These Twisted Bonds by Lexi Ryan - HIGH

These Twisted Bonds (These Hollow Vows #2) by Lexi Ryan, 481pages. Clarion Books, 2022. $20

Language: R (15 swears, 2 ‘f’); Mature Content: R (vaguely described sex, female parts described); Violence: PG-13(blood, guts)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Now 18yo, Brie is trying to get Sebastian and Finn to form an alliance to stop the queen who wants to imprison and enslave Unseelie Fae. Brie tries to learn to trust those around her and when she discovers her lineage, she finds her place. Brie and Finn learn they’re tethered, meaning they draw power from each other and give each other strength. The long sleep, where children sleep and never wake up, is affecting the Unseelie children because their kingdom is dying. Finn is willing to sacrifice everything for his kingdom and Brie is willing to do the same. If the two of them can get Sebastian to help then they just might save everything. Romance, adventure and fantasy all wrapped up in one!

I love the main character, Brie and how much she cares for her sister. Brie has tremendous integrity, strenght and compassion for others. Finn's backstory is interesting and I enjoyed reading about his past struggles and finding out why he is in his current situation. The ending is completely satisfying and perfect for the duology to end. The characters are a mixed of mortal ethnicities and fae.

LynnDell Watson, Delta HS Librarian 

Fairy Tale by Stephen King - HIGH

Fairy Tale by Stephen King, 598 pages. Scribner (Simon), 2022. $20

Language: R (100 swears, 19 ‘f’); Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG (shooting, electric shock, a giant killing minor characters)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

17yo Charlie Reade lost his mom when he was a young boy and his Dad was so heartbroken that he became an alcoholic and lost his job, so Charlie prayed for help and offered to do kind deeds in return for helping his family out. Charlie hears a dog howling and finds the elderly local neighborhood scary guy, Howard Bowditch, hurt; he’s fallen off a ladder and broken his leg. Before he’s released from the hospital, Howard tells the staff that Charlie is the only person he wants staying at his house while he recovers from surgery and Charlie agrees. The two become confidantes and Howard tells Charlie unbelievable things but sets forth a mission for Charlie to complete. Charlie goes on the mission and he’s tested in every way and learns to believe in magical things and realizes that fairy tales aren't all fluff and happiness. 

The writing pulled me in with hints of mystery and foreshadowing. Kind, brave main character and gruff older man help and care for each other and the dog, Radar, bonds them together. I enjoy the mysterious feel throughout the book and Stephen King wields words to encompass the reader! The illustrations are detailed and help bring the story to life. The setting is the present day America and Other realm and the ethnicities are white and Other realm characters.

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

If the World Were 100 Animals by Miranda Smith and Aaron Cushley - ESSENTIAL

 If the World Were 100 Animals by Miranda Smith, illustrated by Aaron Cushley. PICTURE BOOK. Crown (Random House), 2022. $18. 9780593372357

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Imagine all of the animals of the world represented by 100 - then come on a journey to explore those animals. From where they live to how many are extinct, see snapshots of the creatures who share this planet with us.

Excellent thinking by Smith and engaging pictures by Cushley. Together they first paint an engaging picture of the animals around the world and then end with information of extinction and the coming extinction of so many more. Any level class that touches on the natural world and/or endangered/extinct animals should embrace this.

Cindy, Library Teacher 

The Mystery of Monarchs by Barb Rosenstock and Erika Meza - ESSENTIAL

 The Mystery of Monarchs by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Erika Meza. PICTURE BOOK/NON FICTION. Knopf (Random House), 2022. $19. 9781984829566

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Fred was always fascinated by bugs and as an adult he made studying them his life's work - the monarch butterfly in particular. In his day, no one knew where the monarch disappeared to each fall - did they die off and leave eggs behind? Fred came up with all ways to mark monarchs, getting help from his wife, also a scientist. It wasn't until citizen scientists got involved in large ways that the mystery was finally solved.

While there are other books about the monarch's long journey, I love this one about Fred's scientific method and the contributions of citizen scientists - there is even a picture of the junior high kids and their teacher who tagged the exact butterfly that were found in the jungle! Rosenstock also talks about threats to the monarch butterfly and ways that the people of Mexico are preserving the butterfly habitat. So many different ways to use this in any science curriculum.

Cindy, Library Teacher 

Life in Hot Water by Mary Batten and Thomas Gonzalez - ESSENTIAL

 Life in Hot Water: wildlife at the bottom of the ocean by Mary Batten, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. PICTURE BOOK/NON FICTION. Peachtree, 2022. $19. 9781682631522

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Batten takes into the deep ocean trenches where life exists where there is no light. Plants and animals feed on the chemicals spewed from the earth's core in a process called chemosynthesis and there's a snail with a shell made of iron!

I was fascinated by all of the things I didn't yet know as I read this incredible picture book! Then I discovered that The Scientists in the Field series has a book about these scientists written all the way back in 2006. How did I miss it? Definitely a picture book that reads up to middle school and high school, too.

Cindy, Library Teacher 

It Ends in Fire by Andrew Shvarts - OPTIONAL

It Ends in Fire by Andrew Shvarts, 368 pages. JIMMY Patterson Books; Little, Brown and Company, 2021. $25

Language: PG-13 (55 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (alcohol, implied sex); Violence: R (bloody stabbings, decapitations) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

17yo Alka wants revenge on the Wizards for killing her parents ten years ago and Lady Alayne is the key. After dueling with Alayne, Alka retrieves Alayne’s invitation to Blackwater Academy of Magic so she can go in her place and infiltrate the Wizard power and exact her revenge. Fylmonela Potts befriends Alka and the two form an alliance preparing for the intense competitive Blackwater Academy, where one third of the students will drop out or die instead of graduate. Alka gains allies and friends and when their order competes in a school challenge, they try a daring stunt to beat the competition. This makes the ruling order angry but the rest of the school feels empowered. The second challenge doesn’t go down as planned and when a friend dies, Alka knows the end is coming. She’s got to make a plan that will take the biggest toll of all. I enjoyed the writing and the intensity of the story. 

I love the main character Alka, her loyalty, strength, perseverance and integrity! I like how the story unfolds with suspense. Characters default to white, but there is a strong colored male character involved with the main character. The main character is bisexual and there is a non-binary secondary character.

LynnDell Watson, librarian of Delta HS 

Mere Mortals by Erin Jade Lange - HIGH

Mere Mortals by Erin Jade Lange, 368 pages. HarperTeen (HarperCollins), 2022. $18.

Language: R (33 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Vampire life is to die for – too bad Charlie and Reg messed up. Their punishment: banishment to mortal life in Nowhere, Iowa. Being mortal is bad enough, but their caretaker has enrolled the siblings in high school too. Charlie is determined to get her vampire life back, even if it kills her.

I love this new take on vampires and vampire slayers – excuse me, vampire healers. The discussions that the various vampires and slayers have about immortality versus being human are thought-provoking, and the war Charlie has within herself about what she really wants is so real. While readers might guess how Charlie’s story will end, her journey is definitely worth the read.

Charlie and Reg are white, Dexter is described as having “tan” skin, and their other friends are implied white. The mature content rating is for innuendo and mentions of sexting. The violence rating is for mentions of vampire feedings and suicide, blood, and use of stakes to kill vampires.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Saving Sophie by Debbie Schrack - OPTIONAL

Saving Sophie by Debbie Schrack, 292 pages. Fire and Ice Young Adult Books, 2022. $14.

Language: R (108 swears, 2 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Everything has gone downhill since Gabe’s brother, Josh, caused a fatal accident as a drunk driver. Not only has Gabe (17yo) had to deal with rumors at school, but his mother is pushing Gabe to forgive Josh as if Gabe is the one in the wrong, and he’s being forced to visit Josh in jail on Thanksgiving – his favorite holiday! The only bright spot has been tutoring Sophie after school, but even that is complicated: Sophie is the only survivor in her family from the accident Josh caused, and she doesn’t know that Gabe and Josh are related.

Forgiveness is hard, whether giving it or asking for it. Gabe struggles throughout the book on both sides of forgiveness, and it’s easier to see why others should forgive than why he should. Schrack invites readers to learn with Gabe on this journey of forgiveness. However, I found it frustrating to see Gabe procrastinate making good decisions, which made reading the last half of the book more painful to read than it should have been as I waited for the dramatic consequences I knew would follow.

Gabe is half Italian and shown as white on the cover, Sophie is described as “pale” multiple times in the text but appears to have darker skin on the cover, Matt is white, and Jess is Black. The mature content rating is for drug use; underage drinking; mentions of sex, condoms, boners, and rape; discussions of abortion; innuendo; and sexting. The violence rating is for fist fighting, discussions of a bad car accident, and mentions of gun use.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Caletti - HIGH

The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Caletti, 416 pages. Labyrinth Road (Random House), 2022. $19.

Language: R (247 swears, 58 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

17yo Harper is her mother’s perfect daughter, Ezra’s girlfriend, and an adventure Instagrammer with lots of followers and hearts but without the actual adventures. Secretly, Harper has been trying to figure out who she is by figuring out who her sperm-donor father is. Once she starts learning, though, it’s impossible to un-know what Harper finds.

Living in our post-pandemic time, Harper leans on her phone for support and connection with people from a safe distance. Caletti has captured the addictive nothingness usage of social media in Harper’s stream of consciousness narration. I loved watching Harper’s change as she makes decisions about her life, from how she wants to interact with social media and her phone to what she’s willing to stand up for and make important.

Harper and her relatives are white, and Ezra is Jewish Cuban. The mature content rating is for underage drinking; drug use; mentions of menstruation, condoms, sexual harassment, genitalia, and rape; discussions of sperm and in vitro fertilization; and sex. The violence rating is for mentions of bombs.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Taaqtumi by Neil Christopher - OPTIONAL

Taaqtumi by Neil Christopher, 184 pages. SHORT STORIES. Inhabit Media, 2019. $17.

Language: R (32 swears, 9 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

These nine horror stories are set in the Canadian arctic and range in genre from realistic to zombie apocalypse to scifi. Secrets lie in the dark and cold, just waiting to pull you in and keep you forever.

As the title indicates, several of the stories include Inuktitut words, which are defined in the book’s glossary. Seeing the different ways of life highlighted by these stories from a region of the world I’ve never been to was interesting. Some of the stories were fun to read (even though there are no happy endings to be found here), others were disturbing, and most were confusing. Overall, though, the couple of interesting ones weren’t worth slogging through the others.

The mature content rating is for alcohol use, scary elements, and mentions of genitalia and pornography. The violence rating is for gun use, mention of suicide, cannibalism, and blood and gore.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Secret of the Storm by Beth McMullen - HIGH

 Secret of the Storm by Beth McMullen, 288 pages. Aladdin (Simon & Schuster), 2022. $18

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); 

Mature Content: G;

Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

12yo Cassie King feels like the universe has it out for her. But after she gets caught in a sudden, unusual and extreme storm, she finds herself with a new friend of sorts, plus a little lost kitten to take home and love. But things, including her new kitty, definitely aren't quite as they seem. Cassie and her new friend Joe have a mystery to solve, an obsessed bad guy to evade and a seemingly impossible mission to accomplish, all while learning about and protecting their new not-so-feline pet.

McMullen writes a fast-paced, high-adventure and just plain fun. I really appreciated the developing unlikely friendship between Cassie and Joe, especially in contrast with the disintegrating friendship Cassie experienced with her long time best friend Mia. It was a very relatable, realistic representation of middle school relationships. In the story, Cassie also deals with grief after the death of her father, and navigating life with her mom whose grief is overwhelming and limiting her ability to function. Mixing these real-world topics with the fun and fantasy of dragons makes this an excellent book that I'll enthusiastically recommend to my upper elementary students.

Angie Campbell

Girl Who Heard Demons by Janette Rallison - ESSENTIAL

 Girl Who Heard Demons by Janette Rallison, 281 pages. Rally Point Press, 2017. $10

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

12th grader Adelle Hansen can hear and see demons. She has moved from school to school to get away from severe bullying. finally her family sends her to her aunt in Kentucky to finish her senior year of High School. She is determined no one will will find out her secret. When she overhear the demons excited about the death of the handsome quarterback, Levi, Adelle has to do some thing. Will she be successful? Will Levi believe her? Will he just make fun of her?

This is the beginning of a fast paced book full of adventure, mystery and romance. The book was very well written with believable, strong characters. Adelle is a strong girl, she attends church every Sunday, does not drink or do drugs, even though other characters in the book does all of those things. Janette Rallison managed to write a believable book about high schoolers, violence, mystery, attacks without resorting to swear words or super graphic explanations. The book was fast paced and really great! I could not put it down, and I read it in one sitting. I found it really refreshing that an author today could write such and amazing story without bowing to all the political correctness, woke culture, swear words and violence and racism found in so much of todays children's and YA books. I really like the spiritual aspects, that Adelle went to church, worked hard, did her best in school and was a real friend that honestly cared about the people around her. If you are looking for a great read - pick up this book. It is awesome!

Ellen-Anita, Librarian 

Long Road to the Circus by Betsy Bird and David Small - ADVISABLE

 Long Road to the Circus by Betsy Bird, illustrated by David Small, 244 pages. Knopf (Random), 2021. $17

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

12 yo Suzy Bowles is tired of her boring life on the farm. Every day is the same. Chores, Chores and more chores. She yearns for adventure and she wants to see the world. Her uncle moves in with them, supposedly to help with chores. Instead he leaves the farm really early every morning. One day Suzy decides to follow him. Come to find out, he works for the mystery lady in their town, Madame Maranette who used to work for the circus. Suzy want to work for Madame too, and talks her way into training the orneriest ostrich on the farm, Gaucho. Suzy has a lot to learn, but she is determined to learn to ride Gaucho. Suzy is a spunky, fun, hard-working girl ready for adventure and she refuses to give up.

I really enjoyed Suzy's story and learned a lot about ostriches. Suzy gets to know Madame, and learns some of her story. Madame gives her lessons on how a young lady should behave. I laughed out loud several places in the book. Suzy pulls on your heartstrings. I read the book in one sitting. The book is also full of delightful illustrations that are also full of expressions. I recommend reading this, even reading it out loud to your class or your children. Follow Suzy on her grand adventure and read on to the exciting conclusion.

Ellen-Anita - Librarian 

Two Degrees by Alan Gratz - ADVISABLE

 Two Degrees by Alan Gratz, 365 pages. Scholastic , October 2022. $18

Language: G (2 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Burned bodies mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Four kids from around the world are caught up in major level calamities exascrebated by the consequences of climate change. Amira is caught in a wildfire in the mountains of California, Natalie’s family is trapped by a hurricane and swept away as they try to escape, Owen and George don’t realize that the disappearing ice shelf will bring polar bears right into their backyards.

Gratz’s aims are noble - trying to bring to life the very real effects of climate change. Each story is full of danger and near death moments, which kid will grab onto. But, 99% of all humans will lose interest in the climate change rally at the end. While the consequences are big, it is hard for us to see how little changes in our lives can bring the world back from the brink.

Cindy, Library Teacher 

Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor - ADVISABLE

Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor, 391 pages. Razorbill (Penguin), 2022. $19

Language: PG (16 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The Hotel Magnifique has arrived in their town and 17yo Jain is determined to get herself and her 13yo sister Zosa jobs in the traveling hotel. Zosa is thrilled with her new role as a singer, but Jani is relegated to housekeeping, putting her in contact with Bel, the doorman, who lied to Jani about what would happen to the sisters. Slowly Jani realizes that there is something rotten about Magnifique, but has she found out too late to save herself and Zosa?

A pretty average piece of fantasy. It took me several days to finish, as I was never sucked in far enough to read for long stretches. If you have a large fantasy readership, they will enjoy this at some point.

Cindy, Library Teacher 

Ravenous Things by Derrick Chow - ADVISABLE

 Ravenous Things by Derrick Chow, 311 pages. Disney, 2022. $17

Content: G (Mildly scary)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

12yo Reggie Wong has transmuted his grief at his father’s death into anger, causing trouble at school and home. Then the Conductor offers his a chance to be with Dad again, and Reggie is ready. The train is filled with 100’s of other kids, including Reggie’s nemesis, but deposits each kid at their own door. For all of the them the initial reunion is all they can hope, but Reggie quickly realizes that something is very wrong. Only with the help of a new girl and his nemesis can Reggie have a chance to set things right for everyone.

A nice remix of the Pied Piper tale, without being so obvious at the beginning. Not super scary, but the creep vibes are enough for many of your younger reads. The main characters are described as various ethnicities.

Cindy, Library Teacher 

Charlie Thorne and the Curse of Cleopatra by Stuart Gibbs - ADVISABLE

Charlie Thorne and the Curse of Cleopatra by Stuart Gibbs, 367 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2022. $18

Content: G (Mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

13yo Charlie is on the hunt and on the run again. This time she is in pursuit of her own aims - a treasure that Cleopatra supposedly left behind for her progeny. But the CIA aid after her, so are some Egyptians, and of course the remaining criminals who wants want access to Einstein’s Pandora, which only copy of which exists inside Charlie’s brain. Cue the danger and the drama!

How can Gibbs write so many high energy series and keep them all straight!? Will Charlie, Ben, and Teddy meet up sometime? 

Cindy, Library Teacher  

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion - ADULTS

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion, 256 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2011. $16

Language: R (50+ swears, 30+ ‘f’); Mature Content: R (Contemplates sex, repeated drinking, underage sex, mentions the girl when quite young sleeping with an older man for money); Violence: R (Multiple zombie and human mutilations, "killing schools" for both zombies and humans, detailed descriptions of gore)

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS -ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

R is not your average zombie. He may be a white male, although his skin is more gray than anything at this point in his decomposition, however, he seems to be having somewhat of a crisis. This crisis's name is Julie. After eating the brains of Julie's ex-boyfriend and experiencing his memories, R finds himself falling in love with this vibrant, eccentric girl who simply radiates life (something R seems to be lacking). In this post-apocalyptic world, R, the philosophical zombie with eloquent, poetic thoughts and a craving for life, will have to fight for the type of existence he wants and will face changes both mentally and physically along the way.

This is the most beautiful book I have ever read. Between the language, characters, world building, and both world and character development I have found myself reading and re-reading this novel many times over. It is a remarkably enjoyable post-apocalyptical retelling of Romeo and Juliet, although one must be aware of the mature themes, violence, and strong language very prevalent throughout this book. Regarding the mature themes, there are conversations about sex, multiple scenes with drinking, and one character that contemplates suicidal thoughts. Strong language is found all throughout the book including a great many f-words, and there are many gory descriptions of the zombie's physical descriptions as well as activities.

Sierra Finlinson 

Clementine: Book One by Tillie Walden - HIGH

Clementine: Book One by Tillie Walden, 256 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Skybound Comet. 2022. $15

Language: R (31 swears, 6 “F”); Mature Content PG; Violence: PG-13 (murder, maiming)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

17yo Clementine is a teenager looking to put her traumatic past behind her. All she really knows is that she wants to journey North, though her crutches and amputated leg make it difficult. Clementine meets a naive Amish boy named Amos, who she reluctantly travels with to Vermont. There they meet up with other teens who are trying to build a walker-free settlement in the frozen snow.

Clementine is a downer of a book, though perhaps knowing this is a post-apocalyptic zombie read, you wouldn’t be expecting sunshine and flowers. Clementine is carrying a lot of baggage and none of the characters are particularly likeable. The world she inhabits is gloomy and depressing. The ending is a bummer and the black and white drawings make it a little tricky to follow the storyline. However, fans of The Walking Dead will most likely eat it up like zombies on brains.

Clementine seems to be white; the other characters have a variety of skin tones, but that has little to do with the action.

Michelle in the Middle 

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi, Joe Caramagna, and Anu Chouhan

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi, adapted by Joe Caramagna, illustrated by Anu Chouhan, 126 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Disney Hyperion. 2022. $22

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

12yo Aru Shah wants to impress her friends, who thinks she lies, though she feels she is just stretching the truth. In order to impress them, she lights an ancient lamp in a museum and in so doing, unleashes the Sleeper, a demon whose duty it is to awaken the God of Destruction.

Based loosely in Hindu mythology, this is a seriously fun and engaging adventure. The humor is delightful and the pictures bright and well-drawn. Themes of friendship, duty, fate and destiny intertwine to make for great read, while you find yourself rooting for the protagonists and gearing up for book two. Aru Shah is East Asian.

Michelle in the Middle