Centaur Rising by Jane Yolen

One night during the Perseid meteor shower, Arianne thinks she sees a shooting star land in the fields surrounding her family’s horse farm. About a year later, one of their horses gives birth to a baby centaur. The family has enough attention already as Arianne’s six-year-old brother was born with birth defects caused by an experimental drug—the last thing they need is more scrutiny. But their clients soon start growing suspicious. Just how long is it possible to keep a secret? And what will happen if the world finds out?

At a time when so many novels are set in other worlds, Jane Yolen imagines what it would be like if a creature from another world came to ours in this thoughtfully written, imaginative novel, Centaur Rising.

Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Grade Level: 3 - 7
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (October 21, 2014)

365 of Wonder: Mr. Brown's Book of Precepts by R. J. Palacio

There’s something for everyone here, with words of wisdom from such noteworthy people as Anne Frank, Martin Luther King Jr., Confucius, Goethe, Sappho—and over 100 readers of Wonder who sent R. J. Palacio their own precepts.

Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Grade Level: 3 - 7
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (August 26, 2014)

Lucky by David Mackintosh

From the creator of Marshall Armstrong Is New to Our School comes a visually stunning, hilarious picture book that explores children’s tendency to jump to the conclusions they want.

When Leo’s mom announces that there will be a surprise at dinner, she unknowingly sets in motion a riotous chain of events. What could the surprise be?! Leo and his brother are desperate to find out. Could it be a bike? A pool? A new car? Their imaginations run wild until they latch, with utter conviction, onto what surely must be the answer: an all-expenses-paid, two-week trip to Hawaii! Perhaps not surprisingly, the brothers are soon proven wrong. But the ingenious way their family decides to cheer them up poignantly reminds us that, sometimes, embracing what you already have is enough to make you feel “lucky.”

Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (October 7, 2014)

Hello Airplane by Bill Cotter

Say hello to the airplane as it takes off on an exciting adventure: gliding through the night sky, skimming above the clouds, and soaring into a bright new morning.

Where will the airplane go next?

This vibrant new picture book from Bill Cotter, author/illustrator of Don't Push the Button!, takes young readers on an imaginative journey they won't forget.

Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (October 7, 2014)
Age Range: 3 - 8 years

The Contract by Derek Jeter

The debut book in the Jeter Publishing imprint, The Contract is a middle grade baseball novel inspired by the youth of legendary sports icon and role model Derek Jeter.

As a young boy, Derek Jeter dreams of being the shortstop for the New York Yankees. He even imagines himself in the World Series. So when Derek is chosen for the Little League Tigers, he hopes to play shortstop. But on the day of the assignments, Derek Starts at second base. Still, he tries his best while he wishes and dreams of that shortstop spot. And to help him stay focused on school, his parents make him a contract: keep up the grades or no baseball. Derek makes sure he always plays his best game—on and off the baseball field!

Derek Jeter has played Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees for twenty seasons and is a five-time World Series Champion. He is a true legend in professional sports and a role model for young people both on the field and through his Turn 2 Foundation.

Inspired by Derek Jeter’s childhood, The Contract is the first book in Derek Jeter’s middle grade baseball series, an important part of the Jeter Publishing program, which will encompass adult nonfiction titles, children’s picture books, middle grade fiction, Ready-to-Read children’s books, and children’s nonfiction. For more about Jeter Publishing visit JeterPublishing.com.

Series: Jeter Publishing
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (September 23, 2014)
Age Rance: 8 -  12 years

Pumpkin Time! by Erzsi Deak

The day the cows strolled down Main Street in fancy hats...Evy didn't notice.

What was Evy doing?

Evy is so focused on watching her garden grow that she misses all the silliness going on around her—pigs DANCING, donkeys FLYING, and sheep HAVING A PICNIC.

But after Evy's spent all year taking care of her garden, everyone's invited to pumpkin time!

Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (July 1, 2014)
Age Range: 4 - 8 years