Best New Books Coming November 2025 for Kids and Teens

In a month that’s all about gratitude, we can’t give enough thanks for new reads to add to our pile. We’ve scoured the reviews and rounded up all the new books coming in November 2025 that seem perfect for kids and classrooms. Here’s what we can’t wait to check out this month.

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November Reading Log

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New Fiction Picture Books in November 2025

The Humble Pie by Jory John, ill. by Pete Oswald

This new addition to the Food Group series, Humble Pie works hard in the background while Jake the Cake slacks off but always takes the spotlight. Can Humble Pie find the courage to step up and tell Jake how he feels?

Buy it: The Humble Pie

This is Not a Sleepy Bear Book book cover — Amazon

This Is Not a Sleepy Bear Book by Brian Gehrlein, ill. by Jennifer Harney

It’s time for Bear to doze off into winter hibernation, but every time he enters his den, an ever-more wild party is underway! What’s a sleepy bear to do?

Buy it: This Is Not a Sleepy Bear Book

A Knot is Not a Tangle book cover — Amazon

A Knot Is Not a Tangle by Daniel Nayeri, ill. by Vesper Stamper

When an Iranian boy sits down with his grandmother to help repair the family rug, he soon learns that perfection isn’t the necessity he thinks it is. The illustrations in this book evoke the beauty of Isfahan, and kids will learn more about this traditional craft.

Buy it: A Knot Is Not a Tangle

The Bunny Ballet by Nora Ericson, ill. by Elly MacKay

Join two children as they attend a lovely performance of the Bunny Ballet. With dreamy illustrations and a simple storyline, this new read is the perfect bedtime or pre-naptime read.

Buy it: The Bunny Ballet

The Night of the Hedgehog book cover — Amazon

The Night of the Hedgehog by Tanya Rosie, ill. by Chuck Groenink

Little ones will love this sweet story of a boy and his father who slip out at night to watch the hedgies that come to drink at the bowl of water they provide. Informational but low-key, this is another new book that’s perfect for pre-sleep reading.

Buy it: The Night of the Hedgehog

New Easy Reader/Chapter Books

Dave Pigeon: Turkey Dinner book cover — Amazon

Dave Pigeon: Turkey Dinner! by Swapna Haddow

Skipper and Dave are excited to join the “Human Lady” for her winter holiday feast, but when they find out that the main course is BIRD, everything goes sideways. Emergent readers will laugh out loud at the latest entry in this chapter book series.

Buy it: Dave Pigeon: Turkey Dinner!

Rica Baptista: The Box of Possibilities book cover — Amazon

Rica Baptista: The Box of Possibilities by Janet Costa Bates, ill. by Gladys Jose

In the second entry in the Rica Baptista series, Rica’s uncle Moose has sent a package to their house—but it’s addressed to himself. What can possibly be inside? Rica and her BFF Laini speculate, but cousin Serenity is skeptical. There’s nothing to do but wait until Uncle Moose comes home—or is there?

Buy it: Rica Baptista: The Box of Possibilities

New Middle Grade Fiction Books

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall: The Valley of Lies by Ali Standish

In the gripping finale of the Improbable trilogy, Arthur must risk everything to save his sister, even if it means betraying Sherlock Holmes and his closest friends. Kids who enjoyed the first two books will welcome this satisfying conclusion to the series.

Buy it: The Valley of Lies

The Aerimander Chronicles: The Last Ember by Lily Berlin Dodd

In the Kingdom of Glaucus, dragon-like Aerimanders are supposedly extinct. So when Eva accidentally buys a piece of jewelry that turns out to be the last Aerimander egg, she sets in motion a series of escalating events as she and unlikely ally Dusty fight to keep the egg safe.

Buy it: The Last Ember

The Treasure of Ocean Parkway book cover — Amazon

The Treasure of Ocean Parkway by Sarvenaz Tash

In the second book of this series that’s a bit like a middle-grade version of Only Murders in the Building, two teens help a friend explore their New York apartment building in search of hidden treasure. Perfect for middle school cozy-mystery fans!

Buy it: The Treasure of Ocean Parkway

New Young Adult Fiction Books

Self Portrait by Ludwig Volbeda

Young artist Jip has a homework assignment that should be easy: Draw a self-portrait. But the assignment reveals more than Jip expected as the struggle to draw a self-portrait becomes a deeper struggle with gender and sexuality.

Buy it: Self Portrait

Under A Fire-Red Sky book cover — Amazon

Under a Fire-Red Sky by Geraldine McCaughrean

Four teens being evacuated from London ahead of the World War II blitz decide they’re not ready to leave. They stay behind to pursue their own individual goals, but they find themselves united as unlikely but loyal friends through bombs, fire, and war.

Buy it: Under a Fire-Red Sky

A Time Traveler's History of Tomorrow book cover — Amazon

A Time Traveler’s History of Tomorrow by Kendall Kulper

Gen can become invisible; Ash can manipulate time. Their paths cross unexpectedly at the 1934 Chicago World’s Fair, where Ash’s attempt to fix Gen’s apocalyptic error accidentally strands them both in 1893. This new sci-fi/fantasy teen romance is a rewarding and engaging read.

Buy it: A Time Traveler’s History of Tomorrow

The Secret Astronomers book cover — Amazon

The Secret Astronomers by Jessica Walker

Two teens become “pen pals” even though they attend the same high school. Together, they work to solve a mystery that has plagued their community for years. This new epistolary novel is written across the pages of an actual ancient astronomy book, a unique conceit that helps it stand out from the rest.

Buy it: The Secret Astronomers

We Fell Apart by E. Lockhart

In this stand-alone novel set in the world of We Were Liars, 18-year-old Matilda travels to her estranged father’s Martha’s Vineyard estate and becomes immersed in the complex relationships, romance, and mysteries of her father’s absence.

Buy it: We Fell Apart

New Graphic Novels and Nonfiction in November 2025

Pablo and Splash: Roman Holiday book cover — Amazon

Pablo and Splash: Roman Holiday by Sheena Dempsey

In the third book of this time-traveling series, penguins Pablo and Splash head to ancient Rome, determined to bring back a gladiator’s helmet and prove their skeptical friend wrong! (Grades 1–4)

Buy it: Pablo and Splash: Roman Holiday

Xolo by Donna Barba Higuera, ill. by Mariana Ruiz Johnson

Explore this stunning new retelling of the Aztec myth of creation to learn more about Xolotl, the often overlooked dog-headed god, adapted for kids. (Grades 2–5)

Buy it: Xolo

The Dirt! by Lindsey Leigh

Graphic nonfiction is a terrific way to engage reluctant readers. This new book fills kids in about the ecosystem underneath our feet, with a focus on the animals that live there. (Grades 4–8)

Buy it: The Dirt!

Whatever After: If the Shoe Fits by Sarah Mlynowski, ill. by Bethany Crandall

The second graphic novel in this twisted fairy-tale series takes Abby and Jonah into the world of Cinderella, where they help ensure another happily ever after ending for everyone. (Grades 4–8)

Buy it: If the Shoe Fits

New Nonfiction Books in November 2025

Making Art by Diana Ejaita

Art is everywhere, art materials can be anything, and all of us are artists! That’s the message in this inspirational new picture book, which reminds kids that the most important part of art is how it makes you feel. (Grades pre-K to grade 1)

Buy it: Making Art

Flurry, Float, and Fly! book cover — Amazon

Flurry, Float, and Fly! by Laura Purdie Salas, ill. by Chiara Fedele

Learn about the science behind the magical snows of winter. The author’s note with more detailed info makes this an excellent classroom reference/picture book. (Grades pre-K to grade 2)

Buy it: Flurry, Float, and Fly!

Salmon Run by Annie Chen

The life journey of a salmon starts far upstream in a freshwater river, continues out into the vast ocean for years, and finishes right back in the very place it started. It’s nothing less than astonishing, and this new read perfectly re-creates the journey to amaze young readers. (Grades K–3)

Buy it: Salmon Run

Great Escapes by David Long, ill. by Jamie Coe

Dive into more than 30 stories of escape, from the famous (Harriet Tubman) to the lesser known (Nadia Murad). These quick tales will grab readers and draw them in from the first page to the last. (Grades 5–7)

Buy it: Great Escapes

Swifterature by Elly McCausland

What do you get when you combine Taylor Swift’s lyrics with classic literature? An impressive way to explore topics from feminism and politics to nature and love. High schoolers who appreciate Swift’s words will enjoy this one, but the real target audience might be ELA teachers looking for ways to revitalize their curriculum. (Grades 9+)

Buy it: Swifterature

Don’t forget to download your free November Reading Log!

Looking for more great new books to read in November? Check out our list of Diverse and Thoughtful Thanksgiving Books for the Classroom.

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