Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles, including a nonfiction book about the war in Ukraine, a YA novel about siblings navigating the loss of their parents, a middle grade novel about a preteen exploring their queer identity, a graphic novel following a fox’s escape from her responsibilities, and more.
82 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary by Don Brown. Clarion, $22.99; ISBN 978-0-06-331156-5. Brown captures the harsh realities of the war in Ukraine and explores the complicated, thousand-year history of the former Slavic kingdom.
As Long as We’re Together by Brianna Peppins. Scholastic Press, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-338-81407-1. Sixteen-year-old volleyball star Novah and her six siblings try to find their new normal after the sudden deaths of their parents, placing greater responsibilities on everyone’s shoulders.
The Beautiful Something Else by Ash Van Otterloo. Scholastic Press, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-3388-4322-4. Twelve-year-old Sparrow is sent to live with estranged relatives, where they explore their gender identity and encounter a strange animate shadow.
Clementine Fox and the Great Island Adventure: A Graphic Novel by Leigh Luna. Graphix, $22.99; ISBN 978-1-338-35625-0; $12.99 paper ISBN 978-1-338-35624-3. Young Clementine Fox seizes the opportunity to leave her problems and schooling behind by stowing away on the back of a traveling turtle.
The Cobra’s Song by Supriya Kelkar. Simon & Schuster, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-6659-1188-7. Geetanjali is nervous about performing publicly, but when her voice attracts the attention of wildlife she learns to become more confident in her singing abilities.
Court of the Undying Seasons by A.M. Strickland. Feiwel and Friends, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-83262-7. Nineteen-year-old orphan Fin is selected to be trained in vampirism, and faces conflicting emotions when she must choose between avenging the family she’s lost or embracing her new life to protect the one she’s found.
The Crayons Go Back to School by Drew Daywalt, illus. by Oliver Jeffers. Philomel, $9.99; ISBN 978-0-593-62111-0. The colorful squad from The Day the Crayons Quit prepare for an exciting return to school and for their favorite subject, art.
From Here by Luma Mufleh. Penguin/Paulsen, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-35445-2. Mufleh’s YA memoir chronicles her internal struggle to reconcile her identity as a gay Arab Muslim woman. The book received a starred review from PW.
Hurt You by Marie Myung-Ok Lee Blackstone, $19.99, ISBN 979-8-20075-809-8. In this homage to Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, Georgia makes efforts to acclimate to her school and protect her brother Leonardo from an ableist situation.
I Have Something to Tell You – For Young Adults: A Memoir by Chasten Buttigieg Atheneum, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-665-90437-7. Buttigieg’s young readers adaptation to his adult memoir chronicles his life in his conservative town and how his environment affected his ability to come out as gay.
I Made These Ants Some Underpants! by Derick Wilder, illus. by K-Fai Steele. Chronicle, $16.99; ISBN 978-1-79720-216-7. A child receives a days-of-the-week underwear set and immediately seeks to outfit others, including a variety of animals.
Julieta and the Romeos by Maria E. Andreu. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-299654-1. Julieta grows curious about an online collaborator for her rom-coms and considers who among the new friends in her life he could be.
Last Canto of the Dead by Daniel José Older. Disney/Rick Riordan Presents, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-3680-7090-4. In the sequel to Ballad & Dagger, Mateo and Chela find themselves separated when Matea returns to Brooklyn and Chela remains trapped on an island.
Mihi Ever After: A Giant Problem by Tae Keller, illus. by Geraldine Rodriguez. Holt, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-250-81422-7. When a new friend tumbles into the Rainbow Realm, Mihi heads back to help her find her way.
The Museum of Lost and Found by Leila Sales, illus. by Jacqueline Li. Amulet, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-5451-7. Sixth grader Vanessa Lepp creates a museum exhibition about the dissolution of a friendship, forming a secret community that helps Vanessa expand her focus to other friends—and to the mysterious creator of a remarkable painting that she regards in the museum.
No Is All I Know! by Chris Grabenstein, illus. by Leo Espinosa. Random House, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-5933-0204-0. A child declines invitations to activities big and small, until a friend is able to help them.
Painted Devils by Margaret Owen. Holt, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-83116-3. In the sequel to Little Thieves, Vanja’s accidental cult causes the Scarlet Maiden to demand a sacrifice that Vanja is desperate not to pay.
Papa’ s Home by David Soman. Little, Brown, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-316-42783-8. An adult bear prepares to leave their cub behind and handles the cub’s separation anxiety with practiced calm. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Penny Draws a Best Friend by Sara Shepard. Putnam, $14.99; ISBN 978-0-593-61677-2. Penny works through the changes in her friendships through drawing in a journal.
The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow by Elaine Dimopoulos, illus. by Doug Salati. Charlesbridge, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-62354-333-4. When a birdseed-controlling blue jay eats a robin’s egg in an act of retribution, young Butternut wonders about the event’s communal and long-term effects. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
Rubi Ramos's Recipe for Success by Jessica Parra. Wednesday, $20; ISBN 978-1-250-86252-5. Debate captain Rubi Ramos must choose between her passion for baking and fulfilling her parents’ wishes when a college interview and baking competition are scheduled for the same day.
Ruby Lost and Found by Christina Li. Quill Tree, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-300893-9. When Ruby is sent to spend summer weekdays with her Nai-Nai, she develops a newfound friendship with the residents of the senior recreation center. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
Summer Is for Cousins by Rajani LaRocca, illus. by Abhi Alwar. Abrams, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-5733-4. Second-youngest cousin Ravi observes the changes in their cousins when they all arrive for a family’s seasonal activities. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Tap! Tap! Tap!: Dance! Dance! Dance! by Hervé Tullet, trans. from the French by Christopher Franceschelli. Chronicle, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-79722-146-5. Tullet uses a primary palette to create a space for dance. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
We Are Expecting You! by Barney Saltzberg. Orchard, $12.99; ISBN 978-1-338-81519-1. The waiting is the hardest part for a young elephant eagerly anticipating the arrival of their sibling.
We'll Never Tell by Wendy Heard. Little, Brown/Ottaviano, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-3164-8233-2. Friends Casey, Jacob, Eddie, and Zoe shoot a YouTube video in an abandoned mansion, but when someone gets hurt, the friends grow distrustful of one another.
The Witch of Woodland by Laurel Snyder. Walden Pond, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-283665-6. Jewish witchcraft enthusiast Ziggy’s belief systems and incantations start intertwining when she summons a winged beast and tries to help it return to its home.
You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory by Ruta Sepetys. Viking, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-52438-1. Novelist Sepetys offers readers a guide to writing stories that are informed by one’s life.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of May, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
