If you’ve been wondering what happens next for some beloved characters, wonder no longer! Sequels hitting shelves this month include a farmer visiting his friends at the circus, the return of a fallen socialite, the prequel adventures of an inquisitive, differently abled” young investigator, and much more.
Picture Books and Graphic Novels
Donuts and Danger by John Gallagher (Random House, Apr. 6 $12.99; ISBN 978-0-593-12108-5)
Max and his best friend Mindy return in book two in the Max Meow series, but just as Max was getting used to being a secret superhero, his best friend Mindy’s evil look-alikes show up in Kittyopolis. And what’s worse, they’re determined to take over the world’s donut supply—and Max and Mindy are getting blamed.
The Farmer and the Circus by Marla Frazee (Beach Lane, Apr. 6, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-534-44621-2)
In this picture book trilogy finale, the little clown and monkey miss their friend the farmer, until one day they get a surprise. Farmer has come to visit the circus!
Splashdown by Dave Roman (First Second, Apr. 6, $12.99, paper, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-21686-1).
In the third installment of Astronaut Academy, summer vacation has arrived and Maribelle Mellonbelly is throwing the best party ever on Beach Planet. But tensions heat up fast when Hakata Soy’s arch rival, Rick Raven, arrives. And soon the whole planet is heating up—with a giant volcano threatening to blow its top.
Thrilling Tales from the Tree House by Max Brallier, illus. by Douglas Holgate, Jay Cooper, Anoosha Syed, Lorena Alvarez, Christopher Mitten, and Xavier Bonet (Viking, Apr. 6, $13.99; ISBN 978-0-593-35006-5)
The Last Kids on Earth graphic novel spinoff includes six new short stories. The kids and their monster buddies are hanging out in the tree house, when Jack launches into a story of his many post-apocalyptic adventures. After he’s finished, everyone’s eager to one-up his tale with one of their own.
Yes & No by Elisha Cooper (Roaring Brook, Apr. 13, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-25733-8)
This companion to Cooper’s Caldecott Honor-winning picture book Big Cat, Little Cat shows a day in the life of a cat and puppy pair—including the ups of being fed and romping through grass, and the downs of days that are too short and things that don’t go as planned. See Cooper’s reflection on creating the artwork for his new book.
Early Readers and Novels
The 130-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, illus. by Terry Denton (Feiwel and Friends, Apr. 6, $14.99; ISBN 978-1-250-23608-1)
In the 10th book in the130-Story Treehouse series, the gang is abducted by a giant flying eyeball from outer space. At first, they’re excited to be going on an intergalactic space adventure, but when they arrive on Planet Eyeballia, they discover it’s not a friendly place.
Anna K Away by Jenny Lee (Flatiron, Apr. 27, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-23646-3)
In this sequel to Anna K, the former golden girl of Greenwich, Conn., and New York City has been brought low by a scandalous sex tape and the tragic death of her first love, and is now in South Korea to connect with her family. Set over the course of one unforgettable summer, the story also features familiar characters Lolly, Steven, Kimmie, Dustin, and Bea.
Aven Green Sleuthing Machine by Dusti Bowling, illus. by Gina Perry (Sterling, Apr. 13, $12.95, ISBN 978-1-4549-4221-4)
This chapter book series starter, a prequel to Bowling’s Life of a Cactus duology, focuses on the childhood of protagonist Aven Green. Third-grader Aven has been solving mysteries for a whole month. When her teacher’s lunch bag disappears and her great-grandmother’s dog goes missing it’s up to Aven to solve the cases. Fortunately, since Aven was born without arms, she believes that all the “arm cells” went to her super-powered brain instead.
Aru Shah and the City of Gold by Roshani Chokshi (Disney/Riordan, Apr. 6, $16.99; ISBN 978-1-368-01386-4)
In book four in the Pandava series, Aru has just made a wish on the tree of wishes, but she can’t remember what it was. She’s pretty sure she didn’t wish for a new sister who looks strangely familiar. She also questions if she still wants to fight on behalf of the devas in the war against the Sleeper and his demon army.
Billy Miller Makes a Wish by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow, Apr. 6, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-06-304279-7).
In this sequel to Henkes’s Newbery Honor-winning The Year of Billy Miller, Billy celebrates his eighth birthday at the start of the summer before third grade, wishing that “something exciting would happen.” Billy’s wish brings both him and his little sister Sal more excitement than either of them anticipated. See our q&a with Henkes.
Blessed Monsters by Emily A. Duncan (Wednesday Books, Apr. 6, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-19572-2).
In the conclusion to the Something Dark and Holy trilogy, the girl, the monster, the prince, and the queen must unite once more to fight the dark chaos they’ve unleashed.
Chaos on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer (Tor Teen, Apr. 27, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-250-16522-0).
In this follow up to Catfishing on CatNet, when an unknown entity hacks into chat rooms to instigate paranoia and violence in the real world, it’s up to Steph and her new friend, Nell, to find a way to stop it—with the help of their benevolent A.I. friend, CheshireCat.
Ghosts of Weirdwood by Christian McKay Heidicker and William Shivering (Holt, Apr. 6, $16.99; ISBN 978-1-250-30290-8).
In the second Thieves of Weirdwood adventure, reformed thieves Arthur and Wally are determined to become Novitiates of the Wardens of Weirdwood. When the Order opens a Rift between the worlds of the living and dead, they set up a menagerie of ghosts to make money from those grieving lost loved ones. As spirits begin to cross over, Arthur and Wally will have to return the dead souls to the other side of the Veil.
Ivy & Bean Get to Work! by Annie Barrows, illus. by Sophie Blackall (Chronicle, Apr. 6, $14.99; ISBN 978-1-797-20510-6)
The final story in the Ivy & Bean series follows the best friends as they decide what they want to be for Career Day at school. But their plans change after they meet Herman the Treasure Hunter, and suddenly everyone in the second grade is looking for treasure and finding it—except Ivy and Bean.
Merci Suárez Can’t Dance by Meg Medina (Candlewick, Apr. 6)
In the follow up to Medina’s Newbery Medal-winning Merci Suárez Changes Gears, seventh grade is a real trial for Merci. She’s got a no-nonsense science teacher, she’s been assigned to co-manage the school store with a boy she might like, and she’s tangling again with a bossy classmate in charge of the annual school dance. One thing is for sure: Marci can’t dance.
The Messengers by Margaret Peterson Haddix (HarperCollins/Tegen, Apr. 6 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-283843-8)
In the conclusion to the Greystone Secrets series, the Greystone kids have their mother back from the evil alternate world. Now mysterious coins begin falling from unexpected places, carrying messages that the Greystones’ friends in the alternate world are under attack—and invading their world, too. See our q&a with Haddix on the series.
Oculta by Maya Motayne (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, Apr. 6, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-06-284276-3)
In this sequel to Nocturna, after joining forces to save Castallan from an ancient magical evil, Alfie and Finn haven’t seen each other in months. Alfie is stepping up as heir and preparing for an International Peace Summit, while Finn is traveling and reveling in her newfound freedom from Ignacio. That is, until she’s unexpectedly installed as the new leader of one of Castallan’s powerful crime syndicates.
Project Go Green by Alyssa Milano, Debbie Rigaud, and Eric S. Keyes (Scholastic, Apr. 6 $14.99; ISBN 978-1-338-32943-8)
Hope Roberts is determined to save the world in the fourth book in Alyssa Milano’s Hope series. The heroine has already gotten her school to add more recycling bins and coordinate a carpooling program, but Hope wants to do more to protect the environment. See our story on Alyssa Milano’s Hope series.
Virginia Apgar by Sayantani DasGupta, illus. by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (Philomel, Apr. 6 $5.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-11578-7)
In the next installment in the She Persisted chapter book series, Virginia Apgar refused to be deterred from going to medical school because she was a woman. After a professor discouraged her from becoming a surgeon, she became an anesthesiologist and created the famous Apgar test to check the health of newborn babies.
Ways to Grow Love by Renée Watson, illus. by Nina Mata (Bloomsbury, Apr. 27, $16.99; ISBN 978-1-5476-0058-8).
The sequel to Ways to Make Sunshine finds Ryan Hart wishing for lots of things—like for her new sister to be born healthy, for her new recipes to turn out right, and for the camping trip to go better than she fears. Read Watson’s essay on the inspiration behind her series, which pays homage to the late Beverly Cleary.
