The Drowning Game by Dusti Bowling - OPTIONAL

The Drowning Game by Dusti Bowling, 288 pages. Union Square, October 2026 $19

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (kissing; girls stop Christian from taking it further, teen alcohol use); Violence: PG13 (drownings off-page, description of dead body, talk of forensics, self harm, description of murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

It's the end of Christian's summer before his senior year, and his best friend James, invites him to come back to Arizona for a river rafting trip. When he gets there, he finds James has two other friends and a girlfriend there. Christian does not approve of the amount of alcohol the boys are consuming, and he gets on the river despite James "forgetting" to bring life jackets. When the inevitable happens, and Freya - the girlfriend drowns, the police rule it an accident and Christian returns to Minnesota. But he can't get Freya out of his mind, and the drowning becomes an obsession.

Usually Bowling's books are middle school appropriate; this one is solidly YA even though the content is mild (no swearing, no sex other than kissing) but James is a bad dude, and Christian is messed up by all of this and is making some really bad choices. About midway through the book, I didn't even like Christian anymore. The twists were unexpected, and the suspense was maintained, so it's a good mystery. I prefer her books for the younger readers, I guess. 

Christian is white.

Lisa Librarian 

The Cartoonist's Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud - ADVISABLE

The Cartoonist's Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud, 288 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Scholastic, 2025. $15

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Middle schoolers Makayla and Howard find a common interest. She likes making up stories, and he loves drawing pictures. Maybe they should start an afternoon Cartoonists Club! Lynda sits on the outside for a bit, she loves to draw but feels it's personal and worries it's not good enough, and Art joins too - he's clever and inventive - and his dad is an animator, so he has lots of good advice. The Librarian, Ms. Fatima, has some cartoon experience as well. This club has a lot to teach each other, about being brave, creative, and putting yourself and your art out there for others to enjoy as well.

Not your typical Reina Telgemeier graphic novel. It's definitely a how-to for someone wanting to try their hand at drawing or writing comics. I loved how supportive the kids were, and how the librarian didn't overreach, letting the kids learn from their own experience. I'm not sure the best place to shelve it - while it's a fictional story about a group of kids in an after-school activity, it's more a guide to drawing comics. The children and librarian are a mix of races and cultures.

Lisa Librarian 

The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin - ESSENTIAL

The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin, 400 pages. Penguin, 2024. $19

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, civilian war violence - bombs, injuries)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

It's 1940, and Germany's invasion of England is imminent. 14yo Lizzie is being evacuated by her grandmother to the United States, and she's not going. She evades her grandmother's agent and sets out to find her 19yo brother Collin. Their mother was working for the US embassy and is missing (and presumed dead) in Poland. Lizzie can't believe her mother is dead. There's no body, no one saw her die; she just disappeared. All Lizzie has is hope, and she's going to find out the truth. Collin is working in the town of Bletchley, and can't talk about what he does. He's a mathematician and has signed the Secrets Act. When Lizzie joins him, she signs the Act too. Now they are both very busy, trying to stop Hitler - and looking for clues to find out what happened to their mother.

These two powerhouse authors are the perfect team! Told in alternating chapters (more or less), the two teens' stories are exciting, suspenseful, and age-appropriate both for the characters and the intended readers. I know Historical Fiction is a hard sell, but I'll be recommending The Bletchley Riddle whenever it's back on the shelf. Collin and Lizzie are English; their mother is American.

Lisa Librarian 

Isabel in Bloom by Mae Respicio - ADVISABLE

Isabel in Bloom by Mae Respicio, 364 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE Random House, 2024. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

11yo Isabel has recently moved to California from the Philippines to finally live with her mother. To provide a better life, Isabel's mom has been working in the States for the last 6 years and sending money back to Isabel and her grandparents. When she left, her grandfather told her to look for things in America that are familiar, but even her mother is no longer familiar. Joining a cooking club at school and helping revive the school garden may be just the thing Isabel needs to finally feel at home and make some friends. 

Isabel is a darling girl with grit - her grandparents have prepared her well for her move to America, including a bottle full of the smell of home. While I enjoy novels in verse, sometimes they tell a story that lacks depth; I felt that with this one. There was so much I didn't know, relationships that could have been better developed with more text, particularly Isabel's relationship with her mother.

Lisa Librarian 

Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom by Allan Wolf - ADVISABLE

Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom by Allan Wolf, 522 pages. Candlewick, 2025. $19 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Junius Leak, who is almost 13yo, is being exiled to stay with his Uncle Spot on his rickety houseboat while his parents work on their marriage. Junius has a love-hate relationship with water: he is writing his own book about water bodies, but he is terrified of being in the water. Junius discovers that he comes from a long line of Junius Leaks, who are tied to pirate treasure, and that there are a lot of surprises in Delcambre, Louisiana, where he was born. Junius wants to learn why his mother left town when he was just a baby and how to overcome his fear of water, all before an impending real-life disaster waits in the wings.

The narrative alternates between Junius and the lake. The lake has a great voice and the story spans 100's of years, involving pirate treasure, family feuds, and a mysterious and cursed Siren's Flute. I loved this book. The only thing keeping it from an essential rating is its length. I didn't pick it up at first because it looked like a huge investment of my time. However, it was an investment I was happy to make once I got going. This a fictionalized story around the real-life bizarre lake disaster in 1980, where an entire lake disappeared. Junius is a great character who is highly sensitive and he is both likable and relatable. The writing style makes every character seem real, even the lake. Indeed, the lake makes a great metaphor for "the way life can stir us up, disorient us, and leave us forever changed." Readers will want to read Wolf's graphic novel, "The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur," for more of the facts behind the story. They make a great companion set. The culture is white with plenty of Creole thrown in.

Michelle in the Middle 

Good Boy by Andy Hirsch - ADVISABLE

Good Boy by Andy Hirsch, 206 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL First Second (Macmillan), 2025. $15

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Middle schooler Charlie is anxious. He was so worried about going to camp he threw up before he even got on the bus. So when his parent surprise him with a rescue dog, Charlie is determined to be more responsible and less worried about everything. Ralph is going to be his forever friend. When he follows Charlie to school, the main office secretary suggests he get involved with agility training. But Charlie listens to the voices in his head, he thinks he'll never be good enough.

A fun graphic novel for dog fans and the kids who need a confidence boost. The illustrations were marvelous!

Charlie is white.

Lisa Librarian 

What If You Fall for Me First? by G.F. Miller - ADVISABLE

What If You Fall for Me First? by G.F. Miller, 368 pages. Aladdin (Simon & Schuster), 2025. $10.

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (kissing, mentions of tampons and alcohol, and partial nudity); Violence: PG (mild assault)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Sofia (13yo) has been crushing on Mark for a year, but he hardly ever looks her way. Knowing she needs to change to get his attention, Sofia asks Holden for help to make her fierce. Holden agrees—on the condition that she won’t fall for him in the process.

While the secondhand middle school embarrassment is so real, I enjoyed reading Sofia’s story with all of its She’s All That vibes. Sofia and Holden both have difficulties with being themselves and finding the line between changing to fit in and changing to be better. The beautiful thing about their story is that becoming the best friend they can be to the other is what causes the most positive changes in their lives.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

An Illustrated Treasury of Dragon Tales by Theresa Breslin and Kate Leiper - OPTIONAL

An Illustrated Treasury of Dragon Tales by Theresa Breslin and Kate Leiper, 161 pages. Floris Books, 2025. $25. 9781782509103

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Not all dragons in folklore and mythology are evil, and not all are good. Some dragons look like serpents, and some can shapeshift. This book contains 10 diverse dragon stories from around the world. The stories come from China, Scotland, Egypt, Poland, Mexico, Norse and Greek mythology, Russia, Japan, and India.

I was a bit leery of this book to begin with. It is over 150 pages, and its reading level is very high. I read the first two stories with an 8-year-old dragon-obsessed girl, and while they held her attention, she was ready for a break from the overly-wordy folklore. As I read through the stories, I was reminded of my love for folklore and fairytales. The international stories were fascinating. So, it's not for everyone, and I can't see many young children reading it by themselves, but I did enjoy it.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Cocoon by Machiko Kyo - OPTIONAL

Cocoon by Machiko Kyo, 226 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. VIZ Media, 2026. $15.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (partial nudity and mentions of rape); Violence: PG13 (assault, gun and bomb use, war, corpses, suicide, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

When her father and brother go to join the fighting, San continues to go to class until she and her classmates are asked to become a nursing unit. San and the other girls are excited to do their part for the war, even though conditions in the cave where they are helping wounded soldiers are difficult. But the longer it goes on, the worse everything becomes.

Discussing war brings to mind distant battles and enemies, and it is easy to forget that war also impacts those who stay home and those who are teammates—or are supposed to be. San’s story highlights the heartbreaking effects of war on the young, with illustrations that manage to be ambiguous in form and still communicate the horrors the girls witness. While the information is interesting and the story is emotional, the ending felt abrupt, especially San’s change in the last chapter after all that she had experienced. The characters, including San, are Japanese.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Twice Enslaved: Liberty and Justice for Henrietta Wood by Selene Castrovilla and Erin K. Robinson - ESSENTIAL

Twice Enslaved: Liberty and Justice for Henrietta Wood by Selene Castrovilla and Erin K. Robinson. 80 pages. NON FICTION. Calkins Creek (Lerner), 2026. $20

Language: PG (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (Henrietta has a son, but doesn't reveal who the father is); Violence: PG-13 (slavery, vicious floggings, and describes her situation as being "in hell")

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

At the beginning of the novel, Henrietta Wood is 14. At the end of the story, she is 58 years old. This is a true story about Henrietta Wood's amazing life. She was born into slavery, eventually given freedom papers, and then kidnapped and sold back into slavery. On June 19, 1865, she was emancipated and was determined to seek justice. She sued the man who kidnapped her, Zebulon Ward. His lawyers stalled, but in the end, she was awarded $2,500 by an all white jury. This is still the "largest financial award granted by an American court as reparations for enslavement." 

I liked this because it was written in prose. It was extremely interesting and it showed how Henrietta didn't give up during very hard times of her life. It helps young readers understand how unfair and terrible slavery was. Henrietta Wood is African American.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Love Makes Mochi by Stefany Valentine - SEVERAL

Love Makes Mochi (Love in Translation #3) by Stefany Valentine, 320 pages. Penguin Random House, 2026. $13 Language: R (21 swears, 1 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (passionate kissing); Violence: PG (body shaming)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Lilyn Jeong has the opportunity to study abroad in Tokyo with a famed tailor, which will be just what her future college applications need. However, she almost loses her mentorship before it starts, is experiencing a creative slump, and must design a collection in 10 days. She needs to focus, and her mentor’s daughter Yua offers to help. But once she starts spending time with Yua, Lilyn finds herself falling for her even though Lilyn has sworn off summer flings.

Initially, I found Lilyn’s often critical character hard to like, but I warmed up to her as the story progressed and her character developed. The inclusion of Lilyn’s gothic and Japanese inspired fashion designs and Yua's tattoos are fun. The novel also tackles topics like self-doubt, taking chances, first-romances, and being yourself. While it is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel. A fun fashion-forward travel romance for upper middle school and high school students.

Lilyn and Yua are LGBTQ+. Lilyn is Japanese, Taiwanese, and Korean American. Yua is Japanese. 

Ms. Megan, HS Librarian 

Eva to the Max by Rebecca Caprara - ADVISABLE

Eva to the Max by Rebecca Caprara, 400 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE. Dial Books (Penguin), 2026. $10

(pb).

Language: G (0 swears, 0 "f"); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Some intense motocross racing accidents, realistic physical injuries like chipped teeth)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Motocross is everything to 12yo Evelyn Rae (known on the track as "Eva Knievel"). She

loves the thrill of competition and pushing herself to get better and faster. But after

some bullying at her old school, Eva is determined to keep her passion completely hidden

from her new classmates. Her father, a former racer who now uses a wheelchair

due to a stunt accident, helps her train, but the sport is draining her family's tight budget,

and her mom disapproves of her racing. When a reckless mistake wrecks her bike

and threatens her shot at qualifying for the AMA National Championship, Eva has to

face the steep physical and financial costs of her dream. Making matters more complicated,

a new girl named Cam arrives at school, threatening not only Eva's secret identity

but her spot on the podium.

Rebecca Caprara delivers a fast-paced novel-in-verse that captures the grit and intensity

of dirt bike racing. Eva’s fierce competitive drive and hot temper feel authentic to

the tween experience, and readers will empathize with her complicated relationship

with her mother, who is understandably terrified of her daughter getting injured.

The story does a great job of breaking down stereotypes about what it means to be a

"sporty girl" and handles themes of sportsmanship, economic privilege, and shifting

relationships without being overly preachy. While the book leans on a few familiar

tropes—such as the "secret passion" and the classic rivalry turning into teamwork—the

unique subject matter makes it stand out. There is a shortage of sports fiction specifically

highlighting female athletes, making this a good option, particularly for reluctant

readers drawn to high-speed action. An informative historical note about the real trailblazers

of women’s motocross is included at the back.

Eva and her family default white. Eva's father is a wheelchair user.

Reviewer: Heather Robinson, Elementary School Librarian

Amina Banana and the Formula for Making Money by Shifa Saltagi Safadi and Aaliya Jaleel - ESSENTIAL

Amina Banana and the Formula for Making Money (Amina Banana #3) by Shifa Saltagi Safadi and Aaliya Jaleel, 128 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin), 2026. $7 (pb)

 Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

3rd grader Amina and her family immigrated from Syria. Amina is quickly learning that her new home is very different than Syria. For example, America uses inches and pounds, while Syria uses centimeters and kilograms. Her parents are struggling to save enough money so that her mom can take an English test; the last step preventing her from practicing as a doctor in America. Amina decides to help out her family using some creative ways to earn money. Will her ideas work? Will she be able to save $500 for her mom to take the test? 

 I liked this plot because it integrated critical thinking skills as well as real world math situations. It helped show different cultural perspectives. Amina and her family face ignorance and bigotry from people working at a grocery store. It shows how her family deals with this and stands up to bullies. Amina and her family have immigrated to America from Syria.

 Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Amina Banana and the Formula for Fairness by Shifa Saltagi Safadi and Aaliya Jaleel - ESSENTIAL

Amina Banana and the Formula for Fairness (Amina Banana #4) by Shifa Saltagi Safadi and Aaliya Jaleel, 112 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin), 2026. $7 (pb). 

 Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Right now, many things seem unfair to 3rd grader Amina. The Science Fair has arrived at Amina's school. Unfortunately, she is partnered with Tara, not her friend Lana. Her grandmother has come all the way from Syria to visit, but gave a gift to Amina's brother, instead of her, that she had really wanted. She also has to miss playing with her friends during recess because she is working with a teacher to improve her English. Everything seems so unfair! Amina has to learn how to think of things differently. She might even make a new friend along the way. 

Safadi shows common struggles that young immigrant students face while they are adjusting to their new home. She does a good job showing problems from multiple perspectives. She also shares cultural food recipes at the back of the book that Amina makes during the novel. Amina and her family have immigrated to America from Syria.

 Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

What Happened to the Naked Mole Rat? (Class Pet Ghost Detective Case #1) by Akeem S. Roberts - ADVISABLE

What Happened to the Naked Mole Rat? (Class Pet Ghost Detective  Case #1) by Akeem S. Roberts, 123 pages. Kokila (Penguin), 2025 $10.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Everyone in Carter's third grade class takes turns taking their class pet, Mr. Pebbles, home for the weekend. This weekend it was Carter's turn. After the weekend, he brought Mr. Pebbles back to the school, but sadly Mr. Pebbles passed away shortly upon returning to school. Everyone blamed Carter, but he knew that Mr. Pebbles was alive when he dropped him off in the classroom. Oddly enough, Carter is able to talk to Mr. Pebbles' ghost, so they go around the school trying to clear Carter's name.

My 7 year old daughter really enjoyed this book. She liked the humor and the illustrations. This was an easy graphic novel for her to read and enjoy. She is looking forward to reading more in the series. Carter is African American.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

Milkshake The Disappearing Milk Snake (Class Pet Ghost Detective ) by Akeem S. Roberts - ADVISABLE

Milkshake The Disappearing Milk Snake (Class Pet Ghost Detective #2) by Akeem S. Roberts. 90 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL CHAPTER BOOK. Kokila (Penguin), 2026. $10. 9780593856727

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Carter, and his ghost detective Mr. Pebbles, have to solve another mystery at Creek Elementary. Milkshake, a milk snake has escaped! JJ, Carter's older brother, doesn't believe that Carter can speak to animal ghosts, but they must listen to the ghost for help. They look in classrooms, the cafeteria, and even the teacher's lounge. They must use clues to help them figure out where Milkshake has slithered off to. This is the second book in this graphic novel series.

My daughter, who is 7, really enjoyed this book. She thought that the characters were funny and loved the idea of a ghost animal as a character. She chose to read this on her own, and was able to read it in one sitting. I liked the illustrations and the mystery behind the disappearing snake. All characters in the graphic novel are African American.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

Justice Ketanji : The Story of US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson by Denise Lewis Patrick and Kim Holt - ADVISABLE

Justice Ketanji : The Story of US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson by Denise Lewis Patrick and Kim Holt. NON-FICTION BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Orchard Books (Scholastic), 2023. $19. 9781338885293

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Ketanji Brown Jackson grew up with the mantra, you can be anything; you can do anything. She carried that perseverance through her life as she applied for and attended Harvard, graduated from Harvard Law, became a US district judge, and eventually became the first Black woman to be a US Supreme Court Justice.  

I liked that the text was written on an elementary level and outlined her life and accomplishments without being overly complex. While it would probably not circulate a lot in a library, it would be a good addition to a picture book biography collection.  Justice Ketanji, her family, and many of her friends are Black

Rachel, Elementary school librarian 

Sometimes the Girl by Jennifer Mason-Black, - OPTIONAL

Sometimes the Girl by Jennifer Mason-Black, 294 pages. Carolrhoda Lab (Lerner), 2025. $20

Language: R (41 swears, 43 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (drug use, kissing, sex mentioned); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

18yo Holi is struggling to find her footing after the death of a friend, her brother’s suicide attempt, and a painful breakup with her girlfriend, Maya. Hoping to earn enough money for one last trip with Maya, Holi takes a job organizing the attic of Elsie McAllister, a reclusive author in her nineties who published only a single celebrated novel. As Holi sorts through decades of letters and forgotten artifacts, she discovers there was far more to Elsie than her carefully crafted public image. When one of Elsie’s children offers Holi $10,000 to find the missing original manuscript of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Holi becomes caught between money, loyalty, and larger questions about art, legacy, and ownership. In uncovering Elsie’s hidden history, Holi begins to understand herself differently, finding solace in nature, music, and the possibility of moving forward after loss.

A thoughtful and emotionally insightful novel about grief, creativity, and self-discovery. While I appreciated the writing and themes, the overuse of strong language detracted from the overall experience for me.

Holi is white

A. Snow, Librarian

If We Cannot Go at the Speed of Light by Kim Choyeop - OPTIONAL

If We Cannot Go at the Speed of Light by Kim Choyeop, 192 pages. SHORT STORIES. Saga Press (Simon & Schuster), 2026. $27.

Language: PG13 (14 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (drug use and mentions of alcohol and sex); Violence: PG13 (corpses, assault, and suicide)

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

In seven short stories, Kim visits the perspectives of the uncelebrated in futuristic space exploration. The main characters are those whose discoveries were overshadowed, those who were left behind, and those who don’t understand why these new fads are rooting themselves into society.

Not only are Kim’s scifi settings creative in new ways, she also fills her stories with characters that aren’t on the forefront of everything that is new and exciting. In these characters, readers can better see themselves in what the future may hold because these stories are about everyday people. Each story unfolds slowly. There is no quick action here. And in that space between reading and understanding, I have come to sit in awe of Kim’s beautiful imagination.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

The Reimagining of Thornwood House by Jaleigh Johnson - OPTIONAL

The Reimagining of Thornwood House by Jaleigh Johnson, 400 pages. Ace Books (Penguin Random House), 2026. $30.

Language: PG (10 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (alcohol use and kissing); Violence: PG (animal abuse and mild fantasy violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Attempting to escape her contract with the ECRA through a loophole is a desperate move, but Evelyn (25yo) can’t find any other way to make herself a more suitable candidate to adopt her ward, Ruby (11yo). Evelyn is allowed a short trial period to successfully bond with a sentient house and assume the responsibilities of caretaker for the house, the wood, and the village, or else she will have to return to the ECRA and Ruby will be taken from her. No pressure.

The magic system described by Evelyn is colorful and whimsical, and, while there is a little mystery and a little magical battle in the woods, the book’s overall feel is cozy fantasy. I expected the climax to include bigger conflicts from the antagonist and from the ECRA, but it’s more about trust and friendship than battling out good versus evil—or good versus bureaucracy.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson