New Books

New Graphic Novels to Add to Your Shelf

Taxi Ghost

Taxi Ghost By Sophie Escabasse

In this hilarious and heartwarming graphic novel, a young girl's first period brings an unexpected gift: the ability to see ghosts! As she meets these spectral visitors, she uncovers her family's secret lineage of mediums, while learning about the power of compassion and community.

Adèle just wants to spend her winter break at the library, cozied up with her favorite books, and completely forgetting abut her friends who are all traveling to warmer climates. Unfortunately, life has other plans...not only does Adèle get her first period...but she learns she comes from a long line of mediums!

And if seeing ghosts wasn't enough of a surprise, Adèle learns that not only can she interact with them, but apparently, they've been using her sister's car to get around the city for years! When the ghosts won't leave her alone Adèle starts to get to know about them and their problems. Maybe helping them out will be just what she needs for an exciting winter break!

From Sophie Escabasse, the author of the beloved Witches of Brooklyn, comes a brilliant graphic novel that explores growing up and the importance of standing up for what you believe in.

Sunset of the Sabertooth Graphic Novel

Sunset of the Sabertooth Graphic Novel By Mary Pope Osborne; adapted by Jenny Laird; illustrated by Kelly Matthews and Nichole Matthews

Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Get whisked away to the Ice Age on a frozen adventure with brother-and-sister team Jack and Annie in the #1 bestselling chapter book series, now available as graphic novels!

The Ice Age is super cool…for two kids in bathing suits! Jack and Annie nearly freeze when the magic tree house whisks them back to the time of cave bears, early humans, and woolly mammoths. But nothing can stop them from having another wild adventure—not even a sabertooth!

For the first time in graphic novel--live the adventure again with new full-color vibrant art that brings the magic to life!

Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Tiny Forest Adventure

Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Tiny Forest Adventure By Emma Steinkellner

Nell of Gumbling and her diary are back! From the bestselling author of The Okay Witch comes another adventure from a twelve-year-old girl living an ordinary life in a magical land. Will an epically enchanted camping trip gone wrong...turn out fantastically right?

Welcome back to Gumbling—Nell Starkeeper's extremely normal fairy-tale hometown. And things couldn't be more happily-ever-awesome, because Nell is about to go on a Gumbling rite of passage—the Multi-Disciplinary Wilderness Engagement Adventure—when all of the seventh graders spend a whole week in the forest! Sure, it’s an Enchanted Forest that’s full of gumblecreatures, where your most secret wish could be granted at any moment, but that’s nothing unusual around here.

What’s REALLY magical is that Nell gets to be on a team with ALL her best friends, learning about nature stuff and teamwork and having their very own campout (including roasting marshmallows)! Great friends + forest fun = best summer ever…

Except her Thumbkin friend Gil has been a bit of a grump lately. And everyone's secret crushes are making things super awkward...So when the whole gang gets shrunk down to Thumbkin size after a wish gone wrong, Nell's problems get a whole lot bigger. Can Nell and her friends find a way to work together and celebrate each other’s strengths AND vulnerabilities...or will this camp-out be a GIANT disaster?

Turning Twelve

Turning Twelve By Kathryn Ormsbee; Illustrated by Molly Brooks

Turning twelve means big changes--first bra, first time babysitting, and a first crush not everyone will approve of . . . a pitch-perfect coming-of-age graphic novel from the creators of Growing Pangs.

A BOOKPAGE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

“Twelve cheers for Turning Twelve! Readers will root for Katie as she navigates seventh grade and stays true to her own heart.” —Megan Wagner Lloyd, author of Allergic

“This book will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier, Kayla Miller, and Shannon Hale who are searching for their next favorite read.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)


What if a friend...is more than a friend?

Katie can't wait to turn twelve--pool parties! babysitting! friends! But sometimes it feels like there's so much new stuff she can barely keep up. First Job? (Yes!) Unfair dress codes? (No way!) Make up (Okay?!) Shaving? (Uh…!)

Maybe growing up isn't as much fun as she had expected. But one thing does seem right--her new friend, Grace. Could Katie have a crush on another girl? Katie knows not everyone around her will approve...which is kind of scary. She might not be ready to tell anyone yet, and that’s fine...but can Katie stay true to herself and embrace the person she's growing up to be?

Katie the Catsitter 4: The Purrfect Plan

Katie the Catsitter 4: The Purrfect Plan By Colleen AF Venable; illustrated by Stephanie Yue

Katie the Catsitter is back with her next adventure, and this time she may need the help of an . . . elephant? This irresistibly fun, bestselling, girl—and cat—power graphic novel series is perfect for fans of Sweet Valley Twins and the Babysitters Club!

"A little evil and a whole lotta fun." --Kirkus Reviews


WANTED: TOP SECRET PLAN

Katie is rocking 7th grade and being a superhero sidekick, so when a new threat puts the whole city in danger she's ready to spring into action! She'll just need one super secret plan, a little help from her friends (okay a lot of help!), an invitation to the city's fanciest party, 217 slightly unusual cats, and . . . maybe a new superhero outfit. Can Katie pull off the plan of the century?! Get ready for more drama, more disguises, more fun, more friends, more secrets and more surprises than ever before! (Plus cats, definitely more cats!)

Bonus: Don't miss the Which Cat Are You Quiz inside!

Greater Secrets

Greater Secrets By Ananth Hirsh and Tess Stone

In a family gifted with the ability to see a mysterious light in the distance, one teen embarks on a fantastical journey to find her missing sister, and finally answer the question: is this ancestral gift a blessing or a curse? This surreal graphic novel is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Mariko Tamaki.

Maya’s family is cursed.

Or blessed, it depends on who you talk to. For as far back as anyone can remember, her family has had to ability to see a mysterious pillar of light in the distance. Those who have tried to find it have never come back. Maya has no idea what you're meant to find if you follow the light. Adventure? Destiny? But what if your destiny isn't a good thing? 

Maya’s sister left to follow her light…and has been missing ever since.

That’s how Maya finds herself on a surreal road trip with two people she barely knows, headed towards a ghost town where her sister was last seen. Unfortunately, the closer Maya gets to her sister...the closer she gets to her own pillar of light. Maya doesn't know if she's ready to face her destiny but if it means finding her sister then she'll do whatever it takes.

Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation

Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation By Kaeti Vandorn

He's a little mean, definitely green, and now Dr. Seuss's beloved and iconic character, The Grinch, is starring in his very own chapter book graphic novel! Everyone's favorite holiday grump is back in a brand-new adventure and he already needs a vacation!

It's vacation time in Whoville but The Grinch doesn't understand...what is a vacation? 

Determined to learn what the Whos seem so excited about, The Grinch decides to give a vacation a try! Unfortunately the mountains are too snowy, the beach is too sandy and the theme park is too loud . . . vacations just might not be something that Grinches do? Thankfully, his dog Max isn't letting the Grinch give up that quickly!

Will there be some fun in the sun for everyone's favorite Grinch or is the Whos' favority grumpy neighbor doomed to stay home?

Tryouts

Tryouts By Sarah Sax

It's warm up time in this newest installment in the Brinkley Yearbook series. Will Alexandra make the cut and help the historically boys baseball team defend their 9-year championship title?

Alexandra, also known as Al, has been playing baseball with her older brothers for as long as she can remember. But when she ages out of Little League, it seems like it’s the end of the road for Al and the sport she loves. Until, that is, her friend Sammy suggests that Al try out for the middle school team—a team that has always been boys-only. 

Al is prepared to fight for her right to try out, but to her surprise, the coach is delighted by her interest. When Al makes the team, it seems like everything is going to work out. But with a tenth consecutive championship on the line for Brinkley Middle School and a team that can’t seem to get along, will their season ground out faster than Al can say “home run”?

Look for the whole Brinkley Yearbooks series:
PICTURE DAY • TRYOUTS • SCHOOL DANCE (Coming August 2025!)

Summer Vamp

Summer Vamp By Violet Chan Karim

What happens when a very human kid ends up at the wrong summer camp—FOR VAMPIRES?! This quirky and heart warming graphic novel about making friends and getting in trouble is perfect for fans of Witches of Brooklyn.

After a lackluster school year, Maya anticipates an even more disappointing summer. The only thing she’s looking forward to is cooking and mixing ingredients in the kitchen, which these days brings her more joy than mingling with her peers . . . that is until her dad's girlfriend registers her for culinary summer camp! Maya's summer is saved! . . . or not. 

What was meant to be a summer filled with baking pastries and cooking pasta is suddenly looking a lot . . . paler?! Why do all of the kids have pointy fangs? And hate garlic? Turns out that Maya isn't at culinary camp—she's at a camp for VAMPIRES! Maya has a lot to learn if she's going to survive this summer . . . and if she's lucky, she might even make some friends along the way.

Sink or Swim

Sink or Swim By Veronica Agarwal and Lee Durfey-Lavoie


Summer is here! School’s out, the pool is open, and new adventures with friends await! But what happens when twelve year old Ty’s anxiety has other plans? From the world of Just Roll With It comes a boy-centric graphic novel about accepting yourself even when it’s a little scary.


Bouncing back from a broken arm should be no big deal—but when Ty spends a month off the swim team the thought of getting back in the water is suddenly not as fun as it used to be. 

After weeks of ignoring his friends, Ty isn't sure how to connect with them again in summer camp. They used to have swim team together but after so long without swimming he's out of shape and afraid of failing in front of them. With his friendships fracturing, will Ty be able to gain confidence in himself and fix everything before it's too late?

We Are Big Time

We Are Big Time By Hena Khan; illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui

SWISH! Cheer courtside for a Muslim teen as she joins an all-girls, hijab-wearing basketball team and learns that she’s much more than a score. This energetic graphic novel is inspired by a true story!

“A slam dunk!" —Minh Lê

A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING BEST KIDS’ BOOK AWARD WINNER


Aliya is new to Wisconsin, and everything feels different than Florida. The Islamic school is bigger, the city is colder, and her new basketball team is…well, they stink.

Aliya’s still excited to have teammates (although the team's captain, Noura, isn't really Aliya's biggest fan), and their new coach really understands basketball (even if she doesn't know much about being Muslim). This season should be a blast...if they could just start to win. As they strengthen their skills on the court, Aliya and the Peace Academy team discover that it takes more than talent to be great--it's teamwork and self-confidence that defines true success. 

For fans of The Crossover and Roller Girl, this graphic novel goes big with humor and heart as it explores culture and perceptions, fitting in and standing out, and finding yourself, both on and off the court.

Buckle Up

Buckle Up By Lawrence Lindell

Figuring out family is no easy street, especially in a divorce. Perfect for fans of New Kid and Smile, this contemporary graphic novel introduces a young boy navigating life with his dad, one car ride at a time.

Lonnie is going through big changes in his life—with his parents newly divorced, he's trying to figure out his new normal. He likes living with his mom and sister, but misses spending time with his father—and the short drives to and from school just aren't enough.

His dad is determined to make every moment count, relying on the car rides to talk about all of the big things that are hard to talk about elsewhere—divorce, sexuality, racism and more. As Lonnie gets used to this new dynamic and hard conversations, will he be better able to connect to his dad? Or will this new family structure force them even further apart?

First Test Graphic Novel

First Test Graphic Novel By Tamora Pierce; Illustrated by Becca Farrow

This eagerly awaited graphic novel adaptation of the iconic fantasy novel First Test reimagines the classic knight's tale, but with a twist. In a world not quite ready for her ambition, a determined girl seeks knighthood and finds herself on a mission to prove it.

Keladry is the first girl who dares to take advantage of a new rule in her homeland, Tortall--one that allows women to train for knighthood. She knows she’s ready for the traditional hazing and grueling schedule of a page, but standing in her way is the knights’ training master, Lord Wyldon.

The training master is dead set against girls becoming knights, and in an attempt to further hold Kel back, Lord Wyldon decides that she must pass a one-year trial that no male page has ever had to endure. But she is not to be underestimated. She will fight to succeed, even if the test is purposely unfair.

The Protector of the Small series gets its first graphic novel adaptation, bringing to life Tamora Pierce’s bestselling First Test in an exciting new format. This graphic novel story about believing in yourself and overcoming all odds combines action and adventure in a way that new and old fans of the series will love.

Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever!

Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever! By Stephen Shaskan

Have Pizza and Taco been naughty or nice? These foodie besties are getting ready for the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER in this hilarious graphic novel chapter book!

IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME....in a few months!!! But Pizza and Taco have decided it's never too early to make their Christmas wish lists and check them twice. Now all they need to do is make sure they’re super nice and well-behaved because Santa Slaw is always watching! Taco has no problem helping neighbors and doing his chores...but Pizza, on the other hand...! Will Pizza and Taco get all the presents they ask for?

This hilarious young graphic novel—with chapters—will tickle the funny bones of kids ages 5-8 and bolster their reading confidence. It's the perfect stepping stone for readers who are transitioning to longer chapter books and graphic novels.

Readers will be hungry to collect all eight books in the series! Here are a few titles to look out for:
Who's the Best?
Super-Awesome Comic!
Too Cool for School (A Parents Magazine Best Book!)
Dare to be Scared!
Wrestling Mania!

Celebrate Music & Arts in School

Celebrate Music & Arts in School

Piper Chen Sings

Piper Chen Sings By Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran; illustrated by Qin Leng

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An empowering story about a girl who turns her performance jitters into confidence when faced with singing a solo at her school concert. Inspired by the childhood experience of award-winning actress Phillipa Soo who originated the role of Eliza in Hamilton.

Piper Chen loves nothing more than to sing. She sings to the sun, and she sings to the moon. She sings to her stuffed animals and with the birds outside her window. So, when her music teacher asks if Piper would like to sing a solo in her school’s Spring Sing, all she can say is “yes!” But as practice continues, doubt and worry creep in and Piper’s confidence wavers. She feels like butterflies are having a dance party in her belly. At home, Piper finds Nai Nai, her grandmother, at the piano. They’ve always shared a love of music, and Piper knows if anyone can help her through the unsettling feeling in her stomach and to shine her brightest at the Spring Concert, it’s Nai Nai.

First time picture book writers and sisters-in-law, Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran along with acclaimed illustrator Qin Leng have created a cheerful intergenerational and stunning story that inspires confidence in the face of nervousness

I Am a Masterpiece!

I Am a Masterpiece! By Mia Armstrong; illustrated by Alexandra Thompson

Tween actress Mia Armstrong celebrates her fun, funny, beautiful childhood living with Down syndrome in this debut picture book.

Don’t miss Mia in A Christmas in New Hope, streaming now!


Mia likes many of the things other people like--going to the beach, the color blue, drawing. But she doesn't like when strangers stare at her because she looks different from them.

Down syndrome allows Mia to see and understand the world in a way that may not make sense to others. She considers it her superpower--and instead of it making her strange, she considers herself a masterpiece. As we all are.

In this sparkling picture book, Mia offers a glimpse into the life of a child with Down syndrome, helping some readers see themselves in a book and helping others understand those friends, classmates, and family members who are neurodivergent.

Beautiful Noise

Beautiful Noise By Lisa Rogers; illustrated by Il Sung Na

Open this unique picture book and meet John Cage, the pioneering, inspiring composer who believed all sound—from the crash of a slamming door to the whirr of a blender to the whoosh of the wind—was music.

For John Cage, music was everywhere: in the hum of the refrigerator, the screech of a garbage truck, the patter of the rain. But other people disagreed. They felt that, surely, a pianist on stage must actually play their piano to create music...not just sit there. And in no way was it melodic to turn a musician's mic on and off as they do play their instruments--it was just chaos!

John Cage found sound in silence, and knew that all noises were unique. All you had to do was listen to hear it.

Told in second person and paired with exciting illustrations as innovative as Cage's music, here is a picture book--perfect for any budding musician--that celebrates the genius of a nonconforming musician who always stayed true to his artistic vision.

Wild Symphony

Wild Symphony By Dan Brown; illustrated by Susan Batori

#1 New York Times bestselling author Dan Brown makes his picture book debut with this mindful, humorous, musical, and uniquely entertaining book!

The author will be donating all US royalties due to him to support music education for children worldwide, through the New Hampshire Charitable foundation.

Travel through the trees and across the seas with Maestro Mouse and his musical friends! Young readers will meet a big blue whale and speedy cheetahs, tiny beetles and graceful swans. Each has a special secret to share.

Along the way, you might spot the surprises Maestro Mouse has left for you- a hiding buzzy bee, jumbled letters that spell out clues, and even a coded message to solve!

Children and adults can enjoy this timeless picture book as a traditional read-along, or can choose to listen to original musical compositions as they read--one for each animal--with a free interactive smartphone app, which uses augmented reality to play the appropriate song for each page when a phone's camera is held over it.

The Green Piano

The Green Piano By Roberta Flack with Tonya Bolden; illlustrated by Hayden Goodman

This autobiographical picture book by the multiple Grammy Award-winning singer Roberta Flack recounts her childhood in a home surrounded by music and love: it all started with a beat-up piano that her father found in a junkyard, repaired, and painted green.

Growing up in a Blue Ridge mountain town, little Roberta didn't have fancy clothes or expensive toys...but she did have music. And she dreamed of having her own piano.

When her daddy spies an old, beat-up upright piano in a junkyard, he knows he can make his daughter's dream come true. He brings it home, cleans and tunes it, and paints it a grassy green. And soon the little girl has an instrument to practice on, and a new dream to reach for--one that will make her become a legend in the music industry.

Here is a lyrical picture book--perfect for aspiring piano players and singers--that shares an intimate look at Roberta Flack's family and her special connection to music.

Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar

Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar By Written and illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

A picture-book biography of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the woman who invented rock and roll—a warm, inspiring tale of a childhood filled with music, community, and a drive to succeed.

"Music is the heart of our story," says Momma to young Rosetta, surprising her with her first guitar. Rosetta's strums sound like ker-plunks. But with practice and determination, she makes music, fingers hopping "like corn in a kettle," notes pouring over the church crowd "like summer rain washing the dust off a new day."

In this stunning picture book, author and illustrator Charnelle Pinkney Barlow imagines the childhood of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, whose rural roots inspired the music we still hear today.

Young readers will see a child's dream become reality through hard work and perseverance. And they'll learn the overlooked story of a pioneering Black artist, whose contribution to music history is only now being discovered.

Harlem's Little Blackbird

Harlem's Little Blackbird By Renee Watson; illustrated by Christian Robinson

From Caldecott Honor winner Christian Robinson and acclaimed author Renee Watson, comes the inspiring true story of Florence Mills.

Born to parents who were both former slaves, Florence Mills knew at an early age that she loved to sing, and that her sweet, bird-like voice, resonated with those who heard her. Performing catapulted her all the way to the stages of 1920s Broadway where she inspired everyone from songwriters to playwrights. Yet with all her success, she knew firsthand how prejudice shaped her world and the world of those around her. As a result, Florence chose to support and promote works by her fellow black performers while heralding a call for their civil rights. Featuring a moving text and colorful illustrations, Harlem's Little Blackbird is a timeless story about justice, equality, and the importance of following one's heart and dreams.


A CARTER G. WOODSON ELEMENTARY HONOR BOOK
(awarded by the National Council for the Social Studies, 2013)

Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed

Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed By José Pablo Iriarte

Benny Ramírez can see dead people . . . Well, one dead person, anyway. A hilarious and heartwarming story about a boy who can suddenly see the ghost of his famous musician grandfather!

After moving cross-country into his late grandfather’s Miami mansion, Benny discovers that the ghost of his famous trumpet-playing abuelo, the great Ignacio Ramírez, is still there . . . and isn’t too thrilled about it. He’s been barred from the afterlife, and no one can see him except his grandson. But Benny’s got problems of his own. He’s enrolled in a performing arts school with his siblings, despite having no obvious talent.
    Luckily, Abuelo believes they can help each other. Abuelo has until New Year’s Eve to do some good in the world and thinks that teaching Benny how to play the trumpet and become a school celebrity might be the key to earning his wings. Having no better ideas, Benny finds himself taking Abuelo's advice—to disastrous and hilarious results.
    Benny and Abuelo will find that there’s more than one way to be great in this unforgettable, laugh-out-loud tale of family, music, and self-discovery.

Summer Reading

Find the perfect booklists for Summer Reading for your classroom or library! 

 

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits)

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits) By Lisa Yee; illustrated by Dan Santat

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • When a notorious thief is out for priceless treasure (gems! cats! general decorum!)—who're you gonna call? An elite team of crime-fighting underdogs, that's who! The Misfits are on the case in this hilarious illustrated series from Newbery Honoree Lisa Yee and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat!

“For any kid who’s felt like a misfit, this crackling adventure packs a wallop!” —Lincoln Peirce, creator of Big Nate and Max & the Midknights

Olive Cobin Zang has . . . issues. And they mostly aren’t her fault. (No, really!) Though she often slips under the radar, problems have a knack for finding her. So, imagine her doubts when she’s suddenly dropped off at the strangest boarding school ever: a former castle turned prison that's now a “reforming arts school”!

But nothing could’ve prepared Olive for RASCH (not “rash”). There, she’s lumped with a team of other kids who never quite fit in, and discovers that the academy isn’t what it seems—and neither is she. In fact, RASCH is a cover for an elite group of misfits who fight crime . . . and Olive has arrived just in time.

Turns out that RASCH is in danger of closing, unless Olive’s class can stop the heist of the century. And as Olive falls in love with this wacky school, she realizes it’s up to her new team to save the only home that’s ever welcomed them.

Isabel in Bloom

Isabel in Bloom By Mae Respicio

A middle-school girl discovers a connection between her home in the Philippines and her new home in the U.S. through a special garden in “this sweet and heartfelt novel [that] explores how bumpy beginnings can offer chances for new growth” (The New York Times)

A National Council of Teachers of English Recommended Book


Twelve-year-old Isabel is the new kid in her San Francisco middle school. It’s the first time in many years that she’ll be living with her mother again. Mama's job in the US allowed Isabel and her grandparents to live more comfortably in the Philippines, but now Isabel doesn't really know her own mother anymore.

Making new friends in a new city, a new country, is hard, but joining the gardening and cooking club at school means Isabel will begin to find her way, and maybe she too, will begin to bloom.  

In this beautifully rendered novel-in-verse, Mae Respicio explores how growth can take many forms, offering both the challenges and joy of new beginnings.

Magic Tree House Graphic Novels 1-2 Boxed Set

Magic Tree House Graphic Novels 1-2 Boxed Set By Mary Pope Osborne; adapted by Jenny Laird; illustrated by Kelly Matthews and Nichole Matthews

The #1 bestselling chapter book is now a graphic novel! Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Get whisked back in time in the magic tree house with Jack and Annie in this giftable boxed set!

There's a mysterious tree house in the woods and it's filled with books! Where did the tree house come from? Jack and Annie aren't sure. The real question is, where will it take them?
 
Get whisked away with Jack and Annie in their first two adventures, now as graphic novels! This boxed set includes Dinosaurs Before Dark and The Knight at Dawn.

Wrecker

Wrecker By Carl Hiaasen

Wrecker needs to deal with smugglers, grave robbers, and pooping iguanas—just as soon as he finishes Zoom school. Another wild adventure in Carl Hiaasen's Florida, now in paperback!

Valdez Jones VIII calls himself Wrecker because his great-great-great-great-great-grandfather salvaged shipwrecks for a living. 

So is it destiny, irony, or just bad luck when Wrecker comes across a speedboat that has run hard aground on a sand flat? The men in the boat don't want Wrecker to call for help—in fact, they'll pay him to forget he ever saw them. 

Wrecker would be happy to forget, but he keeps seeing these men all over Key West—at the marina, in the cemetery, even right outside his own door. And now they want more than his silence—they want a lookout.

He'll have to dive deep into their shady dealings to figure out a way to escape this tangled net. . . .

Next Stop

Next Stop By Debbie Fong

Get ready for a graphic novel road trip with more than just a few bumps in the road!

Middle schooler Pia is dealing with grief as she finds herself on the biggest adventure of her life--a bus tour stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. Inspired by a real life road trip and touching on tough topics, but filled with warmth and humor-- Next Stop is a “remarkable debut." (The Horn Book) about family, friendship, and moving on.

A BOOKPAGE, KIRKUS REVIEWS, AND HORN BOOK BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR


Pia is a soft-spoken middle schooler whose life is turned upside down after the loss of her younger brother, followed by her parents’ decision to move to a new town. In an effort to get her mind off of the troubles at home, Pia goes on a bus tour with a family friend, stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. The final destination: a mysterious underground lake. The locals say it has magical powers; Pia won’t admit she believes in it, but she’s holding on to hope that the waters may hold the answer to mending her broken family.


The trip is much more than the final stop. The friendships that Pia makes along the way are just as valuable as the destination itself. Next Stop explores grief, resilience, and learning how to laugh again. Debbie Fong weaves together an incredibly strong debut filled with humor and heart, with a splash of mystery and magic.

The Secret Language of Birds

The Secret Language of Birds By Lynne Kelly

USA TODAY BESTSELLER A poignant and heartwarming coming-of-age novel that captures the moment of learning to spread your wings in a way you'll never forget—from the award-winning author of Song for a Whale.

“Perfect for readers who enjoy stories about curious kids and nature’s wonders.”—TIME for Kids

Nina is used to feeling like the odd one out, both at school and in her large family. But while trying to fit in at summer camp, she discovers something even more peculiar: two majestic birds have built a nest in the marsh behind an abandoned infirmary. They appear to be whooping cranes, but that’s impossible—Nina is an amateur bird-watcher, and all her resources tell her that those rare birds haven’t nested in Texas for over a hundred years.

When Nina reports the sighting to wildlife officials, more questions arise. Experts track all the endangered birds, but they can’t identify the female bird that Nina found. Who is she, and where did she come from?

With the help of some fellow campers, Nina sets out to discover who the mystery bird really is. As she gets closer to the truth, will she find a flock of her own?

Introducing the Debut Class of 2024!

Let’s celebrate our debut middle grade and young adult authors with books released in 2024!

Random House Children's Books Middle Grade Debut Class of 2024 Part 2

Get firsthand insights from our first-time middle grade authors and illustrators.

Click here to watch the second part of our Debut Middle Grade Class of 2024 series.

ICYMI: Click to watch part one of the series!

Middle Grade Debuts

Random House Children's Books Young Adult Debut Class of 2024 Part 2

Discover new young adult novels and hear from the talented debut writers behind them.

Watch the second part of our Debut Young Adult Class of 2024 series here! 

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Young Adult Debuts

New Middle Grade

Random House Teachers and Librarians