Soulmatch by Rebecca Danzenbaker - SEVERAL

Soulmatch by Rebecca Danzenbaker, 496 pages. Simon & Schuster BFYR, 2025. $17

Language: R (123 swears, 40 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (passionate kissing); Violence: PG (gunshot wound and fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18yo Sivon loves her twin sister best friends, Vivi and Corah, who have helped her prepare to attend the institute to learn about her soul's past lives through the kirling process. Now it’s Sivon’s turn to attend the kirling and she arrives at the institute full of anxiety. Her mom has always told Sivon she’s hard to read and Sivon discovers why, as she learns more about herself and her shocking experiences from her past lives. When her soul identity is revealed after her kirling, Sivon has a new world of possibilities opened up to her. Vivi and Corah are there to support her every step of the way - even into the danger for all around her.

The more I read this book, the more I wanted to read. Unique story! More complex than I thought it would be when I picked up the book. The author expresses ethnicity through skin tones, but not through actions.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah 

The Lilies by Quinn Diacon-Furtado - OPTIONAL

The Lilies by Quinn Diacon-Furtado, 325 pages. HarperCollins, 2024. $20 Language: R (18 swears, 8 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Drug use and swearing); Violence: PG-13 (Psychological violence and disturbing events) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

 APPEALS TO: SOME

At Archwell Academy, secrets don’t stay buried—especially when they are among the wealthy and affluent students. When 17yo Drew, a nonbinary senior, transfers to the elite all-girls school to claim an inheritance tied to a mysterious legacy society called the Lilies, they quickly realize something’s not right. A girl is missing. Whispers of cover-ups, secret rituals, and hidden truths ripple through the walls. This book is told through multiple perspectives while the characters are in a mysterious time loop. The Lilies is a gripping psychological thriller about power, privilege, and what it means to belong. With themes of identity, justice, and the pressure to be perfect, this novel challenges readers to ask: how far would you go to protect your future?

I really liked the suspenseful parts of this book and how the author was able to blend dark academia and mystery genres. I especially enjoyed the multiple points of view and strong character development, although many of the characters really had me frustrated. I wished certain characters had faced stronger consequences for their actions. I found this book to be a slightly fast-paced and emotionally rich story that tackled themes of power, privilege, and identity with intensity and heart. However, I felt the time loop structure made the plot confusing at times, and that the pacing dragged in the middle. 

The main character is white. Other girls are white, Black, or Latinx

 Jessica Nelson Librarian CTHS 

Don't Cause Trouble by Arree Chung - ADVISABLE

Don't Cause Trouble by Arree Chung, 256 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Henry Holt Books for Young Readers (Macmillan), 2025. $15

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Ming Lee hopes to make a fresh start in middle school. But with the haircut his mom insists on and the thrift-store clothes he wears, things aren’t looking promising. His dad is also constantly reminding him to get good grades and stay out of trouble. Middle school may have started off awkward and painful, but Ming already has ideas for turning things around.

A warmhearted story about a boy growing up with immigrant parents. The story captures the challenges of fitting in while honoring family. Ming tries his best to make his parents proud, stumbling at times but never giving up. I really enjoyed both the story and the illustrations. Ming is Chinese-American

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin - OPTIONAL

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin, 388 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2025. $21

Language: R (22 swears,  4 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (mild danger, skeleton mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Faith is back at Every West, a hidden school for magical students for her final year, but this year she is branded a Red Stripe - dangerous. Since her best friend Sydney didn’t return from the journey into the forbidden woods around the school, nothing has been the same. While she is ostracized by the other students at school, the handful of other Red Stripes adopt her as one of their own.  With their courage and strength, Faith may be able to find the answers she needs and find the truth about the mysterious presence she felt within the woods that day.

While Elisa looks a tad young on the cover, she is a senior in high school. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Faith’s story and meeting the other Red Stripes. Less time is spent on explaining the magical system that exists in this world, but I didn’t miss it - Faith’s story was enough for me. I don’t see how there can be a sequel, but I sure do need to read the author’s other two books now.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Steel and Spellfire by Laura E. Weymouth - OPTIONAL

Steel and Spellfire by Laura E. Weymouth, 349 pages. McElderry (Simon), 2025. $20

Language: G (3 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kiss) ; Violence: PG-13 (dead bodies mentioned, one death with mention of blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

For five years Pandora has been working to be appointed one of the Queen’s Ingenue’s for a summer. While the other girls want the prestige and hope of an excellent patron with whom to tie their magic, Pandora has revenge on her mind. Pandora was bound when she was a child; her childhood and training was brutal and she barely escaped with her sanity intact. She is hoping that she can find and defeat her cruel patron at last - even if that patron is in the upper echelons of the kingdom.

The final confrontation is quite spectacular and well worth reading, but the rest of the book didn’t draw me in with any sense of urgency. I like Pandora and Weymouth gives us some great moments - there just weren’t enough of them to keep me going steadily. The magic system lacks any foundation. I do like that even though there is romance, it is not the reason for all of the action.

The characters all cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

The Executioners Three by Susan Dennard - MANY

The Executioners Three by Susan Dennard, 304 pages. Tor Teen, 2025. $20

Language: R (78 swears, 7 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (fervent kissing, mention of teens smoking and drinking); Violence: PG-13 (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12th grader Theo swerves to miss raccoons crossing the road. He stops to make sure the raccoons are fine but he is shaken by what he discovers. 17yo Freddie is logical and strives to find facts in all situations and when a dead man is found, she knows there’s an easy explanation and that the curse hanging over her community for centuries isn’t real. Theo and Freddie cross paths when Freddie calls the police after she hears screams and unknowingly alerts the police to a rival school's teen party in the woods. She instantly becomes her school’s hero and hated by the rivals. Weird events keep happening that can’t be explained away and Theo and Freddie get completely wrapped up in the danger and the curse!

An ominous poem at the beginning of the book lends to the creepy setting. Humor, charm, cleverness, strong friendship and the spooky vibe made this book fun to read and it’s a perfect YA book for getting into the Halloween spirit. I love the chemistry between Freddie and Theo. They’re from rival schools and have a rollercoaster relationship.

The ethnicity is predominantly white with side characters having different shades of brown skin and a Black girl.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah 

Deep Water by Maren Stoffels - OPTIONAL

Deep Water by Maren Stoffels, translated by Laura Watkinson, 222 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2025. $13 (pb)

Language: R (19 swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content:PG-13 (sexual assault implied) ; Violence: R (torture, drowning, punches, other death)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

A free ten-day luxury cruise - who can resist that? Not Vesper, that’s for sure. But if it seems too good to be true, it probably is and Vesper finds herself inside a nightmare. Her cruise is a hard life reality check for bullies. Everyone’s identity has been replaced by a number and they are being punished for each other’s crimes. Even when a death occurs, their captors don’t seem phased. Vesper wants revenge and answers, but she also wants to stay alive.

Stoffels’s premise is so bizarre that I had a hard time buying into it. But with The Hunger Games and now the new movie The Long Walk, this type of twisted book does have its audience. It also has some very questionable moments, ie, lack of exercise is a cause of bullying?

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

A Spell to Wake the Dead by Nicole Lesperance - OPTIONAL

A Spell to Wake the Dead by Nicole Lesperance, 352 pages. G.P. Putnam's Sons BFYR (Penguin), 2025. $20

Language: R (56 swears, 5 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing, vaping and drinking mentioned); Violence: PG-13 (gunshot, dead bodies found with missing hands)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Mazzy and Nora love to learn about harmless spells, especially living in New England. Their idea of spells being fun changes when they find a dead body with missing hands after casting a simple spell and Nora starts to feel the spirit taking over her mind. Nora starts changing and gets more and more interested in and pulled into the dark side of magic which seems to involve the body they found. More bodies are discovered with missing hands and Polaroid pictures of the victims when they’re alive are being left for Nora and Mazzy in random places. The friends want to solve the mystery and help the police but they’re being threatened and pulled into danger.

I like how the author sets up for the supernatural setting of the book. Tough issues are brought up with some of the side characters and I like how the characters help each other deal with them. The underlying cause of the magic, the Egyptian cult, added an extra element of creepiness to the story. A fun and spooky YA read! The ethnicity reads white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

The Blood Phoenix by Amber Chen - ADVISABLE

The Blood Phoenix (Fall of the Dragon #2 ) by Amber Chen, 464 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2025. $17 

Language: PG-13 (18 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 ( kissing and drinking); Violence: PG-13 (bloody deaths) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

20yo Ying and her fellow engineering competitors are called back together to help the kingdom fight off the pirates and stop the deadly attacks that are occurring. Ying and Ye-Yang haven’t spoken and they both continue to have feelings for each other. Ying isn’t sure if she can get over his past deception. Ying enjoys working with her engineer friends and wants to stop the pirates from killing anyone else. She discovers there’s more to the attacks and the Blood Phoenix than the rulers think and it puts her friends and loved ones in terrible danger.

I like how the friends from the engineering competition are brought together to help the kingdom fight off the pirates. The comrades work well together. The relationship between Ye-Yang and Ying is topsy turvy and adds to the storyline. I love how much Ying and her sister Nian care about each other. The ethnicity is based on Asian characteristics and mentions pearl skin and bronze skin.

 LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah 

Jax Freeman and the Phantom Shriek by Kwame Mbalia - OPTIONAL

Jax Freeman and the Phantom Shriek by Kwame Mbalia, 460 pages. Disney Hyperion, 2024. $18 

Language: G (3 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (bullying, physically fighting, peril, danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

After trouble at home in North Carolina, 12yo Jax Freeman is sent to Chicago to live with his grandmother and uncle. Almost immediately, he begins seeing strange things—and soon discovers he’s a summoner, descended from a long line of them. Thrown into a new school, Jax meets friends who share similar magical abilities and begins a crash course in his hidden heritage. But Chicago has its own problems. One of his new friends goes missing, the city’s five magical families are locked in bitter feuds, and the Freeman name has carried blame and suspicion for generations. Young and inexperienced, Jax and his friends must risk everything to find their missing friend, mend the rift between the families, and clear his family’s name once and for all.

A lot is happening here—between the world-building, the history of the magic, and the heritage behind it all, it was sometimes a lot to keep track of. That said, the magical adventure itself was great. Jax is a strong character; he makes mistakes, but he handles the chaos around him with humor, which makes him easy to root for. I enjoyed all of the train references and history. Now that this book has laid much of the groundwork, I think the second installment will be easier to follow. Some parts were explained in detail, while others felt a bit glossed over, but overall, it set up an intriguing start to the series. All of the characters are Black.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers by Angela Dominguez - ESSENTIAL

Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers by Angela Dominguez, 145 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Roaring Book Press, 2025. $20.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

9yo Gabby Torres is a 4th grade girl who wants to be the hero of the Sea Musketeers club. But she is the youngest member and struggles to feel like she is taken seriously. Her parents agree to help her create and manage a social media account for the club, but things turn mean when a negative comment is posted. Gabby suspects her friends and club members of trying to troll her which leads to hurt feelings and disciplinary actions. Gabby has a lot of growing up to do as she finds her strengths and learns how to be kind to others.

"Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers" is a wonderful story for elementary students showing how to be a good friend, stand up for what we value, and be a wise user of social media.

Gabby's dad has Mexican parents, so Gabby speaks Spanish and interacts with her abuelos, tias, and primos throughout the book.

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian

Of Jade and Dragons (Fall of the Dragon #1) by Amber Chen - ADVISABLE

Of Jade and Dragons (Fall of the Dragon #1) by Amber Chen, 480 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2024. $11

Language: PG-13 (17 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (gentle kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO:  SEVERAL

18yo Ying witnessed her father’s murder and she’ll do anything and everything to avenge his death. She also wants to be an engineer like her father. She disguises herself as a boy and enters the engineering competition in the capital. Her sponsor ends up being a prince and she’s completely surprised by this. When Ying becomes part of the competition, she’s also thrown into politics and danger. Will she stay her course and avenge her father?

The names of the royals were confusing at first. I like the dynamics between Ying and Ye-yang. The science fiction and engineering aspects were fun and added an extra element to the story. The ethnicity is based on historical Oriental culture.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian

Silverborn by Jessica Townsend, - ADVISABLE

Silverborn (Nevermoor #4) by Jessica Townsend, 588 pages. Little Brown, 2025. $19

Content: G (mild violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Did you know that Morrigan has family in the richest district in Nevermoor - that her mother was actually from Nevermoor?  Neither did she. And when she discovers this truth, she is so mad at her guardian Jupiter, that she takes off to live with her newly discovered family. And Morrigan is still continuing her lessons with Squall, even though she hasn’t told anyone about that. Her new family, though, has problems and secrets of their own. 

I love Jessica Townsend and I love Morrigan Crow. I do wish that the page count would stop creeping up from book to book - especially because there doesn’t seem to be an end to the series any time soon. I wish Townsend would go for a tighter narrative.  Only my most avid fantasy readers are going to pick this series up.  They will love it, but I think she could pack the same power into fewer pages.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A World Full of Christmas Crafts by Helen Mortimer and Joy LaForme - ADVISABLE

A World Full of Christmas Crafts by Helen Mortimer, illustrated by Joy LaForme, 63 pages. Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2024.  $19. 9780711293519

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Travel to every inhabitable continent and collect recipes, crafts, stories, and traditions to supplement or build your own Christmas celebration. The author has chosen simple ideas - nothing Martha Stewart-complicated here, so no one will feel intimidated. More a book for home consumption, as I hope most teachers don’t only concentrate on Christmas in December.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

All the Tomorrows After by Joanne Yi - OPTIONAL

All the Tomorrows After by Joanne Yi, 400 pages. Atheneum Books (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $20.

Language: R (94 swears, 25 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Sung, Winter’s father, left her with her mother and grandmother when she was a child and seemingly never looked back. A senior in high school now, Winter longs to run away like he did and is saving up to do just that, but then the stepmother Winter didn’t know existed shows up begging her to come see her father and unintentionally gets Winter fired. Winter is desperate enough to make a financial arrangement with her estranged father—how desperate is he for a relationship he turned his back on years ago?

Reading Winter’s story is painful because the weight of loss is something that we all understand. No matter how much she tries to enforce her protective shell of solitude, Winter cannot escape the pain of everything going wrong and losing pieces of her heart. To read her story is to recognize that every kind of loss and grief is painful and that it’s okay to allow yourself to not be alone, to allow yourself to make more connections despite the risk of more loss later. Her story cannot be described as enjoyable but it is worth it.

Winter is Korean American. While the book takes place in California, the majority of characters that Winter interacts with are also Korean. Melody is described as bi. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, mentions of drugs, illegal activity, kissing, partial nudity, innuendo, and sex. The violence rating is for assault, child abuse, and mentions of suicide.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner - ESSENTIAL

The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner, 368 pages. Bloomsbury, 2025 $18.00 Language: PG (1 swear, 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (injuries, animal attack)

BUYING ADVISORY:, EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

13yo Finn is in big trouble. He kicked over a large headstone in the cemetery, and it was caught on security cameras. The grave belonged to a woman who was a celebrated mountain climber. Her daughter wants to honor her mother's memory by dropping the charges if Finn will climb all 46 High Peaks in the Adirondacks over the course of the summer, and bring along the old woman's dog. 

The Trouble with Heroes is a special book. Written in verse in Finn's voice - he's also doing makeup work for both PE and ELA - we see an angry, grieving boy trying to come to terms with the loss of his father. I loved the connections he made and the how the mountains touched him. I was crying within the first several pages, and also crying again by the end! There was so much to love in between, and I'm going to try some of those cookie recipes. Finn is white 

Lisa Librarian  

The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood and Boyfriends by Jamie D’Amato - OPTIONAL

The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood and Boyfriends by Jamie D’Amato, 336 pages. Wednesday Books (St. Martin’s Press), 2025. $21.

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

Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan - SEVERAL

Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan, 400 pages. HarperCollins, 2025 $22. 

Language: R (15 swears 2 'f'); Mature Content: PG (reference to having sex, kissing) Violence: PG (peril, threats) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

16yo Nell has been hired at the big house as a scullery maid. It's 1846 and the Irish potato famine is killing all the crops. The rich British land owners are not affected, but all the Irish are starving. Nell's income is barely keeping her family alive. Lord Wicken's heir has recently moved into the Big House, 17yo John Browning who has his sites set on Nell. He's kind and sweet and they both realize that their growing love is forbidden. 

A realistic depiction of the poverty and death experienced by the Irish. The contrast between the rich and the poor was heartbreaking. Sarah Crossen's novel in verse is a nice love story with some real emotion, enhanced by the free verse poems. Although histrocial fiction is not a favorite these days, I think I can easily hand sell it as a romance. Nell is Irish, Johnny is British. Both are white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Benny on the Case by Wesley King - OPTIONAL

Benny on the Case by Wesley King, 288 pages. Paula Wiseman (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $18. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

11yo Benny has been in special education classes his whole school career. He has Mosaic Down Syndrome, which affects his features, but he doesn't have learning disabilities or the health concerns of other Down Syndrome children. His first day in general education classes is also Salma's first day at the school, she has just moved to Newfoundland from Seattle. Salma's heritage is Arabic, and she becomes another target of the bullies Benny is already avoiding. Benny's mom runs a Senior Living Center, and when some of the resident's belongings disappear and the police think it's the residents themselves (because they may have dementia) Benny and Salma - who loves true crime - decide they can figure out what's happening. 

Benny's Mosaic Down Syndrome seemed like a plot point, rather than it being a story about a neurodiverse kid. It felt convenient that his syndrome only manifest itself in his features, without the health issues, or learning or maturity challenges. Benny looked different so the bullies could prey on him. Also, Salma having cultural Arabic ties, including a name so many characters get wrong was also convenient to provide a target for the racist bully. The mystery was fun, I was so worried about Benny's mom and the old people, but I'm really troubled by the representation and wonder if I can recommend this title with these concerns. Benny is white, Salma is Arabic. 

Lisa Librarian 

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. - OPTIONAL

Flawless Girls by Anna-Marie McLemore. 279 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2024. $21

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

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

Scattergood by H M Bouwman,  320 pages. Candlewick, 2025. $19. 

Language: G (4 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG (farming accident) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Nearly 13yo Peggy is about to start high school, but is younger than the other 9th graders. Her friend Joe is a Quaker and volunteers working at a Quaker managed home for European refugees. Peggy may have her 1st crush, an older boy - a jewish refugee named Gunther, who doesn't see Peggy that way at all. Peggy's cousin Delia is very sick. Peggy is certain that the country doctors just don't know enough about Leukemia to treat Delia properly. 

There is a lot going on in this novel. Grief, family problems, religious differences, Jewish survivors, loss, and coming of age. The action and emotions really ramp up in the last several chapters, and I found I couldn't put it down. A tightly woven plot where every last thing connects for a very satisfying ending. Peggy is white 

Lisa Librarian 

The Diamond Explorer by Kao Kalia Yang - OPTIONAL

The Diamond Explorer by Kao Kalia Yang. 191 pages. Dutton Children’s Books (Penguin), 2024. $18

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

Wild Bird by Diane Zahler, 320 pages. Square Fish (Macmillan), 2024. $9 (pb)

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

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

Let’s Get Together by Brandy Colbert, 304 pages. Harper Collins, SEPTEMBER 2025. $20

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

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

The House Next Door by Ellen Oh, 192 pages. HarperCollins, SEPTEMBER 2025. $19

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

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

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

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

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

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

Girls with Goals by Clelia Castro-Malaspina - ESSENTIAL

Girls with Goals by Clelia Castro-Malaspina, 178 pages. NON-FICTION Quarto, 2025. $20 

Language: G (1 swear, 0 F); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Women have faced an uphill climb in the sporting world. This book reveals the history of soccer for women around the world and their hopes and triumphs and unfair setbacks. Unbelievably, men espoused that if women played sports it could damage to their fertility. 

Creative layout and colorful pages and pictures make the information easily accessible. This book is a good reminder of how far women have come in sports and how difficult their journey has been. Women from all major soccer playing countries are spotlighted, and readers might be fascinated to learn that it was actually against the law for women to play soccer in Brazil in 1941. I read it cover to cover and would recommend it to anyone who likes soccer, or is working to achieve their goals. 

Michelle in the Middle

The Shape of Lost Things by Sarah Everett - ADVISABLE

The Shape of Lost Things by Sarah Everett, 272 pages. HarperCollins, 2024. $19 

Language: PG (3 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

For the last 4 years 12yo Skye has missed her brother. Her parents are divorced and her dad ran off with then 10yo Finn. Skye and her mom celebrate his MIA birthday every year, taking a picture of Skye beside the cake. She hates it. But then, her mom gets a call. Finn has been located and he's on his way home! Skye is excited, but he's changed a lot. He's more than just older; Finn is different in other ways, too, like a scar Skye remembers is missing, and he doesn't remember games they played before. Skye isn't sure he's really her missing brother. 

Everett has created a well written story with lots of good twists and turns. I kept wondering if The Shape of Lost Things was going to turn into science fiction at some point. Maybe it's my age, but I had a bit of trouble with her using a polaroid camera and taking so many pictures. Are they different today than in the 70s? Seems like an expensive hobby. This is a book about relationships and loss and change. There would be a lot to be able to discuss with a class, particularly the changes in Skye's friend group - one of her best friends has recently become friends with the class bully and now treats Skye differently. A great upper elementary or middle school read. Skye and her family are black. 

Lisa Librarian 

A Song of Swords and Stuffies by Joshua Pruett, Jay Cooper & Douglas Holgate - OPTIONAL

The Last Comics on Earth: A Song of Swords and Stuffies by Joshua Pruett, illustrated by Jay Cooper & Douglas Holgate, 258 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Viking (Penguin), 2025. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

The Last Kids on Earth have to one-up Skaelka, who has written her own comic book. In order to counter her success, they have come up with villains from space who are so dang adorable that they make instant friends. When the cutie-patootie villains spread cuteness throughout Apocalyptia, the super heroes must try and stop them with The Mythic Sword of Destiny. 

Lots of action makes for a fast read. The cuteness factor is off the charts, as is the frenzied storytelling. There is a lot going on. My volunteer 11yo reader told me he thought the jokes were funny but that some of it didn't make sense. He gave it a three out of four ranking. I would concur. The art is fun and bright, but this is a one and done read for me. There are no specified races or cultures, but there are different skin tones on the superheroes. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Last Comics on Earth: Too Many Villains by Joshua Pruett and Jay Cooper & Douglas Holgate - OPTIONAL

The Last Comics on Earth: Too Many Villains by Joshua Pruett, illustrated by Jay Cooper & Douglas Holgate, 258 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Viking (Penguin), 2024. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Apocalyptia isn't just end of the world, it's comic books! Jack, Quint, June, and Dirk need to come up with a new comic book stat after their first one was a success. They decide to do a bigger, better comic book with way more villains, but it turns out that even tons of villains have to get their ideas from somewhere. The superheroes are on a frenzied dash to crush villains and the mastermind behind them. 

There is color and humor, but this book had so much going on that it became hard to follow. I felt like I needed ADHD medication. There were way too many villains, even though that was the plot point. I realize I am way older than the target audience, though they might be too young to get some of the comedic references. Younger readers will get pulled in by the art and fast pacing though. Though no races or cultures are specifically mentioned, the superheroes have different skin tones. 

Michelle in the Middle 

All the Noise at Once by DeAndra Davis - SEVERAL

All the Noise at Once by DeAndra Davis, 384 pages. Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $20.

 

Language: R (85 swears 14 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG13 (bloody fight, police brutality, taunting, football violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

16yo Aiden wants to play on his brother's high school football team, and it's finally the year they can do it. 17yo Brandon is a senior and the number one recruit in the nation, but when Aiden, who is a good player, but also has autism, has an episode at tryouts, it looks like the boys won't get to play together after all. When a spot opens and Aiden does gets on the team, some of the other players are unhappy, and resent him because they think he's only playing because his brother is the star quarterback. At a team party after a win, one player picks a fight with Aiden, which turns into chaos, the police are called and several boys on the team are arrested. Including Brandon, who as far as Aiden remembers, wasn't involved. But the police say he assaulted an officer and resisted arrest. Aiden feels this is all his fault, and is desperate to clear his brother's name and save his future prospects. 

There's a lot going on in this engaging, heart wrenching, moving story. Davis hits on racism, social issues, high school football, the legal system, and being a child with autism. At one point he confronts his coach with honest questions and anger about how he has been treated by adults - differently because he's black? because he had autism? because of his brother? Those questions don't have a neat easy answer. A good mix of black and white players on the team, as well as a gay couple. A nice companion to Come Home Safe by Brian Buckmire. 

Aiden and Brandon are black, many of the team is too, most are white. 

Lisa Librarian