Kissing Cowboys (Kissing Cowboys #1) by Meg Cabot - ESSENTIAL

Kissing Cowboys (Kissing Cowboys #1) by Meg Cabot, 336 pages. HarperCollins, December 2026. $20.

Language: PG13 (37 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (making out, reference to breasts); Violence: PG (fight, accident with injury)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

When 16yo Winn is forced to move cross-country from New York to Montana for her mom's job, she finds herself attending her brother's school. An all-boys ranch school "for intellectually gifted boys, with emotional, behavioral or academic challenges." She's the only girl, allowed to attend classes because her mother is teaching there. She's actually delighted (and a bit scared - what if one of them is a serial killer?) and is quickly, literally embraced by the student body. But she has her eye on a couple of them, and she's hoping she doesn't fall in love. As fresh and funny as Princess Diaries,

I couldn't put it down. I loved her displacement, Winn describes her outfits, which are usually terrible for the winter weather in Montana, and true to Meg Cabot gets herself into some awkward situations. I loved this romance; there's some making out that doesn't go too far, and a lot of sexual tension - of course - there are 80 boys at the school! The characters default white.

Lisa Librarian - 

Hafsa's Way by Aisha Saeed - ADVISABLE

Hafsa's Way by Aisha Saeed, 212 pages. Nancy Paulsen (Penguin), 2026. $18.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (elephant injury and care issues)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Hafsa wants to be a doctor when she grows up. She's determined to follow that dream despite her father's reluctance to allow his daughter (a girl!) to become a doctor, and the fact that she has been accepted to as prestigious summer camp for pre-med is expensive, and it's in the big city. Fortunately, Hafsa gets her way, and the stars line up in her favor; her married sister lives less than a mile away, and her brother-in-law offers to pay. But when she starts the camp, she sees she's enrolled in the environmental camp instead, but Hafsa is willing to make the best of it.

A companion novel to both Amal Unbound and Omar Rising - Amal returns as best friend, but it's Hafsa's story. I'm not sure how old Hafsa is, she reads to be 12-14, maybe? The story takes place in Pakistan, and the conditions at the zoo are rough - I hope readers understand that things are very different in the US. I loved the environmental connection - kids today are really invested in this subject, so I think this will get read. Saeed is a great writer, and I love her storytelling. The family drama was just right; the medical component - yes, she gets a bit of an opportunity to experience it - was a little surprising, so I think she may be older than 12. Hafsa is Pakistani

Lisa Librarian 

Hattie Mae Begins Again by Sharon G. Flake - ADVISABLE

Hattie Mae Begins Again (Companion to Once in a Blue Moon) by Sharon G. Flake, 368 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE Knopf (Random House), 2026. $18. 

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

 BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

 APPEALS TO: SOME 

11yo Hattie Mae is allowed to attend Miss Abigail's School for Exceptional Young Ladies in Philadelphia. But in 1938, there are rich black families and poor black families, and Hattie Mae, being from North Carolina, just doesn't fit in with the other girls. And they let her know it. She makes a friend, but Lisa, probably the wealthiest of the girls, is cruel. Hattie wants to be a lawyer someday, or maybe a doctor. 

This is unfair, but Hattie Mae is strong and resilient and won't let mean girls keep her down. I didn't mind that it was a novel in verse - sometimes the poetry breaks up the story because the chapters are so short, but this wasn't the case. I enjoyed the historical look at depression era Philadelphia. I enjoyed Sharon Flake's poetry; I felt the story was gripping without it being just about Hattie Mae dealing with a mean girl. There was a lot more - being courageous, learning to fit in without losing yourself, recognizing change and adapting to it. It's historical fiction, so I'm going to have to hand-sell it, but I think I can easily find some readers in my library. The characters are black. 

 Lisa Librarian 

Wombat Waiting by Katherine Applegate - ESSENTIAL

Wombat Waiting by Katherine Applegate, 336 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE HarperCollins, 2026. $20. 

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

 BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

 APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Wombat has been homeless her whole life, and she's a survivor. But something tells her (she calls it "the voice") is trying to direct her to find her person. But when Wombat gets caught up in the Palisades Fire, and becomes dirty and singed, she worries when "The Voice" tells her to go toward the fire, rather than away - until she ends up waiting on a bench near a wildlife rehab center, waiting for someone. 

 What a darling story. The heartache and the grief and the trauma of the fires are all there - there's a story of a family displaced as well, Henry and his moms, one who cares for displaced wildlife. I'm glad it was a short read due to being a novel in verse because I could not put it down. Highly recommended. 

 Lisa Librarian 

Singing Justice Singing Peace by Monica Brown and Molly Mendoza - ADVISABLE

Singing Justice Singing Peace: The Story of Joan Baez by Monica Brown and Molly Mendoza. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Beach Lane (Simon), 2026. $20. 978665926607 

 BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

 APPEALS TO: SOME 

Joan Baez knew she wanted to make the world a better place, even when she was young. When her father joined a peace organization, they moved to Iraq, and Joan saw children who were starving and learned that even in California, where she lived, there were starving children. She carried the world on her shoulders and wanted to change things. When she was given a ukulele, she began to sing, discovered folk music, and became an icon, not just for her music, but for her support of justice and peace. 

 Many more illustrations than text, and I love how illustrator Mendoza has represented the music Baez creates. Includes an author's note, which doesn't just repeat the text; it's got more, juicier info about her bravery, some of the times she went to jail, and things that happened while supporting the Civil Rights Movement. A great read, even for a high school class. Joan is Mexican/Scottish/American 

 Lisa Librarian 

The Lionharts by Mike Lawrence - ADVISABLE

The Lionharts (The Lionharts #1) by Mike Lawrence, 233 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Abrams Fanfare, 2026. $25 

Language: G (3 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Hand to hand combat, peril, and danger) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

12yo Alder and his younger brother, Flynt, hate nothing more than being stuck running the family shop while their parents are away working as questers for hire. They would much rather be joining their parents on exciting adventures. But when their parents disappear after accepting a mysterious, high-paying job, the brothers have no choice but to set out on a quest of their own to rescue them. Along the way, they encounter trolls, witches, and dangerous magic. As they draw closer to finding their parents, they also uncover long-buried family secrets. With every revelation, Alder and Flynt begin to question everything they thought they knew about their family. Some secrets may hold the key to saving their parents, while others threaten to tear the family apart.

This Dungeons & Dragons inspired graphic novel is full of adventure, magic, and excitement. Along the way, the boys learn that they are capable of doing hard things, just as their parents and grandparents did before them. The story highlights courage, perseverance, and the importance of believing in yourself when facing challenges. Characters cue white. 

 Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria by LM Wilkinson and Lavanya Naidu - ADVISABLE

Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria (Bravepaw #1) by LM Wilkinson and Lavanya Naidu, 170 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026. $14

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (Some fantasy violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Titch is a young mouse who lives in a community of mice in a magical land called Alluria. Her dream has always been to be like Bravepaw, a mouse who accomplished many great deeds. When out exploring, Twitch and her friend encounter a brave rabbit who is trying to save the world of Alluria from monsters called curse worms. Will Titch be brave enough to help him? 

Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria is an excellent book to entice newer readers who are transitioning from leveled readers to chapter books. The plot was very interesting and made me want to read more. The text is similar to the series, Geronimo Stilton with many different fonts being used. There are pictures on most pages but they are black and white. There are three more books in the series after this one. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

Friend Group by Lisa Greenwald - ADVISABLE

Friend Group (Friend Group #1) by Lisa Greenwald, 352 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE HarperCollins, 2026. $20

Language: PG (29 swears - all God, 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Olive and Sadie are so excited to start 7th grade at the middle school. One of the things they wish, though, is to be part of the popular group. Those girls don't exclude them; they just aren't invited. But when Sadie is accidentally added to their group chat, she suddenly has inside knowledge of what the popular kids are doing, where they are going, what they are wearing etc. But they don't know they got the wrong Sadie, and she's not telling anyone, not even her best friend Olive.

Knowing she's lurking on someone else's group chat is disconcerting and cringy. That said, there were a lot of discussion-starting things that happened in this novel - it would make a great book club choice. Sadie is Jewish, Olive is Asian, the friends are multi-cultural

Lisa Librarian

Clementine H. Hopeful is not a Hero by Noah Corey - ADVISABLE

Clementine H. Hopeful is not a Hero by Noah Corey, 352 pages. Labyrinth Road (Random House), 2026. $18. 

Language: PG (2 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, monsters) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

11yo Clementine Hopeful knows he doesn't fit in. He loves spiders, privately wears dresses and sees faces in the forest. The kids at school don't like him, the one girl who will talk to him tells him he's weird. His homeroom teacher refuses to call him Clementine - saying it's a girl's name (It's a boy's name if a boy has it, and Clementine has it). But then, a boy named Beetle - who prefers to be called Bug - throws a rock through Clementine's window and the two become friends. But Bug and the friends he introduces Clementine to are different as well; they seem to have magic. 

I really like the writing style of Noah Corey. Clementine Hopeful has a modern feel with a traditional fantasy telling, including a spider-filled adult looking to eat Clementine, and a pretty sinister villain - although that's Clementine's dream, to be a villain. Includes an underlying queer theme that is well woven into the story. This debut author has written a marvelous adventure. The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian

All That Chandni Knows by Khushboo Patel - OPTIONAL

All That Chandni Knows by Khushboo Patel, 272 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE Penguin, 2026. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (menstruation, implied infidelity); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

 APPEALS TO: SOME 

12yo Chandni is intent on being a leader, a good friend, and a great student. In order to excel in academics, she wants to attend a prestigious boarding school. Everything is going well for her; she is the leader of her friend group, her parents are doctors so they can pay for her schooling (even though she is a girl), and, best of all, her crush may even like her too. But it seems, when all is good, something always happens, and a devastating family secret threatens to ruin everything, unraveling Chandni's friendships, schoolwork, and family relationships. 

This novel in verse was engaging and heartbreaking. Set in India in 1999 on the eve of the millennium, there is reference to change - friends moving to a bigger city, extended family emigrating to America, and the mirror of changes both at home and at school. I was surprised how similar their culture was to the US - watching sitcoms on TV, Walkmans, and cassette tapes. As it is told in verse, the chapters are very short. While I don't want to spoil the read by disclosing the family secret, it's hard to imagine confronting it as a middle schooler, and I'm torn about including it in my library. All the characters are Indian.

Lisa Librarian 

Flight by Alan Gratz - ADVISABLE

Flight by Alan Gratz, 96 pages. Scholastic, SEPTEMBER 2026. $10 (hc)

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G (mentions girls being dragged away); Violence: PG-13 (beatings, threats, kidnappings, guns and other weapons)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

13yo Dani and 9yo Carlos are fleeing for their lives aboard The Beast, the train that can take them all the way to America. Their small Honduran coffee farm used to be prosperous until climate change brought new diseases. Then they had to flee the city when they became the targets of local gangs. Dani disguises herself as a boy to keep attention away and she and Carlos will have to be very careful of whom they befriend on their harrowing journey.

More short story than novella - it needed to be included as part of Gratz’s Two Degrees book. Gratz is honest about the dangers people face as they try to flee violence to a place of safety without roaming in to graphic, mature content. I just wish it had another 50 pages for more depth.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Sugh Great Heights by Rajani LaRocca - ADVISABLE

Such Great Heights by Rajani LaRocca, 384 pages. HarperCollins, 2026. $20

Language: R (12 swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: G (none)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

10th grader Siya is ecstatic to make the school’s mock trial team - especially since 12th grader Raj Raghavan is one of the leaders. Siya is also determined to honor the memory of her mother, a lawyer, who died in a car crash when Siya was ten. This year’s mock trial is not sitting well with Siya, however, because it seems to be based on Siya’s family’s own tragedy. She not only wants to do her best, but she also wants to find out if this is coincidence or a plot.

LaRocca includes the Indian story of Rama and Sita woven into the book. While it is supposed to highlight the romance between Siya and Raj, I found that part of the plot to be secondary to Siya searching for the truth about her mother and family. Of course, I’m an old lady, so I am totally missing the romance. I do love LaRocca’s resolution.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Scrap by Guy Bass - ADVISABLE

Scrap by Guy Bass, 320 pages. Penguin< SEPTEMBER 2026. $10 (pb) Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (danger, injury) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Humans were supposed to land and take over the planet Somewhere 513 after the robots prepared it, but when K1-NG and the humans arrived, the robots had rebelled and ordered the humans to leave. Damaged trying to protect the humans, King’s core was transferred to a junk robot and he has been sitting ina scrap pile for the last 10 years. When two young humans, 10yo Paige and 5yo Gnat (Natalie) follow a core detector to him, Scrap (as Gnat names him) has no desire to help them, in fact he actively discourages their presence. But other robots get wind of humans being on the planet and now all of them are running for their lives. 

If younger students are looking for books to read after The Wild Robot, send them in this direction, I enjoyed Scrap’s personality, even though he keeps trying to get rid of Paige and Gnat. The other robots are also interesting - even the Mechanical Mayor, Harmony Highside. 

 Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

The Devouring Light by Kat Ellis - OPTIONAL

The Devouring Light by Kat Ellis, 368 pages. Harper Collins, 2025. $16 (pb) 

Language: R (100+ swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (pills, alcohol); Violence: R (decaying bodies, blood, deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME 

17yo Haden is on her way to the hottest music festival with her best friend and band mate Kizi - heading towards what is hopefully their big break. Wouldn’t you know it - in the middle of nowhere, Haden’s car not only breaks down, but their savior is Deacon - her now famous nemesis from her disastrous appearance on Little Stars four years earlier. And who is Deacon’s latest band member? Cairo, the girl Haden liked, but who left them behind. And things only get worse when they realize they are stranded in the middle of even more nowhere and their only refuge is a creepy old house that seems familiar from rumors of a disastrous party decades ago. 

 The set up is complicated and things don’t get any simpler as you read. And they don’t get any safer, either, as we get flashbacks to that long ago soiree that ended in several murders. Kids who want a horror story that ends in more horror will enjoy this. I prefer my horror to get its comeuppance. 

 Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Ghost Light by Sara Farizan - ADVISABLE

Ghost Light (The Last Resort #3) by Sara Farizan, 208 pages. Scholastic, SEPTEMBER 2026. $18 

Content: PG (some danger, evil spirits) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Lisa and Teddy are involved with the Founder’s Day play being produced in honor of their town of Castle Hill, even though past plays have said to be cursed. What they don’t know is that one of the original founders, whose name has been erased from history, lingers as a ghost and gets angry whenever he hears the rewritten narrative. Plus, the kids know that the Fire Maiden has not been completely vanquished. They will not only need Rosteen’s help to conquer her for good, but also of Blight Howler, who they originally banished. It is a delicate balance to save not only themselves, but the whole town, too. 

Farizan skillfully picks up where Kelly and Warga left off. She brings humanity back to Rosteen, whom I only saw as a nuisance in book #2. The danger is nicely creepy without going overboard. 

 Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

No Way Never Sisters by Chantel Acevedo and Natalia Sylvester - ADVISABLE

No Way Never Sisters by Chantel Acevedo and Natalia Sylvester, 276 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2026. $19 

Content: G (mild pranks, family tension) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Sure 12yo Roxy and Meli know each other from school, but they are definitely in different crowds. Roxy is sporty and popular, while Meli is artsy and has her own crown, thank you very much. Now Roxy’s dad and Meli’s mom are getting married? And they are all, including their little brothers, moving into the same house which needs major renovations before the wedding in August! Meli and Roxy need to cooperate and scuttle this relationship pronto, if they want to maintain the lives they already enjoy. Their Disaster Plan has a good chance of succeeding - so what if it hurts everyone around them. 

Acevedo and Sylvester juggle a lot of moving parts, but they do it well. The two younger brothers are the cutest, but different from each other. The girls each have a health problem and the dynamics between each girl and the adults plays out differently. The middle grade crowd is perfect for this. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

The Unusuals by Gail Carson Levine - NO

The Unusuals by Gail Carson Levine, 336 pages. HarperCollins, SEPTEMBER 2026. $20 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (deaths mentioned, some danger) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - NOT RECOMMENDED 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

11yo Chera and her two best friends enjoy a lot of freedom in 1277 England, going as far to venture into the nearby woods, where outlaws roam and they befriend a thief. When Chera’s grandmother, a Jewish moneylender, is murdered along with her maid, who is Joan’s mother, the trio are caught up in more intrigue than they may be able to handle. Betrayal and double-crossing await them as they investigate the murders. 

Considering the adults in Chera’s life have their name, their relationship moniker, and job titles (and some of these are the same), I found it impossible to keep track of the characters without taking notes. Plus the grandmother and the maid appear as ghosts (no one can see them), adding more confusion. I do’;t think my readers will endure the confusion, especially as the murders are not the main plot of the book. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls by Cynthia Murphy - MANY

Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls by Cynthia Murphy, 352 pages. Random House Children's Books, 2026. $13

Language: R (53 swears, 2 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Teens smoking joints and being drugged unknowingly in their drinks); Violence: PG-13 (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

ADULT - SEVERAL - ADVISABLE

17yo Fliss and Izzy are attending an artist retreat to delve deeper into their personal interests. They meet other teens who love different types of artistic expression and enjoy the social interaction until everything comes to a halt, when a murder occurs. Immediately, Fliss uses her sleuthing skills to find the suspect and to understand the connection between now and the 1911 murders that revolved around four paintings the killer created to immortalize his victims. He also created a self portrait that shows up at an estate sale after being lost for decades. Rumors about a curse being released when the painting was found are rampant and causing people to panic. Will Fliss be able to stop the murders before history repeats itself?

Such a fascinating premise! I enjoyed this mystery and I didn’t want the book to end. The writing and background building pulled me in and made this story extremely interesting! Fliss is a natural detective and her friendship with Izzy balances them both out. The debate over whether or not the painting is cursed added a nice touch of supernatural spookiness. Mixed ethnicity includes white, Irish, British-Korean, and Italian. Noah has olive skin and Fliss is white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah 

Manga in Theory and Practice by Hirohiko Araki - OPTIONAL

Manga in Theory and Practice: The Craft of Creating Manga by Hirohiko Araki, 226 pages. NONFICTION. VIZ Media, 2017. $24.

Language: R (11 swears, 1 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (alcohol use, nudity, and mentions of illegal activity and eroticism); Violence: PG13 (assault, gun use, mentions of suicide, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Hirohiko Araki, the creator of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, shares his beliefs of what makes great and successful manga, referencing not only his own work but other mangas and even other works outside of manga as examples. Going through what Araki calls the four fundamentals of manga (characters, story, setting, and themes), he illustrates how he develops those aspects in his own work so that readers can do it too.

In the introduction, Araki says that, while he uses them for manga, these principles have universal applications outside of the manga version of storytelling. I found some inspiration in what he shared though I don’t create manga and don’t agree with everything he believes about telling a story. At the end of the day, these four fundamentals and the ways Araki uses them for his work are opinions. Araki’s theories and practice are interesting and make sense, but his way isn’t the only way, and he encourages readers to use this book as a starting point and go beyond his outline.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Palaces of the Crow by Ray Nayler - OPTIONAL

Palaces of the Crow by Ray Nayler, 384 pages. MCD (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), 2026. $29.

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (illegal activity, mentions of alcohol and sexual harassment, innuendo, and nudity); Violence: PG13 (corpses, assault, implied sexual assault, gun use, blood and gore, battle scenes, cannibalism, mentions of suicide, genocide, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

During the summer, Neriya and her family live in the shtetl where she spends her time with the local, intelligent crows. One night in June of 1941, her crow Buster leads Neriya into the woods, saving her from the fate of the rest of the Jewish village. The crows also help other teenagers her age, gathering them in the forest as they avoid more threats than just the Germans.

Readers keep track of several points of view that also jump back and forth through time. While war is the driving force behind everything that happens, the story focuses on survival—how do these four kids take care of their needs in the forest and how are they changed by these experiences—rather than on violent action. This focus slows the story down, highlighting how WWII impacted individuals rather than the world at large. Neriya is Jewish, Czeslaw is Polish, and Kezia is Roma.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriarty - OPTIONAL

Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriarty, 544 pages. Berkley (Penguin Random House), 2026. $28.

Language: R (50 swears, 9 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (alcohol use and mentions of drugs, nudity, pornography, and sex); Violence: PG (assault, gun use, self harm, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: OPTIONAL - ADULTS

APPEALS TO: SOME

Getting hit by a car on her way to work was just what Anna needed. The incident gave her a legitimate excuse for being late and became the impetus for a career change, leading to a new job at the Time Travel Agency. Which has to be fake. Right?

Despite all the time travel that occurs, Anna’s story reads like a slice of life piece rather than a scifi. The story is told by Anna, Teddy, and Jade as they try to figure out how to be the best parents, siblings, and partners, making mistakes and learning to forgive. I was surprised to realize I like the story as much as I do because there was hardly ever anything going on up until the life-or-death climax, and yet I kept reading and rooting for Anna as she tried so hard to live well. Anna and the majority of characters are Australian.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Killing Sadie by Rachel Peterson - OPTIONAL

Killing Sadie by Rachel Peterson, 304 pages. Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster), 2026. $20.

Language: R (210 swears, 12 "f"); Mature Content: PG13 (drug and alcohol use including underage drinking, illegal activity, kissing, innuendo, and mentions of nudity, STDs, masturbation, and sex); Violence: PG13 (blood and gore and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Authorities bring in Sadie’s twin, best friend, and boyfriend for questioning after Sadie and Mason are found dead at a party. Between the three teenagers with things they want to hide, the police hope to uncover the truth of events that brought about this tragedy.

The whole story is told to readers in a series of biased flashbacks as each of the three high school seniors are interviewed about the day before. Attempting to figure out which version of the truth is the most factual was the most enjoyable part of the book. Unfortunately, while the end included answers, it lacked a satisfying conclusion.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

The Hardest Ones to Fool by Christina Li - OPTIONAL

The Hardest Ones to Fool by Christina Li, 256 pages. Penguin Workshop (Penguin Random House), 2026. $13.

Language: R (49 swears, 18 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (drug and alcohol use including underage drinking, illegal activity, innuendo, and mentions of nudity and sex); Violence: PG13 (assault and mentions of suicide and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Amelia goes by many names—specifically Amy, Ellie, and Mia, depending on which one of her boyfriends she’s around at the time. Having artfully dealt with all three unexpectedly showing at the same party last night, Amelia is feeling good about how well everything is going. Until she learns that her best friend died last night, and the only person who agrees about the suspicious circumstances is Jackie, the nosy girl on the school newspaper vying for Amelia’s spot as valedictorian.

Just when you think you know it all and are wondering why there are still pages left, Li hits you with another sharp turn. It’s a rollercoaster of lies, betrayal, tragedy, and an irrational need to believe that each new explanation is the actual truth. Amelia’s story is one of those where I still wonder if I have all the answers or if I’m just paranoid enough now to be reading too much into every word choice. Overall, it was a wild ride that I would absolutely do all over again. Amelia is Chinese American. Jackie is lesbian.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Invisible: The (sort of) True Story of Me & My Hidden Disease by David Soren - ADVISABLE

Invisible: The (sort of) True Story of Me & My Hidden Disease by David Soren, 256 pages. Penguin, 2025. $18. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

When 9yo JJ was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, a "monster" that only he could see, named Norm, became his companion. The more his disease was affecting him, the larger Norm would grow. Norm's purpose seemed to be to make JJ feel bad about himself. Norm would eat foods JJ couldn't and was loud and boisterous. Good thing he was invisible to everyone else. JJ was also an artist. From a young age, he would delight his friends with his skills, making trading cards of the principals and teachers. So JJ worries that his disease and Norm will keep him from becoming an animator. 

Soren is an animator, so Invisible is also illustrated. It was a fun read, which surprised me, because even though JJ is in and out of the hospital and has to be careful about what he eats and can't do a lot of things other kids his age do, it's not a "poor me" book. JJ is resilient, his family grows through this as well, and Norm is extremely entertaining. JJ ages from 9-13 during the course of the story, so it's perfect for middle school. Might be a tough sell though, due to the subject matter, but what a great mirror. JJ is white. 

Lisa Librarian  

Casting April by Wendy Lu - OPTIONAL

Casting April by Wendy Lu, 288 pages. Random House, 2026. $18. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

12yo April wants to be an actress. So far her only experience has been through an app where she is cast in virtual shows. Now that she's in 6th grade, she tries out for the middle school fall show. She feels like she nails her audition, but is cast as a tech - stage assistant. What went wrong? When she overhears the drama teacher talking about her to some other teachers, April discovers she wasn't cast because she has a tracheostomy tube, and the teacher was worried there might be problems. April is angry and embarrassed, and when her mother asks if she got a part, she lies and says she got the lead. 

I am so torn about this story. I liked that it was about a child with a trach tube trying to get everyone to see it's not a disability, but on the other hand I hated the representation of middle school theater so much. Mrs. Rooney, the drama teacher, was terrible and not in a funny way; too much responsibility was put on a very small (3-person?) tech crew of mostly 6th graders; bad behavior of cast members was allowed to continue that should have been stopped the first time, and a friendship was nearly lost because April was too busy with the show. There's more, but I don't want to rant. I don't feel the school theater community was fairly represented, and it really bothers me. 

April is Chinese American 

Lisa Librarian 

Carlotta's Special Dress by Carlotta Walls LaNier with Lisa Frazier Page, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Carlotta's Special Dress: How a Walk to School Changed Civil Rights History by Carlotta Walls LaNier with Lisa Frazier Page, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Little, Brown, 2026. $19. 9780316572545 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

It's 1957 and Carlotta is one of the "Little Rick 9." She and other Black high school students would be the first integrated into Central High School. Her Uncle had given her mother money for Carlotta to buy a new dress, and she was excited to go wearing the beautiful store bought dress. But, that first day of school was not to be. Angry crowds and soon the National Guard prevented Carlotta and her classmates from going to school. 

An interesting twist on the story of Central High school. I like that it made it personal, giving not just a face but a story to one of the students. I loved the illustrations, and the amount of text was just right. Includes an author’s note (Carlotta is the author) and so we learn a bit more to her story. Also includes a timeline and captioned photographs - yes, one is of Carlotta in The Dress. 

Carlotta is Black. 

Lisa Librarian 

A Queen's Match (A Queen's Duet #2) by Katharine McGee - ADVISABLE

A Queen's Match (A Queen's Duet #2) by Katharine McGee, 383 pages. Random House, 2025. $21

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (intense kissing, off page and non-descriptive sex); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

There's a lot of drama going on in Queen Victoria's kingdom.  Alix loves Nicholas, but ended their secret relationship because his parents will not approve their marriage, and now,  she is looking for another match.  She is also trying to keep her brother's relationship with his valet a secret.  Helene broke off her engagement to Eddy without telling him why, fearing her blackmailer would tell him about her past indiscretions.  She knows the Queen will never allow their marriage if she finds out.  And May, for the first time in her life, seems to have everything she wants, but what has the lying and blackmailing cost her? Will the three princesses be able to secure their futures and find happiness?

The sequel to The Queen's Game was as enjoyable as the first book and will appeal to readers that like romance, a little intrigue and historical fiction.  The characters are well written, engaging, and with a few exceptions,  seem to be true to the time they lived.  The author ups the intrigue and the secrets, moves everyone around,  and then gives the series a nice resolution.  An added bonus are the notes at the end connecting  the characters to current British Royalty.     

The characters are mostly English with some being French or Russian.

RB - librarian

A Kid Like Me by Norm Feuti - ESSENTIL

A Kid Like Me by Norm Feuti, 272 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL HarperCollins, 2026. $25.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Ethan is just starting middle school, and his biggest worry was getting lost in the new big school, until his friend Ricky starts talking about all the social stuff. Ethan and Ricky live in a trailer park, but lots of kids at their middle school live in the rich part of town, and now Ethan is worried he will be going to school with a bunch of snobs. Ethan recently started playing a retro card game called Bio Battle, and finds some friends who are in the after-school club, but Ricky has found different friends who prefer wrestling. Can Ethan and Ricky's friendship survive the 1st month of middle school? 

Fitting in, making friends, wearing the right clothes, and being cool - doesn't everyone worry about that in middle school? I loved how easily frustrated Ethan and Ricky got with each other, and how their new friends mirrored what they were looking for in middle school. Feuti's illustrations are realistic, and his story rings true. I hope this is a hit in my library; I'll certainly be recommending it. The characters are white. 

Lisa Librarian  

Mixed Feelings by Sara Amini and Shadia Amin - ADVISABLE

Mixed Feelings by Sara Amini and Shadia Amin, 240 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Scholastic, 2026. $15. Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

11yo Sarita has recently moved - not out of the school boundaries, but several streets away from her best friend, Monica. They are excited for school to start again, but find, to their dismay, they don't have any classes, or even lunch together. To make matters worse, Monica and Sara decide to twin on the first day, and Sara notices she can't wear shorts - suddenly her legs are so hairy, and her mom won't let her shave! She puts on sweats instead. Her day goes from bad to worse - Monica has a new friend. Sarita doesn't know what to be - she comes from a mixed-race family, speaks 3 languages, and tries to please everyone. At least in drama club she can be herself. 

Gosh - I loved this story; Sara is beside herself most of the time (typical for a rising middle schooler) but the mean kids and her own self-esteem issues don't help. I think kids will relate; a definite purchase. Sara's family is mixed - Persian/Columbian 

Lisa Librarian  

The Spectacular Space Loop by Javi De Castro, - ADVISABLE

The Spectacular Space Loop by Javi De Castro, 64 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Flying Eye Books Ltd. 2025. $13. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, monsters, lost in space) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A young astronaut named Cosmo is testing a new rocket backpack and is launched into space. Unfortunately, his team didn't tell him how to get back. So he goes on an adventure, meeting aliens, monsters and making a friend or two. 

The fun of this graphic novel is that it reads both ways, the book flips over at the ending and reads back to finish the story. The first read follows white speech bubbles, the flipped read is yellow speech bubbles. I loved how the illustrations work both ways. A cute story and an engaging gimmick. Cosmo is drawn white. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Case of the Scarlet Snakebite by Christyne Morrell - ADVISABLE

The Case of the Scarlet Snakebite by Christyne Morrell, 257 pages. Delacorte Press (Random), 2026. $18

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Amber's life was turned upside down when her father left and her mother decided to buy a bed and breakfast called the Cozy Koi.    Amber now shares a bedroom with her mother and has many jobs to do at the Cozy Koi.  She is a huge fan of Agatha Christie and loves solving mysteries.  When an ultra-rich family comes to stay, something very valuable is stolen.  Can Amber solve the mystery and possibly get her father to come back?

The Case of the Scarlet Snakebite is a great book for mystery fans.  The plot was interesting and the ending was unexpected.  I did feel that the dialogue was a bit cheesy at times and for that reason would not recommend this book for junior high students.  

Amber is presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Nothing to See Here by Barbara Dee - ADVISABLE

Nothing to See Here by Barbara Dee, 304 pages. Scholastic, October 2026. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (kiss) Violence: PG (Boy fight, online bullying, mean kids) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Everyone seems to be really into these two new social media apps that all the kids are using at Gossett Middle School. Unfortunately, no one uses their real names and a lot of the things gaining the most interest are mean or embarrassing. 8th graders Winnie, Gia, Levi and Mateo have noticed that a lot of what is being said is gossip, and they also notice that kids seem to not care who they hurt because they are anonymous. So, the friends decide to teach everyone a lesson by starting a rumor of their own. 

I love Barbara Dee’s books about teen problems. The characters each have their own issues and Dee tells their story with multiple voices - Winnie has lost her phone (to her parents), Gia's life has been documented on social media by her mother, Mateo is cool and popular but doesn't really care about the popular crowd - he likes Gia, and Levi, who is really hurt when he finds himself on the who's NOT hot list, and whose only real friend is Mateo. I worried about these kids making poor decisions throughout and wondered how Dee was going to resolve all the issues. A great study on the problems with social media. The kids default white. 

Lisa Librarian  

Lucha of the Forgotten Spring (Lucha Moya #2) by Tehlor Kay Mejia - OPTIONAL

Lucha of the Forgotten Spring (Lucha Moya #2) by Tehlor Kay Mejia, 403 pages. Make Me a World, 2025. $20

Language: R (34 swears, 3 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing, implied off page sex); Violence: PG-13 (killing, sword fighting, death, hand to hand combat, skin eating blight)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

16yo Lucha Moya has unfinished business in her hometown of Robado. Determined to destroy the drug olvida, which devastated her family, and bring down the powerful kings who produce it, she returns home ready for a fight. Instead, she finds a city in ruins, its surviving residents struggling to endure desperate conditions. Joining forces with four young leaders who have stepped up in the city's darkest hour, Lucha sets out to accomplish her mission. Among them is Cruz, a girl who awakens unexpected feelings in Lucha and complicates her lingering love for Paz, the girl she left behind when she first departed to save Robado. But destroying olvida is only the beginning. The forest that serves as the region's sole food source begins to die, a consequence of events Lucha set in motion in the first book. Faced with a growing disaster, Lucha and her friends must form an uneasy alliance with the acolytes devoted to the goddess Almudena. As the fate of humanity hangs in the balance, they must decide whether these mysterious followers can be trusted—or whether they pose an even greater threat."

The story dragged at times and took several winding detours on its way to the conclusion. Since I had not read the first book, I occasionally felt lost, as some events, relationships, and world-building details were not fully explained for new readers. However, the novel's inspiration from Latin American folklore adds a unique and intriguing element to the story, helping to create a rich and distinctive setting.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Salvación by Sandra Proudman - ADVISABLE

Salvación by Sandra Proudman, 336 pages. Wednesday Books (St. Martins Griffin), 2025, $21. 

Language: PG (8 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG; (kissing); Violence: PG13 (knife fight, death, torture, magical violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

17yo Lola wears a mask and dresses like a man when she takes on the persona of Salvación - an angel who rids their town of bad men. Lola's mother is a healer - helping the people of their town with Sal Negra, a magic healing salt. But when Hernandez, leading a small army, comes to their town, promising to win back Alta California from the Yankees, Lola and her brother discover he has an alter-magic, Sal Roja, which may cause the death of everyone and everything. 

A high-stakes fantasy with a nice love story in the background. I was cheering for Lola from the first page. Taking place just after the Mexican-American War and the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, I loved this story of the displacement of the Mexicans who lived in what is now California. A great Latinx Western, with adventure, magic, danger, and even an environmental message. Most of the characters are Mexican. 

Lisa Librarian 

A Sea Monster Conundrum (The Misfits #3) by Lisa Yee, art by Dan Santat - ADVISABLE

A Sea Monster Conundrum (The Misfits #3) by Lisa Yee, art by Dan Santat, 272 pages. Random House, 2026. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

The RASCH gang is at it again. There's been a ghost sighting at the school and crowds are coming to see, even unexpected visitors. Could that be a Sea Monster? Our clever group of sleuths and spies are out to solve another mystery. 

Similar to the other two - gadgets and friend drama and a fun case to work on. I'm not tired of the characters yet - sometimes with such quirky personalities the characters can get silly, but Dan Santat's illustrations keep them fresh and funny. The group is a mix of races and cultures 

Lisa Librarian 

The Lion's Run by Sara Pennypacker - ADVISABLE

The Lion's Run by Sara Pennypacker, 288 pages. Balzer/Bray (HarperCollins), 2026. $19.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (reference to unwed mothers, Nazi baby breeding); Violence: PG (peril, military police violence on citizens, animal cruelty) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

13yo Lucas has lived at the Abbey all his life. He was found as a baby abandoned in a nearby forest. Now, he goes to school and has a job delivering for the green grocer. But, there's not much to deliver. Chantilly, like other cities in France, is occupied by Germans, and the French people are starving and afraid. Except the girls at the Lebensborn, the maternity hospital, who are well fed and healthy. Soon their babies will be taken away from them and given to good German families. Lucas meets Claire, one of the mothers, who believes she will find her baby and be reunited one day. No one can convince her otherwise. And when he sees what the Germans do to a family who may have been hiding Jewish children, Lucas decides to do something about them. 

I really enjoyed this gripping story of a French community during WWII. Action packed throughout - does this boy sleep much? - this coming of age historical fiction was a real page turner. I loved the themes of found family, bravery, perseverance, and courage. With so many great historical fiction books of late, I'm praying for a resurgence in interest, as kids will love this if they'll pick it up. The characters are French 

Lisa Librarian  

Auntie Q's Golden Claws Nail Salon by Van Hoang - ADVISABLE

Auntie Q's Golden Claws Nail Salon by Van Hoang, 272 pages. Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2026. $19

Language: G (2 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE; MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: EL - SEVERAL; MS - SOME

12yo Domi has made a costly mistake, and instead of spending summer with her friends and going to art class, her parents are sending her to to stay with her aunt in New Mexico to work at her nail salon. Domi feels out of place with Auntie Q and her employees at the nail salon. They are all older than her and mostly speak Vietnamese, and some of them are not happy that Domi is there. Domi must earn money to pay back her parents if she wants to get home before summer is over, but the more time she spends at the salon, the more she is learning about the business and herself, the more she wants to stay and find ways to help her Aunt's struggling salon, as well as discover why her aunt and mom aren't close anymore.

Hoang gives us  a fun read that explores family dynamics, making friends in a new situation, and learning how to be yourself when there are a lot of parental expectations. Domi must navigate her cultural expectations of filial respect while wanting to do her own thing and develop her own talents. The look behind the scenes of a nail salon will be fun for tween girls as well as Domi being a relatable character who sometimes makes mistakes.

Main character is 2nd generation Vietnamese, but many of the salon employees have recently arrived from Vietnam and speak no English.

Heather Robinson

Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington - OPTIONAL

Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington, 416 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2025. $22

Language: R (100+ swears, 91 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Vaping, drinking, sexual references, passionate kissing. mental health discussion;) Violence: PG-13 (Murder, bullying)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

17 yo Mikky left home after struggling with his mental health freshman year, but now he  returns to Prophets Lake to support his younger sister Kyla after her best friend Erin is murdered. Meanwhile Kyla, who works at their family’s struggling funeral home, has to prepare for her best friend's funeral. After they both return to school, Mikky questions how much he knows his sister as he watches her take up Erin’s mean girl mantle. Trying to help his sister, Mikky begins investigating who killed Erin. But underneath the typical small town atmosphere, the Cook Cosmetic company has a major influence. Plus, Erin’s mom is a director, and Erin was a brand ambassador. As he investigates, Mikky knows that Kayla is keeping secrets, and he wonders how much she knows about the night that Erin was murdered.

Most of the novel is from Mikky’s point of view, but the occasional chapters from Kyla’s point of view adds nice tension. I struggled to like Kyla’s character and her bullying even though the novel does well describing her struggles and grief. The overall pacing was good, and it kept me reading. More than just a murder mystery, the novel explores a range of themes including being yourself in a small town, the bonds of friendship, wealth inequality, mental health and therapy, and issues with the beauty industry.

Mikky and Kyla are Black. Mikky and his friends Rowan and Nasim are LGBT+. Nasim is Iranian.

Ms. Megan, High School Librarian

Hail Mariam by Huda Al-Marashi - ADVISABLE

Hail Mariam by Huda Al-Marashi, 208 pages. Kokila (Penguin), 2026. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Mariam has her period); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

12yo Mariam has recently transferred from public school to a private Catholic school. Mariam is the only Muslim child there. Although she has always done well in school - in fact she's often the "teacher's sunshine" she's finding it more difficult at the new school, because math is harder and nice handwriting wasn't an expectation in public school. She makes a couple of friends right away and by Christmas is even given the role of Mary in the class Nativity play (her teacher thought it would be nice to have a middle eastern child in the role). But when Mariam's 8yo sister becomes ill, she starts to worry if prayers won't be answered because of her perceived conflicts with religion. 

Mariam is a great example of a good kid, she tries so hard and is shocked when she does get in trouble for something. Her parents' high expectations aren't unrealistic. I loved that her friends were supportive and that there weren't bullies to contend with. I also loved how Al-Marashi continued to connect the religious communities, rather than always showing the differences. Not just for Muslim kids, I enjoyed Hail Mariam very much. 

Lisa Librarian 

Diamond Fever! A True Crime Story in the Wild West by Steve Sheinkin, comics and art by Jon Chad - ADVISABLE

Diamond Fever! A True Crime Story in the Wild West by Steve Sheinkin, comics and art by Jon Chad, 256 pages. NON-FICTION Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2026. $19. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

In 1872 Philip Arnold and John Slack started an interest in a supposed diamond mine somewhere in the old west. Some of the richest men in America get involved and want to become investors, but is the promise of unbelievable wealth blinding them to the fact that this mine may become The Great Diamond Hoax? 

A real true crime adventure! I loved the added comics to bridge some of the sections, providing movement and a fresh voice - or rather the voices of the characters rather than just the narrator, I especially loved the comic about how diamonds are made. I loved how Sheinkin added context chapters, talking about what was happening back East at the same time, like who the president was and what happened with his buggy race. There's an author's note which shouldn't be missed, as well as source notes, a bibliography and an index. 

The main characters are white 

Lisa Librarian 

Schoolbot 9000 by Sam Hepburn - ADVISABLE

Schoolbot 9000 by Sam Hepburn, 277 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Dial Books (Penguin), 2025. $15

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

11yo James is so tired of all of the robots in his life, his robot babysitter, dogbots at the park and even drones that look like bugs.  It is the last straw when robots are introduced as teachers at his school.  Can James and an unlikely ally save the school from being taken over by robot teachers?

Schoolbot 9000 is a graphic novel with a very interesting premise.  What would happen if robots started showing up in your everyday life?  I think that students who are fans of graphic novels will like this silly but interesting book!  Hepburn takes an idea that could possibly happen in our future and makes a good story of it.

James is presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Eyes Like Stars by Ashley Poston - ADVISABLE

Eyes Like Stars by Ashley Poston, 400 pages. Random House, 2026. $14.

Language: PG (6 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (alcohol use, illegal activity, mentions of smut, mild innuendo, kissing, and partial nudity); Violence: PG13 (assault, gun use, mentions of torture, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Ardent (18yo) only left the spaceship to buy the last volume of her book series. Returning to the ship should have been easy, but she somehow got into the middle of a blaster fight and had to run for her life with a stranger—a stranger that convinces her to let him stowaway on their cruise ship until the next stop. Hiding one boy shouldn’t be too hard among the passengers and crew, especially since the ship practically belongs to Ardent, whether she wants it or not.

Poston sets this Star Wars story between episodes six and seven, according to the timeline and characters Disney introduced to the universe (rather than the storylines Disney decanonized). While a couple familiar characters are discussed and make an appearance, Poston introduces a bunch of new characters to fall in love with. Seeing another side of the Star Wars universe where normal lives continue, have troubles, and resolve them without Jedi popping up to save the day every time is refreshing—but it still includes plenty of space travel, droids, and action. Even in this exciting galaxy far, far away, there are people wondering what they want to do and how to navigate difficult relationships, just like us earthling, human readers. Ardent is described as pale.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson