Best Books of the Year
Menu

School Library Journal

School Library Journal Best Books of the Year 2023

School Library Journal Best Books of the Year 2023 names 179 books across 9 categories. 55 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Chapter Books

  1. A Pie for Us!: An Acorn Book by Vicky Fangsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Ali the Great and the Market Mishap by Saadia Faruqisource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Baking with Mi Abuelita by Julissa Morasource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Elena Rides by Juana Medinasource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Evergreen by Matthew Cordellsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Frankie and Friends: Breaking News by Christine Plattsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Graduation Day! by Candice Ransomsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Henry, Like Always by Jenn Baileysource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Jo Jo Makoons: Snow Day by Dawn Quigleysource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Nat the Cat Takes a Bath by Jarrett Lernersource (opens in a new tab)
  11. See the Ghost: Three Stories About Things You Cannot See by David LaRochellesource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Mystery of the Painted Fan by Linda Trinhsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink by Shannon Hale and Dean Halesource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The Rescues Finding Home by Tommy Greenwald and Charlie Greenwaldsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Royal Recipe: A Purim Story by Elana Rubinsteinsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Who Will Win? by Arihhonni Davidsource (opens in a new tab)

Graphic Novels

  1. 83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary by Don Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A First Time for Everything by Dan Santatsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Batcat by Meggie Rammsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Constellations by Kate Glasheensource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Cooking with Monsters: The Beginner’s Guide to Culinary Combat by Jordan Alsaqasource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Eerie Tales from the School of Screams by Graham Annablesource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Phamsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Garvey’s Choice: The Graphic Novel by Nikki Grimessource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Ghost Book by Remy Laisource (opens in a new tab)
  10. In Limbo by Deb JJ Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Mabuhay! by Zachary Sterlingsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Mexikid by Pedro Martínsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story by Sarah Myersource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life by Emma Steinkellnersource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tangsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Pardalita by Joana Estrela, translated by Lyn Miller-Lachmannsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Saving H’Non: Chang and the Elephant by Trang Nguyen and Jeet Zdũng, translated by Trang Nguyen & Jeet Zdũngsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. School Trip by Jerry Craftsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Shakti by SJ Sindusource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Squire & Knight by Scott Chantlersource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosoczkasource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Team Trash: A Time Traveler’s Guide to Sustainability by Kate Wheeler and Trent Huntingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. The Talk by Darrin Bellsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Things in the Basement by Ben Hatkesource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohensource (opens in a new tab)

Manga

  1. Akane-banashi, Vol. 1 by Yuki Suenagasource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Call the Name of the Night, Vol. 1 by Tama Mitsuboshisource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Glitch, Vol. 1 by Shima Shinyasource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom by Nao Iwamotosource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Lovely Muco! Vol. 1 by Takayuki Mizushinasource (opens in a new tab)
  6. March Comes in Like a Lion, Vol. 1 by Chica Uminosource (opens in a new tab)
  7. My Clueless First Friend, Vol. 1 by Taku Kawamurasource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Spider-Man: Fake Red by Yusuke Osawasource (opens in a new tab)
  9. The Darwin Incident, Vol. 1 by Shun Umezawasource (opens in a new tab)
  10. The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 1 by Mokumokurensource (opens in a new tab)

Middle Grade

  1. A Spoonful of Time by Flora Ahnsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne Mendezsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Dear Mothman by Robin Gowsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Ellie Engle Saves Herself by Leah Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Finally Seen by Kelly Yangsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyattsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Greenwild: The World Behind the Door by Pari Thomsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Hamra and the Jungle of Memories by Hanna Alkafsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. It Found Us by Lindsay Curriesource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Leeva at Last by Sara Pennypackersource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Lei and the Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakeasource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  13. No Place Like Home by James Birdsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Opinions and Opossums by Ann Bradensource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Run for Your Life by Jane Mitchellsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bowsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Girl from Earth’s End by Tara Dairmansource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Lost Year: A Survival Story of the Ukrainian Famine by Katherine Marshsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayerisource (opens in a new tab)
  20. The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everettsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura by Waka T. Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. We Still Belong by Christine Daysource (opens in a new tab)
  23. What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarskisource (opens in a new tab)
  24. What Stays Buried by Suzanne Youngsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Will on the Inside by Andrew Eliopulossource (opens in a new tab)
  26. World Made of Glass by Ami Polonskysource (opens in a new tab)

Nonfiction Elementary

  1. Fungi Grow by Maria Gianferrarisource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Grizzly Bears: Guardians of the Wilderness by Frances Backhousesource (opens in a new tab)
  3. How Birds Sleep by David Obuchowskisource (opens in a new tab)
  4. How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by Carole Boston Weatherfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter by Aida Salazarsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Ketanji Brown Jackson: A Justice for All by Tami Charlessource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm by Lesa Cline-Ransomesource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Making More: How Life Begins by Katherine Roysource (opens in a new tab)
  9. National Monuments of the U.S.A. by Cameron Walkersource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport by Caren Stelsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of by Kirsten W. Larsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The River that Flows Beside Me by Charlotte Guillainsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Virginia Wouldn’t Slow Down: The Unstoppable Dr. Apgar and Her Life-Saving Invention by Carrie A. Pearsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon?: And Other Questions About Moths & Butterflies by Rachel Ignotofskysource (opens in a new tab)
  15. When Moon Became the Moon by Rob Hodgsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. You Are a Story by Bob Raczkasource (opens in a new tab)

Nonfiction Middle to High School

  1. A Long Time Coming: A Lyrical Biography of Race in America from Ona Judge to Barack Obama by Ray Anthony Shepardsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed by Dashka Slatersource (opens in a new tab)
  3. America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History by Ariel Aberg-Rigersource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Breaking the Mold: Changing the Face of Climate Science by Dana Alison Levysource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Doomed: Sacco, Vanzetti & the End of the American Dream by John Florio and Ouisie Shapirosource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Facing the Mountain (Adapted for Young Readers): A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II by Daniel James Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. From Here by Luma Muflehsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe by Steve Sheinkinsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Indigenous Ingenuity: A Celebration of Traditional North American Knowledge by Deidre Havrelock and Edward Kaysource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Just Jerry: How Drawing Shaped My Life by Jerry Pinkneysource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Mission: Arctic: A Scientific Adventure to a Changing North Pole by Katharina Weiss-Tuider, translated by Shelley Tanakasource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Nearer My Freedom: The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano by Himself by Monica Edinger and Lesley Youngesource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Plague-Busters!: Medicine’s Battles with History’s Deadliest Diseases by Lindsey Fitzharris and Adrian Tealsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Race Against Death: The Greatest POW Rescue of World War II by Deborah Hopkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Shipwrecked!: Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor by Martin W. Sandlersource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Stand Up and Speak Out Against Racism by Yassmin Abdel-Magiedsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Big Backyard: The Solar System Beyond Pluto by Ron Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz: A True Story Retold for Young Readers by Jeremy Dronfieldsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity by Nicholas Daysource (opens in a new tab)
  20. The Monkey Trial: John Scopes and the Battle Over Teaching Evolution by Anita Sanchezsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. The Sum of Us (Adapted for Young Readers) by Heather McGheesource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Total Garbage: A Messy Dive into Trash, Waste, and Our World by Rebecca Donnellysource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Unseen Jungle: The Microbes That Secretly Control Our World by Eleanor Spicer Ricesource (opens in a new tab)
  24. We Need to Talk About Vaginas: An Important Book About Vulvas, Periods, Puberty, and Sex! by Allison K. Rodgerssource (opens in a new tab)
  25. What It’s Like to Be a Bird (Adapted for Young Readers): From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing—What Birds Are Doing and Why by David Allen Sibleysource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Where Are the Aliens?: The Search for Life Beyond Earth by Stacy McAnultysource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Who’s Got Mail?: The History of Mail in America by Linda Barrett Osbornesource (opens in a new tab)
  28. You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory by Ruta Sepetyssource (opens in a new tab)

Picture Books

  1. A Human for Kingsley by Gabriel Evanssource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Big by Vashti Harrisonsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Hanukkah Upside Down by Elissa Brent Weissmansource (opens in a new tab)
  4. I’m From by Gary R. Gray Jr.source (opens in a new tab)
  5. Lolo’s Sari-Sari Store by Sophia N. Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Mina Belongs Here by Sandra Niebuhr-Siebertsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Moon’s Ramadan by Natasha Khan Kazisource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Mr. S by Monica Arnaldosource (opens in a new tab)
  9. My Baba’s Garden by Jordan Scottsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. My Bollywood Dream by Avani Dwivedisource (opens in a new tab)
  11. My Grandfather’s Song by Phùng Nguyên Quangsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstromsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Plátanos Go with Everything by Lissette Normansource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Remembering by Xelena Gonzálezsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Something, Someday by Amanda Gormansource (opens in a new tab)
  16. That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Light Within You by Namita Moolani Mehrasource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Tree and the River by Aaron Beckersource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leungsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. There Was a Party For Langston by Jason Reynoldssource (opens in a new tab)
  21. To the Other Side by Erika Mezasource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Tokyo Night Parade by J.P. Takahashisource (opens in a new tab)
  23. We Are Here by Tami Charlessource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Zora, the Story Keeper by Ebony Joy Wilkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  25. ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Read by Raúl the Thirdsource (opens in a new tab)

Poetry

  1. Champion Chompers, Super Stinkers and Other Poems by Extraordinary Animals by Linda Ashmansource (opens in a new tab)
  2. How to Write a Poem by Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaidosource (opens in a new tab)
  3. My Head Has a Bellyache: And More Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups by Chris Harrissource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Remember by Joy Harjosource (opens in a new tab)
  5. The Red Ear Blows Its Nose: Poems for Children and Others by Robert Schechtersource (opens in a new tab)
  6. The Sculptors of Light: Poems About Cuban Women Artists by Margarita Englesource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Wearing My Mother’s Heart by Sophia Thakursource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Welcome to the Wonder House by Rebecca Kai Dotlich and George Heardsource (opens in a new tab)

Young Adult

  1. A Guide to the Dark by Meriam Metouisource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Beholder by Ryan La Salasource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Colesource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Enter the Body by Joy McCulloughsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmonsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertallisource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim by Patricia Parksource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Into the Light by Mark Oshirosource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Just Do This One Thing for Me by Laura Zimmermannsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Painted Devils by Margaret Owensource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Plan A by Deb Calettisource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Ryan and Avery by David Levithansource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Saints of the Household by Ari Tisonsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Spin by Rebecca Caprarasource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Blood Years by Elana K. Arnoldsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Next New Syrian Girl by Ream Shukairysource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Bakersource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph Whitesource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulousource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddingssource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulleysource (opens in a new tab)
  23. We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBridesource (opens in a new tab)
  24. What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañezsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrestsource (opens in a new tab)

About the School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

School Library Journal's annual Best Books list, 2006-2025. Year is the list year (published each November or December). Categories follow the sections SLJ used that year: 2006, 2007 and 2009 were one alphabetical list (category 'Best Books'); 2008 and 2010-2013 used Picture Books, Fiction and Nonfiction; 2014 onward split Fiction into Middle Grade and Young Adult; Chapter Books (SLJ also called it Transitional Chapter Books or Transitional Books) from 2016; Graphic Novels from 2018; Poetry in 2018 and from 2021; Manga (SLJ's Top 10 Manga, linked as a Best Books section) from 2019; Nonfiction split into Nonfiction Elementary and Nonfiction Middle to High School from 2023. A book SLJ placed in two sections appears in both. Excluded: the separately edited Adult Books 4 Teens and Top 10 Graphic Novels lists, and non-book lists (apps, audiobooks, music, DVDs). Sources: slj.com pages; Wayback Machine copies for 2006 (schoollibraryjournal.com), 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016-2017 (slj.com/bestofYYYY microsites), where the live pages no longer carry the list.

Organization: School Library Journal. Official site (opens in a new tab)

The most recommended books of 2023