Looking for good books to check out for a kid in your life? The best experts on books for kids are the kids who read them! 

Grand Central Library’s weekly virtual creative writing club for ages 7–12 meets on Tuesday afternoons. Kids from New York and around the world write stories, letters, poetry, and more and share writing with peers over Google Meets. Each week, our regular participants come up with fascinating stories and ideas—from poems about the changing seasons and short screenplays to stories about Pokemon, dragons, secret passageways, rowdy families, evil babies, and more.

Recently, we took a break from writing original pieces to discuss our favorite books and write book reviews and recommendations. 

The participants in our workshop are not representative of all kids everywhere, but most are avid readers who appreciate realistic stories, graphic novels, action, historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction. Kids read most enthusiastically when they read things they’re interested in, so as librarians, we depend on the kids we work with to tell us what literature speaks to them. And we love to hear about the books that young people are eager to recommend to others.

Here are some real kids’ thoughts on the best books they’ve read this year:

Ayun: I like The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L Holm. 11-year-old Bell has never been to Earth. He would love to try and go. After old Phineus gives him a book about Earth animals, he can’t stop reading it. Then, weirdly and mysteriously, all the adults start becoming sick. And it’s only the children left. A book set in the future is always so interesting. Them living on Mars? Totally awesome! 4th graders should read this book. I’d also recommend Redstone Junior High: Dragons Never Die by Cara J Stevens and Walker Melby. Redstone Junior High is a Minecraft story and an adventurous, exciting, and survival-full book. As a Minecraft book, one of my favorites!

Yui: I like The Baby-Sitter’s Club: Little Sister by Ann M Martin and Christine Almeda. I like it because it’s fun. Anybody who likes comics and graphic novels should read it.

Sophia: I like Guts, Ghosts, and Sisters by Raina Telgemeier. Sisters and Guts are full of the author’s life. My parents, friends, and you should read them. I also like Judy Blume books and the Warriors series by Erin Hunter.

Blu: I read When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. It’s about people in a refugee camp in Kenya who want to go to America for school and jobs. Everyone should read it. I also like Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd, This was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews, and Cardboard Kingdom Parts 1 and 2 edited by Chad Sell.

Julie: I read Refugee by Alan Gratz. It’s thrilling, adventurous, heart-breaking and eye-opening. It’s three stories in one about three different children all facing the same challenge surviving.

Florence: I recommend The Unadoptables by Hana Tooke (not currently in NYPL's collection). It was good because it was one big mystery and Hana Tooke set the scene really well. I think you’ll enjoy it if you like mystery and adventure. 

I also like Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell. Rachel Renee Russell really incudes how Nikki [the main character] feels and she creates a whole world. People who love family disasters and like to have a little bit of fun should read it. I like Diary of A Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney, too.