Zodiac Legacy by Katie Zhao - OPTIONAL

Zodiac Legacy (Descendants of the Zodiac #2) by Katie Zhao. 364 pages. Random House, 2025. $20

Language: PG (18 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Implied sex mentioned. Opposite sex and same sex kissing); Violence: PG-13 (Monster attacks, sword and hand to hand combat, death by gunshot and stabbing)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO:  SOME

Centuries ago, the Descendants were cursed - transformed into vampires, werewolves, and fox spirits. Their only hope of breaking the curse is to restore the source of their power: 12 zodiac statues. Standing in their way is the Collector, a villain who can turn humans into mindless, vicious Wrathlings. To make matters worse, not all Descendants actually want the curse broken. To restore her people's former power, Evangeline and her crew must battle the Collector, his army of Wrathlings, and the ultimate betrayal from her own brother.

While I enjoyed the first book in the series, this sequel fell a little flat for me. The action scenes were solid, and it was satisfying to see the storyline resolve, but the narrative lacked the rich historical context and mythology that made the first book so engaging. The pacing also suffered from excessive internal monologues, and too many moments where the plot stalled.

The characters are Chinese. Lei and Titus are LGBTQ

Amy Snow, Librarian

River of Spirits (The Underwild #1) by Shana Targosz - ESSENTIAL

River of Spirits (The Underwild #1) by Shana Targosz, 416 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2025. $19

Language: G (6 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, some fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Senka is the ward of Charon, the Ferryman of the Underworld. Together they live between the realms of the Living and the Dead, where Senka dreams of one day becoming an assistant Ferryer. She has memorized all of Charon’s Rules for guiding the recently deceased from the shores of the living to their final afterlife and follows them carefully. But when a living girl named Poppy arrives searching for her ghost brother and is accidentally swept into the river of the dead, Senka is forced to break the rules to save her. Together the girls journey through the Underworld in a desperate race against time. If a Living person remains there too long, they risk becoming trapped forever. As Senka and Poppy travel through the dangerous realm, they encounter demigods, monsters, and strange inhabitants of the underworld. Along the way, Senka begins uncovering secrets about her own existence and realizes that Charon may have been hiding the truth from her all along.

A story about the power of love and learning to accept the loss of those we care about, woven together with elements of Greek mythology. I really enjoyed this book. It was a grand adventure that was both exciting and emotional, and the writing drew me into the world of the Underworld and its characters.

Senka and Poppy present white.

A. Snow, Librarian

Madsi the True by S. J. Taylor - ESSENTIAL

Madsi the True by S. J. Taylor, 295 pages. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon), 2024. $18

Violence: G (peril, danger, fights with mythical beings)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Madsi and her older sister Lisbet love telling and hearing stories. But a year earlier, Lisbet was snatched away by the Northern Lights from their small Norwegian village. When Madsi demands that the lights return her sister, another girl—Torin—falls from the sky instead. Lisbet was always the brave one, but now Madsi must find her own courage. Along with Torin and a boy named Espen, she sets out into the forest to find Lisbet and help Torin return to the lights. As the three unlikely friends battle harsh elements and monsters Madsi once thought existed only in stories, they discover that some stories are true, some are wrong, and that true friendship can be just as important as family."

A beautifully written, fast-paced adventure set in 1750 in a small Norwegian village. Many of the villagers have rarely, if ever, left their home, and because of that they have developed superstitions about the outside world. As Madsi and her friends journey together, they discover true friendship and bravery. I really enjoyed the story and this small glimpse into Norwegian folklore and history.

A. Snow, Librarian

Liar's Test by Ambelin Kwaymullina - ADVISABLE

Liar's Test by Ambelin Kwaymullina, 258 pages. Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2024. $20

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG (physical abuse mentioned, some violent death)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

15yo Bell has spent the last four years living as a captive in the temple of the sun god. She is treated poorly and is sometimes beaten. She has learned to survive by lying. She pretends to accept their religion while at the same time secretly holding on to her Treesinger ways.  Every 25 years, a new queen is chosen to rule through the Queen's Test. Due to some political maneuvering, Bell, along with six other girls, finds herself in the test. Taking the opportunity handed to her, she plans to win to get revenge on the Risen for invading her people and use her new power to help her people. Bell participates in the Queen's Test reluctantly at first. However, through the process, she finds friends she can rely on and realizes she is a leader who can help her own people and also help unite the Risen community. There is also a slow-burning romance.

Aboriginal writer Ambelin Kwymullina builds a complex world, complete with religions, gods, mythologies, and history. The world she created helps bring the story to life and adds depth, but at times, I felt a little confused and had to go back to remind myself of certain details. The story is told through Bell's voice. It is fast-paced and an enjoyable read. I also liked the themes of our connection to nature, the importance of family bonds, and the strength found in knowing our ancestors. 

Bell has brown skin.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejia by Alexandra Alessandri - ADVISABLE

The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejia by Alexandra Alessandri, 213 pages. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon), 2023. $18

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (fantasy characters in peril)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

12yo Valentina wants to be an artist and draw the real world. Her father loves the legends of their Colombian heritage and even takes his children with him to track down legendary creatures. On one of these adventures, an earthquake occurs. Valentina and her little brother Julian fall into another dimension where fantasy creatures are real. They must find their way through this dangerous land to the queen's castle. Valentina and Julian hope that the queen will help them get home.

Filled with stories of the legends of Columbia, this book held my attention from the beginning. I found it a little confusing when Spanish words were used and their meaning wasn't always explained. It has a really great surprise ending though!

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Winnie Zeng Shatters the Universe by Katie Zhao - ADVISABLE

Winnie Zeng Shatters the Universe (Winnie Zang #3) by Katie Zhao, 282 pages. Random House, 2024. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, fighting monsters, combat between the characters) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Winnie and David have been invited to participate in a winter break camp for Shamans, culminating in a tournament where the young shamans battle each other. But Winnie notices that some of her fellow campers are acting strangely, and she fears that evil spirits may have infiltrated the camp I love that 

Winnie is such an unlikely hero. She still makes cookies as baking is her way to channel her grandmother's power - I can't wait to make and try confidence cookies (recipe included). I would have liked to see more interaction with other shamans her age at the camp, it seemed strange as she was given a roommate she didn't know, she mostly hung around with David and Kelly. Not sure how I felt about children fighting each other as a plot point, especially as it was pretty combative, rather than magical. Includes another epic battle. I understand this is the final book in the trilogy. The characters (both human and mythological) are Chinese 

Lisa Librarian 

The House of the Lost on the Cape by Sachiko Kashiwaba and Yukiko Saito - OPTIONAL

The House of the Lost on the Cape by Sachiko Kashiwaba, illustrated by Yukiko Saito (translated from Japanese by Avery Fischer Udagawa), 224 pages. Yonder, 2023. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (attempted kidnapping, monster violence, some pets and people injured - not gory) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Yui and Hiyori are strangers on a train, but when an earthquake followed by a tsunami destroys the town they have stopped in, they find themselves together in a shelter. When an old woman, Obächan, mistakes them for her daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Yui goes along with it and they begin a new life as a family. Renting a house near the sea, Hiyori, is enrolled in the 5th grade at the local school, and although she has been silent since the death of her parents, she quickly makes a friend. But the twin disasters have opened a portal that may have released a dangerous monster. Good thing Obächan has connections to the magical world and knows a thing or two about protecting her community. 

I struggled to keep track of all the characters, as The House of the Lost on the Cape was obviously written for a Japanese audience who would be familiar with the mythology. There's not much world-building, and my digital copy didn't have a glossary. I'm certain a Japanese reader, or someone with more cultural knowledge than I would find it engaging and exciting. The suspense was well delivered, and the battle with the Sea Snake was satisfying, but I was painfully aware I was missing a huge part of the story. The characters are Japanese 

Lisa Librarian 

The Smoke That Thunders by Erhu Kome - ADVISABLE

The Smoke That Thunders by Erhu Kome, 300 pages. W. W. Norton & Company, 2024. $19

Language: PG (3 swears, 0  'f'); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG (some fighting, some people get poisoned, it describes the pain and injuries in moderate detail)

BUYING ADVISORY:MS, HS  - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

16yo Naborhi becomes bonded to a fox-like  animal and begins having visions of a kidnapped boy. She meets Atai, the son of an Oracle from a rival queendom, and learns that she is being guided by the gods. She and Atai, along with Naborhi's cousin, Tamunor, set off across the continent to rescue the mysterious boy. But when they find him—and find out his true identity—Naborhi realizes there is more than just her freedom at stake. She must stop a war that has already been set in motion.

I liked how it was a little different from the other things I've read, because this book is about African folklore, and myths, and I like that. I also like that it had lots of action and how the main character was persistent with her dreams. It also was super engaging.

They are all from Africa.

Student Reviewer: E. Anderson, 9th grader

Heroes of the Water Monster by Brian Young - ADVISABLE

Heroes of the Water Monster (Healer of the Water Monster #2) by Brian Young, 384 pages. Heartdrum, 2023. $20. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (monster battles, peril) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

13yo Nathan fears his time with the Water Monsters is limited, as he is starting to feel signs of puberty. His father's girlfriend has a son, 11yo Edward, who can also see them, and Nathan asks that Edward be the guardian of Dew. Dew cannot fulfill her duties as a water monster because she don't know all the songs. Nathan gets permission for Yitoo, Dew's older sister, to mentor Dew. But first, Yitoo must find the source of the water loss - a Modern Enemy. 

I loved the magic; the battles were scary and intense and threatening, but as they were fighting monsters, there wasn't blood and guts and gore. I loved the interactions the boys had with the Holy Beings, and how they showed respect, even though they were afraid. Young is a great storyteller. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I also loved that climate change was mentioned often, and the need for us to care for our resources. A terrific follow-up to Healer of the Water Monster. I'll be reading and recommending this series especially to my Native American students. Nathan and Edward are Diné, Edward is half white. 

Lisa Librarian

Mabuhay! by Zachary Sterling - ADVISABLE

Mabuhay! by Zachary Sterling, 240 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix (Scholastic), 2023 $25.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (fighting monsters, witches). 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

JJ and Althea are Filipino Americans, their parents are immigrants and run a Filipino food truck. JJ struggles to fit in, while his sister Althea would rather be herself than fit in. They both hate working on the food truck - and when the truck is hired to cater an end of year party, thrown by the most popular girl (who is also JJs crush) the kids are horrified. But when their uncle shows up from the Philippines with news that the family is in danger, the kids find out that their mother is a powerful witch, and saving the world might have just fallen into their hands. 

The magical realism - the monster fighting side-story was a total surprise. It suddenly made Mabuhay! very exciting and dramatic - Lightning Thief lovers would find this a fun graphic novel. I liked the realistic representation of trying to negotiate school when your lunch smells different and your friends don't understand your culture. Full-color illustrations and great character representations (both in the story arc and pictures) draw the reader in, while the cultural foods, mythology, and the occasional Filipino phrase - defined on page - are a great mirror for those kids. 

 Lisa Librarian

Lei And The Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea - ESSENTIAL

Lei And The Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea, 298 pages. Penguin Workshop, 2023. $18      

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some fighting, not described in detail).

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12yo Anna goes from Colorado to Hawaii to visit her Tutu every summer for three weeks. During that stay, her Tutu tries to teach, and tell her the stories about her Hawaiian heritage. But Anna doesn't believe in that stuff anymore. Then she picks Pele's (the fire goddess) special 'ohi'a lehua flower and Pele's hawk comes and takes Kaipo, her best friend in Hawaii, away. Anna has to embark on a journey that takes her to the cave of a mo'o, and up the side of a volcano with a demigod to save her Tutu's house from the lava, and her best friend. With the wind at her side, and a talking bat, she learns to believe the stories her Tutu told her.

I liked how easy it was to get into the book. And it was a new experience for me, reading about Hawaiian Lore, it was cool. And it was a good amount of adventure and action. The characters were likable as well.    Anna is half Hawaiian.         

STUDENT REVIEWER E. Anderson 9^th grade

    

The Last Fallen Realm by Graci Kim - ADVISABLE

The Last Fallen Realm (Gifted Clans #3) by Graci Kim, 300 pages. Rick Riordan Presents (Disney-Hyperion), 2021. $17.

Language: PG (6 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Witches all over the world have lost access to their gifts, so Riley (13yo), her parents, her Horangi guardians, and her friends are traveling across the country to help witches everywhere get their powers back. Unfortunately, while the group is in Las Vegas, the space between the three realms tears, beginning the war. Riley and her friends need to figure out their attack plan now before the angry goddesses destroy their world.

Readers watch Riley struggle through good character growth in this trilogy, reminding us how difficult things continue to impact our lives and that we can choose to let the impact be positive. Amongst other good life lessons and humor and contemporary references for levity. While the story takes some random twists and turns, Riley does her best to be a hero—and she wants you to be one too.

The majority of characters are Korean. The mature content rating is for kissing. The violence rating is for assault, blood, and fantasy violence.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Lia Park and the Heavenly Heirlooms by Jenna Yoon - ADVISABLE

Lia Park and the Heavenly Heirlooms (Lia Park #2) by Jenna Yoon, 343 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2023. $18

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (minor fighting and blood) BUYING 

ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Lia Park goes to this magic school and starts having problems right away. She is treated badly and people make fun of her. Also a monster comes around and starts stealing the Heavenly Heirlooms - magical items that keep the world from plunging into darkness - so Lia Park goes out with her friends to save them. Along the way they get attacked and she starts trusting her friends more and more. After each attack, she trusted her friends more.        

This book was really confusing, there was a bit of Korean language used, so that added to my confusion. I also think the book needs to be confusing so you don’t know who the main bad guy is. I do think you have to be a good reader to read this book, and be a slow one so you can take things in better.

STUDENT REVIEWER: EdisonC

           

The Mark of Athena: graphic novel by Rick Riordan, Robert Venditti, and Orpheus Collar - ESSENTIAL

The Mark of Athena: graphic novel by Rick Riordan, Robert Venditti, illustrated by Orpheus Collar, unpaged. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Disney, 2023. $15 (paperback)

Violence: PG (mild, some blood depicted)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Number 3 in the Heroes of Olympus graphic novels and as exciting as the novels! Follow Percy and his friends (and enemies) as they try to save or destroy the world -- again.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

 

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri - OPTIONAL

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri, 224 pages. Levine Querido, 2023. $22

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some fighting, talk of assassination)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

When Samir rescues “Monk” from the monks who want his blood, 12yo Monk becomes Samir’s “monkey” servant. In order to win his freedom, Monk must pay off his debt. Considering how many people want Samir dead, Monk decides that each time he saves Samir’s life, that erases part of the debt. There is a beautiful girl amongst their fellow travelers that Monk also wants to impress. As they travel along the Silk Road, danger - because of Samir - lurks around every corner.

Nayeri’s writing feels like a modern fable or myth - but it is one that passed right by me.  I can see students reading this as part of a class, but not sharing it with each other as a great read.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

 

The Lotus Flower Champion by Pintip Dunn and Love Dunn - OPTIONAL

The Lotus Flower Champion by Pintip Dunn and Love Dunn, 400 pages. Entangled Teen, 2023. $19 

Language: R (38 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody fight) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

17yo Alaia struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder and she’s taking a trip to Thailand with her parents to give her terminally ill mother a last trip of peace. Before they reach land, there’s an explosion on the yacht and her family is separated. Alaia and her mother wake up stranded on an island with ten others from the yacht. Things just get weirder and more dangerous as they discover they are on an island where Thai folklore comes to life. They soon find out that they are the main characters in the legends and they’re going to have to fight for their lives. 

I appreciate the folktales of Thailand resources the author shares at the end of the book. I enjoyed the premise of folktales coming to life. This book is a quick and easy read. Asian American is dominant. The yacht captain, Preston, and Elizabeth are white. Lola and Rae have warm brown skin. Sylvie is Filipina. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

The Sun and The Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro - ADVISABLE

The Sun and The Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro, 472 pages. Disney Hyperion, 2023. $20

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G (some kissing); Violence: PG (Monsters, killing, blood, injuries)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

14yo Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, and 16yo Will Solace, son of Apollo, and boyfriends, venture together into the deep, terrifying depths of Tartarus (the bottom and most terrible part of the Underworld) to save an old friend. Their relationship hangs in the balance.

I just loved seeing all these old characters of Rick's again. I also really like how he incorporated things from his past books and different characters' storylines into this book. One thing that surprised me was how many characters came out as LGBT in the camp scene. I did not see that coming in my reading of the rest of the books in the series. As a teenager, I just didn’t see the point of having so many of the characters suddenly being out, but I’m sure he had his reasons and I can respect that. Nico di Angelo is Italian and gay. Will Solace is bi-sexual.

Student Reviewer: KC, 9th grade 

A Warning About Swans by R. M. Romero - ADVISABLE

A Warning About Swans by R. M. Romero, 381 pages. Peachtree Publishing, 2023. $18

Language: PG (1 swear 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Kissing, the idea of meeting your soulmate and your bodies fitting together perfectly) Violence: PG-13 (impaled on cross bow abuse mentioned and briefly described)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE; MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

16yo Hilde and her 5 sisters were dreamed up by the god Odin and were given the magical ability to make wishes come true- especially dreams that make the world a better place. Odin tells his daughters to stay within the confines of the forest, that to venture forth where men dwell is too dangerous. Odin then gives them each a cloak that allows them to transform into beautiful swans, and give them each a different type of magic to help protect the forest. Hilde, is given the power to guide souls into the afterlife- mostly animals that can't find their way. But when dying animals and soothing broken hearts becomes too much for Hilde to bare, she does the unthinkable and meets a boy. She even makes a deal with him - she will grant his wishes of wealth and power if he introduces her to the human world and how to survive in it. Satisfied with the deal, the boy, Richter, shows Hilde his world- and when her magical cloak suddenly vanishes, Hilde must decide, to stay by Richter's side or return to the woods without her most prized possession.

A Warning About Swans, is a very whimsical novel written in prose, which at first I was hesitant because books that pretend to be poetry have never really been my forte. But this book was just the right amount of poetry balanced with storytelling. I enjoyed the fairy tale twist and I thought the overall execution of the book was well done. What I didn't enjoy from the book was the lack of characters - there were only about 3 main characters and very few plot points- and it often times dragged on. The main characters are Scandanavian. Kenzie Hoehne Reviewer 

Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King by Katie Zhao - ADVISABLE

Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King (Winnie Zen #2) by Katie Zhao. 288 page. Random House. 2023. $18.

Language: PG (5 swears - Diety 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, magical battles, evil spirits). 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

11yo Winnie Zeng (and David Zuo as well) have been accepted into the Spirit Council as Agents - with badges and an assignment. Spirits are causing trouble again in Groton, they are becoming more powerful, and Winnie and David have only until Halloween to round them up, a daunting task for 2 entry level shaman agents, so the council has assigned a mentor, but she's their same age and also a a know-it-all. 

Winnie Zeng is proving to be a fun series. I love the banter between the elderly overspirits; I love the cooking connection and the recipes included at the end of the book, although there is less cooking and cookie eating than in book one (which I missed.). The action starts right away, so when a reader picks it up, they won't want to put it back down. David and Winnie are Chinese. 

Lisa Librarian 

Charlie Hernandez & The Golden Dooms by Ryan Calejo - ADVISABLE

Charlie Hernandez & The Golden Dooms by Ryan Calejo, 371 pages. Aladdin Paperbacks (Simon and Schuster). 2022 $19.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (crushes, a couple of kisses); Violence: PG (Peril, monster violence, bloody not gory). 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

In Charlie's 3rd adventure, he is approached by a Calaca ( a skeleton girl) who begs him to help her, but won't say exactly what she wants him to do. Instead, she gives him clues to follow. Charlie, Violet and his cousin Raul discover that La Mano Peluda has another plan, this one involves an army of the dead. Caiman, a potion master with an army of Gator Goons is out to stop Charlie from stopping them. Good thing Charlie's cousin Raul has some morphing powers of his own. 

There's some actual romance in The Golden Dooms - Violet sees she may have competition, and is jealous. Handsome Raul does the same to Charlie and he worries about Violet. I can't believe how many legends and mythological beings there are! The Golden Dooms is just as exciting as the others. You certainly need it if you have the other two. Highly recommended for my Hispanic students who have the extra background knowledge that makes Charlie Hernandez special. Note: The Golden Dooms does not contain a glossary - books one and two did. The characters are Hispanic and Latin American 

Lisa Librarian