23 Winter Books You Won't Want to Miss

2024 hasn't even arrived yet and we're already so excited about these amazing new books! We've got picture books from some of your favorite creators, including a never-before-published counting book from Maurice Sendak. Our Middle Grade list includes powerhouse authors like Lois Lowry and Erin Entrada Kelly. And our Teen titles bring the heat with thrilling returns to favorite series from Victoria Aveyard, Tahereh Mafi, and Adam Silvera!

Early Readers

From two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Rascka comes a simple and beautiful picture book about growing up, friendship, empathy, and love.

February 2024


In this follow up to Caldecott Honor winning Nana in the City, Nana goes to visit her grandson on his farm and learns to love country life.

February 2024


Oh look! Another Caldecott honoree! Here Brendan Wenzel's gorgeous illustrations pair with poetic text from Beth Ferry to inspire readers everywhere to take care of our Earth and help the many animals who call it home.

March 2024


Abra Kadabra! Can you believe your eyes? No, it's not magic, we really do have a new book from Maurice Sendak!Originally published as a fundraiser pamphlet, we're proud to finally bring Ten Little Rabbits to your school and library collections.

February 2024


Joanna Ho's Eyes that Kiss in the Corners celebrates the beauty and power of Asian eyes. In her newest title, Joanna partners with Liz Kleinrock to explore the unique experiences of transracial adoptees. There is a definite lack of books for adpted readers, and this one fills that gap in a beautiful way.

January 2024


Sometimes, we just feel cranky and there's nothing we can do about it. Or is there? Find out how kind friends help Cranky get out of his funk in this funny picture book perfect for storytimes and social-emotional development.

February 2024


We've all gone through our dinosaur phase. In fact, some of us are still in it! This title is a great twist on non-fiction dinosaur books and explores how art and the scientific process worked together to figure out what exactly an Iguanadon looked like.

March 2024


This book is something special. It's a darkly hilarious tale of a spider who builds a web inside of a wishing well in order to collect all the gold coins, and secret wishes, for himself. This is great for older picture-book readers AND their grown-ups!

March 2024

Middle Grade

Newbery winner Erin Entrada Kelly is back with a compelling time-travel novel. This sci0fi will pull in reluctant readers alongside fans of the genre. And with it's Y2K era setting, it makes a perfect adult/child read-along.

March 2024


More Newbery winners you say? Here you go! This novel about two Sophies - one young and one old - who form an unlikely friendship is full of amazing writing and lots of emotions. Be prepared to read it in one sitting.

April 2024


Horror fans rejoice! Anne Ursu brings her captivating writing to this story about chronic illness inspried by the short story The Yellow Wallpaper. It's truly creepy, so read it with the lights on (and perhaps not in an attic room with old wallpaper).

January 2024


And we have yet another Newbery creator on this list! Rajani LaRocca transports readers with a fantastical take on colonialism that imagines a world where music, and the magic it creates, are outlawed.

March 2024


In Crystal Allen's most personal book to date, 12-year old Ice has to come to terms with his guilt and grief when his older brother is in a life-changing accident. This book is full of love and hope, but alos lots of feelings so keep your tissues nearby!

January 2024


Zora Neale Hurston's famous account of Cudjo Lewis, who was captured, enslaved, and then eventuallyf red at the end of the Civil War has now been adapted for young readers by Ibram X. Kendi. This is the pefect book for classrooms and libraries truggling to find accurate and age appropriate books chroniciling the lives of those who were enslaved in the United States.

January 2024


Reader favorite Gordan Korman brings us another hilarious novel full of misfits banding together when they're forced to take PE over the summer in order to graduate 8th grade.

January 2024


Asian American history is often underrepresented in both library collections and school curriculum, so historian Erika Lee partnered with three-time Newbery Honor winner Christina Soontornvat to write a dynamic book to help change the tide. Featuring both famous and every day Asian Americans, this book provides plenty of role models for its readers.

April 2024

Teen

Traci Chee's writing transports readers in a way that stays with them long after the book is through. In Kindling, she uses second-person narration to bring this to a whole new level.

March 2024


The phenomenal educator Tiffany Jewell brings us a truly unique book about the state of education in America for Black and Brown students. With contributions from other amazing authors including Joanna Ho and Torrey Maldonado, this non-fiction gives readers the context to think critically about their own school journey.

February 2024


We have some phenomenal debuts on our teen list this Winter! Carolina Ixta tells the story of two Latina teens in East Oakland - one just trying to live a normal life and get a boyfriends, the other pregnant and struggling to tell her super-Catholic family that the child's father, and her boyfriend, is Black. It's a captivating story of friendship, family, and learning how to be yourself.

January 2024


And the other debut featured here comes in the form of a memoir-in-verse from the dynamic Tony Keith, Jr. From his years as a closeted Black teen to becoming an openly gay first-generation college student, this story is full of hope and inspiration.

February 2024


And we'll wrap up our Winter list with some highly anticipated new books from favorite teen creators. Tahereh Mafi brings us the third book in the Woven Kingdom series, which I know readers will be clambering for after the cliff hanger ending of These Infinite Threads.

February 2024


The finale to Victoria Aveyard's Realm Breaker series is unforgettable and unputdownable. (Yes, I say that's a word.) Plus, this cover is sure to fly off your shelves.

February 2024


Readers have been waiting three years for the follow up to Infinity Reaper and I promise, it's worth the wait. This explosive finale pits borther against brother in an epic showdown that threatens to destroy them both and everyone they love.

March 2024