With the holidays just around the corner, your child is likely looking forward to some well-deserved rest and relaxation over the winter break. To help them recharge, our team has hand-selected their favorite books for kids, K-12. Inspire your child and help fuel their imagination in the coming year with these amazing reads.
Elementary:
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- Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle and Rafael López
Why we love it: “It’s an empowering story for all kids, but for girls especially, to remind them that there’s no limit to what they can accomplish if they have the passion and perseverance to see it through.”
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- Animals Brag About Their Bottoms by Maki Sato, translated by Brian Bergstrom
Why we love it: “This book teaches children about body positivity in a fun way. One of my favorite gifts to give.”
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- Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers
Why we love it: “Perfect for young adventurers, this book explores the magic of living on this wonderful planet.”
Middle School:
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- El Deafo by Cece Bell
Why we love it: “This is an excellent book to share with kids to discuss the feelings of people who have differing abilities, and how they can view their own differences positively.”
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- Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
Why we love it: “This middle-grade novel has insightful, searing writing that hooks you right from the start.”
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- Racing in The Rain by Garth Stein
Why we love it: “Narrated by Enzo the dog, this book inspired conversations with my children about how a dog might see the world. This book is a tearjerker but was worth it for the laughs and adventure.”
High School:
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- Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
Why we love it: “Besides the many awards it has won, this book talks about anxiety and mental health in an extremely relatable and accessible way. It teaches readers kindness and perspective because others might be struggling with their own internal issues as well.”
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- Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
Why we love it: “The entire series is wonderful! It’s a YA fantasy series centered around a strong young woman – swords and magic and coming-of-age and a whole bunch of fun!”
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- The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Why we love it: “I tore through this book. It is heartbreaking, riveting, and inspires contemplation. I really loved the contrast of a girl who believes in science and logic and a boy who is a dreamer and how their worlds collide.”
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- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Why we love it: “This dystopian novel written in the 1930s still hits the nail on the head for many issues in science and technology that our society grapples with today. It’s an interesting story and fun read that also managed to be thought-provoking and relevant.”
Whatever books you choose to gift this year, consider supporting local businesses by buying them through these Black-owned bookstores or organizations like Bookshop.org, which connects readers to small bookstores around the country and contributes 75% of their profit margin back to authors, publications, and independent bookstores.
With the right reading choices, your child can become a book lover for life. For more gift suggestions, be sure to check out our holiday gift guide here.
