New Books

Harlem at Four

New from a New York Times bestselling author and a critically acclaimed illustrator!

Painting on an easel.
Harlem at Four

A Stunning and Powerful Picture Book Told In Two Parts

Meet Harlem: the girl and the neighborhood. Part one follows the adventures of a little girl named Harlem and her single father as they go on a museum “playdate” with painters Romare Bearden and Jean-Michel Basquiat, listen to John Coltrane records, and conduct science experiments in their apartment (“The volcano erupts /Red lava on Valentine’s Day!”).

Part two takes us back to the fourth year of the twentieth century in Harlem’s neighborhood. Here, we are introduced to Philip A. Payton Jr., aka Papa Payton, whose Afro-American Realty Company gave birth to the Black housing explosion, helping to start America’s Great Black Migration. Because of Papa Peyton, Black families—like Harlem and her father a century later—could move to Harlem and thrive and flourish.

This is a unique, absolutely gorgeous picture book by New York Times bestselling author Michael Datcher and illustrated by Frank Morris, the Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist weaves together the lives of a modern Black family and a historically Black neighborhood in New York City.

Chapter Books Perfect for Emerging Readers

A to Z Animal Mysteries #1: The Absent Alpacas

A to Z Animal Mysteries #1: The Absent Alpacas By Ron Roy and Kayla Whaley; illustrated by Chloe Burgett

Solve Animal Mysteries from A to Z! Young clue hunters Abbi, Daniel, and Lydia sniff out the mystery behind a group of missing alpacas. Inspired by Ron Roy's beloved A to Z Mysteries series, this spin-off is perfect for budding young chapter-book readers--and future detectives!

A is for ALPACAS . . .

It's time for the alpaca costume contest, and Abigail "Abbi" Wallace is excited to see it at the Maine State Fair. But there’s only one alpaca left—the rest are missing! What sent the alpacas packing? Abbi; her dog, Barkley; and her friends Lydia and Daniel are ready to sniff out this mystery!

DON'T MISS the original A to Z Mysteries series by Ron Roy, starting with The Absent Author!

Junie B. Jones #1: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

Junie B. Jones #1: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus By Barbara Park; illustrated by Denise Brunkus

“Hilarious. Barbara Park makes reading fun.” —Dav Pilkey, author of Dog Man
 
Barbara Park’s #1 New York Times bestselling chapter book series, Junie B. Jones, has been keeping kids laughing—and reading—for more than twenty-five years. Over 65 million copies sold!
 
Meet the World’s Funniest Kindergartner—Junie B. Jones! Remember when it was scary to go to school? In the first Junie B. Jones book, it’s Junie B.’s first day and she doesn’t know anything. She’s so scared of the school bus and the meanies on it that when it’s time to go home, she doesn’t.
 
USA Today:
“Junie B. is the darling of the young-reader set.”
 
Publishers Weekly:
“Park convinces beginning readers that Junie B.—and reading—are lots of fun.”
 
Kirkus Reviews:
“Junie’s swarms of young fans will continue to delight in her unique take on the world. . . . A hilarious, first-rate read-aloud.”
 
Time:
“Junie B. Jones is a feisty six-year-old with an endearing penchant for honesty.”

Dinosaurs Before Dark

Dinosaurs Before Dark By Mary Pope Osborne; illustrated by Sal Murdocca

Read the #1 bestselling chapter book that started it all! Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Get whisked back in time in the magic tree house with Jack and Annie!

Where did the tree house come from?

Before Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them to the prehistoric past. Now they have to figure out how to get home. Can they do it before dark…or will they become a dinosaur’s dinner?

The Magic Tree House series has been a beloved favorite for over 25 years and is sure to inspire a love of reading—and adventure—in every child who joins Jack and Annie!

Did you know that there’s a Magic Tree House book for every kid?
• Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books
• Magic Tree House Graphic Novels:  Jack and Annie's original adventures come to life with full-color, vibrant art, perfect for graphic novel fans and reluctant readers
• Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader
• Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure
• Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures

The Magnificent Makers #1: How to Test a Friendship

The Magnificent Makers #1: How to Test a Friendship By Theanne Griffith; illustrated by Reggie Brown

BOOM! SNAP! WHIZ! ZAP! The Magnificent Makers series is filled with science, adventure, and characters that readers will love! A modern-day Magic School Bus for chapter book readers!

This book includes two science activities kids can do at home! These quick educational activities (30 minutes or less) use items you probably already have on hand!


Violet and Pablo are best friends who love science! So when they discover a riddle that opens a magic portal in the Science Space at school, they can't wait to check it out! Along with their new classmate, Deepak, the friends discover a magical makerspace called the Maker Maze. It's a laboratory full of robots, 3D printers, an antigravity chamber, and more. Doors line the walls of the makerspace, with a new science adventure waiting behind each one.

With the help of a hilarious and odd scientist, the Magnificent Makers embark on out-of-this-world adventures that help them master the science concepts they are learning in school. This series will cover several scientific topics (at an age-appropriate level) ranging from human biology to ecology, while also exploring issues such as managing failure, teamwork, courage, and jealousy.


Don't miss any books in this STEM-tastic series!
 
#1: How to Test a Friendship
#2: Brain Trouble
#3: Riding Sound Waves
#4: The Great Germ Hunt
#5: Race Through Space

Pizza and Taco: Who's the Best?

Pizza and Taco: Who's the Best? By Stephen Shaskan

The first in a hilarious young graphic novel series about Pizza and Taco. Two best friends, lots of toppings...but only one of them can be the BEST, right? Fans of Narwhal and Jelly will eat this book up...and be hungry for more!

Best friends are the BEST! But WHO is the BEST? Is it Pizza or Taco? The question is debatable! They both love water slides. They both are friends with Hot Dog and Hamburger. In fact, maybe they should have a debate and get their friends to VOTE for who's the best! Can their friendship survive the race for top spot on the popularity food chain? Cast your VOTE!

This graphic chapter book will tickle the funny bones of kids ages 5-8 and bolster their reading confidence. oung graphic chapter books are also a great step on the way to longer chapter books and graphic novels.

Readers will devour all the books in the series:
Pizza and Taco: Who's the Best?
Pizza and Taco: Best Party Ever!
Pizza and Taco: Super-Awesome Comic!
Pizza and Taco: Too Cool For School
Pizza and Taco: Rock Out!

Discover Even More Chapter Book Series Below!

From the bestselling author of Wonder, R. J. Palacio

Pony

Pony by R. J. Palacio Coming Soon in Paperback!

Instant New York Times Bestseller

The bestselling author of Wonder returns with an unforgettable adventure about a boy on a quest to rescue his father, with only a ghost as his companion and a mysterious pony as his guide.


When Silas Bird wakes in the dead of night, he watches powerlessly as three strangers take his father away. Silas is left shaken, scared, and alone, except for the presence of his companion, Mittenwool . . . who happens to be a ghost. 

But then a mysterious pony shows up at his door, and Silas knows what he has to do.

So begins a perilous journey to find his father--a journey that will connect him with his past, his future, and the unknowable world around him.

R. J. Palacio spins a powerful and heartwarming story, one of those rare books destined to become a classic, beloved for generations to come.

White Bird: A Novel

Soon to be a Major Motion Picture!

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson!
 
Read the novelized version of the celebrated New York Times bestselling story of kindness and unrelenting courage in a time of war--inspired by the blockbuster phenomenon Wonder.


Sara Blum lives an idyllic life with her adoring parents in Vichy France. But her world comes crashing down when the Nazi occupation separates the family and forces the young Jewish girl into hiding. Her classmate Julien and his family will risk everything to ensure her survival, and, together, Sara and Julien manage to find beauty in a secret world of their creation. 
 
First published as a graphic novel and now a major motion picture starring Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson, R. J. Palacio’s unforgettable story demonstrates the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges, and even save lives in the darkest of times. 
 
Includes an 8-page photo insert and a discussion guide.

White Bird: A Wonder Story (A Graphic Novel)

White Bird: A Wonder Story (A Graphic Novel) By R. J. Palacio

Soon to be a major motion picture, starring Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson! R. J. Palacio’s unforgettable graphic novel debut is a story about the power of kindness and unrelenting courage in a time of war.

SYDNEY TAYLOR AWARD WINNER • A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER


In R. J. Palacio's bestselling collection of stories Auggie & Me, which expands on characters in Wonder, readers were introduced to Julian's grandmother, Grandmère. Here, Palacio makes her graphic novel debut with Grandmère's heartrending story: how she, a young Jewish girl, was hidden by a family in a Nazi-occupied French village during World War II; how the boy she and her classmates once shunned became her savior and best friend.

Sara's harrowing experience movingly demonstrates the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges, and even save lives. As Grandmère tells Julian, "It always takes courage to be kind, but in those days, such kindness could cost you everything." With poignant symbolism and gorgeous artwork that brings Sara's story out of the past and cements it firmly in this moment in history, White Bird is sure to captivate anyone who was moved by the book Wonder or the blockbuster movie adaptation and its message.

Praise for White Bird:

"At once expressive and chaste, an elusive but ideal combination." —New York Times

"A story that shows the impact of the Second World War and the rise of fascism on what had been a pastoral, fairy-tale childhood, with White Bird pulling no punches in connecting that historical moment to what’s happening in the world today." —The Hollywood Reporter

Extraordinarily powerful.... White Bird does not shrink from depicting the terror and violence of the Nazi occupation for younger readers, and respects the ability of those readers to handle strong material.” —Forbes

"A must-read graphic novel that is both heart-rending and beautifully hopeful."Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"R.J. Palacio brings to life the nature of heroism and the real risks we face today." —Meg Medina, Newbery award-winning author of Mercy Suarez Changes Gears

"Rare, superb, timely, and timeless." —Mark Siegel, author of the 5 Worlds graphic novel series

Wonder

Wonder By R. J. Palacio

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary facewho shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that inspired the Choose Kind movement, a major motion picture, and the critically acclaimed graphic novel White Bird.

And don't miss R.J. Palacio's highly anticipated new novel, Pony, available now!

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.
 
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Beginning from Auggie’s point of view and expanding to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others, the perspectives converge to form a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope.

R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories

Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories By R. J. Palacio

Over 15 million people have read the #1 New York Times bestseller Wonder and have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face.

And don't miss R.J. Palacio's highly anticipated new novel, Pony, available now!

Auggie & Me gives readers a special look at Auggie’s world through three new points of view. These stories are an extra peek at Auggie before he started at Beecher Prep and during his first year there. Readers get to see him through the eyes of Julian, the bully; Christopher, Auggie’s oldest friend; and Charlotte, Auggie’s new friend at school. Together, these three stories are a treasure for readers who don’t want to leave Auggie behind when they finish Wonder.

We're All Wonders

We're All Wonders By Written & illustrated by R. J. Palacio

The New York Times bestseller that celebrates kindness, belonging, and friendship. Inspired by the unforgettable blockbuster book and movie Wonder, this is the perfect graduation gift for kids of all ages, plus a great choice for baby showers, birthdays, and other new beginnings!

Over 15 million people have fallen in love with Wonder and have joined the movement to Choose Kind. Now younger readers can meet Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, and his beloved dog, Daisy.
 
Countless fans have asked R. J. Palacio to write a book for younger readers. With We’re All Wonders, she makes her picture-book debut as both author and artist, with a spare, powerful text and striking, richly imagined illustrations. Palacio shows readers what it’s like to live in Auggie’s world—a world in which he feels like any other kid, but he’s not always seen that way.
 
We’re All Wonders may be Auggie’s story, but it taps into every child’s longing to belong, and to be seen for who they truly are. It’s the perfect way for families and educators to talk about empathy and kindness with young children.

Praise for Wonder:
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A USA Today Top 100 Bestseller
An Indie Bestseller
A Time Magazine 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time Selection
A Washington Post Best Kids’ Book
A New York Times Book Review Notable Book
An NPR Outstanding Backseat Book Club Pick
An Entertainment Weekly 10 Great Kids’ Books Selection


“A beautiful, funny and sometimes sob-making story of quiet transformation.” —The Wall Street Journal

“A crackling page-turner filled with characters you can’t help but root for.” —Entertainment Weekly

“Rich and memorable.” —The New York Times Book Review

R. J. Palacio

R. J. Palacio

R. J. Palacio is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wonder, which has sold over 15 million copies worldwide. The book's message inspired the Choose Kind movement and has been embraced by readers around the world, with the book published in over 50 languages. Wonder was made into a blockbuster movie starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay. Palacio’s other bestselling books include Pony, 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of PreceptsAuggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories, the picture book We’re All Wonders, and the graphic novel White Bird, which is currently being filmed as a major motion picture starring Gillian Anderson and Helen Mirren. Palacio lives in Brooklyn with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.

Dreams from My Father (Adapted for Young Adults)

Dreams from My Father (Adapted for Young Adults)

Dreams from My Father (Adapted for Young Adults) By Barack Obama

Now adapted for young adults—the #1 New York Times bestselling memoir, which Toni Morrison called “quite extraordinary,” offers an intimate look at Barack Obama’s early days. This is a compelling journey tracing the future 44th president's odyssey through family, race, and identity.
 
A revealing portrait of a young Black man asking questions about self-discovery and belonging—long before he became one of the most important voices in America. This unique edition includes a new introduction from the author, full-color photo insert, and family tree. 
 
The son of a white American mother and a Black Kenyan father, Obama was born in Hawaii, where he lived until he was six years old, when he moved with his mother and stepfather to Indonesia. At twelve, he returned to Hawaii to live with his grandparents. Obama brings readers along as he faces the challenges of high school and college, living in New York, becoming a community organizer in Chicago, and traveling to Kenya. Through these experiences, he forms an enduring commitment to leadership and justice. Told through the lens of his relationships with his family—the mother and grandparents who raised him, the father he knows more as a myth than as a man, and the extended family in Kenya he meets for the first time—Obama confronts the complicated truth of his father’s life and legacy and comes to embrace his divided heritage.
 
On his journey to adulthood from a humble background, he forges his own path through trial and error while staying connected to his roots. Barack Obama is determined to lead a life of purpose, service, and authenticity. This powerful memoir will inspire readers to examine both where they come from and where they are capable of going.

Barack Obama

Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States, elected in November 2008 and holding office for two terms. He is the author of three New York Times bestselling books, Dreams from My Father, The Audacity of Hope, and A Promised Land, and is the recipient of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Michelle. They have two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

In the Wild Light

From Jeff Zentner, the award-winning author of The Serpent King, comes a beautiful examination of grief, found family, and the young love.

About the Book

Life in a small Appalachian town is not easy. Cash lost his mother to an opioid addiction and his papaw is dying slowly from emphysema. Dodging drug dealers and watching out for his best friend, Delaney, is second nature.

But when Delaney manages to secure both of them full rides to a prestigious boarding school in Connecticut, Cash must grapple with his desire to protect Delaney and his love for the home and people he must leave behind.

Change is painful, but poetry is a salve for heartbreak in this coming-of-age novel about finding the courage to change the things you can.

Praise for IN THE WILD LIGHT

“This story and these characters will stay with me for a long time, and that’s fine because I don’t want them to go away just yet.” —Leigh Anne E., educator and NetGalley reviewer

“I can implore you to pre-order multiple copies for your classroom library, and prepare to lose many because this is a book kids will clutch to their chests.” —Emily A., educator and NetGalley reviewer

“Jeff Zentner has once again penned a poignant story that will teach us and heal us. Read this book.” —Janice W., educator and NetGalley reviewer “Vitally redefines friendship as something that must be protected, sacrificed for, and tended to with wisdom, patience, and love—and, to our luck, rendered in Zentner’s gemlike sentences.” —Ocean Vuong, New York Times bestselling author of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous

“In a word: sublime. This gift of a book will leave you with fiery, incandescent hope in your chest.” —Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read

“A novel with the soul of a poem. Jeff Zentner proves yet again that he’s one of the most luminous voices writing for young people today.” —Randy Ribay, author of National Book Award Finalist Patron Saints of Nothing

“An ode to the healing power of nature and art, but also a testament to the beauty of family, both blood and created. No one else can write like Jeff Zentner.” —Silas House, New York Times bestselling author of Southernmost and Same Sun Here

🟊 “A brilliant treasure of a book that holds up a mirror to the best parts of our humanity.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

🟊 “Evocative and moving, highlighting Zentner’s impressive skill with both poetry and prose. ” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

🟊“A wise, gorgeous exploration of loss and survival that will make readers cry. . . . Lyrical and heartbreaking.” —School Library Journal, starred review

🟊 “Heartfelt and deeply moving. . . . A book that readers will unhesitatingly take to their hearts. ” —Booklist, starred review

“Zentner’s signature poetic prose is in full effect as he crafts sentences that read like sweet tea tastes and cotton feels. . . . In the Wild Light is a love letter to possibility. ” —BookPage

Random House Teachers and Librarians