The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna - OPTIONAL

The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna, 464 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2022. $13.

Language: PG (6 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G (kiss ); Violence: R (bloody deaths) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

In Otera, 17yo Deka and her group of Alaki women warriors, set out to free Melanis who is the Light of the Alaki. They find her being burned in the temple. Once freed, male warriors enter the temple to stop her escape and to kill the alaki that helped her. As soon as Melanis is freed from the fire, her body begins to heal and her wings sprout just in time to save everyone from the vicious warriors but then they resurrect and fight again. The alaki can’t fathom how they’re coming back to life but the Goddesses tell them it’s the power of the golden throne, the Angoro. Deka will face the unknown and discover more about herself than she has ever imagined as they search for the mysterious Angoro.

I feel that the story is drawn out. I do like the ending. The characters are a nice variety of personalities. Deka is dark skinned, Brita is pale skinned and the following are all mentioned: copper skin, midnight dark skin, reddish brown skin, bluish purple skin, and bluish black skin.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian

Do You Know Them? Families Lost and Found After the Civil War by Shana Keller and Laura Freeman - ADVISABLE

Do You Know Them? Families Lost and Found After the Civil War by Shana Keller, illustrated by Laura Freeman. PICTURE BOOK Atheneum (Simon), 2024 $19. 9781665913072 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SEVERAL

Each day Lettie does small jobs to help her Uncle Charlie and pay for her keep and save precious pennies for something very important. Each Sunday she stands in front of the congregation and reads the Lost and Found People ads in the newspaper out loud, in case someone has information, or to share the joy when someone is found. One day she hopes that she and Uncle Charlie will also have good news. 

Don't dismiss this as another Civil War story - instead, it adds more dimension to life after the War when Black families were scattered all over the country, and sometimes the world, trying hard to reunite. Our 8th-grade curriculum covers post-Civil War, so I am excited to share it with our teachers. The characters are Black. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Sleeping Spells and Dragon Scales by Wendy S. Swore - ADVISABLE

Sleeping Spells and Dragon Scales by Wendy S. Swore, 304 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2024. $19.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Believing in fairies made Fairy Door Trail an obvious hangout for Alaina, and her best friend—and skeptic—Liam didn’t mind tagging along. One day, they stumbled into what could have been a fairy circle and most likely, accidentally offended a fairy. Since that day, Alaina and Liam drifted apart, and Alaina has had  to deal with being cursed. But now Liam is showing signs of being cursed, too, and he needs Alaina’s help.

Swore’s writing sits in the beautiful space between reality and fantasy. Both characters and readers know that fantasy and fairy tale creatures are not real, but they still want to believe they might be. There is magic in believing and in recognizing the fantastical parts of reality. In the book, Alaina and Liam’s English teacher gives an assignment for the students to write their lives as fairy tales, and it has made me look at my life a little differently—with a little more hope and a little more recognition for my main character and heroine status.

Alaina is implied Latina and has an autoimmune disorder, Liam has a chronic neurological disorder, and Doctor Titus is Kenyan. The mature content rating is for mentions of kissing and for near-death experiences. The violence rating is for some mild fantasy violence imagery.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Work with What You Got Zion Clark and James S. Hirsch - OPTIONAL

Work with What You Got by Zion Clark and James S. Hirsch, 232 pages. NON FICTION, BIOGRAPHY Candlewick Press, 2023. $19 

Language: R (0 swears 2 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Drug use and gangs); Violence: PG (Reference to abuse by caregivers) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL 

Entering life without legs challenged Zion Clark. But, what challenged him more throughout his life was the dysfunction and betrayal inherent in the Ohio Foster Care system. Sarah Singleton provided a loving home and for no apparent reason, the state transferred him to a “nicer” home, which was filled with abuse. So, Zion bounced from house to house. Caring coaches and teachers inspired Zion to achieve in music, wrestling, and racing. Another loving woman, Kim Clark, took him in at age 17 and later adopted him. Zion tastefully explains his complaints against the foster care system while inspiring youth and adults alike by his determination to succeed. 

The book mesmerized me. I could hardly believe all that Zion achieved in his condition. Truly inspiring. Zion Clark is black and grew up in foster care. 

Michelle McKnight- FACS Teacher 

Anteaters, Bats & Boas : The Amazon Rainforest from the Forest Floor to the Treetops by Roxie Munro - ADVISABLE

Anteaters, Bats & Boas : The Amazon Rainforest from the Forest Floor to the Treetops by Roxie Munro 35 pages. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Holiday House, 2021. $9. 978082345466 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO AVERAGE 

From the tiny black-eared hummingbird to the giant anteater, the Amazon rainforest is home to some amazing creatures! Munro offers bite-sized information on 30 Amazonian creatures. These creatures have unique features and abilities that they use to survive in their tropical home. Includes an author's note, a coloring page, a note about preserving the rainforest, and suggestions of where to learn more. I really enjoyed the bright paintings of the rainforest and its creatures. 

This is a great introduction to some of the most unique animals out there. The facts are interesting, grab the your attention, and leave you wanting to know more. 

Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist 

The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron - OPTIONAL

The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron, 384 pages. Thomas Nelson (Harper), 2024. $18.

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Charlotte and Amos loved each other and dreamed of opening a bookshop as co-owners someday, despite the fact that they had wildly different social standings. Decades later, Charlotte and Amos have rival bookshops across the street from one another, and Charlotte’s daughter, Eden, is being sued by a random American who has come in the midst of war to serve her the papers.

At first, the constantly changing settings, time periods, and points of view were off putting, but I came to enjoy the stories being told. By watching the story unfold through time, Charlotte and Amos’s story becomes more powerful—and some antagonists turn out to be more of heroes than I wanted to give them credit for. I love that a story that starts to look like a tragedy can still end happily given enough time.

Most of the characters are English; Jacob is American. The mature content rating is for alcohol use and innuendo. The violence rating is for blood, death, bomb use, gun use, and descriptions of war.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Sky Over Rebecca by Matthew Fox - ESSENTIAL

The Sky Over Rebecca by Matthew Fox, 240 p Union Square Kids 2023 $17 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

10yo Kara is mystified by the footprints in the snow across the rooftop of her apartment building in modern-day Stockolm, Sweden. Then one night she meets 13yo Rachel who, with her brother Samuel, is hiding. It takes a few encounters, but Kara finally realizes that she is meeting the siblings in a time travel loop and that the pair are German Jews hiding during WWII. Kara isn’t sure what she can do in her time to help the others to safety. 

I loved this book. The setting reminded me so much of winters in Norway, dark and cold and not very much daylight. Kara is brave and will do what she can for her new friends. The time travel part of the story was fascinating and done believably. Kara and her mother are Swedish. Rebecca and Samuel are German Jews. 

Ellen-Anita. Librarian 

Friend of Numbers by Priya Narayanan and Satwik Gade - ADVISABLE

Friend of Numbers: the life of mathematician Ramanujan by Priya Narayanan, illustrated by Satwik Gade. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY. Eerdmans, 2023. $18. 9780802856081 

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

APPEALS TO SOME 

Ramanujan, one of the Brahmin caste in India, was fascinated with numbers from his earliest days. He even failed every one of his college exams, except for mathematics, because all he could see was numbers. He even traveled to England to work with a mathematics professor at Cambridge. While there are few world famous mathematicians, Ramanujan is beloved not only in India, but is a very important part of our understanding of mathematics. 

There are few really good picture books about mathematicians - I am going to try to convince at least one of my math teachers to read this with their students. Narayanan's text is a little wordy, but infused with a lot of humor. Gade's illustrations add to the whimsy of the book, making it fun, instead of staid and boring. Ramanujan is from India. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall by Rebecca Anderson - OPTIONAL

The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall by Rebecca Anderson, 260 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2024. $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Hyacinth has a way with orchids and has been given the opportunity to take care of a precious collection of orchids while the owner is in India for a time. Upon arrival at Ashthorne Hall, Hyacinth is delighted to meet the orchids in the hot house and to learn that Ashthorne Hall is haunted. Being warned by the formidable housekeeper to stay out of the family wing only makes Hyacinth more determined to meet the ghost and find out what secrets lurk in the dark.

The mystery elements were thrilling—especially when Hyacinth starts breaking the rules and looking over her shoulder. Several things didn’t add up, and watching them all come together was fun. I’m not really sure how I feel about the romantic elements, but it ends up cute, so at least there’s that.

All of the characters are English. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol and scary elements. The violence rating is for gun use.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The One That Got Away With Murder by Trish Lundy - HIGH

The One That Got Away With Murder by Trish Lundy, 384 pages. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2024. $15 

Language: R (105 swears 53 'f'); Mature Content: R (on page sex, underage drinking, repeated use of drugs and tobacco); Violence:  PG-13 (bloody death, mention of murders, arson, abduction) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

Lauren just moved to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania to get away from the horrible experience she had during her junior year in California and will be starting her senior year in high school soon. She’s seeing Robbie secretly and uses their time together to escape the guilt of harming her ex-boyfriend in California and disfiguring him permanently. When school starts up, Lauren learns about Robbie’s past and she becomes afraid of him. Robbie and his brother Trevor are both suspected of killing their girlfriends. The more Lauren learns about the murders, the more danger she gets pulled into! 

I could not put the book down! It was so interesting and the suspense continued to build as I read the story. Two mysteries, with a third added in, made the book intense. Ethnicity is a mix of white, brown and black characters. 

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian

Pearl by Sherri L. Smith and Christine Norrie - ESSENTIAL

Pearl by Sherri L. Smith, illustrated by Christine Norrie, 144 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Graphix (Scholastic), 2024. $13 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG (war);  Violence: PG (atomic bomb) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

Amy is a thirteen-years old living in Hawaii. When her grandmother becomes ill, she is sent to visit her for the first time in Hiroshima. She goes alone because her parents have a new baby. Unfortunately for Amy, the year is 1941 and when Pearl Harbor is attacked, she is unable to return home. She is conscripted into translating radio transmissions for the Japanese army and questions where home really is when she hears about internment camps in America. 

Deftly told, the title is a play on words, referencing Pearl Harbor and Amy's grandmother, who was a pearl diver.  A fresh and intriguing look at how war divides families and loyalties and the difficulties of navigating a world that has suddenly been upended. Drawings are done in blues and grays, which fits the somber themes of the book. Amy is Japanese American. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Only If You Dare by Josh Allen, illustrated by Sarah J. Coleman - ADVISABLE

Only If You Dare by Josh Allen, illustrated by Sarah J. Coleman, 200 pages. Middle Grade Holiday House, 2021. $17 

G (0 swears) PG (peril) PG (implied deaths) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO MANY 

Touted as 13 stories of darkness and doom, the stories cover everything from a creepy scrabble game, a bizarre substitute teacher, and yes, even a creepy doll. Inanimate objects come to life and you should probably never want to leave a piece of yourself behind. 

The stories are fresh and appropriately creepy. They make for a fast and engaging read and have great twists. The black and white illustrations are well done and add to the creepiness. Just the right amount of scare for middle readers! No culture or race is mentioned and characters change in each story. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Maid For It by Jamie Sumner - ESSENTIAL

Maid For It by Jamie Sumner, 232 pages. Atheneum, 2023. $18 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

12yo Franny’s mom has been sober for a while and things are looking up - except for mean girl Sloane, who harasses Franny at school whenever she gets a chance. When her mom is in a car accident and hospitalized, Franny decides to take over Mom’s cleaning jobs - blackmailing Sloane to work with her because Franny caught Sloane cheating on a test. Franny thinks she has everything under control - but maybe she doesn’t. 

I loved this story of Frannie. She has guts, she is spunky, she stands up for what is right, and does her best to help out in hard situations, all the while keeping good grades in school. She is a star shining brightly, a very believable character. The book is really well written, and it was an easy read. Franny defaults white. 

Ellen-Anita. Librarian 

Jerry Changed the Game! by Don Tate and Cherise Harris - ADVISABLE

Jerry Changed the Game! How engineer Jerry Lawton revolutionized video games forever by Don Tate, illustrated by Cherise Harris. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Simon and Schuster, 2023. $19. 9781665919081 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

Though he never earned a college degree, Jerry Lawson is one of the 5 people credited with creating the first video game console with interchangeable cartridges. A short look at Jerry's childhood leads us to a more in-depth look at how he became involved in the video game industry. 

I like that Tate shows Jerry's failures as well as his successes. I do feel that adults who grew up in the 70's - 90's will be more interested in this than current young people. But if your school has a gaming club, a class, or a focus on Black inventors, then Tate's book is an easy purchase choice. I will be buying a couple to gift to various people I know who will love it. Jerry is Black. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Drawing Deena by Hena Khan - ADVISABLE

Drawing Deena by Hena Khan, 240 pages. Salaam Reads (Simon and Schuster), 2024 $18. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SEVERAL 

12yo Deena is an artist. She loves to draw, especially sketches of her family and friends. Her parents seem to have money problems (she hears them arguing at night) and she's worried she is part of the problem. Her dentist has recommended she get an expensive mouth guard because she grinds her teeth at night and every morning she wakes up feeling sick, some days it carries over to school - she even threw up in the restroom. Deena wants to help her mother's boutique be more successful, so she suggests making a website for her, and getting her cousins and friends to help model the clothing. One of her sketches even ends up on the website, but nothing she does seems to make her feel better. 

I love how Khan writes for the Pakistani community but her books appeal to readers outside that culture as well. Anxiety like Deena's is experienced by more and more young people, and I loved reading about not only her concerns, but how her parents reacted to her feeling sick as well. Readers will see both the subtle signs of anxiety and avenues for help which are available even at school. Deena and her family are Pakistani 

Lisa Librarian 

Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill - OPTIONAL

Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill, 383 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2024. $20 

Language: R (100 swears 67 'f');  Mature Content: R (reference to sex and drug use); PG-13 Violence received PG-13 because there was murder and some fighting, including blood being mentioned, but none was described in graphic detail. There was also discussion of owning enslaved people. 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

17yo Amir does not want a relationship with his half-brother 16yo Marcel and the tension between them runs deep, but he shows up to Marcel’s birthday party only because Marcel’s friend Chloe, who is white, invited him and he thinks she might be interested in him. That night, Amir and Chloe hang out together and Amir passes out after doing some drugs. He wakes up in the early morning hours to find Chloe dead and he panics. The police and community are quick to place the blame on Amir: the black boy seen fleeing from her house. In spite of Amir pushing Marcel away, Marcel is determined to prove Amir’s innocence before he is indicted. His investigations reveal a dark trend of racism at their private school and the truth Chloe was fighting to bring to light. 

While this book got off to a slow start for me, I was totally sucked in and wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next! It is a great read for anyone who loves a good murder mystery mixed with elements of social justice, but mystery readers may find the ending to be too neat and the motive for murder less compelling. The main downside of this book for me was that it had some instances of feeling didactic because it overexplained racism at times and had the characters unnaturally using therapy terms; however, it didn’t detract too much from the plot. After the story got going, I became really invested in both Amir and Marcel. Not only was I rooting for them to overcome the systemic racism and injustice that Amir experienced and, of course, to solve the murder, but I also cared about their family relationships and the storyline of healing their family relationships. This book went many layers deep and did it all effectively, from divorce trauma to the pain of finding out that your friends aren’t really your friends to the issues of racism in the justice system. But, wow, there was a lot of drama and so much slang, which may be off-putting to adult readers, but felt right for a teen audience. Amir is black. Marcel is black and gay. Chloe is white. 

Marinda, librarian 

Ready, Set, Dough by Kelly J. Baptist - ADVISABLE

Ready, Set, Dough by Kelly J. Baptist 165 pages. Crown (Random House), 2023. $17. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

When her teacher announces a cookie dough sale, 6th grader Zoe is desperate to win, because first prize is a brand-new laptop. Zoe desperately needs one, but her parents can’t afford it. She’s even willing to neglect her friends to achieve her goal.

I liked this book. Zoe is spunky and not afraid to go after what she wants. She is positive and happy, but she really wants to win. She has to win. It was good to read about a child who knew what they wanted and set out to get it.

Zoe appears Black on the cover.  

Ellen-Anita Librarian

What is the Story of Jurassic World by Jim Gigliotti and Dede Putra - OPTIONAL

What is the Story of Jurassic World by Jim Gigliotti illustrated by Dede Putra, 108 pages. CHAPTER BOOK NON-FICTION Penguin Workshop, 2023. $8. 9780593383483 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SOME 

The author takes us into the story of the Jurassic World movies. He begins by providing background information on paleontology and the Jurassic Age. He mentions early books and exhibitions about dinosaurs. The rest of the book is a summary of each of the Jurassic Park/Jurassic World movies. 

I found it interesting that Michael Crichton found his inspiration for the Jurassic Park books from reading Arthur Conan Doyle's book, The Lost World. The background chapters were very interesting. The rest of the chapters, which summarized the movies, were less interesting. However, if you have a student who loves Jurassic World they will enjoy this book. The book includes a bibliography and timeline. 

A. Snow 

Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley - OPTIONAL

Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley, 400 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2024. $20. 

Language: R (64 swears 11 'f'); Mature Content: PG (References to weed, scary situations) Violence: PG-13 (Bloody beatings with some significant injuries, zombies attacking people, battle scenes with weapons resulting in injuries and deaths) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

17yo Sid Spencer grew up feeling self-conscious as one of the only Asians in town, but also feeling rather ordinary and inconsequential, especially in a town that is extraordinary. Tourists from all over come to her town of Wellsie for the magic that seeps out of the old faultline that runs through town. The magic has been sealed underground for generations, protected by the Guardians who have both magical abilities and a key that can unlock a section of the faultline. Sid’s life has been consumed by normal high school girl issues until one night a huge earthquake hits town and the magic bursts out, along with an army of the undead. Only one thing could have caused it, a rupture of the faultline. Now Sid and a rag-tag group of allies must find the stolen key and reseal the faultline before their town and everyone they love is destroyed. As the search continues, Sid discovers how extraordinary she actually is. 

I actually really liked this book. Sid is a well-written character who is funny and full of teen angst and awkwardness that is endearing instead of annoying. It’s well-paced and exciting with a few interesting twists. It also has a sweetness and a warmth that makes it more than just an adventure story. I will say, the magic took me a while to figure out and the villain is a little underdeveloped. At its heart, this is a love story, but explores all kinds of love, not just romantic love. The characters are all motivated by the bonds of love and friendship and in the end, that’s what helps them win. Sid and her non-blood related brother Matty were adopted from Korea by a white family, Shandy is Japanese and LGBTQ, Daisy and Hyacinth are black, and Angel is Mexican and LGBTQ 

Andrea R reviewer 

The Darkness Rises by Stacy Stokes - OPTIONAL

The Darkness Rises by Stacy Stokes, 336 pages. Penguin, 2024. $20 

Language: R (79 swears 13 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (underage drinking) Violence:  PG-13 (school shooting mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY:  HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SEVERAL

17yo Whitney sees a dark cloud forming over people who are in danger and can be helped by her. Her grandmother has the same ability and gave Whitney three rules to follow; rules that are meant to keep Whitney safe and free from the guilt of saving someone who ends up harming others. This happened last year when she saved Dwight from jumping off a building. He then instigated a school shooting. Whitney blames herself for everything that Dwight did. Someone else blames her too and when the harassment starts, it’s only the beginning of the vengeance to come. 

I enjoyed the character development and the mystery surrounding the main character. The relationships are fleshed out well. I appreciate the many resources the author included at the end of the book for bullying, child trauma, suicide prevention, mental health, mental illness, and grief. The author’s note is exceptional as a call for all of us to let our voices be heard and vote for leaders that we believe reflect our values and ambitions for our country and communities. I also appreciate the content warning at the beginning of the book. Ethnicity is predominantly white 

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian

Unbreakable, the Spies Who Cracked the Nazis' Secret Code by Rebecca E. F. Barone - ADVISABLE

Unbreakable: the Spies Who Cracked the Nazis' Secret Code by Rebecca E. F. Barone, 272 pages. NON FICTION. Macmillan Publishing Group LLC, 2022. $20 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

The war over codes during the Second World War began in Poland with a group of men especially selected to help protect their country from German aggression. Marian Rejewski, Henry Zygalski, and Jerzy Rozycki, cryptology students at Poznan University, risked their lives and dedicated their time to unraveling the Enigma machine and codes. Many brilliant men and women joined them as the aggression became war. Later in the war, much of the work took place as Bletchley Park in England. May directors and decoders kept their Enigma secrets to themselves, thus jeopardizing the war effort. Eventually, the codes were broken, lives were saved, and the war ended thanks to all the brave souls who participated in this unimaginable effort. 

Barone writes with clarity and candidness about the heroism and frailties of those involved in the Enigma decoding. The story line intrigues the reader to continue in a tale that could bore with details. Glimpses into the personal lives of the coding heroes moves the story along. Somehow, Barone artfully weaves immense detail to hold the reader's attention throughout the book. She ends with biographies of the major players and a timeline of events which add to the clarity of her book- an insightful read. Most characters are white and educated. 

Michelle McKnight-FACS teacher 

There Was a Hole by Adam Lehraupt illustrated by Carrie O'Neill - ADVISABLE

There Was a Hole by Adam Lehraupt, illustrated by Carrie O'Neill. PICTURE BOOK. Sleeping Bear Press, 2022. $18. 9781534111226 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

Lily has a hole in the middle of her chest. Nothing helps it, and it just keeps growing. Then, Lily stops trying. She stops playing with her friends, and stops trying in school. That's when Thomas tells her he has a hole like hers too, but he has patches to help repair it. Soon Lily learns to make her own patches by going outside, playing with her dog, and spending time with friends and family. She doesn't want it to be fixed completely, but the patches help.

Includes tips at the end on "how to make a patch." This would make a great addition to an SEL collection. I liked that it showed big feelings of sadness and loss in a realistic, tangible way for kids. Lily does not have a mom in this story which could allude to divorce, the death of a parent, or a non-traditional family. Lily and her dad have dark hair. The other characters are ethnically diverse. 

Rachel, Elementary School Library 

Team Trash by Kate Wheeler and Trent Hungtington - ADVISABLE

Team Trash by Kate Wheeler and Trent Hungtington. 77 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Holiday House, 2023. $23. 9780823452279 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Charlie and Oliver are working on their science fair project when an accident lands them in a time traveling machine. They travel back to different times and places learning about how people used to reuse, reduce and recycle. Once they have gathered enough information, the machine brings them back home. They use their new knowledge to finish their science fair project and start an environmentalist club. 

A graphic novel that teaches about recycling and presents sustainability tips in an accessible and fun way. 

Reviewer: A. Snow

Hearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer - OPTIONAL

Hearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer, 336 pages. Penguin, 2024. $15 

Language: R (75 swears 7 'f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing, mention of underage drinking); Violence: R (repeated bloody violence and deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY:  HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SEVERAL 

Apocalyptic USA! The Tick is rampant and turning people into zombies but there’s a new medicine that turns the effects around, as long as it’s taken consistently. 17 yo Mara has turned and then been given the medicine so she’s now considered one of the Altered. The Altered are coherent and human acting while taking the medicine consistently but if they miss a few doses, they can turn and become dangerous. Mara is brought back to her godparents since her parents are dead. The community doesn’t trust the Altered but circumstances change quickly when a human makes decisions that are deceptive and dangerous. 

Archer has created an interesting world. The dystopian premise and zombies will intrigue young adult readers. I enjoyed the suspense that came along with the mystery of the killings. The ethnicity falls to white with a brown skinned side character. 

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian

Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage by Lisa Rogers and Il Sung Na - ADVISABLE

Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage by Lisa Rogers, illustrated by Il Sung Na PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Anne Schwartz Books (Random House), 2024 $19.00 9780593646625 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO AVERAGE 

Born in 1912, John Cage thought that all sounds were beautiful - not just the sounds of a professional orchestra, but also city sounds, country sounds - and the sounds heard in silence. Many people did not have his quirk of imagination - audience members and even orchestras were known to walk out of his performances, but he persisted. 

Listening to a John Cage piece is an experience you will never forget - whether you share in his vision or not. Music teachers with avantgarde attitudes, or those willing to explore what music means, should enjoy sharing the book and then Youtube videos of the performances with their students. John is white. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Running Past Dark by Han Nolan - ADVISABLE

Running Past Dark by Han Nolan. 324 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2023. $20 

Language: PG-13 (28 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Addiction, alcohol abuse, and rape); Violence: PG-13 (Physical attack, sexual attack,-reference, not graphic) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME

17yo 12th grader Scottie O'Doul suffers emotional abuse from the citizens of her hometown after a fatal car crash that took the life of her twin, Cait, and the head football coach. The town blames her sister for the accident as a murder/suicide and Scottie for declaring that the coach had raped Cait. During her grieving process, Mr. Senda, a teacher, encourages Scottie to run ultra marathons as a way to focus and move forward. As Scottie tries to unravel all that she knows about her twin and the incidents leading up to her death, persecutions and trauma continue in her life. Scottie holds tight to mentors and friends that support her as she learns the awful truth and finds ways to overcome her circumstances. 

Han Nolan deals thoughtfully with the sensitive subject of sexual abuse by a trusted teacher. She provides hope for those abused by showing how her heroine, Scottie, learned to follow her psychologist's advise, to trust other caring adults in her life, to focus on developing her skills, to trust herself and forgive others, and to find strength in friends and family. The ending of the book draws an optimistic outcome for all involved in the tragic tale, thus giving hope to those who have suffered similarly. Scottie is a white female. 

Michelle McKnight- FACS teacher 

Beastly Beauty by Jennifer Donnelly - ESSENTIAL

Beastly Beauty by Jennifer Donnelly, 336 pages. Scholastic Press, 2024. $19 

Language: R (75 swears, 0 "F"); Mature Content: PG (robbery, implied seduction) Violence: PG (peril)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS, ADULT - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

Arabella has been told all her life how to live it: what to say and what not to say, to be the perfect future bride. But Arabella want so much more. Her wildest hopes and dreams come to a screaming halt when her attempt to control her emotions brings a curse on herself and those around her, trapping them in their castle. Enter a handsome thief named Beau who also has a troubled past. Those in the castle are hopeful he will be the one to break the curse. 

Jennifer Donnelly writes that this book isn't for heroes or princesses but for the screw-ups and the courage it takes to choose hope over despair. Beautifully written, it carries a message of hope to those who may be lacking it and reminds us that sometimes the cruelest prisons are the ones we build ourselves. This take on Beauty and the Beast will appeal to almost anyone and is a book I would reread and underline. The main characters are European. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Light She Feels Inside by Gwendolyn Wallace and Olivia Duchess - ESSENTIAL

The Light She Feels Inside by Gwendolyn Wallace illustrated by Olivia Duchess. PICTURE BOOK Sourcebooks, 2023. $19. 9781728239798 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - 

ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Maya has a warm glow when she talks to her parents about her day when she sees people caring about each other around her. But, Maya's glow is different and heavy when she gets pushed on the playground, when she hears her parents talking about money struggles, and when she sees her friend get stopped by the police. With help from her librarian, Maya learns about Black women who came before her and how they dealt with their glowing feelings. Can Maya learn, like those who came before her to share her glow and the things she loves? 

Maya's feelings are illustrated with different colors glowing around her, making feelings that are often difficult to identify tangible and accessible to children. Children so often have big feelings and don't know how to deal with them; Wallace does a great job of putting difficult things in a light that children can understand without it getting overly heavy. Maya and the majority of the characters are Black. Characters are illustrated with varied ethnicities and abilities. 

Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist 

Something Kindred by Ciera Burch - OPTIONAL

Something Kindred by Ciera Burch, 304 pages.  Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan), 2024. $17 

Language: PG-13 (32 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Mention of sex, and underage drinking); Violence: PG (mention of domestic abuse) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SOME 

17yo Jericka travels with her mother to her hometown of Coldwater, Maryland to see her dying grandmother. Jericka’s grandmother left her children when they were young and her mom hasn’t seen her since; she’s still extremely hurt and angry but willing to help her own mother deal with her situation. Coldwater has a history, and a not-always-believed legend of Echoes, ghosts that project their grief onto the living that make women want to leave the town. These ghosts are from the schoolhouse for freed slaves being burned many years ago due to prejudice. While Jericka deals with her family, boyfriend, new friends and the mysterious town, she learns a lot about herself and what she wants in her future. 

I expected the book to be more spooky. Jericka wants others to be open, honest, and straightforward but she isn’t that way with others. I enjoyed getting to know Jericka’s family. The mysterious echoes add an interesting element to the story. Jericka and her family are Black and the community of Coldwater is mixed with Black and white people. 

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian

Alterations by Ray Xu - ADVISABLE

Alterations by Ray Xu, 238 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Union Square, 2024. $25 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

Kevin is in middle school and is struggling to fit it. He is one of the few Asian kids at his Canadian school and he thinks his grandmother, who has just recently arrived from China, is weird. Kevin's single mother is struggling to make ends meet, his older sister resents him, and he is picked on in school. Kevin thinks he might be able to make things better at the class trip to the local amusement park. 

Kevin is a believable character, based off the author's childhood. Most readers will be able to relate to the common issues he faces, such as family issues, bullying, and finding one's place. While all of Kevin's problems don't magically go away, the book ends on a positive, realistic note. Kevin is of Chinese descent. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

The Thieves Gambit by Kayvion Lewis - ESSENTIAL

The Thieves Gambit by Kayvion Lewis, 364 pages. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2023. $20 

Language: PG-13 (29 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (underage drinking, mentions of sexual topics, and drugging of a character); Violence: PG-13 (characters getting beaten up and shot; some mentions of blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

17yo Rosalyn Quest has been trained since childhood to be an expert thief by her family of thieves, who dominate the North American crime world. In a heist gone wrong, her mother gets kidnapped just as Rosalyn planned to leave the family business. To save her mom, Rosalyn enters the Thieves Gambit, an exclusive competition for thieves she was invited to compete in. If she wins, her prize is the fulfillment of any wish. With her desire to rescue her mom in mind, she is desperate to win and faces challenges not only to her abilities as she faces off with the best teen thieves in the world but also to the beliefs that her mother has instilled in her about herself and the world. 

The Thieves Gambit was gripping from the beginning and had great action, twists, and excitement throughout.  I read it in a day because I couldn't put it down. The characterization and emotional journey of Rosalyn was realistic as she deals with real-life struggles—not just ones connected to her thieving lifestyle—and these elements were integrated well into the fast pace of the book. Sometimes Rosalyn gets in her own way, which is annoying, but also felt true to her age. The side characters come from around the world and were delightful, and I only wished that we had been able to have more from them. My only slight negative was that some of the physical descriptions of the action were confusing to me, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. The book resolved, but it was left open for the next in the series, which I'm looking forward to reading! Rosalyn is black and from the Caribbean. Devroe is black and from England. Noelia is from France. 

Marinda, librarian  

Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill - OPTIONAL

Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill, 400 pages. Random House Children's/Delacorte Press, 2024. $17 

Language: R (154 swears 64 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (drugs, underage drinking, talk of hooking up); Violence: PG-13 (bloody death and violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SOME 

17yo Amir is accused of murder and his 16yo brother Marcel is determined to prove Amir’s innocence. One of their classmates was murdered in her home and Amir has been placed under house arrest under suspicious circumstances. Living in New Orleans, Amir and Marcel both attend a private school because their family wants the best for them. Being Black, they’re a minority in their mostly white, rich high school. When the girl is murdered, the white community immediately blames Amir but when horrible secrets are revealed, the tables turn. 

The bad grammar representing the local community in the book is annoying but necessary to the setting of the story. I like the strong loyalty between the brothers, Marcel and Amir. The mystery was enjoyable to read. The ethnicity is a white and Black community. 

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian

Unstuck by Barbara Dee - ADVISABLE

Unstuck by Barbara Dee, 272 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2024 $18.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

7th grader Lyla is so glad to be in Ms. Bowman's class because she's getting to work on her fantasy novel in Creative Writing! (Last year her teacher was all about 5 paragraph essays - ugh). She is full of ideas, but can't seem to get anything down in her notebook, except a list of names, a "family tree" and a map. She's got a lot on her mind this year, her best friend went to a different school, her parents and her sister seem to be always fighting, and she hasn't yet made any real friends - just Journey, who she really only eats lunch with. She's stuck; her teacher calls it writers block and has lots of suggestions to break it, but Lyla thinks they won't work. She wants to have something to enter into the library's writing contest but so far she has only a great first sentence. 

I really love Barbara Dee's stories. Lyla drives me crazy, always so hard on herself, but not accepting any help or trying new ideas. I know some kids who can relate. There's also a subplot about figuring out her friend situation and dealing with some problems at home that keep the book moving. Not full of tough topics as some of Dee's recent works have - Anxiety (Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet), Bi-polar - (My Life in the Fishtank), Sexual Harassement - (Maybe He Just Likes You). The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

A Pocketful of Stars by Aisha Busby - ADVISABLE

A Pocketful of Stars by Aisha Busby, 236 pages. Carolrhoda, 2019. $20. 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Struggling to connect with her mom, 13yo Safia chooses to live with her dad post-divorce, facing frequent arguments during weekend visits with her mom. Cultural differences between her Kuwaiti mom and English dad exacerbate their conflicts.  After a severe argument, Safia discovers her mom has had a stroke. Dreaming, she learns about her mom's youth in Kuwait, believing that sharing these memories could help her mom recover. Despite a dire prognosis, Safia dedicates hours at her mom's bedside, sharing stories.

I really enjoyed this book and it made me think about how we treat our families and those around us. We should always be kind.

Ellen-Anita Librarian

I'm Trying to Love Germs by Bethany Barton - ESSENTIAL

I'm Trying to Love Germs by Bethany Barton. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Viking (Penguin), 2023. $19. 9780593326725 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

With the help of a talking germ, learn all about microbes and pathogens and the ways they can harm or help us. 

 Barton's 5th book is as cute and informative as the rest of them. I would buy any of the books that correlate with the curriculum at your school. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Skybound! by Sue Ganz-Schmitt and Jacopo Bruno - ADVISABLE

Skybound! Starring Mary Myers as Carlotta, Daredevil Aeronaut and Scientist by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Jacopo Bruno. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY Calkins Creek (Astra), 2024 $19. 9781635928150 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Mary Myers had her head in the clouds - literally! She dreamed of flying and worked with her husband on the science of aeronautics - even helping create a new fabric for balloons, even though it was dangerous to formulate. It isn't until she is 30 that she finally goes up in a balloon of her own - on her own - and doesn't ever stop. 

How fabulous! I love that Ganz-Schmitt and Bruno have brought Mary forward from the fringes of history and back into the limelight she so deserves. Our 9th graders build hot air balloons with tissue paper every spring, so I am very excited to be able to share this with them. The main text is exciting to read and view. The back matter is a great supplement, with a few photographs and artifacts of "Carlotta" and her exploits. Carlotta is white. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Fabulous Fannie Farmer by Emma Bland Smith and Susan Reagan - ADVISABLE

The Fabulous Fannie Farmer: Kitchen Scientist and America's Cook by Emma Bland Smith, illustrated by Susan Reagan. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY. Calkins Creek (Astra), 2024. $19. 9781635926125 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

After a bout of polio when she was 16yo, Fannie turned to her love of cooking. It wasn't until she was 31 that she entered the Boston Cooking School, going on to become the principal. Dissatisfied with cookbooks of her day, Fannie and her students started experimenting and standardizing the measurements and instructions for recipes - pioneering a new standard and helping home cooks for generations. 

While text heavy, Smith still keeps the story simple and engaging, supported by Reagan's old-fashioned illustrations. Every cooking class would welcome this addition. Fanny is white. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Fastest Drummer: clap your hands for Viola Smith by Dean Robbins and Susanna Chapman - ADVISABLE

The Fastest Drummer: clap your hands for Viola Smith by Dean Robbins, illustrated by Susanna Chapman. PICTURE BOOK, BIOGRAPHY Candlewick, 2024. $18. 9781536224863 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

As part of her family's all-girl jazz band, Viola loved the drums and would always talk to other, more seasoned, drummers at their shows, trading tips and tricks. When the other girls left to pursue other interests, Viola formed her own band and advocated for women in music throughout her 107 year life. 

Viola's enthusiasm shines through a rare combination of enthusiasts text and swooping illustrations. What a fun book for any music class. There are some videos of Viola on the internet - so a great way to back-up the picture book with footage of her playing. Viola and her family are white; some of the other drummers are Black. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Wrong Kind of Weird by James Ramos - OPTIONAL

The Wrong Kind of Weird by James Ramos,  320 pages. Inkyard Press, 2023.  $19.

Language:  R   (100+ swears, 67 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (teenage sexuality e.g. frequent make out sessions, heavy petting, references to losing virginity throughout, several drug references); Violence: PG (one minor physical conflict at school);

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Cameron is a bicultural senior (mom is latina, father is black), who has a small group of geek friends in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They even have a club (GANU - Geeks And Nerds Unite) where they watch anime, design cosplays, and celebrate that #geeklife. However, when one of the most popular girls in school starts working with Cameron, he tries to break down the rigid clique system at his school to make their relationship more acceptable to their different friend groups. However, Cameron's complicated web of half-told truths and posturing catches up with him and falls to pieces around him. Can Cameron figure out who he really is and what he really wants?

This was not my favorite contemporary YA rom-com that I’ve ever read. I had a hard time getting into it and the storyline kept jumping back and forth, from the summer when Cameron and Karla first met to the current school year, without a lot of rhyme or reason. Add to that, there was a LOT of language throughout the book. The one thing I liked about it was the celebration of multicultural students in geek culture. It shouldn’t be that revolutionary, but it was nice to see someone other than sickly white boys being the nerds.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson - HIGH

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson, 448 pages. Random House Children's/Delacorte Press, 2024. $16

Language: R (53 swears 121 'f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (assault) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Rachel Price, mother of 18yo Bel, has been missing for over sixteen years. Bel’s father needs money to care for his elderly father, so he decides to participate in a documentary about the disappearance of his wife, Rachel Price. Bel doesn’t want to rehash everything over and over again but she wants to help her dad. She wonders if the documentary will help find her mom by rekindling the investigation. Also, Bel can’t shake the thought that her mom abandoned her all those years ago and that she just might be alive somewhere. The documentary is just the beginning of the chaos that's to come.  

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery! The character development was interesting and the author showed Bel’s coping mechanisms of cruelty and shoplifting small items as a way to deal with the abandonment she’s had in her lifetime. The documentary idea was great as it helped show the changes in the family and Bel’s perspective of the situation. The ethnicity is predominantly white with mention of a brown skin background character.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Library

Murtagh by Christopher Paolini - HIGH

Murtagh by Christopher Paolini, 690 pages. Knopf (Random House), 2023. $30 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; R (graphic killings, torture, cults, possession) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn, are outcasts following the toppling of Galbatorix and their forced role in his reign of terror. There are whispers of evil in the brittle ground and brimstone in the air. Sensing an unknown danger, Murtagh and Thorn risk their lives as they face down a witch and those who follow her. 

 Murtagh is a complex character and a dark hero that you will end up rooting for. Both he and Thorn have to overcome the fears and trauma faced in their formative years. If you haven't read Eragon for awhile, there is just enough recapping to understand this book without having to reread the first series, but a more recent read through would make this book more compelling. The action is fast paced and well written. There are definitely dark moments, but fans of Eragon will eat this up. While the book concludes well enough, a second book is surely lurking, just like the danger that would overthrow Alagaesia. There are many cultures and races in the book as befits a fantasy novel 

Michelle in the Middle 

A Place for Vanishing by Ann Fraistat - OPTIONAL

A Place for Vanishing by Ann Fraistat, 456 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2024. $20 

Language: R (114 swears 4 'f') Mature Content: PG-13 (suicide attempt, self harm, mild sexual content); Violence: R (graphic violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

16yo Libby, her 13yo sister, Vivi, and their mom, are moving into a derelict Victorian mansion that has been in the family for years for a fresh start following Libby's suicide attempt. There have been many disappearances connected with the house: it has creepy stained glass windows, a strange bug infestation, its own hedge maze, and unusual blue roses. Libby soon discovers that the secrets that the house holds could destroy all of them, though she may have to harness a power beyond her own to fight back. 

The cover is beautiful and the premise promising. The house is appropriately creepy. Libby is a relatable character, but at over 400 pages, the book seemed long. The ending was unbelievable for me, but readers who have a healthy fear of bugs may enjoy the creep factor. Race is never specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Evil Spy School: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs and Anjan Sarkar - ADVISABLE

Evil Spy School: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs, illustrated by Anjan Sarkar, 352 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Simon and Schuster, 2024. $25 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

13yo Ben Ripley just got expelled from spy school. Luckily (or unluckily) he gets picked up by the evil organization, SPYDER. They begin training Ben but he's not sure for what. Turns out Ben is so deep undercover in SPYDER, not even he realizes it at first. He will have to make his new evil companions trust him while finding a way to communicate to his CIA friends. 

 As the graphic novel rendition of the book, this is fabulous. It is well illustrated and the pictures help tell the story. The story is fun and keeps. you guessing. I loved Ben's new evil friends and their quirks. There's plenty of humor to go with the high adventure and kids will be wishing they had spy missions of their own. The Spy School novels just got another reason to cheer. Race is never stated, but most of the characters are white. 

Michelle in the Middle