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Books for Kids and Tweens December 2025 |
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| The Last Ember: The Aerimander Chronicles Book 1 by Lily Berlin DoddAfter wealthy 12-year-old chemist Eva is unknowingly given the egg of an aerimander, a supposedly extinct, dragon-like creature, she joins forces with orphaned would-be thief Dusty to keep the egg out of evil hands. Witty humor and thoughtful takes on science and magic will draw fantasy fans to this series opener. (Ages 10-13.)
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| Chris Makes a Friend by Alex GinoSent 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.)
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Zarina Divided
by Reem Faruqi
Zarina loves her life in Poona, India. She spends her days happily hanging out with her best friends, Geeta and Jahana, and playing with her three brothers. However, Zarina and her family are given unsettling news: Muslims and Hindus are to separate by religion. Hindus are expected to stay in India, while Muslims are expected to move to a new land, Pakistan. Zarina is heartbroken at having to move away from all she knows and loves, and after the frightening journey to Pakistan, she feels unsure that the unfamiliar country will ever feel like home. When an accident happens that leaves Zarina grappling with extreme guilt, she decides it's best to attend boarding school far away, much to the protest of her mother. Will a fresh start at a new school give Zarina the chance to thrive in Pakistan or will the divisions within herself and family continue to widen?
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| Winging It by Megan Wagner Lloyd; illustrated by Michelle Mee NutterTwelve-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.)
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| Time Lions and the Chrono-Loop by Krystal Sutherland and Martin SeneviratneBritish Sri Lankan twins Patrick and Pearl are so brilliant that they've created their own time travel device. But are they smart enough to make the right choices when they're approached by both a secret society of timeline protectors and a tech CEO who wants to "fix history"? This fast-paced and twisty adventure is the 1st in a duology. (Ages 10-13.)
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| Night Chef by Mika SongNight 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.)
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Snoop
by Gordon Korman
If Carter hadn't been checking his phone, he might have seen his brother coming down the ski slopes in his direction. And if Carter had seen his brother in time and avoided the crash, he might not have two broken legs right now. Oops. Now Carter is stuck at home for weeks, with both his legs in casts. Bored, he starts checking out the live feeds from police cams around his town. Before he knows it, he's obsessed-- watching his classmates when they don't know he's looking, and discovering some other very strange things going on that no one else is noticing. But what happens when Carter is found out--and the people he's watching know where he lives?
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| Growing Home by Beth Ferry; illustrated by The Fan BrothersIn 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.)
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Dive
by John David Anderson
Kassandra Conner joins the diving team at her new private school, but when she befriends a townie who dumpster dives, she starts to break out of her own box.
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| Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales: Troubling Tonsils! by Aaron Reynolds; illustrated by Peter BrownBlending 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.)
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The Burning Season
by Caroline Starr Rose
When a wildfire breaks out on her watch, twelve-year-old Opal, a fourth-generation fire lookout-in-training, must face her fears in order to save the forest she loves and her family.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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