Now, 30 years since the series premiered, two of the novels, The Winter of Red Snow and A Journey to the New World have been released in deluxe paperback form. Written by critically acclaimed author Kristiana Gregory and Newberry Honor author Kathryn Lasky respectively, these books are a great option heading into the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Written in diary form, these books are compelling. And at less than 200 pages and short entries, they’re accessible. Both include strong historical backmatter that help readers place the characters in time. These exciting reads will especially appeal to fans of the American Girl historical novels, which feature a similar format. Learn more about the two books below.

THE WINTER OF RED SNOW, by Kristiana Gregory, Scholastic Press, April 7, 2026, Paperback, $9.99 (ages 9-12)

Eleven-year-old Abigail Jane Stewart’s life in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania has been haunted by war for two years now, but she and her family have thrived all the same. Until everything is upended when Abby is woken by the unfamiliar sound of drums.

General George Washington is leading the Continental soldiers into their winter encampment at Valley Forge.

Abby’s diary tells the stories of her family, friends, and neighbors, and the sides they have to choose, during one of the most memorable and crucial winters in American history.

The Dear America series transformed the way millions of readers learned about American history. These new editions will be beautifully packaged as deluxe paperbacks with gold foil, and are perfect for a new generation of readers. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

A JOURNEY TO THE NEW WORLD, by Kathryn Lasky, Scholastic Press, April 7, 2026, Paperback, $9.99 (ages 9-12)

Twelve-year-old Remember “Mem” Patience Whipple is headed for the New World with her parents on a grueling 65-day journey onboard the Mayflower.

Once they reach land, and despite the harsh conditions, Mem is fearless and leaps headfirst into her new life, helping to care for the sick in her new home and searching for friends to call her own.

The Dear America series transformed the way millions of readers learned about American history. These new editions will be beautifully packaged as deluxe paperbacks with foil and are perfect for a new generation of readers. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

Copyright © 2026 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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A VISIT WITH THE BIRDS: A HANDS-ON NATURE BOOK, by Sara Levine and Ashley Barron, Sourcebooks Explore, April, 7, 2026, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 4-8)

Join a curious child on a walk through the park, where readers will listen for bird songs, spot colorful feathers, count birds, and even pretend to fly. With engaging hands-on prompts woven into the story and stunning cut-paper collage artwork on every page, this book transforms a simple outing into an unforgettable adventure.

A Visit with the Birds encourages young readers to slow down, notice wildlife, and connect with the nature around them, no matter where they are. Along the way, children will learn about common birds like pigeons, robins, chickadees, and blue jays, all while building early science and observation skills. Throughout the story, readers are invited to:

• • • Listen for bird calls and identify sounds
    • Look closely to spot and count different animals
    • Explore colors and patterns in nature
    • Move and play by acting like birds
    • Develop curiosity about the natural world

 With additional educational back matter introducing bird species and fun facts, this book is ideal for budding birdwatchers and nature lovers alike. —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks

LIGHT AS A FEATHER: FIFTEEN PHENOMENAL NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS, by Will Hillenbrand, Holiday House, March 3, 2026, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-8)

Let your curiosity take flight with this nonfiction picture book exploring the world of North American birds from acclaimed author Will Hillenbrand.

Why are feathers so light? Why do woodpeckers drum? What should you do if you find an injured bird? Acclaimed picture book author Will Hillenbrand has the answers that are sure to make readers’ imaginations soar!

In these pages you’ll meet North America’s most fascinating birds, like nature’s drummers (the woodpecker) to its most dynamic dancers (the sandhill crane) and flashiest fliers (the blue jay), and more. Colorful maps explore the bird’s habitats, and bright, accessible infographics invite readers to experience every part of the birds’ world, from the brown pelican’s seven-plus foot wingspan to the light waves that make bluebirds so blue. In this vibrantly-illustrated nonfiction picture book, the sky’s the limit on what there is to learn. —Synopsis provided by Holiday House

EXTREME BIRDWATCHING: MEASURING CHANGE ON A GALÁPAGOS ISLAND (DISCOVERY CHRONICLES), by Loree Burns and Jamie Green, MIT Kids Press, March 3, 3036, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 7-10)

Daphne is an island. Not one you’d choose for a vacation. There are no sandy beaches, resorts, hotels, or houses. No tall trees to make shade. The steep, rocky sides of a volcanic Galápagos island are not inviting, and most who visit this part of the world sail right past. But Peter and Rosemary Grant are not most people.

 A husband-and-wife team, the Grants came to this singular place with a singular goal: to study two species of wild finch. For decades, the scientists and their students counted, cataloged, and observed finches on a remote mile-wide island. Through teamwork, painstaking observation—extreme bird-watching, extreme plant study, extreme seed counting—and careful beak measurements, the group of committed scientists proved step-by-step, over forty years, how finch beaks change in response to their environment.

Weaving accessible biology and the scientific process into an inspiring conversational narrative, this second title in the Discovery Chronicles series—packed with resources and back matter—concretely honors the value of hard journeys, the vision and ambition behind tedious tasks, and the astonishing power of curiosity. —Synopsis provided by MIT Kids Press

WORLD WITHOUT BIRDS: HOW TO SAVE OUR PLANET, ONE BIRD AT A TIME, by Nick Lund and Asia Orlando, Workman Kids, March 3, 2026, Paperback, $16.99 (ages 10 and up)

“This is a book about hope.” 

If you look out the window, chances are high you’ll spot a bird soaring in the sky or perched on a tree. Nearly 100 million Americans spend time birdwatching every year. Birds provide beauty, pollination, pest control, waste management, a food source, recreation, cultural enrichment, and many other functions important to human life and environmental balance …

… and now they’re disappearing at ever greater rates, thanks to climate change, habitat destruction, and invasive species, among other causes.

Written by an acclaimed journalist associated with the Audubon Society, World Without Birds examines the many factors contributing to this devastating loss and what our planet would look like in birds’ absence.

Organized by ecosystem, each chapter offers an overview of the birds in that environment, then case studies of both one avian species that has gone extinct and one whose numbers have recovered, balancing honesty and optimism for readers of all ages. The final chapter suggests actions that bird lovers can take to help preserve avian lives and habitats. Filled with gorgeous, colorful pictures, including richly illustrated bird guides for each ecosystem, World Without Birds shares a hidden true story of danger, discovery, and hope. —Synopsis provided by Workman Kids

Copyright © 2026 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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WILDSPEAK, by Sangma Francis and Lexi Vangsnes, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, April 14, 2026, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-9)

Discover a new way of seeing the world and the words that describe it in Wildspeak, a picture book by Sangma Francis and Lexi Vangsnes.

In the wide, wide world with its wide, wide skies,

There are wild, wild words waiting to be spoken.

Where the stream twists and sparkles? That’s SUNGLITTER.

Where the sunset touches the sky? That’s CLOUDBLOOM.

Come take a walk full of the joy of real nature words―mayflies, sea snails, blackbirds, brambles―and full of the joy of new words just waiting to be discovered. —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Wildspeak is celebration of nature and the joy that can be found from the tiniest creature to the largest landscape. Young readers are encouraged to explore and have adventures outdoors. And they will especially love the imagination that comes with words like, fairygold,and forestwhisper or vinepop and petalglow. Vibrant text is paired with jubilant textured illustrations, making Wildspeak a delight to read.

Copyright © 2026 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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AWE! by Chana Stiefel and Susan Gal, Scholastic Press, March 3, 2026, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-8)

Explore a mysterious feeling that’s perfect for celebrating big moments or the small wonders in every day with Awe! by Chana Stiefel and Susan Gal.

Introducing A. W. E., an Awesome Wondrous Empowering emotion! When chills travel down your spine and sudden tears surprise your eyes. When your heart exclaims, “Ooh! Ahh! Whoaaa! ”That’s when you know you’ve found AWE.

This breathtaking journey will take you to the Grand Canyon and the deepest reaches of the sea. It will invite you to share moments of giving and to feel the joy of family and community. It will lift you to the highest heights and make your spirit soar.

Experiencing awe has been scientifically proven to spark wonder, improve thinking, and open us up to new ideas. For children living through these turbulent times, Awe! is the perfect book to foster positivity, comfort, joy, and empowerment. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

Awe! is the celebration of something bigger than yourself. It’s big. It’s small. It’s all-encompassing. It’s a feeling unlike any other. And author Chana Stiefel and illustrator Susan Gal bring that feeling to life. With sparse, but impactful, text and a riot of color and movement, readers will start to place that feeling of awe in their everyday lives.

Copyright © 2026 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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MIXED FEELINGS, by Sara Amini and Shadia Amin, Graphix, April 7, 2026, Hardcover, $24.99, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 8-12)

A girl navigates friendships, puberty and themes of identity in Mixed Feelings, a graphic novel memoir by Sara Amini and illustrated by Shadia Amin. 

Things are getting hairy!

What could go wrong on the first day of sixth grade?

A: You wake up with leg hair out of nowhere.

B: You have zero classes with your BFF and watch her run off with her new (annoying) friend.

C: You struggle to decide which school club to join because being mixed race makes you feel like you don’t belong anywhere.

D: All of the above. SERIOUSLY?!

At first, Sara’s got mixed feelings about middle school. But she finds comfort in TV — whether she’s watching it, performing her favorite scenes, or imagining her life is a show itself. So, when she joins drama club, Sara discovers a community where she can be anything she wants — including herself. Has Sara finally found a place to fit in? Or will she instead find herself buried under her growing leg hair and off-stage friendship drama? —Synopsis provided by Graphix

Mixed Feelings is a semi-autobiographical middle-grade graphic novel that touches on author Sara Amini’s experiences as a mixed-race girl.

At the center of this story is Sara, a girl who is entering middle school thinking she’s got everything figured out. But Sara is far from that. With South American and Middle Eastern parents, she can’t pinpoint who she is supposed to be. Add to that puberty and changing friendships, and she’s in for a humdinger of a year.

Mixed Feelings is told through humor and heart. Amini’s pacing and storytelling is strong, and artist Shadia Amin’s brightly-colored illustrations are full of energy and emotion. Best of all, there are moments that all readers of all backgrounds can relate to. It’s lots of fun to read.

Copyright © 2026 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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WE ARE NEVER GETTING TOGETHER, by Janette Rallison, Shadow Mountain, April 7, 2026, $19.99 (young adult)

Two feuding teenagers pretend to be in love to keep their parents apart in We Are Never Getting Together, by Janette Rallison.

Madeline and Cooper have had bad blood since junior year when she beat out his sister for the lead in the school play. Ever since, it’s been one petty escalation after another—rumors, locker sabotage, and even a derogatory viral video. Their latest prank lands them in the principal’s office with their single parents in tow. The last thing either of them expected was for their parents to hit it off and end the meeting with a dinner date.

Horrified by the prospect of their parents falling in love, Madeline and Cooper reach a truce. They’ll reverse parent-trap the situation by pretending their feud is over and they’re in a relationship. They’re positive that by fake-dating, their parents will stop seeing each other.

When a fake kiss meant for only their parents to see is witnessed by Cooper’s friends, rumors spread like wildfire that Cooper and Madeline are an item. The longer their fake-relationship continues, the more they discover that there may be things they actually like about each other, although neither is ready to admit it. But how long are Madeline and Cooper willing to keep up the ruse before they have to face the consequences of their actions? —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain

We Are Never Getting Together is a sweet YA rom-com with an enemies-to-lovers twist that’s destined to get messy along the way.

The book plays out through the alternating viewpoints of Madeline and Cooper. Madeline is a theater nerd who dreams of making it big. She’s driven to be a success in all that she does especially when it comes to maintaining the status quo. Cooper is a football star who hopes he can make a college career happen. He loves to have a good time and is loyal to a fault

We Are Never Getting Together starts out strong with a pair of competing pranks that ultimately land Madeline and Cooper in hot water. Descriptions of previous shenanigans make it clear that the two are both clever and devious. While Madeline and Cooper happy to dish out payback, there’s always an undercurrent of humor that punctuates their pranks.

Author Janette Rallison has a clear voice, bringing her main characters together with charm and smile-worthy moments. Her plot is not entirely predictable, but typical tropes — the mean girl rival and an unexpected enemy — do make an appearance.

Madeline and Cooper are both likeable characters, and they feel rooted in reality. Their story plays out as expected, and their chemistry is strong.

We Are Never Getting Together is a fast-moving rom-com that’s a nice escape for an evening or weekend read.

Copyright © 2026 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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These interactive lift-the-flap board books feature vibrant illustrations, sturdy flaps and rhythmic verse that’s fun to read aloud. The first two books, Fox’s Socks and Rabbit’s Nap are available now with more books in the series slated for release in the coming months. Learn a little more about the first two books below.

FOX’S SOCKS, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Cartwheel Books, March 3, 2026, Board Book, $9.99 (ages 2 and up)

Poor Fox has lost his socks! How will he get dressed without them? Are they under the stairs… in the cupboard… under the mat? Lift the flaps and find out! —Synopsis provided by Scholastic

RABBIT’S NAP, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Cartwheel Books, March 3, 2026, Board Book, $9.99 (ages 2 and up)

Welcome to Acorn Wood, where tired Rabbit can’t get to sleep. Can you help her find a quiet place to nap? Lift the flaps to find out! —Synopsis provided by Scholastic

Copyright © 2026 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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PRINCESS ACADEMY: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL, by Shannon Hale, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, April 7, 2026, Hardcover, $24.99, Paperback, $16.99 (ages 10 and up)

Shannon Hale’s Newbery-Honor winning classic, Princess Academy, is now available in graphic novel format with art from Victoria Ying.

Miri lives high atop Mount Eskel where, for generations, her ancestors have lived a simple life, working in the quarry. But everything changes when word arrives that the prince of the kingdom will choose his princess from among the village girls.

A makeshift academy is set up on the mountain and every eligible girl must attend and learn how to become a proper princess. Soon Miri finds herself confronted with a harsh academy mistress, bitter competition among the girls, and her own conflicting desires. Being chosen could give her everything she ever wanted, but does Miri really want to leave her home and family behind for a royal life? —Synopsis provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

I have been trying to get my now 12-year-old to read Princess Academy since she was 8. She’s a voracious reader, and I knew she would love it. But she never picked it up. Then came the advanced reader copy of Princess Academy: The Graphic Novel, and she immediately snatched it out of my hands. It didn’t matter that only the first few pages were in color or that others were still rough sketches.

My kid loved it.

She loved it so much that she went back to the source material and read the OG Princess Academy twice.

That’s the power of a good graphic novel.

This new adaptation takes the beloved story and brings it to life with bold, bright colors, lots of movement and emotion. You really can’t go wrong with it. I can’t wait for an entire new generation to fall in love with Miri and the other girls of Mount Eskel.

Copyright © 2026 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE VERDANT CAGE, by Jess Lourey, Entangled: Mayhem Books, April 7, 2026, Hardcover, $22.99 (young adult, ages 16 and up)

A girl learns the world she thought she knew is a lie in The Verdant Cage, an upper YA dystopian thriller by Jess Lourey.

The Wall was built to keep them safe. Or so they thought.

For as long as seventeen-year-old apothecary Rose Allgood can remember, the towering stone Wall surrounding Noah’s Valley has protected her people. No one leaves. No one fights. And no one questions why.

But their paradise has been hiding its thorns. When Rose’s mother becomes the Valley’s first murder victim and her twin brother is swiftly condemned, she alone is searching for the real killer. Determined to find the truth, she follows a trail of hidden messages, forbidden knowledge, and whispers of a past no one dares to remember.

The deeper she digs, the more certain Rose becomes that her mother’s death was no accident. That the Wall isn’t just keeping something out.

It’s keeping something in. —Synopsis provided by Entangled: Mayhem Books

The Verdant Cage is an upper-YA novel that catches your attention from the beginning.

The story progresses over the course of a week as Rose suffers immeasurable losses and discovers the truth about Noah’s Valley. She is smart and skilled and determined. She’s the kind of protagonist needed to push the story forward and hold interest.

Rose is surrounded by a cast of mostly well-developed supporting characters, including her intended husband, Gryphon who turns out to be more complicated than he initially appears.

Author Jess Lourey excels at world-building. She drops into a world both recognizable and totally new at the same time. In her hands, The Verdant Cage has an almost Gothic feel to it. There’s an unsettling atmosphere laced throughout.

The Verdant Cage isn’t the fastest-moving novel, but the pacing is strong, making you want to keep reading. It’s a compelling dystopian read.

Sensitivity note: The Verdant Cage features violent and threatening situations, physical harm, death and coercive power structures.

Copyright © 2026 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, by Marie Benedict, St. Martin’s Press, March 24, 2026, Hardcover, $29 (Young Adult/ New Adult/ Adult Fiction)

A young woman unearths the truth about a forgotten Pharaoh in Daughter of Egypt, a historical fiction novel by Marie Benedict.

In the 1920s, archeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert―daughter of Lord Carnarvon―whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible.

Nearly 3,000 years earlier, another woman defied the expectations of her time: Hatshepsut, Egypt’s lost pharaoh. Her reign was bold, visionary―and nearly erased from history.

When Evelyn becomes obsessed with finding Hatshepsut’s secret tomb, she risks everything to uncover the truth about her reign and keep valued artifacts in Egypt, their rightful home. But as danger closes in and political tensions rise, she must make an impossible choice: protect her father’s legacy―or forge her own.

Propelled by high adventure and deadly intrigue, Daughter of Egypt is the story of two ambitious women who lived centuries apart. Both were forced to hide who they were during their lifetimes, yet ultimately changed history forever. —Synopsis provided by St. Martin’s Press

Author Marie Benedict (The Secrets of Lovelace Academy, Her Hidden Genius, The Other Einstein) is known for her fiction novels that often feature extraordinary women from history.

Daughter of Egypt is no different.

This time, Benedict takes readers to 1920s England and Egypt and Egypt some 3,000 years ago. And what a journey it is.

The story alternates between Lady Evelyn Herbert, daughter of Lord Carnarvon, and Hatshepsut, one of the only women to rule Egypt as pharaoh.

Evelyn is smart and driven. She dreams of becoming an archeologist in a world where she is expected to marry well and have children. But she has a passion for Egypt and becomes a key figure in the discovery of King Tutankhamen.

Hatshepsut is Thutmose I’s beloved daughter. She spends much of her time at his side, learning how to govern Egypt. She is strong and independent. And when her father and her husband both die, she uses her training to take what she believes is hers, becoming one of the most prosperous and peaceful pharaohs in history.

Daughter of Egypt is a compelling story full of mystery, suspense and wonder. It’s a must read for those drawn to the history of ancient and more recent history of Egypt and its storied rulers.

Though much of what Benedict imagines is pure conjecture, it’s clear she’s done her research. Her understanding of ancient Egyptian practices as well as the revolution against British rule in the 1920s is strong. It’s easy to appreciate the work that went into understanding the intricacies.

But what makes Daughter of Egypt so successful is Benedict’s ability to mix those historical truths into a fictionalized story that moves forward at a good pace and holds interest throughout.

Note: Though Daughter of Egypt is intended for the adult fiction market, there’s nothing in it precluding a young adult audience. It should appeal to young adult readers who enjoy history and strong female protagonists.

Copyright © 2026 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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