With schools letting out, it feels like everyone is getting their summer break bucket lists together! There are pool and beach days to plan for, vacations and road trip adventures to set off on, and all manner of lazy days to look forward to. And of course, for readers young and old, summer reading lists are an essential element to all of these! After all, nothing makes the season complete like picking up some pleasure reading to while away those quiet summer hours.

Fortunately, June has some amazing new releases to jumpstart the reading lists for bookworms of all ages, and we’ve got a list of the upcoming titles that you simply can’t miss. From celebrations of culture and identity to opportunities to explore new hobbies, from daring adventures that defy imagination to quiet tributes to family and friends, here are the middle grade and picture books coming out in June that we are making space on our reading lists for.

Picture Books

Watermelon Pool by Bonsoir Lune, trans. by Frances Cha (6/2)

This delicious Korean import has been charming audiences since it was first released in 2015, and it’s finally getting its English-language debut just in time for the summer months. A playful fantasy that follows a community as they crack into a massive watermelon to beat the heat, readers of all ages will delight in the classic fun of a day at the pool with a decidedly refreshing twist.

It’s My Body!: A Book About Body Positivity by Elise Gravel (6/2)

“Your body works hard for you. In return, it needs to be treated with a lot of kindness.” These words sum up the core theme in this exuberant declaration of body positivity and pride by creator Gravel. Touching on themes of self-care, body diversity, and autonomy, the colorful cast guides kiddos to love what makes their bodies different while encouraging them to respect others of all shapes, skin tones, sizes, and abilities.

No Brain the Same: Neurodivergent Young Activists Shaping Our Future, ed. by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson & Jeanette Bradley, illus. by Jeanette Bradley (6/2)

In the same way that the previous title embraces body diversity, this collection of poems celebrates youth activists who have achieved great things while being ambassadors for all the marvelous ways that brains work. Fourteen poems spotlight young neurodivergent singers, athletes, writers, and community leaders who are fighting for equity while creating visibility for those with conditions like Down syndrome, Tourette’s, ADHD, and autism.

The Deepest Blue by Shauntay Grant, illus. by Daniel Minter (6/2)

A young Black child embarks on an ocean dive and, after marveling at the natural beauties of the deepening ocean hue, makes a discovery—a sunken slave ship—that ties the past to the present. The marvelous vertical design of this title allows readers to follow the child’s descent with every flip of the page, shining a light on history and heritage, and culminating in a beautiful meditation on the importance of remembrance.

I Am the Dream Come True by Marley Dias with Dr. Janice Johnson Dias & Scott Dias, illus. by Islenia Mil (6/2)

An excellent parallel to The Deepest Blue, this picture book by #1000BlackGirlBooks activist Dias celebrates the history of her family’s voluntary migration to the United States, highlighting an aspect of African American history that is largely unexamined in children’s literature. Collaborating with her parents, Dias’s lyrical text explores the sense of purpose and pride that comes with being a physical embodiment of ancestral hopes and dreams.

The Great Gathering Place by Naomi McIlwraith, illus. by Onedove (6/2)

Boarding a big red canoe, readers are transported by the welcoming text of this title to a place of community, cultural heritage, and Indigenous joy. Métis author McIlwraith and Cree/Métis illustrator Onedove create a stirring visual and textual harmony that pays homage to the significance of not only physical gathering places but also individual, spiritual, and historical connections for Native communities.

The Sweetest of Lemons by Daniel Nayeri, illus. by Rahele Jomepour Bell (6/2)

Another rich and gorgeous tale that ties together past and present, this time centered around a story-within-a-story inspired by the creators’ Persian heritage. When a young boy and his family stop to refuel during a hot and dusty drive to visit his grandfather’s orchard, he is drawn into a storyteller’s fable, one of a brave trio of brothers and a magical lemon tree that produces a single fruit so sweet that it can cure sadness.

I Built a Rocket Ship by Anna Lazowski, illus. by Jennica Lounsbury (6/2)

When a child sets out to construct a rocket ship in their backyard, Dad is a little perplexed. Yet the youngster seems to have a detailed plan, gathering items that all share a special significance: they are reminders of someone that the pair had recently lost. A bittersweet reflection on grief, this quietly powerful story acts as both an affirmation of the often overwhelming emotions of mourning and a reminder that everyone, including children, should be free to grieve in their own way.

Piggy by Ann Hood, illus. by Anna Quaranta (6/9)

The pink, plump, and perky pal of a rambunctious little one is one well-loved companion, accompanying their kiddo through every adventure—and misadventure. After messy mealtimes, cozy cuddles, playground shenanigans, and painting mishaps, Piggy takes frequent trips through the washing machine, each time leaving them clean yet slightly more worn. A touching tribute to beloved stuffies, this sweet story may inspire kids (and their grown-ups) to give their own plushie chum an extra snuggle.

The Greatest Bedtime Story Ever by Jessie Sima (6/9)

The hilariously subversive tale opens on an elf whose search for literary inspiration has led them into a tight spot: the cave of a VERY tired dragon in need of a bedtime snack. Attempting to stave off ingestion, the elf tries to weave a tale that will lull the dragon to sleep… with extremely mixed success! Sima’s delightfully meta story is sure to elicit giggles, especially with a twist ending that makes rereading all the more satisfying.

Middle Grade

Roxie in Color by Diane Debrovner & Stacy Cervenka (6/2)

After moving to a new town, Roxie—a sighted child of blind parents—makes a rash decision to conceal her parents’ disabilities, hoping to stave off the ableist bullying and pigeonholing she experienced at her last school. However, when this decision causes unexpected complications for her family, Roxie must find a way to be honest, not only with her friends and teachers but also with her parents… and herself.

Really Rubie by Maddie Frost (6/2)

Rubie and her best friend Riley are ready to head off to sleepaway camp and cross off everything on their TUCE (“The Ultimate Camp Experience”) list… until Riley breaks her ankle, and Rubie must attend camp alone. Promising not to do anything on the list without Riley, Rubie has to abstain from things like eating s’mores or going tubing, leaving her isolated from the other campers. Can she figure out a way to make camp fun while keeping her promise?

Midsummer Sisters by Niki Smith (6/2)

Stepsisters Quinn and Kenzie have been together for as long as they can remember… yet as their parents’ contentious marriage crumbles, they face an uncertain future as a family. When the girls take a break from the fighting to visit their grandmother on the Outer Banks, they are given time to connect with nature by helping with Gramma’s wild horse conservation nonprofit, and galvanize their bond for whatever lies ahead in this stunning graphic novel.

Go by Deborah Ellis (6/2)

Third in Ellis’s stellar Onward series of short story collections, Go follows the precedent set by Sit and Step by offering a new group of youngsters navigating difficult real-world circumstances through self-empowerment and agency. Ellis never shies away from the cruel and often unspoken realities that children face, and instead offers complex characters who choose to defy conditions or expectations to take control of their lives.

Strays by Gia Gordon (6/2)

Campbell Cole knows what it’s like to be abandoned, so when she sees a stray dog dumped from a passing van, she dedicates herself to rescuing the pup. However, even if she does manage to lure the frightened animal in with treats and trust, she’s not sure what to do next: she knows from her animal control director dad that the shelter is overflowing and has a heartbreaking euthanasia rate. How can Campbell give her new friend a chance at a perfect family… especially when she’s not sure what that even looks like?

A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Stargazing by Eliza Berkowitz, illus. by Nicole LaRue (6/9)

Following the author-illustrator duo’s title on Backyard Birds and Backyard Bugs, this sturdy guide offers kids of all ages a crash course in amateur astronomy, covering everything from the basics of orbital revolutions to spotting planets, constellations, and comets. Filled with dreamy artwork, fun facts, and fascinating STEM concepts, this title is perfect for exploring a new hobby on camping trips and warm summer evenings.

The Cat Prophecies: Claw Quest by Nik Korpon & Jorge Enrique Paz (6/9)

Tito Rodríguez loves comic books and anime; the stories help him escape the financial worries of his family and the bullying he receives for his Tourette’s tics. Yet he was never expecting to be swept up into a supernatural adventure of his own… and certainly not by a stray cat he named Cukkito. Turns out there is a Chosen One who can defeat the forces of evil and help restore balance to both the human world and Cukkito’s realm… but is it Tito, or someone else?

Just Ask Elsie by Ari Koontz (6/16)

While some fifth graders get squeamish about topics relating to puberty, Elsie is not; her Unitarian Universalist church and queer family have always been open about topics like periods, changing bodies, and the difference between sex and gender. So when Elsie realizes that her school’s puberty education is woefully lacking, she offers an anonymous advice column to help bridge the gaps for curious fellow students—much to the ire of school officials.

Liberty’s Forgotten Hero: The Revolutionary Life of James Forten by Kesha L. Grant, illus. by Anastasia Magloire Williams (6/16)

Born to an unenslaved Black family in 1766, James Forten was only fourteen when he joined the American Revolution, helping to capture British ships and briefly becoming a prisoner of war. However, despite his dedication to the cause, he was dismayed to find that citizenship in the newly formed United States was exclusive to white people. Following Forten’s life and abolitionist work, this enlightening title places a well-deserved spotlight on a marginalized historical figure.

Aurora and the Orc by Lewis Trondheim, trans. by Montana Kane (6/23)

There’s something… odd about the new kid in class. He’s not exactly human, for one. He carries a club and has a strange fixation with slaying elves, for another. Aurura’s not one to judge, though, so she appoints herself his unofficial guide to the human world, hoping to help him assimilate by curbing some of his more orc-y behaviors… but should she be so quick to ask someone to change their ways without trying to better understand them?

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We hope that you and your young readers check out the books on this list! If you’re looking for more amazing reads, be sure to check out our picks for the best new books of last month!