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In its nearly 25 year history, the Printz has recognized literature that pushes boundaries and showcases diverse voices. Here are some highlights.
PREMIUM
Zander Stays
Recommended for libraries in colder climates where getting ready for winter is truly a matter of survival and books on this topic are needed. An extraneous purchase for others.
PREMIUM
Chasing Pacquiao
An underdog story with a powerful message about putting heroes on a pedestal, this is for all teen collections.
PREMIUM
If You See a Bluebird
Recommended for picture book collections, especially those endeavoring to affirm the challenges faced by children who experience immigration and cultivate empathy among those who have not.
An affirming picture book that will be particularly welcomed by libraries seeking stories about refugees and the migration experience.
This is a charmer, alright, with simple shapes, digitally drawn and colored, to fill up toddlers’ eyes and nothing spooky to spoil the mood of gentle friendship and celebrations.
PREMIUM
Fry Guys
With zany illustrations, clever wordplay, and laugh-out-loud storytelling, this graphic novel is exactly the right kind of good-humored silliness for emerging readers who are just beginning to discover the fun of books.
PREMIUM
Love Is in the Bear
This is an endearing book, a poignant tale of stalwart love, with a rich landscape of immersive art.
PREMIUM
Cone Dog
A perseverance parable with a trouble-making dog readers can’t help but love. Purchase for picture book collections.
PREMIUM
Love Makes a Garden Grow
While engaging for young readers who have strong grandparent ties or a love of plants, the arc of the story feels more attuned to the parents reading this story aloud than the child reader, but the illustrations will pair well with greenhouse trips, garden growing lessons, and plant identification.
PREMIUM
Make a Move, Sunny Park!
A potential mirror for tweens who are struggling with their sense of self-worth and navigating the complexities of friendship. Recommended for middle school collections.
PREMIUM
Maybe a Whale
This moving meditation on grief is perfect for fans of Carole Lindstrom, Drew Breckmeyer, Michaela Goade, and Grace Lin.
Sure to hold appeal to the animal lovers, this would make an excellent read-aloud, especially if the audience is working on learning the elements of storytelling.
PREMIUM
The Dreamatics
With a fresh take on the familiar concept of dreams, this theatrical book will be a showstopper for young readers.
The message of self-care and supportive family relationships amid a serious family crisis will provide hope for other families with a beloved member altered by war.
PREMIUM
By Any Other Name
An enjoyable historical fiction mystery with a prominent queer romance. Recommended.
PREMIUM
One Cool Duck: The Far-Out Fort
While the book is fun and nostalgic, the 1990s references may feel unrelatable to the target audience.
PREMIUM
A Way to the Stars
A paean to resourcefulness, creativity and collaboration, this quietly jubilant picture book is ideal for parents and children to share.
PREMIUM
As You Walk on By
Equal parts feel-good and radical honesty, this first purchase will easily appeal to fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli.
PREMIUM
Nala’s Journey
Give this to classrooms studying elephants of young readers who don’t mind a little less dialogue and character building while the journey unfolds.
PREMIUM
The Demon Sword Asperides
A good next read for fans of Cressida Cowell and Jessica Townsend, recommend this one to fans of funny fantasy with a setting that rings of medieval Europe.
PREMIUM
All Kinds of Kids
In a book that is very “we are the world” in concept, Meisel’s art meticulously created details to make this global. However, it still a very America- and Christian-centric book. Pass and select more culturally responsive materials that reflect kids’ lives.
PREMIUM
A Warning About Swans
A queer, feminist spin on familiar fairy-tale elements. Highly recommended.
Readers who love fairy tales and retellings and those with no knowledge of the source material alike will enjoy this look at wishes, deceptions, and true treasures.
Readers who love fairy tales and retellings and those with no knowledge of the source material alike will enjoy this look at wishes, deceptions, and true treasures.
A glorious, too-brief glimpse of Ethiopia for elementary-age children, this will send them off to do further research on textiles and cultures.
PREMIUM
When I Wrap My Hair
An enchanting addition to libraries, where cultural connections are key; the artwork will inspire creativity in any classroom.
PREMIUM
What Rosa Brought
Within the context of guided family and classroom conversations, this gorgeously illustrated picture book can be an important age-appropriate tool to educate children about the Holocaust while emphasizing the enduring power of perseverance and love.
This book, about perfectly normal children having a great time, is absolutely amazing.
An inexpensive addition to “Pete the Cat” or fairy-tale remix collections.
PREMIUM
Hoggy at Bat
A brief, engaging story for young and eager sports fans, eminently effective without trying to do too much.
PREMIUM
The Peacock
A touching and educational illustrated chapter book that highlights empathy, resourcefulness, and the importance of community. An enriching addition to library bookshelves.
A monstrous, zany early reader graphic novel for readers who enjoy the new “Bailey School Kids” graphic novels, school stories with a twist, and "Monster High."
PREMIUM
Mercy Watson Is Missing!
A delightful conclusion to this chapter series. Purchase where the other books in the series circulate well.
Vivid illustrations paired with a relatable story equals a must-have for any library.
PREMIUM
I Want to Be a Scientist
A good choice as part of a series that can help establish a core collection of early reader titles.
PREMIUM
Meet the Astronaut (LEGO City)
A feel-good, action-packed story that will keep children engaged from the first page. Recommended where other “LEGO City” books are popular.
Lighthearted and silly with a good message, this title is part of a great series waiting to be discovered.
Fans of the author’s “Owl and Penguin” books will welcome Zooni. A solid purchase for elementary collections.
PREMIUM
Mossy and Tweed: Double Trouble
A good choice where fantasy elements are popular. Pair this with Sarah’s Unicorn by Bruce Coville.
A thorough introduction to Rubble & Crew and to the tasks they like to do on their jobs. Recommended where other “Step into Reading” books are popular.
PREMIUM
A Duck Called Brian
Comic illustrations, friendship, and hundreds of ducks engaged in silly activities may be enough for some readers, but libraries better go with Mo.
PREMIUM
Etta Extraordinaire
Overall a revisiting of classic flamboyant femmes but with enough interesting details to add freshness. Good for early elementary students.
This book is a perfect addition to any children’s shelf, whether aimed at families, adoption, multicultural stories, or topics of love and acceptance.
PREMIUM
Julius
Color-drenched acrylic paintings and outsized proportions provide humor and affection in equal doses. Readers will want to settle in for a second read.
Once again, the dynamic team of Palatini and Yaccarino have created a story that is not only appealing to children but also fun for adults. Recommended for all collections.
PREMIUM
First Day, Worst Day
Pair this chapter book with similar series for reluctant readers in this age group, including “The Time Warp Trio,” “My Weirder School,” and “Sideways Stories from Wayside School.”
Purchase this delightful book for early reader collections.
A solid choice where slice-of-life comics for young readers are in demand.
PREMIUM
Daddy and the Beanstalk
Laughs abound in this fractured fairy tale embedded in a bedtime story. Give this to fans of “Katie the Catsitter” by Colleen AF Venable and Giants Beware! by Jorge Aguirre.
Innocent camp high jinks, siblings who care deeply for each other, family loss, Latinx and Asian representation, and a sweet hopeful LGBTQIA+ love story
PREMIUM
Pritty
Full of beautiful prose and characters who laugh in the face of toxic masculinity, Miller’s debut has a lot of promise—especially in terms of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ representation
PREMIUM
Sinner’s Isle
Share with readers who have exhausted all other fantasy-romance options. A secondary purchase for where this genre circulates well.
PREMIUM
The Blackwoods
Colbert’s latest novel deserves a spot in teen and high school collections; hand to readers who enjoy family sagas and the ups and downs of fame.
A recommended purchase for most early reader collections.
A nice but nonessential addition to public library collections.
Even with a few plot hiccups, this reader will fly off the shelves because of the rock-solid value of the Disney Princess franchise. A recommended purchase for all school and public collections.
A great choice for fostering social emotional learning and emerging reading skills.
Armchair travelers and young dreamers will enjoy boosting reading skills as they join Sabrina Sue’s latest adventure.
A great choice for beginning reader collections.
PREMIUM
Kingdom of Without
Hand this dystopic-heist-romance in an alt-world China to fans of Marissa Meyer’s Cinder.
PREMIUM
Unholy Terrors
Heavy on vibes and atmosphere, this is ultimately an underdeveloped goth fantasy that may appeal to fans of Nicki Pau Preto’s Bonesmith.
Readers who appreciate stories dealing with the complexities of grief, such as We Are Okay by Nina LaCour, or the south Florida setting and Cuban influences of Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno, will enjoy this one.
A heartfelt lament for what America could be but chooses not to, this is a must-purchase for high school libraries. Recommended for fans of Ibi Zoboi and Amber McBride.
With an adventurous treasure hunt, a perilous mystery, and a character-driven romance set in a unique historical moment, this is Ibañez’s best work yet. Make space in all YA collections.
PREMIUM
Win Lose Kill Die
This book will appeal to readers seeking a suspenseful teen slasher about secret societies and social climbing. Recommended for fans of Gretchen McNeil, Gemma Halliday, and Holly Jackson.
PREMIUM
Flower and Thorn
A magical, political standalone packed with Indian mythology that will please those who stick with it.
PREMIUM
Wren Martin Ruins It All
A witty, feel-good romance with the perfect blend of tension, banter, and heart. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
Rock Stars Don’t Nap
A comical, musical journey, this book could lead to lively story hours across age ranges, one that even caregivers will rock to.
PREMIUM
Baker Makers
With an emphasis on effort before reward and a sturdy hero, this is a recommended STEAM–related title.
PREMIUM
I Love Your Face!
One step up from a board book, this celebration of great moments in babyland will work for very young SEL lessons and a generous, uplifting story hour.
PREMIUM
The Monster Above the Bed
Completely charming! For everyone who has tried to help a young one face those bedtime monster fears, this offers a pretty good answer.
PREMIUM
Three Important Jobs
A dentist story with a happy ending sounds a lot like William Steig’s Doctor De Soto, without the menace. Choose this for story hours on SEL or hygiene.
PREMIUM
Scaredy Cats
Some children love anticipation more than an ending, and they’ll adore this book. It delivers an entire screwball comedy in very few pages and will inspire some very interesting post-story discussions.
PREMIUM
Your Voice, Your Vote
A child’s-eye view of the voting experience that highlights the joys and frustrations of making one’s voice heard.
A humble subject is elevated to an anthem about beloved canine companions; these simple statements of gratitude effectively convey depths of mutual love.
PREMIUM
Kevin Goes First
This book offers much food for thought in how we work together and take turns in different roles.
PREMIUM
The Imposter
With Collier’s playful yet adorable pictures to bring the characters to life, this book will find a home among animal lovers and humor fans alike.
Libraries looking to diversify their fiction collections for middle grade students will want to consider this very enjoyable book. A great choce for middle schoolers.
PREMIUM
We Could Fly
A magically sublime testimonial to spirituality and ancestral connection, perfect for home or classroom reading with young ones.
PREMIUM
Natural Me
A delightfully illustrated book and welcome addition to libraries to promote positive messages of self-empowerment among girls.
PREMIUM
The Concrete Garden
This read-aloud will inspire many rich conversations about community, emotions, and kindness with preschool and early–school age children. Recommended purchase.
PREMIUM
The Twist-a-Roo
Does there always have to be a comeuppance when a little caution will serve? This book will inspire discussions among children about who is right; with airtight pacing and a beautiful ending, it’s sure to be a story hour favorite.
A sweet and very smart book that is full of truly terrible things that almost anyone would fear, this will inspire discussions of what is scary, what is not, and when it’s time to let the wind blow.
PREMIUM
Evacuation Order
Fans of survival stories like Alan Gratz's books and the “I Survived” series may appreciate this action-packed quick read despite lackluster characterization.
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