Finding My Spark by
When puberty hits, Alex begins to realize he’s been misgendered as a girl his whole life.
First, he stops wearing dresses and paints his room a dark color. Then he cuts his hair short. But people still aren’t seeing the real him. His mom has always called him her “little star,” but he doesn’t feel like shining. Instead, he feels like hiding away.
Alex knows he should tell people who he really is, but he can’t seem to get the words out. Will his parents be mad? Will his friends still like him? He decides to write a letter to his mom telling her the truth. Slowly but surely, he starts telling others―first the rest of his family, then his class. The big explosion he worried about never comes, just love and support. He’s still his mom’s little star, and he can finally be himself and shine.
by Kai Cheng Thom (September 1st)
In every generation, a special few of Nor Numinem are born shapeshifters. Unfortunately, being one of the “special few” does not get you out of gym class.
Nor Numinem. A town of hope and beauty. A place where freedom for all blooms as abundantly as the flowering vines that cover the buildings on every street. Yet even in this beautiful town, a kid like Maia’s got problems.
Maia is a shapeshifter.
And worse, she’s starting middle school.
In every generation, a special few of Nor Numinem are born shapeshifters: children who develop the mysterious ability to transform into a part-animal shape. Unfortunately for Maia, her ability is merely this: to grow giant moth wings that grow uncontrollably out of her back whenever she’s excited, or upset, or for some reason, whenever her new classmate Luke looks at her in a particular way. Worse than worse? Maia’s wings are useless. Weak and fragile–unlike her talented friends.
But Maia’s problems are about get much harder than even she knows. A strange illness is spreading through the gardens of Nor Numinem. The very gardens that feed and sustain this once-perfect town. Worse still, some of the adults think the shapeshifter children are to blame. A rumors turn into hate, life gets tougher for those who aren’t seen as “normal”. Maia and her friends will soon discover that there is a dark rift in Nor Numinem, one that will take all their talents, known and unknown, to heal.
The Burn Beast by Mary Averling (September 15th)
As the daughter of private detectives, Pira is used to moving around a lot. So when her mothers’ newest case brings them to the small town of Eyrewood, she expects to find a town just like all the other ones she’s left behind.
But Eyrewood is nothing like she expects. Ash is always falling from the skies, the local wildlife is nowhere to be found, and it’s impossible to light a fire anywhere inside the town limits. And worst of all, there are monsters in the woods—monsters that none of the adults believe in.
When Pira joins up with a group of kids intent on fighting the beasts, she discovers that the monsters may be linked to a series of missing kids going back decades—including the older sister of her new friend Jackie. As Pira and Jackie work with their friends to solve the mystery of the disappearances, they’ll have to confront the secrets at the heart of Eyrewood and the danger lurking in every corner.
Spells to Mend Broken Hearts by Marissa Macy (September 15th)
Alex is pretty sure the universe is conspiring against her. Friendless in a new town, with her parents constantly fighting, Alex spends her birthday unpacking alone when she comes across her grandmother’s book of small magic. Alex doesn’t believe in that stuff, but she has nothing to lose. So, she does the ritual from On Small Magics titled To Attract A Friend.
It’s just a coincidence that Tess happens to crash into her life the very next day…right? Their friendship forms fast and strong and the way Tess makes Alex’s heart flutter definitely feels like some kind of magic. Together, they make their way through the spell book healing Tess’s recently broken heart, trying to mend Alex’s broken family.
But soon the book starts to turn on Alex when her parents file for divorce. Then Tess decides to use On Small Magics try to win back her ex-boyfriend, and Alex is forced to face a truth she had not considered. Maybe the magic she felt with Tess was more than friendship . . .
Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon | BookPeople
Realmsweep by H.E. Edgmon (October 13th)
In a fantastical version of the United States filled to the brim with magic and dragons, the tween prince of Texas must compete in a notoriously dangerous scavenger hunt.
Rowdy Buckner, the twelve-year-old prince of Texas, has a problem. More than anything, he wants access to the transfiguration tonics that will transform him from head to toe into the prince he is, in a body that feels more his down. His parents are skeptical–not because they aren’t supportive, but because they don’t believe that self-absorbed, spoiled Rowdy is responsible enough to be trusted with such powerful magic just yet.
In order prove himself, Rowdy signs up to compete in Realmsweep, a notoriously dangerous scavenger hunt held across the Allied Lands every five years, and sends his personal guard to assemble a team. The resulting ragtag crew of preteens isn’t exactly impressive at first glance, but they’re all Rowdy has. With them, he’ll face off against everything from monstrous creatures to the monstrosity of humans, and maybe, if he’s lucky, become the person he so desperately wants to be.
Juana Fanta Needs a Hero by Kyle Casey Chu (October 20th)
Derrick Chan is shooting for a once-in-a-lifetime high-school basketball scholarship with his childhood best friend, JJ, by his side. But Derrick’s life is about more than just free throws since embracing his queer identity and love for drag (even if he’s not ready to share either with the whole world quite yet)!
Right now, he’s just trying to take his dad’s advice: don’t sweat the small stuff. This weekend, however, Derrick’s two worlds are colliding in a big way. At a career-defining basketball tournament, where scouts from elite schools are watching his every move, Derrick secretly plans to meet his drag idol, the magnificent Juana Fanta, at the Comic Con held in the very same hotel.
As the stakes skyrocket, team tensions bubble to the surface, including Derrick’s own growing feelings for JJ. But when Juana Fanta disappears from the con, Derrick and JJ must team up to find her before she misses her show-stopping live performance.
Can Derrick find a community that celebrates slam dunks on the court and dazzling drag in the spotlight? Can he really save Juana Fanta’s future—and his own—in one weekend?
Splinter & Ash 3: The Lost Crown by Marieke Nijkamp (November 17th)
The third and final book in New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp’s immersive middle grade fantasy series! Through all the secrets and subterfuge, Splinter and Ash have always fought for what is right. But is it enough to save their kingdom—and each other—once and for all?
Devastating news has reached the palace: Sir Anders and Crown Prince Lucen, who were on a secret mission to infiltrate the traitorous Larks, are missing. Lucen is presumed dead, and Anders is rumored to have been working with the enemy Ferisian empire. Tensions are high, and the war between Calinor and the empire is escalating. Which is just what the Larks need to seize control of Calinor’s throne.
But Splinter and Ash know there must be more to the story. Intent as always to unveil the truth and champion justice, they set off on a dangerous quest. To find their brothers, defeat the Larks, and bring peace to their kingdom, Splinter and Ash will need bravery, integrity, and all the help they can get.
Paperback Rereleases
Splinter & Ash 2: City of Secrets by Marieke Nijkamp (July 7th)
The second book in New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp’s immersive medieval fantasy trilogy! A shadowy conspiracy threatens the city, and two determined misfits must uncover the secret plot—and reveal their own secrets—in order to save everyone.
It’s only been a few months since Princess Adelisa, who goes by Ash, returned to the city of Kestrel’s Haven after her abduction by the treasonous group of nobles called the Larks. Ash’s best friend, Splinter, is slowly advancing in her squire training and feeling more protective of Ash than ever.
But Splinter and Ash’s work is not nearly done. Anyone could be a Lark, and it seems that everyone is hiding a secret. When the queen’s spies learn that the Larks plan to disrupt the city’s Harvest Festival, Splinter and Ash are determined to do their part to stop it. They’ll face traitors, assassins, and a ticking clock to prevent everything from going up in flames.
