Cry Out Loud by Tara O'Connor - ADVISABLE

Cry Out Loud by Tara O'Connor, 256 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2025. $25. 

Language: PG (4 swears 0 'f' - Irish swears not counted); Mature Content: PG (same gender kisses); Violence: PG (human sacrifice is a plotline) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Nell is suspended for a term from high school, and her mother sends her to stay with a distant relative in rural Ireland. Everything is strange from the beginning, but then becomes dangerous when Nell discovers she may be the next victim of a generational family sacrifice. 

Dark and creepy, complete with banshees and a robed cult. A gripping tale of family traditions. The illustrations are full color with just the right amount of detail. I appreciated the pronunciation guide for the names. The characters are Irish. 

Lisa Librarian  

The Ginghams by T.C. Kemper, - ADVISABLE

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

Content: G (earring ripped out of ear)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

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  May, however, is acting a little bit different; her usual punk rock style has been replaced by a more conservative look.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

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

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Hawk & Sparrow by Ayana Gray - ADVISABLE

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

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

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

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

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

America's Founding Myths ... and What Really Happened by Christy Mihaly, illustrated by Marta Sevilla, - ADVISABLE

America's Founding Myths ... and What Really Happened by Christy Mihaly, illustrated by Marta Sevilla, 40 pages. INTERACTIVE, NON-FICTION Barefoot Books, 2026. $20 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

How much of the history we learn in school is really a myth? Apparently a lot of it. Mihaly looks at 15 myths surrounding the founding of the United States - from the people who lived here before Columbus arrived to the Revolutionary War. Includes the story of Pocahontas and John Smith, the First Thanksgiving, Plymouth Rock and who really warned that "The British are Coming". 

Mihaly's introduction is excellent. She tell how written history is just one perspective, and different points of view make the whole thing messy and complicated. It's interactive; you see the well-known myth, then open a flap to "uncover" the truth (ingenious). There are also some opportunities to lift the flaps for other things. There are also interesting "think about this yourself" questions. A brilliant book that doesn't feel political - it explains why many of our stories turned into myths and shows witnesses' statements of the events. Kids who love history will eat this up. Back matter includes ideas to know or discover if something is true, encouragement to write your own perception of events you witness, a glossary and resources for finding out more. Includes a QR Code to access the bibliography. 

Lisa Librarian 

Room to Breathe by Kasie West - ADVISABLE

Room to Breathe by Kasie West, 272 pages. Random House, 2026. $13 (paperback) 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Kissing, making out); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

High school junior Indy is constantly trying to be the best - she competes for grades against her best friend Beau, she tutors at an education center and is a model citizen. Until, her family begins to implode when her father seems to be in trouble with the FBI, and her mother has forbidden Indy from telling anyone. Suddenly her perfect world isn't spinning right, her studies suffer, her friends are mad and even her relationship with Beau is on the rocks. 

Told in alternating chapters between Now - when Indy is locked in a restroom at school with Beau - and Then - the story of how everything went wrong. West masterfully arranges these chapters so the reader is just barely ahead of the reveals happening in the now. I was thoroughly entertained. I also loved the stress of Indy doubting her father, and how everyone is fighting in her home and it spills into her whole life. Although Indy is in High School, Room to Breathe will appeal to 8th and 9th graders as well. The characters default white.

Lisa Librarian 

Bunkmates for Never (Camp Frenemies #2) by Liz Montague - ADVISABLE

Bunkmates for Never (Camp Frenemies #2) by Liz Montague, 215 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Random House Studio, 2026. $22

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

13yo Bea has grown up a lot over the last year. She’s wearing a little makeup, and instead of carrying her stuffed animal everywhere, she leaves it behind in her bedroom. She’s excited to reunite with her summer camp bunkmates, but they’re shocked by all the changes they see in her.

Bea is afraid that her friends won’t be able to accept the new Bea and starts to wonder if coming back to camp was a mistake. Will the three friends be able to get along and accept the changes in each other and the changes at camp?" A fun, heartwarming graphic novel about learning to love and accept your friends as they do their best to grow up and figure out who they are. I enjoyed the simple straight forward illustrations.

Bea has brown skin and curly brown hair. Virginia has brown skin and red hair. Roxy has light brown skin with blond hair.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

When It’s Your Turn for Midnight by Blessing Musariri - ADVISABLE

When It’s Your Turn for Midnight by Blessing Musariri, 184 pages. Lerner, 2026. $19

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (mental illness); Violence: PG-13 (# of dead bodies mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

One moment 15yo Chianti is only worrying about getting her little sister out of trouble with their parents. The next her mother blurts out that her Baba (dad) is not even Chianti’s. Confused and hurt, Chianti flees to her grandmother’s home, where she is surrounded by the group of loving aunties she grew up with, leaving her younger sisters to fend for themselves. While Chianti is trying to make sense of her new reality, she also delves into her grandmother’s history, when she and her friends were freedom fighters during Zimbabwe's civil war. 

Musariri manages to pack quite an emotional punch into a short, poignant story. Can we hold this up to show that  fabulous writing doesn't need 400+ pages to wander towards the point? She paints vivid settings and complex emotions for almost every character. I also love that her glimpse into an unfamiliar culture still shows human emotions and problems are universal.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett - ADVISABLE

A Trade of Blood (Ana and Din Mysteries #3) by Robert Jackson Bennett, 400 pages. Del Rey (Penguin Random House), 2026. $32.

Language: R (196 swears, 56 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (drug and alcohol use, illegal activity, disturbing elements, innuendo, nudity, and mentions of sex); Violence: R (corpses, assault, blood and gore, animal cruelty, mentions of genocide, suicide, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Ana is not happy with their new investigation assignment not only because it appears to be an open-and-shut case to appease the gentry but mostly because that means it’s also going to be uninteresting. Except that when Ana and Dinios arrive, they find evidence that this case is not as easily settled as they anticipated—and that it might not be the perpetrator’s first murder.

As excited as I was to return to this fantasy world and Ana and Din’s investigative duo, I was as put off about the new case as Ana was, due to the case’s cliché Romeo and Juliet angle. Thankfully, the story quickly expanded from there, drawing in all the elements of mystery, awe, and paranoid suspicion for every character that could betray the beloved duo along the way that I have come to expect. With bittersweet feelings about finishing another mind-blowing case, I look forward to many more.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Her America by Heather B. Moore - ADVISABLE

Her America by Heather B. Moore, 304 pages. SHORT STORIES. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2026. $28.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (kissing, mild innuendo, and mentions of alcohol and debauchery); Violence: PG (corpses, assault, blood and gore, physical abuse, gun and bomb use, discussions of slavery and war, and mentions of suicide and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Moore has put together short stories on eight influential women that combine biographical information with enough historical fiction to bring these real women and their situations to life. The women chosen to be highlighted in this book include the first female historian in America, the first woman in US history to both plan and lead a military raid, a First Lady, a cofounder of La Cruz Blanca (The White Cross), and a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist.

While each section focuses on only one woman’s life, there are multiple heroes in every story. These women worked together with both those that came before them and those around them to accomplish great things—great things that allow us to enjoy the freedoms we take for granted. Every voice matters, and these women demonstrated how we can create a better future for our loved ones as we use our voices. All eight women highlighted are American; they are described as White, Black, and Mexican-American.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

My Sister the Werebeast by Alina Tysoe - ADVISABLE

My Sister the Werebeast by Alina Tysoe, 316 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. First Second (Macmillan), 2025. $15

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G (0); Violence: PG (some fantasy violence,not graphic)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Something is happening with Peanut, Rosie and Mira's younger sister.  She seems to have magic powers.  But magic doesn't exist anymore in this world, right?  All magicians died out long ago.  Rosie and Mira need to find a way to keep their sister safe from a dark force that wants to steal her power.

My Sister the Werebeast was an enjoyable read!  The plot was interesting and not predictable.  The illustrations were fun and eye catching.  Also, the text font was easy to read.  My Sister the Werebeast will definitely appeal to students who like fantasy graphic novels with some humor thrown in. Rosie and Mira are anywhere from 14-16 yrs old.  Peanut is a preschooler.

One of the daughters and the mother are Hispanic.  The other main characters are presumably white. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

America is Wild! by Brad Timm, illustrated by Jill De Haan and Margaux Samson Abadie - ADVISABLE

America is Wild! A State-by-State Encyclopedia of American Wildlife by Brad Timm, illustrated by Jill De Haan and Margaux Samson Abadie, 208 pages. NON-FICTION Wide Eyed (Quarto), 2026. $23

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

The United States has a very diverse environment, with lots of plants and animals. From each state, the author highlights 4 or so plants and animals that represent their wildlife; some are iconic (I bet you can guess what Wyoming's mammal is), while others are surprising (I didn't know South Dakota had Cactus!) We learn the common name, the Latin name, and some interesting facts about each one. 

America is Wild was a lot of fun. Nice reference book, with great illustrations. The information is concise and accurate, and there's a variety of entries from each state - a bird, a mammal, a tree, a flower, an insect - 3-4 different plants and 3-4 different animals on a 4-page spread. I loved that there was always a "fun fact", not just the general information. An interesting read that I hope will be enjoyed in my library. 

Lisa Librarian 

One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram - ADVISABLE

One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram, 224 pages. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2026. $20 

Language: PG (2 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (masturbation talk); Violence: PG (Bullying, referring to queer slurs) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

14yo Dayton shouts a slur at a visiting speaker at the ELA assembly for 9th graders. He was promised $20 for doing it, and he thought it wouldn't be a big deal; it's just a word. But in that moment, everything changes for Dayton. He loses friends, his parents are shocked and disappointed, and he begins to examine his own actions. Nothing he does seems to make it any different. Farshid is also in 9th grade, and knows Dayton but isn't a friend; however, Dayton's actions have affected Farshid too, who is wrestling with his body image and sexual identity. 

Told in alternating perspectives - and also in second person and present tense - so the reader is put into the story, and it unfolds in real time. There was a lot to unpack; Dayton never meant to offend and felt terrible, but couldn't really repair what he'd done. Farshid was angry all the time and taking it out on his mother and himself - making unhealthy decisions about his body. Khorram never says the word, but the reader can piece together what it is. This is one of those important books that I hope will gain some traction and get read by the teens who need the message and the courage to do the right thing. 

Dayton is white, Farshid is Iranian. 

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 

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

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