The Best New Children’s & YA Books of May
by the Brightly Editors
With the school year winding down and summer break just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to stock up on new and exciting reads for your kiddos! Keep them occupied with creative picture books from beloved creators, magical adventure novels, and light-hearted beach reads. Here are the best children’s and YA books hitting bookstore shelves this month.
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Picture Books
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Don’t Lose Mr. Cuddles
Available from:When his favorite stuffie goes missing, Chip the dog frantically searches everywhere while secretly suspecting Mittens the cat was behind the disappearance. This hilarious and heartwarming story gives children a peek into a dog’s life. Check out Chip’s other stories, Don’t Eat Bees and Don’t Trust Cats.
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Little Troublemaker Defends Her Name
Available from:Luvvie’s first day at a new school gets off to a rough start and gets worse by the minute. But when a boy makes fun of her name, she retaliates. Thankfully, Luvvie has a kind teacher and a loving parent who help her make amends (and become friends) with the boy.
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Disney Stitch Story Collection
Available from:Growing readers will love this collection of five stories featuring their favorite alien. These Step 2 leveled reader stories feature simple vocabulary and easy-to-follow plots. Whether your child is an avid Disney fan or you’re looking for a kid-approved gift, this book is the perfect choice.
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See Marcus Grow
Available from:Marcus and Grandma head outside to explore the garden together. There, Marcus discovers the wonders and beauty of the garden. Young readers will gain an appreciation for gardens, how plants grow, and how many similarities plants have to humans. This book is an excellent read for kids who enjoy being outdoors or who want to plant a garden.
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Next to Me
Preorder from:Celebrate childlike wonder and curiosity with this uplifting picture book. A child walks home from school and points out the things they notice. From clouds next to airplanes to neighbors next to the front stoop, the child takes notice of large and small details every step of the way.
(On sale: 5/13/2025)
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The Bi Book
Preorder from:This picture book tackles a big concept through engaging text and beautiful illustrations. Readers of all ages will learn that “bi” usually means two of something, from bicycle wheels to binoculars. However, a “bi” identity has a more complex meaning. This gentle introduction to bisexuality is perfect for LGBTQ+ families and anyone who wants to learn more.
(On sale: 5/20/2025)
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Papa’s Coming Home
Preorder from:Vibrant, cheerful illustrations and a slice-of-life story make this book a delight. Daddy, Jojo, and Rosie prepare to pick up Papa from the airport. They pick flowers, make a cake, and wear their favorite outfits. But they pack the car so full that Papa might not fit inside!
(On sale: 5/20/2025)
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Gymnastica Fantastica!
Preorder from:Gymnastics enthusiasts will love this energetic picture book about a child putting on an impromptu show. The young gymnast bends, balances, stretches, and squats while their adorable dog looks on. Vibrant
(On sale: 5/27/2025)
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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Sweet Valley Twins: The New Girl
Available from:Jessica’s and Elizabeth’s adventures continue in the latest installment in the Sweet Valley Twin graphic novel series! A new girl moves into town, and the twins are excited to become friends with her. But when she turns out to be the meanest girl they’ve ever met, they decide to find out if there is a reason behind her cruelty. Series fans will love this story that tackles friendship and mean girls.
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The Grim Adventure
Available from:Young readers who love spooky fantasy novels will eagerly return to Fern’s School for Wayward Fae for another hair-raising adventure. Between dodging attacks from a “living” statue, dealing with evil mushrooms, and exposing a plant killer, Rosemary looks forward to celebrating her 13th birthday. This series is perfect for kids who like stories about magic, friendship, and mystery.
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Creaky Acres: A Graphic Novel
Available from:Nora loves her picture-perfect life. But when her mom gets a new job, Nora becomes the new kid in a rural area and must adjust to life in a small town. Thankfully, the kids at her new stable welcome her, and she discovers a world filled with friendship and adventure. This heartwarming graphic novel is perfect for readers who love horses and slice-of-life stories.
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A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation
Available from:This book has everything young fantasy readers could want: family, magic, and a road trip! Gonzalo’s grandfather wrote a children’s fantasy series, and Gonzalo’s mother is sending them both on a cross-country book tour. But when demons start attacking them, Gonzalo learns that his grandfather’s books are based on reality rather than imagination.
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An Immense World (Young Readers Edition)
Preorder from:Kids will love diving into this fascinating look at the animal kingdom, adapted from the bestselling adult book by the same name. Readers will learn fascinating facts, pore over full-color illustrations, and immerse themselves in animals’ perspectives.
(On sale: 5/13/2025)
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Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship
Preorder from:When Amina moves with her family from Syria to Indiana, she comes up with the perfect formula to make friends at her new school. But starting over in a new place is more difficult than she anticipated. Young readers will love this heartwarming new chapter book series about a STEM-loving girl and her adventures in America.
(On sale: 5/20/2025)
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The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls
Preorder from:After being labeled a troublemaker, Maggie gets sent to a detective school disguised as an institute for delinquent girls. Before long, Maggie has a new group of friends and receives her first case to solve. Black and white illustrations, a fast-paced plot, and informative pages with real-life skills for kids to learn make this an entertaining and engaging read.
(On sale: 5/27/2025)
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YA
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Snowglobe 2
Available from:Jump back into the world of Snowglobe with the much-anticipated sequel! After exposing the lies behind the 24/7 television broadcast from the city and sending the director to jail, Chobahm learns that a bigger villain is still in play. A fake video of Chobahm committing a serious crime surfaces on the web, and she teams up with an unlikely ally to clear her name and challenge her new attackers.
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The Education of Kia Greer
Preorder from:Reality TV enthusiasts will love this beautiful debut novel about growing up in the spotlight and finding your own path. As the daughter of a reality television star, Kia grew up in the public eye. When her first brush with romance offers her the chance at an ordinary life, she thinks she won the jackpot. But love is never easy, especially when the boy she’s falling for attracts the media attention she desperately wants to avoid.
(On sale: 5/13/2025)
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These Vengeful Gods
Preorder from:From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Bargain comes a new fantasy adventure featuring a nonbinary teen descended from the god of Death. When their uncles get arrested, Crow must enter a gladiator-style competition to win their freedom. This action-packed revenge story is perfect for fans of deadly competitions, romance, and magic.
(On sale: 5/27/2025)
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This Moth Saw Brightness
Preorder from:When Wayne joins a medical study as a test subject, he thinks he’s doing something worthwhile. But before long, he realizes that the study could be covering up a massive government conspiracy — or it’s all in his head. Along with his friends, Wayne sets out to learn the truth. With snarky footnotes and fourth wall-breaking asides from the author, this unique young adult novel is a humorous yet thought-provoking story.
(On sale: 5/27/2025)
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Time After Time
Preorder from:Libby uses her inheritance to purchase and renovate an old Victorian home and falls in love with the girl she hires to help. As they work, Libby discovers the diary of Elizabeth, who lived in the house 100 years ago and was desperately in love with her maid. YA readers will fall head over heels for this sapphic romance novel about two couples a century apart.
(On sale: 5/27/2025)
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