From BookWard's Top 100 · September 2026

Best Children's Books to Read in September 2026

Children's books are where lifelong reading habits begin. These titles get kids laughing, thinking, and turning pages, from doodle-filled diaries and graphic novels to gentle fables and stories about kindness. Many work well as read-alouds, and grown-ups often enjoy them as much as their kids do.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Jeff Kinney · 2007

ChildrenBeing read right now

A middle schooler records his misadventures in a diary full of doodles. Funny, relatable, and famous for getting reluctant readers to read.

Why it’s here: It gets kids reading, which is reason enough to include it.

Best for: Ages eight to twelve, especially reluctant readers

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The premise. Greg Heffley records his middle-school misadventures in a journal full of cartoons. He wants to be popular, and his schemes rarely go as planned.

What you’ll get

Funny, doodle-filled pages
Great for reluctant readers
Easy to finish in one sitting

You might skip it if you want a traditional chapter book.

Pairs well with: Dog Days · Dog Man

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79score

The Little Prince

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry · 1943

ChildrenReader favoriteTimeless

A pilot stranded in the desert meets a small prince who has traveled between planets, and learns what really matters. A gentle fable for all ages.

Why it’s here: It is one of the most translated books in the world, and it rewards rereading.

Best for: Readers of every age who want something gentle

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The premise. A pilot stranded in the desert meets a small prince who has traveled from planet to planet. Through their conversations, the story reflects on friendship, love, and seeing what really matters.

What you’ll get

A gentle fable for all ages
Poetic, quotable lines
Charming illustrations

You might skip it if you want a plot-driven story.

Pairs well with: The Alchemist · Wonder

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79score

Wonder

R. J. Palacio · 2012

ChildrenRisingReader favorite

A boy with a facial difference starts school for the first time and changes how those around him see kindness. Warm and told from several viewpoints.

Why it’s here: It is a school-and-family favorite that teaches empathy without preaching.

Best for: Ages nine and up, and parents to read along

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The premise. August Pullman, a boy with a facial difference, starts fifth grade at a regular school. The story is told from several viewpoints, showing how kindness changes the people around him.

What you’ll get

A warm, hopeful story
Several narrators
Good for families to read together

You might skip it if you dislike middle-grade tone.

Pairs well with: The Little Prince · Holes

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62score

Holes

Louis Sachar · 1988

ChildrenRisingReader favorite

A boy is sent to a juvenile detention camp where he digs holes in the desert, and a buried mystery unfolds. Clever, funny, and beautifully constructed.

Why it’s here: It is a modern classic for young readers, and a favorite of teachers.

Best for: Ages ten and up

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The premise. Stanley Yelnats is sent to a desert detention camp where boys dig holes all day. As he digs, he uncovers a mystery that connects his family's curse and a hidden treasure.

What you’ll get

A clever, funny mystery
Tightly connected plot threads
Great for middle-grade readers

You might skip it if you want a long, complex read.

Pairs well with: Wonder · Diary of a Wimpy Kid

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52score

Dog Days

Jeff Kinney · 2007

ChildrenReader favorite

In the fourth Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, summer vacation brings new schemes and awkward moments. Quick, funny, and full of drawings.

Why it’s here: It keeps reluctant readers turning pages, and kids collect the series.

Best for: Ages eight to twelve

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The premise. In the fourth Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Greg tries to make the most of summer vacation, which never goes as planned.

What you’ll get

Funny doodles and short entries
Easy to finish
Fun for series fans

You might skip it if you have not read earlier books.

Pairs well with: Diary of a Wimpy Kid · Dog Man

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50score

Dog Man

Dav Pilkey · 2015

ChildrenReader favorite

A graphic novel about a half-dog, half-policeman superhero, full of puns and slapstick. Kid-friendly and very popular.

Why it’s here: It is the book kids ask for again and again, and it builds real reading habits.

Best for: Ages six to ten, and graphic novel fans

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The premise. Dog Man, a police officer with a dog's head, fights crime alongside a chief in this comic-style adventure from the author of Captain Underpants.

What you’ll get

Silly humor and puns
Bold comic panels
A great step for new readers

You might skip it if you want text-heavy chapter books.

Pairs well with: Diary of a Wimpy Kid · Dog Days

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48score

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Rankings come from the BookWard Score, built from public reading signals each month. See how we choose.

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