Pre-schoolers (2-4 years old)
Smart verse and bright art assert the sanctity of Blackness. By Angela Joy (2020)
Lively tale encourages and celebrates screen-free time. By Jory John (2020)
Playful story, vibrant images encourage trying new foods. By J. Kenji López-Alt (2020)
Captivating bio of Latinx star of “West Side Story.” By Anika Aldamuy Denise (2020)
Funny take on sleepovers has insight, great illustrations. By Suzanne Lang (2020)
Funny take on protective parents and eager trick-or-treater. By John Loren (2020)
Warm, happy adventure is sequel to beloved picture book. By Sam McBratney (2020)
Lively stories of girls who broke barriers, smashed records. By Chelsea Clinton (2020)
Forest pals show how democracy works in cute story. By Jill Twiss (2020)
Girl finds role model who looks like her in inspiring tale. By Parker Curry, Jessica Curry (2020)
Little Kids (5-7 years old)
Stunning art, epic adventure of gods’ quest to make humans. By Duncan Tonatiuh (2020)
Fun civics lesson inspires kids to be involved and engaged. By Andrea Beaty (2020)
Inspiring book celebrates the power of one. By Susan Verde (2020)
Dynamic art, poetry enhance vivid celebration of Black boys. By Derrick Barnes (2020)
Detailed biographies show heart, perseverance. By Cerrie Burnell (2020)
Gardens hold sweet memories in gentle grandma story. By Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton (2020)
Charming book in popular series has a big heart. By Susan Verde (2020)
Girl becomes activist, navigates friendships in fun story. By Angela Dominguez (2020)
Big Kids (8-9 years old)
Reckless boy doesn’t learn lesson in funny, disastrous tale. By Annie Barrows (2020)
Harry Potter author’s fairy tale is darker than expected. By J. K. Rowling (2020)
Funny graphic novel hybrid about friendship, communication. By Remy Lai (2020)
Refugee friendship tale has strong tolerance, faith message. By N.H. Senzai, Shannon Hitchcock (2020)
Greg’s wilderness vacation is funny but predictable. By Jeff Kinney (2020)
Spellbinding story of ghosts, strong girls, and friendship. By Hanna Alkaf (2020)
Friendly, factual book helps girls appreciate their bodies. By Charlotte Markey (2020)
Superhero tweens hit San Francisco in exciting WWII sequel. By Kate Hannigan (2020)
Rabbit and friends’ adventures make for fast, fun sequel. By Tony DiTerlizzi (2020)
Characters sparkle with humor in tale about animal rights. By Cynthia Kadohata (2020)
Tweens (Ages 10-12)
Young refugee’s story is told in memories, myths, fables. By Daniel Nayeri (2020)
Lively, inspiring bio of famed U.S. Supreme Court Justice. By Irin Carmon, Shana Knizhnik (2020)
Powerful, moving story of 10-year-old recovering from abuse. By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (2020)
Remarkable anthology brims with solidarity for Black girls. By Olivia V. G. Clarke (2020)
Powerful history of Black women fighting for the vote. By Evette Dionne (2020)
Lyrical novel traces childhood, evolution of sports legend. By Kwame Alexander, James Patterson (2020)
Brilliantly told and illustrated story of the epic moonshot. By John Rocco (2020)
Lively Victorian mystery with girl detective and governess. By Elizabeth C. Bunce (2020)
Eighth-graders navigate race, class in savvy graphic novel. By Jerry Craft (2020)
Powerful tale of Japanese American resilience during WWII. By Traci Chee (2020)
Ages 13+
Challenging ideas, big issues buoy story of Harlem teen. By Walter Dean Myers (2012)
Hilarious story of MIT freshman juggling culture, freedom. By Gloria Chao
Realistic, compelling coming-of-age stories of black teens. By Ibi Zoboi
Fame and fandom collide with privacy in engaging tale. By Francesca Zappia
Powerful story of police shooting of unarmed Black teen. By Angie Thomas
Captivating tale of five teens who meet by chance. By Carolyn Mackler
Captivating tale of five teens who meet by chance. By Carolyn Mackler
Powerful, insightful tale of self-awareness, power of art. By Renée Watson
Emotional novel deals with death, grief, and abandonment. By Akemi Dawn Bowman
Best Book Series for Early Readers
When kids graduate from picture books to chapter books, it’s a great moment. Here’s a list of some of our favorite books for early readers — they all have engaging stories and relatable characters to help make the chapter-book transition easier. Some, like Poppleton, work for either read-alone or read-aloud, helping kids get used to plot and chapter structure. For more surefire picks, check out our Best Book Series and Graphic Novels lists, and get tips on how to encourage and support young readers.
Graphic novels aren’t only for Wimpy Kid fans or comic book enthusiasts: All kinds of stories are now being told in this format, which mixes illustrations and text. Younger readers might like silly books about a superhero mouse or a wacky lunch lady, whereas mature teens can check out modern takes on classic novels, powerful historical fiction, and compelling memoirs. These illustrated novels are engaging both avid and reluctant readers of all ages with their powerful stories. We’ve selected our favorites, which are sure to wow the graphic novel lover in your life. And for more popular hits, try our list of the Best-Selling New Books on Amazon for Kids and Teens.
Browse Books for Reluctant Readers
Raising a reader can be hard, especially when it’s so easy for kids to find a game or device to distract them. Many kids also struggle with their reading skills, so finishing a book can be a huge challenge. But the right book can help convert even the most reluctant reader into a kid who will beg for one more chapter before bedtime. Sometimes all it takes is a relatable character or story, but sometimes thinking outside the box with a comic or a graphic novel can spark a lifelong love of reading. Check out our list below, and for more sure-fire choices, take a look at our Best Book Series for Early Readers and Best Book Series lists.
Famous Authors’ Website for Kids
Do you and your child have a favorite children’s book author? If so, you might want to peruse the list of children’s authors to learn more about them.