March is National Reading Month, which makes it the perfect time to check out all the new reads available for the classroom and beyond! Here are the new books for March 2026 that we’re most excited to get our hands on, based on their promising advance reviews.
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FREE PRINTABLE
March Reading Log
Grab your free printable log to help students keep track of all their March reads during National Reading Month! Just fill out the form on this page to get yours.
New Fiction Picture Books March 2026
My Tiger by Joy Cowley, ill. by David Barrow
When a tiger only eats cake, a trip to the dentist for a toothache is bound to happen. But the dentist’s advice to switch to an all-meat diet may have alarming results for his young human friend.
Buy it: My Tiger
The Dark Is For by Jane Kohuth, ill. by Cindy Derby
Share the magic of nighttime, and help kids see that the dark can be wonderful instead of scary. This is the perfect bedtime read and an excellent way to reassure children who are afraid of the dark.
Buy it: The Dark Is For
Tiny Garden by Deborah Underwood, ill. by Jax Chow
Big gardens are for big people, but Andrew’s tiny garden delights those who are small. Barely the size of your hand, his little plot welcomes moths, ladybugs, earthworms, and other small creatures, and fills Andrew (and readers) with the joy of small things.
Buy it: Tiny Garden
Arthur’s Cat by Johan Leynaud
Arthur and his cat Zeffo are the best of friends, but sometimes Arthur’s enthusiasm can be a bit too much for his pet. When Zeffo scratches him one day, Arthur realizes that sometimes even the best of friends need to give each other space and respect each other’s boundaries.
Buy it: Arthur’s Cat
Wisdom of the Woods by Rachel Piercey, ill. by Freya Hartas
The latest entry in the Brown Bear Wood series is filled with poems about nature to delight young readers. Teachers will find this an excellent addition to their shelves, with poetry for every season perfect for incorporating into lessons across the curriculum.
Buy it: Wisdom of the Woods
March 2026 Chapter Books / Easy Readers
Don’t Eat the Birthday Boy! by Donna Barba Higuera, ill. by Juliana Perdomo
In book two of this fun chapter book series, monster El Cucuy reunites with Ramón, the little boy he was supposed to scare but instead befriended. It’s Ramón’s birthday, but El Cucuy isn’t the only monster at the party! The two unlikely friends must team up again to keep everyone safe from monsters and human bullies alike.
Buy it: Don’t Eat the Birthday Boy
Wally Mammoth: Hide-and-Seek by Corey R. Tabor, ill. by Dalton Webb
It’s tough to hide in a snowy landscape when you’re a brown mammoth wearing a pink sweater! Wally’s friend Wolf is much better at this game, but the two manage to have plenty of fun nonetheless.
Buy it: Wally Mammoth: Hide-and-Seek
New Middle Grade Fiction Books March 2026
Here Lies a Ghost by Shakirah Bourne
Jermaine lives in Barbados and longs to be one of the popular “Turbo Jets” at school. To join the group, he must pass an initiation by breaking into a cemetery—an act that leaves him with a ghost companion that only he and his former friend Brody can see. Together, they must help the ghost find eternal rest, restoring their friendship in the process.
Buy it: Here Lies a Ghost
Dragon Girl and the Awakened Flames by Jenny Moore
Emba Oak always knew she wasn’t quite normal—what human girl has glittering scales on her skin? It all makes more sense when she learns she hatched from a dragon egg, but now she’s the target of an evil sorcerer who kidnaps her beloved adoptive mother, Fred. Emba teams up with fellow adoptee Odolf Bravebuckle to rescue Fred, learning more about herself along the way.
When Tomorrow Burns by Tae Keller
Best friends Nomi, Vi, and Arthur grew up believing in the prophecies of a book they found together as young kids, though they’ve long since forgotten about it. Now, though, the final prophecy of fire and destruction seems to be coming true, as wildfires threaten their Seattle homes just as the trio each faces their own personal challenges. Can the old book help them face an uncertain future?
Buy it: When Tomorrow Burns
Queso, Just in Time by Ernesto Cisneros
Quetzalcóatl Castillo, nicknamed Queso, wants nothing more than to be reunited with his father, who has recently died. But his wish is unexpectedly fulfilled when he wakes up one day in 1985 and meets 12-year-old Pancho—the boy who will one day become his father. As he figures out how to return to his own time, Queso also gives his future father a boost of encouragement that may just change everything.
Buy it: Queso, Just in Time
Red River Rose by Carole Lindstrom
Set amidst the Northwest Resistance of 1885, this new book follows Rose, a Métis girl who loves exploring the Saskatchewan outdoors. But her contented life is threatened by a government that wants to push her people off the land once again (her parents fled Manitoba years ago after the Red River Resistance). Can Rose and the Métis fight for their land and beloved way of life, or must they move once more?
Buy it: Red River Rose
March 2026 New Young Adult Fiction Books
King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore
Anton Charles rules his school through fear—until his mum sends him to the painfully uncool Happy Campers, where he’s stuck with Matthew, the kid he least wants to be seen with. When Matthew saves his life, an unlikely friendship forces Anton to rethink his reputation, his values, and what it really means to be a man.
Buy it: King of Nothing
The Danger of Small Things by Caryl Lewis
In a grim dystopian world where all the bees have died, girls like Jess are taken from their families to live in a government dorm, pollinating plants by hand before being married off to produce children. But Jess knows that more things are possible, like reading, art, and love. Can she inspire the others and begin a revolution?
Buy it: The Danger of Small Things
The Free Verse Society by Delali Adjoa
Teen mom Jae gave up her baby for adoption and started a new life with a rich uncle. She’s determined to hide her past, while fellow classmate Derek wishes desperately to reclaim his. The two form an unlikely bond as members of the school’s poetry club, forming a relationship that threatens to expose all their secrets—and bring them both a new sense of trust.
Buy it: The Free Verse Society
The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst
Sixteen-year-old Calisa plans to spend the summer helping her grumpy aunt fix up a broken-down B&B. But she soon discovers this inn hides all sorts of magical secrets. When Auntie Zee disappears, Calisa and Jack, the groundskeeper’s son, work together to keep the inn running while figuring out how to bring Auntie Zee back. This is a cozy new read, perfect for teen fantasy fans.
Buy it: The Faraway Inn
Ramin Abbas Has Major Questions by Ahmad Saber
Ramin, a Muslim teen struggling to accept his sexuality, must join the school soccer team to earn the credits he needs to graduate. This puts him close to his crush, but also at the mercy of a bully threatening to out him. As pressure mounts, Ramin finds strength in friendship and self-expression, while learning to reconcile his religious beliefs with who he truly is.
Buy it: Ramin Abbas Has Major Questions
Best New Graphic Novels and Nonfiction March 2026
The Lionharts by Mike Lawrence
The Lionhart family is in the business of being heroes, and slaying dragons and monsters is all part of the daily grind. When their parents go missing during a job, though, sons Alder and Flynt take on new responsibilities in their quest to track them down. But finding their parents may also mean exposing a secret that could tear their family apart. (Grades 4–7)
Buy it: The Lionharts
Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks
Sloane and Ash are twin sisters who share everything, including a love of art. But a summer at animation camp shows Ash that just loving something isn’t enough to make you good at it, while Sloane finds it hard to stay motivated. Fortunately, one teacher is able to ignite a spark that helps each twin rediscover their joy in art, as well as in their relationship with each other. (Grades 4–8)
Buy it: Inbetweens
Skating Wilder by Brandon Dumais and AJ Dungo
Take a deep dive into the history of skateboarding with this new graphic nonfiction book. From the first mass-produced skateboards in 1959 to the exploits of 1980s stars like Tony Hawk and beyond, fans of the sport will learn all about its fascinating story. The graphic art brings skateboarding to life, while the text paints a picture that’s sure to enthrall even those who know little about the sport. (Grades 9–12)
Buy it: Skating Wilder
Red Stones by Ernesto Saade
A survivor recounts her childhood memories of the Salvadoran Civil War, including the devastating 1981 Red Stones massacre that shattered her community. Framed by present-day interviews and vivid artwork, the narrative balances harrowing atrocities with reflection, resilience, and hope. (Grades 9–12)
Buy it: Red Stones
How To Survive the End of the World by Katy Doughty
Anyone who’s ever wondered what might ultimately cause the extinction of humans will be fascinated by this new graphic nonfiction book. It first explores past calamities like the Black Death, then delves into future possibilities like supervolcanoes and AI run amok. This new read is both astounding and inspiring, and it’s a lot more fun than you might expect! (Grades 9–12)
March 2026 New Nonfiction Books for All Ages
The True Ugly Duckling by Sandra Nickel, ill. by Calvin Nicholls
Hans Christian Andersen was a bit of an ugly duckling himself—even his mother thought he was on the strange side. But as this new picture biography shares, the famous author embraced his differences and explored his creativity, using them to bring to life some of the most beloved characters of all time. (Grades pre-K to 2)
Buy it: The True Ugly Duckling
Awe! It’s Everywhere! by Chana Stiefel, ill. by Susan Gal
Today’s kids learn all about their emotions, like happiness, sadness, worry, and anger. But the sense of awe is sometimes overlooked. Fortunately, this new picture book is here to show young learners that a sense of wonder can empower them, sparking joy and comfort in unexpected ways. (Grades pre-K to 2)
Buy it: Awe!
The Great Northern Expedition by Maria Cristina Pritelli
Join Vitus Bering and his crew on a journey through Siberia in the 1700s to the coastline of the future Alaska, discovering the wildlife, landscape, and cultures they found along the way. The gorgeous illustrations bring the text to life, telling the story of a voyage that’s now largely lost to history. (Grades 1–4)
Buy it: The Great Northern Expedition
For the Win by Irene Latham and Charles Waters
Reluctant readers will embrace the sports figures celebrated through the poems in this unique new volume. This is a terrific way to ignite a love of poetry in those who might otherwise avoid it. Use it as a jumping-off point to help sports fans create their own odes to their favorite players. (Grades 2–5)
Buy it: For the Win
Defying China by Tsultrim Dolma and Rebecca Wei Hsieh
A Tibetan refugee chronicles her journey from a rural village to exile in the United States, detailing her fight for education, religious freedom, and a free Tibet under Chinese occupation. Author Dolma exposes state violence and misogyny in China, a country that even today is largely unknowable to the Western world. (Grades 9–12)
Buy it: Defying China
Be sure to grab your free printable March Reading Log!
Make the most of National Reading Month with our free printable reading log. It will help students keep track of their pages read and books completed all month long. Just fill out the form on this page to get yours.
