The Void Dragons by Scott Reintgen - ESSENTIAL

The Void Dragons (Dragonships #3) by Scott Reintgen, 455 pages. 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kiss); Violence: PG-13 (space warfare, some human deaths mentioned, minor blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Before he disappeared, Proteus warned of a great threat to come. Distracted by the quintacentennial meeting of the planetary dragons, 15yo Lunar Jones and the other dragonriders almost miss the beginning of the greatest threat to their universe ever. Maya has been given the task of finding and piecing together the other clues Proteus left behind, but even those hints may not be enough to save them from the most horrific enemy they have ever met.

Oh Reintgen. I am going to have to put you up there with Neal Shusterman as one of the great talents of the current times. I pity those who don’t read science fiction, as they can never understand. For me this series is a definite re-read.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Formula Fast by Matt Ralphs and Dragan Kordic - ESSENTIAL

Formula Fast by Matt Ralphs and Dragan Kordic, 64 pages. NON-FICTION. Phaidon, 2026. $20. 9781837291243

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Learn many exciting, interesting facts that go into our modern Formula One racing.

Though picture book sized, Ralph’s book is much more in depth and oh so fascinating. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

War Boats by Jennifer A. Nielsen - ESSENTIAL

War Boats by Jennifer A. Nielsen, 304 pages. Scholastic, MARCH 2027. $19

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12yo Arthur has lied his way onto a merchant marine ship at the very beginning of the next war in Europe. His father died working to save his shipload of crew and Arthur can’t stand his stepfather. The SS Tairoa is hit and captured by the Germans and Arthur goes through grueling days as a prisoner of war.  After he is released, nothing can stop Arthur from running away and joining another ship.  And if he has to steal a boat and cross the English Channel to rescue soldiers trapped on the beach on Dunkirk in order to help the war effort, then Arthur is going to do just that.

While the opening is a little slower than Nielsen’s normal pace, I liked how she shows us how determined Arthur is and also how everything Arthur does is another dynamic in his relationship with his mother and stepfather. My students, especially the boys, are loving historical fiction, so I am very excited to have another offering for them - especially because they already like Nielsen so much. Arthur is white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell - ESSENTIAL

The Poisoned King (Impossible Creatures 2) by Katherine Rundell, 294 pages. Random House, 2025. $12 Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Christopher is awakened by a tiny dragon, precipitating his longed for return to the magical islands of the Archipelago. But his return comes with incredible danger because the treat dragons are mysteriously dying, which would have grave consequences. At the same time that Christopher is summoned back, Princess Anya is facing grave peril of her own. Her grandfather, the king, has been murdered and her father accused of his murder. Her quest to save her father and Christopher's quest to save the dragons intertwine as they face the danger that lies ahead. 

What's not to like? Great storytelling, short chapters, and the occasional line drawing all combine to create a magical world that provides the perfect escape from reality. This is a grand adventure from start to finish and the magical creatures and inhabitants of the Archipelago are villainous and endearing, depending on their role. Readers of book one will not be disappointed. While one story wraps up well, there is a new twist that readers will want to dive into book three for. 

 

Michelle in the Middle 

Titanic by Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne - ESSENTIAL

Titanic (Magic Tree House Fact Tracker) by Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne, 134 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2026. $18 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Jack and Annie from the Magic Tree House books take us on a voyage with the Titanic which is totally factual. 

I've read lots of books about the Titanic, but I couldn't put this one down. The graphic novel makes it easily accessible, and the facts are really interesting. The pictures help place people in the period and show which class they were on the ship. There's even a couple of pages on how to use books for research. This book will help history come alive for younger kids. Jack and Annie are white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

This is a Door by Daniel Nayeri - ESSENTIAL

This is a Door by Daniel Nayeri, 400 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE Sourcebooks, 2026. $20 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Peril, death - not violent nor bloody) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

The boy is alone, the people in the Village call him Nothing because he has no name. But Nana, the old woman who takes care of the junkpile, tells him he is not nothing. So Ing (his nickname) sets out with a dog and a mouse to 1) find his father and learn his real name and 2) find his purpose. 

Daniel Nayeri is a master storyteller. He has written an amazing novel in verse, illustrated with his concrete poems. I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, and loved every minute of it. I loved the characters - the wise mouse, and oh, Poppy the dog is such a dog. There are two different poems describing grief, and he's spot on. I adored This is a Door and am highly recommending it. I hope readers can appreciate its movement and charm. The characters seem to be from a time (middle ages?) rather than a specific race or culture. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi - ESSENTIAL

The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi, 400 pages. St. Martin’s, 2026. $22.

Language: G (0 swears, 0  ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (threats, mentions of deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Delmelza has always thought herself the unloved daughter of her veritas swan mother and her (evil) sorcerer father. The day she discovers that her mother has been protecting her from father instead, she flees to the only place in the kingdom where she might be safe. To Rathe Castle, where Prince Arris is getting ready for a contest to finally choose a bride that can steal his heart - probably quite literally, right out of his chest. 

Chokshi has restored my faith in fantasy and she brings a delightful new light to “romantasy” (can I tell you how I hate that word). Even when Delmelza finally sees her father again, Chokshi brings a fresh, delightful spin to the encounter. 

Demelza cues white.

I listened to the audiobook provided by libro.fm, narrated by Ell Potter.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Nature Poems to See By illustrated by Julian Peters, - ESSENTIAL

Nature Poems to See By illustrated by Julian Peters, 141 pages. Plough, 2026. $30. 9781636081748

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Peters gives us a fresh new round of poems which he has interpreted, or enhanced, through his illustrations.  I love that he illustrates both short poems and longer poems, most of which are familiar to poetry readers already. His style differs, depending on the poem.  And in some cases, he brings a modern eye to a classic, bringing in refreshing relevance. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Space Race by Kate Messner - ESSENTIAL

The Space Race (History Smashers) by Kate Messner, 214 pages.  NON-FICTION Random House, 2026. $10

 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Busting the myths and misconceptions about the space race between the U.S. and Russia, this book endeavors to correct any preconceived ideas we got wrong, including some of the famous lines we think those in the space program said or didn't say. 

The facts are presented in a highly readable manner, combining text with drawings an actual picture and the occasional graphic novel format. Even though I am familiar with the space race, the book was engaging enough that I read it cover to cover. This is a great way to get facts quickly and succinctly while being entertained in the process. The cover should draw young readers in, and the information will hook them. 

Michelle in the Middle

Record-Breaking USA by Clive Gifford and Paul Hammond - ESSENTIAL

Record-Breaking USA: Celebrating America's biggest, brightest and bravest by Clive Gifford and Paul Hammond, 96 pages. NON-FICTION Wide Eyed (Quarto), 2026. $25. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A collection of world-breaking records from each of the United States. Each entry includes quick facts about the state, its nickname, a fun fact, and prominent people who live or lived there, and some fun World Records set in the state. 

This was really a lot of fun. Lots of these records are crazy and typical of the state - like Idaho's Biggest Potato sculpture and the speed records broken or made on Utah's Salt Flats. Get this book and leave it out at your library; kids will find their own state first, then read about all sorts of interesting records held by people, things, weather, and history. I really love this! 

Lisa Librarian 

The Team by Daphne Benedis-Grab - ESSENTIAL

The Team by Daphne Benedis-Grab, 256 pages. Scholastic, SEPTEMBER 2026. $9 (pb)

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (threats, bullying, football hits)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Tommy has been struggling with anger management issues, but when one of his fellow teammates is accused of trashing their coach’s office, he decides to investigate.  He finds support from Simone, the accused’s sister, and Ethan, who is also on the team, but doesn’t want to play.  As the trio get closer to the truth, however, someone wants to send them a message to butt out.

I LOVE that Benedis-Grab took a detour from her normal horror fiction and gives us such a solid football book! Can’t wait to share this with the students. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

This Could All Go Bad by Spencer Hall - ESSENTIAL

This Could All Go Bad by Spencer Hall, 256 pages. Bloomsbury, 2026. $21

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

8th grader Jensen is not ready for high school.  He’s barely prepared for middle school graduation tomorrow.  But with his two best friends beside him, he knows he has support. But when Maleek and Cooper talk him into sneaking out that night to perform a set of dares against Maleek’s crush, Jensen is not prepared for all that the night has to reveal - good and devastating.

Jensen’s extreme anxiety was an initial downer for me, but he kept impressing me along the way. And his sister’s high school and life advice near the end is a masterwork. I need more books with male main characters that aren’t just a comedy - this funny book also has a lot of heart.

I assume Jensen and Cooper are white. Maleek and Jenny Chen are other unspecified ethnicities.

The audiobook copy was provided by libro.fm. Narrated by Jay Reum. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Yarn is Everything by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown - ESSENTIAL

Yarn is Everything (Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales) by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown, 104 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Simon and Schuster, 2026. $14 9781665961141 

Content: G 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

When 9yo Winona Mole finds a rune inscribed crochet hook in her bag, an identical replica of the storied Spirit Hook, her crochet skills improve dramatically. Soon, Winona could create crocheted yarn versions of almost anything. Maybe she should go on her favorite show "Yarn is Everything"! 

Oh! I loved Yarn is Everything! The story is set up like an episode of Twilight Zone, which will probably be lost on the readers but their grandparents will get it. The pages are printed on black glossy pages, and the color is a neon blue, highlighting her hook and occasionally other focus items. I know the intended audience is familiar with reality competition shows, so Yarn is Everything is an essential purchase for me. Now I need to read the rest of the series. 

Lisa Librarian  

Kissing Cowboys by Meg Cabot - ESSENTIAL

Kissing Cowboys (Kissing Cowboys #1) by Meg Cabot, 336 pages. HarperCollins, DECEMBER 2026. $20.

Language: PG13 (37 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (making out, reference to breasts); Violence: PG (fight, accident with injury)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

When 16yo Winn is forced to move cross-country from New York to Montana for her mom's job, she finds herself attending her brother's school. An all-boys ranch school "for intellectually gifted boys, with emotional, behavioral or academic challenges." She's the only girl, allowed to attend classes because her mother is teaching there. She's actually delighted (and a bit scared - what if one of them is a serial killer?) and is quickly, literally embraced by the student body. But she has her eye on a couple of them, and she's hoping she doesn't fall in love. As fresh and funny as Princess Diaries,

I couldn't put it down. I loved her displacement, Winn describes her outfits, which are usually terrible for the winter weather in Montana, and true to Meg Cabot gets herself into some awkward situations. I loved this romance; there's some making out that doesn't go too far, and a lot of sexual tension - of course - there are 80 boys at the school! The characters default white.

Lisa Librarian - 

Wombat Waiting by Katherine Applegate - ESSENTIAL

Wombat Waiting by Katherine Applegate, 336 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE HarperCollins, 2026. $20. 

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

 BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

 APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Wombat has been homeless her whole life, and she's a survivor. But something tells her (she calls it "the voice") is trying to direct her to find her person. But when Wombat gets caught up in the Palisades Fire, and becomes dirty and singed, she worries when "The Voice" tells her to go toward the fire, rather than away - until she ends up waiting on a bench near a wildlife rehab center, waiting for someone. 

 What a darling story. The heartache and the grief and the trauma of the fires are all there - there's a story of a family displaced as well, Henry and his moms, one who cares for displaced wildlife. I'm glad it was a short read due to being a novel in verse because I could not put it down. Highly recommended. 

 Lisa Librarian 

A Kid Like Me by Norm Feuti - ESSENTIL

A Kid Like Me by Norm Feuti, 272 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL HarperCollins, 2026. $25.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Ethan is just starting middle school, and his biggest worry was getting lost in the new big school, until his friend Ricky starts talking about all the social stuff. Ethan and Ricky live in a trailer park, but lots of kids at their middle school live in the rich part of town, and now Ethan is worried he will be going to school with a bunch of snobs. Ethan recently started playing a retro card game called Bio Battle, and finds some friends who are in the after-school club, but Ricky has found different friends who prefer wrestling. Can Ethan and Ricky's friendship survive the 1st month of middle school? 

Fitting in, making friends, wearing the right clothes, and being cool - doesn't everyone worry about that in middle school? I loved how easily frustrated Ethan and Ricky got with each other, and how their new friends mirrored what they were looking for in middle school. Feuti's illustrations are realistic, and his story rings true. I hope this is a hit in my library; I'll certainly be recommending it. The characters are white. 

Lisa Librarian  

Real Life Disasters (Danger Files) by Anna Crowley Redding and Robbie Cathro - ESSENTIAL

Real Life Disasters (Danger Files) by Anna Crowley Redding and Robbie Cathro, 208 pages. NON-FICTION Candlewick, 2025. $18

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

5 real life disasters told from the perspective of a child (in most cases). Includes The Great Chicago Fire, The Titanic, The Spanish Flu, The Great Molasses Flood and The Hindenburg. 

There is so much to like about this book (series). Information is presented referencing primary sources, each story contains a “try this yourself” experiment relative to the story and the telling is engaging and quick with illustrations, and side bars. I’m getting the whole series.

Most of the characters are presumed white

Lisa Librarian 

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 

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