This year, we awarded dozens of books a prestigious star—and among this distinguished group, several clear commonalities shine bright. From fresh approaches on topics like grief to specific recurrences, such as characters taking on another person’s identity, here are the key trends among 2025's starred books.

The July issue—“the stars so far”—is our halfway point on the path to Best Books in December. SLJ reviews editors stand back to take a look at a beautiful, blossoming list of notable books.

New readers will feel proud of their ability to read these fun, outstanding stories on their own.

From rollicking fantasy to heartbreaking realism, these excellent additions to the middle grade and hi-lo genres will have something for every tween to enjoy.

Spanning genres from fantasy to thriller to romance and everything in-between, these titles for teens are sure to delight.

Ranging from heartfelt to hilarious, these remarkable graphic novel and manga titles are sure to leave a lasting impression that will stay with readers long after the final page is turned.

The accolades keep coming for nonfiction picture books that dare to offer facts and true stories to elementary-aged readers. We cannot wait for autumn, when it's time for a whole other harvest of titles that keep children reading and learning.

From picture book biographies to the Spanish-language edition of Jason Reynolds’s Lu, these picks are just-right for Spanish readers.

Whether they want to read one good poem or delight in a collection of good works, these titles offer something for all young readers.