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.

May/June 2025 Kids Indie Next List

#1 Pick

The Trouble with Heroes

Kate Messner (Bloomsbury Children's Books)

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“In a moment of grief and anger, Finn makes a big mistake. He starts to heal, grow and gain resilience with the help of nature, cookies, and the best-est dog. A beautiful story that will help middle grade kids work through big feelings.”

— Nancy Baenen, Arcadia Books, Spring Green, WI

Picture Books

Anything

By Rebecca Stead, Gracey Zhang

Chronicle Books

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“As someone who moved around a lot as a kid, I wish I'd had this sweet and stunningly illustrated story. It captures the ache of change, hand in hand with the infinite possibilities of a new place, with all the magic and color of a rainbow.” — Tabitha Klein, Still North Books & Bar, Hanover, NH

The Bear Out There

By Jess Hannigan, Jess Hannigan

Quill Tree Books

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“Jess Hannigan’s comedic timing is up there with Looney Tunes and SpongeBob; witty, slapstick, sardonic…simply iconic. As for the story? Well, I choose the bear.” — Allie Cesmat, Changing Hands, Tempe, AZ

Big Enough

By Regina Linke

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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“A stunning picture book about a young boy who must face his fears when he is charged with a very important task: bring home the ox. Though he is small, Ah-Fu is just the right person to find and lead the gentle creature. A touching lesson in self-doubt and courage.” — Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC

Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World)

By Corey R. Tabor, Corey R. Tabor

Greenwillow Books

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“Adorable! Despite the simple dialogue from our main character — maybe because of it! — Crow and his neighbors will have kids engaged, excited, and possibly rolling on the floor like any other Cranky, Crabby Crow.” — Julie Rowan-Zoch, Old Firehouse Books, Fort Collins, CO

Don't Trust Fish

By Neil Sharpson, Dan Santat

Dial Books

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“Not many authors can pull off a balance of educational and absolutely ridiculous, but Neil Sharpson can. Sharpson should write an apology note to every parent who will have to read this to their kids over, and over, and over again.” — Billie Bloebaum, The Book Nook (OR), Canby, OR

Here Is a Book: A Picture Book

By Elisha Cooper

Abrams Books for Young Readers

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“So very sweet. I like the cyclical story, starting with an artist and ending with an artist, and it was fun to journey with the book as it was made. The illustrations are gorgeous!” — Thea Lamarre Anderson, LaLa Books, Lowell, MA

Little Big Man

By Varian Johnson, Reggie Brown

Orchard Books

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“Varian Johnson’s picture book debut is a delight! A poignant story about learning how to balance work and play, all young readers (and their grown ups) can benefit from Little Big Man's message.” — Lorie Barber, The Silver Unicorn Bookstore, Acton, MA

Mistaco: A Tale of Tragedy y Tortillas

By Eliza Kinkz, Eliza Kinkz

Kokila

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“Mistaco by Eliza Kinkz is a unique take on making mistakes — a funny picture book for reading aloud and one that independent readers will truly enjoy, with bold illustrations and relatable characters in Izzy and her big, loving family.” — Stephanie Ledyard, Interabang Books, Dallas, TX

Otto and the Story Tree

By Vivien Mildenberger

Random House Studio

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“Gather round y'all, because this cranky old bird is not going to change! He didn't realize that letting a seed go and telling his stories to it would change his life this much. Turns out Otto had some pretty interesting adventures from his past to share, and the little seed was listening.” — Jamie Kovacs, Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill, NC

Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and the United States

By Rajani LaRocca, Huy Voun Lee

Christy Ottaviano Books

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“Rajani LaRocca has a talent for blending facts with poetry, offering a diverse collection of people and families and the ways they come to citizenship. I hope many readers see themselves in this book, lovingly created by an author and illustrator who are also immigrants.” — Johanna Albrecht, McIntyre's Fine Books, Pittsboro, NC

Middle Grade

Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile

By George Jreije

HarperCollins

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“This little gem of a book is sprinkled with adventure and delights, and reminders that in the midst of the distractions of our everyday personal struggles, we can still make choices that help change the world around us in powerful, positive ways. Hooray for Bashir!” — Michelle Souliere, The Green Hand Bookshop, Portland, ME

The Beat I Drum (Life of a Cactus #3)

By Dusti Bowling

Union Square Kids

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“There are few greater pleasures for lovers of realistic fiction than spending time with the friend groups Dusti creates: quirky, genuine, self-effacing, inclusive, and so much fun.” — Melissa LaSalle, Old Town Books, Alexandria, VA

Candle Island

By Lauren Wolk

Dutton Books for Young Readers

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“Candle Island is one of those stories that stays in your heart. A beautiful book about love, family, and grief that shows the healing power of creativity and nurturing wildness in wild spaces. I loved it!” — Susan Williams, M. Judson Booksellers & Storytellers, Greenville, SC

The Cartoonists Club: A Graphic Novel

By Raina Telgemeier, Scott McCloud

Graphix

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“This book weaves together how to write a graphic novel and also tells a beautiful story of kids finding themselves and embracing their passions. Kids will LOVE this book as it helps them learn to make their own graphic novels, validates their love of them, and also tells a great story!” — Jennifer Matthews, Growing Minds Bookstore, Catonsville, MD

Creaky Acres: A Graphic Novel

By Calista Brill, Nilah Magruder, Nilah Magruder

Kokila

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“If you love horses, possums, or quirky kids with true hearts, this book is for you! The kids who ride at Creaky Acres love it. With its wandering grumpy goat, masses of possums, and worn-down buildings, Nora has trouble seeing why. But along with Nora, you will come to love it!” — Linda Sherman-Nurick, Cellar Door Books, Riverside, CA

Growing Home

By Beth Ferry, Terry Fan, Eric Fan

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

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“You’ll never look at goldfish, plants, and spiders the same after this fun story about friendships, a little magic, and a daring plan to save each other and their human family. Charming with great illustrations!” — Annette Steinmetz, The Well-Read Moose, Coeur d'Alene, ID

J vs. K

By Kwame Alexander, Jerry Craft, Jerry Craft

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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“This tale, told in appropriately young tones, is full of great advice, tips, and pointers for youth about to enter middle school. From vocabulary exposure to writing advice, the authors have produced a truly remarkable aid for youthful literary development.” — Steven Brehm, 32nd Avenue Books, Toys and Gifts, Denver, CO

The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls

By Judith Rossell

Dial Books

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“The girls at the Midwatch Institute are an essential reminder that we all are stronger than we realize, and that with a little teamwork we can tackle anything. Filled with mystery, adventure, cool gadgets and secret tunnels, this is an absolute delight!” — Dominic Smith, Underbrush Books, Rogers, AR

Ollie In Between

By Jess Callans

Feiwel & Friends

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“(Indies Introduce Panelist) Hand this to any kid who’s experienced or will experience puberty, any kid who’s navigating their gender, any who’ve endured shifting friendships, and to any kid who’s so much braver than they realize. That is, hand this to any kid!” — Tanvi Rastogi, Dog-Eared Books, Ames, IA

The Queen Bees of Tybee County

By Kyle Casey Chu

Quill Tree Books

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“(Indies Introduce Panelist) Follow young basketball champion Derrick Chan as he spends the summer with his grandmother and journeys to discover a whole new understanding of self. This exploration of family, culture, and identity is unique and powerful. This book is right on time.” — Jonathan Pope, Prologue Bookshop, Columbus, OH

Young Adult

All the Noise at Once

By DeAndra Davis

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

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“(Indies Introduce Panelist) All the Noise at Once is a captivating read about Aiden, a Black, autistic teen, his love of football, his struggle with identity, and his fight against injustice after a jarring experience with the police. I was cheering Aiden on to the very end.” — Kalli King, Rediscovered Books, Boise, ID

Audre & Bash Are Just Friends

By Tia Williams

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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“When junior class president Audre hires Bash Henry to be her ‘fun-consultant’, she might just have the inspiration she needs for her book. The only problem? They've caught feelings. You’ll love this story about navigating family drama, facing fears, and figuring out who to be.” — McKenna Moran-Jones, Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee, WI

Blades of Furry (A Graphic Novel): Volume 1

By Emily Erdos, Deya Muniz

Little, Brown Ink

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“Blades of Furry has tons of rainbow lighting, heart eyes, and gay yearning, while not shying away from social commentary. The protagonists — figure skating, martial artist animals — learn and grow alongside one another, fighting for life and love against all odds.” — Olivia Williams, Harvard Book Store, Cambridge, MA

Eliza, from Scratch

By Sophia Lee

Quill Tree Books

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“The fall after her grandmother’s death, an ambitious student is unexpectedly assigned a cooking class in school, helping her reconnect with her Korean heritage. A poignant, heartwarming debut on grief and family expectations.” — Matilda McNeely, Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, GA

His Face Is the Sun (Throne of Khetara)

By Michelle Jabès Corpora

Sourcebooks Fire

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“Egypt has always had a mysterious hold on me. This book certainly proves to do the same with its intrigue, curses, uprisings, and mysteries. From the first sentence to the last, I was transported to another time and dimension.” — Judith Lafitte, Octavia Books, New Orleans, LA

Holy Terrors (Little Thieves #3)

By Margaret Owen

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

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“Folklore, magic, and mystery pair perfectly with this exploration of mental health and the power of choice. In this trilogy conclusion, Vanja reflects on her choices and realizes that she would never have been ready for the future she craves without those choices.” — Kaitlyn Reed, Read Between the Lynes, Woodstock, IL

One of the Boys

By Victoria Zeller

Levine Querido

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“There are so many things to love about this book: Grace’s focused athleticism and her newly out trans high school experience; her ride-or-die band of rowdy male friends; the honest portrayal of football. One of the Boys is about the things we sacrifice to do what we love, and the things we must sacrifice to survive.” — Ron Ward, Talking Leaves...Books, Buffalo, NY

Run Away With Me

By Brian Selznick

Scholastic Press

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“An astonishingly beautiful story of two teen boys who fall in love in Italy in the ’80s. Incredible illustrations and wonderfully sensitive and caring prose are combined to masterfully create a work of unmatched genius that left me in tears.” — Reilly Hadden, Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, VT

The Thrashers: A Novel

By Julie Soto

Wednesday Books

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“Perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson who also like a splash of the paranormal! I loved the exploration of economic disparity and social hierarchy within the Thrashers, and the constant questioning of motives and reliability.” — Chris Schmidt, Main Street Books (MO), St. Charles, MO

Trans History: A Graphic Novel: From Ancient Times to the Present Day

By Alex L. Combs, Andrew Eakett, Alex L. Combs, Andrew Eakett

Candlewick

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“(Indies Introduce Panelist) A fantastic and necessary tableau of the impact trans people have had on history, and how trans legacies have been recorded and shared. A perfect addition to any history shelf.” — Jessica Hahl, Books Inc., San Francisco, CA

More Indie Next Lists

June 2025 Indie Next List
May 2025 Indie Next List
Indies Introduce
April 2025 Indie Next List
Spring 2025 Reading Group Indie Next List
March 2025 Indie Next List
March/April 2025 Kids Indie Next List
February 2025 Indie Next List
January 2025 Indie Next List
Winter 2025 Reading Group Indie Next List

What is the Kids’ Next List?

May/June 2025 Kids Indie Next List

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