Young readers can celebrate the new year with new stories for beloved characters, including a companion picture book about a dog's mistrust of a cat, a middle grade graphic novel about a tumultuous spring break, a YA fantasy trilogy closer about a trio on the verge of a war, and more.
Picture Books and Graphic Novels
Bear Finds Eggs by Karma Wilson, illus. by Jane Chapman (McElderry, Jan. 16 $18.99, ISBN 978-1-665-93655-2). In the newest picture book in the Bear Books series, Bear and his friends help Mama Meadowlark search for her eggs.
Bizard and the Big Bunny Bizness by Chrissie Krebs (Holiday House/Ferguson, Jan. 2 $14.99; ISBN 978-0-823-45146-3). Bizzard the Bear prepares for hibernation and Squirrel gets his own wand, leading to several unwarranted wishes being granted in the second graphic novel in the Bear Wizard series.
Break by Kayla Miller (Clarion, Jan. 2 $15.99, paper; ISBN 978-0-35-841422-3). The latest book in the Click graphic novel series finds Kayla navigating complex feelings for her father when she spends spring break with him rather than at home with friends.
Don’t Trust Cats: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog by Dev Petty, illus. by Mike Boldt (Doubleday, Jan. 2 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-70678-7). In the sequel to Life Lessons from Chip the Dog, canine Chip offers readers advice on how to enjoy life, namely by avoiding felines.
Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever by Suzanne Lang, illus. by Max Lang (Random House Studio, Jan. 2 $11.99; ISBN 978-0-593-65233-6). The typically disgruntled Jim Panzee is suddenly very excited, and when he’s diagnosed with a case of spring fever, the fellow jungle animals work together to help him get back to his usual grouchy self in the latest Grumpy Monkey picture book.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Crayons by Drew Daywalt, illus. by Oliver Jeffers (Philomel, Jan. 2 $9.99; ISBN 978-0-593-62433-3). In a new companion picture book to The Day the Crayons Quit, Green Crayon needs a break after the many green-centric holidays and turns to his fellow crayon friends for assistance.
History Comics: Hip-Hop by Jarrett Williams (First Second, Jan. 2 $12.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-250-79576-2; $21.99; ISBN 978-1-250-79575-5). The newest addition to the History Comics series highlights the origins of hip hop, from its birth in the Bronx to the many influential figures of the genre.
King & Kayla and the Case of the Downstairs Ghost by Dori Hillestad Butler, illus. by Nancy Meyers (Peachtree, Jan. 2 $6.99; ISBN 978-1-682-63470-7). In the 10th book in the King & Kayla series, the duo are invited to a sleepover and investigate a spooky entity residing in the basement.
Pizza and Taco: Wrestling Mania! by Stephen Shaskan (Random House Graphic, Jan. 2 $10.99; ISBN 978-0-593-70346-5). Best friends Pizza and Taco try their hand at wrestling and must face off against rivals in the seventh Pizza and Taco title.
We Are Golden: 27 Groundbreakers Who Changed the World by Eva Chen, illus. by Sophie Diao (Feiwel and Friends, Jan. 2 $9.99; ISBN 978-1-250-87991-2). Readers will learn about the achievements of 27 innovators of Asian descent throughout history in this board book companion to I Am Golden.
Novels
Beasts of War by Ayana Gray (Putnam, Jan. 16 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-40574-1). Koffi has escaped the vengeful god Fedu and must return home to stop an ancient ritual in the series conclusion to the Beasts of Prey series.
Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amélie Wen Zhao (Delacorte, Jan. 2 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-48754-9). This return to the world of Skies’ End concludes the Song of the Last Kingdom duology. Despite their alliance, Lan and Zen find themselves on opposing sides of the war as Lan navigates her new power and Zen tries to utilize the power of the Demon Gods.
Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer (Bloomsbury, Jan. 23 $20.99; ISBN 978-1-5476-1323-6). In the series closer of Defy the Night, Prince Corrick makes a deal with a former enemy, Tessa struggles to find her way back to Kandala, and Harristan attempts to unite the rebels despite being dethroned.
Million Dollar Mess by James Patterson and Martin Chatterton (Little, Brown/Patterson, Jan. 8 $14.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-316-41062-5). In the latest addition to the Middle School series, Rafe has hit the jackpot, but his luck runs out when he must attend a new school filled with condescending peers.
Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa (Feiwel and Friends, Jan. 16 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-86980-7). In the ninth installment of the Remixed Classics series, trans teen Oliver Bennet encounters Darcy, a surprisingly gentle soul despite his standoffish demeanor, and together the pair must decide between living within societal constraints or racing towards freedom.
Nightshade Revenge by Anthony Horowitz (Philomel, Jan. 16 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-69139-7). Spy Alex Rider had hopes of staying out of the intelligence world, but when his best friend is kidnapped by his latest rival and the criminal organization Nightshade, he must fall in line to keep his loved ones safe in the 14th book in the Alex Rider series.
The Summer Queen by Rochelle Hassan (Roaring Brook, Jan. 23 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-82225-3). As a new coven, Aziza, Leo, and Tristan make a deal with magical newcomers who offer them a challenge that sends them to the most dangerous parts of Elphame in the second book in the Buried and the Bound trilogy.
The War of the Witches by Zetta Elliott, illus. by Cherise Harris (Random House, Jan. 9 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-64862-9). With the ancient dragon The Scourge released, and its sights set on destroying the human realm, Jax and his friends must stop it before magic is taken from the world, in the fifth and final book in the Dragons in a Bag series.
