These heartwarming picture books grow with the baby while gently validating all of the emotions that come with being a new mom, making them the perfect gift for baby showers, Mother’s Day, or any day.

no no 9781664351059 Mommy’s Wishes by Selina Wood, illustrated by Amerbin Huq

This adorable and heartfelt board book is a love letter from a mother bear to her cub. She hopes for happiness, adventure, and love for her child. The gentle, rhyming text and soft illustrations make this book an excellent snuggle-time read-aloud.

9781524714161 This Is a Gift for You by Emily Winfield Martin

Celebrate life’s beautiful everyday moments in this companion book to The Wonderful Things You Will Be. The rhyming text and gorgeous illustrations show readers that every day — and every moment — is a gift to be cherished. It’s the perfect baby shower gift that every new parent will love.

9780593659588 Bluey: Sleepytime by Joe Brumm

This storybook version of the Bluey episode “Sleepytime” beautifully captures both the deep love and sheer exhaustion that is motherhood. On an insterstellar adventure that is Bingo’s dream, we see the sisters float around space toward the sun — their mom. As Bingo tries to work up the nerve to sleep alone, she moves away from the sun, but ultimately coming back to its warmth and light.

9780593528808 I Love You, Little Horse by Gianna Marino

A horse and its foal spend the day smelling flowers, listening to the birds, and wandering the hills. As they use their senses to explore the world around them, the horse reassures its foal that they are loved unconditionally. This sweet board book is perfect for tiny horse lovers.

9780593305140 Nosotros Means Us by Paloma Valdivia

Celebrate the unbreakable bond between parent and child in this heartwarming book. Perfect for new mothers, it explores the unwavering nature of love through imaginative scenarios where a mother and child are different animals, always remaining “us.”

9780593618592 Mama Hug by Emma Straub, illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Simple, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations make this board book from bestselling novelist Emma Straub a surefire win. A mother and her baby spend the day tickling, hugging, and exploring nature until the sun sets and it’s time for bed. This joyful book will make a welcome addition to any new parent’s bookshelf.

9780823459964 Just in Case You Want to Fly by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Christian Robinson

This beautiful, affirming book is a joy to read. In it, a diverse cast of children head out on adventures, exploring the world around them while their loved ones encourage and support them. The gentle humor and whimsical illustrations add a touch of magic to the everyday.

9780593464977 Mommy Love by Susan Verde, illustrated by Naoko Stoop

The early days of motherhood are challenging, so this book helps guide new mothers through small acts of self-care. Complete with breathing exercises and gratitude practices, Verde encourages mothers to use their senses, enjoy the small moments, and connect with their babies. Designed to be read with a child, this uplifting and healing picture book is the perfect gift for any new mother!

9781524740917 Love by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Loren Long

Filled with beautiful illustrations of multicultural characters, this book tackles the subject of love in moving, lyrical prose. It all starts with a brand-new baby: “In the beginning there is light and two wide-eyed figures standing near the foot of your bed, and the sound of their voices is love.” Slow and reassuring, the book goes on to explore the ways that love can be found in joy as well as in darkness, pulling at readers’ heart strings with language that exudes the love each of its characters experience.

9780593622599 A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz

Singer-songwriter Christina Perri transforms her beloved song A Thousand Years into this tender picture book that captures the timeless bond between mother and child, celebrating their brave journey together and the unending love that grows with each step.

9780593193259 Hand to Hold by JJ Heller, illustrated by Alyssa Petersen

There can be such comfort in holding someone’s hand. Based on the lyrics of her beloved lullaby, JJ Heller brings that comfort to life in this heartwarming picture book. I love the beautiful illustrations of this book that showcases the adventures — both big and small — that await a child as they grow, with the comfort of a parent always there to offer love and support.

9780593173886 To the Moon and Back for You by Emilia Bechrakis Serhant, illustrated by EG Keller

Every new mom is so grateful for their new baby, but when the journey to conceive comes with its own struggles, that gratitude can be overwhelming. This beautiful book shows families on their path to find their miracle babies, and that no matter the challenges, hope will always win.

9780399167898 Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers

Packed with layers of wonder for all different ages and stages, Oliver Jeffers’ Here We Are is the book I wish I’d owned as a wide-eyed, nervous new mother. Inspired by the birth of Jeffers’ own son, the book is a guide to living on planet Earth — and being a good human while there. A wonderful read to calm the feeling of not knowing where to begin, the book’s message is simple: yes, the Earth is huge and filled with people of all different shapes, colors, sizes, and abilities. But in the end, we’re not that different, and we’re all in it together. It’s a message as comforting to children as it is to new parents.

9780375973277 The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin

Destined to become a classic baby shower gift, this sweet, rhyming book is filled with the hopes and dreams parents have for their children. Unconditional love and wonder drips from the pages as the author imagines the countless things a new baby can grow to do. With a diverse cast of characters and an emphasis on kindness and acceptance, it’s a beautiful depiction of the love a parent has for their child.

9780399167423 Bunny Roo, I Love You by Melissa Marr, illustrated by Teagan White

With charming illustrations that have a classic feel and simple text that’s suited for all ages, this book is sure to become a well-worn favorite. Featuring a cast of momma animals nurturing their babies, we later learn that the baby at the center of the story is a human baby whose mom does everything she can to care for her child. Heartwarming and tender, this story is the perfect first book to read to a baby.

9781984847737 That’s Me Loving You by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Teagan White

Touching on the enormity of a parent’s love and reassuring children that they can always find evidence of it, this darling, rhythmic book is perfect for reading during long nights rocking baby to sleep. It will become a quick favorite, and one that moms turn to during life’s big changes — when baby heads off to daycare or preschool or kindergarten — its quiet reassurance soothing for mom and baby alike.

9780525554226 Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer

This vibrant book celebrates all different kinds of families and the special thing that makes a family: love. Whether yours includes two moms, two dads, one of each or just one parent, this book revels in the many ways families show their love for each other. Colorful, inclusive, and bursting with love, it’s a great read for every type of family.

You might also like:

• 8 Baby Shower Books That Won’t Get Returned
• Must-Have Board Books for Baby’s First Library
• Baby Memory Books You’ll Treasure Forever
• Baby’s First Year: What to Read to Them at Every Stage

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2025.

The post Picture Books That Make the Sweetest Gifts for New Moms appeared first on Brightly.

yes no Picture Books 9780593125151 There’s a Witch in Your Book https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/616954/theres-a-witch-in-your-book-by-tom-fletcher-illustrated-by-greg-abbott/9780593125151 by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Greg Abbott

Dust off your magic wand because you’re going to need it when you read this interactive picture book from one of the UK’s bestselling authors! If you don’t have a wand, no worries — your finger can act as a wand as you cast spells and cause mayhem through every page turn. Make sure you check out the rest of the books in the Who’s In Your Book series for more interactive fun!

9780142501122 Room on the Broom https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/286665/room-on-the-broom-by-julia-donaldson-illustrated-by-axel-scheffler/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler

This is one of those books that you will love just as much as your kids do. It’s fun and clever, and little readers adore the rhyming and repetition. Plus, the story has a great message of friendship. A witch is happily flying around on her broom when the wind blows away her hat, then her bow, and then her wand. Luckily, a helpful animal finds her missing belonging each time. All the animals want in return for their help is some room on her broom. The witch keeps collecting new friends until her broom snaps in two and she’s captured by a fire-breathing dragon who likes to eat witches with French fries. Luckily for the witch, her friends come to the rescue.

9780593751190 How to Be a Witch by Gabrielle Balkan and Shana Gozansky, illustrated by Carmen Saldaña

While this time of year you might see lots of pictures of witches that have green faces and pointy hats, that stereotype is not true! Real witches are healing women with the knowledge of nature’s power to cure many ails. This engaging read expands readers’ minds to what witches really are — and even includes a potion and spell that you can try at home!

9780593569634 Witch & Wombat by Ashley Belote

Wilma, a young witch, eagerly waits for her first cat. Alas, the pet store is out of kittens. So, she settles for a … wombat? Does Wilma’s wombat have what it takes to be a witch’s sidekick? A delightful and heartwarming story that celebrates our differences (with a few fun facts about wombats), perfect for reading all year long.

9781536220506 Leila the Perfect Witch by Flavia Z. Drago

This adorable witchy read is an excellent choice for kids who deal with perfectionism. Leila strives for perfection and excels at everything she tries — except for baking. So, when she wants to enter a baking competition, she asks her sisters for help. Together, they cook up a heap of fun, sisterhood, and tasty treats.

9780593692387 The Little Witch Who Lost Her Broom! by Elaine Bickell, illustrated by Raymond McGrath

Little Witch can’t wait to take to the skies with all the other witches! But when she goes to get her broom … it’s missing! She looks for it everywhere, and even tries out flying with a scooter and a bike, but none of them are right. Will she ever find her broom? This not-so-scary picture book is a perfect read-aloud for Halloween!

9780553533415 10 Busy Brooms https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/249608/10-busy-brooms-by-carole-gerber-illustrated-by-michael-fleming/9781524768997/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Carol Gerber, illustrated by Michael Fleming

With bright, cheerful illustrations, little readers will love following the witchy Halloween adventures in this fun counting book. It starts with “one little witch on a long, speedy broom” who encounters another witch and invites her along for a ride. Fans of Room on the Broom will enjoy watching the ten witchy friends zoom past skeletons, ghosts, goblins, mummies, and a werewolf with bad breath. As a bonus, see if you can spy the cat and owl on every page!

9780679887386 Little Witch Goes to School https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/76878/little-witch-goes-to-school-by-deborah-hautzig/9780679887386/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Deborah Hautzig

Little Witch wants to go to school like her friends, but her mom wants her to stay home and learn to be bad from her witchy aunts and cousin. When Mother Witch finally agrees to let Little Witch go, she makes her promise to be very, very bad. But can a good Little Witch do that? The third book in the Little Witch series has a surprise ending that kids will love.

9780593350805 The Legend of the Christmas Witch by Aubrey Plaza and Dan Murphy, illustrated by Julia Iredale

Kristtörn is a powerful witch who got separated from her twin brother when they were young. Desperate to find him again, she leaves her forest home and heads out alone. Throughout her journey, she learns more about herself, her magic, and her brother than she thought possible. This stunning holiday story is a seasonal favorite.

yes no Middle Grade 9781984837165 The Witches by Roald Dahl

Grandmamma tells her grandson everything he needs to know about witches: what they look like, what they wear, and all of the details about their hatred of children. Her grandson listens very, very carefully — but can it really prepare him for the day he comes face-to-face with The Grand High Witch herself? Told with Roald Dahl’s signature zaniness and dark humor, this book is sure to become a life-long favorite.

9780593119273 Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse

When Effie comes to stay at her aunt’s house, she soon comes to realize that things are not as they seem. While Aunt Selimene and her partner say they are simple naturalists, Effie can see they’re really witches! Is she a witch too? Humor, magic, and amazing art abound in this magical graphic-novel series opener.

9781524770488 Dragons in a Bag Series https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/2DB/dragons-in-a-bag/ by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Cherise Harris

Witches, dragons, and magic — oh, my! Young middle grade readers love this exciting series about a boy’s adventures working for a witch in Brooklyn. Whether chasing baby dragons around the city or caring for a phoenix egg, Jaxon manages to steal readers’ hearts.

9781912497713 Season of the Witch by Matt Ralphs, illustrated by Nuria Tamarit

Explore the history of witches with this fascinating nonfiction book for kids. It’s filled with information, facts, and stories about witches from various cultures around the world. Anyone that wants to learn more about these unique individuals should add this book to their reading stack.

9781536219562 Healer and Witch by Nancy Werlin

Sylvie lives and works as a village healer with her mother and grandmother. When her grandmother passes away, an accident pushes Sylvie to leave home and search for a mentor. This heartfelt novel is about a young witch searching for clarity, strength, and her place in the world.

9781984896667 Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono, translated by Emily Balistrieri

Not every town has a witch, but no town has more than one; and so, at 13, Kiki must leave home and find a town of her own for a year. But the village of Koriko is wary of Kiki, that is until she sets up Kiki’s Delivery Service, using her broom and powers to retrieve things for others. Kiki’s infectious attitude toward each new task, each one tougher than the next, makes this a charming read for the whole family.

9781536208740 Begone the Raggedy Witches (The Wild Magic Trilogy, Book One) by Celine Kiernan

Kids who love reading about magic, adventure, and quests to another world will obsess over this story. This book is the first in a completed trilogy about a girl named Mup who sets out to rescue her kidnapped father from a group of witches. Twists, turns, and plenty of witchcraft will keep readers glued to the page.

9780763672607 The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy

In the first story of the Worst Witch series, lovable, accident-prone Mildred Hubble is starting her first year at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches — and it’s not going so well. She can’t ride her broomstick without crashing, she always gets her spells mixed up, and — worst of all — the teacher’s pet has become her sworn enemy.

9780449815564 A Matter-of-Fact Magic Book: The Wednesday Witch by Ruth Crew

Now back in print, Ruth Chew’s classic Matter-of-Fact Magic books are enchanting a whole new generation of young readers. This magical tale is about Wednesday Witches. A Wednesday Witch’s magic works best on Wednesday, so that’s when she goes in search of trouble. One Wednesday, Mary Jane hears a knock on her door. It’s a mysterious old lady with a skinny black cat. She must be a witch! But what is she up to?

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2024.

The post Magical Books About Witches for Kids appeared first on Brightly.

When I pick up an Oliver Jeffers book, I know it will be beautiful — sometimes even iconic (hello, The Day the Crayons Quit) — and that the story itself will be so richly layered it will grab hold of you whether you’re five or 95. Sweet, thought-provoking, and funny, Jeffers’s stories are for kids, but they’re also for the adults who purchase them and read them aloud so often that the pages become worn, and the sentences become like lines from a favorite song.

If you’re new to the Jeffers-verse, buckle up! I guarantee these books will make you a lifelong fan.

no no 9780399167898 Here We Are

Packed with layers of wonder for all ages, Here We Are is the book I wish I had as a wide-eyed, terrified new mother. Inspired by Jeffers’s son’s birth, this beautiful book is a guide to living on Earth and being a good human. Filled with themes of empathy and acceptance, it touches on how different we all are and how we share one important thing in common: We’re all in this together. This message is as comforting to children as it is to their grownups.

9780399245039 Lost and Found

When a lost penguin appears at his door, a young boy wants to help it get home safely. Together, they set off in a boat bound for the South Pole and spend the journey bonding over stories. But when they arrive at their destination and part ways, the boy and the penguin are heartbroken until the boy makes an unexpected decision. This beloved story has become a modern classic celebrating the power of friendship.

9780593622247 Where to Hide a Star

The Boy from Lost and Found returns in this new adventure of finding friendship in the most unexpected places. When his friend Star disappears, the Boy and his Martian friend travel to the North Pole to find it. But when they arrive, the Boy and his friends find an extraordinary surprise!

9780399161032 This Moose Belongs to Me

Wilfred has a lot of rules, and his pet moose, Marcel, usually obeys them. One day, on a long walk in the woods, Wilfred discovers that someone else thinks she owns Marcel — and Marcel doesn’t seem to think he belongs to anyone. Fortunately, the straight-laced boy and his wild and free moose come to a funny little compromise. The natural backgrounds have a painterly quality, while the characters are cartoonish, setting them at odds with each other from the start. Quirky and seemingly simple, the book becomes profound when you consider things like the illustration style and the theme: Can we ever really own something wild?

RELATED: 14 Clever Picture Books for Kids (and Their Parents)

9780399255373 The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

Jeffers did not write this book, but his quirky illustrations inject an extra layer of humor into the story. It’s about a boy named Duncan who wants to color a picture and opens his box of crayons, only to find out they have gone on strike. This fan-favorite story is a must-have for any Oliver Jeffers lover!

9780399242861 How to Catch a Star

Jeffers’s first book follows a boy who loves stars so much that he wants to catch one of his own. However, after trying repeatedly, his dream of capturing a star still seems far away. When he’s ready to give up, he finds a star in an unexpected place. Filled with hope and a bit of magic, this sweet story teaches readers that the things we’re looking for might surprise us.

9780399257377 Stuck

Get ready to giggle. This one starts with a very relatable dilemma: Floyd’s kite gets stuck in a tree. Hoping to get it unstuck, Floyd throws his favorite shoes at it, and they get stuck too. From here, the story gets increasingly absurd (and hilarious) as Floyd throws everything from his cat to the milkman, an orangutan, the house across the street, and a whale at the tree. Big and little readers alike will delight in the absolute ridiculousness of this story.

9780399167911 Once Upon an Alphabet

Make sure to add this unique alphabet book to your collection. Jeffers wrote a short story for each letter of the alphabet, ranging from funny to heartwarming. At over 100 pages, this quirky and delightful picture book is perfect for readers who can’t get enough of Oliver Jeffers.

9780399254529 The Heart and the Bottle

If you need a cry — or if you have a young reader who has experienced loss — this book is essential for your shelf. It’s filled with both heartbreak and hope, and it looks at grief through a lens that isn’t too heavy for children. When a curious little girl’s older companion is no longer there, she puts her heart into a bottle for safekeeping. While she feels better, all of her wonder and inquisitiveness got locked away with her heart — until she grows older and meets a small girl who reignites her curiosity and helps her get her heart back.

9780399247491 The Incredible Book Eating Boy

A boy named Henry enjoys eating books in this quirky story for book lovers. As Henry devours book after book, he absorbs the information and soon finds himself on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery. Eventually, he learns that reading books allows him to absorb their contents without getting a tummy ache.

REALTED: Must-Have Picture Books for Great Read-Aloud Performances with Your Kids

9781536221923 A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston

Oliver Jeffers collaborated with fine artist Sam Winston to create a unique celebration of stories. A little girl navigates her boat across an ocean of words to befriend a boy and sweep him away on an imaginative adventure. Jeffers’s and Winston’s art and text combine into an exciting and visual feast for the ears and eyes.

9780593115015 The Fate of Fausto

The layers! The deceptively simple illustrations! The slow, unrushed pace! Honestly, I could go on about this book for hours. It’s about a pompous bully of a man named Fausto, who thinks he owns everything. From flowers and trees to lakes and mountains, Fausto conquers it all with stomping, shouting, and entitlement — that is, until he tries to claim the sea and finds himself in a little too deep. This is another of Jeffers’s books that will become richer with meaning as readers get older.

9780593466186 There’s a Ghost In This House

This book is uniquely creative and will bring hours of delight to little readers who will love poring over its illustrations. Transparent vellum pages make funny ghosts appear and disappear in this interactive book about a haunted house that’s not too scary for even the most nervous readers. A brightly illustrated little girl seems to live all alone in a creepy old mansion (which Jeffers created with vintage papers from books and furniture catalogs). Her greatest wish is to see a ghost in her haunted house, but no matter how hard she looks, she can’t find them — but readers will!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2024.

The post The Very Best of Oliver Jeffers appeared first on Brightly.

There are only so many snacks you can pass to the back seat or games of “I Spy” you can play in your hotel room in the wee hours of the morning. So quiet activities that keep your kids busy and spark their imaginations become the unlikely heroes of every vacation.

These travel-worthy activity books have something for everyone: coloring, stickers, games, and more.

no no 9780593224588 Big Backyard: A Coloring Book by Penguin Young Readers Licenses

Fans of Bluey will love this coloring book, which features favorite characters like Bluey, Bingo, and Bob Bilby. And kids who don’t know the show will still love coloring the expressive characters in various outdoor scenes. With 64 pages of images to tackle, this coloring book will last through car, plane, and train rides — and even a few rainy days.

9780593752517 Bluey’s Beach: An Activity Book by Penguin Young Readers Licenses

And for even more fun in the sun, join Bluey and Bingo at the beach! This craft book has everything you need to fill up the summer months, from drawing the best sandcastle ever, designing your own sunnies, and so much more!

9780744090499 Find My Favorite Things Dinosaurs by DK

Who doesn’t love a classic seek-and-find book? They are perfect for endless hours of fun. With an I-spy journey perfect for inquisitive young readers, ancient dinosaurs and prehistoric plants to spot, it’s easy to get lost in the pages. There are also open-ended questions on each page to get imaginations revved up. Perfect for in the car, between activities, or waiting in a restaurant.

9780593225790 Mad Libs Workbook: Summer Activities by Catherine Nichols and Mad Libs

Keep your kids’ brains sharp with this summer-themed workbook from Mad Libs! Inside, you’ll find lessons and activities to reinforce what your child learned at school while offering them plenty of interactive fun along the way. Kids will learn phonics, grammar and spelling, comprehension, and vocabulary while completing hilarious fill-in-the-blank stories.

9780593123041 Uni the Unicorn Dream & Draw Activity Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Brigette Barrager

Calling all unicorn lovers! This coloring-and-activity book is about to become your new favorite thing — even more so if you’re a fan of the Uni the Unicorn series! This book has stickers, posters, mazes, wordplay, doodle prompts, puzzles, and more. There’s even a punch-out unicorn perfect for magical play in hotel rooms and on planes, trains, and car rides.

9780593377321 Peppa’s Very Busy Activity Book (Peppa Pig) by Golden Books

Peppa Pig fans will love this colorful activity book full of adventures with Peppa, her brother George, and all their friends. Inside, you’ll find coloring pages, mazes, spot the difference games, and so much more — including more than 50 stickers. Like Peppa, your kids will stay very, very busy with this book in hand.

9780744098884 Draw with Art for Kids Hub Animals by Art for Kids Hub and Rob Jensen

This activity book is perfect for the whole family. From the team behind the YouTube sensation Art for Kids Hub, this interactive book includes unique, easy-to-follow instructions (both the kid and adult versions) to a variety of drawing projects. This book aims to foster a love of drawing, showing kids that each drawing doesn’t need to be perfect as long as you’re enjoying the process!

9780593304204 Super Stickers! (Blue’s Clues & You) by Golden Books, illustrated by Dave Aikins

Super Stickers! contains more than 500 stickers — which will automatically make it a favorite for kids. But it’s so much more than that. There are also coloring pages, mazes, matching games, and drawing prompts! And kids will love seeing their favorite characters from the show — Blue, Josh, Magenta, and all of their friends. Blue’s Clues fans will be hooked the second they crack it open.

9780593426258 Richard Scarry’s Big Busy Sticker & Activity Book by Richard Scarry

Speaking of stickers, this book has more than 800 of them! It also features mazes, games, puzzles, and coloring pages — all alongside the zany adventures you’ve come to expect from Busytown. The full-color activity book draws readers into the Busytown world as they join in on their favorite characters’ escapades.

9781644726792 On-the-Go Puzzles Big Fun Activity Pad by Highlights

Nobody does on-the-go entertainment like Highlights, and this big activity pad is perfect for keeping kids occupied during road trips, plane flights, or downtime. The activities inside feature various modes of transportation, and the perforated pages make it easy to tear out the pages and share with siblings during long trips. It’s perfect for kids obsessed with cars, trains, planes, and boats.

9781664340091 Color with Stickers: Dinosaurs by Jonny Marx

This book takes a fun new twist on coloring and stickers. Each page features fun facts about a specific dinosaur on one side and a color-with-stickers dinosaur on the other. To “color” the dinosaurs, readers place numbered stickers on coordinating shapes to complete the picture. A sure hit for dinosaur lovers, this book combines learning and fun in a truly engaging way.

9781639620890 Tangram Puzzle Fun created by Highlights

Enjoy solving tangram puzzles with this brain-teasing book from Highlights. Kids will arrange shapes to form a larger picture, complete logic puzzles, find hidden pictures, and more! This book includes a magnetic board and pieces which makes this the perfect book to bring on long trips.

9780744033304 Sticker Encyclopedia National Parks by DK

Headed to a national park or on a cross-country road trip? This reusable sticker book is the perfect companion. It features more than 600 reusable stickers and lots of fun facts about the wildlife and geography in many of the US’s national parks. With photos and space to create scenes with stickers, this book encourages learning through play.

9780593385494 The Quiz Less Traveled by Rachel McMahon

Little kids aren’t the only ones who need to stay entertained during the summer break. Tweens and teens also enjoy screen-free activities, and this exciting book of quizzes is the perfect boredom buster. It’s filled with vacation-related quizzes that kids can complete solo or with friends or family.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2021 and updated in 2024.

The post Must-Have Activity Books To Pack for Vacation appeared first on Brightly.

These 16 activity books for kids are a fun way to keep them busy and entertained in wintry weather.

no no 9780593582404 The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Coloring Placemats by Eric Carle

Keep your child occupied during mealtimes with these interactive placemats featuring your favorite caterpillar. This oversized book contains 40 placemats for little hands to color while waiting for and eating their food. The familiar characters make this a popular choice for tiny artists everywhere.
(Ages 3 – 5)

9780593224557 Time to Play!: A Sticker & Activity Book by Penguin Young Readers Licenses

Fans of the Australian hit TV series Bluey will love joining Bluey and Bingo as they play their favorite games. With a wide variety of activities like coloring, mazes, and stickers, there’s no shortage of fun to be had.
(Ages 3 – 5)

RELATED: All the Best Bluey Books for Young Fans of the Show

no no 9780593814208 Dr. Seuss: Green Eggs and Ham Painting Book by Random House

Young artists will love painting the scenes from one of the most iconic and beloved Dr. Seuss books. It comes with sixteen watercolor wells and a paintbrush so kids can dive right in!
(Ages 3 – 7)

9781662640391 Paper Adventures by Aya Watanabe

Let’s go on a paper adventure! Follow along as two explorers meet a cast of friendly animals and even dive to the bottom of the sea. But in each spread, there is something missing and it is up to little ones to help make the sun brighter, add a trunk to the elephant, or give the crocodile more teeth. Luckily, with pages of colorful paper in the back of the book, small hands can rip and glue shapes to the spreads to complete each scene.
(Ages 4 – 8)

9780593111024 Wreck This Picture Book by Keri Smith

This book will blow kids’ minds. Unlike a typical book, readers are encouraged to explore this picture book through imaginative play. From bending pages to smelling them, the book encourages a reading experience that engages all five senses.
(Ages 5 – 8)

9780744098891 The Met Where Did Van Gogh Go? by DK

Fans of art history and Where’s Waldo? will love searching the scenes in this book to find Van Gogh and other items. Each illustration is inspired by a different artist’s artwork, culture, and location. Readers will search scenes from Japan, New York, and France (among others) to find specific objects.
(Ages 5 – 9)

9781664340091 Color with Stickers: Dinosaurs by Jonny Marx, compiled by Tiger Tales

Creative kids will love coloring with stickers to complete these pictures of dinosaurs! Each picture is created by matching the numbered stickers in the back of the book to the numbers on each picture. Along the way, kids will also learn dozens of fun facts about each dinosaur. Each exciting scene can then be torn out along the perforated edges so kids can showcase their work in their room, on your fridge, or in a gallery!
(Ages 5 – 9)

9781644721285 Joke Puzzles Big Fun Activity Pad created by Highlights

Get ready for some major laughs with this Big Fun Activity Pad! Each laugh-out-loud puzzle and giggle-inducing activity ends in a punchline and will keep kids entertained all winter long.
(Ages 6 – 9)

9781639622924 Cute Cat and Dog Puzzles by Highlights

Seek and find every item in this adorable hidden pictures puzzle book from Highlights! Animal lovers of all ages will enjoy searching through and coloring these cute scenes of dogs and cats as they find hidden objects.
(Ages 6 – 9)

9781536231427 How to Make a Picture Book by Elys Dolan

Aspiring picture book authors will find everything they need to create their first book! With creative exercises, tips, and advice, children will learn how to write and illustrate a picture book in this step-by-step guide.
(Ages 6 – 9)

9781639622528 Rainbow Neon Hidden Pictures by Highlights

Use the included neon markers to color each magical sticker and scene in this hidden picture book! With silly illustrations and vibrant colors to use, this book is the perfect quiet-time activity for kids.
(Ages 6 – 9)

9780593840511 How to Be a Fashion Designer by Lesley Ware

Little fashionistas will find plenty of inspiration and instruction in this updated how-to book. Kids will learn how to put together an outfit, accessorize, and embellish their wardrobe. With lots of hands-on activities and advice, this book is perfect for kids wanting to dive into the fashion world.
(Ages 7 – 9)

RELATED: Unique Workbooks To Capture Every Kid’s Attention

no no 9780593841952 LEGO Minecraft Ideas by Shari Last and Julia March

Break out your block collection because these Minecraft-inspired building ideas will keep your kids busy for hours. With the instructions in this book, kids can create characters and scenes from the game, like a roaming zombie, a tiny library, and a micro sky island.
(Ages 7 – 9)

9781944515904 Learn to Letter with Luna the Llama by Chalkfulloflove, illustrated by Kelsey Davis

In this creative book, Luna the Llama and friends teach kids the basics of lettering and calligraphy with traceable worksheets and fun projects. Eight- to 12-year-olds will improve their handwriting and learn a fun way to make homemade cards, signs, and school supplies a little bit fancier.
(Ages 8 – 12)

9780593658666 Try Not to Laugh Mad Libs by Gabriella Degennaro

I dare you not to laugh as you fill in the blanks in these hilarious stories! This rib-tickling edition will have you in stitches as you read and act out jokes and silly stories. It’s the perfect way to pass the time on a cold winter day.
(Ages 8 – 12)

9780593847961 Brain Booster Stars and Planets by DK

The Brain Booster series is a fantastic way for kids to explore the world around them as they learn through doing. Each page of this book covers detailed information about our solar system and features a space activity, including puzzles, code-breakers, matching games, word searches, and more. Don’t miss the other books in this series that cover topics like dinosaurs, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the human body!
(Ages 8 – 12)

You might also like:

• Boredom-Busting Activity Books for Kids
• STEM Activity Books for Your Middle Grade Brainiac
• 19 Chapter Books With Free Printable Activities

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2020 and updated in 2024.

The post 16 Activity Books To Keep Your Kids Occupied This Winter appeared first on Brightly.

This list of stocking stuffer ideas features everything from book-related games that support literacy programs around the world to innovative, adorable miniature-sized books that your loved ones are sure to adore.

no no 9780744050202 Little Chunkies: Animals in the Ocean by DK

Board books make excellent stocking stuffers, and this one will delight your baby’s curious little hands. They will get to explore the ocean with rhyming text, colorful artwork, and raised elements on each page.

9780593115411 Penguin Minis: Puffin in Bloom Boxed Set https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/612289/penguin-minis-puffin-in-bloom-boxed-set-by-various/

What could be better than a boxed set of beloved classics? I’ll tell you what: a complete and unabridged mini set with an absolutely gorgeous design by Rifle Paper Co.’s Anna Bond. As cute as can be, this set of Anne of Green Gables, Heidi, and A Little Princess features three beautiful books that can be held in one hand and are the perfect size to fit into a purse or pocket.

9780593436035 Knock-Knock Jokes and Silly Stories for Kids by May B. Gigglin, illustrated by Jeremy Nguyen

This right here is the ultimate knock-knock joke book for kids. Packed with hundreds of jokes and silly stories, it’ll keep your little comedian going for hours.

no no 9780593235263 Grumpy Monkey Party Time! Puzzle by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang

Kids who enjoy puzzles will love this shaped jigsaw puzzle of Jim Panzee’s scowling face. With 50 large pieces, this colorful puzzle is the perfect stocking stuffer for kids ages three and up.

9780593126196 Random Minis: Dear Martin https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/617489/random-minis-dear-martin-by-nic-stone/ by Nic Stone

This pocket-sized edition of Nic Stone’s Dear Martin is perfect for teens. Justyce is a good kid — an honor student on his way to an Ivy League college. But despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he finds himself being caught between two worlds — unsure of where he belongs. He begins writing a journal to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to see if his teachings still hold true in this compelling and important read that tackles racial injustice.

9781984822932 Duck & Goose Matching Game by Tad Hills

This adorable matching game features your child’s favorite storytime duo—Duck and Goose! Children will match characters and scenes from the bestselling book series, strengthening their memory and recognition skills. This pint-sized game is perfect for slipping into a stocking.

no no 9780593135266 Leo Lionni’s Friends Go Fish Card Game by Leo Lionni

Go fishing with the adorable characters from Leo Lionni’s books! Each oversized card contains a number and a book character, making it easy for most school-age children to play. The deck includes 52 cards and instructions for two additional games: Snap and Concentration.

9780525555766 Penguin Minis: John Green Box Set by John Green

The ultimate gift for John Green lovers! This mini boxed set features the complete Penguin Minis editions of four modern classics by the bestselling YA author: Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, and The Fault in Our Stars. The revolutionary landscape design and ultra-thin paper make it easy to hold these books in one hand without sacrificing readability.

9780593436127 Funniest Illustrated Jokes for Kids! by Jeremy Nguyen

When it comes to irresistible stocking stuffer ideas, you can’t go wrong with a joke book for kids! An illustration accompanies each family-friendly and age-appropriate joke, pun, and punch-line. You and your kid will have plenty of reasons to smile.

no no 9780744048230 Marvel Spider-Man Pocket Expert by Catherine Saunders

Superhero enthusiasts will be thrilled to find this pocket-sized book about Spiderman in their stocking. Fun facts about Spiderman and the Spiderverse fill each page, making it an excellent on-the-go resource for kids. Other books in this series include Star Wars Jedi Pocket Expert and Jurassic World Pocket Expert.

9780593126080 Random Minis: Everything, Everything https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/240386/random-minis-everything-everything-by-nicola-yoon/ by Nicola Yoon

In Everything, Everything, Maddy is literally allergic to the outside world. Olly moves in next door and becomes the greatest risk she’s ever taken. This tiny version of the book is perfect for readers who just can’t put it down – it will fit just as easily into their pocket as it did into their stocking.

9780593196793 Would You Rather? Made You Think! Edition by Lindsey Daly

Keep your kids entertained during the winter break with this hilarious book of “would you rather?” questions. It makes kids laugh, think, and get creative. The entire family will love asking and answering the giggle-worthy questions.

9780593126172 Random Minis: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

Perfect Mexican daughters do not go away to college or move out or abandon their family. But Julia is not your perfect Mexican daughter. When her perfect sister Olga dies in a tragic accident, Julia is left to pick up the pieces and eventually uncover the truth about her sister. This mini edition of the novel is great for the people on your list who love to read everywhere.

9781465490988 Pocket Genius: Cats by DK

Cat-loving kids will spend hours poring over the photos and facts about felines in this pocket-sized book. The small dimensions and info-packed pages make this book perfect for topping off a stocking, road trips, and on-the-go entertainment.

no no 9780593520000 Stranger Things Mad Libs by Gabriella DeGennaro

Tweens and teens who can’t get enough of Stranger Things will love finding this Mad Libs book in their stocking! Fill in the blanks and make hilarious stories about the characters and monsters from the show. It will make winter break fly by in no time.

9780593435953 Guided Tarot for Teens by Stefanie Caponi

If tarot interests your teen, this guidebook is a must-have. Adapted from the author’s book for adults, Guided Tarot, this book teaches teens each card’s meaning and how to read them. It encourages teens to tap into their intuition and personal authority to find guidance and answers to their questions.

9780593387535 Black Internet Effect by Shavone Charles, illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky

Shavone Charles offers insight and inspiration in this compact book about making space for yourself and others. She tells her personal history and how she worked up to becoming an executive at Google and Twitter. Teens looking for positive role models and self-made successes will enjoy reading her story.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2022.

The post Irresistible Stocking Stuffers for Kids and Teens appeared first on Brightly.

But then I remind her that historical fiction only means that you’re reading a book that takes place in the past. It doesn’t force you to learn things (I leave out the “…but you will” part). It doesn’t mean dry and boring. It doesn’t mean you’ll have nothing in common with the characters. On the contrary, it makes you realize that some things — especially coming-of-age things — don’t change much with the passage of time.

The 16 books below are great examples of moving historical fiction for tweens that will connect them with the past and make them empathize with characters who aren’t so different from them after all.

no no 9780823450398 In The Tunnel by Julie Lee

During the Korean War, a young boy named Myung-gi grapples with caring for his mother and younger sister after his father gets arrested. With his country embroiled in a devastating war, uncertainty and hardship surround Myung-gi. He will do whatever it takes to survive, find his father, and protect his family. His emotional story is both harrowing and inspiring. If your kid loves this book, pick up the companion novel, Brother’s Keeper.

9780593406601 A Seed in the Sun by Aida Salazar

Aida Salazar’s historical novel about a young farm worker introduces readers to the fight for worker’s rights in 1965 California. Lula spends her days caring for her family and working at a vineyard. When the farm workers go on strike, Lula must choose between the meager but steady income her job offers and the opportunity for something more.

9780735228528 The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani

Keep a box of tissues nearby as you read this Newbery Honor-winning novel about a girl who must leave her home behind during India’s partition in 1947. With her country divided, Nisha’s father decides they must leave Pakistan. Together, Nisha and her father embark on a journey filled with sorrow, hope, and new beginnings. 

9780593174371 Soul Lanterns by Shaw Kuzki

We often learn about historical events from a one-sided perspective, but there are two sides (or more) to every story. This book gives readers a glimpse into the effects of World War II on Japan, especially the bombing of Hiroshima. As 12-year-old Nozomi learns about that day, she also learns about family, loneliness, loss, war, and peace. 

9780593378663 Come See the Fair by Gavriel Savit

Spirits, mystery, and the World’s Fair in Chicago combine into an unforgettable novel that historical fiction lovers will devour. This story transports readers back to 1893 and follows young medium Eva Root as she travels to Chicago and gets tangled in a web of magic, deceit, and sinister plots. 

9780399545214 A Crack in the Sea by H. M. Bouwman

Three sets of siblings and their stories collide in this gorgeous, fairytale-like historical fantasy novel. Whether they’re rescuing a kidnapped brother, escaping a slave ship, or fleeing a war-torn country, each character heads for the crack in the sea — a portal to another realm. Readers who enjoy magic and adventure will love this book!

9780593372791 The Bluest Sky by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

This fascinating novel about escaping communist Cuba is based on the author’s relatives’ experiences in 1980. The Cuban government designates one day for citizens to leave the country if they wish, and Héctor’s mother wants to flee to the United States. But leaving is a perilous, one-way street with no guarantees of freedom. Kids will sit on the edge of their seats while reading this gripping story. 

9780399545467 Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson

Remember Us is an inspiring middle grade tale set during a memorable summer. As Sage prepares to start 7th grade, the houses in her Brooklyn neighborhood keep burning down. In the midst of this, she strikes up a friendship with Freddy, a newcomer to the area. Together, they bond over basketball and explore the aftermath of the fires while learning about the unstoppable passage of time.

9781101993880 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

This classic historical novel is the most well-known installment in the Logan Family Saga. It’s about a girl named Cassie who faces injustice and racism during the Great Depression. Memorable characters and vivid prose create a reading experience that stays with you long after you’ve finished the book. Readers who enjoy this novel should also check out the rest of the award-winning 10-part series.

9781984837370 The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman

This heartfelt adventure novel about two Jewish girls after the Chernobyl power plant explosion combines family secrets, war, and friendship. Valentina and Oksana leave home to stay with Valentina’s grandmother in Leningrad. The girls must lean on each other as they learn about the lies and secrets their families kept from them. This powerful, award-winning novel is a must-read!

9780147510488 The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

When World War II comes to London, Ada and her younger brother Jamie get sent out of the city to live in the countryside. The siblings feel relieved to get away from their cruel mother, and they find a loving home with a woman named Susan. But the evacuation program was supposed to be temporary. If they have to return to their mother in London, Ada and Jamie could lose the peace and happiness they found.

9780375859083 Woods Runner https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/196874/woods-runner-by-gary-paulsen/ by Gary Paulsen

Thirteen-year-old Samuel spends his days hunting for food for his family. He has grown up on the frontier in colonial America, with no news of the war that has been started by American patriots. But the war comes to them when British soldiers and Iroquois attack, and Samuel’s parents are taken as prisoners. Determined to rescue them, Samuel follows and learns that he must go deep into enemy territory to find his parents: all the way to British headquarters in New York City. Woods Runner touches on the tragedy and horrors of war while keeping violence off the page.

9780525555599 My Own Lightning by Lauren Wolk

Readers who loved the Newbery Honor-winning novel Wolf Hollow will love the sequel. The story picks up a few months later, with Annabelle still recovering from the bullying she experienced. Now, with a missing dog to find and an old rival returning, Annabelle learns that life and people are more complicated than she thought.

9780141305950 The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood

Widge is a 14-year-old orphan in Elizabethan England. His fearsome master, a theater manager, orders Widge to steal Shakespeare’s unpublished play “Hamlet” — or else. Widge has no choice but to follow orders, so he works his way into the Globe Theatre and becomes friends with Shakespeare’s players along the way. While rich in period detail and colorful characters, the story comes down to friendship — something tweens from any time period can connect with.

9780525645535 White Bird: A Wonder Story (A Graphic Novel) by R. J. Palacio

Readers everywhere have fallen for this graphic novel from the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Wonder. It follows Julian’s grandmother as a young Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied France. With full-color artwork and interesting characters, this story is a beautiful tale of friendship in the face of peril.

9780593126318 Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm and Savanna Ganucheau

Kids who prefer reading graphic novels will enjoy this adaptation of Jennifer L. Holm’s modern classic. Follow Turtle as she adapts to life in Florida with her cousins, has adventures, makes friends, and learns family secrets. This heartwarming book is an excellent way to transport young readers into the past.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2024.

The post 16 Moving & Emotive Historical Novels for Tweens appeared first on Brightly.

no no 9780593351857 PAWS: Gabby Gets It Together by Nathan Fairbairn, illustrated by Michele Assarasakorn

This fun graphic novel series is perfect for fans of The Baby-Sitters Club! It’s about a group of three best friends who start a dog-walking service and quickly realize running a business is much harder than it seems. Between differences in opinion and a massive dog crisis, their business — and their friendship — is in trouble. Luckily, with a bit of problem-solving, the girls save the day.

9781644735923 Tumble by Celia C. Pérez

When Addie’s stepdad proposes adopting her, it stirs up questions about her biological father. After finding a photo of him hidden in her mom’s stuff, Addie wants to learn more about him. Her journey leads her to a New Mexico ranch and a family full of legendary luchadores. She grows closer and closer to her paternal family, but can she rely on her dad?

9780593111185 Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff

Rising sixth-grader Annabelle expects the new school year to be the same old boring story. But things change when a nonbinary student moves to town. For starters, Annabelle develops her first crush. Then, her dad reveals he is trans, and Annabelle realizes her community is not the warm and welcoming place she thought it was. And she decides to fight back.

9780593376072 Pizza and Taco: Too Cool for School by Stephen Shaskan

Pizza and Taco — the coolest best buds — are back in their fourth hilarious graphic novel. It’s the start of the school year, and the friends know they will be the coolest snacks in class. And then they meet B.L.T. He is so cool but seems to have a different definition of what that means. Soon, the two friends find themselves in trouble and wonder if being cool is worth it.

9781524701284 Holler of the Fireflies by David Barclay Moore

When Javari signed up for a STEM camp in a tiny Appalachian town, he knew it wouldn’t be anything like Brooklyn. He expected to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math during his summer in West Virginia. He didn’t expect to learn about racism or rich people or to have his entire world shaken up by his new friend, Cricket.

9780593429464 The Area 51 Files by Julie Buxbaum, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

The first book in a new sci-fi/mystery series, The Area 51 Files follows Sky, a girl sent to live with her mysterious uncle in Area 51. With super tight security and no contact with the outside world, Sky’s new home is a big adjustment. For one thing, there are aliens (called Break Throughs). But then, a few Break Throughs go missing the day Sky arrives — making her and her uncle prime suspects.

9780593325797 The Ice Cream Machine by Adam Rubin

This hilarious book is a collection of six stories called “The Ice Cream Machine.” Each story is set in a different world with unique protagonists and features an illustration by a different artist. Kids will adore this weird and silly book! Even better, the book’s dust jacket can be turned into an envelope so kids can mail their own “The Ice Cream Machine” story to Rubin.

9780593354391 Thirst by Varsha Bajaj

Minni finds herself part of two separate worlds. She lives in a poor section of Mumbai where it’s hard to get water. Restricted access, long lines, and thieves make the process even more difficult. But Minni also works in a high-rise where access to water is unrestricted — there’s even a swimming pool! When she realizes a member of the water mafia lives in the building, she has to decide whether to risk her life and expose him.

9780593436028 The Ultimate Riddle Game for Kids by Zeitgeist

Kids who love a challenge will be huge fans of this book! From math to wordplay, it provides hours of brain-teasing fun. Play alone or play with a group as the riddles get more difficult with each chapter.

9780593383490 King of the Ice #1 by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Wayne Spencer

The first book in a spinoff of the Jada Jones series, King of the Ice centers on Miles Lewis. A big fan of sports and science, you would think a field trip to an ice skating rink for a physics lesson would make Miles ecstatic. But Miles has never ice skated before, and his friend RJ bets he can’t do it without falling. Determined to win but distracted by upsetting news about his grandma, can Miles do it?

9780593376478 Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends by Francine Pascal, illustrated by Claudia Aguirre, adapted by Nicole Andelfinger

Fun for kids and super nostalgic for their parents, the crew from Sweet Valley goes to middle school in this new graphic novel adaptation! Jessica and Elizabeth’s relationship takes a new twist when they start middle school. The twins have always been inseparable, but they suddenly realize they have different interests. What will these significant changes do to their relationship?

9780593643464 Unstoppable Us, Volume 1: How Humans Took Over the World by Yuval Noah Harari, illustrated by Ricard Zaplana Ruiz

This one is for nonfiction lovers! Historian and philosopher Yuval Noah Harari takes readers on a journey through human history to explain how we’ve become the most powerful creatures on the planet. Starting with making fires and using stars to guide us, he shows how we got to where we are today.

9780593204887 Fibbed by Elizabeth Agyemang

Nana tells wild stories that she swears are true. But when a bizarre explanation leads to trouble, her parents send her to Ghana for the summer. Nana is not happy. Her life takes a strange turn when she meets Ananse, the trickster spider of Ghanaian lore. Nana soon learns that the forest around her family’s village is magical and being drained by contractors. Can she, her cousin, her new friend, and Ananse save it?

9780593405352 The Last Kids on Earth: Quint and Dirk’s Hero Quest by Max Brallier, illustrated by Douglas Holgate

Picking up after The Last Kids on Earth and the Doomsday Race (the seventh book in The Last Kids on Earth series), this story follows best friends Quint and Dirk on their own adventure. With new monsters that affect the future and essential details coming to light for the series, fans will not want to miss this installment!

9780593226124 Alien Summer #1 by James S. Murray and Carsen Smith

A summer full of aliens, high-tech gadgets, and defending Area 51 (where her mom is the Director) is not the relaxing vacation Viv had in mind. Still, when aliens escape from a secret base underneath Area 51, she teams up with friends and her crush to save the day. This is the first book in what will be an exciting new series.

9780593325421 Map of Flames (The Forgotten Five, Book 1) by Lisa McMann

The first book in an adventurous new series, Map of Flames follows five kids with supernatural powers. They have lived in isolation on a tropical island all their lives after their parents were forced into hiding. Their parents disappear one by one, and when the remaining parent dies, his daughter finds a map and a note to go back to the city to find her mom. When they do, the kids get thrown into a world with modern technology where being supernatural is a crime.

9780593479421 Futureland: Battle for the Park by H.D. Hunter, illustrated by Khadijah Khatib

Cam is excited about the grand opening of his parents’ new flying theme park in Atlanta. Futureland is famous. You can take a walk inside your favorite video game, perform live on stage, and more. This new location outshines them all — until things go wrong. With major glitches and missing kids, Cam’s parents are getting blamed. Can he get to the bottom of it before it’s too late?

9780593465721 Be Real, Macy Weaver by Lakita Wilson

When Macy’s mom proposes a big move so she can go to college, Macy is ready for a change. She wants a fresh start after a friend breakup, but her new life isn’t what she expected. To combat her loneliness, she needs to find a new best friend. Brynn seems like the perfect candidate — except that she already has a best friend. Macy tells an itty bitty lie to make herself seem more exciting, and things snowball from there. Ultimately, she has to fix her mess and learn to be true to herself.

The post The Best Middle Grade & Chapter Books of 2022 appeared first on Brightly.

I’m not sure why this book grabs even the most reluctant readers. Maybe it’s the way it breaks the fourth wall or the novelty of a book being about a book. It might be the nonsense words or how the person reading it aloud sounds completely ridiculous. Whatever it is, kids and parents alike frequently name The Book with No Pictures a favorite.

The books below use some of the same strategies to engage readers and might end up next to The Book with No Pictures on your favorites list.

no no 9780593385784 Bad Drawer by Seth Fishman, illustrated by Jessixa Bagley, Armand Baltazar, Anna Bond, Seth Fishman, Travis Foster, Jessica Hische, Tillie Walden, and Ethan Young

Like Novak’s book, this one starts with mostly text and directly addresses the reader. It’s about a character who has a fantastic story idea but cannot draw. His attempts at drawing will start the giggles that last for the rest of the story. In the end, he collaborates with his friends to bring his idea to life.

9780593326060 I Don’t Want to Read This Book by Max Greenfield, illustrated by Mike Lowery

This book by Max Greenfield is for the most reluctant readers in The Book with No Pictures fandom. Told mostly through text, the story lists the reasons the narrator does not want to read. Kids may nod their heads in agreement at first, but as the book continues, they’ll be in stitches as they realize they can’t stop reading this goofy book.

9780593116845 Have You Seen This Book? by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Tom Booth

Another book that breaks the fourth wall, Have You Seen This Book? begins with a narrator searching for his favorite book. He asks the reader if they’ve seen it, going into more and more detail with every page turn—until the reader realizes they’re holding his lost book!

9780593116814 Please Don’t Read This Book by Deanna Kizis, illustrated by Sam Boughton

This book reels kids in by daring them not to follow its rules. “So please don’t do any of the cool and awesome things this book tells you NOT to do, because then you’ll have WAY too much fun,” the concerned-looking narrator says in the opening pages. He then tells kids not to make fart noises, silly faces, and more.

9781524791896 No One Likes a Fart by Zoe Foster Blake, illustrated by Adam Nickel

Speaking of fart noises, I’m pretty sure nothing can make kids (and adults) laugh more than a fart joke. This book is the silly story of a fart who wants to make a friend but has a hard time—seeing as he’s pretty stinky.

9780593354865 Counting to Bananas by Carrie Tillotson, illustrated by Estrela Lourenço

Going back to books about books, Counting to Bananas features a banana who wants to be the star of his book and argues with the narrator. It is quick-witted and features (mostly) rhyming text with laugh-out-loud interjections and a hilarious, unexpected ending.

9780451469458 Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book) by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Tim J. Miller

This is another book that features a sparring main character and narrator. Snappsy is going about his day, but the narrator makes things sound far more exciting than they are. Throughout the story, the two keep trying to one-up each other until, like in Counting to Bananas, it comes to a surprising, comical conclusion.

9781984849021 Find Fergus by Mike Boldt

In Find Fergus, the narrator tries to help an eager, bespectacled brown bear play hide-and-seek. But Fergus is really, really bad at hiding, so the narrator gives him tips and tricks for hiding effectively. Readers will giggle as Fergus tries to hide behind a skinny tree, in a crowd of little bunnies and squirrels, in a group of polar bears, and more.

The post Books for Fans of <i>The Book with No Pictures</i> appeared first on Brightly.

When I was a tween, I loved reading mysteries because they combine all those things. They require clever protagonists who piece together clues while taking on something big and bad — and getting home in time for dinner. I found mystery stories exciting and empowering.

If you have a young reader in your life who likes suspense and deciphering clues (and maybe a little snooping), these 14 books will be a hit.

no no 9781368110419 Billions to Burn by Taylor Banks

Zeus’s grandfather has always told far-fetched stories about an old magazine that contained a secret treasure map. Nobody believed him, but when he goes missing and Zeus discovers the fabled map, he finds himself on a whirlwind adventure filled with mystery, history, and hidden treasure.

9780593837955 Puzzle Sleuth by Paul Westmoreland

Kids can put their sleuthing skills to the test with this interactive puzzle book that contains three fictional murder mysteries to solve. Readers must follow the clues, solve logic puzzles, and choose which path to take. This Choose Your Own Adventure-style book is perfect for kids who love to read and reread their favorite stories.

9781536241662 Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum by Alasdair Beckett-King, illustrated by Claire Powell

Bonnie Montgomery is a regular 10-year-old girl. But when she dons a bristly mustache, beret, and trench coat, she becomes the brilliant detective, Montgomery Bonbon. When someone at the local museum dies under suspicious circumstances, Montgomery Bonbon is on the case! Readers who like a hefty dose of humor with their mystery will love this hilarious series.

9781536239812 The Pear Affair by Judith Eagle, illustrated by Jo Rioux

Follow Nell and her friend Xavier as they race around Paris, looking for Nell’s old au pair, Pear. The kids follow clues, interview neighbors, and uncover a shocking secret about the city. Young readers who love food, fashion, and travel will enjoy this suspenseful and entertaining mystery novel.

9781774885550 Mystery of the Haunted Dance Hall by Charis Cotter

When Bee first arrives at summer camp, she doesn’t fit in with the other kids. But she befriends another girl named Zippy, and the two investigate strange happenings at the camp. With the older girls sneaking out every night and eerie music floating around the woods, Bee and Zippy will get their fair share of thrills and chills this summer.

9780593754009 Horse Camp by Carrie Seim, illustrated by Steph Waldo

Willa and her friends head to horse camp for the summer in this follow-up graphic novel to Horse Girl. When a horse mysteriously disappears from camp, everyone starts pointing fingers. With a tumultuous storm rolling in, Willa must figure out who is behind the horse-napping, find the missing steed, and set things right.

9780593690772 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Marshmallow Tower by Eric Sobol, illustrated by John Joseph, created by Donald J. Sobol

If you loved the original Encyclopedia Brown stories, your kids will enjoy this reboot of the classic series. Readers will follow Encyclopedia as he sets up a detective agency in his garage and tackles ten all-new mysteries. From stolen skateboards to missing diamonds, Encyclopedia expertly tackles every case that comes his way.

9780525552864 Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz

Jamila and Shirley both hate their moms’ summer camp plans. When they meet at a neighborhood tag sale, they decide to join forces and pretend to be friends, so their moms will let them create a new summer plan. But when Jamila discovers Shirley is secretly the neighborhood’s number one detective, she also realizes she’s not so bad at crime-solving either. The girls partner up in this fun graphic novel whodunit about friendship, forgiveness, and growing up.

9781984815330 Tornado Brain by Cat Patrick

Frankie is neurodivergent and has a tough time making friends. She had one friend — Colette — but not anymore. When Colette vanishes after an unexpected visit to Frankie’s house, and it seems Frankie was the last person to see her, Frankie becomes convinced that her ex-friend left clues for her to follow. She persuades her sister to help her unravel the clues and find Colette before it’s too late.

9780425291863 The Mystery of the Moon Tower by Francesco Sedita and Prescott Seraydarian, illustrated by Steve Hamaker

Fans of the Last Kids on Earth and Lumberjanes series, will love this intriguing story about five friends who uncover the secrets of their hometown, Windrose. During their summer camp, they stumbled upon an old film that shed light on the town’s history and the camp’s founder, Henry Merriweather, who was an explorer and inventor. As they follow a shaky path they eventually discover Merriweather’s old and illustrious castle, where time is distored. Will they be able to find their way back to their own time?

9780593350539 Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

Enola Holmes is the quintessential middle grade mystery. It features a teenage girl (who is Sherlock Holmes’ little sister) who takes matters into her own hands when her mother goes missing, and no one can figure out where she went. After outwitting her brothers and caretakers, she heads to London to look for her mom but ends up in the middle of a second mystery — the kidnapping of a marquess.

9781984893048 Fast Pitch by Nic Stone

Shenice loves baseball and dreams of playing professionally one day. She’s also the captain of the Fulton Firebirds, one of the few all-black girl’s baseball teams. The team works hard to defend their place on the field, but Shenice’s focus gets disrupted when her great-uncle reveals a shocking family secret. Can she cope with the revelations and maintain her position as captain of the team?

9780525516880 Kingston and the Magician’s Lost and Found by Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi

Kingston’s dad, a magician, disappeared into a mirror during a magic show four years ago. When he and his mom return to Echo City, Brooklyn, and his dad’s childhood home, Kingston begins a quest to solve the mystery of his missing father. But when he finds a magic box, Kingston accidentally opens a portal into the Realm and has to scramble to save his father and bring magic back to Echo City before it’s too late.

9780593533253 The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln, illustrated by Claire Powell

The Swift family has a quirky tradition that every newborn child is named after a word from the Sacred Family Dictionary. Then Shenanigan was born! And she’s determined to defy her name and become the best detective her family has ever seen. With her sharp mind and quick wit, she is on a mission to uncover the truth about Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude’s unfortunate fall. Join Shenanigan on her hilarious journey to prove that she can be whoever she wants to be, regardless of the name she was given at birth.

9781536219104 The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel by Sheela Chari

Follow Mars in this galactic mission to locate his missing friend Aurora. Drawing from his past experience of searching for his father as a child, Mars enlists the help of his intelligent friends to embark on this adventure. Along the way, a prominent podcaster starts providing them with clues, but they soon realize there is more to the situation than meets the eye.

9780142406113 Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Everyone says his uncle died in a car accident, but bullet holes tell Alex Rider a different story. He finds out his uncle was a spy, and when M16 sees his potential, Alex gets recruited and armed with various gadgets to help find his uncle’s killers. The first book in the Alex Rider series, Stormbreaker, is like a teenage James Bond.

9780593112298 The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family by Sarah Kapit

This novel centers on two autistic sisters and their evolving relationship. When Caroline starts middle school, Lara thinks she will show her the ropes, but Caroline wants to begin this new chapter in her own way. She makes a new friend (who Lara finds questionable) and doesn’t even want to join FIASCCO (Finkel Investigation Agency Solving Consequential Crimes Only), Lara’s new detective agency. Lara starts snooping around and uncovers family secrets. She notices that Caroline, who communicates via an app on her tablet, texts her new friend nonstop, and Lara wants to know what is going on. Things start to spiral out of control, but will Lara and Caroline be able to make amends?

9781484711873 Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty

Settle in for a grand tale about the grandest of all Gilded Age homes built in America: the Biltmore Estate, the legendary home of George Vanderbilt. The story of a young girl who must decide whether she has the courage to emerge from a hidden life to save others is told as a southern gothic mystery with a ghostly, suspenseful vibe.

9780307931474 Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Movie Tie-In Edition by Chris Grabenstein

Full of laugh-out-loud scenes and mind-bending puzzles, this first book in the Mr. Lemoncello’s Library series follows a group of 11-year-olds who try to work their way out of an elaborate escape room. Mr. Lemoncello is a famous game maker who designed a new library with an extra-special opening night. The winners of an essay contest get locked in and have to work through clues and puzzles to find their way out.

9780593202913 Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur Bradley, illustrated by Xavier Bonet

This fun and chilling mystery story starts with an invitation to an all-expenses-paid weekend at the Barclay Hotel. JJ is thrilled because the hotel is one of the most haunted places in Colorado, and he plans to bring his ghost-hunting gear. But when they get to the hotel, they realize they are smack in the middle of a murder mystery — and everyone is hiding something. JJ and his new friends Penny and Emma are determined to find the killer … and hunt some ghosts along the way.

You might also like:

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• Books for Fans of We Were Liars

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2025.

The post Must-Read Mystery Books for Tweens appeared first on Brightly.

“What if you try this?”

“It’s not that bad. I bet no one noticed.”

“Why don’t you tell her how you feel?”

But sometimes, things can’t be fixed. And other times, your kids don’t want you to fix things. In fact, jumping in and trying to resolve things can make the situation worse (almost sixteen years into this whole parenting thing, and I’m still trying to learn this). Sometimes, you just have to sit with them as they weather the storm.

A Blue Kind of Day by psychologist Rachel Tomlinson tackles this subject — as well as depression and sensory awareness — in a way that is helpful for readers of all ages.

Coen is having a really “blue” day. He feels “like a lost kite: loose in the breeze, with feelings that tangled like string.” His body feels tense and heavy and full of gloom. Unable to do anything but tuck himself under a blanket, his family becomes concerned. First, they try to make him feel better. Dad invites him outside to play catch, remarking that he feels better when he gets outdoors. Mom tells a funny joke. His little sister Junie shows him his favorite teddy bear. None of it helps. Coen just rolls over to face the wall.

His family doesn’t give up. Instead, they shift their perspective. Rather than trying to “fix” Coen’s mood, they snuggle in with him and wait it out. They know that “feelings cannot be rushed” and that his “blue feelings would not last forever.” So, they sit and wait.

Slowly but surely, Coen notices positive changes in his body as he moves from “prickly, tense, and wound up like a coil” to feeling warmth spread through him. As he emerges from his blue feelings, his family follows his cues and responds in the ways that he needs.

Coen’s family goes from trying to change his mood to accepting his emotions and supporting him. This shift allows him to get through it and brings them closer together.

Tori-Jay Mordey’s digital illustrations add another layer of emotion to the story, as each character (including Coen’s teddy bear!) wears their emotions on their faces. You can feel Coen’s despair through the pout of his lips and the heaviness of his eyes. His family’s concern is apparent as you look at their scrunched-up eyebrows. Even his little sister goes from jumping joyfully to hunched over with worry in a single spread.

The illustrations combine with the simple, relatable language to make this the perfect book to talk to kids about big feelings (both what they look like and what they feel like) and model ways to support loved ones when they feel sad. It pairs well with Cori Doerrfeld’s The Rabbit Listened, which shares similar themes.

no no 9780593324011 A Blue Kind of Day by Rachel Tomlinson, illustrated by Tori-Jay Mordey

The post <i>A Blue Kind of Day</i> Tackles Big Feelings and Empathetic Support appeared first on Brightly.

Oh, she’s hungry, I’d say. They’d look at me quizzically.

Sounds like she needs a new diaper!

Hold on, we need to burp her.

Once she was a bit older, my panic shifted.

I can feed her, clean her, entertain her. But how do I make sure she doesn’t grow up to be a jerk?

This question has proved much more difficult. But, I have one strategy that has helped me out in countless situations — reading books.

Books are my favorite way to start Big Conversations. If you want to teach your children about kindness, empathy, and making the world a better place, the best place to start (after modeling the behavior yourself) is a good book.

Books allow you to begin with a wide lens before narrowing in on specifics. Instead of saying “you should do this” or “you should feel that,” reading a story allows you to melt into someone else’s worldview before re-examining it through your own.

The nine children’s books on this list are not the only ones that can help you raise good humans, but they’ll give you an excellent start!

no no 9780525579649 All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

With vibrant illustrations and rhyming sing-song text, All Are Welcome celebrates a safe space where students from diverse backgrounds can come together and be themselves. The children learn, play, and teach each other about their traditions. Building an inclusive community and recognizing diversity as a strength are the central themes of this story — and it’s hard to think of a better message than that.

9780593108673 Calvin by JR Ford and Vanessa Ford, illustrated by Kayla Harren

Inspired by the authors’ transgender son, Calvin is about a boy who introduces himself as the person he has always been — even though the rest of the world didn’t see him that way. When Calvin tells his family he is a boy, they support him and help create a welcoming back-to-school experience that leaves Calvin feeling seen and respected. This book models kindness and empathy as readers feel Calvin’s nervousness and subsequent joy when he realizes his peers and loved ones are open and accepting of his identity.

9780399549083 Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson

Milo and his sister are on a long, boring subway ride, and he is brimming with emotions. To fight his boredom, Milo draws pictures of his fellow passengers and imagines what their lives are like. The man with the whiskers goes home to a messy apartment filled with pets. A woman in a wedding dress goes to a big, fancy wedding. The boy in a suit and immaculate sneakers goes home to a fancy castle where he’s greeted by a butler. But when the boy goes to the same place as Milo and his sister, Milo realizes you can’t judge someone just by looking at them.

9780399246524 Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis

Each Kindness is different from the other books on this reading list. It has a strong anti-bullying message, but it’s told by the child who did the bullying. When a new girl named Maya joins their class, Chloe and her friends refuse to play with her. When Maya stops coming to school, Chloe regrets how she handled things. I love how this book resonates with kids on both sides of bullying. It does not excuse Chloe and her friends’ behavior, nor paint them as evil villains. Chloe is a regular kid who reflects on her mistakes and wishes things ended differently. It offers many opportunities for discussion.

9781644210864 Stories for Kids Who Want to Save the World by Carola Benedetto and Luciana Ciliento, illustrated by Roberta Maddalena Bireau

This book contains 16 biographies of people who felt inspired to become environmental advocates. Subjects range from Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai and agroecologist Pierre Rabhi to Greta Thunberg and Björk. Inspiring and informative, this book provides little readers with real-life examples of people who made a difference.

9780593206263 Just Help! by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Angela Dominguez

Every morning, Sonia’s mother (a nurse) asks her a simple question: How will you help today? Sonia wants to have a suitable answer for Mami’s question — and she wants to help her community too! On this particular morning, Sonia and her classmates create care packages to donate to soldiers overseas. More and more good deeds come from that first one as the entire community joins together to make the world a better place. This book is a fantastic way to show little readers how small actions can lead to significant results.

9780593232651 Different–A Great Thing to Be! by Heather Avis, illustrated by Sarah Mensinga

Macy is like other kids in many ways. She swims, jumps, and takes hip hop classes. But Macy doesn’t talk much, and she takes her time even when everyone else is in a rush. Sometimes, kids are mean when they notice her differences. However, Macy teaches them that being different is not a bad thing. Like most books on this list, Macy’s story is an excellent conversation starter and can help kids appreciate their differences.

9781524766498 We’re All Wonders by R. J. Palacio

After fans asked R. J. Palacio to write a book for younger readers like her bestseller Wonder, she created her picture book debut. We’re All Wonders is a heartfelt book about recognizing and appreciating each other’s differences. It introduces readers to Auggie with simple language and engaging illustrations, pulling them into his experience as people whisper, point, and laugh at him. Readers will relate to his desire to belong, making it a great jumping-off point for conversations about empathy and treating people with kindness.

9781582464503 The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton

Brian feels invisible. No one picks him for their team or invites him to their birthday party. Sometimes, the other kids even exclude him on purpose. When a new kid named Justin joins their class, Brian makes him feel welcome. He draws a picture for Justin after the other kids make fun of his lunch. This small act of kindness leads to a friendship that helps Brian blossom. I love how Brian is depicted in black and white until he feels accepted by his peers. This story and its pictures offer parents and teachers the opportunity to talk with kids about feelings.

The post 9 Children’s Books to Help Raise Good Humans appeared first on Brightly.

Fifth grade sits on the cusp of so many things: it marks the end of elementary school and the beginning of middle school. It’s an in-between zone, right in the middle of being a little kid and teen. And it’s a time when kids should just be kids — and dip their toes into deeper waters, too.

These 18 books include something for everyone: mystery, humor, sports, the intersection of thoughts and feelings, and so much more.

no no 9780593379936 Black Boy Joy edited by Kwame Mbalia

Seventeen Black male and non-binary writers share their stories of Black boyhood in this essential anthology. Authors like Jason Reynolds, Jerry Craft, and Kwame Mbalia share celebratory stories, comics, poems, and more—making it a must-have for every type of reader.

9781984893017 Fast Pitch by Nic Stone

As captain of the only all-Black softball team in the league, Shenice is determined to lead her team to the championship. She gets distracted when she learns her great-grandfather’s baseball career-ending crime might have been a setup. Determined to uncover the truth about her ancestor, her focus on the game slips. Can she clear her great-grandpa’s name and help take home the championship?

9780553509700 Silverworld by Diana Abu-Jaber

Dive into a rich tapestry of Lebanese culture as Sami embarks on a breathtaking adventure to save her sick grandmother. Through the powers of a spell, she is transported to a mysterious world beyond her wildest imagination. But this is no ordinary world — it’s filled with magical creatures, both light and dark, and a sinister plot threatening the very fabric of this enchanting realm. Sami discovers that the devious Shadow Queen Nixie is holding her beloved Grandma Sitti captive. Will Sami be able to muster the courage and strength to rescue her grandmother and restore peace to Silverworld?

9780593111307 The Many Meanings of Meilan by Andrea Wang

After life-changes and encountering injustice Meilan discovers the power of embracing every part of herself. Before, her world revolved around her beloved gradnmother Nai Nai, the bakery in Boston’s Chinatown that they run together, and her love for Chinese fairy tales. When Nai Nai passes away, the family falls apart, and Meilan, her parents, and her grandfather embark on a journey to find a new home. They end up in Redbud, Ohio, a town that couldn’t be more different from Chinatown. Meilan struggles to fit in, and is even given a new name at school in this heart-felt story of self-acceptance.

9780593202913 Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur Bradley, illustrated by Xavier Bonet

A weekend away at a haunted hotel turns into a murder mystery when the guests learn of Mr. Barclay’s demise—and that they are all suspects. Three kids team up to figure out who the culprit is, uncovering secrets about the hotel and its guests along the way. This fun and fast-paced story is an excellent introduction to mystery novels.

9780593179932 The Magic Paintbrush by Kat Zhang and Eric Darnell, illustrated by Phoebe Zhong

When Amy is fed up with feeling lackluster about her recent drawings, she gives her grandmother Lao Lao a visit. There she discovers an ancient paintbrush that brings her creations to life right before her eyes. When her creation Luna begins to roam the streets of her New York City neighborhood, Amy embarks on an exciting journey.

9781984814500 Starfish by Lisa Fipps

This novel in verse is about Ellie, an 11-year-old girl who struggles with self-acceptance after years of fat-shaming. The criticism comes from everywhere: kids at school, her mom, and even strangers. As a result, she tries to fly under the radar and avoids attracting unwanted attention. With a new friend by her side and the support of a few caring adults, can she learn to accept herself?

9780735269064 The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter

When Alice’s parents get divorced, her mom takes a job at Blackwood House as a live-in nurse to a wealthy older woman. After they move into the big, creepy house, things quickly turn strange. First, the housekeeper’s daughter tells her that her bedroom is haunted. Then, they find a dollhouse replica of Blackwood House filled with dolls that look like real girls. Soon, Alice becomes obsessed with solving the mystery of the girls in the dollhouse and what might have happened to them.

9781984830272 Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Lee

Maizy is faced with unexpected change as she learns that Ohio will be her family’s new home. The move is even more challenging as they are the only Asian Americans in their new town. At The Golden Palace, their family restaurant with generations of history, Maizy uncovers some surprising truths. However, with each discovery comes more questions, especially after a beloved family treasure goes missing and a racist note is left behind. Determined to find answers, Maizy embarks on a quest to uncover the truth.

9780525515142 Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson

In this book by National Book Award-winner Jacqueline Woodson, a diverse group of kids meets weekly to talk in a safe, adult-free space. They start off discussing bullying incidents and end up tackling significant, timely issues like immigration, incarceration, race, and identity. This hope-filled book is a fantastic starting point for many essential discussions.

9780735228528 The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani

Told through letters to the mother she lost as a baby, The Night Diary follows 12-year-old Nisha and her dad as they escape from Pakistan in 1947, after India’s partition. Half-Muslim and half-Hindu, home and identity become complicated concepts for Nisha almost overnight.

9781536212587 Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Merci and her brother are not like the other kids at Seaward Pines Academy. While their peers come from wealthy families, Merci and Roli are on scholarship. To complicate matters, Merci must put up with mean girls, boy problems, and friendship drama at school. At home, her grandfather’s behavior becomes erratic, and she knows that her family is keeping a secret from her. While touching on classic middle school issues, this book also tackles classism, family, and culture.

9780763687649 Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K.G. Campbell

Flora and Ulysses is one of my all-time favorite middle grade books. Cynical, comic-loving Flora saves an unsuspecting squirrel from her neighbor’s vacuum — only for the critter to emerge with superpowers. Hilarious and heartfelt, it follows the two unlikely friends on an adventure with comic-style illustrations.

9780142426425 Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Ally never learned to read, but she has always hidden it by causing disruptions in class — until Mr. Daniels sees through her antics and meets her where she’s at. As Ally pushes through her shame and past bullies, her confidence grows, and she realizes she’s more than her dyslexia. This book is an uplifting read—especially for kids who struggle in school.

9781524719371 The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell

No “best of” list for kids is complete without a graphic novel that can pull in reluctant readers. The Cardboard Kingdom is a classic tale about kids being kids. Sixteen children from one neighborhood use cardboard and their imaginations to create an entire world for themselves. Through their play, the kids explore their identities and touch on friendship, divorce, bullying, and so much more.

9780375869020 Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Not quite a decade old, Wonder is already a classic that led to a movie, a graphic novel, and the Choose Kind movement. The story revolves around Auggie, a fifth-grader with a facial difference starting mainstream school for the first time. Told from different points of view, it’s a story of friendship, courage, and kindness.

9780142422069 The Apothecary by Maile Meloy

After abruptly moving from sunny Los Angeles to London during the Cold War, Janie visits her local apothecary for a homesickness cure. The apothecary’s son, Benjamin (who dreams of being a spy) quickly becomes the most exciting thing in her new life. When his dad gets kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin must protect a 700-year-old book from Russian spies, save the apothecary, and prevent a nuclear disaster.

9780142417225 Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

Theo Boone might be only 13, but he dreams of being a lawyer and even gives legal advice to kids at school. But when he gets involved in a murder trial, he must risk everything to expose the truth and deliver justice. The first in a series from John Grisham, this book will catch the attention of mystery lovers and aspiring lawyers alike.

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