From a young age, Suzanne Slade writes, Gwendolyn Brooks knew her life would be “ecstatically exquisite.” With carefully crafted prose and luminous acrylic paintings by Cozbi A. Cabrera, Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks (Abrams, $17.99) celebrates a working-class woman whose unflinching words confronted injustice and altered the landscape of American poetry. Ages 7-10. Elli Bloomberg
Two best friends, one white and one Black, spend hot summer days together doing chores, swimming in the creek and eating popsicles. But it is not the Freedom Summer (Aladdin, $7.99) John Henry and Joe hoped for when their white Southern community turns a blind eye to injustice. Deborah Wiles uses the backdrop of the Civil Rights Act to paint a portrait of racism in small town America while Jerome Lagarrigue’s full page illustrations are captivating in their color and feeling. Ages 4-8. Heidi Ashton Yoon
Unless something changes, Tracy Beaumont’s father will be dead in less than a year. A Black man wrongfully convicted of murder, he waits on death row in Texas. Tracy’s life already feels like it’s at a breaking point—and then her older brother, Jamal, is accused of killing a white girl. As she tries to parse what really happened, Tracy reckons with the fatal consequences of a violently racist past and present. Inspired by Kim Johnson’s years of anti-racist organizing, This Is My America (Random House, $17.99) is a clear testament to the power of collective action. Ages 12 and up. Elli Bloomberg
Fans of the Mercy Watson series and other Tales from Deckawoo Drive, meanwhile, will love Kate DiCamillo and illustrator Chris Van Dusen’s latest delivery from Deckawoo. In Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package (Candlewick, $14.99), a mysterious box containing an accordion arrives for Eugenia, who is a practical, no-time-for-music kind of person. Can she learn to love this unwelcome addition to her household? Ages 6-9
Sally Warner’s accessible EllRay Jakes series now has a little sister of its own! See the world through Alfie Jakes’s eyes in Absolutely Alfie and the Furry Purry Secret (Puffin, $5.99 PB/Viking, $14.99 HB) and Absolutely Alfie and the First Week Friends (Puffin, $5.99 PB/Viking, $14.99 HB). Shearry Malone’s playful illustrations add extra appeal to Alfrie’s quest to break her family’s NO PETS rule, as well as her attempt to bring two friends together at the beginning of a new school year. Ages 6-9
Budding bookworkms in search of the perfect bedtime story will find it in celebrated Argentine cartoonist Liniers’s latest graphic novel. Planet the toy fawn has a mission: at night, he comes alive and tries to reach the giant cookie in the sky that sometimes has a bite taken out of it. This refreshing take on the secret lives of toys will have parents and children alike saying Good Night, Planet (Toon, $12.95) or Buenas Noches, Planeta (Toon, $6.99 PB/$12.95 HB). Ages 6-9.
Karen English tells another story about first impressions and second chances in her latest installment of The Carver Chronicles. Khufu is The New Kid (Clarion, $15.99) in school, with a big personality and even bigger stories to tell. Leery of this stranger’s tall tales, third-grader Gavin blames Khufu when his bike goes missing. Impeccably placed spot illustrations by Laura Freeman add intrigue to Carver’s compelling narrative about the effects of making snap judgments. Ages 6-9
“Goody gumdrops!” It’s finally spring, and Pig is out and about enjoying the glorious weather. Then, in the distance, Pig sees something in the clear blue sky getting closer and closer…. and she realizes it is Goose flying towards her! Pig and Goose become fast friends and spend a marvelous day together, having a picnic lunch and a nighttime party complete with music and friends. In Pig & Goose and the First Day of Spring (Charlesbridge, $12.99), author/illustrator Rebecca Bond’s charming story and watercolor illustrations bring to life the joy of spring and the promise of a burgeoning friendship. Ages 6-9.
When their plane crashes, Fred, Con, Lila, and Max must make their way through the Amazon jungle in order to find help. Each child assumes the role of The Explorer (Simon & Schuster, $16.99), moving determinedly ahead and wresting survival from a perilous environment. As they face challenges that range from eating a tarantula to caring for a sick friend, the children must draw upon strengths they never knew they had. Drawing inspiration from classic adventure stories, Katherine Rundell creates a captivating narrative within a richly detailed world. Ages 8-12.
Imogene has grown up against the unique backdrop of the Florida Renaissance Faire: she’s learned the ins and outs of her mother’s shoppe and her father’s acting role as a heroic knight. Now, Imogene is ready to enter into two new daring chapters of her life: finally becoming a squire to her father’s character at the festival, and trading homeschooling for the confusing world of public middle school. After a run-in with the popular crowd, Imogene soon learns that school isn’t nearly as easy to navigate as the traditional stories of heroes and villains that have surrounded her since childhood. From Roller Girl author and Newbery Honoree Victoria Jamieson comes All’s Faire in Middle School (Dial, $12.99 PB/$20.99 HB), a fast-paced, brightly illustrated graphic novel that every middle grade lad and lass will surely relate to. Ages 9-12.
Blue Montgomery can’t help it: he was born to lose. After a disastrous encounter 100 years ago involving a talking alligator under a red moon, the Montgomery family line was split into the lucky and the unlucky. The only chance for the unfortunate Montgomerys to change their fate for the next century is fast approaching, and Blue must find a way to get that curse lifted. Enter Tumble Wilson: she tries to live every day as a hero, but is discovering that maybe she, too, is doomed to fail. Together, Tumble & Blue (Dial, $17.99) bravely head into the swamp to change their destiny. Cassie Beasly expertly weaves magical realism into a story that shows the power of friendship and what it truly means to be a hero. Ages 9-12.
Former British Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo collects 17 animal fables from around the world in his Greatest Animal Stories (Barron’s, $16.99). Morpurgo prefaces each tale by comparing and contrasting it to others in the collection, making connections between cultures and thus providing a global context. In the spirit of Aesop’s Fables, Morpurgo also ends each chapter by identifying the moral of the story. His choice to use several writers and illustrators conveys a sense of many voices speaking to the reader with every turn of the page. Ages 8-11.
Edver never imagined being sent off to Cuba to meet his father and sister for the first time; Luza never imagined her brother from the United States would be so different. While trying to bring their mother to the island, however, the two inadvertently attract the attention of a poacher and must come together to save the Forest World (Atheneum, $16.99) they have both grown to love. Award-winning author Margarita Engle’s novel in verse brings to life a world where science, poetry, and possibility coexist. Ages 9-12.
Jason Reynolds delivers a heart-pounding, emotional novel in verse that tells the story of Will, mourning the loss of his brother as he struggles with unspoken rules: 1) no crying, 2) no snitching, and 3) revenge. Long Way Down (Atheneum, $17.99) challenges our preconceptions and leaves us with a sense of urgency to talk about what happens next.
In a story drawn from actual events, Dick Lehr provides a starting point for more in-depth conversations on truth and justice as protagonist Trell (Candlewick, $17.99) hones her investigative journalism skills in an attempt to exonerate her father, who’s been incarcerated since she was a baby.
Alan enters seventh grade with an abusive father, a bullying older brother, and a strict no-friends policy: after all, why set anyone up to be his brother Nathan’s latest victim? It seems like things will never change, especially when Nathan forces him to participate in a “game” in which Alan must complete a list of impossible or deeply embarrassing tasks. When Alan tries to refuse, Nathan threatens to broadcast his little brother’s crush on a male classmate to the entire school. Unexpectedly, however, Alan’s quest to meet Nathan’s demands results in the discovery that, after all, Alan Cole Is Not a Coward (Katherine Tegen, $16.99). Eric Bell’s novel about making friends, facing deep family dysfunction, and finding personal strength will strike a chord with middle schoolers past and present. Ages 12-14
In the world of Kos, the wealthy use the poor to absolve themselves of guilt and sin. Seventeen-year-old Taj is an aki, or sin-eater, supporting his destitute family by ingesting the sins of the royal family. Beasts Made of Night (Razorbill, $17.99) that physically embody his clients’ depravity imbed in Taj’s mind and form tattoos on his body. When he unwittingly becomes entrenched in a conspiracy to destroy Kos, he must decide to fight injustice. Debut author Tochi Onyebuchi creates a unique fantasy with lush detail, Nigerian influences, and underlying themes of betrayal and loyalty. Complex characters, dark magic, and adventure are hallmarks of this spirited tale. Ages 14-18.
Giant battle robots, characters with tragic pasts, forbidden romances, and a dystopian future Korea: one might be forgiven for thinking that no novel could ever cohesively tell a story that included all these elements. Luckily for sci fi fans everywhere, debut novelist Axie Oh has proven herself more than equal to the challenge. Set in 2199 amidst a decades-long war in which young orphans are trained to be supersoldiers, Rebel Seoul (Tu, $19.95) is a spellbinding rollercoaster ride of a novel. Ages 14-17.
Priyanka Das is torn between two worlds: the complicated social sphere of her American high school and the India of her family history and imagination. Pri can only dream of glamorous India—the samosas, Diwali celebrations and colorful saris—based on fragments of family stories. That is, until she finds an enchanted Pashmina (First Second, $16.99 PB/$21.99 HB) that will change her perspective. As her world grows larger and her horizons expand, she finds unexpected answers to long-standing questions. Graphic novelist Nidhi Chanani shows that self-discovery can be difficult, and sometimes even painful, no matter where you are. Ages 11-14.
Edgar Allen Poe’s poems and stories are appreciated for their strange darkness and quiet melancholy. In Poe (Candlewick, $22) Gareth Hinds uses the graphic novel format to vivify the eerie images evoked by Poe’s chilling, lyrical prose. The result is a rich and poetic visual accompaniment to Poe’s best-known work, including “The Pit and the Pendulum,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and “The Raven.” Both long-time admirers and new fans of Poe and will appreciate Hinds’s signature watercolor-and-ink illustrations of these classics. Ages 13 and up.
Meet Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea! (Tundra, $12.99 HB/$7.99 PB) as he and new best bud Jelly deliver a promising start to a new series of graphic novels for beginning readers. While the happy-go-lucky-whale and the slightly cynical jellyfish each doubt that the other really exists—you’d probably think you were imagining things, too, if you’d never seen a narwhal before!— it’s not long before they develop a true and lasting friendship. Each mini-chapter in Ben Clanton’s adorably zany adventure is a story unto itself; book lovers young and old will especially appreciate the cleverness of the final tale, in which Narwhal shows Jelly that all you need to make a bunch of blank pages into the best book ever is a little bit of imagination. Ages 6-9.
A beautiful young woman. An evil, jealous stepmother. Seven…boys? Matt Phelan’s brilliantly original graphic rendition of Snow White (Candlewick, $19.99) is not for the faint-hearted. Set in 1920s New York City, Snow’s father is a stockbroker and her stepmother a Broadway star known as Queen of the Follies; a stock ticker replaces the omniscient mirror; and a Macy’s holiday window becomes the glass coffin. The Art Deco font used for the title and chapter headings reflects the era, and Phelan’s primarily black-and-gray pencil, ink, and watercolor illustrations provide a stark contrast to the occasional burst of red and the full-color, happily-ever-after ending. Ages 10-14.
When brothers Tucker and Hudson are given scarves and umbrellas from a neighbor’s yard sale, their sleepy final day of summer morphs into a thrilling adventure as they discover that the secondhand items possess superpowers. Tuck convinces Hudson to seize the day and, with the help of a surfer-lingo-speaking squirrel and a time-traveling trunk, they battle cat burglars, aid medieval villagers, train with a dragon, and confront a nemesis corrupted by the temptation of power. Brothers Unite (Dial, $10.99), the first in the Secondhand Heroes graphic novel trilogy by Justin LaRocca Hansen, will appeal to anyone who daydreams about doing heroic deeds. Ages 8-12.
Pulsing with imagination and hope, this illustrated edition of Langston Hughes’s classic poem “Dream Variation” follows a young black boy living in a segregated town in the 1950s. As he observes the injustices around him, the boy imagines a world in which he and his family can live without fear. Daniel Miyares’s breathtaking watercolors depict the boy’s daydreams of soaring on giant birds, drinking from a stream, and lying in the grass—all with a loving, racially integrated group of friends. Young readers will immediately respond to the beauty, pathos, and hope of the boy’s imaginings as he declares, That Is My Dream! (Schwartz & Wade, $17.99). Ages 6-9.
Nature lovers will flock to The Animal Ark: Celebrating Our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures (National Geographic, $15.99). This stunning partnership between photographer Joel Sartore, Newbery Medal winner and local hero Kwame Alexander, and collaborators Mary Rand Hess and Deanna Nikaido celebrates the beauty of the animal kingdom and issues a clarion call to protect myriad irreplaceable species. All ages.
In another compendium of poetry, Keep a Pocket in Your Poem (Word Song, $17.95), J. Patrick Lewis pairs timeless verses by luminaries such as Emily Dickinson and Langston Hughes with playful illustrations by Johanna Wright and Lewis’s own parodies, which range from touching to downright silly (who knew that “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” would ever inspire “Stopping by Fridge on a Hungry Evening”?). All ages.
Bacus. Mulvina. Athelia. Qush. Dora. Peggy. Jane. John. Betty. Charlotte. Stephen. These names don’t sound familiar for a reason: they belong to slaves whose stories were lost in the oblivion of hatred, inhumanity, and racism— until three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Ashley Bryan came into possession of the 19th-century document that listed them as property for sale. In Freedom Over Me (Atheneum, $17.99), Bryan pays tribute to each of these individuals with a portrait and two poems, one to describe the reality of life on the plantation and one to give voice to dreams that never came true. This is a deeply moving book that will carry the names of these now-unforgotten souls into the hearts of readers young and old. Ages 10-14.
Seeking a thoughtful biography? Striking illustrations? Children’s poems that wake you up to the world around you? You’re in luck: Are You an Echo?: The Lost Poetry of Misuzu Kaneko (Chin Music, $19.50) weaves all these elements into a harmonious whole. Michiko Tsuboi and Sally Ito have translated a selection of Kaneko’s poems, accompanied by the original Japanese text, into English for the first time, while David Jacobson provides a compelling account of her short but eventful life. With warmhearted illustrations from Toshikado Hajiri, this volume digs deeply into the empathy, sorrow, and joy that define life as we know it. Ages 6-11.
With Art Up Close: From Ancient to Modern (Princeton Architectural, $29.95) by Claire d’Harcourt, young learners discover works of art from 1300 BC to the twentieth century through interactive flaps and instructive close-ups.
Evan Turk’s vivid illustrations will have your feet stomping and arms swinging to the music as you follow a hero’s journey from Mississippi to Chicago in Michael Mahin’s Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters (Atheneum, $17.99).
Renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is known for her beautiful paintings and self-portraits. What many readers may not know is that Frida Kahlo and her Animalitos (NorthSouth, $17.95) shared a special bond. Kahlo had many animals throughout her life, including a black cat, a fawn, a parrot, an eagle, two monkeys, two turkeys, and three dogs. They “were her children, her friends, and her inspirations” for many of her artistic works. Monica Brown details Kahlo’s life and the challenges she faced while giving readers tidbits about her pets as well. With beautiful illustrations by John Parra, filled with colorful details for readers to discover, this picture-book biography is a delightful introduction to the life and work of Frida Kahlo. Ages 5-8.
Amalia Hernández’s fierce determination led her on a journey from dancer to choreographer to founder of her own dance company, El Ballet Folklórico de México. Through her organization, Hernández mixed Mexican and indigenous traditions with ballet and modern dance to create something altogether new. Award-winning author/illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh showcases Hernández’s unique choreography and style in Danza! (Abrams, $18.95), which will have young readers turning into young dancers in no time. Ages 7-10.
Amy and Greg Newbold have opened a whimsical window into art history for the young reader: snowmen! Illustrator Greg envisions what it would look like If Picasso Painted a Snowman (Tilbury House, $17.95) (a cubist snowman, of course), as well as imagining snowy creations by Marc Chagall (bright, cavorting circus snowmen), Gustav Klimt (a cozy snowman family wrapped up in a highly geometric quilt), Grant Wood (Snowman Gothic), and eleven other masters. This goofy, immersive introduction to style, a boon to emerging artists and art appreciators, is topped off with an invitation to readers to develop a unique style of their own. Ages 7-10.
Sharks have a tendency to provoke extreme reactions in humans: some of us quiver with fear at the mere thought of a great white, while others celebrate them as the pinnacle of coolness (Shark Week, anyone?). Wherever young environmentalists land on this spectrum, they will be invested in discovering what would happen If Sharks Disappeared (Roaring Brook, $17.99). As Lily Williams sensitively demonstrates in her debut picture book, these impressive creatures are quite literally irreplaceable: without their existence, all life on Earth could be at risk. Williams tempers her sobering topic with a clear focus on what kids can do to help, empowering them with a general sense of hope and a specific list of things they can do to make sure that sharks don’t go anywhere soon. Ages 7-10.
Who better than a groundhog to narrate Older Than Dirt: A Wild but True History of Earth (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $18.99)? Not only does she know her dirt, but she also impresses her curious earthworm neighbor with her extensive knowledge of all aspects of geology. She recounts the how Earth was created in the Big Bang and how it has evolved over billions of years, right up through the climate change crisis we face today. Don Brown and Dr. Mike Perfit’s graphic novel presents eons of information in an entertaining and digestible format, with discussions of natural disasters from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE to the 2004 tsunami that will both keep readers hooked and highlight how important this science lesson really is. Ages 7-10.
There is no need for “a spoonful of sugar” to entice the whole family to read Dr. Howard Bennett’s latest book. The Fantastic Body: What Makes You Tick & How You Get Sick (Rodale, $19.99) is a handy and engaging reference guide to all the body’s organs and systems. Well-designed diagrams and features like tips for the next check-up provide essential information in a clear and comprehensible format; fun facts, DIY project instructions, and, yes, gross stories promise to keep young readers’ interest piqued with each turn of the page. Bennett brings 30 years of experience as a pediatrician and the lucid writing we have come to expect from his popular columns in The Washington Post to this masterful guide. Ages 6-12.
Do you know which animal has “one THOUSAND” bones? Or which animal has a bone that grows an inch every single day? Do you know which animal has the heaviest bone? If you don’t, fear not: Book of Bones: 10 Record-Breaking Animals (Phaidon, $19.95) is here to answer all the bony questions you didn’t know you had. With amazing animal facts and a built-in guessing game, Gabrielle Balkan has complied the best bone trivia from around the globe. With colorful, detailed, and textured illustrations by Sam Brewster, this scientific compendium is perfect for both the classroom and the home. Ages 7-11.
Robin Page and Steve Jenkins breathe new life into the favorite game of small animal lovers everywhere. “I have… nine black spots, two delicate wings, six wiggly legs, two beady eyes, and a flower for a home. Who Am I?” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $14.99). One by one, the animals, illustrated in bold, ripped-paper collage, present clues to lead the reader to the answer. Some of these animals (like the ladybug!) will be familiar, but others (ghost crab, spider monkey) will be more challenging to identify. Even the adults turning the pages may learn something from this visit to the animal kingdom. Ages 5-8.
Lucile “Ludy” Godbold was a gifted athlete whose exceptionally long and strong arms made her an elite shot-putter at Winthrop College. She earned the opportunity to compete in the inaugural “Women’s Olympics” in Paris in 1922, but she did not have the money to finance the trip on her own. Thanks to the generosity of her classmates and teachers, however, the tale of Long-Armed Ludy and the First Women’s Olympics (Charlesbridge, $16.99) would end with a gold medal and a new world record. Adam Gustavson’s nostalgic oil-paint-and-gouache illustrations enrich Jean L.S. Patrick’s fun and informative story of an American champion. Ages 7-11.
Did you know that over 450 million people play basketball worldwide, or that Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a single game in 1962? These are just some of the trivia tidbits presented in Kevin Sylvester’s study of Basketballogy (Annick, $9.95). This is the ultimate basketball fact book, chock-full of information about every aspect of the game from its history to its rules and the evolution of the ball itself. Featuring colorful illustrations, graphs, and diagrams, it’s nothing but net for fans of all ages! Ages 7-10.
A figure skater for twelve years, Tillie Walden has been Spinning (First Second, $17.99) through life as she desperately tries to navigate the intensity of her training schedule while also living the life of a normal suburban teen. In a world where it’s so important to appear flawless, how can a person feel so uncomfortable in her own skin? In a sport where independence matters and it’s every girl for herself, how is a competitor supposed to build lasting relationships? A graphic memoir of friends, family, figure skating, and coming out, Walden’s tale of self-doubt becoming personal triumph is raw, gripping, and sure to spark emotion. Ages 14-18.
42 Is Not Just a Number (Candlewick, $15.99): it’s a lasting emblem of the strength and character of one of America’s greatest athletes, Jackie Robinson. As the first professional baseball player of color, Robinson displayed resilience in the face of myriad challenges. Starting from his childhood, Doreen Rappaport details the racism and prejudice Robinson faced as a black man, a member of the Armed Forces, and an athlete. This account of the extraordinary life of a baseball great is the perfect read for sports fans, history lovers, and social justice activists. Ages 8-12.
Caleb’s autism sometimes makes it difficult for Leo to be his brother, especially when public outbursts and late-night screeching are a regular occurrence. Caleb, Leo, and their parents eventually have to move because of Caleb’s behavior towards their neighbors, and Caleb isn’t responding well to the change in routine. He begins taking his frustration out on Leo, sometimes hitting him to the point of leaving bruises. Leo begins literally running away from his problems, Running Full Tilt (Charlesbridge, $17.99) mile after mile when being around Caleb is just too much. He discovers that he’s fast, and soon Leo finds himself on the school cross country team, training hard, making friends, and spending less time with Caleb— a decision that he may soon regret when tragedy strikes. Michael Currinder’s debut novel is packed with running action perfect for every athlete, as well as relationships, drama, and emotion that will satisfy all readers. Ages 14-18.
Part history, part biography, and part law primer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of R.B.G. vs. Inequality (Abrams, $18.95) highlights the dreams, struggles, and accomplishments of the United States’ most notorious judge. Stacy Innerst’s gouache-and-ink illustrations evoke the feeling of a true historical document, adding gravitas to Jonah Winter’s compelling text.
Open Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library (Candlewick, $16.99) by Carol Boston Weatherford and discover a world of scholars, poets, and artists of African descent whom other history books may have failed to recognize. Award-winning illustrator Eric Velasquez places you in the room with bibliophile Arturo Schomburg as well as the luminaries he studied, from Toussaint Louverture and Alexandre Dumas to Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes.
Gold Star father and Pakistani immigrant Khzir Khan, meanwhile, provides a fascinating and personal article-by-article examination of the document he famously cited during the 2016 Democratic National Convention in This Is Our Constitution: Discover America with a Gold Star Father (Knopf, $16.99).
Fresh perspectives on the U.S. Constitution are brought forward in two impactful volumes. Husband-and-wife team Cynthia and Sanford Levinson highlight complexities including bicameralism, gerrymandering, and emergency powers in Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights, and the Flaws That Affect Us Today (Peachtree, $19.95).
Fans of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel will find a new picture-book biography of its author irresistible. Sherri Duskey Rinker, author of the contemporary classic Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, uses her own signature style to pay homage to Virginia Lee Burton’s beloved literary creations, including Katy and the Big Snow and The Little House. John Rocco’s appealing illustrations meld with the text to create a loving tribute to the woman who turned her pen into a magical wand to create worlds full of what her sons loved best: Big Machines (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $17.99). Ages 5-8.
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