Our 2025 Best Books list celebrates the many pages and words that make up the superb works published for children this year. Taking another look at this year’s selections, the editors have highlighted some of the words that ring rung true and have reverberated in hearts and minds.

As we closed out 2025, many books rose to the top, including lots of manga and new offerings from middle grade favorites Gordon Korman and Sara Pennypacker.

A free global education platform from BBC Studios that features over 1,000 instructional video clips, reading passages, classroom-ready lessons, and activities for students of all age levels and their educators.

Kimmel creates a brand-new tale that feels ancient and wise; Kurpiel finds so much more in these mighty giants.

This month’s board book roundup is bursting with variety. From globe-trotting adventures to nature facts, silly animals, dancing feet, and everything in between, there’s something for every child.

Awarded biennially, the awards honor the best writing and illustrations by Native Americans and Indigenous peoples of North America. For this year, books needed to have been published between October 1, 2023, and September 31, 2025.

The SLJ reviews editors rounded up our reviews of the books lauded at the 2026 Youth Media Awards. Here, the reviews of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and Honors recipients.

The SLJ reviews editors rounded up our reviews of the books lauded at the 2026 Youth Media Awards. Here, the reviews of the Geisel, Odyssey, Alex, and Batchelder Awards.

The finalists of the YALSA's Excellence in Nonfiction Award were announced in December 2025. Here are SLJ's reviews of the winner and finalists.