Author: Chelsea Henley

In this sweet picture book, a young boy finally gets to visit his mom’s hometown after years of only hearing about in her stories. But things aren’t as he expected, until he gets to visit his mom’s beloved river, and he can then see the magic she spoke of.

In this funny, warm middle grade novel, Annabelle’s expecting another humdrum year in the sixth grade. But when she meets new student Bailey, that begins to change. But so does Bailey’s home life, as she learns her father has something in common with Bailey: he’s trans.

This Thai-inspired fantasy follows Sai, who’s managed her way onto a ship that she hopes will take her away from her past. Sai is keeping a secret: though she’s played the role of genteel lady, her father’s a con man, a fact that could doom Sai in a world where one’s ancestors determine what their position in the world will be.

This historical novel-in-verse is set during the 1980s in Brooklyn. Told by dual narrators, two boys—JJ and Pie—become unlikely friends, bonding over their shared love of art. But a run-in with police threatens to destroy their new bond.

This inspiring picture book from Colin Kaepernick is a sweet story of self-esteem and self love, set after Kaepernick was asked to draw his family.

In this sweet picture book, a girl and her grandfather come up with a plan to help her grandmother, who often gets confused and lost in her memory. They get to work on their garden, growing gấc seeds to make grandmother’s favorite dish from her wedding.

In this heartfelt middle grade, June and Tyrell are kids living in a homeless shelter. June’s a new arrival struggling with her new life at Huey House, and Tyrell helps her adjust, showing her the good things about their new home. Then, as a new housing policy puts homeless families at risk, June and Tyrell work together to find a solution.

In this fun adventure middle grade, young witches hoping to be sorted into a powerful coven are shocked to instead be named as Spares. But when not even their Spare coven can be sealed, Seven and the other Spares embark on an impossible task to preserve their magic and become full-fledged witches.

In this sweet picture book (the picture book debut of YA author Nina Lacour), a child struggles with one of their moms going on a trip for a few days. The change in their routine is stressful and saddening, until they come up with the perfect way to welcome their mom home.

From the author of Not Quite Narwhal, also known as one of the cutest picture books ever written (please also try Harriet Gets Carried Away), comes this sweet story of Nimbus, a Pegasus who wishes on a star to find friends like her. What she finds is a Unicorn named Kelp and a few other creatures who open her eyes to so much more than she was looking for.

In this silly picture book, Goldie knows plenty about being the best grandchild and puts all her know-how to work with her grandpa, who also has a well of knowledge about grandparenting.

In this animal adventure, Cress and her family move into a new apartment when their dad doesn’t return home from one of his expeditions. In their rowdy new home, Cress tries to figure out if this strange place, without her dad, can ever be a real home.

This novel-in-verse is set in 1980s California, where Persian-American Ava loves to listen to music and surf with her best friend Phoenix. When Phoenix’s lymphoma reemerges, and Ava starts volunteering at the hospital at her mom’s direction, Ava has to find a way to keep her head above water.