Archives de catégorie : Bologna 2025 Children’s & YA

HUCK AND LOONA d’Emily Kilgore & Florence Weiser

A story about friendship, conflict, and finding a path forward after disagreement.

HUCK AND LOONA
by Emily Kilgore
illustrated by Florence Weiser
Beaming Books, October 2024
(via Kaplan/DeFiore Rights)

Huck and Loona love spending time together in the Great Northwoods. From cloud-watching to fishing, the two want to do everything together. When they realize they sometimes want to do different things or that there are some activities the other simply cannot do, they worry that their friendship is over.

With themes of friendship, individuality, compromise, and grace, Huck and Loona equips children to embrace their uniqueness and communicate with others for healthy relationships that help them grow and thrive.

Emily Kilgore is an educator and writer of picture books. She strives to share books that bring people together. She is also the author of The Whatifs, The Iheards, and The Christmas Book Flood. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, their son, and their kitty.

Florence Weiser is a French illustrator based in Belgium. She grew up in Luxembourg and studied illustration in Brussels, followed by specialized studies in graphics and web design in Paris. She has illustrated numerous children’s books for publishers around the world.

EMBARRASSED FERRET de Lisa Frenkel Riddiough & Andrea Tsurumi

When every oopsie is followed by an uh-oh, little Ferret’s embarrassment grows. How will she survive the day at Forest School?

EMBARRASSED FERRET
by Lisa Frenkel Riddiough
illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi
Disney Hyperion, July 2025
(via Kaplan/DeFiore Rights)

Ferret strolled to school in style,
All silky fur and cheerful smile,
Until she tripped on someone’s duffle
And caused herself a slight kerfuffle.
From there her day gets worse and worse.
Embarrassment is Ferret’s curse!
Pencils spilled. Stubborn glue.
Toilet paper on her shoe!
There is one thing that helps her through.
Surprise! She’s just like me and you.

Ferret trips while getting off the bus, makes a gigantic glitter mess at craft time, urgently has to pee at recess, and gets toilet paper on her shoe! But when others in the classroom goof up in equally embarrassing ways, Ferret is relieved to discover that nobody’s perfect.

The first book in the Forest School of Big Feelings series from Lisa Frenkel Riddiough and Andrea Tsurumi is sure to help little ones, parents, and caregivers navigate the many emotions of life.

Book 2 in the Forest School of Big Feelings series, FURIOUS TURTLE, will publish in Fall 2026.

Lisa Frenkel Riddiough is the author of LETTERS TO LIVE BY, which School Library Journal called, “Creative, humorous, and thought-provoking,” in a starred review. Of her second book, PIE-RATS!, Kirkus said, “Here be treasure!” Lisa is a graduate of Hamline University’s MFAC program in writing for children and young adults, and splits her time between Northern California and Idaho. Learn more at lisariddiough.com.

Andrea Tsurumi is an author, illustrator, and cartoonist. Their first book, ACCIDENT!, was named an NPR Great Read, and their second, CRAB CAKE, won the Red Clover Book Award. I’M ON IT!, an Elephant & Piggie Like Reading Book, which was named both a Kirkus and Parents Magazine best book of the year. Andrea lives in Philadelphia with their spouse and very serious dog. Learn more at AndreaTsurumi.com

THE NINE MOONS OF HAN YU AND LULI de Karina Yan Glaser

Breathtaking suspense, unforgettable characters, and a pinch of magic combine in the dual stories of two young people—one in 731 China, and one in 1931 Chinatown—on perilous journeys to save their families. An instant classic from the beloved and bestselling author of the Vanderbeekers series.

THE NINE MOONS OF HAN YU AND LULI
by Karina Yan Glaser
Allida/HarperCollins, September 2025

In ancient Chang’An, Han Yu sells steamed buns in a bustling market full of whispers about his ability to summon tigers.

In New York’s Depression-era Chinatown, Luli gazes out from the roof of her parents’ restaurant, dreaming of dim sum and Chinese art.

Familiar rhythms rule the contained-but-contented lives of Han Yu and Luli. But when plague strikes Chang’An and financial crisis threatens Luli’s family, Han Yu and Luli must each venture out into the larger world—and into danger-filled adventure—to save what they love most. Filled with wondrous caves and conniving thieves, desert storms and magical lakes, Karina Yan Glaser’s epic and rewarding novel is a testament to the bravery required to face the unknown and the power of art to connect us through the ages.

“A page turner that is at once epic and intimate. This is a must read!” —Lisa Yee, New York Times bestselling author of The Misfits

Karina Yan Glaser is the author of the New York Times bestselling Vanderbeekers series and the stand-alone novel A Duet for Home, which received three starred reviews and has been nominated for more than a dozen state awards. A former middle school teacher, Karina lives in Harlem, New York City, with her husband, two teens, and an assortment of pets and houseplants. One of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can’t go anywhere without a book. 

16 FOREVER de Lance Rubin

From acclaimed YA author Lance Rubin of Crying Laughing and the Denton Little series comes this compulsively readable romantic comedy about a boy who every year, on the eve of turning 17, gets kicked back to his 16th birthday—resetting his memory, experiences, and body—while the world moves on normally for everyone else.

16 FOREVER
by Lance Rubin
HarperCollins, January 2026

TIME LOOP REINVENTION: The time loop plot device is a tried-and-true staple, and Lance does an excellent job making it his own. While everyone else grows up, moves on, and moves out, Carter is left behind, stuck at 16. Readers will appreciate this fresh take on a classic trope.

ROMCOM FOR EVERYONE: 16 FOREVER has that perfect touch of YA romance, but it breaks from genre conventions and is relatable to anyone with a heart. While there’s plenty of romance and laughs, the outrageous plot but grounded, likable characters keep the action moving and the tone irresistible.

READYMADE FOR A FEATURE FILM: This novel has all the elements necessary to be a teen film hit—from forbidden lovers to high school parties to sibling heart-to-hearts, 16 FOREVER hits on many touchstones of being a teenager. Plus, the book is an IP project, making it the perfect candidate for an adaptation.

WILL THEY, WON’T THEY: With an established will they/won’t they right off the bat, readers will be on the edge of their seats to see what happens with Maggie and Carter—nor will they be able to see the major plot twist between their love story’s history coming, either!

Lance Rubin is the award-winning author of Crying Laughing, Denton Little’s Deathdate, and Denton Little’s Still Not Dead. He’s also the coauthor of Monster Club: Monsters Take Manhattan; and of the NYT bestseller The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek. Lance is also a voiceover actor and cowriter of the Off-Broadway musical Broadway Bounty Hunter. Visit him at lancerubin.com.

HOW GIRLS ARE MADE de Mindy McGinnis

Sex Education meets Euphoria in this dark contemporary novel that tackles perfectionism, emotional abuse, and the dark side of social media.

HOW GIRLS ARE MADE
by Mindy McGinnis
HarperCollins, November 2025

Fallon is a fixer. From planning prom to organizing her college applications, she’s got it all figured out…except for when her younger sister comes to her with very basic questions about sex. Shocked that she knows so little—and her fellow classmates even less—Fallon decides some practical education is in order. And Fallon isn’t above practicing a little civil disobedience by creating a secret underground off-campus group.

Shelby is a fighter. Having her nose broken is nothing new in her semiprofessional career…but this time it’s her boyfriend who threw the punch. Now her phone is blowing up with texts from a new guy who tells her she’s perfect, she’s special, she’s everything he’s ever wanted…except for a few small details. Shelby’s happy to adjust for him, because isn’t that what a healthy relationship is about?

Jobie is a failure. She doesn’t have enough followers and her posts never go viral, no matter how hard she crushes challenges and applies exactly the right filter. But a friendly DM from a good girl just like her points her in the direction of a whole new audience of admirers. Guys who just want to talk. Guys who give her the attention she’s always wanted. 

The lives of all three girls intersect in Fallon’s secret class, rumors of which have parents up in arms. Fallon needs to keep herself anonymous, Shelby needs to keep her new boyfriend happy, and Jobie needs to keep her followers…who keep asking for more. Each girl finds herself trapped in an inescapable situation—that will leave one of them dead. 

Mindy McGinnis is the author of several young adult novels, including Under this Red Rock, A Long Stretch of Bad Days, The Last Laugh, The Initial Insult, Heroine, The Female of the Species,and A Madness So Discreet, winner of an Edgar Award. She writes across multiple genres, including postapocalyptic, historical, thriller, contemporary, mystery, and fantasy. While her settings may change, you can always count on her books to deliver grit, truth, and an unflinching look at humanity and the world around us. Mindy lives in Ohio. You can visit her online at mindymcginnis.com.