IndyPL Staff Picks 2025 - Best of Fiction for Kids
We had eight different staff members send some of their favorite "J Fiction" titles. The list includes the newly named National Book Award winner for youth (Teacher of Nomad Land) and the surprise bonus entry in Jason Reynolds' Track Series - Coach. Reynolds mentioned in a recent interview that he really was not going to write another book in this series, but his young fans wanted more and specifically wanted to know more about Coach.
Just a note -many of us on the Children's side of the service desk know that Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans (Book 20 Party Pooper) and Dog Man fans (Book 14 - Big Jim Believes) were served up new titles recently in those best-selling and high-circulating series. And other perennial favorite authors to take note of with 2025 new books are: Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate and Lost Evangeline by Kate DiCamillo.
#IndyPLKids #IndyPLStaffPicks
"A tender depiction of friendship from two unlikely friends: a badger and a seagull. IFall head over heels for Septimus the badger and learn how to become a true friend while staying true to yourself in this delightful little book with beautiful…
This historical fiction/western novel by Jewell Paker Rhodes is about a Black 12-year-old boy named Will as he sets out with his mule Belle and his sharecropper father to claim land in this riveting historical saga, set during the 1889 Oklahoma Land…
Nayeri must be part genius - how he can take a story that is richly and emotionally taut and weave it with hope and humor is frankly so beautiful. This WW2 story is set in Iran - which declared itself to be neutral, however soldiers and heartbreak…
Fans of the Track series finally get to meet the Coach as a young tween in this novel. Jason Reynolds expertly takes us back in time to experience the family dynamics and big dreams of young Otie Brody. Fun fact - Reynolds really didn't expect to…
I'm not a huge novel-in-verse reader (despite my best efforts, and believe me, I've tried!), but this one got me from page 1. Check it out if you like sarcasm in your main characters, if you're open to unique formats, and if you want to be convinced…
A solid second entry in the Impossible Creatures world. Two young heroes are called into action. We met Christopher in book One and he is summoned by a tiny jaculus dragon to join at once because other dragons are dying. We get to meet the fierce,…
As with the first book in this series, I think this would be great for reluctant readers. There's tons of action, but also a lot of heart and a great story. If you have a child who only loves graphic novels, then this series may be a good "gateway"…
Set in WW2, Max lands in Berlin as a British spy - his mission is to infiltrate the Funkhaus, the center of Nazi radio and propaganda. In addition, Max has his own personal mission - to locate his Jewish parents. An absolutely gripping novel that…
I grew up reading the Percy Jackson books and I am so glad that Nico gets his own books. Not only does the first LGBTQ+ character from such a beloved series get a spotlight, his books also focus on learning to live with many powerful emotions. I…
Lots of middle school students feel like their parents are from another planet. Nathan's actually are. A fast-paced scifi mystery about family, identity, and growing up. Also, there are a lot of excellent cats. IndyPL_SarahS, Public Services…
A girl caught between the realms of the living and the dead who gets lost in the Underworld—perfect for fans of Greenwild and Rick Riordan. Senka, the ward of the Underworld's Ferryer, breaks the rules to help Poppy, a living girl who has entered…
