Favorite characters return in series additions this month, and that’s no trick! Readers can look forward to an alphabet book with a holiday spin, a middle grade tale about a mysterious guest at a hotel, a YA spinoff set in a cutthroat fantasy universe, and more.
Picture Books and Graphic Novels
Alphonse, You’re Ruining the Show! by Daisy Hirst (Candlewick, Oct. 22 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-5362-3889-1). The fourth book in the Natalie and Alphonse series follows the monster siblings when a performance leads to a disagreement.
Amy Wu and the Lantern Festival by Kat Zhang, illus. by Charlene Chua (S&S, Oct. 15 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-665-94310-9). In the fifth picture book of the Amy Wu series, ahead of Lunar Year, Amy accidentally destroys a family treasure and worries she’s ruined the holiday.
Bea’s Bad Day by Tom Percival (Bloomsbury, Oct. 1 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-5476-1468-4). Bea must navigate hard feelings when a storm ruins her birthday party in the latest Big Bright Feelings book.
Best Christmas Ever! by Stephen Shaskan (Random House Graphic, Oct. 1 $10.99; ISBN 978-0-593-70349-6). In Pizza and Taco’s eighth adventure, best friends Pizza and Taco attempt to be on their best behavior to earn their Christmas presents.
Busy Betty & the Perfect Christmas Present by Reese Witherspoon, illus. by Xindi Yan (Flamingo, Oct. 15 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-52515-9). The titular busybody starts a lemonade stand in hopes of making enough money for a good gift, in the third Busy Betty book.
The Case of the Missing Tadpole by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, illus. by Dan Santat (Amulet, Oct. 15 $14.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-6681-7). The titular detective uncovers a sinister plot during a search mission in the second Detective Duck book.
Chicka Chicka Ho Ho Ho by William Boniface, illus. by Julien Chung (Beach Lane, Oct. 1 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-665-95476-1). In the companion picture book to Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, readers learn the alphabet with holiday relics.
Dog’s First Christmas by Natalie Nelson (Quirk Books, Oct. 1 $9.99 board book; ISBN 978-1-68369-446-5). In the follow up to Dog’s First Baby, both Dog and Baby navigate changes around the house for Christmas.
Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas by Dolly Parton, illus. by MacKenzie Haley (Penguin Workshop, Oct. 1 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-75500-6). In this sequel to Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Makes It Big, Billy must make a challenging decision when his band is invited to play a show on Christmas day.
Donny & Walter’s Surprising Day by Max Keane (HarperCollins, Oct. 1 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-334941-4). Donny and Walter tend to stick to their routine until they make some new friends in the second Trash Truck book.
Dork Diaries #16 by Rachel Renée Russell (Aladdin, Oct. 15 $14.99, ISBN 978-1-665-97460-8). Nikki Maxwell tries to pull herself together to help her friends. Meanwhile, her little sister Briana has stolen her diary, in the 16th installment of Dork Diaries.
FGTeeV: Blasts Off! by FGTeeV, illus. by Miguel Díaz Rivas (HarperAlley, Oct. 8 $23.99; ISBN 978-0-06-326053-5). The FGTeeV family finds themselves accidentally launched into space and attempting to find their way home in the fifth book of the FGTeeV series.
Harold Hates to Hibernate by Vern Kousky (Random House Studio, Oct. 29 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-71233-7). In the follow-up to the picture book Harold Loves His Woolly Hat, Harold doesn’t find himself getting sleepy until it begins to snow outside.
The Hero Twins and the Magic of Song by David Bowles, illus. by Charlene Bowles (Lee & Low/Cinco Puntos, Oct. 29 $15.95 paper; ISBN 978-1-947-62769-7). Twin siblings make it their duty to restore balance between two warring demigods in the second book of the Tales of the Feathered Serpent series.
How Carrot and Cookie Saved Christmas by Erica S. Perl, illus. by Jonathan Fenske (Penguin Workshop, Oct. 8 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-66236-6). Pals Carrot and Cookie must work together when they discover a sick Santa who can’t finish his gift delivery in the sequel to When Carrot Met Cookie.
How to Sing a Song by Kwame Alexander and Randy Preston, illus. by Melissa Sweet (Quill Tree, Oct.1 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-306093-7). The third collaboration from the creators behind How to Read a Book centers on showing children the value of song.
I Am We: A Book of Community by Susan Verde, illus. by Peter H. Reynolds (Abrams, Oct. 1$15.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-7194-1). The latest in the I Am Books series aims to show young readers how caring for themselves can help the larger community.
Knight Owl & Early Bird by Christopher Denise (Little, Brown/Ottaviano, Oct. 15 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-316-56452-6). In the sequel to the Caldecott Honor-winning Knight Owl, Early Bird and Knight Owl struggle to reconcile opposite sleeping schedules but must work together when danger arises in the forest.
The Littlest Yak: Home Is Where the Herd Is by Lu Fraser, illus. by Kate Hindley (Peachtree, Oct. 15 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-68263-754-8). While preparing for a move, Gertie packs everything she needs except for her own sister, in the fourth installment of The Littlest Yak series.
Lonely Bird’s Dream by Ruth Whiting Candlewick, Oct. 1 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-5362-2619-5). Lonely Bird attempt to craft her own wings so she can fly like other birds in this sequel to Lonely Bird.
The Purrfect Plan by Colleen AF Venable, illus. by Stephanie Yue (Random House Graphic, Oct. 8 $13.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-57040-1; $21.99 hardcover; ISBN 978-0-593-57037-1). In the fourth installment of the Katie the Catsitter series, the titular catsitter and her sidekick need some feline assistance to save the city.
Rolling On by Jamie Sumner (Atheneum, Oct. 22 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-665-94784-8). Ahead of her middle school graduation, Ellie grapples with leaving her beloved friends behind and a potential new crush, in the third addition to the Roll with It series.
A Stickler Christmas by Lane Smith (Random House Studio, Oct. 8 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-81528-1). When Stickler discovers that his friend Doug-the-Fir isn’t interested in presents but worries about being covered with decorations, he works to find a solution in the latest A Stickler Story.
Jack and the Beanstink by Chris and J.J. Grabenstein, illus. by Alex Patrick (HarperCollins, Oct. 1 $6.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-06-331122-0). The second book of the Stinky’s Stories series follows Hubert the giant post-beanstalk and his entrance into a basketball league with hopes of returning home.
Tegan and Sara: Crush by Tegan Quin and Sara Quin, illus. by Tillie Walden (FSG, Oct. 1 $14.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-374-31304-3; hardcover $22.99; ISBN 978-0-374-31303-6). In the duology closer, the sisters navigate blossoming crushes and fallouts with friends ahead of a major battle-of-the-bands contest that could change their lives.
Wayward Travelers by Scott Chantler (First Second, Oct. 15 $14.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-250-84689-1; $22.99 hardcover; ISBN 978-1-250-84690-7). Squire and Sir Kelton must abandon what they’ve learned in wizardry school to survive in the wild and accomplish their mission in the second Squire & Knight book.
The Wolfpack Way by Abby Wambach, illus. by Debby Rahmalia (Roaring Brook, Oct. 8 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-76685-4). The sequel to Wolfpack reminds readers that regardless of life’s challenges they can always rely on their friends.
Wingborn by Marjorie Liu, illus. by Grace Kum (Quill Tree, Oct. 1 $15.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-06-299555-1). The world’s magic is broken, and Zuli must trace a missing god to find answers in the second book of the Wingbearer Saga series.
Novels
Bane of Asgard by Cinda Williams Chima (HarperCollins, Oct. 22 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-301873-0). Reginn discovers a plot to use her powers to resurrect the dead in the sequel to Children of Ragnarok.
The Blood Orchid by Kylie Lee Baker (HarperCollins, Oct. 22 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-33-509175-8). In the conclusion to the Scarlet Alchemist duology, Zilan travels across China to find an island they may give her the power to bring her loved ones back from the dead.
The Brightness Between Us by Eliot Schrefer (HarperCollins, Oct. 1 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-334376-4). The sequel to The Darkness Outside Us follows Ambrose in the past searching for another ship that may face the same fate he did 30,000 years ago.
The Fate of Magic by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis (Sourcebooks Fire, Oct. 1 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-7282-7755-4). Fritzi and Otto prepare for Fritizi’s ascendance onto the council as champion in the conclusion to the Witch and Hunter series.
The Ghostwing’s Lie by Rebecca Mix (HarperCollins, Oct. 15 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-325410-7). After breaking free of terrarium and freeing her people, Ary thought life in Siltshore was safe until fairies start disappearing in the sequel to The Mossheart’s Promise.
Heir by Sabaa Tahir (Putnam, $21.99; ISBN 978-0-593-61694-9). Tahir returns to the Ember in the Ashes universe in this spinoff that finds a tracker, the crown prince, and a prisoner’s lives intertwining.
The Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo, illus. by Júlia Sardà (Candlewick, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-536-22331-6). In the second installment of The Norendy Tales, Marta roams the hotel and encounters a countess who regales her with wild stories.
Hot Mess (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #19) by Jeff Kinney (Amulet, Oct. 22 $14.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-6695-4). The 19th installment of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series follows Greg as he navigates interpersonal dramas during a family vacation.
Never Thirteen by Stacy McAnulty (Random House, Oct. 1 $17.99 ISBN 978-0-593-42966-2 ). In the second book of The Evers series, Ivy questions if she’s willing to lose her friends or face staying 12 forever.
Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter (S&S, Oct. 1 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-665-94713-8). The sequel to Better than the Movies follows Wes and Liz post-breakup and reunited during their junior year of college, where Wes is determined to win Liz’s heart back.
Rise of the Wrecking Crew by Kalynn Bayron (Bloomsbury, Oct. 8 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-5476-1160-7). In the series conclusion to The Vanquishers, the titular squad is under lockdown in a city overrun by vampires, and Boog grapples with her biggest hero becoming her fiercest foe.
Still Sal by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow, Oct. 8 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-06-338962-5). Sal starts her first day of first grade in this stand-alone companion to The Year of Billy Miller.
Spectacular by Stephanie Garber, illus. by Rosie Fowinkle (Flatiron, Oct. 22 $20.99; ISBN 978-1-250-89340-6). Garber makes a fourth addition to the Caraval series with a novella taking place before Great Holiday Eve Eve.
Warrior of Legend by Kendare Blake (Quill Tree, Oct. 29 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-297723-6). As a newly minted member of the Aristene, Reed is troubled by the lack of unity in the immortal order in the second book of the Heromaker series.
Witchwood by Kalyn Josephson (Delacorte, Oct. 1 $17.99 ISBN 978-0-593-70882-8). Anna and Colin discover witches are going missing in a magical town in the third book of the Ravenfall series.
