I flagged 142 books coming out in September, October, and November that looked good, then let them battle it out until only ten remained. It’s time to see what came out on top.
(And if you’re into fall previews, be sure to check out Alternative Anticipated Children’s Books of Fall 2018 over at A Fuse #8 Production – there are a whole bunch of great books on that list.)
Picture Books
Josie’s Lost Tooth by Jennifer K. Mann
Candlewick Press | September 11 | Grades K-2
Josie goes from wanting to lose a tooth to actually losing the first one that comes out. But maybe the tooth fairy will be okay with a replacement?
Unstinky by Andy Rash
Arthur A. Levine Books (Scholastic) | September 25 | Grades K-2
Comic-style artwork. Humor. This story of a stink bug who isn’t stinky just looks like a lot of fun.
Best Friends in the Universe by Stephanie Watson, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
LeUyen Pham mixes up mediums in this funny book about best friends.
Early Readers
The Missing Donut (Big Words Small Stories) by Judith Henderson, illustrated by T.L. McBeth
Kids Can Press | September 4 | Grades K-2
Part early chapter book, part early reader, part comic, this book follows a boy and his cat through five exciting, mysterious stories. Watch out for the Sprinklers, who sprinkle big words into the text (then define them)
Evie and the Truth about Witches by John Martz
Koyama Press | October 2 | Grades K-2
Some gentle spookiness in time for Halloween.
Chapter Books
Mac Undercover (Mac B., Kid Spy #1) by Mac Barnett
Orchard Books | September 11 | Grades 2-5
They say write what you know, so Mac Barnett has made himself the character of his new chapter book series about his life before becoming a writer. You know, when he was a spy for the Queen of England.
Middle Grade
Blended by Sharon Draper
Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books | October 30 | Grades 4-7
Middle grade master Sharon Draper is back with a story about a girl who is pulled between two worlds after her parents divorce.
Nonfiction
Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis
Peachtree | September 1 | Grades K-3
Sometimes I think every interesting angle has been taken in nonfiction, and then a book like this comes along and shows me I’m so wrong. A look at the unusual traits that help animals survive.
Fakers: An Insider’s Guide to Cons, Hoaxes, and Scams by H. P. Wood, illustrated by David Clark
Charlesbridge | October 2 | Grades 5 and Up
Who doesn’t love to read about a good scam? Bonus: reading about scams can make you less susceptible to them in your real life.
Graphic Novels
The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo: The Monster Mall by Drew Weing
First Second (Macmillan) | September 11 | Grades 3-6
I loved the first book in this series about a kid detective who specializes in creepy.
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