Omnibird: An Avian Investigator's Handbook by Giselle Clarkson - ESSENTIAL

Omnibird: An Avian Investigator's Handbook by Giselle Clarkson, 96 pages. NON-FICTION. Gecko Press, 2025. $25. 9798765670514

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Birds come in all shapes and sizes and are warm blooded vertebrates. All birds have beaks, feathers, and lay eggs. You can recognize the different specie by their wings shapes, beak shapes, feather colors, and whether they have combs, caruncles, spurs, or talons. Many bird names come from a description of feather areas such as a yellow-crowned parakeet. You can recognize the different specie by their wings shapes, beak shapes, feather colors, and whether they have combs, caruncles, spurs, and talons. Birds are good for many things, such as: singing, pollination, making eggs to eat, fertilizing, spreading seeds, cleaning up dead tissues, being food for other animals, and pets. Birds evolved to fit their environment such as growing log legs for walking in the water. People can learn to interact with birds in safe ways since some birds are prone to attack.

Although not a comprehensive book on birds, Clarkson wrote a book well fitted for the average person, including adults. The book covers most aspects of ornithology. In between pages of information, she inserts some comic relief such as “how to pick up a chicken”. The illustrations show the characteristics of different birds clear enough to distinguish groups in a species. Clarkson uses both common and scientific names for the birds to inform the reader.

MOMMAC 

The Endless Game by J.D. Amato and Sophie Morse - OPTIONAL

The Endless Game by J.D. Amato, art by Sophie Morse, 244 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Simon and Schuster, 2026. $25

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Fred Townsend has had to move a lot, so it's been hard for him to make friends. When he moves to Lakeside, Illinois, Fred finds that he has been inducted into a never-ending game of capture the flag that pits kids from the two opposing sides of town against each other. Though the stakes are high, Fred discovers that there might be something amazing about having teammates and friends.

The characters are in the 8-12 age range. The art is well done and makes the book easy to follow. The premise of a never ending steal the flag game is a little like an adult sanctioned "Lord of the Flies." Some of the kids make good kings, and others do not, and they are totally self-governed. Themes of friendship and fitting in, help. I was just hoping the town would come to its senses and become friends all-around. It's a fast read, and the ending leaves it open for a sequel. No culture or race is specified, but characters are depicted from various backgrounds.

Michelle in the Middle 

The Trouble with Leo by Michele Assarasakorn and Nathan Fairbairn - ADVISABLE

The Trouble with Leo (PAWS #5) by Michele Assarasakorn and Nathan Fairbairn, 172 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Putnam (Penguin), 2026. $13

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Gabby and the PAWS girls are doing well with their dog walking business. However, when Gabby refuses to let her former friend, Leo join the group, he decides to start his own dog walking business: SCAMPS. Gabby is incensed, and does everything she can to sabotage Leo and his friends' business. Both groups get drawn into a turf war that threatens both of their businesses.

The main characters range in age from 10-12 maybe. The illustrations are bright and colorful and easy to follow. Gabby is a flawed character who thinks she is always right, but readers can learn about listening and communicating from her. While there aren't a lot of surprises, the story will hook young readers, especially dog-lovers. No culture or race is specified, but the illustrations reflect various ethnic backgrounds.

Michelle in the Middle 

The Water You're Swimming In by Rachel Schwartz Fagan - OPTIONAL

The Water You're Swimming In by Rachel Schwartz Fagan, 186 pages. Orca, 2026. $15

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 f); Mature Content: PG (same sex attraction from two secondary characters); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Noah is an 8th grader whose life feels like it has fallen apart. His older brother, Jaime, has run away to Halifax, and it has torn his family apart. When Noah learns that the prize for an upcoming swimming competition is a trip to Halifax, he is sure that if he wins, he will be able to find his brother and bring him home.

This is fairly long for an Orca book. The plot is predictable, but kept me hooked. A good read for anyone who is experiencing family conflict or friendship issues. Danger: after reading this, you will want chocolate cake for breakfast. Culture or race isn't specified, but the characters live in Canada.

Michelle in the Middle 

Female Heroes of Greek Mythology by Megan Duvarney Forbes and Meel Tamphanon - OPTIONAL

Female Heroes of Greek Mythology by Megan Duvarney Forbes, illustrated by Meel Tamphanon, 214 pages. NON-FICTION Calisto Publishing, Sourcebooks, 2026. $17

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Fifty-one stories from Greek Mythology, featuring goddesses, warriors, thinkers, princesses, and even monsters. This is a beautiful and accessible reference book about the women in Greek mythology. There is a full-color illustration for each entry, and the colorful layout makes it engaging. This is an introductory book, so there isn't tons of detail. Readers may want to use this as a jumping-off point and do more research for entries they find the most fascinating.

Michelle in the Middle 

No Purchase Necessary by Maria Marianayagam - ESSENTIAL

No Purchase Necessary by Maria Marianayagam, 256 pages. HarperCollins, 2025. $19

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Bullying, fight which draws blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

13yo Ajay is a very good student. Ajay's parents have very high expectations and the family has many rules, including As only, no friends, and school comes first. But when Jacob a popular boy who bullies AJ asks him to steal a candy bar from the convenience store, Ajay hopes Jacob will finally stop bothering him and others will think he's cool if he does. When the stolen candy bar is not accepted by Jacob, and Ajay opens it to find he's won the grand prize, a million dollars, Ajay is morally conflicted and, for the first time, lies to his parents. Ajay is always striving to be the best, the best son, the best brother, the best student - it's a lot of pressure.

I loved No Purchase Necessary. A wonderful coming-of-age story with some poor choices mixed in. I couldn't put it down. The premise - what if you won a million dollars and couldn't claim it or even tell anyone - was original, and the story was heartfelt.

Ajay's parents are immigrants from Sri Lanka, he and his sister are first-generation Americans

Lisa Librarian 

Little o Wanted to Know by Rhea Sarason and Barroux - OPTIONAL

Little o Wanted to Know by Rhea Sarason and Barroux, 112 pages. HarperCollins Children's Books, 2026. $14. 9780063446199

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Lowercase o is so tired of always being in between n and p in the alphabet. She decides to escape and go off on her own. She meets shapes and numbers but still feels like she is too much or not enough. Will Little o ever learn to be ok with who she is?

Little o Wanted to Know is a rhyming story about self esteem. However, Little o Wanted to Know has a great message that is important for kids today. I just wonder if the length will deter students from checking it out because it looks like a picture book.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel by Michael Rex - ADVISABLE

The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel (Ready to Read, Level One) by Michael Rex.EARLY READER. Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19. 9781665962100

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

The tunneler tunnels in the tunnel to the gardener who gardens in the garden and the farmer who farms on the farm. The penguin tunneler keeps tunneling and leaving notes for a surprise ending.

The text is repetitive and full of alliteration which will appeal to early readers. The illustrations have some surprises hidden in the dirt. And, who doesn't love penguins doing human things? The characters are all penguins. 

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

The Girl Who Couldn't Lie by Radhika Sanghani - ADVISABLE

The Girl Who Couldn't Lie by Radhika Sanghani, 338 pages. Carolrhoda Books (Lerner), 2024. $20 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Priya has a lot on her mind. Her parents are constantly fighting, she's being bullied at school, and the demands of competitive gymnastics leave little time for anything else. Determined to convince everyone that she's fine, Priya lies to her parents about school, hides the problems at home from her friends, and pretends to her coach that she's fully committed to the sport. The one person she could always be honest with was her grandmother—but she passed away a year ago. When Priya puts on a bangle left to her by her grandmother, she discovers that she can no longer tell a lie. Sometimes the truth is embarrassing, and sometimes it gets her into trouble. As Priya navigates the challenges of family, friendship, and gymnastics, she must learn that honesty is about more than simply telling the truth—it's also about being honest with herself while finding ways to care for the people she loves.

I appreciated the book's message about the importance of truth and learning how to share it in ways that are honest without unnecessarily hurting others. Navigating honesty in relationships is an important skill, and Priya's journey highlights both the challenges and rewards of being truthful. Her inability to lie leads to several funny and relatable situations that add humor to the story. While I enjoyed the characters and themes, Priya and her friends sometimes handled complex situations at home and school with a level of maturity that felt a bit beyond what most 12-year-olds would realistically demonstrate. Priya is Indian, Mei is Chinese and LGBTQ+ and Sami is Jewish.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

The Last Dragon House by Liv Mae Morris, - OPTIONAL

The Last Dragon House by Liv Mae Morris, 336 pages. Amulet Books, 2026. $20

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Dragons have been driven almost to extinction, except for the few who find a safe place in the Dragon House. Olly was looking for a job that wasn’t in the local factory, and instead finds himself working for Dr. Lady Abernathy at the house. When Dr. Lady is poisoned, Olly has to take off ona desperate journey to save her.

While the book was a lot of fun to read, I didn't like all of the different forms and kinds of dragons that Morris creates - like the magical creatures we know aren’t good enough, they all actually have to be dragons. The edition the publisher sent to me has beautiful sprayed edges.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

The Destiny of the Diamond Princess by Sherri Winston - OPTIONAL

The Destiny of the Diamond Princess by Sherri Winston, 240 pages. Bloomsbury, 2026. $19

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Zahara-Grace has always known that she’s adopted. For her 12yo birthday, her mother and G-Pop give her a DNA kit. Surprise! She is the granddaughter of the king of a small African nation, Maliwanda. As Zahara-Grace reunites with her former best friend Persephone, she is also excited about a Maliwand exhibit that includes a rare diamond, the Tear of Amun. Someone has dire plans for Zahara-Grace, however, plans that involve an ancient curse.

I found the villain in the story to be fairly obvious. Even accounting for the young age of the intended readers, I don’t find it compelling. Our young readers probably have not read The Princess Diaries nor seen the movies, so that easy comparison won’t interfere with their enjoyment.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School by Jacky Davis and David Soman - ADVISABLE

Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School (Ready to Read, level one) by Jacky Davis and David Soman. EARLY READER. Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19. 9781665947978

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Elvis and Romeo are back, and it's their first day of dog school! The playful Romeo already knows how to "stay," but is nervous about learning how to catch a ball. Now, it's up to Elvis to help his young friend learn something new. This is a great addition to the original Elvis and Romeo picture book. The text is a mix of speech bubbles and traditional narration. I wish there was a bit more of the dogs' fun personalities, but that would be hard to do with a low-level early reader.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

The Magic of Someday Soon by Michelle Lee -ADVISABLE

The Magic of Someday Soon by Michelle Lee, 288 pages. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan), 2026. $19

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Zoey and her mother have been traveling the country for eight years, since her father died, watching her mom, The Upcycle Magician, create sculptures from recycled pieces. Zoey has contrived a can’t-pass-it-up job for Mom, which takes them back to her Dad’s hometown, to the grandmother she doesn’t remember. 12yo Teddy meanwhile, is desperate to save her great grandparents’ Fossil Garden, a neglected sculpture garden. Both girls are looking for belonging and closure and they need each other.

The magic in the title is not really literal, though there is a slight touch of wonder. Teddy and Zoey are a good support for each other.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

The Loss of the Burying Ground by J Anderson Coats - OPTIONAL

The Loss of the Burying Ground by J Anderson Coats, 288 pages. Candlewick, 2024. $19

Language: PG (24 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

When the Burying Ground ship goes down, so do the hopes of two nations to forge peace. The only survivors are Vivienne, the lady’s maid to the princess of Ariminthia, and Cora, the daughter of a reporter who was randomly picked to join the voyage. When the two girls discover each other, sparks fly and they reluctantly work together when pirates are attracted by Cora’s signals, instead of the rescue she was hoping for.

There are more complications in the narrative, but I don’t want to give too much away. Suffice it to say the best parts of the book are when the girls are on the island, not caught up in the political drama on land. Looks to be the first in a series, as we are left hanging. I am mystified by the name of the boat - I found it off-putting.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Steve L. McEvil and the Twisted Sister by Lucas Turnbloom - ADVISABLE

Steve L. McEvil and the Twisted Sister (Steve L. McEvil #3) by Lucas Turnbloom. 237 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Crown Books (Random House), 2025. $15

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Some fantasy violence, mild fighting, name calling)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE; MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Steve and his friends are trapped on an alien planet with no portal to get back to Earth. Now, it's up to his sister, Eve and Gramps to rescue them. Will Eve, her cat Mrs. Cuddles, and Gramps be able to build another portal and rescue Steve and his crew? Will Steve and his friends find a way to rescue themselves and save a planet from the evil Perses before Perses finds a way to destroy Earth?

This book would have made more sense if I'd have read the previous two books. I didn't love it, but I'm not the intended audience. Middle grade readers who love funny sci-fi graphic novels will enjoy this series. To me, it read like a Cartoon Network show.

Steve and his family are white; Steve's friends are illustrated with various skin tones

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene by Corey Anne Hadu - OPTIONAL

The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene by Corey Anne Hadu, 336 pages. $20

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

About to turn 12yo, Denny is being dropped by her former best friend, Runa, with whom she spent years creating the magical, fictional world of Sorrowfield. Auden is the princess of Sorrowfield, about to turn 12yo. Her parents and sister were stolen by dragons and when she does turn 12yo, the whole kingdom depends on her to defeat the dragons and make things right and safe. When the two girls exchange lives and lands, they each learn strengths they never had.

Both girls are in situations where they are being manipulated by more than one person. Denny’s parents treat her like the adult, with her dad burdening her with her mom’s alcoholism. Auden is isolated by her guardian and his daughter. It was fine. For over 300 pages, I didn’t feel invested.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Medicine Wheels by Byron Groves - OPTIONAL

Medicine Wheels by Byron Groves, 352 pages. HarperCollins, 2026. $20

Language: R (200+ swears, 90 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kissing, teen drinking); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

After 15yo Bryce’s mom walks out on her abusive boyfriend and she then gets arrested for breaking probation, Bryce finds himself back on the Ojibwe Wolf Creek Reservation living with his grandmother. It's been a few years since he was back to a place he considers home. He picks up his dad’s old skateboard and reconnects with old friends. As he struggles to find his own path, he finds solace in riding the board and learning new tricks as he works towards a skate competition with a prize purse that could really help his family and his self esteem.

Groves packs a lot of storylines and problems into Bryce’s summer. I appreciated a modern look into rez life - it felt real in a way most Native stories haven’t felt for me before.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Last Day Pool Party by Emma Steinkellner - ADVISABLE

Last Day Pool Party by Emma Steinkellner, 170 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Labyrinth Road, 2026. $22

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

It's the day of 8th grade graduation. Dustin is throwing a pool part that he is pretty sure nobody wants to come to. Rose just wants to make a friend before she starts high school. Juhi has to tell her best friend, Liv that she is moving to London in three weeks. Maya, the popular girl, is being forced to go to Dustin's party when she'd really rather be with her friends. And Paul, Maya's cousin, is just along for the ride; he'd rather be gaming with his online friends. When all the characters come together at Dustin's house, will they be able to put aside their differences and see that what they really need is each other?

I love realistic middle-grade graphic novels, and this was no exception. Pre-teens will relate to the struggles each of the characters face. I liked that the characters each had their own arc, and each learned how to be a friend. This would be great for upper elementary and middle school. Dustin and Liv are white; Paul, Maya, Rose, and Juhi are BIPOC. Characters have diverse body types and families (Maya has a single mom and Rose has two moms).

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Rising Thunder by Neal Shusterman - ESSENTIAL

Rising Thunder (Scythe prequel, First Blades #1) by Neal Shusterman, 560 pages. Simon and Schuster, DECEMBER 2026. $25

Language: PG-13 (55 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (deaths mentioned, some bloody)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Who created Thunderhead? Who were the first Scythes and why did they start their gruesome business? How did humankind create immortality?

Welcome back to the beginnings of the world of Scythes where you will find as many questions as you do answers and love every minute of it. Shusterman crafts interesting, complicated, and thoughtful narratives and he does not disappoint as he unveils the first scythes and how they “got the job”. I can’t wait for others to read this so that I have people to talk to about it!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

The Romance Rewind by Sarah Everett - OPTIONAL

The Romance Rewind by Sarah Everett, 304 pages. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books (Penguin Random House), 2026. $13.

Language: R (120 swears, 24 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (alcohol use including underage drinking, kissing, innuendo, and mentions of drugs and sex); Violence: PG (assault and mentions of murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When Jason (18yo) takes Zadie (18yo) out to dinner for their one-year anniversary, she is expecting a promise—not a break up. To make matters worse, they get into a car accident on the drive home that leaves Jason in a coma before he can explain what she did wrong! Now Zadie has more questions than ever and little idea how to find the answers in her past.

Struggling under the weight of the expectations of those around her, Zadie has a difficult time knowing herself, her wants, her loves. It takes a drastic change for her to step back and gain a new perspective—admitting that she was right about some things and wrong about others. Goals and working hard to become your best self are good things to do in life, but making sure that you love fully—familially, platonically, and/or romantically—are great things. Zadie is Black, and Jason is White.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson