Happy Children’s Book Week! As a children’s book author, this is a time for me to get out the confetti and poppers. 🎊 🎉 Woot!
As a writer, I spend so much time crafting my own stories, but I make sure I spend time enjoying the incredible work of my peers. And here are my fave book reads that I’ve read so far this year.
Whether you’re looking for a bedtime story that sparks a conversation or a fast-paced mystery to keep your middle-schooler occupoed, I’ve got you covered. Here are six fresh favorites I’ve read recently that deserve a spot on your family’s bookshelf.
1. Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
If you want a book that gives you all the feels, this is it. Set in 1968, it follows 14-year-old Doug Swieteck. Doug is often dismissed as a “thug,” but through a chance encounter with an Audubon book of bird paintings at the local library, he discovers a passion for art that changes his life.
Focus: Emotional resilience and the power of art.
Skills: Empathy and perspective-taking.
I found myself cheering for Doug as he navigated a tough home life and a town that didn’t believe in him. If your kiddo (or you) has ever felt like an underdog, they need this story.
2. Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
This is an absolute classic for a reason. Set during the Great Depression, ten-year-old Bud Caldwell hits the road to find the man he believes is his father. Armed only with a cardboard suitcase and “Bud Caldwell’s Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself,” his journey is as hilarious as it is moving.
Focus: Historical awareness and perseverance.
Skills: Critical thinking and humor as a coping mechanism.
It’s a wonderful way to introduce younger readers to a complex time in American history through a lens of hope, determination, and jazz.
3. A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza
For the younger readers in your life, A Mother for Choco is a must-read. Choco is a tiny yellow bird searching for a mother who looks just like him. He meets giraffes, penguins, and walruses, but none of them fit the bill. Eventually, he meets Mrs. Bear, who doesn’t look like him at all but provides the love and care he’s been longing for.
Focus: Adoption and the definition of family.
Skills: Identifying emotions and belonging.
This book is a gentle, colorful reminder that family is built on love, not just biological similarities.
4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde by Jeff Kinney
Sometimes you just need a book that is pure fun. This book from the Wimpy Kid series focuses on Greg’s brother Rodrick and his band, Löded Diper. Greg tags along on their quest for rock stardom, and as you can imagine, things go hilariously wrong.
Focus: Humor and sibling dynamics.
Skills: Reading for pleasure (great for reluctant readers!).
If your child is a fan of the series, this one doesn’t disappoint. It’s packed with the signature doodles and awkward moments that make Greg Heffley so relatable.
5. Loot by Jude Watson
If you have a fan of Ocean’s Eleven or heist movies in the house, Loot is going to be a hit. When a famous cat burglar dies, his son March discovers he has a twin sister he never knew about. Together, they have to pull off a series of high-stakes heists to break a family curse.
Focus: Action, mystery, and teamwork.
Skills: Problem-solving and logical reasoning.
It’s fast-paced, exciting, full of twists and gives a cinematic feel that can be appealing to kids who are reluctant readers.
6. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
For the older kids (YA readers), this West African-inspired fantasy is breathtaking. Deka lives in a society where “purity” is everything. When her blood runs gold instead of red, she is marked as a demon. She joins an army of girls just like her to fight for their empire: and eventually, their own freedom.
Focus: Empowerment and social justice.
Skills: Critical analysis of societal structures and self-worth.
It’s powerful, intense, and deeply imaginative. It’s the kind of book that starts big conversations about what it means to be “different” and how to find your own strength when the world tells you that you don’t belong.
Celebrating Children’s Book Week
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Children’s Book Week with your little ones, why not start a “curiosity conversation” about the books their reading? That works perfectly with the Children’s Book Week’s “Be Curious” theme. After reading a book, ask them:
- What is one thing you learned that you didn’t know before?
- If you could ask the main character one question, what would it be?
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