(“My Dear Deer,” photo by Nancy Ellen Row)

Fall is in the air, the heatwave we’ve been having on the West Coast/best coast is finally subsiding (I hope) and there are loads of new titles to review.

Do you know about chupacabras? (Here’s some info for you.) They’re mythical (or are they?) crazy-wild vampire creatures in Latinx mythology and you’d better watch out. We meet a friendly one in “Chupacarter” (Viking/Penguin Random House, 2022, middle-grade readers, 255 pages, $16.99). The book was a team effort between actor-comedian-writer George Lopez, writer Ryan Calejo, and illustrator Santy Gutierrez. Good storytelling about a lonely boy, Jorge, who is new to a small New Mexico town and contending with his abuela, who means well but is pretty fierce. The comic book-style illustrations work well with the novel.

Hello and welcome “Airi Sano: Prankmaster General — New School Skirmish,” another 5th grade and up book about a hero who is also (according to her mother) something of a juvenile delinquent. Author Zoe Tokushige has a great ear for dialogue, and the characters come right to life from the first introductions. Jennifer Naalchigar did a great job with the illustrations. The book is designed in a graphic novel, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” style, but is actually a novel with illustrations, not a graphic novel, per se. No matter, it’s a great ride and a good read. (Philomel/Penguin Random House, 2022, middle-grade readers, 292 pages, $14.99.)

And last but not least, check out “Totally Random Questions” Volumes 1 & 2, by Melina Gerosa Bellows (rhcbooks.com @randomhousekids, 2022, 214 pages, $8.99 apiece). Magazine style glossy books with funny and kooky pictures, loads of facts and information presented in a kid-friendly, appealing style.

Bon appetit, babies! Happy fall!

WM