Gather ’round, everyone. It’s time to wish these new releases by SCBWI members a very happy book birthday. These books include self- and traditionally-published work by authors and illustrators from around the world. Support your peers, check out these books, and happy reading!
PICTURE BOOKS | MIDDLE GRADE | YOUNG ADULT
PICTURE BOOKS
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A Horn is Born
by Bill Borders, illustrated by Melissa Chernov
Old shoehorn helps musicians dress for performances but is constantly teased by all their real horns. Until, one night, the Maestro’s baton gets broken and, suddenly, the shoe is on the other foot.
Release Date: November 1, 2020
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One Lone Swallow
by Corinne Fenton, illustrated by Owen Swan
One lone swallow flies out into the Italian night to find her mate, leaving her nestlings behind. Will she find him and return home safely?
Release Date: November 1, 2020
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The (Mis) Adventures of Dasher
by Dana Jacobs, illustrated by Sara Nintzel
This is a story of unconditional love as told by a sweet, lovable puppy dog named Dasher. Beautifully written in Rhyming prose and exquisitely illustrated.
Release Date: November 1, 2020
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Anemone is Not the Enemy
by author-illustrator Anna McGregor
Anemone lives alone in the rock pool. The tide comes in and the tide goes out. But all Anemone wants is a friend.
Release Date: November 3, 2020
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Meditation Station
by Susan B. Katz, illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan
Winner of the 2020 International Book Awards in the Children’s Mind/Body/Spirit category!
Your racing train of thoughts may try to take you down the railroad track, but you can stay in the Meditation Station, where you’ll learn how to calm your body and mind.
Release Date: November 3, 2020
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Playing War
by Kathy Beckwith, illustrated by Lea Lyon
Sameer, new to the neighborhood, doesn’t want to join the other kids for their favorite game of war. When they learn why, the game changes.
Release Date: November 3, 2020
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Taking Turns/Tomando Vueltas
by Marianne Blackstone Tabner, illustrated by Gail M. Nelson
Moon’s refusal to take turns with Sun to gain more attention not only impacts his friend Sun, but affects our whole planet, Earth.
Release Date: November 7, 2020
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A Real Friend
by Jennifer Wolfthal, illustrated by Judi Abbot
Benny needs to replace his old best friend. Will his new creation turn out to be the perfect friend? A story about treasuring friendship.
Release Date: November 10, 2020
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Clark the Shark Gets a Pet
by Bruce Hale, illustrated by Guy Francis
Clark the Shark is excited about his new pet dogfish. But he discovers there’s more to having a pet than he thought!
Release Date: November 10, 2020
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Helga Makes a Name for Herself
by Megan Maynor, illustrated by Eda Kaban
A small but fierce Viking girl, along with her wolverine sidekick, sets out to become a warrior, just like her idol, Ingrid the Axe.
Release Date: November 10, 2020
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SWISH!: The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globetrotters
by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Don Tate
The true story of the high-flying Harlem Globetrotters, the team that changed the game of basketball forever.
Release Date: November 10, 2020
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You are Home With Me
by Sarah Asper-Smith, illustrated by Mitchell Watley
Explore the many ways that animals create a habitat for their young in this charming picture book, filled with baby animals and their parents.
Release Date: November 10, 2020
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Josephine and the Quarantine
by Candace Echols, illustrated by Dare Harcourt
Josephine begs for a dog, but mom isn’t interested in extra work. One day, the world changes and mom discovers something wonderful about puppies!
Release Date: November 15, 2020
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Wendy’s Winter Walk: P, B, M, W Sounds
by Cass Kim, M.A. CCC-SLP, illustrated by Kawena VK
WENDY’S WINTER WALK takes children on a blustery walk through her neighborhood while providing chances to practice speech sounds for P, B, M, and W.
Release Date: November 18, 2020
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Wee Donkey’s Treasure Hunt
by Erika McGann, illustrated by Gerry Daly
Wee Donkey’s granddad wants to see Ireland, but has wobbly knees. So she sneaks off, and brings back all the best things she can find!
Release Date: November 21, 2020
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I Want to Dance Like a Koala Bear/Quiero Bailar Como un Koala
by Sandra Gonzalez-Mora, illustrated by Cynthia Nava
Told in cheerful rhymes and lively illustrations, I WANT TO DANCE LIKE A KOALA BEAR reminds us that life is better when you dance your heart out.
Release Date: November 24, 2020
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Rambee Boo’s Snowed in Too!
by Reena Korde Pagnoni, illustrated by Frances Rose Espanol
While Rock has fun in the snow, Rambee Boo watches from the window. Will Rambee join Rock in the snow? Turn the pages so you will know.
Release Date: November 24, 2020
MIDDLE GRADE
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Beni’s War
by Tammar Stein
Beni fears for his brother during the Yom Kippur War in Israel. As the war drags on, Beni becomes convinced Motti needs his help to return home safely. The crazy thing is, Beni might be right.
Release Date: November 1, 2020
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We Are Akan: Our People and Our Kingdom in the Rainforest
by Dorothy Brown Soper, illustrated by James Cloutier
In a richly illustrated story of life in the Asante Kingdom of 1807, Kwame,Kwaku, and Baako strive to become leaders in the Akan culture.
Release Date: November 1, 2020
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Return to Anoria
by Sharon Skinner, illustrated by Kyna Tek
Stefani and Robbie return to Anoria and learn that hope can be the greatest strength and even those who seem lost have something to offer.
Release Date: November 2, 2020
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Bake Believe
by Cori Cooper
Cat Anderson doesn’t want much out of life. Give her a circle of friends to giggle with, a few cute boys to flirt with, and she is good to go! She is perfectly content…until a scheduling mishap on her first day of 8th grade places her in a culinary arts class.
Release Date: November 5, 2020
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On a Good Horse
by Darby Karchut
It’s going to take one remarkable horse to re-unite an estranged father and son.
Release Date: November 10, 2020
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Surprising Spies: Unexpected Heroes of World War II
by Karen Gray Ruelle
Discover the surprising WWII spies who lived among the shadows and the ones who lived in the limelight–disguised in plain sight! Middle-grade nonfiction.
Release Date: November 17, 2020
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The Peacemakers
by Rebecca Suter Lindsay, illustrated by Annelisa Hermosilla
Fourteen-year-old Manny Weaver, whose Mennonite family is pacifist and Unionist, struggles to prevent his father and uncle from having to serve in the Confederate Army.
Release Date: November 18, 2020
YOUNG ADULT
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Playing with #Fire
by Micky O’Brady
As a recovering bullying-victim 17-year-old social-media influencer Everly’s worst nightmare of having to learn pro-wrestling turns into a journey of empowerment, personal growth, and love.
Release Date: November 17, 2020
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Damned When I Didn’t
by Cherie Colyer
Recently deceased 18-year-old Avery must fight her way back to her family to undo some of the damage she did when she was still alive.
Release Date: November 18, 2020
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The Heart of Death, Book 2 of The Tarrowburn Prophecies
by L. Ryan Storms, cover art by Jess Bieber
To stop their world from being turned into the living dead, Reina & Quinn journey through enchanted lands & retake control of the talisman’s unexpectedly volatile magic.
Release Date: November 24, 2020
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