Lifeboat 5 by Susan Hood - ESSENTIAL

Lifeboat 5 by Susan Hood, 228 pages. Simon, 2024. $18

Language: G (0 swears, 0  “f”); Mature Content: PG (some deaths); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Bess and Beth meet on the SS City of Benares as they are being evacuated from London to the safety of Canada during World War II. At the moment they relax into the voyage, a German U-boat torpedoes the ship and all are sent into the water - to survive or not as they desperately hope for rescue.  All the girls have is each other for comfort and strength.

After reading the girls’ story, I really wonder why Hood started with the story of Lifeboat 12 - Lifeboat 5 is much more intense and heart-aching. Also written in free verse - not my favorite, but I couldn’t turn my eyes away.  I'm not sure I could have taken an entire novel length story!

The characters are white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Unico: Awakening by Osamu Tezuka, Samuel Sattin, illustrated by Gurihiru - ADVISABLE

Unico: Awakening by Osamu Tezuka, Samuel Sattin, illustrated by Gurihiru, 224 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix (Scholastic), 2024. $13 

Language: G (0 swears) G PG (killing of animals) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Unico is a brave young unicorn who has been banished by the evil goddess, Venus, who envies his power. Rescued by the West Wind, Unico finds himself in new situations, not knowing who he is or what he can do. On this adventure, Unico meets up with a guard cat, Chloe, who needs help, but Chloe and Unico are also needed by other animals and a human. The illustrations are well drawn and the colors capture the mood. Unico evolves into a powerful force for good. Unico as a baby unicorn is a bit too cutesy for me, but he should have a broad appeal for younger readers. Tezuka is considered the "God of Manga," and the art will not disappoint. The storyline has enough going on that it will hold interest. Probably a must for anyone who loves manga or My Little Pony. 

Michelle in the Middle

A Sky Full of Dragons (The Wand Keepers #1) by Tiffany McDaniel - NO

A Sky Full of Dragons (The Wand Keepers #1) by Tiffany McDaniel, 338 pages. Simon, 2024. $19

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - NOT RECOMMENDED

APPEALS TO: SOME

Spella Cauldroneyes was found by her “Aunt: in a purple cauldron on a stormy night.  Eight years later she is invited to enter a school for wizardry - that night her Aunt is kidnapped! Spella will need to juggle school, protesting crowds, and finding her aunt.

I usually love the odd - I have purple hair myself - but I tried several times to settle in to enjoy this book - but I could not. The oddities and quirks did not gel for me - causing confusion instead of enhancing the promise from the cover. I’m not going to try again.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Flashtide by Jenny Moyer - OPTIONAL

Flashtide (Flashfall #2) by Jenny Moyer, 368 pages. Henry Holt and Co. (Macmillan), 2017. $18.

Language: PG13 (17 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Dram (19yo) and Orion (17yo) made it past the flash curtain, but it only compounded their problems. They are still on the run from the Congress, and they can’t escape the effects of the curtain. The pair set out to save their people, and yet it looks like everything they do only puts their people in more peril.

Moyer’s style of writing was choppy, which often made it difficult to follow what Orion was doing; sometimes it felt like I was missing parts of the story, and I know some of the science and magic of their world went over my head. The path that Dram and Orion forged to freedom included tragedy and heart-wrenching consequences, hope and trust that the other still had the same end goal—even when their paths weren’t the expected ones. I loved watching them repair the cracks in their relationship over and over, making each other more important than their mistakes.

Characters with shades of skin from pale to brown are described. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, kissing, innuendo, and partial nudity. The violence rating is for blood and gore, gun use, assault, mentions of cannibals, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

No Place Left to Hide by Megan Lally - OPTIONAL

No Place Left to Hide by Megan Lally, 272 pages. Sourcebooks Fire, 2025. $11 

Language: R (263 swears, 143 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (underage drinking, kissing); Violence: PG-13 (death)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Brooke is an overachiever who comes from a long family history of overachievers. She’s determined to get into Yale and has pushed herself into all work and no play since the lake party where a classmate drowned months ago. The investigation ruled it as accidental, but Brooke is being harassed by an unknown person who’s been calling her, slashing her tires, leaving lake water in her locker, and covering her car with newspapers featuring the article about the incident. Her friend Jena wants her to attend another lake party to blow off steam and celebrate reaching her goals. A seemingly harmless party quickly turns into a horrific nightmare for Brooke.

Lally wrote a suspenseful thriller that I couldn’t put down. Twisty fun. I love how the author portrays the characters and how everything spirals to the ending. It was also a quick read at 272 pages.

Jena is Black. Brooke is white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

The Van Buren Sisters vs the Pants Police by J. F. Fox and Anna Kwan - ADVISABLE

The Van Buren Sisters vs the Pants Police by J. F. Fox and Anna Kwan. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2023. 9781525302480

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

ADeline and Augusta, the granddaughters of President Martin Van Buren, were raised by their widowed father to be independent and adventurous. As WWI broke out, the sisters wanted to prove they could be of value on the battlefield as messengers ON MOTORBIKES! Dressed in particle leather pants they set out to cross the United States on their bikes.  But most towns didn’t allow women to wear pants in those days, so they were harassed by law enforcement all along their way.  Not that the sisters would let that stop them!

A wonderful book that clearly shows the changing force of women’s roles and expectations in the early 1900’s in America. I love their spirit and independence. Really good backmatter - though I wish it were another set of pages, instead of crammed onto one set. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Chasing Eternity (Stealing Infinity #3) by Alyson Noel - OPTIONAL

Chasing Eternity (Stealing Infinity #3) by Alyson Noel, 496 pages. Entangled Teen, 2024. $19

Language: R (56 swears, 18 ‘f'); Mature Content: R (on page sex); Violence: PG-13 (bloody hitting and bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO:  SEVERAL

18yo Natasha and Elodie travel back to 1998 to meet Natasha’s dad before she was born. Natasha is able to convince her father that she’s really his daughter from the future. He shows her the generations’ old Timekeeper rooms that take up a floor in the building where he resides as a struggling college student to hide who he truly is. He also trains her as much as he can in the short time they’re together so she can handle her Timekeeper abilities and use them to stay safe and continue the mission of her ancestors. Natasha realizes why Arthur is determined to remake the world- he lost the love of his life. Arthur will do everything it takes, including murder, to get what he wants and Natasha will do whatever it takes to stop him.

I enjoyed the quotes from historical intellectuals. The character development is well done. I enjoyed learning about real artists and their work throughout history. The story kept my attention and it is action packed. Mason, Natasha's best friend, is Black. Natasha is white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

The Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson - ESSENTIAL

The Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson, 325 pages. Penguin, 2024. $20

Language: G (1 swear, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG (Fight between characters resulting in an accidental death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS, ADULT - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

16yo Calvin, a black teenager, passes as white in 1955. His family moves to an all-white suburb for a safer life, but maintaining their secret is exhausting. Calvin seeks solace with new friends and Lily, his crush, while uncovering the town's dark racist history. Torn between safety and truth, Calvin faces dangerous choices about identity and morality. The novel powerfully connects historical realities to personal struggles with race and belonging. This was an extremely powerful book which had me very tense and emotional throughout - at first because of Calvin trying to "pass" and later when the boys were on their "mission".

I really appreciated the historical references such as Emmitt Till and Martin Luther King Jr. which grounded the story in its time period and highlighted the relevance. I also appreciated the author's ability to educate readers, especially white readers, on the Black experience in America. I highly recommend this book to all readers of any color, race, young and old. Robert is Calvin's brother and he is black. Eugene and Harry are brothers who are black. Ben, Mary, Alex and Darin are white.

Jessica Nelson CTHS Librarian 

Ruling Destiny by Alyson Noel - MANY

Ruling Destiny (Stealing Infinity #2) by Alyson Noel, 393 pages. Entangled Teen, 2023. $14 

Language: R (83 swears, 25 “f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (implied sex, off page, and underage drinking); Violence: PG-13 (bloody fight)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY

18yo Natasha has been planning on visiting Renaissance Italy with Braxton but when she gets to the portal, Arthur shows her she’ll be tripping with Killian; Natasha is angry but Killian is thrilled. Braxton seems to be keeping something from Natasha and Killian keeps making remarks alluding that Braxton is hiding a terrible secret from her. She has strong feelings for Braxton but she doesn’t know if she can trust anyone. When Mason is recruited to Gray Wolf, she’s happy to see him, her trusted best friend, but worried that he’s blaming her for taking him away from his life. She’s struggling to understand her new life but now she’s even more worried on Mason’s behalf.

I enjoyed learning about the true history mixed in with the time traveling events, like the Italian Bonfire of the Vanities in 1497. The quotes from Shakespeare and other intellectuals and historical figures are awesome. The author notes at the beginning of the book that all artwork and ancient artifacts mentioned in the novel really piqued my interest. The ethnicity is mostly white. Mason, Natasha’s best friend, is Black.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah 

Santa’s Workshop by Design Eye (Quarto) - ESSENTIAL

Santa’s Workshop by Design Eye (Quarto), 2023. $30. 9781836001027

BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT  - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

The elves at the North Pole have come together to write a handbook about the goings-on in their workshop and home. And because they are elves, they have made things extra special by including an interactive workshop with a large cast of characters to make-up your own stories with.

Being as I am, I put the workshop together without seeing the instructions on the last page of the booklet - and I did just fine.  I can think of three little ones (besides myself) that I want to gift this to this Christmas. I will also be buying a set to add to my personal Christmas decorations!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Story Fold Classics) - ADVISABLE

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Story Fold Classics), 263 pages. Design Eye (Quarto), 2024. $15. 9781836001423

BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Design Eye has taken the classic Christmas story and published it in a very beautiful cover, with illustrated and colored pages.  What makes this version really special, and best suited as a gift, is that as you read the book you fold each page (lines provided), so that by the time you finish the book you now also have a Christmas display piece.  

I haven’t finished the book, so I haven’t seen the final product, but I have my suspicions.  As someone who is book-folding-challenged, I appreciate the guiding lines. This seems to be the first in what I hope is going to be a series of collectable foldables. It would be fun to read this aloud at bedtime together and mark your progress with the folds.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead (Finlay Donovan #2) by Elle Cosimano, 357 pages. Minotaur Books (St. Martin’s Press), 2022. $18.

Language: R (128 swears, 5 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

On an online forum, FedUp has called for a hit on Finlay’s ex, and Finlay (31yo) and Vero are doing everything they can to stop anyone from completing the job—Finlay might want to kill him sometimes, but she doesn’t actually want him dead. Trying to stay one step ahead of the hitman and write another manuscript for her demanding agent, Finlay entangles herself further with both the police and the mob.

The antics escalate, Finlay’s love triangle unbalances, and shootouts turn into car chases. Continuing Finlay’s story is not a rewash of the first, which I expected. Finlay and Vero have new obstacles to overcome, building on the experiences they had and also branching into new illegal territories. The last chapter tied up most of the plot points satisfactorily (all of them except the romantic strings to pull readers into the next installment), leaving readers with a hook in the epilogue.

Finlay is portrayed as White on the cover, Veronica and her cousin are implied Hispanic, there are Russian mobsters, and the majority of other characters are implied White. Georgia is part of the LGBT community. The mature content rating is for alcohol use; illegal activity; partial nudity; kissing; groping; sexual harassment; mentions of drugs, pornography, human trafficking, sex toys, orgasms, and sex; and persistent innuendo. The violence rating is for assault, corpses, blood and gore, gun use, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Beat I Drum (Life of a Cactus 3) by Dusti Bowling - ADVISABLE

The Beat I Drum (Life of a Cactus 3) by Dusti Bowling, 272 pages. Union Square, 2025. $17.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G (2 G rated kisses) Violence: PG (Connor has Tourette syndrome and experiences a couple of intense episodes) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Connor has moved across town and is starting High School without his friends. He's worried because his Tourette syndrome makes him tic and bark sometimes, that he will struggle to make friends, but right away, Amanda steps up and invites him to eat with her and her friends. His music teacher, Mrs. Chen, has offered to teach Connor to play an instrument, and he's amazed when he discovers that playing the drums might help settle his tics. 

I have loved this series. The Beat I Drum is more of a companion than a book three as the story happens at the same time as Momentous Events. I'm happy that Connor has found his tribe again, and that they are nice kids with issues of their own, as well as strengths to buoy up Connor. He's still having a rough time with his dad. I wonder now if Zion will get his own book? The characters are in high school, but they read younger. That is why it is just recommended for Middle School. The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano - ADVISABLE

Finlay Donovan is Killing It (Finlay Donovan #1) by Elle Cosimano, 355 pages. Minotaur Books (St. Martin’s Press), 2021. $18.

Language: R (111 swears, 2 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

The start of the day is bad with a nanny no-show, a toddler with scissors, and being late to a meeting with her agent, and Finlay (31yo) is just trying to keep her head above water despite how each choice makes the day become worse—and then the worst. She’s desperate. At the end of the day, the question Finlay has to answer is whether she’s desperate enough to bury a body.

The situations that Finlay gets tangled in are convoluted in the best way, and readers get the fun of two stories in one as Finlay uses her new experiences as fodder for her writing project. All of my questions were addressed throughout the book—and I loved that Casimano gives readers the space to form the questions before Finlay does. The story ends with a cliffhanger that leaves even Finlay dumbfounded.

Finlay is described as “pale,” Julian is described as “tanned,” Veronica is implied Hispanic, and there are some Russian mobsters. Also, Georgia is part of the LGBT community. The mature content rating is for alcohol use; illegal activity; kissing; partial nudity; mentions of drugs, strippers, pornography, nudity, human trafficking, and rape; groping; innuendo; and implied sex. The violence rating is for blood and gore, implied domestic violence, gun use, suicide, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Three Little Tardigrades by Sandra Fay - ADVISABLE

The Three Little Tardigrades by Sandra Fay. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2024. $19. 9781250776099

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

After more than a decade of caring for her three little tardigrades, Mother T kicks them out to find places of their own, with a final warning to watch out for the BIG HAIRY WOLF SPIDER! Each of them eventually chooses a new habitat, and just as they are settling down, the BHWS swoops in for a visit with some unanticipated bad consequences for the spider.

A fun mix of whimsy and scientific information for any science teacher. Unlike the author’s other book about the cryptid Mongolian death worms, tardigrades actually exist.  I will happily share this with the science department to see who touches upon the topic!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

An Animal a Day: 365 Amazing Animals to Take You Through the Year by Miranda Smith et.al. - ESSENTIAL

An Animal a Day: 365 Amazing Animals to Take You Through the Year by Miranda Smith, illustrated by Kaja Kajfez, Santiago Calle, Mateo Markov and Max Rambaldi, 221 pages. NON-FICTION Bright Matter Books 2023 $25. 9780593903353 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

This is one of those books that can be left on the coffee table and opened anywhere for a quick browse. 

The design is to read about a different animal each day for a whole year. I just think it's too much fun to stop at just one a day. I think kids would have a hard time not browsing through it. The illustrations are cute - not terribly realistic, but the kids will get the point and can certainly look up any animal they want more information about. I like that the descriptions are short. Includes statistics about each animal, like how big they are and where they live and whether or not they are endangered.There's also back matter about some conservation successes as well as a quiz for the kid who thinks he already knows everything about animals.

Lisa Librarian

The Gender Binary is a Big Lie: Infinite Identities Around the World by Lee Wind - OPTIONAL

The Gender Binary is a Big Lie: Infinite Identities Around the World by Lee Wind, 316 pages. NON-FICTION. Zest Books, 2024. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0  “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (gendered body parts and surgeries mentioned multiple times in a clinic way); Violence: PG [mentions non-elective surgeries (castration, intersex reassignment) being forced on people]

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Wind takes us on an historical and international tour through gender identity and biological sex identity. In an informative, not prurient or sexual, manner Wind shows us how many cultures throughout history have accepted different gender identities, while also showing roots of the “traditional” gender binary. 

If your school has the 57 Bus by Dashka Slater, then you will also welcome Wind’s deep dive into gender identities. Very informative (a bit long-winded at times), with extensive source notes for further investigation.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Woe: a Housecat's Story of Despair by Lucy Knisley - OPTIONAL

Woe: a Housecat's Story of Despair by Lucy Knisley, 208 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic Random House, 2024. $17 

Language: G (0 swears): Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, ADULT - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

This is the story of a housecat named Linney and the family she deigns to be a part of. It includes her adventures and misadventures and what she thinks of her world.

 If you are a cat lover, you can probably relate whole heartedly to this book, The story is told mostly from Linney's point of view. Getting into the head of a cat is a tricky thing, but Knisley seems to have mastered it, and her love for this cat shines through. Besides the fact that there is a human child in addition to the cat, the interactions are mostly between the cat and it's owner, so the story seems like it would appeal to adult cat owners more than kids or teens, even with the graphic novel format, though perhaps cat lovers know no bounds. Linney's owner is a white female. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Rise up and Sing!: Power, Protest, and Activism in Music by Andrea Warner and Lousie Reimer - ESSENTIAL

Rise up and Sing!: Power, Protest, and Activism in Music by Andrea Warner, illustrated by Lousie Reimer, 183 pages.  NON-FICTION. Greystone Kids, 2024. $22

Content: G (mentions alternative lifestyles with no descriptions)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Warner takes us on a musical tour of how music has been used for protesting throughout recent history. Focusing on climate activism, indigenous rights, LGBT rights, and human rights, among others, she spotlights famous and less-famous faces in the movements, and gives as a playlist for each topic.

I appreciate that Warner focused on recent history (going back only to the 70’s), as it will help its young target audience relate, while introducing them to older artists. It would be great to curate the playlists on Spotify for student enjoyment.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Goosebumps the Graphic Novel: The Haunted Mask by R.L. Stine, adapted by Maddi Gonzalez - ADVISABLE

Goosebumps the Graphic Novel: The Haunted Mask by R.L. Stine, adapted by Maddi Gonzalez, 160 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix (Scholastic), 2024. $13 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Carly Beth is tired of getting teased for being scared all the time. She decides she needs something scarier than the duck costume her mother made her to save face with her friends. Carly Beth goes to a strange costume store and takes home a creepy mask that she is sure will scare everyone. The mask does help Carly Beth feel powerful and scary, but the mask becomes increasingly harder to take off. 

The illustrations work well with the story and are easy to follow. It's an R.L. Stine, so readers know the drill. The graphic novel stays true to its source. Carly Beth could be any student who just wants to get back at people who tease. Relatable and fun, even if the ending is predictable. Carly Beth is white. 

Michelle in the Middle