Phone Home by Royden Lepp - ADVISABLE

Phone Home (Jurassic Jeff #3) by Royden Lepp, 211 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL (Random House), 2026. $15

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (Nerf gun wars)

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Jeff is loving life on Earth with his new friends. When a robot sent to "rescue" Jeff crashes on Earth, Jeff learns a rescue party from his home planet has been sent for him. Jeff isn't sure if he wants to go home or stay on Earth to finish his mission. Jeff's dinosaur friends are determined to rescue him from the alien space ship. Will the dinosaurs rescue Jeff? Will Jeff want to be rescued, and by who?

Kids who love graphic novels, gaming, and funny books will enjoy this one. I didn't think it was great, but I know the kids in my library will love it.  Jeff is a green alien. 

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 

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 

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

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 

Neshama by Marcella Pixley - ESSENTIAL

Neshama by Marcella Pixley, 358 pages. Candlewick, 2025. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Anna doesn't fit in in 6th grade because Anna sees ghosts. Ghosts that make her want to dance and twirl with them and play games with them. No one seems to understand Anna, not her classmates who bully her, or even her father. Her grandmother, Bubbe, has always treasured Anna's shayna neshama, her beautiful soul. When one particular ghost attaches herself to Anna, Anna begins to learn some of the heavy truths of her family's past. 

This book is beautifully written. Not all free verse books are poetry, but this one truly is. The words are rich and warm and envelope you in a world of ancestors and the healing power of religious traditions. The truths Anna learns are universal and the lessons she learns about forgiveness are quotable. Anna seems much older than a sixth grader. Once you start this book, you will have to see it through. Anna and her family are Jewish. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Dream On by Shannon Hale and Marcela Cespedes - ESSENTIAL

Dream On by Shannon Hale, illustrated by Marcela Cespedes, 236 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2025. $23 

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

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Cassie is in elementary school and is questioning her place with her best friend and how she fits in her family. She worries she is too sensitive, and if she says or does the right things. But when she gets a letter that says she's won a huge prize, she is sure that giving huge gifts to her best friend or family will solve all her problems. 

Cassie's voice rings true. In fact, it will probably linger in your head after you finish the book, because she totally nails the angst we all had at her age. And who hasn't received a notification that we're prize winners? Cassie discovers that she has not won anything, but she still finds her wonder, even if her problems aren't magically solved. When I finished it, I kept thinking of who needed to read this next. Great life lessons told in an engaging and realistic manner. Cassie is white, but her friends are a variety of cultures. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog by Lydia Lukidis and Tara J. Hannon - ADVISABLE

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog by Lydia Lukidis, illustrated by Tara J. Hannon, 80 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL/CHAPTER BOOK. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2025. $12

Content: G (mild danger)

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Groucho, a grumpy groundhog, lives in critter creek on the island of Zoo York and loves pancakes.  Blork, Groucho's cheery half unicorn half pig neighbor, bursts in to tell him that all the pancakes have been stolen.  Commander Hare E. Bun Bun and the rest of the bunnies that live in carrot town are tired of eating carrots.  They have stolen all the pancakes, syrup, and the pancake secret recipe.  Groucho realizes that life without pancakes isn't worth living.  Groucho and Blork dash to save the day and become an unlikely pair of crime fighters!  Will they find the pancakes?  Will they stop the evil villain and his minions? 

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog is full of fun characters and interesting silly humor.  I enjoyed the personalities and antics of each character.  The graphics were cute and easy to follow.

PGPowers

Mindful Nature- Connecting with our Great Green World by Paige Towler and Chris Gaugler - ESSENTIAL

Mindful Nature- Connecting with our Great Green World by Paige Towler, illusterated by Chris Gaugler. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2025. $32 9781433845185

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3), HS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Imagine what an animal is doing and feeling. Act like you think they would. Ask yourself questions about their experience and yours. Spending time in nature can improve our health in many ways. 

Children can learn to be mindful in nature as we teach them how to do so. Children will engage with this photo story. This book is a great resource for preschool activity time, thus I included the level of High School in this review. Gaugler formatted the photography and words creatively. The first 2 pages uses personification to grab the child's attention. Then, Towler moves the prose to simile and third person form.  

MOMMAC 

Moving the Millers' Minnie Moore Mine Mansion by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Julia Sarda - HIGH

Moving the Millers' Minnie Moore Mine Mansion by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Julia Sarda, PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Candlewick Press, 2023. $20. 9781536215885

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

John "Minnie" Moore found a silver mine in Idaho when his dog dug up a gopher hole. He sold the mine to an Englishman named Henry Miller, who became a very wealthy man with the silver mine. He married a local girl named Annie. He sent Annie off to England to enrich her mind and while she was gone, built her a beautiful three story Victorian mansion. Henry and Annie lived there happily for years and welcomed a son, Douglas. Around the turn of the century, sadness came to the Millers' Minnie Moore Mine Mansion when Henry died. Things got worse. Annie was tricked by a crooked banker and lost all her money. She tried to raise pigs to make a living, but the town wouldn't let her have them in her yard. So Annie had to choose her mansion or raising pigs. What did she choose? 

Dave Eggers has written a funny and enjoyable history of the people involved in making and moving the Millers' Minnie Moore Mine Mansion. Instead of just retelling the facts, he has added western rustic humor. Sarda's illustrations are masterful, funny, and transport us to an amusing old west.

 PGPowers

That's No Dino! Or Is It? What Makes a Dinosaur a Dinosaur by Helaine Becker and Marie-Eve Tremblay - ESSENTIAL

That's No Dino! Or Is It? What Makes a Dinosaur a Dinosaur by Helaine Becker and Marie-Eve Tremblay, PICTURE BOOK Kids Can Press, 2021. $18. 9781525300233 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS  - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

All dinosaurs had some specific things in common, like a backbone, and they weren't mammals or amphibians - they had to be reptiles to be a dinosaur. They also had to live during the Mesozoic era. Each page describes a prehistoric animal, and then compares it to the growing list of Dino requirements, if any don't apply, it's not a dino! What? Not everything was a dinosaur way back then! 

Full page drawings with labels describe these ancient beasts, and the great text not only tells about the animal, but we learn about what scientists think - I love that there are several "probablys" which leave the field open for further discoveries. I feel like I know so much more about dinosaurs now!  Showing this one to my local dinosaur museum for their gift shop, and putting a copy in my middle school.

Lisa Librarian

Migrants by Issa Watanabe - HIGH

 Migrants by Issa Watanabe. PICTURE BOOK. Gecko Press, 2021. $19. 9781776573134 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY 

Migrants are depicted as all different kinds of animals as they journey through harsh conditions to a safe land while Death follows respectfully behind them. 

Watanabe's wordless work may need some front loading for smaller children. The illustrations are colorful and exquisite; bright colors on a black background. This would be a thoughtful jumping off book to discuss migrants and issues they face without getting too graphic or in your face. It’s a gentle book that makes one think, and a great way to jump start discussions. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Ruby in the Sky by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo - HIGH

Ruby in the Sky by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo, 295 pages.  Farrar Straus Giroux  (Macmillan), 2019. $17.  

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY 

12yo Ruby and her mother move to a new town in Vermont, and Ruby thinks she can remain invisible until she is certain her mother will move them again.  But when Ruby goes to school, she meets Ahmad, a recent Syrian refugee, who befriends her. Ruby also meets a woman down the street named Abigail who teaches Ruby how to feed the birds.  When Ruby’s mother gets in trouble with the law, Ruby is certain they will move, but her mother decides to stand up and fight for herself, and Ruby has to learn to do the same.  

This synopsis doesn’t do the book justice.  Ruby is an endearing character and her coming of age story is heartbreaking and tender.  Abigail and Ahmad are inspiring and help Ruby to learn to stand up for herself while finding a place to belong.  I was engaged in the story from the beginning and cried in the end.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson  

Stinky Science: Why the Smelliest Smells Smell so Smelly by Edward Kay - ESSENTIAL

Stinky Science: Why the Smelliest Smells Smell so Smelly by Edward Kay and Mike Shiell. PICTURE BOOK/NON FICTION. Kids Can Press, 2019. $18. 9781771383820

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE;  EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

Kids love to talk about stinky things! Here's a great book about the science behind it. Why things smell, how you smell it, and how smells trigger memory are all simply explained. The reader is introduced to the stinkiest things - like the stinkiest animals, plants and food; we learn what perfumes are made of and what space smells like, and of course, there's plenty of poop and farts and stinky feet. 

Comically illustrated by Mike Shiell, the topic and the pictures will capture even the reluctant readers who will suddenly discover they just learned a lot about the science of stink. A little text heavy for lower elementary, but for the upper grades and middle school kids, it's perfect.

Lisa Librarian

The Mighty Chewbacca in the Forest of Fear! by Tom Angleberger - ADVISABLE

Star Wars: The Mighty Chewbacca in the Forest of Fear by Tom Angleberger, illustrated by Andie Tong, 262 pages.  Disney Press, 2018.  $14.  

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

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY  

Chewbacca is sent on a mission to retrieve an important book with Mayv, a librarian and a cargo droid.  At first the mission seems like a business transaction, but when the lady who sent them on the mission threatens to hurt Hans Solo if Chewie doesn’t return with the book, Mayv and Chewie have to step up their efforts.  They fly to a plant covered forest where they have trouble with the aggressive monsters on the island, but Chewie and Mayv become friends and work together to find what they are looking for.  

I’m that rare non-Star Wars lover, but I think Chewie is adorable and I love him, so I enjoyed this story.  I listened to it on audio and the readers and sounds made me feel like I was watching a movie.  I liked the adventure and thought the forest was creative and well described.  I enjoyed the characters and their humor.  The story is simple, but I do think this book fits at a middle school level for Star Wars fans as well as reluctant readers.  The illustrations are three full-page drawings dispersed throughout the book. Quick, fun read.  

C. Peterson    

Lucy and Andy Neanderthal: Bad to the Bones by Jeffrey Brown - ADVISABLE

Lucy and Andy Neanderthal: Bad to the Bones (Lucy and AndyNeanderthal #3) by Jeffrey Brown, 208 pages.  GRAPHIC NOVEL  Crown (Random House), 2018. $13.  

Content: G

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL – MANY 

Lucy and Sasha decide that they are going to create a club that discovers new things around them.  While out looking they find dinosaur bones and some other Neanderthals.  The other clan of Neanderthals keep cropping up throughout the book and are not very nice, eventually they try to steal from the family’s cave.  All the kids ban together to set up traps to discourage the outsiders from being in their cave.  

Throughout the book there are two scientists who comment on what happens in each chapter, explaining the facts from the chapter and other interesting tidbits, which I totally enjoyed.  The illustrations are in black and white, and I wish they were in color because my boys aren’t pulled in by the drawings but would love the story if they would just give it a chance.  Overall, it’s a creative story with funny story lines and interesting information.  

C. Peterson

Odd One Out: Fiendishly Tricky Spot-the-difference Puzzles to Boggle your Brain - ADVISABLE

Odd One Out: Fiendishly Tricky Spot-the-difference Puzzles to Boggle your Brain. PICTURE BOOK. Penguin Workshop, 2018. $10. 97815247900882

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

This book includes a variety of different visual searches - sometimes you are looking for matching illustrations, something you are looking for the smallest illustration, sometimes you are looking for the odd-ones-out, and so forth. Each search also contains a fun fact about the item you are searching for and through. 

This book is deceptively hard. My kids kept picking it up with confidence because the illustrations are so cutesy, but were repeatedly surprised how hard they had to look at and study the pictures. This is the perfect book in small doses. I loved the simple addition of the facts included with each puzzle. Did you know that “when it drizzles on a sunny day in Hawaii, locals call it ‘pineapple juice?’”  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

The Flight of Swans by Sarah McGuire - ESSENTIAL

The Flight of Swans by Sarah McGuire, 437 pages. Carolrhoda (Lerner), 2018. $19.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS- ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

The princess Andaryn despises her stepmother, a beautiful enchantress. Ryn’s love for her captivated father and the kingdom propel her into high adventure as she uses all her intelligence and strength to rescue her brothers, turned into swans for six years, while she must remain mute to all or they die. She uses all her creativity to hide from those who seek her and her brothers harm while communicating with the outside world without words. As the years progress, Ryn grows into a mature woman full of wisdom. As the end of the six years draws to a close, Ryn must find the way to defeat the enchantress and return her family safely to their throne.

Sarah McGuire penned a delightful narrative of the Grimm Brothers, “Six Swans”. The fantasy world created in this story is clear and the adventure absorbs the reader at every turn of the page. Ryn’s strong character creates a love for her and a desire that she succeed in her quest. While this book reads at an upper elementary level, the story captivates the imagination of all ages.

MOMMAC

The People Awards by Lily Muray - ESSENTIAL

The People Awards by Lily Muray, illustrated by Ana Albero, 76 pages. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Lincoln Children’s Books, 2018. $20. 9781786030641

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

This book is a collection of more than thirty mini biographies of men and women who have had a positive impact on the world. The people range from athletes to inventors to teachers and most are well known figures from history as well as contemporary conversations. Each person is represented on a two page spread and has a short biography, four or five illustrations of important moments from their life, what award they are being given, and why they are being given that award. 

This book is effective because it is highly engaging aesthetically. The illustrations are cartoons, but realistic and done in muted colors. The part I predict will hook the most readers is the description of the award they are given and why. I was a little frustrated that the table on contents has page numbers for the different people, but the book doesn’t actually display page numbers throughout. I also thought the award for Beethoven was a mismatch for the tone of the book - “the bad-tempered musical genius award.” I’m not sure why they are awarding his ill temperament.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher