Best Books for Kids

Explore our annual selection of outstanding children's titles.

  • The Afterwards

    By A.F. Harrold, illus. by Emily Gravett

    How 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Families,
    • Fantasy,
    • Feelings,
    • Friendship,
    • Middle grade,
    • Suspenseful
  • All In A Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World

    By Lori Alexander, illus. by Vivien Mildenberger

    Motivated by curiosity, “simple tradesman” Antony van Leeuwenhoek tweaked early microscopes and discovered a world lurking unseen all around him.

    Tags:
    • Biographies,
    • Historical,
    • STEM
  • All the Impossible Things

    By Lindsay Lackey

    Red 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?

    Tags:
    • Family,
    • Fantasy,
    • Feelings,
    • Middle grade
  • Another

    By Christian Robinson

    In 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Picture books
  • Balto and the Race Against Time

    By Helen Moss, illus. by Misa Saburi

    A 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.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Early readers,
    • Friendship,
    • Historical,
    • Science fiction
  • Beast Rider

    By Tony Johnston & María Elena Fontanot de Rhoads

    Determined 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.

    Tags:
    • Bilingual,
    • Families,
    • Middle grade,
    • Realistic,
    • Suspenseful
  • Beneath the Bed and Other Scary Stories

    By Max Brailler, illus. by Letizia Rubegni

    These spine-chilling stories are matched with spooky artwork. Perfect for sleepovers, campfires, or reading alone… if you dare!

    Tags:
    • Early readers,
    • Fairy tales & folklore,
    • Suspenseful
  • Bone Hollow

    By Kim Ventrella

    While 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Fantasy,
    • Feelings,
    • Friendship,
    • Middle grade
  • Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins

    By Michelle Meadows, illus. by Ebony Glenn

    This rhyming story highlights the struggles and successes of Janet Collins, the first African American prima ballerina.

    Tags:
    • Art,
    • Biographies,
    • Early readers,
    • Historical,
    • Music,
    • Picture books
  • The Bridge Home

    By Padma Ventkatraman

    Runaway 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Families,
    • Friendship,
    • Feelings,
    • Middle grade,
    • Realistic
  • Camp Tiger

    By Susan Choi, illus. by John Rocco

    Imagination meets reality during a family camping trip when a boy encounters a mysterious talking tiger. Stunning watercolor illustrations highlight a child’s growing independence.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Families,
    • Fantasy,
    • Feelings,
    • Picture books
  • Can You Crack The Code?: A Fascinating History Of Ciphers and Cryptography

    By Ella Schwartz, illus. by Lily Williams

    This interactive book uses real life examples to teach readers increasingly complex codes, as well as modern context for cryptography.

    Tags:
    • Historical,
    • STEM
  • Captain Rosalie

    By Timothée de Fombelle, illus. Isabelle Arsenault, trans. Sam Gordon

    During 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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Historical,
    • Realistic
  • Carl and the Meaning of Life

    By Deborah Freedman

    Carl 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.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Feelings,
    • Nature,
    • Picture books
  • Carter Reads the Newspaper

    By Deborah Hopkinson, illus. by Don Tate

    The inspiring tale of the father of Black History, Carter G. Woodson, and his quest to preserve, promote, and celebrate the achievements of African Americans.

    Tags:
    • Biographies,
    • Historical,
    • Picture books,
    • STEM
  • Clackety Track: Poems About Trains

    By Skila Brown, illus. by Jamey Christoph

    All aboard! Lively locomotive verse and dynamic illustrations celebrate the enduring appeal of trains.

    Tags:
    • Picture books,
    • Poetry
  • Cog

    By Greg Van Eekhout

    One 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Middle grade,
    • Science fiction,
    • STEM
  • The Collected Works of Gretchen Oyster

    By Cary Fagan

    Is 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.

    Tags:
    • Art,
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Middle grade,
    • Realistic
  • Crab Cake: Turning the Tide Together

    By Andrea Tsurumi

    A 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.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Nature,
    • Picture books
  • Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano for President Lincoln

    By Margarita Engle, illus. by Rafael Lopez

    During the Civil War, the music of a Venezuelan refugee and piano prodigy lifts the spirits of the First Family.

    Tags:
    • Biographies,
    • Historical,
    • Music,
    • Picture books
  • Dancing Through Fields of Color: The Story of Helen Frankenthaler

    By Elizabeth Brown, illus. by Aimee Sicuro

    Watercolor illustrations and abstract design come together to mimic this modern artist’s poured paint technique.

    Tags:
    • Art,
    • Biographies,
    • NYC stories,
    • Picture books
  • The Day the Universe Exploded My Head: Poems to Take You Into Space and Back Again

    By Allan Wolf, illus. by Anna Raff

    Blast off with this cosmic compilation of space poems!

    Tags:
    • Funny,
    • Picture books,
    • Poetry,
    • STEM
  • The Farmer

    By Ximo Abadia

    Simple 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.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Feelings,
    • Nature,
    • Picture books
  • Finding Orion

    By John David Anderson

    Orion'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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Funny,
    • Middle grade,
    • Realistic
  • Genesis Begins Again

    By Alicia Williams

    After 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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Friendship,
    • Middle grade,
    • Realistic
  • Gittel's Journey: An Ellis Island Story

    By Leslea Newman, illus. by Amy June Bates

    Nine 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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Historical,
    • NYC stories,
    • Picture books,
    • Realistic
  • Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid-Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the World

    By Kim Tomsic, illus. by Brett Helquist

    A rockin’ tale of trial and error and innovation through necessity.

    Tags:
    • Biographies,
    • Historical,
    • Music,
    • STEM,
    • Picture books
  • Hedy Lamarr's Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor

    By Laurie Wallmark, illus. by Katy Wu

    Hedy Lamarr, an actress celebrated for her beauty and talent, had a secret...she was also an innovator of groundbreaking technology!

    Tags:
    • Biographies,
    • Historical,
    • Picture books,
    • STEM
  • Hey, Water!

    By Antoinette Portis

    From oceans to icebergs to clouds and tears, water is all around us. Take a deep dive into this accessible look at the water cycle.

    Tags:
    • Early readers,
    • Nature,
    • Picture books,
    • STEM
  • Ho'Onani: Hula Warrior

    By Heather Gale, illus. by Mika Song

    In 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?

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • LGBTQIA+,
    • Picture books
  • How to Two

    By David Soman

    In 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.

    Tags:
    • Early readers,
    • Friendship,
    • Picture books
  • The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown

    By Mac Barnett, illus. by Sarah Jacoby

    Whimsical, deliberate, and a little bit unexpected, this picture book biography offers a glimpse into the curious literary life of a beloved children’s author.

    Tags:
    • Art,
    • Biographies,
    • LGBTQIA+,
    • NYC stories,
    • Picture books
  • It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way

    By Kyo Maclear, illus. by Julie Morstad

    Following 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.

    Tags:
    • Art,
    • Biographies,
    • Historical,
    • Picture books
  • It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity

    By Theresa Thorn, illus. by Noah Grigni

    A colorfully illustrated and accessible primer on gender identity.

    Tags:
    • Feelings,
    • LGBTQIA+,
    • Picture books
  • Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, and Murdered Through History

    By Alison Matthews David, Serah-Marie McMahon, illus. by Gillian Wilson

    Call the fashion police because these styles are to DIE for!

    Tags:
    • Art,
    • Historical,
    • Picture books,
    • STEM
  • King Mouse

    By Cary Fagan, illus. by Dena Seiferling

    A 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Fantasy,
    • Friendship,
    • Picture books
  • La luna mango

    By Diane De Anda, illus. by Sue Cornelison

    Una niña mantiene el vínculo emocional con su padre al ver la brillante luna en este libro tan importante hoy en día.

    Tags:
    • En español,
    • Picture books
  • Lalani of the Distant Sea

    By Erin Entrada Kelly

    On 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Fairy tales & folklore,
    • Fantasy,
    • Middle grade
  • Lety Out Loud

    By Angela Cervantes

    Lety, 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?

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Friendship,
    • Realistic
  • The Line Tender

    By Kate Allen

    Lucy 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.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Art,
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Friendship,
    • Middle grade,
    • Nature,
    • Realistic,
    • STEM
  • Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks

    By Jason Reynolds, illus. by Alexander Nabaum

    Ten very different journeys home begin from the same school exit in this heartfelt and hilarious collection of stories.

    Tags:
    • Feelings,
    • Friendship,
    • Funny,
    • Middle grade,
    • Realistic
  • Lubna and Pebble

    By Wendy Meddour, illus. by Daniel Egnéus

    A 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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Friendship,
    • Picture books,
    • Realistic
  • Luisa siempre va con prisa

    By Timothy Knapman, illus. by Gemma Merino

    Esta version moderna de La liebre y la tortuga nos recuerda que reducir la velocidad puede ser divertido. La vida se ve más clara cuando te tomas tu tiempo.

    Tags:
    • En español,
    • Picture books
  • Mario y el Agujero en el cielo: Cómo un químico salvó nuestro planeta

    By Elizabeth Rusch, illus. by Teresa Martinez

    Un brillante jóven de la Ciudad de México se convierte en un químico famoso cuyos avances científicos crean conciencia sobre nuestro impacto en la capa de ozono.

    Tags:
    • En español,
    • Biographies
  • Mary Wears What She Wants

    By Keith Negley

    Imagine 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.

    Tags:
    • Historical,
    • Picture books
  • Max and the Midknights

    By Lincoln Pierce

    Max 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Families,
    • Fantasy,
    • Friendship,
    • Funny,
    • Graphic novels
  • Maximillian Fly

    By Angie Sage

    Maximillian 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Fantasy,
    • Feelings,
    • Friendship,
    • Middle grade,
    • Science fiction,
    • Suspenseful
  • Meena Meets Her Match

    By Karla Manternach

    Meena 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.

    Tags:
    • Art,
    • Early readers,
    • Families,
    • Friendship,
    • Feelings,
    • Realistic
  • Mi Papi tiene una moto

    By Isabel Quintero, illus. by Zeke Peña

    Daisy y su papi recorren su vecindario en esta oda a la familia, la comunidad y la historia. Las vivas ilustraciones reflejan su barrio siempre cambiante y vibrante.

    Tags:
    • En español,
    • Picture books
  • The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James

    By Ashley Herring Blake

    Sunny 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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Friendship,
    • LGBTQIA+,
    • Middle grade,
    • Realistic
  • The Monster Squad

    By Joe McGee, illus. by Ethan Long

    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?

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Early readers,
    • Friendship,
    • Funny
  • The Moon Within

    By Aida Salazar

    Celi Rivera is not looking forward to her "Moon Ceremony," an ancestral Mexica tradition of womanhood.

    Tags:
    • Bilingual,
    • Families,
    • Friendship,
    • LGBTQIA+,
    • Middle grade,
    • Music,
    • Poetry,
    • Realistic
  • Moth: An Evolution Story

    By Isabel Thomas, illus. by Daniel Egneus

    A compelling narrative with striking illustrations follow the peppered moths’ adaptation to the ever-changing environment.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Nature,
    • Picture books,
    • STEM
  • Mr. Penguin and the Lost Treasure

    By Alex T. Smith

    Mr. 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Animals,
    • Early readers,
    • Funny
  • My City

    By Joanne Liu

    A child’s trip to the mailbox becomes a bright and colorful journey in this nearly wordless urban adventure.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Picture books
  • My Papi Has a Motorcycle

    By Isabel Quintero, illus. by Zeke Peña

    Daisy 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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Picture books
  • The Neighbors

    By Einat Tsarfati

    As 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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Fantasy,
    • Picture books
  • Never Caught: The Story of Ona Judge

    By Erica A. Dunbar and Kathleen Van Cleve

    The daring and heartbreaking story of Ona Judge, who fled her enslavement by the most powerful family in America: the Washingtons.

    Tags:
    • Biographies,
    • Historical,
    • Middle grade
  • A New Home

    By Tania de Regil

    Moving 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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • NYC stories,
    • Picture books,
    • Realistic
  • New Kid

    By Jerry Craft

    Jordan’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.

    Tags:
    • Art,
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Friendship,
    • Graphic novels,
    • NYC stories,
    • Middle grade,
    • Realistic
  • The Next Great Paulie Fink

    By Ali Benjamin

    In a competition to replace the missing class clown, new kid Caitlyn learns the value of embracing change and finding your place in the world.

    Tags:
    • Friendship,
    • Funny,
    • Middle grade,
    • Realistic
  • Nico Bravo and the Hound of Hades

    By Mike Cavallaro

    When 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Fantasy,
    • Fairy tales & folklore,
    • Friendship,
    • Graphic novels
  • No More Poems! A Book in Verse That Just Gets Worse

    By Rhett Miller, illus. by Dan Santat

    A riotous, rhythmic look at some classic childhood qualms: annoying brothers, nose hairs, and flushing public toilets.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Funny,
    • Picture books,
    • Poetry
  • The Not-So-Great Outdoors

    By Madeline Kloepper

    A 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?

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Nature,
    • Picture books
  • The Okay Witch

    By Emma Steinkellner

    Everything 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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Fantasy,
    • Friendship,
    • Graphic novels,
    • LGBTQIA+,
    • Suspenseful
  • One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller

    By Kate Read

    A 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.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Early readers,
    • Picture books,
    • Suspenseful
  • Other Words for Home

    By Jasmine Warga

    Jude 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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Middle grade,
    • Poetry,
    • Realistic
  • Owling: Enter the World of the Mysterious Birds of the Night

    By Mark Wilson

    Owls 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.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Nature,
    • STEM
  • Pay Attention, Carter Jones

    By Gary D. Schmidt

    Carter 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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Friendship,
    • Funny,
    • Middle grade,
    • Sports
  • Pedro's Pan: A Gold Rush Story

    By Matthew Lasley, illus. by Jacob Souva

    A 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.

    Tags:
    • Friendship,
    • Historical,
    • Picture books
  • Pie in the Sky

    By Remy Lai

    Jingwen'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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Funny,
    • Middle grade,
    • Realistic
  • Planet Earth is Blue

    By Nicole Panteleakos

    January 1986: twelve-year-old Nova waits for her big sister Bridget to return to her. She promised they would watch the launch together...

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Historical,
    • Middle grade
  • Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre

    By Anika Aldamuy, illus. by Denise Paola Escobar

    A 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.

    Tags:
    • Bilingual,
    • Biographies,
    • Historical,
    • NYC stories,
    • Picture books
  • Pokko and the Drum

    By Matthew Forsythe

    Pokko’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.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Music,
    • Picture books
  • Predator and Prey: Conversation in Verse

    By Susannah Buhrman-Deever, illus. by Bert Kitchen

    Realistic watercolor paintings partner with imagined conversations to illustrate the way creatures interact with one another.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Nature,
    • Picture books,
    • Poetry,
    • STEM
  • The Proper Way to Meet a Hedgehog and Other How-To Poems

    By Paul B. Janeczko (selector), illus. by Richard Jones

    Learn how to scare a monster, mix a pancake, and tell the difference between goblins and elves in this whimsical collection of playful poems.

    Tags:
    • Poetry
  • Red Panda and Moon Bear

    By Jarod Roselló

    A 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.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Early readers,
    • Families,
    • Friendship,
    • Funny,
    • Graphic novels,
    • Science fiction
  • The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip Hop

    By Carole Boston Weatherford, illus. by Frank Morrison

    This 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.

    Tags:
    • Art,
    • Historical,
    • Music,
    • NYC stories,
    • Picture books,
    • Poetry
  • Saturday

    By Oge Mora

    Ava 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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Picture books
  • Seeds Move!

    By Robin Page

    Whether 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.

    Tags:
    • Early readers,
    • Nature,
    • Picture books,
    • STEM
  • Sembrando Historias: Pura Belpre; blibliotecaria y narradora de cuentos

    By Anika Aldamuy Denise, illus. by Paola Escobar

    Pura es la candidata perfecta para el puesto en la biblioteca, mas al llegar se da cuenta que ninguno de los cuentos reflejan su comunidad en Nueva York. Descubre la vida de la bibliotecaria que cambió como se hacen las cosas.

    Tags:
    • En español,
    • Biographies
  • Señorita Mariposa

    By Ben Gundersheimer (Mr. G), illus. by Marcos Almada Rivero

    ¿Alguna vez te has preguntado sobre el viaje de una mariposa monarca? Viaja con la Señorita Mariposa desde Canadá hasta México en esta poética migración.

    Tags:
    • En español,
    • Nonfiction
  • Skulls!

    By Blair Thornburgh, illus. by Scott Campbell

    Skulls 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.

    Tags:
    • Funny,
    • Picture books,
    • STEM
  • Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry)

    By Gary Golio, illus. by Ed Young

    Iconic 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.

    Tags:
    • Art,
    • Biographies,
    • Feelings,
    • Historical,
    • Picture books
  • Snowman - Cold = Puddle: Spring Equations

    By Laura Purdie Salas, illus. by Micha Archer

    Science + poetry + mathematics = a fun interplay of words in this beautifully illustrated book about nature.

    Tags:
    • Nature,
    • Picture books,
    • Poetry,
    • STEM
  • Some Places More than Others

    By Renee Watson

    Sneaker-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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Middle grade,
    • NYC stories,
    • Realistic
  • Song for a Whale

    By Lynne Kelly

    Iris 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.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Families,
    • Friendship,
    • Middle grade,
    • Music,
    • Nature,
    • Realistic,
    • STEM
  • Stand on the Sky

    By Erin Bow

    Twelve-year-old Aisulu rescues and trains an orphaned eagle in hopes of competing in the Mongolian Eagle Festival, an act that defies expectations.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Animals,
    • Families,
    • Friendship,
    • Middle grade,
    • Realistic,
    • Sports
  • Stargazing

    By Jen Wang

    Moon is outgoing while Christine is reserved. When tragedy strikes, will Christine be the friend that Moon so desperately needs?

    Tags:
    • Art,
    • Families,
    • Friendship,
    • Graphic novels,
    • Middle grade,
    • Realistic
  • The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out In the Streets

    By Gayle Pitman

    What 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.

    Tags:
    • LGBTQIA+,
    • NYC stories,
    • Middle grade,
    • Historical
  • Swarm of Bees

    By Lemony Snicket, illus. by Rilla Alexander

    Swarm 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.

    Tags:
    • Feelings,
    • Picture books
  • Sweety

    By Andrea Zuill

    Sweety 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.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Friendship,
    • Picture books
  • This Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality

    By Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy

    This 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.

    Tags:
    • Biographies,
    • Historical,
    • Middle grade,
    • Poetry
  • This Was Our Pact

    By Ryan Andrews

    Every 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Fairy tales & folklore,
    • Fantasy,
    • Friendship,
    • Graphic novels,
    • Middle grade
  • Titanosaur: Discovering the World's Largest Dinosaur

    By Jose Luis Carballido and Diego Pol, illus. by Florencia Gigena

    Dig into this true tale of a Patagonian gaucho and two paleontologists who unearthed the biggest dinosaur ever excavated.

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Historical,
    • Nature,
    • Picture books,
    • STEM
  • Todos Iguales: Un corrido de Lemon Grove

    By Chrisy Hale

    Un corrido sobre un historia poco conocida del desafío de una comunidad inmigrante ante la segregación escolar

    Tags:
    • En español,
    • Nonfiction
  • Truman

    By Jean Reidy, illus. by Lucy Ruth Cummins

    In 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Animals,
    • Feelings,
    • Friendship,
    • Picture books
  • Two Brothers, Four Hands: The Artists Alberto and Diego Giacometti

    By Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, illus. by Hadley Hooper

    This true story of Swiss sculptors Alberto and Diego Giacometti explores how the siblings’ quiet collaboration produced museum masterpieces of the twentieth century.

    Tags:
    • Art,
    • Biographies,
    • Families,
    • Historical,
    • Picture books
  • Un nuevo hogar

    By Tania de Regil

    Una niña en la Ciudad de México y un niño en Nueva York descubren que mudarse a un nuevo hogar causa temor, pero encuentran consuelo en saber que aunque lejanos, los dos lugares son similares.

    Tags:
    • En español,
    • Picture books
  • The Undefeated

    By Kwame Alexander, illus. by Kadir Nelson

    A powerful, emotional tribute to African American history. An ode to the doers and the dreamers who remain undefeated.

    Tags:
    • Historical,
    • Poetry
  • United Tastes of America: An Atlas of Food Facts & Recipes From Every State

    By Gabrielle Lanholtz, illus. by Jenny Bowers, photos DL Acken

    Take 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.

    Tags:
    • Historical,
    • STEM
  • Vamos: Let's Go to Market!

    By Raul the Third

    Little 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.

    Tags:
    • Picture books
  • The Vegetable Museum

    By Michelle Mulder

    Uprooted from everything she's known to help her ailing grandfather, Chloe digs up the truth behind her family's tension.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Feelings,
    • Friendship,
    • Middle grade,
    • Nature,
    • Realistic,
    • STEM
  • When I Found Grandma

    By Saumiya Balasubramaniam, illus. by Qin Leng

    When 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.

    Tags:
    • Feelings,
    • Families,
    • Picture books,
    • Realistic
  • White Bird: A Wonder Story

    By R.J Palacio

    A 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.

    Tags:
    • Families,
    • Friendship,
    • Graphic novels,
    • Historical,
    • Middle grade,
    • Suspenseful
  • Wilma’s Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller

    By Doreen Rappaport, illus. by Linda Kukuk

    Explore 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.

    Tags:
    • Biographies,
    • Historical,
    • Picture books
  • The Young Adventurer's Guide to (Almost) Everything

    By Ben and Penny Hewitt, illus. by Luke Boushee

    Want 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.

    Tags:
    • Adventure,
    • Middle grade,
    • Nature,
    • STEM
  • Your Turn, Adrian

    By Helena Oberg, illus. by Kristin Lidstrom

    Adrian 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?

    Tags:
    • Animals,
    • Early readers,
    • Feelings,
    • Friendship,
    • Graphic novels
  • ¡Los zombis no comen verduras!

    By Jorge Lacera and Megan Lacera

    Chili con ojos, deditos con salsa ¿A que zombi no le encantaría comer algo así? A menos que seas vegetariano como Mo. Una historia que celebra las diferencias entre cada miembro de la familia.

    Tags:
    • En español,
    • Picture books
  • ¿De dónde eres?

    By Yamile Saied Méndez, illus. by Jaime Kim

    Cálidas ilustraciones en acuarela representan la cariñosa y sincera respuesta de un abuelo a las preguntas de su nieta sobre su identidad.

    Tags:
    • En español,
    • Picture books

Additional Information

Many of these titles are available in talking book, large print, and braille formats. Learn more about library materials and services for patrons with print disabilities.

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