The Smithtown Library - Smithtown Building: Books for Kids and Tweens: December 2025

Recent Releases

Chris Makes a Friend
by Alex Gino

Sent to stay with their grandparents while their mom recovers from surgery, bookish 12-year-old Chris and her athletic younger sister Becca are both having a tough time. But then Chris meets Mia, and their friendship helps her understand more about herself and her complicated family. Read-alike: Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff. (Ages 8-12.)

Winging It
by Megan Wagner Lloyd; illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter

Twelve-year-old Luna doesn't want to move across the country with her dad, especially not to move in with the strict grandma she hardly knows. But after discovering old nature journals from the mom she never knew, Luna finds unexpected connections to her new home. Cartoony art and honest emotions make this graphic novel a strong choice for realistic fiction fans. (Ages 8-12.)

Night Chef
by Mika Song

Night Chef is a raccoon cook who lives inside the walls of a fancy human restaurant. When she meets baby crow Ichi, Night Chef ventures out of her safe home in search of the hatchling's family. Illustrated with watercolor art and set in a cozy animal-centric world, this graphic novel will appeal to both foodies and fantasy fans. Read-alike: Rutabaga the Adventure Chef by Eric Colossal. (Ages 6-10.)

Chapter Book Roundup

Growing Home
by Beth Ferry; illustrated by The Fan Brothers

In this quirky illustrated chapter book, you'll meet the non-human residents of the Tupper household: grumpy goldfish Toasty, pretty plant Ivy, wise spider Arthur, and sweet violet Ollie. They're an unlikely bunch, but with the help of a magical antique, they might be able to protect their home from looming threats. Read-alike: Lauren Castillo's Our Friend Hedgehog. (Ages 6-9.)

Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales: Troubling Tonsils!
by Aaron Reynolds; illustrated by Peter Brown

Blending humor and horror, this series starter stars Charlie Marmot, who's supposed to have his tonsils removed -- except his tonsils seem to have a mind of their own, as well as a thirst for revenge! Told in the eerie style of an old-school black-and-white TV show, this illustrated chapter book will keep you guessing until the end. (Ages 6-9.)

Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship
by Shifa Saltagi Safadi; illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel

Third-grader Amina and her family have just moved from Syria to the United States, and Amina's got a scientific plan for making friends at school. But even the best plans can fall through, especially when English is SO confusing. Thankfully, friendship finds Amina in unexpected ways in this heartfelt series starter. Next in the series: Amina Banana and the Formula for Winning. (Ages 7-10.)

Contact your librarian for more great books!