10. Infinity Ring A Mutiny in Time Book 1 This brisk time travel adventure follows two friends as they leap across eras to repair what went wrong in the past. Dak and Sera work through puzzles, chase clues, and dodge danger, all while the fabric of history bends around them. The story has a fast pace and a game like rhythm that invites readers to think along with the heroes. It pairs thrilling action with clever twists that keep motivation high.
9. The Haunting of Tabitha Grey This atmospheric thriller centers on Tabitha and her family as they relocate to a centuries old manor in rural England. Ghostly sounds, shifting rooms, and unexplained happenings build a chilling mood. Tabitha learns to trust her own instincts, and the family must confront secrets buried in the estate. The book blends suspense with a strong sense of place, delivering a steady cascade of dread, curiosity, and daring moments that push Tabitha toward courage.
8. Liar and Spy A seventh grader named Georges moves into a new apartment and becomes entwined with Safer, a twelve year old who passes himself off as a spy. The pair weave plans, play friends, and face tests of loyalty as Safer pushes boundaries. Yet not everything Safer asks is real, and Georges learns to separate truth from trickery while navigating new friendships, school adjustments, and the pressure to belong in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
7. My Tourist Guide to the Solar System This illustrated tour through space invites readers to imagine blasting off in a personal spaceship. The guide presents space as a lively, accessible world filled with facts, photos, and fun details. Readers journey from the sun to distant planets, meeting quirky facts and stunning visuals that spark curiosity about science and exploration. It feels like a hands on field trip that makes astronomy feel approachable and exciting.
6. The Spindlers Lisa wakes up to discover her brothers soul has vanished, snapped away by mysterious beings. The quest to rescue him takes her through a strange underworld filled with talking rats, musical moles, and a slew of dangers. The tone blends peril with courage, as Lisa crosses thresholds and makes tough choices to save a loved one. A fast paced fantasy with heart, imagination, and a dash of dark humor.
5. The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls Victoria Wright’s perfect life begins to unravel when her best friend disappears, sending her into a nightmarish search. Her trail leads to the Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, a place steeped in unsettling history and eerie characters. The pages pulse with suspense as the mystery deepens and the stakes rise, pushing readers to wonder who can be trusted and what secrets hide behind closed doors.
4. Wonder The novel shines because it is told from multiple perspectives, starting with August Pullman and then following classmates, a sister and others who come to know him. Readers witness kindness, resilience, and growth as a community learns to see beyond appearances. The book treats difficult topics with sensitivity while delivering heartfelt moments that linger, offering empathy and courage in equal measure. It is a testament to the power of choosing to belong.
3. Who Could That Be at This Hour This is the first book in the All the Wrong Questions series that follows a young detective with a curious, offbeat sense of humor. The setting is steeped in quirky mystery and oddball humor that fans of the earlier series will recognize, while new readers will discover a world of puzzles, misdirection, and sly wit. The story invites readers to question what they think they know and to enjoy the strange rhythms of a clever narrator.
2. Keeper of the Lost Cities This title follows Sophie Foster who possesses telepathy and feels misplaced until she meets a friend who can read minds too. They travel to a hidden world where extraordinary people live, and Sophie must decide whether to leave behind her old life to belong with this new group. The book blends fantasy, friendship, and self discovery as it builds a vivid world where trust, power, and identity intersect and challenge what it means to belong.
1. Seraphina In a world where dragons and humans live in uneasy peace, Seraphina Dombegh steps into a royal court with musical talent that could change everything. Dragons who can transform into humans complicate trust, and Seraphina must guard a dangerous secret about her own lineage. The story weaves music, politics, and danger into a rich fantasy tapestry that captivated readers with imagination and daring.
Did readers miss any favorite books from this year? Readers are invited to share their picks in the comments, on social media, or wherever stories are discussed with fellow readers.