Leader of the Pack (Scrapper #1) by Cam Higgins and Ariel Landy - ADVISABLE

Leader of the Pack (Scrapper #1) by Cam Higgins and Ariel Landy, 119 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Little Simon, 2026. $8

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Scrapper is a puppy that loves to play fetch with his owner, Hank. When Hank goes to school, Scrapper explores the woods near his home. One day Scrapper sees a monster in the forest. He decides to create a monster hunting pack. Will any of the animals want to join? Scrapper-Leader of the Pack is a spinoff from the series Good Dog. Scrapper is Bo's best puppy friend. Leader of the pack features easy to read language with illustrations on almost every page. It would be a good read for emerging readers, especially if they like the series Good Dog. Scrapper is a puppy; his owner Hank is presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

The Fairy Fashion Show by Bea Jackson - ADVISABLE

The Fairy Fashion Show (Ready to Read, Level One) by Bea Jackson. EARLY READER. Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19. 9781665941129

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Lilly and her fairy friends love fashion and especially love their summer fashion show. When Lily's human friend, Willow, wishes to dress like a fairy, Lilly and the other fairies work together to create the perfect fairy fashion for Willow.

The illustrations are whimsical. I can see this being a popular book with my students who love fairies. This series would be a great addition to an elementary library. Willow and the fairies are Black.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School by Jacky Davis and David Soman - ADVISABLE

Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School (Ready to Read, level one) by Jacky Davis and David Soman. EARLY READER. Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19. 9781665947978

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Elvis and Romeo are back, and it's their first day of dog school! The playful Romeo already knows how to "stay," but is nervous about learning how to catch a ball. Now, it's up to Elvis to help his young friend learn something new.

This is a great addition to the original Elvis and Romeo picture book. The text is a mix of speech bubbles and traditional narration. I wish there was a bit more of the dogs' fun personalities, but that would be hard to do with a low-level early reader.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Little o Wanted to Know by Rhea Sarason and Barroux - OPTIONAL

Little o Wanted to Know by Rhea Sarason and Barroux, 112 pages. HarperCollins Children's Books, 2026. $14. 9780063446199

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Lowercase o is so tired of always being in between n and p in the alphabet. She decides to escape and go off on her own. She meets shapes and numbers but still feels like she is too much or not enough. Will Little o ever learn to be ok with who she is?

Little o Wanted to Know is a rhyming story about self esteem. However, Little o Wanted to Know has a great message that is important for kids today. I just wonder if the length will deter students from checking it out because it looks like a picture book.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel by Michael Rex - ADVISABLE

The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel (Ready to Read, Level One) by Michael Rex.EARLY READER. Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19. 9781665962100

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

The tunneler tunnels in the tunnel to the gardener who gardens in the garden and the farmer who farms on the farm. The penguin tunneler keeps tunneling and leaving notes for a surprise ending.

The text is repetitive and full of alliteration which will appeal to early readers. The illustrations have some surprises hidden in the dirt. And, who doesn't love penguins doing human things? The characters are all penguins. 

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School by Jacky Davis and David Soman - ADVISABLE

Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School (Ready to Read, level one) by Jacky Davis and David Soman. EARLY READER. Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19. 9781665947978

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Elvis and Romeo are back, and it's their first day of dog school! The playful Romeo already knows how to "stay," but is nervous about learning how to catch a ball. Now, it's up to Elvis to help his young friend learn something new. This is a great addition to the original Elvis and Romeo picture book. The text is a mix of speech bubbles and traditional narration. I wish there was a bit more of the dogs' fun personalities, but that would be hard to do with a low-level early reader.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

What Happened to the Naked Mole Rat? (Class Pet Ghost Detective Case #1) by Akeem S. Roberts - ADVISABLE

What Happened to the Naked Mole Rat? (Class Pet Ghost Detective  Case #1) by Akeem S. Roberts, 123 pages. Kokila (Penguin), 2025 $10.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Everyone in Carter's third grade class takes turns taking their class pet, Mr. Pebbles, home for the weekend. This weekend it was Carter's turn. After the weekend, he brought Mr. Pebbles back to the school, but sadly Mr. Pebbles passed away shortly upon returning to school. Everyone blamed Carter, but he knew that Mr. Pebbles was alive when he dropped him off in the classroom. Oddly enough, Carter is able to talk to Mr. Pebbles' ghost, so they go around the school trying to clear Carter's name.

My 7 year old daughter really enjoyed this book. She liked the humor and the illustrations. This was an easy graphic novel for her to read and enjoy. She is looking forward to reading more in the series. Carter is African American.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

Milkshake The Disappearing Milk Snake (Class Pet Ghost Detective ) by Akeem S. Roberts - ADVISABLE

Milkshake The Disappearing Milk Snake (Class Pet Ghost Detective #2) by Akeem S. Roberts. 90 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL CHAPTER BOOK. Kokila (Penguin), 2026. $10. 9780593856727

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Carter, and his ghost detective Mr. Pebbles, have to solve another mystery at Creek Elementary. Milkshake, a milk snake has escaped! JJ, Carter's older brother, doesn't believe that Carter can speak to animal ghosts, but they must listen to the ghost for help. They look in classrooms, the cafeteria, and even the teacher's lounge. They must use clues to help them figure out where Milkshake has slithered off to. This is the second book in this graphic novel series.

My daughter, who is 7, really enjoyed this book. She thought that the characters were funny and loved the idea of a ghost animal as a character. She chose to read this on her own, and was able to read it in one sitting. I liked the illustrations and the mystery behind the disappearing snake. All characters in the graphic novel are African American.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple (Bibsy Cross #1) by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Dung Ho - ADVISABLE

Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple (Bibsy Cross #1) by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Dung Ho, 128 pages. Knopf (Random House), 2024. $17.

Content: G 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Bibsy Cross has loved all her teachers until now - but her 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Stumper, she doesn't love. Although Bibsy likes to share with the class, and is plenty smart, Mrs. Stumper calls it going on and Bibsy often finds herself driving the teacher to distraction. On the bulletin board is a tree with apples representing each student in the class, and when Bibsy has gone too far, her teacher moves Bibsy's apple from the tree to the ground.

Bibsy is adorable, Ho's illustrations perfectly accompany the story and make this short novel perfect for young confident readers. I love how Bibsy bounces back after a rough day, which seems to happen often. I'm sure Mrs. Stumper has the best of intentions, but Bibsy's spirit is easily crushed, and she sees herself a bad apple. Book one in a series of what looks like 4 so far. Bibsy is white. 

Lisa Librarian  

The Boy, the Father and the Bear by Per Gustavsson and Eva Apelqvist - OPTIONAL

The Boy, the Father and the Bear by Per Gustavsson and Eva Apelqvist,  95 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Aldana Libros, 2026. 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A boy lives with his father in the woods, and they have a fun life fishing and practicing soccer together. But suddenly the father grows old (the boy does not age), and eventually the father is so old he has to stay in the house; roots grow from his feet, and he turns into a tree. When it rains, the boy escapes the flood by climbing the tree, and soon finds himself floating on the tree with a bear. 

Originally published in Swedish, this is an odd story. Divided into chapters, the boy's situation goes from bad to worse to weird. There's also a (kindly?) shark. I don't know how American children will take to it. I don't care to read it again. 

Lisa Librarian 

Puddles and Potions by Kara Lareau and Ariane Moreira - ADVISABLE

Puddles and Potions (Witchycakes #3) by Kara Lareau and Ariane Moreira. 65 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Random House, 2026. $16

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

It is almost the Spring Festival.  Blue is helping her mother run their cafe and prepare for the festival.  Blue and her mother are able to use magic.  Blue sees a potion bottle that is labeled Perfect Potion.  Could this potion help her save the day?

Puddles & Potions is the third book in the Witchcakes series.  It would appeal to readers that have recently started reading chapter books.  The story is sweet with eye-catching illustrations.  There are illustrations on every page.

Blue is in the 3rd or 4th grade.; Blue and her mother are presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Escape From Nuggetville by Jenine Pastores and Josh Jackson - ADVISABLE

Escape From Nuggetville (The Adventures of Tubby Nugget #1) by Jenine Pastores and Josh Jackson. 105 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Penguin Workshop, 2026.$12

Content: G

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Tubby is a soft, nugget shaped creature who lives on the planet Nug.  He has great friends and wonderful parents.  It is almost time for him to participate in the Dunking Ceremony where he will be dipped in gold.  After he becomes golden, he has to act more like an adult.  He can only eat gold and can't have fun like he used to.  Is Tubby ready to be golden?

The Adventures of Tubby Nugget will appeal to students who enjoy graphic novels that are a little silly and not full of intense content. I would compare it to the Hilo series.  I think that students will like reading about Tubby's internal struggle to grow up. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Murray the Pirate (Murray and Bun! #3) by Adam Stower - ADVISABLE

Murray the Pirate (Murray and Bun! #3) by Adam Stower, 192 pages, Random House, 2025. $17 

Language: G (0 "F"); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Murray and Bun go through a magical cat flap and find themselves in a band of pirates, thanks to the wizard's magic gone awry. The pirates are sad that no one likes them, and they aren't particularly fond of pirating. In an effort to make things right, they are off on a dangerous quest to find treasure. 

Murray and Bun are fun characters, and the drawings are delightful. I like that the pirates want to be nice. Nice themes of change and redemption. Great book for young readers. Murray is a cat and Bun is a rabbit. 

Michelle in the Middle 

From Memen to Mori by Shinsuke Yoshitake - ADVISABLE

From Memen to Mori by Shinsuke Yoshitake, 136 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Yen Press, 2025. $20. 9798855417401 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Mori's older sister Memen talks to him about some really important things. When he accidentally breaks a plate, she talks about doing good things in your life and making choices because you can. When they build a snowman, Mori hears a story about a dirty snowman who wishes to be a photographer. And finally, Mori learns about perspective when they watch a boring movie. 

Memen to Mori is a sweet story. I loved the life lessons - Memen is wise. The page count reflects a longer book than it is - it's a large-format book with fun pictures and not a lot of text. I can see a new reader quickly able to read this on their own. I also loved the simple illustrations. I hope the readers try to draw the characters themselves. Originally published in Japan, the assumption is that the characters are Japanese, but there is nothing cultural or stated that says so. 

Lisa Librarian 

Jawbreaker by Christina Wyman - ADVISABLE

Jawbreaker by Christina Wyman, 306 pages. Scholastic, 2023. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG Bullying; a lot of it, mostly verbal but tripping and bumping etc. as well 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Max Plink has a Class II malocclusion - a pretty significant overbite. She's worn braces for a while, but now the orthodontist wants to try adding headgear to her treatment to hopefully avoid surgery. Max wants to be a journalist, and has looked forward to the annual Journalism Competition, but this year, the submissions have to be submitted by video. It's bad enough that the people at school see her face, she's not ready to make a recording of herself that might go on the internet. The Bullies are terrible right now, the worst of them is her very own sister - what might happen if she makes a video that goes viral? 

Based on the cover illustration, I expected Jawbreaker to be a humorous story about a girl and her braces. It was heartbreaking, more about a family in crisis, school bullies and the trouble kids have fitting in. I loved how Max was able to use her position on the paper to write articles about what she was facing. I didn't love most of the teachers at the school - I feel like bullying that obvious would have been shut down by the teachers quickly, and acknowledged by the administration sooner. Max and her family are white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Wanted: Your House by Monique Polak - OPTIONAL

Wanted: Your House by Monique Polak, 263 pages. Kids Can Press, MAY 2026. $20.

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Cyril’s mom is always dragging him to open houses.  She dreams of owning their own home - even on her meager teacher’s salary.  Cyril decided to help - his brilliant plan - offer himself and his mother as companions and caretakers for an elderly person - as long as the person deeds their house over to Cyril’s mom once they pass away.  Crazy- right?  But curmudgeonly Mr. Hartt takes Cyril up on the idea.  They all agree to a one month trial.  Cyril is not sure they will last that long.

 I wanted to like this so much more, but I was not satisfied with the end, and I was not fond of Mr. Hartt at all. Great premise - middling execution.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Puggleton Park by Deanna Kizis, illustrated by Hannah Peck - OPTIONAL

Puggleton Park by Deanna Kizis, illustrated by Hannah Peck. CHAPTER BOOK. Penguin, 2024. $7 (pb). 9780593661246

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Penelope the pug just had to chase the squirrel but after the squirrel escapes, she realizes she has lost her Lady.  After a few days of living in the Park and looking for her, he is taken in by a lovely new Lady who is determined to help Penelope find her mistress, even though the new LAdy’s best friend thinks Penelope should be sent out of the city to a farm.

If your young readers are dog crazy, they might enjoy this.  It is sent in the London of high society parties filled with Lords and Ladies - out of touch for today’s readers.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Cassini’s Mission by Kate Venit, illustrated by Julia Blattman - ESSENTIAL

Cassini’s Mission by Kate Venit, illustrated by Julia Blattman. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. MIT Kids Press, 2025. $19. 9781536232325

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When the Cassini spacecraft was sent towards Saturn to explore the tiny moon Enceladus, the scientists thought they had packed it with every needed tool.  As the team had more questions to answer and challenges for Cassini, the little spacecraft responded beautifully, until they discovered the one question Cassini couldn’t answer - is there life on Enceladus.

I love this look at space missions and scientists finding out their hypotheses were incorrect and then changing their trajectory both literally and figuratively. Excellent for all levels of science teachers. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Jo Jo Makoons: The Super-Scary Sleepover (Jo Jo #5) by Dawn Quigley and Tara Audibert - OPTIONAL

Jo Jo Makoons: The Super-Scary Sleepover (Jo Jo #5) by Dawn Quigley, illustrated by Tara Audibert, 63 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Heartdrum, 2025. $7. 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Jojo Makoons is a precocious 1st grader. She lives with her mom and her kokum (grandmother). Jojo has been invited to her first sleepover, and she doesn't know what to expect. Her friend Ferris scares her when he tells her to be careful of puppets at the sleepover because at night they try to steal children's eyes. Now Jojo is really worried! 

Book 5 in a fun series, Jojo is a bit too much for me, but I bet readers her age find her adorable. She has big feelings, big ideas and wants everyone to play along. Jojo is Ojibewe, and I'm sure Indigenous children will see themselves.  Many of Jojo's antics are universal, so other children will enjoy her as well. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Big Mess and other stories by Greg Pizzoli. - ADVISABLE

The Big Mess and other stories by Greg Pizzoli. (Earl and Worm #2) CHAPTER BOOK Random House, 2025 $11.00 9780593649701 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Worm loves to clean so she helps Earl with his big mess - but many things he doesn't want, she does, and soon her house is messy again. Earl finds a lucky penny which seems to bring him anything but, and Worm wants Earl to stay up all night with her so she can finally see a sunrise. 

Oh, such cute stories and adorable illustrations. The friends are so nice to each other, even with things are not going their way (see The Lucky Penny). A good amount of text, it will be a fun book that young readers will enjoy and re-read. 

Lisa Librarian