Award year

2022 School Library Journal Best Books Winners

Browse the 2022 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 6 categories shown

Chapter Books

Winner and nominees for the 2022 School Library Journal Best Books Chapter Books category.

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Fly High, Lolo

Daly, Niki

Lolo Series · Book 4 · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Ghost Tree

Deen, Natasha

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

King of the Ice

Lyons, Kelly Starling

Miles Lewis Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Jul-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Little Owl Rescue

Delahaye, Rachel

Little Animal Rescue Series · Book 5 · General Fiction

May-2020 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Maggie Sparks and the Monster Baby

Smallman, Steve

Maggie Sparks Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Marya Khan and the Incredible Henna Party

Faruqi, Saadia

Marya Khan Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Oct-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Graphic Novels

Winner and nominees for the 2022 School Library Journal Best Books Graphic Novels category.

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Alte Zachen / Old Things

Hanaor, Ziggy

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza

Barnett, Mac

The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Flamingo

Guojing

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Frizzy

Ortega, Claribel A.

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Galaxy: The Prettiest Star

Axelrod, Jadzia

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Invisible

Gonzalez, Christina Diaz

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Isla to Island

Castellanos, Alexis

Standalone · Historical

Mar-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Leviathan

Shiga, Jason

Adventuregame Comics Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Sep-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Little Monarchs

Case, Jonathan

Standalone · Fantasy

Apr-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Muhammad Najem, War Reporter

Najem, Muhammad

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

New Masters

Coker, Shobo

Standalone · Graphic Novel

Nov-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Red Scare

Walsh, Liam Francis

Standalone · Fantasy

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Sir Ladybug

Tabor, Corey R.

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Smaller Sister

Willis, Maggie Edkins

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Squire

Shammas, Nadia

Standalone · Action Adventure

Mar-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Twelfth Grade Night

Booth, Molly

Arden High Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Oct-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Twin Cities

Pimienta, Jose

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Well

Wyatt, Jake

Standalone · Action Adventure

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Wingbearer

Liu, Marjorie M.

Standalone · Fantasy

Mar-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Wolf Suit

Sharp, Sid

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Middle Grade

Winner and nominees for the 2022 School Library Journal Best Books Middle Grade category.

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Air

Roe, Monica

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Answers in the Pages

Levithan, David

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Caprice

Booth, Coe

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Chester Keene Cracks the Code

Magoon, Kekla

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Drew Leclair Gets a Clue

Bury, Katryn

Drew Leclair Series · Book 1 · Mystery

Mar-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Ellen Outside the Lines

Sass, A.J.

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet

Dee, Barbara

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

In the Key of Us

Lockington, Mariama J.

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Last Hope in Hopetown

Tureaud, Maria

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

Yee, Lisa

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Marvellers

Clayton, Dhonielle

The Conjureverse Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Moonflower

Callender, Kacen

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Northwind

Paulsen, Gary

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun

Okogwu, Tola

Onyeka Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Jun-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Science of Being Angry

Melleby, Nicole

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls

Bird, James

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Shine On, Luz Veliz!

Balcarcel, Rebecca

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl

Kagawa, Julie

Society of Explorers and Adventurers Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Small Town Pride

Stamper, Phil

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Step

Ellis, Deborah

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Team Chu and the Battle of Blackwood Arena

Dao, Julie C.

Team Chu Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Aug-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

This Appearing House

Malinenko, Ally

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

This Last Adventure

Dalton, Ryan

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Those Kids from Fawn Creek

Kelly, Erin Entrada

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Wave

Farid, Diana

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Picture Books

Winner and nominees for the 2022 School Library Journal Best Books Picture Books category.

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Air Miles

Burningham, John

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2021 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Berry Song

Goade, Michaela

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Carrimebac, the Town That Walked

Moore, David Barclay

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Dadaji's Paintbrush

Sirdeshpande, Rashmi

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Depth of the Lake and the Height of the Sky

Kim, Jihyun

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Endlessly Ever After

Snyder, Laurel

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Every Dog in the Neighborhood

Stead, Philip C.

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Farmhouse

Blackall, Sophie

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Field Trip to Volcano Island

Hare, John

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

How to Eat a Book

MacLeod, Mrs. & Mr.

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Hundred Years of Happiness

Lai, Thanhha

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Kapaemahu

Wong-Kalu, Hinaleimoana

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Kimchi, Kimchi Every Day

Kim, Erica

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Love in the Library

Tokuda-Hall, Maggie

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Mariana and Her Familia

Mancillas, Monica

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Moonlight

Savage, Stephen

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

My Paati's Saris

Gopal, Jyoti Rajan

Standalone · General Fiction

Nov-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

My Party, Mi Fiesta

Raul the Third

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Nigel and the Moon

Eady, Antwan

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Nour's Secret Library

Tarnowska, Wafa

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Out of a Jar

Marcero, Deborah

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Powwow Day

Sorell, Traci

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Somewhere in the Bayou

Pumphrey, Jarrett; Pumphrey, Jerome

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Talk

Williams, Alicia D.

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Tia Fortuna's New Home

Behar, Ruth

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Wishing Balloons

Voss, Jonathan D.

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The World Belonged to Us

Woodson, Jacqueline

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Young Adult

Winner and nominees for the 2022 School Library Journal Best Books Young Adult category.

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African Town

Waters, Charles

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Ain't Burned All the Bright

Reynolds, Jason

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

All My Rage

Tahir, Sabaa

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Anatomy: A Love Story

Schwartz, Dana

The Anatomy Duology Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Jan-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Children of Ragnarok

Chima, Cinda Williams

The Runestone Saga Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Nov-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Ghosts of Rose Hill

Romero, R.M.

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Hollow Fires

Ahmed, Samira

Standalone · Mystery

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Honeys

La Sala, Ryan

Standalone · Horror

Aug-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

How You Grow Wings

Onoseta, Rimma

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

I Must Betray You

Sepetys, Ruta

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches

Scelsa, Kate

Standalone · Contemporary Romance

Jun-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Long Story Short

Kaylor, Serena

Standalone · Paranormal Romance

Aug-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Medusa

Burton, Jessie

Standalone · Action Adventure

Jan-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Only a Monster

Len, Vanessa

Monsters Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Feb-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Our Crooked Hearts

Albert, Melissa

Standalone · Fantasy

Jul-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Red Palace

Hur, June

Standalone · Mystery

Jan-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman

Lee, Kristen R.

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2023 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Silent Unseen

McCrina, Amanda

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet

Ferguson, Jen

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Sunbearer Trials

Thomas, Aiden

The Sunbearer Duology Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Sep-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

This Rebel Heart

Locke, Katherine

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

Three Kisses, One Midnight

Chokshi, Roshani

Standalone · Contemporary Romance

Sep-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

We Deserve Monuments

Hammonds, Jas

Standalone · General Fiction

Dec-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Weight of Blood

Jackson, Tiffany D.

Standalone · Mystery

Sep-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

What's Coming to Me

Padilla, Francesca

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

When You Call My Name

Shaw, Tucker

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2022 2022 School Library Journal Best Books *

YOUNG ADULTS

Winner and nominees for the 2022 School Library Journal Best Books YOUNG ADULTS category.

I'm the Girl

Summers, Courtney

Standalone · Mystery

Sep-2022 2022 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

Browse Award Years

2025 Full results 2024 Full results 2023 Full results 2022 Current page 2021 Full results 2020 Full results View all Historical archive