The Best Children’s and YA Books of May

by the Brightly Editors

Hopefully, your local weather is sunny and warm enough that you feel like spring has arrived. But even if you’re still dealing with snow, we have just the thing to get those happy vibes flowing — new books! From exciting picture books by beloved children’s authors to nail-biting thrillers from new voices, these are the most exciting books for children and teens coming your way this month.

  • Chapter Books & Middle Grade

  • Lo and Behold

    by Wendy Mass, illustrated by Gabi Mendez

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    A big move, a new friend, and virtual reality combine in this heartwarming graphic novel from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Mass. When her dad gets a summer job teaching at a university, 12-year-old Addie thinks a summer of boredom awaits her. But the university program and her new neighbor show Addie the wonders of virtual reality and friendship.

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  • Menacing Manor

    by Kiersten White

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    If your kids love mystery novels with a hefty helping of spookiness and humor, then New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White needs to be on your radar. This is the fourth book in the Sinister Summer series, and young fans will devour this latest installment. It transports readers to a creepy manor owned by Mr. Frank and Dr. Stein and delivers the jump-scares and laugh-out-loud moments kids have come to expect from this series.

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  • The Botany of Desire Young Readers Edition

    by Michael Pollan

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    Do you have a young scientist or environmentalist fascinated with plants and food? They’ll love this informative book about how certain plants evolved to serve humans and how we have helped these plants in return. It is an excellent choice for kids interested in STEM, gardening, or climate change.

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  • Escape from Grimstone Manor (Monsterious, Book 1)

    by Matt McMann

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    Kids who can’t get enough thrills and chills will love this super-spooky book about a haunted amusement park ride and the three friends who get trapped inside it. This hair-raising story will have kids reading under their covers all night long!

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  • Penny Draws a Best Friend

    by Sara Shepard

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    Anxiety and changing friendships collide in this sweet, highly illustrated novel from Sara Shepard, the #1 bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars series. 5th grade becomes confusing and challenging for Penny when her best friend ditches her in favor of the mean girls. Penny wonders if she did something wrong and how to make new friends. Watch for the sequel, Penny Draws a School Play, publishing this fall!

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  • Smartest Kid in the Universe #3: Evil Genius

    by Chris Grabenstein

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    This action-packed novel from the author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library combines humor, adventure, and mystery. Someone steals Jake’s magic jellybeans that turn him into a genius. He must figure out who stole the jellybeans and get them back in time to stop a heist. Puzzles, codes, and plenty of adventure make this book an irresistible addition to the series!

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  • YA

  • The Isles of the Gods

    by Amie Kaufman

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    Fantasy lovers have a new book to obsess over! Bestselling author Amie Kaufman crafts a captivating story that blends romance, magic, adventure, and mythology into an unputdownable tale on the high seas. With betrayals and plot twists galore, this suspenseful novel will keep you reading well past your bedtime!

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  • Liar’s Beach

    by Katie Cotugno

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    This layered summer thriller is a delicious retelling of Agatha Christie’s novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles. When an idyllic summer at the beach turns up a dead body, Linden wonders if it is more than an accident. But Linden has secrets, and digging for clues could expose them. So, when his childhood friend shows up, eager to solve the mystery, Linden hopes she’ll succeed while worrying she’ll tell everyone the truth about him.

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  • Lying in the Deep

    by Diana Urban

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    Take to the seas with this bone-chilling YA thriller that will send shivers down your spine! Jilted lovers, a killer on the loose, and bodies piling up make this the perfect book to read if you loved Death on the Nile. The shocking plot twists and suspense will have you racing through the pages.

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  • You: The Story

    by Ruta Sepetys

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    Is there anything better than getting a book about writing from one of your favorite authors? In this writing guide for teens, beloved YA author Ruta Sepetys delves into the ins and outs of her craft. From researching historical events to mining personal experiences for material, Sepetys’s advice is invaluable. This book is a must-have for any emerging writer.

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  • The Night in Question

    by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson

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    f you loved The Agathas, add the sequel to your reading stack. A girl dies at the annual Sadie Hawkins dance, and one of Alice’s friends becomes the prime suspect. But the castle where she died has a sinister history, and Alice doesn’t trust the police to figure out what happened. She teams up with Iris again to solve this new mystery — and maybe one from the past at the same time.

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  • You Bet Your Heart

    by Danielle Parker

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    The next time you’re in the mood for a sweet and charming YA romance with all the feels, pick up a copy of You Bet Your Heart. It’s about two teens trying to win the coveted title of valedictorian, only to fall in love with each other. Good vibes and swoon-worthy kisses await readers inside the pages of this delightful novel!

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