In this second of three preview instalments, Q&Q presents middle grade and graphic novels. Young adult novels and nonfiction will be featured next week. The first instalment featured picture books.

Q&Q’s spring preview covers books published between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2026. All information (titles, publication dates) was supplied by publishers.

The Setback
Lynn Leitch
Pajama Press, March 

The Book of Jupiter
Robin Stevenson
Kids Can Press, June 

Planting Sunshine 
Andrée Poulin and Enzo, ill.
Groundwood Books, Feb.

When Theo sees images of war on TV, he is horrified. He’s unable to shake the constant worry until he sees a woman give seeds of the national flower to an enemy soldier in an act of defiance. This novel in verse by Andrée Poulin reminds readers that anyone can plant the seeds of positive change. Accompanying illustrations are by Montreal-based Enzo. 

The Next Big Pigs
Ryan Uytdewilligen and Charlotte Cho, ill.
Wandering Fox/Heritage House, March 

Beast Ballerz
Wesley King and Steve Wolfhard, ill.
Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada, May

Best Friend, Worst Bully
Mei Yu
Union Square Kids/Hachette Book Group, April

Ready, Cassette, Go!
Jarett Sitter
Annick Press, April 

Kaboom! Volume 1: Blast Off 
Jay Odjick and KC Oster, ill.
Scholastic Canada, Feb. 

Graphic novelist, illustrator, and producer Jay Odjick joins forces with KC Oster to launch a new graphic novel series that follows the titular character as he learns his parents aren’t refrigerator salespeople, but Greywolf and Shadowbird, F.U.S.I.O.N (First Universal Secret Indigenous Operatives Network) agents on a mission to safeguard Indigenous artifacts from a tomb robber.

Fiddlehead Forest
Jana Curll
Greystone Kids, April

Inbetweens 
Faith Erin Hicks
First Second/Macmillan Publishers, March

The bond between twin sisters Ash and Sloane, who have always done everything together, is tested when summer animation camp reveals the weight of changing interests for Sloane, personal expectations for Ash, and new friendships for both.  

The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne
Sonya Ballantyne; Rhael McGregor, Azby Whitecalf, and Kielamel “Kiela” Sibal, ill. 
HighWater Press/Portage and Main Press, March

PAWS: The Trouble with Leo
Nathan Fairbairn and Michele Assarasakorn, ill.
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House, March

Spring Preview: Picture Books
Spring Preview: Fiction
Spring Preview: Short Fiction, Graphic Novels & Poetry

Update, Jan. 26: For Planting Sunshine, the woman giving seeds to the enemy soldier is an act of rebellion, not kindness.