The Best Children’s and YA Books of August 2021
by the Brightly Editors
Welcome to the dog days of summer! There are just a few weeks left for kids to read as many non-school-related books as they want. So, whether your kids love soaking up the sunshine or staying inside and out of the heat, it’s a good idea to have a few books on hand to keep them occupied and entertained. From heartfelt picture books to heart-pounding thrillers, here are the best children’s and YA books releasing this month.
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Picture Books
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Here We Are: Book of Animals
Available from:If you loved Oliver Jeffers’s #1 New York Times bestselling book Here We Are (or any of his books), you’ll want to snag a copy of his new alphabet book. With his quirky signature illustrations, Jeffers takes young readers through the alphabet and introduces them to an array of animals. It’s a must-have for any child’s bookshelf.
(On sale: 8/3/21)Also available from: -
What I Am
Available from:Teach your child to embrace every side of themselves — even the ones that contradict each other. In this sweet picture book from the author of Little Owl’s Night, a little girl discovers who she is and what makes her unique. It’s the perfect book to show kids that humans are complex, and that’s okay.
(On sale: 8/3/21)Also available from: -
Cat Problems
Available from:Little cat lovers will adore this hilarious picture book about a pampered cat’s many complaints. From annoying squirrels to picky eating, the cat’s giggle-worthy list of grievances makes this book a blast to read. If you enjoyed Giraffe Problems and Penguin Problems, add this companion book to your collection!
(On sale: 8/3/21)Also available from: -
Can Tapir Play? (Little Loves)
Available from:If you’re looking for a delightful board book for your little one, pick up the latest addition to the Little Loves series. A baby tapir plays and learns everything he can do — from chasing otters to rolling in the mud.
(On sale: 8/3/21)Also available from: -
Twinkle Twinkle Little Kid
Available from:From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Day the Crayons Quit and the Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator of Flora and the Flamingo comes a funny story about an unlikely friendship. This adorable picture book tackles the topic of loneliness with humor, banter, and wit. It’s destined to become a bedtime favorite!
(On sale: 8/17/21)Also available from: -
Tomatoes for Neela
Available from:Celebrate family, tradition, and food with this gorgeously illustrated picture book for budding chefs. Neela loves helping Amma in the kitchen and using recipes passed down from Paati, who lives in India. As she learns about the ingredients that go into their dishes, Neela connects with her ancestors and culture in a meaningful way.
(On sale: 8/31/21)Also available from: -
Negative Cat
Available from:This picture book is a must-read for anyone that loves cats, books, and reading. When a young boy gets a pet cat, his family is disappointed that it’s not a friendly animal. After the rest of his family gives up on engaging with the cat, the little boy keeps at it. Eventually, he discovers an activity his new feline friend can’t resist — reading.
(On sale: 8/31/21)Also available from: -
Wherever You'll Be
Available from:Fans of That’s Me Loving You by Amy Krouse Rosenthal will be thrilled to add this beautiful picture book to their collection. It’s a heartfelt ode to the limitless love between a parent and child. Readers of all ages will enjoy the message that even when you’re apart, you can still feel connected to each other.
(On sale: 8/31/2021)Also available from:
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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J.D. and the Family Business
Available from:Young entrepreneurs will love this illustrated chapter book series about a boy who starts a haircutting business and earns a chair at the local salon. In this sequel to the first book, J.D. and the Great Barber Battle, J.D. and his sister team up to take over the world of hairstyling. The strong-willed siblings must learn to work together if they want to succeed.
(On sale: 8/3/21)Also available from: -
Dead Wednesday
Available from:This middle grade novel is a classic in the making from one of the most beloved authors for children. On a day when eighth-graders are supposed to be invisible, Worm Tarnauer gets the fright of his life when the ghost of a dead teen appears. Even worse — this ghost is bossy! But she also befriends and challenges Worm in all the right ways. Young readers will love this thought-provoking story about a boy who discovers himself through an unusual friendship.
(On sale: 8/3/21)Also available from: -
Kingdom of Secrets
This fast-paced fantasy adventure already has early readers raving about it. In a kingdom surrounded by an enormous wall, only the hot air balloons come and go as they please. When Prismena gets blackmailed into smuggling something over the wall in her father’s balloon, he gets arrested. Desperate to save her father, she teams up with her blackmailer and gets caught up in a revolution. Twists, turns, action, and humor combine into a novel that kids will find irresistible.
(On sale: 8/3/21) -
Black Boy Joy
Available from:If you’re on the hunt for a book with plenty of feel-good vibes, don’t miss this delightful collection of upbeat stories featuring Black boys. With 17 stories that include comics, realistic fiction, science fiction, and more, there’s something here for everyone.
(On sale: 8/3/21)Also available from: -
Dark Waters
Available from:With Halloween just around the corner, now is an excellent time to read a spooky story. The third book in the Small Spaces series takes readers on a spine-tingling wilderness survival adventure with a group of friends, a monster, and a villain who loves to play sinister games. Kids that enjoy books with thrills, chills, and things that go bump in the night will want to devour this novel in one sitting.
(On sale: 8/10/21)Also available from: -
Pizza and Taco: Super-Awesome Comic!
Available from:Your two favorite foods are back with the third goofy graphic novel in the Pizza and Taco series for readers ages 5-8. In this installment, the foods team up to create a comic book, resulting in a hilarious (and tasty) battle of artistic wills, superpowers, and imagination.
(On sale: 8/10/21)Also available from: -
Dinosaur
Available from:Aspiring paleontologists and fans of the TV show Dino Hunters will love this new book about dinosaurs. Readers will learn all about the giant animals, from what they ate to where and when they lived, by studying their fossils. It’s filled with kid-friendly facts and information that will keep young readers engrossed for hours at a time.
(On sale: 8/24/21)Also available from: -
Fast Pitch
Available from:Kids interested in sports, history, and friendship stories will love the latest release from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone. Shenice is the captain of her all-Black softball team, which she hopes to take to the Fast Pitch World Series. When she learns an upsetting secret about her great-grandfather, Shenice searches for the truth, neglecting her team in the process.
(On sale: 8/31/21)Also available from: -
Witches of Brooklyn: What the Hex?!
Available from:Send your child on a witchy graphic novel adventure with this sequel to Witches of Brooklyn. Effie loves her group of friends and has been making slow but constant progress with her magic skills. But when friendship drama arises, and an evil force pops up in town, Effie must lean on her budding magical abilities to help her through.
(On sale: 9/7/21)Also available from:
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YA
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Both Sides Now
Available from:Teen readers will fall head-over-heels in love with this story about a trans teen named Finch who dreams of going to college in Washington D.C. and becoming a congressman. But before he can do that, he needs to tackle his senior year of high school, including unexpected crushes, debate tournaments, and self-advocacy.
(On sale: 8/24/21)Also available from: -
Dark and Shallow Lies
Available from:Take a trip deep into Louisiana, where psychics are on every corner and girls go missing without a trace. So when her best friend disappears, Grey tries to find out what happened. But everyone in her small Southern town has a secret, and nobody is willing to talk. This dark, supernatural mystery thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat!
(On sale: 8/31/21)Also available from: -
The Woods Are Always Watching
Available from:From the New York Times bestselling author of There’s Someone Inside Your House comes another quick and creepy slasher novel that will keep you reading well past your bedtime. Before they head off to separate colleges, Neena and Josie decide to spend an epic weekend camping and hiking. But their trip takes a sinister turn when they leave the trail and run into something far deadlier than the local wildlife.
(On sale: 8/31/21)Also available from: -
A Lesson in Vengeance
Available from:Dust off your plaid, tweed, and worn leather because it’s time for a dark academia novel! Boarding school, buried secrets, and multiple murders combine in this atmospheric and utterly captivating YA thriller. If you’re in the mood for a spooky book that will send shivers down your spine, add this to your reading stack!
(On sale: 8/31/21)Also available from: -
Take Me With You When You Go
Available from:When Ezra’s sister Bea runs away from home, she leaves everything behind, including an email address meant just for him. While Bea makes a new life for herself, Ezra remains at home with their abusive and neglectful parents. Each sibling must find out who they are while hanging on to the last shred of family they have left — each other. This heartfelt novel from the authors of All the Bright Places and Every Day is the perfect book to end the summer.
(On sale: 8/31/21)Also available from:
