The Best New Kids’ & YA Books To Read Right Now
by the Brightly Editors
With summer break almost upon us, it’s time to think about how to keep your kiddos busy for the next few months. Whether you’re signing them up for summer camps, traveling, or enjoying a free-range summer, you’ll want plenty of books around for them to read. Thankfully, we have a wide selection of new and exciting titles to check out!
From delightful picture books for the youngest of readers to engaging novels for tweens and teens, here are the best new kids’ and young adult books publishing this month.
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Picture Books
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The Baby Who Only Said No!
Buy from:Any parent knows that a baby’s first and favorite word is usually “no.” In this hilarious follow-up to The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever, Baby says “no” to everything from meal times to diaper changes. But when she receives an offer she wants to accept, she must first expand her vocabulary.
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Do You Really Know Flamingos
Buy from:Frank E. Armadillo considers himself an explorer and an expert on many topics, and he wants to teach you about flamingoes. As it turns out, Frank doesn’t know quite as much as he thought, but he’s willing to ask questions and learn. Humor and adorable illustrations make this book of flamingo facts an entertaining and educational read.
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Jia Has a Dog Problem
Buy from:Whether your child is a dog-lover or more hesitant around canines, they will love this delightful and funny picture book. A girl named Jia is terrified of dogs, even though she’s never had a bad experience with one. Likewise, a dog named Charlie is terrified of children and goes to great lengths to avoid them. But when Jia and Charlie cross paths, an unlikely friendship blossoms.
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Teeny and Tilly
Buy from:When she must start at a new school, Teeny worries that the other kids will tease her for being short. But when she meets a tall girl named Tilly who accepts Teeny just as she is, an unexpected and beautiful friendship springs up between them. This sweet book is perfect for any kid who has ever felt like they don’t fit in.
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The Outermost Mouse
Buy from:A small mouse has made a beautiful life for herself in a house by the beach. But each year, the beach erodes a little further, threatening her home. When a storm arises, the little mouse must do everything she can to protect the home she loves. This beautiful story from Newbery Honor-winning author Lauren Wolk is a must-read!
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Our Guncle
Buy from:After their mom dies, Grant and Maisie move to Palm Springs, Florida, to live with their Guncle (Gay Uncle Patrick). At first, the kids and their uncle struggle to deal with their grief and adjust to their new life together. However, they soon discover that sharing their memories brings comfort and peace.
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We Are Mighty
Buy from:Introduce your kids to twelve change-makers who altered history for the better. From the governor who wrote the Constitution of the United States to the lighthouse keeper who rescued teenagers from drowning, each person found their inner strength and did what was needed.
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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The After-School Kindness Crew: Pooch on the Loose #1
Buy from:Fourth-grade classmates Tony, Mia, and River form an after-school club to brighten the lives of their friends and family. In this series opener, a dog hoping for adoption gets loose from his cage, and the trio of friends must put their heads together to set things right. Humor, adventure, costumes, and black-and-white illustrations make this chapter book an excellent choice for readers ages 7-10.
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The Shark Prince
Buy from:Take a trip to Hawaii and dive beneath the ocean waves with this fantasy adventure! Nohea is half human and half shark, and he will be put to death once he loses control of his shark instincts. To ensure his family’s survival after he’s gone, Nohea joins a school surfing team in hopes of winning the prize money from a competition. But when his teammates start vanishing, Nohea must face the possibility that he could be responsible.
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Listen to the Girls
Buy from:On the last day of seventh grade, Calla learns that her favorite teacher has been accused of inappropriate conduct. Now, Calla must find out whether the allegations are true and, if so, how to protect herself and support the victims. This thought-provoking novel gently handles a delicate issue, teaches kids how to identify red flags, and what to do about them.
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Roar
Buy from:From the New York Times bestselling author of Thirst comes a new novel about a young person who stands up for their beliefs. Rohan is thrilled to spend the summer with his grandfather in India, next door to a tiger sanctuary. But as threats to the animals and their habitat arise, Rohan gathers his courage and sets out to save the sanctuary.
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The Chismosas Only Book Club
Buy from:Avid readers will love this cozy, slice-of-life novel with a touch of magic. As Cat and her friends start high school, they form a book club to stay connected. But as the ups and downs of ninth grade threaten their bond, the girls look to Cat’s great-great-great-grandmother and her bookstore’s legacy for help. This feel-good novel is also available in Spanish.
(On sale: 5/26/2026)
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YA
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Young World
Buy from:With the United States in political turmoil, a viral video leads to a teenage boy named Benton being elected president. This sets off a domino effect, with several other countries voting in teenagers. But when someone gets murdered at their first summit, Benton must wade through corruption, secrets, and lies to find the culprit and establish world peace. This political thriller from the author of The School for Good and Evil will keep YA readers glued to the page!
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Rolls and Rivalry
Buy from:YA romance readers who loved Dating and Dragons will enjoy the author’s newest book. Hazel’s plans for senior year get turned upside down when her ex-best friend and crush crash-lands in her life again. Although Hazel and Max argue over everything, their ongoing D&D game has them spending a lot of time together. Before long, the teens realize they could still be friends, and maybe something more.
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Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights
Buy from:To avoid a public image disaster, First Daughter Abby Alzona escapes to a small-town inn with no internet for the summer. There, she meets the inn owner’s son, Gabriel, who introduces her to the joys of small-town life. The more time they spend together, the more Abby realizes she’s falling in love with both the town and her unofficial tour guide.
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