The Totally Awesome World of MrBeast by Neal E. Fischer - MANY

The Totally Awesome World of MrBeast by Neal E. Fischer, 128 pages. BIOGRAPHY Quarto, 2025. $15

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Facts and statistics about MrBeast, the man who went from a disinterested student and college dropout to one of the most viral YouTube stars on the planet.

The layout is bright and colorful and makes the text engaging. There are not only facts about Mr. Beast, but interesting side notes, like how the term computer bug was coined after a moth got into a main frame and caused it to fritz. MrBeast's story may inspire wanna-be YouTubers and his work ethic is impressive, which is important for aspiring YouTubers to understand.

Mr. Beast is white.

Michelle in the Middle 

Mexikid Dreams by Pedro Martin - ESSENTIAL

Mexikid Dreams (Mexikid #2) by Pedro Martin, 320 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Penguin, SEPTEMBER 2026. $25

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (sibling fights and pranks, also guard violence at a prison)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

10yo Pedro (who is about 13 by the end of the book) is back from Mexico with his family (8 brothers and sisters) Their restaurant has been damaged by an earthquake and so the family has moved to California where they are sharecroppers, picking strawberries. Everyone helps, all hands are needed to make ends meet. But when the oldest brother gets a job at a lumberyard, Pedro starts making a plan to get out of working too - he wants to draw (and watch cartoons). But when a friend at school encourages Pedro to join the band, he rethinks his plan. Now he wants to plan the trombone!

Pedro Martin is so funny, and this series is delightful. I love how he shows the sibling interactions, funny names for the outhouse and the way they work in the fields. I also loved how he really showed the plight of the share croppers, the difficulty making a profit and a danger experienced by undocumented people (in 1977) who were desperate for work so they could send money home. A great companion which can stand alone to Mexikid. The family is Mexican with some of the children first generation American

Lisa Librarian 

Harper Sharp: Kid Detective #1 by Jarrett Williams - ADVISABLE

Harper Sharp: Kid Detective #1 by Jarrett Williams, 296 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2026. $22

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Fifth grader, Harper Sharp is a gamer, an artist, and a detective. When mysterious signs show up threatening the Young Inventor's Fair, Harper is on the case. His principal is counting on him to solve the case before the fair so none of the inventions will be in danger.

Vibrant colors and fun art make this an inviting read. Harper is a great character, and his problem solving will draw in would be sleuths to figure out who-done-it along with him. The plot should appeal to young kids, and Harper's friendships and adventures at school are relatable.

Harper is Black and his friends are a variety of backgrounds.

Michelle in the Middle 

Ms. Pennypickle's Puzzle Quest by Chris Grabenstein - ADVISABLE

Ms. Pennypickle's Puzzle Quest by Chris Grabenstein, 266 pages. Random House, 2025. $18

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

12yo Benji and 18yo Ethan are brothers that don't get along very well. Ethan is getting ready to leave for college and loves sports, while Benji loves video games and puzzles. The boys are forced on a road trip by their parents. On their way to the Grand Canyon, they find themselves in a massive treasure hunt put on by Ms. Pennypickle, an eccentric puzzle master. They have to beat out six other teams to get the prize, which they can only achieve by working together.

Delightful read, especially for fans of "Mr. Lemoncello's Library." This is a witty and fun road trip puzzle that readers will want to solve along with the Broderick brothers. I read the book in one sitting because it was so fun. Great characters and plot. Grab a soda and the audio book and hit Route 66!

The Broderick brothers are white.

Michelle in the Middle 

Traitors in Space by Tim Collins and Steven Wood - ESSENTIAL

Traitors in Space: A Pick Your Own Path Adventure by Tim Collins and Steven Wood, 176 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2025. $9.

Language: PG (A few crew members fight aliens who have inhabited other crew members bodies. Crew members that are inhabited by aliens are pushed out the air lock and left to die in space)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

A group of young scientists are traveling back to earth after visiting a distant planet. They are awake from cryo-sleep when an alarm goes off signaling that an alien life form is on the ship. After finding no sign of alien life, the young scientists deduce that one or maybe more of them have been inhabited by an alien. Can you pick the right path and figure out who the alien is?

Traitors is Space is a fresh take on choose your own adventure stories. Even though the plot is predictable, students will enjoy reading and choosing their own path. Black and white illustrations are scattered throughout with 20 illustrated puzzles that the reader will enjoy solving. I think students will really enjoy this book! Many different ethnicities are represented in the crew on the ship.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

Omnibird: An Avian Investigator's Handbook by Giselle Clarkson - ESSENTIAL

Omnibird: An Avian Investigator's Handbook by Giselle Clarkson, 96 pages. NON-FICTION. Gecko Press, 2025. $25. 9798765670514

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Birds come in all shapes and sizes and are warm blooded vertebrates. All birds have beaks, feathers, and lay eggs. You can recognize the different specie by their wings shapes, beak shapes, feather colors, and whether they have combs, caruncles, spurs, or talons. Many bird names come from a description of feather areas such as a yellow-crowned parakeet. You can recognize the different specie by their wings shapes, beak shapes, feather colors, and whether they have combs, caruncles, spurs, and talons. Birds are good for many things, such as: singing, pollination, making eggs to eat, fertilizing, spreading seeds, cleaning up dead tissues, being food for other animals, and pets. Birds evolved to fit their environment such as growing log legs for walking in the water. People can learn to interact with birds in safe ways since some birds are prone to attack.

Although not a comprehensive book on birds, Clarkson wrote a book well fitted for the average person, including adults. The book covers most aspects of ornithology. In between pages of information, she inserts some comic relief such as “how to pick up a chicken”. The illustrations show the characteristics of different birds clear enough to distinguish groups in a species. Clarkson uses both common and scientific names for the birds to inform the reader.

MOMMAC 

The Trouble with Leo by Michele Assarasakorn and Nathan Fairbairn - ADVISABLE

The Trouble with Leo (PAWS #5) by Michele Assarasakorn and Nathan Fairbairn, 172 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Putnam (Penguin), 2026. $13

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Gabby and the PAWS girls are doing well with their dog walking business. However, when Gabby refuses to let her former friend, Leo join the group, he decides to start his own dog walking business: SCAMPS. Gabby is incensed, and does everything she can to sabotage Leo and his friends' business. Both groups get drawn into a turf war that threatens both of their businesses.

The main characters range in age from 10-12 maybe. The illustrations are bright and colorful and easy to follow. Gabby is a flawed character who thinks she is always right, but readers can learn about listening and communicating from her. While there aren't a lot of surprises, the story will hook young readers, especially dog-lovers. No culture or race is specified, but the illustrations reflect various ethnic backgrounds.

Michelle in the Middle 

Last Day Pool Party by Emma Steinkellner - ADVISABLE

Last Day Pool Party by Emma Steinkellner, 170 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Labyrinth Road, 2026. $22

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

It's the day of 8th grade graduation. Dustin is throwing a pool part that he is pretty sure nobody wants to come to. Rose just wants to make a friend before she starts high school. Juhi has to tell her best friend, Liv that she is moving to London in three weeks. Maya, the popular girl, is being forced to go to Dustin's party when she'd really rather be with her friends. And Paul, Maya's cousin, is just along for the ride; he'd rather be gaming with his online friends. When all the characters come together at Dustin's house, will they be able to put aside their differences and see that what they really need is each other?

I love realistic middle-grade graphic novels, and this was no exception. Pre-teens will relate to the struggles each of the characters face. I liked that the characters each had their own arc, and each learned how to be a friend. This would be great for upper elementary and middle school. Dustin and Liv are white; Paul, Maya, Rose, and Juhi are BIPOC. Characters have diverse body types and families (Maya has a single mom and Rose has two moms).

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Eva to the Max by Rebecca Caprara - ADVISABLE

Eva to the Max by Rebecca Caprara, 400 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE. Dial Books (Penguin), 2026. $10

(pb).

Language: G (0 swears, 0 "f"); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Some intense motocross racing accidents, realistic physical injuries like chipped teeth)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Motocross is everything to 12yo Evelyn Rae (known on the track as "Eva Knievel"). She

loves the thrill of competition and pushing herself to get better and faster. But after

some bullying at her old school, Eva is determined to keep her passion completely hidden

from her new classmates. Her father, a former racer who now uses a wheelchair

due to a stunt accident, helps her train, but the sport is draining her family's tight budget,

and her mom disapproves of her racing. When a reckless mistake wrecks her bike

and threatens her shot at qualifying for the AMA National Championship, Eva has to

face the steep physical and financial costs of her dream. Making matters more complicated,

a new girl named Cam arrives at school, threatening not only Eva's secret identity

but her spot on the podium.

Rebecca Caprara delivers a fast-paced novel-in-verse that captures the grit and intensity

of dirt bike racing. Eva’s fierce competitive drive and hot temper feel authentic to

the tween experience, and readers will empathize with her complicated relationship

with her mother, who is understandably terrified of her daughter getting injured.

The story does a great job of breaking down stereotypes about what it means to be a

"sporty girl" and handles themes of sportsmanship, economic privilege, and shifting

relationships without being overly preachy. While the book leans on a few familiar

tropes—such as the "secret passion" and the classic rivalry turning into teamwork—the

unique subject matter makes it stand out. There is a shortage of sports fiction specifically

highlighting female athletes, making this a good option, particularly for reluctant

readers drawn to high-speed action. An informative historical note about the real trailblazers

of women’s motocross is included at the back.

Eva and her family default white. Eva's father is a wheelchair user.

Reviewer: Heather Robinson, Elementary School Librarian

First Place (Sweet Valley Twins #8) by Francine Pascal, adapted by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Knack Whittle - ADVISABLE

First Place (Sweet Valley Twins #8) by Francine Pascal, adapted by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Knack Whittle, 220 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2026. $22 

Language: PG (11 swears, 0 f); Mature Content: PG (same sex attraction); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Elizabeth Wakefield will do anything to ride a horse, even befriend her sister's friend, and one of the snobbiest girls in school. Elizabeth soon finds out that she isn't being true to herself or those around her, and she may have to choose between a horse she has grown to love, or people she loves. 

Elizabeth and her twin sister, Jessica, play off each other well, showing off family dynamics and how to work through conflict. Horses and school intrigue - what's not to like? The story is good and has enough twists to keep it moving, and the art is bright and colorful. Fans of the series will not be disappointed. The twins are white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Who's Got the Best Medicine? (Survival of the Fittest #2) by Rebecca Donnelly and Misa Saburi, - ESSENTIAL

Who's Got the Best Medicine? (Survival of the Fittest #2) by Rebecca Donnelly and Misa Saburi, 112 pages. NON-FICTION GRAPHIC NOVEL. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2025. $17

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Animals and insects in this graphic novel compete in a game show to see who can present the best medical innovation based on their own anatomy.

The book is full of interesting animal and insect facts presented in a fun approachable way. I  found it to be very informative and creative in the way it presented information. The illustrations are also great. 

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Sleepless by Gordon Korman - ESSENTIAL

Sleepless by Gordon Korman, 240 pages. Scholastic JULY 2026. $19

Content: G (mild threats)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

They are all 12yo and all five of them don’t need any sleep.  None. Instead, each of the five is using that extra time to perfect talents and interests - until they start discovering each other.  Now there’s a bigger mystery for them to solve.  Why are they all sleepless? They have an idea of what has happened to them and who did it, but do they want this sleeplessness turned off? Maybe they won’t be so special any more. 

Korman has such a knack for taking these little ideas and making them so compelling to read all the way to the end.  It would be great to read aloud and then discuss what kids would pursue in those extra hours and would they be willing to give them up or not.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Three's a Crowd (Sweet Valley Twins #7) by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Claudia Aguirre - ADVISABLE

Three's a Crowd (Sweet Valley Twins #7) by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Claudia Aguirre, 204 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2026. $22 

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 f);  Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Twins, Elizabeth and Jessica, are both stressed out with schoolwork involving typing, so when their friend, Mary, offers to help, they quickly take her up on it. Jessica starts to get suspicious though, when Mary seems to want to hang around their mom more than them. 

Great art and easy to follow. The twins make good literary foils for each other, but manage to resolve their differences and make those differences work. Though the endings are no big surprises, it's always an enjoyable ride. Fans of the series won't be disappointed. The twins are white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Ancient Egypt (History Smashers #11) by Kate Messner - ESSSENTIAL

Ancient Egypt (History Smashers #11) by Kate Messner, 208 pages. NON FICTION. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2025. $10 (paperback), $13 (library binding)

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content:  G; Violence: PG (description of mummification process, not graphic)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

From the insightful History Smasher series comes another fantastic title: Ancient Egypt. Did you know that the word "pharaoh" actually comes from an Egyptian word for “great house” and wasn’t used as a title for royalty until the Twenty-Fifth or Twenty-Sixth Dynasty? Maybe you know Sobekneferu was actually the first female king - not Hatshepsut - but you probably didn’t know hieroglyphs can be read either left to right or right to left depending on which way the first character in profile is facing. No matter your knowledge of the ancient Egyptian world and its people, readers young and old are bound to learn something new from the latest installment by professional History Smasher, Kate Messner. 

The easy to read text is broken up by short comics and info panels throughout. Messner includes a time of ancient Egypt, an author’s note, bibliography, and additional books/museums readers can check out for more information. An excellent addition to libraries where the History Smashers series are already in regular circulation.

E. Powell,  Junior High Librarian

Farrah Noorzad and the Realm of Nightmares by Deeba Zargarpur - ADVISABLE

Farrah Noorzad and the Realm of Nightmares (Farrah Noorzad #2) by Deeba Zargarpur, 320 pages. Labyrinth Road (Random House), 2025. $18.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (assault, fantasy violence, and mentions of blood and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

After saving her father and the other jinn kings, Farrah (13yo) now knows the truth of her half-jinn heritage. Her mother, free from holding that secret, decides they can finally have an adventure and move away from Philadelphia. While Farrah would do anything for her mother, Farrah can’t help but want to see more of the jinn realm—an opportunity at her fingertips in the form of an official summons from the kings.

Being described as half-human and half-jinn, Farrah longs to find a place where she fits, where she belongs—an impossible task when not even Farrah can see herself as whole. With pressure on all sides to be good and make the right choices, Farrah’s journey through magical realms is one all readers can relate too. Her story is not over yet, leaving off on a cliffhanger with the fate of both worlds in the balance. Farrah is Muslim Afghan American.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Dawn of the Axolotl (The Last Immortals #1) by Kit Brooks, illustrated by Brandon Dorman - ADVISABLE

Dawn of the Axolotl (The Last Immortals #1) by Kit Brooks, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, 194 pages. Christy Ottaviano Books, 2026. $9

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (One axolotl bites the tail off of another axolotl and eats it.)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE; MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: EL - MANY; MS - SOME

Ace, a fearful axolotl, has just hatched out of his egg with his twin brother, Jasper.  Jasper turns on Ace, bites off his tail and eats it.  Hurt and alone, Ace struggles to survive.  He finds two other axolotls that help Ace understand that axolotls need to work together because they are becoming extinct.  Will Ace have to face his brother again?

Dawn of the Axolotl was an interesting combination of fantasy and axolotl facts.  Fans of Warrior Cats would probably like this book.  I was troubled by the fact that several characters lose limbs or tails in this story.  Because axolotls can regenerate, losing a part of their body is seen as a way to become stronger or "immortal" by the characters in this book.  Axolotls are a very popular animal with elementary students, and they would probably enjoy learning more about them in this fantasy story. The characters in this book are mostly axolotls.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Exile by Shannon Messenger, adapted by Celina Frenn, illustrated by Valeria Tenaga Romanazzi - ESSENTIAL

Exile (Keeper of the Lost Cities 2) by Shannon Messenger, adapted by Celina Frenn, illustrated by Valeria Tenaga Romanazzi, 336 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Aladdin (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $28 

Language: G (0 swears), Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (kidnapping, mild violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Sophie is a 12yo elf who has left the human world to study at Foxfire, the premier Elvin academy. She is worried about making the grades to get fully accepted at school, and hopes to be adopted by her guardians. On top of that, she has memories of things she shouldn't be able to understand, which threaten her life. Sophie seems to be caught between warring factions much bigger than herself. 

As the graphic novel version of the popular Lost Cities novels, I hoped it would be on par with the original text. I was not disappointed. I love both versions. The art on this one is stellar and captures the feelings and mood of the characters. It's nice to get a visual on the Elvin universe. This series is worth the investment and the graphic novel may reach readers the novel version does not. Action packed, along with plenty of teenage angst and universal feelings, this book has it all. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Dragonborn by Struan Murray - ESSENTIAL

Dragonborn by Struan Murray, 320 pages. Dutton (Penguin), 2026. $20.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (bullying, dragon fighting, battle)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12yo Alex feels suffocated by her overprotective mother - especially since her dad died in a violent storm. Then one day while in her favorite woods actual fire comes out of her mouth. Soon Alex is swept off to the remote island of Skralla, a hidden haven for young dragons to learn how to use their powers. Alex is having a hard time learning to shift from her human form to her dragon form and she is also still mourning her dad. When she hears about a special artifact, the Phylactery, which can help find the spirits of any dragon, she pursues it, even knowing that it is also a possible tool for Drak Midna, the evil dragon who has existed for centuries and who has no need for humankind. Murray sets up the tension so well. He manages to keep the myriad of surprises well-hidden, but logical.

I also became so frustrated with Alex’s inability to change forms, so he was great at engaging my emotions. The only thing I don’t understand is his use of “phylactery” as the name of the artifact - seems an odd use of a Jewish religious word. Other than that, though - loved it. Gorgeous end papers also.

The characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Alkrem by Marta Palazzesi - ADVISABLE

Alkrem by Marta Palazzesi, 372 pages. Red Comet, 2025. $19 

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 f); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Negato beast attacks) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Theo has been raised for twelve years as the adopted son of respected Alchemist Brenock Chimius. At midnight on his 13th birthday, his Mutolo shows up, a fierce Fire Fox, which means that Theo is not an Alchemist, but an Alkrem. The Alkrem are persecuted and hunted by the Archemists. Theo and his father attempt to flee, but only Theo makes it to safety. Theo's father is wounded and taken prisoner, and the only thing that might save him is a mysterious weapon that has incredible power, including the ability to heal. Theo is desperate to find this weapon to save the only family he knows. Suddenly he finds himself thrust into a world of power, conflicts, magic, and secrets. 

I was drawn in by Theo's mysterious past and his desperate attempt to save his father. The world building is solid, but not overwhelming, and the size makes it readable. The story wraps up well after one book, though there is another one coming, which I am down for. There is plenty of action, which is nicely paced, and there is sufficient tension to keep the reader hooked. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Season of Flames (Chronicles of Whetherwhy #2) by Anna James - Essential

The Season of Flames (Chronicles of Whetherwhy #2) by Anna James, 272 pages. Penguin, APRIL 2026. $19

Content: G (slight danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

13yo Elio has led a pleasant life as part of the Circus Astra, handling Tangles and Knots for his father. Then when inspectors for the queen, including Oleander Young, come in search of an amber pendant, Elio must flee, along with his new friend Pom, finding their way to Thistledown Academy, where they are hoping that Juniper can help them read the map that his father gave him and figure out how to thwart the queen’s grasp for power.

At first I was surprised that James chose to jump 13 years into the future, but I ended up liking the book immensely. Juniper has just enough importance to satisfy readers who consume the books one after another. Hints of more to come are at the end, too.  Okay, I can wait another year.

One character is non-binary; also has a same-sex relationship.

Characters cue white, though the illustrations seem to indicate a variety of races.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS