A compelling and poignant book that celebrates a courageous young girl’s journey toward growing up.
A love letter to books and the dreamers who read them. Hand this charming story to precocious readers and fans of Matilda.
The literary equivalent of a summer blockbuster, this spine-tingling creature feature is just right for middle grade readers.
An authentic, character-driven look at self-doubt and identity.
The perfect read for book-smart students seeking social connection and friendship stories.
Purchase where novels in verse are popular.
A delightful story, this would be a great read-aloud and a possible segue to Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” books.
For readers who enjoy descriptive fantasy with a touch of horror.
An intrepid mystery with unexpected sci-fi elements, this story packs an emotional punch similar to Kelly Yang’s Front Desk.
A charming, easy-to-read book.
A sweet and silly mystery comic for kids just dipping their toes into the genre.
A heartwarming story of a dog’s loyalty to their human pack, perfect for young dog lovers.
A good choice for new and old fans of Pinkalicious and her adventures; especially recommended for beginning readers.
A solid choice for early readers, especially recommended for students in immersive or bilingual classrooms.
A sweet and silly story ideal for emerging reader collections.
An entertaining choice, with appropriate language for the developing reader.
A decent addition, perfect for fans of the “Pizza and Taco” series or where the “Real Pigeons” series circulates well.
Purchase for early readers who have graduated from “Frog and Toad.”
Accessible, enjoyable, and educational, this collection is a positive addition to library collections for new readers.
Accessible, enjoyable, and educational, this collection is a positive addition to library collections for new readers.
Accessible, enjoyable, and educational, this collection is a positive addition to library collections for new readers.
Accessible, enjoyable, and educational, this collection is a positive addition to library collections for new readers.
A pleasant and scary-but-not-too-scary addition.
Choose instead Aiden Thomas’s The Sunbearer Trials or Lani Forbes’s The Seventh Sun.
An awesome book about samosas and so much more; a great addition to any collection.
The steady, pleasing pace of plot and illustrations will complement most collections; its delicate message lands hard and is heartfelt.
This would be a welcome addition to high school libraries.
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.
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.
A captivating picture book that captures the feeling of loneliness and the need for friendship, ideal for toddlers and preschoolers.
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.
Collections needing “silly” can file this one on the shelves, but it’s an additional purchase.
An insight worth taking to heart
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.
A first purchase for libraries seeking adventurous science fiction mingled with facts about the universe.
Hand this novel to fans of David Levithan and Elizabeth Acevedo.
A sweet and serene seasonal story that will find a home in any collection.
This title can be skipped in favor of more engaging queer romance and more balanced representation of mental health journeys.
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.
With its enchanting atmosphere, captivating plot, and unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for any fantasy fan.
Li’s YA debut is a hopeful coming-of-age story with a cozy New England setting.
Fans of Greek mythology will appreciate the nods to some memorable characters and stories.
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.
A lively and essential addition to every folklore collection.
Imagination fills the sails of this rousing, unusually inclusive, yarn.
Highly recommended for high school students, this would make a great reading group book to discuss.
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.
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.
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.
A love affair among poetry, Iranian culture, and teenage angst is happily fused in Akhbari’s debut.
A winning series continues targeting young readers who need help processing emotions, making this an essential purchase.
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.
A well-written, thoughtful, and sympathetic deep dive into understanding and surviving an abusive parent.
A first purchase and excellent choice for dog story times.
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.
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.
Recommended as an additional purchase where Castilian Spanish is popular or short chapter books are sought.
Recommended as an additional purchase where Castilian Spanish is popular or short chapter books are sought.
Readers willing to suspend disbelief will be treated to a solid murder mystery; this is a fantastic bridge into the world of adult thriller.
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.
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.
While this type of gentle queer representation in storytelling is valuable, the story and the artwork are too unpolished to recommend for purchase.
A New York City blackout and romance in Taipei provide the settings for some of these teen books.
Stories of children with parents behind bars are as diverse as the millions of real-life kids familiar with the experience. These 19 fiction and nonfiction titles may offer an empathetic, metaphoric hand for young readers to hold.
Hand to readers who are too young for Xiran Jay Zhao’s Iron Widow. An additional purchase for collections actively seeking more science fiction.
High-energy but decidedly disappointing. Only recommended if readers are looking to scratch that spooky amusement park itch.
This romance-infused heist novel is ultimately a solid choice for most collections.
A sweet, unique rom-com that is recommended for high school libraries.
A solid choice for teens looking for their next witchy girl group read.
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.
A must-buy for where horror is popular.
A definite purchase for any library serving high schoolers.
A one-sit read rom-com with lots of heart and plenty of sarcasm, perfect for Jenny Han or Emma Lord aficionados.
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.
A feel-good love story that touches on important issues faced by young adults today. Recommend where upper YA books are popular.
Unputdownable. Readers of thrillers, such as Kathryn Foxfield’s Tag, You’re Dead, will enjoy this debut, as will video game aficionados.
A must-have for upper tween and teen libraries.
A novel long overdue. Highly recommended for teen collections, particularly for readers wanting stories centralizing Black characters and experiences.
A first purchase for YA collections.
For fans of emotionally intense reading, like Ellen Hopkins’s Crank and books by Tiffany D. Jackson.
An optional purchase; give to romance fans looking for something with a paranormal layer.
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.
A sweet romance about finding your way back to those who matter most.
A funny, inclusive, and queer whodunit that teens will be dying to read. Recommended for school and public libraries.
This is a beach read coupled with a coming-of-age story and will appeal to readers of many genres. Fans of Sarah Dessen and Lynn Painter will enjoy.
At times, the story stalls, but readers who stick it out will be glad they did. A general purchase for libraries.
A coming-of-age Shakespearean revamp where building personal connections, while unapologetically being yourself, is at the forefront of this romantic comedy.
Mystery veterans will find familiar tropes leading to the reveal, but the windows into contemporary Native American culture make this a compelling read. Recommended.
Love and machinations run rampant in a satisfying end to the trilogy. For collections where the first two installments are popular.
This should circulate often in an elementary library and keep readers engaged enough to continue with the subsequent books.
Steeped in clever humor, this story is worthy of multiple readings and will leave readers wanting more. Give this one to fans of “Dog Man” and “Katie the Catsitter.”
Early elementary readers will delight in Willa and Wade’s high jinks, while grown-ups will appreciate the underlying lesson of resilience. A solid addition to school and public collections.
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