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Books for Kids and Tweens January 2025 |
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| The Other Side of Tomorrow by Tina Cho; illustrated by Deb JJ LeeBeginning in North Korea in 2013, this sweeping graphic novel is written in the voices of Yunho and Myunghee, two very different kids whose lives collide when they both become refugees in China. Balancing horrors and hardships with hope, this survival story will stay with you long after the final page. (Ages 8-13.) |
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| My So-Called Family by Gia GordonA family tree assignment feels impossible for 12-year-old Ash, who's on her 9th foster home and feels surrounded by bullying, abuse, and misunderstanding. If you enjoy gritty, authentic realistic fiction, you'll be rooting for Ash as she searches for people to trust. (Ages 10-13.) |
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| Off the Map by Meika HashimotoFormer best friends Marlo and Amos are already stressed about being stuck together on a canoe trip down Alaska's Yukon River…and then they get separated from their group. Now, they'll have to work together if they want to survive the hazardous wilderness. For fans of: Dan Gemeinhart's emotional outdoor adventure books. (Ages 10-13.) |
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| Second to None by Destiny HowellWhen Ella Fitzgerald Middle School's typical first-place winners -- team captains, class presidents, spelling bee champs -- all begin losing at the same time, problem-solving mastermind DJ suspects a conspiracy. He calls in his crew to investigate, but the complex mystery could prove risky for them all. This smart, intriguing follow-up to High Score can be read as a sequel or a standalone. (Ages 8-12.) |
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| Swimming with Spies by Chrystyna Lucyk-BergerIt's 2014 on the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine, and the invasion of Russian troops makes things extra complicated for Ukrainian Russian Sofiya. Her deepest loyalties, however, are to the animals at her family's dolphinarium, and she's determined to save them from the Russian military. Fast pacing and fascinating details amp up this peek into recent history. (Ages 8-12.) |
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| The Ribbon Skirt by Cameron MukwaWith a powwow coming up, two-spirit Anishinaabe 10-year-old Anang begins a real-life quest to make their own ribbon skirt, connecting with spirits (including some snarky turtles) along the way. Created by a two-spirit author/illustrator, this colorful graphic novel is perfect for readers who prefer authentic, character-focused stories. (Ages 8-13.) |
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| The Pearl Hunter by Miya T. BeckAfter her twin Kishi is swallowed by a ghost whale, pearl diver Kai begins an epic, twisty quest to bring her sister back to life. Along the way she encounters scheming fox spirits, merciless crows, a dragon king, a sea goddess, and other magical figures inspired by Japanese mythology. Read-alike: The Chaos Monster by Sayantani DasGupta. (Ages 8-12.) |
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| The Many Fortunes of Maya by Nicole D. CollierMiddle schooler Maya “MJ” Jenkins depends on fortune cookies to guide her future. Lately, though, her questions -- about winning soccer MVP, or playing the flute in secret, or whether her parents will split up -- are too big for tiny fortunes. (Ages 8-12.)
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| Not An Easy Win by Chrystal D. GilesFollowing a run of tough situations -- Pop going to jail, moving in with Granny, and getting expelled for fighting with bullies -- 12-year-old Lawrence needs something to go right. That's when he finds the chess program at the rec center. Real-feeling characters anchor this multi-layered story. Read-alikes: Kelly J. Baptist's Eb & Flow; Jason Reynolds' Ghost. (Ages 9-13.) |
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| Dear Mothman by Robin GowSixth-grader Noah is autistic, trans, and sadly used to being misunderstood, especially since his best friend Lewis died. With nobody to talk to, Noah begins writing notes to Mothman, Lewis' favorite cryptid. There are lots of deep emotions in this story-in-verse as Noah moves through heartache and towards hope. (Ages 10-13.) |
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| Haven by Megan Wagner LloydDesperate to find help for her sick, beloved human, indoor cat Haven ventures into the vast wilderness. There, she finds a fox ally to guide her...and help her avoid the bobcat that's stalking her. For fans of: Sara Pennypacker's Pax and other stories about brave, big-hearted animals. (Ages 8-12.) |
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| Adventuregame Comics: Leviathan by Jason ShigaA legendary sea monster is threatening a medieval coastal village, and you can defeat it -- if you make the right decisions. Choices matter in this clever, choose-your-own-adventure graphic novel featuring clues seeded in both the words and the illustrations. Next in the game-inspired series: The Beyond and Samurai vs. Ninja. (Ages 8-13.) |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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