The Best New Kids’ & YA Books To Read Right Now
by Brightly Editors
Fall is the best time of the year for everyone who loves leaf piles, cooler temperatures, and new books! Whether you’re here for cozy autumn vibes or diving head-first into spooky season, you won’t want to miss the new books coming your way this month. You’ll find new picture books from beloved children’s creators and plenty of novels to keep your tweens and teens happily turning pages. Here are the best and most exciting books releasing this month.
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Picture Books
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The Bakery Dragon and the Giant Cookie
Buy from:Ember, the little dragon who works in a bakery, returns in this cozy tale filled with Christmas cheer. When a snowstorm blows Ember off course during his holiday deliveries, he finds himself snowed in with a grumpy giant who hates Christmas. Follow along as Ember uses a giant kitchen to bake a tasty treat for his new friend!
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Too Loose, Too Tight, Just Right (Berenstain Bears)
Buy from:On a snowy day, a young bear wants to get dressed in his cozy winter clothes. With some trial and error, he finds items that fit just right! Stan and Jan Berenstain started this adorable opposites book many years ago, and their son, Mike, recently finished it. If you love the Berenstain Bears, this book is a must-have!
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The Water Princess Builds a Well
Buy from:The #1 New York Times bestselling creative team behind The Water Princess team up once again to continue the story! Princess Gie Gie used to walk miles every day to fetch water for her family. But as she travels the world, she discovers a way to bring water to the village. This hopeful picture book is a beautiful follow-up that readers of all ages won’t want to miss.
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Can You Find It? Christmas with The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Buy from:It’s never too early to get into the Christmas spirit! Join The Very Hungry Caterpillar as he looks for holiday-themed items among his things. As you locate tree ornaments, sugar cookies, and Santa hats, don’t forget to find The Very Hungry Caterpillar on every page, too!
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Beep Beep to Sleep
Buy from:As anyone who lives in a city knows, the streets don’t get quiet when the sun goes down. Children get ready for bed and nod off to the comforting sounds of the city outside their apartments. This twist on the traditional bedtime story will appeal to urban children, no matter which city they live in.
(On sale: 10/13/2026)
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Do You Like My Pants?
Buy from:When Cheetah tears his pants, he heads to the store to select a new pair. Wearing his fancy new spotted pants, he enthusiastically shows them off to anyone who will pay attention. But when Tiger insists that his striped pants are better, Cheetah gets defensive. This humorous story teaches kids that the best things (pants or otherwise) are the ones that you like best.
(On sale: 10/13/2026)
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Let’s Sing Together!: A Songbook Collection (Ms. Rachel)
Buy from:Tiny fans of Ms. Rachel will love this board book, which includes the lyrics to 14 familiar songs. It features tunes from Ms. Rachel’s popular YouTube show and other favorites, including Icky Sticky Bubble Gum and The Wheels on the Bus. Warm up your singing voice because toddlers and preschoolers adore songbooks like this one!
(On sale: 10/20/2026)
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Tomorrow I’ll Be Happy
Buy from:If you loved Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind and Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave, you’ll want to add Jessica Hische’s latest picture book to your collection. Through simple text and vibrant illustrations, children will see that some days are challenging, and a new day can bring a fresh start.
(On sale: 10/20/2026)
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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Dasia (Forever)
Buy from:Thirteen-year-old Dasia has cancer. One night, another patient at the hospital walks into Dasia’s room and sits down on her bed. The two girls start talking and soon bond over their shared experiences, offering hope and encouragement. This emotional story from YA powerhouse Nic Stone is a must-read for anyone who has experienced cancer either as a patient or as a loved one.
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The Adventures of Tubby Nugget: Big Robot Invasion 2
Buy from:Social media sensation Tubby Nugget returns with his second graphic novel adventure! Tubby is enjoying his new life on Earth until a robot from Nuggetville shows up with plans to take Tubby back home. Fans of all ages will love this latest addition to the Tubby Nugget universe.
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Ms. Pennypickle’s Remarkable Road Race
Buy from:Ms. Pennypickle returns for another hilarious escapade in the second installment of this delightful series from the author of Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library! In this book, Ms. Pennypickle creates a reality show that sends Jackson and Hope across the country, completing puzzles and outwitting cheating competitors along the way. Readers ages 8-12 will love this series!
(On sale: 10/13/2026)
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Redwall: The Collector’s Edition
Buy from:This hardcover collector’s edition of the classic fantasy novel, Redwall, is a must-have for devoted fans! It includes the full original story plus bonus content, a gorgeous cloth binding, foil stamping, and gilded edges. Lifelong enthusiasts and new fans alike will love this gift-worthy edition of the first book in the beloved series.
(On sale: 10/13/2026)
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Brittle Magic
Buy from:Young readers who loved Disney’s Encanto will find much to enjoy in this delightful novel! Shiloh is the only person in her family without a magical ability, but with her family reunion coming up, she is determined to prove that she’s special. Prophesying pickles, cryptic clues, and hidden talents combine into an unputdownable cozy fantasy novel for kids!
(On sale: 10/20/2026)
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Dragonborn: The Twilight Child
Buy from:Return to the world of Dragonborn with this action-packed sequel! As threats to her homeland grow, Alex and her friends must join the fight. Kids who love stories about dragons, magic, friendship, and betrayal will obsess over this series!
(On sale: 10/20/2026)
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YA
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The Pools
Buy from:From the bestselling author of the TikTok sensation, We Were Liars comes a new YA novel about first love, folklore, and mental health. Lexie and her family move to a mountain town famous for its hot springs, where she meets Chester. Although the two teens connect immediately, they both carry heavy secrets. Then, one fateful swim in the hot springs changes their lives forever. This unique, abstract novel-in-verse is unlike anything you’ve ever read before!
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Wondrous
Buy from:Alice returns to Wonderland in this young adult novel, just in time for the 75th anniversary of the Disney film! When Alice arrives, she soon discovers that she isn’t the only “Alice” in Wonderland. The realm is filled with teenage girls claiming to be her. To prove her identity and save Wonderland from a rising threat, Alice takes her magic tea set and a new friend and sets off on a perilous journey.
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Almost There
Buy from:If The Princess and the Frog is your favorite Disney movie, this alternate storyline novel will be right up your alley! What if Tiana made a deal with The Shadowman (Dr. Facilier)? Just when she thinks everything has worked out in her favor, New Orleans becomes almost unrecognizable and dangerous. With her friends’ help, Tiana must find a way to undo the hazardous deal she made.
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Sunderworld, Vol 2: The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry
Buy from:Get ready for the epic conclusion to the Sunderworld duet from the author of Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series! Readers jump back into the story to find Leopold in possession of a magical ring that everyone wants — including the government and several unsavory creatures. Now, Leopold must become the hero he was not destined to be and save Sunder from a terrible collapse.
(On sale: 10/13/2026)
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Heirs of Infamy
Buy from:In 1940s San Francisco, two teens from rival gangs must team up to pull off a heist. Both desperate for money, Alexis and Zachary form a tenuous alliance to finish the job and collect the fee. But neither of them expects to lose their heart in the process. If you’re in the mood for an action-packed young adult novel, this romantic heist thriller is just the thing!
(On sale: 10/13/2026)
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Twisted Vows
Buy from:If you devoured The Souls of Blackwood Academy series and need more stories set in that universe, you’re in luck! Twisted Vows follows fan-favorite couple Wren and August during their time as students. Magic, romance, and betrayal make this spin-off story a must-read for series fans!
(On sale: 10/20/2026)
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Everything’s Not Lost
Buy from:As if having bipolar disorder wasn’t difficult enough, Ella’s world crumbles when her sister dies unexpectedly, and a bully at school won’t leave her alone. Struggling with her mental health, Ella turns to her artwork and new friends to help pull her through. This poignant and moving novel is about finding strength and beacons of hope during our greatest challenges.
(On sale: 10/20/2026)
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