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Big Books of the Week

Hypergifted by Gordon Korman (HarperCollins; SLJ starred review) leads holds this week.

Other titles in demand include:

I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 by Lauren Tarshis, adapted by Georgia Ball, illustrated by Cassie Anderson (Graphix)

Stolen Midnights by Katherine Quinn (Delacorte)

Queen of Faces by Petra Lord (Holt; SLJ starred review)

A Stage Set for Villains by Shannon J. Spann (Entangled: Mayhem; SLJ starred review)

These books and others publishing the week of February 2, 2026, are listed in a downloadable spreadsheet.

Librarians and Booksellers Suggest

Amazon’s February editors’ picks are out, including new YA release Queen of Faces by Petra Lord (Holt; SLJ starred review).

The “B&N Reads” blog features picture books for Black History Month.

Bestsellers

Links for the week: NYT Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover | NYT Children’s Picture Books | NYT Children’s & Young Adult Series | NYT Young Adult Hardcover | USA Today Bestselling Books

Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Knopf) tops the NYT Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover list for the second week in a row, followed by Refugee by Alan Gratz (Scholastic) in the No. 2 spot.

Little Blue Truck’s Valentine by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry (Clarion), tops the NYT Children’s Picture Books list for the second week in a row, with For the Fans by Angela Song (Golden) maintaining its No. 2 position.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper by Jeff Kinney (Amulet) stays on top, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic) remains at No. 2 in the NYT Children’s & Young Adult Series list.

Fake Skating by Lynn Painter (S&S) keeps the No. 1 spot on the NYT Young Adult Hardcover list. If Only I Had Told Her by Laura Nowlin (Sourcebooks Fire) moves up to No. 2 from third last week.

Three children’s titles feature in the top 20 of the USA Today Bestselling Books, last updated on January 28:

Dog Man: Big Jim Believes by Dav Pilkey (Scholastic/Graphix) moves to No. 13.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper by Jeff Kinney (Amulet) moves to the No. 16 spot.

You’re My Little Cuddle Bug by Nicola Edwards (S&S/Silver Dolphin) comes in at No. 19.

Reviews 

NYT reviews Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game by Kadir Nelson (Little, Brown; SLJ starred review): “Nelson’s book is a long-awaited follow-up to We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, published in 2008. Its tone is warm and informal, its conversational style crafted to convey the sense of an older, avuncular figure—a once-upon-a-time player—speaking directly to its target audience of 8- to 12-year-olds.” 

NPR reviews The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World by Jonathan Haidt & Catherine Price, illustrated by Yuan Cheng (Rocky Pond; SLJ starred review): “What seems especially compelling about The Amazing Generation—which would work well as a classroom guide—is that it can get young people thinking more critically about the products that shape their everyday lives. If the message of the book isn’t subtle, it nonetheless feels like an important antidote to the daily pull and messaging of the online world. Real rebellions from young people won't follow paths clearly laid out by adults, but in this case it seems well beyond time to stir the pot.”

“A Fuse #8 Production” reviews A Scar Like a River by Lisa Graff (Christy Ottaviano Bks.): “Sometimes an author just works themselves up to the book of a lifetime and you are lucky enough to watch that happen in real time. That’s pretty much what we have here. The kids that get to read this book for the first time are lucky too. A necessary story that hits all the right marks.”

Briefly Noted

The Rise Book Project announces its top 10 feminist books for young readers.

ALA’s Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table announces its inaugural Outstanding Comics for Young Adults Awards.

ALA’s Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table announces its inaugural Outstanding Comics for Children Awards.

The Jane Addams Peace Association announced its 2026 children’s book award winners.

The 2026 Audie Awards finalist have been announced.

The shortlist for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award has been announced.

“Teen Librarian Toolbox” announces the First Annual Young Teen Lit Top 10 Award List.

“Good Comics for Kids” introduces a new middle-grade fantasy, The Stone of Shiro: The Fall of Shiro by Sue Ruffle, illustrated by Stefano Spaziani (Papercutz).

Famed author-illustrator Hudson Talbott has died at age 76; Publishers Weekly has an obituary.

Book Riot features new releases coming in February.

Book Riot lists six comics and graphic novels for fans of Studio Ghibli.

7 must read YA books by Latine authors are featured on Book Riot.

Book Riot notes that Native Hawaiian voices are growing in YA.

People recommends children’s books that celebrate Black History to read year-round.

Publishers Weekly announces Scholastic’s NEXT line, to begin in October.

“Teen Librarian Toolbox” discusses ancient stories for middle grade in a guest post by The Aftermyth author Tracy Wolff (S&S/Aladdin).

“Teen Librarian Toolbox” spotlights 50 new and forthcoming books.

“Teen Librarian Toolbox” features five Little Women reimaginings.

“A Fuse 8 Production” interviews Elisha Cooper, author of A Rare Bird (Roaring Brook).

Gabbie Benda, author of Serendipity (Holiday House), guest-posts on “Teen Librarian Toolbox” to talk about writing annoying characters.

“Good Comics for Kids” interviewed Jarrett Dapier on his new graphic novel, Wake Now in the Fire (Ten Speed Graphic).

Tracey Baptiste talks first generation kids on “Pearl’s & Ruby’s.”

Jennifer Ann Richter, author of The Star of Moon Village (Holiday House), guest-posts on “Teen Librarian Toolbox.”

Authors on Air

Jeff Kinney stops by The Kelly Clarkson Show and reveals the cover of his new book, Diary of Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight (Amulet).

Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price talk The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World (Rocky Pond; SLJ starred review) on The Tamron Hall Show.

NPR’s Weekend Edition interviews Melanie Florence and Matt James about their book The One About the Blackbird (Tundra).

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