With summer at the halfway point, kids are likely enjoying their sunny days and seasonal activities, yet still looking ahead to the coming school year. After all, as much fun as summertime is, back to school brings excitement of its own: seeing friends, meeting their new teacher, and returning to the school library for some new reads. For those young bookworms hoping to get a jumpstart on the latest and freshest picture book and middle grade reads, here are some of the upcoming August releases that we’re keeping an eye on!
Picture Books
Lola’s Moving Day by Anna McQuinn, Illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw (August 5th)
Newest in the popular Lola Reads series by McQuinn and Beardshaw, this title follows young Lola and her growing family as they pack up for an impending move. With a straightforward tone that lays out what to expect from a big move for small readers (and a legitimately excellent stick-based moving trick that adults will appreciate), this title is great for any little ones who may be facing their own move before school starts.
The Slightly Spooky Tale of Fox and Mole by Cecilia Heikkila, Translated by Polly Lawson (August 5th)
With the fall (and spooky) season approaching, this delightful tale is a perfect way to transition young readers into autumn. Carefree Mole and obliging Fox are neighbors and friends, but their friendship hits a rough patch when they gather to read a slightly spooky story one night. Amid gothic vibes and cozy surroundings, can the two make amends before the candles burn down?
The Pink Pajamas: A Story About Love and Loss by Charlene Chua (August 5th)
The child protagonist of this tale loves visiting her Ah Yi, or auntie. Ah Yi says, “I love you,” with her sewing machine, with which she crafts the child’s perfectly soft pajama pants. Except the new pair is pink — the kiddo’s least favorite color. Ah Yi promises to make a new pair, but before she can, she goes to the hospital and never comes back. A gentle yet deeply meaningful tale of the many ways we express love and remembrance, this is a solid pick for kids who may be experiencing the loss of a loved one.
The Camel Library: A True Story from Pakistan by Marzieh Abbas, Illustrated by Anain Shaikh (August 19th)
You’ve heard of bookmobiles, library buses, and perhaps even biblioburros, but have you ever heard of a camel library? Based on the true story of a camel named Roshan, and told from the animal’s charming perspective, readers can learn about the post-COVID-19 initiative in Pakistan to connect children in remote areas of the country with access to books via one very special — and furry — delivery system.
Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe (August 19th)
From the author-illustrator of Pokko and the Drum comes this very unlikely and somewhat surreal friendship story about Aggie and her very unwelcome roommate. While Aggie is excited to live in her own home, she cannot endure the antics of the ghost that came along with it, leading the two to an epic showdown of wits and willpower — and perhaps a little bit of otherworldly goodwill as well.
Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe by Amy S. Hansen with Wanda Díaz Merced, Illustrated by Rocío Arreola Mendoza (August 19th)
When Wanda saw her first meteor shower as a child, she was hooked on the stars. However, as she was studying them at university, she lost her sight due to complications with diabetes. Despite a period of self-doubt, Wanda found a new “path to the stars”: using radio waves and sonification to study the cosmos via sounds. This phenomenal story of accessibility and the value of diverse perspectives is a must-read, especially for youngsters with an interest in STEM/STEAM.
I Hate Everything! by Sophy Henn (August 19th)
A frustrated ghost makes the titular declaration on the first page, surprising their smaller companion. When the little ghost inquires if their bigger friend hates them, the bigger ghost admits, “No, I don’t hate you. BUT I HATE EVERYTHING ELSE!” With patience and calm, the small ghost offers more things that the ghost may not hate: sweets, playing dress-up, balloons, and so on. A simple tale that deftly explores how cranky moods can feel overwhelming, but are apt to pass quickly with kindness and support.
The Mushroom of Doom! by Becky Davies, Illustrated by Thomas Elliott (August 26th)
It’s pizza night, and all of the toppings are waiting in the kitchen to see who gets picked. Mushroom is feeling confident, right up until he is passed over in favor of… Pineapple?! After a further series of mishaps land him in the compost bin, he is determined to raise a fungi army and get revenge! Food puns and culinary silliness abound in this fun(gi) cautionary tale against holding grudges.
Can I Keep It, Please? by John Sullivan, Illustrated by Jessica Gibson (August 26th)
When Evie sees a cavalcade of interesting animals at the local pet parade, she suddenly feels a bit blasé about her cat, Sasha. Hoping to find a more interesting pet, she is pleased to discover a garter snake in the bushes, whom she brings home and names Slithers. Yet while Evie does everything she can to make Slithers comfortable, she can’t help but notice that he doesn’t seem to enjoy captivity. A great story about respecting the needs of wild animals and appreciating the pets who love us unconditionally.
Hello, Tobi! by Andrea Cáceres (August 26th)
Little pup Tobi’s favorite thing to do is go for walks in the park with his family. While there, he also loves to make new friends with the very different-looking dogs and their own very different-looking families: some with two dads, some with one parent, some made up of friends, and more. A cozy look at the diversity of families and the love that ties them together, this one has the makings of a modern classic.
Middle Grade
The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall, Illustrated by Matt Phelan (August 5th)
When 11-year-old Gwen MacKinnon is sent to live with her great-uncle in Massachusetts, she is surprised to learn that her new town’s library shares her name… and even more surprised to find a tiny race of winged creatures called the Lahdukan hiding there! With the Lahdukan’s home under threat and Gwen their only salvation, she must race to the rescue while dealing with her dreadful family and a rather opinionated dog named Pumpkin.
The Island of Forgotten Gods by Victor Piñeiro (August 5th)
Young aspiring filmmaker Nico has a plan for his annual trip to Puerto Rico to visit family: use that time to make a documentary about the island and win a prestigious film festival award. However, when he and his cousins accidentally awaken a Chupacabra, they are thrown into a world of monsters and gods, all while Nico keeps the camera rolling. His unbelievable documentary could help him make his name in the film world — if he and his cousins can survive the summer.
Archives of the Unexplained: Area 51 by Steve Foxe, Illustrated by Fran Bueno (August 5th)
Kickstarting a graphic novel series that explores the worlds of extraterrestrials, cryptids, and mysterious events, readers are introduced to TJ, an average kid who stumbles upon his late uncle’s collection of classified documents. Poring through them, TJ discovers an unknown world of gray aliens, government conspiracy theories, and men in black — the same ones he saw skulking around his uncle’s funeral, and are now on his trail!
Gloam by Jack Mackay (August 12th)
Another must-read for young fans of the creepy and mysterious, this tale opens on 13-year-old Gwen, who is reeling from her mother’s death while trying to take care of her three younger siblings. Moving to her grandmother’s crumbling estate with their stepfather, Gwen must balance family obligations, unraveling mysteries, and the sinister presence of their new nanny, the beautiful yet malicious Esme Laverne.
The Space Cat by Nnedi Okorafor, Illustrated by Tana Ford (August 12th)
By day, Periwinkle is a much-loved housecat spoiled by his humans; by night, he is a secret space explorer traveling the cosmos in his custom-built spaceship. However, when his family decides to spend the year in Nigeria so his human mom can finish her book, the eager explorer Periwinkle is faced with some harsh discoveries: many Nigerians hate cats, and the local felines have become hardened by their poor treatment. Can Periwinkle find a place in this new society that feels as right as soaring the stars?
The Sky Was My Blanket: A Young Man’s Journey Across Wartime Europe by Uri Shulevitz (August 19th)
In his last, posthumously published work, Shulevitz recounts his uncle’s experiences as a teenage vagabond in Europe before and during WWII. Leaving home in Poland at 15, Yehiel Szulewicz travelled throughout Europe and trained in several trades, before the war broke out and he found himself in the Spanish Republican Army and the Jewish Resistance of Vichy. Harrowing, heartbreaking, yet filled with resilience and hope, this account will stay with readers long after the last page.
Sound: Discovering the Vibrations We Hear by Olga Fadeeva, Translated by Lena Traer (August 26th)
A phenomenal exploration of the science of sound, this title introduces readers to the mechanics of sound waves in lyrical text and gorgeous artwork. From wondering at the marvel of spoken — and unspoken — languages, to the secret sounds of underwater animals, to how the sounds of music have evolved over centuries, this journey into the mechanics and history of sound is as transfixing as it is enlightening.
Dream On by Shannon Hale, Illustrated by Marcela Cespedes (August 26th)
Fourth-grader Cassie is trying to hold things together, but she’s struggling. Money is tight, her house is too small for everyone to fit comfortably, her mom is always busy, and her best friend is pulling away to hang out with a mean girl. So when a letter arrives with Cassie’s name on it and declares that she’s a winner, she begins fantasizing about how such a life-changing prize could solve everything. However, the letter is not everything it promises to be, and Cassie may learn that problems don’t always have an easy fix.
Schooled by Jamie Sumner (August 26th)
Eleven years old may seem young to start university, but Lenny Syms is part of an experimental middle school being taught on a university campus. While Lenny’s distant father supports the program, Lenny isn’t so sure — everything about the school seems weird and foreign, and the recent loss of his mom is making it hard for him to feel excited about anything. Still, with a rag-tag group of new friends and a mentor guiding him, maybe he can make the most of being an unwilling educational guinea pig.
Say Something, Poupeh Babaee! by Dr. Haleh Massey, Illustrated by Ghazal Qadri (August 26th)
Sent to the United States from Iran ahead of her parents, Poupeh Babaee is so intimidated by her less-than-welcoming new environment that, despite knowing English, she is diagnosed with selective mutism. Yet when a travel ban threatens her parents’ entry into the country, Poupeh Babaee must find the courage to advocate for them to an embassy consular officer. This is a stunningly raw yet powerful story about the immigrant experience, the importance of mental health support, and showing kindness to others.
We hope that you and your young readers enjoy these recommendations and that they help you fill up the family TBRs before summer ends! Happy reading!
Want to catch up with more of our children’s recommendations? Check out the Children’s New Releases from June here.
To see all of our recommendations for mini bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
