KELLY, Mij

This year, we awarded dozens of books a prestigious star—and among this distinguished group, several clear commonalities shine bright. From fresh approaches on topics like grief to specific recurrences, such as characters taking on another person’s identity, here are the key trends among 2025's starred books.

Author Kelly Yang shares her unique COVID-19 experience, which reminded her of the power of stories, which "give us hope and light when our tank is empty."

 Had it with X? Here’s how to get the most out of other platforms and dig deep into Substack.

Conservation, intergenerational bonds, joy, concepts of home, and other standout themes in this year’s standout titles.

Nikki M. Taylor discusses research challenges around early Black American history and suggests resources.

These 28 middle grade and YA nonfiction titles invite readers to delve into different facets and figures of history, science, social justice topics, and more. With a range of titles from a graphic memoir by Jerry Pinkney to a logbook-style look at an Arctic expedition to a history of the Scopes Monkey Trial that ties to contemporary censorship, there's much to explore and consider.

Whether for witty wordplay, star-crossed love stories, or bloody history, the Bard's plays still inspire—in particular, they inspire YA adaptations.

Fighting for environmental justice, these young people write some books of their own, too.

Steer teens toward these powerful works and organizations focused on environmental movements and climate justice.