Most Likely to Murder by Lish McBride - OPTIONAL

Most Likely to Murder by Lish McBride, 320 pages. G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin Random House), 2026. $13.

Language: R (122 swears, 24 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (drug and alcohol use/underage drinking, kissing, illegal activity, scary elements, partial nudity, innuendo, and mentions of condoms and sex); Violence: PG13 (assault, gun use, corpses, blood and gore, mentions of suicide, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

When the high school yearbooks come out with ways students and faculty are going to die rather than the usual superlatives, everyone assumes Rick and Martina are behind the prank. Until someone on the list is found dead. The remaining students put their heads together, trying to figure out what they all have in common before it can kill them, too.

McBride switches through points of view, sometimes giving readers a front row seat to what happened just before a death, which brilliantly puts readers on edge every time this happens, not knowing whether or not the character is about to be murdered. I enjoyed that this story doesn’t make the desperate teenagers into better detectives than the adult professionals, and it was refreshing to see them make smart choices, like sharing their locations with each other just in case. These details make the story feel more realistic, even if some silly stereotypes are still included. Martina is implied Hispanic, and Martina, Camryn, and Zeke are queer.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Coming Out Perfect written and illustrated by Richard Mercado - OPTIONAL

Coming Out Perfect written and illustrated by Richard Mercado, 272 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Graphix (Scholastic Inc.), 2026. $17.

Language: R (11 swears, 3 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (repeated underage drinking, once to blackout drunkenness); Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Kevin is a gay, high school Filipino boy who is tired of being overlooked at home and invisible at school. He gets a taste of the popular life thanks to the school’s perfect gay boy, Raymond. However when acting “perfect” becomes too difficult to bear, Kevin has to reconsider what he actually wants from life, something real, or fake?

I enjoyed this classic coming-out/coming-of-age story, layered with the author’s lived experience. Even though it was technically set in the Philippines, I think readers will still find plenty of commonalities between Kevin’s high school experience and US schools. The premise was a little superficial, along the veins of the movie She’s All That. I don’t know how much a simple makeover would actually do for someone’s popularity, but high school students would eat it up with a spoon.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

  

Nature Poems to See By art by Julian Peters - ADVISABLE

Nature Poems to See By art by Julian Peters, 141 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, POETRY. Plough Publishing, 2026. $30.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (kissing and partial nudity); Violence: PG (corpses, blood and gore, death, and mentions of guns and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

From Dickinson, Frost, and Shakespeare to lesser known poets, Peters brings words and stanzas to life with his illustrations. The collection of poems is grouped by season, inviting readers to see and feel the ups, downs, and arounds of life.

Peters’s creative pictures are individualized for each poem—not only in size and in positive versus negative illustrations, but even in medium and style. No two poems are the same or evoke the same images, and Peters assists readers in celebrating their similarities and differences.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Speak Up, Santiago! by Julio Anta and Gabi Mendez - ADVISABLE

Speak Up, Santiago!(Hillside Valley #1) by Julio Anta and Gabi Mendez. 244 pages.GRAPHIC NOVEL. Random House, 2025. $13

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Santiago is headed to Hillside Valley to spend a month with his Abuela, and he is terrified! Abuela Emma mostly speaks Spanish, and while his mother and father tried raising him in a bilingual home, speaking was difficult for Santi. In HIllside Valley he meets some local kids who invite him to join their secret soccer club and play in the local tournament at the end of the month. Things are starting to look up for Santi until he overhears Abuela Emma and her friends laughing about his broken accent. As his embarrassment turns to anger, Santi starts taking his feelings out on everyone around him. After a particularly aggressive soccer practice, Santi even finds himself kicked off the team. Not only is he upset, but he returns home to find Abuela Emma has fallen and suffered a hairline fracture. Amidst the chaos of the hospital and doctor visits, Santiago learns to speak up and offers to care for his Abuela.

You don’t have to be learning a new language to empathize with Santiago. His experiences with embarrassment, fear, and betrayal are common emotions many of us feel when breaking out of our comfort zones or learning to speak up. The illustration style is brightly colored and the bilingual text is handled in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are learning Spanish along with Santiago. The Spanish word bubbles at the beginning of the novel have blacked out words, indicating Santi is only picking up half a conversation. As his Spanish improves, English translations begin popping up next to the  Spanish word bubbles.There is a special author and illustrator note in the back that talks about their personal insecurities about being a second-generation Latino or learning Spanish. 

Santiago’s father is Colombian and his mother is Irish/French.  

E. Powell - Junior High Librarian

Wanted: Your House by Monique Polak - OPTIONAL

Wanted: Your House by Monique Polak, 263 pages. Kids Can Press, MAY 2026. $20.

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Cyril’s mom is always dragging him to open houses.  She dreams of owning their own home - even on her meager teacher’s salary.  Cyril decided to help - his brilliant plan - offer himself and his mother as companions and caretakers for an elderly person - as long as the person deeds their house over to Cyril’s mom once they pass away.  Crazy- right?  But curmudgeonly Mr. Hartt takes Cyril up on the idea.  They all agree to a one month trial.  Cyril is not sure they will last that long.

 I wanted to like this so much more, but I was not satisfied with the end, and I was not fond of Mr. Hartt at all. Great premise - middling execution.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Mean Girl Mission by Rosaria Munda - OPTIONAL

The Mean Girl Mission (Confessions of a Junior Spy #2) by Rosaria Munda, 189 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2026. $9 (pb)

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Bea has heard from her best friend Chantal that there may be a spy problem at Chantal’s new private school, so Bea jumps to the rescue, with Tommy playing back-up.  Bea is determined to save Chantal from a possible Arctic assassin plot, even if it means she may have to do homework.

I was surprised that I did not like #2 as much as I enjoyed #1. I know why, though.  1 - I don’t spy novels that set-up one person, or group, as “the enemy”; I want variety in my villains. 2 - a mean girl problem at a local middle school is frankly boring if you are determined to become an international spy. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Some of Us are Brave by Saadia Faruqi - ADVISABLE

Some of Us are Brave by Saadia Faruqi, 324 pages. Quill Tree (Harper), 2026. $20

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (bullying by parent)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Mona has to care for her little brother while their parents are away on yet another conference trip. 12yo Yasir doesn’t have money to go to soccer camp this year, but if he coaches the littles, he can attend camp as payment - even if that means playing with 12yo Cody, who bullies Yasir. Cody, meanwhile, goes through life with a huge chip on his shoulder because his father bullies him and is constantly telling him to “man up”. When Hurricane Harvey hits land and causes major flooding in Houston, all four kids are caught and must figure out how to work together to survive. And maybe learn some great lessons about what being a friend means and how to speak up for themselves.

Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017, but this isn’t about the history of the hurricane - it is definitely a vehicle for a diverse trio of kids to learn about each other and that they can be friends. Both Cody and Mona’s lives make the biggest changes - Mona learning to find her voice with her parents who have given a young girl way too much responsibility, and Cody recognizes that his father’s viewpoints are based on hateful opinions, not facts and that Cody does not have to act the same way.

Yasir and Mona are from the Middle East.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia WenJen and Violeta Encarnacion. - ADVISABLE

Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia WenJen and Violeta Encarnacion. PICTURE BOOK. Red Comet Press, 2026. $20. 9781636551920

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL; MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

The stories of two little girls separated by decades, both of whom are incarcerated by barbed wire.

WenJen and Encarnacion share the story of Fort Sill, Oklahoma - site of Japanese imprisonment during WWII and immigrant child imprisonment in 2014 - using reverso poetry and a stark color palette. In communities affected by recent detainments, the book could be helpful for children still processing.  I see the most value in secondary schools as a way to foster conversation about immigration - especially as the backmatter talks about the Japanese experience and the lies told by the US government. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Griffin Speaker by Jan M. Flynn - ESSENTIAL

Griffin Speaker by Jan M. Flynn, 384 pages. Disney, MAY 2026. $ 18.

Content: PG (one death by dropping, other mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12yo Rain lives with her aunt in a Harvester, or grub, village, just dreading the day when she turns 13 and will be forced to work in the Root mines, harvesting the Roots, which are essential to the realm’s economy.  Her aunt, who is an Outlier (outcast) who runs an illegal magical animal menagerie, has a secret hidden in the barn and Rain is sure that it is a griffin - flying animals reserved for only the top ranks of Griffin Land society. When Rain can no longer resist, she bonds with the griffin, starting her down a path to defying all social conventions and expectations.

Rain’s story is thrilling!  I read almost straight through (had to get some sleep and do some work). She has a couple of great friends to help her and all of the action hangs together and makes sense as well as being interesting to read. The only thing I don't like is that the illustrations make her feel more like 10, instead of 12.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

True Life in Uncanny Valley by Deb Caletti - OPTIONAL

True Life in Uncanny Valley by Deb Caletti, 416 pages. Penguin Random House, 2025. $20

Language: R (100+ swears, 17 ‘f'); Mature Content: R (Drinking, passionate kissing and arousal, sexual discussion, nudity); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Eleanor Diamond, a junior, feels like the odd one out in her family. After all, her mom and older sister Rosalind seem so alike and spend a lot of time together. Eleanor has a hope though: perhaps she is meant to fit in with her father, the rich app inventor Hugo Harrison. The only issue is that he has had nothing to do with her family since the affair with Eleanor’s mother. When Hugo’s wife Aurora advertises for a babysitter, Eleanor takes strength from her favorite comic hero Miss Fury who has an alter-ego, and after a chance encounter, lands the job under a fake last name.

The novel's fourth wall breaks feel awkward, and some integral parts of the plot line, such as the fact that Eleanor’s mother never tries to call the family that she is going to be staying with all summer, are difficult to believe. But the book has a lot of heart with some fun friendships and a budding romance. It also includes discussions on AI art, body positivity, sexual boundaries, and racism, sexism, and homophobia in early comics. Plus, the novel's references to an actual comic and the inclusion of a square from that comic at the start of each chapter is fun. If readers stick with it through some moments of slower pacing, they will find a modern novel exploring human connections and relationships.

Main characters read white.

Megan, HS Librarian

Bat and the Business of Ferrets by Elana K. Arnold - ADVISABLE

Bat and the Business of Ferrets (A Boy Called Bat #4) by Elana K. Arnold, 196 pages. Clarion, 2025. $19. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

10yo Bat finds that there are a lot of changes when starting 4th grade. He expected a new teacher, but Mr. Pena is new to the school, and he is nothing like his beloved 3rd-grade teacher, Mr. Grayson. Lucca is in his class again, but she has made a lot of changes over the summer, and Bat can't help but comment. And, worst of all, Mr. Pena does not have a class pet! Bat survived 3rd grade because Mr. Grayson allowed him to cuddle Babycakes, the 3rd graders' bunny, whenever he needed. Convince Mr. Pena to change his mind? 

A sweet book, Bat struggles negotiating a lot of things, his social skills especially, but also leaving 3rd grade behind and accepting change. Charles Santoso's illustrations are fun and help complete the story. Book #4 in a series, it stood alone, but I would think a richer reading experience would be had if read in order. While not stated in the book, Bat appears to be neuro-divergent. 

Lisa Librarian 

Sibylline by Melissa De La Cruz - NO

Sibylline by Melissa De La Cruz, 290 pages. Putnam (Penguin), 2026. $21

Language: R (25+ swears, 4 ‘f'); Mature Content: NC-17 (Sexually explict content); Violence: PG-13 murder mentioned, body discovered and described. Dark, magical being slashes/kills. Dead bodies, blood, and peril involving blood and nearly-dead/tortured bodies.

BUYING ADVISORY: NOT RECOMMENDED

18yo Raven, Atticus, and Dorian (best friends for years) have just graduated from high school and are meeting to open their acceptance letters from “Sibylline,” a university for magic users.  None of them are accepted, so they decide to get jobs on campus and learn magic secretly.  Relationship tensions develop as the three friends’ love triangle is established: Raven has a crush on Atticus, Atticus has deep feelings for Dorian, and Dorian loves Raven.  Successful in obtaining jobs at Sibylline, each works in a different department on campus.  They quickly prove themselves useful to  their professors, find themselves actively engaged in the university’s politics, mysteries, and conspiracies, learning and practicing magic, and eventually work together to save Sibylline and their “love.”

Although the book’s premise is strong–three friends stick together to overcome personal & academic obstacles - the near-instant focus on the three’s unrequited love interrupts the plot.  Like someone with a bad case of loud hiccups in a library, the angst quickly becomes annoying, then–realizing that she’s written herself into a hackneyed bed of bad romance, the author descends into explicit language and sexual content in an effort to show that the characters really, really “love” each other.  This distracts from an engaging story line that leads the characters through peril as they navigate the mystery of Sibylline.  Additionally, as one character is written with a “potty-mouth,” the profanity is unnecessary and undermines the author’s credibility to tell a story with vivid and descriptive language, and paints the character with a bleak thuggishness.

Clarissa “Raven” Chen: Female, Asian-American; Atticus “Finch” Garcia: Gay, Male, African-American/Latino; Dorian Winthrop: Male, Caucasian American

James Hirst, Herriman High School, 10th ELA & CE English

Asterwood by Jacquelyn Stolos - OPTIONAL

Asterwood by Jacquelyn Stolos, 259 pages. Delacorte (Random), 2025. $18

Language: G (0 swears,  0 ‘f’); Mature Content: g; Violence: PG (cannibals and eating mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

10yo Maddie loves her life with her single father, even though she misses growing up without a mother.  Then one day in the woods Maddie encounters Calle, who is from the other side of the Glimmer. There she finds that she and her family are well known, but the children she falls in with, the New Hopefuls, are skeptical about what Maddie can actually do to help them save the Violet Aspens, which are the life force of their realm, from the greed of the Tree Eaters, who harvest the roots of the aspens in ever growing quantities. 

Add in a group of cannibals, who get their strength from eating the flesh of children, and you have a mess, which this book is. Maddie flits from danger to danger in a world that has a confusing structure. It would be a much better book without the cannibals. The environmental messaging is clunky.

Calle uses they/them pronouns; the characters cue white

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

White House Secrets: Medical Lies and Cover-Ups by Gail Jarrow - ADVISABLE

White House Secrets: Medical Lies and Cover-Ups (Medical Fiascos) by Gail Jarrow,  288 pages. NON-FICTION Astra, 2025. $25.

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (descriptions of surgeries, injuries, and illnesses, also, an assassination attempt and assassinations)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

If the President of the United States is sick, injured or dying, does the American Public have a right to know? Many of the people surrounding the President get to decide what information is told to the press, and it's not always accurate or even truthful. What will other countries think if our President is incapacitated? Through the stories of 9 American presidents, including Grover Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson, Ronald Reagan, and John Kennedy, we learn about cover-ups, misinformation, disinformation, and medical fiascos. 

Gail Jarrow is one of my favorite non-fiction authors. The first presidential story, about James Garfield's assassination, is also the subject of her book Ambushed, but told in a different way. Full of pictures, headlines, and mini bios of each president, including a chapter about who takes over, this well-researched non-fiction spills so much tea! Includes websites, source notes, a bibliography, and picture credits. I loved the author's note because she talks about her process. I'm sure adults will love it, and I think kids who like medical or political non-fiction will too. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Witch Who Stormed the Palace by Ryan Graudin - ADVISABLE

The Witch Who Stormed the Palace (Girl Who Kept the Castle #2) by Ryan Graudin, 335 pages. Quill Tree (Harper), 2025. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Faye has defeated the Shadow Queen’s attempt to destroy Castle Celurdur and free herself, but she is not guaranteed to become the new Witch of the West. Summoned to Retnec, the capital city where the four quadrants meet, Faye must undergo three challenges to prove her worth.  And she must undertake the challenges at the same time as three other candidates put forth by the other Wizards.  Adding to the melee - the Shadow Queen has a new plan to free herself and a willing confederate to help her plan.

I loved Faye’s first adventure and Graudin manages to keep up the interest with book #2. Old friends and new friends await. I did find it odd that one of the castles is called Ghibli, but none of the other names mean anything.

The characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Dragonborn by Struan Murray - ESSENTIAL

Dragonborn by Struan Murray, 320 pages. Dutton (Penguin), 2026. $20.

Language: G (0 swears, 0  ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (bullying, dragon fighting, battle)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12yo Alex feels suffocated by her overprotective mother - especially since her dad died in a violent storm. Then one day while in her favorite woods actual fire comes out of her mouth.  Soon Alex is swept off to the remote island of Skralla, a hidden haven for young dragons to learn how to use their powers. Alex is having a hard time learning to shift from her human form to her dragon form and she is also still mourning her dad.  When she hears about a special artifact, the Phylactery, which can help find the spirits of any dragon, she pursues it, even knowing that it is also a possible tool for Drak Midna, the evil dragon who has existed for centuries and who has no need for humankind.

Murray sets up the tension so well. He manages to keep the myriad of surprises well-hidden, but logical. I also became so frustrated with Alex’s inability to change forms, so he was great at engaging my emotions. THe only thing I don’t understand is his use of “phylactery” as the name of the artifact - seems an odd use of a Jewish religious word. Other than that, though - loved it. Gorgeous end papers also.

The characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory - ADVISABLE

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory, 320 pages. Hyperion Avenue, 2022. $16

Language: R (85 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (alludes to sex); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

25yo Isabelle takes a leap of faith when her boss is wrestling with getting a memoir out of a high profile client.  She is quickly on her way to California to meet with Beau, the handsome, but very grumpy author. Izzy inserts herself into the author’s reclusive life and together they work out ways to get Beau to do the work - and as he confronts the hard parts of his life, the sparks between Izzy and Beau also start to fly.

The references to Beauty and the Beast are nicely subtle, but still there for someone looking for a modern take on a fairy tale. While the characters are older, and sex is alluded to, everything is off page. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Alkrem by Marta Palazzesi - ADVISABLE

Alkrem by Marta Palazzesi, 372 pages. Red Comet, 2025. $19 

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 f); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Negato beast attacks) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Theo has been raised for twelve years as the adopted son of respected Alchemist Brenock Chimius. At midnight on his 13th birthday, his Mutolo shows up, a fierce Fire Fox, which means that Theo is not an Alchemist, but an Alkrem. The Alkrem are persecuted and hunted by the Archemists. Theo and his father attempt to flee, but only Theo makes it to safety. Theo's father is wounded and taken prisoner, and the only thing that might save him is a mysterious weapon that has incredible power, including the ability to heal. Theo is desperate to find this weapon to save the only family he knows. Suddenly he finds himself thrust into a world of power, conflicts, magic, and secrets. 

I was drawn in by Theo's mysterious past and his desperate attempt to save his father. The world building is solid, but not overwhelming, and the size makes it readable. The story wraps up well after one book, though there is another one coming, which I am down for. There is plenty of action, which is nicely paced, and there is sufficient tension to keep the reader hooked. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Red Bird Danced by Dawn Quigley - OPTIONAL

Red Bird Danced by Dawn Quigley, 166 pages. NOVEL IN VERSEHarperCollins, 2024. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (mention of #MMIW - missing and murdered indigenous women) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

11yo Ariel and her 13yo neighbor Tomah are Ojibwah children living in an inner-city tribal housing project. Tomah is in Ariel's class - he struggles with reading and has been held back. Ariel loves ballet - she was inspired to dance by a beloved aunt. Ariel's Aunt has recently disappeared, so, Ariel chooses as her school project to learn more about #MMIW. 

What a heavy topic for an elementary read! The content is perfectly age-appropriate, and the author's notes indicate that there are currently over 500 missing and murdered indigenous women, so, many indigenous children must be experiencing this crisis. Written in verse, the text isn't sad, it's hopeful. I liked this tender book, especially the author's notes, which tell children that they are strong and to have hope. The community is Ojibwa 

Lisa Librarian 

The Story of My Anger by Jasminne Mendez - OPTIONAL

The Story of My Anger by Jasminne Mendez, 328 pages. Dial (Penguin), 2025. $20. 

Language: R (34 swears 13 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (girl fight) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

High school junior Yulieta wants to be the first black girl at her school to get a lead in her school play. She's been practicing all summer with her best friend Aleeya - the two make up the only black girls in the drama club. But when the cast list for Our Town is posted, the part is given to someone else, and Yuli is angry. When she asks her teacher, Mrs. Hoffman says "Lana was a better fit, you were not quite right for the part". Yuli knows that means "You aren't white enough." In the meantime, her favorite teacher Mr. G is in trouble with the school board - a parent group doesn't like his Ethnic Studies class and gets all the books he uses removed from his classroom. One of them is the play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf" by Ntozake Shange. This was the first play Yuli could identify with, the first time she saw a cast of people who looked like her. Yuli is mad, and is ready to organize a protest. 

Racism, book bans, guerilla theater, a Texas high school and Our Town. This novel in verse should be so much more complicated than it is, but I found it to be an engaging read with good poetry and a timely message. I loved the sprinkling of Spanish throughout, her text interactions with her college age brother (also an activist) and the slow reveal of her mother's story.  This would be a great book to teach to the right class. Yuli is Afro-Dominican. 

Lisa Librarian