New Year, New Reads: January Highlights at Better Reading Kids

After the year that was 2021, we’ve had a grand kickstart to the new year. Kids have continued learning how to navigate life through a pandemic, in and out of lockdowns. Extra days at home mean that kids and teens have plenty more time to read – an activity that’s now become routine for many young readers.

These were the top titles on our reading list in January:

Friday Barnes #10: Undercover by R.A. Spratt

Our favourite teenage detective is back with all her quirks and eccentricities! When Friday arrives in Oslo, there are so many mysteries to solve. Is someone trying to keep Binky and Princess Ingrid apart? How can a painting leave a museum when all the doors are sealed?

Ages 9+

Buy a copy of Undercover here.

Looking After Country with Fire by Victor Steffensen, illustrated by Sandra Steffensen

Looking After Country with Fire is a picture book that demonstrates respect for Indigenous knowledge, following the success of Victor Steffensen’s bestselling adult book Fire Country. Mother Nature has a language. If we listen and read the signs in the land, we can understand it. We also caught up LIVE with Victor Steffensen, you can watch the event here.

Ages 5+

Buy a copy of Looking After Country with Fire here.

Your School is the BEST! by Maggie Hutchings, illustrated by Felicita Sala

Everyone’s favourite cockroach is back, and this time he’s going to school! Charming, hilarious and just a tiny bit disgusting, this is a back-to-school tale with a twist, from the all-star cast behind Your Birthday Was the BEST! We also caught up LIVE with Maggie Hutchings, you can watch the event here.

Ages 3+

Buy a copy of Your School is the BEST! here.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Merlin’s beard! Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone turns 25 in 2022! To celebrate, a silver anniversary jacket of the current edition of the book is out now. The legacy and timelessness of J.K. Rowling’s world was reaffirmed when Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone placed #1 in Better Reading’s 2021 Top 50 Kids Books!

Ages 9+

Buy a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone here.

Camp by Kayla Miller

The second book in the New York Times best-selling graphic novel series. Perfect for fans of Guts, Smile, Real Friends and Invisible Emmie. Covers universal, age-appropriate topics like friendship, belonging and identity with a fresh, fun perspective.

Ages 8+

Buy a copy of Camp here.