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A delightful installment in the “Twig and Turtle” series that touches on creativity, friendship, and expansive understandings of gender. Highly recommended for all public and school collections.
A good-hearted story meets high fashion in the city; purchase where label-friendly readers yearn for brand-name dropping.
PREMIUM
Amazing Animal Earth
Recommended purchase for public and school libraries for young wild animal enthusiasts and to support preschool and early elementary school teachers’ lesson plans.
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He Must Like You
Younge-Ullman’s genuine, informed, and engaging narrative safely guides readers through many facets of consent, relationships, and the treatment of women. It could prove a valuable resource to any teen’s education.
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And the People Stayed Home
A general purchase, this is a perfectly illustrated version of a poem that continues to be relevant; it could be used to launch projects writing poetry and creating art, as well as discussions of the pandemic and climate change.
An excellent addition to the superhero landscape that finds a new way to tackle topics of making friends and persistence.
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Curse of the Divine
Intriguing characters with wit and charm will not disappoint readers. Fans of the first volume will anxiously await this final book in the duology.
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Off Track
Recommended as an additional purchase in collections where sports fiction is appreciated.
A work at once both limitless and grounded, the imaginative illustrations will be especially appealing to lovers of science fiction and fantasy.
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Miss Meteor
With funny details like its contentious name—Meteor is also known by a second official name, Meteorite
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The Whitsun Daughters
Abortion and explicit sex are handled responsibly in this charged novel of risky behavior, friendship, and family history.
This is a deceptively simple ballad to creative writing. Like Creech’s own Love That Dog with a nod to Roald Dahl’s Miss Honey from Matilda, and Jerry Spinelli’s Stargirl, this book spotlights an inspirational teacher with a passion for thoughtfulness and words, and the children who thrive in this creative collaboration.
Whether you are a media specialist seeking excellent additions to your collection or titles to recommend, or an educator seeking gold for both remote and in-person learning, you’ll find plenty of options here, with accurate and authentic books by and about Native Americans and First Nations people.
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The Bone Carver
This book will make a great starting point for teenagers who haven’t yet found cult classics such as The Exorcist and A Nightmare on Elm Street.
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Welcome to Smellville
A secondary purchase if one has a large crowd of zany schoolhouse series fans.
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What If a Fish
A whimsical and inviting #OwnVoices story of family, friendship, and identity. Recommended as a general purchase.
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The Memory of Babel
The third book of the quartet has exceptionally strong writing and development but needs to be read in conjunction with the rest of the series.
An excellent picture book to introduce children a common holiday and useful to include in any collection in support of celebrations.
Most young readers will need the help of an adult and the back matter to appreciate the significance of Jella Lepman’s exhibition, which may resonate most with adults.
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As the Shadow Rises
The large cast of characters crosses miles and formidable obstacles while searching for relics, interpreting dreams, and occasionally seeking solace in each other’s beds. Buy where the first book is popular.
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The Jagged Circle
A good pick for collections looking for horse books for teenagers or Agatha Christie–like mysteries.
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The Shadow Mission
With female spies, arch enemies, and quick pacing, this book will be a hit with anyone. Jessie, Caitlin, and Hala are reminiscent of Charlie’s Angels without Charlie in the speaker box.
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Iron Heart
This sapphic love story set in a warring kingdom is the latest in a recommended series.
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The Broken Raven
This trilogy would go over well with fans of Maggie Stiefvater’s The Scorpio Races. The first book is required to be able to follow the plot of the second. Didn’t buy the first book? Now’s the time to grab both.
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Sources Say
Like Natalie Sylvester’s Running and Brandy Colbert’s The Voting Booth, this shows that teens are capable of standing up and being heard. Recommended for collections where political activism is popular.
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Together, Apart
This timely read handles the challenging times readers are in with respect, grace, and hope. Recommended for purchase.
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After the Worst Thing Happens
There is a lot packed into this story of friendship, loss, and family relationships, but it all gels into one bittersweet, uplifting tale of a young girl who finds strength that she didn’t know she had.
Readers who have often wondered about stepping outside their comfort zone can find courage in Lila’s story.
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Coming Up for Air
A sweet story about family, love, and loss. A good purchase for libraries where Jennifer Niven or Nina LaCour are popular.
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This Is Not the Jess Show
A fun and thoughtful thriller; this YA novel will please fans of E. Lockhart and Kiera Cass.
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Master of One
This sterling start to a high fantasy series features creative world-building, nuanced and witty characters, good versus evil, a perilous quest, and a touch of romance for both queer and straight characters. Recommended for most fantasy lovers.
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The Valley and the Flood
Part mystery, part thriller, part horror-lite, this genre-bending story will be popular with many teens.
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Poisoned
An empowering and action-packed feminist retelling that will be popular with fantasy and fairy tale–loving teens.
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These Feathered Flames
An engrossing fantasy tale about sisterhood and what it means to be able to fully trust another person. A first purchase for libraries where fantasies are popular.
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The Camino Club
Young adult readers will enjoy this journey and will find themselves in at least one of the characters.
Each story shines. An enduring anthology, appropriate for classroom use and recommended for all teen readers.
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Bearmouth
A unique story that will take readers a while to get used to. This book might be a hard sell to teens, but for those who are ready for a fresh narrative, this gripping story of hope, friendship, and revolution will be worth it.
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It Only Happens in the Movies
YA readers will relate to the struggles Audrey faces and be pleased by the refreshing conclusion to this love story.
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Those Who Prey
For readers of true crime, thrillers, and cult novels searching for an atypical story.
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Skyhunter
Suspense and high-action fights make this plot-driven story both fast-paced and brutal.
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Girl Giant and the Monkey King
A tale that deals with important issues of fitting in and cultural understanding, while soaring into the realms of myth and magical adventure. A worthwhile purchase for most collections that will appeal to fans of the “Rick Riordan Presents” series, but the text is less plot-dense and thus more accessible to a slightly younger audience.
A good but not great entry in the tradition of criminal turned do-gooder for the tween set; likely to be a moderately popular addition at most middle or large libraries.
Radiating a sense of hope grounded in love of family and community, Beni’s story rises above the historic details of war and provides an important perspective for those living in uncertain times.
PREMIUM
Lupe Wong Won’t Dance
A humorous, fresh #OwnVoices title sure to appeal to social justice advocates and reluctant square dancers everywhere.
A useful package for reluctant readers; for reports where the topic is of interest.
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The Retake
A classic turn-back-time tale for the Instagram generation, readers won’t want to stop “scrolling” through the pages.
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The Exceptional Maggie Chowder
A heartwarming, funny story about family and friends; a worthy addition to middle-grade collections.
PREMIUM
The Egyptian Mirror
What should be a dark, exciting mystery is overshadowed with a lackluster narrative, providing an adequate but humdrum tale.
The overwhelming positivity filling the pages encourages readers to never be afraid of who they are, making this story golden. Get this uplifting, informative book onto library shelves and into kid’s hands.
PREMIUM
The Invisible Boy
A light-hearted read about a dark topic that is so wrapped in imaginary superhero play and bright clothing that the protagonists all appear to be much younger than their actual ages, making the back matter crucial for identifying and reporting suspicions of human trafficking.
PREMIUM
The Lost Wonderland Diaries
There are many takes on Carroll’s famous locale, and while this one is unique, it’s not entirely successful. Consider for large collections or voracious fans of Wonderland reworks.
PREMIUM
In a Flash
While at times a tough read, this is an enthralling story of sisterhood amongst harrowing war.
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Red Stars
World War II aficionados may soak up this account of a horrific period in history, as the hybrid format offers a different way of exploring this segment of time. However, the brutal violence may cause some readers to take pause, and those unfamiliar with WWII history may need background knowledge before reading.
PREMIUM
The Firefly Warriors Club
An updated take on classic adventure novels, marred by problematic appropriation of Indigenous tools and identity.
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No Ordinary Thing
Elegant writing and an imaginative conceit may compensate for a passive story. Purchase where Kathryn Littlewood’s Bliss or Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me are popular.
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Shelly Struggles To Shine
Readers will enjoy this welcoming and acutely relatable sequel. Recommended as a general purchase.
Grabenstein delivers once again to his target middle-grade audience with a book that will appeal to even the most reluctant readers. There’s something for everyone, from adventure to angst as well as puzzles and trivia. This introduction to a new series will leave readers ready for the next installment.
An adorable introduction to a great series about sibling bonding and friendship, reminiscent of a contemporary Beezus and Ramona tale. A solid addition to any children’s library collection.
PREMIUM
The Stray and the Strangers
A tender and compassionate story; what this short chapter book lacks in excitement and action it makes up for in its depiction of the human (and canine) element of the world refugee crisis. Recommended for purchase in large collections.
This book promises to charm veteran Nix readers and welcome new fans into the fold. Recommended for school and public libraries.
PREMIUM
Magic Dark and Strange
Catherine, Owen, and Guy live in a world where magic intermixes with the dark reaches of greed, wealth, and the possibility of resurrecting the dead. Gothic in its texture and Dickensian in story, this will satisfy any mystery and magic reader.
PREMIUM
What She Found in the Woods
A thoughtful, engaging YA thriller that touches upon mental health, social issues, and how words are used to manipulate reality.
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Monsters Among Us
A dark novel featuring a horrific sexual assault and a child murder that falls short of its literary ambitions, but holds readers’ attention until the end. Recommended as an additional purchase.
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Dating Makes Perfect
Young teens will lose themselves in this delicious, tame romance. Recommended.
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Into the Heartless Wood
A captivating fantasy story that takes readers on a journey, yet leaves them hanging in the end.
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You Have a Match
This book serves up intriguing family drama, beautiful sensory details, and a swoony romance, but leaves the reader unsatisfied. Recommended for secondary purchase only.
PREMIUM
Be Dazzled
Teen readers active in the con and cosplay scene will love seeing themselves depicted with the gentle humor of an in-group character. A crafty queer romance about self-acceptance, and a delightful addition to YA collections.
PREMIUM
All I Want for Christmas
For those looking to add to their collection of holiday books; particularly those who have teens looking to relate more to characters found in made-for-TV holiday movies.
A heartwarming tale of two childhood friends facing challenges in their platonic relationship...and maybe more. Recommended for young adult collections.
PREMIUM
Sasha Masha
This novel depicts one queer teen’s journey to self-knowledge, but its uneven quality makes it an additional purchase for larger library collections, where titles by Meredith Russo and David Levithan are popular.
PREMIUM
The Gifted, the Talented, and Me
Hilarious and heartwarming, this is a great fit for high school libraries.
PREMIUM
The Good Girls
Though strong in its feminist convictions, a hurried ending, muddied mystery, and unmemorable characters make this book an additional purchase at best.
PREMIUM
A Very Quacky Christmas
Giving and sharing never had a better advertisement than this sweet farm story. For all collections that circulate holiday titles.
PREMIUM
Every Mummy Has a Mommy
Monsters moms are the focus of this sweet read-aloud. Recommended for libraries looking to expand their Halloween collections.
PREMIUM
The Ninth Night of Hanukkah
This cozy Hanukkah story reframes the holiday and encourages readers to bring in the whole community.
Part of the “Storytelling Math” series, this perfect little book features a Black protagonist and gentle teaching of complex spatial skills and is recommended for all pre-K collections.
This quirky book will appeal to dog-lovers and anyone interested in creative illustrations; kids will enjoy studying the typography and may want to try out their own projects.
PREMIUM
What if Night?
An effective first look at light pollution, which is an infrequent topic in picture books. This versatile title could easily be used as a catalyst for discussion, or as a read-aloud at bedtime or story time.
Beautiful art and sensitivity to diversity and difference overcomes the staleness of the story; this is a celebration of food and family for any collection needing a refreshingly modern Thanksgiving treatment.
PREMIUM
Zip, the World’s Greatest Robot
A mild robot story with cheerful appeal, perhaps better suited to a picture book audience.
PREMIUM
Veg Patch Party
Whether educational or just for fun, this read-aloud will dance its way into libraries and classrooms.
Marino has created a tribute to nature’s reaction to and recovery from wildfires. Sadly, it appears this topic will be current for the foreseeable future. A first purchase for all libraries.
PREMIUM
The Mysterious Stones
Unfortunately, the whole thing never quite comes together. An additional purchase at best.
PREMIUM
The Giving Day
While this is not an essential purchase, it has a positive theme of helping others that makes it a pleasant addition for collections expanding their Thanksgiving fare.
A sweet tale of an unexpected but meaningful friendship, a mild lesson in patience, and a message of caring
Charming pen-and-ink illustrations are comic, but can’t rescue the story from veering from a celebration of Latinx culture into appropriation of the Ojibwe. Not recommended for purchase.
PREMIUM
I Love You More Than Christmas
In a time of tight budgets, this is a nice overview of traditional nonreligious celebration, but not a first choice.
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Crow & Snow
Purchase as needed; this story of seasonal friendship between a scarecrow and a snowman proves love triumphs all.
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Night Night, Curiosity
Despite this 21st-century space story’s lack of diversity, it is still a touching celebration of curiosity.
PREMIUM
Natalie Portman’s Fables
This well-intentioned collection lacks the qualities necessary to become a library must-buy.
PREMIUM
5 More Sleeps ‘til Christmas
This light, silly book is a fun addition to the canon of commercial Christmas stories for elementary readers.
A charm-filled story with appealing illustrations, for larger collections.
PREMIUM
Teaching Mrs. Muddle
This story is perfectly suited to settle some first day jitters, but will also be appreciated by teachers and parents who know what it takes to help children feel comfortable in new environments.
PREMIUM
Felíz New Year, Ava Gabriela!
A story about overcoming shyness in a unique storybook setting, recommended for purchase.
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