Light Enough to Float by Lauren Seal - OPTIONAL

Light Enough to Float by Lauren Seal, 352 pages. Penguin, 2024 $20.

Language: R (10 swears 5 'fs'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG13 (self harm, suicide attempt) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

14yo Evie has an eating disorder. When her parents take her to the doctor, she's diagnosed with anorexia and quickly placed in a residential program at a psychiatric hospital. She is required to consume an ever-increasing amount of daily calories, attend group and private counseling, and reshape her relationship with food and with her body. 

Based on the author's experiences, Seal tells an authentic, engaging, heart wrenching story. She begins with trigger warnings, so it's not for everyone. While most of the others at the hospital are adults, with just a small group of teens, the focus is on Evie. Despite the swear count, Light Enough to Float would certainly appeal to the older students at my middle school and, unfortunately, may relate to some of the younger ones as well. Includes resources for readers struggling with disordered eating and mental health challenges. Evie and her family are white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Solving for the Unknown by Loan Le - OPTIONAL

Solving for the Unknown by Loan Le, 336 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2025. $20. CENTERING ME, stand by me

Language: R (47 swears, 2 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Coming in as a first-year in college, Việt (18yo) is worried about making friends and about leaving his parents in the house alone without him as a buffer. After a rocky encounter with his roommate’s friends, Việt changes his mind about accepting a party invitation. He might not remember most of the night, but Việt is grateful for the people he meets in the morning, especially Evie—third-year Evie who has a jerk boyfriend.

Việt struggles with depression, and Evie struggles with self-worth. Even with their support system of loving friends and family, their problems are not slain with a one-time defeat. These characters have to figure out how to not get discouraged when their trials resurface and how to be comfortable sharing the burden by accepting help. Not all problems go away, but they can become smaller. While this is the companion to a previous book by Le, Việt and Evie’s story can stand alone.

Việt, Evie, and their families are Vietnamese American. The majority of active characters in the story are Asian, and the majority of supporting cast characters are implied White. The mature content rating is for kissing and for  alcohol use, including underage drinking. The violence rating is for mentions of blood and murder in fake crime scenes.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I Am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew - OPTIONAL

I Am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew, 368 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic Inc), 2025. $20.

Language: R (84 swears, 18 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

College dropouts paying for their mother’s medical bills are beggars, not choosers, which is why Thomas (18yo) is living the Farrow household as an interpreter for Vivienne (18yo). Vivienne chooses not to speak, but she doesn’t need an interpreter-slash-babysitter. Once she finds a way to ditch Thomas, she can continue with her plans to fix herself—or else die trying.

The occult aspects of this story are not explained very clearly. The vagueness adds an element of horror in the beginning but distracts from the action the deeper readers go, turning mystery into confusion. In the end, the forces of evil somehow collapse, causing the antagonists to somehow face consequences while the protagonists drive hopefully into the dawn of a new day. A happy ending, if not a very disclosing conclusion.

The majority of characters are implied White, and Frances, Hudson, and Reed are part of the LGBT community. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, illegal activity, scary elements, mentions of prostitution, kissing, and innuendo. The violence rating is for assault, gun use, blood and gore, mentions of suicide, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Confessions of a Junior Spy by Rosaria Munda - ADVISABLE

Confessions of a Junior Spy by Rosaria Munda, 224 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), JUNE 2025. $20.

Content: G (some danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Bea has lived in the hotel Pangean her entire life.  Her dad is the Chef, while her mom appears once in a while to recuperate between spy jobs. Bea is waiting for her Knack to manifest.  Bea wants a Knack that will help her be a spy like her mom- fighting the good fight. But Mom seems to have a different idea - she wants Bea to be a Normie? 

Munda has packed in adventure and danger into this middle grade version of The Gallagher Girls or Alex Rider.  A fun, fast read with danger around each corner.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and Leuyen Pham - ESSENTIAL

Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and Leuyen Pham. 352 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL First Second (Macmillan), 2024. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (a couple of kisses) Violence: PG (a fight, no blood but a ruined wedding cake) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Valentina loves everything about Valentine's Day. Since she was a little girl, she's been making Valentines for everyone. Now that she's in high school, her friends find it a bit weird. But her freshman year Valentine's Day is terrible, she finds out some family secrets, and her imaginary friend, a cupid looking St. Valentine, becomes the actual ghost of the actual St. Valentine. He threatens to take her heart if she doesn't find love in just 1 year. Seems impossible, but she happens to meet a really nice boy, and he might be the true love she's hoping for! 

Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham have teamed up to write a great romance. Full of Asian culture, an hilarious interfering grandmother, lots of family drama and a cute love story, I couldn't put it down. The magical realism, being haunted by St. Valentine, was perfect, oh the illustrations! Plot twists ensured we never knew if they would or would find true love. Recommending to middle and high school and buying a couple of copies for my library. Valentina is Vietnamese, Jae is Korean and Chinese, Leslie is Chinese. 

Lisa Librarian 

Let the Fur Fly (Grimwood #2) by Nadia Shireen - ADVISABLE

Let the Fur Fly (Grimwood #2) by Nadia Shireen. 240 pages. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2023. $12. 9781524882273

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Fox siblings Ted and Nancy are enjoying living in Grimwood. But when a smooth talking fox named Sebastian Silver shows up, their home is threatened. Silver wants to level Grimwood to build an amusement park and mall. Can the eclectic residents of Grimwood work together to save their home?

A fun story filled with jokes, mystery and adventure. The cast of characters are interesting and quirky. The illustrations throughout add to the overall appeal of the book.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman - OPTIONAL

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman, 528 pages. Simon & Schuster BFYR, 2025. $18.

Language: R (65 swears,  6 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG (undescribed death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

The Crown Royale virus seems to be everywhere and it either becomes fatal or creates a happy mindset in survivors. Teenager Mariel and her mom are homeless and she believes that the virus would make life great but her mother doesn’t. 16yo Ron, the youngest of six children, hosts his rich father’s Airbnb and welcomes people to stay for four nights at the beautiful penthouse for a very cheap price. This will be the last stay before the penthouse closes. His father is wanting to live in isolation so they don’t catch the virus and give all their money to charity because they’re out of their right minds, all caused by the Crown Royale virus. Morgan reaches her internship meeting, where she meets with a very rich woman who has recently been diagnosed with Crown Royale and wants to bequeath everything to Morgan to eradicate the virus.  Ron becomes an alpha-spreader, Mariel is immune, Morgan wants to do everything possible to eradicate the virus and after inheriting tons of money and partnering with Ron’s extremely rich father, she has the means to.

I love the inclusion and representation of several different ethnicities and cultures. The stories of random people and encounters intrigued me and helped cement the nature of the virus and its effect on people. I enjoyed how the author explored the choices people made and their actions. Interesting story.

Ron is of Spanish descent. Morgan is Eurasian, Mariel is white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

The Secret of Moonrise Manor by Stephanie Bearce - ADVISABLE

The Secret of Moonrise Manor by Stephanie Bearce, 256 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025. $20.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

Knocking a hole in the local hotel’s wall was honestly an accident, but Raven (12yo) isn’t sorry when it reveals a mummified body. Spunky Raven and her eclectic group of friends dive recklessly into solving the mystery of Mummy Man, working around working for family businesses and being grounded. Even so, they’re sure to figure out the whos and whys of the murder before the adults do.

Bearce has imbued her characters with big personalities that, at times, both help and hinder their goals as they clash over opinions of science versus paranormal activity and possible truths that hurt more than lies. This group of determined kids can accomplish much good if they’re willing to learn lessons of forgiveness along the way. In order to find the answers to one mystery, Raven and her friends find several other buried secrets, promising future adventures.

The majority of characters are implied White; Eric is implied Asian. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, illegal activity, and mild scary elements. The violence rating is for corpses and mentions of suicide and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Champion of Fate (Heromaker #1) by Kendare Blake - ADVISABLE

Champion of Fate (Heromaker #1) by Kendare Blake, 480 pages. HarperCollins, 2023. $10.

Language:  PG-13 (10 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (deaths and bloody fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Reed was eight years old when raiders arrived in her village and killed everyone except her. The raiders find Reed hiding in the wreckage and take her to be a sacrifice to their god for their safe journey home, but she is rescued by two strong women who take her to live among their warrior kind, the Aristenes. Now 16yo, Reed was raised to believe she will become a great warrior and find a hero that will die a glorious death so she can become an Aristene also. Reed learns that life isn’t black and white or easy.

Reed is a strong character who believes in right and wrong. Reed has a great relationship with the two other girls being raised to become Aristene warriors alongside her, Gretchen and Lyonene. The story shows the importance of love, loyalty, strength and friendship. Ethnicity is mixed with many skin tones. Reed has tan skin.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen - ADVISABLE

Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen,  320 pages. Penguin, 2024. $19. 

Language: PG13 (44 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Teen party, reference to periods); Violence: PG13 (arguments, parent-child physical discipline, descriptions of the martyrdom of saints) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

13yo Dolores has been diagnosed with a chronic bladder condition (interstitial cystitis). At the end of 7th grade, she had an incident at school that resulted in her slipping in her pee and sent her to the hospital with a concussion. Dolores will tell you she is not thriving, her best friend has asked for some space, her parents are fighting, and her condition is a problem. But when Dolores meets Terpsichore, an autistic girl also looking for a friend, things may begin to change. Dolores has lots of experience being a best friend, now she really needs one herself. 

What a marvelous read! Dolores confides in a priest (after hiding in a confessional) and those conversations are enlightening and strangely spiritual for a girl who was raised atheist. Her gay brother and his crush are the perfect comic relief - I loved all the Broadway show references. Terpsichore was strong and resilient and her mother was the worst. A lot is going on in Chronically Dolores, and I loved every minute. Dolores is Hispanic. 

Lisa Librarian 

Your Blood My Bones by Kelly Andrew - OPTIONAL

Your Blood My Bones by Kelly Andrew, 356 pages. Scholastic Press, 2024. $13.

Language: R (22 swears, 6 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (some kissing, one passionate kiss that is interupted); Violence: PG-13 (Animal death, blood, violence, poisoning, cults, bones, murders, gore, paranormal activity)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

After learning of her father's death and that she is the last surviving Westlock heir, 18yo Wyatt returns to her childhood home intending to burn it to the ground. It has been five years since she was last at the farm.  But before she burns it down, she finds that her childhood best friend Peter is chained in the basement. After freeing Peter she begins to piece together what was happening at the farm during her childhood all without her knowledge and understanding. Peter, semi-immortal, has suffered hundreds of ritualistic deaths at the hands of a cult who were attempting to create wards to keep hell contained. And her father was the steward at the center of it all. Peter knows that the only way to free himself is to kill Wyatt and end the Westlock line. Reluctantly Peter and Wyatt work together as Wyatt learns to use her inherited powers from her alchemist father and witch mother to rebuild the spells and protect the world from the darkness that lives in the forest.

The author's prose is beautiful. The suspense is just right.  Her descriptions are rich and vivid. I was quickly immersed in the world she created. If you are looking for an addition to your horror section, I would recommend this book.

Wyatt, Peter and James are white.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Why We Went Extinct by Takashi Maruyama and Tadaaki Imaizu, Masanori and Yoko Uetakemi - ADVISABLE

Why We Went Extinct: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Species That Just Didn't Make It by Takashi Maruyama and Tadaaki Imaizu, illustrated by Masanori and Yoko Uetakemi. 172 pages. NON-FICTION. Quill Tree Books, 2024. $16. 9780063089938

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Why We Went Extinct is a fully illustrated encyclopedia depicting many dinosaurs, mammals, insects, and birds that have gone extinct.  Extinction is just a part of the long, long history of life on Earth.  You will learn the three reasons creatures go extinct, and why each creature mentioned went extinct.

Why We Went Extinct humorously tells some of the story from the creature itself.  Each page is eye-catching, full of well organized information, and fun to read.

PGPowers

What's Eating Jackie Oh? by Patricia Park - ESSENTIAL

What's Eating Jackie Oh? by Patricia Park, 327 pages. Crown (Random), 2024. $20.

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Hate crimes mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

15yo Jackie Oh loves cooking, living in NYC, and working at her grandparents' deli. Her Korean-American parents, however, expect her to excel at school and attend an Ivy League college. When Jackie skips school and misses her history final to participate in a cooking show audition, her parents are very disappointed. But when she makes it on the show they allow her to do it if only to have something good for her college application essays. Through the course of the show, Jackie learns to trust herself, cook from the heart, and see others for who they are instead of who she thinks they are.

I enjoyed this book. Jackie wants to excel in school to please her parents but she also wants to follow her passion of cooking. I liked that through the process of participating in the cooking show Jackie learned self-confidence and she started to see and understand the people in her life. She was able to get to know her mother better and understand how she failed her best friend. She was also brave enough to do what was necessary to repair some of her relationships. I liked that there was Korean mixed in with English and a glimpse into Korean culture. This book also carries the important message of seeing and understanding people from cultures and backgrounds that are different from your own. 

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome - OPTIONAL

One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome, 304 pages. Candlewick, 2024. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G Violence: PG (Deaths, peril, injuries, fighting) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Young Lettie, the daughter of former slaves, is traveling across the midwest from the deep south with her family by covered wagon. Her father has joined a wagon train of black families wanting to receive land in Nebraska from the Homestead Act. 

One Big Open Sky is told mostly from the perspective of Lettie, who, based on her maturity and responsibility, seems to be 12yo or younger. It also contains entries told by her mother, as well as a woman who joined the wagon train later on. I struggled with the poetry format, it's not lyrical or rhythmic, using very little punctuation, which made it an odd read. I appreciated the hardship these travelers experienced, magnified by their race and poverty. I'm reminded of Wilder's Little House on the Prairie, or more recently, Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park. It's nice to read these varying perspectives on Westward Expansion. Lettie and the other characters are African American. 

Lisa Librarian 

Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo - ADVISABLE

Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo, 240 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL HarperCollins, 2024. $16. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (some same gender kissing) Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Indu was a child who was discovered alone on the moon and adopted by their mother, a spaceship pilot. The moon warned them that if they left, they would be subject to pain and to change, but the promise of a family and love were worth it. As Indu grows they discover that they are unhappy with their assigned gender and gets to choose a new name. When his mother returns them to "New Earth" and they join her family, Indu has a hard time fitting in, not only because kids know him as Lunar Boy, he doesn't speak Indonesian well enough, he's behind in all his studies, and he's pretty sure most of the kids won't accept that he's trans. Even though he finds a community like him, his new brother and sister aren't very welcoming. Maybe the Moon will take him back. 

A futuristic story about a new world that seems to have more acceptance for the LBGTQIA+ community. It's a sweet graphic novel about finding yourself and figuring out where you belong. Readers who loved The Witch Boy will get a similar feeling from Lunar Boy. 

Lisa Librarian 

Clairboyance by Kristiana Kahakauwila - OPTIONAL

Clairboyance by Kristiana Kahakauwila, 288 pages. HarperCollins, 2024. $20.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G Violence: PG (mean nicknames, some bullying, a physical fight) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Since the beginning of this 6th grade year, Clara has felt like an outsider. Her drawings of her summer spent on the mainland with her father brought teasing from the popular girl, a mean nickname for Clara, and the loss of her best friend, Leo. She loves living in Hawaii with her grandmother Tūtū, but with no friends at school, she wishes her dad would just let her move in with him in Phoenix. Tired of the teasing of the bus, Clara tells a family heirloom she wished she knew what boys were thinking, suddenly, her wish is granted. 

I was intrigued by the premise and expected Clairboyance to be funny. It's a serious story about family, culture, loss, grief and change. There were a lot of Hawaiian words and phrases, as well as English spoken in the Hawaiian dialect. With no glossary or help provided, it's certain Kahakauwila wrote Clairboyance for a Hawaiian reader.  While I think the average student would enjoy the story, I struggled with the code switching and worry that young readers will too.

Lisa Librarian 

Up, Up, Ever Up! by Anita Yasuda and Yuko Shimizu - ADVISABLE

Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei A Life in the Mountains by Anita Yasuda, art by Yuko Shimizu. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Clarion, 2024. $20. 9780063242418 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Junko Tabei always wanted to climb mountains, but mountain climbing equipment was made for men, so she improvised. When men wouldn't climb with her, she planned an all-women expedition to Mt. Everest. Nothing can stop Junko Tabei. 

I love these picture book biographies. I've learned about so many different people, and now I know about the first woman to climb Mt. Everest. The illustrations are well done, and the book contains an author's note, timeline and a bibliography. Junko Tabei was Japanese. 

Lisa Librarian

Louder Than Words by Ashley Woodfolk, Lexi Underwood - ADVISABLE

Louder Than Words by Ashley Woodfolk, Lexi Underwood.  236 pages. Scholastic Press, 2024. $20

Language: PG (52 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (Bullying, some kissing, a suicide attempt is mentioned); Violence: PG (face punch)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

16yo Jordyn transfers to a new high school for her junior year. She is hoping to put the past behind her and start fresh. She is determined to be her true self, forget what she and her friends did and start being kind. On the first day at her new school she learns she was already the subject of a school gossip podcast which told everyone about her. Regardless, she decides she will show people who she is through her actions. She starts making new friends, and falls for soccer star and fellow artist, Zay. Things are going well until Zay is falsely accused of drug use on the gossip podcast. Jordyn and her friends work to take down the podcast and restore Zay's reputation. But with Jordyn now in the spotlight she is at risk of her own secrets being discovered.

The book covers the important themes of bullying, mistakes and second chances. Jordyn learns a hard lesson that being a silent bystander to bullying can be just as bad as being the bully. She learns that we all make mistakes and deserve second chances. She also learns about the importance of being kind and standing up for people. This is an interesting, well written book with timely and important themes. It moved a bit slow but other than that, I enjoyed it.

Jordyn and Zay are Black. Bryce and Kaleb are white. Anton is East Asian. Mila is described as having light brown skin.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

King Alfred and the Ice Coffin by Kevin Crossley-Holland, illustrated by Chris Riddell - ADVISABLE

King Alfred and the Ice Coffin by Kevin Crossley-Holland, illustrated by Chris Riddell.  88 pages. Candlewick Studio, 2024. $19. 9781536238808

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

King Alfred, a great king, learned Latin to translate global stories for his people. He recorded sailor Wulfstan's tale of a shipwreck and a northern land where a ruler's wealth was claimed by a horse race. Would Alfred believe and record Wulfstan's story?

King Alfred and the Ice Coffin is fascinating if you like Islandic and British history.  Riddell's illustrations are superb.

PGPowers

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister - OPTIONAL

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister, 336 pages. William Morrow, 2025. $30.

Language: R (80 swears, 36 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Camilla wasn’t sure whether to dread or embrace the day she took her baby to daycare for the first time to return to work—but Camilla certainly didn’t want to do it without seeing her husband, Luke, all morning. Wondering where Luke could be and why he wasn’t answering her messages, Camilla went to work anyway, where police officers came looking for the wife of Luke Deschamps, the man currently holding three people hostage in a warehouse.

Following both the wife of the criminal and the hostage negotiator, McAllister unfolds the story skillfully, giving readers tidbits of information from one character that shifts the possible outcomes of the other’s actions. I enjoyed how complex and real so many of the side characters are, how they affected the main characters unintentionally in significant ways. There is a lot of grey area in this story for readers to wrestle with—between justice and doing the right thing, making decisions of who to trust and build relationships with, learning to give second chances or just move on. The end is about more than happily ever after—it’s about making a life you can be happy in now despite the imperfections of the past.

The majority of characters are implied British. Niall is described as having a Northern Irish accent. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, mentions of drugs, kissing, illegal activity, and innuendo. The violence rating is for gun use, mentions of terrorism and suicide, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Love is Hard Work by Dan Paley and Voctoria Tentler-Krylov. - ADVISABLE

Love is Hard Work: The art and heart of Corita Kent by Dan Paley, illustrated by Voctoria Tentler-Krylov. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY. Candlewick, 2024. $19. 9781536220322

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

In 1950’s and 1960;s Los Angeles, Sister Corita Kent taught high school art, bringing her exuberant outlook to everything she touched and opening her students’ eyes to the wide world around them.  Her personality didn’t always mesh with the archbishop’s expectations and after 30 years she left the order to devote herself to her art and her activism.

I know - who is Corita Kent? Paley gives us a lot of information about her and her work. And a quick Google search will bring up many examples of her art. I would give this to your middle school or high school drawing and painting teachers - and probably to your Language Arts teachers - I love this as an example of a picture book biography.  It puts many others I have read to shame.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Hymn of Life by Jennifer Willcock - ADVISABLE

Hymn of Life by Jennifer Willcock, 280 pages. En Pointe Press, 2025. $5.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Lauren tries to be the perfect pastor’s wife for her husband, Solomon, and his large, successful church, but she feels further from him, God, and happiness than ever. When Lauren is left a confused and grieving widow, she moves in with her best friend to figure out what comes next. Though she doesn’t want her life to include any more men, celebrities, or churches, God has a different plan.

Lauren’s and Aaron’s faith journeys are as much a part of the story as the romance. While the strong Christian themes are obvious, they are authentic and not preachy. The foreshadowing is as subtle as a brick thrown through a window, but the story flows well and the characters are relatable. I enjoyed every chapter of this book.

That majority of characters are Canadian. The mature content rating is for mild innuendo, kissing, and mentions of drug and alcohol use, including overdose. The violence rating is for mild car accident details and jokes about murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Coretta by Coretta Scott King and Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds - ADVISABLE

Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King by Coretta Scott King and Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Godwin Books. 2024. $19. 9781250167101 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Coretta Scott King's autobiography, has been adapted for a younger reader from her adult memoir. 

I really loved King's voice; it reads like she's talking to the children. Most likely not intended for lower elementary based on the length of the text on the pages, but upper elementary and middle school readers will understand who she is, and the impact she has made. The collage illustrations incorporate magazine covers, photographs and newpapers, giving her life story added authenticity. Coretta Scott King is African American 

Lisa Librarian 

Homebody by Theo Parish - ADVISABLE

Homebody by Theo Parish, 224 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Harper Alley (HarperCollins), 2024. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Even as a child, Theo has didn't feel comfortable in their own body, like the home they lived in wasn't theirs. Homebody is Parish's memoir about their nonbinary gender journey to find themselves and feel at home with who they are. 

Homebody is a wonderful graphic novel, not only as a comforting read for those who may be experiencing a similar journey but also for those who may need help understanding another's need to find where they belong. Parish talks about clothing choices, hairstyles, even how they decided on a name. I wondered how this would fit in a middle school library, but as Theo is an adult for most of the book, I would certainly recommend Homebody for a High School library. Theo is white and British and non-binary 

Lisa Librarian 

Call Me Roberto! by Natalie Alonso and Rudy Gutierrez - ESSENTIAL

Call Me Roberto! Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for Latinos by Natalie Alonso, art by Rudy Gutierrez. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Calkins Creek (Astra/Boyds Mill), 2024 $19. 9781635928112 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Robert Clemente wanted to play baseball. Growing up in Puerto Rico, he always had a bat or a ball in his hands (or something like them). When he was scouted to the major leagues and brought to America, Clemente discovered that even though he was the best player, his race and language worked against him in the States. It was an uphill battle to be recognized for his talent and hard work. 

So many of my middle school students are going to love this! Alonso has included a lot of Spanish (with a glossary) and the translation of a quotation as well, which I'm very glad was included in the end matter rather than on page - it felt like a secret message to his parents. Also includes a bibliography and timeline. Gutierrez illustrations have so much color and movement - Clemente seems to be playing ball right there on the page. I'm so excited to share this with our students. Roberto Clemente is Puerto Rican. 

Lisa Librarian

Meesh the Bad Demon: The Secret of the Fang by Michelle Lam - OPTIONAL

Meesh the Bad Demon: The Secret of the Fang by Michelle Lam, 296 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Knopf (Random House), 2024. $14 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Meesh is growing into her newly discovered destiny as the Guardian of the Underworld. However, there is something sinister going on. There is an evil force driving her friend's family from their homes and threatening to destroy all of Ponderosa. Meesha will have to act quickly to save those she loves. 

There are themes of friendship, prejudice, revenge, and believing in one's self, which helps elevate the plot. The graphics and art are well done. The clash between the different magical groups and how a whole race can be set up to take the blame for an economic downturn makes for an interesting talking point, though the plot is fairly predictable. Meesha is a demon. 

Michelle in the Middle 

I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff and Julie Kwon - ESSENTIAL

I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Julie Kwon. PICTURE BOOK. Dial (Penguin), 2024. $19. 9780593462911

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Jack has to write an apology note to Zoe.  He tries many varieties, but his teacher keeps asking him to try again - until he can sincerely apologize. 

Lukoff does an excellent job of showing us how to write an apology without making bullet points about a great apology. This is a master text for those who want to write lesson-like picture books. And the message, the lesson, is one that is valuable for every age level.  I am going to show this to my counselors and teachers. 

Jack looks Hispanic.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Shadowed by Carl Deuker - OPTIONAL

Shadowed by Carl Deuker, 352 pages. Harper Collins, 2024. $19

Content: G (a death mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Nate and his neighbor across the street, Lucas, both love basketball, but they haven’t been friends since Nate said something disparaging about Lucas’s special needs sister. It isn’t until high school, when Nate decides to pursue basketball, instead of his family’s beloved soccer, that Nate reconnects with Lucas - but only outside of school.  Can Lucas’s fierceness on the court help Nate make-up for all the years he is behind in learning the game? As Nate tries to prove himself to his rival, Colin, Lucas gets caught in the crossfire.

Shadowed is deeper, slower roll of a book - more complicated than anything Deuker has written before. It does follow Nate through all four years of high school - diving deep, crafting heartbreak.  Some will not persist and find the heart of the book.  Those that do will find a gem.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Messi Mania by Luis Miguel Echegaray - ESSENTIAL

Messi Mania by Luis Miguel Echegaray, 160 pages. NON-FICTION Holler (Quarto), 2025. $16

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Sports reporter Echegaray gives an intimate feeling look into the life and career of soccer superstar Lionel Messi. Interestingly, he doesn’t follow Messi’s life in a linear manner - instead he mixes the chapters up a bit, which I enjoyed. Much better than a conventional biography.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Snow by Meera Trehan - ESSENTIAL

Snow by Meera Trehan, 304 pages. Walker Books (Candlewick), 2025. $19.

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

For years now, Karina, the Princess,  has been behind the mist, with only her father, the King, and his cruel mechanical dogs as scant company. 12yo Ela has followed her family around the world on vacations to snowy, misty spots. This time however, she finds herself in a new place altogether, with a mysterious girl (yes, the Princess), who seems to know more about Ela than she is telling. Can the two together solve the problem that eternal Snow has brought to the little kingdom?

add this to any Frozen or winter display!  Trehan paces everything quickly, and intrigue along the way as backstories come to light. A very engaging, new,  modern fairy tale.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

City Spies: London Calling by James Ponti - ADVISABLE

City Spies: London Calling by James Ponti, 396 pages. Aladdin (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY

In book six of the City Spies, eleven-year old Cairo takes center stage as he helps look for his sister, Annie, who has disappeared. The teen spies are caught between looking for Annie, and helping with security during a royal wedding in London. Umbra appears to be a threat, and Clementine, Cairo and Annie's mother, may be involved. 

If you are into the City Spies, then this will be a welcome sequel. There is the usual blend of exotic cities, danger, action, and friendship. Hints at Clementine's storyline and possible betrayal helps boost the interest level, keeping the stories from being too same-ish. The City Spies come from a variety of ethnic background.

Michelle in the Middle 

Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero - OPTIONAL

Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero, 350 pages. Little Brown, 2024. $17

Content: G (mild tension)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

11yo Anne feels, rightfully, neglected by her father as he wallows in his grief over her mother’s death and ignores Anne by submerging himself in his work. Anne’s mother raised her on a book of fairy tales about a flying forest. Anne has always felt there was a hole in her life - and one day a magical raven tells Anne that the stories are true and that she has a twin brother who was snatched away at birth and is being raised within the forest.  Anne is needed, as the person holding her brother is about to make a play to break into Anne’s reality and control the whole world.

At first I was lost within Anne’s story, but it  is about 100 pages too long - a tighter tale with fewer scenes would have kept my attention.  By the end I just wanted it to be over. Almost a great modern new fairy tale. Some will enjoy it.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Road Home by Rex Ogle - OPTIONAL

The Road Home by Rex Ogle, 272 pages. MEMOIR. Norton Young Readers, 2024. $19

Language: R (45 swears, 50 “f”); Mature Content: R (drugs, gay sex talk, body parts); Violence: R (rape lightly described, beating and aftermath)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Now 17yo, Rex is kicked out of his house by his Christian father when his stepsister outs him as gay.  Feeling he has no one else to turn to, Rex heads to New Orleans, following a man he met at the beach recently.  Though the man takes him in and they start a physical relationship, Rex is not comfortable with his new status as part of a gay relationship and eventually finds himself back on the street.

The third of Ogle’s short memoirs follows Rex into close-to-adulthood, into homelessness, into despair. Much darker than his previous books.  Please don’t buy this thinking you need all three in the series.  The content and topics are much more mature than anything in the previous two books. We have some kids who will benefit greatly from this, though.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Doomsday Vault (Everwhen school of time travel) by Thomas Wheeler - NO

The Doomsday Vault (Everwhen school of time travel) by Thomas Wheeler, 291 pages. Simon, 2025. $19

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - NO

APPEALS TO: FEW

Bertie Wells opens a black hole in his bedroom and then is whisked away to join the Ever School of Time Travel to learn more about time traveling and guarding historical events. He meets a fantastical crew of students from all over time, with friends to make, problems to solve, and people to save.

I had a hard time buying into this book from the first chapter - where Leonardo DaVinci appeared in a parade to his genius and someone runs up with the Last Supper for him to autograph. WTH? ANd it really didn’t get much better from there.  Wheeler seems to think that he could do anything he wanted with people and places from all over time and no one would notice what a chaotic mess he was creating. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Popcorn by Rob Harrell - ESSENTIAL

Popcorn by Rob Harrell, 286 pages. Dial (Penguin), 2024. $19.

Language: G (2 swears, 0 F);  Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

It's picture day for middle schooler Andrew Yaeger. It shouldn't be that hard to get a decent pic but he struggles with anxiety every day and this day is a series of unfortunate events. The kernel of worry in his stomach is getting bouncier and hotter throughout the day as he strives to stave off a full-blown panic attack. 

Told with wit, humor, and pathos, I alternatively wanted to laugh and cry. This is a well told day in the life of what it means to have anxiety and panic attacks. Andrew is a great and relatable character drawn from the author's personal experience. This book will build empathy for anyone who doesn't understand what anxiety is like and bring hope for those who do. Andrew is a white middle schooler. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Grimsbane Family Witch Hunters by Joan Reardon - OPTIONAL

The Grimsbane Family Witch Hunters by Joan Reardon, 321 pages. Simon and Schuster, 29024. $18.

Content: PG (mild scares)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Anna Grimsbane is eager to join the family business of hunting witches.  Well, the women in their family hunt witches - the men are considered to be frail and prone to death all because of a curse placed on them generations earlier. When her twin, Billy, disappears the night before their 13th birthday, she knows he has gone into the forest to find the witch responsible for the curse in order to break it himself.  Anna wants to gather her best friends to help her find him.  What she doesn’t know is that each friend has an ulterior motive for joining the search.

Anna and her friends are chaotic at best as they roam the forest looking for Billy.  I liked the cast of characters they encountered along the way more than I liked the children. I also liked the needed resolution for the curse very much.  I am just not certain that many readers will persist through the friend drama.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Loch Ness Uncovered by Rebecca Siegel

Loch Ness Uncovered by Rebecca Siegel, 159 pages. NON-FICTION Astra, 2024. $20.

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Siegel takes a critical and thorough look at the origin of and continued fascination with the supposed appearances of the Loch Ness monsters. 

Using extensive historical sources, she peels back the layers to let the reader know the truth behind the famous photo and looks at why people persist in believing, despite credible evidence to the contrary. She includes a small section at the end about fake news and how to expose it.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Last Dragon on Mars by Scott Reintgen - ADVISABLE

The Last Dragon on Mars by Scott Reintgen, 373 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2024. $19. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Lunar Jones is barely existing on Mars - a planet that was cursed by the death of the dragon that also transformed it into a livable place, but one where the flora and the fauna are out to kill humans. Betrayed and stuck in the inhospitable wilderness, Lunar finds his way to a secret facility, where his destiny as the companion to a hidden dragon is revealed.  Can Lunar step up to the challenge and be the companion this dragon demands and also keep the Mars military happy?

I love science fiction. and I love Reintgen. I hope that having dragons involved will entice my many fantasy readers to give this a chance - it is really good.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS