A fantastical tale brimming with family traditions, friendship, and #BlackGirlMagic that is sure to be an excellent addition to any library’s middle grade collection.
A dynamic, action-packed fantasy that forces a young girl to face her fears when attempting to rescue her brother.
Fast-paced and exciting, with well-drawn characters, humor, and a cinematic setting, this story will appeal to fantasy and adventure lovers who enjoy lots of twisty action.
Arnold creates a world that is both completely normal and wonderfully magical, and readers will want to be a part of it. Recommended.
An insightful story, with echoes of Narnia, that will appeal to thoughtful and sophisticated readers.
A first purchase for middle grade collections as well as book clubs for this age range.
Sila wonders if people are more compassionate because of their own difficult experiences; in this unique, touching book, the answer is yes. Recommended for all collections.
This creepy story will appeal to readers who are drawn to the unexplained and all things foreboding in its exploration of memory, reality, truth, found family, and survival.
Purchase where eccentric, humorous animal stories are popular.
A feel-good series opener that could have mass appeal in spite of its flaws.
Fans of Merci Suárez Changes Gears will love watching how Merci and those around her grow. This sequel doesn’t disappoint and is an essential purchase for all collections.
This gut-wrenching tale of the Hiroshima bombing from a Japanese perspective is a tender and honest exploration of empathy in the aftermath of unimaginable pain and grief.
Courage, determination, and unwavering love are the foundation of this debut; a much-needed addition to public and school libraries.
All libraries should make room on their shelves for this collection of Native-voiced stories. Recommended.
This uplifting, realistic story of a young Black boy lyricist is a strong addition to any library collection.
Beautifully written, this tender novel should be read by anyone who understands how challenging navigating mental illness can be. A first purchase for all shelves; buy more than one copy.
A must-buy for school and children’s libraries looking to expand their historical fiction selections.
This novel’s level of unchallenged body shaming and judgment is unsettling and harmful in a children’s book. There are much better books that center on unlikely friendships and underdog athletes.
A perilous journey on skis, an encounter with escaped zoo animals, and a new neighbor who becomes a friend all add up to a pleasing package in this series debut.
Titanic books are always popular, but unfortunately this is not one of the better ones on the market. Purchase for large collections where reluctant readers need more historical fiction.
A comprehensive and engaging choice for historical fiction collections.
A beautiful story for middle graders discovering who they are. A wonderful addition to all collections.
Fans of historical fiction, or even horse stories, will appreciate this fast-paced tale.
This chapter book companion to Bowling’s well-loved middle grade series is a recommended purchase.
While informative and ambitious, this awkward narrative bites off more than it can chew. One could imagine factual components in sidebars so that the narrative alone doesn’t have to carry the weight of this interesting slice of history.
A charming, original title that will draw fans of Janae Marks’s From the Desk of Zoe Washington.
Add this audiobook along with the print book to every library collection, especially those with an audience that may resist reading or listening to stories that are different from their own.
Fans of LaCour’s previous novels will not be disappointed by this hauntingly beautiful tale; the audiobook is a masterful performance of an artistically prolific work. LaCour’s latest novel is a cathartic masterpiece and will evoke strong emotions in listeners of this audiobook.
Rife with crucial issues, Jackson’s newest bestseller will require multiple formats to satisfy audience demands.
Impossible to put down, this page-turning mystery is a must-listen for fans of April Henry, mysteries, and thrillers. A great addition to any library collection.
With Corzo as her aural sidekick, Mejia’s spectral Latinx adventure gets just the right #OwnVoices partnership.
The laudable success of this timely #OwnVoices Latinx collaboration should encourage audience growth across multiple formats.
This is a must read/listen. While this is a story of injustice, it is also the story of a boy and his humanity.
A great choice for teens and adults who value diversity, coming of age, and self-discovery in their fiction.
The audiobook provides an excellent portrayal of the emotions Mari feels throughout the story, giving her internal struggle added depth. This book examines politics from a unique angle and could give insight into the election process to teens.
This first book in a duology sets the perfect stage for the sequel, giving readers just enough history of the societies paired with Aissa’s personal experiences to make the world come alive and leave the reader excited to know what happens next.
This is a beautifully done audiobook for any collection. Pair it with the print book to get the full impact of the pictures while Bridges tells her story.
The struggle Tracy and her family are facing is raw and real; it’s a story that needs to be heard. This audiobook brings a powerful depth to the emotions and events.
This epic story of personal discovery is magical in its simple complexity. The audiobook would be a great partner with the print version but can easily stand on its own.
A fast and entertaining story that will entice readers who are fans of historical fiction with paranormal elements, this is a good addition to audiobook collections looking to add a spooky, historical tale appropriate for middle grade audiences.
A valuable addition to any middle grade audiobook collection.
Hearing the story told from the author himself provides a personal connection to the stories included. But, listeners may miss out on the visual elements Gansworth describes in the Author’s Note
This coming-of-age story with a fantasy twist will make an excellent addition to collections with young adult audiobooks. Give this to mature teenagers and adults who enjoy multilayered story construction.
Pair the print and audiobook versions together. The audiobook is powerful because of the voices of Born This Way Foundation reporters who narrate the chapters. The print version is powerful because of the images and notes from Lady Gaga in each chapter.
This book is quite charming and will have readers cheering for Henri and Corrine.
Young children will love the setting, animals, and adventure in this reasonable addition to most shelves.–
A humorous and vibrant book for collections seeking lighthearted looks at inclusion.
Highly recommended for all Spanish and bilingual board book collections for children.
A great sell for story times with an “ouches” or “boo boo” theme, this title sends a message of kindness and tenderness for almost anyone feeling out of sorts.–
A solid purchase, and a touching story of friendship. An author’s note provides a personal tribute to the USPS and mentions the impact of the coronavirus on the agency.
Modeling compassion for family and loved ones with hugs and patient listening, this is a perfect lesson for social emotional learning, with the generous message that sometimes managing frustration means reaching out to others for help.
A wonderfully pleasing picture book that could be used in a preschool sessions covering the seasons and invertebrates.
A sweet, never sentimental book about finding happiness in small places, and perfect for lap-reading or story times.
Highly recommended for libraries to highlight characters with mental illness.
Recommended for Christian fiction shelves.
A sweetly potent homage to the special love between old and young; recommended for all public library collections.
This story will charm younger children in a read-aloud setting, but the often overflowing page space, shared by multiple illustrated scenes and text lines, suggest independent readers are the best audience for the toy elephant’s surprising adventure. Not an essential purchase, but full of heart.
Despite the lack of clear message, this bright and cheery book fills a hole in the shelves for budding astronauts and space enthusiasts.
Platitudes and overly sentimental text paired with crayon-bright colors attempt to convey the spark but fall flat. Give this one a miss.
Make sure this one is available for teens interested in a realistic story of faith, family, and friendships.
High-interest stories by popular authors make this a first purchase for high school libraries and teen collections, especially those where YA anthologies, such as Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Meet Cute and Sangu Mandanna’s Color Outside the Lines are popular.
This fantasy is a solid choice for YA collections.
Fans of Miranda Kenneally’s “Hundred Oaks” series will gravitate to this fun and lighthearted sports and rock star romance.
A complex fantasy debut, rich in nuanced LGBTQIA+ representation and timely social commentary, perfect for fans of Adam Silvera, Holly Black, and Rin Chupeco.
A great choice for teens who enjoy horror and are looking for a quick read.
This title is ideal for public and school libraries looking for a coming-of-age novel that explores the issues of immigration.
Readers who are looking for books like Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give and Nic Stone’s Dear Martin will gravitate towards this book. An important addition to every young adult collection.
A fun experience that readers will want to read again and again.
An easy pass in favor of readalikes by Sabaa Tahir, Sarah J. Maas, and Tahereh Mafi.
An original take on the personal nature of grief and a strong choice where YA romances are popular.
Recommended for all YA collections, particularly where action and adventure stories are in demand.
Fans of Johnson’s other books will flock to this classic tale of choosing between friends.
Readers who enjoy romance will be delightfully surprised with this book that will take them a bit deeper on the road of self-discovery through high school crushes.
A great choice for die-hard fantasy fans.
This LGBTQIA+, #MeToo, Thelma & Louise road trip will appeal most to readers who prefer vivid characters and ethical ambiguity to happy endings.
A strong contender for those seeking meaningful stories about love, loss, and grief.
A great title for public and high school libraries looking for books that offer a nuanced look at patriarchy, wealth, and gender dynamics.
Recommended for Christian fiction fans.
A strong crime fiction addition to any library, educators will find this text useful in discussions of character growth, social justice, and Native issues.
Built-in curriculum potential and excellent representation mean school libraries in particular will find this anthology a worthy purchase.
Some teens may enjoy this title, but there are better options for queer romances.
Set in a New England grief camp, this debut novel’s believable characters make plain that suffering the loss of a loved one while young is difficult, and common.
An ode to family, true belonging, and magic. Highly recommended for all collections.
For collections seeking books that deal with domestic and other types of abuse in relationships, A.S. King’s Still Life with Tornado or Amber Smith’s The Last To Let Go are better choices.
Fans of Banghart’s Grace and Fury will appreciate this book’s strong female leads, fast-paced action, and the focus on Evra and Tam’s friendship despite other shortcomings.
A secondary purchase, this novel will appeal to younger readers who have tired of fantasies built on warfare. A good choice for fans looking for readalikes to Melissa Bashardoust’s Girl, Serpent, Thorn.
A first purchase, along with the other two in the series, for all young adult collections.
A relatable story of love and poetry for YA collections.
A must for every library given its timely themes, international setting, and authentic protagonist voice.
A character-driven murder mystery that will leave readers guessing until the big reveal.
Monir deftly balances familiarity for DC fans and accessibility for new readers, blending superhero origin with coming-of-age tale in an excellent book for fans of comics and dystopian fiction, as well as reluctant readers.
This is a must-purchase for any YA collection where historical fiction and romance is popular. Hand this to teens who binge-watched Bridgerton and need more from the ton.
Readers who appreciate the wholesome romances of Emma Lord, Kasie West, and Morrill’s other books will find simple comfort food here.
A lovely addition to share about this joyful holiday that would be a great choice for a diverse spring programming or displays.
A charming choice for Earth Day and environmental story times.
A Ramadan narrative that inspires action and reflection for all readers. Purchase for all collections.
This would make a lovely companion to the traditional Haggadah and would be well-suited for libraries looking to expand their Jewish holiday collection.
An excellent addition and welcome update to elementary nonfiction collections focusing on holidays and celebrations.
A fun and interactive addition to holiday collections book.
A lovely addition to the collection of books about Eid that can be used all year long.
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