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PREMIUM
The Truth App
This timely thriller shines a light on how quickly a viral online presence can overwhelm and even endanger people. This new, fast-paced series will be welcome in middle and high school libraries.
PREMIUM
Hamlet
This vividly violent tale will appeal to ambitious manga readers and can serve as supplemental material for the study of Hamlet.
PREMIUM
Larkin on the Shore
Beautifully written, with vivid imagery of the Nova Scotia shore, this is a truly moving story of finding oneself after trauma, akin to Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, Francisco X. Stork’s The Memory of Light, and Maria Padian’s Wrecked.
PREMIUM
In the Shadow of the Sun
Full of court events, gossip, and the intrigue of murder, magic, and secrets, this is a good general purchase.
PREMIUM
Stella Rising
This story of a young musician finding herself is a solid choice for collections serving hi-lo readers at the high school level.
PREMIUM
Pixie Pushes On
This absorbing read features an appealing heroine and is a good choice for collections where titles about nostalgia and strong family values are in demand.
A smart, necessary, and hopeful middle grade debut that expertly balances a gentle, heartwarming tone with searing insight into systemic racism. Hand to readers who enjoyed Lisa Ramee’s A Good Kind of Trouble or Kekla Magoon’s The Season of Styx Malone.
Useful where artist biographies are of interest. Monet’s garden, the focus of Pia Valentinis and Giancarlo Ascari’s graphic biography, The Garden of Monsieur Monet, is, here, simply the finale, but the two books would make an interesting pairing.
This nonfiction picture book is part biography, part memoir, and all tribute to Jackie Robinson. Purchase to enhance nonfiction picture book collections.
Though some families will find the tools mentioned here useful, overall this work misses the mark when it comes to inclusivity.
Advice from the "Book Whisperer," along with recommended titles to sustain the enthusiasm of young readers.
You've heard the news, now let’s see what authors and illustrators were saying about the news on Twitter:
Author and Anti-Racist Montessori educator and consultant Tiffany Jewell discusses what it means to be anti-racist in a racialized society, how everyone can disrupt and defy racism, and how educators and teachers can decolonize their bookshelves.
Can you guess the classic children’s book by its scathing one-star review on Goodreads or Amazon?
Among the trends in kids' books, Betsy Bird finds "stories that hope against hope that our children will, with the help of these texts, grow up to be better people than ourselves."
PREMIUM
One of Us Is Next
Fans of McManus’s earlier books will probably find this text equally compelling, despite its superficial treatment of diversity.
PREMIUM
Of Curses and Kisses
Fans of Colleen Houck’s A Tiger’s Curse will enjoy this star-crossed tale; think Romeo and Juliet meets Sherlock Holmes. Recommended for teen libraries.
PREMIUM
Gone by Nightfall
Will be well loved by historical fiction fans; still action-packed and intriguing for reluctant readers.
PREMIUM
Rory Branagan: Detective
A new detective series that will have readers laughing out loud and coming back for book two. Fans of Tom Watson’s “Stick Dog” or Betty G. Birney’s “The World According to Humphrey” series will jump right into this title. A delightful addition to elementary library collections.
This sensitive, slightly spooky tale will spur middle graders to mull the importance of fostering welcoming communities.
Ilett’s debut is full of feeling: the comfort of a folktale, the dazzle of the magical, and the trials and triumphs of life. Gail is a true heroine, and the world of children’s literature is lucky to have her.
A must-purchase for every collection. Salyer offers a beautiful look at Earth’s herding creatures.
This successful introductory guide is an upbeat, realistic, and insightful source that encourages children to contemplate future career prospects. A title that is a worthy fit for any size library lacking contemporary career materials targeted to school-age children.
An optional purchase for collections with a high turnover of weather-related books. Students conducting research would be better served by other accessible weather series.
This impressively diverse musical history book is perfect for any library, especially where NatGeoKids books are popular.
PREMIUM
The Way Home
As always, Owly is a steadfast and indispensable friend to everyone he meets, including young readers in search of warmhearted adventure.
PREMIUM
Given
An absorbing story with a strong female lead. Recommended for fans of fantasy and romance centered around cultural exchange and conflict.
PREMIUM
Blood Heir
Readers will love the fast-paced energy and plot twists in this adventure-packed story.
An excellent addition to the “Scientists in the Field” series. A fine choice for demonstrating the actual work of scientists and the importance of their research.
This series addition may bring comfort to students experiencing the loss of moving to a new country and school, although its abrupt plot conclusion and uneven portrayal of wheelchair use may require adult scaffolding.
An intriguing premise that gets overcomplicated with too many plot threads makes this a well-meaning, but confusing read. Recommended only where the previous books have enjoyed a healthy circulation.
PREMIUM
Girl Meets Cat
A quick read for cat lovers, though Georgia Dunn’s “Breaking Cat News Adventures” books are a much richer take on the hilarious absurdities of cat ownership.
I absolutely devoured this book about anti-Nazi resistance groups. Get this one up on your displays about youth activism and youth movements.
Dragon Hoops is one of the best graphic novels of this, or any year.
PREMIUM
Frog Boots
An upbeat tale about following your bliss. Pair with Belle DuMont’s I Love My Purse.
PREMIUM
We Are the Wildcats
A first purchase with lots of appeal, both for athletes and readers on the sideline.
PREMIUM
A Space for Me
Highly recommended for library collections. The theme will resonate with siblings who share rooms and offers a practical solution to get one’s own space, when a separate room isn’t an option.
PREMIUM
Bad Dog
This clever story celebrates the differences between cats and dogs and the owners who love them.
PREMIUM
Open Fire
A lesser-explored time period is given a compelling and interesting narrative through well-developed characters. Give to readers who enjoy historical fiction and strong female characters.
This immersive portrayal of a sensitive teen learning to live with mental illness will earn nods of recognition from readers coping with anxiety or depression but will also resonate with young people facing any fear.
PREMIUM
The Good Hawk
Readers will be swept up in this story of unique heroes, new voices, and Scottish mythos. This is a natural next step for fans of Rick Riordan and mythology.
PREMIUM
The Seventh Sun
Despite occasional awkward writing, the story fills a gap in Indigenous narratives. A good purchase for romance fans.
PREMIUM
The Vanishing Deep
Recommended for pre-teen and teen readers who are willing to ignore the story’s logical short-comings for the sake of a fast-paced aquatic adventure.
PREMIUM
We Are Blood And Thunder
With ableist world-building and underdeveloped characters, this novel is not recommended for general purchase.
This book is a gentle introduction to the complexity of the internal human conflict of fitting in while also being true to oneself.
A clever and beautifully rendered wordless tale that will captivate young readers as they float along with dandelions in the circle of life.
This jam-packed middle grade fantasy may require a little hand-selling, but the characters’ journey is extremely satisfying.
This title may be in high demand as the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment gets closer. An excellent snapshot view of suffragettes for older elementary and middle school students. Recommended purchase for all libraries.
Connor (Waiting for Normal, The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle) has an innate ability to broach difficult subjects with gentleness, and the myriad strong female characters will be embraced by readers seeking heroines to cheer for.
Give to readers who enjoyed the gentle magic of Anna Meriano’s “Love Sugar Magic” series or the quirky community of Leslie Connor’s Waiting for Normal. For imaginative kids who appreciate a realistic problem novel with a happy ending and a touch of magic.
A solid choice for incorporating advanced vocabulary into early chapter book collections.
PREMIUM
Stoop Sale Treasure
A good fit for larger collections. Put this book in the hands of kids who enjoy series like Annie Barrows’s “Ivy and Bean” or Megan McDonald’s “Judy Moody.”
Readers will enjoy learning about these resistance groups in this truly new and unique addition to the YA World War II literary canon. A a must-read.
Recommended for middle school libraries. Nathaniel and his mother tell a compelling story, but when coupled with additional information about the much-beloved book Wonder (and the movie), this title is sure to fly off the shelves.
An excellent purchase for public and high school nonfiction collections.
Reynolds and Kendi eloquently challenge the common narrative attached to U.S. history. This adaptation, like the 2016 adult title, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact. Highly recommended for libraries serving middle and high school students.
This formidable but brief biography is a useful purchase for school libraries and an additional purchase for public ones. Readers wanting to dig deeper after seeing Hamilton will benefit from a read.
Some fans of realistic fiction might enjoy this title, but those seeking a charming, historical coming-of-age story may be disappointed. For larger collections.
PREMIUM
Here in the Real World
Perfect for fans of Pennypacker’s earlier novels Summer of the Gypsy Moths and Pax. Recommended for purchase in most libraries.
PREMIUM
Go with the Flow
This warm, candid friendship story isn’t shy about the message it’s trying to send
An intense, gripping tale of love, loss, and friendship featuring a black youth grappling with his dreams and his identity. Recommended for all middle grade collections.
PREMIUM
A Perfect Blank
For the collection looking to build its LGBT titles, this is a book that praises every life as remarkable and worthy.
PREMIUM
Be Not Far from Me
This captivating, fast-paced novel is Hatchet for an older crowd. Highly recommended where adventure and survival fiction are popular.
PREMIUM
Havenfall
A suspenseful, engaging tale of a young woman trying to unravel her past to save her future. A solid purchase for young adults.
PREMIUM
The Big Break
With this reassuring graphic novel, Tatulli offers a lifeline to middle schoolers dealing with the trials and tribulations of friendships. His lessons—a newcomer doesn’t always spell disaster for a friendship, and it’s OK to branch out and make new friends
PREMIUM
Real Pigeons Fight Crime
Perfect for emerging readers who want action, hilarious hijinks, and crime-fighting mysteries. This is the first in a series and is sure to earn fans ready for more adventures from these plucky pigeons.
PREMIUM
The Lost Tide Warriors
Vivid setting, perilous adventure, and distinct characters make this a strong second entry in a planned quartet. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
Where Lily Isn’t
This book is beautifully written and illustrated, and answers a real need that children have. Paschkis offers children hope as she moves Lily firmly into the memory and heart of our young child. A tender addition for most libraries.
PREMIUM
Vote for Our Future!
This entertaining and engaging story has a powerful and timely message. The children sum it up best by stating, “Kids have to live with adults’ choices,” which makes voting a difficult task to ignore.
Readers will become absorbed in each protest’s narrative due to Kluger’s adept writing.
PREMIUM
Mr. Lion Dresses Up!
Children will be delighted to see the array of costumes Mr. Lion tries on before deciding to be himself. This book would make a great read-aloud or storytime addition.
PREMIUM
Pacho Nacho
Youngsters will get a kick out of saying the main character’s name while enjoying this entertaining story, perfect to share at storytimes and during Hispanic Heritage Month.
This is a gentle, sweet story of how generosity and kindness are the true qualities to champion, and offers a great example for young readers and an important reminder for older readers. A strong addition to any collection.
PREMIUM
The Perfectly Perfect Wish
A satisfying storytime read-aloud about the gift of giving and sharing.
PREMIUM
The Moon Keeper
A wonderfully whimsical story that would have benefited from additional explanation of moon phases, but one that should still appeal to little fans of other lunar titles such as Jami Gigot’s Mae and the Moon or Eric Carle’s classic Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me.
Elementary school classrooms will find this a valuable addition to their Earth Day collections.
This is a fun book about a little-known topic. Purchase for students who will enjoy learning about what women went through to look beautiful in the 1700s.
PREMIUM
Where’s Lenny?
Highly recommended additions to most library collections. Solid choices for storytime or one-on-one sharing.
Balancing rich history and timeless themes of race, instability, and the importance of music and the arts, this title is another must-have from Cline-Ransome.
PREMIUM
Stand Up, Yumi Chung!
Readers will root for Yumi even as they cringe at her choices in this refreshing novel. Highly recommended
A baseball story with heart for young readers of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. This is a must-have title for elementary and middle school libraries where realistic fiction is popular.
PREMIUM
True to Your Selfie
This current and relatable novel will resonate with middle school readers, especially those who have felt the pressure to create a perfect social media presence. A fine purchase for middle school collections needing more contemporary fiction around complicated friendships.
Readers will find it hard to put this book down once they start reading and will be excited to find out what’s next for Wanda and Voltaire. A great choice for general purchase.
PREMIUM
Bug Boys
This gentle romp through nature will be paradise for readers, who will find themselves wishing they could be the third beetle in the Bug Boys’ group.
PREMIUM
Batman Tales: Once upon a Crime
These inspired mash-ups bring new flavor to both the fairy tales they’re based on and the Bat-family, heightening readers’ appreciation for both.
This singular story of a grieving and unconventional family belongs alongside Holly Goldberg Sloan’s Counting by 7s, Cindy Baldwin’s Where the Watermelons Grow, and Ali Benjamin’s The Thing about Jellyfish. Highly recommended.
A must-read. Drawing on primary sources, including Lindbergh’s own journal, Fleming has crafted a cautionary tale of the downfalls of hero worship.
PREMIUM
Batman: Overdrive
Giving Bruce Wayne cool friends and some personal growth, Fontana tricks out the Bat mythos, crafting a high-octane adventure that young Batfans will love.
PREMIUM
Gloom Town
Despite some structural bumps along the way, this creepy adventure has promise. Recommended for general purchase.
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