Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles including a picture book about censorship, a YA tale that follows a teen’s supernatural investigation into her family, a picture book about belonging, and more.
Banned Book by Jonah Winter, illus. by Gary Kelley (Creative Editions, $18.99; 978-1-56846-394-0). In this parable centered around book censorship, readers follow what happens to a banned book once it has been removed from a library.
The Dark Place by Britney S. Lewis. Disney-Hyperion, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-368-07773-6. Hylee Williams experiences sudden blips where she vanishes from her own life, and drops into a twisted alternate reality where her brother disappears. As Hylee investigates the supernatural happenings, she threatens to reveal secrets about her family’s past trauma.
Every Night at Midnight by Peter Cheong. Atheneum, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-6659-1738-4. A human child transforms into a wolf each night at midnight, but longs for connection in both forms.
Forget-Me-Not Blue by Sharelle Byars Moranville. Holiday House, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-8234-5359-7. After fifth grader Sofie’s mother is arrested, Sofie grows worried that the haven she’s created with her brother and grandparents will be taken away from her. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
Hellaween by Moss Lawton. Razorbill, $22.99; ISBN 978-0-5935-2429-9; $13.99 paper ISBN 978-0-593-52428-2. Witch-in-training Gwen hopes to conjure a year-round portal that will allow her to visit the spooky Hallowlands, and risks being exposed as a magical being after a prank with her friends undergoes investigation by a classmate.
No Place Like Home by James Bird. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-25-087762-8. Twelve-year-old Ojibwe Opin and his family are nomads traveling to Los Angeles in search of stability. When Opin adopts a stray pup that is subsequently harmed by his brother, their family is at risk of falling apart before making it to their destination. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
Paul Bunyan: The Invention of an American Legend by Noah Van Sciver and Marlena Myles. Toon, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-6626-6522-6; $11.99 paper ISBN 978-1-6626-6523-3. In this graphic novel, the creators dismantle the Paul Bunyan legend by foregrounding the Indigenous foundations and sensationalist propaganda upon which the tale was founded.
The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl by Emily Riesbeck, illus. by NJ Barna. Simon & Schuster, $22.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-8776-5; $14.99 paper ISBN 978-1-5344-8775-8. Ferra Brickminder is turned to porcelain after praying to the god of beauty and must escape to the high seas with a pirate captain when a religious group chases after her.
Sea of Gold by Gregory Mone, illus. by Berat Pekmezci. Amulet, $15.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-5683-2. Working aboard his uncle’s ship, 11-year-old Fish bands together with other tweens to hunt for long-lost treasure.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of August, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
