The New York Public Library Announces Best Books Of 2020 For Kids, Teens, Adults

New York City NY

25 November, 2020

11:56 AM

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Press release from the New York Public Library: November 24 2020 Librarians across the system recommend more than 280 books, including top titles for poetry and Spanish language books for children The New York Public Library announced today our Best Books of 2020 lists. The titles are featured in three lists—100 Best Books for Kids, 50 Best Books for Teens, 100 Best Books for Adults—as well as a curated list of 33 titles for Los Mejores Libros Para Edades 0–12 (Top Books for Ages 0–12) and a top 10 list for poetry. Committees of expert librarians from throughout the Library system selected more than 280 books sorted by genre, format, and age. The complete list of titles for each group is available online at www.nypl.org/bestbooks. The website features category filters that readers can use to find their next favorite book. Categories range from biographies for children and true stories for teens to graphic novels for adults, and more. "2020 brought unexpected challenges around the world, which we have had to face together. Despite these obstacles, the Library and its staff remain committed to our patrons, offering resources, recommendations, and services in new and innovative ways. The Library's Best Books lists reflect an inspiring mixture of the services our readers need from their library. Our Best Books Committees read hundreds of books, sought out titles both physically and digitally, determined to create a great list of books that readers can enjoy despite the difficulties of 2020," said Lynn Lobash, associate director of the Library's Readers Services team, which regularly offers book recommendations to the public via Twitter, Facebook, and podcast. The Library's top 10 titles from each list are (in alphabetical order) : Top 10 Children's Books Black Heroes of the Wild West by James Otis SmithEvelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina, illustrated by Sonia SánchezGo with the Flow by Lily Williams & Karen SchneemannHoneybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric RohmannLand of the Cranes by Aida SalazarMagnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon, illustrated by Kaylani JuanitaPlanet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian, illustrated by Nasaya MafaridikWhen Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson & Omar MohamedWhen You Trap a Tiger by Tae KellerYou Matter by Christian Robinson Los 10 mejores libros para edades 0–12 / Top 10 Books for Ages 0–12 (in Spanish) ¿Cómo lo ves? by Vera GalindoAmigas by Lauren Ace, illustrated by Jenny LovlieLa bañera by Lisa Biggi, illustrated by Paloma CorralLa belleza del final by Alfredo Colella, illustrated by Jorge GonzálezLos carpinchos by Alfredo SoderguitManos a la tierra: Crea tu propio jardín by Kirsten Bradley, illustrated by AitchMi abuelo by Émilie Chazerand, illustrated by Nicolas DuffautMi lazarilla, mi capitán by Gonzalo Moure, illustrated by Maria GirónMúsica en el jardín by Mariana Ruiz JohnsonLos tomates de Mila by Sanne Dufft Top 10 Teen Books All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. JohnsonDisplacement by Kiku HughesLegendborn by Tracy DeonnThe Magic Fish by Trung Le NguyenNot So Pure and Simple by Lamar GilesPoisoned Water: How the Citizens of Flint, Michigan, Fought for Their Lives and Warned the Nation by Candy J. Cooper with Marc AronsonPunching the Air by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef SalaamRaybearer by Jordan IfuekoWe Are Not Free by Traci CheeWe Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez Top 10 Adult Books The City We Became: A Novel by N.K. JemisinHamnet: A Novel of the Plague by Maggie O'FarrellHood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki KendallInterior Chinatown: A Novel by Charles YuThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. SchwabLuster by Raven LeilaniThe Midnight Library by Matt HaigThe Sacrifice of Darkness by Roxane Gay & Tracy Lynne OliverThe Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires: A Novel by Grady HendrixTemporary: A Novel by Hilary Leichter Top 10 Poetry Books Finna: Poems by Nate Marshall Galleons: Poems by Rick BarotGrimoire by Cherene SherrardGut Botany by Petra KuppersHomie by Danez SmithKontemporary Amerikan Poetry by John MurilloMy Baby First Birthday: Poems by Jenny ZhangNail the Evening Hangs On by Monica SokNancy Reagan Collection by Maxe CrandallPostcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz The lists in full are: 100 Best Books for Kids Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Frank MorrisonAll Because You Matter by Tami Charles, illustrated by Bryan CollierAll Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys Soccer Team by Christina SoontornvatAny Day with You by Mae RespicioAstronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani, illustrated by Maris WicksAt the Pond by Geraldo ValerioBear by Ben Queen, illustrated by Joe Todd-StantonA Bear Named Bjorn by Delphine PerretBefore the Ever After by Jacqueline WoodsonBeyond Me by Annie Donwerth-ChikamatsuBig Papa and the Time Machine by Daniel Bernstrom, illustrated by Shane W. EvansBlack Heroes of the Wild West by James Otis SmithBlack Is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy, illustrated by Ekua HolmesThe Blackbird Girls by Anne BlankmanThe Blue House by Phoebe WahlThe Brave by James BirdBrick by Brick by Heidi Woodward SheffieldBringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored An Ecosystem by Jude Isabella, illustrated by Kim SmithBug Boys by Laura KnetzgerCatherine's War by Julie Billet, illustrated by Claire FauvelCity Spies by James PontiCrabapple Trouble by Kaeti VanDornDark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson's Journey to the Stars by Gary Golio, illustrated by E.B. LewisThe Deep & Dark Blue by Niki SmithDrawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Josh CochranEfrén Divided by Ernesto CisnerosEmbassy of the Dead by Will MabbittEva Evergreen: Semi-Magical Witch by Julie AbeEvelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina, illustrated by Sonia SánchezEverything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel NayeriExquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Cozbi A. CabreraFauja Singh Keeps Going: The True Story of the Oldest Person Ever to Run a Marathon by Simran Jeet Singh, illustrated by Baljinder KaurFeathered Serpent and the Five Suns by Duncan TonatiuhFighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker BradleyFinish the Fight! The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote by Veronica Chambers and the Staff of The New York TimesFox and Little Tanuki by Mi TagawaThe Girl and the Ghost by Anna AlkafA Girl Like Me by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Nina CrewsGirl on a Motorcycle by Amy Novesky, illustrated by Julie MorstadGo with the Flow by Lily Williams & Karen SchneemannGreen Lantern: Legacy by Minh Lê, illustrated by Andie TongGuardians of Liberty: Freedom of the Press and the Nature of News by Linda Barrett OsborneA Hatful of Dragons by Vikram MadanA High Five for Glenn Burke by Phil BildnerHike by Pete OswaldHoneybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric RohmannI Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. JamesThe Inside Battle by Melanie SumrowJulieta and the Diamond Enigma by Luisana DuarteKing of the Birds by Elise GravelLand of the Cranes by Aida SalazarLift by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan SantatLightfall: The Girl and the Galdurian by Tim ProbertLike the Moon Loves the Sky by Hena Khan, illustrated by Saffa KahnMagnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon, illustrated by Kaylani JuanitaMañanaland by Pam Muñoz RyanMary Underwater by Shannon DoleskiThe Most Beautiful Thing by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Khoa LeMy Best Friend by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Jillian TamakiNacho's Nachos: The Story Behind the World's Favorite Snack by Sandra Nickel, illustrated by Oliver DominguezNana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker, illustrated by April HarrisonNonsense! The Curious Story of Edward Gorey by Lori Mortensen, illustrated by Chloe Bristol'Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis, illustrated by Kenard PakOil by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Jeanette WinterThe Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, illustrated by Oge MoraOn the Horizon by Lois Lowry, illustrated by Kenard PakOut the Door by Christy HaleOutside In by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Cindy DerbyOverground Railroad by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James RansomePacks: Strength in Numbers by Hannah SalyerThe Paper Boat: A Refugee Story by Thao LamPlanet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian, illustrated by Nasaya MataridikPoems Aloud by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Daniel Gray-BarnettA Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Shawn HarrisThe Postman from Space by Guillaume PerreaultPrairie Lotus by Linda Sue ParkThe Radium Girls: The Scary But True Story of the Poison That Made People Glow in the Dark by Kate Moore Sharuko: El Arqueólogo Peruano / Peruvian Archaeologist by Monica Brown, illustrated by Elisa ChararriShirley and Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian GoerzShirley Chisholm Is a Verb! by Veronica Chambers, illustrated by Rachelle BakerShow Me A Sign by Ann Clare LeZotteSkunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Jon KlassenSnapdragon by Kat LeyhA Sporting Chance: How Ludwig Guttman Created the Paralympic Games by Lori Alexander, illustrated by Allan DrummondThe Talk: Conversations About Race, Love & Truth by Wade Hudson & Cheryl W. Hudson (eds)A Thousand Questions by Saadia FaruqiThe Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna CuevasWays to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson, illustrated by Nina MataWe Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela GoadeWe Dream of Space by Erin Entrada KellyWhat Sound Is Morning? by Grant SniderWhen Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson & Omar MohamedWhen You Trap a Tiger by Tae KellerWink by Rob HarrellA Wish in the Dark by Christina SoontornvatWitches of Brooklyn by Sophie EscabasseWoke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne, with Elizabeth Acevedo & Olivia Gatwood, illustrated by Theodore Taylor IIIYou Matter by Christian RobinsonYour Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-BigelowYuzu the Pet Vet by Mingo Ito Los Mejores Libros para Pequeños / Top Spanish Language Books for Children ¡No chupes este libro!: Está lleno de gérmenes by Idan Ben-Barak, illustrated by Julian Frost¡Ocupado! by Matthieu Maudet¡Shhh! ¡Estoy leyendo! by John Kelly, illustrated by Elina Ellis¿Cómo lo ves? by Vera GalindoAbejas, miel y más tesoros by NellyceAmigas by Lauren Ace, illustrated by Jenny LøvlieAsi crezco by Dia L. MichelsAstronautas: Bitácora de un viaje espacial by Chang-hoon Jung, illustrated by In-kyung NohLa bandera de Amalia by Nono Granero, illustrated by Ina HristovaLa bañera by Lisa Biggi, illustrated by Paloma CorralLa belleza del final by Alfredo Colella, illustrated by Jorge GonzálezLos carpinchos by Alfredo SoderguitCelina, la estrella bailarina by Emiliano Benevides, illustrated by Cristina VeladoCon calma: 50 historias de la naturaleza by Rachel WilliamsConejo y la motocicleta by Kate Hoefler, illustrated by Sarah JacobyCuento mi cuerpo by Luciana De Luca & Natalia Di BernardoLos distintos by Mónica Montañés, illustrated by Eva Sánchez GómezEl elefante y la efímera by Jaime Soliveres, illustrated by Aida RivasEse robot soy yo by Shinsuke YoshitakeGustavo, el fantasmita tímido by Flavia Z. DragoInquieta by Dolores Battaglia, illustrated by Cynthia AlonsoEl libro de los saludos by Arianna Squilloni, illustrated by Olga CapdevilaManos a la tierra: Crea tu propio jardín by Kirsten Bradley, illustrated by AitchMercados: un mundo por descubrir by Josep Sucarrats, illustrated by Miranda SofroniouMi abuelo by Émilie Chazerand, illustrated by Nicolas DuffautMi amiga by Elisa AmadoMi lazarilla, mi capitán by Gonzalo Moure, illustrated by Maria GirónMientras todos duermen by Nicolai HoumUn misterio en el bosque by Susanna Isern, illustrated by Daniel Montero GalánMúsica en el jardín by Mariana Ruiz JohnsonPonte en mi lugar by Susanna Isern, illustrated by Mylène RigaudieLos tomates de Mila by Sanne DufftTú importas by Christian Robinson 50 Best Books for Teens All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. JohnsonAlmost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir by Robin HaApple (Skin to the Core): A Memoir in Words and Pictures by Eric GansworthBanned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook & Ryan Estrada, illustrated by Ko Hyung-JuBe Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnisBeyond the Clouds, Volume 1: The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by NickeBL Metamorphosis: Volume 1 by Kaori TsurutaniBlack Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard by Echo BrownBlue Period: Volume 1 by Tsubasa YamaguchiBurn by Patrick NessCharming as a Verb by Ben PhilippeClap When You Land by Elizabeth AcevedoA Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor NameyDisplacement by Kiku HughesDragon Hoops by Gene Luen YangFable by Adrienne YoungFelix Ever After by Kacen CallenderFights by Joel Christian GillFlamer by Mike CuratoForget This Ever Happened by Cassandra Rose ClarkeFuria by Yamile Saied MéndezHeartstopper: Volume 1 by Alice OsemanThe Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn BarnesJane Against the World: Roe v. Wade and the Fight for Reproductive Rights by Karen BlumenthalLegendborn by Tracy DeonnThe Magic Fish by Trung Le NguyenMiss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia & Anna-Marie McLemoreMost Likely by Sarah WatsonNot So Pure and Simple by Lamar GilesThe Pocket Change Collective series by Kimberly Drew, Adam Eli, Amyra Léon, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Hannah Testa & Alok Vaid-Menon, illustrated by Ashley LukashevskyPoisoned Water: How the Citizens of Flint, Michigan, Fought for Their Lives and Warned the Nation by Candy J. Cooper with Marc AronsonPunching the Air by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef SalaamA Quick & Easy Guide to Consent by Isabella RotmanA Quick & Easy Guide to Sex & Disability by A. AndrewsRaybearer by Jordan IfuekoRed Hood by Elana K. ArnoldThe Sacrifice of Darkness by Roxane Gay & Tracy Lynne OliverSazan & Comet Girl by Yuriko AkaseStamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. KendiSuperman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang, illustrated by GurihiruThis Train Is Being Held by Ismée WilliamsToday Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn SolomonVampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite by Zoraida Córdova & Natalie C. ParkerThe Voting Booth by Brandy ColbertWatch Over Me by Nina LaCourWe Are Not Free by Traci CheeWe Are Not from Here by Jenny Torres SanchezYes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli & Aisha SaeedYou Call This Democracy?: How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the People by Elizabeth RuschYou Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson 100 Best Books for Adults The Abstainer: A Novel by Ian McGuireThe Aosawa Murders by Riku Onda, translated by Alison WattsApeirogon: A Novel by Colum McGannThe Awkward Black Man: Stories by Walter MosleyThe Bear by Andrew KrivakBestiary: A Novel by K-Ming ChangBig Black: Stand at Attica by Frank "Big Black" Smith & Jared Reinmuth, illustrated by AmézianeBlack Sun by Rebecca RoanhorseThe Boatman's Daughter: A Novel by Andy DavidsonBoyfriend Material by Alexis HallBreasts and Eggs: A Novel by Mieko Kawakami, translated by Sam Bett & David BoydA Burning: A Novel by Megha MajumdarCaste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel WilkersonA Children's Bible: A Novel by Lydia MilletThe City We Became: A Novel by N.K. JemisinThe Cold Millions: A Novel by Jess WalterCrooked Hallelujah by Kelli Jo FordDeacon King Kong: A Novel by James McBrideDear Child by Romy Hausmann, translated by Jamie BullochDeath in Her Hands: A Novel by Ottessa MoshfeghDesert Notebooks: A Road Map for the End of Time by Ben EhrenreichDon't Look for Me: A Novel by Wendy WalkerEat a Peach: A Memoir by David Chang with Gabe UllaThe Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi VoF*ckface: And Other Stories by Leah HamptonFinna: Poems by Nate MarshallThe Galleons: Poems by Rick BarotThe Girl in the Mirror by Rose CarlyleThe Glass Hotel: A Novel by Emily St. John MandelThe Great Offshore Grounds: A Novel by Vanessa VeselkaGrimoire by Cherene SherrardGut Botany by Petra KuppersHamnet: A Novel of the Plague by Maggie O'FarrellHench by Natalie Zina WalschotsThe Hidden Girl and Other Stories by Ken LiuHidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert KolkerHomeland Elegies: A Novel by Ayad AkhtarHomie: Poems by Danez SmithHood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki KendallHow Much of These Hills is Gold: A Novel by C Pam ZhangHurricane Season: A Novel by Fernanda Melchor, translated by Sophie HughesI Hold a Wolf by the Ears: Stories by Laura van den BergIf I Had Two Wings: Stories by Randall KenanIndelicacy: A Novel by Amina CainInheritors by Asako SerizawaInterior Chinatown: A Novel by Charles YuIntimations: Six Essays by Zadie SmithThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. SchwabJack by Marilynne RobinsonJust Us: An American Conversation by Claudia RankineKent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf BackderfKontemporary Amerikan Poetry by John MurilloLeave the World Behind: A Novel by Rumaan AlamLikes by Sarah Shun-lien BynumLittle Eyes: A Novel by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowellThe Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist by Adrian TomineLong Bright River: A Novel by Liz MooreThe Low, Low Woods by Carmen Maria Machado, illustrated by DaniLuster by Raven LeilaniThe Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante, translated by Ann GoldsteinMagdalena: River of Dreams—A Story of Colombia by Wade DavisMemorial Drive: A Daughter's Memoir by Natasha TretheweyMemorial: A Novel by Bryan WashingtonThe Midnight Library by Matt HaigMinor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park HongMissionaries: A Novel by Phil KlayMy Autobiography of Carson McCullers: A Memoir by Jenn ShaplandMy Baby First Birthday: Poems by Jenny ZhangA Nail the Evening Hangs On by Monica SokThe Nancy Reagan Collection by Maxe CrandallNew Waves: A Novel by Kevin NguyenThe Next Great Migration: The Beauty and Terror of Life on the Move by Sonia ShahThe Only Good Indians: A Novel by Stephen Graham JonesPiranesi by Susanna ClarkePostcolonial Love Poem by Natalie DiazReal Life: A Novel by Brandon TaylorThe Sacrifice of Darkness by Roxane Gay & Tracy Lynne OliverThe Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha PhilyawShadowplay: A Novel by Joseph O'ConnorShuggie Bain: A Novel by Douglas StuartSomething to Talk About: A Novel by Meryl WilsnerThe Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires: A Novel by Grady HendrixThe Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik LarsonSports Is Hell by Ben PassmoreTemporary: A Novel by Hilary LeichterThese Ghosts Are Family: A Novel by Maisy CardThe Thursday Murder Club: A Novel by Richard OsmanTo Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher PaoliniTomboyland: Essays by Melissa FalivenoThe Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo VillavicencioUpright Women Wanted by Sarah GaileyThe Vanishing Half: A Novel by Brit BennettVerge: Stories by Lidia YuknavitchVesper Flights: New and Collected Essays by Helen MacdonaldWeather: A Novel by Jenny OffillWorld of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee NezhukumatathilWriters & Lovers: A Novel by Lily KingYear of the Rabbit by Tian Veasna, translated by Helge DascherThe Year of the Witching: A Novel by Alexis HendersonYou Will Never Be Forgotten: Stories by Mary South About The New York Public Library The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming, and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves nearly 17 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support. This press release was produced by the New York Public Library. The views expressed are the author's own.