Award year

2025 School Library Journal Best Books Winners

Browse the 2025 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

Graphic Novels

Winner and nominees for the 2025 School Library Journal Best Books Graphic Novels category.

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Almost Sunset

Algarmi, Wahab

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Alyte

Moreau, J?r?mie

Standalone · General Fiction

Nov-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Cabin Head and Tree Head

Campbell, Scott

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Cartoonists Club

Telgemeier, Raina

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Dan in Green Gables: A Graphic Novel: A Modern Reimagining of Anne of Green Gables

Terciero, Rey

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Dream On

Hale, Shannon

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Flip Side: A Graphic Novel

Walz, Jason

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Flip!

Ukazu, Ngozi

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Ghost Town

Colossal, Eric

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

How to Say Goodbye in Cuban

Miyares, Daniel

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

How to Talk to Your Succulent

Persico, Zoe

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Huda F Wants to Know?

Fahmy, Huda

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Hunger's Bite

Robin, Taylor

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

I'm a Dumbo Octopus!

Lambelet, Anne

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus: The Graphic Novel

Park, Barbara

Junie B. Jones Graphic Novels Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Night Light

Emberley, Michael

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Oasis

Guojing

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel

Williams-Garcia, Rita

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Song of a Blackbird

Van Lieshout, Maria

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Stitch Head

Bass, Guy

Stitch Head Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Apr-2013 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

This Place Kills Me: A Graphic Novel

Tamaki, Mariko

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Tuck Everlasting

Babbitt, Natalie

Standalone · Historical

Jan-1975 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Very: Bad at Math

Larson, Hope

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Zilbo's Forest

Benton, Summer

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Manga

Winner and nominees for the 2025 School Library Journal Best Books Manga category.

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The Climber, Vol. 1

Nabeda, Yoshiro

Standalone · Fantasy

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Color of the End: Mission in the Apocalypse, Vol. 1

Iwamune, Haruo

Standalone · Fantasy

Feb-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Cosmos, Vol. 1

Tamura, Ryuhei

Standalone · Fantasy

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Dogsred, Vol. 1

Noda, Satoru

Standalone · Fantasy

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Dragon Quest: The Mark of Erdrick 01

Fujiwara, Kamui

Standalone · Fantasy

Sep-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Failure at God School, Vol. 1

Hyuuga, Natsu

Standalone · Fantasy

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

GAEA-TIMA the Gigantis 1

Kent

Standalone · Fantasy

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Heaven Official's Blessing (The Comic), Volume 1: Tian Guan Ci Fu

Xiu, Mo Xiang Tong

Standalone · Graphic Novel

Dec-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Hikaru in the Light! (Volume 1)

Matsuda, Mai

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

I Wanna Be Your Girl Vol. 1

Takase, Umi

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Kamudo, Vol. 1

Himekawa, Akira

Standalone · Fantasy

Oct-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Minecraft: The Manga, Vol. 1

Seto, Kazuyoshi

Standalone · Fantasy

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

My Life as an Internet Novel Vol. 1

Hyeon, A.

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Orisha, Volume 1: With Great Power

Umar, Huzayfa

Standalone · Fantasy

Sep-2024 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Phantom Busters, Vol. 1

Neoshoco

Standalone · Fantasy

Oct-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

RuriDragon, Vol. 1

Shindo, Masaoki

Standalone · Fantasy

Jan-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Senpai Is an Otokonoko: My Crossdressing Classmate 1

Pom

Standalone · Fantasy

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Sheeta's Little Big World 1

Kamba, Yuki

Standalone · Fantasy

Sep-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Spacewalking With You 1

Doronoda, Inuhiko

Standalone · Fantasy

Jun-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

A Witch's Life in Mongol, Vol. 1

Soup, Tomato

Standalone · Fantasy

Jun-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Middle Grade

Winner and nominees for the 2025 School Library Journal Best Books Middle Grade category.

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All the Blues in the Sky

Watson, Renee

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Benny on the Case

King, Wesley

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Better to Eat You With

Mejia, Tehlor Kay

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Candace, the Universe, and Everything

Smith, Sherri L.

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Dad Rock Dragon Quest

Reardon, Joan

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Defanged

Edgmon, H.E.

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Dreamslinger

Kim, Graci

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Enemy's Daughter

Blankman, Anne

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez

Paulino, Jasminne

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

How to Free a Jinn

Idil, Raidah Shah

Standalone · General Fiction

Nov-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Ink Witch

Cherrywell, Steph

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom

Wolf, Allan

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli

Glaser, Karina Yan

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Octopus Moon

Pyron, Bobbie

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Please Pay Attention

Sumner, Jamie

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Pocket Bear

Applegate, Katherine

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Poetry of Car Mechanics

Stemple, Heidi E.Y.

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Queen Bees of Tybee County

Chu, Kyle Casey

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Radiant

Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Smoke & Mirrors

Ransaw, Rosalyn

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Starry, Starry Heist

Briner, Karen

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Tear Collector

Romero, R.M.

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Trouble with Heroes

Messner, Kate

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Vanya and the Wild Hunt

Mandanna, Sangu

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

A World Worth Saving

Lukoff, Kyle

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Picture Books

Winner and nominees for the 2025 School Library Journal Best Books Picture Books category.

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Aggie and the Ghost

Forsythe, Matthew

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Anything

Stead, Rebecca

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Arguers

Luyken, Corinna

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Bear Out There

Hannigan, Jess

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World)

Tabor, Corey R.

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Don't Trust Fish!

Sharpson, Neil

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Every Monday Mabel

Awan, Jashar

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Fig Tree

Manoli, Costantia

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Fireworks

Burgess, Matthew

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Good Golden Sun

Wenzel, Brendan

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Let's Be Bees

Harris, Shawn

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Menudo Sunday

Aguila, Maria Dolores

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Moon Song

Goade, Michaela

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

New

Mata, Nina

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Nightsong

Han, Sally Soweol

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Old Blue Is My Home

Judge, Lita

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Our Lake

Kang, Angie

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

A Place for Us

Ransome, James

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Sparrow

Tebo, Mary

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Sundust

Pena, Zeke

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

To See an Owl

Cordell, Matthew

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

We Are Already Haunting Here!

Sterer, Gideon

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Witch in the Tower

Sarda, Julia

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Transitional

Winner and nominees for the 2025 School Library Journal Best Books Transitional category.

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The Bad Idea and Other Stories

Pizzoli, Greg

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Big Splash

Ahn, Angela

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Bulldozer Goes to School

Broach, Elise

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Elena Camps

Medina, Juana

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Henry's Picture-Perfect Day

Bailey, Jenn

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Love from Anna Hibiscus!

Atinuke

Anna Hibiscus Series · Book 7 · General Fiction

Apr-2015 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

One Beaded Earring

Skene, Pat Lamondin

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Owlets and Tarts

Rylant, Cynthia

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Summer of the Bone Horses

Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Super Ty!

Lyons, Kelly Starling

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Truth about the Tooth Fairy

Cypess, Leah

Miriam's Magical Creature Files Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Unlikely Aventuras of Ramon and El Cucuy

Higuera, Donna Barba

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

We Dig Fossils

Agostini, Alliah L.

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Zoomi and Zoe and the Sibling Situation

Haydu, Corey Ann

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Young Adult

Winner and nominees for the 2025 School Library Journal Best Books Young Adult category.

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(S)Kin

Zoboi, Ibi

Standalone · Science Fiction / Fantasy

Feb-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe

Browne, Mahogany L.

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe

Lee, C.B.

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Coldwire

Gong, Chloe

The StrangeLoom Trilogy Series · Book 1 · Science Fiction

Nov-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Corruption of Hollis Brown

Ancrum, K.

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Dead of Summer

La Sala, Ryan

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Donut Summer

Kelly, Anita

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Everything Is Poison

McCullough, Joy

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Fable for the End of the World

Reid, Ava

Standalone · Science Fiction / Fantasy

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Hazelthorn

Drews, C.G.

Standalone · Science Fiction / Fantasy

Nov-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The House Saphir

Meyer, Marissa

Standalone · Science Fiction / Fantasy

Nov-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

I Am the Swarm

Chewins, Hayley

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Lady's Knight

Kaufman, Amie; Spooner, Meagan

Knight Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Jun-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Leaving Room

McBride, Amber

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Let Them Stare

Van Ness, Jonathan

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Make Me a Monster

Bayron, Kalynn

Standalone · Science Fiction / Fantasy

Oct-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Otherwhere Post

Taylor, Emily J.

Standalone · Science Fiction / Fantasy

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Romance Rivalry

Lee, Susan

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Rose Bargain

Smith, Sasha Peyton

The Rose Bargain Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Feb-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Scammer

Jackson, Tiffany D.

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Sisters in the Wind

Boulley, Angeline

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Sunrise on the Reaping

Collins, Suzanne

Hunger Games Series · Book 0.2 · Dystopian

Mar-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

The Thrashers

Soto, Julie

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

Up in Smoke

Brooks, Nick

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 2025 School Library Journal Best Books *

When We Ride

Ogle, Rex

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 2025 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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