The Best New Children’s & YA Books of August
by the Brightly Editors
With the dog days of summer coming to a close and a new school year just around the bend, it’s time to geek out over the new and exciting books coming your way! Whether you’re gearing up for the Halloween season, want a romantic escape, or are looking for an exciting sports adventure for your kiddo, you’ll find plenty of titles on this list. Here are the best children’s and young adult books publishing this month.
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Picture Books
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ABCs of Kindness at Halloween
Buy from:The newest title in the bestselling Books of Kindness series celebrates generosity during Halloween. Little readers will learn their alphabet while discovering ways to show kindness to others throughout the season. Rhyming text and adorable animal characters make it an instant hit with toddlers and preschoolers.
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Tiny Jenny
Buy from:A family of wrens adopts Tiny Jenny as a newborn. As she grows, she feels she doesn’t fit in with the other forest animals and wants to find her “real” family. But when Tiny Jenny meets the other fairies, she doesn’t fit with them, either. This witty and humorous story is about finding your place in the world and discovering the true meaning of family.
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Hello, World! Bedtime
Buy from:Teach your child the importance of sleep with the latest title in the Hello, World! series. Little readers and their grown-ups will explore the ins and outs of sleep, how it refreshes us, and how dreams work. Bright illustrations and fun facts about sleep make this an engaging and educational read for little ones.
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The Prince of Yorsha Doon
Buy from:Introduce your child to the Wingfeather Saga when you read Safiki’s origin story in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Readers will learn how Safiki transformed from a carefree kid living on the streets of Yorsha Doon into the beloved hero of the bestselling series. It’s the perfect book to pick up if your kids love the Wingfeather Saga or if you want to introduce them to the series’s world and characters.
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The Ship in the Window
Buy from:Mabel the mouse is an aspiring sea captain, so when a human man builds a model ship, she decides to make her dream come true. Soft colors and engraving-style illustrations give this book a timeless, classic feel. The simple text and theme of following your dreams will resonate with young readers. It’s a must-read for picture book lovers of all ages!
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World of Wonder
Buy from:This colorful book is about a child named Wonder Baby who learns to embrace each new experience with wonder and amazement. From noticing a tiny ant on a leaf to experiencing unkindness from others, Wonder Baby looks on the bright side of life and chooses to love every living thing.
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Spooky, Scary Skeletons
Buy from:Sing along to the hit song by Andrew Gold as you flip the pages of this delightful Halloween picture book. Five children dress as skeletons for Halloween night. They go trick-or-treating, play pranks, and dance a silly skeleton dance. It’s the perfect book to read aloud to your child or read along with the YouTube or TikTok video.
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Show Up and Vote
Buy from:Singer-songwriter, activist, feminist, and bestselling author Ani Di Franco shares the importance of voting in this picture book for children. A young girl goes to the polls with her mother and learns about voting and its importance to our communities, society, and country. This book is excellent for teaching young children about elections and how voting impacts their world.
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The Good Night Truck
Buy from:Parents and children alike will enjoy this story about a common childhood experience: driving around until they fall asleep. In their Ford truck, a young family slowly cruises through the streets of their small town, watching the shops close and lights turn on. This comforting bedtime story is perfect for young truck lovers or anyone who enjoys their nightly drive.
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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Who Is Lin-Manuel Miranda?
Buy from:From Moana to Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda is the brilliant mind behind some of the greatest musical hits in recent history. Readers will love getting to know this special creator better, including information about his upbringing, his inspiration, and how he became a celebrated songwriter and Broadway actor.
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Crushing It
Buy from:Soccer, friendship, and first crushes collide in this coming-of-age novel from debut creator Erin Becker. Even if they keep up appearances on the soccer field, ex-best friends Mel’s and Tori’s personal lives are falling apart. The two girls unknowingly strike up an anonymous texting exchange where they grow closer as friends — and maybe something more.
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Give Me Something Good to Eat
Buy from:Mason’s town is so obsessed with Halloween that he is the only person who notices when a child goes missing every year. This year, Mason’s sister vanishes, and he and his friends dive into an alternate universe where monsters roam the streets, and an evil witch keeps children captive. This spine-chilling, hair-raising story will get you in the mood for Halloween!
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History Smashers: Salem Witch Trials
Buy from:Get your fill of thrills and chills with this highly illustrated nonfiction novel about the Salem Witch Trials. A small town filled with superstition turns on itself when nosy neighbors start accusing each other of being witches. Young readers will learn how this quiet town turned into a hotbed of witchcraft, fear, and false accusations.
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The Highly Sensitive Child’s Workbook
Buy from:Highly sensitive children can become overwhelmed or stressed by common, everyday situations. This warm, comforting workbook from a licensed child therapist contains 50 activities that give highly sensitive children the tools they need to cope with their anxiety. With the help of this workbook, kids can embrace their strengths and stay calm when things get hectic.
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The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues
Buy from:Don’t miss the much-anticipated follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestselling mystery, The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels. When art thieves steal a valuable painting from her home, Shenanigan Swift trails them to Paris, where a new mystery and adventure await. Quick-witted and funny, this sequel offers young readers fresh shenanigans, relatives, and murders to solve.
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Marvelously Revolting Recipes
Buy from:As any Roald Dahl fan knows, vile and disgusting foods fill his stories. Whether it’s a revolting snack mentioned in one of his books or a detestable dish inspired by his silly stories, kids and adults alike will love this goofy cookbook. It’s worth noting that while the foods may sound unappetizing (Dagon’s Flesh, anyone?), these are actual recipes that result in tasty treats.
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Buckle Up
Buy from:This graphic novel tackles several significant topics, one car ride at a time. When Lonnie’s parents get divorced, he struggles to adjust to his new reality. However, his dad uses their car rides to and from school to discuss everything from racism to relationships. It’s a heartfelt story about a boy, his father, and their journey toward emotional connection.
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The Frindle Files
Buy from:Before he passed away in 2019, beloved children’s novelist Andrew Clements penned a sequel to his timeless classic, Frindle. Now, readers of all ages can enjoy this story, set a generation after the events of Frindle. It’s about a boy named Josh who detests his ELA class because the teacher insists the students finish every assignment without technology. Mystery, friendship, and technology combine in this highly readable and thought-provoking novel.
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YA
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The Girl with No Reflection
Buy from:Hair-raising horror combines with breathtaking romance in this young adult fairy tale. Every girl who marries the prince disappears soon after the wedding, and when Ying becomes the next bride-to-be, she learns why. Trapped in the palace with a cold and cruel prince, Ying stumbles across a world inside a mirror — one where the prince is kind and easy to love. Dark magic, bloody rivalries, and heart-stopping romance make this fantasy romance a must-read!
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Under the Surface
Buy from:Journey underground into the Paris catacombs in this bone-chilling YA thriller from award-winning author Diana Urban. A class trip to Paris turns deadly when Ruby and three other teens venture into the catacombs beneath the city for a party. But when something sinister starts stalking them, they realize they may never get out alive.
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Prince of the Palisades
Buy from:From the award-winning and bestselling author of As You Walk On By and Right Where I Left You comes a delightful new romance novel. After a scandal, Prince Jadon of Îles de la Rêverie must clean up his public image to regain his parents’ and country’s trust. Everything goes smoothly until Jadon starts to fall for an American boy and must decide between his future and his heart.
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Love Requires Chocolate
Buy from:Aspiring playwright and director Whitney struggles to adjust to life in Paris during her semester abroad. But with the help of a charmingly grumpy tutor and football player, Thierry, Whitney acclimates to the city and the language while trying not to lose her heart. This sweet and heartwarming YA romance is the perfect book to dive into before the new school year starts!
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Practical Rules for Cursed Witches
Buy from:Delilah is a teenage witch cursed with never finding true love. She sets out on a quest to break her curse, only to have her mission usurped by Kieran and Briar, a set of twins determined to undo their own curse. Now, the teens must race against the clock to cure their respective curses, dodge the assailants hunting them, and fall in love.
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