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An interesting story, but also one that leaves readers with an unanswered question.
Within the confines of a regular day, the author-illustrator brilliantly conveys the joy and beauty found in an autumn morning, making every small moment relatable and wonderful. A solid purchase for libraries.
PREMIUM
The Paper Bridge
A very different kind of fairy tale that revolves around a paper craft and with salient lessons on cooperation and community.
Best for cozy story hours, small classroom settings, or home reading, this unique picture book celebrates the power that friendship has to open up the world in more ways than one.
A wonderful story to show how it is possible to overcome our fears of doing something new by accepting help from others.
PREMIUM
My Dear Sea
Truly, the sea is dear in this immensely gorgeous tale of oceanic depth, perfect for reading aloud to preschoolers and early elementary children.
PREMIUM
The Greatest River
This piece of literature beautifully represents the Ganga river and serves to educate readers on the Hindu beliefs and practices surrounding the river.
This wolf tale presents a diversity of ideologies and perspectives, all of which are sure to help readers reflect on where and how they fit into the world. Highly recommended.
To remember is to honor the past, and Currie’s Gothic problem-solving horror combines the best of local history with community action. Highly recommended for middle grade shelves.
PREMIUM
Wind Watchers
A fresh and poetic offering for wind and weather-themed story times. Recommended for all picture book collections.
PREMIUM
The Night Before Earth Day
This fits the bill for an earth-themed chapter in this series. Purchase where circulation warrants and paperback formats are appropriate.
An essential purchase for most libraries that celebrates global diversity and the joy of dance.
PREMIUM
Safe Crossing
Young eco-activists looking for an ambitious but doable local project will find both useful informational guidelines and inspiration here, despite the fictional wrappings.
PREMIUM
I Love You, Mama
A delightful gift book and thoughtful addition to Mother’s Day collections, and a treasure for sharing with little ones.
The art seems to be a tip of the hat to Jon Klassen’s enigmatic work in the humor, the controlled palette, and the incredible story line. Teachers and kids will love this whole package.
PREMIUM
Call Me Gebyanesh
What an unusual, subtle addition to a familiar conflict; this will be a good fit for collections that support social-emotional learning in early elementary students.
PREMIUM
Made for More
A thoughtfully crafted story and unique depiction of a biracial child; the details of one child’s developing self-image and self-concept will resonate for readers.
PREMIUM
Moonlight, Goodnight
A serviceable bedtime story with outstanding illustrations, perhaps for post-story-hour naps.
A compelling blend of folklore and adventure that will appeal to fans of B. B. Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers and Jessica Townsend's Nevermoor, this is a beautiful, inclusive work that’s also a terrific story; highly recommended for middle grade collections.
PREMIUM
The City of Lost Cats
This ambitious multigenre novel provides enough twists to keep readers engaged and wondering how all the distinct elements will come together in resolution.
Perfect for readers who love trains and adventure. A valuable addition with an entertaining story line and enjoyable artwork.
A must-purchase for exploration of advocacy for kiddos with sensitive souls, and a great choice for group reading. Pair this with The Lonely Book by Meg Grehan.
PREMIUM
13 Ways to Say Goodbye
Recommended for middle grade collections where verse novels are popular.
PREMIUM
On Thin Ice
A resonant novel about sports and sibling relationships in the face of grief; recommended for realistic fiction collections.
PREMIUM
Danilo Was Here
An excellent purchase for middle grade collections looking for unique historical fiction perspectives and sports fiction.
PREMIUM
Ice Apprentices
This first book in a new series is distinct and enjoyable for its worldbuilding, and is for fans of magic academy tales and mystery.
A fun, refreshing, and occasionally dark story recommended for fans of Harry Potter.
PREMIUM
The Doomsday Vault
Without more emphasis on the characters’ personal struggles and less on fantastical elements, this title does not fully deliver a rich emotional experience. Still, fans of cerebral adventures and time-traveling twists will find much to enjoy.
PREMIUM
The Secrets of Underhill
This socially conscious fantasy should appeal to fans of Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Christina Soontornvat’s A Wish in the Dark.
An additional purchase for library collections, particularly where demand for literary adaptations for children is high.
PREMIUM
Biology Lessons
An essential and poignant novel that will resonate deeply with older teens navigating the complex world of relationships, identity, and social justice.
PREMIUM
These Vengeful Wishes
Recommended purchase; hand this to fans of Trang Thanh Tran’s She Is a Haunting and Krystal Sutherland’s House of Hollow.
PREMIUM
The Rival
Recommended for school and public libraries; shelve with books aimed at readers leaving the nest and flying on their own for the first time.
PREMIUM
Mystery Royale
This novel takes the successful inheritance-mystery formula and infuses it with dark, illusory magic. Hand this to fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s The Inheritance Games or Joelle Wellington’s Their Vicious Games.
PREMIUM
This Is the Year
A sad but hopeful look at our future if climate change continues to be ignored.
This straight shot of pure shonen manga energy is a priority purchase for libraries struggling to meet the needs of middle schoolers who are striving readers.
PREMIUM
The Forest King’s Daughter
A bread-and-butter fantasy romance to consider for secondary purchase.
This novel will resonate with voracious romance readers who look for that combination of heartbreak and joy in stories.
For readers who appreciate fantasy with philosophical depth, this novel is a must-read, offering both a gripping plot and a meditation on the importance of words and empathy in a fractured world.
Hand this to students who never feel like what they do is enough, who just want to feel seen, and who long for that moment of fame and feeling perfect. Highly recommended.
Teens who love retellings of Emma will devour this story; it is full of smart banter and lovely romantic moments throughout.
PREMIUM
Eggs, Please!
Highly recommended for most library collections as a fun and educational pick for young food lovers.
A well-executed mystery with horror elements, this novel stands out for its social commentary and richly detailed Jamaican setting. A first purchase, hand to fans of Kit Frick’s I Killed Zoe Spanos or Ibi Zoboi’s American Street.
PREMIUM
Everything I Promised You
A story that will pull at the heartstrings of those longing for an epic romance.
Smartly told with fast-paced and suspenseful chapters, there is no question librarians would be pleased to add this novel to collections.
PREMIUM
The Scorpion Queen
Recommended for libraries where shorter-length stand-alone fantasy does well.
PREMIUM
All the Love Under the Vast Sky
Quick, big-hearted, and well-curated, this is an anthology of stories about love, but not love stories.
PREMIUM
Needy Little Things
Riveting and complex, this debut is a robust companion to Jade Adia’s There Goes the Neighborhood and Tiffany D. Jackson’s Monday’s Not Coming.
PREMIUM
Royal Heirs Academy
Add this to collections where patrons are constantly seeking new royal reads and hand to older readers looking for a more nuanced, less fantasy-driven battle for the throne.
PREMIUM
No Place Left to Hide
Highly enjoyable and highly recommended. In her second thriller, Lally continues to prove herself one to watch in the genre.
PREMIUM
We Are Family (L.O.L. Surprise)
Kids who love the L.O.L. Surprise! dolls will devour this colorful, straightforward early reader, which is recommended to libraries with larger collections.
Recommended for purchase where the Berenstain Bears are popular.
Cute and filled with the reality of sisters who don’t get along all the time, this graphic novel will appeal to fans of humorous stories with a fairy-tale spin.
PREMIUM
Snap! Crunch! Munch?
Blending easy reader and early graphic novel formats, this enjoyable story captures the fun of family meals and invites readers to chime in with a “Nom. Nom. Nommm.”
Although light on story, the familiarity of the Dean team’s beloved feline character makes this a recommended purchase where those other early reader titles are popular.
This is a well-written book that will appeal to young readers who are beginning to show interest in their self-image; teachers may find that this story serves to increase reader vocabulary.
PREMIUM
Mack Moon and the P.E.T.S
Filled with comical, appealing art and slapstick humor, this book is sure to find its audience.
PREMIUM
Cool Buds: To the Rescue!
A welcome new graphic novel series for early readers who enjoy comic adventures without superheroes. Recommended for libraries serving this age group.
PREMIUM
Makeda Makes a Mountain
Recommended for purchase to expand diverse offerings, but other early readers, such as the “Questioneers” series, will build a stronger collection.
PREMIUM
Lost and Found in the City
A delightful addition to early chapter book collections, especially for young readers who enjoy humorous animal tales.
This must-have addition to the series continues the journey of an endearing protagonist who authentically illuminates a variety of coming-of-age lessons.
A realistic story about being yourself and feeling good about it, and a perfect title for bedtime.
PREMIUM
Meet the Boxcar Children: Bk. 1
Though these homages to Warner’s old stories may appeal to the parents of new readers more than the readers themselves, the books still serve as fun mysteries on a beginner reading level.
PREMIUM
Surprise Island Adventure: Bk. 2
Though these homages to Warner’s old stories may appeal to the parents of new readers more than the readers themselves, the books still serve as fun mysteries on a beginner reading level.
PREMIUM
Mystery at the Old Ranch: Bk. 4
Though these homages to Warner’s old stories may appeal to the parents of new readers more than the readers themselves, the books still serve as fun mysteries on a beginner reading level.
PREMIUM
Secret of the Yellow House. Bk 3
Though these homages to Warner’s old stories may appeal to the parents of new readers more than the readers themselves, the books still serve as fun mysteries on a beginner reading level.
PREMIUM
How to Free a Leviathan
A touching tale, with shortcomings, about grief and friendship among humans and pets alike; this will circulate well in libraries where Cannistra’s books are popular.
PREMIUM
Golemcrafters
An important and timely book that will make anyone who has been “othered” feel seen. Recommended for most collections.
PREMIUM
Waffle Can’t Decide
Thoughtfully addressing decision-making anxiety with humor and warmth, this title is a solid purchase for large picture book collections.
Children will be empowered to declare their own special events each week, while educators and parents will see that even small moments are worthy of celebration.
PREMIUM
Grandmother Mouse
For the Indigenous shelves, for the SEL shelves, this is a book to charmingly inspire children to reflect on their day-to-day.
An appealing invitation to contemplate how our actions may impact the natural world, this title is a welcome addition to any picture book collection, especially where there is a demand for STEM content.
PREMIUM
Mad at Dad
The story is so basic but the treatment in words and art is not, and this will help children put into words the very noisy side of being mad.
Generous sentiments against tempered storytelling make for a tangible glimpse of amiable competition mixed with a powerful draw toward cooperation. A necessary volume.
PREMIUM
Searching for Home
Bourgonje has a gift for watercolor-like scenes that keep action—a lot of action
PREMIUM
All the Things You Will Do!
Simple and empowering, this book may hit the mark for young children.
PREMIUM
Dinosaurs for Dylan
This book is highly recommended for libraries, as it offers an important message of inclusion, empathy, and the different ways friendship can flourish.
This thoughtfully crafted story could be helpful to a young reader who has a family member struggling with addiction. A solid purchase where picture books addressing serious topics are needed.
PREMIUM
All the Truth I Can Stand
A heartbreaking historical story about grief, legacy, and the complexities of being human. Recommended for general purchase.
PREMIUM
Stealing for Keeps
A solid first book for the series, especially for readers who might want some romance but nothing heavy handed.
Listeners who enjoy nonfiction, documentaries, and titles about World War II will want to pick up this audiobook. Recommended for all library collections.
PREMIUM
The Meteor Shower
A solid addition to any school library’s STEM collection that promotes innovation, perseverance, and maintaining a proactive attitude.
Keeping engaging series fiction in the hands of young patrons as they build habits and discover a love of reading is a priority. Fiction Series Made Simple is designed to help librarians maintain fresh and fun collections.
A careful examination of decodable sets designed to support burgeoning readers and their grown-ups on the path toward reading fluency.
Picture book series that help readers consider their place in the world.
This season’s additions to early reader series appeal to developing passions in science, animal welfare, and more.
Additions to beloved, well-established series and exciting new adventures await readers in this season’s middle grade selections.
The best of these hi-lo titles hit on the perfect mix of layered characterization, compelling plots, and sharp writing that will appeal to readers of any skill level.
These graphic novels series and sequels bring lessons about friendship, care, and self-determination into sharp focus.
If you’re looking to foster a love for fantasy that’s sure to last a lifetime, here are six spectacular, inclusive (and more or less recent) middle grade fantasy books to gift this holiday season.
Kindergarten teachers may want a copy to read annually, but most public libraries can skip this one.
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