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New & Coming Soon Books for Middle Schoolers June 2026 |
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13 Little Love Stories: An Anthology Inspired by Taylor Swift Songs
by Elise Bryant
From bestselling YA authors comes thirteen dazzling contemporary romantic stories inspired by the songs of Taylor Swift Includes stories by Lynn Painter, Katharine McGee, and Jesse Q. Sutanto If you could live inside one Taylor Swift song for a day, which would you pick? In this shimmering anthology, thirteen acclaimed, bestselling authors do just that, reimagining some of Taylor's most iconic songs as love stories. Whether you're in an era of fairy lights and folktales or diss tracks and dance floors, here's a playlist that features all the hits: The soaring high note of first love. The minor key of heartbreak. And the steady rhythm of true friendship and self-discovery. As clever and unforgettable as the songs that inspired them, these stories are sure to play on repeat in your head and your heart.
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I Know You Started It (a Secrets & Lies Novel)
by Daphne Benedis-Grab
Someone started a fire at the local middle school. Until they're caught, no one is safe. From the author of I Know Your Secret, this is a thrilling middle-grade mystery that's sure to keep you guessing. There's a fire in a school locker! Was it an accident? A prank gone wrong? Arson? Someone looking for revenge? Eva, Dani, Liam, and Gabe are determined to figure out who started the fire, and why. And they each have their own reasons for wanting to be the first ones to figure out what really happened .The administration says they're looking into it, but evidence is scarce. It will take four students who can tap into the rumors, gossip, and hidden secrets of their school to uncover what really happened on the day of the fire. And if they don't figure it out in time? Well, one of them could be accused of the crime. But all their potential leads turn out to be dead ends. It's as if the arsonist is somehow tracking their every move...
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The Book of Jupiter
by Robin Stevenson
For fans of The Wrong Way Home and My Life with the Liars, this gripping coming-of-age story follows a girl who must wrestle with what to do when she realizes she's lived almost her entire life inside a cult.Thirteen-year-old Ara lives in an isolated community called Jupiter Station with her family. They abide by the teachings of Father Jupiter, their self-appointed leader, and follow the strict rules laid out in his Book of Jupiter. Ara has always believed what she's been taught, including Father Jupiter's prophecy that the family will soon become stardust and Ascend to the planet Jupiter, where they'll live together forever. But when her older brother Leo reveals his doubts about Father Jupiter, particularly his story about how they became part of the family, Ara must decide what to do, as she starts to realize he may be right.Award-winning author Robin Stevenson has written a chilling tale of awakening that readers won't be able to put down. The gripping story with unexpected plot twists will keep readers guessing to the very end. The fictional world is based on the author's research of real-world cults, providing fascinating insight into how cults function and how a person's perceptions of reality can be skewed. Ara's struggle will raise questions for readers about trusting one's instincts and what truths are worth uncovering.
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Shim Jung Takes the Dive
by Julia Riew
A tween finds herself on an epic adventure across an underwater kingdom in this inventive middle-grade fantasy inspired by Korean folklore--based on the viral TikTok musical by composer-lyricist and rising star Julia Riew.Jung doesn't believe in magic--not the powerful dragons, mystical sea creatures, or any of the other fantastical stories whispered by the elders of her hometown. That is, until one horrible mistake sends her falling into the ocean during a raging storm......down to a magical underwater kingdom that she never believed existed. Now, trapped in a realm of secrets, spirits, and a vengeful queen bent on destroying her world, Jung must journey across the Dragon Queendom--teaming up with a mischievous runaway prince--to uncover the truth about her past and save her people before it's too late. Inspired by the Korean folktale Shim Jung, Shim Jung Takes the Dive is a royal adventure about friendship, belonging, and finding the courage to take the leap.
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A Wish with Wings
by Sarah Guillory
Sarah Guillory's latest middle grade novel is a tender tale of courage, hope, and holding onto yourself even when everything around you seems to be falling apart -- perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate and Barbara O'Connor.
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The Thing about Giants
by Christopher Galvin
Jacq is destined to hunt fearsome giants to protect her city--but when she meets a sensitive young giant named Corman in the forest, she realizes the world isn't quite what she's been taught. A page-turning adventure full of heart. Twelve-year-old Jacq Dyer is the daughter of two renowned giant hunters, although she's never had much stomach for what they do. In a city built from giants' bones, people rely on hunters to keep them prosperous and safe, and everyone knows that giants are violent, senseless creatures . . . aren't they? But when an accident leaves Jacq lost and injured in the wilderness, she ends up face-to-face with Corman, a frightened young giant-. Corman has just lost his dad to hunters, and he and Jacq must learn to trust each other if they're going to find their ways home. But as they start finding out the truth about giant hunting--and the shadowy Resistance Jacq has grown up hating--they discover there's more at stake than either of them know.
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Drawing Sweet and Cute Chibi: Learn How to Draw Cozy Animal Characters, Adorable Foods, and More Kawaii Things (How to Draw Books)
by Tessa Creative Art
Learn to draw the cutest, most whimsical chibi scenes, including delicious fruits, adorable sweet treats, kawaii animals, dancing ballerinas, and more Crack open your sketchbook, grab your pens and pencils, and get ready to draw the most charming chibi creations imaginable Drawing Sweet and Cute Chibi is your step-by-step guide to crafting darling chibi characters, foods, animals, and more in an irresistibly adorable kawaii style. This easy-to-use handbook is perfect for beginners and budding artists of all ages. Begin with simple illustrations like popsicles, multilayered cakes, and fruit tarts, then progress into more detailed and imaginative projects, including bears in bee costumes, graceful ballerinas, and more delightful characters. Clear, simple steps show you how to break down each illustration, correctly size each element, and add your own sweet finishing touches. Inside you'll find: Over 50 step-by-step chibi projects, from food to animals and whimsical charactersSimple instructions to break down each drawing into easy-to-follow shapesTips for adding personal, charming details to each creationWorkbook-style practice pages to hone your chibi-drawing skills Whether you're a fan of chibi style, a manga enthusiast, or just love adding sweet, whimsical detail to your artwork, this guide will help you master the art of drawing adorable chibi scenes.
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Inbetweens: A Graphic Novel
by Faith Erin Hicks
Four starred reviews A new tween graphic novel by bestselling author Faith Erin Hicks. Perfect for fans of Sweet Valley Twins and Ride On Twin sisters Ash and Sloane are headed to animation camp--where their courage, drive, and sisterly bond will be put to the test Twin sisters Sloane and Ash are two peas in a pod, and they do everything together: watch movies, attend classes, and most importantly, draw So when the summer animation classes of their dreams are about to start, they can barely contain their excitement Well...Ash is excited but Sloane is surprised to find she isn't as jubilant about it, which makes no sense, since she loves art. Meanwhile, Ash discovers that just because you love something, doesn't mean you'll automatically be good at it, and she struggles under the weight of her own expectations and those of her teacher's. Soon, the trials of challenging classwork and new friendships drive a wedge between the twins. Can their bond survive the summer?
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A Comic Book History of the Big Bang and Beyond
by Anna Claybourne
Here's a simple, easy-to-understand chronicle of Earth's long history - 4.5 billion years, to be exact. Starting with the big bang and ending 66 million years ago with the extinction of the dinosaurs, comic book-style panels cover all the highlights in the evolution of Earth: the formation of the solar system, why our sun is so important, where our moon came from, how life developed on Earth and, of course, everyone's favorite prehistoric creatures, dinosaurs! Readers will learn the fascinating science behind our amazing planet's origins, one entertaining comic strip at a time. Award-winning author Anna Claybourne's high-energy text combined with Rikus Ferreira's richly colored, detailed artwork make Earth's progression through time feel like an epic journey. Humorous comments in speech bubbles from characters of all types - animal, plant and human - draw readers in to explore the topics. Loads of details about each time period are included, and a red bar denoting the period appears on the top right of each spread to help orient readers along the way. Featuring several favorite topics as well as many life- and earth-science curriculum links, this graphic nonfiction book has huge appeal for science- and history-loving kids. There's an extensive glossary containing terms encountered in the book.
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Midsummer Sisters (a Graphic Novel)
by Niki Smith
Kenzie and Quinn aren't just stepsisters -- they're best friends. They're spending the summer with their grandmother, kayaking in the marshy coastal islands she calls home. The Outer Banks are also home to a herd of wild ponies, and the girls fall in love with a fragile newborn foal that they name Starling. But even blue skies and sandy beaches can't distract from what's going on back home. Things between their parents aren't the way they used to be, and the constant fights have left Kenzie and Quinn anxious and confused. They can't remember a time when they weren't a family. If their parents divorce and Quinn and her mom move away, will they even still be sisters... or will they be nothing? As their world shifts around them, the girls swear to do the one thing they can: keep Starling safe. Award-winning cartoonist Niki Smith delivers a stunning story set during a summer of change. Filled with gorgeous and expressive illustrations, Midsummer Sisters is a celebration of the beauty of wild horses, as powerful as the unbreakable bond between sisters.
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Journey to Tomioka: A Graphic Novel
by Laurent Galandon
For fans of This Was Our Pact and Hayao Miyazaki films comes a breathtaking graphic novel about siblings who risk everything to return their grandmother's ashes to her home inside the Fukushima Exclusion Zone. Osamu hasn't been the same since that day. When the tsunami hit Fukushima prefecture, it killed his parents, destroyed his home, and triggered one of the world's worst nuclear disasters. Now, all Osamu has left is his grandmother, B-chan, and his big sister, Akiko. As he withdraws into his own world, he befriends friends ykai--spirits only he can see. Then, tragedy strikes again, and B-chan dies. Osamu and Akiko are determined to return her ashes to their family farm in Tomioka, a town within Fukushima's forbidden zone. There, the siblings will face dangerous radiation and ykai, both friendly and deadly--but they're willing to risk it all to make it home.
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Minnie Pouches in the Microrealm
by Caleb Goellner
Minnie is super-strong and super-anxious... but she'll have to journey through the MicroRealm to save her best friends: her five pets! Her parents are famous scientists and multiverse travel influencers...but Minnie Pouches hates being on camera. She feels too big, too shy, and too nervous. She can't even finish an important middle school project! One day, when the pressure becomes too much, Minnie rage-quits her parents' show and activates her stylish fanny pack to disappear into the MicroRealm. Now, far from home, she'll dance through encounters with greasy pizza dinosaurs, angry laser robots, and toothy pool floats to push past her fears, find her missing pets, and save the entire family. Crack open new worlds of adventure in this all-new graphic novel from Eisner-winner Caleb Goellner (TMNT/Naruto, Ghost Cage) and Eric Lide (Sonic the Hedgehog, DragonForged: Sword of the Champion).
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