Book Recommendations for Kids

From three-time Newbery Honor winner Jennifer L. Holm, a chilling but heartfelt story of a girl being raised in a compound who doesn't understand how isolated and unusual her life is... until she must encounter the outside world.

Whatever you do, don't leave home.

Razzi has always been told: Don't go Outside. It isn't safe. There are people and creatures out there that will harm you. The walls of the Refuge will protect you from them.

Razzi's friend Ollie was curious about Outside... and it led to his death. So Razzi is trying to be on her best behavior. She is the oldest kid left, the one the younger kids look up to. She has to follow the rules.

But Outside has a way of getting in, and Razzi, guided by a dog she has a strangely close connection with, wonders what it's like to run free beyond the walls.

If she steps away from everything she's ever known... what will she find?

NEWBERY HONOR-WINNER

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER * INDIE NEXT PICK * SIX STARRED REVIEWS!

Named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, ALA Booklist, Publishers Weekly, BookPage, The Strategist, Book Riot, and more!

Breathtaking suspense, unforgettable characters, and a pinch of magic combine in the dual stories of two young people--one in 731 China, and one in 1931 Chinatown--on perilous journeys to save their families. An instant classic from the beloved and bestselling author of the Vanderbeekers series.

"A page turner that is at once epic and intimate. This is a must read!" --Lisa Yee, New York Times bestselling author of The Misfits

In ancient Chang'An, Han Yu sells steamed buns in a bustling market full of whispers about his ability to summon tigers.

In New York's Depression-era Chinatown, Luli gazes out from the roof of her parents' restaurant, dreaming of dim sum and Chinese art.

Familiar rhythms rule the contained-but-contented lives of Han Yu and Luli. But when plague strikes Chang'An and financial crisis threatens Luli's family, Han Yu and Luli must each venture out into the larger world--and into danger-filled adventure--to save what they love most. Filled with wondrous caves and conniving thieves, desert storms and magical lakes, Karina Yan Glaser's epic and rewarding novel is a testament to the bravery required to face the unknown and the power of art to connect us through the ages.

"The work of a virtuoso, this is quite simply dazzling and the best book I've read in a long time." --James Ponti, New York Times bestselling author of City Spies

From the best-selling author of the Jumbies series comes
another Afro-Caribbean-inspired story, about three cousins who are called on to use their moko (protector) magic when stolen art goes on the rampage.

Twelve-year-old Misty and her two cousins, Aidan and Brooke, are mokos--protector spirits--who recently combined their magic to save Brooklyn's carnival celebration. Now they're excited about Uncle Andrew's upcoming art exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. He has chosen to create a piece centered around a Benin Bronze, one of several artworks that were looted from Nigeria in 1897, and the cousins are treated to a private tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to help him choose it.

When Misty views the bronzes for the first time, she is transported into a long-ago memory of an oba (king) who was stern and angry. And that's just the beginning of the trouble. Once the selected bronze is delivered from the Met, the Brooklyn Museum is overrun with dust bunnies that attack people. A mysterious force controlling the dust begins to pull innocent victims into artworks and trap them inside. The cousins are going to need a lot of help--BIG help--to defeat this fearsome foe.

Tracey Baptiste, the author of the popular Jumbies series, has once again used her special brand of magic to concoct a wildly imaginative adventure as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.

What would happen if you accidentally bought a doodle worth millions? Edwin Hodge finds out in this middle grade novel by Dan Gutman, bestselling author of My Weird School series.

There were so many things Edwin Hodge didn't know when he paid $10 for a cool poster of Kobe Bryant at the local flea market.

He didn't know that hidden within the frame of the poster was an original drawing by Pablo Picasso, one of the most famous artists in history. He didn't know the Picasso might be worth millions of dollars. He didn't know that kids at school were going to treat him differently, or that he would become a world famous social media superstar. 

And he sure didn't know that people would tap his phone, follow him home, break into his house, or threaten to burn it down. He didn't know the Picasso was going to ruin his life.

Have you ever had to make a decision--a really hard decision? A decision that would change the course of your life from that moment on? Edwin is faced with lots of crucial decisions in this gripping adventure, a blend of fact and fiction by Dan Gutman, an author who says, "I want my readers to think that reading my books is like watching a movie. One where you never know what's going to happen next."

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

From Edgar Award-winning author Margaret Peterson Haddix comes a suspenseful duology opener about a girl whose first phone connects her to a network of time travelers who want to change the world. This New York Times bestseller--now available in paperback--is perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society and City Spies!

When Maisie's mom gives her an old phone, Maisie can't believe her luck--finally, she can keep up with everyone at school! Unfortunately, her mom also tells her that the whole family will be moving to spend the summer taking care of Maisie's great-aunt Hazel. Maisie's only getting a phone because she'll be responsible for her younger siblings during the entire trip. With that, Maisie is ready to give the phone back.

Then the first puzzling text comes in.

Between the mystery texts and a not-completely-blank book from Great-Aunt Hazel, Maisie finds herself thrown into the world of moonleapers. Will she be able to learn more about the secretive group, and--gulp--help them accomplish their crucial mission in time?

In the heart of the great metropolis of New York City, the bright lights of Broadway shine. And down, down, down, beneath a theater known as the Sovereign, there sits a long-forgotten architect's model -- the Sovereign's miniature replica. In this secret space, an adorable troupe of theater mice busily prepare to stage their own show, "Broadway Airs." Among the cast and crew are Emil, the director; Harold, the character actor; Adelaide, the diva; and young Pippin, the intern. Rehearsals are in their usual state of chaos when suddenly the production is threatened by the imminent demolition of the theater and the devastating disappearance of Adelaide. As the clock ticks toward opening night, everyone is worried -- will the little Sovereign survive? How can they pull off the most important night in mouse theater without their star? Somehow, the show must go on!

In this loving spoof of life in the theater, we join a delightful cast, follow a daring adventure, and welcome a brave new hero. This delicious tribute to the Broadway musical is written by two bestselling authors who have firsthand experience of this much-adored world.

A bighearted, compulsively readable novel from acclaimed author Jamie Sumner about new schools, unexpected friendships, and overcoming loss.

Eleven-year-old Lenny Syms is about to start college—sort of. As part of a brand-new experimental school, Lenny and four other students are starting sixth grade on a university campus, where they’ll be taught by the most brilliant professors and given every resource imaginable. This new school is pretty weird, though. Instead of hunkering down behind a desk to study math, science, and history, Lenny finds himself meditating, participating in discussions where you don’t even have to raise your hand, and spying on the campus population in the name of anthropology.

But Lenny just lost his mom, and his Latin professor dad is better with dead languages than actual human beings. Lenny doesn’t want to be part of some learning experiment. He just wants to be left alone. Yet if Lenny is going to make it as a middle schooler on a college campus, he’s going to need help. Is a group of misfit sixth graders and one particularly quirky professor enough to pull him out of his sadness and back into the world?

A whimsical adventure of creativity and teamwork as capybara friends explore bubble tea and celebrate life's simple joys.

Join Capy, Cali, and Cavin, three curious and adorable capybara friends from the peaceful planet Capyzenia, on a whimsical Earth adventure! In this heartwarming tale filled with cute, kawaii art, the trio sets out to create their own bubble tea, learning through fun hands-on experiments and teamwork. The capybaras discover the value of creativity, embracing differences, and cherishing life's simple joys.

This adorable book is perfect for capybara fans and readers who love stories about exploration, making new friends, and celebrating uniqueness.

Featuring engaging educational back matter, readers will discover:
✔️ Fascinating facts about capybaras, the world's largest and most easygoing rodents.
✔️ The rich history of tea, milk tea, and bubble tea, tracing its cultural roots across the world.
✔️ A fun, kid-friendly homemade fruit bubble tea recipe, perfect for young boba lovers to try at home!

This adorable book inspires young minds to embrace creativity, try new things, and savor the little moments that bring us all together.

Set during World War II, a twelve-year-old orphan who accidentally unleashes a shadow monster onto the streets of London must team up with unlikely allies to hunt it down.

“The twists and surprises just keep on coming. My kind of book!"—R.L. Stine, author of Goosebumps and Fear Street

Surviving on the streets of World War II London alone certainly hasn’t been easy, but Nimble Nottingham has perfected the art of going it alone—and that’s just how he likes it. The only friend he needs is his beloved dog, Winnie. To pass the time between rolling blackouts and bombs falling through the air, Nim spends his days fence-climbing, roof-jumping, and gargoyle-perching…that is when he’s not scrounging for food to stave off the ever-present hunger the war has brought to London.

So when opportunity strikes in the form of a bomb falling onto the notoriously creepy Gravenhurst Manor, Nim knows he has to get inside and find whatever spoils he can get his hands on to sell for food. Get in. Get out. Quick as a flash. At least, that was the plan until Mouse—a member of a local street gang called the Dead End Kids—shows up and invites himself along for the heist.

Inside, Mouse and Nim encounter far more than just crumbling walls and shattered windows. Beneath Gravenhurst Manor lies a secret room and inside that room is a locked safe. Nim, inspired by the Hardy Boys adventures he used to read at Waifs and Strays orphanage, knows that something this protected has to be valuable, and so he cracks the safe and unknowingly unleashes a monster.

A shadow creature is now loose on the streets of London, and it’s up to Nim, Mouse, and a band of unattended children to end its reign of terror.

The Ghost Show is coming . . . are you ready Three friends must face their deepest fears in this spine-tingling horror novel by USA Today bestselling author J.W. Ocker that's perfect for fans of R.L. Stine and Mary Downing Hahn.

When mysterious ads for the Ghost Show appear around town, nobody can tell what it is. A band A movie A game But that magic word--ghost--excites Hazel Gold, or Zel to her friends. As founder of her school's Creepy Club (three members strong!), she's always looking for paranormal activity.

Turns out the Ghost Show is a black, five-story skull that appears on the edge of town as a supernatural attraction. Stepping inside, the Creepy Club is greeted by the eccentric Amadeus Everest Mancer, a self-proclaimed ghost catcher who guides them through an aquarium full of vaporous floaty things--sheets that cover gobs of dripping red goo.

Then Mancer offers Zel what she's always wanted: the chance to see a real ghost. But it turns out to be more than she bargained for. To stop him, the Creepy Club must fight a massive ghost infestation and free the trapped souls within, culminating in chilling battle that blurs the line between reality and the supernatural.

Lindsay Currie’s Scritch Scratch meets The School for Invisible Boys in this fun romp of a middle grade novel about a newly dead boy who faces a spooky new school hiding an unearthly mystery.

After an unlucky collision between a coconut and the top of his head, twelve-year-old Finn joins the ranks of the recently deceased…and of the students at Phantom Academy. The academy is a spectral boarding school for underage ghosts finding their footing in the afterlife, and Finn is the new kid at school.

He doesn’t understand why ghosts have to take tests and do homework. Or why making friends doesn’t get any easier even when all the students have a very big thing in common. As the new class of middle schoolers get to know each other, it becomes clear something is happening behind the scenes of their new academy.

Can Finn and his classmates figure out their afterlife and crack the mystery?

An unlikely team of talkative plants, a curious spider, and a grumpy goldfish use their newfound magical abilities to defend their family from a greedy human in this charming middle grade novel from New York Times bestselling author Beth Ferry, with illustrations from the award-winning Fan brothers.

Ivy is the beloved houseplant of young Jillian Tupper of Number 3 Ramshorn Drive, much to the constant dismay of Toasty the goldfish, who is technically the family pet—swimming in his special place of honor, the antique octagonal fish tank—and should be the most loved. It seems that’s how the cookie (or cheese puffs, in Toasty’s case) crumbles in the curious Tupper household, but soon a sequence of thrilling and magical events challenges that way of life forever.

First, there’s the arrival of Arthur, a knowledgeable spider with a broken leg and a curious mind, hidden in an old typewriter. Then Jillian throws everyone for a loop when she brings home dear, sweet Ollie, a school houseplant who just wants to be friends and sing. When Toasty splashes the plants with his tank water out of frustration, the friends learn that they can do magical things—like lift heavy objects and turn things invisible!

It turns out Toasty’s fishtank isn’t just for fish; it was made by a curious inventor who gave it special powers that, in the wrong hands, could disrupt everything forever. And a curious man with purple shoes just so happens to want that tank at any cost. Can Ivy, Toasty, Arthur, and Ollie grow to be friends in time to work together to save their beloved Tupper family from utter ruin?

It's a double dare!

Mari A. Fisch, mermaid princess and 256th daughter of King Triton, the ruler of the seas, is sent on land to learn why humans behave the weird ways that they do. When her best friend, Stevie, dares Mari to ride a super-scary roller coaster, Mari learns that sometimes you have to be brave to have fun. But when Stevie's dares start going too far, Mari must choose between betraying what she believes in or letting down her only friend.

It's the second title in an all-new chapter book series from award-winning children's book author Monica Brown. With black-and-white illustrations on every page, milestone markers throughout, and craft-making activities at the end of each book, Fintastical Tales is the perfect series for any emergent or reluctant reader!

Lana must rescue her brother from an evil queen in this sequel to the illustrated middle grade fantasy adventure The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale from actor, author, and comedian Ben Miller—perfect for fans of Half Upon a Time and Land of Stories!

When Lana and Harrison stay with their grandparents, one of their favorite places to play is a large hollow tree that made their adventures feel magical long before they were first transported into a fairy tale. But during their latest visit, the two discover the tree is set to be demolished.

That night, a magical golden thread leads them up through the hollow of the tree into a storybook land, where wind and rain rage and a fearsome beast terrifies all who live there. The siblings try to help, but things only get worse when Harrison gets kidnapped by the evil queen.

Now, Lana must do whatever it takes to find him, save the villagers, and restore the balance of the storybook world in order to save their beloved landmark.

Isaiah is woken by a thunderous noise while camping in Grand Teton National Park, but when he, his cousin, and his sister investigate the next morning, something seems off when the tracks lead to a broken fence. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Chapter Books is an imprint of Spotlight, a division of ABDO.