It’s the start of a new school year, which means many of us are stocking our classroom library shelves. Lucky for us, there are many great new books headed our way this month. We’ve pored over the reviews to find the best new books coming out in August 2026.
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August Reading Log Printable
Grab our printable August Reading Log to have your students record and celebrate the pages they read in August.
- Best New Fiction Picture Books for August 2026
- August 2026 New Easy Readers / Chapter Books
- Best New Middle Grade Books August 2026
- August 2026 New Young Adult Fiction
- Best New Graphic Fiction for August 2026
- Best New Nonfiction for All Ages in August 2026
Best New Fiction Picture Books for August 2026
Faraway Family by Padma Venkatraman, ill. by Nicole Wong
Traveling to visit family in a far-off place is exciting, but it can also be a bit scary, as the little girl in this new book finds out. But it doesn’t take long for the strange to become familiar, and strangers feel more like the family they’ve always been.
Buy it: Faraway Family
The Sounds That Shelter Me by Bibi Senthi, ill. by Felishia Henditirto
The rhythmic sounds of the Tamil movies that Mayuri loves comfort her when she experiences sensory overload in the real world. This new read shows others how many people with autism use stimming to help manage the sensory struggles they face each day.
Buy it: The Sounds That Shelter Me
A Is for … a Rabbit’s Tale by Jackie Hosking, ill. by Lucinda Gifford
Each page in this alphabet book unfolds the humorous story of two children who both want the same pet: “M is for My rabbit!” Fortunately, the story has a happy resolution: “Y is for Your guinea pig!”
Buy it: A Is for … a Rabbit’s Tale
A Night for the Rice Carriers by Carmen Rubin, ill. by Matt Williams
Explore the legend of the West African Rice Carriers, two brave women who tucked grains of rice in their braids as they escaped enslavement and began a new life. Join young Mae and her grandmother as they celebrate the legacy of Yaya and Paanza during one very special night.
Buy it: A Night for the Rice Carriers
The Only Way To Dance by Cristina Quintero, ill. by Eugenia Mello
Wander through the dance studio featured in these pages as each turn of the page reveals a new way to dance: ballet, hula, capoeira, a First Nations round dance, and much more. Despite the title, you’ll learn that the only way to dance is YOUR way!
Buy it: The Only Way To Dance
A Very Good Parade by Eleanor Davis
Gabby’s throwing a parade, and everyone is invited to join in! (Even if they’d rather go home for a snack …) Kids will love seeing the various talents of the neighborhood gang in this delightful new read-aloud.
Buy it: A Very Good Parade
August 2026 New Easy Readers / Chapter Books
Go, Crow by Tjitske Kamphuis
While not technically a traditional easy reader, this new book’s premise makes it perfect for emergent readers. There’s just one word on every page—and they all rhyme with crow (blow, sow, foe, oh …)! As kids get the idea, they’ll also realize that English is a twisty language, where words that are spelled very differently can sound very much the same.
Buy it: Go, Grow
Finders of Silverthorn Forest by Rachel Chivers Khoo, ill. by Laura Catalán
When Max meets the Tuftorious Snook, collector of lost things, he’s launched on an adventure amongst the Finders of Silverthorn Forest. This charming chapter book kicks off a new series full of magic and wonder.
Buy it: Finders of Silverthorn Forest
Best New Middle Grade Books August 2026
Invisible by Eloy Moreno
The narrator of the story wakes up in the hospital, alarmed that he’s lost his ability to become invisible. But as the tale unfolds, we learn that this “invisibility” was a defense formed over months of relentless bullying. Now his family and friends finally acknowledge his pain, and the healing can begin.
Buy it: Invisible
Paloma Joins the Circus by Lupe Ruiz-Flores
Journey to 1939 Texas and meet Paloma, whose Mexican American family is all part of la carpa, a tent circus. When her father forbids her to become a tightrope walker, Paloma defies his wishes and trains in secret anyway. The details of circus life will fascinate historical-fiction lovers who pick up this new middle grade book.
Buy it: Paloma Joins the Circus
Shook by Julian Randall
When basketball star Malik “Shake” Page finds himself on the sidelines with a broken ankle, his life seems to fall apart. This novel in verse addresses a key issue that’s too often ignored: mental health in sports. Reluctant readers often love sports tales, making this quick new read a terrific addition to your classroom shelves.
Buy it: Shook
Secrets of the Shield by Brian Kelsall
When a talking beaver asks 11-year-old Sam for help, he discovers he is part of a larger battle to stop evil forces that have broken through the ancient Canadian Shield. With the help of friends, family, and magical allies, Sam learns that courage and compassion can save both the natural world and himself.
Buy it: Secrets of the Shield
No Place on Earth by Andrea Beatriz Arango
After moving from Puerto Rico to Yellowstone, anxious 11-year-old Gustavo struggles with homesickness, his parents’ separation, and vivid nightmares. Gus wants to hide it all, but his new friend Kordell (whom he saw in his dreams before meeting him in real life) is open about his own struggles, encouraging Gus to face his fears.
Buy it: No Place on Earth
August 2026 New Young Adult Fiction
Whenever You Are by Martine Leavitt
Finn and Clem are confined to neighboring cells in juvenile detention, speaking only during one hour of yard time each day. When unstable Finn vanishes after claiming a wormhole in his cell can send him through time, Clem is left to answer officials’ questions while searching for answers of his own. (Novel in verse)
Buy it: Whenever You Are
Find My Way Down to You by Julian Winters
Eighteen-year-old August has been drifting since losing his boyfriend London two years ago. All that changes when he meets the mysterious Cary, who turns out to be a “Deathless,” whose job is escorting the dead to Aides. August follows him there, looking for London … or is it Cary he’s really interested in?
Buy it: Find My Way Down to You
Again Behold the Stars by Jessie Latimer
After dying unexpectedly, adventure-loving Rigby gets a chance to return to life by entering her favorite novel and saving its villain from death. But when the story begins to unravel, Rigby and her fictional allies must stop a gang of interdimensional villains before the book—and her second chance—are destroyed.
Buy it: Again Behold the Stars
Bless Me, Papi by Ayendy Bonifacio
After his father dies, 13-year-old Domingo begins seeing visions of Papi everywhere. Over the course of a year, as he travels between Brooklyn and the Dominican Republic, Domingo learns more about grief, faith, and growing up in a tale that mixes magical realism with the relentless reality of life.
Buy it: Bless Me, Papi
We by Christelle Dabos
Dystopia fans will enjoy a dive into the world ruled by “We,” where each person has a predetermined role defined by their instinct. But when teens like Goliath (a Protector) and Claire (a Confidante) begin questioning the system, it all starts to fall apart, potentially changing the world forever.
Buy it: We
Best New Graphic Fiction for August 2026
The Path by Pamela Paul, ill. by Qin Leng
The park is crowded, and everyone on the path is grumbling about everyone else around them—until a swoop of starlings overhead stops everyone in their tracks. After a friendly nature-lover shares their knowledge, the tone changes, and the crowd at the park becomes a community instead. (Grades pre-K to grade 3)
Buy it: The Path
Exposures by Lily Williams
Living with OCD is no joke, as middle schooler Peyton knows. Her therapist recommends exposure therapy, which Peyton finds uncomfortably hard but ultimately helpful. This new graphic novel is encouraging for those facing challenges like Peyton’s and enlightening for all. (Grades 4–8)
Buy it: Exposures
Archives of the Unexplained: Lost Skies and Seas by Steve Foxe, ill. by Daryl Toh
Neal and Divya’s school field trip to the museum takes a weird turn when they meet an old docent in a back room with some creepy tales to tell. The latest entry in this series explores strange disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle, including the USS Cyclops in 1918 and Flight 19, a squad of torpedo bombers, in 1945. (Grades 4–8)
Buy it: Archives of the Unexplained
Spy Grandma by Celina Frenn, ill. by Lucas Elliott
Jamie and Ben aren’t looking forward to spending a boring summer with a grandmother they barely know. But it turns out Grandma’s got a secret: She used to be a spy, and an enemy from her past is back! When Ben is kidnapped, it’s up to Jamie, new pal Nolan, and Spy Grandma to save the day. (Grades 4–8)
Buy it: Spy Grandma
The Library of Memories by Barbara Perez Marquez, ill. by Lissy Marlin
Copenhagen works at the Library of Memories, but she’s lost her own (again). To find them, she’ll have to journey deep into the library, where she can’t help exploring the memories of others along the way. This steam-punk-style adventure is intriguing and thoughtful, with an important message about accepting our memories, both good and bad. (Grades 4–8)
Buy it: The Library of Memories
Best New Nonfiction for All Ages in August 2026
A Bear Belongs by Catherine Barr, ill. by Harriet Hobday
Poachers stole sun bears Tan-Tan, Boboi, and Kitud from their home in the Bornean rainforest and sold them into captivity. From this heartbreaking beginning unfolds an inspiring tale of heroic conservationists who rescue, rehabilitate, and return the bears back to the wild where they belong. (Grades K–3)
Buy it: A Bear Belongs
Reading the Bones by Marc Aronson and John S. Mead
This new nonfiction book follows the scientists who discovered the bones of Homo naledi deep within a South African cave, uncovering clues about a mysterious human ancestor. Through real-time exploration and scientific investigation, learn how researchers piece together the story of human evolution. (Grades 5–8)
Buy it: Reading the Bones
Boarding Schools and the Indigenous Story by Ashley Fairbanks
This balanced account of the boarding schools that Indigenous children were forced into for more than 100 years reveals a shameful part of American history. It’s a striking reminder that good intentions can lead to wrong actions, especially when we believe one culture has more value than another. (Grade 5 and up)
An Astonishing Circle by Maria Parrott-Ryan
When William Harvey proposed his idea of how the circulation system worked in 1628, it flew in the face of what anatomists thought they knew, and they called him a dangerous liar. He was right, of course, and later scientists proved his theory and built on it, as told in this fascinating new nonfiction read. (Grades 6–12)
Buy it: An Astonishing Circle
Palestine: A Primer by Rashid Khalidi
The controversial conflict between Palestine and Israel has worldwide impacts, and we all should try to understand more about the situation. This young readers’ adaptation of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine blends political analysis with a personal touch, making a tricky topic more accessible for curious teens. (Grades 9–12)
Buy it: Palestine: A Primer
Don’t forget to grab your free printable August Reading Log!
