Ken Jennings' Junior Genius Guides: Greek Mythology by Ken Jennings and Mike Lowery - ADVISABLE

Ken Jennings' Junior Genius Guides: Greek Mythology by Ken Jennings, illustrated by Mike Lowery, 162 pages. NON-FICTION Simon Spotlight (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $20 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

All the interesting tidbits of Greek Mythology rolled into one book. From the birth of the Gods to the heroes, monsters, and quests, this book has it all. Plus it has some quizzes and activities that go along with the reading, 

One of the most engaging ways to discover Greek mythology. Easy to digest segments and great facts. I read it cover to cover even though I know a lot about the subject because it was so entertaining, The Greeks put the fun in dysfunctional families. This is a nice size book, and the illustrations are fun 

Michelle in the Middle 

Zodiac Rising by Katie Zhao - ADVISABLE

Zodiac Rising by Katie Zhao, 392 pages. Random House, 2024. $20

Language: R (23 swears, 1 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody death, murder, sword fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO:  MANY

During the Second Opium War in 1860, British soldiers attacked and looted China’s Summer Palace, stealing five of the twelve zodiac statues. Their theft unleashed a curse, stripping the twelve guardian families of their ancient magic. Generations later, the descendants of those families have taken refuge in Manhattan, hidden away at an elite boarding school. When the lost statues resurface—and a student is murdered—a group of four must embark on a perilous quest to reclaim what was stolen from them, break the curse, and avenge their friend. The crew includes 17yo Alice, a 17-year-old mortal with mysterious abilities; Evangeline, a vampire; Nicholas, a shape-shifting fox spirit; and Tristan, a werewolf.

This book has a lot going for it—history, Chinese mythology, supernatural beings, ancient magic, and an epic quest. All of this is woven together with themes of grief, pride, rivalry, and vengeance. I loved the plot twists! However, I didn’t quite understand why immortal beings over 150 years old would willingly keep attending high school every day. The story also ended on a cliff hanger. I’ll definitely need to read the sequel.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

A Catalog of Burnt Objects by Shana Youngdahl - OPTIONAL

A Catalog of Burnt Objects by Shana Youngdahl, 368 pages.Penguin Young Readers Group, 2025. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (some reference to sexual situations. very mild); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

17yo Caprice experiences many emotions as her life seems to be changing more rapidly than should be expected.  Her older brother has returned home from rehab, she is experiencing a new love, and she is worried about her future education.  In the middle of all of this chaos, her small town is forced to recon with a devastating wildfire that literally tears apart the town and the lives of those she loves. How will Caprice find the strength to endure all that her heart and mind are burdened with and expected to survive? 

This is a simple and sweet story of how a family comes together after tragedy hits- and hits hard!  The story is not as enticing as most young adult novels. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but soon realized it was just a simple story of a young girl overcoming her struggles. Ethnicity unknown or not explored

Reviewer: sl

Ellie Haycock is Totally Normal by Gretchen Schreiber - OPTIONAL

Ellie Haycock is Totally Normal by Gretchen Schreiber, 304 pages. St. Martin’s, 2024. $20

Language: R (40 swears, 16 ‘f’); Mature Content: G (some kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

At school and home Ellie Haycock is totally normal - she has a beautiful boyfriend and is an important part of the school’s debate team. When an unexplained cough sends her to the hospital, though, she is back at the specialty hospital and the family-living for hospital kids where she is part of kids who have problems.  Plus Elli is a VACTERLS - a group of birth defects that will keep her in surgery and hospitals for the rest of her life.  The two worlds should never meet. BUt her mother, who has been blogging about Ellie since she was born has other ideas.  Maybe Ellie, who is intrigued by a new boy at the hospital, Ryan, also has her own ideas of what her life should look like.

I was fascinated by this look in to a world I have no contact with. Since Ellie has a body that can never be “cured” her outlook on hospitals and such is so different from say a cancer kid, who might only be there short term.  I really enjoyed reading this new perspective. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Absolutely Everything by Damian Alexander - ESSENTIAL

Absolutely Everything by Damian Alexander, 216 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphic Universe (Lerner), 2025. $18 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Marcella is struggling now that she's a sixth grader in middle school. She can't seem to manage all her different periods and assignments and sometimes even tunes out her friends. Marcelle becomes increasingly hard on herself as she tries to figure out how to remember everything that is coming at her, and she is not certain how to tell her two dads or her friends what she is going through. 

This is such a great way to build empathy for ADHD and how it doesn't have to define you. Reading this will help build empathy for those who have ADHD, and allow those who do to see themselves more clearly. The author wasn't diagnosed until college, but struggled through middle school with so many ideas in his head. Fast and insightful read! Marcella is white, but her friends are a mix of races. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The City of Lost Cats by Tanya Lloyd Kyi - OPTIONAL

The City of Lost Cats by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, 288 pages. Tundra, 2025. $18

Content: G (very mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Since her parents died in a car accident, Fiona has felt like an afterthought to her aunt, who is now her guardian. And she does not like her aunt’s new boyfriend. While “running away” one day, Fiona finds a trio of formerly lovely old houses, one of which has a large collection of cats, and a couple of birds inside. Fiona is taken by the cats and wants to create a refuge for them.. However, developers want the land on which the houses stand and her aunt’s boyfriend, who works at municipal hall, seems to be in league with them. 

The cats and the birds all speak to the listener. The action is a bit slap-stick - the final moment rescue and the change of heart by the demolition team are exciting. I listened to the audiobook and I was put off by some of the choices of the narrator.  Though the setting is modern, sometimes I felt like I was in a 1920’s gangster show.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Angelique Lazarus, courtesy of libro.fm

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Dream On by Shannon Hale and Marcela Cespedes - ESSENTIAL

Dream On by Shannon Hale, illustrated by Marcela Cespedes, 236 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2025. $23 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Cassie is in elementary school and is questioning her place with her best friend and how she fits in her family. She worries she is too sensitive, and if she says or does the right things. But when she gets a letter that says she's won a huge prize, she is sure that giving huge gifts to her best friend or family will solve all her problems. 

Cassie's voice rings true. In fact, it will probably linger in your head after you finish the book, because she totally nails the angst we all had at her age. And who hasn't received a notification that we're prize winners? Cassie discovers that she has not won anything, but she still finds her wonder, even if her problems aren't magically solved. When I finished it, I kept thinking of who needed to read this next. Great life lessons told in an engaging and realistic manner. Cassie is white, but her friends are a variety of cultures. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Pennies by Laura Senf - ADVISABLE

Pennies by Laura Senf, 384 pages. Atheneum (Simon), 2025. $19

Content: PG (danger, deaths, not described)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

People are disappearing from Blight Harbor.  Lark, Claret, Mae, and Brigid had perfect plans, but their parents are wary of the danger around their town. The girls are sure they know who is behind the trouble, but they can’t get their parents to listen.  Something is really wrong - someone is manipulating the adults. The girls must venture into a dark, mysterious other place to solve the puzzle and rescue one of the girls’ older sister from her unreliable beau, facing danger on many fronts.

Senf takes us back to Blight Harbor in 1921, when John Jeffery Pope was still alive and the Lighthouse Keeper had not yet taken her place. The danger is palpable and Johnny really shows his evil colors. The tension is well built and the friendship between the girls is lovely. It will be good for young raiders to read this right after reading the original trilogy.

The characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Busted by Dan Gemeinhart - ESSENTIAL

Busted by Dan Gemeinhart, 352 pages. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2025. $18. 

Language: PG (20 swears, 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, Oscar gets punched in the face a couple of times causing nose bleeding and black eye)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

12yo Oscar had lived all his life with his grandpa in a retirement home. On the day of his 49th funeral, his life changes. Mr. Howell, the owner of Sunny Days has died and his son has taken over ownership - raising everyone's rent. There's no way Pops can afford the crazy new cost, and Oscar is desperate. So, when new resident Jimmy Deluca offers him a deal - lots of money to break him out - he accepts and goes on a crazy adventure with Jimmy, Natasha (young Mr. Howell's daughter) and Mr. Buttercup, Jimmy's cat. Oscar is a good kid, and this kind of behavior is well out of character for him, but desperate times call for desperate measures. 

Never ending action makes Busted a book that's hard to put down. This aging mobster is delightful (and unpredictable, and probably dangerous and certainly sweary) Natasha is a great yang to Oscar's ying. He's a good kid and she's looking for trouble. So many life lessons, lots of impossible situations and a great narrator made this such a fun read. I'm recommending it already! The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes - OPTIONAL

The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes, 251 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2025. $18. 

Content: G (1 mild swear, threats)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

8th grader Henson Blayze is already on the high school football team. The whole town, 95% white, sees him as the next great hope. In his first game, however, Henson leaves after he finds out that his best young friend has been beaten by the police and is in the hospital. The town, lead by Dem Delta Boys, doesn’t take Henson’s defection well.  Meanwhile, Henson’s father is trying to cultivate Henson’s connection to their land - they are one of the few Black families in the county that own such a large property.  And the Blayze family has an obligation to the land and to their larger community.

The magical realism of Barnes’s story is a bit confusing. I think Henson could have learned his lessons without it. There is not enough football for me to point this at sports boys. The commentary on Blacks being “required” to entertain white folk to “earn” their place is the best part for me.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Lost on Doll Island by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez - ADVISABLE

Lost on Doll Island by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez, 188 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2025. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Diego's parents are divorcing and he moved from Texas to Mexico City. He is desperate for things to return to normal and be back with an intact family and his friends. So desperate, that when a weird lady in an antique shop gives him a doll and tells him of a wish doll, he decides to make finding it a top priority, When he hears the doll's voice in his head, he is more determined than ever. Coincidently, Diego's school is going to Doll Island for their class field trip, but Doll Island turns out to be creepier and more dangerous than Diego could ever have imagined. 

I liked to use of Spanish in the book, and context clues made it easy to figure out word meaning. The Spanish helped set the creepy tone of the book. The dolls and the island are sufficiently disturbing, and Diego's quest will suck you in. This might be a bit dark for younger readers, but once you start, you'll have to finish. Diego and his friends are Hispanic. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Ride or Die by Delilah Dawson - ADVISABLE

Ride or Die by Delilah Dawson, 210 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2025. $18

Content: PG (scares only)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Brie has been trying to reinvent herself since her family moved.  She has been invited to the most exclusive birthday party and if she can get in with the school’s mean queen she has it made.  Instead, she finds herself the target of bullying and intimidation and is locked behind a walled off section of the amusement park.  A place rumored to be haunted since the deaths of a group of young park goers years ago. Brie runs into some other kids inside the park - and danger.

Dawson knows her middle grade horror. She ramps up the danger and the tension without being gross or bloody. I’ll happily add this to a horror display and recommend it. 

The characters are white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall - OPTIONAL

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall, 304 pages. St. Martin’s, 2025. $30

Language: PG (6 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG-13 (vicious dog attack, gun shots, sexual abuse implied)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Almost since the world was flooded, Nonnie and her older sister Bix have lived in the American Museum of Natural History with a few other museum employees and their families. When a superstorm sweeps through, only Nonie, Bix, Father and one other adult escape. Now the little group is headed north, following a map to an old family farm, where they hope to find family and a new safe place to settle.

While Nonie and her family encounter racism and life threatening danger, I was not drawn into her story.  I feel this was not written for a YA audience - more of a literary commentary on global warming. The post-apocalypse setting is not apocalyptic enough to satisfy my need for pathos and danger.

Nonie and her family are white. Their friend is black.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Eunice Wong courtesy of libro.fm

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Stitch Head by Guy Bass, illustrated by Pete Williamson - ADVISABLE

Stitch Head by Guy Bass, illustrated by Pete Williamson, 142 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic Random House, 2024. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Stitch Head is the caretaker of Castle Grotteskew, and is the first of 300 monsters created by a mad scientist. Stitch Head keeps things in the castle running smoothly despite the mad scientist's increasingly evil components. When a traveling carnival ringleader named Fulbert, shows up, it's up to Stitch Head to keep him out of the castle, but Fulbert is determined to put the monsters in a traveling carnival, and Stitch Head is the only thing thwarting his plans. 

The illustrations are fantastic and really add to the tone of the book. Stitch Head, like us, will learn that that not all things that look monstrous are mean, and maybe seemingly normal people are the biggest monsters of all. A quick and easy read about how we want to be seen for who we are. No culture or race is mentioned, though most characters are drawn white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Better to Eat You With by Tehlor Kay Mejia - ADVISABLE

The Better to Eat You With by Tehlor Kay Mejia, 242 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2025. $18

Language: G (1 swears, 0  ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (some danger, dead animals)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Evan is looking forward to a summer away from her bickering parents and hanging out with her best summer friends Billie and Jackson at the summer cabins they always rent. Evan’s mother has been harping on her for the last 9 months about “healthy” eating habits, which sound like “don’t eat anything tasty” to Evan.  But everyone around the lake is worried about sightings of a monster around the lake.

While Mejia has a supernatural and slightly spooky element to her story (the cover screams monster book), her core story is about Evan,  her anorexia, and Billie desperately trying to help her. Add this to Alyson Gerber’s Taking Up Space and Schu’s Louder Than Hunger ) among other great books about eating disorders. I am a little worried that kids picking it up for the cover will be disappointed that the content isn’t as spooky as they were hoping.

The characters are white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Stitch by Padraig Kenny - ESSENTIAL

Stitch by Padraig Kenny, 204 pages. Walker (Candlewick), 2024 $18 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Stitch has counted the days since his awakening. When the old Professor dies, his not-so-nice nephew takes over, and Stitch learns that he and his friend, Henry Oaf, have to escape the castle's safety only to learn that they might only be seen as monsters. 

Beautifully written, this book raises all sorts of questions about what it means to be a person and the importance of being nice. As the character, Alice, tells Stitch, "It doesn't matter what you're made from, it doesn't matter where you came from, all that matters is that you're a good person. With emphasis on person." In a world where fear and contention rule, enter Stitch and Henry. This small book will redefine what a monster is and give the reader a welcome moment to pause and celebrate goodness and friendship. No race is specified, as Henry and Stitch are cobbled together from the dead. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Teacher of Nomad Land A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri - ADVISABLE

The Teacher of Nomad Land A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri, 192 pages. Levine Querido, 2025 $19. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

During WWII, Russian and British soldiers invaded Iran in order to protect British owned oil wells. In the process, 13yo Babak and 8yo Sana lost their father when he was killed while teaching nomadic shepherds on a hillside. Essentially orphans, they are separated. After a year of working for their keep, Babak and Sana run away together to join the nomads as they are moving their flocks to winter pastures. But when the leader sends them away they find themselves on their own, trying not to starve, interacting with soldiers - from both sides - and remembering lessons their father taught about understanding people and keeping each other safe. 

I did not know about this part of the war at all! Nayeri weaves a tale of two smart, brave and desperate kids just trying to stay together. I really loved Sana, she was such a great positive force for her brother, always willing to do whatever she could, including scavenging, looking for water and even mediating between her brother and an angry German soldier. Historical Fiction is a hard sell these days, but Nayeri’s name may carry enough recognition to get Teacher of Nomad Land picked up, and then kids who read it will definitely talk about it. 

Lisa Librarian 

Queso, Just in Time by Ernesto Cisneros - ADVISABLE

Queso, Just in Time by Ernesto Cisneros, 272 pages. HarperCollins, March 2026. $20. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Boys going into the shower, reference to cracks and dangling bits); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Queso Castillo is mourning his dad's death. More than anything, he wishes he could spend more time with him. Then, making a wish on a cool looking moon, Queso wakes up the next morning to find it's 1985 and he's at his dad's childhood home. His grandparents are young and his dad is 12. He makes up some pretty believable lies, and soon, he's enrolled at Pancho's school (as his cousin from Mexico) and he begins to see the dad he never knew. 

A thoughtful story about family and grief. I really liked the premise, however, I guess in the 80's it was OK to take a random runaway into your home for a week or so? Queso's grandparents were good people. I loved that Cisneros didn't focus too much on pop culture - music, movies, clothes, but more on the changes (hopefully for the better) in teaching styles, educational expectations, and recognition of diversity. I liked that Queso tried to encourage his dad to do better, and have more faith in himself. I can certainly recommend. Contains some brief conversations in Spanish - not translated but context is provided. The characters are Mexican American 

Lisa Librarian  

Moonleapers by Margaret Peterson Haddix - OPTIONAL

Moonleapers by Margaret Peterson Haddix, 320 pages. HarperCollins, 2025. $20

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Maisie is SO not happy about spending the summer away from her friends and at her Great-Aunt Hazel’s home instead.  It is a bland house in a bland subdivision and Hazel isn’t even home - she’s in a nursing home and Maisie doesn’t get to see her. Her mother has given her Hazel’s old cell phone, though - that could be a plus.  Maisie starts receiving odd texts - turns out Maisie has the potential to be a Moonleaper - a connection between past and present, with the power to change lives for the better.

This looks to be the first in a series - it felt like a lot of set up to get to a place I wasn’t sure I wanted to get to. When Haddix is on, she is brilliant. But by 300 pages, I was kind of done. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

War Games by Alan Gratz - ADVISABLE

War Games by Alan Gratz, 368 pages. Scholastic, 2025. $19

Content: PG (danger, tense situations, betrayal) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Evie is so excited to be a gymnast in the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany. She quickly realizes that the facade of the games hides dark secrets and that the Olympic dream, or even the dream of freedom, is not for everyone in Germany. She gets approached by a mysterious stranger who wants her help in stealing a treasure trove of gold right from under Hitler’s nose. With even a bit of that gold, Evie could change her own family’s fortunes for the better. Danger abounds - not just from all of Hitler’s loyal followers and the military, but from someone within.

While set against the backdrop of the Olympic Games, very little of the book is about the Olympics. I was personally very disappointed by that, especially because of how hard the book was sold to me for being about the Olympics. Plenty of danger abounds - students will enjoy that.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karine Yan Glasser - OPTIONAL

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karine Yan Glasser, 432 pages. HarperCollins, 2025. $20

Content: G (some danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Han Yu lives in ancient China at one end of the Silk Road. WHen his family is quarantined for sickness, he must embark on the dangerous journey on his own to deliver the silk and other goods that could save his family during the crisis. Luli lives in 1930s San Francisco. The economic downturn threatens to close her family’s restaurant and their dream of owning the building outright, unless Luli can be brave and come up with a great idea.

As much as I enjoyed reading about Han Yu, especially, I know that historical fiction is a hard sell for the general student body. A few students will be intrepid enough to enjoy it, though. The idea of how long Han Yu’s journey took is just staggering to me. Some will probably compare it to Samir, Seller of Dreams, but I liked Nine Moons so much more.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Mindworks by Neal Shusterman - ADVISABLE

Mindworks by Neal Shusterman, 571 pages. Simon, NOVEMBER 2025. $29 (hard) $20 (Paper). 9781665990783

Language: PG (23 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (while there is no blood or limb loss or such in the stories, each story is dark and twisted)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL; HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Back in the 1990’s, Neal Shusterman released four books of short stories, each with about 8 stories to really shake your brain. I wish I still had those books in my library! Now he has taken most of those stories and added a couple of new stories from the Scythe-dom for 43 stories. While he has updated the technology and some of the writing, the old stories are just as mind-bending as they were when I first read them.

Our current students won’t have read those stories before. The cover and the bricked up page edges will catch their eye. But at over 500 pages it is a chunk of a book to read. I took it a couple of stories a day. Most of them had me sitting at the end just trying to figure out how he manages to create such interesting, if dark, looks at all kinds of people and worlds. The stories are still so Shusterman. I would love to have a reading group read one story at a time and talk about each of them in turn.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Sabrina Carpenter by Selena Fragassi - ESSENTIAL

Sabrina Carpenter by Selena Fragassi, 199 pages. Epic Ink (Quarto), 2025. $20

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Though appearing on TV and film since she was 12, Sabrin Carpenter’s first love has always boon music. With 6 albums under her belt, 2025 was the summer of Sabrina and her hit “Espresso” - but what came before that fabulous time? Fragassi gives us a look at Carpenter’s rise to fame.

Because she started her career at such a young age, there is little about her home life. And everything is framed around her career. Fans will love it. Though the book refers frequently to her later innuendo-laden speech and lyrics, plus her body-con outfits, nothing is explicit in the book itself.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Chappell Roan by Harbert Day - ESSENTIAL

Chappell Roan by Harbert Day, 198 pages. Epic Ink (Quarto), 2025. $20 

Language: G (1 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (said once each: suicide, smoking, bare-breast); Violence: G (bullying said) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

From her early days as a little girl in a farm town in Missouri through her early struggles to break into the business to the present day success, meet the woman known as Chappell Roan and visit her highlights and low times on her road to where she is now. Chappell Roan is unabashedly LGBT and is an icon in the community. Day gives us an exuberant look at her life and career, filled with lots of photographs and side bars. Fans of the singer will enjoy reading all about her. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven - SEVERAL

When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven, 400 pages. Knopf (Random House), 2025. $18

Language: R (92 swears, 54 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (on-page, vaguely detailed sex and teen drinking) Violence: PG-13 (death and bloody violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Seven teens are chosen for the opportunity to be taught writing by the famous author Meredith Graffam. They arrive at Moss, not having a clue of what to expect. Graffam seems to be excited to bestow her knowledge on these young minds. She also seems a bit eccentric. As the term goes on, Meredith expects crazier and more dangerous acts of daredevil behavior from her students and she kicks out the ones she doesn’t want, one at a time, until four are left. Only one student will be chosen at the end of the competition. The four can help each other survive or sacrifice each other to win.

Arlo, the teenage boy main character, gives us some profound statements. Wonderful writing advice given to the students by the teacher is dropped throughout the story. I was pulled into the mystery and suspense and I was rooting for the students the whole time. The ethnicity is mixed.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah 

The Dagger and the Flame (The City of Fantome #1) by Catherine Doyle - OPTIONAL

The Dagger and the Flame (The City of Fantome #1) by Catherine Doyle, 512 pages. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2024. $11

Language: R (153 swears, 35 f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (petting); Violence: PG-13 (bloody violence, deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Is lightfire legend or truth? In Fantome, Shade magic rules all. Daggers use Shade to destroy and rule.  Cloaks use Shade to protect and steal.  When a man kills Sera's mother and burns down their home, she runs to the only place she’s been told to go if she’s in danger, the Cloaks guild in the city of Fantome. Sera’s mother told her to flee to the Cloaks if anything ever happened to her and she was no longer able to protect 18yo Sera. Sera’s sure a Dagger killed her mother and set their house on fire, destroying everything, and she swears to seek revenge. Monsters with unknown origins are taking over Fantome and no one knows where they came from or how to get rid of them.  Sera's mother left her a teardrop charm on a necklace and Sera thinks it’s only a token until it explodes into light and saves her life when a monster corners her.  Could her mother's gift be the answer to all?

The twists are so good! My library patrons will love the enemies to lovers theme, with the charming and cute flirting that goes along with it.  I love the mystery behind the whole story. Sera has spunk and perseverance. The interesting legend and backstory are fun to dive into.

Sera is white; Sera's friends have a variety of skin tones.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda - ADVISABLE

Fireborne (The Aurelian Cycle #1) by Rosaria Munda, 432 pages. G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin Random House), 2019. $14.

Language: PG13 (26 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Living in the post-revolution world that killed his father, Lee (17yo) is fighting for the position of Firstrider that has used to be called his birthright. Given chances she never would have been allowed to dream of under the old regime, Annie (16yo) fights for the chance to become Firstrider. She is proud to be a dragonrider, despite the fact that dragonfire killed her family.

With secrets, imminent war, questions of whether a post-revolution world really is better than the rulers overthrown only nine years ago, Munda gives readers everything they need—plus dragons! The victories are the highest of highs, and the disappointments are the lowest of lows as these teenagers struggle to understand the political demands of their positions and reconcile duty with morality. I enjoyed every page, and I have no doubts that the sequel is just as good.

Lee is described as pale, Duck is described as having a tan complexion, Rock has fair skin, and Miranda has a warm brown complexion. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, innuendo, and kissing. The violence rating is for assault, fantasy violence and fantasy terrorism, blood and gore, mentions of suicide, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

The Rise of Neptune (Dragonship #2) by Scott Reintgen - ADVISABLE

The Rise of Neptune (Dragonship #2) by Scott Reintgen, 415 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2025. $19. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Lunar has stepped up and becomes the Mars dragon’s knight. THere is no rest for the weary, however.  The threat from Neptune, or Neptune’s moon Triton, actually, is real and someone is on their way to help and someone is on their way to betray - ready to do whatever they must to conquer the galaxy.

#2 in the series is very exciting, full of danger, and crammed with unforeseen twists and shocks. I have enjoyed all of Reintgen’s YA science fiction and fantasy. There is a little bit of middle novel syndrome (think of the Back to the Future movies) - where the novel at the end seems to exist to propel us to the third novel, but the action is enough to carry us beyond that feeling. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Village Beyond the Mist by Sachiko Kashiwabi - ADVISABLE

The Village Beyond the Mist by Sachiko Kashiwabi, translated from Japanese by Avery Fischer Udagawa, 146 pages. Restless Books (Yonder) 2025 $18. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

6th grader Lina travels alone to a rural village (at her fathers request) to spend the summer. She expects to be met by someone, but only finds her destination, Absurd Avenue, through a series of strange circumstances, then finds that the boarding house she lives in requires her to work for her board - Mrs. Picotto won't accept Lena's father's money. So Lina takes jobs assigned to her, helping out in several shops, learning about the people on the village and how to be a real friend. 

Originally published in Japan in 1975, it feels very Pippi Longstocking to me. I love the stories of Sachiko Kashiwabi (see Temple Alley Summer) and I was delighted with each new quest. I love Lina's attitude and the characters she comes in contact with. The bits of magic are fun as well. As with most books originally published outside the US, it's not for everyone, however, if you have readers that are Studio Ghibli fans, this is the text Hayao Miyazaki used as inspiration for Spirited Away. The characters are Japanese. 

Lisa Librarian 

Blackout (Spy School #13) by Stuart Gibbs - ESSENTIAL

Blackout (Spy School #13) by Stuart Gibbs, 352 pages. Simon, 2025. $19

Content: PG (danger, violence mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

After their last mission, the spy school core has been invited to visit Orion on his mansion estate in Indonesia.  As they approach, however, the whole country goes black.  Could someone, someone evil, have unleashed a Birthday Cake (lights out) on the country.  Its worse than they even imagined - someone has turned off the whole world. The kids are left behind by the adults who go charging off to save the world.  But you and I know who is going to really save the day. 

I love that Gibbs is letting his characters grow and show vulnerabilities and doubts as they go. I do wish the author would give them a breather before they launch into the next mission to save the world, but I already know that isn’t going to happen. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Terrible Trio: The (Not so) Superheroes by Swapna Haddow and Minky Stapleton, - OPTIONAL

The Terrible Trio: The (Not so) Superheroes by Swapna Haddow, illustrated by Minky Stapleton, 188 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Scholastic, 2025. $7 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Zeb the zebra, Marge the penguin, and Barry the Lemur, stood in line forever to get a superpower from the ministry of superpowers. By the time they get to the front, the superpowers seem to be gone and they get the worst ones of all. Zeb is especially unhappy, and he convinces his friends to take on a quest to become heroes, though it may put them in danger. 

 

The animals are fun, and who wouldn't want the superpower of stirring anything to make mac'n'cheese? The pictures add to the story and the quirkiness, making it an easy and quick read. Nice little life lesson at the end. 

Michelle in the Middle 

When Beavers Move In by Alison Pearce Stevens and Natasha Donovan - ESSENTIAL

When Beavers Move In by Alison Pearce Stevens, illustrated by Natasha Donovan. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Godwin (Macmillan), MARCH 2026. 9781250339447

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

WHen beaver build dams near human homes, the people get worried.  In Washington state, people can call the members of the Tulalip tribes, who will relocate the beavers to places where the beavers can do their thing and protect not only the environment, but also help rebuild other species in their wetlands.

I love this look at the importance of beavers to create robust habitats and ecosystems. Everything is explained simply, but well. The back matter adds a little more information. A must for most science programs. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Deepwater Creek by Michael Regina - ADVISABLE

Deepwater Creek by Michael Regina, 252 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Putnam (Penguin), 2025. $14 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Wade and his younger brother, Andrew, and their two friends love going fishing with Wade's dad. They hear about a place on the river that has plentiful fish, though it's farther than they've ever been up river. When they get there, heavy fog rolls in, and while reeling in a giant fish, Andrew falls in. When Wade jumps in to save him, they think they see a monster in the water. Andrew takes a turn for the worse, and Wade and his friends determine to take Andrew back out to see if they can help him but find themselves facing something far more sinister than they were prepared for. 

The plot is sufficiently creepy enough to keep kids engaged without scaring them. The watercolor graphic art works to help create the creepy tone of the piece, and is beautifully rendered. Themes of brotherly love and friendship elevate the story, and you'll be rooting for the brothers and their friends. The brothers are Latino, with one black friend and one white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Party by Natasha Preston - OPTIONAL

The Party by Natasha Preston, 352 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2024. $11

Language: R (155 swears, 6 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing and teen drinking); Violence: R (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

A group of teens plan a weekend adventure at the family castle of twins, 17yo Allegra and Fergus. They keep it a secret from their parents because it’s meant to be a party with no chaperones. Protestors want the development to stop in the area and seem to have vandalized the castle but not all of the graffiti seems to be about the development. The teens are excited to have a weekend without supervision. When one of them gets hurt, they try to blow it off. When more violent things happen, they can’t ignore the fact that they’re in danger and they wish they had help to save them from the party.

The author did a good job of creating an ominous setting in the castle. I enjoyed the twists and the mystery. The last sentence of the book is a great ending!

The ethnicity is mixed. 

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Danilo was Here by Tamika Burgess, - ADVISABLE

Danilo was Here by Tamika Burgess, 304 pages. HarperCollins, 2025. $20. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (flashback to Danilo's experience during the Panama invasion) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Danilo is an amazing baseball player and has been the star of his team in Panama. He's been scouted by a coach who trains little league players in America and has invited him to come to San Diego and train with him for a couple of months. However, Danilo has been going through a lot lately; his neighborhood was hit during the US Panama invasion a few months earlier and now his mom and sister are living in tents on an airfield. His dad, a former ball player himself, has gone to America but has stopped sending money, or even calling. Danilo doesn't even like baseball anymore, but thinks this might be an opportunity to find his dad who lives in California, too. 

Burgess has infused just enough history about 1989 Panama for the reader to understand Danilo's situation without all the political stuff. The tension surrounding meeting his father as well as his difficulty connecting with the team and playing his best made for an engaging read. Not completely full of sports action although we see the goings on at a few games. Danilo is Panamanian 

Lisa Librarian 

Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson - OPTIONAL

Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson, 333 pages. McElderry (SImon), 2025. $21.

Language: R (61 swears, 4 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (passionate kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

17yo Ellis has worked hard to follow in her father’s NYC advertising footsteps, but her plans blow up when her mother announces that she is taking Ellis and going back to Bramble Falls to live with her sister for a while to have “some space”. Ellis goes, kicking and screaming, enrolling in a common high school instead of her NYC private school, angry at every one.  Except - there is something wonderful about a small town in the fall - especially one that embraces fall celebrations so whole-heartedly.  And there is something wonderful about a boy that Ellis spent a great summer with three years ago. Will Ellis make her way back to NYC, or has a small town and a small town boy captured her heart?

I really like that Ellis and Cooper don’t fall into insta-love and that they have issues to deal with right up to the end. It is a winner in my book - especially because the romance is limited to kissing, not two kids instantly falling into bed. Anyone who likes sweet romance and pumpkin spice everything will enjoy.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Destiny by Matthew Swanson, illustrated by Robbi Behr - ADVISABLE

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Destiny by Matthew Swanson, illustrated by Robbi Behr, 314 pages. Knopf (Random House), 2025. $14 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Ben Yokoyama is NOT moving to California, especially since it means giving up his best friend, Janet. Ben is devastated when Janet is not there to say goodbye to him, but it turns out she has stowed away in the family camper. The cross-country drive is filled with Janet and Ben scheming to stay together, as they try to figure out ways to make a fortune before they get to California and Janet will have to fly home. 

This is the last book in this series. Though the cover and the format look fairly juvenile, the authors address complicated emotions and situations, but in a gentle and understanding manner. Ben's issues with moving, losing his friend, money issues, and his grandmother's health, and family stress are universal problems. This is a great way to wrap up the series, and fans will not be disappointed, as Ben rises to his challenges. Race or culture is not specified, but the last name suggests Ben may be of Asian descent. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Queen's Hidden Legacy (Rise of the Kelpies prequel) by Shonna Slayton - OPTIONAL

The Queen's Hidden Legacy (Rise of the Kelpies prequel) by Shonna Slayton, 154 pages. Amaretto Press, 2025. $23

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G (none); Violence: PG (kidnapping, danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The Queen has given the fairy Morag a huge job: save her twin babies from the danger arising from the battle with the kelpies. Some of the kingdom believes that the baby prince and princess should be sacrificed to the kelpies so the battle will cease. The Queen is terrified this or something else will happen to her babies. She’s dying from a lung disease and knows she won’t be alive much longer. She’s relying on Morag to get her babies to safety and out of the kingdom. The Queen also wants this task to be done secretly by Morag alone. Morag has an injured wing and knows she can’t accomplish this without help. She’s relying on her instincts to know who she can trust without putting the babies in danger.

I enjoyed this prequel to Rise of the Kelpies. The main character, Morag, and the queen both show great strength and bravery. Shonna Slayton is an author who writes clean reads, which is appreciated.

The ethnicity cues white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog by Lydia Lukidis and Tara J. Hannon - ADVISABLE

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog by Lydia Lukidis, illustrated by Tara J. Hannon, 80 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL/CHAPTER BOOK. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2025. $12

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Groucho, a grumpy groundhog, lives in critter creek on the island of Zoo York and loves pancakes.  Blork, Groucho's cheery half unicorn half pig neighbor, bursts in to tell him that all the pancakes have been stolen.  Commander Hare E. Bun Bun and the rest of the bunnies that live in carrot town are tired of eating carrots.  They have stolen all the pancakes, syrup, and the pancake secret recipe.  Groucho realizes that life without pancakes isn't worth living.  Groucho and Blork dash to save the day and become an unlikely pair of crime fighters!  Will they find the pancakes?  Will they stop the evil villain and his minions? 

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog is full of fun characters and interesting silly humor.  I enjoyed the personalities and antics of each character.  The graphics were cute and easy to follow.

PGPowers

They All Had a Reason by Michele Leathers - OPTIONAL

They All Had a Reason (They All Had a Reason #1) by Michele Leathers, 224 pages. Sourcebooks Fire, 2025. $13.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Overhearing and recording a conversation that proves Bellany (17yo) is cheating on her boyfriend, Charlotte (16yo) can’t wait to have a taste of vengeance for all the ways Bellany has ruined her life. But Bellany takes Charlotte’s phone before she can show anyone. Following Bellany into the woods to get more proof, Charlotte finds Bellany’s dead body instead.

The teenage drama is real, and it is very present. Part of me appreciates the new kind of response from an amateur detective born of desperation instead of an amateur sleuth being lauded as better than a trained professional. However, I still wanted it to come together in the end, and it didn’t really explain what happened. Plus, the twist ending only served to confuse me further. It’s possible things get worked out in the sequel, but I’m not going to read it.

The majority of characters are implied White; Gemma is implied Hispanic. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, illegal activity, kissing, mentions of drugs and sex, and innuendo. The violence rating is for blood, corpses, assault, mentions of domestic violence and suicide, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation by Pablo Cataya - OPTIONAL

A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation by Pablo Cataya, 270 pages. Kokila (Penguin), 2025. $19.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The summer before 8th grade is nothing Gonzalo hoped it would be.  Worst - his father recently passed away. Also elderly grandfather may be the author of a beloved children’s fantasy book series and movie franchise, but he hasn’t ever given Gonzalo an autographed copy of his books, nor come to visit his school - now Gonzalo is stuck with him on his latest book tour?  And Ganzalo’s mother heads up the entire book/movie empire and is in high gear because the final book comes out this week and then the newest movie two days after. Now Gonzalo is stuck in an ancient car, driving from California to Miami.  How can the two find any common ground? 

I was expecting a fantasy book, and that is completely not what this is - I am afraid kids who pick this up will be disappointed, like I was. Ganzalo, his grandfather, and his mom are so dysfunctional and uncommunicative that I was angry more often than I was interested.  All of them needed a good scolding to pull their heads out of their butts - though I have more sympathy for Gonzalo - he is a child - the other two just act like children. Adults who don’t think this was going to be a fantasy will probably like it more.  Only your best realistic fiction readers will enjoy it.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Invincible List of Lani Li by Veeda Bybee - ADVISABLE

The Invincible List of Lani Li by Veeda Bybee, 224 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025. $19.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Lani’s band trip to England was hijacked by her little brother, Gavin (10yo), with a scheme to run in a recklessly dangerous race down Cooper’s Hill. But when his heart condition acts up and requires Gavin to stay home, he tells Lani (13yo) that she has to take his place. Lani insists that she isn’t brave enough. Can she become an Invincible Li for Gavin?

I love that Lani and Gavin use family traditions and folktales from their Chinese heritage to learn about real superpowers. They develop a super sibling relationship, even when they are an ocean away, and they learn the strengths of trying new foods, empathy, and even doing things that are uncomfortable and scary. Sometimes it feels like everything is against us and the obstacles in our lives are too big, but, in this book, we see the beauty of a world where everyone is cheering for these young protagonists. Lani and her family are Chinese, Sam is described as Hawaiian Māori Chinese, and Sunny is Korean.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Chickenpox by Remy Lai - ESSENTIAL

Chickenpox by Remy Lai, 240 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Henry Holt, 2025. $23. 9781250863300

CONTENT: PG(fighting, nosebleed)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12yo Abby Lai is the oldest of 5 siblings. To Abby, being surrounded by immature younger siblings feels like living in a zoo! All she wants is to spend as much time as she can with her two best friends, away from the "wild animals." But when all 5 Lai kids get the chickenpox in 1994 Indonesia, before the vaccine is available, and have to stay home together for 10 whole days, Abby really starts to wish she was an only child. Will Abby and her siblings learn to get along, or at least survive being cooped up together?

I enjoyed this middle grade graphic novel. Fans of Megan Wagner Lloyd's Squished will love Chickenpox. I related to Abby's struggle of having to always be the ""good big sister."" I also liked the process Abby went through when she said something hurtful to her friends--we all need good conflict-resolution models. 

Abby and her family are Indonesian. 

Rachel, Elementary library specialist