Now then, we shall speak of books—those marvellous vessels of wonder that make libraries the very best sort of places in all the world. For those splendid souls who tend to school libraries (and there are no finer guardians of young imaginations), we have gathered here the most distinguished volumes deserving of your attention in 2026.
From glittering award winners to tales that shall set young hearts racing with adventure, these are the books your students shall demand, your shelves shall proudly hold, and your recommendation lists shall celebrate most triumphantly.
The Wendy by Erin Michelle Sky and Steven Brown
If one must begin somewhere—and one must, for that is how stories work—then let us begin with The Wendy, a Peter Pan retelling of such magnificent quality that readers have declared it possesses all the markings of a classic.
Here is a Wendy Darling unlike any you have met before: an orphan girl in 1780s England who dreams of captaining her own ship and sailing the seven seas. She is tough and determined, clever and brave, with expressive eyebrows that communicate entire volumes. The narrative voice itself becomes a character—witty, charming, and wonderfully conversational, rather like someone telling you a most excellent story by firelight.
This is no ordinary fairy tale retelling, for it weaves meticulous historical research into an adventure filled with magic that tastes like pickles (yes, truly) and smells of green. Captain Hook appears as a worthy adversary, Peter Pan remains as mysterious and unpredictable as he ought to be, and Wendy emerges as the sort of heroine young readers deserve—strong yet caring, ambitious yet kind. Reviewers have called it “the best YA fiction in years” and proclaimed that both teenagers and their parents shall find themselves utterly captivated.
The complete Tales of the Wendy trilogy is now available, with The Navigator and The Captain continuing Wendy’s remarkable journey.
The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly
The 2025 Newbery Medal winner—and what a triumph it is! Erin Entrada Kelly has become only the seventh author in the award’s distinguished history to win the Newbery Medal twice, and this time-travel tale about twelve-year-old Michael Rosario in 1999 Delaware demonstrates precisely why.
When a disoriented teenage boy appears seemingly from nowhere, Michael’s ordinary life of Y2K worries and unrequited crushes transforms into something extraordinary. The novel explores friendship, family, and the peculiar magic of moments when everything changes. It stands proudly alongside the time-travel tradition of Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time and Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me.
The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser
The Chicago Public Library selected this as their Mock Newbery winner for 2026, and one can readily understand why. Two children separated by twelve centuries—Han Yu in 731 CE China and Luli in 1931 New York City—face danger and adventure in this magnificent dual narrative.
Kirkus Reviews praised its “highly suspenseful” pacing and called it “a vibrant love letter to Chinese culture, food, history, poetry, and art.” BookPage declared it “a vibrant masterpiece, not to be missed.” For school libraries seeking historical fiction with heart and scope, this is the very thing.
The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller
From the Newbery Honor-winning author of Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All comes this heartfelt middle school novel about Luna, a bookish seventh-grader navigating the treacherous waters of popularity, friendship, and finding one’s voice.
When Luna’s homemade zines catch the attention of the in-crowd, she must decide how much of herself she’s willing to compromise. Kirkus gave it a starred review, calling it “authentic and raw” with “the makings of a modern classic.” Compare it to Judy Blume’s beloved work, and you shall not be far wrong.
Restart by Gordon Korman
What happens when a bully loses his memory and must discover who he was—and who he might become? This powerful middle grade novel has won a constellation of state awards and remains a perennial favourite for social-emotional learning discussions.
Chase Ambrose wakes in hospital remembering nothing, then gradually uncovers the rather unpleasant person he used to be. School Library Journal gave it a starred review, calling it “a fresh approach to the familiar topic of bullying” with “typical Korman humor and just the right touch of mystery.” Essential for any middle grade collection.
The Winter of the Dollhouse by Laura Amy Schlitz
The Newbery Medal-winning author of Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! returns with a fantasy about eleven-year-old Tiphany, an antique doll named Gretel, and an old lady who might possibly be a witch. Their worlds intertwine in ways none of them expect.
Publishers Weekly awarded it a starred review for its “intricately detailed and nuanced characters,” while The Horn Book praised it as “a great choice for readers who like dollhouses, English bulldogs, and the intriguing possibility of fantasy worlds that hide in plain sight.”
The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall
The National Book Award-winning author of the beloved Penderwicks series delivers a middle grade fantasy about eleven-year-old Gwen, who discovers that the children’s section of her great-uncle’s library houses the Lahdukan—small, winged people with turquoise hair who desperately need her help.
Three starred reviews herald this as a tender, magical tale. School Library Journal notes that “Birdsall is so adept at magical realism that after finishing this book, readers will likely keep an eye out for fairylike creatures the next time they visit a museum or library.” Rather perfect for school libraries, wouldn’t you say?
Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate
An instant New York Times Bestseller from the author of The One and Only Ivan, this tale follows a tiny stuffed bear who was made during World War I to fit in a soldier’s pocket. Now, over a century later, he serves as mayor of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured.
Publishers Weekly praised this “treasure of a book” for evoking “laughter, tears, and introspection in equal measure,” while School Library Journal called it “powerful” in its exploration of “the vitality of empathy, the long-lasting effects of war, and the power of found family.”
The Mighty Macy by Kwame Alexander
The Newbery Medal-winning author of The Crossover delivers a novel in verse about Macy, who discovers her school library will only be open a few days a week due to budget cuts—and decides to take action.
School Library Journal gave it a starred review, calling it “tender and powerful” and “a love letter to school libraries and celebration of creative pursuits.” Horn Book praised it similarly. One suspects school librarians everywhere shall find this tale particularly resonant.
Chooch Helped by Andrea Rogers, Illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz
The 2025 Caldecott Medal winner tells the story of little brother Chooch, who wants to help with everything his Cherokee family does—painting murals, sewing moccasins, planting gardens. Rebecca Lee Kunz’s watercolor, gouache, and collage illustrations earned her the distinction of being the first Cherokee artist to win this award.
For picture book collections seeking both artistic excellence and meaningful representation, this belongs on every shelf.
Building Your 2026 Collection
The ALA Youth Media Awards announcement on January 26, 2026, shall reveal the official Newbery and Caldecott winners, along with numerous honor books. Until then, these titles represent the finest options for school library collections seeking adventure, heart, and literary distinction.
From Peter Pan retellings to time-travel tales, from verse novels celebrating libraries to picture books honouring Cherokee traditions, these books shall transform your shelves into exactly what every school library ought to be: a place where every child can find their next great adventure.
