Hitting shelves next week are a picture book about a starfish who longs to leave the sea, a middle grade mystery series launch, and a realistic YA novel about trafficking.

North of Happy by Adi Alsaid. Harlequin Teen, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-373-21228-6. Mexico City native Carlos Portillo always looked up to his older brother, Felix, who shared his passion for food and did things his own way, rather than follow in their wealthy father’s path. Now Felix is dead, but Carlos still feels his presence, urging him to leave home and follow his dreams, instead of doing a summer internship with his father then attending college in America.

The Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares. Delacorte, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-385-73689-3. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants author Brashares traces the tangled threads that connect two households in this novel set in and around New York City. The book earned a starred review from PW.

This Is Really Happening by Erin Chack. Razorbill, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-448-49358-9. This volume of stories from BuzzFeed writer Chack covers her own eventful life with plenty of humor: from enduring chemotherapy as a teen to working for the major media company.

Official Mortal Instruments Coloring Book by Cassandra Clare, illus. by Cassandra Jean. S&S/McElderry, $16.95; ISBN 978-1-4814-9756-5. Fans of the bestselling YA series can join in on the coloring book craze with this volume.

The Explorers: The Door in the Alley by Adrienne Kress. Delacorte, $16.99; ISBN 978-1-101-94005-1. The first volume in a new middle grade series that incorporates mysteries, humor, and a pig with a tiny hat.

Wonderful You: An Adoption Story by Lauren McLaughlin, illus. by Meilo So. Random House, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-553-51001-0. This picture book in verse tells an adoption story alongside watercolor illustrations.

Shine! by Patrick McDonnell, illus. by Naoko Stoop. Little, Brown/Tingley, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-316-26278-1. In this picture book, a starfish named Hoshi longs to be in the sky like the twinkling stars above, not stuck in the water.

Moo Moo in a Tutu by Tim Miller. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-241440-3. In the launch of a new picture book series, an odd couple of friends – Moo Moo and Mr. Quackers – head to the ballet.

Saint Death by Marcus Sedgwick. Roaring Brook, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-62672-549-2. This YA novel set on the U.S./Mexico border confronts the human and drug trafficking trades.

For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of April, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.