January, 2026 Reader’s Choice: Youth-Recommended Reads
DB124986 The House Without Lights by Faruqi, Reem
Annotation: After seeing all of its neighbors’ twinkling lights for the winter holidays, House hopes to shine too. When Huda and her family move in, House thinks its time to sparkle has finally come. But, Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas come and go without a shimmer. Quickly, House learns that every family celebrates joy and togetherness in their own way, no matter the season. And a few months later House will see that this new family has its own holiday to shine for. This book is sure to be a holiday classic, complete with back matter about the holidays mentioned, including the one House lights up for-Eid. For preschool-grade 2.
DB124363 A Day in the Snow with the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Roth, Megan and Carle, Eric
Annotation: The Very Hungry Caterpillar spends a day in the snow admiring snowflakes, snowmen, and snowforts. For preschool-grade 2.
DB106217 The Sleepwalking Snowman by Miedoso, Andres
Annotation: Desmond and Andres face a snowball-throwing bully and a snowman that was built by a schoolmate but seems to have a mind of its own. For grades 2-4.
DB93125 Spy Penguins by Hay, Sam
Annotation: Young penguins Jackson, also known as Secret Agent 00Zero, and Quigley, an inventor, investigate who is stealing rare fish from the Rookeryville aquarium, hoping to prove themselves to the Frosty Bureau of Investigation. For grades 2-4.
DB113880 Racing Storm Mountain by Reedy, Trent
Annotation: Kelton Fielding sees his chance to impress his classmates when a snowmobile race is announced, but when the popular kids follow him into the backcountry, Kelton and the others find themselves in real danger, relying on their wits and teamwork to survive. For grades 3-6.
DB87254 The Poet’s Dog by MacLachlan, Patricia
Annotation: Teddy, a dog, leads siblings Nickel and Flora through a terrible snowstorm to shelter in a cabin where he is flooded with memories of his deceased owner, a poet named Sylvan. For grades 3-6.
DB107615 School of Phantoms by Merritt, Kory
Annotation: Levi and Kat become trapped in the school overnight by freak weather, and discover a cold-hearted new evil has emerged that they must stop before it eats the entire school. For grades 4-7.
DB87951 Penelope March is Melting by Ruby, Jeff
Annotation: Twelve-year-old bookworm Penelope becomes an unlikely hero when the iceberg she calls home starts to melt, and she must save it from a sinister force. For grades 4-7.
DB16982 BR11912 BRN15624 LT1819 The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by Lewis, C.S.
Annotation: Four English children find their way through a huge wardrobe in an old house to the mysterious land of Narnia, which is suffering under the spell of the White Witch. First title in the Chronicles of Narnia. For grades 5-8.
BRN28000 JLT Pau Brian’s Winter by Paulsen, Gary
Annotation: Thirteen-year-old Brian was rescued from the Canadian wilderness at the end of summer in “The Hatchet.” But what if, instead, he had faced the harsh winter in the woods? This survival story pits the stranded young outdoorsman against the cold, loneliness, and worst of nature. For grades 6-9.
DB101627 Recommended for You by Silverman, Laura
Annotation: Shoshanna loves her job at the independent bookstore, Once Upon, until Jake joins the staff, a handsome nonreader who challenges her for a bonus she needs. For young adult readers.
DB103262 Five Total Strangers by Richards, Natalie D.
Annotation: When a blizzard strands Mira and a group of strangers at the Newark airport, they decide to take a chance and drive home together the rest of the way. But the road conditions are not the only mortal danger they face. For young adult readers.
