ny times book review children's books

We Love These New York Times’ Best Children’s Books of 2023

By the brightly editors.

We’re approaching the end of the year, which means it’s time for many publications to compile their best-of-the-year lists. We love combing through these lists (and nodding in approval at having read a few of the books already, while also happily adding a title or two to our TBR list). The New York Times Book Review just released their list of the Best Children’s Books of 2023  and we were thrilled to see a few of our favorites recognized.

Here are some of the books we loved seeing on this year’s — and past years’ — lists of The New York Times’  Best Children’s Books.

2023 ║ 2022 ║ 2021 ║ 2020 ║ 2019 ║ 2018 ║ 2017

A Walk in the Woods

by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney

While walking through the woods, a grieving young boy follows a map that guides him to discover poems and sketches of woodland creatures left behind by his deceased father. Understanding the backstory of this book and its father-son illustrators makes the experience of reading it all the richer. (Ages 4 - 8)

Do You Remember?

by Sydney Smith

A boy and his mom take turns sharing memories, culminating in the decision to create more memorable moments in their new situation. Text and illustrations beautifully combine to highlight the influence of the past and hope for the future through a child's perspective. (Ages 4 - 8)

by Jon Klassen

This bestselling picture book by the esteemed Jon Klassen reimagines an old Tyrolean folk tale, deemed by Kirkus as "equal parts comfort and creepiness." Stunning illustrations, a simple, easy-to-read story, and the author's signature dry humor — what more could you ask for in a book about a brave little girl and her bony companion. (Ages 6 - 9)

Who Will Make the Snow?

by Taras Prokhasko and Marjana Prokhasko, translated by Jennifer Croft and Boris Dralyuk

This sweet illustrated early chapter book that the New York Times calls "akin in spirit and tone to A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh " follows two newborn moles as they grow through the seasons. Equal parts charming and wholesome, it's a timeless story about family and community that readers won't soon forget. (Ages 7 - 11)

The Eyes and the Impossible

by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Shawn Harris

Johannes, a dog, watches everything that happens in the park and reports back to the Bison, the Keepers of the Equilibrium. But the Equilibrium has been disrupted and decisions must be made. A delightful animal adventure story about freedom and friendship that readers of all ages are sure to love. The audiobook , read by Ethan Hawke, is a read-aloud masterpiece. (Ages 8 - 12)

by Pedro Martín

Mexikid is a "wildly entertaining" coming-of-age graphic novel that intricately weaves together themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the challenges of growing up as a Mexican-American. Follow Pedro and his family on a road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico to live with them in the US. (Ages 8 - 12)

Remember Us

by Jacqueline Woodson

Set during the Bushwick fires of the late 1970s when Black families' wooden homes frequently caught fire as easily as matchsticks, Jacqueline Woodson's story of a 12-year-old African American girl who dreams of becoming a pro basketball player is one of friendship, loss, and self-identity. (Ages10+ )

by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Corinna Luyken

by Marie Dorléans, translated by Alyson Waters

Emile and the Field

by Kevin Young, illustrated by Chioma Ebinama

Frances in the Country

by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Sean Qualls

The Summer of Diving

by Sara Stridsberg, illustrated by Sara Lundberg, translated by B.J. Woodstein

by Jennifer Ziegler

Unstoppable Us, Volume 1: How Humans Took Over the World

by Yuval Noah Harari, illustrated by Richard Zaplana Ruiz

Singing with Elephants

by Margarita Engle

The Last Mapmaker

by Christina Soontornvat

Cress Watercress

by Gregory Maguire, illustrated by David Litchfield

Bright Star

by Yuyi Morales

Dream Street

by Tricia Elam Walker, illustrated by Ekua Holmes

Milo Imagines the World

by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson

The Rock from the Sky

by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin

The Beatryce Prophecy

by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Long Road to the Circus

by Betsy Bird, illustrated by David Small

The Genius Under the Table

by Eugene Yelchin

The Many Meanings of Meilan

by Andrea Wang

In the Wild Light

by Jeff Zentner

I Talk Like a River

by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith

When Stars Are Scattered

by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, illustrated by Victoria Jamieson and Iman Geddy

Before the Ever After

edited by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson

My Papi Has a Motorcycle

by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peña

Small in the City

All the Greys on Greene Street

by Laura Tucker

The Fountains of Silence

by Ruta Sepetys

Frankly in Love

by David Yoon

by Akwaeke Emezi

The Rabbit Listened

by Cori Doerrfeld

The Wall in the Middle of the Book

by Jon Agee

Julián Is a Mermaid

by Jessica Love

by Karen Hesse

by Kenneth Oppel, illustrated by Sydney Smith

Merci Suárez Changes Gears

by Meg Medina

The Night Diary

by Veera Hiranandani

The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse

by Mac Barnett. Illustrated by Jon Klassen

All's Faire in Middle School

by Victoria Jamieson

Bronze and Sunflower

by Cao Wenxuan, translated by Helen Wang

The Stars Beneath Our Feet

by David Barclay Moore

Tumble & Blue

by Cassie Beasley

Akata Warrior

by Nnedi Okorafor

The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage

by Philip Pullman

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

by Erika L. Sánchez

Turtles All the Way Down

by John Green

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The New York Times Parent's Guide to the Best Books for Children

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Where to Find the Best Children’s Book Reviews

Sarah S. Davis

Sarah S. Davis holds a BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master's of Library Science from Clarion University, and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Sarah has also written for Electric Literature, Kirkus Reviews, Audible, Psych Central, and more. Sarah is the founder of Broke By Books blog and runs a tarot reading business, Divination Vibration . Twitter: @missbookgoddess Instagram: @Sarahbookgoddess

View All posts by Sarah S. Davis

There are more great children’s books being published than ever before, but how do you know which ones to read? Fortunately, today there are so many ways to access children’s book reviews. Here are some of the best places to find reviews of children’s literature.

Part 1: General Children’s Book Reviews

In this first section of our roundup of the best children’s book review websites, I’ll discuss publications that cover all things kid lit.

The Children’s Book Review

As its name implies, The Children’s Book Review is all about book reviews of children’s literature. With huge coverage of all kinds of kid lit, The Children’s Book Review is simple to browse books by subject and books by age, along with buzzy “trending” books and “showcase” books. Your typical book review lays out the specs (intended age, page count, etc.) and provides a medium-sized review with information about the author and/or illustrator. The Children’s Book Review is definitely one of the most comprehensive book review sites for kid lit, and it supplements its reviews with author interviews and curated lists.

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Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is an organization that reviews media (books, TV, movies, apps, games) with a special focus on educating parents and other adults on “What Parents Should Know,” vis-à-vis content warnings and age appropriateness. Some of the qualities Common Sense Media covers include “Educational Value,” “Positive Messages,” “Positive Role Models and Representations,” and “Language.” Especially notable is Common Sense Media’s focus on diversity, with an invitation to reach out if they’ve “missed anything on diversity.” Also of note, Common Sense Media is one of the few children’s book reviews websites that rates books using a star system. If you just want to know quickly how good a book is, navigate over to Common Sense Media and find a book’s star rating.

The Horn Book

Children’s book review magazine The Horn Book takes its name from”horn books,” which were some of the earliest books made to educate children. The Horn Book is a leading publication in print and online for finding children’s book reviews. This treasured magazine’s website is well-organized, and you can find all the reviews in an easy-to-search database . For the best of the best, browse by The Horn Book ‘s starred reviews . If you buy a paid subscription, you’ll have access to the huge, searchable archive of more than 70,000 reviews, known as “The Guide.” There, you can browse book reviews by Authors/Illustrators, Subjects, Series, and Reviewers. Though some reviews cost a subscription to view, some content, like the “Book Bundles” (check out the one on “Our Bodies, Our Selves” for an example), which group together like-minded books based on themes and include bite-sized reviews, are available for free.

Kirkus Reviews Children’s Books

One of the leading book review sites for all genres and age levels, Kirkus has plenty of kid lit content. Kirkus lets you easily sort by different categories like age, format (picture book, chapter book, etc.), sub-genre (biographies and memoirs, historical fiction), and category (e.g. fiction vs. nonfiction). You can also filter by what books get a coveted Kirkus star. What’s great about Kirkus’s unique format is each review is brief and to the point. If you don’t want to go digging for the bottom line, Kirkus’s kid lit reviews are a good place to start.

Publishers Weekly Children’s Bookshelf

If you’re looking for the buzziest kid lit books, check out Children’s Bookshelf, the free weekly newsletter from Publishers Weekly . This publication is known for its up-to-the-minute chatter about the publishing industry, including children’s books, which are reviewed in roundups, as well as all kinds of bookish content. Subscribing to Children’s Bookshelf is one of the best ways to stay current with kid lit.

School Library Journal

Leave it to the librarians to guide you on what children’s books to read. The long-running School Library Journal has tons of reviews of every kind of kid lit book imaginable. With a special focus on advising libraries whether or not to purchase a book, School Library Journal dishes out bite-sized takeaways (known as a “VERDICT”) at the end of each review. School Library Journal also has tons of non-review content, getting you caught up with the latest news in the world of children’s literature.

Part 2: Special Focus Children’s Book Reviews Websites

In this section, I’ll highlight the places to go for more specialized kid lit coverage.

American Indians in Children’s Literature

This phenomenal site concentrates on promoting the best children’s literature by Indigenous authors and illustrators. Search the site for specific topics or skip right to the “Best Books” for the books most worth celebrating.

The Brown Bookshelf

The Brown Bookshelf is dedicated to featuring book reviews of kid lit by Black authors and illustrators. Start by searching the site or filtering for book reviews . The Brown Bookshelf also compiles great resources for finding more children’s books by Black voices. You’ll find the most up-to-date coverage on the blog .

Disability in Kid Lit

Although no longer updated, the book reviews on Disability in Kid Lit are worth consulting if you’re looking for children’s book reviews about disabled protagonists. You can use the well-indexed search function and browse by different disabilities depending on what condition or identity you’re looking for. Also of note, the “Honor Roll” puts the spotlight on the best representation of disability in kid lit.

Hijabi Librarians

The reviewers and writers at Hijabi Librarians set their lens on children’s and YA books with Muslim representation. Along with author interviews and book discussion guides , Hijabi Librarians includes book reviews and resources for Muslim voices in children’s literature.

Latinx in Kid Lit

Looking for coverage of Latinx authors and illustrators in children’s literature? Definitely be sure to check out Latinx in Kid Lit. This resource compiles reviewed books that feature Latinx representation. You can search by age range — for example, middle grade books — and find that each review includes “Teacher Tips” for educators. The Latinx in Kid Lit blog also has tons of great content, including interviews, Latinx book deals, and publishing industry news specific to Latinx creators.

Social Justice Books

Social Justice Books is focused on…you guessed it, social justice in children’s literature! This site has loads of great guidance on the best social justice topics in kid lit, like the carefully curated booklists by theme . Check out the book review database , which aggregates reviews and is organized by themes like “Activism,” “Asian American,” and “Bullying.” Each book is given a star rating, making for an easy browsing experience if you’re just looking for the best reads.

Special Focus: Can’t-Miss-It Resources for Diversity in Children’s Literature

Cynthia leitich smith’s cynsations.

Bestselling and award-winning author Cynthia Leitich Smith maintains a website all about children’s and young adult books. On Cynsations you’ll find a broad array of content, including diverse author/illustrator interviews and news roundups.

Social Justice Books’ Sources for Book Reviews and Recommendations

Already highlighted above, Social Justice Books is a terrific resource for finding diverse children’s book reviews with a social justice focus. But I also wanted to shine a light on their list of sources for diverse kid lit book reviews if you’re looking for even more sources of diverse children’s literature.

We Need Diverse Books Resources

We Need Diverse Books is a non-profit alliance to further diversity in children’s and YA literature. Although We Need Diverse Books does not publish book reviews, they do have an outstanding roundup of resources for diversity in kid lit that should be a stop on everyone’s journey to find more diverse children’s literature.

Part 3: Children’s Book Review Social Media Accounts to Check Out

Instagram is a great resource for finding children’s book reviews. A diverse range of educators, Bookstagrammers, librarians, and more all highlight great children’s books. Here are some of Book Riot’s favorite children’s book review influencers to follow on Instagram.

@babylibrarians — Margaret and Jen

Run by Book Riot writers Margaret Kingsbury and Jen Sherman , Baby Librarians will get you up to speed on the best and latest in children’s literature.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Baby Librarians (@babylibrarians)

@hereweread — Charnaie Gordon

Charnaie Gordon is a huge book influencer focusing on diversity in children’s literature. You won’t want to miss the books she loves.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charnaie Gordon | Diversity (@hereweeread)

@leeandlowbooks — Lee and Low Books

The POC-owned Lee and Low Books is a children’s book publisher dedicated to diversity. They feature the best of the best books on their Instagram.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lee and Low Books (@leeandlow)

@lgbtqkidlit — Laurie and Julie

This account is managed by two moms and showcases children’s book reviews with queer themes.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Laurie(s/h) Julie(s/h)disabled (@lgbtqkidlit)

@littlefeministbookclub — Little Feminist Book Club

As its name implies, Little Feminist Book Club is dedicated to sharing the best children’s books with feminist themes.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Little Feminist Book Club (@littlefeministbookclub)

@noodlenutskidsbooks — Jenn S.

Jenn S. writes book reviews of new picture books focused on diversity.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jenn S. (@noodlenutskidsbooks)

@readwithriver — Alessandra Requena

This Bookstagrammer promotes the best children’s books.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alessandra Requena (@readwithriver)

@shelvesofcolor — Saranya & Ishaan

Saranya and Ishaan review diverse children’s books on Bookstagram.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saranya & Ishaan (@shelvesofcolor)

@thebookwrangler — Mike

The Mike behind this popular bookstagram account is a K–5 librarian who shares his favorite recent reads.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mike (@thebookwrangler)

@thetututeacher — Vera Ahiyya

Educator Vera Ahiyya shares diverse book reviews on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vera Ahiyya (@thetututeacher)

Still hunting for more great children’s books? Check out our Children’s Books archive , as well as these helpful posts:

• 50 Children’s Books About Diversity That Celebrate Our Differences
• The Best Children’s Books By Age: A Guide To Great Reading
• 13 Places To Find Free Children’s Books Online

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• Perspectives

Best of 2023: Our Favorite Children’s Books

BY Mahnaz Dar • Nov. 26, 2023

One of my favorite parts of being a reviews editor is compiling our annual best books lists. It’s a chance not only to surface superb titles, but also to take stock, to reexamine the ideas that matter to us...and to get a sense of where we’re going. Here are a few titles from our lists of the  Best Picture Books of 2023 and  Best Middle-Grade Books of 2023 that offer a snapshot of the year’s trends:

Picture books that instill courage in little ones have long been kid-lit staples, but this year I’ve noticed authors taking a slightly different approach. These selections reassure children who feel different that they’re OK just as they are—it’s the rest of the world that needs to change its assumptions. Vashti Harrison’s Big (Little, Brown, May 2) follows a Black girl who learns to reject the fatphobic labels that others thrust upon her. Parents and educators may recognize themselves in the well-meaning but ignorant adults who chastise the child; hopefully they’ll emerge more willing to question their own biases. Maya Tatsukawa’s Mole Is Not Alone (Henry Holt, Oct. 3) centers on a protagonist who frets about an upcoming party; a conclusion where Mole enjoys quiet one-on-one time with a new friend makes clear that introverts need not transform themselves into social butterflies in order to have fun.

Many young people grow up never seeing their families represented in media. Laudably, several of this year’s middle-grade novels demonstrate that happy families are not all alike (sorry, Tolstoy). In Chrystal D. Giles’ Not an Easy Win (Random House, Feb. 28), a Black 12-year-old named Lawrence, his sister, and their mother move in with Grandma. Giles sensitively handles painful topics, such as Lawrence’s father’s incarceration, while setting her protagonist on an uplifting yet wholly believable path to triumph. Set in 1980s New York City, Ami Polonsky’s World Made of Glass (Little, Brown, Jan. 17) features a young girl named Iris whose father is dying of AIDS. Though her parents are divorced, they’re still a tight-knit unit, and Iris also forges a firm bond with her father’s boyfriend. While these protagonists confront strife both at home and in the outside world, their families, however imperfect, remain loving sources of support.

Counternarratives to whitewashed accounts of U.S. history continue to come under fire from censors, but I’m heartened that authors are nevertheless speaking truth to power. Two of my favorite nonfiction picture books, Kwame Alexander’s An American Story (Little, Brown, Jan. 3), illustrated by Dare Coulter, and Jennifer Thermes’ A Place Called America: A Story of the Land and People (Abrams, Aug. 15), offer unflinching yet age-appropriate views of U.S. history. Middle-grade authors are also exploring history in nuanced ways. In Mitali Perkins’ tender, thought-provoking novel Hope in the Valley (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, July 11), set in 1980s Silicon Valley, readers will find a Bengali American girl balancing insights about history with realizations about the present, while Daniel James Brown’s potent Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II (Viking, Nov. 14), adapted for young readers by Liz Hudson, will leave young people determined to know more about painful chapters in U.S. history. Book banners may claim that they’re protecting kids from difficult realities, but these creators are demonstrating that it’s not only possible to give children an honest depiction of history—it’s vital for a full understanding of our present.

Mahnaz Dar is a young readers’ editor.

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New and Noteworthy Children's and YA Books: March 2024

How does one celebrate the beginning of spring? With new books, of course. While enjoying pockets of sunshine, readers can enjoy a picture book full of promises, a middle grade tale featuring a chaotic family, a YA fantasy reuniting magical warriors for an epic battle, and more.

Picture Books

Animal Albums from A to Z

Cece Bell. Walker US, $19.99 (64p) ISBN 978-1-5362-2624-9. Ages 4–8. Newbery Honoree Bell creates an entire high-fidelity world with an abecedarian that features album cover art and one song’s worth of liner-note lyrics from 26 invented animal recording artists. See our q&a with Bell. The book received a starred review from PW .

Bunny Should Be Sleeping

Amy Hest, illus. by Renata Liwska. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-8234-5341-2. Ages 4–8. When a nighttime routine for Bunny is broken, he takes it upon himself to ensure that bedtime goes as usual. The book received a starred review from PW .

Brave Baby Hummingbird

Sy Montgomery, illus. by Tiffany Bozic. S&S/Wiseman, $18.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-66591-849-7. Ages 4–8. Two baby Allen’s hummingbirds, alone in a coin-size nest, thrive with human assistance in an informational rescue story that hints at fledglings’ fortitude. The book received a starred review from PW .

Everyone Gets a Turn

Marianne Dubuc. Princeton Architectural Press, $18.99 (60p) ISBN 978-1-79722-729-0. Ages 3–6. Four friends who find an egg in the forest initially squabble over who gets to take it home, but learn the virtue of sharing. The book received a starred review from PW .

The Last Zookeeper

Aaron Becker. Candlewick, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-5362-2768-0. Ages 5–9. This wordless picture follows a robot zookeeper who must rescue the animals when sea levels rise and threaten their survival. See our q&a with Becker. The book received a starred review from PW .

A Rose, a Bridge, and a Wild Black Horse

Charlotte Zolotow, illus. by Julie Morstad. Cameron, $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-951836-74-0. Ages 5–7. A girl makes a string of extravagant promises to her mother in this newly illustrated work from late author Zolotow.

Something About the Sky

Rachel Carson, illus. by Nikki McClure. Candlewick Studio, $19.99 (56p) ISBN 978-1-5362-2870-0. Ages 5–8. This picture book adapts biologist, conservationist, and Silent Spring author Carson’s script from an educational TV program. The book received a starred review from PW .

The Walk of the Field Mouse

Nadine Robert, illus. by Valerio Vidali. Milky Way, $20.99 (64p) ISBN 978-1-990252-32-7. Ages 4–8. When a robin’s egg falls down from its nest, an unexpected hero works tirelessly to return it to its perch. The book received a starred review from PW .

Middle Grade

The Color of Sound

Emily Barth Isler. Carolrhoda, $19.99 (336p) ISBN 978-1-7284-8777-9. Ages 8–12. Golden, a talented tween with synesthesia, probes her Jewish family’s history when she magically meets a younger version of her mother. See our q&a with Isler on authentic representations of neurodiversity. The book received a starred review from PW .

Kate DiCamillo. Candlewick, $18.99 (240p) ISBN 978-1-536231-05-2. Ages 8–12. The summer before fifth grade, 10-year-old Emma Phineas Wilkey deals with unfamiliar emotional terrain brought on by her family’s antics.

The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry

Anna Rose Johnson. Holiday House, $18.99 (192p) ISBN 978-0-8234-5363-4. Ages 8–12. After her guardian dies, Selena Lucy Landry is taken in by the Martins, a large Ojibwe family. In hopes of gaining the acceptance of the Martin children, Lucy sets out in search of long-lost treasure. The book received a starred review from PW .

Maya Plays the Part

Calyssa Erb. Annick, $19.99 (240p) ISBN 978-1-77321-851-9. Ages 8–12. Autistic 11-year-old musical theater enthusiast Maya Robertson attends theater summer camp and is disappointed when she’s assigned assistant director instead of actor, and aims to show her peers that she is meant to be onstage. The book received a starred review from PW .

Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem (The Blue Stars #1)

Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith, illus. by Molly Murakami. Candlewick, $22.99 (176p) ISBN 978-1-5362-0499-5. Ages 8–12. Estranged cousins Riley and Maya come together after uncovering a sinister plot with their vice principal at the reins. Read about Magoon’s busy year in our profile. The book received a starred review from PW .

Louder Than Hunger

John Schu. Candlewick, $18.99 (528p) ISBN 978-1-5362-2909-7. Ages 10–14. In 1996, tween Jake is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and admitted to an inpatient treatment facility where he explores his relationship with food. See Schu’s essay for PW on the personal experiences that inspired his novel in verse. The book received a starred review from PW .

The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines

Mo Netz. Clarion, $18.99 (208p) ISBN 978-0-0632-6653-7. Ages 8–12. Disabled 11-year-old Jerry Blum and her mother settle at the Slumbering Giant Motel where Jerry grows suspicious of her mother’s new job. When her mother vanishes, Jerry ventures into the woods where creatures are rumored to live. The book received a starred review from PW .

Allie Millington. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99 (256p) ISBN 978-1-250326-93-5. Ages 8–12. Olivetti—a polite and observant dark green typewriter—and Ernest, the introverted 12-year-old son to Olivetti’s owner, Beatrice, both grow worried when Beatrice suddenly disappears. See Millington’s essay for PW on the old-fashioned charm of typewriters.

Poetry Comics

Grant Snider. Chronicle, $18.99 (96p) ISBN 978-1-79721-965-3. Ages 8–12. The friendship between two children offers opportunity for self-reflection and curiosity via poetry. The book received a starred review from PW .

Unicorn Boy (Unicorn Boy #1)

Dave Roman. First Second, $22.99 (208p) ISBN 978-1-250-83027-2. Ages 8–12. Brian Reyes finds his world turned upside down when, one day, a mysterious bump on his head morphs into a sparkling, singing unicorn horn. The graphic novel received a starred review from PW .

The Wild River and The Great Dam: The Construction of Hoover Dam and the Vanishing Colorado River

Simon Boughton. Little, Brown/Ottaviano, $19.99 (272p) ISBN 978-0-316-38074-4. Ages 9–14. Boughton chronicles the construction of the Hoover Dam—whose “purpose was to stop the floods and droughts that plagued the southwestern United States”—and how it would become the largest feat of engineering ever seen in America. See our q&a with publishing veteran Boughton on his children’s debut. The book received a starred review from PW .

Young Adult

Ariel Crashes a Train

Olivia A. Cole. Labyrinth Road, $19.99 (464p) ISBN 978-0-593-64466-9. Ages 14 and up. Queer 17-year-old Ariel Burns begins to fear her own mind when intrusive thoughts about harming others intensify during a pivotal summer. The book received a starred review from PW .

The Boy Lost in the Maze

Joseph Coelho, illus. by Kate Milner. Candlewick, $19.99 (320p) ISBN 978-1-5362-3641-5. Ages 12 and up. Previous collaborators Coelho and Milner offer a nuanced look at masculinity via a teenager’s search for his father paralleled with the Greek myth of Theseus. The book received a starred review from PW .

Chronically Dolores

Maya Van Wagenen. Dutton, $18.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-525-42682-0. Ages 12 and up. Van Wagenen draws on her experiences managing interstitial cystitis—a chronic bladder condition—in this middle grade novel centering tween Dolores, who navigates tension at school following a bladder-related incident at school. The book received a starred review from PW .

The Encanto’s Daughter (The Encanto’s Daughter #1)

Melissa de la Cruz. Putnam, $19.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-593-53308-6. Ages 12 and up. Teenage MJ Rodriguez knows that she must conceal from other humans her identity as a half human, half Encanto being from a magical world. When her father, the Encanto King, dies, MJ returns to the world of the Encantos, but she has much to learn of the beguiling fairies’ ways. See our q&a with de la Cruz on her Filipino-inspired fantasy.

K. Ancrum. HarperTeen, $19.99 (400p) ISBN 978-0-06328-578-1. Ages 13 and up. Seventeen-year-old art thief Icarus Gallagher must choose between loyalty to his family or to a new friend when he uncovers a secret that could take down his rivals. The book received a starred review from PW .

In the Orbit of You

Ashley Schumacher. Wednesday, $20 (320p) ISBN 978-1-2508-8604-0. Ages 13 and up. Childhood best friends Sam and Nova reunite in high school, calling into question all of their carefully laid plans for the future, and the promises they made as children. The book received a starred review from PW .

Just Another Epic Love Poem

Parisa Akhbari. Dial, $19.99 (400p) ISBN 978-0-593-53049-8. Ages 14 and up. Iranian American Mitra Esfahani struggles with changes in her relationships as she and her best friend shift from something platonic to romantic, and her drug-dependent mother makes a reappearance. See our q&a with Akhbari.

Traci Chee. HarperCollins, $19.99 (432p) ISBN 978-0-06326-9354. Ages 14 and up. To help protect her community from raiders, a youth from the small farming village of Camas sets out in search of kindlings, magical soldiers who were conscripted as children into a centuries-long war between opposing nations. The book received a starred review from PW .

The Last Bloodcarver

Vanessa Le. Roaring Brook, $19.99 (384p) ISBN 978-1-250-88152-6. Ages 12 and up. After being outed as a feared bloodcarver, Nhika is bought by the scions of a wealthy industrialist family who seek her bloodcarving to heal the comatose last witness to their patriarch’s suspicious death. See our q&a with Le on how she combined her heritage and medical background to craft her debut. The book received a starred review from PW .

The No-Girlfriend Rule

Christen Randall. Atheneum, $19.99 (336p) ISBN 978-1-6659-3981-2. Ages 14 and up. After being kicked out of her boyfriend’s gaming campaign, Hollis Beckwith finds a girl-friendly, queer-inclusive crowd that helps her find her confidence. The book received a starred review from PW .

Six Truths and a Lie

Ream Shukairy. Little, Brown, $18.99 (400p) ISBN 978-0-316564-59-5. Ages 12 and up. A group of Muslim teenagers suspected of a terrorist attack face pressure from the press, the police, and their own families to turn against one another. See our interview with Shukairy. The book received a starred review from PW .

The Summer She Went Missing

Chelsea Ichaso. Sourcebooks Fire, $11.99 paper (384p) ISBN 978-1-728251-09-7. Ages 14 and up. Unable to accept her best friend’s disappearance, Paige begins her own inquiry and delves into a world of shadowy townies and even more sinister dealings among the area’s upper crust populace. The book received a starred review from PW .

Under This Red Rock

Mindy McGinnis. HarperCollins/Tegen, $19.99 (336p) ISBN 978-0-0632-3041-5. Ages 14 and up. Neely Hawtrey grapples with the loss of her family and her three secret monsters when a terrible crime occurs, destroying her carefully constructed reality. The book received a starred review from PW .

What Monstrous Gods

Rosamund Hodge. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $19.99 (368p) ISBN 978-0-06-286913-5. Ages 13 and up. Seveteen-year-old Lia Kurinava is intent on killing Ruven and freeing the royal family from the curse of eternal sleep that’s been cast on them. The book received a starred review from PW .

Where Sleeping Girls Lie

Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé. Feiwel and Friends, $19.99 (416p) ISBN 978-1-250-80084-8. Ages 14 and up. Recently orphaned Sade Hussein begins attending Alfred Nobel Academy, and when her new roommate disappears, Sade launches an investigation that leads to revelations about a culture of patriarchal violence terrorizing female students at the academy. The book received a starred review from PW .

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8 New Books We Recommend This Week

Suggested reading from critics and editors at The New York Times.

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Our recommended books this week include three very different memoirs. In “Grief Is for People,” Sloane Crosley pays tribute to a lost friend and mentor; in “Replay,” the video-game designer Jordan Mechner presents a graphic family memoir of three generations; and in “What Have We Here?” the actor Billy Dee Williams looks back at his life in Hollywood and beyond.

Also up this week: a history of the shipping companies that helped Jewish refugees flee Europe before World War I and a humane portrait of people who ended up more or less alone at death, their bodies unclaimed in a Los Angeles morgue. In fiction we recommend a posthumous story collection by a writer who died on the cusp of success, along with a ripped-from-the-headlines thriller and a big supernatural novel from a writer previously celebrated for her short fiction. Happy reading. — Gregory Cowles

WHAT HAPPENED TO NINA? Dervla McTiernan

Despite its title, this disturbing, enthralling thriller is less concerned with what happened to 20-year-old Nina, who vanished while spending the weekend with her controlling boyfriend, than it is with how the couple’s parents — all broken, terrified and desperate in their own ways — respond to the exigencies of the moment.

“Almost painfully gripping. … The last scene will make your blood run cold.”

From Sarah Lyall’s thrillers column

Morrow | $27

THE UNCLAIMED: Abandonment and Hope in the City of Angels Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans

The sociologists Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans spent some 10 years studying the phenomenon of the unclaimed dead in America — and, specifically, Los Angeles. What sounds like a grim undertaking has resulted in this moving project, in which they focus on not just the deaths but the lives of four people. The end result is sobering, certainly, but important, readable and deeply humane.

“A work of grace. … Both cleareyed and disturbing, yet pulsing with empathy.”

From Dan Barry’s review

Crown | $30

THE BOOK OF LOVE Kelly Link

Three teenagers are brought back from the dead in Link’s first novel, which is set in a coastal New England town full of secrets and supernatural entities. The magic-wielding band teacher who revived them gives the kids a series of tasks to stay alive, but powerful forces conspire to thwart them.

“It’s profoundly beautiful, provokes intense emotion, offers up what feel like rooted, incontrovertible truths.”

From Amal El-Mohtar’s review

Random House | $31

GRIEF IS FOR PEOPLE Sloane Crosley

Crosley is known for her humor, but her new memoir tackles grief. The book follows the author as she works to process the loss of her friend, mentor and former boss, Russell Perreault, who died by suicide.

“The book is less than 200 pages, but the weight of suicide as a subject, paired with Crosley’s exceptional ability to write juicy conversation, prevents it from being the kind of slim volume one flies through and forgets.”

From Ashley C. Ford’s review

MCDxFSG | $27

NEIGHBORS AND OTHER STORIES Diane Oliver

This deceptively powerful posthumous collection by a writer who died at 22 follows the everyday routines of Black families as they negotiate separate but equal Jim Crow strictures, only to discover uglier truths.

“Like finding hunks of gold bullion buried in your backyard. … Belatedly bids a full-throated hello.”

From Alexandra Jacobs’s review

Grove | $27

WHAT HAVE WE HERE? Portraits of a Life Billy Dee Williams

In this effortlessly charming memoir, the 86-year-old actor traces his path from a Harlem childhood to the “Star Wars” universe, while lamenting the roles that never came his way.

“He writes with clarity and intimacy, revealing the person behind the persona. And he doesn’t scrimp on the dirty details.”

From Maya S. Cade’s review

Knopf | $32

THE LAST SHIPS FROM HAMBURG: Business, Rivalry, and the Race to Save Russia’s Jews on the Eve of World War I Steven Ujifusa

Ujifusa’s history describes the early-20th-century shipping interests that made a profit helping millions of impoverished Jews flee violence in Eastern Europe for safe harbor in America before the U.S. Congress passed laws restricting immigration.

“Thoroughly researched and beautifully written. … Truth as old as the Republic itself.”

From David Nasaw’s review

Dutton | $35

REPLAY: Memoir of an Uprooted Family Jordan Mechner

The famed video-game designer (“Prince of Persia”) pivots to personal history in this ambitious but intimate graphic novel. In it, he elegantly interweaves themes of memory and exile with family lore from three generations: a grandfather who fought in World War I; a father who fled Nazi persecution; and his own path as a globe-trotting, game-creating polymath.

“The binding theme is statelessness — imposed by chance, antisemitism and personal ambition — but memoirs are about memory, and so it is also a book about the subtleties and biases of recollection.”

From Sam Thielman’s graphics column

First Second | $29.99

Explore More in Books

Want to know about the best books to read and the latest news start here..

James McBride’s novel sold a million copies, and he isn’t sure how he feels about that, as he considers the critical and commercial success  of “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.”

How did gender become a scary word? Judith Butler, the theorist who got us talking about the subject , has answers.

You never know what’s going to go wrong in these graphic novels, where Circus tigers, giant spiders, shifting borders and motherhood all threaten to end life as we know it .

When the author Tommy Orange received an impassioned email from a teacher in the Bronx, he dropped everything to visit the students  who inspired it.

Do you want to be a better reader?   Here’s some helpful advice to show you how to get the most out of your literary endeavor .

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

Jennifer Krauss Named New Children’s Books Editor

Jennifer Krauss, who has deep roots in the literary world, will also continue as our Paperback Row columnist. Read more in this note from Pamela Paul and Tina Jordan.

We are thrilled to announce that Jennifer Krauss will be our new children’s books editor. Many of you already know Jennifer from her years working in the Reader Center, where she was a Times Insider editor and also spearheaded and edited the Understanding The Times and the Behind the Byline series.

What you may not know is that Jennifer also has deep roots in the literary world. After studying English literature at Brown and getting a master’s in English at Cornell, Jennifer joined The New Republic as the assistant literary editor and later moved on to The New York Review of Books. Later she became the deputy book review editor at New York Newsday and then the arts editor at Talk magazine. Her book reviews have been published in The Times, The Washington Post, The New Republic and Newsday.  She went on to pursue a career on the business side at Story Worldwide, Time Inc., Hearst, Dow Jones and Federated Media before returning to journalism at The Times.

Jennifer will be the eighth person to take on the role of children’s books editor in the Book Review’s 124-year history, and we can’t wait for her to bring her literary chops, editorial skills, taste and sensibility to the role. She succeeds Maria Russo, who, after five years at The Times, is leaving for a position in children’s books publishing.

Jennifer  will also contribute to the Book desk’s overall mission in adapting our journalism and criticism to the coronavirus era and beyond, both on kids’ books and on books coverage as a whole. And she will continue as our Paperback Row columnist, a job she assumed immediately after quarantine began, giving her the unique challenge of starting at the Book Review without physical access to the books themselves. Having already knocked it out of the park these last few weeks, we have no doubt she will continue to adapt and innovate our coverage of books for all readers over the age of one day.

Please join us in congratulating Jennifer on her new role.

Pamela and Tina

Explore Further

Changes in the books department, jaime green joins book review as a romance columnist.

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Children’s Books That Deserve Adaptations

F rom Paddington Bear to Pinocchio, over the past few years, audiences have seen many classic children’s stories brought to life on the big screen for a whole new generation of audiences. So many of our beloved stories have become spectacles on the big screen, allowing us to see these adorable childhood characters come to life . However, while many once-children recognize these classics, they aren’t always the stories that the newer generations have grown up with.

Updated September 14, 2023: If you're a fan of book-to-film adaptations, then you'll be happy to know this article was updated recently with even more fantasy-worthy favs by Amanda Minchin.

From the bedtime story to the classroom, there is no simply no shortage of brilliantly illustrated children’s books that would translate into fabulous films for kids. Here are some iconic children's tales that deserve the chance to be seen on screen.

Julia’s House for Lost Creatures (2014)

Julia’s House for Lost Creatures is a picture book trilogy that centers around a lonely girl. All alone in her big house, she tries to make it a welcoming home for wayward monsters and creatures. The funky and friendly creatures, in turn, try their best to help around the house. Everyone is thrilled to be along for the ride when Julia’s home turns out to be resting on the shell of a giant turtle that's venturing on to even more new and exciting adventures.

This story was written and designed by Ben Hatke. His unique style of art can be recognized in all of his published kids' books - It’s whimsical and captivating and creates special critters that everyone is sure to love. It's also the perfect blueprint for an animated children’s film, inspiring a similar feel to movies such as The Secret of Kells or movies by Studio Ghibli . It would be a beautiful opportunity for animators to create fun new creatures and bring to life a charming story about a girl and her wayward monsters.

The Graveyard Book (2008)

The Graveyard Book is an often-forgotten classic by Neil Gaiman. This spooky story is about a baby who was meant to be killed alongside his parents but ends up in a graveyard where the ghosts and ghouls set out to raise him as their own. Its somewhat haunting premise is a tale all about found family, identity, and courage.

Related: The Best Adaptations of Neil Gaiman Books, Ranked

There have been murmurings of a movie being produced , but nothing has yet to come to fruition. The good news is this book lends itself to both animation and live-action. There aren’t many illustrations throughout, which would give more creative license to the production company. It could follow in the footsteps of animated horror movies like The Nightmare Before Christmas or Coraline , or it could take note of the haunting renditions of Guillermo del Toro . This story could easily be brought to life in a stunning and memorable style that is sure to spook audiences of all ages.

Pirate Stew (2020)

Another more recent publication by Neil Gaiman that would also lend itself well to the big screen is Pirate Stew . This picture book is about two kids whose babysitter is a round old pirate. He brings along his troublesome crew, and together they make a cauldron of stew that turns anyone who eats it into a pirate .

This book has a fun art style and a premise that could lend itself to all sorts of cinematic animation, from Treasure Island to Loving Vincent . It is also written in rhyme, which would make for a wonderful musical element. Who doesn’t love a good pirate shanty, after all? This story could also become an adaptation reminiscent of Dr. Seuss’ funky tales or a hilariously hectic Disney/Pixar film. The point is, Pirate Stew has lots of versatility.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (1992)

Even after 30 odd years, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales has aged surprisingly well . Written by Jon Scieszka, this modern children's classic is well known for its absurd re-creation of fairy tales, featuring spoofs of anyone from the Gingerbread Man to Little Red Riding Hood to the Ugly Duckling.

Stylistically speaking, it is perhaps just as well known for the iconic illustrations of Lane Smith. A reinterpretation of this book might look something like James and the Giant Peach . An alternative brainchild of the pair, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs , as told from the point of view of the Big Bad Wolf, would also be an obvious choice for a sequel.

Mamma Don't Allow (1984)

While judging a book by its cover is considered a major faux pas in real life, if the cover of Thacher Hurd's Mamma Don't Allow is any indication, this story's illustrations would translate perfectly to the big screen. This Reading Rainbow -approved story follows saxophone-playing Miles and his swamp-based band after they come in contact with a sly congregation of oddly enthusiastic alligators.

Hurd actually comes from a family of creatives in the children's space. His father illustrated the children's classic Goodnight, Moon (which is dedicated to his just-born son), as well as several of his wife's books. This film could be reminiscent of The Princess and the Frog , though it would likely benefit from an edgier styling. Based on a traditional song, the film could also quite easily throw in some fantastic musical stylings for good measure.

Amelia Bedelia (1963)

It is astounding that Amelia Bedelia has yet to cross over to the big screen... And no, we're not counting the short-lived live-action TV show from the 80s. The character of Amelia Bedelia was first introduced in 1963 in this self-titled book. Since then, she has amassed over 20 more.

Inspired partly by the language snafu's of the original author's third-grade class, most of the series follows Bedelia as she works as a maid for a wealthy family. Bedelia is notorious for misunderstanding figures of speech and often takes requests and commands such as drawing the curtains a little too literally. While the stories most feature her as an adult, part of the series also explores her childhood.

Related: 8 Movies That Make Us Feel Like a Kid Again

Originally written by Peggy Parish, with illustrations by Fritz Siebel, Parish's nephew Herman took over the series after her death (which had been followed by an influx of disappointed letters from pint-sized fans). This generational fan-following might prove pivotal to a box office breakout. Often considered to be on the spectrum, Bedelia would also serve as a wonderful role model for young viewers.

And Tango Makes Three (2005)

Loosely based on the heartwarming (true) story of two male penguins that adopt an abandoned egg at the Central Park Zoo, And Tango Makes Three would make a welcome addition to the animated children's space. Written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and illustrated by Henry Cole, this adorable book has unfortunately been met with pushback, making it on and off the American Library Association’s Yearly Banned Book List practically ever since it was published.

Animated films about penguins, from Happy Feet to The Pebble and the Penguin to Penguins of Madagascar, might be common, but that is exactly why this book would shine. Its focus on found family and LGBTQIA+ representation is a little-seen part of the children's animated space that is in dire need of more attention. Perhaps framing this in a familiar medium will help to sell it to the masses.

While these books might look different from the fairytales and classics we’re used to, that doesn’t mean they don’t merit their own chance to shine. Younger generations deserve to see stories that they know and recognize. Seeing their favorite characters brought to life will go on to inspire them to keep on reading and learning from them.