Fall is For Beginnings

Written by Rajani LaRocca, Illustrated by Abhi Alwar
Published by Abrams | August 5, 2025 | Preorder at your favorite bookstore or through any links here! I will always suggest checking out your local indie bookstore, or visiting bookshop.org.

Ravi can’t wait for the start of the new school year! Fall is for cool weather, new school supplies, and spending time with his best friend, Joe. But when a new girl named Ellie joins their class, Ravi and Joe’s duo suddenly becomes a trio.

Ravi’s not so sure about Ellie—she plays her horn too loud in music lessons and gets them lost on the way to class. Worst of all, she keeps saying she’s Joe and Ravi’s best friend.

All these big changes are challenging for Ravi, but with time (and a little help from his wise older sister) he realizes that fall is the perfect time to begin a new friendship.

REVIEWS

★ “An emotionally honest and lovingly rendered take on the highs and lows of friendship.”
—Kirkus, Starred Review | Read full review here

★ “With likable characters that young readers can readily identify with, Fall Is for Beginnings is chock-full of humor, heart and soul.”
—Bookpage, Starred Review