Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles, including a prequel to a bestselling YA fantasy series, a middle grade book about finding one’s voice, a teen romance set in the competitive world of high school robotics, a thrilling summer camp YA, and many more.
Rise of the School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani. HarperCollins, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-06-316152-8. In the prequel to the School for Good and Evil series, brothers Rhian and Rafal rule over divisions of the School of Good and Evil respectively, selecting and training students for their destinies as heroes and villains, until a new arrival’s shocking switch-over from villain to hero set the brothers at odds.
Singing with Elephants by Margarita Engle. Viking, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-593-20669-0. Following a move from Santa Barbara to Cuba, 11-year-old Oriol doesn’t talk much except to the animals in her parent’s veterinary clinic. When an elephant gets separated from its mother, Oriol must find her voice to fight for their reunification. The middle grade book earned a starred review from PW.
My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth. Holiday House, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-8234-5010-7. With her penchant for engineering and romance, Bel Maier lands herself a spot on her Los Angeles high school’s robotics team, where her unorthodox approach draws the attention of team captain Mateo. As Bel works through a male dominated field, the two begin to fall for each other as they bond through cutthroat competition.
The Counselors by Jessica Goodman. Razorbill, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-52422-0. Best friends Goldie, Ava, and Imogen return to their New England summer camp and look forward to hi-jinks as camp counselors, until a camper is found dead and the trio face growing danger as they try to solve the mystery.
Baby Squeaks by Anne Hunter. Tundra, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-7352-6909-5. When Baby Mouse develops the gift of gab, Mama Mouse places them outside to chatter with the various animals. The picture book earned a starred review from PW.
Together We Burn by Isabel Ibañez. Wednesday, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-80335-1. Following the deadly escape of dragons at her family arena, Zarela Zalvidar must restore her family’s reputation and uncover who is sabotaging their dragon-fighting business.
Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean. Flatiron, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-76663-2. In the sequel to Tokyo Ever After, newly crowned princess Izumi Tanaka finally feels at home on the throne and is excited for her parents’ rekindled love. However, the royal council denies support of her parents’ marriage unless Izumi and her mother can prove they’re deserving of the crown.
Out of the Blue by Jason June. HarperTeen, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-301520-3. Merperson Crest has one month to help a human in need or stay landlocked forever and finds their opportunity with love struck lifeguard Sean, who wants to make his ex-jealous. The two strike a deal, but as Crest learns to love life on land and time with Sean, they question their return to the ocean.
Murder for the Modern Girl by Kendall Kulper. Holiday House, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-8234-4972-9. Flapper by day and vigilante at night, Ruby rids her town of “killers, monsters, abusers,” but when someone goes after her father, Ruby teams up with shape-shifter Guy to hunt down the killer.
Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle. Simon & Schuster, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-66590-815-3. Local radio host Prince offers love-avoidant writer Dani a challenge: three dates to fall in love. As the two bond over their love of music and literature, they begin to face the world head on. The YA novel earned a starred review from PW.
Flip the Script by Lyla Lee. HarperCollins/Tegen, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-293693-6. When Korean American Hana Jin lands a spot on a Korean drama, she believes her dreams are coming true. But when ratings plumet and her producer’s scheme to faux-date a co-star doesn’t work, a last-minute rewrite brings Hana’s ex-best friend and crush onto the show, jeopardizing their careers, and their feelings.
Man O’ War by Cory McCarthy. Dutton, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-5933-5370-7. For trans nonbinary swimmer River, a run-in with classmate Indigo leads to their coming out and over the course of their lives, River navigates dysphoria, internalized queerphobia, and their swim coach’s bigotry, all while growing closer to Indigo. The YA novel earned a starred review from PW.
Don’t Eat Bees: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog by Dev Petty, illus. by Mike Boldt. Doubleday, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-43312-6. Canine Chip struggles to learn the one thing on the do not eat list: bees.
Meow by Chris Raschka. Greenwillow, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-304935-2. A feline searches for intimacy with their humans with the only sound it knows to make.
Your Pal Fred by Michael C. Rex. Viking, $22.99 (272p) ISBN 978-05932-0633-1. In a postapocalyptic world, brothers Plug and Pug accidentally turn on endlessly positive AI robot Fred, who travels across the world when the brothers are kidnapped to reunite them. The graphic novel earned a starred review from PW.
Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches by Kate Scelsa. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-246503-0. Following a devastating breakup, Eleanor is busied with taking care of her mother until she meets Pixie, who offers her a place in their coven destined to “save the soul of the town” and helps her find love again. The YA novel earned a starred review from PW.
Small Town Pride by Phil Stamper. HarperCollins, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-06-311878-2. When 13-year-old Jake’s coming out is met with support by his parents by placing a Pride flag in their front yard, the last thing he expects is discomfort from his neighbors. To make their town more inclusive, Jake organizes its first Pride festival, but must face town politics in his conservative midwestern town.
Summer of June by Jamie Sumner. Atheneum, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-534486-02-7. After shaving her head to feel more empowered and help with her anxiety, June attracts a new friend at her library and starts a secret garden where she finds comfort. However, her new style and confidence lead June to stop taking her medication, and she learns to balance her health with her newfound perspective.
Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit by Jesse Q. Sutanto. Feiwel and Friends, $16.99; ISBN 978-1-250-79428-4. When Theo Tan’s older brother Jamie dies in a car accident, and Theo learns that there might be more to the story, he and their shape-shifting fox must work together to uncover the truth.
The One and Only Sparkella Makes a Plan by Channing Tatum, illus. by Kim Barnes. Feiwel and Friends, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-75076-1. In the second installation to the Sparkella series, Sparkella’s first sleepover is underway, but she cannot get their castle just right. With the help of her father, Sparkella learns to get creative when things don’t quite go her way.
Kings of B’More R. Eric Thomas. Kokila, $18.99 (416p) ISBN 978-0-593-32618-3. When Harrison discovers his best friend Linus is moving away, he comes up with a “foolproof plan for lasting friendship” in time for their final day together: a day full of memorable experiences across Baltimore, all while avoiding their protective parents’ watchful eyes. The YA novel earned a starred review from PW.
Swim, Jim! by Kaz Windness. S&S/Wiseman, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-8343-9. Newly hatched crocodile Jim is the only one in his family who cannot swim, and learns to overcome his fears.
Private Label by Kelly Yang. HarperCollins/Tegen, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-294110-7. Serene Li wants to be a fashion designer just like her mother, but when her mother receives a diagnosis of late-stage cancer, Serene shifts from intern to second-in-command much sooner than planned, while looking for her estranged father with the help of a charming translator.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of May, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
