Check out these new titles releasing today to help young readers fill the shorter fall days!
New Picture Books
Returning the Sword: How a Japanese Sword of War Became a Symbol of Friendship and Peace by Caren Stelson and illustrated by Amanda Yoshida
- Interest Level: 2 – 5
In this powerful, true story, US soldier Orval Amdahl brings peace to a Japanese family more than 60 years after World War II. Amdahl returned a war souvenir to a Japanese soldier’s family in a ceremony of reconciliation.
Praise for Returning the Sword
“Stelson writes with vivid clarity, rendering a story with careful detail while bolstering themes of peace and honor. Working in harmony with Stelson’s text, Yoshida’s vibrant illustrations are wreathed in symbolic imagery and color those themes with gestures of reconciliation.”—Booklist
“With simple, realistic illustrations, this picture book tells Amdahl’s story soberly and with utmost respect. . . A clear-eyed, compelling recollection of one soldier’s story.”—Kirkus Reviews
The Kerfuffle authored and illustrated by Clotilde Perrin
- Interest Level: PreK – 2
A picture book in which flaps and die-cuts tell the story of a dog and cat fed up with living side by side who build a wall between them—until a new friend and a new idea bring it tumbling joyfully down.
Praise for The Kerfuffle
“Form and function meld with fun and whimsy in a tale of the futility of building walls.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Perrin’s illustrations are bursting with energy, and the flaps invite curious readers to look closer, reconsider, and reframe the story — a brilliant prompt for conversations about perspective, conflict, and empathy.”—Mathew Tobin
I Truck: A Big Rig’s Epic Trip by Kelly Rice Schmitt and illustrated by Jam Dong
- Interest Level: K – 2
Honk! Honk! Follow along as a semitruck travels cross country with a load of toys. Turbo-powered text and illustrations will appeal to truck-loving kids everywhere!
Praise for I Truck
★”The illustrations, featuring bold colors, watercolor, and collage, present clear images perfect for conveying concepts to young readers. . . Kids enamored with large vehicles will revel in the facts and details worked into the text and illustrations, neither of which gets bogged down by its educational load. . . Expect this big rig to rack up serious circulation miles.”—starred, Booklist
“An enticing tale of hitting the road that will hit the spot for transportation lovers.”—Kirkus Reviews
The Big Empty: A Sagebrush Survival Story authored and illustrated by Kirbi Fagan
- Interest Level: K – 4
Spare, poetic text and gorgeous illustrations introduce readers to big sagebrush, a vital plant in western North America. It feeds and shelters many animals, and after a wildfire, it grows again and thrives once more.
Praise for The Big Empty
★”With its lilting text and gorgeous artwork, this is the rare book that amplifies the ferocity and the necessity of fire in nature, employing the ecology of the sagebrush.”—starred, School Library Journal
“Attractive fare for young fans of natural history.”—Booklist
“The words read aloud smoothly, and the images will show well, making Kirby’s auspicious authorial debut a good choice for small-group sharing. A dramatic depiction of an unusual ecosystem.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Poetic lines establish the barren quality of the environment, but just as the hardy plant calls this place “home,” so too does it represent a dwelling place for the many critters who rely upon the flora for shelter, nourishment, and cover. . . Featuring pastel, colored pencil, collage paper, and digital techniques, Fagan’s moody, dusky-hued illustrations showcase species (identified in back matter) interacting with the plant’s densely twisted limbs.”—Publishers Weekly
New in Paperback
Game Changer: John McLendon and the Secret Game by John Coy and illustrated by Randy DuBurke
- Interest Level: 2 – 5
In 1944, Coach John McLendon orchestrated a secret basketball game between the best players from a white college and his team from a Black college. At a time of widespread segregation and rampant racism, this illegal gathering changed basketball forever.
Praise for Game Changer
“[A]rresting illustrations play up the basketball action and the emerging camaraderie that conjured the possibility of defeating Jim Crow….[A] charming read for young basketball fans.”―Kirkus Reviews
“This interesting but little-known story is an important one. . . . A strong work with themes of sports, history, and human kindness.”—School Library Journal
“[T]he kind of story from which ‘inspirational’ movies are made. . . . This book adds new heroes to the pantheon.”—The New York Times Book Review
New Young Adult Fiction
Wild Song by Candy Gourlay
- Interest Level: 8 – 12
In 1904, sixteen-year-old Luki travels from the US-controlled Philippines to the World’s Fair in Saint Louis, Missouri, where she discovers a wider world, confronts dangerous secrets, and wrestles with difficult choices.
Praise for Wild Song
★”Gourlay explores some of the consequences of colonialism with nuance and sensitivity. Luki is a spirited character who thoughtfully observes the injustices of the world around her yet maintains a sense of hope and optimism. . . Give this to fans of well-researched historical fiction featuring authentic voices.”—starred, Booklist
★”The realities of race, class, and gender in this place and period of history are rendered here with words that are honest and moving without being overly emotional or moralistic. Lovers of historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy this novel.”—starred, School Library Journal
“The narrative examines the exploitation of Indigenous peoples and the commodification of culture, expertly framed by the moving story of a young woman longing to pave her own path in life. . . A powerful coming-of-age story exploring identity and exploitation during a little-known historical moment.”—Kirkus Reviews
New Graphic Novels
Magda, Intergalactic Chef: A Chef’s Journey by Nicolas Wouters and illustrated by Mathilde Van Gheluwe
- Interest Level: 5 – 8
Magda has reached the second stage of the Intergalactic Cooking Tournament, but now she’ll have to eliminate her friend and former teammate, Hector.
Praise for Magda, Intergalactic Chef: The Big Tournament, Book 1
“This Belgian import boasts wildly imaginative artwork, looking something like Spirited Away via Tintin: lush colors and crisp linework reveal inventive flora and fauna on every planet and architecture teeming with whimsy.”—Booklist
“Magda, Intergalactic Chef puts a sci-fi twist on The Great British Bake Off… The comic even comes with recipes.”—GAMES RADAR
Whose Poo Is This?: The Mystery of the Desert Poo by Park Song-eui and illustrated by Kim Duck-Young
- Interest Level: 2 – 5
Poo Boy is up to his old tricks, so the poo mysteries this time are extra tricky, sandy, and sticky. Come to the desert and learn about living things through the spectacular science of poo!
New Nonfiction
Are We Alone?: Searching for Life Beyond Earth with The Planetary Society ® by Bruce Betts, PhD
- Interest Level: 2 – 4
The Universe is massive. There are at least one hundred billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy alone. And there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in our Universe. That means there are a lot of worlds we haven’t explored. So is it possible that there is life beyond Earth? What is needed for Earth life, and what would alien life look like? How do scientists explore faraway worlds for signs of alien life? Discover the technology and research scientists are using to find answers.
Praise for Are We Alone?
“A tantalizing peek at a scientific enterprise with truly revolutionary potential.”—Kirkus Reviews
Omnibird: An Avian Investigators Handbook authored and illustrated by Giselle Clarkson
- Interest Level: 3 – 7
This highly illustrated, playful field guide to common international birds brings the art of observology to the science of ornithology, showing the many ways these familiar creatures are remarkable if you take time to look.
Praise for Omnibird: An Avian Investigators Handbook
★”A truly stellar work that will delight bird enthusiasts while converting the ambivalent into eager avian investigators.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
“There are in-depth depictions of bird anatomy, songs, behaviors, and, yes, even droppings and pellets, but these aren’t dry discussions; they’re all tinged with cheeky humor and outlandish captions, providing a brilliant balance between entertainment and education. . . An unconventional and irresistible avian introduction, sure to delight any fledgling birder.”—Booklist
“A silly and fun-loving look at what makes our feathered friends one of the most interesting and distinct specimens in the animal kingdom.”—School Library Journal
So Rude!: Animals Behaving Badly by Jessica Fries-Gaither
- Interest Level: PreK – 3
Humans have many rules for how to behave, but for animals, breaking those rules can be a matter of survival. Meet rule-breaking animals including kingsnakes, hippos, bowerbirds, and many more!
Praise for So Rude! Animals Behaving Badly
★”This narrative nonfiction is well-suited to very young readers because of its succinct and direct storytelling structure, large photographs, and intriguing design. . . Succinct text, audacious facts, and vibrant imagery make this nonfiction text a good selection for preschoolers with an interest in animal adaptations.”—starred, School Library Journal
“Gleeful fun, with generous doses of both fact and attitude.”—Kirkus Reviews
Dinosaur Secrets Revealed!: How High-Tech Tools Spark Discoveries by Sandra Markle
- Interest Level: 4 – 6
With the help of advanced technology, scientists are making new discoveries about dinosaurs. From pressure sensors to computer models, lidar scanning to laser-simulated fluorescence, new tools are revealing new information about these prehistoric creatures.
Praise for Dinosaur Secrets Revealed
★”A superb effort for enthusiasts who want the latest technological advances in dinosaur research.”—starred, School Library Journal
Fascinating Fungi: Nourishers, Killers, Connectors, and Healers by Karen Latchana Kenney
- Interest Level: 7 – 12
From helping bread rise to capturing pollutants, fungi can do many incredible and even unexpected things. Explore the world of fungi, including strange sights, medicine, underground webs, and more.
Praise for Fascinating Fungi
★”From the eye-catching color photographs to the perfectly named chapter titles, readers will be hooked on this fun and informative book about fungi that truly lives up to its title.”—starred, Booklist
★”An extraordinarily well-researched, well-presented, and visually appealing book on a fascinating subject.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
★”A thoroughly researched, visually appealing, and reader-friendly title that brings the hidden world of fungi to life.”—starred, School Library Journal
Coming Next Week
The Mouse Who Loved Latkes authored and illustrated by Joy Nelkin Wieder
- Interest Level: PreK – 2
When the Katz family moves in, C.J. the mouse is scared. “Don’t go,” says the littlest cat. “I could use a friend.” C.J. joins the Katz family for dinner and helps them celebrate Hanukkah.
Praise for The Mouse Who Loved Latkes
“Wieder’s lively text captures C.J.’s hopes and fears, accompanied by expressive illustrations that use varied perspectives to good effect. Kindness abounds in this holiday tale of unexpected friendship.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Watercolor- and ink-style illustrations lend a homespun, coloring-book warmth to a congenial cat-and-mouse picture book that honors Judaism’s tradition of holiday hospitality.”—Publishers Weekly
“This story is a light and fun glimpse into family holiday life for those who do or do not observe Hanukkah.”—School Library Journal
Happy HanukKat by Jessica Hickman and illustrated by Elissambura
- Interest Level: PreK
The cat family is getting ready for their favorite time of year—Hanukkah! It’s the purr-fect holiday celebration as they light the menorah, make latkes, and listen to the story of the Maccabees.
Praise for Happy HanukKAT
“The cheerful tone and engaging visuals make it easy for toddlers and preschoolers to connect with the celebration. A fun and festive choice.”—School Library Journal