As summer quickly approaches, the Penguin Young Readers team is excited to share some books that fit into this year’s “Tails and Tales” theme for summer reading at your library! What better way to spend the summer than with reads full of laughs, adventures, and clever creatures! We certainly can’t think of anything to beat that! So, whether you’re lounging on the beach or on your backyard, soak up the sun with these titles.
For more titles, watch our Summer Reading Book Buzz videos on demand!
ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
By Holly Goldberg Sloan
From the New York Times bestselling author of COUNTING BY 7s comes a heartfelt story about “the importance of compassion and bravery when facing life’s challenges” (Kirkus) for fans of THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN and FRONT DESK.
THE UNICORN RESCUE SOCIETY SERIES:
1. THE CREATURE OF THE PINES
By Adam Gidwitz; Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Unicorns are real. (At least we think they are.)
Are you ready to protect the creatures of myth and legend? Then you belong in The Unicorn Rescue Society. HURRY–THE CREATURES NEED YOU!
2. THE BASQUE DRAGON
By Adam Gidwitz and Jesse Casey; Illutrated by Hatem Aly
The Unicorn Rescue Society is back! Across the vast, blue ocean, in the mountains of the Basque Country, a fearsome creature has gone missing. And the Unicorn Rescue Society are the only ones who can save it.
3. SASQUATCH AND THE MUCKLESHOOT
By Adam Gidwitz and Joseph Bruchac; Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Among the towering fir trees of the Pacific Northwest, a famously elusive creature is in serious trouble.
4. THE CHUPACABRAS OF THE RIO GRANDE
By Adam Gidwitz and David Bowles; Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Pura Belpré Honor-winning author David Bowles joins Newbery Honor-winning Adam Gidwitz as co-author of the newest Unicorn Rescue Society adventure, as the kids travel to the U.S.-Mexican border to help the legendary chupacabras.
5. THE MADRE DE AGUAS OF CUBA
By Adam Gidwitz and Emma Otheguy; Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Critically acclaimed author Emma Otheguy joins Newbery Honor-winning Adam Gidwitz as co-author of the newest adventure in the NYT bestselling Unicorn Rescue Society series as the kids travel to Cuba to help the legendary Madre de aguas.
6. THE SECRET OF THE HIMALAYAS
By Adam Gidwitz and Hena Khan; Illustrated by Hatem Aly
The newest adventure in the bestselling Unicorn Rescue Society transports readers to the Himalayan mountains in Northern Pakistan!
HORSE GIRL
By Carrie Seim
Mean Girls meets Black Beauty in HORSE GIRL by celebrated author Carrie Seim—a funny and tender middle-grade novel about finding your forever herd.
REZ DOGS
By Joseph Bruchac
From the U.S.’s foremost indigenous children’s author comes a middle grade verse novel set during the COVID-19 pandemic, about a Wabanaki girl’s quarantine on her grandparents’ reservation and the local dog that becomes her best friend.
ZOO PATROL SQUAD
Brett Bean; Illustrated by Brett Bean
Crack the case with the Zoo Patrol Squad in this series of fun graphic novels for young readers filled with zany animals, wild adventures, and unbelievable mysteries. Perfect for fans of DOGMAN and INVESTIGATORS!
MELLYBEAN AND THE GIANT MONSTER
By Mike White
The Secret Life of Pets meets The Wizard of Oz in this debut graphic novel about a spunky pup who gets trapped in a world filled with magic, adventure, and one giant, grumpy monster.
FENWAY AND HATTIE
By Victoria J. Coe
This lovable new series introduces a little dog with a GIANT personality!
PEANUT, BUTTER, AND CRACKERS: PUPPY PROBLEMS
By Paige Braddock
A goofy new puppy rocks the world of a high-strung dog and a snarky cat in this hilarious graphic novel for early readers.
AGENT 9
By James Burks
From the creator of BIRD & SQUIRREL, comes this hilarious and adventurous new graphic novel series about a feline secret agent who will do whatever it takes to save the world—even if it means destroying a few things along the way.
COQUI IN THE CITY
By Nomar Perez; Illustrated by Nomar Perez
A heartfelt picture book based on the author-illustrator’s own experiences, about a boy who moves to the U.S. mainland from Puerto Rico and realizes that New York City might have more in common with San Juan than he initially thought.
HUGO AND THE IMPOSSIBLE THING
By Renée Felice Smith and Chris Gabriel; Illustrated by Sydney Hanson
Hugo has one goal – to conquer the Impossible Thing.
CHAMP & MAJOR
By Joy McCullough; Illustrated by Sheyda Abvabi
A picture book about Champ and Major, President-elect Joe Biden’s two adorable dogs! Major will be the first shelter dog in the White House, and Champ can’t wait to show him around.