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.
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.
An engaging and insightful biography of an American hero
An authentic window into the lives of adolescents with grit and heart, likely for a niche audience.
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.
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.
A highly readable biography about an inspiring man, this is a first pick for all libraries.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Purchase for any graphic novel collection.
A fantastical musical journey with strong characterization.
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.
A great LGBTQIA+ romance that readers will yearn to return to.
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.
Fans of “The Bad Guys’’ series by Aaron Blabey will welcome these rascally rabbits in this new series that’s ideal for any graphic novel collection.
A clever and charming early reader with a fun out-of-the-blue turn of events and just a few words per page, this is an ideal story for burgeoning readers and a welcome book for any collection.
Recommended for purchase where Pete and early readers are in demand.
A serviceable addition to early reader collections, and an obvious choice for libraries where the chapter book series is popular.
This heartwarming story about found family and finding yourself is an immersive and refreshing shift from traditional science fiction.
Hank’s story will break readers’ hearts before putting them back together again. Highly recommended for all middle grade collections.
A speedy but satisfying read that should appeal to a wide range of readers who want the perfect combination of scary, clever, funny, and quick.
A bizarre, sweet story of self-discovery and compassion that the right readers will enjoy, if they can get past the rodents of unusual size.
A horror anthology that will find an eager audience of young thrill seekers.
Ultimately this sweet novel reads like an old-school afternoon TV special. It’s realistic, if a bit cheesy, light entertainment with an obvious and hopeful message.
Highly recommended for readers looking for a unique take on the werewolf trope. Readers will root for the gentle and introspective protagonist.
Hand this book to young readers who love realistic fiction and want to save the planet.
Descriptive language and varying types of poetry make this an enjoyable read, but the element of horror is minimal. Recommended for readers who ask for a scary book but aren’t quite ready for R.L. Stine or Mary Downing Hahn.
A must-purchase for any and all tweens and teens who are ravenous for lighthearted, absorbing, and authentic coming-of-age, realistic graphic fiction.
An enchanting middle grade fantasy and excellent start to this adventurous duology.
This is a great selection for middle schoolers transitioning to high school or struggling to navigate social groups, and for elementary and middle school libraries looking to add age-relevant LGBTQIA+ stories to their collections.
This book features a diverse cast of characters for readers who like cooking, mysteries, and realistic fiction; it will circulate well in libraries where mysteries and friendship stories are popular.
This whimsical Spanish-language picture book will encourage readers of all ages to stop and look at the beauty around us. A lovely addition.
A gorgeous book recommended for all libraries in need of more Spanish-language picture book biographies.
This would make a wonderful read-aloud and still be successful as a one-on-one.
This title will receive a double-dose of popularity in its combination of two favorite subjects: dinosaurs and Halloween.
Add to collections with room on the holiday shelves that are in need of Halloween books for a younger audience.
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