The spring season brings plenty of exciting shifts in nature, and young readers can rely on their favorite series to deliver new additions, including a potato’s tale of humility, a spy’s battle against worthy competitors, a new addition to a BookTok series sensation, and more.
Picture Books and Graphic Novels
Archie Celebrates an Indian Wedding by Mitali Banerjee Ruths, illus. by Parwinder Singh (Charlesbridge, Apr. 30 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-62354-418-8). In the follow-up to Archie Celebrates Diwali, Archie teaches her friend Emma all she needs to know about Indian traditions in time for her uncle’s festive wedding.
Butt or Face? Volume 2 by Kari Lavelle (Sourcebooks eXplore, Apr. 2 $14.99; ISBN 978-1-728-27120-0). The second volume of Butt or Face? challenges readers to figure out which part of various animals they’re looking at.
I Survived the Battle of D-Day, 1944 by Lauren Tarshis, illus. by Grian Churilla (Graphix, Apr. 2 $12.99; ISBN 978-1-338-88304-6). French tween Paul encounters an American soldier who brings him into a secret resistance plan in the ninth book in the I Survived graphic novel series.
Katie, Batter Up! The Graphic Novel by Coco Simon, illus. by Glass House Graphics (Simon Spotlight, Apr. 9 $11.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-665-94371-0). The fifth graphic novel adaptation of the Cupcake Diaries follows Katie as she tries her hand at a new extracurricular: softball.
King of the World! by Ben Clanton (S&S, Apr. 2 $12.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-9321-6). Rot the potato struggles with newfound power after discovering a crown in the second book in the Tater Tales series.
Officer Clawsome: Crime Across Time by Brian “Smitty” Smith, illus. by Chris Giarrusso (HarperAlley, Apr. 23 $15.99; ISBN 978-0-06-313639-7). In the second book of the Officer Clawsome series, the titular star and his partner dive into a portal to the past to find a villain.
Too Many Villains! by Max Brailler and Joshua Pruett, illus. by Jay Cooper and Douglas Holgate (Viking, Apr. 30 $14.99; ISBN 978-0-593-52679-8). Jack, June, Quint, and Dirk race to find the mastermind behind all supervillain plans in the second book in The Last Comics on Earth series, a spin-off of The Last Kids on Earth.
Two Together by Brendan Wenzel (Chronicle, Apr. 23 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-797-20277-8). Dog and Cat must utilize their unique set of skills to get them back home in this companion picture book to They All Saw a Cat and Inside Cat.
You Are Brave: A Book About Trying New Things by Margaret O’Hair, illus. by Sofia Cardoso (Scholastic, Apr. 2 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-339-02644-2. Inspired by actor and advocate Sofia Sanchez comes a companion picture book to You Are Enough and You Are Loved, highlighting the importance of embracing one’s unique qualities and standing up for others.
Novels
The 169-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, illus. by Terry Denton (Feiwel and Friends, Apr. 2 $16.99; ISBN 978-1-250-85021-8). In the 13th and final installment of the Treehouse Books series, Andy, Terry and Jill must deal with evil doppelgangers creating chaos in the treehouse while trying to finish their book. See our interview between Griffiths and Jeff Kinney [here] https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/94723-in-conversation-jeff-kinney-and-andy-griffiths.html
Blood Justice by Terry J. Benton-Walker (Tor Teen, Apr. 23 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-25-082595-7). In the sequel to Blood Debts, Cristina and Clement Trudeau have taken back their family’s throne, but at the cost of making a powerful enemy who will do anything to have revenge.
Charlie Thorne and the Royal Society by Stuart Gibbs (S&S, Apr. 23 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-665-93489-3). CIA spy Charlie Thorne faces off against a group of fierce competitors in the race to find a secret left behind by Isaac Newton in the fourth book in the Charlie Thorne series.
The Dark Times by Tim Probert (HarperAlley, Apr. 2 $19.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-06-308090-4). In the third book of the Lightfall series, Bea and Cad must leave their team behind and trust new allies on their journey to the Citadel of Knowledge.
Friend or UFO by Julie Buxbaum, illus. by Lavanya Naidu (Delacorte, Apr. 16 $14.99; ISBN 978-0-593-42954-9). Sky and her friends must find and infiltrate Area 52 when Sky’s grandmother is taken in the third book of The Area 51 Files series.
Merciless Saviors by H.E. Edgmon (Wednesday, Apr. 16 $20; ISBN 978-1-250-85363-9). In the second book of The Ouroboros series, Gem, Rory, and Enzo face the consequences of taking another god’s power and set out to restore balance among the gods.
Saint-Seducing Gold by Brittany N. Williams (Amulet, Apr. 23 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-5866-9). Joan is forced to work for the Fae queen while trying to orchestrate a new treaty between humans and Fae in the second Forge & Fracture Saga book.
Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger illus. by Rovina Cai (Levine Querido, Apr. 16 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-64614-379-5). In the prequel to Elatsoe, Shane is used to investigating the disappearances of those in need, but the stakes are raised when her latest case is her own mother.
Sound the Gong by Joan He (Roaring Brook, Apr. 30 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-85536-7). Zephyr pledges her allegiance to see Ren rise to the throne of the three kingdoms in the finale of the Kingdom of Three series.
Starling and the Cavern of Light by Aisling Fowler (HarperCollins, Apr. 16 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-299677-0). In the Fireborn series finale, Phoenix ventures into the dangerous Cavern of Light for a weapon that might be the only hope in a battle against the Master.
Survival by Skye Melki-Wegner (Holt, Apr. 2 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-250-82773-9). Capping off the Deadlands series, Eleri and her fellow exiles return to the home they were kicked out of as a rival prepares to make one final attack.
Taming 7 by Chloe Walsh (Bloom, Apr. 16 $14.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-4642-1605-3). Class clown Gibsie hides his emotional wounds from everyone but his friend’s sister Claire, in the fifth installment of the Boys of Tommen series.
Whisper in the Walls by Scott Reintgen (McElderry, Apr. 23 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-665-93046-8). The second in the Waxways series finds Ren making an alliance with siblings who share the same hope of bringing down the House of Brood.
