Best Books of the Year: 2021

Last updated: December 13, 2021

Can you remember the first book you read that entranced you? A book so good you couldn't tear your eyes away until you finished? Literature has a marvelous way of demanding kids' attention, piqueing their curiosity, and sparking imagination. Our Deputy Editor of Books, Regan McMahon, has put together this list of the year's must-reads: the kind of books your kids will cherish for years to come. From charming picture books for little kids to captivating adventures for teens, check out the best books of 2021 for kids and teens below.

Don't miss the rest of our 2021 favorites: Movies | TV Shows | Video Games | Apps

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Tomatoes for Neela Poster Image

BOOK

Tomatoes for Neela

age 3+

Beautifully illustrated tale shows love of food and family.

Padma Lakshmi Picture Book (2021)

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Change Sings: A Children's Anthem Poster Image

BOOK

Change Sings: A Children's Anthem

age 4+

Beautiful, lyrical story inspires children to create change.

Amanda Gorman Picture Book (2021)

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Eyes That Kiss in the Corners Poster Image

BOOK

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

age 4+

Lovely picture book celebrates family identity, heritage.

Joanna Ho Picture Book (2021)

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Milo Imagines the World Poster Image

BOOK

Milo Imagines the World

age 4+

Simple words and images offer insight about stereotypes.

Matt de la Peña Picture Book (2021)

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Dream Street Poster Image

BOOK

Dream Street

age 5+

Dazzling celebration of the power of a positive community.

Tricia Elam Walker Picture Book (2021)

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J.D. and the Great Barber Battle: J.D. the Kid Barber, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

J.D. and the Great Barber Battle: J.D. the Kid Barber, Book 1

age 6+

Superb, fun, nuanced story of family, friends, Black hair.

J. Dillard For Beginning Readers (2021)

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Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued Poster Image

BOOK

Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued

age 6+

Inspiring true story of lifesaving hero and WWII refugees.

Peter Sis History (2021)

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Stuntboy, in the Meantime Poster Image

BOOK

Stuntboy, in the Meantime: Stuntboy, Book 1

age 7+

Engaging, thoughtful story of changing family has great art.

Jason Reynolds Graphic Novel (2021)

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The Kids of Cattywampus Street Poster Image

BOOK

The Kids of Cattywampus Street

age 7+

Sweet, offbeat short stories filled with fun absurdities.

Lisa Jahn-Clough Fantasy (2021)

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Amari and the Night Brothers Poster Image

BOOK

Amari and the Night Brothers: Supernatural Investigations, Book 1

age 8+

Girl finds her magic in fun fantasy full of surprises.

B.B. Alston Fantasy (2021)

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Maya and the Robot Poster Image

BOOK

Maya and the Robot

age 8+

Marvelous Black girl scientist stars in poignant read.

Eve L. Ewing Coming of Age (2021)

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Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre Poster Image

BOOK

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre

age 8+

Illuminating retelling of a tragic American event.

Carole Boston Weatherford Picture Book (2021)

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Stowaway Poster Image

BOOK

Stowaway

age 9+

Tween and space pirates face perils in fast-moving epic.

John David Anderson Science Fiction (2021)

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The Beatryce Prophecy Poster Image

BOOK

The Beatryce Prophecy

age 9+

Lively fable celebrates friendship, girl (and goat) power.

Kate DiCamillo Adventure (2021)

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Willodeen Poster Image

BOOK

Willodeen

age 9+

Cheer-worthy fable of animals, friendship, ecosystems.

Katherine Applegate Fantasy (2021)

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Amber & Clay Poster Image

BOOK

Amber & Clay

age 10+

Lyrical, epic tale of ancient Greece is emotionally intense.

Laura Amy Schlitz Historical Fiction (2021)

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Starfish Poster Image

BOOK

Starfish

age 10+

Moving, witty novel tackles fatphobia, self-advocacy.

Lisa Fipps Coming of Age (2021)

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The Last Cuentista Poster Image

BOOK

The Last Cuentista, Book 1

age 10+

Girl preserves history on new planet in fresh sci-fi twist.

Donna Barba Higuera Science Fiction (2021)

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A Pho Love Story Poster Image

BOOK

A Pho Love Story

age 12+

Vietnamese American teens find love in heartwarming romcom.

Loan Le Contemporary Fiction (2021)

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The Gilded Ones Poster Image

BOOK

The Gilded Ones, Book 1

age 12+

Teen girl quests for true identity in captivating fantasy.

Namina Forna Fantasy (2021)

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