New York Times Bestsellers: Books for Kids and Teens

Last updated: September 16, 2026

Want to know about the biggest page-turners for kids and young adults before you buy? Check out our list of New York Times bestselling kids books. Not only will you find the hottest new arrivals, you'll also see the wildly popular books that stick around on the list for months (and sometimes years). Each week, we'll update our list with the New York Times' bestsellers for kids and teens that we've reviewed. So be sure to come back often, as new books come hot off the presses every week. And for older bestselling titles, check out our list of award-winning books.

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An orange-brown squirrel grasps yellow and red leaves in it's arms, framed by two trees
BOOK

The Leaf Thief, Book 1

age 3+

Laugh-out-loud story has lessons on autumn, compassion.

The Pumpkin Thief book cover: Squirrel and Bird on a large pumpkin under trees
BOOK

The Pumpkin Thief

age 3+

Suspicious squirrel, missing pumpkins in fun seasonal tale.

The Wonderful Things You Will Be Poster Image
BOOK

The Wonderful Things You Will Be

age 3+

Sweet what-to-be-when-you-grow-up book taps parental hopes.

Little Blue Truck Lost and Found book cover: Blue truck with animals in a farm setting, autumn colors
BOOK

Little Blue Truck Lost and Found

age 4+

Animals and truck search for pal in fun friendship tale.

Growing Home book cover: A frowning goldfish wearing a hat swimming above a potted ivy plant that's smiling
BOOK

Growing Home

age 6+

Charming, engaging book has magical twist on friendship.

Kiki and the New Magic book cover: Young witch in a black dress flying on a broomstick with a cat against a crescent moon backdrop
BOOK

Kiki and the New Magic: Kiki’s Delivery Service, Book 2

age 8+

Cozy witch sequel charms with wit and wisdom.

Really Rubie book cover: Cartoon girl with wide eyes on yellow book cover, surrounded by doodles
BOOK

Really Rubie, Volume 1

age 8+

Artsy tween has sweet adventures in fun summer camp tale.

Wombat Waiting book cover: Small dog in foreground with bat and baby owl in background
BOOK

Wombat Waiting

age 8+

Appealing verse tale of boy and dog in harrowing fire.

Ghost in the Night book cover: Black teen girl holding lantern
BOOK

Ghost in the Night

age 9+

Girl looks for ghosts, copes with grief, in thrilling novel.

Kiki's Delivery Service Poster Image
BOOK

Kiki's Delivery Service, Book 1

age 9+

Fun, adventurous tale of young witch has depth, kindness.

Blood in the Water book cover: Black girl in body of water rising to her nose; old house behind her on the shore
BOOK

Blood in the Water

age 10+

Girl investigates mysterious death in page-turner.

Forbidden Mountain book cover: Boy holding sword, with long-haired, bearded warrior in background
BOOK

Forbidden Mountain: Guardians, Book 1

age 10+

Strong characters, spirits, violence in epic fantasy debut.

Ground Zero Poster Image
BOOK

Ground Zero

age 10+

Intense, compelling novel about 9/11 and its aftermath.

Wonder Book Cover: A white face, featureless except for one blue eye, against a light blue background
BOOK

Wonder

age 10+

Moving tale of facially different boy with inner beauty.

Barbie Dreamscape book cover: Barbie in pink armor with flowing blonde hair, surrounded by colorful swirls and flowers
BOOK

Barbie Dreamscape

age 12+

Exciting fantasy starring the pink icon has some scares.

Rootbound book cover: Rapunzel with short, dark hair, surrounded by glowing butterflies
BOOK

Rootbound: A Tangled Novel

age 12+

Love, courage, problem-solving in lively princess sequel.

Wings of Reverie book cover: Illustration of a Disney fairy with pale skin and white hair
BOOK

Wings of Reverie: Wings of Pixie Hollow: Book 2

age 12+

Nightmares threaten Pixie Hollow in sweet fairy romance.

Our Strange Duet book cover: The Phantom of the Opera's white half-mask covers a top corner of the cover adorned with roses
BOOK

Our Strange Duet

age 13+

Flat characters, same obsessive love in Phantom adaptation.

Devious Prey book cover: Book title in big letters over an arial view of clouds and trees shaped like a dragon
BOOK

Devious Prey

age 14+

Violence and secrets tangle in fun standalone fantasy.

Espíritu book cover: Two Latino teen boys embrace as an ominous spirit in jaguar pelts looms in the blue-green background
BOOK

Espíritu: Cemetery Boys, Book 2

age 14+

Exciting, emotional paranormal fantasy has mild violence.

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Common Sense Media

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