Your Summer Reading List for All Ages: Dive into New Worlds This Season!
Summer is just around the corner, and here at Tribus Press, that means one thing: more time for reading! As a family-owned independent publisher, our mission at Tribus Press is all about getting people, especially children and adolescents, to read more and to screen less or more creatively. There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a good book, whether you’re on a beach, in a backyard, or just curled up on the couch.
This year, we've been keeping an eye out for some fantastic new fiction releases from the past year across all age groups. We're excited to share some of our top picks with you—these are books that are highly anticipated, critically acclaimed, or already winning awards, perfect for inspiring your young readers and for your own escapes.
Let's dive into some fresh stories that are sure to make your summer brighter.
For Our Youngest Readers (Children)
Getting kids hooked on books early is what we're all about here at Tribus Press. These new releases offer vibrant stories, perfect for sparking imagination and wonder and come from celebrated authors.
The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown (2025)
Why read it? This is a highly anticipated picture book sequel to the New York Times bestselling and much-loved The Wild Robot series. Author and illustrator Peter Brown is a recipient of a Caldecott Honor (for Creepy Carrots!), a Horn Book Award, and multiple E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, making him a truly distinguished voice in children's literature. His stories beautifully blend themes of nature, technology, and what it means to belong. This book is perfect for young readers (and their parents!) who love gentle adventure and thoughtful tales, building on a series already cherished by millions. Parents will appreciate its heartwarming message and strong literary quality.
The Day the Crayons Made Friends by Drew Daywalt (2025)
Why read it? From the creators of the popular and award-winning "The Day the Crayons Quit" series (which includes a Publishers Weekly Best Books selection for The Day the Crayons Came Home), this new installment promises more hilarious adventures with Duncan and his talking crayons. Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers have consistently delivered picture books that are both laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly insightful about creativity and friendship. This highly anticipated release is a guaranteed hit for young readers who love humor and imaginative scenarios, making it a fantastic addition to any family's library.
Tíos And Primos by Jacqueline Alcántara (2025)
Why read it? Written and illustrated by the talented Jacqueline Alcántara, known for her vibrant and heartfelt picture books, this thoughtful story explores themes of family, community, and belonging. Alcántara is an award-winning illustrator whose previous work, The Field, was a Caldecott Honor book and her book Your Mama was a Kirkus Prize finalist. Tíos And Primos is her author-artist debut and was inspired by her visits to Honduras with her father. It's an excellent choice for fostering discussions about family connections and appreciating cultural heritage among young children.
For Middle-Grade Readers
For those stepping into chapter books, these picks offer compelling plots and characters they'll connect with, encouraging them to keep turning pages with stories from renowned authors.
The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly (2024)
Why read it? This book comes from Erin Entrada Kelly, a Newbery Medal winner (for Hello, Universe) and Newbery Honor recipient (for We Dream of Space), known for her poignant and imaginative storytelling. The First State of Being was a finalist for the 2024 National Book Award and a New York Times bestseller. It's a powerful story that explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, and questioning everything you thought you knew, resonating deeply with middle graders navigating their own identities. Its recognition by major literary awards speaks to its quality and impact.
Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller (2024)
Why read it? A Newbery Honor book and instant New York Times, USA Today, and indie bestseller, this debut novel by acclaimed author and artist Chanel Miller (whose memoir Know My Name won the National Book Critics Circle Award) is a wonderful blend of humor and heart. It tells the story of ten-year-old Magnolia Wu, a sock detective, in a fun, funny, and poignant way that explores friendship and community. It was also a Good Housekeeping Best Kids' Book Award winner and a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year. It's a unique and engaging mystery that will appeal to readers who love quirky characters and a good puzzle.
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell (2024)
Why read it? From the multi-award-winning author Katherine Rundell, Impossible Creatures is the start of an enchanting new fantasy series. Rundell is celebrated for her imaginative worlds and lyrical prose, having won the Costa Children's Book Award (for The Explorer) and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize (for Rooftoppers). This book has been called an "instant classic" by Newbery Medal Winner Katherine Applegate and received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Shelf Awareness, and Booklist. It promises a thrilling adventure filled with magical creatures and ancient secrets, perfect for readers who love intricate world-building and epic quests.
Books For Developing Minds (Teen/Young Adult)
These books offer engaging narratives that tackle important themes and provide relatable characters for teens navigating their own complex worlds, often from bestselling authors.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (2025)
Why read it? This is one of the most anticipated YA books of 2025. Suzanne Collins returns to the world of Panem with a prequel to The Hunger Games series, focusing on the 50th Hunger Games and the early life of Haymitch Abernathy. Given the global phenomenon and critical acclaim of The Hunger Games series, which has sold tens of millions of copies worldwide, this book is a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and those looking for a gripping, high-stakes story. It’s perfect for summer reading, promising the same intense action and thought-provoking themes that made the original series a sensation.
Oathbound by Tracy Deonn (2025)
Why read it? The third book in Tracy Deonn's acclaimed Legendborn Cycle, Oathbound continues to blend Southern Black Girl Magic with high fantasy. Deonn's series is a New York Times bestseller and has garnered significant critical praise for its rich mythology and powerful storytelling, often appearing on "Best Of" lists for YA fantasy. This book is ideal for YA readers seeking diverse fantasy, complex characters, and thrilling adventures rooted in Arthurian legend and Black American history, building on a foundation of popular and critically successful predecessors.
The Last Bookstore on Earth by Lily Braun-Arnold (2024)
Why read it? This new release offers a unique blend of post-apocalyptic survival and a blossoming romance. Described by School Library Journal as a "solid standalone dystopian for any YA collection," it tells the story of two teen girls finding love and fighting for survival in an abandoned bookstore, weeks before another disaster. It's a compelling and timely read for teens interested in speculative fiction with strong character development and themes of resilience and connection in challenging times. It has been highlighted as a highly anticipated debut for its unique premise.
For the Seasoned Reader (Adult)
Whether you’re seeking escapism or profound insights, these new adult fiction titles offer rich narratives for your summer leisure, often from beloved and celebrated authors.
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2025)
Why read it? This is a major literary event: the first novel in ten years from the internationally acclaimed, award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (known for Americanah, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award, and Half of a Yellow Sun, recipient of the Women's Prize for Fiction "Best of the Best" award). Dream Count is a searing, exquisite novel about the intertwined lives of four women in Nigeria and America during the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring choices, missed opportunities, and our interconnected world. It has already received high praise for its empathy and Adichie's "vivid, bracing, highly entertaining style" (Associated Press). It's a must-read for anyone seeking powerful, thought-provoking literary fiction from a powerful storyteller.
James by Percival Everett (2024)
Why read it? Percival Everett is a highly celebrated and prolific author known for his unique, provocative, and often satirical literary fiction. James is a brilliant reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told from Jim's perspective, offering a crucial and timely new lens on a classic. It was the winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the Kirkus Prize, and the National Book Award, and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, making it one of the most decorated novels of its year. This book is perfect for readers who appreciate sharp social commentary, reimagined classics, and brilliant prose.
The Women by Kristin Hannah (2024)
Why read it? From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah, known for sweeping historical fiction like The Nightingale and The Great Alone, comes a powerful novel about nurses who served in the Vietnam War. The Women has been a massive bestseller, dominating charts and resonating deeply with readers for its emotional depth and its portrayal of unsung heroes whose stories have often been overlooked. It's an excellent choice for those who love immersive historical fiction with strong female characters and a compelling, often heartbreaking, narrative.
Don't Forget Our Own Tribus Press Titles!
While you’re busy filling your summer reading lists, I hope you’ll also consider exploring the stories we’re so passionate about here at Tribus Press.
In Children's picture books, we have Christopher and Simone Carroll's "Winnie-the-Pooh and the Honey Jar Mishap," a book that embraces classic charm of the original Winnie-the-Pooh with a new story for modern children. And for young readers, our chapter book, "Seahorse Protectors: The Mystery of Trash Island," combines adventure with an important message about friendship and protecting our oceans.
We also have "The Eternal Song" and "Smoke" by Sue Farwick, two captivating mysteries for adult readers.
Every book we publish aligns with our mission to encourage reading and imaginative engagement. When you support Tribus Press, you're not just buying a book—you're joining a movement to foster a love of reading in all ages.
Happy reading this summer!