Once We Were Witches by Sarah Driver - ESSENTIAL

Once We Were Witches by Sarah Driver, illustrated by Fabi Santiago. Farshore, 2023. $8

Language: PG (5 swears, no ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS–ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Thirteen years ago, magic was banished from the land. Any child found to have magic was sent to Miss Mouldheel’s School for Wicked Girls where she is taught that her sins are many and her chance at redemption is slim. Sisters Spel and Egg have lived most of their lives at the school with no understanding of their past or the magic they have. Then one day they receive a message telling them to run.

A perfect book for readers who love a spooky vibe, this cozy fantasy contains adventure, sibling love, found family, and witchy magic. The world building is well crafted bringing the reader into a new place where they want to stay awhile.

AEB

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln - ADVISABLE

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln, illustrated by Claire Powell. Dutton (Penguin), 2023. $17

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (attempted murder, off-page murder, non-gruesome murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In the Swift family, on the day a new member is born, their name is chosen from the dictionary with the expectation that they will grow to match the name. 13yo Shenanigan Swift seems to be fulfilling that expectation well as she causes chaos with her mischief. With the big family reunion approaching, Shenanigan is excited to meet all the extended family and search for the fabled family treasure. Excited, that is, until someone attempts to murder the family matriarch in a bid to take the treasure all for themselves.

Clever plotting and likable characters make this a fun read. However, the plot does move rather slowly at points, which may cause younger readers to lose interest. Overall, an original story that pares many new words for consideration alongside a murder mystery providing a unique reading experience.

AEB

The Sun and The Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro - ADVISABLE

The Sun and The Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro, 472 pages. Disney Hyperion, 2023. $20

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G (some kissing); Violence: PG (Monsters, killing, blood, injuries)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

14yo Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, and 16yo Will Solace, son of Apollo, and boyfriends, venture together into the deep, terrifying depths of Tartarus (the bottom and most terrible part of the Underworld) to save an old friend. Their relationship hangs in the balance.

I just loved seeing all these old characters of Rick's again. I also really like how he incorporated things from his past books and different characters' storylines into this book. One thing that surprised me was how many characters came out as LGBT in the camp scene. I did not see that coming in my reading of the rest of the books in the series. As a teenager, I just didn’t see the point of having so many of the characters suddenly being out, but I’m sure he had his reasons and I can respect that. Nico di Angelo is Italian and gay. Will Solace is bi-sexual.

Student Reviewer: KC, 9th grade 

Raising the Horseman by Serena Valentino - ADVISABLE

 Raising the Horseman by Serena Valentino, 304 pages. Disney, 2023. $11

Language: G (5 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (Horse attempts to murder a boy)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

18yo Kat’s mother wants her to read a diary that has been passed down from generation to generation to the eldest girl in the family from the first Katrina, who is her 15th great grandmother and finds out her life is really similar to it. Then she meets someone called Isadora Crow and is her same age and they get along together until she finds out Isadora’s real last name.

I liked that Kat was smart, but also kind and gave Isadora another chance. I didn't like how Isadora wasn't really that straightforward with Kat. I really liked the book aver all though. Kat is the 15th great granddaughter of Katrina Van Tessel and is thought to be able to summon a ghost.

Student Reviewer: BG, 7th grade 

The Space Between Here and Now by Sarah Suk - MANY

The Space Between Here and Now by Sarah Suk, 320 pages. Quill Tree Books (HarperCollins), 2023. $20.

Language: R (30 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Going back in time sounds like a superpower, but, for Aimee (17yo), it’s a nightmare. Aimee has Sensory Time Warp Syndrome (STWS), which, for her, means that sometimes a smell will send her back in time to watch an old memory, making her physically disappear from the present for an uncontrollable amount of time. But her dad is in denial about the issue, even as the disappearances are starting to occur more frequently. Aimee needs help, and she’s desperate enough to fly halfway around the world to find it.

The story was initially unclear about whether Aimee’s disappearances were mental or physical absences, and the book was more enjoyable once that detail was made clear: the disappearances include a change in her physical location. While Aimee’s condition is fictional, her struggles to talk about and find help for STWS are relatable. She wants to be in control of STWS before she lives her life instead of learning to live with STWS and the ways it might disrupt any given day. The ending is more about closure than solutions, more about mindset than being bestowed with a magical happily ever after.

Aimee, Junho, and their fathers are Korean-Canadian; Nikita is Taiwanese-Canadian; and most of the other characters are either implied Canadian or Korean.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Stars in Their Eyes by Jessica Walton and Aska - ADVISABLE

Stars in Their Eyes by Jessica Walton and Aska, 224 GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix Scholastic, 2023. $16

Language: PG-13 (17 swears 0 F); Mature Content: PG (talk of being conceived in a back seat, getting prego) Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Maisie is 14yo and on her way to her first fancon where she is excited to meet other queer, disabled people. Her idol, Kara Bufano, an action hero will be there and they both have an above the knee amputation in common. When Maisie and her mother get there, she meets Ollie, a volunteer working the show. They are as into geek culture as Maisie, and Maisie begins to have feelings for them. 

 This is a slice of life book. The entire book takes place in the one day of Maisie's fancon visit, so it's like reading it in real time. This is a first romance story with nonbinary characters as well as featuring Maisie's disability. The characters are believable and reinforce the theme of celebrating yourself and others for who they are. No race is mentioned for the main characters but the culture is LGBTQ. 

Michelle in the Middle

No Horses in the House!by Mireille Messier and Anna Bron - OPTIONAL

No Horses in the House!: The Audacious Life of Artist Rosa Bonheur by Mireille Messier illustrated by Anna Bron. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY Orca Book Publishers, 2023. $22. 9781459833524 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Once there was a girl named Rosa who loved to draw animals, especially horses. Her mother insisted on teaching her to read and let her draw an animal for every letter in the alphabet. As Rosa grew older she didn't want to sew, embroider, cook, and garden like the other girls. Eventually, her father taught her to draw, paint, and sculpt at home like her brothers. Rosa wanted to go to the horse market to draw horses, but only boys were allowed. So Rosa dressed in her brother's clothing and went to the horse market. A policeman caught her. So Rosa got a permit from the government to dress any way she wanted. She started showing her paintings. Some ridiculed her but others thought her animals were very lifelike. Then one year her newest painting, The Horse Fair, was so beautiful that she became one of the most famous artists in France. 

No Horses in the House is an interesting account of the life of famous French artist Rosa Bonheur. Messier's text portrays a woman willing to take surprisingly bold risks, and dress as a man to be able to do things that only men were allowed to do in 1829 in France. I enjoyed the story and the storytelling illustrations. the fact sheet at the end includes more detail to her life and alternate lifestyle. 

PGPowers

Scariest.Book.Ever. by R.L. Stine - OPTIONAL

Scariest.Book.Ever. (Goosebumps House of Shivers #1) by R.L. Stine, 160 pages.  Scholastic, 2023. $8 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Thinking they are in for a boring summer, 12yo twins Betty and Billy have to spend time with Uncle Wendell in his secluded house at the edge of the Wayward Forest. The twins don't have a chance to get bored before discovering that Uncle Wendell is the keeper of the most scariest book in the world, and they have to face their own scares to keep it safe. 

This is standard R.L. Stine fare, so fans of his will probably enjoy it. The storyline was okay, though Stine has better books. But if you want a quick read that brings back Goosebump nostalgia, then read on. The culture and race of the main characters is never mentioned. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Piggy: Permanent Detention by Vannotes - HIGH

Piggy: Permanent Detention by Vannotes, 128 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL graphix Scholastic, 2023. $13 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

The world is in disarray after an outbreak of a zombie-like disease. Willow and her team, the Silver Paw, do what they can to survive, which is not easy when there are the Infected and their leader PIGGY, who seems bent on taking them out. Willow and teammate Cami, are separated from the others and have to make their way through an abandoned school filled with a barbarian clan of kindergartners, a gladiator pit in the cafeteria, and an infected-filled gym. 

This seems like "The Walking Dead" for elementary students. The art is bright and colorful and will most likely entice readers. However, there wasn't a lot of plot besides getting away from the mysterious infected PIGGY via an old school building, and anyone who can't get past kindergartners probably deserves to let Darwinism take over. There is no clear culture or race since the characters seem to be a mashup of weird animal creatures. Think not-so-adorable stuffed animals come to life. 

Michelle in the Middle

Looking Up by Stephan Pastis - HIGH

Looking Up by Stephan Pastis, 228 pages.  Simon and Schuster, 2023. $14 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Saint is a girl facing lots of changes. The neighborhood she loves is disappearing. But it is when her favorite and ancient toy store is demolished, that she realizes she must take action. Enlisting the help of a quiet neighbor boy whose house is also in danger of being torn down for newer buildings, she hatches a plan to save her hometown from realtors. 

Okay, my description of the book doesn't capture the quirkiness that makes reading a Stephan Pastis book an adventure in joy. Saint is a great character who is relatable even in her oddness, which makes her more endearing. Her observations about life are truthful from a child's perspective. While mostly funny, the book also touches on real issues such as change and loss. The line drawings add a lot to the tone of the book. Sign me up for another one! The culture or race of the main characters is not specified. 

Michelle in the Middle

Isaiah Dunn Saves the Day by Kelly J. Baptiste - ESSENTIAL

Isaiah Dunn Saves the Day by Kelly J. Baptiste, 179 pages. Crown, 2022. $17 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

11yo Isaiah Dunn is in middle school. He, his mom, and his sister live with a neighbor while their mom finishes school and works on feeling better. Isaiah's best friend Angel always has business ideas. Isaiah is a wonderful artist and people buy his art. Angel thinks they could use some quick cash and they start making birthday cards. He is also in business with his friend Sneaky selling candy and pop. He's good at making money. At his school, there are after-school clubs, and one is called Rockets Reach Back. That means an older child is paired up with a younger child who is in trouble. He is supposed to be a mentee for Kobee, but Kobee is nothing but trouble. Can Isaiah, with all he has going on, pull up a new superpower and figure out what is with Kobee and help him? 

This was amazing! Wish all troubled kids had an Isaiah in their lives! Isaiah is just an all-around good kid. He is always busy, always helping his mom, his sister his teacher and Kobee. It is a feel-good, heartwarming story. The characters are African American 

Ellen-Anita. Librarian 

Next Door To Happy by Allison Weiser Strout - ADVISABLE

Next Door To Happy by Allison Weiser Strout, 184 pages. Margaret Ferguson Books (Holiday House), 2022. $18 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Violet is not especially happy - things aren't great at her house. Her father just moved out and her mother suffers from crippling anxiety. She has no siblings and nobody to play with. She will start middle school soon and she will not know anybody there. Then, one day the Walker family moves in next door. They have several children and Reggie is the same age as Violet. Actually, Violet gets along with the whole family and often eats dinner with them. One day Violet accidentally overhears Mrs. Walker telling Reggie that she does not think that Violet is an "appropriate" friend. Violet discovers that no family is perfect as she struggles to find a way to fit in and be a friend. 

I think there are a lot of children like Violet who struggle to fit in, find friends, and feel secure in who they are. Violet is going to have to face some hard truths and come to terms with how her life is. A great read and I highly recommend this book. Characters are default white.

Ellen-Anita. Librarian 

She Holds Up the Stars by Sandra Laronde - ADVISABLE

She Holds Up the Stars by Sandra Laronde, 187 pages. Annick Press, 2022. $18 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G (mistreatment of horse) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Misko is a Canadian First People and she lives in the city with her aunt. She does not want to move back to the reservation to live with her grandmother - all her friends, her school, all the stores she knows are here in the city. She is not happy to be there until she meets a most beautiful horse she names Mishtadim, which is being violently broken by his new owner. At first Misko and Thomas, the son of Mishtadim's owner, do not get along, but after awhile a friendship starts to form between them. Can Misko and Thomas stop his father from being so hard on the horse? Is there another way? 

She Holds Up the Stars is a quick read, and a beautiful story. I read it all the way through, I could not put it down. This would especially appeal to children who love horses, and maybe children who own horses. I recommend the lovely little story and I hope you will enjoy it, too. Main character in Native American. 

Ellen-Anita. Librarian 

If You Read This by Kereen Getten - ESSENTIAL

If You Read This by Kereen Getten, 166 pages. Delacorte Press. 2022. $17 

Language: G Mature Content: G (death of mother) Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Every year when Brie had a birthday, mama would write Brie letters for a treasure hunt. But Mama dies three years ago and this year there will again be no letter. The old letters that mom wrote are now Brie's favorite memories of Mama. Nana has invited a lot of people to Brie's birthday party, even people she never talks to. Everyone is dressed in their best, and the table is heaped high with all kinds of food, even a three-tiered cake! The party goes better than Brie expected and Nana has one last, very special gift for Brie.

I love the story of Brie and her family. It pulled at my heartstrings and made me cry and laugh. It is well written, full of emotion, and great family support. You will have to read it for yourself to see if Brie can figure out Mama's clues and find the treasure at the end. The story is full of adventure and great and wonderful discoveries. Brie and her family are African American. 

Ellen-Anita. Library 

Dream to Me by Megan Paasch - MANY

Dream to Me by Megan Paasch, 384 pages.  Feiwel & Friends, 2023. $18 

Language: R (90 swears 11 'f'); Mature Content: G (kissing) Violence: PG-13 (bloody assault; death)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

17yo Eva has moved to Madrona with her older sister Rhonda after their father died from a gunshot wound. Their father’s Aunt Miriam left Eva the Sylvan family house in her will and now that’s the place they head to get a new start. The minute the two sisters arrive in town, they’re met with rude comments and glares from some of the townspeople when they’re recognized as a relative of Miriam and part of the Sylvan family. The next day, the gas attendant who told them to leave is found in a coma and soon more people fall into comas and Eva is accused of causing it. She has no idea what’s going on and when Rhonda falls into a coma, Eva does everything she can to discover her family’s secrets and wake everyone from their comatose state. 

I enjoyed the unique plot. The mystery grew more interesting as the story progressed. I liked the creepiness and the uncertainty. Bethany is Vietnamese. Falls to white. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Library

Search For Treasure by Mary Alice Monroe, Angela May, and Jennifer Brickling - ESSENTIAL

Search for Treasure (The Islanders #2) by Mary Alice Monroe and Angela May, illustrated by Jennifer Brickling, 259 pages. Aladdin, 2022. $18 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Jake Potter, now 12yo, is on his way to spend the summer with his grandmother and his best friends Macon and Lovie at Dewees Island. Last year they had a great mission, saving baby turtles. Jake is determined that this year they will have find his Dad's tree fort, which is hidden deep within the forest. Maybe they will find old pirate treasure too? Life isn't just sunshine and roses for Jake and his friends. Some new boys are on the island - Jake and his friends are being bullied by them, but the adults can't see the bullying. Jake hopes he can find the treasure and make his dad happy again.

I was so excited to see this book in my box. I loved the first book. This one does not disappoint. Tell the kids about this book and I think they will like it. My grandson loved the first book and is eagerly waiting for this one. The characters are strong and very realistic. The setting is real and the adults give the kids a lot of freedom to explore by themselves. It is a small island, so it would be hard to get lost or get to any harm without being found quickly. I loved both Islanders and look forward to more adventures with Jake, Macon and Lovie.  All three children have personal problems in their families. Together they are stronger, they can talk about their problems and help each other find solutions. 

Ellen-Anita Librarian 

Nothing is Little by Carmella Van Vleet - ESSENTIAL

Nothing is Little by Carmella Van Vleet. 215 p. Holiday House, 2022. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL - HIGH 

11yo Felix lives with his mom and his stepdad. He has never known his dad and he and a friend start investigating to see if they can find any clues to who he is. Felix is short, and he finds out that his dad was really short too. Felix has Growth Hormone Deficiency. Without that Growth Hormone, he will not grow. Felix and his very pregnant mother go to see a specialist. It is decided that Felix will start Growth Hormone treatments. In the meantime his baby sister, Boo, keeps growing and making his mother very uncomfortable. On top of everything else, his mom and stepdad want Felix to change his last name so that the whole family will have the same last name. Felix struggles with all these things; starting middle school, being short, not knowing his father, getting a new stepfather, and waiting for the new baby to be born. 

I loved this book. I loved how Felix rises to each new challenge and makes good decisions. He does not especially mind being short, it is just the way he is. He has some good friend and a mom and a stepdad who love him and want what is best for him. The was a very heartwarming story about how children, and all of us, can overcome hardships in our lives, learn to live with it, and keep doing our best. I really recommend this book. It is a good read-aloud, or, book talks to students and they will all want to read it. Happy reading everyone. 

The characters are default white.

Ellen-Anita. Librarian 

Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll - ESSENTIAL

Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll, 304 pages. Crown (Random House), 2022. $17. 

Language: PG (9 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Car Accident - not graphic) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

12yo Cora's best friend is Adrian. Adrian has ADHD, and Cora has autism - Adrian says they are "under the same umbrella." Adrian's dad owns a company called Pomagranite, which creates AI versions of people: famous ones people can pay to meet, or regular people who have agreed to let themselves be imaged, so they can "live forever." Because she is neurodivergent, the company wants to interview and image Cora, her father is against it, but it might be the only way she can continue to connect with the friend she lost. 

McNicoll's science fiction novel is so timely and realistic. AI is a hot topic right now and this exploration of how it could be used was fascinating. I loved that Cora's autism was a personality feature, rather than a disability and that she became her own champion. I loved Adrian's energy and adored their friendship. Highly recommended. The characters are default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Mascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell - ESSENTIAL

Mascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell, 256 pages. Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2023 $18.00 Language: G (references to racist words, but nothing overtly offensive); Mature Content: G. Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When the 8th-grade honor's language arts class is given a debate topic - "Pros and Cons of Indigenous Peoples as Mascots", the kids, and their families, take sides because their local high school has “The Braves” for their mascot. One group of middle school students takes the issue to the school board; they want the high school mascot - "The Braves" - removed. 

 Written in verse and from multiple perspectives, Sorell and Waters weave a great story. The middle schoolers are a group of students Callie, who is Cherokee, Priya whose family is from India, Franklin is Black, Luis is from El Salvador and Sean and Tessa who are white. I love that all the students aren't on board with removing the mascot, in fact, some are actively opposed. I liked the friendship and family drama it caused. I would think it would make an interesting classroom novel. 

Lisa Librarian

Find Him Where You Left Him Dead by Kristen Simmons - OPTIONAL

Find Him Where You Left Him Dead by Kristen Simmons. 264 pages. Tor Teen, 2023. $19

Language: R (32 swears 5 'f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing) Violence: PG-13 (bloody death) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

17yo Madeline is swimming laps in the empty pool when she sees a boy that shouldn’t be there. The boy looks like an emaciated Ian, her friend who died four years ago. Emerson lives for video gaming and when she sees a sickly Ian trying to get to her, she panics. Dax takes a break from playing his guitar at the coffee shop and while he’s in the bathroom, a ghost creeps out of the toilet and beckons him to gather The Foxtail Five. As Owen acts on stage, he sees Ian, so he runs after him and realizes that it’s not Ian. It’s actually a demon. The four friends meet up and learn they have to defeat seven challenges presented by Japanese Shinigami and receive a stone for each one before they can reach Ian and save him from the demonic spirits. 

I like the concept of the characters going on a quest to save their friend from the Japanese underworld. The book didn’t keep my interest like I thought it would. The creepiness made the story more fun. Madeline is Black. Ian and Emerson are white. Dax has brown skin. Owen is Japanese American. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian