Best Juvenile Fiction or Non-fiction of 2022 - Staff PicksLike this list

17 items

• Witchlings

  Ortega, Claribel A.

  Add Witchlings to your for later shelf

  Every year, in the magical town of Ravenskill, Witchlings who participate in the Black Moon Ceremony are placed into covens and come into their powers as full-fledged witches. And twelve-year-old Seven Salazar can't wait to be placed in…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Ogress and the Orphans

  Barnhill, Kelly Regan,

  Add The Ogress and the Orphans to your for later shelf

  "A beautiful book about celebrating difference and the power of community." -Sierra from the Raytown Branch. Also recommended by Ethan from the Lone Jack Branch. Also available as an eBook or Downloadable Audiobook.

• Ravenfall

  Josephson, Kalyn

  Add Ravenfall to your for later shelf

  Thirteen-year-old Annabella Ballinkay has never been normal, even by her psychic family's standards. Every generation uses their abilities to help run the Ravenfall Inn, a sprawling, magical B&B at the crossroads of the human world and the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Civil War of Amos Abernathy

  Leali, Michael

  Add The Civil War of Amos Abernathy to your for later shelf

  Amos works at a local historical reenactment town and starts researching civil war veterans from the area. Recommended by Andrew from the Library Systems Department. Also available as an eBook or Downloadable Audiobook.

• A Duet for Home

  Glaser, Karina Yan

  Add A Duet for Home to your for later shelf

  After loosing her father, June and her family move into a homeless shelter where June is welcome, but her prized viola is not. June and her new friend Tyrell bond over their love of classical music, and their shared biracial heritage.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Not That Pet!

  Prasadam-Halls, Smriti

  Add Not That Pet! to your for later shelf

  A super cute book to keep kids thinking about context clues to decide what the next pet could be! Very engaging! Recommended by Johnna from the Blue Ridge Branch.

• Fantastic Beasts. The Secrets of Dumbledore

  Movie Magic

  Revenson, Jody,

  Add Fantastic Beasts. The Secrets of Dumbledore to your for later shelf

  Fans of the Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore movie will enjoy this interactive look at the film and it's production. They will find interesting facts and images from the movie, as well as behind-the-scenes revelations and …Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Isla to Island

  Castellanos, Alexis

  Add Isla to Island to your for later shelf

  This wordless graphic novel follows the story of young Marisol, whose parents send away from Cuba during the rise of Fidel Castro, to relocate in Brooklyn to escape the military regime, poverty, and violence of 1950s Cuba. Recommended by…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Answers in the Pages

  Levithan, David,

  Add Answers in the Pages to your for later shelf

  A wonderful, timely book about the importance of diverse stories and the value of access to those stories for readers discovering who they are and looking for belonging. Recommended by William from the Collection Development Department.

• Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?

  Connor, Leslie,

  Add Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? to your for later shelf

  Realistic fiction about Aurora's friendship with Frenchie. Aurora is loud and impulsive, Frenchie is non-verbal. This sensitive treatment of neurodiversity illustrates the impact that each person has on the people around them. Recommended…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Blue

  a History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky

  Brew-Hammond, Nana Ekua,

  Add Blue to your for later shelf

  This vibrantly illustrated title navigates the complex and difficult history and culture of blue dye production, using free verse. Recommended by Michael from the Youth Services Department.

• S'more Magic

  Escabasse, Sophie

  Add S'more Magic to your for later shelf

  " I am in LOVE with the Witches of Brooklyn series! Middle grade difficulties are more complicated with magic, but a chosen family makes for all the help you need to find yourself!" - Beth from the Information and Readers Services…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Perfect Fit

  How Lena "Lane" Bryant Changed the Shape of Fashion

  Rockliff, Mara

  Add A Perfect Fit to your for later shelf

  "The illustrations are beautiful, and the biography was amazing. I like fashion, but I also am impressed by how Lane Bryant achieved all that she did." - Kenicia from the Excelsior Springs Branch.

• Freddie Vs. the Family Curse

  Badua, Tracy

  Add Freddie Vs. the Family Curse to your for later shelf

  Hilarious and just when you thought the curse was bad enough it only gets messier. Recommended by Shannon from the Withers Branch. Also available as an eBook.

• Hanmoji Handbook

  Your Guide to the Chinese Language Through Emoji

  Li, Jason (Zine author)

  Add Hanmoji Handbook to your for later shelf

  Learn about the evolution of Chinese Han characters, and their interesting parallels with text emojis. This is a visually focused text that will appeal to readers who use emojis, have interest in the Chinese language, or love quirky,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Amari and the Great Game

  Alston, B. B.,

  Add Amari and the Great Game to your for later shelf

  This follow-up to Amari and the Night Brothers sweeps readers into a thrilling world where magic exists side-by-side with the real world, and Amari has become a bit of a celebrity. Recommended by Beth from Community Programming.

• The Science Spell Book

  Magical Experiments for Kids

  Florance, Cara,

  Add The Science Spell Book to your for later shelf

  The natural world is full of seemingly magical wonders, and understanding the scientific explanations make things no less wonderous! This title encourages hands-on discovery. Recommended by Lindsey from the Parkville Branch.