The Best New Kids’ & YA Books To Read Right Now
by the Brightly Editors
It’s the last month of the year, and there’s no better way to close out 2025 than with a good book. Whether you have small children in need of a good bedtime story or a tween or teen who loves captivating novels, this month’s selection hits the mark. Here are the best books of the month for children, tweens, and teens.
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Picture Books
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A Stickler Valentine
Buy from:Young readers everywhere will love this unconventional Valentine’s Day story. When Stickler gives all his friends sticks for Valentine’s Day, he is surprised when nobody likes them. However, he soon learns to consider each friend’s preferences when selecting a gift.
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Sparkles for Sunny
Buy from:Get ready for Lunar New Year celebrations with this relatable picture book. As the daughter of frugal parents, Sunny always has to wear hand-me-down qípáo. But this year, Sunny wants to wear something different. With a little creativity, Sunny manages to get the qípáo she’s always wanted and stay within her family’s budget.
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Point & Play: Trash Trucks
Buy from:Put your little one in the driver’s seat of a trash truck with this interactive picture book. Young trash truck enthusiasts will shake hands with a driver, trace the driving route, crush trash, and cheer on the other workers. Truck-loving kiddos will ask to read this book on repeat!
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Whooo Is Still Awake?
Buy from:When night falls, two little owls take flight, soaring through the dark woods. They meet all sorts of nocturnal creatures, from moths and skunks to coyotes and bears. Curious kids will enjoy learning which animals wake up when people go to sleep.
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Hop Into My Heart
Buy from:Get into the spirit of Valentine’s Day with Peter Rabbit. In this pastel-colored board book, you’ll find rhyming prose, cozy illustrations, and familiar characters from Beatrix Potter’s beloved stories. It’s the perfect gift for your little reader.
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The Language of Birds
Buy from:This book is an excellent pick for any kid who has ever felt like they don’t fit in. It’s about a girl named Mira who feels a deep connection with birds, but has difficulty talking to people. However, when a tree-loving boy named Jad joins her class, Mira recognizes him as a kindred spirit.
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Where There Is Love
Buy from:Join a young girl as she visits her grandmother’s house, makes a meal, and shares it with her entire family. Sprinkled with tender moments and the wisdom of African proverbs, this feel-good picture book is a must-read!
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We Always Had Wings
Buy from:This beautiful picture book celebrates heritage, family connections, and holiday traditions. Little Snow feels nervous about traveling to China for the Lunar New Year, so her mother distracts her with a story about their ancestors who could fly like birds.
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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Asterwood
Buy from:Madelyn lives a quiet life until she discovers a magical world in the woods behind her home. As she explores and meets new friends, she learns that the realm and its people are in danger. Soon, Madelyn and her friends get swept into an unforgettable adventure.
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Face Forward #2
Buy from:Tweens who like realistic fiction will love this delightful coming-of-age story about a girl navigating the end of elementary school, puberty, and friendship drama. No matter what comes her way, Abby meets every challenge with a can-do attitude and plenty of humor.
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The Amazing Generation
Buy from:Help your tween make better screen-related choices with help from this nonfiction book from the authors of The Anxious Generation and How to Break Up With Your Phone. Readers will learn how to take control of their screen time, stand up for themselves, and live a happier, less-connected life.
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YA
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The Obsession
Buy from:End the year with a pulse-pounding roller coaster ride from the queen of YA thrillers! Natasha Preston’s latest novel is about Connie, the daughter of a popular vlogger, who doesn’t enjoy the spotlight. When girls who look like Connie start getting murdered, she realizes that a killer has her in his sights.
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The Glass Scientists: Volume Three
Buy from:Graphic novel lovers will enjoy the finale to this blockbuster webcomic series about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Just when things are starting to look up for Jekyll, an unexpected incident causes his two personalities to collide — each fighting for control over him. Series fans won’t want to miss this epic conclusion!
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Trail Rides and Starry Eyes
Buy from:Saddle up and ride into the Wyoming sunset with this adorable cowboy romance for YA readers! Cassidy has lived her entire life on her family’s ranch, but the arrival of a teenage Hollywood heartthrob has her dreaming of a different life. Meanwhile, as Wilder falls for the cute country girl, he wonders if prime-time fame is what he truly wants.
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Twin Tides
Buy from:Twin sisters Calista and Aria don’t know the other exists until they each travel to a small town in Minnesota after their long-lost mother is found dead. As the sisters start to unearth the family secrets that kept them apart for so long, they realize that someone — or something — will do anything to stop them. This atmospheric ghost story is the perfect read to close out 2025!
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