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Top Children’s Books from 2020
Top Children’s Books from 2020 featured image
Are you tired of reading the same bedtime story over and over again? Or maybe you want to encourage your tween to try a new series? Whatever you need, this list of the latest kids’ books has you covered. It’s updated every week with the newest reviews for kids 2–12, and you’ll be able to find cute picture books for your preschooler, funny chapter books for your early reader, and cool graphic novels for your tween, as well as nonfiction and novels of all genres. Stay up-to-date by checking back frequently, since we’ll put the latest titles at the top of the list. For more great recommendations for kids, try the Best Book Series for Early Readers, Graphic Novels, and Coming-of-Age Books.

Pre-schoolers (2-4 years old)

Black Is a Rainbow Color Book Poster Image     Smart verse and bright art assert the sanctity of Blackness. By Angela Joy (2020)

The Couch Potato Book Poster Image     Lively tale encourages and celebrates screen-free time.  By Jory John  (2020)

Every Night Is Pizza Night Book Poster Image     Playful story, vibrant images encourage trying new foods. By J. Kenji López-Alt (2020)

A Girl Named Rosita: The Story of Rita Moreno: Actor, Singer, Dancer, Trailblazer! Book Poster Image     Captivating bio of Latinx star of “West Side Story.” By Anika Aldamuy Denise (2020)

Grumpy Monkey: Up All Night Book Poster Image     Funny take on sleepovers has insight, great illustrations. By Suzanne Lang (2020)

Frankenstein Doesn't Wear Earmuffs! Book Poster Image     Funny take on protective parents and eager trick-or-treater. By John Loren (2020)

Will You Be My Friend? Book Poster Image     Warm, happy adventure is sequel to beloved picture book. By Sam McBratney (2020)

She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians Who Changed the Game Book Poster Image     Lively stories of girls who broke barriers, smashed records. By Chelsea Clinton (2020)

Everyone Gets a Say Book Poster Image     Forest pals show how democracy works in cute story. By Jill Twiss (2020)

Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment Book Poster Image     Girl finds role model who looks like her in inspiring tale. By Parker Curry, Jessica Curry (2020)

Little Kids (5-7 years old)

Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns: A Mesoamerican Creation Myth Book Poster Image     Stunning art, epic adventure of gods’ quest to make humans. By Duncan Tonatiuh (2020)

Sofia Veldez and the Vanishing Vote: The Questioneers, Book 4 Book Poster Image     Fun civics lesson inspires kids to be involved and engaged. By Andrea Beaty (2020)

I Am One: A Book of Action Book Poster Image     Inspiring book celebrates the power of one. By Susan Verde (2020)

I Am Every Good Thing Book Poster Image     Dynamic art, poetry enhance vivid celebration of Black boys. By Derrick Barnes (2020)

I Am Not a Label: 34 Artists, Thinkers, Athletes and Activists with Disabilities from Past and Present Book Poster Image     Detailed biographies show heart, perseverance. By Cerrie Burnell (2020)

Grandma's Gardens Book Poster Image     Gardens hold sweet memories in gentle grandma story. By Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton (2020)

I Am Love Book Poster Image     Charming book in popular series has a big heart. By Susan Verde (2020)

Stella Diaz Never Gives Up Book Poster Image     Girl becomes activist, navigates friendships in fun story. By Angela Dominguez (2020)

Big Kids (8-9 years old)

Iggy Is Better Than Ever Book Poster Image     Reckless boy doesn’t learn lesson in funny, disastrous tale. By Annie Barrows (2020)

The Ickabog Book Poster Image     Harry Potter author’s fairy tale is darker than expected. By J. K. Rowling (2020)

Fly on the Wall Book Poster Image     Funny graphic novel hybrid about friendship, communication. By Remy Lai (2020)

Flying Over Water Book Poster Image     Refugee friendship tale has strong tolerance, faith message. By N.H. Senzai, Shannon Hitchcock (2020)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End Book Poster Image     Greg’s wilderness vacation is funny but predictable. By Jeff Kinney (2020)

The Girl and the Ghost Book Poster Image     Spellbinding story of ghosts, strong girls, and friendship. By Hanna Alkaf (2020)

The Body Image Book for Girls: Love Yourself and Grow Up Fearless Book Poster Image     Friendly, factual book helps girls appreciate their bodies. By Charlotte Markey (2020)

Mask: The League of Secret Heroes, Book 2 Book Poster Image     Superhero tweens hit San Francisco in exciting WWII sequel. By Kate Hannigan (2020)

Kenny & the Book of Beasts: Kenny & the Dragon, Book 2 Book Poster Image     Rabbit and friends’ adventures make for fast, fun sequel. By Tony DiTerlizzi (2020)

Saucy Book Poster Image     Characters sparkle with humor in tale about animal rights. By Cynthia Kadohata (2020)

Tweens (Ages 10-12)

Everything Sad is Untrue: (A True Story) Book Poster Image     Young refugee’s story is told in memories, myths, fables. By Daniel Nayeri (2020)

Notorious RBG Young Readers' Edition: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsberg Book Poster Image     Lively, inspiring bio of famed U.S. Supreme Court Justice. By Irin Carmon, Shana Knizhnik (2020)

Fighting Words Book Poster Image     Powerful, moving story of 10-year-old recovering from abuse. By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (2020)

Black Girl, White School: Thriving, Surviving, and "No, You Can't Touch My Hair" Book Poster Image     Remarkable anthology brims with solidarity for Black girls. By Olivia V. G. Clarke (2020)

Lifting As We Climb: Black Women's Battle for the Ballot Box Book Poster Image     Powerful history of Black women fighting for the vote. By Evette Dionne (2020)

Becoming Muhammad Ali Book Poster Image     Lyrical novel traces childhood, evolution of sports legend. By Kwame Alexander, James Patterson (2020)

How We Got to the Moon: The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science Behind Humanity's Greatest Adventure Book Poster Image     Brilliantly told and illustrated story of the epic moonshot. By John Rocco (2020)

Premeditated Myrtle: Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery, Book 1 Book Poster Image     Lively Victorian mystery with girl detective and governess. By Elizabeth C. Bunce (2020)

Class Act: New Kid, Book 2 Book Poster Image     Eighth-graders navigate race, class in savvy graphic novel. By Jerry Craft (2020)

We Are Not Free Book Poster Image     Powerful tale of Japanese American resilience during WWII. By Traci Chee (2020)

Ages 13+

All the Right Stuff Book Poster Image     Challenging ideas, big issues buoy story of Harlem teen. By Walter Dean Myers (2012)

American Panda Book Poster Image     Hilarious story of MIT freshman juggling culture, freedom. By Gloria Chao

Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America Book Poster Image     Realistic, compelling coming-of-age stories of black teens. By Ibi Zoboi

Eliza and Her Monsters Book Poster Image     Fame and fandom collide with privacy in engaging tale. By Francesca Zappia

 

Gem & Dixie Book Poster Image     Powerful story of police shooting of unarmed Black teen. By Angie Thomas

The House on Mango Street Book Poster Image     Captivating tale of five teens who meet by chance. By Carolyn Mackler

Infinite In Between Book Poster Image     Captivating tale of five teens who meet by chance. By Carolyn Mackler

Piecing Me Together Book Poster Image     Powerful, insightful tale of self-awareness, power of art. By Renée Watson

Summer Bird Blue Book Poster Image     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

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.

Related articles from the January 2021 issue

Literacy Resources for the Middle and High School Student

Purposeful Conversations

GRPS Curriculum Resources & Supports

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