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Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2022

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2022 names 346 books across 12 categories. 100 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Best Board Books

  1. A Kit Story by Kristen Tracysource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Cat's First Baby by Natalie Nelsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Chones, por favor!: Undies, please! by Sumana Seeboruthsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Eso es mio!: That's mine! by Sumana Seeboruthsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Me and My Mama by Carole Boston Weatherfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Me and the Family Tree by Carole Boston Weatherfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. My nap: mi siesta by Raúl the Thirdsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. My party: mi fiesta by Raúl the Thirdsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. You Are Getting Sleepy by Lori Alexandersource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books

  1. A Proposal They Can't Refuse by Natalie Cañasource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnahsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathewssource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Also A Poet: Frank O'hara, My Father, and Me by Ada Calhounsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. American Midnight: The Great War, A Violent Peace, and Democracy's Forgotten Crisis by Adam Hochschildsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yongsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Black Cake: A Novel by Charmaine Wilkersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Bliss Montage by Ling Masource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Book Lovers by Emily Henrysource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Booth: A Novel by Karen Joy Fowlersource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Breathless: The Scientific Race to Defeat A Deadly Virus by David Quammensource (opens in a new tab)
  12. By Hands Now Known: Jim Crow's Legal Executioners by Margaret A. Burnhamsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Calling for A Blanket Dance: A Novel by Oscar Hokeahsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Camera Man: Buster Keaton, the Dawn of Cinema, and the Invention of the Twentieth Century by Dana Stevenssource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Checkout 19 by Claire-Louise Bennettsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Companion Piece by Ali Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Constructing A Nervous System by Margo Jeffersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Corrections in Ink: A Memoir by Keri Blakingersource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Cost of Living: Essays by Emily Maloneysource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Crying in the Bathroom: A Memoir by Erika L. Sánchezsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Daughter of the Moon Goddess: A Novel by Sue Lynn Tansource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Demon Copperhead: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolversource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Devil House by John Darniellesource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Diary of A Misfit: A Memoir and A Mystery by Casey Parkssource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Dinosaurs: A Novel by Lydia Milletsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Dr. No: A Novel by Percival Everettsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beatonsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Easy Beauty: A Memoir by Chloé Cooper Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Eating to Extinction: The World's Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them by Dan Saladinosource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Either/or by Elif Batumansource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Every Good Boy Does Fine: A Love Story, in Music Lessons by Jeremy Denksource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Fellowship Point: A Novel by Alice Elliott Darksource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Finding Me by Viola Davissource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Grey Bees by Andreĭ Kurkovsource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad by Matthew F. Delmontsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. If I Survive You by Jonathan Escofferysource (opens in a new tab)
  37. In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss by Amy Bloomsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Jackal: A Novel by Erin E. Adamssource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Killers of A Certain Age by Deanna Raybournsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Last Summer on State Street: A Novel by Toya Wolfesource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fusource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Liberation Day: Stories by George Saunderssource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Lost & Found: A Memoir by Kathryn Schulzsource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Memphis: A Novel by Tara M. Stringfellowsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfishersource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Taltysource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Our Missing Hearts: A Novel by Celeste Ngsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Paradais by Fernanda Melchorsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Paradise Falls: The True Story of An Environmental Catastrophe by Keith O'Briensource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Read Dangerously: The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times by Azar Nafisisource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Sandy Hook: An American Tragedy Became A Battle for Truth by Elizabeth Williamsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Scattered All Over the Earth by Yōko Tawadasource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandelsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Seeking Fortune Elsewhere: Stories by Sindya Bhanoosource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Siren Queen by Nghi Vosource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamorasource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Stay True: A Memoir by Hua Hsusource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm by Laura Warrellsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdezsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Tasha: A Son's Memoir by Brian Mortonsource (opens in a new tab)
  61. The Art of Prophecy: A Novel by Wesley Chusource (opens in a new tab)
  62. The Birdcatcher by Gayl Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  63. The Book of Goose by Yiyun Lisource (opens in a new tab)
  64. The Books of Jacob, Or, A Fantastic Journey Across Seven Borders, Five Languages, and Three Major Religions, Not Counting the Minor Sects by Olga Tokarczuksource (opens in a new tab)
  65. The Candy House: A Novel by Jennifer Egansource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau: A Novel by Silvia Moreno-Garciasource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Emergency: A Year of Healing and Heartbreak in A Chicago ER by Thomas Fishersource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Furrows: An Elegy : A Novel by Namwali Serpellsource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Golden Enclaves: A Novel by Naomi Noviksource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Grimkes: The Legacy of Slavery in An American Family by Kerri K. Greenidgesource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Hacienda by Isabel Cañassource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Hero of This Book: A Novel by Elizabeth McCrackensource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere. : A Memoir by James Spoonersource (opens in a new tab)
  74. The Hurting Kind by Ada Limónsource (opens in a new tab)
  75. The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O'Rourkesource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The Kingdom of Sand by Andrew Holleransource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Man Who Could Move Clouds: A Memoir by Ingrid Rojas Contrerassource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Passenger by Cormac McCarthysource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Guntysource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Reading Set for Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalezsource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The School for Good Mothers: A Novel by Jessamine Chansource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The Swimmers by Julie Otsukasource (opens in a new tab)
  83. The Treeline: The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth by Ben Rawlencesource (opens in a new tab)
  84. The Village Idiot: A Novel by Steve Sternsource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumbsource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide by Steven W. Thrashersource (opens in a new tab)
  87. This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straubsource (opens in a new tab)
  88. Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercottsource (opens in a new tab)
  89. Time Is A Mother by Ocean Vuongsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevinsource (opens in a new tab)
  91. True Biz: A Novel by Sara Novićsource (opens in a new tab)
  92. Trust by Hernán Díazsource (opens in a new tab)
  93. Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation by Linda Villarosasource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage by Rachel E. Grosssource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Vladímír: A Novel by Julia May Jonassource (opens in a new tab)
  96. We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland by Fintan O'Toolesource (opens in a new tab)
  97. What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing From Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foosource (opens in a new tab)
  98. When Women Were Dragons: A Novel by Kelly Regan Barnhillsource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Yonder: A Novel by Jabari Asimsource (opens in a new tab)
  100. Young Mungo: A Novel by Douglas Stuartsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books: Top 10

  1. An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yongsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Constructing A Nervous System by Margo Jeffersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Demon Copperhead: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolversource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Taltysource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamorasource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Stay True: A Memoir by Hua Hsusource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Book of Goose by Yiyun Lisource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O'Rourkesource (opens in a new tab)
  9. The Reading Set for Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalezsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevinsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Fiction for Older Readers

  1. A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glasersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Answers in the Pages by David Levithansource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Black Bird, Blue Road by Sofiya Pasternacksource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Caprice by Coe Boothsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Falling Short by Ernesto Cisnerossource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Fibbed by Elizabeth Agyemangsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortegasource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Holler of the Fireflies by David Barclay Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  9. In the Key of Us by Mariama Lockingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone by Tae Kellersource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Karthik Delivers by Sheela Charisource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution by Sherri Winstonsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yeesource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardosource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Nikhil Out Loud by Maulik Pancholysource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Simon B. Rhymin' Takes A Stand by Dwayne Reedsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Swim Team by Johnnie Christmassource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Best Liars in Riverview by Lin Thompsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexandersource (opens in a new tab)
  20. The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvatsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. The Lost Ryū by Emi Watanabe Cohensource (opens in a new tab)
  22. The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Regan Barnhillsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. The Tryout by Christina Soontornvatsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Three Strike Summer by Skyler Schremppsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Tumble by Celia C. Pérezsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Unfadeable by Maurice Broaddussource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Wildoak by C. C. Harringtonsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Fiction for Younger Readers

  1. Beauty Woke by NoNieqa Ramossource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Bug Scouts — Camp Out! by Mike Lowerysource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Bug Scouts — Out in the Wild by Mike Lowerysource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Build It! Jump It! by Larry Dane Brimnersource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Can I Have A Turn? by Norman Feutisource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Cornbread & Poppy by Matthew Cordellsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Cornbread & Poppy at the Carnival by Matthew Cordellsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Drive It! Fix It! by Larry Dane Brimnersource (opens in a new tab)
  9. El Toro & Friends: Team up by Raúl the Thirdsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Esme's Birthday Conga Line by Lourdes Heuersource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Gigi and Ojiji by Melissa Iwaisource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Go, Sled! Go! by James Yangsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Happy Birthday, Hedgehog! by Norman Feutisource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Haven: A Small Cat's Big Adventure by Megan Wagner Lloydsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Haylee and Comet: 3, Over the Moon by Deborah Marcerosource (opens in a new tab)
  16. King of the Ice by Kelly Starling Lyonssource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Mr. Wolf's Class: Snow Day by Aron Nels Steinkesource (opens in a new tab)
  18. My Kingdom of Darkness by Susan Tansource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Pigeon & Cat by Edward Hemingwaysource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Race to Fire Mountain by Remi Blackwoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Ready? Set. Birthday! by Vaunda Micheaux Nelsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Reina Ramos Works It Out by Emma Otheguysource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Ride It! Patch It! by Larry Dane Brimnersource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Shark Chums: Can Clam Go? by Adam Lehrhauptsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Sir Ladybug by Corey R. Taborsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Sir Ladybug and the Queen Bee by Corey R. Taborsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Surely Surely Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Sydney & Taylor and the Great Friend Expedition by Jacqueline Daviessource (opens in a new tab)
  29. The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza: Book One by Mac Barnettsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. The Flower Garden by Renée Kurillasource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls by Atinukesource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Up and Down and Other Stories by Sergio Ruzziersource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Violet & Jobie in the Wild by Lynne Rae Perkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Whiz Kid by Kelly Starling Lyonssource (opens in a new tab)

Best Informational Books for Older Readers

  1. A Mind Like Mine: 21 Famous People and Their Mental Health by Rachael Davissource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis by Susan Hoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. American Murderer: The Parasite That Haunted the South by Gail Jarrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Because of You, John Lewis: The True Story of A Remarkable Friendship by Andrea Davis Pinkneysource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Button Pusher by Tyler Pagesource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Call Him Jack: The Story of Jackie Robinson, Black Freedom Fighter by Yohuru Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement by Angela Joysource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life by Cheryl Blackfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. How to Build A Human: In Seven Evolutionary Steps by Pamela S. Turnersource (opens in a new tab)
  10. I Begin With Spring: The Life and Seasons of Henry David Thoreau by Julie Dunlapsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Maya's Song by Renée Watsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Packing for Mars for Kids by Mary Roachsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Peace Is A Chain Reaction: How World War II Japanese Balloon Bombs Brought People of Two Nations Together by Tanya Lee Stonesource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Rewilding: Bringing Wildlife Back Where It Belongs by David A. Steensource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Seen and Unseen: What Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams's Photographs Reveal About the Japanese American Incarceration by Elizabeth Partridgesource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler by Ibi Aanu Zoboisource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Antiracist Kid: A Books About Identity, Justice, and Activism by Tiffany Jewellsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Mystery of the Monarchs: How Kids, Teachers, and Butterfly Fans Helped Fred and Norah Urquhart Track the Great Monarch Migration by Barb Rosenstocksource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Sun Does Shine: An Innocent Man, A Wrongful Conviction, and the the Long Path to Justice by Anthony Ray Hintonsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. The Woman Who Split the Atom: Lise Meitner by Marissa Mosssource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Unbreakable: the Spies Who Cracked the Nazis' Secret Code by Rebecca E. F. Baronesource (opens in a new tab)

Best Informational Books for Younger Readers

  1. A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portissource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Ablaze With Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harveysource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammondsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Call Me Miss Hamilton: One Woman's Case for Equality and Respect by Carole Boston Weatherfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Going Places: Victor Hugo Green and His Glorious Book by Tonya Boldensource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Hello, Puddle! by Anita Sanchezsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Ida B. Wells, Voice of Truth: Educator, Feminist, and Anti-lynching Civil Rights Leader by Michelle Dustersource (opens in a new tab)
  8. If You're A Kid Like Gavin by Gavin Grimmsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Kapaemahu by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalusource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Mushroom Rain by Laura K. Zimmermannsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. One Tiny Bubble: The Story of Our Last Universal Common Ancestor by Karen Krossingsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth by Alice Faye Duncansource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Pink, Blue, and You: Questions for Kids About Gender and Stereotypes by Elise Gravelsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Mara Rockliffsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Pictures by Chana Stiefelsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Until Someone Listens: A Story About Borders, Family, and One Girl's Mission by Estela Juarezsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Where Butterflies Fill the Sky: A Story of Immigration, Family, and Finding Home by Zahra Marwansource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Yes We Will: Asian Americans Who Shaped This Country by Kelly Yangsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle's Incredible Journey Home by Lindsay Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  20. ¡Mambo mucho mambo!: el baile que atravesó la barrera del color by Dean Robbinssource (opens in a new tab)

Best Picture Books

  1. 'Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClinticksource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A veces, yo soy todo lo que necesito by Juliana Perdomosource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Abuelita y yo by Leonarda Carranzasource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Amor de colores by Melanie Romerosource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGintysource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Berry Song by Michaela Goadesource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Black Girl Rising by Brynne Barnessource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Con mucho amor by Jenny Torres Sanchezsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Cultivando a un artista: la historia de un jardinero paisajista y su hijo by John Parrasource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Dadaji's Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpandesource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Dia de disfraces by Blanca Gómezsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Donde las maravillas crecen by Xelena Gonzálezsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. El año en que aprendimos a volar by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Every Dog in the Neighborhood by Philip Christian Steadsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Firefighter Flo! by Andrea Griffing Zimmermansource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Frances in the Country by Liz Garton Scanlonsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Gibberish by Young Vosource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Growing An Artist: The Story of A Landscaper and His Son by John Parrasource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Holding on by Sophia N. Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  20. I'll Go and Come Back by Rajani LaRoccasource (opens in a new tab)
  21. I'm Not Small by Nina Crewssource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Impossible Moon by Breanna J. McDanielsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. John's Turn by Mac Barnettsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Kick Push by Frank Morrisonsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. La bendición de Zahra: una historia de Ramadán by Shirin Shamsisource (opens in a new tab)
  26. La casita de Esperanza by Terry Catasús Jenningssource (opens in a new tab)
  27. La falda morada de Leo by Irma Borgessource (opens in a new tab)
  28. La guardiana de la libreta: una historia de bondad desde le frontera by Stephen Briseñosource (opens in a new tab)
  29. La víspera de orgullo by Joanna McClinticksource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Leila, la brujita perfecta by Flavia Z. Dragosource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Los coquíes aún cantan by Karina Nicole Gonzálezsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Nina LaCoursource (opens in a new tab)
  33. My Town: Mi Pueblo by Nicholas Solissource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eadysource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Night Lunch by Eric Fansource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Peque y yo by Alicia Acostasource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Powwow Day by Traci Sorellsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Sana, Sana, Colita De Rana by Citlali Reyessource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Sometimes I Grumblesquinch by Rachel Vailsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Still This Love Goes on by Buffy Sainte-Mariesource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Ten Blocks to the Big Wok: A Chinatown Counting Book by Ying-Hwa Husource (opens in a new tab)
  42. The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnessource (opens in a new tab)
  43. The Talk by Alicia Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  44. The World Belonged to Us by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Three Billy Goats Gruff by Mac Barnettsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Together We Ride by Valerie Bollingsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Too Early by Nora Ericsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Un verano especial con la abuela by Tania De Regilsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Uncle John's City Garden by Bernette G. Fordsource (opens in a new tab)
  51. With Lots of Love by Jenny Torres Sanchezsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Teen Fiction

  1. A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Linsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Million Quiet Revolutions by Robin Gowsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. All My Rage by Sabaa Tahirsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Beating Heart Baby by Lio Minsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Bitter by Akwaeke Emezisource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Forging Silver Into Stars by Brigid Kemmerersource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmedsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Home Field Advantage by Dahlia Adlersource (opens in a new tab)
  9. How You Grow Wings by Rimma Onosetasource (opens in a new tab)
  10. I Kissed Shara Wheeler: A Novel by Casey McQuistonsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Lawless Spaces by Corey Ann Haydusource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Love Radio by Ebony LaDellesource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Loveless by Alice Osemansource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Man O' War by Cory McCarthysource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Nothing Burns as Bright as You by Ashley Woodfolksource (opens in a new tab)
  16. One for All by Lillie Lainoffsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Self-made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemoresource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Sunny G's Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dhillonsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Calettisource (opens in a new tab)
  20. The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonido Reyessource (opens in a new tab)
  21. The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huertasource (opens in a new tab)
  22. The Many Half-lived Lives of Sam Sylvester by Maya MacGregorsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. The Red Palace by June Hursource (opens in a new tab)
  24. The Silence That Binds Us by Joanna Hosource (opens in a new tab)
  25. The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jenny Fergusonsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. This Place Is Still Beautiful by Xixi Tiansource (opens in a new tab)
  28. This Rebel Heart by Katherine Lockesource (opens in a new tab)

Best Teen Graphic Novels and Manga

  1. Across A Field of Starlight by Blue Delliquantisource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Cat + Gamer: Volume 1 by Wataru Nadatanisource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Colorless: Volume 01 by KENTsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Hello, Melancholic!: Volume 1 by Yayoi Osawasource (opens in a new tab)
  5. I Want to Be A Wall: Volume 1 by Honami Shironosource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Look Back by Tatsuki Fujimotosource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Nightfall Travelers: Volume 1, Leave Only Footprints by Tomohisource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Run on your New Legs: Volume 1 by Wataru Midorisource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Squire by Sara Alfageehsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. The Greatest Thing by Sarah Winifred Searlesource (opens in a new tab)
  11. The Tunnel to Summer: The Exit of Goodbyes : Ultramarine. Volume 1 by Mei Hachimokusource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Well by Jacob Wyattsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Wandance: Volume 01 by Coffeesource (opens in a new tab)

Best Teen Nonfiction

  1. A Quick & Easy Guide to Asexuality by Molly Muldoonsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of A Wuhanese American by Laura Gaosource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Murder Among Friends: How Leopold and Loeb Tried to Commit the Perfect Crime by Candace Flemingsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Numb to This: Memoir of A Mass Shooting by Kindra Neelysource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America by Candacy A. Taylorsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality by Eliot Schrefersource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Rising Troublemaker: A Fear-fighter Manual for Teens by Luvvie Ajayi Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure by Lewis Hancoxsource (opens in a new tab)

Los mejores libros en español

  1. A veces, yo soy todo lo que necesito by Juliana Perdomosource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Abuelita y yo by Leonarda Carranzasource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Amor de colores by Melanie Romerosource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Chones, por favor!: Undies, please! by Sumana Seeboruthsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Con mucho amor by Jenny Torres Sanchezsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Cultivando a un artista: la historia de un jardinero paisajista y su hijo by John Parrasource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Dia de disfraces by Blanca Gómezsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Donde las maravillas crecen by Xelena Gonzálezsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. El año en que aprendimos a volar by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Eso es mio!: That's mine! by Sumana Seeboruthsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. La bendición de Zahra: una historia de Ramadán by Shirin Shamsisource (opens in a new tab)
  12. La casita de Esperanza by Terry Catasús Jenningssource (opens in a new tab)
  13. La falda morada de Leo by Irma Borgessource (opens in a new tab)
  14. La guardiana de la libreta: una historia de bondad desde le frontera by Stephen Briseñosource (opens in a new tab)
  15. La víspera de orgullo by Joanna McClinticksource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Leila, la brujita perfecta by Flavia Z. Dragosource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Los coquíes aún cantan by Karina Nicole Gonzálezsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. My Town: Mi Pueblo by Nicholas Solissource (opens in a new tab)
  19. My nap: mi siesta by Raúl the Thirdsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. My party: mi fiesta by Raúl the Thirdsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Peque y yo by Alicia Acostasource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Sana, Sana, Colita De Rana by Citlali Reyessource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Un verano especial con la abuela by Tania De Regilsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. ¡Mambo mucho mambo!: el baile que atravesó la barrera del color by Dean Robbinssource (opens in a new tab)

About the Chicago Public Library Best of the Best

Lists come from CPL's yearly Best of the Best pages on chipublib.org (2014-2025), which link to staff lists on chipublib.bibliocommons.com; titles and authors were read from those BiblioCommons lists. Year is the year in the list name, which is the publication year of the books. Category is the BiblioCommons list name with the year removed (for example "Best Teen Fiction", "Best Books: Top Ten", "Must-Read Books: Fiction"). From 2023 the adult picks are "Our Favorite Books" plus genre "Must-Read Books" lists, all linked from the Best of the Best page. Top 10 lists repeat titles from the full adult list; both are kept as separate categories. For 2007-2013 there is no CPL year page that is still live; we used CPL's own BiblioCommons lists in the same series (teen fiction 2007-2013, teen nonfiction 2008, kids lists 2010-2013). For 2009 kids lists we used the archived chipublib.org Best of the Best page via Wayback; CPL titled that page "Best of the Best 2010" but it covers books of 2009, so it is filed as 2009, and its section names were mapped to the BiblioCommons style ("Picture Books" to "Best Picture Books", "Nonfiction" to "Best Nonfiction"). Award-winner, NatureConnections and Healthy Living sections were left out. 2006 is left out because no archived list for books of 2006 was found. Adult lists from 2013 and earlier were left out because they compile outside sources, not CPL picks. Authors are the catalog's main author put in first-last order; editors are used for anthologies. Translators are filled only for a few titles where the CPL catalog record credits one, so most translated books lack a translator. Where one list names two books from the same series (e.g. Ty's Travels: All Aboard! and Ty's Travels: Zip, Zoom!), the series and book title are joined with a dash so the catalog keeps them apart; catalog series tags such as "(I can read book, Book None)" are dropped.

Organization: Chicago Public Library. Official site (opens in a new tab)

The most recommended books of 2022