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

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space by Catherine D. Hughes

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space 2nd Edition by Catherine D. Hughes, 128 pages. NON-FICTION. Random House, 2026. $17. 9798217225477

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Explore the universe and learn everything about space form Earth to the moon, dwarf planets, galaxies, black holes, and more.  You'll find 150 illustrations and photographs of things found in outer space,  and the latest developments in space exploration.

Hughes has created a colorful interactive guide to our universe, with very interesting facts.  The text is simple for reading aloud or for beginner readers.  I loved the awe-inspiring illustrations and photographs.

PGPowers

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 

The Last Best Quest Ever by F.T. Lukens - OPTIONAL

The Last Best Quest Ever by F.T. Lukens, 320 pages. Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster), 2026. $20.

Language: R (16 swears, 3 “f”); Mature Content: PG (some kissing, no underage drinking or drug use); Violence: PG-13 (repeated intense scenes with peril, some fantasy violence, some on-page blood but no dismemberment)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

16yo Ellinore the Brave is a fraud. She is the best quester in all the land of Avoury, however, every quest she has been on hasn’t been quite as glorious, like the bards sing about. The lies keep piling up and it’s stressing her out, so she announces her retirement. However, she is called back into service when her twin brother Zig makes an ill-informed magical wager with two shady mages, based on her inflated reputation. Now it is literally life or death with Zig’s heart on the line and it is up to Ellinore to do the impossible (for real), one last time.

I liked watching Ellinore grow into her real identity, instead of her glorified reputation. She has a merry crew that she reluctantly acquires, and the romance with Princet Aven (they/them, nonbinary) was just the icing on top of the story. Some reviews said it was a young-adult romantasy, which I think is a stretch. This is really an adventure story that has flavors of Dungeons and Dragons, but a little more silly. I couldn’t get over the fact that the dragon’s name was Dave. I mean Dave the Dragon, really? I was disappointed that there were a couple of F words, because it made the book rated R, when the mature content and violence weren’t as graphic.

Reviewer: K. Beddes, ELA teacher 

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 

The Silenced by Diana Rodriguez Wallach - ADVISABLE

The Silenced by Diana Rodriguez Wallach, 384 pages. Diana Rodriguez Wallach, 2025. $20

Language: PG (40 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (ghosts, supernatural beings); Violence: PG-13 (fantasy of murdering someone, slapping, choking, beat someone with a rock, death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

On her visit to the site of The Oakwell Farms School for Girls, 17yo Hazel brings home more than expected. Where is this desire for revenge and the violent urges she is feeling coming from? It turns out that Hazel has a familial link to the old school for "disturbed" girls. As her investigation develops, more secrets begin to surface, and what initially seems like a straightforward case becomes much more complicated. Friendships are tested, family relationships are strengthened and the suspense of the events keeps you quickly turning pages for more! The story moves between Hazel’s present and the disquieting past.

The ghosts weren’t simply there to make the book scary—they represented the trauma and injustice that had never been properly acknowledged. That gave the horror a purpose and made the story more emotional. The subject matter was also difficult at times. The abuse is important to the story, but there were scenes that were genuinely upsetting. I wouldn’t recommend this book to someone who is uncomfortable reading about abuse of children or institutional mistreatment.

Hazel is of Puerto Rican and Polish descent, and her identity is part of who she is without becoming the only thing that defines her. 

S. Lewis

Phone Home by Royden Lepp - ADVISABLE

Phone Home (Jurassic Jeff #3) by Royden Lepp, 211 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL (Random House), 2026. $15

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (Nerf gun wars)

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Jeff is loving life on Earth with his new friends. When a robot sent to "rescue" Jeff crashes on Earth, Jeff learns a rescue party from his home planet has been sent for him. Jeff isn't sure if he wants to go home or stay on Earth to finish his mission. Jeff's dinosaur friends are determined to rescue him from the alien space ship. Will the dinosaurs rescue Jeff? Will Jeff want to be rescued, and by who?

Kids who love graphic novels, gaming, and funny books will enjoy this one. I didn't think it was great, but I know the kids in my library will love it.  Jeff is a green alien. 

Rachel, elementary school librarian

Stitch Head: The Pirate's Eye by Guy Bass and 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

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

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