Four faculty members from the Creative Writing Program’s MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults have new books out this year.
Tae Keller’s middle-grade novel, “When Tomorrow Burns,” is set to release in March 2026 from Random House Books for Young Readers. The book received
starred reviews from Kirkus and the Horn Book.
Nicole Melleby’s middle-grade novel, “Brady Mason’s Perfect Fit,” was released in January 2026 by Little Brown and Co. Books for Young Readers.
Eliot Schrefer’s debut picture book, “Lulu and the Others, A True Story,” illustrated by AG Ford, was published in February 2026 by Clarion Books.
Sherri L. Smith’s middle-grade speculative novel, “Candace, the Universe, and Everything,” was published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers. The book received starred reviews from School Library Journal and Booklist and was named best book of the year by School Library Journal and Chicago Public Library.