10 to Note: Summer Preview 2023

I sorted through roughly 2,000+ books being published in June, July, and August. These are the 10 I’m most looking forward to.

Picture Books

Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesús Trejo, illustrated by Eliza Kinkz

June 6 | Minerva | Grades K-2

The fantastically nutty artwork first caught my eye, but the story (about a boy who goes to work with his dad and ends up giving away all of their water) is fantastic as well. I can’t wait to read this with students.

Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo

June 13 | Katherine Tegen Books | Grades K-2

It’s the first day of school and there’s no teacher, just a sandwich on the desk and a cryptic “Mr. S” written on the board. Now that’s a set-up! This book just received a starred review from SLJ and just might be the book you need to begin next school year.

Early Reader

Kitty-Cam by Margie Palatini, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

June 27 | Simon Spotlight | Grades K-1

A brand new early reader series that puts readers in the shoes of some of their favorite animals. Funny, modern, and a perfect introduction to teaching perspective.

Chapter Book

The Story of Gumluck the Wizard (Book 1) by Adam Rex

August 15 | Chronicle Books | Grades 1-3

An Adam Rex chapter book series? 140 pages with illustrations? About a bumbling little wizard who wants to be a hero? These are statements, so I’m not sure why I’m ending them with question marks??? This new series is a good idea and I’m already seeing some positive reviews.

Middle Grade Fiction

Control Freaks by J.E. Thomas

June 13 | Levine Querido | Grades 4-8

If you start a book pitch this way . . .

“One week. One prize. Seven really weird challenges.“

. . . you have my attention. I’m excited to read this book about a brainy kid trying to avoid summer sports camp by winning an epic school competition.

Graphic Novels (Comics)

Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin

August 1 | Dial Books | Grades 4-8

I’ve been reading this guy’s excellent comics on his Instagram (@mexikidstories) for a while, so I was really excited to see this memoir ( about a “Mexican-American boy’s family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico to live with them”) on the horizon.

Picture Day (The Brinkley Yearbooks, #1) by Sarah Sax

June 27 | Knopf | Grades 4-7

Viv makes a big picture day decision: to cut off her braid before she sits for her portrait. Her action has a big influence, as Viv’s classmates soon begin asking for her help to follow through with their own big plans. This is the first book in the new Brinkley Yearbooks series, and it looks to be a winner.

Nonfiction

Glitter Everywhere! : Where it Came From, Where It’s Found & Where It’s Going by Chris Barton, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat

June 27 | Charlesbridge | Grades 1-5

I’m one of those people that hate glitter. Hate it. Loose glitter is the worst. But dang it, now Chris Barton has to go and make a nonfiction book about it and humanize it for me. Make me see it in a new way. Maybe even *gulp* understand it. I may never be the same – and isn’t that what great nonfiction is for?

Jerry Changed the Game! : How Engineer Jerry Lawson Revolutionized Video Games Forever by Don Tate, illustrated by Cherise Harris

August 29 | Simon & Schuster | Grades 2-6

I’m going to be straightforward here: I like a good invention story. A good chunk of the nonfiction reviews I’ve done on this blog are invention stories. And this book, about the man who created the video game cartridge concept, is something I’m into.

Poetry

My Head Has a Bellyache : And More Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups by Chris Harris, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi

July 18 | Little, Brown | Grades 1-4

Harris’s first poetry collection, I’m Just No Good at Rhyming, is one that I read with kids every year. It’s one of the most funny and inventive poetry books out there. So I was thrilled to see that Harris is back with a new collection. And – even better – it’s illustrated by the wonderful Andrea Tsurumi.

Filed under: Previews