Volume 271
Issue 20
05/20/2024
Picture Books
Vera Ahiyya
Getting Ready for Preschool; Getting Ready for Kindergarten
(Random House, June; illus. by Debby Rahmalia; $10.99)
Why the buzz: “We are thrilled to begin publishing Vera Ahiyya’s Getting Ready series with the launch of Getting Ready for Preschool and Getting Ready for Kindergarten in summer 2024. This exciting celebration of childhood milestones and holidays will be available in trade and hardcover formats, with pull-out signs that readers can use to celebrate their own special memories.” —Courtney Carbone, editor, Random House Children’s Books
Opening lines: “Tomorrow is my first day of preschool,” and, “It’s almost the first day of kindergarten!”
Publisher presentations and lunch, June 12
AG Ford
Construction Site: Garbage Crew to the Rescue! (Chronicle, Sept.; words by Sherri Duskey Rinker; $18.99; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Our New York Times–bestselling Construction Site series is back and ready for clean up. Garbage Crew focuses on a perennial favorite topic for toddlers: garbage trucks. Little readers will love meeting the new machines that AG Ford vibrantly brings to life as they set out to dump, recycle, compost, and transport trash.” —Caitlin Ek, publicist, children’s, Chronicle Books
Opening line: “There is a place, built long ago, that once stood proud, with lights aglow.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Britt Gondolfi
Look Up! Fontaine the Pigeon Starts a Revolution (Paw Prints, out now; illus. by Amanda Romanick; $18.99; 5,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Everyone at Paw Prints Publishing is excited about Look Up! for its relevance and potential to stand the test of time. With lush art and a thought-provoking, hilarious story, it’s what The Lorax was, but for today’s families.” —Bobbie Bensur, editor, Paw Prints Publishing
Opening line: “Everyone was looking down.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Idris Goodwin
Your House Is Not Just a House (Clarion, out now; illus. by Lorraine Nam; $19.99; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “I can’t wait for people to experience the genius and magic of Idris Goodwin’s joyful debut. Idris paints a picture, in irresistible fresh verse, that will remind you of any home occupied by little people—one where playing pretend rules supreme and nothing is off-limits. Brought to life by Lorraine Nam’s dynamic artwork, this instant-favorite illuminates just how far imagination and
creativity can take you.” —Luana Horry, editorial director, Harper/Versify/Amistad Books for Young Readers
Opening line: “It seems your home is just walls, windows, and doors.../ but take a closer look—it’s that and so much more.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Cheryl Willis Hudson
When I Hear Spirituals (Holiday House, Jan. 2025; illus. by London Ladd; $18.99; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “We can’t wait for CI2024 attendees to get their first glimpse of When I Hear Spirituals. Featuring lyrical text by Cheryl Willis Hudson, one of the most influential members of the African American children’s book community, and evocative art by award-winning illustrator London Ladd, this picture book will be treasured for generations.” —Sara DiSalvo, publicity manager, Holiday House, Peachtree, Pixel+Ink
Opening line: “When I hear spirituals,/ Sometimes/ A big, full feeling/ Grows in my chest.”
Breakfast keynote: “Spotlight on Black Publishing,” June 12
(For PW’s q&a with Willis Hudson, see “Lift Every Voice and Sing”)
William Joyce
Rocket Puppies (Atheneum/Dlouhy, Nov.; $18.99; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “William Joyce’s imagination has no equal. When I saw his first drawing of a pup strapped into its little rocket, I nearly swooned. Next he drew the incessantly grumpy Mr. McBummerpants. Can the power of the pups prevent McBummerpants from steeping the world in woe? Reading Rocket Puppies is to be infused with joy, something the world needs a whole lot more of.” —Caitlin Dlouhy, VP, publisher, Caitlin Dlouhy Books
Opening line: “Once upon a time, the world was sometimes happy, it was sometimes sleepy, it was sometimes silly, or it was sometimes sad. But one time, the world got stuck being sad.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Uma Krishnaswami
Birds on the Brain (Groundwood, Aug.; illus. by Julianna Swaney; $16.99; 3,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “This is the sequel to the bestselling Book Uncle and Me, which sold 10,000 copies in hardcover and a further 50,000 copies in paperback. As with the first book, Birds on the Brain tells a story of kids doing what they can to create change in their community and change grown-up minds.” —Karen Li, publisher, Groundwood Books
Opening line: “ ‘Reeni,’ my mother calls. ‘Where are you?’ ”
Evening author reception, June 11
Andrew Larsen
Gifts from the Garbage Truck: A True Story About the Things We (Don’t) Throw Away (Sourcebooks eXplore, Sept.; illus. by Oriol Vidal; $18.99; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Gifts from the Garbage Truck interweaves themes of creative thinking, community care, and upcycling, and Andrew Larsen’s stunning story about Nelson Molina’s unique life shows kids they can make a difference wherever they are, in whatever they do. At Sourcebooks, our motto is ‘Books. Change. Lives.’ This is the type of book that makes an impact.” —Anna Sargeant, editor, Sourcebooks
Opening line: “Nelson Molina collected things.”
Evening author reception, June 11
(For PW’s q&a with Larsen, see “One Man’s Treasure”)
Kari Lavelle
❚ Revenge of the Butts (Butt or Face? #2) (Sourcebooks eXplore, out now; $14.99; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Revenge of the Butts asks readers to identify whether a zoomed-in photo is an animal’s butt or face, then reveals the answer and facts about the creature. Kids have so much fun discovering the answers and quizzing grown-ups’ knowledge. It’s a delightfully silly premise but (butt?) it’s also a way to have fun while learning.” —Kelly Barrales-Saylor, editorial director, Sourcebooks eXplore
Opening line: “From their heads to their tails, a creature’s features are essential for their survival.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Katarína Macurová
We’re Off to the Forest (Albatros, Sept.; $17.95; 2,500-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Young readers around the world love Katarína’s work. We recently launched a new series featuring her beloved picture books called Katarína’s Small Wonders, which includes We’re Off to the Forest. We hope this kind and heartwarming tale about an ordinary, extraordinary forest will win the hearts of children and adults alike.”
—Magda Gargulakova, editor, Albatros Books
Opening line: “Today, Dad and I are going to the forest.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Christy Mandin
Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden (Cartwheel, July; $18.99; 30,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Christy Mandin has created a world where fellow weird kids can find strength in knowing that what makes them different is what makes them truly great. I love a good story about loving yourself, and Christy more than delivers.” —Tessa Meischeid, publicity
manager, Scholastic
Opening line: “Garden Glen was a place of sameness.”
Scholastic’s Big Easy After Party, June 11
Margarett McBride
Dominique’s Thrifted Treasures (Free Spirit, out now; illus. by Ryan Middaugh; $18.99)
Why the buzz: “This beautiful story highlights community and shared experiences. Dominique receives a hand-me-down and isn’t enthused, but when Mama comes home with thrifted clothing, Dominique becomes fascinated by the story of each clothing item. Appreciating the community aspect of thrifting and the stories the clothes tell is so touching.” —Deidra Purvis, acquisitions editor, children and teens, Free Spirit Publishing
Opening line: “Dominique could faintly hear Pawpaw rummaging around.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Meg Medina
No More Señora Mimí (Candlewick, Sept.; illus. by Brittany Cicchese; $17.99; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Childcare providers—often women of color and immigrants—powerfully shape young children’s experience of the world, yet their work is radically undervalued. Meg Medina remedies this as only she can in No More Señora Mimí, a tender and beautiful story about a girl and her caregiver, limned with Meg’s signature attention to, and respect for, children’s emotional lives.”
—Phoebe Kosman, director of marketing, publicity, and key partnerships, Candlewick Press
Opening line: “Señora Mimí lives upstairs in apartment 4C.”
Opening keynote, June 10; evening author reception, June 11
(For PW’s q&a with Medina, see “It Takes a Village,”)
Gabby Zapata
The Ofrenda That We Built (Chronicle, Aug.; $17.99; 25,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Gabby Zapata’s brilliant illustrations bring to life to every element of the ofrenda in her picture book illustrator debut—from the tradition of togetherness to the enduring importance of community, all while celebrating Día de Muertos!”
—Caitlin Ek, publicist, children’s books, Chronicle Books
Opening line: “This is the ofrenda that we built.”
Evening author reception, June 11
MIDDLE GRADE
Steven Banbury
The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night (Little, Brown, Sept.; $17.99, $8.99 paper; 30,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night scratches that autumn-year-round itch that comfort movies like Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown do. For all the bump-in-the-night creeps, there are heartwarming moments about conquering fears, finding your chosen family, and fighting for the greater good. Above all, it’ll make you want to curl up next to a cozy fire with a favorite book.” —Liz Kossnar, senior editor, Little, Brown BYR
Opening line: “She ran. As fast as she could move her legs, she ran.”
Indies Introduce lunch and author signing, June 11
Ruth Chan
Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back (Roaring Brook, Sept.; $22.99, $14.99 paper; 75,000-copy paperback and 15,000-copy hardcover announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “In Uprooted, Ruth Chan channels what many children of immigrant families—like me—feel: the sense of displacement when we go to our family’s original homeland. While she explores a wide breadth of emotions, including loneliness, frustration, and apprehension about fitting in, the story is relatable and filled with joy, humor, and love—like Ruth.” —Connie Hsu, editorial director, Roaring Brook Press
Opening line: “I wish this day would never end.”
Evening author reception, June 11
(For PW’s q&a with Chan, see “Growing New Roots”)
Ben Clanton
Narwhal’s Sweet Tooth (Tundra, July; $12.99; 300,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Young comics fans’ favorite dynamic duo provide their take on dental hygiene, but this book is about so much more than teeth! Narwhal’s Sweet Tooth also has essential lessons about feelings, bad days and the power of friendship.” —Evan Munday, publicity manager, Tundra Books
Opening line: “Ahoy, Jelly! My tusk feels sort of funny... Does it look different to you?”
Evening author reception, June 11
John Cochran
Breaking into Sunlight (Algonquin Young Readers, June; $17.99; 20,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “An estimated one in eight young people have a parent with a substance abuse problem, so Breaking Into Sunlight is incredibly timely. And like a Katherine Paterson for the 2020s, John Cochran writes with deep compassion about loving, hurting, entirely believable characters—especially 12-year-old Reese, who finds hope in nature and friendship.” —Cheryl Klein, editorial director, Algonquin Young Readers
Opening line: “They were together, the three of them, in the Barracuda—Reese with his mom and dad—following an empty country road into the setting sun.”
Indies Introduce lunch and author signing, June 11
g. haron davis
The Lonely Below (Scholastic Press, Aug.; $14.99; 25,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Everyone wants to be heard. As Black, autistic tween Eva starts at her new boarding school and begins to have meltdowns prompted by terrifying hauntings, she struggles to speak up about what she’s going through. With spine-tingling scares and a deeply relatable tween voice, debut author g. haron davis masterfully depicts the horrors of being silenced—both for Eva and the ghosts—and the triumph of finding one’s voice.” —Maya Marlette, editor, Scholastic
Opening line: “As soon as the bathroom door clanged shut, my stomach dropped down into my toes.”
Indies Introduce lunch and author signing, June 11
Marti Dumas
Nina and the Mysterious Mailbox (Rebel Girls, Aug.; illus. by Kristina Kister; $16.99, $9.99 paper; 50,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “True to the Rebel Girls ethos, this first book in a brand-new middle grade fiction series combines the joy and messiness of middle school, while teaching readers about the history of Cleopatra. Marti Dumas makes history fun by adding a touch of magic alongside relatable characters that will leave readers eager for the next book.” —Kristen Fisher, publicity manager, DK
Opening line: “Middle school is so weird.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Alex Evanovich
Keeper Chance and the Conundrum of Chaos (Simon & Schuster, Oct.; $18.99; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “With a page-turning plot, witty dialogue, and an eclectic yet charming group of villains, I was immediately drawn into Keeper’s world. Young readers will find fast friends in these characters as they race against the clock to uncover the culprit and save a small-town shop. Alex has created a world that’s accessible yet special; this is the type of adventure I have been eagerly searching to acquire.” —Krista Vitola, executive editor, Simon & Schuster
Opening line: “The man known as Chaos had entered Peachmont High School through a back door.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Craig Kofi Farmer
Kwame Crashes the Underworld (Roaring Brook, Sept.; $17.99; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Craig Kofi Farmer’s stunning middle grade debut follows a boy hurled into the Ghanaian underworld to help his late grandmother save the mortal realm from vengeful gods. It’s adventurous, funny, and full of heart and magic. I can’t wait for readers to fall for Kwame, the endearingly flawed hero who might just end up saving the world.” —Emilia Sowersby, assistant editor, Roaring Brook Press
Opening line: “If someone had told me a week ago that I was a weird reincarnation of the late Mother Earth, I probably would’ve searched for the nearest exit.”
Evening author reception, June 11
John Hendrix
The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien (Fanfare, Sept.; $24.99; 50,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien are such luminary figures to kids, but as real people, their lives have remained relatively unknown to young readers. This book changes that. It explores how personal events encouraged their writing and how their interactions with each other were an inspiration. Mythmakers opens a door to a new appreciation of their stories.” —Howard W. Reeves, editor-at-large, Abrams Books for Young Readers and Amulet
Opening line: “Tea is on! One lump for you?”
Evening author reception, June 11
Aimee Lim
The Spindle of Fate (Feiwel & Friends, June; $17.99; 50,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “From the first sentence of The Spindle of Fate, author Aimee Lim delivers a wholly original character in Evie Mei. She’s darkly funny and confident in the face of peril as she navigates her journey to the underworld. It’s an utterly engrossing fantasy adventure full of nuance surrounding death—the universal experience that connects us all.” —Anna K. Roberto, executive editor, Feiwel & Friends
Opening line: “Adults are so weird about death.”
Indies Introduce lunch and author signing, June 11
Natalie Lloyd
The Witching Wind (Scholastic Press, Sept.; $17.99; 50,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “The much-loved charmer Natalie Lloyd is back with another heart-expanding tale about the magic of family, friendship, and the lengths we go for the people we love.” —Seale Ballenger, VP, publicity, Scholastic
Opening line: “Maybe Grayson Patch is a ghost.”
Scholastic’s Big Easy After Party, June 11
Kwame Mbalia
Jax Freeman and the Phantom Shriek (Freedom Fire, Oct.; $17.99; 125,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “I’m excited to introduce you to Jax Freeman, another lovable, unforgettable character from Kwame Mbalia, the author of the bestselling and award-winning Tristan Strong trilogy. Jax is about to learn that he has the ability to summon magic from his ancestors. But does he have the wherewithal to wield it? That’s where the fun comes in.” —Stephanie Lurie, editor-at-large, Freedom Fire/Disney Hyperion
Opening line: “It’s been seven hours and nineteen minutes since I, Jackson Freeman, turned twelve, moved across the country into a house of doom, and abandoned everything I ever knew and loved, only to be accused of tomfoolery.”
Breakfast keynote: “Spotlight on Black Publishing,” June 12
Megan McDonald
Fairy Door Diaries: Eliza and the Flower Fairies (Candlewick, Feb. 2025; illus. by Lenny Wen; $17.99; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Once upon a time, many years ago, Megan McDonald began to imagine a series for her niece—also named Eliza. As a child, Eliza believed in magic, devoured fairy lore, and appreciated humor and adventure. Marrying the words of one of today’s most talented children’s writers with radiant illustrations by Lenny Wen—whose star is about to burn red-hot—means the fairy book genre is about to get a shot of adrenaline.” —Mary Lee Donovan, executive editorial director, Candlewick Press
Opening line: “Eliza stepped off of School Bus Number Six and ran.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Jodi Meadows
Bye Forever, I Guess (Holiday House, Oct.; $18.99; 40,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Bye Forever, I Guess is the fresh, funny, and deeply sweet middle grade debut of New York Times–bestselling author Jodi Meadows. With Meadows moving into the middle grade space, children’s booksellers will be able to share an author they love with even more of their customers.” —Sara DiSalvo, publicity manager, Holiday House, Peachtree, Pixel+Ink
Opening line: “ ‘But I like being invisible,’ I said for the eight hundredth time.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Yamile Saied Méndez
The Beautiful Game (Algonquin, Sept.; $16.99; 40,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Yamile Saied Méndez’s powerful story about family, fútbol, and playing like a girl is perfect for fans of Front Desk, The Academy, and Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. The award-winning author of Furia returns to the world of ‘the beautiful game’ in this uplifting, heartfelt novel about family, self-confidence, and the power of second chances.” —Sarah Alpert, editor, Algonquin Young Readers
Opening line: “Futbol´ nyy./ Futebol,/ Calcio,/ Fußball,/ Soccer./ Fútbol./ Beautiful in all languages./ But also brutal and unfair.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Julie Murphy
Catty Corner Pounces into Action (Union Square Kids, Feb. 2025; illus. by Eve Farb; $13.99; 60,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Julie Murphy has an amazing ability to meet her vastly different audiences right where they are, through unforgettable characters exploring issues of self-esteem and self-acceptance. In Julie’s debut chapter book series, new readers will fall in love with her latest heroine, the half-human, half-cat Catty Corner, a third grader who’s starting a new school with a whole lot of cattitude.” —Suzy Capozzi, executive editor, Union Square & Co.
Opening line: “‘Waffles!’ Catty Corner called as she tiptoed into the kitchen.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Mark Oshiro
Jasmine Is Haunted (Starscape, Oct.; $18.99; 125,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “When Mark Oshiro extends you an invite to the GSA—the Gay Supernatural Alliance—you take it! And you know it’s going to be an amazing ride, because no one balances deep, layered emotions with a supernaturally good time like Mark, and Jasmine is Haunted is the perfect mix of both—a deep and empathetic look at grief with all the fun of a queer, Latinx Ghostbusters.” —Ali Fisher, executive editor, Starscape
Opening line: “Jasmine Garza—freshly eleven, her black hair in two long braids down her back—rests her hand against the frame of her front door.”
Evening author reception, June 11; Closing keynote: “Queer Authors for Community,” June 12
James Ponti
The Sherlock Society (Aladdin, Sept.; $18.99; 125,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “The Sherlock Society, from Edgar Award–winning author James Ponti, stars Alex and Zoe Sherlock and their two friends, who start a detective agency with the help of Alex and Zoe’s grandfather, a retired investigative reporter. Set in the author’s home state of Florida, it weaves together real-life local mysteries from the past with fictional new ones and ties it all together with lots of humor and heart.” — Kristin Gilson, editorial director, Aladdin
Opening line: “Maybe if our last name was Baker, we would’ve sold cupcakes.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Tim Probert
The Dark Times (Lightfall #3) (HarperAlley, out now; $24.99; 15,000-copy hardcover and 60,000-copy paperback announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “All the lights have gone dark in the land of Irpa, but don’t let the darkness fool you—there’s still plenty to see. Told through breathtaking illustrations, epic worldbuilding, and heroes you can’t help but root for, Tim Probert’s third installment in the Lightfall series explores how history can impact the present—and future—and what it means to never give up, even when the odds are stacked against you.” —Andrew Arnold, editorial director, HarperAlley
Opening line: “What do we have here?”
Evening author reception, June 11
David A. Robertson
The Sleeping Giant (Tundra, Aug.; $17.99; 50,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “There’s never a bad time to hop onto David A. Robertson’s award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle grade fantasy series. This is the penultimate book, building to the climactic conclusion of the hit Misewa Saga.” —Evan Munday, publicity manager, Tundra Books
Opening line: “Eli’s heart was pounding, and he felt dizzy.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Samuel Sattin
Unico: Awakening, Vol. 1: An Original Manga (Graphix, Aug.; created by Osamu Tezuka, illus. by Gurihiru; $12.99; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Unico is not just a graphic novel, but a testament to Osamu Tezuka’s enduring vision of manga for all, adapted for English readers by the indomitable Samuel Sattin and artist duo Gurihiru. A new generation will fall in love with this little unicorn and his misadventures.” —Lia Ferrone, senior publicist, Scholastic
Opening line: “When humans were young and the gods were becoming older... a creature was formed from life’s secret undercurrents. The unicorn.”
Scholastic’s Big Easy After Party, June 11
Jasmine Warga
A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, Sept.; $19.99; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “It should be no surprise that one of this book’s heroes is a turtle. Jasmine Warga, after all, brought us to tears with A Rover’s Story. She understands that we’re all part of the same human story, whether we’re made of aluminum, live in a shell, or are simply a curious kid.” —Rich Thomas, SVP/executive director of publishing, HarperCollins Children’s Books
Opening line: “Our story might not truly begin with the turtle, but I’m going to start there.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Renée Watson
All the Blues in the Sky (Bloomsbury, Feb. 2025; $17.99; 150,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Renée Watson’s return to standalone upper middle grade is a show of her graceful, honest approach. All the Blues in the Sky offers a moving account of a girl grieving her friend, written in powerful verse and vignettes. To read it is to see how many shades there are in the impossibility of grief, and to know that someone understands.” — Sarah Shumway, editorial director, Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Opening line: “I didn’t know/ best friends could die.”
Breakfast keynote, June 11
(For PW’s q&a with Watson, see “The Poetry of Grief”)
YOUNG ADULT
Alexis Castellanos
Guava and Grudges (Bloomsbury, Sept.; $19.99; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “After her award-winning graphic novel Isla to Island, which dealt with the rise of Castro in Cuba, Alexis Castellanos wanted to write a story full of joy, good food, and a Cuban cast! Guava and Grudges is a true rom-com that doesn’t skimp on the ‘com,’ while also exploring what it means to be the eldest daughter of immigrants.” —Alex Borbolla, senior editor, Bloomsbury
Opening line: “There are probably better ways to spend the first night of summer than breaking into a bakery.”
Evening author reception, June 11
K.A. Cobell
Looking for Smoke (Heartdrum, June; $19.99; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Several extraordinary things struck me right away the first time I read the manuscript of Looking for Smoke: the writing was unusually accomplished for a debut novel, and K.A. Cobell was adept at both creating a suspenseful mystery and dealing sensitively with the tragic issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. I knew immediately that I had to publish this outstanding book.” —Rosemary Brosnan, v–p, publisher, Quill Tree Books and Heartdrum
Opening line: “Something about the beat of the drum makes me stop feeling like such a fraud.”
Indies Introduce lunch and author signing, June 11
Paul Coccia
Recommended Reading (Zando, Feb. 2025; $19.99)
Why the buzz: “I was dazzled by Paul’s debut YA rom-com the moment Bobby’s inflatable unicorn sent him flying.
A love letter to booksellers and romance, Recommended Reading has delightful matchmaking antics and perfect small-town vibes. This is the exact kind of story I needed as a fat, queer teen, and I’m so happy to share it with the world.” —TJ Ohler, assistant editor, Zando Young Readers
Opening line: “I should have known better than to put my trust in a blow-up horse.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Hayley Dennings
This Ravenous Fate (Sourcebooks Fire, Aug.; $18.99; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “This smart, addictive fantasy about vampires in 1920s Harlem has blood-drenched glamor and queer romance alongside astute takes on race, class, and our troubled history. Hayley has created a compelling, atmospheric world in this book, and it’s a stunning debut.”
—Wendy McClure, senior editor, Sourcebooks Fire
Opening line: “She was remade with spite.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Josh Galarza
The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky (Holt, July; $19.99; 40,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky is downright transformative. It’s a study on diet culture and its impact, the pervasiveness of fatphobia, the complexities of young friendships, and the nonlinear nature of healing. There’s a shocking (and devastating) twist, but the real magic is its heart. This story will make you laugh, cry, and hug your heroes.” —Kelsey Marrujo, publicity director, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
Opening line: “The tiny car icon in my Uber app twists around in circles, its location three blocks from where I stand outside of Evelyn’s house in the Catalina Foothills.”
Indies Introduce lunch and author signing, June 11
Daisy Garrison
Six More Months of June (Flatiron, June; $23.99; 50,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “In Six More Months of June, Daisy beautifully captures the charm, feelings, and heart of our favorite teen romantic comedies, embracing the best of high school nostalgia while crafting something wholly fresh and modern. It’s swoon-y and funny and messy and smart, and completely irresistible.” —Sydney Jeon, editor, Flatiron Books
Opening line: “And... we’re recording.”
Indies Introduce lunch and author signing, June 11
Lamar Giles
Ruin Road (Scholastic Press, Sept.; $19.99; 50,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Ruin Road is a nonstop, pedal-to-the-metal read. Cade Webster, a good kid with a lot on his shoulders, is so close to achieving his dreams, but he’s living in a world designed to keep Black boys like him from succeeding. This is a whip-smart, terrifying, and addicting joyride about race, fear, and who the real monsters are.” —Jody Corbett, senior editor, Scholastic
Opening line: “You carry your people with you even when you ride alone.”
Scholastic’s Big Easy After Party, June 11
Kathleen Glasgow
The Glass Girl (Delacorte, Nov.; $21.99; 250,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Kathleen Glasgow’s writing resonates with readers on profound levels. I can’t wait to witness the tidal wave of emotions from her dedicated fans for her forthcoming book, The Glass Girl.” —Jillian Vandall, senior director, publicity, Random House Children’s Books
Opening line: “Every morning when I wake up, I don’t think I’m going to make it.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Dina Havranek
Giddy Barber Explodes in 11 (Peachtree Teen, Oct.; $19.99; 35,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Longtime teacher and debut author Dina Havranek has crafted a compassionate contemporary YA novel that follows high schooler Giddy through a series of astonishingly terrible decisions. Booksellers who seek to expand their offerings on books that grapple with depression and mental illness will cherish this look inside modern teenage life.” —Anna Abell, senior publicist, Holiday House, Peachtree, Pixel+Ink
Opening line: “At the age of fifteen, Giddy Barber knows two things: she’s going to become a mechanical engineer, and she can’t remember the last time she smiled.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Jordan Ifueko
The Maid and the Crocodile (Amulet, Aug.; $19.99; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Jordan Ifueko is back! The Maid and the Crocodile returns to the world of Jordan’s bestselling Raybearer. In this standalone novel with an unforgettable narrator, Jordan creates a magical world with stakes that reflect and echo the real world. Injustice, power, and a swooningly romantic cursed crocodile god—I’m obsessed!” —Maggie Lehrman, associate publisher, Abrams Children’s Books
Opening line: “You are powerful and important, and I am only me.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Freddie Kölsch
Now, Conjurers (Union Square & Co., June; $19.99; 30,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Spectacularly eerie and wholesome in equal measure, Now, Conjurers is a powerhouse supernatural thriller celebrating friends as the family we choose and a love so strong that it overcomes death, Faustian bargains, and a red-gloved eldritch being. As certainly as Freddie will make you laugh through tears and cry through giggles, North Coven will capture your heart.” —Stefanie Chin, assistant editor, Union Square & Co.
Opening line: “Bastion’s corpse was found in the thin woods at the edge of Stepwood Cemetery, covered in bite marks, by the biggest dickbag at Regional No. 9 High School.”
Indies Introduce lunch and author signing, June 11
Sacha Lamb
The Forbidden Book (Levine Querido, Oct.; $19.99; 15,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “How to follow up a wonder like When the Angels Left the Old Country? You gather up your magical voice, sense of humor, and cinematic point of view, and you apply it to a pulse-pounding tale of possession, stolen identity, flight from gangsters, a cauldron of unexpected love and enmity, and a book with the power to change the world.” —Arthur A. Levine, president and editor-in-chief, Levine Querido
Opening line: “On a full moon night, after a day of fasting, the young bride Sorel Kalmans leapt from a window and left her life behind.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Rex Ogle
Road Home (Norton, May; $18.99; 20,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “There are few books I’m prouder to have published than Road Home, and few writers I admire more than Rex Ogle. Capturing the summer Rex was kicked out for being gay, Road Home is not an easy story, but it’s vividly told, lit with compassion, and delivers a powerful message of survival and strength that is more timely than ever.” —Simon Boughton, publishing director, Norton Young Readers
Opening line: “The ocean roars in my ears, trying to swallow the happy cries of
children running toward, and from, the Pensacola waves.”
Evening author reception, June 11; Closing keynote: “Queer Authors for Community,” June 12
Juan Vidal
A Second Chance on Earth (Holiday House, Sept.; $18.99; 35,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Colombian American author Juan Vidal’s reflections on fatherhood and Latinidad have appeared in HuffPost, Rolling Stone, and more. We can’t wait for booksellers to embrace Vidal’s YA debut, A Second Chance on Earth. In this moving and vivid novel-in-verse, a father, a friend, and a favorite book help a teen boy understand love and loss.” —Sara DiSalvo, publicity manager, Holiday House, Peachtree, Pixel+Ink
Opening line: “A quiet war rages within/ Nonstop at my mind’s door.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Kalela Williams
Tangleroot (Feiwel & Friends, $19.99; Oct.; 50,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Kalela Williams’s stunning debut is about mothers and daughters, coming of age, and family secrets and lies. After When Noni’s professor mom becomes president of a small Southern college, Noni counts the minutes till she can leave Tangleroot plantation, the president’s home. But when Noni finds a grave on the grounds, she unearths the unheard voices of ancestors and the town’s racist past and present. Tangleroot is a contemporary mystery about confronting and beginning to heal generational trauma.” —Liz Salba, VP, associate publisher, Feiwel & Friends
Opening line: “Mom wasn’t gorgeous, but she carried herself with an understanding that she was, and people tended to take her at her word.”
Indies Introduce lunch and author signing, June 11
Sujin Witherspoon
Bingsu for Two (Union Square & Co., Jan. 2025; $19.99; 60,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Laugh-out-loud hilarious, sweepingly romantic, and heaping with heart, Bingsu for Two is a reassuring hug—with fresh subversions of beloved rom-com tropes—that says it’s okay not to have all the answers. If this joyous exploration of racial identity and found family doesn’t warm your heart, the chaotic antics of its oddball cast surely will.” —Stefanie Chin, assistant editor, Union Square & Co.
Opening line: “When I woke up this morning with a feeling that this was going to be the Worst Day of My Life So Far, I brushed it off as the self-destructive voice in my head doing his daily affirmations.”
Evening author reception, June 11
Katie Zhao
Zodiac Rising (Random House, Oct.; $19.99; 50,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Who can resist a magical underbelly crossed with dark academia? Katie Zhao has crafted an epic beginning with an emblem of Chinese history, stolen and vandalized, that bridges into what it means to be Chinese American today. Add a heist involving dangerous fae; living, breathing characters; and an ending that left me desperate—and I knew we had to publish this.” —Tricia Lin, senior editor, Random House Children’s Books
Opening line: “It is a tale as old as time: the destructive hubris of a man bringing about catastrophic consequences.”
Evening author reception, June 11
