The only place Mitford has ever wanted to work is Cover magazine. After countless attempts, Mitford finally has the chance to work for Panda Summers, the most fabulous of animal fashion editors. Fashion Zoo Week is the craziest time of year and all the designers, from Mikael Boars to Shark Jakobs, run into catastrophe. Will Mitford be able to save the day?

This large format book will catch the eye of adults who can appreciate the fashion-world parody, but the energetic, colorful artwork and silly humor provides ample material for children as well. Boy, girl, or giraffe—who wouldn’t want to follow their dream?

The best thing going for Aaron Soto is his loving girlfriend. He would do well to forget that his father committed suicide in the only bathroom of his family’s tiny one-bedroom apartment in the Bronx. That his mother works all hours as a nurse at a hospital to put food on the table. And that his brother has been distant, immersing himself in his online video games. Then Aaron meets Thomas. Aaron has more fun with Thomas than with any of his friends on his block, and then some. Thomas understands. Thomas always has Aaron’s back. But when Aaron falls for Thomas, hard, no one else seems to understand or have his back — least of all, Thomas. Desperate to forget the pain, Aaron begs his mother to sign off on a Leteo Institute memory-relief procedure, so Aaron can forget he is gay and go back to living a “normal” life.

Adam Silvera’s debut is heartbreaking and page-turning addictive all at the same time. While this story takes place in a not-so-distant future, it’s a timeless tale that teenagers in any modern age can understand and probably relate to. This highly-buzzed-about book does not fail expectations. Silvera should be more than happy with the way his first book turned out.

El Deafo is a graphic memoir by Cece Bell, in which she shares her experience of growing up with hearing loss. Cece is only four years old when she loses her hearing after a case of meningitis. When she starts school, Cece wears a hearing aid that helps her understand her teachers, but she still feels different from her classmates. She endures many of the common trials of elementary school, but these issues are further complicated by her hearing loss. Cece often feels alone, like no one can really understand her. One day, Cece discovers that her hearing aid gives her the power of being able to hear others even when they’re not in the room. With her new superpower, Cece imagines herself as El Deafo, her super alter-ego that always says what’s on her mind, and has the courage Cece has a hard time summoning in real life. Eventually, Cece’s secret confidence crosses over into her real life, as she shares her superpower with her classmates. Bell’s story is heartfelt and honest, and a great reminder that, as she puts it in her author’s note, “Our differences are our superpowers.”

Though the weather forecast holds no cooler temperatures in sight, and your air conditioning unit seems to offer the only relief from the humidity, another solution is ready and waiting for you: Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day. Peter wakes up one morning to find his neighborhood covered in layers of snow. Adventure ensues as Peter spends one long and glorious day playing in a winter wonderland! The Snowy Day is a classic, with a simple yet stunning layout and Keats’ signature style of illustration. This Caldecott winner will be sure to keep you cool, content, and even a bit nostalgic in these summer months.