What higher technique to ring within the new 12 months than with a bunch of terrific contemporary reads? We’ve scoured the critiques, and these are the brand new books for January 2026 we’re most excited to take a look at.
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January Studying Log
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New Fiction Image Books in January 2026
How Many Animals Can Slot in This E-book? by Natalia Yaskina
In accordance with Ant, this guide is completely sized for one tiny animal. However all the opposite animals appear to disagree! Children may have a blast counting every new creature that seems on this guide that’s certain to grow to be a read-aloud favourite.
Purchase it: How Many Animals Can Slot in This E-book?
The Wildest Factor by Emily Winfield Martin
This new image guide will remind readers of The place the Wild Issues Are in all the perfect methods. When younger Eleanor wakes to find her room stuffed with the forest and the wild issues that stay there, she joins within the enjoyable, releasing the “wildest factor” of all inside herself!
Purchase it: The Wildest Factor
This Hair Belongs by JaNay Brown-Wooden, unwell. by Erin Okay. Robinson
January brings a number of new books encouraging youngsters of all ages to embrace their pure hair. This image guide tells a strong story of Black hair by means of historical past, making little ones pleased with the colour, textures, and kinds of their very own hair right this moment.
Purchase it: This Hair Belongs
Collectively Proper Now by Olga Fadeeva
In our busy every day lives, we don’t usually cease to consider what others world wide are doing on the identical time. This guide makes the case that we actually ought to, serving to youngsters think about what folks of all ages (and animals too!) could be doing elsewhere proper at that second.
Purchase it: Collectively Proper Now
What a Small Cat Wants by Natalia Shaloshvili
Animal lovers will delight on this candy new learn translated from Russian. When it’s first born, all a bit of cat wants is 2 ears, two eyes, whiskers, and a tail. What else does it want because it grows up? All the things from milk to heat arms to carry it shut—maybe yours!
Purchase it: What a Small Cat Wants
New Straightforward Reader / Chapter Books in January 2026
Ling & Ting’s Lunar New Yr: Two Occasions Fortunate by Grace Lin
Chinese language American twins Ling and Ting are again to thrill the chapter guide crowd, this time with a celebration of Lunar New Yr! Children acquainted with the vacation’s traditions will like seeing the twins get pleasure from them, whereas those that aren’t will likely be fascinated to study all about them.
Purchase it: Ling & Ting’s Lunar New Yr
I Am a Large Fish! by Susie Lee Jin
One little fish meets a collection of larger and larger fish on this enjoyable new simple reader, every louder and prouder than the following. Then a shark seems on the scene, and all the massive fish scatter, leaving the little fish to puff out and show he’s an enormous fish in spite of everything!
Purchase it: I Am a Large Fish!
Bug on the Bus by David Catrow
On the lookout for a enjoyable new decodable guide to your latest emergent readers? This one’s certain to be successful! Beginning with a bug, a collection of animals board a bus—till the skunk arrives, and solely the bug sticks round, becoming a member of him for a day on the seashore. Quick phrases and easy sentences have not often been a lot enjoyable.
Purchase it: Bug on the Bus
The Letter Setters in: Enjoyable! by Ethan Lengthy
The Letter Setters are a gaggle of pups with easy names like Pat, Bob, and Bub, good for youths nonetheless sounding out phrases (decoding) as they learn. Be part of all of them for a day on the seashore on this new learn that celebrates short-vowel phrases.
Purchase it: The Letters Setters in: Enjoyable!
New Center Grade Fiction Books in January 2026
Alice With a Why by Anna James
A few years after the unique go to to Wonderland, Alice’s granddaughter Alyce tumbles in herself. However the world she finds is a really totally different one—one at battle. With the assistance of a well-known solid of characters, Alyce should set Wonderland proper and make it dwelling safely once more. This new twist on the basic story is an actual deal with for the fashionable viewers, even when they solely know Alice from motion pictures.
Purchase it: Alice With a Why
Maple for the Folks by Kate McGovern
Sixth grader Maple is working for sophistication president, however her slate is already full with friendships, monetary issues at dwelling, and worries about her dyslexia (the guide is printed in a dyslexic-friendly font). With help from her buddy Jack, she focuses her marketing campaign on serving to her group after a neighborhood fireplace. Maple’s journey will encourage youngsters to embrace their energy to make actual change.
Purchase it: Maple for the Folks
The Peculiar and Extraordinary Auden Greene by Corey Ann Haydu
When fantasy-loving Denny is transported into the fairy-tale world she created along with her drifting finest buddy, she trades locations with Princess Auden, who’s overwhelmed by her personal looming obligations. As every lady struggles to navigate the opposite’s life—whether or not combating dragons or dealing with real-world friendships and household hardship—they confront the pressures of rising up.
Purchase it: The Peculiar and Extraordinary Auden Greene
The Moon With out Stars by Chanel Miller
Seventh grader Luna Midday decides to shed her “boring” character by publishing a college zine along with her buddy Scott. Quickly, she’s a part of the favored crowd—however provided that she’s prepared to go away Scott behind. Simply how a lot of herself is Luna prepared to surrender in trade for all times as a “cool child”?
Purchase it: The Moon With out Stars
Eureka by Victoria Chang
In 1885, violence towards Chinese language immigrants forces 12-year-old Mei Mei to go away San Francisco for supposedly safer Eureka. Compelled into kitchen labor for a rich household, she finds solace in a form cook dinner and a secret friendship that teaches her English. When the city of Eureka expels all Chinese language folks, Mei Mei returns dwelling with new braveness and a deeper understanding of the significance of freedom. (Novel in verse)
Purchase it: Eureka
New Younger Grownup Fiction Books in January 2026
Beth Is Lifeless by Katie Bernet
You’ve in all probability by no means imagined Little Ladies retold as a homicide thriller, however right here it’s! Set within the trendy world, this adaptation follows the March sisters as they try to resolve the homicide of Beth, who was discovered lifeless within the woods on New Yr’s Day. Everybody suspects everybody else, with even shut members of the family underneath suspicion, on this twisty thriller.
Purchase it: Beth Is Lifeless
A Wild Radiance by Maria Ingrande Mora
Josephine, an orphan educated to wield her highly effective radiance for the authoritarian Home of Trade, is shipped to the distant city of Frostbrook, the place forbidden friendships and new emotions make her query every thing she’s been taught. As illness spreads by means of the countryside, Josephine should discover a technique to expose corruption on the Home and are available to phrases with who she really is.
Purchase it: A Wild Radiance
I Don’t Want You Properly by Jumata Emill
Eighteen-year-old Pryce Cummings returns to his hometown of Moss Pointe, Louisiana, to research the notorious Trojan murders that shook the group 5 years earlier. As he uncovers new proof that questions the convicted killer’s guilt, Pryce dangers uncovering harmful secrets and techniques for his podcast—and his life.
Purchase it: I Don’t Want You Properly
Sunset Ladies by L.S. Stratton
Sixteen-year-old Naomi arrives within the seemingly quaint city of Sparksburg, Virginia, and shortly uncovers the city’s historical past as a former “Sunset City.” As she investigates two current disappearances and is haunted by a ghostly lady, Naomi should confront each a present-day menace and her personal previous trauma to search out the lacking ladies.
Purchase it: Sunset Ladies
Winter White by Annie Cardi
Many Shakespeare performs have obtained the fashionable YA novel remedy, however this can be the primary to tackle The Winter’s Story. Use it within the classroom for a side-by-side comparability with the unique, or add it to your cabinets to encourage college students to discover the basic play on their very own.
Purchase it: Winter White
New Graphic Novels in January 2026
Sidekicks: Thick as Thieves by Dan Santat
Captain Wonderful is on trip when a serious information breach places town’s heroes in danger. A mysterious newcomer named Whipley reveals up at his dwelling, alarming a lot of the captain’s sidekicks. As suspicions rise, the sidekicks should decide whether or not Whipley is actually Shifty’s long-lost brother or a villain out for revenge. That is the second quantity within the Sidekicks graphic novel collection, so encourage new readers to take a look at the primary. (Grades 3–7)
Purchase it: Sidekicks: Thick as Thieves
Flawed Good friend by Charise Mericle Harper, unwell. by Rory Lucey
Neighbors Casey and Charise have lengthy been finest pals, however this 12 months Casey is beginning highschool whereas Charise continues to be a number of grades youthful. Now Charise is looking out for a brand new finest buddy, however she’s having hassle assembly somebody who really is aware of be a superb buddy. This graphic novel is absolutely the writer’s memoir, with a classic aptitude trendy youngsters will get pleasure from. (Grades 3–7)
Purchase it: Flawed Good friend
Serendipity by Gabbie Benda
Serendipity, a high-achieving teen charmed with lifelong good luck, all of the sudden finds every thing falling aside after a carnival mishap leaves her satisfied she’s been cursed. As her wins flip to failures and chaos takes over her fastidiously managed life, she turns into decided to interrupt the curse—or danger shedding every thing that after got here simply. (Grades 3–7)
Purchase it: Serendipity
Run Dwelling by Alyssa Bermudez
Right here’s one other new graphic memoir, this one about 14-year-old Alyssa, a freshman at a brand new college the place everyone seems to be a stranger. When her dad and mom drive her to hitch the cross-country group, she expects to hate it. However the group seems to be a supply of friendship and enjoyable—and help when her father all of the sudden falls unwell. (Grades 5–9)
Purchase it: Run Dwelling
Youngsters of the Evening by Victoria Setian, unwell. by Savanna Ganucheau
Aspiring photojournalist Mina Murray is pulled into the orbit of a charismatic new pupil, Raf, whose arrival coincides with more and more sinister occasions. As classmates fall unwell and unusual behaviors unfold, Mina suspects Raf is hiding a lethal secret and should uncover the reality earlier than catastrophe strikes on this younger grownup spin on Dracula. (Grades 9–12)
Purchase it: Youngsters of the Evening
New Nonfiction for All Ages in January 2026
Frog: A Story of Life on Earth by Isabel Thomas, unwell. by Daniel Egnéus
Would you imagine the entire story of the universe is contained in a single frog? By wanting again by means of time all the best way to the Large Bang, this guide reveals how a frog (identical to each dwelling factor) is a part of a protracted story that’s nonetheless in progress, all in a means youngsters can perceive. (Grades Okay–2)
Purchase it: Frog: A Story of Life on Earth
Basket Ball by Kadir Nelson
Sports activities lovers, take be aware! This new historical past of basketball traces all of it the best way from its humble beginnings as a ball tossed right into a peach basket to right this moment’s fast-paced, extremely expert sport. It is a nonfiction guide good for youths preferring taking pictures hoops to turning pages. (Grades 4–8)
Purchase it: Basket Ball
How To Have a Thought by Nicholas Day, unwell. by Hadley Hooper
Spend a while with Charles Darwin studying how the good man got here up along with his nice concepts. This new nonfiction image guide is each an introduction to the daddy of evolution and a information to encouraging youngsters to give you nice concepts of their very own. (Grades Pre-Okay to grade 3)
Purchase it: How To Have a Thought
Troubled Waters by Carole Boston Weatherford, unwell. by Bryan Collier
It is a story instructed by the Alabama River about its lengthy historical past—from fossils to newer artifacts. Study concerning the Native People who trudged its banks alongside the Path of Tears, and enslaved African People who hid beneath the waters as they escaped to the north. The tales are tough to learn, however this informational image guide will fascinate readers mature sufficient to discover them. (Grades 4–8)
Purchase it: Troubled Waters
Fros, Fades, and Braids by Sean Qualls
Right here’s the second guide out this month celebrating Black hair in all its glory. It’s stuffed with surprising and engaging information and tales that can educate, enlighten, and empower. (Grades 4–8)
Purchase it: Fros, Fades, and Braids
Beautiful One (Younger Grownup Adaptation) by Ketanji Brown Jackson
Supreme Court docket Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s bestselling memoir is now obtainable in a younger grownup model, good for school rooms! It traces her story from a highschool dream of serving on the Supreme Court docket to the triumph of turning into the primary Black girl Justice in 2022. (Grades 8–12)
Purchase it: Beautiful One (Younger Grownup Adaptation)
Don’t overlook to seize your free printable January Studying Log!
Use this studying log to trace books and pages learn all through this wintry month. It’s a simple technique to encourage youngsters to begin the brand new 12 months off proper with a lot of studying! Simply click on the button under and observe the hyperlink to get your free printable studying log.
