The Big Adventures of Babymouse Besties! by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm - ADVISABLE

The Big Adventures of Babymouse Besties! by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm, 216 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic Random House, 2023. $14 

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

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Babymouse has big dreams where she is always the best, and her imagination is off the charts. But Babymouse is struggling to feel like she fits in when a new student shows up who everyone seems to like. What if she loses her bestie? 

The art is delightful and Babymouse books are an easy read for beginning or low-level readers. The themes of fitting in or being replaced by new friends is universal and the characters are unique and fun. 

 Michelle in the Middle

Better Than Revenge by Kasie West - ADVISABLE

Better Than Revenge by Kasie West, 320 pages. Delacorte Romance (Random House), 2024. $13.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

As a junior, Finley can finally try out to be part of the high school podcast team, which she’s been preparing to do for years. Right after she nails her interview, Finley’s boyfriend blindsides her by trying out too—and he lands the spot Finley wanted. The new ex is taking everything Finley has ever wanted, so she, her best friends, and her ex’s nemesis plan for revenge.

The ex is someone readers will love to hate, bringing them immediately on board with the need for revenge. Trying to navigate her present, Finley dives into her grandmother’s past, juxtaposing the crisis Finley and readers are going through with the hope of knowing everything has worked out in similar circumstances before. As with life, not everything works out perfectly according to plan, but love and success can still come in beautiful surprises.

Finley is depicted as White on the cover, Theo is implied Hispanic, Lee is Asian, Deja is Indian, and the majority of other characters are implied White. Also, Lee and Maxwell are part of the LGBT community. The mature content rating is for partial nudity (girl in a sports bra, boy without a shirt), kissing, innuendo, and mentions of sex. The violence rating is for assault and jokes about murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

A Game of Noctis by Deva Fagan - ADVISABLE

A Game of Noctis by Deva Fagan, 306 pages. Simon, 2024. $18

Language: G (0 swears,  0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (non-bloody fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Pia is desperate to save her Gramps from being ejected from Dantessa because his standing has slipped so low in the Great Game. Pia take a chance and allies herself with a new crew - the Seafoxes, each with their own motives for wanting to upset the status quo in Datessa - even if they have to face the immortal Death herself.

Students who love books in original fantasy worlds will enjoy meeting Pia and Dantessa. I enjoyed that Pia wasn’t a “chosen one” who needs to save the whole world - a nice touch that helps it feel different from so many other recent fantasy books.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko, - ADVISABLE

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko, 309 pages. Alfred A. Knopf (Random), 2024. $18

Language: G (1 swears, 0 f'); Mature Content: PG (alcoholic absent mother); Violence: G BUYING 

ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

After spending a week at home alone, unsure where their mother is or when she will come back, 11yo Hank and his little sister Boo decide they need to find help. They travel across town by bus to the home of an old family friend. Luckily Lou Ann agrees to take them in while a search is made for their absent mother. Boo seems to be thriving at Lou Ann's house. She is learning her letters and numbers and doing well at potty training. Hank is slowly starting to make new friends and the coach is taking note of his basketball skills. But Hank knows it is all still temporary, he is certain his mother will return any day. When she does show up one day out of the blue, Hank is elated.  However, when she insists they leave town without telling anyone Hank is uncertain. Only hours into their drive, she starts drinking again. Hank is put in a tough spot. Does he stay with their mother and put himself and his sister at risk, or go back to Lou Ann's and face the consequences of leaving. "Hank is always counting his mistakes and weighing which mistakes are worse. Even though he loves his mother he knows he can no longer trust her. Luckily he has some good adults in his life that teach him that we can learn from our mistakes and that true family loves unconditionally.

I really enjoyed this story about a boy trying to understand and navigate some tough emotions regarding his alcoholic mother, foster care and adoption. "

Hank and Boo are white. The other characters in the book are a variety of ethnicities.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Hero Trial (Dungeon Runners #1) by Kieran Atwood and Joe Todd-Stanton - ADVISABLE

Hero Trial (Dungeon Runners #1) by Kieran Atwood and Joe Todd-Stanton, 194 pages. DOODLE FICTION. Nosy Crow, 2024. $18. 9798887771076

Language: G (0 swears, 0  “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (fantasy violence, mostly off page)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Kit wants to be a Dungeon Runner just like his grandfather was, but to do that he needs a team, he needs some capital, and he needs a big break.  One of the official dungeon running teams has been decimated, so there is going to be a trial for new contenders.  And Kit has luckily run into a couple of other misfits who want a chance, too. Now they just have to brave the dungeon trial and Kit’s bullies; the trio is ready to take their chances.

Very much an underdog tale.  Buy this depending on whether fantasy graphic novels are popular in your library. Silly fun, but brave characters with a bit of kindness and luck on their side.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Larr and Leonie Bischoff, translated by Michelle Bailat-Jones - OPTIONAL

The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Larr and Leonie Bischoff, translated by Michelle Bailat-Jones, 141 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Helvetiq, 2024. $30. 9783039640638

Language: G (0 swears,  0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (minor gun violence briefly depicted)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Simon doesn’t have much book smarts, but he does have a plan.  If he buys 1000 bronze turkeys from a local farmer and can get them successfully to Denver, he can make enough profit to start his own business. He doesn’t bargain for finding friends, finding family, finding treachery, and finding other excitement and danger along the way.

To be clear - this edition is based upon the French graphic novel, which is based on the original English novel written by Katherine Karr - kind of convoluted.  I have the original novel and I personally enjoyed it  When students chose historical fiction, someone usually reads it. The graphic novel, however, makes Simon look very young - 12 at the most. Entertaining, but short lived.  I can't predict whether it will do better than the novel or not.  Plus, it is 11” tall - so it won’t fit on a regular fiction shelf.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - OPTIONAL

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus, 389 pages. Penguin Random House, 2024. $21.

Language: PG-13 (13 swears, 22 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Fighting, death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS, ADULT -  OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

16yo Kat has always been close to her mother, Jamie, a skilled jewel thief who is determined to leave her past behind.  But Jamie has a plan for one last heist; stealing a beautiful, expensive necklace at the Sutherland's extravagant birthday bash. Kat insists on joining her mother, eager for adventure but unprepared for what lies ahead. To Kat's surprise, the party also brings a reunion with Liam, her former step-brother from Jamie's short marriage to Luke. Luke is a known con artist who has his own plan to target the billionaire family. When a shocking murder disrupts the festivities, Kat and Liam find themselves entangled in a dangerous mystery. Forced to rely on each other to survive, the two must navigate a world of deception and danger, questioning everyone's motives, including their own.  They have both grown up in a world full of lies and trust is something they are not used to.  Who will they decide to trust and who will deceive them?

This was such a fun book to read, I found it hard to put it down.  The book's pacing and suspenseful storytelling kept my interest while trying to solve the mystery and getting stumped at every turn.  I enjoyed the dynamics between Liam and Kat while mixing in Augustus for a slightly romantic twist.  There was just enough adventure and family drama throughout the book that it never seemed to drag.  I think students and adults would really enjoy this book and leave pleasantly surprised they were not able to predict the ending.

The characters in this book are all white.

Jessica Nelson CTHS Librarian

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2025 by National Geographic - ESSENTIAL

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2025 by National Geographic. 367 pages. NON-FICTION. National Geographic, 2024. $16. 9781426376023

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

APPEALS TO:  MANY

"Almanac 2025" is a massive collection of all the relevant things that are happening in the world, such as history, politics, culture, new discoveries, exploration, inventions, and more. National Geographic covers nearly every base in this book, giving an expansive overview of current events in a simplified way that's easy to understand for readers of different levels. Including maps, pictures, and illustrations explain diagrams and discoveries to readers as well as hooking them in. "Almanac 2025" includes interactive games, glossaries, maps, and more to keep readers engaged by using different forms of learning and keeping things interesting. 

"Almanac 2025" is a great choice for kids spanning reading levels and interests to help them learn more about the world around them. A fantastic pick, because there's elements of nearly everything within it (history, politics, animals, inventions, games, and more) that would resonate with any reader. National Geographic keeps things interesting and informative by including charts and maps of different flags, countries, animals, and more.

Bryant Baird, Librarian

Zombie Apocalypse Running Club by Carrie Mac - OPTIONAL

Zombie Apocalypse Running Club by Carrie Mac, 296 pages. Crown (Random), 2024. $20.

Language: R (40+ swears,  15 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (naked mentioned, implied sex, top surgery mentioned); Violence: PG-13 (zombie induced deaths and killing)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

While Eira doesn’t love being under her prepper Dad’s thumb - especially since he is intolerant of her and her twin brother Soren’s LGBT lives, she loves playing the Giantess in the festival they attend to make the money they need to keep their homestead thriving. WHen the zombie apocalypse arrives, however, they are stuck hiding on said homestead, comfortably tucked away. When circumstances force them to flee, the twins don;t count on their younger sister also following them - and then leaving them.  Now they are on a dangerous race to find and reclaim her, meeting along the way other misfits (perhaps love interests) and plenty of danger from zombies or not.

I’d buy this in paperback - I like a good zombie action book.  Mac has been writing for years - mostly for Orca.  I enjoyed the inclusion of LGBT characters, too. 

I don’t remember anything about the ethnicities of the characters.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

1000 Facts about Sharks by Sarah Wassner Flynn - ADVISABLE

1000 Facts about Sharks by Sarah Wassner Flynn. 96 pages.  NON-FICTION. National Geographic Kids, 2024. $15. 9781426371745

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

APPEALS TO:  MANY

"1000 Facts about Sharks" is a great and in-depth exploration into the world of sharks. Including pictures of different species, fun facts about anatomy, and the geography of their climate, it is an engaging and detailed summary of all things shark. As well as facts about sharks themselves, it also includes how they're studied, what makes sharks different from other sea creatures, and how the food chain and ocean system functions. 

"1000 Facts about Sharks" also includes insight into living in the ocean overall.  It's a great pick for kids that are discovering their love of animals as well as kids that already are and want to get more information.

Bryant Baird, Librarian

It Happened to Anna by Tehlor Kay Mejia, - NO

It Happened to Anna by Tehlor Kay Mejia, 223 pages. Delacorte (Random), 2024. $18

Content: PG (tension)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - NOT RECOMMENDED

APPEALS TO: SOME

For some reason (unexplained), 7th grader Sadie has always been haunted. Whenever she gets close to anyone, the ghost causes bad things to happen - Sadie is sure the ghost caused the loss of her only best friend, Anna. While she is trying to lay low at her new school, she does meet Charlotte, who seems so kind and so happy to befriend Sadie.  Then also along comes Mal - also very cool and mysterious.

I swear - parents should just teach their children from an early age to avoid anyone whose name is “Mal”.  Could you be more obvious?  Nope, because Sadie is oblivious to the danger Mal poses - even though the clues are blindingly clear. I love a good ghost story - “good” being the operative word.

The characters default white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Ultimate Bug-Opedia by Darlyne Murawski and Nancy Honovich - ADVISABLE

Ultimate Bug-Opedia by Darlyne Murawski and Nancy Honovich. 296 pages. NON-FICTION. National Geographic, 2024. $25. 9781426376153

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

APPEALS TO:  SEVERAL

"Ultimate Bug-Opedia" is a massive collection of everything related to bugs. Murawski and Honovich delve into how bugs eat, how they impact their habitat, the relationships between different kinds of bugs, and how their bodies function. Along with fun facts, "Ultimate Bug-Opedia" also includes pictures through microscopes and teaches readers how bugs are studied through etymology, as well as how scientists study them. Murawski and Honovich also discuss how bugs are classified and differentiated between one another, including how families of bugs work and how they build structures. It is a great pick for kids interested in animals and science spanning different reading levels.

Bryant Baird, Librarian

An Unlikely Proposition by Rosalyn Eves - OPTIONAL

An Unlikely Proposition by Rosalyn Eves, 293 pages. Farrar Straus Giroux (Macmillan), 2024. $21.

Content: PG (historical romance tropes)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS  - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: FEW

At 17yo, Eleanor is already a widow.  She has come to London after a year of mourning and wants to enjoy her independence. To that end she hires a young companion from the country, Thalia, who only wants to start over after her first Season was such a wreck. Eleanor’s plans for a fun Season may collide with Thalia’s tender feelings for the very man to whom Eleanor is pretending to be engaged.

Even writing this all out I am kind of bored. I had such a good time with Eves first novel - An Improbable Season - that I was looking forward to reading #2.  Nope.  Less interesting this time around.  I think the author was so caught up in making things complicated that she forgot to also make it engaging.

The characters are white English people.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon - ADVISABLE

The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon, 373 pages. Candlewick, 2024. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (pirates, peril, slavery) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

11yo Dally receives an unusual inheritance from her grandfather, the knowledge of a Secret Library. Although everyone (even her grandfather) would like her to wait until she's older, Dally finds the library and discovers it's not just a secret, it's a library of secrets - Family Secrets. 

I enjoyed the story. Dally discovers her family history is full of secrets, including pirates! I loved that she didn't read about the secrets, but that she experienced them. Magoon does a great job reconciling the secret scenes so it doesn't mess up the future. I appreciated the family tree at the end so we could put everyone in perspective. I'm not sure the intended audience has the background knowledge to fully understand the slavery and civil rights, which won't take away from their enjoyment of the book, but might not adequately deliver the author's intent. Dally is black 

Lisa Librarian 

Lifeboat 5 by Susan Hood - ESSENTIAL

Lifeboat 5 by Susan Hood, 228 pages. Simon, 2024. $18

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Bess and Beth meet on the SS City of Benares as they are being evacuated from London to the safety of Canada during World War II. At the moment they relax into the voyage, a German U-boat torpedoes the ship and all are sent into the water - to survive or not as they desperately hope for rescue.  All the girls have is each other for comfort and strength.

After reading the girls’ story, I really wonder why Hood started with the story of Lifeboat 12 - Lifeboat 5 is much more intense and heart-aching. Also written in free verse - not my favorite, but I couldn’t turn my eyes away.  I'm not sure I could have taken an entire novel length story!

The characters are white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Unico: Awakening by Osamu Tezuka, Samuel Sattin, illustrated by Gurihiru - ADVISABLE

Unico: Awakening by Osamu Tezuka, Samuel Sattin, illustrated by Gurihiru, 224 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix (Scholastic), 2024. $13 

Language: G (0 swears) G PG (killing of animals) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Unico is a brave young unicorn who has been banished by the evil goddess, Venus, who envies his power. Rescued by the West Wind, Unico finds himself in new situations, not knowing who he is or what he can do. On this adventure, Unico meets up with a guard cat, Chloe, who needs help, but Chloe and Unico are also needed by other animals and a human. The illustrations are well drawn and the colors capture the mood. Unico evolves into a powerful force for good. Unico as a baby unicorn is a bit too cutesy for me, but he should have a broad appeal for younger readers. Tezuka is considered the "God of Manga," and the art will not disappoint. The storyline has enough going on that it will hold interest. Probably a must for anyone who loves manga or My Little Pony. 

Michelle in the Middle

A Sky Full of Dragons (The Wand Keepers #1) by Tiffany McDaniel - NO

A Sky Full of Dragons (The Wand Keepers #1) by Tiffany McDaniel, 338 pages. Simon, 2024. $19

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - NOT RECOMMENDED

APPEALS TO: SOME

Spella Cauldroneyes was found by her “Aunt: in a purple cauldron on a stormy night.  Eight years later she is invited to enter a school for wizardry - that night her Aunt is kidnapped! Spella will need to juggle school, protesting crowds, and finding her aunt.

I usually love the odd - I have purple hair myself - but I tried several times to settle in to enjoy this book - but I could not. The oddities and quirks did not gel for me - causing confusion instead of enhancing the promise from the cover. I’m not going to try again.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Flashtide by Jenny Moyer - OPTIONAL

Flashtide (Flashfall #2) by Jenny Moyer, 368 pages. Henry Holt and Co. (Macmillan), 2017. $18.

Language: PG13 (17 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Dram (19yo) and Orion (17yo) made it past the flash curtain, but it only compounded their problems. They are still on the run from the Congress, and they can’t escape the effects of the curtain. The pair set out to save their people, and yet it looks like everything they do only puts their people in more peril.

Moyer’s style of writing was choppy, which often made it difficult to follow what Orion was doing; sometimes it felt like I was missing parts of the story, and I know some of the science and magic of their world went over my head. The path that Dram and Orion forged to freedom included tragedy and heart-wrenching consequences, hope and trust that the other still had the same end goal—even when their paths weren’t the expected ones. I loved watching them repair the cracks in their relationship over and over, making each other more important than their mistakes.

Characters with shades of skin from pale to brown are described. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, kissing, innuendo, and partial nudity. The violence rating is for blood and gore, gun use, assault, mentions of cannibals, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

No Place Left to Hide by Megan Lally - OPTIONAL

No Place Left to Hide by Megan Lally, 272 pages. Sourcebooks Fire, 2025. $11 

Language: R (263 swears, 143 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (underage drinking, kissing); Violence: PG-13 (death)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Brooke is an overachiever who comes from a long family history of overachievers. She’s determined to get into Yale and has pushed herself into all work and no play since the lake party where a classmate drowned months ago. The investigation ruled it as accidental, but Brooke is being harassed by an unknown person who’s been calling her, slashing her tires, leaving lake water in her locker, and covering her car with newspapers featuring the article about the incident. Her friend Jena wants her to attend another lake party to blow off steam and celebrate reaching her goals. A seemingly harmless party quickly turns into a horrific nightmare for Brooke.

Lally wrote a suspenseful thriller that I couldn’t put down. Twisty fun. I love how the author portrays the characters and how everything spirals to the ending. It was also a quick read at 272 pages.

Jena is Black. Brooke is white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

The Van Buren Sisters vs the Pants Police by J. F. Fox and Anna Kwan - ADVISABLE

The Van Buren Sisters vs the Pants Police by J. F. Fox and Anna Kwan. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2023. 9781525302480

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

ADeline and Augusta, the granddaughters of President Martin Van Buren, were raised by their widowed father to be independent and adventurous. As WWI broke out, the sisters wanted to prove they could be of value on the battlefield as messengers ON MOTORBIKES! Dressed in particle leather pants they set out to cross the United States on their bikes.  But most towns didn’t allow women to wear pants in those days, so they were harassed by law enforcement all along their way.  Not that the sisters would let that stop them!

A wonderful book that clearly shows the changing force of women’s roles and expectations in the early 1900’s in America. I love their spirit and independence. Really good backmatter - though I wish it were another set of pages, instead of crammed onto one set. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Chasing Eternity (Stealing Infinity #3) by Alyson Noel - OPTIONAL

Chasing Eternity (Stealing Infinity #3) by Alyson Noel, 496 pages. Entangled Teen, 2024. $19

Language: R (56 swears, 18 ‘f'); Mature Content: R (on page sex); Violence: PG-13 (bloody hitting and bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO:  SEVERAL

18yo Natasha and Elodie travel back to 1998 to meet Natasha’s dad before she was born. Natasha is able to convince her father that she’s really his daughter from the future. He shows her the generations’ old Timekeeper rooms that take up a floor in the building where he resides as a struggling college student to hide who he truly is. He also trains her as much as he can in the short time they’re together so she can handle her Timekeeper abilities and use them to stay safe and continue the mission of her ancestors. Natasha realizes why Arthur is determined to remake the world- he lost the love of his life. Arthur will do everything it takes, including murder, to get what he wants and Natasha will do whatever it takes to stop him.

I enjoyed the quotes from historical intellectuals. The character development is well done. I enjoyed learning about real artists and their work throughout history. The story kept my attention and it is action packed. Mason, Natasha's best friend, is Black. Natasha is white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

The Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson - ESSENTIAL

The Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson, 325 pages. Penguin, 2024. $20

Language: G (1 swear, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG (Fight between characters resulting in an accidental death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS, ADULT - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

16yo Calvin, a black teenager, passes as white in 1955. His family moves to an all-white suburb for a safer life, but maintaining their secret is exhausting. Calvin seeks solace with new friends and Lily, his crush, while uncovering the town's dark racist history. Torn between safety and truth, Calvin faces dangerous choices about identity and morality. The novel powerfully connects historical realities to personal struggles with race and belonging. This was an extremely powerful book which had me very tense and emotional throughout - at first because of Calvin trying to "pass" and later when the boys were on their "mission".

I really appreciated the historical references such as Emmitt Till and Martin Luther King Jr. which grounded the story in its time period and highlighted the relevance. I also appreciated the author's ability to educate readers, especially white readers, on the Black experience in America. I highly recommend this book to all readers of any color, race, young and old. Robert is Calvin's brother and he is black. Eugene and Harry are brothers who are black. Ben, Mary, Alex and Darin are white.

Jessica Nelson CTHS Librarian 

Ruling Destiny by Alyson Noel - MANY

Ruling Destiny (Stealing Infinity #2) by Alyson Noel, 393 pages. Entangled Teen, 2023. $14 

Language: R (83 swears, 25 “f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (implied sex, off page, and underage drinking); Violence: PG-13 (bloody fight)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY

18yo Natasha has been planning on visiting Renaissance Italy with Braxton but when she gets to the portal, Arthur shows her she’ll be tripping with Killian; Natasha is angry but Killian is thrilled. Braxton seems to be keeping something from Natasha and Killian keeps making remarks alluding that Braxton is hiding a terrible secret from her. She has strong feelings for Braxton but she doesn’t know if she can trust anyone. When Mason is recruited to Gray Wolf, she’s happy to see him, her trusted best friend, but worried that he’s blaming her for taking him away from his life. She’s struggling to understand her new life but now she’s even more worried on Mason’s behalf.

I enjoyed learning about the true history mixed in with the time traveling events, like the Italian Bonfire of the Vanities in 1497. The quotes from Shakespeare and other intellectuals and historical figures are awesome. The author notes at the beginning of the book that all artwork and ancient artifacts mentioned in the novel really piqued my interest. The ethnicity is mostly white. Mason, Natasha’s best friend, is Black.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah 

Santa’s Workshop by Design Eye (Quarto) - ESSENTIAL

Santa’s Workshop by Design Eye (Quarto), 2023. $30. 9781836001027

BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT  - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

The elves at the North Pole have come together to write a handbook about the goings-on in their workshop and home. And because they are elves, they have made things extra special by including an interactive workshop with a large cast of characters to make-up your own stories with.

Being as I am, I put the workshop together without seeing the instructions on the last page of the booklet - and I did just fine.  I can think of three little ones (besides myself) that I want to gift this to this Christmas. I will also be buying a set to add to my personal Christmas decorations!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Story Fold Classics) - ADVISABLE

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Story Fold Classics), 263 pages. Design Eye (Quarto), 2024. $15. 9781836001423

BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Design Eye has taken the classic Christmas story and published it in a very beautiful cover, with illustrated and colored pages.  What makes this version really special, and best suited as a gift, is that as you read the book you fold each page (lines provided), so that by the time you finish the book you now also have a Christmas display piece.  

I haven’t finished the book, so I haven’t seen the final product, but I have my suspicions.  As someone who is book-folding-challenged, I appreciate the guiding lines. This seems to be the first in what I hope is going to be a series of collectable foldables. It would be fun to read this aloud at bedtime together and mark your progress with the folds.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead (Finlay Donovan #2) by Elle Cosimano, 357 pages. Minotaur Books (St. Martin’s Press), 2022. $18.

Language: R (128 swears, 5 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

On an online forum, FedUp has called for a hit on Finlay’s ex, and Finlay (31yo) and Vero are doing everything they can to stop anyone from completing the job—Finlay might want to kill him sometimes, but she doesn’t actually want him dead. Trying to stay one step ahead of the hitman and write another manuscript for her demanding agent, Finlay entangles herself further with both the police and the mob.

The antics escalate, Finlay’s love triangle unbalances, and shootouts turn into car chases. Continuing Finlay’s story is not a rewash of the first, which I expected. Finlay and Vero have new obstacles to overcome, building on the experiences they had and also branching into new illegal territories. The last chapter tied up most of the plot points satisfactorily (all of them except the romantic strings to pull readers into the next installment), leaving readers with a hook in the epilogue.

Finlay is portrayed as White on the cover, Veronica and her cousin are implied Hispanic, there are Russian mobsters, and the majority of other characters are implied White. Georgia is part of the LGBT community. The mature content rating is for alcohol use; illegal activity; partial nudity; kissing; groping; sexual harassment; mentions of drugs, pornography, human trafficking, sex toys, orgasms, and sex; and persistent innuendo. The violence rating is for assault, corpses, blood and gore, gun use, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Beat I Drum (Life of a Cactus 3) by Dusti Bowling - ADVISABLE

The Beat I Drum (Life of a Cactus 3) by Dusti Bowling, 272 pages. Union Square, 2025. $17.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G (2 G rated kisses) Violence: PG (Connor has Tourette syndrome and experiences a couple of intense episodes) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Connor has moved across town and is starting High School without his friends. He's worried because his Tourette syndrome makes him tic and bark sometimes, that he will struggle to make friends, but right away, Amanda steps up and invites him to eat with her and her friends. His music teacher, Mrs. Chen, has offered to teach Connor to play an instrument, and he's amazed when he discovers that playing the drums might help settle his tics. 

I have loved this series. The Beat I Drum is more of a companion than a book three as the story happens at the same time as Momentous Events. I'm happy that Connor has found his tribe again, and that they are nice kids with issues of their own, as well as strengths to buoy up Connor. He's still having a rough time with his dad. I wonder now if Zion will get his own book? The characters are in high school, but they read younger. That is why it is just recommended for Middle School. The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano - ADVISABLE

Finlay Donovan is Killing It (Finlay Donovan #1) by Elle Cosimano, 355 pages. Minotaur Books (St. Martin’s Press), 2021. $18.

Language: R (111 swears, 2 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

The start of the day is bad with a nanny no-show, a toddler with scissors, and being late to a meeting with her agent, and Finlay (31yo) is just trying to keep her head above water despite how each choice makes the day become worse—and then the worst. She’s desperate. At the end of the day, the question Finlay has to answer is whether she’s desperate enough to bury a body.

The situations that Finlay gets tangled in are convoluted in the best way, and readers get the fun of two stories in one as Finlay uses her new experiences as fodder for her writing project. All of my questions were addressed throughout the book—and I loved that Casimano gives readers the space to form the questions before Finlay does. The story ends with a cliffhanger that leaves even Finlay dumbfounded.

Finlay is described as “pale,” Julian is described as “tanned,” Veronica is implied Hispanic, and there are some Russian mobsters. Also, Georgia is part of the LGBT community. The mature content rating is for alcohol use; illegal activity; kissing; partial nudity; mentions of drugs, strippers, pornography, nudity, human trafficking, and rape; groping; innuendo; and implied sex. The violence rating is for blood and gore, implied domestic violence, gun use, suicide, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Three Little Tardigrades by Sandra Fay - ADVISABLE

The Three Little Tardigrades by Sandra Fay. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2024. $19. 9781250776099

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

After more than a decade of caring for her three little tardigrades, Mother T kicks them out to find places of their own, with a final warning to watch out for the BIG HAIRY WOLF SPIDER! Each of them eventually chooses a new habitat, and just as they are settling down, the BHWS swoops in for a visit with some unanticipated bad consequences for the spider.

A fun mix of whimsy and scientific information for any science teacher. Unlike the author’s other book about the cryptid Mongolian death worms, tardigrades actually exist.  I will happily share this with the science department to see who touches upon the topic!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

An Animal a Day: 365 Amazing Animals to Take You Through the Year by Miranda Smith et.al. - ESSENTIAL

An Animal a Day: 365 Amazing Animals to Take You Through the Year by Miranda Smith, illustrated by Kaja Kajfez, Santiago Calle, Mateo Markov and Max Rambaldi, 221 pages. NON-FICTION Bright Matter Books 2023 $25. 9780593903353 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

This is one of those books that can be left on the coffee table and opened anywhere for a quick browse. 

The design is to read about a different animal each day for a whole year. I just think it's too much fun to stop at just one a day. I think kids would have a hard time not browsing through it. The illustrations are cute - not terribly realistic, but the kids will get the point and can certainly look up any animal they want more information about. I like that the descriptions are short. Includes statistics about each animal, like how big they are and where they live and whether or not they are endangered.There's also back matter about some conservation successes as well as a quiz for the kid who thinks he already knows everything about animals.

Lisa Librarian

The Gender Binary is a Big Lie: Infinite Identities Around the World by Lee Wind - OPTIONAL

The Gender Binary is a Big Lie: Infinite Identities Around the World by Lee Wind, 316 pages. NON-FICTION. Zest Books, 2024. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0  “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (gendered body parts and surgeries mentioned multiple times in a clinic way); Violence: PG [mentions non-elective surgeries (castration, intersex reassignment) being forced on people]

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Wind takes us on an historical and international tour through gender identity and biological sex identity. In an informative, not prurient or sexual, manner Wind shows us how many cultures throughout history have accepted different gender identities, while also showing roots of the “traditional” gender binary. 

If your school has the 57 Bus by Dashka Slater, then you will also welcome Wind’s deep dive into gender identities. Very informative (a bit long-winded at times), with extensive source notes for further investigation.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Woe: a Housecat's Story of Despair by Lucy Knisley - OPTIONAL

Woe: a Housecat's Story of Despair by Lucy Knisley, 208 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic Random House, 2024. $17 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, ADULT - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

This is the story of a housecat named Linney and the family she deigns to be a part of. It includes her adventures and misadventures and what she thinks of her world.

 If you are a cat lover, you can probably relate whole heartedly to this book, The story is told mostly from Linney's point of view. Getting into the head of a cat is a tricky thing, but Knisley seems to have mastered it, and her love for this cat shines through. Besides the fact that there is a human child in addition to the cat, the interactions are mostly between the cat and it's owner, so the story seems like it would appeal to adult cat owners more than kids or teens, even with the graphic novel format, though perhaps cat lovers know no bounds. Linney's owner is a white female. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Rise up and Sing!: Power, Protest, and Activism in Music by Andrea Warner and Lousie Reimer - ESSENTIAL

Rise up and Sing!: Power, Protest, and Activism in Music by Andrea Warner, illustrated by Lousie Reimer, 183 pages.  NON-FICTION. Greystone Kids, 2024. $22

Content: G (mentions alternative lifestyles with no descriptions)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Warner takes us on a musical tour of how music has been used for protesting throughout recent history. Focusing on climate activism, indigenous rights, LGBT rights, and human rights, among others, she spotlights famous and less-famous faces in the movements, and gives as a playlist for each topic.

I appreciate that Warner focused on recent history (going back only to the 70’s), as it will help its young target audience relate, while introducing them to older artists. It would be great to curate the playlists on Spotify for student enjoyment.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Goosebumps the Graphic Novel: The Haunted Mask by R.L. Stine, adapted by Maddi Gonzalez - ADVISABLE

Goosebumps the Graphic Novel: The Haunted Mask by R.L. Stine, adapted by Maddi Gonzalez, 160 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix (Scholastic), 2024. $13 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Carly Beth is tired of getting teased for being scared all the time. She decides she needs something scarier than the duck costume her mother made her to save face with her friends. Carly Beth goes to a strange costume store and takes home a creepy mask that she is sure will scare everyone. The mask does help Carly Beth feel powerful and scary, but the mask becomes increasingly harder to take off. 

The illustrations work well with the story and are easy to follow. It's an R.L. Stine, so readers know the drill. The graphic novel stays true to its source. Carly Beth could be any student who just wants to get back at people who tease. Relatable and fun, even if the ending is predictable. Carly Beth is white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Hurdles in the Dark by Elvira K. Gonzalez - OPTIONAL

Hurdles in the Dark by Elvira K. Gonzalez, 314 pages. MEMOIR. Roaring Brook (Macmillan), 2024. $22

Language: R  (30+ swears, 3  “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (strip search mentioned, mentions a girl pregnant at 15yo); Violence: R (grooming, rape by a trusted adult mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

At even a young age, Kristy impressed a high school track coach with her speed. Life as a chica in a Texas border town is not easy, however. Tension between Kristy and her Mama can flare badly - once ending in Kristy spending 2 weeks in custody. And her Mama has never recovered from trauma inflicted on her the time she was kidnapped and Kristy had only 24 hours to raise the $40K ransom. Kristy struggles to find coaches who will believe in her and help her fulfil her dreams of riding hurdles events to a college scholarship - and the coach she does find for her final high school years, grooms her for sexual abuse as he also coaches her to success.  The hurdles Kristy’s life has placed in front of her may be more than she can actually surmount.

Compelling, dramatic, I can see students sharing this book with each other. The parts about grooming by her coach and about the other coaches undermining her because of their jealousy are especially valuable to any young person who wants to understand a little more about what dangers might be out in the wide world. I appreciated Ms. Gonzalez’s bravery in exposing her story to the world. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Dinosaur a Day: 365 Incredible Dinosaurs to Take You Through the Year by Miranda Smith et. al. - ESSENTIAL

A Dinosaur a Day: 365 Incredible Dinosaurs to Take You Through the Year by Miranda Smith, Jenny Wren, Juan Calle, Xuan Le, Max Rambaldi and Olga Baument. 220 pages. NON-FICTION Bright Matter Books, 2022. $25. 9780593903339 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

A great resource for the Dinosaur lover, each month is divided into different types or traits of Dinos, like the smallest, flying ones, roof lizards, dinosaur weaponry, giant sauropods. 

I love the bite sized explanations for each dinosaur. Each short entry includes an illustration which I love because it's modern paleo art which includes lots of them with feathers. Also included are Statistics including period, family, diet, how big it was and where it could be found. It would be so fun to have this out in the library and turn the pages every few days - some days have as many as 5 different dinosaurs. Kids will want to check it out. 

Lisa Librarian

Born a Girl: It takes courage by Alice Dussutour - ADVISABLE

Born a Girl: It takes courage by Alice Dussutour, 157 pages. Orca, 2024. $30. 9781459838987

Language: G (0 swears,  0 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (menstruation mentioned; drawings with small patches of menstrual blood; clinical drawings of female reproductive system); Violence: PG-13 (inappropriate touching mentioned, female genital mutilation mentioned, violence against women mentioned, femicide mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Dussutour uses five girls from across the world (Mexico, India, Afghanistan, Kenya, France) to illustrate the variety of challenges that just being born a girl brings to life. 

All of it is very well presented in a highly illustrated format that helps it be simple to understand and swift to digest. The only problem I found was that nowhere does the author say whether the “main characters” are real people whose stories she is sharing, or if they are amalgams of the problems many girls in those cultures confront. While there is an index, there is no bibliography; the few resources mentioned are suggestions, without any links. Still powerful, but without the sources, I am unsure how factual I can be sure it is. I do believe that it is a high school level book that girls will talk about amongst themselves.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Very Worst Ever: Happy Gift Day to You by Andy Nonamus, illustrated by Amy Jindra - OPTIONAL

The Very Worst Ever: Happy Gift Day to You by Andy Nonamus, illustrated by Amy Jindra, 122 pages. Children's Fiction, Little Simon, Simon and Schuster, 2024. $18 

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

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

It's the rich girl's birthday and what to get the girl who has everything? Finding the coolest birthday present presents a lot of challenges, Plus nearly getting eaten by a famous pony just makes the day even more challenging. What's a person to do? 

The narrator of the book has a sticker for a face, so it could be anyone, which gives it a universal appeal. The black and white illustrations are fun and add to the story. Readers can probably relate to the narrator's dilemma and their worries about being embarrassed. Sticker face narrator has orange hair and appears to be white. Rich kid, Regina, is black. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Don’t Wait: three girls who fought for change and won by Sonali Kohli - ADVISABLE

Don’t Wait: three girls who fought for change and won by Sonali Kohli, 146 pages. Beacon Press, 2024. $17. 9780807010952

Violence: PG (threats, attacks mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Nalleli, Kahlila, and Sonia, all young people of the global majority, became involved in movements to make life better in their communities. Nalleli and her community were being poisoned by the oil well across the street from their Southern California apartment. Kahlila felt that the police in her school were becoming too militaristic and were viewing every young person of color as the enemy. Sonia wanted more access to arts programs in her school and schools all around California.

Kohli uses the path of each girl’s story to show future activists how they can also work to make a difference. Each girl spent years on their issues - and continue to work into college and adulthood. The focus is right on the girls as they struggle (Nalleli front he age of 9) to get their voices heard over the course of years.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

An Illustrated History of Urban Legends by Adam Allsuch Boardman - ESSENTIAL

An Illustrated History of Urban Legends by Adam Allsuch Boardman, 123 pages. NON-FICTION. Flying Eye Books, 2024. $20. 9781838749101

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Boardman explores a broad range of urban legends from the pre-modern to the meta-modern ages. While he doesn’t do any in-depth looks at any of the legends, he does try in succinct writing to give an idea of where the legends originated and how much of them can be believed. 

I loved reading the snippets - recognizing many of the legends as ones I have heard over the years - and enjoying the illustrations.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner - OPTIONAL

The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner, 464 pages. Redhook, 2018. $11 

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (Jews were killed, raped and injured off page)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

17yo Liba, 15yo Laya, and their parents live a happy life together on the outer edge of town, away from scrutinizing villagers. They enjoy their privacy and freedoms. When their father’s brother comes knocking at the door to request that he returns home, everything the girls have known changes completely. They discover that their parents were shunned by their own families because of their differences; despite that, they’ve made a good life on their own with Liba and Laya. When the girls are left on their own so their parents can travel to see family, danger arrives. It’s up to the sisters to protect each other and remember what their mother told them above all, it’s their choice what they do with their lives and to not let anyone take that choice away from them.

I like how the story is told in alternating points of view and that Liba is strong and her words take up the whole page while Laya’s words are in a thin column, delicate like her. Jewish mythology and Russian culture abounds in this story. I appreciate the Author’s notes about the true history this book is based on.

Ethnicity is predominantly pale skin, Russian and Jewish.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah 

Dust by Alison Stine - OPTIONAL

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

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

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

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

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

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

So Into You by Kathleen Fuller - ADVISABLE

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

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

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEAL TO: SEVERAL

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

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

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

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen