Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles, including a picture book following a loggerhead’s release back into the wild, a YA debut following two teens navigating pregnancy, a YA coming-of-age story exploring grief that is partially set in Zimbabwe, a picture book about relaying the realities of America’s history, and many more.
January 1
Yoshi's Big Swim: One Turtle’s Epic Journey Home by Mary Wagley Copp, illus. by Kaja Kajfež. Capstone Editions, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-68446-535-4. After being rescued by fishermen and living in rehabilitation, loggerhead turtle Yoshi prepares to leave the safety of her home to return to the ocean in this picture book based on true events.
January 3
16 & Pregnant by LaLa Thomas. MTV, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-66591-727-8. When 16-year-old Erykah discovers she’s pregnant and relies on her best friend Kelly for support, the duo navigates the struggle for bodily autonomy as their decisions begin to fracture their friendship. The YA novel received a starred review from PW.
All That It Ever Meant by Blessing Musariri. Norton Young Readers, $18.95; ISBN 978-1-3240-3095-9. Following the loss of her mother and the implosion of her family, 14-year-old Mati travels with her family to their native homeland, Zimbabwe, while navigating her grief. The YA book received a starred review from PW.
An American Story by Kwame Alexander, illus. by Dare Coulter. Little, Brown, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-316-47312-5. Alexander explores how to share American history that contains painful roots with young readers, highlighting the power of telling the truth in the past and present. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Beaky Barnes: Egg on the Loose: A Graphic Novel by David Ezra Stein. Penguin Workshop, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-5930-9476-1. When Beaky the chicken lays her first egg, she abandons her friendship with her inspector to find the chick’s father and hatch it in safety, but encounters disruptions along the way.
Dark Testament by Crystal Simone Smith. Holt, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-85436-0. A collection of blackout poems pays homage to Black victims of unjust killings and systemic racism.
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert. Joy Revolution, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-48235-3. Former best friends Celine and Bradley reunite over the course of an outdoor internship that helps rekindle their friendship and the potential for something more, in this first YA book from the romance novelist.
The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim. Salaam Reads, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-66590-110-9. In hopes of appeasing her parents, Zahra agrees to date the rich candidate her parents have set her up with while pursuing her real crush on her co-worker, but soon finds her feelings for both boys to be in conflict.
My Selma: Stories of a Southern Childhood at the Height of the Civil Rights Movement by Willie Mae Brown. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-374-39023-5. Brown recounts her childhood in Selma, Ala., through a series of essays focusing on her family and community in the face of racism in the South.
Peekaboo Rex! by Sandra Boynton. Little Simon/Boynton Bookworks, $7.99; ISBN 978-1-665-92840-3. The newest book in the Boynton on Board series follows a T. rex in a game of hide and seek.
Rhinos at Recess by Mary Pope Osborne, illus. by AG Ford. Random House, $14.99; ISBN 978-0-593-48850-8. In the 37th addition to the Magic Tree House series, Jack and Annie’s latest magical excursion lands them in South Africa, where they attempt to save a rhinoceros from poachers.
Sincerely Sicily by Tamika Burgess. HarperCollins, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-315960-0. Sicily Jordan’s expectations for middle school are flipped on their head when she’s transferred to a new school without her friends, struggles to get back into writing after the loss of her grandfather, and learns about her identity as a Black Panamanian. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
Sisters of the Lost Marsh by Lucy Strange. Chicken House, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-338-68646-3. Willa and her five sisters are a cursed family living in a medieval village, and when her eldest sister disappears right before her wedding, Willa heads on a perilous journey to find her. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao. Delacorte, $19.99 (480p) ISBN 978-0-593-48750-1. The death of a royal official bonds 18-year-old teahouse singer Lan and magic practitioner Zen together. When the pair are accused of the crime, they go on the run as they uncover the roots of Lan’s magic. The YA book received a starred review from PW.
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black. Little, Brown, $20.99; ISBN 978-0-316-59270-3. In this new addition to the Elfhame universe, Suren, daughter of a royal with nefarious intentions for the city, must return to face off against her mother after years of living in the shadows.
We Are Here by Tami Charles, illus. by Bryan Collier. Orchard, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-338-75204-5. In the follow-up picture book to All Because You Matter, Charles and Collier celebrate community and togetherness through affirmations. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
January 10
Basketball Dreams by Chris Paul, illus. by Courtney Lovett. Roaring Brook, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-81003-8. NBA All-Star Paul pulls inspiration from his life to depict a young version of himself bonding with his grandfather and following his example when it came to lessons on and off the court.
Cool. Awkward. Black. Edited by Karen Strong. Viking, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-52509-8. Eighteen authors including Elise Bryant, Tracy Deonn, Kwame Mbalia, and Ibi Zoboi come together in this anthology exploring the joys and intersections of Blackness, fandom, and nerd culture.
Friday I’m in Love by Camryn Garrett. Knopf, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-5934-3510-6. Sixteen-year-old Mahalia Harris struggles with financial disparities, familial stress, and a new crush in the midst of planning her extravagant coming out party. The YA book received a starred review from PW.
The Green Piano by Roberta Flack with Tonya Bolden, illus. by Hayden Goodman. Random House/Schwartz, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-47987-2. Singer Roberta Flack shares the upbringing that inspired her musical career, starting with a green piano bought by her father.
The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali, illus. by Hatem Aly. Little, Brown, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-7595-5570-9. In the sequel to The Proudest Blue, Faizah worries when she notices her favorite red dress is different than her peers’ outfits for picture day but finds help from her classmates.
For Lamb by Lesa Cline-Ransome. Holiday House, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-82345-0152. The friendship between Lamb, a Black girl, and Marny, a white girl, in 1930s Mississippi sets off a harrowing chain of events in their community.
Little Black Lives Matter by Khodi Dill, illus. by Chelsea Charles. Seven Stories/Triangle Square, $19.95; ISBN 978-1-64421-187-8. Pointing to Black historical figures who have left an imprint on social justice, art, politics, and more, this board book shows children the importance of their young lives.
Love Is Loud: How Diane Nash Led the Civil Rights Movement by Sandra Neil Wallace, illus. by Bryan Collier. S&S/Wiseman, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-5103-2. Readers discover the extensive work of civil rights activist Nash and her dedication to peaceful protest. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Put Your Shoes On & Get Ready! by Raphael Warnock, illus. by TeMika Grooms. Philomel, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-52887-7. Warnock, Georgia’s first Black senator, recalls his father’s inspirational phrase that acts as a motivational refrain throughout his life.
The Superteacher Project by Gordon Korman. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-303279-8. Seventh graders Oliver and Nathan investigate their impossibly cool new teacher Mr. Aidact, discovering he is a robot in need of saving.
Very Good Hats by Emma Straub, illus. by Blanca Gómez. Rocky Pond, $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-5935-2943-0. In this picture book debut from adult author and bookseller Straub, a variety of characters showcase how, with a bit of creativity, hats can be made of anything. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride. Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-2507-8038-6. When Whimsy meets a magical Fae with whom she shares a past she can’t remember, the pair attempt to unearth their memories, coming across familiar fairy tale characters along the way.
What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski. Quill Tree, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-06-321309-8. When Anna Hunt arrives at her new middle school and notices the ostracizing of a fellow student, Anna attempts to uncover the reasons behind her isolation.
You Are My Pride: A Love Letter from Your Motherland by Carole Boston Weatherford, illus. by E.B. Lewis. Astra Young Readers, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-63592-387-2. Told from the perspective of Mother Africa, this picture book highlights her love for all of mankind and their shared beginning.
