This is Why They Hate Us by Aaron Aceves - OPTIONAL

This is Why They Hate Us by Aaron Aceves, 400 pages. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster), 2022. $20.

Language: R (100+ swears, 85 “f”); Mature Content: R (frequent graphic teenage sexual content, repeated instances of underage drinking and drug use, suicide ideation, and dealing with other mental health issues); Violence: PG-13 (several queer slurs, one instance of beating up a teenager in a park, some racist interactions);

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Enrique “Quique” Luna is a bisexual Latino teenager in southern California who struggles with his mental health and pining for his best friend, Saleem. He decides to work on himself during the summer by exploring some other romantic options, but his anxieties might derail everything.

It took me a long time to get into this book and to finish Quique’s story. I valued his perspective as a queer minority telling his coming of age story, but there is a significant amount of graphic sex, language, and other mature content that might be off-putting for more general audiences.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

Spell of a Time by Sophie Escabasse - OPTIONAL

Spell of a Time (Witches of Brooklyn Book 4) by Sophie Escabasse, 220 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, Middle Grade RH Graphic Random House, 2023. $22 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Effie just turned twelve, which means she needs to see a seer to see what kind of magic she has as a witch. She discovers not only her magic, but that a mermaid is missing. Effie and her friend, Garance, set off on a time travel adventure to rescue the mermaid with the help of a turtle and some talkative seagulls. 

Effie's aunts are super funky, and it's nice to see adults as an integral part of YA fiction. The plot was fairly simplistic, but the art is well done. If you've always wanted to be a witch and have magical powers, this could be your book. Effie appears to be Asian and Garance appears to be black. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Worst Perfect Moment by Shivaun Plozza - OPTIONAL

The Worst Perfect Moment by Shivaun Plozza, 320 pages. Holiday House, 2024. $20.

Language: R (100+ swears, 3 “f”); Mature Content: PG (some parental abandonment, death, grief); Violence: PG (off-page vehicular death, supernatural pain in purgatory);

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

16 yo Tegan is dead and hanging out in a perfect replica of the Marybelle Motor Lodge, a depressing memory from her former life. An angel, Zelda, informs her that this is her heaven, the place where she was happiest. Tegan disagrees and files a complaint. Zelda has one month to take Tegan back to past memories to help her see what really mattered most in her life, and in death.

What an odd read. It gave me flavors of the movie Beetlejuice mixed with the tv show The Good Place. You would think that there wouldn’t be much of a life to reflect on at 16 years, but it goes to show that there is a lifetime of emotion in every little moment, we just spend a lot of time not feeling them or pushing them aside for later. I do think this could be used in the high school AP literature classroom as an interesting companion piece to Dante’s Divine Comedy, but be aware of the rating for language.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes 

The Glass Scientists Volume 1 by S.H. Cotugno - ADVISABLE

The Glass Scientists Volume 1 by S.H. Cotugno, 240 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Razorbill (Penguin), 2023. $17 

Language: R (55 swears, 0 "F") Mature Content: PG (some same sex attraction, allusions to sex) Violence: PG (blood) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Dr. Henry Jekyll appears to have everything under control. He runs a home for rogue scientists who might otherwise be run out of London. But Jekyll's darker side, Mr. Hyde, threatens to undo the facade he's carefully kept up, especially when one of Jekyll's childhood heroes shows up. 

It would help readers to already have a knowledge of the Jekyll/Hyde story. The lexile in this book is fairly advanced, and leans into some philosophies pitting the "sedating poppy seeds of the bourgeoisie" against the "arbitrary concepts" of good and evil. There are a lot of characters to keep track of. The art is bright, colorful, and engaging. Jekyll's fight against his inner demon may reflect society's struggles and may resonate with readers' personal struggles as well. You will need book 2 to discover what happens to Jekyll as his world starts to unravel. Set in Victorian London, race and culture aren't identified, but monsters seem to be able to live side by side with humans in some situations. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Max in the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitz - ADVISABLE

Max in the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitz, 320 pages. Dutton (Penguin), 2024. $19.

Language: PG (5 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (described violence from Kristallnacht, bullying, racist language) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

11yo Max is sent to England as his parents try to send him to safety from the Nazis. He hates that he was sent away, but as the family in London is kind to him, the bullies are terrible to Max because he is Jewish and he wants to find a way back to Berlin. One of the Montegue uncles is a navy spy, and Max, smart and clever, volunteers himself for the job. No one would send a Jewish boy back to Germany, but Max just needs to prove himself to the right people. 

Max has a couple of magical creatures riding on his shoulders as he joins the kindertransport; a kobold and a dybbuk who are the providing comedic dialogue for the reader, and extra problems for Max as he is the only one who can see and hear them. It's like having Danny Devito and Billy Crystal comment on everything you do. I loved it! A serious topic, a child is separated from his parents who have likely been swept away to a prison camp, Max's resourcefulness and spunk makes for an exciting read and a great history lesson. Gidwitz has set us up for book two. 

Max is Jewish and German, the rest of the characters are British. 

Lisa Librarian

Magic Girls: Kira and the (Maybe) Space Princess Megan Brennan - OPTIONAL

Magic Girls: Kira and the (Maybe) Space Princess by Megan Brennan, 250 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, Young Adult RH Graphic Random House, 2024. $22 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Kira is tired of being ignored so she is hoping to stand out as she starts 7th grade. Her goal to become popular involves becoming a magical girl, but her nemesis has beaten her to it. The arrival of Catacorn to Neo-Earth, a mysterious cat princess from beyond the stars might just propel Kira into the limelight she's been seeking. 

While the art is good, the coloring style makes it feel busy on the page. Kira is fairly self-centered and unlikable for a good part of the book, but there is a nice theme of friendship and what that means. On Neo-Earth there are all sorts of races and cultures. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Symptoms of Heartbreak by Sona Charaipotra - OPTIONAL

Symptoms of a Heartbreak by Sona Charaipotra, 304 pages. Imprint (Macmillan), 2019. $11.

Language: R (49 swears, 3 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

She might be the youngest doctor in the country, but Saira (16yo) is determined to be punctual on her first day and respected by her colleagues. But no one wants to take her seriously—not even her mom who also works at the hospital and makes Saira late for her first impression on her adult coworkers. When one of the patients mistakes her as the teenager she is instead of as a doctor, maybe, for once, it’s nice to just get to be herself.

While Saira, and readers, assume that her problems are different from others because of the gray area she navigates between being a minor without a driver’s license and being a graduate from med school, they aren’t. Saira struggles to fit in and has to figure out if she’s happy with her choices. She struggles with family expectations and miscommunicating with her friends. She has big ideas but doesn’t always execute them well. No matter how many degrees you get or what stage of life you’re in, you never become old enough to make everything go the way you want it to. And the hardest lesson might be that it’s okay for life to be hard and unfair—we keep going anyway. Charaipotra finds a good balance between tragedy and success, even if life doesn’t always feel so balanced.

Saira is Indian-American (Sikh), Vish is Indian-American (half Punjabi, half Gujarati) as well as gay, Abhi is Indian, Lincoln is Korean Scottish Dutch, Samantha is Black, Cho is Asian, Lisa is Taiwanese, Jose is Puerto Rican, Lizzie is White, and the majority of other characters are either implied Indian or implied White. Also, there are a few other LGTB characters mentioned besides Vish. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, partial nudity, kissing, groping, innuendo, and mentions of sex. The violence rating is for mild description of hospital blood and gore and for death.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Haunted States of America by Ellen Hopkins, et al - OPTIONAL

The Haunted States of America by Ellen Hopkins, et al, 208 pages. SHORT STORIES. Henry Holt and Co. (Macmillan), 2024. $18.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The United States of America is a melting pot of people, cultures, and lore. Fifty-two authors take fifty-two myths from each of the fifty states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico to tell legends unique to those areas—ghosts, lizard men, and more!

Some of the stories are lighthearted but the majority of them are decidedly not. I loved reading about the creepy monsters I have heard of before and discovering new legends from places I have never been. Your warning is this: be careful about where you go—and what you read!—in the dark.

With a variety of authors, the characters are naturally diverse in race and sexual orientation. The language rating is for Spanish swears. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol and kissing as well as for scary elements. The violence rating is for blood and gore, corpses, death, and mentions of physical abuse, guns, cannibalism, suicide, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker - OPTIONAL

The Keeper of Night (The Keeper of Night #1) by Kylie Lee Baker, 393 pages. Inkyard Press, 2021. $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Reapers serve Death by collecting and delivering human souls at their death—but Ren is only half-Reaper. Ren’s mother was a Shinigami from Japan, and Ren’s less than ideal pedigree has made her a target for Reapers for centuries. When it gets bad enough that Ren has to flee for her life, her half-brother, Neven, leaves with her to go to the only place Ren might belong: Japan.

The various mythology around death, and especially for Japanese monsters, was fascinating as Baker introduced Ren and readers to dark planes that are parallel to ours. Ren faces a hundred difficult decisions as she struggles with who she has been and who she wants to be, which makes a mess of who she is. The ending was not at all what I expected, and I’m interested to see where the sequels takes us.

Ren is British-Japanese, Neven is British, and Hiro is Japanese. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, prostitution, and nudity; kissing; innuendo; and scary elements. The violence rating is for corpses, death, assault, murder, fantasy violence, and persistent blood and gore.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Peruvian Express by Tom Phillips - ADVISABLE

The Peruvian Express (The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves Book 3) by Tom Phillips, 368 pages. Middle Grade Pixel + Ink, 2024. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISOR: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

John Boarhog has found himself stranded in the mountains of Peru following the crash of a luxury airship. He has been separated from his guardian, Toadius McGee. Desperate to find him, 12 yo John battles through the rainforest only to discover the Peruvian Express-an amazing train hauling gold and it's enigmatic owner, Oro del Rey, who offers John and his friends passage to their destination. John soon finds he doesn't know who to trust or believe as he searches not only for Toadius but a mysterious Object of Doom. 

Fast paced with likable (and fairly odd) characters, readers will be trying to figure out the mystery along with John. There were some great twists and turns. While this resolved itself satisfactorily, there is still room for more adventures. Culture or race of main characters are unknown. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Valentina Salazar is Not a Monster Hunter by Zoraida Cordova - ESSENTIAL

Valentina Salazar is Not a Monster Hunter by Zoraida Cordova, 353 pages. Scholastic Press, 2022. $10. 9781339039534

Content: PG (Some fantasy violence but it is not described graphically)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Valentina Salazar's family are monster protectors.  Her family travels the country finding mythical creatures and sending them back to the world that they belong in.  After 10yo Valentina's father is killed during one of their missions, everything changes.  Her family tries to live a normal life and no longer works as monster protectors.  Valentina misses her father and her old life desperately.  Can she find a way to get her family to be monster protectors again?

This book was quite a page turner!  I really enjoyed the fast-paced story with plenty of action.  It reminded me of the Fablehaven series.  I will definitely be recommending this book to students at my school! Valentina and her family are Hispanic.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Into the Dark (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Claudia Gray - ADVISABLE

Into the Dark (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Claudia Gray, 425 pages. Lucasfilm Press (Disney), 2021. $12.

Language: PG13 (23 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Jedi Padawan Reath (17yo) is more of an academic than an adventurer, so, when Master Jora tells him that she’s taken an assignment at Starlight Beacon, he’s less than thrilled. Master Jora goes ahead, and Reath takes a later transport with several other Jedi—all of whom are hiding something. But when they get stuck in a random part of space on their journey, it’s hard to keep anything completely hidden from each other—and from themselves.

The Force can be used for good or evil, and, while all the Jedi are trying to be good, each Jedi has to find that balance of how to work with the Force personally. Not all Jedi can be adventurers, and not all can be academics, just as each of us are going to live our lives differently. Each of us can be good in our own ways and in our own spheres of influence. I love all these different perspectives that Gray gives as she switches points of view between different characters. Also, the battle scenes are as fun to read as they would be to watch in a movie.

Reath is depicted as white on the cover, Affie and Leox are described as having “tan” skin, Dez has “golden” skin, and Orla is “stark pale.” One side character is lesbian. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, illegal activity, drug use, and mentions of sex. The violence rating is for assault, battle scenes, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson - ADVISABLE

This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson, 400 pages. Roaring Brook (Macmillan), 2023. $10

Language: PG-13  (25 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content:PG-13 (implied sex, off page) ; Violence: PG-13 (bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

17yo Mikira secretly races her horse to earn money for her father and sisters and to save their business of raising strong racing horses. Rezek makes a bargain with her; if she wins the dangerous race coming up, he will leave her family in peace. 20yo Damien sponsors Mikira because he hates Rezek and will do almost anything to spite him. Damien hires 18yo Ari to create a racing horse golem that has speed, endurance, protective instincts and strength. It’s against the rules of the race to use an enchanted horse so they must keep the fact that the horse, Atara, is a magical golem a secret. The race is dangerous and everything is on the line for Mikira, Ari, and Damien.

Jewish mythology adds an interesting factor to the story. I like that Damien wants to help others even though he could use his money and power for anything he wants. Reid is unusual and I want to learn more about his background.

The ethnicity is a variety including dark, alabaster, olive, light brown, tawny, pale, brown, fair, deep bronze, and golden-skinned people.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

S.O.S. by Tom Phillips - ADVISABLE

S.O.S. (The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves Book 2) by Tom Phillips, 346 pages.Middle Grade Pixel + Ink, 2023. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

12 yo John Boarhog and his mentor board a luxury cruise liner airship to to intercept the criminal, Mauve Moth. In addition to trying to catch a criminal, John is also undergoing a trial to join the S.O.S. (Society of Sleuths). John falls in with some dubious teens who use social media for fame and there is a lot more than meets the eye happening on the airship. John will have to think fast to save the day and be a sleuth. 

John is on a grand adventure, albeit an unbelievable one. But if you can suspend belief over a mastermind monkey criminal, you are in for a fun ride. There are a lot of characters to remember, but they all have unique characteristics and the themes of friendship and belonging add to the story. What kid wouldn't want to solve a mystery on an airship? The culture or race of the main characters is unknown. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor by Aubrey Hartman - ADVISABLE

The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor by Aubrey Hartman, 320 pages. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2023. $17

Content: G (There is some bullying. Poppy is injured twice.)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

6th grader, Poppy moves with her family to Oregon because her parents have taken a job to restore a once grand manor house. Poppy has to start at a new school where she feels invisible. She takes solace in her favorite books. One night, while exploring the manor, Poppy frees a trapped water Nymph. She is excited to encounter real magic, just like in her books. In exchange for her favorite book, the water nymph grants Poppy a flying baby lion. Soon Poppy realizes that when she gave the book the nymph it erased its existence from everyone's memories. The nymph takes a new book each night so the lion can continue growing. Poppy must learn to find her voice, make new friends, stand up to bullies, and restore the stolen books to save her family.

I enjoyed this story of a shy girl learning to be courageous and strong and find her voice. I enjoyed the references to some of my favorite childhood books.

All of the characters are assumed to be white.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Adventures of Mary Jane by Hope Jahren - ADVISABLE

Adventures of Mary Jane by Hope Jahren, 423 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2024. $20.

Content:  (Being honest - it’s summer.  I didn’t keep track of any content issues and don’t remember anything being egregious or of note - I don’t have an ebook version, so I can’t search for any content)

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

When their trading post burns down again, Mary Jane, her mother, and her grandfather head south early for the summer.  When they arrive at Fort Snelling, 500 miles south, Mary Jane’s Ma has a letter from her sister, asking for help, so Ma decides to send Mary Jane farther south to Fort Edwards. Mary Jane’s journey is fraught with a roller coaster of bad deals and unexpected kindnesses - and things at her aunt’s home are a disaster. The mix of kindness and scoundrels continues - and Mary Jane uses her brains and wits to tackle each new challenge.

Adults who have read Huckleberry Finn and who love historical fiction will admire Mary Jane and enjoy the story. Mary Jane fleshed out reminds me of the most heroic of heroines.  The part where it crosses paths with Huck I found to be the least satisfying.  Because of its size and being historical fiction, I believe that only a handful of high school students will be attracted to it.  But, it will find its audience with older women who know and love their classics. On a personal note - I found the parts about historical antagonistic attitudes towards Mormons (being one myself) to be spot on, but tempered with Jahren showing the generosity those hated people showed to Mary Jane’s family when they were in dire need. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

All the Ways to Go by Jessie Janowitz - OPTIONAL

All the Ways to Go by Jessie Janowitz, 368 pages. Sourcebooks, 2024. $19

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Before he knew it, 12yo Milo, chess prodigy, has thrown his recent tournament and ruined his mother’s plans for him to attend chess camp this summer. Now Milo and mom are headed to New Jersey to spend the summer with Mom’s friend Neva and her free-range pre-teen Roxie.  The new summer camp Milo is at with Roxie is obviously for little kids.  Escaping outside, Milo is drawn to a pair of Go players - who reluctantly teach Milo and Roxie the game. This is the first time in a long while that Milo has been excited about a board game and soon the whole camp is drawn into playing - teaching Milo much about himself along the way.

Is there another novel about GO for children?  Do we need a novel about Go for children? I do see this as an alternative activity for kids who don’t want to play chess. Janowitz does a good job of weaving game theory into the narrative without being boring. And she brings out the mental and personality aspects as well. But will kids brag about this to each other? It will take selling to the right teacher as a class read aloud.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Code Name Kingfisher by Liz Kessler - ADVISABLE

Code Name Kingfisher by Liz Kessler, 322 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2023. $19.

Language: G (0 swears, 0  “f”); Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG (alludes to round ups and deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Present day - First middle schooler  Liv is abandoned and ridiculed by her best friend.  Then she is assigned a family history project - but her family consists of only four, and her grandmother refuses to talk about her history. Then as they are cleaning the attic, she finds a precious little box that supplies a few clues.  Amsterdam, 1942 - The Nazis are rounding up Jews, so 12yo Mila and 16yo Hannie are sent to live with a non-Jewish family near their former home in Amsterdam. Mila tries her best to acclimate to the new situation, but Hannie is angry and needs a way to fight back - even if it means putting her life in danger.

Having lived in the Netherlands, I am always interested in the topic.  I wish I had asked more questions while I was there.  But Kessler gives us another side of the Amsterdam story (bless Anne Frank, but she was not the only Jewish person in the city) and a powerful Holocaust story. I hope your school is also intrigued about the topic and interested in learning.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Riley’s Ghost by John David Anderson - OPTIONAL

Riley’s Ghost by John David Anderson, 384 pages. Walden Pond Press, 2023. $10 (paper)

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Riley and Emily aren’t friends anymore, but did Emily have to conspire with her new “cool” friends to look her into the science closet and leave her? Stuck in the school overnight, with no way out (the doors and windows won’t open and won’t break; phones are dead), Riley realizes that she is not alone. A mysterious presence has occupied a frog cadaver and they are not the only ghostly presence.  Riley must confront the ghosts and the ghosts of her own making before she can find a way out.

Anderson tries to weave a multi-dimensional plot into his story, but spends about 150 too many pages doing it. I am all for a more tightly plotted book.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Life After Whale by Lynn Brunelle and Jason Chin - ESSENTIAL

Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall by Lynn Brunelle, illustrated by Jason Chin. NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Neal Porter (Holiday House), 2024 $19. 9780823452286 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A blue whale lives for nearly 100 years, but when it dies, it sinks to the bottom of the ocean and becomes an ecosystem of its own, feeding and providing for the sea life for another 100 years or more. 

Oh, Jason Chin's illustrations are gorgeous! Lynn Brunelle's text, which tells the story of 1 blue whale, is accessible, engaging, and just enough. There is occasional italicized text with more information as needed. Backmatter includes a bibliography, online sources and other books about whales. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale by Ben Miller - ESSENTIAL

The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale by Ben Miller, 240 pages. Children's Fiction Simon and Schuster, 2024. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, talk of eating children) 

BUYING ADVISORY:, EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

9yo Lana discovers a book of fairy tales in a new discount supermarket. Although the strange man who seems to manage the store tells her they are too scary for her, her mother buys the book and Lana hears the first part of the story of Sleeping Beauty. Her mother agrees that it is probably too scary, and takes away the book - so on her next trip to the store, Lana tries to find another, but instead the odd little man pushes her through a candy bin and Lana finds herself in the story of Sleeping Beauty. She also discovers that there is some real-world danger going on, and now must convince her 12yo brother Harrison to come back into the story with her, as there is a witch to defeat. 

I absolutely loved The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale. I listened to the audiobook as I read along and found the author's narration delightful. Ben Miller is an actor (he was in Bridgerton) and his reading is so entertaining. With just 22 chapters and lots of plot twists and turns, it would be a perfect bedtime read aloud, a great introduction to fairy tales or even an exciting independent read. Buying and recommending! The characters are British 

Lisa Librarian 

Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds - OPTIONAL

Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds, 242 pages. Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, Simon and Schuster, October 2024. $20. 

Language: R (34 swears 1 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 ( Descriptive making out, discussions of sex, references to genitals, bras and condoms, bragging boys etc.) Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

17yo Neon Benton has been with his girlfriend for 2 years. They've decided they are ready to have sex, but Neon's nerves get the best of him, and he ends up stressing out in the bathroom instead. Told in a series of flashbacks that run from seconds ago to hours, weeks, months, and years, back to the day they met, Neon is open about his plans with Aria (his girlfriend), his sister, his mother, his friends, and even his dad. 

This is an interesting example of what happens when the adults are willing to talk about sex (beyond the birds and the bees) and the teens feel supported and loved when they are making this important decision. A good read to open/foster discussions. Definitely about the feelings, thoughts and decisions to have sex. Mature content is not graphic but certainly implied. The characters are black. 

Lisa Librarian 

Hum by William David Thomas - ADVISABLE

Hum by William David Thomas, 199 pages. Charlesbridge, 2024. $18. 9781732213722

Content: G (danger, mild violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE; MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

11yo Allen’s nightmares have been occurring more frequently. In order to help him, his grandmother, who has been his guardian since  both of Allen’s parents died when he was six, decides they should move back to her hometown - hoping that Allen will be able to make some human connections. In that village, Allen finds Zach and Birdie, two new friends at school and an eccentric, but kind mentor in Max, a senior. Unfortunately, he also draws the ire of the town bully, who is not hesitant to punch when he is annoyed. When Allen goes to a local fair and meets a llama, memories come flooding back and Allen is sent immediately on a desperate flight into the high mountains to save the llama, whom he seems to remember from his early childhood, and to escape the bully and his brute of a father who are out for blood.

I know that any adult reading this will love it. The cover doesn’t reflect the anger and danger within the pages, so perhaps add this to a display of survival books to draw attention.  I would highly recommend reading it aloud to a class. The main character is a little young for some middle schools. The main characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Whales to the Rescue by Adrienne Mason and Kim Smith - ADVISABLE

Whales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer the Planet by Adrienne Mason, illustrated by Kim Smith. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2022. $19. 9781525305375

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

A fascinating, fact-filled book about how helpful and necessary whales are to planet Earth. Complete with a table of contents, glossary, and index, this book would be a fantastic resource for students doing research or students simply wanting to learn more about oceans, whales and ecosystems. The book is text heavy, making it perfect for upper elementary or middle school students, but has gorgeous, detailed illustrations that support the text and make the book enjoyable for younger children as well.

I learned quite a few facts that I didn't know before reading this book! There's a lot of text but the book is written in a simple-to-understand way and I never felt bored or anxious to be done with the book as I read. While I was a little squeamish reading the detailed bits about whale waste (did you know a fin whale pees 257 gallons a day!?), I'm confident that students will be utterly fascinated and morbidly delighted by the sections titled "Living on Sunshine" and "A Poop Pump".

Angie Campbell - EL Librarian

Bad Princesses Perfect Villains by Jennifer Torres - OPTIONAL

Bad Princesses Perfect Villains by Jennifer Torres, 166 pages. Scholastic, 2023. $8. 9781338833140

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Dalia and Dominga are not happy to be attending the Fine and Ancient Institute for the Royal (FAIR). They would rather be attending the Bewitched Academy for the Dreadful (BAD). After discussing and rejecting a few ideas, together they come up with a villainous scheme to ruin the first day of classes for their other classmates. They are certain the plan will get them kicked out of FAIR and admitted to BAD. Some things go according to plan and some do not.

Dalia and Dominga recognize right away that they do not fit in with the other princesses at the school. I am glad that they were able to find kindred spirits in each other. I like that that book has Spanish words sprinkled throughout. It is a fun story, with a simple plot perfect for kids just starting to get into chapter books.

The princesses are implied Latina.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Friend or UFO by Julie Buxbaum - OPTIONAL

Friend or UFO (The Area 51 Files: Book 3) by Julie Buxbaum, 268 pages. Children's Fiction Delacorte (Random House), 2024. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Middle schooler, Sky, calls Area 51 home because everyone she loves is there. Except one, her grandma. Sky gets a mysterious VHS tape where she discovers her grandma is a secret agent for the FBAI (Federal Bureau of Alien Investigations) and may have been kidnapped. Sky is beside herself and she and her friends will have to solve secret puzzles, codes, and find clues in Area 51 to rescue grandma. 

This is a fun read. Lots of emphasis on family, which is nice. Lots of puns and plays on words. The illustrations help the story along. This is like CSI for elementary kids and who wouldn't want to live with aliens and solve mysteries? Sky is of Indian descent and her friends are a wide variety of cultures and aliens.

Michelle in the Middle 

The Big Flush by Julie Buxbaum - OPTIONAL

The Big Flush (The Area 51 Files Book 2) by Julie Buxbaum, 252 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Delacorte (Random House), 2023. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Sky Patel-Baum's middle school is bizarre. She lives in Area 51 where there are aliens everywhere. Sky is learning to love her new home when it looks like it will be destroyed by space junk in the form of a giant toilet heading straight for her home, which could also take out all of Nevada. Sky and her friends race to figure out who on base is giving out coordinates to angry aliens before they are wiped out. 

 This book in the series is heavy on potty humor, especially when the town gets sprayed by human feces. Don't eat while reading this book. There are a lot of puns and it's nice to see people and aliens get along despite their differences. Nice themes of friendship and family. And fighting poop. Sky is of Indian descent and the other characters are a diverse collection of cultures and aliens. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Power Button: The First Invasion Zack Soto - OPTIONAL

Power Button: The First Invasion by Zack Soto, 202 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphic Universe (Lerner), 2023. $23.

Language: G (1 swear, 0 "F"); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Kaz Savage is 10yo when his 11yo cousin Truly is dropped off at his home in Oregon. Kaz uses a walking stick because he has a degenerative eye disease. The two of them stumble upon some space relics that summon a space knight, Trinn Cyclo, who must may be able to save earth from an invasion by a 15yo space alien who has family issues of his own. 

The art is done all in blues, purples, and greens, which seems to work with the story. The plot is fairly straightforward, though there is a strange uncle who is a cat. The robot space knight saves the day and will most likely be back in subsequent books. I liked that Kaz has a disability he copes well with. Kids will probably like it but I was hoping for more tension in the plot. Truly is black and Max is white. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

Life Log by Lea Redmond, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi - OPTIONAL

Life Log by Lea Redmond, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi, 96 pages. NON-FICTION. Chronicle Books, 2022. $15. 9781452166247

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - GIFT - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

This is an interactive book meant to be personalized by writing and coloring in it, so it would NOT be a recommended purchase for a library. It teaches ways to collect data and log observations, patterns and details using different infographic techniques. The first ten pages are very wordy in describing various infographics. Once you make it through the text-heavy intro pages, the book is filled with about a dozen fun data-collecting activities like "Bubble Gum Contest - which brand blows bigger bubbles?" and "The Life of a Pencil - how long does my pencil last?"

I think the data-collecting activities in this book are a fun way to encourage non-digital activity and could be enjoyed by a child on their own or with family or friends. Some of the activities require documenting over time, while others can be done in one afternoon. I think the book does a good job of showing that observation and collecting data can be interesting and fun, and some of the activities are things I'd enjoy doing with my own kids.

Angie Campbell - EL Librarian https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9781452166247

Jacob’s Missing Book by Sarah and Ian Hoffman, and Chris Case - ADVISABLE

Jacob’s Missing Book by Sarah and Ian Hoffman, illustrated by Chris Case. PICTURE BOOK. Magination, 2024. $18. 9781433844584

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Jacob wants to read the penguin book during library time, but the book isn’t anywhere in the library. The next day Emily mentions that she has two dads and that she likes the penguin book too. AFter their teacher can’t talk about why the school no longer has the penguin book, at recess the kids pretend to be penguins hatching eggs in their nests of rocks and explain the book to the kids who haven’t read it.

The Hoffman’s remind us that kids are not as uptight about books as much as some adults are. And if one kid has read and loved a book that is now missing for some reason, they will happily share the story with the curious minds around them, And there is nothing wrong with that. If a teacher at any level wants to talk to their students about the history of banned books, here is a great place to start.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The World's Loneliest Elephant by Ralph Fletcher and Naoko Stoop - ADVISABLE

 The World's Loneliest Elephant: Based on the True Story of Kaavan and His Rescue by Ralph Fletcher, illustrated by Naoko Stoop. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Little Brown, 2022. $18. 978031636459

 PG (Animal cruelty- elephants in chains without proper care; no graphic images)

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Kaavan became the loneliest elephant in the world after he was taken from Sri Lanka and moved to a zoo in Pakistan where he did not receive proper care for a very long time. After more than thirty years in a small enclosure, kept in chains, and not receiving veterinary care, Kaavan was rescued by a veterinarian from Egypt, Dr. Khalil. With the help of people from all over the world, Dr. Khalil worked to move Kaavan to an animal sanctuary in Cambodia where he could be happy and healthy.

The illustrations, which are painted on wood, are gorgeous! I loved that this was a recent event (Kaavan was moved to his new home in 2020). The humans illustrated are from different countries and are illustrated with various ethnicities.

Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist 

Mr. Whiskers and the Shenanigan Sisters by Wendelin Van Draanen - ESSENTIAL

Mr. Whiskers and the Shenanigan Sisters by Wendelin Van Draanen, 196 pages. Alfred A. Knopf (Random), 2023. $17

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY 

When fake FBI agents kidnap 10yo Misty and 11yo Zelda's Nanigan's dad, a stray dog named Mr. Whiskers jumps in to help them find him. The girls do not always understand him and don't always believe him but Mr. Whiskers does not give up. There are clues to find, high-speed dog chases, secret rooms, help from friends, and gold coins to add to the adventure.

I loved that the book was narrated by the dog, Mr. Whiskers. The book is full of dog puns and observations on humans from a dog perspective. This is a fun adventure that will appeal to many. It is assumed that all of the characters are white.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

 

Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate by Deeba Zargarpur - ADVISABLE

Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate by Deeba Zargarpur, 336 pages. Labyrinth Road (Random House), 2024. $18.

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Once a year on her birthday, Farrah (12yo) gets to see her dad. Their climbing trip this year is a little rocky, and then it takes a sudden turn for the worst when Farrah’s dad turns blue and disappears right before her eyes! Her family doesn’t believe her, so Farrah sets out by herself to find her dad, no matter what kind of magic trouble he’s involved in.

Zargarpur’s fantasy world is based in some Islamic mythology, specifically about jinn, and it was fun to see these mythical beings brought to life in a new way. Farrah’s whole story revolves around a wish to change her fate and her journey that reveals her true power—a power each of us could wield in our lives. Wishes sound great in theory, but we don’t need wishes to make our world better.

Farrah and Arzu are Muslim Afghan Americans. The violence rating is for fantasy violence and mentions of execution.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon - ADVISABLE

The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon, 288 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), SEPT 2024. $20.

Content: G (some danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Millie and Rose are only step-sibling, but share a baby brother.  With their parent figures now gone and supplies rapidly dwindling, they make a bold move to strike out in search of Millie’s maternal grandmother - an Indigenous person. Walking their way in what they hope is the right direction, they happen upon a school bus of kids from a summer camp who are also trying to find their ways home. Danger lurks, however, in a group that calls themselves The Hive - a corporate conglomerate that has been hoarding supplies.

A decent upper elementary, middle grade post-apocalypse book.  The danger is palpable without being bloody and graphic. There are not a wide variety of this genre for this age level - so could be a good choice for them.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Weird But True-The Middle Ages by Michael Burgan and Carmen Sanchez - ADVISABLE

Weird But True-The Middle Ages by Michael Burgan, illustrated by Carmen Sanchez. 192 pages NON-FICTION. National Geographic (Disney), 2023. $13. 9781426373299

PG (Because this book is about the Middle Ages, there are several pictures and facts about fighting with swords and war)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Jousting knights, peasants, Vikings and more! This book contains so many facts about The Middle Ages! Weird But True-The Middle Ages teaches students about the world during this time period in a fun and exciting way.

This series is very popular with elementary students. I don't know why this book would be any different. Brightly colored illustrations and photos are on every page. Small paragraphs describe the pictures and keep the reader engaged.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Just Keep Walking by Erin Soderberg Downing - ESSENTIAL

Just Keep Walking by Erin Soderberg Downing, 256 pages. Scholastic, 2024. $25.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

For Jo’s 12th summer, she was supposed to hike 100 miles of the Superior Hiking Trail with her dad, but this year he is too busy with his new insta-family to bother with Jo, so she is hiking with her mom instead. After the first .6 of a mile, Jo is about ready to give up, but she refuses to let her dad “win”. And thankfully she persists, because adventure, a bit of danger, and heartfelt talks coupled with a lot of growth await her.

I love a good man vs nature story that is as much about conquering self as it is about surviving nature. Downing gives us an authentic look at long-trail hiking while helping Jo complete her own journey of the soul.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Mysterious Life of Dr. Barry by Lisa Williamson - OPTIONAL

The Mysterious Life of Dr. Barry by Lisa Williamson, 137 pages. Pushkin Books, (rerelease) 2024. $

Content: G (minor arguments, c-section mentioned, main character spends her life disguised as a man)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE; MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Margaret wanted more than living at home caring for her mother, so when the chance came, she reinvented herself in the guise of a man and enrolled in medical school in Edinburgh. For the next 50 years, Dr. Barry pursued a career as surgeon - battling against society’s perception of him as just a boy, keeping most people at arms-length, having only few close friends, and always dealing with politics in the towns and military units in which he was placed. While a few may have suspected, it wasn’t until Dr. Barry’s death that their secret was revealed.

Williamson manages to avoid any pronouncement about whether Dr. Barry was just disguised as a male, or whether they were transgender. The author had to create dialogue and embellish a bit to flesh out the few details known of Barry’s life; thus, this is fiction, rather than a biography. Regardless of Barry’s origins, they are important for performing the first successful C-section - both mother and baby survived despite the non-existence of anesthesia. The illustrations make the book feel very young.

Dr. Barry is from Scotland.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Paige Not Found by Jen Wilde - ADVISABLE

Paige Not Found by Jen Wilde, 256 pages. Scholastic, 2024. $19.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Paige already struggles to deal with the world through the lens of her autism.  When she finds out that her parents enrolled her in a study that implanted a device (The Dot) into her brain in order to assess her and control her, she is livid. Along with her best friend, she needs to track down the other kids from the study - because their data is about to be sold to a company that has a very poor track record about data privacy.

The near-future setting doesn’t feel that far down the road, but does put this into science fiction. Paige is queer (possibly non-binary, but she hasn’t changed her pronouns yet), which she just is - it is not a plot point. A decent book about body autonomy, data privacy, and consent. The action is just enough to keep some students interested once they catch on to the plot.

Paige cues white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Wrong Way Home by Kate O’Shaughnessy - ADVISABLE

The Wrong Way Home by Kate O’Shaughnessy, 322 pages. Knopf (Random House), 2024. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12o Fern loves her life with Dr. Ben and all of the others on The Ranch. When her mother sneaks away with her in the middle of the night, Fern is very confused. They’ve traveled for days and landed in Driftaway Beach, California, where Fern is surrounded by all of the toxic things of the world that Dr. Ben has always warned them about. As she tries to find a way back to what she considers to be home, she has much to learn - not just school stuff (which she totally does), but also about herself, her mother, and what real family and home look like.

O’Shaughnessy’s lovely book is the definition of bildungsroman - a young person goes from believing what others tell her about the world to a place where she now knows she doesn’t know everything and that trust needs to be earned. Powerful stuff that I devoured in an afternoon. The only reason I didn’t rate this ESSENTIAL is that it isn’t the romantic, or sports-centric, or action-packed, or spooky books that my students have been gravitating to on their own. The cover is uninspiring and confusing once you now the story, so you will probably need to spotlight and hand sell to the first students.

Fern and the other characters cue white.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Hearts That Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou - OPTIONAL

Hearts That Cut (Threads That Bind #2) by Kika Hatzopoulou, 336 pages. Razorbill (Penguin Random House), 2024. $17.

Language: R (43 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Io and Bianca have been following Thais’s thread to the gods for weeks, needing to understand the reason for all the deaths they witnessed in Alante. But the gods and their followers continue to stay one step ahead—and their adversaries aren’t the only ones misleading Io’s power.

There seemed to be more expository sections in this book than in the prequel, which were cumbersome to read but important to the conclusions Io makes to unravel the antagonists’ plan. With betrayal, reconciliation, and more of the amazing magic system, the non-expository parts were action-filled enough to make the reading worth it. I am satisfied by the climax and conclusion, though I would not say no to more stories set in Io’s world.

Hatzopoulou’s main and side characters are diverse in skin tone and sexual orientation. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, illegal activity, partial nudity, and an intense make out scene. The violence rating is for assault, gun use, fantasy violence, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Night Ends with Fire by K. X. Song - OPTIONAL

The Night Ends with Fire (The Night Ends with Fire #1) by K. X. Song, 432 pages. Ace (Penguin Group), 2024. $21.

Language: PG (8 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

In order to save her family, Meilin (18yo) needs the matchmaker to arrange a betrothal to a wealthy suitor. The matchmaker does her job, but Meilin is unable to do hers. Instead of marrying the merchant chosen for her, Meilin calls herself Ren and joins the army, determined to be the best and force everyone to acknowledge her.

This retelling of Mulan focuses on the gray areas between ambition and greed, between equality and pride, between duty and mercy. Meilin struggles with herself and how she fits into the new situations she has placed herself in, which is the focus of the majority of the internal conflict and becomes repetitive since she struggles with the same issues again and again. Readers feel this struggle as well, trying to fit Meilin into either the box of hero or villain—but few things are that simple.

Meilin is described as having “dark” skin, and Sky is described as having “pale” skin, though the overall impression is that the characters are implied Chinese as it is a retelling of Mulan. One significant side character is lesbian. The mature content rating is for drug and alcohol use, innuendo, sexual harassment, mentions of concubines and prostitutes, rape, and sexual touching. The violence rating is for assault, child abuse, war and battle, murder, and mentions of suicide.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Crashing into You by Rocky Callen - OPTIONAL

Crashing into You by Rocky Callen, 288 pages. Henry Holt and Co. (Macmillan), 2024. $20.

Language: R (96 swears, 56 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Street racing is something that Leti (16yo) is good at, and she’s determined to prove that she deserves to be there by getting invited to the underground races. Her crew is fully behind her, even if her father isn’t supportive. But when Leti and Jacob become friends, she gains another reason to win—and so much more to lose if she doesn’t.

I love the metaphors that come to life from Leti’s view of the world, from how she describes Jacob as an entire forest in one being to how her car feels like a rocket to how the entire ocean can come between people. Leti’s and Jacob’s interest in flying and in the stars are different, and yet Callen uses imagery to bring them together in a beautiful way. The street racing is exciting and the aforementioned figurative language is amazing, but the core of this book is about grief and promises—when to let them define your life and whether any good can come from letting them go.

Leti and her family are implied Latinx, Jacob is Jewish, and a couple of side characters are gay. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, mentions of drugs and sex, illegal activity, innuendo, groping, and sexual harassment. The violence rating is for assault.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen