Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles including a graphic novel retelling of Beowulf, a YA graphic novel featuring the school mascot caught in a love triangle, a middle grade summer camp adventure for two queer tweens, a middle grade novel following one boy’s communication with a rumored cryptid, and more.
Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith, illus. by Boulet. First Second, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-77629-7. In this graphic novel retelling of Beowulf, five-year-old Bea Wolf attempts to stop Mr. Grindle from wreaking havoc on her peers at Treeheart with his ability to age children into adults with a single touch. The book received a starred review from PW.
Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa. First Second, $24.99; ISBN 978-1-250-78413-1. School mascot B. Hawkins navigates messy relationships when she develops feelings for her crush’s girlfriend. The graphic novel received a starred review from PW.
Camp Quiltbag by Nicole Melleby and A.J. Sass. Algonquin, $16.99; ISBN 978-1-64375-266-2. Twelve-year-old lesbian Abigail attends Camp QUILTBAG, a summer program for queer youth, and while navigating the camp’s drama, befriends nonbinary camper Kai.
Dear Mothman by Robin Gow. Amulet, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-6440-0. After the death of his best friend Lewis, Noah takes up Lewis’s fascination with the cryptid Mothman and attempts to prove his legitimacy by writing him letters.
The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination by Brad Montague, illus. by Brad and Kristi Montague. Dial, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-32347-2. When the Cave of Untold Stories threatens to destroy the FBI building, mail-courier Sparky must help people share their ideas in order to save them.
Free Radicals by Lila Riesen. Penguin/Paulsen, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-40771-4. After appointing herself the pursuer of justice at her high school, Mafi Shahin’s commitment to fairness places her family’s secrets at risk. The YA novel received a starred review from PW.
The Future King by Robyn Schneider. Viking, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-35105-5. In the second book in the Emry Merlin series, Emry takes off to Paris to find an alchemist who can help her control her magic alongside Arthur, who is avoiding prophesied circumstances of his own. See our cover reveal here.
Gloria’s Promise (American Ballet Theatre): A Ballet Dancer’s First Step by Robin Preiss Glasser and Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman, illus. by Robin Preiss Glasser. Random House Studio, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-59318-100-3. Ballerina hopeful Gloria is excited to audition for the American Ballet Theater’s summer intensive, manages her feelings when she gets lost and takes a tumble during her performance.
The Hospital Book by Lisa Brown. Holiday House/Neal Porter, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-82344-665-0. A stomachache sends a girl to the hospital, and readers can follow her journey for insight into the stressful experience.
Little Daymond Learns to Earn by Daymond John, illus. by Nicole Miles. Random House, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-56727-2. When Little Draymond spots something he wants to purchase, he gets creative with his friends in order to earn the money to buy it.
Lucha of the Night Forest by Tehlor Kay Mejia. Make Me a World, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-59-33783-66. When Lucha’s sister is forced to work for drug peddlers, Lucha bargains with a legendary god in exchange for power.
Meesh the Bad Demon #1 by Michelle Lam. Knopf, $21.99; ISBN 978-0593372876. Often underestimated for her love of all things pink and sparkly, it’s up to tween demon Meesh to save her community after everyone is suddenly turned to stone. The graphic novel received a starred review from PW.
The Monkey Trial: John Scopes and the Battle over Teaching Evolution by Anita Sanchez. Clarion, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-3584-5769-5. Readers get a look into the trial of John Scopes, a Dayton, Tenn., educator who taught Darwin’s theory of evolution, violating a state law that criminalized such actions during the 1920s. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom, illus. by Steph Littlebird. Abrams, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-5943-7. A girl takes pride in the length of her hair, following the criticism her foremothers faced.
Remember by Joy Harjo, illus. by Michaela Goade. Random House Studio, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-59-348484-5. Transforming a poem from former U.S. poet laureate Harjo, this picture book collaboration with Caldecott Medalist Goade explores people’s links to one another and to nature. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
The Sinister Booksellers of Bath by Garth Nix. HarperCollins/Tegen, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-323633-2. In the sequel to The Left-Handed Booksellers of London, booksellers Merlin, Viven, and Susan discover a mysterious map that leads them to enemy territory and hidden history.
Three Drops of Blood by Gretchen McNeil. Disney-Hyperion, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-3680-7215-1. In this YA thriller inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, aspiring actor Kate Williams’s life takes a turn when she witnesses the murder of two men and must investigate when no one believes her.
Travis Daventhorpe for the Win! by Wes Molebash. First Second, $13.99; ISBN 978-1-250-80140-1. In an attempt to impress a new student, genius seventh grader Travis Daventhorpe inadvertently completes a quest and becomes the hero in charge of saving his town from the Dark Emperor.
The Umbrella by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld. Clarion, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-358-44772-6. A brightly covered umbrella keeps a child’s spirits high during bleak weather.
While You Were Dreaming by Alisha Rai. Quill Tree, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06308-396-7. When Sonia Patil makes a valiant rescue while in cosplay, the world’s curiosity about her identity risks exposing her family’s secrets.
Wild Bird by Diane Zahler. Roaring Brook, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-2508-3340-2. Rype relives the tragedy of her past while onboard a ship with a new friend. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
The Wild One by Terri Farley. Aladdin, $7.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-665-91631-8. After moving to a new ranch in Nevada, cowgirl-in-training Sam comes across a mustang that is eerily familiar to the one she left behind, and must make a choice that will change both of their fates.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of March, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
