The Best Children’s & YA Books of November

by the Brightly Editors

It’s almost time for the holidays! And, of course, we’re thinking about all the incredible books we can give our children and teens this winter. Whether your kid loves heartfelt stories or fast-paced adventures, plenty of new books are heading your way this month. These are the most exciting picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, and young adult books hitting the shelves in November.

  • Chapter Books & Middle Grade

  • Pencilmate vs. Pencil

    by Steve Behling, illustrated by JJ Harrison

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    Pencilmate wakes up ready to have the best day ever, but his bedroom floods, a sea monster eats his phone, and the big pencil in the sky has it out for him. He must defeat the pencil and get his world back in order with quick thinking and help from his friends. This humorous early chapter book is perfect for kids ages 7-10 who love the popular YouTube series Pencilmation!

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  • Doom’s Day Camp: The Story Eater

    by Joshua Hauke

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    When their parents disappear one by one, Doom Thorax and his crew of misfits set out to rescue them. With help from Doom’s books and his friends’ magical abilities, they might have a chance of defeating a monster and saving their parents. This second book in the hilarious Doom’s Day Camp series is perfect for graphic novel lovers!

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  • Fun With… Activity Books for Kids

    by Nicole Claesen and Emily Greenhalgh, illustrated by Candela Ferrández

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    Growing readers ages 6-10 will love exploring national parks, all 50 states, and the depths of the ocean with this collection of illustrated activity books. Each page is jam-packed with unusual facts and fun activities to entertain kids for hours.

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  • Futureland: The Nightmare Hour

    by H.D. Hunter, illustrated by Khadijah Khatib

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    Middle grade readers won’t want to miss the second installment in this high-stakes series about a floating theme park. Cam and his family take the park to New York City, ready for a fresh start. But tech glitches and unsettling behavior from employees and park-goers have Cam on edge. This exciting novel will satisfy your kids’ craving for a new thrill ride!

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  • The Last Kids on Earth and the Monster Dimension

    by Max Brallier, illustrated by Douglas Holgate

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    Kids have been impatiently waiting for the next installment in the wildly popular The Last Kids on Earth series, and it’s finally here! With Thrull growing more powerful and threats against Earth piling up, Jack and his friends enter the monster dimension in a last-ditch effort to save the world. Humor, adventure, and action-packed sequences await young readers in this book!

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  • Ultimate Greek Mythology

    by L. J. Tracosas, illustrated by Charli Vince

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    Kids fascinated by Greek mythology will love this illustrated book that takes a deep yet age-appropriate dive into the topic. Readers will learn about gods, goddesses, monsters, heroes, and the stories that shaped them. Fun facts and gorgeous artwork bring these captivating characters and their stories to life.

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  • Different Kinds of Minds

    by Temple Grandin, Ph.D., adapted by Ann D. Koffsky

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    Everyone’s brains work differently, and knowing how yours works is an interesting and helpful piece of information. Bestselling author Temple Grandin (Animals in Translation, Calling All Minds) returns with another nonfiction book for kids ages 8-12 about how minds work. Young readers will discover the fascinating science behind the brain and different types of thinkers.

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  • YA

  • Check & Mate

    by Ali Hazelwood

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    If you loved Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, reach for this chess-centered YA romance the next time you’re in the mood for a feel-good book. Mallory is swearing off chess — as soon as she finishes one last charity tournament. But when she unexpectedly beats Nolan, the reigning champion, she gets pulled into a fierce competition for the board and her heart.

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  • Murtagh

    by Christopher Paolini

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    Eragon fans will be thrilled to get their hands on this all-new sequel to the bestselling The Inheritance Cycle series. Dive into a fantasy world filled with dragons, their riders, magic, and witches. Long-time fans and new readers alike will get pulled into this lush and exciting fantasy novel!

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  • The Revenge Game

    by Jordyn Taylor

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    Love, revenge, and mystery combine in this unputdownable YA thriller. Alyson wants true love more than anything and thinks she finds it in Brenton. But rivaling sexual competitions at their school throws their budding relationship into suspicion. Told through a dual timeline of the present day and a few months earlier when someone from school goes missing, this riveting romantic suspense is the must-read thriller of the season.

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  • Didn’t See That Coming

    by Jesse Q. Sutanto

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    A teen rom-com with secret identities, online gaming, and a friends-to-lovers plot? Yes, please! Kiki uses a male alias to protect herself from harassment while gaming. But when she transfers to her online best friend’s high school and develops feelings for him, the lines between her online and real worlds begin to blur.

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