Puzzled by Pan Cooke - ESSENTIAL

Puzzled by Pan Cooke, 224 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Rocky Pond Books Penguin, 2024 $14 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

This is a memoir based on Pan's experiences with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Pan is ten when his brain begins to obsess over his thoughts, and the book follows him through high school. Pan worries he will say or do the wrong thing and his fears can only be solved through exhausting rituals. He feels he has to figure out the puzzle that is him, and he isn't sure how. 

 Pan does a great job letting readers into the mind of someone coping with thoughts they don't understand. This book builds a lot of empathy for those suffering from OCD and may help a reader recognize symptoms sooner if they are going through something similar. Pan point out that it takes 11 years on average for someone to get diagnosed. Pan is from Ireland, though culture and race don't play a part in the story. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Scarewaves by Trevor Henderson - OPTIONAL

Scarewaves by Trevor Henderson, 208 pages. Middle Grade Scholastic, 2023. $13 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (deaths, disappearances, monsters) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Beacon Point is one creepy small town. Residents are generally inside before dark and there are unexplained disappearances and sightings of strange creatures. The townsfolk all avoid the nearby woods. It's a wonder anyone lives there, but the adults seem oblivious. A group of kids decide to take on the monsters and find out what's going on before they too become victims. 

Appropriately creepy, the monsters don't disappoint. There are a lot of first hand experiences with the monsters and the teens don't seem quite as traumatized as one would think. Definitely scarier than Goosebumps. You may not want to listen to monster sightings over your airwaves again. The kids come from a variety of backgrounds and culture and race are not stated. 

Michelle in the Middle 

To Love the Brooding Baron by Jentry Flint - OPTIONAL

To Love the Brooding Baron by Jentry Flint, 256 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2024. $17.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Lord Henry Northcott is followed by whispers and gossip due to the madness of his mother and sister. While Henry will do anything for his friends’ happiness, he is determined to hold himself apart—especially from his growing tendre for Arabella. His happiness is not as important as keeping his secret from gossips and friends alike.

Flint’s story offers insight into the views and treatments of mental illnesses common in the 1800s. With mental illness as an integral part of the story, this regency romance feels fresh, though beloved tropes are still in use. Though this book can stand alone, “Games in a Ballroom” by Flint involves these characters, and I was thrilled to get Arabella’s story.

The characters are English. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, kissing, and mild innuendo. The violence rating is for assault and for mentions of murder and suicide.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag - OPTIONAL

The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag, 480 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, Young Adult Graphix (Scholastic), 2024. $17

Language: R (15 swears, 20 'F'); Mature Content: R (sex, drug use) Violence: PG-13 (blood sucking, attempted suicide/murder)

BUYING ADVISORY:  HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12th grader Magdalena Herrera is about to graduate from high school. Instead of a care-free year, she feels dragged down by her responsibilities of taking care of her aging grandmother, working a part-time job, and keeping a terrible secret that isolates her from friends and even family. A childhood friend, Nessa, comes back into town and Mags suddenly wants so much more than her isolated existence. 

Mags and Nessa are convincing as childhood friends who want to take their relationship to the next level. Mag's dark secret is intriguing and challenges that relationship even though her secret is bizarre. I wasn't a fan of casual sex as a way of self punishment, but it is a fast read. Mags is Hispanic and androgynous. Nessa's ethnicity is unclear, but they identify as she/her. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Heroes of the Water Monster by Brian Young - ADVISABLE

Heroes of the Water Monster (Healer of the Water Monster #2) by Brian Young, 384 pages. Heartdrum, 2023. $20. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (monster battles, peril) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

13yo Nathan fears his time with the Water Monsters is limited, as he is starting to feel signs of puberty. His father's girlfriend has a son, 11yo Edward, who can also see them, and Nathan asks that Edward be the guardian of Dew. Dew cannot fulfill her duties as a water monster because she don't know all the songs. Nathan gets permission for Yitoo, Dew's older sister, to mentor Dew. But first, Yitoo must find the source of the water loss - a Modern Enemy. 

I loved the magic; the battles were scary and intense and threatening, but as they were fighting monsters, there wasn't blood and guts and gore. I loved the interactions the boys had with the Holy Beings, and how they showed respect, even though they were afraid. Young is a great storyteller. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I also loved that climate change was mentioned often, and the need for us to care for our resources. A terrific follow-up to Healer of the Water Monster. I'll be reading and recommending this series especially to my Native American students. Nathan and Edward are Diné, Edward is half white. 

Lisa Librarian

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango - ADVISABLE

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango, 248 pages. Random House, 2023 $18.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

11yo Laura is in foster case with her aunt while her parents are in rehab. She hopes it's only temporary, but the social worker doesn't tell her anything. Her aunt is a doctor and is very busy and she has so many rules. Laura just wants to go home. But one day she finds a dog, a pit bull she names Sparrow, and her Tita lets her keep him. Laura hopes she can train Sparrow to be a Therapy Dog, maybe then she can visit her parents at the rehab and they can be a family again. 

Andrea Beatriz Arango's novels always touch my heart. What a sweet story. Laura is going through some tough stuff - but I love the hopeful look at foster care (kinship care, as she is with an aunt), and the lessons she learns about friendship and family. There's a bit of non-translated Spanish sprinkled in - a great mirror for my Latinx kids but a reminder to me I'm an outsider, thank you Andrea for the look inside. A novel in verse, so the chapters are but one or two pages. Nice bites for an underconfident reader. Laura and her aunt are Puerto Rican, Benson is black. 

Lisa Librarian 

Mabuhay! by Zachary Sterling - ADVISABLE

Mabuhay! by Zachary Sterling, 240 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix (Scholastic), 2023 $25.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (fighting monsters, witches). 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

JJ and Althea are Filipino Americans, their parents are immigrants and run a Filipino food truck. JJ struggles to fit in, while his sister Althea would rather be herself than fit in. They both hate working on the food truck - and when the truck is hired to cater an end of year party, thrown by the most popular girl (who is also JJs crush) the kids are horrified. But when their uncle shows up from the Philippines with news that the family is in danger, the kids find out that their mother is a powerful witch, and saving the world might have just fallen into their hands. 

The magical realism - the monster fighting side-story was a total surprise. It suddenly made Mabuhay! very exciting and dramatic - Lightning Thief lovers would find this a fun graphic novel. I liked the realistic representation of trying to negotiate school when your lunch smells different and your friends don't understand your culture. Full-color illustrations and great character representations (both in the story arc and pictures) draw the reader in, while the cultural foods, mythology, and the occasional Filipino phrase - defined on page - are a great mirror for those kids. 

 Lisa Librarian

Beneath a Crescent Shadow by A. L. Sowards - MANY

Beneath a Crescent Shadow (The Balkan Legends #1) by A. L. Sowards, 342 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2024. $23.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

The death of his father left Konstantin (19yo) in charge of their people before Konstantin was ready. With brigands destroying crops and homes, winter around the corner, and needing to pay tribute to the sultan in the spring, Konstantin doesn’t know how he can possibly take care of all his people’s needs. His grandfather arranges a marriage between Konstantin and Suzana (17yo), whose dowry will solve many problems, but is financial security worth marrying a stranger?

Sowards obviously did her homework to make her story align with history, aside from the fun fictional embellishments and drama. The history seeps through naturally, keeping readers engaged through relevant narration of politics and military strategy. Konstantin’s sense of right and wrong is challenged through his story, and I wept with him over the difficult choices he had to make.

Konstantin and Suzana are Serbian. The majority of characters are Serbs, with several Turks and Germans as well. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, illegal activity, sexual harassment, innuendo, and mentions of rape. The violence rating is for assault, miscarriage, mentions of domestic violence and suicide, battle scenes, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina - ADVISABLE

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina 280 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Candlewick, 2023. $20. 

Language: PG13 (20 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (illustrations of making out, one while participants are on a bed); Violence: PG13 (demeaning language, also an illustrated assault where the victim is stripped of her shirt and bra) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Piddy Sanchez started her sophomore year a month late at a new high school. Yaqui Delgado doesn't know her, and she doesn't know Yaqui, but somehow Yaqui is out to get her, and Piddy is afraid. She has a lot going on outside of school as well, her relationship with her mother is volatile, so she doesn't confide in anyone, and she thinks telling school administration will only make things worse. 

I enjoyed this graphic novel version of Meg Medina's Pura Belpre winning novel. Mel Valentine Vargas's blue and grey illustrations set a somber mood and bring the characters to life. There's a bunch of Spanish that isn't translated, but there's enough context around it that it isn't a problem. Piddy Sanchez is Dominican and Cuban. 

Lisa Librarian 

Eb & Flow by Kelly J. Baptist - ADVISABLE

Eb & Flow by Kelly J. Baptist, 212 pages. Crown (Random House), 2023. $17. 

Language: PG (3 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (mention of teen pregnancy); Violence: PG (fight, no blood). 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

When 7th graders De'Kari (Flow) and Ebony (Eb) have an altercation in the cafeteria over Eb stepping on Flow's new shoes, both receive a 10-day suspension. Now each has 2 weeks at home to deal with the consequences and figure out how to do better. 

Except for a couple of text messages, the kids don't interact with each other during the suspension, so while I expected the fight to continue, it was more about the kids dealing with their own issues. Both characters' voices are great, Baptist writes for young black kids beautifully. Throughout the read, I kept remembering Johnson's Playing the Cards You're Dealt which would be a great companion read. Eb & Flo is a novel in verse narrated from alternating points of view, and the chapters are short. The characters are Black. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Cursed Moon by Angela Cervantes - OPTIONAL

The Cursed Moon by Angela Cervantes, 224 pages. Middle Grade, Scholastic, 2023. $19 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Rafael Fuentes has just finished sixth grade, though his failing grades means he has to take summer school. His summer goes from discouraging to horrifying when his neighbor urges him not to tell ghost stories under a blood moon. Rafael can't resist however, and tells a ghost story about the Caretaker, which seems to unleash the evil ghost and turn his scary stories into reality. 

Nice and creepy, Rafael is not only dealing with living ghosts, but the return of his mother who has been in and out of rehab for alcohol and drugs, so there are themes of family and trust issues. Interesting premise and ends on a hopeful note. Rafael and his family are Latino. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan - OPTIONAL

Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan,  272 pages. Union Square & Co., 2023.  $19.

Language: R (100+ swears, 27 “f”); Mature Content: R (sex education discussions, frequent sexual humor, frequent references to teenage sexual activity, portrayal of homophobia in a school setting, several instances of underage drinking, and regular references to pornography); Violence: PG (bullying)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

17yo white gay Max has always been unapologetically himself. But when you are one of only a few number of queer students in a small British community, sometimes it gets old. All Max wants to do is fall in love and have the quintessential high school experience, like all the hetero couples seem to have. One night, he gets into a fight with his best friend Dean (17 yo, black, gay) and wishes for the unthinkable - to be straight and to never have been friends with Dean. When he wakes up, Max is straight and Dean doesn't seem to exist. What is Max supposed to do in this straight (strange) new world?

I actually really liked this book, but note that it has graphic language and mature content. I felt that Max's experience being straight (the grass is not always greener on the other side) felt true. I liked seeing him come into his own awareness of self - to recognize the consequences of his actions, and eventually recognize his white privilege. I also liked how Max could see his impact. He thought everything was different because Dean wasn’t in this reality, which was part of it, but Max also had influence, just by being himself. I keep saying this, but this is why representation matters. Being yourself allows others to be their own authentic selves.

Kiera, ELA teacher #BookswithBeddes

Ultraviolet by Aida Salazar - ESSENTIAL

Ultraviolet by Aida Salazar,  304 pages. Scholastic Press, 2024.  $19.

Language: PG (12 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (references sex-ed, adolescent sexual development - both male & female, toxic masculinity, cyberbullying, briefly mentions online predators); Violence: PG (one physical altercation, repeated cyberbullying);

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Written in verse, Ultraviolet is an intimate look at what it means to grow up and be a man for 13 yo Mexican-American Elio Solis. There is a lot happening at the start of 8th grade - puberty, girlfriends, big emotions, and surviving a culture of toxic masculinity. When a situation at school gets out of hand and lands Elio in the hospital, will he learn his lesson in time?

This is a book that adults will love more than kids. I still argue that it is an essential book for any school library because it’s targeted at middle grade boys and it deals with all the things that boys need help with but are too scared to ask. This was a great look at the intersection of toxic masculinity, social media, and growing up in middle school. It could be a nice one to pair with Long Way Down to compare what masculinity means in different communities, both in a poetic format.

Kiera, ELA teacher #BookswithBeddes  

Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens - OPTIONAL

Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens,  336 pages. Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster), 2023.  $20.  

Language: R (70 swears, 34 “f”); Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG (mild fantasy violence); 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Non-magical 16yo Rook wants to belong to the only world he’s ever known. When his magical grandmother passed away, he was torn away from the magical world by the powers that be. He convinces Antonia, the most powerful mage in the world, to hire him, if only to be next to magic again. They frequently cross paths with another mage, Fable and their apprentice, the prickly non-binary Sun. When the shady and self-serving magical governing body, the Magical Consortium, comes after Antonia and Fable, it’s up to Rook and Sun to save their mentors and fight back.

 

I love Luken’s work. I get drawn in by the pretty covers, but then the stories are just such great adventures. This story was particularly interesting worldbuilding, and everyone was such a unique character. Other than a couple of annoying quirks, like Rook repeating that he’s a genius or Antonia repeating how powerful she is, I thought everyone was so fun, and interesting. I was invested in Rook & Sun’s budding relationship from the start and feel like it’s a great addition to your LGBTQIA fantasy shelves, aside from some language.

Kiera, ELA teacher #bookswithbeddes

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou - MANY

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou, 352 pages. Razorbill (Penguin Random House), 2024. $20.

Language: R (80 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Io (18yo) is the third sister in a set of moira-born, which means she’s a cutter—one who can cut the threads of others, including lifethreads. One day, Io sees a woman whose lifethread has been severed. But the woman isn’t dead. The woman, in fact, murders someone else. Something that shouldn’t be possible.

The world Io lives in is ordered chaos, made up of tenuous relationships with herself, her powers, her sisters, her community, and the governing bodies. In its simplest form, Io’s story is a fantasy murder mystery suspense novel, but Io is just as much in conflict with herself as the world around her is in conflict. I was swept away by Io, the world’s magic system, and a need to uncover the reasons behind the murders. The pages could not be read fast enough, and I am eager to start the sequel.

Hatzopoulou’s characters—main characters as well as side characters—are diverse in skin tone and sexual orientation. The mature content rating is for illegal activity; mentions of drugs, alcohol, sexual harassment, prostitution, and nudity in art; and innuendo. The violence rating is for assault, gun use, blood and gore, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Warrior Genius by Michael Dante DiMartino - ADVISABLE

Warrior Genius (Rebel Geniuses #2) by Michael Dante DiMartino, 347 pages. Roaring Brook Press, 2018. $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

With the Compass in hand, Giacomo (12yo) and his friends are on the run from Supreme Creator Nerezza, who wants to take the Compass from them and get the other Sacred Tools before they can. When they find a safe place to hide, they become optimistic about finding the Straightedge, until the friends are separated, forcing them to fight Nerezza separately—or continue to flee.

Keeping a fast pace, it feels like a lot of ground—literally and metaphorically—is covered in this second installment in the series. The various points of view keep readers engaged in the big picture while hanging in suspense waiting to get back to the smaller pieces involved. DiMartino uses a combination of text and illustration to tell Giacomo’s story clearly, showing the readers what words alone have difficulty describing. I hope the next book is on its way to address the problems as yet left unsolved.

Giacomo and Milena are depicted as fair skinned on the cover. Skin tone in the text and illustrations are unclear, though there does seem to be lighter and darker tones shown in the pictures. The mature content rating is for alcohol use. The violence rating is for assault, gun use, mentions of torture, battle scenes, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay - ADVISABLE

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay, 336 pages. Minotaur Books (St. Martin’s Press), 2024. $28.

Language: R (99 swears, 28 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

When Ryan and Alison were on the cusp of leaving for college, their last rendezvous on Lovers Lane was interrupted. Alison was never seen again, and Ryan, the suspected killer, left town and changed his name. Five years later, the case is reopened when Alison’s vehicle is found and The Monster, as Ryan has always thought of him, reappears.

The twists and turns of this story are seamless, unraveling in a natural way as readers get glimpses of the story from several points of view. Both protagonists and antagonists are relatable—I was definitely rooting for one of the antagonists by the end—and Finlay concludes all of their stories satisfactorily in the last pages. An all-around enjoyable crime fiction read.

Most of the characters are implied White, though Chantelle is Black and Ziggy is described as having “olive” skin. Also, it is heavily implied at one point that a couple of main characters are gay. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, including underage drinking; mentions of drugs, condoms, nudity, prostitution, and rape; sexual harassment; and innuendo. The violence rating is for bullying, assault, mentions of child abuse and torture, gun use, suicide, and murder. 

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Finally Heard by Kelly Yang - ESSENTIAL

Finally Heard (Finally Seen #2) by Kelly Yang, 339 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2024. $19. 

Language: PG (9 Swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G (mature meanings of some emojis are eluded to, but not identified; Lina is beginning to mature and is very self-conscious about her changing body.); Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

10yo Lina and her friend Carly seem to be the only 5th graders without a phone. But when Lina's mom discovers that social media can help grow her business, Lina gets a phone to help film videos for her. She soon discovers the allure of social media, and wants desperately to join Discord, and be part of a group chat. She soon discovers that her friends act differently in a group chat, saying things online they would never say in real life. 

I so want my 12-14yos to read Finally Heard, and I hope they won't be turned away by the ages of Lina and her friends. Yang's story is engaging and relevant and I loved that their teacher was fostering discussions about brain chemistry and why the children are becoming addicted to social media. The author's note, including essential research on social media and kids, is directed more to parents and teachers than the intended readers. It's almost as if Yang anticipated Finally Heard as a class novel and included a teacher study guide. While it continues Lina's immigration story,  reading Finally Seen is not necessary, although highly recommended. Lina is Chinese. 

Lisa Librarian 

Poetry Comics by Grant Snider - ADVISABLE

Poetry Comics written and illustrated by Grant Snider, 96 pages.  GRAPHIC NOVEL.  Chronicle Books, 2024.  $19.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Poetry Comics is a graphic novel poetry collection that explores big moments and small over the course of the year, throughout all four seasons. It’s a clever way to illustrate the nature of poetry and the fickleness of creativity.

I find Snider's work to be very charming. This collection of visual poems exploring how to write poetry was very meta and also just *chef's kiss*. This would be a great mentor text in an ELA poetry unit for elementary, middle school, or high school.

Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher #bookswithbeddes

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur - ADVISABLE

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur, 368 pages. Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan), 2024. $18

Language: PG-13 (31 swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: R (repeated bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

A young woman in 1504 Korea, 17yo Iseul, and her older sister are orphaned by soldiers who killed their parents on orders from the king. They live with their grandmother until 1506 when the king collects the eldest for one of his own concubines. Iseul will do anything to save her sister, but she has to learn patience and observation skills to do it wisely and as safely as possible. An investigator for the soldiers is helping her gain these skills, even though it will mark him as a traitor. Iseul unexpectedly meets Prince Daehyun and eventually they help each other as the Prince plans a coup to take down the tyrant king.

Full of intrigue and determination! I appreciate the research the author took the time to do for this book about a dark part of Korean history. Magnificent character development and world building. I fell in love with Iseul and the prince.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah