Our Most Anticipated New Kids’ & YA Book Releases of February 2022

Antwan Eady’s picture book debut is a celebration of individuality, creativity and self-confidence. Nigel has his whole life ahead of him, but what will he make of himself? His dreams are grand, but his path forward feels full of doubt and societal norms that may get in his way. Gracey Zhang (Lala’s Words) breathes beautiful life into Nigel with her gorgeous illustrations on each mural-esque spread.

From award-winning South Korean author-illustrator Sang-Keun Kim comes this precious nighttime tale about a boy who wonders if he’s the only one still awake at night. On his quest to find solidarity in sleeplessness, the boy encounters a big bear, a little bear, a fox, a crab and a bunny, who are all happy to join the boy on his star-chasing adventure. Kim’s gentle illustrations can easily fill the walls of a newborn nursery and the minimal text makes it easy to read “one more time” before bed.

Apryl Stott follows up her bestselling debut Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light with this adorable tale of friendship, jealousy and acceptance. You’ll fall in love with Poppy and Clementine and eventually come to appreciate Georgia as well. Perfect for fans of Jan Brett and Margaret Wise Brown.

This second book in the Wilderlore series finds Barclay and his friends at Sea, up against the likes of a legendary beast, Lochmordra, as well as a rival group of apprentices. Fans of The Accidental Apprentice will be sure to enjoy this underwater adventure as they dive deeper into the Wilderlands.

After visiting a forest of monarch butterflies, future Princess Solimar is gifted with the ability to see the near future and finds she has also been anointed as protector of the butterflies themselves. This enchanting adventure from Newbery Honor book author Pam Muñoz Ryan is infused with Mexican culture and, of course, magic, as Solimar uses her gifts to help save her kingdom.

This third volume in the epic City Spies series finds FARM’s young espionage team interspersed all over the world — from Moscow to London to Beijing — in an effort to thwart Umbra’s evil plans. An expertly woven plotline anchors this fast-paced adventure set across the globe. We can’t wait to see where the City Spies take us next.

Set against the backdrop of the American South, Freewater is a poignant tale of courage, survival and strength. Debut author Amina Luqman-Dawson has seamlessly woven fiction into reality with the story of a young boy working to free himself and his family from slavery.

We didn’t know it was possible to make the Spy School series even better, but this full-color graphic novel adaptation of the first book does just that. Fans of Stuart Gibbs’ bestselling secret agent series will have a blast reliving Ben’s early escapades in graphic novel form, while new readers are sure to discover their next favorite adventure.

Ruta Sepetys is a masterful historical fiction author, and I Must Betray You is no exception. Set in the not-too-distant past — 1989, to be exact — I Must Betray You follows 17-year-old Cristian Florescu in Communist Romania as he grapples with his newfound position as an informant for the secret police. This page-turning step into the past will give readers insight into a time many know little about.

Tahereh Mafi, author of the bestselling Shatter Me series, has penned yet another gripping tale with This Woven Kingdom, the first in a mesmerizing new trilogy. This epic tale inspired by Persian mythology will transport readers into another realm with its lyrical prose and lush world-building.

Historical fiction meets supernatural fantasy in this haunting story about twin sisters separated at birth, growing up during the height of the civil rights movement. When they reunite as teenagers, Charlie and Magnolia must work together to break their family’s curse and understand the meaning of true sisterhood. “Steeped in atmosphere, equal parts ghost and sororal love story, McWilliams has written a pitch-perfect southern gothic thriller about race, family, and what it means to call a place home.”—Christina Hammonds Reed, author of The Black Kids

This sweet summer romance, complete with a swoon-worthy boy next door, is begging to be thrown into your beach bag. No beach in your future? No problem! Float will transport you oceanside to spend the summer alongside Waverly and Blake AND make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Win-win. Perfect for fans of Tweet Cute, The Bad Boy and the Tomboy and Eyes on Me.

This atmospheric reimagining of the Korean folktale “The Tale of Shim Cheong” follows Mina on a heroic journey through the Spirit Realm to appease the Sea God and bring her village peace once and for all. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a must-read for fans of Spirited Away and epic adventures of any kind. “A beautiful, mesmerizing retelling I wish I’d had when I was growing up. Axie Oh seamlessly weaves Korean mythology with her own voice, and gifts the reader with a heartfelt tale that I will be recommending for years to come.” —Elizabeth Lim, author of Six Crimson Cranes