Fall is upon us and young readers can cozy up with familiar characters heading into new adventures, including a middle grade book about a Black tween during the segregation era, a picture book guide to decoding animal behavior, a middle grade novel following a tween’s journey to London, and more.
Picture Books and Graphic Novels
The Crayons Give Thanks by Drew Daywalt, illus. by Oliver Jeffers (Philomel, Sept. 10 $9.99; ISBN 978-0-593-69057-4). The Day the Crayons Quit series continues with this latest installment, highlighting the titular stars as they show their appreciation.
Fart’s Favorite Smells by Zoe Foster Blake, illus. by Adam Nickel (Penguin Workshop, Sept. 24 $9.99 board book; ISBN 978-0-593-88700-4). The star of No One Likes a Fart returns in this picture book as he roams his community in search of his favorite scent.
Giraffes Can’t Dance: Jingle Bells by Giles Andreae, illus. by Guy Parker-Rees (Cartwheel, Sept. 3 $8.99; ISBN 978-1-339-04563-4). Gerald and friends ring in the holiday season in this companion to Giraffes Can’t Dance.
Grumpy Monkey Play All Day by Suzanne Lang, illus. by Max Lang (Random House Studio, Sept. 24 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-70928-3). Jim Panzee’s sole focus is on having a good time in the latest picture book in the Grumpy Monkey series.
Hello, I’m a Quokka by Hayley Rocco, illus. by John Rocco (Putnam, Sept. 17 $16.99; ISBN 978-0-593-61818-9). The third picture book in the Meet the Wild Things series introduces readers to the quokka, the Australian marsupial known for its friendly demeanor.
How to Talk Like a Chicken by Charlie Grandy, illus. by Alex G. Griffiths (Flamingo, Sept. 17 $18.99; 978-0-593-35070-6). Readers decode the meaning behind chicken behavior in the sequel to How to Talk Like a Bear.
I’ll Love You Till the Crocodiles Smile by Kathryn Cristaldi, illus. by Kristyna Litten (HarperCollins, Sept. 17 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-06-331551-8). The companion to I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home highlights the importance of familial love in a story featuring the titular reptiles.
Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas by Jesús Trejo, illus. by Eliza Kinkz (Astra/Minerva, Sept. 10 $18.95; ISBN 978-1-66265-106-9). Little Jesús is left in charge of his mother’s garden in the companion to Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock.
Mousetronaut Saves the World: Based on a (Partially) True Story by Mark Kelly, illus. by C.F. Payne (S&S/Wiseman, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-665-91022-4). The fourth picture book in the Mousetronaut series follows as Meteor, the rodent astronaut, attempts to prevent a meteor from crashing into Earth.
Pig the Pug: Cranky Pug by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic/Cartwheel, Sept. 17 $7.99; ISBN 978-1-546-12269-2). In the latest addition to the Pig the Pug series, Pig learns how to identify and communicate his feelings.
Pug the Sports Star by Kyla May (Scholastic, Sept. 17 $6.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-338-87763-2). When Bub the pug garners attention as the new coach of the doggie basketball team, his friends help him navigate all the newfound attention in the 11th book in the Diary of a Pug series.
The Pinchers and the Dog Chase by Anders Sparring, illus. by Per Gustavsson (Gecko, Sept. 10 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-776-57587-9). Theo must find a way to break out his pup Sherlock from jail in the second title in the Pinchers series.
Stacey Speaks Up by Stacey Abrams, illus. by Kitt Thomas (HarperCollins, Sept. 24 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-327187-6). The third picture book from the former Georgia representative follows young Stacey’s pursuit to ensure that everyone at school can enjoy a special meal.
Stella and Roger Can’t Wait to Grow Up by Clothilde Ewing, illus. by Lynn Gaines (S&S/Millner, Sept. 24 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-665-93332-2). In the third picture book in the Stella series, the star’s birthday is coming soon, and she imagines all the exciting things she’ll be able to do at the age of seven.
The Snow Thief by Alice Hemming, illus. by Nicola Slater (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, Sept. 3 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-4642-2678-6). Friends Squirrel and Bird investigate where all the beloved snow has disappeared to in book two of the A Squirrel & Bird Book series.
Where’s the Reindeer? by Ingela P Arrhenius (Candlewick, Sept. 10 $9.99 board book; ISBN 978-1-5362-3771-9). In the latest Where’s the book, readers search through flaps for a hidden holiday creature.
Novels
Alex Wise vs. The Cosmic Shift by Terry J. Benton-Walker (Labyrinth Road, Sept. 24 $17.99 ISBN 978-0-593-56433-2). In the second installment of the Alex Wise series, Alex questions if the hero life is meant for him as the impending apocalypse looms closer.
Black Girl, Black Girl by Ali Kamanda and Jorge Redmond, illus. by Amanda Quartey (Sourcebooks Explore, Sept. 3 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-7282-7114-9). Celebrating young Black women across history is the focus of this companion to Black Boy, Black Boy.
Black Star by Kwame Alexander (Little, Brown, Sept. 24 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-316-44259-6). In the second installment of the Door of No Return series, Charley’s pursuit of becoming a baseball star leads to a challenge on a baseball field in her segregated town and brings racial tensions to the surface.
Clutch Time by Caron Butler and Justin A. Reynolds. (HarperCollins, Sept. 10 $19.99 ISBN 978-0-06-306964-0). The companion novel to Shot Clock follows basketball star Kofi Douglas as he takes on his biggest competition on the court, his former best friend.
The Colony: Michael Vey 10 by Richard Paul Evans (Simon Pulse, Sept. 24 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-665-91958-6). In the 10th and final book of the Michael Vey series, Michael and friends come up against a group of enemies who hold just as much, or maybe more, power than them.
Faeries Never Lie by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker (Feiwel and Friends, Sept. 24 $19.99 ISBN 978-1-250-82384-7). The third book in the Untold Legends series centers a variety of faeries as they tackle their first day of boarding school.
Flight of the Witch by Rey Terciero, illus. by Monica M. Magaña (Henry Holt, Sept. 3 $14.99 paper ISBN 978-1-250-79551-9; $22.99 hardcover ISBN 978-1-250-79549-6). It’s up to local hometown hero Lucia to investigate the mystery behind the sudden appearance of several owls in the second book of the Doña Quixote series.
The Glass Scientists: Volume Two by S.H. Cotugno (Putnam, Sept. 24 $17.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-52448-0). Dr. Henry Jekyll fights with his alter ego for control over his body ahead of an important exhibition in the second volume of The Glass Scientists.
I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79 by Lauren Tarshis, illus. by David Shephard (Graphix, Sept. 3 $12.99; ISBN 978-1-338-88307-7). When Mount Vesuvius explodes, Marcus and his father attempt to escape in the 10th installment of the I Survived Graphix series.
The Loneliest Place by Lora Senf, illus. by Alfredo Cáceres (Atheneum, Sept. 17 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-665-93460-2). In the conclusion of the Blight Harbor trilogy, Evie uncovers a gift left behind by her mother and follows it in hopes of finally finding her parents.
Mouse and His Dog by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko (Feiwel and Friends, Sept. 17 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-250-34500-4). Mouse attempts to help dog Buster adjust his behavior so he can be adopted in the second A Dogtown Book.
Mysteries of Trash and Treasure: The Stolen Key by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Quill Tree, Sept. 10 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-308986-0). Colin and Neveah finally turn their detective skills inward and begin to investigate the disappearance of Colin’s father in the conclusion to the Mysteries of Trash and Treasure series.
Night of the Living Mummy by R.L. Stine (Scholastic, Sept. 3 $7.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-339-01501-9). A mummy from the museum winds up in a student’s mind in the third book of the House of Shivers series.
One False Note by Gordon Korman, illus. by Hannah Templer (Scholastic/Graphix, Sept. 3 $12.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-339-02647-3). In the second The 39 Clues graphic novel, Amy and Dan head to Vienna in search of distant family who may hold the key to the next clue they’re searching for.
Out of My Dreams by Sharon M. Draper (Atheneum/Dlouhy, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-665-94954-5). Melody is elected to speak at an international symposium for kids with different abilities and makes her way to London in the third book of the Out of My Mind series.
The Princess in Black and the Kitty Catastrophe by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illus. by LeUyen Pham (Candlewick, Sept. 3 $14.99; ISBN 978-1-5362-3409-1). Princess Magnolia navigates superhero duties with a new pet in the 11th installment of the Princess in Black series.
The Secrets of Lunis by Janelle McCurdy (Aladdin, Sept. 24 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-665-90133-8). In the third book of the Umbra Tales series, Mia seeks vengeance for her family against the Reaper King and queen Katiya, but fears her powers may be taken over by darkness.
Shadows of Perl by J. Elle (Razorbill, Sept. 3 $20.99; ISBN 978-0-593-52773-3). Quell continues to search for her mother amid the political games of her magical boarding school in the second installment of the House of Marionne series.
Spy School Entrance Exam: A Spy School Book of Devious Word Searches, Clever Crosswords, Sly Sudoku, and Other Top-Secret Puzzles! by Stuart Gibbs and Jeff Chen (S&S, Sept. 24 $10.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-665-95136-4). Readers see if they have what it takes to make it into the titular academy with this book full of riddles and puzzles.
Spy School Goes Wild by Stuart Gibbs (S&S, Sept. 24, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-665-93477-0). Ben must make his greatest foe his ally when they are trapped in the wilderness together in the latest Spy School book.
Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed Beetle by Jordan Kopy, Chris Jevons (S&S, Sept. 10 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-66590-686-9). When a detective starts hunting for monsters, Theodora must throw her off her family’s trail in the second addition to the Theodora Hendrix Books.
Volcanoes Are Hot! by Jorge Cham (Amulet, Sept. 17 $15.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-6410-3). Oliver mut learn all he can about volcanoes to win the science fair and restore his reputation after an embarrassing lunchroom incident in the second book in the Oliver's Great Big Universe series.
