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These three books poignantly explore characters whose relationships to the past heavily influence their present.
PREMIUM
That Time I Turned Into a Worm
This title enticingly captures the imagination and creativity of a lonely girl who finds friends and joy in her community garden.
A beloved classic fairy tale with a new twist, this is frightfully fun and novel.
PREMIUM
Just One Wave: A Picture Book
A great purchase for libraries for showing persistence, patience, and acceptance; additionally, this book shows a single-parent family.
PREMIUM
Whose Baby Is This?
An optional title for public libraries and preschools looking to expand their nonfiction animal collections.
PREMIUM
You’re Beautiful
This heartwarming reminder of self-love is a perfect purchase for any library’s picture book collection.
PREMIUM
My Grandma and Grandpa Rock!
Children won’t need a lesson on the history of rock to join this celebration of intergenerational love.
A concept that might seem complex at first glance is rendered accessible for readers young and old, and this title featuring a diverse cast of characters will be a welcome addition to classrooms and libraries alike.
Friends are simply strangers we have yet to meet; the endearing beast and a message will encourage readers to learn and engage with new things other than react with dread. For all collections.
PREMIUM
In the Autumn Forest
Invite children to join in Squirrel’s joy over fall and all it brings to this group of friends.
With rich language and a complex subject matter deftly touched on throughout, this is suitable for intermediate students; it’s no fairy tale, but a retelling that amplifies courage and perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
A great narrative nonfiction purchase on a topic that is rarely discussed.
PREMIUM
Los pantalones de Luisa
Shelve with Aida Salazar’s Jovita Wore Pants and its Spanish-language edition Jovita llevaba pantalones.
PREMIUM
Good Luck, Ice Cream Truck!
Art and text are a perfect match that all picture book lovers, especially young children, will continuously enjoy.
PREMIUM
The Bi Book
This simple book shares complex ideas, teaches an important prefix, and engages young readers through lovely, approachable illustrations.
Worth a peek for adult fans of this colorful personality, as well as older elementary readers seeking validation, even if from imperfect sources.
PREMIUM
Lights at Night
A lovely look at fox and human families as they enjoy the changing lights and nature. Perfect for cozy bedtime stories.
PREMIUM
Dream for the Land
A book that motivates young readers to learn more about tending the land, growing food, and the impact of human overdevelopment on the environment.
PREMIUM
Down on the Bayou
An unusual and useful book that uses imagination, storytelling, and ecology to connect readers to the Louisiana bayou.
This sweet, simple story about the human-nature connection will be a pleasing addition to library collections.
PREMIUM
Peek & Boo Time for Bed!
Combining cartoony illustrations and the eternal crowd-pleaser that is peekaboo, this is guaranteed to be a hit with the toddler crowd.
PREMIUM
Leo Takes a Bath
This is a darling, diverse addition to the bath shelves or just for a fast and funny read-aloud with toddlers.
The animals glow in the illustrations, drawing readers into their magical world while reminding them that facing fears with good friends makes everything better. A recommended purchase
PREMIUM
Hello, Tobi!
A sweet and deceptively simple story offers readers a new lens for looking at those they are familiar with as well as those who are different with an open heart
PREMIUM
A Summer Without Anna
A sensitive and honest story dealing with the illness of a sibling. Strong first buy.
PREMIUM
The Coven Tendency
A surreal fantasy like this will do well in collections for teens who enjoy reading about serious themes in magical settings.
Emezi’s latest novel will help readers see beauty in the void. Fans of their work or Nnedi Okorafor’s “Nsibidi Script” series will doubtlessly gravitate to this one.
A testament to how folklore, craftsmanship, and visual elements can come together to create an unforgettable reading experience.
PREMIUM
How to Tell a True Story
Engaging characters convey kindness, loyalty, and the price of honesty in this relatable portrayal of school and family life suitable for intermediate and middle school readers.
PREMIUM
The Summer I Ate the Rich
What starts off as a strong commentary about immigration, socioeconomic status, and healthcare in the U.S. falls flat by the conclusion.
Highly recommended, especially for those who grew up in a less-than-magical world.
PREMIUM
Messy Perfect
Cassie’s eventual confrontation with the various parts of her life and the impact of her decisions make this book the perfect addition to any well-rounded YA collection.
Completely charming and pithy, with laughs galore, this romance should be in all middle school and high school collections.
PREMIUM
The Notorious Virtues
For fans of Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen, Hamilton offers a thrilling fantasy that takes a critical look at the corrupting influence of power and the fight for a more equitable society.
PREMIUM
Night Swimming
Between the slow pacing and heavy 1990s references, this one will need to be hand sold to teens.
PREMIUM
Under the Fading Sky
A cautionary tale wrapped in a vivid slice of contemporary life, recommended for high school collections.
PREMIUM
If We Were a Movie
A breezy summer romance that celebrates friendship, forgiveness, and Black cinema.
PREMIUM
Where Shadows Meet
This YA fantasy has it all: a well-developed mythos, engaging emotional journeys, and captivating romance.
A mesmerizing ode to poetry, art, and love that stands the test of time, Selznick’s first title for young adults is recommended for all collections.
PREMIUM
I Love You S’more
Full of heart and a depth of understanding of young girls battling the forces of hormones, responsibilities, and social media, this is a must-read for fans of YA romance and queer romance.
A stellar debut about ignorance and privilege and the abuse of it that resonates beyond the final page.
Recommended for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Stranger Things, and Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s The Inheritance Games who relish conspiracy theories, weird phenomena, slow-burn romances, and tearful family reunions.
For avid YA romance readers or casual readers with an interest in LGBTQIA+ experiences, this book provides a heartwarming and relatable overview of a teenager’s life.
A tour de force trilogy for all collections. This final installment of the “Little Thieves” trilogy makes every page count as Vanja’s character arc comes to a close, grappling with forgiveness and restitution.
PREMIUM
All the Stars Align
A good purchase for libraries looking for more romance with physical disability and queer rep.
A book that gets readers in its clutches and refuses to let them go; many will want to consume it in one sitting.
A fantastic addition to any early reader collection, Bear and Bird’s latest adventures are sure to keep young readers entertained while encouraging the growth of their reading skills.
PREMIUM
Uni and the Dolphin
Bright pictures and familiar characters will appeal to those who enjoy a story about magical creatures and helping the environment.
PREMIUM
Maker Girl and Professor Smarts
A wonderful complement to any Makerspace or STEAM program and a strong addition to graphic novel collections, especially with a bit of booktalking to point out the book’s unique elements.
The eighth book in this easy reader series features a beach party filled with fun; purchase where need dictates or where "Really Bird" books are popular.
PREMIUM
Art’s Art
Give to patrons who are eager for an compelling story as well as a book to develop their vocabulary.
PREMIUM
Rosey Stink Badger
While not an essential addition to collections, this title’s gentle resolution suggests that reputations are not necessarily to be believed.
A delightful and relatable read, this book is a must-have for libraries and a sure hit with young readers.
Popular sea creatures like sharks and mermaids may not be enough for this to become a favorite. A secondary purchase, it may connect with Disney fans or where fairy tales frequently circulate.
PREMIUM
Rainbow Fair
A solid purchase for libraries seeking more diversity in Asian experiences as well as Muslim representation.
A delightful addition to the shelves, highlighting the power of friendship and overcoming obstacles, both big and small.
PREMIUM
Family Week
An engaging, introspective read that balances humor with heartfelt emotion, capturing the joy, pain, and uncertainty of adolescence in a way that will resonate with young readers navigating their own paths.
A resonant tale of a tween struggling to adapt to change; a must-buy for all middle grade collections.
A strong continuation of a Korean folkloric mystery series.
PREMIUM
A Day at the Beach
This multi-viewpoint narrative highlighting tween interactions among family and friends will be enjoyed by many readers.
PREMIUM
The Girl in the Walls
For fans of Anne Ursu’s Not Quite a Ghost, an eerie, emotional exploration of the way family haunts us and—with luck and care
PREMIUM
Dreamslinger
Readers who like Rick Riordan titles, Korean culture, fantasy, and adventure will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.
PREMIUM
The Forgotten Summer of Seneca
Give to readers who liked Marie Arnold’s The Year I Flew Away and kids seeking a gentle read with a big heart as well as important themes.
PREMIUM
The Garden Just Beyond
An intriguing premise and solid characters can sell this story despite some plotting problems.
PREMIUM
Unboxing Libby
Readers will likely find they have much in common with these Robot Dolls of the future, while considering what the future may have in store for who remain behind on Earth.
A must-buy for middle grade collections, especially where contemporary mysteries circulate well.
PREMIUM
The Kite Collector
A charming story exploring sibling relationships around toys and each other; it’s a fun book, especially when James finally lets go of his ideas of how things should be and allows them just to happen.
PREMIUM
Under Anna’s Umbrella
A moving and beautifully illustrated picture book, recommended for addressing themes of grief and healing with young readers.
A stunning story of family history and heritage, identity, and the power of protest, this is highly recommended purchase for all collections.
A profoundly beautiful, strange, and introspective love story, at turns soothing and scalding. Recommended for every collection.
More than a novel, this is a journey into the heart of a boy searching for answers and a lost piece of himself, and a story that will linger with readers.
PREMIUM
Sam
Despite the grim setting and topic, this character-driven novel will appeal to middle grade readers.
PREMIUM
Spelling It Out
Not particularly exhilarating, but may inspire readers to ponder important questions.
PREMIUM
Murray the Knight
A new series perfect for fans of Alex T. Smith’s “Claude” books and Shirley Hughes’s “Digby O’Day” titles. With its hilarious antics, engaging illustrations, and accessible text, this series is sure to be a hit with young readers who will eagerly await each new installment.
PREMIUM
Murray the Viking
A new series perfect for fans of Alex T. Smith’s “Claude” books and Shirley Hughes’s “Digby O’Day” titles. With its hilarious antics, engaging illustrations, and accessible text, this series is sure to be a hit with young readers who will eagerly await each new installment.
PREMIUM
Have a Good Trip, Mousse!
A delightful import that will leave young readers eager to explore more of Mousse’s adventures in the rest of the series.
A must-buy for any collection, whether Junie is new to readers or an old friend. Park could not ask for a better representation of her classic.
PREMIUM
Watch Out for Falling Iguanas
Use of thought/speech bubbles, the variety of half-page and full spreads, and highlights of a falling iguana make the illustrations a delight, especially with facts along the way.
PREMIUM
What Comes After
While this may not be a must-have for all collections, it could be a solid addition to libraries where offbeat, darkly comedic stories like Lance Rubin’s Denton Little’s Deathdate are popular.
PREMIUM
If I Could...
Perhaps this is more certain to be a treasured gift for new or expecting parents; an additional purchase for picture book collections.
An exciting start to a new series, this title is a solid purchase, especially where elementary graphic novels are in high demand.
PREMIUM
Pride or Die
A swift and suspenseful mystery full of righteous anger, comedic cynicism, and queer joy in spite of small-minded attempts to suppress it.
PREMIUM
Afloat
An intensely hopeful story of the capability of societies working together, this is clear enough for preschoolers but carries emotional depths that will be appreciated by older readers.
PREMIUM
Raven’s Ribbons
A beautiful intergenerational Indigenous story, this book should be in every library.
PREMIUM
Miss Liberty
An intense, interior drama for community and historically minded middle grade readers.
Good for fans of My Little Pony, this book is not a must-buy for early reader collections.
PREMIUM
When Bumblebees Go to Sleep
A comforting bedtime read, perfect for budding gardeners and animal lovers.
PREMIUM
No Huddles for Heloise
This is a fun, anthropomorphic addition to story-hour collections that promote social emotional learning in young children.
A precious celebration of queer joy, resistance, and community; a deserved first selection for any well-rounded collection.
This heartfelt exploration of trauma, recovery, and the search for light in the darkest of times will resonate with middle school readers, offering a meaningful reflection on personal and societal healing. An excellent addition to middle grade verse novel collections.
A creative and engaging look at Black history that will draw kids in to learn more. A must-purchase for all libraries.
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