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Children's Books

Credit... Roberts Rurans

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IF YOU COME TO EARTH, by Sophie Blackall. (Chronicle, $18.99.) "Dear Visitor from Outer Space," the child narrator begins, "if you come to Earth, here's what you need to know." Blackall delivers on the promise: Her wondrous book seems to contain multitudes - the world's every river, flower, person, cruise ship and bottle cap.

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OUTSIDE IN, by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Cindy Derby. (HMH Books for Young Readers, $17.99.) Underwood's quietly profound text and Derby's lush art provide a homage to nature, and a comforting reminder that Outside will be there for us when we're ready. " I'm here, Outside says. I miss you."

YOU MATTER, by Christian Robinson. (Atheneum, $17.99.) An anthem to self-worth that's also about the history of life on Earth, and in 107 words somehow covers loneliness, death and rebirth.

WHEN STARS ARE SCATTERED, by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. (Dial Books for Young Readers, $20.99.) This riveting graphic novel chronicles the young Omar's real-life experiences during the 15 years he and his little brother spent as Somali refugees in the U.N.-run Dadaab camp in Kenya.

Let Us Help You Pick Your Next Book

On the lookout for your next book to read, but not sure where to start? We can help.

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Children's Books IF YOU COME TO EARTH, by Sophie Blackall. (Chronicle, $18.99.) "Dear Visitor from Outer Space," the child narrator begins, "if you come to Earth, here's what you need to know." Blackall delivers on the promise: Her wondrous book seems to contain multitudes - the world's every river, flower, person, cruise ship and bottle cap.

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Here are 160+ great reads from the first half of 2022 handpicked just for you by NPR staff and trusted critics.

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The Book Concierge is back with 380+ great reads, hand-picked by NPR staff and trusted critics.

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This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.

Welcome, readers, to our guide to the best books of 2020! Whether they were buzzy or lost in the shuffle, prize-winners or under the radar, we've assembled the books from 2020 you must not miss. Happy reading!

Aiden Thomas combines mystery, romance and the supernatural in a debut novel that I tore through in a couple of nights. Young brujo Yadriel is an earnest and lovable hero, and when he accidentally summons the spirit of his school's bad boy Julian, their search for Julian's killer soon turns to a deeper connection. This beautiful story kept me guessing, and had me rooting for my new favourite fictional couple to get their happily ever after.

Talia Hibbert's books have an easy familiarity. Her dialogue has the feel of a story one of your favorite people would tell you, and the characters immediately seem like people you've known-and liked-for ages. Dani Brown is a career-driven academic who ends up in a fake relationship with a romance novel-loving former rugby player struggling with past trauma. Unsurprisingly, that has never happened to me, but for 350 pages it felt very much like Dani and Zaf's world was one I'd lived in for ages. Hibbert doesn't just immerse readers in her story, though-she also makes us feel completely welcome there.

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These Are The Best Books of 2020 | Book Riot

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This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Welcome, readers, to our guide to the best books of 2020! Whether they were buzzy or lost in the shuffle, prize-winners or under the radar, we've assembled the books from 2020 you must not miss.

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Additional Information
Explore this year's Best Books!
About Best Books: Every year the librarians and staff on our Best Books committees read thousands of titles to select noteworthy new books for readers of all ages. Find out more, discover which titles are available in accessible formats, and check out the highlights of previous years!

Accessibility: Many of these titles are available in talking book, large print, and braille formats. Learn more about our materials and services for patrons with print disabilities.
Get a Library Card Start Reading with SimplyE, Our Free E-Reader App

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Our expert librarians selected the year's best books for kids, teens, and adults. Explore titles in accessible formats, and learn more about our 2023 picks.

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from the American Library Association

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Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)

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Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children’s books. According to the Notables Criteria, “notable” is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding. As applied to children’s books, notable s…

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Best Children's Books of the Year - Bank Street College of Education 

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Best Children's Books of the Year - Bank Street College of Education 

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Children's Book Committee

The Children's Book Committee strives to guide librarians, educators, parents, grandparents, and other interested adults to the best books for children published each year. The list includes more than 600 titles chosen by reviewers for literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotypes.

Diversity Statement

In evaluating books for their literary merit, the Bank Street Children's Book Committee (CBC) recognizes the importance of diversity in children's literature and acknowledges and celebrates the voices and cultures of all of our readers. Diversity encompasses the varied and unique identities, experiences, perspectives, and cultural communities of a book's main and supporting characters, whose attributes include (but are not limited to) race, ethnicity, gender, abilities, sexuality, class, religion, and family structure. All children benefit from seeing themselves reflected in what they read, and from seeing characters with different identities, depicted accurately and without stereotypes in texts and/or illustrations. The CBC values representations of characters who are change agents and advocates for social justice, inclusivity, and equity.

Nonfiction Statement

In accordance with the Committee's goal of modeling proper sourcing of nonfiction writing, all listed information books for children nine and older must contain supporting references including, at a minimum, sources, quote attributions, and photo credits. Book annotations may also include the term "back matter" to indicate that there is additional reference material provided.

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Best Children's Books of the Year - Bank Street College of Education

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Skip to content Children's Book Committee The Children's Book Committee strives to guide librarians, educators, parents, grandparents, and other interested adults to the best books for children published each year. The list includes more than 600 titles chosen by reviewers for literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers.

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While this is not a "best of 2020" list, SocialJusticeBooks.Org is carefully curated and maintains a "new books" list

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More than 100 carefully selected lists of multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators. When you find a book at this site, please purchase it here. Our titles are linked to Bookshop. A portion of your book purchase helps sustain our work. New Releases Activism and Organizing Africa Afro-Latinx American Indians Arabs […]