(W) Natalie Riess (A) Sara Goetter A middle-grade graphic novel about a gang of adorable animal friends on a D&D style dungeon crawl. Quests! Plots! Evil Plants! Magic and mayhem! Join a tight-knit squad of animal companions on a wild adventure investigating a sinister botanical conspiracy among the furry nobility. Motivated by rivalries, a strong moral compass, and a lust for adventure, the critters navigate not only perils and dangers of the natural world, but also perils and dangers . . . of the heart! Their journey takes them through haunted dungeons, swamps, and high society balls, and brings them closer together as friends.

(W/A/CA) P?n?lope Bagieu From French superstar P?n?lope Bagieu, the literary world's sleaziest mystery is about to be blown wide open! Zoe isn't exactly the intellectual type, which is why she doesn't recognize world-famous author Thomas Rocher when she stumbles into his apartment and his life. It's also why she doesn't know that Rocher is supposed to be dead. Turns out, Rocher faked his death years ago to escape his critics, and has been making a killing releasing his new work as 'lost manuscripts,' in cahoots with his editor/ex-wife Agathe. Zoe doesn't know Balzac from Batman, but she's going to have to wise up fast, because she's sitting on the literary scandal of the century!

(W) Jane Yolen (A/CA) Michael Cavallaro Aliera Carstairs just doesn't fit in. She's always front and center at the fencing studio, but at school she's invisible. And she's fine with that, until Avery Castle walks into her first period biology class. Avery may seem perfect now, but will he end up becoming her Prince Charming - or is he just a toad?

(W) Karen Schneemann, Lily Williams (A) Lily Williams, Karen Schneemann When four best friends notice that the boys have brand-new football uniforms and equipment while the girls bathrooms are still shamefully bereft of feminine hygiene products, they decide to take matters into their own hands. They petition, they write letters, they make noise, and eventually maybe even go a little too far. This hilarious, poignant, and fresh coming-of-age story chronicles a year in the life of these four young women, from friends, to fights, to first crushes as they navigate the treacherous landscape of freshman year and learn that some fights are worth all the trouble. Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

(W) Karen Schneemann, Lily Williams (A) Lily Williams, Karen Schneemann When four best friends notice that the boys have brand-new football uniforms and equipment while the girls bathrooms are still shamefully bereft of feminine hygiene products, they decide to take matters into their own hands. They petition, they write letters, they make NOISE, and eventually maybe even go a little too far. This hilarious, poignant, and fresh coming-of-age story chronicles a year in the life of these four young women, from friends, to fights, to first crushes as they navigate the treacherous landscape of freshman year and learn that some fights are worth all the trouble.

(W) Vera Greentea (A) Yana Bogatch Bucky Orson is a bit gloomy, but who isn't at fifteen? His best friend left him to hang out with way cooler friends, his cop dad is always in his business, and he lives in Blackwell, a town where all the girls are witches. But when his little sister is kidnapped because of her extraordinary power, Bucky has to get out of his own head and go on a strange journey to investigate the small town that gives him so much grief. And in the process he uncovers the town's painful history and a conspiracy that will change it forever. Beautiful, spooky, and utterly enchanting, Grimoire Noir is a magical coming-of-age story of overcoming your limits to protect those dear to you. Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

(W) Jim Ottaviani (A/CA) Leland Myrick From his early days at Oxford, Stephen Hawking's brilliance and good humor were obvious to everyone he met. At twenty-one he was diagnosed with ALS, a disease that limited his ability to move and speak, though it did nothing to limit his mind. He went on to do groundbreaking work in cosmology and theoretical physics for decades after being told he had only a few years to live. Through his 1988 bestseller, A Brief History of Time, and his appearances on shows like Star Trek and The Big Bang Theory, Hawking became a household name and a pop-culture icon. In Hawking, Jim Ottaviani and Leland Myrick have crafted an intricate portrait of the great thinker, the public figure, and the man behind both identities.

(W) Craig McDonald (A/CA) Kevin Singles Aging crime novelist Hector Lassiter thought that his adventures were long behind him. But then he's delivered a treasure worth killing for: the skull of Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. With brooding poet Bud Fiske and hard-as-nails beauty Alacia Vincente, Hector must make a mad dash across the American southwest. If he can sell the skull to highest bidder he'll score big. But in the meantime has to dodge bullets from deranged fraternity members, aging soldiers of fortune, and crooked feds. Originally published as an Edgar-nominated novel, this adaptation is brought to life with beautiful two-color art reminiscent of the classic era of pulp fiction.

(W/A/CA) John Green When Hippo left the zoo, he was ready for adventure! But is he ready for his first job? The zoo isn't what it used to be. It's run-down and falling apart. Hippo hardly ever gets any visitors. So he decides to set off for the outside with his friend Red Panda. To make it in the human world, Hippo will have to become a Hippopotamister: he'll have to act like a human, get a job, and wear a hat as a disguise. He's a good employee, whether he's a construction worker, a hair stylist, or a sous chef. But what he really needs is a job where he can be himself.

(W) Alex Graudin (A) Kate Hannigan Turn back the clock with History Comics! Following the success of Science Comics, First Second is launching a new nonfiction series: History Comics! Travel back in time to the launchpad at Cape Canaveral, the deserts of the American southwest, the riot at the Stonewall Inn, and beyond! The past comes alive in a way that's edifying, entertaining, and relevant to our modern lives. In the debut this volume, turn the clock back to 1871. Red-hot embers swirl on a dry prairie wind, igniting a blaze that will engulf Chicago for two terrifying days. As a young brother and sister rescue a helpless puppy, they race to stay one step ahead of the devilish inferno and reunite with their lost families. With downtown reduced to a charred skeleton of itself, how will the once-proud city ever rebuild? Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

(W/A) Chris Schweizer Turn back the clock with History Comics! This volume of First Second's new nonfiction series introduces readers to America's first mystery, the disappearance of the Roanoke Colony. In this volume, turn the clock back to 1590. A century before the Pilgrims, the first English settlers established the colony of Roanoke. But without warning, all its inhabitants abandoned their homes and disappeared without a trace. Can you separate fact from fiction and solve this mystery filled with brutal battles, perilous pirate ships, ruthless queens, and enough skeletons to fill a graveyard? Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

(W/A) Chris Schweizer Turn back the clock with History Comics! This volume of First Second's new nonfiction series introduces readers to America's first mystery, the disappearance of the Roanoke Colony. In this volume, turn the clock back to 1590. A century before the Pilgrims, the first English settlers established the colony of Roanoke. But without warning, all its inhabitants abandoned their homes and disappeared without a trace. Can you separate fact from fiction and solve this mystery filled with brutal battles, perilous pirate ships, ruthless queens, and enough skeletons to fill a graveyard? Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

(W) Chris Duffy (A) Falynn Koch In this volume, learn how horses were brought to the Western Hemisphere by Spanish conquistadors and immediately became a crucial part of the American story. For the Spanish, they were a tool of conquest. For Native Americans, they brought on a new way of life where horsemanship and horse-trading were central. And for the entire world, wild mustangs became a renowned wonder of the American West.

(W) Chris Duffy (A) Falynn Koch Learn how horses were brought to the Western Hemisphere by Spanish conquistadors and immediately became a crucial part of the American story. For the Spanish, they were a tool of conquest. For Native Americans, they brought on a new way of life where horsemanship and horse-trading were central. And for the entire world, wild mustangs became a renowned wonder of the American West. Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

(W) David L Carlson (A/CA) Landis Blair As a child, Charlie Rizzo had been told that his father lost his vision in a hunting accident. It wasn't until Charlie found himself in a jail cell for his petty crimes that he learned the truth. Matt Rizzo was blinded by a shotgun blast to the face while working for the mob. Just a teenager and newly blind, he began his bleak new life at Statesville Prison. It was there that his life and very soul were saved by one of America's most notorious killers: Nathan Leopold, of the infamous Leopold and Loeb duo. From David Carlson and Landis Blair comes a moving biography of a remarkable man whose journey from despair to enlightenment mirrored the great works of western literature that ultimately saved him.

(W) Landry Quinn Walker (A/CA) Eric Jones The year is 2421. Awkward and shy, Pepper buries herself in the universe of the classic fictional superhero Supernova to avoid dealing with the perils of the ninth grade. But then fate intervenes when Pepper encounters a strange cat named Mister McKittens and stumbles into a volatile science experiment run by a sinister substitute teacher named Doctor Killian. Pepper is flung into another dimension, bringing her face-to-face with an order of cosmic beings who declare her to be the steward of their great power, champion of harmony in the universe, and protector of worlds present and past. Now, in the twenty-first century, Pepper finds that she herself is the real Supernova. But as Pepper soon learns, escapist fantasy and reality are two very different things! Available in hardcover and softcover editions.

(W) Landry Quinn Walker (A/CA) Eric Jones The year is 2421. Awkward and shy, Pepper buries herself in the universe of the classic fictional superhero Supernova to avoid dealing with the perils of the ninth grade. But then fate intervenes when Pepper encounters a strange cat named Mister McKittens and stumbles into a volatile science experiment run by a sinister substitute teacher named Doctor Killian. Pepper is flung into another dimension, bringing her face-to-face with an order of cosmic beings who declare her to be the steward of their great power, champion of harmony in the universe, and protector of worlds present and past. Now, in the twenty-first century, Pepper finds that she herself is the real Supernova. But as Pepper soon learns, escapist fantasy and reality are two very different things.

(W/A) John Patrick Green (CA) John Green Perfect for fans of Dog Man! This goofy graphic novel series follows the super spy alligator duo, the InvestiGators, as they travel through the sewers and fight the forces of evil! With their gadgets, know-how, and super-fast transportation system (they flush themselves down toilets to speed through the sewers!), Mango and Brash are the scourge of the super-villain landscape! As vest-wearing employees of the Special Undercover Investigation Teams, they solve all kinds of mysteries and frequently butt heads with their archnemesis: a former agent known as Crackerdile. Riddled with puns, potty humor, absurdism, and hilarious twists, InvestiGators is the perfect series for Dog Man fans looking for their next great read! It's kid-friendly comics at their best.

(W/A) John Patrick Green (CA) John Green InvestiGators Mango and Brash don their fanciest vests for InvestiGators: Off the Hook, the next mystery in the hilarious adventure series from John Patrick Green. The InvestiGators are the best crime-fighting duo in the world. But not even their hi-tech training programs can prepare them for the return of their greatest nemesis, Crackerdile, in a shocking new form! Even worse, he's creating a team of super villains! Faced with the choice between saving themselves or catching the crooks, can Mango and Brash make sure the gator good prevails?

(W/A) Ulysse Malassagne Nills and Anaelle were looking forward to the first night in their rustic cabin in the woods. But the couple's idyllic vacation is suddenly thrown into turmoil when a strange flash of light bursts from the fireplace. A portal appears and out of it spill dragon-like creatures that are armed to the teeth. They grab Anaelle and flee back through the portal, leaving a distraught Nills with a sudden decision: stay behind or leap through after her? He leaps. And that's when things get really weird.

(W/A/CA) Lucy Knisley If you work hard enough, if you want it enough, if you're smart and talented and 'good enough,' you can do anything. Except get pregnant. Her whole life, Lucy Knisley wanted to be a mother. But when it was finally the perfect time, conceiving turned out to be harder than anything she'd ever attempted. Fertility problems were followed by miscarriages, and her eventual successful pregnancy was plagued by health issues, up to a dramatic, near-death experience in labor and delivery. Kid Gloves follows Lucy's personal transition into motherhood, and it also illustrates the history and science of reproductive health from all angles, full of curious facts and inspiring (and notorious) figures in medicine and midwifery.

(W) Colleen Af Venable (A) Ellen T Crenshaw A layered, funny, sharp-edged story of teen sexuality and family secrets Mads is pretty happy with her life. She goes to church with her family, and minor league baseball games with her dad. She goofs off with her best friend Cat, and has thus far managed to avoid getting kissed by Adam, the boy next door. It's everything she hoped high school would be… until all of a sudden, it's not. Her dad is hiding something big-so big it could tear her family apart. And that's just the beginning of her problems: Mads is starting to figure out that she doesn't want to kiss Adam… because the only person she wants to kiss is Cat. Just like that, Mads's tidy little life has gotten epically messy-and epically heartbreaking. And when your heart is broken, it takes more than an awkward, uncomfortable, tooth-clashing, friendship-ending kiss to put things right again. It takes a whole bunch of them.

(W/A/CA) John Green Construction has never been cuter than in this graphic novel for very young readers! Can you be too cute for your own good? Sadly, the answer is yes. In a world where kittens and humans coexist, several talented kittens with skills in architecture, construction, engineering, and plumbing have discovered that nobody will take them seriously in the workplace because they are just too darned adorable. So the kittens take matters into their own hands, and form their own all-feline firm: the Kitten Construction Company! They're going to build the best mayor's mansion the city has ever seen, just as soon as they can stop chasing laser pointers.

(W/A/CA) John Green Kitten Construction Company returns, this time with dogs! Construction has never been cuter than in this graphic novel for very young readers! Marmalade and her crew of construction kittens are in high demand! Their latest assignment (and biggest job yet) is to build the new Mewburg bridge. But with the bridge comes the one thing that cats hate most of all-water! As the team struggles to face their fears and do their jobs, they are forced to get help from some unlikely allies. . . slobbery, car-chasing dogs.

(W/A/CA) Jay Hosler Nestled in the grass under the big palm tree by the edge of the desert there is an entire civilization, a civilization of beetles where beetles write books, run restaurants, and even do scientific research. But not too much scientific research is allowed by the elders, who guard a terrible secret about the world outside. Lucy is not one to quietly cooperate, however. This tiny field scientist defies the law of her home and leads a team of researchers out into the desert. Their mission is to discover something about the greater world - but what lies in wait for them is going to change everything. Beetles are not the only living creatures in the world.

(W/A/CA) Jason Walz An alien abduction has left behind only those younger than sixteen, older than sixty-five, or too 'disabled' to work. In other words, people who weren't a threat - until now. Twins Sam and Wyatt are ready to chuck their labels, break free from their captors, and inspire others to do the same. It's time for 'the last picked' to step into the game. Jason Walz pairs vivid world-building and a fast-paced adventure in a beautiful story of sibling devotion. With humor and action, Last Pick shares an empowering message about the dangers of labeling and writing people off. Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

(W/A/CA) Jason Walz Aliens have kidnapped most of mankind, leaving behind those they deem unworthy, the 'last picked.' The future for Sam is bleak and unthinkable. A galaxy away from her twin brother, she is a pawn in the aliens' bloody civil war. But with her new friend Mia, Sam has found a way to resist her captors and hold onto her humanity. Back on earth, Sam's twin, Wyatt, is leading a resistance of his own. With a ragtag army of the old, the young, and the disabled, he has a plan that brings the fight to his alien captors. But to defeat the aliens, Wyatt may need to befriend one. Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

(W/A/CA) Jason Walz After aliens kidnap the most able-bodied humans, those left behind-the last picked-must save the planet in this first book of a YA graphic novel trilogy. An alien abduction has left behind only those younger than sixteen, older than sixty-five, or too 'disabled' to work. In other words, people who weren't a threat-until now. Twins Sam and Wyatt are ready to chuck their labels, break free from their captors, and inspire others to do the same. It's time for 'the last picked' to step into the game. Jason Walz pairs vivid world-building and a fast-paced adventure in a beautiful story of sibling devotion. With humor and action, Last Pick shares an empowering message about the dangers of labeling and writing people off.

(W/A/CA) Jason Walz The last picked might be earth's last hope in this second volume of a YA graphic trilogy. Aliens have kidnapped most of mankind, leaving behind those they deem unworthy-the 'last picked.' The future for Sam is bleak and unthinkable. A galaxy away from her twin brother, she is a pawn in the aliens' bloody civil war. But with her new friend Mia, Sam has found a way to resist her captors and hold onto her humanity. Back on earth, Sam's twin, Wyatt, is leading a resistance of his own. With a ragtag army of the old, the young, and the disabled, he has a plan that brings the fight to his alien captors. But to defeat the aliens, Wyatt may need to befriend one. In the second volume of the Last Picked trilogy, Jason Walz pairs vivid world-building and fast-paced adventure in a beautiful story of bravery, sacrifice, and sibling devotion.

(W) Mariko Tamaki (A) Rosemary Valero O Connell From This One Summer co-creator Mariko Tamaki comes a hilarious and poignant story of teen heartbreak and friendship. Laura Dean, the most popular girl in high school, was Frederica Riley's dream girl: charming, confident, and SO cute. There's just one problem: Laura Dean is maybe not the greatest girlfriend. Reeling from her latest break up, Freddy's best friend, Doodle, introduces her to the Seek-Her, a mysterious medium who leaves Freddy some cryptic parting words: Break up with her. But Laura Dean keeps coming back, and as their relationship spirals further out of her control, Freddy has to wonder if it's really Laura Dean that's the problem. Maybe it's Freddy, who is rapidly losing her friends, including Doodle, who needs her now more than ever. Fortunately for Freddy, there are new friends and the insight of advice columnists like Anna Vice to help her through being a teenager in love.

(W) Kate Reed Petty (A) Andrea Bell Ruth Keller is brash and precocious; she argues with her dentist, her parents, and her teachers. So, when she discovers a strange black slime in the man-made lake of her suburban neighborhood, she decides to investigate. Fortified by the encouragement of those around her, Ruth seeks the truth at all costs, even if it means taking on the rich local country club owner, who she believes is responsible for the pollution. Between the teasing of former friends, and a sudden viral spotlight, Ruth discovers how difficult it is for a journalist to take a stand for what's right in the face of critique and controversy. Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

(W) Kate Reed Petty (A) Andrea Bell In this compelling middle-grade graphic novel, Ruth, a young journalist, takes on issues of corruption, pollution, and freedom of the press, determined to uncover a secret that threatens her town. Ruth Keller is brash and precocious; she argues with her dentist, her parents, and her teachers. So, when she discovers a strange black slime in the man-made lake of her suburban neighborhood, she decides to investigate. Fortified by the encouragement of those around her, Ruth seeks the truth at all costs, even if it means taking on the rich local country club owner, who she believes is responsible for the pollution. Between the teasing of former friends, and a sudden viral spotlight, Ruth discovers how difficult it is for a journalist to take a stand for what's right in the face of critique and controversy. From writer Kate Reed Petty and illustrator Andrea Bell, comes a story about corruption, pollution, and freedom of the press, and the young journalist at the center of it all.

Zita's exploits from her first adventure have made her an intergallactic megastar! But she's about to find out that fame doesn't come without a price. And who can you trust when your true self is being eclipsed by your public persona, and you've got a robot doppelganger wreaking havoc while wearing your face? Still, if anyone can find their way through this intractable mess of mistaken identity and alien invaders, it's the indomitable Zita.

(W/A/CA) Ben Hatke When a little girl finds an adorable robot in the woods, she presses a button and accidentally activates him for the first time. Now, she finally has a friend. But the big, bad robots are coming to collect the little guy for nefarious purposes, and it's all up to a five-year-old armed only with a wrench and a fierce loyalty to her mechanical friend to save the day!

(W/A/CA) Falynn Koch Learn how to bake the perfect chocolate chip cookie and more in this volume of First Second's new DIY graphic novel series! Today is the first day of Sage's magical internship! Her fellow wizards-in-training get to study pyromancy and transfiguration, but Sage has been assigned an internship in... baking? She doesn't think that sounds fun, or particularly magical! But her instructor, Korian, insists that baking is a tasty form of alchemy. In an enchanted kitchen where the ingredients insist that you eat them, Sage learns the simple science behind baking, and that's the best kind of magic trick! Follow these simple recipes, and you'll be able to bake a pizza and frost a cake, no magic necessary! Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

(W) Colleen AF Venable (A) Kathryn Hudson The family toaster is preparing to take over the world, and he needs your help! Several obstacles lie in his path to greatness: your homework, household chores, and a dastardly kitty cat. All you have to do is build an army of robots, and world domination is within reach! Anyone can build a robot if they have the right tools! With some wire, a battery, and a simple motor - which you can often find lying around the house - building a robot is within your reach. Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

(W/A) JP Coovert Inside this volume of the popular new DIY comic series you'll find all the tips and tricks you need to create and print your own comic books! The International Comics Library is in a lot of trouble! If Maggie can't come up with $500,000 in a week, Dr. Carl is going to bulldoze her grandfather's library and turn it into a parking lot! To save the day, she'll need all her comic drawing skills, the loyal library watchdog, and her new assistant (that's you!). With Draw a Comic! you'll learn to create and print your own comics books! Follow these simple steps to sketch out your story ideas and ink a comic page. Learn which art supplies are best for drawing comics, you can use a pen, a brush, or even a computer! With the help of photocopy machine, you can even self-publish your own comics and share them with your friends!

(W/A) Alexis Frederick-Frost Inside this volume of First Second's new middle grade DIY comic series you'll find all the tips and tricks you need to grow tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, and more! Violet, Will, and Basil must be the unluckiest students at the Garden Gnome Academy. They've been stuck with Mr. Butternut, the school's most unpopular (and unusual) teacher. They have to learn about soil and compost while their classmates get to study exotic plants and butterflies. Although things get a little messy (and stinky) in his class, Mr. Butternut knows the secret to growing a great garden. Read along to get all the dirt on your favorite vegetables, from seed to harvest! Plus: easy step-by-step instructions to make everything from a compost bin, a grow-light shelf, and a container garden! Available in Softcover and Hardcover editions!

(W) Colleen AF Venable (A) Kathryn Hudson Inside Build a Robot!, the latest volume of First Second's DIY comic series, you'll find step-by-step instructions on how to construct six different robots! The family toaster is preparing to take over the world, and he needs your help! Several obstacles lie in his path to greatness: your homework, household chores, and a dastardly kitty cat. All you have to do is build an army of robots, and world domination is within reach! Anyone can build a robot if they have the right tools! With some wire, a battery, and a simple motor-which you can often find lying around the house-building a robot is within your reach. Follow the easy step-by-step instructions and you can learn to make these robots! Brush bot Art bot Scare bot Noisy bot LED throwie Remote controlled car bot

(W/A) Sarah Myer Learn simple techniques to make over six costumes-and dream up your own designs-in First Second's new DIY graphic novel series! The comic convention is just a few short weeks away. All Bea and Connor need now are great costumes but won't they cost a fortune to make? Not if they follow some simple instructions from Bea's pet hamster: Costume Critter, the world's cutest cosplayer! With Create a Costume! you can create fun, easy, budget-friendly costumes. And you don't have to start from scratch: a few simple modifications can transform thrift store clothes into a variety of costumes. Even mastering the sewing machine isn't as hard as it looks! You can make amazing costumes-all you need are the right tools, a little know-how, and a lot of imagination.