Even the “classics” were once new. A book’s age does not determine its merit – the fabulous writing does! Only time will tell which books will endure, but here are some that are poised to become tomorrow’s classics. Click on a book’s link to read its review posted previously on the blog.
Picture Books and Early Readers (in order of author’s last name)
- Drawn From Nature by Helen Ahpornsiri
- The Undefeated written by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
- The Dress and the Girl by Camille Andros, illustrated by Julie Morstad
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson
- Olivia by Ian Falconer
- Locomotive by Brian Floca
- My Friend Maggie by Hannah E. Harrison
- Once Upon An Alphabet: Short Stories for All the Letters by Oliver Jeffers
- Zephyr Takes Flight by Steve Light
- The Book With No Pictures by B. J. Novak
- Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
- Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
- Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems
- The Knuffle Bunny books by Mo Willems
- The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López
- Mouse and Mole series by Wong Herbert Yee
- Be A Friend by Salina Yoon
Middle Grade (in order of author’s last name)
- The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
- Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
- Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier
- The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
- Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
- Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
- Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo
- The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
- The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz
- Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
- Clementine series by Sara Pennypacker
- Pax by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Jon Klassen
- The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
- Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson
Young Adult (in order of author’s last name)
modern classics for kids 