Kids Indie Next List | IndieBound.org

What is the Kids’ Next List?

The Kids’ Next List is your next great read! This bi-monthly list features the top nominations from independent booksellers across the country, showcasing the best of the best debuts and new releases in all categories and genres for young readers.

March/April 2025 Kids Indie Next List

#1 Pick

A Song for You and I: (A Graphic Novel)

K. O'Neill (Random House Graphic)

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“K. O'Neill’s new graphic novel is another winner. It speaks to anyone who has ever second-guessed themselves or lost who they are. Two young people, both uncertain in their way, manage to find the answers they seek with each other’s help.”

— Amber Brown, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC

Picture Books

The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever

By Sandra Salsbury

Doubleday Books for Young Readers

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“This baby is too busy to go to sleep, and now it’s everyone else’s problem. Full of fun shenanigans that anyone who has spent time with a baby will relate to! I love Sandra’s quieter books, but in this one she’s laugh-out-loud funny.” — Amy O'Hanlon, Bookbug, Kalamazoo, MI

A Chest Full of Words

By Rebecca Gugger, Simon Röthlisberger, Tim Mohr

Northsouth Books

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“This beautiful picture book shows us the power of words and the different ones that we can learn and use. As a former educator, I can see so many wonderful lessons using this book. A whole wall of new words drawn for others to learn and enjoy.” — Mollie Mitchell, HearthFire Books, Evergreen, CO

Dear Bookstore

By Emily Arrow, Geneviève Godbout

Candlewick

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“No picture book has so beautifully captured the magic and belonging of bookstores quite like this one. I teared up through the entire read and I’m sure you will, too.” — Jordan Leon, Lion's Mouth Bookstore, Green Bay, WI

Every Monday Mabel

By Jashar Awan, Jashar Awan

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

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“Young children — and their parents — will surely relate to the absolute joy Mabel feels when it’s the day the garbage truck comes to her house. A delightful story beautifully illustrated.” — Vicky Titcomb, Titcomb's Bookshop, East Sandwich, MA

Papilio

By Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, Andy Chou Musser, Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, Andy Chou Musser

Viking Books for Young Readers

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“What a great story idea to collaborate on — a different author/illustrator for each stage of a butterfly’s life. With distinct style, each collaborator brings their own flare to their storyline. Sure to be a family favorite!” — Leslie Jennings, Brewster Book Store, Brewster, MA

Scamp

By Anden Wilder

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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“A delight from first page to last. This joyous, beautifully illustrated cat tale jumps off the page with true-to-life emotions. A new side of the story lends freshness to this simple tale told oh-so well! Meow!” — Maureen Palacios, Once Upon a Time, Montrose, CA

So Tortoise Dug

By Emmy Kastner, Emmy Kastner

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

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“Such a cute tale of animal friendships. When faced with a flood, tortoise digs burrows for all, but is frustrated when no one is ready to move in. I love the illustrations underground!” — Alissa Redmond, South Main Book Company, Salisbury, NC

Stalactite & Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave

By Drew Beckmeyer, Drew Beckmeyer

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

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“I love this book! I love the blunt delivery of the jokes, the passage of time and the fun facts we learn with each era, the amazing artwork, and humorous nonfiction! If I were a science teacher I would read this book to my classroom every year.” — Katie Pionk, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey, MI

That's Not Funny, David!

By David Shannon, David Shannon

Orchard Books

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“This one’s for fans of No, David! and other fun stories of kiddos pushing the limits. A hilarious book with adorable illustrations of David’s many shenanigans!” — Shay Carey, Roundabout Books, Bend, OR

Your Forest (Your Places)

By Jon Klassen, Jon Klassen

Candlewick

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“Jon Klassen’s humor is specific. If you’re a fan like me, you will delight in this series of habitat-building board books. Your Forest is a sweetly absurd bedtime story in Klassen’s classic style, complete with your very own forest ghost.” — Elese Stutts, Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill, NC

Middle Grade

All the Blues in the Sky

By Renée Watson

Bloomsbury Children's Books

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“The story of a young girl haunted by the grief of losing her best friend. Sage navigates daily life without her friend and the guilt she feels for her part in her friend’s death. A beautiful novel in verse showing us it is ok to be sad on the long journey to hope and healing.” — Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books, New Orleans, LA

Catty Corner Lands on Her Feet

By Julie Murphy, Eve Farb

Union Square Kids

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“How purrrfectly lovely. Catty comes from a long line of half-cat/half-human girls. When her mother gets her dream job, Catty has to venture out of her comfortable homeschooling nest and join her first all-human classroom, where she learns to be her catty self.” — Linda Crowder, Russell Specialty Books and Gifts, Russell, KS

Halfway to Somewhere: (A Graphic Novel)

By Jose Pimienta

Random House Graphic

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“Moving as a kid is always tough, but it’s even more complicated when you’re navigating a new language and new family dynamics. Halfway to Somewhere does such a great job honoring all the different facets of Ave’s experience. Strongly recommend for classrooms!” — Milo Michels, University Book Store, Seattle, WA

How Elegant the Elephant: Poems About Animals and Insects

By Mary Ann Hoberman, Marla Frazee

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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“What a dream come true to have these two book celebrities come together again to create another masterpiece. I’m not sure there was ever a more perfect pairing of whimsical writing and illustrations. Destined to be a treasured classic.” — Ashlee Null, Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, CA

Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum

By Alasdair Beckett-King, Claire Powell

Candlewick

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“I’m a sucker for a detective with an accent you can’t quite place and Montgomery Bonbon definitely delivers! This is a hilarious and intriguing murder mystery with a kooky cast of characters. I had so much fun reading this book!” — Anja Franson, Books & Company, Oconomowoc, WI

River of Spirits (The Underwild #1)

By Shana Targosz

Aladdin

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“For fans of Percy Jackson and The Clackity. The young Senka, ferrier-in-training to the underworld, is full of spunk and determination. Poppy, alive, is searching for her dead brother. What could go wrong?! Giant birds, evil witches, and mythic monsters are just the start.” — Rachel Brewer, Carmichael's Bookstore, Louisville, KY

Sea Legs: A Graphic Novel (Sea Legs #1)

By Jules Bakes, Niki Smith

Graphix

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“I want to be Janey’s friend! Janey is a young girl on constant adventures while living aboard a sailboat with her parents. This is a great tale about the difficulties of retaining long distance friendships and creating new ones. The artwork is stunning!” — Carrie Deming, The Dog Eared Book, Palmyra, NY

Speak Up, Santiago!: (A Hillside Valley Graphic Novel)

By Julio Anta, Gabi Mendez

Random House Graphic

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“A story about friendship and family, about doing new and hard things, and about the connection between generations, Speak Up, Santiago! is a bilingual graphic novel for everyone. It’s fun, heartwarming, and perfect for both those comfortable with Spanish and those who are still learning.” — Melissa Fox, Watermark Books & Cafe, Wichita, KS

Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen

By James Robinson, Brian Rea

Penguin Workshop

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“Whale Eyes is an essential text for helping us to further understand the way that we as a society treat disabled kids by putting us in their shoes. If you have ever been ostracized and treated poorly because of ableism, you will feel seen by this story.” — Ava Budavari, All She Wrote Books, Somerville, MA

A World Worth Saving

By Kyle Lukoff

Dial Books

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“A is a compelling narrator in a whirlwind adventure navigating trans identity, discrimination, and fighting off demons with his Golem and friends. This book is so generous and nuanced in its depiction of characters and is hopeful in its honesty.” — Hannah Amrollahi, The Bookworm of Omaha, Omaha, NE

Young Adult

Fable for the End of the World

By Ava Reid

HarperCollins

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“A fantastic addition to the modern YA dystopian canon. The Angel and the Lamb; the hunter and the hunted. Will these two break the system or will the government prevail? The clock is ticking and the irradiated wasteland beckons. Community and love are fascism’s downfall.” — Leah Atlee, Bright Side Bookshop, Flagstaff, AZ

Hunger's Bite

By Taylor Robin

Union Square & Co.

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“What should be another routine crossing of the Atlantic for Emery, Neeta, and the SS Lark turns deadly when new management steps in and their intentions are…less than good. Perhaps even a little demonic. An enthralling debut graphic novel.” — Morgan Holub, E. Shaver, Bookseller, Savannah, GA

The Meadowbrook Murders

By Jessica Goodman

G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

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“This twisty private school mystery centers on a young couple found murdered in a dorm room. We follow a student reporter and the victim’s roommate as they try to put the pieces together and solve the crime. Excellent!” — Suzanna Hermans, Oblong Books, Millerton, NY

The Otherwhere Post

By Emily J. Taylor

G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

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“Sometimes it feels like writing is magic, but what if it actually was? In this twisty-turny dark academia novel, it is. Magic schools, letters across worlds, and a murder-mystery to tie it all together. A very fun read to wrap yourself in a blanket by a fire with.” — Vaughn Lachenauer, Main Point Books, Wayne, PA

Our Infinite Fates: Deluxe Limited Edition

By Laura Steven

Wednesday Books

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“With an alluring premise reminiscent of Every Day and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Steven has crafted a stunningly original meditation on grief, hope, resilience, and the complexities and endurance of love. A dark and hauntingly beautiful romance.” — Alyssa Raymond, Copper Dog Books, Beverly, MA

The Rose Bargain

By Sasha Peyton Smith

HarperCollins

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“I am obsessed with this book and cannot stop talking about it even weeks after reading it. Set in an alternate Victorian era England, The Rose Bargain is gripping from the very first page.” — Tara Leimkuehler, Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN

Say a Little Prayer

By Jenna Voris

Viking Books for Young Readers

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“Say a Little Prayer is a fun, fast-paced read following one teen’s chaotic plan to shake up her week at church camp after the community shunned her older sister. It’s honest and hilarious with a heartwarming center. I’m eager to read more from Jenna Voris.” — Becky Martone, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison, CT

They Bloom at Night

By Trang Thanh Tran

Bloomsbury YA

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“Noon and her mom are living on a houseboat after a natural disaster and red algae have decimated their town. As Noon confronts her past as well as her current situation, the question is: who really is the monster? This will resonate for readers of SPEAK.” — Audrey I-Wei Huang, Belmont Books, Belmont, MA

Under the Same Stars: A Good Morning America Book Club Pick

By Libba Bray

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

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“Libba Bray turns her prodigious talents and sharp, gorgeous writing to an ambitious historical saga set across three timelines. The history of activism and resistance, especially the young people who lead and sacrifice in those movements, is beautifully captured. This took my breath away.” — Amy Andrews, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC

Wings of Starlight

By Allison Saft

Disney Press

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“Fans of the Disney Fairies franchise will swoon over this utterly romantic and tender-hearted novel! When powerful and dangerous creatures plunge the fairies of Pixie Hollow into a cursed slumber, Princess Clarion forms a forbidden alliance with Milori, the Warden of the Winter Woods.” — Jason Mills, The Book Bungalow, St. George, UT

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Winter 2025 Reading Group Indie Next List
January/February 2025 Kids Indie Next List
December 2024 Indie Next List
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March/April 2025 Kids Indie Next List

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