The major buzz this season is that Scott McCloud and Raina Telgemeier have a new book—drawn together, no less. They’re joined by middle grade favorites like Vera Brosgol and K. O’Neill.
Top 10
The Cartoonists Club
Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud. Graphix, Apr. 1 ($24.99, ISBN 978-1-338-77722-2; $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-338-77721-5)
This pairing of two of the most influential—and bestselling—cartoonists of their respective generations blends McCloud’s accessible theory of craft with Telgemeier’s tween narrative savvy. Ages 8–12.
Cassi and the House of Memories
Dean Stuart. Viking, Feb. 18 ($24.99, ISBN 978-0-5933-5112-3; $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-593-35113-0)
A young girl seeks her dementia-stricken grandfather among the shifting architecture of a house full of moments from his past in what PW’s starred review calls a “fanciful and uplifting take on memory loss.” Ages 8–12.
Faiza Is a Fighter
Debasmita Dasgupta. Soaring Kite, May 6 ($12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-958372-82-1)
In Northern India’s mountain towns, fierce young pugilist Faiza defies expectations—and her father—to compete. Ages 9–14.
Free Piano (Not Haunted)
Whitney Gardner. Simon & Schuster, July 15 ($23.99, ISBN 978-1-66593-813-6; $13.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-6659-3812-9)
Despite the sign claiming otherwise, the piano that Margot finds roadside is occupied by a ghost—1979’s teen “it girl” Vision. Ages 10–18.
How to Draw a Secret
Cindy Chang. Allida, Feb. 4 ($24.99, ISBN 978-0-3586-5966-2; $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-358-65965-5)
Twelve-year-old Cindy struggles to draw an accurate picture of her family for a class assignment because no one can know that her father has moved back to Taiwan. Ages 8–12.
How to Talk to Your Succulent
Zoe Persico. Tundra, Apr. 1 ($21.99, ISBN 978-1-77488-312-9; $13.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-77488-314-3)
After her mother’s death, Adara finds solace talking to the plants she left behind, especially a little succulent that’s failing to thrive. Ages 8–12.
Oasis
Guojing. Godwin, Feb. 18 ($21.99, ISBN 978-1-250-81837-9; $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-250-81838-6)
Siblings abandoned in a dystopian desert find a robot mother-substitute, in this “evocative and moving” story “of sacrifice and what it means to be a family,” per PW’s starred review. Ages 8–12.
One Crazy Summer
Rita Williams-Garcia and Sharee Miller. Quill Tree, May 6 ($24.99, ISBN 978-0-06-293559-5; $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-06-293558-8)
The Coretta Scott King Award–winning novel about three sisters who travel from Brooklyn to Oakland to reunite with their wild-spirited mother gets adapted into a graphic novel. Ages 8–12.
Return to Sender
Vera Brosgol. Roaring Brook, May 6 ($17.99, ISBN 978-1-250-29218-6)
A magical mailbox transports the son of a private school janitor to an alternate dimension where money is no object, but wishes still come at a cost. Ages 8–12.
A Song for You and I
K. O’Neill. Random House Graphic, Mar. 4 ($21.99, ISBN 978-0-593-18231-4; $13.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-217-03178-8)
O’Neill follows up The Moth Keeper with a queer, “viscerally powerful romantasy epic,” per PW’s starred review, in which a ranger who rides a flying horse falls for a violin-playing shepherd. Ages 10–18.
Early Reader Spotlight
This season’s noteworthy titles for the Pre-K and early elementary set feature a prehistoric poet, an earnest little mouse, and a disgruntled mood booster named Fluff Nugget.
Avery and the Fairy Circle
Rowan Kingsbury. Flying Eye, Apr. 1, $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-83874-198-3)
In the rural Pacific Northwest, new girl Avery happens on a fairy circle in the woods and gets magically shrunk down, and a fairy named Birch helps her reverse the spell before her parents notice she’s gone missing. Ages 5–9.
Barnacle Bay (Little Habitats #1)
Jana Curll. Greystone, Apr. 22 ($14.95, ISBN 978-1-77840-102-2; $9.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-77840-279-1)
Marine science gets a graphic novel guide, as readers follow Crab and Larva as they search for a new home and catalog the sea kelp, oysters, mussels, clams, and sea anemones of the bay. Ages 6–9.
The Case of the Missing Flower (Ivy and Bearlock Holmes #1)
Kristyna Litten. Magic Cat, July 1 ($14.99, ISBN 978-1-917044-94-3; $9.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-917366-68-7)
Ivy is the granddaughter of ursine detective Bearlock Holmes. The duo’s puzzle-solving skills are the focus of this series launch, in which they investigate the case of a purloined blossom. Ages 5–9.
Cheesey Brie-Ginning (Badge Quest #1)
Guy Kopsombut. Andrews McMeel, Apr. 8 ($11.99, ISBN 978-1-5248-9230-2)
In this buddy-comedy adventure, a bear named Pillow is helped in his hunt for an elusive Brie by a fairy named Fae who can change into a dragon at whim. Ages 6–9.
Dino Poet
Tom Angleberger. Abrams Fanfare, Mar. 25 ($13.99, ISBN 978-1-4197-7280-1)
A prehistoric aspiring poet follows his lunch, a frog critic who stalls for time by offering writing advice like an amphibian Scheherazade, on an adventure to get his verse in order. Ages 5–8.
The Golden Poo (Whose Poo Is This? #1)
Park Song-eui and Kim Duck-Young. Graphic Universe, Mar. 4 ($12.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-7656-2768-6)
Scientists Egg, Yang, and Woo stumble on a precious piece of excrement that offers a mystery to be solved—what animal does it belong to? Ages 7–11.
The Grilled Cheese Caper (Paw and Order #1)
Jason Platt. Papercutz, Apr. 1 ($14.99, ISBN 978-1-5458-1691-2; $9.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-5458-1993-7)
Animal detectives Purrlock and Marlowe track down the thieves who robbed a grilled cheese festival of its sandwiches in this first volume in a new canine capers series. Ages 6-10.
Hupo and the Wonder Thief
Billy Partridge. Flying Eye, Mar. 4 ($17.99, ISBN 978-1-83874-162-4)
When dreamy pair Hupo and Aletha wander into a mystical mist, Aletha gets swept away and Hupo needs to use his imagination to rescue her. Ages 5–8.
I Am Not Okay
David DeGrand. Union Square Kids, July 8 ($12.99, ISBN 978-1-4549-5331-9; $8.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-4549-5332-6)
Fluff Nugget is the booster of everyone’s mood in Happy Forest, until he gets overwhelmed and exhausted and screams out that he’s no longer okay, in this fable about burnout. Ages 7–11.
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
Colleen AF Venable, Barbara Park, and Honie Beam. Random House Books for Young Readers, Apr. 29 ($20.99, ISBN 978-0-593-70670-1; $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-593-64563-5)
The launch of the comics adaptation of the bestselling series finds precocious kindergartner Junie B. fearful of boarding the yellow bus for her first day of school. Ages 7–10.
The Land of Lost Things (Adventures Unlimited #1)
Andy Griffiths and Bill Hope. Feiwel and Friends, Apr. 8 ($17.99, ISBN 978-1-250-36735-8)
Griffiths, the bestselling author of the 13-Story Treehouse series, takes young readers on a tour of a bizarro world where lost things find each other—and the unexpected is the norm. Ages 6–10.
Little Mouse Saves the Day
Jeff Smith. Toon, June 3 ($13.99, ISBN 978-1-6626-6545-5)
Eisner winner Smith follows up his Geisel-winning Little Mouse Gets Ready with a sequel, as the furry hero closes out his busy day with bedtime, except first he must face down his fears of foes in the closet. Ages 4-6.
Marvel the Uncanny X-Men: Days of Future Fun
Jeffrey Brown. Chronicle, Apr. 29 ($14.95, ISBN 978-1-7972-3352-9)
Brown’s humorous take on the X-Men chronicles misadventures in Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. All ages. 50,000-copy announced first printing.
My Life on the Mountain
Marion Brand, trans. by Shona Holmes. Helvetiq, Feb. 11 ($17.99, ISBN 978-3-03964-056-0)
“Through simple lined drawings and step-by-step text, Brand paints an idyllic picture of a goat herder’s jam-packed life,” per PW’s review. Ages 5–8.
Sib Squad
Steve Breen. WorthyKids, Apr. 1 ($18.99, ISBN 978-1-5460-0622-0; $7.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-5460-0868-2)
Pulitzer Prize–winning cartoonist Breen unites three left-out younger siblings—a woodchuck, a chameleon, and a duckling—who want to form their own adventure club, just like the bigger kids. Ages 5–8.
Snap! Crunch! Munch?
Diana Castillo. Holiday House, Apr. 15 ($14.99, ISBN 978-0-8234-5696-3)
At a family dinner of beans, shrimp, plantains, and more, a Latino boy imagines animals joining the feast. A Spanish edition will be published to coincide. Ages 4–8.
Superman’s Good Guy Gang
Rob Justus. DC, July 1 ($12.99, ISBN 978-1-7995-0406-1)
Elementary school–age superheroes team up in this first volume in DC’s early reader comics series, where Clark Kent makes friends with the kids who are secretly Hawkgirl and Green Lantern. Ages 5–7.
What Happened to the Naked Mole Rat? (Class Pet Ghost Detective #1)
Akeem S. Roberts. Kokila, July 15 ($19.99, ISBN 978-0-593-85666-6; $9.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-593-85667-3)
After the elementary class pet dies under mysterious circumstances, its ghost returns to help a boy named Carter get to the bottom of his demise. Ages 6–8.
What If Marty Doesn’t Like My Party?
Katie Arthur. Owlkids, Mar. 18 ($18.95, ISBN 978-1-77147-601-0)
When Henry’s worries that his birthday party will be a flop keep him up at night, his big sister helps him turn each concern into a hopeful wish. Ages 5–8.
Yelp Yeti! Chaos in Kathmandu (Yelp Yeti! #1)
Sneha Pradhan and Promina Shrestha. Flying Eye, June 3 ($22.99, ISBN 978-1-83874-933-0; $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-83874-225-6)
Dev and Tuna chase a troublesome yeti all around a magical version of Kathmandu. Ages 5–9.
Blast Off
Look up and wonder—these middle grade and early reader comics feature amateur astronomers, space explorer kids, and a few aliens who jet off on interstellar adventures.
Astronautical!
Brooklin Stormie. Annick, May 27 ($24.99, ISBN 978-1-77321-941-7; $16.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-77321-942-4)
Brothers from the lost planet Zephyr adventure through the galaxy on a steampunk spaceship in hopes of finding their kidnapped captain father and saving the people of their destroyed home. Ages 8–12.
The Big Tournament (Magda, Intergalactic Chef #1)
Nicolas Wouters and Mathilde Van Gheluwe. Graphic Universe, Apr. 1 ($15.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-7656-4322-8)
A tween aspiring chef born on the moon Azuki competes in an intergalactic cooking competition with an out-of-any-world prize—and almost gets roasted when she discovers otherworldly-level corruption. Ages 10–14.
Cosmo Park
Madeleine Finlay. Flying Eye, June 3 ($25.99, ISBN 978-1-83874-934-7; $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-83874-130-3)
This graphic nonfiction tour of the facts and science of astronomy, physics, and space exploration is framed as a roller-coaster ride around the Universal Nature Park of the Milky Way galaxy. Ages 7–11.
Deeply Dave
Michael Grover. Holt, June 10 ($14.99, ISBN 978-1-250-33103-8)
Nominated for both the Eisner and Harvey awards as a webcomic, this trade release stars an astronaut’s sea-diving son, who plunges underwater to bring his mom’s spaceship up from the depths. Ages 8–12.
Flash Gordon: The Girl from Infinity
Marguerite Bennett and Bev Johnson. Papercutz, May 20 ($17.99, ISBN 978-1-5458-1898-5; $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-5458-1838-1)
In this reimagining of the classic character, gender swapped to be a girl caught in a shooting star, Flash has lost her memory but teams up with space explorer Dale Arden to discover her true identity and save her home planet from a villainous emperor. Ages 10–14
The Floofs Reach for the Stars
Penelope O’Neill. Quarto/Lincoln, Apr. 15 ($15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-7112-9835-4)
Creatures called the floofs set out on three quests, the first of which is figuring out why the sky lights up at night and where celestial bodies hide during the daytime hours. Ages 6–8.
The Luna Sisters Battle for the Moon Blossom
Dan Yaccarino. Holiday House, Apr. 15 ($14.99, ISBN 978-0-8234-5637-6)
Siblings Lucy and Nera hail from the dark and light side of the moon and just can’t get along on anything—except each agrees that the moon blossom belongs to them alone. While they bicker, a galactic goat is about to eat up the coveted flower, unless they can join forces. Ages 4–8.
Night Light
Michael Emberley. Holiday House, Apr. 15 ($14.99, ISBN 978-0-8234-5816-5)
Geisel winner Emberly follows up Let’s Go! with a bedtime story set during a blackout, as an anxious child’s parents invite the stars in through a skylight to banish the sudden darkness. Ages 4–8.
Space Chasers
Leland Melvin, Joe Caramagna, and Alison Acton. First Second, Feb. 4 ($22.99, ISBN 978-1-250-78277-9; $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-250-78276-2)
Astronaut-turned-author Melvin launches (pun intended) a graphic novel series in which he stars as a mentor character for a group of pint-size space explorers handpicked for a NASA middle school program. Ages 10–14.
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures Phase III—Dispatches from the Occlusion Zone
Daniel Jose Older et al. Dark Horse, June 24 ($19.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-50674-790-3)
A resistance force of Jedi Knights—including teens and young adults—rallies against the Nihil in a blockaded corner of the far galaxy called the Occlusion Zone. Ages 8 and up.
Middle Grade Comics & Graphic Novels Longlist
Abrams Fanfare
Ghost Town by Eric Colossal (Mar. 25, $24.99, ISBN 978-1-4197-4584-3; $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-4197-4585-0). Lily and her friends in the rundown waterfront town of Crater discover a haunted mansion and spend all summer chasing spirits. Ages 9–12.
Aladdin
Story Spinners: A Sisterly Tale of Danger, a Princess, and Her Crew of Lady Pirates by Cassandra Federman. (Mar. 18, $22.99, ISBN 978-1-6659-1823-7; $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-6659-1824-4). A pair of squabbling sisters (one rocks out to Metallica, the other is more into Les Mis) have to put their new baby sister to sleep, and find common ground collaborating on an unusual bedtime tale. Ages 7–10.
Andrews McMeel
Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain by Juan E. Zambrano (June 17, $21.99, 978-1-5248-9222-7; $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-5248-9218-0). Pacheco wants to help his family, whose fishing trade is failing, by learning more profitable magic—but lower-class boys are barred from the craft. Ages 9–12.
Seeker Society by Jana Tropper et al. (June 3, $21.99, ISBN 978-1-5248-9894-6; $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-5248-9838-0). A trio of talented students at the magic academy Shackleton’s School for Seekers get lost on a class trip, and run into their enemies—the Keepers. Ages 8–12.
Wildcats by Crystal Velasquez and Eva Cabrera (June 24, $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-5248-7967-9). In this series launch, a quartet of girls discover that the boarding school they’ve been sent to specializes in training shape-shifters, and that they’ve inherited the ability to transform into wildcats. Ages 11–13.
Clarion
The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies and Karen de la Vega (Apr. 29, $24.99, ISBN 978-0-06-331040-7; $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-06-331038-4). The classic novel about youngster capitalists, one good at math and one good at marketing, who compete to sell the most lemonade over a summer gets the comics treatment. Ages 8–12.
Dark Horse
Legend of Korra: The Mystery of Penquan Island by Kiku Hughes et al. (Mar. 4, $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-50674-391-2). Investigator Mako sets off with his brother to Penquan Island in the Fire Nation to dig into a case that has worryingly close ties to their own family. Ages 10 and up.
Dial
Schoolbot 9000 by Sam Hepburn (July 22, $24.99, ISBN 978-0-593-69941-6; $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-593-69942-3). In a world where pets and even some people have already been swapped for robots, the next step in AI advancement is the classroom. A student named James pushes back against the replacement of his beloved human teachers. Ages 9–12.
Elsewhere Editions
Mafalda by Quino, trans. by Frank Wynne (May 13, $18, ISBN 978-1-962770-04-0). The six-year-old heroine of the Argentinian comic strip gets her first English-language collection, full of hijinks and political commentary from the perspective of a mischievous child. Ages 7–11.
First Second
Creature Clinic by Gavin Aung Than (May 13, $22.99, ISBN 978-1-250-84759-1; $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-250-84758-4). At a hospital that only treats mythical creatures like unicorns, giants, and the tooth fairy, a human patient shows up in need, and resident Kara Orc sneaks them past the red tape. Ages 8–12.
Extra Large by Tyler Page (Mar. 11, $22.99, ISBN 978-1-250-85157-4; $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-250-85156-7). In this sequel to his graphic memoir Button Pusher, Page enters a new school and deals with fat-shaming by his father and bullies. “Sunny full-color illustrations imbue the graphic novel with the nostalgic vibe of a Saturday morning cartoon,” per PW’s review. Ages 8–12.
Good Boy by Andy Hirsch (May 20, $22.99, ISBN 978-1-250-29196-7; $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-250-29195-0). An anxiety-ridden kid enters his zippy rescue dog into a training competition and must face his fears as they take the stage. Ages 8–12.
Graphic Universe
Erin and Yrso (The Giants #1) by Lylian and Paul Drouin (May 6, $11.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-7656-4700-4). A slumbering giant named Yrso awakens in a world where his kind are at risk of corporate plots, and a young girl named Erin becomes the creatures’ unlikely protector. Ages 9–14.
Graphix
Miss Camper by Kat Fajardo (July 1, $24.99, ISBN 978-1-338-53560-0; $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-338-53561-7). This follow-up to Miss Quinces sends Sam off to summer camp and into all manner of social drama, from an unexpected crush to sibling squabbles. Ages 8–12.
Reel Life by Kane Lynch (May 20, $24.99, ISBN 978-1-338-85392-6; $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-338-85391-9). Aspiring filmmaker Galen teams up with his bestie to make a documentary about his parents’ split—and their new partners, who have
kids of their own. Ages 8–12.
Greenwillow
The League of Littles by Casey Lyall and Sara Faber (June 17, $24.99, ISBN 978-0-06-328526-2; $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-06-328525-5). An international organization of amateur superheroes stand up for younger brothers and sisters across the world—and also track down missing hamsters. Ages 8–12.
HarperAlley
Almost Sunset by Wahab Algarmi (Feb. 18, $24.99, ISBN 978-0-06-335567-5; $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-06-335566-8). Hassan’s Muslim family celebrates Ramadan, which means he’s fasting through a full day of school and soccer practice. But he’s reluctant to explain the practices of his faith to his teacher, in this “wholesome” (per PW’s review) graphic novel debut. Ages 8–12.
Band Nerd by Sarah Clawson Willis and Emma Cormarie (Apr. 22, $24.99, ISBN 978-0-358-44786-3; $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-358-44785-6). Flautist Lucy escapes a troubled family life through her dedication to the music program at competitive Windley School of the Arts, but she almost loses her poise in battling to make first chair. Ages 8–12.
Coven by Soman Chainani and Joel Gennari (Apr. 1, $26.99, ISBN 978-0-06-297969-8; $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-06-297968-1). Bestselling novelist Chainani (The School for Good and Evil series) teams up with Gennari to launch a fantasy series about witches in an epic battle between light and dark. Ages 8 and up.
Into the Bewilderness by Gus Gordon (July 8, $24.99, ISBN 978-0-06-324612-6; $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-06-324611-9). Furry friends Luis and Pablo are cozy in the woods chowing down on pinecone porridge, until the lure of an urban opportunity pulls them into adventure. Ages 8–12.
Helvetiq
Your Money and the World: How to Spend, Save, Donate and Invest Sustainably by Cecile Biccari and Naïade Lacolomb (Feb. 4, $19.95, ISBN 978-3-03964-045-4). This illustrated guide to sustainable investing instructs kids on the mechanics and meaning of money markets—and how their financial decisions could help save the planet. Ages 8–11.
Hogarth
Questions Without Answers by Sarah Manguso and Liana Finck (Apr. 29, $24, ISBN 978-0-593-73362-2) collects the wonderings of young children, on everything from mortality to bodily functions and the whereabouts of extinct creators, as drawn by New Yorker cartoonist Finck. All ages.
Holiday House/Porter
The Mysterious New Girl (Casey’s Cases #1) by Kay Healy (Feb. 11, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-8234-5650-5). Tween Casey uses her magnifying glass to solve mundane mysteries like who the stray cat she’d like to keep really belongs to—and why the new girl at school is so rude to her—in this series launch and Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Ages 8–12.
Holt
Don’t Cause Trouble by Arree Chung (Apr. 22, $22.99, ISBN 978-1-250-88729-0; $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-250-88730-6). Weighed down by the expectations of his immigrant parents, 12-year-old Ming Lee enters middle school with a bowl haircut and thrifted clothes, and is placed into an ESL class even though he’s only ever spoken English—but finds friends who change his outlook. Ages 8–12.
Kaboom!
Garfield: Family Style by Ryan Estrada, Brinson Thieme, and Sarah Graley (May 6, $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-89215-348-5). A tie-in to the 2024 animated film, this prequel features the cantankerous, wisecracking cat in his kitten days—with his alley cat dad, Vic, taking the lead. Ages 8 and up.
Kids Can
Way Off Track (A Nansi Graphic Novel #1) by Carl Brundtland and Claudia Dávila (May 6, $16.99, ISBN 978-1-5253-1004-1). Adapting stories of the West African folktale character Anansi to the modern day, this series launch finds young track star Nansi scheming to trick her way into the expensive shoes her rival wears. Ages 8–12.
Yellow Singing Sail: A Memoir of an Only Child in China by Yinfan Huang (June 3, $16.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-5253-0551-1). In the 1990s, Chinese country girl Huang moves to the big city of Guangzhou, where she has to learn a new dialect and navigate urban society. Ages 11–14.
Little, Brown
The Secret of Kells by Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey, and Samuel Sattin (Feb. 11, $24.99, ISBN 978-0-316-43911-4; $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-316-43921-3) adapts the animated feature about an isolated monk who discovers a magical volume and joins up with a fairy to venture into a fantastical forest. Ages 8–12.
Norton
One Little Goat: A Passover Catastrophe by Dara Horn and Theo Ellsworth (Feb. 25, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-324-08213-2). In this story of a seder that’s magically extended over months, “revelations about Judaism are drawn in intricate lined textures and wide-eyed characters” that “evoke Mark Alan Stamaty and Edvard Munch, conveying cosmic wonder and comedic anxiety,” per PW’s review. Ages 10–14.
Oni
The Littlest Fighter by Joey Weiser (Mar. 18, $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-63715-630-8). Pint-size battle master Ash won’t ever put down his fists—until he challenges the Legendary Champion, only to find he’s turned into a pacifist in hiding. Ages 8–12.
The Lost Sunday by Ileana Surducan (June 17, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-63715-775-6). In a fantasy land where a pack of six wolves demand that every day of the week must be filled with tasks, a young girl seeks out the seventh wolf, who could provide a day of rest. Ages 8–12.
Penguin Workshop
Nightmare Hunter (Maxwell Dark #1) by Brady Smith (Apr. 1, $23.99, ISBN 978-0-593-75118-3; $13.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-593-75113-8). Maxwell Dark is a kid with the gift to enter other people’s dreams, and he uses it to travel from town to town helping fellow youngsters defeat their worst nightmares—until he happens on a scenario so scary he gets trapped in it. Ages 8–12.
Quill Tree
Botticelli’s Apprentice by Ursula Murray Husted (Mar. 11, $24.99, ISBN 978-0-06-315794-1; $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-06-315793-4). In Renaissance Italy, a girl who tends to Botticelli’s chickens trains herself to paint, only to fall afoul of one of the actual apprentices, who tries to claim credit for her work. Ages 8–12.
Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros (Apr. 8, $24.99, ISBN 978-0-06-305769-2; $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-06-305768-5). Tomboy tween Lucy blossoms in new ways when her town brings in an artist and his daughter to refurbish a carousel for the community’s 150th anniversary celebration. Ages 8–12.
Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology by Angela Hsieh (May 27, $24.99, ISBN 978-0-06-320789-9; $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-06-320790-5). Lu and her new friend Ren strike out in search of Lu’s grandmother, whose job is taking care of the cloud-jellies, sunfish, mossgoats, and other animals of the magical land of Lirrin. Ages 8–12.
Random House Graphic
Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimienta (Feb. 18, $21.99, ISBN 978-0-5935-6945-0; $13.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-593-56942-9). Ave relocates from Mexico to Kansas after their parents separate in this graphic novel where “quiet moments blend with richer conversations about identity, cultural authenticity, and family dynamics,” according to PW’s review. Ages 8–12.
On Guard! (Marshall Middle School #1) by Cassidy Wasserman (June 10, $21.99, ISBN 978-0-593-64998-5; $13.99 trade paper,
ISBN 978-0-593-64999-2). Grace’s parents are splitting up and her bestie dumped her, but she finds new friends when she joins her school’s fencing club. Ages 8–12.
Speak Up, Santiago! (Hillside Valley #1) by Julio Anta and Gabi Mendez (Mar. 4, $21.99, ISBN 978-0-593-65164-3; $13.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-593-65163-6). When New York City kid
Santiago visits his abuela in Hillside, he finds a clique of potential friends but feels left out as the only kid who can’t speak Spanish
fluently. Ages 8–12.
Random House Studio
Camp Frenemies by Liz Montague (May 13, $21.99, ISBN 978-0-593-80623-4; $13.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-593-80625-8). A cabin full of tweens at odds animates this summer camp series, where sports, family drama, crushes, and squabbles come together at a
week away in the woods. Ages 8–12.
Random House Worlds
The Little Witcher by CD Projekt Red and Giada Carboni (May 13, $16, ISBN 978-0-593-23545-4). In this tie-in to the Witcher series, Geralt of Rivia is a father who just happens to slaughter monsters at his day job, while his adopted daughter, Ciri, learns at his side about her future as a witch. All ages.
Simon & Schuster
Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom by Jessixa Bagley (July 15, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-6659-2232-6). A misfit witch in a coven town, Jazzy messes up simple spells constantly. Even though her family business is the broom shop, she prefers to hop on a bicycle. Ages 8–12.
Skybound
Worst Bot Ever: Meet Ballpoint by Brian Smitty Smith and Marz Jr. (July 22, $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-5343-2799-3) follows the misadventures of a Decepticon who’s not just short, he can only transform into a pen, when he gets kicked out of his crew after a mission goes awry. Ages 8–12.
Top Shelf
The Land of Cars (Karmopolis #1) by Nick Bertozzi (July 1, $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-60309-554-9). Pursued by bad guys, siblings Pooja and Om zip through a city where ultra-fast vehicles are the only mode of transportation, in this Jetsons-style collection of Bertozzi’s Nickelodeon comics stories. Ages 9–12.
Shred or Dead by D. Bradford Gambles (Mar. 11, $19.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-60309-547-1). Ambitious skateboarders Sam and her
sister Gearhead face off against the Too Cool Crew, a stealthy mall cop, and supernatural foes including gods and ghosts. Ages 9–18.
WorthyKids
Bonnie Bailey and the Faire of Worlds by Ellie Kirk (May 6, $17.99, ISBN 978-1-5460-0794-4; $8.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-5460-
0795-1). Bonnie, the 13-year-old daughter of a beekeeper clan, gets buzzed into an alternate, sentient world—a carnival that’s actually a living being called a Faire, where magic reigns. Ages 8–12.