Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles, including a picture book about a young barbarian, a feminist middle grade novel, a story about sounds, a second-chance romance, and more.
Tiny Barbarian by Ame Dyckman, illus. by Ashley Spires. HarperCollins, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-288164-9. Growing up presents a number of challenges waiting to be “conquered,” from first steps to toilet training, so a boy named Tiny has no trouble imagining that he’s a Viking-esque hero who is up to the challenge.
Margie Kelly Breaks the Dress Code by Bridget Farr. Little, Brown, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-316-46157-3. A sixth grader’s battle for justice is the topic of this thought-provoking feminist novel featuring a determined heroine living in Austin, Tex., who is penalized for wearing a “too-short” skirt.
Listen by Gabi Snyder, illus. by Stephanie Graegin. S&S/Wiseman, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-6189-5. In this picture book about auditory stimulus, Snyder (Two Dogs on a Trike) shows the steps behind taking cacophony apart, noise by noise.
The Right Side of Reckless by Whitney D. Grandison. Inkyard, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-335-40248-6. In her sophomore novel, Grandison (A Love Hate Thing) writes a second-chance story for 17-year-old Guillermo Lozano, whose family moves to a new neighborhood, “quiet and clean” Briar Pointe, after he is granted probation following time in juvenile detention.
The Mythic Koda Rose by Jennifer Nissley. Simon & Schuster, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-6676-0. As the daughter of a rock and roll musician father who died by suicide when she was a baby, teen Koda Rose has plenty to compare herself to. Her introspective struggle with her secret-filled family’s legacy makes for an offbeat read.
XOXO by Axie Oh. HarperTeen, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-302499-1. Oh’s (Rebel Seoul) YA novel set in L.A. and Seoul is both accessible to readers unfamiliar with K-pop and pleasing for fans of K-dramas as well as anyone who enjoys a breezy contemporary romance.
Radha & Jai’s Recipe for Romance by Nisha Sharma. Crown, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-553-52329-4. Sharma (My So-Called Bollywood Life) deftly crafts a sweet romance steeped in food, dance, and desi culture.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of July, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
