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Keeping engaging series fiction in the hands of young patrons as they build habits and discover a love of reading is a priority. Fiction Series Made Simple is designed to help librarians maintain fresh and fun collections.
A careful examination of decodable sets designed to support burgeoning readers and their grown-ups on the path toward reading fluency.
Picture book series that help readers consider their place in the world.
This season’s additions to early reader series appeal to developing passions in science, animal welfare, and more.
Additions to beloved, well-established series and exciting new adventures await readers in this season’s middle grade selections.
The best of these hi-lo titles hit on the perfect mix of layered characterization, compelling plots, and sharp writing that will appeal to readers of any skill level.
These graphic novels series and sequels bring lessons about friendship, care, and self-determination into sharp focus.
If you’re looking to foster a love for fantasy that’s sure to last a lifetime, here are six spectacular, inclusive (and more or less recent) middle grade fantasy books to gift this holiday season.
PREMIUM
Alina in the Deep
A unusual, loving purchase. Naji serves Calgary, Alberta, well, showing it off as a Canadian, multicultural haven. Alina’s problems are our problems, and solutions are universal.
PREMIUM
I Cannot Find My Belly Button!
A highly enjoyable body-part adventure; correctly named body parts in rhyming text will resonate with readers who are interested in their own bodies.
PREMIUM
My First Book of Hiking
Encouraging children and their families to enjoy time outdoors, this is perfect guidance for this demographic that can be carried along on adventures, or enjoyed as a daydream.
Fabulous characters and an excellent plot hook readers from the start and keep them reading. Highly recommended for all libraries.
PREMIUM
Mai’s Áo Dài
Add this to the shelf! It fills an important gap with charm, fun, and heart; it’s a must-have for holiday collections.
An excellent science fiction story with just enough creep factor and excellent pacing to keep readers tearing through the pages to the gripping climax. Nix uses his superb writing powers to control and thrill readers throughout this fantastic novel.
Existing fans will most likely be eager to read this installment, but, with its very familiar beats, it’s hard to imagine a new generation of readers connecting with “Dork Diaries.”
Recommended for readers of fantasy, and especially those who enjoy playful language and highly imaginative settings.
PREMIUM
Unicornia: A Magical Birthday
Usually putting “unicorn” in a title is part of a recipe for success, but this light offering is flimsy.
PREMIUM
Twigs and Stones
This book is a perfect read-aloud and is excellent for the classroom, teaching readers the value of kindness through humor.
A unique and stellar piece about taking time to look at what others have made before you, and to wonder, this is a mesmerizing glimpse into art and the past; a must for all collections serving children.
Where books on kindness are in short supply, this is safe purchase.
This book celebrates culture, connection, and the universal journey of finding where one belongs. It is an inspiring, enjoyable story that will resonate long after the last page.
PREMIUM
Piet Cools Off
A highly entertaining tale with interesting information on how different creatures cope with hot days, this is recommended for all collections for an engaging blend of science and story.
PREMIUM
Six Little Sticks
A unique and well-done spin on the subtraction caused by disappearing animals trope, and a good purchase for picture book collections.
PREMIUM
Rose Weaves a Garden
An important volume that celebrates the value of family and cultural heritage.
PREMIUM
Maybe Just Ask Me!
For elementary libraries lacking books that address this specific message, this is an important purchase.
Kindergarten teachers may want a copy to read annually, but most public libraries can skip this one.
NCTE has announced Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of American Indian Boarding Schools by Dan SaSuWeh Jones and The Last Stand by Antwan Eady, illus. by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey, as the 2025 Orbis Pictus and Charlotte Huck award winners, respectively.
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.
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.
PREMIUM
HappyHead
This novel excels in delivering a fast-paced and unique dystopian thriller with a cliffhanger ending.
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.
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.
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.
PREMIUM
Gracie Under the Waves
A must-purchase tale of conservation and coming of age for children and adults.
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.
PREMIUM
I Need Pants!
Funny and simple, this book will be a story hour hit with children, as well as an option for early independent reading.
An uplifting message of positivity about culture, and a first choice for elementary level libraries.
PREMIUM
All the Best Dogs
A sweet story for dogs who love to be read to and the middle schoolers who love them.
PREMIUM
The Factory
Readers will devour this middle grade cli-fi adventure with excellent characters and a fascinating concept.
PREMIUM
Planet Perfect
If Suzanne Collins’s Hunger Games took place in space and was written for elementary school readers, this would be it. An additional purchase.
PREMIUM
Away
Intended readers are more likely to suspend disbelief and gloss over credibility issues as they tear through the text to see what happens to Maddie and her community.
A realistic fiction story about persisting through fear and the power of friendship that is marred by weak characterization and a troublesome portrayal of mental health support.
PREMIUM
The Song of Orphan’s Garden
A carefully crafted fantasy adventure set in poetry, its steeper lead-in makes it less approachable than Megan Freeman’s Alone. Purchase for larger fantasy collections.
A riveting and welcome addition to the middle grade historical fiction market; recommended for all elementary and middle school library collections.
PREMIUM
The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie
With the humor and pain that accompanies forced truth-telling, this book explores deeper familial, friendship, self-care, and cultural issues in a fun page-turner.
PREMIUM
Mountain Upside Down
A realistic novel that despite some narrative wandering presents a sweet tale of teen angst, intergenerational support, and young queer love.
A wonderful middle school story about family, friendship, and determining the right path. A must-purchase for all libraries.
PREMIUM
Tear This Down
Freya is a character that readers will root for. Recommended for middle grade collections and for curriculum enrichment on primary source research and social activism.
A must-purchase; this is a timely title for middle school students as well as parents, teachers, and librarians who are looking for powerful mirrors or windows into trans experiences.
Lovers of space and science fiction simply must have this one on their shelves and in their TBR.
PREMIUM
Norah’s Ark
A resonant work of realistic fiction that touches on housing and food insecurity, empathy, and unlikely friendships. Recommended for tween collections.
PREMIUM
The Rules of Royalty
An LGBTQIA+ romance reminiscent of The Princess Diaries with characters readers will root for.
PREMIUM
Ex Marks the Spot
This beautifully written adventure is for readers who have a great interest in Taiwan and its culture, particularly the various specialty foods. For those who are looking for a perfectly sweet romance story, this book is a must-read.
PREMIUM
The Losting Fountain
Fans of dark fantasy with horrifying monsters and action will enjoy the rising action of this novel and its unique world. Recommended.
PREMIUM
Dust
This coming-of-age novel is poetic with vivid descriptions and comes highly recommended.
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