Twin Tides by Hien Nguyen - OPTIONAL

Twin Tides by Hien Nguyen, 352 pages. Random House, 2025. $20

Language: R (100+ swears, 5 ‘f’); Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG-13 (bullying, drownings)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

When their mother’s body is found, 14 years after she disappeared, 18yo Aria and Caliste find out, from first sight, that they are identical twins. Separated when their mother disappeared, Aria was raised poor by her aunt, while Caliste was raised rich by her father, who grew a grocery empire. While the girls get to know each other, they are struggling to deal with their mother’s death - and to connect it to the other mysterious deaths that have been happening in the area. The Hane family, which seems to own the small town of Les Eaux, seem to be intimately involved in everything to do with the girls’ family - even this, somehow.

Nguyen spends too much time setting up the girls’ lives - getting to their meeting more than 100 pages in. Once the book hits the town of Les Eaux, it picks up and starts really running. That first 100 pages, though , is why I can only rate it optional. The girls’ mother has her own story to tell as a Vietnamese Ma Da - a vengeful water spirit created when someone is drowned.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Seven All Alone by Kirsty McKay - SEVERAL

Seven All Alone by Kirsty McKay, 352 pages. Sourcebooks, 2025. $12 (pb)

Language: R (100+ swears, 1 ‘‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (implied sex); Violence: PG-13 (multiple deaths, some descriptions)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Ten years ago, Maggie and six others were kidnapped and held hostage in a cave in the woods. THe others escaped, leaving Maggie behind. Now sixteen, Maggie is going on a school trip - back into those same hills for a river-rafting trip, with five of the other kids and a new girl. Unfortunately she is also with her estranged father. When disaster strikes, Maggie’s father is swept with the boat downstream, along with her best friend, Ant. As the Scottish night falls and the weather turns rough, those left behind struggle to find a way to survive - even though it feels like someone might be trying to kill them.

McKay does a great job of confusing the trail to the killer. I very much enjoyed the ride.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

They All Had a Secret by Michele Leathers - OPTIONAL

They All Had a Secret by Michele Leathers, 243 pages. Sourcebooks, 2026. $13 (pb)

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Her name was Bellany, but she is on the run and reinvented herself as Charity, a lowly barista and a maid at a local hotel. She has her eye on Roy - the grandson of the holtelier. So what if he already has a girlfriend. “Charity” is beautiful and manipulative -sure she can get whatever she wants. She is even willing to leave a few bodies to get her way.

From the very start you can tell that Bellany is rotten to the core - selfish and self-serving. But no one comes out untainted here - just like the title says. Great twist right near the end. Glad it is in paperback - it might be worth a purchase.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Lady or the Tiger by Heather M. Herrman - OPTIONAL

Lady or the Tiger by Heather M. Herrman, 336 pages. Penguin Random House, 2025. $20

Language: R (100+ swears, 6 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Sexual references and discussion, sex vaguely described, underage drinking); Violence: R (Murder, abuse, sexual abuse, graphic imagery, animal cruelty)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Infamous outlaw 19yo Belle King enchants audiences with performances that embrace her dark, shadow side. Nicknamed the Seamstress, Belle is known for murdering men, removing their hearts, and replacing them with diamonds. Then in Kansas during the summer of 1886, she lets herself be arrested. As she awaits trial and the noose, her abusive husband whom she left for dead appears and attempts to get her released on the grounds of her prior institutionalization for insanity. However, Belle does not want him to have power over her again, even if it means her death. In a series of flashbacks, Belle reveals her past as Alice Springer, her escape from the asylum, her time with a troupe who performs before hangings, and her experiences with a tiger.

I was initially drawn to this novel because of its unique subversion of a classic Western. I was not let down as Belle is a complex, dynamic antihero. The novel also does not shy away from the mistreatment and abuse women faced during this time period. That being said, the beginning of the novel is a bit choppy with the nonlinear timeline which may discourage readers, and some of the later plot points seem far-fetched. Readers who stick with it will be rewarded with action, violence, and a surprising twist. Overall, it's much more than a Western; it’s an exploration of female autonomy, power, and accepting the dark within us.

A secondary character, Mary Darker, is Black.

Megan, HS Librarian 

Braided by Leah Cypess - ESSENTIAL

Braided (Sisters Ever After) by Leah Cypess, 280 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2024. $18 

Content: G (Possible poisoning, attack by a fae queen)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12yo Cinna has longed for her older sister, Rapunzel, to return home from the fairy realm where she was taken captive as a child and placed in a tower by the fae queen. The day finally arrives when Rapunzel is rescued and returned home. Cinna is so happy to have her sister back. But, Rapunzel had learned a few things while away in her tower. Rapunzel feels more like a prisoner in her own home than in her fairy tower. The queen mother is very demanding and expects Rapunzel to obey all her wishes. Rapunzel leaves of her own accord but Cinna is determined to bring her back.

The twist on the old story of Rapunzel creates fun tension between sisters. While they struggled to understand each other at first, things worked out in the end. This delightful story will keep readers of all ages entranced. 

MOMMAC 

I, Rock: a Geology Tale by Katie Slivensky and Steph Stilwell - ADVISABLE

I, Rock: a Geology Tale by Katie Slivensky and Steph Stilwell. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane (Simon), 2025. $20. 9781665940368

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Rock teaches us not just about the different kinds of rocks and crystals, but also takes us through his own millenial long journey - through earth’s mantle to the crust and through different phases of its existence. 

90% of Slivensky’s book is excellent - it is 100% interesting to look at and very clear and engaging. My Earth Science teachers (7th grade) did have a couple of little problems - early on (1.8 billion years) it shows the continents and the plates as we know them today. Several pages later (325 million years) it shows a supercontinent, which we assume is Pangea; we feel it would have been clearer if those two things were reversed. The other detail was the page showing, as it said, erosion - the little rock rolling down the hill. The teachers had a great debate about whether the definition is actual for weathering, not erosion - but the rock bouncing is showing erosion. That’s my teachers’ two cents. Otherwise, they still want to the book so that they can use it in their teaching.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Can You Find Taylor? Seek-and-Find Board Book - ADVISABLE

Can You Find Taylor? Seek-and-Find BOARD BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2025. $10. 9781664351851

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, ADULT - GIFT - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Enjoy nine pages of Taylor Swift hunting. Lots of pages also have 13 other things to find. Swifties young and old will have a fun time searching on each page. Even after searching, you can still spend time enjoying each scene.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

An Ocean Apart by Jill Tew - ADVISABLE

An Ocean Apart by Jill Tew, 339 pages. Joy Revolution (Random), 2025. $20

Language: PG-13 (28 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18yo Eden loves her Miami, which is falling apart and is easy prey for the Ministers, who are corporate overlords, billionaires, who rule the world through their “government”. Cruisers are the wealthy, who live permanently on luxury liners, taking from those stuck on land. Eden is determined to help her people survive, so when a contest is announced to pick the wife of Theo, the son of the Minister of Water, Eden is easily convinced to remake herself as Skye - a candidate perfect for Theo - and one more than willing to steal the Aquadictum fortune for redistribution to the people of the Marshes.

Think Selection series, but this protagonist has more skin in the game and is much more willing to manipulate what she has to in her desperate bid to save her people. Love triangle? Check. The characters cue white, though it does mention locs in “Skye’s” hair.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

The Beasts We Bury by D. L. Taylor - ESSENTIAL

The Beasts We Bury by D. L. Taylor, 368 pages. Henry Holt and Co. (Macmillan), 2025. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (animal killings); Violence: PG-13 (main character must fight and kill animals to inherit their strength and power; emotional and physical abuse by parent; animal abuse)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Although just a child herself, Mancella Cliff- an heir to the throne, must participate in horrifying acts to prove her worthiness of the crown. Forced by an abusive father, "Mance" finds no way out of her yearly obligations to kill animals in order to obtain their powers/traits to make herself stronger. Her father's end goal is to use 16yo Mance and these powers to ultimately gain control of all 6 realms. Silver, a charming thief struggling to survive, enters the castle under the guise of a servant but has his own agenda against the King. His attempts to get what he needs at any cost cause him to question his motives as his feelings for Mance develop into something he can no longer deny. "Will he steal her heart... or her chance at the throne?

Full of twists and turns, this YA fantasy will be loved by many. I really enjoyed this book. The subject matter is a little jarring at times, but very well written. The romantic tug of war between Silver and Mance starts strong and ends beautifully. I raced through this book in order to see how it ended. Switching between Mance and Silver's points of view was a perfect balance. The characters were well developed. D.L. Taylor is a fantastic author and I look forward to reading more.

The characters cue white.

SLewis 

The Silenced by Diana Rodriguez Wallach - SEVERAL

The Silenced by Diana Rodriguez Wallach, 384 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2025. $20

Language: PG-13 (40 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: R (Physical and emotional abuse by parent and at the school for troubled teens; death)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Hazel feels like a loner in her school. She’s placed with Becca and her popular friends for a group homework assignment. They decide to research the local condemned school for troubled teens that closed about thirty years ago when it caught on fire; the school is supposedly haunted. Becca, Amber and Simon play a prank on Hazel and then she falls off a roof and breaks her arm. Before she fell, she heard whispers and followed them out onto the roof. Once Hazel is home, she feels different and notices that she’s acting strangely and doesn’t like the same colors or foods that she did before the visit to the school. She also feels angry all the time. Hazel decides to investigate the history of the school and what she finds shakes her to the core.

I was pulled right into the story and didn’t want to put it down. I love the character development and Hazel’s, Quint’s, and Deidre’s stories. Hazel’s life is hopeful, Quint deals with abuse from his family and Deidre’s life is tragic. I appreciate the content warnings the author put in the front of the book. I enjoyed the added supernatural elements tremendously.

The author provides her research notes about the real schools for troubled teens that she based this story on. Hazel is from Puerto Rican and Polish descent, Becca and Quint are white. The others are a mix of ethnicities.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah 

Night Chef by Mika Song, - ADVISABLE

Night Chef by Mika Song, 154 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2025. $13. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence Rating: PG (Peril, hunting, crazy owl) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Night Chef (a raccoon) hides during the day in the kitchen of a restaurant. One night, after closing, while making ramen, an egg he was going to use hatches into a crow. Night Chef is determined to return the baby bird to its parents. 

Fun situations, the bit with the owl and the frogs was unexpected and scary. I loved that Night Chef has learned the rules of being a good chef and adapts those rules to different situations. All in all, a cute story with darling illustrations. 

Lisa Librarian 

Starstrike by Yoon Ha Lee - OPTIONAL

Starstrike (Moonstorm #2) by Yoon Ha Lee, 368 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2025. $20

Language: PG-13 (70 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G (none); Violence: PG (frequent Sci-Fi battles, gunfights and death with moderate detail. Some intense combat scenes)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO:  SOME

Starstrike follows Hwa Young, a 16yo Korean girl whose life is torn apart by a devastating alien strike.  Driven by grief and anger, she joins an underground resistance with her best friend Geum.  As battles escalate, Hwa must navigate fractured alliances, internal doubts, and the ever-present threat of death.  With Earth's fate hanging in the balance, she discovers the strength to lead, but is torn between who she should trust.

I liked this book because it was very fast-paced and captured my attention from the beginning.  I was eager to find out what was happening with Hwa Young after reading the first book. Although the book can be very emotional and dark at times, I felt like some students would be able to connect with this.  The world seems frighteningly realistic and I enjoyed the character development for the most part.  Some of the characters remained flat and I longed to know more about them.  Overall this was an exciting read with a lot of action.

Jessica Nelson CTHS Librarian

365 Amazing True Things To Read in Bed by Edward Brooke-Hitching and Oksana Drachkovska - ADVISABLE

365 Amazing True Things To Read in Bed by Edward Brooke-Hitching, illustrated by Oksana Drachkovska, 96 pages. NON-FICTION. Words & Pictures (Quarto), 2025. $25. 9781836004561

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

365 Amazing True Things to Read in Bed is filled with a year's worth of fascinating, bite-sized facts, anecdotes, and true stories.  Curious readers will enjoy the wild facts like diamond rain or tree dwelling fish and other weird wonders and unbelievable-but -true stories.

Brooke-Hitchings facts and stories are quite fun and interesting to read.  A reader would definitely want to take it slow by reading one or more facts over time.  

PGPowers

I am the Swarm by Hayley Chewins - OPTIONAL

I am the Swarm by Hayley Chewins, 336 pages. Penguin, 2025. $20

Language: R (8 swears, 1 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (passionate kissing, implied sex); Violence: PG-13 (self-harm, attempted suicide, sexual harassment)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

15 yo Nell Strand feels numb and invisible. Her mom is busy with her older sister Mora who is institutionalized for her mental health, and her dad avoids addressing issues by focusing on work. To make matters more complex, her family line is cursed as each family member's magic is revealed when they turn 15. After her birthday, Nell’s own magic appears: her emotions are released from her as insects. When the insects appear, she feels the emotions vividly until the insects die. Then, she returns to numbness. As she struggles through school, a crush, and sexual harassment, she is forced to face her swarm and all its forms from angry wasps to hopeful dragonflies.

This novel in verse hooks you from the first page. The prose is rich with figurative language, which is fitting for the book’s overall metaphor of mental health tied into physical iterations of magic. The novel covers a range of mental health topics, perhaps too many as I wonder if they each get enough of a focus and resolution. Nonetheless, it’s a stunning work with the powerful message of facing your emotions. 

Nell’s mother is Afrikaans, and her dad is English. The setting is Cape Town, South Africa.

Megan, High School Librarian

This Is Why We Lie by Gabriella Lepore - OPTIONAL

This Is Why We Lie by Gabriella Lepore, 320 pages. Inkyard Press (HarperCollins), 2021. $11.

Language: R (112 swears, 5 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

The beach is a nice place to take pictures in the mornings, which is why Jenna, a high school senior preparing a portfolio for college, is there. And then she sees Adam going into the water in his clothes. Adam starts to call for help, and Jenna responds. He found a body in the water—one of Jenna’s classmates.

This mystery thriller is told in narrative, text messages, newspaper articles, and police investigation interviews, which makes for a fun variety for the reader. However, the skips in time from past to present could be disorienting. Lepore does a good job of making the antagonist present without giving them away for a satisfying conclusion and an overall entertaining read.

The majority of characters are implied White, and there is an LGBT character, but saying who is a spoiler. The mature content rating is for kissing, drug and alcohol use (including underage drinking), illegal activity, and partial nudity. The violence rating is for assault, corpses, and mentions of suicide and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton - ESSENTIAL

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton, 512 pages. Penguin, 2025. $23

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Healthy competition between cousins )

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

In a world filled with magic, family politics, history, power, betrayal, and lack of love, Nora is supposed to be an heiress since childhood. When her mother is murdered, Nora’s future is in question. A complicated competition, the Veritas, will determine who is the future heiress. Unfortunately, a cousin no one knew existed, Lotte, enters the scene. Lotte has an equal chance at becoming the next heir but first has to win this trial to get the love and attention of her family. Add to the mix, Theo, a knight, and  August, a young journalist, and you have the “perfect storm” of love and honor intertwined with excitement and competition.

Notorious Virtues was easy to read and kept my attention throughout the book.  Instead of most “slow burns”, Notorious Virtures pulled me in right from the beginning.  The book is intriguing, entertaining, and fun to read.  It was easy to connect with all the characters, especially the underdog, Lotte. The author develops each character very well. I loved that it was written with multiple points of view. Very well written!

Reviewer: sl

Magnitude by Jennifer A. Nielsen - ESSENTIAL

Magnitude by Jennifer A. Nielsen, 304 pages. Scholastic, MARCH 2026. $19

Content: PG (deaths, dead bodies mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Oliver and Cora’s families had been friends for years, but a serious argument between the fathers ended that for good. On the morning of April 18, 1906, Cora is on her way to the docks again, hoping that today her father will return and save their family from destitution. When an earthquake hits, Cora and a Chinese girl are swallowed by the earth - and are rescued by Oliver. Now all three are trying to stay safe and search for their families, desperately hoping they are safe. Plus Cora has to stay off the radar of some local thugs who are trying to extort money from her.

Nielsen’s latest story is less about the earthquake and more about the girls trying to survive in circumstances that are aggravated by the quake. I liked that I learned things about the earthquake that I hadn’t read in other novels. Nielsen includes plenty of action and danger. Students who have read Nielsen’s other historical fiction won’t be disappointed.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Deep Secrets by Nikki Shannon Smith - OPTIONAL

Deep Secrets by Nikki Shannon Smith, 288 pages. Scholastic, APRIL 2026. $9 (paperback)

Language: G (2 swears, 0  ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (sinking of Titanic)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

19yo Colette has abided by her mother’s orders her entire life.  While her older sister goes off to work and her younger brother goes to school, Colette is rarely let out of the house. Once a week she is allowed to go to Walter’s Market to pick up their groceries. This time, however, Colette decides to take a chance - she asks Walter for a job. Colette’s father died when she was 2yo - she knows that money is always tight and every penny helps. At Walter’s, Colette not only has more time to talk to Claude, Walter’s very handsome assistant, but Walter starts opening up about his family and about his voyage on the Titanic. Colette is drawn to Walter’s story - she feels that there may be some connection between his story and hers, but she has no idea what it might be,

Smith spends so much effort into holding close to the secrets within the stories, both past and present, that I felt little connection to either. While billed as a story of the Titanic, the dribs and drabs of information feels like little reward for the reading. No, I won’t tell you Colette’s secret, but the clues are there for you to figure it out before the reveal. The cover is eye-catching and will help to sell the book if you decide to purchase it.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

I Know You Started It by Daphne Benedis-Grab - ESSENTIAL

I Know You Started It by Daphne Benedis-Grab, 240 pages. Scholastic, APRIL 2026. $9 (paperback)

Content: PG (blackmail and blackmailable offenses mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

7th graders Dani, Kate, Liam, and Gabe are in trouble. Someone set a locker on fire and they were the first students called down to the office afterwards. Even if they didn’t do it, the rumor mill will peg them as the culprits. Dani and Kate used to be best friends, but they haven’t spoken to each other since school started. Liam is the new kid at school and he can’t figure out why no one wants to be his friend. Gabe is the 7th grade hot head and he would really like to be seen as innocent for once.  Together the four decide that they are going to have to solve the mystery of the fire, because only they care about proving their innocence.

Benedis-Grab does such a great job of building suspense and allowing tidbits of clues through at a time. Even with four main characters, the story flows well and I felt I knew each student and what was going on with them. All four of Benedis-Grab’s books are worth having.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

16 Forever by Lance Rubin - OPTIONAL

16 Forever by Lance Rubin, 368 pages. Harper, 2026. $20

Language: R (100+ swears, 37  ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (teens drinking, drugs mentioned, talk of desire for sex); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Carter is so excited - it's his 16yo birthday and he is ready to get his driver’s license and be free! However - his parents sadly inform him that this is the 6th time he has turned 16.  Carter regresses each year on his birthday while the rest of the world keeps moving forward, so Carter is a sophomore AGAIN. Maggie had such high hopes that Carter would finally wake up on his birthday and be 17; she really thought they had made a breakthrough. Now that Carter is again 16, however, she just wants to put her head down, ignore Carter and finish her senior year. But the pair are drawn to each other despite themselves. 

Watching Carter react to being 16 again while his younger brother is now older than he is and his teachers are starting to retire is a bit heart-breaking. I can almost understand why he uses his legal ID to "help out” his fellow students. Rubin skillfully builds towards the climax - you know the outcome that you want in the story, but he keeps you in suspense throughout, happy to probably dash your hopes.

The characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Mercy by Patricia Ward - OPTIONAL

Mercy by Patricia Ward, 368 pages. Harper Collins, 2025. $20

Language: R (100+ swears, 16  ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (bloody deaths mentioned, attempted sexual assault alluded)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

10th grader Mercy is determined to keep her head down and not cause waves - it is the only way to survive the Sorrowing, a curse that descended upon the core families and extends to their town. The Sorrowing is a curse that unfolded more than 50 years earlier when the town’s richest man murdered his family. As long as you don’t want too much, it generally only makes you miserable instead of trying to kill you. Ben Bowen, the son of one of the core families has returned to town and his family seems to know nothing about the curse.  No one wants to tell them, but as Mercy gets to know Matteo, the son who is her age, she feels more and more obligated to clue him in. Maybe together the two of them can find the answers to questions  no one has dared to ask before there is no one left with the answers.

 Ward spends way too much of the book building up the fact that Mercy is reluctant to get involved and that everyone in the town wants to ignore the SPrrowing and just survive.  Mercy’s dithering makes for a very dull start.  WHich is too bad, because when Mercy finally does become emotionally engaged, the book finally gets interesting.

The characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Claiming by Jasmine Warga, - ADVISABLE

The Claiming (Last Resort #2) by Jasmine Warga, 240 pages. Scholastic, 2026. $18

Language: G (4 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (ghosts and specters)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

7th grader Teddy and his new friends Lila and Caleb defeated the Fire Maiden and sent her back to the Other Side where she belongs -- right? Then why has Lila started flickering? Sometimes she’s there and sometimes she isn’t. And the flickering is getting worse. Tedy has received some help and advice from his friends on the Phantom Hunter forum, especially Rosteen, who knows an awful lot about the spirit world. Turns out the Fire Maiden is gaining in strength - helped along by the seances the kids at their school are holding to summon her.  If the Fire Maiden isn’t stopped, Lila may be lost forever.

The Claiming is written by a different author in the same universe and with the same characters as Erin Entrada Kelly’s original. The Fire Maiden is just as creepy and introducing the seances ups the creep factor.  Neither Lila nor Teddy are confident enough to tell the popular kids to stop their nonsense, so the final scenes in the resort are delightfully stressful and creepy. 

The characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Kickturn by Brie Spangler - ADVISABLE

 

Kickturn by Brie Spangler, 180 pages. Knopf (Random House), 2025 $18.00 Language: G (0 swears 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some skateboarding injuries)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

10yo Lindy travels with her family in a converted school bus through the national parks in the west. Her mom makes internet content, her dad does the filming and Lindy watches youtubes of her favorite skateboarder rather than working on her home schooling assignments. But when the bus breaks down in San Jose, Lindy makes a couple of friends who teach her how to board, and Lindy really wants to stay and live a normal life off the road. Then, when the girls find out the their idol Kentucky Jones is coming to San Jose, Lindy is willing to do almost anything to keep them from moving on, even if it means sabotaging the bus. 

I liked the conflict. Lindy unable to get her parents to see her and her problems - lots of 10 year olds feel that way. The ending ties up a bit too quickly and neatly for my taste. Spangler who is also an illustrator has filled Kickturn with great pictures but also fun skateboarding content, additional “scenes” and informative instructional panels. The print is large (14.25 point) and with all the illustrations, some full page and multi page, Kickturn is a deceptively quick read for a 4th-5th grader looking for exciting skateboard action and a nice coming of age story. The illustrations of Lindy and her family default white.

Lisa Librarian

Lies on the Serpent's Tongue by Kate Pearsall - OPTIONAL

Lies on the Serpent's Tongue (Bittersweet in the Hollow #2) by Kate Pearsall, 307 pages. G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin), 2025. $20

Language: PG (9 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (mostly only kissing, one a little heated); Violence: PG (deaths, no blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

18-year-old Rowan James has spent her whole life harboring unpleasant truths—that’s what happens when you can smell people’s lies—and building walls around herself to block them out. Like her younger sister, Linden, who can taste the feelings of others, Rowan has long resented her gift, which has taught her that everyone lies and no one is who they seem to be. So when her old nemesis, Hadrian Fitch, the biggest liar of them all, shows up on her front porch—bloodied, broken, and asking for help only she can give—her first instinct is distrust. But something new is stalking the forest that surrounds Caball Hollow. Now things are disappearing. At first, it’s small stuff—like letters, photos, and keys. But then, Rowan notices people around her are losing their memories. And when the body of a neighbor is found in the middle of town, Rowan knows there’s a link between this death and all the events disturbing the Hollow. Can she find what—or who—the link is before it takes another life?"

Overall, it was a good read.  I felt it was a bit slow to start and if you haven't read the first book it made it a tad bit harder to understand the characters and references from the first book, but you figure it out.   The author teased the romance but didn't really give you much to go on and could have developed that more, especially with Rowan's ability to detect lies and how that could affect her relationship with Hadrian even more. The writing was descriptive and I could imagine every little part of the small town and the forest.  Pearsall made them come alive on the pages.  I enjoyed her sister's and parent's stories (although it took me a minute to understand what happened with the parents).  Again, it was a good read and I think for Middle School and High School students, they would enjoy the series, especially if they like a bit of romance and magic. I appreciate that it was overall a clean YA book with minimal swearing.

I am guessing most characters are white.

Karen Cutchen, Library aide

Very Dangerous Things by Lauren Muñoz - OPTIONAL

Very Dangerous Things by Lauren Muñoz, 352 pages. Penguin Random House, 2025. $20

Language: R (92 swears, 10 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Drinking, sexual references); Violence: PG-13 (offpage murder, attempted murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO:  MANY

A body is discovered at the J. Everett High School of Criminology, which is not an odd occurrence as the private school hosts an annual murder mystery contest. However, this time the murder is real. 11th grader Dulce Death Castillo reluctantly agrees to help the prime suspect Sierra, who happens to be the victim’s ex-girlfriend and Dulce’s ex-friend. Sierra and Dulce haven’t talked since Dulce’s mom died in a car accident, and Sierra supported the official position that Dulce’s mom was driving drunk, which Dulce does not believe. Together with her forensic team dubbed the Wimsey’s, Dulce investigates the student’s murder amongst a web of complex relationships, affairs, police corruption, and politics.

The novel includes a collection of clues, flashbacks, and Dulce’s own “conclusions,” inviting readers to become detectives themselves. While I found a few plot elements unlikely, the pace was steady with solid twists and turns that will appeal to teenage murder-mystery fans. The characters were also nuanced. For example, Dulce struggles with forgiveness, guilt, insecurity, and a budding romance.

Dulce is Mexican American. Secondary characters are diverse including several LGBT+ characters, and Emi (Dulce's best friend) is Japanese American.

Megan, HS Librarian 

Lies My Memory Told Me by Sacha Wunsch - ADVISABLE

Lies My Memory Told Me by Sacha Wunsch, 320 pages. Inkyard Press (HarperCollins), 2021. $19.

Language: R (73 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Enhanced memory (EM) technology does so much good for the world, and Nova’s parents are the ones who invented it! Nova (17yo) doesn’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy it—until she meets Kade. Kade’s experiences show Nova a dark side to EM, a side of secrets that gets darker than either of them ever imagined.

Here come a couple of teenagers out to save the world from the evils of technology misuse. I appreciate the commentary on being mindful of technology addictions and making sure that we spend time living our lives beyond screentime, and Wunsch wraps all that up in a story that eventually becomes life-or-death serious. With amazing tech, amateur sleuthing, family confrontations, and questions of identity, it’s hard to put down.

Nova is White, and Kade is half Indian half English. Andie is described as “pale” and is transgender. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, kissing, illegal activity, innuendo, and mentions of drugs, pornography, and sex. The violence rating is for corpses, blood and gore, gun use, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

A Carol for Mrs. Dickens by Rebecca Connolly - ADVISABLE

A Carol for Mrs. Dickens by Rebecca Connolly, 176 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025. $18.

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Eight years after Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol, his wife Catherine, or Kate, is struggling to feel up to celebrating Christmas. One of her children died earlier that year, and all the commercialization of a holiday meant to mean so much more and meant to be about Christ has left Kate forcing a smile at the Christmas party she and Charles are hosting. But then she has three marvelous experiences that breathe joy back into the celebrations.

This historical fiction story mirrors some of the elements of A Christmas Carol, and it is a lovely reimagining in a realistic setting. I was a tad disappointed about the lack of fantastical elements because I wanted to see what Connolly would do for a representation of the ghost of Christmas future, but Kate’s experiences were focused on past and present. Kate’s story is about the true meaning of Christmas, choosing to start the journey to change, and the goodness that can be found all around us.

Catherine is Scottish, and the rest of the characters are implied English. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Wild Song by Candy Gourlay - ADVISABLE

Wild Song by Candy Gourlay, 263 pages. Carolrhoda Lab (Lerner), 2025. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (danger, off-page beating)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL; ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

16yo Luki may be the best hunter in her remote Philippine village, but as a girl she is not allowed to hunt.  When her hunting is discovered, she is pressured to get married. Instead, she jumps at the chance to join 1000 others from all around the island to travel all the way to St. Louis in America to be part of the 1904 World’s Fair. While Luki gets to see more of the world, as she wanted, she also learns a lot about human nature and even more about what she really wants from the world.

I loved this look into a place and time period I know so little about. I did a lot of research afterwards to calm my curiosity. I wish I knew that students were also going to love this - but mine, at least, don’t read much historical fiction unless it is about a war. I’m sure you knwo some adults who would love this.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls by J. Anderson Coats - OPTIONAL

The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls by J. Anderson Coats, 251 pages. Atheneum (Simon), 2025. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

15yo Stanislava’s family came from eastern Europe to Colorado for a better life, but that life only seems to be for the boys of the family. She discovers a book at the local penny library about an immigrant girl like her who is going off to college and she aches for a better life. On the day Stanislava decides to rechristen herself as Sylvia, however, her 23yo sister Stina runs away to marry a man from another state.  Sylvia's parents oil her out of school to care for the two youngest siblings and all of the other chores that Stina always did, because their mother is too depressed to care for them.  Sylvia is having none of that.  She takes off and makes her way to Denver, where she hopes to find Stina or build herself a new life.

I don’t know how old Sylvia is - somewhere between 12 and 15, as she hasn’t started high school yet. I loved Sylvia and her adventures - there is so much more that I could have told you about. The setting is 1910. The interplay between the white community (the saviors) and the immigrants is excellent - some are empathetic and others want to “whiten” the community. I felt like I was reading a later Betsy-Tacy book. I would love to see grandparents reading this with young granddaughters. It's only OPTIONAL because historical fiction is usually a hard sell. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Love Craves Cardamom by Aashna Avachat - OPTIONAL

Love Craves Cardamom by Aashna Avachat, 296 pages. Joy Revolution (Penguin), 2025. $13

Language: R (53 swears, 1 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12th grader Archi is spending the last semester of her senior year studying abroad in Rajasthan, India. Fresh off a breakup, she’s looking forward to a boy-free few months exploring the place where her parents grew up and diving into her dream museum internship. But things don’t go as planned: on her very first day, she meets an incredibly attractive guy on the train, Shiv, who, coincidentally, works in the palace gardens where her museum is located. As they explore the city together, Archi and Shiv fall for each other quickly. Meanwhile, Archi thrives at her internship, where she’s planning and curating her own exhibit highlighting art stolen through imperialism and colonialism.But Shiv is hiding a secret, and when the truth comes out, will Archi understand—or will everything fall apart?

This is a sweet, satisfying romance—but it’s more than just a love story. Through Archi’s adventures with Shiv and her roommate Mohini, we get a vivid glimpse of the city’s beauty and architecture. Her work at the museum highlights artwork stolen during British imperialism, adding depth and historical awareness to the plot. There are also thoughtful mentions of support for the Hijra community, a transgender and third-gender community in India. While the romance and Shiv’s secret are a bit predictable, the story remains a fun, clean, and thoroughly enjoyable international romance. This novel is also a companion to Love Requires Chocolate, which is set in Paris.

All of the characters are Indian or of Indian descent.

A. Snow, Librarian

The Assassin's Guide to Babysitting by Natalie C. Parker - OPTIONAL

The Assassin's Guide to Babysitting by Natalie C. Parker,  320 pages. Candlewick Press, 2025. $20

Language:  R (5 swears, 2 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (fighting, death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO:  SEVERAL

17yo Tru Stallard has spent most of her life hiding who she really is. She isn’t just a normal teenager, she is one of the rare “bastions,” meaning her body is basically unbreakable. After surviving the attack that killed her parents, Tru has been raised and trained by Logan Dire, one of the world’s most legendary assassins. She’s learned how to fight, how to disappear, and how to stay alive.

When Tru agrees to take a simple babysitting gig for her friend’s family, she expects the hardest part to be keeping a toddler entertained. Instead, everything goes off the rails fast. The baby she’s watching, Thea, isn’t just a sweet one-year-old. She’s tied to a dangerous secret that powerful people would kill for. And suddenly Tru isn’t just babysitting… she’s running for her life with a baby on her hip.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  There is so much more to it than just a "babysitter on the run" story.  The book was fast paced and a fun thrill ride until the very end. Tru’s voice felt real, and the mix of superpowers, found family, and a low-key queer romance made the book really fun. I especially liked how the danger and humor balanced each other. That said, I did want more explanation of the world’s “Talents” and how everything worked. Overall, though, it was a high-energy, entertaining read that kept me turning pages.

Tru and Thea are presumed to be white.  Embry is Latin.

Jessica Nelson CTHS Librarian

This Moth Saw Brightness by A. A. Vacharat - OPTIONAL

This Moth Saw Brightness by A. A. Vacharat, 448 pages. Penguin, 2025. $21.

Language: R (14 swears, 5 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (Mental health, sexual innuendos);

Violence: PG-13 (Discussion of unethical research studies)                    

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL                      

APPEALS TO: SOME             

In the near future, 17yo ‘Wayne (the “D” is invisible) feels that he is not living up to his potential. He’s struggling in school, disappointing his father, and can’t find the courage to talk to his crush Jane. Then, he receives a mysterious letter in the mail inviting him to participate in a research study, the rewards for which include a letter of recommendation. Feeling this could be his chance and spotting Jane at the research study's entrance exam, he decides to enroll.  ‘Wayne is not bothered by the study’s required daily tasks nor by wearing a health-tracking wristband, but he does hesitate at taking the mysterious white pill. Conspiracy theories around the study abound, and ‘Wayne, Jane, and his technologically-skilled friend Kermit decide to investigate the actual purpose of the study.     

Overall, I found the novel’s pace a little slow. Nonetheless, its short chapters and unconventional features including footnotes, screen shots of text conversations, and fourth-wall breaking made for a unique, enjoyable reading experience. I was also happily surprised by the well-developed, memorable characters. For example, the love interest Jane is an origami expert, autistic, and lost her mom to suicide.           

Wayne is BIPOC, and his younger cousin who lives with them is Vietnamese.  

Megan, HS Librarian

The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang By Stan Yan - ADVISABLE

The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang by Stan Yan, 256 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $25 

Language: G (0 swears 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (dream depictions and graphic art representations of falling and fire) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

When 12yo Eugenia receives a mild concussion in PE, she starts to experience random daytime (and nighttime) nightmares full of fire and death, the images mysteriously appearing in her artwork - a graphic novel she is working on. She is worried her friends are family are in danger, and is desperate to stop the nightmares. But her mother is more concerned about Eugenia getting good grades in math, and has forbidden her from drawing. Sometimes, you have to break the rules to save the ones you love. 

Yan’s depiction of the energy between a child and their mother who has very high expectations was both tragic and hilarious. His illustrations are great! Her drive to get into Art Camp, a distraction rom her studies also drew the attention of her crush which was so sweet. OI love the study of the different relationships, her interactions with her sibling who seems to have turned into a tattle tale, as well the shifting relationship with her best friend (told mostly in the illustrations)as she is worried Eugenia’s crush might displace their friendship. I thoroughly enjoyed the little bit creepy, very funny graphic novel. Eugenia and her family are Chinese Americans 

Lisa Librarian 

Haven’t Killed in Years by Amy K. Green - OPTIONAL

Haven’t Killed in Years by Amy K. Green, 368 pages. Berkeley (Penguin Random House), 2025. $30.

Language: R (85 swears, 21 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: R

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Gwen (29yo) has been living her boring, normal life ever since she became an adult. She doesn’t have close friends to keep from forming attachments and doesn’t even wear bold colors in order to not stand out. But still, someone has figured out that she wasn’t born with the name Gwen. On the day that her mother gets released from prison, Gwen finds a box on her doorstep containing a severed human arm, and now she has to do something about it.

There were several things I liked about this book, but the story became convoluted halfway in and the ending was disappointing, which left me feeling meh about the story overall. A killer that comes out of left field isn’t a twist; it’s a wrinkle that disrupts the flow of a good story. Despite that, I really liked Gwen and her character arc, and even the side characters were memorable. They made the story an enjoyable read.

The majority of characters are implied White. Gwen’s and Elyse’s sexual orientations are undefined, and neither is strictly heterosexual. The mature content rating is for drug and alcohol use; illegal activity; kissing; mentions of prostitutes, genitalia, sex, and rape; innuendo; and partial nudity. The violence rating is for blood and gore, corpses, cutting and self harm, assault, gun use, mentions of animal cruelty and suicide, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Summer of the Bone Horses by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve and Steph Littlebird - ADVISABLE

Summer of the Bone Horses by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, illustrated by Steph Littlebird, 60 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Abrams Amulet, 2025. $15.

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Eddie's grandparents live on the Rosebud Reservation, and he and his parents often visit. But, this summer, Eddie's dad must have some surgery, so he will be staying with his grandparents. At first things are so different, they don't have electricity or running water, their hymnbooks at church are in Dakota rather than English. But soon, Grandpa brings Eddie some toys called bone horses and teaches him to ride Grandpa's horse Buck. Eddie is missing home less and less. 

What a nice story about learning the old ways of your culture. The illustrations were timeless, it was not until the author's note that I became aware that Eddie's story happened over 70 years ago. I think there's a little nostalgia in all of us that would like to take us back to simpler times. There is a lot of text, but it is simply written and at just 60 pages would be appropriate for 3rd-4th grader. The characters are Sioux. 

Lisa Librarian 

Coach by Jason Reynolds - ADVISABLE

Coach (Track #5) by Jason Reynolds, 250 pages. Caitlyn Diouhy, Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $18. 

Language: (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (beer offered to MC, drug dealers and gang activity SC); Violence: PG (Adult gets nose broken) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Otie is an athlete - but he runs track, so he doesn't get the recognition at school like the football or basketball team players do. In fact, he's bullied. When a boy makes fun of Otie's hair during a talent show comedy routine, Otie tries to give himself a hair cut. Of course it's a disaster, starting the ball rolling of one bit of trouble after another. His father is gone a lot, he is always thinking about how he can build a time machine to more quickly get to the olympics he's so sure he'll be part of. But a pair of expensive shoes gifted to him, may just become his undoing. 

Set in 1985, Coach is about a childhood experience of Coach, mentor and trainer of Ghost, Lu, Patina and Sunny of the track team the Defenders.  I'm giving this a higher rating than I would if it were an independent novel. The "Ghost" series is so popular it's a necessity to purchase this one as readers will ask for it and read it. However, it didn't have the excitement, the danger, the engagement of the rest of the books in the series. I felt like I was missing something; should I have re-read Ghost or the others to better appreciate this sequel (prequel?)? I was not drawn in by Otie - I felt he was ordinary - I didn't care a lot about the character, and found the ending another example of things happening to the character that are out of his control, rather than experiencing consequences for his actions or lessons he could learn. And, if you didn't know it was part of the series, calling it Coach could make the reader think the title character is someone else. 

The characters are black. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Faerie Isle by Sine Quinn, illustrated by Dermot Flynn - ADVISABLE

The Faerie Isle by Sine Quinn, illustrated by Dermot Flynn, 76 pages. Candlewick Press, 2024. $19

Content: G

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Irish faeries come in many forms. They include leprechauns, banshees, selkies, water horses, pookas, changelings, mermaids and many others. Most faeries have a dark side, but if you are kind and respectful, they usually leave you alone. They also often give assistance to the needy. You can protect yourself from them with such things as salt, horseshoes, and rowan branches. Knowing how to be on good terms with them is the best protection.

Quinn presents this Irish folklore in a straightforward way by sharing the traditions around each faery and then, consecutively telling a short story about each one.  He also presents modern take-offs from these grim characters, along with regional preferences and origins. Quinn includes the Celtic names of the faeries along with a glossary of terms. While the illustrations are entertaining, many of the pages are almost too dark to read the type, making it difficult to read.  

MOMMAC