Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles including a picture book about a child’s relationship with a notable glacier, a graphic novel about a tween adjusting to a new city, a picture book exploring the relationship between young writers and a civil rights activist, and more.
Week of January 1
Angela’s Glacier by Jordan Scott, illus. by Diana Sudyka. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-8234-5082-4. Young Angela, who has developed a fondness for Iceland’s Snæfellsjökull, makes frequent visits to experience the glacier. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Break by Kayla Miller. Clarion, $15.99, paper; ISBN 978-0-35-841422-3. The latest addition to the Click graphic novel series follows Olive as she spends her spring break with her father in New York and struggles to connect with him and the city.
Dear Ruby, Hear Our Hearts by Ruby Bridges, illus. by John Jay Cabuay. Orchard, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-3387-5391-2. Young writers share concerns and moments of bravery with activist Ruby Bridges, who responds with words of encouragement.
Diary of a Confused Feminist by Kate Weston. Simon & Schuster, $21.99; ISBN 978-1-6659-3794-8. In this novel told via diary entries, high schooler Kat Evans navigates school bullies, crushes, media consumption, and her desire to be a good feminist.
Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amélie Wen Zhao. Delacorte, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-48754-9. In the sequel to Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, Lan and Zen find themselves on opposing sides of a battle and race to defeat the Demon Gods in their own way.
Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever by Suzanne Lang, illus. by Max Lang. (Random House Studio, $11.99; ISBN 978-0-593-65233-6). Jim Panzee has caught spring fever and his animal friends try to help cure him in the latest book in the Grumpy Monkey series.
Okay, Cupid by Mason Deaver. Push, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-338-77769-7. As a Cupid, agender Jude is sent to rekindle the friendship between two estranged friends but instead ends up falling for one of them, a cardinal sin for someone in their position.
A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee, illus. by Dan Santat. Random House, $14.99; ISBN 978-1-9848-3029-6. In this launch title in the Misfits series, tween Olive Cobin Zhang is recruited for an experimental group of covert child operatives and befriends her fellow spies while contending with dangerous circumstances.
My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper, illus. by Frank Morrison. Viking, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-52630-9. A charismatic protagonist travels through the Bronx highlighting all the things they appreciate about their neighborhood. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu by Ying Chang Compestine, illus. by Crystal Kung. Rocky Pond, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-5935-3305-5. In this “Rapunzel” retelling, Ra Pu Zel, who loves to cook but is scolded by the empress, locks herself in a tower until princes attempt to lure her out with delicious meals.
The Reckoning by Wade Hudson. Crown, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-64777-6. Black middle schooler Lamar Philips shifts the narrative of his documentary about his grandfather when he is murdered.
Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go: 50th Anniversary Edition by Richard Scarry. (Golden, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-70630-5). Young readers can refamiliarize themselves with the vehicles of Busytown in the anniversary edition of Scarry’s classic picture book.
We Are Golden: 27 Groundbreakers Who Changed the World by Eva Chen, illus. by Sophie Diao. (Feiwel and Friends, $9.99; ISBN 978-1-250-87991-2) This board book companion to I Am Golden highlights the achievements of 27 pioneers of Asian descent.
We Dream a World: Carrying the Light from My Grandparents Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King by Yolanda Renee King, illus. by Nicole Tadgell. Orchard, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-338-75397-4. Adolescent activist King affirms the hopes of her late grandparents by honoring their legacy.
When I Wrap My Hair by Shauntay Grant, illus. by Jenin Mohammed. Quill Tree, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-309391-1. A child portrays the affirming experience of having their hair wrapped. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Week of January 8
Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat. Wednesday, $14, paper; ISBN 978-1-250-89513-4. Preparations for her sister’s wedding bring struggles with family, friendship, and sisterhood for high school senior Arya.
The Atlas of Us by Kristin Dwyer. HarperTeen, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-308858-0. In hopes of honoring her late adventure-loving father, Atlas James joins the Bear Creek Community Service program, where learning to camp creates a new opportunity to face her grief. The YA book received a starred review from PW.
Climbing the Volcano: A Journey in Haiku by Curtis Manley, illus. by Jennifer K. Mann. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-8234-5166-1. A collection of haikus is narrated by a child whose family summits a dormant volcano in the Pacific Northwest.
Extraordinary Magic: The Writing Life of Virginia Hamilton by Nina Crews. Little, Brown/Ottaviano, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-316-38359-2. This biography traces the presence of storytelling throughout the childhood of award–winning children’s author Virginia Hamilton.
Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illus. by James E. Ransome. S&S/Wiseman, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-9662-0. The life of the civil rights activist and politician is charted from his Alabama childhood to his adulthood fighting for change. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
Homegrown by DeAnn Wiley. (Holt, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-87637-9). A girl discusses the definition of home with her grandmother and mother.
I Am a Masterpiece!: An Empowering Story about Inclusivity and Growing Up with Down Syndrome by Mia Armstrong, illus. by Alexandra Thompson. Random House, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-56797-5. In this autobiographical debut, a young actor and activist details her experiences with Down syndrome.
Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang, illus. by LeUyen Pham. First Second, $25.99; ISBN 978-1-62672-810-3; $17.99 paper ISBN 978-1-250-90826-1. After facing heartbreak, Vietnamese American teen Valentina must find love within the year or give up her heart to her imaginary friend, who will protect it from further pain. The graphic novel received a starred review from PW.
Shut Up, This Is Serious by Carolina Ixta. Quill Tree, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-328786-0. Best friends Belén and Leti navigate absent parents and teen pregnancy amid mounting pressure during their senior. The YA book received a starred review from PW.
Slugfest by Gordon Korman. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-323809-1. Athletic superstar Arnie “Yash” Yashenko must join the Physical Education Equivalency class known as Slugfest to graduate, and bonds with an unlikely assortment of students.
The Three Little Tardigrades by Sandra Fay. Holt/Godwin, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-2507-7609-9. A trio of tardigrades dwelling together are ready to leave their home inside a drop of water to explore the world. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
When You Have to Wait by Melanie Conklin, illus. by Leah Hong. Roaring Brook, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-81654-2. A child notes their experiences with longing and patience, recognizing that “sometimes, you have to wait.” The picture book received a starred review from PW.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of January, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
