The Best New Children’s & YA Books of November
by the Brightly Editors
It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us again, but that means many new books have arrived! Whether you’re looking for gift ideas or are on the hunt for your next favorite read, you’ll find it here. From picture books to young adult novels, here are the best books hitting bookstore shelves this month.
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Picture Books
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Ford: Road Trip!
Buy from:This adorable board book is shaped like a Ford truck and takes tiny readers on an unforgettable road trip. From the beach to the mountains, babies and toddlers can take in the sights and sounds of several exciting places.
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Alfie Explores A to Z
Buy from:Explore the alphabet with this gorgeously detailed seek-and-find picture book! Follow Alfie the bookworm as he wanders through each letter, pointing out corresponding items. From an Assembly of Animals to a Zamboni ride, each page offers a new challenge for young readers.
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The One & Only Googoosh
Buy from:This picture book is a love letter to Googoosh, the first Iranian superstar. Her career was cut short after the Iranian revolution, but her fans have stayed loyal. While she may not be in the public eye anymore, her music and influence can still be found throughout the world.
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A Hat for House
Buy from:A house feels lost after its hat blows away during a storm. Thankfully, the community rallies around the house and makes a new hat for it. This beautiful debut picture book celebrates generosity, community, and caring for your neighbor. With children becoming more aware of natural disasters, this story shows how they can pitch in and make a difference.
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The Creature of Habit Tries His Best
Buy from:Don’t miss the latest story from Jennifer E. Smith about a very big creature living on the island of Habit. The very big creature wants to ride a bike but struggles to learn. Thankfully, the very big creature soon realizes that he doesn’t need to be the best so long as he tries his best. Colorful artwork and a message of perseverance make this book a must-read!
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Mixed Rice
Buy from:Joya’s parents come from different cultural backgrounds. So, when a choice over which rice to cook for dinner becomes a heated debate, Joya learns an important lesson in communication and compromise. This book provides an excellent, kid-friendly example of how to resolve differences.
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Alice in a Winter Wonderland
Buy from:Beloved children’s author and illustrator Jan Brett puts a wintry spin on the classic Alice in Wonderland. Dive down the rabbit hole (a crevasse in a glacier) and meet the unique and wonderful characters that make up this fantasy world. An Alaskan animal represents each character, from the Cheshire Cat to the Queen of Hearts.
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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All the Best Dogs
Buy from:Dog lovers unite! This pup-tastic novel features four sixth-graders and their dogs as they meet at a dog park one weekend. Although they don’t know each other at first, their stories overlap and intersect throughout the book. Kids who love canines, friendship, and humor will want to read this highly illustrated book.
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Mr. Lemoncello’s Fantabulous Finale
Buy from:Find out how it ends in this finale to the bestselling Mr. Lemoncello’s Library series! Mr. Lemoncello needs an heir to his fortune and game-making empire. He designs one final game and invites 13 kids to compete — winner-take-all. Kyle wants to win more than anything, but someone is trying to sabotage the game empire. He must outsmart the villain and the competition to win the ultimate prize.
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Kid Musicians
Buy from:Even the most famous people were kids once upon a time. This collection of biographies celebrates the biggest names in music, from Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to Paul McCartney and Louis Armstrong. Readers will learn about each musician’s childhood, how they got started, and how they became the musical sensation we know and love today.
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Minecraft: Journey to the Ancient City
Buy from:Minecraft enthusiasts will want to add the latest blockbuster novel to their reading list. Series fans will enjoy diving back into the world of Minecraft and following Opal and her sister, Lisa, as they head out on an adventure. While Opal plans to retire in a quiet village, Lisa gears up for an unforgettable quest. Unwilling to let her sister go alone, Opal comes along and rediscovers her love for adventure.
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I Flew Around the World
Buy from:Introduce your young reader to Zara Rutherford, the world’s youngest female pilot to fly solo around the globe. With illustrations, stories, and inspirational messages, Zara recounts her experience in this book aimed at 7- to 9-year-olds. Readers will enjoy reading what she learned on her trip and feel inspired by her resilience and courage.
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Star Wars Encyclopedia
Buy from:Young Star Wars aficionados will want to get their hands on a copy of this encyclopedia with over 2200 entries. Readers of all ages will appreciate the characters, locations, ships, and technology featured in this book. It’s a must-have for any lifelong Star Wars fan!
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Futureland: The Architect Games
Buy from:Young readers will eagerly pick up this spectacular third book in the Futureland series. In this installment, Cam and his family take on the Architects — the people who have been trying to destroy their flying theme park. But if Cam’s family can’t beat the Architects in a series of challenges, they will lose their theme park for good. High stakes and an action-packed storyline make this series a favorite with young readers!
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YA
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One of Us Is Back
Buy from:Death happens in threes, as the students of Bayview High find out in the third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, One of Us Is Lying. After solving Simon’s death and outsmarting a copycat killer, the Bayview Crew faces their biggest challenge when one of their own goes missing. If you’ve been eagerly waiting for this book to come out, you won’t be disappointed!
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Greater Secrets (A Graphic Novel)
Buy from:Everyone in Maya’s family sees a pillar of light in the distance. When her sister left to follow the light, she never came back. Now, Maya heads out on a road trip with two strangers to look for her missing sister. But the further she goes, the closer she gets to her own pillar of light. This fascinating graphic novel is perfect for readers who enjoy unique stories of family, friendship, magic, and adventure.
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The Davenports: More Than This
Buy from:Get ready to swoon over the second installment of The Davenports series! Go back in time to 1910 and the wealthy Davenport family. This story follows the lives and loves of four young women: Ruby Tremaine, Amy-Rose Shepherd, Olivia Davenport, and Helen Davenport. These four girls fall in love, make mistakes, and follow their dreams. You’ll love reading this captivating sequel.
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Darkly
Buy from:Video games, mystery, and horror combine in this twisted thriller from the author of Neverworld Wake and Night Film. Dia gets the internship of a lifetime at Darkly, a gaming company whose games became extremely valuable after their creator’s death. As Dia and the other interns gradually uncover the chilling truth behind Darkly, they realize they’re playing a deadly game.
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Heart-Shaped Lies
Buy from:When Kiara, Priscilla, and Nevaeh discover they are all dating the same boy, they simultaneously dump him and swear him off for good. But when he turns up dead, the girls go from angry ex-girlfriends to prime suspects. And when his deactivated social media account reappears, their situation goes from bad to worse. Pick this one up if you love mysteries layered with friendship and deceit.
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