Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles, including a queer YA duology closer following four teens through their senior year, a YA sci-fi thriller centering on a boy losing his memories, a picture book about a girl’s meaningful craft, and a West-African inspired YA in which a former fighter returns to battle.
Afterglow by Phil Stamper. Bloomsbury, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-54760-738-9. The second book in the Golden Boys duology follows queer teens Gabriel, Heath, Reese, and Sal as they tackle their senior year and a myriad of struggles, including long-distance relationships, mental health challenges, new creative endeavors, and shifts in their future plans.
Boy in a White Room by Karl Olsberg, trans. from the German by Larisa Villar Hauser. Chicken House, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-338-83184-9. When a 15-year-old boy awakens with no memories inside a white box, he can only rely on a computer named Alice to fill in the gaps of his past.
A Crown for Corina by Laekan Zea Kemp, illus. by Elisa Chavarri. Little, Brown, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-75-955684-3. Corina celebrates a birthday by making a flower corona using personally significant flowers from Abuela’s garden.
Daughters of Oduma by Moses Ose Utomi. Atheneum, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-66591-813-8. Retired fighter of the Mud Fam, Dirt, must return to battle when another group threatens to destroy her family in order to claim their new recruits for themselves. The YA book received a starred review from PW.
Evergreen by Matthew Cordell. Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-31717-9. Frightened squirrel Evergreen’s journey to her Granny Oak is filled with encounters with new allies and run-ins with fearsome foes. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Good Morning, Good Night by Anita Lobel. S&S/Wiseman, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-6594-7. After waiting for their parents to wake up, a child and their family take a scenic trip into the city. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Good Night, Sister by Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt, illus. by Lucy Fleming (Penguin Workshop, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-38581-4). Sisters Kat and Tina navigate their first night without each other when Kat moves into her own bedroom.
In Every Life by Marla Frazee (S&S/Beach Lane, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-665-91248-8). Frazee celebrates the connective ups and downs of the human experience in this picture book. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Just the Right Cake by Christina Tosi, illus. by Emily Balsley (Penguin/Rocky Pond, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-11071-3). Phil’s cake recipe hasn’t been the same following his parents’ separation, and he attempts to make a new cake that tastes just right.
Once Upon a Book by Grace Lin and Kate Messner, illus. by Grace Lin. Little, Brown, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-316-54107-7. In this meta-collaboration, Alice hops into the pages of different books to escape the reality of a cold winter.
Opportunity Knocks by Sara Farizan. Scholastic Press, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-338-82707-1. Lila Moradi discovers a box with a genie who will grant her wishes; when the box owner comes snooping around, Lila must choose between giving it back or continuing with her new life.
Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb. Little, Brown, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-316-38688-3. Magically gifted Roz and soldier Damian work on opposing sides of a brewing war in Ombrazia, but when a new presence leads to deaths on both sides, the two pair up to save their people.
Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport by Caren Stelson, illus. by Selina Alko. Carolrhoda, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-5415-9868-3. This historical picture book highlights the work of British humanitarian Nicholas Winton, who rescued more than 600 primarily Jewish children in 1938 Prague.
Stillwater and Koo Save the World by Jon J Muth. Scholastic Press, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-338-81231-2. Uncle-and-nephew panda pair Stillwater and Koo, characters from Muth’s picture book Zen Shorts, work together to make the world a better place by performing kind actions for their community and each other. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Sunny and Oswaldo by Nicole Melleby, illus. by Alexandra Colombo. Algonquin, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-64375-095-8. Sunny gets a less than pleasant introduction to new pet Oswaldo, but learns to appreciate him when he goes missing.
The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln, illus. by Claire Powell. Dutton, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-53323-9. Thirteen-year-old Shenanigan and the rest of the Swift clan descend to the family estate for a treasure hunt, but when a murder takes place, Shenanigan attempts to find the killer hidden among relatives. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
The Talent Thief by Mike Thayer. Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-250-77102-5. Twelve-year-old Tiffany suddenly gains the ability to take on others’ talents after witnessing a meteoric collision. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
These Infinite Threads by Tahereh Mafi. HarperCollins, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-297247-7. In the follow-up to The Woven Kingdom, heir to the human throne Kamran is stunned when he falls for Alizeh, heir to the opposing Jinn throne, and questions his loyalty and the history he’s been taught about the Jinn empire.
This Time It’s Real by Ann Liang. Scholastic Press, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-3388-2711-8. New student Eliza enlists the help of celebrity actor Cazafter her essay about a nonexistent relationship goes viral. The YA book received a starred review from PW.
Woven of the World by Katey Howes, illus. by Dinara Mirtalipova. Chronicle, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-4521-7806-6. An elder and child discuss the intricacies of time and space while weaving together. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies by Stacey Lee. Disney/Riordan, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-36807-480-3. Twelve-year-old Winston Chu seeks to remember his translator father, who died in a friendly fire incident while serving in Iraq.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of February, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
