Wombat Waiting by Katherine Applegate - ESSENTIAL

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

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

 BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

 APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

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

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

 Lisa Librarian 

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, 12yo 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

Earhart: The Incredible Flight of a Field Mouse Around the World by Torben Kuhlmann - ADVISABLE

Earhart: The Incredible Flight of a Field Mouse Around the World by Torben Kuhlmann, 128 pages PICTURE BOOK North South, 2025. $22. 9780735845794  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A little field mouse discovers that there is so much more to the world beyond her garden and the limited view of her fellow field mice. She wants to fly around the world! She finds a learned old mouse aviator who helps her with her dream, and maybe, the little mouse can inspire Amelia Earhart's aviation career. 

The size of the book makes it a picture book, though the text can be dense at times, so not a picture book in the traditional sense. The cover art is so realistic, I neglected to see the small mouse, and thought it was nonfiction at first. That said, the artwork is breathtaking. The artwork tells a lot of the story. This is the fifth book in a mouse series that has been published in 30 languages. It's worth a look-see if only for the art and the theme of following your dream no matter how unlikely. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Eyes & The Impossible by Dave Eggers - ADVISABLE

The Eyes & The Impossible by Dave Eggers, 250 pages. Random House, 2023 $19.00 Language: PG (9 swears (all deity) 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Johannes is a wild dog who lives in a park. The bison, who seem to be in charge of all the wildlife in the area, have given him the responsibility of being The Eyes. He runs through the park and reports back what he sees - with the help of his friends a seagull, a squirrel, a pelican and a raccoon they know about everything - the people, the park workers, the construction projects. The bison are wise and know just what to do. But Johannes has a problem, he's not fast if he gets distracted. 

The Eyes & The Impossible isn't just another dog book. Oh, I loved it so much. Eggers' story telling is engaging and exciting. The characters, although animals, are realistic and believable. The gorgeous landscapes (actual Fine Art with the dog added) made the book fancy and beautifully illustrated. A sure purchase for my library. 

Lisa Librarian

The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Appplegate - ADVISABLE

The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate. 240 pages. HarperCollins. 2023. $20.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (elephant death, poaching, violence against elephants - not graphic but the themes and stories are there). 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Young Ruby is the youngest elephant of her herd at the Wildlife Sanctuary. Her tusks are starting to grow, and she's worried about the coming-of-age ceremony her "aunts" are having for her called her Tuskday. So, she finally shares her memories of her life in Africa with Ivan and Bob. 

I have loved this series and The One and Only Ruby is no exception. I loved that she worried about growing up. The connections she made with other elephants, humans, and even Ivan and Bob felt genuine and heartfelt. There are some sad parts, and Applegate counters them beautifully with her skillful writing and storytelling. An advisable purchase as a stand-alone, but as a set, a must-buy if you have the other two. 

 Lisa Librarian

The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson - ESSENTIAL

The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson, 320 pgs. Scholastic Press, 2022. $8

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (child in peril)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Discovered abandoned in a cave as a baby, 12yo Yanka has spent her life feeling like an outsider in her village. One morning she awakes to find her legs have turned into bear legs. She soon sets off on a journey across the forests and mountains with a band of fellow misfits to discover her true origins.

A story interwoven with traditional lore, readers will be charmed with the adventure and magic of Yanka and her friends. Beautiful writing and an engaging tale of friendship, found family, and discovering your true self will become a classic for readers of all ages.

Reviewer: AEB

Thorn by Intisar Khanani - ESSENTIAL

Thorn by Intisar Khanani, 512 pages. Harper Teen, 2020. $19

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (domestic violence, rape, violence against animals, human trafficking–all off page, violence against women–on and off page)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS–ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

15yo Princess Alyrra longs to escape her abusive home, but being married off to the prince of a neighboring kingdom is equally daunting. In route to her new life, Alyrra falls victim to the magic of the Lady and finds her life transformed. As she embraces her new role and is thrilled to leave the intrigues of palace life behind, she soon realizes that danger lurks and her newfound happiness may not be worth the destruction of those she was bound to.

A beautiful retelling of Goose Girl with a large cast of well-developed characters. Adventure abounds, but a deeper story guides the journey of Alyrra and those around her. Heavy topics such as violence against women and treatment of those in poverty are done in a way that younger readers will be able to understand and will aid in the development of compassion and empathy.

AEB

Alice's Farm by Maryrose Wood - ADVISABLE

Alice's Farm by Maryrose Wood, 368 pages. BIOGRAPHY Feiwel and Friends (MacMillan). 2020. $17 

Language: G;  Mature Content: G; Violence: PG - Description of animal killing which happened off page. Some animal peril. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When a farm gets new owners, the rabbits want to make sure the new owners don't turn around and sell the place to a developer, so Alice and her brother Thistle do the unimaginable - the rally the wild animals from the surrounding woods to help with a cooperative garden. They even make friends with the farmer's dog and an eagle. 

 Told in alternating perspectives - the rabbits and other animals, who can talk to each other, and 12yo Carl, the farmer's son who can't talk to the animals, but his baby sister understand them and she can talk - sort of. I loved the animals' perspectives about death, and the cooperative nature of the garden. The side characters were a bunch of fun - the guys from the Eagle Project, the farmer who lives next door, even the villain, oh and all the different animals! Wood has created characters as realistic as Beatrix Potter's. A thoroughly enjoyable read that would make a great bedtime story or read aloud.

Lisa Librarian

Investigators by John Patrick Green - ADVISABLE

Investigators by John Patrick Green, 208 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. First Second (Macmillan), 2020. $10.

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH

Two sewer-loving alligators, Mango and Brash, are members of S.U.I.T. (Special Undercover Investigation Teams).  They go undercover at a bakery when world famous Chef Gustavo Mustachio goes missing just before the big reveal of his newest culinary masterpiece.  At the same time, the Science Factory is about to reveal their latest scientific breakthrough.  Why, yes, these seemingly unrelated events are related and it’s up to investiGATORS to unravel the clues.

If you think a mustache is enough of a disguise for an alligator to infiltrate a bakery and that a doctor can turn into a helicopter, you will enjoy this book.  If you wanted something more cerebral you wouldn’t have picked it up.  The plot kept adding in side stories like the helicopter/doctor or a Crackerdile, who wants to be remade after falling into a vat of radioactive dough, that sometimes made the storyline confusing, but the colorful illustrations compensate.

Michelle in the Middle

Simon Thorn and the Sharks Cave by Aimee Carter - ESSENTIAL

Simon Thorn and the Sharks Cave by Aimee Carter, 282 pages.  Bloomsbury 2018. $17.00. 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 "f"); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS -ESSENTIAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Simon Thorn and his friends are off again on an adventure to save the animalgam world.  A world where certain people, living among us, have the ability to change into an animal form.  Orion, Simon's grandfather and leader of the bird kingdom, is seeking out another piece of the predator, a weapon that would enslave the animalgam kingdoms under Orion's rule. This time Simon and his cohorts are headed to the underwater kingdom. Needless to say, once again Simon must bend the rules, solve the puzzle, and save the day.  

This is fast becoming one of my favorite series and one I recommend to any Harry Potter fans. Simon and his friends are such imaginative and likable characters and the books are full of humor and adventure.  I love that with each story you are learning about the different habitats and traits of the various animal kingdoms. This third installment doesn't disappoint and I can't wait to for the next one.  

Gina, Media Specialist

The Quest of the Cubs by Kathryn Lasky - ADVISABLE

The Quest of the Cubs (Bears of the Ice #1) by Kathryn Lasky, 225 pages. Scholastic Press, $17

Language: PG; Violence: G; Mature Content: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In a Post-apocalyptic world, expressed by the bears as the Great Melting, the Bears’ culture has disintegrated.  The world is presented very creatively, evidently Lansky has written other books set in the world, the series Guardians of Ga’hoole.  The cubs are searching for their mother because unknown to them she has traded herself to save them  from being sacrificed. She leaves her beloved cubs with a cousin who turns on them the minute their mom leaves. So, the quest begins.  

The characters are well developed and there is plenty of action for those who crave it.  It left me wanting to read more about these feisty cubs and their intelligent mom. The notes mention 3rd to 7th grade but I would also recommend it for older students with low reading levels.

Reviewer: Lisa Moeller; Language Arts Teacher/Librarian

Longburrow: Podkin One-Ear by Kieran Larwood - ADVISABLE

Larwood, Kieran Longburrow: Podkin One-Ear, 244 pages. Clarion Books, 2017. $17.

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

Podkin was living his dream of lounging around the burrow free of worry when tragedy strikes. The Gorm attack his home! With no more than a dagger to defend themselves, Podkin and his siblings, Paz and Pook, try to find shelter from the Gorm´s spies. Soon, they learn the sad truth; no one is who they seem to be. Listen as the bard tells the tale of Podkin One-Ear.

I was not expecting the book with rabbits on the cover to be as gresome as it was. And the violent acts shocked me a little. However, I liked how the characters interacted and how the author was able to smoothly transition from the storyteller to the main story.

EL, MS - ADVISABLE 7th Grade Student reviewer AM

The Nutcracker Mice by Kristin Kladstrup - ESSENTIAL

Kladstrup, Kristin The Nutcracker Mice 316 pages. Candlewick Press, $17.99, Language: G(0 swears, 0 “F”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

Esmerelda is a mouse who lives beneath the stage of the Saint Petersburg theater. She loves to dance ballet and is excited when she is casted to play the part of Clara in the nutcracker. Things take a wrong turn when Esmerelda finds out the mice are the villains in this ballet. As her debut performance, this dancing mouse want to make a good impression, but will this dance be her last?

This book was fun to read. It showed a part of ballet that is not what you normally see. The characters were rich and full of flavor.

 EL - ESSENTIAL Student Reviewer: JM(9th grade)

The Wonderling by Mira Bartok - ADVISABLE

Bartok, Mira The Wonderling Pgs. 450. Candlewick Press, 2017. $21.99. Language: G, Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Arthur can’t remember how he ended up at the horribly dismal orphanage for wayward and misbegotten creatures. Like all the orphans, he is a lowly groundling, part human and part animal. Life is bleak for Arthur until an optimistic bird-like groundling arrives and befriends him. Together they plan a successful escape to the city where Arthur hopes to find his family. He is ill-prepared to live on his own in a strange city. Luckily, a good-natured rat gives him a place to stay and teaches him the ways of the street life. Arthur isn’t cut out for a life of crime and he botches the job on his first try. Through a series of mishaps, including banishment to the sewers, Arthur ends up back at the orphanage to face the evil headmistress and save the one thing he can’t live without.  

For children and teens who like the animal fantasy genre this is a definite win. The characters are rich and authentic, unique and different. The rats are especially convincing with their British accents. The story centers around the classic conflict of good triumphing over evil. The evil characters are not to be underestimated. In fact, younger children would probably find this story very disturbing. Characters are horribly mistreated at the orphanage and in the sewers. However, there are so many positive messages in this book, that it ends up being a feel-good story for older children.

 EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist

Serafina and the Splintered Heart by Robert Beatty - ADVSIABLE

Beatty, Robert.  Serafina and the Splintered Heart.  355 pages.  Disney Hyperion, 2017.  $16.99.  Language: G. Sexual Content: G.  Violence: PG.

The third book in the Serafina series (Serafina and the Black Cloak and Serafina and the Twisted Staff), starts with Serafina waking up and realizing she is buried alive.  She fights her way out of the coffin only to find that no one else can see her or hear her.  She's been split into three: her spirit, her human body, and her black panther form.  Even worse, her friend Braedon has put on the black cloak which is evil.  She discovers that her old enemy Rowena can hear her.  Rowena says that she’s changed and will now help them fight her father, Uriah the conjurer.  But can she be trusted?  How can they defeat a man who cannot die?

Fast-paced from the first paragraph to the final conclusion.  Rowena shows the most character development by showing it is who we choose to be, rather than who we once were, that determines our future.  Serafina continues to be a strong female protagonist in both wits and grit.  Author, Robert Beatty does a great job of tying in elements from the first two books into the storyline and resolving them in this third story.  Recommended for libraries where the first two books were popular.      

EL-ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

The Savage Dawn by Melissa Grey - OPTIONAL

Grey, Melissa.  The Savage Dawn.  484 pages.  Delacorte Press, 2017.  $17.99.  Sexual Content: PG-13 (steamy before and after sex scenes; both heterosexual and homosexual), Violence: PG:13; Language: R (3 F-words, 18 other swear words, I did not mark “gods” as a swear word).

The final book in The Girl At Midnight Series.  Echo is now the firebird and with the help of her ex-boyfriend Rowan, she is trying to save her new love Prince Caius from his sister, Tanith, the new Dragon Prince.  Tanith has merged with the Kucedra, a dark force of great power that leaches life from humans, Drakharin (dragon people), and Avicen (bird people). 

Caius’s best friend, Dorian (a Drakharin) feels guilty that he was not there to protect his prince, and his friend.  His guilt is causing problems in his new relationship with Jasper (a Avicen).  Jasper wants him to confide in him and is jealous of Caius.  Both Dorian and Jasper go with Echo to save Caius. 

Meanwhile, Echo’s best friend, Ivy is creating new ways to heal people affected by the power of the Kucedra.  She is receiving help from the handsome, Drakharin Helios.    The Drakharin and Avicen races have long been enemies, but they begin to join forces to try to stop Tanith from destroying the world. 

While the first book in the series was definitely about Echo, the last book is more about the entire cast of main characters.  The point of view is told from Ivy and Dorian, as much as from Echo.  Author Melissa Grey writes with humor and wit, even in the darkest points of the plot.  The story moves quickly and while not every character has their happy ending, most readers will be happy with how the book ended. Purchase if series is popular at your library. 

HS-OPTIONAL.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

A True Home by Kallie George -- ADVISABLE

George, Kallie A True Home (Heartwood Hotel #1), illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. Disney-Hyperion, 2017. $14.99. Content: G.

Mona has been without a family or a home for as long as she can remember. When a huge storm chases her out of her most recent shelter, she ends up on the doorway of the Heartwood Hotel. The staff takes her in, giving her safe lodgings and a job. But all is not perfect at the hotel. For wolves are roaming the woods, getting closer and closer to the inn and its very edible guests. Can Mona help protect the home she has learned to love? Or will she risk everything, only to be sent away once and for all?

This is a sweet story filled with charming characters. The plot has plenty of twists and turns, and the heartwarming ending makes it a satisfying read. Children who prefer endless action and a super-quick pace may wish to look elsewhere, but those who love cozy stories will likely enjoy this one very much.

EL -- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

Secrets of Bearhaven by K.E. Rocha– OPTIONAL

Rocha, K.E. Secrets of Bearhaven 256 pgs. Scholastic, 2016. $12.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: PG (Animals being hurt)

Spencer discovers that his parents have a big secret. After his father goes missing, Spencer’s uncle takes him to a secret place where many Bears live.  They are not just normal bears, but they have a town of their own and use technology to speak English. Spencer always knew that his parents were bear activists, but not that they could speak to bears and traveled all over the world to rescue them from abusive situations. Now he is determined to help. With the help of his new friend, a bear cub named Kate, he trains and gets ready to be a part of a rescue plan, not only to save his father, but of a bear and her cubs.

This is a very well written book with a good balance of character and world building with action and adventure. I always love a book that promotes being an animal activist. My only concern is that the main plotline is about animal abuse (and basically torture) which can be an upsetting read for students. I wish they could have pulled back just a bit more and had the bears in danger of becoming caged in a zoos or private homes as pets. The world building itself was just fascinating with always a new thing to discover. The animals talking is tech based, not magical, so it puts it in a gray area between genres, and makes it especially interesting. Best for 4th grade and up.

EL  –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Maybe a Fox by Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee - ADVISABLE

Appelt, Kathi and Alison McGhee Maybe a Fox, 262 pgs. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2016.$16.99. Language: G (0 swears, 0 F); Mature Content: PG (death); Violence: PG.

11 year old Jules is mad at her sister. Sylvie is only a year older, but she leaves Jules behind when she runs in the woods and worst of all, Sylvie remembers their mother, who died years ago, and Jules was just too young. When Sylvie runs down the path toward the forbidden slip, and Jules tries to keep her from going, the most terrible thing happens and now Jules marks time as “after Sylvie”. Simple things like going back to school are almost impossible.  Jules is always wondering what if?  In a parallel story a young fox is born with special spiritual abilities and makes a connection with Jules.  

This is a beautifully written story, with a lot of grief - all of the main characters are suffering from the death of a family member or friend (Sam, a neighbor boy is helping his brother Elk through the loss of his best friend while they were deployed)  This is a pretty sad book, The magical elements of the connection with the wild animals in the forest help achieve a little welcome disconnection.  Certainly not for everyone.  

EL - ADVISABLE  Lisa Librarian  

Maggie and the Flying Horse by E.D. Baker -- OPTIONAL

Baker, E.D. Maggie and the Flying Horse (Magic Animal Rescue #1), illustrated by Lisa Manuzak. Bloomsbury, April 2017. $16.99. Content: G.

Eight-year-old Maggie is the only one in her family who notices the magical creatures in the woods and meadows near their home. So when she rescues a flying horse who has a hurt wing, Maggie knows she must go elsewhere to find help. If the legends are true, Bob the Stableman would be the perfect person. But can she find him in time?

It's pretty hard to call something the first book in a brand new series when it doesn't stand on its own at all. In fact, this one seems to serve solely as a bridge between earlier Bob the Stableman stories and whatever books will come next. The plot is thin, and there is very little tension -- other than the copious use of exclamation marks after many sentences. In addition, the absurdly mean stepmother and stepbrother are more like caricatures than characters. I've enjoyed other E.D. Baker books in the past, but this one feels rushed and unsatisfying. Not a promising start to a supposedly new series.

EL (K-3) -- OPTIONAL. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist