The Best New Children's Books Coming Out Summer 2018

By Caroline Rogers
June 08, 2018
Credit: Martin Barraud/Getty Images
Summer’s here! That means it’s time to fill your young readers’ shelves with new books they’ll love reading all season long. For those days when it’s just too hot to go outside (and come July and August, there are sure to be more than a few of those sweltering days), the kids will be happy to curl up inside with a good book (thank you, AC). If your readers are in the market for great new books to add to their reading lists, take a trip to the local library and pick out a few exciting stories for them to get lost in. Need ideas? Here are plenty of recommendations for your young readers. These books are new summer releases by some of the best-loved voices in children’s and young adult fiction. The list is organized by age, from 3 to 18, and the included books are filled with adventures, challenges, and characters that are impossible to forget.
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1 of 19

Run Wild by David Covell

Credit: amazon.com

Ages 3-5

The wonders of the great wide outdoors are at the heart of this beautifully illustrated children’s book and joyous celebration of adventures in nature. (June 5)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

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2 of 19

Geraldine by Elizabeth Lilly

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Ages 3-6

Geraldine the giraffe moves to a new town and makes a new friend in this cheery book about the importance of being yourself. (June 26)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

3 of 19

Great Dog by Davide Cali, illustrated by Miguel Tanco

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Ages 3-7

A puppy and his dad think about their ancestors and imagine what the future holds in this quirky book about family and growing up. (May 29)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

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4 of 19

Ocean Meets Sky by The Fan Brothers

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Ages 4-8

Young Finn builds a boat and embarks on a journey on the high seas in this beautiful, adventure-filled book by brothers Terry and Eric Fan. (May 15)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

5 of 19

The Honeybee by Kirsten Hall, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault

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Ages 4-8

In Kirsten Hall’s lovely new book, young readers learn about honeybees and follow along as a honeybee goes about its day, flitting from flower to flower. (May 8)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

6 of 19

Square by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

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Ages 5-9

The latest installment in Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s clever Shape Trilogy explores the world of Square, Circle, and Triangle, three shapes exploring art, perspective, and wonder. (May 8)

To buy: $15.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

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7 of 19

Birds and Their Feathers by Britta Teckentrup

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Ages 6-9

Author and illustrator Britta Teckentrup’s new book is filled with pages upon pages of gorgeous illustrations and teaches readers of all ages about birds and their fascinating feathers. (June 5)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

8 of 19

The Language of Spells by Garret Weyr, illustrated by Katie Harnett

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Ages 8-11

A friendship between a child named Maggie and a dragon named Grisha is at the heart of this transportive, adventure-filled book about magic, connection, and shared history. (June 26)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

9 of 19

The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle by Christina Uss

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Ages 8-11

12-year-old Bicycle sets out to bike across the country in this charming adventure story, which was partly inspired by author Christina Uss’ own long-distance cycling experiences. (June 5)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

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10 of 19

The Boy, the Boat, and the Beast by Samantha M. Clark

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Ages 8-12

Middle-grade readers will be enthralled by Samantha M. Clark’s new book, a story about a boy stranded on a stretch of isolated beach who must face his fears in order to return home. (June 26)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

11 of 19

The Penderwicks at Last by Jeanne Birdsall

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Ages 8-12

The final installment of the beloved series by National Book Award-winning author Jeanne Birdsall, which covers 9 years in the lives of the Penderwick siblings, is a charming story about family and friendship. (May 15)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

12 of 19

The Jamie Drake Equation by Christopher Edge

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Ages 9-12

Venture to space alongside Jamie Drake, a young boy whose father is in orbit on the International Space Station, and who, when he receives an unexpected signal on his phone, sets out to investigate the unknown. (June 26)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

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13 of 19

She Loves You (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah) by Ann Hood

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Ages 10 and up

Set in 1966, this new book follows Trudy Mixer, a young girl living in Rhode Island, as she sets out to make a dream come true. That dream? Seeing The Beatles in concert in Boston. (June 26)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

14 of 19

The Button War by Avi

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Ages 10-14

Set in a Polish Village on the eve of the Great War, The Button War follows 12-year-old Patryk and his friends as they navigate the changing city and participate in a daring game that involves stealing military buttons. (June 12)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

15 of 19

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon

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Ages 12 and up

From the author of When Dimple Met Rishi comes this winning story about Twinkle Mehra, an aspiring filmmaker navigating friendship, love, and acceptance. (May 22)

To buy: $18.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

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16 of 19

Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

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Ages 13 and up

In author Adib Khorram’s wonderful debut novel, high school sophomore Darius takes his first trip to Iran to visit his father and, in the process, finds a friend in his new neighbor Sohrab. (August 28)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

17 of 19

The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by David Arnold

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Ages 14-17

Life changes when sixteen-year-old Noah Oakman is hypnotized and, in the process, gains new perspective in this exciting new book by the author of Mosquitoland. (May 22)

To buy: $18.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

18 of 19

The Other Side of Lost by Jessi Kirby, illustrated by Annica Lydenberg

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Ages 14 and up

A social media star retreats from the limelight and embarks on a journey to hike the John Muir Trail, along the way finding challenge, friendship, and a newfound sense of self. (August 7)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

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19 of 19

Your Destination Is on the Left by Lauren Spieller

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Ages 14-18

Seventeen-year-old Dessa Rhodes dreams of attending art school but finds herself in a state of constant travel alongside her family and their RV caravan. When an internship opportunity arises, she is faced with a difficult choice. (June 26)

To buy: $18.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

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By Caroline Rogers