10 to Note: Fall Preview 2025

Don’t mind me, I’m just looking through 2148 books publishing in September, October, and November, and picking out the ten books I’m most looking forward to this fall.

Picture Books

A Snow Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

September 30 | Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan) | Grades PreK-1

Did somebody just start blasting Mark Morrison’s Return of the Mack? Because one of the great characters in children’s literature is back this fall, just in time for a snow day.

If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone by Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Emily Hughes

September 23 | Clarion Books | Grades K-1

I’m proud to be a founding member of the Emily Hughes appreciation society. I’ve been there since book #1, folks. Also, using bananas as pretend phones is a classic gag that will never get old. Looks like a winning combo.

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Chapter Books

Dory Fantasmagory: Center of the Universe by Abby Hanlon

October 7 | Dial Books | Grades 1-3

The greatest modern chapter book series continues. The David Bowie reference on the cover has me extra intrigued.

Troubling Tonsils! (Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales) by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown

September 2 | Simon & Schuster | Grades 1-3

It’s really a genius move to bring the Caldecott Medal winning Jasper Rabbit to the chapter book world, which is even more well-suited for the sort of Twilight Zone surrealism Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown cook up.

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Middle Grade Fiction

The Experiment by Rebecca Stead

September 16 | Feiwel & Friends | Grades 3-6

Aliens live among us? Rebecca Stead brings us science fiction grounded in reality, with a twist.

Busted by Dan Gemeinhart

October 7 | Henry Holt | Grades 3-6

A kid. A former mobster. A bunch of loot. A madcap adventure than transcends age (and retirement homes).

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Nonfiction

A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, A Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out by Nicholas Day, illustrated by Yas Imamura

September 9 | Random House Studio | Grades 3-7

How did the eruption of Mount Tambora change global weather and help inspire, of all things, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein? Sibert winner Nicholas Day connects the dots in this narrative nonfiction.

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Graphic Novel

Night Chef: An Epic Tale of Friendship with a Side of Deliciousness! by Mika Song

October 28 | Random House Graphic | Grades 1-4

They had me at Ratatouille meets the magic of Studio Ghibli.

Cabin Head and Tree Head (Cabin Head and Tree Head, Book #1) by Scott Campbell

September 30 | Tundra Books | Grades 1-4

Now this book is just right up my alley. The creator of The Hug Machine brings the absurdity.

Facing Feelings: Inside the World of Raina Telgemeier by Raina Telgemeier

October 21 | Graphix (Scholastic) | Grades 3-7

All the behind the scenes goodness you could want from the creator of one of the most iconic (yep, I said it) graphic novels ever.

Filed under: Previews