My Killer Family Reunion by Dinesh Thiru - OPTIONAL

My Killer Family Reunion by Dinesh Thiru, 384 pages. Atheneum (Simon & Schuster), 2026. $20. 

Language: R (50 swears, 5 'fs'); Mature Content: PG13 (talk of making out, a kiss, a bit of vulgar language) Violence: PG13 (instances of domestic violence- on page and referred to, 3 attempted murders) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

16yo Jayshree's wealthy grandmother owns property worth millions; when she dies, her family will inherit and become rich themselves. But at this family reunion, she announces a change to her will, and by the end of the dinner, the grandmother is in the hospital - someone has tried to kill her. Jay is an excellent sleuth; admittedly, her cousins call her invisible, so she's the perfect one to investigate. Everyone might be a suspect! 

I loved this whodunit. Jay exposes so many family secrets, and there's lots of family drama. The family is Hindu; there are ex-husbands, greed, under-the-table transactions, plenty of danger, and more than one attempted murder. My family reunions are never this exciting. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Case of the Scarlet Snakebite by Christyne Morrell - ADVISABLE

The Case of the Scarlet Snakebite by Christyne Morrell, 257 pages. Delacorte Press (Random), 2026. $18

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Amber's life was turned upside down when her father left and her mother decided to buy a bed and breakfast called the Cozy Koi.    Amber now shares a bedroom with her mother and has many jobs to do at the Cozy Koi.  She is a huge fan of Agatha Christie and loves solving mysteries.  When an ultra-rich family comes to stay, something very valuable is stolen.  Can Amber solve the mystery and possibly get her father to come back?

The Case of the Scarlet Snakebite is a great book for mystery fans.  The plot was interesting and the ending was unexpected.  I did feel that the dialogue was a bit cheesy at times and for that reason would not recommend this book for junior high students.  

Amber is presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington - OPTIONAL

Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington, 416 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2025. $22

Language: R (100+ swears, 91 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Vaping, drinking, sexual references, passionate kissing. mental health discussion;) Violence: PG-13 (Murder, bullying)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

17 yo Mikky left home after struggling with his mental health freshman year, but now he  returns to Prophets Lake to support his younger sister Kyla after her best friend Erin is murdered. Meanwhile Kyla, who works at their family’s struggling funeral home, has to prepare for her best friend's funeral. After they both return to school, Mikky questions how much he knows his sister as he watches her take up Erin’s mean girl mantle. Trying to help his sister, Mikky begins investigating who killed Erin. But underneath the typical small town atmosphere, the Cook Cosmetic company has a major influence. Plus, Erin’s mom is a director, and Erin was a brand ambassador. As he investigates, Mikky knows that Kayla is keeping secrets, and he wonders how much she knows about the night that Erin was murdered.

Most of the novel is from Mikky’s point of view, but the occasional chapters from Kyla’s point of view adds nice tension. I struggled to like Kyla’s character and her bullying even though the novel does well describing her struggles and grief. The overall pacing was good, and it kept me reading. More than just a murder mystery, the novel explores a range of themes including being yourself in a small town, the bonds of friendship, wealth inequality, mental health and therapy, and issues with the beauty industry.

Mikky and Kyla are Black. Mikky and his friends Rowan and Nasim are LGBT+. Nasim is Iranian.

Ms. Megan, High School Librarian

The Bug Bandits by Jenni L Walsh - ADVISABLE

The Bug Bandits by Jenni L Walsh, 224 pages. Zonderkidz, 2025. $19 Language: G (0 swears 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (mild pranks to deter a robbery, slime, honey, hot doorknob, pranks described but not presented on page)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Liberty lives with her dad in an apartment in his Bug Museum. When her friend overhears what might be a plan to steal and sell some of the rare bugs, Liberty, Cam, and Ellie need to put their heads together to figure out how to foil the bad guys.

The Bug Bandits was a fun mystery. Good twists, Liberty is inventive and smart, I also like that she had an old friend and a new friend and it didn't cause drama. Kids will like this one.

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 

What Happened to the Naked Mole Rat? (Class Pet Ghost Detective Case #1) by Akeem S. Roberts - ADVISABLE

What Happened to the Naked Mole Rat? (Class Pet Ghost Detective  Case #1) by Akeem S. Roberts, 123 pages. Kokila (Penguin), 2025 $10.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Everyone in Carter's third grade class takes turns taking their class pet, Mr. Pebbles, home for the weekend. This weekend it was Carter's turn. After the weekend, he brought Mr. Pebbles back to the school, but sadly Mr. Pebbles passed away shortly upon returning to school. Everyone blamed Carter, but he knew that Mr. Pebbles was alive when he dropped him off in the classroom. Oddly enough, Carter is able to talk to Mr. Pebbles' ghost, so they go around the school trying to clear Carter's name.

My 7 year old daughter really enjoyed this book. She liked the humor and the illustrations. This was an easy graphic novel for her to read and enjoy. She is looking forward to reading more in the series. Carter is African American.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

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

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

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

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

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

Death by Whoopie Cushion by Vicki Grant - OPTIONAL

Death by Whoopie Cushion by Vicki Grant, 256 pages. Tundra (Penguin Canada), 2025, $18.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (explosion at school, custodian killed, not graphic, kids in peril, murderer on the loose) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

12yo Manya wants to be a scientist. She loves everything about science. Her parents own a moderately successful prank shop, but when her dad tries to increase revenue by producing artisan pranks, specially made for big tricks and they start to go awry, Manya's parents find themselves in big trouble. They were preparing to show their pranks at a big assembly at the school and an explosion happened in the auditorium killing the custodian, and now they have been arrested and charged with murder. Manya knows it can't be them, but with all the evidence clearly pointing at her parents, Manya may have to solve this crime herself. 

An interesting plot - are there still prank shops? Do people do that? How many chattering teeth and exploding cans of popcorn have we seen in the last decades? I was hoping for a laugh out loud mystery, but the situations and the jokes are not all that funny, and the fact that someone died makes the story not funny at all. Also, I read along with the audio book and didn't love the narrator's character voice choices. I found many way too silly. When I tried to just read the book, I was still hearing the voices. All in all, the mystery turned out OK, a lot of coincidences moved the story along, so I didn't love the resolution.  Manya defaults white. 

Lisa Librarian  

Murder at the Museum by Alasdair Beckett-King and Claire Powell - ADVISABLE

Murder at the Museum (Montgomery Bonbon #1) by Alasdair Beckett-King, illustrations by Claire Powell, 288 pages. Candlewick, 2025. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (killer on the loose, murder, attempted murder by blowdart) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Bonnie Montgomery is a 10yo detective. But, even though she's good at what she does, no one will take her seriously, so she has created an alter ego. Montgomery Bonbon, a mustached, beret-wearing gentleman investigator. With her sidekick, Banks (her grandfather), Montgomery Bonbon is trying to find the culprit who killed a guard and stole a stuffed eagle from the museum.  

Slapstick and bumbling and very British, Bonnie is a great character, somehow pulling off her disguise and getting information even from the police who have barred her from talking to them. A great cast of characters, including other amateur sleuths. This may be a fun series, book 2, Mystery at the Manor is already on the shelves. 

Lisa Librarian 

Eternal Flame by Matthew Landis - ADVISABLE

Eternal Flame (National Archive Hunters #2) by Matthew Landis, 285 pages. PIxel and Ink, 2025 $19.

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

10yo twins Iris and Ike (Icarus) are fresh off solving their first big mystery for their mother’s museum when the National Archives and the FBI need their help again.  They have six days to track down the location of the original pieces of the flame from the Statue of Liberty, or it could cause an international incident. THey will need the help of Luna, the girl they thwarted in their first case. Can they trust her, though?

I didn’t read the first adventure of the crime fighting twins, but I didn’t need to in order to enjoy adventure #2. The mystery they needed to solve was very interesting and exciting, without necessarily being extremely dangerous.  The only part that I don’t like is that the twins seem to have some super rich, super smart hidden nemesis constantly lurking in the background and pulling their strings - if the adventure is good enough, why do they need this added layer of drama? If the third book, when it comes out, is also all about this mysterious enemy, I will give it a pass.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson - ADVISABLE

Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson, 272 pages. Scholastic, 2025 $19.00 

Language: PG (10 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: Violence: PG (talk about shark attack, death - offpage, peril) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Kaylani is spending the summer in Martha's Vineyard with family friends. Her father has recently gone to jail and Lani is certain he's innocent. She wants to learn everything she can about the law and hopes to exonerate him. But this unexpected trip, to stay with people she doesn't know - the girl her age, London, is rich, entitled and rude - is curbing her plans to help her dad. But when the body of an ex-boyfriend of London's sister is found in the ocean, and the police suspect he was murdered, Lani wants to prove Cassie didn't do it. But, what if she did?

Tiffany Jackson can certainly write for middle schoolers.  The mystery was great, with a few twists and turns, great clues and some scary situations.  I liked the tie ins to Martha's Vineyard history and its connection with black history. I kept hoping the Obamas would pop into the story.  

Most of the characters are black 

Lisa Librarian 

Benny on the Case by Wesley King - OPTIONAL

Benny on the Case by Wesley King, 288 pages. Paula Wiseman (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $18. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

11yo Benny has been in special education classes his whole school career. He has Mosaic Down Syndrome, which affects his features, but he doesn't have learning disabilities or the health concerns of other Down Syndrome children. His first day in general education classes is also Salma's first day at the school, she has just moved to Newfoundland from Seattle. Salma's heritage is Arabic, and she becomes another target of the bullies Benny is already avoiding. Benny's mom runs a Senior Living Center, and when some of the resident's belongings disappear and the police think it's the residents themselves (because they may have dementia) Benny and Salma - who loves true crime - decide they can figure out what's happening. 

Benny's Mosaic Down Syndrome seemed like a plot point, rather than it being a story about a neurodiverse kid. It felt convenient that his syndrome only manifest itself in his features, without the health issues, or learning or maturity challenges. Benny looked different so the bullies could prey on him. Also, Salma having cultural Arabic ties, including a name so many characters get wrong was also convenient to provide a target for the racist bully. The mystery was fun, I was so worried about Benny's mom and the old people, but I'm really troubled by the representation and wonder if I can recommend this title with these concerns. Benny is white, Salma is Arabic. 

Lisa Librarian 

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga - ADVISABLE

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga, 224 pages. HarperCollins, 2024. $20.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

11yo Rami is having a rough 6th grade year. His friend group has kicked him off their lunch table, telling him he's weird, and he's feeling like he doesn't fit in anywhere. But when a painting is stolen from the museum, and his mother is considered one of the suspects, Rami rekindles a friendship with Veda, a girl from school who is obsessed with True Crime. Oh, there's also a ghost in the museum that only Veda and 

Remi can see, and she may be the key to solving the crime and clearing Rami's mom's name. 

Rami is a worrying kind of kid, but he sure makes some bad decisions when he's with Veda. The trouble adds to the story though so I'm not complaining. A fun mystery with a lot of suspects - not just Rami's mom. Rami's family is from Lebanon, Veda's is from India. 

Lisa Librarian  

A Copycat Conundrum by Lisa Yee and Dan Santat - ADVISABLE

A Copycat Conundrum (Misfits #2) by Lisa Yee, illustrated by Dan Santat, 280 pages. Random House, 2025. $15. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

The Misfits, undercover agents for NOCK (No One Can Know), find themselves working on a bank robbery job. While in San Francisco, isolated earthquakes are causing disruptions to the power grid, and someone is using the anomaly to empty bank tellers cash drawers. Also, Olive's friend Zeke is receiving threatening letters - he has recently become quite interested in the history of his great-great-uncle Ezekiel, and his research is making someone nervous. Is this a job for the the Misfits? 

Another fun adventure/mystery. The kids don't seem as young as in the last book - and I liked that. The Old West/ Gold Mining / Chinese Art arc was fun. I love their gadgets. This is building into a really fun series. I'll be recommending The Misfits. The group is a mix of races and cultures. 

Lisa Librarian 

A Home For Unusual Monsters by Shaun David Hutchinson - ADVISABLE

A Home For Unusual Monsters (Kairos Files #2) by Shaun David Hutchinson, 288 pages. Random House, 2025. $18

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

With her ability to make others see her as she wants them too, Sam could be an excellent agent for Kairos - a secret agency that investigates mysterious happenings. Sam has been sent to the Griffin family, where the grandfather, Archie, a former Kairos agent, has recently passed away. Archie supposedly kept of monsters hidden all over the world and Kairos wants that list before someone else finds it. But as Sam looks for the list, she also learns what being part of a family could be, and she wants to investigate the strange family next door, even though she;’s been told not to. 

You don’t need to read the first book in the series to follow number two - I had no idea there was a  book #1. The cover is more appealing to upper elementary than true middle school readers, but the action will be satisfying for those that pick it up. I never caught a definitive age for Sam, but this being middle grade, she’s probably 12.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Hurricane Heist by James Ponti - ADVISABLE

Hurricane Heist (The Sherlock Society)by James Ponti, 320 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2025. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

In book two, 12yo Alex Sherlock and his friends, who are members of the Sherlock Society, are days away from beginning another school year, when Hurricane Clyde puts down. While it causes some damage, it unearths the body of a suspected criminal mastermind who disappeared during a hurricane 61 years ago, when Alex's grandpa was a kid. Determined to find out what really happened, Alex and friends, together with Grandpa, join forces to solve the mystery of a robbery and possible murder. 

You don't have to read this series in order, although it may help. The characters are well written and I like that they team up with Grandpa, who can help make mystery solving possible, with his connections and ability to drive. Too often adults are left out of YA lit, so this makes the story more credible and charming. We get part of the story from the first hurricane in 1964, and then it picks up 61 years later. Anyone who has ever dreamed of solving a mystery will wish they had a crime solving grandpa to adventure with. The plot will keep you guessing and the ending satisfying. Alex may be white, but his friends come from diverse backgrounds. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Seasick by Kristin Cast and Pintip Dunn - OPTIONAL

Seasick by Kristin Cast and Pintip Dunn, 328 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2023. $19

Language: R (32 swears, 2 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (a few kisses); Violence: PG-13 (bloody murder, fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A few kids from Yatesville High School were selected to go on a yacht trip following their  senior year of high school. Once on the yacht, the murders start.. The kids are trying to stay safe, survive and figure out the murderer’s identity. The story is told from two perspectives alternating between Naya and Yana. They were childhood best friends who had fallen out. Over the course of the difficult trip, they regain their friendship.

Overall I really enjoyed the murder mystery. It was well written and interesting to see it told from two points of view. There are several bloody murders. The book addresses some class issues: most of the students are wealthy, while Naya and Yana are scholarship students. There was a regular gossip social media post that usually had unkind things to say about some of the kids.

Naya is biracial and Yana is Thai-American.

Claire S., 11th grade student

The Secrets of Lovelace Academy by Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel - OPTIONAL

The Secrets of Lovelace Academy by Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel, 295 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2025. $18

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

In 1904 London, Lainey has lived in the Holsapples orphanage since her parents died in a car crash when she was 3 years old. After 9 years, she is still wounded daily by their casual cruelty and greed.  But then she meets the daughter of Ada Lovelace at the biyearly donor open house and impresses the grand lady with her self-taught knowledge of science. Now Lainey is whisked away to the prestigious Lovelace Academy - a place where they educate girls - something unheard of at the time. Lainey may not be hungry, nor cold, now, but that doesn’t mean life is any easier emotionally.  Lainey so badly wants to find a place where she can belong - somewhere she can make a difference - even if that means she leaves with only the clothes on her back, in pursuit of Mileva - the wife of Albert Einstein.

Personally I loved this book - read it in one sitting.  Historical fiction is such a hard sell, especially if it doesn’t involve war or at least mortal danger. I loved the look at the Einstein family at home, and watching Albert betray Mileva, at least scientifically, was heart-breaking. I will be recommending this to my adult friends, and to a few special students.

Lainey is English, the Einsteins are from Germany and Hungary.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor - OPTIONAL

Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor, 271 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2025. $20

Language: R (100+ swears, 41 ‘f'); Mature Content: R (off page sex, kissing and making out mentioned, some drug use, underage drinking, drunk driving); Violence: PG-13 (car crash, some blood mentioned, attempted assault, fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

18yo Noa is getting ready to graduate and can’t believe it’s been a year since her sister, Leah, took her life.  Everyone is still grieving, and it seems impossible to move forward because her feelings for her sister are complicated.  Before she died, Noa was jealous of everything about her.  Now she is gone and Noa is sad, but also relieved.  What kind of person does that make her?  When Noa finds Leah’s cellphone, she starts reading all her texts and is surprised by what she finds.  Things aren’t adding up and Noa begins to wonder if  something happened to Leah.  Noa had plans to visit New York over the summer, but decides to go early to see what she can find out about her sister’s life.  But to do so she has to find a way to meet the people in Leah’s life and get them to trust her.  How else will she find out if one of them killed her sister?

I like a good mystery and I was hoping this one would put me on the edge of my seat, but unfortunately that didn’t happen.  While it had promise, there wasn’t enough depth to the story. It moved fast, but didn’t give the time to get to know and understand the characters and their motivations. Also I was surprised at how easily Noa worked her way into these wealthy, elite circles and how they welcomed her with open arms.  I did appreciate Leah’s death being resolved and that Noa seemed to make a genuine friend. While your mystery lovers will be drawn to the cover, the quick read, and may leave satisfied, I wish it had a little more to it.

The author describes her characters with a variety of skin color, genders and sexual orientation. RB - librarian

Olivetti by Allie Millington - OPTIONAL

Olivetti by Allie Millington, 272 pages. Square Fish (Macmillan), 2024. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (sentient typewriter taken apart) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

12yo Ernie's mother is missing. She left the family and he's so worried. She took their old typewriter to a pawn shop and hasn't been seen since. So when Ernie and his family visit the pawn shop to see if they know anything, Ernie spots the typewriter, who has been with the family since his parents got engaged. The typewriter, feeling abandoned breaks the rules of typewriters. He types a message to Ernie "I can help!" 

I had my doubts, a magical typewriter? But I loved it! The typewriter has been the silent witness to this family's whole life, the good times and the bad, and the mother, who is a writer has poured her life into her writing. Of course the typewriter can help. I loved Ernie's friend Quinn, the daughter of the pawn shop owner, she's quirky and fun, a good yang for Ernie's ying. It might need some hand selling, especially because there are no children pictured on the cover, but if I can get some readers turned on to it, word of mouth could get it some traction. The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian