The Space Between Here and Now by Sarah Suk - HIGH

The Space Between Here and Now by Sarah Suk, 320 pages. Quill Tree Books (HarperCollins), 2023. $20.

Language: R (30 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Going back in time sounds like a superpower, but, for Aimee (17yo), it’s a nightmare. Aimee has Sensory Time Warp Syndrome (STWS), which, for her, means that sometimes a smell will send her back in time to watch an old memory, making her physically disappear from the present for an uncontrollable amount of time. But her dad is in denial about the issue, even as the disappearances are starting to occur more frequently. Aimee needs help, and she’s desperate enough to fly halfway around the world to find it.

The story was initially unclear about whether Aimee’s disappearances were mental or physical absences, and the book was more enjoyable once that detail was made clear: the disappearances include a change in her physical location. While Aimee’s condition is fictional, her struggles to talk about and find help for STWS are relatable. She wants to be in control of STWS before she lives her life instead of learning to live with STWS and the ways it might disrupt any given day. The ending is more about closure than solutions, more about mindset than being bestowed with a magical happily ever after.

Aimee, Junho, and their fathers are Korean-Canadian; Nikita is Taiwanese-Canadian; and most of the other characters are either implied Canadian or Korean.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Stars in Their Eyes by Jessica Walton and Aska - ADVISABLE

Stars in Their Eyes by Jessica Walton and Aska, 224 GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix Scholastic, 2023. $16

Language: PG-13 (17 swears 0 F); Mature Content: PG (talk of being conceived in a back seat, getting prego) Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Maisie is 14yo and on her way to her first fancon where she is excited to meet other queer, disabled people. Her idol, Kara Bufano, an action hero will be there and they both have an above the knee amputation in common. When Maisie and her mother get there, she meets Ollie, a volunteer working the show. They are as into geek culture as Maisie, and Maisie begins to have feelings for them. 

 This is a slice of life book. The entire book takes place in the one day of Maisie's fancon visit, so it's like reading it in real time. This is a first romance story with nonbinary characters as well as featuring Maisie's disability. The characters are believable and reinforce the theme of celebrating yourself and others for who they are. No race is mentioned for the main characters but the culture is LGBTQ. 

Michelle in the Middle

No Horses in the House!by Mireille Messier and Anna Bron - OPTIONAL

No Horses in the House!: The Audacious Life of Artist Rosa Bonheur by Mireille Messier illustrated by Anna Bron. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY Orca Book Publishers, 2023. $22. 9781459833524 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Once there was a girl named Rosa who loved to draw animals, especially horses. Her mother insisted on teaching her to read and let her draw an animal for every letter in the alphabet. As Rosa grew older she didn't want to sew, embroider, cook, and garden like the other girls. Eventually, her father taught her to draw, paint, and sculpt at home like her brothers. Rosa wanted to go to the horse market to draw horses, but only boys were allowed. So Rosa dressed in her brother's clothing and went to the horse market. A policeman caught her. So Rosa got a permit from the government to dress any way she wanted. She started showing her paintings. Some ridiculed her but others thought her animals were very lifelike. Then one year her newest painting, The Horse Fair, was so beautiful that she became one of the most famous artists in France. 

No Horses in the House is an interesting account of the life of famous French artist Rosa Bonheur. Messier's text portrays a woman willing to take surprisingly bold risks, and dress as a man to be able to do things that only men were allowed to do in 1829 in France. I enjoyed the story and the storytelling illustrations. the fact sheet at the end includes more detail to her life and alternate lifestyle. 

PGPowers

Scariest.Book.Ever. by R.L. Stine - OPTIONAL

Scariest.Book.Ever. (Goosebumps House of Shivers #1) by R.L. Stine, 160 pages.  Scholastic, 2023. $8 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Thinking they are in for a boring summer, twins Betty and Billy have to spend time with Uncle Wendell in his secluded house at the edge of the Wayward Forest. The twins don't have a chance to get bored before discovering that Uncle Wendell is the keeper of the most scariest book in the world, and they have to face their own scares to keep it safe. 

This is standard R.L. Stine fare, so fans of his will probably enjoy it. The storyline was okay, though Stine has better books. But if you want a quick read that brings back Goosebump nostalgia, then read on. The culture and race of the main characters is never mentioned. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Piggy: Permanent Detention by Vannotes - HIGH

Piggy: Permanent Detention by Vannotes, 128 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL graphix Scholastic, 2023. $13 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

The world is in disarray after an outbreak of a zombie-like disease. Willow and her team, the Silver Paw, do what they can to survive, which is not easy when there are the Infected and their leader PIGGY, who seems bent on taking them out. Willow and teammate Cami, are separated from the others and have to make their way through an abandoned school filled with a barbarian clan of kindergartners, a gladiator pit in the cafeteria, and an infected-filled gym. 

This seems like "The Walking Dead" for elementary students. The art is bright and colorful and will most likely entice readers. However, there wasn't a lot of plot besides getting away from the mysterious infected PIGGY via an old school building, and anyone who can't get past kindergartners probably deserves to let Darwinism take over. There is no clear culture or race since the characters seem to be a mashup of weird animal creatures. Think not-so-adorable stuffed animals come to life. 

Michelle in the Middle

Looking Up by Stephan Pastis - HIGH

Looking Up by Stephan Pastis, 228 pages.  Simon and Schuster, 2023. $14 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Saint is a girl facing lots of changes. The neighborhood she loves is disappearing. But it is when her favorite and ancient toy store is demolished, that she realizes she must take action. Enlisting the help of a quiet neighbor boy whose house is also in danger of being torn down for newer buildings, she hatches a plan to save her hometown from realtors. 

Okay, my description of the book doesn't capture the quirkiness that makes reading a Stephan Pastis book an adventure in joy. Saint is a great character who is relatable even in her oddness, which makes her more endearing. Her observations about life are truthful from a child's perspective. While mostly funny, the book also touches on real issues such as change and loss. The line drawings add a lot to the tone of the book. Sign me up for another one! The culture or race of the main characters is not specified. 

Michelle in the Middle

Isaiah Dunn Saves the Day by Kelly J. Baptiste - ESSENTIAL

Isaiah Dunn Saves the Day by Kelly J. Baptiste, 179 pages. Crown, 2022. $17 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Isaiah Dunn is in middle school. He, his mom, and his sister live with a neighbor while their mom finishes school and works on feeling better. Isaiah's best friend Angel always has business ideas. Isaiah is a wonderful artist and people buy his art. Angel thinks they could use some quick cash and they start making birthday cards. He is also in business with his friend Sneaky selling candy and pop. He's good at making money. At his school, there are after-school clubs, and one is called Rockets Reach Back. That means an older child is paired up with a younger child who is in trouble. He is supposed to be a mentee for Kobee, but Kobee is nothing but trouble. Can Isaiah, with all he has going on, pull up a new superpower and figure out what is with Kobee and help him? 

This was amazing! Wish all troubled kids had an Isaiah in their lives! Isaiah is just an all-around good kid. He is always busy, always helping his mom, his sister his teacher and Kobee. It is a feel-good, heartwarming story. The characters are African American 

Ellen-Anita. Librarian 

Next Door To Happy by Allison Weiser Strout - ADVISABLE

Next Door To Happy by Allison Weiser Strout, 184 pages. Margaret Ferguson Books (Holiday House), 2022. $18 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Violet is not especially happy - things aren't great at her house. Her father just moved out and her mother suffers from crippling anxiety. She has no siblings and nobody to play with. She will start middle school soon and she will not know anybody there. Then, one day the Walker family moves in next door. They have several children and Reggie is the same age as Violet. Actually, Violet gets along with the whole family and often eats dinner with them. One day Violet accidentally overhears Mrs. Walker telling Reggie that she does not think that Violet is an "appropriate" friend. Violet discovers that no family is perfect as she struggles to find a way to fit in and be a friend. 

I think there are a lot of children like Violet who struggle to fit in, find friends, and feel secure in who they are. Violet is going to have to face some hard truths and come to terms with how her life is. A great read and I highly recommend this book. Characters are default white.

Ellen-Anita. Librarian 

She Holds Up the Stars by Sandra Laronde - ADVISABLE

She Holds Up the Stars by Sandra Laronde, 187 pages. Annick Press, 2022. $18 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G (mistreatment of horse) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Misko is a Canadian First People and she lives in the city with her aunt. She does not want to move back to the reservation to live with her grandmother - all her friends, her school, all the stores she knows are here in the city. She is not happy to be there until she meets a most beautiful horse she names Mishtadim, which is being violently broken by his new owner. At first Misko and Thomas, the son of Mishtadim's owner, do not get along, but after awhile a friendship starts to form between them. Can Misko and Thomas stop his father from being so hard on the horse? Is there another way? 

She Holds Up the Stars is a quick read, and a beautiful story. I read it all the way through, I could not put it down. This would especially appeal to children who love horses, and maybe children who own horses. I recommend the lovely little story and I hope you will enjoy it, too. Main character in Native American. 

Ellen-Anita. Librarian 

If You Read This by Kereen Getten - ESSENTIAL

If You Read This by Kereen Getten, 166 pages. Delacorte Press. 2022. $17 

Language: G Mature Content: G (death of mother) Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Every year when Brie had a birthday, mama would write Brie letters for a treasure hunt. But Mama dies three years ago and this year there will again be no letter. The old letters that mom wrote are now Brie's favorite memories of Mama. Nana has invited a lot of people to Brie's birthday party, even people she never talks to. Everyone is dressed in their best, and the table is heaped high with all kinds of food, even a three-tiered cake! The party goes better than Brie expected and Nana has one last, very special gift for Brie.

I love the story of Brie and her family. It pulled at my heartstrings and made me cry and laugh. It is well written, full of emotion, and great family support. You will have to read it for yourself to see if Brie can figure out Mama's clues and find the treasure at the end. The story is full of adventure and great and wonderful discoveries. Brie and her family are African American. 

Ellen-Anita. Library 

Dream to Me by Megan Paasch - HIGH

Dream to Me by Megan Paasch, 384 pages.  Feiwel & Friends, 2023. $18 

Language: R (90 swears 11 'f'); Mature Content: G (kissing) Violence: PG-13 (bloody assault; death)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

17yo Eva has moved to Madrona with her older sister Rhonda after their father died from a gunshot wound. Their father’s Aunt Miriam left Eva the Sylvan family house in her will and now that’s the place they head to get a new start. The minute the two sisters arrive in town, they’re met with rude comments and glares from some of the townspeople when they’re recognized as a relative of Miriam and part of the Sylvan family. The next day, the gas attendant who told them to leave is found in a coma and soon more people fall into comas and Eva is accused of causing it. She has no idea what’s going on and when Rhonda falls into a coma, Eva does everything she can to discover her family’s secrets and wake everyone from their comatose state. 

I enjoyed the unique plot. The mystery grew more interesting as the story progressed. I liked the creepiness and the uncertainty. Bethany is Vietnamese. Falls to white. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Library

Search For Treasure by Mary Alice Monroe, Angela May, and Jennifer Brickling - ESSENTIAL

Search for Treasure (The Islanders #2) by Mary Alice Monroe and Angela May, illustrated by Jennifer Brickling, 259 pages. Aladdin, 2022. $18 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Jake Potter, now 12yo, is on his way to spend the summer with his grandmother and his best friends Macon and Lovie at Dewees Island. Last year they had a great mission, saving baby turtles. Jake is determined that this year they will have find his Dad's tree fort, which is hidden deep within the forest. Maybe they will find old pirate treasure too? Life isn't just sunshine and roses for Jake and his friends. Some new boys are on the island - Jake and his friends are being bullied by them, but the adults can't see the bullying. Jake hopes he can find the treasure and make his dad happy again.

I was so excited to see this book in my box. I loved the first book. This one does not disappoint. Tell the kids about this book and I think they will like it. My grandson loved the first book and is eagerly waiting for this one. The characters are strong and very realistic. The setting is real and the adults give the kids a lot of freedom to explore by themselves. It is a small island, so it would be hard to get lost or get to any harm without being found quickly. I loved both Islanders and look forward to more adventures with Jake, Macon and Lovie.  All three children have personal problems in their families. Together they are stronger, they can talk about their problems and help each other find solutions. 

Ellen-Anita Librarian 

Nothing is Little by Carmella Van Vleet - ESSENTIAL

Nothing is Little by Carmella Van Vleet. 215 p. Holiday House, 2022. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL - HIGH 

11yo Felix lives with his mom and his stepdad. He has never known his dad and he and a friend start investigating to see if they can find any clues to who he is. Felix is short, and he finds out that his dad was really short too. Felix has Growth Hormone Deficiency. Without that Growth Hormone, he will not grow. Felix and his very pregnant mother go to see a specialist. It is decided that Felix will start Growth Hormone treatments. In the meantime his baby sister, Boo, keeps growing and making his mother very uncomfortable. On top of everything else, his mom and stepdad want Felix to change his last name so that the whole family will have the same last name. Felix struggles with all these things; starting middle school, being short, not knowing his father, getting a new stepfather, and waiting for the new baby to be born. 

I loved this book. I loved how Felix rises to each new challenge and makes good decisions. He does not especially mind being short, it is just the way he is. He has some good friend and a mom and a stepdad who love him and want what is best for him. The was a very heartwarming story about how children, and all of us, can overcome hardships in our lives, learn to live with it, and keep doing our best. I really recommend this book. It is a good read-aloud, or, book talks to students and they will all want to read it. Happy reading everyone. 

The characters are default white.

Ellen-Anita. Librarian 

Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll - ESSENTIAL

Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll, 304 pages. Crown (Random House), 2022. $17. 

Language: PG (9 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Car Accident - not graphic) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

12yo Cora's best friend is Adrian. Adrian has ADHD, and Cora has autism - Adrian says they are "under the same umbrella." Adrian's dad owns a company called Pomagranite, which creates AI versions of people: famous ones people can pay to meet, or regular people who have agreed to let themselves be imaged, so they can "live forever." Because she is neurodivergent, the company wants to interview and image Cora, her father is against it, but it might be the only way she can continue to connect with the friend she lost. 

McNicoll's science fiction novel is so timely and realistic. AI is a hot topic right now and this exploration of how it could be used was fascinating. I loved that Cora's autism was a personality feature, rather than a disability and that she became her own champion. I loved Adrian's energy and adored their friendship. Highly recommended. The characters are default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Mascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell - ESSENTIAL

Mascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell, 256 pages. Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2023 $18.00 Language: G (references to racist words, but nothing overtly offensive); Mature Content: G. Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When the 8th-grade honor's language arts class is given a debate topic - "Pros and Cons of Indigenous Peoples as Mascots", the kids, and their families, take sides because their local high school has “The Braves” for their mascot. One group of middle school students takes the issue to the school board; they want the high school mascot - "The Braves" - removed. 

 Written in verse and from multiple perspectives, Sorell and Waters weave a great story. The middle schoolers are a group of students Callie, who is Cherokee, Priya whose family is from India, Franklin is Black, Luis is from El Salvador and Sean and Tessa who are white. I love that all the students aren't on board with removing the mascot, in fact, some are actively opposed. I liked the friendship and family drama it caused. I would think it would make an interesting classroom novel. 

Lisa Librarian

Find Him Where You Left Him Dead by Kristen Simmons - OPTIONAL

Find Him Where You Left Him Dead by Kristen Simmons. 264 pages. Tor Teen, 2023. $19

Language: R (32 swears 5 'f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing) Violence: PG-13 (bloody death) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

17yo Madeline is swimming laps in the empty pool when she sees a boy that shouldn’t be there. The boy looks like an emaciated Ian, her friend who died four years ago. Emerson lives for video gaming and when she sees a sickly Ian trying to get to her, she panics. Dax takes a break from playing his guitar at the coffee shop and while he’s in the bathroom, a ghost creeps out of the toilet and beckons him to gather The Foxtail Five. As Owen acts on stage, he sees Ian, so he runs after him and realizes that it’s not Ian. It’s actually a demon. The four friends meet up and learn they have to defeat seven challenges presented by Japanese Shinigami and receive a stone for each one before they can reach Ian and save him from the demonic spirits. 

I like the concept of the characters going on a quest to save their friend from the Japanese underworld. The book didn’t keep my interest like I thought it would. The creepiness made the story more fun. Madeline is Black. Ian and Emerson are white. Dax has brown skin. Owen is Japanese American. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

My Uncle is Coming Tomorrow by Sebastián Santana Camargo, translated by Elisa Amado - OPTIONAL

My Uncle is Coming Tomorrow by Sebastián Santana Camargo, translated by Elisa Amado. PICTURE BOOK Greystone, 2022. $17. 9781778400063 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - NO, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

A child is told his uncle is coming to visit and he waits. 

My Uncle is Coming Tomorrow is more about the afterward than the picture book. The illustrations are simple line drawings. I think the subject matter is more appropriate for an older audience, maybe a high school class talking about political terror. 

*Spoiler* the uncle never arrives because he is one of the "disappeared" from the Cold War or organized crime. 

Lisa Librarian

The Search for Us by Susan Azim Boyer - HIGH

The Search for Us by Susan Azim Boyer, 304 pages. Wednesday Books (St. Martin’s Press), 2023. $21.

Language: R (175 swears, 26 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

With the upcoming college decision deadline, stress is rising for 17yo Samira (17yo) and Henry as they struggle to officially accept or decline due to their respective family drama. In the same week, these two teenagers, who have never met, choose to do DNA tests in an effort to find their fathers to come in and save the day. Instead, they find each other.

I love how Boyer addresses so many common mental issues that can be hard to live with, even if they aren’t diagnosed or categorized as mental illness. And it can be as difficult to navigate in real life as it was to read about. As Samira’s stress increased, so did my anxiety. It felt like bad just kept getting worse, until I was sure that the book was not going to have enough time to offer a solution. But despite how everything seemed to be wrong and was falling apart, Boyer showed readers that everything can still be okay—that we can make choices to be okay regardless of the circumstances we cannot control.

Samira and Kamron are Iranian/Persian, Irish, and American; Henry is Iranian/Persian, Russian, British, and American; Tara is implied Middle Eastern American and is also bisexual; Linh is Vietnamese; and Daniel is Black. The mature content rating is for alcohol use; groping; and mentions of drugs, condoms, and erection. The violence rating is for mild assault (hockey fighting) and for mentions of firearms and suicide.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson - ADVISABLE

Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson, 192 pages. Nancy Paulsen, 2023. $19. 

Content: G (deaths mentioned- no descriptions) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Sage loves basketball - she always has, and she is always able stay with and surpass the boys who come to her home court in her Bushwick neighborhood. That summer is a summer of little and big changes for Sage, her family, and her neighborhood. First there’s Freddy - a new boy, who is also a good friend. Then there are the fires - no one knows when one will start, but whole buildings are burning, forcing families out, and sometimes killing. Plus there is the stranger who challenges Sage’s right to be on the court and the fire that gets Sage in deep trouble with her mother. It’s a summer of revelation and upheaval. 

A book for the girls who are left behind as others give up their play for makeup and boys. A slice of life looking at an emotionally turbulent year, but a year of growth in Sage’s life. As someone who knows about the 1970’s fires in poor NYC neighborhoods, that part was really interesting. I don’t want to call this sweet, or quiet, but those are really the words that come to mind, but it’s more the “sweet” that we use as a “awesome” and the “quiet” that we use for a book that will linger after the reading. And the great cover will sell it for you. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Aniana Del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne Mendez - OPTIONAL

Aniana Del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne Mendez, 384 pages. Dial (Penguin), 2023. $19 

Content: PG (Mami slaps Aniana) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Aniana’s mother refuses to let her near the water because of what happened to Mami’s brother long ago in the Dominican Republic. Her father, however, has been secretly taking her to swim lessons and then competitions for years. Mami discovers the secret when 12yo Aniana becomes sick - ultra-religious Mami is sure the sickness was brough on by the years of lying and orders Aniana out of the pool forever. Even when Aniana is finally diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis, Mami refuses to budge on swimming. While she is learning to cope with her disease, how can Aniana find the strength fight Mami on this? 

I’ll start with this - when Mami slaps Aniana right in front of the doctor, I am surprised that Mami doesn’t face any consequences. Because of her past trauma, Mami needs counseling and this would have been a perfect time for her to start receiving that help. It would be worthwhile to have a book that addresses chronic illness in children - Aniana shows us how much her disease is misunderstood because she doesn’t have a visible injury. I reviewed this from my school library audiobook, so there maybe subtleties that I missed. 

The main characters from Dominican and Dominican Americans. Aniana's best is LGBT and talks about a girl she is interested in.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS LGBT best friend

Wild Poppies by Haya Saleh - ESSENTIAL

Wild Poppies by Haya Saleh, 178 pages. Levine Querido, 2023. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (child brides mentioned, taking drugs to cope mentioned, beating mentioned); Violence: PG-13 (some deaths undescribed, corpses mentioned, children using guns)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

15yo Omar and his 12yo brother Sufyan could not be more different - Omar is the timid, quiet one, while Sufyan is reckless and brash - always causing trouble. Their Syrian family was chase out of their village by war, and then the war came to the new village where they were living with family. Now Mother and 3 children live in a refugee camp. When Sufyan disappears, Omar finally takes to courage to see if he can save him. Walking through the desert with his best friend, 13yo Salma, they brave danger from the elements and humans alike. Meanwhile, Sufyan has been tricked into joining a rebel group that is bent on bringing strict Islamic order to Syria and killing everyone they suspect is working against them - traitors and infidels are the same in their eyes. 

While harsh, Saleh is not brutal in her portrayal of life in Syria during the Syrian Civil War. This would pair extremely well with Refugee and/or Ground Zero by Alan Gratz. Selah brings the brain-washing tactics and brutality of the rebels to light in way that I haven’t seen before. The title and cover don’t do a good job of selling the contents - so make sure you introduce this to a few key students and teachers. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Sweetheart Crush by Miranda Liasson - OPTIONAL

The Sweetheart Crush (Blossom Glen #3) by Miranda Liasson, 354 pages. Entangled Publishing, 2023. $16.

Language: PG13 (25 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: R; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

30yo Vivienne got out of Blossom Glen after high school, only returning when she failed as a photographer. But now she’s finishing her new degree and has nearly all the money she needs to leave again—hopefully for good this time. As Vivienne is on the cusp of leaving again, her one-time best friend Logan returns, tempting her to stay as history repeats itself.

The biggest obstacles of the relationship between Vivienne and Logan are Vivienne and Logan, and it is so easy to make the same decisions they made over a decade ago. The story is cheesy and the pitfalls can be seen from the first few chapters, but the story is still good. Like Vivienne, readers are encouraged to make the difficult choices that will lead to greater happiness rather than fall back on the seemingly easy answers that lead to what others say will bring success. Not everything works out perfectly, but happiness is not dependent on perfection.

Vivienne and Logan are implied white, and Robin is implied Black. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, innuendo, nudity, mentions of condoms, and implied sex.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

What Happened to Rachel Riley? By Claire Swinarski - ESSENTIAL

What Happened to Rachel Riley? By Claire Swinarski, Quill Tree (Harper), 2023. $20

Language: G (1 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G ; Violence: G (pulling bra straps mentioned) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

13yo Anna has just moved to a new school and notices that one girl, Rachel, seems to be ostracized from everything 8th grade. Determined to solve the mystery, she pursues gathering information, despite the fact that no one wants to talk about it. As little clues begin to emerge, Anna finds a website where the boys have been giving each other points based on harassing the girls - even though they say they’re “just joking”. 

Wow! I was engrossed and fell in love with another bold book confronting the casual sexual harassment that is perpetrated on girls at every age. Combine with Maybe He Just Likes You from Barbara Dee for a MS conversation about the topic! While every student SHOULD read this book, you should put it into the girls' hands and also talk to your ELA about making it a classroom read.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Love Every Day by Alexandra H. Solomon, PhD - GIFT

Love Every Day by Alexandra H. Solomon, PhD, 300 pages. NONFICTION. PESI Publishing Inc, 2023. $25.

Language: PG-13 (22 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - GIFT

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

We all need a little reminder of the worth of our relationships—that they are worth putting hard work into. Solomon encourages readers with a short tip to read each day of the year about love, connection, and relationships. These tips cover a range of love: loving yourself, loving your family, and loving your partner.

Solomon shares some of her personal experiences as well as practical examples from what she’s seen in her practice as a clinical psychologist, and I found the examples to be the most interesting parts. Most of the examples are much shorter than I would have expected; Solomon points out the little things we tell ourselves and each other that make big differences.

Solomon is clear that these daily tips are not only for heterosexual couples and most of the examples are given without pronouns. Note that uses of “eff” and “effing” are not uncommon. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, drugs, and pornography; implied masturbation; and for discussions of sex, orgasm, foreplay, and genitalia. The violence rating is for brief discussions of abusive relationships, including sexual abuse.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Hatchet Girls by Diana Rodriguez Wallach - OPTIONAL

Hatchet Girls by Diana Rodriguez Wallach, 336 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2023. $19.

Language: R (110 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The move away from Philly was supposed to give them a fresh start. 17yo Tessa is finally working to become the responsible daughter her father wanted, away from the distractions she left behind. She didn’t think her brother, 18yo Vik, had changed much, but he didn’t need to change like Tessa did. And then he’s found at a crime scene, standing above the murder weapon.

Wallach was inspired by real legends and haunted places, which she briefly describes at the end of the book. These spooky, supernatural spaces lend themselves to asking what if. Despite logic insisting that the circumstances of this story are impossible, knowing that Wallach has sprinkled truth throughout the book makes readers hover on the line of disbelief enough to question the shadows in the corner. All that being said, the story is creepy in a weird way, and I’m not sure I can say that I liked it, but I did enjoy the ride around each twist and turn.

Tessa, Vik, and their family members are Puerto Rican. Frankie is part of the “Portuguese community” in the book and is in a lesbian relationship with Dolores. Oscar is Black. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, mentions of drugs, innuendo, and some intense making out. The violence rating is for mentions of domestic violence, vehicular manslaughter, and suicide; gun use; blood and gore; and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson - ADVISABLE

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson, 474 pages. Dragonsteel Entertainment, 2023. $30.

Language: PG (3 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Ritual defines Yumi’s (19yo) life as she strives to be worthy of her fated birth that set her apart as a yoki-hijo, one who can summon spirits to petition them for her people’s needs. Yumi is honored by her people who live in the light, while Painter’s (19yo) necessary role in his community leaves him alone in the dark, night after night, as he protects them from nightmares. When Yumi and Painter are pulled together through time and space, they’ll have to find a way to work together and save their opposite worlds from equally catastrophic disasters.

Sanderson is a master of world building, and, in this book set in the Cosmere universe, he has built two vivid worlds for readers to enjoy with their unique cultures and problems. The narrator of this book is snarky, which I found entertaining sometimes and eye roll-inducing at other times, but putting up with the undesirable narrator was well worth reading Yumi and Painter’s story. It’s a love story, it’s a story about humility and forgiveness, it’s a story that fills readers with hope and good feelings. Plus, the illustrations are the most beautiful of the secret projects so far.

Yumi and Painter are depicted as having pale skin. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, nudity, and innuendo. The violence rating is for blood, mentions of death, and fantasy violence.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Great Ghost Hoax (The Great Pet Heist #2) by Emily Ecton and David Mottram - ADVISABLE

The Great Ghost Hoax (The Great Pet Heist #2) by Emily Ecton, art by David Mottram Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2021. $18.

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Mrs. Third Floor's apartment seems to be haunted - at least that's what she thinks. But Butterbean, Walt and the other animal friends want to investigate. There's certainly weird stuff going on, strange sounds, food tasted, and the fishtank is empty of fish. But is it a ghost? 

Ecton's group of furry detectives are hilarious. Makes me wonder what kind of mischief the pets at my house are getting into all day while we are gone. Not so much mystery as adventure, but an engaging read all the same. Mottram's illustrations are the perfect complement to the story. I'm hoping this is a nice long series. 

Lisa Librarian 

Another Band's Treasure: A Story of Recycled Instruments by Hua Lin Xie and Edward Guauvin - OPTIONAL

Another Band's Treasure: A Story of Recycled Instruments by Hua Lin Xie, translated by Edward Guauvin. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphic Universe (Lerner), 2023. $29. 

Language: G (0 swears 0'f'); Mature Content: PG (underage drug use) Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

In a small town in Paraguay, with no schools, Mr. Diego, offers to teach music lessons to the children. But, when more kids are interested in lessons than there are instruments for, Mr. Diego's friend Nicholas gets an idea to make instruments from found items at the dump. 

Another retelling of the Recycled Orchestra. Black and white illustrations with dabs of color here and there - when the first instrument showed up in red and blue, I thought the idea would continue with other instruments, but it didn't. I thought the text was lackluster, much of the dialogue was incidental words and didn't really advance the story. I think Ada's Violin  is a much better retelling. The characters are from Paraguay 

Lisa Librarian

We Still Belong by Christine Day - ADVISABLE

We Still Belong by Christine Day, 249 pages. Heartdrum, 2023. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Wesley and her single mom have moved in with her grandfather, her aunt and uncle and their baby. While she doesn’t have a lot of friends, she does have Hanan and she also has a good friend/crush in Ryan, who is part of the Gaming Group with her. Today Wesley is excited. Even though she doesn’t belong to her mother’s tribe (doesn’t meet the blood line requirements), she has written a poem about Indigenous People’s for the school newspaper. Her day doesn’t really go to plan, though. A mix of good and bad - new friend possibilities and missed chances - not what she planned, but maybe as it should be. 

Christine takes a single day in Wesley’s life and manages to infuse the drama that can go on in a young life. Since I work with middle school, I still remember some of those days - especially the feelings evoked those kinds of days. Day also manages to breathe life into Indigenous culture that is distinct, but without turning it into an issues book - love that! 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Gray by Chris Baron - ESSENTIAL

The Gray by Chris Baron, 304 pages. Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan), 2023. $19 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some bullying, child sexual abuse inferred) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

13yo Sasha is spending a week of summer at his aunt’s rural home; his parents and his therapist are hoping he will have a chance to decompress away from all his technology and away from the kids who are bullying him at school. One his first encounters is with the local bullies - pulling him into “The Gray”, the place his mind goes when his high anxiety kicks in. But he also meets Ivy, a kind girl his own age, and Eli, an older boy who dealing with trauma of his own. 

 Normally I am not a fan of books about kids who have anxiety issues, because the anxiety is used as a crutch, not as a purpose, and as soon as they see a therapist their life is changed miraculously. Baron, however, has given us a boy whose life is run by his anxiety, who already has a therapist and isn’t yet “fixed”, and understands that the struggle is on-going - even with compassionate friends. I have dozens of students I would like to send to Sasha’s aunt! Sasha and his family are lapsed Jews, the other characters default white.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Half Moon Summer by Elaine Vickers - ADVISABLE

Half Moon Summer by Elaine Vickers, 288 pages. Peachtree, 2023. $18

Language: G (1 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Mia has come to Half Moon Bay for the summer with her mom to spend the time with their grandmother as her father tries to earn the money to save the family home from a predatory house flipper. 12yo Drew is worried about his dad - he is not moving as well any more. Reluctantly Drew starts running with his Dad each more; Mia loves running, so she invites herself along - the competitive kids decide to enter a half marathon. As they run and talk, each of them finds the words to help each other. 

A sweet book. I spent my summers near Half Moon Bay, so the small time vibe is such charming setting for self exploration. These 12yo’s could have been 13yo or 14yo and been more relatable - while still being “safe” for upper elementary. I listened to this book and haven’t seen the printed version, so I didn’t know that Mia’s chapters are supposedly written in verse - you can’t tell that on the audio version; they may look like poetry, but they are not poetic. The characters default white.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

This is How I Roll by Debbi Michiko Florence - ADVISABLE

This is How I Roll by Debbi Michiko Florence, 276 pages. Scholastic Wish, 2023. $8. 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

7th grader Sana wants so badly to learn to be a chef from her head chef father, but the two of them always seem to clash in the kitchen. When she gets a chance to learn from the mother of a boy who has just returned to town, she doesn’t mean to lie to everyone. But the boy, Koji seems to hate her father for running the sushi restaurant his mom worked at out of town, and her best friend/cousin Charli is suspicious of Koji because he left town under sus circumstances. How long can Sana keep all of her secrets before someone discovers a truth? 

A little family drama, a little young love, very cute. Part of the Scholastic Wish series, so directly to paperback. For your girls who aren’t quite ready for “The Summer I Turned Pretty”. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Light Comes to Shadow Mountain by Tony Buzzeo - ADVISABLE

Light Comes to Shadow Mountain by Tony Buzzeo, 272 pages. Holiday House, 2023. $18.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (birth of a baby, not graphic); Violence: PG (implication and evidence of domestic abuse) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

11yo Cora Mae Tipton lives in a small cabin in Kentucky. It's 1937 and she has some great dreams - she wants to do well in school, well enough to get a scholarship to a High School, and someday work as a journalist. But for right now, she would love for her home to be one of the first on the mountain to receive electricity. Electric Lights! Just imagine, Cora could read and study after dark! But her mother, the mountain's herbalist won't hear of it - too much change, the introduction of electricity into their homes will ruin everything. 

Beautifully written and so engaging! I loved Cora and her best friend Cielly, they were the perfect schemers and planners.  Cora's twin brothers were realistic 4 year olds, and even Cora's cousin from the city was well developed. Buzzeo's descriptions of the girls pressing baby clothes with the stove-heated irons, the danger of the soap making, and the one room school house were fantastic. I love nostalgia, especially the Great Depression, unfortunately, it's a hard sell to my middle school students. The Tipton family is white, descended from Scottish immigrants. 

Lisa Librarian 

Hands by Torrey Maldonado - ADVISABLE

Hands by Torrey Maldonado, 135 pages. Nancy Paulsen (Penguin), 2023. $17 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (physical abuse mentioned) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Trev was there the night his stepdad hit his mom. Now step is about to get out of jail and Trev wants to do whatever he can to protect his mom. Hands that can draw beautiful pictures can also be used for violence. Trev feels confused and adrift - not knowing who actually has his back or which path to choose. He only has a short time to make that choice. 

A short powerful book - a good choice to have for those boys who hate reading, because it is small enough that they’ll be willing to read it, and hopefully the message will sink in. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Only Girl in Town by Ally Condie - HIGH

The Only Girl in Town by Ally Condie, 336 pages. Dutton Books for Young Readers 2023 $17 

Language: PG (6 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing) Violence: PG (bullying and peer pressure) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

18yo July finds herself alone in her hometown of Lithia. She’s a member of the track team and has a good relationship with her boyfriend Sam. When she finds herself without any other people around, she’s grateful for her cat Yolo that seems to be the only other being left. As the story alternates between once and the present now, July shares her conversations with her therapist and her experiences with her friends and family. July also sees clues and hints of someone else besides her and Yolo still present in Lithia and as she searches for that person, she gains insight into herself and her situation. 

The mysterious concept of the book is interesting. Mental health and loneliness are approached and explored in an unusual but relatable way. I feel for July and her struggles. Alex is Indian, the rest falls to white 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

The House Swap by Yvette Clark - ADVISABLE

The House Swap by Yvette Clark, 285 pages. Harper, 2023. $20. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Allie from England and Sage from California are swapping houses for a week. Red-headed Allie feels out of place in her family of five, and refuses to leave when their dog Max gets sick just before they are to leave. She gets a chance to meet blond Allie and her mom - dad isn’t coming on this vacation. While the two girls are completely different in personality, meeting gives them both a chance to help the other. 

A sweet book about finding friends in unexpected places. While not a stand-out must read for every student, certainly has plenty of charm. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

A Multitude of Dreams by Mara Rutherford - HIGH

A Multitude of Dreams by Mara Rutherford. 384 pages. Inkyard Press, 2023. $16 

Language: R (43 swears, 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing) Violence: PG-13 (bloody death) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

18yo Seraphina lives trapped in Eldridge Hall with the Royal Family, servants and courtiers since the plague began three years ago. Seraphina masquerades as Princess Imogen after the real princess died four years ago. The Royal sisters were terrified of how the king would react if he discovered Imogen’s death so the sisters found a look alike Jewish girl, Seraphina, and took her away from her family. She’s been Imogen ever since. 19yo Nico goes to Eldridge Hall to see if there are any survivors. He soon discovers that the man who saved him from the mori roja plague years ago, and who claims to be helping plague survivors, is really a monster. Now Nico is compelled to save everyone he can in and around Eldridge Hall. 

I love retellings and this is based on Edgar Allan Poe’s Masque of the Red Death with added supernatural and historical elements. The author shares her background and reasoning for creating this story and I’m impressed with her forethought and hindsight. Wonderful characters bring the book to life. Royal family falls to white. Jewish descendants Seraphina and Dalia have olive skin. Lord Greymont has bronze skin. Elisabeth has olive skin. A dark skinned man is mentioned. Colin has brown skin. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

Windsong Manor by Julia Wright - OPTIONAL

Windsong Manor by Julia Wright, 256 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2023. $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Married young, Eleanora went from being her father’s daughter to her husband’s wife. Now a widow, Eleanora (26yo) has the time to be the baroness, the mother, the woman she wants to be—as long as she passes one more test from her late-husband under the scrupulous eye of his former solicitor.

Wright introduces readers to Eleanora as someone who has been ignored and pushed around and to Ridley as someone who works hard but can never do anything right in the sight of his boss. These underdogs quickly win the hearts of readers—we want to see them succeed and overcome the challenges others put in their way because we, too, have experienced the difficulties of being pushed down. I was anxious for them and their happy endings from the start, making it difficult to put down their story.

Eleanora and Ridley are depicted as white on the cover. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol; the violence rating is for mentions of guns and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Silence and Shadow by Erin Beaty - OPTIONAL

Silence and Shadow (Blood and Moonlight #2) by Erin Beaty, 464 pages. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)/Macmillan's CPG. 2023. $21 

Language: PG-13 (30 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (implied sex); Violence: R (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

17yo Catrin and Simon flee Collis and travel to the Selanae academy in Londunium to help Catrin learn how to use her moonlight magic. They befriend Martin, a law enforcement officer, when they help capture a violent man trying to harm Catrin. As they get to know each other better, Martin seeks Simon’s and Catrin’s help with a serial killer who has been evading law enforcement for four years. The mystery surrounding the murders is unusual. 

The group gets deeply entangled and in over their heads. Simon and Catrin are amazing characters. The murder mystery is unique and interesting. Characters are well developed and the world building is strong. Ethnicity falls to white. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

Swimming in a Sea of Stars Julie Wright - ESSENTIAL

Swimming in a Sea of Stars by Julie Wright, 256 pages. Shadow Mountain, 2023. $20 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (mention of suicide); Violence: PG (mention of abuse) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

17yo Addison tried to end her life and now she’s heading back to high school. This is giving her anxiety about how she’ll be received at school and how she’s going to make it through the day. When she arrives at school, she sees another student dealing with family problems. This helps Addison see outside herself and realizes she is in a position to help someone else. Hopefully the rest of her day will help Addison heal and regain hope. 

I enjoyed the writing because of the emotional intelligence, wisdom and humor. The author connected the characters’ lives smoothly. The story and characters are inspiring. The ethnicity is mixed. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Library

The Last Girls Standing by Jennifer Dugan - OPTIONAL

The Last Girls Standing by Jennifer Dugan, 320 pages. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers/Penguin Young Readers Group, 2023. $13 

Language: R (97 swears 71 'f');  Mature Content: PG-13 (implied sex; underage drinking) Violence: R (bloody deaths) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Two survivors of a murder spree, 18yo Sloan and 18yo Cherry were the only ones left alive after a group of masked killers arrived in the summer camp where they worked and ended everyone’s lives except those of the two young women. Sloan leans heavily on Cherry to keep her afloat but when possible secrets come to light, Sloan feels the need to find the truth about the reasons behind the murders on her own. She reaches out to the sister of the lead killer, the only other person alive after the murders. She reaches out to the imprisoned killer himself too. What Sloan discovers is beyond her comprehension. 

I like the complexity of the cult guilty of the crimes and their backstory. The story has a good twist. I enjoyed the author’s writing in portraying feelings of betrayal and manipulation by others. Rahul is Indian. Beckett , Kevin, Sloan, Dahlia and Anise are white. Cherry has peach skin. Hannah is Korean American. Shane and Ronnie are Black. Connor has brown skin. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Library

Psychology for Kids by Jacqueline B. Toner and Claire A.B. Freeland - OPTIONAL

Psychology for Kids: the science of the mind and behavior by Jacqueline B. Toner and Claire A.B. Freeland, 247 pages. NON-FICTION. Magination Press, 2021. $25. 9781433832109

BUYING ADVISORY: MS- OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

A look at psychology - what it is, what it studies, and what psychology has taught us. And teaches us. The publisher’s recommended age for this non-fiction book about psychology is 10-13, just about right.  The illustrations are child-like, so high school students wouldn’t be drawn to it, but the material is pretty dense for most elementary students.  Except for using this as a textbook, I am not sure many kids would read it from start to finish. FYI - there is a chapter of sex and gender identity, but it is very even handed and neutral in presentation and tone - I was very impressed. Some teachers and or school psychologists might want to use certain chapters with students for particular topics. Only rating is optional because few students would read this on their own.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS