The Great Good Thing by Roderick Townley - ADVISABLE

The Great Good Thing by Roderick Townley, 224 pages. Atheneum Books (Simon & Schuster), 2025. $20.

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A character in a book that’s been left on the shelf, Sylvie (12yo) gets discouraged from a couple of false starts. Everyone is doing their best, but their story is continuously interrupted. And then Sylvie breaks the rules and leaves her story behind, exploring a new world where she must save their newest reader, Claire.

At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the book within the book, but I ended up enjoying Sylvie’s story more than I expected. Townley illustrates how beautifully stories can brighten, influence, and change the lives of readers—and it’s fun to think about how our favorite characters might love us just as much as we love them.

Sylvie is depicted with light skin on the cover. The mature content rating is for mild sexual harassment and mild scary elements.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

A Study in Scarlet art by Julien Choy - ADVISABLE

A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes Manga Classic Vol. 1) art by Julien Choy, 205 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Udon Entertainment, 2025. $20.

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When Watson is looking for a new place to live, he ends up roommates with the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes—Holmes is incredibly knowledgeable in anatomy and sensational literature, completely lacks knowledge in philosophy and politics, and is a bad violin player. Inspector Lestrade calls on Holmes often, and now Watson and Holmes are suddenly involved in a murder case!

Reading Sherlock Holmes is always a treat because of his method of solving mysteries with his incredible observations and logic. Plus, Choy’s manga illustrations of the story added another element of entertainment, seeing these familiar characters depicted in beautiful manga-style London and dressed in new manga-style clothes. In short, I loved every page of this book.

The majority of characters are English. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, partial nudity, mild scary elements, illegal activity, kissing, and mentions of polygamy and sexual harassment. The violence rating is for blood and gore, weapon use, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

By Fire: The Jakob Hutter Story by Jason Landsel - OPTIONAL

By Fire: The Jakob Hutter Story by Jason Landsel, 168 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Plough Publishing, 2025. $20.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Jakob Hutter had given up after seeing too many die while fighting for their beliefs. When Ursula runs into Jakob on her way to find the Anabaptists, Jakob regains hope in the God he knows. With the Anabaptists, Jakob finds a place of peace, but his enemies will not stop.

This historical fiction graphic novel brings mostly true events to life, inspiring readers with real examples of courage and determination. By using a visual medium, parts of the story are able to be told exclusively with wordless panels of illustrations. Landsel also includes extra material in the back of the book with text written by both protagonists and antagonists depicted in the book, timelines, maps, and more.

All of the characters are European. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, kissing, innuendo, and nudity. The violence rating is for assault, gun use, corpses, battle scenes, torture, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage by David A. Robertson - ADVISABLE

The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage by David A. Robertson, 192 pages. Highwater Press, 2024. $13

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Alex Robinson is 11yo and in 6th grade when his world is upended. He has to move from the rez to Winnipeg when his father gets a new job. Alex is worried he won't fit in. He is Indigenous, and even though he makes the hockey team, he faces racism he never had to face on the reservation.

This is book one of the Breakout Chronicles. The author is a member of Norway House Cree Nation, so he draws from experience. There is a nice balance between the racism issues and the plot. The hockey game descriptions are fast paced and realistic and even readers new to hockey will appreciate them. The print is small and the cover didn't do wonders for me, but readers will be well rewarded if they get past cosmetics. Alex is a member of Norway House Cree Nation.

Michelle in the Middle 

The Dare by Natasha Preston - NO

The Dare by Natasha Preston, 335 pages. Delacorte Press (Random), 2024. $13

Language: PG-13 (46 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (implied drug use); Violence: NC-17 (persistent bloody violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - NOT RECOMMENDED

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Marley and her friends live in a small town where everyone knows each other. Rhett, wealthy boy at the high school, continues his brother's traditions on doling out end-of-senior-year dares. If a student does not go along with his dare, Rhett will retaliate in very detrimental ways. Rhett dares Marley and her friends to drive down a back alley blindfolded. Sadly, the group takes the dare and an old man who lives in the area is hit and killed by their recklessness. They decide on a pact to cover up the murder. All their lives begin to unravel at this point.

Preston writes a suspenseful story which is hard to put down. She keeps the swearing under control. But, the gut wrenching conclusion will leave the reader sick over the poor moral ending. 

Although the characters are not identified by ethnicity, it is fairly apparent that Luce, her girlfriend, is Hispanic and her boyfriend, Atlas is described as having "dark skin".

MOMMAC

 

The Kill Factor by Ben Oliver - OPTIONAL

The Kill Factor by Ben Oliver, 368 pages. Chicken House (Scholastic), 2024. $16

Language: R (41 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

16yo Emerson lives in the Burrows, the poorest part of the city with her young brother Kester, and oblivious father. She steals money to buy food for her 9yo brother Kester, who is deaf and has genius level intelligence. She’s apprehended for starting a fire at the school she was robbing and she’s offered a deal - agree to participate in a competition where one contestant will receive money and status or she can go to prison for arson. Emerson doesn’t want to take the deal, but Kester talks her into it because it could change her life for the better. When she arrives, Emerson discovers forty-nine other competitors and the details of the games - gain the most social media followers to win, the lowest ranked person is sent to life in prison. The youth all have to participate in crazy and dangerous games or the poisonous capsule placed in each of their wrists will be triggered to kill them, one by one.

I enjoyed the descriptive surroundings and I felt suffocated when reading about Emerson being under the sand. Emerson has unconditional love and loyalty for her brother. The story is similar to Hunger Games and Squid Game. The ethnicity is mixed.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Lightlark by Alex Aster - ADVISABLE

Lightlark by Alex Aster, 448 pages. Harry N. Abrams, 2023. $13

Language: PG (1 swears, 0 ‘f');  Mature Content: PG-13 (touching, kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Isla leads the Wildlings and she meets all leaders of the other realms for a competition at Lightlark. Celeste is the Starling leader, Isla’s good friend, and together they want to break the curse that settles on every realm. When Isla slips and falls into the sea, King Oro saves her from drowning even though her death would be taken as a sacrifice for the realm to lift the curse; one of the realm leaders must die at the Centennial celebration to satisfy the curse.  Grim, the Nightshade leader, seems taken with Isla but she’s not sure if he’s sincere or conning her. Isla has stolen clothes to be able disguise herself as a woman from the other realms so she can enter their libraries and search for the bond breaker that can break the curse for everyone.  Her life is endangered at every turn as she tries to hide that she's completely powerless.  She has no idea who she can trust.

I love the beautiful descriptions and the variety of interesting characters. The author creates an amazing world and I didn’t want to stop reading. New and refreshing fantasy.

The ethnicity is a mix of fantasy people and different colors of natural skin tones.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield - ADVISABLE

Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield, 271 pages. joy revolution, 2024. $13

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (some kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Whitney Curry has just arrived in Paris for her senior year semester abroad to study theater. She has carefully created a color-coded map and a variety of lists outlining how she plans to see and experience Paris, but things don't start as planned. Her roommates are not interested in being friends, her assigned French tutor is grumpy, and her first time in the city on her own she gets lost. But slowly Whitney makes friends, falls in love, and starts to experience the real Paris without her map. Before she heads home, however, she has a few lessons to learn about love and life.

This was a fun romance in which Whitney learns a lot about herself during her first experience away from home. She falls in love with chocolate, Paris, and a great guy. It dragged a little in the middle but over all, a good read.

Whitney Curry and Thierry Magnon are black. Nora is white and Sophie is described as light brown.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

We Did Nothing Wrong by Hannah Jayne - OPTIONAL

We Did Nothing Wrong  by Hannah Jayne, 304 pages. Sourcebooks Fire, 2024. $11

Language: R (38 swears, 2 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody hitting, abduction and off page death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Lia and Diana, high school 11th graders, have been friends since the first day of kindergarten when Diana introduced herself to Lia. They have grown up together as best friends but things have been strained lately. Lia is tired of hearing all about Diana and the pageants she wins and constantly prepares for. When Diana goes missing, Lia thinks Diana is playing a joke on everyone and will show back up soon. As days go by, Lia becomes worried and desperate to find her friend.

I liked how the author kept me guessing as I read the story. The conflict between Lia and Diana and within Lia herself, made the suspense grow and the story more interesting. Suspicion was everywhere!

Ethnicity defaults to white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Take by Jennifer Bradbury - ADVISABLE

Take by Jennifer Bradbury, 261 pages. Atheneum (Simon), 2023. $20

Language: PG-13 (47 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kiss); Violence: PG (injury)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Cara has just graduated from high school and is getting ready to take a gap year rock climbing in Patagonia. Her mother wishes she would head to college, but Cara is drawn to adventure. Her friends are moving on and her boyfriend broke up with her over text. She is ready to be somewhere else. Cara has not spoken to her father in a long time, but when she learns he is missing, she decides to try to track him down. The clues center around a legendary rock climber and lead her to a decades-old family mystery. Needing help, she reaches out to her ex, Nat, and together they head into the Cascade Mountains and to a dangerous climb hoping to find and save Cara's dad.

Take has adventure, mystery, tough family dynamics, and a little romance. As a bonus, I learned some things about rock climbing. The book also explores how children deal with parents who have mental health issues. I liked the dual timelines of Cara in the present day and Becks and Ru at the beginning of WWII. The Becks and Ru story brings the CCC and Japanese internment into the story. This is a great book. I recommend it.

Cara, Nat and Becks are perceived white. Ru has Japanese heritage.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Katie the Catsitter: The Purrfect Plan by Colleen AF Venable and Stephanie Yue - ADVISABLE

Katie the Catsitter: The Purrfect Plan by Colleen AF Venable, illustrated by Stephanie Yue, 218 GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2024 22 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Katie is in 7th grade and loves being a super hero sidekick. Things are going pretty great until a new housing development implemented by the mayor threatens to displace poorer people and raise rents while taking away sunlight from existing properties. The Cheesy Justice team needs to find a plan to counter evil (and maybe 217 highly trained cats). 

In book #4, the storyline continues. It's helpful to have read them in order, but you could get the gist if you jump in late. Even though the protagonist is a 7th grader, the 217 cats makes it feel like it's for a younger audience. The characters are likable and there are themes of friendship, family issues, and saving animals that give it more depth. The art is colorful and bright and laid out in easy to follow squares. If you like super heroes and cats (lots of cats) this is your book. There are a variety of races portrayed in the book. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi - ESSENTIAL

Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, 336 pages. Middle Grade Putnam (Penguin), 2024. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Kareem is a 7th grader who is stuck between friends, countries, football, family, and right and wrong. Told in free verse, Kareem's story is based off the Muslim ban in 2017, that kept Muslims from seven different countries from entering the United States. 

Kareem's story is deeply personal, while also reflecting the global scale. This story is a must read. The story is framed in a football metaphor. There are interesting football facts proceeding some of the poems and each poem is named for a football term. There is plenty for readers to relate to, from not fitting in, to being bullied, football, family, and even references to familiar novels. Once I started I could not put this down as it is high interest and an empathy builder, relatable and beautifully written. Kareem is Syrian American. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Pizza Pickles and Apple Pie: the Stories Behind the Foods We Love by David Rickert - ADVISABLE

Pizza Pickles and Apple Pie: the Stories Behind the Foods We Love by David Rickert, 124 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, NON-FICTION Astra, 2023. $20 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Find out where your food comes from! You'll find facts to dazzle your friends, like that breakfast cereal was invented to make people poop and that fried chicken didn't originate in the south, but Scotland and West Africa, or that cakes were buried with ancient Egyptians (because you're never too dead to not want cake). 

A fun way to learn about the history of food, it's entertaining enough to be read cover to cover, or you can skip around and read about just waffles or pizza. The art is delightful and colorful, and the format helps the readability. If you're a foody, this is your book! 

Michelle in the Middle

Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol - ADVISABLE

Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol, 368 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. First Second, 2024. $15.

Language: G (2 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (several off page deaths, references to eating people, some bullying) ; Violence: PG (there are two instances where characters are hit on page, and several off page gruesome deaths).

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Jane doesn’t have much going for her. She is depressingly average and is about to be forced out of her home because as a girl, she can’t inherit. Her solution is to propose to Peter, a beautiful village boy she has a crush on. Before they can come to an agreement, he is stolen away by a mermaid! Jane must go to the sea to save her maybe-fiancé and perhaps discover something new about herself in the process.

Loved this addition to any graphic novel shelf! It’s a great story of self-discovery told through compelling storytelling and eye-catching illustrations. I loved seeing Jane’s journey, both literally and metaphorically. I also loved the message that self-worth isn’t dependent on outward appearance. 

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

Keeper by Alan Gibbons - ADVISABLE

Keeper by Alan Gibbons, 76 pages. Middle Grade Union Square, 2024. $9 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Shane is the new kid at the middle school. He is a talented soccer player but his temper makes him pretty intense. His father is almost unbearable at games, and Shane's teammates begin to worry that something may be really wrong in Shane's life. 

The book doesn't look like much because it's so short, and I was prepared not to like it. However it intersperses interesting facts about soccer into the story and the story brings up deeper themes of abuse and fitting in. The book is reader friendly and is high interest for reluctant readers. Race is never specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Once Upon a Time in the North by Philip Pullman, illustrated by Chris Wormell - OPTIONAL

Once Upon a Time in the North by Philip Pullman, illustrated by Chris Wormell, 166 pages. Young Adult Knopf (Random House), 2023. $26 

Language: PG-13 (38 swears, 0 F) Mature Content: PG (alludes to wanting sex) Violence: PG-13 (graphic gunfights, violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A companion book to His Dark Materials and the Book of Dust, this story tells how Texan aeronaut Lee Scoresby meets the bear Iorek for the first time. Together they face down corrupt leaders and hired gunslingers. 

The layout and art are beautiful. This would make a lovely gift. I'm just not sure who the audience is. The art and larger size almost makes it look like it would appeal to a much younger audience, like upper elementary or middle school. However, there are no youth in this story and the language and violence are geared to adults. This story will make more sense if you've read the other books in the series before embarking on this one. The story is engaging, but is only one encounter in the North. If you're a true fan of the series, though, this book is for you. Lee Scoresby is a white Texan. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed Beetle by Jordan Kopy and Chris Jevons - ESSENTIAL

Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed Beetle by Jordan Kopy, illustrated by Chris Jevons, 286 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2021. $19 

Language: G (1 swear) Mature Content: G Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Theodora Hendrix is a 10yo human girl living with a bunch of monsters, whom she loves. In this second book, Theodora is facing both an impossibly horrible head teacher and a most unpleasant Inspector Shelley that wants to shut down the Monstrous League of Monsters. On top of that, there is a cursed beetle heralding a truly dangerous monster that could tear her monster family apart. 

A truly delightful read. The book doesn't take itself too seriously, so although there are monster battles, it isn't scary. The art adds to the story and there are enough twists and fun foreshadowing at the end of chapters to keep the reader engaged and reading. Two thumbs up! Theodora is a white red head and her best friend is black. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Tear This Down by Barbara Dee - ADVISABLE

Tear This Down by Barbara Dee, 304 pages. Middle Grade Aladdin (Simon and Schuster), February 2025 $18 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

7th grader Freya likes to voice her opinion. Her Social Studies teacher gives an assignment to write a report on a local historical figure and find primary sources about them. She discovers that Benjamin Wellstone, the man for whom her town is named, wasn't so great after all. He was an abolitionist, but he also opposed women's rights. Now she wants his statue removed. 

Barbara Dee tackles problems head on, and I love that. Like Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet  Tear This Down isn't about a tough subject like Metal Illness (My Life in a Fish Tank) or Sexual Harassment (Maybe He Just Likes You) It's about a girl who finds a way to use her strong opinion to make change in her community. I loved her social studies teacher and the librarian, both were supportive in appropriate ways, allowing Freya to navigate her own ideas. A bit frustrating that she continues to not loop in her parents.  Freya defaults white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Keeper of the Rend by Lisa Maxwell - ADVISABLE

Keeper of the Rend by Lisa Maxwell, 312 pages. Middle Grade Margaret K. McElderry (Simon and Schuster), 2024. $18 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Xavier T. Fletcher is a 10yo odd duck. He is totally into birds and his parents and 14yo brother don't understand him. When his father loses his job, Xavier's family moves to his Nana's farm where he meets a strange girl named Clementine. Clementine is hiding secrets that could put all of them in danger from strange birdlike creatures that carry seeds of darkness into the world. 

Xavier is an interesting character that evolves through the course of the book. The premise of rends in the sky where evil can get through is interesting, as is Xavier's relationships with his family. There are nice themes of discovery, trust, friendship, and family. The writing is descriptive and makes for a dangerous and grand adventure. No culture or race is specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Super Pancake and the Mini Muffin Mayhem by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Abhi Alwar - OPTIONAL

Super Pancake and the Mini Muffin Mayhem by Megan Wagner Lloyd, illustrated by Abhi Alwar, 170 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Knopf (Random House), 2024 $17 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Peggy Pancake is back and she is trying to balance being a super hero with everyday life. Her parents have signed her up for babysitting during spring break to teach her responsibility, but babysitting the five Mini Muffins will take everything Peggy has, even her super powers. 

The art is colorful and engaging and even though the main characters are breakfast foods, they are relatable in their attempts to wrangle five little muffin kids. The plot is fairly predictable but a fun ride, and it's nice that Peggy actually likes her parents and brother. 

Michelle in the Middle