Book List

15 Best May Books for Young Readers

  • CHILDREN'S

    JOYFUL SONG

    MAY 7, 2024

CHILDREN'S

JOYFUL SONG

by Lesléa Newman ; illustrated by Susan Gal

A soaring ode to community, tradition, and family. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • TEEN

    GRACE NOTES

    MAY 7, 2024

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT

GRACE NOTES

by Naomi Shihab Nye

Beautifully written poetry about the butterfly effect of human experience. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    BEING HOME

    MAY 7, 2024

CHILDREN'S

BEING HOME

by Traci Sorell ; illustrated by Michaela Goade

An evocative, heartwarming testament to the power of home and community. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    BORN NAUGHTY

    MAY 7, 2024

CHILDREN'S

BORN NAUGHTY

by Jin Wang with Tony Johnston ; illustrated by Anisi Baigude

Rich with affection, wit, and joy, a captivating peek into Chinese village life. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    THOMAS JEFFERSON'S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE

    MAY 14, 2024

CHILDREN'S

THOMAS JEFFERSON'S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE

by Beth Anderson ; illustrated by Jeremy Holmes

A delightfully enlightening account and a welcome antidote to our own time’s precarious truthiness. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    MOUNTAIN OF FIRE

    MAY 14, 2024

CHILDREN'S

MOUNTAIN OF FIRE

by Rebecca E.F. Barone

Rock-solid history and science, high-octane action, and vivid descriptions—the book will inspire as much as it entertains. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • TEEN

    THIRSTY

    MAY 14, 2024

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT

THIRSTY

by Jas Hammonds

A gut-wrenching story that honestly explores the normalization of alcoholism. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    FINDING THINGS

    MAY 14, 2024

CHILDREN'S

FINDING THINGS

by Kevin Henkes ; illustrated by Laura Dronzek

Found objects sometimes yield the simplest pleasures. Consider this book one such example. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • TEEN

    THE WORST PERFECT MOMENT

    MAY 14, 2024

  • CHILDREN'S

    FLYING THROUGH WATER

    MAY 14, 2024

CHILDREN'S

FLYING THROUGH WATER

by Mamle Wolo

A powerful look at human suffering and the will to survive. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    JAMIE

    MAY 28, 2024

CHILDREN'S

JAMIE

by L.D. Lapinski

Excels at being educational without sacrificing charm, humor, or excitement. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    FREEDOM ON THE SEA

    MAY 28, 2024

  • CHILDREN'S

    THE WILDCAT BEHIND GLASS

    MAY 28, 2024

CHILDREN'S

THE WILDCAT BEHIND GLASS

by Alki Zei ; translated by Karen Emmerich

At once evocative of times past and more cogent than ever. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

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