Michael Vey: The Traitor by Richard Paul Evans - ADVISABLE

Michael Vey: The Traitor by Richard Paul Evans, 336 pages. Simon Pulse, 2023. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG; (adult drug dealing, not to kids); Violence: PG-13 (shooting, bombing, torture, murder, rotting bodies)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Michael and the remaining members of the Electroclan are shocked when Jack reveals he has gone to the side of the evil Chasqi and is now a traitor, which adds to their stress to rescue Tara from the evil Chasqi's clutches. But Taylor makes a bold decision that turns everything around. Now they must rescue both the Ridley twins AND stop the Chasqui from killing thousands of people in the city of Arequipa. Will the Electroclan's luck finally run out?

The writing was a little poor. Compared to the original Michael Vey series, this book struggles to compare. But Michael Vey fans will love to see all their favorite characters come back in this second sequel. If written better, it could be really good and a lot more enjoyable. It does have its moments, but it definitely has lots of things it could improve on.

The main characters are white.

Student Reviewer: Katherine, 8th grade

Free at Last: a Juneteenth Poem by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle and Alex Bostic - ADVISABLE

Free at Last: a Juneteenth Poem by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle, illustrated by Alex Bostic. PICTURE BOOK. Sterling, 2022. $18. 9781454943747

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

When word finally reached the saves of Galveston Texas that they had been freed by proclamation, each reacted to the news if their own way - all of them trying in some way to grasp their new status in the world.  All of them rejoicing that they are “Free at last”.

Rolle’s poem was written in 2004 and has been used in many Juneteenth celebrations since that time.  Bostic’s illustrations are infused with respect and awe for those first steps taken and are beautiful to behold. Any school with civil rights units, black studies, or American history covering the Civil War can happily use this.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Mall Goth by Kate Leth - MANY

Mall Goth by Kate Leth, 244 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2023. $22. 

Language: R (5 swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (heavy petting, grooming of child by adult); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

15yo Liv and her parents have moved to a new town and the first day of school she steps on the wrong toes - not off to a great start. When she came out to her old friends as bisexual, it didn’t go well, so she is also suspicious of anyone friendly. There is a hot guy, but he seems to have a long-time girlfriend, and there is an intriguing girl who works at the gaming store in the mall. Liv needs to navigate home drama, friend drama, boy drama, and a teacher who is taking a bit too much interest in her.

I loved this graphic novel about a girl on the fringe finding her peeps. The heavy petting is between Liv and a boy with all clothes on; the teacher never gets a chance to do anything physical. While Liv is out as bisexual, there is no same-sex intimacy. Except for the one “f”, I would have rated this ESSENTIAL. My goth daughter will love this. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

David Atherton’s Baking Book for Kids by David Atherton and Harry Woodgate - OPTIONAL

David Atherton’s Baking Book for Kids by David Atherton, illustrated by Harry Woodgate, 67 pages. NON-FICTION. Candlewick, 2023. $18. 9781536231304

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

I love the Great British Baking Show and David was a charmer on the show.  I also really like baking books for kids. That said, this is an intimidating book!  David starts right off with bread - raised bread, shaped bread, filled bread, decorated bread and it doesn’t get much easier from there.  All of the pages are illustrated with drawings - no photos and each recipe fits on two pages. He has three other cookbooks for kids, so they must sell well.  You might buy this as a visual treat, I am not sure how much will actually be baked from it.  Our maybe that’s just my adult perspective talking. FYI - the ingredients and measurements have been translated for the American audience.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Time to Roll by Jamie Sumner - ADVISABLE

Time to Roll (Roll with it #2) by Jamie Sumner, 201 pages. Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2023. $18

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Ellie has never been one for pageants, but when her best friend Coralee enters the "Little Miss Boots and Bows" pageant and wants Ellie to participate as well, she goes against her dad's wishes (he thinks something is up because why would they want someone in a wheelchair), forges her mom's signature (mom is on her honeymoon), and borrows the $75 entrance fee from Mema (who doesn't ask questions). Ellie isn't worried about what the adults think, however, the competition puts a strain on her relationship with Coralee. 

I love Ellie so much, she is resilient, funny, and independent. I love how Ellie often points out that she's fine, and her chair isn't the problem people think it might be. I loved the pageant, and wondered about the organizer's intentions myself - I wonder if a middle-grade reader would, too, or if that's a mom/adult thing? Although Time to Roll is second in the series, it is not necessary to have read Roll with It first. A darling read. Ellie and Coralee are white. 

Lisa Librarian 

A Whole Song and Dance by Sarvenaz Tash - ADVISABLE

A Whole Song and Dance by Sarvenaz Tash, 295 pages. Hyperion Teens (Disney), 2023. $19

Language: PG13 (37 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (Kissing while on a date, underage drinking); Violence: G (microaggressions) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Nasrin wants to be a star on Broadway - and her dreams are starting to come true. She's a freshman in NYU's theater program, and she's landed a role in a streaming musical that has gone viral. However, her parents think she was accepted to business school at NYU, and that she is there pursuing their dream, of having a daughter who graduates with an MBA. Nasrin is living a successful lie, but when her parents surprise her by moving to New York, Nasrin has to bring up her grade in the one business class she's taking. Enter Max - the TA for the class and part-time tutor, he can help, but she will have to be honest with him, and ultimately honest with herself. 

Musical theater kids will love A Whole Song and Dance. Each chapter is titled after a show tune lyric, there's lots of Broadway chatter, and it really felt like New York. I loved her best friend (a gay former child actor who was also trying to make it big on Broadway - usually I feel this is stereotypical, for a boy interested in theater to be gay, but it worked well here) and I loved how she felt like she could do everything and still keep it together - a common sentiment of the young actress, myself included.  I didn't like the character of her cousin, who came from Iran to go to school, and mostly partied. It created unnecessary drama.  Still, a darling, clean romance. Nasrin and her parents are Iranian Americans. 

Lisa Librarian 

Champion of Fate by Kendare Blake - ADVISABLE

Champion of Fate (Heromaker #1) by Kendare Blake, 480 pages. Quill Tree Books (HarperCollins), 2023. $20.

Language: PG13 (11 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The Aristenes are powerful, nearly immortal women who help mortals become heroes in order to win glory for their goddess. As a child, Reed was found and saved by Aster, an Aristene, and Reed has been training to become one herself ever since. Now Reed (16yo) will have to prove herself worthy of becoming one of them by leading her first hero into glory.

Reed’s story is a tragedy from the beginning, making readers desperate for anything good to make up for it. Through the highs and the lows, readers celebrate and cry with Reed as she goes to war beside her hero. Blake makes readers think about what glory is and hints at the lurking underside of glory that comes at a difficult price. The conclusion is satisfying, but Reed’s story isn’t finished.

Skin colors mentioned are varied. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, innuendo, and partial nudity. The violence rating is for blood, murder, and fantasy violence.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton - OPTIONAL

Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton, et al, 304 pages. Quill Tree, 2022. $20. 

Language: R (87 swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

It’s snowing in Atlanta, GA! Stevie only has until midnight to deliver the perfect apology to her girlfriend Sola, but the snow wants to make that impossible. She will need the help of all of her friends to accomplish her goal - but each of her friends have their own romantic story awaiting. 

Stevie’s story anchors the other short stories in this collection by Clayton and her friends. Light and charming - perfect in paperback - a beach read, even if it is a snowy tale. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS  LGBT

Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World by G. Neri and Elizabeth Haidle - ESSENTIAL

 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World by G. Neri, illustrated by Elizabeth Haidle. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2023. $19. 9781536216615 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE; MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY

After Christo and Jean-Claude met and fell in love, their lives, their art and art in general would never be the same. They were fascinated by wrapping things, starting out early with wrapped objects that could then be bought as art. But soon graduated to only temporary wrappings, that could be briefly enjoyed and then disappear forever. Their work brought controversy and delight wherever they were revealed, with only one installation ever being permanent. 

Oh, oh! I never saw a Christo installation in real life, but there are pictures and articles all over the internet to research and enjoy and discuss. Perfect for any art class. I love that Neri gave Jeane-Claude equal time and credit, as she was important to the work as Christo was, she just happened to die first.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Only Girl in Town by Ally Condie, - ESSENTIAL

The Only Girl in Town by Ally Condie, 336 pages. Dutton (Penguin), 2023. $20 

Language: PG (5 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

It’s an ordinary summer day, until it suddenly isn’t. 18yo July Fielding is still there, but all the life has disappeared from the world. July goes from home, to school, around town - trying to find a reason, a way out, someone else. Flipping between NOW and ONCE, we, together with July, only have bits available to piece together what has happened, puzzle out who is leaving clues for July to follow, and walk with her as she tries to find her way out. 

I can’t tell you too much, because you need to experience July’s story as Condie has laid it out. Ally has written romance, science fiction, horror, post-apocalyptic, even a picture book - but July’s story surpasses them all. 

 Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton - OPTIONAL

Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, et al, 256 pages. Quill Tree, 2021. $13 (paperback) Language: R (100+ swears, 9 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A group of friends and acquaintances is scattered across NYC - getting ready for a block party that night. But suddenly the power goes out. Now the party needs a generator, now some a stuck, some are determined. Each story of black love and friendship carries the promise of love. 

Clayton and friends weave short romance stories together, with Clayton’s story providing the structure. Some of the connections are tenuous - and the last story doesn’t bring everything to a satisfying conclusion - only bits of threads loosely joined, instead of woven into a whole. But my need for cute romance stories was satisfied. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS  

That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown and Nikolas Smith - ADVISABLE

 That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by Nikolas Smith. PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2023. $19. 9780063093447 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Bianca and Kiera are best friends at school, but Kiera, a black girl, is not allowed to go to Bianca’s house, because her white family flies a confederate flag in front of their house. The girls don’t understand their parents’ disagreement about the meaning and history of the flag, until their class goes to the Southern Legacy Museum and Kiera starts to understand. She doesn’t know if their friendship can survive her new knowledge. 

An excellent way to talk to any student about the tension all Blacks feel when they see the confederate flag, and the naivete of whites who still defend it. Great for a history class on any level. Young kids will most likely not understand it on their own - it should be read with a trusted adult. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9780063093447

What's Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon? by Rachel Ignotofsky - ESSENTIAL

What's Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon? And other questions about Moths and Butterflies by Rachel Ignotofsky. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2023. $19. 9780593176573 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Ignotofsky uses her distinctive illustrative style and her straightforward text to apply her magic to teaching us about caterpillars and moths. A few main text words on each page and tons of little facts to explore in the background. 

 Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Ten-Word Tiny Tales to Inspire and Unsettle by Joesph Coelho and 21 artist friends - OPTIONAL

Ten-Word Tiny Tales to Inspire and Unsettle by Joesph Coelho and 21 artist friends. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2023. $19. 9781536231359

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Coelho has created 21 stories, each told in only ten words, each also illustrated by a different illustrator. Many of the illustrations speak to a young audience, but many of the tales have a macabre twist to the words. I’m going to hand this off to my 7th grade ELA teachers to get their students to weigh in with their opinion. I’m not completely sold on the idea. I promise to update the review once the students have spoken!

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9781536231359

Shannon in the Spotlight by Kalena Miller - ADVISABLE

Shannon in the Spotlight by Kalena Miller, 264 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2023 $17.00 

Language: PG (5 swears, 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (mother and grandmother argue a lot). 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Shannon is usually on the tech crew at the summer community theater, but this year, when the director overhears her singing during auditions, he encourages her to try out. When the cast list is posted, not only does Shannon make the show, but she is cast in the part her best friend wanted. 

Shannon in the spotlight is more than a "let's put on a show" story. Shannon has OCD, constantly washing her hands, obsessively putting on chapstick, and fearing that her feet are going to touch something dirty. I liked wondering when her compulsions were going to conflict with rehearsal or even the show. There's a cute romance, too - totally appropriate for a 12yo, and some great friend drama. Shannon is white, but other characters are a variety of races and cultures. 

Lisa Librarian 

What Happened on Hicks Road by Hannah Jayne - HIGH

What Happened on Hicks Road by Hannah Jayne, 320 pages. Sourcebooks Fire, 2023. $9 

Language: R (27 swears 2 'f'); Mature Content: PG (implied drug use; kissing) Violence: PG-13 (hit and run) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A group of friends drives to Hicks Road one dark night for some spooky fun. When 17yo Lennox sees a blonde girl dart in front of her car and she feels the thump of a hit, she stops the car to look for the girl. Her friends reassured her that it must have been a deer and that they didn’t see anything. Lennox is worried that she’s becoming schizophrenic like her mother and starting to hallucinate. Being new in town, Lennox doesn’t know her friends well at all and when they tell her over and over that she didn’t hit a person, she believes them. 

I like how the author created the uncertainty of whether or not the main character is reliable. The setting is wonderfully spooky. The unstable family life of the main character is an interesting part of the story. Allison has tanned skin. Implied white characters. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

Chaos & Flame by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland - MANY

Chaos & Flame by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland, 336 pages. Razorbill (Penguin), 2023. $20

Language: PG-13 (11 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (implied sex, no details); Violence: PG-13 (bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

The prophetic High Prince Regent Caspian has drawn and painted pictures of a girl who he sees needs saving. His mother dies and then his aunt Aurora keeps his abilities hidden so the kingdom won’t think he’s unstable. 17yo Darling is the girl in Caspian’s artwork and she’s now a young woman trying to liberate her father so she plays the part Caspian wants her to play. At the ball, Caspian announces a tour of the kingdom that he’ll be taking and he plans on his brother Talon and Darling accompanying him. As they travel, their eyes are opened to the true state of their country and citizens and discover plots to take them down.

I like the alternating viewpoints of Darling, Talon and Caspian. The world building is done well. I enjoyed the friction between Talon and Darling and also Caspian’s personality and humor. Darling has deep brown skin. Alvin has an olive complexion. Talon has tan skin. Finn is pale skinned.

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

Crush by Tracy Wolff - OPTIONAL

Crush (Crave #2) by Tracy Wolff, 704 pages. Entangled Teen, 2020. $11 Language: R (179 swears 57 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 kissing; Violence: PG-13 bloody hitting

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

17yo Grace has just woken up from four months of sleep as a stone gargoyle. For some reason, her gargoyle alter ego isn’t comfortable with Jaxon and his being a vampire. On the morning that Grace wakes up with blood on her hoodie, she thinks she may have drained Cole, the alpha werewolf, of blood - almost to the point of death. She discovers that Jaxon’s evil brother Hudson has somehow taken up residence in her mind.

This sequel to Crave is cheesy at times but also full of adventure, action, danger and great world building. The Ludares game, the Boneyard, the Bloodletter’s lair, the Unkillable Beast and the banter between Hudson and Grace make this a fun, interesting read! I enjoyed the silly jokes that Jaxon and Grace tell each other. The cheesiness gives humor to the story. The danger picks up in this second book of the Crave series. Grace, Macy and Jaxon are white. The bloodletter has light brown skin.

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

Invisible Son by Kim Johnson - OPTIONAL

Invisible Son by Kim Johnson, 416 pages. Random House BFYR, 2023. $16

Language: R (45 swears 4 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Underage smoking. Mention of underage drinking); Violence: PG-13 (Mention of attempted murder suicide)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

17yo Andre returns to his home in Portland, Oregon feeling angry, confused and disgruntled after serving two months in a juvenile detention center for something he didn’t do. He also has to adjust to pandemic life because everything seems to have changed. Andre was framed for robberies when someone placed a backpack of stolen items in his locker and that’s the evidence that sent him away. He has an idea of who did it and he wants to know the truth. When his friend Eric goes missing, the danger builds and secrets are revealed as Andre tries to find his friend and get justice.

The chapter titles are fun since they’re named after songs. The history of our country’s turmoil during the pandemic is represented well. I enjoyed the book and read it straight through. The story reminds me a bit of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, because of the harsh reality brought to life, but with less swearing. Andre, Sierra and Eric are black, the rest of the characters are default white.

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

Crave by Tracy Wolff - OPTIONAL

Crave by Tracy Wolff, 592 pages. Entangled Teen, 2020. $17 

Language: R (103 swears 33 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (passionate kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody injury, stabbing) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

17yo Grace has recently lost both of her parents and is now becoming a resident of Alaska so she can live with extended family, her uncle and her cousin Macy. She’s in a bit of a culture shock from the small population and extremely cold weather, since she’s just traveled from San Diego. But when she arrives at Katmere Academy, her new home, she’s astounded. It’s an elegant castle where students reside and her uncle is the headmaster. Grace feels out of place and she can tell which students “run” the school. It seems to be run by the Order, with Jaxon Vega as the leader. Jaxon helps Grace more than once and she starts falling for him. Strange and dangerous things keep happening around and to Grace but she believes that she’s getting to know her fellow students and who she can trust until information is revealed about her parents.

The book started out cheesy with the silly chapter titles and the almost instant swooning but still a fun read. The depth occurred through character development and a bit of mystery. I enjoyed Jaxon’s perspective at the ending because it helped understand the situation better. I am curious about and anxious to read the sequel and unravel more of the background of the fun characters The ethnicity is predominantly white. Flynn is Black and the Alaskan natives are bronze skinned.

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School