Lyfoung draws upon her experience growing up in France as the daughter of Hmong refugees from Laos in this bittersweet graphic novel memoir. The comprehensive narrative opens with a sequence of linear b&w panels that show Lyfoung—depicted first as a child, then teen, and finally as an adult—as she navigates conversational pitfalls relating to her background: off-page onlookers assume that she is Chinese, compliment her French, and question her ethnicity, until her response (“Me? I am Hmong”) halts the unseen questioner, unfamiliar with the term. Subsequent high-contrast comics chronicle the history of the Hmong as nomadic mountain people originally from Northern China; after migrating to Southern China in 2000 BCE, further displacement forces the Hmong to scatter throughout Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Visual gags and chibi-style characters engaging in physical humor add levity to the high-stakes accounting, soon connecting the overarching timeline to descendants of Lyfoung who’d later become key figures in the history of the Hmong in Laos. Of her ancestral tree, she writes, “We Lyfoungs have a family forest!” and by finding her place in that forest, she gains perspective, acceptance, and understanding. Ages 11–up. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 02/27/2026 | Details & Permalink

High-octane historical thriller meets cinematic narrative nonfiction in an arresting offering from Barone (Mountains of Fire) that chronicles the essential role that spies and double agents played in turning the tides during WWII. Opening information outlines the work’s key players; subsequent clear, concise prose introduces former spy and MI5 agent Thomas Argyll Robertson as he gathers an elite group of individuals in 1939 for what would become Operation Bodyguard, a disinformation scheme meant to deceive the Abwehr, Nazi Germany’s military intelligence organization. Propulsive, linear chapters with situating opening lines follow Robertson on his recruitment journey, dispensing brief backstories for each of the figures assembled, and including humanizing details such as the warm friendship between spies Dušan Popov and Johann Jebsen, and MI5 agent Lily Sergueiev’s love for her dog as well as the sexism she encountered throughout her career. Quotes from each of the double agents and those who knew them engenders from readers further empathy for the subjects’ plight and desire for their safety as dangers mount. Accessibly approaching the history of the war and chronicling significant battles in which the spies had a role, Barone spins an adventuresome survival tale that capitalizes on heart-wrenching moments to insert readers right into the action. Includes a bibliography and endnotes. Ages 10–14. Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 02/27/2026 | Details & Permalink

The paths of a changeling and the girl whose life she unknowingly stole unexpectedly collide in this spirited enemies-to-lovers fairy tale by Costa (Belle of the Ball). Shortly before her 18th birthday, Princess Aisling is kidnapped at knifepoint by Forget-Me-Not, a servant of the fae. When Forget-Me-Not wounds Aisling with an iron sword, the princess’s enchanted human glamour dissolves, revealing her true form: a purple-skinned creature with horns and a tail. Forget-Me-Not intends to take Aisling to the Seelie court, where she will return Aisling to her biological father, a fairy courtier, in exchange for freeing Forget-Me-Not from contracted servitude to the fae. Aisling struggles to adjust to her new form and the social and magical expectations of fairykind as the pair traverse the ever-changing landscape, facing off against powerful foes and confronting their shared past. Along the way, their relationship deepens toward romance, complicating Forget-Me-Not’s plans. Uncluttered illustrations and straightforward paneling allow the bright and colorful hues of the fairy realm to burst from the pages, making for a lively adventure. Aisling’s naivete and genuine belief in the power of love to conquer all juxtaposed with Forget-Me-Not’s jaded pragmatism and the malevolent cruelty of the surrounding magical world culminate in a thematically rich narrative. Ages 14–up. Agent: Allison Hellegers, Stimola Literary Studio. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 02/27/2026 | Details & Permalink

Hamdy (Lissa) and El Mir deliver a moving graphic novel that deftly explores a college student’s experience charting her own path while navigating a turbulent transitional period. Egyptian American artist Anisa, living in the U.S., struggles under the weight of her immigrant parents’ expectations: though she has no desire to become a doctor, Anisa dutifully enrolls in a combined undergrad-medical program. After a rough first semester—during which Anisa feels out of place and fails a class for the first time—she seizes the chance to spend a semester in Cairo with her beloved grandfather. While her family members cite myriad social and political reasons for not donning a headscarf in Cairo, Anisa opts to wear one, hoping it will help her blend in. Over the course of her stay, she finds that the garment soothes some of her appearance-related anxiety and offers other avenues for her to deepen her relationship to Islam. Additionally, the student begins an internship with a cartoonist at an Egyptian newspaper, an opportunity that allows her to hone her artistic storytelling. Layered explorations of complex intersections of identity, religion, and politics are accompanied by emotive b&w artwork, conveyed via impressively dynamic layouts with elaborate and immersive scenery. An author’s note and contextualizing information conclude. Ages 12–up. (May)

Reviewed on 02/27/2026 | Details & Permalink

Young rebels find love while fighting to save their respective kingdoms in this enchanting romantasy duology opener from Varga (For She Is Wrath). Astolans depend on the life magic that emanates from buried fae relics to keep their soil fertile, so when invading Angrezian soldiers start hunting down and sending off those relics to their greedy empress, Astola’s crops fail and famine spreads. Yaseema—an Astolan who can use magic to locate objects—believes that if not for the enchanted wall separating Astola from the fae realm, Peristan, life magic would flow freely into the kingdom. Beating Angrezian soldiers to a relic that grants passage to Peristan, Yaseema travels to the fae world seeking Queen Azari’s crown, an item powerful enough to destroy the wall. She’s not the only one looking, though; Kiyan, deposed prince of the River Court fae, hopes the crown’s magic can help him end the tyrannical occupation of his people’s land by the Salt Court fae. Tension mounts across Yaseema and Kiyan’s alternating narration, along which mutual trust and affection develop despite the high-stakes nature of their competition. Varga’s nuanced, intersectionally diverse characters illustrate the power of empathy, resistance, and sacrifice while entertaining readers with witty banter and feats of derring-do as they navigate an intricate, Pakistani mythology–inspired world. Ages 13–up. Agent: Paige Terlip, Andrea Brown Literary. (June)

Reviewed on 02/27/2026 | Details & Permalink

Prophecy meets pratfall in this gleefully self-aware fantasy from Sparkes (The Lighthouse at the World’s End). Ever since her family was eaten by a dragon, white-cued Tassalonia Monk has lived at the citadel on the Isles of Peryll. Now 12, Tassie learns that she is the Chosen One, destined to save the island from the return of the terrifying Shadow by reciting an ancient incantation. But Tassie is not convinced that she possesses the “meek spirit, a calm mind, and learning and wisdom beyond their years” that the prophecy foretold, so she recruits her best friend Spin, a gadget-inventing griffin, and sets out to find the true Chosen One. Along their journey, they acquire the dubious assistance and guidance of Darley, a young elf with a reputation for “theft, deception, and general sneakery.” Despite these apparently lackluster qualities, Darley proves useful as the trio faces off against threats dispatched by the Shadow to eliminate the Chosen One. Tongue-in-cheek subversions of classic fantasy tropes situate this chaotic adventure, which eschews deeper magical worldbuilding in favor of humorous character dynamics and anachronistic touches like restroom hand-dryers and parenting guides made of bound parchment with glossy magazine covers. Dangling plot threads seed excitement for future installments while delivering an appealing fantastical experience. Ages 9–12. (May)

Reviewed on 02/27/2026 | Details & Permalink

A begrudging family visit curdles into something more sinister in this gothic-tinged chiller from Applebaum (the Princess Minna series). Young Fran is not happy that she must spend a week with her bossy cousin Imogen while Fran’s parents are away at a conference. When Fran arrives at her uncle Pete and aunt Liz’s house, however, Imogen is nowhere to be found, and her aunt and uncle act as though Imogen never existed. What first feels like a cruel joke turns eerie as she discovers Imogen’s room coated in dust, and a final journal entry dated 11 months back that describes her cousin’s plan to enter a hidden garden at a neighboring estate. Though rumors warn that the garden is unsafe, Fran endeavors to find a way in, because “if I’m the only one who can remember her, then it’s up to me to find her.” Short chapters alternate between Fran’s fierce first-person narration and the history of the hidden garden and its statues, amplifying eco-horror elements as Fran’s infiltration of the grounds takes a disturbing turn. The protagonist’s valiant determination to set things right injects an atmosphere of optimism into a creepy and suspenseful premise. The main characters cue as white. Ages 9–12. (May)

Reviewed on 02/27/2026 | Details & Permalink

In this wholesome verse novel by Applegate (Pocket Bear), based on a true story, a small stray dog scrapes out a living in a local park when Santa Ana winds ignite a devastating wildfire that sets the canine on a collision course with a similarly affected human family. Though instinct urges the dog to flee from the fire as it approaches the park, “a voice, soft and sure,” draws her toward the blaze. Meanwhile, tween Henry Cooper, his two mothers, and his younger sister are forced to evacuate their home for a shelter. Henry loves helping his veterinarian Mama Ro at a wildlife center, but a past trauma has left him wary of dogs. As fate nudges boy and pooch toward each other, both must decide whether they are ready to trust. The canine’s endearing restlessness and aching to belong makes for a winning protagonist. While a happy ending is telegraphed early on, the narrative remains charged, with harrowing descriptions of the disaster—drawn from Southern California’s recent fires—balanced by an undercurrent of hope. Expressive, realistic b&w illustrations from Bricking (Ivy and Forest Rewrite the World) amplify the emotional resonance. Henry is described as having light brown skin. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Heirloom Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Justin Rucker, Shannon Assoc. (May)

Reviewed on 02/27/2026 | Details & Permalink

Previous collaborators Schmidt and Koertge (A Day at the Beach) present an introspective story of unlikely connection across an action-adventure plot with Percy Jackson appeal. After spending 2,451 years in the underworld, 12-year-old Simon of Lacedaemon, who died trying to defend his village from the Spartans, finally escapes. He emerges from a portal in present-day St. Paul, Minn., and finds himself in the seventh grade boys’ bathroom of St. Nikolaos Academy, where he meets meek-mannered social outcast Zeke Tripps. As the two become fast friends, Zeke offers to take temporally displaced Simon home with him. Masquerading as Zeke’s cousin from Las Vegas, Simon tries to adjust to modernity, even as memories of his previous mortal life continue to haunt him. Back in the underworld, news of his escape rocks the kingdom, prompting its rulers to dispatch a demonic bounty hunter to bring him back. The running theme of Simon’s kindness affecting and improving the lives of those around him, both in the underworld and on Earth, gives the novel an emotionally rich undercurrent, while parallel character arcs—including Simon’s contending with past trauma, Zeke’s managing deep-set loneliness, and others—emphasize warm messaging that highlights myriad paths toward healing. Main characters cue as white. Ages 8–12. (May)

Reviewed on 02/27/2026 | Details & Permalink

In this raucous comedy by Nelson (A Batch Made in Heaven), a newly blended family navigates growing pains while embarking on a “familymoon.” Twelve-year-old writer Cricket, 11-year-old aspiring naturist Flossie, and quiet seven-year-old Parker Merrivale are just getting used to living with their new stepbrothers, eight-year-old survival guide aficionado Darwin and mischievous six-year-old Newt Buckfort, when their parents announce that the whole family is driving to Yellowstone National Park on a vacation that will “fuse us with some great forever glue.” It turns out, however, that piling two adults, five children, and a very large dog into an ancient motor home (affectionately dubbed Titan) makes for cramped quarters. And as they set off, the road trip soon devolves into chaos, with the forced proximity providing ample opportunity for hijinks, emotional friction, and—hopefully—familial bonding. Alternating third-person narration primarily centers Cricket, who chafes against eldest-child responsibilities and fears that the trip will do more harm than good. Lush prose depicts the natural wonders of Yellowstone, against which the white-cued family members endeavor to come together despite their disparate interests and personalities. Partially based on Nelson’s own childhood experiences, per an endnote, it’s a funny and frenetic summertime romp brimming with heart. Ages 8–12. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Aevitas Creative Management. (May)

Reviewed on 02/27/2026 | Details & Permalink