Scrap by Guy Bass - ADVISABLE

Scrap by Guy Bass, 320 pages. Penguin< SEPTEMBER 2026. $10 (pb) Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (danger, injury) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Humans were supposed to land and take over the planet Somewhere 513 after the robots prepared it, but when K1-NG and the humans arrived, the robots had rebelled and ordered the humans to leave. Damaged trying to protect the humans, King’s core was transferred to a junk robot and he has been sitting ina scrap pile for the last 10 years. When two young humans, 10yo Paige and 5yo Gnat (Natalie) follow a core detector to him, Scrap (as Gnat names him) has no desire to help them, in fact he actively discourages their presence. But other robots get wind of humans being on the planet and now all of them are running for their lives. 

If younger students are looking for books to read after The Wild Robot, send them in this direction, I enjoyed Scrap’s personality, even though he keeps trying to get rid of Paige and Gnat. The other robots are also interesting - even the Mechanical Mayor, Harmony Highside. 

 Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

The Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly - ADVISABLE

The Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly, 176 pages. HarperCollins, MAY 2026. $20

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Zuzu’s dad has been fired and as compensation, his bosses gave him a SNAP (Secure Network Android Processor) - a robot.  Skeptical at first, because robots are also spies for the government, Zuzu’s friends do something to the robot which seems to reboot its system and its personality.  Eking out life in a dusty Subsidized Camp becomes more interesting now that the kids have a robot on their side. But SNAP needs a new battery, as his charger is broken. 

If you students enjoyed The Wild Robot  and its sequels, they will enjoy being directed towards Kelly’s offering. The ending is a little more melancholy, but very realistic in a dystopian community, without being harsh.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Moonleapers by Margaret Peterson Haddix - OPTIONAL

Moonleapers by Margaret Peterson Haddix, 320 pages. HarperCollins, 2025. $20

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Maisie is SO not happy about spending the summer away from her friends and at her Great-Aunt Hazel’s home instead.  It is a bland house in a bland subdivision and Hazel isn’t even home - she’s in a nursing home and Maisie doesn’t get to see her. Her mother has given her Hazel’s old cell phone, though - that could be a plus.  Maisie starts receiving odd texts - turns out Maisie has the potential to be a Moonleaper - a connection between past and present, with the power to change lives for the better.

This looks to be the first in a series - it felt like a lot of set up to get to a place I wasn’t sure I wanted to get to. When Haddix is on, she is brilliant. But by 300 pages, I was kind of done. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Sky's End by Marc J. Gregson - OPTIONAL

Sky's End (Above the Black #1) by Marc J. Gregson, 416 pages. Candlewick, 2024 $19.00 

Language: R (193 swears, 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (Innuendo, insults); Violence: R (Physical violence, fights to the death, murder, attempted murder, monster violence, monster hunting, lots of gore, many injuries) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

16yo Conrad spent his childhood in luxury. His father was the Archduke. But when his Uncle takes the throne, and exiles Conrad and his mother to the Low, Conrad spends his early teens fighting for his life, and trying to earn enough money for his mother's medicine. At 16 he joins the Selection, and is accepted as a Hunter; Sky warriors who fight giant steel armored monsters called gorgantauns. But when Pound, his archenemy is put on the same ship, and Conrad find himself in the worst job possible - the Scabbie - he is desperate to rise to the position of Captain, and maybe win the chance of commanding his own airship. 

I gotta say - I had a hard time enjoying Sky's End. The Riches to Rags to Riches plot wasn't helped by Conrad's sullen and "trust no one" and "I can do this all myself" attitude. I don't love books where children kill each other and there is a lot of this - everyone is taught to fight, there are some senseless killings and the gore is a lot. Conrad gets beat up by Pound just before an important duel and fights with broken ribs. There are no adults directly supervising these kids. 16 is too young to be sent into the skies on a death mission to hunt monsters. An optional read, certainly because of the violence and swears, and the last 100 pages would have been better as the first 100 pages of the next book. The characters are humans. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg - ADVISABLE

The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg, 352 pages. Henry Holt and Co. (Macmillan), 2019. $14

Language: PG (9 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G (innocent kiss); Violence: PG-13 (bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

16yo Ana is a Fantasist living in the Kingdom with seven of her princess sisters. The Fantasists’ jobs are to blend into the Kingdom park, please the guests and do as they’re instructed. Their purpose is to make dreams come true. When Nia tries to drown a child, the sisters are scrutinized and evaluated and Ana becomes heartbroken but adamant to understand what happened to make sweet Nia commit such a horrible act. When Eve, the first sister, disappears, the park becomes strict and Ana becomes scared. Ana has found a friend in a maintenance worker, 19yo Owen, and he seems to be understanding of Ana’s confusion and wants to help; but Owen has a secret of his own.

Snippets of wisdom can be found throughout the book, such as, “Neutral is best. Neutral is safe.” I thought the book would be a fluff story and I’m pleased with how much more interesting it turned out to be than I expected! I enjoyed the alternating timelines and how they revealed the mystery.

The ethnicity is mixed.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish - ADVISABLE

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish. 336 pages. Middle Grade HarperCollins, 2023. $20 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G Violence: PG (peril. student fist fights) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Young Arthur Conan Doyle is sure he's the answer to help his struggling family in 1868, Edinburgh. His father drinks too much to support Arthur, his mother, and many sisters - he will drop out of school and get a job. But, out of the blue, Arthur receives a scholarship to the prestigious Baskerville Hall. An airship picks him up and sweeps him away to a boarding school embroiled in a mystery. It's the perfect place for brilliant Arthur to use his skills of observation and pugilism. 

Readers don't need a background knowledge of Doyle to enjoy this fun novel, but those who love Sherlock Holmes will recognize characters like James Moriarty, Dr. Watson, Mrs. Hudson, and others. The Steam punk elements were great, and I loved that they added danger and suspense to the story. You'd have to do the math to see that Arthur is a 9yo (provided the time frame is the same as Doyle's actual age), but the story reads more like he was 12. I really liked it - Standish has introduced a lot of characters, as I'm sure there will be a sequel, but it didn't feel like the setup for a series. Includes a mini-biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. All the characters are British, except Irene who is American. 

Lisa Librarian 

Amelia Erroway: Castaway Commander by Betsy Peterschmidt - HIGH

 Amelia Erroway: Castaway Commander by Betsy Peterschmidt, 288 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Graphix (Scholastic). 2021. $15

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Amelia is nearly 13yo and she yearns to fly her father’s airship. Amelia’s father doesn’t allow her to so she shows him by taking off herself in his prized craft, the Intrepyd Ray. A storm hits and she is forced down in uncharted lands deep in the rain forest where she meets two brothers who may be able to help her fix her ship and fly it home. 

The art has a beautiful watercolor feel to it. Amelia is a plucky girl and her father is painted as overprotective, especially after Amelia’s mother disappears, but really, how many dads are going to turn an airship over to a preteen? Amelia doesn’t seem to miss her father much, and seems more than ready to break ties with him. The boys’ mother becomes more like family to her than her father, mostly because their mom lets her do whatever she wants. The adult in me wonders that a 13yo should be given carte blanche. I’m sure kids will read it differently and find Amelia’s journey a grand adventure. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

Jed and the Junkyard Rebellion by Steven Bohls - ADVISABLE

Jed and the Junkyard Rebellion by Steven Bohls, 282 pages. Disney-Hyperion, 2019. $17.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (fantasy war violence).

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL; HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In his debut novel, Jed and the Junkyard War, Steven Bohls created a unique steampunk world of junkyards, battling barges, and memorable half human-half gear characters. This follow-up is even better than the original with Jed coming to realize his true potential after only just learning of his true half-gear self in the first book. The young protagonist battles the evil Lyle while also coming to understand how to control his own power, and eventually save the world where he now truly belongs.

 I enjoyed this sequel even more than I did the original book. I think Bohls had to spend too much time in the first novel building up this crazy world, but the sequel gave him a full book to explore an interesting story of a young man coming into his own power and standing up for himself and those he loves. Once I started it, I did not want to put it down! The book is 100% clean and is really suitable for readers of all ages--I think this could even be a fun read aloud for younger elementary audiences. 

 T.C.
 

The Knights of Mars by Alex Alice - ADVISABLE

The Knights of Mars (Castles in the Stars #3) by Alex Alice, 54 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. First Second (Macmillan). 2019, $20.

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  AVERAGE

Seraphin, Hans, and Sophie return from the moon in 1869 with aetherite, a miraculous substance that defies gravity.  Unfortunately, they must remain hidden to keep it safe from the Prussians.  The Knights of Aether must rescue King Ludwig and Professor Dulac on the farthest reaches of the Prussian empire-Mars!

You will want to read the first two volumes before jumping into this one.  Translated from French, the storyline would make more sense to readers who have a basic grasp of European history.  The art is visually stunning. The size of the book is one of its strengths and weaknesses.  It is picture book sized, which allows the art to really shine, but is not the standard size to fit on your shelf.  The storyline is intriguing, but much too short.  There are many threads left dangling at the end, so with a deep sigh, I will just have to wait for book four. 

Michelle in the Middle

Truckus Maximus by Scott Peterson and José García - ADVISABLE

Truckus Maximus by Scott Peterson and José García 282 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL First Second 2019 $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The Truckus Maximus is an extreme race, where "where only two things matter: Honor and the Game." The best racer is Axl, and when one of his team members is disabled, he picks a racer from another team - Piston - a young, inexperienced racer who has some smart ideas, but she is a novice and makes a lot of mistakes, however, Axl sees potential so the team embraces her training. 

A futuristic, dystopian world where the slightest mistakes can get you sent to your death, exciting races (also to the death), and a bunch of teenagers using their skills to make a family - what more could a reader want? Excellent art, well detailed with as much or more of the story told in pictures as in the text. My manga fans are going to love this one! Can't wait to get it on the shelves.

Lisa Librarian

The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg - ESSENTIAL

The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg, 430 pages. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2019.  $19.

Language: PG (8 swears swears,  0“f”); Mature Content: PG (implied rape); Violence: PG (some blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS – ADVISABLE; HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Ana and the other Fantasists were engineered to perform for the regulars who visit The Kingdom^TM.  They are beautiful biohybrids who are there to help every visitor.  Lately, however, Ana has felt that something is off.  Eve, the oldest of them all is acting odd, and then Nia, her closest friend, does something so disastrous that she disappears – probably to be recycled. Ana has also noticed a boy, Owen, around the park. He says he’s a maintenance worker, but she sees him just about everywhere she goes.  When Owen goes missing, presumed dead, Ana is the key suspect – but is she human enough to decide to kill or is she just a robot that follows her programming?

Disneyland meets a bit of Westworld.  The back and forth between time of the narrative makes for a bit of confusion, but every time shift is neatly labeled.  The look at what might happen with a Disney-like kingdom creates sentient automatons that want to break their confines.  More psychological than blood and gore her, though.  Great to pair with Girls With Sharp Sticks.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Tarnished are the Stars by Rosiee Thor - ESSENTIAL

Tarnished are the Stars by Rosiee Thor, 384 pages. Scholastic Press, OCT 2019.  $19.

Language: PG (11 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG (minor fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Anna has been risking her life and all of those in her hidden village for the last three years by sneaking into the market at the Settlement of Earth Adjacent to offer hope to those who need the forbidden, life-saving Tech that Anna could supply. This time however, something goes wrong and she unwittingly gives a clue to Nathaniel, the son of the Commissioner, who made the anti-Tech rules in the first place.  Nathaniel is desperate to prove himself to his authoritarian father and bringing him the Technician, the Settlement’s biggest outlaw.  Eliza, an Orbital living in space high above Earth Adjacent is one of the Queen’s Eyes and her biggest challenge of all is coming. Now she must head to Earth Adjacent to take up her public role as Nathaniel’s fiancée and her secret role to find evidence of the Commissioner’s betrayal. Earth Adjacent was supposed to ready for the Orbitals to finally come down from space to finish their flight from Earth, but the Commissioner keeps delaying the final descent.  While the three may at first think that they are each other’s enemy, it is only together that they will be able to untangle the lies, thwart the danger, and forge new futures for everyone.

So many great layers of misunderstandings, betrayals and action. While not everything makes total sense (I’m not going to go into details), it will still attract an audience. And I think this is one of those rare books in current YA fantasy – a stand alone!  At least that’s how it reads – a complete whole, with no mention of or reference to circumstances involving a sequel!  Love that!  The mature content is the mention of LGBT attraction and discussion of aromantic or asexual feelings – all very tastefully done.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Giant’s Seat by Dave Butler - OPTIONAL

Butler, Dave The Giant’s Seat (Clockwork Charlie #2), 339 pages.  Knopf (Random), 2017.  $17.  Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.

Charlie and his friends are on the run from the Iron Cog.  Befriended by a clan of dwarves and then imprisoned by another clan – Charlie is constantly on the run, barely staying ahead of their enemies, all the while searching for a clue to the whereabouts of his bap’s best friend and co-inventor, who might have some idea of how to defeat the Cog for good. 

Butler writes a breakneck-paced book with very little pause for breath.  The highlight of the steampunk and fantasy mixture is Charlie’s friends and their disparate personalities.  I am looking forward to the next book just so that I can read about them.  The Iron Cog enemy is really an abstraction for all of the danger they create. 

EL, MS – OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Rebels Rising by Shanna Swendson - ADVISABLE

Swendson, Shanna Rebels Rising (Rebels #3), 292 pages.  NLA Digital, 2017.  $15 (Amazon).  

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

Verity, in her role of reporter Liberty Jones, has brought public scorn and suspicion onto the head of the Colonial government, bringing the Rebel Mechanics and the Rebel Magisters to the point where if they work together, they might be able to have the backing to free themselves from England’s rule.  Henry is still on the run, but he may have to risk coming back to the city to help maneuver the rebellion.  And Verity will have to make her identity known, not only to all of the rebels, but also to those for whom she cares.

Swendson’s steampunk is spot on fun!  While there is some romance, it is not the main focus of the novels (which is the way I prefer it).  I don’t know why Farrar doesn’t print these any more – go ahead and get number 2 and 3 through Amazon – they are well worth it!

MS, HS – ADVISABLE.  

Cindy, Library Teacher

Gears of Revolution by J. Scott Savage - ESSENTIAL

Savage, J. Scott Gears of Revolution, 336 pages.  Shadow Mountain, 2016.  $18.  

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (fantasy fighting).

Now that Cove is safe, Kallista is determined to find any sin of her father – she is sure that he is still alive.  With Trenton’s help, she sets on her journey, following the clues.  To their surprise, they find an entire of city of people living underground – people who worship the dragons that are trying to kill all humans.  For the first time Kallista asks herself,  “Where do the dragons come from?”  Danger, deception, and heartbreak await the pair on their journey.

Savage throws his pair right back into danger and intrigue in the newest part of the series.  This definitely doesn’t suffer from second-book-syndrome!  While the danger is high, it is perfect for upper elementary as well as middle school readers.  I found it fun to see dragons as the enemy for once. Savage is really finding his groove.

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

The Turncoat's Gambit by Andrea Cremer - OPTIONAL

Cremer, Andrea  The Turncoat’s Gambit (Inventor’s Secret, #3), 324 pgs.  Philomel Books, 2016.  $18.99  Content: Language: PG (1 swear); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG-13.  

Charlotte has followed her heart and abandoned the Revolutionists.  She is on the run in a world where Europe is trying to overtake a corrupt American government and Charlotte’s mother leads the Revolutionists against both powers.  Charlotte trusts her friends, but it quickly becomes obvious that there is a traitor among her Revolutionist friends who is feeding the enemy information that will help them win the war.  Charlotte is trying to protect her friend Grave and the powers that he has that would turn the war.  

This is the last novel in a steampunk series set in an altered version of United States history.  The characters are memorable and the world is interesting, but it feels like a lot of running around and not a lot of depth.  I liked the series okay, the content is war like violence.  

MS, HS – OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson. 

Timekeeper by Tara Sim - OPTIONAL

Sim, Tara Timekeeper, 414 pages.  Sky Pony Press, 2016.  $18.  Language: PG-13 (37 swears, 0 ‘f’); Violence: G (some explosions); Mature Content: PG-13 (gay main character, some passion).

Time in Danny’s world is regulated by the great clocks – if a clock stops, that area becomes Stopped.  Danny’s father has been stuck with in a Stopped city for three years.  Danny is carrying on the family business, maintaining clocks, but the Colton clock is causing him problems.  And something weird about that clock.  Danny is about to find out about the origins of the clocks and of time, and become intimately involved in finding the key to saving all Stopped clocks.

I don’t feel I did a very good job explaining this book.  It is better than my poor summary.  This is a fun steampunk, alternate Victorian world fantasy.  While the main character is gay, it is not to hit anyone over the head with issues, the book ti just romantic in that relationship.  I don’t find that steampunk books circulate very well at my school, though, so that is the drawback that I see.  

MS - OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher