The AfterwardsA.F. HarroldHow far would you go to save your best friend? For Ember, a journey through the afterworld might be the only way to bring Ness back home.All readersView book detailsNYPL Best Books for Kids 2019
Books chosen each year by New York Public Library staff and grouped into the library's own categories.
NYPL Best Books for Kids 2019See the original list
Selections100
Published byNew York Public Library
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All readers
100 selections
The AfterwardsA.F. HarroldHow far would you go to save your best friend? For Ember, a journey through the afterworld might be the only way to bring Ness back home.All readersView book details
All In A Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible WorldLori Alexander, illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger Houghton Miffl in Harcourt Books for Young ReadersMotivated by curiosity, “simple tradesman” Antony van Leeuwenhoek tweaked early microscopes and discovered a world lurking unseen all around him.All readersView book details
All the Impossible ThingsLindsay LackeyRed inherited her ability to control the wind from her mother, whom she would rather live with than her fifth foster family. Will she ever adjust to her temporary home and learn to tame her unrestrained power?All readersView book details
AnotherChristian RobinsonIn this wordless picture book, a little girl and her cat discover a mysterious portal leading to a secret world where nothing is what it seems.All readersLexile NP0LATOS 0.1View book details
Balto and the Race Against TimeHelen MossA group of dogs are transported back in time! To make their way home, they must help real-life canine hero Balto and his team of sled dogs save the day.All readersView book details
Beast RiderTony Johnston, Maria Elena Fontanot de RhoadsDetermined to reunite with his brother, Manuel leaves Mexico by hopping aboard "La Bestia." Manuel's journey is a story of survival, the harsh realities of immigration, and the unexpected kindness of strangers. For older readers.All readersView book details
Beneath the Bed and Other Scary StoriesMax BraillerThese spine-chilling stories are matched with spooky artwork. Perfect for sleepovers, campfires, or reading alone… if you dare!All readersView book details
Bone HollowKim VentrellaWhile saving a prized chicken, Gabe falls off a roof and wakes up days later to a town that thinks he is dead. Chased from his home, Gabe meets the mysterious Wynne who helps him navigate the other side of life.All readersView book details
Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet CollinsMichelle MeadowsThis rhyming story highlights the struggles and successes of Janet Collins, the first African American prima ballerina.All readersView book details
The Bridge HomePadma VenkatramanRunaway sisters are trying to survive on the streets of Chenaii, India. With the help of two boys experiencing homelessness, they find a new definition of family.All readersLexile 680LATOS 4.4View book details
Camp TigerSusan ChoiImagination meets reality during a family camping trip when a boy encounters a mysterious talking tiger. Stunning watercolor illustrations highlight a child’s growing independence.All readersLexile 560LATOS 3.4View book details
Can You Crack The Code?: A Fascinating History Of Ciphers and CryptographyElla Schwartz, illustrated by Lily WilliamsThis interactive book uses real life examples to teach readers increasingly complex codes, as well as modern context for cryptography.All readersView book details
Captain RosalieTimothée de FombelleDuring wartime, Rosalie takes on a secret mission to uncover a devastating secret that changes her family forever. Translated from French and accompanied by gentle watercolors and pencil and ink illustrations.All readersView book details
Carl and the Meaning of LifeDeborah FreedmanCarl is a humble earthworm content to burrow busily underground, until one day a curious field mouse asks him “why?” This big question pushes him to ponder his purpose and his vital role in the ecosystem.All readersLexile 510LATOS 2.4View book details
Carter Reads the NewspaperDeborah HopkinsonThe inspiring tale of the father of Black History, Carter G. Woodson, and his quest to preserve, promote, and celebrate the achievements of African Americans.All readersView book details
Clackety Track: Poems About TrainsSkila BrownAll aboard! Lively locomotive verse and dynamic illustrations celebrate the enduring appeal of trains.All readersView book details
CogGreg Van EekhoutOne big mistake leads five robots on a cross-country mission to rescue their human ally from the clutches of an evil corporation that vies to control them all.All readersView book details
The Collected Works of Gretchen OysterCary FaganIs there anything better than finding hidden artwork that feels like a secret? After his brother runs away, Hartley begins to lose himself in the mystery of the artist leaving numbered postcards around town.All readersView book details
Crab Cake: Turning the Tide TogetherAndrea TsurumiA cake-baking crustacean makes his home in a colorful coral reef. When disaster strikes, Crab knows just what to do in this sweet story that serves up a message of community and conservation.All readersView book details
Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano for President LincolnMargarita EngleDuring the Civil War, the music of a Venezuelan refugee and piano prodigy lifts the spirits of the First Family.All readersView book details
Dancing Through Fields of Color: The Story of Helen FrankenthalerElizabeth BrownWatercolor illustrations and abstract design come together to mimic this modern artist’s poured paint technique.All readersView book details
The Day the Universe Exploded My Head: Poems to Take You Into Space and Back AgainAllan Wolf"Blast off with this cosmic compilation of space poems!"All readersView book details
The FarmerXimo AbadiaSimple language and bold patterned illustrations tell the story of hardworking farmer Paul. When the water dries up, Paul’s crops begin to wilt until he receives help from an unexpected place.All readersView book details
Finding OrionJohn David AndersonOrion's family is eccentric, espcially his grandfather. When the family learns of his passing via singing telegram, the journey to his FUNneral leads to an unexpected scavenger hunt.All readersLexile 790LATOS 5.3View book details
Genesis Begins AgainAlicia D. WilliamsAfter her family is evicted again, Genesis has to start over at a new school. Can this vulnerable middle schooler find her voice and stand up for herself? For older readers.All readersLexile 670LView book details
Gittel's Journey: An Ellis Island StoryLesléa NewmanNine year-old Gittel must find the courage to leave her family behind in search of a better life in America. A poignant and hopeful immigration story rendered in warm watercolors framed in folk art-inspired woodblock details.All readersView book details
Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid-Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the WorldKim TomsicA rockin’ tale of trial and error and innovation through necessity.All readersView book details
Hedy Lamarr's Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant InventorLaurie Wallmark, illustrated by Katy WuHedy Lamarr, an actress celebrated for her beauty and talent, had a secret...she was also an innovator of groundbreaking technology!All readersView book details
Hey, Water!Antoinette PortisFrom oceans to icebergs to clouds and tears, water is all around us. Take a deep dive into this accessible look at the water cycle.All readersLexile AD410LATOS 2View book details
Ho'Onani: Hula WarriorHeather GaleIn traditional Hawaiian culture, every person has a role in society. Ho’onani doesn’t see herself as a wahine (girl), or kāne (boy). Will leading the kāne hula chant at school help her find her place in the middle?All readersView book details
How to TwoDavid SomanIn this dynamic counting book, a child plays in the park where he makes a friend or two or three. But for story time, sometimes two is just right.All readersLexile 60LATOS 1View book details
The Important Thing About Margaret Wise BrownMac BarnettWhimsical, deliberate, and a little bit unexpected, this picture book biography offers a glimpse into the curious literary life of a beloved children’s author.All readersLexile 620LATOS 4.2View book details
It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the WayKyo MaclearFollowing the internment of her family during World War II, a Japanese American artist illustrates the first picture book showing children of different races playing together.All readersView book details
It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender IdentityTheresa ThornA colorfully illustrated and accessible primer on gender identity.All readersView book details
Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, and Murdered Through HistoryAlison Matthews David, Serah-Marie…Call the fashion police because these styles are to DIE for!All readersView book details
King MouseCary FaganA mouse finds a shiny crown that fits him perfectly and declares himself king. What will happen when the other animals find crowns of their own? Gentle graphite drawings create an enchanting woodland tableau of envy and friendship.All readersView book details
Lalani of the Distant SeaErin Entrada KellyOn the island of Sanlagita, only the strongest men sail away in seach of the fabled Mount Isa. When the island is threatened, Lalani does what no girl has dared to do: she sails into the unknown to get the help her home desperately needs.All readersView book details
Lety Out LoudAngela CervantesLety, a bilingual aspiring writer, finds the perfect volunteer opportunity; writing pet adoption profiles for her local animal shelter. Will she be able to prove herself and help her furry friends find homes?All readersLexile 701LATOS 4.5View book details
The Line TenderKate AllenLucy Everhart's marine-biologist mother is missed by everyone who knew her. When a Great White arrives off the coast of town, Lucy is determined to continue her mother's research.All readersLexile 710LATOS 4.6View book details
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten BlocksJason ReynoldsTen very different journeys home begin from the same school exit in this heartfelt and hilarious collection of stories.All readersView book details
Lubna and PebbleWendy MeddourA tiny rock becomes Lubna’s best friend in the World of Tents. But when another young refugee arrives, Lubna discovers he might need the pebble even more than she does.All readersLexile 460LATOS 1.9View book details
Mary Wears What She WantsKeith NegleyImagine a time when girls weren’t allowed to wear pants! This book, inspired by a true story, follows the neon-bright footsteps of a true trailblazer.All readersLexile 329LATOS 2.4View book details
Max and the MidknightsLincoln PierceMax is a reluctant apprentice troubadour who really wants to be a knight. When Uncle Budrick is taken hostage by the evil King Gastley, the young adventurer must team up with a band of misfits to rescue him.All readersView book details
Maximillian FlyAngie SageMaximillian Fly, a towering humanoid cockroach, just wants to live a quiet life. That all changes when two children on the run from a sinister organization need his help.All readersView book details
Meena Meets Her MatchKarla ManternachMeena loves color, whether it’s wearing vibrant outfits or finding sparkly treasures in neighborhood recycle bins. When a gray reality darkens her rainbow world, Meena is determined to keep shining her brightest.All readersLexile 660LATOS 4.3View book details
The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. JamesAshley Herring BlakeSunny St. James has a brand new heart and big plans for the summer: one, do awesome things; two, find a new best-friend; three, kiss a boy. But after meeting Quinn, Sunny starts to question if she's set on kissing a boy after all.All readersView book details
The Monster SquadJoe McGee"Meet the Junior Monster Scouts: best friends who just happen to be monsters. Will they ever earn their merit badges with Baron Von Grump disrupting their plans?"All readersLexile 600LATOS 3.8View book details
The Moon WithinAida SalazarCeli Rivera is not looking forward to her "Moon Ceremony," an ancestral Mexica tradition of womanhood.All readersView book details
Moth: An Evolution StoryIsabel Thomas, illustrated by Daniel EgnéusA compelling narrative with striking illustrations follow the peppered moths’ adaptation to the ever-changing environment.All readersLexile 511LATOS 3.4View book details
Mr. Penguin and the Lost TreasureAlex T. SmithMr. Penguin and his spider sidekick need to help find the missing treasure somewhere in the Museum of Extraordinary Objects. Warning: this book may encourage readers to set up their own adventuring agency.All readersLexile 870LATOS 5.6View book details
My CityJoanne LiuA child’s trip to the mailbox becomes a bright and colorful journey in this nearly wordless urban adventure.All readersView book details
My Papi Has a MotorcycleIsabel QuinteroDaisy can’t wait for Papi to come home so they can go for a ride through their neighborhood. This windswept sunset story is full of vivid illustrations, lyrical bilingual text, and the love for the places we call home.All readersLexile AD750LATOS 3.7View book details
The NeighborsEinat TsarfatiAs she climbs the steps to her seventh floor apartment, a girl imagines the lives of her eccentric neighbors. A bright palette of primary colors reveals the fantastic worlds hidden behind each door.All readersView book details
Never Caught: The Story of Ona JudgeErica Armstrong Dunbar, Kathleen Van CleveThe daring and heartbreaking story of Ona Judge, who fled her enslavement by the most powerful family in America: the Washingtons.All readersView book details
A New HomeTania de RegilMoving to a new place can be tough, but two children soon discover that New York City and Mexico City have a lot in common. Side-by-side illustrations accompany simple text in this cross cultural exploration of what makes a home.All readersLexile 281LATOS 2.2View book details
New KidJerry CraftJordan’s parents want him to attend a prep school where he’ll be one of the only kids of color. Over the school year he learns about race, class, and how to be yourself when you feel like you don’t fit in.All readersLexile GN320LView book details
The Next Great Paulie FinkAli BenjaminIn a competition to replace the missing class clown, new kid Caitlyn learns the value of embracing change and finding your place in the world.All readersView book details
Nico Bravo and the Hound of HadesMike CavallaroWhen an overzealous hero accidentally frees hordes of undead from the underworld, it’s up to Nico and the eclectic staff of Vulcan’s Celestial Supply Shop to protect the land of the living.All readersLexile GN390LATOS 2.7View book details
No More Poems! A Book in Verse That Just Gets WorseRhett MillerA riotous, rhythmic look at some classic childhood qualms: annoying brothers, nose hairs, and flushing public toilets.All readersView book details
The Not-So-Great OutdoorsMadeline KloepperA young city dweller is reluctant to swap screens and skyscrapers for campfires and countryside on a trip with her family. How will nature stack up against life in the big city?All readersView book details
The Okay WitchEmma SteinkellnerEverything Moth knows about witchcraft is from books like "Magic Cutie Academy". When she is bullied in school, she stumbles upon her own powers and discovers her family's magical legacy.All readersLexile GN390LATOS 3.1View book details
One Fox: A Counting Book ThrillerKate Read, illustrated by Kate ReadA famished fox prowls around the chicken coop looking for his next meal. Mounting suspense and vibrant paper-cut artwork will keep readers on the edge of their seats.All readersLexile NPView book details
Other Words for HomeJasmine WargaJude loves American movies, pop songs, and glamour. When she and her mom must flee their homeland of Syria, America turns out to be a very different place than Jude expected.All readersLexile 930LATOS 5.3View book details
Owling: Enter the World of the Mysterious Birds of the NightMark WilsonOwls are hard to spot, but with 225 species in North America, you’re bound to find a favorite. Vivid photographs and engaging graphics present a bird’s-eye view of the wondrous world of owls.All readersView book details
Pay Attention, Carter JonesGary D. SchmidtCarter Jones has never played cricket or had a butler-- that is until Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick arrives at his doorstep. Through his coaching, Carter learns what kind of person he wants to be.All readersLexile 840LATOS 5.4View book details
Pedro's Pan: A Gold Rush StoryMatthew LasleyA plucky pan is a prospector’s devoted companion as they venture through the Alaskan interior. But when their search turns up empty, Pan begins to wonder if he’s broken in this lighthearted glimpse into gold rush history.All readersView book details
Pie in the SkyRemy LaiJingwen's world is turned upside down when he moves to Australia following his father's death. He learns to navigate his grief through his humorus culinary escapades.All readersLexile 720LATOS 4.5View book details
Planet Earth is BlueNicole PanteleakosJanuary 1986: twelve-year-old Nova waits for her big sister Bridget to return to her. She promised they would watch the launch together...All readersLexile 740LATOS 4.7View book details
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura BelpreAnika AldamuyA warmly illustrated biography of Pura Belpré who brought cuentos folkloricos from her Puerto Rican homeland to the children of New York in her work as a pioneering librarian.All readersView book details
Pokko and the DrumMatthew ForsythePokko’s parents may have made a mistake when they gave her a noisy drum, but when she marches into the quiet woods, a band of musical animals can’t help but join in.All readersLexile AD520LATOS 2.7View book details
Predator and Prey: Conversation in VerseSusannah Buhrman-DeeverRealistic watercolor paintings partner with imagined conversations to illustrate the way creatures interact with one another.All readersView book details
The Proper Way to Meet a Hedgehog and Other How-To PoemsPaul B. Janeczko (selector)Learn how to scare a monster, mix a pancake, and tell the difference between goblins and elves in this whimsical collection of playful poems.All readersView book details
Red Panda and Moon BearJarod RosellóA girl and her younger brother don magic hoodies to protect their neighborhood from nightmares, time disturbances, and evil ice cream...all before Mami and Papi get home.All readersWord count 6752View book details
The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip HopCarole Boston WeatherfordThis striking gallery of hip-hop heroes traces the origins of rap music from its beginnings in the Boogie Down Bronx to its explosive impact across the world.All readersView book details
SaturdayOge MoraAva loves spending Saturdays with her mom, who has to work the rest of the week. But when everything seems to go wrong on their special day, Ava reminds her mom that being together is what’s most important.All readersLexile 329LATOS 2.4View book details
Seeds Move!Robin PageWhether hitchhiking, catapulting, or drifting on a breeze, seeds are always on the go in search of a place to grow. Richly textured digital illustrations take you on the many journeys of germination.All readersLexile 750LATOS 3.9View book details
Skulls!Blair ThornburghSkulls may look kind of scary, but they have an important job to do. Curious kids will enjoy this hilarious and informative celebration of the most important bone in your body.All readersLexile 600LATOS 2.6View book details
Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry)Gary GolioIconic silent film star Charlie Chaplin learned early in life that you can’t have the good without the bad. As his character, the "Little Tramp", he showed it’s all worthwhile if you just smile.All readersView book details
Snowman - Cold = Puddle: Spring EquationsLaura Purdie SalasScience + poetry + mathematics = a fun interplay of words in this beautifully illustrated book about nature.All readersView book details
Some Places More than OthersRenée WatsonSneaker-head Amara is visting Harlem, her father's childhood home, for the first time. As this Oregon girl explores the city, she learns to cherish the places and people her father left behind.All readersLexile 750LATOS 4.6View book details
Song for a WhaleLynne KellyIris loves fixing radios, even though she can't hear them. When she learns about a lonely whale, she knows she can use her expertise to help.All readersLexile 800LATOS 5.1View book details
Stand on the SkyErin BowTwelve-year-old Aisulu rescues and trains an orphaned eagle in hopes of competing in the Mongolian Eagle Festival, an act that defies expectations.All readersLexile HL670LATOS 4.8View book details
StargazingJen Wang"Moon is outgoing while Christine is reserved. When tragedy strikes, will Christine be the friend that Moon so desperately needs?"All readersLexile GN510LATOS 3.4View book details
The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out In the StreetsGayle PitmanWhat do a parking meter, a police hat, and a broken jukebox have to do with the historic NYC riots of 1968? Explore the origins of the modern LGBTQ+ movement through a collection of significant objects and artifacts.All readersView book details
Swarm of BeesLemony SnicketSwarm of Bees! Swarm of Bees! A hoard of angry bees and a boy with a wagon full of tomatoes make mischief around town. Readers will love the hand-stamped illustrations and zany cast of characters.All readersLexile 301LATOS 2.3View book details
SweetyAndrea ZuillSweety doesn’t quite fit in, and it’s not just because she’s a naked mole rat with headgear. With the help of her family, she’s learning to embrace her uniqueness in this celebration of finding your people and being yourself.All readersLexile AD550LATOS 3.1View book details
This Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School EqualityJo Ann Allen Boyce, Debbie LevyThis powerful memoir written in verse explores the experiences of Jo Ann Allen, one of twelve Black students who attended a newly desegregated Tennessee high school in 1956.All readersView book details
This Was Our PactRyan AndrewsEvery year the autumn festival lanterns float down the river. Legend says they turn into stars, but do they? This year, Ben and his friends will follow them on their bikes until they reach the end. They have two rules: No one turns for home. No one looks back.All readersLexile GN350LATOS 3View book details
Titanosaur: Discovering the World's Largest DinosaurJosé Luis Carballido, Diego Pol, illustrated by Florencia GigenaDig into this true tale of a Patagonian gaucho and two paleontologists who unearthed the biggest dinosaur ever excavated.All readersView book details
TrumanJean ReidyIn this charming tortoise-de-force, Truman is determined to find out where his Sarah has disappeared to, even if it means venturing into the unknown. This back to school story from a pet’s point of view helps readers find ways to be brave in new situations.All readersLexile 560LATOS 3.4View book details
Two Brothers, Four Hands: The Artists Alberto and Diego GiacomettiJan Greenberg, Sandra JordanThis true story of Swiss sculptors Alberto and Diego Giacometti explores how the siblings’ quiet collaboration produced museum masterpieces of the twentieth century.All readersView book details
The UndefeatedKwame AlexanderA powerful, emotional tribute to African American history. An ode to the doers and the dreamers who remain undefeated.All readersLexile 361LATOS 2.6View book details
United Tastes of America: An Atlas of Food Facts & Recipes From Every StateGabrielle LanholtzTake a tasty state-by-state journey through the nation’s unique culinary traditions. This kid-friendly cookbook is packed with fun facts and easy-to-make recipes.All readersView book details
Vamos: Let's Go to Market!Raúl GonzalezLittle Lobo has deliveries to make as he meets his neighbors in the busy Mercado. Colorful comic book style art packs in plentiful details in this bustling bilingual adventure.All readersView book details
The Vegetable MuseumMichelle MulderUprooted from everything she's known to help her ailing grandfather, Chloe digs up the truth behind her family's tension.All readersView book details
When I Found GrandmaSaumiya BalasubramaniamWhen grandmother makes a surprise visit, she’s not exactly what Maya expected. But as they spend a week together, they begin to understand each other in this warm story of intergenerational bonding.All readersView book details
White Bird: A Wonder StoryR. J. PalacioA grandmother tells her grandson the story behind his name. He learns that she is a survivor of one of history's greatest tragedies and how an act of kindness saved her life.All readersView book details
Wilma’s Way Home: The Life of Wilma MankillerDoreen RappaportExplore the life of the first woman to serve as chief of the Cherokee nation in this illustrated biography told through the leader’s inspiring words.All readersView book details
The Young Adventurer's Guide to (Almost) EverythingBen, Penny HewittWant to learn to walk like a fox, bake bread on a stick, or use the stars as your map? This humorous handbook to outdoor living will inspire young city dwellers to head into the wild.All readersView book details
Your Turn, AdrianHelena ObergAdrian dreads going to school until he meets a wolfhound named Heidi. What will happen to his newfound courage when Heidi must return to her owner?All readersView book details