10 to Note: Summer Preview 2022

Between eating Oreo Blizzards with a little peanut butter sauce mixed in there, I scoured the publisher catalogs to bring you the 10 books I’m most looking forward to in June, July, and August.

Picture Books

Rick the Rock of Room 214 by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Ruth Chan

If you look at the cover of Rick the Rock of Room 214 and don’t smile, then you’re in the wrong business. The book brings together the charming goofiness of Julie Falatko (Snappsy the Alligator – ever heard of it???) and the adorably humorous art of Ruth Chan – that’s a combo. Side Note! I think this book will usher in the Age of Rick. You know how Bob has been the go-to funny name for the last few years (what, you didn’t attend Bob-Con 2016)? Rick is coming for the throne.

Ice Cream Face by Heidi Woodward Sheffield

June 21 | Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin) | Grades K-1

Good GOD is this cute. You know I’m usually not susceptible to cute, but dang it it, this book has broken through all my anti-cute force fields and managed to weasel its way through all my anti-cute security rooms filled with red lasers pointing everywhere. It’s by a former Ezra Jack Keats best new illustrator award winner. And it’s about getting ice cream. I mean, come on.

Creepy Crayon! by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown

August 23 | Simon & Schuster | Grades K-2

I am legally obligated (but also, thankfully, fully excited in my own right) to tell you that the three-quel to Caldecott Honor Creepy Carrots! and Creepy Pair of Underwear! is coming, and if your school library is like mine, you best have multiple copies on hand. Let the humor-meets-Twilight Zone vibes continue!

Middle Grade

Tales to Keep You Up at Night by Dan Poblocki

August 16 | Penguin Workshop | Grades 5 and Up

Amelia finds an old book in her grandmother’s attic, but when she tries to return it to the library she’s told it never belonged there. So she read it. A batch of interconnected scary short stories that reveal a larger story. For all the Downing Hahn fans out there.

Chester Keene Cracks the Code by Kekla Magoon

July 5 | Wendy Lamb Books (Penguin) | Grades 3-7

A routine-loving kid and a new friend on a puzzle-solving mission. And *sniff* do I smell a heist? Looks like a great author doing her thing. The publisher is billing this one as perfect for fans of Mr. Lemoncello.

Tumble by Celia C. Pérez

August 16 | Kokila (Penguin) | Grades 4-7

After The First Rule of Punk and Strange Birds, mark me down as excited for anything written by Celia Pérez. This one is about a girl who discovers her family’s rich la luchadora ties. Does it also happen to sport what might be the best middle grade cover of the year? Yes, yes it does – and that never hurts.

Graphic Novels

Frankie’s World by Aoife Dooley

August 2 | Graphix (Scholastic) | Grades 3-7

Frankie doesn’t fit in, and makes comics about her life in her journal. In search of answers, she goes on a mission to track down her biological father. Looks to be a nice mix of humor and heart.

Adventuregame Comics: Leviathan by Jason Shiga

August 2 | Amulet (Abrams) | Grades 3-7

My mind was thoroughly blown back in 2010 when Jason Shiga released Meanwhile – a kind of graphic novel Choose Your Own Adventure that took things to the next level with color coded tabs. So I was pleased to see that Shiga is back in a similar format with this new series of comics. This one is about tracking down the famous titular sea monster.

Nonfiction

Pizza: A Slice of History by Greg Pizzoli

August 9 | Viking (Penguin Random House) | Grades K-3

In this age of divisiveness, pizza may be our last bastion of consensus. Greg Pizzoli understands this, and has created a book to explain the history of the ‘za. Similar to the food, I’m guessing this book about pizza will bring young readers together.

Action! How Movies Began by Meghan McCarthy

August 23 | Paula Wiseman (Simon & Schuster) | Grades K-3

We all agree that Meghan McCarthy is a nonfiction master, right? Okay good. Her new book is about the early days of motion pictures and man does it look excellent.

Filed under: Previews