Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles including a nonlinear nonfiction book highlighting American history, a YA book exploring the effects of immigration laws in the U.S, a picture book about a caterpillar’s unique path to development, a picture book confronting anti-fat bias, and more.
America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History by Ariel Aberg-Riger. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $24.99; ISBN 978-0-0630-5753-1. Aberg-Riger examines issues surrounding identity in politics between the late 18th century and the 21st century. The nonfiction book received a starred review from PW.
Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa. Wednesday, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-84399-9. Nonbinary teen Ander and newcomer Santi begin a relationship but come under threat when Santi’s undocumented status draws attention from government officials.
Becoming Charley by Kelly DiPucchio, illus. by Loveis Wise. Knopf, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-42904-4. Charley the caterpillar differs from the rest of his caterpillar cohort and finds inspiration by admiring the nature around him.
Big by Vashti Harrison. Little, Brown, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-316-35322-9. A dancing, playful child embraces her body when comments from schoolmates and teachers make her feel ashamed about her size. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Chasing Pacquiao by Rod Pulido. Viking, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-52673-6. When high school student Bobby suffers torment from bullies, he takes up boxing just like his hero, Manny Pacquiao, to protect himself.
Ellie Engle Saves Herself by Leah Johnson. Disney-Hyperion, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-368-08555-7. Ellie discovers that she can bring organisms back to life and navigates how her newfound power affects her relationships with her friends and family, and her perception of herself. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
Everything Possible by Fred Small, illus. by Alison Brown. Nosy Crow, $17.99; ISBN 979-8-88777-022-2. Adapting the lyrics of a Fred Small folk song, this picture book readies readers for bed with affirmations about all that they can do.
Every Day: The Graphic Novel by David Levithan, illus. by Dion MBD. Random House Graphic, $17.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-42897-9. In this graphic novel adaptation of Levithan’s 2012 YA novel, after waking up in a different body every day, A meets Rhiannon and fears losing her when they wake up as someone new tomorrow.
Fall of the School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani HarperCollins, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-326953-8. In the duology closer to the Rise of the School for Good and Evil series, brothers Rhian and Rafal are on opposing sides of the School for Good and Evil, but a massive betrayal may cost them both, and the students’ fates hang in the balance.
The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson. Simon & Schuster, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-534493-35-3. Ryanna Stuart heads to closed Camp Van Camp for the summer and follows a secret treasure map with the hopes of saving the camp. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
Four Eyes: A Graphic Novel by Rex Ogle, illus. by Dave Valeza. Graphix, $24.99; ISBN 978-1-338-57497-5; $12.99 paper ISBN 978-1-338-57496-8. Ogle recounts his tumultuous sixth grade year, focusing on how his glasses caused friction with bullies, classmates, and within his own family.
Four Found Dead by Natalie D. Richards. Sourcebooks Fire, $11.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-728215-81-5. On the closing night of the mall, Jo and her coworkers fight for their lives against a murderous assailant.
Here by Ally Condie, illus. by Jaime Kim Viking, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-32714-2. A child finds techniques to ground themselves and appreciate the present moment.
Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-304587-3. Imogen Scott contends with feelings for a girl for the first time when pretending to be her best friend Lilli’s ex but starts falling for one of Lilli’s friends. The YA book received a starred review from PW.
The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman. Knopf, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-47928-5. Instead of searching for her father who hasn’t returned from his last mission, Selly sets sail on her own mission to help bring the magically gifted Prince Leander to a secret isle to save their nation. The YA book received a starred review from PW.
Liar’s Beach by Katie Cotugno. Delacorte, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-43328-7. When scholarship student Michael Linden takes a trip with a group of rich classmates, all of their secrets are at risk of being revealed after one of them is found dead.
Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban. Razorbill, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-5935-2760-3. Jade and her classmates, including her ex-boyfriend and former best friend, find themselves trapped at sea with a killer.
Miles Morales Suspended: A Spider-Man Novel by Jason Reynolds, illus. by Zeke Peña Atheneum/Dlouhy, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-665-91846-6. In the sequel to Miles Morales: Spider-Man, while suspended from school, Miles becomes embroiled in a battle with a termite that threatens to rewrite history.
Minerva Keen’s Detective Club by James Patterson and Keir Graff. Little, Brown/Patterson, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-316-41223-0. Left at the Chicago Arcanum while her parents are away on business, Minerva Keen is the witness to a resident’s poisoning and when she becomes a suspect must find the true killer.
My Dad Is a Tree by Jon Agee. Rocky Pond, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-53137-2. A child and his father spend time outside pretending to be a tree, which draws the attention of wildlife.
The Noise Inside Boys: A Story About Big Feelings by Pete Oswald. Random House, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-48322-0. When a child’s sandcastle is destroyed, he returns home to chart his emotions with his caregiver to better understand exactly how he feels.
The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate. HarperCollins, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-308008-9. In this follow up to The One and Only Ivan and The One and Only Bob, little elephant Ruby grows frustrated with her elder’s lack of interest in her opinion, especially regarding a Tuskday celebration that is almost ruined by unwelcome visitors.
Our Dragon by Mem Fox, illus. by Linda Davick. Beach Lane, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-5333-3. The proud human parents of a new baby dragon soon discover that settling into life with their little one is all about putting out fires—literally.
The Pebble: An Allegory of the Holocaust by Marius Marcinkevičius, trans. by Jūra Avižienis, illus. by Inga Dagilė Thames & Hudson, $17.95; ISBN 978-0-500-65326-5. In this story set during 1943, Rivka revisits memories of her past with her best friend Eitan while living in a Jewish ghetto.
Princess Private Eye by Evelyn Skye. Disney-Hyperion, $16.99; ISBN 978-1-368-07802-3. When secret agents from an obscure nation claim that 12-year-old Gen Sun is their missing princess, Gen is whisked away to the grand palace, where she must undergo princess training to rule one day.
Real to Me by Minh Lê, illus. by Raissa Figueroa. Knopf, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-37749-9. A child’s bond with a furry green creature proves to be a source of connection, whether the creature is real or not.
Repeat After Me: Big Things to Say Every Day by Jazmyn Simon and Dulé Hill, illus. by Shamar Knight-Justice. Random House, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-42697-5. By repeating positive affirmations, a child learns to instill positive perceptions of themselves.
Skandar and the Phantom Rider by A.F. Steadman. Simon & Schuster, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-665-91276-1. The second book in the Skandar series follows official unicorn rider Skandar as he tries to protect unicorns from being killed, and help his sister join his ranks at his school.
The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro. Disney Hyperion, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-368-08115-3. In this novel set in Riordan’s Percy Jackson universe, with summer at Camp Half-Blood finished, Nico and Will embark on a quest to find an entity that is calling for Nico in his dreams.
This Is the First Book I Will Read to You by Francesco Sedita, illus. by Magenta Fox Viking, $18.99; ISBN: 978-0-593-40505-5. A new father nervously prepares to read his child his first-ever bedtime story.
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley. Holt, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-76658-8. In this companion novel taking place 10 years after Firekeeper’s Daughter, high schooler Perry Firekeeper-Birch learns that a local university has been taking advantage of legal loopholes to hold on to deceased Anishinaabe remains and plans a heist to steal them back. The YA book received a starred review from PW.
Weather Together by Jessie Sima Simon & Schuster, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-665-91698-1. In the latest in the Not Quite Narwhal and Friends series, Nimbus tries to hide their clouds from their friends but becomes overwhelmed by keeping their struggle to themselves.
We Are Branches by Joyce Sidman, illus. by Beth Krommes. Clarion, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-358-53818-9. This picture book shows how living things—and not just trees—often grow in branching forms, highlighting the connections within nature.
When You Can Swim by Jack Wong. Orchard, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-338-83096-5. Varied figures spanning abilities, ages, body types, and skin tones float, stroke, and dive into and under different bodies of water. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest. Scholastic Press, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-338-81383-8. Wheelchair user and senior Effie Galanos speaks up against school administrators for the right to participate in senior off-campus lunch, which requires proper accommodations. The YA book received a starred review from PW.
A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner. Aladdin, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-6659-0515-2. Middle schooler Will Chambers navigates body dysmorphia, disordered eating, and stigma. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay by Kelly McWilliams. Little, Brown, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-316-44993-9. When Harriet Douglass discovers the plantation next door is being turned into a party venue by a celebrity, she attempts to save the plantation and honor its legacy.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of May, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
