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The Best Children’s and YA Books of November 2020

by the Brightly Editors

Background credit: Aine/Shutterstock

We could all use a little escapism this month, and at Brightly, we believe there’s no better place to escape than into a good book. November’s best new books for kids and teens feature quirky characters, powerful lessons, and otherworldly journeys. Take your pick, and enjoy the trip!

  • YA

  • All I Want for Christmas

    by Wendy Loggia

    You’ve never met anyone quite as obsessed with Christmas as Bailey Briggs; she’d wear her light-up reindeer ears to work at the bookstore year-round if it were socially acceptable. This year, Bailey’s asking Santa for a special someone — definitely the cutie with the British accent, not jock Jacob Marley. Will her holiday wish come true?
    (On Sale: 11/3/20)

  • The Camelot Betrayal

    by Kiersten White

    In Book 2 of the Camelot Rising Trilogy, Guinevere has successfully pulled off her deception at the wizard Merlin’s behest: a secret changeling, she’s reigning at King Arthur’s side and keeping the kingdom safe. But when Guinevere’s younger sister arrives at court, her very appearance threatens to reveal Guinevere’s secret and unravel all the good she’s done.
    (On Sale: 11/10/20)

  • Matched (Deluxe Edition)

    by Ally Condie

    If your teen reader missed out on this bestselling dystopian romance a decade ago, they can jump in with the deluxe anniversary edition. In the Society, everything is decided for you, including your mate. So when Cassia sees not one but two faces appear on the Matching screen, she’s faced with the first choice of her life — and left to question her lifelong faith in the Society.
    (On Sale: 11/10/20)

  • Rebel Sisters

    by Tochi Onyebuchi

    In the stunning sequel to War Girls, 19-year-old Ify is helping humanity rebuild in the Space Colonies following the devastating Biafran War. On the ground in Nigeria, Ify’s homeland, Uzo and Xifeng are trying to stop the government’s efforts to bury the truth of the war. When a virus breaks out in the Space Colonies, Ify will have to travel to the last place she wants to go: home.
    (On Sale: 11/17/20)

  • Super Fake Love Song

    by David Yoon

    Sunny Dae will do anything to get the girl, even if it means pretending to be a rock star after Cirrus mistakes Sunny’s older brother’s electric guitars for his. The thing is, the cooler and more confident Sunny pretends to be, the cooler and more confident he feels — until, that is, his fake rock-and-roll band gets their moment in the limelight. Will Sunny fall on his face, and will Cirrus still like him when she finds out the truth?
    (On Sale: 11/17/20)

  • The Way Back

    by Gavriel Savit

    In this absorbing fantasy steeped in Jewish folklore, the grandmothers' stories of ghosts and demons are an everyday part of life for young people like Yehuda Leib and Bluma. But when the Angel of Death comes to their shtetl and takes Yehuda Leib and Bluma to the Far Country - the very land of their grandmothers' stories - they'll have to band together to survive their perilous journey.
    (On Sale: 11/17/20)