Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles, including a YA novel about the Bosnian war, a stormy Ohio story, the conclusion of a bestselling series, and an angel’s coming-of-age story.
We Are All That’s Left by Carrie Arcos. Philomel, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-399-17554-1. Arcos (Out of Reach) depicts the horrors of the 1990s Bosnian conflict in this powerful novel that juxtaposes images of the war against a fictionalized terrorist attack in Rhode Island. The book earned a starred review from PW.
The Gone Away Place by Christopher Barzak. Knopf, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-399-55609-8. Barzak (Wonders of the Invisible World) conjures a palpable sense of otherworldliness in this eerie YA novel set in a tornado-ridden Ohio. The book earned a starred review from PW.
The Penderwicks at Last by Jeanne Birdsall. Knopf, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-385-75566-5. In this final installment of Birdsall’s Penderwicks series, the Penderwick family returns to the setting of the first novel: Arundel, a grand estate in the Berkshires, where oldest daughter Rosalind is to be wed to her boyfriend Tommy.
Out of the Blue by Sophie Cameron. Roaring Brook, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-250-14991-6. Equal parts humorous fish-out-of-water story and poignant coming-of-age tale, this fantasy-tinged debut from Scottish author Cameron examines questions of faith, agency, morality, and mortality.
I Hate Everyone by Naomi Danis, illus. by Cinta Arribas. Pow, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-57687-874-3. In this picture book, it’s the young narrator’s birthday, and she is a hot mess of emotions.
Ocean Meets Sky by the Fan Brothers. Simon & Schuster, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-4814-7037-7. Meticulous draftsmanship by the sibling duo (The Night Gardener) gives the spreads majesty in this whimsical picture book about the afterlife. The book earned a starred review from PW.
The Accidental Bad Girl by Maxine Kaplan. Amulet, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-2858-7. Kendall deftly explores the shades of gray between “good” and “bad” and the freedom of self-acceptance, while shining a light on issues such as rape culture, bullying, and enduring sexual double standards. The book earned a starred review from PW.
The Sandcastle That Lola Built by Megan Maynor, illus. by Kate Berube. Knopf, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-5247-1615-8. This celebration of kid-driven collaboration from Maynor (the Ella and Penguin books) and Berube (My Little Half-Moon) starts with an uh-oh moment: while retrieving his Frisbee, a boy accidentally tramples on Lola’s sand castle. But instead of crying or accusing, Lola enlists help to rebuild.
What I Leave Behind by Alison McGhee. Atheneum/Dlouhy, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-4814-7656-0. In this spare, emotionally raw novella, the thoughtful 16-year-old narrator, Will, walks through Los Angeles neighborhoods as he tries to heal from his losses. The book earned a starred review from PW.
All of This Is True by Lygia Day Peñaflor. HarperCollins, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-267365-7. This suspenseful YA novel addresses the extremes of fan fervor and raises questions about authorial responsibility.
Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea by Lynne Rae Perkins. Greenwillow, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-06-249966-0. Newbery Medalist Perkins (Criss Cross) vividly captures the world through a child’s eyes in this quiet novel chronicling Alix Treffrey’s weeklong vacation on the beach with her parents and her “more mature” sister, Jools. The book earned a starred review from PW.
Rock 'n' Roll Soul by Susan Verde, illus. by Matthew Cordell. Abrams, $16.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-2849-5. In Verde’s (I Am Yoga) latest picture book, as all the student musicians at school gear up for the talent show, an exuberant girl makes her plans as well.
The Boy, the Bird, and the Coffin Maker by Matilda Woods, illus. by Anuska Allepuz. Philomel, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-525-51521-0. Elegantly told from start to finish and enhanced by Allepuz’s evocative images and decorations, this fairy tale by debut author Woods will linger with readers. The book earned a starred review from PW.
The Memory of Forgotten Things by Kat Zhang. Aladdin, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-4814-7865-6. In this middle grade novel, Zhang guides readers and her trio of misfit characters through the important lessons of letting go, the myth that there’s a better life waiting somewhere else, and the unintended consequences of each action and reaction.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of May, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
