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Hand this to readers ready to get high school over with or those who just need a reminder that there are people in your corner (even if your corner is wedged in a storage room behind a locked door at school).
From haunted camps to music camps to STEM camps, these 22 stories have a diverse range of characters and experiences, so all tween readers can find something to enjoy.
As we find ourselves at the midway point of June, amidst the celebrations of Pride Month, it's an opportune time to reflect on the rich tapestry of narratives within the LGBTQIA+ community with 15 noteworthy graphic novels that can help us celebrate Pride this month, and year-round.
PREMIUM
Hearts of Fire and Snow
Choose instead Aiden Thomas’s The Sunbearer Trials or Lani Forbes’s The Seventh Sun.
The steady, pleasing pace of plot and illustrations will complement most collections; its delicate message lands hard and is heartfelt.
Highly recommended for all public school librarians, teachers, and school administrators.
A lively and essential addition to every folklore collection.
There is nothing pedestrian about this fantastic supernatural thriller. A modern classic with ties to the monsters that came before.
Inspired by Mo’s move from Hong Kong to the United States at the age of 10, this remarkable story about finding comfort in a new home by bringing along familiar traditions is a must-purchase for picture book collections and will resonate with any child who has struggled to fit in.
A must-read, this novel is full of charming dialogue, romantic-tension scenes, and heart-melting moments.
Although designed for young readers, this will appeal to older audiences and is a stellar first purchase for all libraries.
A clever and charming story of perspective, belonging, and finding oneself, this is a highly recommended for purchase.
A wordless picture book with so much to say, this is one for all children, and all collections.
PREMIUM
Call Forth a Fox
With its enchanting atmosphere, captivating plot, and unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for any fantasy fan.
PREMIUM
A Friend for Eddy
A captivating picture book that captures the feeling of loneliness and the need for friendship, ideal for toddlers and preschoolers.
PREMIUM
Reggie: Penguin in Charge
This gentle title is an excellent choice for early readers and would be an engaging read-aloud for younger children. Fans of series like Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm’s “Babymouse” and Dav Pilkey’s “Cat Kid Comic Club” will enjoy this title.
PREMIUM
My Towering Tree
A strong addition to the shelves and an accessible title to add to nature lessons or even story hours about mindfulness, with its emphasis on simplicity and an appreciation of nature.
Collections needing “silly” can file this one on the shelves, but it’s an additional purchase.
An essential purchase for middle/junior high school and teen collections. This may not be a high-circulation item, but it will be a lifeline for astute poetry lovers.
PREMIUM
Liar’s Test
An exciting fantasy tale of magic, friendship, and self-discovery, with poignant themes of colonization and cultural oppression that will captivate high school readers. Fans of Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen and Marissa Meyer’s Cinder will be enthralled by this adventure of rebellion and the quest for freedom.
Despite cluttered formatting, this book provides excellent resources for employing a variety of engaging reading strategies that have wide applicability across K-8 contexts. Purchase for libraries with a focus on reading, explicit instruction, or a new curriculum.
PREMIUM
On a Summer Night
A sweet and serene seasonal story that will find a home in any collection.
Li’s YA debut is a hopeful coming-of-age story with a cozy New England setting.
PREMIUM
Touch the Sky
This lovely, dynamic picture book would be an excellent choice for libraries needing stories about the path of learning, step by step, the small joys along the way, and sharing in that joy with others.
PREMIUM
Don’t Be a Drag
This title can be skipped in favor of more engaging queer romance and more balanced representation of mental health journeys.
PREMIUM
Roswell Johnson Saves the World!
A first purchase for libraries seeking adventurous science fiction mingled with facts about the universe.
PREMIUM
Otherworldly
Fans of Greek mythology will appreciate the nods to some memorable characters and stories.
They don’t have all the answers. They make mistakes. There’s no sugar-coating their pain or flaws here. And there shouldn’t have to be. Give me all the unlikeable girls.
The authors talk wrestling, Orange Julius, kayfabe, identity, grief, and more.
A cover reveal for the upcoming picture book by John Schu and Holly Hatam
New readers can feed their minds as they read these books about feeding their bellies.
The book’s unique style comes at the expense of storytelling clarity, making this book a difficult recommendation for young readers, but a valuable historical record.
Highly recommended for high school students, this would make a great reading group book to discuss.
PREMIUM
The Different Tree
A worthy addition to a collection frequented by nature lovers, and a book that takes an unusual and welcome approach to the seasons.
Come for the culinary competition, stay for the incisive take on social issues. Recommended for all libraries.
PREMIUM
Wild Dreamers
An engaging novel in verse that touches on serious issues but is uplifting and hopeful. Recommended for middle and high school libraries.
This delightfully chilling romp with a brave and clever orphan is a Halloween tale with heart, that would be a splendid read-aloud at Halloween.
PREMIUM
The Darkness Rises
Suspense stories are in high demand with teens and this one won’t disappoint. Readers will be left with their jaws hanging open when all is revealed.
PREMIUM
Just Another Epic Love Poem
A love affair among poetry, Iranian culture, and teenage angst is happily fused in Akhbari’s debut.
PREMIUM
Do I Have to Go to the Party?
A winning series continues targeting young readers who need help processing emotions, making this an essential purchase.
PREMIUM
Ruby René Had So Much to Say
An empowering and inspiring story that encourages young readers to pursue their passions and make their voices heard.
Best for audiences already introduced to the Tiny Chef.
PREMIUM
And Then There Was Us
A well-written, thoughtful, and sympathetic deep dive into understanding and surviving an abusive parent.
PREMIUM
Out of Blue Comes Green
Queer teens and allies will appreciate a book with a trans protagonist and enjoy the read, even with the major plot holes.
Creepiness abounds, but not enough for readers to fully set sail aboard this ship.
An engaging and insightful biography of an American hero
PREMIUM
Pieces of a Girl
An authentic window into the lives of adolescents with grit and heart, likely for a niche audience.
PREMIUM
Get Ready for Halloween
This delightful Halloween-themed story would be a wonderful addition to any library’s collection, perfect for sparking excitement and enthusiasm about the spooky season.
This picture book explores the complex topic of immigration through the lens of a small child in a meaningful way. Children will appreciate the authentic experience of Mevan while relating to her struggles and joy in receiving a simple gift like a bicycle.
PREMIUM
El nuevo mundo
Recommended as an additional purchase where Castilian Spanish is popular or short chapter books are sought.
PREMIUM
La danza del cuentaconmigo
Recommended as an additional purchase where Castilian Spanish is popular or short chapter books are sought.
A highly readable biography about an inspiring man, this is a first pick for all libraries.
PREMIUM
The Dare
Readers willing to suspend disbelief will be treated to a solid murder mystery; this is a fantastic bridge into the world of adult thriller.
PREMIUM
10 Things I Hate About Prom
Teens will enjoy this title with its comedic plot twists, U.S. high school drama themes, and the friendship-to-love relationship between two realistic Latinx teens.
PREMIUM
El carrito de churros
Purchase this celebration of family, culture, and hard work for all Spanish-language picture book collections.
A breathtaking, bilingual offering that can be used with countless themed story times and read-alouds. Shelve alongside Carole Lindstrom’s My Powerful Hair.
PREMIUM
How Mom Met Mama
While this type of gentle queer representation in storytelling is valuable, the story and the artwork are too unpolished to recommend for purchase.
Every Happily Ever After is going to look a little different. Stories, in any form, can be an escape. But within unfamiliar settings and struggles we see the truth of the world around us.
Just like art, coming up with the ideal discussion questions involved a lot of trial and error. As I get ready for my next career phase with the upcoming launch of my YA book, TAKE ALL OF US, I’ve decided to take a look back at what ended up being the five worst and five best library whiteboards overall.
It's time for rapid-fire Q&A with Peter Brown, Dashka Slater, Chris Baron, and Jarrett Lerner!
They are politicians and artists and athletes. They are young people, and people with a few years of life under their belts. And their stories can inform and encourage young readers in June and throughout the year. These books can change lives—and even save them.
I knew I wanted to convey insights into Jamaican life with YOUR CORNER DARK and now with BETTER MUST COME. So, when it came to showing YOUNG PEOPLE how economic policies, the issues of abandonment, police brutality, and others affected the island nation, I had to make the stories EXCITING!
It started with the title—Past Present Future popped into my head one day, and I couldn’t ignore it. I’m a sucker for parallelism.
Seven new manga releases that are sure to be a hit with YA readers.
PREMIUM
The Great Influenza: The True Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History (Young Readers Edition)
For a more encapsulated history with primary sources and first-person accounts, steer interested readers towards More Deadly Than War: The Hidden History of the Spanish Flu and the First World War by Kenneth C. Davis. For upper-level students, Barry’s longer original title, despite its length, will prove more accessible and authoritative.
A limited but solid choice for expanding school or public library collections featuring a diversity of personages in World War II.
An emotionally resonant denouement; Ogle gives readers his hardest and most hopeful book yet.
A useful though not essential addition for discussions of the intersection of art, science, and everyday activities.
A good graphic novel for young people looking to learn about history and culture in an accessible form.
PREMIUM
Peach Heaven
Though first published in 2005, this edition’s new illustrations bring it firmly up to date, in a memoir that reads like a fairy tale of a community touched by a miracle.
An immersive look at the world of women’s soccer that makes for an enjoyable read for those who are sports fans, and even those who are not.
A beautifully written and illustrated story of a man who wanted people to explore nothingness, which is a necessity in today’s busy world. A great read-aloud and a must-purchase for all library collections.Graphic Nonfiction
PREMIUM
Moonstorm
Hand to readers who are too young for Xiran Jay Zhao’s Iron Widow. An additional purchase for collections actively seeking more science fiction.
PREMIUM
Malicia
High-energy but decidedly disappointing. Only recommended if readers are looking to scratch that spooky amusement park itch.
PREMIUM
Heiress Takes All
This romance-infused heist novel is ultimately a solid choice for most collections.
PREMIUM
Bite Me, Royce Taslim
A sweet, unique rom-com that is recommended for high school libraries.
This imaginative retelling of the story of Huck’s red-headed sweetheart is a rollicking adventure full of rich characterizations that will be enjoyed by junior high and high school readers regardless of whether they have read the book that inspired it.
PREMIUM
The Calculation of You and Me
A one-sit read rom-com with lots of heart and plenty of sarcasm, perfect for Jenny Han or Emma Lord aficionados.
PREMIUM
If You Can’t Take the Heat
A refreshingly different take on the romance genre, written from the male perspective, and a great purchase for all libraries.
A solid collection of speculative queer YA, fitting for monster lovers. Recommended for fans of the various notable contributors to this collection.
PREMIUM
I Wish You Would
A feel-good love story that touches on important issues faced by young adults today. Recommend where upper YA books are popular.
PREMIUM
It’s Only a Game
Unputdownable. Readers of thrillers, such as Kathryn Foxfield’s Tag, You’re Dead, will enjoy this debut, as will video game aficionados.
A novel long overdue. Highly recommended for teen collections, particularly for readers wanting stories centralizing Black characters and experiences.
PREMIUM
Girls Like Her
For fans of emotionally intense reading, like Ellen Hopkins’s Crank and books by Tiffany D. Jackson.
PREMIUM
The Ghost of Us
An optional purchase; give to romance fans looking for something with a paranormal layer.
PREMIUM
Markless
The romance here burns slowly and will hook readers who enjoy sapphic fantasy. This one is also sure to be a hit with the fanbase Malburi has already built as a popular fanfic author.
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