Award year

2021 School Library Journal Best Books Winners

Browse the 2021 School Library Journal Best Books winners and nominees by category. Each category starts with the winner, followed by nominees and other recognized titles.

School Library Journal Best Books Awarded by School Library Journal 5 categories shown

Chapter Books

Winner and nominees for the 2021 School Library Journal Best Books Chapter Books category.

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J.D. and the Great Barber Battle

Dillard, J.

J.D. the Kid Barber Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Mar-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Sona Sharma, Very Best Big Sister

Soundar, Chitra

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2020 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Too Small Tola

Atinuke

Too Small Tola Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Jan-2020 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Used-to-Be Best Friend

Quigley, Dawn

Jo Jo Makoons Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

May-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Graphic Novels

Winner and nominees for the 2021 School Library Journal Best Books Graphic Novels category.

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Allergic

Lloyd, Megan Wagner

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Borders

King, Thomas

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Crossroads at Midnight

Howard, Abby

Standalone · Horror

Mar-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Golden Hour

Smith, Niki

Standalone · General Fiction

Nov-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Hazards of Love Vol. 1: Bright World

Stanley, Stan

Standalone · Graphic Novel

Apr-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Himawari House

Becker, Harmony

Standalone · General Fiction

Nov-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Legend of Auntie Po

Khor, Shing Yin

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Living With Viola

Fung, Rosena

Standalone · General Fiction

Dec-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Monster Friends

Vandorn, Kaeti

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Nubia: Real One

McKinney, L.L.

Standalone · Manga

Feb-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Shell Quest

Waldo, Steph

I Can Read: Level 3 Series · General Fiction

Jun-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Shell Quest

Waldo, Steph

Tiny Tales Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Jun-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Tidesong

Xu, Wendy

Standalone · General Fiction

Nov-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Unearthed: A Jessica Cruz Story

Rivera, Lilliam

Standalone · Graphic Novel

Sep-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Wildflowers

Liniers

Standalone · Fantasy

Apr-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Middle Grade

Winner and nominees for the 2021 School Library Journal Best Books Middle Grade category.

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Amari and the Night Brothers

Alston, B.B.

Supernatural Investigations Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Jan-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Ash House

Walker, Angharad

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Barakah Beats

Siddiqui, Maleeha

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Beatryce Prophecy

DiCamillo, Kate

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Black Boy Joy

Mbalia, Kwame

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Born Behind Bars

Venkatraman, Padma

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Josephine Against the Sea

Bourne, Shakirah

Josephine Against the Sea Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Jul-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Last Cuentista

Higuera, Donna Barba

The Last Cuentista Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Oct-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Magical Imperfect

Baron, Chris

Standalone · Fantasy

Jun-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Many Meanings of Meilan

Wang, Andrea

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Maya and the Robot

Ewing, Eve L.

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

One Jar of Magic

Haydu, Corey Ann

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Red, White, and Whole

LaRocca, Rajani

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Rez Dogs

Bruchac, Joseph

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Root Magic

Royce, Eden

Standalone · Fantasy

Jan-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Sea in Winter

Day, Christine

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Shape of Thunder

Warga, Jasmine

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Soul Lanterns

Kuzki, Shaw

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Starfish

Fipps, Lisa

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Summer of Brave

Parks, Amy Noelle

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Take Back the Block

Giles, Chrystal D.

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Thanks a Lot, Universe

Lucas, Chad

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Too Bright to See

Lukoff, Kyle

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Violets Are Blue

Dee, Barbara

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

What Lives in the Woods

Currie, Lindsay

Standalone · Mystery

Sep-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero

Faruqi, Saadia

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Picture Books

Winner and nominees for the 2021 School Library Journal Best Books Picture Books category.

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The Big Bad Wolf in My House

Fontaine, Valerie

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Clovis Keeps His Cool

Aronson, Katelyn

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Dear Little One

Laden, Nina

Standalone · General Fiction

Nov-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Dream Street

Walker, Tricia Elam

Standalone · General Fiction

Nov-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

Ho, Joanna

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Grandad's Camper

Woodgate, Harry

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

In My Mosque

Yuksel, M.O.

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Looking for a Jumbie

Baptiste, Tracey

The Jumbies Series · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

My Day with the Panye

Charles, Tami

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

My Two Border Towns

Bowles, David

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Osnat and Her Dove

Samuel, Sigal

Standalone · Historical

Feb-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Over the Shop

Lawson, JonArno

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Peace Miranda and

Paul, Baptiste

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

This Magical, Musical Night

Greene, Rhonda Gowler

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Time for Bed, Old House

Bates, Janet Costa

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

A Walk in the Words

Talbott, Hudson

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Watercress

Wang, Andrea

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

What I Am

Srinivasan, Divya

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Your Mama

Ramos, Nonieqa

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Young Adult

Winner and nominees for the 2021 School Library Journal Best Books Young Adult category.

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Ace of Spades

Abike-Iyimide, Faridah

Standalone · Mystery

Jun-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

All Our Hidden Gifts

O'Donoghue, Caroline

Standalone · Paranormal Romance

Jun-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Beasts of Prey

Gray, Ayana

Beasts of Prey Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Oct-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Blackout

Clayton, Dhonielle

Standalone · Contemporary Romance

Jun-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Concrete Rose

Thomas, Angie

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Counting Down with You

Bhuiyan, Tashie

Standalone · Contemporary Romance

May-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

An Emotion of Great Delight

Mafi, Tahereh

Standalone · Christian

Jun-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Firekeeper's Daughter

Boulley, Angeline

Standalone · Mystery

Mar-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Gilded Ones

Forna, Namina

Standalone · Fantasy

Feb-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Girls I've Been

Sharpe, Tess

Standalone · Mystery

Feb-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe

Gilliland, Raquel Vasquez

Standalone · Contemporary Romance

Aug-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Instructions for Dancing

Yoon, Nicola

Standalone · Contemporary Romance

Jun-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Kaleidoscope

Selznick, Brian

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

Lo, Malinda

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

A Lesson in Vengeance

Lee, Victoria

Standalone · Paranormal Romance

Aug-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Love Is a Revolution

Watson, Renee

Standalone · Contemporary Romance

Feb-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Me (Moth)

McBride, Amber

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Mirror Season

McLemore, Anna-Marie

Standalone · Contemporary Romance

Mar-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Ones We're Meant to Find

He, Joan

Standalone · Action Adventure

May-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Prepped

Mangle, Bethany

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

A Sitting in St. James

Williams-Garcia, Rita

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Take Me With You When You Go

Levithan, David

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Tokyo Ever After

Jean, Emiko

Tokyo Ever After Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

May-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

When We Make It

Velasquez, Elisabet

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

White Smoke

Jackson, Tiffany D.

Standalone · Mystery

Sep-2021 2021 School Library Journal Best Books *

Browse Award Categories

Middle Grade Archive Young Adult Archive Picture Books Archive Graphic Novels Archive Manga Archive Transitional Archive Chapter Books Archive

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