
Best Books for Kids
Explore our annual selection of outstanding children's titles.
2019 Picks110 Books Found
The Afterwards
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.
All In A Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World
Motivated by curiosity, “simple tradesman” Antony van Leeuwenhoek tweaked early microscopes and discovered a world lurking unseen all around him.
All the Impossible Things
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?
Another
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.
Balto and the Race Against Time
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.
Beast Rider
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.
Beneath the Bed and Other Scary Stories
These spine-chilling stories are matched with spooky artwork. Perfect for sleepovers, campfires, or reading alone… if you dare!
Bone Hollow
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.
Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins
This rhyming story highlights the struggles and successes of Janet Collins, the first African American prima ballerina.
The Bridge Home
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.
Camp Tiger
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.
Can You Crack The Code?: A Fascinating History Of Ciphers and Cryptography
This interactive book uses real life examples to teach readers increasingly complex codes, as well as modern context for cryptography.
Captain Rosalie
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.
Carl and the Meaning of Life
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.
Carter Reads the Newspaper
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.
Clackety Track: Poems About Trains
All aboard! Lively locomotive verse and dynamic illustrations celebrate the enduring appeal of trains.
Cog
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.
The Collected Works of Gretchen Oyster
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.
Crab Cake: Turning the Tide Together
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.
Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano for President Lincoln
During the Civil War, the music of a Venezuelan refugee and piano prodigy lifts the spirits of the First Family.
The Day the Universe Exploded My Head: Poems to Take You Into Space and Back Again
Blast off with this cosmic compilation of space poems!
The Farmer
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.
Finding Orion
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.
Genesis Begins Again
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.
Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid-Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the World
A rockin’ tale of trial and error and innovation through necessity.
Hedy Lamarr's Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor
Hedy Lamarr, an actress celebrated for her beauty and talent, had a secret...she was also an innovator of groundbreaking technology!
Hey, Water!
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.
Ho'Onani: Hula Warrior
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?
How to Two
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.
It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way
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.
It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity
A colorfully illustrated and accessible primer on gender identity.
Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, and Murdered Through History
Call the fashion police because these styles are to DIE for!
King Mouse
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.
La luna mango
Una niña mantiene el vínculo emocional con su padre al ver la brillante luna en este libro tan importante hoy en día.
Lalani of the Distant Sea
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.
Lety Out Loud
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?
The Line Tender
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.
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
Ten very different journeys home begin from the same school exit in this heartfelt and hilarious collection of stories.
Lubna and Pebble
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.
Luisa siempre va con prisa
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.
Mario y el Agujero en el cielo: Cómo un químico salvó nuestro planeta
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.
Mary Wears What She Wants
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.
Max and the Midknights
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.
Maximillian Fly
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.
Meena Meets Her Match
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.
Mi Papi tiene una moto
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.
The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James
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.
The Monster Squad
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?
The Moon Within
Celi Rivera is not looking forward to her "Moon Ceremony," an ancestral Mexica tradition of womanhood.
Moth: An Evolution Story
A compelling narrative with striking illustrations follow the peppered moths’ adaptation to the ever-changing environment.
Mr. Penguin and the Lost Treasure
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.
My City
A child’s trip to the mailbox becomes a bright and colorful journey in this nearly wordless urban adventure.
My Papi Has a Motorcycle
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.
The Neighbors
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.
Never Caught: The Story of Ona Judge
The daring and heartbreaking story of Ona Judge, who fled her enslavement by the most powerful family in America: the Washingtons.
The Next Great Paulie Fink
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.
Nico Bravo and the Hound of Hades
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.
No More Poems! A Book in Verse That Just Gets Worse
A riotous, rhythmic look at some classic childhood qualms: annoying brothers, nose hairs, and flushing public toilets.
The Not-So-Great Outdoors
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?
The Okay Witch
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.
One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller
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.
Other Words for Home
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.
Owling: Enter the World of the Mysterious Birds of the Night
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.
Pay Attention, Carter Jones
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.
Pedro's Pan: A Gold Rush Story
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.
Pie in the Sky
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.
Planet Earth is Blue
January 1986: twelve-year-old Nova waits for her big sister Bridget to return to her. She promised they would watch the launch together...
Pokko and the Drum
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.
Predator and Prey: Conversation in Verse
Realistic watercolor paintings partner with imagined conversations to illustrate the way creatures interact with one another.
The Proper Way to Meet a Hedgehog and Other How-To Poems
Learn how to scare a monster, mix a pancake, and tell the difference between goblins and elves in this whimsical collection of playful poems.
Red Panda and Moon Bear
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.
Saturday
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.
Seeds Move!
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.
Sembrando Historias: Pura Belpre; blibliotecaria y narradora de cuentos
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.
Señorita Mariposa
¿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.
Skulls!
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.
Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry)
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.
Snowman - Cold = Puddle: Spring Equations
Science + poetry + mathematics = a fun interplay of words in this beautifully illustrated book about nature.
Song for a Whale
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.
Stand on the Sky
Twelve-year-old Aisulu rescues and trains an orphaned eagle in hopes of competing in the Mongolian Eagle Festival, an act that defies expectations.
Stargazing
Moon is outgoing while Christine is reserved. When tragedy strikes, will Christine be the friend that Moon so desperately needs?
Swarm of Bees
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.
Sweety
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.
This Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality
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.
This Was Our Pact
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.
Titanosaur: Discovering the World's Largest Dinosaur
Dig into this true tale of a Patagonian gaucho and two paleontologists who unearthed the biggest dinosaur ever excavated.
Todos Iguales: Un corrido de Lemon Grove
Un corrido sobre un historia poco conocida del desafío de una comunidad inmigrante ante la segregación escolar
Truman
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.
Two Brothers, Four Hands: The Artists Alberto and Diego Giacometti
This true story of Swiss sculptors Alberto and Diego Giacometti explores how the siblings’ quiet collaboration produced museum masterpieces of the twentieth century.
Un nuevo hogar
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.
The Undefeated
A powerful, emotional tribute to African American history. An ode to the doers and the dreamers who remain undefeated.
United Tastes of America: An Atlas of Food Facts & Recipes From Every State
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.
Vamos: Let's Go to Market!
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.
The Vegetable Museum
Uprooted from everything she's known to help her ailing grandfather, Chloe digs up the truth behind her family's tension.
When I Found Grandma
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.
White Bird: A Wonder Story
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.
Wilma’s Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller
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.
The Young Adventurer's Guide to (Almost) Everything
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.
Your Turn, Adrian
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?
¡Los zombis no comen verduras!
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.
¿De dónde eres?
Cálidas ilustraciones en acuarela representan la cariñosa y sincera respuesta de un abuelo a las preguntas de su nieta sobre su identidad.
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.