The Best New Kids’ & YA Books To Read Right Now
by the Brightly Editors
Hopefully, you are enjoying every sun-soaked day of the summer and reading plenty of books. If you need some suggestions for reading material this month, look no further than these exciting new releases! From hilarious picture books to adventurous novels for tweens and teens, there is something for everyone hitting bookstore shelves.
So, without further ado, here are the best children’s and young adult books of the month.
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Picture Books
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Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob
Available from:From spiders and mummies to dark lords and minotaurs, monsters everywhere get ready for bed. Likewise, a slimy green blob must settle down and go to sleep after reading a bedtime story. This humorous book is a disgustingly perfect way to end the day.
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Wednesday is for Wiggling!
Available from:This beautiful picture book follows a little girl through each day of the week. Whether she goes to nursery, visits her grandparents, or stays home with Mama, the girl’s week is filled with love. The hand-drawn illustrations and upbeat vibe make it an excellent pick for children who enjoy slice-of-life stories.
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Talking Rocks and Minerals: Fact-Packed Guide to Geology
Available from:Kids love learning about rocks and minerals, and this quirky book is the perfect way to feed their interest. Pebble the rock reporter interviews various stones, gems, and minerals, and lets them explain how they formed and where to find them. This is the funny and informative picture book you didn’t know you needed.
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Mao Mao's Perfectly Imperfect Day
Preorder from:Mao Mao is a panda and a perfectionist. When a not-so-perfect little girl named Olivia joins his class, Mao Mao decides to teach her how to be perfect. However, it turns out that Mao Mao has a few things to learn from Olivia as well. This sweet book is about friendship, individualism, and letting go of perfection.
(On sale: 7/8/2025)
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Hazel Is All That
Preorder from:As Hazel walks through the park, she spots mean dogs, friendly dogs, and naughty dogs. But later, when she takes another look at the dogs, she realizes that she shouldn’t have judged them so quickly. This sweet book shows young readers that dogs (and people) can experience a wide range of emotions.
(On sale: 7/8/2025)
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I Got You
Preorder from:This heartfelt picture book is a love letter to amazing big brothers everywhere. Rasheed wants to spend every minute with his older brother, and Anthony loves teaching Rasheed how to do “big-boy” things. When the boys learn that their parents are expecting a new baby, they’re excited to show the new baby the same love and kindness they share with each other.
(On sale: 7/15/2025)
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Proper Badger Would Never Trash the Classroom!
Preorder from:Proper Badger has always wanted to go to school, so he’s thrilled when he (accidentally) ends up in a classroom. He plans to be on his best behavior, but his wild instincts sometimes get the better of him. But he would NEVER glue a whistle to his nose, or make his classmates barf, or release the classroom butterflies. Kids and adults will laugh out loud at Proper Badger’s wild classroom antics!
(On sale: 7/22/2025)
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Pop-Up Peekaboo! Taylor Swift
Preorder from:Tiny Swifties will love this adorable pop-up board book featuring everyone’s favorite pop star. With flaps to lift and scenes from Taylor Swift’s career to explore, this board book is the perfect way to introduce your child to the musical sensation.
(On sale: 7/29/2025)
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Luna and the Witch Throw a Halloween Party
Preorder from:It’s hard to believe, but Halloween will be here before you know it. For kiddos that love the holiday, it’s never too early to get into the spirit of spooky season, and this picture book is the perfect way to kick things off. It’s about a girl named Luna who agrees to throw an amazing Halloween party for a witch in exchange for magic lessons. However, throwing an unforgettable party is more challenging than she expected!
(On sale: 7/29/2025)
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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Bubblegum Shoes: The Case of the Contraband Closet
Available from:Mystery lovers will enjoy this novel about an amateur detective solving her first case. When all the items teachers have confiscated from students vanish without a trace, Maya decides to find the missing contraband. With her keen intelligence and attention to detail, Maya picks up clues that others have overlooked. This book is the first in a new series of middle school mysteries.
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Tyger
Available from:Epic fantasy fans will love this thrilling adventure set in an alternate London. When Adam discovers a magical, injured tyger in a ruined building, his life gets turned upside down. Now, Adam and his friend Zadie will do everything they can to help the wounded tyger and save their world from utter destruction.
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What Happened to the Naked Mole Rat?: A Graphic Novel
Preorder from:When Carter’s third-grade class pet dies, everyone blames him for its demise! Carter is innocent, and he sets out to prove it, with some help from the pet’s ghost. With artwork from the illustrator of J.D. and the Great Barber Battle, this hilarious graphic novel is perfect for kids transitioning into chapter books.
(On sale: 7/15/2025)
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Schoolbot 9000: A Graphic Novel
Preorder from:Robots take over the world in this humorous and suspenseful graphic novel. James already feels surrounded by robots, from his babysitter to the dogs at the park. But when all his human teachers get replaced by AI-powered robots, school quickly becomes a nightmare come to life. It’s up to James to stop the robot takeover and bring human teachers back into the school.
(On sale: 7/22/2025)
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Stitch Head: The Graphic Novel
Preorder from:As a mad scientist creates an increasing number of monsters, Stitch Head must ensure they don’t accidentally destroy the castle they call home. Additionally, Stitch Head must defend his home and family from angry villagers and a diabolical circus proprietor. Kids who love Halloween and slightly spooky stories will enjoy this graphic novel adaptation of the beloved novels!
(On sale: 7/22/2025)
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YA
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The Nightblood Prince
Available from:Fate decided that Fei would marry the most powerful prince in the land. But when she runs away for the chance to determine her own destiny, she meets and falls for another prince — one who commands legions of vampires. This lush YA romantasy novel combines heart-stopping thrills with pulse-pounding romance. If you love fantasy romance novels, add this one to your reading list!
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Pretty Girl County
Available from:Friendship, economic divide, and ambition combine in this must-read novel for fans of Gossip Girl. Reya comes from a wealthy family, while her ex-best friend, Sommer, does not. Both girls have big dreams that they need help to achieve, and they turn to each other for support. But as they get closer to their goals, new relationships and old wounds threaten to tear them apart once again.
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The Last Tiger
Preorder from:A servant boy and a noble girl join forces in this breathtaking fantasy novel based on the author’s parents’ experiences in Korea. What starts as friendship turns to rivalry as they both try to hunt down the last tiger in their country. However, their attraction refuses to wane, and the two teens find themselves torn between their independent loyalties and their love for each other.
(On sale: 7/29/2025)
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Immortal Consequences
Preorder from:Dark academia meets The Hunger Games in this chilling young adult novel. To graduate from Blackwood Academy, six students must compete in a ruthless, magical competition. This fast-paced fantasy novel will keep you glued to the page through every twist and turn!
(On sale: 7/29/2025)
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Bones at the Crossroads
Preorder from:This thrilling sequel to Blood at the Root is the must-read book of the summer! Malik returns to Caiman University, ready to enjoy a normal college experience. But when Malik joins a secret magical society, he dives deeper into his family’s history and secrets. Romance, danger, and magic make this Homecoming season one to remember!
(On sale: 7/29/2025)
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