Thursday, August 21, 2025
The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner - ESSENTIAL
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood and Boyfriends by Jamie D’Amato - OPTIONAL
Language: R (207 swears, 105 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Last semester at college was rough for Brennan, and he wasn’t sure if he was even going to make it to age 19, and now, after being hit with a car and coming back to life, he might be a 19-year-old vampire forever—though not a very good one. Going from being vegetarian to drinking animal blood was unpleasant, and then Brennan gets caught on his first attempt to steal donated human blood by none other than Cute Library Blanket Guy. Somehow, college just got a whole worse.
This fun take on modern vampirism includes social media and a hundred Twilight references, making the story light and entertaining amidst the very real challenges of mental health, family drama, and your boyfriend’s friends not approving his relationship with you. The love story was adorable, and the determination of humans and young, weak vampires to team up to thwart the big bad was just epic enough to fit the vibe.
Brennan is White and bi, Cole is described as having “light” skin and is gay, Marisela is Latina, Sunny is Korean and part of the LGBT community, and Nellie is Black and part of the LGBT community. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, drug use, illegal activity, innuendo, kissing, partial nudity, and mentions of condoms, orgasm, and sex. The violence rating is for blood and gore, mentions of suicide, assault, and murder.
Reviewer: Carolina Johnson
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan - ADVISABLE
Monday, August 18, 2025
Benny on the Case by Wesley King - OPTIONAL
Friday, August 15, 2025
The Phantom Academy by Christine Virnig - ADVISABLE
The Phantom Academy by Christine Virnig, 261 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2025. $20.
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
12yo Finn is dead. When he reaches the fork in the road, he chooses the lonely path through the woods and finds himself at the Phantom Academy - a school for new ghosts to learn how to navigate the afterlife. Finn is desperate to get back to his family. When he learns that most ghosts hang out on the not-dead side, Finn convinces some of his classmates to help find the way.
Sometimes it is nice to have a ghost story that isn’t about the scares and hauntings. Virnig brings another dimension to afterlife stories and I hope she will explore further.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Flawless Girls by Anna-Marie McLemore. - ADVISABLE
Language:PG (7 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (stabbing, serious injury)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Being an Alarie girl opens doors. 17yo Isla and her 20yo sister Renata live with their Abuela, who has recently come into a fortune. Aware that new money won’t earn them respect in a world obsessed with legacy, Abuela enrolls the girls in an elite finishing school. Isla lasts only a day. Something about the school feels off—dangerously so. Renata, always the bold and fearless one, decides to stay. But when she returns home a few months later, she’s different. Her spark is gone. And then, without warning, she disappears. To uncover what happened to her sister, Isla must return to Alarie House. But the deeper she digs, the stranger things become. Why are the walls covered in gemstones? Why do the girls behave so recklessly after dark? What’s behind their bizarre transformations? Is it the teachers? The school? The house itself?
As Isla searches for the truth about Renata, she begins to uncover truths about herself—learning to step into her identity as an intersex girl and discovering strength she never knew she had."
I appreciated the central message about what happens to women when they’re expected to split themselves—only showing the polished, acceptable parts while hiding the rest. The story’s encouragement for women to embrace their whole selves, rather than conforming to others’ expectations, resonated with me. The metaphor of women as gemstones and diamonds was thoughtful and layered, reinforcing the theme in creative ways. However, it started to feel overused, appearing so frequently that it lost some of its impact. While some of the eerie events at the house were eventually explained, others were left unresolved, which made the ending feel a bit incomplete. The book had a lot to say, and while its themes were compelling, I felt the overall execution and resolution didn’t quite live up to their potential.
Renata and Isla are Latina
Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Please Pay Attention by Jamie Sumner - ADVISABLE
Please Pay Attention by Jamie Sumner, 240 pages. Atheneum BYR (Simon), 2025. $18.
Content: PG (school shooting mentioned)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
6th grader Bea has cerebral palsy. She enjoys school and life with her adoptive mom. All of this is threatened when a shooting occurs at her school killing a few students and her teacher.
The portrayal of Bea’s trauma is honest and compassionate. Readers will like to see Bea’s personality shine through the pages. There are unflinching portrayals of physical handicap difficulties, and other students dealing with anxiety or Neurodiverse challenges. A gay couple lives next door to Bea and she interacts with them frequently.
J. Smith, Teacher Librarian
Scattergood by H M Bouwman - ADVISABLE
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
The Diamond Explorer by Kao Kalia Yang - OPTIONAL
Content: PG (attempted robberies, drunk driving, bullying)
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Malcolm is the youngest American-born child of a Hmong refugee family. He struggles to find acceptance in the public school system and he collects the stories of his siblings and extended family. This is a philosophical journey to try and understand the lives of the Hmong refugees. It is painful to see them struggle to survive and succeed, and hold onto their cultural identity in a place that wants them to acclimate and adapt quickly.
“The Diamond Explorer “ is a window into aspects of the Hmong culture and the experiences of refugees. I found this style too stylized to be easily understood by younger children. Therefore, I suggested it for middle or high school readers instead.
J. Smith, Teacher Librarian
Wild Bird by Diane Zahler, - OPTIONAL
Content: PG (many plague deaths, imprisonment, burning at the stake lightly described)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Rype is what she is known as now. The only survivor of the plague in a Norwegian village, she is now on a trader’s boat on its way to England. When the plague comes on board and kills the captain, though, Rype and the captain’s son escape to a random shore, rather than waiting to be murdered by the mutinous first mate. Now they must walk their way through a Europe savaged by the plague, hoping to find kind souls to help them along the way.
Rype’s age is not specified, but she is probably 11? 12? Zahler has masterfully tackled a subject that is hard to get students interested in - historical fiction is not an easy sell. I personally loved this and I know other adult readers will also empathize - but you will only have a handful of students who will read it on their own.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Earth’s Biggest Show-offs by Andy Seed and Sam Caldwell - ADVISABLE
Earth’s Biggest Show-offs by Andy Seed, illustrated by Sam Caldwell, 63 pages. NON-FICTION. Happy Yak (Quarto), 2025. $20. 9781836000105
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Seed and Caldwell take us on a journey around the world discovering natural wonders. Each one or two page spread has fun facts supported by lovely illustrations. Kids who love non-fiction will have a great time browsing the pages. Or a teacher could assign one page to each student for further research.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Let’s Get Together by Brandy Colbert - ADVISABLE
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
6th grader Kenya is all set for a fantastic school year. She lives with her dad and her grandmother and has the best friends. 6th grader Liberty, is not excited about starting another new school. As a foster kid since she was little, she has been in and out of many homes and schools her whole life. She loves being with her new foster mom, Joey, but school is always a challenge. When the two girls meet face-to-face, they understand why their schoolmates mistake them for each other - how can they have the same face?!
Colbert gives us a wonderful reimagining of The Parent Trap! No evil stepmother-to-be this time, which I heartily approve of, but we do get a camping trip. Colbert does a great job of updating the original - including a tender look at why the parents separated and that the lives wrecked by drug abuse. Only downfall - that cover does not do the book justice - I hope you can get kids to see past it!
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Monday, August 11, 2025
The Mystery of Mystic Mountain by Janet Fox - ADVISABLE
The Mystery of Mystic Mountain by Janet Fox. 274 pages. Simon & Schuster BYR, 2024. $18.
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Becca and her mom meant to go to a spa resort but mistakenly made reservations at a dude ranch in rugged Montana. Her parents are struggling in their marriage, while Becca is struggling to navigate friend groups and self identity. She meets Jon who is struggling with the death of his mom by trying to find the lost treasure of outlaw Pearlhandle Pete. They form a team and set out to solve the riddles left by Pete, but find themselves challenged by a visiting YouTube star.
“The Mystery of Mystic Mountain” shows young teens dealing with heartbreak and trying to find their place in the world. However, the serious questions are balanced by true treasure hunting adventure. Becca is shown to be smart and kind as she learns to be true to herself. Outlaws, ghosts, and long lost relatives make for a good read. Becca has a best friend, Ameerah, who is told by other girls to, “ Stay in her own country,” even though she and her parents are citizens.
J. Smith, Teacher Librarian
The House Next Door by Ellen Oh - ESSENTIAL
Content: PG (fighting against evil supernatural creatures)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Something bad lives in the house next door to 12yo Rory - something that hurt his friend Joey years ago. Admonished and guided by his Japanese grandfather, Rory has never stepped foot in that house again - and anyone who does move in, moves out fast! Then 12yo Jack and his little sister Mina move in and Rory feels compelled to help them avoid the fate of the others. With the help of the ghosts of Hazel and her brother Timothy, they may just have a chance.
Ellen Oh has given us a well-crafted, intense ghost story with hardy and creative characters. I love the page count - at under 200 pages, you can get a lot of readers. The Japanese (Rory) and Korean (Jack) cultures are well-represented, not just thrown in. But I wouldn’t expect less from Oh.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Sunday, August 10, 2025
All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson - ESSENTIAL
All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson. 181 pages. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2025. $18.
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
We meet Sage in her after school grief counseling group. Her best friend, Angel, was killed by a drunk driver while she was walking over to Sage’s house for her birthday celebration.
Renée Watson writes beautifully spare verses that strip away description and dialogue leaving emotion as the focus. Several times I thought to myself, “Wow! That was an insightful line.”
Sage lives in the Harlem area of New York City. She is black while her best friend is Angel Rodriguez. Other students also have names that indicate a minority group.
J. Smith, Teacher Librarian
AJ Torres and the Treasure of Captain Grayshark by Jose Pablo Iriarte - ESSENTIAL
AJ Torres and the Treasure of Captain Grayshark by Jose Pablo Iriarte, 190 pages. Random House, 2025. $18
Content: G (ghost pirates arguing)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
11yo AJ and his best friend Jayden have found a mysterious gold coin washed up on their Florida beach. Could this be part of the rumored treasure of Captain Grayshark? AJ hopes it si and that they can find the rest, because his parent’s diving business isn’t doing so well and Jayden’ may be moving because his mother has lost her job because of the economy. When the ghost of the actual Captain Grayshark also shows up in pursuit of his treasure, the boys enlist Andrea’s help - she is their own age and considers herself a ghost expert.
What a fun adventure! Amongst all of the pirates, ghosts, and treasure hunting, AJ and Jayden have a some very honest moments, where AJ learns that Jayden’s life is not about making AJ happy - a hard life lesson, but very well rendered. I haven’t read the companion novel, Benny Ramirez and the Nearly Departed, but I didn’t need to. Now I am looking forward to, I hope, more Iriarte ghost novels!
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Saturday, August 9, 2025
How to Lose a Best Friend by Jordan K Casomar. - OPTIONAL
How to Lose a Best Friend by Jordan K Casomar. 324 pages. MTV Entertainment Books, 2024. $20
Language: R (317 swears, 64 ‘f'); Mature Content: R (kissing, off page sex, sex dreams mentioned, sexual references, underage drinking, racial slurs, underage vaping, references to genitals); Violence: PG (fighting, bullying)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
16yo Zeke and 15yo Imogen have been best friends since they were children. Everyone expects them to get together as soon as Imogen turns 16 and is allowed to date. While Imogen deeply cares for Zeke and treasures their friendship, she’s recently found herself developing feelings for a new student, Trevor. At her birthday party, in front of all their friends, Zeke unexpectedly announces his feelings for her and declares his intentions—putting Imogen on the spot. When she rejects him, the backlash from their peers unfairly falls on her. Imogen is left hurt and confused, especially by the realization that her best friend seems more focused on what he wants than on how she feels. As Zeke struggles with the rejection, he begins taking extreme measures to try to sabotage Imogen’s relationship with Trevor, hoping to make her choose him instead.
This story, told in dual perspectives, is about a boy who mistakenly believes that liking a girl means she’s obligated to like him back—that his time and attention entitle him to something in return. Zeke is a good kid: he works hard at school and baseball, and he supports his family while his dad undergoes cancer treatment. But in chasing the one relationship he believes he deserves, he nearly ruins all the others that matter most. Fortunately, Imogen chooses to forgive him and encourages their friends to do the same. I appreciated the story’s message about the value of healthy relationships built on mutual respect and understanding—an important lesson for teens. What I didn’t enjoy, however, was the excessive and distracting use of foul language. Imogen is black, Zeke is black, Manny and Cara are Puerto Rican American
Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian
The House at the Edge of Magic by Amy Sparkes - ESSENTIAL
The House at the Edge of Magic by Amy Sparkes, 222 pages. Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon), 2021. $19. 9781665971874
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Young Nine is a pickpocket in a setting that feels like Victorian London. Nine steals a tiny house ornament that proves to be the cursed home of the wizard, Flabberghast. Nine brings in a letter that was sent by the witch who cursed the house, setting off a countdown to their destruction, unless they can find the missing magic words. Nine survives every challenge, solves every riddle, and discovers a home for herself.
The House at the Edge of Magic is a child pleasing magical adventure. The wizard in the pointy hat, the wicked witch, and the poor street urchin are literary tropes that are mixed with humor, deadly acid bat poops, and a little bit of scariness to create a story that races along.
J. Smith, Teacher Librarian
Friday, August 8, 2025
Outside by Jennifer L. Holm - OPTIONAL
Outside by Jennifer L. Holm, 240 pages. Scholastic, OCTOBER 2025. $18
Content: G (death mentioned)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Razzi and the kids have a huge mansion to run around in, but they are rarely allowed to go Outside. Ollie wanted so badly to be Outside and he died because of it. Razzie has always been the Oldest, the leader, the rule follower. But ever since she had her heart transplant, she has been a bit different.
While I had some fun with Holm’s latest, I was personally put off by the heart transplant and its source being the impetus behind Razzie’s changes. While ages are never specified, Razzie seems to be moving into teenhood, which should be enough to inspire her changes and actions. You should point your readers towards Running Out of Time by Haddix or Bodeen’s The Compound series
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Thursday, August 7, 2025
The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch - ADVISABLE
The Nazi Conspiracy: the secret plot to kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch, 384 pages. NON-FICTION. Scholastic, OCTOBER 2025. $20
Violence: PG-13 (Holocaust deaths and cruelties)
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL; ADULTS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
Everything about WWII was not set in stone - the Axis powers - America, Russia, and England - are not always on the same page. In fact, the trio could fracture if the leaders can’t meet together and iron out their differences and agree to a plan. Meanwhile, Hitler and his spies would give anything if they could take these three world leaders out.
Very interesting - especially for those who know a lot about WWII already. It is a LOT of book for a novice. Meltzer goes back into the origins of WWII to set the scene, which can quickly become unwieldy for a middle school reader - even many high schoolers. If you know you need this for a specific class, go for it. Otherwise, tell your teachers about it.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
The Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly - ADVISABLE
The Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly, 240 pages. Scholastic, SEPTEMBER 2025. $18
Content: G (mild danger, threats)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
12yo Lila’s life has been uprooted. The grandpa she never met has died and her family has relocated to Grandpa Clem’s Castle Inn to get it ready to sell. But something happens on the way there and now Lila can see ghosts? Teddy, the next door neighbor, and Caleb, Lila’s little brother, are there to help her figure out what’s going on - especially after Clem contacts her and tells Lila that he was murdered!
Great cover that should draw some kids in. The drama gets quite tense when the kids get close to the final answers they need - with the whole final being very satisfying. While I was annoyed by Lila’s tentativeness early on, she grew nicely.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS