May brings with it the beginning of warm weather and a slew of new titles for young readers to enjoy, including a picture book about the bountiful love of a group of relatives, a middle grade debut following a tween’s hunt for treasure, a YA companion novel tackling issues surrounding U.S. repatriation laws, and more.
Picture Books
Vashti Harrison. Little, Brown, $19.99 (60p) ISBN 978-0-316-35322-9. Ages 4–8. A girl with dreams of becoming a ballerina overcomes anti-fat bias from her peers and teachers. See our q&a with Harrison. The book received a starred review from PW.
Ally Condie, illus. by Jaime Kim. Viking, $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-5933-2714-2. Ages 4–8. “Some days the world is a warm gold sun,” writes Condie, author of the Matched series for teens, in her meditative picture book debut. But “some days, some hours, some minutes/ are hard.” This beginner’s mindfulness manual offers reassurance that the tools for self-soothing and self-awareness are always close at hand.
Jessixa Bagley. Chronicle, $17.99 (52p) ISBN 978-1-7972-1173-2. Ages 5–8. An orange canine accordionist who once played big concert halls performs on the streets of Paris. The book received a starred review from PW.
E.B. Goodale. Clarion, $19.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-358-68232-5. Ages 4–8. The moon acts as a source of consistency for a baby. The book received a starred review from PW.
The Noise Inside Boys: A Story About Big Feelings
Pete Oswald. Random House, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-593-48322-0. Ages 3–7. When a child’s sandcastle is destroyed at the beach, his caregiver helps him navigate his range of emotions.
Adam Rex, illus. by Lian Cho. Chronicle, $16.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-7972-0794-0. Ages 5–8. The arrival of a group of aunts shows a child how to appreciate their enthusiastic presence. The book received a starred review from PW.
David Soman. Little, Brown, $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-316-42783-8. Ages 3–6. When an adult bear has to leave his cub, he handles his cub’s separation anxiety with practiced calm. The book received a starred review from PW.
Rajani LaRocca, illus. by Abhi Alwar. Abrams, $17.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-4197-5733-4. Ages 4–8. Youngest cousin Ravi notes the changes among his cousins while on a family trip. The book received a starred review from PW. See more Summer Reads for kids and teens here.
Matt James. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-8234-5005-3. Ages 4–8. Searching for tadpoles together bonds a father and son who no longer live with each other. The book received a starred review from PW.
Tap! Tap! Tap! Dance! Dance! Dance!
Hervé Tullet, trans. from the French by Christopher Franceschelli. Chronicle, $19.99 (64p) ISBN 978-1-79722-146-5. Ages 3–5. Tullet uses the primary palette to create a space for young readers to dance. The book received a starred review from PW.
Jack Wong. Orchard, $18.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-338-83096-5. Across numerous aquatic locales, children celebrate the pleasures of swimming. See Wong’s recent In Conversation with fellow picture book creator Lucy Ruth Cummins. The book received a starred review in PW.
Middle Grade
Leah Johnson. Disney-Hyperion, $18.99 (288p) ISBN 978-1-368-08555-7. Ages 8–12. Ellie Engle discovers her ability to bring living organisms back to life and manages how her new powers affect her friendship. See our cover reveal. The book received a starred review from PW.
Dave Eggers, illus. by Shawn Harris. Knopf, $18.99 (256p) ISBN 978-1-524764-20-3; McSweeney’s, $28 (250p) ISBN 978-1-952119-45-3. Ages 8–12. A guard dog plans to free his animal friends from captivity. See our q&a with Eggers. The book received a starred review from PW.
Morgan Matson. Simon & Schuster, $18.99 (400p) ISBN 978-1-534493-35-3. Ages 8–12. When tweenRyanna accepts an invitation to stay with her estranged maternal grandparents in the Poconos, she finds a large and lively extended family, and a treasure map. See our interview with Matson. The book received a starred review from PW.
Rex Ogle, illus. by Dave Valeza. Graphix, $24.99 (224p) ISBN 978-1-338-57497-5; $12.99 paper ISBN 978-1-338-57496-8. Ages 8–12. The addition of glasses to sixth grader Rex’s life causes friction with his peers and concerns about finances for his family. See our interview with Ogle.
Aisha Saeed, Huda Al-Marashi, Jamilah Thompkins Bigelow, and S.K. Ali. Amulet, $18.99 (272p) ISBN 978-1-4197-6175-1. Ages 8–12. In this multi-author collaboration, middle graders Feek, Ruqi, Sami, and Hanna get stranded at the airport with their families when leaving the Muslims of North America conference.
It’s Not Bragging If It’s True: How to Be Awesome at Life
Zaila Avant-garde with Marti Dumas. Random House, $17.99 (144p) ISBN 978-0-593-56899-6. Ages 8–12. The first African American Scripps National Spelling Bee champion offers insights on how to lean into individual differences and to never be ashamed of acknowledging your wins. The book received a starred review from PW.
Kai Shappley and Lisa Bunker. Clarion, $19.99 (240p) ISBN 978-0-06-324275-3. Ages 8–12. Twelve-year-old Joy Simmons tackles transphobic state laws when she is unfairly kicked off the cheerleading team. See our q&a with activist and debut author Shappley.
Katherine Applegate. HarperCollins, $19.99 (240p) ISBN 978-0-06-308008-9. In the follow-up to The One and Only Bob, baby elephant Ruby faces conflicting feelings about a tusk ceremony and the dangers threatening her community. See our interview with Applegate on her busy year.
Sara Shepard. Putnam, $14.99 (272p) ISBN 978-0-593-61677-2. Ages 8–12. When rising fifth grader Penny struggles with conflicts in her real-life friendships, she turns to drawing in a journal to help navigate her relationships. Read more about Shepard’s first foray into middle grade.
The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow
Elaine Dimopoulos, illus. by Doug Salati. Charlesbridge, $17.99 (192p) ISBN 978-1-62354-333-4. Ages 8–11. After an act of retribution, Butternut and the Milkweed Meadow’s young bunnies wonder about the event’s communal and long-term effects. The book received a starred review from PW.
Christina Li. Quill Tree, $19.99 (304p) ISBN 978-0-06-300893-9. Ages 8–12. Chinese American girl Ruby Chu struggles to process the death of her beloved paternal grandfather, her sister’s impending departure for college; and the splintering of her friend group. The book received a starred review from PW.
Jarrett Lerner. Aladdin, $17.99 (368p) ISBN 978-1-6659-0515-2. Ages 8–12. After an embarrassing incident with a bully, middle schooler Will Chambers grapples with body dysmorphia, disordered eating, and stigma. The book received a starred review from PW.
Young Adult
83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary
Don Brown. Clarion, $22.99 (128p) ISBN 978-0-06-331156-5. Ages 14 and up. This nonfiction account captures the historical context leading up to the harsh realities of the war in Ukraine. See our q&a with Brown.
America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History
Ariel Aberg-Riger. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $24.99 (304p) ISBN 978-0-0630-5753-1. Ages 14 and up. Aberg-Riger depicts the U.S.’s continually expanding history via nonlinear chronology that covers ground between the late 18th and the 21st centuries. See our interview with the author. The book received a starred review from PW.
Monique Couvson, illus. by Amanda Jones. New Press, $19.99 (128p) ISBN 978-1-62097-401-8. Ages 12–17. After an altercation lands her in the principal’s office, 16-year-old Charisma begins to find her passions by meeting with an understanding counselor. See our story on the new graphic novel.
Rod Pulido. Viking, $18.99 (272p) ISBN 978-0-593-52673-6. Ages 12 and up. Los Angeles high school student Bobby Agbayani picks up boxing, like his hero Manny Pacquiao, due to a bully at school. See Pulido’s essay for PW on the personal inspiration behind his book.
Kate Glasheen. Holiday House, $22.99 (224p) ISBN 978-0-8234-5071-8; $14.99 paper ISBN 978-0-8234-5488-4. Ages 14 and up. 1980s high schooler Claire struggles with alcohol dependency when their family and peers are unaccepting of their gender identity. The book received a starred review from PW.
Mariama J. Lockington. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $19.99 (416p) ISBN 978-0-3743-8888-1. Ages 12 and up. Black queer teen Sadie Dixon confronts police brutality while contending with her own mental health challenges. The book received a starred review from PW.
Meg Rosoff. Tundra, $12.99 paper (320p) ISBN 978-1-77488-110-1. Ages 14 and up. New York City newcomer Beth finds a fast friend in city socialite Edie, but when their relationship takes a turn, Beth must learn to take control over her own life.
Hayley Kiyoko. Wednesday, $20 (320p) ISBN 978-1-250-81763-1. Ages 13 and up. New to Oregon, Coley falls into a friend group including competitive dancer Sonya, while she navigates the loss of her mother and a budding relationship with Sonya.
Rebekah Weatherspoon. Razorbill, $18.99 (304p) ISBN 978-0-5934-6530-1. Ages 14 and up. Los Angeles teenagers Bethany and Jacob agree to date each other as practice for a real relationship.
Tegan and Sara Quin, illus. by Tillie Walden. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $22.99 (304p) ISBN 978-0-374-31301-2; $14.99 paper ISBN 978-0-374-31302-9. Ages 10–14. Following a move to Calgary, 12-year-old Tegan and Sara begin their first year of junior high, in this graphic novel by the real-life twins and singer-songwriters.
Jen St. Jude. Bloomsbury, $19.99 (416p) ISBN 978-1-5476-1136-2. Ages 14 and up. When the government announces the forthcoming end of the world, Avery Byrne navigates her burgeoning queer identity, depression, and Catholic upbringing. The book received a starred review from PW.
Becky Albertalli. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $19.99 (432p) ISBN 978-0-06-304587-3. Ages 14 and up. Fierce LGBTQ+ ally Imogen contends with her own sexual identity while visiting a friend at college. See our q&a with Albertalli. The book received a starred review from PW.
Amie Kaufman. Knopf, $19.99 (464p) ISBN 978-0-593-47928-5. Ages 12 and up. Selly and her crew accompany a prince with a hidden agenda to make a sacrifice to the gods. The book received a starred review from PW.
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Deya Muniz. Little, Brown Ink, $24.99 (256p) ISBN 978-0-316-53870-1; $17.99 paper ISBN 978-0-316-53872-5. Ages 12 and up. Lady Camembert pretends to be a count and falls in love with a princess who doesn’t know her secret. The book received a starred review from PW.
A Starlet’s Secret to a Sensational Afterlife
Kendall Kulper. Holiday House, $19.99 (352p) ISBN 978-0-8234-5361-0. Ages 14 and up. Starlet Henrietta and stuntman Declan team up to solve a string of Hollywood disappearances.
Racquel Marie. Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends, $19.99 (386p) ISBN 978-1-250-83629-8. Ages 14 and up. Soccer rivals Vale and Leticia compete for the attention of college scouts at soccer camp and contend with their growing feelings for one another. The book received a starred review from PW.
Angeline Boulley. Holt, $19.99 (400p) ISBN 978-1-250-76658-8. Ages 14 and up. In this follow-up to the author’s Printz-winning Firekeeper’s Daughter, when Black and Anishinaabe high schooler Perry Firekeeper-Birch learns of robberies from the tribal museum, she and a group of interns plan to steal back all that was taken. The book received a starred review from PW.
Sarah Dass. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $19.99 (336p) ISBN 978-0-06-301857-0. Ages 13 and up. Tess teams up with social media influencer Brandon when a rival masquerade band threatens her family’s business. The book received a starred review from PW.
