Via lively prose punctuated by images of the subject’s life and work, Fight AIDS! author Long chronicles the journey of activist Keith Haring (1958–1990) from unknown rural Pennsylvania artist to international star. A prologue set in 1982 New York City sets the scene, introducing Haring as an unrepentant creative who was frequently arrested for graffiti vandalism. Later passages trace his running away from his conservative parents during high school and his eventual move to N.Y.C., where he honed his artistic skills alongside local street artists. Scans of the figure’s most prominent works shape the narrative: a picture of a crawling “radiant” baby (untitled, 1990) accompanies a chapter about his childhood, a purple piece of an embracing couple (untitled, 1987) opens a section describing his coming out as gay, and subsequent parts feature his efforts opposing nuclear war (untitled, 1982) and raising awareness for AIDS (Stop AIDS, 1989), with which he was diagnosed in 1987. Haring made a name for himself drawing on the fly in the subway, railing against “sophisticated, elitist” attitudes surrounding art, and producing pieces that address social injustice for “hundreds of millions of everyday people.” This exuberant, uplifting biography will inspire and encourage teens to more closely observe and engage with their surroundings as a means to spark creativity and connection. Ages 14–up. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

Galandon and Crouzat make their English-language debut with a tender graphic novel that follows two siblings as they brave nuclear radiation and enigmatic yokai to spread their grandmother’s ashes. In 2013 Minamisōma—two years after the Fukushima nuclear accident—young tinkerer Osamu and his older sister Akiko, an aspiring social media influencer, live alone with Bā-chan. While walking to school, Akiko, armed with a radiation detector, plots the safest route for Osamu, who leaves offerings along the path for local yokai. Following Bā-chan’s sudden death, distant cousins arrive to move the children to Tokyo. But when the caretakers refuse to accompany the siblings to scatter Bā-chan’s ashes at her former farm in Tomioka, citing its proximity to the nuclear red zone, Osamu and Akiko set out for the property on their own. Along the way, the duo contend with hazardous conditions (Osamu urges Akiko to “just smile” and move forward when her radiation detector goes off), encounter restless spirits, and evade pursuit from their cousins and police. Thinly lined, pastel-hued illustrations prioritize movement alongside detailed backdrops that lend lived-in ambiance to emotionally potent character interactions and harrowing adventure sequences. The result is a quietly contemplative meditation on grief and environmental crisis anchored by a whirlwind journey. Includes a contextualizing afterword. Ages 8–12. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

Freeman (The Book That No One Wanted to Read) crafts a gleefully absurd graphic novel that channels the spirit of The Divine Comedy into a kid-friendly, anarchic adventure. After chasing a runaway coin into an open manhole, young Shirley, depicted with pale skin and a brown bob, finds herself plunged—literally—into the Underworld. Upon arrival, she encounters George, an oversize cockroach with bright red spectacles and a matter-of-fact demeanor, who informs her that escape from the realm requires pressing forward, not turning back. What follows is a series of increasingly bizarre trials: a forest of dubious temptations, a treacherous Bog of Intense Emotions, stampeding rats, a child-hungry witch with a house made of broccoli, and a pair of unnervingly eager Sphinx twins. Looming over it all is an enigmatic figure known only as the Boss, whose connection to Shirley hints at deeper stakes beneath the chaos. Loose, kinetic artwork complements the story’s breakneck pacing, and the episodic quest structure provides a sturdy framework, balancing irreverent humor with a subtle undercurrent of emotional discovery as Shirley and George grow closer over the course of their adventure. It’s a satisfyingly offbeat introduction to what promises to be a wildly imaginative series. Ages 8–12. Agent: Penny Holroyde, Holroyde Cartey. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

French comics creator Trondheim (the Ralph Azham series) slips impressive emotional depth beneath the breezy comedic surface of this deadpan graphic novel. When a teleportation spell mistakenly transports an orc to a human classroom, young Aurora’s first question is “Does he have to sit next to me?” Subsequent queries receive unsatisfying answers, solidifying Aurora’s belief that she’s the only one who seems to find the situation unusual. (Her teacher remains unruffled, her classmates are thrilled, and her mother’s main concern is the orc’s favorite food.) Soon, Aurora becomes the newcomer’s reluctant guide to human life, explaining everything from cameras and bathrooms to money and the important rule against eating people, lessons that unravel less than smoothly. The book’s first half thrives on culture-clash comedy. The chafing of the orc’s affable yet battle-hardened perspective—interpreting classroom silence as torture-resistance training or a too-soft bed as punishment—against Aurora’s increasing exasperation paves a path toward eventual understanding as Aurora and the orc broach questions about his origins. Minimalist artwork with comic-strip appeal depicts characters with varying skin tones and reinforces the brisk momentum. What begins as loosely connected classroom antics develops into a thought-provoking mystery about the way prejudice is taught. Ages 7–10. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

Debut author Pennant gathers 17 authors—including Zoraida Córdova, Kwame Mbalia, and Maggie Tokuda-Hall—for a dreamy collection of fantastical tales about love’s ability to defy magic, monsters, and the occasional apocalypse. Each story unfolds in a distinct fantasy setting, from a seaside town frequented by mysterious sirens to an infernal realm governed by an elaborate royal court. The contributors also span a wide range of styles and subgenres, creating an eclectic mix that moves comfortably between high fantasy adventure and lighter, more whimsical fare. Among the standouts is Sophie Li’s “Chloe’s Cat,” a darkly comedic tale in which a girl’s beloved pet devours her longtime crush, forcing her to confront the awkward consequences. “Old Gods” by Chelsea Padilla offers a more tender romance, following a boy who falls for a shape-shifter—despite the inconvenient fact that his father makes a living hunting monsters. Stakes climb even higher in Pennant’s “Meet Me at World’s End,” in which a demon hunter and her crush must save the world from impending doom. Across the selections, intersectionally diverse teens grapple with difficult choices as love collides with loyalty to family, duty to community, or the risks of a dangerous world. Stories with varying voices and tones culminate in a beguiling offering about romances that challenge expectations and survive extraordinary obstacles. Ages 14–up. Agent: Vicky Weber, CMA. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

Heard (We’ll Never Tell) considers the allure of self-transformation in this eerie supernatural horror novel. In Ventura, Calif., 17-year-old Bella Wright seems to have perfected the art of reinvention. As a social media influencer with millions of followers, she’s polished, popular, and academically accomplished—her curated persona summed up by the ironically self-effacing handle @imsuchaluckygirl. Bella credits her success to discipline and the power of manifestation, a philosophy that has helped her shed an awkward past. But not everyone has fallen for her put-together persona, least of all Kerry, her estranged former best friend, who has never forgiven Bella for abandoning their childhood bond. Kerry’s quiet life takes a dark turn when she discovers a cryptic self-help volume, As Within. Promising fulfillment through rituals and spells, the book offers Kerry a tantalizing shortcut to everything Bella has achieved. As Kerry delves deeper into its instructions, though, unsettling phenomena begin to ripple through both girls’ lives, including encounters with shadowy, malevolent entities. Intermittent excerpts from the ominous text and glimpses into Ruby’s past build an atmosphere of creeping dread. Skillfully balanced psychological tension and supernatural horror ground a recognizable narrative about identity and belonging. The protagonists read as white. Ages 14–up. Agent: Lauren Spieller, Folio Jr. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

A cynical teen stumbles through a portal that transports her into a fabled princess’s sunny subconscious in YouTuber Pham’s debut, a cathartic queer fantasy riff on “Sleeping Beauty.” Legend from the downtrodden kingdom of Gyldan says that the heir apparent, Princess Amelia, cursed by a demon a century ago, slumbers eternally in a palace underground. Her royal bloodline is purportedly enchanted to ensure prosperity, so if Amelia wakes, she could restore Gyldan to its former glory. Focused on making ends meet and caring for her younger sibling, orphaned 18-year-old Corin has no time for fairy tales. Corin’s 12-year-old sister Elly, however, believes Amelia is real. When Elly disappears, Corin searches Gyldan’s tunnels, assuming she’ll find Elly chasing a fantasy. Instead, Corin discovers a castle containing not just a sleeping princess but also a portal into Amelia’s psyche—through which Elly has already passed. As it turns out, Amelia dwells in her idyllic dreamworld voluntarily, alongside a loyal confidant. In their quest to save Gyldan, Corin and Elly learn harsh truths about the legend and realize that returning Amelia to the throne is more difficult than they anticipated. Evocative third-person prose intercuts Corin’s present-day story with chapters chronicling Amelia’s pre-nap past. Intersectionally diverse, emotionally complex characters navigate a hope-fueled, twist-riddled plot in this empathetic exploration of identity, grief, forgiveness, and mental health. Ages 14–up. Agent: Thao Le, Dijkstra Literary. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

Bognanni (This Book Is Not Yet Rated) presents a taut survival story set against the stark beauty of Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Seventeen-year-old Case is reluctantly participating in an “adventure therapy” trip for teens with anxiety disorders, an undertaking made worse by his grief over the death of his older brother, Sean. Case’s unease deepens when he discovers that Diana, Sean’s ex-girlfriend, is also on the trip. What begins as a structured wilderness excursion spirals into peril when the trip leader vanishes along with everyone’s medications. Stranded and desperate, Case and Diana, who both read as white, and their three fellow teens rely on one another to navigate the unforgiving terrain, locate supplies, and endure mounting environmental threats. As the group confronts physical danger, compassionate prose carves out space for quieter reckonings, particularly between Case and Diana, whose shared grief over Sean shifts from cold silence to tentative understanding. Moments of action are anchored by layered depictions of anxiety and resilience, and watching the characters forge bonds and push beyond their perceived limits is both gripping and deeply affecting. It coalesces into a blend of wilderness adventure and emotional healing bolstered by hard-won connection. Ages 14–up. Agent: Kirby Kim, Janklow & Nesbit. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

A murder brings long-buried family secrets to light in this tense mystery from Àbíké-Íyímídé (Where Sleeping Girls Lie). Sixteen years ago, billionaire Leontes Button adopted five children and raised them to become experts in selected pursuits. Bilal is an Olympic fencer, Octavius is a renowned pianist, Fola is a respected scientist and mathematician, Perdita is a talented painter, and Romeo is an author whom many regard as a failure. Having moved out of their childhood home several years ago, the now-17-year-old siblings reluctantly reunite for their father’s annual Prodigy Ball, during which old hurts and grievances born from their grueling upbringing resurface. But when Leontes is killed, the teens—as well as Leontes’s assistant Henry Xu and chef’s daughter Evie Gray—become prime suspects in his murder. The hours following the death paint a macabre picture of a dysfunctional family helmed by a tyrannical patriarch, and what happens when individuals are pushed past their breaking point. Perceptive storytelling recalls elements of The Umbrella Academy, and the novel’s convoluted cascading revelations lead from one surprise to another. Despite disjointed pacing, this quietly brutal tale excels in its portrayal of intersectionally diverse teens contending with emotional trauma amid sky-high expectations. Ages 14–up. Agent: Chloe Seager, Madeleine Milburn Literary. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

Kamalakanthan debuts with a scintillating verse novel that chronicles a nonbinary transgender teen’s journey toward publicly claiming their queer identity. Whenever they’re misgendered, Sri Lankan British 17-year-old Surya freezes, fearful of correcting the misunderstanding (“I don’t tell other people/ I’m not a girl/ It’s easier—and harder this way”). Though Surya’s cis female mum and genderfluid artist amma surround the teen with love at home, Surya longs to foster both platonic and romantic connections with others. When Surya joins an after-school theater program, they confront their fear of being perceived (“This one audition is a mini protest against all the times I’ve said nothing”) and experience their first crush. The more involved Surya becomes with the theater group, the harder it becomes for them to suppress their true self, despite the troupe’s sometimes transphobic rhetoric. Sedate pacing paired with intense lines that often land with the force of a gut punch (“These words are dead bodies,/ eventually rising/ to the surface./ A rotting loudness”). Nwosu’s captivating illustrations, peppered throughout, capture each instance of love and uncertainty in deceptively simple b&w line art. This poetic slice-of-life portrait is not to be missed. Ages 14–up. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink