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A first purchase for all collections. Both teens and adults will be drawn to this title.
PREMIUM
A Castle in the Clouds
Fans of old-fashioned mysteries such as Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None and Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game will enjoy this updated mystery about an intern alone in an aging European hotel. Recommended for general purchase.
This book brings up important discussion topics that would be well utilized in high school English and theater courses, but may not be a first pick for general library collections.
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The Discovery of Anime and Manga
An appealing, informative read for anime and manga enthusiasts that shows young fans that their favorite comic and animation style has a long and rich history. Buy where these media forms are popular.
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The Elephant’s Umbrella
A similar title with more staying power is The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates.
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World So Wide
Despite an odd choice in illustration, this is an endearing book to share with new and expecting parents for reading in the early days.
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The Trigger Mechanism
This overstuffed action novel is all flash and no substance. Purchase only if the first book is well-circulated.
This trilogy ender is fun, satisfying, and a genuine treat for teens and adult mystery fans.
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Sam!
Although oversimplified, Sam’s transgender coming out story is a welcome one for classrooms and libraries looking for #OwnVoices LQBTQIA+ books for young readers. For a more nuanced picture book about being true to one’s authentic self, consider Michael Hall’s Red: A Crayon’s Story.
The zany misadventures of these dinosaurs are just perfect for kids looking for a laugh.
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Dare to Dream Big
A call to all children (and adults) to dare to be their best selves featuring an array of characters and perfect text for reading aloud. A solid general purchase.
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Kassy O’Roarke, Cub Reporter
A weak plot and subpar mystery don’t redeem relatable characters. Recommended only where mystery series are extremely popular.
Farah is a well-rounded character with ambitions and struggles; readers will identify with her challenges and root for her to succeed. A first purchase for upper elementary readers.
These eight recent and forthcoming novels, most of them #OwnVoices, highlight the experiences of biracial and multiethnic children and teens.
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The Upside of Falling
An additional purchase for fans of Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Kasie West’s The Fill-In Boyfriend.
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When a Kid Like Me Fights Cancer
An indispensable tool for parents and caregivers grappling with pediatric cancer, and a solid addition for most collections.
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Good Night, Little Blue Truck
Great to read on a stormy day. Fans of Little Blue Truck and new readers alike will be charmed by this picture book adventure.
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The Mermaid in the Bathtub
An excellent translation and tale about accepting others and embracing change.
A useful addition for collections now short of the original Andersen tales.
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Throw Like a Girl
This feel-good sports novel is recommended for public libraries and junior high readers.
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More Than Anger
Recommended for those who love books by Sarah Dessen and who appreciate a tearjerker.
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Refraction
Librarians will find this novel a go-to recommendation for fans of Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff’s Illuminae and an accessible sci-fi for reluctant readers. Recommended for YA collections, especially those suffering from series fatigue.
This handsome volume will be an appealing addition to libraries as both source material for programs and for individuals to read and share.
PREMIUM
Sepia and the Big Ocean
A sweet offering for the youngest ocean-loving fans and budding cuttlefish enthusiasts, but not a first purchase for most libraries.
This is an unusual and profound addition to children’s book collections emphasizing the concepts of math and design.
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What’s Next?
This soothing tale is just right as a bedtime story for young and curious children.
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Let’s Celebrate!
An accessible tool for teaching children about world cultures, seasonal special events, and festivals for school and public library collections.
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Max and the Talent Show
A worthy title for classrooms, libraries, and PFLAG and other support organizations’ collections.
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Yiddish Saves the Day
Jewish communities in search of entertaining ways to introduce Yiddish to children will find this amusing. Others are likely to be left behind.
PREMIUM
Sandwich Shenanigans
Readers looking for a good mystery will likely be disappointed. Even though the ending provides some closure, it is poorly written and confusing. Not a recommended purchase.
Ryan La Sala joins us to talk about his debut novel REVERIE and how escapism can be dangerous and just a distraction, but also how it produces a functional blueprint for the ways in which our world could and should be changed.
The Young Adult Library Services Association has announced the finalists for the 2020 William C. Morris Award, which celebrates the best YA book by a previously unpublished author.
Author Andrew Clements is being remembered by educators, fans, and peers; the Library of Congress presents Rosa Parks through her own writings, photos, and memorabilia; Science teachers can earn a prize valued at $5,500 in an engineering contest; and more in this edition of News Bites.
In the last few years, there's been a rise in YA anthologies hitting shelves, and the trend isn't slowing down. Librarians weigh in on these books' popularity and how to use them in schools and public programming.
PREMIUM
The Stolen Slipper
A joyful blend of mystery and fantasy, and another solid series installment by “Branches.”
PREMIUM
Off I Go!
This adorable story is a must-have for fans of the series, as well as a great addition to any early chapter book section.
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The Amazing Life of Azaleah Lane
A good choice for libraries that need more light, realistic mysteries for the early middle grade crowd.
PREMIUM
Pug’s Snow Day
Readers new to chapter books will love the unique diary format and vibrant illustrations. Perfect for early learners who love animals, and a wonderful wintry choice for any elementary school library.
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Sisterland
A good choice for lower middle grade collections seeking fantasy adventure stories with strong female friendships.
Recommended for series fans and advanced readers with mathematical and scientific interests. For larger collections.
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The Mystwick School of Musicraft
For fans of “Harry Potter” who don’t want to stray too far from Hogwarts but are in need of new adventures.
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All the Colors of Magic
This standalone fantasy is perfect for fans of Cornelia Funke and those not yet ready for hefty, multivolume series.
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Hollow Dolls
Simone’s desire and drive to recover what she’s lost will resonate with readers. A recommended purchase for most libraries.
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Nessie Quest
Fans of warm, quirky comedies will love this epic adventure and friendship story.
Readers will delight in this old-fashioned mystery, made fresh with intriguing places and people.
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The Best of Iggy
Fans of Barrows’s “Ivy + Bean” series and books about kids who often find themselves landing in trouble will appreciate this laugh-out-loud tale. For libraries where humorous realistic fiction is popular.
PREMIUM
A Flicker of Courage
This magical adventure is a good fit for fans of Brandon Mull’s Fablehaven and Karuna Riazi’s The Gauntlet, as well as readers dealing with a home life like Henry’s.
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Notorious
While not as funny as many of Korman’s other titles, this is nevertheless a diverting read full of suspense and historical intrigue.
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Don’t Tell the Nazis
A harrowing, suspenseful follow-up for readers of Skrypuch’s earlier books or Ruta Sepetys’s Between Shades of Gray.
PREMIUM
The Peacock Detectives
Purchase where there’s a need for realistic fiction dealing with family issues.
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Clean Getaway
This lighthearted adventure story explores racial inequality and the complex nature of interracial relationships. This title is a good addition for school libraries seeking unconventional approaches to history.
PREMIUM
Middle School Bites
With its enjoyable characters and wacky concept, this novel is sure to have wide appeal.
Upper elementary readers who like magical realism will enjoy this novel, as will younger readers at high reading levels. A strong addition to the fiction section.
PREMIUM
That’s What Friends Do
Readers who are beginning to navigate more complicated emotions and personal boundaries will appreciate this story which deftly handles sensitive topics like inappropriate touching and body autonomy.
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Dog Driven
Recommended for libraries where hybrid contemporary and historical fiction is high in demand.
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Me and Banksy
This accessible introduction to Banksy is a general purchase for large library collections or where middle grade books about art are popular.
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Sleep: How Nature Gets Its Rest
A classic-themed picture book that will connect children with animals while sharing some basic facts about them.
A wonderful version of a classic legend and a welcome addition to holiday collections.
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Doodle Cat Wears A Cape
For silly books about empathy, pair this title with Mo Willems’s My Friend is Sad or Michael Ian Black’s I’m Sad. Recommended for most large collections.
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What’s Up, Maloo?
A suggested general purchase, this title addresses those with insecurities, sadness, or depression and simply displays the success of teamwork for all ages.
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Almost Time
In addition to promoting the value of patience, Schmidt’s story will also be valuable for early study of changing seasons and teaching where food comes from. A fine choice for most collections.
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Camilla, Cartographer
A fun way to get children interested in cartography, this book lends itself to many lessons inside and outside of a classroom.
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Cherry Blossom and Paper Planes
A rural European setting and lack of cultural insight limits the audience for this attractive tribute to childhood friendships. An additional purchase.
PREMIUM
If Monet Painted a Monster
A clever and somewhat spooky introduction to famous artists and their signature works for early elementary students.
PREMIUM
The Friendship Book
A book that encourages children to celebrate and embrace unique friendships of all kinds.
Though this book has beautiful illustrations, the text is too challenging and sophisticated for young audiences, yet might be off-putting to older readers.
PREMIUM
Hiro’s Hats
This satisfying story of imagination and friendship would pair well with Mem Fox’s The Magic Hat, Lita Judge’s Red Hat, Jan Brett’s The Hat, Eileen Spinelli’s Do You Have a Hat?, and Brian Won’s Hooray for Hat!. A lovely addition to elementary library shelves.
This title will likely appeal to the pet-owning fans of The Invisible String and will find a place in collections in need of pet loss books.
PREMIUM
Naughty Ninja Takes a Bath
This book does a wonderful job of demonstrating how a child’s imagination can turn any ordinary experience into a rollicking adventure.
A pleasant, romantized introduction to an impressive person, places, and time for young readers beginning to like stories about real people.
Readers of a variety of ages will appreciate this educational, beautifully designed homage to the many creatures who are affected by climate change around the world.
Highly recommended for public and school libraries. The creative illustrations will appeal to parents who struggle with keeping children in bed at night. This is also an excellent choice for a bedtime storytime or other programs.
This visually stunning story is as beautiful to see as it is to read; young readers will especially appreciate its message of friendship and encouragement as they begin to investigate their own big feelings.
The simple text in this gentle chronicle of years blazes with the power of family, determination, and perseverance.
PREMIUM
Snowy Race
Rhyming, minimal text coupled with fetching illustrations by Davenier expertly convey the exhilarating drama of entering into a snowstorm as well as the comfy feelings of being in a warm house while the weather is frightful. The fact that the text never explains who the guest is will allow for a nice discussion.
An enchanting examination of the pleasure reaped from cultivating imagination, friendship, and memory.
A fabulously illustrated tale, this fun and educational story is perfect for most young readers.
PREMIUM
Pippa’s Night Parade
A whimsical story about how a little bravery and a strong sense of fashion can save the day and the night, suitable for the very young.
PREMIUM
Iced Out
While not an essential purchase, this is an appealing read-aloud that can be used to generate discussion about classroom and playground dynamics.
PREMIUM
Chinese New Year Colors
This wonderfully executed concept book is a great holiday choice for younger readers.
PREMIUM
Johnny’s Pheasant
Sweet and amusing, this modern Native intergenerational story is a good general purchase.
PREMIUM
One Hug
Perhaps a tad overly sweet, this is nonetheless an enjoyable read-aloud to be shared one-on-one or in a small group setting. Recommended.
PREMIUM
Night Animals Need Sleep Too
Emerging readers will love the accessibility of this picture book as they increase their independence, while still in the arms of their parents.
PREMIUM
A Crazy-Much Love
Eye-catching and heartwarming, this is an excellent choice for anyone wishing to share the loving bond between parents and their children.
PREMIUM
You Are Home with Me
A quiet, gentle picture book that is also informative and naturalistic. Recommended.
PREMIUM
The Way Home for Wolf
Young readers are sure to enjoy this highly relatable picture book of youthful angst and unexpected camaraderie.
A handsome and helpful primer on self-reflection and a mirror to urban black and brown children, this joyous title could be well paired with Samantha Berger’s What if….
PREMIUM
Call Me Max
A welcome title for classrooms, libraries, and PFLAG and other support organizations’ collections.
PREMIUM
The Serious Goose
Laughter is contagious, and there won’t be any stopping the silliness busting out when children and adults read this story together.
PREMIUM
Straw
With such a child-friendly protagonist, children may be more inclined to absorb this lesson. Who wouldn’t want to “chill” in a frothy milkshake?
PREMIUM
Ignore the Trolls
Not recommended for children who still live in blissful ignorance of the bullying they can experience once their classmates are given smartphones. This title could open up a discussion with older readers.
PREMIUM
Dragon’s Hometown
Created by a Chinese author and an Asian-Canadian illustrator, this #OwnVoices picture book is perfect for preschool storytime all year round.
PREMIUM
The Girl and the Dinosaur
The balance of adventure and whimsy expressed in text and watercolor collages creates a pleasing bedtime tale.
PREMIUM
The Lost Kitten
This story is sure to appeal to animal lovers and is a great example of a child willing to give up something she wants for the sake of another.
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