EXPLORER: THE MAGIC FRIENDS de Kazu Kubuishi

Edited by the New York Times bestselling comics creator Kazu Kibuishi, this new entry in the Explorer series offers a collection of 11 stories written and illustrated by an award-winning roster of comics artists.

EXPLORER #4: THE MAGIC FRIENDS
edited by Kazu Kubuishi
Abrams Fanfare, September 2026

A boy and his dog cross a mysterious ravine, an evil alien attacks a far-off planet, and a wish comes true . . . with unexpected consequences. Funny, fast-paced, spooky, and spectacular, these 11 bite-size adventures bring together an all-star list of comics creators in this beautifully illustrated anthology.

Edited by New York Times bestselling creator Kazu Kubuishi, who is also a contributor, Explorer: The Magic Friends includes stories from Johant Matte (Explorer: The Mystery Box and Explorer: The Hidden Door), Kean Soo (the Jeallaby series), Phil Craven (the Flight series), Jake Parker (the Missile Mouse series), Steve Hamaker (colorist of Jeff Smith’s Bone series), Ben Hatke (the Zita the Spacegirl series), Rad Sechrist (the Flight series), Bannister (the Elsewhere Chronicles), and Matthew Armstrong (the Flight series).

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Kazu Kibuishi is the author of Amulet, the award-winning New York Times bestselling graphic novel series; the illustrator of the new paperback covers for J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series; and the editor of eight volumes of Flight, the Eisner-nominated anthology series. He lives in Bellevue, Washington.

THE GREY AND THE GALLANT de Ryan Maniulit

A struggling scribe-in-training, a seemingly perfect squire, and an unruly princess will have to work together to save their kingdom in this genre-bending YA adventure.

THE GREY AND THE GALLANT
by Ryan Maniulit
Abrams Fanfare, January 2027

In the kingdom of Gavroy, squires Merek and Eliot couldn’t be more different; Merek’s head is always up in the clouds while Eliot is the model knight-to-be. Yet, when the two find themselves drawn into the orbit of the unruly Princess Emeline, the trio makes a discovery that will rock the kingdom to its very foundation.

With strange beasts on the prowl, alchemical mysteries to be unraveled, romantic entanglements simmering, and unidentified objects falling from the stars, they will have to unlock the secrets that brought them together to become the heroes their kingdom needs. Medieval fantasy and science fiction are on a collision course in this epic, gorgeous tapestry woven by author Ryan Maniulit.

Ryan Maniulit is a queer Filipino American author, cartoonist, and aspiring farmer living in the Pacific Northwest with their husband. Self-taught, they specialize in queer narrative stories through sci-fi and fantasy lenses. They’ve done work for Minecraft, Dungeons & Dragons, and a myriad of indie projects.

STRANGE AND TERRIBLE THINGS de Devin Forst

A chilling collection of terrifying creatures from around the world, perfect for readers who want to know what lurks in the shadows.

STRANGE AND TERRIBLE THINGS:
A Guide to Creatures That Haunt Our Dreams
by Devin Forst
Abrams Books for Young Readers, August 2026

A Romanian Strigoi rising from its grave. The Boogeyman’s claws scraping beneath the bed. A Banshee’s wail echoing through Ireland. The glowing eyes of the Mothman staring from a West Virginia tree line. Krampus arriving to punish naughty children in the Yuletide season.

In STRANGE AND TERRIBLE THINGS, author and artist Devin Forst takes you on a global tour of nightmares. Packed with eerie folklore, monstrous myths, and creepy tales from every corner of the world, this thoroughly-researched guide uncovers nearly 80 sinister beings that live in the heart of humanity’s oldest fears.

Perfect for fans of horror and role-playing games, this illustration-heavy older middle–grade book explores the stories we tell about monsters―and what those stories say about us. Creatures include those from classical mythology and contemporary folklore, and from diverse cultural traditions, including African, Aztec, British, Chinese, Egyptian, Filipino, Greek, Indian, Irish, Japanese, Mesopotamian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Nordic, Native American and North American, Slavic, and South American.

Devin Forst grew up running through the woods in search of strange and terrible things, reading creepy fairy tales, and watching all sorts of fantastical films, which he still does to this day. He is the creator of Witches Through History: Grimoire & Oracle Deck and corresponding calendars. Devin attended the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, and currently lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

HAWK & SPARROW d’Ayana Gray

Sparks fly in this Gilded Age novel of mystery, magic, and romance by the author of the New York Times–bestselling Beasts of Prey.

HAWK & SPARROW
by Ayana Gray
Balzer + Bray, September 2026
(via Park, Fine & Brower)

Vesper Evans has always resented Basalton’s high society, and the sorcery that provides them with a luxurious life unimaginable to most. Orphaned as a child and rescued by the editor of The Basalton Globe, Vesper is now an ambitious reporter determined to keep her newspaper afloat.

While covering a lavish society gala, Vesper happens upon a shockingscene: the murdered body of a man she had spoken with just minutes before.Several of the powerful magical elite may want the man dead, but the primesuspect is wealthy industrialist Maximilian Kite.

Max soon makes Vesper a tempting offer: Find the culprit and restore his reputation in exchange for a substantial fee. Despite her distaste for Max’s world, Vesper agrees―the money would save the Globe, and the story would be the scoop of a lifetime. There’s only one catch: In order for her to infiltrate society, the two must pose as a courting couple.

Their investigation takes them from the highest echelons of privilege to the seediest backstreets of Basalton. As they unearth the city’s secrets and scandals, Vesper finds herself in grave danger―while falling for one of the most infuriating, arrogant, handsome men she has ever met . . .

Ayana Gray is the New York Times–bestselling author of the critically acclaimed young adult Beasts of Prey trilogy, as well as I, Medusa, her first novel for adults. Originally from Atlanta, she now lives among the rolling hills and tangling rivers of Arkansas.

BRITTLE MAGIC de Kate O’Shaughnessy

Everyone in the Brittle family has a magical talent – except Shiloh. But she’s determined to unlock her own greatness in this charmingly quirky novel about family and forgiveness from Newbery Honor winner Kate O’Shaughnessy.

BRITTLE MAGIC
by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Knopf Books for Young Readers, October 2026
(via Park, Fine & Brower)

Nearly every member of the Brittle family has an extraordinary talent—except Shiloh.

Her aunt makes pickles that tell your fortune. Her great-aunt brews tea that gives you good dreams. Her sister can grow pumpkins the size of a small house. And her older brother—who died before Shiloh was born—had a gift no one will talk about. Her mom says Shiloh doesn’t need a talent to be special. But Shiloh knows she’s destined for greatness. And with the Brittle family reunion coming up, she’s determined to prove it to all her relatives.

When Auntie Dee’s fortune-telling pickles reveal that Shiloh does have a talent—and that it’s somehow connected to her late brother—Shiloh feels more confused than vindicated. Why would her mom have kept this from her?

The pickles’ prophesy offers cryptic clues for finding her talent—something involving an oven? and a new friend?—and Shiloh throws herself into the search. But discovering the truth about herself means digging up secrets her mom would rather keep buried.

This year’s family reunion may well be the most dramatic one yet…

Newbery Honor winner Kate O’Shaughnessy gives us a moving, magic-tinged story about family, friendship, forgiveness . . . and fortune-telling pickles!

Kate O’shaughnessy is a 2025 Newbery Honor winner for The Wrong Way Home. She is also the author of The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane and Lasagna Means I Love You, both of which received numerous starred reviews. A book nerd, animal lover, former chef, and outdoor enthusiast, Kate lives in California with her family.