Happy book birthday to these new releases by SCBWI members! These books include independently- and traditionally-published books in every genre by authors and illustrators from around the world. Support your peers, bookstores, and quality children’s lit, and scroll through to see which books are being released this month. Happy reading!
CHAPTER BOOKS | MIDDLE GRADE | PICTURE BOOKS | YOUNG ADULT
CHAPTER BOOKS
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The Wish Library: Together Forever
by Christine Evans, illustrated by Patrick Corrigan
In the third Wish Library book, something magical is happening to Luca and Raven. But if they didn’t make the wish, who did?
Release Date: October 1, 2021
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The Secret of the Missing Turtles
by Dori Marx, illustrated by Daniela Castro Ramirez
Chapter book mystery for curious readers. The Cook kids think like animals and work with local friends to protect our environment, one destination at a time.
Release Date: October 18, 2021
MIDDLE GRADE
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What to Do When the News Scares You: A Kid’s Guide to Understanding Current Events
by Jacqueline Toner, PhD, illustrated by Janet McDonnell
NONFICTION Scary news is inevitable but this guide helps to make it more manageable for young readers.
Release Date: October 5, 2021
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BUGS FOR BREAKFAST: How Eating Insects Could Help Save the Planet
by Mary Boone
NONFICTION. Bugs for Breakfast’s sometimes-shocking narrative shines a light on culinary traditions around the world, as well as the nutritional and sustainability benefits of eating insects.
Release Date: October 19, 2021
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Horse Trouble
by Kristin Varner
Twelve-year-old Kate is focused on her one true passion: horseback riding. But try as she might, she can’t hide from life’s problems in the stable.
Release Date: October 26, 2021
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Miosotis Flores Never Forgets
by Hilda Eunice Burgos
Miosotis wants a dog and more time with her big sister, Amarilis. Then she discovers Amarilis has a dangerous secret. Can Miosotis help her?
Release Date: October 26, 2021
PICTURE BOOKS
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Lila Lou’s Little Library
by Nikki Bergstresser, illustrated by Sejung Kim
Lila Lou loves to read, morning, noon and night. Lila Lou has so many books, she makes forts out of them! But when her mom decides that Lila Lou has one too many books, will Lila Lou be forced to get rid of her cherished books?
Release Date: October 1, 2021
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Mighty Moose to the Rescue
by Abi Adewusi
Mighty Moose and the reindeer family help Santa to deliver Christmas presents but Santa is so tired he falls asleep before they get him home.
Release Date: October 1, 2021
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Moonsong
by Denise Gallagher
Fulki’s village lost its moon. But Fulki has befriended a tiger who has taught her the Moonsong. Will the friends’ Moonsong return their long-lost moon?
Release Date: October 1, 2021
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Tell Someone
by Debra Kempf Shumaker, illustrated by Tristan Yuvienco
In good times and bad, for problems big and small, these gentle verses encourage us to open up, communicate, and tell someone.
Release Date: October 1, 2021
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Tu Youyou’s Discovery: Finding a Cure for Malaria
by Songju Ma Daemicke, illustrated by Lin
Tu Youyou experimented with traditional Chinese medicine to develop a treatment for malaria and became the first Chinese woman to win a Nobel Prize.
Release Date: October 1, 2021
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Dumpling Day
by Meera Sriram, illustrated by Inés de Antuñano
Count and savor a rhyming celebration of dumplings from around the world including dumplings from India, Nigeria, Japan, Israel, Mexico, Syria, Russian, and more!
Release Date: October 4, 2021
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Around the Sun and Over the Moon
by Ann Harrell
Sometimes waiting can be hard, especially when Mama is late. Pete finds an imaginative way to reassure himself that Mama will “be back soon.”
Release Date: October 5, 2021
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Farm Lullaby
by Karen Jameson, illustrated by Wednesday Kirwan
From the largest horse to the smallest mouse, every animal on the form has a sweet, sleepy bedtime ritual.
Release Date: October 5, 2021
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Sea Lions in the Parking Lot: Animals on the Move in a Time of Pandemic
by Lenora Todaro, illustrated by Annika Siems
Here are twelve stunningly illustrated, real-life stories of wildlife around the world romping in empty cities and swimming in quiet seas during the COVID-19 shutdown: kangaroos, flamingos, sea turtles, lions, and more. A Junior Library Guild Selection.
Release Date: October 5, 2021
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…and it Startled the Cat
by Jaye Krebs
”A fart can be a small thing… or it can rearrange your whole morning!” One little sound starts a series of events which soon entangles the whole family in a kitchen of chaos! Based on a true story (well, maybe a bit).
Release Date: October 10, 2021
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Chompsey Chomps Books
by Candice Marley, illustrated by Alaina Luise
Chompsey is great at chomping and weaving beautiful flower crowns for his friends, but not so good at reading. The letters won’t stay still!
Release Date: October 12, 2021
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God’s Coming to Visit!
by Franz Hübner, illustrated by Angela Glökler and Rea Grit Zielinski
Various animals prepare for God’s visit only to discover that God was with them all along, loving them exactly as they are.
Release Date: October 12, 2021
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Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip
by Michael W. Waters, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell
Liberty and her friend Abdullah visit significant places from the civil rights movement, inspiring them to come together with others to create a better world.
Release Date: October 12, 2021
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What Do You Do to Celebrate?
by Ashleigh Barton, illustrated by Martina Heiduczek
From bestselling duo Ashleigh Barton and Martina Heiduczek comes a joyous book that explores the many different ways we celebrate the close of one year and the beginning of another.
Release Date: October 13, 2021
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Dino Pajama Party
by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by Michael Robertson
Dinosaurs gather together to play instruments and sing. But soon the dinosaurs grow tired. Like the Dinos’, kids will be soon ready for bed.
Release Date: October 19, 2021
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Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God
by Vanessa Fortenberry
Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God, follows inquisitive children who learn from their loving grandparents that praising God brings joy, and that they can express praise through the good, the bad; anywhere, or anytime.
Release Date: October 20, 2021
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Wisp
by Annika Rodrigues
Wisp tells the tale of an orderly man who lives a predictable life. That is, until one spring day when something unexpected blows into town.
Release Date: October 22, 2021
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Merry Myrrh the Christmas Bat
by Regan W.H. Macaulay, illustrated by Alex Zgud
Follow Myrrh, a curious young brown bat, on his magical adventure inside a warmly decorated farmhouse on Christmas Eve.
Release Date: October 23, 2021
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Sloth the Lazy Dragon
by Regan W.H. Macaulay, illustrated by Alex Zgud
Sloth is a lazy dragon who loses weight with the help of a brave dwarf. Through diet and exercise, he is able to fly again.
Release Date: October 23, 2021
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Claire Malone Makes a Friend
by Nadia L. King
Age, race, culture, loneliness, relationships and the pandemic are all neatly drawn together in this outstanding picture book for young children.
Release Date: October 28, 2021
YOUNG ADULT
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Fragments: Journeys from Isolation to Connection
by Maura Pierlot
Eight young people struggling to find hope in the face of adversity. An honest, unflinching and timely work about youth mental health.
Release Date: October 1, 2021
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Encounter: When Religions Become Classmates – From Oregon to India and Back
by Kathy Beckwith
Annie longs for answers and an escape from tragedy she set in motion. In India, she finds more than answers. She finds the courage to question.
Release Date: October 8, 2021
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Astronaut Kids
by Jo Ann Jeffries and Lukas Kaiolohia Bob, illustrated by David Faber Rosenberg
The Astronaut Kids are ready for the challenge of living and working in space, on a new two year mission – a new NASA project!
Release Date: October 12, 2021
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BLUE
by L.E. DeLano
Blue’s brother was in a car accident that killed Maya’s father, and Maya is determined to make Blue’s life a living hell in the aftermath.
Release Date: October 26, 2021
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Deadline to submit for November’s Happy Book Birthday is Monday, October 25, 2021.
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