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
A captivating mystery that will ensnare those who enjoy retellings and stories with a touch of magic.
This standalone novel ties fantastical elements, LGBTQIA themes, and climate change together into one neat package that will leave readers satisfied.
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.
A perfect book for sharing with caregivers of babies and toddlers who might be taking their first steps, too.
A laugh-out-loud story that spells out why the grass is not always greener, with subtle language lessons built in for emerging readers.
An LGBTQIA romance that is sweet yet predictable. An additional purchase.
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.
Sweet and sincere, Charlie Vega’s journey is a delight.
A moving portrayal of a complex situation that will appeal to teenagers mature enough to read about school shootings.
An engaging read sure to appeal to fans of feminist dystopian novels, especially those with survival aspects, such as Rory Power’s Wilder Girls.
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.
Teens love a mystery, and this one is definitely a page-turner.
Hand this to readers who prefer literary writing styles to character- or plot-driven narratives.
The plot of this queer fantasy is intriguing, but ultimately proves to be too much for one novel.
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.
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.
A solidly positive purchase. While not focusing on gender or identity issues specifically, this affirming story embraces many forms of self-expression and play.
A contemporary history lesson with the uplifting message that humanity’s survival depends on us working for, not against, one another. A must-have.
A fun romp through space that will keep readers engaged and eager for other science fiction titles.
A rich and joyful adventure story for those who enjoy daring escapades in a fairy-tale setting.
A great alternative to the more mean-girl “Canterwood Crest” series, without losing the relatable preteen voice and story line.
A recommended purchase, perfect for fans of Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga and Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton.
A solid addition to middle school collections.
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.
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.
A must-have for libraries serving teens and tweens.
While the writing style makes this a fun read, kids will feel unsatisfied by inconsistent characters and a failure to develop promising story lines.
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 great selection for voracious readers who aren’t yet ready for YA.
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.
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.
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.
There is a lot to love here, and the hopeful, honest representation of a transgender parent is essential for all library collections.
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.
This humorous romance is recommended for teen collections.
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.
A strong addition to high school libraries, as it gracefully handles mental health and demonstrates a strong, platonic friendship.
In this captivating tale, Bracken brings Greek mythology to life in a battle for ultimate power along with threads of friendship, feminism, and romance.
Recommended for public and high school libraries for readability and thoughtful examination of social identity and sexual orientation.
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.
Recommended for all collections, especially where theater is popular.
Hand this to fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Tiffany D. Jackson.
Purchase Bajpai’s follow-up to A Match Made in Mehendi where there is a high demand for romance.
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.
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.
A strong portrayal of musical theater, ballet, the arts, and culture all merged into a coming-of-age story that will resonate with teens.
A fun and thought-provoking read for mid-size or larger collections.
Unremarkable but likely to please fans of unicorns and other series such as Daisy Meadows’s various fairy collections.
There really is something for everyone to find and feel good about in Barrager’s flower garden. Children will love spotting all the details and hearing their own monthly verse.
A powerful story sure to awaken empathy and curiosity: Who else left behind a homeland, and at what cost?
Good-hearted and cheerful, this is not a first purchase, but larger collections will find space for one more entry in the ABC canon.
This beautiful look at a young girl’s life and her determination to save her home is a perfect read for young environmentalists.
This relatable novel is recommended for high school and public library collections.
Unicorn lovers deserve much better.
This early chapter book, with five distinct sections, will serve as a terrific transition reader for those just beginning to delve into chapter book level reading. Recommended for juvenile fiction collections.
A perfect read for fans of John Green, R.J. Palacio, and Marcus Zusak.
Perfect for teens who enjoy deep reads like Adib Khorram’s Darius the Great Is Not Okay and Samira Ahmed’s Love, Hate & Other Filters.
This novel is likely to appeal to older teens as well as adults, to whom the many details of a late 1990s adolescence may appeal.
This novel is a great read for middle and high schoolers who enjoy themes of friendship and family, and a magical world of unicorns and centaurs.
This will appeal to teenage fans of adult authors like Toni Morrison, Brit Bennett, and Yaa Gyasi.
A good addition to any collection, especially one where translations are popular.
A great read-aloud picture book that will boost story hours as listeners help save the day.
Best for one-on-one sharing, this book offers a clever way to introduce the importance of recycling.
The illustrations along with the swirl of words on each page add to the story’s vibrancy and texture; there’s always room in the collection for this kind of collaboration.
A timely book that gently explores issues of similarity and difference, of holding on to one’s individuality while also recognizing the importance of others, this is a first purchase for all libraries.
Especially in a post-COVID world, washing one’s hands is an important topic and Curious George makes it fun.
A silly romp with just enough suspense to be fun for little ones yet surprisingly (and pleasantly) devoid of any specific morals or lessons.
An empowering purchase for public libraries looking for new titles on building character.
Featuring one of the most thoughtless heroines seen in recent picture books, this sneakily adorable tale may offer readers a glimpse of their own behavior in their rushes to judgement over potential playmates and friends.
A touching ode to the formative experience of learning to love and being loved in return.
A poignant, purposeful depiction of a family learning to recognize, confront, and heal internal struggles with self-love and self-worth. Children in need of encouragement will find comforting revelations about the value of individuality.
The bold geometric design of the storm waves and determined tugboat will delight, although readability may be an issue for newer readers. Purchase for collections not already owning Gramatky’s tale in its dozens of formats.
Deliciously absurd, serve this tale to readers looking for fun and hilarity.
In mixed media, Sworder makes a compelling case for a wide ranging audience to pore over these pages and take in this ode to all life has to offer.
A quiet and peaceful picture book about how playing pretend can elevate a chore. Purchase for larger collections.
An exquisite and essential purchase for public libraries; a pitch-perfect bedtime story, this is sure to conjure beautiful dreams.
This will help children name their separation issues, and give parents a loving metaphor for reassuring them.
A simply told story about stepping forward to support the bullied and change the dynamic, this is an accessible if slight story about courage and bullying in a school setting.
Illustrated with vibrant natural vistas to amplify quick, upbeat rhymes, Cyrus beckons early elementary readers to a newfound sense of the immensity and importance of trees in the world.
A winsome picture book for pre-readers and early readers who are learning shapes, colors, and how to navigate early friendships.
A delightful tale to help readers figure out where they belong, and, if a wise tomato is any indication, why that question may not even matter.
This low-key story encourages viewers to find inner resources for dealing with ordinary challenges, and could help provide children with a structure for contemplating their own armor.
As in the recent When Nana Akua Went to School, the elder generation nudges the young to embrace their culture and the challenges of fitting in. This #OwnVoices entry offers solutions as well as a healthy dose of joy.
This unique story lyrically fills an obvious hole in picture books, animating a powerful figure and showing children that they can achieve their dreams, literal or metaphorical, through perseverance.
Agent Lion may be clueless but he knows how to have a good time, in this easy reader mystery that will have children laughing out loud.
A gentle, simple reminder for young girls to dream big as they grow up, this is ideal for parent-child read-alouds, imparting reassurance and pride.
Like Cynthia Rylant’s Birthday Presents, this offers a great demonstration of positivity in the face of new challenges, wherever children find them.
A necessary purchase and thoughtful meditation, for avid fans of space exploration and newbies alike.
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