Mixed Feelings by Sara Amini and Shadia Amin - ADVISABLE

Mixed Feelings by Sara Amini and Shadia Amin, 240 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Scholastic, 2026. $15. Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

11yo Sarita has recently moved - not out of the school boundaries, but several streets away from her best friend, Monica. They are excited for school to start again, but find, to their dismay, they don't have any classes, or even lunch together. To make matters worse, Monica and Sara decide to twin on the first day, and Sara notices she can't wear shorts - suddenly her legs are so hairy, and her mom won't let her shave! She puts on sweats instead. Her day goes from bad to worse - Monica has a new friend. Sarita doesn't know what to be - she comes from a mixed-race family, speaks 3 languages, and tries to please everyone. At least in drama club she can be herself. 

Gosh - I loved this story; Sara is beside herself most of the time (typical for a rising middle schooler) but the mean kids and her own self-esteem issues don't help. I think kids will relate; a definite purchase. Sara's family is mixed - Persian/Columbian 

Lisa Librarian  

RV There Yet? by Suzanne Nelson - ADVISABLE

RV There Yet? by Suzanne Nelson, 338 pages. Knopf (Random House), 2026. $18

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The Merrivale and Buckfort kids are on a surprise "familymoon" when the Merrivale mom and the Buckfort dad marry, and their families become blended. The parents borrow a dodgy RV, load five brand-new siblings into it, and head to Yellowstone, along with a dog and an escaped pet snake. The two girls and three boys range in age from 8-12, and face an array of adventures as they try to come together as a family.

I thought this book would be superficial and trite, but it turned out to be a really heartwarming ride, loosely based on the author's blended family Yellowstone trip. The family drama rang true and anyone with siblings will identify with at least one character. The book addresses fallout from divorce and blending families in a realistic yet upbeat way. Families can be annoying, fun, and messy, and you will get all of it here in this insightful read.

The characters are drawn white on the cover.

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 

Midsummer Sisters by Niki Smith - SEVERAL

Midsummer Sisters by Niki Smith, 270 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Scholastic, 2026. $15

Language: PG (14 swears, 0 f); Mature Content: PG (divorce, same sex crush, contention); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Stepsisters, Kenzie and Quinn have never known life without each other, but that may change as their home life begins to crumble. They spend the summer with their grandmother on the marshy coastal islands where they discover a herd of wild ponies and a new foal, and try and navigate the uncertainties the futures might bring.

The girls are between 9yo and 12yo, though age is never specified. The girls' problems are legitimate and difficult, and there are no easy answers when parents fall out of love. There is a lot of arguing and angst in the book, which made me slightly anxious, but it rings true. This might be a good way to build empathy or an opportunity to explore troubled feelings and relationships. I like that the sisters are so different, yet love each other. The girls are drawn white, though no culture is specified. 

Michelle in the Middle  

Landing in Place by Sherine Hamdy and Myra El Mir - ADVISABLE

Landing in Place by Sherine Hamdy and Myra El Mir, 320 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Kokila (Penguin), 2026. $18

Language: G; Mature Content: PG (death, revolution, politics) Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Anisa Mustafa is applying for college and her mother wants her to go into med school. Though Anisa is Egyptian and Muslim, her mother doesn't want her to stand out and has her check "White" on her application forms. After flunking one of her courses, Anisa takes a break by visiting family in Egypt where she tries to figure out what being Muslim really is.

I wasn't prepared to like this book as much as I did. Anisa's journey to figure out how she fits in with her faith and her family is compelling. I learned more about the Muslim faith, and the quotes from the Holy Qur'an were beautiful. Anisa's decision to wear hijab and her reasoning are interesting and enlightening. I learned empathy and history of a group I don't know much about. This would be a great read for anyone practicing the Muslim faith, those who want to understand that faith, or anyone going through the angst of finding their own way and figuring out where they belong.

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 

Oh Brother by Georgina Chadderton - ESSENTIAL

Oh Brother by Georgina Chadderton, 286 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2026. $22

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

This is a graphic memoir about the author's experience growing up with a severely autistic brother in Australia. The timeline focuses largely on her 8th grade year. Gina has to contend with her brother, Rob, stealing her treats and getting into all her stuff, as well as pinching when he gets upset, because he is nonverbal. With everything going on at home, Gina is worried her brother might scare off her new friend.

This was a fascinating look at how a family deals with an autistic child. I loved how the parents roll with it, and Gina loves her brother, even when he is difficult. This is great insight into what it takes to have to deal with chaos daily, but in such a positive and supportive way. Other community members, like the dentist and hair stylist, also help with Rob. A great way to discuss family relationships and friendship and defining normal, this will help build empathy in readers in an engaging format. Gina and Rob are white Australians.

Michelle in the Middle 

The Water You're Swimming In by Rachel Schwartz Fagan - OPTIONAL

The Water You're Swimming In by Rachel Schwartz Fagan, 186 pages. Orca, 2026. $15

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 f); Mature Content: PG (same sex attraction from two secondary characters); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Noah is an 8th grader whose life feels like it has fallen apart. His older brother, Jaime, has run away to Halifax, and it has torn his family apart. When Noah learns that the prize for an upcoming swimming competition is a trip to Halifax, he is sure that if he wins, he will be able to find his brother and bring him home.

This is fairly long for an Orca book. The plot is predictable, but kept me hooked. A good read for anyone who is experiencing family conflict or friendship issues. Danger: after reading this, you will want chocolate cake for breakfast. Culture or race isn't specified, but the characters live in Canada.

Michelle in the Middle 

Amina Banana and the Formula for Making Money by Shifa Saltagi Safadi and Aaliya Jaleel - ESSENTIAL

Amina Banana and the Formula for Making Money (Amina Banana #3) by Shifa Saltagi Safadi and Aaliya Jaleel, 128 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin), 2026. $7 (pb)

 Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

3rd grader Amina and her family immigrated from Syria. Amina is quickly learning that her new home is very different than Syria. For example, America uses inches and pounds, while Syria uses centimeters and kilograms. Her parents are struggling to save enough money so that her mom can take an English test; the last step preventing her from practicing as a doctor in America. Amina decides to help out her family using some creative ways to earn money. Will her ideas work? Will she be able to save $500 for her mom to take the test? 

 I liked this plot because it integrated critical thinking skills as well as real world math situations. It helped show different cultural perspectives. Amina and her family face ignorance and bigotry from people working at a grocery store. It shows how her family deals with this and stands up to bullies. Amina and her family have immigrated to America from Syria.

 Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

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 

Werewolf Hamlet by Kerry Madden-Lunsford - ADVISABLE

Werewolf Hamlet by Kerry Madden-Lunsford, 248 pages. Charlesbridge, 2025. $19

Language:  G (4 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (mentions of underage drug and alcohol use); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Angus is a quirky fifth grader who loves Shakespeare, costumes, and stage makeup. There is a lot going on in Angus’s life. His family is struggling financially and may lose their home, and Angus also needs to come up with a fifth-grade Legacy Project. Angus has a brilliant idea: stage Hamlet with werewolves as his project. First, though, he has to convince his teacher that it’s actually a good idea. To make matters worse, Angus’s older brother Liam is not acting like himself. In fact, Angus thinks he is about as unpredictable as a werewolf. Angus hopes that if Liam watches the play, he might understand that acting like a werewolf all the time is not the best way to handle things.

The story is fun and engaging while also dealing with the difficult topic of how a teenager’s addiction to alcohol can affect an entire family. I liked the way Angus’s friends supported him and how his family worked together to help one another through their struggles. Angus and Connor cue white. Zora is black

A. Snow, Librarian

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst - ESSENTIAL

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst, 384 pages. Delacorte Books, 2026. $15

Language: PG-13 (9 swears; no ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Nursing a broken heart, 16-year-old Calisa leaves Brooklyn behind for the summer as she goes to Vermont to help her great aunt at the Faraway Inn. Excited by the prospect of escape from her troubles and the opportunity to work at a cozy bed and breakfast, Calisa is shocked to find the inn is run down and in desperate need of rehabilitation. Add to that, Auntie Zee doesn’t seem to want Calisa around, and strange whisperings of possible magic mean this will be a summer Calisa never forgets.

This cozy fantasy has a slow beginning, however, if readers stick with it, Calisa’s story develops into a charming tale of loss, love, and the power of family. Younger readers will appreciate Calisa’s struggle with her first heartbreak and adjustment to being away from home for the first time while the magical side of the plot will charm them. The world building is well-developed and entertaining, leading the reader to hope that this is the first in a series as so many worlds were introduced that the opportunity for exploration of people and places is endless. 

Reviewer: AEB

Dreams: Visions From the Fire by Wanda John-Kehewin - ADVISABLE

Dreams: Visions From the Fire by Wanda John-Kehewin, (Dream Series 2) 78 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL,  Highwater Press 2026 $20.

Language: PG (9 swears, 0 F); Mature Content: PG (alcoholism, grief); Violence: PG-13 (self harm, attempted suicide) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Damon Quinn has graduated from high school. He and his friend, Journey, have grown closer and are going with Damon's mom to Kehewin Cree Nation to attend a Seat Ceremony and Powwow and reconnect with family. Damion also wants to find his birth father. He also begins to have visions of his history and the history of his mother that she has kept hidden. 

This is a great representation of Cree culture, and I like how Damian is discovering his cultural history through his vision quest. The author, who is Cree, feels it is important to show our connection to our ancestors. Authentic and raw, the writing is ultimately filled with healing. My only complaint is that it is too short. The characters are Cree. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Space for Saffron by Rie Neal - ADVISABLE

Space for Saffron by Rie Neal, 177 pages. Aladdin, 2026. $8

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

10yo Saffron loves everything about science, but she struggles to control her impulsivity.   When Saffron and her two moms move from Iowa to California to run her grandmother's coffee shop, they discover that it is in financial trouble.  Can Saffron save the coffee shop using her love of science? 

Space for Saffron is a sweet book about trying to be okay with who you are but also work well with others.  Saffron learns that it is ok to be different. She struggles with controlling her impulsivity.   This book also contains many space facts. 

Saffron is hearing impaired and wears a hearing aid.  She is presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Cope Field by T.L. Simpson - OPTIONAL

Cope Field by T.L. Simpson, 272 pages. Flux 2025 $15.00 

Language: R (200+ swears 19 'f'); Mature Content: PG (some kissing); Violence: R (physical abuse, murder (described), injuries detailed) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

17yo Crawford is the star pitcher of his high school baseball team in Arkansas. Of course he is! His dad pitched for the Royals! But Craw is in trouble, he has anger management problems - brought on by abuse, and he has hit his dad in the head with a bat. Any other kid would have gone to juvie, but Craw's dad knows lawyers and the sheriff and the judge, so they were lenient. Craw has been sentenced to 300 hours of community service. This is where he meets Hannah, also serving community service. Craw has a lot going on at home, and a lot of secrets he's been keeping his whole life. Hannah likes to talk, she'd love to help Craw by getting him to talk too. 

Right from the beginning, I was into the story and on Craw's side. What would make a kid hit his father in the head with a bat, and why would the judge act like it was no big deal? Good sports action and a sweet love story. Lots of swears, there is violence against children but is mostly off page (the worst of it), except for a cold-blooded murder that is described. Worth addng to the Sports Fiction - baseball boys will love this. The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian  

The Dysfunctional Family's Guide to Murder by Kate Emery - ADVISABLE

The Dysfunctional Family's Guide to Murder by Kate Emery, 296 pages. Knopf (Random House), 2024. $20 

Language: PG (20 swears, 0 "f"); Mature Content: PG (sexual allusions, inuendo); Violence: PG (murder, threats, attempted homicide, mostly off page) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Ruth is a 14yo on vacation with her dad's side of the family when her step-grandmother turns up dead. As a fan of murder-mystery novels, Ruth is determined to figure out what happened, even though the family tries to keep her and her cousin Dylan out of the way. Solving a murder is a little trickier when the prime suspects are all under the same roof. 

It took me a minute to get into the book, but when I did, I really enjoyed the humor. Ruth's banter with her family is witty, and her family puts the fun in dysfunction. The characters and the house are all quirky in the best sense. There are references to Agatha Christie that younger readers might not get, and there are a lot of characters. That said, this was an enjoyable read that had interesting twists, and I enjoyed the writing style. Ruth and her family are Australian. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Speak Up, Santiago! by Julio Anta and Gabi Mendez - ADVISABLE

Speak Up, Santiago!(Hillside Valley #1) by Julio Anta and Gabi Mendez. 244 pages.GRAPHIC NOVEL. Random House, 2025. $13

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Santiago is headed to Hillside Valley to spend a month with his Abuela, and he is terrified! Abuela Emma mostly speaks Spanish, and while his mother and father tried raising him in a bilingual home, speaking was difficult for Santi. In HIllside Valley he meets some local kids who invite him to join their secret soccer club and play in the local tournament at the end of the month. Things are starting to look up for Santi until he overhears Abuela Emma and her friends laughing about his broken accent. As his embarrassment turns to anger, Santi starts taking his feelings out on everyone around him. After a particularly aggressive soccer practice, Santi even finds himself kicked off the team. Not only is he upset, but he returns home to find Abuela Emma has fallen and suffered a hairline fracture. Amidst the chaos of the hospital and doctor visits, Santiago learns to speak up and offers to care for his Abuela.

You don’t have to be learning a new language to empathize with Santiago. His experiences with embarrassment, fear, and betrayal are common emotions many of us feel when breaking out of our comfort zones or learning to speak up. The illustration style is brightly colored and the bilingual text is handled in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are learning Spanish along with Santiago. The Spanish word bubbles at the beginning of the novel have blacked out words, indicating Santi is only picking up half a conversation. As his Spanish improves, English translations begin popping up next to the  Spanish word bubbles.There is a special author and illustrator note in the back that talks about their personal insecurities about being a second-generation Latino or learning Spanish. 

Santiago’s father is Colombian and his mother is Irish/French.  

E. Powell - Junior High 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

True Life in Uncanny Valley by Deb Caletti - OPTIONAL

True Life in Uncanny Valley by Deb Caletti, 416 pages. Penguin Random House, 2025. $20

Language: R (100+ swears, 17 ‘f'); Mature Content: R (Drinking, passionate kissing and arousal, sexual discussion, nudity); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Eleanor Diamond, a junior, feels like the odd one out in her family. After all, her mom and older sister Rosalind seem so alike and spend a lot of time together. Eleanor has a hope though: perhaps she is meant to fit in with her father, the rich app inventor Hugo Harrison. The only issue is that he has had nothing to do with her family since the affair with Eleanor’s mother. When Hugo’s wife Aurora advertises for a babysitter, Eleanor takes strength from her favorite comic hero Miss Fury who has an alter-ego, and after a chance encounter, lands the job under a fake last name.

The novel's fourth wall breaks feel awkward, and some integral parts of the plot line, such as the fact that Eleanor’s mother never tries to call the family that she is going to be staying with all summer, are difficult to believe. But the book has a lot of heart with some fun friendships and a budding romance. It also includes discussions on AI art, body positivity, sexual boundaries, and racism, sexism, and homophobia in early comics. Plus, the novel's references to an actual comic and the inclusion of a square from that comic at the start of each chapter is fun. If readers stick with it through some moments of slower pacing, they will find a modern novel exploring human connections and relationships.

Main characters read white.

Megan, HS Librarian

Sugar Shack by Lucy Knisley - ADVISABLE

Sugar Shack (Peapod Farm #3) by Lucy Knisley,  230 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2025 $22 

Language: PG (5 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

6th grader, Jen, is spending time with her mom and stepsisters at Peapod Farm. Jen is learning to tap trees for maple syrup and how to haul an inordinate amount of firewood. Jen is also trying to fit in with her stepsisters. Just when she thinks she is making headway, Andy reminds her that Reese is HER sister, not Jen's. 

Loved the farm life. It's refreshing to have a rural setting. The art is nicely done, and the story is a delightful commentary on family life, fitting in, and adjusting to new situations. The characters are based on the author's childhood, which makes it feel genuine and comfortable. The characters are likable, even the flawed ones. This is a quick read that will make you want to visit the country. Jen is white, and her stepfamily is Jewish. 

Michelle in the Middle