Best Books for Kids 2017: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

By Gwen Glazer, Librarian
November 20, 2017

Welcome to our annual 100 Best Books for Kids list! 

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This list is a century-old tradition in which the New York Public Library’s librarians and other book experts select 100 noteworthy children's titles from several categories: picture books, young readers, middle-grade fiction, graphic novels, folklore & fairy tales, poetry, and nonfiction.

The committee read every children's book, published in the United States in 2017, that they could get their hands on.

Below are their top 10 showstopper favorites, but be sure to  check out the whole list online at nypl.org/kids2017.  And let us know what you think in the comments below, or on social media with the hashtag #BestBooks!

Top Ten Favorites (in alphabetical order)

The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken

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With pencil, ink, and watercolors, errors become magical moments of opportunity to let your imagination soar in this uplifting tale full of wonderful picture-play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics by Margarita Engle; art by Rafael López

Bravo

 

Striking portraits accompany biographical poems that showcase compelling figures from diverse backgrounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Crane Girl: Based on Japanese Folktales by Curtis Manley; art by Lin Wang

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In this poignant retelling with atmospheric illustrations and interspersed haiku, an injured crane changes the life of her rescuer. 

 

Forever, or a Long, Long Time by Caela Carter  

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With the help of their adoptive mother, two siblings go on a quest to find their origins and in the process learn to trust in their forever home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Goatby Anne Fleming

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When Kid catches a glimpse of 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Fox in the Forest by Stephanie Graegin

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Two friends venture out into an enchanted forest to rescue a beloved stuffed animal in this wordless and endearing picture book.

 

 

 

Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters by Michael Mahin; art by Evan Turk

muddy

 

Kinetic artwork evokes the vibe that is the music of Muddy Waters and his experience during the Great Migration.

 

 

 

The New Ocean: The Fate of Life in a Changing Sea by Bryn Barnard

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An evocative look, through text and art, at what could happen to our oceans if we stay on our current course.

 

 

 

 

The Sand Warrior by Mark Siegel & Alexis Siegel; art by Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller & Boya Sun

sand

Join Oona Lee and her ragtag crew as they embark on a mission to save 5 Worlds in this thoughtfully designed space opera.

 

 

 

 

Yours Sincerely, Giraffe by Megumi Iwasa; art by Jun Takabatake

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Bored 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out all 100 of our favorites at nypl.org/kids2017!

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Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!

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