Spectacular Summer Titles for Children and Teens
It's hard to believe that summer is on it's way, but I know I can't wait to feel the warm sun on my face while I read a book by the ocean. Below are a selection of some of the spectacular reads coming this summer from HarperCollins Children's Books. Dive into a good book by requesting an eGalley of your favorites!
By Corey R. Tabor
Everything is on the line for crabby, cranky Crow. But why, exactly, is Crow so moody? The reason will delight readers in three-time Geisel Medal and Caldecott Honor–winner Corey R. Tabor’s funny and surprising twist on friendship, science, and saving the world.
By Cynthia Leitich Smith
Illustrated by Kate Gardiner
Piper feels grateful for visits with her relatives, especially for the time spent with her cousins in Cherokee Nation and Muscogee Nation during summer vacations, fishing on misty mornings and playing on firefly-filled evenings. Piper’s family lives a road trip away in Kansas City. So when a neighbor named Sumi moves in next door, Piper is excited to share her stories and seasons with a new friend.
New
By Niña Mata
With spare, evocative text and gorgeous emotive illustrations, this inside perspective of moving from one place to another centers a child who learns that being open and kind makes space for everyone. Perfect for back to school, Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and any story time, Niña Mata’s semi-autobiographical picture book will resonate with young readers who are embarking on new adventures.
By Anne Wynter
Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey
With lyrical text from Anne Wynter and radiant artwork from Jerome Pumphrey, this poetic picture book explains the history behind Juneteenth celebrations. So Many Years simultaneously acknowledges the history of slavery in the US as well as the astonishing Black resilience that has led to an enduring legacy of Black joy.
By jessica Care moore
Illustrated by Dare Coulter
Penned by award-winning poet jessica Care moore and illustrated by Coretta Scott King Award–winning illustrator, Dare Coulter (An American Story), this poem inspired by the historic appointment of United States Supreme Court justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is now available as a perfect book for anyone who reaches for the stars.
Never Take Your Rhino on a Plane
By K. E. Lewis
Illustrated by Isabel Roxas
A cautionary tale about the daredevil stunts and embarrassing antics you will face when traveling with your pet rhinoceros. From the security line to the luggage carousel, there is no hope for a relaxing trip or in-flight movie in this hilarious picture book. Young readers will laugh at the silliness and fun illustrations, while their caregivers will recognize the humor and perhaps even relate to the wild ride that ensues.
First Day Around the World
By Ibi Zoboi
Illustrated by Juanita Londoño
How do children around the world spend their first day of school? From Ethiopia to Germany to India to Brazil, this lyrical text introduces young readers to the breakfast-to-bedtime routines, cultures, and landscapes that connect people across all continents.
Ellie Has a Secret
By Amelia Bothe
Ellie would never dream of taking something from her classroom without asking her teacher first. But the shell she finds during recess is particularly peculiar—and has a mysterious critter living inside it! Surprising even herself, she pops it in her pocket as a little secret when no one is looking. It’s not long before the creature outgrows the shell and starts to weigh Ellie down.
Does Ellie have a Secret or does the Secret have her?
Entirely Emmie
By Terri Libenson
Class-clown Joe’s jokes aren’t landing the way they used to. Who doesn’t love a good prank? Apparently not his so-called friends, who don’t even seem to care if he’s around.
When their class goes on an end-of-year camping trip, Emmie and Joe find themselves stuck together—and expect the worst. But what happens instead turns out to be entirely unexpected.
One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel
By Rita Williams-Garcia
Illustrated by Sharee Miller
Eleven-year-old Delphine is like a mother to her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern. She's had to be, ever since their mother, Cecile, left them seven years ago for a radical new life in California.
But when the sisters arrive from Brooklyn to spend the summer with their mother in Oakland, Cecile is nothing like they imagined.
The Leage of Littles
By Casey Lyall
Illustrated by Sara Faber
The League of Littles is an international organization that protects and supports the needs of youngest siblings—and trainees Lexi, Mo, and Eli are finally ready for their first mission. Another student at their elementary school has lost her big sister’s hamster, Chester, after she borrowed him for show and tell without permission. Gabi needs the L.O.L.’s help to find Chester before the Band of Bigs (protecting and supporting the needs of—you guessed it—oldest siblings) find out that Chester is missing.
Another
By Paul Tremblay
When Casey Wilson’s parents tell him that his friend is coming for a sleepover, he has no idea who that might be. Ever since the Zoom Incident, everyone treats him like a pariah, and his tics are worse than ever.
When Morel appears, he’s not like any friend Casey has ever met.
At Last She Stood
By Erin Entrada Kelly
World War II spy, Filipina guerilla fighter, war hero, Medal of Freedom recipient, leprosy survivor, teacher, peacemaker . . . The legendary and inspiring life and work of Josefina “Joey” Guerrero is introduced to middle grade readers by Newbery Medal winner and bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly.
Severe and Unusual Weather
By Jessie Ann Foley
Nadine has rules for surviving as the new kid: Keep your head down. Mind your own business. And don’t stick your neck out for anyone. Especially not for Francis Pepper, the boy getting picked on by everyone in school. Nadine just wants to get through the rest of the year without any trouble. She knows that once her mom is out of rehab, it’ll be back to the unpredictable in Chicago.
But when she’s paired with Francis for a project about Centralia, her new hometown, she’s drawn to his story.
Dive
By John David Anderson
A girl who dives for an elite private school swim team by day and helps to make ends meet at her family’s struggling restaurant by night begins to wonder about the rules in her life that box her in—and which ones might be broken—in this powerful, poignant, and unexpected upper middle grade novel from the beloved author of Posted.
Fitting Indian
By Jyoti Chand
Illustrated by Tara Anand
All Nitasha’s parents want is for her to be the perfect Indian daughter—something she is decidedly not. Everything she does seems to disappoint them, especially her mom. They just don’t get that she’ll never be like her doctor older brother. To make matters worse, she’s never quite felt like she belongs at school either, and lately, her best friend, Ava, and her crush, Henry, seem to be more interested in the rich new girl than in her.
Alcohol takes the edge off, but when that doesn’t work, Nitasha turns to cutting. She can’t stop asking herself: Will she ever be enough for her friends or her family? Or even for herself?
I Can't Even Think Straight
By Dean Atta
Kai knows who he is to others: The good grandson, the reliable best friend, the romantic backup. But he doesn’t quite know who he is to himself.
Kai wants to come out at school, but his best friend there, Matt, stays closeted for fear of getting kicked out by his conservative parents—and wants Kai to do the same. Kai unhappily agrees, but when a rumor goes around that Kai and Matt are dating, Matt starts acting differently anyway.
Let Them Stare
By Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy
Sully is ready to get out of Hearst, Pennsylvania. With a fashion internship secured, the gender-nonconforming eighteen-year-old is trading in their stifling small town for the big city. Sully even sells their beloved car, to Bread—er, Brad—the most boring (and maybe only other) gay kid in town.
When Sully’s internship goes up in smoke, they’re trapped in Hearst with no cash—and no car. Desperate, they go to the thrift store, their personal sanctuary. There, they discover a vintage bag that might be their ticket out of town.
Amelia, If Only
By Becky Albertalli
Amelia Applebaum isn’t in love with Walter Holland. He just happens to be her favorite moderately famous, chaotically bisexual YouTuber. Who she just happened to invite to prom. (But it’s fine. No, for real. If you delete the post, it didn’t happen.)
Okay, maybe her friends are right: She’s slightly parasocially infatuated. But Amelia just knows sparks would fly—if only she could connect with Walter for real.
A Girl Walks Into the Forest
By Madeline Roux
For as long as she can remember, Valla’s been told her beauty would give her a life most people only dreamed of. So when the mysterious Count Leonid calls on her to be his betrothed, Valla jumps at the chance to leave her small, bleak village. The only thing standing in her way? The journey through the dangerous Gottyar Wood that many don’t survive.
Fateless
By Julie Kagawa
Deep in the forgotten city of the Deathless Kings, an ancient relic of untold power waits—for one bold enough to steal it.
When seventeen-year-old Sparrow joined the Thieves Guild she made a vow of binding loyalty to their cause. So when a mission comes along from The Circle, a group of mysterious, dangerous beings who control the Thieves Guild from the shadows, Sparrow is determined to cement her place in the guild.
The Legendary Frybread Drive-In
Edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Set at a classic drive-in restaurant that seems to exist in every Native community, this anthology unites the stories of teens from all kinds of backgrounds through the shared theme of Native joy, with stories and poems reflecting hope, healing, humor, love, friendship, romance, and joy.
A Theory of Dreaming
By Ava Reid
All stories come to an end.
Effy learned that when she defeated the Fairy King. Even though she may never know exactly what happened at Hiraeth, she is free of her nightmares and is able to pen a thesis with Preston on the beloved national fairy tale Angharad. She has finally earned a spot at the literature college, making her the first woman in history to enroll.