Three's a Crowd (Sweet Valley Twins #7) by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Claudia Aguirre - ADVISABLE

Three's a Crowd (Sweet Valley Twins #7) by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Claudia Aguirre, 204 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2026. $22 

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 f);  Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Twins, Elizabeth and Jessica, are both stressed out with schoolwork involving typing, so when their friend, Mary, offers to help, they quickly take her up on it. Jessica starts to get suspicious though, when Mary seems to want to hang around their mom more than them. 

Great art and easy to follow. The twins make good literary foils for each other, but manage to resolve their differences and make those differences work. Though the endings are no big surprises, it's always an enjoyable ride. Fans of the series won't be disappointed. The twins are white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

These Vengeful Gods by Gabe Cole Novoa - OPTIONAL

These Vengeful Gods by Gabe Cole Novoa, 432 pages. Random House Children's Books (Penguin Random House), 2025. $20.

Language: R (122 swears, 36 “f”); Mature Content: PG (some kissing, no underage drinking or drug use); Violence: R (repeated bloody, graphic violence, with the on-page & off-page death of several minor characters)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

In the sci-fi fantasy dystopian world of Escal, 16yo Crow is one of the Deathchildren, a minority that was nearly wiped out 10 years earlier by the Gods, and has had to grow up hiding his true nature. He wants to save his uncles, who have been arrested for helping Deathchildren escape the city, but with no money or political sway as he grew up in the wretchedly poor Shallows ghetto, Crow chooses to compete in the Tournament of Gods for the slight chance to save his uncle's lives. It’s quite literally a fight to the death in the gladiator-style combat competition, but in between matches, Crow and his friends begin to uncover a greater conspiracy that the Gods and the government are trying desperately to keep hidden.

I was fully invested in Crow’s story almost from the beginning and by the end of the novel, I just wanted to watch the whole world burn with him. Novoa excels at worldbuilding, establishing a setting where Crow is isolated at first, not by his queer identity, but rather by the systemic inequalities and prejudices directed by the government against his minority population. I thought the book was an interesting mix of sci-fi, dystopian, & fantasy elements. It was kind of like Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games meets the Fifth Element. It is incredibly violent and contains strong graphic language, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Teens who love dystopian worlds will devour this one.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher #bookswithbeddes 

Wrong Friend by Charise Mericle Harper, illustrated by Rory Lucey - OPTIONAL

Wrong Friend by Charise Mericle Harper, illustrated by Rory Lucey, 254 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL First Second (Macmillan), 2026. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Casey and Charise have been best friends for years even though Casey is 13 and Charise is 11. But when Casey moves on to high school, she dumps Casey. Casey thought her friendship was forever, so she is in the uncomfortable position of searching for a new BFF with all the angst that goes with it. 

Charise's story is relatable and seems true to her age. There are a lot of unwritten rules in middle school about friends, and Charise fields that. Charise's grandmother moves in and only speaks French, but there are translations with it, which is nice. The plot was predictable, but will appeal to girls with friendship problems. Charise is part French. 

Michelle in the Middle

Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide by Pablo Leon - ADVISABLE

Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide by Pablo Leon, 238 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Harper Alley, 2025. $19. 

Language: PG (14 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G Violence: PG13 (Genocide, talk of throwing bodies down wells, rape, mutilation, murder - images on page contain blood but are not graphic or disturbing) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Jose and Charlie were born in America, but they know nothing about their mother's life as a girl in Guatemala in the 1980's. When Jose hears about the genocide trial of Efrain Rios Montt he asks his mother, which is upsetting for her, but soon she agrees to tell her story. In 1982 Clara and her sister Elena have heard of the conflict between the government and the guerillas, but they are taken by surprise when their village is attacked and nearly everyone is murdered by soldiers. They manage to escape into the forest but are soon separated. With no provisions and just the clothes on her back, Clara finds herself alone in a dangerous country caught in the middle of a civil war.

I loved the connection of the past to the present. This is a terrible thing for young Clara (probably about 13yo or 14yo) to have experienced, and the telling to her teenage sons tempered the violence a bit. I like the graphic novel illustrations, the book is in full color 

Clara and her sister are Indigenous Mayan. 

Lisa Librarian  

Predatory Natures by Amy Goldsmith - OPTIONAL

Predatory Natures by Amy Goldsmith, 417 pages. Delacorte Press (Random), 2025. $15.

Language: R (38 swears, 32 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (mention of dry humping, passionate kissing, mention of underage drinking, exploration of emotionally abusive relationships); Violence: PG-13 (mild body horror)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

18yo Lara Williams just landed her dream summer job working on the luxury train The Banebury. Her plan involves using the glitz and glamor of The Banebury mixed with the stunning European landscape to escape her family, her friends, and most importantly her past. All Lara wants is a fresh start. Although her first day on the job already threatens to complicate her plans. Lara soon learns she will be working with the awkward and handsome Rhys, one of those friends she is desperate to leave behind. If the constant reminder of her past staying in the cabin next door wasn’t enough, two mysterious and unexpected passengers bring a very real danger into Lara’s life that threatens to crush her plans for good. If she can’t find a way to stop two carriages full of nightmarish plants from reaching their final destination, everyone onboard The Banebury is doomed.

Despite the killer (pun intended) concept of Predatory Natures I was left with unanswered questions and an unsatisfying conclusion. This is a slow-burn horror. Emphasis on the slow. The chapters alternate between Lara’s complicated past to her present, but it wasn’t consistent when the chapters switched. The past chapters seemed to interrupt the action of the present just as it was about to get good. Adult readers will likely pick up on what Lara is running from in her past before young adult readers. I can see certain readers really enjoying the moody atmosphere and unique plant horror, but I think most might find it confusing and slow paced. Both Lara and Rhys cue white.

E. Powell - Junior High Librarian

Who's All Going (to Die)? by Lisa Springer - OPTIONAL

Who's All Going (to Die)? by Lisa Springer, 352 pages. Penguin Random House, 2025. $20

Language: R (75 swears, 6 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (drinking, drugs, kissing); Violence: PG-13 (murder, dead bodies)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18yo Ariana, or Ari, knows Oakley because they go to the same dog groomer. She is surprised when Oakley invites her to an all-expenses-paid trip to the soft launch of a teen wellness program on a private island. Ari convinces Oakely to let her bring along her cousin Candy, her best friend Maya, and her dog Qunicy. Ari hopes that after attending the retreat she may gain some clarity as she is unsure about her future since a bad shoulder injury could jeopardize her collegiate volleyball scholarship.  At first, the island seems like a dream with plenty of activities and amenities for the more than 75 people invited. But when Ari has to sign a liability waiver, some questionable treatments are performed, someone vanishes, someone needs to be rescued, and someone else dies, Ari begins wondering what exactly is going on at this wellness retreat.

I appreciate how the novel slowly clues readers in that something is not quite right with the whole situation, and its fast-pace will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The cast of secondary characters is diverse,  but the large number of characters may be overwhelming, especially at the start. Many of the characters' descriptions are also plainly done, not following the “show, don’t tell” mentality. I did enjoy the novel’s discussion of untested trendy "wellness" treatments and influencers. A solid YA mystery, horror, thriller with a touch of romance. 

Ariana is Black. Many secondary characters are diverse including Jadon (dark brown skin), Oakley (biracial), and Ellie (LGBT+)

Ms. Megan, HS Librarian 

Lady Knight (The Diamond Series #2) by Amalie Howard - OPTIONAL

Lady Knight (The Diamond Series #2) by Amalie Howard, 337 pages. Joy Revolution (Random House), 2025. $20

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO:  SOME

Zia is a Duke's daughter, a diamond of the season and lives a secret life.  She reads controversial books, attends school, fences and robs wealthy men of the ton to try and save an orphanage.  Zia and her friends, The Lady Knights, as they call themselves, are trying to make a difference in their community while finding their voices in a world that is determined for them.  No one knows what they are up to until her brother's best friend, a handsome rogue, finds out and inserts himself in every way, into Zia's life.

This is a clean, Regency romance for teenagers.  I like that Zia bucks the trend whenever she can, and that her mother is a strong female role model to her and others; however, at times, I felt myself rolling my eyes at the obvious "women can do anything" undertone of some scenes. It was a fun, playful story with just enough romance and intrigue.  Overall, it is an enjoyable book and would be a great introduction to Regency romance books for young adults.

Variety of ethnicity, but not specific.

Karen Cutchen, Library Aide

You Had Me at Hello World by Rona Wang - OPTIONAL

You Had Me at Hello World by Rona Wang, 307 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2025. $20

Language: R (61 swears, 4 ‘f'); Mature Content:  PG-13 (underage drinking, making out, intense kissing, some crude talk, cyber sex, not descriptive, off page sex); Violence: PG (mild family conflicts and verbal abuse)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME

16yo Char feels her life is out of control.  Her mom is working a lot of hours so she never sees her, and she knows her stepdad has PTSD from his time in the military, but he is so mean and he took all the money she had been saving for herself to "help out with the family bills"  It's so infuriating because he spends all his time and money gambling.  With no money, college is out and she can't see any other way out of her small Oregon town.  Her school counselor suggests she apply to a prestigious computer summer camp and reminds her that she has been running the school's website for over a year.  Char doesn't think she will be accepted, but much to her surprise she makes it, and is off to MIT for the summer.  Camp is filled with so many students from all over that are far more qualified than she is, but Char is determined not to get distracted, even when she meets Khoi, a cute boy from another school.  Now she is torn between wanting to do well on her project and wanting to get to know Khoi better.  Can she do both?    

Take a typical romance with a nice guy, a good mom, and tech camp, combine it with a cute cover, and you have a story that may appeal to readers looking for a light summer read.  On the other hand, Char is hard to like, the endless pop culture references, which can be clever, were too much and calling out everyone for sexism, racism, privilege, etc. without any character development reduced almost everyone to a stereotype and discerning readers will notice.  I would have liked to see Char mature, and a little more depth to the story, but it didn't deliver and I lost interest.  

Char is Chinese American. Her best friend, Lola is a lesbian. Other characters are from different backgrounds, ethnicities and orientations.

Rebel B - librarian

Building 903 by Lois Lowry - ESSENTIAL

Building 903 by Lois Lowry, 240 pages. HarperCollins, September 2026. $20 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

14yo Tessa lives in a dystopian state in 2099 where music, art, and books are banned. Everything is controlled by a ruler who has abolished elections and has tight control of everyone and everything. Tessa's father is an inventor, her mother a security officer and her brilliant twin brother - well, he is missing. When their neighbor is moved into Elder Care, she slips Tessa a key. What she finds in the hidden closet could change everything. 

I loved Building 903 for so many reasons. There are famous children's book first lines quoted which made me cry, as I was living in Tessa's world and thinking of them not only banned but illegal broke my heart. Some interesting twists in the story certainly kept me reading. Building 903 is a winner - I wouldn't be surprised if it replaces The Giver in classrooms. The family default white 

Lisa Librarian  

Lost Girls of Hollow Lake by Rebekah Faubion - OPTIONAL

Lost Girls of Hollow Lake by Rebekah Faubion, 384 pages. Delacorte Press, 2026. $20

Language: R (95 swears, 15 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (Romantic kissing and snuggling, underage drinking); Violence: R (Numerous on-page bloody and gruesome killings, descriptions of corpses, animal in peril, assault).

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Eight girls went missing on a school trip to Hollow Lake National Park. After 46 days, five return leading to many questions and few answers. As Evie and the other remaining “Lost Girls” try to navigate a return home, they are haunted by the three girls they left behind and what they did during their time in the wilderness. Now someone is coming after the survivors and those involved in the tragedy, picking them off one by one. Evie must decide if the only way to survive and protect the ones she loves means a return to the island and the horror it holds.

A paranormal horror that plays out in dual timelines. The overall plot is 

intriguing, but the execution is average. There are too many characters to 

keep track of, which leads to confusion as the reader attempts to keep 

track of who is in danger, who is missing, who is dead, and who is a 

suspect. The supernatural aspect never comfortably sits with the story 

causing a disconnect for the reader.

Reviewer: AEB

Finch House by Ciera Burch - ADVISIBLE

Finch House by Ciera Burch. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2023. $18

Language: G (no swears); Mature Content: G; Violence PG (children in peril)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS-ADVISIBLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

11-year-old Micah goes on a bike ride across town and ends up at Finch House, the crumbling Victorian ruin her Poppop says is off-limits. Much to her surprise, the house is fixed up and there are people living there. If there is the possibility of a new friend, the house can be off-limits anymore, right? The next day, Poppop goes missing and Micah finds herself back at Finch House. Her new friend, Theo, invites her in and Micah soon finds she cannot leave. Then the whispers start and the shadows grow. Micah must convince the house to give her back her Poppop and let them go.

A promising premise soon loses its way with too many plot points and messages to convey. On the surface, it seems like a story about a haunted house. However, this spooky tale rapidly gets dragged down by stories of lost children. Racism, difficult life changes, and friendship. There are too many plot holes and threads that go nowhere. Even though it is aimed at younger readers, they will notice the uneven story-telling and wish for a stronger resolution.

Reviewer: AEB

Stolen Midnights by Katherine Quinn - NO

Stolen Midnights by Katherine Quinn, 447 pages. Delacorte Press (Random), 2026. $22

Language:  R (50 swears,  43 ‘f'); Mature Content: R (sex on the page); Violence: PG (blood, gore, beatings, corpses)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - NOT RECOMMENDED

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18yo Wren, who believes she was not given a magical gift by the Fates, attempts to visit the Fate called Day, but ends up being escorted into Dusk’s room. When she enters her throne room, she finds chaos with a trail of blood. She finds a note Dusk has written to her as she escapes. Wren is acquainted with a thief by the name of Damien. He is the thief who has stolen her gift. The Fate's  note seems to guide Wren to Damien.  Wren convinces him to help her find her lost gift but in the process they will also try to solve the mystery of the missing Dusk, why so many of the poor  are going missing, and who is the instigator. 

Quinn engages the reader from the beginning. Quinn builds a believable world with likeable characters. The plot is catchy and fast paced. And, the story ends with a twist on a cliff hanger so there will be another book. But swears abounded and the sex scene is quite graphic for a teenage reader. There were also some events that seemed too contrived. 

Most in the story are white, high class people, but Damien's sidekick is a black female who is poor. 

MOMMAC, Post-educator

Fustuk by Robert Mgrdich Apelian - ADVISABLE

Fustuk by Robert Mgrdich Apelian, 304 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Penguin Young Readers Group (Penguin Random House), 2026. $18.

Language: G (3 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (a few tense situations, e.g. a guard hurt in div attack, brief div possession, self-inflicted knife wound, and siblings fighting the div)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

17 yo Katah wants to make life easier for his dying mother, but he is useless in the kitchen, and feels like an outsider in his family of chefs. However, he does have magical visions that lead him to Az, a mysterious div (demons from Persian folklore). To save their dying mother, Katah and his siblings make a risky deal with Az, who is somehow linked to their family’s past. As you can imagine, a deal with a demon never goes smoothly.

I struggled getting into this graphic novel initially. The Persian and Armenian influences in the language, the food, clothing, and architecture depicted was just so different from anything I had a reference for, and the fantasy elements were also very unfamiliar, which makes me think it will have a somewhat limited appeal to the average reader. Eventually I did get wrapped up in the story, Katah's coming-of-age arc, and of course, I was in tears by the end of the book. It's a sumptuously illustrated, fantastical story about loss, food culture, and family dynamics. It could be an excellent text for visual analysis or in comparison to other folklore-adjacent stories.

Diversity note: The story takes place in a fantasy realm of Pars, but the author noted the Armenian and Persian influences on the story, so the characters look and dress Middle Eastern.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

The Garden Just Beyond by Lindsey Leavitt, - ADVISABLE

The Garden Just Beyond by Lindsey Leavitt, 320 pages. Goodwin Books, 2025 $19 Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

14yo Maggie’s family has a long history of serving magical dinners. Those chosen to eat their food creations are given specific emotions with it.  And, thus, the world is changed forever by it. Word gets out to those wanting to have control over the garden. Through deceit, the garden becomes at risk of demise. Maggie and Graham combined their brilliance to defeat the enemies of the garden by the use of family history, forgiveness, and choice.

Leavitt creates a fun way of mixing food and magic, which includes a family history mystery.  The story demonstrates a good moral ending and contains clean language throughout. Sadly, the plot felt jerky and confusing. Leavitt created what appeared to be two protagonists, which created confusion also.

Graham appears to be Hispanic. 

MOMMAC/Post-educator

Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler by Amelia Tait - OPTIONAL

Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler by Amelia Tait, 368 pages. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillian), 2026. $19.

Language: PG13 (18 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (mentions of alcohol and of nudity in art); Violence: PG (mild assault and mentions of animal sacrifices and biological warfare)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

New Year’s is a stressful time for Lily (12yo) because she never knows if the new year will actually be the next one. Lily was born in 2013, but she has also lived in 1922 and 122 CE—and while all of her family and friends (and enemies) have time traveled on New Year’s with her, Lily seems to be the only one who remembers. This time, all Lily wants to do is stay away from Georgia and tell her crush how she feels.

Lily’s childhood through the ages is fascinating and funny. Tait did a lot of research to accurately describe the different eras she sends her characters to, and it is a very enjoyable way to learn about history. Middle school is difficult, and it’s easy to fantasize that things would be better if circumstances were different. I love that Lily’s story shows readers that changing what year you live in doesn’t change who you are—only you get to make the choice to change or not. Lily is English.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Fledgling (The Keeper's Records of Revolution #1) by S.K. Ali, - OPTIONAL

Fledgling (The Keeper's Records of Revolution #1) by S.K. Ali, 544 pages. Penguin Random House, 2024. $22.00

Language: PG (8 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing, off page sex); Violence: PG-13 (bride houses where women are sold to men, fighting, torture, murder, gruesome injuries)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

After the Great Catastrophe left only one safe zone on earth, the elite moved to a new city located above it fittingly named Upper Earth where technology continued to thrive and scalplinks linked everyone to the world’s knowledge. Those on Lower Earth struggled to survive, with the middle class living near The Bridge between the two. Tensions and strife exist between the levels. Raisa, who lives in Upper Earth and is the daughter of its ruler, is supposed to marry Leon, the Crown Prince of Lower Earth. As part of this celebration, all Lower Earth citizens will be scalplinked to bring in an era of supposed peace. On Lower Earth, 19yo twins Nada and Nayf were forcibly imprisoned after their grandmother, the past Lower Earth ruler, was murdered. Nada is part of a rebel group trying to keep Lower Earth free from the scalplinks that Upper Earth may use to program and control them.

Ali structures the novel as a historical record of what happened during the revolution which requires the reader to pay close attention to the narrative. I enjoyed the multiple points of view as they provide a rich character field that allows the reader to see how both sides view one another. This first part of a proposed dystopian duology is a strong example of character development and world-building, but the pacing felt off at times, and it was a bit challenging to follow. It contains some features common to the genre, including propaganda, underlying romance, and a promised savior of the Fledgling. Hand to fans of dystopian novels willing to put in some reading effort.

Raisa has brown skin. 

Ms Megan, High School Librarian

The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne by Sonya Ballantyne - OPTIONAL

The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne by Sonya Ballantyne, 60 pages.  GRAPHIC NOVEL, NON-FICTION Highwater Press. 2026. $21 

Language: R (11 swears, 3 "F") Mature Content: PG-13 (racism, bullying, questioning sexuality, depression, suicide ideation) Violence: PG (self harm) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A memoir covering Sonya's life from a small girl to college graduate, this book deals with a lot of difficult issues. Sonya has to navigate the racism and bullying at school as an indigenous girl, and faces mental issues as she navigates her life. 

The illustrations are bright and colorful and make the book look like it's written for elementary kids. However, Sonya's life is brutal at times, and the language and self-harm, make it more applicable to older kids. I appreciate that there is a number for the Hope and Wellness and Suicide hotlines at the front of the book. Sonya's story is authentic and genuine, but also very short. I would have liked to know more about her culture. Sonya is Cree. 

Michelle in the Middle

Three Queens by Rebecca Connolly - OPTIONAL

Three Queens by Rebecca Connolly, 336 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2026. $29.

Language: PG (6 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (kissing, mild innuendo, and mentions of alcohol and molestation); Violence: PG13 (discussions of riots and revolutions; mentions of assault, gun use, and murder; and blood and gore)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

While living in different circumstances in different countries, Abigail Adams, Queen Charlotte of Britain, and Queen Marie Antionette of France bond over their similarities. These women know what power looks like and how difficult it is to not have any when their lives threaten to crack and fall apart. Drawing strength from their unlikely sisterhood, they face their foes with great fortitude.

In Connolly’s author’s note, she puts forth the purpose of this book as to encourage readers to consider these women as real people that faced difficult circumstances and were trying to do their best, despite how history has not been kind to them. For example, Queen Marie Antionette’s “famous quote” of “Let them eat cake” is nowhere to be found, though readers can see how such a rumor could have come into play due to the circumstances the Queen found herself in. While the book builds with conflict in the British royal family and the French revolution, the story focuses on the women who endured much grief and sorrow more than the conflicts causing the unfortunate circumstances. Even knowing that Connolly extrapolates a lot of the content, including the friendship between the women in this story, I appreciate the new lens I have for looking at and trying to better understand history.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Ancient Egypt (History Smashers #11) by Kate Messner - ESSSENTIAL

Ancient Egypt (History Smashers #11) by Kate Messner, 208 pages. NON FICTION. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2025. $10 (paperback), $13 (library binding)

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content:  G; Violence: PG (description of mummification process, not graphic)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

From the insightful History Smasher series comes another fantastic title: Ancient Egypt. Did you know that the word "pharaoh" actually comes from an Egyptian word for “great house” and wasn’t used as a title for royalty until the Twenty-Fifth or Twenty-Sixth Dynasty? Maybe you know Sobekneferu was actually the first female king - not Hatshepsut - but you probably didn’t know hieroglyphs can be read either left to right or right to left depending on which way the first character in profile is facing. No matter your knowledge of the ancient Egyptian world and its people, readers young and old are bound to learn something new from the latest installment by professional History Smasher, Kate Messner. 

The easy to read text is broken up by short comics and info panels throughout. Messner includes a time of ancient Egypt, an author’s note, bibliography, and additional books/museums readers can check out for more information. An excellent addition to libraries where the History Smashers series are already in regular circulation.

E. Powell,  Junior High Librarian

Dreams: Visions From the Fire by Wanda John-Kehewin - ADVISABLE

Dreams: Visions From the Fire by Wanda John-Kehewin, (Dream Series 2) 78 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL,  Highwater Press 2026 $20.

Language: PG (9 swears, 0 F); Mature Content: PG (alcoholism, grief); Violence: PG-13 (self harm, attempted suicide) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Damon Quinn has graduated from high school. He and his friend, Journey, have grown closer and are going with Damon's mom to Kehewin Cree Nation to attend a Seat Ceremony and Powwow and reconnect with family. Damion also wants to find his birth father. He also begins to have visions of his history and the history of his mother that she has kept hidden. 

This is a great representation of Cree culture, and I like how Damian is discovering his cultural history through his vision quest. The author, who is Cree, feels it is important to show our connection to our ancestors. Authentic and raw, the writing is ultimately filled with healing. My only complaint is that it is too short. The characters are Cree. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Shark Prince by Malia Maunakea - ADVISABLE

The Shark Prince by Malia Maunakea, 368 pages. Penguin Workshop (Penguin Random House), 2026. $19.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (mentions of drugs); Violence: PG (assault, blood, and mentions of murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Nohea (13yo) has been homeschooled and kept away from everyone outside of his mom and tutu in order to protect them—because Nohea is half-shark, the Shark Prince. When Nohea tries to sign up for a surfing contest with prize money that will keep his family from moving away from Hawaii, he finds out that homeschoolers are ineligible. For the first time, Nohea is getting the chance to be normal and go to school—as long as his shark stays quiet.

The aspects of Nohea’s story that come from Hawaiian culture and mythology were very interesting to read and learn about. But the heart of the book is Nohea learning about friendship and community through taking chances that his mother never did—discovering that it’s hard to get help if you never ask and that asking for help can open doors you never knew were there. Nohea and the majority of characters are Hawaiian.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

The Nightblood Prince by Molly X. Chang - OPTIONAL

The Nightblood Prince by Molly X. Chang, 375 pages. Random House, 2025. $21

Language: PG-13 (3 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (alcohol, sexual innuendo, kissing; sexual activity happens, but is not described); Violence: R (war, gore described w/o detail, many mentions of decapitation and severed body parts, bones, blood, death & vampirism.

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

18yo Fei is the prophesied “Empress of all Empresses” and resents both the life of luxury she had to live in the Emperor’s house and the bloody visions she hides from everyone.  Prince Siwang, the Emperor’s chosen heir, is born at the same time; he and Fei grow up together–both destined to rule the Kingdom of Rong side-by-side.  However, tensions between the Vampire/Deity-Prince Yexue of the Kingdom of Lan and Prince Siwang flow over into warfare, and the countryside is bathed in destruction–all in her name. Fei struggles to reconcile her feminism and power with her love of Siwang, lust for Yexue, and capability to stop a war from devouring both countries.

Though the reader is led to understand that Fei has the potential for world-changing power, this plot falls flat through low stakes events, unremarkable magic, and ultimate feeble resolution(s). Throughout, Fei constantly expresses her feminist power, then just as quickly questions her individuality, relationships, and influence/power.  Her life outside of the Emperor’s grip undermines her credibility when she rationalizes her feelings and has sex with Prince Siwang.  The adversarial nature of her relationships is excessive, her pining for men she can’t or shouldn’t have is cloying, and the reader can’t help but question why the universe would ever choose Fei as “Empress of Empresses.”

The book’s premise is unique with its Chinese-adjacent fantasy world, language, and cultural influence.  All characters are Chinese-centric. Throughout the book, Chinese proverbs in Chinese characters, are incorporated into the text with English translations provided.

James Hirst, ELA Instructor, HerrimanHS

 

Open Wide by I.M. Eerie - OPTIONAL

Open Wide by I.M. Eerie, 170 pages.Simon and Schuster, 2025. $18 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Eddie finds himself at a mysterious new dentist's office in town. Even though his teeth aren't hurting, he winds up getting three of them yanked by dodgy Dr. Yankum. On picture day at school, he notices that many of his fellow fifth graders are missing teeth as well. As Eddie digs deeper, he discovers that there could be something sinister going on. 

Anything to do with yanking teeth makes me a bit queasy. While it's an easy read, the plot seemed fairly predictable. Of course, Eddie and his friend are going to try and figure out Dr. Yankum on their own and not involve adults. The ending was a bit of a twist, but made my teeth hurt. No culture or race is mentioned, the characters default white.

Michelle in the Middle 

Farrah Noorzad and the Realm of Nightmares by Deeba Zargarpur - ADVISABLE

Farrah Noorzad and the Realm of Nightmares (Farrah Noorzad #2) by Deeba Zargarpur, 320 pages. Labyrinth Road (Random House), 2025. $18.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (assault, fantasy violence, and mentions of blood and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

After saving her father and the other jinn kings, Farrah (13yo) now knows the truth of her half-jinn heritage. Her mother, free from holding that secret, decides they can finally have an adventure and move away from Philadelphia. While Farrah would do anything for her mother, Farrah can’t help but want to see more of the jinn realm—an opportunity at her fingertips in the form of an official summons from the kings.

Being described as half-human and half-jinn, Farrah longs to find a place where she fits, where she belongs—an impossible task when not even Farrah can see herself as whole. With pressure on all sides to be good and make the right choices, Farrah’s journey through magical realms is one all readers can relate too. Her story is not over yet, leaving off on a cliffhanger with the fate of both worlds in the balance. Farrah is Muslim Afghan American.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski - ADVISABLE

A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski, 344 pages. Roaring Brook (Macmillan), 2026. $19

Language: G (6 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (mass death because of the plagues and one of the characters being a taster and in her classes would try small amounts of poisons); Violence: PG-13 (lots of on page blood. Characters coughing up blood because of plague. Fight scenes where characters get cut, restrained or knocked out)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Nia just wants to live a normal life in the seaside desert city of Yerat, but she is known as a Sinsory, someone who has extraordinarily heightened senses. Because of her unique ability to smell, she is “tapped” to join the Cloister, a special school for children with talents like Nia's, in the hope that they can use their abilities to find cures for different plagues that have ravaged the population. In The Cloister, Nia learns more about her ability to smell and perhaps sniffs out a sinister mystery within the walls of the school.

I was drawn in by the dark academia premise 2) I liked the author's description of the world's magic system and I thought the writing was well done 3) I enjoyed the main characters' perspective and snarkier asides. 

Characters cue white

Maryn - Librarian Assistant