Fall 2019 Book Releases You and Your Children Should Look Out For!

October 22, 2019

September didn’t really feel like fall – at least where I live, it was still pretty hot and summery. But now that we are deep into October the weather is just as crisp and cold as I personally enjoy. There is nothing more calm and magical than watching the leaves change color and curling up indoors in a fuzzy sweater, sipping hot tea, and reading a good book.

You are definitely in luck, for fall is full of book releases for you and your children to discover! Divided between picture books, middle grade, and young adult novels, check out some of the most exciting new and upcoming book releases of fall 2019!

Picture Books:

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao – Kat Zhang, Charlene Chua
(Release Date: October 1st)

Amy loves making bao (steamed buns) with her family, but unfortunately she isn’t very good at making them by herself. They’re always too small, too big, too much filling, not enough filling… This delightful #ownvoices picture book celebrates Chinese culture and the merits of perseverance!

Pokko and the Drum – Matthew Forsythe
(Release Date: October 1st)

The biggest mistake Pokko’s parents ever made was giving her the drum.” The forest that once was quiet, so very quiet, is now filled with music as Pokko continues to recruit more and more animals to play with her!

Fry Bread – Kevin Noble Maillard, Juana Martinez-Neal
(Release Date: October 22nd)

Told entirely in verse, Fry Bread is a celebration of Native American traditions, old and new, and about the importance of family and time spent gathered together sharing a meal made with love.

 

Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars – Richard Ho, Katherine Roy
(Release Date: October 29th)

This delightful nonfiction picture book follows the journey of the Mars rover from the planet’s point of view. Simplistic yet highly informative, this book is perfect for any young science lover!

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez – Andrea Beaty, David Roberts
(Release Date: November 5th)

When her Abuelo hurts his ankle at a local landfill, Sofia decides that the town should turn the huge mess into a park! Follow the inspiring story of a young girl fighting for change and proving that no person is too small to make a difference.

 

Pluto Gets the Call – Adam Rex, Laurie Keller
(Release Date: November 12th)

One day, Pluto gets a phone call from a scientist on Earth informing him that he is no longer considered a planet! Filled with puns and hilarious illustrations, this book is an exciting and humor-filled adventure through the solar system as we follow Pluto slowly come to terms with not being a planet anymore.

Middle Grade:

The Tornado – Jake Burt
(Release Date: October 1st)

Bell has devised an elaborate system in order to avoid crossing the path of Parker, the school bully. But one day a new girl named Daelynn joins his classroom and everything changes. Suddenly Bell’s system is disrupted and Daelynn becomes Parker’s newest target. Will Bell be brave enough to stand up to Parker once and for all?

Freeing Finch – Ginny Rorby
(Release Date: October 1st)

After the death of her mother, Finch is stuck living with her stepfather and his new wife. While they are mostly nice, they refuse to see Finch as anything but a boy. But Finch is trans – she knows she is really a girl! Things start to look up when Finch befriends her animal rescuer neighbor and meets a dog who is in need of a loving home too…

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky – Kwame Mbalia
(Release Date: October 15th)

Tristan hasn’t been the same since an accident killed his best friend. He is sent to heal at his grandparent’s house in Alabama, though he doesn’t think it will help him any. What he doesn’t expect during the visit is accidentally punching a hole in a tree and opening up a portal into the realm of African American gods!

Under the Broken Sky – Mariko Nagai
(Release Date: October 15th)

In this beautiful novel-in-verse, follow the story of a 12-year-old girl named Natsu and her experiences as a Japanese orphan living in Manchuria during World War II. When her little sister Cricket is sold to a Russian family, Natsu will stop at nothing to get her back.

M is for Movement – Innosanto Nagara
(Release Date: November 5th)

This fictionalized memoir tells the story of a child growing up in Indonesia during the beginnings of major social change. Complete with beautiful illustrations by the author, this book explains dark historic moments in a way that is engaging to younger readers.

The Princess Who Flew With Dragons – Stephanie Burgis
(Release Date: November 5th)

Princess Sofia hates being trapped within the confines of the palace, being used for her older sister’s political gain. When she finds herself exiled, for the first time she feels free to be herself. But when the legendary ice giants attack her kingdom, she must team up with her dragon friend Jasper and save the day!

Young Adult:

Shadow Frost – Coco Ma
(Release Date: October 1st)

When a demon is summoned and threatens to destroy the kingdom of Axaria, Princess Asterin discovers that she may be the only one capable of defeating it. But along her journey to find the demon she begins to realize that nobody is quite who they claim to be, and people she thought she could trust might be plotting to kill her too!

Cursed – Thomas Wheeler, Frank Miller
(Release Date: October 1st)

In this retelling of King Arthur from the perspective of the Lady of the Lake, follow the tale of Nimue, a girl who lives as an outcast in her village due to her connection to dark magic. But when Red Paladins slaughter her village, her fate is changed forever. As per her mother’s dying wish, she must reunite an ancient sword with the sorcerer Merlin, and thus her adventure begins…

Jackpot – Nic Stone
(Release Date: October 15th)

Rico is a high school senior working the afternoon shift at a gas station while simultaneously raising her younger brother. She feels that her life might start looking up after selling someone the winning lottery ticket. The only problem – the ticket holder hasn’t yet returned to claim their prize. This hard hitting contemporary is a story of class and privilege, and of making one’s own luck in the world.

Full Disclosure – Camryn Garette
(Release Date: October 27th)

Simone is hoping that things will change now that she is entering a new school. But things get tricky after she starts to fall for a boy. Can she keep the fact that she is HIV positive a secret, or will she have to confess before things go to far? This is an uplifting story of self-acceptance in a not-so understanding community, and of finding love despite it all.

Across a Broken Shore – Amy Trueblood
(Release Date: November 5th)

It’s 1936, and Willa’s path is set – as the only daughter among four brothers, she is to become a nun. But she has discovered a new calling, in secret she assists a doctor at a medical clinic in San Francisco. But when she is offered a real job at a field hospital, her life begins to grow more and more chaotic…

Song of the Crimson Flower – Julie C. Dao
(Release Date: November 5th)

Lan regrets rejecting Bao the day he confessed his love to her. One day, she finds that a witch has trapped Bao’s soul inside of a flute. The only way to set him free is love – but Bao doesn’t love Lan anymore! Thus begins their reluctant journey across the land, intertwining themselves in war and dark magic neither quite understand…


There are always so many exciting book releases every year! These are only a small sprinkling of books that have been released or are soon-to-be released this fall. What are some of you and your children’s most anticipated releases?

Don’t forget to support authors, especially debut authors, by purchasing their books or by requesting them at your local library!

Happy reading! 🙂

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

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Sarah CookSarah Cook has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She loves to read, daydream, and fangirl over her favorite anime and manga. As a K – 12 homeschool survivor and graduate, she is currently a creative writing major in college. She hopes to someday travel the world, write bestselling novels, and own 152 cats. You can follow her on YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.

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