Bookshop Staff's Favorite Kids & YA Books

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The Golden Rule is found in all cultures and all religions. A boy asks his grandfather, “What does it mean? And why is it golden?” I love this book because it’s one of the most important lessons we can teach our children and one another as we choose love and understanding over greed and war.-Noreen

Moses is the name Harriet Tubman was known for by leading her people to freedom. Kadir Nelson’s illustrations help us appreciate Harriet’s escape, her dramatic move through the dark woods with her “passengers,” and her constant dialogue with God. It’s God’s voice that supports her spiritual journey and the nineteen journeys that followed. Harriet Tubman is one of my favorite heroines, and this book is a visual and poetic testimony to her strength and courage. -Noreen

The world's most beautiful graphic novel about the world's most relatable need: belonging. Shaun Tan's classic work follows an immigrant in a new country, unlike any the reader will ever have seen before, as he learns its inscrutable language and confusing rules in order to navigate the workforce and feed his family back home. My go-to for a feel good, gorgeously illustrated, and deeply human book where any reader can find their home. -Yves

What does it mean to grow up when you'll never get old? Black continues the literary traditions of Dracula and Interview With the Vampire by adapting vampire symbolism to the modern day and a young adult audience in this delicate, elegant text, with beautiful prose and a sly nod towards our often ridiculous, often dangerous obsession with sexy vampires... and, don't worry, a beautiful and dangerous vampire boy to boot.-Yves

As poignant and vital as The Little Prince comes this slim novel from beloved children's author Brian Selznick. Kaleidoscope, true to its title, gives us a look through a million lenses at two boys, their love, and their loss of each other. It's been a long time since I've felt this insistent: this book should be read and loved by everyone.-Yves

Little Nobody, or "Bod" Owens, finds himself at a graveyard as a baby after his parents are killed by assassins... and there begins a childhood raised by ghosts, witches, and the mysterious Silas. Now he has to make a decision: will he stay in the world of the (un)dead or join his people among the living? A beautiful, insightful novel that never fails to make me cry. - Yves

For fans of fairy tales and unwieldy narrators comes a whimsical fantasy which will thrill children and adults, alike. September is spirited away to the magical world of Fairyland, where she travels the world, befriends its creatures, and possibly even topples an unjust little-girl ruler... not to mention the contents of the title! This book can both stand alone beautifully or pull a reader into the entire five-book series for more! -Yves

Alice in Wonderland has always been a favorite of mine. The Annotated Alice reveals how much more joy can be found in this classic story of a little girl who escapes the rules and regulations of Victorian childhood for the rules and regulations of Wonderland. It presents the original text alongside additional illustrations from varied artists, reader answers to Carroll's famous riddles, and a wealth of entertaining commentary based on the cultural references of the time. -Yves

Despite their on-and-off relationship status constant change, Freddy can’t seem to call it quits with her girlfriend Laura Dean. She’s the cool girlfriend everyone wants, but is it really good for Freddy to keep holding on? In this beautifully illustrated graphic novel, Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell team up to show a lesbian love story with depth and complexities that rarely get talked about. Just open it up and I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it, too. -Andrea

You might already be familiar with this modern classic coming-of-age novel told in letters, but have you had a chance to read it? While the film adaptation (script also written by the author) is one of the best book-to-movie adaptations, this novel is told in such a distinct manner that it is best read on your own. Feels like a well-kept secret, intimate and personal, this novel is truly unlike anything else. -Andrea