Kawaii Cafe Bubble Tea by Stacey Kwong and Beyah del Mundo - GIFT

Kawaii Cafe Bubble Tea by Stacey Kwong and Beyah del Mundo, 123 pages. Rock Point, 2024. $15.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - GIFT

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Stacey and Beyah share a little bit about their journey into the boba business as they share some of their recipes with boba fans!

The cookbook was surprisingly informative regarding different kinds of boba, though they keep it short and sweet to not bore readers. I also appreciate how they foster creativity in their readers, giving some building blocks and encouraging readers to try their own variations.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Facing the Enemy by Barbara Krasner - ADVISABLE

Facing the Enemy by Barbara Krasner, 335 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE. Calkins Creek (Astra), 2023. $20

Violence: PG (implied that a boy was drowned deliberately)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In the 1930’s Benjy and Tommy were best friends, until Tommy’s German father insisted that Tommy join the local Nazi New Jersey youth camp and learn how to be a “good” German. Benjy, meanwhile, watches his father befriend the famous boxer Nat Arno, as they and other Jews form the Newark Minutemen to counteract the local Nazi propaganda. 

Spanning 1937 to 1941, on Tommy’s side we see the insidious work of Nazi brainwashing and on Benjy’s side we see countermeasures that were ongoing within the US. While the poetry is not poetic, Krasner has created a good way to for any reader to learn about America’s own Nazi past (any maybe compare it to the present?). The subtitle for the book is “How a Nazi Youth Camp in America Tested a Friendship”.  The main characters are not real people. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Tasty: A History of Yummy Experiments by Victoria Grace Elliott - OPTIONAL

Tasty: A History of Yummy Experiments by Victoria Grace Elliott, 134 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, NON-FICTION RH Graphic (Random House), 2023. $22 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A collection of upbeat food sprites takes the reader on a tour of how various foods came to be from pizza to pickles. 

At first glance, this book looks like a fictional middle-grade graphic novel but sports a fairly high lexile as it goes through food facts from throughout the world. This is a fun way to learn facts, though I would have liked a table of contents. Some simple recipes go with the different sections. Food aficionados may enjoy this but the artwork seems geared to elementary-age girls. 

 Michelle in the Middle

The Curious Vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby by G.Z. Schmidt - ADVISABLE

The Curious Vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby by G.Z. Schmidt, 272 pages. Holiday House, 2023. $18 

Language: G (0 swears 0'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Peril, suspense, missing child, talk of using a child's heart) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

13 years ago, 6yo Beatrice Willoughby disappeared without a trace at the Amadeus' annual All Hallowed's Eve party. Now Mort Amadeus is in jail, convicted of her murder from only circumstantial evidence. Tonight, a special party is being thrown with invited guests only. Maribelle Amadeus has collected people who were there on the night Beatrice disappeared and won't let them leave until they solve the mystery of what happened. 11yo Dewey came (uninvited) with his dad Chaucer, a story collector, and Dewey seems to be the only one with any detective skills. They only have until midnight to exonerate Mort. 

What a delightful story - I felt like I was in an Agatha Christie novel. Laced with magic and fairy tales, Dewey, an "own schooled" kid on the road all his life has a great education from all the books he's read. The perfect outsider to see things the party guests don't or won't notice. I loved it! The time period is sketchy - a computer is mentioned, but a spinning wheel is also in use. The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Fairest of All by Sarah Mlynowski and Anu Chouhan - ADVISABLE

Fairest of All (Whatever After The Graphic Novel #1) by Sarah Mlynowski, illustrated by Anu Chouhan. 160 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix Scholastic, 2024. $13 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Abby and her little brother, Jonah, have been sucked through a magic mirror into the story of Snow White. They are pretty proud of themselves for keeping Snow from eating a poisoned apple from the Queen until they realize that they've changed her story and she might not meet her prince. 

Though there are countless retellings of fairytales, this is a fun romp into the genre with the idea that change isn't always bad. The characters are fun and the artwork is bright and colorful and adds to the story. No specific race or culture is mentioned in the story. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Stuntboy, In-Between Time by Jason Reynolds and Raul the Third - ADVISABLE

Stuntboy, In-Between Time (Stuntboy #2) by Jason Reynolds, drawings by Raul the Third, 272 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2023. $15.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

10yo Portico's parents are Xs and are now living on separate floors in the apartment building. Today is his first time staying at his dad's and he's not ready. This whole thing has been a shock. So, he avoids the inevitable, and instead of going to his dad's apartment, he hangs out with his friends instead. With a broken elevator in the building, they have to avoid the bullies in the stairwell, but Herbert has found an empty apartment that is unlocked and takes Portico and Lola there - the perfect playground for three kids - with a pocket full of markers. 

Jason Reynolds is a master storyteller. Stuntboy reads like an adventure serial, complete with commercial breaks. Raul the Third's illustrations are perfect. While I have labeled Stuntboy a graphic novel, it's more of a hybrid, with lots of illustrations and plenty of traditional text. 4th and 5th graders will love this series. Follow along with the audiobook - the multiple narrators add so much to this exciting story. Although Portico is only 10, the reputation of Jason Reynolds along with kids talking about Stuntboy, I think my middle schoolers will enjoy it too, so I am buying a copy. The characters are Black. 

Lisa Librarian

Final Word by Janet Sumner Johnson - ADVISABLE

Final Word (Winterton Deception #1) by Janet Sumner Johnson, 384 pages. Pixel + Ink (Holiday House), 2023 $19. 

Language: G; Mature Content: G Violence PG: Peril, injuries, adult attempts to strangle a child 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

13yo twins Gordon and Hope have entered a spelling bee. The prize money will help pay the back rent on the motel room they share with their mother (who recently lost her job) and keep them from going into foster care. But this year the stakes are high. The matron of the Winterton family has recently passed away and this year's grand prize is a half million dollars! But they are competing against members of the Winterton family, all of whom seem to have been disinherited, and there's a treasure hunt involved. 

Johnson dedicates The Final Word to Ellen Raskin - which put me in mind of the Westing Game. The estate where the bee is held has a massive library, and many many great children's books are mentioned. Loved the nods to both classics and recently published novels. The mystery is fast-paced and works well against this backdrop - the intensity of the spelling bee rounds balances the frantic search for a family heirloom. It was fun to follow the clues along with Hope. I could have done without the epilogue though - it confused things and brought more questions than answers.  The characters default white, although Hope mentioned she has tanned skin. 

Lisa Librarian 

Three Tasks for a Dragon by Eoin Colfer and P.J. Lynch - ESSENTIAL

Three Tasks for a Dragon by Eoin Colfer, illustrated by P.J. Lynch. 113 pages. Candlewick, 2023. $20 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (threats, battles, deaths - not graphic) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL  MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Prince Lir doesn't have the qualities of an heir to the throne. He can't ride a horse, lift a sword, or summon the wolfhounds. His stepmother manages to get him banished from the kingdom, and sends him on an impossible task; he must rescue a maiden from an aging dragon. 

Once there was a prince . . . Colfer has penned a marvelous fairy tale complete with black magic, a fire-breathing dragon, a deposed prince, and a beautiful maiden. Richly illustrated by PJ Lynch, it's beautiful enough to live on the coffee table and I'm certain will be read and re-read. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish - ADVISABLE

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish. 336 pages. Middle Grade HarperCollins, 2023. $20 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G Violence: PG (peril. student fist fights) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Young Arthur Conan Doyle is sure he's the answer to help his struggling family in 1868, Edinburgh. His father drinks too much to support Arthur, his mother, and many sisters - he will drop out of school and get a job. But, out of the blue, Arthur receives a scholarship to the prestigious Baskerville Hall. An airship picks him up and sweeps him away to a boarding school embroiled in a mystery. It's the perfect place for brilliant Arthur to use his skills of observation and pugilism. 

Readers don't need a background knowledge of Doyle to enjoy this fun novel, but those who love Sherlock Holmes will recognize characters like James Moriarty, Dr. Watson, Mrs. Hudson, and others. The Steam punk elements were great, and I loved that they added danger and suspense to the story. You'd have to do the math to see that Arthur is a 9yo (provided the time frame is the same as Doyle's actual age), but the story reads more like he was 12. I really liked it - Standish has introduced a lot of characters, as I'm sure there will be a sequel, but it didn't feel like the setup for a series. Includes a mini-biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. All the characters are British, except Irene who is American. 

Lisa Librarian 

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein and Douglas Holgate - ESSENTIAL

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein, illustrated by Douglas Holgate. 250 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2023. $22 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

12yo Kyle gets a chance to stay overnight in the new town library designed by world-famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello. Kyle is beyond excited but then learns that getting out is the real puzzle. Kyle and the other kids are in a race to see who can figure out all the puzzles and win the game by escaping the library first. 

The illustrations are bright and colorful and add to the story. Loaded with all sorts of book references and clues, this will appeal to bibliophiles, gamers, and mystery solvers alike. I stayed hooked throughout and look forward to the next book! Kyle and his friends seem to represent a mix of ethnic backgrounds. 

Michelle in the Middle

Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again by Shigeru Kayama - ADVISABLE

Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again by Shigeru Kayama (translated by Jeffrey Angles), 256 pages. University of Minnesota Press, 2023. $20.

Language: PG13 (35 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

After the war, people are going about their lives again. Sailors are out working, and friends are going to concerts—until a monster from the sea ruins all those plans. Destruction and devastation has returned in the form of Godzilla, and no missile is a match for him.

In and of itself, Godzilla isn’t a very well written story. The story is choppy, and the characters—including Godzilla—and settings are inconsistent. What makes the story of Godzilla good is recognizing the monster as a metaphor for war. When the book is read through the lens of how people might respond to war, then it is interesting. Through that lens, an appearance of Godzilla is always a possibility.

All of the characters are Japanese. The mature content rating is for alcohol use. The violence rating is for blood and gore, gun use, persistent death, suicide, and fantasy violence.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Snow Man by Jonah Winter and Jeanette Winter - ADVISABLE

The Snow Man by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Jeanette Winter. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION. Beach Lane (Simon), 2023. $19. 9781665932394

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Decades earlier the man was young and just loved the peace he found in the beautiful mountains in every season. In the winter he started recording levels and observation - something to do to pass the time.  It wasn’t until much later that he shared this information with climate scientists, who knew it was a treasure trove of data to prove that climate change is happening.

Wow! I can’t imagine the dedication and persistence of Billy Barr, the man who has collected more than 50 years of data about his mountain home - even if he did start all of the measurements because he was bored. Winter and Winter (son and mother team), give us a few words per page (probably more words than Billy speaks each year), and Winter’s distinctive minimalist illustrations. Great for a science class - the short documentary seems to be easily available online - show your students citizen science in action!

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Does My Body Offend You? by Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt - OPTIONAL

Does My Body Offend You? by Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt, 432 pages. Knopf Books for Young Readers (Random House), 2022.  $19

Language: R (100+  swears, 15 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (lots of talk about the female body - boobs, nipples, vagina, etc, one instance of underage drinking to excess); Violence: PG-13 (on-page sexual assault - groping, talk about sexual assault survivors)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

15yo Malena is a 10th grader from a humble background, transplanted to Florida from Puerto Rico after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. She just wants to fit into her new life, but when she is unfairly targeted for a dress-code violation at her new school, she learns the power of finding her own voice. Ruby is a senior from a white, privileged background, transplanted to Florida from Seattle. Ruby wants to do the right thing for everyone, but as she works with Malena, she will learn that she has a long way to go to help make real change.

The last book I read, I compared it to cotton-candy. This book was like a roast beef sandwich - there was a lot of depth to it and I was fully invested in the story. The discussion moved between social justice, racism, sexism, feminism, patriarchy, and activism pretty flawlessly, as well as exploring the intersectionality of those issues. I loved the growth that Malena and Ruby both experienced over the course of the novel. It was fascinating to consider what happens after the protest ends and the hubbub subsides, how do the people involved move on and make change? I will say that after finishing, it made me want to find a cause to champion and protest ASAP.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher - ADVISABLE

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher, 128 pages. Tor Books, 2023 $20 

Violence: PG (undetailed deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Toadling has been guarding the castle behind the thorn hedge for 200 years. She keeps hoping that the world will forget and she can take her rest. Then a knight appears who seems more persistent, and also more kind, than the ones who came before. Toadling eventually tells him her story and how Toadling made the mistake that left evil sleeping for all of these decades. 

Kingfisher gives us a tight, intriguing tale that twists on the familiar Sleeping Beauty. Adults will love this and I think it would make a great class read for middle school or high school. So many dimensions, and layers in a small package. The knight is Muslim, Toadling's ethnicity and age are unknown. The book was provided for review by libro.fm. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLIS 

Places We've Never Been by Kasie West - ADVISABLE

Places We've Never Been by Kasie West, 336  pages. Delacorte Press (Penguin Random House), 2022. $19

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (catcalls, kissing, family with a cancer diagnosis); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Norah is a 17yo high school junior Caucasian artist who dreams of being a videogame designer and has an interview at her dream college in Seattle. Before that can happen, she has to survive a cross-country RV trip with her mom & brother, and her childhood best friend’s family. But both Norah and Skyler don’t click like they used to and it seems like everyone in Norah’s life is keeping secrets.

Light and fluffy, like the best cotton candy. It was a pretty quick read and just a hint of emotional depth as Norah navigates her changing relationships. I was slightly annoyed by how long it took to find out the big reveal that was hinted at throughout the story, but I could see how it would drive some readers to devour the story. This would be a nice, clean, sweet romcom to add to your classroom library, but don’t expect more depth than there is.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

Forever Twelve by Stacy McAnulty - ADVISABLE

Forever Twelve (The Evers #1) by Stacy McAnulty, 351 pages. Random House, 2023 $18 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f');  Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (girl falls from roof) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Ivy is excited to take the exam for the prestigious West Archer Academy - her love of learning and knowledge has left her feeling on the outs at all of her other schools. A random girl on campus mistakes Ivy for someone named Grace, leading to a deeper mystery - including Abigail trying to persuade Ivy that Abigail and a few others are Evers - children who have been changed and now live forever. Abigail is sure that Ivy is the key to finding out what happened to Grace - an Ever who disappeared more than 50 years ago. 

There doesn't seem to be a specific reason, at least not revealed yet, that the Evers have to be 12. And one of the Evers seems to be younger, but he doesn't appear much on the pages. It feels like the 1st book is a lot of set-up for things to start happening in the next book. The current Evers seem to do very little with their immortality. But the mystery and the dramatic rush at the end will draw some fans. Plus I want to see more of Ronan, Ivy's acquaintance from home who has his own supernatural challenges to deal with. The characters default to white. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLIS

Every Time You Go Away by Abigail Johnson - MANY

Every Time You Go Away by Abigail Johnson, 368 pages. Inkyard Press, 2023. $20.

Language: R (53 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Rebecca lives next door to Ethan’s grandparents, and all she’s ever wanted is for Ethan to stay, but his mom keeps taking him away. After this longest period of separation, Rebecca (17yo) and Ethan (17yo) are coming back together changed by the lives they’ve lived apart. This last reunion might be their last—for better or ill.

Life is not always kind, and Rebecca and Ethan suffer in different ways—different from each other and different from readers—but the underlying insecurities and questions about trust are the same. Through their story, readers see how no one can talk us out of our dark places. We have to choose to turn away from the pain, knowing that it will probably always be there, and that’s okay. Moving forward is still possible. It’s always still possible.

Rebecca is described as having “light” skin, Ethan is depicted on the cover as white, Neel is at least half Indian, and Amelie is Latina. The mature content rating is for partial nudity, innuendo, underage drinking, and drug use. The violence rating is for mentions of domestic violence.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Drizzle, Dreams, and Lovestruck Things by Maya Prasad - ADVISABLE

Drizzle, Dreams, and Lovestruck Things by Maya Prasad, 464 pages. Disney Hyperion, 2022.  $18

Language: G (1 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (one instance of underage drinking at a party, dealing with grief over the death of family members); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The Singh sisters have grown up in the Songbird Inn, a charming bed and breakfast in the Pacific Northwest that was recently named “Most Romantic Inn in America.” The family of girls are close-knit but like any family, they drive each other crazy too. Nidhe (18) - the organized and sensible oldest, Avani (17) - the scatterbrained, sporty poet and twin, Rani (17) - the dramatic romantic and twin, and Sirisha (16) - the painfully shy photographer. Over the course of a year, each sister gets their own story where they learn about love and life during each season. 

As someone who also grew up in a family with four girls, the family dynamic was spot on. I loved all the sisterly love and affection (even through the various fights and misunderstandings), and it was so fun to see each sister get her own story. I also loved all the references to Indian culture - the food, the music, and movies. This is a great choice for your classroom library - awesome representation, authentic family dynamics, and sweet romantic storylines.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

Night Render by Jodi Meadows - ADVISABLE

Nightrender (Salvation Cycle #1) by Jodi Meadows. 367 pages Holiday House, 2022. $15 

Language: PG (1 swear 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (implied sex); Violence: PG-13 (bloody death)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Prince Rune is betrothed to Princess Hanne and as they’re visiting his homeland, she gets trapped in a malsite where no one can see or hear her on the outside of the boundary of this area filled with malice. Rune wakes the Nightrender from her 400-year old slumber to save the princess. The Nightrender is a mythical hero who saves humans from malice and corruption. Rune wants to help the Night Render but his parents fight him about it, so nothing gets accomplished. Meanwhile, Hanne is threatened by an evil creature, a rancor. She must help create a weapon against her kingdom and Rune’s kingdom or she will be destroyed. Hanne wants to save herself and she’ll do anything to stay safe. 

The story is of action and intrigue. The Night Render is an awesome mythical character with a single mission. The character development is a little stilted in some parts. The ethnicity is light brown skin dominant in Ivasland and white skin dominant in Embria. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

Hex Americana by Bree Wolf - OPTIONAL

Hex Americana by Bree Wolf, 380 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Iron Circus Comics, 2023.  $15

Language: G (1 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (a couple of characters have a near brush with death) ; Violence: PG (some intense racing scenes, a couple of fatphobic jokes)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Ken Takamoto is a daredevil half-Yōkai who is obsessed with car racing. He accidentally comes across the Speed Demon of Echo Canyons, the ghost of a boy, Dante Willow, who died in a car race 20 years earlier. Together they train to compete in the Hex Americana, the biggest car race around. It’s not all fun and games, however, when they learn the truth about Dante’s death and the powers actually behind the Hex.

This was a weird read for me. I usually really like fantasy, but I think the combination of ghouls, demons, ghosts, and other fantastical elements with the modern sport of car racing was throwing me off. I didn’t really understand the world - I also didn’t fully understand everyone’s motivations, so it made the ending seem unresolved. It’s ok if you have the budget, but it will only appeal to a small portion of your readers.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes