May flowers have arrived along with new installments for several series. U.S royals are looking for love, the first day of Kindergarten is a cause for excitement, plans for warm welcomes for new friends are hatched, a K-pop star literally falls in love, and more in our roundup of notable sequels for young readers.
Picture Books
Ada Twist and the Disappearing Dogs by Andrea Beaty, illus. by David Roberts (Abrams/Amulet, May 17 $12.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-4352-8). Someone is pet-napping all the beloved pets in town, but to discover the truth Ada must ask all the right questions, in this fifth installment of the bestselling Questioneers series.
Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome by Kat Zhang, illus. by Charlene Chua (S&S, May 3 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-9735-1). In the third addition to the Amy Wu series, Amy wonders how she can give Lin, a new student who’s come from China, the best welcome possible.
Another Squiggly Story by Andrew Larsen, illus. by Mike Lowery (Kids Can, May 3 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-5253-0482-8). A boy takes his first swing at the writing process with a story about him, by him, in this sequel to A Squiggly Story.
A Cool Day at the Pool by Lola M. Schaefer, illus. by Savannah Allen (Simon Spotlight, May 3 $6.99; ISBN 978-1-665-90331-8). In the second installment of the Sprinkles and Swirls series, summer awaits Sprinkle and Swirls, including adventures at a water park and a pool.
Grumpy Monkey Are We There Yet? by Suzanne Lang, illus. by Max Lang (Random House Studio, May 3 $8.99 board; ISBN 978-0-593-43283-9). In the eighth book in the Grumpy Monkey series, the titular character learns the virtue of patience.
Grumpy Monkey Says No! by Suzanne Lang, illus. by Max Lang (Random House Studio, May 3 $8.99 board; ISBN 978-0-593-43284-6). Grumpy Monkey’s adventures continue in the ninth installment of the series, where on some days, “no” is the only word in his vocabulary.
The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, illus. by Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Penguin/Paulsen, May 24 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-11142-0). In this picture book instilling confidence, a companion to The King of Kindergarten, MJ’s more than ready to bring her best qualities to school.
When Glitter Met Glue by Karen Kilpatrick, illus. by Germán Blanco (Holt, May 10 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-81760-0). In the third installment of the When Pencil Met Eraser series, though Glue enjoys helping her friends become art, she aspires to showcase her creative talents as well. When she meets new friend, Glitter, their friendship helps bring out Glue’s artistic potential.
Novels and Graphic Novels
A Cruel and Fated Light by Ashley Shuttleworth (McElderry, May 24 $21.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-5370-8). With a royal confrontation over the throne approaching, Arlo must discover the new adversary attempting to use her to summon the Seven Deadly Sins, in the sequel to Hollow Star.
Apple Crush by Lucy Knisley (Random House Graphic, May 3 $12.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-984-89687-2). In the second installment of the Peapod Farm series, Jen’s new school year comes with the new dilemma of male friendship.
Barb and the Ghost Blade by Dan & Jason (S&S, May 31 $13.99, ISBN 978-1-5344-8574-7). Barb is the only Berzerker left after Witch Head has captured them all, and though her new gang isn’t quite official Berzerk material, they’ll do what it takes to save their comrades, in the second installment to the series.
Bloom of the Flower Dragon by Tracey West, illus. by Graham Howells (Scholastic, May 17 $5.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-338-77687-4). The Dragon Masters match a boy who desires a fire-breathing dragon with a flower dragon in need of help, in the latest addition to the Dragon Masters series.
Bright by Jessica Jung (S&S, May 10 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-534-46254-0). K-pop sensation Rachel Kim returns in the sequel to Shine, in which her “anti-love” vows are put to the test when she falls for a man on the metro and begins to get attuned to the feelings of her heart.
City of Hooks and Scars by Estelle Laure (Disney-Hyperion, May 31 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-368-04939-9). Hoping to unveil the truth about the monsters who have transformed her friends, Mary Elizabeth discovers a scheme being arranged in her town that may have dire consequences, in the second installment in the City of Villains series.
The Dangerous Gift by Tui T. Sutherland (Scholastic, May 3 $7.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-338-21455-0). Freshly crowned Snowfall is mistrustful when outsider dragons appear at the edge of her borders but learns she can keep her kingdom safe and be a helping hand in the 14th installment in the bestselling Wings of Fire series.
The Golden Swift by Lev Grossman (Little, Brown, May 3 $16.99; 978-0-316-28354-0). In this sequel to The Silver Arrow, Kate and Tom, official conductors of their magical animal rescue train, discover a new train on the Great Secret Intercontinental Railway that may challenge all they knew about magic and their mission. See our q&a with Grossman about the series.
I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 by Lauren Tarshis, illus. by Berat Pekmezci (Graphix, May 3 $10.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-338-76691-2). The fifth addition to the I Survived graphic novel series follows Mel as she learns to face her fear in a fictional retelling of the 1967 Night of the Grizzlies.
Kiki Kallira Conquers a Curse by Sangu Mandanna (Viking, May 17 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-20700-0). In this sequel to Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom, Kallira returns to the world she brought to life with her sketchbook to help a princess break a curse.
Lowriders to the Rescue by Cathy Camper, illus. by Raúl the Third (Chronicle, May 31 $12.99; ISBN 978-1-4521-7949-0). In this revival of the acclaimed Lowriders series, Lupe, Flapjack, and Elirio await the return of the monarchs in town. But when news arrives of a blazing fire that sidelines the monarchs’ arrival, the Lowriders must help save their town from the inferno.
Marcus Makes It Big by Kevin Hart and Geoff Rodkey, illus. by David Cooper (Crown, May 3 $16.99; ISBN 978-0-593-17918-5). Hart returns to the world of Marcus Makes a Movie, where Marcus struggles to come up with a concept for his next film and his friends seem too busy to help. When a talk-show opportunity arises it seems like just the thing to jumpstart their careers, but may be the thing to tear his friend group apart.
Medieval Mayhem by Brett Bean (Penguin Workshop, May 31 $12.99; ISBN 978-0-593-38338-4). The Zoo Patrol’s fourth adventure finds the animal squad in the midst of a medieval mystery to uncover why everything around the fair is suddenly going missing.
The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna (Delacorte, May 31 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-984-84872-7). In the sequel to fantasy novel The Gilded Ones, war is raging across the kingdom and only Deka and her army can stop it. That’s if Deka can get control of her new changing powers.
My Own Lightning by Lauren Wolk (Dutton, May 3 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-525-55559-9). In this sequel to the Newbery Honor-winning Wolf Hollow, Annabelle develops the ability to feel the pain of animals around her after being struck by lightning, and meets an old adversary who brings up complicated feelings of forgiveness. See our q&a with Wolk.
Patsy Mink by Tae Keller, introduction by Chelsea Clinton, illus. by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (Philomel, May 3 $5.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-40290-0). This addition to the She Persisted series follows Mink, the first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to Congress.
Rivals by Katharine McGee (Random House, May 31 $19.99 ISBN 978-0-593-42970-9). In the third addition to the bestselling American Royals series, the plot thickens as the ladies of the American throne continue in their search for love and power.
Scaredy Squirrel Gets a Surprise by Mélanie Watt (Random House, May 3 $12.99; ISBN 978-0-593-30758-8). When Scaredy receives an unexpected present, his friends help him learn the fun of spontaneity, in the second installment of Scaredy’s Nutty Adventures.
Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean (Flatiron, May 31 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-76663-2). In the sequel to Tokyo Ever After, newly minted Japanese American princess Izumi Tanaka is excited for her parents’ rekindled relationship, until roadblocks from the council arise. In order to prove that she and her family are of worthy pedigree for the throne, Izumi must show them that she can be the ideal princess, even if it might cost her her own happy ending. [See our q&a with Jean about the series].
Who Is Colin Kaepernick? by Lakita Wilson, illus. by Gregory Copeland (Penguin Workshop, May 3$5.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-51940-0). The latest addition to the Who HQ Now series highlights the achievements of professional football player and activist Kaepernick.
