The Best New Kids’ & YA Books To Read Right Now
by the Brightly Editors
It feels like the summer flew by! With sunburns fading and crisp morning air just around the corner, this is an excellent time to stock up on new books. Whether you’re looking for a gift for your child’s teacher or a good book to help your kid get their 30 minutes of daily reading, you’ll find plenty of options here. From funny picture books to pulse-pounding adventures for tweens and teens, here are the best books coming your way this month.
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Picture Books
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Love Stays Strong
Buy from:This heartfelt book explores the complex feelings around times of illness in a family. A mother explains her illness to her child, how it affects her, and how it changes her. But no matter what, their love stays strong. With comforting text and warm illustrations, this book is a valuable resource for families going through difficult times.
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Grumpy Monkey Mine!
Buy from:Teach your little one to share with help from this humorous story featuring your favorite curmudgeon. Grumpy Monkey drops a banana, only to discover that Warthog found it and thinks it belongs to him. The two animals argue over the banana until another jungle critter suggests they share.
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Floor It!
Buy from:A trip across the floor becomes an adventure-filled quest in this brightly illustrated picture book. As Baby races across the floor, obstacles like carpet, chairs, and toys turn into grass, jungles, and fire-breathing dragons. With rhyming text and adorable artwork, this book offers readers a baby's eye view of their surroundings.
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Bear in the Air
Buy from:Bear takes a high-flying journey alone in his hot air balloon. He shows off to his friends and enjoys the feeling of freedom. But when he wants to come down, he realizes he doesn’t know how. This adorable book encourages kids to explore their independence and also ask for help when they need it.
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Henry Is an Artist
Buy from:Henry walks to the park every day and feels inspired by the street art he sees. But whenever he creates a work of “art,” his owner throws it in the trash. However, when his owner accidentally leaves one of his artworks at the park, Henry gets an unexpected surprise. This hilarious picture book will have kids (and adults) asking for another read-through.
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Buffalo Fluffalo and Puffalo
Buy from:When Buffalo Fluffalo’s daily routine gets interrupted by a baby buffalo named Puffalo, he isn’t pleased. But as he spends time with the younger animal, they gradually become inseparable friends. This sweet book is perfect for big siblings adjusting to having a new baby around.
(On sale: 9/30/2025)
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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Vanished: Seven Women Magicians Who Simply Disappeared
Buy from:From mindreaders to illusionists, seven women in the Golden Age of Magic blazed their trails to stardom. They captivated crowds and dazzled the spotlight. But once they retired, they vanished without a trace. This book explores a fascinating time when the world was obsessed with magic and highlights the women who rode that wave to fame and fortune before disappearing.
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The Poisoned King
Buy from:Fantasy lovers will be thrilled to see this sequel to Impossible Creatures on the shelf! In this follow-up novel, Christopher finds himself back in the Archipelago, a group of islands where mythical creatures still exist. But the islands face a new threat, and Christopher once again gets swept into a fast-paced adventure that will leave young readers asking for more.
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Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave
Buy from:Readers who love thrills and chills will want to read this spooky novel about a girl who can smell ghosts. When someone (or something) steals a priceless heirloom from her family’s funeral home, 13-year-old Mystery must use her supernatural abilities to track down the thief. She encounters ghouls, ghosts, and grumpy humans as she tries to locate the necklace and restore her family’s reputation.
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The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze
Buy from:Thirteen-year-old Henson Blayze is the star of his football team and has the weight of the entire town’s lofty expectations on his shoulders. Everyone wants him to excel, but when he speaks out against an injustice, he faces crippling backlash. With his world turned upside down, Henson must decide whether to stand his ground or give in to the pressure.
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How to Say Goodbye in Cuban
Buy from:When his father wins the lottery and sets up a shop in the city, Carlos is sad to leave his small Cuban town behind. But when Fidel Castro takes over the country, and his dad flees to America, Carlos faces a much bigger challenge. This graphic novel memoir is a moving story about a young boy facing uncertainty as his family searches for a new home.
(On sale: 9/30/2025)
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Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel Thing One and Thing Two Have Homework to Do
Buy from:Growing readers transitioning into chapter books will love this wacky graphic novel featuring their favorite Things! When the Cat in the Hat suggests that Thing One and Thing Two help Sally and her brother finish their homework, Things quickly spiral out of control. Kids will giggle along as they read this delightful classroom adventure.
(On sale: 9/30/2025)
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YA
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When We Were Monsters
Buy from:Eight students join their professor, Meredith Graffam, for a 16-day storytelling retreat where she pushes the teens to their creative limits — and beyond. When someone murders Meredith, four students come under scrutiny. If you love dark academia, young love, and murder mysteries, this tightly plotted novel is a must-read!
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The House of Quiet
Buy from:Get ready to stay up all night because once you start reading this gothic novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hide, you won’t be able to stop. Desperate to rescue her sister from an unknown fate, Birdie gets a job as a maid in the House of Quiet, a place where children with terrifying powers are kept prisoner. As she searches for her sister, Birdie uncovers dark secrets, corruption, and startling truths. If you’re looking for a spooky novel to read this fall, pick this one up!
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An Embroidery of Souls
Buy from:Mexican and German lore combine in this lush romantic fantasy novel about a girl who can manipulate souls. When Jade’s mother disappears, the queen orders Jade to find her. She forms an unlikely alliance with a gang member named Lukas, who will do anything to escape poverty. Together, they must find the evil plaguing the kingdom before it destroys everything they love.
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You’ve Found Oliver
Buy from:This heartfelt story is the highly anticipated companion novel to the bestselling book, You’ve Reached Sam. After his best friend dies, Oliver keeps texting his old number. But when someone answers his text messages, Oliver gets swept into a romance with a boy named Ben. At first, their chemistry is undeniable, but Ben is keeping a secret from Oliver that could derail their relationship.
(On sale: 9/30/2025)
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