10 to Note: Fall Preview 2019
The premise is simple: one season, ten books. I sifted through (let me check) 2,542 books publishing in September, October, and November (I’m not kidding) to bring you this group of books that most caught my eye.
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Picture Books
Wild Honey from the Moon by Kenneth Kraegel
November 5 | Candlewick | Grades K-2
Every year or two, Kenneth Kraegel puts out a new picture book. They’ve all been just lovely. Do you remember Green Pants from 2017? This is a long-format picture book about a mother’s journey to find a cure for her ailing son.
Early Readers
Chapter Books
Kitty and the Moonlight Rescue by Paula Harrison, illustratd by Jenny Lovlie
September 10 | Greenwillow | Grades 1-3
A new chapter book series about a girl with catlike superpowers? I like the sound of it.
AstroNuts Mission One: The Plant Planet by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Steven Weinberg
September 10 | Chronicle | Grades 2-4
This book is as wild as you would hope. A group of hybrid animals set out to find alternate planets to inhabit. A full color comic/chapter book mashup.
Dory Fantasmagory: Tiny Tough by Abby Hanlon
October 8, 2019 | Dial Books | Grades 2-4
If nothing else, the goal of this blog is to be your personal “There’s a new Dory Fantasmagory book coming out soon” alert system. The alarm has been triggered by this book about a lost friendship bracelet that turns into a pirate-y treasure hunt.
Mia Mayhem vs. the Mighty Robot by Kara West, illustrated by Leeza Hernandez
November 26 | Little Simon | Grades 1-4
I usually like to let you know about series early on. Get in on the ground floor, I say. Well I’m late to the Mia Mayhem party and I don’t want you to miss out, so I’m here sharing book 6 in this wonderful series about a robot gone haywire.
Middle Grade Fiction
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks by Jason Reynolds, illustrations by Alexander Nabaum
October 8| Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books | Grades 4-6
You guys, I have to tell you about this great author I know. His name is Jason Reynolds and . . . nope, can’t do it with a straight face. One of the best writers going has a new one coming out and boy is it good.
Graphic Novels
Livi and Nate by Kalle Hakkola, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, translated by Owen Witesman
September 17 | OwlKids | Grades 1-3
I’m a sucker for lower elementary comics. Also, books that are kind of weird. This book about a brother and sister and their wild dreams scratches both itches nicely.
Hilda and the Mountain King by Luke Pearson
September 10 | Flying Eye Books | Grades 3-6
Post-Netflix series, Hilda is a bonafide celeb in my book. I’m happy to see that Luke Pearson has another adventure to share.
Nonfiction
So You Want to be a Viking? by John Haywood, illustrated by Takayo Akiyama
September 3 | Thames & Hudson | Grades 3-6
Heavily illustrated and filled to the brim with Viking-y information, this new series is perfect for readers who like some funny with their facts.
The End of Something Wonderful: A Practical Guide to a Backyard Funeral by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic, illustrated by George Ermos
September 10 | Sterling | Grades 2-6
Sometimes you come across a book that talks about something you haven’t seen before. Sure there’s the excellent picture book The Dead Bird, but I can’t say I’ve seen the idea of a pet funeral explored in a nonfiction book.
Filed under: Previews
About Travis Jonker
Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.
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Jennifer Sniadecki says
Aahhh! I knew there were tons of books out in September and October, but I have to worry about November, too? I need a fundraiser!
Good picks here, Travis! I’ve seen some — I need to buy the backyard funeral one for the grandkids who lost their cat recently.
Thanks for the post!