This month brings a number of fun summer sequels. Join an intrepid young writer as she discovers a treasure-trove of forgotten memories, read the final installment to a magic-tinged duology, interviews with rulers of the past, and more.


Picture Books and Graphic Novels

Clash by Kayla Miller (HMH/Etch, July 20 $12.99 trade paper; ISBN 978-0-358-24219-2)

Middle grader Olive returns in the next chapter of this graphic novel series. Olive tries hard to befriend new kid Natasha, but the only thing they have in common is that they both want to hang out with Olive’s friends. Watching Natasha get closer, Olive can’t help but worry that they’re starting to like Nat more than they like her.


The Bad Guys in Cut to the Chase by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic, July 6 $6.99 trade paper; ISBN 978-1-338-32952-0)

In the 13th installment in The Bad Guys series, a mysterious doorway appears in the grossest restaurant in the world. And no one knows what’s on the other side of the door.


The Bad Seed Presents: The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John, illus. by Pete Oswald (HarperFestival, July 27 $10.99; ISBN 978-0-06-295454-1)

From the creators of The Bad Seed, The Good Egg, The Cool Bean, and The Couch Potato, the bad seed conspires to postpone Halloween when he can’t find the perfect costume. If he can’t enjoy his favorite holiday, nobody can. See our story on the picture book series here.


The Curse of the Crystal Cavern by Francesco Sedita and Prescott Seraydarian, illus. by Steve Hamaker (Viking, July 13 $12.99 trade paper; ISBN 978-0-425-29190-0)

Fresh from their adventures in The Mystery of the Moon Tower, the gang is on the trail of something big. A secret staircase sets them on an exciting chase for clues left by the wealthy explorer Henry Merriweather, who was rumored to have hidden away a priceless treasure. But as they’ve come to learn, everything comes at a price.


The Giggles Are Coming by Christopher Eliopoulos (Dial, July 6 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-10931-1)

In this companion to The Yawns Are Coming, two best friends are excited to go back to school. They’re in the same class and they’ve made a new friend. But then it happens: just as the teacher introduces herself, the giggles show up! They’re everywhere and impossible to escape.


Karen’s Kittycat Club by Ann M. Martin, illus. by Katy Farina (Graphix, July 20 $10.99 trade paper; ISBN 978-1-338-35621-2)

In the fourth installment in the Baby-sitters Little Sister Graphic Novels, Karen’s best friend Hannie just got an adorable new kitten. Their neighbor Amanda has a cat, too, and Karen has grumpy old Boo-Boo. Now that they all have cats, Karen has a great idea: starting a Kittycat Club.


Lost and Found by Joris Chamblain, illus. by Aurélie Neyret (First Second, July 20 $15.99 trade paper; ISBN 978-1-250-76340-2; hardcover $22.99; ISBN 978-1-250-76339-6)

Cici, an aspiring writer with a keen eye for adventure, returns in this sequel to Cici’s Journal. Recently, Cici has made friends with Sandra, a young woman who works at her family’s bookbinding shop, but who has trouble remembering her childhood. One day, Cici and her friends discover a treasure chest that holds the first of five clues to Sandra’s lost memories.


Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow by Emma Steinkellner (Aladdin, July 6 $12.99 trade paper; ISBN 978-1-534-43148-5)

In this sequel to The Okay Witch, half-witch Moth Hush is starting to settle into her newfound heritage and powers, but life at school continues to be rough. Things get worse when Moth’s mother starts dating one of her teachers. Then Moth gets hold of a mysterious charm that can unleash a cooler version of herself. What could possibly go wrong?


Pink or Treat! by Victoria Kann (HarperCollins, July 23 $10.99; ISBN 978-0-06-302943-9)

In the next book in the Pinkalicious series, Pinkalicious has a Pinkagirl costume prepared for Halloween and can’t wait to trick-or-treat. But when a big storm makes the power go out, the mayor sends out an emergency message canceling the big day. Determined, Pinkalicious takes matters into her own hands and decides to talk to the mayor.


There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Ghost! by Lucille Colandro, illus. by Jared Lee (Scholastic, July 6 $6.99 board; ISBN 978-1-338-66830-8)

The latest book in the Old Lady series finds Old Lady swallowing a ghost, a mask, a spider, a flashlight, a cloak, some crows, and a potion.


There’s a Witch in Your Book by Tom Fletcher (Random House, July 6 $17.99 board; ISBN 978-0-593-12517-5)

In this interactive new adventure in the Who’s in Your Book? series, a grumpy little witch throws a magic spell at readers, inviting them to use their finger wand to make their own magic.


Novels

Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell (Wednesday Books, July 6 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-25433-7)

In the final volume of the Simon Snow Trilogy, Simon must decide if he wants to be part of the World of Mages. Meanwhile Baz is bouncing between two family crises can’t find any time to talk to anyone about his newfound vampire knowledge.


Cast in Secrets and Shadow by Andrea Robertson (Philomel, July 20 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-399-16423-1)

Ara has taken up her mantle as the Loresmith in the second book of Robertson’s Loresmith series. After suffering betrayals and losses, Ara, Nimhea, Lahvja, and Teth must find the Loreknights across the kingdom: their only hope of overthrowing the evil Vokkans and putting Nimhea on the throne. But their jour1ney will put Ara and her companions in grave danger.


Corpse Talk: Queens and Kings and Other Royal Rotters by Adam Murphy and Lisa Murphy (DK, $19.99 (128p) ISBN 978-0-7440-2767-9. Ages 8–12.)

The fourth book in the Corpse Talk series of graphic novels answers questions about the lives of infamous leaders, from the struggles they overcame for their countries to their personal challenges. The book received a starred review from PW.


The Queen Will Betray You by Sarah Henning (Tor Teen, July 6 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-250-23746-0)

In this sequel to The Princess Will Save You, second in the Kingdoms of Sand and Sky series, after a thousand years of political stability, the realm of the Sand and Sky is up for grabs, with four rulers vying for sovereignty over the entire continent. Standing against them are a dispossessed princess and her stable boy love who has a surprising claim of his own.


The Cuddly Seal by Paula Harrison, illus. by Olivia Chin Mueller (Feiwel and Friends, July 13 $15.99; ISBN 978-1-250-79113-9)

Princess Bea won’t let royal rules stop her from helping animals in need, in the fifth book in the Royal Rescues series. While exploring Silver Rock Bay, Bea finds a little seal pup alone on some rocks. Can she and her friend Keira reunite the baby seal with its mother before the big storm comes?


Whisker Wizard by Jennifer L. Holm, illus. by Matthew Holm (Random House, July 6 $13.99; ISBN 978-0-593-11939-6)

Babymouse’s whiskers are in a twist in the fifth volume of the Babymouse Tales from the Locker series. When she posts a tutorial online, it immediately goes viral. But being an online celebrity is no piece of cake.