May is abloom with follow-ups and sequels to notable children’s and YA series, including a picture book about how to support a friend; a middle grade fantasy about a unicorn rider investigating sudden unicorn deaths; a middle grade adventure following a student’s quest to retrieve his magic jellybeans; and more.
Picture Books and Graphic Novels
Amy Wu and the Ribbon Dance by Kat Zhang, illus. by Charlene Chua (Simon & Schuster, May 30 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-665-91672-1). In the fourth book in the Amy Wu series, Amy learns about Chinese ribbon dancing and hopes to find the perfect ribbon for her forthcoming dance party.
Arithmechicks Explore More by Ann Marie Stephens, illus. by Jia Liu (Astra Young Readers, May 9 $12.99; ISBN 978-1-635-92599-9). In the fifth Arithmechicks adventure, the Arithmechicks try to cheer up their cousin after they leave a cherished stuffed animal on the bus.
Arithmechicks Find Their Place by Ann Marie Stephens, illus. by Jia Liu (Astra Young Readers, May 9 $12.99; ISBN 978-1-635-92597-5). What starts as a playful scavenger hunt turns into a tough competition, and the Arithmechicks must convince everyone to work together in the sixth book of the series.
Battle for the Dragon by Pirate Sourcil, illus. by Jez and Odone (Andrews McMeel, May 2 $21.99; ISBN 978-1-52487-939-6). In the fourth installment of the Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior graphic novel series, Runt and Blurp consider how to defeat Herobrine without sacrificing their friends.
Boy Dad by Sean Williams, illus. by Jay Davis (HarperCollins, May 16 $21.99; ISBN 978-0-06-311364-0). This companion book to Girl Dad gives a shoutout to fathers who love supporting their sons.
Cheese Fest!: Composing Shapes by Lori Haskins Houran, illus. by Deborah Melmon (Kane Press, May 2 $16.99; ISBN 978-1-662-67006-0). In the latest book in the Mouse Math series, Albert uses his mathematical prowess to figure out how to build the best booth at Cheese Fest.
Cinda Meets Ella by Wallace West (Little, Brown, May 16 $18.99 ISBN 978-0-316-62837-2). Cinder hopes to gain the attention of nonbinary Ella while trying to win a rodeo contest in the second book of the Fairly Queer Tales series.
The Crayons Go Back to School by Drew Daywalt, illus. by Oliver Jeffers (Philomel, $9.99; ISBN 978-0-593-62111-0). In the fifth book following the colorful crew, the crayons are excited to head back to school and learn about their favorite subjects.
The Digger and the Butterfly by Joseph Kuefler (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, May 23 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-323794-0). A caterpillar on the construction site helps Digger and his friend be more present in the third book in the Digger series.
Dinos Love Diggers by Pterry Redwing, illus. by Christine Sheldon (Cottage Door, May 23 $7.99 board book; ISBN 978-1-64638-863-9). In the newest book in the Dinos Love series, the little dinos play with different kinds of construction equipment while they dig.
Electricity by Andy Hirsch (First Second, May 23 $21.99; ISBN 978-1-250-26584-5; $12.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-250-26585-2). The second in the Science Comics series teaches young readers about electricity, including where it comes from and how it’s used in everyday life.
Every Body by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli, illus. by Tequitia Andrews (Rise x Penguin Workshop, May 9 $15.99; ISBN 978-0-593-66150-5; 50,000 copies; $9.99 board book; ISBN 978-0-593-38334-6. Young readers are introduced to the concept of body liberation and embracing all bodies in the newest addition to the First Conversations series.
FGTeeV: Out of Time! by FGTeeV, illus. by Miguel Díaz Rivas (HarperAlley, May 30 $23.99; ISBN 978-0-06-326050-4). The fourth graphic novel in the FGTeeV series follows as Duddz and the family are sucked into a game across time and space and must get home before they’re stuck for good.
A Giant Problem by Tae Keller, illus. by Geraldine Rodriguez (Holt, May 16 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-250-81422-7). Mihi hasn’t been back to the Rainbow Realm, but when her friend falls through a portal, Mihi races to find her in the second book in the Mihi Ever After series.
Growing Up Powerful: A Guide to Keeping Confident When Your Body Is Changing, Your Mind Is Racing, and the World Is… Complicated by Nona Willis-Aronowitz, illus. by Caribay Marquina (Rebel Girls, May 9 $20 paper; ISBN 978-1-9534244-57). The second title in the Growing Up Powerful series highlights the myriad changes that come along with adolescence and offers readers advice from experts and activities.
I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 by Lauren Tarshis, illus. by Cassie Anderson (Graphix, May 2 $10.99 paper; ISBN 978-133-882515-2). The seventh book in the I Survived series follows Oscar and his friends as they try to escape Chicago when flames threaten to destroy the city.
Monster Village by Andrea Towers, illus. by Alexis Jauregui (Andrews McMeel, May 9 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-52488-452-9). The Gamer Girls must find a way to come together in the second book of the series when Celia discovers a game that’s outside of their usual repertoire.
Nothing’s Wrong: A Hare, a Bear, and Some Pie to Share by Jory John, illus. by Erin Kraan (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, May 2 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-374-31217-6). In the companion picture book to Something’s Wrong!, Jeff navigates how best to help a friend who is struggling.
The One and Only Sparkella and the Big Lie by Channing Tatum, illus. by Kim Barnes (Feiwel and Friends, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-75077-8). In an effort to impress a new friend, Sparkella borrows a toy without asking in the third Sparkella book.
Pluto!: Not a Planet? Not a Problem! by Stacy McAnulty, illus. by Stevie Lewis (Holt, May 2 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-81346-6). The seventh book in the Our Universe series spotlights the planet Pluto, including its origin story and unique traits.
Secrets and Sidekicks by Colleen AF Venable, illus. by Stephanie Yue (Random House Graphic, May 2 $13.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-37972-1). In the third Katie the Catsitter graphic novel, Katie struggles when a new friend’s outstanding sidekick talents leave her feeling left out.
Surprisingly Sarah by Terri Libenson (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, May 2 $15.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-06-313921-3). The seventh Emmie & Friends book follows two alternate timelines where Sarah does or does not ask out her crush.
Together: A First Conversation About Love by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli, illus. by Andy Passchier (Rise x Penguin Workshop, May 9 $15.99; ISBN 978-0-593-52288-2). In the fourth First Conversations book, young readers learn about the concept of love, the different kinds of affection, and how love is shown.
Weather Together by Jessie Sima (Simon & Schuster, May 2 $18.99, ISBN 978-1-665-91698-1). Nimbus learns how to express when she’s feeling cloudy to her friends in the third book of the Not Quite Narwhal and Friends series.
Novels
Charmed Life by Marti Dumas (Amulet, May 2 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-5563-7). Hasani returns to her middle school in the second book in the Wildseed Witch series, but must manage a witch rival coming along with her and strange happenings at her school.
ChupaCarter and the Haunted Piñata by George Lopez with Ryan Calejo, illus. by Santy Gutierrez (Viking, May 30 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-46600-1). When the threat of haunted piñatas makes their parents consider moving, Jorge and his friends try to find the perpetrator, in the second book in comedian and actor Lopez’s Chupacarter series.
City of Vicious Night by Claire Winn (Flux, May 23 $14.99 ISBN 9781635830842). The second book in the Requiem Dark series finds Asa and Riven with no allies and in a deadly competition for control of an underworld faction.
Cursed Crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, May 9 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-311616-0). In the second book of the Twin Crowns series, twin queens Wren and Rose take different approaches to the throne, sending them in disparate directions.
The Drama with Doomsdays by Scott Reintgen (Aladdin, May 16 $17.99 ISBN 978-1-66590-360-8). The second book in the Celia Cleary series follows Celia’s hunt for a classmate who will trigger a prophecy.
Every Gift a Curse by Caroline O’Donoghue (Walker Books US, May 9 $19.99 ISBN 978-1-5362-2840-3). In the final book in The Gifts series, Maeve’s powers veer out of control as she tries to protect the town from a religious cult.
Evil Genius by Chris Grabenstein (Random House, May 16 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-48091-5). Jake must find the thief who has taken the jellybeans that are the source of his genius, in the third book of the Smartest Kid in the Universe series.
Fall of the School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani (HarperCollins, May 2 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-326953-8). The duology closer of the Rise series pits brothers and school masters of the School for Good and Evil against one another, with the fate of the school under threat.
Falling Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix (HarperCollins/Tegen, May 30 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-325161-8). In the companion to Running Out of Time, 12-year-old Zola questions the perfection of her life in 2193 when she discovers a book in the back of her closet.
The Golden Frog Games by Claribel A. Ortega (Scholastic Press, May 2 $17.99 ISBN 978-1-338-74579-5). In the second Witchlings book, suspicion is placed on the Witchlings when someone sabotages a competition, and they must work together to clear their name and win fair and square.
The Greatest Treasure Hunt by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein (Little, Brown/Patterson, May 29 $14.99; ISBN 978-0-316-50019-7). The finale of the Treasure Hunters series finds the Kidds family competing for the title of Best Treasure Hunting Kids and trying to restore glory to their family name.
Happily Ever After by James Riley (Aladdin, May 30 $18.99, ISBN 978-1-665-90492-6). Lena questions if everything in The Blessed City is as good as it seems in the finale of the Once Upon Another Time trilogy.
Last Canto of the Dead by Daniel José Older (Disney/Rick Riordan Presents, May 16 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-3680-7090-4). In the second book of the Mateo Matisse series, Mateo and Chela are torn apart when Mateo must save the city and Chela is trapped on an island.
Lia Park and the Heavenly Heirlooms by Jenna Yoon (Aladdin, May 30 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-8796-3). Lia, Joon, and their friends race to find and protect a hidden heirloom in the second Lia Park book.
Miles Morales Suspended: A Spider-Man Novel by Jason Reynolds, illus. by Zeke Peña (Atheneum/Dlouhy, May 2 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-665-91846-6). In the sequel to Miles Morales: Spider-Man, Miles finds himself suspended from school but must still save the city from a dangerous threat.
The Night in Question by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson (Delacorte, May 30 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-64583-3). The sequel to The Agathas follows Alice as she investigates the sudden death of a former friend at an infamous castle.
The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate (HarperCollins, May 2 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-308008-9). Featuring characters from the Newbery Medal–winning The One and Only Ivan and its sequel, The One and Only Bob, this book spotlights young elephant Ruby as she reminisces about her life before the circus.
Onyeka and the Rise of the Rebels by Tolá Okogwu (S&S/McElderry, May 30 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-665-91264-8). Onyeka and her friends are on the run after revealing secrets about the Academy of the Sun, and Onyeka will have to partner with a rival in order to defeat their common enemy, in the second book of the Onyeka series.
Painted Devils by Margaret Owen (Holt, May 16 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-83116-3). In the second installment of the Little Thieves series, Vanja secretly tries to save Emeric from the Scarlet Maiden’s demands by obtaining blood from the seven brothers.
The Sea of Terror by Stuart Gibbs, illus. by Stacy Curtis (Simon & Schuster, May 9 $12.99; ISBN 978-1-665-91744-5). Tim and his friends must travel across the dangerous Sea of Terror to obtain the queen’s golden fleece in the third Once Upon a Tim installment.
Skandar and the Phantom Rider by A.F. Steadman (Simon & Schuster, May 2 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-665-91276-1). Skandar races to save wild unicorns from being killed in the second book in the Skandar series.
The Snatcher of Raven Hollow by Matt McMann (Putnam, May 9 $7.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-53074-0). A series of baby kidnappings forces Teo and Logan to investigate, even if it means uncovering a lurking presence in the forest, in the second book of the Monsterious series.
Team Chu and the Epic Hero Quest by Julie C. Dao (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, May 2 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-374-38881-2). All of Team Chu competes to win the title of child hero in the second in the Team Chu series.
Wrath of the Exiles by Ben Costa and James Parks (Aladdin, May 2 $13.99; ISBN 978-1-665-91071-2). New friends and enemies arise for Coop Cooperson and friends in the second book of the Dungeoneer Adventures series.
