The Maid of Sherwood Forest by Sian Ann Bessey - ADVISABLE

The Maid of Sherwood Forest (A McQuivey’s Costume Shop Romance #2) by Sian Ann Bessey, 296 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025. $19.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Mariah (23yo) walks into a costume shop dressing room and exits into a kitchen from medieval times—exactly the time period where her costume allows Mariah to fit in. The door she came from does not return her to the twenty-first century, and Mariah must continue to work in the kitchen or else have no roof over her head, no family, no job, and nowhere else to turn.

The second in this series, Mariah’s story is a standalone, though I recommend reading the first one as well because I love Bessey’s historical fiction-take by using time travel as the reason for unexplained historical people and events. Mariah’s story is focused on the legends of Robin Hood, and I enjoyed learning some new parts of his tales that I haven’t heard before. With humor and wit, life-or-death situations, figuring out what’s really important in life, and, of course, romance, Bessey includes a little bit of everything for her readers.

All of the characters are English. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, kissing, and illegal activity. The violence rating is for assault, battle scenes, and attempted murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Rapunzel and the Sea Witch by Kim Bussing - ADVISABLE

Rapunzel and the Sea Witch (or, The Little Mermaid and the Tower) (Princess Swap #3) by Kim Bussing, 311 pages. Random House, 2025. $10.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Making a deal with the Sea Witch is said to be foolish, but if Hana (13yo) steals a contract and makes a deal with herself to stop the Storm and a war with the humans, that can’t be as bad, right? Until she ends up with legs in a tower. Meanwhile, Rapunzel is found by the Sea Witch and trades her voice to get rid of her Curse. But if Rapunzel can’t find a way to break her Curse permanently, she’ll never get her voice back.

Bussing creatively mashes fairy tales together in this series beyond the advertised “princess swap,” and, though the first two books are referenced, reading them is not required to enjoy Hana’s and Rapunzel’s stories. I love the references to the familiar stories we know—like when the price to enjoy a lagoon symphony is to “kiss the girl”—and that Bussing adds her own new spins to the tales—like how this little mermaid has singing ocean magic! Fairy tales like Hana’s and Rapunzel’s remind us that we have yet to fulfill our grand potential, regardless of how others try to stifle our growth.

Rapunzel is depicted on the cover to have light skin, and Hana is depicted to have tanner skin. Lady Grimm is described as having “fair” skin, Melusine has “pale” skin, and Oliver has “slightly tan” skin. The mature content rating is for kissing, and the violence rating is for mild fantasy violence and assault.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

 

Ken Jennings' Junior Genius Guides: Greek Mythology by Ken Jennings and Mike Lowery - ADVISABLE

Ken Jennings' Junior Genius Guides: Greek Mythology by Ken Jennings, illustrated by Mike Lowery, 162 pages. NON-FICTION Simon Spotlight (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $20 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

All the interesting tidbits of Greek Mythology rolled into one book. From the birth of the Gods to the heroes, monsters, and quests, this book has it all. Plus it has some quizzes and activities that go along with the reading, 

One of the most engaging ways to discover Greek mythology. Easy to digest segments and great facts. I read it cover to cover even though I know a lot about the subject because it was so entertaining, The Greeks put the fun in dysfunctional families. This is a nice size book, and the illustrations are fun 

Michelle in the Middle 

Zodiac Rising by Katie Zhao - ADVISABLE

Zodiac Rising by Katie Zhao, 392 pages. Random House, 2024. $20

Language: R (23 swears, 1 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody death, murder, sword fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO:  MANY

During the Second Opium War in 1860, British soldiers attacked and looted China’s Summer Palace, stealing five of the twelve zodiac statues. Their theft unleashed a curse, stripping the twelve guardian families of their ancient magic. Generations later, the descendants of those families have taken refuge in Manhattan, hidden away at an elite boarding school. When the lost statues resurface—and a student is murdered—a group of four must embark on a perilous quest to reclaim what was stolen from them, break the curse, and avenge their friend. The crew includes 17yo Alice, a 17-year-old mortal with mysterious abilities; Evangeline, a vampire; Nicholas, a shape-shifting fox spirit; and Tristan, a werewolf.

This book has a lot going for it—history, Chinese mythology, supernatural beings, ancient magic, and an epic quest. All of this is woven together with themes of grief, pride, rivalry, and vengeance. I loved the plot twists! However, I didn’t quite understand why immortal beings over 150 years old would willingly keep attending high school every day. The story also ended on a cliff hanger. I’ll definitely need to read the sequel.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

A Catalog of Burnt Objects by Shana Youngdahl - OPTIONAL

A Catalog of Burnt Objects by Shana Youngdahl, 368 pages.Penguin Young Readers Group, 2025. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (some reference to sexual situations. very mild); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

17yo Caprice experiences many emotions as her life seems to be changing more rapidly than should be expected.  Her older brother has returned home from rehab, she is experiencing a new love, and she is worried about her future education.  In the middle of all of this chaos, her small town is forced to recon with a devastating wildfire that literally tears apart the town and the lives of those she loves. How will Caprice find the strength to endure all that her heart and mind are burdened with and expected to survive? 

This is a simple and sweet story of how a family comes together after tragedy hits- and hits hard!  The story is not as enticing as most young adult novels. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but soon realized it was just a simple story of a young girl overcoming her struggles. Ethnicity unknown or not explored

Reviewer: sl

Ellie Haycock is Totally Normal by Gretchen Schreiber - OPTIONAL

Ellie Haycock is Totally Normal by Gretchen Schreiber, 304 pages. St. Martin’s, 2024. $20

Language: R (40 swears, 16 ‘f’); Mature Content: G (some kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

At school and home Ellie Haycock is totally normal - she has a beautiful boyfriend and is an important part of the school’s debate team. When an unexplained cough sends her to the hospital, though, she is back at the specialty hospital and the family-living for hospital kids where she is part of kids who have problems.  Plus Elli is a VACTERLS - a group of birth defects that will keep her in surgery and hospitals for the rest of her life.  The two worlds should never meet. BUt her mother, who has been blogging about Ellie since she was born has other ideas.  Maybe Ellie, who is intrigued by a new boy at the hospital, Ryan, also has her own ideas of what her life should look like.

I was fascinated by this look in to a world I have no contact with. Since Ellie has a body that can never be “cured” her outlook on hospitals and such is so different from say a cancer kid, who might only be there short term.  I really enjoyed reading this new perspective. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Absolutely Everything by Damian Alexander - ESSENTIAL

Absolutely Everything by Damian Alexander, 216 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphic Universe (Lerner), 2025. $18 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Marcella is struggling now that she's a sixth grader in middle school. She can't seem to manage all her different periods and assignments and sometimes even tunes out her friends. Marcelle becomes increasingly hard on herself as she tries to figure out how to remember everything that is coming at her, and she is not certain how to tell her two dads or her friends what she is going through. 

This is such a great way to build empathy for ADHD and how it doesn't have to define you. Reading this will help build empathy for those who have ADHD, and allow those who do to see themselves more clearly. The author wasn't diagnosed until college, but struggled through middle school with so many ideas in his head. Fast and insightful read! Marcella is white, but her friends are a mix of races. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The City of Lost Cats by Tanya Lloyd Kyi - OPTIONAL

The City of Lost Cats by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, 288 pages. Tundra, 2025. $18

Content: G (very mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Since her parents died in a car accident, Fiona has felt like an afterthought to her aunt, who is now her guardian. And she does not like her aunt’s new boyfriend. While “running away” one day, Fiona finds a trio of formerly lovely old houses, one of which has a large collection of cats, and a couple of birds inside. Fiona is taken by the cats and wants to create a refuge for them.. However, developers want the land on which the houses stand and her aunt’s boyfriend, who works at municipal hall, seems to be in league with them. 

The cats and the birds all speak to the listener. The action is a bit slap-stick - the final moment rescue and the change of heart by the demolition team are exciting. I listened to the audiobook and I was put off by some of the choices of the narrator.  Though the setting is modern, sometimes I felt like I was in a 1920’s gangster show.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Angelique Lazarus, courtesy of libro.fm

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Dream On by Shannon Hale and Marcela Cespedes - ESSENTIAL

Dream On by Shannon Hale, illustrated by Marcela Cespedes, 236 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2025. $23 

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

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Cassie is in elementary school and is questioning her place with her best friend and how she fits in her family. She worries she is too sensitive, and if she says or does the right things. But when she gets a letter that says she's won a huge prize, she is sure that giving huge gifts to her best friend or family will solve all her problems. 

Cassie's voice rings true. In fact, it will probably linger in your head after you finish the book, because she totally nails the angst we all had at her age. And who hasn't received a notification that we're prize winners? Cassie discovers that she has not won anything, but she still finds her wonder, even if her problems aren't magically solved. When I finished it, I kept thinking of who needed to read this next. Great life lessons told in an engaging and realistic manner. Cassie is white, but her friends are a variety of cultures. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Pennies by Laura Senf - ADVISABLE

Pennies by Laura Senf, 384 pages. Atheneum (Simon), 2025. $19

Content: PG (danger, deaths, not described)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

People are disappearing from Blight Harbor.  Lark, Claret, Mae, and Brigid had perfect plans, but their parents are wary of the danger around their town. The girls are sure they know who is behind the trouble, but they can’t get their parents to listen.  Something is really wrong - someone is manipulating the adults. The girls must venture into a dark, mysterious other place to solve the puzzle and rescue one of the girls’ older sister from her unreliable beau, facing danger on many fronts.

Senf takes us back to Blight Harbor in 1921, when John Jeffery Pope was still alive and the Lighthouse Keeper had not yet taken her place. The danger is palpable and Johnny really shows his evil colors. The tension is well built and the friendship between the girls is lovely. It will be good for young raiders to read this right after reading the original trilogy.

The characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Busted by Dan Gemeinhart - ESSENTIAL

Busted by Dan Gemeinhart, 352 pages. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2025. $18. 

Language: PG (20 swears, 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, Oscar gets punched in the face a couple of times causing nose bleeding and black eye)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

12yo Oscar had lived all his life with his grandpa in a retirement home. On the day of his 49th funeral, his life changes. Mr. Howell, the owner of Sunny Days has died and his son has taken over ownership - raising everyone's rent. There's no way Pops can afford the crazy new cost, and Oscar is desperate. So, when new resident Jimmy Deluca offers him a deal - lots of money to break him out - he accepts and goes on a crazy adventure with Jimmy, Natasha (young Mr. Howell's daughter) and Mr. Buttercup, Jimmy's cat. Oscar is a good kid, and this kind of behavior is well out of character for him, but desperate times call for desperate measures. 

Never ending action makes Busted a book that's hard to put down. This aging mobster is delightful (and unpredictable, and probably dangerous and certainly sweary) Natasha is a great yang to Oscar's ying. He's a good kid and she's looking for trouble. So many life lessons, lots of impossible situations and a great narrator made this such a fun read. I'm recommending it already! The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes - OPTIONAL

The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes, 251 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2025. $18. 

Content: G (1 mild swear, threats)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

8th grader Henson Blayze is already on the high school football team. The whole town, 95% white, sees him as the next great hope. In his first game, however, Henson leaves after he finds out that his best young friend has been beaten by the police and is in the hospital. The town, lead by Dem Delta Boys, doesn’t take Henson’s defection well.  Meanwhile, Henson’s father is trying to cultivate Henson’s connection to their land - they are one of the few Black families in the county that own such a large property.  And the Blayze family has an obligation to the land and to their larger community.

The magical realism of Barnes’s story is a bit confusing. I think Henson could have learned his lessons without it. There is not enough football for me to point this at sports boys. The commentary on Blacks being “required” to entertain white folk to “earn” their place is the best part for me.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Lost on Doll Island by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez - ADVISABLE

Lost on Doll Island by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez, 188 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2025. $19 

Language: PG (3 swears, 0 f) Mature Content: G Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Diego's parents are divorcing and he moved from Texas to Mexico City. He is desperate for things to return to normal and be back with an intact family and his friends. So desperate, that when a weird lady in an antique shop gives him a doll and tells him of a wish doll, he decides to make finding it a top priority, When he hears the doll's voice in his head, he is more determined than ever. Coincidently, Diego's school is going to Doll Island for their class field trip, but Doll Island turns out to be creepier and more dangerous than Diego could ever have imagined. 

I liked to use of Spanish in the book, and context clues made it easy to figure out word meaning. The Spanish helped set the creepy tone of the book. The dolls and the island are sufficiently disturbing, and Diego's quest will suck you in. This might be a bit dark for younger readers, but once you start, you'll have to finish. Diego and his friends are Hispanic. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Ride or Die by Delilah Dawson - ADVISABLE

Ride or Die by Delilah Dawson, 210 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2025. $18

Content: PG (scares only)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Brie has been trying to reinvent herself since her family moved.  She has been invited to the most exclusive birthday party and if she can get in with the school’s mean queen she has it made.  Instead, she finds herself the target of bullying and intimidation and is locked behind a walled off section of the amusement park.  A place rumored to be haunted since the deaths of a group of young park goers years ago. Brie runs into some other kids inside the park - and danger.

Dawson knows her middle grade horror. She ramps up the danger and the tension without being gross or bloody. I’ll happily add this to a horror display and recommend it. 

The characters are white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall - OPTIONAL

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall, 304 pages. St. Martin’s, 2025. $30

Language: PG (6 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG-13 (vicious dog attack, gun shots, sexual abuse implied)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Almost since the world was flooded, Nonnie and her older sister Bix have lived in the American Museum of Natural History with a few other museum employees and their families. When a superstorm sweeps through, only Nonie, Bix, Father and one other adult escape. Now the little group is headed north, following a map to an old family farm, where they hope to find family and a new safe place to settle.

While Nonie and her family encounter racism and life threatening danger, I was not drawn into her story.  I feel this was not written for a YA audience - more of a literary commentary on global warming. The post-apocalypse setting is not apocalyptic enough to satisfy my need for pathos and danger.

Nonie and her family are white. Their friend is black.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Eunice Wong courtesy of libro.fm

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Stitch Head by Guy Bass, illustrated by Pete Williamson - ADVISABLE

Stitch Head by Guy Bass, illustrated by Pete Williamson, 142 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic Random House, 2024. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Stitch Head is the caretaker of Castle Grotteskew, and is the first of 300 monsters created by a mad scientist. Stitch Head keeps things in the castle running smoothly despite the mad scientist's increasingly evil components. When a traveling carnival ringleader named Fulbert, shows up, it's up to Stitch Head to keep him out of the castle, but Fulbert is determined to put the monsters in a traveling carnival, and Stitch Head is the only thing thwarting his plans. 

The illustrations are fantastic and really add to the tone of the book. Stitch Head, like us, will learn that that not all things that look monstrous are mean, and maybe seemingly normal people are the biggest monsters of all. A quick and easy read about how we want to be seen for who we are. No culture or race is mentioned, though most characters are drawn white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Better to Eat You With by Tehlor Kay Mejia - ADVISABLE

The Better to Eat You With by Tehlor Kay Mejia, 242 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2025. $18

Language: G (1 swears, 0  ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (some danger, dead animals)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Evan is looking forward to a summer away from her bickering parents and hanging out with her best summer friends Billie and Jackson at the summer cabins they always rent. Evan’s mother has been harping on her for the last 9 months about “healthy” eating habits, which sound like “don’t eat anything tasty” to Evan.  But everyone around the lake is worried about sightings of a monster around the lake.

While Mejia has a supernatural and slightly spooky element to her story (the cover screams monster book), her core story is about Evan,  her anorexia, and Billie desperately trying to help her. Add this to Alyson Gerber’s Taking Up Space and Schu’s Louder Than Hunger ) among other great books about eating disorders. I am a little worried that kids picking it up for the cover will be disappointed that the content isn’t as spooky as they were hoping.

The characters are white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Stitch by Padraig Kenny - ESSENTIAL

Stitch by Padraig Kenny, 204 pages. Walker (Candlewick), 2024 $18 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Stitch has counted the days since his awakening. When the old Professor dies, his not-so-nice nephew takes over, and Stitch learns that he and his friend, Henry Oaf, have to escape the castle's safety only to learn that they might only be seen as monsters. 

Beautifully written, this book raises all sorts of questions about what it means to be a person and the importance of being nice. As the character, Alice, tells Stitch, "It doesn't matter what you're made from, it doesn't matter where you came from, all that matters is that you're a good person. With emphasis on person." In a world where fear and contention rule, enter Stitch and Henry. This small book will redefine what a monster is and give the reader a welcome moment to pause and celebrate goodness and friendship. No race is specified, as Henry and Stitch are cobbled together from the dead. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Teacher of Nomad Land A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri - ADVISABLE

The Teacher of Nomad Land A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri, 192 pages. Levine Querido, 2025 $19. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

During WWII, Russian and British soldiers invaded Iran in order to protect British owned oil wells. In the process, 13yo Babak and 8yo Sana lost their father when he was killed while teaching nomadic shepherds on a hillside. Essentially orphans, they are separated. After a year of working for their keep, Babak and Sana run away together to join the nomads as they are moving their flocks to winter pastures. But when the leader sends them away they find themselves on their own, trying not to starve, interacting with soldiers - from both sides - and remembering lessons their father taught about understanding people and keeping each other safe. 

I did not know about this part of the war at all! Nayeri weaves a tale of two smart, brave and desperate kids just trying to stay together. I really loved Sana, she was such a great positive force for her brother, always willing to do whatever she could, including scavenging, looking for water and even mediating between her brother and an angry German soldier. Historical Fiction is a hard sell these days, but Nayeri’s name may carry enough recognition to get Teacher of Nomad Land picked up, and then kids who read it will definitely talk about it. 

Lisa Librarian 

Queso, Just in Time by Ernesto Cisneros - ADVISABLE

Queso, Just in Time by Ernesto Cisneros, 272 pages. HarperCollins, March 2026. $20. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Boys going into the shower, reference to cracks and dangling bits); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Queso Castillo is mourning his dad's death. More than anything, he wishes he could spend more time with him. Then, making a wish on a cool looking moon, Queso wakes up the next morning to find it's 1985 and he's at his dad's childhood home. His grandparents are young and his dad is 12. He makes up some pretty believable lies, and soon, he's enrolled at Pancho's school (as his cousin from Mexico) and he begins to see the dad he never knew. 

A thoughtful story about family and grief. I really liked the premise, however, I guess in the 80's it was OK to take a random runaway into your home for a week or so? Queso's grandparents were good people. I loved that Cisneros didn't focus too much on pop culture - music, movies, clothes, but more on the changes (hopefully for the better) in teaching styles, educational expectations, and recognition of diversity. I liked that Queso tried to encourage his dad to do better, and have more faith in himself. I can certainly recommend. Contains some brief conversations in Spanish - not translated but context is provided. The characters are Mexican American 

Lisa Librarian