2025 Building a Home Library
This new 2025 list is curated by librarians to guide parents and caregivers in assembling an at-home library for the young people in their care.
9 Kilometers
By: Claudio Aguilera; translated by Lawrence Schimel
Illustrated by:
Gabriela Lyon
Gabriela Lyon
ISBN: 9780802856005
Fiction, 4-6, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Active Minds Graphic Novel
By: Cassie Gitkin
Illustrated by:
Michael S. Miller
Michael S. Miller
ISBN: 9781649961754
Nonfiction, 0-3, Concepts
Afro Unicorn
By: April Showers and Terrance Crawford
Illustrated by:
Anthony Conley and Ronaldo Barata
Anthony Conley and Ronaldo Barata
ISBN: 9781524885984
Fiction, 4-6, Fantasy
Ali Cross
By: James Patterson and Adam Rau
Illustrated by:
Phillip Tajalle
Phillip Tajalle
ISBN: 9780316454988
Fiction, Teen, Mystery / Thriller
All My Stripes
By: Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer
Illustrated by:
Jennifer Zivion
Jennifer Zivion
ISBN: 9781433819162
Fiction, 4-6, Disabilities
Alma, Head to Toe / Alma, de Pies a Cabeza
By: Juana Martinez-Neal
Illustrated by:
Juana Martinez-Neal
Juana Martinez-Neal
ISBN: 9781536228878
Fiction, 0-3, Concepts
Anything
By: Rebecca Stead
Illustrated by:
Gracey Zhang
Gracey Zhang
ISBN: 9781797215150
Fiction, 4-6, Social Emotional Learning
Are We There Yet?
By: Sven Völker
Illustrated by:
Sven Völker
Sven Völker
ISBN: 9781800660373
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
Bad Badger
By: Maryrose Wood
Illustrated by:
Giulia Ghigini
Giulia Ghigini
ISBN: 9781454953456
Fiction, Teen, Social Emotional Learning
Banana Bop!
By: Sandra Boynton
Illustrated by:
Sandra Boynton
Sandra Boynton
ISBN: 9781665974059
Fiction, 0-3, Concepts
Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna
By: Alda B. Dobbs
ISBN: 9781728251660
Fiction, 7-12, Immigrant Experience
Bedtime for Sweet Creatures
By: Nikki Grimes
Illustrated by:
Elizabeth Zunon
Elizabeth Zunon
ISBN: 9781492638322
Fiction, 0-3, BIPOC Characters and Creators
The Best Worst Camp Out Ever
By: Joe Cepeda
Illustrated by:
Joe Cepeda
Joe Cepeda
ISBN: 9780823453948
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
Big Jim and the White Boy
By: David F. Walker
Illustrated by:
Marcus Kwame Anderson
Marcus Kwame Anderson
ISBN: 9780593836118
Fiction, Teen, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Big or Small?
By: Lenka Chytilová
Illustrated by:
Veronika Zacharová
Veronika Zacharová
ISBN: 9788000061351
Nonfiction, 0-3, Concepts
Bing! Bang! Chugga! Beep!
By: Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson
Illustrated by:
Nathalie Beauvois
Nathalie Beauvois
ISBN: 9781612545998
Fiction, 0-3, Construction / Transportation
Black & White in Color
By: Tana Hoban
Illustrated by:
Tana Hoban
Tana Hoban
ISBN: 9780063384743
Nonfiction, 0-3, Concepts
Blue Sky Morning
By: Jihyun Kim; translated by Polly Lawson
Illustrated by:
Jihyun Kim
Jihyun Kim
ISBN: 9781782509080
Fiction, 4-6, Social Emotional Learning
Bodega Cats #1
By: Hilda Eunice Burgos
Illustrated by:
Siara Faison
Siara Faison
ISBN: 9781250903747
Fiction, 7-12, Coming of Age
Brownstone (A Graphic Novel)
By: Samuel Teer
Illustrated by:
Mar Julia
Mar Julia
ISBN: 9780358394754
Fiction, Teen, Coming of Age
Buckle Up (A Graphic Novel)
By: Lawrence Lindell
Illustrated by:
Lawrence Lindell
Lawrence Lindell
ISBN: 9780593479797
Fiction, 7-12, Coming of Age
The Cartoonists Club (A Graphic Novel)
By: Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
Illustrated by:
Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
ISBN: 9781338777222
Fiction, 7-12, Coming of Age
Chooch Helped (Caldecott Medal Winner)
By: Andrea L. Rogers
Illustrated by:
Rebecca Lee Kunz
Rebecca Lee Kunz
ISBN: 9781646144549
Fiction, 4-6, Food / Cooking
Count to Love! (A Bright Brown Baby Board Book)
By: Andrea Pinkney
Illustrated by:
Brian Pinkney
Brian Pinkney
ISBN: 9781338672398
Fiction, 0-3, BIPOC Characters and Creators
The Cryptid Club #4
By: Michael Brumm
Illustrated by:
Jeff Mack
Jeff Mack
ISBN: 9780063060883
Fiction, 4-6, Mystery / Thriller
Danny Chung Sums It Up
By: Maisie Chan
Illustrated by:
Natelle Quek
Natelle Quek
ISBN: 9781419748226
Fiction, Teen, Family / Community
Disaster Squad #1
By: Rekha S. Rajan
Illustrated by:
Courtney Lovett
Courtney Lovett
ISBN: 9781338828849
Fiction, 4-6, Action / Adventure
Drawn Onward
By: Daniel Nayeri
Illustrated by:
Matt Rockefeller
Matt Rockefeller
ISBN: 9780063277168
Fiction, 4-6, Death / Grief / Loss
Every Monday Mabel
By: Jashar Awan
Illustrated by:
Jashar Awan
Jashar Awan
ISBN: 9781665938150
Fiction, 4-6, Construction / Transportation
Everybody Has a Body
By: Molli Jackson Ehlert
Illustrated by:
Lorian Tu
Lorian Tu
ISBN: 9781250854445
Nonfiction, 4-6, Concepts
The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez
By: Jasminne Paulino
ISBN: 9780593859315
Fiction, Teen, Neurodiversity
Finding Things
By: Kevin Henkes
Illustrated by:
Laura Dronzek
Laura Dronzek
ISBN: 9780063245662
Fiction, 0-3, Imagination / Play
Gamerville (A Graphic Novel)
By: Johnnie Christmas
Illustrated by:
Johnnie Christmas
Johnnie Christmas
ISBN: 9780063056824
Fiction, 7-12, Action / Adventure
The Garden Just Beyond
By: Lindsey Leavitt
ISBN: 9781250858528
Fiction, Teen, Social Emotional Learning
Global
By: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin
Illustrated by:
Giovanni Rigano
Giovanni Rigano
ISBN: 9781728262192
Fiction, 7-12, Science / Nature
Hokusai’s Daughter
By: Sunny Seki
Illustrated by:
Sunny Seki
Sunny Seki
ISBN: 9784805318614
Nonfiction, Teen, Biography / Memoir
Home
By: Matt De La Peña
Illustrated by:
Loren Long
Loren Long
ISBN: 9780593110898
Fiction, 4-6, Social Emotional Learning
Home in a Lunchbox (Caldecott Honor Book)
By: Cherry Mo
Illustrated by:
Cherry Mo
Cherry Mo
ISBN: 9780593661345
Fiction, 4-6, Food / Cooking
I’m Sorry You Got Mad
By: Kyle Lukoff
Illustrated by:
Julie Kwon
Julie Kwon
ISBN: 9780593462911
Fiction, 4-6, Social Emotional Learning
Impossible Creatures
By: Katherine Rundell
Illustrated by:
Ashley Mackenzie
Ashley Mackenzie
ISBN: 9780593809860
Fiction, Teen, Fantasy
In the Night Garden
By: Carin Berger
Illustrated by:
Carin Berger
Carin Berger
ISBN: 9780823449866
Fiction, 0-3, Sleep / Dreams / Bedtime
Investigators
By: John Patrick Green and Christopher Hastings
Illustrated by:
Pat Lewis
Pat Lewis
ISBN: 9781250852397
Fiction, 7-12, Mystery / Thriller
Investigators
By: John Patrick Green and Christopher Hastings
Illustrated by:
Pat Lewis
Pat Lewis
ISBN: 9781250852403
Fiction, 7-12, Mystery / Thriller
John the Skeleton
By: Triinu Laan; translated by Adam Cullen
Illustrated by:
Marja-Liisa Plats
Marja-Liisa Plats
ISBN: 9781632063700
Fiction, 4-6, Death / Grief / Loss
King & Kayla and the Case of the Cat Hunt
By: Dori Hillestad Butler
Illustrated by:
Nancy Meyers
Nancy Meyers
ISBN: 9781682634677
Fiction, 4-6, Mystery / Thriller
The Last Kids on Earth
By: Max Brallier
Illustrated by:
Brian Churilla
Brian Churilla
ISBN: 9780593622162
Fiction, 7-12, Action / Adventure
Leo at Lunch
By: Anna McQuinn
Illustrated by:
Ruth Hearson
Ruth Hearson
ISBN: 9781623544089
Fiction, 0-3, Mental / Physical Health
Loose Threads
By: Airien Ludin
Illustrated by:
Airien Ludin
Airien Ludin
ISBN: 9798890630834
Fiction, 4-6, Death / Grief / Loss
Maggie Sparks and the Monster Baby
By: Steve Smallman
Illustrated by:
Esther Hernando
Esther Hernando
ISBN: 9781631639241
Fiction, 4-6, Social Emotional Learning
Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All (Newbery Honor Book)
By: Chanel Miller
ISBN: 9780593624524
Fiction, 7-12, Mystery / Thriller
Mascot
By: Charles Waters and Traci Sorell
ISBN: 9781623543808
Fiction, Teen, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Mommy’s Love
By: Anastasia Galkina
Illustrated by:
Ekaterina Ladatko
Ekaterina Ladatko
ISBN: 9781641706650
Fiction, 0-3, Social Emotional Learning
Mooncakes Collector’s Edition
By: Suzanne Walker
Illustrated by:
Wendy Xu
Wendy Xu
ISBN: 9781620109731
Fiction, Teen, LGBTQIA+
My Book and Me
By: Linda Sue Park
Illustrated by:
Chris Raschka
Chris Raschka
ISBN: 9781636550947
Fiction, 0-3, Imagination / Play
My Hair Is Like Yours
By: St. Clair Detrick-Jules
Illustrated by:
Tabitha Brown
Tabitha Brown
ISBN: 9781797221854
Fiction, 0-3, Concepts
My Hands Tell a Story
By: Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrated by:
Tonya Engel
Tonya Engel
ISBN: 9781478870616
Fiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Mystery at the Biltmore #1
By: Colleen Nelson
Illustrated by:
Peggy Collins
Peggy Collins
ISBN: 9781772783278
Fiction, 7-12, Mystery / Thriller
National Monuments of the USA
By: Cameron Walker
Illustrated by:
Chris Turnham
Chris Turnham
ISBN: 9780711265493
Fiction, 7-12, Science / Nature
Navigating with You
By: Jeremy Whitley
Illustrated by:
Cassio Ribeiro
Cassio Ribeiro
ISBN: 9781952303609
Fiction, Teen, LGBTQIA+
Nearer My Freedom
By: Monica Edinger and Leslie Younge
ISBN: 9781728464077
Nonfiction, Teen, Biography / Memoir
On Powwow Day
By: Traci Sorell
Illustrated by:
Madelyn Goodnight
Madelyn Goodnight
ISBN: 9781623545765
Fiction, 0-3, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Orris and Timble
By: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrated by:
Carmen Mok
Carmen Mok
ISBN: 9781536222791
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
Outsider Kids
By: Betty C. Tang
Illustrated by:
Betty C. Tang
Betty C. Tang
ISBN: 9781338832723
Fiction, 7-12, Immigrant Experience
Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock
By: Jesús Trejo
Illustrated by:
Eliza Kinkz
Eliza Kinkz
ISBN: 9781662651045
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
Pearl of the Sea
By: Anthony Silverston and Raffaella Delle Donne
Illustrated by:
Willem Samuel
Willem Samuel
ISBN: 9781946395740
Fiction, Teen, Action / Adventure
The Pecan Sheller
By: Lupe Ruiz-Flores
ISBN: 9798765610527
Fiction, Teen, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Pencil & Eraser
By: Jenny Alvarado
Illustrated by:
Jenny Alvarado
Jenny Alvarado
ISBN: 9780593699768
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
Penguin and Pinecone
By: Salina Yoon
Illustrated by:
Salina Yoon
Salina Yoon
ISBN: 9781547611447
Fiction, 0-3, Animals
Pizza Face (A Graphic Novel)
By: Rex Ogle
Illustrated by:
Dave Valeza
Dave Valeza
ISBN: 9781338575040
Fiction, 7-12, Coming of Age
The Puppets of Spelhorst
By: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrated by:
Julie Morstad
Julie Morstad
ISBN: 9781536216752
Fiction, 7-12, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths
Really Bird, Really Scared! (A Really Bird Story)
By: Harriet Ziefert
ISBN: 9781636551036
Fiction, 4-6, Social Emotional Learning
The Rehearsal Club
By: Kate Fodor and Laurie Petrou
ISBN: 9781773069913
Fiction, Teen, Mystery / Thriller
The Ribbon Skirt (A Graphic Novel)
By: Cameron Mukwa
Illustrated by:
Cameron Mukwa
Cameron Mukwa
ISBN: 9781338843262
Fiction, 7-12, Coming of Age
Rosa Loves Cars
By: Jessica Spanyol
Illustrated by:
Jessica Spanyol
Jessica Spanyol
ISBN: 9781786285249
Fiction, 0-3, Concepts
A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits)
By: Lisa Yee
Illustrated by:
Dan Santat
Dan Santat
ISBN: 9781984830296
Fiction, 7-12, Action / Adventure
Salma Makes a Home
By: Danny Ramadan
Illustrated by:
Anna Bron
Anna Bron
ISBN: 9781773217611
Fiction, 4-6, Immigrant Experience
The Shadow Thieves (The Cronus Chronicles #1)
By: Anne Ursu
ISBN: 9781665969727
Fiction, Teen, Fantasy
She’ll Be the Sky
By: Ella Risbridger
Illustrated by:
Anna Shepeta
Anna Shepeta
ISBN: 9798887770550
Nonfiction, Teen, Biography / Memoir
The Snips
By: Raul the Third
Illustrated by:
Raul the Third
Raul the Third
ISBN: 9780316528689
Fiction, 7-12, Action / Adventure
Spanish Is the Language of My Family
By: Michael Genhart
Illustrated by:
John Parra
John Parra
ISBN: 9780823450046
Fiction, 4-6, Family / Community
The Squad
By: Christina Soontornvat
Illustrated by:
Joanna Cacao
Joanna Cacao
ISBN: 9781338741322
Nonfiction, 7-12, Biography / Memoir
Stand Up! (A Graphic Novel)
By: Tori Sharp
Illustrated by:
Tori Sharp
Tori Sharp
ISBN: 9780316538916
Fiction, 7-12, LGBTQIA+
Stuntboy, in the Meantime
By: Jason Reynolds
Illustrated by:
Raul the Third
Raul the Third
ISBN: 9781534418165
Fiction, 7-12, Humor
Sugar Pie Lullaby
By: Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by:
Sawyer Cloud
Sawyer Cloud
ISBN: 9781728242521
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
Sunday
By: Marcelo Tolentino; translated by Rahul Bery
Illustrated by:
Marcelo Tolentino
Marcelo Tolentino
ISBN: 9798989858811
Fiction, 4-6, Imagination / Play
Super Magic Boy
By: Jarod Roselló
Illustrated by:
Jarod Roselló
Jarod Roselló
ISBN: 9780593427811
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
This Land Is a Lullaby
By: Tonya Simpson
Illustrated by:
Delreé Dumont
Delreé Dumont
ISBN: 9781459836099
Fiction, 0-3, Sleep / Dreams / Bedtime
Titan King, Volume 1
By: Tony Dawkins
Illustrated by:
Tony Dawkins
Tony Dawkins
ISBN: 9780760376874
Fiction, Teen, Sci-Fi
Towed by Toad
By: Jashar Awan
Illustrated by:
Jashar Awan
Jashar Awan
ISBN: 9781774883488
Fiction, 0-3, Construction / Transportation
Treehouse Trouble #1
By: Brett Bean
Illustrated by:
Brett Bean
Brett Bean
ISBN: 9780593658970
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
The Truth about Dragons (Caldecott Honor Book)
By: Julie Leung
Illustrated by:
Hannah Cha
Hannah Cha
ISBN: 9781250820587
Fiction, 4-6, Fantasy
Two-Headed Chicken
By: Tom Angleberger
Illustrated by:
Tom Angleberger
Tom Angleberger
ISBN: 9781536223224
Fiction, 4-6, Sci-Fi
Unicorn Time Machine
By: Dana Simpson
Illustrated by:
Dana Simpson
Dana Simpson
ISBN: 9781524890445
Fiction, 7-12, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths
We All Play
By: Julie Flett
Illustrated by:
Julie Flett
Julie Flett
ISBN: 9781778402104
Fiction, 0-3, Imagination / Play
We Share This Neighborhood
By: Dan Saks
Illustrated by:
Brooke Smart
Brooke Smart
ISBN: 9780593658277
Fiction, 0-3, Social Emotional Learning
Welcome to the World
By: Julia Donaldson
Illustrated by:
Helen Oxenbury
Helen Oxenbury
ISBN: 9781665929875
Fiction, 0-3, Family / Community
When Alexander Graced the Table
By: Alexander Smalls and Denene Millner
Illustrated by:
Frank Morrison
Frank Morrison
ISBN: 9781534488724
Fiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Medal Winner)
By: Tae Keller
ISBN: 9781524715731
Fiction, Teen, Death / Grief / Loss
Where’s Joon?
By: Julie Kim
Illustrated by:
Julie Kim
Julie Kim
ISBN: 9781632174154
Fiction, 4-6, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths
Where’s Lenny?
By: Ken Wilson-Max
Illustrated by:
Ken Wilson-Max
Ken Wilson-Max
ISBN: 9781684640706
Fiction, 4-6, Family / Community
Wildful
By: Kengo Kurimoto
Illustrated by:
Kengo Kurimoto
Kengo Kurimoto
ISBN: 9781773068626
Fiction, 4-6, Science / Nature
A Wizard of Earthsea (A Graphic Novel)
By: Ursula K. Le Guin
Illustrated by:
Fred Fordham
Fred Fordham
ISBN: 9780063285767
Fiction, Teen, Fantasy
Wonderfully Wired Brains
By: Louise Gooding
Illustrated by:
Ruth Burrows
Ruth Burrows
ISBN: 9780744074635
Nonfiction, 7-12, Neurodiversity
Your Freedom, Your Power
By: Allison Matulli
Illustrated by:
Carmelle Kendall
Carmelle Kendall
ISBN: 9780762478385
Nonfiction, Teen, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Yum, Yum, Mexico!
By: Diane De Anda
Illustrated by:
Emily Mendoza
Emily Mendoza
ISBN: 9780593650219
Nonfiction, 0-3, Food / Cooking
