ALGONQUIN
Algonquin Young Readers gets in the autumn spirit with A Room Away from the Wolves by Nova Ren Suma, a ghost story set in a refuge for troubled girls deep in the heart of New York City; Here to Stay by Sara Farizan, a novel about fighting racism and Islamophobia and finding your voice; (Don’t) Call Me Crazy: 30+ Voices Start the Conversation About Mental Health, ed. by Kelly Jensen, a conversation starter and guide to better understanding the ways our mental health affects us every day, featuring contributors Libba Bray, Adam Silvera, and Victoria Schwab, and more; You Are the Everything by Karen Rivers, a story about life lived and lost, and what two teens hold onto in the wake of a tragic plane crash; and The End of the World by Avi, sequel to the Newbery Medalist’s The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts.
ABRAMS
Abrams does a twirl with The Dress and the Girl by Camille Andros, illus. by Julie Morstad, depicting the life and adventures of a girl and her favorite dress, including immigrating to the U.S. from Greece; Princesses Save the World by Savannah Guthrie and Allison Oppenheim, illus. by Eva Byrne, in which the actions of a beekeeping princess save Pineapple Kingdom’s fruits, vegetables, and flowers; I Am Human by Susan Verde, illus. by Peter H. Reynolds, a celebration of empathy and compassion for all the members of our one big, imperfect globe-spanning human family; Prayer for the Animals by Daniel Kirk, a verse blessing all the creatures of the earth; and Elizabeth Warren: Nevertheless, She Persisted by Susan Wood, illus. by Sarah Green, a picture book biography of the first female senator from Massachusetts.
ABRAMS/AMULET
Amulet Books sweeps into fall with The Soot Golem by Jonathan Auxier, about an orphaned chimney sweep assistant in 19th-century England, who unwittingly creates a golem that keeps her company while she awaits her missing father’s return; Stain by A.G. Howard, in which an exiled princess raised by a witch must prove herself in a variety of un-princess-like tests to win back her kingdom and her betrothed prince; The Faithful Spy by John Hendrix, presenting the story of German Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his fight against the Nazi party; The Princess and the Absolutely Not a Princess by Emma Wunsch, showcasing a social justice standoff between two third-grade classmates—entitled Princess Miranda and rule abiding, hard-boiled-egg aficionada Maude; and The Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleas, a Southern Gothic horror novel featuring a 16-year-old girl who tries to get back the demon that was cast out of her during an exorcism.
ABRAMS/APPLESEED
Appleseed rides the rails with All Aboard! Christmas by Nichole Mara, illus. by Andrew Kolb, an accordion-fold book featuring passenger train cars occupied by Santa Claus, other festive characters, and holiday objects; Super Pooper and the Whizz Kid by Hello! Lucky, an introduction to toilet training; My Little Gifts by Jo Witek, illus. by Christine Roussey, which explores the many types of gifts one can give; and Look! by Robie Harris, illus. by Natascha Rosenberg, which catalogues and introduces to babies the names of their body parts via repetitive verse.
AKASHIC/BLACK SHEEP
Black Sheep gets fired up for fall with Liza Jane and the Dragon by Laura Lippman, illus. by Kate Samworth, in which Liza Jane hires a dragon to take the place of her seemingly distracted parents.
ALBERT WHITMAN
Albert Whitman straps on its goggles for Teach Your Giraffe to Ski by Viviane Elbee, illus. by Danni Gowdy, featuring a cautious narrator and his more daring friend, Giraffe, on the slopes; Baby Explorer: Leaves by Carol Lawrence, illus. by Francesco Zito, kicking off a board book series that encourages babies’ exploration of their world; The Wheels on the…Uh-Oh! by Sue Tarsky, illus. by Alex Willmore, a twist on the familiar song that finds the community pulling together when the bus gets a flat tire; Delivery Bear by Laura Gehl, illus. by Paco Sordo, about a bear who wants to make cookie deliveries, in spite of the fact that the customers fear him; and There’s a Hole in My Garden by James Stewart, in which a boy plants a marble in his garden one January morning, and sees unusual returns each month of the subsequent calendar year.
ALBERT WHITMAN/AW TEEN
AW Teen keeps its eyes peeled for The Spy with the Red Balloon by Katherine Locke, a companion to The Girl with the Red Balloon, in which two queer Jewish siblings fight the nuclear arms race during WWII with magic; and Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan, featuring a famous outlaw who is sent to train at the Star Force academy and must form an unlikely alliance to survive there.
AMICUS INK
Amicus Ink calls “All aboard!” for The Mighty Steam Engine by Yvonne Ng, illus. by Stephanie Bauer, a cumulative rhyme that offers a peek at the inner workings of a train’s steam engine; Twinkle Twinkle Little Lamb by Bridget Heos, illus. by Sarah Jennings, in which a girl inadvertently creates a mash-up of two favorite nursery rhymes; I’ve Got Eyes! by Julie Murphy, illus. by Hannah Tolson, featuring animals in various habitats who describe the unique features of their eyes; Riddle Diddle Farm and Riddle Diddle Safari by Diane Z. Shore and Deanna Calvert, illus. by Stephanie Bauer, two lift-the-flap board books filled with riddles about farm and safari animals, respectively.
ANDERSEN PRESS USA
Andersen Press USA lumbers into fall with Elmer’s Walk by David McKee, about the patchwork elephant’s attempts to achieve mindfulness; An Anty-War Story by Tony Ross, starring a big, strong ant who searches for the best way to volunteer when war comes to Antworld; I Was Made for You by David Lucas, in which Cat asks the world, “Why was I made?”; and Not Just a Book by Jeanne Willis, illus. by Tony Ross, exploring the potential of a book to be many things.
ANNICK PRESS
Annick Press follows the docent for Anna at the Museum by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Herbert, illus. by Lil Crump, about a girl’s discovery of beautiful paintings; A Boy and a House by Maja Kastelic, a wordless picture book in which a boy is drawn into a house and meets a new friend; That’s Not Hockey! by Andree Poulin, illus. by Felix Girard, the story of Jacques Plante, a hockey goalie who revolutionized the game by becoming the first to wear a protective mask; Anyone’s Game: Cross Ups Book 2 by Sylv Chiang, illus. by Connie Choi, the continued adventures of Jaden and his friends as they try to master the video game Cross Ups and life in middle school; and The House of One Thousand Eyes by Michelle Barker, the story of a young woman navigating her way through the repressive, paranoiac society of East Germany in the 1980s.
BLOOMSBURY
Bloomsbury pulls out the art supplies for Crafty Llama by Mike Kerr, illus. by Renata Liwska, the story of how Llama knits while she thinks and creates useful gifts for her friends that inspire them to make their own crafts; The Splintered Light by Ginger Johnson, a debut middle-grade novel featuring a 10-year-old boy living in a black-and-white world who discovers he can see color; Art in Action: Make a Statement, Change Your World by Matthew Johnson, featuring DIY instructions that encourage kids to create art projects with purpose at home, school, or in their community; The Girl King by Mimi Yu, an Asian-inspired fantasy that follows two sisters who become unwitting rivals in a war to claim the title of Emperor; and The World of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, a guide to the characters, creatures, and countries of the fantasy world Erilea from the Throne of Glass series.
BOYDS MILLS PRESS
Boyds Mills casts off for Garbage Island by Fred Koehler, first in the Nearly Always Perilous Adventures of Archibald Shrew series, in which Archibald and a mouse pal are lost at sea and try to navigate to their home in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch; The Three Rules of Everyday Magic by Amanda Rawson Hill, a middle grade novel that finds Kate confronting friendship trouble, her parents’ divorce, and Grammy’s dementia; The Secret Life of the Little Brown Bat by Laurence Pringle, illus. by Kate Garchinsky, a year in the life of a brown bat named Otis; and I Just Like You by Suzanne Bloom, espousing the idea that we can like each other just the way we are.
BOYDS MILLS/CALKINS CREEK
Calkins Creek plots a course with Memphis, Martin and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968 by Alice Faye Duncan, illus. by R. Gregory Christie, the story of nine-year-old Alice, who witnesses Dr. Martin Luther King’s last stand for justice as she marches with her parents for safer working conditions; Cyrus Field’s Big Dreams: Laying the First Transatlantic Telegraph Cable by Mary Morton Cowan, celebrating a great engineering feat of the 19th century; Ski Soldier: A World War II Biography by Louise Borden, profiling Pete Seibert of the 10th Mountain Division, who went on to found the Vail ski resort after he was severely wounded in battle; Blacklisted!: The Hollywood Ten on Trial by Larry Dane Brimner, about the men in the film industry investigated for suspected Communist ties during the Cold War; and Spooked!: How Radio Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America by Gail Jarrow, focused on the famous 1938 radio broadcast of War of the Worlds and the effect it had on the country.
BOYDS MILLS/WORDSONG
Wordsong marks up its list with A Bunch of Punctuation by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illus. by Serge Bloch, a collection of new poems from the points of view of various punctuation marks.
CAMERON KIDS
Cameron Kids wipes its eyes for Ode to an Onion by Alexandria Giardino, illus. by Felicita Sala, which pays tribute to the onion and also to poet Pablo Neruda and his muse Matilde; Boats on the Bay by Jeanne Walker Harvey, illus. by Grady McFerrin, a look at the numerous boats that traverse the bay each day; and Owl Love You by Matt Heroux, illus. by Wednesday Kirwan, about a mama owl who rouses her baby at dusk to explore the nighttime world.
CANDLEWICK
Candlewick drives into fall with Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina, in which Merci’s adjustments to sixth-grade include dealing with a jealous, bossy classmate and worries about her grandfather at home; Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise by David Ezra Stein, which finds the little red chicken tackling a story-filled homework assignment with Papa’s help; Good Rosie! by Kate DiCamillo, illus. by Harry Bliss, about a dog’s efforts to make friends at the local dog park; The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin, the tale of an elfin historian who embarks on a mission to spy on the goblin kingdom across the mountains, and the misunderstandings and international crisis that ensue; and Zora and Me: The Cursed Ground by T.R. Simon, featuring a young Zora Neale Hurston and her best friend, who uncover a dark mystery about their hometown that involves an enslaved girl from decades earlier.
CANDLEWICK ENTERTAINMENT
Candlewick Entertainment turns up the music for Bear Moves by Ben Bailey Smith, illus. by Sav Akyuz, in which Bear shows off his best dance moves to the beat of Bunny’s boom box; and tie-ins to the following television programs: Hank Zipzer, Dot, and Peg + Cat.
CANDLEWICK STUDIO
Candlewick Studio captures the hustle and bustle with A World of Cities by Lily Murray, illus. by James Brown, which offers profiles of distinctive cities from around the globe; City by Ingela P. Arrhenius, depicting such iconic urban images as skyscrapers and subways; Magnificent Birds, illus. by Narisa Togo, a catalogue of the world’s birds, illustrated with linocut prints; The Dam by David Arnold, illus. by Levi Pinfold, featuring a tale inspired by true events, about an English village once home to folk music that was lost when a dam and manmade lake flooded it out; and Beyond the Sixth Extinction by Shawn Sheehy, a collection of pop-ups that imagine the year 4847 and take a closer look at the sixth global extinction—already underway—propelled by human activity on Earth.
CANDLEWICK/BIG PICTURE PRESS
Big Picture Press gathers ’round for A Pandemonium of Parrots and Other Animals by Kate Baker, illus. by Hui Skipp, celebrating the collective names for groups of various animals; Around the World in 80 Puzzles by Aleksandra Artymowska, featuring mazes, missing object hunts, and modes of transport inspired by Jules Verne’s iconic novel; Little Christmas Tree by Jessica Courtney Tickle, a lift-the-flap exploration of nature that depicts a Christmas tree’s transformation in the snowy forest; and Highest Mountain, Deepest Ocean: A Compendium of Wonders by Kate Baker, illus. by Page Tsou, which showcases superlatives and comparisons from the natural world.
CANDLEWICK/NOSY CROW
Nosy Crow steps up with I’m in Charge by Jeanne Willis, illus. by Jarvis, about a rhino who likes to make the rules; Stardust by Jeanne Willis, illus. by Briony May Smith, in which a girl who seems to always be in the shadow of her older sister takes comfort in her grandfather’s tale of what makes everyone shine in a different way; Sing a Song of Seasons, illus. by Frann Preston-Gannon, an anthology of 366 nature poems; Oliver Elephant by Lou Peacock, illus. by Helen Stephens, focusing on Noah, who loses his beloved toy during a shopping outing with his mom; and ABC: Learning at the Museum, illus. by the Trustees of the British Museum, which introduces the alphabet with images of objects from the British Museum.
CANDLEWICK/TEMPLAR
Templar battens down the hatches for Storm by Sam Usher, in which a boy and his grandfather venture out in windy pre-storm weather to fly a kite; Dino by Diego Vaisberg, about a dinosaur that hatches in the backyard and then wreaks havoc in the house; The Real Boat by Marina Aromshtam, illus. by Victoria Antolini, the story of a paper boat that longs to go to the ocean and be a “real” boat; I Am Actually a Penguin by Sam Taylor, illus. by Kasia Matyjaszek, spotlighting a girl who dresses in a penguin costume and tries to behave like a penguin; and Dungeons and Dragons: Endless Quest: To Catch a Thief by Matt Forbeck, a choose-your-own-fate adventure set in a world from the Dungeons and Dragons game.
CAPSTONE
Capstone pulls up a chair for The Kiddie Table by Colleen Madden, about an eight-year-old girl’s impassioned plea to be elevated to the adult table at Thanksgiving; Copyboy by Vince Vawter, a sequel following the adventures of Victor Vollmer, the hero of Paperboy; Gabi’s If/Then Garden by Caroline Karania, in which two best friends explore concepts of computer programming in their daily lives; Harrison P. Spader, Personal Space Invader by Christianne Jones, illus. by Cale Atkinson, featuring a boy who learns, via rhyme, the importance of allowing personal space; and Meet Yasmin! by Saadia Faruqi, illus. by Hatem Aly, starring a spirited second-grader and her multi-generational Pakistani family.
CHARLESBRIDGE
Charlesbridge rides the rails with Night Train, Night Train by Robert Burleigh, illus. by Wendell Minor, about a boy’s travels as an overnight passenger on a train in the 1940s; A Moon for Moe and Mo by Jane Breskin Zalben, illus. by Mehrdohkt Amini, focusing on the friendship of a Jewish boy and a Muslim boy who live in Brooklyn; Someone Else’s Shoes by Ellen Wittlinger, in which 12-year-old Izzy and her family adjust to a new dynamic when her uncle and cousin move in following her aunt’s suicide; We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illus. by Frané Lessac, which follows a full year of Cherokee celebrations that honor the creation of the world; and Ellie May on April Fools’ Day by Hillary Homzie, illus. by Jeffrey Ebbeler, the story of how second-grader Ellie’s pranks turn her home and classroom upside down.
CHARLESBRIDGE TEEN
Charlesbridge Teen makes the cut with Select Few by Marit Weisenberg, about a girl’s road trip to California to find her mom and discover a way into her father’s secret, cult-like world; and Twice Dead by Caitlin Seal, in which 17-year-old Maya is murdered and awakens to find herself one of the undead, forced to become a spy for her country.
CHRONICLE
Chronicle Books put on its most festive hardhat for Construction Site on Christmas Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illus. by A.G. Ford, which visits the construction site on a special night; What Can a Citizen Do? by Dave Eggers, illus. by Shawn Harris, a humorous civics primer for young readers; Hungry Bunny by Claudia Rueda, in which readers help Bunny climb a tree and pick apples, then bring them home; Ivy & Bean #11 by Annie Barrows, illus. by Sophie Blackall, about the friends’ attempts to prove that Ivy is not a spoiled only child; and Art Boss by Kayla Cagan, a companion to Piper Perish, featuring a teenage girl who follows her lifelong dream of moving to New York City to attend art school and must figure out what it means to live as a working artist.
CHRONICLE/HANDPRINT
Handprint is counting on a fine fall with TouchThinkLearn: 1-2-3 by Xavier Deneaux, a die-cut board book about numbers that also serves as a guessing game.
CREATIVE EDITIONS
Creative Editions bonds with You and Me by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, illus. by Susan Reagan, an illustrated poem about an older sibling and a new baby who crave “you and me” time; My Clementine by Amy Novesky, story and illus. by Roberto Innocenti, presents the adventures of a cargo ship, narrated by her captain; Phrases of the Moon by J. Patrick Lewis, illus. by Jori van der Linde, features poems that celebrate the mysterious celestial orb; The Hunter by Jan Wahl, illus. by Tim Jessell, in which a hunter makes an unexpected choice when confronted by the beauty of a fall day; and Dot, Stripe, Squiggle by Sarah Tuttle, illus. by Miriam Nerlove, featuring the patterns found in sea creatures.
DISNEY/DISNEY-HYPERION
Disney-Hyperion checks its list twice for Santa Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins, in which the curmudgeonly bear and his goslings are preparing for Christmas; Sleepy, the Goodnight Buddy by Drew Daywalt, illus. by Scott Campbell, featuring a talkative stuffed animal that disrupts a boy’s bedtime routine; The S.Q.U.A.D., Book 1 by Melissa de la Cruz, about a band of misfit teens who discover they have superpowers stemming from their respective cultures; 9 From the Nine Worlds by Rick Riordan, delivering nine original stories from Norse mythology, told from the points of view of characters from his Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series; and Prosper Redding: The Last Life of Prince Alastor by Alexandra Bracken, continuing the tale of a contemporary New England boy who must rid himself of a demon inhabiting his body and break his family’s curse.
DISNEY/FREEFORM
Freeform is on the case with The Amateurs, Book 3: Last Seen by Sara Shepard, in which four teens attempt to solve a string of murders; and Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, about a teen bribed by her estranged grandmother to participate in a debutante ball where she may meet the father she’s never known.
DISNEY/HYPERION
Hyperion obtains a visa for Expats by Rachel Cohn, a Tokyo-set novel featuring a foster kid who is taken in by her wealthy biological father and introduced to his lavish, exclusive world; Umbertouched by Livia Blackburne, sequel to the YA fantasy novel Rosemarked; Undying by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, continuing the adventures of the romantic sci-fi title Unearthed; The Great Big One by J.C. Geiger, focusing on grief, love, and music, with the ever-present threat of a tsunami waiting to happen; and Love a la Mode by Stephanie Kate Strohm, in which Rosie and Henry balance rivalry and romance as students in an elite cooking program in Paris.
DK
DK is programmed for fall with The Robot Book, a look at robotic technology through the ages; Lego Star Wars Idea Book, featuring Star Wars-inspired building projects; Peek and Seek by Charlotte Milner, an interactive concept book; My Encyclopedia of Very Important Dinosaurs, focused on facts about the prehistoric world; and Baby’s First Christmas, which introduces such friends as a snowman, a penguin, and Santa.
EERDMANS
Eerdmans shakes its pom-poms for I’ll Root for You by Edward van de Vendel, illus. by Wolf Erlbruch, showcasing humorous poems about sports; The Little Barbarian by Renato Moriconi, the story of a hero and his trusty steed as they face many obstacles; Outside My Window by Linda Ashman, illus. by Jamey Christoph, in which children from around the world describe what they see when they look out their windows; Paul Writes (a Letter) by Chris Raschka, an illustrated retelling of the New Testament epistles, featuring the Apostle Paul; and A Story Like the Wind by Gill Lewis, illus. by Jo Weaver, about the hopeful story that a refugee tells to the rest of his group to help pass the time while they are adrift at sea in a small boat.
FABER & FABER
Faber & Faber serves up The Goat Café by Francesca Simon, illus. by Leo Broadley, in which goats chomp their way from one garden to the next, eating their fill; The Goblin Princess: Smoky the Dragon Baby by Jenny O’Connor, illus. by Kate Willis-Crowley, first in a new adventure series about a goblin who’s too nice; Snow by Walter de la Mare, illus. by Carolina Rabei, a poem celebrating the wonder of the white stuff; and The Twelve Days of Christmas by Anna Wright, which reinterprets the familiar carol.
FREE SPIRIT
Free Spirit gets real with Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Challenges by Garth Sundem, presenting stories from kids around the globe who have overcome difficulties in their lives; and Worries Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick, illus. by Marieka Heinlen, an exploration of what worries are and how one can ease them.
GETTY
Getty greets fall with Cleo and Cornelius by Elizabeth Nicholson, Janine Pibal, and Nick Geller, illus. by Michelle Thies, retelling one of Aesop’s fables with two kittens from Ancient Egypt in the starring roles.
GRAPHIC ARTS
Graphic Arts gallops into the season with Hank and Gertie by Eric A. Kimmel, illus. by Mara Penny, a spin on “Hansel and Gretel” in which frontier-era kids Hank and Gertie encounter a lasso-wielding, banjo-playing witch.
GROUNDWOOD
Groundwood is all smiles for I’m Glad That You’re Happy by Nahid Kazemi, featuring a friendship between two plants; Bitter and Sweet by Sandra V. Feder, illus. by Krysten Brooker, exploring how Hannah, who’s just moved to a new city, takes solace in her grandmother’s words about how she felt when she left the old country; Mustafa by Marie-Louise Gay, about a lonely refugee child who befriends the “girl-with-a-cat” he encounters in the park; Dodger Boy by Sarah Ellis, in which everything changes for Charlotte when a draft dodger comes to stay with her family in 1970s Vancouver; and Cold White Sun by Sue Farrell Holler, about a boy who is smuggled out of Ethiopia to Canada and must leave his family behind when his home country becomes too dangerous.
HARLEQUIN TEEN
Harlequin Teen is on the romance beat with Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak by Adi Alsaid, about a high school advice e-columnist hoping to understand her own breakup by chronicling the demise of another couple’s relationship; Access Restricted by Gregory Scott Katsoulis, the follow-up to the fantasy All Rights Reserved, in which Speth and her followers have liberated the city of Vermaine; The Iron Flower by Laurie Forest, continuing the adventures of Elloren in the Black Witch Chronicles; When Elephants Fly by Nancy Richardson Fischer, in which Tiger Lily’s assignment as a newspaper intern is to travel with a circus and cover the birth of a baby elephant; and Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa, first in a series starring a fox shapeshifter and inspired by Japanese mythology.
HARPERCOLLINS
HarperCollins sings the praises of Good Dog by Cori Doerrfeld, which follows a stray puppy who exemplifies what it means to be a “good dog”; Estranged by Ethan M. Aldridge, a debut fantasy graphic novel about a boy and the changeling who took his place; Broken Things by Lauren Oliver, in which two girls fight to learn the truth about the murder of their friend; Echo’s Sister by Paul Mosier, about the effect two sisters—one of whom is battling cancer—have on their community; Mascot by Antony Joh, in which a boy in a wheelchair after an accident must come to terms with his new reality; Voyage of the Dogs by Greg Van Eekhout, the tale of four dogs who complete an imperiled mission into space; A Home in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown, illus. by Jerry Pinkney, a never-before published picture book about animals seeking shelter from the cold; Presto and Zesto in Limboland by Arthur Yorinks and Maurice Sendak, illus. by Sendak, celebrating the creators’ longtime friendship; and Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech, the tale of a boy who lovingly nurses an ailing donkey back to health.
HARPERCOLLINS/BALZER + BRAY
Balzer + Bray saddles up for Horse Meets Dog, in which a tiny horse and a big dog think they’re the same species; What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera, a tale of two teen boys who are determined to defy fate and find love after a few failed dates; Pride by Ibi Zoboi, a reimagining of Pride and Prejudice set in contemporary Brooklyn; This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kheryn Callender, featuring Nathan, who may start believing in happy endings after his childhood best friend and former crush Ollie moves back to town; and Damsel by Elana K. Arnold, delivering a dark fairy tale of female oppression and empowerment.
HARPERCOLLINS/BLINK
Blink reaches out with Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan, in which King Midas’s daughter, turned to gold by her father, must face her curse and save her kingdom; and Meet the Sky by McCall Hoyle, about a girl trapped on an island on the Outer Banks with one other person as a hurricane approaches.
HARPERFESTIVAL
HarperFestival is on the front line with Mulan, the Legend of the Woman Warrior by Faye-Lynn Wu, illus. by Joy Ang, retelling “The Ballad of Mulan” about a girl who disguises herself to join the army in her father’s place; Soldier Dogs 2: Attack on Pearl Harbor, following 12 year-old Joe and Navy Dog Skipper as they fight to survive on the USS West Virginia during this bombing; The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains by Annie Silvestro, illus. by Paola Zakimi, featuring a Christmas tree and a boy who share a passion for locomotives; I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home by Kathryn Cristaldi, illus. by Kristyna Litten, paying tribute to some of the ways families express love for each other; and various tie-ins to the Disney Channel program Fancy Nancy.
HARPERCOLLINS/GREENWILLOW
Greenwillow puckers up for A Kiss for Akaraka by Richard Jackson, illus. by E.B. Goodale, peeking in on a father, a daughter, a pile of leaves, and an imaginary friend who may—or may not—be helping with the raking; Mapping Sam by Joyce Hesselberth, focusing on the nighttime explorations of a cat named Sam; Winter Is Here by Kevin Henkes, illus. by Laura Dronzek, the duo’s third installment in a seasonal quartet of picture books; The Collectors by Jacqueline West, in which a boy discovers an underground world where wishes are stolen and dreams have a price; and For a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig, first in a fantasy trilogy that blends the cultures of South Asia and colonial-era France and features a girl with powers to bind the souls of the dead.
HARPERTEEN
HarperTeen creates a spark with When We Caught Fire by Anna Godbersen, relating the fictional story of the love triangle that started Chicago’s Great Fire; Four Three Two One by Courtney Stevens, in which four survivors of a bus bombing take a road trip back to the same city block where it happened; Seven Deadly Shadows by Courtney Alameda and Valynne Maetani, following 17-year-old Kira, a contemporary Japanese girl who enlists the help of seven deadly demons to help her save the world; The Healer by Donna Freitas, about a teen girl who gives up her power to heal just when she needs it most; The Vanishing Kingdom by Laura E. Weymouth, which asks the question, What happens when you come home from a fantasy world like Narnia?; Thorn by Intisar Khanani, a fantasy retelling of the “Goose Girl”; Resist by Veronica Chambers, profiling famous—and not so famous—activists in history; and Undercover Princess by Connie Glynn, launching a middle-grade princess-and-the-pauper fantasy series, the Rosewood Chronicles.
HARPERCOLLINS/WALDEN POND
Walden Pond Press follows the map to The Treasure of Mad Doc Magee by Elinor Teele, a puzzle-filled romp set in Gold Rush-era Australia; and A Perilous Journey of Danger and Mayhem by Christopher Healy, kicking off a middle-grade series set in the late 19th century and spotlighting such characters as Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell.
HOLIDAY HOUSE
Holiday House baits a hook for Noodleheads Find Something Fishy by Tedd Arnold, Martha Hamilton, and Mitch Weiss, illus. by Arnold, new stories about gullible Noodlehead brothers Mac and Mac; News from Me, Lucy McGee by Mary Amato, illus. by Jessica Meserve, introducing a chapter book series about a high-spirited heroine and her songwriting club friends; Island War by Patricia Reilly Giff, which follows two children hiding out on a Japanese-occupied Aleutian island during WWII; Realm of Ruins by Hannah West, companion to fantasy title Kingdom of Ash and Briars, about a girl battling a time-bending resurrection spell; and The 48 by Donna Hosie, featuring time-traveling teen assassins who descend on Henry VIII’s Tudor court.
HOLIDAY HOUSE/FERGUSON
Margaret Ferguson Books explores the finer things in Very Rich, which finds 10-year-old Rupert in a series of adventures when he inadvertently spends Christmas with the wealthiest family in town.
HOLIDAY HOUSE/PORTER
Neal Porter Books ushers in fall with Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, in which Morales relates her own immigration story about how she learned English through the picture books she shared with her young son.
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT
HMH curtsies for Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers, launching a new duology set in the world of the His Fair Assassin series, where a trained assassin goes undercover in the French court to save the newly crowned queen; Bad Babysitters by Caroline Cala, about three 12-year-old friends who start a babysitting club and encounter a sequence of disastrous situations; Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepard, which kicks off a YA fantasy duology focusing on a society of magic handlers in modern-day Paris; and How to Be a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery, illus. by Rebecca Green, Montgomery’s memoir reflecting on the personalities of 13 animals who have profoundly affected and changed her life.
HMH/CLARION
Clarion blasts off with Path to the Stars by Sylvia Acevedo, a memoir from the Latina rocket scientist whose early life was transformed by her membership in the Girl Scouts, and who now serves as CEO of the organization; Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt, the story of Carter and his family who are making the best of things while Carter’s dad is deployed; Girl in the Locked Room by Mary Downing Hahn, a ghost story about a girl imprisoned for more than a century, and how she got there; Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian by Jacob Sager Weinstein, in which a young reading enthusiast must save the day when a villain threatens to destroy all the books in the world; and Bluecrowne by Kate Milford, an adventure tale set in the world of Greenglass House, which features smugglers, magic, and pyrotechnics.
KANE MILLER
Kane Miller paddles into fall with Ludwig the Sea Dog by Henning Löhlein, an underwater adventure; Boy by Phil Cummings, illus. by Shane Devries, about a deaf boy who helps save his kingdom by communicating with his “dancing hands”; Luna Loves Library Day by Joseph Coelho, illus. by Fiona Lumbers, a look at Luna’s favorite day—the one she spends with books and her father; What a Wonderful Word by Nicola Edwards, illus. by Luisa Uribe, a collection of untranslatable words from around the world; and Where’s Jane? by Rebecca Smith, illus. by Katy Dockrill, featuring synopses of Jane Austen novels, and illustrations in which the author and her characters are hidden.
KAR-BEN
Kar-Ben straps on its toe shoes for An Unlikely Ballerina by Krystyna Poray Goddu, illus. by Cosei Kawa, the true story of Alicia Markova, the Jewish woman who overcame a physical handicap in her legs to perform as a world=famous ballerina; The Edelweiss Pirates by Jennifer Elvgren, illus. by Daniela Stamatiadi, in which Albert joins a secret group of young people who defy the Hitler Youth and work against the Nazis; and Who’s Got the Etrog? by Jane Kohuth, illus. by Elissambura, which focuses on a woman who builds a sukkah in her Ugandan garden, leading curious wildlife to come celebrate the Sukkot holiday.
KIDS CAN PRESS
Kids Can slithers into the season with The Reptile Club by Maureen Fergus, illus. by Elina Ellis, about a boy who starts a reptile club at his school and is astonished when reptiles, not classmates, show up for the first meeting; Big Words Small Stories: The Missing Donut by Judith Henderson, illus. by T.L. McBeth, a series-starter in which a boy named Cris and his cat Crat discover new words and how to pronounce them; Team Steve by Kelly Collier, following Steve the exceptional horse and his participation in a relay race; Sleep, Sheep #68! by Kerry Lyn Sparrow, illus. by Guillaume Perrault, the story of a boy counting sheep at bedtime who needs to coax one reluctant sheep that is holding up the process; and Wild Buildings and Bridges by Etta Kaner, illus. by Carl Wiens, introducing innovative buildings that cool themselves, withstand earthquakes, save energy, and more.
KIDS CAN/KCP LOFT
KCP Loft swoons for Kiss Me in Paris by Catherine Rider, chronicling Serena’s romantic all-night picture-taking tour of the City of Light with her sister’s friend, who is a photography student; The Last Wish of Sasha Cade by Cheyanne Young, in which Raquel finds a letter from her late best friend that sends her on a scavenger hunt with Sasha’s brother; The Leading Edge of Now by Marci Lyn Curtis, about Grace’s flashbacks that reveal to her new details of a sexual assault she has suppressed for years; and Me and Me by Alice Kuipers, a novel told in alternating narratives about a girl’s decision between saving the life of either her new boyfriend, or the girl she used to babysit.
LEE & LOW
Lee & Low shambles along with Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies by Megan and Jorge Lacera, following young zombie Mo, who persuades his zombie parents to try vegetables; Galápagos Girl by Marsha Diane Arnold, illus. by Angela Dominguez, a bilingual story about a girl who lives on one of the Galápagos islands and the animals she befriends there; Under My Hijab by Hena Khan, illus. by Aaliya Jaleel, shows a girl celebrating the Muslim women in her life and all the ways they wear the hijab; I Remember: Poems and Pictures of Heritage, ed. by Lee Bennett Hopkins, a collection of original poems and illustrations from various artists who reflect on their childhoods growing up in the U.S.; and Benji, the Bad Day, and Me by Sally J. Pla, illus. by Ken Min, portraying the bond between two brothers, one autistic and one neurotypical, when they have a bad day.
LERNER/CAROLRHODA
Carolrhoda gets the party started with A Fall Ball for All by Jamie A. Swenson, illus. by Chiara Fedele, offering a peek at the windfall ball, an annual party to which forest animals receive an invitation from the autumn wind; The Flight of the Swans by Sarah McGuire, in which Princess Ryn tries to save her brothers’ lives after she vows a year of silence for each of them, and their evil stepmother turns them into swans; The Magic of Melwick Orchard by Rebecca Caprara, about a girl who believes a magic tree might grant her wish of saving her sister from cancer; The Universe Ate My Homework by David Zeltser, illus. by Ayesha L. Rubio, featuring Abby’s creative scheme to get out of doing homework; and A Valentine for Frankenstein by Leslie Kimmelman, illus. by Timothy Banks, which finds Frankenstein hoping that the other monsters at the Valentine’s Day Bash will accept him.
LERNER/CAROLRHODA LAB
Carolrhoda Lab punches in for Girls on the Line by Jennie Liu, introducing Luli and Yun, 16-year-old orphans and best friends who work together at a factory in a Chinese city, until Yun gets pregnant and disappears and Luli sets out to find her; I, Claudia by Mary McCoy, in which Claudia, who usually likes to go unnoticed, finds she enjoys the power she wields in her high school’s patrician Senate; Open Mic Night at the Westminster Cemetery by Mary Amato, starring Lacy, who finds herself dead in the cemetery, with no memory of how she got there, and meets other cemetery inhabitants who are happy to welcome her.
LERNER/DARBY CREEK
Darby Creek ducks and covers for Deserted by Israel Keats and The Fallout by Glasko Klein, the first of six Attack on Earth titles, in which teens must survive an alien invasion; Grayfields and Island X by Benjamin Hulme-Cross, which kick off the four-volume Mission Alert series about boarding school students who work undercover for the government; and Becoming Prince Charming by Loren Bailey, launching Suddenly Royal, a six-book series about American teens who discover they belong to the royal family of the European country Evonia.
LERNER/GRAPHIC UNIVERSE
Graphic Universe exhibits sense and sensibility with Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper by Manuela Santoni, chronicling the youth and first love of the 18th-century author; My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder by Nie Jun, featuring Yu’er and her grandfather and the kindness and hints of magic they see in their neighborhood; The Wild Cat by Brigitte Luciani, illus. by Eve Tharlet, new to the Mr. Badger and Mrs. Fox series; Foul Play at Elm Tree Park: Case #3 by Trisha Speed Shaskan, illus. by Stephen Shaskan, joining the Q & Ray mystery series; and The Epic Origin of Super Potato by Arther Laperla, kicking off the Super Potato series about a costumed crime fighter.
LERNER/MILLBROOK
Millbrook takes a spin with The Ghostly Carousel: Delightfully Frightful Poems by Calef Brown, a creepy poetry collection; A Dog Named Haku: A Holiday Story from Nepal by Margarita Engle, Amish Karanjit, and Nicole Karanjit, illus. by Ruth Jeyaveeran, providing a look at the Festival of Lights in Nepal, a day to honor dogs; Love, Agnes: Postcards from an Octopus by Irene Latham, illus. by Thea Baker, introducing the life cycle of the octopus; The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just by Mélina Mangal, illus. by Luisa Uribe, presenting the life and accomplishments of the African-American biologist who made important discoveries about the cell in the 1930s; and Crayola Wild World of Colors by Laura Purdie Salas, which explores the wide-range of ways animals make use of color in the wild, from camouflage to warning.
LITTLE BEE
Little Bee slices into fall with Pies from Nowhere by Dee Romito, illus. by Laura Freeman, profiling Georgia Gilmore, a hidden figure of history who used her passion for baking to help the Montgomery Bus Boycott achieve its goal during the Civil Rights movement; Polka Dot Parade by Deborah Blumenthal, illus. by Masha D’yans, a picture book biography of iconic fashion photographer Bill Cunningham; My Sister, My Brother by Erica Silverman, illus. by Holly Hatam, in which a girl realizes that her younger sister identifies more as “Jack” than “Jackie”; Operation Rescue Dog by Maria Gianferrari, illus. by Luisa Uribe, about a lonely child and a lonely dog who find warmth, companionship, and love in each other; and Love You More by Gary Urda, illus. by Jennifer A. Bell, featuring a mother and father expressing their infinite love for their child.
LITTLE BEE/YELLOW JACKET
Yellow Jacket settles into the season with Charlie and Me by Mark Lowery, the tale of two brothers on a trip trying to recreate a special family vacation; The Prophet Calls by Melanie Sumrow, in which Gentry and her older brother escape the religious compound where they’ve been living when music is outlawed; The Colors of the Rain by R.L. Toalson, a free-verse historical novel focused on a family dealing with loss during the desegregation strife that took place in Houston, Tex. in 1972; and Skylark and Wallcreeper by Anne O’Brien Carelli, featuring Lily, who learns about her granny’s past as a member of the French Resistance in WWII when the two take shelter in Brooklyn during Superstorm Sandy.
LITTLE, BROWN
Little, Brown logs on for Code Girls: Young Readers Edition by Liza Mundy, exploring the top-secret code-breaking work that 10,000 young women performed during WWII; A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin, explaining the phases of the moon within a story about baking mooncakes; Pearl by Molly Idle, in which Pearl the mermaid is initially disappointed when she’s asked to care for a grain of sand, until she witnesses a great transformation; Light Years by Kass Morgan, first in a new sci-fi series focused on the incoming cadets of Quatra Fleet Academy, who arrive from every planet in the solar system; and Crash, Splash, or Moo by Bob Shea, in which animal contestants face off for wacky challenges on a game show.
LITTLE, BROWN/PATTERSON
Jimmy Patterson Books creates sparks with Girls of Paper & Fire by Natasha Ngan, about a girl plucked from her remote village to be trained as a consort for the king; Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen by Merrill Wyatt, in which Ernestine uncovers clues that point to murder while helping her parents care for the kooky residents of a retirement home for artists; Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalo, following forensics investigator Audrey as she gets caught up in a crime on a week-long ship voyage across the Atlantic with circus performers and magicians; Unbelievably Boring Bart by James Patterson with Duane Swierczynski, which finds Bart’s dull life becoming bonkers when he designs a popular app; and Katt & Dogg by James Patterson, in which young pup Oscar and pretty kitty Molly must learn to work together when they get lost on a camping trip.
LITTLE, BROWN/POPPY
Poppy ships Izzy + Tristan by Shannon Dunlap, a debut YA novel that retells the romantic legend of Tristan and Iseult with a Brooklyn setting.
MACMILLAN/FARRAR, STRAUS & GIROUX
FSG scores with Sweet Victory by Phil Hoose, the true story of the all-black high school basketball team that broke the color barrier in Indiana in the 1950s; The Prodigy by John Feinstein, about a teen golfer who is poised to make history on the pro tour, but must navigate thorny issues of professional and amateur sports, and family expectations; Wonderland by Barbara O’Connor, in which two girls form a friendship when they hatch a scheme to help their neighbor find a new dog; The Pout-Pout Fish and the Can’t Sleep Blues by Deborah Diesen, illus. by Dan Hanna, featuring a fish who can’t fall asleep, even when he follows friends’ suggestions; and The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke, which finds a band of mercenary girls taking on an unstoppable monster.
MACMILLAN/FEIWEL AND FRIENDS
Feiwel and Friends strikes a pose for Me, Myselfie, and I by Jamie Lee Curtis, illus. by Laura Cornell, about a girl who tries to stem her mother’s selfie obsession; King Alice by Matt Cordell, in which a girl and her father make up an epic adventure where she is king; The Summoner’s Handbook by Taran Matharu, offering origin stories and descriptions of the Summoner series; Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore, which retells Swan Lake, featuring sisters who are best friends and worst enemies; and History vs. Women by Anita Sarkeesian, a nonfiction title from the founder of Feminist Frequency that examines women’s ability to defy stereotypes and change the world around them.
MACMILLAN/FEIWEL AND FRIENDS/SWOON
Swoon Reads dives into fall with How to Breathe Underwater by Vicky Skinner, in which Kate falls for the boy across the hall when she and her mother move to a new city; The Struggle Is Real by Maggie Ann Martin, about a girl forced to live alone with her weight-obsessed mother after her older sister leaves for college; Carols and Chaos by Cindy Anstey, the tale of a lady’s maid and a valet who become entangled in a yuletide counterfeiting scheme; Surviving Adam Meade by Shannon Klare, which finds the daughter of a high school football coach falling for the team quarterback; and The Soul Keepers by Devon Taylor, featuring Rhett, who dies after a terrible accident and in the afterlife is recruited to ferry the souls of the dead.
MACMILLAN/FLATIRON
Flatiron Books is seeing things with Mirage by Somaiya Daud, first in a sci-fi/fantasy series about a girl who is kidnapped to serve as the body double of a princess of a despised empire; Unstoppable Moses by Tyler James Smith, in which a 17-year-old boy must prove to authorities he does not belong in jail after a disastrous prank; and Enchantée by Gita Trelease, the story of impoverished Camille, who uses magic to impersonate an aristocrat at the Palace of Versailles in 1789 Paris.
MACMILLAN/HENRY HOLT
Henry Holt signs, seals, and delivers the season with Dear Heartbreak by Heather Demetrios, pairing personal letters from teens and advice from popular YA authors; Lost in the Library by Josh Funk, illus. by Stevie Lewis, in which the two lions—Patience and Fortitude—who usually sit in front of the New York Public Library, venture inside the building; King Flashypants and the Toys of Terror by Andy Riley, focused on villainous Emperor Nurbison’s suspect denunciation of evil-doing; and The Story Collector by Kristin Tubb, a historical fiction novel inspired by the life of Viviani Joffre Fedeler, who was born and raised in the New York Public Library.
MACMILLAN/HOLT/GODWIN
Laura Godwin Books crosses fall in style with Moon River by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer, illus. by Tim Hopgood, featuring a girl and her teddy bear dreaming about the wide world; Bearnard’s Book by Deborah Underwood, illus. by Misa Saburi, about a bear who discovers that all he needs to shine in his own story is to be himself; Merry Christmas, Little Elliot by Mike Curato, in which best friends Little Elliot and Mouse go on a quest to find the Christmas spirit; The Case of the Missing Chalk Drawings by Richard Byrne, in which Sergeant Blue investigates when someone keeps stealing the chalks’ drawings of flowers on the chalkboard; and The Sinking of Vasa by Russell Freedman, illus. by William Low, exploring the mystery of the sinking of a Swedish warship and her resurrection from the seas centuries later.
MACMILLAN/HOLT/OTTAVIANO
Chrisy Ottaviano Books flips the switch with The Electric War: Edison, Westinghouse, Tesla, and the Race to Light the World by Michael Winchell, an account of the scientific competition to bring the power of electricity to the world; Potato Pants! by Laurie Keller, in which a potato and his eggplant nemesis struggle to find the perfect pants; Carlos Santana: Song of the Heart, Song of the World by Gary Golio, illus. by Rudy Gutierrez, profiling the celebrated musician and showcasing the work of the artist who has created iconic album covers; and American Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott, which follows two Mexican-American teens on a road trip odyssey to heal their brother’s PTSD after his tour in Iraq.
MACMILLAN/IMPRINT
Imprint plans a purrfect list with Snazzy Cat Capers by Deanna Kent, illus. by Neil Hooson, about Ophelia von Hairball’s mission to be the world’s most famous cat burglar; Everybody’s Favorite Book by Mike Allegra, illus. by Claire Almon, featuring a narrator who tries to please everyone; The Real McCoys: Two’s a Crowd by Matthew Swanson, illus. by Robbi Behr, continuing the adventures of a precocious detective who solves mysteries with her super-smart younger brother; Ready for It by Chusita, part encyclopedia and part YA how-to guide covering all things sex, from a Spanish YouTube star; and A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney, a contemporary retelling of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, starring a black teen heroine.
MACMILLAN/PRIDDY
Priddy Books spells it out with the following early concept books by Roger Priddy: P Is for Puppy, Alphaprints First Words, Space, Maze Book: Follow Me Santa, and See, Touch, Feel: A First Sensory Book.
MACMILLAN/ROARING BROOK
Roaring Brook Press hits the fall campaign trail with When You Grow Up to Vote by Eleanor Roosevelt with Michelle Markel, illus. by Grace Lin, offering an updated, revised version of Roosevelt’s book on citizenship; Thundercluck and the Kitchen of Destiny by Paul Tillery, illus. by Paul Tillery and Meg Wittwer, kicking off a middle-grade series featuring a superhero chicken with the lightning powers of Thor; So Tall Within: A Story of Sojourner Truth by Gary D. Schmidt, illus. by Daniel Minter, a picture book biography of the civil rights pioneer; The Eleventh Trade by Alyssa Hollingsworth, in which Sami resolves to get back his grandfather’s stolen prized possession—an African musical instrument—by making a series of trades; and Spring After Spring by Stephanie Roth Sisson, exploring the life of environmentalist Rachel Carson.
MACMILLAN/ROARING BROOK/FLASH POINT
Flash Point salutes Jack Montgomery: World War II: Gallantry on the Beaches of Anzio and Ryan Pitts: Afghanistan: A Firefight in the Mountains of Wanat, the first two titles in the Medal of Honor series by Michael P. Spradlin, spotlighting soldiers’ heroic contributions.
MACMILLAN/ROARING BROOK/MACAULAY
David Macaulay Studio weighs anchor with Crossing on Time: A Story of Steamships and Speed by David Macaulay, providing a detailed look at this mode of travel, inspired by Macaulay’s own experience aboard a steamship sailing from England to America in 1957.
MACMILLAN/ROARING BROOK/PORTER
Neal Porter Books picks a fall palette with Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, in which a boy, his dog, and their multi-generational bond are seen through the lens of the color blue; What’s for Breakfast? by Denys Cazet, about the unlikely friendship between an owl and a mouse; and Make a Wish, Henry Bear by Liam Francis Walsh, a tale of what happens after a birthday wish goes awry.
MACMILLAN/STARSCAPE
Starscape navigates the stacks with Check Out the Library Weenies by David Lubar, the latest collection of short stories for middle-grade readers; and Everlasting Nora by Marie Miranda Cruz, the story of a 12-year-old girl living in the real-life shanty town inside the Philippines’ North Manila Cemetery, marking Cruz’s debut.
MACMILLAN/TOR TEEN
Tor Teen pricks up its ears for The Echo Room by Parker Peevyhouse, a psychological thriller that finds Rett in a mysterious room after experiencing a series of blackouts, and covered in blood; Dare You to Lie by Amber Lynn Natusch, in which Kylene tries to clear the name of her FBI agent father after he is wrongfully blamed for murder; The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armentrout, first in a series featuring the secretive world of the alien Luxen; and A Screaming in the Mind by Julia Keller, a standalone sequel to The Dark Intercept, in which Violet discovers that The Intercept, the emotional surveillance device thought to have been destroyed, is still running—and in the hands of a killer.
MACMILLAN/WEDNESDAY
Wednesday Books welcomes Sadie by Courtney Summers, a novel about a missing girl on a journey of revenge, and a Serial-like podcast that follows the clues she's left behind; The Lost Map of Chaos by Laura Burns and Melinda Metz, a YA suspense story featuring dangerous secrets and dark mythology that threaten to destroy everything 17-year-old Memphis holds dear; and Wind Rider by P.C. Cast, the third installment in the bestselling Tale of New World series.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
National Geographic Children’s Books takes off with Fly with Me by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple, providing stories, poems, photos, and facts about birds; Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret by Trudi Trueit, in which 12-year-old Cruz learns his mother’s death was not an accident when he begins studies at an elite school for explorers; Food Fight! A Mouthwatering History of Who Ate What and Why by Tanya Steel, looking at how food has shaped global history and culture; and To the Moon and Back: My Apollo 11 Adventure by Buzz Aldrin, pairing the astronaut’s first-hand accounts, and those of his family members, with pop-ups and paper folds.
NEW YORK REVIEW CHILDREN’S COLLECTION
NYR Children’s Collection serves up the following: The Adventures of Anatole by Nancy Willard, illus. by David McPhail, a new paperback edition in the NYRB Kids series that compiles three volumes of the Anatole stories into one volume for the first time; The Curious Lobster by Richard Warren Hatch, also in the NYRB Kids series, compiles two original volumes of the Curious Lobster stories into one book; The King of Nothing by Guridi is a new translation from the Spanish, available in English for the first time; Swami on Rye by Maira Kalman, a reissue of the picture book; and The Tiger Prince by Chen Jiang Hong, trans. from the French by Alyson Waters, is a new translation from the French, available in English for the first time.
NORTHSOUTH
NorthSouth keeps the beat with The Little Drummer Boy by Bernadette Watts, adapting the beloved Christmas carol as a picture book; Edison by Torben Kuhlmann, in which two mice in search of treasure team up to build a machine that can take them to the ocean floor; Chilly da Vinci by Jarrett Rutland, featuring a penguin whose inventions always fail, until his creativity saves the day; and Sloppy Takes the Plunge by Sean Julian, about a tree dragon who discovers that taking a bath isn’t all that bad.
ORCA
Orca tunes in for On the News: Our First Talk About Tragedy by Jillian Roberts, illus. by Jane Heinrichs, introducing the topics of tragedy and disaster to children via photos and text; After Life: Ways of Understanding Death by Merrie-Ellen Wilcox, examining the history, beliefs, and customs surrounding death in cultures around the world; My Life as a Diamond by Jenny Manzer, in which a talented baseball player has a secret—he used to live life as a girl; The Night the Forest Came to Town by Charles Ghigna, illus. by Annie Wilkinson, about a forest that encroaches on a device-obsessed town, as the children are the only ones who notice it is happening; and Kiss by Kiss: A Counting Primer for Families by Richard Van Camp, a rhyming board book.
OWLKIDS
Owlkids takes in the view with Earthrise: Apollo 8 and the Photo That Changed the World by James Gladstone, illus. by Christy Lundy, exploring the story behind the photograph that inspired Earth Day, marking the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8’s mission; Clara Humble and the Kitten Caboodle by Anna Humphrey, illus. by Lisa Cinar, wrapping up the Clara Humble series featuring a super-confident heroine; Flow, Spin, Grow: Looking for Patterns in Nature by Patchen Barss, illus. by Todd Stewart, offering a look at the hidden structures and shapes in the natural world; Ira Crumb Feels the Feelings by Naseem Hrab, illus. by Josh Holinaty, in which Ira navigates the sea of emotions that follows a disagreement with a friend; and Mosques, Monks, Mehndi, and Mitzvahs: Exploring the World’s Major Religions by Anna Wills, illus. by Nora Tomm, introducing the five major world religions via a search-and-find format.
PAGE STREET
Page Street blazes a trail with Uncharted by Erin Cashman, a contemporary fantasy that uncovers an ancient secret some would die to protect, and others would kill to expose; Home and Away by Candice Montgomery, a debut novel in which black and fabulous Tasia grapples with her identity after she learns an explosive secret; Afterimage by Naomi Hughes, a debut thriller about a girl who is the sole survivor of an explosion that kills thousands; and The Freedom Trials by Meredith Tate, following inmates who compete in seven challenges to win their freedom or die trying.
PAGE STREET KIDS
Page Street Kids sprouts its debut list with Oliver, the Second-Largest Living Thing on Earth by Josh Crute, illus. by John Taesoo Kim, about a lonely sequoia tree; Khalida and the Most Beautiful Song by Amanda Moeckel, which follows an over-scheduled girl trying to find a moment to capture inspiration and play a song; Contrary Creatures by James Weinberg, which explores distinct animal opposites; and Before You Sleep by Annie Cronin Romano, illus. by Ioana Hobai, a sensory bedtime book to end each day with gratitude.
PAPERCUTZ
Papercutz goes prehistoric with Dinosaur Explorers, Vol.1 by Redcode, illus. by Albbie, about kids who see the age of dinosaurs up front and personally; Ninja Baseball Blast by John Steven Gurney, volume two in the Fuzzy Baseball series, in which the Fernwood Valley Fuzzies fly to a distant land to face the Sashimi City Ninjas of the mysterious Manga Baseball League; and Gillbert: Vol. 1 by Art Baltazar, launching a series about a sea creature and his fantastical adventures.
PAPERCUTZ/CHARMZ
Charmz dresses up for Beauty Queen, Vol.1 by Jamie Parreno, illus. by Jennifer de Guzman, about a girl living in a Manila slum—with the secret power to speak to insects—who is taken in by a talent coach to compete in a beauty pageant.
PEACHTREE
Peachtree leaves a trail of breadcrumbs for Hansel & Gretel by Bethan Woollvin, in which naughty Hansel and Gretel try the patience of good, tidy witch Willow; Am I Yours? by Alex Latimer, featuring a group of dinosaurs that helps a lost egg search for its parents after it’s blown out of its nest; Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs by Melissa Stewart, offering a look at animals who have characteristics that may seem like weaknesses, but are actually strengths; Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon by Suzanne Slade, illus. by Thomas Gonzalez, a chapter book in verse that traces the journey from President Kennedy announcing the country’s commitment to send a man to the moon and ending with the first successful moon landing; and The Bookshop Girl by Sylvia Bishop, illus. by Poly Bernatene, in which Property Jones and her family, who live in a cozy old bookshop, are chosen by lottery to be the next owners of the greatest bookshop in Britain.
PEACHTREE PETITE
Peachtree Petite marks the calendar for Babies in the Park: Autumn and Babies in the Park: Winter by Kathryn O. Galbraith, illus. by Adela Pons, two titles about babies enjoying the season while they play in the park.
PENGUIN/DAWSON
Kathy Dawson Books lucks out with The Law of Finders Keepers by Sheila Turnage, concluding the Three Times Lucky series, which chronicles the exploits of the Desperado Detectives.
PENGUIN/DIAL
Dial Books journeys on with Two Roads by Joseph Bruchac, a Depression-era tale in which a boy discovers his Native American heritage; Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram, featuring a clinically depressed Persian-American teen who travels to Iran to visit family and meets a boy who changes his life; The Alphabet with No Pictures by B.J. Novak, a followup to The Book with No Pictures; The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee, about a foolish knight who believes he’s safe on his side of the wall; and Ordinary People Changed the World: I Am Neil Armstrong by Brad Meltzer, illus. by Christopher Eliopoulos, profiling the first man to walk on the moon.
PENGUIN/GROSSET & DUNLAP
Grosset & Dunlap sets the table for Mr. Men: A Very Thankful Thanksgiving by Adam Hargreaves, in which the Mr. Men and Little Miss characters celebrate the holiday together; Merry Christmas, Santa Claus! by J.L. Coppage, illus. by Melanie Matthews, about the North Pole preparations for a Christmas celebration; and Charlie’s Deliciously Fun Notebook by Roald Dahl, illus. by Quentin Blake, an activity journal featuring excerpts from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
PENGUIN/PAULSEN
Nancy Paulsen Books stretches a canvas for Picturing America by Hudson Talbott, the true story of artist Thomas Cole, an immigrant who fought to preserve America’s natural splendor in his paintings; Eat Pete by Michael Rex, in which a surprising friendship blossoms between a boy and a ravenous monster; The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illus. by Rafael López; The Dream of America by Jacqueline Woodson, featuring a group of six diverse middle-school students who are encouraged by a teacher to have a weekly meeting in which they discuss fears about deportation and racial profiling; and Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, which finds Delsie learning to appreciate her family, rather than focus on its non-traditional composition.
PENGUIN/PHILOMEL
Philomel whistles a tune for There’s a Hole in the Bottom of the Lake by Loren Long, a picture book rendition of a favorite song; Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonia Sotomayor, illus. by Lulu Delacre, in which the first Latina Supreme Court justice recounts the impact that certain books have had on her life; The Epic Adventures of Huggie and Stick by Drew Daywalt, illus. by David Spencer, featuring a grumpy stuffed bunny and a happy-go-lucky stick in an around-the-world buddy comedy; Big Brother Peanut Butter by Terry Border, a pun-filled tale about becoming a big sibling; and Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix by Julie C. Dao, a retelling of “Snow White” set in a mystical world inspired by the Far East.
PENGUIN/PUFFIN
Puffin puts it all together with Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, launching Puffin Graphic Classics, a line of graphic novel adaptations of classic works followed by the original unabridged text; and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, which helps kick off the Puffin Plated line of books pairing full-color classics with recipes contributed by celebrity chefs.
PENGUIN/PUTNAM
Putnam settles in for The Snowy Nap by Jan Brett, in which Hedgie foregoes hibernation to witness the beauty and fun of winter for himself; Holes in the Sky by Patricia Polacco, a companion to Chicken Sunday that follows young Trisha as she moves to California and meets the invincible Miss Eula; Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña, illus. by Christian Robinson, about a girl who tries to dream up the perfect wish while out doing family errands with her older brother; The Storyteller: Sea of Ink and Gold #3 by Traci Chee, concluding this fantasy series; and Neverwhen by Constantine J. Singer, the tale of a native Los Angelino who takes on an alien invasion, time travel, and heartbreak.
PENGUIN/RAZORBILL
Razorbill changes it up with Metamorphosis Nine by Heidi Lang, in which a teen girl fresh out of rehab wins a place on a dangerous near-Earth asteroid mission; Whispers in the Thunder by Tochi Onyebuchi, sequel to the fantasy-adventure Beasts Made of Night; Seafire by Natalie C. Parker, kicking off a speculative trilogy following the captain of an all-female ship intent on taking down a corrupt warlord’s powerful fleet; Hide With Me by Sorboni Banerjee, about two teens who fall in love against the backdrop of a turf war between cartels in a Texas border town; and Give the Dark My Love by Beth Revis, featuring a young alchemist who turns to dark magic when a plague sweeps through her homeland.
PENGUIN/VIKING
Viking is ready for a curtain call with Corduroy Takes a Bow by Viola Davis, illus. by Jody Wheeler, which finds actress Davis creating her first picture book, a sequel to Don Freeman’s Corduroy, honoring that book’s 50th anniversary; How We Got to Now: Six Innovations That Made the Modern World by Steven Johnson, a young readers’ version of the bestseller focused on how accidental genius and brilliant mistakes have shaped the way we live; No Boring Stories! by Julie Falatko, illus. by Charles Santoso, in which a group of misfits take a stand against sweet and cuddly picture books; Brilliant Death by Amy Rose Capetta, a gender-fluid YA fantasy about a mafia daughter and a magically gifted orphan who must save their 19th-century-Italy-inspired homeland while falling in love; and Monstrous Devices by Damien Love, the tale of a boy and his grandfather on the run in Europe, trying to escape human and mechanical assassins.
PENGUIN/WARNE
Warne flits into fall with tie-ins, in various formats, to the following properties: Flower Fairies, Peter Rabbit, and Spot.
PENGUIN WORKSHOP
Penguin Workshop takes a swat at fall with Klawde @1: Evil Alien Warlord Cat by John Bemelmans Marciano and Emily Chenoweth, illus. by Robb Mommaertes, introducing an alien warlord cat exiled to Earth who unwillingly befriends a boy while plotting his cosmic revenge; Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave by Jessica Hische, encouraging kids to try new things, do their best, and be courageous; Muppets Meet the Classics: Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm by the Brothers Grimm and Erik Forrest Jackson, illus. by Owen Richardson, giving a Muppet twist to 18 favorite tales; Life Sucks by Michael and Sarah Bennett and Emily Chenoweth, in which the authors of F*ck Feelings offer blunt advice to teens and tweens about managing life’s problems; and I Spy the Illuminati Eye: What’s the Big Secret? by Sheila Keenan, separating fact from conspiracy while exploring the history of secret societies.
PENGUIN YOUNG READERS
Penguin Young Readers is all smiles for Croc and Ally: Friends Forever by Derek Anderson, featuring a crocodile and an alligator who are best friends; and the following leveled readers: Life in the Gobi Desert by Ginjer L. Clarke, Llama Llama: Be My Valentine by Anna Dewdney, and Happy Thanksgiving, Tiny! by Cari Meister, illus. by Rich Davis.
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE CANADA/PENGUIN TEEN CANADA
Penguin Teen Canada stops by the Dreamhouse with Kens by Raziel Reid, in which Tommy gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to become a Ken, one of the most popular guys at school, when he meets the mysterious new boy Blaine; and Confessions of a Teenage Leper by Ashley Little, the story of how popular cheerleader Abby experiences what it’s like to be on the other side of the fence when she’s diagnosed with leprosy.
PETER PAUPER PRESS
Peter Pauper Press needs extra postage for Dear Santa, I Know It Looks Bad, But It Wasn’t My Fault! by Norma Lewis, illus. by Olivia Beckman, featuring the lengthy Christmas letter of a mishap-prone but good-hearted housecat.
PHAIDON
Phaidon fires up the oven for Cook in a Book: COOKIES! by Lotta Nieminen, a novelty book that provides a chocolate-chip cookie recipe; Why the Face? by Jean Jullien, in which readers try to guess what might have prompted the different expressions on a series of faces; and Little Bear Dreams by Paul Schmid, focused on the imaginative dreams of a young polar bear.
PRINCETON ARCHITECTURAL PRESS
Princeton Architectural Press rises and shines with Good Morning, Neighbor by Davide Cali, illus. by Maria Dek, in which a mouse cheerfully travels through the neighborhood to gather ingredients to bake a cake; Up the Mountain Path by Marianne Dubuc, featuring the intergenerational friendship between an old badger and a young cat; The Colorful World of Dinosaurs by Matt Sewell, exploring the many types of dinosaurs that lived during the prehistoric periods; Time for Bed, Miyuki by Roxane Marie Galliez, illus. by Seng Soun Ratanavanh, about a girl who doesn’t want to go to bed, but is encouraged by her patient grandfather to fall asleep; and Walls by Brad Holdgrafer, illus. by Jay Cover, an introduction to such virtues as inclusiveness, equality, openness, and kindness.
RANDOM HOUSE
Random House spots a fungus among us with The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm, a follow-up to The Fourteenth Goldfish; Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas, presenting a coming-of-age Selina Kyle in the next DC Icons title; Magic Tree House #30: Hurricane Heroes in Texas by Mary Pope Osborne, illus. by A.G. Ford, following Jack and Annie during a monster storm in Galveston, Tex., in 1908; Property of the Rebel Librarian by Allison Varnes, a middle-grade debut that celebrates the freedom to read; and Giraffe Problems by Jory John, illus. by Lane Smith, featuring a self-conscious giraffe and a wise turtle.
RANDOM HOUSE/CROWN
Crown marches on with We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson, collecting the words and images of more than 50 diverse, award-winning authors and illustrators in a volume offering guidance to young people; Nyxia Unleashed by Scott Reintgen, continuing the adventures of Emmett and his crewmates on the planet Eden, in the Nyxia Triad sci-fi/thriller series; The Truth About Martians by Melissa Savage, in which a boy and his friends try to find the Martians who crash-landed near their farms; Endurance (Young Readers Edition) by Scott Kelly, a memoir from NASA astronaut Kelly, who broke records by spending a year in space; and Michelle Obama: Through the Lens of a White House Photographer by Amanda Lucidon, a young reader’s edition of the book Chasing Light, which offers a behind-the-scenes profile of the former First Lady from an official White House photographer.
RANDOM HOUSE/DELACORTE
Delacorte passes it on with The Perfect Secret by Rob Buyea, featuring the kids from The Perfect Score navigating the new social order of seventh grade; The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor by Sonya Sotomayor, an adaptation of the Supreme Court justice’s memoir for adults, My Beloved World, for middle graders; The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White, reimagining the classic from the point of view of Elizabeth, Victor Frankenstein’s adopted sister; Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful by Arwen Elys Dayton, offering a twisted look into the future, exploring how far we will go to remake ourselves into the perfect human specimen; and Skyward by Brandon Sanderson, the launch title in a fantasy series featuring a girl pilot fighting to save the human race from extinction after years of alien attack.
RANDOM HOUSE/DOUBLEDAY
Doubleday reserves a sleeper car for Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck, illus. Karl James Mountford, a novelty holiday picture book; I Don’t Want to Go to Sleep by Dev Petty, illus. by Mike Boldt, a humorous look at the childhood rite of protesting bedtime; and Once Upon a Star by James Carter, illus. by Mar Hernandez, presenting a blend of poetry and nonfiction exploring the origins of the universe.
RANDOM HOUSE/KNOPF
Knopf grabs a rubber ducky for How Do You Take a Bath? by Kate McMullan, illus. by Sydney Hanson, a look at how various baby animals bathe; Someday by David Levithan, sequel to Every Day, in which A wakes up every morning in a different body; Nevertheless We Persisted: 43 Essays on Gut, Grit, and Never Giving Up, ed. by In This Together Media, collecting essays from a variety of voices, including actors, activists, athletes, musicians, and politicians; Inkling by Kenneth Oppel, illus. by Sydney Smith, introducing a story starring an inkblot; and Squirm by Carl Hiaasen, a novel involving snakes, grizzlies, a missing dad, and a menacing drone.
RANDOM HOUSE/LAMB
Wendy Lamb Books plays the numbers with Counting to Perfect by Suzanne LaFleur, focused on 12-year-old Cassie who goes on an unexpected road trip with her teenage sister Julia, and Julia’s baby; No Fixed Address by Susan Nielsen, in which Felix navigates a new school, new friendships, and other challenges while secretly living in a van with his mom; and The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon, featuring two brothers who fall under the spell of a charismatic older boy named Styx.
RANDOM HOUSE/SCHWARTZ & WADE
Schwartz & Wade lights the menorah with All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins, illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky, a holiday picture book featuring the characters from Sydney Taylor’s classic chapter books; The Sad Little Fact by Jonah Winter, illus. by Frank Viva, providing a humorous antidote to the phenomenon of fake news and lies masquerading as truth; Eliza: The Story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton by Margaret McNamara, illus. by Esme Shapiro, profiling, in picture book format, the formidable woman who became the wife of founding father Alexander Hamilton; Mousie, I Will Read to You by Rachael Cole, illus. by Melissa Crowton, the story of a mother who begins reading to her little mouse as an infant; and Harold Loves His Woolly Hat by Vern Kousky, in which a bear loses his beloved hat only to discover that others need it more.
RIPPLE GROVE PRESS
Ripple Grove Press sees all with Cat Eyes by Laura Lee, following Miki who imagines and sees cats wherever she goes; Paul by Nathan Woodacre, illus. by Jenn Kocsmiersky, in which Paul receives a ukulele for his birthday that sets him on a path to finding his own song; and The Full House and the Empty House by L.K. James, which finds two houses bringing joy to each other, despite their differences.
RODALE KIDS
Rodale Kids offers Puberty Is Gross, But Also Really Awesome by Gina Loveless, a look at puberty, sex, gender identity, and sexuality for tweens and teens; Lady Miss Penny by Maya Rodale, about a Shiba Inu adopted from the country to lead a glamorous life in New York City; The Story Pirates Presents #2 by the Story Pirates and Jacqueline West, illus. by Hatem Aly, featuring works by the Story Pirates, a group of performers who bring kids’ writing to life via sketch comedy; and Chef Eliana de las Casas Teen Cookbook by Eliana de las Casas, which inspires readers to embrace seasonal cooking and to use local, fresh ingredients in their cooking.
RUNNING PRESS
Running Press breaks a leg for Lulu the Broadway Mouse by Jenna Gavigan, featuring a mouse living in a Broadway theater and assisting child actors; Love by Stacy McAnulty, challenging the greeting-card stereotypes about how to show love; and The Reckless Club by Beth Vrabel, about five kids forced to spend a day volunteering in an assisted living community to make amends for pranks they committed on the last day of eighth grade.
SEVEN STORIES PRESS/TRIANGLE SQUARE
Triangle Square rounds out its list with Grandpa Stops a War by Susan Robeson, illus. by Rod Brown, celebrating the activism and achievements of Paul Robeson, as told by his granddaughter; Yugen by Mark Reibstein, illus. by Caldecott-Award winner Ed Young, which tells the story of a boy remembering his mother, in haiku and pictures; Zenobia by Morten Durr, illus. by Lars Horneman, the English-language debut of the award-winning graphic novel about a young Syrian refugee; Arno and the Mini-Machine by Seymour Chwast, a humorous tale of a boy’s futuristic life gone haywire with the interruption of nature; and The Wizard’s Tears by Maxine Kumin and Anne Sexton, illus. by Keren Katz, a children’s story by renowned American poets Kumin and Sexton, now in print again for the first time in decades—featuring newly commissioned art by Katz.
SCHOLASTIC
Scholastic unrolls its sleeping back for Eva’s Big Sleepover (Owl Diaries #9) by Rebecca Elliot, in which Sue has the first-sleepover jitters; Stealing the Sword: A Branches Book (Time Jumpers #1) by Wendy Mass, illus. by Oriol Vidal, the kickoff to a series featuring time-traveling siblings; Tornado Hits! (Hilde Cracks the Case #5) by Hilde Lysiak with Matthew Lysiak, illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, which finds Hilde investigating why there are fish flopping all over the street; Shine of the Silver Dragon (Dragon Masters #11) by Tracey West, illus. by Nina de Polonia, a tale of how evil wizard Maldred tries to control a new dragon; and Art Show Attacks! (Eerie Elementary #9) by Jack Chabert, illus. by Matt Loveridge, featuring mad scientist Orson Eerie, who is determined to spread his power through the school.
SCHOLASTIC EN ESPAÑOL
Scholastic en español says “bienvenido” to the following titles in Spanish: Good Night, Mr. Panda/Buenas noches, Sr. Panda (Bilingual Spanish) by Steve Antony, El autobús mágico viaja de nuevo: Hundirse o nadar (The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Sink or Swim) by Judy Katschke, Hombre Perro: Historia de dos gatitos (Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties) by Dav Pilkey, Drama (Drama) by Raina Telgemeier, and Peppa: Aprende a compartir (Learning to Share).
SCHOLASTIC LICENSED PUBLISHING
Licensed Publishing rings the doorbell with Hello Neighbor: Missing Pieces by Carly Anne West, illus. by Tom Heitz, first in a middle-grade series based on the horror survival game Hello Neighbor; Serai: And the Meaning of Awesome, marking the debut of a series following “Soy Yo” viral video star Sarai Gonzalez as she tries to find a way to save her grandparents’ house; and tie-ins, in various formats, to the following properties: Peppa Pig and Pokémon.
SCHOLASTIC PAPERBACKS
Scholastic Paperbacks gets more than a handful of lint with The Pocket Geniuses #1: Fly to the Rescue! by Megan E. Bryant, debut volume in a series in which toy versions of famous figures from history magically come to life to help a boy with his homework; The Bad Guys #7: Special Edition by Aaron Blabey, featuring the Bad Guys’ journey back to the time of the dinosaurs, and including a bonus short story; Puppy Princess #4: Flower Girl Power by Patty Furlington, the conclusion of the Puppy Princess series; and additions to long-running series The Puppy Place and Rainbow Magic Special Edition.
SCHOLASTIC PRESS
Scholastic Press takes cover for Grenade by Alan Gratz, focused on a boy in the Battle of Okinawa during WWII; Resistance by Jennifer A. Nielsen, introducing Chaya, a Jewish-Polish girl who joins the Jewish resistance and ultimately participates in the Warsaw Ghetto uprising; Tigers and Tea with Toppy by Barbara Kerley and Rhoda Knight Kalt, illus. by Matte Stephens, the true story of animal artist Charles R. Knight; Best Friends in the Universe by Stephanie Watson, illus. by LeUyen Pham, about two boys who are best buds until they accidentally tell each other’s secrets; and Try a Little Kindness by Henry Cole, a look at many different ways to be kind.
SCHOLASTIC/BLUE SKY
Blue Sky Press creeps to the head of the class with Monster Academy by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illus. by John McKinley, about a classroom where all sorts of young monsters feel at home; and Grow Up, David! by David Shannon, in which troublemaker David deals with sibling rivalry by tormenting his brother with pranks.
SCHOLASTIC/CARTWHEEL
Cartwheel Books revs its engine for Let’s Go, Rescue Trucks!, a novelty book with real spinning wheels; You Are My Sweetheart by Joyce Wan, celebrating love in all its forms; Twinkle Twinkle You’re My Star by Sandra Magsamen, a heart-shaped book with an embedded star finger puppet; and I Love You Through and Through at Christmas, Too by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak, the follow-up to I Love You Through and Through.
SCHOLASTIC/CHICKEN HOUSE
Chicken House casts a spell with The Apprentice Witch: A Witch Alone by James Nicol, sequel to The Apprentice Witch; Witch Born by Nicholas Bowling, in which Alyce discovers her own dark magic when she flees to London with a witch hunter on her trail; Tin by Pádraig Kenny, about a boy and his mismatched group of mechanical friends; The Ice Garden by Guy Jones, focused on a girl who is allergic to the sun and the magical garden she discovers when she sneaks out one night; and Beetle Boy: Battle of the Beetles by M.G. Leonard, the final tale in the Beetle trilogy, which finds Darkus and his friends searching for Arch-villainess Lucretia in the Amazon rain forest.
SCHOLASTIC/FICKLING
David Fickling Books steps out with The Outwalkers by Fiona Shaw, the story of a boy who goes to all lengths to find his lost dog and escape an oppressive community in near-future England; Potter’s Boy by Tony Mitton, about a boy who trains in the art of both fighting and mindfulness in order to find his path in life; and The Phoenix Colossal Comics Collection: Volume Two by various artists, collecting comics from the British weekly comic The Phoenix (now also available in the U.S.).
SCHOLASTIC/GRAPHIX
Graphix puts on shades for Supernova (Amulet #8) by Kazu Kibuishi, in which Emily has lost control of her Amulet and is trapped in the Void; Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas by Dav Pilkey, following Dog Man and Li’l Petey as they face felonious feline Peter the Cat; Kristy’s Big Day (The Baby-sitters Club Graphic Novel #6) by Ann M. Martin and Gale Galligan; The Hidden Witch Boy by Molly Knox Osterag, sequel to The Witch Boy, which finds Aster trying to help his non-magical friend Charlie scare away the spirit that’s been hurting the people around her; and Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, the author-illustrator’s graphic memoir about parental drug addiction and the redemptive power of art.
SCHOLASTIC/LEVINE
Arthur A. Levine Books adds Tales From the Inner City by Shaun Tan features stories of humans and animals living together in urban environments; The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty, a middle grade debut about an orphan who must journey across kingdoms and follow her parents’ seemingly capricious (and magically enforced) will exactly; and Surprise! by Caroline Hadilaksono, a picture book debut about trying to make new friends and appreciating the ones you have.
SCHOLASTIC/ORCHARD
Orchard Books heats things up with The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal by Nick Seluk, presenting facts about the star of our solar system; Mac Undercover (Mac B., Kid Spy #1) by Mac Barnett, illus. by Mike Lowery, about a kid spy in the service of the Queen of England; My Wish for You by Kathryn Hahn, illus. by Brigette Barrager, actress Hahn’s celebration of the inherent power and spirit of girls; We’ve Got the Whole World in Our Hands, adapted and illus. by Rafael López, a new multicultural rendition of the song “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”; and Groovy Joe: If You’re Groovy and You Know It, Hug a Friend! by Eric Litwin, illus. by Tom Lichtenheld, marking the return of the fun-loving, guitar-strumming dog.
SECOND STORY
Second Story stays woke with Black Women Who Dared by Naomi Moyer, offering portraits celebrating 10 Black women and women’s collectives from 1793 to the present day; and All About Anne by the Anne Frank House, an exploration of Frank’s life told via answers to the most frequently asked questions from young people at the Anne Frank House Museum in Holland.
SIMON & SCHUSTER
Simon & Schuster hops into fall with Rabbit & Robot by Andrew Smith, in which Cager is stranded on his father’s lunar-cruise ship with insane robots; Nate Expectations by Tim Federle, completing the trilogy about aspiring Broadway star Nate; Plum by Sean Hayes and Scott Icenogle, illus. by Robin Thompson, exploring how the Sugar Plum Fairy got her wings; and Broken Ornament by Tony DiTerlizzi, chronicling what happens when a beloved Christmas ornament breaks.
S&S/ALADDIN
Aladdin breaks the glass ceiling with Limitless by Leah Tinari, celebrating iconic pioneering American women; Lost Cities #7 by Shannon Messenger, another adventure for Sophie, a girl who discovers she is from a parallel world; Morphling (working title) by Ryan Calejo, a middle-grade fantasy based on Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths from the Iberian Peninsula and Central and South America; Dork Diaries #14 by Rachel Renée Russell; and This Christmas by Tom Booth, in which a chipmunk learns the true meaning and message of Christmas.
S&S/ATHENEUM
Atheneum perks up for Stop That Yawn! by Caron Levis, illus. by LeUyen Pham, a bedtime story that challenges kids to not yawn; I’m OK by Patti Kim, about Ok Lee’s get-rich-quick scheme to score a life of luxury; How to Build a Hug by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville, illus. by Giselle Potter, the story of Dr. Temple Grandin’s invention: the hug machine; The Lighthouse Between the Worlds by Melanie Crowder, in which Griffin must traverse dangerous new lands to save his father from a peril that threatens all of humanity; and When Angels Sing by Michael Mahin, presenting the life of musician Carlos Santana in a picture-book biography format.
S&S/ATHENEUM/DLOUHY
Caitlyn Dlouhy Books puts its feet in the starting block for Track: Lu by Jason Reynolds, completing the Track series; Dear Sister by Alison McGhee, in which a boy writes letters to his little sister telling her how annoying she is; Blended by Sharon M. Draper, the story of how 11-year-old Isabella’s family deals with divorce; North to Benjamin by Alan Cumyn, featuring Edgar, a boy who loses his ability to speak and can only bark, and his dog, Benjamin, who he must send on a dangerous journey in the wilds of Alaska; and The Guardians: Guardians Chapter Book #5 by William Joyce, the final adventure in the series.
S&S/BEACH LANE
Beach Lane Books sparkles with Just Add Glitter by Angela DiTerlizzi, illus. by Samantha Cotterill, an homage to bling and creativity; What Riley Wore by Elana K. Arnold, illus. by Linda Davick, focusing on gender-creative Riley’s talent for selecting on-point outfits for every occasion; What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? by Chris Barton, illus. by Ekua Holmes, spotlighting the life and career of Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan; Little Brown by Marla Frazee, in which Little Brown takes matters into his own paws when he is grumpy and lonely at the dog park; and It’s Mimi’s World: It’s Not Easy Being Mimi by Linda Davick, which finds Mimi and her cat Marvin adjusting to life with an unexpected new neighbor.
S&S/LITTLE SIMON
Little Simon celebrates the season with Diwali by Hannah Eliot, illus. by Archana Sreenivasan, highlighting the traditions of this Indian holiday and festival; and But Not the Armadillo by Sandra Boynton, featuring a familiar face from But Not the Hippopotamus.
S&S/MCELDERRY
Margaret K. McElderry Books takes aim at fall with People Kill People by Ellen Hopkins, a YA novel told from the point of view of a gun; Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton, about a witch’s pact with a devil; Journey of the Pale Bear by Susan Fletcher, the story of the bond a boy forms with a polar bear being transported from Norway to London as a gift for the King of England in 1252; Construction Cat by Barbara Odanka, illus. by Sydney Hanson, following cats in hard hats at the work site; and Bear Can’t Sleep by Karma Wilson, illus. by Jane Chapman, in which bear tries everything to get to sleep in time for winter hibernation.
S&S/SALAAM READS
Salaam Reads takes center court for Bounce Back by Hena Khan, continuing the adventures of Zayd Saleem, a Pakistani fourth grader who aspires to basketball greatness.
S&S/SIMON PULSE
Simon Pulse sharpens its stakes for Slayer by Kiersten White, the launch title in a series set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer; This Cruel Design by Emily Suvada, sequel to This Mortal Coil, which finds Cat fighting to take down Lachlan before he destroys the world; The Devil’s Thief by Lisa Maxwell, a follow-up to The Last Magician following Esta and Harte on their cross-country quest through time to steal back the elemental stones they need to save the future of magic; A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti, examining the impact of everyday sexism and rape culture; and Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody, a romantic road trip adventure during which a teen girl discovers the value of ordinary objects when she tries to save her family’s home after her father’s death.
S&S/SIMON SPOTLIGHT
Simon Spotlight focuses its telescope on Space Cows by Eric Seltzer, illus. by Tom Disbury, a Level 1 Ready-to-Read title about the hijinks of cows in space; See Pip Flap by David Milgrim, in which Otto tries to help his friend Pip try to fly; and a tie-in to the P.J. Masks media property.
S&S/WISEMAN
Paula Wiseman Books takes a bite out of fall with Chomp Went the Alligator by Matthew Van Fleet, focused on a hungry alligator and colors, counting, and animal names; Inky’s Great Escape by Sy Montgomery, illus. by Amy Schimler-Safford, an account of Inky the Octopus’s escape from the New Zealand aquarium; Inconvenient Alphabet by Beth Anderson, illus. by Elizabeth Baddeley, illuminating the friendship between Ben Franklin and Noah Webster, which was sparked by their mutual dislike of the English alphabet; and Hey, Wall by Susan Verde, illus. by John Parra, in which a boy takes on a community art project to make his neighborhood more beautiful.
SKY PONY PRESS
Sky Pony Press strikes a match with Firestarter by Tara Sim, final book in the Timekeeper trilogy; A Spark of White Fire by Sangu Mandanna, a YA space fantasy inspired by Indian mythology; Zoey and the Screaming Monkeys by Ann Braden, about a girl raised in poverty who finds her voice and a way to help her mother break out of destructive patterns; Someone’s Got a Screw Loose: Project Droid #6 by Nancy Krulik and Amanda Burwasser, the story of what happens when Logan and his robot cousin are invited to their arch-rival’s over-the-top birthday party; and Freak ‘N’ Gorgeous by Sebastian J. Plata, in which two teens lives are turned upside down when one wakes up stunning and the other ugly.
SLEEPING BEAR PRESS
Sleeping Bear Press takes a number for Hannah’s Tall Order: An A to Z Sandwich by Linda Vander Heyden, illus. by Kayla Harren, serving up a diner-set alphabet book; Kindergarrrten Bus by Mike Ornstein, illus. by Kevin Barry, featuring a pirate driver who shares children’s first-day-of-school anxiety; Bully by Jennifer Sattler, in which other residents stand up to an obnoxious bullfrog who takes over the pond; Jerrie, Joan and the Unexpected Race by Aimee Bissonette, illus. by Doris Ettlinger, retelling the story of the 1964 air race between Geraldine Mock and Joan Merriam Smith, the first two women to fly around the world; and Hanukah Hamster by Michelle Markel, illus. by Andre Ceolin, about a lonely immigrant cab driver who celebrates the holiday with a hamster one of his fares has left behind.
SOHO TEEN
Soho Teen checks the bunker door for The Incredible True Story of the Making of The Eve of Destruction by Amy Brashear, in which 16-year-old Laura’s small Arkansas town lives with real anxiety as it becomes the filming location for a nuclear holocaust movie in 1984; and Hole in the Middle by Kendra Fortmeyer, a debut novel about a teen who was born with a hole in her middle, and is coming to terms with her body image in the age of social media.
SOURCEBOOKS JABBERWOCKY
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky crosses the border with Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, illus. by Giovanni Rigano, exploring the current plight of illegal aliens in graphic novel format; America’s Test Kitchen for Kids Cookbook, first in a line of children’s food and culinary books; Lorraine by Ketch Secor, illus. by Higgins Bond, in which Pa Paw and Lorraine must use the power of music to ward off a storm; 8 Little Planets by Chris Ferrie, featuring a rhyme about each planet figuring out that it should be orbiting the sun; and Royal Academy Rebels: Misfits by Jen Calonita, following a group of students at the prestigious school and training ground for fairytale leaders of tomorrow.
SOURCEBOOKS FIRE
Sourcebooks Fire does a double-take for The Similars by Rebecca Hanover, about the dark truths that begin to surface when six clones, knows as the Similars, join Emmy at her boarding school; The Dark Beneath the Ice by Amelinda Bérubé, in which a former dancer discovers that sometimes nightmares are real; The XY by Virginia Bergin, a novel set in a world where men are almost extinct and women rule; Breaking Rank by Laura Silverman, exploring the intensity and harmfulness of academic pressure; and After the Fire by Will Hill, following a 17-year-old girl whose life as she’s known it collapses in a confrontation between the cult she has grown up in and the forces of the U.S. government.
SPARKHOUSE FAMILY
Sparkhouse Family borrows a cup of sugar for Porcupine’s Pie by Laura Renauld, illus. by Jennie Poh, in which Porcupine and her woodland friends share ingredients with each other so everyone can make their specialty dish for Fall Feast; The Star in the Christmas Play by Lynne Marie, illus. by Lorna Hussey, in which Raffi the giraffe is the only savanna animal not excited about auditioning for the school Christmas play; and Mine! by Caryn Rivadeneira, illus. by Amanda Gulliver, It’s Not Fair! by Caryn Rivadeneira, illus. by Lorian Dean, and The Wrong Shoes by Caryn Rivadeneira, illus. by Graham Ross, three books in the Generous Kids series, which offers information about money, possessions, and generosity.
STERLING
Sterling chills with Mission Defrostable by Josh Funk, illus. by Brendan Kearney, in which Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are back with a mission to unfreeze the fridge before all the food is iced; 24 Hours in Nowhere by Dusti Bowling, an adventure story about four disadvantaged kids on a quest to find gold in an abandoned mine so they can make it out of their small town of Nowhere, Ariz.; A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks by Alice Faye Duncan, illus. by Xia Gordon, the latest addition in the People Who Shaped Our World series; How to Feed Your Parents by Ryan Miller, illus. by Hatem Aly, starring Matilda Mackincheese, who has to convince her picky parents to try new foods any way she can; and Holy Squawkamole! by Susan Wood, illus. by Laura Gonzalez, a folktale retelling in which none of the other animals want to help Little Red Hen make guacamole, but they all want a taste.
TUNDRA
Tundra hangs upside down with Megabat by Anna Humphrey, illus. by Kass Reich, introducing a fruit bat who sleeps on a papaya and enjoys Star Wars; Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey, illus. by Julie Sarda, spotlighting the childhood of author Mary Shelley; Goodnight, Anne by Kallie George, illus. by Genevieve Godbout, in which Anne bids goodnight to all the people and places she loves; Narwhal and Jelly #4 by Ben Clanton, the story of how Narwhal and Jelly met their new friend, Otter; and Sir Simon: Super Scarer by Cale Atkinson, which follows professional ghost Sir Simon and young Chester as they help each other with their respective chores.
ZONDERVAN/ZONDERKIDZ
Zonderkidz heads to the farm stand with Bear Picks a Pumpkin by Gill Guile, the tale of Bear’s quest to find the perfect pumpkin; and Words to Love By by Rick Warren, illus. by Ag Jatkowska, featuring examples of how children can use words to encourage, forgive, express gratitude, and love.
