Children's literature plays a vital role in the development and education of young minds. It introduces kids to new ideas, helps them learn to read and understand complex concepts, and allows them to see the world from different perspectives. For these reasons, it is important to find high-quality children's books that will engage and inspire young readers.
In this article, we will be looking at the best children's books published in 2021. We have selected these books based on a number of criteria, including literary merit, diversity, representation, and age-appropriateness. Our list includes a mix of picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, and young adult novels, so there is something for readers of all ages and interests.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the top children's books of 2021!
Picture books are a staple of children's literature and are perfect for younger readers who are just learning to read on their own. They often have colorful illustrations and simple storylines, making them both entertaining and educational. Here are our top picks for the best picture books of 2021:
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"We Are Water Protectors" by Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade: This beautiful and important picture book tells the story of a young water protector standing up to defend the Earth and its resources. With powerful illustrations and a timely message, "We Are Water Protectors" is a must-read for kids and adults alike.
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"The Beautiful Banana" by Fionna Evans: This charming and funny picture book follows the adventures of a group of animals as they try to find the perfect home for a stray banana. With colorful illustrations and a relatable theme of friendship and belonging, "The Beautiful Banana" is sure to become a favorite among young readers.
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"The Old Truck" by Jarrett J. Krosoczka: This heartwarming picture book tells the story of a neglected old truck that finds new purpose when it is rescued and restored by a young boy and his grandfather. With vivid illustrations and a message of love and redemption, "The Old Truck" is a must-read for anyone who has ever loved a rusted and broken-down vehicle.
- "The Bear Ate Your Sandwich" by Julia Sarcone-Roach: This hilarious picture book follows the misadventures of a sandwich as it travels through the forest, encountering all sorts of animals along the way. With playful illustrations and a clever sense of humor, "The Bear Ate Your Sandwich" is sure to have kids and adults alike laughing out loud.
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"The Three Ninja Pigs" by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Dan Santat: This twist on the classic fairy tale of "The Three Little Pigs" follows three ninja pigs as they defend their home from a big, bad wolf. With action-packed illustrations and a fun, feminist twist, "The Three Ninja Pigs" is a must-read for fans of fairy tales and martial arts alike.
Early chapter books are a great transition for kids who are ready to move on from picture books but aren't quite ready for longer novels. These books usually have more complex storylines and characters, and they often come in a series, encouraging kids to keep reading. Here are our top picks for the best chapter books of 2021:
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"The Witch Boy" by Molly Knox Ostertag: This magical middle grade novel tells the story of Aster, a young boy who defies the expectations of his strict, magical family by pursuing his passion for witchcraft. With a diverse cast of characters and a beautiful, folktale-inspired world, "The Witch Boy" is a must-read for fans of magic and self-discovery.
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"Aru Shah and the Song of Death" by Roshani Chokshi: This thrilling second installment in the Pandava series follows Aru Shah as she fights to save the world from the vengeful demon king, Hiranyakashipu. With fast-paced action and a diverse cast of Hindu mythology-inspired characters, "Aru Shah and the Song of Death" is a must-read for fans of mythology and adventure.
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"The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James" by Ashley Herring Blake: This moving and heartfelt middle grade novel tells the story of Sunny, a young girl with a congenital heart defect who sets out to achieve her dream of becoming a famous chef. With a diverse cast of characters and a touching message of determination and self-acceptance, "The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James" is a must-read for fans of heartwarming stories and food.
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"The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez: This lively and heartfelt middle grade novel follows Malú, a young Latina punk rocker, as she navigates the challenges of starting a new school and finding her place in the world. With a diverse cast of characters and a relatable message of self-expression and belonging, "The First Rule of Punk" is a must-read for fans of punk rock and coming-of-age stories.
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"The Unadoptables" by Hana Tooke: This enchanting and action-packed middle grade novel follows a group of orphaned children as they embark on a dangerous mission to stop a wicked collector from stealing magical creatures. With a diverse cast of characters and a magical, Victorian-inspired world, "The Unadoptables" is a must-read for fans of adventure and fantastical creatures.
These chapter books are aimed at kids aged 8 to 12 and often tackle more complex themes and issues. They're great for encouraging kids to think critically and expand their understanding of the world. Here are our top picks for the best middle grade novels of 2021:
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"The Gilda Joyce Psychic Investigator series" by Jennifer Allison: This thrilling and spooky series follows Gilda Joyce, a young psychic investigator, as she solves mysteries and encounters the supernatural. With fast-paced action and a diverse cast of characters, the Gilda Joyce series is a must-read for fans of mystery and the paranormal.
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"The Black Kids" by Christina Hammonds Reed: This poignant and powerful debut novel follows Ashley, a wealthy black teenager, as she navigates the aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles riots and confronts the complexities of race and privilege. With a diverse cast of characters and a timely message, "The Black Kids" is a must-read for fans of coming-of-age stories and social justice.
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"The Time Traveler's Handbook" by Charlie Lovett: This charming and imaginative middle grade novel follows a group of kids as they travel through time and learn about history and science. With vivid descriptions and a diverse cast of characters, "The Time Traveler's Handbook" is a must-read for fans of time travel and adventure.
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"The Only Black Girls in Town" by Brandy Colbert: This poignant and heartfelt middle grade novel follows Edie, a young black girl, as she navigates the challenges of being one of the only black girls in her small town and learns to embrace her identity. With a diverse cast of characters and a relatable message of self-acceptance, "The Only Black Girls in Town" is a must-read for fans of coming-of-age stories and diversity.
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"The Unadoptables" by Hana Tooke: This enchanting and action-packed middle grade novel follows a group of orphaned children as they embark on a dangerous mission to stop a wicked collector from stealing magical creatures. With a diverse cast of characters and a magical, Victorian-inspired world, "The Unadoptables" is a must-read for fans of adventure and fantastical creatures.
Young adult novels are aimed at readers aged 12 and up and often tackle more mature themes and issues. These books are great for encouraging teens to think critically and explore their own identities. Here are our top picks for the best young adult novels of 2021:
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"The Project" by Courtney Summers: This gripping and thought-provoking young adult novel follows a group of high school students as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of their classmate, Anna. With a diverse cast of characters and a timely message about the dangers of groupthink, "The Project" is a must-read for fans of mystery and social commentary.
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"We Are Not Free" by Traci Chee: This powerful and heart-wrenching young adult novel follows a group of Japanese American teens as they navigate the challenges of internment during World War II. With a diverse cast of characters and a poignant message about the importance of standing up for what is right, "We Are Not Free" is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and social justice.
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"To Sleep in a Sea of Stars" by Christopher Paolini: This epic and imaginative young adult novel follows Kira, a scientist, as she embarks on a dangerous journey across the galaxy to stop a deadly threat. With a diverse cast of characters and a thrilling, science fiction-inspired world, "To Sleep in a Sea of Stars" is a must-read for fans of space opera and adventure.
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"The Black Flamingo" by Dean Atta: This powerful and poetic young adult novel follows Michael, a young, gay, mixed-race teenager, as he discovers his identity and learns to embrace his true self. With beautiful writing and a relatable message of self-acceptance and belonging, "The Black Flamingo" is a must-read for fans of LGBTQ+ literature and coming-of-age stories.
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"The Dark Lord Clementine" by Sarah Jean Horwitz: This hilarious and clever young adult novel follows Clementine, a young girl who becomes the Dark Lord of a magical world and must learn to navigate the challenges of ruling a kingdom. With a diverse cast of characters and a clever, fantasy-inspired world, "The Dark Lord Clementine" is a must-read for fans of humor and adventure.
The best children's books published in 2021 offer something for readers of all ages and interests. From picture books with colorful illustrations and simple storylines, to chapter books with more complex characters and plots, to middle grade novels that tackle deeper themes and issues, to young adult novels that explore mature themes and identities, there is something on this list for every young reader. We hope that you will check out these amazing books and discover a new favorite!