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Best Fiction of 2022 | Best Nonfiction of 2022 | Best Debuts of 2022 | Best Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, Romance & Graphic Novels of 2022

I’m not excited at all. Well, maybe a little. OK, I’m EXCITEDDD. Because once again it’s time to announce our favorite kids’ and young adult books of the year!

And this year’s list has it all! Magical stories, love stories, family sagas, tales of home and school, gothic mysteries, and Victorian noirs. It has demon swarms, witches-in-training, forbidden forests, time-stealing monsters, very hungry trolls, lizard people, questing rabbits, and two different picture books featuring big-hearted owls. And more. Lots more.

With topics like race and culture, gender identity and sexuality, disability, friendship and family, with themes ranging from hope and resilience to finding community to finding your true self, here come our favorite kids’ and young adult books of 2022! We hope you can see just why these books make us just a little, just a tiny, just a miniscule bit EXCITEDDD — and we hope they’ll be favorites for you too.

My all-time favorite fairy tale could be in the hands of no finer picture book duo. Barnett and Klassen know how to have the last laugh; this troll doesn’t know what’s coming to him. I would talk my way across a BILLION troll bridges to make sure you read this book. — Sarah R.

This is by far my favorite picture book of 2022. It is a lovely story with absolutely stunning artwork. Out of a Jar does a great job of illustrating the problems that come from keeping our feelings inside, and the benefits of letting them out. — Lyla D.

This whimsical adventure of Rabbit on a quest to find the perfect gift for his Nana uses lush and quirky artwork with fun typography that bounces and flies, to tell a sweet, simple story about kindness and love. Made me want to hug the whole world. — Gigi L.

A lot of customers ask me for books that deal with difficult subjects, and this one is extremely well done. Author Maggie Tokuda-Hall tells the true story of George and Tama, who met in the library of the Minidoka internment camp during World War II. Tama is the librarian, and she is intrigued by a young man — George — who comes to check out books day after day. Yas Imamura's beautiful artwork softens the harsh conditions and blooms the romantic story within. Love can grow in the unlikeliest places. — Carole R.

Poopsie is a beautiful, pampered indoor cat who is persuaded by the narrator to go on an outdoor adventure to spice up her life. Things do not go well for Poopsie! I adore the colorful illustrations of this perfect, fluffy house cat thrown into the jungle to contend with alligators, snakes, and tigers (oh, my!). But Poopsie is no pushover! She eventually takes things into her own paws and that's when the fun really starts! Hilarious and adventurous, Poopsie is one delightful picture book. — Heather A.

(Hardcover came out in 2018 but the paperback is out this year.)
I'm a sucker for a dog book of any kind and this one does not disappoint. It is impossible to not be instantly invested in Arfy's quest to find a home of his own. Be prepared to cry in the best way. — Lyla D.

Beautiful illustrations and fantastical text make this my favorite non-fiction picture book of the year. Laura K. Zimmerman’s factual and poetic explanations of types of mushrooms and their smells (maple syrup! bubble gum! cabbage!) alongside Jamie Green’s colorful illustrations set to a dark background make this a feast for the senses. Great for ages six and up. — Kim T.

A tiny owl with a huge heart takes on the most terrifying thing, the unknown (and also a dragon). This sweet and cozy picture book is perfect for inspiring bravery in little ones afraid of the dark, or of making new friends. — Kat H.

This warm, gorgeous book is about an owl with a lunch cart who sets out in the dark to feed the nocturnal animals of the city, sandwiches and pies and pudding. And when dawn is on the horizon and the cart is closing, the owl spots a hungry mouse and makes a gesture of compassion and generosity, which in turn, is paid forward. This book is an absolute treat both for the eyes, and the soul. — Heather A.

Night on the Sand is a beautifully illustrated tale of resiliency that follows two brothers in search of shelter after a disaster hits their home. When other survivors greet them on the beach, together they’re rescued and become a new community full of renewed hope. The author purposefully didn’t specify what disaster has struck so more readers could connect to the story. Also includes backmatter on resources for organizations to find out about refugees and organizations to assist them. Great for ages four and up. — Kim T.

As a bookseller, I am fascinated by stories. And old houses have the most interesting stories of them all! This gorgeous picture book is a love letter to an old house that the author bought, even though it was dilapidated and falling down. Who used to live here? What did they do? Pore over the pages and learn about the history of this dear old house, and the 12 kids who used to live on this dairy farm. This book wants you to take your time with it, and for good reason! You can't go home again, but you can look at this one, and enjoy the wistful nostalgia. — Carole R.

It is super important to me that my children understand consent. I want to keep them safe and help them keep others safe. This book does a wonderful job of using age-appropriate language and examples to show how to say 'yes' and 'no.' I really appreciated the part where they highlight that sometimes a 'yes' can later turn into 'no.' And I am so happy they used the proper names for body parts. — Rose H.

Two best friends (who happen to make kid’s books) came together (virtually) during quarantine to share Live Comics to families in lockdown. There were drawings, voices, puppetry, music, lots of laughs, and an ongoing quest for pizza. This year those sessions grew into this wacky, wonderful book. When faced with lunar destruction (by the gnawing teeth of hungry rats) there’s only one thing to do — blast a bioengineered cat into space to save the day. This book is unbelievably funny, undeniably silly, and absurdly heartfelt. Big all ages appeal too, so it’s perfect for storytime (you’ll be laughing along, adults!) and middle reader independent reading alike! — Sarah R.

Local author Hart (Better with Books)’s uplifting story of a world-changing sibling bond is the perfect read for kids trying to find their voices and embrace the things that make them unique! Daisy uses a class assignment to “change the world” to help her older brother, Sorrel, make his dream of being a YouTube celebrity come true. They’ll just have to keep it a secret from their parents, who are extra protective of Sorrel because of his Down syndrome. And Daisy will have to present her report to the class, which is extra stressful with her lisp… But as long as Daisy and Sorrel have each other’s backs, they can do anything they set their minds to. — Madeline S.

Luz and her dad share a love for soccer. So, when Luz hurts her knee, it seems like her relationship with her dad breaks as well. The actual reason her parents are on edge has nothing to do with soccer and everything to do with her family. This was a great story about the different relationships between family members and learning to accept change. Reading about Guatemalan culture and the fear of deportation definitely brought me back to my own upbringing as a child of immigrants. This is such a beautiful story. — Rose H.

I love a good survival story, so when the author of The Trail (also an amazing book) published another novel about a wilderness adventure, with a dog and cat no less, I was all over it. This author is such an amazing writer, and her characters are so relatable and fully realized, it makes for a very vivid, and rewarding reading experience! Bound for Home is full of suspense and adventure, love and friendship, and what it means to feel like you belong. I hugged my kitties a little tighter when I closed this book for the final time. — Heather A.

Navigating the social hierarchies of middle school can be treacherous enough even when you’re not a lizard person recently relocated from your old home deep inside the earth. Jonathan Hill’s artwork is deceptive in both its simplicity and its whimsy, imbuing this tale with suspense and depth. You may think it’s an imaginative, funny sci-fi-tinged page-turner — and it is — but it’s also a wise exploration of the immigrant experience and the universal need for belonging. — Gigi L.

In this magical adventure from the author of Ghost Squad, twelve-year-old Witchling Seven is supposed to be placed in a coven this year. But on the night of the Black Moon Ceremony, she's marked instead as a covenless Spare. She and the other Spares must complete an impossible task to become full-fledged Witches, but if they fail, they might just be turned into toads! — Madeline S.

Bree and her dad are moving from Brooklyn to Florida and she's starting at a new school. Along with all the regular middle school anxiety on top of being a new student, she has to overcome her fear of swimming. I love how this graphic novel deals with the complexities of growing up while also talking about the stereotype of Black people not knowing how to swim. It's a great story with deep friendships, family love, and finding out what you're made of. — Rose H.

I loved this fun, spooky read! It is set in the 80s and follows four friends in a small town on the Oregon Coast. They go exploring after a mysterious discovery shuts down a big construction project and they find something they never expected. It scared me so much; it kept me up at night. Great for ages 8+. — Jen H.

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is a middle reader with a lot to offer! I loved the mix of fast-paced action, online gaming culture, and Chinese history. Zack is a 12-year-old Chinese American kid who has been more interested in being an expert in Mythrealm, a massive multiplayer online augmented reality game, than in learning about his heritage. Everything changes quickly when the game becomes a little too real, and he is possessed by his ancestor, the first Emperor of China, in order to seal the portal to the underworld. I learned a lot about Chinese history and culture while having a ton of fun flying through the pages of Zachary Ying’s adventure! — April C.

Everyone is excited about Sue's upcoming Quinceañera. Everyone, that is, except for Sue. Forced to spend quality time with her family in Honduras, how will she balance her mother's girly expectations and who she wants to be? — Kat H.

I adored this book. Marikit's mother sacrificed so much just so her daughter could live. That is something many Filipino children can relate to. While this story is based in fantasy, at the heart of it are the bonds of family and finding one's self. I could smell the yummy Filipino food as I read and every sentence held me captivated. This is the kind of book I wish I had as a child. — Rose H.

Back in 2019, Susan Dennard started a choose-your-own-adventure storyline in her Twitter feed. For months, hundreds of fans logged on daily to "Sooz-Your-Own Adventures" and helped Winnie Wednesday on her way to becoming a hunter, dealing with friendships and family, and trying to get "boops" for Jay Friday. This book is Susan's new take on Hemlock Falls, Winnie's quest to become a hunter and all the monsters that go bump in the forest. I had so much fun reading what evolved out of the Twitter fun. #UghJay Forever!! Also... check out Susan's website if you want to read the Twitter feed version if you weren't a part of the fun back then. — Mecca A.

One of the best, most original, compelling YA reads I’ve ever had the profound luck to pick up. Hope Cassidy and her sisters, Faith and Charity, have been raised in an ultra-conservative mega-church. When Faith is outed, she runs away to avoid being sent to conversion “therapy,” and Hope finds solace in rock 'n' roll. Channeling her inner Joplin, Hope forms a band with Danny — her newly out, longtime crush — performing anti-establishment originals and directly challenging the hate speech written by Danny’s twin brother for his new band Alt-Rite. Interspersed with excerpts from a sci-fi love story (perhaps penned by the missing Faith), this incredible novel glows with a simple, heartfelt message: hope in the face of oppression and cruelty is punk as hell. — Madeline S.

I don't typically read graphic novels, but I'm so glad I picked up this one. It is thrilling and fast-paced, with beautiful illustrations. I was both eager to get to the ending and reluctant to be finished. — Lyla D.

Forest Hills Bootleg Society is a gorgeous teen graphic novel set in 2005 about four friends who find themselves in a somewhat illegal anime DVD burning business. This is a compelling tale of a queer love triangle in the middle of a Christian boarding school, beautifully illustrated by Eisner-nominated Nicole Goux. Great for ages 14 and up. — Kim T.

A fascinating medieval-vibe story that revolves around an orphaned girl who stumbles upon a murdered body. With a sect of the population worshipping the moon, blood magic and "Ripper"-styled murders, this was a fun mystery with a touch of romance that kicked me out of my reading slump. — Mecca A.

Mystery, murder, and romantic intrigue all vie for the readers' attention in this hauntingly compelling Victorian noir. On a quest to cure the illness that ripped her family asunder, the main character plunges into the dark world of the heroic era of medicine, but who is waiting for her in the darkness? — Kat H.

A blockbuster fantasy debut! Joan’s family are monsters: not-quite-humans that can travel through time by stealing minutes and years off the lives of the mundane. Joan doesn’t learn the family secret until the day her family is murdered by a monster hunter prophesied to bring an end to her kind — who just so happens to be the coworker she’s been crushing on all summer. On the run with a monster from a rival family, Joan is quickly entangled in political secrets, court intrigue, and a desperate ploy to change the one rule of time travel: you can’t change the past. I’m already counting down the time (get it?!) until book two can be in my hot little hands. — Madeline S.

As a parent to a trans kid, I am always looking for new books on trans and nonbinary issues for teenagers. This new one, by Juno Dawson, is fantastic! It is full of useful information, insights and explanations on the transgender and nonbinary experience. It also features personal narratives from trans folks who have already transitioned. This book is particularly useful for cis allies, parents, and families that want to learn some basic concepts, and show support to their loved ones! — Carole R.

In this original graphic novel debut from cartoonist Sas Milledge, a young hedge witch is compelled to return home — somewhere she’d rather avoid — after the death of her grandmother, Mamo. Since Mamo’s passing, things haven’t been right in Haresden and local girl Jo is looking for a solution herself. Their worldviews don’t always align but the two team up in an effort to set things right. Mamo is everything I love in young adult graphic novels. Stunning illustrations, gorgeous world-building, and musings around identity, responsibility, home, and magic. Splendid. — Sarah R.

Through some quirk, instead of boosting her partner's magic, Alessa keeps killing them instead. Now she's trying to keep herself alive between assassination attempts and an incoming swarm of demons. This book will hook you fast and leave you in misery while waiting on the sequel. — Mecca A.

I immediately fell in love with this unforgettably unique debut (first in a duology) from Judy I. Lin. Young teamaker Ning is determined to join the competition to choose the next shénnóng-shi (a master of the magical art of tea) of the Imperial court. Ning cares more about the favor granted to the winner; she’s determined to save her sister, suffering from a poisoned tea that killed their mother. But that poison is part of a larger plot, and Ning finds herself (and a handsome stranger) in the center of a fight for the throne. — Madeline S.