January/February 2022 Kids Indie Next List
#1 Pick
Ain't Burned All the Bright
Jason Reynolds, Jason Griffin ()
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“If there’s ever been a person to write about these times of BLM protests, conflict, COVID, it’s Jason Reynolds. Three illustrated poems get to the heart and pain of the matter, make the reader face the Truth, and are full of pain and hope.”
— Melissa Fox, Watermark Books & Cafe, Wichita, KS
Picture Books
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“Just the sweetest, cutest book! A little kaiju doesn’t have the destructive talents of his parents and grandparents. His talents are to make things grow and he comes to realize he and those around him are happiest when he is just himself.”
— Lauren Nopenz Fairley, Curious Iguana, Frederick, MD
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“Great follow-up to Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, focusing on a young boy’s realization that through his eyes, he is connected to his ancestors, his family, and his own power. The illustrations are vibrant and beautiful.”
— Lorie Barber, Anderson's Bookshops, Naperville, IL
By Jen Bryant, Toshiki Nakamura
Quill Tree Books
“Wow! What a tremendous telling of a critical American story. Patsy Takemoto Mink’s story resonates on such a deep and interconnected level. Told through beautiful prose and illustrations, this is an essential read.”
— Lauren Kean, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
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“Although the story features Lunar New Year celebrations, this book will be one to enjoy year-round, with a sweet story of friendships and the value of shared experiences.”
— Tegan Tigani, Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle, WA
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“This sweet story will make a great baby gift, graduation gift, or everyday story. Perspective from both sides of loving pairs invite children in to the story, different from many books of this type that focus on parent to child love alone.”
— Hannah Amrollahi, The Bookworm of Omaha, Omaha, NE
By Meredith Crandall Brown, Meredith Crandall Brown
HarperCollins
“An adorable and funny tale of two plastic containers and their love connection through the process of recycling. Kids and adults will enjoy this very engaging story with a hint of education on the side.”
— Judith Lafitte, Octavia Books, New Orleans, LA
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“Stacey Abrams shares her lifelong love of words, perfectly capturing the excitement—and fear--that come with spelling bee competition, and teaches young readers that winning isn't the most important thing.”
— Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
By Ruth Behar, Devon Holzwarth
Knopf Books for Young Readers
“Having helped move my grandparents into an apartment and going through family mementoes, this one hit very close to home! This book is the perfect guide to help children see that new spaces and experiences are not something to be feared.”
— Cecilia Cackley, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC
By Nilah Magruder
“Sometimes animals ask her ‘Wutaryoo?’ Wutaryoo doesn’t know the answer herself. Determined to find an answer, she sets off on a worldwide adventure. A gorgeously illustrated tale of endurance, discovery, and what it means to belong.”
— Andrew King, Secret Garden Bookshop, Seattle, WA
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“What a beautiful picture book! The illustrations are stunning and the words, as you’d expect from Jacqueline Woodson, are simply marvelous.”
— Christine Bollow, Loyalty Bookstores, Washington, DC
Middle Grade
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“The perfect middle grade book for fans of mystery and puzzles. You’ll want to be part of the friend group, The GEEKs, as they go through town on a treasure hunt to solve the puzzles left by a famous puzzle maker in order to save their town.”
— Shoshonna Roberts, Maggie Mae's Kids Bookshop, Gresham, OR
By Lee Durfey-Lavoie, Veronica Agarwal
“This book is so cute! I know RPGs are really hot right now, but this book uses RPGs to talk about something else. It shows the dangers of OCD and models how parents and friends can properly interact with someone they think is struggling.”
— Kellie Otis, Books of Wonder, NEW YORK, NY
By Colleen AF Venable, Stephanie Yue
Random House Books for Young Readers
“Katie, the Mousetress, and those 217 crazy cats are back! This time, Katie has to contend with friendship drama while trying to be the best sidekick she can be. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!”
— Brooke Williams, Bookends & Beginnings, Evanston, IL
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“An orphan who can open any lock at will, is swept away on an adventure that will test her understanding of the political world around her. A great story, filled with unexpected turns, balanced characters, and an undeniable charm.”
— Rosie Lee-Parks, Readers' Books, Sonoma, CA
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“Oh. My. Goodness. My heart just could not take the kindhearted core of this book. It’s fantastic! I’ll be recommending to fans of A Soft Place to Land and The Babysitters Club.”
— Hannah Oxley, Mystery to Me, Madison, WI
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“An exciting, adventurous mystery and a touching story about family, memory, and trust — it will take you on a wild ride through a bustling, strange city full of secrets and danger with an amazing main character you’ll love from the start.”
— Alissa Hugel, Folio Books, San Francisco, CA
By Darcy Miller, Brett Helquist
Random House Books for Young Readers
“I loved this book because it’s so weird. I really got taken along with all the oddity, until I felt like I may have gone through the supply closet and emerged in a parallel universe.”
— Clare Doornbos, Mr. Mopps' Books and Toys, Berkeley, CA
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“A true space opera for the middle grade audience and teeming with folklore, this adventure with twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat. With a hero who gives a voice to all the nonbinary kids out there — Sebin is fantastic.”
— Marielle Orff, Towne Book Center & Cafe, Collegeville, PA
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“This incredible debut centers on a character whose speech impediment makes it difficult to pronounce his own name. Drawing on the author’s profession, this moving exploration of what it means to hear your name in the world is a must read!”
— Meghan Hayden, River Bend Bookshop, Glastonbury, CT
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“This novel in verse is set in 1965 as music-loving Eden’s cousin Winter visits her family in LA looking for his father just before the Watts riots break out. This sweet story’s a gentle and timely reminder of the history of police violence.”
— Mary Wahlmeier, Raven Book Store, Lawrence, KS
Young Adult
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“Set in 19th-century Edinburgh, this gothic tale follows Hazel’s quest to become a real physician in a world hellbent on crushing her dreams. Atmospheric, frightening, and heartfelt, it will keep you on the edge of your seat.”
— Katie Fransen, The Novel Neighbor, Webster Groves, MO
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“Sena is a tough loner on a rough planet. When she crosses the wrong gangster, she’ll live only if she can heal his prize fighter wolf Iska. Hop on for a freezing cold, terrifying ride with a blazingly warm, you-can-breathe-now end.”
— Kay Wosewick, Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee, WI
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“A sweet follow-up to What if It’s Us. Ben and Arthur aren’t together, both are dating other guys. So why can’t they quite seem to move on? And will one more summer in NYC be the do-over that they need?”
— Gwen Papp, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI
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“This absolutely blew me away. For boy band fans, for those who’ve memorized the lyrics to every Camp Rock song, or for anyone who knows how hard, complex, and beautiful it is to come out as queer whether you’re famous or not — this is our book.”
— Miriasha Borsykowsky, Phoenix Books Burlington, Burlington, VT
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“A wonderful book filled with family, mystery, and action. A second generation, set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it was fun and exciting throughout the whole book. I highly recommend it!”
— Kennedy Noorda, The Book Bungalow, St. George, UT
By Alechia Dow
“The Kindred is utterly unique and so, SO beautifully written. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this intergalactic kingdom!”
— Hannah Oxley, Mystery to Me, Madison, WI
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“A lyrical retelling of Medusa’s story — from a girl unfairly punished by the Gods and Goddesses to a woman who knows her true self. Full of love and longing, hope and betrayal, strength and power, this dazzling book should not be missed!”
— Katrina Bright-Yerges, Books & Company, Oconomowoc, WI
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“The perfect book to read on vacation, or at home while you dream of vacation. Lenore is honest, relatable, and funny — and that makes her an amazing protagonist. This book is proof that our ‘one true love’ can find us when we least expect it.”
— Martha Laramore-Josey, Nicola's Books, Ann Arbor, MI
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“80’s nostalgia, pop culture, and progressive politics make up this time-traveling, funny and witty young adult novel of a queer Latinx teen trying to solve an LGBT mystery while trying to change the world.”
— Gerard Villegas, Warwick's, La Jolla, CA
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“This book was so much fun! I have been humming and singing musicals since I started reading this fun romance à la Mama Miaand Buona Sera. Great romance with lots of great friendships and heart. Loved it!”
— Jenny Cole, Page 2 Books, Burien, WA
More Indie Next Lists
- February 2024 Indie Next List
- January 2024 Indie Next List
- Winter 2024 Reading Group Indie Next List
- January/February 2024 Kids Indie Next List
- December 2023 Indie Next List
- November 2023 Indie Next List
- November/December 2023 Kids Indie Next List
- October 2023 Indie Next List
- Fall 2023 Reading Group Indie Next List
- September 2023 Indie Next List