The Unlikely Heroes Club by Kate Foster - ADVISABLE

The Unlikely Heroes Club by Kate Foster, 198 pages. Candlewick, 2023 (US edition 2025) $18. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

11yo Oli has been enrolled in 1 week course for autistic kids and their family called Hero Club. The kids learn about emotions and being friendly while the parents receive training in another room. Although Oli is initially reluctant to participate, the kids soon bond - over a dog they can see hiding in a derelict building near by. Maybe they can be real heroes and rescue the dog. 

I loved seeing Oli and the others grow a bit during the classes - I liked that they had homework and that 

Oli's family was so supportive. There was a parent who seemed impatient, almost embarrassed by their child, and it was good to notice that, while we didn't see what the parents were learning, there was some change there as well. I also loved that each child had an obvious strength, one draws beautifully, another sings and dances. Oli's character was smartly developed - I connected with him right away and cared about his choices. A nice book to build empathy or for an autistic child to see themself and others like them. Oli describes himself as brown. 

Lisa Librarian 

Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce - ADVISABLE

Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce, 336 pages. Random House, 2024. $13 (pb)

Language: PG-13 (44 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (light kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

After the dramatic break-up with her best friend and D&D group, Quinn is ready for a fresh start when her family moves to be closer to her aging grandmother. While she quickly finds a new group, she also finds a very cute, very enticing boy in that group - which also has a no dating policy. Try as she might, Quinn can’t seem to stay away from Logan.

While also connected to gaming like Dungeons and Drama, Quinn’s story doesn’t have the same emotional power for me. I was irritated by her dithering, which did not read as romantic tension. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Eyes on the Sky by J. Kasper Kramer - OPTIONAL

Eyes on the Sky by J. Kasper Kramer, 256 pages. Atheneum (Simon), 2025. $18

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

After her parents died, now 12yo Dorothy has been cared for by her older brother, who was recalled from duty in World War II. Dorthy’s fascination with science, especially outer space, has her at odds with her brother, who is trying his best to keep life and limbs, Dorothy’s limbs, together. When her weather balloon experiment gets caught up in a potential crash, Dorothy also becomes entangled with the federal government, who have secrets at nearby Roswell that Dorothy’s antics could expose.

Kramer could have given us an actual historical fiction book about life around Roswell in the 1940’s, but takes things step too far and out of actual historical context and into science fiction. While movies like the Marvel Universe sell well on screen, they do not sell well as middle grade books. I would have a hard time finding an audience for this one.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Framed! Crime Fighting Collection (#1-3) by James Ponti - ADVISABLE

Framed! Crime Fighting Collection (#1-3) by James Ponti. Aladdin (Simon). $30

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Ponti’s original mystery series has been reprinted in paperback with great new covers which help them pair better side by side with the Sherlock Society set. I like all of Ponti’s books - perfect for middle grade readers. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Study in Secrets (Last Chance Academy #1)by Debbi Michiko Florence - OPTIONAL

A Study in Secrets (Last Chance Academy #1)by Debbi Michiko Florence, 304 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2025. $18

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Since her mom died, 12yo Meg  tried to get her father’s attention by doing worse and worse in school, but this has only landed her in a boarding school that the kids call Last Chance Academy, for troubled but wealthy and smart students. Meg’s not really interested in making friends, but there are only 3 other kids in her age group.  When a mysterious invitation for a treasure hunt arrives, with a prize that Meg really wants, she is determined to be the first to the prize.

I was expecting more intrigue and excitement  - the blurb compares it to Only Murders in the Building.  Instead it is a puzzle-solving book, no blood or death involved. Fans of The Westing Game or Gollywhopper Games could enjoy this.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

This Could Be Forever by Ebony LaDelle - OPTIONAL

This Could Be Forever by Ebony LaDelle, 384 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2025. $20.

Language: R (129 swears, 7 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Needing to see her future college campus before she can accept, Deja (17yo) goes to the University of Maryland over spring break. After she falls in love with the city and the campus, she celebrates her college decision with a tattoo—and feels the first sparks of love with her tattoo artist, Raja (18yo). They come from wildly different family cultures and expectations, but, if their love could be forever, then it’s worth every battle.

LaDelle’s characters are not only dealing with the pressures of staying home versus moving out and decisions about college majors that will impact their future dream careers, they also have to choose whether their relationship is worth clashing with their loved ones over traditions and biases. As readers watch these characters navigate all these difficult decisions, they will see examples of self care and reprioritizing activities, including letting some go until a later time, and the importance of support systems and honesty. Maybe the decisions readers are facing aren’t exactly the same, but we have all felt the chaos of having to make difficult choices now all at once, and Deja’s and Raja’s stories illustrate hope for a happy ending for each of us.

Deja and her family are Black, Raja and his family are Nepali, and there are characters whose families are from Sri Lanka and the Dominican Republic. A couple side characters are mentioned as being part of the LGBT community. The mature content rating is for alcohol use (including underage drinking), kissing, mild innuendo, and mentions of drugs, menstruation, and sex.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The House No One Sees by Adina King - OPTIONAL

The House No One Sees by Adina King, 295 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2025. $20

Language: R (24 swears, 21 ‘f'); Mature Content:  R (mentions of sex for drugs, mention of rape, attempted rape, grooming, drug use); Violence: R (animal killing, abuse, neglect, bullying, death by overdose)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

A trauma narrative in verse and prose. Penny is celebrating her 16th birthday at the carnival with friends. When she gets a desperate text from her estranged mother, it pulls her into the difficult memories of her past. Penny grew up with an opioid addicted mother who could be kind and sweet, emotionally abusive, and neglectful, depending on her state of mind. She often had men of questionable character staying at the house. The story is interwoven with a fairy tale theme as Penny tries to make sense of her past to move forward with her future. 

Beautifully written, but it was hard to read about the difficulties Penny had as a result of her mother's addiction. Luckily, at some point, she was sent to live with her grandparents, who loved and cared for her. I liked the continued theme of fairy tales throughout the narrative. There was also a somewhat creepy metaphor of the house throughout. Some readers will relate to Penny's experiences.  Penny is assumed to be white.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

A Home For Unusual Monsters by Shaun David Hutchinson - ADVISABLE

A Home For Unusual Monsters (Kairos Files #2) by Shaun David Hutchinson, 288 pages. Random House, 2025. $18

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

With her ability to make others see her as she wants them too, Sam could be an excellent agent for Kairos - a secret agency that investigates mysterious happenings. Sam has been sent to the Griffin family, where the grandfather, Archie, a former Kairos agent, has recently passed away. Archie supposedly kept of monsters hidden all over the world and Kairos wants that list before someone else finds it. But as Sam looks for the list, she also learns what being part of a family could be, and she wants to investigate the strange family next door, even though she;’s been told not to. 

You don’t need to read the first book in the series to follow number two - I had no idea there was a  book #1. The cover is more appealing to upper elementary than true middle school readers, but the action will be satisfying for those that pick it up. I never caught a definitive age for Sam, but this being middle grade, she’s probably 12.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Give Me Something Good to Eat by D. W. Gillespie - ADVISABLE

Give Me Something Good to Eat by D. W. Gillespie, 259 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2024. $18

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kidnappings) ; Violence: PG (many dastardly creatures and some fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Mason knows there is something wrong with his town, Pearl - ever since his best friend, Marco, went missing on Halloween.  Mason remembers Marco, but no one else, not even Marco’s parents does. This Halloween Mason is determined to figure out what is going on, but his parents have saddled him with taking his younger sister Meg out with him.  Mason is mad that Meg is cramping his style until the moment he realizes that Meg is this year’s victim - how could he be so careless! Mason is determined to rescue Meg and find out the truth about the yearly Halloween-related disappearances, even if he has to find his way into the flip side of Pearl - an underworld ruled by an evil witch who uses the disappeared in a dastardly scheme.

Gillespie’s story is the right amount of dark and disturbing, with hope and sibling determination combined. What the witch does with the souls of the disappeared is downright creepy, but is nicely set off with Mason and his friends' heroics.  I prefer my horror with a positive ending.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Incorruptibles by Lauren Magaziner - OPTIONAL

The Incorruptibles by Lauren Magaziner, 386 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2025. $19

Language: G (4 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (some fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

After fighting against the children of the local evil sorcerers who rule their lives in Fiora’s small village, and then tangling with even more powerful sorcerers known as the Radiance, fiora and her uncle are running for their lives with the aid of a group of Incorruptibles - a technology-focused group whose goal is force the sorcerers from power. Fiora is given a chance to become an Incorruptible, or Inc, but because she started late, even her own squad are slow to welcome her. Then it seems that someone is feeding information to the Radiance - and Firoa will go to great lengths to prove her own innocence and catch the culprit.

I only rated Magaziner’s book as OPTIONAL, because it is awfully long, especially as it reads more for upper elementary, rather than middle school. Your voracious fantasy will love it. 

The characters cue white. A trans character mentioned.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

 

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan - ADVISABLE

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan, 356 pages. Putnam (Penguin), 2025. $20

Language: R (10 swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Jolie has always known that her grandfather was special among the Vietnamese seers in her close knit community. Ever since the bizarre incident at a swim meet a year ago, however, Jolie has been ostracized by her best friends and the larger school community. When she saves the life of Huong, the school It girl, however, things start to look up. Huong reveals to Jolie that her grandfather’s powers are directly related to Jolie’s incident - that the two girls are actually reincarnated Vietnamese dragon goddesses and that this is their chance to reclaim their powers and save the world from their scheming brothers, who have  continued to kill them through the ages. 

Bear with me - I know the summary sounds a bit bizarre, but Phan has done a terrific job of unfolding the story bit by bit and never letting us know more than Jolie does.  Phan weaves the story in a way that keeps you reading - especially as deeper forces are at play in several different ways. It is refreshing to have a book about a cultural history and mythology that doesn’t rely on love triangles to further the story. I found this article that shows the history of the sisters. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents by Nicki Pau Preto - ADVISABLE

The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents by Nicki Pau Preto, 345 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2024. $19

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (mild danger, magical fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

With frequently absent parents, 12yo Lavinia (Vin) Lucas has been going to different magical boarding schools, but has been kicked out of everyone when chaos erupts around her as she loses control of her powers - even though she doesn't know exactly what those powers are.  Her last hope, before she is kicked out of the wizarding community, is the Last Chance Academy. Vin really wants to make this school work: she has made some tentative friendships and she may have found a teacher who understands her powers.  But chaos is still following her - it might be her powers, but some of it may also be a malicious wizard using Vin to his own ends.

I love a good wizard school book - all the way back to Jane Yolen’s Wizard’s Hall - and Pau Preto rises to the challenge. The adventure is fast paced, with early hints for the reader to know and the characters to find out.  Also includes a great epilogue, setting up the sequel. The characters read white, which is a little disappointing - I would have loved to see a little variety from different world magic systems.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Age of Enchantment (Chronicles of Whetherwhy #1) by Anna James - ADVISABLE

The Age of Enchantment (Chronicles of Whetherwhy #1) by Anna James, 282 pages. Penguin, 2024. $10 (pb)

Language: G (0 swears, 0  ‘f’); Mature Content:G ; Violence: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Spring Ember Day arrives - time for all 13yo’s to have their enchantment affinity tested - and Juniper shows an affinity for all four seasons - making her an enchanter.  Which means she is off to Thistledown Academy to learn to use her powers responsibly - though it means leaving behind her family, especially her twin, Rafferty. Rafferty follows her, unknowingly putting himself into the path of a secret society which has found a way to steal and use the powers of enchanters like his sister. 

Anna James has started another exciting fantasy series! I was drawn into the story, so I spent more time at each sitting than I originally thought I would - very pleased. I’m happy to add this and recommend it  to my fantasy lovers.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

After My Brother Sam (sequel to My Brother Sam is Dead) by James Lincoln Collier - OPTIONAL

After My Brother Sam (sequel to My Brother Sam is Dead) by James Lincoln Collier, 144 pages. Scholastic, APRIL 2026 $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, kidnapped by soldiers, gang violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Continuing almost immediately after Sam is killed, Timmy tries to help his mother keep the Tavern going. But every time he goes to buy supplies, he's waylaid and robbed by British soldiers, American soldiers, even a band of children in New York. It's all they can do not to starve. When soldiers come to the tavern, they even take whatever they want. A girl, Becky, joins Timmy on his journey back from New York, but she becomes more hinderance than help. With both Father and Sam gone, things looks pretty hopeless. 

Wow. I was excited to see a sequel 50 years after the original was published, but surprised to see it was very short, less than 150 pages and was pretty much a description of one problem after another, with no good things happening to balance the misery. Timmy gets captured by soldiers on more then one occasion and always seems to get away, his mother never seems to leave the Tavern and doesn't try very hard to keep him from leaving, too, sending him on fruitless shopping expeditions and letting him "rescue" people, which never turns out well. I honestly didn't see the point in this sequel. Maybe it gave Timmy and his mom some closure? 

Timmy is white and American, but not on either side of the conflict. 

Lisa Librarian 

Pretty Furious by E. K. Johnston - OPTIONAL

Pretty Furious by E. K. Johnston, 206 pages. Dutton Books (Penguin), 2024. $19

Language:  R (41 swears, 14 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG (vandalism, destruction of property, bullying)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO:  SEVERAL

It all started on Maddie's 17th birthday. She made a wish, and her four friends helped her fulfill it. Then Jenny, Mags, Louise, and Jen, each in turn on their 17th birthdays, made a wish of their own. In a small town in Ontario, Canada, five girls with good girl social capital decide to right the wrongs they see. Only they choose to hand out justice in their way. they do it secretly to help someone else, and no one finds out who did it. The first wish is property damage to protest the new memorial to the unborn child. The next four wishes include slander, enforced detention, vandalism, and blackmail. The girls feel justified in their actions because the town they grew up in did not protect them as it should have from abuses of power, ignorance, and pain. 

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. It was fun to see how five best friends navigated senior year, family, and friendship. I understand the girls' desire to right wrongs, but destroying property and the lives of others might not be the best way to go about it.

All five girls are assumed to be white.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

The Kid by Jeff Schill - ADVISABLE

The Kid by Jeff Schill, 230 pages. Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2024. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears o 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (outlaws, jailbreak with guards killed, the Kid besting bad guys, shootings, but mostly in the feet or legs - violence is there, but it's not gory or graphic.) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

14yo Henry is now the man of the family. Keeping a farm going in the 1880s in Destiny, Colorado is a difficult thing for a grown man, but with Pa and Ma both dead, Henry is desperate to keep himself and his three younger brothers together, and on the farm. Everyone has jobs, and Henry has a plan. His ma taught him to write, and so he invents a gunslinger, called "The Kid" and sends escapades to a magazine in Philadelphia that pays for stories by the word. Soon, everyone thinks The Kid is real, including the outlaw Snake-Eye Sam, who is determined to prove he's a faster gun than the kid and is determine to find him and kill him. Also, his editor from Gunslinger Magazine travels out west to find "The Kid" too. It's been a couple of months since he's received a story, and the managing editor is anxious. 

The Kid was a really fun western with all the frills: poor farmers, an old sheriff, a saloon that mostly sells sarsaparilla, outlaws, a damsel and a city slicker. I was worried because the multiple perspectives aren't happening at the same time but they do eventually come together. I loved the voice, particularly Henry's as his grammar is very Old West and gives the book a nice feel for the time period. Historical Fiction, especially Western themed is a hard sell but I'm willing to give this a try in my library. The main characters are white 

Lisa Librarian 

Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimienta - ADVISABLE

Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimienta, 254 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic Random House, 2025. $22 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Ave is 12yo when they and their 9yo brother move from Mexicali to Kansas with their mom. Ave has only half a family, since her father and older sister are staying in Mexico. Ave also feels like they only have half a language, since their English isn't the best. A new school, a new country, and new family dynamics make it hard for Ave to find a place to fit in. 

Even though Ave is nonbinary, the focus is on fitting into a new culture without losing your own. The author drew a lot from conversations about people's Mexican heritage, so the dialogue rings true. This would be a good jumping off book to discuss how students from other cultures feel about assimilation or preserving traditions.There are non-translated Spanish phrases that the reader is left to figure out through context clues that adds to the cultural authenticity. Though Ave's parents divorce, the ending is positive and Ave shows what it's like to work through difficult situations. A good companion book to Pimienta's book, "Twin Cities." Ave is a nonbinary Mexican. 

Michelle in the Middle 

On Thin Ice by Jessica Kim - ADVISABLE

On Thin Ice by Jessica Kim, 228 pages. Kokila (Penguin), 2025 $18.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Phoebe and Dax are twins. Both are skaters. Phoebe is a competitive figure skater, but when her partner tears his ACL, she will miss her final qualifying event. Dax has been on the same hockey team for the past 5 years. But at tryouts for the all-star elite team, Dax plays a practical joke on some teammates. A new kid is picked for goalie, and Dax doesn't make the team. Desperate to improve his skills and get back on the team, as well as earn some fancy skates the rest of the team wears, Dax agrees to be Phoebe's new partner. 

I love that On Thin Ice is told in alternating perspectives - Phoebe's and Dax's. Although there isn't hockey action, boys will enjoy this as much as girls. The cover picture makes it look like a romance, and while there is a little bit of match making and a crush, it's a family story, about grieving for their father who died and learning to help each other. Jessica Kim seems to make her characters 12 when they could easily be 13 or 14. I hope the suggested readership of 9-12 doesn't turn off the older readers, or prevent Jr. high librarians from purchasing. The Bae family is Korean. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Flip Side by Jason Walz - ADVISABLE

The Flip Side by Jason Walz, 298 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Rocky Pond Penguin, 2025. $18. 

Language: PG (8 swears, 0 F); Mature Content: PG (death, cutting); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Theo loses his best friend to cancer and his his world turns upside down. Literally. In this Flip Side, houses are upside down and he has to navigate this foreign place alone, excpept that there is a presence there that he has to escape. This presence tells him all the the horrible things he's thinking, but it threatens to destroy him unless he can get away. Theo finds help with a snarky but troubled girl named Emma, who has been there longer than he has. Together they try to find a way out. 

The art is well done and in dark tones, reflecting the grief and despair of the book. The thoughts the monster in the book sends to Theo and Emma are the despairing thoughts that teens experience all too often, so it will resonate with many. The book explores the death of a friend and how to take on grief and depression, if only a baby step at a time. Intriguing plot premise that the author draws from his own loss for. If you haven't gone through loss, it will build empathy, and if you have, you can relate. Theo is Latino, his friend Black, and Emma, White. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Practical Rules for Cursed Witches by Kayla Cottingham - OPTIONAL

Practical Rules for Cursed Witches by Kayla Cottingham, 432 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2024. $20. 

Language: R (83 swears 10 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (kissing, some violent kissing, intimacy on bed sans clothing); Violence: PG (monsters, battles, hunting) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

17yo Delilah is an untested witch. Her family has been cursed for generations and Delilah wants to try to break the curse. So when the Witch's Council come to assign Delilah, before she can propose her calling, 17yo Kieran interrupts and invokes "The Rite of Mortality" asking that Delilah's calling be to break HIS family curse. Thus starts a quest, avoiding city guards tasked with capturing them, discovering many curses, and trying to break a centuries old curse put on the Pelumbra family. 

A marvelous quest, with lots of interesting sub characters, some only in the story for a chapter or two. The setting is steam punk, as they are traveling in an airship. I liked that witches were both male and female, and that the society was OK with same sex attraction. The romances are sweet. There's lots of action and danger, and the manifestations of all the different curses and magics is great. 

Delilah, Keiran and Briar are white, as well as LGBTQ+. 

Lisa Librarian 

Sweet Valley Twins: The New Girl by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Knack Whittle - ADVISABLE

Sweet Valley Twins: The New Girl by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Knack Whittle, 220 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2025. $22 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

A new girl has moved in down the street and she just might be the meanest person the twins have ever met. Jessica and Elizabeth struggle to give her a chance, and decide to bring her down a peg. Their plan involves deception and public humiliation. 

If you are fans, you will not be disappointed. The art work complements the book completely, and is easy to follow. The plot is engaging, and who hasn't met a "mean girl" they dream about getting even with? Nice moral that judging people prematurely is unkind without being up in your face about it. The latest installment doesn't disappoint. The twins are white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Sweet Valley Twins: Sneaking Out by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Claudia Aguirre - ADVISABLE

Sweet Valley Twins: Sneaking Out by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Claudia Aguirre, 204 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2025. $22 

Language: PG (6 swears, 0 F); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Johnny Buck, the hottest band in town is coming to Sweet Valley and it seems everyone is going except for Jessica and Elizabeth. Jessica is determined to go, even if her parents say no, so she hatches a plan to get money and sneak her way into the concert without anyone knowing. Elizabeth ends up taking the brunt of her sister's self-serving methods, especially when things start to go wrong. 

The twins are relatable, and their problems fairly universal. It is refreshing to see both parents in the picture, that are both intelligent and loving. The art work is engaging and just right for this series, helping to tell the story and capture the twins' different personalities. There is just enough tension to keep the reader engaged and this will be a one sitting book for most. For fans of the series, this is a must read. Jessica and Elizabeth are both white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Secret of Honeycake by Kimberly Newton Fusco - OPTIONAL

The Secret of Honeycake by Kimberly Newton Fusco, 368 pages. Random House, 2025 $18. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

11yo Hurricane is living with her rich Aunt Claire as her parents have passed (her father during WWI and her mother in 1930 from Tuberculosis), her older sister Bronte also has TB and is being treated. Hurricane is very shy, and Aunt Clair isn't having it. She insists Hurricane improve herself, become better educated, speak properly and behave more like a young lady. But Hurricane's sweetness, and quiet strength, as well as a kind butler - Mr. Keats, helps Aunt Claire soften, and soon Hurricane is finding her voice. 

A dear story, I would have loved it as a child, I'm just not sure today's readers will feel the same. They are far from the great depression and even further from WWI. There's a boy who befriends Hurricane, he's pretty much on his own selling things from door to door, and soon even rich Aunt Claire finds herself selling prized possessions to support herself. It's mostly a slice of life - no adventure, not much trouble (taming a feral cat), worrying about her sick sister, but there's not enough information about how sick Bronte is for the reader to care. The characters are white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Karate Prom by Kyle Starks - OPTIONAL

Karate Prom by Kyle Starks, 170 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL First Second (Macmillan), 2024. $18.

Language: PG (3 swears, 0 F); Mature Content: PG (alludes to sex after prom); Violence: PG (total fightfest) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Don "TheDragonWilson" Jones, is a karate fighter. A really good one, until he gets knocked out of the ring by Sam Steadman, a girl whom he falls madly in love with at first sight. She has a super mean ex boyfriend, and he has a psycho drug cartel ex girlfriend, so the prom they attend together becomes a slugfest for survival. 

I liked the book more than I thought. While the plot is mostly kicking butt at a prom and trying to survive, the art is fun and engaging. The story moves along at a breakneck pace (literally) and the author must love drawing fight scenes. If there really was this much violence at a prom, dances would be banned in all 50 states. This is a fast read you will finish in one sitting. While race is not specifically spelled out, Don and Sam seem to be an interracial couple and there are many ethnicities drawn. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan - ADVISABLE

Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan, 110 pages. Nancy Paulsen (Penguin), 2024. $18.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Summer and her family are spending the summer on the Cree reservation in Canada with extended family. While there, she begins to have troubling dreams about a runaway girl from the old residential school near their reservation. The Indian residential schools cover are a dark time, where Indian children were often forcibly taken or kidnapped from families so that their heritage could be erased and they could be better assimilated into society. Summer and her cousin, Autumn, learn from their tribal community and survivors about their past and how to move on. 

Violet Duncan is Cree and has based her story on family history. The story covers a dark chapter in Native American history, but one that is important to understand. Culture and heritage come through in the writing, helping the reader better understand what Summer's family and others have gone through. This is a fast and engaging read that mostly focuses on discovery and healing. A great read for anyone who wants to learn more about history or Indian culture. 

Michelle in the Middle

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits #1) by Lisa Yee, art by Dan Santat - ADVISABLE

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits #1) by Lisa Yee, art by Dan Santat, 276 pages. Random House, 2024. $15. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY:, EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

When 12yo Olive is enrolled in "Reforming Arts School" a boarding school near San Francisco, she finds herself in a class of elite Misfits - a group of 5 preteens who secretly work for NOCK (No One Can Know), whose mission is "ensuring the safety of the community, guarding the possessions of the citizens, and preventing civil disorder." Each of the kids have exceptional talents, but Olive hasn't discovered hers yet. 

Dan Santat's illustrations are great! I really liked the storyline, and although, sending children after dangerous jewel thieves seems like a really bad idea, this group of misfits is up to it. The beginning of a 3 part series, I felt The Royal Conundrum stood on it's own, and wasn't bogged down with character building. A perfect adventure spy novel for upper elementary, and although the characters are young (one of them is still 10) the cool cover illustration will appeal to middle school and once they start reading will be hooked. The kids are mixed races and cultures. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Mythmakers by John Hendrix - OPTIONAL

The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien by John Hendrix, 224 pages. NON-FICTION Abrams Amulet, 2024. $25. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A walk with a Wizard (for Tolkien) and a Lion (for Lewis) through the life stories of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. From their difficult childhoods, their WWI experiencesand to their eventual fellowship at Oxford and their shared love of Norse mythology. It also reflects on the events that shaped their ideas and the worlds of Narnia and Lord of the Rings. 

Much like "The Faithful Spy" The Mythmakers is also a mashup of text, illustrations and graphic style storytelling. It has "choose your own adventure" elements where the reader can jump to another section of the book to get more information about literary subjects like Myth and Fairy Tale. Rated by the publisher as 10-14yo the vocabulary is difficult, the text tiny and it is a review of things I learned in college, including references to classical literature like The Canterbury Tales and Beowulf, and long discussions of Theology. This is going to go over their heads. I understood it, but I have a lot of background knowledge. Tolkien and Lewis are white. 

Lisa Librarian

Extra Large by Tyler Page - ADVISABLE

Extra Large by Tyler Page, 204 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL First Second Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2025. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Tyler is beginning 7th grade. As he does, he realizes he is bigger than his friends. To compensate, he changes last in P.E. and is first in and out of the pool. His friends are bullies, and Tyler goes along to fit in. Though he is afraid of being made fun of, he is sometimes cruel to others. Tyler's dad has the family eating more healthy and dieting, though they don't seem to be getting any more fit. 

Based on the author's experiences, Tyler's experiences are cringey. The bullying makes me sad. This may be a good book to show that being funny sometimes comes at a cost to others. Tyler discovers how to be comfortable with himself and not worry so much about what others think, which is a good message for middle school readers. The art is colorful and adds to the story, which is a fast read. Tyler is white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Sherlock Society: Hurricane Heist by James Ponti - ADVISABLE

The Sherlock Society: Hurricane Heist by James Ponti, 320 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2025. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

In book two, Alex Sherlock and his friends, who are members of the Sherlock Society, are days away from beginning another school year, when Hurricane Clyde puts down. While it causes some damage, it unearths the body of a suspected criminal mastermind who disappeared during a hurricane 61 years ago, when Alex's grandpa was a kid. Determined to find out what really happened, Alex and friends, together with Grandpa, join forces to solve the mystery of a robbery and possible murder. 

You don't have to read this series in order, although it may help. The characters are well written and I like that they team up with Grandpa, who can help make mystery solving possible, with his connections and ability to drive. Too often adults are left out of YA lit, so this makes the story more credible and charming. We get part of the story from the first hurricane in 1964, and then it picks up 61 years later. Anyone who has ever dreamed of solving a mystery will wish they had a crime solving grandpa to adventure with. The plot will keep you guessing and the ending satisfying. Alex may be white, but his friends come from diverse backgrounds. 

Michelle in the Middle 

How it All Ends by Emma Hunsinger - ADVISABLE

How it All Ends by Emma Hunsinger, 295 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Greenwillow Books, (HarperCollins), 2024. $26.

Language: PG (12 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (illustration of a classroom full of shirtless 9th grade boys) Violence: PG (sister fight involving pushing and kicking) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Tara learns at the end of 7th grade that she is skipping 8th grade and going straight to High School. Even though her older sister reassures her, Tara doesn't feel like she fits in, and worried the other students think she's a baby. The others who moved up with her are adapting better. Tara just wants to be in middle school again. High School is weird and scary. 

Tara has a great imagination, I love the games she plays with her baby brother, and Graphic 

Illustrations are a terrific way to present it. As a middle school librarian, I see a big difference between 8th and 9th graders, and I worried about Tara. There's so much more going on socially in High School - although she and her sister rode the bus together, they didn't connect at all during the day. I thought that was strange. All in all, a recommended middle grade read! Characters are white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Faker by Gordon Korman - ADVISABLE

Faker by Gordon Korman, 214 pages. Scholastic, 2024. $18. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Trey is a 7th grader. He and his sister jump from school to school around the country as their father is a con-artist, swindling Trey's friend's rich fathers into investing into non-existant schemes. When the "marks" catch on, the family disappears like Houdini. Trey has recently become a "full partner" so he feels more responsibility at his job of making friends with rich kids, but his 5th grade sister is jealous and thinks she's a partner too. Might her zeal and excitement ruin the family business? 

Gordon Korman writes another winner. Faker is a lot of fun, and seems to be a stand alone (which is rare these days). I loved the characters, especially Mr. Novak, the social studies teacher, and his lessons on ethics. Nice twists, too. No wonder it's always checked out at my library Characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Earhart: The Incredible Flight of a Field Mouse Around the World by Torben Kuhlmann - ADVISABLE

Earhart: The Incredible Flight of a Field Mouse Around the World by Torben Kuhlmann, 128 pages PICTURE BOOK North South, 2025. $22. 9780735845794  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A little field mouse discovers that there is so much more to the world beyond her garden and the limited view of her fellow field mice. She wants to fly around the world! She finds a learned old mouse aviator who helps her with her dream, and maybe, the little mouse can inspire Amelia Earhart's aviation career. 

The size of the book makes it a picture book, though the text can be dense at times, so not a picture book in the traditional sense. The cover art is so realistic, I neglected to see the small mouse, and thought it was nonfiction at first. That said, the artwork is breathtaking. The artwork tells a lot of the story. This is the fifth book in a mouse series that has been published in 30 languages. It's worth a look-see if only for the art and the theme of following your dream no matter how unlikely. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Looking for Smoke by K. A. Cobell - ADVISABLE

Looking for Smoke by K. A. Cobell, 402 pages. Heartdrum, 2024. $20

Language:  PG (21 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (some kissing, attempted sexual assault, death, grief, a fully clothed overnight stay with only kissing, sexual innuendo, drug use and addiction mentioned, on page underage drinking); Violence: PG-13 (murder by strangulation and gunshot, physical fights, animal hunting)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The summer before senior year four kids become suspects in the murder and disappearance of two classmates from the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. Mara is new to the community. She did not grow up on the reservation and is considered an outsider. Loren is the sister of the missing girl. Eli and Brody are friends with both the missing and murdered girls. The four will need to work together to solve things. Each of the suspects is dealing with complicated family dynamics, including neglect, drug use, and trauma. 

Cobell’s murder mystery/thriller is told from the alternating points of view of each of the four suspects, Mara, Brody, Loren, and Eli. The story highlights the Blackfeet people and their culture. It also brings attention to the issues of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Although some tough subjects are covered, it does not get bogged down. The story is a fast-moving, interesting murder mystery told from multiple points of view.

Mara, Brody, Loren and Eli are Blackfeet.

A. Snow, Librarian

 

Happy & Sad & Everything True by Alex Thayer - NO

Happy & Sad & Everything True by Alex Thayer, 255 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2024. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: NO

APPEALS TO: FEW

Sixth grader Dee is having  a hard year because she and her best friend Juniper are no longer in the same classroom and Juniper has been drawing away from her. Also, her mother came to parents day and accidentally, but without shame, exposes her underwear to the entire 6th grade. Dee has taken to hiding in the bathroom during snack time and one time a voice from the boys’ bathroom talks back to her and Dee doles out a bit of friendly advice. Then a couple of other kids ask for advice the same way. And then a couple more kids ask for advice in different places. But someone is out to sabotage Dee - in school and personally.  

I found so many of the premises of this book to be unbelievable - starting with communicating through the vents between the bathrooms - this means anyone could hear anything said in either bathroom. Then there is Dee absenting herself every snack period - without any questions from her teacher. Then there is the fact that Dee doesn’t seem to notice whether someone is absent or not from her own classroom, or whether that person has proceeded her to the bathroom. Please don’t waste your time or your students’ time.  The only thing redeeming about this book is the final confrontation in the principal’s office, which is handled very well.  But just start reading from chapter 29 to the end and call it good. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Hungry Bones by Louise Hung - ADVISABLE

Hungry Bones by Louise Hung, 328 pages. Scholastic, 2024. $20. 

Content: G (ghost present, but not the death and destruction indicated on the cover)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Molly has been getting “the zaps” since she was a little girl. “The zaps” meant that she could read bits of history in objects and feel ghostly presences. She and her mother have moved around the country, leaving when people start looking at Molly with suspicion. Their latest move is to her mother’s home town - unfortunately their home has  a resident ghost - Jade. Jade has been dead for over 100 years, and she needs human food to stay sane - or she turns into a hungry ghost - an evil spirit. Though Molly ignores Jade at first, Molly gets drawn into Jade’s story and decides she will do what she can to help her.

Jade’s story is not as evil as the cover would indicate. Besides the ghost story, Hung touches on the Chinese after life, reconciling with family, and getting a parent to listen to a child who deserves a voice and answers. Also includes information about how the Chinese were treated in the American West during and after the joining of the Transcontinental Railroad. I do think 50-75 pages could be trimmed from the story, which would make this more appealing to a wider variety of readers. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Rachel Carson's Wonder-Filled World by Kate Hannigan and Katie Hickey - OPTIONAL

Rachel Carson's Wonder-Filled World: How the Scientist, Writer, and Nature Lover Changed the Environmental Movement by Kate Hannigan, illustrated by Katie Hickey. NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Calkins Creek, 2025. $25. 9781662680571

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Rachel Carson always loved nature. Her whole life, she wrote about what she saw, heard, and felt in the outdoors. As a child, she explored the woods. As a student, she loved the Atlantic coast. When she got older, she combined her love of science, nature, and writing and published a book to try to protect nature and warn people about pesticides. 

The end pages include an author's note, biographical timeline, glossary, and information about how to be a naturalist like Carson. " The best part of this book is the pictures. The illustrations are colorful and dynamic. Every few pages there is a quote from Carson. I thought they took away from the narrative, and the language would be hard to understand for children.

Rachel Carson and her family are white.

Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist

Seasick by Kristin Cast and Pintip Dunn - OPTIONAL

Seasick by Kristin Cast and Pintip Dunn, 328 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2023. $19

Language: R (32 swears, 2 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (a few kisses); Violence: PG-13 (bloody murder, fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A few kids from Yatesville High School were selected to go on a yacht trip following their  senior year of high school. Once on the yacht, the murders start.. The kids are trying to stay safe, survive and figure out the murderer’s identity. The story is told from two perspectives alternating between Naya and Yana. They were childhood best friends who had fallen out. Over the course of the difficult trip, they regain their friendship.

Overall I really enjoyed the murder mystery. It was well written and interesting to see it told from two points of view. There are several bloody murders. The book addresses some class issues: most of the students are wealthy, while Naya and Yana are scholarship students. There was a regular gossip social media post that usually had unkind things to say about some of the kids.

Naya is biracial and Yana is Thai-American.

Claire S., 11th grade student

Deep Water by Jamie Sumner - ESSENTIAL

Deep Water by Jamie Sumner, 213 pages. Atheneum BYR (Simon), 2024. $18

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Tully's life revolves around swimming. She wants to break the record for the youngest person to complete the "Godfather" swim, a 12 miles swim across Lake Tahoe. So with her best friend Arch as her support crew, she sets out early one morning without telling her father. She hopes her mother will hear of her accomplishment and it will be enough for her to want to come home. The swim starts off well. But alone with her thoughts Tully begins to think about all that she has lost recently.   One of the greatest risks in a long distant swim is allowing your thoughts to bring you down. Tully must confront her feelings about her mother leaving and keep pace in order to reach the shore before her father notices she is not at home. But when a storm rolls in, Tully has to decide if she will risk both her life and Arch's or call it quits.

A beautifully written novel in verse told through flash backs of memories alongside descriptions of the current conditions of the swim. I liked the perspective of a child struggling to cope with and understand a parent's mental health issues. Tully still loves her mother. But she is also struggling with how her mother's choices are affecting her. Fast paced. I had a hard time putting it down.

Tully and Arch present white.

A. Snow, Librarian

Safiyyah's War by Hiba Noor Khan - ADVISABLE

Safiyyah's War by Hiba Noor Khan, 336 pages. Allida, HarperCollins, 2023. $20. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Nazi soldiers, threats, arrests, children in peril) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

11yo Safiyyah lives with her family in Paris. Her father is one of the leaders of the Grand Mosque. When Hitler's army invades the city and Jews are arrested, abused and sent away, Safiyyah's father and other leaders help provide identification and safe passage for Jewish people fleeing Paris. But when the Nazi's suspect the men might be up to something, Safiyyah volunteers to help the Resistance. Afterall, who would suspect a little girl? 

Oh, historical fiction is such a hard sell these days, but Safiyyah's War is a beautiful story and I hope it's Beehive Book Award consideration helps boost readership. I love that she's aware of how dangerous her deliveries are, and understands the intensity of her interactions with soldiers. I was often on the edge of my seat. Based on real events during WWII, I'm sure there were children who, like their parents resisted the occupations and helped where they could. The characters are Muslim. 

Lisa Librarian 

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce - ADVISABLE

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce. 293 pages. Penguin, 2024. $12 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

16yo Riley is in trouble with her parents, she took her mom's car without asking and drove - without a license - out of town to see Waitress with her best friend Hoshiko. Now she's grounded for 8 weeks and must work at her dad's gaming store after school. Nathan also works there, she knows him from school, but he's not a theater kid, he's a D&D player, so they aren't friends. But when her ex suggests she's unable to find a new boyfriend, and the girl Nathan likes doesn't seem interested, the 2 decide to fake-date to make Sophie and Paul jealous. 

I think guys would like this darling romance, too. There's a bunch of Dungeons and Dragons play, and Boyce doesn't make the boys hopeless nerds. Riley's love of theater is fun with tons of Broadway references. The romance is slow and, while predictable, builds to a great ending. The main characters are white, their friends are multi cultural and include a gay couple. 

Lisa Librarian 

Wires Crossed by Beth Fantaskey - ADVISABLE

Wires Crossed by Beth Fantaskey, 240 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Clarion, 2024. $25. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

For the last few summers, 12yo Mia went to a robotics camp. She has made a friend their, Tariq, and the two are amazing scientists together. Then, when Mia learns that Tariq is moving from San Diego to where she lives (their moms will work at the same place) she is so excited to see him year round and go to school with him. But when he arrives, he looks different - school year Tariq is cooler and cuter, and since camp Mia has changed too. Their chemistry at camp might be gone forever 

A fun graphic novel - the crowd who likes the Click series will also enjoy Wires Crossed. I felt like the dialogue was forced and awkward as Fantaskey was setting up the story and introducing characters, but once the story got rolling, that was no longer an issue. I loved the illustrations, The drama was perfect without anyone being mean. Mia and her friends are a mix of races and cultures. 

Lisa Librarian