Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles, including a YA fairy tale inspired duology opener, a middle grade novel featuring a Marvel hero’s early beginnings, a YA novel featuring a girl confronting the trauma of her past, a duology finale set in an alternate reality, and many more.
Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen. Delacorte, $18.9; ISBN 978-0-593-42753-8. In this fairy tale-inspired duology opener, Violet’s ability to predict the future grants her a place in the king’s court, where her prophecies are influenced by the king’s desire. When Violet must make a prophecy about Prince Cyrus’s future, her allegiance to the king is tested as she and the Prince grow closer.
Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma by Preeti Chhibber, illus. by Nicoletta Baldari. Marvel Press, $16.99; ISBN 978-1-368-05169-9. In this series opener, Peter Parker’s double life as Spider-Man comes to a head when he must face off with the Sandman to protect the city.
Love Times Infinity by Lane Clarke. Poppy, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-7595-5670-6. Michelle Cooper’s dreams of attending Brown University to become a writer are hindered by the trauma of growing up as the product of a sexual assault. With the help of a charming new friend, she works to overcome her past to pursue her future. The YA book earned a starred review from PW.
After Life by Melissa de la Cruz. Disney Hyperion, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-368-06694-5. When Jack discovers she has woken up in an alternate reality, where the love of her life is still alive along with her adversary Lucifer. Jack must save the world all over again if she ever wants to return home.
Team Chu and the Battle of Blackwood Arena by Julie C. Dao. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-374-38875-1. Siblings Clip and Sadie Chu’s trip to a new gaming arena takes a turn when Chip gets trapped inside the game, and Sadie and their friends must put aside their competitive streak to save him.
Boys I Know by Anna Gracia. Peachtree Teen, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-68263-371-7. Taiwanese American high school senior June Chu must come to a decision about her future to satisfy her mother about her college plans, while navigating complicated relationships with the boys she desires. The debut YA book earned a starred review from PW.
Beasts of Ruin by Ayana Gray. Putnam, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-40571-0. In the follow up to the bestselling Beasts of Prey, Koffi finds herself unwillingly in allegiance with the god of death and must embrace her powers if she plans to escape. Meanwhile, Ekon will do anything to get back to Koffi, including making some questionable allies.
awkward stuff. by Lisi Harrison. Putnam, $8.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-9848-1504-0. In the third installment to the Girl Stuff series, Fonda, Drew, and Ruthie are in the midst of their school’s sex education program and must navigate new relationships with boys. To ease their nerves, they decide to schedule their first kiss to be on the same night.
I Am Amazing! by Alissa Holder and Zulekha Holder-Young, illus. by Nneka Myers (Flamingo, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-32732-6). Amazing Ayaan enjoys being a superhero. When his friends challenge whether or not he truly can be a hero, he finds support from his family.
The Witchery by S. Isabelle. Scholastic Press, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-338-75896-2. As Haunting Season approaches, new witch at Mesmortes Coven Academy Logan Wyatt uncovers a hex on their town and must work with her friends to protect their community from nefarious supernaturals.
Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor. Wednesday Books, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-81841-6. Bookworm Beatrice spends a summer at a Shakespeare camp in order to prove to her parents that she can be social and discovers new sides of herself when she’s not hitting the books.
Master of Iron by Tricia Levenseller. Feiwel and Friends, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-75682-4. In the Bladesmith duology closer, Ziva’s race to find a healer for her ailing sisters results in her capture by an enemy. Ziva must choose between sacrificing her magical morals or saving the ones she loves.
Grounded for All Eternity by Darcy Marks. Aladdin, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-534-48336-1. On the night of Halloween, Mal and his friends’ nighttime adventure brings them to a portal to Salem, Mass., and when they discover they’ve brought an escaped soul with them, they race to find a way back home.
Double Puppy Trouble by Danica McKellar, illus. by Josée Masse. Crown, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-101-93386-2. Moxie Jo enjoys everything to the max and when she discovers a magical stick that can double everything, she doubles the one thing everyone wants more of: puppies. But double the pups means double the responsibility, and Moxie may have bit off more than she can chew.
Beating Heart Baby by Lio Min. Flatiron, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-81909-3. After a devastating friend breakup, Santi Arboleda is focusing on restarting in Los Angeles. When he meets Suwa, he finds a potential second chance for a relationship. The YA book earned a starred review from PW.
Accomplished by Amanda Quian. Wednesday Books, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-81781-5. In this twist on Pride and Prejudice, Georgiana Darcy returns to her junior year of high school with a smeared reputation. With the help of her brother and new ally Avery, she sets out to rebuild her name within the student body.
Twice as Perfect by Louisa Onomé. Feiwel and Friends, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-82350-2. Nigerian American Adanna does all she can to live up to her parents’ expectations after her brother Sam is ousted from the family. But when Sam and Adanna reconnect, she questions if it is possible for her to pursue a life of her own making.
The Elephant Girl by James Patterson and Ellen Bandu-Aaku with Sophia Krevoy. Little, Brown/ Patterson, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-316-31692-7. In this story based on true events, 12-year-old Jama Anyango befriends elephants living at the edge of her village and, following an accident, puts herself at risk to protect the elephants from poachers.
Padawan by Kiersten White. Disney Lucasfilm Press, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-368-02349-8. Obi-Wan Kenobi takes his first mission after feeling stifled by the slow pace of Qui-Gon Jinn’s training and finds a planet of Force-efficient teens living dangerously on their own. As Obi-Wan discovers secrets upon his mission, he must face his future of becoming a Jedi or risk losing the planet.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of July, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
