A perfect read for fans of John Green, R.J. Palacio, and Marcus Zusak.
Jennings paints an initially terrifying reality, highlighting the vulnerability of self-discovery and the tension of being from two different worlds and cultures. Part horror, part magical realism, this #OwnVoices story is a worthwhile addition to any collection.
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.
This book is a gift to educators, radiating with the authors’ infectious enthusiasm and wealth of experience.
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.
Highlighting issues that all school librarians need to consider in order to advocate for their students, this is a vital resource.
This comics version captures the intensity and brilliance of the source material and adds a layer of palpability to the coming-of-age tale. A strong choice for older teens.
This collection poignantly captures the pain, rage, injustice, and resistance that mark this moment in American history. A solid purchase for all teen collections.
Cline-Ransome’s narrative provides a knowledgable, interesting introduction to an important player in the civil rights movement. Recommended for school and public libraries.
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.
An upbeat addition to biographical picture book collections.
An engaging and straightforward guide to New York City for early elementary students.
Purchase to teach animal adaptations and compare/contrast themes.
A recommended addition that expands awareness of the full impact of Title IX.
A picture book biography with luminous illustrations that are just as powerful as the empowering story of a young woman who refused to take “no” for an answer. Recommended.
A fun, straightforward graphic novel series for young readers interested in comical superhero type characters without too much drama.
This relatable novel is recommended for high school and public library collections.
Unicorn lovers deserve much better.
Unremarkable but likely to please fans of unicorns and other series such as Daisy Meadows’s various fairy collections.
Teachers and librarians should include this title in their nonfiction collections for early elementary readers.
A great addition to folktale collections in libraries and classrooms; pair with other stone soup retellings.
A fevered, modern-day fable extolling the joys of child-initiated unstructured play. A good choice for Spanish-language collections.
A poetically beautiful story of grief and healing mirrored in the natural world has a touch of magical realism as a young girl processes her emotions and realizes that endings lead to beginnings.
A recommended purchase, especially where the first book is popular.
Readers looking to familiarize themselves with the Tulsa race massacre will find more love story than history lesson in this historical novel.
A fun, action-packed choice for striving middle and high school readers interested in science fiction.
There is warmth in the illustrations and readers will root for Lars; this is not a necessary purchase but still worth a spot on some shelves.
Purchase where Bruchac’s work is popular.
An essential purchase, this contemporary, high-spirited salute to motherhood is a warm and welcoming valentine to family and love.
This accessible, fast-moving story features a unique setting and a moving story of personal redemption. Recommended for high school collections in need of hi-lo materials.
Black History Month is in February, but celebrating the accomplishments and talents of Black people in America and across the diaspora shouldn’t be restricted to the shortest month of the year. These poetry books are written and/or illustrated by Black creatives. This small sampling is by no means an exhaustive list but could be used as a jumping-off point to spark further exploration.
Chhabra executes this #OwnVoices historical fiction well; libraries with the “American Girl” and “Dear America” series should consider this for their collections.
Recommended for libraries where animal and fact books are popular.
Ginny is a spirited protagonist who does not allow others to stand in her way of achieving her dream. Readers will fly high with her.
Recommended for libraries where the publisher’s books or animal titles are popular.
A solid magical thriller perfect for fans of witchcraft and slightly darker YA books.
An excellent addition to Spanish and bilingual picture book collections, as well as a wonderful tribute to the work of José Guadalupe Posada.
Bright, funny, and brimming with kid appeal. It’ll be hard to keep this one on shelves, and readers will quickly demand a sequel.
With a number of captivating activities and tools for young readers, this title is a worthy addition to any early chapter book section.
Holczer’s use of humor, thoughtful imagery, and magical realism elements makes this a wholly unique blend of modern fairy tale, hero’s quest, and coming-of-age story. A suggested purchase for all middle grade collections.
More entertaining than the usual offerings about states, these titles should circulate well in elementary school and public libraries.
Good for browsing and stimulating discussion between young readers and adults. However, to develop a firm understanding of STEM-related words, children need more information and many opportunities to use these words purposefully.
This long-awaited addition to the series exceeds expectations
Flash Facts is a new collection of short comics about science and technology featuring DC superheroes. Here's an exclusive preview of "Home Sweet Space" with Supergirl, written by Cecil Castellucci.
The following 16 titles emphasize social emotional core values that are important for healthy childhood development.
Though Halloween has passed, these three beastly titles keep the age-appropriate frights (and laughs) coming.
In time for Valentine’s Day, these teen love stories center friends, enemies, and strangers who become something more.
This early reader stands alone despite being third in the series. Recommended for fiction collections.
A suggested general purchase for libraries assisting social-emotional learning, this title brings a message of courage and growing self-esteem through the support of friends.
A great addition to board book collections.
Recommended for Spanish-language early chapter book collections.
Fans of mystery, adventure, fantasy, and theater will enjoy this title. Recommended for libraries where wacky mysteries are popular.
An excellent addition to Spanish-language picture book collections.
A fun and entertaining adventure, highly recommended for fans of Jeanne DuPrau’s The City of Ember.
A suggested purchase for large libraries looking to update their already extensive holiday section or expand their Engelbreit holdings. The author gives readers what they have come to expect from her work: a sentimental, greeting-card look at a holiday through famous people’s words.
Many readers will yearn for more from this debut writer. Educators will find the text to be useful in teaching antiracist curricula, and teens will see a lens that mirrors their experiences or gain knowledge of a compelling perspective.
Add these charming titles to your bilingual collections and feature them in baby or toddler story times.
Broadway lovers and musicians may enjoy the references to popular musicals and details about music composition. An additional purchase for libraries seeking to expand their romance offerings.
This #OwnVoices title brings laughs, relatability, and awareness of important issues. Recommended broadly.
These engaging picture book biographies spotlight two influential Black female tennis players: Althea Gibson and Serena Williams.
An exceedingly thorough starting place for understanding how libraries may better serve and support patrons who are on the spectrum.
Riotously entertaining. Readers will look forward to more adventures with this quirky trio.
A winning, fast-paced adventure story for fans of the series.
An early chapter book suitable for young readers seeking comical science fiction.
Simon and Chester make a delightful detective duo; aspiring sleuths will snap this one up.
Providing book-based, library-centric STEAM projects, this is a worthwhile purchase.
This appealing book is a recommended purchase for beginning reader collections.
A fascinating look behind the scenes of real-life espionage. Recommended for high school and public libraries.
Recommended for all middle grade and YA collections.
A high-quality introduction to a topic not often covered in books for middle graders.
A great addition to any classroom and school library as a reference source. Give it to all the English teachers you know.
Recommended where biographies of contemporary musicians are popular.
A striking collection of voices, who examine and celebrate the experience of Black women from the past and present. An excellent introduction to Black women writers who were ignored by history.
A solid starting point of inspiration for school libraries looking to build a self-help section.
An in-depth, scientific approach to explain the disastrous 2011 Tohoku earthquake, deadly tsunami, and tragic nuclear meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan.
A must-have puberty survival guidebook for tweens and teens, this is a perfect choice for collections in need of health titles that use gender-inclusive language.
This title highlights the “A” in STEAM and is sufficiently meaty in its scientific presentation. The sample origami projects also make this title a great resource to bridge science and origami in the home and classroom.
A nice addition to school collections where geography and human movement are studied.
A perfect example of excellent narrative nonfiction and a must-have for any middle school library. This work will stand solidly beside books by James Swanson and Steve Sheinkin.
A welcome addition to animal study units, for read-alouds, and for enjoyment and learning. Truly a winner.
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