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Sometimes the simple act of adding some books to my own personal endless TBR stack or list is all it takes for me to want to do a Take Five list.
Check out these 25 middle grade titles coming out in 2025!
From a bilingual book about Cuba to a graphic novel poetry collection, these diverse titles are sure to delight a wide range of young readers.
Kwanzaa is an African American and pan-African holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. These board books, picture books, and audiobooks will help young children learn more about it and get into the spirit of the holiday.
Being vulnerable on the page hasn’t been easy. Opening myself up to judgement—both good and bad is terrifying.
New planets, secret headquarters, extraterrestrial creatures, and other cosmic delights fill the pages of these works for elementary through high school readers.
Caregivers can read these poems to children to help them on their journey to slumber.
Bolstered by dynamic art and a deep understanding of figure skating elements, this manga shines, just like Inori’s skating. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
Your Letter
With stunning visuals and a cast of relatable characters, this manga illustrates that by finding the right people in life who offer respect and support, there are no boundaries on what one can achieve. Recommended.
PREMIUM
The Teen Exorcist, Vol. 1
With a promising, action-packed start, ancient Japanese folklore gets a fresh spin as a new hero follows the path of those who came before him, making this a series worth jumping into from the very beginning.
This adorable manga about identity delves into topics of injustice and advocacy and is a great option for middle school readers. Recommended.
PREMIUM
Gracie Under the Waves
A must-purchase tale of conservation and coming of age for children and adults.
The perfect blend of education and entertainment, this series, particularly this volume, is highly recommended.
PREMIUM
Make My Wish Come True
Despite the disparity in quality between the two alternating perspectives of this book, teens who enjoy lighthearted queer love stories by authors like Jason June, Mason Deaver, and Jennifer Dugan will enjoy this candy cane–sweet holiday romance.
Humorous, relatable elementary school situations make this a perfect suggestion for a reluctant reader.
An exceptional book about Ramadan that celebrates the breaking of the daily fast and the sharing of the transcendent power of food.
Only for those who want a slimmed down adaptation of the original.
PREMIUM
Athletes Who Changed the Game
Browsers and sports fans will be drawn to these concise yet engaging vignettes and will want to learn more about and cheer on these noteworthy athletes.
Great and engaging nonfiction.
Primarily for browsers; but offers plentiful food for thought on this critical topic.
Despite the sloppy presentation, this book is a valuable addition and a good resource for a language that its speakers are diligently working to keep alive.
PREMIUM
Transport
This book is packed with fun facts and charm; add to collections where Richard Scarry’s “Busy Town” or Raul the Third’s “¡Vamos!” series are popular.
Regardless of classroom uses, young readers will enjoy this one immensely; it’s a first choice for libraries needing nonfiction about diving and deep ocean travel.
A series opener that will leave readers aching for the next installment. Not to be missed, this is one enemies-to-lovers trope that lives up to the name.
PREMIUM
Desert Echoes
This novel suffers from a rough start, but the second half makes it worthy of consideration in collections short on stories about addiction, loss, and generational trauma.
A growth spurring psychological horror with broad appeal that stretches to fans of supernatural action manga.
PREMIUM
HappyHead
This novel excels in delivering a fast-paced and unique dystopian thriller with a cliffhanger ending.
An exquisitely depicted journey of a found family that reminds readers of empathy’s role in creating a kinder world.
With strong art, premise, and message, this is a great read and an excellent way to empower teens to defy expectations.
A triumph; Green has crafted an unforgettable coming-of-age story that is poignant and hopeful. With a blend of humor and resilience, this work deserves a place in the hearts of readers, especially those navigating similar journeys in a world that doesn’t always welcome difference.
With the hackers as vigilantes premise wrapped around a critique of the surveillance state, this thrilling manga will speak to teens.
A sweet and simple story about high schoolers falling in love, perfect for younger romance readers. Recommended.
One of the best pieces of suspense fiction, this brilliant psychological manga belongs on all shelves.
PREMIUM
Splatoon 3: Splatlands, Vol. 1
This action-packed adventure is perfect for young manga fans. Purchase where Splatoon is popular or younger readers are begging for manga.
A moving story appropriate for a younger audience. This is an essential purchase.
A must buy for school libraries; kids will be clamoring for the continuation of Big Jim’s story.
PREMIUM
Where to Hide a Star
Any new title from Jeffers is sure to attract attention. Due to the book’s complex plot line, young readers will be more enamored of the whimsical, characteristic artwork.
Nestled in the pages between its poetry and inspired art is a highly recommended book that readers of all ages will love.
PREMIUM
Squirrel-ish
A playful and engaging story that encourages children to appreciate themselves just as they are.
PREMIUM
Between You and Me
Both an engaging group read-aloud and a book to prompt deeper discussion between a child and their grown-up.
PREMIUM
Life Is Beautiful
A substantial addition to any collection, especially those dealing with tough topics.
PREMIUM
My Name Is a Gift
A solid addition to collections, but with an important caveat: it encourages readers to write in the book’s final pages.
PREMIUM
Insha’Allah, No, Maybe So
Relatable to any child, regardless of religion, who is trying to navigate a world of grown-up nuance. A valuable window and mirror for readers.
PREMIUM
Agent Unicorn
Using a graphic novel format, this slyly humorous picture book about dreaming big, accidentally solving a mystery, and doing right by those who have been wronged is sure to be a hit.
PREMIUM
Miles Comes Home
A tender look at adoption from a shy and sensitive boy’s perspective, this book is a necessary addition to the shelves.
From board books that invite the littlest readers to hippity-hop to anthologies that encourage older readers to explore deep themes in narratives, these 11 titles celebrate the Festival of Lights in a variety of ways.
From historical works to books influenced by personal history to those with characters who must examine the past to move forward, these five titles are strong Printz contenders.
This Thanksgiving season, I’ve been thinking about all the ways libraries have influenced my life.
It was a huge week in the movie world this Thanksgiving, as Wicked and Gladiator II continued their streaks and Moana 2 premiered to huge numbers. So I thought, while listening once again to the Wicked soundtrack, why not recommend books that I think fit some of the characters from these huge films? After all, […]
November's starred offerings include nonfiction by Kwame Alexander and Andrea Davis Pinkney, as well as a professional reading title about Judy Blume.
The mysterious octopus is explored in-depth through its evolution and ecology in this young readers adaptation, targeting engaged and patient tweens.
A strong overview of a wide range of Asian American icons who have helped, and are helping, to shape the world; recommended for juvenile nonfiction collections, and as a research jumping-off point.
For collections requiring more on the hijab and its importance to devout Muslim women, this book is an ideal addition; those seeking comprehensive biographical information on female Muslim athletes will need to look elsewhere.
PREMIUM
Weirdest Animals on the Planet
While this book is not recommended as a first purchase due to its disorganized formatting, it will circulate well in children’s collections where books on unique animals are popular and desired.
An attractively designed fact book that stumbles in its execution; purchase only where the series is popular.
An excellent mentor text for either poetry or science, this book is also an elegant way to compare and contrast different kinds of wind in a toddler or preschool setting. A first choice for any library.
A fascinating and well-told look at a little-known African animal. Recommended.
PREMIUM
Meet Bisticeratops
This series is a solid purchase, offering access for younger readers while providing new knowledge for older ones.
PREMIUM
TIME for Kids: Weather
A rich array of science terminology is woven into this visually appealing book, designed to challenge upper elementary readers with advanced syntax and introduce meteorological phenomena.
Keleti’s life experiences will captivate new generations of readers while simultaneously teaching important history lessons.
A fun book that would be great in the hands of readers who want to learn more about where their food comes from but aren’t ready for in-depth information.
This is a wonderful STEM book to add to any collection; the witty, lighthearted format will engage readers across a broad age range.
For music collections, biography, or even Americana, this book lends itself to story hours and certainly as an icebreaker for conversations on style, substance, and marching to the beat of a different drummer.
Perfect for young marine biologists, this title uses humor and fascinating facts to capture the imagination and remind readers that new discoveries are being made every day.
This serves as an accessible introduction to a civil rights hero, regardless of flaws, and is worth an add to larger collections.
Suited for classrooms and browsers, this is an excellent choice across the curricula and a winner across the board.
PREMIUM
Meet Mbiresaurus
This series is a solid purchase, offering access for younger readers while providing new knowledge for older ones.
PREMIUM
Meet Meraxes Gigas
This series is a solid purchase, offering access for younger readers while providing new knowledge for older ones.
PREMIUM
Meet Yuxisaurus
This series is a solid purchase, offering access for younger readers while providing new knowledge for older ones.
Henry will help many children feel better about their worries, making this a good choice for early elementary collections in need of contemporary graphic novels.
PREMIUM
Harriet Hound
An amiable chapter book that illuminates the daily life of a child on the autism spectrum while providing information on dogs. An unnecessary fantasy element adds little to the storytelling.
PREMIUM
Bulldozer’s Big Rescue
A touching story of overcoming social fears, perfect for early chapter book readers or those younger to read with a loved one.
PREMIUM
The Jellyfish Bus
A feel-good graphic novel about doing what you love and being flexible. Recommended for readers who enjoy some facts with their fiction adventure stories.
A relatable story for young readers on the ups and downs of friendship in elementary school.
A fast-paced adventure for confident readers willing to tackle unfamiliar words.
PREMIUM
Lucy Lancaster Has a Secret
Early readers will be looking forward to reading Lucy’s next adventure.
A chapter book about friendship and SEL that will be a great fit for children’s collections.
PREMIUM
Spring Fever! (Disney Stitch)
Nothing groundbreaking, but fans of the movie will forgive the formulaic plot.
PREMIUM
The Snips: A Bad Buzz Day
A fresh look at the early reader superhero genre with unbeatable art that pushes boundaries.
PREMIUM
The King and Nothing
An enchanting story that is recommended for readers across a wide grade range.
PREMIUM
Saif’s Special Patches
This warm tale about self-realization and growth is recommended for picture book collections.
The illustrations and the author’s use of rhyme work wonderfully together in a lovingly crafted story of diversity.
PREMIUM
This Is a Moment
A heartwarming celebration of life’s milestones captured in a fun read that will come in handy during story hours.
PREMIUM
Sand Cakes
A sweet story of hard work, enthusiasm, and ultimately finding the right audience.
PREMIUM
Nellie’s Big Splash
A lovely tale of finding courage when embracing new adventures, just right for the early elementary shelves.
A day with forest friends is a day well spent; put this on the “baby’s first nature encounters” shelf and mingle with more fanciful titles on the subject.
An excellent addition to those needing informational texts about travel for children.
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