Busted by Dan Gemeinhart - ESSENTIAL

Busted by Dan Gemeinhart, 352 pages. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2025. $18. 

Language: PG (20 swears, 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, Oscar gets punched in the face a couple of times causing nose bleeding and black eye)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

12yo Oscar had lived all his life with his grandpa in a retirement home. On the day of his 49th funeral, his life changes. Mr. Howell, the owner of Sunny Days has died and his son has taken over ownership - raising everyone's rent. There's no way Pops can afford the crazy new cost, and Oscar is desperate. So, when new resident Jimmy Deluca offers him a deal - lots of money to break him out - he accepts and goes on a crazy adventure with Jimmy, Natasha (young Mr. Howell's daughter) and Mr. Buttercup, Jimmy's cat. Oscar is a good kid, and this kind of behavior is well out of character for him, but desperate times call for desperate measures. 

Never ending action makes Busted a book that's hard to put down. This aging mobster is delightful (and unpredictable, and probably dangerous and certainly sweary) Natasha is a great yang to Oscar's ying. He's a good kid and she's looking for trouble. So many life lessons, lots of impossible situations and a great narrator made this such a fun read. I'm recommending it already! The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Terrible Trio: The (Not so) Superheroes by Swapna Haddow and Minky Stapleton, - OPTIONAL

The Terrible Trio: The (Not so) Superheroes by Swapna Haddow, illustrated by Minky Stapleton, 188 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Scholastic, 2025. $7 

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

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Zeb the zebra, Marge the penguin, and Barry the Lemur, stood in line forever to get a superpower from the ministry of superpowers. By the time they get to the front, the superpowers seem to be gone and they get the worst ones of all. Zeb is especially unhappy, and he convinces his friends to take on a quest to become heroes, though it may put them in danger. 

 

The animals are fun, and who wouldn't want the superpower of stirring anything to make mac'n'cheese? The pictures add to the story and the quirkiness, making it an easy and quick read. Nice little life lesson at the end. 

Michelle in the Middle 

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 

Let the Fur Fly by Nadia Shireen - ADVISABLE

Let the Fur Fly (Grimwood #2) by Nadia Shireen. 240 pages. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2023. $12. 9781524882273

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Fox siblings Ted and Nancy are enjoying living in Grimwood. But when a smooth talking fox named Sebastian Silver shows up, their home is threatened. Silver wants to level Grimwood to build an amusement park and mall. Can the eclectic residents of Grimwood work together to save their home?

A fun story filled with jokes, mystery and adventure. The cast of characters are interesting and quirky. The illustrations throughout add to the overall appeal of the book.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

We Do Not Welcome our Ten-Year-Old Overlord by Garth Nix - OPTIONAL

We Do Not Welcome our Ten-Year-Old Overlord by Garth Nix, 240 pages. Scholastic, 2024. 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo Kim knows that his 10yo sister Eila is smarter than  he is, but that doesn’t mean she is always right.  She should have left the glowing orb alone like he told her to. Now Eila seems more insufferable than usual, thanks to Aster (the orb has a name) and Kim is almost sure it has something to do with that orb. With the help of his best friend, Bennie, Kim hopes that he can for once outsmart his sister and save Earth in the bargain..

A mildly interesting/funny scifi book.  Eila was irritating from the first page, but I like Kim.  I think this was set in the 1970s, but the setting didn’t really play into the plot, except for the lack of technology simplifying the action. Might be worth it in paperback.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed Beetle by Jordan Kopy and Chris Jevons - ESSENTIAL

Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed Beetle by Jordan Kopy, illustrated by Chris Jevons, 286 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2021. $19 

Language: G (1 swear) Mature Content: G Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Theodora Hendrix is a 10yo human girl living with a bunch of monsters, whom she loves. In this second book, Theodora is facing both an impossibly horrible head teacher and a most unpleasant Inspector Shelley that wants to shut down the Monstrous League of Monsters. On top of that, there is a cursed beetle heralding a truly dangerous monster that could tear her monster family apart. 

A truly delightful read. The book doesn't take itself too seriously, so although there are monster battles, it isn't scary. The art adds to the story and there are enough twists and fun foreshadowing at the end of chapters to keep the reader engaged and reading. Two thumbs up! Theodora is a white red head and her best friend is black. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Happy Gift Day to You by Andy Nonamus, illustrated by Amy Jindra - OPTIONAL

Happy Gift Day to You (The Very Worst Ever) by Andy Nonamus, illustrated by Amy Jindra, 122 pages. Children's Fiction, Little Simon, Simon and Schuster, 2024. $18 

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

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

It's the rich girl's birthday and what to get the girl who has everything? Finding the coolest birthday present presents a lot of challenges, Plus nearly getting eaten by a famous pony just makes the day even more challenging. What's a person to do? 

The narrator of the book has a sticker for a face, so it could be anyone, which gives it a universal appeal. The black and white illustrations are fun and add to the story. Readers can probably relate to the narrator's dilemma and their worries about being embarrassed. Sticker face narrator has orange hair and appears to be white. Rich kid, Regina, is black. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Second to None by Destiny Howell - OPTIONAL

 

Second to None by Destiny Howell, 336 pages. Scholastic DEC 2024. $8 (paperback)

Content: G (shift shenanigans only)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

12yo DJ and his crew of “fixers” are prepared to help all over school in the right ways. Unfortunately, his nemesis Lucky is ready to help bad things happen.  And now that Mariposa is in charge of Lucky’s crew, things go to worse. There is more to the seedy underbelly of his middle school than DJ could even dream.

I would recommend this to boys who like hijinks books with humor, but the 300+ pages is going to scare most of them off. It isn’t funny enough or dangerous enough to keep their attention.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Frindle Files by Andrew Clements - ESSENTIAL

The Frindle Files by Andrew Clements, 198 pages. Random House, 2024. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

Josh’s ELA teacher is such a dinosaur!  Not only are no computers allowed in the class, but also homework has to be written out by hand! Rummaging through the family junk drawer, he finds a pen, but it is labeled “Frindle”.  What? With some quick online research, Josh begins to wonder – is his throwback ELA teacher this same kid who tried to shake up the world with the Frindle? Josh is sure he can use this to his advantage.

Sure, I read the original Frindle when it came out in 1996.  Amusing, but it never stuck in my head.  Frindle Files, however, is an absolute winner for me. A definite reread! Mr. N. as Josh’s antagonist is sneakier and bolder than Nick’s teacher ever was.  Maybe, as an adult now, that’s what I like about it.

Cindy, MS Library Teacher

The Great Ghost Hoax by Emily Ecton and David Mottram - ADVISABLE

The Great Ghost Hoax (The Great Pet Heist #2) by Emily Ecton, art by David Mottram Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2021. $18.

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Mrs. Third Floor's apartment seems to be haunted - at least that's what she thinks. But Butterbean, Walt and the other animal friends want to investigate. There's certainly weird stuff going on, strange sounds, food tasted, and the fishtank is empty of fish. But is it a ghost? 

Ecton's group of furry detectives are hilarious. Makes me wonder what kind of mischief the pets at my house are getting into all day while we are gone. Not so much mystery as adventure, but an engaging read all the same. Mottram's illustrations are the perfect complement to the story. I'm hoping this is a nice long series. 

Lisa Librarian 

Night of the Vam-Wolf-Zom by Steven Banks and Mark Fearing - HIGH

 Night of the Vam-Wolf-Zom (Middle School Bites #4) by Steven Banks, illustrated by Mark Fearing, 263 pages. Holiday House. 2022. $14. Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

11yo Tom, bitten by a vampire, werewolf, and zombie, is off having more adventures as the only creature of his kind. This installment finds him trying to liberate the zombie who bit him from a carnival and trying to get back a crucial vampire book from the werewolf who bit him for the vampire who bit him. Yep, sounds intense. If that weren’t enough, there is drama about the drama production as the school play gets underway.

Seriously funny, Tom is a great character, and it’s an interesting study to see how his classmates accept or don’t accept him. All the angst of middle school with the supernatural thrown in makes for some great interplay. I’m always happily surprised at how readable and fun the series is.

Michelle in the Middle 

Absolutely Nat (Nat Enough #3) by Maria Scrivan - ESSENTIAL

Absolutely Nat (Nat Enough #3) by Maria Scrivan, 236 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix Scholastic Press, 2021. $18 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Natalie is spending the summer at Camp Mosquito with her best friend Zoe, but they didn't get the same cabin - and Nat has to share with Lily - her ex-BFF. The camp has a zillion mosquitos, AND there's probably a lake monster, and Natalie has to stretch herself to try some new things. Hiking, climbing, crafts - even getting into the lake (despite the monster). Maybe this camp situation is just what Natalie needs. 

Oh this series is so much fun. I love the camp mishaps - so typical, the cabinmate that is too excited, the activities that aren't what you expected, counselors that are a little much, and making new friends. And the chapter openers, with what the cat and dog are doing at home were so funny! A great summer (or anytime) read. 

Lisa Librarian

Double the Danger, Zero the Zucchini by Betsy Uhrig - ESSENTIAL

Double the Danger, Zero the Zucchini by Betsy Uhrig, 291 pages. McElderry (Simon), 2021. $18 

Content: G (mild danger) 

 BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

12yo Alex Harmon prefers to run over sitting still and reading. When his Aunt Lu asks him to be a test reader for her book, he is quite rightfully bored. But if she can spice it up, she has a willing agent. Alex, with the help of his friends, has ideas for a totally new direction for the book. He is even willing to risk life and limb to try out the major stunts he proposes! Alex’s antics had me laughing out loud! 

 I can’t believe this is Uhrig’s first book – she had me cracking up and reading many parts out loud to my student aide (yes – loved it so much that I just had to sneak reading during the school day. Here’s one brilliant part for you: “You know, most times when a person says, ‘I think I’ll write a book’ the next thing you say isn’t ‘Uh-oh, someone’s going to get hurt.” Now go read it! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Lupe Wong Won't Dance by Donna Barba Higuera - ESSENTIAL

Lupe Wong Won't Dance by Donna Barba Higuera, 256 pages. Levine Querido, 2020. $18 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

7th grader Lupe is an athlete. She expects to the be the first female pitcher in the major leagues, so P.E. is obviously her best subject. Until . . . there's a square dancing unit! Lupe is shocked, dancing in PE? She'd rather run laps. She complains to the PE teacher, her mom, even the principal, but the school has been teaching this unit for years and there are no plans to change it now. Lupe has other ideas. As she starts looking into reasons not to have square dancing, she learns some unexpected information that may hold the possibility for shutting down the unit altogether. 

I loved Lupe's attitude. Even after most of her concerns were met with accommodations, she wasn't about to give up - on either her protest or keeping her A in PE. I loved that her friendships were complicated, I loved her mother and her grandparents, and the support characters and their issues. A solid middle grade read, however, there are some references to STDs, racism and white supremacy. Also, Lupe's father has died, so she's grieving as well.

Lisa Librarian

Pretty Funny for a Girl by Rebecca Elliott - HIGH

Pretty Funny for a Girl by Rebecca Elliott 363 pages. Peachtree Publishing, 2020. $18 

Language: PG-13 (78 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: (boob references); Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

14yo Haylah wants to be a stand up comic. She constantly watches comedy shows on the internet, keeps a journal of funny things, and is genuinely hilarious. But actually standing up in front of an audience is out of the question. Until, attending an "open-mic" evening at a local pub with friends, Haylah finds that someone signed her up to go on, which wasn't a total disaster (well almost, sort of, yes, it was a disaster). She has a crush on Leo, 2 years older, he's the guy she went to see at the pub. Leo, preparing his routine for the "London Young Comic of the Year" contest, asks Haylah's input. Well, one thing leads to another and Haylah's crush turns serious - but is Leo serious too, or are her friends right, and he's just using her? 

Haylah is a "big" girl, and while she seems totally comfortable in her own skin, she does some things that tells the reader she's not - like having everyone call her "Pig" and stress-eating chocolate. I loved the look inside a comic's perspective, taking the difficult and putting a funny spin on it. Totally laughed out loud! Haylah reminded me of Louise Rennison's Georgia in "Agnes Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging." It was really funny, but the look at relationships, friends, family, divorce, boyfriends, body image, being smart, and celebrating yourself made this an all around gem. Looking forward to recommending "Pretty Funny for a Girl".

Lisa Librarian

Connect the Dots by Keith Calabrese - ESSENTIAL

Connect the Dots by Keith Calabrese, 240 pages. Scholastic, 2020. $17. 

 Language: G (3 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Oliver Beane and Frankie Figge, 12yo, are best friends in Elk Grove Park, a suburb of Chicago. Then arrives new girl Miranda Sandoval and she has chosen Oliver and Frankie to be her friends – whether the boys want her or not. Their school is named after Preston Oglethorpe – an Elk Grove genius who made millions and then disappeared. Now strange things are starting to happen in Elk Grove – most of them seem to be happy coincidences. But there is also a group of dangerous men lurking in the shadows – and their attention seems to be on Oliver, Frankie, and Miranda! 

Calabrese has woven together an intricate plot about the weaving of an intricate plot. Plenty of danger, lots of laughs, a healthy dose of mango chutney! 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

My Life as a Coder by Janet Tashjian - ADVISABLE

My Life as a Coder by Janet Tashjian, illustrated by Jake Tashjian, 272 pages. Henry Holt (MacMillan), 2020 $14.00 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Derek finally got his own laptop! However, it doesn't have any apps, not even Wifi. If he wants to play games on his new computer he will have to learn how to code. Good thing he can enroll in the after school coding elective, taught by one of the lunch ladies (what he really wanted was the comedy elective with Matt, but these are desperate times). When his hopes to team up with Umberto are dashed, Derek has to work with Jade who is an amazing coder, but obviously doesn't like him so he won't be able to just play around in this class! 

I love how Derek's parents know that he won't work hard to learn something unless he is desperate - great idea to give him a word processing only computer. #9 in the My Life series, My Life as a Coder is full of adventure (yes) mystery (of course) and Derek getting himself into crazy predicaments. Definitely not a stand alone, but an essential addition to the rest of the series. 

Lisa Librarian

How to Win the Science Fair When You’re Dead by Paul Noth - OPTIONAL

How to Win the Science Fair When You’re Dead (#3) by Paul Noth. Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 184 pages, 2019, $14.

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Happy Conklin Jr. is back in his third adventure.  As the book opens, Hap is being held prisoner by his evil Grandma, who has plans to take over the universe and destroy Earth, and also has a terrible punishment planned for him.  Hap knows he has to escape and thwart Grandma’s plan and save his sisters with the help of aliens and Squeep, his pet lizard who communicates through a brain-blending ring. 

If this sounds like a lot going on, it is.  Also, since this is the third in a series, read them in order or you will be totally lost.  The plot was fun, but difficult to follow.  The title didn’t even really fit the book, since the science fair is only in the last few-pages and Hap shows up abruptly whilst the science fair wasn’t mentioned previously in the book.   The pictures are cool and help explain the story, though I still think it’s weird Hap has a beard.  The title and cover will draw readers in, but the ride is convoluted.

Michelle in the Middle

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim - ESSENTIAL

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim 306 pages. Kokila, Penguin Random House, 2020. $17.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Yumi Chung is about to start middle school, but her parents are not rich, so unless she can score high on the placement test, she won't be able to attend Winston Prep on scholarship. Yumi is enrolled in a morning test-prep class to get that high test score, but, Yumi doesn't want to go to a prestigious college. Yumi wants to be a stand up comic! So, when a case of mistaken identity lands her in an afternoon comedy summer camp, taught by her favorite stand up vlogger Jasmine Jasper, Yumi jumps at the chance to follow her dream.

I loved so many things about Jessica Kim's story. It's hilarious - the kids who love Patterson's "I funny" will find a similar read - but this is less corny jokes and more how to be a comic. Yumi's parents own a Korean Barbecue, so we see Yumi helping out with the restaurant, lots of Korean dishes and Korean culture. She keeps a comedy notebook which is delightful - on lined paper in kid-writing, Yumi's notes are great. All in all, a marvelous read that I'm looking forward to recommending!

Lisa Librarian 

Confessions of a Dork Lord by Mike Johnston - OPTIONAL

Confessions of a Dork Lord by Mike Johnston. 338 pages. Putnam (Penguin Random House), 2020, $14.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Wick is the 12yo son of the Dark Lord, and heir to the throne of black and broken glass.  Unfortunately for him, his parents have vanished some time ago, and he is living with General Gareth Gorey, an intimidating Orc commanding the Orc legions.  Wick is stuck in Middle Ages School practicing remedial spells and has no respect from his peers, since his best spell is the fart revealer.  Wick’s goal is to figure out how to become the next Dark Lord but the bullies at school call him the Dork Lord. 

There is a lot of humor in this book.  Wick seems a little like the self-serving Greg Heffley in Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The illustrations are fun, but at 338 pages, it seemed long, and there were a lot of references to turds and farts. There weren’t a lot of surprises.  The book ends satisfactorily, but sets itself up for a sequel.   If your jive is medieval middle schoolers who have a dragon with halitosis for a friend, this book is for you. 

Michelle in the Middle