School may be out, but series additions forge forward with a unicorn braving a haunted pumpkin patch, a coven of witches fighting to regain their powers, best friends turned enemies facing off in battle, and more.
Picture Books and Graphic Novels
Iggy the Legend by Annie Barrows, illus. by Sam Ricks (Putnam, June 7 $13.99; ISBN 978-0-593-32533-9). Iggy seems to always find himself in trouble doing the same things adults do, in the fourth addition in the Iggy series.
The World Needs More Purple Schools by Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart, illus. by Daniel Wiseman (Random House, June 21 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-43490-1). In the sequel to The World Needs More Purple People, Penny Purple brings the accepting mindset of how to be a purple person, who is inclusive of everyone, to the classroom.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eats Dinner by Eric Carle; (World of Eric Carle, June 14 $8.99 board book; ISBN 978-0-593-38412-1). In the newest installment in the World of Eric Carle, the beloved Very Hungry Caterpillar teaches about shapes as he prepares for dinner.
Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code: The Graphic Novel by Eoin Colfer, illus. by Stephen Gilpin (Disney Hyperion, June 21 $12.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-368-06531-3). The Artemis Fowl graphic novel series issues a third addition, where Artemis’s latest adventure leaves an ally injured, requiring him to seek out an old comrade to save his friend.
Blue, Barry and Pancakes: Enter the Underground Throw Down by Dan & Jason (First Second, June 7 $12.99; ISBN 978-1-250-81696-2). The fourth installment of the graphic novel series finds the trio on the outs when Pancake goes on a treasure hunt without his best friends. The race is on as Blue and Barry attempt to beat Pancake, and through the dangerous journey they learn that even the best of friends can make mistakes.
Spaceblock by Christopher Franceschelli, illus. by Peski Studio (Abrams Appleseed, June 14 $17.99 board book; ISBN 978-1-4197-5099-1). The ninth addition to the Block Book series shows the ins and outs of space, including the first moon landing, details on astronauts’ jobs, and more.
Nightmares of Weirdwood by Christian McKay Heidickler and William Shivering, illus. by Anna Earley (Holt, June 28 $16.99; ISBN 978-1-250-30292-2). In the finale of the Thieves of Weirdwood trilogy, former friends Arthur and Wally become enemies as they choose opposing sides of a war that places the Real and Imaginary worlds in danger.
Little Bear by Nicola Killen (S&S/Wiseman, June 28 $16.99; ISBN 978-1-665-91172-6). A baby bear and his animal friends help soothe first-day jitters in the fourth addition to the My Little Animal Friend series.
Mummies in the Morning Graphic Novel by Mary Pope Osborne, adapted by Jenny Laird, illus. by Kelly Matthews and Nichole Matthews (Random House, June 28 $9.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-17479-1). In the third addition to the Magic Tree House graphic novel adaptations, Jack and Annie find themselves in ancient Egypt, running through mazes and solving riddles to help a dead queen.
The Haunted Pumpkin Patch by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illus. by Brigette Barrager (Random House, June 28 $6.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-48417-3). In this new line of paperback storybooks continuing the Uni the Unicorn series, Uni’s first pumpkin is ruined by a spooky figure in the pumpkin patch, and the brave unicorn isn’t afraid to find out what’s going on.
Sir Ladybug and the Queen Bee by Corey R. Tabor (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, June 28 $12.99; ISBN 978-0-06-306909-1). Sir Ladybug and his comrades take on the bully Queen Bee in the second addition to the Sir Ladybug graphic novel series.
The Night Before Second Grade by Natasha Wing, illus. by Amy Wummer (Grosset & Dunlap, June 28 $4.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-38274-5). In the newest addition to the Night Before series, the first day of second grade approaches for an excited boy who has spent all summer preparing for this big moment.
Novels
Blade Breaker by Victoria Aveyard (HarperTeen, June 28 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-287266-1). In this sequel to Realm Breaker, Coryane’s battle with the Spindle Taristan continues as she attempts to prevent him from opening more alternate realities and finds new strength with her powerful weapon.
This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron (Bloomsbury, June 21 $18.99, ISBN 978-1-5476-0920-8). In the sequel to This Poison Heart, the only way Briseis can bring her mother back from the dead is to find a dangerous magical artifact with the help of her estranged family. But Briseis isn’t the only one looking for it.
Feather and Flame by Livia Blackburne (Disney Hyperion, June 14 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-368-04822-4). In the second entry to the Queen’s Council series, honored warrior Mulan is selected to be the heir to the throne, and as she learns whom she can and cannot trust on her rise to power, she finds allies in the Queen’s Council to help defend her country.
Have You Seen the Darkness? by Richard Fairgray (Pixel+Ink, June 21 $12.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-64595-092-9). In the third book in the Black Sand Beach series, Dash and his friend learn that their ghost friends are really pawns in a dark force’s plan and must stop this darkness before it’s too late.
Charlie Thorne and the Curse of Cleopatra by Stuart Gibbs (Simon & Schuster, June 7. $17.99; ISBN 978-1-534-49934-8). Charlie tackles the mystery behind queen Cleopatra’s hidden treasure that holds the source of her power, taking her across the globe in the third book in the Charlie Thorne series.
Too Pig to Fail by Rob Harrell (Dial, June 28 $14.99; ISBN 978-0-593-35420-9). Gary the pig gains new superpowers and must save his friends from endless math class in the second addition to the Batpig series.
The Last Fallen Moon by Graci Kim (Disney/Rick Riordan Presents, June 14 $16.99; ISBN 978-1-368-07314-1). In the second of A Gifted Clans trilogy, after angering the Gom clan and being cursed, Riley must embrace her power as the Godrealm’s last fallen star to save her herself and her community, even if that means sneaking into the Spiritrealm.
Epic Hero Flop by Zanib Mian, illus. by Kyan Cheng (Putnam, June 14 $13.99; ISBN 978-0-593-40717-2). Taking the blame for infractions he didn’t commit makes Omar feel good, until he’s blamed for a serious offense and must prove his innocence, in the fourth addition to the Planet Omar series.
Rise of the Snake Goddess by Jenny Elder Moke (Disney Hyperion, June 7 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-368-06727-0). In the second addition to the Samantha Knox series, Sam’s desire to prove her worth to her college’s archaeology department leads her to Greece, where her discovery and loss of an ancient relic take her on a hunt across Greece to retrieve the artifact before it falls into the wrong hands.
Monster Hunter by Rich Moyer (Crown, June 14 $12.99; ISBN 978-0-593-30895-0). In the second in the Ham Helsing trilogy, Ham and his buddies get invited to Camp Fish Head Lake and find no one at the camp. They decide to make the most of the empty camp, but discover the grounds are full of monsters and must work together to get home.
The Gifts That Bind Us by Caroline O’Donoghue (Candlewick Press, June 7 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-5362-2222-7). In the sequel to All Our Hidden Gifts, Maeve and her coven find their powers being stolen by a growing religious organization and must come together to protect their powers and their community.
The Secret Detective by James Patterson (Little, Brown/Patterson, June 27 $16.99; ISBN 978-0-316-40991-9). Kid detective Ali Cross faces harsh realities about crime solving when he witnesses an incident in the third installation to the Ali Cross series.
Empress Crowned in Red by Ciannon Smart (HarperTeen, June 7 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-294601-0). In the sequel to Witches Steeped in Gold, witch rivals-turned-allies Iraya and Jazmyne must once again team up to protect the future of their people from a new terror making a play for power.
Too Cool for School by Stephen Shaskan (Random House, June 28 $9.99; ISBN 978-0-593-37607-2). New student B.L.T. proves to be the coolest kid in school, but trying to keep up may land best friends Pizza and Taco in a world of trouble in the fourth addition to the Pizza and Taco series.
