ABRAMS
Abrams sets the table for Soul Food Sunday by Winsome Bingham, illus. by Charles G. Esperanza, which finds a boy helping Granny prepare the dishes for a family feast; I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience by Susan Verde, illus. by Peter Reynolds, shining a spotlight on everyday courage and believing in oneself; Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America by Candacy Taylor, the young readers’ edition of Taylor’s look at the Green Book, which listed businesses and destinations safe for Black travelers during the age of segregation; Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua by Gloria Amescua, illus. by Duncan Tonatiuh, the story of the Indigenous storyteller known as “the soul of Mexico”; and Your Legacy: A Bold Reclaiming of Our Enslaved History by Schele Williams, illus. by Tonya Engel, offering an introduction to African American history focused on the accomplishments and sacrifices of enslaved ancestors.
ABRAMS/AMULET
Amulet prepares for the season with Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab by Priya Huq, in which a 13-year-old girl who was viciously attacked for her Bangladeshi cultural dress, chooses to wear a hijab when she begins high school; Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko, the second entry in the Raybearer YA fantasy series; An Island Without You by Malulani Moreno, about two boys struggling with identity and loss in their community; and The Extincts: Quest for the Unicorn Horn by Scott Magoon, kicking off a graphic novel series focused on a team of extinct animals embarking on top-secret missions around the world.
ABRAMS/APPLESEED
Appleseed plans a purrfect list with So Many Cats by Catherine Amari and Anouk Han, illus. by Emi Lenox, offering a look at all sorts of felines; Spookytale by Christopher Franceschelli, illus. by Allison Black, first in a new series format spun-off from Abrams Block Book and celebrating holidays throughout the year; One, Two, Grandma Loves You by Shelly Becker, illus. by Dan Yaccarino, in which a girl and her grandmother count up their next visit and then do all of their favorite things together; What’s Up, Construction Truck? by Matthew Reinhart, illus. by Toby Leigh, following a construction worker through a busy day on the job; and Hush, Little Trucker by Kim Norman, illus. by Toshiki Nakamura, putting a truck-centric spin on the classic “Hush, Little Baby” lullaby.
ABRAMS/MAGIC CAT
Magic Cat is light on its feet with A Pocket Full of Joy: 365 Reasons to Be Cheerful by Joanne Ruelos Diaz, illus. by AnneliesDraws, a pocket-sized book celebrating the little things that bring happiness; Earth’s Aquarium: Discover the Wonder of 15 Real-Life Water Worlds by Alexander C. Kaufman, illus. by Mariana Rodrigues, visits 15 diverse aquatic habitats around the globe; Feast Your Eyes on Food: An Encyclopedia of More Than 1,000 Delicious Things to Eat by Laura Gladwin, illus. by Zoe Barker, is a visual guide exploring the journey from farm to table, featuring foods and flavors from different parts of the world; ‘’Twas the Night Before Christmas (Stories from the Music Box) by Clement Clarke Moore, illus. by Raquel Martin Peinado, a sound-book version of the holiday poem, incorporating a wind-up music mechanism; Goodnight, Little Penguin by Amanda Wood, illus. by Vikki Chu, with photography by Bec Winnel, in which Little Penguin is anxious about going to day care, but discovers that making new friends can be fun.
ALGONQUIN
Algonquin gets goosebumps with Cold-Blooded Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce, which finds Victorian-era amateur detective Myrtle Hardcastle on the trail of a killer out for revenge in the third volume of her middle-grade mystery series; Skunk and Badger 2: Egg Marks the Spot by Amy Timberlake, illus. by Jon Klassen, following roommates Skunk and Badger on a rock-finding expedition; When the World Runs Dry: Water in Crisis by Nancy Castaldo, which employs scientific information to demonstrate why we must act now to address the worldwide water crisis; African Icons: Ten People Who Built a Continent by Tracey Baptiste, spotlighting heroes of the African continent beginning in ancient Egypt and concluding with Queen Idia of Esigie in the 16th century; and Walls by L.M. Elliott, a documentary-style YA novel, which features photo essays in each chapter and tells the story of two cousins—a German in East Berlin and an Army brat in West Berlin—during the tumultuous year between August 1960 and August 1961.
APA/MAGINATION
Magination Press looks past snips and snails and puppy-dogs’ tails for What Boys Do by Jon Lasser, illus. by Robert Paul, discussing boys’ favorite activities, toys, and common feelings; Peacock and Sketch by Allan Peterkin, illus. by Sandhya Prabhat, the story of a peacock admired for his beautiful feathers who sees his fame evaporate when his feathers fall out; What to Do When the News Is Scary by Jacqueline Toner, illus. by Janet McDonnell, which helps kids to process frightening events and stories they are exposed to; They’re So Flamboyant by Michael Genhart, about a neighborhood of birds who feel apprehensive when a “flamboyance” of flamingoes moves in, until they throw a welcome party and realize the new neighbors aren’t so different after all; and Baby Dreams by Lesléa Newman, illus. by Taia Morely, a lullaby wish to a baby as they drift off to sleep.
ANDERSEN PRESS USA
Andersen sees a fangtastic fall with Vampire Peter by Ben Manley, illus. by Hannah Peck, about Peter, the lone vampire in his school, who always gets blamed for everything; Cows Go Boo! by Fred Blunt, featuring a silly twist on a farm animal noise book; The Spots and the Dots by Helen Baugh, illus. by Marion Deuchars, a picture book that can be read two ways—either from the perspective of the Spots or the Dots; and Will You Be My Friend? by Russell Ayto, in which the other animals don’t want to be Bush Baby’s friend, unfairly judging her by her appearance.
ANDREWS MCMEEL
Andrews McMeel creeps into fall with Cat Ninja (Book 2) by Matthew Cody, illus. by Cody Thomas, following a feline who’s a house pet by day and a vigilante protector by night; World of Wisdom by Dr. James Chapman, a comics-based nonfiction guide to sayings and expressions from around the world; The Bright Family by Matthew Cody, illus. by Derick Brooks, introducing a graphic novel series about science-savvy siblings trying to save their parents who have been sent who-knows-where by a dimensional portal; Tale as Tall as Jacob by Samantha Edwards, a memoir chronicling Edwards’ childhood experience of understanding and supporting a younger brother with ADHD; and Archibald Finch and the Lost Witches by Michel Guyon, the story of a boy who finds himself caught up in a secret world of witches, and the older sister who embarks on a quest to find him.
BEAMING BOOKS
Beaming Books bundles up with Squirrel’s Sweater by Laura Renauld, illus. by Jennie Poh, about the special warm garment knitted for Squirrel by her grandmother; The Girl with Big, Big Questions by Britney Winn Lee, illus. by Jacob Souva, following a curious girl who discovers that questions help us learn and grow; Big Bear Was Not the Same by Joanna Rowland, illus. by John Ledda, in which Little Bear supports his friend Big Bear who was affected by a traumatic wildfire; A Simple Christmas on the Farm by Phyllis Alsdurf, illus. by Lisa Hunt, featuring a family making their own presents and decorations on their farm; and The Animals Speak: A Christmas Eve Legend by Marion Dane Bauer, illus. by Brittany Baugus, the story of how the animals of the world receive the ability to speak on Christmas Eve in order to rejoice at the birth of Jesus.
BEHRMAN HOUSE/APPLES & HONEY PRESS
Apples & Honey serves up Larry’s Latkes by Jenna Waldman, illus. by Ben Whitehouse, introducing an agile alligator who runs a food truck and invents new latke recipes for a Hanukkah party; Starlight Soup by Elana Rubinstein, illus. by Jen Naalchigar, in which a girl must use her super nose to save her town from a culinary disaster in time for Sukkot; Pumpkin Pie for Sigd by Tzivia MacLeod, illus. by Denise Damanti, in which a girl in Israel looking to celebrate Thanksgiving learns about another celebration of gratitude—Sigd—from her Ethiopian friend; Shark-Bot Shalom by Jenna Waldman, illus. by Sharon Davey, the story of a robot shark hurrying to prepare a Shabbat dinner for his friends before his battery charge runs down; and The Shield of the Maccabees by Eric A. Kimmel, illus. by Dov Smiley, a graphic novel depicting the friendship between a Greek boy and a Jewish boy against the backdrop of the Maccabean rebellion.
BLOOMSBURY
Bloomsbury coasts into fall with Kick Push by Frank Morrison, in which Epic struggles to find a new skateboarding crew after moving to a new neighborhood; Wish of the Wicked by Danielle Paige, a fairy godmother origin story; Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer, launching a fantasy series featuring a fresh take on the assassin story; Cameron Battle and the Legend of Chidani by Jamar Perry, following Cameron and his friends who are transported to the West African country of Chidani, home to the Igbo people; and Medusa by Jessie Burton, illus. by Olivia Lomenech Gill, delivering a feminist YA retelling of the Greek myth.
BLUE DOT
Blue Dot loads the moving truck for Hello, New House by Margaret Wild, illus. by Ann James, in which a child says goodbye to their old house and hello to the new one; and Animals by Motomitsu Maehara, which helps readers learn the names of various animals in the six most widely spoken languages in the world.
BOYDS MILLS & KANE/BOYDS MILLS PRESS
Boyds Mills Press casts a cheery spell with Merry Witchmas! by Petrell Ozbay and Tess LaBella, illus. by Sonya Abby Soekarno, featuring a Halloween witch who adores Christmas; The Story of You by Lisa Ann Scott, illus. by Sue Cornelison, noting that our actions and words play a big part in who we are as a person; CATastrophe! A Story of Patterns by Ann Marie Stephens, illus. by John Harney, in which nine kittens’ boat adventure demonstrates key math concepts and patterns; Frankie Gets a Doggie by Amy Huntington, following a boy and his father on an outing to the animal shelter to adopt a dog; and Good Night, Oppy by James McGowan, illus. by Graham Carter, offering an inside look at space rover Opportunity’s exploration of Mars.
BOYDS MILLS & KANE/CALKINS CREEK
Calkins Creek fastens its seatbelt for Road Trip! Camping with the Four Vagabonds: Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, and John Burroughs by Claudia Friddell, illus. by Jeremy Holmes, following this crew of inventors tagged “the Four Vagabonds” on one of their annual summer camping trips; Without Separation!: Prejudice, Segregation, and the Case of Roberto Alvarez by Larry Dane Brimner, illus. by Maya Gonzalez, spotlighting one of America’s landmark segregations cases; Tad Lincoln’s Restless Wriggle: Pandemonium and Patience in the President’s House by Beth Anderson, illus. by S.D. Schindler, featuring the President’s rambunctious youngest son who brought joy and compassion to the White House; Ambushed! The Assassination Plot Against President Garfield by Gail Jarrow, which tells the story of Garfield’s demise, dying 80 days after he was shot by a politically motivated assassin; and Full Speed Ahead: America’s First Admiral by David Glasgow Farragut, introducing the U.S. Navy man behind the call to action “Full speed ahead!”
BRITANNICA
Britannica has the answer with The Britannica Big Book of Why by Sally Symes and Stephanie Drimmer, illus. by Kate Slater, a collection of more than 100 questions and answers for readers four to eight, covering space, Earth, wild animals, and more; Return to FACTopia! by Kate Hale, illus. by Andy Smith, delivering 400 facts on various topics that are connected in surprising and humorous ways; and 5-Minute Really True Stories About Family Time by Alli Brydon, Catherine Hughes, and others; illus. by Vivian Mineker, Sofia Moore and others, presenting five-minute nonfiction stories about families around the world.
CAMERON
Cameron Books sets the table for May Your Life Be Deliciosa by Michael Genhart, illus. by Loris Lora, in which a grandmother’s tamale recipe serves as a metaphor for life; Dorothy and Herbert: An Ordinary Couple and Their Extraordinary Collection of Art by Jackie Azúa Kramer, illus. by Julia Brekenreid, a biography of the New York City librarian and postal clerk who amassed a legendary art collection; The Little Mermaid by J.M. Farkas, illus. by Gina Triplett, presenting an empowering blackout-poetry version of the fairy tale; Yours in Books by Julie Falatko, illus. by Gabriel Alborozo, focused on a furry bookshop owner who exchanges letter with an avid, slightly cranky, feathered reader; and Go to Bed, Ted! by Shirin Yim Brides, illus. by Luciano Lozano, spotlighting the bedtime routine of a young Theodore Roosevelt.
CANDLEWICK
Candlewick marches into fall with Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panthers Party’s Promise to the People by Kekla Magoon, delivering an account of the Black Panthers as militant revolutionaries and human rights advocates working to defend and protect their community; When We Say Black Lives Matter by Maxine Beneba Clarke, celebrating the meaning behind the words Black Lives Matter; The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo, illus. by Sophie Blackall, in which a mysterious child with a dangerous secret appears at a monastery remembering nothing but her first name; The Genius Under the Table by Eugene Yelchin, offering a memoir of growing up in Cold War Russia; and Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, illus. by Yas Inamura, telling the true story of how the author’s grandparents met in a Japanese internment camp.
CANDLEWICK ENTERTAINMENT
Candlewick Entertainment slips on some shades for the TV tie-in Peppa Pig Goes to Hollywood.
CANDLEWICK STUDIO
Candlewick Studio pricks up its ears for The Song of the Nightingale by Tanya Landman, illus. by Laura Carlin, answering the question of how this bird got its golden voice; Paper Peek: ABC by Chihiro Takeuchi, a die-cut alphabet; My Big Book of Outdoors by Tim Hopgood, celebrating the wonder of the seasons; My First Pop-Up Mythological Creatures by Owen Davey, which introduces mythological creatures in pop-up form; and Once Upon a Time There Was and Will Be So Much More by Johanna Schaible, a debut picture book about the passage of time.
CANDLEWICK/BIG PICTURE PRESS
Big Picture goes big with Colossus by Colin Hynson, illus. by Giulia Lombardo, exploring some of the greatest feats of engineering in history, including ancient pyramids and enormous bridges; Paper World: Space by Ruth Symons, illus. by Gail Armstrong, revealing the wonders of space via paper cutouts; and Hidden Habitats: Water by Lily Murray, illus. by Lara Hawthorne, exploring eight very different aquatic ecosystems.
CANDLEWICK/MIT KIDS
MIT Kids looks to the night sky with Ada and the Galaxies by Alan Lightman and Olga Pastuchiv, illus. by Susanna Chapman.
CANDLEWICK/NOSY CROW
Nosy Crow consults the blueprints for Building a Home by Polly Faber, illus.by Klas Fahlén, in which an old factory becomes a brand-new apartment; There’s a Mouse in My House by Ross Collins, following the unwelcome guest in Bear’s home; Jeremy Worried About the Wind by Pamela Putchart, illus. by Kate Hindley, about anxious Jeremy who must put his worries aside to save his friend who goes out to play in the wind; Ruffles and the Red, Red Coat by David Melling, which finds Ruffles facing the trials and tribulations of toddler life; and Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright, illus. by Britta Teckentrup, collecting 366 animal poems—one for every day of the year.
CANDLEWICK/TEMPLAR
Templar feathers its nest with The Robin in the Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen, illus. by Jason Jameson, retelling Andersen’s tale “The Fir Tree”; Prehistoric Pets by Dean Lomax, illus. by Mike Love, taking a closer look at the connections between seven of our favorite pets and who their prehistoric ancestors might be; The Little Things by Emma Dodd, focusing on empathy, positivity, and emotional intelligence; The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, illus. by Grahame Baker-Smith, featuring new illustrations; and Wild by Sam Usher, the second in a quartet of picture books following a boy and his grandfather as they discover the wonder of the natural world.
CANDLEWICK/WALKER BOOKS US
Walker Books US grabs the mic for Idol Gossip by Alexandra Leigh Young, about an American girl who is recruited by an agency that creates K-pop stars after her diplomat mother moves their family to Seoul; How to Love by Alex Norris, presenting a queer guide to dating, relationships, and identity; and Ferryman by Claire McFall, in which Dylan can only reach the afterlife if she and her intriguing Ferryman make it across a demon-infested wasteland.
CAPSTONE/CAPSTONE EDITIONS
Capstone Editions erupts into fall with Volcano, Where Fire and Water Meet by Mary M. Cerullo, blending science, history, and mythology in an examination of volcanoes; So You Want to Build a Library by Lindsay Leslie, illus. by Aviel Basil, putting readers in the role of architect and designer of their dream library; Pando: A Living Wonder of Trees by Kate Allen Fox, illus. by Turine Tran, paying tribute to a Utah grove of quaking Aspen trees; and My Sister, Daisy by Adria Karlsson, illus. by Linus Curci, in which Daisy’s older brother adjusts when his younger brother realizes she is a girl and wants to be called Daisy.
CAPSTONE/CAPSTONE PRESS
Capstone Press watches the tides for Ocean Plastics Problem by Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan, illus. by Erik Doescher, beginning a series starring the world’s first super scientist, Max Axiom.
CHARLESBRIDGE
Charlesbridge gets hangry with Gimme Cheese! by Jamie Michalak White, which finds Little Mouse learning some manners; Worst-Case Collin by Rebecca Caprara, about a boy who’s been worrying about overcoming worst-case scenarios ever since his mother died in a car accident; The Leather Apron Club: Benjamin Franklin, His Son Billy, and America’s First Circulating Library by Jane Yolen, illus. by Wendell Minor, the story of how Franklin encourages his son’s budding interest in books by introducing him to the lending library/club he started; Sophie’s (Not So Small) Secret by Jamie Michalak White, which finds Sophie worrying about the toy she has pocketed from a dollhouse and taken home; and The Sunshine Squad: How to Save the Day by Jamie Michalak White, spotlighting five friends and one tagalong little brother who decide to become superheroes.
CHARLESBRIDGE TEEN
Charlesbridge Teen tests the waters with Beyond the Blue Border by Dorit Linke, trans. by Elisabeth Lauffer, the story of two teens who risk their lives trying to escape oppressive East Germany by swimming 25 hours across the Baltic Sea.
CHRONICLE
Chronicle dons its hardhat for Construction Site: Road Crew, Coming Through! by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illus. by AG Ford, which finds tough road-building machines joining the crew to help build a superhighway; Inside Cat by Brendan Wenzel, depicting the adventure-filled day of a cat who stays indoors; What Is Love? by Mac Barnett, illus. by Carson Ellis, a meditation on the nature of love; Death and Sparkles by Rob Justus, about the unlikely friendship between opposites Death and Sparkles, the Last Unicorn; and Endlessly Ever After: Choose Your Way Through 6 Fairy Tales and 35 Different Outcomes by Laurel Snyder, illus. by Dan Santat, offering a variety of humorous spins on favorite stories.
CICADA
Cicada checks its watch for At This Very Moment by Matthew Hodson, a bedtime book describing the range of wonderful things happening on the planet at a particular moment; Atlas of Amazing Architecture by Peter Allen, visiting more than 50 lesser known architecturally notable buildings around the world; Grandma’s House of Rules by Henry Blackshaw, which posits that some rules are made for breaking; The Missing Trick by Robin Jacobs, illus. by Aimee Wright, about a young street magician who has lost his rabbit; and Professor Wooford McPaw’s History of Cars by Elliot Kruszynski, first in a series of books exploring the history of modern technology, narrated by an arrogant dog.
COMMON DEER PRESS
Common Deer shows its work with The Math Kids: Something Doesn’t Add Up by David Cole, illus. by Shannon O’Toole, in which the Math Kids in fifth grade face a new teacher who hates math and try to change his mind; and The Adventures of Grandmasaurus: At the Marine Rescue Center by Caroline Fernandez, illus. by Shannon O’Toole, another field trip with the grandmother who magically turns into a different dinosaur every time she sneezes.
DC
DC sparkles with Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld by Shannon and Dean Hale, illus. by Asiah Fulmore, which finds Princess Amethyst banished to Earth for a week after she and her mischievous little brother play a prank; Indestructibles by Ridley Pearson, illus. by Berat Perkmezci, the launch title in a series featuring kids who discover they have extraordinary powers and missing parents; My Buddy, Killer Croc by Sara Farizan, illus. by Nicoletta Baldari, following Andy, who goes to live with his Aunt Meredith in Gotham, where he makes new friends and sees one of his father’s criminal buddies fighting Batman on TV; Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven by Kami Garcia, illus. by Gabriel Picolo, in which Raven and Gar find romance and find themselves kidnapped; and Sherwood by Dustin Hansen, following a magical dog named Sherwood who helps a boy learn how to say goodbye to his terminally ill mother.
DISNEY/DISNEY HYPERION
Disney Hyperion scopes out a headquarters for The League by Melissa de la Cruz, spotlighting a diverse band of misfit teens who discover they have superpowers stemming from their respective cultures’ myths and origin stories; The Fowl Twins Get What They Deserve by Eoin Colfer, featuring Myles and Beckett Fowl’s latest showdown with Lord Teddy Bleedham-Drye; and Thanks for Nothing by Ryan T. Higgins, which finds everyone in Soggy Hollow thankful except for Bruce.
DISNEY/HYPERION
Hyperion tries on fall with Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy, introducing a plus-size shoe designer chosen as a contestant on a reality dating show; Heartless Prince by Leigh Dragoon, illus. by Angela DeVito, in which a changeling princess must use her latent magic to save the heart of her beloved prince; The Mirror Shattered Midnight by Dhonielle Clayton, about a Black woman whose musical magic makes her a target when she arrives in New Orleans during the Roaring Twenties; Alone Out Here by Riley Redgate, the tale of 53 children of various world leaders aboard a prototype spaceship who are the only survivors of a volcanic explosion that devastates Earth in 2072; and Like Other Girls by Britta Lundin, which finds three other girls following Mara’s lead to join the football team, challenging misconceptions about gender.
DISNEY/RICK RIORDAN PRESENTS
Rick Riordan Presents gets ready for battle with Tristan Strong Keeps Punching by Kwame Mbalia, concluding the adventure trilogy that travels to Alke, land of African American folk heroes and African gods; Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori Lee, in which 11-year-old Hmong girl Pahua discovers she is a powerful shaman warrior; and Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares by Tehlor Kay Mejia, spotlighting Paola’s encounter with ghosts from Mexican legends as she searches for her estranged father.
DUNDURN
Dundurn howls at the autumn moon with Sisters of the Wolf by Patricia Miller-Schroeder, following two girls, one Neanderthal and one Cro-Magnon, who band together in Ice Age Europe when they are separated from their tribes; and Lost Shadow by Claire Gilchrist, chronicling the journey of an urban coyote who gets carried away from the city and must learn to survive the land of the wolves to get back to her soul mate.
EERDMANS
Eerdmans makes way for The Very Hungry Plant by Renato Moriconi, following a ravenous plant that devours everything in its path; I Can Help by Reem Faruqi, illus. by Mikela Prevost, which finds Zahra being teased by her classmates when she helps Kyle at school; For Every Little Thing, edited by June Cotner and Nancy Tupper Ling, illus. by Helen Cann, an anthology of prayers, poems, and blessings that encourage gratitude; Only Margaret by Candice Ransom, illus. by Nan Lawson, profiling author Margaret Wise Brown; and One Million Oysters on Top of the Mountain by Alex Nogués, illus. by Miren Asiain Lora, introducing such scientific concepts as strata, fossils, and tectonic plates.
ELSEWHERE EDITIONS
Elsewhere tiptoes In the Meadow of Fantasies by Mohammad Hadi Mohammadi, illus. by Nooshin Safakhoo, trans. by Sara Khalili, for a tale of magical horses that visit the dreams of a girl and inspire her to write their stories.
FAMILIUS
Familius says “hey, diddle, diddle” for The Star Jumped Over the Moon by John Schlimm, illus. by Susanna Covelli, about a star trying to find the courage to jump from its home in an apple tree branch to the night sky; Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost, illus. by Vivian Minker, revisiting the beloved poem with new illustrations; Neverwoof by Gabriel Jensen, the tale of a family dog known for being super quiet who may find his bark when danger is in the house; When You Gave Me You by Clay Rice, reminding readers that they are the greatest birthday gift of all; and The Proudest Color by Sheila Modir and Jeffrey Kashou, illus. by Monica Mikai, an introduction to race, racism, and racial pride through the eyes of a girl named Zahra.
FLORIS
Floris leaves the nest with Olwen Finds Her Wings by Nora Surojegin, illus. by Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin, in which a baby owl explores what it’s like to be other animals; Illustrated Collection of Fairy Tales for Brave Children, illus. by Scott Plumbe, offering a new look to classics from Andersen, Grimm, and more; Hello Baby Animals, Who Are You? by Loes Botman, introducing baby animals and their proper names; and Home of the Wild by Louise Grieg, illus. by Júlia Moscardó, a tale about returning a wild creature to its natural habitat in the Scottish Highlands.
FLYAWAY
Flyaway makes ready for God’s Coming to Visit! by Franz Hübner, illus. by Angela Glökler and Rea Grit Zielinski, in which various animals prepare for God’s visit only to discover that God’s been with them all along; Three Lines in a Circle: The Exciting LIfe of the Peace Symbol by Michael G. Long, illus. by Carlos Vélez, offering a history of the peace symbol and how it became a powerful icon used in marches and movements around the world; Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip by Michael W. Waters, illus. by Nicole Tadgell, following Liberty and her friend Abdullah as they visit significant places from the civil rights movement; and 100 Sheep: A Counting Parable by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, illus. by Margaux Meganck, a retelling of the Parable of the Lost Sheep that emphasizes God’s love and encourages early number concepts.
FREE SPIRIT
Free Spirit dials down the pressure with Sometimes When I’m Mad by Deborah Serani, illus. by Kyra Teis, helping children to recognize how anger looks and feels and learn strategies to cope with it; We Check in with Each Other by Lydia Bowers, illus. by Isabel Muñoz, second in a series designed to teach children the foundations of consent and the importance of checking in with themselves and each other; and Ease the Tease by Mimi P. Black and Judy S. Freedman, illus. by Steve Mark, launching the Little Laugh & Learn series focused on easy-to-use strategies to handle situations or build skills.
GECKO
Gecko packs for fall with Inside the Suitcase by Cotilde Perrin, allowing readers to lift the flaps and assist a little man packing his suitcase for a long journey over oceans and mountains; The Tiny Woman’s Coat by Joy Cowley, about a woman who crafts a coat of leaves; and Hattie and Olaf by Frida Nilsson, illus. by Stina Wirsén, in which Hattie really wants a horse but ends up with a donkey named Olaf.
GREYSTONE
Greystone pricks up its ears for I Hear You Forest by Kallie George, illus. by Carmen Mok, in which a child on a nature walk learns how to listen to each different sound of the forest; How Beautiful by Antonella Capetti, illus. by Melissa Castrillon, following a curious caterpillar who asks various creatures what “beautiful” means; It Takes Guts by Jennifer Gardy, illus. by Belle Wuthrich, a middle-grade nonfiction book about the digestive tract; My Dog Banana by Roxane Brouillard, illus. by Giulia Sagramola, featuring a boy who takes his dog for a walk, but everyone who passes them sees the boy walking a banana; and Off the Beaten Path by Maylis de Karangal, illus. by Haugomat, about a boy who recently lost his parents going on a trek with one of the family’s kind, adventurous friends.
GROUNDWOOD
Groundwood opens the blinds for Sunny Days Inside and Other Stories by Caroline Adderson, featuring interconnected short stories of children living in the same apartment building and finding funny and poignant ways to deal with the pandemic; My Book of Butterflies by Geraldo Valério, an exploration of 42 species from around the world; A Kid Is a Kid Is a Kid by Sara O’Leary, illus. by Qin Leng, in which a group of children talk about the silly questions they get asked and the questions they would like to hear; Wounded Falcons by Jairo Buitrango, illus. by Rafael Yockteng, trans. by Elisa Amado, focused on the power of friendship and the effect that taking care of a wounded creature has on a wounded boy; and I Have the Right to Culture by Alain Serres, illus. by Aurélia Fronty, trans. by Shelley Tanaka, exploring a child’s right to culture as proclaimed in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
HARPERCOLLINS
HarperCollins gets its fall list just right with The Goldilocks Zone by Drew Sheneman, a humorous nonfiction book about our place in the universe; Blob by Anne Appert, the author’s debut, about a blob discovering who they really are; Eyes That Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho, the story of an Asian boy who learns to love his eyes by realizing they are like his father’s, grandfather’s, and younger brother’s; Thank You, Neighbor! by Ruth Chan, celebrating the various people, places, and things that make our neighborhoods special; Fireborn by Aisling Fowler, first in a fantasy trilogy following Twelve, a Huntling in training in the art of fighting monsters; The Insiders by Mark Oshiro, presenting a contemporary queer coming-of-age story with a twist of magic; When All the Schools Shut Down: A Young Girl’s Story of Virginia’s “Lost Generation” and the Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka Decision by Tamara Pizzol and Yolanda Gladden, illus. by Keisha Morris, relating the untold experiences of an African American girl living in Farmville, Va., following the landmark civil rights case; Unforgettable Logan Foster by Shawn Peters, the tale of a 12-year-old orphan whose prospective adoptive parents turn out to be superheroes; and Frankie & Amelia by Cammie McGovern, focused on an independent cat who finds a home with a girl who’s recently been diagnosed with autism.
HARPERALLEY
HarperAlley rows into fall with The Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment, the author’s graphic novel debut about two kids who unearth a hidden city; Squash & Ginny by Susie Yi, first in a debut chapter-book graphic novel series starring two magical cats on a quest for unlimited snacks; A-Okay by Jarad Greene, a semi-autobiographical graphic novel introducing eighth-grader Jay, who struggles with severe acne and internal questions he never knew he had; Another Kind by Cait May and Trevor Bream, a graphic novel debut spotlighting six misfit not-quite-human kids searching for a new place to call home; Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen, in which a village of vegetables learns that a bloodthirsty vampire has moved into the nearby castle; and Piyoman and the Sun Warriors by Gonzalo Alvarez, a debut graphic novel that follows a boy at the center of an ongoing battle in the Aztec Underworld.
HARPERFESTIVAL
HarperFestival fires up the oven for 1234 Cake: A Count-and-Bake Book by Caroline Wright, illus. by Alison Oliver, a Little Bakers interactive concept board book containing a kid-friendly recipe; Helping Hospital by Lindsay Ward, opening the doors of a contemporary hospital via find-and-seek elements; I Am Calm by Lisa Edwards, illus. by Sandhya Prabhat, the third Om Child title, spotlighting Yin and Yang; Wednesday & Woof: Catastrophe by Sherri Winston, launching a chapter book series in which a girl and her service dog solve mysteries in their neighborhood; and Shine Like a Unicorn by Shelli R. Johannes, illus. by Maddie Frost, helping readers learn how to be a unicorn and embrace their unique selves.
HARPERTEEN
HarperTeen signs off on XOXO by Axie Oh, the tale of a girl determined to defy the elite world of K-pop for her soulmate; Gods & Monsters by Shelby Mahurin, concluding the Serpent & Dove fantasy trilogy; Jade Fire Gold by June CL Tan, Tan’s debut fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology; Everything Within and in Between by Nikki Barthelmess, which finds Ri struggling to reclaim her heritage and mother from her strict grandmother who has kept her away from both; and Before We Disappear by Shaun David Hutchinson, a queer historical fantasy set during the 1909 Seattle Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, featuring two rival magician’s assistants who fall in love.
HARPERCOLLINS/BALZER + BRAY
Balzer + Bray knows what’s what with Bear Is a Bear by Jonathan Stutzman, illus. by Dan Santat, about the enduring love between a girl and her stuffed bear; Everybody in the Red Brick Building by Anne Wynter, illus. by Oge Mora, chronicling the chain reaction of noises that wakes several children and a cat in an apartment building; The People Remember by Ibi Zoboi, illus. by Loveis Wise, revealing the history of African Americans in America in a narrative modeled on the seven principles of Kwanzaa; Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker, illus. by Jon Klassen, continuing the adventures of the boy and his fox; and Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert, offering a nonfiction exploration of one of the country’s most devastating acts of racial violence.
HARPERCOLLINS/BLINK
Blink consults the family tree for Heartless Heirs by MarcyKate Connolly, continuing the exploits of twins Aissa and Zandria, who have escaped a dungeon and are seeking answers behind their magical bloodline.
HARPERCOLLINS/GREENWILLOW
Greenwillow greets the season with A Hundred Thousand Welcomes by Mary Lee Donovan, illus. by Lian Cho, shining a light on worldwide traditions of hospitality and offering assistance, shelter, or companionship to others; The Grandmaster’s Daughter by Dan-ah Kim, a picture book debut about a young female black belt; Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, illus. by Lisa Sterle, which finds the new girl invited to join her high school’s most popular clique, and finding out that they’re werewolves; The Leopard Behind the Moon by Mayonn Paasawe-Valchev, following Ezomo who is determined to move beyond the village door when the leopard he believes killed his father disappears behind it; and The Wolf’s Curse by Jessica Vitalis, a debut middle grade novel featuring a boy exiled by his town and seeking to clear his name while a mythical wolf follows at his heels.
HARPERCOLLINS/TOMMY NELSON
Tommy Nelson gets a head start on the season with Slothy Claus: A Christmas Story by Jodie Shepherd, illus. by MacKenzie Haley, in which a sluggish Slothy Claus helps readers learn that Christmas is more than presents under a tree; Edward and Annie: A Penguin Adventure by Caryn Rivadeneira, which introduces a pair of penguins from Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium who are an internet sensation; and Walter Does His Best: A Frenchie Adventure in Kindness and Muddy Paws by Eva Pilgrim, illus. by Jessica Gibson, following journalist Pilgrim’s French Bulldog efforts to help his neighbors in New York City.
HARPERCOLLINS/QUILL TREE
Quill Tree Books raises a glass for Here’s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera, which finds Arthur and Ben from What If It’s Us getting a second shot at love; Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat, kicking off a fantasy trilogy set during a magic war in 19th-century England; Tidesong by Wendy Xu, a Studio Ghibli-inspired graphic novel about a young witch whose magic gets entangled with a water dragon’s; Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu, illus. by Teny Issakhanian, first in a middle-grade fantasy graphic novel series introducing a girl who sets out from the mystical bird haven where she was raised to stop a sinister threat to her world; and All These Bodies by Kendare Blake, in which a teen girl accused of a string of horrifying murders confesses her crimes to the sheriff’s son.
HARPERCOLLINS/TEGEN
Katherine Tegen Books fine-tunes its fall forecast with Partly Cloudy by Tanita S. Davis, focused on new-girl-in-town Madalyn who discovers she’s the only Black girl in her class and has to deal with microaggressions from classmates, friends, and neighbors; Terciel & Elinor by Garth Nix, exploring the teenage years of Sabriel’s parents; A Soft Place to Land by Janae Marks, in which Joy’s family’s misfortunes are eased a bit when she finds a hideout and secret letters from a mystery writer in her new apartment; Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach, which finds Eliza unwittingly leading a feminist movement when her essay about her underqualified school paper colleague goes viral; and White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson, the story of Marigold’s newly blended family as they make a fresh start in a renovated home that doesn’t seem to want them there.
HARPERCOLLINS/WALDEN POND
Walden Pond Press takes attendance with The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu, in which a girl encounters magic, mystery, and patriarchy when she’s forced to enroll in a school for wayward youth.
HIGHLIGHTS PRESS
Highlights Press finds a stamp for Dear Highlights by Christine French Cully, taking a look at the thousands of letters Highlights magazine has received from kids over the past 70 years; and Maggie and Pie and the Big Breakfast by Carolyn Cory Scoppettone and Knox Knocks: Hooray for Mail Day! by Judy Katschke, illus. by Josh Cleland, two Highlights Puzzle Reader beginning reader books.
HOLIDAY HOUSE
Holiday House threads a needle for Stitch by Stitch: Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly Sews Her Way to Freedom by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon, spotlighting expert seamstress Keckly who was born into slavery and would later count Mrs. Jefferson Davis and Mary Todd Lincoln among her clients; Middle School Bite: Out for Blood by Steven Banks, illus. by Mark Fearing, marking the return of 11-year-old Tom the Vam-Wolf-Zom; Being Clem by Lesa Cline-Ransome, the final volume in the trilogy which finds Clem struggling with his identity in the wake of his father’s death in the Port Chicago disaster; Noodleheads Do the Impossible by Tedd Arnold, Martha Hamilton, and Mitch Weiss, illus. by Arnold, about the Noodlehead brothers’ attempts to become famous; and Vial of Tears by Cristin Bishara, an #OwnVoices fantasy based on the mythology of ancient Lebanon.
HOLIDAY HOUSE/FERGUSON
Margaret Ferguson Books consults a translator for The Lost Language by Claudia Mills, a novel in verse following pals Bumble and Lizard as they try to save a dying language and their straining friendship; and Salt Magic by Hope Larson, illus. by Rebecca Mock, in which 12-year-old Vonceil must find the Salt Witch to undo the curse on her family’s farm that turned their fresh water into salt water.
HOLIDAY HOUSE/PORTER
Neal Porter Books flips a guitar pick with Song for Jimi by Charles R. Smith, illus. by Edel Rodriguez, providing a detailed look at the life and artistry of rock icon Jimi Hendrix; Bright Star by Yuyi Morales, a tale of bravery and finding one’s voice, told from the point of view of a small fawn; Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, following a lone fox separated from his pack dealing with emotions like fear and anger through color; and The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess by Tom Gauld, which finds a robot on a quest to find his missing human sister.
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT
HMH unlocks fall with The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman, an Indian-inspired YA fantasy about four estranged royal siblings seeking a new source of magic that will save their country from invaders; Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever! by Beth Ferry, illus. by Tom Lichtenheld, in which Stick discovers the importance of found family as he researches his family tree; The Monarchs by Kass Morgan and Danielle Page, concluding the Ravens fantasy duology featuring sorority sisters Scarlett and Vivi; Elegy by Makiia Lucier, following a young lord determined to learn the truth behind a mysterious assassination attempt on the young queen in the aftermath of a devastating plague; and Maya and the Return of the Godlings by Rena Barron, a sequel to Maya and the Rising Dark in which Maya and the godlings return to the sinister world of The Dark to prevent the veil between the worlds from crumbling.
HMH/CLARION
Clarion doesn’t let the peas touch with The League of Picky Eaters by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, a debut novel about standing up for yourself and finding your people; Five Little Monkeys Looking for Santa by Eileen Christelow, featuring the mischievous monkeys in a holiday romp; The Thirteenth Cat by Mary Downing Hahn, a thriller about bravery, unexpected friendships, and sinister cats; One Smart Sheep by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney, illus. by Jane Manning, depicting a sheep’s attempt to escape from the piano mover’s van and find his way home; and Right Now! Real Kids Speaking Up for Change by Miranda Paul, illus. by Brittany Jackson, introducing readers to 10 young people from around the globe who are changing the world for the better.
HMH/ETCH
Etch refines its squad goals with Besties: Work It Out by Kayla Miller and Jeffrey Canino, illus. by Kristina Luu, launching a graphic novel spin-off of the Click series featuring aspiring entrepreneurs Beth and Chanda; Hooky by Miriam Bonstre Tur, introducing Dani and Dorian, twin siblings who miss the bus to magic school and scramble to find a mentor; Graceling by Kristin Cashore, adapted and illustrated by Gareth Hinds, a graphic novel version of the popular YA fantasy; Dinomighty! The Heist Age by Doug Paleo, illus. by Aaron Blecha, which finds the Dinomighties fighting Bully Mammoth to save a precious painting; and Oh My Gods! 2: The Forgotten Maze by Stephanie Cooke and Insha Fitzpatrick, illus. by Julianna Moon, the story of Karen and her friends as they descend into a forgotten maze beneath Mt. Olympus Junior High to find an online troll by the name of M1N0T4UR.
HMH/VERSIFY
Versify raises its right hand for I Will: A Book of Promises by Juana Medina, spotlighting simple, important affirmations; ¡Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge by Raúl the Third, colored by Elaine Bay, celebrating community; Last Chance for Logan County by Lamar Giles, the third Legendary Alston Boys outing which finds Otto and Sheed teaming with the Ellison twins to take down a suspicious corporation obsessed with their town; Wutaryoo by Nilah Magruder, focused on a creature who is tired of not knowing who she is or where she came from; and Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ’Round by Kathlyn J. Kirkwood, a memoir in verse about how Kirkwood was drawn to activism as a child, and as an adult fought for Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday to be declared a national holiday.
INHABIT
Inhabit Media buzzes into fall with The Bee by Becky Han, illus. by Tindur Peturs, in which the narrator runs across Canada’s Nunavut territory in an attempt to escape a bee; and Little Moar and the Moon by Roselynn Akulukjuk, illus. by Jazmine Gubbe, the tale of a boy who fears the moon and tries to make it home before the moon appears in the sky.
INKYARD
Inkyard Press lights the way through the season with Luminous by Mara Rutherford, focused on a girl who must master the magic she’s always feared to save her sister from a powerful mage; Kneel by Candace Buford, about a high school football standout who risks his future to kneel for justice; The Keeper of the Night by Kylie Lee Baker, the tale of a half reaper, half Shinigami soul collector trying to earn her place Death in 1890s Japan; You Can Go Your Own Way by Eric Smith, in which Adam and Whitney, childhood best friends turned enemies, get trapped inside a pinball arcade together during a blizzard; and This Is Why We Lie by Gabriella Lepore, following two teens who discover a body off the coast of their exclusive seaside town and must find the killer to prove their friend’s innocence.
KANE MILLER
Kane Miller harrumphs into fall with The Grumpy Neighbor by Sally Rippin, illus. by Aki Fukuoka, in which Billie has kicked her new soccer ball over Grumpy Gertie’s fence, and Gertie’s not giving it back; Explore! America’s National Parks by Krista Langlois, illus. by Hannah Bailey, informational snapshots of the country’s 61 national parks; Good as New by Bernd Penners, illus. by Henning Löhlein, inviting readers to help a cast of animal characters feel better by using five removable stickers; Barbara Throws a Wobbler by Nadia Shireen, which finds Barbara throwing a tantrum when her bad mood gets out of control; and Stop That Poem! by Eric Ode, illus. by Jieting Chen, following the words of a poem as they scramble and roam trying to make a friend and find a home.
KAR-BEN
Kar-Ben is ready to jam with Klezmer! by Kyra Teis, featuring a child’s music-filled visit to her grandparents’ apartment on Manhattan’s Lower East Side; A Bear for Bimi by Jane Breskin Zalben, illus. by Yevgenia Nayberg, which follows Bimi, whose family immigrates to America and moves into Evie’s neighborhood where some kind neighbors and a teddy bear help Bimi feel welcome; The Rabbi and the Reverend: Joachim Prinz, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Their Fight Against Silence by Audrey Ades, illus. by Chiara Fedele, the story of two men—an immigrant from Nazi Germany and the civil rights icon—who shared the belief that remaining silent in the face of injustice was wrong; Something New for Rosh Hashanah by Jane Yolen, illus. by Christine Battuz, in which picky eater Becca’s family persuades her to try new foods for the Jewish New Year; and The Three Latkes by Eric A. Kimmel, illus. by Feronia Parker-Thomas, which finds three Hanukkah latkes fighting over which of them tastes the best, with the winner decided by the family cat.
KIDS CAN
Kids Can Press waits for the wind-up with Stealing Home by J. Torres, illus. by David Namisato, focusing on one Japanese Canadian boy’s experience living in a North American internment camp in the 1940s; The Science of Song: How and Why We Make Music by Alan Cross, Esme Cross, and Nicole Mortillaro, illus. by Carl Wiens, providing a historical look at such aspects as the psychology, math, technology, art, and passion behind the music we love; The Strangest Thing in the Sea: And Other Curious Creatures of the Deep by Rachel Poliquin, illus. by Byron Eggenschwiler, introducing readers, via a gatefold format, to 12-bizarre and little-known underwater animals; You Might Be Special! by Kerri Kokias, illus. by Marcus Cutler, offering a collection of playful quiz questions that help readers celebrate their uniqueness; and My Words Flew Away Like Birds by Debora Pearson, illus. by Shrija Jain, a story told in free verse about a child who has moved to a new country and is struggling to learn a strange new language.
KINGFISHER
Kingfisher is rocking and rolling with Geology and Physics, two titles launching the Everyday STEM series by Emily Dodd offering primers on STEM-related subjects; and Amazing Machines: Big Bulldozers and Amazing Machines: Green Machines the newest additions to the Amazing Machines series by Tony Mitton, illus. by Ant Parker, which features a team of animals on the job with various vehicles.
LANTANA
Lantana battens the hatches for Violet’s Tempest by Ian Eagleton, illus. by Clara Anganuzzi, starring a shy girl who finds her voice when she’s cast in her school play; The Wall and the Wild by Christina Dendy, illus. by Katie Rewse, in which a girl discovers that her tidy walled-in garden and the disorderly Wild around it can happily coexist; My Mindful A to Zen by Krina Patel-Sage, celebrating mindfulness and wellbeing via inclusive haikus; Superheroes Don’t Do Cuddles by Michael Catchpool, illus. by Emma Proctor, which follows aspiring superhero SuperJoe who is far too busy having adventures to stop for a cuddle from his mother; and The Queen on Our Corner by Lucy Christopher, illus. by Nia Tudor, in which a girl who shows empathy to the homeless woman on her street galvanizes the people in her community.
LEE & LOW
Lee & Low Books pulls out Magic Like That by Samara Cole Doyon, illus. by Geneva Bowers, an ode to Black Girl Magic in which a girl finds confidence and excitement in the versatility of her natural hair and the way her different hairstyles reflect the natural world; My Magic Wand by Pat Mora, illus. by Amber Alvarez, a collection of poems celebrating a child’s growth and everyday experiences throughout the seasons of a year; Nibi's Water Song by Sunshine Tenasco, illus. by Chief Lady Bird, in which the Native creators pay tribute to the energy, moxie, and determination of water activists of all ages; and We Believe Black Lives Matter: The Principles of the Movement for Children by Laleña Garcia, illus. by Caryn Davidson, an introduction to the guiding principles of the Black Lives Matter movement, featuring pictures of contemporary and historical activists.
LEE & LOW/TU
Tu Books convenes with The Witch Owl Parliament (Clockwork Curandera #1) by David Bowles and Raúl the Third, illus. by Stacey Robinson and Damian Duffy, a graphic novel Frankenstein retelling set in colonial Mexico; Miosotis Flores Never Forgets by Hilda Eunice Burgos, in which Miosotis struggles with her growing distance from her college-aged sister, until her work with an abandoned dog at a local animal rescue leads her to realize her sister may be experiencing similar abuse; Black Was the Ink by Michelle Coles, a YA novel that tells the story of 16-year-old Malcolm, who through the help of an ancestor, witnesses the triumphs and tragedies of Reconstruction—giving him the courage to take action and save the family's farm; and The Shadow Prince by David Anthony Durham, a middle grade solarpunk novel set in an alternate Egyptian universe, in which 12-year-old Ash must compete to become the Shadow—and protector—of the prince.
LERNER
Lerner sees a sunny day with A Dog’s Best Friend: A Sesame Street Guide to Caring for Your Dog and It’s All Art!: From Drawing to Dress Up with Sesame Street, both by Marie Therese Miller; and Sesame Street Anti-Racism; as well as Crayola Our Colorful Earth: Celebrating the Natural World by Marie-Therese Miller.
LERNER/CAROLRHODA
Carolrhoda aims high with From the Tops of Trees by Kao Kalia Yang, illus. by Rachel Wada, the true story of a father determined to help his daughter dream beyond the fences of the refugee camp where they are confined; 10 at 10: The Surprising Childhoods of Ten Remarkable People by Carlyn Beccia, recounting the early experiences of such figures as Audrey Hepburn, Roberto Clemente, and Albert Einstein; AfterMath by Emily Barth Isler, in which Lucy must navigate different types of grief and healing as she mourns the death of her brother from a heart defect and starts seventh grade at a new school that survived a school shooting several years earlier; Eddie Whatever by Lois Ruby, following 13-year-old Eddie whose assumptions about the elderly are upended when he volunteers at a retirement home; and Hair Story by NoNieqa Ramos, illus. by Keisha Morris, introducing a Boriqua [Puerto Rican] girl and a Black girl who eventually meet for a playdate during which they celebrate their natural hair.
LERNER/CAROLRHODA LAB
Carolrhoda Lab puts down some roots with Where I Belong by Marcia Argueta Mickelson, focused on Guatemalan American teen Millie who struggles to balance her family’s needs and her own ambitions as her mother’s employer uses Millie as a poster child for “deserving” immigrants; and Just Ash by Sol Santana in which Ash, who is intersex, must stand up for himself when he gets his period and his parents pressure him to “try being a girl.”
LERNER/GRAPHIC UNIVERSE
Graphic Universe steps into the ring for Glorious Wrestling Alliance: Ultimate Championship Edition by Josh Hicks, featuring the humorous exploits of the universe’s least professional wrestling company; Artie and the Wolf Moon by Olivia Stephens, which finds Artie delighted to discover that she descends from a line of werewolves and had new abilities, though vampires wait for her in the shadows; and Super Potato and the Greenhouse of Evil by Artur Laperla, continuing the adventures of a costumed crime fighter who gets turned into a potato and becomes a bigger hero than ever.
LERNER/MILLBROOK
Millbrook Press stays up late for Night Creatures: Animals That Swoop, Crawl, and Creep While You Sleep by Rebecca E. Hirsch, illus. by Sonia Possentini, in which a mother and child camp out in their rural backyard and observe nocturnal animals; How to Make a Book (About My Dog) by Chris Barton, illus. by Sarah Horne, an exploration of how to make a nonfiction picture book about Barton’s real-life dog, Ernie; and A Peek at Beaks: Tools Birds Use by Sara Levine, illus. by Kate Slater, revealing how birds’ beaks resemble—and can be used as—various tools.
LERNER/ZEST
Zest Books stands tall with How to Be a Difficult Bitch: Claim Your Power, Ditch the Haters, and Feel Good Doing It by Halley Bondy, Mary C. Fernandez, Sharon Lynn Pruitt, and Zara Hanawalt, imparting the basics of what it takes to be a powerhouse, a Difficult Bitch, in terms of school, friends, body, and life; A Hot Mess: How the Climate Crisis Is Changing Our World by Jeff Fleischer, drawing from real-life situations and accounts to offer an informed look at how our world will change as a result of the climate crisis; and Finding Refuge: Real-Life Immigration Stories from Young People by Victorya Rouse, a collection of true stories told by teens about what it means to leave a beloved but unsafe homeland for a distant place where everyone speaks another language.
LEVINE QUERIDO/ARTHUR A. LEVINE
Arthur A. Levine greets A Snake Falls to Earth, the next book from Darcie Little Badger, author of one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 Fantasy Novels of All Time, about a girl from our world and a Cottonmouth from the land of spirits and monsters who agree to help each other and save their worlds;The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera, in which 12-year-old Petra Peña’s suspended animation fails during the 370-year journey to a new planet after Earth is destroyed, so when all the other children are mysteriously reprogrammed and the adults purged, Petra becomes the lone bringer of Earth's now forbidden stories and her grandmother's Mexican folklore; Freedom! The Story of the Black Panther Party, a narrative nonfiction book for young readers by debut author Jetta Grace Martin and American Book Award-winning Joshua Bloom and Waldo E. Martin Jr., authors of the acclaimed Black Against Empire: The History and Politics of the Black Panther Party; Red and Green and Blue and White, Lee Wind's debut picture book, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Paul O. Zelinsky, which is inspired by the true story of how an entire town stood up to hate during the Chanukah/Christmas season; and Mighty Inside by Sundee Frazier, which takes place in 1955 as the civil rights movement in the South takes the stage on a national level, and 13-year-old Melvin Robinson, whose stutter has returned days before he begins high school, is becoming aware of the need for change in his Northwestern hometown.
LEVINE QUERIDO/EQ
EQ ushers in a memorable season with Neverforgotten, a lyrical story of growing up in Bogotá, written by Alejandra Algorta, illustrated by Iván Rickenmann, and with Aida Salazar in her first work of translation; Popcorn Bob 2: The Popcorn Spy, second in the humorous chapter book series written by Maranke Rinck and illustrated by Martijn van der Linden, in which young Ellis and her hangry best friend (a living popcorn kernel named Popcorn Bob) evade sinister visitors from an American popcorn factory who want to kidnap Bob; Oksi by Mari Ahokoivu, Q's debut graphic novel, inspired by Finnish mythology; I'll Keep You Close by Jeska Verstegen, an autobiographical middle grade novel about the author's experience growing up in the Netherlands in a family scarred by generational trauma from WWII, and learning of her own Jewish heritage and family history that has been kept from her; and Sheep Count Flowers by Peruvian author Micaela Chirif and illustrator Amanda Mijangos, a bedtime story that aims to offer a wide-swinging gateway to imaginative play, and not just to sleep.
LIL’ LIBROS
Lil’ Libros spreads the word with the bilingual titles Carlotta Shares Her Secret/Carlota cuenta su secreto by Mria Rosana Mestre, illus. by Ana C. Esparza Sarabia, in which a girl learns how quickly a story can spread—and change—when her secret is retold throughout her hometown; Yefferson, Actually/En realidad es Yefferson by Katherine Trejo and Scott Martin-Rowe, illus. by Karla Monterrosa, which finds shy, new kid Yefferson finding the courage to let people know they are mispronouncing his name; and Kid del Toro/ Niño del Toro by Chogrin, illus. by Pakoto, the story—inspired by Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro’s childhood—of a boy who comes to love and accept the fantastical monsters he was taught to fear.
LITTLE BEE
Little Bee bangs the gavel for Madam Speaker by Carole Boston Weatherford, illus. by Chris Hsu, profiling Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the House in U.S. history; The Secret Code Inside You by Rajani LaRocca, illus. by Steven Salerno, explaining cells, DNA, and genetics in a rhyming text; Ig and Loo by Kashelle Gourley, illus. by Skylar Hogan, showcasing the unlikely friendship between Loo, a lonely girl in the Arctic, and Ig, the hungry polar bear who crashes into her house; This Music Night by Rhonda Gowler Greene, introducing readers to the sections and instruments of the orchestra and the music that unites us all; and What’s for Breakfast? by Stephani Stillwell, a novelty book containing interactive elements related to the morning meal.
LITTLE BEE/BUZZPOP
BuzzPop gives chase with Nature Cat: Runaway Hamster by Spiffy Entertainment, in which Nature Cat and his pals accidentally let their neighbor’s hamster escape when they are pet-sitting; and Riverdale Diaries Volume 2: Starring Veronica by Sarah Kuhn, illus. by Dean Rankine, following formerly popular Veronica Lodge as she tries to reclaim her crown at the annual School Spirit Contest.
LITTLE BEE/YELLOW JACKET
Yellow Jacket lines up the ingredients for a fall list with 150k Rugelach by Allison Marks, illus. by Wayne Marks, in which aspiring pastry chef Jack finds himself working with new girl Jillian to find the perfect recipe to prepare on a nationally televised baking competition; The Misadventures of Nobbin Swill 3: Clocked! by Lisa Harkrader, a third twisted fairy tale mystery starring beleaguered royal dung farmer Nobbin Swill; and Blackblood by Phu Vuong, illus. by Isa Enriquez, following a young mage who navigates the kingdom of Allia, where magic is outlawed, to rescue his sister.
LITTLE, BROWN
Little, Brown gets ready to bounce a quarter off Make Your Bed with Skipper the Seal by Admiral William McRaven, illus. by Howard McWilliam, spotlighting a seal who becomes a Navy SEAL; The Secret Garden on 81st St.: A Modern Retelling of The Secret Garden by Ivy Noelle Weir, illus. by Amber Padilla, a graphic novel adaptation that moves Mary Lennox to a New York City brownstone where she and her new friends restore an abandoned rooftop garden; A Tale of Sorcery… by Chris Colfer, continuing the challenges faced by Brystal Evergreen in the world of Colfer’s Land of Stories series; Amira & Hamza: The War to Save the Worlds by Samira Ahmed, which finds 12-year-old Amira and her little brother Hamza trying to survive a weekend of imposed family fun at the Islamic Society of Ancient Astrology; and Remember to Dream, Ebere by Cynthia Erivo, illus. by Pinkney Barlow, the tale of a girl and her mother and the dreams they have together.
MACMILLAN/FARRAR, STRAUS & GIROUX
FSG achieves liftoff with The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale by Charly Palmer, spinning a tall tale about a neighborhood basketball hero; All My Friends by Hope Larson, which finds Bina’s new band flirting with fame and Bina in a good place in her friendship with Austin; How to Train Your Dad by Gary Paulsen, featuring a boy, his free-thinking father, and the puppy training manual that turns their summer upside down; The Hollow Heart by Marie Rutkoski, the sequel to The Midnight Lie, delivering more intrigue, romance, and magic; and A Face for Picasso by Ariel Henley, a YA memoir about Henley and her twin sister’s experience living with Crouzon Syndrome, which causes facial disfigurement.
MACMILLAN/FEIWEL AND FRIENDS
Feiwel and Friends knows big things come in Tiny Gifts by Katherine Applegate, about a girl who risks everything to help her handmade bear who has come to life; Roxy the Unisaurus Rex Presents: Oh No, the Talent Show! by Eva Chen, illus. by Matthew Rivera, in which Roxy helps Dexter the dinocorn realize his important talent for being a good friend and listener; Why! A Conversation About Race by Taye Diggs, illus. by Shane W. Evans, examining racial injustice from a child’s perspective; Bounce Back: A Graphic Novel by Misako Rocks!, following a girl who has moved to the U.S. from Japan as she adjusts to a new life and new friends; and A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee, first in the Remixed Classics collection reimagining Stevenson’s tale with two intrepid girls on the hunt for a legendary treasure on the South China Sea.
MACMILLAN/FIRST SECOND
First Second sports a half-heart necklace for Friends Forever by Shannon Hale, illus. by LeUyen Pham, third in their graphic memoir series, about learning to love yourself exactly as you are; Julia’s House Goes Home by Ben Hatke, in which Julia and her house full of fantastical creatures try to find the perfect spot to settle down; Other Boys by Damian Alexander, a middle grade graphic memoir focused on seventh grader Damian as he navigates a new school, the loss of his mother, bullying, and discovering sexuality; Goldie’s Guide to Grandchilding by Clint McElroy, offering a look at the relationship between grandchild and grandparent; and Himawari House by Harmony Becker, spotlighting three foreign exchange students adjusting to living in Japan.
MACMILLAN/FLATIRON
Flatiron Books opens the door for Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber, in which Evangeline Fox learns that the love of her life intends to marry another, so she seeks the help of the Prince of Hearts to stop the wedding... and finds that his assistance costs much more than she bargained for; and Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed: 15 Voices from the Latinx Diaspora, edited by Saraciea Fennell, a collection of personal essays and poems by writers from across the Latinx diaspora who interrogate the different myths and stereotypes about this rich and diverse community: from immigration to sexuality, music to language, and more.
MACMILLAN/GODWIN
Godwin Books masters its fork twirl for Super Spaghetti by Rebecca Donnelly, illus. by Bonnie Lui, celebrating the love of spaghetti shared by a boy and his mother; Friends Are Friends Forever by Dane Liu, illus. by Lynn Scurfield, featuring the art of Chinese paper cutting and sharing the magic of friendship across continents; Group Hug by Jean Reidy, illus. by Joey Chou, which finds ever more animals coming together to hug a slug; The Very True Legend of the Mongolian Death Worms by Sandra Fay, a debut picture book in which a Mongolian Death Worm family is determined to overcome their reputation and make friends with other animals in the Gobi Desert; and Randy, The Badly Drawn Horse—and Dandy, Too! by T.L. McBeth, relating how a new horse claiming to be Randy’s best friend gallops into Randy’s story.
MACMILLAN/HENRY HOLT
Henry Holt is golden with That’s Betty!: The Story of Betty White by George Bonsignore, illus. by Jennifer M. Potter, celebrating the TV icon’s life and career; Scary Stories for Young Foxes: The City by Christian McKay Heidicker, following a fox kit on a harrowing journey from captivity to a frightening urban nightmare; The Big Reveal by Jen Larsen, in which a plus-size dancer puts on a slightly risqué burlesque show to raise money for a career opportunity; Little Thieves by Margaret Owen, starring a scrappy maid who must outwit both palace royals and low gods in a Bavarian-inspired YA fantasy; and Rise Up: How You Can Join the Fight Against Racism by Crystal Fleming, exploring the roots of racism and its modern-day legacy, and offering readers actionable ways they can become antiracists.
MACMILLAN/ROARING BROOK
Roaring Brook starts spreading the news with Big Apple Diaries by Alyssa Bermudez, a diary-style graphic memoir introducing a young New Yorker who doodles her way through middle school, until the September 11 terrorist attack leaves her wondering if she can ever be a kid again; Amos McGee Misses the Bus by Philip C. Stead, illus. by Erin E. Stead, a new outing for Amos the zookeeper and his friends; African Proverbs for All Ages by Johnetta Cole, illus. by Nelda LaTeef, an Oprah Book about the power of proverbs and the wisdom of various cultures in Africa; Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown by Steve Sheinkin, focusing on the Cold War; and Bad Girls Never Say Die by Jennifer Mathieu, presenting a gender-flipped reimagining of The Outsiders, exploring the deep bonds of female friendship.
MACMILLAN/TOR TEEN
Tor Teen takes the scenic route for Some Faraway Place by Lauren Shippen, in which Rose meets a girl she can’t forget and discovers her powers of Dreamwalking; All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman, set in the blood-soaked city of Ilvernath, where in every generation seven families compete in a tournament to the death for control of high magick; The Sisters of Reckoning by Charlotte Nicole Davis, continuing the Old West-set fantasy adventure begun in The Good Luck Girls; Endless Skies by Shannon Price, which finds Rowan on the cusp of becoming a Leonodai Warrior and embarking on a quest to save her city; and Forestborn by Elayne Audrey Becker, following Rora who uses her ability to shape shift to spy for the king as she tries to save her best friend and the kingdom from a magical illness.
MACMILLAN/WEDNESDAY
Wednesday Books leaves a message with You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao, in which Julie calls her dead boyfriend’s cell phone—and he picks up; Cazadora by Romina Garber, the sequel to Lobizona, which finds Manu and her friends are still fighting for a better future; Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood, serving up an Ethiopian-inspired fantasy retelling of Jane Eyre; I Am Margaret Moore by Hannah Capin, telling the ghostly story of a girl getting revenge on a boy from the previous summer at an elite naval summer camp; and If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich, spotlighting two boys in America’s biggest boy band who fall for each other while on tour and are forced by their record label to keep the relationship a secret.
MANGO AND MARIGOLD
Mango and Marigold Press plays a new tune with Bravo Anjali! by Sheetal Sheth, illus. by Lucia Soto, chronicling the challenges Anjali faces as she becomes the best best tabla (drum) player in class–and the importance of never dimming your own light.
MINEDITION
Minedition saves a spot for Sea Lions in the Parking Lot by Lenora Todaro, illus. by Annika Seems, delivering 12 real-life stories of creatures around the globe who reclaimed their habitat during the Covid-19 crisis and what they taught scientists; The Longest Storm by Dan Yaccarino, in which a father and his three children overcome boredom and conflict when they are confined to their home together by a mysterious storm; Antonia: A Story About Our Journey to a New Home by Dipacho, the tale of a girl and her dog as they travel with their family and others across a river to start a new life; Fish by Fish by Giuliano Ferri, an interactive board book with an anti-bullying message; and Lola Loves Animals by Impala, showcasing Lola’s daytime trip to the zoo and nighttime dream of setting the animals free in a wordless accordion fold, lift-the-flap format.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS
National Geographic Kids uses a wide-angle lens for Photo Ark ABC: An Animal Alphabet in Poetry and Pictures by Debbie Levy, photos by Joel Sartore, pairing works from the National Geographic Photo Ark project with poems to represent the letters of the alphabet and celebrate the diversity of the animal world; The Ultimate Book of African Animals by Dereck and Beverly Joubert, providing readers with an up close and personal look at animals from Africa; Treasury of Children’s Stories by Donna Jo Napoli, illus. by Christina Balit, collecting fairy and folk tales and other magic-tinged stories from around the globe; and Segregated Skies: David’s Trailblazing Journey to Rise Above Racial Barriers by Michael Cottman, introducing David Harris, the first Black man to fly for a commercial airline.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS/UNDER THE STARS
Under the Stars blinds readers with science with Izzy Newton and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad: Newton’s Flaw by Valerie Tripp, in which Izzy’s friends help her tackle her failing grade in Forensics and solve the media center mystery; Explorer Academy: The Dragon’s Blood by Trudi Trueit, the sixth adventure for Cruz Coronado and the gang who head to East Asia; and Zeus the Mighty: The Trials of Hairy-Clees by Crispin Boyer, illus. by Andy Elkerton, following Zeus the hamster and his pals from the Mt. Olympus Pet Center on another journey through Greek mythology.
NOMAD
Nomad revs up for fall with Explore Engines with 25 Science Projects for Kids by Donna B. McKinney, illus. by Tom Casteel, explaining various types of engines and how they work; Explore Chemical Reactions with 25 Science Projects for Kids by Susan Berk Kock, illus. by Tom Casteel, showcasing at-home chemistry experiments; The Physics of Fun by Carla Mooney, illus. by Alexis Cornell, exploring the science between such activities as trampolining and skateboarding; Reconstruction: The Rebuilding of the United States After the Civil War by Judy Dodge Cummings, illus. by Micah Rauch, outlining challenges of the post-Civil War era; and World War One: The Great War to End All Wars by Julie Knutson, illus. by Micah Rauch, which delves into the history and social significance of this global conflict.
NORTHSOUTH
NorthSouth follows a Sherpa into fall for The Mountain by Rebecca Gugger and Simon Röthlisberger, celebrating tolerance between various animals who each claim their description of the mountain is best; Einstein: The Fantastic Journey of a Mouse Through Space and Time by Torben Kuhlmann, about an inventive mouse determined to turn back time to attend the world’s biggest cheese festival; My Mother’s Beautiful Deaths by Carla Haslbauer, capturing what it’s like to have a mother who is a glamorous opera singer; Franz Ferdinand the Dancing Walrus by Marcus Pfister, which finds a walrus following his dream of being a ballet dancer; and Christmas Around the World by Monika Utnik-Strugala, illus. by Ewa Poklewska-Koziello, exploring Christmas traditions from a variety of countries.
NORTH STAR EDITIONS/FLUX
Flux looks back with Before We Were Blue by E.J. Schwartz, focused on two girls who develop an intense friendship during their time in a treatment center for eating disorders; A Dragonbird in the Fern by Laura Rueckert, a YA fantasy/murder mystery starring a dyslexic princess; and City of Shattered Light by Claire Winn, about an heiress who must join forces with a smuggler to outwit a monstrous AI to save her sister and their city.
NORTH STAR EDITIONS/JOLLY FISH
Jolly Fish packs light for The Art of Running Away by Sabrina Kleckner, in which Maisie learns that her estranged older brother ran away from home after his parents asked him to hide his sexual identity; and The Lugo Speaks No Evil by Danette Vigilante, about a 13-year-old witness to a murder who is desperate to find the courage to speak out against the killer.
NORTON
Norton puts up its dukes for Punching Bag by Rex Ogle, a memoir about one teenager’s cycle of poverty, violence, and blame and his attempts to forgive his parents and himself; Doing Business by Shawn Harris, in which readers help solve the mystery of who has done their bathroom business where they’re not supposed to; Feminist AF by Brittney Cooper, Susana Morris, and Chanel Craft Tanner, offering an inclusive guide to feminism from the founding members of the Crunk Feminist Collective; When We Were Very Young by A.A. Milne, illus. by Rosemary Wells, featuring new illustrations for the classic poetry collection now in the public domain; and Accused: My Story of Injustice by Adama Bah, first in the I, Witness series of first-person accounts of life-altering events by young people from around the world, edited by Dave Eggers and the Hawkins Project.
NUBEOCHO
NubeOcho’s got the look with The Ugliest Monster in the World by Luis Amavisca, illus. by Erica Salcedo, depicting a humorous reverse beauty pageant; and That’s Not Normal by Mar Pavón, illus. by Laure Du Fäy, in which a hippopotamus mocks an elephant for his long trunk.
ORCA
Orca lets it all hang out for Naked: Not Your Average Sex Encyclopedia by Myriam Daguzan Bernier, illus. by Cécile Gariepy, trans. by Charles Simard, introducing teens to practical information about sexuality from A to Z; Growing Up Trans: In Our Own Words, ed. by Lindsay Herriot and Kate Fry, presenting an anthology of stories, essay, poetry, and art by transgender youth; When I Feel: Easy Yoga for Big Feelings by Kathy Beliveau, illus. by Julie McLaughlin, photos by Jesse Holland, teaching easy yoga poses for managing big feelings; Sorry for Your Loss by Joanne Levy, which finds Evie befriending a boy who is grieving the loss of both his parents; and Guardians of Porthaven by Shane Arbuthnot, following the sci-fi adventures of 15-year-old Malcolm, who learns shocking truths about his family just as he’s about to take on the traditional role of Guardian of his city.
OWLKIDS
Owlkids nods its head for Same Here by Susan Hughes, illus. by Sophie Casson, exploring the many different ways children live in other countries and cultures and the commonalities that emerge; The Sour Cherry Tree by Naseem Hrab, illus. by Nahid Kazemi, which finds a girl remembering her grandfather when she visits his house and favorite backyard tree the day after he dies; Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, a Dog, and the Discovery of Insulin by Deborah Kerbel, illus. by Angela Poon, telling the true story of the discovery of insulin to treat diabetes in 1921; and Head Above Water by Megan Mahoney, following Miranda who tries to piece together her mysterious family history when she visits her mother’s coastal hometown for the first time.
PAGE STREET
Page Street stakes out a fall list with Life Bites and Then You Die by Sonia Hartl, in which a forever-16-year-old vampire seeks revenge on the ex who turned her and promised eternal love; The Devil Makes Three by Tori Bovalino, which finds Tess and Eliot trying to trap a devil who’s escaped from the pages of an ancient book hidden beneath the school library; Tonight We Rule the World by Zack Smedley, about a teen boy who fears what will happen when it’s revealed that he was sexually assaulted at a class event; The Splendor by Breeana Shields, which finds Juliette trying to uncover how the glamorous Splendor Hotel delivers the magical experience and fantasy fulfillment it promises its guests; and The Ballad of Dinah Calwell by Kate Brauning, the story of a girl who is out to avenge her mother’s murder by a wealthy rancher.
PAGE STREET KIDS
Page Street Kids slings a web into fall with With Great Power: The Marvelous Stan Lee by Annie Hunter Eriksen, illus. by Lee Gatlin, a biography of Marvel Comics legend Lee; Clovis Keeps His Cool by Katelyn Aronson, illus. by Eve Farb, in which a bull faces off against a crowd of bullies and learns to manage his own temper; Hornswoggled!: A Wacky Words Whodunit by Josh Crute, illus. by Jen Harney, presenting a trickster tale that features unusual, fun words; Meena’s Mindful Moment by Tina Athaide, illus. by Åsa Gilland, focusing on an energetic girl who discovers how to calm down and be present in the moment; and Moles Present the Natural Tolls of Digging Holes by Springer Badger, introducing readers to environmental issues.
PAPERCUTZ
Papercutz casts a spell on fall with The Queen’s Favorite Witch, Volume 1 by Benjamin Dickson, illus. by Rachael Smith, about a down-on-her-luck witch who applies to be The Queen’s Favorite Witch; Lola’s Super Club 2: My Substitute Teacher Is a Witch by Christine Beigel, illus. by Pierre Fouillet, featuring the miserable substitute who takes over Lola’s history class; Fuzzy Baseball Volume 4: Di-no Hitter by John Steven Gurney, is set at the game between the Ferntown Fuzzies and some prehistoric players; Astro Mouse and Light Bulb 2: Vs. the Troublesome 4 by Fermin Solis, in which Astro Mouse and his first mate Light Bulb get lost in space; and Smurf Tales 2: Smurfette in Charge: And Other Stories by Peyo, new adventures for the beloved blue characters.
PEACHTREE
Peachtree browses the stacks with Stanley’s Library by William Bee, which finds Stanley bringing his bookmobile to the local park; Hey! A Fishy Mystery by Kate Read, about a tiny pink fish who sets off a series of chaotic events as she sets out to make new friends; Amara’s Farm by JaNay Brown-Wood, illus. by Samara Hardy, first in a four-volume picture book series in which Amara explores the fall bounty of fruits and vegetables growing on her farm; Nina Soni, Halloween Queen by Kashmira Sheth, illus. by Jenn Kocsmiersky, starring Nina, who tries to best her friend Jay by coming up with a better idea for a Halloween activity; and Pretty Rude for a Girl by Rebecca Elliott, marking the return of Haylah, who’s become a popular comedian through her YouTube channel by venting about her family and friends.
PEACHTREE PETITE
Peachtree Petite dives into fall with Curious About Fish by Cathryn Sill, illus. by John Sill, spotlighting the characteristics, behaviors, and habitats of fish.
PENGUIN WORKSHOP
Penguin Workshop has an out-of-body experience with The Sacred Art of Astral Projection by Mike Albo, following a group of high school students from the recent past and near future as they travel across the astral plane to save themselves and each other from the various viruses that plague their timelines; Louie and Bear in the Land of Anything Goes by Brady Smith, a graphic novel in which Louie and his pet hamster turn into a wrestler and a giant bear when they are transported to the Land of Anything Goes; Beaky Barnes: Egg on the Loose by David Ezra Stein, featuring a no-nonsense chicken determined to save her egg from a hungry inspector, a desperate chef, and an entrepreneurial woman, in a graphic novel series-starter; Dark Hearts by Jim Gigliotti, illus. by Karl James Mountford, the collected biographies of the world’s most famous horror writers; and Endless Pawsibilities by Sean Charmatz, in which photographed cat paws become their own characters.
PENGUIN/DIAL
Dial squeals for Batpig: This Little Piggy Wears a Cape by Rob Harrell, introducing an ordinary pig who becomes a superhero after a bite from a radioactive bat; Santa in the City by Tiffany D. Jackson, illus. by Reggie Brown, in which a girl’s faith in Santa is restored by her community and the big man himself when she worries he might not be able to visit her house which doesn’t have a chimney or ample parking for a sleigh; Huda F Are You by Huda Fahmy, a graphic novel loosely based on the author’s high school years, about a hijabi girl trying to figure out what her Muslim identity means to her; Millions of Maxes by Meg Wolitzer, illus. by Micah Player, following a boy who learns there are lots of other kids who share his name; and Hello (From Here) by Chandler Baker and Wesley King, telling the YA love story of a privileged boy with an anxiety disorder and a grocery-delivering girl one step away from losing everything who fall for each other during the Covid-19 quarantine.
PENGUIN/DUTTON
Dutton is on the wing with A Bird Will Soar by Alison Green Myers, about a bird-obsessed boy who helps a family of eagles and his own unusual family rebuild their nests in the aftermath of a storm.
PENGUIN/FLAMINGO
Flamingo Books pairs up with Better Together by Amy Robach and Andrew Shue, illus. by Lenny Wen, which finds two families learning to live together through compromise, acceptance, and unconditional love.
PENGUIN/GROSSET & DUNLAP
Grosset & Dunlap says “cheese” for Elfie Selfie by Jo Parker, illus. by Debbie Palen, in which an elf snaps selfies with various familiar Christmas characters before Santa’s sleigh takes off; Christmas, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg, illus. by Laurie Stansfield, featuring poems that celebrate the joy and traditions of the holiday; The Little Engine That Could: Delivery Day by Matt Mitter, illus. by Jill Howarth, which invites readers to open real-life envelopes filled with letters, recipes, and more; Mr. DeMaio Presents!: Record-Breaking Natural Disasters by Mike DeMaio, illus. by Saxton Moore, following YouTube star Mr. DeMaio and his comical crew as they reveal facts about historic natural disasters; and Happy Ear-ster by Jo Parker, illus. by Debbie Palen, about farm animals donning fake ears and pretending to be the Easter Bunny.
PENGUIN/KOKILA
Kokila adjusts its nose plug and bathing cap for Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera, about a 12-year-old in L.A. who channels her rage into synchronized swimming; How to Find What You’re Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani, the story of a girl who is forced to confront her family’s prejudice and define her own beliefs when her older sister elopes following the Loving v. Virginia decision; J.D. and the Hair Show Showdown by J. Dillard, illus. by Akeem S. Roberts, following eight-year-old barber J.D., the youngest competitor at a national hair showcase in Atlanta.
PENGUIN/LADYBIRD
Ladybird starts a pillow fight with Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Unicorn’s Birthday by Rhiannon Fielding, illus. by Chris Chatterton, in which Twinkle the unicorn has a sleepover birthday party with her friends before heading to bed; and two novelty board books, Baby Touch: Merry Christmas! and Little World: Construction Site.
PENGUIN/PAULSEN
Nancy Paulsen Books sets out a dish for The Negative Cat by Sophie Blackall, about a boy who figures out that the way to his obstinate rescue cat’s heart is through reading aloud to him; Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman, following a boy who is released onto the streets of Chennai, India to fend for himself after spending his whole life in jail with his innocent mother; Sonny Rollins Plays the Bridge by Gary Golio, illus. by James Ransome, celebrating jazz icon Sonny Rollins; A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott, revealing some of the challenges and rewards of the author’s childhood experience as a slow reader and non-mainstream learner; and Daddy Speaks Love by Leah Henderson, illus. by E.B. Lewis, a love letter to all fathers, inspired by the words of George Floyd’s daughter.
PENGUIN/PHILOMEL
Philomel packs its favorite jammies for Goodnight Ganesha by Nadia Salomon, illus. by Poonam Mistry, sharing the bedtime rituals of two children visiting their grandparents in India; My Love for You Is Always by Gillian Sze, illus. by Michelle Lee, in which a mother describes her love for her son to him as they prepare a traditional Chinese meal; Margot Mertz Takes It Down by Carrie McCrossen and Ian McWethy, about a girl who embarks on a quest to take down a revenge-porn site targeting the girls in her high school; Giant by T.A. Barron, a sequel to the fantasy Merlin saga, starring a young giant; and Between Shades of Gray Graphic Novel by Ruta Sepetys, illus. by Dave Kopka, adapted by Andrew Donkin, the graphic novelization of the bestselling historical YA novel.
PENGUIN/PUTNAM
Putnam cases the cemetery for The Corpse Queen by Heather M. Herrman, set in mid-1800s Philadelphia, where orphaned Molly starts a new life as a grave robber procuring bodies for medical students, and gets tangled in a murderer’s plot; Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray, a fantasy series opener about two Black teenagers who must trek into a magical jungle to hunt down the ancient creature menacing their home; I Don’t Want to Read This Book by Max Greenfield, illus. by Mike Lowery, a humorous tale addressing kids who think they don’t like books; The Sky Between by Lisa McMann, illus. by Antonio Caparo, the story of two mice separated during a mutiny at sea who must overcome hunger, loneliness, and cats to reunite; and The Story of Nina Simone by Traci Todd, illus. by Christian Robinson, spotlighting the life and career of this acclaimed singer.
PENGUIN/RAZORBILL
Razorbill does a kickflip with Skater Baby by Jack Noel, starring a daredevil baby who sneaks away from her mother, snags a skateboard, and begins a disruptive joy ride through the park; One Life by Megan Rapinoe, the middle grade adaptation of this soccer superstar’s memoir; The Devouring Wolf by Natalie C. Parker, following a young werewolf as she tries to solve the mystery of why she hasn’t transformed yet; The Coldest Touch by Isabel Sterling, featuring the budding romance between Claire, a vampire who trains paranormals, and Elise, a girl who can see others’ deaths with a single touch; and Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain, set in a small town in the Louisiana bayou where a girl seeks the truth about what happened to her missing best friend.
PENGUIN/RISE X PENGUIN WORKSHOP
Rise x Penguin Workshop keeps its distance for Solitary Animals by Joshua David Stein, illus. by Dominique Ramsey, contrasting animals who live in groups with those who live alone; Olu and Greta by Diana Ejaita, reflecting on the geographical and cultural distance between two cousins, and the common things that unite them; Get Together by Miguel Ordóñez, a geometric look at how animal illustrations come together when simple shapes are combined; and Who Was Celia Cruz? and Who Was Walt Disney?, two board book biographies by Lisbeth Kaiser, illus. by Stanley Chow.
PENGUIN/VIKING
Viking climbs the hill with Change Sings by Amanda Gorman, illus. by Loren Long, the Inaugural Poet and Youth Poet Laureate’s debut picture book about creating change in your community and yourself; The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams by Mindy Thompson, set during WWII and following a girl whose family runs a magical, time-traveling bookshop, as she tries to prevent her brother from using magic to save his best friend who was killed in action; The Legend of the Christmas Witch by Aubrey Plaza and Dan Murphy, illus. by Julia Iredale, in which the Christmas Witch sets out on a journey to find her twin brother—Santa Claus; Tomatoes for Neela by Padma Lakshmi, illus. by Juana Martinez-Neal, celebrating food and family; and The Other Merlin by Robyn Schneider, in which the daughter of Merlin arrives at Camelot disguised as a boy so she can apprentice as a magician.
PENGUIN/WARNE
Frederick Warne slides down the fireman’s pole for Spot’s Fire Engine by Eric Hill, exploring the ins and outs of a fire station; and I Love You, Grandma and I Love You, Grandpa by Beatrix Potter, tribute books with illustrations inspired by Potter’s original artwork.
PENGUIN/WORLD OF ERIC CARLE
World of Eric Carle welcomes fall with the following titles by Eric Carle, featuring a favorite famished book character: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eats Breakfast; The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Winter; and Life Cycles: Caterpillar to Butterfly.
PENGUIN TEEN CANADA
Penguin Teen Canada puts one foot in front of the other with Walking Two Worlds by Wab Kinew, focused on a girl trapped between her dual identities as a shy teen on a reserve and a confident opponent in a massive multiplayer video game universe; and Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao, a tale blending Chinese history and mecha science fiction, in which 18-year-old Zetian becomes a concubine-pilot to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister’s death.
PENNY CANDY
Penny Candy Books sports a cozy fall look with Zadie and the Stripey Sock by Barbara Nye, spotlighting a girl who is definitely running away as soon as she can find her missing sock; and Between Two Worlds: The Art and Life of Amrita Sher-Gil by Meera Sriram, illus. by Ruchi Bakshi Sharma, introducing a 20th-century modern artist whose work embraced her Indian and European cultures.
PETER PAUPER PRESS
Peter Pauper Press ushers in the season with the following informational titles by Simon Abbott: My First ABCs; 100 Questions About… How Things Work: And All the Answers Too!; and 100 Questions About… Women Who Dared: And All the Answers Too!
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL/PI KIDS
PI Kids fetes fall with these licensed titles: Sesame Street: Another Monster at the End of This Sound Book; Disney My First Stories: Merry Christmas, Chip and Dale; Disney Growing Up Stories: 5 Minute Treasury; Disney Growing Up Stories: New Baby; and Spidey and His Amazing Friends.
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL/SUNBIRD
Sunbird Books threads a needle for A Stitch Through Time by Lauren Burke, highlighting the accomplishments of 19th-century Black American fashion designer Elizabeth Keckley, and several women who followed in her footsteps; It’s Her Story: Dolly Parton by Emily Skwish, illus. by Lidia Fernandez, and It’s Her Story: Ida B. Wells by Anastasia Magloire Williams, illus. by Alleanna Harris, new entries in the It’s Her Story graphic novel biography series; Go, Go Tin Can: My First Recycling Book by Claire Philip, illus. by Steven Wood, addressing what happens when everyday items are recycled; and The Ants Who Couldn’t Dance by Susie Rich Brooke, illus. by Paul Nicholls, in which ants who clumsily try to cut a rug as the music plays discover they are better together.
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL/CARDINAL MEDIA
Cardinal Media checks the forecast for Umbrella Over Berlin by Cao Wenxuan, illus. by Pan Jian and Pan Ying, in which an adventurous umbrella flies through the sky to explore the most famous and meaningful places in Berlin.
PIXEL + INK
Pixel + Ink builds a sturdy list with Cardboardia by Lucy Campagnolo, illus. by Richard Fairgray, kicking off a graphic novel series about three kids transported to a parallel world constructed entirely of paper, where creativity rules; The Swallowtail Legacy by Michael D. Beil, the inaugural title in a series starring 12-year-old Lark Heron-Finch, who inherits a house on Swallowtail Island in Lake Erie where she untangles a decades-old mystery; Carlton Crumple Creature Catcher 3: Reptoids from Space by David Fremont, which finds Carlton turning his attention to UFOs and an alien invasion; and Trillium Sisters 3: Fashionable Disaster by Laura Brown and Elly Kramer, illus. by Sarah Mesinga, following the triplets as they plan to run a fashion show fundraiser.
PREMIO
Premio shows its green thumb with Grow: How We Get Food from Our Garden by Karl Beckstrand, illus. by Zanara, depicting a Black child and grandfather as they till, plant, water, and harvest food.
PRINCETON ARCHITECTURAL PRESS
Princeton Architectural Press is in vogue with Violet Velvet Mittens with Everything: The Fabulous Life of Diana Vreeland by Deborah Blumenthal, illus. by Rachel Katstaller, spotlighting the life of one of the fashion world’s most influential people; When I Am Bigger by Maria Dek, a counting book that goes to 99; She Heard the Birds: The Story of Florence Merriam Bailey by Andrea D’Aquino, introducing the first person to study birds in the wild instead of shooting them for laboratory study; Pigology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia by Daisy Bird, illus. by Camilla Pintonato, providing a bounty of information on raising pigs as pets, for food, and as farm animals; and On Baba’s Back by Marianne Dubuc, the story of a baby koala named Koko who is beginning to understand independence.
PRESTEL/PRESTEL JUNIOR
Prestel Junior calls “olly olly oxen free” for Where Is Everyone? by Tom Schamp, a lift-the-flap, hide-and-seek outing; I Saw a Beautiful Woodpecker by Michał Skibiński, illus. by Ala Bankroft, the true story of a long summer holiday in 1939 Poland as chronicled in a boy’s journal; At the Height of the Moon: A Book of Bedtime Poetry and Art, ed. by Annette Roeder, Alison Baverstock, and Matt Cunningham; The Day Time Stopped by Flavia Ruotolo, capturing what children and adults are doing around the world at the same moment; and When I Get Cross by Britta Teckentrup, in which a girl describes what it feels like when she gets angry.
PUFFIN CANADA
Puffin Canada drops the puck for Great Too by Lauri Holomis and Glen Gretzky, illus. by Kevin Sylvester, another hockey-centric story of good sportsmanship and confidence, modeled on the lessons of the real-life “Coach Wally,” father of hockey great Wayne and his brother Glen; and The Great Bear by David A. Robertson, second volume in the Misewa saga, in which foster kids Eli and Morgan head back to the Indigenous-inspired fantasy world behind their closet door.
QUARTO/FRANCES LINCOLN
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books presses its white collar and black robes for Little People Big Dreams: Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, spotlighting the late Supreme Court justice; and This Book Is Feminist by Jamia Wilson, illus. by Aurelia Durand, an exploration of intersectional feminism for preteens and teens.
RANDOM HOUSE
Random House rises and shines for Good Morning Crater Lake by Darcy Miller, illus. by Brett Helquist, in which 11-year-old Harvey is on a quest to save his new friend who’s gone missing, and his strange new school; 5 Worlds #5: The Emerald Gate by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel, illus. by Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun, concluding the 5 Worlds fantasy series; Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen, a debut novel inspired by West African mythology which finds a mermaid taking on the gods; Charlotte and the Nutcracker: A Magical Christmas Story by Charlotte Nebres, illus. by Alea Marley, the true story of how Nebres became the first Black girl to play the lead of Marie in New York City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker; and Bobo and Pup-Pup: We Love Bubbles by Vikram Madan, illus. by Nicola Slater, launching a series focused on a monkey and a dog who happen to be best friends with very different personalities.
RANDOM HOUSE GRAPHIC
Random House Graphic puts a cherry on top of its fall list with Yummy: A History of Desserts by Victoria Grace Elliott, presenting the history of sweet treats we love to eat, accompanied by recipes and the science behind them; Apple Crush by Lucy Knisley, which finds Jen seemingly the only one in her class at her new school who isn’t obsessed with crushes and boys; Just Roll with It by Lee Durfey-Lavoie, illus. by Veronica Agarwal, following Maggie on her first day of middle-school armed with her 20-sided-die to help her make decisions as she deals with OCD and anxiety; Mayor Good Boy by Dave Scheidt, illus. by Miranda Harmon, introducing the new canine mayor of Greenwood and his human mayoral interns; and Witches of Brooklyn: What the Hex by Sophie Escabasse, in which Effie, who has been adapting to a new home, new family, and newly discovered magic, encounters a girl at school who wants to be friends with all of Effie’s friends.
RANDOM HOUSE STUDIO
Random House Studio files its claws for Cat Problems by Jory John, illus. by Lane Smith, focused on a cat with a very comfortable life who still has a list of complaints a mile long; The Creature of Habit by Jennifer E. Smith, illus. by Leo Espinosa, suggesting the joy that trying something new can bring; Grumpy Monkey Oh, No! Christmas by Suzanne Lang, illus. by Max Lang, which finds Jim Panzee having difficulty getting into the holiday spirit; Uni the Unicorn in the Real World by Paris Rosenthal, illus. by Brigette Barrager, following Uni, the only unicorn who believes kids are real, sliding down a double rainbow to visit friends on Earth; and Return of the Underwear Dragon by Scott Rothman, illus. by Pete Oswald, in which Sir Cole teaches his former sworn enemy to read.
RANDOM HOUSE/CROWN
Random House steps up to the plate for Fast Pitch by Nic Stone, pairing one family’s history with the Negro Baseball Leagues and a Black tween’s dreams of leading her team to the Fastpitch Little League World Series; The Sun, the Moon and the Stars by Rachel Montez Minor, illus. by Annie Won, celebrating the connection between children, parents, and the universe; Obie Is Man Enough by Schuyler Bailar, in which Bailar, the first openly transgender NCAA DI men’s athlete, tells the story of transgender tween Obie, who has set his sights on proving himself in the pool; The Swag Is in the Socks by Kelly J. Baptist, following Xavier, who begins to gain the courage to step out of the shadows when his uncle gifts him some outlandish socks; and In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner, the story of two teenagers from small-town Tennessee who receive scholarships to an elite Connecticut prep school.
RANDOM HOUSE/DELACORTE
Delacorte takes possession of fall with Mine by Delilah Lawson, featuring 12-year-old Lily, who discovers her creepy old house in a Florida swamp is filled with the previous occupants’ trash, keepsakes, and ghosts; The Story of More by Hope Jahren, the middle grade adaptation of Jahren’s nonfiction book linking consumption habits and our endangered earth; Lies Like Wildfire by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, about a teen girl who goes missing after she threatens to reveal that she and her friends accidentally sparked a deadly California wildfire; You’d Be Home Now by Kathleen Glasgow, centers a girl who becomes her brother’s keeper after a near fatal car accident and his return from rehab for opioid addiction; and You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus, a murder mystery about three estranged classmates who ditch school and get tangled in a crime they can’t solve without exposing their secrets.
RANDOM HOUSE/DOUBLEDAY
Doubleday makes a curtain call for B Is for Broadway by John Robert Allman, illus. by Peter Emmerich, spotlighting terms that pay tribute to Broadway; Home: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup, in which die-cut holes allow readers to see how animals nestle down in safety and warmth; Sister, Brother, Family: Our Childhood in Music by Willie Nelson and Bobbie Nelson, with Chris Barton, illus. by Kyung Eun Han, which finds country music legend Nelson and his sister sharing their story of growing up in Texas supported by music, family, faith, and love; and A Thing Called Snow by Yuval Zommer, focused on a young fox and hare trying to find snow during their first winter.
RANDOM HOUSE/GOLDEN
Golden Books does a triple axel with I’m a Figure Skater! by Sue Fliess, illus. by Nina Mata, introducing readers to the joy of this sport; Daniel in the Lion’s Den by Christin Ditchfield, illus. by Leandra La Rosa, retelling the classic Bible story; Merry Christmas, Poky! by Andrea Posner-Sanchez, illus. by Sue DiCicco, a novelty holiday book starring the Poky Little Puppy; and My Little Golden Book About New York City by Apple Jordan, illus. by Melanie Demmer, exploring the major attractions in the Big Apple with Poppy the Pigeon.
RANDOM HOUSE/KNOPF
Knopf shouts “¡Buena!” for Lotería by Karla Valenti, a magical realist adventure based on the lotería card game, in which Life and Death walk into town ready to begin a new game; Long Road to the Circus by Betsy Bird, illus. by David Small, about a girl who meets a former circus queen and finds herself caught up in the fast-paced world that may be her ticket out of her sleepy small town; Take Me with You When You Go by David Levithan and Jennifer Niven, in which Ezra finds the secret email account his beloved sister Bea set up before she ran away; and Holler of the Fireflies by David Barclay Moore, the tale of a boy who steps out of his Brooklyn neighborhood and into a West Virginia holler only to see social justice, racism, poverty, and himself through new eyes.
RANDOM HOUSE/LAMB
Wendy Lamb Books mans its battle stations for How to Win a Slime War by Mae Respicio, which finds two kids facing off to see who can sell the most slime, while navigating sticky situations with friends and family.
RANDOM HOUSE/MAKE ME A WORLD
Make Me a World flops into fall with Snow Angel, Sand Angel by Lois-Ann Yamanka, illus. by Ashley Lukashevsky, following Claire, a girl who’s grown up in Hawaii and desperately wants to see snow for the first time; and The Road to Alma by Tina Cane, a YA novel-in-verse about a half-Chinese, half-Jewish girl growing up in 1980s New York City.
RANDOM HOUSE/RODALE KIDS
Rodale Kids piles on the marshmallows for Hot Cocoa Calm by Kira Willey, illus. by Anni Betts, a breathing meditation; Words of Togetherness by Pat Hegarty, illus. by Summer Macon, in which animals introduce first words; Mrs. Peanuckle’s Kitchen Alphabet by Mrs. Peanuckle, illus. by Jessie Ford, spotlighting the ABCs and familiar things found in the kitchen; and I Love You Every Day by Isabelle Otter, illus. by Alicia Más, encouraging readers to celebrate family and friendships every day.
RANDOM HOUSE/SCHWARTZ
Anne Schwartz Books breaks down the binary with Pink, Blue, and You: A Book About Gender by Elise Gravel, offering an introduction to the complex concept of gender; Dream Street by Tricia Elam Walker, illus. by Ekua Holmes, which takes readers to the street the author and her illustrator cousin grew up on and the community that made their childhood special; Tiny Cedric by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illus. by Rowboat Watkins, featuring a tiny king who rids his palace of everyone bigger than himself until the palace babies teach him an important lesson; and Hope at Sea: An Adventure Story by Daniel Miyares, about an ocean-loving girl who seeks adventure by stowing away on her father’s merchant ship.
SILVER DOLPHIN
Silver Dolphin gets nothing but net with Baby Ballers: Michael Jordan by Bernadette Baillie, a board book introduction to the NBA superstar; You Make My Heart Saur by Maggie Fischer, illus. by Todd Lauzon, depicting the love between prehistoric pals; You’re My Little Christmas Cookie and You’re My Little Latke by Nicola Edwards, illus. by Natalie Marshall, two holiday novelty board books.
SCHOLASTIC
Scholastic packs a back-up snack for Bad Food by Eric Luper, illus. by Joe Whale, a series starter in which a group of anthropomorphic cafeteria food from the refrigerator at Belching Walrus Elementary heads to the school hallways to fend off an invading group of evil office supplies; Welcome to Gabby’s Dollhouse Headband Book, a tie-in to the DreamWorks mixed-media preschool show streaming on Netflix, featuring Gabby and her cat friends; Lethal Lit YA Novel #1 by K. Ancrum, based on the Lethal Lit podcast following teen detective Tig Torres and her local armchair detective group, Murder of Crows, as they investigate the Lit Killer mystery; and Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin by Nadia Shammas and Nabi H. Ali, a graphic novel which finds Kamala gifting her toddler nephew an action figure that ends up being a super villain in disguise.
SCHOLASTIC EARLY LEARNERS
Scholastic Early Learners turns the page to fall with two titles in the My First Library chunky board book series: Words and Things That Go.
SCHOLASTIC EN ESPAÑOL
Scholastic en Español offers a warm “bienvenidos” to the following titles in Spanish: El soñador feliz (Little Happy Dreamer) by Peter H. Reynolds; Nuestros pequeños héroes (Our Little Heroes) by David Heredia; Sobreviví los ataques de tiburones de 1916 (I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916) by Lauren Tarshis; El club de cómics de Supergatito (Cat Kid Comic Club) by Dav Pilkey; and La tierra de las garzas (Land of the Cranes) by Aida Salazar.
SCHOLASTIC FOCUS
Scholastic Focus digs into the season with The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun’s Tomb by Candace Fleming, telling the story of Howard Carter’s famed search for the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun and the curse that might have been unleashed by the excavation; A Rebel in Auschwitz: The True Story of the Resistance Hero Who Fought the Nazis’ Greatest Crime from Inside the Camp by Jack Fairweather, spotlighting the extraordinary efforts of Polish resistance fighter Witold Pilecki; The Deadliest Hurricane in American History and The Deadliest Diseases Then and Now by Deborah Hopkinson, inaugural titles in The Deadliest series, looking at the 1900 Galveston, Tex., hurricane and pandemics including plague, smallpox, and Covid-19; and Living Ghosts and Mischievous Monsters: Chilling American Indian Stories, compiled by Dan SaSuWeh Jones, illus. by Weshoyot Alvitre, an anthology of spooky, supernatural short stories from Native American cultures across North America.
SCHOLASTIC PAPERBACKS
Scholastic Paperbacks wags its tale for Ruff and Ready by Tracey West, illus. by Kyla May, launching the Underdogs series, tracking the adventures of the pups at Barksdale Elementary; Bad Guys #14 by Aaron Blabey, which finds the Bad Guys facing kung-fu chaos in a high-rise of horror; Goosebumps SlappyWorld #15: Judy and the Beast by R.L. Stine, in which Judy comes face-to-face with the Beast of Evil Rock Mountain; Last Gamer Standing by Katie Zhao, the story of Reyna Cheng competing in a VR battle royale tournament where she’ll have to fend off the anonymous troll threatening to dox her; and I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900 by Lauren Tarshis, imagining 11-year-old Charlie’s experience during the deadly storm.
SCHOLASTIC PRESS
Scholastic Press shuffles the deck with Playing the Cards You’re Dealt by Varian Johnson, which finds fifth grader Ant struggling to “man up” when it comes to trash-talking at the card table, the new girl in his class, and his father’s expectations; Barakah Beats by Maleeha Siddiqui, about a Muslim girl who joins a boy band in an effort to find her place at a new school; Fly Away Home by Anne Clare LeZotte, sequel to Show Me a Sign, telling the story of 14-year-old Mary who is engaged to teach a deaf girl confined to a mysterious manor how to communicate with sign language; Bluebird by Sharon Cameron, a noir thriller focused on 18-year-old Eva who washes up on American shores in the aftermath of WWII while hunting a Nazi physician—and potential CIA operative—responsible for horrific medical experiments; Because of You, John Lewis by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illus. by Keith Henry Brown, paying tribute to the friendship between the late congressman and civil rights icon Lewis and a 10-year-old activist; The Children’s Moon by Carmen Agra Deedy, illus. by Jim LaMarche, an original pourquoi tale about finding your place in the universe; Hi-Five Farm! by Ross Burach, allowing readers to practice hi-fiving farm animals and learn about opposites; and Pig the Monster by Aaron Blabey, starring the world’s greediest pug on the rampage for treats.
SCHOLASTIC/ACORN
Acorn flits into fall with the following illustrated early readers: Full Moon Party (Fairylight Friends #3) by Jessica Young, illus. by Marie Vanderbemden; I Am a Good Friend! (Princess Truly #4) and I Am Brave! (Princess Truly #5) by Kelly Greenawalt, illus. by Amariah Rauscher; and Get Well, Crabby! (A Crabby Book #4) by Jonathan Fenske.
SCHOLASTIC/BRANCHES
Branches gets goosebumps with the following illustrated early chapter books: The Halloween Goblin (Pixie Tricks #4) by Tracy West, illus. by Xavier Bonet; Scaredy-Pug (Diary of a Pug #5) by Kyla May; The Secret Maze (The Last Firehawk #10) by Katrina Charman, illus. by Judit Tondora; Storm on Snowbelle Mountain (Unicorn Diaries #6) by Rebecca Elliott; and Making Waves (Layla and the Bots #4) by Vicky Fang, illus. by Christine Nishiyama.
SCHOLASTIC/CARTWHEEL
Cartwheel is sweet on fall with Count to Love by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illus. by Brian Pinkney, a Bright Brown Baby board book celebrating Black and Brown babies and families; We Are Better Together by Joyce Wan, an ode to the ways we are better when we unite; With All My Heart, I Love You by Caroline Jayne Church, showcasing the ways toddlers and babies touch our hearts; You’re My Little Sweet Pea by Sandra Magsamen, featuring a garden-inspired theme and fluorescent felt on every spread; and Fa-La-La-Llama by Joan Holub, illus. by Allison Black, depicting llamas in winter wear on touch-and-feel pages.
SCHOLASTIC/CHICKEN HOUSE
Chicken House programs its fall list with Every Line of You by Naomi Gibson, in which a grieving and bullied tech-savvy girl creates the perfect AI boyfriend; The House on Hoarder Hill: The Magician’s Map by Mikki Lish and Kelly Ngai, which finds Hedy and Spencer at Fantastickhana, an underground tournament of magic where they discover a mysterious living map; and The Ghost of Midnight Lake by Lucy Strange, about a strong-willed heroine who follows the restless spirit of a girl in order to untangle the dark mystery of her own past.
SCHOLASTIC/FICKLING
David Fickling Books charges to the head of the class with Freddy vs. School by Neill Cameron, in which super-powered Robot Freddy must learn how to “act human” when his school clamps down on his powers.
SCHOLASTIC/GRAPHIX
Graphix rolls out the art supplies for Cat Kid Comic Club #2 by Dav Pilkey, which finds Li’l Petey, Flippy, and Molly leading another creative adventure with the 21 talented baby frogs from their comics workshop; Kristy and the Snobs by Ann M. Martin and Chan Chau, the latest graphic-novel adaptation of Martin’s Baby-sitters Club series; I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis, adapted by Georgia Ball, illus. by Corey Egbert, the graphic novel retelling of Tarshis’s chapter book; City of Dragons by Jaimal Yogis and Vivian Truong, launching a graphic novel series set in contemporary Hong Kong which finds Grace and her classmates at an international school protecting a newly hatched dragon from nefarious criminals; and Absolutely Nat by Maria Scrivan, chronicling Natalie’s first time at summer camp, where she’s constantly pushed out of her comfort zone.
SCHOLASTIC/ORCHARD
Orchard Books gathers round for The Table Fable by Peter H. Reynolds, a story of multigenerational love, tradition, and family coming together at the table; Bright Brown Baby by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illus. by Brian Pinkney, a collection of read-aloud rhymes spotlighting Black and Brown babies and families; Only My Dog Knows I Pick My Nose by Lauren Tarshis, illus. by Lisa Bronson Mezoff, focusing on the friendship, loyalty, mischief, and unconditional love appreciated by pet lovers; We Shall Overcome, illus. by Bryan Collier, bringing the gospel anthem and Civil Rights protest song to the picture book format; and If You Miss Me by Jocelyn Li Langrand, a debut picture book in which a grieving young ballerina finds healing and is reminded of her late grandmother when she looks at the moon.
SCHOOL OF LIFE
The School of Life Press goes back to basics with No-Tech Fun: 80 Alternatives to Screen Time, a compendium of silly and stimulating activities; and Why Should I Go Outside?: How Nature Can Teach Us Joy, Fascination, Calm—And a Lot of Fun, encouraging readers to explore, appreciate, and benefit from the natural world around them.
SCRIBE/SCRIBBLE
Scribble goes underground with I Am the Subway by Kim Hyo-eun, trans. by Deborah Smith, narrated by a subway that travels through Seoul every day and knows all of its riders’ stories; Tomorrow Is a Brand-New Day by Davina Bell, illus. by Allison Colpoys, offering the reminder that bad days do pass; The Spectacular Suit by Kat Patrick, illus. by Hayley Wells, in which Frankie feels much more herself wearing a suit to her birthday party rather than a dress; and A Pair of Pears and an Orange by Anna McGregor, the tale of a big pear and a small pear who make space in their routine for someone new.
SHAMBHALA/BALA KIDS
Bala Kids concentrates with Train Your Mind Like a Ninja: 30 Secret Skills for Fun, Focus, and Resilience by Chris Willard, Mitch Abblett, and T. Koei Kuwahara Sensei, illus. by Toshiki Nakamura, featuring 30 cards that contain marital arts-themed mindfulness practices; Just a Thought: Exploring Your Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Mind by Jason Gruhl, illus. by Ignasi Font, introducing readers to the ways their lives are shaped by thoughts; Ashoka the Fierce: How an Angry Princess Became India’s Emperor of Peace by Carolyn Kanjuro, illus. by Sonali Zohra, serving up a modern retelling of one of India’s most cherished stories; Bodhi Sees the World: Thailand by Marisa Aragón Ware, in which a girl travels by plane, boat, and tuk-tuk to explore a new country and culture; and I Am a Force of Nature by Carolyn Kanjuro, illus. by Alexander Vidal, a board book encouraging kids to discover the power of animals and nature and recognize that same force within themselves.
SIMON & SCHUSTER
Simon & Schuster rolls its eyes with Dragons Are the Worst by Alex Willan, in which Gilbert the Goblin reassesses his opinion of unicorns, who used to be the worst, and discovers that dragons are in fact the worst; It Fell from the Sky by Terry Fan and Eric Fan, a story of community, art, and the importance of giving back, all because of a wonder that fell from the sky; Barb the Last Berzerker by Dan Abdo and Jason Patterson, following Barb and her trusty yeti pal, Porkchop, as they rescue her fellow warriors from the evil villain Witch Head; Beautifully Me by Nabela Noor, illus. by Nabi H. Ali, in which body positivity activist Noor serves up a picture book about loving yourself just as you are; and Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, the highly anticipated sequel to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.
S&S/ALADDIN
Aladdin pirouettes into fall with Black Ballerinas by Misty Copeland, illus. by Selena Barnes, a nonfiction look at Black dancers across decades from ABT principal dancer Copeland; Violets Are Blue by Barbara Dee, following a budding special effects makeup artist who is also dealing with her mother’s opioid pill addiction; Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman, the author’s middle-grade debut in which two new friends learn important lessons about life, identity, friendship and family over the course of a summer together; Keeper of the Lost Cities 9 by Shannon Messenger, bringing new challenges to Sophie and her friends as they get closer to uncovering some secrets about the Lost Cities; and Trubble Town #1 by Stephan Pastis, kicking off a full-color graphic novel series set in something akin to a modern, quirkier Busytown.
S&S/ATHENEUM
Atheneum finds fall treasure with One Kid’s Trash by Jamie Sumner, about a boy who uses his unusual talent to fit in at his new school; The Great Ghost Hoax by Emily Ecton, illus. by Dave Mottram, which finds the furry cast from The Great Pet Heist investigating a haunted apartment in their building; Tiny Dancer by Siena Cherson Siegel, following a girl who makes the difficult decision to quit being a ballerina and figure out her next steps in life; King of Ragtime by Stephen Costanza, a picture book biography of African American composter Scott Joplin; and Code Name Badass by Heather Demetrios, shining a spotlight on the life of Virginia Hall, a pioneering American spy who worked for the Allies in France during WWII.
S&S/ATHENEUM/DLOUHY
Caitlin Dlouhy Books gets over the hump with Once Upon a Camel by Kathi Appelt, illus. Eric Rohmann, following Zelda the camel as she transports two baby birds across the Texas desert by nestling them in the fur between her ears; an as-yet-untitled novel by Out of My Mind author Sharon Draper; Bulldozer’s Christmas Dig by Candace Fleming, illus. by Eric Rohmann, a holly, jolly visit to the construction site; Breathe, Bob by Sujean Rim, depicting Bob the bird’s stressful attempts at learning to fly; and Jazz for Lunch by Jarrett Dapier, illus. by Eugenia Mello, focusing on the joys of food and jazz.
S&S/BEACH LANE
Beach Lane establishes a control line for Wildfire by Ashley Wolff, envisioning where the animals will go and how the humans will stop the blaze when a wildfire comes to Spruce Mountain; Cat Dog by Mem Fox, illus. by Mark Teague, in which a cat and a dog are astonished to discover a mouse in their house; We Give Thanks by Cynthia Rylant, illus. by Sergio Ruzzier, highlighting the wonderful things we have to be thankful for; Owl’s Journey by Jonah Winter, illus. by Jeanette Winter, about the saw-whet owl that arrived in New York City via the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree; and Animal Architects by Amy Cherrix, illus. by Chris Sasaki, taking a look at the building skills of various animals around the world.
S&S/LITTLE SIMON
Little Simon puckers up for Kisses, Kisses, Head to Toe! by Karen Katz, a lift-the-flap book with a surprise mirror; Good Night, Good Night and Boo! Baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton, which extend her The Going to Bed Book and add a Halloween twist to her classic Moo, Baa, La La La!, respectively; and This Little Rainbow by Joan Holub, illus. by Daniel Roode, introducing important leaders who represent, empower, and support the LGBTQIA+ community.
S&S/MCELDERRY
Margaret K. McElderry Books can’t even with Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion by Stephen W. Martin, illus. by Dan Tavis, starring a kitten so cute that anyone who looks at her explodes; Cranky Chicken by Katharine Battersby, which shows what happens when a very cranky chicken is befriended by a very cheerful worm; Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong, sequel to These Violent Delights, which reimagines Romeo and Juliet set in an alternate 1920s Shanghai, replete with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River; Wild Ones by Nafiza Azad, in which a group of teen girls with special powers must join forces to save the life of the boy whose magic saved them all; and Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson, about a young woman with special abilities defending her world against restless spirits of the dead.
S&S/MILLNER
Denene Millner Books has the recipe for a flavorful season with Carla and the Christmas Cornbread by TV host and chef Carla Hall, illus. by Cherise Harris, in which young Carla tries to make things right after she eats a sugar cookie meant for Santa; Keep Your Head Up by Aliya King, illus. by Charly Palmer, offering a reminder that our worst days aren’t the ones that define us; and When Langston Dances by Kaija Langley, illus. by Keith Mallett, about a boy who dreams of dancing.
S&S/SIMON SPOTLIGHT
Simon Spotlight has a topsy-turvy fall with The Big Mix-Up! by Dana Regan, illus. by Berta Maluenda, introducing a helpful hedgehog who gets involved in various silly, mixed-up situations; and the following Ready-to-Read titles: Toucan with Two Cans by Heidi Y. Stemple, illus. by Aaron Spurgeon; Yayoi Kusama by May Nakamura, illus. by Alexandra Badiu; Sabrina Loves the Snow by Priscilla Burris; and Sign Says Stop by Alastair Heim, illus. by Yavae Sanae.
S&S/WISEMAN
Paula Wiseman Books has the best seat in the house with Welcome Chair by Rosemary Wells, illus. by Jerry Pinkney, the story of a handmade chair that has been the centerpiece of a family for more than 100 years, dating back to their immigration to a new world; Light for All by Margarita Engle, illus. by Raúl Colón, which focuses on the immigrant experience in America; Step by Step by Alice McGinty, illus. by Diane Goode, which reassures readers they can master seemingly overwhelming things by doing them step by step; Thankful by Elaine Vickers, illus. by Samantha Cotterill, offering a celebration of everyday things that make life wonderful; and Twisty Turny House by Lisa Mantchev, illus. by E.G. Keller, exploring an unexpected friendship between cats and dogs.
SLEEPING BEAR
Sleeping Bear debates the serial comma with The Ghouls’ Guide to Good Grammar by Leslie Kimmelman, illus. by Mary Sullivan, in which monsters learn basic rules of syntax; The Universe and You by Suzanne Slade, illus. by Stephanie Fizer Coleman, offers an exploration of Earth, our solar system, galaxies, and the universe; Saguaro’s Gift by Kurt Cyrus, illus. by Andy Adkins, which follows a community of animals that depends on the saguaro cactus for food, shelter, and shade; A Friend Like You by Frank Murphy and Charnaie Gordon, illus. by Kayla Harren, celebrating all the wonderful ways to be a friend; and Dinosaur Hunter by Sophia Gohlz, illus. by David Shephard, chronicling the life of world-famous paleontologist Jack Horner.
SOURCEBOOKS
Sourcebooks gets the lead out for Pencilvania by Stephanie Watson, illus. by Sofia Moore, in which Zora, a young artist struggling with the loss of her mother, is transported to a magical world that’s home to everything she’s ever drawn; and Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by Alda P. Dobbs, in which 12-year-old Petra tries to hold onto her dreams as she works to escape the violence of her homeland and lead her family to the safety of the U.S. border during the Mexican Revolution.
SOURCEBOOKS EXPLORE
Sourcebooks Explore swims into fall with Do You Speak Fish? by D.J. Corchin, illus. by Dan Dougherty, about a boy who is initially frustrated when he feels he’s being ignored by animals who don’t return his greeting; Word Travelers: The Mystery of the Taj Mahal Treasure by Raj Haldar, kicking off a series that explores etymology and world cultures via mystery adventure stories; Your Fantastic Elastic Brain at Night by JoAnn Deak and Terrence Deak, exploring all the things your brain does while you sleep; and You Are Not Alone by Alphabet Rockers, illus. by Ashley Evans, encouraging readers to love themselves, stand up to hate, and support each other.
SOURCEBOOKS JABBERWOCKY
Sourcebook Jabberwocky brings out the paper and scissors for What Can You Do with a Rock? by Pat Zietlow Miller, an ode to the fun one can have with a simple rock; and Unicorn Night: Sleep Tight by Diana Murray, illus. by Luke Flowers, the follow-up to Unicorn Day.
TANGLEWOOD
Tanglewood opens its heart with How to Change the World in 12 Easy Steps by Peggy Porter Tierney, illus. by Marie Letourneau, offering simple ways to make a real difference, inspired by Holocaust survivor Eva Mozes Kor’s message of love and forgiveness.
TILBURY
Tilbury trickles into fall with The Secret Stream by Kimberly Ridley, illus. by Megan Elizabeth Baratta, in which a stream describes its life-sustaining course from mountains to sea and the animals that depend on it through the seasons; I Am Smoke by Henry Herz, illus. by Mercè López Ascanio, a nonfiction exploration of smoke and how it has served humans over the course of history; Not a Cat by Winter Miller, illus. Danica Novgorodoff, following Gato the cat who challenges readers’ assumptions about who or what he is; This or That: A Story About Decisions by Kell Andrews, illus. by Hector Borlasca, which finds Alexander having trouble making up his mind; and In My Neighborhood by Oscar Loubriel, illus. by Rogério Coelho, centering around Drum, who realizes he may not be able to carry a tune like his father Cello, his mother Piano, or his brother Violin, but he can sure carry a band.
TINY OWL
Tiny Owl stirs the pot with Gloria’s Porridge by Elizabeth Laird, illus. by Toby Newsome, retelling an Ethiopian folktale about a cat that causes chaos when it eats its owner’s porridge.
TUNDRA
Tundra passes the ketchup for Mad About Meatloaf by Maureen Fergus, illus. by Alexandra Bye, first in a graphic novel series starring Weenie, a meatloaf-obsessed wiener dog and his best pals, Frank the cat and Beans the guinea pig; Time Is a Flower by Julie Morstad, exploring the nature of time via such imagery as a flower blooming and a spider spinning a web; Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest by Phoebe Wahl, following Little Witch Hazel as she has adventures and helps her forest neighbors throughout the year; The Unforgettable Party by Noemi Vola, in which Caterpillar creates the friends for his fabulous party by drawing them on his body; and Narwhal’s School of Awesomeness by Ben Clanton, which finds pals Narwhal and Jelly becoming substitute teachers to a school of fish.
VESUVIAN
Vesuvian Books organizes a search party for Have You Seen Me? by Alexandra Weis, in which a senior at Waverly Prep goes missing and members of a student investigation team—who all share a secret—start turning up dead; Ronin Witch by Mary Ting, following a Japanese American high school student who is also a rare Ronin Witch with extraordinary powers as she tries to stop an army of sinister forces from destroying the human race; and The Secret of the Red Key by Liana Gardner, about five homeless kids on the streets of L.A. who wind up being key players in a battle against mythological creatures to break a curse.
WATTPAD
Wattpad Books swabs the deck for Crossbones by Kimberly Vale, about a 17-year-old pirate vying for the Pirate Throne against all odds; Big Boned by Jo Watson, in which Lori tackles issues of body positivity and insecurity as she navigates a new school and friends, and supports her brother who has special needs; The Last She by H.J. Nelson, the story of Arabella, the last woman on Earth following a mysterious plague that wiped out the female population; and The Hoodie Girl by Yuen Wright, following Wren, who hides behind her hoodie at school, but is still noticed by handsome, popular Asher.
WEST MARGIN
West Margin comes into fall on little cat feet with Miss Meow by Jane Smith, about a girl who pretends she’s a cat, costumed with kitty ears and a tail; Where Thuong Keeps Love by Thu Buu, illus. by Bao Luu, centered on a Vietnamese girl trying to figure out the best place in her body to store her love for her parents; Little Bee Finds a Flower by Jacob Souva, following Little Bee on her first solo flight to find a flower; Sylvia’s Way by Stephanie Shaw, illus. by Fiona Lee, the story of Sylvia the slug, who influences her animal friends by using restraint in her plan to approach a bountiful garden; and The Bridge to Shark Island by Sharon Estroff and Joel Ross, illus. by Mónica de Rivas, the inaugural volume in the Challenge Island series, which follows three friends using STEAM skills to find their way home from a mysterious island surrounded by sharks.
WHAT ON EARTH
What on Earth Books goes with the flow for Amazing Rivers by Julie Agnone, illus. by Kerry Hyndman, touring 100 of the world’s waterways and revealing the animals that live in and near them; Earth Is Big by Steve Tomecek, illus. by Marcos Farina, presenting a fresh perspective on our planet, its inhabitants, and its place in the universe; and Zoom: Construction Site Adventure by Susan Hayes, illus. by Susanna Rumiz and Zoom: Farm Adventure by Susan Hayes, illus. by Aviel Basil, two entries in the die-cut board book series.
ALBERT WHITMAN
Albert Whitman blasts off with Spidernaut: Arabella, the Spider in Space by Jodie Parachini, illus. by Dragan Kordić, kicking off the Animalographies series about famous animals in history; More Than Just a Game: The Black Origins of Basketball by Madison Moore, illus. by Adisa Kareem, a look at how Black players dame to dominate this sport; Dear Mr. Dickens by Nancy Churning, illus. by Bethany Stancliffe, the true story of the Jewish woman who confronted Charles Dickens about his stereotypical portrayal of Jewish characters; Holi Hai! by Chitra Soundar; illus. by Darshika Varma, celebrating the Hindu festival of colors; and We Want to Go to School: The Fight for Disability Rights by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and Janine Leffler, about the landmark Mills vs. Board of Education case, which helped ensure that all children have the right to a free public education. And the Imagine This series checks its scuba gear for Shipwreck Reefs by Aimée Bissonette, illus. by Adèle Leyris, exploring the transformation of these relics to coral reefs; and The Second Life of Trees, by Aimée Bissonette, illus. by Nic Jones, digging into what happens after a tree crashes to the ground.
ALBERT WHITMAN TEEN
AW Teen plans its promposal for The Night No One Had Sex by debut author Kalena Miller, in which a group of friends embraces the uncertainty of life after high school when their prom-night sex pact begins to unravel.
ZONDERKIDZ
Zonderkidz ponders big questions with I Wonder: Exploring God’s Grand Story, An Illustrated Bible by Glenys Nellist, illus. by Alessndra Fusi, which poses open-ended questions to readers after each Bible story; and Pugtato Babysits the Snouts by Sophie Corrigan, which finds Pugtato in over his head when he accepts the task of looking after the wily and rambunctious Brussels Snouts.
