Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles including a teen psychological thriller about artistic obsession, a YA horror anthology featuring 10 Black authors, a YA fantasy about a girl’s second chance at revenge, and more.
All That Consumes Us by Erica Waters. HarperTeen, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-311596-5. Tara Boone is offered the chance to take a deceased student’s place in an exclusive program at Corbin College. Soon, Tara begins having recurring nightmares and nighttime writing sessions that she can’t remember. As her mental health declines, she must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice for greatness.
All These Sunken Souls: A Black Horror Anthology Edited by Circe Moskowitz. Amberjack, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-64160-837-4. Consisting of 10 stories by 10 authors and starring Black teens, this horror anthology ruminates on myriad Black experiences while providing escapist stories. The book received a starred review from PW.
A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli. Union Square, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-4549-4992-3. After 18-year-old Lu Mingshin helps her fiancé Ren become king of Dazhou, he betrays her and leaves her for dead. When the gods reverse time and place Mingshin two years in the past, she swears vengeance, vowing that Ren will never wear the crown.
Detective Duck: The Case of the Strange Splash by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, illus. by Dan Santat. Amulet, $14.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-5513-2. Willow Feathers dreams of becoming a detective, and when a huge tire comes crashing into Dogwood Pond, Willow must find a way to remove it before it causes ecological damage to the pond and its residents.
Elle Campbell Wins Their Weekend by Ben Kahn. Scholastic Press, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-3388-1530-6. Feeling inspired by Nuri, the nonbinary actor in their favorite show, Elle Campbells reveals to their family that they are nonbinary. When Nuri is scheduled for an event in the neighborhood and Elle gets detention, Elle and their friends concoct a plan to break free to meet their hero. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
If You’ll Have Me by Eunnie. Viking, $24.99; ISBN 978-0-593-40322-8; $17.99 paper ISBN 978-0-593-40323-5. Queer college student Momo develops feelings for fellow student PG, but fears that her history of falling too deeply for friendly interactions will stand in the way. The graphic novel received a starred review from PW.
Lawrence & Sophia by Doreen Cronin, illus. by Brian Cronin. Rocky Pond, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-61830-1. Young Lawrence is reluctant to head “out there,” beyond his small cottage’s backyard until he befriends Sophia, a bird in a nest who is afraid of “down there.” Together, the two learn to overcome their fears of the unknown by trusting one another.
The Little Books of the Little Brontës by Sara O’Leary, illus. by Briony May Smith. Tundra, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-7352-6369-7. This picture book biography centers the Brontë siblings, Charlotte, Anne, Emily, and Branwell, throughout their childhood as they comfort one another through storytelling and art. The book received a starred review from PW.
My Grandfather’s Song by Phùng Nguyên Quang and Huy'nh Kim Liên. Make Me a World, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-48861-4. A grandfather tries to convey his understanding of nature not as an adversary to his grandchild Ti through metaphors of harmony and accompaniment. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
The Magical Snowflake by Bernette Ford and Erin K. Robinson. Boxer, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-914912-22-1. During a snowless winter, Oni makes a wish and brings forth a snowstorm for her community to enjoy.
The Museum of Nothing by Steven Guarnaccia. Minerva, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-66265-144-1. Oona and Otto make a visit to the Museum of Nothing, where exhibitions of nothing are on display.
The Plot to Kill a Queen by Deborah Hopkinson. Scholastic Press, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-338-66058-6. Aspiring playwright Emilia Bassano is sent on a mission to gather intelligence at Sheffield Castle, the court of the imprisoned Mary, Queen of Scots, and discovers a plot against Queen Elizabeth. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
The Tailor Shop at the Intersection by Ahn Jaesun, trans. from the Korean by Sora Kim-Russell. Transit, $18.95; ISBN 978-1-945492-76-1. Deokgu, a dog shop’s owner, dedicates his life to perfecting suits made for other canines, and passes his passion along to his son after tragedy strikes the store. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of October, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
