Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles, including a series starter about an epic road trip to save the world, a middle grade dystopian novel about a secret trove of books, a series launch about facing one’s feelings, and more.

The Boy Who Knew Too Much by Aaron Blabey. Odd Dot, $15.99; ISBN 978-1-250-42499-0. When a nervous child gets a new pet, he’s unexpectedly charged with saving the world from certain doom in this madcap illustrated novel, a series launch from Bad Guys creator Blabey.

Building 903 by Lois Lowry. Clarion, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-351510-9. Lowry pens an arresting dystopian novel that chronicles a tween discovering a cache of books and the startling truths they unearth about her tyrannical society. The book received a starred review from PW. See our q&a with the two-time Newbery Medalist on her new book.

Drawn Inward by Daniel Nayeri, illus. by Matt Rockefeller. HarperAlley, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-327718-2. When a young boy is tasked with cleaning his room, his house is suddenly filled with monsters that represent emotions, which he must find a way to overcome.

Escape Me by Tahereh Mafi. Storytide, $25.99; ISBN 978-0-06-351239-9. In the third installment of the Shatter Me spin-off series, Rosabelle must convince her allies that she is still loyal to their plans while James grows frustrated with Rosabelle’s absence and his family’s doubts.

Film Nerds by Sofia Warren. Putnam, $24.99 hardcover; ISBN 979-8-217-00408-9; $13.99 paper ISBN 979-8-217-00409-6. Perceptive renderings of friendship drama capture the anxieties of early adolescence through the eyes of an introverted middle schooler in this heartwarming graphic novel series launch from New Yorker cartoonist Warren.

Gathering the Light by Joy Harjo, illus. by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. Random House Studio, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-90155-7. In this picture book, a girl and her loyal pup enjoy their morning ritual together, in this new picture book from the former U.S. Poet Laureate The book received a starred review from PW.

Grandma Fina’s Wonderful Umbrella by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, illus. by Raúl the Third and Elaine Bay. Allida, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-0632-9412-7. An elder treasures her worn umbrella but longs for companionship in this sunny story from the late Sáenz, teaming up with illustrator Raúl the Third and colorist Bay.

The House of Gardenias by Isabel Cañas. Dutton, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-62041-0. Ahead of a looming war, maid Minerva Treviño lives with her employer in her private mansion, but when she glimpses ghosts, she suspects that a haunting is taking place. The book received a starred review from PW.

Mia’s Cheetah by Amelia Bothe. Clarion, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-0634-7266-2. An interminable car trip becomes a portal to the extraordinary in this lush picture book from Bothe, which grounds the impossible in tactile realism. The book received a starred review from PW.

Night Ride by Christopher Myers. Kokila, $19.99; ISBN 979-8-217-23846-0. In this wordless picture book from Caldecott Honor artist Myers, a group of children ride through New York City, appreciating the city in all its glory. The book received a starred review from PW. See our cover reveal for more on the making of the book.

The Siren by Tomi Adeyemi. Holt, $24.99; ISBN 978-1-250-40475-6. Freshman Emery enters Dartmouth College and encounters the Sirens, a group of beautiful girls led by the magnetic Roux. Desperate to reinvent herself in the Sirens’ image, Emery undertakes their risky initiation challenges. See our q&a with Adeyemi on her new book.

Snow Geese Season by Angela Burke Kunkel, illus. by E.B. Goodale. Random House Studio, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-90572-2. Migrating snow geese provide a moment for awe and connection across Burke Kunkel and Goodale’s crisply rendered work. The book received a starred review from PW.

Trust Fall by Lynn Painter. Simon & Schuster, $21.99; ISBN 979-8-3471-0021-7. An inheritance sees a teen moving from a small town to a bustling city in this jovial opposites-attract rom-com from Painter.

The Velvet Knife by Maureen Johnson. HarperCollins, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-325601-9. Stevie Bell returns in this standalone novel set in the world of the Truly Devious series, tracing Stevie’s latest detective endeavor in New York City, where a body has been found in an apartment.

For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of September, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.