Ablaze: The Story of America's First Female SmokejumperJessica Lawson, illustrated by Sarah GonzalesIllustrated by Sarah Gonzales | Jump into the fire with America’s first female smokejumper, Deanne Shulman! Her work, in a role historically closed off to women, will inspire children to stand up for our forests.NonfictionLexile AD620LView book detailsNYPL Best Books for Kids 2025
Books chosen each year by New York Public Library staff and grouped into the library's own categories.
Best Books for Kids 2025See the original list
Selections100
Published byNew York Public Library
Sections6 sections
Browse sections6 sections
Nonfiction
20 selections
Ablaze: The Story of America's First Female SmokejumperJessica Lawson, illustrated by Sarah GonzalesIllustrated by Sarah Gonzales | Jump into the fire with America’s first female smokejumper, Deanne Shulman! Her work, in a role historically closed off to women, will inspire children to stand up for our forests.NonfictionLexile AD620LView book details
Akeem Keeps Bees!Kamal Eugene William Bell, Akeem Bell, illustrated by Darnell Johnson(Full title: Akeem Keeps Bees!: A Close-Up Look at the Honey Makers and Pollinators of Sankofa Farms) Illustrated by Darnell Johnson | Bzzz! Follow Akeem and his family through the year-round work of beekeeping! Told in a combination of comics and diagrams, you will learn about the real life work Sankofa Farms does to help their community and local bee populations thrive.NonfictionView book details
Are You a Friend of Dorothy?Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Levi Hastings(Full title: Are You a Friend of Dorothy?: The True Story of an Imaginary Woman and the Real People She Helped) Illustrated by Levi Hastings | Who is Dorothy? Find out in this playful picture book which introduces young readers to a powerful piece of queer history and encourages them to become their best, most authentic selves.NonfictionLexile 669LATOS 4.3View book details
The Black Mambas: The World's First All-Woman Anti-Poaching UnitKelly CrullTravel to South Africa, where the Black Mambas keep wildlife safe from poachers and educate their community. This detailed look at the team's work features full color photos, maps, diagrams, and direct quotes from the Black Mambas themselves.NonfictionLexile 720LATOS 4.6View book details
Firefly SongColleen Paeff, illustrated by Ji-Hyuk Kim(Full title: Firefly Song: Lynn Frierson Faust and the Great Smoky Mountain Discovery) Illustrated by Ji-Hyuk Kim | Lynn knows there are special fireflies deep in the Great Smoky Mountains. She witnessed their dazzling shows with her own eyes. But when scientists tell her what she’s seen can’t be true, she gets to work to prove them wrong.NonfictionView book details
The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a ShapeAmy Alznauer, illustrated by Anna BronIllustrated by Anna Bron | Amateur mathematician Marjorie Rice's journey to solve an ancient puzzle invokes the beauty and wonder of math. This lushly illustrated picture book biography will have you thinking about shapes—and the natural world—in a whole new light.NonfictionView book details
How the Word Is Passed (Adapted for Young Readers)Clint Smith, adapted by Sonja Cherry-Paul(Full title: How the Word is Passed: Remembering Slavery and How It Shaped America) When you know where to look, our land holds innumerable painful stories of slavery. This young reader adaptation of Smith's pivotal original work takes an incisive look at the ongoing legacy of slavery in the United States—not just in the South, but here in New York City too.NonfictionView book details
Kahoʻolawe: The True Story of an Island and Her PeopleKamalani HurleyIllustrated by Harinani Orme | Though Kaho'olawe has been exploited and marred by many, those who call the Hawaiian archipelago home have never given up their quest to heal her. Intricate gouache artwork and comprehensive back matter accompany this tale of resilience and strength.NonfictionView book details
Make a Pretty Sound: A Story of Ella JenkinsTraci N. ToddIllustrated by Eleanor Davis | Pretty sounds abound in this rhythmic picture book biography that follows children's music pioneer Ella Jenkins and her legacy, featuring whimsical, bold illustrations.NonfictionView book details
Mariam's DreamLeila Boukarim, illustrated by Sona Avedikian(Full title: Mariam's Dream: The Story of Mariam Al-Shaar and Her Food Truck of Hope) Illustrated by Sona Avedikian | Mariam Al-Shaar, a Palestinian refugee born and raised in Lebanon, brings hope and a taste of home to her community in the face of tremendous odds.NonfictionView book details
Miss Betti, What Is This?Lela Nargi(Full title: Miss Betti, What Is This?: How Detroit's School Lunch Lady Got Good Food on the Menu) Illustrated by Kristen Uroda | This isn't your average school lunch! Miss Betti takes it upon herself to partner with local farmers to bring fresh fruits and vegetables into the cafeteria in this inspiring tale of urban food equity.NonfictionView book details
My Name Is Jem: A Tale of a Guide Dog SuperstarOlivia MuscatIllustrated by Allison Colpoys | Jem, an adorable Labrador, is hard at work! This brightly illustrated and approachable primer on service dog etiquette takes readers on a walk around the city with Jem and her handler.NonfictionView book details
Never Silent: A Hiroshima Survivor's StorySetsuko Thurlow, Kathy LowingerIllustrated by Michelle Theodore | As a girl, Setsuko lives through the bombing of Hiroshima. In this informative memoir, she speaks out against nuclear warfare, helping young readers understand the past and imagine a more peaceful future.NonfictionView book details
Pine Cone Regrown: How One Species Thrives After FireElisa BoxerIllustrated by Kevin & Kristen Howdeshell | In the wake of a devastating fire, a pine cone sprouts and the forest is reborn. This picture book showcases how nature adapts in ingenious ways to deal with extreme circumstances.NonfictionView book details
Safe CrossingKari Percival, illustrated by Kari PercivalRaincoats on! It's time for spring showers and animal migrations. Help frogs, salamanders, and other amphibious friends safely cross roads to reach their summer habitats. This tender tale shows how even small actions can make a big difference in protecting wildlife.NonfictionLexile 620LView book details
Turtles Heading Home!Liza Ketchum, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Phyllis RootWarming waters are a threat to the Kemp's ridley sea turtle. But professionals and volunteers, including kids, all work together to help this endangered species! Large color photos and accessible text help readers follow the turtles on their journey.NonfictionView book details
Valiant Vel: Vel Phillips and the Fight for Fairness and EqualityJerrianne HayslettIllustrated by Aaron Boyd | Follow trailblazing activist and lawyer Vel Phillips as she breaks barriers and advocates for fair housing and civil rights in Milwaukee! This overdue biography is comprehensively researched and features both photographs and colorful illustrations.NonfictionView book details
Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being SeenJames Robinson, illustrated by Brian ReaIllustrated by Brian Rea | Renowned filmmaker James Robinson invites readers to see through his eyes in this interactive illustrated memoir about growing up and living with strabismus.NonfictionLexile 880LFountas & Pinnell YView book details
The World Entire: A True Story of an Extraordinary WWII RescueElizabeth Brown, illustrated by Melissa CastrillónIllustrated by Melissa Castrillón | In this poignantly illustrated World War II story, thousands of refugees flee to the borders of Portugal. When diplomat Aristides de Sousa Mendes is told to deny their entry, he’s faced with a choice: follow orders or follow his conscience?NonfictionView book details
XoloDonna Barba Higuera, illustrated by Mariana Ruiz JohnsonIllustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson | How did dogs become man's best friend? Chase bones with Xolo in this Mexican folklore tale of cowardice, the underworld, and finding your purpose.NonfictionATOS 3.9AR interest Middle Grades (MG 4-8)View book detailsGraphic Novels
15 selections
Cabin Head and Tree HeadScott Campbell, illustrated by Scott CampbellJoin Cabin Head and Tree Head (and Bus Stop Head, Beanstalk Head, and Pool Head) in six totally silly graphic novel vignettes that will delight readers of all ages. Goofy watercolors draw you into their delightful world and will have you laughing out loud.Graphic NovelsView book details
Carousel SummerKathleen GrosLucy's bleak summer starts to look up when an artist and her daughter come into town. When she's invited to help restore the old carousel, new relationships blossom and Lucy dares to speak her truth for the first time.Graphic NovelsView book details
Creaky AcresCalista Brill, Nilah Magruder, illustrated by Nilah MagruderAfter a big move, competitive equestrian Nora is forced to join a new stable that does not meet her high standards. Will Nora be able to overcome the challenges of her ragtag team to win in the next regional show?Graphic NovelsView book details
Deeply DaveMichael GroverWhen his astronaut mom’s spacecraft crashes, Dave goes deep—very deep—into an ocean trench inhabited by a quirky shrimp and his pet shark, an ominous octopus, and the Big Doom.Graphic NovelsView book details
Free Piano (Not Haunted)Whitney GardnerMargot’s mom is never home and now her fame-obsessed dad is moving to Los Angeles. Worst of all, she only has 12 followers on social media. At least she’s now the brand new owner of a used keyboard that is definitely not haunted!Graphic NovelsView book details
Halfway to SomewhereJose PimientaAve's mom takes them from Mexico to Kansas—without their dad and beloved older sister. Bored, angry, and lonely in an unfamiliar place, Ave ventures out on their own and tries to find balance between their two worlds.Graphic NovelsView book details
Higher GroundTull SuwannakitWhen a storm floods their city, a grandmother and her two grandchildren take shelter on the rooftop of their apartment building. Collage-like illustrations tell a story of survival and rebuilding after natural disaster strikes.Graphic NovelsView book details
MasksMargaret Rae, Brian NathansonIllustrated by Beck Kubrick and Thomas Philipson | Living in fear of monster-hunting vigilantes, Poe, Rice, and Shelley must stay in the shadows. But one Halloween night, the opportunity to come out of hiding arises—and this unusual found family seizes the moment.Graphic NovelsView book details
Millie of the ManorKarina EvansIllustrated by Andrea Bell | Amy's anxiety means making friends is tough, but when she gets invited to a murder mystery party, she discovers the power of acting. As intrepid scientist Millie Morgan, she finally begins to find her voice.Graphic NovelsView book details
Nightmare Hunter (Maxwell Dark, Book 1)Brady SmithEver been kept awake by horrible nightmares? Call Maxwell Dark, who specializes in beating those monstrous dreams back!Graphic NovelsView book details
On Guard!Cassidy WassermanAmid her parents' divorce, Grace finds respite on the school fencing club, where she's thrust into a new world of friendship and competition. But when her relationship with her mom suffers another blow, she's forced to decide: Is she ready to stand up for herself?Graphic NovelsView book details
Say Something, Poupeh Babaee!Haleh MasseyIllustrated by Ghazal Qadri | A young Iranian girl, separated from her parents by a national travel ban, struggles to find her voice. Through therapy, friendship, and courage, Poupeh begins to reclaim her voice—not just for herself, but for her family’s future.Graphic NovelsView book details
Schoolbot 9000Sam HepburnWhat would you do if robots took over? Everyone else in town seems excited about the introduction of AI helpers, but it's up to James to uncover the shady business behind the changes at his school.Graphic NovelsView book details
Speak Up, Santiago!Julio Anta, illustrated by Gabi MendezIllustrated by Gabi Mendez | Santiago is excited to visit his grandma, but he worries his so-so Spanish skills will ruin his trip. Will he be able to overcome his insecurities to connect with his grandmother and his new soccer team?Graphic NovelsLexile GN390LATOS 3.1View book details
Sword of the Champion (Dragonforged, Book 1)Eric LideForetold to save the world from the evil Fiendlord and his wicked fiends, a champion has been chosen! Orin, a regular kid from the small village of Millstone, is thrust headlong into an epic quest to vanquish the dark forces oppressing his world.Graphic NovelsView book detailsPoetry
5 selections
For a Girl BecomingJoy HarjoIllustrated by Adriana Garcia | In this beautifully illustrated adaptation of Joy Harjo's heartfelt poem, a baby girl receives wisdom, love, and guidance on her journey through life.PoetryView book details
How Sweet the SoundKwame Alexander, illustrated by Charly PalmerIllustrated by Charly Palmer | With encyclopedic breadth, this poem showcases the evolution of American music, from ragtime to bebop to R&B. It celebrates the tones, melodies, genres, and arrangements foundational to the music we enjoy, which were created and continue to be innovated by Black musicians.PoetryView book details
I Want You to KnowMona DamlujiIllustrated by Ishtar Bäcklund Dakhil | This gentle poem, written by a mother for her children, is a beautiful love letter to refugees of all ages and places. Its vivid illustrations are inspired by traditional Middle Eastern art.PoetryView book details
Of the Sun: A Poem for the Land's First PeoplesXelena González, illustrated by Emily KewageshigIllustrated by Emily Kewageshig | This boldly illustrated poem affirms the Indigenous identities of young readers across the Americas, describing a home, heritage, and land beyond borders.PoetryView book details
Seven Skies All at OnceTed KooserIllustrated by Matt Myers | As a storm brews over the city, two kids share notes and a growing friendship across a shared clothesline.PoetryView book details