With school coming to a close soon, kids are going to need new adventures to go on. From spells gone wrong to dogs and cats getting along, May is gearing up to be an exciting month for reading. Check out these new books coming out this month!
Hudson and Tallulah Take Sides is written by Anna Kang and illustrated by Christopher Weyant and follows disagreeing animal neighbors Hudson and Tallulah, who don’t see eye to eye on anything. After an ongoing disagreement, the cat and dog rivals realize that they do not always have to agree or be on the same side. From arguing over the deliciousness of garbage to the delightfulness of mud, the duo’s divide will teach kids that they can go beyond what divides us to find the one thing that makes us all relate and maybe even become friends.
Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea by Ashley Herring Blake shares a hopeful story about a girl navigating grief, trauma, and friendship. Hazel Bly is left alone after a kayaking trip goes wrong and she must leave her great life to find a new start with her other mother and sister. After arriving in Rose Harbor, Maine, Hazel meets Lemon, a girl who tells her about an old mermaid myth. Hazel then becomes obsessed with the story and questions if magic is real.
The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim is about an adopted Korean-American girl who discovers that her family has a magical heritage. Riley is ready to follow in her sister’s footsteps to become a member of the Gom clan of Korean healing witches when she turns 13. Riley was adopted when she was younger, which often makes her feel left out of the clan. Her sister Hattie just received her “Gi” bracelet, allowing her to cast spells without supervision from an adult. Hattie tries to cast a spell with Riley to share her magic with her sister. The spell violates the laws of the Godrealm, which puts Hattie’s life in danger. To save her, Riley must work with enemies and meet fantastical creatures to find the last fallen star.
Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland follows Ophelia Harrison as she discovers a unique power that allows her to see ghosts. Set in 1922, Ophie and her mom move to Pittsburgh, where her mom gets Ophie a job as a maid at the old manor where she works. The Daffodil Manor houses many ghosts full of memories and prejudices of the past. Ophie will befriend a spirit whose life ended suddenly and unjustly and will come to help her as she explores the mysteries of the manor.
Long Lost by Jacqueline West is a story about Fiona, a girl who moved away from her friends and feels alone in a town with a mysterious library. While in the library, she finds a mystery novel about a small town, family secrets, and a shocking disappearance. After reading the book, she realizes some similarities between the story and her town. She goes back to reread the book only to discover it’s gone. With the help of some locals, she discovers the book is a true story of an unsolved crime that’s more than 100 years old. Lost Lake is full of restless spirits and Fiona will learn that help and danger can come from unexpected places.
All of these books are now up for preorder on Amazon and Kindle with the following release dates: The Last Star on May 4, Hudson and Tallulah Take Sides on May 5, Long Lost and Ophie’s Ghosts on May 18, and Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea on May 25.
