The Quest of Danger by Stuart Gibbs and Stacy Curtis - OPTIONAL

The Quest of Danger (Once Upon a Tim #4) by Stuart Gibbs, illustrated by Stacy Curtis, 162 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2023. $1. 9781665917476

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Tim, a knight in training, and his friends are saved from falling to their deaths only to be thrown into a new quest. King Neptuna needs help getting his trident back from the knights who stole it. On their journey they encounter vicious beasts, pirates and their nemesis, Prince Ruprecht.

The quest story was fun and well paced. I liked that big words were used and defined (referred to as IQ boosters in the book). The illustrations are great and add to the overall experience. 

The ages of the four main characters are not mentioned. The publisher lists the audience age as 7 to 10 and 4th to 6th grade. Throughout the book Princess Grace expressed her interest in and attraction to Belinda. This theme does not really fit for the target age or the quest theme and feels forced.

The ethnicity of the characters is not mentioned.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

The Unlikely Hero: The Story of Wolf 8 by Rick McIntyre and David A Poulsen - ADVISABLE

The Unlikely Hero: The Story of Wolf 8 by Rick McIntyre and David A Poulsen, 114 pages. NON-FICTION. Greystone Kids, 2024. $19. 9781778400223

Content: PG (some wolves are killed in fights)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The story of Wolf 8, one of the wolves reintroduced the Yellowstone National Park. Wolf 8 is the runt of the litter, often picked on by his siblings. But he shows great strength and wisdom as he grows. He meets another wolf and takes over raising her pups after the death of their father. Together they have adventures, excitement and family drama.

A very interesting book that follows the lives of a few of the wolves reintroduced to Yellowstone. The narrative style was engaging and easy to follow. It is easy to see parallels and connections between wolves and humans.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Snoop by Gordon Korman - ADVISABLE

Snoop by Gordon Korman, 208 pages. Scholastic, JULY 2025. $19

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Middle schooler Carter is more interested in watching the latest viral video than keeping an eye on his younger brother Martin hurling down the ski slope.  Bad call - now Carter has two broken legs and nothing to do but play on his computer. Which leads him to hacking into the traffic cameras around town and then hacking into private businesses cameras, as he finds out that life in his dinky little town is more exciting than he ever thought. That can’t really be a red panda pawing through the garbage cans? Then Carter decides to borrow his mother’s drone that she uses for her professional photography - the static cameras just can’t show him the details he needs to crack the puzzles that his town is hiding.

Korman brings his signature humor and boy antics to his latest. Sure to be read by kids who have found Korman.  Includes a first love interest, a best friend in crime, and plenty of hijinks.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

I.R.L. by Jenny Goebel - ADVISABLE

I.R.L. by Jenny Goebel, 176 pages. Scholastic, 2025. $15

Content: G (tense with mild danger, ghosts)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

6th grader Lucy moved to Alaska with her scientist mother in October and has been doing online school with her classmates, because of the icy, snowy danger. When school is supposed to be IRL, (in-person), all she finds is a burnt out husk of a building.  What is going on?  Then she stumbles upon the graveyard - each tombstone bearing the name of one of her classmates. Something sinister happens and something sinister wants Lucy! 

A nicely tense horror book with a believable (usually) plot - I loved the idea of ghosts using Zoom to go to school. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen - OPTIONAL

One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen, 336 pages. Scholastic, 2025. $19

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Ever since his mother succumbed to her cancer, 12yo Atlas has been homeschooled by his father, as they climb mountain peaks all over the world. This year, 1939, they have joined an expedition to Mount Everest - sure that their group can be the first proven to hit the summit. Tension between the group, the unpredictable weather on the mountain, and hazardous climbing conditions - danger abounds on the mountain and within Atlas’s own feelings. 

The weakest of Niesen’s books to date. Since it isn’t recounting a real historic climb of Everest, it doesn't fit into her normal retellings of actual events.  Atlas is so unreliable - scatter-brained and angry - I don’t believe he would have survived any of the camps along the route, let alone be able to pull off the heroics he purportedly does. Nielsen’s author’s note of this being a metaphor doesn’t make things better.  I probably won’t buy this unless it comes out in paperback.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Moonstorm by Yoon Ha Lee - OPTIONAL

Moonstorm by Yoon Ha Lee, 338 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2024. $20

Language: G (1 swear, 0 ‘f');  Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (death and fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

9yo Hwagin was a child living in a clanner settlement outside the Empire of New Joseon when her community was devastated by a brutal attack. Rescued by an Imperial soldier who promises the Empress's protection, she is taken in as a ward of the state. Six years later, now known as 15yo Hwa Young, she attends a military academy and dreams of piloting a neurolink mecha, fiercely loyal to the Empire that saved her. When she and her classmates are hastily recruited as lancer pilots to fill personnel shortages, she believes she is finally achieving her dream. However, as she faces the realities of war, she begins to uncover troubling truths about the Empire and its methods. Hints of deliberate separation from older mentors and the grim desperation of the war effort suggests deeper conspiracies that challenge her faith.

Moonstorm captured my attention right away.  I enjoyed getting to know the protagonist, Hwa Young, and following her journey from traumatized child to a loyal soldier. The world Lee created was both interesting and detailed with sociopolitical tension in the Empire of New Joseon and mecha warfare. I always question sending young adults into war and wonder how realistic that really is.  I understand in this book it was necessary because of the shortage of people, but I can't imagine a 15yo flying an aircraft in a battle type situation. Despite that, I thought this was a fast-paced and thrilling book.

All of the characters in this book are of Korean or East Asian descent.

Jessica Nelson CTHS Librarian

Actually Super by Adi Alsaid - ADVISABLE

Actually Super by Adi Alsaid, 275 pages. Alfred A Knopf (Random), 2023. $19

Language: R (47 swears, 11 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (smoking pot, some kissing); Violence: PG (a body, deaths associated with natural disasters, no descriptions)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Senior year for Sam, Chio and 18yo Isobel is fast approaching, but Isabel has decided to take her senior year off to hunt for superheroes. Yes, she knows how that sounds, but she isn’t looking for comic book superheroes. She is hoping to find real people with real super abilities who help others.  She has felt such despair since COVID and she doesn’t seem to be able to connect with her parents so she is desperate to find something that will convince her that the world isn’t evil. Sam, Chio and her parents don’t want her to go, but she has convinced them that she needs this, and she is 18, afterall.  With mixed feelings, they send her off with promises to keep in touch.  Sam and Chio also make her promise that she will meet up with them for spring break in Mexico. Nine months later, Sam and Chio are at the designated meeting place in Mexico, but where is Isabel?

Alsaid tells the story mostly from Isabel’s perspective looking for supers which included a lot of new people, places and experiences and it was hard to keep track of it all and to know which ones were important to the story.  I liked the chapters from Sam and Chio’s perspectives better, especially after they reached Mexico and I found the mystery of Isabel’s disappearance to be more interesting than looking for supers.  I think readers that struggled during the pandemic will connect with Isabel’s loneliness, despair and desire to find something more.  The end wrapped up so nicely,  and while I appreciated that, it seemed too easy, and not what I thought Isabel would do.

There are characters from around the world.

RB Librarian

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall - ADVISABLE

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall, 304 pages. St. Martin's Press, 2025. $26

Language: PG-13 (13 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL  

13yo Nonie lives in the American Museum of Natural History in New York because of the immense hurricane and other intense storms that have swept over the world. When a huge flood hits the museum, Nonie leaves with her sister, 16yo Bix, their father and their family friend Keller. They are heading to their Aunt Clare’s house. On the way, they fight nature as the storms increase in strength, the wild and unknown. They try to stop for rest from the river and shelter from the rain but meet two men that only seem to want to harm them. Father gets shot, Bix also gets shot, and Keller gets pneumonia from jumping into the dirty river to rescue their boat from the strong currents. Will any of them survive?

The story has an interesting premise and dystopian plot. The author made the main characters flawed and relatable. I like that the story was carried on by hope, even when everything seemed lost.

The ethnicity is mixed.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Darkly by Marisha Pessl - OPTIONAL

Darkly by Marisha Pessl, 416 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2024. $10

Language:  R (16 swears, 2 “f'); Mature Content: G (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody death by shooting)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

High school junior Dia Gannon is applying for an internship at Darkly, once a game making enterprise, which has lain dormant since the owner died 39 years ago. Dia is suspicious of the internship announcement, because there’s no hidden clue, message or riddle, which is nothing like the owner Louisiana Veda who did everything mysteriously. Dia receives a letter announcing that she is one of the seven internship winners that have been chosen from across the globe and will be flying to London for the summer to complete the internship with the others. Dia meets Poe, the 17yo French winner, on the flight to London; Poe has a Darkly game inside a briefcase cuffed to his wrist. They meet the five other interns when they arrive at the boat that will take them to the Louisiana Veda factory near Thornwood, England. Dia feels deceptive vibes and she’s worried about what she’s gotten herself into.

I was immediately immersed in the story due to the voice of the main character. Dia is quirky, smart, and tough. The book was extremely interesting and unique and I couldn’t stop reading once I started.

The ethnicity is mixed with characters from around the world.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

We Do Not Welcome our Ten-Year-Old Overlord by Garth Nix, - OPTIONAL

We Do Not Welcome our Ten-Year-Old Overlord by Garth Nix, 240 pages. Scholastic, 2024. 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Kim knows that his 10yo sister Eila is smarter than  he is, but that doesn’t mean she is always right.  She should have left the glowing orb alone like he told her to. Now Eila seems more insufferable than usual, thanks to Aster (the orb has a name) and Kim is almost sure it has something to do with that orb. With the help of his best friend, Bennie, Kim hopes that he can for once outsmart his sister and save Earth in the bargain..

A mildly interesting/funny scifi book.  Eila was irritating from the first page, but I like Kim.  I think this was set in the 1970s, but the setting didn’t really play into the plot, except for the lack of technology simplifying the action. Might be worth it in paperback.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Lady of Steel and Straw (Waking Hearts #1) by Erica Rodgers - OPTIONAL

Lady of Steel and Straw (Waking Hearts #1) by Erica Rodgers, 432 pages. Holiday Hosue, 2024. $20

Language: R (90  swears, 5 “f”); Mature Content: ; Violence: PG-13 (bloody fights, some deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Ten years ago, it was the immortal scarecrow Guardians who kept the royal house of Tristain safe.  Their ten years of exile are almost up and Charlotte is looking forward to greeting her family’s Guardian, the parson, Worth, again, and see her brother work in tandem with him.  Instead, her brother is murdered by the man of the cardinal Lorraine the Pure and now Charlotte, inexperienced and angry as she is, is the one bound to Worth.  And she has been commanded to turn over Worth’s heart for death. The few remaining Guardians and their allies have a plan to reclaim their prominence from the cardinal, but first they must plan and gather.  And keep out of sight of the Cardinal’s Watch.

I am unsure why the blurb bills this as a star-crossed romance, but the romance part, at least in #1,  is actually low key.  The betrayal is nicely taut and the deep ulterior motives and betrayals are much more interesting. I never felt very invested in Charlotte and the Guardians - as I was listening, I kept asking myself why I should care and should I really side with the Guardians - and I couldn’t make myself care that much. The characters default white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

American Wings: Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators by Sherri L. Smith - OPTIONAL

American Wings: Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators by Sherri L. Smith, 384 pages. NON-FICTION. Penguin, 2024. $20

Language: G (1 swears, 0  “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (mobs and beating mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

In the time between the wars, it felt like everyone wanted to learn to fly - and Blacks were no exception.  Except that the barriers for them were built from prejudices of the past centuries.  They weren't allowed access to airfields, they weren’t hired by aviation companies, they weren’t allowed to train as pilots for the military.  So they took matters in their own hands and some few of them built their own planes and taught themselves to fly anyways. Male or female it didn’t matter. 

I love that Smith shows us the Black aviation pioneers beyond the Tuskegee airmen, who were the only Black aviators I knew about.  Unfortunately, at almost 400 pages, this is a tome - too much information for most readers. Purchase only if it is a topic that is discussed in your schools - otherwise, I would get this as an audiobook for a shared collection. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Salt Thief by Neal Bascomb - OPTIONAL

The Salt Thief by Neal Bascomb, 272 pages. NON-FICTION. Scholastic, 2024. $19

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (bloody deaths mentioned, lightly described)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

in 1930 India, Mohandas Gandhi decided that the British had ruled India long enough - it was time for self-determination.  In order to highlight the need, to draw international attention, and to force the hand of their British overlords, Gandhi decides to lead as large of a group that he can gather, tot eh seashore to gather salt - something that used to be freely available to all Indians, but now is strictly controlled by the British.  They expect resistance, perhaps even death for some of their number.

I was surprised that the book is only 272 pages long.  I listened to it and I felt like it dragged.  I felt like I walked every step with Gandhi myself. It did not, unfortunately, ignite a passion on the subject for me. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Dead Wednesday by Jerry Spinelli - ADVISABLE

Dead Wednesday by Jerry Spinelli, 240 pages. Random House 2021. $18

Content: G (student deaths mentioned, but no descriptions)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Dead Wednesday is the greatest!  The entire 8th grade is assigned the name of a student who died young and no one is allowed to talk to them all day - because of course, they are dead! Worm loves this idea.  However his day is kind of ruined, because his dead person, 17yo Becca who dies in a car crash, actually shows up, well her ghost does, and she follows him around all day - decidedly not ignoring Worm. Worm’s day will definitely change him.

Spinelli goes back to his storytelling roots here - Stargirl quality.  That being said, if a student picks this up expecting something silly, or something scary, they will be disappointed - lessons are learned and lives are changed instead. The characters default white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

World’s Worst Time Machine by Dustin Brady - OPTIONAL

World’s Worst Time Machine by Dustin Brady, 192 pages. Andrews McMeel, 2023. 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

5th grader Liam meant to summon Thomas Edison with the janky time machine.  Instead, he gets a different Thomas Edison - Tommy Twinkles from 1933, who is much more interested in robbing banks than helping Liam find a way to send him back. Maybe Elsa, Liam’s super smart friend can help Liam out of this jam.

For boys with short attention spans who like absurd premises.  Kind of an elementary version of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventures (for us old people who remember it). Buy it based on how fondly you remember that movie. The characters default to white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry - OPTIONAL

Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry, 208 pages. HarperCollins, 2024. $19

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

11yo Sophie is worried.  Her elderly neighbor, also Sophie, seems to be struggling - especially with her memory.  Young Sophie is sure that if she can prove there is nothing wrong with older Sophie, nothing will have to change.  As young Sophie tries the three-word memory test, however, she learns interesting things about older Sophie’s history - she does not, however, feel that her experiment is a success in the memory department.

This is one of those books that adults want children to love.  There are a few children who might like it, but it is not a book that kids will talk about to each other. Heart-tugging, sure.  FAscinating - not so much.

The characters default white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Select by Christie Matheson - ESSENTIAL

Select by Christie Matheson, 240 pages. Random House, 2024. $18

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12yo Alex loves soccer.  SHe has been playing with the rec center team since she was just five.  A coach from an elite club team sees Alex and convinces her mother to have her join - even though as a single mom family, Alex takes most of the heavy-lifting, tending her little sister, Belle.  Alex must get herself, and sometimes Belle, to her practices and games - a delicate ballet of time and buses - all over the greater San Francisco area. Plus Alex has been coached by a supportive, encouraging woman for years and the new, male coach’s acerbic attitude and out-right hostility at times. 

Matheson has written an excellent book - about single parent-families, about being there for each other, about standing up for yourself and not accepting bad behavior - especially from an adult.  The only thing that surprised me was how unsupportive the team was in helping Alex and Belle get to games and practices - only once did anyone offer them a ride. But I would encourage kids of all sorts to read this - not just soccer girls. The main characters default white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar, - ESSENTIAL

Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar, 352 pages. Random House, 2024. $20

Language: G ( swears,  “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (tension, arguing, a death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

When Grace wakes up in the hospital, she can’t remember anything about the last week - she stepped onto the bus to go on the senior retreat and then…nothing. Worse, however, her sister Maddy is missing!  The clues to Maddy’s disappearance are locked within Grace’s mind, but she can’t access it. Flashback to Maddy - Maddy is not excited to go on the senior retreat.  Ever since her BFF went without her in the fall, Maddy has been the third wheel in their relationship.  Plus Grace is the golden girl who easily makes friends, while Maddy is the wallflower who can barely speak in public. As the week goes on, the situation doesn’t seem to get any better. What happened?  Where is Maddy?

Davidhizar’s compelling read is proof that you can write a thriller for teens that will grab your attention and hold without drowning the characters in sex, blood, or swearing. I was riveted and shocked in the absolute best way by the end.  I can’t wait to share this! The characters default white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Whisper in the Walls (Waxways #2) by Scott Rientgen - OPTIONAL

A Whisper in the Walls (Waxways #2) by Scott Rientgen, 399 pages. McElderry, 2024. $20

Language: R (36 swears, 1 “f”); Mature Content: G (mild kissing); Violence: R (arena fight, bloody visions, bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Betrothed to Theo, Ren has herself in the perfect place to get her revenge on the Brood family for murdering her father. SHe even has allies in her plots - Dahvid and his sisters - the last remnants of another old house, now almost completely destroyed by the Broods. Theo even seems to be sympathetic to Ren’s plans - he has seen how his family’s viscous need to dominate has destroyed lives. 

Now back in civilization, Reintgen has added more characters, and upped the stakes, upped the betrayals, and upped the ulterior motives for every one of them. And the set up for book #3 - those last few pages - will shock!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Door in the Dark (Waxways #1) by Scott Reintgen - ADVISABLE

Door in the Dark (Waxways #1) by Scott Reintgen, 358 pages. McElderry, 2024. $20

Language: PG (21 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G (kissing mentioned); Violence: PG-13 (deaths briefly described)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Six students entered the waxway portal, but a squabble breaks out and when they reach their now random destination, one of them is dead.  The other five need to not only find their way home in hostile territory, but also figure out which of them is the murderer. One of them is Ren, a brilliant scholarship student who has access to only the most limited amount of spell power, but can do amazing things with it - unfortunately, she also seems to rub those who would hire her after graduation, the wrong way. And then there is Theo - spoiled rich magic wielder, who has access to as much power as he wants, and he wastes it on stunts to impress his friends. Perhaps Ren can impress Theo along their journey - keep him alive, and maybe he can convince his family to hire her.

Reintgen has raised the stakes from his Nyxia series - creating another new magical power structure, a world to house it, and believable, relatable characters to root for or against. Ulterior motives and suspicions abound. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Trajectory by Cambria Gordon - OPTIONAL

Trajectory by Cambria Gordon, 304 pages. Scholastic, 2024. $20

Language:  (25 swears, 4  “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

17yo Eleanor is worried about her Jewish relatives who are still living in Europe as Hitler is trying to take over the continent. She has been hiding her math skills, but someone in the army finds out anyway and she takes the offer when they recruit her for a secret project. First she works with other women in the Computing Corps, but then she heads alone into a California desert army base, where her skills are needed for a top secret project - creating a new bombsight for more efficient killing. She encounters prejudice against her, casual cruelty towards her Black coworkers, and racism.  

Gordon tries to make a single-POV look at the importance of math to WWII efforts, but Eleanor needs more support and opportunities for drama to make this really appealing.  I would point math students interested in WWII at Candace Fleming’s Enigma Girls instead. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Snow Drowned by Jennifer D. Lyle - OPTIONAL

Snow Drowned by Jennifer D. Lyle, 304 pages. Sourcebooks, 2024. $12 (paper)

Language: R (92 swears, 12 “f”); Mature Content: PG (drinking mentioned); Violence: R (cult blood rituals and murders)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

16yo Grace can’t wait to graduate and leave Fall Island forever - she isn’t planning on sticking around like so many of her fellow islanders. Who cares if the Wescott founders were supposedly led to the island by a blue-lit angel sent from God. And Grace knows when the snow falls fast and thick, someone is probably going to die. Well, it isn’t going to be her. A chance encounter with Joseph Wescott a dark snowy nights leads them to discover the ritualistic murders of a man and three sheep - something is afoot-tonight! 

Creepy danger, secretive cults, major back-stabbing and betrayals - in the dark, cold, nights of winter. Add this to your creepy horror books if you dare.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Shock the Monkey (NOAH Files #2) by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman - ADVISABLE

Shock the Monkey (NOAH Files #2) by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman, 424 pages. Little Brown, 2024. $18

Language: PG (10 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G (some minor bickering over a girl); Violence: PG (threatened destruction of a civilization)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Noah has escaped his destiny and is hiding out with Sahara, but he is anxious to return to Earth and see his best friend, Ogden.  Noah arrives just in time to see the latest intergalactic disaster he has to avert.  Ogden has given the object of his affections a certificate to a star.  Turns out she is now its queen, but she doesn’t know that others are coming to destroy it and punish her, Claire, for all of the past rulers’ excesses and poor management.  Back into space we go!

I loved the addition of Mittens, the Disgruntled - a being in the shape of a cat who takes cat-like behavior to its evil extremes. Noah and his friends work hard to save the galaxy again, while fighting and avoiding a cast of villains. Since this type of scifi is not as popular, though, I can’t rate it as essential.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

King Cheer by Molly Horton Booth, Stephanie Kate Strohm, and Jamie Green - ADVISABLE

King Cheer (Arden High 2) by Molly Horton Booth, Stephanie Kate Strohm, and Jamie Green, 160 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Hyperion (Disney Publishing Group), 2024. $15.

Language: G (5 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (various teen gender & sexual identities mentioned, two characters kiss on page); Violence: PG (verbal threats, bullying, gaslighting, and destruction of private property at a party gone awry).

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Senior cheer captain Leah is planning on stepping down as leader of the pom squad to better focus on her future. She has to decide which member of the pom team is the best fit for her replacement. But things don’t go according to plan, and the future of the pom team is uncertain unless Leah can recover her broken relationships and her own sense of self.

This graphic novel is a queer light fantasy teen drama retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear. It’s helpful to know the original plot, but not necessary for enjoying this version. King Lear is not my favorite Shakespearean drama, so I was interested to see how the authors were not only going to incorporate the original storyline, but also make the stakes feel real for teenagers. There aren’t many teens that identify with an old delusional king character, but by golly, they did it for this book. The novel features a diverse cast, with characters showcasing gender and sexuality across the LGBTQIA spectrum and representing various races.

Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

Fledgling by S.K. Ali, - ADVISABLE

Fledgling by S.K. Ali, 544 pages. Kokila, 2024. $20

Language:  PG (8 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (off-page sex implied); Violence: PG-13 (torture, bloody injuries, and bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO:  SEVERAL

Upper Earth claims to want peace and unity and Lower Earth claims to want the same but with transparency, honesty and equality. The rebels believe Upper Earth wants to oppress Lower Earth even more than it has been for decades. 16yo Raisa is betrothed to Lein; Raisa has been raised in Lower Earth and Lein was raised in Upper Earth and they’ve been betrothed by their parents to bring the division together. 19yo Nada and Nayf are twins released from prison and they want to protect Raisa, even though Lein is their cousin. Musaid is Lein’s friend and he and Nada are in love. Their lives entwine and the danger builds while political intrigue and untrustworthy rulers cause havoc. Will the five survive?

Ali’s story is a complex fantasy in a dystopian world. The author develops the characters well. There are many characters to keep track of but the author paces the introductions well to help with keeping track of each one.

The ethnicity includes brown skin, dark brown skin, and olive hued skin.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

The Queens' English by Chloe O. Davis - OPTIONAL

The Queens' English: The Young Readers’ LGBTQIA+ Dictionary of Lingo and Colloquial Phrases by Chloe O. Davis, 448 pages. NON-FICTION. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster), 2024. $20.

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG-13 (the definitions that deal with sexual identity & expression are labeled as “may be considered mature,” a handful of illustrations depicting people in queer relationships kissing, and a handful of definitions that reference genitals in an clinical way); Violence: PG (references to anti-queer phobias and hate crimes and bullying)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

The young readers' edition of "The Queens' English" offers an engaging exploration of LGBTQIA+ language, culture and history, through a comprehensive glossary of terms and phrases. It educates readers on the diverse spectrum of identities and expressions within the community. The book uses colorful illustrations and accessible explanations to foster understanding and inclusivity, specifically focused on young audiences.

I enjoyed reading this book and found it to be an informative resource. The book's vibrant illustrations and engaging design make it visually appealing and accessible. However since it is formatted as a dictionary, it is not really intended to be read in a single sitting, instead meant to be a book that students can reference when they have questions. In general, I think it does a good job of illustrating LGBTQIA+ language and usage, helping kids to have a better understanding of their own identities and their peers.

Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

The School for Wicked Witches by Will Taylor, - ADVISABLE

The School for Wicked Witches by Will Taylor, 256 pages. Scholastic, 2024. $8 (paperback). 

Language: G (0 swears, 0  “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (mild magic danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

10yo Ava has shown a spark of magic, so off she goes to the West Oz Witch Academy - where her demonstration goes terribly wrong.  Next thing she has been branded wicked and sent off to School for Wicked Witches! There she becomes so busy finding a way to escape, that she doesn’t notice that maybe the school isn’t so bad after all.  She is busy in pursuit of a dream - whether it is in her best interest or not.

Forget any connection to Oz - enjoy Ava’s story for what it is - a good witchy story that hopefully will have a sequel.  I forgot Ava was only ten until I was writing the review - I don’t think most students will notice either. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Hotel Balzaar (Norendy tales #2) by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Julia Sarda - OPTIONAL

The Hotel Balzaar (Norendy tales #2) by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Julia Sarda, 151 pages. Candlewick, 2024. $18.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL  

APPEALS TO: SOME

Marta lives with her mother in the attic room of a grand hotel where her mother is a maid.  Marta must only use the back stairs and must be as inconspicuous as possible. But one day, an eccentric countess with a large parrot notices her behind a fern and promises to tell her stories. She hears one story a day, and they are interesting but incomplete. Marta hopes eventually they will connect.

Short and nostalgic, The Hotel Balzaar is the 2nd book in the Norendy Tales series, which began with The Puppets of Spelhorst. There was no obvious connection between the two books, perhaps, like the countess's stories, it will all make sense with the final installment.  I'm interested to see how children respond to the stories, probably as Marta did, with a bit of frustration. I hope they have the patience to finish, I did and enjoyed it. Sarda's illustrations fit the mood of the book, and I loved the illustrations of the countess - she reminds me of Angela Lansbury. Marta and her mother are illustrated as white.

Lisa Librarian

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu - ESSENTIAL

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu, 516 pages. Candlewick, 2024. $19. 

Language: PG (1 swear 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: (Bullying, self destructive behavior) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

13yo Jake listens to the voice in his head. The voice tells him he's nobody, that no one loves him, that he's repulsive. Jake has an eating disorder and has become dangerously thin, so his parents have put him in Whispering Pines, a facility for youth struggling like he is. But even with medical, emotional, and psychiatric help, Jake has to want to change for himself. 

Oh my, John Schu's novel in verse is compelling, engaging, and hard to put down. I can't believe I read it in nearly one sitting. I loved his choice to tell the story through verse, I was turning pages quickly as Jake's anger and fear levels rose, and more slowly when things were calmer. I LOVED all the Broadway musical references, his complicated relationship with his parents, and his interactions with the other teens at the facility. A well-paced read which I highly recommend, it's not for everybody, but it should be for most middle school libraries. The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

New Powers Every 24 Hours (The Stupendous Switcheroo #1) by Mary Winn Heider and Chad Sell - ESSENTIAL

New Powers Every 24 Hours (The Stupendous Switcheroo #1) by Mary Winn Heider and Chad Sell. DOODLEBOOK. Alfred A. Knopf (Random), 2023. $14. 9780593427309

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO:MANY

Switcheroo wakes up one morning to find he has the superpower of telekinesis. He is so excited. He immediately wants to contact his hero, Vin Valor, and ask to be his sidekick. Switch's mom is away on a business trip and he has a robot for a babysitter. He slips out of the house to take on a supervillain to impress Vin Valor. Things don't go quite as planned. Then Switch finds that he wakes up every morning with a different superpower, some more useful than others. Switch tries to contact his mom and after several days decides something is very wrong. Together with some new unlikely friends, Switch works out a plan to find and save his mom.

A great superhero adventure chapter book that is enhanced by short, comic-style drawings mixed in with the text. It is fun to imagine having a new superpower every day.  The story is funny, fast-paced and entertaining. It will appeal to reluctant and avid readers alike. It ends on a cliffhanger so be sure to have all the books in the series on your shelf.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Max in the Land of Lies (Operation Kinderspion #2) by Adam Gidwitz - OPTIONAL

Max in the Land of Lies (Operation Kinderspion #2) by Adam Gidwitz. 352 pages. Middle Grade Penguin, 2025. $19. Language: PG (3 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Max is required to drink beer, also a woman is forced to take off her clothing); Violence: PG13 (Max sees some of the horrors of a concentration camp - minimal details, also German interactions with Jews are described) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

13yo Max has been selected for a special spy mission back to Berlin. He's willing to do almost anything to try to find his parents, which is crazy because he's a Jewish boy. His talent with radios comes in handy, for soon he's working in a repair shop and meets the right person who gets him into the broadcasting center (The Funkhaus) where he demonstrates his electrical genius and lands a job there! Just like his English spy team trained him to do. But what if he goes too far? What if someone finds out who he really is, and where are his parents? 

I loved this spy story, but I'm not sure the intended audience has the background knowledge to understand what's really going on - Gidwitz puts Max in some remarkable situations - an audience with Goebbels, captured by German agents, and then remarkably gets away. No one seems to take Max for the child he still is. I wasn't too keen on all the political instruction and the deep looks into Nazi propaganda that Max (and the readers) were getting. I kept asking myself "does a 12yo reader really need to know all this?" It was a fascinating adult read, but I'm not sure it will be as exciting as "Max in the House of Spies" was. The magical realism is still there as well, the kobold and the dybbuk are still with him, adding a lot of the necessary comic relief. Gidwitz has included extensive author notes indicating who is real and who isn't and more info about the reals, as well as an annotated bibliography. Max is German and Jewish - nearly all the other characters were also German 

Lisa Librarian 

Answers to Dog by Pete Hautman - ADVISABLE

Answers to Dog by Pete Hautman, 236 pages Middle Grade Candlewick, 2024. $19.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Evan is merely going through the motions in 8th grade. Nothing seems to make him happy and his home life is less than stellar. Evan keeps to himself, and his parents are largely there in name only. One day a border collie shows up and follows him when he runs. Evan bonds with the dog while navigating problems at school and home. 

At first glance this is just another dog book, but it is told in alternating viewpoints, from the boy and the dog. The two voices make it seem more urgent and gives it some depth. There are themes of bullying and mental health, though the mental health issues are never really addressed. A sweet story of redemption and friendships, I found myself invested in it. Race is never specified. 

Michelle in the Middle

The Great Good Thing by Roderick Townley - ADVISABLE

The Great Good Thing by Roderick Townley, 224 pages. Atheneum Books (Simon & Schuster), 2025. $20.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A character in a book that’s been left on the shelf, Sylvie (12yo) gets discouraged from a couple of false starts. Everyone is doing their best, but their story is continuously interrupted. And then Sylvie breaks the rules and leaves her story behind, exploring a new world where she must save their newest reader, Claire.

At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the book within the book, but I ended up enjoying Sylvie’s story more than I expected. Townley illustrates how beautifully stories can brighten, influence, and change the lives of readers—and it’s fun to think about how our favorite characters might love us just as much as we love them.

Sylvie is depicted with light skin on the cover. The mature content rating is for mild sexual harassment and mild scary elements.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

A Study in Scarlet art by Julien Choy - ADVISABLE

A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes Manga Classic Vol. 1) art by Julien Choy, 205 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Udon Entertainment, 2025. $20.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When Watson is looking for a new place to live, he ends up roommates with the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes—Holmes is incredibly knowledgeable in anatomy and sensational literature, completely lacks knowledge in philosophy and politics, and is a bad violin player. Inspector Lestrade calls on Holmes often, and now Watson and Holmes are suddenly involved in a murder case!

Reading Sherlock Holmes is always a treat because of his method of solving mysteries with his incredible observations and logic. Plus, Choy’s manga illustrations of the story added another element of entertainment, seeing these familiar characters depicted in beautiful manga-style London and dressed in new manga-style clothes. In short, I loved every page of this book.

The majority of characters are English. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, partial nudity, mild scary elements, illegal activity, kissing, and mentions of polygamy and sexual harassment. The violence rating is for blood and gore, weapon use, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

By Fire: The Jakob Hutter Story by Jason Landsel - OPTIONAL

By Fire: The Jakob Hutter Story by Jason Landsel, 168 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Plough Publishing, 2025. $20.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Jakob Hutter had given up after seeing too many die while fighting for their beliefs. When Ursula runs into Jakob on her way to find the Anabaptists, Jakob regains hope in the God he knows. With the Anabaptists, Jakob finds a place of peace, but his enemies will not stop.

This historical fiction graphic novel brings mostly true events to life, inspiring readers with real examples of courage and determination. By using a visual medium, parts of the story are able to be told exclusively with wordless panels of illustrations. Landsel also includes extra material in the back of the book with text written by both protagonists and antagonists depicted in the book, timelines, maps, and more.

All of the characters are European. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, kissing, innuendo, and nudity. The violence rating is for assault, gun use, corpses, battle scenes, torture, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage by David A. Robertson - ADVISABLE

The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage by David A. Robertson, 192 pages. Highwater Press, 2024. $13

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Alex Robinson is 11yo and in 6th grade when his world is upended. He has to move from the rez to Winnipeg when his father gets a new job. Alex is worried he won't fit in. He is Indigenous, and even though he makes the hockey team, he faces racism he never had to face on the reservation.

This is book one of the Breakout Chronicles. The author is a member of Norway House Cree Nation, so he draws from experience. There is a nice balance between the racism issues and the plot. The hockey game descriptions are fast paced and realistic and even readers new to hockey will appreciate them. The print is small and the cover didn't do wonders for me, but readers will be well rewarded if they get past cosmetics. Alex is a member of Norway House Cree Nation.

Michelle in the Middle 

The Dare by Natasha Preston - NO

The Dare by Natasha Preston, 335 pages. Delacorte Press (Random), 2024. $13

Language: PG-13 (46 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (implied drug use); Violence: NC-17 (persistent bloody violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - NOT RECOMMENDED

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Marley and her friends live in a small town where everyone knows each other. Rhett, wealthy boy at the high school, continues his brother's traditions on doling out end-of-senior-year dares. If a student does not go along with his dare, Rhett will retaliate in very detrimental ways. Rhett dares Marley and her friends to drive down a back alley blindfolded. Sadly, the group takes the dare and an old man who lives in the area is hit and killed by their recklessness. They decide on a pact to cover up the murder. All their lives begin to unravel at this point.

Preston writes a suspenseful story which is hard to put down. She keeps the swearing under control. But, the gut wrenching conclusion will leave the reader sick over the poor moral ending. 

Although the characters are not identified by ethnicity, it is fairly apparent that Luce, her girlfriend, is Hispanic and her boyfriend, Atlas is described as having "dark skin".

MOMMAC

 

The Kill Factor by Ben Oliver - OPTIONAL

The Kill Factor by Ben Oliver, 368 pages. Chicken House (Scholastic), 2024. $16

Language: R (41 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

16yo Emerson lives in the Burrows, the poorest part of the city with her young brother Kester, and oblivious father. She steals money to buy food for her 9yo brother Kester, who is deaf and has genius level intelligence. She’s apprehended for starting a fire at the school she was robbing and she’s offered a deal - agree to participate in a competition where one contestant will receive money and status or she can go to prison for arson. Emerson doesn’t want to take the deal, but Kester talks her into it because it could change her life for the better. When she arrives, Emerson discovers forty-nine other competitors and the details of the games - gain the most social media followers to win, the lowest ranked person is sent to life in prison. The youth all have to participate in crazy and dangerous games or the poisonous capsule placed in each of their wrists will be triggered to kill them, one by one.

I enjoyed the descriptive surroundings and I felt suffocated when reading about Emerson being under the sand. Emerson has unconditional love and loyalty for her brother. The story is similar to Hunger Games and Squid Game. The ethnicity is mixed.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Lightlark by Alex Aster - ADVISABLE

Lightlark by Alex Aster, 448 pages. Harry N. Abrams, 2023. $13

Language: PG (1 swears, 0 ‘f');  Mature Content: PG-13 (touching, kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Isla leads the Wildlings and she meets all leaders of the other realms for a competition at Lightlark. Celeste is the Starling leader, Isla’s good friend, and together they want to break the curse that settles on every realm. When Isla slips and falls into the sea, King Oro saves her from drowning even though her death would be taken as a sacrifice for the realm to lift the curse; one of the realm leaders must die at the Centennial celebration to satisfy the curse.  Grim, the Nightshade leader, seems taken with Isla but she’s not sure if he’s sincere or conning her. Isla has stolen clothes to be able disguise herself as a woman from the other realms so she can enter their libraries and search for the bond breaker that can break the curse for everyone.  Her life is endangered at every turn as she tries to hide that she's completely powerless.  She has no idea who she can trust.

I love the beautiful descriptions and the variety of interesting characters. The author creates an amazing world and I didn’t want to stop reading. New and refreshing fantasy.

The ethnicity is a mix of fantasy people and different colors of natural skin tones.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield - ADVISABLE

Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield, 271 pages. joy revolution, 2024. $13

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (some kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Whitney Curry has just arrived in Paris for her senior year semester abroad to study theater. She has carefully created a color-coded map and a variety of lists outlining how she plans to see and experience Paris, but things don't start as planned. Her roommates are not interested in being friends, her assigned French tutor is grumpy, and her first time in the city on her own she gets lost. But slowly Whitney makes friends, falls in love, and starts to experience the real Paris without her map. Before she heads home, however, she has a few lessons to learn about love and life.

This was a fun romance in which Whitney learns a lot about herself during her first experience away from home. She falls in love with chocolate, Paris, and a great guy. It dragged a little in the middle but over all, a good read.

Whitney Curry and Thierry Magnon are black. Nora is white and Sophie is described as light brown.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian