Fall’s Essential Reads from Independent Publishers.
FICTION
The Academy
AUTHOR: T.Z. Layton
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Young Reader(Oct.)
ISBN: 9781464267109
AGES: 8-12
The action-packed first in The Academy series! A small-town soccer star gets the chance of a lifetime: a shot at a Premier League youth team—if he can beat the odds and believe in himself.
The Adventures of Cipollino
AUTHOR: Gianni Rodari
TRANSLATOR: Antony Shugaar
ILLUSTRATOR: Dasha Tolstikova
PUBLISHER: Enchanted Lion (Oct.)
ISBN: 9781592704163
AGES: 8-12
In a land of vegetables, Cipollino fights for freedom and justice against tyrants and scoundrels of all kinds. From the father of modern Italian children's literature—and for the first time ever in English!
Attention Authors of Earth
AUTHOR: Jason F. Franz
PUBLISHER: Chicken Scratch Books (Sep.)
ISBN: 9781953743480
AGES: 8-12
A laugh-out-loud science fiction tribute that combines a young writer’s conference, plagiarizers from another planet, and an alien invasion that just might be the end of Earth.
The Crimson Throne
AUTHOR: Sara Raasch and Beth Revis
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Fire (Oct.)
ISBN: 9781464236136
AGES: 13-up
From the NYT bestselling authors of Night of the Witch comes a spellbinding historical romantasy set in a magical Scottish court, where spies, fae, and forbidden love could change history.
Wavelength
AUTHOR: Cale Plett
PUBLISHER: Groundwood Books (Oct.)
ISBN: 9781779460295
AGES: 13-up
Hannah Montana meets Heartstopper in this story of a teen pop star on the run from fame who finds family, love, and gender euphoria when they become entangled with a local band.
NONFICTION
A to Z Alphabet Seek & Find
AUTHOR: Judy Wilson
PUBLISHER: Flowerpot Press (Sep.)
ISBN: 9781486729548
AGES: 0-3
In this eye-popping Seek & Find series alphabet book, a unique jumbo foldout page allows readers to immerse themselves in the experience and discover something new with every read.
PICTURE BOOK
Ahhh, Milk!: The Many Ways Milk is Made
AUTHOR: Abbe Starr
ILLUSTRATOR: Evelline Andrya
PUBLISHER: Gnome Road Publishing (Sep.)
ISBN: 9781957655512
AGES: 4-8
This unique picture book combines gentle rhyming text with stunning illustrations to provide a fascinating look at the world's many different kinds of milk, from cow milk to oat milk and more.
Andy: A Dog's Tale
AUTHOR: John Kelly
PUBLISHER: The Collective Book Studio (Oct.)
ISBN: 9781685553432
AGES: 4-8
Follow Andy, a little pup with a big heart, as he follows his dream of becoming a service dog. Filled with empathy and purpose, this story will inspire kids and parents alike.
Around the World Celebrations
AUTHOR: Evi Triantafyllides
PUBLISHER: Worldwide Buddies (2024)
ISBN: 9798988932628
AGES: 4-8
As millions celebrate the change of the New Year, get ready to embark on a yearlong adventure around the globe. A book for discovering 16 unique holidays, traditions, and celebrations of different cultures.
Bea's Balikbayan Box of Treasures
AUTHOR: Christine Alemshah
PUBLISHER: Free Spirit Publishing (Aug.)
ISBN: 9798885546416
AGES: 4-8
Bea helps her family pack a balikbayan box for loved ones in the Philippines, sharing culture, care, and connection—then eagerly waits to see the joy it brings her family overseas.
Bravo for Backstage
AUTHOR: Mary Rand Hess and Randy Preston
PUBLISHER: Free Spirit Publishing (Sep.)
ISBN: 9798885544030
AGES: 8-12
Oscar is disappointed when he doesn’t get the lead—but as stage manager, he discovers joy, friendship, and magic backstage. Includes mini-musical resources.
Dear Duck, Please Come!
AUTHOR: Sarah Mackenzie
PUBLISHER: Waxwing Books (Jan)
ISBN: 9781956393118
AGES: 4-8
A lighthearted romp through Piney Glen with a band of friends who learn that friendship isn’t about fixing each other’s problems but about being there for each other.
Don't Eat Me! The Almost True Story of Belladonna
AUTHOR: Kate Finney and Esmé Shapiro
PUBLISHER: Enchanted Lion (Oct.)
ISBN: 9781592704347
AGES: 4-8
What does survival look like for a plant, who can't run away? This is the story of Belladonna, who learns no one gets far growing alone. Fascinating and sure to catalyze a lifelong interest in plants!
Flora and the Jazzers
AUTHOR: Astrid Sheckels
PUBLISHER: Waxwing Books (Oct.)
ISBN: 9781956393187
AGES: 4-8
Acclaimed author/illustrator Astrid Sheckels delivers this Cinderella-like animal story set in the 1920s for readers with a song in their heart.
From Earth to Eris
AUTHOR: Greg Bradley
PUBLISHER: Little Creek Press (Jul.)
ISBN: 9781955656979
AGES: 3-6
Soar through space with adventurers Jay and Jack on a magical journey to the galaxy’s edge. Dodge asteroids, pocket Saturn’s sparkle, explore mysterious moons, and rocket to the farthest planet, Eris.
The Giving Flower
AUTHOR: Alda P. Dobbs
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (Sep.)
ISBN: 9781728297811
AGES: 4-8
From Pura Belpré Honoree Alda P. Dobbs comes a lyrical picture book celebrating the poinsettia—its origins, legends, and how it blossomed into a cherished symbol of holiday joy and tradition.
The Great Tamale Treasure Hunt/La gran búsqueda de los tamales
AUTHOR: Naibe Reynoso
ILLUSTRATOR: Claudia Navarro
PUBLISHER: Con Todo Press (2026)
ISBN: 9781958615331
AGES: 4-8
When Abuela's stove breaks down, her three grandkids go on a fantastical treasure hunt to find the tastiest tamales in the land. A bilingual children’s book wrapped in one flavorful adventure!
Hello, Snow!
AUTHOR: Katherine Pryor and Rose Soini
PUBLISHER: Schiffer Kids, an imprint of
Schiffer Publishing (Sep.)
ISBN: 9780764369957
AGES: 0-3
When two young children wake to the excitement of a snow day, they rush outside to make snow angels, build a snow friend, toss snowballs, and discover the wonders of nature in winter.
My Grandma and Grandpa Rock
AUTHOR: Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (Sep.)
ISBN: 9781728298023
AGES: 3-6
Rock-and-roll icons Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo deliver a joyful, lyrical read-aloud celebrating the coolest grandparents—from plumbers to yogis to rock stars. Perfect for music-loving families!
The Mood Swing
AUTHOR: B.R. Duray
PUBLISHER: Moon Tree Studios (2024)
ISBN: 9798989710317
AGES: 3-6
After losing his dad, Peter’s magical swing mirrors his grief—soaring to space in joy, sinking in sorrow. With his mom’s help, he finds balance, healing, and wonder again in the stars.
Painting Wonder
AUTHOR: Katie Wray Schon
PUBLISHER: Waxwing Books (Apr.)
ISBN: 9781956393156
AGES: 4-8
Painting Wonder is an enchanting picture book biography about the artist whose illustrations brought the worlds of C.S.
Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien to life.
Rafa and the Wrong Legs
AUTHOR: Angie Lucas
ILLUSTRATOR: Ana Sanfelippo
PUBLISHER: Marble Press (2024)
ISBN: 9781958325223
AGES: 4-8
Rafael is finally old enough to visit the supermarket without having to ride in the shopping cart, but a bouncing berry lures him into a sea of unfamiliar legs. Will he ever find his way back to Mama?
Sweet Dreams
AUTHOR: Charles Ghigna and Jacqueline East
PUBLISHER: Schiffer Kids, an imprint of Schiffer Publishing (Aug.)
ISBN: 9780764369964
AGES: 4-8
14 imaginative candy-themed poems engage children to explore the wonders of the moon. Perfect for bedtime reading, these poems will gently guide children toward their own sweet dreams.
The Sweetest Taste
AUTHOR: Sara Holly Ackerman
ILLUSTRATOR: Juliana Oakley
PUBLISHER: Marble Press (2026)
ISBN: 9781958325483
AGES: 4-8
Author Sara Holly Ackerman delivers this heartwarming story about Eva, a first- year student whose school’s music room piano reminds her of the sweet sounds of home and her Papa’s honey cake.
These ABCs Belong to Me!
AUTHOR: Alicia McKenzie
PUBLISHER: The Collective Book Studio (Sep.)
ISBN: 9781685557997
AGES: 3-6
A joyful ABC book that flips labels into superpowers, These ABCs Belong to Me! celebrates traits like “Bossy” and “Quiet” as strengths, building kids’ confidence with vibrant art and uplifting words.
Tummies Flip, Hearts Skip: A Book About How Feelings Feel
AUTHOR: Kris Downing
PUBLISHER: Free Spirit Publishing (Sep.)
ISBN: 9798885543811
AGES: 4-8
Children learn how emotions feel in their bodies and what those feelings mean—plus how to name and handle them—with fun, relatable text and bright, engaging illustrations.
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