The Best Children’s and YA Books of September
by the Brightly Editors
Fall is one of the best seasons for new clothes, cooler temperatures, and new books! Whether your kids are back in school or you’re just looking for some fun reads, we’ve got you covered. From gorgeous picture books by celebrity authors to action-packed YA novels, there’s something here for every reader.
Here are the most exciting books coming your way this month.
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Picture Books
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The Artivist
Available from:Encourage your children to turn their art into activism with this gorgeous picture book. It’s about a boy who realizes he can spread his message of equality and justice through his murals. The beautiful illustrations and inspiring text will make this book a favorite for young artivists everywhere.
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A Magical Day
Available from:Unicorn lovers will adore the latest addition to the Afro Unicorn series. Magical’s birthday party gets ruined when her crown disappears. Thankfully, Magical has good friends and a kingdom of unicorns to help her look for it.
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Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Lost Christmas!
Available from:Everyone knows how the Grinch stole Christmas, but the story doesn’t stop there! This time, the Grinch sets his sights on winning an annual holiday contest. His competitive nature and enthusiasm for the holiday make him forget what Christmas is all about. Luckily, the Grinch has friends around to remind him.
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What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon?
Available from:Curious kiddos will love the latest nonfiction picture book from the creator of Women in Science. Readers will dive into the world of butterflies, moths, caterpillars, and cocoons. Gorgeous illustrations and easy-to-read text make this book a must-have for nature-loving readers.
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Mama's Sleeping Scarf
Available from:For little Chino, Mama’s soft, silky scarf is like a piece of her mama that she can hold onto throughout the day. Chino plays with the scarf as any typical young child would, making it a blanket for Bunny, a curtain to play peekaboo, and a scarf for Chino. A sweet story about family, connection, and the joys of everyday life.
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Just Because
Available from:This poignant picture book from Academy Award-winning actor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Matthew McConaughey celebrates life’s contradictions. The rhyming text encourages readers of all ages to embrace these contradictions’ possibilities.
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Wally Takes a Weather Walk
Available from:Join Wally as he walks through the seasons and learns fun facts about each one. Children will learn about snowflakes, rainbows, wind, and other weather events. It’s a fantastic weather book for toddlers and preschoolers!
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I Don’t Want to Read This Book Aloud
Available from:The creative team behind I Don’t Want to Read This Book is back with a new laugh-out-loud picture book that breaks the fourth wall. Although the narrator insists they don’t want to read the story aloud, there’s no doubt that you (the reader) will want to read it again and again.
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Harlem at Four
Available from:History, art, and family combine in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Readers will follow a young girl named Harlem as she and her father experience art by Black creators. Then, we get transported to the early days of Harlem, the neighborhood, and learn about its foundations and the influential people who made it thrive.
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Flat Cat
Available from:Flat Stanley meets Pete the Cat in this hilarious new picture book from a dynamic creative duo. Flat Cat has always been flat, and he likes it that way. But when he accidentally gets washed and dried, he turns into a fluffy round furball. This silly story will have kids asking to read it on repeat.
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Something, Someday
Available from:Presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman partnered with award-winning illustrator Christian Robinson to create this inspirational picture book. A boy notices trash and litter near his home and believes he can make a difference. He meets a friend who shares his dream, and they tackle the issue together, one step at a time.
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Dragon’s First Taco (from the creators of Dragons Love Tacos)
Available from:Baby dragons stuff a tortilla with all sorts of taco fillings in this sturdy board book from the creators of Dragons Love Tacos. Tiny readers won’t be able to resist chewing on this delicious-looking book!
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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Penny Draws a School Play
Available from:Fans of the Dork Diaries series will love this highly illustrated series from the legendary author of Pretty Little Liars. This is the second book about Penny, a girl who doodles to cope with her anxiety. With her mom expecting twins and her family moving to a new home, Penny has plenty to stress over. But getting cast in the school play might turn her into a bundle of nerves!
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The Stupendous Switcheroo
Available from:Switcheroo is a young superhero who wakes up every morning with a different superpower. While fun and exciting, this situation also proves frustrating and unpredictable as he tries to fight crime and navigate his relationships with family and friends. Readers who enjoy heartfelt adventures with plenty of laughs will enjoy this one.
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YA
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Suddenly a Murder
Available from:If you love locked-room mysteries like Knives Out and Murder on the Orient Express, add this book to your “to-read” list. Izzy Morales’s glitzy, 1920s-themed graduation party promises to be the year’s most exciting event. And it is — but not in the way anyone expects. When a partygoer gets killed, and the police declare it a murder, everyone becomes a suspect.
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See You On Venus
Available from:Two teens with broken hearts and big questions set out on a journey of self-discovery and love in this heart-wrenching novel. Mia has a heart condition and wants to meet her birth mother, while Kyle needs to escape his guilt over his best friend’s death. They travel to Spain together, hoping for answers and finding love along the way.
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Ryan and Avery
Available from:This YA romance novel is the latest offering from the bestselling author of Every Day. You’ll love this sweet story that follows two teen boys as they meet, date, and fall in love. From the first awkward moments to meeting their parents, this novel is a journey through their swoon-worthy romance.
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Thieves’ Gambit
Available from:Ross Quest wants to leave her life of crime behind, along with her family of world-class thieves. But when her mother’s life gets threatened, she has no choice but to compete in the Thieves’ Gambit — a cut-throat, winner-take-all heist competition. Unlikely allies, betrayal, and heart-pounding action make this book impossible to set down!
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Nubia: The Reckoning
Available from:Get ready for the second book in the Nubia series about a group of Nubian teens with magical powers navigating life in New York City. In this installment, we follow Zuberi, Uzochi, and Lencho as they deal with unexpected responsibilities, betrayals, and a government hungry for power. This action-packed series is a must-read if you love fantasy novels with a dystopian twist.
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The Haunting
Available from:No fall season would be complete without a blood-chilling thriller from Natasha Preston! Ever since her ex-boyfriend’s father murdered four teenagers, the memories have haunted Penny. So, when she finds the body of a classmate in a Halloween store, she recognizes a connection between the murders. But she needs to prove it before the copycat killer can strike again.
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