The best part of starting another year is building a whole new to-be-read pile. And this year’s most anticipated new releases provide plenty of fodder for bookworms of all ages.
Whether your child is an early reader who loves reading about kids with magical powers, a middle-grade mystery fan, or a committed YA novel enthusiast, their new favorite read is waiting to be discovered. Dig in and find their next book (or books!). Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Books for Kids Who Love Magic and Monsters
Step into a magical garden with Millie Fleur Saves the Night, the companion to the award-winning Millie Fleur Poison Garden. This picture book follows Millie Fleur La Fae, a little girl with an enchanting garden, as she shows her neighbors that they don’t need to be scared of the dark. With her moon pie recipe and sweet-smelling moon garden, Millie Fleur is ready to celebrate. Both books featuring our heroine are geared toward early readers, and perfect for fans of the Addams Family.
Budding detectives and monster enthusiasts alike will love Is It Real? The Loch Ness Monster. From award-winning writer Candace Fleming, this scientific journey considers the possible existence of Scotland’s most famous mythological beastie.
Kids will learn how real-life scientists use the scientific method to distinguish fact from fiction. Then, they’ll use these analytic tools to decide for themselves whether the Loch Ness Monster really exists. This book promises to ignite discussions among family and friends about the possibility of a monster thriving in the 21st century.
Books for Fans of Graphic Novels
Friendship, creativity, and imagination take center stage in The Cartoonists Club, a graphic novel about the passion and fun involved in making comics. From #1 The New York Times best-selling authors Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud, this book features the adventures of three friends who love comics.
All face challenges in making their dreams come true, from focusing too much on mistakes and not on possibilities to trouble finding ideas to parents who don’t understand their artistic ambitions. Can they come together to use their creativity and cooperative spirit to make their comic work? (Of course they can! And your kids will, too.)
Want more material for your future graphic novelist’s inspiration? Try Hulk Teach! by New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Jeffrey Brown, starring Marvel Comic’s favorite superhero smasher (now assigned by Tony Stark to rehabilitate his image in the classroom, with hilarious results).
Plus, Upcoming Page-Turners for Ages 9 and Up
Looking for reads your child won’t be able to put down? Try Dragon Girls #17: Ash the Blaze Dragon by Maddy Mara, where stakes are high as Ash and her friends battle the Chaos Queen and embark on a journey to the Fire Realm.
Other highlights from this year’s list of most anticipated books include the new young adult novel Never Thought I'd End Up Here, a rom-com in which our heroine travels across China to reconnect with her culture — and wreak revenge on an annoyingly handsome antagonist. Plus, your mystery-minded reader will love the thriller Blood in the Water by New York Times best-seller Tiffany D. Jackson. In her Middle Grade debut, Brooklyn girl Kaylani McKinnon spends the summer investigating the mysterious death of a popular local boy on Martha’s Vineyard.
Ready to find your next favorite book? Head to The Scholastic Store, where you can search by age, grade, interest, and more. Plus, you can pre-order any of these titles, and other forthcoming titles.
