When Beavers Move In by Alison Pearce Stevens and Natasha Donovan - ESSENTIAL

When Beavers Move In by Alison Pearce Stevens, illustrated by Natasha Donovan. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Godwin (Macmillan), MARCH 2026. 9781250339447

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

WHen beaver build dams near human homes, the people get worried.  In Washington state, people can call the members of the Tulalip tribes, who will relocate the beavers to places where the beavers can do their thing and protect not only the environment, but also help rebuild other species in their wetlands.

I love this look at the importance of beavers to create robust habitats and ecosystems. Everything is explained simply, but well. The back matter adds a little more information. A must for most science programs. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Deepwater Creek by Michael Regina - ADVISABLE

Deepwater Creek by Michael Regina, 252 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Putnam (Penguin), 2025. $14 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Wade and his younger brother, Andrew, and their two friends love going fishing with Wade's dad. They hear about a place on the river that has plentiful fish, though it's farther than they've ever been up river. When they get there, heavy fog rolls in, and while reeling in a giant fish, Andrew falls in. When Wade jumps in to save him, they think they see a monster in the water. Andrew takes a turn for the worse, and Wade and his friends determine to take Andrew back out to see if they can help him but find themselves facing something far more sinister than they were prepared for. 

The plot is sufficiently creepy enough to keep kids engaged without scaring them. The watercolor graphic art works to help create the creepy tone of the piece, and is beautifully rendered. Themes of brotherly love and friendship elevate the story, and you'll be rooting for the brothers and their friends. The brothers are Latino, with one black friend and one white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Party by Natasha Preston - OPTIONAL

The Party by Natasha Preston, 352 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2024. $11

Language: R (155 swears, 6 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing and teen drinking); Violence: R (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

A group of teens plan a weekend adventure at the family castle of twins, 17yo Allegra and Fergus. They keep it a secret from their parents because it’s meant to be a party with no chaperones. Protestors want the development to stop in the area and seem to have vandalized the castle but not all of the graffiti seems to be about the development. The teens are excited to have a weekend without supervision. When one of them gets hurt, they try to blow it off. When more violent things happen, they can’t ignore the fact that they’re in danger and they wish they had help to save them from the party.

The author did a good job of creating an ominous setting in the castle. I enjoyed the twists and the mystery. The last sentence of the book is a great ending!

The ethnicity is mixed. 

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Danilo was Here by Tamika Burgess, - ADVISABLE

Danilo was Here by Tamika Burgess, 304 pages. HarperCollins, 2025. $20. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (flashback to Danilo's experience during the Panama invasion) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Danilo is an amazing baseball player and has been the star of his team in Panama. He's been scouted by a coach who trains little league players in America and has invited him to come to San Diego and train with him for a couple of months. However, Danilo has been going through a lot lately; his neighborhood was hit during the US Panama invasion a few months earlier and now his mom and sister are living in tents on an airfield. His dad, a former ball player himself, has gone to America but has stopped sending money, or even calling. Danilo doesn't even like baseball anymore, but thinks this might be an opportunity to find his dad who lives in California, too. 

Burgess has infused just enough history about 1989 Panama for the reader to understand Danilo's situation without all the political stuff. The tension surrounding meeting his father as well as his difficulty connecting with the team and playing his best made for an engaging read. Not completely full of sports action although we see the goings on at a few games. Danilo is Panamanian 

Lisa Librarian 

Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson - OPTIONAL

Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson, 333 pages. McElderry (SImon), 2025. $21.

Language: R (61 swears, 4 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (passionate kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

17yo Ellis has worked hard to follow in her father’s NYC advertising footsteps, but her plans blow up when her mother announces that she is taking Ellis and going back to Bramble Falls to live with her sister for a while to have “some space”. Ellis goes, kicking and screaming, enrolling in a common high school instead of her NYC private school, angry at every one.  Except - there is something wonderful about a small town in the fall - especially one that embraces fall celebrations so whole-heartedly.  And there is something wonderful about a boy that Ellis spent a great summer with three years ago. Will Ellis make her way back to NYC, or has a small town and a small town boy captured her heart?

I really like that Ellis and Cooper don’t fall into insta-love and that they have issues to deal with right up to the end. It is a winner in my book - especially because the romance is limited to kissing, not two kids instantly falling into bed. Anyone who likes sweet romance and pumpkin spice everything will enjoy.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Destiny by Matthew Swanson, illustrated by Robbi Behr - ADVISABLE

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Destiny by Matthew Swanson, illustrated by Robbi Behr, 314 pages. Knopf (Random House), 2025. $14 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Ben Yokoyama is NOT moving to California, especially since it means giving up his best friend, Janet. Ben is devastated when Janet is not there to say goodbye to him, but it turns out she has stowed away in the family camper. The cross-country drive is filled with Janet and Ben scheming to stay together, as they try to figure out ways to make a fortune before they get to California and Janet will have to fly home. 

This is the last book in this series. Though the cover and the format look fairly juvenile, the authors address complicated emotions and situations, but in a gentle and understanding manner. Ben's issues with moving, losing his friend, money issues, and his grandmother's health, and family stress are universal problems. This is a great way to wrap up the series, and fans will not be disappointed, as Ben rises to his challenges. Race or culture is not specified, but the last name suggests Ben may be of Asian descent. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Queen's Hidden Legacy (Rise of the Kelpies prequel) by Shonna Slayton - OPTIONAL

The Queen's Hidden Legacy (Rise of the Kelpies prequel) by Shonna Slayton, 154 pages. Amaretto Press, 2025. $23

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G (none); Violence: PG (kidnapping, danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The Queen has given the fairy Morag a huge job: save her twin babies from the danger arising from the battle with the kelpies. Some of the kingdom believes that the baby prince and princess should be sacrificed to the kelpies so the battle will cease. The Queen is terrified this or something else will happen to her babies. She’s dying from a lung disease and knows she won’t be alive much longer. She’s relying on Morag to get her babies to safety and out of the kingdom. The Queen also wants this task to be done secretly by Morag alone. Morag has an injured wing and knows she can’t accomplish this without help. She’s relying on her instincts to know who she can trust without putting the babies in danger.

I enjoyed this prequel to Rise of the Kelpies. The main character, Morag, and the queen both show great strength and bravery. Shonna Slayton is an author who writes clean reads, which is appreciated.

The ethnicity cues white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog by Lydia Lukidis and Tara J. Hannon - ADVISABLE

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog by Lydia Lukidis, illustrated by Tara J. Hannon, 80 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL/CHAPTER BOOK. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2025. $12

Content: G (mild danger)

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Groucho, a grumpy groundhog, lives in critter creek on the island of Zoo York and loves pancakes.  Blork, Groucho's cheery half unicorn half pig neighbor, bursts in to tell him that all the pancakes have been stolen.  Commander Hare E. Bun Bun and the rest of the bunnies that live in carrot town are tired of eating carrots.  They have stolen all the pancakes, syrup, and the pancake secret recipe.  Groucho realizes that life without pancakes isn't worth living.  Groucho and Blork dash to save the day and become an unlikely pair of crime fighters!  Will they find the pancakes?  Will they stop the evil villain and his minions? 

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog is full of fun characters and interesting silly humor.  I enjoyed the personalities and antics of each character.  The graphics were cute and easy to follow.

PGPowers

They All Had a Reason by Michele Leathers - OPTIONAL

They All Had a Reason (They All Had a Reason #1) by Michele Leathers, 224 pages. Sourcebooks Fire, 2025. $13.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Overhearing and recording a conversation that proves Bellany (17yo) is cheating on her boyfriend, Charlotte (16yo) can’t wait to have a taste of vengeance for all the ways Bellany has ruined her life. But Bellany takes Charlotte’s phone before she can show anyone. Following Bellany into the woods to get more proof, Charlotte finds Bellany’s dead body instead.

The teenage drama is real, and it is very present. Part of me appreciates the new kind of response from an amateur detective born of desperation instead of an amateur sleuth being lauded as better than a trained professional. However, I still wanted it to come together in the end, and it didn’t really explain what happened. Plus, the twist ending only served to confuse me further. It’s possible things get worked out in the sequel, but I’m not going to read it.

The majority of characters are implied White; Gemma is implied Hispanic. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, illegal activity, kissing, mentions of drugs and sex, and innuendo. The violence rating is for blood, corpses, assault, mentions of domestic violence and suicide, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation by Pablo Cartaya - OPTIONAL

A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation by Pablo Cataya, 270 pages. Kokila (Penguin), 2025. $19.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The summer before 8th grade is nothing 13yo Gonzalo hoped it would be.  Worst - his father recently passed away. Also elderly grandfather may be the author of a beloved children’s fantasy book series and movie franchise, but he hasn’t ever given Gonzalo an autographed copy of his books, nor come to visit his school - now Gonzalo is stuck with him on his latest book tour?  And Ganzalo’s mother heads up the entire book/movie empire and is in high gear because the final book comes out this week and then the newest movie two days after. Now Gonzalo is stuck in an ancient car, driving from California to Miami.  How can the two find any common ground? 

I was expecting a fantasy book, and that is completely not what this is - I am afraid kids who pick this up will be disappointed, like I was. Ganzalo, his grandfather, and his mom are so dysfunctional and uncommunicative that I was angry more often than I was interested.  All of them needed a good scolding to pull their heads out of their butts - though I have more sympathy for Gonzalo - he is a child - the other two just act like children. Adults who don’t think this was going to be a fantasy will probably like it more.  Only your best realistic fiction readers will enjoy it.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Invincible List of Lani Li by Veeda Bybee - ADVISABLE

The Invincible List of Lani Li by Veeda Bybee, 224 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025. $19.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Lani’s band trip to England was hijacked by her little brother, Gavin (10yo), with a scheme to run in a recklessly dangerous race down Cooper’s Hill. But when his heart condition acts up and requires Gavin to stay home, he tells Lani (13yo) that she has to take his place. Lani insists that she isn’t brave enough. Can she become an Invincible Li for Gavin?

I love that Lani and Gavin use family traditions and folktales from their Chinese heritage to learn about real superpowers. They develop a super sibling relationship, even when they are an ocean away, and they learn the strengths of trying new foods, empathy, and even doing things that are uncomfortable and scary. Sometimes it feels like everything is against us and the obstacles in our lives are too big, but, in this book, we see the beauty of a world where everyone is cheering for these young protagonists. Lani and her family are Chinese, Sam is described as Hawaiian Māori Chinese, and Sunny is Korean.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Chickenpox by Remy Lai - ESSENTIAL

Chickenpox by Remy Lai, 240 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Henry Holt, 2025. $23. 9781250863300

CONTENT: PG(fighting, nosebleed)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12yo Abby Lai is the oldest of 5 siblings. To Abby, being surrounded by immature younger siblings feels like living in a zoo! All she wants is to spend as much time as she can with her two best friends, away from the "wild animals." But when all 5 Lai kids get the chickenpox in 1994 Indonesia, before the vaccine is available, and have to stay home together for 10 whole days, Abby really starts to wish she was an only child. Will Abby and her siblings learn to get along, or at least survive being cooped up together?

I enjoyed this middle grade graphic novel. Fans of Megan Wagner Lloyd's Squished will love Chickenpox. I related to Abby's struggle of having to always be the ""good big sister."" I also liked the process Abby went through when she said something hurtful to her friends--we all need good conflict-resolution models. 

Abby and her family are Indonesian. 

Rachel, Elementary library specialist 

Winterset by Tiffany Odekirk - ADVISABLE

Winterset by Tiffany Odekirk, 272 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025. $19.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

After faking her own death, Kate continued to live at the house her family had been renting, Winterset, with only two loyal servants for company. But Winterset does not belong to her. It belongs to Mr. Jennings. And after years of absence and neglect, Mr. Jennings is finally coming to the residence, threatening Kate’s hidden life.

Reading both points of view of Kate trying to get rid of Mr. Jennings and Mr. Jennings trying not to believe his house is haunted was highly entertaining. And then, of course, readers finally get swept into the romance as the couple attempts to keep themselves and their relationship from the world and hide out in their own little bubble. With humor, healing, unexpected love, and even threat of murder, Odekirk gives her readers a little bit of everything. Winterset is a companion to Odekirk’s Summerhaven, and it is referenced (and another good read) but not necessary to enjoy this story.

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

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson 

The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson - ADVISABLE

The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson, 238 pages. Simon and Schuster, DECEMBER 2025. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Blessing is sad - her mother is depressed because even though it is March there is no sign of spring and Blessing is afraid that she will be placed in foster care again.  Also, the Driplet Triplets have been making her life miserable.  Blessing decides to write a letter to school saying they are moving to Australia, so now Blessing can skip school every day.  Wandering the park one day, she sees a snowman frolicking and she stumbles upon  Albert and the Snowman Code - part of which involves helping children in trouble. Maybe Blessing can help Albert, too.  Albert has been looking for his lost love - every year snowmen are reborn in new places, so they haven’t found each other for 600 years. Rumor is that Clementine is right here in NYC.

I found Albert absolutely adorable. He has some mixed up ideas about the world, but it is from a snowman’s point of view.  I would love to read this to a 2, 3, 4th grade class. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Angelica and the Bear Prince by Trung Le Nguyen - OPTIONAL

Angelica and the Bear Prince by Trung Le Nguyen, 224 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. RH Graphic (Random House), 2025. $18.

Language: PG13 (21 swears, 1 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Angelica (17yo) could do it all, classes and extracurriculars and friends and helping with her mom’s food truck, until the day she couldn’t. What helped was messaging Per the Bear, the mascot for the local theater. Trying once again to show up, Angelica accepts an internship at the theater, hoping to lean into the good thing in her life—and maybe meet the person behind the bear too.

Obviously, Angelica is the main character, but she is not the only point of view readers get. As we peek into the lives of Angelica, her parents, her new and and old friends, and even the owner of the theater, we find that everyone is dealing with grief in their own ways. The timeline in the first chapter was unclear, but it worked itself out after that, and the illustrations complement the story with lines and curves that somehow manage to feel soft and soothing.

Angelica and her family are implied Asian, and there are various skin tones depicted in the illustrations. Gable is described as nonbinary, and Richard and Phil are gay. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol and smut as well as for innuendo.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Victim #8 by Traci Hunter Abramson - OPTIONAL

Victim #8 (Luke Steele #2) by Traci Hunter Abramson, 320 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025. $28.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

As an FBI agent, Amberlyn is accustomed to being privy to top secret information—though this is the first time the president has given her top secret information personally and the first time she can’t discuss it with her boss. Amberlyn is assigned to work with Luke once more, something she is looking forward to after their last assignment, but Luke isn’t sure if he wants her friendship—or anything more.

While the national threat that Amberlyn and Luke deal with in this book is completely separate from the conflict in the prequel, the first book is necessary for understanding Amberlyn and Luke, as both of them are dealing with grief stemming from events in the prequel. Abramson refers to some current events, lending relevancy to the fictional conflict. The book focuses more on the relationship between Amberlyn and Luke than the imminent threat of nuclear missiles, though there is plenty of action and espionage to keep the pages turning.

The majority of characters are either American, Russian, or Turkish, though characters of other nationalities are included. The mature content rating is for kissing and illegal activity. The violence rating is for assault, gun use, mentions of terrorism and nuclear weapons, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

The Book of Frights for Spooky Nights by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe, illustrated by Eva Sanchez Gomez - OPTIONAL

The Book of Frights for Spooky Nights by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and Eva Sanchez Gomez. 54 pages. NON-FICTION BOOK. Wide Eyed Editions (Quarto), 2025. $25. 9780711287679

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Stumbling upon an abandoned house, the reader is locked in the attic with a chest of books - especially the Book of Frights - the last words of research by an intrepid ghost hunter, who followed spooks all over the world.

Stewart-Sharpe has tried to create a book that feels like a ghost hunter who has traveled all over the world, but I just never felt the spookiness. The font tries to look like handwriting, so it is a bit more difficult to read.  And there are a lot of sites covered, most of them in very small ways, so few things are well-explained. I’m sorry that I couldn’t buy into the premise.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

https://www.kingsenglish.com/item/RxEI5wohXcdhshRLnPWuOQ

Every Borrowed Beat by Erin Stewart, - ESSENTIAL

Every Borrowed Beat by Erin Stewart, 352 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2025. $20

Language: PG (5 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: G (none)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS, ADULT - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

16yo Sydney Wells has spent years waiting on the transplant list for a new heart. Alongside her best friend Chloe, she created a blog called ""The List"" to share the raw realities of living with chronic illness and the endless wait for a second chance. Then, at last, the call comes—Sydney receives her new heart. But life after the transplant isn’t as simple as she imagined. She finds herself fixated on Mia, the girl who died so Sydney could live. Determined to learn everything about Mia, Sydney seeks out Mia’s best friend, Clayton. Together, they make a plan to honor Mia’s memory, but Sydney soon finds her feelings for Clayton growing stronger. Torn between her secret and her heart, she must decide whether to reveal the truth—or risk losing both Clayton and the fragile new life she’s been given."

I really liked this book! Through Sydney’s thoughts and feelings, you get to see what it’s like to go through the struggles and heartache of waiting for—and finally getting—a heart transplant. Even though the topic is serious, the author adds humor and a little bit of romance that make the story fun to read. I also liked how Sydney wasn’t sure if she should tell Clayton the truth, which made her feel real and relatable. Teens will definitely connect with Sydney while also learning what it’s like to face such a big life challenge. The story moves along smoothly and is easy to read—I think a lot of students will really enjoy it!

Sydney, Clayton, Chloe and Mia are all presumed to be white.

Jessica Nelson CTHS Librarian

Death by Whoopie Cushion by Vicki Grant - OPTIONAL

Death by Whoopie Cushion by Vicki Grant, 256 pages. Tundra (Penguin Canada), 2025, $18.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (explosion at school, custodian killed, not graphic, kids in peril, murderer on the loose) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

12yo Manya wants to be a scientist. She loves everything about science. Her parents own a moderately successful prank shop, but when her dad tries to increase revenue by producing artisan pranks, specially made for big tricks and they start to go awry, Manya's parents find themselves in big trouble. They were preparing to show their pranks at a big assembly at the school and an explosion happened in the auditorium killing the custodian, and now they have been arrested and charged with murder. Manya knows it can't be them, but with all the evidence clearly pointing at her parents, Manya may have to solve this crime herself. 

An interesting plot - are there still prank shops? Do people do that? How many chattering teeth and exploding cans of popcorn have we seen in the last decades? I was hoping for a laugh out loud mystery, but the situations and the jokes are not all that funny, and the fact that someone died makes the story not funny at all. Also, I read along with the audio book and didn't love the narrator's character voice choices. I found many way too silly. When I tried to just read the book, I was still hearing the voices. All in all, the mystery turned out OK, a lot of coincidences moved the story along, so I didn't love the resolution.  Manya defaults white. 

Lisa Librarian  

The Dragonslayers by Bruce Coville - OPTIONAL

The Dragonslayers by Bruce Coville, 122 pages. Aladdin (Simon and Schuster), 2025 (originally published by Minstrel books in 1994.) $18 

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

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

There is a dragon that must be destroyed. Unfortunately, none of the knights feel up to it, so an aging squire, promoted to knight and his new young squire, Brian, set off into the forest. Their reward is 1/2 the kingdom and the 14yo Princess Wilhelmina's hand in marriage. Wilhelmina (Willie) is disgusted by the whole thing and sets off in disguise to hunt the dragon herself. It will take all of them to bring down a dragon and the witch who created it. 

The story is predictable, but a nice ride. Readers may like seeing their predictions come to pass. The shortness of the text will appeal to some readers but also doesn't allow for much character development. This is a quick, fun read with some nice black and white drawings that add to the story. Race is unspecified, though medieval royalty is typically white. 

Michelle in the Middle