The week of November 16, 2025
The best Southern books of the year for young readers
The Southern Book Prize chooses six finalists in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, and young readers. Each finalist has been put forward by Southern independent booksellers as the "best of the year" in their category.
Here is what bookseller have to say about the books in the young readers category:
Millie Fleur Saves the Night
by Christy Mandin (Orchard Books)
"This stunningly illustrated picture book is fun to read aloud, and shows what happens when you approach something you always thought was scary with curiosity."
– Mandy Harris, Angel Wings Bookstore in Stem, North Carolina | BUY
On Again, Awkward Again
by
Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia (Amulet Books)
This hilariously told young adult romantic comedy captures all the stumbling sweetness of first love. The highs, lows, and all the awkward moments in between of Pacy and Cecil’s love story will have you singing and dancing along to your favorite 90’s R&B song.
– Laura Hoefener, Bookmiser, Inc. in Marietta, Georgia | BUY
J vs. K
by
Kwame Alexander, Jerry Craft (illus.) (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
These two superstars in the literary world live and breathe getting kids to love reading and are such advocates of telling real stories for all. Their pretend jabbing is something that will leave you on the floor laughing.
– Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina
| BUY
The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze
by Derrick Barnes (Viking Books for Young Readers)
This story feels so real and so now, especially with the way athletes, young and old, are standing up against injustice and police brutality. Power story and an on time read.
– Morgan Gayles, The Book Worm in Powder Springs, Georgia
| BUY
Witchkiller
by
Ashlee Latimer (Scholastic)
I flew through this continuation of Hansel and Gretel’s story! I really appreciated the emotional maturity in all the characters. What a breath of fresh air for a teenage character to act like a teenager! This story of empowerment, female friendship, and sweet, sweet justice.
– Chelsea Bauer, Union Ave Books in Knoxville, Tennessee
| BUY
Ripening Time
by
Patrice Gopo, Carlos Vélez Aguilera (artist) (WorthyKids)
Gopo weaves themes of family heritage, the joy of anticipation, and the small pain of waiting into a sweet story of purchasing plantains and watching them ripen before the family can fry them up for a delicious treat.
– Adah Fitzgerald, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina | BUY
Voting for the Southern Book Prize is open now and will run through February 1, 2026. All readers who love Southern literature and Southern independent bookstores can vote for their favorites.
See all the finalists | Vote for your favorite books
Readers also have a chance to enter a raffle to receive a set of the finalist titles and a $100 gift card to their local indie bookstore or Bookshop.org. Even better, when you vote, you also have a chance to say something nice about your favorite bookstore.
Happy reading!
Featuring reviews of:
- Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz, reviewed by Preet Singh, Eagle Eye Book Shop in Decatur, Georgia
- On the Calculation of Volume (Book III) by Solvuj Balle, reviewed by Kristen Iskandrian, Thank You Books in Birmingham, Alabama
- Joyride by Susan Orlean, reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina
- Mercy by Patricia Ward, reviewed by Tamara Browning, M. Judson Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina
- The Old Sleigh by Jarrett Pumphrey, reviewed by Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
- Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger, reviewed by Mallory Sutton, Bards Alley in Vienna, Virginia
- Glitter Kittens by William Joyce, reviewed by Kimberly Todd, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi
- Bookseller Buzz: The Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram, reviewed by Thomas Wallace, Reading Rock Books in Dickson, Tennessee, Jenny Gilroy, E. Shaver, Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia, Karmen Somers, Court Street Books in Florence, Alabama