The Best Children’s and YA Books of December 2020
by the Brightly Editors
While you’re choosing the perfect holiday gifts this season, don’t forget to check off those reading wish lists. From board books about American icons to must-read middle grade series and YA books both thrilling and poignant, December’s best new titles will inspire holiday smiles.
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Picture Books
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My Little Golden Book About Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Available from:Speaking of the honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, preschoolers can learn all about the late Supreme Court Justice — the second woman and first Jewish woman appointed to the highest court — in this beautifully-illustrated Little Golden Book.
(On Sale: 12/01/2020)Also available from: -
The Square Root of Possible: A Jingle Jangle Story
Is your family hooked on Netflix’s new holiday movie Jingle Jangle yet? If not, they will be soon! The song-filled story of an eccentric toymaker and his talented granddaughter is brought to life in this picture book, based on the original song, “The Square Root of Possible.” For middle grade readers, don’t miss The Invention of Jeronicus Jangle.
(On Sale: 12/01/2020) -
Who Was Ruth Bader Ginsburg?: A Who Was? Board Book
Available from:Big news! The reader favorite Who Was? series has expanded into board books, so even the youngest readers can get in on all the fun. The collection kicks off with two icons of justice: Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Martin Luther King, Jr.
(On Sale: 12/08/2020)Also available from: -
Together
This super sweet book about the love between a parent and child is a perfect bedtime read, and especially cozy for the winter ahead. Don’t be surprised if this one becomes a year-round favorite, polar bears and all!
(On Sale: 12/22/2020) -
I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything!
Available from:A little boy named Ayaan wakes up feeling worried about school, but some positive affirmations — helped along by his mom and friends — remind Ayaan that he has everything he needs for a great day.
(On Sale: 12/29/2020)Also available from:
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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Brick x Brick
Known as the Bob Ross of LEGOs, Adam Ward is a true brick-building aficionado, and in this entertaining how-to, he gives readers the keys to amazing creations they can build all on their own — from animals to robots to skyscrapers. Best yet, they don’t need millions of LEGOs to participate: each project can be completed with about 100 bricks.
(On Sale: 12/01/2020) -
Goodbye, Mr. Terupt
Available from:Peter, Jessica, Alexia, Jeffrey, Luke, Danielle, and Anna first met Mr. Terupt when he was their fifth-grade teacher. He’s always helped them with their problems, but now that they’re in eighth grade, their problems are a lot more complicated. The friends navigate illness and insecurity, crushes and burgeoning talents, all with the help of Mr. Terupt — and each other.
(On Sale: 12/01/2020)Also available from: -
Hatch
After surviving the first wave of a mysterious invasion of alien plants that wiped out the population, Seth, Anaya, and Petra have been locked up in a government lab while scientists try to figure out why the three are immune to the invaders. But now the second wave of the invasion is here — in the form of giant, diseased, carnivorous bugs. What does the kids’ immunity mean? And how can they help rescue humanity when they’re locked away?
(On Sale: 12/01/2020) -
Max and the Midknights: Battle of the Bodkins
Available from:In Book 2 of Lincoln Peirce’s much-loved graphic novel series, the Midknights take on the epic perils of knight school. Being a knight requires a lot more than just bravery, but while they’re trying to master their skills, Byjovia comes under attack! Can the crew save the kingdom and get a passing grade?
(On Sale: 12/01/2020)Also available from: -
The Smartest Kid in the Universe
Available from:The author of the bestselling Mr. Lemoncello's Library series returns with an all-new series full of more hilarious hijinks. When Jake treats himself to a few (handfuls) of jellybeans — not realizing they were actually top-secret, still-in-development information pills — he turns into a super-genius overnight. Now everyone’s after him, and not all for good reasons.
(On Sale: 12/01/2020)Also available from: -
What Is the Civil Rights Movement?
Available from:The latest in the What Was? series explains the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, and highlights key figures who participated in the fight for equality, starting with teenager Claudette Colvin. Over in the Who Was? series, readers can learn all about Confucius, China’s most famous philosopher.
(On Sale: 12/29/2020)Also available from:
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YA
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Admission
Chloe Wynn Berringer has lived a pretty charmed life. The daughter of a B-list actor, Chloe’s perfect senior year goes up in flames when the FBI arrest her mom in a massive college admissions bribery scandal. Not only may Chloe also face charges, but her inner turmoil — her parents’ total lack of faith in her success and the examination of her own complicity — is now the subject of endless headlines. Bestselling author Julie Buxbaum examines the hyperprivileged and the painful fallout that follows getting caught.
(On Sale: 12/01/2020) -
The Cousins
Available from:Thriller queen Karen M. McManus (author of One of Us Is Lying) is back at it with a dark and twisty ride. Cousins Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah are summoned to their grandmother’s island resort for the summer. While that might sound like a nice vacation, they’ve never met their grandmother — she disowned their parents years ago — and her intentions for the trio aren’t what you’d call grandmotherly.
(On Sale: 12/01/2020)Also available from: -
A Sky Beyond the Storm
Available from:The hair-raising finale of the An Ember in the Ashes series finds the apocalypse bearing down, led by the vengeful Nightbringer, and the self-elected Empress waging war on Laia and her people. Laia’s attempts to put an end to the evils around her wake an ancient and uncontrollable power that threatens to destroy everything in its path.
(On Sale: 12/01/2020)Also available from: -
This Is How We Fly
When Ellen Lopez-Rourke finds herself grounded for the entire summer before college, she negotiates one exception: she can join the local Quidditch team. Ellen has no idea what she’s gotten herself into — or if her Harry Potter knowledge is on par to spar with her teammates — but she’s in for a summer of finding herself, even as her world seems to be changing forever.
(On Sale: 12/15/2020) -
A Universe of Wishes
The fourth anthology from the wonderful organization We Need Diverse Books, A Universe of Wishes collects 15 YA fantasy stories from an all-star cast of exciting authors. Their tales are captivating and empowering, and together they crack open the genre and invite all readers to see themselves reflected. For more from WNDB, check out Fresh Ink, as well as middle grade collections The Hero Next Door and Flying Lessons & Other Stories.
(On Sale: 12/08/2020) -
Black Canary: Breaking Silence
The origin story of DC Comics superhero Dinah Lance is the girl-power read of the season. In the patriarchal Gotham City, women’s rights have been rolled back to zero — just singing is a crime punishable by death. Seventeen-year-old Dinah isn’t sure how much longer she can contain her voice, and she wants to help other girls and women, too, even though it would mean risking everything.
(On Sale: 12/29/2020)
