The Doll House by D.W. Gillespie - ADVISABLE

The Doll House by D.W. Gillespie, 271 pages. Delecorte (Random House), 2026. $18

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL -ADVISABLE; MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

13 yo Garrett and his mother have inherited a mansion and a fortune, but in order to claim it, they must spend a week living in the mansion.  Garrett’s mom hasn’t talked about her parents much in all the years Garrett can remember, except he knows that she hates her father. When Garrett finds out that his grandfather was a famous author, though , Garrett wants to know more - which could be his undoing. Together with Wes, the caretaker's son, Garrett dives into the mysteries surrounding him.

Gillespie gives us creepy, but spends too much time working up to the big bad reveal and leaving us with very little time to enjoy the villain and the hero (hint - it isn’t Garrett). This slow burn annoyed me.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Brady Mason’s Perfect Fit by Nicole Melleby - ADVISABLE

Brady Mason’s Perfect Fit by Nicole Melleby, 318 pages. Little Brown, 2026. $18

Language: PG (13 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (mild inappropriate touching); Violence: PG (touchee gets fist to face)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Yesterday 12yo Brady Mason was one of six living in a poor group home in New Jersey.  Today she’s with her birth mom, a famous fashion editor, in a four-story apartment in New York City near Central Park. Both women have a lot to learn about each other, themselves, and about building a family. 

While not quite finding out that she’s the secret daughter of royalty, Brady’s story is still pretty Cinderella.  But Brady won’t succumb to princess-pressure or her fashionable mother. Their groping towards understanding and family is heart-felt and adorable.

Brady is white and LGBT.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Welcome to Weird Street by Stephen Mangan - OPTIONAL

Welcome to Weird Street by Stephen Mangan, 318 pages. Scholastic, 2026. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

When a girl finds a lost cat, she goes to each home on Weird Street hoping to find its owner. Along the way she encounters, hears, or we as the reader discover, strange goings ons inside each house.

While the girls and cat create the framework and excuse, the odd happenings in each house are the point to the short story collection. Decidedly odd. I could see a teacher reading one story a day out loud.

Audiobook provided libro.fm. Narrated by the author.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Tales from the Territory by Travis Baldree - OPTIONAL

Tales from the Territory by Travis Baldree, 224 pages. SHORT STORIES. Subterranean Press, 2026. $40.

Language: R (24 swears, 2 “f”); Mature Content: PG (alcohol use and mentions of illegal activity); Violence: PG13 (corpses, assault, blood and gore, and mentions of murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Baldree has compiled five short stories focusing on a variety of favorite characters in the Legends and Lattes series. Laugh, cry, and enjoy an extra peak into the lives of Zyll, Thimble, Viv, and Tandri.

Seeing these characters again was a joy! I was thrilled to get Thimble’s backstory, so that tale was my favorite. The stories here about Thimble, Zyll, Tandri, and Viv all occur before readers meet them in their respective books of the series. I was a little disappointed that I had already read the prequel story about Viv (“Pages to Fill” was previously published at the end of the Legends and Lattes book), but it’s a fun one if you haven’t read it before. The final story is about the whole Legends and Lattes crew two years after book one.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Trust Fall by Lynn Painter - OPTIONAL

Trust Fall by Lynn Painter, 416 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2026. $22. Kiss me

Language: R (719 swears, 137 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (drug and alcohol use, including underage drinking, illegal activity, kissing, innuendo, and mentions of sex); Violence: PG (assault and for mentions of guns and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Julia and her family only learn that their friend Lou was a rich man from New York when the executor of Lou’s estate informs them that Lou left them an inheritance. The catch is that the family must move to the home Lou left in New York and Julia and her brother must attend the local exclusive academy for at least six months or else the millions of dollars will no longer be theirs. Sounds easy, but Lou’s great-nephew, Damion, has other plans.

Painter writes well, and the story is sure to be enjoyable for those who are fans of the tropes Painter chose to use. Damion hides a lot of truths from Julia, and it’s easy to empathize with him when readers get his thoughts and point of view. However, his actions towards Julia were very irritating, and I found myself more stressed reading their story than not. It all works out with a happy ending that is satisfying only because I know it is in the fictional world—I would not be as okay with the ending if Julia was a real-life friend.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Move it or Bruise It (Blood City Rollers #2) by V. P. Anderson and Tatiana Hill, - OPTIONAL

Move it or Bruise It (Blood City Rollers #2) by V. P.  Anderson and Tatiana Hill, 153 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Random House, 2026. $22

Language: G (1 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Roller derby fights)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Humans Mina and Swan (13 yo) miss their roller derby teammates the Blood City Rollers, who also happen to be vampires. After spending the summer searching for them, they finally track them down at a creepy abandoned asylum. But if the Blood City Rollers want to keep their new home, they must compete in a sudden death scrimmage against another roller derby team made up of misfit monsters who are also searching for a place to belong. Along the way, Mina learns that being part of a team means supporting one another rather than always trying to compete.

Because I had not read the first book in the series, I spent the beginning of the story feeling a little lost and confused. I kept wondering why two human girls were playing on a vampire roller derby team. However, as the story progressed, I was able to piece together the background information and better understand the characters and their relationships. The book delivers a positive message about friendship, teamwork, and learning to put the success of the group ahead of individual competition. The characters are a mix of ethnicities.  

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Nando (Best Friends Dog Tales #4) by McCall Hoyle and Keven Keele - ADVISABLE

Nando (Best Friends Dog Tales #4) by McCall Hoyle and Keven Keele, 153 pages. Shadow Mountain, 2026. $19

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Nando is a hardworking border collie that has many responsibilities on a sheep ranch.  He expects perfection from himself at all times.  A situation arises that Nando can't control.  He is separated from his family after a storm turns a creek into a raging river.  Will Nando be able to save all of those that he cares for?

Nando is a sweet book that takes us back to the world of Stella, Gus and Millie in the Best Friends Dog Tales series.  Hoyle uses her unique writing style to convey how Nando is feeling in an extreme situation.  A great read for animal lovers!

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Phone Home (Jurassic Jeff #3) by Royden Lepp - ADVISABLE

Phone Home (Jurassic Jeff #3) by Royden Lepp, 211 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL (Random House), 2026. $15

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (Nerf gun wars)

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Jeff is loving life on Earth with his new friends. When a robot sent to "rescue" Jeff crashes on Earth, Jeff learns a rescue party from his home planet has been sent for him. Jeff isn't sure if he wants to go home or stay on Earth to finish his mission. Jeff's dinosaur friends are determined to rescue him from the alien space ship. Will the dinosaurs rescue Jeff? Will Jeff want to be rescued, and by who?

Kids who love graphic novels, gaming, and funny books will enjoy this one. I didn't think it was great, but I know the kids in my library will love it.  Jeff is a green alien. 

Rachel, elementary school librarian

Please Pay Attention by Jamie Sumner - ADVISABLE

Please Pay Attention by Jamie Sumner, 249 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $18 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (school shooting, not graphic - sounds, broken glass, aftermath) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Bea is the special friend of one of the littles at school. Josie, who hates school, won’t talk to other children and generally doesn’t participate. But Bea is smart and has great ideas to help Josie come out of her shell. But when her school is attacked by a shooter, Bea isn’t as able to take care of herself. In fact when her teacher tells them to get down, Bea freezes. She has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair and when she finally does get down, the floor is covered in broken glass. Now, Bea can't sleep from the nightmares and is worried about even being inside, let alone going back to school. 

I wondered if a book about a school shooting would traumatize the reader - this topic is hard for me to read about. However, the shooting itself is well handled, and Bea has loving, caring adults who know what kind of help and how much time she needs. A quick read, as it's in verse; the message is great. I love that Bea is writing a letter to someone (Dear Sir), and the reader needs to presume the recipient until the end. I liked it. 

Lisa Librarian 

Gracie Under the Waves by Linda Sue Park - ADVISABLE

Gracie Under the Waves by Linda Sue Park, 176 pages. HarperCollins, 2026. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

6th grader Gracie loves snorkeling. Someday she would love to visit the Maldives and snorkel there, but for now, she's content planning her family vacation for spring break. She's thrilled when her parents accept her plan to fly to Roatán and visit the 2nd biggest reef in the world. But her 6yo brother can be a challenge, and when Gracie is injured and her knee gets cut on a reef, she blames him. Can this family vacation be saved when Gracie might not be allowed to go back in the water? 

A great story about ecology and saving the reefs, and saving your relationship with a little brother. I loved all the descriptions of the fish and the different kinds of coral. Maxine Vee did the illustrations, and they are great - just when we need to see a depiction of the fish or coral or jellyfish, there is an illustration. I do hope, however, that the reader checks out photographs online, because a drawing of a lionfish can't compare to a picture of the real thing. 

Gracie and her family are Korean American 

Lisa Librarian 

Steam by Shaenon K.Garrity - OPTIONAL

Steam by Shaenon K.Garrity, 208 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Margaret K. McElderry (Simon and Schuster), 2026. $15. 

Language: PG (3 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (man in briefs no shirt, kissing) Violence: PG (theme of captive humans in an experiment) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Ruby is one of many humanoid subjects of an experiment conducted by a university. She is remarkably intelligent and has been programmed to solve problems. When she solves a problem of her own, and escapes the lab, Ruby gets a job as a barista and begins to make love matches with the employees and customers. But does she consider that there might be a match for her? 

Definitely a college setting, though only a few of the characters are actual students. The science was cool - Ruby can process so much information and figure out solutions. No wonder she's so valuable to the University. High School students would probably enjoy it, it's not very edgy though. It's almost like it was written for middle schoolers. While not specified, the characters are a mix of races. 

Lisa Librarian  

The Moon without Stars by Chanel Miller - ADVISABLE

The Moon without Stars by Chanel Miller, 256 pages. Penguin, 2026. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Rating: PG (description of how to use a tampon; other maturation talk as well and some descriptions of kissing); Violence: PG (bullying) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Luna is starting 7th grade. When a teacher asks the class to describe themselves using adjectives, Luna starts to think about who she really is and how others see her. When a large book donation enables Luna to start a self-esteem help library, she begins to become more well known among her classmates. But when Luna and Scott make a zine that gets shared around, Luna becomes popular - but to what end? Will she need to compromise herself and be someone she's not in order to be in the popular crowd? 

Initially I was going to recommend this to 7th graders, and it's perfectly fine for them, they can totally relate to Luna and her problems, but after finishing it, I realize that it would also be great for 8th graders, because they've been there. Luna makes a lot of mistakes trying to fit in with the popular crowd, including alienating her best friend. 8th graders will look back on that year with her. I loved The Moon Without Stars. 

Luna is Asian American 

Lisa Librarian  

Ambrosia Lee Drops the Mic by Patricia Park - OPTIONAL

Ambrosia Lee Drops the Mic by Patricia Park, 304 pages. Crown (Random), 2026. $20.

Language: R (81 swears 9 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (bits of open mic routines, many containing "dick jokes"); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

16yo Ambrosia was a child actor, cute and talented; she modeled, as well as acted. Until she turned 14. That's when she started to mature and put on some weight - suddenly, parts for her dried up. She even lost an unhealthy amount of weight for an audition, but no part came from it. Now she's done with the business. She meets a boy standing in line for a comedy act and learns he does stand-up- maybe Ambrosia can turn all the child actor trauma into a successful career in open mic comedy. 

Patricia Park really did her homework on stand-up comedy. Everything rang true, from the seedy clubs to the crass routines of the young men talking about body parts to the audition process and cattle calls. I loved the fake-interested conversations among her fellow actor friends and the glimpse into the New York and Hollywood performance scene. Theater kids will like this - many of the jokes were pretty funny, and there's a lot of good advice on negotiating a career in comedy performance. Ambrosia and her parents are Korean 

Lisa Librarian 

Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed by S. B. West - OPTIONAL

Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed by S. B. West, 368 pages. Ace (Berkley), 2026. $30.

Language: R (42 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (alcohol use, partial nudity, kissing, innuendo, and mentions of sex); Violence: R (assault; blood and gore; battle scenes; mentions of torture, cannibalism, and suicide; and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL, ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Dark Lord Morfran left his evil ex-wife and is trying to enjoy a life of jam making and goat farming.  But his evil ex is hunting Morfran down without telling the kingdom that he left. As he flees his farm, Morfran accidentally finds the rebellion—and they’re forcing Morfran to assist them in beating his former army and taking back the cities he conquered.

The best word to describe this book is ridiculous—mostly in a charming way, though there were a few ongoing jokes that just made me roll my eyes. I enjoyed reading about this villain who is tired of being around evil, taking the first step of his redemption arc by himself, and then is forced to continue what he started with restitution he would not have made without the rest of the characters. While it’s mostly a comedy, the story shows a surprising amount of heart, proving that it’s never too late for kindness and forgiveness to change a life.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Honor by Susan McClelland, Nataliia Mariichyn, and Leon Buchwald - ADVISABLE

Honor by Susan McClelland, Nataliia Mariichyn, and Leon Buchwald, 240 pages. NON-FICTION Astra, 2026. $20 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (The threat of violence against Jews, a father is murdered by Nazis, the aftermath is on page. Peril, reference to work camps, concentration camps and pogroms. Bullets flying by, racist language, Nazi mischief - breaking toys and such, just being mean because they can) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

When Ukrainian teen Nataliia is given a stack of old letters by her grandmother, she reads about a Jewish boy, Eliezer, who is in hiding during WWII. After the murder of his father, Eliezer tries to support his sister and mother and keep them out of the grasp of the Nazis. Told in dual perspectives, Nataliia's current suspension from school over an incident with another girl is put into a different perspective when she is moved by Eliezer's story and wonders how her grandmother is connected. 

This narrative non-fiction is engaging and moving. The modern story takes place in 2010 in The Ukraine. This isn't just another story of a Jewish family hiding from the Nazis. We connect with the families and people who are helping, sharing, hiding, and caring about Eliezer, his mother and his sister. We see how a community can stand by while their neighbors are taken away or even killed, and what turns people to do things they know are morally wrong. There are also examples of people doing good despite the very real chance they could lose their lives for helping. Peppered with pieces of news articles or descriptions of places to help put everything in context. I would not be surprised to see Honor show up on a 2027 YMA list - either for Non-Fiction or a Sydney Taylor. Well written. 

Lisa Librarian 

 

Stitch Head: The Pirate's Eye (Stitch Head #2) by Guy Bass, illustrated by Pete Williamson - MANY

Stitch Head: The Pirate's Eye (Stitch Head #2) by Guy Bass, illustrated by Pete Williamson, 140 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic (Random House), 2025. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Stitch isn't quite sure what to do with himself after Professor Erasmus suddenly abandons the castle. He decides he could well be a pirate due to his blue glass eye that once belonged to a seafaring captain. Stitch and friends build a boat and prepare for adventure, but discover that danger awaits instead. 

Stitch's stories are sweet because he is such a childlike monster. He has loyal friends that add fun and spice to the story. Though I miss the more detailed and artistic prose of the original version, the artwork is beautifully drawn and colored and fits the tone of the story. Kids will identify with the adventure of sailing off to be a pirate, while enjoying themes of loyalty, friendship, and odd families. The main characters are mostly monsters. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Space Race (History Smashers) by Kate Messner, - ESSENTIAL

The Space Race (History Smashers) by Kate Messner, 214 pages.  NON-FICTION Random House, 2026. $10

 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Busting the myths and misconceptions about the space race between the U.S. and Russia, this book endeavors to correct any preconceived ideas we got wrong, including some of the famous lines we think those in the space program said or didn't say. 

The facts are presented in a highly readable manner, combining text with drawings an actual picture and the occasional graphic novel format. Even though I am familiar with the space race, the book was engaging enough that I read it cover to cover. This is a great way to get facts quickly and succinctly while being entertained in the process. The cover should draw young readers in, and the information will hook them. 

Michelle in the Middle

My Killer Family Reunion by Dinesh Thiru - OPTIONAL

My Killer Family Reunion by Dinesh Thiru, 384 pages. Atheneum (Simon & Schuster), 2026. $20. 

Language: R (50 swears, 5 'fs'); Mature Content: PG13 (talk of making out, a kiss, a bit of vulgar language) Violence: PG13 (instances of domestic violence- on page and referred to, 3 attempted murders) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

16yo Jayshree's wealthy grandmother owns property worth millions; when she dies, her family will inherit and become rich themselves. But at this family reunion, she announces a change to her will, and by the end of the dinner, the grandmother is in the hospital - someone has tried to kill her. Jay is an excellent sleuth; admittedly, her cousins call her invisible, so she's the perfect one to investigate. Everyone might be a suspect! 

I loved this whodunit. Jay exposes so many family secrets, and there's lots of family drama. The family is Hindu; there are ex-husbands, greed, under-the-table transactions, plenty of danger, and more than one attempted murder. My family reunions are never this exciting. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Sky We Shared by Shirley Reva Vernick - ADVISABLE

The Sky We Shared by Shirley Reva Vernick, 215 pages. Cinco Puntos Press (Lee and Low), 2026. $16

Language: G (2 swears,  0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (bombing deaths, blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

In 1945, 14yo Nellie and her family are struggling as their father is off to fight in the war. And her former best friend, Joey, has changed since word came that his older brother has died. 14yo Tamiko and her aunt also struggle in a small Japanese village.  When the Emperor calls for girls to volunteer to help with the war effort, she goes despite her twisted hip from polio.  But glueing together endless sheets of origami paper is not what she thinks helping in the war would look like.  Little does she know that the papers she is glueing will have a direct impact on Nellie’s community.

Very few people know about the thousands of bomb-laden giant paper balloons that Japan sent wafting across the Pacific Ocean.  While very few deaths resulted, to the friends and families of those killed, the balloons were very personal. If you have a strong historical fiction collection or a teacher who covers WWII, I would suggest buying.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Our Strange Duet by Erin A. Craig - ADVISABLE

Our Strange Duet by Erin A. Craig, 400 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2026. $20

Language: PG (12 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing in dreams, Off page sex in a dream, over clothes chest touching) ; Violence: PG (off page deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: HS - MANY; MS - SEVERAL

20 yo Christine’s love of music was inspired by her deceased musical father who promised that she would be visited by the angel of music. She believes the angel has come to her to build her singing voice and help her become a great and famous singer. She’s never seen her teacher and only hears his voice as he gives her instructions. Her dreams seem to be coming true when the lead vocalist loses her voice and Christine is thrust into the leading role. Strange, dangerous things start to happen in the opera and Christine begins to doubt whether or not her teacher is truly an angel. The Rosa Josephine is the signature rose of the Phantom. The Phantom tells the story of Josephine creating the rose to emulate her love for Napoleon, which is interesting.  

I like how Raoul stands up to his mother when she belittles Christine.  Beautiful confectionary-like descriptions of costumes. When Madame Giry tells the story of helping a young Erik run away from the carnival, my heart went out to him and I feel like she was very brave to help.  I especially like this retelling of The Phantom of the Opera because of the thorough descriptions of Christine’s thought process helping her to make the choices she made.

The ethnicity is predominantly white with Italian lead singers. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High Librarian