A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski - ADVISABLE

A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski, 344 pages. Roaring Brook (Macmillan), 2026. $19

Language: G (6 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (mass death because of the plagues and one of the characters being a taster and in her classes would try small amounts of poisons); Violence: PG-13 (lots of on page blood. Characters coughing up blood because of plague. Fight scenes where characters get cut, restrained or knocked out)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Nia just wants to live a normal life in the seaside desert city of Yerat, but she is known as a Sinsory, someone who has extraordinarily heightened senses. Because of her unique ability to smell, she is “tapped” to join the Cloister, a special school for children with talents like Nia's, in the hope that they can use their abilities to find cures for different plagues that have ravaged the population. In The Cloister, Nia learns more about her ability to smell and perhaps sniffs out a sinister mystery within the walls of the school.

I was drawn in by the dark academia premise 2) I liked the author's description of the world's magic system and I thought the writing was well done 3) I enjoyed the main characters' perspective and snarkier asides. 

Characters cue white

Maryn - Librarian Assistant

Everything She Does Is Magic by Bridget Morrissey - ADVISABLE

Everything She Does Is Magic by Bridget Morrissey, 288 pages. Random House Children's Books (Penguin Random House), 2025. $13.

Language: PG-13 (19 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (repeated kissing on page); Violence: PG (intentional life-threatening allergic reaction)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

17 yo Darcy is a realist who wants to experience life outside of Fableview, a small town that is obsessed with Halloween. 17 yo Anya is a real witch-in-training who also wants a normal life. To become a full-fledged witch, Anya needs to ask someone to be a mortal “protector,” so she lies to her family coven, and says Darcy is willing to do it. However, both of their future plans might be derailed by their new feelings in development. Oh, what’s a girl (or two) to do?

I loved reading this book! It is the perfect cozy Halloween read. I loved the opposites-attract trope between Darcy and Anya. I loved the charming town of Fableview and its quirky cast of characters. I thought it was a delightful sapphic romcom perfect for any high school library.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher #bookswithbeddes 

Exile by Shannon Messenger, adapted by Celina Frenn, illustrated by Valeria Tenaga Romanazzi - ESSENTIAL

Exile (Keeper of the Lost Cities 2) by Shannon Messenger, adapted by Celina Frenn, illustrated by Valeria Tenaga Romanazzi, 336 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Aladdin (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $28 

Language: G (0 swears), Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (kidnapping, mild violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Sophie is a 12yo elf who has left the human world to study at Foxfire, the premier Elvin academy. She is worried about making the grades to get fully accepted at school, and hopes to be adopted by her guardians. On top of that, she has memories of things she shouldn't be able to understand, which threaten her life. Sophie seems to be caught between warring factions much bigger than herself. 

As the graphic novel version of the popular Lost Cities novels, I hoped it would be on par with the original text. I was not disappointed. I love both versions. The art on this one is stellar and captures the feelings and mood of the characters. It's nice to get a visual on the Elvin universe. This series is worth the investment and the graphic novel may reach readers the novel version does not. Action packed, along with plenty of teenage angst and universal feelings, this book has it all. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Forbidden Room by Nicki Pau Preto, - ADVISABLE

The Forbidden Room (Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents #2) by Nicki Pau Preto, 327 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2025. $19

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (magic fight)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Vin is happy for school to start again after winter break, but unfortunately the events of the first part of the school year has brought Inspectors from the Worldwide Magical Coalition whose aim really seems to be to find any excuse to shut down the school. A new student, Zach, has joined the school, and Vin is determined to make him feel welcome, just like her friends did for her. As Vin becomes more proficient and comfortable with her Chameleon powers, she  doesn’t know that she and her friends are headed for a showdown with someone whose purpose is much more evil than just closing the school. 

Vin is SUCH a great character! She does act older than 12 - it would have been great if she had aged up a whole year between books instead of just having winter break. The magical powers of the world are different from others i have read for this age group and if Pau Preto doesn’t continue this series (it does feel like it could be finished), then I hope she continues to realize new characters.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon by Hannah Reynolds - OPTIONAL

A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon by Hannah Reynolds, 352 pages. G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin Random House), 2026. $13.

Language: R (25 swears, 4 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Sick of the government-track boys asking her out to get an introduction to her aunt, Naomi (18yo) deters them by saying she’s betrothed. To a demon. When one spurned suitor asks what her betrothed’s name is, Naomi makes one up: Daziel. Then a demon claiming to be Daziel shows up in her rooms, and he stubbornly refuses to be banished.

The story, the magic, and the budding romance were all fun, though I was confused about the world where it all took place. There is obvious Jewish influence, with Naomi’s aunt as a political leader part of the “Sanhedrin” and mentions of “rabbis,” but no one is described as Jewish and there is no mention of Judaism by name. Further complicating matters are the presence of French boulangeries and the use of British terms. These vocabulary choices without a clear explanation of the world I was supposed to be imagining were distracting, though in the end they weren’t important details to the story. And I even learned a couple of new words.

Naomi is depicted as White on the cover, and Daziel is described as having “bronze” skin. Also, Jelan and Gilli are implied to be gay. The mature content rating is for drug and alcohol use, kissing, innuendo, partial nudity, and mentions of sex. The violence rating is for mentions of murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

The Aftermyth by Tracy Wolff - ESSENTIAL

The Aftermyth by Tracy Wolff, 434 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2026. $19

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

13yo Penelope has been looking forward to her entrance to Anaximander’s Academy her whole life.  Her goal has been to become an Athena like all her family before her. Entrance to the academy was much more difficult than she was led to believe. And while her twin brother is admitted to Athena Hall, Penelope is housed in Aphrodite Hall. What! Her roommate, an effusive, typical Aphrodite, renames her Ellie, and tries to show Ellie why Aphrodite’s are so much more fun than Athenas.  While Ellie resists, she is drawn in to the challenge and drama of the school, including Ellie’s remote-feeling muse, Calliope; her mysterious 12 labors that she is supposed to finish before she graduates; and the thrill of the school-wide myth challenge - this year based on Pandora’s box. 

Your first impulse will be to dismiss this as a “magical school” ripoff and your second impulse will be to compare it to another series based on Greek mythology. Get over yourself and dive in!  Wolff has created something completely unique and so much fun.  I’m actually miffed that I am going to have to wait year after year for the next installments!  I had so much fun meeting Ellie and her new friends and I can’t wait to see what the next volume brings.

The characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Art of Exile by Andrea Max - ADVISABLE

The Art of Exile by Andrea Max, 448 pages. Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon), 2025. $22

Language: PG (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (light romance, kidnapping); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Ada Castle, a teenager, finds herself attending the Genesis Institute, where descendants of exiled Renaissance masters practice long-lost arts and sciences. This school is advanced in technology and medicine, yet are unwilling to share with the rest of society.  When a friend goes missing, Ada and a fellow (and good-looking) classmate must search for her friend all the while forcing her to choose between the family she loves or the school that has helped her figure out life and who she really is deep down. 

This was much better than I expected. It was definitely a slow burn for me. At one point I wondered if I was still reading the same book? The last part was fast paced and very intriguing.  This was a great fantasy novel that teen readers will love and list as one of their favorites. 

Reviewer: sl

The House of Quiet by Kiersten White - OPTIONAL

The House of Quiet by Kiersten White, 304 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2025. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody wounds)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

17yo Birdie was only ten when she left her sister Magpie and their parents. Birdie set out to work as a housemaid, so she could earn money and help her parents pay for Magpie’s procedure. She hasn’t seen them in eight years. Birdie has manipulated her way from house to house, finally being sent to the House of Quiet, hoping to find her sister. When Birdie arrives, she finds more questions than answers.  

I didn’t really understand the concept of the House of Quiet and its purpose or the procedure that kept being referred to. I liked the characters Birdie and Forest and the strength they showed. I also liked the cute crush they have on each other. I would like to know more of what the houses were like that Birdie previously worked at and more of her experiences there.

The ethnicity consists of brown skin, light brown skin, and pale skin.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin - OPTIONAL

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin, 400 pages. Feiwel & Friends, 2025. $18

Language: R (28 swears 5 'f'); Mature Content: PG (mention of drugs) Violence: PG (deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Spooky and mysterious!  18yo Faith feels at home at Ellery West. She grew up in the Philippines and moved to the island school of magic for her high school years. She loves the school and the island until she ventures into the forest with Sydney but walks out alone after something takes Sydney’s life. Immediately, Faith is pushed into the group of exiled students who are on the verge of losing their magic if they make another misstep. Her new group of friends, known as the Red Stripes, band together and take care of each other. They also want to help Faith find out what took Sydney’s life and put a stop to the continued deaths. They discover a deep, dark secret that, when exposed, will change everything. 

I love how the Red Stripes care about each other and how they help each other. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery behind the story. This book has several interesting characters. The ethnicity is mixed. 

Lynndell Watson, DHS Librarian

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin - OPTIONAL

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin, 388 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2025. $21

Language: R (22 swears,  4 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (mild danger, skeleton mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18yo Faith is back at Every West, a hidden school for magical students for her final year, but this year she is branded a Red Stripe - dangerous. Since her best friend Sydney didn’t return from the journey into the forbidden woods around the school, nothing has been the same. While she is ostracized by the other students at school, the handful of other Red Stripes adopt her as one of their own.  With their courage and strength, Faith may be able to find the answers she needs and find the truth about the mysterious presence she felt within the woods that day.

While Elisa looks a tad young on the cover, she is a senior in high school. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Faith’s story and meeting the other Red Stripes. Less time is spent on explaining the magical system that exists in this world, but I didn’t miss it - Faith’s story was enough for me. I don’t see how there can be a sequel, but I sure do need to read the author’s other two books now.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Silverborn by Jessica Townsend, - ADVISABLE

Silverborn (Nevermoor #4) by Jessica Townsend, 588 pages. Little Brown, 2025. $19

Content: G (mild violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Did you know that 13yo Morrigan has family in the richest district in Nevermoor - that her mother was actually from Nevermoor?  Neither did she. And when she discovers this truth, she is so mad at her guardian Jupiter, that she takes off to live with her newly discovered family. And Morrigan is still continuing her lessons with Squall, even though she hasn’t told anyone about that. Her new family, though, has problems and secrets of their own. 

I love Jessica Townsend and I love Morrigan Crow. I do wish that the page count would stop creeping up from book to book - especially because there doesn’t seem to be an end to the series any time soon. I wish Townsend would go for a tighter narrative.  Only my most avid fantasy readers are going to pick this series up.  They will love it, but I think she could pack the same power into fewer pages.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Whisper in the Walls by Scott Rientgen - OPTIONAL

A Whisper in the Walls (Waxways #2) by Scott Rientgen, 399 pages. McElderry, 2024. $20

Language: R (36 swears, 1 “f”); Mature Content: G (mild kissing); Violence: R (arena fight, bloody visions, bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Betrothed to Theo, Ren has herself in the perfect place to get her revenge on the Brood family for murdering her father. SHe even has allies in her plots - Dahvid and his sisters - the last remnants of another old house, now almost completely destroyed by the Broods. Theo even seems to be sympathetic to Ren’s plans - he has seen how his family’s viscous need to dominate has destroyed lives. 

Now back in civilization, Reintgen has added more characters, and upped the stakes, upped the betrayals, and upped the ulterior motives for every one of them. And the set up for book #3 - those last few pages - will shock!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Door in the Dark by Scott Reintgen - ADVISABLE

Door in the Dark (Waxways #1) by Scott Reintgen, 358 pages. McElderry, 2024. $20

Language: PG (21 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G (kissing mentioned); Violence: PG-13 (deaths briefly described)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Six students entered the waxway portal, but a squabble breaks out and when they reach their now random destination, one of them is dead.  The other five need to not only find their way home in hostile territory, but also figure out which of them is the murderer. One of them is Ren, a brilliant scholarship student who has access to only the most limited amount of spell power, but can do amazing things with it - unfortunately, she also seems to rub those who would hire her after graduation, the wrong way. And then there is Theo - spoiled rich magic wielder, who has access to as much power as he wants, and he wastes it on stunts to impress his friends. Perhaps Ren can impress Theo along their journey - keep him alive, and maybe he can convince his family to hire her.

Reintgen has raised the stakes from his Nyxia series - creating another new magical power structure, a world to house it, and believable, relatable characters to root for or against. Ulterior motives and suspicions abound. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life by Emma Steinkellner - OPTIONAL

Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life by Emma Steinkellner, 222 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Labyrinth Road Random House, 2023. $22 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Nell lives with her dads and younger brother and sister in Gumbling, a village with some magic, but mostly just regular living. Nell and her friends get their apprenticeships and she finds herself apprenticed to stern Mrs. Birdneck in the town archives. Nell is also having friendship issues. Nell can't think anything worse could happen to her until two strangers show up who want to turn Gumbling into a resort town. 

At first, the layout of the book put me off. For a graphic novel, there are a lot of text heavy pages. Once I got past that, the story was pretty good, if predictable. There are relatable themes of friendship and community and it was nice that it took all of the characters to help solve the problem instead of just one or two. Each character is a different race or species, and their differences make Gumbling what it is. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Bad Princesses Perfect Villains by Jennifer Torres - OPTIONAL

Bad Princesses Perfect Villains by Jennifer Torres, 166 pages. Scholastic, 2023. $8. 9781338833140

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Dalia and Dominga are not happy to be attending the Fine and Ancient Institute for the Royal (FAIR). They would rather be attending the Bewitched Academy for the Dreadful (BAD). After discussing and rejecting a few ideas, together they come up with a villainous scheme to ruin the first day of classes for their other classmates. They are certain the plan will get them kicked out of FAIR and admitted to BAD. Some things go according to plan and some do not.

Dalia and Dominga recognize right away that they do not fit in with the other princesses at the school. I am glad that they were able to find kindred spirits in each other. I like that that book has Spanish words sprinkled throughout. It is a fun story, with a simple plot perfect for kids just starting to get into chapter books.

The princesses are implied Latina.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

The Guardian Test by Christina Soontornvat - ADVISABLE

The Guardian Test (Legends of Lotus Island #1) by Christina Soontornvat, 148 pages. Middle Grade Scholastic, 2023. $17 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Plum is surprised that she has been accepted to the Guardian's Academy on Lotus Island. Though reluctant to leave her grandparents, Plum really wants to learn to transform into a magical creature who helps take care of the natural world. Plum struggles with school, however, and while her classmates begin to transform, she hasn't, which means she may have to leave the school and her new friends. 

While it sounded hokey at first, Plum is a great character and there's enough depth to pull the story off. This is a good fantasy novel to dive into the genre, since fantasy novels tend to be large. There is some intrigue going on that should lead nicely into a sequel. Besides, I want Plum's gift for talking to worms to find out where plants will grow the best. Since this is fantasy, who knows what races or cultures there are. The cover art has different hair and skin tones though. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens - OPTIONAL

Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens,  336 pages. Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster), 2023.  $20.  

Language: R (70 swears, 34 “f”); Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG (mild fantasy violence); 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Non-magical 16yo Rook wants to belong to the only world he’s ever known. When his magical grandmother passed away, he was torn away from the magical world by the powers that be. He convinces Antonia, the most powerful mage in the world, to hire him, if only to be next to magic again. They frequently cross paths with another mage, Fable and their apprentice, the prickly non-binary Sun. When the shady and self-serving magical governing body, the Magical Consortium, comes after Antonia and Fable, it’s up to Rook and Sun to save their mentors and fight back.

 

I love Luken’s work. I get drawn in by the pretty covers, but then the stories are just such great adventures. This story was particularly interesting worldbuilding, and everyone was such a unique character. Other than a couple of annoying quirks, like Rook repeating that he’s a genius or Antonia repeating how powerful she is, I thought everyone was so fun, and interesting. I was invested in Rook & Sun’s budding relationship from the start and feel like it’s a great addition to your LGBTQIA fantasy shelves, aside from some language.

Kiera, ELA teacher #bookswithbeddes

Middle School and Other Disasters: Worst Love Spell Ever! by Wanda Coven and Anna Abramskaya - HIGH

Middle School and Other Disasters: Worst Love Spell Ever! by Wanda Coven, illustrated by Anna Abramskaya, 322 pages. Middle Grade, Simon and Schuster, 2023 .$15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Heidi is at Kettledrum Academy, a boarding school that caters to witches-in-training and nonmagical kids alike. Heidi is totally enamored with Hunter "McCutie" and wonders how she can cast a love spell to get him to notice her since she thinks of herself as boring and invisible. What could go wrong? 

True confession: I almost didn't get past the first few pages. There are so many words all in caps and an overabundance of exclamation points. However, if you can channel your inner middle school angst that most of us try to smother with a pillow, it's actually pretty relatable to the target audience. The book does bring up some real issues, like why being yourself is important and that perhaps all first crushes don't work out and that's ok. So while you can practically hear girl screams about boys in your head, it would actually be a fun read for tween girls. Culture or race is never specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

unOrdinary by uru-chan - OPTIONAL

unOrdinary (Volume 1) by uru-chan, 336 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. HarperAlley (HarperCollins), 2023. $20.

Language: R (27 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In a world where the social hierarchy is enforced by the powerful abilities of those on top, it’s a miracle that 18yo John, a zero, survives high school each day. John doesn’t believe the hierarchy is right. But, without fighting back, how can one boy prove the system wrong?

The illustrations are very well done, and uru-chan does a lot to help the flow of reading go smoothly through each panel. Volume 1 lays out several different pieces for readers, and it will be interesting to see how they all come together in future issues. However, there is a difference between a twist in a story and being lied to, and I feel like I, as a reader, was lied to, which does not endear me to the story.

The majority of characters are depicted as white. The language rating is also for several censored expletives, including 7 f-words. The mature content rating is for partial nudity. The violence rating is for assault, blood, fantasy violence, and mentions of murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Silence and Shadow by Erin Beaty - MANY

Silence and Shadow (Blood and Moonlight #2) by Erin Beaty, 464 pages. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)/Macmillan's CPG. 2023. $21 

Language: PG-13 (30 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (implied sex); Violence: R (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY

17yo Catrin and Simon flee Collis and travel to the Selanae academy in Londunium to help Catrin learn how to use her moonlight magic. They befriend Martin, a law enforcement officer, when they help capture a violent man trying to harm Catrin. As they get to know each other better, Martin seeks Simon’s and Catrin’s help with a serial killer who has been evading law enforcement for four years. The mystery surrounding the murders is unusual. 

The group gets deeply entangled and in over their heads. Simon and Catrin are amazing characters. The murder mystery is unique and interesting. Characters are well developed and the world building is strong. Ethnicity falls to white. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian