Stitch Head: The Pirate's Eye (Stitch Head #2) by Guy Bass, illustrated by Pete Williamson - MANY

Stitch Head: The Pirate's Eye (Stitch Head #2) by Guy Bass, illustrated by Pete Williamson, 140 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic (Random House), 2025. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Stitch isn't quite sure what to do with himself after Professor Erasmus suddenly abandons the castle. He decides he could well be a pirate due to his blue glass eye that once belonged to a seafaring captain. Stitch and friends build a boat and prepare for adventure, but discover that danger awaits instead. 

Stitch's stories are sweet because he is such a childlike monster. He has loyal friends that add fun and spice to the story. Though I miss the more detailed and artistic prose of the original version, the artwork is beautifully drawn and colored and fits the tone of the story. Kids will identify with the adventure of sailing off to be a pirate, while enjoying themes of loyalty, friendship, and odd families. The main characters are mostly monsters. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Our Strange Duet by Erin A. Craig - ADVISABLE

Our Strange Duet by Erin A. Craig, 400 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2026. $20

Language: PG (12 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing in dreams, Off page sex in a dream, over clothes chest touching) ; Violence: PG (off page deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: HS - MANY; MS - SEVERAL

20 yo Christine’s love of music was inspired by her deceased musical father who promised that she would be visited by the angel of music. She believes the angel has come to her to build her singing voice and help her become a great and famous singer. She’s never seen her teacher and only hears his voice as he gives her instructions. Her dreams seem to be coming true when the lead vocalist loses her voice and Christine is thrust into the leading role. Strange, dangerous things start to happen in the opera and Christine begins to doubt whether or not her teacher is truly an angel. The Rosa Josephine is the signature rose of the Phantom. The Phantom tells the story of Josephine creating the rose to emulate her love for Napoleon, which is interesting.  

I like how Raoul stands up to his mother when she belittles Christine.  Beautiful confectionary-like descriptions of costumes. When Madame Giry tells the story of helping a young Erik run away from the carnival, my heart went out to him and I feel like she was very brave to help.  I especially like this retelling of The Phantom of the Opera because of the thorough descriptions of Christine’s thought process helping her to make the choices she made.

The ethnicity is predominantly white with Italian lead singers. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High Librarian

he 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

The Lionharts by Mike Lawrence - ADVISABLE

The Lionharts (The Lionharts #1) by Mike Lawrence, 233 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Abrams Fanfare, 2026. $25 

Language: G (3 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Hand to hand combat, peril, and danger) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

12yo Alder and his younger brother, Flynt, hate nothing more than being stuck running the family shop while their parents are away working as questers for hire. They would much rather be joining their parents on exciting adventures. But when their parents disappear after accepting a mysterious, high-paying job, the brothers have no choice but to set out on a quest of their own to rescue them. Along the way, they encounter trolls, witches, and dangerous magic. As they draw closer to finding their parents, they also uncover long-buried family secrets. With every revelation, Alder and Flynt begin to question everything they thought they knew about their family. Some secrets may hold the key to saving their parents, while others threaten to tear the family apart.

This Dungeons & Dragons inspired graphic novel is full of adventure, magic, and excitement. Along the way, the boys learn that they are capable of doing hard things, just as their parents and grandparents did before them. The story highlights courage, perseverance, and the importance of believing in yourself when facing challenges. Characters cue white. 

 Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls by Cynthia Murphy - MANY

Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls by Cynthia Murphy, 352 pages. Random House Children's Books, 2026. $13

Language: R (53 swears, 2 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Teens smoking joints and being drugged unknowingly in their drinks); Violence: PG-13 (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

ADULT - SEVERAL - ADVISABLE

17yo Fliss and Izzy are attending an artist retreat to delve deeper into their personal interests. They meet other teens who love different types of artistic expression and enjoy the social interaction until everything comes to a halt, when a murder occurs. Immediately, Fliss uses her sleuthing skills to find the suspect and to understand the connection between now and the 1911 murders that revolved around four paintings the killer created to immortalize his victims. He also created a self portrait that shows up at an estate sale after being lost for decades. Rumors about a curse being released when the painting was found are rampant and causing people to panic. Will Fliss be able to stop the murders before history repeats itself?

Such a fascinating premise! I enjoyed this mystery and I didn’t want the book to end. The writing and background building pulled me in and made this story extremely interesting! Fliss is a natural detective and her friendship with Izzy balances them both out. The debate over whether or not the painting is cursed added a nice touch of supernatural spookiness. Mixed ethnicity includes white, Irish, British-Korean, and Italian. Noah has olive skin and Fliss is white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah 

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  

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  

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 

Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School by Jacky Davis and David Soman - ADVISABLE

Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School (Ready to Read, level one) by Jacky Davis and David Soman. EARLY READER. Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19. 9781665947978

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Elvis and Romeo are back, and it's their first day of dog school! The playful Romeo already knows how to "stay," but is nervous about learning how to catch a ball. Now, it's up to Elvis to help his young friend learn something new.

This is a great addition to the original Elvis and Romeo picture book. The text is a mix of speech bubbles and traditional narration. I wish there was a bit more of the dogs' fun personalities, but that would be hard to do with a low-level early reader.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

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 

The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel by Michael Rex - ADVISABLE

The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel (Ready to Read, Level One) by Michael Rex.EARLY READER. Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19. 9781665962100

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

The tunneler tunnels in the tunnel to the gardener who gardens in the garden and the farmer who farms on the farm. The penguin tunneler keeps tunneling and leaving notes for a surprise ending.

The text is repetitive and full of alliteration which will appeal to early readers. The illustrations have some surprises hidden in the dirt. And, who doesn't love penguins doing human things? The characters are all penguins. 

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin - ESSENTIAL

The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin, 400 pages. Penguin, 2024. $19

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, civilian war violence - bombs, injuries)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

It's 1940, and Germany's invasion of England is imminent. 14yo Lizzie is being evacuated by her grandmother to the United States, and she's not going. She evades her grandmother's agent and sets out to find her 19yo brother Collin. Their mother was working for the US embassy and is missing (and presumed dead) in Poland. Lizzie can't believe her mother is dead. There's no body, no one saw her die; she just disappeared. All Lizzie has is hope, and she's going to find out the truth. Collin is working in the town of Bletchley, and can't talk about what he does. He's a mathematician and has signed the Secrets Act. When Lizzie joins him, she signs the Act too. Now they are both very busy, trying to stop Hitler - and looking for clues to find out what happened to their mother.

These two powerhouse authors are the perfect team! Told in alternating chapters (more or less), the two teens' stories are exciting, suspenseful, and age-appropriate both for the characters and the intended readers. I know Historical Fiction is a hard sell, but I'll be recommending The Bletchley Riddle whenever it's back on the shelf. Collin and Lizzie are English; their mother is American.

Lisa 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

Milkshake The Disappearing Milk Snake (Class Pet Ghost Detective ) by Akeem S. Roberts - ADVISABLE

Milkshake The Disappearing Milk Snake (Class Pet Ghost Detective #2) by Akeem S. Roberts. 90 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL CHAPTER BOOK. Kokila (Penguin), 2026. $10. 9780593856727

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Carter, and his ghost detective Mr. Pebbles, have to solve another mystery at Creek Elementary. Milkshake, a milk snake has escaped! JJ, Carter's older brother, doesn't believe that Carter can speak to animal ghosts, but they must listen to the ghost for help. They look in classrooms, the cafeteria, and even the teacher's lounge. They must use clues to help them figure out where Milkshake has slithered off to. This is the second book in this graphic novel series.

My daughter, who is 7, really enjoyed this book. She thought that the characters were funny and loved the idea of a ghost animal as a character. She chose to read this on her own, and was able to read it in one sitting. I liked the illustrations and the mystery behind the disappearing snake. All characters in the graphic novel are African American.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

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