Fledgling (The Keeper's Records of Revolution #1) by S.K. Ali, - OPTIONAL

Fledgling (The Keeper's Records of Revolution #1) by S.K. Ali, 544 pages. Penguin Random House, 2024. $22.00

Language: PG (8 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing, off page sex); Violence: PG-13 (bride houses where women are sold to men, fighting, torture, murder, gruesome injuries)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

After the Great Catastrophe left only one safe zone on earth, the elite moved to a new city located above it fittingly named Upper Earth where technology continued to thrive and scalplinks linked everyone to the world’s knowledge. Those on Lower Earth struggled to survive, with the middle class living near The Bridge between the two. Tensions and strife exist between the levels. Raisa, who lives in Upper Earth and is the daughter of its ruler, is supposed to marry Leon, the Crown Prince of Lower Earth. As part of this celebration, all Lower Earth citizens will be scalplinked to bring in an era of supposed peace. On Lower Earth, 19yo twins Nada and Nayf were forcibly imprisoned after their grandmother, the past Lower Earth ruler, was murdered. Nada is part of a rebel group trying to keep Lower Earth free from the scalplinks that Upper Earth may use to program and control them.

Ali structures the novel as a historical record of what happened during the revolution which requires the reader to pay close attention to the narrative. I enjoyed the multiple points of view as they provide a rich character field that allows the reader to see how both sides view one another. This first part of a proposed dystopian duology is a strong example of character development and world-building, but the pacing felt off at times, and it was a bit challenging to follow. It contains some features common to the genre, including propaganda, underlying romance, and a promised savior of the Fledgling. Hand to fans of dystopian novels willing to put in some reading effort.

Raisa has brown skin. 

Ms Megan, High School Librarian

The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne by Sonya Ballantyne - OPTIONAL

The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne by Sonya Ballantyne, 60 pages.  GRAPHIC NOVEL, NON-FICTION Highwater Press. 2026. $21 

Language: R (11 swears, 3 "F") Mature Content: PG-13 (racism, bullying, questioning sexuality, depression, suicide ideation) Violence: PG (self harm) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A memoir covering Sonya's life from a small girl to college graduate, this book deals with a lot of difficult issues. Sonya has to navigate the racism and bullying at school as an indigenous girl, and faces mental issues as she navigates her life. 

The illustrations are bright and colorful and make the book look like it's written for elementary kids. However, Sonya's life is brutal at times, and the language and self-harm, make it more applicable to older kids. I appreciate that there is a number for the Hope and Wellness and Suicide hotlines at the front of the book. Sonya's story is authentic and genuine, but also very short. I would have liked to know more about her culture. Sonya is Cree. 

Michelle in the Middle

Three Queens by Rebecca Connolly - OPTIONAL

Three Queens by Rebecca Connolly, 336 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2026. $29.

Language: PG (6 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (kissing, mild innuendo, and mentions of alcohol and molestation); Violence: PG13 (discussions of riots and revolutions; mentions of assault, gun use, and murder; and blood and gore)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

While living in different circumstances in different countries, Abigail Adams, Queen Charlotte of Britain, and Queen Marie Antionette of France bond over their similarities. These women know what power looks like and how difficult it is to not have any when their lives threaten to crack and fall apart. Drawing strength from their unlikely sisterhood, they face their foes with great fortitude.

In Connolly’s author’s note, she puts forth the purpose of this book as to encourage readers to consider these women as real people that faced difficult circumstances and were trying to do their best, despite how history has not been kind to them. For example, Queen Marie Antionette’s “famous quote” of “Let them eat cake” is nowhere to be found, though readers can see how such a rumor could have come into play due to the circumstances the Queen found herself in. While the book builds with conflict in the British royal family and the French revolution, the story focuses on the women who endured much grief and sorrow more than the conflicts causing the unfortunate circumstances. Even knowing that Connolly extrapolates a lot of the content, including the friendship between the women in this story, I appreciate the new lens I have for looking at and trying to better understand history.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Ancient Egypt (History Smashers #11) by Kate Messner - ESSSENTIAL

Ancient Egypt (History Smashers #11) by Kate Messner, 208 pages. NON FICTION. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2025. $10 (paperback), $13 (library binding)

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content:  G; Violence: PG (description of mummification process, not graphic)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

From the insightful History Smasher series comes another fantastic title: Ancient Egypt. Did you know that the word "pharaoh" actually comes from an Egyptian word for “great house” and wasn’t used as a title for royalty until the Twenty-Fifth or Twenty-Sixth Dynasty? Maybe you know Sobekneferu was actually the first female king - not Hatshepsut - but you probably didn’t know hieroglyphs can be read either left to right or right to left depending on which way the first character in profile is facing. No matter your knowledge of the ancient Egyptian world and its people, readers young and old are bound to learn something new from the latest installment by professional History Smasher, Kate Messner. 

The easy to read text is broken up by short comics and info panels throughout. Messner includes a time of ancient Egypt, an author’s note, bibliography, and additional books/museums readers can check out for more information. An excellent addition to libraries where the History Smashers series are already in regular circulation.

E. Powell,  Junior High Librarian

Dreams: Visions From the Fire by Wanda John-Kehewin - ADVISABLE

Dreams: Visions From the Fire by Wanda John-Kehewin, (Dream Series 2) 78 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL,  Highwater Press 2026 $20.

Language: PG (9 swears, 0 F); Mature Content: PG (alcoholism, grief); Violence: PG-13 (self harm, attempted suicide) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Damon Quinn has graduated from high school. He and his friend, Journey, have grown closer and are going with Damon's mom to Kehewin Cree Nation to attend a Seat Ceremony and Powwow and reconnect with family. Damion also wants to find his birth father. He also begins to have visions of his history and the history of his mother that she has kept hidden. 

This is a great representation of Cree culture, and I like how Damian is discovering his cultural history through his vision quest. The author, who is Cree, feels it is important to show our connection to our ancestors. Authentic and raw, the writing is ultimately filled with healing. My only complaint is that it is too short. The characters are Cree. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Shark Prince by Malia Maunakea - ADVISABLE

The Shark Prince by Malia Maunakea, 368 pages. Penguin Workshop (Penguin Random House), 2026. $19.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (mentions of drugs); Violence: PG (assault, blood, and mentions of murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Nohea (13yo) has been homeschooled and kept away from everyone outside of his mom and tutu in order to protect them—because Nohea is half-shark, the Shark Prince. When Nohea tries to sign up for a surfing contest with prize money that will keep his family from moving away from Hawaii, he finds out that homeschoolers are ineligible. For the first time, Nohea is getting the chance to be normal and go to school—as long as his shark stays quiet.

The aspects of Nohea’s story that come from Hawaiian culture and mythology were very interesting to read and learn about. But the heart of the book is Nohea learning about friendship and community through taking chances that his mother never did—discovering that it’s hard to get help if you never ask and that asking for help can open doors you never knew were there. Nohea and the majority of characters are Hawaiian.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

The Nightblood Prince by Molly X. Chang - OPTIONAL

The Nightblood Prince by Molly X. Chang, 375 pages. Random House, 2025. $21

Language: PG-13 (3 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (alcohol, sexual innuendo, kissing; sexual activity happens, but is not described); Violence: R (war, gore described w/o detail, many mentions of decapitation and severed body parts, bones, blood, death & vampirism.

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

18yo Fei is the prophesied “Empress of all Empresses” and resents both the life of luxury she had to live in the Emperor’s house and the bloody visions she hides from everyone.  Prince Siwang, the Emperor’s chosen heir, is born at the same time; he and Fei grow up together–both destined to rule the Kingdom of Rong side-by-side.  However, tensions between the Vampire/Deity-Prince Yexue of the Kingdom of Lan and Prince Siwang flow over into warfare, and the countryside is bathed in destruction–all in her name. Fei struggles to reconcile her feminism and power with her love of Siwang, lust for Yexue, and capability to stop a war from devouring both countries.

Though the reader is led to understand that Fei has the potential for world-changing power, this plot falls flat through low stakes events, unremarkable magic, and ultimate feeble resolution(s). Throughout, Fei constantly expresses her feminist power, then just as quickly questions her individuality, relationships, and influence/power.  Her life outside of the Emperor’s grip undermines her credibility when she rationalizes her feelings and has sex with Prince Siwang.  The adversarial nature of her relationships is excessive, her pining for men she can’t or shouldn’t have is cloying, and the reader can’t help but question why the universe would ever choose Fei as “Empress of Empresses.”

The book’s premise is unique with its Chinese-adjacent fantasy world, language, and cultural influence.  All characters are Chinese-centric. Throughout the book, Chinese proverbs in Chinese characters, are incorporated into the text with English translations provided.

James Hirst, ELA Instructor, HerrimanHS

 

Open Wide by I.M. Eerie - OPTIONAL

Open Wide by I.M. Eerie, 170 pages.Simon and Schuster, 2025. $18 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Eddie finds himself at a mysterious new dentist's office in town. Even though his teeth aren't hurting, he winds up getting three of them yanked by dodgy Dr. Yankum. On picture day at school, he notices that many of his fellow fifth graders are missing teeth as well. As Eddie digs deeper, he discovers that there could be something sinister going on. 

Anything to do with yanking teeth makes me a bit queasy. While it's an easy read, the plot seemed fairly predictable. Of course, Eddie and his friend are going to try and figure out Dr. Yankum on their own and not involve adults. The ending was a bit of a twist, but made my teeth hurt. No culture or race is mentioned, the characters default white.

Michelle in the Middle 

Farrah Noorzad and the Realm of Nightmares by Deeba Zargarpur - ADVISABLE

Farrah Noorzad and the Realm of Nightmares (Farrah Noorzad #2) by Deeba Zargarpur, 320 pages. Labyrinth Road (Random House), 2025. $18.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (assault, fantasy violence, and mentions of blood and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

After saving her father and the other jinn kings, Farrah (13yo) now knows the truth of her half-jinn heritage. Her mother, free from holding that secret, decides they can finally have an adventure and move away from Philadelphia. While Farrah would do anything for her mother, Farrah can’t help but want to see more of the jinn realm—an opportunity at her fingertips in the form of an official summons from the kings.

Being described as half-human and half-jinn, Farrah longs to find a place where she fits, where she belongs—an impossible task when not even Farrah can see herself as whole. With pressure on all sides to be good and make the right choices, Farrah’s journey through magical realms is one all readers can relate too. Her story is not over yet, leaving off on a cliffhanger with the fate of both worlds in the balance. Farrah is Muslim Afghan American.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski - ADVISABLE

A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski, 344 pages. Roaring Brook (Macmillan), 2026. $19

Language: G (6 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (mass death because of the plagues and one of the characters being a taster and in her classes would try small amounts of poisons); Violence: PG-13 (lots of on page blood. Characters coughing up blood because of plague. Fight scenes where characters get cut, restrained or knocked out)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Nia just wants to live a normal life in the seaside desert city of Yerat, but she is known as a Sinsory, someone who has extraordinarily heightened senses. Because of her unique ability to smell, she is “tapped” to join the Cloister, a special school for children with talents like Nia's, in the hope that they can use their abilities to find cures for different plagues that have ravaged the population. In The Cloister, Nia learns more about her ability to smell and perhaps sniffs out a sinister mystery within the walls of the school.

I was drawn in by the dark academia premise 2) I liked the author's description of the world's magic system and I thought the writing was well done 3) I enjoyed the main characters' perspective and snarkier asides. 

Characters cue white

Maryn - Librarian Assistant

Space for Saffron by Rie Neal - ADVISABLE

Space for Saffron by Rie Neal, 177 pages. Aladdin, 2026. $8

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

10yo Saffron loves everything about science, but she struggles to control her impulsivity.   When Saffron and her two moms move from Iowa to California to run her grandmother's coffee shop, they discover that it is in financial trouble.  Can Saffron save the coffee shop using her love of science? 

Space for Saffron is a sweet book about trying to be okay with who you are but also work well with others.  Saffron learns that it is ok to be different. She struggles with controlling her impulsivity.   This book also contains many space facts. 

Saffron is hearing impaired and wears a hearing aid.  She is presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Sibylline by Melissa de la Cruz - OPTIONAL

Sibylline by Melissa de la Cruz, 304 pages. Penguin Young Readers Group, 2026. $15

Language: R (22 swears, 3 ‘f’); Mature Content: R (foreplay and a three-way on-page sexual scene with no mention of condoms or safe-sex); Violence: PG-13 (bloody hitting)

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Three best friends, 18yo Raven, Atticus, and Dorian, want more than anything to attend the Sibylline University to learn about magic. They’re devastated when they’re denied enrollment. They come up with a plan together, gain employment at Sibylline and learn whatever they can while they’re working around the magical students, professors, books and buildings. Atticus can sense emotions and is hired as an architect assistant. Raven can translate any language and is hired to help in the university library. Dorian can read items and he’s hired as an art detective to discover forgeries. They get pulled into a dangerous mystery that's putting the university in danger and it’s going to take wise use of their skills to keep the three friends alive.  

I enjoyed the quotes from classic literature at the beginning of each chapter. I did enjoy the mystery and storytelling. This book is marketed to young adult readers, 14 and up, by the publisher, but has adult content.

Raven is Asian. Dorian is white, and Atticus is Latino

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Someone to Daydream About by Sydney Langford - OPTIONAL

Someone to Daydream About by Sydney Langford, 368 pages. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan), 2026. $21

Language: R (100+ swears, 15 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (drinking, very implied sex, passionate kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18yo Natalie desperately wants to save her father’s life’s work - their family run Deaf Center - but since her dad died, her Mom has not been willing to listen to Natalie and her sister. When Natalie is offered $40,000 to travel with the lead singer of Daydream, the hottest new boy band, for their summer tour to work on his ALS skills (his little sister is rapidly losing her hearing), she feels backed into a corner.  While she is not at first interested in him beyond signing, as she gets to know him beneath his public image, she becomes more and more drawn to him. Dynamics within and around the band, however, seem determined to keep them apart.

I am mystified by the large amount of swearing in a teen romance book; most of it is casual use, not actually angst driven. Romantics at heart will love the boy band setting and seeing “behind the scenes” of a touring band is always interesting. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Wild Blizzard by Rodman Philbrick - ADVISABLE

Wild Blizzard by Rodman Philbrick, 192 pages. Scholastic, OCTOBER 2026. $19

Content: G (some danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

6th grader Jack and his Science Fair teammates are on their way home when a ferocious blizzard kicks up, breaks their bus, and injures their teacher. The resourceful kids do what they can to help their teacher and keep the whole group warm, but one of them needs to go for help - and Jack is that one.  As he steps out into the continuing storm, he will need a lot of courage, and some help from an unexpected dog friend, to keep one foot going in front of the other. The five miles to help might as well be 500 miles. 

I think Philbrick really hits depth in his novels when two characters are working together - rather than one facing impossible odds alone. Lots of great danger and Jack has to think and work hard to keep himself alive. I’m glad we are still getting adventure stories. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Devious Prey by Scott Reintgen - OPTIONAL

Devious Prey by Scott Reintgen, 292 pages. McElderry Books (Random), 2026. $20. 

Language: G (4 swears,  0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G (kiss); Violence: PG-13 (bloody fighting, drowning deaths and bodies mentioned, more deaths, armor made from flesh)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Pearl and her aunt have been contracted to secretly move a highly sensitive and dangerous cargo.  Their voyage is complicated, however, when a wizard prisoner is also on their flying ship. Partway through their trip, the weather wizard keeping their ship safe dies - and all hell breaks loose.  When things calm down, only a people have survived to wash up on a deserted island and Pearl’s cargo, revealed to be a dragon, has escaped. The dragon has vowed to kill all of the survivors, with Pearl being her main target. While the wizard prisoner may be able to help them all, first he will have to escape his jailers. 

Plenty of danger, including that title that can take on so many meanings and layers. Who is predator and who is prey.  Reintgen explores his themes with as much skill as his other books.  Readers who enjoy his Waxways series will also enjoy this. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

New Kid on Deck (Pirate Academy #1) by Justin Somper - ADVISABLE

New Kid on Deck (Pirate Academy #1) by Justin Somper, 210 pages. Penguin, 2024. $10 (pb)

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The Barracuda class at The Pirate Academy, run by The Pirate Federation, is excited to start Year 5. 12yo Jacoby is devastated when Wing, his best friend and roommate of the last four years, is headed away with his family. Then a new boy, Neo shows up the same day and Jasmine’s family didn’t even show up for family day. Strange things are happening, including the appearance of a new pirate group, The League of True Pirates is trying to take everything The Pirate Federation is working for.

Danger and betrayal await Jacoby and the other Barracudas. While Pirate books aren’t necessarily a high demand topic, they still have a degree of interest for students looking for an adventure. The action is actually set in a future Earth where the polar icecaps have melted. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Wilderness Hacks by Joslin Brorsen - ESSENTIAL

Wilderness Hacks by Joslin Brorsen, 313 pages. Knopf (Random), 2026. $18

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (drowning victim mentioned, blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Sadie’s little brother, 9yo Silas, convinced her to enter the contest for the adventure with 13yo survivalist and influencer Radley, but she did not expect to actually win. Meeting Radley in person, Callie is not impressed; he seems to be in it for the money, not because he loves the outdoors. On their river rafting trip, a sudden earthquake breaks the dam above their position, sending their guide overboard and now the pair must negotiate their situation alone, with only what they are carrying. 

Brorsen did such a great job of engaging my attention and keeping me invested.  I read in one sitting! Well done in showing the highlights and lowlights of being an influencer right now. The action can be intense as the teens are in very real danger several times!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Beasts We Raise (The Broken Citadel #2) by D. L. Taylor - ESSENTIAL

The Beasts We Raise (The Broken Citadel #2) by D. L. Taylor, 288 pages. Henry Holt and Co. (Macmillan), 2026. $21

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG (imprisonment, reference to war, death of her father- gruesome detail of the body)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Newly appointed to the office of Prime, Mance, a young woman,  finds herself in a difficult dilemma. Mance is in love with Silver.  Yet as the new Prime of her realm, she is destined to marry the Prime of the Forrest Realm, Reltas, in order to maintain an alliance.  Reltas is everything Mance hates: self-centered, unkind, power-driven, and demanding.  Why should Mance have to trade her true love just to maintain peace? If Mance wants to avoid a fight that will devastate her realm, she’ll have to consider the proposal. She desperately seeks allyship from other Primes with little to no avail.  With her secret ability to physically split into separate versions of herself, she sets off to not only refuse Reltas's proposal but to bring peace and healing to her realm as well as the rest of the world.

The opening includes a great summary of the 1st book.  This could be a stand-alone novel.  The plot is interesting and suspenseful.  I loved that the novel is shorter and the author didn't feel the need to add fluff and stuff just to make it long.  There were a lot of emotional themes running through this 2nd book such as taking your power back, helping to pull other people out of their darkness, making life easier for other's, enjoying laughter after tragedy, and finally that we can and are strong enough to overcome difficulties especially with healing and love. Great book for teens and adults alike!

Characters cue white.

S. Lewis

Ollie In Between by Jess Callans - ADVISABLE

Ollie In Between by Jess Callans, 256 pages. Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan), 2025. $19. 

Language: PG (4 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (lots of maturation talk, Ollie's period is a big part of the plot, reference to boobs, nipples etc.); Violence: G; 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

12yo Ollie does not want to become a woman. She's not afraid of growing up, she's just certain that she's not a girl. But she also doesn't think she's a boy. Ollie is somewhere in between. But this is the age where everything starts happening to your body. The boys won't let her play hockey with them anymore because she's too much of a girl, and her girl friends are embarrassed by her for acting too much like a boy. But when she's invited to join the LGBTQIA book club, she finds a group of friends who understand what she's going through. 

A well-written coming of age story, it's got all the stuff - Ollie's mother has passed away, and sister moved in with her boyfriend, so no one really expects dad to help her navigate puberty, which, because she is questioning her gender, makes this whole thing terrifying and extra awkward. She's seeing the trouble Stella, a trans girl in her book group, is having with parents objecting to which bathroom she uses and feels both fear for herself and guilt for not standing up better for her new friend. A good window or mirror if your library needs more LGBT titles, particularly with a non-binary main character. Ollie is Persian and White and non-binary 

Lisa Librarian 

Unforgotten by Jessica Brody - OPTIONAL

Unforgotten (Unremembered #2) by Jessica Brody, 399 pages. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2014. $18.

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (implied alcohol use, illegal activity, kissing, and nudity); Violence: PG13 (assault, torture, blood and gore, and mentions of suicide and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Having narrowly escaped the clutches of Diotech, Sera (16yo) and Zen (18yo) are living the lives they dreamed of by traveling back in time to 1609. Zen is a natural at fitting in, but Sera sees suspicion in the eyes of those around them who can sense that she’s different. In 2013, Sera was called a miracle; in 1609, she’s called a witch.

The progression of the story was logical without being overly predictable, and it continued to be fast-paced. Brody introduced a host of problems as Sera learned more about the transession gene and Diotech—and the consequences of letting both continue unrestricted. With everything going wrong for Sera at the end of this book, it will be interesting to see what kind of solutions Brody comes up with in the next book. Sera and Zen are implied White.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson