Tween Reads

Discover recent releases for tweens.
Updated May 18, 2026
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Graciela in the Abyss
Meg Medina
Paper Book
"A thrilling, action-packed journey filled with heart, bravery, and ghostly exploits." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A sea ghost, a mortal boy, and a dangerous enchanted harpoon . . . A Newbery Medalist takes us far beneath the waves in this extraordinary foray into...
The Moon Without Stars
Chanel Miller
Paper Book
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * The Newbery Honor-winning author of Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All explores the way growing up, finding friends, and discovering who you are can be both awkward and empowering in this heartfelt middle school novel. ★ "Genuine and...
The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli
Karina Yan Glaser
Paper Book
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER * INDIE NEXT PICK * FIVE STARRED REVIEWS! Breathtaking suspense, unforgettable characters, and a pinch of magic combine in the dual stories of two young people--one in 731 China, and one in 1931 Chinatown--on perilous journeys...
Out of My Heart
Sharon M. Draper
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! Melody faces her fears to follow her passion in this stunning sequel to the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling middle grade novel Out of My Mind. Melody, the huge-hearted heroine of Out of My Mind, is...
A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez
María Dolores Águila
Paper Book
This Newbery Honor-winning book is based on the true story of Roberto Alvarez and the Lemon Grove Incident. Vivid and uplifting, this middle grade debut novel-in-verse follows one young child's courage to stand up for what is right, and the determination of the Mexican community. Perfect for...
Starfish
Fipps, Lisa
Paper Book
A PRINTZ HONOR BOOK . Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this poignant novel-in-verse. "In her debut novel, Starfish, Lisa Fipps confronts diet culture and fat phobia head-on. . . . The book reads as if Ellie herself is writing these poems, which...
Stamped (for kids) : racism, antiracism, and you
Cherry-Paul, Sonja
Paper Book
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER This chapter book edition of the groundbreaking #1 bestseller by luminaries Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds is an essential introduction to the history of racism and antiracism in America  
The Experiment
Rebecca Stead
Paper Book
"Many twists await in this fast-moving and optimistic story by one of today's most inventive writers for readers ages 8-12." --The Wall Street Journal From the Newbery Medalist and national-bestselling author Rebecca Stead, here is a bold story that will appeal to fans of...
A Year Without Home
V.T. Bidania
Paper Book
A poignant novel in verse about a Hmong girl losing and finding home in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. For fans of Jasmine Warga and Veera Hiranandani. "As gripping as it is informative and as beautiful as it is heartbreaking, A Year Without Home does what all great books...
Recognize!: An Anthology Honoring and Amplifying Black Life
Wade Hudson
Paper Book
In the stunning follow-up to The Talk- Conversations About Race, Love & Truth, award-winning Black authors and artists come together to create a moving anthology collection celebrating Black love, Black creativity, Black resistance, and Black life. "A multifaceted,...
From the desk of Zoe Washington
Marks, Janae
Paper Book
#1 Kids Indie Next List * Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of the Year * SLJ Best Book of the Year * Kirkus Best Book of the Year * Junior Library Guild Selection * Edgar Award Nominee * Four Starred Reviews * Bank Street Best...
A Kid Like Me: A Graphic Novel
Norm Feuti
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Jeff Kinney and Terri Libensen, A Kid Like Me is a timely exploration about finding your place in the ever-evolving social landscape that is middle school, written and illustrated by award-winning graphic novelist Norm Feuti.  Ethan doesn't...
The Poisoned King
Katherine Rundell
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * THE SECOND BOOK IN THE LANDMARK NEW FANTASY SERIES THAT BEGAN WITH IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES "Rundell is back with a sequel . . . which offers magical thrills for young readers and adults alike."--The New York Times
The Curse Breaker
Jen Calonita
Paper Book
The highly anticipated second book in the New York Times bestselling Isle of Ever series by Jen Calonita! The game is far from over! In fact, it's only just begun. Having finally reached the Isle of Ever, Everly "Benny" Benedict thinks she's won the game of clues her ancestor Evelyn...
Paradise on Fire
Jewell Parker Rhodes
Paper Book
From award-winning and bestselling author Jewell Parker Rhodes comes a powerful coming-of-age survival tale exploring issues of race, class, and climate change.​   Addy is haunted by the tragic fire that killed her parents, leaving her to be raised by her...
Three Blue Hearts
Lynne Kelly
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * From the bestselling author of Song for a Whale comes a deeply moving story about a boy, an octopus, and the extraordinary bond that changes them forever--perfect for fans of Remarkably Bright Creatures to hand to the young readers in their lives.
The Library of Unruly Treasures
Jeanne Birdsall
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER . In this funny, winning, and unexpected adventure from the New York Times bestselling, National Book Award-winning author of the Penderwicks series, a girl finds herself an unlikely hero when she stumbles upon a big secret about little creatures.
Bye Forever, I Guess
Jodi Meadows
Paper Book
Can a guarded gamer girl lower her shield for a new friend... or more-than-friend? "EARNEST AND LAUGH-OUT-LOUD... PITCH PERFECT."--Publishers Weekly, starred review Thirteen-year-old Ingrid's been living a double life. At school, she's the Girl With...
Attack of the Black Rectangles
A. S. King
Paper Book
Award-winning author Amy Sarig King takes on censorship and intolerance in a novel she was born to write. When Mac first opens his classroom copy of Jane Yolen's The Devil's Arithmetic and finds some words blacked out, he thinks it must be a mistake. But then when he and his friends...
The talk : conversations about race, love & truth
Hudson, Wade
Paper Book
Thirty diverse, award-winning authors and illustrators invite you intotheir homes to witnesstheconversationsthey have withtheir children about race in America today in this powerful call-to-action that invites all families to be anti-racists and advocates for change. "Project s love...
Scarlet Morning, Book 1
ND Stevenson
Paper Book
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * USA TODAY BESTSELLER * NATIONAL INDIE BESTSELLER From the powerhouse creator of Nimona comes a breathtaking illustrated novel, the start of a duology, following two orphans who leave the only home they've...
The Last Resort
Erin Entrada Kelly
Paper Book
The next evolution in storytelling from New York Times bestselling, Newbery Medal Winning author Erin Entrada Kelly! Twelve-year-old Lila has two goals for the summer: 1. Win back the friends who ditched her for being "too dramatic" 2. Stop being so dramatic ...
Bad Cheerleader
Alex Thayer
Paper Book
A dyslexic bookworm joins her school's cheerleading squad to investigate her sister's strange behavior in this insightful and sharp middle grade novel about the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. Seventh grader Bag loves to read. It doesn't come easy to her, thanks to her dyslexia,...
Dream
Barbara O'Connor
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! The highly anticipated follow up to Wish, which has spent six years on the New York Times bestseller list and is beloved by over two million readers. Dream follows a small...
Return of the Thief
Megan Whalen Turner
Paper Book
"A bravura performance by one of our finest writers."--The Horn Book (starred review) "This series finale has everything readers could hope for from a conclusion 20 years in the making."-- School Library Journal (starred review) The thrilling, twenty-years-in-the-making...
Some of Us Are Brave
Saadia Faruqi
Paper Book
From the acclaimed author of The Strongest Heart comes a stirring new novel from the perspectives of three very different kids who are navigating the waters of fear and friendship through the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey in Texas.  It's a humid...
Schooled
Jamie Sumner
Paper Book
A Golden Kite Award Winner for Young Readers and Middle Grade Fiction An "insightful and absorbing" (Shelf Awareness, starred review) novel from acclaimed author Jamie Sumner about new schools, unexpected friendships, and overcoming loss. ...
Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom
Allan Wolf
Paper Book
"Wolf's latest weaves a dazzling tale. . . .Considering the vividly depicted events, the strong cast, and the young protagonist's personal triumphs, there's wow-worthy content aplenty here." --Booklist (starred review) Part mystery, part fantasy-adventure, part riveting...
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