Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles including a graphic novel adventure, a sneak-attack cat, the story of a haunted house, and a YA look at queer adults who changed the U.S.
This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews. First Second, $21.99; ISBN 978-1-62672-053-4. This leisurely graphic novel opens on the autumnal equinox, when a community sends paper lanterns down a river. Five boys and a bullied tagalong science fanatic named Nathaniel make a pact to find out where the lanterns go. The book earned a starred review from PW.
Max Attacks by Kathi Appelt, illus. by Penelope Dullaghan. Atheneum/Dlouhy, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-4814-5146-8. In this picture book, Max the cat lurks under the couch, head to the ground, tail lashing, and ready for a fight.
Ghost Cat by Kevan Atteberry. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-8234-4283-6. In a comforting picture book about memory, longing, and hope, a boy is convinced that his home is being occupied by a ghost.
A Queer History of the United States for Young People by Michael Bronski, adapted by Richie Chevat. Beacon, $18.95; ISBN 978-0-8070-5612-7. In this adaptation of his 2011 book for adults, Bronski suggests that the Stonewall riots were precipitated by a number of LGBTQ Americans making their own strides toward liberty.
Sea Sirens by Amy Chu, illus. by Janet K. Lee. Viking, $20.99; ISBN 978-0-451-48017-0. Middle-schooler Trot lives in Huntington Beach, Calif., and loves nothing more than surfing with her cat, Cap’n Bill, while her grandfather fishes nearby.
Briar and Rose and Jack by Katherine Coville. Clarion, $16.99; ISBN 978-1-328-95005-5. This intelligently written fairy tale remix of “Sleeping Beauty” and “Jack and the Beanstalk” follows headstrong twins Rose and Briar from their births to their 16th birthday.
Go for the Moon: A Rocket, a Boy, and the First Moon Landing by Chris Gall. Roaring Brook, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-15579-5. In this picture book, a child imaginatively follows the astronauts’ movements in the hours leading up to the Apollo 11 mission. The book earned a starred review from PW.
Big Boys Cry by Jonty Howley. Random House, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-5247-7320-5. In this picture book set in a seaside village, the son of a fisherman is anxious about starting school.
Hum and Swish by Matt Myers. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-8234-4286-7. Jamie is engrossed in creating something at the beach: an elaborate assemblage of rocks, sticks, shells, claws, sand, and debris. The picture book earned a starred review from PW.
Groundbreaking Guys: 40 Men Who Became Great by Doing Good by Stephanie True Peters, illus. by Shamel Washington. Little, Brown, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-316-52941-9. Peters celebrates 40 men from across the globe who have strived to make the world a better place.
Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-250-29948-2. Insecurities, misunderstandings, and pride lead to a feud that ignites into passion in this sweet YA romance between two teen girls. The novel earned a starred review from PW.
Llama Destroys the World by Jonathan Stutzman, illus. by Heather Fox. Holt, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-250-30317-2. Co-creators Stutzman and Fox open this outrageous story of planetary annihilation with a prediction: “On Friday, Llama will destroy the world.” The picture book earned a starred review from PW.
The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante. Putnam, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-525-51402-2. Villasante’s engrossing debut about two Salvadoran sisters recently arrived in the U.S. opens with plenty of tension: 17-year-old Marisol is being interviewed about the siblings’ request for asylum.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of June, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
