A group of white-cued teenage content creators must work together to survive in this uneven locked-room mystery from Montblanc (Pride or Die). Gender nonconforming high schooler Sam Tombs is both thrilled and anxious to attend a weeklong retreat for influencers who once assisted in solving real crimes, as when Sam identified a John Doe. Their feelings are further muddled when they learn that one of the announced guests has been swapped out for Sam’s online rival, Dylan. As Sam settles into their accommodations at a secluded mountain mansion in southern California, a heavy rainstorm descends, bringing with it several unsettling discoveries: retreat staffers have absconded to a separate location, the bridge leading to the main road is flooded, and one of the participants is found dead at the bottom of the mansion’s impressive staircase. When Sam is later injured while entering a hot tub—the water is revealed to be mixed with corrosive acid—the group clues into the mounting danger. Worsening weather conditions, downed communication services, and vicious infighting frequently derail the teens’ attempts to uncover the details of their circumstances. Though scattershot plotting results in a lukewarm mystery, Sam’s emotionally intelligent narration as well as his endearing developing relationship with Dylan offer bright spots throughout. Ages 13–up. Agent: Natalie Lakosil, Looking Glass Literary. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 01/16/2026 | Details & Permalink

Ifueko (The Maid and the Crocodile) blends corporate dystopia, climate satire, and cinematic flair to launch a daring, high-concept series that recalls Black Mirror. Self- proclaimed “Future Feared and Fabulous Film Director” Valentine Adesanya, 13, lives in drought-stricken Gloss Angeles, a city with holographic palm trees, technicolor wildfires, and jellyquakes. When she sets out to find her missing sister, Mango, following a bogus lead results in Valentine being forced to participate in the Genie Game, a glorified wish-granting competition developed by the Trio Trust, a group of megacorporations that run the country and determine who’s allowed to use magic. Upon discovering that Mango is being held captive at one of the company headquarters, Valentine races to claim the title of Top Genie, which will allow her access to the Trio Trust CEOs and, hopefully, her sister. Clever writing dazzles with whimsical details—mint green skies are accompanied by cotton candy clouds, lemonade-flavored air, and booger hail—without undercutting the stakes or narrative tension. This impressive volume is at once playfully imaginative and grimly familiar in its portrayal of capitalism’s influence and the power of corruption. Main characters are racially diverse. Ages 10–14. Agent: Kate McKean, Howard Morhaim Literary. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 01/16/2026 | Details & Permalink

Mull (the Fablehaven series) launches an enticing adventure about two magically gifted teens on a quest to save their home from sinister emerging forces. In the realm of Anora, citizens’ suspicions of corruption at the highest levels of the empire—aided by purportedly malevolent spirits called the Accursed—compel respected Anoran warmasters to strengthen their armies in preparation for potential civil war. Longing to become a warrior, 13-year-old foundling Mako endeavors to partner with one of the benevolent spiritual guides, called Advocates. Instead, he forges a strong yet taboo bond with Accursed spirit guide Narrix, who promises to assist Mako in achieving his warrior dreams. After Mako’s guardian-enhanced skills impresse the audience during a melee tournament, he’s sent to train at Anora Warmaster Rojan’s camp. Elsewhere, 14-year-old Arden joins Cat’s Paws, a local gang she believes is responsible for her best friend’s disappearance. When Martin, the group’s adult leader, exploits Arden’s ability to detect lies to help him commit crime, she flees. But Arden knows too much about Cat’s Paws’ movements, prompting Martin to give chase and jeopardizing Arden and her family. Rescued by Warmaster Rojan, to whom Arden’s mother was formerly employed, the family is offered refuge at Rojan’s camp, where the white-cued protagonists’ paths collide. Alongside action-heavy battle sequences, Arden and Mako’s arresting alternating narration propels the story as the characters confront questions of loyalty and ethics. Layered conflicts and worldbuilding provide a solid foundation, and a cliff-hanger ending will leave readers clamoring for the sequel. Ages 8–12. Agent: Simon Lipskar, Writers House. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 01/16/2026 | Details & Permalink

In this gripping ghost story by Bayron (Rise of the Wrecking Crew), a Black tween must uncover the origins of the apparitions haunting the carousel of a traveling circus. Whenever 11-year-old Olive Oakes’s parents—real estate agents who specialize in managing historic properties—are called away for business, Olive loves to tag along, hoping to find some mystery to solve within the sometimes creepy buildings. During her parents’ latest gig visiting a purportedly haunted house in nearby Whispering Woods, Olive, accompanied by her cousin Eli, explores the neighborhood. While some of the townspeople encourage the youths to attend the newly arrived annual carnival, others warn them to stay away, piquing the amateur sleuths’ interest. As they research the town and circus, they unearth a 1996 article about two children who disappeared after riding the carousel. Upon discovering that Olive can apparently see ghosts—and noticing that a few of the carnival’s current patrons appear to be apparitions—Olive determines to learn about what happened to the missing children. Interspersed throughout Olive’s tenacious first-person POV are handwritten, occasionally repetitive excerpts from the protagonist’s journal, which detail intriguing observations and provide a running list of case updates and people of interest. Scooby-Doo vibes are amplified by Eli’s well-timed comedic interjections, coalescing in an enjoyable mystery romp. Ages 8–11. Agent: Jamie Vankirk, Rainbow Nerds Literary. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 01/16/2026 | Details & Permalink

In this appealing series opener, Trinh (the Nguyen Kids series) leverages Vietnamese-inspired fantasy worldbuilding to craft a new spin on a chosen one narrative. Ten-year-old Starbright Mai, who lives in the magical realm Van Lang, is worried about what will happen at her choosing ceremony, during which she will be paired with an animal companion whom she will train alongside as she finds her place and purpose within her community. To her shock, she forges a connection with a baby phoenix named Ruby, one of four legendary ally species known for collaborating with select humans from each generation to defend Van Lang from evil. Mai and Ruby join forces with two other kids and their legendary animals, who meet her with a skepticism that echoes her internal doubts: “Why would the phoenix choose you?” Her insecurities mount when the group encounters complications during their first quest to contain an illness outbreak. Engaging close-third-person narration foregrounds Mai and her relatable challenges with overwhelm, as well as the protagonist’s struggles to navigate the impact of high expectations. Nguyen’s light-filled, full-color artwork incorporates Vietnamese textures, patterns, and iconography across vivid images that showcase pivotal scenes. Ages 7–10. Author’s agent: Bridgette Kam, Westwood Creative Artists. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 01/16/2026 | Details & Permalink

Strandberg (The Home, for adults) presents a fresh take on a classic monster mythos in this timeless-feeling series starter. “Practically no one came” to Frank’s ninth birthday party, except for family, his beloved elderly neighbor Alice, and Alice’s dog, Woof. When Frank offers Woof a slice of cake—and the excited pooch inadvertently nips Frank’s hand—the youth thinks nothing of the incident. A few days later, though, Frank begins experiencing strange happenings, such as waking up in the forest, alone and covered in dirt. A research trip to the library helps Frank realize that he’s turning into a “werewoof.” Though he simply wants someone to “pat me, scratch my stomach, rub behind my ears,” Frank—who’s terrified of the dark and the creatures that could lurk inside it—struggles to reconcile the fact that he’s become a creature many consider monstrous, and worries that his neighbors might be afraid of him. Fast-paced first-person prose details Frank’s confusion and stress as he reckons with his new reality as well as his terror at being mistaken for a monster and his desperation to be understood. Falkenhem’s intermittent b&w spot illustrations, accented with dusty blues, depict key moments that shed light on Frank’s shifting emotional state as he and those around him learn to embrace and value one another’s differences. Human characters are shown with various complexions. Ages 6–10. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 01/16/2026 | Details & Permalink

“It is a magical day,” announces young narrator Ayla, ushering readers into this environmentally focused story by Yamasaki (Mural Island). After climbing into a bright orange raft, Ayla and Aunty Koko, both portrayed with light brown skin, paddle down a winding river. The artwork’s lush brushstrokes exude movement and energy as the river’s turns reveal plump trees, turquoise water streaked with yellow sunlight, and dancing butterflies. Taking in the smell of “mud pies from Mother Earth’s bakery” and passing myriad species, the duo greets human families relaxing on the riverbanks, and Ayla’s purple-sandaled feet blissfully stretch into frame as “my toes toast in the sun.” But another purpose emerges as the two begin removing refuse from the water body (“We tend to the river”), then wend their way into a basin that’s filled with floating garbage. Removing it is an almost overwhelming task (“We paddle and scoop./ ...Over and over”), until figures from earlier pages float onto the scene and join into a seemingly coordinated effort (“My friends are here to help”). The work’s final words—“we make ripples”— resonate with layered meaning around not only a day’s paddle but circles of connection between community and the natural world. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 01/16/2026 | Details & Permalink

Two aesthetic periods wreak gentle domestic havoc in this sprightly picture book about a protagonist who stages a miniature rebellion by going au naturel. It all starts on Monday, when, arch text from Howard (Do Mommies Ever Sleep?) announces, “it was decided there would be no more hats,” and the build reaches its bare-bottomed conclusion on Friday with “no more underwear.” The Naked Streak continues as the child disrobes in a grocery store cereal aisle and during story time, and ends neither when Dad proffers a cool new top (“It was decided that the shirt was boring”) nor when Mom insists upon underpants. Finally, the kid encounters a sibling’s tutu, a discovery that kicks off “The Era of Fancy,” in which anything deemed extravagant—from a lacy guest towel to the dog’s collar—is added to an impressive outfit mélange. Digital watercolors by Kim (Shy Robin and the First Day of School) portray a pale-skinned, dark-haired kid in nearly perpetual motion, mouth open with mischievous glee while leaning into a specific act of autonomy. It’s a resonant read for anyone who has reveled in (or weathered) a textile-free phase. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Jennifer Weltz, Jean V. Naggar Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 01/16/2026 | Details & Permalink

Part sibling story, part leadership handbook, this conversational picture book by Satin Capucilli (The Library Fish) foregrounds a big sister who knows how to channel a younger’s spectacular fashion sense. Signature-style colored pencil illustrations by Yum (A Spoonful of the Sea) focus solely on the sisters, portrayed with pale skin and dark hair, as the elder, Miranda, navigates the daily fashion choices of the younger, known as Goose. Goose’s closet pulls include full-on swimming gear for school (“I really, really love it”) and heeled dress shoes for the playground. With no grown-up in sight, it’s left to Miranda to validate Goose’s enthusiasm, appreciate her creativity, and gently redirect (“What if you wear something over your suit?”) while offering autonomy-preserving praise (“You made a great choice, Goose!”). And when the girls head to the circus, Miranda readily acknowledges that Goose’s sense of style is exactly what the occasion demands, inviting her little sister to play stylist. It’s a slice-of-life portrait of a kid in a position of maturity who somehow knows when to lead, when to follow, and when to let imagination rule the day. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Liza Voges, Eden Street. Illustrator’s agent: Sean McCarthy, Sean McCarthy Literary. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 01/16/2026 | Details & Permalink

All the world’s a ’stache in this enthusiastic follicular fantasy from Watkins (Go-Go Guys), who sprouts mustaches on absolutely everything. A genteel mouse and moose with pert mustaches open, asking, “How do you DO-stache?” And subsequent pages prove that the bristles’ tickling transformation is not beyond the reach of any thing or being. A residence grows a housetache, “frockstaches” appear on clothing, timepieces sport “grandfather clockstaches,” and “migrating flockstaches” positively ripple across avian wingspans. As readers are drawn into the work’s escalating energy, one spread features a passel of mustachioed bananas and pineapples kicking up heels (“dancing in bootstaches,/ Some strumming lutestaches”). Throughout, soft-toned pencil and pen illustrations maintain a poker-faced matter-of-factness, even at peak absurdity (“Peppermint planestaches/ Daydreaming brainstaches”). But somehow, each mustache is as ennobling as it is surprising, bestowing creatures and inanimate objects alike with implied inner lives and, above all, a goofy but unmistakable dignity. In a world that frequently insists on conformity, this hair-raising work insists on letting one’s ’stache fly. Ages 4–8. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 01/16/2026 | Details & Permalink