The Three Little Tardigrades by Sandra Fay - ADVISABLE

The Three Little Tardigrades by Sandra Fay. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2024. $19. 9781250776099

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

After more than a decade of caring for her three little tardigrades, Mother T kicks them out to find places of their own, with a final warning to watch out for the BIG HAIRY WOLF SPIDER! Each of them eventually chooses a new habitat, and just as they are settling down, the BHWS swoops in for a visit with some unanticipated bad consequences for the spider.

A fun mix of whimsy and scientific information for any science teacher. Unlike the author’s other book about the cryptid Mongolian death worms, tardigrades actually exist.  I will happily share this with the science department to see who touches upon the topic!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

An Animal a Day: 365 Amazing Animals to Take You Through the Year by Miranda Smith et.al. - ESSENTIAL

An Animal a Day: 365 Amazing Animals to Take You Through the Year by Miranda Smith, illustrated by Kaja Kajfez, Santiago Calle, Mateo Markov and Max Rambaldi, 221 pages. NON-FICTION Bright Matter Books 2023 $25. 9780593903353 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

This is one of those books that can be left on the coffee table and opened anywhere for a quick browse. 

The design is to read about a different animal each day for a whole year. I just think it's too much fun to stop at just one a day. I think kids would have a hard time not browsing through it. The illustrations are cute - not terribly realistic, but the kids will get the point and can certainly look up any animal they want more information about. I like that the descriptions are short. Includes statistics about each animal, like how big they are and where they live and whether or not they are endangered.There's also back matter about some conservation successes as well as a quiz for the kid who thinks he already knows everything about animals.

Lisa Librarian

The Gender Binary is a Big Lie: Infinite Identities Around the World by Lee Wind - OPTIONAL

The Gender Binary is a Big Lie: Infinite Identities Around the World by Lee Wind, 316 pages. NON-FICTION. Zest Books, 2024. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0  “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (gendered body parts and surgeries mentioned multiple times in a clinic way); Violence: PG [mentions non-elective surgeries (castration, intersex reassignment) being forced on people]

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Wind takes us on an historical and international tour through gender identity and biological sex identity. In an informative, not prurient or sexual, manner Wind shows us how many cultures throughout history have accepted different gender identities, while also showing roots of the “traditional” gender binary. 

If your school has the 57 Bus by Dashka Slater, then you will also welcome Wind’s deep dive into gender identities. Very informative (a bit long-winded at times), with extensive source notes for further investigation.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Woe: a Housecat's Story of Despair by Lucy Knisley - OPTIONAL

Woe: a Housecat's Story of Despair by Lucy Knisley, 208 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic Random House, 2024. $17 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, ADULT - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

This is the story of a housecat named Linney and the family she deigns to be a part of. It includes her adventures and misadventures and what she thinks of her world.

 If you are a cat lover, you can probably relate whole heartedly to this book, The story is told mostly from Linney's point of view. Getting into the head of a cat is a tricky thing, but Knisley seems to have mastered it, and her love for this cat shines through. Besides the fact that there is a human child in addition to the cat, the interactions are mostly between the cat and it's owner, so the story seems like it would appeal to adult cat owners more than kids or teens, even with the graphic novel format, though perhaps cat lovers know no bounds. Linney's owner is a white female. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Rise up and Sing!: Power, Protest, and Activism in Music by Andrea Warner and Lousie Reimer - ESSENTIAL

Rise up and Sing!: Power, Protest, and Activism in Music by Andrea Warner, illustrated by Lousie Reimer, 183 pages.  NON-FICTION. Greystone Kids, 2024. $22

Content: G (mentions alternative lifestyles with no descriptions)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Warner takes us on a musical tour of how music has been used for protesting throughout recent history. Focusing on climate activism, indigenous rights, LGBT rights, and human rights, among others, she spotlights famous and less-famous faces in the movements, and gives as a playlist for each topic.

I appreciate that Warner focused on recent history (going back only to the 70’s), as it will help its young target audience relate, while introducing them to older artists. It would be great to curate the playlists on Spotify for student enjoyment.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Haunted Mask by R.L. Stine and Maddi Gonzalez - ADVISABLE

The Haunted Mask by R.L. Stine, adapted by Maddi Gonzalez, 160 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix (Scholastic), 2024. $13 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Carly Beth is tired of getting teased for being scared all the time. She decides she needs something scarier than the duck costume her mother made her to save face with her friends. Carly Beth goes to a strange costume store and takes home a creepy mask that she is sure will scare everyone. The mask does help Carly Beth feel powerful and scary, but the mask becomes increasingly harder to take off. 

The illustrations work well with the story and are easy to follow. It's an R.L. Stine, so readers know the drill. The graphic novel stays true to its source. Carly Beth could be any student who just wants to get back at people who tease. Relatable and fun, even if the ending is predictable. Carly Beth is white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Hurdles in the Dark by Elvira K. Gonzalez - OPTIONAL

Hurdles in the Dark by Elvira K. Gonzalez, 314 pages. MEMOIR. Roaring Brook (Macmillan), 2024. $22

Language: R  (30+ swears, 3  “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (strip search mentioned, mentions a girl pregnant at 15yo); Violence: R (grooming, rape by a trusted adult mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

At even a young age, Kristy impressed a high school track coach with her speed. Life as a chica in a Texas border town is not easy, however. Tension between Kristy and her Mama can flare badly - once ending in Kristy spending 2 weeks in custody. And her Mama has never recovered from trauma inflicted on her the time she was kidnapped and Kristy had only 24 hours to raise the $40K ransom. Kristy struggles to find coaches who will believe in her and help her fulfil her dreams of riding hurdles events to a college scholarship - and the coach she does find for her final high school years, grooms her for sexual abuse as he also coaches her to success.  The hurdles Kristy’s life has placed in front of her may be more than she can actually surmount.

Compelling, dramatic, I can see students sharing this book with each other. The parts about grooming by her coach and about the other coaches undermining her because of their jealousy are especially valuable to any young person who wants to understand a little more about what dangers might be out in the wide world. I appreciated Ms. Gonzalez’s bravery in exposing her story to the world. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Dinosaur a Day: 365 Incredible Dinosaurs to Take You Through the Year by Miranda Smith et. al. - ESSENTIAL

A Dinosaur a Day: 365 Incredible Dinosaurs to Take You Through the Year by Miranda Smith, Jenny Wren, Juan Calle, Xuan Le, Max Rambaldi and Olga Baument. 220 pages. NON-FICTION Bright Matter Books, 2022. $25. 9780593903339 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

A great resource for the Dinosaur lover, each month is divided into different types or traits of Dinos, like the smallest, flying ones, roof lizards, dinosaur weaponry, giant sauropods. 

I love the bite sized explanations for each dinosaur. Each short entry includes an illustration which I love because it's modern paleo art which includes lots of them with feathers. Also included are Statistics including period, family, diet, how big it was and where it could be found. It would be so fun to have this out in the library and turn the pages every few days - some days have as many as 5 different dinosaurs. Kids will want to check it out. 

Lisa Librarian

Born a Girl: It takes courage by Alice Dussutour - ADVISABLE

Born a Girl: It takes courage by Alice Dussutour, 157 pages. Orca, 2024. $30. 9781459838987

Language: G (0 swears,  0 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (menstruation mentioned; drawings with small patches of menstrual blood; clinical drawings of female reproductive system); Violence: PG-13 (inappropriate touching mentioned, female genital mutilation mentioned, violence against women mentioned, femicide mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Dussutour uses five girls from across the world (Mexico, India, Afghanistan, Kenya, France) to illustrate the variety of challenges that just being born a girl brings to life. 

All of it is very well presented in a highly illustrated format that helps it be simple to understand and swift to digest. The only problem I found was that nowhere does the author say whether the “main characters” are real people whose stories she is sharing, or if they are amalgams of the problems many girls in those cultures confront. While there is an index, there is no bibliography; the few resources mentioned are suggestions, without any links. Still powerful, but without the sources, I am unsure how factual I can be sure it is. I do believe that it is a high school level book that girls will talk about amongst themselves.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Happy Gift Day to You by Andy Nonamus, illustrated by Amy Jindra - OPTIONAL

Happy Gift Day to You (The Very Worst Ever) by Andy Nonamus, illustrated by Amy Jindra, 122 pages. Children's Fiction, Little Simon, Simon and Schuster, 2024. $18 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL  - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

It's the rich girl's birthday and what to get the girl who has everything? Finding the coolest birthday present presents a lot of challenges, Plus nearly getting eaten by a famous pony just makes the day even more challenging. What's a person to do? 

The narrator of the book has a sticker for a face, so it could be anyone, which gives it a universal appeal. The black and white illustrations are fun and add to the story. Readers can probably relate to the narrator's dilemma and their worries about being embarrassed. Sticker face narrator has orange hair and appears to be white. Rich kid, Regina, is black. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Don’t Wait: three girls who fought for change and won by Sonali Kohli - ADVISABLE

Don’t Wait: three girls who fought for change and won by Sonali Kohli, 146 pages. Beacon Press, 2024. $17. 9780807010952

Violence: PG (threats, attacks mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Nalleli, Kahlila, and Sonia, all young people of the global majority, became involved in movements to make life better in their communities. Nalleli and her community were being poisoned by the oil well across the street from their Southern California apartment. Kahlila felt that the police in her school were becoming too militaristic and were viewing every young person of color as the enemy. Sonia wanted more access to arts programs in her school and schools all around California.

Kohli uses the path of each girl’s story to show future activists how they can also work to make a difference. Each girl spent years on their issues - and continue to work into college and adulthood. The focus is right on the girls as they struggle (Nalleli front he age of 9) to get their voices heard over the course of years.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

An Illustrated History of Urban Legends by Adam Allsuch Boardman - ESSENTIAL

An Illustrated History of Urban Legends by Adam Allsuch Boardman, 123 pages. NON-FICTION. Flying Eye Books, 2024. $20. 9781838749101

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Boardman explores a broad range of urban legends from the pre-modern to the meta-modern ages. While he doesn’t do any in-depth looks at any of the legends, he does try in succinct writing to give an idea of where the legends originated and how much of them can be believed. 

I loved reading the snippets - recognizing many of the legends as ones I have heard over the years - and enjoying the illustrations.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner - OPTIONAL

The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner, 464 pages. Redhook, 2018. $11 

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (Jews were killed, raped and injured off page)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

17yo Liba, 15yo Laya, and their parents live a happy life together on the outer edge of town, away from scrutinizing villagers. They enjoy their privacy and freedoms. When their father’s brother comes knocking at the door to request that he returns home, everything the girls have known changes completely. They discover that their parents were shunned by their own families because of their differences; despite that, they’ve made a good life on their own with Liba and Laya. When the girls are left on their own so their parents can travel to see family, danger arrives. It’s up to the sisters to protect each other and remember what their mother told them above all, it’s their choice what they do with their lives and to not let anyone take that choice away from them.

I like how the story is told in alternating points of view and that Liba is strong and her words take up the whole page while Laya’s words are in a thin column, delicate like her. Jewish mythology and Russian culture abounds in this story. I appreciate the Author’s notes about the true history this book is based on.

Ethnicity is predominantly pale skin, Russian and Jewish.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah 

Dust by Alison Stine - OPTIONAL

Dust by Alison Stine, 320 pages. Wednesday Books (St. Martin’s Press), 2024. $20.

Language: PG (5 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

At first, unschooling was a relief— 16yo Thea no longer had to deal with those who made fun of her and her disability. But then unschooling became an excuse for Thea’s father to move the family to a failing farm in Colorado, and living a simple life turned into doing everything the hard way. As Thea fights to understand the world around her, she discovers that it may be too late and that the dust storms might kill them all before she ever gets a chance to really live.

The world around Thea is dry and bleak with nothing around, and the feeling of that landscape is felt through the slow-going, expository writing. It isn’t boring per se, but most of the book is not action-packed as the challenges pile up gradually. Thea is hard of hearing, somewhere between hearing and deaf, and Stine gives readers that experience through Thea’s perspective. Overall, the story was well-written, and persistent readers will see that.

The majority of characters are implied White. The mature content rating is for kissing, scary elements, mentions of CBD oil and nudity, and innuendo. The violence rating is for child abuse and mentions of guns and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

So Into You by Kathleen Fuller - ADVISABLE

So Into You by Kathleen Fuller, 336 pages. Thomas Nelson, 2024. $18.

Language: PG (5 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEAL TO: SEVERAL

Making videos about art from her studio at home—where she still lives with her mother—is the perfect job for socially anxious Brittany (28yo). Her mother, Amy (47yo), is still in pain from her difficult marriage and divorce from Brittany’s father, Daniel (48yo), and resists her friend’s attempts to get her to mingle with other singles. When Hunter (30yo) discovers Brittany’s videos online, he finds a peace he hasn’t felt in years, but his entrance into Brittany’s life brings all their personal and family issues to a head.

The number of ways that these two families are tangled around each other is comical, making the moment of collision when they all come together spectacular. This romance includes two separate love stories—further fueling the melodramatic relationships. Fuller’s characters have difficult pasts, uncertain futures, and all the decisions to make today as they try to make the future different from the past. These relatable struggles ground the story just enough to enjoy the truths within the exaggerated drama.

Brittany is described as having “pale” skin, Amy is described as having “moderately tanned” skin, Daniel is described as having “lightly tanned” skin, and Savannah is implied Hispanic. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, kissing, partial nudity, innuendo, and mentions of illegal activity, drugs, and sex.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Night War by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley - ESSENTIAL

The Night War by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, 288 pages. Middle Grade, Dial (Penguin), 2024. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, war violence, rough treatment, injuries, talk of killing people) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Miriam is a Jewish girl living in German occupied Paris. When her neighborhood is rounded up, Mimi escapes with her neighbor's daughter and is rescued by a nun who sends her and little Nora to the Chateau de Chenonceau. Nora is adopted by a family, much to Mimi's horror, and Mimi's name is changed to Marie and she is enrolled in a catholic boarding school. Eager to find Nora and escape, Mimi gets caught up in a "Night War" where she risks not only her life, but the safety of everyone at the school. 

I love Bradley's historical fiction, and I recommend this one as highly as I did "The War that Saved My Life". Well researched, a great location with a gorgeous castle and a gripping story; Historical Fiction lovers won't be able to put it down. I loved the characters, even the friends at school are nicely rounded out. Includes an author's note with a picture of Chenonceau (which I had to look up as my imagination wasn't good enough). Characters are Jewish, German and French. 

Lisa Librarian 

Lady Anna’s Favor by Karen Tuft - OPTIONAL

Lady Anna’s Favor by Karen Tuft, 272 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2024. $18.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

When Anna’s brother is reported as missing in action in France and presumed dead, the entailed estate is set to be inherited by her unsavory cousin. Unwilling to let her cousin ruin their family and drive her out of her home, Anna takes it upon herself to track down her brother—even if it means going to France herself with little knowledge of the language and accepting temporary companionship from a judgmental gentleman.

Tuft has written several books about the Jennings family, and the first few chapters of this book reference the previous stories heavily. After Anna Clifton and James Jennings cross paths, though, the rest of their story is independent of the books. Anna’s story is dramatic, full of desperate hope, underhanded tricks, and whirlwind romance. With a little suspended belief, it’s a fun read.

The characters are all European, mostly English and French. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, kissing, sexual harassment, innuendo, and mentions of rape. The violence rating is for mentions of war and blood and gore as well as for gun use.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Perfect Girl by Tracy Banghart - OPTIONAL

Perfect Girl by Tracy Banghart, 304 pages. Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan), 2024. $20.

Language: R (168 swears, 13 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

High schooler Jessa is the rule following, future lawyer, great student that everyone expects her to be—despite the fact that being that girl no longer makes her happy. Her friend group is drifting apart, but a concession from her parents allowing Jessa to have a sleepover while they’re out of town is going to help. But when Friday night comes, the power goes out, strangers start creeping around the house, and Jessa isn’t the only one who made plans.

A thriller with a game of truth or dare, loss of power and cell service in a haunted house, and two basement locations gives readers ample opportunity to wonder what will go wrong next. With the very real possibility of losing the future before ever having a chance to live it, Jessa will discover that being perfect is not always ideal and that exact obedience is not always safe.

Jessa is depicted as White on the cover, Ryan is Black, and Alexis is bi. The mature content rating is for underage drinking; mentions of drugs, pornography, and trafficking; illegal activity; scary elements; kissing; innuendo; and sexual harassment. The violence rating is for blood and gore, mentions of domestic violence, gun use, assault, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Mismatched by Anne Camlin and Isadora Zeferino - OPTIONAL

Mismatched: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Emma by Anne Camlin, illustrated by Isadora Zeferino, 264 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Little, Brown and Company, 2024. $18.

Language: PG-13 (28 swears, 1 “f”); Mature Content: PG (one occasion of underage drinking, several on-page kisses); Violence: PG (unwanted first kiss)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A graphic gender-bent retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma, 17yo white, gay Evan Horowitz is a glamorous instafamous high school ballet dancer with a penchant for matchmaking. He tries to prove his skills with shy new transfer student Natalia, but things keep spinning out of his control. Can he right all the wrongs, and find true love before it’s too late?

I picked this up because I love graphic novels, and I really like the last graphic novel retelling I read (Twelfth Grade Night by Molly Booth), but I should have known better. Emma is my least favorite Austen novel because she drives me nuts. Good news, this version is true to form, because Evan also drove me nuts. One pro was there was a lot of representation in LGBTQIA characters, however some of the pacing was a little choppy.

Miss Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge by Matthew Hubbard - OPTIONAL

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge by Matthew Hubbard, 368 pages. Random House Children's Books (Penguin Random House), 2024. $20.

Language: R (100+ swears, 29 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (frequent references to teenage dating and sex, but nothing on-page); Violence: PG (bullying and homophobia)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

17yo Ezra (gay, junior, white), along with his best friends Lucas (fem, junior, latinx) and Finley (bi, junior, black), are just trying to survive under the radar as students in small-town Alabama. All three have boy problems, so they decide they want revenge à la The First Wives Club. Their plans include crashing the largest party of the year, participating in a drag show lip sync competition, and campaigning to be the next Winter Formal King. However, when the school starts censoring queer voices as part of the "Watch What You Say" initiative (think Florida’s Don’t Say Gay law), their plans for revenge blossom into something much bigger.

I loved seeing Ezra’s character growth from just focusing on himself to becoming a leader for his school and queer community. I enjoyed cheering him on as he took on the establishment in his small-town Southern school. It breaks my heart that this is a reality for too many students, but I’m glad that books like this exist to give readers hope. Although I enjoyed the overall message, there was extensive graphic language throughout. I got to 100+ swears within the first 10 chapters. There was also quite a bit of teenage sexuality - mostly off-page, but enough that I would be cautious about adding it to a school library.

Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes