Secret Stories of Lost Beasts by Sashia Gwinn and Vasilisa Romanenko - ADVISABLE

Secret Stories of Lost Beasts: A Field Guide to Uncover Earth's Ancient Animals by Sashia Gwinn, illustrated by Vasilisa Romanenko. 63 pages. NON-FICTION CHAPTER BOOK. Wide Eyed Editions  (Quarto Group), 2025. $25. 9780711296978

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Secret lives and amazing adaptations of past creatures are revealed in this beautifully illustrated collection of long gone beasts.  Lost in time, but not forgotten are stories about dinosaurs, sea beasts, giant bugs, birds, and ice age mammals.  It also touches on animals once thought to be extinct that have been rediscovered, and how to help protect creatures that are critically endangered.

Secret Stories of Lost Beasts is fascinating, and I really enjoyed the gorgeously detailed, vintage-style artwork.

PGPowers

Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch by Derek Keilty and Magda Brol - ADVISABLE

Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch by Derek Keilty and Magda Brol, 165 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Scallywag Press (Lerner), 2025. $18

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

On Ivy Newt’s birthday, her King and Queen parents vanish in a violent flash. Unsure what to do, Ivy and her familiar Tom Wolf venture out in search of clues. Along the way they find a new friend whose father has also disappeared.  Together the trio may be able to solve the mystery. 

Welcome to the magic kingdom of Miracula.  Highly illustrated, the book is a quick read for a newly independent reader. Ivy Newt’s age is unspecified, but probably 8-10yo. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Witch’s Last Resort by Travis Nichols - ADVISABLE

A Witch’s Last Resort (The Terribles #2) by Travis Nichols, 213 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Random House, 2023. $13.99.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE

APPEAL TO: SEVERAL

Most of the monsters have settled down on Creep’s Cove, way far out in the middle of the ocean. The monster kids attend Stubtoe Elementary and Elise, a greenish skinned girl with raven hair and a long nose, has just arrived at the island where her mom runs a seasonal resort for witches and sorcerers. She learns about a crazy complicated game the young monsters and monster-adjacent humans play at recess, helps build a greenhouse, debates why witches are better than scientists, and spends a day at her mom’s spa with a couple of randomly chosen classmates. Some chapters feature other characters, such as Bobby, a blob, and Lizzy, a reptilian creature, having a playdate; and Vlad, a vampire, getting braces.

This “collection of stories”, as the author calls the chapters, includes some that address the reader directly with second-person pronouns and some that tell the story through comic strips. One chapter is written completely in an unintelligible symbolic language and another as a complete-your-own adventure with the reader playing the part of a new student at Stubtoe. No matter the style, you will find humor, clever monster references, illustrations, and a lot of heart and friendship throughout. 

Reviewer: P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian

What is the Story of Jurassic World by Jim Gigliotti and Dede Putra - OPTIONAL

What is the Story of Jurassic World by Jim Gigliotti illustrated by Dede Putra, 108 pages. CHAPTER BOOK NON-FICTION Penguin Workshop, 2023. $8. 9780593383483 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SOME 

The author takes us into the story of the Jurassic World movies. He begins by providing background information on paleontology and the Jurassic Age. He mentions early books and exhibitions about dinosaurs. The rest of the book is a summary of each of the Jurassic Park/Jurassic World movies. 

I found it interesting that Michael Crichton found his inspiration for the Jurassic Park books from reading Arthur Conan Doyle's book, The Lost World. The background chapters were very interesting. The rest of the chapters, which summarized the movies, were less interesting. However, if you have a student who loves Jurassic World they will enjoy this book. The book includes a bibliography and timeline. 

A. Snow 

What Was the Children's Blizzard of 1888? by Steve Korté and Dede Putra - ADVISABLE

What Was the Children's Blizzard of 1888? by Steve Korté, illustrated by Dede Putra, 106 pages CHAPTER BOOK NON-FICTION Penguin Workshop, 2023. $8. 9780593520710  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

On January 12, 1888, a surprise blizzard hit the Great Plains which lasted several hours. Many people were caught unaware and unprepared. Especially hard hit were the teachers and students stranded in their schools. They had to make the hard decision to wait out the storm in the school without heat or food or to brave the blinding snow and try to make it home. Many children and adults died. But there were also amazing stories of survival and bravery. 

I enjoyed this book. It was well-written and easy to understand, and I learned a lot. The book tells the story of the blizzard and what happened to the people caught in it. It also provides insight, context, and background information about other things happening during this time in history. There are small illustrations throughout the book to add interest. A timeline and bibliography are included at the end of the book. 

A. Snow

All in a Drop by Lori Alexander - ADVISABLE

All in a Drop : How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World by Lori Alexander, illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger, 93 pages. NON-FICTION Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019. $18.

CONTENT: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Antony van Leeuwenhock was a self taught scientist. He built his own microscope and studied the living things he found under his lens. Academics like the Royal Society didn't believe his research because he was not well educated, however, once other scientists could replicate his findings, he was made a fellow of the society. Before van Leeuwenhock, people thought the world was only what we could see with our eyes, these discoveries changed everything. 

Alexander's biography is full color illustrated with the occasional captioned photograph. I learned a lot in this short chapter book, perfect for the 3rd to 5th grade reader, and a great STEM connection, but also accessible for middle school students.  What would you look at if you had a microscope? Includes a timeline, glossary and source notes. 

Lisa Librarian

Buddy by William Joyce - ADVISABLE

Buddy by William Joyce, 44 pages.  CHAPTER BOOK Atheneum Books, 1997.  $18.   Content: G  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

When Gertrude Lintz was twelve, her mother died and she was sent to work on a farm where the caregivers weren’t very kind, but the animals on the farm were her friends.  When Gertrude got older she loved animals and they became her family.  Buddy was a baby gorilla whose parents were killed in the jungles of Africa and he was brought to America to be cared for.  Gertrude heard of the baby gorilla and knew that she just had to have him.  Gertrude raised Buddy and as he got older and bigger she would go shopping with him in public and put him on display at the World Fair.  Eventually, Buddy’s wild side became too much for Gertrude to handle so she found a place for him with other gorillas in a zoo, where she visited him often.  

This book gives a glimpse into some of the outlandish things people did in the 1920’s.  Gertrude and Buddy are easy to love and my son and I couldn’t put the book down because we had to know what would happen to them.  My only complaint is that there aren’t very many illustrations, it is mostly text which makes it less appealing to younger readers.  But the content is fascinating and the pictures that are there are great.  

C. Peterson

The Dragonling: A Dragon in the Family by Jackie French Koller - OPTIONAL

The Dragonling: A Dragon in the Family (Dragonling, #2) by Jackie French Koller, 71 pages.  CHAPTER BOOK Aladdin, 1993.  $17.  9781534400658  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW  

The village Darek lives in is having a hard time adjusting to Darek’s dragon, Zantor.  Although Darek is trying to show the village that dragons don’t mean them harm, the village council isn’t on board and the kids Darek’s age have started to tease him and Zantor.  When some of the boys make an untrue claim about Zantor attacking them, Darek’s father is brought before the council and has to answer for his son and Zantor.  

Again, the cover doesn’t properly represent the book because the cover looks cartoon-ish and the book is more serious.  As much as I think kids will pick these books up for their covers, I don’t think they will keep reading once they see the bland inside illustrations.  This story was good, but the ending was abrupt and not satisfying.  After reading the first book with my son, he wasn’t interested in reading any more about Darek and Zantor.  

C. Peterson   

The Dragonling by Jackie French Koller - OPTIONAL

The Dragonling (Dragonling, #1) by Jackie French Koller, 70 pages.  CHAPTER BOOK  Aladdin, 1990.  $17  9781534400627  

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

Darek lives in a community that raises their boys to hunt dragons and the ultimate honor is to kill a dragon.  When Darek’s brother, Clep, comes home with a dead dragon, Darek can’t wait until it’s his turn.  Until Darek finds the dragon’s baby dragonling.  Darek’s heart goes out to the little dragonling, whom he names Zantor.  Darek goes on a secret quest to return Zantor to a group of dragons and finds the truth about dragons’ role in his world.  

This book feels like the ultimate bait and switch because the cover is cartoon-ish and young looking, but the inside illustrations are older and the story has an older feel.  My 8yo son was disappointed immediately, but we persevered and the story was actually quite enjoyable.  The ending was a bit disappointing, because Darek’s mom saves the day and up until the end she hadn’t really played a part in the story.  

C. Peterson

A Royal Rescue by Helen Perelman -- OPTIONAL

A Royal Rescue (Royal Sweets #1) by Helen Perelman, illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller. 65 pgs. CHAPTER BOOK. Aladdin Quix (Simon & Schuster), 2018. $17.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) -- OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

It's Princess Mini's first day at the Royal Fairy Academy, and she's nervous about fitting in, following the rules, and excelling at her school work. But before she even gets to school, she discovers a troll in need of assistance. Maybe she can have a good day of learning and make a new friend in the process!

This is an extremely quick read. The font is huge, with lots of space between the lines, and there are cute illustrations on many of the pages (though not all, as with some very early chapter books). While the story is lovely and sugary-sweet, not much happens in it, and there are a lot of characters introduced, especially in the beginning, which could be confusing for young readers. This is ultimately a nice but rather forgettable story.

Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

Where is Walt Disney World? by Joan Holub - ADVISABLE

Where is Walt Disney World? by Joan Holub, illustrated by Gregory Copeland. 108 pages. NONFICTION. Penguin Workshop, 2018. $14. 9780515158458.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is one of the world's top tourist destinations. This short nonfiction book explains not only the location of Walt Disney World, but goes into some fun history about the park. Like any good geography book, details about different aspects of Walt Disney World are included (various parks, entertainment offerings, etc.) and there are pencil illustrations on nearly every page. The last couple pages of the book include a side-by-side timeline of Walt Disney World and a "Timeline of the World" so you can compare how the park's history aligns with the rest of history.

This is a great nonfiction book for elementary age readers. The topic is one that will interest many kids, and the book is written in a clear, straight-forward style that is appropriate to the age and the material. I liked the illustrations as well as the specifics the author included--mentioning specific rides or shows at a park, or what happens after hours at a Disney park. As a Disney fan I knew a lot about Disney World before reading this book but I still found it interesting and entertaining. Overall, its a solid nonfiction pick for any elementary library.

Reviewer: TC

Sparkling Jewel by D. L. Green -- ADVISABLE

Sparkling Jewel (Silver Pony Ranch #1) by D. L. Green, illustrated by Emily Wallis. CHAPTER BOOK. Branches (Scholastic), 2015. $4.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In the first book of this series, Tori and her sister are spending the summer at their grandmother's ranch. There's plenty to do, including petting newborn puppies and riding horses. There's only one horse Tori wants to ride, though, and that one is off-limits. Can Tori ever convince her grandmother that she should be allowed to ride Jewel?

This is a quick, enjoyable chapter book. Many a horse-loving child will have fun living vicariously through Tori's ranch experiences, and they will likely empathize with Tori's yearning to bond with Jewel.

Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

Treasure Hunt by Paul Dubois Jacobs & Jennifer Swender -- OPTIONAL

Treasure Hunt (Animal Inn #2) by Paul Dubois Jacobs and Jennifer Swender, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. CHAPTER BOOK. Aladdin (Simon & Schuster), 2016. $6.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) -- OPTIONAL

INTEREST LEVEL: HIGH


Dash the Tibetan terrier and his friends living at the Animal Inn are all in a tizzy. They're certain a pirate is coming to the inn -- or maybe even more than one! Can they handle the possible attack?

This is another cute installment in the series, but it feels like an almost identical plot to the previous one. That takes a lot away from the feelings of originality and suspense. Still, the animal perspective is fun.

Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

Lilly and Fin by Cornelia Funke -- OPTIONAL

Lilly and Fin: A Mermaid's Tale by Cornelia Funke. CHAPTER BOOK. Random House Kids, 2017. $10.

Content: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) -- OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: Average

Mermaids Lilly and Fin are best friends who love to explore their undersea world. But one day Lilly convinces Fin to go beyond where he feels comfortable, and he is captured by greedy humans. Can Lilly rescue Fin, or will he become a permanent member of the humans' home aquarium?

While mermaids are a popular topic, this particular selection seemed to lack the spark that makes it unique. It was easy to put down between reading sessions and didn't feel particularly memorable. And, unfortunately, the ending was not as satisfying as I would have liked. (For example, I keep wondering about all the other unfortunate sea creatures the humans captured.)

Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

Stealing the Sword by Wendy Mass -- ADVISABLE

Stealing the Sword (Time Jumpers #1) by Wendy Mass, illustrated by Oriol Vidal. CHAPTER BOOK. Branches (Scholastic), August 28, 2018. $11.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Brother and sister Chase and Ava find an old suitcase while at a flea market. To their surprise, it takes them back in time to an Arthurian sword fight. Only, someone messed with the timeline before they got there, and now King Arthur is in danger of losing the fight -- and possibly his life! Can Ava and Chase figure out how to save the king and still make it back to their own time?

Fans of the Magic Treehouse series will likely enjoy the Time Jumpers books, too, with the brother/sister duo, historical settings, and magical time-traveling device. The quick pace and frequent pictures will keep many children reading. Some of the writing is pretty clunky, with the kids just happening to overhear some pretty convenient conversations and characters who are either completely kind or totally mwah-ha-ha evil -- but, let's face it, those who enjoy the Magic Treehouse series are used to that sort of thing anyway.

Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

Sticks and Stones by Nicole C. Kear -- ADVISABLE

Sticks and Stones (The Fix-It Friends #2) by Nicole C. Kear, illustrated by Tracy Dockray. 120 pages. CHAPTER BOOK.
Imprint (Macmillan), 2017. $6.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Veronica Conti and her gang of problem-fixing friends are back and ready to help another kid. This time it's Noah who needs help. A new bully keeps teasing him, and shy Noah doesn't know how to handle it. The Fix-Its have a few false starts, but they're certain that they can solve Noah's bully problem if only they keep trying.

An afterword helps children learn how to deal with bullying and contains a list of recommended reading for children and parents.

This is a great continuation of the series. Veronica is just as amusing and relatable as in the previous books, and even when she makes mistakes her heart is clearly in the right place. Many children will also empathize with Noah's bully problem. The illustrations capture the spirit of the book perfectly. Like with the previous book in the serious, my only hesitation is that the text is a bit small and difficult for a typical seven-year-old, and yet many older children would snub the book because of Veronica's age, which makes it difficult to have it reach its intended audience. As a read-aloud, however, it would work well.

Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

Lulu Is Getting a Sister by Judith Viorst - ADVISABLE

Lulu Is Getting a Sister by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Kevin Cornell, 178 pages.  CHAPTER BOOK. Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2018.  $17. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Lulu is NOT too old for tantrums, as she clearly demonstrates when she hears that in a few short months, she will be getting a baby sister. She has been the only child for a long time now, and likes it that way, thank you very much. Her parents have anticipated that Lulu might not be totally thrilled with the news, and so are ready to bribe her to attend Camp Sisterhood for two weeks where she has been signed up to practice being a big sister with a “temporary” younger sibling assigned to her. When her first temporary sister ends up being a set of identical twins who beat her at Scrabble and swimming, she is assigned another temporary sibling, a little boy who is completely opposite and demanding in his own way. Along the way, she actually learns some important lessons.

This is the fourth book featuring Lulu, a character who is stubborn, spoiled, and conceited, and yet endearingly resourceful and pragmatic as well. This is a stand-alone story with short chapters, a larger font size, expressive spot art, and a narrator that makes wry comments throughout. The prospect of getting a younger sibling is shared by many young readers, and Lulu’s antics at Camp Sisterhood will tickle many funny bones. 

P K Foster, teacher-librarian

Goldie Blox Rules the School by Stacy McAnulty - ADVISABLE

Goldie Blox Rules the School by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Lissy Marlin, 124 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Random House, 2017.  $13. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Goldie’s small school, owned and operated by her mother, has been closed by the mayor due to safety concerns after Goldie accidentally sent the top floor into orbit. After spending just a few days at a new school known as HiBo, Goldie has disastrous encounters with three students and decides she must figure out a way to reopen her mom’s school as soon as possible. By enlisting help from her BFFND Li (best friend from next door) and these same three students (they are the ones most interested in having her leave), Goldie devises a plan that will work only if they pool their expertise. But it doesn’t work out like she, nor her helpers, expect. 

Different ethnic groups are represented by the friends, as well as different STEM skills, such as inventing and computer programming. While this is definitely a chapter book with a straight-forward storyline and uncomplicated characters, it contains lots of outrageous fun as well as moments of honest interactions, and a plot that will keep new readers moving along. Don’t let the fact that this series is based on a line of successful STEM toys scare you away from recommending it widely to your younger or more reluctant readers. 

P. K. Foster, teacher-librarian

Goldie Blox and the Three Dares by Stacy McAnulty - ADVISABLE

Goldie Blox and the Three Dares by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by, 120 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Random House, 2017. $13.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Goldie is always up for a challenge or dare. Next to her favorite thing, which is inventing stuff, this is what she loves the most. One day, after consuming a hot chili pepper, speed-eating an ice cream sundae, and sending her BFFND (best friend from next door) Li soaring on a rocket-powered skateboard of her own design, she is back at her BloxShop (workshop) with her friends, the Gearheads. Rummaging through boxes for some needed materials, she comes upon a locked journal that belonged to her late gran. It lists close to a hundred dares that her grandmother mostly completed. When Goldie learns that her gran wanted to finish the last three before her seventy-seventh birthday, and that this birthday is only three days off, she resolves to finish them in her gran’s place.

This is the second book in the Goldie Blox series. Five have been published since 2017. Similar to the first book in the series, this one features outrageous inventions, a close group of interracial friends, and silly humor. It sure makes inventing, problem-solving, and extreme risk-taking look like loads of fun. Don’t let the fact that the series is based on a successful toy line prevent you from feeling good about giving these to your students. The writing is solid for its intended audience without being completely unbearable for the adult reader as well. 

P. K. Foster, teacher-librarian

Mae and June and the Wonder Wheel by Charise Mericle Harper - ADVISABLE

Mae and June and the Wonder Wheel by Charise Mericle Harper, 120 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Houghton Mufflin Harcourt, 2017. $16.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

June is the only one who can hear Sammy talk (her best friend who also happens to be her family's pet dog). Today they have their first ever mission – to find a new friend. When she receives a package from her grandmother containing a spinning wheel, and starts following the instructions for the first of six weeks of wondering activities, June finds new confidence. She reaches out to the new girl, Mae, who has moved in next door, and is determined to not let a classmate, April, intimidate her, even though April seems to want to keep Mae all to herself.

This making-a-new-friend story is narrated in June’s believable voice and has some unique details, like a dog only she can hear and understand. From her eye-rolling teenaged sister to her interactions in the classroom, this is a solid addition for your younger chapter-book readers. And since June only made it through the first week of suggestions on the Wonder Wheel, the door is open for future adventures with April, Mae, and June.

P. K. Foster, teacher-librarian