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If we as adults (and authors) can’t give our kids a world that makes any sense, the least we can do is let them play in one.
PREMIUM
Sorry, Snail
While the message is earnest, the method is extreme in today’s climate of online bullying and harassment; the sensibility has a very specific appeal and should be doled out with caution.
PREMIUM
Un secreto
Purchase where there’s a need of literary Spanish-language novels for younger teens.
Young readers will greatly enjoy finding this child in the colorful illustrations. Highly recommended for early childhood read-alouds.
PREMIUM
Seton Girls
A page-turning debut centering on a close group of Black girls and a football team’s takedown following an accusation of rape.
Kid lit authors attending ALA Annual are ready to support and work with embattled librarians as they manage attacks on their work. SLJ spoke with Samira Ahmed, Jas Hammonds, Angela Joy, and Eliot Schrefer about the importance of spending time with librarians at the conference discussing books, censorship, and supporting young readers.
This inspiring and highly relatable title could be used with readers of any age to discuss topics of body image and self-love. Recommended.
PREMIUM
Burt the Beetle Lives Here!
Emergent readers and fans of comics will enjoy getting to know Burt in this recommended title.
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Harry at the Dog Show
This book is an enjoyable stepping stone for children who have begun the process of reading independently and are prepared for a challenge.
Children will enjoy Biscuit’s traditional exploits while practicing their developing reading skills.
PREMIUM
Gnome and Rat
A cute new addition to the growing pool of emergent-reader graphic novels featuring best friends, this will appeal to fans of Ben Clanton’s “Narwhal & Jelly” series and Stephen Shaskan’s “Pizza & Taco” books.
PREMIUM
Boom!
A swift, sweet, and visually satisfying vignette for beginning readers to enjoy with a caregiver or on their own.
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Trick or Treat? It’s Halloween!
Recommended for public library collections where holiday board books are in demand.
Recommended for all libraries for display during the holidays, especially to reflect the Indian diaspora or immigrant experience.
PREMIUM
The Wheels on the Costume
Libraries lacking inclusive representation in their collections, especially their board books, will want to buy; for everyone else, this is an additional purchase.
PREMIUM
The Boo Crew Needs YOU!
Recommended as an addition to Halloween shelves, an engaging title that provides new material on the holiday topic.
Most libraries will find this appealing, accessible book a welcome addition to holiday shelves.
A great addition to libraries looking to expand their seasonal stories for infants or for those who have duopress’s other “High-Contrast” titles; a recommended read for fans of Halloween to share with their youngest patrons.
PREMIUM
Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Boo!
Nostalgic and enjoyable, this is a delightful addition to Halloween storybook collections for young readers.
A solid addition to an established collection on the subject for younger children.
Public libraries with Jewish populations will find this a useful overview of holidays, but it will not replace the many other picture books covering them individually.
PREMIUM
Raaga’s Song: A Diwali Story
Recommended purchase for libraries with readers who want to learn more about the origins of Diwali and make a connection to modern-day issues.
PREMIUM
Hope Against Hope
Give to readers who love historical fiction and are eager for an engaging story they’ve likely not heard in depth before.
A definite purchase for a middle school library, this debut novel with a delightfully diverse cast provides a truthful account of peer pressure, divorce, and consent.
This short and sweet primer on saying sorry for one’s wrongs is a useful SEL selection for everyone.
PREMIUM
Fox Has a Problem
A welcome and valuable addition to any early reader collection, sure to be popular with fans of the series in addition to newcomers.
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Hardware Helper!
A wonderful addition to the growing array of captivating beginning reader books. Recommended for all collections where leveled readers are in demand.
PREMIUM
The Smurfs: Lazy’s Alarm Clock
A fun, action-packed beginning reader for libraries with large collections.
PREMIUM
Shark-Cam
For young shark lovers. A predator that acts against type makes for a fun, gentle narrative.
PREMIUM
School Day Drama
A solid choice for libraries that circulate graphic novels to younger readers, but may get lost among more unique early graphic novels characters.
Recommended only where the Magic Mixies web series is already popular.
A great choice for libraries looking to add holiday or counting books to their collection for younger children.
PREMIUM
Celebrate the Day of the Dead!
Recommended as a first purchase for collections where holiday books about the Day of the Dead are lacking.
PREMIUM
Big Bad Wolf’s Yom Kippur
Pair with Steve Smallman’s The Lamb Who Came for Dinner. Also, look to Gloria Koster’s Little Red Ruthie: A Hanukkah Tale and Laura Aron Milhander’s Not for All the Hamantaschen in Town for more fun Jewish holiday fairy tale twists.
PREMIUM
Grumpy Monkey Don’t Be Scared
Libraries that purchase this Halloween edition in the “Grumpy Monkey” series will see it quickly flee the shelves.
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Charmed Life
Purchase where the first book is popular but pass where it has been a hard sell.
PREMIUM
The Beautiful Something Else
A perfect way to infuse fiction with science; use this with Eliot Schrefer’s Queer Ducks (and Other Animals), in SEL classes, or offer it to those reading Ann Braden or Leslie Connor.
PREMIUM
Opinions and Opossums
A healthy reminder that the status quo continually needs to be challenged by thoughtful youths. There are a multitude of metaphors found in the natural world that can provide lessons if we are open to receiving them. A good choice for tween shelves.
PREMIUM
Claro de luna
An engaging novel for younger teens that centers around a relatable heroine and a fascinating history.
PREMIUM
Another Dimension of Us
An ambitious and convoluted adventure that misses the mark; not recommended for purchase.
An authentic journey for adoptees who are not allowed to feel sad but thrust into a stance of gratitude for a life they were given and for all readers who, after a loss, are reconstructing their identities.
A silly celebration of play, imagination, and devoted fathers that would enhance a Father’s Day program or display. Recommended for first purchase.
PREMIUM
I Am a Rainbow!
While the story is far from unique, this book ably retells it, while showcasing a lot of diversity.
PREMIUM
The Minus-One Club
A raw coming-of-age story that illustrates the multi-faceted nature of grief and growing up.
PREMIUM
Un hijo
A ruminative novel that might be difficult for some adolescents to follow. Experienced readers of Spanish might find this more accessible.
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we offer this list of nonfiction and fiction titles to commemorate the lives of the thousands of people of Japanese descent who were impacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066, which forcibly relocated them into concentration camps.
A timely and necessary addition to any elementary or middle school library, especially as LGBTQIA+ children are seeking examples of loving communities who fully embrace every part of them.
PREMIUM
Felice and the Wailing Woman
Recommended for readers who enjoy a fast-paced fantasy with folkloric roots. This is a good addition to any juvenile fiction collection, especially for those seeking shorter, less magic-heavy, books in the fantasy genre.
Books on kindness and sharing are important in all libraries; those searching for books on holidays and traditions will find this a worthy addition.
PREMIUM
Clash of Fate and Fury
Despite tying up loose ends, the book may leave readers unsatisfied. Not recommended for purchase.
PREMIUM
The Headmaster’s List
With relatable teen protagonists and a satisfying conclusion, this is an essential purchase for teen collections.
PREMIUM
La supercapa de Abuela
A fun and bright addition to Spanish picture book collections that will remind readers the importance of play and using their imagination even during difficult times. Purchase for intergenerational picture book shelves.
PREMIUM
El pato y sus zapatos
This board book is just the right amount of cute to make it a good purchase for bilingual board book collections.
PREMIUM
Cool. Awkward. Black
All told, the collection is strong for several reasons and a necessary purchase for teen anthologies in the library.
These outstanding works by 12 authors encompass historical fiction, fantasy, graphic novels, picture books, and more.
PREMIUM
The Mermaid Princesses
With stunning artwork accompanied by universal themes, this is recommended for purchase for most collections.
Elementary classrooms and libraries will benefit by including this book, sure to be loved by primary students.
PREMIUM
Being a Cat: A Tail of Curiosity
An easy purchase and surefire hit that will especially resonate with young cat fans.
PREMIUM
Percy’s Perfect Friend
This is the ideal classroom or library read-aloud for the beginning of the school year to coincide with learning all the rules and being a good friend.
Fascinating and thought-provoking, this title deserves a spot next to Becker’s other masterpieces of visual storytelling. Thoughtful and highly engaging.
PREMIUM
When You Were New
A quietly joyful look at the passing of time, noted in small moments, that teaches mindfulness as well as the bonds of familial love.
PREMIUM
The Storytellers Rule
Positive message and great read-aloud potential with advice that will resonate with both writing-phobic kids and their adults. Recommended for all collections.
PREMIUM
What Happened to You?
A rare perspective that removes pity, dissolves differences or impediments, and welcomes everyone into the game unquestioningly.
PREMIUM
I Am the Walrus
From time travel to aliens to shapeshifting to an apocalypse, this work proves there may be such a thing as too much science fiction in one book.
PREMIUM
Fish and Worm
For transitional readers, a great “first” graphic novel offering tidy etiquette lessons and brimming with wit.
An amiable story perfect to elicit smiles from burgeoning readers.
PREMIUM
Reina Ramos Meets a BIG Puppy
Broad appeal and an engaging emotional journey make this an excellent addition to any early reader collection. Recommended for first purchase.
The connection of Misty’s story with Clare’s is a bit of a stretch, but the short sentences and large font are excellent for beginning readers.
PREMIUM
Reggie, Kid Penguin
A rib-tickling title that will give the younger elementary set a character to call their own from the graphic novel shelves. Recommended.
With the explosion in popularity of little libraries, this book with bright illustrations and simple text would make an excellent addition to any well-rounded collection.
Common sight words, short sentences, and minimal words on each page make this a good choice for beginning readers.
PREMIUM
The Mystery of the Painted Fan
A strong chapter book about family, love, and gender expression that is recommended for all libraries.
A seamlessly written, action-packed story that’s also a sensitive, introspective character study. Fans who’ve been waiting for more of adorable couple Nico and Will won’t be disappointed.
Hand to tweens who enjoy magical realism and quest stories. Ziggy’s experiences with anxiety and loss will likely resonate with many.
Recommended for larger collections and where longer Disney books fly off the shelves.
PREMIUM
In the Tunnel
This companion novel to Brother’s Keeper is recommended for readers of historical fiction
A page-turning examination of power, sex, and murder as characters revisit their pasts with a new perspective.
PREMIUM
The London Séance Society
Mature teens will enjoy the mystery and learn plenty about the occult and time period.
A gripping addition to the reimagined fairy-tale genre; give this to fans of Melissa Bashardoust’s Girls Made of Snow and Glass, Sarah J. Maas’s “A Court of Thorn and Roses” series, and Margaret Owen’s Little Thieves.
PREMIUM
Black Candle Women
Generations of women must confront their fears, resolve their issues, and rebuild their relationships. Good general purchase.
Mature teens who can’t get enough of Leigh Bardugo and V.E. Schwab will devour this fast-paced fantasy adventure and will eagerly await the next installments.
PREMIUM
Lying in the Deep
A fun, twisty thriller with a diverse cast and a dash of romance, this book is perfect for readers who love Urban’s first two thrillers, as well as fans of Jessica Goodman and Karen M. McManus.
PREMIUM
The Lake House
Recommended. Horror/thrillers are always in high demand in the library, and good ones are hard to find. The throwback cover and the description alone will be enough to get this one circulating.
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