Dust by Alison Stine - OPTIONAL

Dust by Alison Stine, 320 pages. Wednesday Books (St. Martin’s Press), 2024. $20.

Language: PG (5 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

At first, unschooling was a relief—Thea no longer had to deal with those who made fun of her and her disability. But then unschooling became an excuse for Thea’s father to move the family to a failing farm in Colorado, and living a simple life turned into doing everything the hard way. As Thea (16yo) fights to understand the world around her, she discovers that it may be too late and that the dust storms might kill them all before she ever gets a chance to really live.

The world around Thea is dry and bleak with nothing around, and the feeling of that landscape is felt through the slow-going, expository writing. It isn’t boring per se, but most of the book is not action-packed as the challenges pile up gradually. Thea is hard of hearing, somewhere between hearing and deaf, and Stine gives readers that experience through Thea’s perspective. Overall, the story was well-written, and persistent readers will see that.

The majority of characters are implied White. The mature content rating is for kissing, scary elements, mentions of CBD oil and nudity, and innuendo. The violence rating is for child abuse and mentions of guns and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

So Into You by Kathleen Fuller - ADVISABLE

So Into You by Kathleen Fuller, 336 pages. Thomas Nelson, 2024. $18.

Language: PG (5 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEAL TO: SEVERAL

Making videos about art from her studio at home—where she still lives with her mother—is the perfect job for socially anxious Brittany (28yo). Her mother, Amy (47yo), is still in pain from her difficult marriage and divorce from Brittany’s father, Daniel (48yo), and resists her friend’s attempts to get her to mingle with other singles. When Hunter (30yo) discovers Brittany’s videos online, he finds a peace he hasn’t felt in years, but his entrance into Brittany’s life brings all their personal and family issues to a head.

The number of ways that these two families are tangled around each other is comical, making the moment of collision when they all come together spectacular. This romance includes two separate love stories—further fueling the melodramatic relationships. Fuller’s characters have difficult pasts, uncertain futures, and all the decisions to make today as they try to make the future different from the past. These relatable struggles ground the story just enough to enjoy the truths within the exaggerated drama.

Brittany is described as having “pale” skin, Amy is described as having “moderately tanned” skin, Daniel is described as having “lightly tanned” skin, and Savannah is implied Hispanic. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, kissing, partial nudity, innuendo, and mentions of illegal activity, drugs, and sex.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Night War by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley - ESSENTIAL

The Night War by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, 288 pages. Middle Grade, Dial (Penguin), 2024. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, war violence, rough treatment, injuries, talk of killing people) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Miriam is a Jewish girl living in German occupied Paris. When her neighborhood is rounded up, Mimi escapes with her neighbor's daughter and is rescued by a nun who sends her and little Nora to the Chateau de Chenonceau. Nora is adopted by a family, much to Mimi's horror, and Mimi's name is changed to Marie and she is enrolled in a catholic boarding school. Eager to find Nora and escape, Mimi gets caught up in a "Night War" where she risks not only her life, but the safety of everyone at the school. 

I love Bradley's historical fiction, and I recommend this one as highly as I did "The War that Saved My Life". Well researched, a great location with a gorgeous castle and a gripping story; Historical Fiction lovers won't be able to put it down. I loved the characters, even the friends at school are nicely rounded out. Includes an author's note with a picture of Chenonceau (which I had to look up as my imagination wasn't good enough). Characters are Jewish, German and French. 

Lisa Librarian 

Lady Anna’s Favor by Karen Tuft - OPTIONAL

Lady Anna’s Favor by Karen Tuft, 272 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2024. $18.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

When Anna’s brother is reported as missing in action in France and presumed dead, the entailed estate is set to be inherited by her unsavory cousin. Unwilling to let her cousin ruin their family and drive her out of her home, Anna takes it upon herself to track down her brother—even if it means going to France herself with little knowledge of the language and accepting temporary companionship from a judgmental gentleman.

Tuft has written several books about the Jennings family, and the first few chapters of this book reference the previous stories heavily. After Anna Clifton and James Jennings cross paths, though, the rest of their story is independent of the books. Anna’s story is dramatic, full of desperate hope, underhanded tricks, and whirlwind romance. With a little suspended belief, it’s a fun read.

The characters are all European, mostly English and French. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, kissing, sexual harassment, innuendo, and mentions of rape. The violence rating is for mentions of war and blood and gore as well as for gun use.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Perfect Girl by Tracy Banghart - OPTIONAL

Perfect Girl by Tracy Banghart, 304 pages. Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan), 2024. $20.

Language: R (168 swears, 13 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

High schooler Jessa is the rule following, future lawyer, great student that everyone expects her to be—despite the fact that being that girl no longer makes her happy. Her friend group is drifting apart, but a concession from her parents allowing Jessa to have a sleepover while they’re out of town is going to help. But when Friday night comes, the power goes out, strangers start creeping around the house, and Jessa isn’t the only one who made plans.

A thriller with a game of truth or dare, loss of power and cell service in a haunted house, and two basement locations gives readers ample opportunity to wonder what will go wrong next. With the very real possibility of losing the future before ever having a chance to live it, Jessa will discover that being perfect is not always ideal and that exact obedience is not always safe.

Jessa is depicted as White on the cover, Ryan is Black, and Alexis is bi. The mature content rating is for underage drinking; mentions of drugs, pornography, and trafficking; illegal activity; scary elements; kissing; innuendo; and sexual harassment. The violence rating is for blood and gore, mentions of domestic violence, gun use, assault, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Mismatched: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Emma written by Anne Camlin, illustrated by Isadora Zeferino - OPTIONAL

Mismatched: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Emma written by Anne Camlin, illustrated by Isadora Zeferino, 264 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Little, Brown and Company, 2024. $18.

Language: PG-13 (28 swears, 1 “f”); Mature Content: PG (one occasion of underage drinking, several on-page kisses); Violence: PG (unwanted first kiss)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A graphic gender-bent retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma, 17yo white, gay Evan Horowitz is a glamorous instafamous high school ballet dancer with a penchant for matchmaking. He tries to prove his skills with shy new transfer student Natalia, but things keep spinning out of his control. Can he right all the wrongs, and find true love before it’s too late?

I picked this up because I love graphic novels, and I really like the last graphic novel retelling I read (Twelfth Grade Night by Molly Booth), but I should have known better. Emma is my least favorite Austen novel because she drives me nuts. Good news, this version is true to form, because Evan also drove me nuts. One pro was there was a lot of representation in LGBTQIA characters, however some of the pacing was a little choppy.

Miss Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge by Matthew Hubbard - OPTIONAL

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge by Matthew Hubbard, 368 pages. Random House Children's Books (Penguin Random House), 2024. $20.

Language: R (100+ swears, 29 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (frequent references to teenage dating and sex, but nothing on-page); Violence: PG (bullying and homophobia)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Ezra (gay, junior, white), along with his best friends Lucas (fem, junior, latinx) and Finley (bi, junior, black), are just trying to survive under the radar as students in small-town Alabama. All three have boy problems, so they decide they want revenge à la The First Wives Club. Their plans include crashing the largest party of the year, participating in a drag show lip sync competition, and campaigning to be the next Winter Formal King. However, when the school starts censoring queer voices as part of the "Watch What You Say" initiative (think Florida’s Don’t Say Gay law), their plans for revenge blossom into something much bigger.

I loved seeing Ezra’s character growth from just focusing on himself to becoming a leader for his school and queer community. I enjoyed cheering him on as he took on the establishment in his small-town Southern school. It breaks my heart that this is a reality for too many students, but I’m glad that books like this exist to give readers hope. Although I enjoyed the overall message, there was extensive graphic language throughout. I got to 100+ swears within the first 10 chapters. There was also quite a bit of teenage sexuality - mostly off-page, but enough that I would be cautious about adding it to a school library.

Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg - ADVISABLE

The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg, 352 pages. Henry Holt and Co. (Macmillan), 2019. $14

Language: PG (9 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G (innocent kiss); Violence: PG-13 (bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

16yo Ana is a Fantasist living in the Kingdom with seven of her princess sisters. The Fantasists’ jobs are to blend into the Kingdom park, please the guests and do as they’re instructed. Their purpose is to make dreams come true. When Nia tries to drown a child, the sisters are scrutinized and evaluated and Ana becomes heartbroken but adamant to understand what happened to make sweet Nia commit such a horrible act. When Eve, the first sister, disappears, the park becomes strict and Ana becomes scared. Ana has found a friend in a maintenance worker, 19yo Owen, and he seems to be understanding of Ana’s confusion and wants to help; but Owen has a secret of his own.

Snippets of wisdom can be found throughout the book, such as, “Neutral is best. Neutral is safe.” I thought the book would be a fluff story and I’m pleased with how much more interesting it turned out to be than I expected! I enjoyed the alternating timelines and how they revealed the mystery.

The ethnicity is mixed.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow - MANY

The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow, 464 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2024. $17

Language: R (190 swears, 28 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (drug use and underage drinking); Violence: PG (fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

15yo Bella tells herself she needs alcohol to handle her arguing, demanding parents, school stress and her recent breakup. Her friends see her going downhill and her best friend Amber tries everything she can think of to help Bella. Bella has a job, works hard in school and helps her parents with pretty much everything and the breakup has pushed her over the edge. She tells herself that she just needs this drink to get through the day but one drink ends up being many and when Bella is dropped off and left for dead (overdosed) at 2 AM by people she was at a party with, the addiction comes out in the open. The nurse tells her she’s damaged her liver and that she fell on her porch cracking her cheekbone. Bella is in pain, on an IV and being prepared for rehab. She has a struggle ahead of her and she has to deal with it on her own.

The author’s note and resources, at the end of the book, are insightful and helpful. This story helped me to understand what addicts go through, especially when they’re truly trying to recover and make a better life for themselves. I grew to love Bella and my heart broke for her and opened up to her as the story was told. Other characters’ experiences broadened the scope of addiction and included how their caregivers treated them which helped Bella realize that she can ask for help because we can’t get through struggles all alone. She also learned that she has to protect herself because no one else will be there to do it for her, as we all need to know.

Ethnicity falls to white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Forgotten Founders by Mifflin Lowe, illustrated by William Luong - ESSENTIAL

Forgotten Founders: Black Patriots, Women Soldiers, and Other Thinkers and Heroes Who Shaped Early America by Mifflin Lowe, illustrated by William Luong. 64 pages. NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Bushel and Peck Books, 2022. $20. 9781638190929

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

This nonfiction book is packed full of people of 25 people who made a difference in the Revolutionary War.  Many of them are black or women that are rarely talked about in the history books.  One of my favorites is about a woman named Anna Smith Strong who would put her laundry out in a specific way which would signal a message was ready.  Then the number of hankerchiefs let them know where to find the message.  Another is about a black man Peter Salem that was born into slavery.  He was at the battle of Bunker Hill and was thought to have fired the shot that killed the British leader Major Pitcairn. 

The illustrations bring bring this book to life.  There are several boxes on each page that lists facts about that person.  It also gives good information about how the war started and who was involved.  

Emilee-Teacher Librarian

Library Girl by Polly Horvath - ADVISABLE

Library Girl by Polly Horvath, 256 pages. Middle Grade Holiday House, 2024. $19.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

11yo Essie has grown up in the public library. She was discovered in a basket on a shelf in the library by 4 librarians. When no one comes to claim the baby, they decide to share mothering duties and keep her. They set up a room for her in an inner office and take turns sleeping there at night. But eventually Essie needs to know more of the world than just the library and it's patrons, so she is given permission to explore the ice cream shop across the way, and the mall and park nearby. But when she meets a friend, questions she had never considered threaten to change her whole world. 

I absolutely adored this story - it was full of library references that a librarian will relate to and love. So I'm biased about the setting. That aside, what a great story! Oh, to be able to ride your bike through the stacks, and read all day with unlimited access to the library. Horvath's characters are great. Will a middle grade reader love this as much as I? Probably not, but I'll still recommend it. A bit of a mystery (who is she?) there's a love story between one of the librarians and a guy at the mall, and a scheme planned between Essie and her friend. Essie defaults white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Like a Boss by Sarah Mlynowski, Hena Khan and Jennifer Bricking - ADVISABLE

Like a Boss (Best Wishes #4) by Sarah Mlynowski and Hena Khan, illustrated by Jennifer Bricking, 192 pages. Scholastic, 2024. $17. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

5th grader Maya Amir is the next recipient of the magical bracelet. She really wanted to be the president of the environmental club, but when her best friend Hazel stepped up and volunteered, Maya didn't want to run against her. But Hazel wanted to plan posters that included a bunch of glitter and plastic and disregarded Maya's idea to recycle. If only Maya was the boss!  But, of course her wish comes true, but being the boss (of everything) isn't what she wanted. 

AJ and I have loved this series. It's fun to anticipate the problems. We love that the girls from the other stories are available for Maya to bounce ideas off of, and to be a support when things get bad. Lots of real environmental ideas as well. We especially loved Maya's grandmother Dadi - she's wise and funny. 

Maya and her family are Pakistani-American. 

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 8) 

Waist-Deep in Dung by Christine Virnig and Korwin Briggs - ESSENTIAL

Waist-Deep in Dung: A Stomach-Churning Look at the Grossest Jobs Throughout History by Christine Virnig, illustrated by Korwin Briggs, 210 pages. NON-FICTION Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2024. $22 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

A humorous look at the most revolting jobs in history. There are some doozies. Think cleaning up vomit, harvesting saltpeter (poop and pee) and giving royal enemas. There's some jobs no one wants, that's for sure. 

This book is disgusting and sucks you right in. It's hard to put down. The illustrations and insets make you want to keep reading even when you're sure you're going to lose your lunch. This is a fascinating look at what humans used to do with human waste, dead bodies, and medicine. You will find yourself grateful you didn't have to storm a castle by climbing up the poop chute. 

Michelle in the Middle

Finding Harmony by Eric Walters - ADVISABLE

Finding Harmony by Eric Walters, 264 pages. Orca, Feb 2025. $15 

Language: G (0 swears 0 ‘f’); Mature Content:PG (talk of creepy guys, mother works in a strip club, effects of adult drug use) Violence: PG13 (child abuse, assault, bloody injury, scary drug dealers) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

13yo Harmony has been placed in foster care several times; her mom can’t keep it together, she dates creepy men, is an alcoholic and she has a drug habit. But she’s still Harmony’s mom, and home is best, right? But Harmony finds herself taking care of her mom, so who is taking care of Harmony? 

I’ve read several of Eric Walter’s short Orca Soundings, and it was exciting to read a full length novel. It was so good! Harmony is a great character, smart and spunky but vulnerable and scared. I wanted to help her but knew I couldn’t. Can't help but wonder how many of my students face troubles similar to Harmony’s. Harmony and her mother default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Open Wide: Jaw-dropping Mouths of the Animal World by Dr. Letizia Diamante and Ed J. Brown - MANY

Open Wide: Jaw-dropping Mouths of the Animal World by Dr. Letizia Diamante, illustrated by Ed J. Brown. 66 pages. NON-FICTION What on Earth. 2024. $22 9781804661369 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Facts about amazing mouths of the animal kingdom. Find out which animal has the largest tongue, sharpest teeth, and how some animals don't even have mouths but manage to survive. 

An interesting way to find out about animal mouths, a topic I didn't know I was interested in. I managed to learn a lot in a short amount of time. The art and layout make learning about animal mouths interesting and is an easy way to compare and contrast different types of mouths for different functions. I didn't know a great white shark could lose over 20,000 teeth in a lifetime, effectively bankrupting a tooth fairy. 

 Michelle in the Middle

The Haunted Mask R.L. Stine, adapted by Maddi Gonzalez - MANY

Goosebumps the Graphic Novel: The Haunted Mask R.L. Stine, adapted by Maddi Gonzalez, 156 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix (Scholastic), 2024. $13 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Carly Beth is tired of being scared all the time and getting teased for it. Looking for the perfect Halloween costume to actually do the scaring herself, she runs across a creepy little store that has some fantastic masks for sale. Against the storekeeper's advice, she buys one that literally might transform her and make her scary forever. 

A fun adaptation of Stine's novel, this will appeal to anyone who wants a mild scare. The drawings are well done and it is a fast read. Perfect for reading just before bed! Carly Beth is drawn white and her friend's culture is unspecified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

There's No Way I'd Die First by Lisa Springer - NOT RECOMMENDED

There’s No Way I’d Die First by Lisa Springer, 304 pgs. Delacorte Press, 2023. $19

Language: (100+ swears, 38 ‘f’); Mature Content: R (under-age alcohol use and drug use); Violence: R (numerous extremely graphic bloody assaults and murders on and off-page)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS–NOT RECOMMENDED

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

Noelle Layne is obsessed with the horror movie genre and dreams of becoming a famous filmmaker. She has been building her presence online and in a bid to gain more followers, she is hosting an exclusive horror themed Halloween party. However, as the night progresses, the horror begins to become less Hollywood movie and more reality show.

While most traditional teen slasher movies, which this book bases its plot around, do use tired tropes and the audience must suspend their belief, this story makes it impossible to engage in its absurd premise. The violence is off the charts with numerous scenes that are nausea inducing, there are too many plot holes to count, characters whose behavior makes absolutely no sense, a romance subplot where two characters keep taking make out breaks during an all-out slaughter, and a motive for the killers that is stunning in its stupidity.

Reviewer: AEB

Midnight at the Houdini by Delilah S. Dawson - ADVISABLE

Midnight at the Houdini by Delilah S. Dawson, 362 pgs. Delacorte Press, 2023. $20

Language: PG-13 (26 swears, no ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (attempted murder, lives in peril due to severe weather)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS–ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

In the midst of a record breaking storm, Anna finds refuge in an old hotel. As she explores, she discovers a surreal place where reality is suspended and love and fear follow her through the halls. What seemed to be her saving turns perilous as she realizes if she is unable to leave within 24 hours, she will be trapped there forever.

An intriguing plot of a hotel that lives just out of time. The characters are well developed, but the overall story is weakened by incomplete world building. Anna’s gangster father and his cronies do not add anything to the story, only seeming relevant with an underwhelming reveal at the end. Younger readers will be more likely to enjoy the romance and overlook the flaws leading to a positive reading experience.

Reviewer: AEB

Six of Sorrow by Amanda Linsmeier - ADVISABLE

Six of Sorrow by Amanda Linsmeier, 274 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2024. $20 

Language: PG (7 swears, 2 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (Mom drinking excessively, characters smoking); Violence: PG (The violence involves supernatural occurrences and mysterious incidents that cause pain and suffering to the characters. The violence is more eerie and psychological than graphic.)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

17yo Isabeau and her four best friends were all born on the same day in a cursed village plagued by six mysterious sorrows. As their 18yo birthday approaches, strange and tragic events unfold, pushing Isabeau to confront her unique ability to see and communicate with spirits. She and her friends uncover dark secrets about the curse that has haunted their village for generations, and their shared birthdate seems to be at the heart of the mystery. With each sorrow tied to grief and death, Isabeau must use her powers to break the cycle before it claims them. 

Themes of friendship, loss, and the supernatural are woven throughout, creating an eerie and suspenseful narrative. I appreciated the dark, atmospheric writing the author tried to create and the dynamic between Isabeau and her friends. The blend of horror, mystery, and fantasy, along with the curse and sorrows, kept me engaged. However, I felt the pacing was slow, especially in the beginning, and I felt that some of the side characters could have been more developed. While Isabeau's journey was compelling, parts of the plot were very predictable, and the world-building behind the curse lacked depth.  I wanted more information about the mothers of the five girls, but maybe the author left that open for a prequel.  Overall, the novel’s strength lies in its mood and mystery, and most high/middle school students would enjoy this enough to read it. Bridger is part Chinese and Black, Solaina is Hispanic

Jessica Nelson CTHS Librarian

Heir by Sabaa Tahir - MANY

Heir by Sabaa Tahir, 512 pages. G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin), 2024. $18

Language: R (37 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (implied sex); Violence: PG-13 (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

Aiz has burn scars from an orphanage fire ten years prior and wants vengeance for the victims of the fire. 20yo Prince Quil is heir after the Empress, his Aunt Helene, and he loves to be under the radar and roams the streets with anonymity. Bani al-Mauth, the holy figure Chosen of Death, meets with Quil after a homeless boy is killed by having his heart burned out of his chest. She wants Quil’s help in stopping the murders that have taken place. Sirsha is a poor jewel thief trying to survive the slums and earn enough to move away someday. She’s running from a violent gang and barely escapes when she’s found by a man who wants her help. Their paths will cross and danger follows.

It was nice to be in the world of An Ember in the Ashes again, over a decade into the future. Instead of learning about a new world and trying to navigate it, I was revisiting a world I was very familiar with. The new main characters are complex and each has a story to tell.

Ethnicity includes brown and white skin.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah