Carve the watermelons, and slip some sunshades on your ghostly decor.
Whether you're a pro at it and plan the yearly celebration in your neighborhood, or you're one of the newly initiated, SUMMERWEEN is a thing! That's right. Just when you thought you couldn't take another holiday, one comes along to let you celebrate the SPOOKY side of things with a little summer flair before the autumnal weather changes and the shorter daylight hours kick in. So, with that SPIRIT in mind, I'm bringing you QUITE THE LIST of titles to check out now, then, and a little later on because when it comes to our TBRs, there truly is no limit! 😉
Ladies and gents, the incoming flood of bookish goodness contains both SPOTLIGHTS and REVIEWS, featuring spooky tales, witchy ways, autumnal celebrations, and even back to school traditions, so take in what you see, add to your reading lists, and let me know what struck your SUMMERWEEN fancy!
by Pádraig Kenny
Candlewick Press
On Sale: 07/15/2025
About the book...
An atmospheric retelling of Frankenstein, full of adventure and as thrilling as a lightning strike.
Stitch and his friend Henry Oaf were brought to life by the genius Professor Hardacre. But when his wicked nephew takes over the laboratory, they soon discover that the new professor's sights are set on Henry as his next experiment. Can Stitch and Henry escape his clutches and make their way in a world they were never built for—and that may only ever see them as monsters? Literary yet accessible, warmhearted yet chillingly gothic, this beautiful novel, described by the London Times as “exceptional,” explores themes of life and death, friendship and acceptance, all through a page-turning adventure about what it means to be human.
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by Jessixa Bagley
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
On Sale: 07/15/2025
About the book...
In her town full of witches, Jazzy’s always been a little bit different. She’s not excited about magic. She forgets the steps to spells. And even though her parents run the town’s broom shop, she doesn’t want to fly.
Then, one day, she discovers what she was born to do: cycling! Now she just has to find a way to get a bicycle…and learn how to ride it. But will her new passion come between her and her best friend—and possibly get her in big trouble?
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by Shahrzad Maydani
Kokila
On Sale: 07/22/2025
Now this isn't a monster story in the traditional sense of the word, but rather a tale that reminds us that we all have "monsters" to face, and it is in the facing of them that we grow stronger, more free, and more ourselves. The little girl in the story is cultivating her inner voice so that one day she too can be strong enough to stand tall against the angry clouds of doubt and despair that can surround, and I think the visual aspect given to the journey will really help younger readers understand their own emotions that much more. A unique story that truly has a place in any reading circle, aimed at not only sharing a story, but helping others to grow.
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by Rajani LaRocca
Illustrated by Abhi Alwar
Abrams Books for Young Readers
On Sale: 08/05/2025
About the book...
Ravi can’t wait for the start of the new school year! Fall is for cool weather, new school supplies, and spending time with his best friend, Joe. But when a new girl named Ellie joins their class, Ravi and Joe’s duo suddenly becomes a trio.
Ravi’s not so sure about Ellie—she plays her horn too loud in music lessons and gets them lost on the way to class. Worst of all, she keeps saying she’s Joe and Ravi’s best friend.
All these big changes are challenging for Ravi, but with time (and a little help from his wise older sister) he realizes that fall is the perfect time to begin a new friendship.
From the award-winning team behind Summer Is for Cousins, this heartwarming picture book all about back-to-school fun celebrates the (sometimes complicated) joy of making new friends.
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by Kallie George
Illustrated by Paola Zakimi
Abrams Book for Young Readers
On Sale: 08/12/2025
About the book...
Bear knows that when the last leaf falls in the forest, whatever wish you make is sure to come true! Although it’s almost time to sleep, Mama allows Bear to watch and wait with his friends.
But it seems like the leaf is never going to fall, so one by one, the other animals grow impatient and start to head home. Bear, however, finds active ways to wait, all the while wondering what to wish for—until finally, he’s the only one left, and he’s growing tired. Will Bear see the last leaf fall? And if so, what wish will he make?
A story of patience, friendship, and awe, The Wishing Leaf is a picture book full of wonder for the changing seasons, with a perfectly cozy ending.
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by Andrea Zuill
Random House Studio
On Sale: 08/05/2025
Okay, I gotta tell you, this one was FUNNY! Seriously, a vampire snail? Who'd have thought! The how, the why, and the living (unliving?) with it part are all laid out so readers have no question as to his new found features, powers, and dietary needs (which are not exactly what you might be thinking!). In the end, as SPOOKY-tacular as this one is, at it's heart it reminds us that friendship is a beautiful thing, and accepting others for who they are in spite of newly developed fangs or wings is important...although I don't exactly blame the other "Bobs" for holding a grudge about the whole "trying to eat them" thing. Special note for readers! Watch for the little bug narrator imparting pearls of wisdom, fun facts, and a few jokes from time to time!
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by G.G. McQueen
Illustrated by Michael Slack
Doubleday Books for Young Readers
On Sale: 08/26/2025
You know the moment that FALL has hit, or even hinted at it, because suddenly it's PUMPKIN EVERYTHING. Seriously, if you're a fan, you're in heaven; if not, it's a bit of a spicy HELLo until December when peppermint takes over, but I digress. In this charming autumn tale, Pumpkin is the popular one, but longs for the days of the other three seasons when she's not bombarded with requests on her time, flavor, and scent. On the other side of the gourd, Squash has been having trouble playing second (or lower) flavor to the season, and is going all out this year to become the GOURD KING they know they can be! Only, it doesn't go exactly as planned for either of them, and yet in the end, they still get what they were BOTH looking for thanks to good friends, consideration for others...and a well timed distraction so they can enjoy each others company and all the fun Fall can bring. A great reminder that having #Squashgoals is important, but it's the friends/company we keep that make them worth having in the first place.
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by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
On Sale: 08/26/2025
About the book...
Rick Riordan meets R. L. Stine in this fast-paced debut middle grade horror packed with adventure about a Mexican American boy who starts hearing the voice of a haunted doll while visiting family in Mexico City.
Diego feels trapped. He’s confined in an arm cast, stuck with his tía and tío for a week in Mexico City, and smothered with the sickening fear that he’s the one who really caused his parents’ divorce. But most of all, he’s trapped in his own secret. Because ever since he got to Mexico City, he’s started having strange dreams of a doll calling his name.
Then Diego learns of La Isla de Muñecas, an island full of legendary magic that can make children’s wishes come true. If Diego can harness the power there, maybe he could fix everything that has gone wrong in his life.
So, with the help of two new friends, Diego takes a boat to the legendary island. From the moment the kids step ashore, nothing is as it seems—with dolls disappearing and reappearing in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, Diego is more trapped than ever before, and as the night goes on, he’s not sure he can escape.
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Special thanks to the authors, publishers, and publicists who made this post possible. (THANKS!) For more information on any of the titles listed above, please feel free to click through the links provided. Titles available now are listed, while others are waiting for your pre-order or wish list addition, so you know what to do!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
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