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Not necessarily a text that teens would independently select from the library shelves, but it could be well used as a desk copy for middle and high school counselors.
A necessary purchase to educate teens on the seriousness of climate change and the imperative to enact change now.
Recommended for any library that caters to tweens and teens. Readers will enjoy Ortega’s down-to-earth advice and optimism.
A good addition to any school or public library, which spotlights the varied experiences of immigrants.
Those looking for in-depth coverage of the influence of and reaction to communism in the United States will want this for their collections.
This young adult nonfiction title will be enjoyed primarily by avid hip-hop fans who want to understand the origins of the genre.
An appealing resource sure to spark an interest in biomimicry, from casual readers to budding scientists. Recommended for all libraries.
PREMIUM
The Great Pyramid
This efficient and fast-moving tour of the pyramid of Cheops is packed with great information. An excellent start to an entertaining nonfiction series.
A comprehensive and useful addition for middle and high school collections to pair with Susan Rubin Goldman’s Sing and Shout: The Mighty Voice of Paul Robeson.
PREMIUM
She Persisted: Claudette Colvin
Cline-Ransome’s narrative provides a knowledgable, interesting introduction to an important player in the civil rights movement. Recommended for school and public libraries.
This book provides plenty of information about animal adaptations and how these adaptations help the animals survive.
A welcome addition to any picture book biography collection; Williams deftly underscores the value of perseverance and education while highlighting the achievements of an influential Black female author.
PREMIUM
All Kinds of Animal Families
Purchase for collections that need to strengthen their diversity training materials for preschoolers.
PREMIUM
A Little Bit of Dinosaur
A fun purchase for inquisitive elementary students and for nonfiction collections where dinosaurs and science, in general, are popular.
The child-friendly design of this title makes it a good read-aloud.
Every library needs this book, which can bring in a variety of readers who may or may not be on their own journey of self-discovery.
This inspiring book would make a great launching point for deeper investigation into the lives and accomplishments of these amazing women.
PREMIUM
The Friendship Book
A title packed with very solid advice for young readers. A resource for educators that offers relatable, modern, and reflective questions to facilitate discussions with students about developing healthy and long-lasting relationships with their peers.
PREMIUM
She Persisted: Harriet Tubman
This engaging biography is a quick but informative read and well-matched for the intended audience.
An upbeat addition to biographical picture book collections.
PREMIUM
Little Kid, Big City!: New York
An engaging and straightforward guide to New York City for early elementary students.
A triumph; highly recommended for all libraries.
A strong picture book choice that features engaging artwork and an inspirational narrative. Fans of Venus and Serena Williams will be familiar with the basics of the sisters’ background but will see the importance of their sisterly bond and how it helped them overcome obstacles.
This moving account sheds light on shameful events long suppressed or ignored. All collections should consider this title’s value in providing historical context to current conversations about racism and America’s ongoing legacy of white supremacy.
This timely and important book should be read by tweens, teens, and adults.
Elementary and middle school fans of the true crime genre will enjoy this puzzler.
A wonderful way to introduce middle grade and high school readers to the excitement and beauty of biographies.
A recommended purchase for middle school and high school libraries. Counselors assisting high schoolers with college preparation and educators teaching leadership classes will find many of the journaling activities very useful.
A welcome addition that fills the gap between picture books and adult nonfiction for budding bee enthusiasts, or for school reports.
A solid biography for older readers focusing on the specific years of FDR’s life that included his struggles with polio, recovery, and learning to live as a person with a disability in a world where those differences usually meant being hidden away.
A great addition to middle school libraries, particularly in schools that are incorporating the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in their curriculums.
PREMIUM
Kate in Waiting
Reminiscent of Rachel Cohn and David Levithan’s Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List, Albertalli crafts a story that offers an honest and realistic look at high school relationships
PREMIUM
Lost in the Never Woods
A captivating mystery that will ensnare those who enjoy retellings and stories with a touch of magic.
PREMIUM
The Nature of Witches
This standalone novel ties fantastical elements, LGBTQIA themes, and climate change together into one neat package that will leave readers satisfied.
PREMIUM
Once Upon a Dragon’s Fire
Themes of friendship, truth, and believing what one sees rather than what someone else says are valuable lessons imparted and shared. This is a heartwarming tale of friendship and discovery, and a compelling read-aloud.
A sincere and beautiful story for all ages, and one that can gently introduce a serious discussion topic of rank and gender for older readers.
PREMIUM
Step by Step
A perfect book for sharing with caregivers of babies and toddlers who might be taking their first steps, too.
PREMIUM
Tabitha and Fritz Trade Places
A laugh-out-loud story that spells out why the grass is not always greener, with subtle language lessons built in for emerging readers.
PREMIUM
The Key to You and Me
An LGBTQIA romance that is sweet yet predictable. An additional purchase.
PREMIUM
She’s Too Pretty To Burn
This psychological thriller is sure to be popular with teens. A sapphic romance with elements of art, danger, and obsession, it is recommended for YA library collections.
PREMIUM
Nothing but Life
A moving portrayal of a complex situation that will appeal to teenagers mature enough to read about school shootings.
PREMIUM
The Hill
An engaging read sure to appeal to fans of feminist dystopian novels, especially those with survival aspects, such as Rory Power’s Wilder Girls.
PREMIUM
The Battle of the Bards
A solid purchase for libraries where graphic novels are popular, but for collections already familiar with Rickety, this one is a must.
A stirring selection for any fantasy collection, this book will appeal to fans of Emily Carroll and Phillip Pullman.
A first purchase and a must-read. Prepare to be haunted and chilled to the bone by this exceptional story.
PREMIUM
Bones of a Saint
Hand this to readers who prefer literary writing styles to character- or plot-driven narratives.
PREMIUM
In Deeper Waters
The plot of this queer fantasy is intriguing, but ultimately proves to be too much for one novel.
A surefire recommendation for fans of the latest comics revival as well as the classic chapter books. Purchase alongside The Big Lie wherever adventure mysteries are in demand.
PREMIUM
Game Changer
An earnest novel that misses its mark, this is an additional purchase for collections where Shusterman’s books already have an audience.
The stakes are incredibly high in this stunning conclusion to the duology. Highly recommended for all collections.
PREMIUM
The Spy Who Raised Me
This story of a girl secretly turned spy wrestles with an intriguing plot but fails to deliver.
PREMIUM
Raj and the Best Vacation Ever!
A suggested general purchase, this title takes readers through the ups and downs of a first camping trip, made even better when everyone works together.
PREMIUM
Patrick’s Polka Dot Tights
A solidly positive purchase. While not focusing on gender or identity issues specifically, this affirming story embraces many forms of self-expression and play.
PREMIUM
Tater Invaders!
The simple story and zany humor make this a fun and accessible comic adventure for even the most reluctant readers.
A contemporary history lesson with the uplifting message that humanity’s survival depends on us working for, not against, one another. A must-have.
PREMIUM
The Secrets of Star Whales
A fun romp through space that will keep readers engaged and eager for other science fiction titles.
PREMIUM
The Girl Who Stole an Elephant
A rich and joyful adventure story for those who enjoy daring escapades in a fairy-tale setting.
PREMIUM
Horse Girl
A great alternative to the more mean-girl “Canterwood Crest” series, without losing the relatable preteen voice and story line.
PREMIUM
Red, White, and Whole
A recommended purchase, perfect for fans of Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga and Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton.
PREMIUM
Upstaged
Hand to fans of Andrew Keenan-Bolger’s “Jack and Louisa” books or Tim Federle’s “Nate” series, as well as to the school theatre crowd and shy girls everywhere.
PREMIUM
Houdini and Me
While it may not have the wider appeal of some of Gutman’s other titles, this is a charming story that can serve as a jumping-off point for further research into the life of the famed escape artist.
PREMIUM
Ellie Makes Her Move
While the writing style makes this a fun read, kids will feel unsatisfied by inconsistent characters and a failure to develop promising story lines.
PREMIUM
Buster
A fun caper for dog lovers with a more serious depiction of anxiety disorder woven in. Strongly recommended as a first purchase.
Thought-provoking and entertaining in equal measure, and here’s hoping this isn’t the last we see of Simon and Alice.
A good addition to any elementary school library. Highly recommended.
Much in the style of a classic Roald Dahl, this adventure story has a pleasing tongue-in-cheek style. Recommended purchase.
PREMIUM
Peter Lee’s Notes from the Field
A sweet coming-of-age story packed with dinosaurs, sibling drama, and Korean culture, this is a solid choice for larger collections.
Disabilities are an everyday part of the protagonists’ lives and secondary to the issues they are dealing with here, making this a book that will appeal to readers of Cynthia Lord’s Rules. This is a worthy first purchase for school and public libraries.
PREMIUM
Daughter of the White Rose
Readers who love historical fiction featuring strong female characters and suspenseful court intrigue will enjoy this story that’s perfect for fans of Karen Cushman, Tamora Pierce, and Diane Magras.
Readers who enjoy everyday magic, friendship stories, and family drama will be enchanted by this magic jar of a book.
PREMIUM
Girl Haven
Spunky, sweet, and full of magical high jinks, this is a first purchase wherever fantasy adventure comics are popular, and especially where titles by Noelle Stevenson and Katie O’Neill circulate well.
PREMIUM
The Greatest Superpower
There is a lot to love here, and the hopeful, honest representation of a transgender parent is essential for all library collections.
PREMIUM
Lemonade Code
A delightful addition to middle grade collections, this could introduce new readers to comics. For existing readers of comics like Captain Underpants, this can serve as a gateway comic to weirder fare.
PREMIUM
The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt
An odd story about self-acceptance deflates a bit but is still buoyed along by charming art, a ridiculously cute leading spook, and an unusual take on Halloween.
PREMIUM
Your Corner Dark
This novel will appeal to readers of Ibi Zoboi’s American Street and Jason Reynolds’s Long Way Down.
A cerebral and pulse-pounding exploration of what it means to be human. Highly recommended for any library shelf.
PREMIUM
Baby and Solo
A strong addition to high school libraries, as it gracefully handles mental health and demonstrates a strong, platonic friendship.
PREMIUM
Lore
In this captivating tale, Bracken brings Greek mythology to life in a battle for ultimate power along with threads of friendship, feminism, and romance.
PREMIUM
Follow Your Arrow
Recommended for public and high school libraries for readability and thoughtful examination of social identity and sexual orientation.
PREMIUM
My Last Summer with Cass
A beautifully depicted friendship and self-discovery story that misses the mark. An additional purchase.
PREMIUM
Zoe Rosenthal Is Not Lawful Good
Though inconsistent, this novel may be a hit for geeky teens who want a quick, fun read. Recommended for middle school libraries.
A story of identity, belonging, and family, readers will thrill at this mystery set in 1400s Korea. A must for all collections.
PREMIUM
Sister of the Bollywood Bride
Purchase Bajpai’s follow-up to A Match Made in Mehendi where there is a high demand for romance.
PREMIUM
The Backups: A Summer of Stardom
Come for the wacky shenanigans; stay for the heartfelt friendships. Ideal for teen pop enthusiasts.
PREMIUM
She Drives Me Crazy
Pulling vibes from classic 1990s movies such as She’s All That and 10 Things I Hate About You, this campy and fun queer romance is a breath of fresh air.
Perfect for even casual fans, this novel is action-packed with adventure and mystery. With “Star Wars” interest at an all-time high, this is recommended for general purchase.
PREMIUM
The Sky Blues
This #OwnVoices story of a gay senior’s tumultuous last semester takes Sky from despair to resilience as he realizes he has more support than he thought. Recommended for fans of David Levithan.
PREMIUM
The Other Side of Perfect
A strong portrayal of musical theater, ballet, the arts, and culture all merged into a coming-of-age story that will resonate with teens.
PREMIUM
Where the Road Leads Us
A fun and thought-provoking read for mid-size or larger collections.
PREMIUM
Twilight, Say Cheese!
Unremarkable but likely to please fans of unicorns and other series such as Daisy Meadows’s various fairy collections.
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