Picture Day by Sarah Sax is a high-energy graphic novel about self-exploration. Viv is in seventh grade and preparing for an extraordinary picture day. The night before, she live-streams cutting her own hair, which is in her normal, boring braid. Outside of Viv’s two best friends, Milo and Al, she hopes she will finally be noticed. She gets her wish and becomes an overnight sensation and influencer at Brinkley Middle School. All her classmates want to be her friend. She is so busy with dance proposals and mathlete championships she doesn’t even have time for Milo and Al anymore. But this was what she wanted, right? This inclusive and charming story is great for middle-grade students going back to school.

Check it out along with other back to school books we’ve gotten this month!

All Are Welcome Back!
Written by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
Published by Random House
Available Now!

Bear With Me
Written by Kerascoet and illustrated by Sebastian Cossett
Published by Random House Studio
Available Now!

Bitsy Bat: School Star
Written by Kaz Windness
Published by Paula Wiseman Books
Available Now!

Breathe Like a Bear: First Day of School Worries
Written by Kira Willey and Illustrated by Anni Betts
Published by Rodale Kids
Available Today!

Our Classroom Rules!
Written by Kallie George and illustrated by Jay Fleck
Published by Rodale Kids
Available Now!

Picture Day
Written by Sarah Sax
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available Today!

The Probability of Everything
Sarah Everett
Clarion Books
June 27, 2023
Ages 8 to 12

Kemi thinks she will keep her perfect school attendance record squeaky clean, spend time at the diner laughing with her family, and evaluate the science of probability for the rest of the year. Everything is great in her world, until an asteroid is predicted to collide with Earth in four days. Kemi loves her family: Dad, Mom, seventeen month sister Lo, and unborn Baby Z. She worries about their history being erased, so she begins creating a time capsule. In the process Kemi is learning how to say goodbye.  

Everett’s story is an exploration of grief and acceptance. In her author’s note, she describes her personal experience of losing a loved one and the sorrow of the death being a result of a hate crime. Kemi’s father was murdered because of a racial conflict involving their neighbor. The narrative is told from Kemi’s perspective, but she disguises her mourning and deceives the reader with the asteroid and her time capsule mission. Along with other characters like Kemi’s mom, her cousins, and aunt, the author depicts the many different ways individuals cope with death. Kemi’s bravery and loyalty is ultimately what leads her to a place of acceptance. The character development paired with haunting flashbacks gave the plot a whole new meaning of healing and advocation. The Probability of Everything is a heartbreaking story about strong relationships, bereavement, and social justice.

Best-selling author Jewell Parker Rhodes reimagines Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel with Treasure Island: Runaway Gold. Zane lives in Rockaway, Queens, and is always seeking out adventure. He becomes entrusted with a treasure map and immediately begins his journey around Manhattan, recruiting his friends Kiko, Jack, and his dog Hip-Hop to join. On their way, they meet a sailor, John, who knows everything about Black New Yorkers’ buried history. Hidden in this information is the gold. They encounter dangers like rival skateboarder gangs and much more. Children who enjoyed the original Treasure Island will find this hunt captivating! 

Check it out along with other books we’ve gotten this month below!

An Impossible Thing to Say
Written by Arya Shahi
Published by Allida
Available September 23rd!

Ink Girls
Written by Marieke Nijkamp and Sylvia Bi
Published by Greenwillow Books
Available November 21st!

The Kingdom Over the Sea
Written by Zohra Nabi
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Available Today!

A Prayer for Vengeance
Written by Leanne Schwartz
Published by Page Street YA
Available September 19th!

The Queens of New York
Written by E.L. Shen
Published by Quill Tree Books
Available Now!

Treasure Island: Runaway Gold
Written by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Published by Quill Tree Books
Available October 3rd!

Award-winning author, Jen Ferguson’s new novel Those Pink Mountain Nights is full of unexpected events and connections. Berlin has her future planned, Cameron dropped out of high school after his Native cousin Kiki’s disappearance, and Jessie is labeled at school as a rich girl. All three teens have a connection to Pink Mountain Pizza and find themselves acknowledging their own pain and coping skills. This exciting, snowy adventure will keep teens engaged!

Check it out along with other books we’ve gotten this month below!

The Blackwoods
Written by Brandy Colbert
Published by Balzer + Bray
Available October 3rd!

The Blood Years
Written by Elana K. Arnold
Published by Blazer + Bray
Available October 10th!

Charming Young Man
Written by Eliot Schrefer
Published by Katherine Tegen Books
Available October 10th!

Take
Written by Jennifer Bradbury
Published by Atheneum
Available Today!

Those Pink Mountain Nights
Written by Jen Ferguson
Published by Heartdrum
Available September 12th!

Time Out
Written by Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner, and Carlyn Greenwald
Published by BFYR
Available Now!

Beth Turley’s This Close to Home is a representation of tweens’ confusing and exciting transitions. Brooke loved softball but when she loses her mother, she loses her connection to her favorite sport. Now she doesn’t spend time with Dad or her older sister, Calla. One day, Brooke and her best friend Derek decide to revive a lost tradition that brought her whole community together at her parents’ lake house. She is determined that Lakefest will bring back joy to her town and her family. This heartwarming story is great for middle grade children. Check it out along with other books we’ve gotten this month below!

Check it out along with other books we’ve gotten this month below!

Happily Ever After (Once Upon Another Time Series #3)
Written by James Riley
Published by Aladdin
Available Now!

Nowhere Special
Written by Matt Wallace
Published by Katherine Tegen Books
Available October 4th!

Onyeka and the Rise of the Rebels (Onyeka #2)
Written by Tolá Okogwu
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Available Now!

The Probability of Everything
Written by Sarah Everett
Published by Clarion Books
Available June 27th!

Talia’s Codebook for Mathletes
Written by Marissa Moss
Published by Walker Books Us
Available Today!

This Close to Home 
Written by Beth Turley
Published by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Available Now!

Ruffles and the New Green Thing
David Melling
Candlewick Press
Ages 2 to 5
March 24th, 2022

David Melling returns with Ruffles in Ruffles and the New Green Thing to encourage picky eaters to try new foods. Ruffles enjoys grubby, canine activities like howling, digging, and running. One day, he discovers broccoli, referring to it as “the new green thing,” in his bowl but anxiously ignores it. Ruffles instead plays with his friend, Ralph. The two dogs have similar interests, except Ralph’s curiosity leads him to try broccoli. Ruffles admires Ralph’s bravery and also takes a nibble, discovering his love for the new green thing. 

Melling uses adorable illustrations to support the text focused on Ruffles’ journey through social-emotional learning. The neat pencil and digital illustrations enhance the canine’s story through a contrasting color scheme that is eye-catching. The full-spread illustrations represent pivotal moments. The vibrant backgrounds make the characters stand out and accentuate the bright green broccoli in Ruffles’ bowl. They are paired with text revealing the fear of broccoli, Ralph’s introduction, and the first nibble of the new green thing. Ralph is depicted as larger compared to Ruffles by carrying bigger branches and jumping higher fences, highlighting his big brother qualities. The scenes with vignettes portray Ruffles’ emotions throughout his path of fear and courage with Ralph, establishing that Ruffles trusts Ralph. Ruffles’ hesitation disappears when Ralph is by his side, inspiring his friend to challenge himself. Ruffles and the New Green Thing is an entertaining and educational story for children’s social-emotional literacy.  

 A is for Australian Reefs written and illustrated by Frané Lessac is a vibrant treasure full of captivating facts. Within these rich pages, readers will find underwater reefs on the Australian coastline filled with fascinating sea creatures. Lessac introduces each one, exploring their unique diets, survival threats, and special biology. Readers will find familiar marine life such as dolphins and discover new ones like the leafy sea dragons and zebra seahorses. This intriguing information with beautiful images will amaze young children in kindergarten.

Check it out along with other books we’ve gotten this month below!

 A is for Australian Reefs
Written and illustrated by Frané Lessac
Published by Candlewick Press
Available June 13th!

America Redux: Visual Storeis from our Dynamic History
Written by Ariel Aberg-Riger
Published by Balzer + Bray
Available Now!

Great White Sharks
Written by Claire Saxby and illustrated by Cindy Lane
Published by Candlewick Press
Available June 6th!

How to Spacewalk: Step-by-Step with Shuttle Astronaunts
Written by Kathryn D. Sullivan and Illustrated by Michael J. Rosen
Published by mit Kids
Available June 6th!

I Have Something to Tell You: Memoir, A ( For Young Readers)
Written by Chasten Buttigieg
Published by Atheneum Books for young readers
Available Now!

Moving the Millers’ Minnie Moore Mine Mansion: A True Story
Written by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Julia Sarda
Published by Candlewick Press
Available June 6th!

The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish
Chloe Savage
Candlewick Press
Ages 4 to 8
June 6, 2023

Doctor Morley wants nothing more in life is to find the giant Artic jellyfish. After years of research and preparation, she has finally compiled a team of experts to help her on her long-awaited journey to search the Arctic Circle. Dr. Morley and her crew are motivated but as the harsh cold and the long months of searching start to affect them; they wonder if they may ever catch sight of the mythical Arctic jellyfish on this journey. But has the jellyfish been following them all along?

The watercolor and ink illustrations in a soft white and blue palette reflect the stark beauty of the ocean and the Arctic environment. Savage utilizes a contrasting bright red to separate the humans and boat from the natural colors of the animals, ocean, and sky.  Savage’s use of color tone and saturation shows the depth of the ocean and complexity of the night sky to stunning effect, especially when the crew encounters animals that live in the Arctic Circle like polar bears and narwhals. The depth, complexity, and use of color schemes is reinforced by the texture of the glaciers and the complex details of the cross-section of the boat. In some scenes, Savage hides the giant Arctic jellyfish as it follows the crew or shows it playing with the animals, symbolizing its hesitation toward humans but an interest as well. The text focuses more on the adventure and not on the crew members, even Dr. Morley as the main character. The minimal character development and spare text allows more focus on the scientific quest for the Arctic jellyfish and the intricate artwork. This book is geared more toward older children and utilizes sophisticated vocabulary and subtle prose to create a scientific tone to the text. The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish will capture the attention of any young reader interested in the Arctic, the animals that live there, and the worthwhile search for the unknown.

Author Ali Standish’s The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall explores the mind of Sherlock Holmes, secret societies, adventures, and friendships. A young Arthur Conan Doyle attends a school for extraordinarily gifted children and befriends two students, Irene Eagle and Jimmie Moriarty. Together, they start investigating the mysteries of their new school and are invited into a secret society named the Clover. This thrilling story would be great for middle school children.

Check it out along with other books we’ve gotten this month below!

Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans
Written by Isi Hendrix
Published by Balzer + Bray
Available September 19th!

The Cobra’s Song
Written by Supriya Kelkar
Published by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Available Now!

Crankosaurus (Cranky Chicken Series #3)
Written by Katherine Battersby
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Available Today!

Deep in the Rain Forest (Isla of Adventure #3)
Written by Dela Costa and Illustrated by Ana Sebastian
Published by Little Simon
Available Now!

Falling Out of Time (Running Out of Time Series #2)
Written by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Published by Katherine Tegen Books
Available May 30th!

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall
Written by Ali Standish
Published by Harper
Available September 12th!

Bestselling author and long-standing activist Juno Dawson debuts her first picture book, You Need to Chill!: A Story of Love and Family, about a young girl who proves to be an LGBTQ ally when questioned about her missing brother. Told in witty verses and endearing characters, Dawson and Laura Hughes show acceptance of self-identity and family through fun, vivid illustrations. 

Check it out along with other books we’ve gotten this month below!

Can You Hug a Forest?
Written by Frances Gilbert & Amy Hevron
Published by Beach Lane Books
Available Now!

Cooler Than Lemonade: A Story About Great Ideas and How They Happen
Written by Harshita Jerath & illustrated by Chloe Burgett
Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Available Now!

The Firefly Summer
Written by Morgan Matson 
Published by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Available Now!

My Love For You
Written by Lisa Varchol Perron & Illustrated by Sheryl Murray
Published by Little Simon
Available Now!

School Trip 
Written & illustrated by Jerry Craft
Published by Quill Tree Books
Available Now!

You Need to Chill!: A Story of Love and Family 
Written by June Dawson & illustrated by Laura Hughes
Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Available Now!