May/June 2022 Kids Indie Next List
#1 Pick
I Kissed Shara Wheeler: A Novel
Casey McQuiston (Wednesday Books)
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“Casey McQuiston is at their absolute best in this charming YA caper. It’s fun, queer, smart, and a perfect summer read. If you love scavenger hunts, runaway prom queens, Taco Bell, and young queer self-discovery, this is your book!”
— Julia DeVarti, Books Are Magic, Brooklyn, NY
Picture Books
![Cover Image for Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness](https://images.booksense.com/images/912/067/9780063067912.jpg)
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“Who has not envied the delightfully simple life of a dog? Being a Dog is an engaging way to introduce young children to the idea of mindfulness. Kids will love the cute illustrations and easy instructions to be like their furry friends!”
— Jessica Baker, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
![Cover Image for Donut: The Unicorn Who Wants to Fly](https://images.booksense.com/images/256/376/9780593376256.jpg)
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“This is such a cute picture book about dreams and perseverance! The illustrations are adorable and add so much to the written story. I cannot wait to read this one to my preschoolers at story time.”
— Anna Brown, Katy Budget Books, Houston, TX
![Cover Image for Francis Discovers Possible](https://images.booksense.com/images/100/749/9781419749100.jpg)
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“As kids, words that give you power can be turned into weapons of self-doubt in an instant. This is a beautiful fat-positive book that really resonated with me. I love Francis!”
— Suzanna Hermans, Oblong Books, Millerton, NY
![Cover Image for Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son](https://images.booksense.com/images/273/469/9781534469273.jpg)
By John Parra, John Parra
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
“A beautifully illustrated story by John Parra on his inspiration to become an artist. This tender rendering of his landscape architect father’s work brings simplicity, joy in doing, and a passion for plants to a new level. Exquisite!”
— Maureen Palacios, Once Upon a Time, Montrose, CA
![Cover Image for I Am Quiet: A Story for the Introvert in All of Us](https://images.booksense.com/images/848/809/9781611809848.jpg)
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“I've never read a book that so beautifully captures what it’s like to be an introvert. Quiet is not always shyness, but perhaps something more, something open. A gift to all children (and adults) who grapple with quietness in a loud world.”
— Amy Lane, Bards Alley, Vienna, VA
![Cover Image for I Was Born a Baby](https://images.booksense.com/images/217/157/9780063157217.jpg)
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“What a delightful and fun book! I had a great time learning about all of the names we have for baby animals. This book is the perfect gift for a baby shower or an emerging reader.”
— Cassidy Ochs, Lark and Owl Booksellers, Georgetown, TX
![Cover Image for Little Houses](https://images.booksense.com/images/721/965/9780062965721.jpg)
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“As always, Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek deliver a superb picture book that will delight little ones with promises of the beach and wax nostalgic for adults. A gorgeously told story of keeping wonder alive. I want to live in this book.”
— Katie Fransen, The Novel Neighbor, Webster Groves, MO
![Cover Image for A Mouthful of Minnows](https://images.booksense.com/images/225/093/9780063093225.jpg)
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“With sacrifice and heroism reinforced by adventure and storytelling, A Mouthful of Minnows develops Alfonso the turtle much like a child. An exciting story with great illustrations showing that the cream still rises to the top.”
— Robin Gross, Books on the Square, Providence, RI
![Cover Image for Pineapple Princess](https://images.booksense.com/images/367/798/9781250798367.jpg)
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“A hilarious picture book that will keep both parents and children entertained, while also opening the door for discussions of why wanting something doesn’t mean it’s always the best idea.”
— Jill Hendrix, Fiction Addiction, Greenville, SC
![Cover Image for Punky Aloha](https://images.booksense.com/images/236/079/9780063079236.jpg)
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“Punky Aloha’s special sunglasses help her overcome her shyness to ‘be helpful; be giving; be brave.’ A great story on how to be brave and grow. Shar Tuiasoa’s warm and round illustrations add softness to this sweet, empowering story.”
— Tildy Lutts, Belmont Books, Belmont, MA
Middle Grade
![Cover Image for Cress Watercress](https://images.booksense.com/images/009/211/9781536211009.jpg)
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“Cress Watercress shows us how to meet new challenges head-on, with plenty of witty humor, determination, whimsical adventure, and friendship. With timeless woodland charm, this book is sure to be a friend to many and a comfort to all.”
— Allison Cruse, Narrow Gauge Book Cooperative, Alamosa, CO
![Cover Image for The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza](https://images.booksense.com/images/087/084/9780063084087.jpg)
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“With his trademark voice and Shawn Harris’ spot on illustrations, Mac Barnett tells the action-packed story of a cat, a princess, and a toenail-clipping robot saving the moon from rats set on destroying it. Kids will clamor for more!”
— Diane Capriola, Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, GA
![Cover Image for Hunters of the Lost City](https://images.booksense.com/images/898/692/9781683692898.jpg)
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“Hunters of the Lost City is a story that will keep you enthralled until the very last page. Full of friendship, mystery, magic, and monsters, this story of a strong young girl trying to save all she loves is a ride you won't ever want to end!”
— Marielle Orff, Towne Book Center & Cafe, Collegeville, PA
![Cover Image for The Last Mapmaker](https://images.booksense.com/images/957/204/9781536204957.jpg)
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“Sai is a great, relatable heroine. So many strong female characters, both friend and foe — who can she trust? Soontornvat builds a remarkably vivid world and keeps the surprises coming until the end. An incredible middle grade fantasy.”
— Christina Batten, Schuler Books (Grand Rapids), Grand Rapids, MI
![Cover Image for The Problem with Prophecies (The Celia Cleary Series #1)](https://images.booksense.com/images/578/903/9781665903578.jpg)
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“This story is so fun and charming! I love Celia — she’s spirited, stubborn, compassionate, and so easy to root for. The action is gripping, and the plot is exciting. I had tons of fun reading this, and I’m looking forward to the next book!”
— Jenny Ancik, Best of Books, Edmond, OK
![Cover Image for Small Town Pride](https://images.booksense.com/images/782/118/9780063118782.jpg)
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“A young gay teenager meets small-town politics when trying to start the village’s first Pride festival. An important book about feeling comfortable in your hometown, and showing that there are queer kids everywhere!”
— Elizabeth Rennert, The Concord Bookshop, Concord, MA
![Cover Image for Swim Team](https://images.booksense.com/images/763/056/9780063056763.jpg)
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“What a fun graphic novel! I really liked the relatable moments in the book — self-doubt, relocating to a new town, starting a new school — and learned so much about swimming and segregation in the Black community. A win on so many levels!”
— Sara Rishforth, Roundabout Books, Bend, OR
![Cover Image for Wildseed Witch (Book 1)](https://images.booksense.com/images/613/755/9781419755613.jpg)
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“Wildseed Witch is a captivating coming-of-age story filled with magic, technology, and the unexpected. Hasani’s struggles to fit in and use magic for good are real and relatable. I loved the characters, and I hope this becomes a series!”
— Lorilee Sugden, Linden Tree Children's Books, Los Altos, CA
![Cover Image for Witchlings](https://images.booksense.com/images/528/745/9781338745528.jpg)
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“I adore Ortega and her writing. This is the perfect middle grade read for those who want quirky characters (toads with mustaches), a haunting setting, and an impossible task that will make you keep reading to find out what happens next!”
— Sierra Dertinger, Main Street Books (MO), St. Charles, MO
![Cover Image for Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor](https://images.booksense.com/images/706/900/9781665900706.jpg)
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“Zachary Ying is a whirlwind adventure jam-packed with folklore, action, and memes! This middle grade novel shoots a magical qi arrow right at the nexus of sci-fi and fantasy and hits. Full of heart and wit, I was hanging off of every word!”
— Jess Cooper, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH
Young Adult
![Cover Image for An Arrow to the Moon](https://images.booksense.com/images/055/464/9780316464055.jpg)
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“In a quaint Northeastern town in the 1990s, Luna and Hunter live just a forest apart. When they meet, everything changes in a flash of light. Woven with Chinese folklore and magical realism, An Arrow to the Moon will take your breath away.”
— Mary Wahlmeier, Raven Book Store, Lawrence, KS
![Cover Image for Family of Liars: The Prequel to We Were Liars](https://images.booksense.com/images/859/485/9780593485859.jpg)
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“What a pack of lies! I loved it. This beautiful, close-knit, proper family is not at all what they seem. They are none of those things and yet they are those things and more. This is even better than We Were Liars.”
— Heather Weirich-Roy, Gibson's Bookstore, Concord, NH
![Cover Image for Forging Silver into Stars](https://images.booksense.com/images/123/609/9781547609123.jpg)
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“Brigid Kemmerer has done it again. Forging Silver into Stars is the perfect mix of characters we know and love from her Cursebreakers series and new characters to fall in love with for the first time. I couldn’t have enjoyed it more.”
— Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books, New Orleans, LA
![Cover Image for The Ghosts of Rose Hill](https://images.booksense.com/images/380/633/9781682633380.jpg)
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“This is a stunning read! The Ghosts of Rose Hill is the moving story of a teenage girl sent to live with her aunt in Prague, and the magic, romance, and dangers encountered there. Romero has composed a heartbreaking tale in elegant verse.”
— John Lynn, The Kennett Bookhouse, Kennett Square, PA
![Cover Image for Hollow Fires](https://images.booksense.com/images/642/282/9780316282642.jpg)
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“I was immediately consumed with the power and uniqueness of this novel. A timely topic portrayed in profound writing, told from the viewpoint of a young boy who was killed and the young woman who found his body. This is truly beautiful.”
— Kappy Kling, HearthFire Books, Evergreen, CO
![Cover Image for The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School](https://images.booksense.com/images/234/060/9780063060234.jpg)
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“You can always tell when a story is so personal to the person who wrote it and The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School is one of the best examples of this. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, and I read the last page with the biggest smile on my face.”
— Miranda McGowan, An Unlikely Story, Plainville, MA
![Cover Image for Love Radio](https://images.booksense.com/images/153/908/9781665908153.jpg)
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“Can DJ Love, a teenage expert on love with his own radio show, take his own advice and build a relationship with the girl of his dreams? Detroit and R&B classics mix with characters you’ll fall in love with. A romcom with depth and so much fun!”
— Susan Williams, M. Judson Booksellers & Storytellers, Greenville, SC
![Cover Image for She Gets the Girl](https://images.booksense.com/images/797/493/9781534493797.jpg)
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“She Gets the Girl is an opposites-attract queer romance between two college freshman struggling to figure out their lives. Alex and Molly’s friendship and growing feelings made this an unputdownable story with all the warm fuzzies.”
— Becky Martone, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison, CT
![Cover Image for Sofi and the Bone Song](https://images.booksense.com/images/368/484/9781534484368.jpg)
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“A musical fantasy, a magical mystery, a lyrical love story — Sofi and the Bone Song is a gorgeous, wintry novel that does it all. Readers who love soft, sweet coming-of-age stories with clever fantasy worldbuilding will find a home here.”
— Kiersten Frost, Brookline Booksmith, Brookline, MA
![Cover Image for Tokyo Dreaming: A Novel (Tokyo Ever After #2)](https://images.booksense.com/images/632/766/9781250766632.jpg)
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“Tokyo Dreaming is the satisfying sequel to Tokyo Ever After. Izumi and her mother think they finally found their happily ever after, but nothing is easy when it comes to being royalty. How much of themselves are they willing to sacrifice?”
— Nicole Lintemuth, Bettie's Pages, Lowell, MI
More Indie Next Lists
- July 2024 Indie Next List
- Summer 2024 Reading Group Indie Next List
- July/August 2024 Kids Indie Next List
- June 2024 Indie Next List
- May 2024 Indie Next List
- May/June 2024 Kids Indie Next List
- April 2024 Indie Next List
- Spring 2024 Reading Group Indie Next List
- March 2024 Indie Next List
- March/April 2024 Kids Indie Next List