32 Most-Anticipated Middle Grade Books: April-June 2026

Today’s post is sponsored by Rebecca Bendheim and When You’re Brave Enough!

Title When You’re Brave Enough
Author Rebecca Bendheim
Intended Target Audience Middle Grade
Publication Date April 7th 2026 by Viking Books for Young Readers
Find It On Goodreads ● Amazon ● Chapters ● Blackwell’s ● Barnes & Noble ● IndieBound

A heartfelt, gorgeously written debut middle grade novel about best friends, first crushes, and coming out, perfect for fans of Kyle Lukoff and Jake Maia Arlow.

Before she moved from Austin to Rhode Island, everybody knew Lacey as one half of an inseparable duo: Lacey-and-Grace, best friends since they were toddlers. Grace and her moms were practically family. But at school, being lumped together with overeager, worm-obsessed, crushes-on-everyone Grace meant Lacey never quite fit in — and that’s why at her new middle school, Lacey plans to reinvent herself. This time, she’s going to be cool. She’s going to be normal.

At first, everything seems to go as planned. Lacey makes new friends right away, she finds a rabbi to help her prepare for the bat mitzvah that got deprioritized by her parents in the chaos of the move, and she even gets cast in the lead role of the eighth-grade musical. Which is when things start to get stressful, because it turns out the students at her new school have a long-standing, unofficial tradition: No matter what the show is, in the final performance, the leads always kiss for real.

Lacey’s never kissed anyone before — she’s not even sure she’s ever had a crush. And in Bye, Bye, Birdie, there are a few different co-lead kiss possibilities for Lacey to choose from. There’s confident, cocky Andre. There’s sweet, friendly Jaden. And then there’s the other new girl at school: dryly funny, impossibly cool Violet.

But while her new friends and older sister create whiteboard wall charts and botched field trip schemes to help her decide, suddenly Lacey can’t stop thinking about Grace, who she was so sure she wanted to leave behind. When Grace comes back into her life, Lacey needs to decide if she’s brave enough to be who she really is, in front of the person who matters most.

I look forward to making Pop! Goes The Reader’s most-anticipated lists every single year! While being a mood reader means I’m not always able to strictly stick to a to-be-read list, it’s exciting to explore what’s being published in the months ahead. Posts like this help me better organize my thoughts and decide what I ideally want to prioritize and read first, not to mention give me lots to look forward to!

Please Note: If you’re a middle grade author with a novel being published in 2026 and don’t see your book on one of Pop! Goes The Reader’s Most-Anticipated lists, please don’t be hurt or upset! These lists are entirely subjective and based on my own personal reading taste. My favourite genres are contemporary and realistic fiction fiction, horror and historical fiction, which is why you won’t see many books outside of those genres on this list. While I try my best to remain up-to-date about upcoming releases, it’s also entirely possible that I simply haven’t learned about your book yet! If you’re the author of a 2026 middle grade novel that you think might make a good fit for me and Pop! Goes The Reader, please don’t hesitate to reach out – I would love to hear from you!

For even more wonderful middle grade novels being published in 2026, please check out this Goodreads list, which currently features more than 150 middle grade books being published this year for you to choose from. Hopefully you’ll be able to find the perfect book for you. Happy reading!

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The publication dates listed below might be subject to change.

Publication Date April 7th 2026 by Bloomsbury Children’s Books
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This new spooky mystery series by New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is perfect for fans of Goosebumps.

Olive Oakes loves a good mystery. She keeps a notebook with her at all times, ready to jot down observations about anything that seems out of the ordinary. Along with her cousin Eli, Olive is always looking to follow the clues.

When Olive and her family visit a town called Whispering Woods, she uncovers a strange backstory to the traveling carnival that comes through the area once a year. With rumors of missing kids and ghost sightings, it’s the perfect opportunity for Olive to investigate! The people of Whispering Woods are very secretive, but Olive is ready to solve the mystery of the haunted carousel.

Publication Date April 7th 2026 by Viking Books for Young Readers
Goodreads ● Amazon ● Chapters ● Blackwell’s ● Barnes & Noble ● IndieBound

A heartfelt, gorgeously written debut middle grade novel about best friends, first crushes, and coming out, perfect for fans of Kyle Lukoff and Jake Maia Arlow.

Before she moved from Austin to Rhode Island, everybody knew Lacey as one half of an inseparable duo: Lacey-and-Grace, best friends since they were toddlers. Grace and her moms were practically family. But at school, being lumped together with overeager, worm-obsessed, crushes-on-everyone Grace meant Lacey never quite fit in — and that’s why at her new middle school, Lacey plans to reinvent herself. This time, she’s going to be cool. She’s going to be normal.

At first, everything seems to go as planned. Lacey makes new friends right away, she finds a rabbi to help her prepare for the bat mitzvah that got deprioritized by her parents in the chaos of the move, and she even gets cast in the lead role of the eighth-grade musical. Which is when things start to get stressful, because it turns out the students at her new school have a long-standing, unofficial tradition: No matter what the show is, in the final performance, the leads always kiss for real.

Lacey’s never kissed anyone before — she’s not even sure she’s ever had a crush. And in Bye, Bye, Birdie, there are a few different co-lead kiss possibilities for Lacey to choose from. There’s confident, cocky Andre. There’s sweet, friendly Jaden. And then there’s the other new girl at school: dryly funny, impossibly cool Violet.

But while her new friends and older sister create whiteboard wall charts and botched field trip schemes to help her decide, suddenly Lacey can’t stop thinking about Grace, who she was so sure she wanted to leave behind. When Grace comes back into her life, Lacey needs to decide if she’s brave enough to be who she really is, in front of the person who matters most.

Publication Date April 7th 2026 by Candlewick
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What happens when the quest finds you, despite your best efforts? A reluctant adventurer sets off on an unexpected journey in this broadly appealing fantasy at once earnest and self-aware, funny and heartfelt, and thoroughly charming.

Nell O’Dell yearns for a quiet life tending her garden and caring for her chickens. Unfortunately, her family runs the bustling Crossroads Inn — accommodating all species of patron from fairies to fauns to half-giants, most of them questers on their way to seek glory and fortune. What’s more, her parents are retired questers themselves, and everyone assumes that Nell will follow in their footsteps.

Then the day comes when a letter arrives from the government, threatening the Inn and all that Nell holds dear, and someone needs to go on a short journey to the capital to take care of it. Nell is the only one available — but that’s fine, because it’s just a boring business trip, not a quest! Even if she does find herself up against an excitable travel partner, a thief in the night, a stolen treasure, and a mysterious knife…

Lively black-and-white illustrations by the author embellish this breezy, bighearted adventure that will satisfy both longtime questers and first-time visitors to the genre.

Publication Date April 14th 2026 by Amulet Books
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A clever, funny multimedia mystery from author Laurie Morrison, about soccer teammates trying to solve the disappearance of their beloved team captain ― and facing a few secrets of their own.

Why did Ella leave?

Eighth Graders Sadie and Pug don’t have anything in common except for their love of soccer and their loyalty to Ella, the overachieving team captain. So when Ella doesn’t show up for the most important game of the season and her parents pull her out of school, Sadie and Pug are determined to find out what happened, even though they don’t usually get along. There’s no way Ella abandoned the team!

But as Sadie and Pug dig deeper, they begin to realize that Ella’s life wasn’t as perfect as it seemed. And maybe Sadie and Pug have a few secrets that need to come to light, too. Maybe all their classmates do

Told in recordings, letters, texts, journal entries, and emails, Where Ella Went is a funny and absorbing slice-of-life mystery about friendship, teamwork, and the pressures of being in middle school. If Sadie and Pug keep searching for answers, they risk sabotaging the end of their soccer season.

But can they ever move on if they don’t learn the truth? And what if Ella needs them even more than they need her?

Publication Date April 14th 2026 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
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A heartfelt novel about a neurodivergent girl that challenges us to reexamine what makes someone “gifted,” perfect for fans of Fish In A Tree and Frindle.

Ruby Emmerson has always felt like the “dumb” twin. Struggling with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, she feels out of place at her competitive charter school, especially as her twin brother Bryce excels both academically and socially. When she fails a math test despite getting extra help, she fears she’ll flunk out of Benton Academy and drag her brother back to their old school.

In a moment of frustration, Ruby vents anonymously online, describing herself as an imposter — a mango among lovebirds. But to her surprise, she’s far from alone.

As her account gains a following, tensions rise with her brother and her posts draw the unwanted attention of the school administration. Now, Ruby must find the courage to challenge Benton’s high-pressure environment and advocate for herself and all the other “Mangoes” out there.

Publication Date April 21st 2026 by Dutton Books for Young Readers
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A sound-inspired scavenger hunt and fast-paced mystery about family and friendships lost and found.

Felix used to love summer vacation, when his family would trade the bustling noise of New York City for the small-town quiet of Blissfield, Massachusetts. But vacation hasn’t been the same since his big brother left home, and Felix is sure this summer is going to be the worst yet. Then he finds a mysterious box with the words OPEN ME written on the outside. Inside, there’s an audio recorder, headphones, and a list of timecodes. What does it mean?

Felix and his offbeat neighbor, Marigold, follow a string of clues through town. But as the hunt builds to a crescendo, Felix begins to wonder about the identity of the anony­mous puzzle-maker behind their adventure.

This delightfully harmonious mother-son collabora­tion from bestselling author Meg Wolitzer and sound editor and music producer Charlie Panek will change the way you listen to the world

Publication Date April 21st 2026 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
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The Bins family needs to plan a great escape from the zoo — and quickly! — in this third entry in the hilarious middle grade graphic novel series about a sneaky raccoon family who live life in the trash lane from Stephanie Cooke and Whitney Gardner!

After Dusty, Scraps, and ReRe Bins’s pursuit of food has the unexpected side effect of thwarting a notorious ring of thieves at the art museum, they are recognized as hometown heroes and put on special exhibition at the zoo to meet their public.

At first, the scrappy raccoons and possum are living the good life, full of food and free of responsibility! But despite their celebrity treatment, the trio start to realize the zoo isn’t the cushy gig they thought it was — after all, they’re stuck behind bars!

A conniving beaver offers to help them, but at a price: in return, they have to sneak her sculpture into the museum of contemporary art so she can finally become a famous artist. Do the Bins have what it takes to break out of one place and break into another?

Publication Date April 21st 2026 by Roaring Brook Press
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A funny and heartwarming middle grade novel about first jobs and second chances where one girl’s summer punishment becomes a mission to save a struggling nail salon and bring her family together, perfect for fans of Front Desk and Millionaires For The Month.

Twelve-year-old Domi Pham had the perfect summer planned: lounging by the pool, making art with her best friend, and celebrating her escape from seventh grade. But one costly mistake puts her dream summer on hold. Instead, she finds herself deep in debt to her parents, and shipped off to New Mexico to work at her Auntie Q’s nail salon for the next three months.

At first, Domi is miserable ― surrounded by nosy aunties, constant nail polish fumes, and endless work. But as she gets to know Auntie Q and the people in the salon, she starts to see their struggles and resilience in a new light. When she discovers that the salon is at risk of closing, Domi puts her creativity and determination to the test to help save it.

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Publication Date April 21st 2026 by Freedom Fire
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A hilarious and heartfelt middle-grade novel about a STEM loving Black girl finding her place in the universe again after her first period knocks her out of orbit.

Rayana Johnson always thought that turning thirteen would mean being old enough to stay home alone, go on her first date, and attend Galaxy Camp, a sleepaway camp that’s all about her true passion — space exploration.

But instead of having a blast on flight simulators and multi-axis trainers or learning what it takes to explore the stars, Ray’s mind is stuck on Earth, wondering why her parents are arguing, why her best friend isn’t acting like herself, and why her totally-crushworthy counselor keeps treating her like a kid. Then, just when things couldn’t get any worse, puberty throws her the ultimate curveball — she gets her first period.

In the span of just a few days, Ray’s gone from having total certainty in her universe to barely being able to count on anything — not her parents’ marriage, not Galaxy Camp, and not even her own body. Will she ever feel grounded again, or is the rest of her life destined to be as nebulous as the Milky Way?

Publication Date April 21st 2026 by Scholastic Press
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Ria Bailey finds herself in quite a fix, and it’s all because of a strange treasure that turns up in the mail one fateful day. It might be a ruby, and it just might hold the key to some troubling developments in her life. Most importantly, if she and her besties Miracle Owusu and Annie Hernandez can trace the significance and stay one step ahead of the mysterious strangers tracking their moves through the Metropolitan Museum of Art and out into the city streets of New York, then just maybe Ria can turn things around for herself.

Sayantani DasGupta returns in rare form with a brand new story that’s part love letter to the Metropolitan Museum and New York City immigrant families, part twisting and turning heist, and completely an examination of where art belongs, who gets to keep it, and what it means to be on display.

Publication Date May 5th 2026 by Random House Books for Young Readers
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When Calla finds out her favorite teacher has been accused of inappropriate conduct, she decides to take action in this powerful story about growing up and speaking up, about listening to others and learning to listen to yourself. Because the more Calla listens…the more she realizes that maybe she has something to say too.

What if the truth really is as powerful as it feels?

Calla has always had smart-girl energy. She’s Josiah the track star’s practical younger sister. Charlee and Jacoby’s problem-solving best friend. Attorney Dionne Howard’s model daughter. So it’s nice when someone seems to see her for her, outside of all that. But what if that person is a grown-up who maybe isn’t as trustworthy as Calla thought? Calla’s mom likes to say “Always do what you know is right.” But what if you don’t know what the right thing is?

These are the questions Calla faces on the last day of seventh grade, when she finds out that her favorite teacher has been accused of inappropriate conduct at his old school. Calla doesn’t know what really happened. She does know that people are saying mean things about the girls who have spoken out — and that can’t be right…can it? Inspired by her favorite newsblogger, EboniNews (whose motto is Amplify. Connect. Truth. ACT.), Calla has an idea. Can she find a way to ACT?

Publication Date May 5th 2026 by Nosy Crow
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What if you disappeared and no one remembered who you were?

A forbidden garden. A missing girl. And the ancient legend that links them…

Fran doesn’t want to stay with her aunt and uncle and her snooty cousin, Imogen. But when she arrives at their home on the grounds of Stillness Hall, Imogen isn’t there. Her aunt and uncle say they’ve never heard of Imogen — or even had a daughter. So it’s up to Fran, and Imogen’s best friend, Bex, to find her.

Except Bex doesn’t know who Imogen is either. How will Fran find her cousin if no one will admit she ever existed? Could a locked and dangerous garden and a mysterious old tale of enchantment and death hold the answers?

Publication Date May 5th 2026 by Kids Can Press
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A resourceful twelve-year-old comes up with an unusual real estate plan in this moving middle-grade novel about what it means to have, and make, a family.

Cyril’s mom has been dragging him to open houses for as long as he can remember. It’s been her dream that one day the two of them will have a house of their own. So, when she decides she’ll never find one they can afford, Cyril is relieved, but also sad for her. Which leads him to an idea: What if they moved in with an older person living alone who needs companionship and housekeeping? And what if that person then leaves the house to his mom in their will? It’s a big “what if.” But one elderly gentleman named Mr. Hartt actually seems open to it. Could this grouchy, stubborn old man be their dream come true? Or will he turn out to be their worst nightmare?

Award-winning author Monique Polak has written a highly readable novel that sensitively explores the idea of found family and alternative family structures. Readers will appreciate how the novel’s lovable protagonist, Cyril, has caring relationships with his mom, his best friend and his friend’s family (refugees from the war in Ukraine), while also feeling normal middle-grade insecurities and frustrations as he tries to navigate the changes in his and his friend’s family’s lives. The book offers excellent lessons on adaptability and tolerance. The story’s focus on older people (Cyril is originally inspired by a school assignment to interview older adults) offers an opportunity for conversations about aging, and could inspire readers to cultivate their own intergenerational relationships and learn more about the older people in their lives.

Publication Date May 5th 2026 by Carolrhoda Books
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Ava, Becca, and Cat have always been inseparable. But the summer after eighth grade, they’re forced to spend two months apart.

Outgoing Ava is dragged to London by her family.

Anxious Becca is sent to summer camp.

Quiet Cat is left at home.

Phones aren’t allowed at Becca’s camp, and Ava’s parents restrict her use of devices, so to make the separation bearable, they vow to collect materials for a joint scrapbook that they’ll compile at the end of the summer. But as they work on their separate parts of the scrapbook, they step out of their comfort zones ― and out of the roles they each play in the trio.

Who is Ava when she’s not the leader?

Who is Becca when she’s not the peacekeeper?

Who is Cat without the other two to keep her busy?

Can their friendship survive this summer of growth and change?

Publication Date May 5th 2026 by Quill Tree Books
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From New York Times bestselling author comes a must-read middle-grade novel for fans of The Vanderbeekers On The Road, The Firefly Summer, and To Night Owl From Dogfish. This big-hearted story follows a girl who might just be in for a life-changing summer…if she doesn’t run away first.

Gigi and her older sister, Yasmin, are spending the summer at a Jewish bungalow colony in upstate New York, thanks to their dad, who will be the handyman there. Sure, there will be day camp to go to, and the forest to explore, and maybe new friends to make. But Gigi doesn’t feel she fits in. Despite the fact that she’s Jewish too, she can’t help but feel that her Judaism is totally different from the other kids’. It doesn’t help that Mom isn’t around to talk to — she’s back in Brooklyn working. Yasmin has her own friends, and even though her dad speaks five languages, he and Gigi never seem to be speaking the same one.

There’s only one thing Gigi can do — escape. So, she hatches a plan to run away. But unexpected surprises keep drawing her back. Like, why do the boys at the camp keep doing flips? What kind of lake has fish with mustaches? Can Gigi sneakily use her dad’s tools to build a secret treehouse?

Try as she might, Gigi can’t figure out why everyone else loves this place so much. Will she eventually find her way back home, or will she — just maybe — discover something special hidden within the colony?

Publication Date May 5th 2026 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
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From Pura Belpré Honor recipient Angela Cervantes and perfectly timed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy follows 12-year-old sleuth Diez Espada on a high-stakes case as he tracks down the tournament’s stolen trophy in time for the championship match.

Diez Espada ― named after the jersey number of his soccer-obsessed father’s favorite player, Lionel Messi ― would rather be chasing clues than soccer balls. When the World Cup trophy disappears at a glitzy party in Miami, he’s suddenly at the center of the most thrilling match of his life ― a race to find the trophy before it’s gone for good.

Teaming up with his crush, Rio, and the world-famous Detective Enzo, Diez dives headfirst into a one-night whirlwind of secret tunnels and a squad of suspicious suspects: a spoiled son of a Miami tycoon, a famous sportscaster, and even Rio’s two prankster younger brothers.

The clock is ticking, the suspects are slippery, and the stadium lights are ready to shine. Will Diez find the trophy in time for the World Cup championship match?

Publication Date May 12th 2026 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
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The start of a brilliantly funny accidental time-travel diary series for tweens. It’s Back to the Future meets Judy Blume, with a 13-year-old girl who tackles timeslip mishaps, laugh-out-loud embarrassing moments, and one unpredictable adventure after another.

Hi! I’m Lily. My birthday is in two weeks and I have a big secret: Every New Year’s when the clock strikes midnight, I time travel to a new century. Mind-blowing, right!?

Thank goodness my cat, best friend, and school crush always turn up, too. But I still have a ton of problems… like why is my arch-nemesis, Georgia, so good at ye olde insults? How does anyone survive in Ancient Rome without chicken nuggets? Why are my brother’s clothes so ridiculous in every century? And why on earth can’t I stay in one era!?

Publication Date May 12th 2026 by Feiwel & Friends
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A delightful debut for fans of Kate DiCamillo and Dan Gemeinhart, this middle-grade novel has it all — heart, humor, healing from loss, and a life-changing friendship.

Maisie is still reeling from the loss of her dad when her mom deposits her with Aunt Gertie at the start of summer in Heaven, TX. Population: tiny. Gertie is nothing but nice, but Maisie doesn’t want to be there – surrounded by cactus and tumbleweeds.

Thankfully, the Heaven Library is well air-conditioned. Here, Charlene the librarian offers Maisie much-needed solace and book recommendations. Then Maisie meets another actual kid, Walt Wise, Aunt Gertie’s nearest neighbor. As she and Walt work odd jobs together and become friends, they also stumble upon a stealth campaign to develop one of Heaven’s most beloved natural resources.

As Maisie and Walt research the development plan, they also uncover a long-buried, life-changing secret about Maisie’s family. This secret, along with an explosive event at the Heaven County Fair, will turn a sleepy summer into one Maisie and Walt will never forget.

Publication Date May 12th 2026 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
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Seasonal work at the fairgrounds for most summers means Seraphina, James, Avory, and Cassi are all experienced in fair life. Beloved traditions keep the best friends plenty busy. For them, this is more than just a summer vacation in Knox County, Maine. These are the best months of the year. This is their fair.

But it seems like everyone is distracted. James is having trouble at his new school. Avory is feeling smaller than ever. Cassi just wants to be left alone, but that’s hard when your dad is caught in a scandal that leads to more eyes on her that she’s never dreamed of. And Seraphina is afraid she’ll never get over the accident no one knows about. To make matters worse, there’s a new fair manager – a community outsider – who seems determined to take away what is special about their fair. This summer is feeling a little too different. With two months ahead of them, the four friends need to find a way not just to survive their own inner turmoil, but to help their fair community thrive.

Publication Date May 19th 2026 by Amulet Books
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Wind In The Willows meets Enola Holmes in this exciting, young middle grade mystery series from Newbery Honor–winning author Margi Preus and with art from Junyi Wu.

Mystery: Something that is difficult or impossible to understand.

With a curious mind and a vast vocabulary (thanks to her wallpaper ― pages of a discarded human dictionary), tiny Minerva Shrew would love nothing more than to solve the Big Mysteries of Life and the Universe.

Instead, in The Case of the Pilfered Pearls, she’s called upon to help her cousin Tenacity solve a mystery in the most dangerous of places: a human house. When a string of pearls goes missing, the human owner is sure a “dreadful rodent” has pilfered them ― and now the lives of all Minerva’s friends are at risk! Will Minerva find the true culprit before the exterminators arrive?

With wit and warmth, Margi Preus creates a charming woodland world filled with creatures both whimsical and nefarious (neh-FARE-ee-us: wicked or criminal), along with suspense, intrigue, and, thanks to Minerva’s metabolism, plenty of snacks.

Publication Date May 19th 2026 by Roaring Brook Press
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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.

Everyone says twelve-year-old Evan Calais is feral. She likes to spend her time outside, fishing and having mud fights in her small town of Little John Island, Louisiana. But when a sinkhole causes the town mine to collapse, trapping all forty-eight miners, everything in her life comes to a standstill. Because Evan’s dad is one of the miners trapped inside.

Evan seeks solace the only way she knows how ― in the outdoors ― and comes upon the most peculiar thing. An egg.

It’s a large egg. And it’s alone. So while Evan waits for her dad to come home, she also finds herself caring for the strange, abandoned egg. If this egg can hatch…maybe her dad has a chance of coming home, too. But as she incubates the egg, Evan will need to make a big decision. For she has a secret ― she might know what caused the cave-in.

Sarah Guillory’s latest middle grade novel is a deeply heartwarming exploration of the importance of imagination, the freedom in nature, and the power of the truth.

Publication Date May 19th 2026 by Dial Books
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A fast-paced, exhilarating novel-in-verse about a young motocross phenom, chasing her dream no matter the risks.

Motocross is Eva’s life. Nothing beats the rush she feels ripping it up on the course — except maybe the moment just after the race when she removes her helmet, and the other riders realize they just got smoked by a twelve-year-old girl.

While fear of bullying leads Eva to keep her passion a secret at school, she’s known in the local racing circuit as “Eva Knievel,” a brazen competitor willing to risk it all to win. But when her daredevil behavior leaves her with a bruised ego and a busted bike, Eva is forced to reckon with the high costs of her beloved sport — financial, physical, and emotional.

As if that reality check weren’t harsh enough, there’s a new girl at school whose arrival not only threatens Eva’s carefully crafted school persona, but her place on the podium, too.

Publication Date May 26th 2026 by Tommy Nelson
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From Hispanic author Hailey Alcaraz, this historical tale of arson, sleuthing, and finding friendship in unlikely places is based on the real Hotel Adams fire of 1910. It’s up to two Latina girls to turn their knack for being overlooked and underestimated into their greatest strength as they unravel a complex web of suspects, clues, and motives.

Ruth and Luisa live very different lives within the dusty desert town of Phoenix. Ruth is the only child of a political official. She spends her days stuffed into scratchy dresses and smiling prettily in the ballrooms of the Hotel Adams. Luisa is a young housekeeper. She looks at the Persian rug and thinks, I also know what it feels like to be walked over, barely noticed, and covered in other people’s dirt. The girls stumble into a partnership when they overhear a plan to set fire to the hotel, a political hot spot for the growing western town. As they race to figure out who is behind the plot – and how to stop them – they must not only overcome what other people expect from them but what they’ve grown to expect from themselves.

Publication Date May 26th 2026 by
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The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants meets Mexikid in this heart-warming novel with illustrations about four friends and the magical bookstore that holds them together.

Cat, Sofia, Ana, and Mari are best friends. Nothing, nada, can break their bond. When Cat’s mom scolds them for their loud cackling at the bookstore, calling them a bunch of chismosas, the name sticks. Cat creates the The Chismosas Only Book Club, giving the girls a way to stay connected as they begin high school.

But ninth grade is hard, and it seems like no amount of conchas y libros y risas at Milagro’s Books, founded generations ago by Cat’s great-great-great-grandmother, can repair the ever-growing cracks in their friendship. But maybe the spirit of Milagro herself can…

Brimming with whimsy and heart, and woven with black-and-white graphic novel chapters, this enchanting book celebrates the magic of friendship, the embrace of ancestors, and the power of stories to hold us together.

Publication Date June 2nd 2026 by Candlewick
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Roxie wants to blend in at a new school, which is hard to do when your parents are blind, in this remarkable novel about friendship, misperceptions, and family — plus a dog’s view of the world.

Roxie loves her parents, but other people can’t seem to see past the fact that they’re blind — and they don’t really see Roxie, either. To them, she’s just “the girl with the blind parents.” So when her family moves to a new town and Roxie starts seventh grade at a new school, she’s determined to be known for the other parts of who she is: an artist, an animal lover, and the kind of person who bakes cookies for people she cares about for no special reason. But that means keeping her parents’ blindness a secret from the kids at school and definitely not telling anyone that she might inherit the eye condition that caused her mother’s vision loss — at least until they get to know her.

For a while, Roxie is happier than she’s ever been. But when her lies and omissions lead to a visit from Child Protective Services, will Roxie find the courage to be fully honest with her friends, her parents, and herself? This heartfelt depiction of a girl establishing her own identity, with some chapters told from the perspective of her mother’s loyal guide dog, is an authentic portrayal of the joys, challenges, and everyday ordinariness of being raised by parents who have a disability.

Note: The novel is typeset in Atkinson Hyperlegible, a font developed by Braille Institute specifically for low-vision readers.

Publication Date June 2nd 2026 by Scholastic Press
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Two teens are sent to Mexico for the summer to unplug in this hilarious and heartwarming dual narrative, perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds, Kwame Alexander, Adib Khorram, Erin Entrada Kelly, and Meg Medina.

Newly graduated 8th graders Celi and Elio don’t know each other, but after a catfishing incident in their Oakland, California, community goes viral, both sets of parents discover their recent screen overuse. Independently, they have the “brilliant” idea to ship the kids off to the same rancho in Mexico for two months, thinking it will help them reconnect with themselves.

In the middle of nowhere ― without internet, electricity, or even running water ― the two meet and bond over their miserable fates: Celi is forced to spend her days helping in a primitive healing clinic with her eccentric tías while Elio carts sticks and logs to rehabilitate a river. But day by day, amidst the stark beauty and cultural richness of rural Mexico, with crushes blooming, Celi and Elio each shed a little of their online selves and begin to understand what it means to embrace nature, connect to culture, and cultivate authenticity.

Stream is a standalone story featuring the main characters from Aida Salazar’s award-winning verse novels Ultraviolet and The Moon Within. This fast-paced, quick read crackles with humor, wisdom, and relatable themes. The story speaks directly to teens and will make them feel seen.

Publication Date June 2nd 2026 by Aladdin
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A leader-in-training at a beloved summer camp must figure out how to stop a decades-old curse in this middle grade companion novel to the “tightly paced” (Publishers Weekly) The Ghost of Spruce Point.

Frankie Wilkins waits all year for her favorite thing — summers in coastal Maine. This time, she and her best friend, Parker, are Leaders-in-Training at Camp Asticou on nearby Walker Pond. For Frankie, it’s not just about proving her skills but also the hope that a successful LIT run will convince her dad and stepmom to stay in the area, rather than move them all to Long Island.

During their first night there, the LITs learn about a local legend called The Bride of Rippowam. A young woman named Eugenie fell in love with a sailor, but after a tragic accident, she and her fiancé, Raleigh, both drowned. And weird happenings have occurred at the camp ever since, with incidents increasing in recent years.

People suspect that something is keeping Eugenie from officially crossing over, and Frankie realizes Eugenie is trying to send urgent messages about what really happened with her and Raleigh. With their campers in danger, Frankie, Parker, and the rest of the LITs are determined to help Eugenie cross over. But are they willing to break almost every camp rule to do so, and will they find what Eugenie is after — and why — before tragedy strikes again?

Publication Date June 16th 2026 by Feiwel & Friends
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Elsie Parker is having a totally normal fifth grade year.

Fractions and conjunctions – Check.
Stressing about middle school – Check.
Body-positive puberty class at church that also covers feelings and identities – Check.

Okay, maybe that last one isn’t so normal. It’s a little weird (and awkward) to spend her Sundays talking periods, B.O., and pimples. But Elsie’s also learning a lot more than she’s heard in her public-school health class ― like the difference between sex and gender, and what consent is, and what it might mean that she can’t stop blushing around a certain cute girl at her school.

When her puberty lessons become the school’s latest gossip, Elsie’s totally humiliated… until she finds an anonymous note in her locker from a classmate who wants to know more, and realizes that other kids might have embarrassing questions of their own.

Starting an underground advice board wasn’t exactly in her plans, but Elsie won’t pass up a chance to turn her reputation around ― or to share words and labels that have not-so-accidentally been left off their curriculum. But when the principal tries to shut down the unauthorized puberty talk, Elsie has to decide what she’s willing to risk to tell the truth to kids who really need to hear it.

Publication Date June 16th 2026 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
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From New York Times-bestselling and Hugo Award-winning author Zach Weinersmith comes a cartoon-illustrated middle grade novel starring a ferociously inactive kid who is dragged against his will into the madcap adventures of his friends and family.

Eleven-year-old Sawyer Lee descends from an endless lineage of absolute go-getters: astronauts, scientists, champion athletes, spies, and other assorted people of action. To this heritage, he says “thanks, but no.” His life’s goal, if we must use that word, is to spend his days on his best friend Gary’s couch, with roughly the ambition of a barnacle with the flu.

The problem is that Sawyer lives in the town of Ovelaville, where everybody (including his aunt Celia and other best friend Angela) is obsessed with doing whatever it takes to win the grand prize at the annual gourd festival, celebrating nature’s dullest vegetable. As their schemes for total gourd domination grow, Sawyer is, to his horror, caught up in both an adventure and a mystery. And he knows it will take a regrettable amount of energy either to get to the bottom of things or convince everyone to give up on it, and find the way back to his happy place on Gary’s couch, with a cozy throw blanket, a steaming mug of chamomile tea, and an empty schedule.

In this tale of friendship, love, betrayal, madness, and gardening enthusiasm, acclaimed cartoonist Zach Weinersmith introduces a hero who, as a general matter, would rather not. In that spirit, he has reduced the total number of words by providing over a hundred hilarious cartoons.

Publication Date June 16th 2026 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
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Twelve-year-old April is a talented performer who is determined to land the starring role in the school play, but no one believes she can do it because of her tracheostomy tube. A heartwarming story of friendship, identity, and the importance of chasing your dreams.

Sixth grader April Xue lives and breathes all things Broadway. When she builds up the courage to audition for the lead role in the school play, she thinks she’s knocked it out of the park — until she finds out that she’s been assigned to the stage crew. April is devastated — it seems like the curtain is closing on her dream of being an actor.

A day later, April overhears that the theater director, Ms. Rooney, decided not to cast her because she’s disabled. With the help of her best friend, a sneaky student reporter, and her spirited castmates, April learns to confront her own insecurities as a performer and proves to everyone (including Ms. Rooney) that she deserves a fair shot — all in time for opening night.

Publication Date June 30th 2026 by Aladdin
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A girl stuck in a time loop repeatedly relives an awkward sleepover at a wildlife center with a wolf-like monster in the woods in this fun and creepy middle grade adventure.

When Sydney heads to a sleepover birthday party at a wildlife center, she’s sure it’s a terrible idea. Not only because she’ll be staying in a creepy cabin surrounded by wolf enclosures, but because she wasn’t actually invited to the party. Instead, her mom asked Ari’s mom if Sydney could join, and now she’s crashing the event with a group of kids she barely knows. Ugh.

It turns out she isn’t the only party crasher when a strange, wolf-like creature bounds out of the woods and throws the night into chaos. In the rush to escape, Sydney hits her head, is knocked out cold…and wakes up back in the car, headed to the party.

Sydney realizes she’s living the same night again and again and again. Why is the evening stuck in a loop, and what is the creature prowling around the center? And — most importantly — how can she break the loop and finally see the morning?

Publication Date June 30th 2026 by Aladdin
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A girl who doesn’t know she’s in witness protection accidentally reveals her identity and puts her life in danger in this twisty upper middle grade thriller.

For as long as Lydia can remember, it’s been her and her dad against the world. But while she loves him, her dad is so overprotective. Well-versed in the dangers of the internet from his job in cybersecurity, he refuses to let Lydia be online without heavy parental controls, and social media is out of the question.

One day, when all Lydia’s friends are invited to a movie night at her crush’s house — except her because she’s not in the group chat — Lydia gets fed up with her dad’s rules and makes a social media account. Then an armed intruder shows up at her home. Clearly, there’s more to her family’s past than she knows.

On the run and separated from her dad, Lydia will need to uncover the secrets her dad has been keeping if she wants to reunite with him. But how can Lydia know who to trust along the way when she doesn’t even know who she is?