Anna-Jane and the Endless Summer by Paige Classey - ESSENTIAL

Anna-Jane and the Endless Summer by Paige Classey, 387 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE. Random House, 2026. $ 18

Language: G (1 swears, 0  ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (ghost story about a drowning, mild threats of violence, gun and knife threats)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

13yo Anna-Jane always looks forward to her summer sleepaway camp.  Even though she and her mother can’t afford the tuition, a camp scholarship helps. As she settles in, something strange happens in the outside world - a trip to the nearby town is derailed because almost no one is around and almost nothing is open.  Back at camp they discover that a country wide emergency has been declared. A mysterious illness is spreading rapidly.  Some kids' parents come to take them home, but a lot of campers are stuck there.  Then the director leaves in the middle of the night.  The camp nurse is now the only adult and a few counselors also remain. Otherwise, the whole group is on their own. As fall comes and winter approaches, food is getting short, and so are tempers. 

While I normally am not a novel in verse fan, Classy paints vivid pictures with her words. And the book is long enough that I never felt cheated. However, if you listened to this as an audiobook, you would never know that it is written in verse. If your students enjoy Alone by Freeman, they will be ready to devour this next. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Fledgling (The Keeper's Records of Revolution #1) by S.K. Ali, - OPTIONAL

Fledgling (The Keeper's Records of Revolution #1) by S.K. Ali, 544 pages. Penguin Random House, 2024. $22.00

Language: PG (8 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing, off page sex); Violence: PG-13 (bride houses where women are sold to men, fighting, torture, murder, gruesome injuries)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

After the Great Catastrophe left only one safe zone on earth, the elite moved to a new city located above it fittingly named Upper Earth where technology continued to thrive and scalplinks linked everyone to the world’s knowledge. Those on Lower Earth struggled to survive, with the middle class living near The Bridge between the two. Tensions and strife exist between the levels. Raisa, who lives in Upper Earth and is the daughter of its ruler, is supposed to marry Leon, the Crown Prince of Lower Earth. As part of this celebration, all Lower Earth citizens will be scalplinked to bring in an era of supposed peace. On Lower Earth, 19yo twins Nada and Nayf were forcibly imprisoned after their grandmother, the past Lower Earth ruler, was murdered. Nada is part of a rebel group trying to keep Lower Earth free from the scalplinks that Upper Earth may use to program and control them.

Ali structures the novel as a historical record of what happened during the revolution which requires the reader to pay close attention to the narrative. I enjoyed the multiple points of view as they provide a rich character field that allows the reader to see how both sides view one another. This first part of a proposed dystopian duology is a strong example of character development and world-building, but the pacing felt off at times, and it was a bit challenging to follow. It contains some features common to the genre, including propaganda, underlying romance, and a promised savior of the Fledgling. Hand to fans of dystopian novels willing to put in some reading effort.

Raisa has brown skin. 

Ms Megan, High School Librarian

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

A Song of Swords and Stuffies by Joshua Pruett, Jay Cooper & Douglas Holgate - OPTIONAL

The Last Comics on Earth: A Song of Swords and Stuffies by Joshua Pruett, illustrated by Jay Cooper & Douglas Holgate, 258 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Viking (Penguin), 2025. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

The Last Kids on Earth have to one-up Skaelka, who has written her own comic book. In order to counter her success, they have come up with villains from space who are so dang adorable that they make instant friends. When the cutie-patootie villains spread cuteness throughout Apocalyptia, the super heroes must try and stop them with The Mythic Sword of Destiny. 

Lots of action makes for a fast read. The cuteness factor is off the charts, as is the frenzied storytelling. There is a lot going on. My volunteer 11yo reader told me he thought the jokes were funny but that some of it didn't make sense. He gave it a three out of four ranking. I would concur. The art is fun and bright, but this is a one and done read for me. There are no specified races or cultures, but there are different skin tones on the superheroes. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Too Many Villains by Joshua Pruett and Jay Cooper & Douglas Holgate - OPTIONAL

Too Many Villains (The Last Comics on Earth) by Joshua Pruett, illustrated by Jay Cooper & Douglas Holgate, 258 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Viking (Penguin), 2024. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Apocalyptia isn't just end of the world, it's comic books! Jack, Quint, June, and Dirk need to come up with a new comic book stat after their first one was a success. They decide to do a bigger, better comic book with way more villains, but it turns out that even tons of villains have to get their ideas from somewhere. The superheroes are on a frenzied dash to crush villains and the mastermind behind them. 

There is color and humor, but this book had so much going on that it became hard to follow. I felt like I needed ADHD medication. There were way too many villains, even though that was the plot point. I realize I am way older than the target audience, though they might be too young to get some of the comedic references. Younger readers will get pulled in by the art and fast pacing though. Though no races or cultures are specifically mentioned, the superheroes have different skin tones. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Last Bookstore On Earth by Lily Braun-Arnold - NOT RECOMMENDED

The Last Bookstore on Earth by Lily Braun-Arnold, 320 pgs. Delacorte Press, 2025. $20

Language: R (60 swears, 3 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (romantic kissing); Violence: R (on page: detailed bloody injury, stabbing, threat with a gun, detailed description of people being melted by acid rain, bloody knife fight, murder by acid rain, stabbing death).

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS-NO

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

Elizabeth survived The Storm and has taken refuge in her former workplace, a bookstore in suburban New Jersey. Every day is a fight for survival as she trades books for supplies and relies on her infrequent visitors for news of the outside world. One day, a visitor brings the unwelcome news that another Storm is on its way. As Liz panics about how to prepare for the incoming disaster, Maeve shows up with knowledge of how to fix the desperately needed repairs for the shop if Liz will just let her stay. As feelings develop between them, questions remain. Who is this surly stranger? Can she be trusted to help Liz? What secrets are both holding back that could threaten their fragile alliance and ultimate survival?

Intriguing premise that was executed poorly. In a post-apocalyptic world, characters react in ways that defy logic and create unnecessary conflict and tragedy. Non-existent world building leads to reader confusion that distracts from the narrative and creates a frustratingly absurd story.

Reviewer: AEB

Aisle Nine by Ian X. Cho - OPTIONAL

Aisle Nine by Ian X. Cho, 272 pages. HarperCollins, 2024. $20. 

Language: R (100+ swears 51 'f'); Mature Content: PG (a couple of kisses); Violence: R (demon and human killings, mention of blood and other bodily fluids) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

17yo Jasper works the checkout stand at a "Here for You Mart" that has a Hell Portal in Aisle Nine. The occasional demon gets through but most are destroyed by Security Guards placed in the store for that purpose. Jasper would really like Kyle to notice him, she seems to hate him but he doesn't know why. She's one of the demon fighters, but he's just not himself. He had an accident at work and now has amnesia, could he have known her before? Besides his amnesia, Jasper also has visions of an Apocalypse, set to happen on Black Friday, and it's almost Thanksgiving. 

Pretty good action, Jasper isn't the only underdog - I love the mix of characters who join his team. Full of humor as well as monster violence, this debut novel was quite fun to read. Swear count is really high, do kids really talk like that? The characters are culturally diverse, only Kyle Kuan's ethnicity is mentioned. 

Lisa Librarian 

Away by Megan E. Freeman - ADVISABLE

Away by Megan E. Freeman, 458 pages. Simon, 2025. $19. 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

While Maddie has been left behind to fend for herself, what happened to all of the people of her town who were evacuated?  WHY were they evacuated? 12yo Ashanti, 12yo Harmony, 11yo Teddy, and 14yo Grandin all find themselves deposited with their families at the same refugee center.  After months pass with no resolution, the kids are not content with the stories fed them by those in charge  - especially Grandin, who is desperate to hear news of his father, who stayed behind.  Can four kids find out the truth - something that seems to be eluding the adults around them?

I will admit up front - Freeman’s story is full of holes and impossibilities.  But reading through the eyes of kids, they will love watching the kids ferret out the truth, when the adults around them just don’t seem to question or care. Freeman uses a wide variety of formats to further the story.  It moves swiftly, so don’t let the size fool you. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman - MANY

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman, 528 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2025. $22.

Language: R (94 swears, 6 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Rón (16yo) wants to believe that Crown Royale, the latest virus, really leaves survivors happier because he needs that in his life. Morgan (19yo) wants nothing to do with the virus—until a wealthy patron offers to hand over her entire fortune if Morgan will fight against it spreading. Mariel doesn’t know what to think; she just wants to survive another day of living with her mom out of their car. Though they don’t yet know it, these three teenagers will affect the future of Crown Royale all over the world.

In Shusterman’s version of the future, Crown Royale comes after coronavirus. The various points of view from all over the world share different perspectives on whether the new virus is good or bad and why they believe that. Rón’s, Mariel’s, and Morgan’s stories invite readers to step into a new space to discuss concerns about viruses and vaccines that allows them to ask questions from new points of view and with new vocabulary. On top of that, the story itself is engaging and surprising. I look forward to the sequel.

Rón is described as having “brown” skin, Morgan is Eurasian, and Mariel is implied White. The mature content rating is for illegal activity; alcohol use, including underage drinking; mentions of drugs, nudity, condoms, masturbation, sex, and rape; kissing; and innuendo. The violence rating is for assault, mentions of domestic and child abuse and war, gun use, bioterrorism, suicide, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall - ADVISABLE

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall, 304 pages. St. Martin's Press, 2025. $26

Language: PG-13 (13 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL  

13yo Nonie lives in the American Museum of Natural History in New York because of the immense hurricane and other intense storms that have swept over the world. When a huge flood hits the museum, Nonie leaves with her sister, 16yo Bix, their father and their family friend Keller. They are heading to their Aunt Clare’s house. On the way, they fight nature as the storms increase in strength, the wild and unknown. They try to stop for rest from the river and shelter from the rain but meet two men that only seem to want to harm them. Father gets shot, Bix also gets shot, and Keller gets pneumonia from jumping into the dirty river to rescue their boat from the strong currents. Will any of them survive?

The story has an interesting premise and dystopian plot. The author made the main characters flawed and relatable. I like that the story was carried on by hope, even when everything seemed lost.

The ethnicity is mixed.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Fledgling by S.K. Ali - ADVISABLE

Fledgling by S.K. Ali, 544 pages. Kokila, 2024. $20

Language:  PG (8 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (off-page sex implied); Violence: PG-13 (torture, bloody injuries, and bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO:  SEVERAL

Upper Earth claims to want peace and unity and Lower Earth claims to want the same but with transparency, honesty and equality. The rebels believe Upper Earth wants to oppress Lower Earth even more than it has been for decades. 16yo Raisa is betrothed to Lein; Raisa has been raised in Lower Earth and Lein was raised in Upper Earth and they’ve been betrothed by their parents to bring the division together. 19yo Nada and Nayf are twins released from prison and they want to protect Raisa, even though Lein is their cousin. Musaid is Lein’s friend and he and Nada are in love. Their lives entwine and the danger builds while political intrigue and untrustworthy rulers cause havoc. Will the five survive?

Ali’s story is a complex fantasy in a dystopian world. The author develops the characters well. There are many characters to keep track of but the author paces the introductions well to help with keeping track of each one.

The ethnicity includes brown skin, dark brown skin, and olive hued skin.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon - ADVISABLE

The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon, 288 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), SEPT 2024. $20.

Content: G (some danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Millie and Rose are only step-sibling, but share a baby brother.  With their parent figures now gone and supplies rapidly dwindling, they make a bold move to strike out in search of Millie’s maternal grandmother - an Indigenous person. Walking their way in what they hope is the right direction, they happen upon a school bus of kids from a summer camp who are also trying to find their ways home. Danger lurks, however, in a group that calls themselves The Hive - a corporate conglomerate that has been hoarding supplies.

A decent upper elementary, middle grade post-apocalypse book.  The danger is palpable without being bloody and graphic. There are not a wide variety of this genre for this age level - so could be a good choice for them.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Trex by Christyne Morrell - ADVISABLE

Trex by Christyne Morrell. 289 pages. Delacorte Press. 2022. $9 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Trex is a 16yo girl living in a post-apocalyptic society. While Trex was exploring she uncovers a ancient artifact that could possibly change the lives of everyone around her. What is the artifact? And what does it do? Her family urges Trex to put the artifact back where she found it, but she feels like it belongs somewhere else... Trex begins a quest to find the "Haven", a safe place to put the artifact back. As she starts to uncover the secrets of the past, she learns about her own identity and why the "Haven" called out to her in the first place. 

Trex by Christyne Morrell is a very whimsical and cute novel, that I grew to appreciate the more I dove deeper into the chapters. It's characters are lovable and relatable. The overall world building and magic of the book could've been described and expounded upon better as it was quite vague. Trex is described as white. 

Kenzie Hoehne Reviewer

Clean Air by Sarah Blake - ADVISABLE

Clean Air by Sarah Blake, 320 pages. Algonquin Books, 2023. $27.

Language: R (40 swears, 2 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In 2042, the airborne pollens that come from trees blooming are deadly, which caused a massive reduction in population several years ago. Izabel (30yo) lives with her husband, Kaito, and their four-year-old daughter, Cami, in the new homes built to protect them from pollen, and life continues mostly like normal. But someone thinks that there hasn’t been enough death. They call him a serial killer. And that’s when Izabel’s daughter starts talking in her sleep.

I love that this stay-at-home mom and her four-year-old are the keys to the story. Watching everything unfold was exciting, and I couldn’t wait to see how things escalated and resolved. Blake’s thriller is almost realistic fiction, but then there’s a supernatural element that doesn’t feel out of place because Kaito is constantly telling Cami Japanese stories, including about mythological monsters. The combination of fantasy and realism is done seamlessly – my heart wants to label it as realistic fiction even as my mind is telling me it’s technically fantasy.

Izabel is Jewish and Uruguayan, Kaito is Japanese, and Jana is Muslim. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, mentions of drugs, and mentions of penis, rape, and sex. The violence rating is for murder and mentions of guns, self harm, and suicide.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Q by Amy Tintera - HIGH

The Q by Amy Tintera, 352 pages. Crown BFYR (Random House), 2022. $19.

Language: R (210 swears, 24 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Lennon (19yo) is touring with his father on his presidential campaign when he is suddenly kidnapped and left in the Q, part of Texas that was walled off to prevent the virus from spreading. Life inside the Q isn’t what Lennon expected, but with war brewing and an exception to leave the Q, he’s desperate to leave. Maisie (18yo) works out a deal with Lennon, hoping to get him out while preventing war from destroying the only life she’s ever known.

We can sympathize with the hardships of quarantine and vaccines, which makes this more drastic situation that the characters are in more real for readers. I love Tintera’s humor and her relatable characters – especially her strong and confident female characters. Though the book wraps up without a cliffhanger, I am not ready to let this world go and am hoping for a sequel.

Maisie is half Mexican and half English, Lennon is white, and most other characters are implied Hispanic or white though not all of them are. The mature content rating is for mention of alcohol and nudity as well as for illegal activity. The violence rating is for blood, mention of cannibalism, gun and bomb use, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Switch by Roland Smith - ADVISABLE

The Switch by Roland Smith, 304 pages. Scholastic, 2022. $18

 Content: G (mild violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

 13yo Henry loves his extended family and their family farm, even his uncle with the weird ideas. While his dad goes to his job as the director of the Portland OR zoo, his mom runs everyone else - her 10 sibs, their significant others, and all the cousins. Then an EMP hits the US and life changes forever. 4 months Dad has not returned from the zoo and a wall of cars separates the farm and the rest of the valley from the outside world. They are some of the few who have electricity, because his uncle’s forethought. But their cushy valley lie is under threat by outsiders who covet “Wonderland”.

 Display this next to Eric Walter’s Rule of Three series and a few other apocalypse books. The author builds up a dreamy world of successful life after a disaster, community coming together, and the drops a bomb on Henry, spinning his life out of control. Great stuff.

 Cindy Mitchell 

Doom’s Day Camp by Joshua Hauke - HIGH

Doom’s Day Camp by Joshua Hauke, 208 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Razorbill (Penguin Random House), 2022. $13

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Doom Thorax is painfully ordinary, despite having the fiercest apocalyptic warrior ever for a dad. In a world where the remaining humans (using the term loosely) all have extraordinary abilities; the only thing Doom has going for him is that he is the only person in their pack who can read. Doom is left in charge of the camp while the adults march off to face apocalyptic danger and he feels woefully inadequate.

Fun and humorous story with super bizarre characters, readers will be enticed by the bright and colorful art. Themes of friendship, misfits, and power struggles make it a delightful read. The plot is fairly predictable, but is relatable to anyone who has ever been in charge of leading a group of people that feels like herding cats. Doom grows on you!

Michelle in the Middle h

Jelly by Clare Rees - OPTIONAL

Jelly by Clare Rees, 304 pages. Harry N. Abrams (Amulet Books), 2021. $19.

Language: PG13 (27 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

You know, when climate change was acknowledged as an issue, why did no one predict that people could get stuck living on a giant jellyfish? Martha definitely would not have been in a boat when the world was ending if she had known this would be the result. After multiple escape attempts, no one takes them seriously, resigned to live the rest of their days on the jellyfish -- until a boat floats near enough to grab.

I was so confused. The whole time. Rees is imaginative, but I could not accept the giant jellyfish in this post-apocalyptic scenario, and that severely hindered my ability to enjoy the creativity and weirdness of the book. Furthermore, while I recognize that Martha and her friends were doing things, the action felt passive because her point of view was of a teenager watching the adults take on most of the responsibility and difficult tasks. The ending was as unbelievable as everything else, though the growth of Martha and her friends helped me feel like something was worthwhile about the odd story. The mature content is for innuendo and mentions of sex.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Ever After by Olivia Vieweg - OPTIONAL

Ever After by Olivia Vieweg, 288 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Graphic Universe, 2020. $17.

Language: PG (11 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

After surviving the zombie apocalypse, Vivi and Eva should be able to survive anything, including crossing the distance to the next town. While fighting zombies, each other, and their own guilt, will the girls make it to safety again?

While choppy and sometimes confusing, the story of these girls is compelling because readers get to see their different moral ethics in dealing with the zombies they find themselves surrounded with. The tenuous friendship between Vivi and Eva is tested along the journey, and readers wonder which is more important: their physical survival or the survival of the girls’ friendship. A zombie apocalypse really puts everything in perspective. The mature content rating is for nudity and illegal activity. The violence rating is for attempted suicide, gore, guns, and killing.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

June’s Wild Flight by Max Brallier - ADVISABLE

June’s Wild Flight (Last Kids on Earth #6) by Max Brallier, 261 pages. Viking (Penguin Random House), 2020. $14.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH

June gets separated from her friends, Dirk, Quint, and Jack.  She ends up in a town covered in Vine-

Thingies and new creatures.  June has to figure out how to get back to Wakefield, stay alive, and uncover information about the “Tower” that could be critical to the future of her post-apocalyptic world.

June gets a solo book in the Last Kids series. Though it would help to have read previous books, the set-up is quick and informative, so you could still jump into the storyline with this one.  June makes an intrepid heroine and we get more of her backstory.  The action is pretty much nonstop and the illustrations compliment the story nicely.  June’s Wild Flight promises a wild ride and readers will happily sail through it, especially if they are already fans of the Netflix series.

Michelle in the Middle