The Ginghams by T.C. Kemper, - ADVISABLE

The Ginghams by T.C. Kemper, 227 pages. Henry Holt, 2026. $19

Content: G (earring ripped out of ear)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Joni and Tyler are eager to see their best friend May after eight weeks away at summer camp.  May, however, is acting a little bit different; her usual punk rock style has been replaced by a more conservative look.  And May isn’t the only one - many of the moms around town are also looking and acting very differently.  It has to be something to do with May’s new neighbors - the Ginghams. Whatever the Ginghams are doing, it seems to be spreading all over town - far too quickly! Tyler and Joni seem to be the only ones who can stop it, but they are going to need a little inside help from an unexpected source. 

Adults may remember the Stepford Wives movies - Kemper uses more modern technology for her ace in the hole.  The idea is the same but even more insidious, I felt. Loved it.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

he Team by Daphne Benedis-Grab - ESSENTIAL

The Team by Daphne Benedis-Grab, 256 pages. Scholastic, SEPTEMBER 2026. $9 (pb)

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (threats, bullying, football hits)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Tommy has been struggling with anger management issues, but when one of his fellow teammates is accused of trashing their coach’s office, he decides to investigate.  He finds support from Simone, the accused’s sister, and Ethan, who is also on the team, but doesn’t want to play.  As the trio get closer to the truth, however, someone wants to send them a message to butt out.

I LOVE that Benedis-Grab took a detour from her normal horror fiction and gives us such a solid football book! Can’t wait to share this with the students. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

This Could All Go Bad by Spencer Hall - ESSENTIAL

This Could All Go Bad by Spencer Hall, 256 pages. Bloomsbury, 2026. $21

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

8th grader Jensen is not ready for high school.  He’s barely prepared for middle school graduation tomorrow.  But with his two best friends beside him, he knows he has support. But when Maleek and Cooper talk him into sneaking out that night to perform a set of dares against Maleek’s crush, Jensen is not prepared for all that the night has to reveal - good and devastating.

Jensen’s extreme anxiety was an initial downer for me, but he kept impressing me along the way. And his sister’s high school and life advice near the end is a masterwork. I need more books with male main characters that aren’t just a comedy - this funny book also has a lot of heart.

I assume Jensen and Cooper are white. Maleek and Jenny Chen are other unspecified ethnicities.

The audiobook copy was provided by libro.fm. Narrated by Jay Reum. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Hawk & Sparrow by Ayana Gray - ADVISABLE

Hawk & Sparrow by Ayana Gray, 352 pages. Balzer + Bray (Macmillan), 2026. $21.

Language: PG (10 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (alcohol use, illegal activity, kissing, and innuendo); Violence: PG (assault, blood and gore, gun use, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A high society event focused on the unveiling of a world-changing invention turns sour when the inventor is found dead in the botanical garden and maze after his grand demonstration. Vesper (19yo), a reporter for a dying newspaper, had been at the event and saw enough to believe that Maximilian (20yo) is the murderer. Willing to pay her enough to keep the paper alive, Maximilian hires Vesper to find the real culprit and clear his name.

The magic system is simple and, surprisingly, did not feel essential to this fantasy story about an invention that could make magic available to the masses. Instead, the focus was on the murder mystery and the enemies-to-lovers romance. I would even say that the resistance against classism and sexism were highlighted more than the magic; it just all happened to take place in a magical world. All these elements, including the magic, came together in an enjoyable story with a solvable mystery—if readers pay attention to the clues. Vesper is described as having “brown” skin, and Maximilian is described as having “a fair face.”

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson