NYPL Announces Best Books of 2022 for Kids and Teens

Attention junior bookworms! The New York Public Library (NYPL) announced its list of the best kids' and teen books in 2022, and they span multiple genres. The books were published in 2022 and selected by committees of expert librarians from the NYPL system, which serves the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island. There are books about animals, adventure, social justice, culture, family and more designed for young readers of all ages and levels. 

And parents—the library didn't forget about you. There's a list of the best books this year for adults, too.

“One of the biggest strengths of The New York Public Library is the passion, knowledge, and diversity of our librarians and staff. Dozens of our most avid book lovers are enlisted each year to assess and select books that reflect the community and patrons we serve, to entice the most reluctant of readers, and excite the most fervent of bookworms,” Emily Pullen, manager of reader services and engagement, said. “Whether the motivation is to find the perfect gift for a loved one, read while traveling during the holiday season, or tackle your New Year’s resolution to read more, the library’s best books list has something for everyone.”

Lists of NYPL's top 10 books in the children's and teen's categories are below. All of the recommended titles can be viewed on the library’s website.  All can be checked out for free and as of last year, with no late fines from any NYPL branch, or, in many cases through the library's free e-reader app, SimplyE. Or visit your local children’s bookstore to purchase a book as a gift for the holidays. Regardless of how you get a book in your child’s hands, you're sure to find a book for all the young readers in your life. 

Here are the top 10 books for each category—kids and teens:

New York Public Library's Top 10 Children's Books in 2022

The NYPL included 100 titles in its top kids’ books of 2022 list (you can check them all out on the NYPL’s website), but here’s a selection of the top 10 in alphabetical order. 

1. Aviva vs. the Dybbuk

By Mari Lowe
Ages: 8-12

Aviva's father's death left her mother depressed, and Aviva is stuck planning the Best Bas Mitzvah Party Ever with her ex-friend. Anti-Semitic vandalism plagues the community, and a mischievous dybbuk haunts her home. 

2. Beauty Woke

By NoNieqa Ramos; Illustrated by Paola Escobar
Ages: 4-7

This poem is about family and community coming together to help a child celebrate being Boricua.

3. Blue: A History of the Color As Deep As the Sea and As Wide As the Sky

By Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond; Illustrated by Daniel Minter
Ages: 4-8

Younger readers will love the pictures, and older readers will learn something new about the color blue. The historical piece is both poetic and informational. 

4. Maizy Chen's Last Chance 

By Lisa Yee
Ages: 8-12

Maizy is dreading summer, but is soon captivated by the history of her grandparents' restaurant, her family story and how these narratives intertwine with the history of Chinese immigrants in America. 

5. Nothing Special

By Desiree Cooper; Illustrated by Bec Sloane
Ages: 4-7

PopPop and Nana, along with their grandson, go on a timeless summer weekend on the coast of Virginia. 

6. Seen and Unseen: What Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams’s Photographs Reveal about the Japanese American Incarceration

By Elizabeth Partridge; Illustrated by Lauren Tamaki
Ages: 4-8

An insightful look at the internment of Japanese and Japanese Americans during World War II through the lenses of three important photographers. 

7. Sir Ladybug

By Corey R. Tabor
Ages: 6-10

Sir Ladybug is a beetle always looking for his next heroic quest. 

8. Swim Team

By Johnnie Christmas
Ages: 8-12