The World Entire: A True Story of an Extraordinary World War II Rescue by Elizabeth Brown and Melissa Castrillón - ADVISABLE

The World Entire: A True Story of an Extraordinary World War II Rescue by Elizabeth Brown and Melissa Castrillón.  NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Chronicle, 2025. $20. 9781452170985 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Aristides de Sousa Mendes was a Portuguese diplomat who saved thousands of people fleeing France during WWII. In less than a month, Mendes issued thousands of visas against his government's wishes, saving refugees fleeing the Nazis in France, and allowing them to enter into Portugal. 

The back matter gives more details including that his visas saved Salvador Dali, H.A. and Margret Rey - who created Curious George, and countless others whose lives are just as important, and that it came with a great price to his family who lost everything because of his actions - he knew it was worth it. This is a magnificent story - I had no idea! The picture book itself is a standard length for a non-fiction and would work as a read aloud in the classroom. Back matter includes and authors note, timeline, bibliography and source notes. 

Lisa Librarian  

Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple (Bibsy Cross #1) by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Dung Ho - ADVISABLE

Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple (Bibsy Cross #1) by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Dung Ho, 128 pages. Knopf (Random House), 2024. $17.

Content: G 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Bibsy Cross has loved all her teachers until now - but her 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Stumper, she doesn't love. Although Bibsy likes to share with the class, and is plenty smart, Mrs. Stumper calls it going on and Bibsy often finds herself driving the teacher to distraction. On the bulletin board is a tree with apples representing each student in the class, and when Bibsy has gone too far, her teacher moves Bibsy's apple from the tree to the ground.

Bibsy is adorable, Ho's illustrations perfectly accompany the story and make this short novel perfect for young confident readers. I love how Bibsy bounces back after a rough day, which seems to happen often. I'm sure Mrs. Stumper has the best of intentions, but Bibsy's spirit is easily crushed, and she sees herself a bad apple. Book one in a series of what looks like 4 so far. Bibsy is white. 

Lisa Librarian  

Song of the Yellow Dragon by Ying Ping Low - ESSENTIAL

Song of the Yellow Dragon by Ying Ping Low, 278 pages. Putnam (Penguin), 2026. $19 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (murder, attempted murder) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Two children, two wildly different dreams; and time is running out for both of them. Mengyao dreams of becoming a Divine Healer for her village. Young emperor Kai wants to find the fabled magic of the Dragon's Pulse to help him defeat his enemies. Thrust together, they must find their answers before their 13th birthdays, when children forget about magic and only remember it as make-believe. 

Beautifully written, this book effortlessly pulled me in with its Asian lore and magic. The two children are engaging characters who grow throughout the story. The interweaving of the magic of childhood and its inevitable loss, paired with the children's journey to hold on to that magic, was compelling. The culture shines through and the lesser characters are also interesting. This has all the elements of an old-fashioned, well-told fairytale. I loved it. 

Michelle in the Middle 

First Place (Sweet Valley Twins #8) by Francine Pascal, adapted by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Knack Whittle - ADVISABLE

First Place (Sweet Valley Twins #8) by Francine Pascal, adapted by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Knack Whittle, 220 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2026. $22 

Language: PG (11 swears, 0 f); Mature Content: PG (same sex attraction); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Elizabeth Wakefield will do anything to ride a horse, even befriend her sister's friend, and one of the snobbiest girls in school. Elizabeth soon finds out that she isn't being true to herself or those around her, and she may have to choose between a horse she has grown to love, or people she loves. 

Elizabeth and her twin sister, Jessica, play off each other well, showing off family dynamics and how to work through conflict. Horses and school intrigue - what's not to like? The story is good and has enough twists to keep it moving, and the art is bright and colorful. Fans of the series will not be disappointed. The twins are white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Fast Break by Anjali Joshi - OPTIONAL

Fast Break by Anjali Joshi, 144 pages. Orca, 2026. $11 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Arjun has just moved to a new school, hoping to make new friends and join the basketball team. His new school is sponsored by OmniBoost, which provides food in the cafeteria and energy drinks as well as  new gym equipment, uniforms, and tech. It seems wonderful at first, but then Arjun starts feeling ill and his teammates become sluggish. Arjun begins to research OmniBoost and discovers their energy boost claims may be false. 

A fast, if predictable read, this book will appeal to teens' sense of justice and their desire to be heard. Arjun is Indian and his friend, Demar, may be black, but it never specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Treehouse Trouble (Muk 'n' Honey #1) by Brett Bean - ADVISABLE

Treehouse Trouble (Muk 'n' Honey #1) by Brett Bean, 80 pages CHAPTER BOOK Penguin, 2025. $7 (paperback) 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Honey Bunny and Muk Muk Moose are inventors who like to help their friends. But with their newest invention, the triple decker hunger wrecker, cooking on the stove and the treehouse stairs collapsed, it's a race against time to invent a way to get up there. But friends keep coming by for help, and all they have to make inventions with is the rubble from the stairs. 

The illustrations are clever and advance the story, often showing what happened instead of the text explaining the consequences of Muk's and Honey's hijinks. A picture speaks 1000 words! Several twists and a great list of clues to help the reader think of an idea as well. A fun chapter book. 

Lisa Librarian  

Every Beat After by Sara B. Larson - OPTIONAL

Every Beat After by Sara B. Larson, 384 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2026. $19.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (mentions of drugs and alcohol, kissing, partial nudity, and innuendo); Violence: PG (medical emergencies and discussions of death)

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Olivia spent half of her senior year of high school hospitalized, waiting for someone else to die so that she could have a heart transplant. Seven years later, Olivia (25yo) enjoys her job with the family business and spends quality time with her friends, but Olivia is scared that she won’t find her person before her shortened lifespan ends. Then Hunter (28yo) moves in next door, and Olivia admits a new fear—what if she does?

A misunderstanding between the main characters is blown way out of proportion, giving the book an eyerolling beginning, though it is tolerable due to the characters’ backstories. I enjoyed watching Olivia and Hunter break down their walls and help each other to grow despite the pain caused by their heartbreaking experiences with life and death. And then my least favorite “heart transplant trope” came into play, which I didn’t think was going to be an issue from the initial description of the book. It was written as a big reveal, so I won’t say which one it is, but I wasn’t thrilled about it. However, while it includes tropes I don’t love, Larson wrote the story well, and I enjoyed the characters and their book overall—eyerolls and loud complaints to empty rooms notwithstanding. Olivia has Swedish heritage, and Hunter is described as “tan.”

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Do Not Go out at Night by Francois Gravel & Martine Latulippe - ADVISABLE

Do Not Go out at Night by Francois Gravel & Martine Latulippe, 85 pages. Orca, 2026. $13 

Language: G (1 swear, 0 f); Mature Content:  PG (child murderer); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

14yo Oliver and Maddy are inexplicably drawn to a construction site on their way to a party at night. They find a backpack with a tee shirt and compass before a security guard kicks them out. They find out they may have key evidence that could put their lives in danger. 

The layout, written in case file form, adds to the readability and suspense of the book. Orca books are good at getting right to the heart of a story and this one doesn't waste any time. The premise is interesting and even reluctant readers will be drawn in and able to finish. The characters default white

Michelle in the Middle 

Mrs. Orwell by Andrea Chalupa, illustrated by Brahm Revel - OPTIONAL

Mrs. Orwell by Andrea Chalupa, illustrated by Brahm Revel, 220 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, NON-FICTION 23rd Street Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2026. $30 

Language: PG (3 swears, 0 f); Mature Content: PG-13 (implied sex, smoking, drinking) Violence: R (beatings, executions, killings, war related violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Eileen Blair is a poet who meets and marries George Orwell. This story follows their relationship through the turbulent times they are involved in, such as the Spanish Civil War, escapes from Stalin's agents, and the London Blitz. Life is not easy for them, and while George is struggling to get published, Eileen is also struggling to hold on to herself in her life and marriage. 

The rating for kid appeal may be misleading, because 23rd Street publishes graphic novels for adults, not kids, however,  high schoolers reading George Orwell's books, may enjoy reading about Eileen and getting a sense of their backgrounds. I really liked learning about Eileen Blair. She sounds like a fascinating person, and after reading this book, I want to know more. There is a lot going on in this book, and it would help to have a historical background of the era. Orwell would have been hard to be married to, which makes her life even more interesting. The Orwells are European. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Firefox Moon by Eoin Colfer - OPTIONAL

Firefox Moon by Eoin Colfer, 354 pages.  Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2025. $20 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

13yo Juniper Lane is helping to protect a magical forest in the middle of London with her best friend, a flying reindeer. The forest is teeming with more magic than it should because of leftover magical poop. The magic has attracted a variety of magical creatures, some good and some evil, to try and find a mythical firefox that can grant a wish under the Blood Moon. Juniper has to try and protect the forest and perhaps all of Britain, when her reindeer is captured and evil threatens. 

This is the second adventure for Juniper Lane, so readers may want to read "Juniper's Christmas" first. Juniper is a resourceful character, and her relationship with her reindeer is sweet. While there was a lot of action, I had a hard time with poop from magical beings being the cause of so much mischief, but perhaps a younger audience will find that amusing. The Christmas elements seemed a bit out of place, though to be fair, this is set in the summer, not during the holidays. It's a fun story with lots of action, but could have been condensed. No culture or race is specified, but Juniper appears black in the artwork. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Boy, the Father and the Bear by Per Gustavsson and Eva Apelqvist - OPTIONAL

The Boy, the Father and the Bear by Per Gustavsson and Eva Apelqvist,  95 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Aldana Libros, 2026. 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A boy lives with his father in the woods, and they have a fun life fishing and practicing soccer together. But suddenly the father grows old (the boy does not age), and eventually the father is so old he has to stay in the house; roots grow from his feet, and he turns into a tree. When it rains, the boy escapes the flood by climbing the tree, and soon finds himself floating on the tree with a bear. 

Originally published in Swedish, this is an odd story. Divided into chapters, the boy's situation goes from bad to worse to weird. There's also a (kindly?) shark. I don't know how American children will take to it. I don't care to read it again. 

Lisa Librarian 

Fifth Grade Top Dogs (Rule the School #3) by Jerry Spinelli and Jennifer A Bell - ADVISABLE

Fifth Grade Top Dogs (Rule the School #3) by Jerry Spinelli and Jennifer A Bell. 179 pages. Scholastic Press, 2026. $1

Content: G (girl pushed off swing)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Suds has been a Third Grade Angel and a Fourth Grade Rat but finally he is a Fifth Grade Top Dog!  Suds and his friend Joey have been waiting for years to rule their elementary school.  They are finally in the oldest grade. But how do Top Dogs act?  Suds learns many lessons in this coming of age story. 

Spinelli captures the angst of growing up and trying to figure out your place in the world. I enjoyed the plot but I am not sure it would appeal to fifth graders, maybe 4th or 3rd. 

Suds and Joey are presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Everything Amplified by Sarah Lippett, Ziggy Hanaor. - OPTIONAL

Everything Amplified by Sarah Lippett, Ziggy Hanaor. 270 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Cicada Books, 2026. $26

Language: R (40 swears, 17 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (drinking, vaping, kissing, joke mentioning "vagina"); Violence: PG-13 (bullying, self-harm)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

15yo Nel feels overshadowed by her twin brother Ludo, but she finds comfort in her passion for music, her friend Kit, and her aunt Jan who plays in a band. Then, Ludo does something Nel hasn’t had the courage to: he forms a band. After an encounter with one of her bullies, Bea, and after Ludo gets in trouble, Nel starts hanging out with a new group of friends. Life seems to be going better, but being a teenager is filled with ups and downs and everything is amplified. 

I applaud this graphic novel for its authentic portrayal of being a teenager. Nel's character development is well-done, but I wish it explored Bea’s character arc more. Because it was originally published in the UK, some of the slang may be unfamiliar to readers, but it's easily understood in context. The $26 price tag makes it a spendy purchase; however, it may be worth it for some libraries serving older teens who enjoy graphic novels. A tale of teenage trials, being yourself, and finding comfort in music. 

Nel and Kit are LGBT+. Secondary characters and background characters are diverse. 

Ms. Megan, HS Librarian

Puddles and Potions by Kara Lareau and Ariane Moreira - ADVISABLE

Puddles and Potions (Witchycakes #3) by Kara Lareau and Ariane Moreira. 65 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Random House, 2026. $16

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

It is almost the Spring Festival.  Blue is helping her mother run their cafe and prepare for the festival.  Blue and her mother are able to use magic.  Blue sees a potion bottle that is labeled Perfect Potion.  Could this potion help her save the day?

Puddles & Potions is the third book in the Witchcakes series.  It would appeal to readers that have recently started reading chapter books.  The story is sweet with eye-catching illustrations.  There are illustrations on every page.

Blue is in the 3rd or 4th grade.; Blue and her mother are presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

The Skull by Jon Klassen - OPTIONAL

The Skull by Jon Klassen, 101 pages. Candlewick, 2023. $20. 9781536223361

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Otilla has run away and finds a grand castle in the forest which is occupied only by a skull.  The two enjoy their day, but when night falls, a skeleton comes in pursuit of the skull.  Otilla has an idea. 

Not quite a picture book, not quite a novel. While based on a traditional Tyrolean folktale, Klassen has given this his own spin, so it doesn’t really fit with folklore either. I would personally place this with the Halloween books as it is sufficiently creepy.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

In Case I Go Missing by R. N. Swann - OPTIONAL

In Case I Go Missing by R. N. Swann, 400 pages. Viking Books (Penguin Random House), 2026. $21.

Language: R (93 swears, 5 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (alcohol use including underage drinking, illegal activity, kissing, partial nudity, innuendo, and mentions of drugs and condoms); Violence: PG13 (assault, mentions of child abuse, blood and gore, gun use, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Thick as thieves since elementary school, Sarah, Sam, and Fenris are infamous around town. Sarah cares about the truth, and loyal Sam and Fenris help her to expose secrets regardless of the cost. But when Sarah goes missing, Fenris tries to fill Sarah’s shoes and discover what has happened to her best friend.

A convoluted mystery in the best way, Fenris and Sam have to untangle years of lies to figure out what happened. While this kind of mystery doesn’t give the reader enough information to make an educated guess at the culprit, the mess and suspense were still enjoyable to read.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Sheine Lende (a prequel to Elatsoe) by Darcy Little Badger - ADVUSABLE

Sheine Lende (a prequel to Elatsoe) by Darcy Little Badger, illustrated by Rovina Cai, 400 pages. Levine Querido, 2025. $20. 

Language: PG (17 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, injuries) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

17yo Shane is a member of the almost extinct Lipan Apache tribe. Her mother has a special talent for finding lost people, and Shane has special skills too, and she helps her mother when she can. When a brother and sister go missing in the woods, and then Shane's mother disappears, too, Shane may have to rely on her unpredictable grandfather to help her. It seems there's some fairy magic causing the trouble. Shane has inherited a gift for temporarily raising the dead, but so far she keeps it to small things, mostly bugs. She has a ghost dog who is excellent at tracking, and Shane's mother has taught her well. 

So many twists and turns, traditional Indigenous culture along with Fairy rings and ancient wizards with some modern science thrown in as well - I had no idea where it was going, but I loved where it took me. I have not read Elatsoe, but now I need to, as I would love to return to their world. What a great adventure. Illustrations were pencil and interesting, they weren't always obviously representing something from the following chapter, but I bet they do, I will certainly take another look. 

Lisa Librarian 

Who's Got the Best Medicine? (Survival of the Fittest #2) by Rebecca Donnelly and Misa Saburi, - ESSENTIAL

Who's Got the Best Medicine? (Survival of the Fittest #2) by Rebecca Donnelly and Misa Saburi, 112 pages. NON-FICTION GRAPHIC NOVEL. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2025. $17

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Animals and insects in this graphic novel compete in a game show to see who can present the best medical innovation based on their own anatomy.

The book is full of interesting animal and insect facts presented in a fun approachable way. I  found it to be very informative and creative in the way it presented information. The illustrations are also great. 

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

River of Spirits (The Underwild #1) by Shana Targosz - ESSENTIAL

River of Spirits (The Underwild #1) by Shana Targosz, 416 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2025. $19

Language: G (6 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, some fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Senka is the ward of Charon, the Ferryman of the Underworld. Together they live between the realms of the Living and the Dead, where Senka dreams of one day becoming an assistant Ferryer. She has memorized all of Charon’s Rules for guiding the recently deceased from the shores of the living to their final afterlife and follows them carefully. But when a living girl named Poppy arrives searching for her ghost brother and is accidentally swept into the river of the dead, Senka is forced to break the rules to save her. Together the girls journey through the Underworld in a desperate race against time. If a Living person remains there too long, they risk becoming trapped forever. As Senka and Poppy travel through the dangerous realm, they encounter demigods, monsters, and strange inhabitants of the underworld. Along the way, Senka begins uncovering secrets about her own existence and realizes that Charon may have been hiding the truth from her all along.

A story about the power of love and learning to accept the loss of those we care about, woven together with elements of Greek mythology. I really enjoyed this book. It was a grand adventure that was both exciting and emotional, and the writing drew me into the world of the Underworld and its characters.

Senka and Poppy present white.

A. Snow, Librarian

Lady Flyer by Heather B. Moore - OPTIONAL

Lady Flyer by Heather B. Moore, 416 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2024 $28.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (sexism, smoking, of-age drinking); Violence: PG-13 (war, plane crashes)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Nancy Harkness fell in love with flying at an early age when she watched Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight successfully land and then later at the age of 16 when she paid for a stunt plane ride. She achieved her flying licenses and advocated for women to become ferrying pilots during WWII. She faced an uphill battle of administrative red-tape, skepticism about women's abilities to fly larger aircrafts, and a rivalry with Jackie Cochran who is advocating for her own vision of women pilots. 

Moore based her story on a real story, so it reads more like a biography with imagined dialogue. There is no shortage of books set during WWII; however, this one does contain information on a little discussed topic. It’s also easy to follow, but it has some repeated words and flowery language that can be distracting. For example, the utterances of “golly” in intense situations took me out of the moment. All in all, it presents interesting information about the struggles and triumphs of early women flyers, but its slower pace and phrasing may dissuade some readers. 

The main characters are white. 

Ms. Megan, High School Librarian 

Last Chance Live! by Helena Haywoode Henry - OPTIONAL

Last Chance Live! by Helena Haywoode Henry, 544 pages. Penguin, 2025. $22

Language: R (91 swears, 4 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: R (gruesome ways to kill someone mentioned, detailed murder scenes committed by characters, rape mentioned, capital punishment)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY

Eternity is 18yo  and on death row for aiding the murder of some extended family members and is desperate to be chosen to compete in a reality show in hopes of winning her freedom. Getting cast on the show could win her clemency from her sentence and give her the opportunity to live the life she always dreamed of outside of prison bars.   The only catch, she must convince America to vote off the other 9 competing death row inmates and guarantee her freedom.  

The story is told in both present and past tense, helping the reader truly understand Eternity's heart and life.  The novel is full of powerful narratives that plague Eternity's mind and soul.  Readers will cheer for, cry for, and become endeared to this main character and her plea to be given a chance to prove she is worth something.  Every reality TV binge watcher will love this deeply human teen novel.  Henry does a masterful job getting the reader inside of Eternity's head and heart. The self-talk doesn't excuse Eternity's actions, yet the truth about race and socioeconomic status is such a defining reality.  I did think that the violence was a bit to bear with the age suggestion being 12-17, but I am protective of what my children read.  The real world really is a tough place for a lot of people! I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down.  The concept of a reality show freeing a death row inmate was a unique and controversial idea for sure.

Eternity is a black girl from Dallas. 

S. Lewis

No One Leaves the Manor by Kelly McWilliams - ADVISABLE

No One Leaves the Manor by Kelly McWilliams, 393 pages. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2026. $20

Language: PG (9 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (rape, brief descriptions and language used to briefly mention sexual paintings; Violence: PG (peril from supernatural sources)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS  - OPTIONAL; HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

It's 1921. Four 15yo debutantes are invited to spend a weekend at Greystone Manor in rural New Hampshire for the chance to compete against each other and become the heiress to the multi-million dollar estate. Each girl comes with a different motivation. Dorothea wants to find out what happened to her mother that disappeared here; Elspeth was sent by her mother to save her family from financial ruin; Vaughn is pampered and spoiled and determined to win the inheritance; and Birdie is a polio survivor and just wants an adventure. The manor is dark, mysterious, and menacing. Dorothea, Elspeth, and Birdie form a friendship, but Vaughn stays aloof as she feels she is above the others. As each debutante encounters strange and supernatural events and rooms in the manor, they quickly realize that the Manor keeps its victims and that they will not be able to escape. A monster lurks behind the walls and in the bowels of the Manor.

McWilliams has created engaging characters with the chapters alternating between the different characters and their experiences, both from their past and in the present at the Manor. This was a Gothic Horror genre, which is not my typical choice of genre; I was happy to see that it was not too creepy, but creepy and weird enough for those lovers of the Horror genre. The final showdown between the characters and the force of evil was intelligently handled and satisfying, especially for those who like an ending with resolution. The novel also had thought-provoking ideas on society and human nature that did not have any agenda attached. As an English teacher, I was also happy to see great vocabulary word building. The one negative I would say is that there were shocking descriptions of paintings of a sexual nature, somewhat perverted, in one of the bedrooms. The description was brief and not dwelt upon. Afterward, the pictures were called 'filthy paintings' by the characters.  Personally, I thought this particular detail was totally unnecessary and did not have any connection to the storyline. Considering this is aimed at Middle School and High School youth, the painting descriptions should have been left out completely. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Rebecca Jo  Hansen, HS Language Arts teacher

Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee - ADVISABLE

Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee, 381 pages. Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, 2026. $20

Language: PG (16 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing, drinking); Violence: PG (murders, peril)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18 years ago a newborn baby girl drifted in a canoe to Nowhere on Orcas Island in Washington. She was given the name of Lucy and taken in by a local ship-builder and estate owner, Dakon Sanders, living as an employee of the estate. Just as she plans to leave Nowhere to attend university on the mainland, she discovers her employer's severed head on the shore. Then, unaccountably, she is named the heiress of Nowhere and the owner of Mr. Sander's shipping company. Now 18yo, Lucy discovers that her father was the Can Man, who was murdered in the same way as Mr. Sanders 18 years earlier. Lucy now knows that she must discover who murdered her father and Mr. Sanders before she is the next victim.

The mysterious happenings are an engaging way that keeps the reader anxiously following the trail of clues. Lucy is a likeable protagonist and the setting in the Northwest islands off of Washington enhances the storyline.  As an English teacher, I was also happy to see great vocabulary word building. The main drawback to this story is that Lucy looks at everyone as a suspect and can find a motive to kill each of them.  This became a little tedious as she tried to unravel the mystery.

Lucy's father was Chinese, a childhood friend, Kai, is Hawaiian.

Rebecca Jo  Hansen, HS Language Arts teacher

Where Ella Went by Laurie Morrison - ADVISABLE

Where Ella Went by Laurie Morrison, 288 pages. Amulet (Abrams), 2026. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G (kiss mentioned); Violence: G (soccer aggression)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

One day Ella was there and the next day she wasn’t.  The adults are telling the 8th graders that Ella is fine and she just wants privacy.  But Pug, her soccer teammate, and Sadie, the new soccer girl that Ella befriended, can’t just let it go.  The girls are determined to find out where Ella is and why she left so abruptly. Even if along the way they stir some other things that people just wanted to forget.

I have to agree with Pug and Sadie - the adults should know better than to tell them just to drop it. I would have done the same thing in middle school. I liked their determination - I did not like one odd coincidence in the story.  I’ll say that I did not like how things ended up for Ella in her new school; Sadie deserved better. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt and K Woodman-Maynard - OPTIONAL

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt and K Woodman-Maynard, 256 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

10yo Winnie escapes her very strict house and into the woods, where she finds a boy and a mysterious spring, which he won’t let her drink from. Taking her home with him, he introduces her to his family, all of whom drank from the spring more than 80 years ago - since it turned them immortal. 

Babbitt and Woodman-Maynard reimagine the classic as a graphic novel. Seeing this in graphic form brings some parts which had faded in my memory to the forefront. I am not in favor of turning every classic into a graphic novel.  There is a lot of depth of language that is lost and now I’m stuck with someone else’s pictures in my mind. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

I Don't Wish You Well - OPTIONAL

I Don’t Wish You Well by Jumata Emill, 400 pages. Delacorte Press, 2026. $20

Language: R (89 swears, 16 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (Off-page underage drinking and drugs, Off-page consensual sex); Violence: R (historic child sexual abuse, off-page sexual assault and rape, off-page murder with descriptions, off-page murder-suicide)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Five years ago in the small town of Moss Pointe, Louisiana, four members of the local high school team were murdered. One of their teammates is believed to have committed the horrific crimes, but there are those who believe that the authorities got it wrong. Freshman in college and resident of Moss Pointe, Pryce Cummings, is a journalist in training and decides to spend his summer break creating a podcast to investigate if, in fact, the murderer is still roaming the streets of his hometown. As he starts to ask questions, there are those who do not want buried secrets revealed or the truth to come out and will do anything to stop him.

Using the creation of a true crime podcast as the plot for a contemporary thriller works well as it plays into what is incredibly popular for many readers. As the story unfolds, readers should be aware that there are triggering plot points throughout in regard to LGBTQIA+ issues and sexual abuse, assault, and rape. At times, the social issues can become a bit much as the reader has to keep straight numerous characters and the ways in which they fit into the story and how they are affected by one or many of the topics. The plot twist at the end is clever and well paced moments of suspense will leave thriller fans satisfied.

Reviewer–AEB

The Dance of the Dolls - OPTIONAL

The Dance of the Dolls by Lucy Ashe, 352 pages. Union Square & Co., 2023. $28

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: R (on page sex); Violence: PG-13 (stalking, kidnapping, threat of death)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

London, 1933. Identical twin sisters, Olivia and Clara both dance for the acclaimed ballet company, Sadler’s Wells. Olivia is talented and dedicated to dance and works hard to rise in the company. However, Clara, also supremely talented, is less interested in the intense competition of the company and dreams of leaving to see the world. Both young women will come into contact with men who become obsessed with their beauty and talent. One of those obsessions could turn deadly.

For readers interested in ballet and what it means to be part of a competitive company, this book will intrigue them until about three quarters through. At that point, the “thriller” aspect of the synopsis kicks in leading to a rushed and unbelievable ending that seems incongruous with the beginnings of the story. Too often the unrealistic aspects of the plot take the reader out of the story as they find themselves questioning how certain situations have come about and why the characters are making typical thriller trope choices that don’t fit with the overall book.

Reviewer–AEB

The Fangirl Project by Beth Reekles - OPTIONAL

The Fangirl Project by Beth Reekles, 350 pages. Delecorte (Random House), 2025. $13 (pb)

Language: R (39  swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (kiss, some drinking); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

16yo Cerys has never watched the tv shows, hasn’t read the books, done none of the fan stuff, but she is determined to stay best friends with Jake, who moved to a new school and has way less time for her now. Plus, she’d like to unfriend-zone herself and move to girlfriend status.  Thus here she is on  sSaturday, headed to Worlds Beyond fantasy con to join Jake in his love of the Of Wrath and Ruin sphere. But she also has to put up with his new friend and soccer teammate, Max, who is way into all of this fandom stuff.  But Cerys is determined to persevere and joins an online chat group where she and Jake really seem to be connecting, or should she say @runicrascal, his online name. 

I don’t want to give things away here - you’ll have to figure out the truth I did.  There is some great interplay between Cerys and her new group of friends also - very much kicking against the stereotypes. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Anna-Jane and the Endless Summer by Paige Classey - ESSENTIAL

Anna-Jane and the Endless Summer by Paige Classey, 387 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE. Random House, 2026. $ 18

Language: G (1 swears, 0  ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (ghost story about a drowning, mild threats of violence, gun and knife threats)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

13yo Anna-Jane always looks forward to her summer sleepaway camp.  Even though she and her mother can’t afford the tuition, a camp scholarship helps. As she settles in, something strange happens in the outside world - a trip to the nearby town is derailed because almost no one is around and almost nothing is open.  Back at camp they discover that a country wide emergency has been declared. A mysterious illness is spreading rapidly.  Some kids' parents come to take them home, but a lot of campers are stuck there.  Then the director leaves in the middle of the night.  The camp nurse is now the only adult and a few counselors also remain. Otherwise, the whole group is on their own. As fall comes and winter approaches, food is getting short, and so are tempers. 

While I normally am not a novel in verse fan, Classy paints vivid pictures with her words. And the book is long enough that I never felt cheated. However, if you listened to this as an audiobook, you would never know that it is written in verse. If your students enjoy Alone by Freeman, they will be ready to devour this next. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Sleepless by Gordon Korman - ESSENTIAL

Sleepless by Gordon Korman, 240 pages. Scholastic JULY 2026. $19

Content: G (mild threats)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

They are all 12yo and all five of them don’t need any sleep.  None. Instead, each of the five is using that extra time to perfect talents and interests - until they start discovering each other.  Now there’s a bigger mystery for them to solve.  Why are they all sleepless? They have an idea of what has happened to them and who did it, but do they want this sleeplessness turned off? Maybe they won’t be so special any more. 

Korman has such a knack for taking these little ideas and making them so compelling to read all the way to the end.  It would be great to read aloud and then discuss what kids would pursue in those extra hours and would they be willing to give them up or not.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Werewolf Hamlet by Kerry Madden-Lunsford - ADVISABLE

Werewolf Hamlet by Kerry Madden-Lunsford, 248 pages. Charlesbridge, 2025. $19

Language:  G (4 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (mentions of underage drug and alcohol use); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Angus is a quirky fifth grader who loves Shakespeare, costumes, and stage makeup. There is a lot going on in Angus’s life. His family is struggling financially and may lose their home, and Angus also needs to come up with a fifth-grade Legacy Project. Angus has a brilliant idea: stage Hamlet with werewolves as his project. First, though, he has to convince his teacher that it’s actually a good idea. To make matters worse, Angus’s older brother Liam is not acting like himself. In fact, Angus thinks he is about as unpredictable as a werewolf. Angus hopes that if Liam watches the play, he might understand that acting like a werewolf all the time is not the best way to handle things.

The story is fun and engaging while also dealing with the difficult topic of how a teenager’s addiction to alcohol can affect an entire family. I liked the way Angus’s friends supported him and how his family worked together to help one another through their struggles. Angus and Connor cue white. Zora is black

A. Snow, Librarian

Escape From Nuggetville by Jenine Pastores and Josh Jackson - ADVISABLE

Escape From Nuggetville (The Adventures of Tubby Nugget #1) by Jenine Pastores and Josh Jackson. 105 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Penguin Workshop, 2026.$12

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL; EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Tubby is a soft, nugget shaped creature who lives on the planet Nug.  He has great friends and wonderful parents.  It is almost time for him to participate in the Dunking Ceremony where he will be dipped in gold.  After he becomes golden, he has to act more like an adult.  He can only eat gold and can't have fun like he used to.  Is Tubby ready to be golden?

The Adventures of Tubby Nugget will appeal to students who enjoy graphic novels that are a little silly and not full of intense content. I would compare it to the Hilo series.  I think that students will like reading about Tubby's internal struggle to grow up. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence by Neil Gorsuch, Janie Nitze and Chris Ellison - ADVISABLE

Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence by Neil Gorsuch, Janie Nitze and Chris Ellison. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2026. $22. 9780063473973

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Gorsuch (the Supreme Court Justice) gives us a new look at the events leading up to, during, and after the creation of the Declaration of Independence. The book is quite text heavy - I can’t see a teacher reading all of it aloud in one sitting. My personal favorite part is looking into what happened to some of the signers during the revolution and a bit afterwards - stories I don’t remember hearing before. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Piper at the Gates of Dusk (New World #1) by Patrick Ness - OPTIONAL

Piper at the Gates of Dusk (New World #1) by Patrick Ness, 352 pages. Candlewick, 2026. $20

Language: R (71 swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some deaths, some blood, shootings)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When the flaming god bursts through the forest and almost kills them, Ben and Max have a hard time getting anyone to believe them. It has been twenty years since the final war almost ended the “New World” before it had a chance to get started. While Todd, the boys’ father, still  has his connection to the Noise, even the Spackle only have legends to help them navigate and interpret what is being heralded by the god’s appearance and disappearance. As the situation becomes more urgent and dangerous, the boys will need to figure out how to make their voices heard and hopefully prevent more tragedy. 

I will admit it - I have never read the original Chaos Walking trilogy, but Ness is so good at weaving in enough backstory that I didn’t feel I needed to read them in order to understand this new series. More intellectual than your standard YA adventure novel - fans of Scott Reintgen will definitely enjoy it. I am looking forward to seeing how Ness moves forward with what information he lets drop. Fans of the original will enjoy this on a different level as old faces are reintroduced.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Burn the Kingdom Down by Addie Thornley - ADVISABLE

Burn the Kingdom Down by Addie Thornley, 428 pages. Sourcebooks, 2026. $20

Language: G (3 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (passionate kissing and implied sex, drinking tea with drug-like properties); Violence: PG-13 (gruesome deaths, descriptions of dead bodies, attempted sexual assault)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Indira has always been content to be the younger sister, peacefully growing the bagrava that's essential to her people's survival. But, when her older sister's body is returned after only a year of marriage to the Vanzadorian prince, Indira is sent to take her place. Her plan to avenge her sister's death and destroy Vanzador starts to fall apart when she discovers that there's more to Vanzador than meets the eye. Nothing Indira sees in Vanzador adds up to what she had been told. As Indira digs deeper into Vanzador's secrets, she discovers her own abilities to lead and becomes the queen her new country needs. 

Overall, I liked the book and the twists and turns kept me guessing. Both Indira and Prince Alaric's character arcs are well done. I also liked the love story because it was authentic and wasn't the primary focus of the story. The magic system was a little strange and could have used a little more explanation. The ages of the characters are only implied - but I feel they are between 18 and 21.

There isn't a specific race or ethnicity for any of the main characters, but Indira is described as having golden skin and freckles, while many of the Vanzadorians have blond hair. 

Andrea R

Trust No One by Karen Bass - OPTIONAL

Trust No One by Karen Bass, 124 pages. Orca, 2026. $11 

Language: R (45 swears, 6 f); Mature Content: PG (abandonment, incarcerated father); Violence: PG (attacks) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

17yo Ben Hamer is harassed by the local police just because his father is in prison. His luck seems about to change when a cute girl named Abigail asks him out. The date goes from great to a nightmare when he inadvertently becomes an accomplice to robbery and Abigail frames him for it, causing Ben to go on the run. 

Fast paced with an intriguing plot. The language was rough. I couldn't figure out why Ben still thought Abigail was cute after what she did. The language was rough, but the storyline should still suck in reluctant readers . No culture or race is mentioned. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Carnival Fantastico by Angela Montoya - OPTIONAL

Carnival Fantastico by Angela Montoya, 432 pages. Joy Revolution (Random House), 2026. $20

Language: R (79 swears, 1 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (passionate kissing, flashbacks to past sexual relations - on page, but not descriptive); Violence: PG-13 (references to past abuse, both physical and verbal; violent and gory accidents/deaths; references to war violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Esmeralda and Ignacio are both 18yo, almost 19yo Esmeralda and Ignacio used to be best friends and lovers, but circumstances forced them apart. Now a year later, Esmeralda has joined the circus, looking for a chance to escape her life as a fugitive and Ignacio has deserted the army to try to figure out the reason why his father, the Commandant of the Army, is waging war under false pretenses. Esmeralda hopes to become the lead attraction at the carnival, but dangerous accidents to the others vying for the spot make her quest even more important. After Ignacio's search for answers leads him to the circus, the two struggle to resolve their painful feelings from the past. Once they do, they're able to join forces to solve the mystery of the Carnival Fantastico.

I liked the alternating chapter format that gave insight into both of the main characters and their motivations. I also liked the premise of the magical carnival, but I felt like it was underdeveloped. It was obvious from the beginning that the main characters were going to get back together, but they wasted 300 pages miscommunicating instead of developing the other aspects of the story. The magic system was also not very well explained. 

All of the characters are Hispanic/Latino coded, but the setting is imaginary. 

Andrea R.

Ghost Army: The Troop of Artists Who Helped Win WWII by Sarah Glenn Marsh and Becca Stadtlander. - ADVISABLE

Ghost Army: The Troop of Artists Who Helped Win WWII by Sarah Glenn Marsh and Becca Stadtlander. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Viking (Penguin), JUNE 2026. $19. 9780593691717

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

During WWII a small group of artists and musicians played a critical role throughout the war - convincing the enemy that they were real troops of hundreds or thousands of men backed by tanks and artillery. In truth their tanks were rubber and the thousands of troops were rumors and sound recordings!

It wasn’t until 1996 when the efforts and successes of The Ghost army, a troop of artists and sound technicians during WWII, were finally recognized and acknowledged. My grades don’t cover WWII, but any school that does should have this on the shelf.  You could also show this to a theater teacher or art teacher. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS