Ape Escape (funjungle #10) by Stuart Gibbs - ESSENTIAL

Ape Escape (funjungle #10) by Stuart Gibbs, 304 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2026. $18

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

When Teddy’s family gets the news that a good friend, Jadim, of theirs has died in Rwanda, they head to the airport for the funeral.  Instead, once they land, they find that he is in hiding because his life was threatened by gorilla poachers. When an orphaned baby gorilla is abducted right from the sanctuary, the family and Jadim head off across Africa in pursuit.

Gibbs does such a great job with his funjunge books - keeping a heightened sense of danger and adventure, while also including factually based information about the ways animals, in this any African animal, might be endangered. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Fooled by Susan Haas with Lexi Haas - ADVISABLE

Fooled by Susan Haas with Lexi Haas, 269 pages. Little Brown, 2025. $18

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

11yo Lil and her friends in her EC (Exceptional Children) class at Willow Street Middle School love magic, but their situations and their unabashed love of magic also makes them targets for a couple of bullies at school. Plus, the vice principal at their school has the school board’s approval for a new Safety First initiative, which seems to be aimed at keeping the ECs in their classroom where they can’t be seen by everyone else. One day, however, the football team asks Lil for a charm to help them win their game -- and it works!  Now they are busily making charms for some many others - which makes them even more of a target.

I so loved reading about Lil and her friends.  They are fully realized human beings - not caricatures of their abilities and challenges. Fully able to stand beside Wonder or Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus  in terms of heart and representation.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Nature of Play by Delfina Aguilar, Clare Aitken, and Sabrina Arnault - ESSENTIAL

 Get Creative

The Nature of Play: A Handbook of Nature-Based Activities for all Seasons by Delfina Aguilar and Clare Aitken, illustrated by Sabrina Arnault. 180 pages. NON FICTION. Greystone Books, 2026. $23 Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Thoughtfully organized by the four seasons, Aguilar and Aitken show that nature is full of fun and adventure. This isn't about supervising play; it’s about facilitating it. The activities range from the artistic (making natural dyes or leaf prints) to the practical (building shelters and identifying tracks). With stunning photography and a clean layout, it avoids the over-stimulating clutter often found in children’s activity books.

Aguilar makes nature feel accessible. You don’t need to live in a forest to use this book; many activities are perfectly suited for a small urban park or even a backyard. I love that it encourages taking time to play, where you aren't rushing to a scheduled practice, but instead sitting on the ground, noticing the way a beetle moves. This is the perfect gift for a new parent.

S. Lewis

Glass by Kathryn Lasky - ADVISABLE

Glass by Kathryn Lasky, 213 pages. Harper, 2024. $20.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

14yo Bess feels like the outsider in her family of glassblowers. When she discovers the horrible secret behind the most wondrous of their creations, she flees to the forest. Unfortunately, a poor cousin has to take refuge with the Wickham’s and she may be the next victim in their scheme for money and prestige. 

The subtitle calls this a Cinderella story, and while I might say it is Cinderella adjacent, I would have never minded not knowing about the subtext. By itself, it is an interesting fairy tale that I enjoyed reading. Bess is 14yo at the beginning and is in the woods for at least a couple of years, but the story itself will attract a 5,6,7th grade audience.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Most Likely to Murder by Lish McBride - OPTIONAL

Most Likely to Murder by Lish McBride, 320 pages. G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin Random House), 2026. $13.

Language: R (122 swears, 24 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (drug and alcohol use/underage drinking, kissing, illegal activity, scary elements, partial nudity, innuendo, and mentions of condoms and sex); Violence: PG13 (assault, gun use, corpses, blood and gore, mentions of suicide, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

When the high school yearbooks come out with ways students and faculty are going to die rather than the usual superlatives, everyone assumes Rick and Martina are behind the prank. Until someone on the list is found dead. The remaining students put their heads together, trying to figure out what they all have in common before it can kill them, too.

McBride switches through points of view, sometimes giving readers a front row seat to what happened just before a death, which brilliantly puts readers on edge every time this happens, not knowing whether or not the character is about to be murdered. I enjoyed that this story doesn’t make the desperate teenagers into better detectives than the adult professionals, and it was refreshing to see them make smart choices, like sharing their locations with each other just in case. These details make the story feel more realistic, even if some silly stereotypes are still included. Martina is implied Hispanic, and Martina, Camryn, and Zeke are queer.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Coming Out Perfect written and illustrated by Richard Mercado - OPTIONAL

Coming Out Perfect written and illustrated by Richard Mercado, 272 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Graphix (Scholastic Inc.), 2026. $17.

Language: R (11 swears, 3 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (repeated underage drinking, once to blackout drunkenness); Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Kevin is a gay, high school Filipino boy who is tired of being overlooked at home and invisible at school. He gets a taste of the popular life thanks to the school’s perfect gay boy, Raymond. However when acting “perfect” becomes too difficult to bear, Kevin has to reconsider what he actually wants from life, something real, or fake?

I enjoyed this classic coming-out/coming-of-age story, layered with the author’s lived experience. Even though it was technically set in the Philippines, I think readers will still find plenty of commonalities between Kevin’s high school experience and US schools. The premise was a little superficial, along the veins of the movie She’s All That. I don’t know how much a simple makeover would actually do for someone’s popularity, but high school students would eat it up with a spoon.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

  

Nature Poems to See By art by Julian Peters - ADVISABLE

Nature Poems to See By art by Julian Peters, 141 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, POETRY. Plough Publishing, 2026. $30.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (kissing and partial nudity); Violence: PG (corpses, blood and gore, death, and mentions of guns and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

From Dickinson, Frost, and Shakespeare to lesser known poets, Peters brings words and stanzas to life with his illustrations. The collection of poems is grouped by season, inviting readers to see and feel the ups, downs, and arounds of life.

Peters’s creative pictures are individualized for each poem—not only in size and in positive versus negative illustrations, but even in medium and style. No two poems are the same or evoke the same images, and Peters assists readers in celebrating their similarities and differences.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Speak Up, Santiago! by Julio Anta and Gabi Mendez - ADVISABLE

Speak Up, Santiago!(Hillside Valley #1) by Julio Anta and Gabi Mendez. 244 pages.GRAPHIC NOVEL. Random House, 2025. $13

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Santiago is headed to Hillside Valley to spend a month with his Abuela, and he is terrified! Abuela Emma mostly speaks Spanish, and while his mother and father tried raising him in a bilingual home, speaking was difficult for Santi. In HIllside Valley he meets some local kids who invite him to join their secret soccer club and play in the local tournament at the end of the month. Things are starting to look up for Santi until he overhears Abuela Emma and her friends laughing about his broken accent. As his embarrassment turns to anger, Santi starts taking his feelings out on everyone around him. After a particularly aggressive soccer practice, Santi even finds himself kicked off the team. Not only is he upset, but he returns home to find Abuela Emma has fallen and suffered a hairline fracture. Amidst the chaos of the hospital and doctor visits, Santiago learns to speak up and offers to care for his Abuela.

You don’t have to be learning a new language to empathize with Santiago. His experiences with embarrassment, fear, and betrayal are common emotions many of us feel when breaking out of our comfort zones or learning to speak up. The illustration style is brightly colored and the bilingual text is handled in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are learning Spanish along with Santiago. The Spanish word bubbles at the beginning of the novel have blacked out words, indicating Santi is only picking up half a conversation. As his Spanish improves, English translations begin popping up next to the  Spanish word bubbles.There is a special author and illustrator note in the back that talks about their personal insecurities about being a second-generation Latino or learning Spanish. 

Santiago’s father is Colombian and his mother is Irish/French.  

E. Powell - Junior High Librarian

Wanted: Your House by Monique Polak - OPTIONAL

Wanted: Your House by Monique Polak, 263 pages. Kids Can Press, MAY 2026. $20.

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Cyril’s mom is always dragging him to open houses.  She dreams of owning their own home - even on her meager teacher’s salary.  Cyril decided to help - his brilliant plan - offer himself and his mother as companions and caretakers for an elderly person - as long as the person deeds their house over to Cyril’s mom once they pass away.  Crazy- right?  But curmudgeonly Mr. Hartt takes Cyril up on the idea.  They all agree to a one month trial.  Cyril is not sure they will last that long.

 I wanted to like this so much more, but I was not satisfied with the end, and I was not fond of Mr. Hartt at all. Great premise - middling execution.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Mean Girl Mission by Rosaria Munda - OPTIONAL

The Mean Girl Mission (Confessions of a Junior Spy #2) by Rosaria Munda, 189 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2026. $9 (pb)

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Bea has heard from her best friend Chantal that there may be a spy problem at Chantal’s new private school, so Bea jumps to the rescue, with Tommy playing back-up.  Bea is determined to save Chantal from a possible Arctic assassin plot, even if it means she may have to do homework.

I was surprised that I did not like #2 as much as I enjoyed #1. I know why, though.  1 - I don’t spy novels that set-up one person, or group, as “the enemy”; I want variety in my villains. 2 - a mean girl problem at a local middle school is frankly boring if you are determined to become an international spy. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Some of Us are Brave by Saadia Faruqi - ADVISABLE

Some of Us are Brave by Saadia Faruqi, 324 pages. Quill Tree (Harper), 2026. $20

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (bullying by parent)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Mona has to care for her little brother while their parents are away on yet another conference trip. 12yo Yasir doesn’t have money to go to soccer camp this year, but if he coaches the littles, he can attend camp as payment - even if that means playing with 12yo Cody, who bullies Yasir. Cody, meanwhile, goes through life with a huge chip on his shoulder because his father bullies him and is constantly telling him to “man up”. When Hurricane Harvey hits land and causes major flooding in Houston, all four kids are caught and must figure out how to work together to survive. And maybe learn some great lessons about what being a friend means and how to speak up for themselves.

Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017, but this isn’t about the history of the hurricane - it is definitely a vehicle for a diverse trio of kids to learn about each other and that they can be friends. Both Cody and Mona’s lives make the biggest changes - Mona learning to find her voice with her parents who have given a young girl way too much responsibility, and Cody recognizes that his father’s viewpoints are based on hateful opinions, not facts and that Cody does not have to act the same way.

Yasir and Mona are from the Middle East.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia WenJen and Violeta Encarnacion. - ADVISABLE

Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia WenJen and Violeta Encarnacion. PICTURE BOOK. Red Comet Press, 2026. $20. 9781636551920

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL; MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

The stories of two little girls separated by decades, both of whom are incarcerated by barbed wire.

WenJen and Encarnacion share the story of Fort Sill, Oklahoma - site of Japanese imprisonment during WWII and immigrant child imprisonment in 2014 - using reverso poetry and a stark color palette. In communities affected by recent detainments, the book could be helpful for children still processing.  I see the most value in secondary schools as a way to foster conversation about immigration - especially as the backmatter talks about the Japanese experience and the lies told by the US government. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Griffin Speaker by Jan M. Flynn - ESSENTIAL

Griffin Speaker by Jan M. Flynn, 384 pages. Disney, MAY 2026. $ 18.

Content: PG (one death by dropping, other mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12yo Rain lives with her aunt in a Harvester, or grub, village, just dreading the day when she turns 13 and will be forced to work in the Root mines, harvesting the Roots, which are essential to the realm’s economy.  Her aunt, who is an Outlier (outcast) who runs an illegal magical animal menagerie, has a secret hidden in the barn and Rain is sure that it is a griffin - flying animals reserved for only the top ranks of Griffin Land society. When Rain can no longer resist, she bonds with the griffin, starting her down a path to defying all social conventions and expectations.

Rain’s story is thrilling!  I read almost straight through (had to get some sleep and do some work). She has a couple of great friends to help her and all of the action hangs together and makes sense as well as being interesting to read. The only thing I don't like is that the illustrations make her feel more like 10, instead of 12.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

True Life in Uncanny Valley by Deb Caletti - OPTIONAL

True Life in Uncanny Valley by Deb Caletti, 416 pages. Penguin Random House, 2025. $20

Language: R (100+ swears, 17 ‘f'); Mature Content: R (Drinking, passionate kissing and arousal, sexual discussion, nudity); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Eleanor Diamond, a junior, feels like the odd one out in her family. After all, her mom and older sister Rosalind seem so alike and spend a lot of time together. Eleanor has a hope though: perhaps she is meant to fit in with her father, the rich app inventor Hugo Harrison. The only issue is that he has had nothing to do with her family since the affair with Eleanor’s mother. When Hugo’s wife Aurora advertises for a babysitter, Eleanor takes strength from her favorite comic hero Miss Fury who has an alter-ego, and after a chance encounter, lands the job under a fake last name.

The novel's fourth wall breaks feel awkward, and some integral parts of the plot line, such as the fact that Eleanor’s mother never tries to call the family that she is going to be staying with all summer, are difficult to believe. But the book has a lot of heart with some fun friendships and a budding romance. It also includes discussions on AI art, body positivity, sexual boundaries, and racism, sexism, and homophobia in early comics. Plus, the novel's references to an actual comic and the inclusion of a square from that comic at the start of each chapter is fun. If readers stick with it through some moments of slower pacing, they will find a modern novel exploring human connections and relationships.

Main characters read white.

Megan, HS Librarian

Bat and the Business of Ferrets by Elana K. Arnold - ADVISABLE

Bat and the Business of Ferrets (A Boy Called Bat #4) by Elana K. Arnold, 196 pages. Clarion, 2025. $19. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

10yo Bat finds that there are a lot of changes when starting 4th grade. He expected a new teacher, but Mr. Pena is new to the school, and he is nothing like his beloved 3rd-grade teacher, Mr. Grayson. Lucca is in his class again, but she has made a lot of changes over the summer, and Bat can't help but comment. And, worst of all, Mr. Pena does not have a class pet! Bat survived 3rd grade because Mr. Grayson allowed him to cuddle Babycakes, the 3rd graders' bunny, whenever he needed. Convince Mr. Pena to change his mind? 

A sweet book, Bat struggles negotiating a lot of things, his social skills especially, but also leaving 3rd grade behind and accepting change. Charles Santoso's illustrations are fun and help complete the story. Book #4 in a series, it stood alone, but I would think a richer reading experience would be had if read in order. While not stated in the book, Bat appears to be neuro-divergent. 

Lisa Librarian 

Sibylline by Melissa De La Cruz - NO

Sibylline by Melissa De La Cruz, 290 pages. Putnam (Penguin), 2026. $21

Language: R (25+ swears, 4 ‘f'); Mature Content: NC-17 (Sexually explict content); Violence: PG-13 murder mentioned, body discovered and described. Dark, magical being slashes/kills. Dead bodies, blood, and peril involving blood and nearly-dead/tortured bodies.

BUYING ADVISORY: NOT RECOMMENDED

18yo Raven, Atticus, and Dorian (best friends for years) have just graduated from high school and are meeting to open their acceptance letters from “Sibylline,” a university for magic users.  None of them are accepted, so they decide to get jobs on campus and learn magic secretly.  Relationship tensions develop as the three friends’ love triangle is established: Raven has a crush on Atticus, Atticus has deep feelings for Dorian, and Dorian loves Raven.  Successful in obtaining jobs at Sibylline, each works in a different department on campus.  They quickly prove themselves useful to  their professors, find themselves actively engaged in the university’s politics, mysteries, and conspiracies, learning and practicing magic, and eventually work together to save Sibylline and their “love.”

Although the book’s premise is strong–three friends stick together to overcome personal & academic obstacles - the near-instant focus on the three’s unrequited love interrupts the plot.  Like someone with a bad case of loud hiccups in a library, the angst quickly becomes annoying, then–realizing that she’s written herself into a hackneyed bed of bad romance, the author descends into explicit language and sexual content in an effort to show that the characters really, really “love” each other.  This distracts from an engaging story line that leads the characters through peril as they navigate the mystery of Sibylline.  Additionally, as one character is written with a “potty-mouth,” the profanity is unnecessary and undermines the author’s credibility to tell a story with vivid and descriptive language, and paints the character with a bleak thuggishness.

Clarissa “Raven” Chen: Female, Asian-American; Atticus “Finch” Garcia: Gay, Male, African-American/Latino; Dorian Winthrop: Male, Caucasian American

James Hirst, Herriman High School, 10th ELA & CE English

Asterwood by Jacquelyn Stolos - OPTIONAL

Asterwood by Jacquelyn Stolos, 259 pages. Delacorte (Random), 2025. $18

Language: G (0 swears,  0 ‘f’); Mature Content: g; Violence: PG (cannibals and eating mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

10yo Maddie loves her life with her single father, even though she misses growing up without a mother.  Then one day in the woods Maddie encounters Calle, who is from the other side of the Glimmer. There she finds that she and her family are well known, but the children she falls in with, the New Hopefuls, are skeptical about what Maddie can actually do to help them save the Violet Aspens, which are the life force of their realm, from the greed of the Tree Eaters, who harvest the roots of the aspens in ever growing quantities. 

Add in a group of cannibals, who get their strength from eating the flesh of children, and you have a mess, which this book is. Maddie flits from danger to danger in a world that has a confusing structure. It would be a much better book without the cannibals. The environmental messaging is clunky.

Calle uses they/them pronouns; the characters cue white

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

White House Secrets: Medical Lies and Cover-Ups by Gail Jarrow - ADVISABLE

White House Secrets: Medical Lies and Cover-Ups (Medical Fiascos) by Gail Jarrow,  288 pages. NON-FICTION Astra, 2025. $25.

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (descriptions of surgeries, injuries, and illnesses, also, an assassination attempt and assassinations)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

If the President of the United States is sick, injured or dying, does the American Public have a right to know? Many of the people surrounding the President get to decide what information is told to the press, and it's not always accurate or even truthful. What will other countries think if our President is incapacitated? Through the stories of 9 American presidents, including Grover Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson, Ronald Reagan, and John Kennedy, we learn about cover-ups, misinformation, disinformation, and medical fiascos. 

Gail Jarrow is one of my favorite non-fiction authors. The first presidential story, about James Garfield's assassination, is also the subject of her book Ambushed, but told in a different way. Full of pictures, headlines, and mini bios of each president, including a chapter about who takes over, this well-researched non-fiction spills so much tea! Includes websites, source notes, a bibliography, and picture credits. I loved the author's note because she talks about her process. I'm sure adults will love it, and I think kids who like medical or political non-fiction will too. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Witch Who Stormed the Palace by Ryan Graudin - ADVISABLE

The Witch Who Stormed the Palace (Girl Who Kept the Castle #2) by Ryan Graudin, 335 pages. Quill Tree (Harper), 2025. $20

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Faye has defeated the Shadow Queen’s attempt to destroy Castle Celurdur and free herself, but she is not guaranteed to become the new Witch of the West. Summoned to Retnec, the capital city where the four quadrants meet, Faye must undergo three challenges to prove her worth.  And she must undertake the challenges at the same time as three other candidates put forth by the other Wizards.  Adding to the melee - the Shadow Queen has a new plan to free herself and a willing confederate to help her plan.

I loved Faye’s first adventure and Graudin manages to keep up the interest with book #2. Old friends and new friends await. I did find it odd that one of the castles is called Ghibli, but none of the other names mean anything.

The characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Dragonborn by Struan Murray - ESSENTIAL

Dragonborn by Struan Murray, 320 pages. Dutton (Penguin), 2026. $20.

Language: G (0 swears, 0  ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (bullying, dragon fighting, battle)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12yo Alex feels suffocated by her overprotective mother - especially since her dad died in a violent storm. Then one day while in her favorite woods actual fire comes out of her mouth.  Soon Alex is swept off to the remote island of Skralla, a hidden haven for young dragons to learn how to use their powers. Alex is having a hard time learning to shift from her human form to her dragon form and she is also still mourning her dad.  When she hears about a special artifact, the Phylactery, which can help find the spirits of any dragon, she pursues it, even knowing that it is also a possible tool for Drak Midna, the evil dragon who has existed for centuries and who has no need for humankind.

Murray sets up the tension so well. He manages to keep the myriad of surprises well-hidden, but logical. I also became so frustrated with Alex’s inability to change forms, so he was great at engaging my emotions. THe only thing I don’t understand is his use of “phylactery” as the name of the artifact - seems an odd use of a Jewish religious word. Other than that, though - loved it. Gorgeous end papers also.

The characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory - ADVISABLE

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory, 320 pages. Hyperion Avenue, 2022. $16

Language: R (85 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (alludes to sex); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

25yo Isabelle takes a leap of faith when her boss is wrestling with getting a memoir out of a high profile client.  She is quickly on her way to California to meet with Beau, the handsome, but very grumpy author. Izzy inserts herself into the author’s reclusive life and together they work out ways to get Beau to do the work - and as he confronts the hard parts of his life, the sparks between Izzy and Beau also start to fly.

The references to Beauty and the Beast are nicely subtle, but still there for someone looking for a modern take on a fairy tale. While the characters are older, and sex is alluded to, everything is off page. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Alkrem by Marta Palazzesi - ADVISABLE

Alkrem by Marta Palazzesi, 372 pages. Red Comet, 2025. $19 

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 f); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Negato beast attacks) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Theo has been raised for twelve years as the adopted son of respected Alchemist Brenock Chimius. At midnight on his 13th birthday, his Mutolo shows up, a fierce Fire Fox, which means that Theo is not an Alchemist, but an Alkrem. The Alkrem are persecuted and hunted by the Archemists. Theo and his father attempt to flee, but only Theo makes it to safety. Theo's father is wounded and taken prisoner, and the only thing that might save him is a mysterious weapon that has incredible power, including the ability to heal. Theo is desperate to find this weapon to save the only family he knows. Suddenly he finds himself thrust into a world of power, conflicts, magic, and secrets. 

I was drawn in by Theo's mysterious past and his desperate attempt to save his father. The world building is solid, but not overwhelming, and the size makes it readable. The story wraps up well after one book, though there is another one coming, which I am down for. There is plenty of action, which is nicely paced, and there is sufficient tension to keep the reader hooked. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Red Bird Danced by Dawn Quigley - OPTIONAL

Red Bird Danced by Dawn Quigley, 166 pages. NOVEL IN VERSEHarperCollins, 2024. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (mention of #MMIW - missing and murdered indigenous women) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

11yo Ariel and her 13yo neighbor Tomah are Ojibwah children living in an inner-city tribal housing project. Tomah is in Ariel's class - he struggles with reading and has been held back. Ariel loves ballet - she was inspired to dance by a beloved aunt. Ariel's Aunt has recently disappeared, so, Ariel chooses as her school project to learn more about #MMIW. 

What a heavy topic for an elementary read! The content is perfectly age-appropriate, and the author's notes indicate that there are currently over 500 missing and murdered indigenous women, so, many indigenous children must be experiencing this crisis. Written in verse, the text isn't sad, it's hopeful. I liked this tender book, especially the author's notes, which tell children that they are strong and to have hope. The community is Ojibwa 

Lisa Librarian 

The Story of My Anger by Jasminne Mendez - OPTIONAL

The Story of My Anger by Jasminne Mendez, 328 pages. Dial (Penguin), 2025. $20. 

Language: R (34 swears 13 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (girl fight) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

High school junior Yulieta wants to be the first black girl at her school to get a lead in her school play. She's been practicing all summer with her best friend Aleeya - the two make up the only black girls in the drama club. But when the cast list for Our Town is posted, the part is given to someone else, and Yuli is angry. When she asks her teacher, Mrs. Hoffman says "Lana was a better fit, you were not quite right for the part". Yuli knows that means "You aren't white enough." In the meantime, her favorite teacher Mr. G is in trouble with the school board - a parent group doesn't like his Ethnic Studies class and gets all the books he uses removed from his classroom. One of them is the play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf" by Ntozake Shange. This was the first play Yuli could identify with, the first time she saw a cast of people who looked like her. Yuli is mad, and is ready to organize a protest. 

Racism, book bans, guerilla theater, a Texas high school and Our Town. This novel in verse should be so much more complicated than it is, but I found it to be an engaging read with good poetry and a timely message. I loved the sprinkling of Spanish throughout, her text interactions with her college age brother (also an activist) and the slow reveal of her mother's story.  This would be a great book to teach to the right class. Yuli is Afro-Dominican. 

Lisa Librarian 

Under the Neon Lights by Arriel Vinson - OPTIONAL

Under the Neon Lights by Arriel Vinson, 384 pages. Penguin, 2025 $20 

Language: R (10 Swears 5 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Kissing); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

16yo Jaelyn goes to the Westside Roll every Saturday night. It's a part of her life, her parents met there, she learned to skate there, and her friends are all the regulars. One skate, she was crashed into by the cutest guy she's ever seen: Trey. But the gentrification of the community is causing changes everywhere, even to institutions like Westside Roll. So when she hears that the skating rink is closing down, Jaelyn feels like she's losing a part of herself. 

This coming-of-age, slice-of-life story was nostalgic and heartfelt. Jaelyn is dealing with the typical teen issues of friend trouble and divorced parents, as well as more societal issues like raised rent, closed stores and restaurants, and increased police presence. I liked the teen perspective of dealing with things out of your control. 

The characters are black 

Lisa Librarian

Madsi the True by S. J. Taylor - ESSENTIAL

Madsi the True by S. J. Taylor, 295 pages. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon), 2024. $18

Violence: G (peril, danger, fights with mythical beings)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Madsi and her older sister Lisbet love telling and hearing stories. But a year earlier, Lisbet was snatched away by the Northern Lights from their small Norwegian village. When Madsi demands that the lights return her sister, another girl—Torin—falls from the sky instead. Lisbet was always the brave one, but now Madsi must find her own courage. Along with Torin and a boy named Espen, she sets out into the forest to find Lisbet and help Torin return to the lights. As the three unlikely friends battle harsh elements and monsters Madsi once thought existed only in stories, they discover that some stories are true, some are wrong, and that true friendship can be just as important as family."

A beautifully written, fast-paced adventure set in 1750 in a small Norwegian village. Many of the villagers have rarely, if ever, left their home, and because of that they have developed superstitions about the outside world. As Madsi and her friends journey together, they discover true friendship and bravery. I really enjoyed the story and this small glimpse into Norwegian folklore and history.

A. Snow, Librarian

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin - OPTIONAL

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin. Dutton, 2024. $28.

Language: R (30 swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (mention of under-age sex, teenage pregnancy, marijuana use, underage drinking); Violence: PG-13 (two off-page murders, discovery of a corpse (bloody), discovery of a corpse (historical), attempted murder, domestic violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS-OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

In 1965, seventeen-year-old Frances Adams, while attending a country fair, receives a concerning fortune. According to the fortune-teller, Frances will one day be murdered. Throughout her lifetime, Frances will become obsessed with doing everything she can to avoid this fate. In present day, Frances’ great niece, Annie Adams, is surprised to be summoned to Frances’ estate for a meeting. Curious to meet her reclusive great aunt, she is horrified to discover that the fortune finally came to fruition and Frances is dead. Faced with a murder that was predicted decades ago, Annie is determined to solve the mystery; however, will she survive the revelation of so many secrets and past misdeeds on her way to the truth?

For fans of the English murder mystery genre, this is a solid entry. Well-developed characters and an intriguing dual timeline catch the reader’s attention and hold on until the resolution of not one, but two mysteries. The only aspect that detracts from the story is a large cast of characters, which at times can be hard to keep track of.

Reviewer: AEB

The Red Car to Hollywood by Jennie Liu - OPTIONAL

The Red Car to Hollywood by Jennie Liu. Carolrhoda Lab, 2025. $20.

Language: R (6 swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (underaged drinking and smoking); Violence: PG-13 (attempted sexual assault, racist abuse)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS-OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

16-year-old Ruby Chan is making her way in Los Angeles, 1924. She is a modern American girl with modern ideals. However, everything changes when her secret relationship with a white boy is revealed, threatening her future as her traditional Chinese parents decide her modern behavior needs to be tamed with traditional restrictions. 

The story of Ruby is overly ambitious as it tries to do too much in too few pages. Racism, feminism, and modern vs. traditional ideals all battle for space in the story without any of them making a lasting impression. Serious problems are presented throughout the book, however, the final resolution is rushed and much too convenient.

Reviewer: AEB

A Queen's Game (Queen's Game #1) by Katharine McGee - ADVISABLE

A Queen's Game (Queen's Game #1) by Katharine McGee, 355 pages. Random House, 2024. $21

Language: PG (11 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (intense kissing and non-descriptive sex); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

In the late 1800’s, amidst the courts of Queen Victoria, three royal princesses  are trying to find their own destiny.  Alix is beautiful, shy and Queen Victoria's favorite granddaughter.  She is also prone to panic attacks, a secret she hopes to keep hidden.  Helene is the daughter of a banished French king.  She has a wild streak and does all the things a royal princess shouldn't do until she catches the eye of a powerful royal.  Lastly, there is May, who is living on the outskirts of court and is mostly invisible to everyone.  Her parents squandered their fortune so she knows she will have to do whatever is necessary to find a good match. All three are desperate to secure their futures, but in royal courts it is sometimes hard to tell if someone is friend or foe. All three princesses are in their early 20's.

The story takes place during the later years of Queen Victoria's life and includes actual historical figures, but it's more about romance and palace intrigue. It was a bit of a slow start setting up characters and events of the time, but it morphed into an intriguing story with secrets, misunderstandings, lying and blackmail.  I was surprised to find the characters so likeable and thought the author did a good job bringing historical figures alive.  I would have liked a more settled ending, but with a sequel, I'm sure there is more intrigue to come.   

The characters are mostly English or French.

RBenson - Librarian

The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson - ADVISABLE

The Storm Crow (The Storm Crow #1) by Kalyn Josephson, 352 pages. Sourcebooks Fire (Sourcebooks), 2019. $11.

Language: PG13 (24 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (alcohol use, illegal activity, kissing, mentions of whore, and innuendo); Violence: PG13 (assault, self harm, blood and gore, mentions of suicide, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

On the night of a kingdom-wide festival for the hatching of new elemental crows, Princess Anthia (17yo) starts the day with joyful anticipation of finally getting her own crow. And ends the night burned and broken by the Illucians who attack and kill all the crows. Anthia is debilitated by depression while her older sister becomes queen and does everything she can to protect their people—including arranging a marriage between Anthia and the son of their enemy, the crow killer.

Anthia’s frustrations with herself, her enemies, and her impossible situation are palpable—so real that it makes her story difficult to read sometimes, especially since this is only book one and everything has to get worse before solutions can be found to make it better. The timeline often felt impossibly fast, and I don’t particularly enjoy the love triangle trope, but, with the constant action and fun magic, I still think I’ll end up reading the sequel. Anthia and the other people from Rhodaire are described as having brown skin. Kiva is queer.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Wendy's Ever After by Julie Wright - ADVISABLE

Wendy's Ever After by Julie Wright, 272 pages. Shadow Mountain, 2025. $20

Language:  G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

It has been years since 17yo Wendy Darling's adventures in Neverland, but she has never stopped thinking about it or about Peter Pan.  She has grown into a beautiful,  independent, and intelligent young woman with many suitors, but is not interested in any of them.  That is until she meets handsome Liam Blackwell at a Masquerade Ball.  Wendy is instantly twitterpated by Liam and as they get to know each other throughout the night, Wendy picks up on subtle phrases and details that make her wonder how he is connected to Neverland and Captain Hook.  When Liam leaves the Ball, Wendy's curiosity gets the best of her and she ends up following him, only to find herself back in Neverland and facing a dilemma about who she can really trust and where her loyalty lies. 

Wendy's Ever After is a charming Fantasy read that moves quickly without dull moments. Peter Pan brings back nostalgic memories of my childhood and I appreciated the different perspectives of each character that the author adds to the story.  Background knowledge of the story of Peter Pan may be helpful but not necessary. Julie Wright includes book discussion questions in the back of the book for those interested in using this as a book club read. 

Ethnicity is not mentioned although Wendy has light, fair skin and Liam has very dark hair and blue eyes.  

Alissa Loves Books

Difficult Girls by Veronica Bane - OPTIONAL

Difficult Girls by Veronica Bane, 336 pages. Penguin Random House, 2025. $20

Language: R (100+ swears, 27 f');  Mature Content: PG-13 (Drinking, kissing, sexual references); Violence: PG-13 (Murder, attempted murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Seeking a new start and new friends after an incident at her school, 16yo Greta Riley Green gets a job as an usher at Hyper Kid Magic Land, a theme park that has several short shows each day. Gretta is thrust into a mystery as one of the park's stars, Mercy Goodwin, schedules a meeting with her but never shows. In addition, the theme park has a history of tragedy as Hailey, a previous performer, was murdered 20 years ago. Greta begins investigating Mercy’s disappearance and Hailey's murder as she treads a careful line, trying to fit in, attempting to gain her crush's attention, and seeking what's going on behind the scenes.

For a thriller, this novel has a pretty slow start. But Gretta’s character may keep readers entertained. She is painfully awkward, self-doubting, and obsessive, which gets a little much for me at times, but some teenagers may find it relatable. The setting of the novel is fun and unique as are some of the secondary characters. It’s a character-driven mystery that also tackles redemption and relationships. Several secondary characters are diverse: 

Liam is Filipino Mexican American, Ivy is Columbian American and LGBT+

Megan, HS Librarian

Main Street: A Community Story about Redlining by Britt Hawthorne and Tiffany Jewell, illustrated by David Wilkerson - ADVISABLE

Main Street: A Community Story about Redlining by Britt Hawthorne and Tiffany Jewell, illustrated by David Wilkerson. PICTURE BOOK. Kokila (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9798217002672

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL; MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A young black girl, Olivia, is upset when her white friend, Alison, can't come to her neighborhood Block Party because Alison’s mother says it isn’t safe. At home, Olivia’s neighbor, Ms. Effie, explains the history of redlining, a secret practice historically used by banks to deny funding loans to people of color. 

Hawthorne gives us a succinct, honest look at the practice of redlining, a proven historical practice that kept people of color out of “good, white” neighborhoods. This is the first picture book that I can remember tackling the issue. Though Hawthorne has written a picture book, I am not sure that elementary students are the right audience - I would proudly show this to any middle school or high school teacher who touches on the subject in any way.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

How to Survive the End of the World by Katy Doughty - ADVISABLE

How to Survive the End of the World by Katy Doughty, 256 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Candlewick Press, 2026. $15.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (handful of male characters drawn shirtless, syphilis mentioned once and an amorous hetero couple depicted on page behind a bedscreen); Violence: PG (examples of major peril in each chapter featuring catastrophic disasters like climate change or asteroid impact).

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

In her debut graphic novel, author & artist Katy Doughty uses illustrations, infographics, and wry humor to explore humanity's chances of surviving various apocalyptic scenarios, ranging from climate change to alien invasions. By blending historical data with interviews from current experts in fields like artificial intelligence and infectious disease, the book provides a research-driven look at how we might endure catastrophic events as a human species.

I think I enjoyed it. It was at times a very stressful read, if only because we can see the effects of climate change or resource exploitation impacting our world negatively right now. But I appreciated the author’s point of view and ultimately positive spin on the future of humanity. I could see this book being used as a supplemental material to a post-apocalyptic novel unit or part of a nonfiction unit.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes 

Tall Water by SJ Sindu and Dion MBD - ADVISABLE

Tall Water by SJ Sindu and Dion MBD, 248 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL (Harper Alley) HarperCollins, 2025.  $19.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG13 (war violence, peril) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

17yo Nimmi was born in Sri Lanka to an American father and Sri Lankan mother. But she's lived all her life in the United States with just her dad. He's a news reporter and hasn't been back to Sri Lanka. But when he gets an assignment to return to Sri Lanka to write a story on the ongoing civil war, Nimmi comes too - against her fathers wishes, it's just too dangerous! Nimmi has never met her mother and this may be her only opportunity. 

Full color illustrations, but the color palate is very dark. Not a lot of dialogue in the panels so it is a quick read. Illustrations that progress the story are often expressing the war violence or the destruction caused by the tsunami. Nimmi is headed to college, so I think Tall Water is mostly intended for a high school audience. What I really think? This graphic novel isn't for everyone, but it may connect with your east Asian population. 

Lisa Librarian  

The Pecan Sheller by Lupe Ruiz-Florez - OPTIONAL

The Pecan Sheller by Lupe Ruiz-Florez, 250 pages. Carolrhoda (Lerner), 2025 $19.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

13yo Petra is a good student. She especially loves reading and writes her own stories. But after the death of her father, her step-mother cannot make ends meet and requires Petra to leave school and come to work with her in as a pecan sheller. In Texas, during the 1930's the pecan factories were terrible workplaces with poor ventilation. Many of Petra's co-workers coughed all day, making them more susceptible to tuberculosis. The factory management paid the workers hardly anything, required long hours, and fired people on a whim. Petra just wants to go back to school, but her siblings are starving. 

Based on the Pecan Sheller strike in Texas in 1938, The Pecan Sheller is a heart breaking story. The poverty of the family was unbelievable. I kept wondering when the US government would swoop in and help - but this was before there were laws like minimum wage and safe work environments. Petra's family are Mexican American 

Lisa Librarian

Beinoni by Mari Lowe - ADVISABLE

Beinoni by Mari Lowe, 274 pages. Levine Querido, 2025. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (fight between boys, destruction of monsters - not gory) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

12yo Ezra is the Nivchar, the chosen one, a special child born to fight the gurya and continue the current golden age - no wars, no terrible illness, no crime. But, as his bar mitzvah approaches, he notices things are changing - he's not the top of his class anymore, his best friend won't talk to him, and his strength is diminishing. Also, the peace they've been experiencing is at risk, and someone even tried to kidnap him. His father thinks he's just disrespectful - as do the rabbis at the yeshiva, but Ezra worries that someone is trying to stop him. Few know about Ezra's mission, but his bully, Aryeh, does, and relentlessly mocks him, calling him the chosen one and deriding him for his basketball skills. But when Aryeh becomes his only ally, the unlikely pair team up. 

What a gripping story! Very rooted in Jewish culture, I appreciated the thorough glossary. I loved the moral dilemmas faced by Ezra and others, and the hard choice of deciding what the right thing to do was, as well as how to best do the right thing - or even if to do the right thing at all. Mari Lowe writes for a special audience; your Jewish middle schoolers will relate and really like Beinoni. The characters are Jewish. 

Lisa Librarian