The Wump by Tony Diterlizzi - ADVISABLE

The Wump by Tony Diterlizzi, 316 pages. Dial (Penguin), 2026. $19 

Language: PG-13 (15 swears, 0 f) Mature Content: G Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Timothy is an 11-12yo boy who loves bugs and all things entomology. He is the resident school nerd and good student. That begins to change when he is faced by bullies and his overbearing mother, who wants him to be a "normal kid," and give up his bug collection. Timothy starts to notice a black shadow in his reflection, and when he gives himself over to it, or the Wump, it takes control of his life and Timothy lashes out in ways he never would have before. With the help of the Wump, Timothy stands up for himself and takes control, but at what cost? 

The black and green illustrations help add to the creepiness of the book and Timothy's involvement with the Wump. For those readers who are dealing with uncontrollable anger, lashing out, or Wumps of their own, this might be a helpful read. Tony has to find a better way to deal with the stresses of his life than merely getting revenge and giving himself over to his dark side. A fun way to deal with the balance self-control and standing up for oneself. Timothy is white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

I’m Gonna Get You Back by Eva Des Lauriers - ADVISABLE

I’m Gonna Get You Back by Eva Des Lauriers, 342 pages. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2026. $21

Language: R (100+ swears, 25+ ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (steamy kissing, pants removed, drinking); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A few months ago Gwen’s life was ruined when her Legacy scholarship was yanked when someone sabotaged her documentary film showing at the final banquet. While she faced consequences for the compromising footage, the principal’s son, also a scholarship recipient, lost nothing. In the months since, Gwen has barely held it together - icing out even Reid, who might have been the love of her life. Now it’s time for Legacy weekend; Reid and the others are on their way home and everyone is keeping secrets. Gwen is determined to figure and expose whomever it was who hurt her.

Chapters alternate between Gwen and Reid, and between Then and Now. Everything is clearly labeled, so it is ebay to follow along.  The Then chapters do drag a bit, but it was refreshing to see a mystery that doesn’t involve murder. The romance is quite heartfelt and full of misunderstandings and angst. I appreciate the double entendre in the title, too. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Invisibles by Holly Kowitt, - OPTIONAL

The Invisibles by Holly Kowitt, 195 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2026. $19.

Language: G (0 swears, 0  ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (mild bullying)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

7th grader Jimmy ruined his chances of laying low at his new school when he made an enemy of the BMOC within a few days. Then a couple of odd occurrences put Jimmy back on the social radar. 

Why do most books about middle school boys either have to be a sports book or a comical farce? The over the top reactions of Jimmy (his constant self-affacing protests are so nauseating) and the harmless but constant bully antics - it all feels fake. I think the author’s idea was to imagine school as a 30 minute sit-com episode.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Moon without Stars by Chanel Miller - ADVISABLE

The Moon without Stars by Chanel Miller, 256 pages. Penguin, 2026. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Rating: PG (description of how to use a tampon; other maturation talk as well and some descriptions of kissing); Violence: PG (bullying) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Luna is starting 7th grade. When a teacher asks the class to describe themselves using adjectives, Luna starts to think about who she really is and how others see her. When a large book donation enables Luna to start a self-esteem help library, she begins to become more well known among her classmates. But when Luna and Scott make a zine that gets shared around, Luna becomes popular - but to what end? Will she need to compromise herself and be someone she's not in order to be in the popular crowd? 

Initially I was going to recommend this to 7th graders, and it's perfectly fine for them, they can totally relate to Luna and her problems, but after finishing it, I realize that it would also be great for 8th graders, because they've been there. Luna makes a lot of mistakes trying to fit in with the popular crowd, including alienating her best friend. 8th graders will look back on that year with her. I loved The Moon Without Stars. 

Luna is Asian American 

Lisa Librarian  

One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram - ADVISABLE

One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram, 224 pages. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2026. $20 

Language: PG (2 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (masturbation talk); Violence: PG (Bullying, referring to queer slurs) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

14yo Dayton shouts a slur at a visiting speaker at the ELA assembly for 9th graders. He was promised $20 for doing it, and he thought it wouldn't be a big deal; it's just a word. But in that moment, everything changes for Dayton. He loses friends, his parents are shocked and disappointed, and he begins to examine his own actions. Nothing he does seems to make it any different. Farshid is also in 9th grade, and knows Dayton but isn't a friend; however, Dayton's actions have affected Farshid too, who is wrestling with his body image and sexual identity. 

Told in alternating perspectives - and also in second person and present tense - so the reader is put into the story, and it unfolds in real time. There was a lot to unpack; Dayton never meant to offend and felt terrible, but couldn't really repair what he'd done. Farshid was angry all the time and taking it out on his mother and himself - making unhealthy decisions about his body. Khorram never says the word, but the reader can piece together what it is. This is one of those important books that I hope will gain some traction and get read by the teens who need the message and the courage to do the right thing. 

Dayton is white, Farshid is Iranian. 

Lisa Librarian  

Friend Group by Lisa Greenwald - ADVISABLE

Friend Group (Friend Group #1) by Lisa Greenwald, 352 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE HarperCollins, 2026. $20

Language: PG (29 swears - all God, 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Olive and Sadie are so excited to start 7th grade at the middle school. One of the things they wish, though, is to be part of the popular group. Those girls don't exclude them; they just aren't invited. But when Sadie is accidentally added to their group chat, she suddenly has inside knowledge of what the popular kids are doing, where they are going, what they are wearing etc. But they don't know they got the wrong Sadie, and she's not telling anyone, not even her best friend Olive.

Knowing she's lurking on someone else's group chat is disconcerting and cringy. That said, there were a lot of discussion-starting things that happened in this novel - it would make a great book club choice. Sadie is Jewish, Olive is Asian, the friends are multi-cultural

Lisa Librarian

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  

Nothing to See Here by Barbara Dee - ADVISABLE

Nothing to See Here by Barbara Dee, 304 pages. Scholastic, October 2026. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (kiss) Violence: PG (Boy fight, online bullying, mean kids) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Everyone seems to be really into these two new social media apps that all the kids are using at Gossett Middle School. Unfortunately, no one uses their real names and a lot of the things gaining the most interest are mean or embarrassing. 8th graders Winnie, Gia, Levi and Mateo have noticed that a lot of what is being said is gossip, and they also notice that kids seem to not care who they hurt because they are anonymous. So, the friends decide to teach everyone a lesson by starting a rumor of their own. 

I love Barbara Dee’s books about teen problems. The characters each have their own issues and Dee tells their story with multiple voices - Winnie has lost her phone (to her parents), Gia's life has been documented on social media by her mother, Mateo is cool and popular but doesn't really care about the popular crowd - he likes Gia, and Levi, who is really hurt when he finds himself on the who's NOT hot list, and whose only real friend is Mateo. I worried about these kids making poor decisions throughout and wondered how Dee was going to resolve all the issues. A great study on the problems with social media. The kids default white. 

Lisa Librarian  

Absent by Rex Ogle and LJ-Baptiste - SEVERAL

Absent by Rex Ogle and LJ-Baptiste, 304 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, NOVEL IN VERSE Norton YR, September 2026. $18

Language: R (19 swears 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Physical bullying, threats, taunting, menacing)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Liam, Manny and Cal are all in middle school and serving detention together because of attendance problems. Cal is responsible for getting his little brothers to school, but it’s not close to his, and when his bike gets stolen, he just can’t make it on time. Manny just hates school; he feels like it’s a waste of time and that he already knows all he needs to. Manny would rather just write poetry (rap lyrics) - so when he’s caught sluffing at the skate park, he also ends up in detention. And Liam is bullied, Grady and his 2 minions are ruthless, and so he hides in a closet in the library for a few days, but eventually is caught by a teacher he skipped when headed to lunch.

Ogle’s perspectives are brilliant. Liam tells his story in prose, Manny’s story is poetry - mostly rap, but even when it’s not structured like a poem it still reads like poetry somehow (Ogle - what the heck?), and Cal illustrates his story with Cartoon panels. A truly middle grade novel, rated optional because of the singular f bomb. Absenteeism is a big problem in schools today. 

Manny is Hispanic (his interactions with his grandparents are often Spanish) Cal is illustrated black, and Liam defaults white.

Lisa Librarian 

False Starts by Carl Brundtland and Claudia Davila - ADVISABLE

False Starts (A Nansi Graphic Novel #2) by Carl Brundtland and Claudia Davila, 164 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Kids Can Press, 2026. $17

Language: G (2 swears, 0 f); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The summer before 8th grade, Ayesha lands a big part in the festival play. Nansi is running track and trying to beat her nemesis. Though Ayesha is a good actress, she is terrified of having people look at her, so when Nansi accidentally posts a video of Ayesha to the track team group, their friendship might be on the line.

The art is colorful and the layout makes the story easy to follow. I love that Nansi is loosely based of the West African folktale trickster, Anansi. Relatable themes of insecurities, false assumptions, and friendship help out the story. This is a fast read that can be finished in a few hours. This is a multicultural group of characters. Nansi has ties to Jamaica, and the culture is fun to follow.

Michelle in the Middle 

Breakout by Christina Wyman - ADVISABLE

Breakout by Christina Wyman, 304 pages. Farrar, Straus & Giroux (Macmillan), 2026. $18

Language: PG (2 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

13yo Ellis is dealing with a lot. Her relationship with her mother has changed; they seem to fight all the time, especially about Ellis' acne. No matter what she does, her mother tells her she's ungrateful, and her dad, whom she only visits every other weekend, is taking her mom's side. She's also having trouble with her best friend, things are just not the same, but she's so anxious about everything else going on that she keeps putting off talking to Aggy about it. And of course, her Capstone project is due soon, and she's still having trouble with the topic. But Ellis's Aunt Lydia is the voice of reason, and she's a service dog trainer - can Rocco help ease the tension?

I think we all experienced what is happening to Ellis to some degree or another. - acne, friend trouble, parents. Wyman's novels are so relatable - Slouch and Jawbreaker are already popular in my library, and I think Breakout will find its audience as well. I like the author's note at the beginning (rather than at the end), so the reader is aware that not all of the adult voices are mature and appropriate. Ellis is white.

Lisa Librarian 

Because of Our Student Teacher by Rob Buyea - ADVISABLE

Because of Our Student Teacher (Mr. Terupt #5) by Rob Buyea, 352 pages. Random House, September 2026. $18 

 Language: G (0 swears 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (practical jokes - some mean, verbally abusive patent) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Mr Dwyer’s 5th grade class is boring. Some of the kids call him Do-Nothing Dwyer, because he just doesn’t seem to care. So when the opportunity for a student teacher comes along, there’s hope for everyone - even Mr Dwyer. Through projects, discussions and relationship building, Mr J is just what these kids need.

I loved Because of the Student Teacher. Told in the same format as the Mr Terupt books, the use of seeing the perspective of several students in the class gives the reader great rounded characters without making anyone the main protagonist. I love the message, there were positive adults and those having a hard time, and the kids grew and learned life lessons. It’s been 15 years since I read Mr Terupt and want to read it again now. Buyea cleverly reminded us of plot points without giving away anything, and if the books aren’t still in your library you don’t need to buy the whole series, but kids might be asking for book 1.

The kids default white.

Lisa Librarian 

The Chismosas Only Book Club by Laekan Zea Kemp - ADVISABLE

The Chismosas Only Book Club by Laekan Zea Kemp, 319 pages. Penguin, 2026. $10 (pb)

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

14yo Cat’s family owns the best bookstore in the world, or at least in their small town. As their freshman year of high school begins, she and her three best friends form a book club wit the group members taking turns choosing the book, sharing one copy so that they can write notes in the margins for each other. But 9th grade is a chaotic time for each girl in different ways and they start to lose their group cohesion as each of them feels they have secrets that are too tender to reveal.

While I needed to take notes about each girl, their family, and their drama to keep them straight, I still enjoyed reading about their journeys and their friendship. We need books about friendships weathering rocky times just as much as we need books about friendships that don’t make it. Reminds me a little of the Mother-Daughter Book Club series in flavor, but still this is a unique book. ONe of the girls is into Wicca and the girls feel like the spirit of Cat’s grandmother is guiding their choices. I really liked that all the books mentioned within are modern offerings. The girls are of various ethnicities.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Last Day Pool Party by Emma Steinkellner - ADVISABLE

Last Day Pool Party by Emma Steinkellner, 170 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Labyrinth Road, 2026. $22

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

It's the day of 8th grade graduation. Dustin is throwing a pool part that he is pretty sure nobody wants to come to. Rose just wants to make a friend before she starts high school. Juhi has to tell her best friend, Liv that she is moving to London in three weeks. Maya, the popular girl, is being forced to go to Dustin's party when she'd really rather be with her friends. And Paul, Maya's cousin, is just along for the ride; he'd rather be gaming with his online friends. When all the characters come together at Dustin's house, will they be able to put aside their differences and see that what they really need is each other?

I love realistic middle-grade graphic novels, and this was no exception. Pre-teens will relate to the struggles each of the characters face. I liked that the characters each had their own arc, and each learned how to be a friend. This would be great for upper elementary and middle school. Dustin and Liv are white; Paul, Maya, Rose, and Juhi are BIPOC. Characters have diverse body types and families (Maya has a single mom and Rose has two moms).

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

The Cartoonist's Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud - ADVISABLE

The Cartoonist's Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud, 288 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Scholastic, 2025. $15

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Middle schoolers Makayla and Howard find a common interest. She likes making up stories, and he loves drawing pictures. Maybe they should start an afternoon Cartoonists Club! Lynda sits on the outside for a bit, she loves to draw but feels it's personal and worries it's not good enough, and Art joins too - he's clever and inventive - and his dad is an animator, so he has lots of good advice. The Librarian, Ms. Fatima, has some cartoon experience as well. This club has a lot to teach each other, about being brave, creative, and putting yourself and your art out there for others to enjoy as well.

Not your typical Reina Telgemeier graphic novel. It's definitely a how-to for someone wanting to try their hand at drawing or writing comics. I loved how supportive the kids were, and how the librarian didn't overreach, letting the kids learn from their own experience. I'm not sure the best place to shelve it - while it's a fictional story about a group of kids in an after-school activity, it's more a guide to drawing comics. The children and librarian are a mix of races and cultures.

Lisa Librarian 

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

Amina Banana and the Formula for Fairness (Amina Banana #4) by Shifa Saltagi Safadi and Aaliya Jaleel, 112 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin), 2026. $7 (pb). 

 Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Right now, many things seem unfair to 3rd grader Amina. The Science Fair has arrived at Amina's school. Unfortunately, she is partnered with Tara, not her friend Lana. Her grandmother has come all the way from Syria to visit, but gave a gift to Amina's brother, instead of her, that she had really wanted. She also has to miss playing with her friends during recess because she is working with a teacher to improve her English. Everything seems so unfair! Amina has to learn how to think of things differently. She might even make a new friend along the way. 

Safadi shows common struggles that young immigrant students face while they are adjusting to their new home. She does a good job showing problems from multiple perspectives. She also shares cultural food recipes at the back of the book that Amina makes during the novel. Amina and her family have immigrated to America from Syria.

 Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple (Bibsy Cross #1) by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Dung Ho - ADVISABLE

Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple (Bibsy Cross #1) by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Dung Ho, 128 pages. Knopf (Random House), 2024. $17.

Content: G 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Bibsy Cross has loved all her teachers until now - but her 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Stumper, she doesn't love. Although Bibsy likes to share with the class, and is plenty smart, Mrs. Stumper calls it going on and Bibsy often finds herself driving the teacher to distraction. On the bulletin board is a tree with apples representing each student in the class, and when Bibsy has gone too far, her teacher moves Bibsy's apple from the tree to the ground.

Bibsy is adorable, Ho's illustrations perfectly accompany the story and make this short novel perfect for young confident readers. I love how Bibsy bounces back after a rough day, which seems to happen often. I'm sure Mrs. Stumper has the best of intentions, but Bibsy's spirit is easily crushed, and she sees herself a bad apple. Book one in a series of what looks like 4 so far. Bibsy is white. 

Lisa Librarian  

Fast Break by Anjali Joshi - OPTIONAL

Fast Break by Anjali Joshi, 144 pages. Orca, 2026. $11 

Language: G (1 swear, 0 f); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Arjun has just moved to a new school, hoping to make new friends and join the basketball team. His new school is sponsored by OmniBoost, which provides food in the cafeteria and energy drinks as well as  new gym equipment, uniforms, and tech. It seems wonderful at first, but then Arjun starts feeling ill and his teammates become sluggish. Arjun begins to research OmniBoost and discovers their energy boost claims may be false. 

A fast, if predictable read, this book will appeal to teens' sense of justice and their desire to be heard. Arjun is Indian and his friend, Demar, may be black, but it never specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Fifth Grade Top Dogs (Rule the School #3) by Jerry Spinelli and Jennifer A Bell - ADVISABLE

Fifth Grade Top Dogs (Rule the School #3) by Jerry Spinelli and Jennifer A Bell. 179 pages. Scholastic Press, 2026. $1

Content: G (girl pushed off swing)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Suds has been a Third Grade Angel and a Fourth Grade Rat but finally he is a Fifth Grade Top Dog!  Suds and his friend Joey have been waiting for years to rule their elementary school.  They are finally in the oldest grade. But how do Top Dogs act?  Suds learns many lessons in this coming of age story. 

Spinelli captures the angst of growing up and trying to figure out your place in the world. I enjoyed the plot but I am not sure it would appeal to fifth graders, maybe 4th or 3rd. 

Suds and Joey are presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Where Ella Went by Laurie Morrison - ADVISABLE

Where Ella Went by Laurie Morrison, 288 pages. Amulet (Abrams), 2026. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G (kiss mentioned); Violence: G (soccer aggression)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

One day Ella was there and the next day she wasn’t.  The adults are telling the 8th graders that Ella is fine and she just wants privacy.  But Pug, her soccer teammate, and Sadie, the new soccer girl that Ella befriended, can’t just let it go.  The girls are determined to find out where Ella is and why she left so abruptly. Even if along the way they stir some other things that people just wanted to forget.

I have to agree with Pug and Sadie - the adults should know better than to tell them just to drop it. I would have done the same thing in middle school. I liked their determination - I did not like one odd coincidence in the story.  I’ll say that I did not like how things ended up for Ella in her new school; Sadie deserved better. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS