The Five FormsBarbara McClintockMagical chaos is created when a young girl discovers a mysterious book of martial arts poses.All readersView book detailsNYPL Best Books for Kids 2017
The 2017 edition contains 100 selections published by the New York Public Library. It belongs to New York Public Library's annual staff-selected Best Books for Kids program. Staff arrange the recommendations across changing discovery categories such as fiction, nonfiction, picture books, poetry, and comics.
NYPL Best Books for Kids 2017See the original list
Selections100
Published byNew York Public Library
SectionsAll readers
All readers
100 selections
The Five FormsBarbara McClintockMagical chaos is created when a young girl discovers a mysterious book of martial arts poses.All readersView book details
Flashlight NightMatt Forrest EsenwineThree kids shine a light on their imaginations without ever leaving their backyard. Accompanied by contrasting drawings and a rhythmic text.All readersView book details
Flowers for SarajevoJohn McCutcheonA bereaved young boy rediscovers strength and purpose through random acts of kindness in this honest look at war-torn Sarajevo.All readersLexile Text Measure 570LATOS Book Level 3.7View book details
King of the SkyNicola DaviesSoft watercolors complement this warmhearted story of the friendship between a young immigrant boy and an elderly pigeon keeper.All readersWord Count 752View book details
Little Fox in the ForestStephanie GraeginIn this wordless and endearing picture book, two friends venture out into an enchanted forest to rescue a beloved stuffed animal.All readersView book details
Little Wolf’s First HowlingLaura McGee KvasnoskyLittle Wolf can’t help but follow the wild rhythm in his heart in this jazzy celebration of the creative spirit.All readersView book details
My Beautiful BirdsSuzanne Del RizzoWild birds bring hope and promise to a young Syrian refugee. Polymer clay images add depth and texture to this heartrending tale.All readersView book details
Niko Draws a FeelingBob RaczkaNo one but Niko understands his art, until a young girl recognizes the meaning of his abstract style.All readersView book details
PandoraVictoria TurnbullAn injured bird chases away the clouds of loneliness for Pandora, a resourceful fox. Lush, scenic images echo Pandora’s changing emotions.All readersLexile Text Measure AD500LATOS Book Level 2.5View book details
Pizza! An Interactive Recipe BookLotta NieminenMix the dough, spread the sauce, and get ready to “eat” some great pizza in this hands-on recipe book for toddlers!All readersView book details
After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again)Dan SantatAfter his great fall, will Humpty Dumpty find the courage to climb to new heights?All readersView book details
Baby Goes to MarketAtinuke, illustrated by Angela BrooksbankVendors in a Nigerian market share all sorts of snacks with Baby in this playful counting story with bright and cheerful drawings.All readersLexile Text Measure AD460LATOS Book Level 2.1View book details
Big Cat, Little CatElisha CooperA minimalist illustration style and simple text add poetry to this sweet story about the circle of life.All readersLexile Text Measure AD370LATOS Book Level 2.6View book details
The Book of MistakesCorinna LuykenWith pencil, ink, and watercolors, errors become magical moments of opportunity to let your imagination soar in this uplifting tale full of wonderful picture-play.All readersLexile Text Measure AD520LATOS Book Level 2.4View book details
A Different PondBao PhiThe bond between past and present is reinforced in this nostalgic look at an immigrant father and son who take a pre-dawn fishing trip to feed their family.All readersView book details
The Queen of the FrogsDavide CaliElegantly illustrated in rich earth tones, this thought- provoking modern fable invites readers to question tyranny and envision a bright future for all.All readersView book details
The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet!Carmen Agra DeedyDiscover this innovative fable about a rooster, who reminds a community of the importance of raising your voice for what you believe in, no matter the cost.All readersLexile Text Measure AD550LATOS Book Level 3.1View book details
Smoot: A Rebellious ShadowMichelle Cuevas, illustrated by Sydney SmithJoin a bored shadow on his first foray into freedom.All readersView book details
Still a FamilyBrenda Reeves SturgisBeing a family is more than just sharing the same space. Childlike drawings depict a family’s experience of homelessness.All readersLexile Text Measure AD500LATOS Book Level 2.6View book details
Walk with MeJairo BuitragoA girl conjures up an imaginary companion, a lion, who helps her with challenges in her daily life.All readersView book details
WatersongTim McCannaA fox seeks shelter from a storm in this lyrical, onomatopoetic romp—especially fun to read aloud.All readersView book details
The Way Home in the NightAkiko MiyakoshiCharcoal drawings evoke the sights, smells, and sounds of a neighborhood while a young bunny is carried safely home.All readersLexile Text Measure AD440LATOS Book Level 1.8View book details
The Wolf, the Duck, and the MouseMac BarnettTextured illustrations blend perfectly with this silly story of Duck and Mouse setting up house in Wolf’s stomach.All readersLexile Text Measure AD470LATOS Book Level 2.2View book details
Ben’s Revolution: Benjamin Russell and the Battle of Bunker HillNathaniel PhilbrickDiscover this beautifully illustrated, fictionalized account of a 12-year-old boy’s Revolutionary War experience.All readersView book details
BertoltJacques GoldstynInviting and immersive colored pencil drawings bring to life a small child’s love for an old oak tree.All readersView book details
Captain Pug: The Dog Who Sailed the SeasLaura JamesA silly, high-stakes adventure ensues when a water-fearing, jam-tart-loving pug follows his nose to the next picnic basket and gets separated from his girl.All readersView book details
Charlie & MouseLaurel SnyderTwo brothers use their wits in their daily escapades. They gather friends for an impromptu party, discover the rewards of hard work, and more.All readersView book details
Olga and the Smelly Thing from NowhereElise GravelWhat would you do if a strange, olive-eating, burping, farting creature appeared in your backyard? A self-assured young scientist systematically tries to figure out the mystery. Quirky graphics add to the fun.All readersLexile Text Measure 580LATOS Book Level 3.8View book details
There’s a Pest in the Garden!Jan ThomasDuck and his friends defend their garden from a mysterious vegetable thief.All readersView book details
Wolfie & FlyCary FaganAn aloof girl, who prefers facts over friends, reluctantly teams up with a persistent neighbor for a cardboard submarine adventure.All readersView book details
Yours Sincerely, GiraffeMegumi IwasaBored and lonely, Giraffe exchanges letters with Penguin, and a long-distance friendship is born. Hilarity ensues when Giraffe tries to imagine what Penguin looks like.All readersLexile Text Measure 510LATOS Book Level 3.4View book details
Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and MarshmallowsAsia CitroFantasy and science combine when Zoey discovers her ability to nurse magical creatures back to health.All readersView book details
Armstrong & CharlieSteven B. FrankBrought together by desegregation in the 1970s, two middle-schoolers unexpectedly form a friendship in this heartfelt and comical coming-of-age story.All readersView book details
Beyond the Bright SeaLauren WolkCurious and loving Crow is determined to discover the truth about her birth, but will her search lead the family and home she loves into danger? Higher-level readers will appreciate the engaging and atmospheric writing.All readersLexile Text Measure 770LATOS Book Level 4.8View book details
The End of the WildNicole HelgetWill fracking destroy Fern’s beloved forest, or will it bring industry back to a tired town? In clear, heartfelt prose, this story raises difficult questions and offers no easy answers.All readersLexile Text Measure 610LATOS Book Level 4View book details
The Epic Fail of Arturo ZamoraPablo CartayaA new crush, an ailing , and a villainous real estate developer threaten Arturo’s relaxing Miami summer.All readersLexile Text Measure 750LATOS Book Level 5View book details
The First Rule of PunkCelia C. PérezMalú isn’t the Mom wants her to be. But a new school and new friends push the boundaries of her creativity and redefine her world.All readersLexile Text Measure 670LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
Forever, or a Long, Long TimeCaela CarterWith the help of their adoptive mother, two siblings go on a quest to find their origins. In the process, they learn to trust in their forever home.All readersLexile Text Measure 570LATOS Book Level 3.7View book details
The GoatAnne FlemingWhen Kid sees a goat on her NYC rooftop, she embarks on a quest that involves her entire quirky community, leading them to face their fears and take a leap of faith.All readersView book details
Hello, UniverseErin Entrada KellyA psychic, a bully, and a crush help a young Filipino boy find his inner (hero).All readersLexile Text Measure 690LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
It All Comes Down to ThisKaren EnglishIn the midst of racial tension in 1960s Los Angeles, Sophie—a 12-year-old African-American girl—grows closer to her college-bound sister as her family begins to fall apart.All readersView book details
Scar IslandDan GemeinhartAfter a freak accident frees them from adult supervision, boys at a reformatory school fend for themselves in this action-packed adventure about power struggles and redemption.All readersLexile Text Measure 610LATOS Book Level 4View book details
The Someday BirdsSally J. PlaFour siblings and a mysterious stranger take a cross-country trip that redefines the meaning of family.All readersView book details
ThornhillPam SmyThis wrenching, chilling ghost story is told with two voices: one through diary entries, the other through black-and- white illustrations.All readersLexile Text Measure 730LATOS Book Level 4.6View book details
Three PenniesMelanie CrowderThis magical, multivoiced novel of hope and renewal in San Francisco reveals that things are shifting— for an 11-year-old foster child about to be adopted, for a young owl who watches over the city, and for the tectonic plates deep underground.All readersView book details
The Many Worlds of Albie BrightChristopher EdgeIn a quest to find a dimension where his mother is still alive, can the Quantum Banana Theory help Albie travel to alternate realities?All readersLexile Text Measure 960LATOS Book Level 6.2View book details
Me and Marvin GardensAmy Sarig KingAs developers encroach upon his family farm, a nature-loving boy discovers a creature whose very existence threatens the environment.All readersLexile Text Measure 670LATOS Book Level 4.5View book details
Midnight Without a MoonLinda Williams JacksonIn this powerful story, resilient Rosa’s struggle to escape her abusive family coincides with the fight for African-American civil rights in 1950s Mississippi.All readersLexile Text Measure 870LATOS Book Level 5.6View book details
The Murderer’s ApeJakob WegeliusSally Jones—author, engineer, loyal friend, and gorilla—finds herself in the middle of a page-turning mystery of daring, wit, and intrigue.All readersView book details
PostedJohn David AndersonA sticky-note war at Branton Middle School leads students to confront the power of their words. Can Frost and his friends survive the war, or will it tear them apart?All readersLexile Text Measure 750LATOS Book Level 4.8View book details
RefugeeAlan Gratz, illustrated by Syd FiniAlternating narratives chronicle the harrowing journeys of a Jewish boy in 1938, a Cuban girl in 1994, and a Syrian boy in 2015 as they all search for new homes.All readersLexile Text Measure 800LATOS Book Level 5.3View book details
Train I RidePaul MosierTransient but meaningful relationships turn strangers into family aboard a cross-country train.All readersView book details
Us, in Progress: Short Stories About Young LatinosLulu DelacreThis hopeful, timely collection of vignettes depicts the lives and experiences of contemporary youth in the United States.All readersView book details
A Whisper of HorsesZillah BethellIn postapocalyptic London, Seren chases after remnants of the world before. A soulfully written book for older readers.All readersView book details
York: The Shadow CipherLaura RubyThree kids race against time to solve an 18th-century puzzle that will save their homes from destruction in this steampunk alternate history of New York City.All readersView book details
Bats: Learning to FlyFalynn KochEnjoy this fast-paced introduction to the world of bats—perfect for those who love science along with their laughs.All readersLexile Text Measure GN650LATOS Book Level 3.9View book details
The Big Bad FoxBenjamin RennerWhat’s a fox to do when he can’t catch a chicken for dinner? Hatch his own, of course! But this is a lot harder than he thought, especially when they think HE is Mom.All readersLexile Text Measure 301LATOS Book Level 2.3View book details
Boat of DreamsRogério CoelhoA man and a boy separated by time and distance are connected by a boat and their dreams. Affecting illustrations draw the reader into this epic journey of imagination.All readersView book details
BolivarSean RubinIn this ode to NYC, there really IS a dinosaur living next door to Sybil!All readersLexile Text Measure GN550LATOS Book Level 3View book details
Colette’s Lost PetIsabelle ArsenaultNervous about making friends, Colette invents a lost pet whose description gradually grows to be as fanciful as the brightly colored accents in these otherwise sepia-toned illustrations.All readersView book details
Fish GirlDavid Wiesner & Donna Jo NapoliA budding friendship helps a young mermaid test the boundaries of her man-made prison.All readersLexile Text Measure GN460LATOS Book Level 2.3View book details
5 Worlds: The Sand WarriorMark Siegel & Alexis SiegelJoin Oona Lee and her ragtag crew as they embark on a mission to save 5 Worlds in this thoughtfully designed space opera.All readersATOS Book Level 3.0AR Interest Level Middle Grades (MG 4-8)View book details
NightlightsLorena AlvarezLush, bold illustrations enhance a supernatural, dreamlike tale about a young artist overcoming her self-doubt and inner criticism.All readersView book details
One Trick PonyNathan HaleIn a future where all technology is under attack, a robot pony may be the key to saving humanity.All readersLexile Text Measure 381LATOS Book Level 2.7View book details
The Crane GirlCurtis ManleyIn this poignant retelling with atmospheric illustrations and interspersed haiku, an injured crane changes the life of her rescuer.All readersWord Count 1276View book details
The Golem of PragueIrène Cohen-JancaQuarello. Foreboding watercolors evoke a somber ambiance in this haunting tale, derived from Jewish folklore, of a young boy who becomes a guardian.All readersView book details
Snow & RoseEmily Winfield MartinTwo sisters, a large bear, a pair of scissors, and a whole lot of courage save an enchanted forest in this retelling of a little-known fairy tale.All readersView book details
The Alphabet ThiefBill RichardsonClever wordplay, madcap illustrations, and a driving rhythm make this jaunty rhyming book.All readersView book details
Bravo! Poems About Amazing HispanicsMargarita EngleStriking portraits accompany biographical poems that showcase compelling figures from diverse backgrounds.All readersView book details
Gone Camping: A Novel in VerseTamera Will WissingerDifferent forms of poetry highlight the ups and downs of camping with Grandpa.All readersView book details
Let’s Clap, Jump, Sing & Shout; Dance, Spin & Turn It Out! Games, Songs & Stories from an African American ChildhoodPatricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Brian PinkneyDiscover this comprehensive collection to be shared and treasured.All readersView book details
Martí’s Song for Freedom/Martí y sus versos por la libertadEmma OtheguyThe famed Cuban poet’s devotion to justice and admiration for nature are chronicled in verse.All readersView book details
One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem RenaissanceNikki Grimes, OthersThis lyrical tribute honors the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance by transforming well-known verse into original poetry that reflects the modern African-American experience.All readersView book details
Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating PoetsKwame Alexander with Chris Colderley, Marjory WentworthThree contemporary writers pay tribute to some of the world’s most renowned poets by creating works based on their styles, themes, and lives in this boldly illustrated collection.All readersView book details
That Is My Dream! A Picture Book of Langston Hughes’s “Dream Variation”Langston HughesVibrant illustrations reinvigorate this modern classic about an African-American boy’s daily struggle with racial tension and his dreams of freedom.All readersLexile Text Measure AD250LATOS Book Level 2View book details
Things to DoElaine MagliaroA young child sets off to explore her world in this collection of lyrical odes.All readersView book details
Thunder UndergroundJane YolenImagine what happens in the earth beneath our feet!All readersView book details
TonyEd GalingPencil drawings softly evoke a bygone era and a childhood friendship with the milkman’s horse.All readersView book details
When My Sister Started KissingHelen FrostClaire must deal with a summer of changes in this sweet and appealing coming-of-age novel told in verse from three distinct perspectives.All readersView book details
American Pharoah: Triple Crown ChampionShelley Fraser MickleRacehorse history is made in this winning book that gives an insider’s view of a whole team that raised a champion.All readersView book details
Creekfinding: A True StoryJacqueline Briggs MartinAn inviting tale of a long-lost stream and one farmer’s work to revitalize an ecosystem is depicted with dramatic woodcut illustrations.All readersView book details
Danza! Amalia Hernández and El Ballet Folklórico de MéxicoDuncan TonatiuhMixtec-inspired art and engaging text work hand in hand in this homage to the iconic dancer and choreographer whose work celebrates Mexico’s rich heritage.All readersView book details
Dazzle Ships: World War I and the Art of ConfusionChris BartonHow do you win a war when your ships keep getting sunk? Paint them dazzling colors and zany patterns. Readers will be stunned by these art-deco-inspired illustrations.All readersView book details
Feathers and Hair: What Animals WearJennifer Ward, illustrated by Jing Jing TsongFeaturing a variety of animals, this book’s simple rhymes and captivating colors are perfect for young readers.All readersView book details
42 Is Not Just a Number: The Odyssey of Jackie Robinson, American HeroDoreen RappaportThis fun, fast read gives deeper insight into the background of the groundbreaking baseball icon.All readersView book details
Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer CodeLaurie WallmarkEver wonder why computer glitches are called “bugs?” Look no further than Grace Hopper—inventor, mathematician, and dedicated problem-solver.All readersView book details
Grand CanyonJason ChinA father and daughter’s hike through the Grand Canyon unveils its ecological wonders, showcased in richly layered watercolor images and clever time-travel cutouts.All readersLexile Text Measure 1000LATOS Book Level 6.9View book details
If You Were the MoonLaura Purdie SalasEnchanting art portrays the phases of the moon and its playful dance with Earth.All readersLexile Text Measure AD790LATOS Book Level 4.1View book details
Locked Up for Freedom: Civil Rights Protesters at the Leesburg StockadeHeather E. SchwartzPersonal narratives and jarring photographs explore the shocking treatment of child activists during the Civil Rights Movement.All readersView book details
Maya Lin: Thinking with Her HandsSusan Goldman RubinLin is best known as the young student with a bold vision for the Vietnam War Memorial. This artful biography explores the various elements that inspire her work.All readersView book details
Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy WatersMichael MahinKinetic artwork evokes the musical vibe of Muddy Waters and his experience during the Great Migration.All readersView book details
The Music of Life: Bartolomeo Cristofori & the Invention of the PianoElizabeth RuschWith luminous prose and snippets of primary source material, this lively biography details the work of Cristofori and the possibilities he created for generations of musicians to come.All readersView book details
The New Ocean: The Fate of Life in a Changing SeaBryn BarnardTake an evocative look through text and art at what could happen to our oceans if we stay on our current course.All readersView book details
Noah Webster’s Fighting WordsTracy Nelson MaurerLearn about at a true revolutionary whose work created a uniquely American lexicon.All readersView book details
The Quilts of Gee’s BendSusan Goldman RubinAfrican- American history is artfully pieced together in this look at the isolated community of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, and the quilters who put it on the map.All readersView book details
Schomburg: The Man Who Built a LibraryCarole Boston WeatherfordHis lifelong passion for collecting books, letters, music, and art from Africa and the African diaspora resulted in a lasting legacy now preserved in the heart of Harlem.All readersView book details
Seven Wonders of the Solar SystemDavid A. AguilarGet an in-depth look into our solar system, with a focus on the intricate circumstances that could lead to life evolving elsewhere in the universe.All readersView book details
Shell, Beak, Tusk: Shared Traits and the Wonders of AdaptationBridget HeosWhy do both parrots and octopuses have beaks? This fun, informational text captures the similarities and differences in animal characteristics that have evolved over time.All readersView book details
The Whydah: A Pirate Ship Feared, Wrecked, and FoundMartin W. SandlerDiscover the wild tale of a 19th-century slave ship, its second life commandeered by pirates, and the quest to find its sunken remains and legendary bounty.All readersView book details
The World Is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha HadidJeanette WinterOrganic shapes and symbols from her native Iraq inspired Hadid’s work as a world-renowned architect who fearlessly pushed the boundaries of what buildings could be.All readersView book details