Spring Children’s Preview
FEBRUARY 2, 2026 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 71
Scholastic Press Awe! by Chana Stiefel, illus. by Susan Gal (Mar. 3, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-5461-5035-0), celebrates the A.W.E.—Awesome, Wondrous, Empowering—emotion found in everyday moments. Ages 4–8. How Not to Make a Jelly Sandwich by Ross Burach (Apr. 7, $19.99, ISBN 978-1- 338-87709-0). Frankie spells out her five adventurous and fun steps to making a jelly sandwich. Ages 4–8. Rhea’s Rodeo by Laekan Zea Kemp, illus. by Raissa Figueroa (Mar. 3, $19.99, ISBN 978-1- 5461-5803-5). Rhea learns about teamwork, tradition, and girl power while competing in her beloved Escaramuza Charra, women’s Mexican rodeo. Ages 4–8. Fifth Grade Top Dogs by Jerry Spinelli (June 2, $15.99, ISBN 979-8-225-02823-7) returns to the characters from Third Grade Angels and Fourth Grade Rats as they become the oldest kids in the school. Ages 8–12. Magnitude by Jennifer A. Nielsen (Mar. 3, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-5461-6611-5). Cora, Zhi, and Oliver must escape fires, thieves, and chaos in a desperate search for family and the strength to survive during the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Ages 8–12. Theft of the Ruby Lotus by Sayantani DasGupta (Apr. 21, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-338- 76687-5). When a mysterious ruby arrives in the mail, Ria and her friends are swept into a thrilling heist across New York City. Ages 8–12. The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia by Leia Ham (May 5, $16.99, ISBN 978-1-5461-5092- 3). After a strange illness drains students’ power at magical Zenith Academy, Sparrow and her friends must uncover the truth. Ages 9–12. Sleepless by Gordon Korman (July 7, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-5461-2611-9). Five kids suddenly stop needing sleep, and become desperate to solve the mystery of why. Ages 9–12. Stream by Aida Salazar (May 5, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-338-77567-9). After a viral catfishing scandal, teens Celi and Elio are sent to unplug at a rancho in Mexico where they form an unexpected friendship. Ages 10 and up.
Burn the Water by Billy Ray (Mar. 3, $19.99, ISBN 979-8-225-00674-7) is an enemies-to-lovers romance set in war-torn 2425 London, when the city is submerged underwater. Ages 12 and up. Goldenborn by Ama Ofosua Lieb (May 5, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-5461-4746-6). Seventeen-year-old Akoma stumbles into a world of ancient gods and modern magic, where she’ll have to choose between saving her father or staying true to everything she’s ever believed. Ages 12 and up. Where Lost Girls Go by Kody Keplinger (July 7, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-338-68507-7). In a cabin deep in the Kentucky woods, five girls live under Sol’s protection—until a new girl arrives, testing the sisters’ loyalty. Ages 12 and up. The Gravewood by Kelly Andrew (Apr. 7, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-5461-7658-9) is the first in a vampire romance duology that explores disability and obsession. Ages 13 and up. Series Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland gains The Hybrid Prince (Mar. 3, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-5461-2954-7), ages 8–12. My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier welcomes After My Brother Sam (Apr. 21, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-5461-6684-9), ages 9–12. Scholastic/Cartwheel Candi the Candicorn by Robyn Wall, illus. by Joelle Murray (July 7, $14.99, ISBN 978- 1-5461-9833-8). A unicorn with a candy corn horn brings treats to her monster neighbors on Halloween night. Ages 4–8. Series Tales from Acorn Wood adds Rabbit’s Nap by Julia Donaldson, illus. by Axel Scheffler (Mar. 3, $9.99 board book, ISBN 979-8-225- 02094-1), ages 1–4. Scholastic/Graphix Mixed Feelings by Sara Amini, illus. by Shadia Amin (Apr. 7, $14.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-338-79739-8), following mixed-race sixth-grader Sara’s exploration of middle school drama and search for belonging, launches a series of the same name. Ages 8–12.
Offside by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, illus. by Mari Costa (July 7, $14.99 paper, ISBN 978-1- 339-02360-1). In this bilingual graphic novel, five students navigate rivalry and division when their middle school’s soccer team goes co-ed. Ages 8–12. Midsummer Sisters by Niki Smith (June 2, $14.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-5461-2894-6). Stepsisters Kenzie and Quinn spend a summer with their grandmother in the Outer Banks, bonding over a fragile wild foal. Ages 9–12. A Blood Moon by Morr Meroz, illus. by Collin Fogel (Feb. 3, $14.99 paper, ISBN 978- 1-5461-7173-7), kicks off the Snowlands series, about an orphaned wolf cub, an inde- pendent leopard, and a bumbling wildcat that join forces to cross the dangerous wilderness. Ages 9–12. Fruitcake by Rex Ogle, illus. by Dave Valeza (Apr. 7, $14.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-338- 57507-1). Eighth grader Rex faces pressure from church and home as he grapples with confusing feelings and finds the courage to be himself. Ages 10–12. Opting Out by Maia Kobabe, illus. by Lucky Srikumar (May 5, $14.99 paper, ISBN 978- 1-339-01224-7). Friends, crushes, and body changes make seventh grade feel overwhelm- ing for Saachi, who is not into boy/girl stuff and doesn’t feel like either gender. Ages 10–12. My Tokyo Summer by Abby Denson, illus. by Utomaru (July 7, $16.99 paper, ISBN 978- 1-339-00653-6). In this true story, transcon- tinental pen pals and comics fans Abby and Yuuko get the chance to bond in real life when Abby travels from New York to join a summer program in Japan. Ages 12 and up. Coming Out Perfect by Richard Mercado (June 2, $16.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-339- 00159-3), featuring Kevin’s efforts to devise a plan to come out of the closet, begins a series of the same name. Ages 14 and up. Series New Girl by Cassandra Calin adds First Crush (May 5, $14.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-338- 76248-8), ages 9–12. And Heartstopper by Alice Oseman greets Heartstopper #6 (July 7, $25.99, ISBN 978-1-5461-0245-8), ages 14 and up.
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