The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker - OPTIONAL

The Keeper of Night (The Keeper of Night #1) by Kylie Lee Baker, 393 pages. Inkyard Press, 2021. $17.

Language: PG (5 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: R

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Reapers serve Death by collecting and delivering human souls at their death—but Ren is only half-Reaper. Ren’s mother was a Shinigami from Japan, and Ren’s less than ideal pedigree has made her a target for Reapers for centuries. When it gets bad enough that Ren has to flee for her life, her half-brother, Neven, leaves with her to go to the only place Ren might belong: Japan.

The various mythology around death, and especially for Japanese monsters, was fascinating as Baker introduced Ren and readers to dark planes that are parallel to ours. Ren faces a hundred difficult decisions as she struggles with who she has been and who she wants to be, which makes a mess of who she is. The ending was not at all what I expected, and I’m interested to see where the sequels takes us.

Ren is British-Japanese, Neven is British, and Hiro is Japanese. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, prostitution, and nudity; kissing; innuendo; and scary elements. The violence rating is for corpses, death, assault, murder, fantasy violence, and persistent blood and gore.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Peruvian Express by Tom Phillips - ADVISABLE

The Peruvian Express (The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves Book 3) by Tom Phillips, 368 pages. Middle Grade Pixel + Ink, 2024. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISOR: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

John Boarhog has found himself stranded in the mountains of Peru following the crash of a luxury airship. He has been separated from his guardian, Toadius McGee. Desperate to find him, 12 yo John battles through the rainforest only to discover the Peruvian Express-an amazing train hauling gold and it's enigmatic owner, Oro del Rey, who offers John and his friends passage to their destination. John soon finds he doesn't know who to trust or believe as he searches not only for Toadius but a mysterious Object of Doom. 

Fast paced with likable (and fairly odd) characters, readers will be trying to figure out the mystery along with John. There were some great twists and turns. While this resolved itself satisfactorily, there is still room for more adventures. Culture or race of main characters are unknown. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Valentina Salazar is Not a Monster Hunter by Zoraida Cordova - ESSENTIAL

Valentina Salazar is Not a Monster Hunter by Zoraida Cordova, 353 pages. Scholastic Press, 2022. $10. 9781339039534

Content: PG (Some fantasy violence but it is not described graphically)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Valentina Salazar's family are monster protectors.  Her family travels the country finding mythical creatures and sending them back to the world that they belong in.  After 10yo Valentina's father is killed during one of their missions, everything changes.  Her family tries to live a normal life and no longer works as monster protectors.  Valentina misses her father and her old life desperately.  Can she find a way to get her family to be monster protectors again?

This book was quite a page turner!  I really enjoyed the fast-paced story with plenty of action.  It reminded me of the Fablehaven series.  I will definitely be recommending this book to students at my school! Valentina and her family are Hispanic.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Into the Dark (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Claudia Gray - ADVISABLE

Into the Dark (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Claudia Gray, 425 pages. Lucasfilm Press (Disney), 2021. $12.

Language: PG13 (23 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Jedi Padawan Reath (17yo) is more of an academic than an adventurer, so, when Master Jora tells him that she’s taken an assignment at Starlight Beacon, he’s less than thrilled. Master Jora goes ahead, and Reath takes a later transport with several other Jedi—all of whom are hiding something. But when they get stuck in a random part of space on their journey, it’s hard to keep anything completely hidden from each other—and from themselves.

The Force can be used for good or evil, and, while all the Jedi are trying to be good, each Jedi has to find that balance of how to work with the Force personally. Not all Jedi can be adventurers, and not all can be academics, just as each of us are going to live our lives differently. Each of us can be good in our own ways and in our own spheres of influence. I love all these different perspectives that Gray gives as she switches points of view between different characters. Also, the battle scenes are as fun to read as they would be to watch in a movie.

Reath is depicted as White on the cover, Affie and Leox are described as having “tan” skin, Dez has “golden” skin, and Orla is “stark pale.” One side character is lesbian. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, illegal activity, drug use, and mentions of sex. The violence rating is for assault, battle scenes, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson - ADVISABLE

This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson, 400 pages. Roaring Brook (Macmillan), 2023. $10

Language: PG-13  (25 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content:PG-13 (implied sex, off page) ; Violence: PG-13 (bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

17yo Mikira secretly races her horse to earn money for her father and sisters and to save their business of raising strong racing horses. Rezek makes a bargain with her; if she wins the dangerous race coming up, he will leave her family in peace. 20yo Damien sponsors Mikira because he hates Rezek and will do almost anything to spite him. Damien hires 18yo Ari to create a racing horse golem that has speed, endurance, protective instincts and strength. It’s against the rules of the race to use an enchanted horse so they must keep the fact that the horse, Atara, is a magical golem a secret. The race is dangerous and everything is on the line for Mikira, Ari, and Damien.

Jewish mythology adds an interesting factor to the story. I like that Damien wants to help others even though he could use his money and power for anything he wants. Reid is unusual and I want to learn more about his background.

The ethnicity is a variety including dark, alabaster, olive, light brown, tawny, pale, brown, fair, deep bronze, and golden-skinned people.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

S.O.S. by Tom Phillips - ADVISABLE

S.O.S. (The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves Book 2) by Tom Phillips, 346 pages.Middle Grade Pixel + Ink, 2023. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

12 yo John Boarhog and his mentor board a luxury cruise liner airship to to intercept the criminal, Mauve Moth. In addition to trying to catch a criminal, John is also undergoing a trial to join the S.O.S. (Society of Sleuths). John falls in with some dubious teens who use social media for fame and there is a lot more than meets the eye happening on the airship. John will have to think fast to save the day and be a sleuth. 

John is on a grand adventure, albeit an unbelievable one. But if you can suspend belief over a mastermind monkey criminal, you are in for a fun ride. There are a lot of characters to remember, but they all have unique characteristics and the themes of friendship and belonging add to the story. What kid wouldn't want to solve a mystery on an airship? The culture or race of the main characters is unknown. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor by Aubrey Hartman - ADVISABLE

The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor by Aubrey Hartman, 320 pages. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2023. $17

Content: G (There is some bullying. Poppy is injured twice.)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

6th grader, Poppy moves with her family to Oregon because her parents have taken a job to restore a once grand manor house. Poppy has to start at a new school where she feels invisible. She takes solace in her favorite books. One night, while exploring the manor, Poppy frees a trapped water Nymph. She is excited to encounter real magic, just like in her books. In exchange for her favorite book, the water nymph grants Poppy a flying baby lion. Soon Poppy realizes that when she gave the book the nymph it erased its existence from everyone's memories. The nymph takes a new book each night so the lion can continue growing. Poppy must learn to find her voice, make new friends, stand up to bullies, and restore the stolen books to save her family.

I enjoyed this story of a shy girl learning to be courageous and strong and find her voice. I enjoyed the references to some of my favorite childhood books.

All of the characters are assumed to be white.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Adventures of Mary Jane by Hope Jahren - ADVISABLE

Adventures of Mary Jane by Hope Jahren, 423 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2024. $20.

Content:  (Being honest - it’s summer.  I didn’t keep track of any content issues and don’t remember anything being egregious or of note - I don’t have an ebook version, so I can’t search for any content)

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

When their trading post burns down again, Mary Jane, her mother, and her grandfather head south early for the summer.  When they arrive at Fort Snelling, 500 miles south, Mary Jane’s Ma has a letter from her sister, asking for help, so Ma decides to send Mary Jane farther south to Fort Edwards. Mary Jane’s journey is fraught with a roller coaster of bad deals and unexpected kindnesses - and things at her aunt’s home are a disaster. The mix of kindness and scoundrels continues - and Mary Jane uses her brains and wits to tackle each new challenge.

Adults who have read Huckleberry Finn and who love historical fiction will admire Mary Jane and enjoy the story. Mary Jane fleshed out reminds me of the most heroic of heroines.  The part where it crosses paths with Huck I found to be the least satisfying.  Because of its size and being historical fiction, I believe that only a handful of high school students will be attracted to it.  But, it will find its audience with older women who know and love their classics. On a personal note - I found the parts about historical antagonistic attitudes towards Mormons (being one myself) to be spot on, but tempered with Jahren showing the generosity those hated people showed to Mary Jane’s family when they were in dire need. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

All the Ways to Go by Jessie Janowitz - OPTIONAL

All the Ways to Go by Jessie Janowitz, 368 pages. Sourcebooks, 2024. $19

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Before he knew it, 12yo Milo, chess prodigy, has thrown his recent tournament and ruined his mother’s plans for him to attend chess camp this summer. Now Milo and mom are headed to New Jersey to spend the summer with Mom’s friend Neva and her free-range pre-teen Roxie.  The new summer camp Milo is at with Roxie is obviously for little kids.  Escaping outside, Milo is drawn to a pair of Go players - who reluctantly teach Milo and Roxie the game. This is the first time in a long while that Milo has been excited about a board game and soon the whole camp is drawn into playing - teaching Milo much about himself along the way.

Is there another novel about GO for children?  Do we need a novel about Go for children? I do see this as an alternative activity for kids who don’t want to play chess. Janowitz does a good job of weaving game theory into the narrative without being boring. And she brings out the mental and personality aspects as well. But will kids brag about this to each other? It will take selling to the right teacher as a class read aloud.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Code Name Kingfisher by Liz Kessler - ADVISABLE

Code Name Kingfisher by Liz Kessler, 322 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2023. $19.

Language: G (0 swears, 0  “f”); Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG (alludes to round ups and deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Present day - First middle schooler  Liv is abandoned and ridiculed by her best friend.  Then she is assigned a family history project - but her family consists of only four, and her grandmother refuses to talk about her history. Then as they are cleaning the attic, she finds a precious little box that supplies a few clues.  Amsterdam, 1942 - The Nazis are rounding up Jews, so 12yo Mila and 16yo Hannie are sent to live with a non-Jewish family near their former home in Amsterdam. Mila tries her best to acclimate to the new situation, but Hannie is angry and needs a way to fight back - even if it means putting her life in danger.

Having lived in the Netherlands, I am always interested in the topic.  I wish I had asked more questions while I was there.  But Kessler gives us another side of the Amsterdam story (bless Anne Frank, but she was not the only Jewish person in the city) and a powerful Holocaust story. I hope your school is also intrigued about the topic and interested in learning.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Riley’s Ghost by John David Anderson - OPTIONAL

Riley’s Ghost by John David Anderson, 384 pages. Walden Pond Press, 2023. $10 (paper)

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Riley and Emily aren’t friends anymore, but did Emily have to conspire with her new “cool” friends to look her into the science closet and leave her? Stuck in the school overnight, with no way out (the doors and windows won’t open and won’t break; phones are dead), Riley realizes that she is not alone. A mysterious presence has occupied a frog cadaver and they are not the only ghostly presence.  Riley must confront the ghosts and the ghosts of her own making before she can find a way out.

Anderson tries to weave a multi-dimensional plot into his story, but spends about 150 too many pages doing it. I am all for a more tightly plotted book.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Life After Whale by Lynn Brunelle and Jason Chin - ESSENTIAL

Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall by Lynn Brunelle, illustrated by Jason Chin. NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Neal Porter (Holiday House), 2024 $19. 9780823452286 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A blue whale leaves for nearly 100 years, but when it dies, it sinks to the bottom of the ocean and becomes an ecosystem of its own, feeding and providing for the sea life for another 100 years or more. 

Oh, Jason Chin's illustrations are gorgeous! Lynn Brunelle's text, which tells the story of 1 blue whale, is accessible, engaging, and just enough. There is occasional italicized text with more information as needed. Backmatter includes a bibliography, online sources and other books about whales. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale by Ben Miller - ESSENTIAL

The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale by Ben Miller, 240 pages. Children's Fiction Simon and Schuster, 2024. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, talk of eating children) 

BUYING ADVISORY:, EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

9yo Lana discovers a book of fairy tales in a new discount supermarket. Although the strange man who seems to manage the store tells her they are too scary for her, her mother buys the book and Lana hears the first part of the story of Sleeping Beauty. Her mother agrees that it is probably too scary, and takes away the book - so on her next trip to the store, Lana tries to find another, but instead the odd little man pushes her through a candy bin and Lana finds herself in the story of Sleeping Beauty. She also discovers that there is some real-world danger going on, and now must convince her 12yo brother Harrison to come back into the story with her, as there is a witch to defeat. 

I absolutely loved The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale. I listened to the audiobook as I read along and found the author's narration delightful. Ben Miller is an actor (he was in Bridgerton) and his reading is so entertaining. With just 22 chapters and lots of plot twists and turns, it would be a perfect bedtime read aloud, a great introduction to fairy tales or even an exciting independent read. Buying and recommending! The characters are British 

Lisa Librarian 

Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds - OPTIONAL

Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds, 242 pages. Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, Simon and Schuster, October 2024. $20. 

Language: R (34 swears 1 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 ( Descriptive making out, discussions of sex, references to genitals, bras and condoms, bragging boys etc.) Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

17yo Neon Benton has been with his girlfriend for 2 years. They've decided they are ready to have sex, but Neon's nerves get the best of him, and he ends up stressing out in the bathroom instead. Told in a series of flashbacks that run from seconds ago to hours, weeks, months, and years, back to the day they met, Neon is open about his plans with Aria (his girlfriend), his sister, his mother, his friends, and even his dad. 

This is an interesting example of what happens when the adults are willing to talk about sex (beyond the birds and the bees) and the teens feel supported and loved when they are making this important decision. A good read to open/foster discussions. Definitely about the feelings, thoughts and decisions to have sex. Mature content is not graphic but certainly implied. The characters are black. 

Lisa Librarian 

Hum by William David Thomas - ADVISABLE

Hum by William David Thomas, 199 pages. Charlesbridge, 2024. $18. 9781732213722

Content: G (danger, mild violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE; MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

11yo Allen’s nightmares have been occurring more frequently. In order to help him, his grandmother, who has been his guardian since  both of Allen’s parents died when he was six, decides they should move back to her hometown - hoping that Allen will be able to make some human connections. In that village, Allen finds Zach and Birdie, two new friends at school and an eccentric, but kind mentor in Max, a senior. Unfortunately, he also draws the ire of the town bully, who is not hesitant to punch when he is annoyed. When Allen goes to a local fair and meets a llama, memories come flooding back and Allen is sent immediately on a desperate flight into the high mountains to save the llama, whom he seems to remember from his early childhood, and to escape the bully and his brute of a father who are out for blood.

I know that any adult reading this will love it. The cover doesn’t reflect the anger and danger within the pages, so perhaps add this to a display of survival books to draw attention.  I would highly recommend reading it aloud to a class. The main character is a little young for some middle schools. The main characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Whales to the Rescue by Adrienne Mason and Kim Smith - ADVISABLE

Whales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer the Planet by Adrienne Mason, illustrated by Kim Smith. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2022. $19. 9781525305375

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

A fascinating, fact-filled book about how helpful and necessary whales are to planet Earth. Complete with a table of contents, glossary, and index, this book would be a fantastic resource for students doing research or students simply wanting to learn more about oceans, whales and ecosystems. The book is text heavy, making it perfect for upper elementary or middle school students, but has gorgeous, detailed illustrations that support the text and make the book enjoyable for younger children as well.

I learned quite a few facts that I didn't know before reading this book! There's a lot of text but the book is written in a simple-to-understand way and I never felt bored or anxious to be done with the book as I read. While I was a little squeamish reading the detailed bits about whale waste (did you know a fin whale pees 257 gallons a day!?), I'm confident that students will be utterly fascinated and morbidly delighted by the sections titled "Living on Sunshine" and "A Poop Pump".

Angie Campbell - EL Librarian

Bad Princesses Perfect Villains by Jennifer Torres - OPTIONAL

Bad Princesses Perfect Villains by Jennifer Torres, 166 pages. Scholastic, 2023. $8. 9781338833140

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Dalia and Dominga are not happy to be attending the Fine and Ancient Institute for the Royal (FAIR). They would rather be attending the Bewitched Academy for the Dreadful (BAD). After discussing and rejecting a few ideas, together they come up with a villainous scheme to ruin the first day of classes for their other classmates. They are certain the plan will get them kicked out of FAIR and admitted to BAD. Some things go according to plan and some do not.

Dalia and Dominga recognize right away that they do not fit in with the other princesses at the school. I am glad that they were able to find kindred spirits in each other. I like that that book has Spanish words sprinkled throughout. It is a fun story, with a simple plot perfect for kids just starting to get into chapter books.

The princesses are implied Latina.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Friend or UFO by Julie Buxbaum - OPTIONAL

Friend or UFO (The Area 51 Files: Book 3) by Julie Buxbaum, 268 pages. Children's Fiction Delacorte (Random House), 2024. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Middle schooler, Sky, calls Area 51 home because everyone she loves is there. Except one, her grandma. Sky gets a mysterious VHS tape where she discovers her grandma is a secret agent for the FBAI (Federal Bureau of Alien Investigations) and may have been kidnapped. Sky is beside herself and she and her friends will have to solve secret puzzles, codes, and find clues in Area 51 to rescue grandma. 

This is a fun read. Lots of emphasis on family, which is nice. Lots of puns and plays on words. The illustrations help the story along. This is like CSI for elementary kids and who wouldn't want to live with aliens and solve mysteries? Sky is of Indian descent and her friends are a wide variety of cultures and aliens.

Michelle in the Middle 

The Big Flush by Julie Buxbaum - OPTIONAL

The Big Flush (The Area 51 Files Book 2) by Julie Buxbaum, 252 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Delacorte (Random House), 2023. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Sky Patel-Baum's middle school is bizarre. She lives in Area 51 where there are aliens everywhere. Sky is learning to love her new home when it looks like it will be destroyed by space junk in the form of a giant toilet heading straight for her home, which could also take out all of Nevada. Sky and her friends race to figure out who on base is giving out coordinates to angry aliens before they are wiped out. 

 This book in the series is heavy on potty humor, especially when the town gets sprayed by human feces. Don't eat while reading this book. There are a lot of puns and it's nice to see people and aliens get along despite their differences. Nice themes of friendship and family. And fighting poop. Sky is of Indian descent and the other characters are a diverse collection of cultures and aliens. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Power Button: The First Invasion Zack Soto - OPTIONAL

Power Button: The First Invasion by Zack Soto, 202 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphic Universe (Lerner), 2023. $23.

Language: G (1 swear, 0 "F"); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Kaz Savage is 10yo when his 11yo cousin Truly is dropped off at his home in Oregon. Kaz uses a walking stick because he has a degenerative eye disease. The two of them stumble upon some space relics that summon a space knight, Trinn Cyclo, who must may be able to save earth from an invasion by a 15yo space alien who has family issues of his own. 

The art is done all in blues, purples, and greens, which seems to work with the story. The plot is fairly straightforward, though there is a strange uncle who is a cat. The robot space knight saves the day and will most likely be back in subsequent books. I liked that Kaz has a disability he copes well with. Kids will probably like it but I was hoping for more tension in the plot. Truly is black and Max is white. 

 Michelle in the Middle