Praying with the Enemy by Steven T. Collis - OPTIONAL

Praying with the Enemy by Steven T. Collis, 299 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2022. $27.

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (nudity and mentions of alcohol, drugs, prostitution, brothels, and rape); Violence: PG13 (assault, gun and bomb use, chemical warfare, battle scenes, blood and gore, and mentions of suicide)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Ward only has to perform 100 flights in the Korean War in order to go back home to his wife and new daughter, but he might never get to see them again after he’s forced to eject from his plane over enemy territory. Jae Pil was arrested in North Korea for refusing to give up his Christian faith and then forced to fight for them, but he hopes to reunite with his family and flee south. Desperate, these enemies have the same impossible goal: surviving escape.

The points of view shift not only between Ward and Jae Pil but also their antagonists and Ward’s wife Barbara, left home in America. Ward, Jae Pil, and Barbara share a faith, though their faith journeys look very different under these stresses. Based on a true story, these lives get tangled up in each other even across great distances, unaware of how their actions impact the others—and whether any of them will get a happy ending. Ward and Barbara are American, and Jae Pil is Korean.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

The World Entire: A True Story of an Extraordinary World War II Rescue by Elizabeth Brown and Melissa Castrillón - ADVISABLE

The World Entire: A True Story of an Extraordinary World War II Rescue by Elizabeth Brown and Melissa Castrillón.  NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Chronicle, 2025. $20. 9781452170985 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Aristides de Sousa Mendes was a Portuguese diplomat who saved thousands of people fleeing France during WWII. In less than a month, Mendes issued thousands of visas against his government's wishes, saving refugees fleeing the Nazis in France, and allowing them to enter into Portugal. 

The back matter gives more details including that his visas saved Salvador Dali, H.A. and Margret Rey - who created Curious George, and countless others whose lives are just as important, and that it came with a great price to his family who lost everything because of his actions - he knew it was worth it. This is a magnificent story - I had no idea! The picture book itself is a standard length for a non-fiction and would work as a read aloud in the classroom. Back matter includes and authors note, timeline, bibliography and source notes. 

Lisa Librarian  

Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple (Bibsy Cross #1) by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Dung Ho - ADVISABLE

Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple (Bibsy Cross #1) by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Dung Ho, 128 pages. Knopf (Random House), 2024. $17.

Content: G 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Bibsy Cross has loved all her teachers until now - but her 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Stumper, she doesn't love. Although Bibsy likes to share with the class, and is plenty smart, Mrs. Stumper calls it going on and Bibsy often finds herself driving the teacher to distraction. On the bulletin board is a tree with apples representing each student in the class, and when Bibsy has gone too far, her teacher moves Bibsy's apple from the tree to the ground.

Bibsy is adorable, Ho's illustrations perfectly accompany the story and make this short novel perfect for young confident readers. I love how Bibsy bounces back after a rough day, which seems to happen often. I'm sure Mrs. Stumper has the best of intentions, but Bibsy's spirit is easily crushed, and she sees herself a bad apple. Book one in a series of what looks like 4 so far. Bibsy is white. 

Lisa Librarian  

Song of the Yellow Dragon by Ying Ping Low - ESSENTIAL

Song of the Yellow Dragon by Ying Ping Low, 278 pages. Putnam (Penguin), 2026. $19 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (murder, attempted murder) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Two children, two wildly different dreams; and time is running out for both of them. Mengyao dreams of becoming a Divine Healer for her village. Young emperor Kai wants to find the fabled magic of the Dragon's Pulse to help him defeat his enemies. Thrust together, they must find their answers before their 13th birthdays, when children forget about magic and only remember it as make-believe. 

Beautifully written, this book effortlessly pulled me in with its Asian lore and magic. The two children are engaging characters who grow throughout the story. The interweaving of the magic of childhood and its inevitable loss, paired with the children's journey to hold on to that magic, was compelling. The culture shines through and the lesser characters are also interesting. This has all the elements of an old-fashioned, well-told fairytale. I loved it. 

Michelle in the Middle 

First Place (Sweet Valley Twins #8) by Francine Pascal, adapted by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Knack Whittle - ADVISABLE

First Place (Sweet Valley Twins #8) by Francine Pascal, adapted by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Knack Whittle, 220 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2026. $22 

Language: PG (11 swears, 0 f); Mature Content: PG (same sex attraction); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Elizabeth Wakefield will do anything to ride a horse, even befriend her sister's friend, and one of the snobbiest girls in school. Elizabeth soon finds out that she isn't being true to herself or those around her, and she may have to choose between a horse she has grown to love, or people she loves. 

Elizabeth and her twin sister, Jessica, play off each other well, showing off family dynamics and how to work through conflict. Horses and school intrigue - what's not to like? The story is good and has enough twists to keep it moving, and the art is bright and colorful. Fans of the series will not be disappointed. The twins are white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Fast Break by Anjali Joshi - OPTIONAL

Fast Break by Anjali Joshi, 144 pages. Orca, 2026. $11 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Arjun has just moved to a new school, hoping to make new friends and join the basketball team. His new school is sponsored by OmniBoost, which provides food in the cafeteria and energy drinks as well as  new gym equipment, uniforms, and tech. It seems wonderful at first, but then Arjun starts feeling ill and his teammates become sluggish. Arjun begins to research OmniBoost and discovers their energy boost claims may be false. 

A fast, if predictable read, this book will appeal to teens' sense of justice and their desire to be heard. Arjun is Indian and his friend, Demar, may be black, but it never specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Treehouse Trouble (Muk 'n' Honey #1) by Brett Bean - ADVISABLE

Treehouse Trouble (Muk 'n' Honey #1) by Brett Bean, 80 pages CHAPTER BOOK Penguin, 2025. $7 (paperback) 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Honey Bunny and Muk Muk Moose are inventors who like to help their friends. But with their newest invention, the triple decker hunger wrecker, cooking on the stove and the treehouse stairs collapsed, it's a race against time to invent a way to get up there. But friends keep coming by for help, and all they have to make inventions with is the rubble from the stairs. 

The illustrations are clever and advance the story, often showing what happened instead of the text explaining the consequences of Muk's and Honey's hijinks. A picture speaks 1000 words! Several twists and a great list of clues to help the reader think of an idea as well. A fun chapter book. 

Lisa Librarian  

Every Beat After by Sara B. Larson - OPTIONAL

Every Beat After by Sara B. Larson, 384 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2026. $19.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (mentions of drugs and alcohol, kissing, partial nudity, and innuendo); Violence: PG (medical emergencies and discussions of death)

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Olivia spent half of her senior year of high school hospitalized, waiting for someone else to die so that she could have a heart transplant. Seven years later, Olivia (25yo) enjoys her job with the family business and spends quality time with her friends, but Olivia is scared that she won’t find her person before her shortened lifespan ends. Then Hunter (28yo) moves in next door, and Olivia admits a new fear—what if she does?

A misunderstanding between the main characters is blown way out of proportion, giving the book an eyerolling beginning, though it is tolerable due to the characters’ backstories. I enjoyed watching Olivia and Hunter break down their walls and help each other to grow despite the pain caused by their heartbreaking experiences with life and death. And then my least favorite “heart transplant trope” came into play, which I didn’t think was going to be an issue from the initial description of the book. It was written as a big reveal, so I won’t say which one it is, but I wasn’t thrilled about it. However, while it includes tropes I don’t love, Larson wrote the story well, and I enjoyed the characters and their book overall—eyerolls and loud complaints to empty rooms notwithstanding. Olivia has Swedish heritage, and Hunter is described as “tan.”

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Do Not Go out at Night by Francois Gravel & Martine Latulippe - ADVISABLE

Do Not Go out at Night by Francois Gravel & Martine Latulippe, 85 pages. Orca, 2026. $13 

Language: G (1 swear, 0 f); Mature Content:  PG (child murderer); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

14yo Oliver and Maddy are inexplicably drawn to a construction site on their way to a party at night. They find a backpack with a tee shirt and compass before a security guard kicks them out. They find out they may have key evidence that could put their lives in danger. 

The layout, written in case file form, adds to the readability and suspense of the book. Orca books are good at getting right to the heart of a story and this one doesn't waste any time. The premise is interesting and even reluctant readers will be drawn in and able to finish. The characters default white

Michelle in the Middle 

Mrs. Orwell by Andrea Chalupa, illustrated by Brahm Revel - OPTIONAL

Mrs. Orwell by Andrea Chalupa, illustrated by Brahm Revel, 220 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, NON-FICTION 23rd Street Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2026. $30 

Language: PG (3 swears, 0 f); Mature Content: PG-13 (implied sex, smoking, drinking) Violence: R (beatings, executions, killings, war related violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Eileen Blair is a poet who meets and marries George Orwell. This story follows their relationship through the turbulent times they are involved in, such as the Spanish Civil War, escapes from Stalin's agents, and the London Blitz. Life is not easy for them, and while George is struggling to get published, Eileen is also struggling to hold on to herself in her life and marriage. 

The rating for kid appeal may be misleading, because 23rd Street publishes graphic novels for adults, not kids, however,  high schoolers reading George Orwell's books, may enjoy reading about Eileen and getting a sense of their backgrounds. I really liked learning about Eileen Blair. She sounds like a fascinating person, and after reading this book, I want to know more. There is a lot going on in this book, and it would help to have a historical background of the era. Orwell would have been hard to be married to, which makes her life even more interesting. The Orwells are European. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Firefox Moon by Eoin Colfer - OPTIONAL

Firefox Moon by Eoin Colfer, 354 pages.  Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2025. $20 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

13yo Juniper Lane is helping to protect a magical forest in the middle of London with her best friend, a flying reindeer. The forest is teeming with more magic than it should because of leftover magical poop. The magic has attracted a variety of magical creatures, some good and some evil, to try and find a mythical firefox that can grant a wish under the Blood Moon. Juniper has to try and protect the forest and perhaps all of Britain, when her reindeer is captured and evil threatens. 

This is the second adventure for Juniper Lane, so readers may want to read "Juniper's Christmas" first. Juniper is a resourceful character, and her relationship with her reindeer is sweet. While there was a lot of action, I had a hard time with poop from magical beings being the cause of so much mischief, but perhaps a younger audience will find that amusing. The Christmas elements seemed a bit out of place, though to be fair, this is set in the summer, not during the holidays. It's a fun story with lots of action, but could have been condensed. No culture or race is specified, but Juniper appears black in the artwork. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Boy, the Father and the Bear by Per Gustavsson and Eva Apelqvist - OPTIONAL

The Boy, the Father and the Bear by Per Gustavsson and Eva Apelqvist,  95 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Aldana Libros, 2026. 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A boy lives with his father in the woods, and they have a fun life fishing and practicing soccer together. But suddenly the father grows old (the boy does not age), and eventually the father is so old he has to stay in the house; roots grow from his feet, and he turns into a tree. When it rains, the boy escapes the flood by climbing the tree, and soon finds himself floating on the tree with a bear. 

Originally published in Swedish, this is an odd story. Divided into chapters, the boy's situation goes from bad to worse to weird. There's also a (kindly?) shark. I don't know how American children will take to it. I don't care to read it again. 

Lisa Librarian 

Fifth Grade Top Dogs (Rule the School #3) by Jerry Spinelli and Jennifer A Bell - ADVISABLE

Fifth Grade Top Dogs (Rule the School #3) by Jerry Spinelli and Jennifer A Bell. 179 pages. Scholastic Press, 2026. $1

Content: G (girl pushed off swing)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Suds has been a Third Grade Angel and a Fourth Grade Rat but finally he is a Fifth Grade Top Dog!  Suds and his friend Joey have been waiting for years to rule their elementary school.  They are finally in the oldest grade. But how do Top Dogs act?  Suds learns many lessons in this coming of age story. 

Spinelli captures the angst of growing up and trying to figure out your place in the world. I enjoyed the plot but I am not sure it would appeal to fifth graders, maybe 4th or 3rd. 

Suds and Joey are presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Everything Amplified by Sarah Lippett, Ziggy Hanaor. - OPTIONAL

Everything Amplified by Sarah Lippett, Ziggy Hanaor. 270 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Cicada Books, 2026. $26

Language: R (40 swears, 17 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (drinking, vaping, kissing, joke mentioning "vagina"); Violence: PG-13 (bullying, self-harm)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

15yo Nel feels overshadowed by her twin brother Ludo, but she finds comfort in her passion for music, her friend Kit, and her aunt Jan who plays in a band. Then, Ludo does something Nel hasn’t had the courage to: he forms a band. After an encounter with one of her bullies, Bea, and after Ludo gets in trouble, Nel starts hanging out with a new group of friends. Life seems to be going better, but being a teenager is filled with ups and downs and everything is amplified. 

I applaud this graphic novel for its authentic portrayal of being a teenager. Nel's character development is well-done, but I wish it explored Bea’s character arc more. Because it was originally published in the UK, some of the slang may be unfamiliar to readers, but it's easily understood in context. The $26 price tag makes it a spendy purchase; however, it may be worth it for some libraries serving older teens who enjoy graphic novels. A tale of teenage trials, being yourself, and finding comfort in music. 

Nel and Kit are LGBT+. Secondary characters and background characters are diverse. 

Ms. Megan, HS Librarian

Puddles and Potions by Kara Lareau and Ariane Moreira - ADVISABLE

Puddles and Potions (Witchycakes #3) by Kara Lareau and Ariane Moreira. 65 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Random House, 2026. $16

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

It is almost the Spring Festival.  Blue is helping her mother run their cafe and prepare for the festival.  Blue and her mother are able to use magic.  Blue sees a potion bottle that is labeled Perfect Potion.  Could this potion help her save the day?

Puddles & Potions is the third book in the Witchcakes series.  It would appeal to readers that have recently started reading chapter books.  The story is sweet with eye-catching illustrations.  There are illustrations on every page.

Blue is in the 3rd or 4th grade.; Blue and her mother are presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

The Skull by Jon Klassen - OPTIONAL

The Skull by Jon Klassen, 101 pages. Candlewick, 2023. $20. 9781536223361

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Otilla has run away and finds a grand castle in the forest which is occupied only by a skull.  The two enjoy their day, but when night falls, a skeleton comes in pursuit of the skull.  Otilla has an idea. 

Not quite a picture book, not quite a novel. While based on a traditional Tyrolean folktale, Klassen has given this his own spin, so it doesn’t really fit with folklore either. I would personally place this with the Halloween books as it is sufficiently creepy.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

In Case I Go Missing by R. N. Swann - OPTIONAL

In Case I Go Missing by R. N. Swann, 400 pages. Viking Books (Penguin Random House), 2026. $21.

Language: R (93 swears, 5 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (alcohol use including underage drinking, illegal activity, kissing, partial nudity, innuendo, and mentions of drugs and condoms); Violence: PG13 (assault, mentions of child abuse, blood and gore, gun use, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Thick as thieves since elementary school, Sarah, Sam, and Fenris are infamous around town. Sarah cares about the truth, and loyal Sam and Fenris help her to expose secrets regardless of the cost. But when Sarah goes missing, Fenris tries to fill Sarah’s shoes and discover what has happened to her best friend.

A convoluted mystery in the best way, Fenris and Sam have to untangle years of lies to figure out what happened. While this kind of mystery doesn’t give the reader enough information to make an educated guess at the culprit, the mess and suspense were still enjoyable to read.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Sheine Lende (a prequel to Elatsoe) by Darcy Little Badger - ADVUSABLE

Sheine Lende (a prequel to Elatsoe) by Darcy Little Badger, illustrated by Rovina Cai, 400 pages. Levine Querido, 2025. $20. 

Language: PG (17 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, injuries) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

17yo Shane is a member of the almost extinct Lipan Apache tribe. Her mother has a special talent for finding lost people, and Shane has special skills too, and she helps her mother when she can. When a brother and sister go missing in the woods, and then Shane's mother disappears, too, Shane may have to rely on her unpredictable grandfather to help her. It seems there's some fairy magic causing the trouble. Shane has inherited a gift for temporarily raising the dead, but so far she keeps it to small things, mostly bugs. She has a ghost dog who is excellent at tracking, and Shane's mother has taught her well. 

So many twists and turns, traditional Indigenous culture along with Fairy rings and ancient wizards with some modern science thrown in as well - I had no idea where it was going, but I loved where it took me. I have not read Elatsoe, but now I need to, as I would love to return to their world. What a great adventure. Illustrations were pencil and interesting, they weren't always obviously representing something from the following chapter, but I bet they do, I will certainly take another look. 

Lisa Librarian 

Who's Got the Best Medicine? (Survival of the Fittest #2) by Rebecca Donnelly and Misa Saburi, - ESSENTIAL

Who's Got the Best Medicine? (Survival of the Fittest #2) by Rebecca Donnelly and Misa Saburi, 112 pages. NON-FICTION GRAPHIC NOVEL. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2025. $17

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Animals and insects in this graphic novel compete in a game show to see who can present the best medical innovation based on their own anatomy.

The book is full of interesting animal and insect facts presented in a fun approachable way. I  found it to be very informative and creative in the way it presented information. The illustrations are also great. 

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

River of Spirits (The Underwild #1) by Shana Targosz - ESSENTIAL

River of Spirits (The Underwild #1) by Shana Targosz, 416 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2025. $19

Language: G (6 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, some fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Senka is the ward of Charon, the Ferryman of the Underworld. Together they live between the realms of the Living and the Dead, where Senka dreams of one day becoming an assistant Ferryer. She has memorized all of Charon’s Rules for guiding the recently deceased from the shores of the living to their final afterlife and follows them carefully. But when a living girl named Poppy arrives searching for her ghost brother and is accidentally swept into the river of the dead, Senka is forced to break the rules to save her. Together the girls journey through the Underworld in a desperate race against time. If a Living person remains there too long, they risk becoming trapped forever. As Senka and Poppy travel through the dangerous realm, they encounter demigods, monsters, and strange inhabitants of the underworld. Along the way, Senka begins uncovering secrets about her own existence and realizes that Charon may have been hiding the truth from her all along.

A story about the power of love and learning to accept the loss of those we care about, woven together with elements of Greek mythology. I really enjoyed this book. It was a grand adventure that was both exciting and emotional, and the writing drew me into the world of the Underworld and its characters.

Senka and Poppy present white.

A. Snow, Librarian