Introducing NYPL's Best Books of 2023
Every year, librarians and staff at The New York Public Library select noteworthy new books for readers of all ages and recommend them as our Best Books of the Year. These lists continue the Library’s century-old tradition of recommending the best-loved titles published for children each year, and in recent years have expanded to encompass titles for teens and adults, as well as books in Spanish for younger readers. They have always sought to reflect the diversity of New York City's readership and encompass fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, poetry, and much more.
Here you can explore the Library's top 10 books in four categories: books for kids, books in Spanish for kids, books for teens, and books for adults. You can find even more outstanding recommendations in our complete lists for kids, teens, and adults, and discover which Best Books titles are available in accessible editions, and explore our list of book in Spanish for kids en español.
Our full lists are also available to download so you can keep track of which ones you've read:
Top 10 Books for Kids
Ancestory: The Mystery and Majesty of Ancient Cave Art
by Hannah Salyer
Luminous illustrations guide readers through the history and mystery of ancient art from the caves of Papua New Guinea to the deserts of North America.
Cape
by Kevin Johnson; illustrated by Kitt Thomas
A young Black child draws strength from their beloved superhero cape after the death of a loved one. Evocative and immersive illustrations and gentle text convey the experience of grief from a child's perspective.
Doodles from the Boogie Down
by Stephanie Rodriguez
In the Bronx circa 2000, it's time for eighth-grader Steph to apply to high school. Will she pick the private Catholic school chosen by her protective Dominican mother or LaGuardia, where she can pursue her own dreams of becoming an artist?
I’m From
by Gary R. Gray, Jr.; illustrated by Oge Mora
A glimpse into the daily life of a young Black boy as he recognizes his place within his family and community and affirms: "I come from / somewhere."
Parachute Kids
by Betty C. Tang
When Mama's visa extension is denied, the Lin kids must stay behind in the U.S. while their mom travels back to Taiwan. With support from family friends, they must learn how to live in this new country, lean on each other, and handle tough life lessons together.
Ruby Lost and Found
by Christina Li
It's the worst punishment thirteen-year-old Ruby could imagine: being forced to spend the summer at her grandmother's senior center. As Ruby delves deeper into her Chinese American community, she grapples with her grandfather's death and concern for Nai-Nai's fading memory.
Search for a Giant Squid: Pick Your Path
by Amy Seto Forrester; illustrated by Andy Chou Musser
Go on a deep-sea dive in this pick-your-path adventure! Readers choose a team, submarine, and route on their quest to spot an elusive giant squid.
The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale
by Jon Klassen
Otilla stumbles upon a dark castle where a lonely talking skull resides. A true friendship can be found in the most unlikely of places.
The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels
by Beth Lincoln; illustrated by Claire Powell
The Swift family reunion gives young Shenanigan an opportunity to hunt for Grand Uncle Vile's hidden treasure. But when someone shoves Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude down the stairs, things take a dark and deadly turn, and Shenanigan employs her relatives' help to track down the killer.
Window Fishing
by DK Dyson; illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez
When a boy hangs a paperclip on a string out of his window, the artist downstairs draws a colorful fish for the boy to reel in. Whimsical, brightly colored art illustrates how their clever idea catches on and spreads delight throughout their East Harlem neighborhood.
Top 10 libros para edades 0–12 en español
Benita y las criaturas nocturnas
por Mariana Llanos; ilustrado por Cocoretto
Cuando Benita comienza a leer su nuevo libro, recibe la visita de criaturas monstruosas. Pero en lugar de asustarla, los espeluznantes visitantes aprenden el placer de perderse en un buen libro. Esta historia divertida presenta de manera juguetona monstruos del folclor peruano.
Con la cabeza en alto: cómo una comunidad amazónica protegió la selva
por Patricia Gualinga y Laura Resau; ilustrado por Vanessa Jaramillo
Únase a Paty y la comunidad de Sarayaku mientras luchan contra viento y marea para defender sus bosques sagrados de las compañías petroleras. Basada en una historia real de organización comunitaria y protesta.
Juego de libertad: Mestre Bimba y el arte de la capoeira
por Duncan Tonatiuh
¡Patada! ¡Golpe! ¡Salto! ¡Axé! La Capoeira es una combinación de artes marciales, acrobacias, danza y música. Descubre cómo estos movimientos rítmicos fueron inicialmente prohibidos y luego se convirtieron en una nueva tradición brasileña.
Magia
por Mirelle Ortega
Una niña que crece en una finca de piñas en Mexico aprende el verdadero significado de la palabra magia y como esta puede encontrarse tanto en los momentos alegres y brillantes así como tristes y oscuros.
¿Me ayudas a dibujar un pato?
por Jose Carlos Andrés; ilustrado por Pupé
Matías necesita ayuda al dibujar un pato. Grita a todo pulmón una vez, dos veces y una vez más, cada vez en un chillido. Mamá se apresura a ayudarlo con su dibujo una vez, dos veces y una vez más, ¡pero ahora está rendida y agotada!
Mil mariposas blancas
por Jessica Betancourt-Perez y Karen Lynn Williams; ilustrado por Gina Maldonado
Isabella acaba de mudarse de Colombia a los Estados Unidos y está entusiasmada con su primer día de clases. ¡Oh no! La escuela está cerrada debido a una tormenta de nieve. Con la ayuda de una amiga, ¿pudiese Isabella encontrar alegría en este nuevo clima?
Nena, y Roberta ¿dónde está?
por Marie Biskai
Una conmovedora historia sobre una abuela y su nieta en una misión para rescatar momentos olvidados. A lo largo de su aventura, aprenden que aunque a veces la memoria se desvanece, el amor persiste.
Nuestro techo es azul
por Sara E. Echenique; ilustrado por Ashley Vargas
Después de que un huracán destruye su hogar en Puerto Rico, Antonio y su familia recurren a utilizar una lona azul como techo improvisado. Esta historia narra como dos hermanos encuentran consuelo tejiendo cuentos inspirados en el dosel azul que los cubre.
El rebaño
por Margarita del Mazo; ilustrado por Guridi
Cuando una oveja traviesa se niega a hacer su trabajo en ayudar a un niño a dormir comienza la comedía.
Wepa
por J de la Vega
Mia no es como los demas: es creativa e inteligente. Algunos dicen que es demasiado desordenada o demasiado ruidosa. No es ella, es su wepa. ¿Podrá Mia encontrar un lugar donde quepa su wepa? Una historia que celebra el TDAH y la individualidad.
Top 10 Books for Teens
America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History
by Ariel Aberg-Riger
A non-linear, visual portrayal of American history through photography and collage. Explore little-known facts that are rarely talked about in schools today.
Chloe and the Kaishao Boys
by Mae Coyiuto
Chloe eagerly awaits her new start at USC, but not before her auntie and dad give her a big traditional Filipino debut to send her off, complete with matchmaking.
Dear Medusa
by Olivia A. Cole
Alicia has been trying to swallow her trauma ever since her teacher sexually abused her. While facing constant scrutiny from her classmates, she disovers she might not be the only victim at school. Alicia’s vulnerable and fierce story unfolds in breathtaking verse.
The Fall of Whit Rivera
by Crystal Maldonado
Whit Rivera gets diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome and learns to navigate her new life. Together with her two best friends, she plans the Fall Fest of her dreams.
Gorgeous Gruesome Faces
by Linda Cheng
After a scandal ends her career, Sunny Lee joins a K-pop workshop to reconnect with former groupmate Candie and find out what happened the night the third member of their group tragically died.
In Limbo
by Deb JJ Lee
In this coming-of-age graphic memoir, Lee shares her experiences with racism, mental wellness, identity, and parental dynamics with her mother. TW: Eating Disorder, Attempted Suicide
The Making of Yolanda La Bruja
by Lorraine Avila
Unsure of what to do when the new kid is acting sketchy, Yolanda channels her Brujas Diosas to guide her. With the help of her ancestors and South Bronx community, Yolanda finds a way to protect her loved ones and stands up for what’s right. CW school shooting, gun violence.
Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story
by Sarah Myer
Sarah Meyer's graphic memoir covers their childhood as a transracial adoptee growing up in the American South during the 1990s. Sarah struggles to connect with the world around them, often finding the only way to truly express themselves is through their art.
Only This Beautiful Moment
by Abdi Nazemian
Moud has always felt more connected to his grandfather than his own father. A visit to Iran not only reveals the country's deep history, but hidden family secrets as well.
Saints of the Household
by Ari Tison
When brothers Max and Jay step in to help a classmate, the struggle turns violent, leaving them to worry about taking after their abusive father. The once inseparable Bribri American brothers look to their futures, wondering if growing up needs to mean growing apart.
Top 10 Books for Adults
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
by S.A. Chakraborty
The greatest pirate story you have not read … yet. Chakraborty forges a nautical masterpiece ideal for fans of Sinbad the Sailor, the Jack Aubrey series and fantasy set in the historic Muslim world.
Bad Kids
by Zijin Chen; translated by Michelle Deeter
Evil comes in all ages in this dark thriller that captivated China.
The Bee Sting
by Paul Murray
Where did it all go wrong? A patch of ice on the tarmac, a casual favor to a charming stranger, a bee caught beneath a bridal veil—can a single moment of bad luck change the direction of life?
Knockout
by Sarah Maclean
In Victorian London, Tommy, a Scotland Yard detective, and Imogen, a vigilante, have been circling one another since they met. But Imogen is unsure whom she can trust as they could be tied to a string of crimes she and her friends are investigating.
Land of Milk and Honey
by C Pam Zhang
High atop an unnamed Alp with the planet’s only breathable air, an aimless chef is hired to cook lavish meals for a mysterious cabal of plutocrats who've got a taste for weird meats—what could go wrong?
Last On His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century
by Adrian Matejka; art by Youssef Daoudi
Bringing to life the story of eminent boxer Jack Johnson, this book follows his epic battles against famed prizefighters and Jim Crow era inequalities. The poetic dialogue and majestically raw illustrations capture the core of Johnson's experiences, both in and out of the ring.
The New Guy
by Sarina Bowen
New to Brooklyn, Hudson and Gavin hit it off in a bar. They have no idea that they’re neighbors and colleagues on the same professional hockey team. Both have their own reasons to stay away, but their attraction to each other is unstoppable.
Short Film Starring My Beloved's Red Bronco
by K. Iver
Combining elegy and fantasy, this collection memorializes a youthful relationship and a former lover's eventual suicide. These wistful, ethereal, and sorrowful poems are both a love letter to the Beloved and also an elegy for an imagined youth free of abuse, homophobia, and fear.
Shubeik Lubeik
by Deena Mohamed
In a parallel, modern-day Egypt, djinns and wishes are a reality. But who gets the privilege of using a wish? Can wishes really fix everything? This story shows unique and varied magical experiences in a heartfelt, bittersweet, and humorous epic tale.
When Crack Was King
by Donovan X. Ramsey
Beginning with Reagan's war on drugs, Ramsey examines the crack epidemic and exposes links between the triumphs of the civil rights movement and the consequences we live with today—a racist criminal justice system, mass incarceration, gentrification, and police brutality.