Our Graphic Novel Preview series invites readers to look inside graphic novels. This month, we’re highlighting a touching middle grade memoir, Extra Large by Tyler Page, on sale 03/11/2025!
Look inside Extra Large→
Under the Same Stars
By Libba Bray
Ages 12-18
On Sale Now!
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
From New York Times bestselling author Libba Bray comes a propulsive historical mystery that examines truth, rebellion, reconciliation, and what must be sacrificed for a better world.
It was said that if you write to the Bridegroom’s Oak, the love of your life will answer back. Now, the tree is giving up its secrets at last.
In 1940s Germany, Sophie is excited to discover a message waiting for her in the Bridegroom’s Oak from a mysterious suitor. Meanwhile, her best friend, Hanna, is sending messages too—but not to find love. As World War II unfolds in their small town of Kleinwald, the oak may hold the key to resistance against the Nazis.
In 1980s West Germany, American teen transplant Jenny feels suffocated by her strict parents and is struggling to fit in. Until she finds herself falling for Lena, a punk-rock girl hell-bent on tearing down the wall separating West Germany from East Germany, and meeting Frau Hermann, a kind old lady with secrets of her own.
In Spring 2020, New York City, best friends Miles and Chloe are slogging through the last few months of senior year when an unexpected package from Chloe’s grandmother leads them to investigate a cold case about two unidentified teenagers who went missing under the Bridegroom’s Oak eighty years ago.
dOWNLOAD THE dISCUSSION gUIDE FOR uNDER THE sAME sTARS hERE →
This month’s Author Spotlight is Adina King, author of The House No One Sees, an evocative young adult novel written in verse and prose that follows a teen girl and her memories of her childhood, her house, and her mother who battles an opioid addiction.
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Does your collection include this year’s critically acclaimed books? See what Booklist, School Library Journal, Kirkus, Horn Book, Publishers Weekly, and more, say about the top reviewed books of 2025 for kids and teens!
Discover this year’s top-reviewed books! →Browse all of our February new releases, including new picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, and paperback books!
Discover incredible titles and free resources about fierce, fearless, and remarkable women to celebrate Women’s History Month!
“Books change the world. And so can you.”
—Katherine Applegate, Collaborative Summer Library Program 2025 Summer Reading Champion
Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medalist and #1 New York Times-bestselling author, is the Collaborative Summer Library Program 2025 Summer Reading Champion!
This Summer, parents and guardians of budding storytellers ages 8-12 are invited to enter the Katherine Applegate Color Our World Writing Contest. Entries are open from June 1 – July 31, 2025.
If you have any issues submitting your story, please contact mary.vanakin@macmillan.com.
Parents and Guardians, share this prompt with writers ages 8-12!
“Your writing can change and color our world! Write a short story between 1,000 – 1,500 words about a character that takes an action that changes someone else’s day for the better. The action can be as small or grand as you’d like — even small acts can make a big difference!
Your story must have a catchy title, a protagonist that takes an action to make a change, and a beginning, middle, and end.”
The contest will be judged by the Collaborative Summer Library Program, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and Katherine Applegate. We’re on the lookout for a story that
Rules and Requirements: View Here
Privacy Notice: View Here
The grand prize winner will receive a virtual writing workshop with Katherine Applegate, signed copies of Willodeen, Crenshaw, Odder, and wishtree, and will receive a $500 of books for readers ages 8-12 from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
Three runner-ups will receive a signed copies of Willodeen, Crenshaw, Odder, and wishtree.
ABBREVIATED RULES
No purchase necessary. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C. who are age 18 or older and of the legal age of majority. Entry period begins at 9:00 AM (ET) on 6/1/2025 and ends at 11:59 PM ET on 7/31/2025. Void where prohibited. For full Official Rules, visit the following link. Sponsored by Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Nick Bruel’s New York Times-Bestselling Series with this class set of books and party favors! This series is purr-fect for fans of DOG MAN and INVESTIGATORS, comic book fans, and cranky cats.
Winners will receive a class set of Bad Kitty: Party Animal books and Bad Kitty Kazoos!
No purchase necessary. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who are age 21 years of age or older. Entry period begins at 11:59 PM (ET) on Monday, January 13, 2025 and ends at 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Void where prohibited. For full Official Rules, visit . Sponsored by MCPG, 120 Broadway 10271.
Bad Kitty: Party Animal by Nick Bruel
Ages 7 to 10
It’s Puppy’s birthday and Kitty can’t seem to do anything right in this brand new graphic novel adventure by New York Times-bestselling creator Nick Bruel, for fans of DOG MAN and INVESTIGATORS.
It’s Puppy’s birthday and Kitty would rather be anywhere else.
While Puppy gets a BIG present and a very special birthday breakfast, all Kitty can do is pop the balloons, topple the cake, and cause mayhem…unless, she can learn how to let Puppy have the spotlight.
Help Puppy (and Kitty) celebrate this special day in this graphic novel about sibling rivalry, and learning how to share, in the latest full-color addition to the bestselling Bad Kitty series.
Happy New Year! Read below to find our staff picks for January 2025 and learn more about these must-reads!
