New Release: AGENTS OF S.U.I.T.: FROM BADGER TO WORSE

AGENTS OF S.U.I.T.: FROM BADGER TO WORSE by John Patrick Green, with Christopher Hastings and Pat Lewis (First Second Books, Feb 2024)

In the first book of AGENTS OF S.U.I.T., eager rookie agent Cilantro stepped into the spotlight―and rocketed into space! Now it’s time for the B-Team to show why they’re so un-B-lievably B-loved.

That’s right, Bongo and Marsha, the super-spy Badgers, are on the case…and way over-budget. When S.U.I.T. realizes just how much money the Badgers waste with their gadgets and spy vehicles and custom plush toys, they’re sent to Bora Bora to investigate a case…the old-fashioned way. The bees―that’s “bee-ee-ee,” like the insect―that run the resort are hiding something under the tropical sands, and Marsha and Bongo are just the bumbling agents to crack this pineapple-flavored case wide open.

Select praise for the series:

• School Library Journal review: “…All the same great punny humor and built-in suspense as the original InvestiGators books… this series is likely to bring in loyal and new readers.”

New Release: RUINED

RUINED by Sarah Vaughn, Sarah Winifred Searle, and Niki Smith
(First Second Books, Nov 2023)

The whole town is whispering about how Catherine Benson lost her virtue, though they can never agree on the details. Was it in the public garden? Or a moving carriage?

Only a truly desperate man would want her now―and that’s exactly what Andrew Davener is. His family’s estate is in disrepair, but Catherine’s sizeable dowry could set it to rights.

After the two wed, Catherine finds herself inexplicably drawn to Andrew. But could falling in love with her husband tear her marriage apart? In this richly detailed Regency romance, duty and passion collide in a slow-burn tale of intertwined fates.

Select praise for RUINED:

• Shelf Awareness starred review: “Readers looking for a quieter Bridgerton or a more diverse, steamier Austen novel will love this graphic novel.”

• Booklist review: “Sure to be a delight for fans of the show Bridgerton and other similar adaptations… Modern Austen fans should take a look.”

• “Ruined is a gorgeous historical romance you’ll immediately fall for.” - Culturess.com

New Release: CHUBBY BUNNY

CHUBBY BUNNY by Julie Murphy and Sarah Winifred Searle
(Balzer & Bray, Oct 2023)

The debut picture book from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’, with illustrations by acclaimed cartoonist Sarah Winifred Searle.

Barbara “Bunny” Binks comes from a long line of Barbaras, that started with her mother and grandmother. She loves putting her hair up in “bunny buns,” playing with her rabbit Ralph, and eating marshmallows.

Then one day, she participates in her favorite marshmallow eating contest at field day called “Chubby Bunny,” and her classmates start teasing her.

But with a little help from another Barbara, Bunny figures out a very sweet solution. 

Select praise for CHUBBY BUNNY:

• Booklist starred review: “Adorable Bunny is an exuberant and inventive protagonist, approaching life with zeal and creativity. The supportive familial relationships are a joy, and happily, Bunny is given the agency to reclaim her name and confidence on her own terms.”

• School Library Journal review: “Adorable, inclusive illustrations will draw many young readers in as they identify with one or more of the characters gracing the pages of this smart, fun, empowering story.”

New Release: INVESTIGATORS: ALL TIDE UP

INVESTIGATORS: ALL TIDE UP by John Patrick Green
(First Second Books, Sept 2023)

Unsinkable detectives Mango and Brash are back in InvestiGators: All Tide Up, a high seas adventure that takes the hit series by John Patrick Green to uncharted waters!

When a cruise captain is found drifting at sea and delirious, the search begins for his missing ship and passengers! Did it sink? Was it boat-napped? Are supernatural forces at play? And can the InvestiGators unravel this maritime mystery before a second cruise befalls a similarly unfathomable fate? Seas the day and find out in this new nautical adventure!

Select praise for ALL TIDE UP:

• School Library Journal review: “Green outdid himself in this [volume]. The humor is on another level… So don’t just pick up volume 7 of this series, but go back and read and re-read all of them.”

New Release: MALL GOTH

MALL GOTH by Kate Leth (S&S Young Readers, Sept 2023)

Liv Holme is not exactly thrilled to be moving to a new town with her mother. After all, high school can be brutal, even more so when you’re a fifteen-year-old, bisexual goth. But Liv is determined to be who she is, bullies or not. Still, being the new kid and the only out student brings her a lot of unwelcome attention, and Liv flounders in her search for community. The only person who makes time for her is one of teachers, but Liv isn’t sure how to feel about the way he behaves toward her.

Thankfully, she’s found the perfect escape: the mall. Under its fluorescent lights, Liv feels far away from her parents’ strained marriage and the peers who don’t understand her. Amid the bright storefronts, food court smell, and anonymous shoppers, Liv is safely one of the crowd and can enjoy the feeling of calling the shots in her own life for once.

With the help of her suburban refuge, Liv sets off on a journey of self-acceptance and learns to navigate the ups and downs of high school and to recognize true friendship.

Select praise for MALL GOTH:

• Kirkus review: “Liv’s emotional struggles, vividly shown in the expressive art, will feel relatable to many readers… a thoughtful, relationship-driven story.”

New Release: A GUEST IN THE HOUSE

A GUEST IN THE HOUSE by Emily Carroll (First Second Books, Aug 2023)

After many lonely years, Abby’s just gotten married. She met her new husband―a recently widowed dentist―when he arrived in town with his young daughter, seeking a new start. Although it’s strange living in the shadow of her predecessor, Abby does her best to be a good wife and mother. But the more she learns about her new husband’s first wife, the more things don’t add up. And Abby starts to wonder . . . was Sheila’s death really by natural causes? As Abby sinks deeper into confusion, Sheila’s memory seems to become a force all its own, ensnaring Abby in a mystery that leaves her obsessed, fascinated, and desperately in love for the first time in her life.

Select praise for A GUEST IN THE HOUSE:

• Booklist starred review: “Carroll brings her deliciously disquieting style to this gothic tale of a new marriage and the sinister secrets lurking beneath the veneer of cozy domesticity.”

• NPR review: “What makes Carroll’s work such a compelling read are the visuals, which are consistently surprising and expertly move from one stylistic tactic to the next, each creating its own particular mood. A Guest in the House rests on atmosphere, delivering an uncanny, wild ride.”

• “Emily Carroll is the master of comics horror, we can only thank whoever blessed/cursed her with the gift to creep under the skin and thrill with visceral image as only she can. Reading A Guest in the House is to feel small and sad and longing, but curious, sensual, forbidden - then terrified, trapped, racing to an end you can’t look away from. I loved it, of course I did!!”
  - Kate Beaton, creator of Ducks

• “With the hypnotically brilliant A Guest in the House, phantasmagoria meets family psychodrama. I’m left agape and haunted, and wanting more.”
  - Paul Tremblay, author of The Cabin at the End of the World

New Release: PRISM STALKER: THE WEEPING STAR

PRISM STALKER: THE WEEPING STAR by Sloane Leong
(Dark Horse, July 2023)

The planet Eriatarka grows more inhospitable as it’s colonization at the hand of the Chorus continues.

Vep and her fellow students are reaching the end of their basic combat training in the pneumatic arts and begin to exercise their abilities outside the colony-city of Elefstris. Their objective: subdue the unruly planet bent on scouring the Chorus’ presence from its surface. But what exactly are they subjugating? And what will the cost of conquering be?

Select praise for THE WEEPING STAR:

• “Prism Stalker rewires your brain with every page turn, leaving you both entranced by its invention and emboldened by its indignation. This is big-idea sci-fi of the highest order, and a rare depiction of the alient that feels truly and thoroughly ALIEN.”
  - Ezra Clayton Daniels, author of Upgrade Soul and BTTM FDRS

• “The most visually innovative graphic novel in years, Prism Stalker pairs stunning art with a richly layered sci-fi thriller… Book of the year, hands down.”
  - Alex de Campi, creator of Dracular, Motherf**ker! and Twisted Romance

• “Electrifying and hallucinatory… like a psychic bomb exploding in your conscience. It’s a nuanced meditation on settler colonialism in space. But it’s also a mind-blowing, eyeball-melting trip through biological cities and sentient planets, full of flesh-ripping battles and satisfyingly incomprehensible alien life. The gorgeous, wild characters in this book will blast their way into your heart and refuse to leave.”
  - Annalee Newitz, author of The Terraformers and Autonomous

New Release: CLEMENTINE FOX AND THE GREAT ISLAND ADVENTURE

CLEMENTINE FOX AND THE GREAT ISLAND ADVENTURE by Leigh Luna (Scholastic Graphix, May 2023)

Meet Clementine Fox, Professional Amateur Adventurer!

Clementine is supposed to be on her way to school... but why not go out for a day of adventure and exploration instead? She recruits her friends Nubbins Squirrel and Penelope Rabbit and heads to the beach, where Jesse Otter is preparing to take his giant Turtle, Annabella, to a mysterious local island. Clementine’s great-aunt Marnie lives there -- far away from math tests and tutors -- so Clementine and her friends hitch a ride to the island as stowaways. What could go wrong?

This is Leigh Luna’s funny and charming debut graphic novel about a group of young animals who set out on an adventure and learn the true value of friendship, family, and what it means to stick together and work things out!

Select praise for CLEMENTINE FOX:

• Kirkus review: “Winsome adventures in friendship, magic, and hands-on visual learning.”

• PW review: “Warm colors provide a welcoming feel, animated facial expressions add verve, and themes of communal care, friendship, and overcoming obstacles permeate this gently humorous narrative.”

• School Library Journal review: “A perfect addition to any middle grade collection!”
  

New Release: AGENTS OF S.U.I.T.

AGENTS OF S.U.I.T. by John Patrick Green, with Christopher Hastings and Pat Lewis (First Second Books, Feb 2023)

InvestiGators fans, rejoice! Get ready to dive into the first volume of AGENTS OF S.U.I.T., featuring the weird and wacky co-workers of everyone's favorite sewer-sleuthing super-agents, Mango and Brash!

At S.U.I.T. headquarters, Cilantro the Chameleon finally gets what she’s been waiting for: a field assignment. Only…it’s literally out in the middle of a field, and her orders are so vague, she can hardly tell what she’s supposed to be investigating. But as she begins to uncover a sheep-led worker’s rights revolt and an alien invasion conspiracy―not to mention a spooky haunting at the abandoned S.U.I.T. field outpost―Cilantro steps into her own V.E.S.T. as a valued member of the S.U.I.T. team. From InvestiGators mastermind John Patrick Green, the world of S.U.I.T. has never been more fun!

Select praise for AGENTS OF S.U.I.T.:

• School Library Journal review: “…All the same great punny humor and built-in suspense as the original InvestiGators books… this series is likely to bring in loyal and new readers.”

New Release: DUNGEON CLUB: ROLL CALL

D&D: DUNGEON CLUB: ROLL CALL by Molly Knox Ostertag and Xanthe Bouma
(HarperAlley, Nov 2022)

Middle school is a dungeon… At least, that’s how Jess sees it.

Luckily, she and her best friend Olivia know how to escape into the sprawling worlds of their own imaginations. The two friends have always loved making up stories, first with little kid games of make-believe, and more recently with the fantasy roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons. When they play, Olivia runs the game as Dungeon Master and Jess is the solo party member, playing a take-no-prisoners, lone-wolf fighter of her own design named Sir Corius.

But when Olivia wants to add new players to their group, Jess finds herself struggling to share their game—and her best friend. Will their epic campaign withstand all this change, or has their adventure—and their friendship—finally come to an end?

Select praise for DUNGEON CLUB: ROLL CALL:

• “What Molly Ostertag and Xanthe Bouma pull off in Dungeon Club is nothing short of astounding… this book will be a treasured artifact for years and years to come!”
  — Brennan Lee Mulligan, creator of Dimension 20

• “An absolutely wonderful story that exemplifies the joys, challenges, and lifelong memories forged between friends in the creative furnace of roleplaying games... I absolutely loved it.” — Matthew Mercer, creator of Critical Role

• “A thrilling and gorgeous adventure that goes straight for your heart.” — ND Stevenson, NYT-bestselling author of Nimona

New Release: STUCK! (HELP PLEASE)

STUCK! (HELP PLEASE) by Karol Ruth Silverstein
(Charlesbridge, Oct 2022)

Grandma Ferret warns her grand-kits about the play tunnels at the Critter Family Gym--they are getting too big for the smallest tunnels.

But the twin ferret kits are just too excited to listen to all the good advice, and they of course get STUCK! Can they listen long enough to get unstuck?

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Babies imparts good values through heartwarming and humorous stories to help little ones put their best foot forward. This light-hearted board book humorously addresses the need to listen well. Good listeners are rewarded!

Select praise for STUCK! (HELP PLEASE!):

• Kirkus review: “Silverstein’s rhyming text gives the book a zippy cadence ideal for read-alouds”

New Release: MY AUNT IS A MONSTER

MY AUNT IS A MONSTER by Reimena Yee
(RH Graphic, Oct 2022)

Safia thought that being blind meant she would only get to go on adventures through her audiobooks. This all changes when she goes to live with a distant and mysterious aunt, Lady Whimsy, who takes Safia on the journey of a lifetime!

While the reclusive Lady Whimsy stops an old rival from uncovering the truth behind her disappearance, Safia experiences parts of the world she had only dreamed about. But when an unlikely group of chaotic agents comes after Whimsy, Safia is forced to confront the adventure head-on. For the first time in her life, Safia is the hero of her own story, and she must do what she can to save the day…and maybe find some friends along the way.

Select praise for MY AUNT IS A MONSTER:

• Booklist starred review: “Gorgeous artwork tidily carries the plot through, and the plot is packed."

• Publishers Weekly starred review: “Heartwarming to the very last page.”

• Kirkus review: “Adorable and diverting.”

• School Library Journal review: “A heartfelt, high-energy, richly inked caper with plenty of pauses for legend-building, and a multi-faceted, fun read.”

New Release: TELL THE TRUTH, PANGOLIN

TELL THE TRUTH, PANGOLIN by Melinda Beatty and Paola Escobar
(Anne Schwartz Books, Oct 2022)

In this delightful, thoroughly entertaining picture book about the importance--and difficulty--of telling the truth, the queen's trusty servant, a pangolin, breaks the royal swing and doesn't know what to tell her!

Pangolin is enjoying himself on the royal swing in the bright summer sunshine when suddenly, the ropes break and--OW!--he falls to the ground. What will I tell the queen?! Pangolin worries. He races to the stables to ask his friend Badger. "Tell her the musicians needed the swing's rope for their lutes!" the stablemaster advises. Fox, the castle guard, has a different idea: "Might you say that the King needed to repair his royal jump rope?" Pug, Cat, and Goose all have suggestions, too. But which story will Pangolin tell the queen?!

Select praise for TELL THE TRUTH, PANGOLIN:

• Booklist review: “…bustle(s) with whimsical details that will capture young readers’ hearts.”

• Kirkus review: “A noble look at the courage needed for honesty.”

New Release: INVESTIGATORS: HEIST AND SEEK

INVESTIGATORS: HEIST AND SEEK by John Patrick Green
(First Second Books, Sept 2022)

New York Times bestsellers and sewer surfing super-sleuths Mango & Brash are back in INVESTIGATORS: HEIST AND SEEK, the sixth volume in John Patrick Green's smash hit series.

When rare paintings go missing, the InvestiGators are called on the scene...the ART SCENE!

Mango and Brash go undercover and under canvas as internationally renowned painters to expose a crook who has truly mastered the art of CRIME! Can they recover the missing masterpieces and save the city art museum’s fundraising gala before it's too late...and they run out of appetizers? Find out in this latest pièce de résistance of action-packed illustrated fun.

Select praise for INVESTIGATORS: HEIST AND SEEK:

• Kirkus review: "Green’s latest offering is a fun mystery with the series’ trademark puns and bright illustrations and enough red herrings to keep readers riveted. This is a must-read for fans of Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man books wondering what to pick up next... A winner."

New Release: OTHER EVER AFTERS

OTHER EVER AFTERS by Melanie Gillman (RH Graphic, Sept 2022)

Once upon a time . . . happily ever after turned out differently than expected.

In this new, feminist, queer fairy-tale collection, you’ll find the princesses, mermaids, knights, barmaids, children, and wise old women who have been forced to sit on the sidelines in classic stories taking center stage. A gorgeous all-new collection in graphic novel format from a Stonewall Honor-winning author and artist.

What if the giant who abducted you was actually thoughtful and kind? What if you didn’t want to marry your handsome, popular, but cold-inside suitor? What if your one true love has all the responsibilities that come with running a kingdom? Award-winning author Melanie Gillman’s phenomenal colored-pencil art creates another "ever after" for the characters who are most worthy of it.

Select praise for OTHER EVER AFTERS:

• Booklist review: “A work of fresh twists and many queer happily-ever-afters for all lovers of fairy tales.”

• Kirkus review: “Fresh and exciting; sure to delight and surprise.”

• The Bulletin review: “These inspiring, brief stories will especially resonate with readers who have always felt underrepresented or absent entirely in fairy tales, romance novels, or even their own lives.”

New Release: WHO WAS A DARING PIONEER OF THE SKIES? AMELIA EARHART

WHO WAS A DARING PIONEER OF THE SKIES? AMELIA EARHART
written by Melanie Gillman and illustrated by A.C. Esguerra
(Penguin Workshop, August 2022)

Discover the story behind aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart's mysterious and fatal second trip around the world in this captivating graphic novel -- written by Stonewall Award Honoree Melanie Gillman and illustrated by Eighty Days creator A.C. Esguerra.

Explore the story of Amelia Earhart, as she embarks on her second and final journey around the globe. A story of determination, heart, and courage, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves into the daring grit of the aviation pioneer -- brought to life by gripping narrative and vivid full-color illustrations that fly off the page.

Select praise for WHO WAS A DARING PIONEER OF THE SKIES?

• Kirkus review: “A suspenseful, well-researched story that captures the drama of Earhart’s life and last flight.”

• School Library Journal review: “A must purchase for libraries, this book (and this series) will certainly be a big hit with middle grade readers.”

New Release: WASH DAY DIARIES

WASH DAY DIARIES by Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith
(Chronicle Books, July 2022)

Wash Day Diaries tells the story of four best friends—Kim, Tanisha, Davene, and Cookie—through five connected short story comics that follow these young women through the ups and downs of their daily lives in the Bronx.

The book takes its title from the wash day experience shared by Black women everywhere of setting aside all plans and responsibilities for a full day of washing, conditioning, and nourishing their hair. Each short story uses hair routines as a window into these four characters' everyday lives and how they care for each other.

Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith originally kickstarted their critically acclaimed, award-winning slice of life mini comic, Wash Day, inspired by Rowser's own wash day ritual and their shared desire to see more comics featuring the daily lived experiences of young Black women. Wash Day Diaries includes an updated, full color version of this original comic—which follows Kim, a 26-year-old woman living in the Bronx—as the book's first chapter and expands into a graphic novel with short stories about these vibrant and relatable new characters.

In expanding the story of Kim and her friends, the authors pay tribute to Black sisterhood through portraits of shared, yet deeply personal experiences of Black hair care. From self-care to spilling the tea at an hours-long salon appointment to healing family rifts, the stories are brought to life through beautifully drawn characters and different color palettes reflecting the mood in each story.

At times touching, quiet, triumphant, and laugh out loud funny, the stories of Wash Day Diaries pay a loving tribute to Black joy and the resilience of Black women.

Select praise for WASH DAY DIARIES:

• Publishers Weekly starred review: “The motif of wash day— as the women wash their own hair and others', go to the salon, and get braids—invites the reader into the rhythm of their lives, with welcome inclusivity of queer romance, as well as non romantic story lines. This subtle but heartwarming homage to friendship, feminism, and reconciliation sings.”

• Polygon review: “Smith's charming and inviting art invites comic book readers old and new to lose themself in this joyful and touching celebration of Black joy and sisterhood that cements the duo of Rowser and Smith as one of comics most powerful creative teams.”

New Release: SLIP

SLIP by Marika McCoola and Aatmaja Pandya
(Algonquin Young Readers, June 2022)

From Eisner-Award nominated writer Marika McCoola and debut artist Aatmaja Pandya, an emotional coming-of-age graphic novel for fans of Bloom and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me.

Right before Jade is about to leave for a summer art intensive, her best friend, Phoebe, attempts suicide. How is Jade supposed to focus on herself right now?

But at the Art Farm, Jade has artistic opportunities she’s been waiting for her whole life. And as she gets to know her classmates, she begins to fall for whimsical, upbeat, comfortable-in-her-own-skin Mary. Jade pours herself into making ceramic monsters that vent her stress and insecurities, but when she puts her creatures in the kiln, something unreal happens: they come to life. And they’re taking a stand: if Jade won’t confront her problems, her problems are going to confront her, including the scariest of them all—if Jade grows, prospers, and even falls in love this summer, is she leaving Phoebe behind?

Select praise for SLIP:

• Kirkus review: “A fierce, transformative graphic novel about art and relationships.”

• School Library Journal review: “This graphic novel successfully brings the story to life via symbolism and figurative language coupled with deeply developed characters…With themes ranging from mental health to self-discovery, this ­art-infused text will entice graphic novel fans and art students and leave them wanting another installment of Jade’s ­story.”

New Release: INVESTIGATORS: BRAVER AND BOULDER

INVESTIGATORS: BRAVER AND BOULDER by John Patrick Green
(First Second Books, Feb 2022)

The InvestiGators’ latest case has our sewer-loving secret agents between a rock and a hard place in INVESTIGATORS: BRAVER AND BOULDER, the latest chapter in the hilarious New York Times bestselling adventure graphic novel series from John Patrick Green.

The InvestiGators are having a hard time keeping a low profile with their new headquarters being a giant robot towering over the city! How can they be SECRET agents if everyone recognizes them?

But with their ears to the ground, Mango and Brash hear mysterious rumblings about BOULDER BUDDIES...are they just the latest fad or part of a mob-run scheme? And could a rocky relationship from the InvestiGators’ past be trembling beneath the surface? Find out in their most stone-cold dangerous mission yet!

Praise for the series:

• “Ridiculous, absurd, and completely delightful – that’s my five-word review of the first InvestiGators book. I don’t know of any better book to hand to a fan of Dav Pilkey.” —Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes (exclusive excerpt)

• "…a very entertaining read. The fast-paced tale of a missing baker, a helicopter turned "were-copter," and a vat of radioactive cracker dough has heaping helpings of surreal alligator action and wordplay gags to keep new readers bent on solving the mystery. And the sharp illustration line, color and movement really pop." —Jon Scieszka, The New York Times Book Review

New Release: ACROSS A FIELD OF STARLIGHT

ACROSS A FIELD OF STARLIGHT by Blue Delliquanti
(Random House Graphic, Feb 2022)

When they were kids, Fassen’s fighter spaceship crash-landed on a planet that Lu’s survey force was exploring. It was a forbidden meeting between a kid from a war-focused resistance movement and a kid whose community and planet are dedicated to peace and secrecy.

Lu and Fassen are from different worlds and separate solar systems. But their friendship keeps them in each other’s orbit as they grow up. They stay in contact in secret as their communities are increasingly threatened by the omnipresent, ever-expanding empire.

As the empire begins a new attack against Fassen’s people--and discovers Lu’s in the process--the two of them have the chance to reunite at last. They finally are able to be together...but at what cost?

Select praise for ACROSS A FIELD OF STARLIGHT:

• Kirkus review: “Charming, kinetic, and colorful in more ways than one.”

• Publishers Weekly review: "In jewel-toned art that foregrounds figures and technology, Delliquanti’s tropey comic offers a variously inclusive cast, including incidental nonbinary representation, and explores themes of nationalism, imperialism, and revolution."