Related
PREMIUM
Tamarind and the Star of Ishta
With an increase in Southeast Asian representation in middle grade fantasy, readers are best directed to other titles. Not recommended as a first purchase.
A must-have for middle school collections; fans of Jessica Kim’s Stand Up, Yumi Chung and Kelly Yang’s Front Desk will love this coming-of-age novel.
PREMIUM
Yonder
This is a quiet yet powerful, story told through flashbacks over the span of several years. Recommended for general purchase.
PREMIUM
Molly and the Machine
A plot-driven, farfetched, romp with a dose of fun 1980s nostalgia that will appeal to readers who want to go along for the ride.
PREMIUM
The Secret Diary of Mona Hasan
Inspired by Hussain’s childhood, the short vignettes of this book are perfect for reluctant readers and may spark conversations about war, Operation Desert Storm, immigration, international affairs, the Muslim religion, and school equality for girls.
PREMIUM
If You Read This
A sweet middle grade story where a father and daughter are brought together with the help of their loved ones to figure out their new normal. Recommended for young fiction collections.
PREMIUM
The Lost Ry
A great recommendation for fans of Studio Ghibli or graphic novel series such as Jaimal Yogis’s “City of Dragons” and Mark and Alexis Siegel’s “5 Worlds.” Recommended purchase.
This new series will grab readers with its dynamic plot, video game lingo, and relatable characters. An exciting new addition to the world of mythology- and history-based adventure novels.
PREMIUM
Chester Keene Cracks the Code
In a novel that will appeal to fans of Remy Lai’s Fly on the Wall, Magoon creates memorable characters and a wacky adventure that toes the line between playful fantasy and deep-rooted emotional journey.
PREMIUM
Cookies & Milk
Best to read this with a glass of milk and all the ingredients to make Amos’s recipe. Recommended as a solid historical fiction purchase.
PREMIUM
A Year to the Day
This story will stay with readers long after they have finished the book; a first purchase for libraries.
PREMIUM
Into the Sublime
Fans of atmospheric and psychological survival novels will race to the end of this horrific nonlinear adventure.
Highly recommended for today’s youth looking to understand the recent past and for adults seeking to see themselves represented in a time when there was little to no representation for LGBTQIA+ persons in writing.
Wilson captures the reality of the rural Midwest with an authentic voice that is both powerful and raw. A solid, first purchase.
The writing is heartbreakingly beautiful. Readers will immediately be drawn into this interestingly painful journey as the characters try to find their way out of the darkness, alone and together.
PREMIUM
We Made It All Up
Readers looking for a mystery with deep subject matter would be better served reading works of authors like Tiffany D. Jackson.
PREMIUM
The Silence that Binds Us
Recommended for general purchase; hand to fans of Mark Oshiro’s Anger Is a Gift, Misa Sugiura’s This Time Will Be Different, or Kelly Loy Gilbert’s When We Were Infinite.
PREMIUM
Baby Teeth
This enchanting work is an excellent addition to LGBTQIA+ and verse novel collections.
PREMIUM
The Song That Moves the Sun
A solid pick for libraries whose readers who enjoy light fantasy and romance.
PREMIUM
The Valkyrie’s Daughter
A colorful coming-of-age action-adventure exploring themes of trust, sexuality, family, and fate against a Norse mythology–inspired backdrop, this book will round out the worlds on a high fantasy shelf and serves as a good introduction for new readers of the genre.
PREMIUM
Two Truths and a Lie
A grisly, fast-paced, suspenseful tale of a murder and mystery that is great for fans of noir thrillers who do not mind a little gore. Recommended for teen readers.
Highly recommended for older middle school (due to some strong language) and high school readers who love a spine-tingling and romantic character-driven story.
PREMIUM
Epically Earnest
While the plot is a bit lightweight and devoid of literary tension, non-stereotypical portrayals of queer identity make this a worthwhile addition to high school collections.
PREMIUM
Lia and Beckett’s Abracadabra
An excellent addition to any teen romance collection. The behind-the-scenes peek into the world of illusions and stage magic will delight even readers without a strong interest in magic.
An honest, evocative, and multilayered examination of humanity, full of both fear and hope. Recommended for first purchase.
PREMIUM
Arden Grey
Arden’s experiences with an emotionally abusive mother, losing her best friend to a controlling partner, and understanding her own asexuality will have wide appeal for realistic fiction fans.
PREMIUM
Always Jane
Hand this to fans of Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty and Kasie West’s romances.
PREMIUM
Love from Scratch
This delicious romance is great for summer and a highly recommended purchase.
PREMIUM
Rise of the Snake Goddess
An entertaining but additional purchase, where the first book circulates well.
PREMIUM
Don’t Call Me a Hurricane
A welcome addition where novels-in-verse and the works of Elizabeth Acevedo, Nikki Grimes, and Kwame Alexander are popular.
PREMIUM
The Darkening
Despite the predictable plot and slow beginning, this is a fun story and librarians with teens interested in fantasy and innocent romance will find takers for it.
PREMIUM
The Black Girls Left Standing
Great for teen readers and a good supplement to high school reading, this book adds to the modern canon of books about advocacy and activism.
PREMIUM
Lulu and Zoey: A Sister Story
A solid choice to add to a school’s collection of sibling stories.
PREMIUM
First Broom
The art will appeal to young readers in this poetically lackluster but visually sparkling execution of an enchanting premise.
This sweet and touching story will prove a worthy addition to any collection.
This tender, insightful exploration of childhood emotion and respectful parenting is an important purchase for all collections.
Goade calls upon her childhood memories and current home and shares important information about the beauty and utility of nature. Told in rhythm, song, and narrative, the language is rich and evocative
PREMIUM
The Twilight Library
In a glorious nighttime world that is the opposite of what most diurnal human children know, this book is really just an excuse to show off storytelling and see just how far the author and illustrator can take it. Not essential, but lovely.
This rhythmic picture book articulates a common experience for young children who straddle two cultures. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
One Boy Watching
A solid title for sharing with children working on descriptive writing and for those communities where bus riding is part of the day, this is a beautiful homage to that childhood experience.
PREMIUM
The Baby-Changing Station
A funny new sibling story, but imperfect; recommended for larger libraries.
PREMIUM
The Smallest Snowflake
A charming story that would be ideal for transitional winter-to-spring read-aloud hours.
PREMIUM
My Hands
Whether for art, science, or philosophy, this compelling book offers food for thought, and will launch discussions as well as drawing exercises among a wide range of readers.
A thoughtful and entertaining informational text on avian behavior, suitable for all collections.
A worthwhile and compelling addition for all collections seeking titles to support parents and teachers of children with anxiety or neurological conditions.
A first purchase for every library, this is an empowering story about speaking up.
This fantastical and memorable character offers an eccentric story with modern tastes meant for a purely entertaining read-aloud experience.
Wise and heartfelt, Woodard’s story speaks to young activists who wish for positive change by expressing the roots of her own mission to inspire empathy and product inclusion for a better world.
This pleasant, unpredictable journey leads to a satisfying ending that sparks a gentle reminder that friends are invaluable.
PREMIUM
Anni Dreams of Biryani
A pleasant story for small chefs, this is great for story hours on favorite dishes from around the world.
PREMIUM
Busy Baby Animals
These photographs of baby animals in nature have the charm, warmth, and comfort of Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben’s Mommy Hugs and Daddy Kisses and will have busy human toddlers slowing down for another read. Highly recommended.
An ode to the beating heart of African American culture with remarkable depth and breadth. This title is a celebration of Harlem’s vibrancy, dynamism, and significance.
PREMIUM
I Love My Body Because
There are better books on body positivity such as Tyler Feder’s Bodies Are Cool.
PREMIUM
Loud Mouse
Come for the celebrity, stay for the tunes; children will relate to this tale of following your dreams even if it means getting loud.
PREMIUM
I Want to Be a Vase
For collections with access to older, proficient readers, an enthusiastic dialogue between vividly rendered household objects ultimately triggers sincere affirmation about being whatever you want to be.
A splendid paean to the power of art to heal, and the trifecta of friendship, persistence, and inclusivity to rebuild community. A delightful book.
PREMIUM
Monkey Bedtime
With an energetic text and humorous illustrations, this is sure be an oft-requested bedtime read-aloud.
PREMIUM
Skater Cielo
With an underserved topic for the sports shelves, this will be welcomed by elementary readers, especially those who are trying out new hobbies and who will need its message of perseverance.
PREMIUM
Hush, Puppy
An enjoyable tale of friendship and animal care; a solid addition to this series.
PREMIUM
Aven Green Music Machine
The third in the “Aven Green” series, this delightful and fun title is sure to be an easy sell to young patrons.
PREMIUM
Charlie & Mouse Are Magic
A feel-good choice for the classroom that could also circulate often in various library settings for young children just learning to enjoy short chapter books with simple language.
PREMIUM
The FRUSTRATING Book!
A masterly blending of relevant childhood themes with nuanced humor that will make both kids and their grown-ups giggle.
Little ones will love the pretend play of this story. Great for any children’s library collection.
PREMIUM
The Art of Magic
This creative fantasy will move well with fans of Tae Keller’s When You Trap a Tiger and Lorelei Savaryn’s The Edge of In Between.
A winning start to a new series and a first purchase for all middle grade collections.
PREMIUM
Nothing Is Little
Engaging and heartfelt, Van Vleet’s title delivers big on the feels. Anyone who’s ever been made to feel small will benefit from hearing Felix’s story.
Recommended for students seeking realistic fiction about characters with learning disabilities similar to Alyson Gerber’s Focused, and for those who enjoy reading books written in free verse.
PREMIUM
Gabe in the After
Although there is potential in Gabe’s journey and awakening, the experiences along the journey to the Massachusetts’ military base and back to the island are anticlimactic and leave the reader with more questions than answers. A secondary purchase.
PREMIUM
Brown Is Warm, Black Is Bright
File this under Black joy, childhood, autumn reveries, or pair with other celebrations of Black strength and beauty, such as Tami Charles’s All Because You Matter and Useni Eugene Perkins’s Hey Black Child.
PREMIUM
Charlie Makes a Splash
A positive and informative look at autistic experience through a child-friendly lens.
PREMIUM
Goodnight, Butterfly
The irreverent humor and wacky visual aesthetic, while amusing enough, may fly over the heads of children.
PREMIUM
You Wonder All the Time
This sweet and celebratory rhyming story underscores the value of inquisitiveness, making it a solid addition to most collections.
PREMIUM
That’s Debatable
Recommended where light romance with strong empowerment messages are popular. Hand to readers who enjoyed Michelle Quach’s Not Here to Be Liked or Sayantani DasGupta’s Debating Darcy.
Sure to appeal to fans of Nicola Yoon, Sarah Dessen, and Elizabeth Acevedo, this is a kindhearted, empathetic story that also happens to be utterly swoon-worthy.
PREMIUM
Fenway and the Frisbee Trick
A good choice for dog lovers ready to dig into chapter books. Written from a dog’s perspective, the jokes may elude some readers, but those who catch on will enjoy a good laugh.
PREMIUM
Esme’s Birthday Conga Line
Readers will look forward to more adventures with Esme in this welcome addition to early chapter book collections; recommended for purchase.
PREMIUM
Fenway and the Bone Thieves
A good choice for dog lovers ready to dig into chapter books. Written from a dog’s perspective, the jokes may elude some readers, but those who catch on will enjoy a good laugh.
PREMIUM
Hoof on the Roof
This is a good early reader series for students who like silly words and sounds, friendly characters, and a slightly longer plot.
PREMIUM
Snarky Sharky
This is a good early reader series for students who like silly words and sounds, friendly characters, and a slightly longer plot.
PREMIUM
Can Dad Dance?
This is a good early reader series for students who like silly words and sounds, friendly characters, and a slightly longer plot.
PREMIUM
Clumpety Bump
This is a good early reader series for students who like silly words and sounds, friendly characters, and a slightly longer plot.
Recommended for general purchase in a school or public library, with appeal for reluctant readers who may be more likely to read a story that is adapted from characters they already know.
PREMIUM
New Glasses: Peppa Pig
Short sentences and simple vocabulary describe the eye exam process and will appeal to the beginning reader and fans of Peppa Pig.
Not only a quick, accessible read, this is also charming for its humorous pictures and witty story.
PREMIUM
Kitty School: Gabby’s Dollhouse
An additional purchase, if popular content is needed for your collection or for reluctant readers.
PREMIUM
See Me Go
This action-focused early reader story will appeal to dog lovers, while enhancing their reading confidence as each page is turned.
Action-packed and full of adventure, this series prequel is a summer hit. Purchase where the series is popular and hand it to those who have read the series, but encourage new readers to try other books in the canon first.
PREMIUM
Abuelita and Me
A resonant, intergenerational picture book about an important and necessary topic; highly recommended for children’s picture book collections.
An additional purchase for libraries seeking books about this topic from a child’s point of view or who want to participate in a potential school project that conveys some of the destructive magnitude of the Holocaust.
PREMIUM
Singing with Elephants
A strong purchase for all libraries. Compassion and love abound in a tale of animal activism and personal growth.
A lovely story to share with anyone who is struggling to find comfort in a new situation. Recommended for all children’s library shelves.
articles
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? LOG IN
We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? LOG IN
Thank you for visiting.
We’ve noticed you are using a private browser. To continue, please log in or create an account.
