated by Parwinder SinghHer Poppy Uncle is getting married in a big Indian wedding, and Archie and new friend Emma realize that love and fun are universal.In this cross-cultural friendship story, Archie helps Emma, who isn’t Indian, learn everything she needs to know when Archie’s Poppy Uncle and Emma’s Auntie Julie get married.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
ARTificial IntelligenceDavid Biedrzycki, illustrated by David Biedrzycki"In this third edition, the authors have updated the treatment of all major areas. A new organizing principle--the representational dimension of atomic, factored, and structured models--has been added.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsBe Careful, Xiao Xin!Alice PungXiao Xin believes he is a fire warrior, but his family thinks the world is too dangerous for him. Can he inspire his family to trust him?Xiao Xin believes he is a fearless Red Fire Warrior, but his family is always telling him to be carefulhe's too little to be a warrior!Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsBear’s Lost GlassesLeo Timmers, illustrated by Leo TimmersBear can't find his glasses. He must have left them at Giraffe's house.On the way over, Bear sees all kinds of animals he didn't notice last time: an elephant, a crocodile, a flamingo, a deer.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsBefore the Ships: The Birth of Black ExcellenceMaisha OsoBefore the Ships is a powerful and poetic celebration of the early roots of Black history. The great achievements and accomplishments across Africa prior to the Transatlantic slave trade are told through melodious text and evocative illustrations, that culminate into the strength and resilience of modern-day Black people.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Best Worst Camp Out EverJoe CepedaA boy and his father go on a camping trip where everything goes wrong! From Joe Cepeda, a Theodor Seuss Geisel and Pura Belpré Honor Winner, this early reader comic is perfect for first graders to read on their own!A boy and his father go on a camping trip!Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Betty’s BirthdayCeline Ka Wing Lau, illustrated by Celine Ka Wing LauThere will be games and pizza-making and cake. Can you help Betty have the best party ever? Betty is turning six today.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Big & Little ABC BookSandra Ure Griffin, illustrated by Sandra Ure GriffinThis gentle ABC book features soft and delicately illustrated vignettes for every letter of the alphabet. Within each page, a young child and baby stand next to their respective capital and lower-case letters, surrounded by a frame entwined with plants and animals representing the particular letter.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsA Big Juicy EarthwormKatarina Macurova, illustrated by Katarina MacurovaThree friends embark on a quest for a mysterious earthworm, sparking unexpected adventures.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD590LATOS 3.8View book detailsBig Sister, Long CoatNelly Buchet, illustrated by Rachel KatstallerNeither rain nor a series of setbacks can put a damper on a young girl’s day spent with her big sister. A picture book that captures the love between siblings!A young girl is thrilled to spend the day with her big sister, but things don’t go as planned.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsBijan Always WinsAdib KhorramWinning isn't everything; can friendship be lost in the pursuit?Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD500LATOS 3.3View book detailsBillu ButtonsGus Singh, illustrated by Delzin ChokseyThere is nothing more fashionable than confidence in yourself! Billu is one independent kid. He loves doing things himself, especially getting dressed in the morning.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Bird is DeadTiny FisscherWinner of the 2025 Queen's Knickers Book Award.An honest and simple exploration of death and grief for kids 4 to 8. With playful illustrations by a therapist-turned-artist, Bird is Dead uses humor to make death a more approachable topic.Bird is dead.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsBirth of the Chosen One: A First Nations Retelling of the Christmas StoryTerry M. Wildman, illustrated by Hannah Noel Buchanan, Holly BuchananA Classic Holiday Picture Book from the Pages of the Bestselling First Nations Version! Adopted from the Gospel of Luke, Birth of the Chosen One is a unique retelling of the birth of Jesus told in the tradition of Native oral storytellers.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Black Girl, Black GirlAli Kamanda, Jorge Redmond, illustrated by Amanda QuarteyFrom the authors of Black Boy, Black Boy comes a new inspiring picture book about self-esteem for black girls, drawing on the history of role models who came before them!Dear girl, Black girl, rise up, it's time.It's a new day and a chance to shine.From the first black female Vice President of…Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsBlink and GlowRaven Howell, illustrated by Ann PilicerThat is until Grandma's wisdom guides the children and teaches them respect for the freedom and light of the natural life surrounding us.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsThe Blue BowlFlo LeungA young boy realizes, thanks to his family, that he can enjoy both his Chinese and North American cultures through his favorite dishes Max loves his family’s Cantonese meals, like steamed rice and gai lan greens with oyster sauce, homemade dumplings, and scallion bread.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsThe Book That Can Read Your MindMarianna Coppo, illustrated by Marianna CoppoPick a character, and this magical book will reveal your choice.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile 440LATOS 3View book details
Bookie and CookieBlanca GómezEven the best friendships have rough moments, but a true friend will always find a way to compromise (especially when cookies are involved!) – a scrumptious and clever read-aloud by the illustrator of Very Good Hats and Besos for Baby .Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD530LATOS 3.5View book details
Born BraveMegan Bomgaars, illustrated by Quiel RamosBorn Brave by Ruth Wind released on Sep 24, 2001 is available now for purchase.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsBrianosaurusGed AdamsonCan Brianosaurus find happiness by being true to himself?Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD490LATOS 3.3View book details
Bright and Beautiful: The Story of the Mercy Full ProjectPrecious McKenzie, illustrated by Shelby KoehlerIt is easy to ignore the pain of others when we are not experiencing it ourselves. It is especially easy to ignore it when the sufferers are animals.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsBroommates: A Brewing Boundary BattleLynne Marie, Brenda Reeves Sturgis, illustrated by Nico EcenarroA sibling rivalry with a Halloween twist to be enjoyed all year long! There's room for improvement when witchy sisters Mathilda and Malin share a broom, and a room!Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsBuffalo FluffaloBess Kalb, illustrated by Erin KraanThis laugh-out-loud story by an Emmy-nominated comedy writer shows it’s okay to be yourself.I’m the Buffalo FluffaloI heave and I huffaloLeave me alone because I’ve had enuffalo.Buffalo Fluffalo arrives on the scene puffed up with self-importance.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD580LATOS 3.8View book detailsBunnygirl: Treehouse FriendsHolly Jayne, illustrated by Holly JayneJames lives in the most amazing treehouse, but he's too shy to let anyone see it. Can Bunnygirl help him find a way to connect with people?Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsBunso Meets a DuwendeRev Valdez, illustrated by Rev ValdezIn this exciting sequel to Bunso Meets a Mumu, Bunso encounters a new mythical creature from Filipino folklore—the Duwende!Known for its mischievous tricks, the Duwende loves to hide things, steal toys, and cause mayhem, especially when kids aren’t paying attention.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
The Case of the Noisy NeighborEric Hogan, Tara HungerfordA celebration of nature, curiosity, discovery and mindfulness! One day Scout hears a persistent knocking at his door, but when he goes to see who it is, no one is there.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsChooch HelpedAndrea L. RogersSissy is frustrated that her two-year-old brother Chooch gets credit for helping whenever he makes a mess.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD440LView book detailsClack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball StoryTraci Sorell, illustrated by Joseph ErbVann, a struggling stickball player, competes in a game on the Cherokee Nation. Can he help his team win? Vann loves playing his tribe’s stickball game, but he’s not as skilled as his teammates.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsDaisy the DaydreamerJennifer P. GoldfingerA daydreamer must prove herself to lead a field trip.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeWord count 297View book detailsDorisLo Cole, illustrated by Lo ColeDoris dances to her own tune in this whimsical and emotionally resonant tale about finding the courage to be yourself.Doris has always reveled in the warmth of a spotlight.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsGina Kaminski Saves the WolfCraig Barr-Green, illustrated by Francis MartinGina enters into the fairy-tale world of Little Red Riding Hood to fix what she's decided are the Wolf's three big mistakes.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Go To Sleep Anxiety!Luna Chi, Gurihiru, illustrated by GurihiruCan Riley's Emotions help Anxiety find peace and sleep through the night?Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeWord count 687View book details
Greta’s CloudDavid Hernández Sevillano, illustrated by Luisa VeraGreta wants to have a pet more than anything in the world. There’s only one problem… She’s allergic to animals... Greta is allergic to animals so she decides to have a cloud as a pet.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsHank Goes HonkMaudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Duncan BeedieA rude goose learns the value of friendship and kindness.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Hiro, Winter, and MarshmallowsMarine Schneider, illustrated by Marine Schneider, Vineet LalSo she packs her things, heads out of her cave, and follows some odd tracks in the snow…. straight into a bonfire party!Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile 580LATOS 3.8View book details
Is a Book a Box for Words?Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Mercè GalíDiscover the endless possibilities and mysteries of boxes in a playful exploration.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD370LATOS 2.6View book details
Jacob’s Missing BookSarah Hoffman, illustrated by Chris CaseJacob—the star of one of the most banned books of the decade—is back in Jacob's Missing Book, a kid-friendly story about book banning, censorship, and LGBTQ+ rights.The Children’s Book Council (CBC) - K-2nd grade LIBRARIAN favoriteNoah is confused about Emily's family, so he asks her―who’s Pop and who’s Dad?Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsJump for JoyKaren Gray RuelleIn this charming and imaginative tale of friendship, picture book readers will delight in what it means to have a furry best friend.For as long as she can remember, Joy has wanted a dog.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
A Life of Song: The Story of Ella JenkinsTy-Juana TaylorDiscover the untold story of Ella Jenkins, the First Lady of Children's Music.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsLike You, Like MeJenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw, illustrated by Jenny Sue Kostecki-ShawTwo pen pals discover shared joys across continents, bridging worlds through letters.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Little Helper, Big ImaginationEmily Morrow, illustrated by Sally Garland2025 CBC Librarian Favorites Winner (K – 2nd Grade)How can you turn a day filled with normal things like breakfast and chores into an unforgettable adventure?Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsThe Midnight MitzvahRuth Horowitz, illustrated by Jenny MeilihoveBut not everyone is thankful for her good deed. When Hanina realizes Mathilda Squirrel is embarrassed to admit she needs help, she hatches a plan to deliver nuts in secret under the midnight hour.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsMr. Round and Mr. SquarePatricia Fitti, illustrated by Patricia FittiSquare live opposite each other. Every day, they look outside. Round’s house, it’s sunny, but at Mr. They always see things differently.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsMy Lost Freedom: A Japanese American WWII StoryGeorge TakeiGeorge Takei is four years old when his world changes forever. Two months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares anyone of Japanese descent an enemy of the United States.George and his family were American in every way.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsNo Cats in the LibraryLauren Emmons, illustrated by Lauren EmmonsA cat sneaks into a library, defying the rules to explore a world of books.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsNo More Señora MimíMeg Medina, illustrated by Brittany CiccheseFrom Newbery Medalist Meg Medina, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, comes a poignant salute to the caregivers who enter a child’s tender world.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile 459LATOS 3.1View book details
The Pie ReportsHayley Lowe, illustrated by Hayley LoweA girl bridges distance and illness with her grandfather through their love of pie.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile 730LATOS 4.7View book detailsThe Quickest Bedtime Story Ever!Louise Fitzgerald, illustrated by Kate HindleyWelcome to the quickest bedtime story ever! Your little one will be asleep in seconds. There are a couple of things you must do Have you warmed up your reading voice?Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book details
Quiet Violet Finds Her VoiceGabrielle Nidus, illustrated by Stephanie DehenninViolet's journey to be heard celebrates the power of bold, quiet people. Violet Blandin makes it a habit to blend in. At school, no one notices her, but in the kitchen, she can't be missed.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsThe Soil in Jackie’s GardenPeggy Thomas, illustrated by Neely DaggettDiscover the magic of gardening and composting in a cycle of growth and renewal.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsThe Sun Never HurriesRoxane Turcotte, illustrated by Lucie CrovattoA young girl learns the art of savoring time with her grandfather.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeLexile AD570LATOS 3.7View book details
VolcanoesNell Cross BeckermanThe team behind the acclaimed book Caves returns with an enticing exploration of one of the most explosive wonders on the planet -- Volcanoes!A rumble.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsWhere Is Little Stripe’s Daddy?Deborah Bruss, illustrated by Cornelius Van WrightLittle Stripe the zebra cannot find his daddy! Luckily, he befriends a monarch caterpillar who proudly wears black-and-white stripes, and wants to help.Librarian Favorites — K–2nd GradeView book detailsLibrarian Favorites — 3rd–5th Grade
50 selections
Rank 1Dear Ruby, Hear Our HeartsRuby Bridges, illustrated by John Jay CabuayNational civil rights activist and icon Ruby Bridges responds to letters from thoughtful and concerned young students from across America."I've heard their hearts and now share those hearts with you.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 2The One and Only FamilyKatherine ApplegateIvan faces parenthood and memories of his past.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile 560LATOS 3.7View book details
Rank 3Call Me Roberto!: Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for LatinosNathalie AlonsoGrowing up in Carolina, Puerto Rico, he swung tree branches (since he didn’t have a bat) and hit tin cans. He was always batting, pitching, running, sliding.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile 669LATOS 4.3View book details
Rank 4The Life-Changing Magic of Baking: A Beginner’s Guide by Baker Joy WilsonJoy Wilson, Cliff Wilson, illustrated by Tatiana KamshilinaShe shares her baking process–from creaming butter and sugar and greasing a pan to adding frosting and rainbow sprinkles–and offers insider tips for young fans.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 51,000 Facts About SharksSarah Wassner Flynn, Dr Phillip S. LobelDive into 1,000 sensational facts about these fierce and fascinating predators, from great whites to whale sharks, reef sharks, goblin sharks, and more!Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsRank 6Letters to Never Send Santa: Confessions, Complaints, and Outlandish Requests from the Files of St. NickDavid Griswold, illustrated by Luis San VicenteYou better watch out, you better not . . .Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsRank 7MahoganyJanay Brown-Wood, illustrated by John JovenStone Barrington is hired to protect a former intelligence agent with amnesia—and secrets worth killing for—in this heart-stopping thriller in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Rank 8All About U.SMatt Lamothe, Jenny Volvovski, illustrated by Matt LamotheFifty unique, authentic portraits of growing up in America include: Families who live in a variety of dwellings, from houseboats and yurts to farms, Native reservations, and Air Force bases Children with adoptive families, stepfamilies, single-parent families, two moms or dads, and those who live with their grandparents Children living with health…Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsRank 9Cat Out of Water: (A Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel)Art Baltazar, Dr. SeussSeuss’s whimsical world like never before in this colorful graphic novel companion to The Cat in the Hat!Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsRank 10What Happened on Thursday?Ayo OyekuHonor Book for the Children’s Africana Book Award A Notable Social Studies Trade Book A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year A Children’s Book Council Teacher and Librarian Favorite A powerful story of family love amid the backdrop of war, as seen through the eyes of a child.The Nigerian Civil…Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsAnd Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and ResistanceSupriya Kelkar, illustrated by Supriya KelkarThe story of one of the world’s most famous diamonds—stolen from South Asia during colonization and now among the crown jewels in London—is a call to action for readers to decolonize and hold their heads high.The Kohinoor diamond, one of the most famous diamonds in the world, was stolen from India and…Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Ayo’s Adventure: Across the African Diaspora from Afro to ZuluAin Heath Drew, illustrated by Erin Robinson"As a lifelong literacy advocate, I seek out children's books that help kids explore the world around them. Ayo's Adventure is a journey through the sights and sounds of the African diaspora.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Blackberry FoxKathrin Tordasi, Cathrin WirtzFor fans of the Wilderlore and Skandar series comes a thrilling middle grade fantasy adventure steeped in Welsh myths and legends about two intrepid friends who are tricked into opening the door to an enchanted world—only to get trapped inside.On a summer holiday in Wales, Portia and Ben find a mysterious door…Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsBodega Cats: Picture PurrfectHilda Eunice Burgos, illustrated by Siara FaisonIn the Heights meets Front Desk in this heartwarming and funny illustrated story about the friendship between a bodega owner’s kid and his newly-adopted furry friend, with a focus on family and community.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsBog MyrtleSid SharpMagic yarn sparks a sweater factory, but spiders strike back.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile 600LATOS 3.8View book detailsCactus Queen: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National ParkLori AlexanderA 2025 Bank Street College of Education Cook Prize Silver MedalistThe Nature Generation's 2025 Green Earth Book Award Short ListHow did the Joshua Tree National Park in California come to be?Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsChampPayam Ebrahimi, illustrated by Reza DalvandA three-legged dog named Champ makes Riley realize baseball is not the most important thing in his life. Together, Riley and Champ make a great team. 187 pages.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsThe Children’s Book of the FutureLavie Tidhar, Richard Watson, illustrated by Cinthya AlvarezAn illustrated, imaginative exploration of future technology and science for children that carries a message of hope and optimism. This narrative non-fiction book offers an inclusive and hopeful vision of the future for children aged 7-9, taking inspiration from the latest scientific research.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Chronicles of a Lizard NobodyPatrick Ness, illustrated by Tim MillerMonitor lizards face school chaos and a supervillain pelican. Can they become unlikely heroes?Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile 731LATOS 4.7View book details
Colossal Words for KidsColette HillerBoost your child’s growing vocabulary with 60 hilariously illustrated poems from Colette Hiller, author of the critically acclaimed kids’ poetry book The B on Your Thumb .Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Are You Stronger Than an Ant? Fun Facts about Extraordinary AnimalsKaren Koepcke Morgan, illustrated by Nelke Roose"Strapp’s expressively rendered, refreshingly diverse cast of characters engagingly brings light to some of the unique struggles of queer friendships and relationships.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsDinky Donkey Doo: How a Backyard Friend Helped a Boy Stay StrongDavid P. Kavanaugh, illustrated by Albert ArrayásJack loves a lot of things: his family, his toys, Halloween. But there are two things he loves a lot. When Jack has a hard time healing from a fall, he goes to the hospital and finds out that he has leukemia, a cancer of the blood.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Earth’s Incredible Places: Grand CanyonSusan Lamb, illustrated by Sean LewisGet your family excited about The Grand Canyon! This illustrated guide will teach your kids about Arizona’s most notable national park, filled with fossils from long before dinosaurs walked the earth!Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Everywhere Beauty Is Harlem: The Vision of Photographer Roy DeCaravaGary GolioFollow Roy through 1940s Harlem, as he takes out his camera, pops in a roll of film, and opens his eyes to the beauty all around him.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile 570LATOS 2.5View book detailsGertie Is Not All DogsSiski Kalla, illustrated by Siski KallaSammy's world brightens with the arrival of his new dog, Gertie. Overflowing with excitement, Sammy is ready for all the adventures ahead.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsThe Gingerbread Man: Buttons on the LooseLaura Murray, illustrated by Laura MurrayA gingerbread man searches the school for his missing candy buttons.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile GN500LATOS 3.3View book detailsGuts for Glory: The Story of Civil War Soldier Rosetta WakemanJoanna LapatiSo, one day she made a brave, bold choice: she cut her braid and disguised herself as a man.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
The History of InformationChris Haughton, illustrated by Chris HaughtonInformation Security is usually achieved through a mix of technical, organizational and legal measures. These may include the application of cryptography, the hierarchical modeling of organizations in order to assure confidentiality, or the distribution of accountability and responsibility by law, among interested parties.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsHow Do You Become a Mad Scientist?Hayes, illustrated by Srimalile BassaniHave you ever wondered how to become a mad scientist? Try out some of these wacky and fun science experiments including making your own slime, making a balloon blow up on its own, making a bouncy egg, and so much more!Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
I Am, I Can, I Will : A Guided Journal of Self-Discovery for Black GirlsDr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter / Ruth Chamblee, illustrated by Steffi WalthallBold statements, compelling quotes, and thoughtful prompts lead young Black girls on a journey of ancestral wisdom and self-discovery in this beautifully illustrated guided journal.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
IEPs R4U & Me: Duke the Deaf Dog Series Chapter BookKelly Brakenhoff, illustrated by Caterina Baldi2025 CBC Librarian Favorites Winner! Duke the Deaf Dog discovers the power of self-advocacy and embracing his unique learning journey through his IEP.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsIris and the TurtlesMelanie Mathis Miller, illustrated by Karissa Miller LaffeyIris loves to swim with all the beautiful marine life in the ocean near her home, but Sea Turtles are her favorite.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsThe Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class #3: Poppy Song Bakes a WayKarina Glaser, illustrated by Kat FajardoMeet the kids in Mrs. Z's wacky and wonderful third-grade class! Poppy Song loves to bake just like her grandmother, but her skills are put to the test when a tricky recipe and a forgetful grandmother lead her into a sticky situation.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsKwame VotesDr. Artika Tyner, illustrated by Chasity HamptonKwame is excited to tell his family who he voted for and why in his school student government election.To his surprise, his family is also getting ready to be part of Election Day.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsThe Life-Changing Magic of Chess: A Beginner’s Guide with Grandmaster Maurice AshleyMaurice Ashley, illustrated by Denis AngelovThe Life-Changing Magic of Chess is a beginner’s guide to the strategy game for children, with secrets from Grandmaster Maurice Ashley. Discover why the world’s first Black Grandmaster Maurice Ashley thinks that chess is one of the best skills in life.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Mama’s Chicken and DumplingsDionna L. MannGrowing up in segregated 1930's Charlottesville, ten-year-old Allie is determined to find a man for her mama to marry— but not just any man will do!Allie's life with Mama isn't bad, but she knows it could be better if Mama would find someone to marry.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsMid-AirAlicia D. WilliamsA boy struggles with guilt and identity after his friend's tragic death.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsMinerals and Rocks: A Beginner’s GuideKim TaitDiscover the fascinating world under your feet in Minerals and Rocks. Written by a top mineralogist, this essential guidebook for young readers introduces key geological and scientific concepts and delves into the main features of minerals and rocks.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Nancy Bess had a DressClaire Annette Noland, illustrated by Angela C. HawkinsA patterned flour sack becomes a clever creation in this story set in the late 1930's featuring a crafty girl with a gift for repurposing her favorite daisy print.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Pablo and SplashSheena DempseyPenguins land in dinosaur era. Can they escape before becoming dino snacks?Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsRecord Breakers at the Olympic GamesRob WalkerRecord Breakers at the Olympic Games celebrates the best records, achievements and stories in the history of the modern summer Olympic Games.Comprehensive in scope, the book features record performances in every sport and discipline since Athens 1896, and highlights the jawdropping efforts and dramatic moments that make up the Games' tapestry of…Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsSaint Valentine the Kindhearted: The History and Legends of God’s Brave and Loving ServantNed Bustard, illustrated by Ned BustardWe celebrate Valentine’s Day with flowers, candy, and cards for the people we love. But have you ever wondered why we do this on February 14?Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsSalt, Pepper, Season, Spice: All the Flavors of the WorldJacques Pasquet, illustrated by Claire Anghinolfi, Ann Marie BoulangerThe stories of the flavors we love are steeped in history, mythology and cultures from around the world. Did you know that salt has been around for almost 5,000 years or that pepper was once called black gold ?Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
Stella and MarigoldAnnie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie BlackallStella, who’s seven, is kind, a good storyteller, and ponders big questions like, what do animals think of people? Marigold, at four, tells imaginative stories (her mother calls them “fibs”) and likes to wear her favorite Halloween costume year-round.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book details
The Story of Gumluck and the Dragon’s EggsAdam Rex, illustrated by Adam RexA wizard's contest decides the fate of three eggs between a dragon and a raven.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile 590LATOS 3.6View book detailsTime BuddiesMatthew Cody, Colleen AF Venable, Marcie Colleen, illustrated by Chad ThomasA future owlet and present-day kid race through time.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeLexile GN340LATOS 2.5View 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.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsWho’s Writing This Story?!Robin NewmanWho's the real boss of a story? The writer or the characters who live to tell the tale? Or both together?Follow the three little pigs as they argue with the writer over what kind of story to tell.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView 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.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsWinnie-the-PoohA. A. MilneThe beloved children’s classic appears as a graphic novel for the first timeLynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize winner Travis Dandro takes a left turn from his detailed autobiography and returns with the charming tales of Winnie-the-Pooh.Librarian Favorites — 3rd–5th GradeView book detailsLibrarian Favorites — 6th–8th Grade
50 selections
Rank 1Barracoon: Adapted for Young ReadersZora Neale Hurston, illustrated by Jazzmen Lee-JohnsonAn Instant New York Times and Indie Bestseller!In the first middle grade offering from Zora Neale Hurston and Ibram X. Kendi, young readers are introduced to the remarkable and true-life story of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last survivors of the Atlantic human trade, in an adaptation of the internationally bestselling and…Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsRank 2Impossible CreaturesKatherine RundellTwo kids must save a fading magical world before it's too late.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile HL650LATOS 4.2View book details
Rank 3FerrisKate DiCamilloA girl faces chaos with a ghost's unexpected plans and family antics.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 630LATOS 4.4View book details
Rank 4Buffalo DreamerViolet DuncanDreams reveal a haunting past as unmarked graves are discovered. Can Summer uncover the truth?Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 790LATOS 4.9View book detailsRank 5Who Was Her Own Work of Art?: Frida Kahlo (A Who HQ Graphic Novel)Terry BlasA story of independence, determination, and finding beauty within one's scars, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves into the incredible power of one of the greatest artists of all time—brought to life by gripping narrative and vivid full-color illustrations that jump off the page.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsRank 6All The Ways to GoJessie JanowitzFrom the author of The Doughnut Fix comes another funny, heartfelt book about overcoming the fear of letting down the people you love and the amazing things that can come from a summer of nothing going your way.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsRank 7The Girl Who SangEstelle NadelA young girl's survival in Nazi-occupied Poland reveals hope amid horror.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 420LATOS 3.2View book details
Rank 8JamieL.D. LapinskiA beautiful and uplifting story from L.D. Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency , about how to make your own place when the world doesn't think you fit anywhere.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsRank 9The Squad: A Graphic Novel (The Tryout #2)Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Joanna CacaoBreak out your pom poms! The highly anticipated, stand-alone companion to the instant #1 bestseller The Tryout promises even more cheer, higher stakes, and relatable middle-school drama.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsRank 10The Books of Clash Volume 3: Legendary Legends of Legendarious AchieveryGene Luen Yang, illustrated by Kendall Goode, Alison ActonBased on the global hit Clash of Clans and penned by superstar graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang, this third volume of a new action-packed series brings the characters from everyone's favorite mobile gaming sensation to life!Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsAlterationsRay Xu, illustrated by Ray XuMargaret is an acclaimed fashion designer, devoted mother, keeper of order and elegance in a city that never slows. But one morning, she simply doesn’t get out of bed.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Animal Minds: What Are They Thinking?Dana L. ChurchA deep dive into the minds of animals and how they think. Wouldn't it be amazing to see inside the mind of a lion, a gorilla, an octopus or even a bee?Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsBenny Ramírez and the Nearly DepartedJosé Pablo IriarteA boy and his ghostly grandfather must find greatness before New Year's Eve.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 730LATOS 4.7View book details
Beyond InfinityStephanie Warren DrimmerBy one of our most imaginative mathematicians, a mind-expanding trip through the beauty—and the mysteries—of infinity “Cheng does a great service by showing us non-mathematician schlubs how real mathematical creativity works." —Wall Street Journal Imagine something small enough to fit in your head but too large to fit in the world—or even…Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem: A Graphic Novel: The Blue Stars SeriesKekla Magoon, Cynthia Leitich Smith, illustrated by Molly MurakamiOutgoing Riley misses her Muscogee cousins but is sure that she and Maya will be instant BFFs. Meanwhile, introvert Maya misses her parents, on active duty in Japan, and just wants some space to herself.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsBoy 2.0Tracey BaptisteThey seem eager to welcome Coal, but he’s wary of trusting them. So, he doesn’t tell them that he went for a walk with chalk in his pocket to cover a nearby street with his art.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The ChainbreakersJulian RandallA young girl battles ghost-sharks to save her father and her underwater world.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Clock Striker, Volume 2Frederick L Jones, illustrated by Issaka GaladimaClock Striker, Volume 2, is the exciting follow-up to the acclaimed first volume, featuring shonen manga’s first Black female lead character! *2024 School Library Journal Best Manga of the Year**2025 CBC Librarians Favorites Winner*Combining sci-fi, steampunk, action-adventure, and insightful humor, this new volume explores teenage hero Cast’s desire to (once again) save…Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsFake Chinese SoundsJing Jing TsongA girl faces bullying and identity struggles, seeking her voice.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile HL420LATOS 2.9View book detailsThe First State of BeingErin Entrada KellyIn August 1999, anxious twelve-year-old Michael Rosario meets a mysterious boy from the future.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 681LATOS 4.4View book detailsThe Hoop Con (Play the Game #1)Amar ShahYOU CAN’T WIN IF YOU DON’T PLAY Raam Patel is eager to prove himself ever since he didn’t make the middle school’s basketball team.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The House of Hades: The Graphic NovelRick RiordanThe fourth exciting entry in Rick Riordan's best-selling Heroes of Olympus series is now a graphic novel! At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena , Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsHoverGirlsGeneva BowersThe web comic sensation about magical girls by acclaimed illustrator Geneva Bowers, now in a beautiful print edition, featuring an expanded storyline and revised art!Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Ink GirlsMarieke Nijkamp, illustrated by Sylvia BiTwo girls unite to fight censorship and uncover hidden truths in a vibrant city.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsIt Came from the TreesAlly RussellA creature lurks in the woods. Can Jenna save her friend before it's too late?Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 870LATOS 5.6View book detailsIt Watches in the DarkJeff Strand"She glanced over her shoulder. It stood there, smile stitched on its face, but now it felt like a smirk."Prepare to be scared silly in this creepy middle-grade novel!Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile HL610LATOS 4View book details
Kareem BetweenShifa Saltagi SafadiA boy must navigate middle school challenges and moral dilemmas while caught between cultures and family crises.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 731LATOS 4.7View book detailsThe Last Rhee WitchJenna Lee-YunA haunted camp reveals secrets and challenges everything Ronnie knows.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Lights, Camera, Brains?Michelle L. BrownTwelveyearold Marty Rucker’s dream of going to space camp lifts off in T minus two months. But when his drama teacher dad loses his job, Marty’s Camp Cosmos money is needed to help pay the bills.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsLoch Ness Uncovered: Media, Misinformation, and the Greatest Monster Hoax of All TimeRebecca SiegelYALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book WinnerCCBC Choices 2025The New York Public Library Best Books for Teens 2024 2025 Texas Topaz ListAn extensively researched, myth-busting account of the world’s most famous monster hoax—the Loch Ness Monster—and a cautionary tale on the dangers of misinformation.In 1934…Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsA Magic Fierce and BrightHemant NayakAdya wants nothing more than to be left alone. Content to be loyal to no one but herself in the isolated jungles of South India, she dreams only of finding her lost sister, Priya, and making enough money to take care of their family.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
Mammals UnlockedDia L. Michels, illustrated by Bonnie Ho/f_kinBehold the wild world of mammals! How does a platypus fight? Where does a marmot spend the winter? When does a camel need water?Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsMani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal VoiceAnna LaperaBest of the Year: School Library Journal •Booklist • New York Public Library - Social Justice BooksFor fans of Donna Barba Higuera's Lupe Wong Won't Dance and Aida Salazar's The Moon Within comes Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice comes a contemporary middle grade novel full of spunk and activist heart —…Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsMaya Plays the PartCalyssa ErbA young girl navigates a summer of unexpected challenges and self-discovery in the world of theater.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 730LATOS 4.9View book detailsMoko Magic: Carnival ChaosTracey BaptisteFrom the best-selling author of the Jumbies series comes a magic-and-mythology-filled novel for 8–12-year-olds that celebrates Afro-Caribbean culture and Black history Weirdness and wonders abound in this Afro-Caribbean-inspired action-adventure novel about 3 cousins who discover they are mokos—protector spirits—during carnival season in Brooklyn Twelve-year-old Misty and her mother have just moved from…Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsThe Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.SJohn Hendrix, illustrated by John HendrixThe Mythmakers is a graphic novel biography of two literary icons—C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien—following the story of their friendship and creative fellowship, and how each came to write their masterworks Through narrative and comic panels, Hendrix chronicles Lewis and Tolkien’s near-idyllic childhoods, then moves on to both men’s horrific tour of…Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsThe New Girl: A Graphic Novel (The New Girl #1)Cassandra Calin, illustrated by Cassandra CalinInspired by Cassandra Calin’s immigration experience, The New Girl follows Lia as she leaves Romania, begins school in a new language, and copes with getting her first period amid the changes of a new country and a changing body.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeATOS 2.6AR interest MG 4–8View book detailsSafiyyah’s WarHiba Noor KhanViolence lurks in the streets, her best friend has fled, and even her place of refuge—the library—has turned shadowy and confusing, as the invaders fear the power of books.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsSecret Society of Rebel Girls: Nina and the Mysterious MailboxMarti Dumas, illustrated by Kristina Kister"Girls running for office, secret leadership lessons from the past, and a dash of mysterious mailbox magic? Yes please!" —Kate Messner, New York Times best-selling author of Breakout and the History Smashers series A school election.A mysterious mailbox.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
The Shadow RoadK. D. KirchmeierAfter the King of Ayr died without naming an heir, a century of enmity destroyed the one kingdom, as the mighty families of the Renn� and the Wills fought to determine the crown in a bitter storm of treachery and blood.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsStealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools (Scholastic Focus)Dan SaSuWeh JonesThese books help readers learn about the world in which they live and develop their critical thinking skills so that they may become dynamic citizens who are able to analyze and understand our past, participate in essential discussions about our present, and work to grow and build our future.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsA Suffragist’s Guide to the AntarcticYi Shun Lai, maps by Filippo VanzoClara Ketterling-Dunbar is one of twenty-eight crew members of The Resolute—a ship meant for an Antarctic expedition now marooned on an ice floe one hundred miles from the shore of the continent.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsWe Are Big Time: (A Graphic Novel)Hena KhanA Muslim teen joins a struggling basketball team, discovering true success beyond the score.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile GN320LATOS 2.4View book detailsWhat Do We Eat?: How Humans Find, Grow and Share FoodMegan Clendenan, illustrated by Meegan LimEvery day, no matter where we are or where we need to go, humans need food. Imagine carrying meals with you as you parachute into a war zone.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book details
When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the DiaryAlice HoffmanAnne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl has captivated and inspired readers for decades.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsThe Wildcat Behind GlassAlki Zei, Karen EmmerichA stuffed wildcat's secret note leads Melia into a dangerous adventure amidst political turmoil.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeLexile 840LATOS 5.4View book detailsWings to SoarTina AthaideA historically relevant middle-grade novel-in-verse about a girl's resiliency when faced with hatred towards refugees.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsA Witch’s Guide to BurningAminder Dhaliwal, illustrated by Aminder DhaliwalDhaliwal creates a land ruled by magic and fire, where the sky is thick with witches A witch’s work is never done when she works for the people.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsA World of Dogs: A Celebration of Fascinating Facts and Amazing Real-Life Stories for Dog LoversCarlie SorosiakWritten by children's author and accidental American Dingo-owner Carlie Sorosiak, this gorgeous celebration of fascinating facts and amazing real-life stories is the perfect gift for dog lovers.Throughout human history dogs have been by our side, paw prints following our footprints wherever we roamed.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsThe Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook For KidsDavid Borgenicht, Justin Heimberg, illustrated by Wenke KrampThe best-selling (and wildly hilarious) Worst-Case Scenario series is back with 40 extreme survival tips for kids ages 8-12, great for adventurous fans of the I Survived books.Librarian Favorites — 6th–8th GradeView book detailsLibrarian Favorites — 9th–12th Grade
50 selections
Rank 1An Illustrated History of Urban LegendsAdam Allsuch BoardmanFrom the campfire to the digital rumor mill, urban legends have flourished wherever we tell stories. Whether once true, sprouted from half remembered facts or entirely fictional, we have scrutinized these legends for centuries.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsRank 2Twenty-Four Seconds from NowJason ReynoldsAnd definitely one he would have loved to forget if it weren’t for the dog’s owner: Aria. Dressed in sweats, a t-shirt, hair in a ponytail.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsRank 3Beastly BeautyJennifer DonnellyA cursed girl and a skeptical thief must confront their fears to break a castle's spell.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile 750LATOS 4.8View book detailsRank 449 DaysAgnes LeeIn Buddhist tradition, a person travels for forty-nine days after death before crossing over; the book follows Korean American teenager Kit and the family…Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 5Shackled: A Tale of Wronged Kids, Rogue Judges, and a Town that Looked AwayCandy J. CooperJuveniles who showed up in their courtrooms faced harsh words and even harsher sentencing. In the post-Columbine era, many people believed that was just what the county needed to ensure its children and teens stayed on the straight and narrow path.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile 1140LATOS 8.2View book detailsRank 6IcarusK. AncrumHe steals priceless art and replaces it with his father's impeccable forgeries. For years, one man-the wealthy Mr. Black-has been their target in revenge for his role in the death of Icarus's mother.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 7At the End of the River StyxMichelle KulwickiBefore he can be reborn, Zan has spent 499 years bound in a 500-year curse to process souls for the monstrous Ferryman—and if he fails he dies.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 8Villains: Kill the BeastSerena ValentinoNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES • This exhilarating novel follows the downfall of one of Disney’s most arrogant villains: Gaston.He knew he was the best.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Rank 9Little MoonsJen Storm, illustrated by Ryan Howe, Nickolej Villiger, Alice RLIn this moving graphic novel, thirteen-year-old Reanna grieves the loss of her older sister. Can she find comfort through her family’s Ojibwe traditions?Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsRank 10Mismatched: A Modern Graphic Retelling of EmmaAnne Camlin, illustrated by Isadora ZeferinoA teen social media star learns he can’t control everything in this delicious, queer graphic novel adaptation that relocates Jane Austen’s Emma to a modern-day high school in Queens, New York.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsAll the Truth I Can StandMason StokesA Whippoorwill Award for YA Literature Honor BookA gay teenager in 1990s Wyoming must contend with the violent loss of a loved one in this historical YA novel that draws from the tragic murder of Matthew Shepard in 1998.Juniper, Wyoming, high school student Ash is still reeling from his mother’s death and…Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
The Art ThievesAndrea L. RogersNnedi Okorafor meets Angeline Boulley in this gripping story of hope (and time travel!) amid climate collapseBEST OF THE YEAR: Shelf Awareness * Cooperative Children's Book Center TO: Angel Wilson (LawAngel@IBLO.gov)FROM: Stevie Henry (shenry@gmail.com)Thanks for coming to see me; but by the time you read this, it will be too late.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsBlack Girl You Are AtlasRenée WatsonExplore the journey of Black girlhood through poetry and art.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsBorn A Girl: It Takes CourageAlice Dussutour, illustrated by Alice Dussutour, David WarrinerMeet Kaneila, Jade, Mahnoosh, Makena and Luisa. They are five girls in five different countries whose lives are overshadowed by violence and injustice, just because they are female.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsThe Brightwood CodeMonica HesseTimely and unforgettable, The Brightwood Code sheds light on hidden history and the brutality of being a woman in a war built by men.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsCarol Gilligan and the Search for VoiceBill Cole, illustrated by Sarah GreenA biography of the life and work of groundbreaking developmental psychologist Carol Gilligan, intended for high school age readers, part of the APA's Extraordinary Women in Psychology series.The Children’s Book Council (CBC) - 9th-12th grade TEACHER and LIBRARIAN favoriteCarol Gilligan has devoted her life to discovering, uncovering, and recovering voices belonging to…Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Children of Anguish and AnarchyTomi AdeyemiChildren of Anguish and Anarchy is a 2024 young adult fantasy romance novel by Nigerian-American novelist Tomi Adeyemi.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsConditions of a HeartBethany MangleThat Brynn is head of the yearbook committee, the favorite for prom queen, and definitely not crumbling from a secret disability that’s rapidly wearing her down.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
DarklyMarisha PesslA wonderful new book is coming from Random House Children’s Books.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsDiet Soda ClubChaz HaydenWhen their mom leaves, Reed must care for his sister who has a life-threatening condition—even if that means breaking the law.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Ditching SaskiaJohn Moore, illustrated by NeetolsA heart-warming, supernatural slice-of-life graphic novel that gently weaves together tough, everyday themes of identity, grief, and accepting flaws in those we love the most.Living with his grandfather and struggling in a new high school, Damian decides to summon his mother’s ghost so he can talk things out – but he blows…Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Firebird CagedMaya ChhabraAshley didn’t mean to get pregnant her senior year in high school. She didn’t mean to scare her hardworking and financially struggling mom, or to hide the truth from her awkward ex, Danny.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsA Game Most FoulAlison GervaisA mystery about a teen writer determined to discover what happened to a missing classmate, who finds herself caught up with a pair of very familiar detectives named Watson and Holmes.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsGhost RoastShawnelle Gibbs, Shawneé GibbsGhost Roast delivers a paranormal adventure full of first crushes, lost histories, and the impossible task of fitting in when your dad is a professional ghosthunter.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
How the Boogeyman Became a PoetTony Keith JrOdyssey Award for Audiobook Excellence WinnerPoet, writer, and hip-hop educator Tony Keith Jr. makes his debut with a powerful YA memoir in verse, tracing his journey from being a closeted gay Black teen battling poverty, racism, and homophobia to becoming an openly gay first-generation college student who finds freedom in poetry.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
I Felt Myself SlippingRay Nadine, illustrated by Ray NadineA TLA Maverick 2025 Nominee A 2025 CBC Librarian Favorites Winner "A compelling narrative about the delicate balancing act of striving for success and sustaining friendship." —Readers Digest "Highly recommended.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsLady Sunflower: stories, songs, and poems from the desk of kill.gertrudeSierra Shuck-Sparer, illustrated by Chloe TylerLady Sunflower is an achingly poignant collection written by Sierra Shuck-Sparer when she found herself grappling with the high-risk medulloblastoma. At the age of fifteen, Sierra was thrust into her harrowing battle against Gertrude (the name she gave her cancer).Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
The LamplighterCrystal J. BellThe Lamplighter is a novel written by Maria Susanna Cummins and published in 1854, and a best-selling novel of its era.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsThe Lies We ConjureSarah HenningFeatured in: Fangirlish and PW's "New and Noteworthy" Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games with magic in this standalone supernatural thriller by Sarah Henning: thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly whodunit.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsLunar New Year Love StoryGene Luen YangShe was destined for heartbreak.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
The Maid and the Crocodile: A Novel in the World of RaybearerJordan IfuekoIn the magic-soaked capital city of Oluwan, Small Sade needs a job—preferably as a maid, with employers who don’t mind her unique appearance and unlucky foot.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsMake My Wish Come TrueRachael LippincottOne chance to convince everyone they’re in love. Arden James is Hollywood’s hottest teen actor. Infamously reckless, she’s a constant in the tabloids.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsMamie Phipps Clark, Champion for ChildrenLynette Mawhinney, illustrated by Neil EvansThis inspiring graphic novel tells the story of groundbreaking psychologist and civil rights activist Mamie Phipps Clark, PhD, and her research in the racial identity and development of self in Black children, the work that ultimately played a vital role in the landmark Brown v.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
The Moon Won’t TalkMorgan HowellIt' s 1966, and George Parker, a reclusive teenager with a bright mind and a vivid imagination, is facing a boring summer in Eden, South Carolina, an oak-shrouded riverside town with magic seeping from the cracks and fissures of its peaceful antebellum faç ade.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsOnly for the HolidaysAbiola BelloThe Love Hypothesis meets The Holiday in this fake dating YA romance about a city girl and country boy’s lives colliding at ChristmasCity girl Tia Solanké is dreading the festive season.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Encanto: Nightmares and SueñosAlex SeguraReturn to Casita where we find seventeen-year-old Bruno from Disney's hit animated film Encanto, where readers will finally learn what happened to make people never want to talk about him.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsOut of Left FieldJonah NewmanA girl challenges baseball's gender rules, uncovering forgotten female players.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile 640LATOS 4.1View book detailsPerfect Little MonstersCindy R. X. HeSomeone has murdered the queen bee of Sierton High School. All the dead girl's friends are suspects. And each one has a reason for wanting her to die.Ella Moore was the most popular girl in school…and also the most hated.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsPossible HappinessDavid EbenbachEleventh-grader Jacob Wasserman is just trying to get by. Under the radar, he spends his weekends at home by himself, leaning on TV and video games to distract himself from the weight— these days we would call it depression— inside him.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsThe Rez DoctorGitz Crazyboy, illustrated by Veronika Barinova, Azby Whitecalf, Toben RacicotYoung Ryan Fox gets good grades, but he’s not sure what he wants to be when he grows up. It isn’t until he meets a Blackfoot doctor during a school assembly that he starts to dream big.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
The Salt Thief: Gandhi’s Heroic March to FreedomNeal BascombScholastic Focus is the premier home of thoroughly researched, beautifully written, and thoughtfully designed works of narrative nonfiction aimed at middle grade and young adult readers.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Sleep Like DeathKalynn BayronIn the land of Queen's Bridge, an evil knight has roamed for generations. His sorcery has tricked and tortured the queen's subjects in their weakest moments.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsStephen KingBev VincentStephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Such Charming LiarsKaren M. McManusA heist turns deadly, and two estranged step-siblings must trust each other to survive.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeLexile HL740LATOS 4.7View book detailsTransformers: Robots In DisguiseDaniel Warren Johnson, illustrated by Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike SpicerAfter the Alchemor crashed on Earth, fugitive Decepticons were scattered across the globe. Only Bumblebee can recapture the villains. His new away team includes the legendary Optimus Prime, Sideswipe, Windblade, and the mysterious Drift and his Mini-Cons, Slipstream and Jetstorm.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsTriggerC.G. MooreAn unflinching LGBTQIA+ verse novel about a teenage boy who is sexually assaulted in an attack he struggles to remember.A Kirkus Best Teen & YA Verse NovelA Children's Book Council YA FavouriteA School Library Journal Best Young Adult BookJay wakes in a park, beaten and bruised.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
Twelfth KnightAlexene Farol FollmuthReese's Book Club Summer YA Pick '24"YA is a feeling. Vi’s favorite escape from the world is the MMORPG Twelfth Knight, but online spaces aren’t exactly kind to girls like her—girls who are extremely competent and have the swagger to prove it.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsVoid Rivals: More Than Meets The EyeRobert Kirkman, illustrated by Lorenzo De Felici, Matheus LopesThe blockbuster Oblivion Song team of ROBERT KIRKMAN and LORENZO DE FELICI launch an all-new shared universe connected to the Transformers and G.I. Joe!The Energon Universe starts here!Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book detailsThe White Guy Dies First: 13 Scary Stories of Fear and PowerTerry J. Benton-WalkerAN INDIE NEXT PICK!13 SCARY STORIES. 13 AUTHORS OF COLOR. 13 TIMES WE SURVIVED... THE FIRST KILL.The White Guy Dies First includes thirteen scary stories by all-star contributors and this time, the white guy dies first.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details
The WordMary G. ThompsonForced into servitude, the Athsheans find themselves at the mercy of their brutal masters. Desperation causes the Athsheans, led by Selver, to retaliate against their captors, abandoning their strictures against violence.Librarian Favorites — 9th–12th GradeView book details