Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles including a middle grade novel that follows a tween’s misadventures, a YA short story collection featuring beloved couples in the Shadowhunter series, a picture book installment about a pooch taking dance lessons, and more.
At the Speed of Gus by Richard Scrimger. Scholastic Press, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-546158-33-2. A tween embarks on a hijinks-fueled quest to meet up with his older sister in this frenetic novel.
Better in Black by Cassandra Clare. Knopf, $24.99; ISBN 979-8-217-22570-5. Clare returns to her bestselling Shadowhunters universe with this short collection story highlighting 10 couples across the series.
Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Dances His Heart Out by Dolly Parton, illus. by MacKenzie Haley. Penguin Workshop, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-75502-0. In the latest addition to the Billy the Kid picture book series from the country music icon, titular pup Billy is determined to learn some new moves for an upcoming performance and impress his dance teacher.
Down Came the Spiders by Ally Russell. Scholastic, $8.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-5461-2925-7. Tween Andi discovers a mysterious spider hidden away in a friend’s house, and when the creature escapes containment, she must rally her peers to confront the swarm.
Gabby Torres Is the Best Winner Ever by Angela Dominguez. Roaring Brook, $12.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-250-90139-2; $19.99 hardcover; ISBN 978-1-250-90138-5. In the second installment of the Gabby graphic novel series, the tween baker is excited to show off her treats at a local baking competition, but she’s convinced she needs all the best new tech to win.
Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes, illus. by Setor Fiadzigbey. Little, Brown Ink, $13.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-316-27967-3. In this graphic novel adaptation of Rhodes’s middle grade novel, ghost Jerome encounters a fellow spirit in the afterworld, Emmett Till, and together the boys process how racism led to their early deaths.
The Last Vampire by Romina Garber. Wednesday, $21; ISBN 978-1-250-86391-1. Eighteen-year-old Lorena accidentally awakens the vampire at her boarding school, and he’s hungry—not just for blood, but for answers about the events of the last 300 years.
Love Grows Here by Amy Adele. Magic Cat, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-917366-89-2. Creatures work behind the scenes to sustain an elderly couple’s garden in Adele’s cozy tale.
Meet the Smushkins by Claudia Rueda. Candlewick, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-5362-3658-3. Rueda kicks off a new series starring a charismatic crew of critters as they act out a wish list for the perfect home. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
The Obsession by Natasha Preston. Delacorte, $14.99 paper; ISBN 979-8-217-02800-9. Internet star Connie races to uncover who is killing teenage girls who look just like her in their town.
The Stolen Songbird by Judith Eagle, illus. by Jo Rioux. Walker US, $18.99 hardcover; ISBN 978-1-536242-68-3. In this 1959-set adventure novel, aspiring gymnast Caro is sent to live with her strict grandmother, and when she discovers a mysterious painting in her suitcase, she becomes embroiled in the machinations of a dangerous gang. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of December, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
