Middle and high school librarians will want this in their collections.
A vengeful adventure that ties up loose ends just tightly enough; a must-purchase for any collection containing the first volume.
A fun but dense read; for fans of gruesome monsters and political drama.
An intense mystery and slow-burn romance that highlight a historical moment. Recommended for all YA collections.
A dark romantic thriller with a surprise plot twist, this is a welcome addition to collections for mature teens, due to sexually explicit scenes.
Ripped from the headlines, Ahmed’s latest novel frames the fight against book banning as a hopeful endeavor in active civic engagement that a wide audience would benefit from reading.
Whether teens enjoy mysteries, historical fiction, or both, this is one to get into their hands.
Haunting and enormously gripping, but the suicide content deserves consideration for sensitive readers.
Purchase where missing-girl mysteries circulate well.
A gloomy horror novel, perfect for middle schoolers too old for “Goosebumps,” but not yet ready for more terrifying fare.
Teens will enjoy the adventure.
Give this to fans of books by McLemore and Nova Ren Suma.
Hand to fans of Ellie Marney’s None Shall Sleep and Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s “The Naturals” series.
Witty and amusing prose will take readers on a romantic journey that realistically addresses anxiety.
The novel adds parallel worlds to the magic and love story of this romantasy. Readers will adore the strong female protagonist and her mission to save her world and those she loves.
A slice-of-life thriller with a compelling concept but underwhelming execution.
A profound must-read for any library serving older teens.
Jackson continues to beguile and intrigue readers with this absorbing mystery. Recommended.
A heartwarming romance where creating authentic connections takes center stage.
Recommended. Grab this one for your Disney readers and for those who enjoy a great prom story.
A deeply satisfying standalone readers will race through and a rare Pacific Island–inspired fantasy that belongs in all YA collections.
For fans of Weaver’s first novel, especially those who enjoy a complex mystery à la Knives Out with a hint of the paranormal.
Anderson creates an engrossing story of tragedy, change, and laying the past to rest, with a fascinating cast of characters. Good first buy for larger libraries.
A sweet coming-of-age debut for fans of books about music, this novel is reminiscent of Maureen Johnson’s 13 Little Blue Envelopes and a solid choice for readers of Nina LaCour’s Everything Leads to You.
A phenomenal work, weaving together elements of fantasy, self-discovery, and the quest for identity, making it a compelling read for teens grappling with their sense of self.
I hope my work will encourage others to think about disability in a broader context, whether that’s rethinking how disabled characters are portrayed or creating more opportunities for disabled writers to tell their own stories.
Book lovers can't help but feel enchanted upon walking into The Curious Reader. After my first visit several years ago, I got the same magical feeling as seeing The Shop Around the Corner in You’ve Got Mail.
You know what is a terrible term? Sandwich Generation. Because I like sandwiches, but I for sure do NOT like being part of the Sandwich Generation. Yes, this is related to this post. Bear with me. This post has LOTS of post-it reviews because I have spent LOTS of time at my mom’s helping care […]
In the book, Claire, Billie, Raelynn, and Tasha are the leftovers. The kids no one else wants to associate with. They are, for me, a celebration of the kids who got me through middle school. And high school. And honestly, who still help me today.
It’s crucial to empower teens to find their voice and their community while advocating for their rights. It’s just as crucial to highlight queer joy and friendship, especially when readers are coming of age during turbulent times.
So here’s my challenge: I dare you to get outside, in your community. Connect with your neighbors. Make a project out of it — get some extra credit or community service hours in.
In Finally Fitz, I wanted to write a mental health representation that felt true to my experience, one where the symptoms aren’t so obvious in a culture that conflates perfectionism with ambition.
My mission is to create stories that teens can see themselves in and be entertained by so I can help them find a way through life despite what may have happened to them so far.
What a wonderful world we live in to see so much great representation in middle grade.
Bear and Olivia show us that with small changes in our lives, we can and should protect these animals and our small corner of the world.
In Family Style, Thien Pham uses food as the lens through which he tells the story of his family's journey both to America and to becoming American.
You know, what we’re really talking about is empowerment—feeling like even the smallest parts of us have power and worth. That could be super important to a middle school kid.
Full of supportive, well-rounded secondary characters (who, importantly don't just support Grace but challenge her and help her see her way through things), this look at identity, relationships, and goals is a great read with the important reminder that you are more than just your accomplishments.
These books all share anxiety as a theme, but in conversation with each other they feel like they are capturing something essential about the power of middle grade books.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen outlines a poetry themed album release party for Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen outlines a poetry themed album release party for Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department
At the end of 2023, I established a 501©3 organization called A Book of My Own. There are so many things out of our control in this ever-challenging world - but getting books to kids who need them? That is something I can do.
The sequel to Go With the Flow introduces romance to the four girl friends.
Let’s take a look at twelve titles that deserve an encore.
With rich character development and a fast pace, this book was a great read built around a world (mariachi) I knew nothing about. Just beware: know where your local panaderia is and be ready to get some treats to keep you company as you read!
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews the upcoming April Henry wilderness survival thriller STAY DEAD
This well-developed mystery is a solid read with a satisfying conclusion. Here's to hoping Simon, who has had plenty of adventure just while in their new city, finally gets the stable and permanent home he longs for!
These YA novels pair a lyrical verse format with engaging narratives of teen girls coming of age.
In the latest Adult Books for Teens roundup, find 10 titles published for adults with strong crossover appeal to teens.
When we listen to each other’s poems and stories, our minds grow wings. We visit each other’s worlds. We begin to understand each other. We become neighbors instead of strangers.
Isabel in Bloom will be my fourth middle grade novel (my first one in verse). When I began writing it, a few intriguing images had come to me: a girl on a plane, a dried-up school garden, and a balikbayan box.
A solid romantasy purchase for any collection and ideal for fans of Lauren Roberts and BookTok trending books.
Not a priority purchase, but a fun addition to collections serving teens in their vintage dystopian era.
This romance, with gentle but explicit sex scenes, deals realistically with teens’ denial after the loss of a loved one. Recommended for mature YA audiences of all collections.
A powerful and important read.
There is so much to be gained in the classroom by integrating more fantastical tales.
Teen Librarian Cindy Shutts adds to the wealth of fairy themed programming ideas with DIY fairy doors
Today Renee reviews the new shojo manga Tales of the Tendo family and interviews editor Eric Margolis about the story.
It's a quiet story, but one that makes it clear that Cecil is seen, that kids like Cecil are seen. I look forward to more from Jonathan Todd.
In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. In the latest installment, Vanessa Le shares about The Last Bloodcarver.
If AI becomes capable of writing unique novels, just for you, that are better than anything you've ever read before, what would become of the shared experience of a beloved book?
The concept of liminality plays a crucial role in Otherworldly, and as such, many of the important moments happen in liminal spaces.
A great example of an escape room thriller, tailor-made for a teen audience. Not only will it “escape” your library shelves often, but it may lead to a desire for escape room programming.
A fast-paced journey through STEM and WWII history.
A riveting, unique, and delightfully queer adventure. Recommended for all libraries.
A beautifully detailed Gothic fantasy that explores how ignorance and deceit can crumble a community.
An excellent purchase for collections, especially where food manga and fantasy romances are in high demand.
Fans of Karen M. McManus will find much to enjoy here. Recommended for thriller/mystery collections.
Fans of Karen M. McManus will love debut author Lundy’s well-developed mystery with plenty of thrills.
A potent portrait of grief and loss, for stout-of-heart teenagers only.
Multiple artists have passionately brought to life a great story that adds another element for members of the game’s base—and those new to it
Purchase for collections serving high schoolers where there is a love of dystopian mysteries.
This is a heartwarming Sapphic love story with a gauzy heist plot for cozy-fantasy lovers and art fans.
Fans of Diana Wynne Jones’s Howl’s Moving Castle or Catherine Bakewell’s Flowerheart may enjoy this one, but it’s not recommended for general fantasy readers.
A must-have for tween and teen libraries.
Themes of misinformation on social media, cultural appropriation, and critical thinking make this debut from poet Feinstein one to give older teens looking for a unique, relatable issue- and character-driven book.
A must-have for teen libraries. Fans of espionage, romance, and magic will love this one.
O’Clover’s second novel captures the sweet revelations of young love. A good choice for all collections.
While Status Royale doesn’t do anything readers haven’t seen before, the fun premise and characters are enough to entertain old and new manga fans alike.
Purchase where teens are looking for a heartfelt romance series like “In the Clear Moonlit Dusk” by Mika Yamamori or “Ao Haru Ride” by Io Sakisaka.
Recommended, especially where action manga is popular.
For those who enjoyed the series “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” and are looking for something less bittersweet, this healing isekai manga of unlikely friendship is one to recommend.
This fun title may inspire conversation between current teens who openly love anime and manga, and their otaku parents who had similar journeys to Megumi's.
A satisfactory sequel; purchase where the original is popular.
A wonderful teen rom-com adventure reminiscent of Rachel Cohn and David Levithan’s “Dash & Lily” series and Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon.
A diverse fantasy adventure about power, responsibility, and hope. Strongly recommended for YA collections.
A wonderful addition to the Elatsoe universe with vital representation, worthy of any YA collection. Highly recommended.
An absolute bloody blast and a fantastic choice for readers looking for the horror of Adam Cesare's Clown in a Cornfield and the deadly single-winner competition of The Hunger Games.
Fans of romantic Gothic fantasy mixed with Polish folklore will appreciate this novel. Recommended.
The perfect choice for readers who enjoy secret societies with dark magic and mysterious rituals paired with true friendship and unexpected romance. Recommended.
A first purchase title from an author who does not miss.
An ominous homage with a morally corrupt lead who puts her own desires above all others. Give to readers who enjoy dark atmospheric works, such as Liselle Sambury’s Delicious Monsters and Rory Power’s Burn Our Bodies Down.
Shim’s sophomore novel exposes and entertains, challenges and inspires; Tyo’s adaptability ensures even the occasional didactic moments get infused with plenty of empowering attitude.
Oh and Park make an indubitable dynamic duo.
Overcomplications are many, but true love waits at book’s end. Avachat and Kishnani delight.
Libraries may want to choose audio over print in adding to their collections.
Truth and reality continue to diverge, leaving audiences craving more.
Today's list is of new and forthcoming nonfiction.
An enjoyable queer romance with extra appeal for performing arts lovers.
An OK read for those in the mood for some suspense
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