Books for Children Handpicked by Our Editors

Once Upon a Twice
Age 6+
4

Once Upon a Twice

Why We Recommend It

Full of clever nonsense words, this book about an adventurous mouse is ideal for kids who love wordplay.

Read our full review
Finding great books for children makes them lifelong readers.

When you give your children books they love, you give them a gift that lasts forever. But finding books that appeal to kids when there's so much else competing for their time has become really tough. Our recommended lists by theme and topic will help you find books for children of all ages and interests, from All Things Harry Potter to the best books to share with dads.

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Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Parents Need to Know...

this is an unflinching portrait of a tough man living in a tough time and place. Bass Reeves is presented as an honorable man, but violence and racism inform much of his life story. An escaped slave, Reeves carved out a remarkable career ... read more

Age 9+
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves
4
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Django: World's Greatest Jazz Guitarist by Bonnie Christensen
Parents Need to Know...

that, though the ending of this book is happy and Django is admirable for overcoming a disability, he suffers in a terrible fire and comes out of the flames with severe burns. Also, the plotline -- the trajectory of Django's life -- may ... read more

Age 7+
Django: World's Greatest Jazz Guitarist
4
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Diego: Bigger Than Life by Carmen Bernier-Grand
Parents Need to Know...

that this prose account of Diego Rivera includes colorful descriptions of his love affairs, including one with the sister of one of his wives, and the unapologetic abandonment of some of his children and the deaths of others; young ... read more

Age 12+
Diego: Bigger Than Life
3
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A Voice of Her Own: Becoming Emily Dickinson by Barbara Dana
Parents Need to Know...

that although there is brief discussion between teenaged Emily and her friends about young men and what married life will be like, including intercourse, it is couched in normal and teen-appropriate language that may send today's teens ... read more

Age 12+
A Voice of Her Own: Becoming Emily Dickinson
3
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The Day-Glo Brothers by Chris Barton
Parents Need to Know...

there is nothing of concern in this fascinating story of the invention of new colors. There is brief discussion of how Day-Glo was used in World War II, but the focus is very positive (guiding planes to landings, sending signals, etc.). read more

Age 6+
The Day-Glo Brothers
5
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The Great and Only Barnum by Candace Fleming
Parents Need to Know...

that this biography pointedly but tastefully addresses P.T. Barnum’s less admirable traits, including callous treatment of his first wife, lack of interest in his children, drinking early in life, his purchase of a slave for exhibit, ... read more

Age 8+
The Great and Only Barnum
4
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Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson by Sharon Robinson
Parents Need to Know...

that this uplifting and personal story, told by Jackie Robinson's daughter, is about her father's bravery, outside of baseball.  read more

Age 5+
Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson
4
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Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip M. Hoose
Parents Need to Know...

that amidst this award-nominated, inspirational history lesson there are mentions of upsetting violence: stories of women being raped by men in the segregated South; several teens are arrested; a girl becomes pregnant by a much older, ... read more

Age 13+
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
5
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Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman
Parents Need to Know...

that this National Book Award Finalist and Printz Honor book is an educational read more than a recreational one. Charles’ voyage on the Beagle takes place before the book begins, and the story starts when he decides to get married. A ... read more

Age 12+
Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith
3
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The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth by Kathleen Krull
Parents Need to Know...

that this is an inspiring biography about a boy who worked hard, and came up with the idea that led to the invention of the TV. read more

Age 6+
The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth
5
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Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone
Parents Need to Know...

there is no bad language, sex, or violence in the book. Children may be shocked or confused by the 1960s-era sexism and racism. read more

Age 10+
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream
4
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Three Cups of Tea by David Relin, Greg Mortenson, Sarah Thomson
Parents Need to Know...

this inspirational story offers a positive message about reining in consumption in a world where many have so little. The protagonist's life is in danger in a few tense situations; he also receives hate mail from people who disagree with ... read more

Age 9+
Three Cups of Tea
4
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One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin by Kathryn Lasky
Parents Need to Know...

that this book offers an insightful, beautifully balanced introduction to Charles Darwin: what drove him to discover the things he did, and how the world received his new ideas about the order of life on Earth. read more

Age 7+
One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin
5
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The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary by Candace Fleming
Parents Need to Know...

that this book gives details of the most brutal and horrific war this country has fought. It doesn't wallow in gore, but the way it is told has a tremendous impact. read more

Age 10+
The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary
4
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No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row by Susan Kuklin
Parents Need to Know...

that this is not a book for the faint of heart. While not overtly violent or offensive, it tackles difficult subjects and parents should be ready to discuss not only the crimes that landed these teens in jail, but the dangers of living ... read more

Age 14+
No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row
4
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Piano Starts Here by Robert Andrew Parker
Parents Need to Know...

that this book may be too long-winded for the youngest listeners, but its inspirational message makes it worth a shot. read more

Age 6+
Piano Starts Here
4
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The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano by Margarita Engle
Parents Need to Know...

that the main character, a child, is repeatedly and persistently beaten, whipped, and tortured. The level of violence and brutality in this book make it inappropriate for children below middle school, and deeply disturbing to readers of ... read more

Age 13+
The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano
3
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Your Own, Sylvia by Stephanie Hemphill
Parents Need to Know...

that Sylvia Plath, the subject of this fictionalized biography, suffers from depression, possibly bipolar disorder, and commits suicide by putting her head in a gas oven while her young children sleep in the next room. read more

Age 13+
Your Own, Sylvia
4
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The Champ: The Story of Muhammad Ali by Tonya Bolden
Parents Need to Know...

that if you're not a fan of boxing, you may not love this book. Also, big issues like racism, the Vietnam War, and religious beliefs are touched on here, which may lead to some discussions. When talking about Ali's conversion to Islam, ... read more

Age 5+
The Champ: The Story of Muhammad Ali
4
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Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Parents Need to Know...

this bestseller was intended for adult readers, but teens may want to read it, thanks to the release of the movie adaptation directed by Sean Penn. Readers will find lots of hitchhiking, discussions of an adulterous relationship, ... read more

Age 15+
Into the Wild
4
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Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
Parents Need to Know...

that this is the true story of an 11-year-old Japanese girl diagnosed with leukemia. Sadako Sasaki was just 2 when the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. She shares what she knows about the "thunderbolt"; what people remember seeing, and ... read more

Age 9+
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
4

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