LibraryAware New School Aged Kids and Teens July 2025

New Junior Fiction

A hero's guide to summer vacation
by Pablo Cartaya

Thirteen-year-old Cuban American Gonzalo joins his estranged grandfather on road trip to promote his grandfather's fantasy book series

Creepy Campfire Stories
by Anastasia Garcia

"The great outdoors has never been so terrifying! Gather around the campfire with 20 spine-tingling tales that blend folklore, urban legend, and our darkest fears. Featuring iconic landscapes like the Grand Canyon and Redwood National Park, this book will haunt your dreams long after the last ember of the campfire has faded"-- Provided by publisher.

Going overboard
by Caroline Huntoon

Twelve-year-old Piper Shapiro, a nonbinary middle schooler, struggles with the idea of change, so when their mom starts dating Gwinny, the mother of Piper's classmate Colton, Piper and Colton team up to try to break up the relationship, only to realize that change might not always be bad.

Into the rapids
by Ann Braden

"Addy prefers to rely only on herself, but when a superstorm hits her remote mountain town, she will need to muster the courage to ask for help"

Meet me at sunset
by Lee Heart

"This is going to be the summer Julie finally catches the attention of her crush, James! She has the perfect outfits, ice-breaking jokes, and a list of places she can oh-so-casually run into him. At least that was the plan until Julie's parents decided to surprise her by inviting a friend to their beach house for the next three weeks. . . Now, Julie has no idea how this summer is going to go--especially since she's unexpectedly feeling flutters around a new friend, Liam"

Running hot and cold!
by Caleb Zane Huett

When the Evoker King transformed himself into the Evoker Kid, he didn't leave a clue as to what he wanted Harper and her friends to do, so she figures out the plan, but everything starts to feel overwhelming.

Survive this safari
by Natalie D. Richards

Twelve-year-old Lucy is excited to be selected for the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge, but her team discovers that Wildlands' beloved baby elephant might be in danger and must tackle a real Wildlands challenge.

New Junior Graphic Novels

Creature clinic
by Gavin Aung Than

"Welcome to Creature Clinic, the world's finest--and only--hospital for mythical beings. Here, everyone from trolls and unicorns to tooth fairies and giants can expect the very best treatment. Well, with one exception. Humans are absolutely, 100 percent not welcome. Doctor-in-training Kara Orc has worked hard and followed the rules her entire life to get where she is now. But when a human in need shows up at the hospital, her obedience is put to the test. Sure, most humans are dangerous, destructive beasts, but Kara took an oath to help all creatures. Even humans deserve care and compassion. How long can she keep such a big secret from her boss--who also happens to be her mother?"

Emma all stirred up! / : Emma All Stirred Up!
by Tracey West

Emma tries to sweeten up her summer plans when she learns she and her younger brother, Jake, are going to the same summer day camp and she must sit with Jake, not her friends.

Family style
by Ryan Estrada

"Inspired by the 2024 film, experience more hilarious hijinks in this collection of stories featuring everyone's favorite Monday-hating cat, alongside Odie and Garfield's feline father, Vick! Take a peek into the past as Vick balances working a "job" andchecking up on Garfield. Odie must master the role of unpaid intern and midnight munchie monitor and see what Jon was really like without Garfield (and Odie)! Dive into outtakes of Jinx's schemes and the good ol' days at Lactose Farms with Otto and Ethel"

Good Boy
by Andy Hirsch

Charlie’s life is a series of obstacles, not least of which is an uncontrollable urge to barf when his anxiety overwhelms him. Ralph is an unpredictable rescue dog with more energy than manners. The two make an unlikely pair but are the best of friends. When Ralph causes a scene by following his boy to school, it’s suggested the two join a dog agility training group. Ralph is a natural—zipping in, around, and over obstacles at lightning speed. Agility training is a fun way for the pair to bond, but when Charlie even considers joining the other handlers at the big contest, his stomach begins to turn. Can the duo take a leap and cross the finish line?

Greta Whiteshark Meets the Mermaids
by Patrick Baggatta

Loaded with dubious intel that Morgan heard from a seal, who heard it from a starfish, who heard it from... well, you get the idea, Greta hatches a plan to transform herself into something she is definitely not - a mermaid. Greta sinks to extraordinary depths to hide her true self from her new mermaid friends, but she is finally feeling like she is 'fitting in.' That is, until a momentarily slip-up at the big Sea Spectacle Parade triggers an urgent call for a hero - a call custom built for a proud shark-maid. Will the mermaids reject her if she fully drops the act and saves the day? Or, has Greta seriously underestimated her new friends and neighbors?

New YA Fiction

Of earthly delights
by Goldy Moldavsky

After her family moves to Connecticut, high school senior and aspiring artist Rose falls for wealthy, handsome Hart, whose family's mysterious, sprawling garden hides a sinister secret.

The lost queen
by Aimee Phan

"Fifteen-year-old Jolie Lam's ordinary life in San Jose is upended when she learns of her connection to queens and goddesses of ancient Vietnam and now must master new powers before old enemies return to wage war"

When devils sing
by Xan Kaur

Four unlikely allies in a small Southern town investigate the disappearance of a local teen, uncovering a dark and ancient evil rooted in their community, far more sinister than they could have imagined. In a small Southern town, four unlikely allies investigate the disappearance of a local teen, uncovering a dark and ancient evil lurking beneath their community, far more sinister than they ever imagined.

YA Graphic Novels: Camping/Summer

Sunshine
by Jarrett Krosoczka

The author shares his extraordinary experiences as a counselor at Camp Sunshine, a camp for seriously ill kids and their families, where he met campers and fellow counselors who forever changed the course of his life.

Slip
by Marika McCoola

When the ceramic monsters she creates out of stress and insecurity come to life, forcing her to confront her problems, Jade feels guilty growing, prospering and falling in love after her best friend attempts suicide.

Flamer
by Mike Curato

In the summer between middle school and high school, Aiden Navarro is away at camp where he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can not stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.

This one summer
by Mariko Tamaki

The team behind Skim presents the sumptuous graphic tale of a young teen whose latest summer at a beach lake house is overshadowed by her parents' constant arguments, her younger friend's secret sorrows and the dangerous activities of older teens.

Hockey girl loves drama boy
by Faith Erin Hicks

"It should have been a night of triumph for Alix's hockey team. But her mean teammate Lindsay decided to start up with her usual rude comments and today Alix, who usually tries to control her anger, let it finally run free. Alix lashes out and before sheknows it, her coach is dragging her off Lindsay, and the invitation to the Canada National Women's U18 Team's summer camp is on the line"