May 2026 list by K. Pearson |
|
|
|
Ape Escape
by Stuart Gibbs
Super sleuth Teddy Fitzroy is on the case to rescue an abducted young gorilla When a baby gorilla is stolen from an orphanage in Rwanda, Teddy, his parents, and an old family friend find themselves in a race against time to save it. Teddy has to piece together clues to figure out where the little ape is being taken while traveling through some of the most incredible--and dangerous--terrain in the world. At the same time, he's long-distance consulting with Summer to help solve another mystery back at FunJungle.
|
|
|
|
Breakout
by Christina Wyman
Ellis Starr likes learning about active volcanoes. She does not like having acne that resembles them. But it’s not just cosplaying as a pepperoni pizza that has Ellis on the verge of erupting. Her mom’s hot-and-cold moods have the two of them butting heads nonstop—especially now that her mom is dating for the first time since her parents’ separation. Then there’s Ellis’s best friend, Aggy, whose own life—and skin—seems perfect. And who could forget that Ellis still needs to decide on a research topic for a big school project.
|
|
|
|
The Curse Breaker
by Jen Calonita
After twelve-year-old Benny finally reaches the Isle of Ever, she must play a challenging new gamefind the lost piece of pirate treasure needed to break the curse once and for all.
|
|
|
|
Dragon Girl and the Awakened Flames
by Jenny Moore
Emba, a girl raised by the wise hermit Fred, learns she actually hatched from a dragons egg and a necromancer Necromalcolm is after her blood, so when Fred goes missing and she receives a ransom note from Necromalcolm, she sets off with her friend Odolf BraveBuckle to rescue him.
|
|
|
|
Glory Be
by Jamie Sumner
Nine-year-old Glory searches the city of New Orleans for her missing dog, Roux, while navigating a difficult relationship with father, who may have something to do with her pup's disappearance.
|
|
|
|
Gracie Wei #1: You're a Winner, Gracie Wei
by Kristen Mei Chase
Gracie Wei wants nothing more than to make it onto the Wei’s Special Wall, which displays awards from every family member, even her baby brother—all except for Gracie. Which is why she must win the Grapevine Elementary 4th Grade Class Spelling Bee competition.
Gracie has studied hard, there's just one problem—well, person—in her way.
|
|
|
|
Hafsa's Way
by Aisha Saeed
Hafsa, a determined Pakistani girl who dreams of becoming a doctor despite her familys disapproval, is begrudgingly allowed to attend an elite summer science camp in Lahore, where she faces isolation, unexpected challenges, and family pressures but refuses to let anything derail her ambitions.
|
|
|
|
How to Save a Tortoise (Wildlife Rescue)
by Kate Messner
It's summertime and Ana and Sofia are visiting their cousins Ivy and Ezra in Florida! Ana loves being back in her hometown, going to the beach and eating ice cream again. Ever since her family moved to California, Ana's been thinking about trying new things . . . like signing up for the Makers Club instead of playing volleyball again with Sofia. Then the cousins get a call about an injured gopher tortoise that's been hit by a car. Ana and Sofia join Ivy and Ezra--as volunteer critter couriers--to transport the animal to the local wildlife hospital.
|
|
|
|
The Hybrid Prince (Wings of Fire, Book #16)
by Tui T. Sutherland
Umber was never supposed to be a hero . . . .As the youngest sibling of his MudWing hatching, Umber doesn't have the responsibilities of his bigwings, Reed, nor the heroic destiny prophesied for his brother, Clay. He's always been content with his role as the cheerful, goofy, little brother. But when his sister, Sora, causes a tragedy at Jade Mountain Academy, Umber finds himself on the run and thrown into a whole new role--that of protector.
|
|
|
|
Magnitude
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Cora heads to the San Francisco docks on April 18th to find her father, but a massive earthquake strikes, knocking her unconscious. She wakes trapped underground with Chi until her friend Oliver rescues them. Above ground, the city is in ruins. As fires spread and a dangerous gang hunts Cora for a secret she carries, the three race through the devastated city in search of their families.
|
|
|
|
Phoenix
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Eleven-year-old Harper, struggling with the implosion of her family, finds connection with an abused horse, rides for the first time, and makes cautious friendships with a group of kids training at the stable next door.
|
|
|
|
The Queen's Granddaughter
by Diane Zahler
Blanca of Castile, granddaughter of the formidable Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, is unexpectedly chosen to marry the prince of France instead of her older sister. To reach her new life, Blanca and her friend Suna must cross the Pyrenees with Queen Eleanor’s entourage, facing blizzards, hunger, dangerous roads, and even a kidnapping. As Blanca survives each peril, she learns to protect herself and others—and discovers what it truly means to follow in a queen’s footsteps.
|
|
|
|
Queso, Just in Time
by Ernesto Cisneros
Queso wishes under the full moon to see his late father again, and suddenly finds himself back in 1985 with twelve-year-old Pancho, the boy who will grow up to be his dad-and who needs Queso's help to imagine a better future.
|
|
|
|
Relic of Thieves (The Underwild)
by Shana Targosz
Anya copes by staying invisible and relying on her best friend, Lizzie—until Lizzie moves away, leaving her lonely and unmoored. When Anya follows a mysterious girl home, she discovers the woman everyone calls a witch truly has magic, including keys that can take you anywhere. Hoping to see Lizzie again, Anya steals them. The keys reunite the girls, but then drag them into the dangerous Underwild, where a creature kidnaps Lizzie. Wracked with guilt, Anya must team up with the strange girl, Senka, and find the courage she’s never believed she had to rescue her friend.
|
|
|
|
A Secret Escape (The Liars Society #3)
by Alyson Gerber
Jack and Weatherby arrive at an elite Swiss Alps prep school as the newest recruits of Last Heir, the world’s most powerful secret society. Winning the society’s high‑stakes game could mean millions, a private island, and a coveted place in its inner circle—but everyone has their own motives, and not everyone plays fair. As dangerous riddles, hidden agendas, and explosive secrets surface, the two must navigate a world of power, betrayal, and mystery where the game is only the beginning.
|
|
|
|
Sir Edmund of the Wild West: Mystery in the Grand Canyon
by Dusti Bowling
Edmund, a goldendoodle who’s convinced he’s destined to serve the King of England, is instead adopted by Wild West Willy, a veteran and would‑be ghosthunter. When Willy heads to the Grand Canyon to investigate a 1928 disappearance, Edmund—who can actually see ghosts—gets pulled into the mystery. As blizzards, spirits, and strange clues pile up, Edmund must decide whether solving a haunting with his new owner might be just as noble as guarding a palace.
|
|
|
|
The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan
by Jasmine Warga
Finnegan, a rescue dog with a wounded heart, is paired with Chase, a newly orphaned cheetah cub who must gain confidence to join a zoo’s educational program. Both are grieving and unsure how to trust again, yet they become exactly what the other needs. But if Finnegan can’t help Chase overcome her fears, he risks not only failing her—but losing his new home too.
|
|
|
|
Warriors: Changing Skies #3: Chasing Shadows
by Erin Hunter
Moonpaw’s visions of her dead sister grow violent, making her fear she’s a danger to ThunderClan. Tawnypelt, convinced Bluestar’s prophecy warns of disaster, flees to ThunderClan after Tigerstar silences her. Meanwhile, Starlingpaw becomes certain he alone can save the Clans. As tensions rise, an elder and an apprentice each wonder if they hold the key to the Clans’ survival.
|
|
|
|
When the Warden Calls (Minecraft Ironsword Academy #5)
by Caleb Zane Huett
Theo and his friends are on a mission to get their digital friend Eek to safety, but they end up trapped in an Ancient City guarded by terrifying wardens. As they struggle to escape in Minecraft, real‑world distractions—like school elections and basketball games—keep pulling them away. In this fifth Ironsword Academy adventure, the team must solve problems and unravel mysteries in both worlds before time runs out.
|
|
|
|
When Tomorrow Burns
by Tae Keller
Once there was a tree. For two hundred years, there was a tree. There was a tree. There was a tree. Until the tree fell in a forest--and then there was a book. When best friends Nomi, Vi, and Arthur were younger, they discovered a book of prophecies. It was so very comforting to know what was coming. But as the kids grew older, they forgot about the book.
|
|
|
|
Wilderness Hacks
by Joslin Brorsen
Twelve-year-old Sadie wins a spot on Radley Shaw’s survival YouTube show, but the two can’t stand each other from the start. When their staged rafting trip goes wrong, they end up truly lost in the wilderness. Forced to find shelter, food, and safety while a predator stalks nearby, Sadie and Rad must put aside their constant bickering if they want to make it out alive.
|
|
|
|
You and Me and the Peanut Butter Beast
by Andy Griffiths
The second book in an all-new, laugh-out-loud chapter book adventure series full of irreverent, kid-friendly humor from the New York Times-bestselling author of the Treehouse series.
|
|
|
|
|
