Category:

Today we’re spotlighting Good Luck, Babe! by Erin Baldwin!

Read on for more about the author, the book, plus enter the giveaway!

 

 

 

About the Author: Erin Baldwin

Erin Baldwin is a Filipino American author who writes vivid diverse stories that will leave you in happy tears. She lives in New Jersey with her partner and their two wonderful cats who’ve transcended the need for names. Her debut, Wish You Weren’t Here, was released in 2024. Good Luck, Babe! is her sophomore novel. You can visit Erin Baldwin at ErinBWrites.com.

Website * Instagram * TikTok

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Book: Good Luck, Babe!

 In Erin Baldwin’s new YA romance novel, fake dating isn’t just complicated–it’s competitive.

 

“Good Luck, Babe! is nothing short of iconic . . . this book is fun and honest and relatable in the best way.” —Rachael Lippincott, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Five Feet Apart and She Gets the Girl

Reality TV enthusiasts Noelle and Yumi spent ten years attached at the hip—until the summer after junior year. One ill-fated night (and one awkward kiss) ended their friendship, and after a year of no contact, fate throws the girls back together when they’re offered a last-minute spot on their favorite show—an Amazing Race analog called The Adventureverse.

It’s a chance to put their superfan status to the test, a dream come true. Except for a few snags: It’s an all-couples season, filming starts in two days, and Noelle hasn’t spoken to her “girlfriend” in a year. But Noelle already has plans to use the prize money on her ailing father’s medical expenses. She would do anything for him—including fake date her ex-bestie on national television.

Can Noelle walk a tightrope between reality and TV while juggling a pretend relationship and true feelings? Or will she get sent home empty-handed and brokenhearted?

Purchase * Goodreads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Excerpt~

 

Chapter 1

PREVIOUSLY ON

Twin flames. Platonic soulmates.

Too long; didn’t read: I had a crush on her. Obviously.

I mean, obvious in retrospect. At the time, I had fully convinced myself that getting secret matching quote tattoos with a girl you’d take a bullet for was unquestionably straight behavior.

To be fair, I didn’t know liking girls was, like, a thing I could do.

But apparently, I could. Intensely. And I did it for several years without even trying. I didn’t know my own strength, I guess.

Once I realized it, every intimate moment afterward felt like a betrayal. I was experiencing, as they say, queer panic. When Yumi talked about the people she liked, when she gave me a hug,

when we shared a spoon: panic. The problem wasn’t that I was super into girls and their pretty faces, it was that I was into a girl who trusted me not to be into her. I felt like an enemy spy anytime

we closed the door to her room or shared a pillow fort. I was too guilty to make a move on her, too weak to set boundaries, and too selfish to give up our friendship.

Because that’s what it would have been—the end of our friendship. Yumi maintains a scorched-earth policy for her exes— once she’s done with someone, she’s done. No matter how close they were before dating, no matter how amicable the breakup, it didn’t matter. Dating Yumi was a recipe for ruin. And this wasn’t just any other friendship; Yumi was my person. That’s not the

type of thing you torpedo because of some crush. Not if you’re smart, anyway.

My delusion was a monument I’d built over years, quiet yearning that snowballed until one single crack set off an avalanche: the finale of The Adventureverse Season 23. Our favorite team had just

won, which almost never happens. High on the adrenaline of Gabby and Christian’s win, I couldn’t help it; I turned to her and said, “Let’s film our audition.”

There had never been a question in our joint mind about whether or not we wanted to be on TV. The decision was made from the moment we saw our first confessional. I was immediately engrossed by the big personalities and even bigger drama.

We loved it.

And that’s what we told the camera, prostrate on her bedroom floor with our feet in the air; a tableau at the Altar of Reality. Yumi’s eye shadow shimmering every time she blinked, the smell

of Earl Grey tea on her breath. A laugh so deep in my body that it felt like it could turn into a sob at any moment. The impossible heat of her leg pressed into mine as we hit submit on the application

form. An overwhelming stillness that surrounded us like

break in case of emergency glass.

You can’t put that shit back together once it’s shattered.

Her lips were soft. A little sticky from her lip gloss. And she made this noise, like a sigh. What comes next, I can only view out of the corner of my eye. It’s the kind of memory that sneaks up on

you in vulnerable silence. Even when you’re alone, it makes you cover your face.

“No. This is a bad idea.”

I flinch. If I could take that night back, I would.

I’ve been to more than my fair share of therapy sessions since my mom’s death. In the intervening years I learned—many times, because this is one of those lessons you just learn and learn and learn again—that people aren’t great at expressing themselves in the heat of the moment. Well, not people. Me. I’m not great at expressing myself in the heat of the moment.

I practically ran. I was driving away before “bad idea” finished

echoing off her bedroom walls, but when I got home and the dust settled, I texted her I was sorry. She didn’t answer.

For the entire summer, that’s how it went: I did therapy worksheets, I texted her, she didn’t answer. The Adventureverse’s Season 24 promo aired, I texted her, she didn’t answer. I journaled, I cried, I waited, I texted.

She didn’t answer.

A year went by.

A year went by.

She never answered.

So, that was it. Not with a bang but a whimper.

 

Good Luck, Babe! By Erin Baldwin

Copyright © 2026 by Viking Books for Young Readers. Reprinted with permission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: Good Luck, Babe!

Author: Erin Baldwin

Release Date: 6.23.2026

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

ISBN-13: 9780593622735

Genre: Young Adult Fiction,  Romance, LGBTQ+, Contemporary, Social Themes, Mental Illness, Reality TV, Fake Dating

Age Range: 12 and up

 

 

 

 

 

 

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*

Use the Rafflepress Form below to enter

*be sure to include complete mailing address for the second entry question to qualify to win*

Three (3) winners will receive a copy of Good Luck, Babe! (Erin Baldwin) ~ US ONLY!

 

No comments yet

We are excited to share a giveaway for CHECKING YOU OUT (Jennifer Chen)!

 

 

 

 

Meet the Author: Jennifer Chen

Jennifer Chen is a freelance journalist and the author of three young adult novels, Artifacts of an Ex, Hangry Hearts, and Checking You Out. Jennifer is a proud mentor for WriteGirl, a creative writing organization and a loving foster kitten mom. She lives in Los Angeles with her TV writer husband, twins, two pugs, and two cats named Gremlin and Taro. Follow her on Threads and Instagram at @jchenwriter.

Website * Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Book: CHECKING YOU OUT

XO, Kitty meets Dash & Lily in this rom com about two teens falling in love via letters left in their favorite library books – even if in real life they think they have nothing in common.

Lizzie Wei is a huge book nerd, and proud of it. And when she realizes there is a mysterious reader who has been checking out all of her favorite books from the library, she can’t help but get a crush on someone she’s never even met. Her friends make it their mission to find Lizzie’s long lost book soulmate and convince her to leave notes for her crush. But what if the person Lizzie is looking for, isn’t at all what she expects?

Dylan Lin loves reading, secretly anyway. Ever since a bullying incident at his last school, he’s hidden his love of fantasy novels, instead leaning into his jock persona. Now he’s the tennis team captain, runs every day, and actively avoids reading. So, when he decides to start volunteering at a kitten nursery, and his super cute co-volunteer Lizzie asks if he likes reading, he says no. He never expects the look of complete and utter disappointment on Lizzie’s face.

Lizzie is certain her secret crush isn’t Dylan. It can’t be! But when he accidentally makes an obscure reference to her favorite book during their volunteer shift, she’s not so sure anymore. Can Lizzie forgive Dylan for lying? And can Dylan be brave enough to be himself?

Jennifer Chen’s Checking You Out is a contemporary romance about being true to yourself and celebrating what you love, because you just might find the perfect person to share it with.

Purchase * Goodreads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: CHECKING YOU OUT

Author: Jennifer Chen

Release Date: 6/23/2026

Publisher: Wednesday Books

ISBN-10:  1250396123

ISBN-13: 9781250396129

Genre: YA / Romance / Asian American & Pacific Islander

Age Range: 13 – 18

 

 

 

 

 

 

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*

Use the Rafflepress Form below to enter

*Be sure to include a complete mailing address for the second entry question to qualify to win*

Three (3) winners will receive a copy of CHECKING YOU OUT (Jennifer Chen) ~ US ONLY!

 

No comments yet

Today we are very excited to share an interview with author DeAndra Davis!

Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Meet the Author: DeAndra Davis

DeAndra Davis is a neurodivergent, Jamaican-American author who lives in the swampy heat of Florida. Her debut All The Noise At Once follows an autistic main character as messy as she is. She loves 100%’ing video games and reading worlds more interesting than the one she lives in. She has too many kids, dogs, and songs from Wicked on her phone. She holds an MFA in Fiction from Florida International University. Her claim to fame is that her Florida man birthday headline features an alligator and a drive-thru and that is very on brand. DeAndra can be found on most socials @deandrawrites.

Website * Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Book: The Lovers, The Liars, and Me

A teen travels to Jamaica hoping to answer questions about her absent mother, only to discover more about her identity than she could have ever expected—and find herself caught up in an unexpected love triangle—in this dazzling young adult coming-of-age novel.

Jaliya Powell has never had a real adventure, a real boyfriend, or spoken up for herself. She’s never even been kissed. Despite being valedictorian of her high school class, Jaliya is used to fading into the background.

But this summer will be different.

This summer, Jaliya is visiting her uncle and his family in Jamaica. Under the guise of one last vacation before college, she plans to find out more about her estranged mother, whose absence has remained an unspoken mystery. But things have changed in the seven years since Jaliya last visited. Her cousin has his own life and is reluctant to let Jaliya in, her childhood crush has only gotten hotter and more unavailable, and her aunt and uncle aren’t everything she remembered, either. Then she meets India, who’s vibrant, gorgeous, and free-spirited. And who makes Jaliya feel something she’s never felt before.

While searching for traces of her mother across the island, Jaliya finds herself entangled in complicated relationships, tricky secrets, and a passionate new love. As she navigates this perfectly complicated summer, Jaliya must choose between who she has always been or who she hopes to become.

Purchase

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Author Chat~

 

YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write The Lovers, The Liars and Me?

Definitely my own experiences, which I think is true of so many authors, but also so many questions I was asking myself and wanted to answer. What does it mean to belong to a specific community or culture? What does it feel like to feel outside of that no matter how hard you try, or rather, to feel as though some within that culture would rather exclude you for whatever reason? How do we deal with abandonment?

I have had so many conversations, especially with others within the Caribbean diaspora about feelings of belonging and that weird line you walk when you’re a first-generation immigrant especially that is an experience that is hard to quantify and difficult to not feel othered by at times, from all sides. I really wanted to touch on that and reach out to other teens who are experiencing all the big feelings! Especially in a world that is so diverse as ours where so many move from their homes to new ones for a variety of reasons.

YABC: What research did you do to write The Lovers, The Liars and Me?

A lot of the research was personal, in terms of navigating my own memories and experiences, but also in talking to people like me. Other first-generation immigrants; queer BIPOC, immigrant, and Caribbeans; those who have dealt with an estranged parent. A lot of those conversations really helped me shape things so that it felt as authentic as possible without it just being a self-insert. I also spoke to other people, elders in Jamaica, my own mother, uncle, cousins. I wanted all the characters to feel alive and representative of a vibrant ecosystem of people.

One thing that is known in Jamaica is the saying, “Out of Many, One People” and I wanted to make that apparent in the characters in my book.

YABC: What new release books are you looking most forward to in 2026?

So many! Bound By Fury by Noelle Monet, There Are Ghosts Here by Adrienne Tooley, Natural Selection by Clare Edge, 72 Hours Of You by Darianne Schram, Wicked Endeavors by Kamilah Cole, The Gravewood by Kelly Andrew and Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alechia Dow are a few!

YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?

Recently, I read An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole and I am beyond obsessed! I also read An Ocean Apart by Jill Tew, Hazelthorn by C.G. Drews, and I Am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew and they changed my brain chemistry.

 

YABC: Which was the most difficult scene to write in The Lovers, The Liars and Me?

Without spoilers, I think the scene where Jaliya and her cousin are more open with each other and the parts of themselves they’ve been hiding. Especially for her cousin. He is very real in that scene, about the dangers for him and his secret, he’s so vulnerable, and I really wanted to handle the scene with a lot of care because it’s a difficult conversation that both can be beautiful because of the connection happening, but also hard because I am critiquing something important about a country and culture I belong to and love despite the flaws I see within it.

YABC: What can readers expect to find in your book?

Hmm, ice cream and break-ins! Love triangles and never have I ever. Swimsuits and hospital heists. Tarot cards and found family. Kisses and concerts. Family and figuring out what the heck to do after high school, ha!

YABC: What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from The Lovers, The Liars and Me?

The biggest thing I hope people come away with is what I wanted Jaliya to come away with. I say that because, we will all get out of a book what we want, and I don’t typically go in trying to teach the reader something, but more try to figure out what my character needs to know.

For her, and I hope for you, the most basic answer is: You’re enough, even when you don’t feel like it, even when no one else affirms it, even when you don’t fit in, even when you haven’t figured yourself out. You’re enough in every room you enter. You’re enough at every stage of your life. If anyone makes you feel like you need to earn your place or worth in their life, you don’t. Don’t ever convince yourself of less.

YABC: What is your favorite holiday or tradition and why?

Halloween: I dress up as anime character every year and it is just one of my favorite things to do. I’m a professor and I show up to teach in character. When I dressed up as bakugo, I told my students they had to address me as Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight or not at all. All day. I was not ashamed. Ha!

Also, Christmas: I have a ton of traditions I have built up over the years, so I love the expectation of those things. Elaborate cups of hot chocolate, tree decorating with my kids, baking cookies, board games. I just love it.

YABC: What is your favorite writing space?

My desk! Only because for a long time I didn’t have one and I wrote in bed or on the couch. Now I have a designated space and I love it so much. It’s cozy and it lights up and it’s very much me.

YABC: Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?

The Trevor Project means a lot to me and is so needed for LGBTQIA+ youth. I think, especially in times when things are trying, these are the organizations that we need to continue to support.

Outside of that, I am always speaking about the Autistic Self Advocacy Network as well. This book may not be autistic, but I still think it’s so important to support autistic people whenever you can, especially now. 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: The Lovers, The Liars, and Me
Author: DeAndra Davis
ISBN-13: 9781665952682
ISBN-10: 1665952687
On-sale date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Imprint: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Ages: 14 and up
Grades: 9 and up

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ Giveaway Details ~

Use the Rafflepress Form below to enter

*Be sure to include a complete mailing address for the second entry question to qualify to win*

Three (3) winners will receive a copy of The Lovers, The Liars, and Me (DeAndra Davis) ~US Only (No P.O. Boxes)!

 

 

1 comment

Happy Summer!

We here at YA Books Central are looking to help you keep cool. We’ve teamed up with wonderful publishers to organize a great giveaway to make it happen!   

Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. – Jenny Han

Author: Pooja Makhijani

Publisher: Rocky Pond Books

Release Date: 6/23/26

Asha becomes a big sister and a big help to her parents when Mama struggles to find energy after the baby’s birth. This touching and meaningful story will reassure families who are experiencing the hardship of postpartum depression.

Asha loves baby Maya, and she’s so happy to be a big sister. But Mama seems sad. Asha hears her whisper to Papa, “I can’t do this.” And hears Papa on the phone to Dadi and Nani, asking them to come. The next day, the two grandmothers arrive, ready to tidy and cook and comfort. “Will Mama feel better?” Asha asks Nani. “I believe she will,” Nani answers. “Especially with our help.”

This honest and empathetic story sheds light on a common challenge, providing young children and their parents with the knowledge and reassurance they need.

Order link

Title: My First Seek and Learn: At Home / Mi primer busca y aprende: en casa

Author: Workman Publishing

Publisher: Workman Kids

Release Date: 6/9/26

The first book in a series for eager learners, My First Seek & Learn: At Home is a bilingual vocabulary-building picture book with the fun of “seek and find” combined with learning important first words in English and en español.  

My First Seek & Learn: At Home helps preschoolers build their bilingual vocabulary about their favorite topic: themselves and their environment! Featuring 12 full-color scenes from inside and around the home, kids search for 10 or more items per page while learning essential everyday words in English and Spanish. Kids practice key vocabulary words inside the kitchen (la cocina), the bathroom (el baño), the living room (la sala), and in lots of other places throughout the family’s adorably illustrated home.

El primer libro de una nueva serie para estudiantes entusiastas, Mi Primer Busca Y Aprende: En Casa es un libro ilustrado bilingüe que desarrolla vocabulario con la diversión de “buscar y encontrar” y el aprendizaje de las primeras palabras importantes en español y en inglés. 

Mi Primer Busca Y Aprende: En Casa ayuda a los niños de preescolar a desarrollar su vocabulario bilingüe sobre su tema favorito: ¡ellos mismos y su entorno! Con 12 escenas a todo color del interior y alrededor de la casa, los niños buscan 10 o más objetos por página mientras aprenden palabras esenciales del día a día en español y inglés. Los niños practican palabras fundamentales del vocabulario dentro de la cocina (the kitchen), el baño (the bathroom), la sala (the living room), y en muchos otros lugares de la casa familiar.

Order link

Title: Whiz Kids: Human Body
Author: Ellen Philpott

Publisher: Workman Kids

Release Date: 8/25/26

Get hands on with STEM! Filled with surprises that keep young learners engaged, this interactive novelty board book explores the fascinating world inside the human body.

What’s going on inside our bodies? How do we move, eat, think, and breathe? Curious toddlers will love looking inside the human body to discover the answers with this engaging novelty board book.

Seven novelty spreads, plus a novelty element on the cover, help satisfy children’s curiosity about how their bodies work. Lift the flap to explore the digestive system, spin the wheel to move the skeleton, pull the lever to reveal the nervous system, and more!

With bright, colorful illustrations and sturdy moving pieces, this book is a perfect gift and a valuable addition to a child’s library.

Order link

Title: Actual Factual Files: Outer Space
Author: Ali Adams

Publisher: Workman Kids

Release Date: 6/16/26

Dig into the this exciting book and become an expert on everything astronomy, from planets and constellations to stars and space travel. Clever design, engaging text, and easy-to-understand explanations will make amateur astronauts out of any elementary reader.  

Actual Factual Files: Outer Space, the second book in a new series, helps elementary readers become know-it-alls about outer space. This friendly, fascinating, and full-of-facts book has supportive features to make learning about space accessible to any kid who loves reading non-fiction, is looking for a source for a school or book report, or wants an engaging series they can’t put down.

With short chapters, informative illustrations, and a glossary in the back, kids will stay engaged as they learn all about planets, galaxies, black holes, astronauts, the future of space travel, and more.

Order link

Author: Michael Slack

Publisher: Tundra Books / Penguin Random House Canada

Release Date: June 9, 2026

Meet the Funjeepups, three curious and adorable woodland critters, in this “first comic” picture book series from the creator of Kitties on Dinosaurs!

In this story, Button, Dot and Dollop get a music lesson from a feathery friend!

Button, Dot and Dollop love exploring the magical forest they live in. They love vine swinging. They love guppie bumping. They love making nature art. But what they love most is returning home after an exciting day of adventuring.

When out on a morning walk, the Funjeepups spot a friendly bird who sings them a beautiful song — which inspires the Funjeepups to create their own song. But unfortunately, they can’t play any instruments! Thankfully, their feathery friend is there to lend a helping wing.

Young readers will be inspired to create their own song alongside the Funjeepups in this light and funny picture book series by Michael Slack!

Order link: Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song by Michael Slack, Hardcover | Barnes & Noble®

Title: Feeling Good! (Cabin Head and Tree Head, Book #2)

Author: Scott Campbell

Publisher: Tundra Books / Penguin Random House Canada

Release Date: August 4, 2026

HELLO AGAIN, READER HEADS! Cabin Head and Tree Head are BACK in this second volume of the lovable, laugh-out-loud graphic novel series about a best friend duo like no other! It’s Frog and Toad meets Bill and Ted for a new generation of readers — and best buddies of all ages.

Book 2 includes 6 hilarious adventures in a wonderfully off-the-wall universe where everyone has something on their head! Includes bonus content: Storytime with Library Head, Notable Spots with Tour Bus Head and Sandcastle Building with Sandcastle Head.

Cabin Head and Tree Head return for some “sunny day relaxing” and are ready to experience the joys of the beach, alone time, getting in strong shape, rewarding their accomplishments (like breathing) and other important activities (like posing and lying down).

Yes, they are feeling good! And so are their equally unforgettable buddies — Pool Party Head, Little Brick Head, Gym Head — and so many more! Let’s go feel good with all the Heads!

Order link: Feeling Good! (Cabin Head and Tree Head, Book #2) by Scott Campbell, Hardcover | Barnes & Noble®

Title: Toad on the Go

Author: Jashar Awan

Publisher: Tundra Books / Penguin Random House Canada

Release Date: June 16, 2026

Hop back on the road with Toad! In this fun-fueled follow-up to the Geisel Honor award-winning picture book Towed by Toad, from Caldecott Medal honoree Jashar Awan, Toad discovers that everyone makes mistakes, even tow truck drivers! For fans of Little Blue Truck and Frog and Toad.

Little ones. Big ones. Everyone makes mistakes . . . even Toad!

Toad and his tow truck are on the go, racing to the rescue of anyone who needs help on the road. But still, Toad always obeys the rules and NEVER makes mistakes. He waits patiently for the green light. Wait for it . . . wait for it . . . GO! . . . Uh oh.

What happens when Toad does make a mistake? After all, everyone makes mistakes — what really matters is how you fix them!

Order link: Toad on the Go by Jashar Awan, Hardcover | Barnes & Noble®

Title: David’s Diary #1: The Summer Camp Disaster

Author: Bunmi Laditan

Publisher: WaterBrook Children’s

Release Date: Jun 30, 2026

Meet David Jesse King, a precocious nine-year-old whose first time at church camp is turning out to be not-so-fun, in this hilarious, highly illustrated new chapter book series from bestselling author Bunmi Laditan.

David is absolutely thrilled to be at a real, honest-to-goodness, actual sleepaway camp! He can’t wait to jump into the lake, climb an oak tree, see a brown bear, fly down the mountain on the zip line—it’s going to be the best week of David’s life!

But when another kid dumps a huge bowl of chocolate pudding on him, David’s first time at church camp is ruined. Can he fix things by getting revenge? Or is there another way for David to still have a fun week?

The Summer Camp Disaster is the first book in the new David’s Diary series, starring a neurodivergent kid whose good intentions often get him into trouble! Written in diary entries, each title will include engaging four-color illustrations on almost every page.

And don’t miss book two in the David’s Diary series, The Science Fair Sabotage, set to also release on June 30, 2026!

Order link

Title: Chichi and Didi Find Their Gifts

Author: Peace Amadi and Ndidi Amadi

Publisher: WaterBrook Children’s

Release Date: Jul 28, 2026

A heartwarming picture book that encourages exploration, patience, and the joy of finding one’s true passion from the team behind Chichi and Didi Love Their Names.

Summer is here and Chichi and Didi are off to piano class! But while Chichi plays beautifully, Didi has trouble finding her groove. Playing piano is boring—she wants to move!

With the help of her family, Didi goes on a quest to figure out which activity she’s perfectly designed and gifted to do. But what if she’s not good at anything?”

Inspired by the childhood experiences of real-life Nigerian American sisters Peace Amadi and Ndidi Amadi, Chichi and Didi Discover Their Gifts will teach readers:

• how exploring different interests can help them understand their own likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses
• to be patient with themselves and to understand that it’s okay if they don’t find their perfect fit right away
• the joy and satisfaction that comes from discovering something you are passionate about

Order link

Title: When I Thank God

Author: Matthew Paul Turner

Publisher: Convergent Children’s

Release Date: Aug 18, 2026

A vibrant, adventurous exploration of how thanking God and others brings wonderful gifts to our own lives, from the bestselling author and illustrator of When God Made You

I’ll ask God to help me see
What being thankful really means.
To help me know how gratitude grows
And in my life is seen.

Written in Matthew Paul Turner’s signature rhyming style, When I Thank God helps kids understand the benefits of showing gratitude to God and others. Not only does it recognize everything God gives us and show love to the people God sends to bless us, but it does beautiful and amazing things in our own lives and hearts.

’Cause when I thank God
A change happens in me,
And I might get a glimpse of all I can be.

Order link

Title: Tajin and the Twelve Thunders

Author: Magaly Morales

Publisher: Abrams Books

Release Date: 6/2/26

A mischievous boy tricks the 12 thunder gods in order to create the first hurricanes in Magaly Morales’s debut author-illustrated picture book, a retelling of a Mexican folktale

Tajín is a fun-loving child full of energy and mischief. When his antics prove too rough for even the monkeys of the forest, he’s sent to the pyramid of Los Nichos.

There live the Twelve Thunders, who, with their sweeping capes, thunderous boots, and flashing swords, make the weather. For a time, the boy is on his best behavior while in their service . . . but all too soon, he yearns to join the Thunders in the sky.

Based on a popular Mexican myth, Tajín and the Twelve Thunders is the origin story of how the first hurricanes were created—with the help of one mischievous little boy.

Order link

Title: SHY

Author: Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, illustrator- Eva Byrne

Publisher: Abrams Books

Release Date: 8/11/26

From New York Times bestselling mother-daughter duo Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton and bestselling illustrator Eva Byrne comes an empowering tale of finding your voice—starring a shy puppy who discovers the magic of music

Shy is the smallest and quietest pup at the shelter. The world feels big, loud, and a bit scary to her sweet and gentle soul.

But when a man with kind eyes brings her home, she feels safe with her new best friend—and keeps him company while he practices at his piano. Beautiful, unfamiliar sounds dance in the air when the piano man plays, and something inside her begins to stir.

The piano man has an important performance ahead—but it may be a performance no one, especially the piano man, ever expected.

Inspired by Julie Andrews’s real-life “singing” dog, this uplifting picture book invites readers to find their voice and share their talents with the world.

Order link

Title: Princess in Black Trick or Treating Trouble

Author: Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Release Date: 7/7/2026

Where is the real Princess in Black? A case of hilarious costume confusion leads some neighborhood trick-or-treaters to discover their inner heroes thanks to the power of a good disguise.

It’s a dark and silly night, and Princess Magnolia is wearing her Princess in Black cape and mask over her clothes—just enough to pass as a Halloween costume in a hurry. She can’t wait to go trick-or-treating! This year, Princess in Black costumes are popular, and so are monster disguises, like the little orange guy with horns yelling “GOAT!” as the kids shout “trick or treat!” When the little monster devours an onion, however, along with an eraser and a bar of soap (not to mention a rock), and as he politely asks for a goat at each door, it’s clear to Princess Magnolia that something isn’t quite right. And—oh no—the next house is Duff’s goat shack! With half of her monster-fighting outfit at home, who can come to the poor critters’ rescue? Halloween hijinks meet high-spirited heroics in a special Princess in Black adventure that’s a treat all around.

Order Link

Title: Monsters Play… Hide and Seek!

Author: Flavia Z. Drago

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Release Date: 7/14/2026

Come out, come out, wherever you are! A monstrously sweet lift-the-flap book from the acclaimed creator of Gustavo, the Shy Ghost is perfect for Halloween—or any day.

One, two, three, four, five! Buster, are you hiding behind the plant pots? No, it’s Jack O’Lantern, watering his mandrakes! Are you hiding under the bed? No, it’s Max the monster, looking for his lost yellow sock! Kids will happily lift the flaps to peek in the window, look in the shower, open the closet, or spy in the fridge and be surprised by friendly characters going about their day. With a fun interactive element and bright, cheery illustrations, Flavia Z. Drago weaves in cameos by characters from prior books to make this a memorable game of hide-and-seek for old fans and new friends.

Order Link 

Title: Off the Wall

Author: Juana Martinez-Neal and Molly Idle

Publisher: Holiday House Press, Neal Porter Books

Release Date: 8/4/2026

A story about art, collaboration, and happy accidents from your favorite duo of Caldecott Honorees, Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal.

Best friends Juana Martinez-Neal and Molly Idle know a thing or two about collaborative art. After teaming up to illustrate Julie Fogliano’s I Don’t Care, they set out to explore what it takes to make stuff together!

Off the Wall is a joyful celebration of that very process. The day begins with one little girl, alone with a wall and a bucket of chalk. Then a friend comes along to play tic-tac-toe. Before you can say “look out!”, there are five friends, a cat, a dog, and a splattered ice cream cone. Chalk is flying, hands are getting dirty, and the art on the wall gets bigger and, more importantly, better.

Little artists and creative types of all ages will delight in the messmaking of a story that builds and builds to reveal what true friends make when they create together. Off the Wall reminds readers of the magic that happens when we play, experiment, and welcome the unexpected.

Order Link

Title: The Thing About Pie

Author: Amy Hest

Publisher: Holiday House Press, Neal Porter Books

Release Date: 8/25/2026

As homey as its subject, a sweet tribute to America’s favorite dessert and the love that gets baked into it.

This is just about the perfect day: a morning in the kitchen baking, a bike ride across town with a fresh pie in the basket, and Grampa waiting to share warm slices in the park.

Three-time Christopher Award winner Amy Hest narrates in the second person, allowing young readers to identify with the protagonist’s burgeoning independence—taking the lead in the kitchen and center stage at a picnic.

Illustrator Christopher Thornock renders these simple joys, unplugged and screen-free, in warm, sunlight-washed tones. The Thing About Pie is the perfect book to share at bedtime, circle time, or in the park with a snack.

Order Link

Title: Allie and the 100 Percent Perfect, Frustration-Free Day!

Author: Megan Wagner Lloyd

Publisher: Peachtree Press

Release Date: 7/28/2026

Allie is a little alpaca with big dreams: to make sure that each day is absolutely perfect in absolutely every way. That doesn’t seem too much to ask . . . does it?

Allie greets each day with a grin. This, she tells herself, is a NEW day. A promising day. And it will be a 100 PERCENT PERFECT, FRUSTRATION-FREE day!

Too bad reality doesn’t cooperate. Determined to master multiple skills, from tying her shoes to drawing an amazing picture to baking incredible cookies, Allie fails again and again, stomping and groaning and grumbling and moaning. Intent upon perfection, Allie misses a lot of fun along the way. Fortunately, little brother Alfie is there to remind her to laugh at herself and enjoy the process of getting to be pretty good. But not perfect.

Sometimes finding the funny can make everything feel just a little more sunny. And some days can feel just about perfect, regardless of what happens.

Order Link

 

 

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS* 

One winner will receive a copy of each title from the Summer Buzzworthy Book Giveaway 2026 (Kids)! ~US ONLY

*Click the Rafflepress link below to enter the giveaway*

2 comments

Happy Summer!

We here at YA Books Central are looking to help you keep cool. We’ve teamed up with wonderful publishers to organize a great giveaway to make it happen!   

Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. – Jenny Han

Title: ALICE PIPER SPEAKS UP

Author: Sage Andrew Romero and Loralee Sepsey

Publisher: Heyday Books

Release Date: 6/2/26

Volume 3 in the acclaimed Fighting for Justice Series for young readers: the story of a Native teenager’s history-making fight for equal education.

Alice Piper just wanted to go to public school. The year was 1923, and Alice, a Native Paiute (Nuwuvi) teenager in California, dreamed about learning from teachers, making new friends, and being respected for who she was. So when the school board refused to let her and six other Native students attend, she decided to speak up, and she sued for her right to an equal education. Alice Piper Speaks Up, the first book dedicated to this major champion of civil rights, features new research into Alice’s life and court case. Each chapter begins with lyrical verse and full-color illustrations that invite readers into Alice’s story. Paired with the poems are visually engaging sections filled with keyword definitions, historical context, timelines, primary sources, and questions that help readers relate Alice’s experience to their own lives. The text connects Alice’s case to larger themes about education, Native rights, and movements for school desegregation across the United States. The third book in Heyday’s widely acclaimed Fighting for Justice series, Alice Piper Speaks Up shows how one teen’s action resonates throughout America’s history, even now.

Order link

Title: Ask the Doctor

Author: Betty Choi, M.D.

Publisher: Storey Publishing

Release Date: 8/4/26

From boogers to bruises, real-life pediatrician Betty Choi answers curious kids’ questions about the weird and amazing ways our bodies work.

What do the colors of my boogers mean when I have a cold? If I hold my pee too long, could my bladder explode? Why do bruises change color? Kids have so many pressing questions about the stuff their bodies do and what happens when they’re sick. Pediatrician Betty Choi gives honest answers to 53 curious questions in this kid-friendly Q&A, with easy-to-follow, fun comics by illustrator Jannie Ho. Topics range from “Grub, Guts, and Glorious Waste” to “Silly Senses” and “Coughs, Colds, and Conundrums.” In the process, Dr. Choi shows kids how amazing and resilient their bodies really are and that doctors are here to help.

Readers will:

• Engage with quirky and colorful comic illustrations
• Explore the major systems of the body in a fun Q&A format
• Learn how the body heals and how to care for the body

Order link

Title: Who Got Game? Football

Author: Derrick D. Barnes

Publisher: Workman Kids

Release Date: 8/18/26

Welcome to the the Super Bowl of sports history books, the G.O.A.T. of the storytelling shelf, the most entertaining football book you’ll ever read, from New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Honor winner Derrick D. Barnes.  

Football rules America. It’s the favorite child (like you), it’s the teacher’s pet, it’s the grandkid that Granny bakes all of the cakes, cookies, and pies for. But while you might know all the latest, do you know the GREATEST? The players, coaches, change agents, and all-out legends who made the National Football League what it is today? We’re talking about Tom Brady—the sixth-round quarterback, passed up by every team in the league, who ended up becoming the G.O.A.T. Joe Horn, who hid a cell phone in the goalpost and used it after he scored a touchdown—because he was that confident he could get to the end zone. Jim Thorpe, Peyton Manning, Orlando Jones, Mel Blount They’re all here for you to discover.

If you consider yourself a football fan, get ready for the names, games, stats, records, and far-out facts that you couldn’t possibly get anywhere else. Have you ever heard of Fritz Pollard or Anthony Muñoz? Did you know that one of the greatest defensive backs of all time is part of the reason the passing game expanded in the NFL? And can you believe that the biggest comeback in NFL history was led by a backup quarterback? By the time you’re finished with this book, you’ll have an advanced degree in football facts. So get ready to flip through the pages, take meticulous notes, and highlight those amazing stories and hard-to-believe facts that will make your buddies crown you a football genius … because you are. Game time, baby!

Order link

Title: Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories 2

Author: Jeff Kinney

Publisher: Abrams Books

Release Date: 8/11/26

Rowley Jefferson is back with another book in his Awesome Friendly series—Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories 2—which is even more hilariously terrifying than the first!

Fans of Greg Heffley and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney get a chance to dive into the twisted, unexpectedly hilarious world of Rowley’s imagination.

In this second tome of Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories, you’ll encounter monstrous insects, the Grim Reaper as a boy, and a lost pinkie that’s searching for its owner. But reader beware—while these stories are sidesplittingly funny, they’ll still give you a delightful fright!

See the Wimpy Kid World in a whole new way with the #1 bestselling Awesome Friendly books, told from the perspective of Greg Heffley’s best friend Rowley Jefferson: Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson’s Journal | Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure | Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories | Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories 2

Order link

Title:  Fear Files: Hide and Seek

Author: Christopher Edge

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Release Date: 7/14/2026

Coming to find you, ready or not!

The first title in a brand new middle-grade horror series by the award-winning author Christopher Edge.

Nobody knows who started the Darkive. It’s a database filled with first-hand accounts of strange, unexplained experiences. Ghosts; paranormal entities; weird anomalies. Each one is stored with a bank of evidence to prove the story. Are you ready to dive in?

Adam didn’t think his summer holiday could get any worse. His camping trip with his best friend, Sol, seems to be doomed. They’ve been arguing, and now they find themselves in a strange, abandoned town, where they are told to take part in a game of hide-and-seek. But the rules are hard to follow. And who, or what, are they hiding from?

Order Link

Title: The Thing About Giants

Author: Christopher Galvin

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Release Date: 6/9/2026

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.

Thirteen-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, and Misneach, his overgrown badger. 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 their people know. With captivating world-building and rich characters, debut author Christopher Galvin offers an engrossing and thought-provoking tale.

Order Link

Title: Sama Crushes the Code

Author: Samaira Mehta

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Release Date: 7/14/2026

Big-thinking Sama loves coding, but is she skilled enough to fit in at Tech Club? This is a playful and STEM-rich story inspired by the real life of its seventeen-year-old author.

Sama’s starting middle school! Maybe Tech Club will be a good place to fit in. She’s into solving problems, building clever machines, and collecting beautiful data, plus her friend Nancy has given her a cool book on coding. But everyone at Tech Club is already so good at coding—will Sama’s contributions be enough for her to be included in the Code Crusher championship? Sama proposes a project to help a stressed-out bus driver develop a time-saving route, but the club leader thinks the coding isn’t complex enough. When Sama befriends new neighbor Zoe (who built her own hovercraft!), however, the two girls inspire each other, and soon Sama bounces back with a bunny-based board game that teaches kids how to code while having fun. Could this game be the key to getting to the championship? Precise coding vocabulary and examples are woven seamlessly into this lively story, based on the real-life computer science adventures of its author, young tech entrepreneur Samaira Mehta.

Order Link

Title: Secrets at Sparhawk Point

Author: Anna Rose Johnson

Publisher: Holiday House Press

Release Date: 8/25/2026

To draw tourists to their declining coastal town, a group of children claim to have seen a mythic creature from Ojibwe legend, the storm-monster Mishipeshu. But when their plan backfires, they’ll need to convince everyone the beast is only make-believe. But. . . what if it isn’t?

1943. Sparhawk Point, Michigan may be a small town, but it’s home. For the Swedish Ahlstrom girls, it’s the only place they’ve ever known—a place they may have to leave if their father’s church can’t find more parishioners. The Ojibwe Robicheaux boys are struggling, too: their father is off at war, and a lack of tourists means no income from their two rental cottages. These kids can’t bear the thought of leaving. . . so they’ll have to make new residents come to them, and fast.

After spotting an unknown object in the water, they find their solution. Drawing on inspiration from Ojibwe stories of the mysterious Mishipeshu—the riser of storms on Lake Superior—the children spread stories of their very own “American Loch Ness monster” to bring curious visitors to their shores. But their plan works too well! People become afraid to visit. To save their families, they’ll need to convince everyone that the creature isn’t real. . . even if that may prove to be their biggest lie yet.

Secrets at Sparhawk Point is a timeless summer adventure from acclaimed Ojibwe voice Anna Rose Johnson, whose first two books—The Star that Always Stays and The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry—have received an avalanche of awards, nominations, and media spots. This is another flawless, insightful, and glowing novel that marries a Native American perspective with myth, history, and a classic storytelling voice.

Order Link

Title: Sneaks

Author: Amy Tern

Publisher: Holiday House Press

Release Date: 7/7/2026

A missing child and an apartment that should be empty spur two tweens to solve an increasingly tangled neighborhood mystery in this page-turning middle grade debut.

This hijinks-heavy mystery, written in dual POV reads like Only Murders in the Building for tweens. Perfect for wannabe sleuths and nosy neighbors!

Valory has developed an unfortunate reputation as a thief—primarily because she steals things—though she has resolved to change her ways.

Rook is a total asparagus-eater (a.k.a. a good kid), but he likes to spy on his neighbors. Nobody’s perfect, right?

The twelve-year-olds form an unlikely alliance when they encounter suspicious behavior in an “empty” apartment across the alley from Rook’s house. While agoraphobia keeps home-schooled Rook trapped on his property, confident and street-smart Valory can roam the scene undetected. Their opposite personalities might, in fact, be key to their success.

But their amateur detective mission morphs into something more sinister when they realize the apartment next door could be connected to a recent kidnapping. When the sleuths realize they’re also being watched, the pressure is on to unmask the villain. . . before she snatches them, too.

Order Link

Title: Airrelle of the Maroon Witches

Author: Sumayyah Beck

Publisher: Holiday House Press

Release Date: 7/14/2026

Kiki’s Delivery Service meets Black Panther in this middle grade fantasy set in a richly imagined world where once-enslaved people have built an enchanted network of hidden witch communities.

Anyone can become a witch in Missen Dessalin. If you can find the Missen, that is. Some say the whole reason it was called a “Missen” is because it was a gathering place for those who wanted to stay missin’.

Twelve-year-old Airrelle Bookman, born and raised in Missen Dessalin by two witch parents, has been waiting for magic to call to her for years now. She just has to secure her four patron animals, complete four rites, master four skills, and pass the initiation ceremony. Then she’ll be a fully confirmed maroon witch, able to fly beyond the walls of the Missen as she pleases. Just like her parents, older siblings, and best friend Hosniya.

When the time for her trial finally seems to arrive, so do familial troubles and threats to the very safety and secrecy of Missen Dessalin itself. But an ordinary girl from beyond the protected walls of Missen, one who has grown up in our own tumultuous and unenchanted world, may just be the key to Airrelle’s troubles.

Informed by the history of maroon societies and inspired by the fantasy worlds of Studio Ghibli, Airrelle of the Maroon Witches is a beautiful coming-of-age story about a shy but resourceful girl discovering her own power.

Order Link

 

 

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS* 

One winner will receive a copy of each title from the Summer Buzzworthy Book Giveaway 2026 (MG)! ~US ONLY

*Click the Rafflepress link below to enter the giveaway*

Must include a complete US address to be eligible to win

 

5 comments

Happy Summer!

We here at YA Books Central are looking to help you keep cool. We’ve teamed up with wonderful publishers to organize a great giveaway to make it happen!   

Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. – Jenny Han

Title: Breakout

Author: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Release Date: 6/2/2026

Trapped at a luxurious resort off the coast of Florida, a group of elite teens are about to have a spring break they will never forget . . . but not all of them are coming home. The star-studded team of authors behind New York Times bestsellers Blackout and Whiteout returns with a thriller full of intrigue, betrayal, and heart-stopping romance.

For Thurgood Marshall Academy’s best and brightest–five friends who’ve been thick as thieves since kindergarten–this spring break is all about forgetting: they want nothing more than to wash away last year’s tragedy, and the human-shaped hole it left in their friend group.

It’s a hole the new kid, Anthony Brooks, seems to fit right into. So when he invites the Five to join him on a private island for a week at his dad’s luxury resort, they agree with zero hesitation. No one’s counting on a freak tropical storm swooping in and killing the vibe. And speaking of killing, they’re also ill-prepared for the mounting collection of dead bodies… including (another) one of their own.

As their dream trip unravels, everything they tried to leave behind–secrets, lies, betrayals, dead best friends–seems to be washing up on the shore of their lives for everyone to see. Will any of them make it out alive?

From the bestselling, award-winning team behind Blackout and Whiteout—Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon—comes a thriller that begs the question: is it possible to outrun the worst thing you’ve ever done?

• Murder-Mystery Meets Romance: Sparks fly and hearts collide over the course of one thrilling week. But can love survive when trust shatters and lives are on the line?
• Forced Proximity: Trapped on a private island, this close-knit group of friends are about to stretch tensions to the snapping point. There is no escape from danger or desire!
• Luxury With a Side of Lies: Be swept away by the glittering lifestyles of the one percent–and captivated by the intrigue and deadly secrets that lurk beneath their shimmering surfaces.

Order link

Title: Their Will Undone

Author: RJ Valideperas

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: 6/2/2026

A debut YA fantasy must-read for fans of The Winner’s Curse, What the River Knows, and This Woven Kingdom.

When a maiden is selected to marry the emperor, her journey to the palace will see her fighting both a spark of magical power and her growing feelings for her broody escort in this romantic fantasy duology opener, inspired by a true story from the Inca empire.

In Amaru, it is an honor to be chosen in the annual harvest and serve the gods’-favored emperor. Nina’s brother has already been chosen, but when the emperor’s men come a second time for her sister, Nina volunteers instead. She is taken to the acllahuasi, a gilded cage where women train to become servants or wives for the ruling class. It is there that a soldier comes to collect her, and Nina learns of her fate—to become a wife…to the emperor.

As the emperor’s trusted friend and soldier, Kasik is ordered to retrieve Nina and deliver her untouched. But the emperor’s betrothed is not as he expected. The distrust between Nina and Kasik is thicker than the trees surrounding them, and Kasik’s honor is put to the test when their path back to the capitol leads them into dangerous territory. Their lives and hearts are in peril as forbidden desires are unearthed, along with a stirring of dark magic in Nina that inexplicably ties her to the gods.

What begins as a simple task becomes a tense journey that forces Nina and Kasik to confront where their true loyalties lie—with the emperor and the fate of their people, or with the desires of their own hearts.

• Historical Inspiration: This story was inspired by the Inca Maiden of Llullaillaco.
• Betrothed’s Best Friend: When Nina arrives to the capital city, she’ll be married to the emperor of Amaru—who happens to be Kasik’s best friend.
• Forbidden Romance: Nina is engaged to the emperor. Kasik is a soldier in his army. Even so, they can’t deny the sparks that erupt between them.
• Forced Proximity: Nina and Kasik must work closely together to travel across the dangerous terrain leading to the capital.

Order link

Title: Medicine Wheels

Author: Byron Graves

Publisher: Heartdrum

Release Date: 6/2

The American Indian Youth Literature and Morris Award-winning author of Rez Ball returns with the unforgettable story of a gifted young Ojibwe athlete learning to ride in his father’s footsteps while practicing for a skateboarding championship.

When Bryce’s mom walks out on her abusive boyfriend and back into jail for breaking her probation, he’s left facing the summer of his junior year with no parents, no phone, and only the clothes on his back.

With nowhere to call home, Bryce crashes at his grandparents’ house on Wolf Creek reservation. Wolf Creek is full of memories and old friends—including Robbie and Mikayla, who hang out at the local skate park.

Skateboarding reminds Bryce of his late dad: carefree, riding like he could fly. If Bryce could learn to ride like that, he’d take his crew to the top of the skateboarding championship at the end of the summer, and finally prove he’s not a loser, especially to the online-famous, captivating Mikayla. Summer is looking up, even as he’s falling on his face.

But when a fresh loss takes Bryce down, he’ll need to learn to lean on his Ojibwe community to get back on the board. Only then can he discover his father’s real legacy—and the true meaning of unconditional love.

Order link

Title: Libertad

Author: Cassandra James

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Release Date: 6/16/2026

In this conclusion to a sweepingly epic seafaring romantasy duology—perfect for fans of Daughter of the Pirate King, Curious Tides, and The Hurricane Wars—Ximena Reale is trying to bring down an empire. But with her loyalties torn, she finds herself grappling with the true price of freedom…and love.

Alongside her sister, Ximena Reale now sails under the banner of the legendary pirate Gasparilla. But, between the bounty on “Gasparilla’s” head and the Empire’s renewed efforts to stomp out piracy, the sisters’ fellow pirates are suddenly wary of swearing allegiance to their cause.

After a betrayal in the one place they were supposed to be safe, Gasparilla’s crew hits the high seas again and Ximena is reunited with Cazador Dante de León. Her longtime rival has been tasked with capturing her, and Ximena doesn’t know if she can trust the information he’s feeding her about the empire’s plans to take over the Northern Archipelago’s silver mines. “Gasparilla” heads north to rob the robbers, but the Empire has a few nasty tricks up their sleeves—including putting a traitor in the pirates’ midst.

With the armada closing in, Ximena finds herself scrambling to protect the people she loves. The price of freedom is higher than it’s ever been—but is Ximena willing to pay, even if it costs her everything?

• The Pirate’s Life for Me: Since learning the truth about her family, Ximena has turned to piracy, just like her sister and parents did.
• Forbidden Romance: Dante is sworn to the Cazadores, hunters who track down pirates. Any feelings he had for Ximena are now strictly forbidden.
• Who to Trust: Though she might have feelings for Dante, Ximena isn’t sure if she can trust the information that he is feeding her.
• Seafaring Adventure: Ximena and her crew embark on another adventure to challenge the Luzan Empire.

Order link

Title: Winners & Liars

Author: Aleema Omotoni

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: 6/30/2026

Knives Out meets Death at Morning House in this thrilling standalone mystery layered with family secrets, the whitewashing of history, and a high-stakes literary competition for the keys to a Victorian-era English estate—from Aleema Omotoni, the NAACP Image Award-winning author of Everyone’s Thinking It.

Derin’s acceptance into Cambridge University is the end of an era—just not the one she expected.

When she and her ultra-competitive Uni prep group, the Kenfield Set, were first invited to Professor Darnley’s summer ball, they planned on celebrating the group’s success, surrounded by the riches of his historical Kenfield estate—not kicking off the festivities with the professor’s will reading.

But when the Darnleys’ aristocratic children are disinherited, the students are offered the opportunity of a lifetime: compete in a Victorian, literary-inspired inheritance competition to be named the new heir—winner takes all!

For Derin, it’s a chance to help her working-class family. But the remaining Darnleys won’t take losing their stately home and its multimillion-pound inheritance lying down. And added to the mix, a mysterious note is slipped under Derin’s door alluding to a dark family secret lying in wait.

Now Derin must balance the cutthroat games; scheming relatives; and a cute Kenfield intern amid her dawning realization that the history of this inheritance might be soaked in lies . . . and blood.

Order link

Title: THE RIVER SHE BECAME

Author: Emily Varga

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Release Date: 6/30/2026

A high stakes, action-packed romantasy from bestselling author Emily Varga where a relic-hunter searches for an ancient fae object to restore the magic to her world, but must learn to trust her own powers—and her heart.

This limited luxe edition features gorgeous foil design on the cover and case, a dazzling edge design and an exclusive map―available while supplies last!

I’m going across the River. And I’m going to save us all.

Yaseema is a brilliant scholar and loyal servant of the Empire—or so they think. By day, she catalogs the fae relics of her conquered kingdom. But by night, she reclaims the artefacts in secret to restore magic to her dying land.

Until she finds the long lost key to cross the River into the fae world and save her people. But a ruthless realm awaits her there, ruled by monsters wearing beautiful skin—especially the cold-eyed captain who sees through her lies. But even he isn’t what he seems—under the guise of upholding a cruel regime, he works to overthrow it from the inside. To succeed, he needs the same lost relic Yaseema seeks: the crown of an ancient Fae Queen.

With magic that is a mystery even to her, Yaseema can help him find the crown and save his family from a fate worse than death. Unless she steals it first to help her own.

To survive, they must work together to outwit ancient curses, battle creatures born of nightmares, and find a power that could resurrect their worlds. But as secrets unravel and loyalties blur, they face the greatest danger of all: losing their heart to each other.

Perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and The Mummy, this thrilling start to a new fantasy duology bursts with dangerous romance, heart-stopping twists, and a heroine who dares to steal back her future.

Order link

Title: HER SHARP EMBRACE

Author: Kate Koenig

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Release Date: 6/9/2026

The first in a sweeping queer fantasy duology set in a shimmering, New Orleans-inspired world.

In the glittering city of New Soleil, beauty masks danger at every turn. The Nightshades, a crew of magical outlaws, are no different. Their glamorous facades conceal the terror they strike into the hearts of the rich and powerful as they steal from the corrupt and fight for the forgotten.

Noa Toussaint fled her cossetted life as a Saint to join the Nightshades. Infatuated with their ferocious leader, Lennon, Noa aims to capture her heart and keep it. Her talent for alchemy is valuable, but her connection to her family puts all of the Shades in danger.

Now enemies are closer than Lennon knows and Noa must uncover the threat and keep them both alive. Because in a city where lies are lethal and magic is fading, secrets aren’t just costly—they’re deadly.

Order link

Title: Cursed Princess Club: Mirror, Mirror

Author: Michelle Knudsen

Publisher: Wattpad Books

Release Date: 6/23/26

For fans of Lambcat’s enchanting WEBTOON comes a novel adaptation series in the vein of Serena Valentino’s Disney Villains series or the Mariko Tamaki’s Lumberjanes novelization. Delve deeper into the world of the Cursed Princess Club.

Welcome to the world of the Cursed Princess Club where things aren’t quite as they seem.

Gwendolyn is a princess. She lives in a castle, her father is the king, and her siblings love her . . . it sounds like a fairy tale, yet it’s not that simple. Gwen isn’t your typical princess, and she isn’t conventionally attractive. But when she meets the members of the Cursed Princess Club, they help her recognize that not “fitting the mold” doesn’t make her less of a princess.

In this second book of the series, Prince Frederick is beginning to question if he deserves Gwen. She’s been so kind to him, but he hasn’t always been nice to her, and he’s starting to realize that appearances aren’t everything.

Meanwhile, Gwen is introduced to the Princels—princes who have shunned society because of their own insecurities, insecurities she can understand.

With the same charming and delightful heart as the comics, the adventures of Gwendolyn and the other Cursed Princesses continue in this novel series adapted by best-selling author Michelle Knudsen.

Order link

Title: Bite Me

Author: Alicia Wallace

Publisher: Wattpad Books

Release Date: 8/4/26

Perfect for readers of YA romantasy featuring enemies-to-lovers, vampires, and werewolves as well as readers looking for LGBTQ+ stories.

High school is hard enough—and for Kieran, being a seventeen-year-old vampire certainly doesn’t help. What starts as a typical day in art class takes a turn for the worst when he meets his new classmate Mason, and all Kieran can feel is overwhelming hatred. But at the same time,  a different kind of tension keeps pulling the pair mysteriously closer together . . .

When Kieran finds Mason injured in his home woods, he stays at the werewolf’s side despite himself, and the night ends in a steamy kiss that surprises them both. Suddenly disdain turns to attraction. There’s just one problem: Mason is a werewolf, and vampires and werewolves are meant to be sworn enemies, but it’s hard to keep up appearances when every part of them aches to be together. With watchful eyes around every corner, each kiss becomes more dangerous—each bite more unpredictable. With the threat of being exposed hanging over them, these star-crossed lovers must make the fateful choice between head and heart, or risk losing what matters most.

Order link

Title: Love Bites, Vol 1

Author: Alicia Wallace; Adapted by Ele

Publisher: WEBTOON Unscrolled

Release Date: 8/4/26

Perfect for fans of supernatural romance and monster love stories, this graphic novel features two mortal enemies, a vampire and a werewolf, falling for each other.

As a teenage vampire, Kieran has always been warned to stay away from werewolves, but everything changes when he falls for Mason—the Alpha’s son.

What started off as disdain, lines drawn in the sand between two opposing sides, quickly turns to fascination after the two share one fateful kiss.

Kieran and Mason know they can’t be together, their communities would never approve. And with every hidden kiss and rendezvous, keeping their secret takes on a whole new set of problems.

Avoiding the eyes of both society and Kieran’s extremist family grows more and more challenging, and as silver blades sharpen, the two must choose to stand up for a love worth fighting for.

From Wattpad to WEBTOON! Sink your teeth into Bite Me in a brand new way—as a WEBTOON graphic novel as Love Bites!

Order link

Title: The Game of Oaths

Author: S.C. Bandreddi

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Release Date: 6/2/2026

Order Link

Title: The Assassin’s Guide to Dating

Author: Natalie C. Parker

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Release Date: 7/14/2026

Tru and Lila confront shadowy new enemies, dangerous powers and maybe even their first date in this high-octane sequel

At the secretive Underhill agency for those with superhuman abilities, Tru and Lila—a virtually indestructible bastion and an explosive bombshell, respectively—are trying to navigate their talents, careers, and budding relationship. But the perception of bombshells like Lila has soured—their actions, and even their heart rates, are now heavily monitored, and no one trusts a bombshell not to go off. All this scrutiny is hindering not just Lila’s missions but also her attempts to finally go on a real date with Tru. After all, romance can quicken a pulse just as much as danger! As Lila’s bitterness escalates, she meets Ryan, a talented young man from an organization with a lawless reputation who tells her to call him if she gets tired of following the rules. But who is Lila, if not someone who follows all the rules? Is she the person feared by the community stifling her, or the person seen by the ruthless stranger promising freedom and power? This is a fast-paced thriller with high romantic stakes and unforgettable characters.

Order Link

Title: Queen of the Gods

Author: Katharine Corr and Elizabeth Corr

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Release Date: 8/4/2026

After defying Hades, Deina must choose: become a goddess, or fight for her humanity. The epic mythological fantasy that started with Daughter of the Underworld reaches its heart-pounding conclusion.

Betrayed, Deina is now bound to the Underworld—and Hades wants her to stay. Hades promises immortality, power, and even the chance to be with her friends forever, including Theron, for whom Deina’s heart aches. But Deina refuses. In giving up her humanity to become a goddess, she would be beholden to Hades, and her friends would become mere playthings—dead playthings. After defying the wrathful deity, Deina needs an ingenious plan and plenty of allies if she’s going to escape her fate. The answer may lie in a storied artifact—a powerful torc made by Hephaestus himself, which was broken into pieces and hidden by Tyche, the goddess of luck. Unfortunately, monstrous Aristaeus is searching for the torc as well, with visions of harnessing its power to turn the Theodesmioi into his unstoppable army. Deina and her friends must stop him at any cost—and the cost may be high, indeed. Thrilling clashes, sumptuous settings, and heartrending sacrifices are woven throughout this unforgettable tale of mortals and gods, love and ambition.

Order Link

Title: A (Dead) Thing Like Me

Author: E.G. Young

Publisher: Holiday House Press

Release Date: 8/18/2026

A teenage ghost in love with life becomes bound to the house of the grieving artist who summoned her via Ouija board in this darkly funny YA paranormal.

One hot dog with banana peppers. That’s all Hot Dog wants. An invisible teenage ghost, she haunts a food cart outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Until one night, she’s accidentally summoned via Ouija board to a house party in Florida . . . where finally finally finally, people can see her.

All the party guests scatter, except for Logan: the cool artist girl who doesn’t just see Hot Dog, she actually wants to talk to her. Logan, who isn’t scared of Hot Dog’s stitched mouth or chattering dress. Logan, who’s grieving her own dead BFF—and called Hot Dog by mistake.

Hot Dog wants to prove it’s not a mistake.

She can be Logan’s new best friend. She can go to Logan’s Halloween party. She can eat snacks, have sleepovers, and hang out. She can definitely smile without scaring people. Exactly like a real, human girl.

There’s one problem: Hog Dog’s not a real, living human girl, and something in Logan’s sprawling house knows it. It scratches like rats in the walls. It opens a secret door in Logan’s attic. It wants to drag Hot Dog into the nothingness where dead things go. And unless Hot Dog can confront the dark truth of how she died, it will unmake Logan too.

Gorgeously strange and stunningly written, this YA paranormal masterfully melds camp and creep into a beyond-the-grave coming-of-age.

Order Link

Title: Left on Read

Author: Marissa Eller

Publisher: Holiday House Press

Release Date: 8/4/2026

In this rivals-to-lovers romcom from Marissa Eller, overachiever Nova wants one thing: to be the top student in her school. So when a student who could beat her turns up, she tries to keep her eyes on her own paper. . . and off this infuriatingly perfect boy.

School is everything to Nova—literally everything, since she’s missed out on all of the Traditional High School Things in pursuit of academic success. Her senior year is going to be perfect, and so is she… because she’s pushing herself to her physical and mental limit. All she needs to do is ignore her mounting anxiety! Which is probably clinical! La la la!

But Hayes—her ultrasmart, ultra-annoying rival for valedictorian—is making her year far less perfect than she imagined.

He’s after that top spot, and he doesn’t care who he has to shove outside. But when Nova and Hayes are paired up for a group project on student mental health, Nova discovers that he might be the only one who understands what she’s going through. The burnout. The self-doubt. The unrelenting grind. Together, they can stand up to the pressures of academia, family, and the way most traveled… if they partner up in more ways than one.

Order Link

Title: Library’s or Lattes

Author: Lila Hazell

Publisher: Holiday House Press

Release Date: 8/25/2026

A cozy, swoony autumn romance with a Sliding Doors twist, perfect for readers of Jenny Han and Lynn Painter. Like Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice for this fall!

One season, two choices for love. . .

Willa’s small town is at its best in the fall. Think crisp air, golden leaves, bonfires, hayrides, and pumpkin spice. It’s cozy and comforting, pretty much perfect, but sometimes Willa wonders if she’s destined for more.

Then she’s left some money by a distant aunt, with one condition: It must be used to see the world. The rest of the book unfolds in alternating chapters where she makes one choice or another about this inheritance.

In one strand, Willa decides to study travel journalism, but she has to hit the books if she wants to be accepted into a program. That why she spends her weekends in the library, where Theo, a grumpy out-of-towner, also hangs out. He may think everything in this town is beneath him, but. . . there’s something irresistible about him when he smiles.

In the other strand, Willa begins planning a perfect round-the-world trip. Meanwhile, she’s working at her favorite coffee shop. . . where she suddenly gets a new boss, monosyllabic James, who’s back in his hometown to nurse a broken heart.

Each potential choice leads Willa to love, and the final chapter is classic happily ever after.

Order Link

Title: The Hyacinth Labyrinth

Author: Jamie Pacton

Publisher: Peachtree Press

Release Date: 6/2/2026

Order Link

Title: Believarexic (re-release)

Author: JJ Johnson

Publisher: Peachtree Press

Release Date: 6/29/2026

Asking for help is only the first step.

Jennifer can’t go on like this—binging, purging, starving, and all while trying to appear like she’s got it all together. But when she finally confesses her secret to her parents and is hospitalized at the Samuel Tuke Center, her journey is only beginning.

As Jennifer progresses through her treatment, she learns to recognize her relationship with food, and friends, and family—and how each is healthy or unhealthy. She has to learn to trust herself and her own instincts, but that’s easier than it sounds. She has to believe—after many years of being a believarexic.

Using her trademark dark humor and powerful emotion, J. J. Johnson tells an inspiring story based on her own experience when she was hospitalized for an eating disorder as a teenager. The innovative format using blank verse and prose, changes in tense and voice, and forms, workbooks, and journal entries mirror Jennifer’s progress toward a healthy body and mind.

Order Link

Title: Hollow (Paperback)

Author: Taylor Grothe

Publisher: Peachtree Press

Release Date: 8/18/2026

Don’t Let the Forest In meets The Whispering Dark in a queer YA cult horror following a recently diagnosed autistic teen who becomes enmeshed in a community of outcasts harboring sinister secrets.

Order Link

 

 

 

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS* 

One winner will receive a copy of each title from the Summer Buzzworthy Book Giveaway 2026 (YA)! ~US ONLY

*Click the Rafflepress link below to enter the giveaway*

 

 

3 comments

We are excited to share a giveaway for Coat of Many Colors: 10th Anniversary Edition (Dolly Parton)!

 

 

 

 

Meet the Author: Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is the most honored and revered female singer-songwriter of all time. She has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has a record-breaking twenty-eight songs that have reached #1 on Billboard charts, and has won hundreds of awards across her career. To date, Parton has donated over two hundred million books to children around the world with her Imagination Library and has authored successful books for children and adults, including the first book in the Billy the Kid series, instant New York Times bestseller Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Makes It Big. From her “Coat of Many Colors” to working “9 to 5,” no dream is too big and no mountain too high for the country girl who turned the world into her stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet the Illustrator: Brooke Boynton-Hughes

Brooke Boynton-Hughes (she/her) is an artist and illustrator originally from Loveland, Colorado. She received her BFA in printmaking from Colorado State University and her MFA in figurative art from the New York Academy of Art. Brooke works on children’s books and travels around the country with her husband, Bill, and their dog, Olive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Book: Coat of Many Colors: 10^th Anniversary Edition

Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Dolly Parton’s iconic book Coat of Many Colors, inspired by her legendary song of the same name.

 

Although we had no money,
I was rich as I could be,
in my coat of many colors
my mama made for me.

Country music legend Dolly Parton’s rural upbringing in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee provides the backdrop for this special picture book. Using lyrics from her classic song “Coat of Many Colors,” the book tells the story of a young girl in need of a warm winter coat.

When her mother sews her a coat made of rags, the girl is mocked by classmates for being poor. But Parton’s trademark positivity carries through to the end as the girl realizes that her coat was made with love “in every stitch.”

Beautiful illustrations pair with Parton’s poetic lyrics in this tenth anniversary edition of Dolly’s story, featuring a special butter-yellow fabric cover, and a new foreword from Dolly.

Purchase

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: Coat of Many Colors: 10^th Anniversary Edition

Author: Dolly Parton

Illustrator: Brooke Boynton-Hughes

Release Date: 5/26/2026

Publisher: Penguin Workshop

ISBN-13: 9798217140640

Genre: Picture Books – Fiction

Age Range: 3-7 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*

Use the Rafflepress Form below to enter

*Be sure to include a complete mailing address for the second entry question to qualify to win*

Two (2) winners will receive a hardcover copy of Coat of Many Colors: 10^th Anniversary Edition (Dolly Parton) ~ US ONLY!

 

1 comment

Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Michael Slack!

Read on to learn more about the author, the books, and a giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Meet the Author: Michael Slack

MICHAEL SLACK is the author and illustrator of many books for young readers, including Kitties on Dinosaurs, Bunny Built, Shorty & Clem and Elecopter. His art and character design has been featured in books, television and games. He lives with his family in the Bay Area of California.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Book: Funjeepups: A Star Wish

Meet the Funjeepups, three curious and adorable woodland critters, in this “first comic” picture book series from the creator of Kitties on Dinosaurs! In this story, Button, Dot and Dollop go on an overnight camping adventure! Button, Dot and Dollop love exploring the magical forest they live in. They love vine swinging. They love guppie bumping. They love making nature art. But what they love most is returning home after an exciting day of adventuring. The Funjeepups want to make a wish on a star, so they decide to go on an overnight camping trip. But with clouds in the sky, there are no stars . . . and no wishes! Button, Dot and Dollop make the most of the night, though — with treats, games, and a brand-new friend who happens to glow. Maybe their wish can come true after all? Young readers will be inspired to go on their own nighttime adventure alongside the Funjeepups in this light and funny picture book series by Michael Slack!

Purchase * Goodreads

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Book: Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song

Meet the Funjeepups, three curious and adorable woodland critters, in this “first comic” picture book series from the creator of Kitties on Dinosaurs! In this story, Button, Dot and Dollop get a music lesson from a feathery friend! Button, Dot and Dollop love exploring the magical forest they live in. They love vine swinging. They love guppie bumping. They love making nature art. But what they love most is returning home after an exciting day of adventuring. When out on a morning walk, the Funjeepups spot a friendly bird who sings them a beautiful song, which inspires the Funjeepups to create their own song. But unfortunately, they can’t play any instruments! Thankfully, their feathery friend is there to lend a helping wing. Young readers will be inspired to create their own song alongside the Funjeepups in this light and funny picture book series by Michael Slack!

Purchase * Goodreads

 

 

 

 

 

~Author Chat~

 

YABC: What inspired you to write this book?

The characters were created while I was doing sketches for a solo gallery show. They went through many revisions over a couple of years and finally found their way into a book series. I wanted to create a peaceful world filled with simple magical moments, for kids to visit and find comfort.

YABC: What research did you do to write this book?

I sketched in the California desert and the forests of Northern California and Oregon. I also revisited some kids shows that I loved watching with my daughter when she was little.

YABC: What was it like to also be illustrator for your story?

It was probably the best experience I’ve had as an illustrator. Not only was it a pleasure working with the wonderful people at Tundra Books, but I just love the Funjeepups world so much. It was a place I wanted to be everyday. When things were tough I was comforted being in Dot, Button, and Dollop’s cozy world.

YABC: How long did it take you to create the artwork for this book?

If you count the original sketches of the characters, it would be eight years. The art work for both books, Fujeepups A Beautiful Song and Funjeepups A

Star Wish took about a year.

YABC: If you could only write one genre for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Sci-Fi / Fantasy. I love world building. The possibilities in both these genres are limitless.

YABC: What can readers expect to find in your books?

Humor and heart. For the books in this series the focus is on simple magical moments. Things like the moment you realize you have just played a song,  or the childhood excitement of sleeping outside for the first time.

YABC: Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to narrate?

This is more on the illustration side rather than the writing side, but I was halfway through book one and decided to scrap all the backgrounds I had finished and start over. I’m glad I did. I worked differently for this book. I did all the line work and color for the characters first then I went back and painted the final backgrounds. It’s kind of like how animations are made.

YABC: What is your favorite snack when writing?

These days it some sort of dried fruit and nuts and seeds trail mix concoction.

YABC: If you could time travel what would you want to see?

I would want to go the future and see what causes the demise of the human  species. However, if I went to a future without humans there would be no way to get an answer. Unless every thing is run by robots then I could probably find out.  I’m going to change my answer to being in the audience for the Lumiere brothers first Cinématographe screening.

YABC: What other age group would you consider writing for?

I would love to tackle middle grade at some point.

YABC: What daily thing do you see that brings you joy?

My family, my dogs, and my espresso machine.

YABC: What do you do when you procrastinate?

Make stuff. I paint, draw, sculpt, or work on new book ideas.

YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?

Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill.

YABC: What is your favorite writing space or routine?

I love sitting in a sun lit room with a sketch book, a pile of note cards, and two pads of sticky notes in different colors. One for character traits, and the other for scene/dialogue iteration.

YABC: What’s up next for you?

Lots of fun Funjeepup related events. Also, I will have two books I illustrated coming out in 2027 as well as a second Smoosh & Mallow level 2 reader that I both wrote and illustrated. Currently I’m wrapping up a comic book reader that will be going out on submission soon.

 

 

 

 

 

Title: Funjeepups: A Star Wish / Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song

Author / Illustrator: Michael Slack

Release Date: June 9, 2026, for both titles

Publisher: Tundra Books / Penguin Random House Canada

ISBN-10: 1774887029 / 1774887002

ISBN-13: 9781774887028 / 9781774887004

Genre: Children’s Picture Book / Graphic Novel

Age Range: 3-7 years old

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ Giveaway Details ~

Use the Rafflepress Form below to enter

*Be sure to include a complete mailing address for the second entry question to qualify to win*

Ten (10) winners will receive a copy of Funjeepups: A Star Wish  and Funjeepups: A Beautiful Songr (Michael Slack) ~US/CAN Only!

 

1 comment

We are excited to share a giveaway for Her Sharp Embrace(Kate Koenig)!

 

 

 

 

Meet the Author: Kate Koenig

KATE KOENIG is a queer and neurodiverse writer, photographer, and cat mom originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She studied history and children’s literature at the University of Pittsburgh before earning her MFA at The New School. Kate writes across genres and mediums, but her heart belongs to YA fantasy. She likes flawed, messy women who make the wrong choices, love big, and sometimes—hate harder. Her ultimate goal is to write stories for all lost girls looking for a place to call home.

Website * Instagram * X

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Book: Her Sharp Embrace

The first in a sweeping queer fantasy duology set in a shimmering, New Orleans-inspired world.

In the glittering city of New Soleil, beauty masks danger at every turn. The Nightshades, a crew of magical outlaws, are no different. Their glamorous facades conceal the terror they strike into the hearts of the rich and powerful as they steal from the corrupt and fight for the forgotten.

Noa Toussaint fled her cossetted life as a Saint to join the Nightshades. Infatuated with their ferocious leader, Lennon, Noa aims to capture her heart and keep it. Her talent for alchemy is valuable, but her connection to her family puts all of the Shades in danger.

Now enemies are closer than Lennon knows and Noa must uncover the threat and keep them both alive. Because in a city where lies are lethal and magic is fading, secrets aren’t just costly—they’re deadly.

 

Purchase * Goodreads

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: Her Sharp Embrace

Author: Kate Koenig

Release Date: 6/9/2026

Publisher: Wednesday Books

ISBN-10: 1250321247

ISBN-13: 9781250321244

Genre: YA / Fantasy / LGBTQ

Age Range: 13 – 18

 

 

 

 

 

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*

Use the Rafflepress Form below to enter

*Be sure to include a complete mailing address for the second entry question to qualify to win*

Three (3) winners will receive a hardcover copy of Her Sharp Embrace (Kate Koenig) ~ US ONLY!

 

3 comments

We are excited to share a giveaway for Summerwork (Carrie Mesrobian)!

 

 

 

 

Meet the Author: Carrie Mesrobian

Carrie Mesrobian is the award-winning author of several novels for young adults. She lives in the Twin Cities with her family.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Book: Summerwork

Set in a single sweltering summer, the story of two traumatized teenagers picking up the pieces of their lives in the wreckage of a bizarre gothic mansion.

Seventeen-year-old Leo Arceneaux has been raised by his mother and uncle, having lost his father in a shockingly random murder when he was two. Connor Rigby is the teenage daughter of a wealthy lifestyle influencer. She has no idea who her father is. As summer begins, Leo and Connor both find themselves in a small town in rural Minnesota, living in the rundown grandiosity of Connor’s mother’s family’s estate. Rigby Mansion is a secluded gothic monstrosity that Connor’s mother is slowly renovating without ever actually being present. Leo is there as a summer landscaping laborer, working to pay off a debt to his mother and uncle, and Connor arrives hortly after, having left behind wreckage of her own and looking for a place to lie low away from her mother.

Connor and Leo soon find themselves in an unfamiliar but intense relationship—not simply a summer romance but something that feels important and somehow tied to the combination of this particular blazing-hot summer and this weird house in the middle of nowhere.

When an accident on the estate’s grounds reveals the bones of two long dead people, Leo and Connor become obsessed with the couple buried beneath the fountain. Neither of them can say exactly why, but they’re sure that somehow these two corpses are tied to the to whatever comes next in their lives.

Purchase

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: Summerwork

Author: Carrie Mesrobian

Release Date: 6/9/2026

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers

ISBN-13: 9780735231986

Genre: YA – Fiction

Age Range: 14 & Up

 

 

 

 

 

 

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*

Use the Rafflepress Form below to enter

*Be sure to include a complete mailing address for the second entry question to qualify to win*

Two (2) winners will receive a hardcover copy of Summerwork (Carrie Mesrobian) ~ US ONLY!

 

2 comments