Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles, including a middle grade mystery series opener, a middle grade tale of one child’s journalistic pursuits in Mumbai, a picture book ode to the beauty of a garden, a superhero school graphic novel, and more.
The Absent Alpacas by Ron Roy and Kayla Whaley, illus. by Chloe Burgett (Random House, $6.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-48899-7). In the first book in the A to Z Animal Mysteries series, Abbi Wallace and her friends try to uncover the enigma of the missing alpacas from the Maine State Fair.
Ajay and the Mumbai Sun by Varsha Shah. Chicken House, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-338-87546-1. Twelve-year-old Ajay dreams of becoming a journalist, and when the editor of the local paper rebuffs him, Ajay and his friends start their own paper to investigate a shady housing development deal.
In the Night Garden by Carin Berger. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-8234-4986-6. A child and their cat admire the beauty surrounding them when night falls as they explore the garden. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Like Lava in My Veins by Derrick Barnes, illus. by Shawn Martinbrough with Adriano Lucas. Penguin/Paulsen, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-5255-1874-7. While training at the Academy of Kids with Awesome Abilities, Bobby faces an administration that too quickly dismisses him and his fellow Black students for their struggles with their superpowers.
Murder on a School Night by Kate Weston. HarperCollins/Tegen, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-0632-6027-6. This Heathers-inspired YA mystery follows unpopular student journalist Kerry and her best friend Annie as they investigate the murder of the school’s queen bee, Selena.
Remind Me by Linda Shute. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-8234-5048-0. Little Eldon the elephant helps Big Ella as she begins to forget tasks as she gets older.
The Red Jacket by Bob Holt. HarperCollins, $19.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-06-323760-5. Bob the seagull gains a newfound confidence when he dons a red jacket lent to him by a friend, with a surprise in its pockets. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
The Nightmare Before Christmas, adapted by Megan Shepherd. Disney Press, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-3680-9421-4. The 30th anniversary of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, following King of Halloween Town Jack after he accidentally falls into Christmas Town, is adapted by Shepherd.
Why Did the Monster Cross the Road? by R.L. Stine, illus. by Marc Brown. Orchard, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-3388-1525-2. While monster duo Hunny and Funny sit on a tree, Funny attempts to cheer up Hunny with a barrage of humorous jokes in this humorous tale of friendship from Goosebumps author Stine and Arthur creator Brown.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of July, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
