11 books from Central Texas authors to keep your youngster reading this summer

Inspired to keep your young reader diving into books that reflect a wide range of experiences? Austin-area authors have you covered. Our summer reading preview for kids includes new fiction and nonfiction, books in verse, picture books and novels for middle-graders and young adults. All are from authors or illustrators who make their home here in Central Texas.

Laekan Zea Kemp, “A Crown for Corina” (Little, Brown, $18.99) and “An Appetite for Miracles” (Little, Brown, $18.99)

Kemp, who won Pura Belpré honors for her 2021 novel “Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet,” is back with two new titles. Her picture book “A Crown for Corina,” illustrated by fellow Pura Belpré honoree Elisa Chavarri, follows a young girl learning how to map her personal history and dreams for the future through the flowers in her birthday crown. It’s a gorgeous ode to preserving traditions while making them your own. “An Appetite for Miracles,” Kemp’s young-adult novel in verse, follows two teens as they find love amidst challenges: Danna, with her grandfather’s rapidly declining memory, and Raúl, grieving his mother’s absence due to prison. Sparkling, precise prose captures everything from the foods Danna uses to try to jog Grandpa’s memory to her flirtations via text with Raul to a beautiful, distinctly Austin moment at a barbecue joint. (Both available now)

Jacquetta Nammar Feldman, “The Puttermans Are In the House” (HarperCollins, $17.99)

Hurricane Harvey is about to strike, but the Puttermans — all of them — are dealing with storms of their own. Twins Sammy and Matty used to be inseparable, but Matty suddenly quits baseball and won’t explain why. When Harvey hits, the family moves in with Sammy’s uncle, which means close quarters with proto-influencer cousin Becky, never a fan of her twin cousins and especially now that anticipation of her bat mitzvah has taken a back seat to grappling with the storm’s after effects. How the three navigate life’s ups and downs will resonate with readers, and there’s plenty of positive LGBTQ and Jewish representation in this middle-grade novel. (Available now)

Chris Barton, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat, “Glitter Everywhere! Where It Came From, Where It’s Found and Where It’s Going” (Charlesbridge, $19.99)

Maybe you love glitter. Maybe you curse it. Whichever camp you fall into, “Glitter Everywhere!” will validate, teach and wow you. Barton’s previous nonfiction picture books have taught readers about such varied topics as the Oklahoma City bombing, World War 1 “dazzle ships” and U.S. Rep. John Roy Lynch. Here, he weaves the science of iridescence with the ethics of microplastics and engaging anecdotes. It doesn’t just inform, it invites deeper pondering, and underscores why young readers shouldn’t leave picture books behind once they’re capable of absorbing longer stories. (Available June 27)

Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Don Tate, “Roto and Roy: To the Rescue” (Little, Brown, $18.99)

The second volume in Rinker and Tate’s picture-book series finds our plucky helicopter and her pilot Roy ready to tackle the aftermath of a storm’s flash flooding. Rhyming text from Rinker and action-packed illustrations from Tate plunge readers into the action as they watch the book’s heroes set things right. Tate is also a multiple award-winning author. His picture-book biography about Black engineer Jerry Lawson, “Jerry Changed the Game!”, arrives in August. (Both “Roto and Roy” books available now)

Dan Solomon, “The Fight For Midnight” (Flux, $19.99)

Texas Monthly senior writer Solomon makes his young-adult fiction debut with the Austin-set “Midnight,” rooted in former state Sen. Wendy Davis’ 2013 filibuster against state laws restricting abortion. High-schooler Alex heads to the Capitol at the behest of his crush, Cassie, but soon finds there’s much more at stake than romance. Writing a novel about abortion, much less from the perspective of a teen boy, is a tall order, but “Midnight” makes a compelling case that fighting for everyone’s rights requires, well, everyone. It’s a smart and timely tale. (Available June 20)

Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey, “Link + Hud: Heroes by a Hair” (Norton, $16.95)

The Pumphrey brothers — Jarrett lives near Austin and Jerome in Clearwater, Fla. — have teamed for several picture books, including the Ezra Jack Keats-winning “The Old Truck.” The pair’s newest collaboration is a graphic-novel adventure series for middle graders about two brothers who live large in their imaginations (even if their parents don’t appreciate the mess). When their usual teen babysitter gets replaced by no-nonsense Ms. Joyce, Link and Hud have a true adventure on their hands. This funny and relatable first book in a planned series features multiple generations of a Black family and neighborhood, and its mix of comic panels and text makes for propulsive storytelling. (Available now)

Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Chuck Groenink, “Full Moon Pups” (Putnam, $18.99)

Scanlon’s picture books often celebrate the gifts of the natural world. “Pups” is a two-fer, showcasing a litter of new wolf pups and the monthly cycle of the moon. Scanlon shows us the magic in both over the course of a month, reminding readers both young and old of the value in slowing down to appreciate what’s all around us. Scanlon fans also have another collaboration with author Audrey Vernick on the horizon; “The World’s Best Class Plant” is slated for a late May release. ("Full Moon Pups" available now)

Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Kevin Hong, “Legends of Lotus Island” (Scholastic, $16.99)

Multiple Newbery honoree Soontornvat launches a middle-grade fantasy series with “The Guardian Test.” Plum is tapped for the Guardian Academy, an island school that trains its young charges to transform into magical creatures to protect the natural world. It’s a huge honor, but Plum can’t seem to get the hang of the lessons there. Immersive world-building and relatable friend issues underpin Soontornvat’s story, and best of all for series lovers, the second volume, “Into the Shadow Mist,” drops this summer. (“Guardian Test,” available now; “Into the Shadow Mist” available July 18)

Cynthia Leitich Smith, “Harvest House” (Candlewick, $19.99)

Leitich Smith returns to the world of her award-winning young adult novel, “Hearts Unbroken,” with “Harvest House,” which centers on Hughie, the younger brother of Lou Wolfe from "Hearts." Hughie’s grappling with mysterious goings-on near a Halloween haunted house that plans to use Native stereotypes as the basis for one of its attractions. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation teen’s struggle with why and how to speak up, along with the very real dangers the book explores, make “Harvest House” equal parts thoughtful and thrilling. (Available now)

Adrianna Cuevas, “The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $17.99)

Cuevas’ third novel finds sixth-grader Rafa exiled to a ranch in New Mexico for a month as a consequence for a school prank. Rafa teams with new friends Jennie, the ranch librarian’s daughter, and barn manager Marcus to delve into mysterious events on the property. A touch of spookiness, heartfelt friendships, dollops of humor and undercurrents of loss propel this story, which deftly melds genres. Like the hints of magic in Cuevas’ debut, “The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez,” the elements that defy reality in “Ghosts” add rich layers to a contemporary story for middle-graders. (Available now)

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Summer kids books from local authors to keep them reading