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New York State Reading Lists

2022 NYPL Best Books for Teens

What the Fact?

Finding the Truth in All the Noise
This edition: Hardcover, 368 pages
Publication date: September 20, 2022

From acclaimed writer, journalist, and physician Dr. Seema Yasmin comes a “savvy, accessible, and critical” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) book a...

So This Is Ever After

This edition: Hardcover, 352 pages
Publication date: March 29, 2022
Ages: 14 - 99

An instant New York Time bestseller! Carry On meets Arthurian legend in this subversive, “delightfully original and whimsical” (Kirkus Reviews) yo...

Summer's Edge

This edition: Hardcover, 336 pages
Publication date: May 31, 2022
Ages: 14 - 99

“Absolutely enthralling and genuinely terrifying.” —Kit Frick, author of I Killed Zoe Spanos and Very Bad People I Know What You Did Last Summer me...

Queen of the Tiles

This edition: Hardcover, 304 pages
Publication date: April 19, 2022
Ages: 12 - 99

They Wish They Were Us meets The Queen’s Gambit in this “stunning…unforgettable” (Publishers Weekly) thriller set in the world of competitive Scrab...

Love Radio

This edition: Hardcover, 320 pages
Publication date: May 31, 2022
Ages: 12 - 99

“Readers won’t be able to get enough of these dope-ass characters.” —Elizabeth Acevedo, author of Clap When You Land Hitch meets The Sun Is Also a ...

2022 NYPL Best Books for Kids

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor

(Part of Zachary Ying)
This edition: Hardcover, 352 pages
Publication date: May 10, 2022
Ages: 8 - 12

Percy Jackson meets Tristan Strong in this hilarious middle grade “edge-of-your-seat adventure” (James Ponti, New York Times bestselling author of ...

Isla to Island

Illustrated by Alexis Castellanos
This edition: Hardcover, 192 pages
Publication date: March 15, 2022
Ages: 10 - 99

This stunning wordless graphic novel follows a young girl in the 1960s who immigrates from Cuba to the United States and must redefine what home me...

The Clackity

(Part of Blight Harbor)
This edition: Hardcover, 288 pages
Publication date: June 28, 2022
Ages: 10 - 99

Reminiscent of Doll Bones and Small Spaces, this “delightfully eerie” (Erin A. Craig, New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrow...

Abdul's Story

Illustrated by Tiffany Rose
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: March 29, 2022
Ages: 4 - 8

A 2022 New York Public Library Best Book for Kids! A little boy who loves storytelling but struggles with writing learns that it’s okay to make mis...

2021 NYPL Best Books for Teens (Top Ten)

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe

This edition: Hardcover, 432 pages
Publication date: August 10, 2021
Ages: 14 - 99

“Breathlessly atmospheric…A gorgeous, hopeful book.” —Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of Today Tonight Tomorrow The Hating Game meets I Am Not Your Per...

2021 NYPL Best Books for Teens

The Cost of Knowing

This edition: Hardcover, 336 pages
Publication date: April 06, 2021
Ages: 12 - 99

Four starred reviews! Dear Martin meets They Both Die at the End in this gripping, evocative novel about a Black teen who has the power to see into...

The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor

Illustrated by Christopher Baldwin
This edition: Hardcover, 224 pages
Publication date: July 20, 2021
Ages: 12 - 99

Nimona meets Paper Girls with a literary twist in this wickedly funny graphic novel about a teenager who is swept up in a strange new universe and ...

2021 NYPL Best Books for Kids (Top Ten)

Stuntboy, in the Meantime

(Book #1 of Stuntboy)
Illustrated by Raúl the Third
This edition: Paper Over Board, 272 pages
Publication date: November 30, 2021
Ages: 7 - 12

A Schneider Family Award Honor Book for Middle Grade From Newbery Medal honoree and #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds comes a hil...

2021 NYPL Best Books for Kids

King of Ragtime

The Story of Scott Joplin
Illustrated by Stephen Costanza
This edition: Hardcover, 56 pages
Publication date: September 14, 2021
Ages: 4 - 8

A stunning, rhythmic picture book biography of African American composer Scott Joplin, whose ragtime music paved the way for jazz.There was somethi...

Un trineo para Gabo (A Sled for Gabo)

Illustrated by Ana Ramírez González / Translated by Alexis Romay
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: January 05, 2021
Ages: 4 - 8

The Spanish language edition of this heartwarming classic in the making about a young boy who is in a new town and doesn’t have much, but with the ...

2021 Anne Izard Storyteller's Choice Award

Tiny Feet Between the Mountains

Illustrated by Hanna Cha
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: November 05, 2019
Ages: 4 - 8

A young Korean girl comes up with a clever plan to help her village and a spirit tiger in this “gorgeous and moving debut” (Booklist, starred revie...

The Bravest Man in the World

Illustrated by Patricia Polacco
This edition: Hardcover, 56 pages
Publication date: September 24, 2019

From master storyteller Patricia Polacco comes the tragic and beautiful story inspired by Wallace Hartley—the musician who played with his band to ...

Freedom Bird

A Tale of Hope and Courage
Illustrated by James E. Ransome
This edition: Hardcover, 32 pages
Publication date: January 14, 2020
Ages: 5 - 9

“Powerful storytelling and immersive art.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Vibrant writing and magical realism lift this story to one of triumph....