Certified Flawless: The Starred Titles from 2026 So Far

Can you believe we’re almost halfway through June? Over the first half of 2026, our fiction and nonfiction titles have captivated readers everywhere. Here is a look at the twenty-four standout stars highlighted by reviewers!

Picture Books

A Is for . . . A Rabbit’s Tale by Jackie Hosking and illustrated by Lucinda Gifford

• Interest Level: Grades PreK

This hilarious alphabet story is for anyone who ever wanted a pet . . . and for everyone who loves a wonderful tail, um, tale with a twist!

★”[O]ffers a lesson in the ABCs while telling a compelling, immensely funny story. . . . A winning threefer: an alphabet book, a conflict-resolution story, and a rib-tickler.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

A Home on the Page by Kao Kalia Yang and illustrated by Seo Kim

• Interest Level: Grades K – 4

After young Nou finds “Asians Go Home” spray-painted outside her house, she wonders where home truly is. Family members share how they find home, and Nou begins writing stories, creating a place where she belongs.

★ ”In this heartrending but hopeful story that celebrates family ties and the imagination, swooping, surreal floral details are set against lovely textured backgrounds, while tilted images and masses of swirls reflect Nou’s discombobulation. Still, her sweet spirit and wide dreams overcome all.”—starred, Foreword Reviews

The Hospital for Mythological Creatures by Cathy Evans and illustrated by Ed J Brown

• Interest Level: Grades K – 3

When a car crash sends Daisy, Lisa, and Mr. Von Thunderhoof to the Hospital for Mythological Creatures, a team of staff spring into action. This fun, imaginative book teaches kids how hospitals work, blending humor, fantasy, and real medical facts.

★ “Evans and Brown present a delightful and accessible hospital primer for young readers. . . . This enchanting picture book offers a reassuring introduction to hospital care, with imaginative characters that help ease potential anxieties.”—starred, School Library Journal

Kiki and Me written and illustrated by Leo Timmers

• Interest Level: Grades PreK – 3

Delicate black-and-white drawings alternate with rich, dramatic paintings to tell a poignant story about the bond between a horse and her owner as she grows up. This is a landmark picture book for international award winner Leo Timmers.

★”Equestrian adoration brought to life via breathtaking artwork—an unequivocal champion.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

My Tiger authored by Joy Cowley and illustrated by David Barrow

• Interest Level: Grades PreK – 1

A boy’s pet tiger is apprehensive about his first trip to the dentist—but the twist ending of this funny picture book turns the dentist’s advice satisfyingly on its head (and that’s the end of the dentist).

★”A deeply amusing, wonderfully subversive look at defying expectations and watching what you eat.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

The Ocean’s Heart: The Tiny Creatures Essential to Life authored by Jilanne Hoffman and illustrated by Khoa Le

• Interest Level: Grades 1 – 4

Dive into the incredible undersea lives of zooplankton, minuscule animals that race to the ocean’s surface to feed on plants. It’s the largest migration of animals on Earth, and it takes place every single night.

★”Le’s swarms of translucent, detailed sea life offer a series of ghostly spectacles that go wonderfully well with the oratorical narrative to make a big splash with young readers.”—starred, Booklist

★”This shimmering tale of interdependence and survival is STEM storytelling at its best.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

The Sounds That Shelter Me: Weathering Sensory Storms by Bibi Senthi and illustrated by Felishia Henditirto

• Interest Level: Grades K – 3

Mayuri wraps herself in the sounds of Tamil music and dance, but what happens when her verbal stimming isn’t enough to stop a sudden sensory storm? Join Mayuri in repeating rhythmic sounds as she loses, and finds, her voice again.

★”Senthi’s melodic text synthesizes brilliantly with Henditirto’s expressionistic artwork; alternating vibrant swirls with ominously dark washes, the artist perfectly captures joy and fear alike. . . . Powerful and empathetic.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

★”[A]n artful exploration of verbal stimming.”—starred, Publishers Weekly

Take It Apart by Katey Howes and illustrated by Elizabet Vuković

• Interest Level: Grades PreK – 3

Taking things apart may seem destructive at first glance. But a closer look reveals the many benefits—from finding spare parts for fixing things to learning math and spelling to recycling and more!

★”Playful and original, this book will inspire readers to start their own “investigation stations” and explore the art of taking things apart.”—starred, School Library Journal

Whose Tree is This? Poems About the Mighty Oak and Its Companions authored by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by Julian Plum

• Interest Level: Grades K – 3

From the tallest leaf to the buried roots, the oak tree provides food and shelter for many creatures. Take a poetic tour from the perspective of thirteen animals to discover the ways oaks benefit them and the environment.

★”Accessible, engaging, and important—STEAM writing at its best.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

Chapter Books

Edith: The Girl Who Was 100 Years Old, authored and illustrated by Catharina Valckx and translated by Antony Shugaar

• Interest Level: Grades 1 – 4

A philosophical adventure story for early readers that playfully combines fairytale with absurd comedy to ask a big question about what makes a good life.

★”A sparkling celebration of life rooted in change, aging, and the necessity of death itself.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

Frank the Monster by Mats Strandberg, illustrated by Sofia Falkenhem, and translated by Julia Marshall

• Interest Level: Grades 1 – 4

Frank is nipped by a dog on his ninth birthday, and his life turns inside out. His nights fill with mysterious dreams and eerie adventures. A wild beast is reported roaming the town after dark. Frightening encounters lead to Frank’s discovery that he is a shapeshifter. But he can’t understand why everyone is afraid. Even in his monster form, Frank is still a boy inside—just one who feels a strong urge to have his tummy scratched. Forced to own his new identity, Frank learns about the town’s secret underbelly. Beneath the library live other monsters, hiding from the humans. Perhaps he has found a place to belong.

★”An excellent bridge between transitional chapter books and novels, the chapters are short and Falkenhem’s striking black, white, and blue illustrations will engage reluctant readers. . . . With themes of bullying, growing up, and belonging, this story will resonate with kids who need reassurance that it’s okay to be different.”—starred, School Library Journal

The Monster and the Clown by Mats Strandberg, illustrated by Sofia Falkenhem, and translated by Julia Marshall

• Interest Level: Grades 1 – 4

The people of Yrred are terrified of monsters, and fear is spreading like wildfire. So when Kruger the Clown comes to town, they leap at his offer to catch the creatures haunting Yrred and force them to perform at his circus. Only Frank knows the town’s secret—and his own. He is the monster they’re all afraid of. But he’s also a nine-year-old boy, who has finally found friends like him. Frank and his monster friends must reveal the truth of Kruger’s cruel circus before the hateful plan takes hold. The Monster and the Clown is a spine-tingling adventure about a creepy clown, a daring rescue, and having the courage to stand up for what’s right.

★ “Readers will be caught up in this fantasy adventure that’s neither too scary nor too simplistic; a tale that will leave them wanting more of Frank and his monster pack’s adventures.”—starred, School Library Journal

Graphic Novels

Red Stones: A Graphic Account of the Salvadoran Civil War written and illustrated by Ernesto Saade

• Interest Level: Grades 9 – 12

In 1981, the Salvadoran Civil War reached Miriam’s village of Santa Marta. In 2021, Ernesto Saade visited to hear her story. The result is a graphic account of conflict, displacement, and the Red Stones massacre.

★”A momentous testimony.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

★”This powerful graphic novel about a little-known battle in Salvadorian history needs to be on every graphic novel shelf.”—starred, School Library Journal

Novels

Paloma Joins the Circus by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

• Interest Level: Grades 5 – 8

In 1939, twelve-year-old Paloma travels with la carpa, her Mexican American family’s tent show, and sets out to show her father that she has what it takes to be a tightrope walker like her mother.

★”A daring story of family and finding balance.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

How to Be Normal by Ange Crawford

• Interest Level: Grade 8 – 12

Until now, Astrid has lived within the confines of her father’s tightly controlled rules. As Astrid and her mom tentatively expand their world, they struggle to break free of their ingrained wariness and self-doubt to see hope on the other side.

★”This powerful work focuses on reclaiming a life that has never felt owned, finding inner strength, and leaning on those who care. . . . Teens familiar with confining home structures will see Astrid’s hopeful tale as a reminder that it’s possible to get out.”—starred, Booklist

When It’s Your Turn for Midnight by Blessing Musariri

• Interest Level: Grades 8 – 12

Fifteen-year-old Chianti finds out her dad isn’t her biological father. She goes to stay with her maternal grandmother, is embraced by her grandmother’s friends, and discovers that families are about more than biology.

★”A sparkling jewel of a story grounded in emotional truths.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

Nonfiction

An Astonishing Circle: The Discovery and Denial of the Circulatory System by Maria Parrott-Ryan

• Interest Level: Grades 6 – 12

In 1628, a controversial medical pamphlet challenged previous scientific beliefs by claiming that blood moved in a circle through the body. Discover the people who changed our understanding of the circulatory system.

★”Stimulating, absorbing, and informative.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

Diseases Without Borders: Plagues, Pandemics, and Beyond by Marc Zimmer

• Interest Level: Grades 6 – 12

What can we learn from history to help predict and contain future disease outbreaks? Investigate how major diseases develop, what factors contribute to outbreaks, how they spread, where they are now, and more in this thorough overview.

★”An exceptionally clear and inspiring resource combining a human-centered narrative with compelling science.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

Hits that Changed History: How Motown Revolutionized Music and Culture in America by Dr. Monica B. Morall-Baker

• Interest Level: Grades 3 – 6

Motown is a record label that has produced music by legendary artists such as Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder. Explore how Motown began, the cultural impact Motown has made, and its lasting impact on music.

★”Well-researched and informative.”—starred, Booklist

Shoes!: A Footwear Fashion Frolic by Anna Davies and illustrated by Daisy Wynter

• Interest Level: Grades 4 – 8

From the sandals of Ancient Rome to the invention of sneakers, take a journey through the history of footwear. Celebrating iconic stories and personalities, and with illustrations reminiscent of Andy Warhol, this book is a captivating showcase of shoe-lore.

★”The book is a visual delight . . . . [It] supports a range of curricular areas, from social studies to business marketing to graphic arts and fashion design, and is sure to attract browsers. This look at an underrepresented subject will make a fun STEAM addition for collections.”—starred, Booklist

The Real Rosalind: The Truth About Rosalind Franklin’s DNA Discovery and How It Was Erased by Debbie Loren Dunn

• Interest Level: Grades 6 – 12

The story of British scientist Rosalind Franklin, whose breakthrough discoveries in the field of DNA changed science as we know it, only to have the credit stolen by her male colleagues.

★”A well-researched, candid, and highly recommended biography . . .”—starred, Booklist