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

Zodiac Legacy by Katie Zhao - OPTIONAL

Zodiac Legacy (Descendants of the Zodiac #2) by Katie Zhao. 364 pages. Random House, 2025. $20

Language: PG (18 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Implied sex mentioned. Opposite sex and same sex kissing); Violence: PG-13 (Monster attacks, sword and hand to hand combat, death by gunshot and stabbing)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO:  SOME

Centuries ago, the Descendants were cursed - transformed into vampires, werewolves, and fox spirits. Their only hope of breaking the curse is to restore the source of their power: 12 zodiac statues. Standing in their way is the Collector, a villain who can turn humans into mindless, vicious Wrathlings. To make matters worse, not all Descendants actually want the curse broken. To restore her people's former power, Evangeline and her crew must battle the Collector, his army of Wrathlings, and the ultimate betrayal from her own brother.

While I enjoyed the first book in the series, this sequel fell a little flat for me. The action scenes were solid, and it was satisfying to see the storyline resolve, but the narrative lacked the rich historical context and mythology that made the first book so engaging. The pacing also suffered from excessive internal monologues, and too many moments where the plot stalled.

The characters are Chinese. Lei and Titus are LGBTQ

Amy Snow, Librarian

Cry Out Loud by Tara O'Connor - ADVISABLE

Cry Out Loud by Tara O'Connor, 256 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2025. $25. 

Language: PG (4 swears 0 'f' - Irish swears not counted); Mature Content: PG (same gender kisses); Violence: PG (human sacrifice is a plotline) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Nell is suspended for a term from high school, and her mother sends her to stay with a distant relative in rural Ireland. Everything is strange from the beginning, but then becomes dangerous when Nell discovers she may be the next victim of a generational family sacrifice. 

Dark and creepy, complete with banshees and a robed cult. A gripping tale of family traditions. The illustrations are full color with just the right amount of detail. I appreciated the pronunciation guide for the names. The characters are Irish. 

Lisa Librarian  

72 Hours of You by Darianne Schramm - OPTIONAL

72 Hours of You by Darianne Schramm, 336 pages. Disney Hyperion, 2026. $20.

Language: R (507 swears, 242 “f”); Mature Content: R (underage drinking; illegal activity; groping; nudity; mentions of drugs, condoms, sexting, and sex; and ad nauseam innuendo); Violence: PG13 (assault; mentions of school shootings, bombs, and suicide; gun use; and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Death is an inevitable part of life—something that Sydney (17yo) is very familiar with. She dreads the pink glow, only visible to her, that follows people in their last 72 hours of life. This ability sets her apart, and that’s the way she likes it. Until a nosy classmate figures out her secret.

One of the most interesting points in this book is that Sydney believes in the beginning that she deals with death better than others do because she has to confront its reality more often and all by herself, without help or support through her grief. The journey Sydney experiences is an inward change that makes this perception a reality, and we don’t have to develop her supernatural ability to make that change in our own lives. The grief is still among the living, but so is life. Sydney is Jewish. Jules is bi.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Record-Breaking USA by Clive Gifford and Paul Hammond - ESSENTIAL

Record-Breaking USA: Celebrating America's biggest, brightest and bravest by Clive Gifford and Paul Hammond, 96 pages. NON-FICTION Wide Eyed (Quarto), 2026. $25. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A collection of world-breaking records from each of the United States. Each entry includes quick facts about the state, its nickname, a fun fact, and prominent people who live or lived there, and some fun World Records set in the state. 

This was really a lot of fun. Lots of these records are crazy and typical of the state - like Idaho's Biggest Potato sculpture and the speed records broken or made on Utah's Salt Flats. Get this book and leave it out at your library; kids will find their own state first, then read about all sorts of interesting records held by people, things, weather, and history. I really love this! 

Lisa Librarian 

The Ginghams by T.C. Kemper, - ADVISABLE

The Ginghams by T.C. Kemper, 227 pages. Henry Holt, 2026. $19

Content: G (earring ripped out of ear)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Joni and Tyler are eager to see their best friend May after eight weeks away at summer camp.  May, however, is acting a little bit different; her usual punk rock style has been replaced by a more conservative look.  And May isn’t the only one - many of the moms around town are also looking and acting very differently.  It has to be something to do with May’s new neighbors - the Ginghams. Whatever the Ginghams are doing, it seems to be spreading all over town - far too quickly! Tyler and Joni seem to be the only ones who can stop it, but they are going to need a little inside help from an unexpected source. 

Adults may remember the Stepford Wives movies - Kemper uses more modern technology for her ace in the hole.  The idea is the same but even more insidious, I felt. Loved it.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

he Team by Daphne Benedis-Grab - ESSENTIAL

The Team by Daphne Benedis-Grab, 256 pages. Scholastic, SEPTEMBER 2026. $9 (pb)

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (threats, bullying, football hits)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Tommy has been struggling with anger management issues, but when one of his fellow teammates is accused of trashing their coach’s office, he decides to investigate.  He finds support from Simone, the accused’s sister, and Ethan, who is also on the team, but doesn’t want to play.  As the trio get closer to the truth, however, someone wants to send them a message to butt out.

I LOVE that Benedis-Grab took a detour from her normal horror fiction and gives us such a solid football book! Can’t wait to share this with the students. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

This Could All Go Bad by Spencer Hall - ESSENTIAL

This Could All Go Bad by Spencer Hall, 256 pages. Bloomsbury, 2026. $21

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

8th grader Jensen is not ready for high school.  He’s barely prepared for middle school graduation tomorrow.  But with his two best friends beside him, he knows he has support. But when Maleek and Cooper talk him into sneaking out that night to perform a set of dares against Maleek’s crush, Jensen is not prepared for all that the night has to reveal - good and devastating.

Jensen’s extreme anxiety was an initial downer for me, but he kept impressing me along the way. And his sister’s high school and life advice near the end is a masterwork. I need more books with male main characters that aren’t just a comedy - this funny book also has a lot of heart.

I assume Jensen and Cooper are white. Maleek and Jenny Chen are other unspecified ethnicities.

The audiobook copy was provided by libro.fm. Narrated by Jay Reum. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Hawk & Sparrow by Ayana Gray - ADVISABLE

Hawk & Sparrow by Ayana Gray, 352 pages. Balzer + Bray (Macmillan), 2026. $21.

Language: PG (10 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (alcohol use, illegal activity, kissing, and innuendo); Violence: PG (assault, blood and gore, gun use, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A high society event focused on the unveiling of a world-changing invention turns sour when the inventor is found dead in the botanical garden and maze after his grand demonstration. Vesper (19yo), a reporter for a dying newspaper, had been at the event and saw enough to believe that Maximilian (20yo) is the murderer. Willing to pay her enough to keep the paper alive, Maximilian hires Vesper to find the real culprit and clear his name.

The magic system is simple and, surprisingly, did not feel essential to this fantasy story about an invention that could make magic available to the masses. Instead, the focus was on the murder mystery and the enemies-to-lovers romance. I would even say that the resistance against classism and sexism were highlighted more than the magic; it just all happened to take place in a magical world. All these elements, including the magic, came together in an enjoyable story with a solvable mystery—if readers pay attention to the clues. Vesper is described as having “brown” skin, and Maximilian is described as having “a fair face.”

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

America's Founding Myths ... and What Really Happened by Christy Mihaly, illustrated by Marta Sevilla, - ADVISABLE

America's Founding Myths ... and What Really Happened by Christy Mihaly, illustrated by Marta Sevilla, 40 pages. INTERACTIVE, NON-FICTION Barefoot Books, 2026. $20 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

How much of the history we learn in school is really a myth? Apparently a lot of it. Mihaly looks at 15 myths surrounding the founding of the United States - from the people who lived here before Columbus arrived to the Revolutionary War. Includes the story of Pocahontas and John Smith, the First Thanksgiving, Plymouth Rock and who really warned that "The British are Coming". 

Mihaly's introduction is excellent. She tell how written history is just one perspective, and different points of view make the whole thing messy and complicated. It's interactive; you see the well-known myth, then open a flap to "uncover" the truth (ingenious). There are also some opportunities to lift the flaps for other things. There are also interesting "think about this yourself" questions. A brilliant book that doesn't feel political - it explains why many of our stories turned into myths and shows witnesses' statements of the events. Kids who love history will eat this up. Back matter includes ideas to know or discover if something is true, encouragement to write your own perception of events you witness, a glossary and resources for finding out more. Includes a QR Code to access the bibliography. 

Lisa Librarian 

Yarn is Everything (Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales) by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown - ESSENTIAL

Yarn is Everything (Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales) by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown, 104 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Simon and Schuster, 2026. $14 9781665961141 

Content: G 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

When 9yo Winona Mole finds a rune inscribed crochet hook in her bag, an identical replica of the storied Spirit Hook, her crochet skills improve dramatically. Soon, Winona could create crocheted yarn versions of almost anything. Maybe she should go on her favorite show "Yarn is Everything"! 

Oh! I loved Yarn is Everything! The story is set up like an episode of Twilight Zone, which will probably be lost on the readers but their grandparents will get it. The pages are printed on black glossy pages, and the color is a neon blue, highlighting her hook and occasionally other focus items. I know the intended audience is familiar with reality competition shows, so Yarn is Everything is an essential purchase for me. Now I need to read the rest of the series. 

Lisa Librarian  

Room to Breathe by Kasie West - ADVISABLE

Room to Breathe by Kasie West, 272 pages. Random House, 2026. $13 (paperback) 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Kissing, making out); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

High school junior Indy is constantly trying to be the best - she competes for grades against her best friend Beau, she tutors at an education center and is a model citizen. Until, her family begins to implode when her father seems to be in trouble with the FBI, and her mother has forbidden Indy from telling anyone. Suddenly her perfect world isn't spinning right, her studies suffer, her friends are mad and even her relationship with Beau is on the rocks. 

Told in alternating chapters between Now - when Indy is locked in a restroom at school with Beau - and Then - the story of how everything went wrong. West masterfully arranges these chapters so the reader is just barely ahead of the reveals happening in the now. I was thoroughly entertained. I also loved the stress of Indy doubting her father, and how everyone is fighting in her home and it spills into her whole life. Although Indy is in High School, Room to Breathe will appeal to 8th and 9th graders as well. The characters default white.

Lisa Librarian 

Bunkmates for Never (Camp Frenemies #2) by Liz Montague - ADVISABLE

Bunkmates for Never (Camp Frenemies #2) by Liz Montague, 215 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Random House Studio, 2026. $22

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

13yo Bea has grown up a lot over the last year. She’s wearing a little makeup, and instead of carrying her stuffed animal everywhere, she leaves it behind in her bedroom. She’s excited to reunite with her summer camp bunkmates, but they’re shocked by all the changes they see in her.

Bea is afraid that her friends won’t be able to accept the new Bea and starts to wonder if coming back to camp was a mistake. Will the three friends be able to get along and accept the changes in each other and the changes at camp?" A fun, heartwarming graphic novel about learning to love and accept your friends as they do their best to grow up and figure out who they are. I enjoyed the simple straight forward illustrations.

Bea has brown skin and curly brown hair. Virginia has brown skin and red hair. Roxy has light brown skin with blond hair.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Poop: A (very) Natural History & a Powerful Future by Ben Hoare and Jennifer N.R. Smith - OPTIONAL

Poop: A (very) Natural History & a Powerful Future by Ben Hoare and Jennifer N.R. Smith, 80 pages. NON-FICTION Wide Eyed (Quarto), 2025 $23. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

The history of, and scientific explanation of poop (and in some cases urine). The reader learns how our bodies make poop, what it says about health, animals and poop, toilets through the ages and much more. 

So, this was fascinating - there is a ton of information about poop, stuff I didn't know I didn't want to know - yes a lot of it is gross, but it's about poop so what do you expect. The reader is told throughout not to touch poop, and not to experiment with it, to leave it to the experts. The illustrations are large and artistic, illustrations of people pooping are discreet, and it's funny at times. What I really think? Kids will pick it up because it's called Poop, but I'm not sure how engaged they'll be in reading it. Also, it's one of the oversized books that won't fit on our shelves anyway. 

Lisa Librarian 

Beyond Seven Forests by Amanda McCrina - OPTIONAL

Beyond Seven Forests by Amanda McCrina, 192 pages. Carolrhoda 2026. $19

Language: PG (6 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (accusations of sex); Violence PG (war violence mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

18yo Renata Zamoyska, a Polish countess, has been hauled before a military tribunal, accused of treason and impropriety. Through flashbacks, Renata slowly reveals the events leading to her arrest - her humane treatment of two Russian soldiers who showed up on the threshold of her ruined mansion on the heels of a snowstorm.

Unfortunately McCrina’s writing didn’t draw me into the story - I felt isolated from the action. While that might be the tone the author was going for, I fear few of the target audience will persevere.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

When It’s Your Turn for Midnight by Blessing Musariri - ADVISABLE

When It’s Your Turn for Midnight by Blessing Musariri, 184 pages. Lerner, 2026. $19

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (mental illness); Violence: PG-13 (# of dead bodies mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

One moment 15yo Chianti is only worrying about getting her little sister out of trouble with their parents. The next her mother blurts out that her Baba (dad) is not even Chianti’s. Confused and hurt, Chianti flees to her grandmother’s home, where she is surrounded by the group of loving aunties she grew up with, leaving her younger sisters to fend for themselves. While Chianti is trying to make sense of her new reality, she also delves into her grandmother’s history, when she and her friends were freedom fighters during Zimbabwe's civil war. 

Musariri manages to pack quite an emotional punch into a short, poignant story. Can we hold this up to show that  fabulous writing doesn't need 400+ pages to wander towards the point? She paints vivid settings and complex emotions for almost every character. I also love that her glimpse into an unfamiliar culture still shows human emotions and problems are universal.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett - ADVISABLE

A Trade of Blood (Ana and Din Mysteries #3) by Robert Jackson Bennett, 400 pages. Del Rey (Penguin Random House), 2026. $32.

Language: R (196 swears, 56 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (drug and alcohol use, illegal activity, disturbing elements, innuendo, nudity, and mentions of sex); Violence: R (corpses, assault, blood and gore, animal cruelty, mentions of genocide, suicide, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Ana is not happy with their new investigation assignment not only because it appears to be an open-and-shut case to appease the gentry but mostly because that means it’s also going to be uninteresting. Except that when Ana and Dinios arrive, they find evidence that this case is not as easily settled as they anticipated—and that it might not be the perpetrator’s first murder.

As excited as I was to return to this fantasy world and Ana and Din’s investigative duo, I was as put off about the new case as Ana was, due to the case’s cliché Romeo and Juliet angle. Thankfully, the story quickly expanded from there, drawing in all the elements of mystery, awe, and paranoid suspicion for every character that could betray the beloved duo along the way that I have come to expect. With bittersweet feelings about finishing another mind-blowing case, I look forward to many more.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Vacation Shift by Lily Chu - OPTIONAL

Vacation Shift by Lily Chu, 352 pages. Harper, 2026. $20

Language: R (18  swears, 6 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

16yo Ivy Yu is on a bonding trip to Japan with her mother. Unfortunately their curated trip is populated mostly by senior citizens - except a boy her age and his dad, who is near Ivy’s mom’s age. Since her parents separated, Ivy has been harboring hope that they will get back together and she is also battling depression on her own, as her mother feels Ivy can just “get over herself". Keith, the other teenager on the trip, agrees with Ivy that their parents shouldn’t get together.  Will the pair be able to sabotage their elders?

Chu focuses mostly on Ivy and her relationships with her parents and gives us beautiful looks around Japan.  And the growing relationship between the two teens will satisfy romance readers.  

Lily is Asian American.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS