It’s the season of giving. When you give, we give. Please consider donating to support our mission to promote awareness of children’s and young adult literature by Black authors. Thank you!
If your readers love middle-grade fiction, they’re in for some exciting mystery and adventure stories in 2026. But first, take a look at New Releases to recap the children’s and young adult books by Black authors from 2025. Well-known writers of middle-grade fiction—and some new to the game—are coming strong next year with stories that are mighty, mutant, and menacing. There might be a few ghosts and gods thrown in the mix, too. Here’s a preview of 24 chapter and middle-grade fiction books releasing in the first four months of 2026. All are available to preorder.
Clicking on the book links will direct you to a different site. BCBA may earn a small percentage on purchases.
1. The Spy at the Zoo (Junior Spies)
Bryan Patrick Avery | Ma Pe | Stone Arch Books | January 1, 2026 | Chp Bk
2. The Spy in the Library (Junior Spies)
Bryan Patrick Avery | Ma Pe | Stone Arch Books | January 1, 2026 | Chp Bk
3. Be Brave, Scared Shirley! (Ethan Talks to Animals)
Nico Waters | Rita Ribeiro Lopes | Picture Window Books | January 1, 2026 | Chp Bk
4. Perk Up, Tired Tilly! (Ethan Talks to Animals)
Nico Waters | Rita Ribeiro Lopes | Picture Window Books | January 1, 2026 | Chp Bk
5. Venus Washington and the Lasagna Drama
Maisha Oso | Courtney Lovett | Atheneum BYR | January 6, 2026 | Chp Bk
6. A Surprise for Willow (Fairies Welcome, Bk. 1)
Bea Jackson | Simon Spotlight | January 6, 2026 | Chp Bk
7. A Wish for Lily (Fairies Welcome, Bk. 2)
Bea Jackson | Simon Spotlight | January 6, 2026 | Chp Bk
Juwanda G. Ford | Random House BYR | January 27, 2026 | Chp Bk
Kwame Alexander | Kitt Thomas | Little, Brown BYR | February 3, 2026 | Chp Bk
10. Invasion of the Mutant Plications (McGill and Lee, Bk. 1)
Bridgett McGill | Florenza Lee | Abi Fox | February 10, 2026 | Chp Bk
11. Milkshake the Disappearing Milk Snake (Class Pet Ghost Detective, Bk. 2)
Akeem S. Roberts | Kokila | March 17, 2026 | Chp Bk
12. Olive Oakes and the Haunted Carousel
Kalynn Bayron | Bloomsbury | April 7, 2026 | Chp Bk
13. Destiny of the Diamond Princess
Sherri Winston | Bloomsbury Children’s Books | January 20, 2026 | MG
14. Space Chasers: To the Moon (Space Chasers, Bk. 2)
Leland Melvin | Joe Caramagna | Alison Acton | First Second | February 3, 2026 | MG
15. Time for a Change (The Rhythm of Time, 2)
Questlove | S. A. Cosby | Godwin Akpan | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) | February 17, 2026 | MG
16. Amari and the Metalwork Menace (Supernatural Investigations, 4)
B. B. Alston | Storytide | February 24, 2026 | MG
Shakirah Bourne | Scholastic | March 3, 2026 | MG
18. Harper Sharp: Kid Detective
Jarrett Williams | Random House Graphic | March 3, 2026 | MG
Micah Johnson | Random House BYR | March 3, 2026 | MG
20. Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away
Ciera Burch | McElderry Books | March 17, 2026 | MG
21. Ghost-Spider: Broken Chords
Roseanne A. Brown | Diobelle Cerna | Nabi Ali | Graphix | April 7, 2026 | MG
22. Rayana Johnson’s Giant Leap
Jill Tew | Freedom Fire | April 21, 2026 | MG
23. Roi and Me and the Double V: A WWII Story
Sandra W. Headen | Holiday House | April 21, 2026 | MG
24. Alex Wise vs. the Gods of the Apocalypse
Terry J. Benton-Walker | Labyrinth Road | April 28, 2026 | MG
If you enjoy the new releases announcements, book lists, and other features on our blog, go here to support BCBA with a tax-deductible donation and here to subscribe to our newsletter. Thanks for your support.
