This month, April showers bring series additions for a witch on her own witch hunt, intergalactic friends carving paths of their own, a lyricist fighting for change in his neighborhood, and more.
Picture Books and Early Readers
Fast AND Slow (Both Just Right!) by JaNay Brown-Wood, illus. by Jade Orlando (Charlesbridge, Apr. 12. $8.99 board; ISBN 978-1-62354-280-1). Though Jaguar and Sloth take on the world at different speeds, they each can learn something from the other’s pace of life, in this addition to the Chicken Soup for the Soul Babies series.
Starla Jean Takes the Cake by Elana K. Arnold, illus. by A.N. Kang (Roaring Brook, Apr. 5 $14.99; ISBN 978-1-250-30578-7). In the second installment in the Starla Jean series, Starla prepares for her younger sister’s birthday, and the surprises during her preparations may be exactly what she needs for the perfect party.
Wow in the Wild: The Amazing World of Animals by Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz, illus. by Jack Teagle (Clarion, Apr. 12 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-358-30689-4). Podcasters Thomas and Raz break down the fascinating facts of the animal kingdom’s most one-of-a-kind creatures in the third addition to the Wow in the World series.
The World of Emily Windsnap: Emily’s Big Discovery by Liz Kessler, illus. by Joanie Stone (Apr. 12. Candlewick, $14.99; ISBN 978-1-5362-1522-9; $5.99 paper). In the first in a new Emily Windsnap series for younger readers, despite her mother’s warnings about staying out of the water, Emily takes a swimming class at school and discovers a big secret about herself.
Novels and Graphic Novels
Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality by Roshani Chokshi (Disney/Rick Riordan Presents, Apr. 5, 2022 $16.99; ISBN 978-1-368-05544-4). In the fifth book in the Aru Shah series, Aru is reeling from the betrayal of her sister, and only has until the next full moon to prevent the evil Sleeper from gaining power. Without their celestial weapons, the Pandavas will have to call in favors from allies new and old and decide who is worthy of immortality.
Doggy Double Header by James Patterson with Steven Butler, illus. by Richard Watson (Little, Brown/Jimmy Patterson, Apr. 11 $9.99 paper over board; ISBN 978-0-316-46842-8). This double header features stories of Dog Diaries: Mission ImPAWsible and Dog Diaries: Curse of the Mystery Mutt, together for the first time. First, Junior and his canine comrades find their way home after forgotten by their humans, and then he solves a mystery unraveling in his town.
Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak by Charlie Jane Anders (Tor Teen, Apr. 5, 2022 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-31739-1). Rachel is unable to pursue her dreams of being an artist following an extraterrestrial meeting; Tina hides that she is not the legendary space commander she’s envisioned to be; and Elza longs to be the first human princess. The three make their quests in the second book in the Unstoppable series.
Ebonwilde by Crystal Smith (Clarion, Apr. 12 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-328-49632-4). Awakening from a supernatural rest, Aurelia cannot find her friends. Desperate to locate them, she journeys into Ebonwilde to discover she must stop the end of the world, if she wants to make it home in the third and final installment of the Bloodleaf Trilogy.
The Flames of Hope by Tui T. Sutherland (Scholastic Press, Apr. 5 $16.99; ISBN 978-1-338-21457-4). In the conclusion to the bestselling Wings of Fire series, if Luna plans to fulfill the prophecy and save all of dragon and human-kind, it will require her to reveal the deep rooted secrets destroying Pantala, or risk losing her world forever.
Kiara Fights Back by Marilyn Kaye (Peachtree, Apr. 26 $16.99; ISBN 978-0-8234-4611-7). In the third installment in the Spyglass Sisterhood series, Kiara learns that a classmate is being bullied and enlists the help of her sisterhood: Ellie, Kiara, and Alyssa. Using the magic spyglass that reveals people’s true feelings, the girls work together to bring the bully to justice.
Omen’s Bite by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (Wednesday Books, Apr. 5 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-76566-6). Twin witches Mercy and Hunter are the guardians to the Gates to the underworlds, but the duo have split. Hunter finds herself in the company of a powerful goddess, while Mercy’s attempts to guard the gates alone land her in a new world of trouble with Khenti. The sisters’ unification is the only thing that can save either of them in this sequel to Sisters of Salem.
Quint and Dirk’s Hero Quest by Max Brallier and Douglas Holgate (Viking, Apr. 12 $14.99; ISBN 978-0-593-40535-2). Powerful pair Quint and Dirk pick up the mantle to fight off monsters and embark on a postapocalyptic adventure in this new installment in the Last Kids on Earth series.
The Sea of Always by Jodi Lynn Anderson (Aladdin, Apr. 5, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-4814-8024-6). Rosie Oaks didn’t know that her victory over the witch who erased her mother’s memory would only open her up to a world of more witches just like the one she just defeated. Determined to put a stop to them once and for all, Rose begins a quest to stop all of the remaining Thirteen Witches, putting her own magical abilities to the test in book #2 in the series.
Shadow of the Bird by Tim Probert (HarperAlley, Apr. 26, $12.99; ISBN 978-0-06-299048-8). In the second installment of the Lightfall series, Bea and Cad cannot let Kest Ke Belenus ruin the Lights of the Irpa. A visit to water spirit Lorgon leads to the revelation that there is far more they don’t know. Bea and Cal must now make the choice to stop Kest or unravel the truth.
Simon B. Rhymin’ Takes a Stand by Dwayne Reed (Little, Brown, Apr. 5 $16.99; ISBN 978-0-316-53901-2). Lyricist Simon returns in this sequel to save his friend’s debate team from being cut as an afterschool activity by petitioning in their community. But when the school board gets word of their petition, Simon must use his rhyming to prove that their voices matter.
Veil by Dylan Farrow (Wednesday Books, Apr. 26 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-23593-0). In the follow-up to dark fantasy novel Hush, after discovering the truth of her magical abilities and quest to find her mother’s killer, Shae abandons her home to journey with trusted allies to the forbidden Gondal in order to acquire the mystical Book of Days and restore peace.
Youngbloods by Scott Westerfeld (Scholastic Press, Apr. 5 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-338-15155-8). In the fourth and final installment of the Uglies series, Frey is no longer confined to the desires of her father and sister, and with this newfound independence she challenges the power her dangerous family still holds.
