With a new month, comes new releases — say hello to June 2019 book releases! As someone who’s always looking out for new book releases, I’ve decided to share my anticipated releases every month. These are either books I’ve already read advance copies of or those I’m dying to read ASAP.
June 2019 Book Releases

Out June 4
I Wanna Be Where You Are
When Chloe Pierce’s mom forbids her to apply for a spot at the dance conservatory of her dreams, she devises a secret plan to drive two hundred miles to the nearest audition. But Chloe hits her first speed bump when her annoying neighbor Eli insists upon hitching a ride, threatening to tell Chloe’s mom if she leaves him and his smelly dog, Geezer, behind. So now Chloe’s chasing her ballet dreams down the east coast—two unwanted (but kinda cute) passengers in her car, butterflies in her stomach, and a really dope playlist on repeat.
I read and LOVED this one! Excited to have interviewed author, Kristina Forest!
Out June 4
Honeybees and Frenemies
It’s the summer before eighth grade and Flor is stuck at home and working at her family’s mattress store, while her best friend goes off to band camp (probably to make new friends). It becomes even worse when she’s asked to compete in the local honey pageant. This means Flor has to spend the summer practicing her talent (recorder) and volunteering (helping a recluse bee-keeper) with Candice, her former friend who’s still bitter about losing the pageant crown to Flor when they were in second grade. And she can’t say no.
Then there’s the possibility that Flor and her family are leaving to move in with her mom’s family in New Jersey. And with how much her mom and dad have been fighting lately, is it possible that her dad may not join them? Flor can’t let that happen. She has a lot of work to do.
Kristin Wientge’s Karma Khullar’s mustache was a quiet slice-of-life novel, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she does with this one.
Out June 4
All the Greys on Greene’s Street
SoHo, 1981. Twelve-year-old Olympia is an artist–and in her neighborhood, that’s normal. Her dad and his business partner Apollo bring antique paintings back to life, while her mother makes intricate sculptures in a corner of their loft, leaving Ollie to roam the streets of New York with her best friends Richard and Alex, drawing everything that catches her eye.
Then everything falls apart. Ollie’s dad disappears in the middle of the night, leaving her only a cryptic note and instructions to destroy it. Her mom has gone to bed, and she’s not getting up. Apollo is hiding something, Alex is acting strange, and Richard has questions about the mysterious stranger he saw outside. And someone keeps calling, looking for a missing piece of art. . . .
Olympia knows her dad is the key–but first, she has to find him, and time is running out.
This one sounds SO intriguing!
Out June 4
Searching for Sylvie Lee
It begins with a mystery. Sylvie, the beautiful, brilliant, successful older daughter of the Lee family, flies to the Netherlands for one final visit with her dying grandmother—and then vanishes.
Amy, the sheltered baby of the Lee family, is too young to remember a time when her parents were newly immigrated and too poor to keep Sylvie. Seven years older, Sylvie was raised by a distant relative in a faraway, foreign place, and didn’t rejoin her family in America until age nine. Timid and shy, Amy has always looked up to her sister, the fierce and fearless protector who showered her with unconditional love.
But what happened to Sylvie? Amy and her parents are distraught and desperate for answers. Sylvie has always looked out for them. Now, it’s Amy’s turn to help. Terrified yet determined, Amy retraces her sister’s movements, flying to the last place Sylvie was seen. But instead of simple answers, she discovers something much more valuable: the truth. Sylvie, the golden girl, kept painful secrets . . . secrets that will reveal more about Amy’s complicated family—and herself—than she ever could have imagined.
Having read and enjoyed both of Kwok’s novels, I’m looking forward to this one!
Picture Books 📖
Out June 18
Hey, Dog
Thoughtful care goes into a child’s efforts to help an abused dog learn to trust humans again. Stooping near the bush where the dog is hiding, offering scraps of food, and leaving an umbrella in a rainstorm all convince the dog that the child’s offering of friendship is real. When Mom insists on putting up “lost dog” signs, the boy is worried. But in the end, the dog and child find a new friend in each other.
I read this one last week and it is just as sweet as it sounds! Review here.
Out June 11
Lola Goes to School
Lola and her family prepare for the first day of school the night before, then get up early, take pictures, and head to class. Lola puts her things in her cubby, chooses her activities, reads, plays, and has a snack. Before she knows it, it’s time to sing the good-bye song and rush into Mommy’s arms for a warm reunion. A comforting, cheerful read that demystifies the school day for preschoolers and kindergarteners.
I reviewed this (and shared sample pages) here!
Out June 4
Clothesline Clues to the First Day of School
Spot A+ clues on the clothesline to identify all the people who make starting school so much fun! A follow-up to Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do and Clothesline Clues to Sports People Play, the clues in each lively verse can be spotted hanging from the clotheslines. From teacher to custodian, from crossing guard to new friends, who wears what?
Read and loved this one — review to come!
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💬 There they are: the seven books I’ve especially got my eyes on this June! Which ones are your watch list?

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