Although readers will find themselves rooting for Rosie throughout her journey, this title is not recommended for collections looking to beef up their fiction featuring characters with disabilities.
A must-have puberty survival guidebook for tweens and teens, this is a perfect choice for collections in need of health titles that use gender-inclusive language.
Although remarkably prescient as it features a deadly pandemic, it reinforces negative stereotypes about Asian people being the vector responsible for transmitting an infectious disease. It is unfortunate as the plot is engaging and would undoubtedly appeal to middle school readers (although be warned: A lot of dogs die). Not recommended.
The Kids of Widney High is a remarkable band, and Klickstein’s story provides readers an opportunity to learn about their music and world while simultaneously modeling for readers how to sensitively interact with individuals with disabilities. Recommended as a secondary purchase.
With faint traces of Harry Potter and whiffs of the television series The Secret Circle and Charmed, this will appeal to teens who love witches in contemporary settings and can’t get enough of the subject.
Cancer creates a lifetime of fallout. Gardner writes compellingly not only about the romance between these two teens, but also about the nuances in their navigation of survival. Recommended for YA collections.
An effective combination of clear science writing and entertaining illustrations. A great addition to any children’s library or as a complementary text for science classes studying the microbiome.
Deftly navigating issues of race and mental health, as well as giving voice to the reality of American teens born to immigrant families, many of whom grapple with different cultural and familial expectations, Gregorio, a founding member of We Need Diverse Books, has written a heartwarming foodie rom-com. Recommended for fans of realistic fiction.
Recommended for middle school libraries. Nathaniel and his mother tell a compelling story, but when coupled with additional information about the much-beloved book Wonder (and the movie), this title is sure to fly off the shelves.