There are lots of great new children’s books out there and sometimes it can be overwhelming to decide what to read next. Fortunately Amazon just released the annual Best Books of the Year So Far list, featuring books published between January and June. The result? 20 diverse selections that will make bedtime story time and summer downtime that much better.
Top selection Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho has more than 1,000 five stars reviews on Amazon. It features the story of a young Asian girl who learns to love and accept her eyes in a celebration of diversity. Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston is described as “Artemis Fowl meets Men in Black” and it’s a middle school fantasy series featuring a black heroine, Amari Peters. And Dog Man: Mothering Heights is the latest in a series from Captain Underpants creator Dav Pilkey, a laugh-out-loud read following the adventures of Dog Man and Petey.
The full list of the Best Children’s Books of the Year, So Far:
1. Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho
2. Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations) by B.B. Alston
3. Dog Man: Mothering Heights by Dav Pilkey
4. What the Road Said by Cleo Wade
5. Starfish by Lisa Fipps
6. Fiona, It’s Bedtime by Zondervan
7. City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda
8. I‘ll Meet You in Your Dreams by Jessica Young
9. A Pizza with Everything on It by Kyle Scheele
10. The Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody
11. Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Pena
12. Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm
13. The Tale of the Mandarin Duck: A Modern Fable by Bette Midler
14. Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland
15. Once Upon a Dragons Fire by Beatrice Blue
16. I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything! by Alissa Holder
17. Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories by Jeff Kinney
18. A New Day by Brad Meltzer
19. Ground Zero by Alan Gratz
20. Are You a Cheeseburger? by Monica Arnaldo
Amazon Book Editors determine the “best of” lists, reading thousands of pages to unite readers of all ages and tastes, as well as highlight diverse authors. You’ll recognize some of the picks as bestsellers, but many might be new to you. You can find the rest of the lists, including the best books for young adults and teens, online. Don’t forget to check out our own list of best books in 2021!
—Sarah Shebek
Featured image: Josh Applegate, Unsplash
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