New in Hardcover (Elementary)

Oskar and Aya are good buddies. They build homes out of scraps. They make up stories.  Often, they visit Oskar’s favorite place, a construction site. Sometimes though, Oskar turns quiet. He may feel grumpy or sad and no longer want to play. Aya feels confused. Is Oskar upset with her? Through direct, helpful dialogue and grounded characters, When A Friend Needs A Friend (Scholastic Press, $18.99) tackles weighty questions. What do you do with big feelings? How do you help your friend? Give them time and space. It’s ok to retreat to a treehouse by yourself, and it’s ok if you’d like a friend to go with you. Written and created by Roozeboos, this heartfelt story is glued together with paper, acrylic, marker, and more. Delightful illustrations feel as cozy as a well-worn friendship. Ages 4 - 7. Michelle Allen

What makes a family?  In a quest to find her own family, a young orphan collects recipes from all the people she meets. Kate O'Shaughnessy uses letters to a dead grandmother to evoke honest emotion in Lasagna Means I Love You (Alfred A. Knopf, $17.99). A heartwarming tale complete with recipes! Ages 8-12, Aggie Mendoza-Ben-Yosef

When Anna Hunt enters East Middle School as the new kid, she's not focused on her grades or her clubs. Instead, she is wholly interested in What Happened to Rachel Riley? (Quill Tree Books, $16.99) Rachel used to be one of the most popular girls, and is now a social pariah. No one will explain why. So, Anna decides to figure it out for herself. Bit by bit, Anna begins to piece together the clues. The question is: will solving the mystery make her feel better, or will it just unlock painful secrets? Written through social media posts, emails, and podcast transcripts, Claire Swinarski addresses difficult topics in a thoroughly enjoyable read. Ages 10-14. Susan Schatten