September/October 2024 Kids Indie Next List
#1 Pick
Impossible Creatures
Katherine Rundell, Ashley Mackenzie (Knopf Books for Young Readers)
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“Katherine Rundell takes us on an extraordinary journey that taps into the deep magic of fantasy storytelling. Reminiscent of C. S. Lewis, with evocative layers of myth and legend. Once you start this adventure, you won’t be able to stop.”
— Jessica Hahl, Books Inc., San Francisco, CA
Picture Books
By Josh Funk, Brendan Kearney
Union Square Kids
“As raucous as the first Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, Josh Funk continues to bring epic scope and adventure to picture books. Brendan Kearney’s fun and vibrant illustrations of everything from French toast to cutlery will charm your socks off.”
— Justin Colussy-Estes, Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, GA
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“Bookie and Cookie are best friends that like their own side of the page. Cookie does not like to leave his page, while Bookie is willing to try. Bookie shares the importance of trying something new with his friend. A fun story for littles.”
— Margaret Shields, Morgenstern Books, Bloomington, IN
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“What happens when a dictionary becomes a story? As characters begin jumping off the page, chaos and hilarity ensue! With Oliver Jeffers’ signature art style, kids and parents will eagerly turn the pages of this very silly, entertaining book!”
— Rene Holderman, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA
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“I love this man, these animals, and this story. Perfect for animal lovers and people who don’t think they like animals (wink wink). The origin story we didn’t know we needed.”
— Rebecca Crosswhite, Rediscovered Books, Boise, ID
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“Adorable! With beautiful illustrations that I’m sure will captivate the imagination of many littles, and a story that is heartwarming and so kind in its conversation about change! I can’t wait to add this title to my little’s shelf!”
— Elizabeth Bosscher, Schuler Books (Grand Rapids), Grand Rapids, MI
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“Fantastical and beautiful. The Strangest Fish is an excellent book about friendship. Daisy wins October, the strangest fish, at the fair and tries her best to take care of them. A book you will want to read over and over.”
— Michelle Weiler, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC
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“I love Briony May Smith. Tiny Jenny does not disappoint! This is just the way you imagined fairies lived when you were little. These illustrations are absolutely charming. It’s everything you want in a great children’s book!”
— Marya Johnston, Out West Books, Grand Junction, CO
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“As a human, this book resonated with me. X. Fang has the best illustrations out there right now. I love the warmth she adds to each drawing. Her books are a blast, and I’m excited to see this one. Each book feels like a classic.”
— Claire Margetts, Weller Book Works, Salt Lake City, UT
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“A sweet and thoughtful story reminding us that not all messes are bad. They are often the result of joyful creative moments that bring us together — a wonderful lesson for children and parents alike.”
— Kaitlyn Reed, Read Between the Lynes, Woodstock, IL
By Katherine Rundell, Sara Ogilvie
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
“Is there anyone who can resist a plucky zebra with zig-zaggy stripes and an adventurous girl who will go the extra mile to right a wrong? This fun story with beautiful illustrations from Sara Ogilvie is sure to be a favorite for years to come!”
— Mary Patterson, The Little Bookshop, Midlothian, VA
Middle Grade
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“On the day of a very important futbol game — as the only girl on the boys’ team — Val aka ‘Magic’ is side-swiped by her first period. So launches the story of how to be a proud female and stand your ground when challenged by authority, family, or circumstances. Excellent!”
— Kathleen Johnson, Roundabout Books, Bend, OR
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“A sweet graphic novel. Watching Tara learn to navigate high school and experience her first crush was a complete joy. Hunsinger does an amazing job depicting the all-encompassing feeling of a first crush and all of the anxiety that comes with it.”
— Izzy Zox, Back Cove Books, Portland, ME
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“This is the book version of that prickly hair-on-end feeling you get when you just know something is watching you. The first middle grade novel that has left me unsettled in quite a long time, and through a refreshingly unique protagonist.”
— Katie Pionk, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey, MI
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“A poignant, moving story about a Japanese American girl living in Japan during WWII. Introduces a rarely seen point-of-view that challenges much of what we’ve learned about Japan during the war. A must-read for its history and character complexity.”
— Chris Abouzeid, Belmont Books, Belmont, MA
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“I was instantly delighted by The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night. Banbury does such a beautiful job creating a cozy-yet-lightly-spooky world. I felt transported to the Fall of my dreams. I can’t wait to make everyone I know read this book!”
— Nancy Eyre, Powell's Books, Portland, OR
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“A laugh-out-loud mystery with a little rule-breaking and characters to love. Al Capone’s treasure and a suspicious CEO keep the action fast-paced. The Sherlock Society series will rocket to the top of middle school must-read lists.”
— Jamie McCauley, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison, CT
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“This is a sweet and offbeat mystery about a missing painting, a ghost, and a turtle who dreams of drawing. A story about being seen and the power of art, this book is Jasmine Warga at her most charming.”
— Melissa Taylor, E. Shaver, Bookseller, Savannah, GA
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“Taxi Ghost is a great book for readers who wish they could communicate with ghosts like Adèle, and who stand up for the preservation of their neighborhood. The characters were so vibrant and loveable, and we love the celebration of periods!”
— Paige McWilliams, Carmichael's Bookstore, Louisville, KY
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“Having to start out somewhere new in the middle of high school can be tough, but with some friends by your side, you can make it through! Having more books about sports is always a win in my book. For those who enjoy sports and books based on true events.”
— Megan Green, Three Avenues Bookshop, Chicago, IL
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“Alice Hoffman’s When We Flew Away offers a poignant, vivid reimagining of Anne Frank’s life during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Hoffman creates a heart-wrenching narrative that honors Anne Frank’s legacy and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of remembering the past.”
— Jessie Fischer, The Book Nook (NY), Saranac Lake, NY
Young Adult
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“Ash’s Cabin is reminiscent of Hatchet or My Side of the Mountain. Ash finds themself alone in the woods seeking out their grandfather’s secret wilderness cabin. As someone who also dreams of escaping to the woods, I loved living in Ash’s world. This is a profound story that will appeal to any age.”
— Noah Ford, PRINT: A Bookstore, Portland, ME
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“Aiden Thomas could write a phonebook and I would read it and ask for more. Thomas excels at taking real world issues and making them both relatable and nuanced enough for younger audiences to digest without losing the heart of things. I cannot recommend this duology enough.”
— Miracle Lucketti, Ballast Book Company, Bremerton, WA
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“I love White’s writing with a passion and this book is no different: a tour de force of pain and joy. A powerful read that will make you stand up and fight for a future out from under the boot of capitalism and class warfare. Don’t hesitate to pick up this amazing novel.”
— Alicia Jessmon, Left Bank Books, St. Louis, MO
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“It starts with a malfunctioning petrichor candle. Soon, the house is up in flames — and so are Marlowe’s summer plans. With singular, dry wit, and sinister disquiet, Johnson crafts a novel with such suspenseful foreboding that you’ll be racing with shaking fingers to the end.”
— Emily Gilbow, House of Books, Kent, CT
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“The YA Vampire Dark Academia novel of my dreams! This was so thrilling, engaging, and fun. Vampire novels can feel overdone and repetitive, but this one felt anything but that. So irresistible, interesting, and a good time to read.”
— Mirna Villeda, Timbre Books, Ventura, CA
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“I loved this book! The art is fantastic and cute. I adored the story line of Morgana and Oz; it seemed simple but I loved how it flushed into this complex world. A 10/10!”
— Kimmy Rocca, Your Brother's Bookstore, Evansville, IN
By Ransom Riggs
Dutton Books for Young Readers
“An exceptionally engaging novel and fantastic set up to a larger fantasy series. Sunderworld features a main character you desperately want to see win, and a unique, fantastical world that interacts with the ‘real’ world similarly to I Saw the TV Glow. Can't wait to continue!”
— Mallory Sutton, Bards Alley, Vienna, VA
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“The Thirteenth Child is infused with all of the grim beauty of its muse, ‘Godfather Death’, while preserving the slow burn romance, found family, persevering heroine I’ve come to love in young adult fantasy. This is the perfect spooky fall read!”
— Tori Finklea, Union Avenue Books, Knoxville, TN
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“Hold on to your seats! This dark thriller has it all: a fast-paced adventure in the tunnels under Paris filled with long-dead bodies, broken friendships, ghoulish hunters, and enough action to keep you flipping the pages. Keep the lights on!”
— Maureen Palacios, Once Upon a Time, Montrose, CA
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“An epic generations-spanning, fabulist family saga full of young love, heartbreak, trauma and the disastrous-yet-joyful experience of being human. A massive, addictive, loving piece of literature that took over my life in the most beautiful way.”
— Reilly Hadden, Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, VT
More Indie Next Lists
- April 2025 Indie Next List
- Spring 2025 Reading Group Indie Next List
- March 2025 Indie Next List
- March/April 2025 Kids Indie Next List
- February 2025 Indie Next List
- January 2025 Indie Next List
- Winter 2025 Reading Group Indie Next List
- January/February 2025 Kids Indie Next List
- Winter 2024 Reading Group Indie Next List
- December 2024 Indie Next List