With a compassionate tone, accurate information, and thoughtful design, this book is easily one of the best resources available for young people navigating adolescence.
A solid starting point for anyone interested in the psychological and physiological dimensions of anxiety, though it could benefit from smoother transitions between its main content and outside sources.
Gr 3-5–This colorful, engaging cookbook takes young bakers through the process of baking cupcakes from scratch and decorating them in a variety of delightful designs featuring animals, space, nature, and more...
An introduction to spending time outdoors, this will appeal to readers who seek to decrease their screentime but may prove too basic for longtime nature lovers.
Gr 4-8–An introduction to complex physics concepts—quarks, relativity, curved space, and antimatter—that is both clear and engaging for young readers...
Consider purchasing where books on this topic are needed.
Animal lovers and collectors of fun facts will enjoy this colorful romp through the world of animal adaptations.
This book is a fine addition to a library’s STEM section, had many curricular tie-ins, and is useful for curious readers and young researchers.
It offers valuable insights and strives to empower teens to embrace who they are. With its vibrant tone and focus on self-love, it’s a solid resource
A fascinating book that curious young scientists and trivia lovers will happily read and revisit often. A good addition to a classroom or school library book collection.
Recommended first purchase for all library collections. Ideal for read-alouds or independent readers.
This charming but slight story is for larger collections.
A wonderful story that combines sensory experiences of nature with lush language.
A celebration of family traditions and the lessons learned from them. A strong addition for picture book collections
Although it’s important to have titles that feature blended families, this book unfortunately requires significant explanation from an adult.
An absolute winner with comic touches and tenderness that will speak to a generation of readers who are part of families that are “on the go” and yet looking for an alternative to the pace of modern life. Highly recommended.
While not an essential purchase, this celebration of the joy of extended family will make some children wish they were part of a large group with lots of traditions.
This celebration of food and family is a perfect addition to picture book collections.
A book that children will clamor for, this is ideal for etiquette shelves, SEL collections, or any lesson to help teach burgeoning social skills.
A good read for the first week of school.
A fun addition to library shelves where surprising adventures are sought.
A joyful romp that celebrates toddlerhood’s grandest adventures, this is a strong addition to collections serving the youngest readers and their copilots.
A happy taste of Italian language and culture, sweet as gelato and bound to leave readers and listeners of any age responding “Grazie.”
Sparrow is suitable for young readers exploring emotions and change, and the end notes provide valuable context for older readers interested in history, culture, and language.
A touching story, engaging illustrations, and valuable educational content in the back matter make for a great addition to school library collections.
Working well as both a read-aloud and for one-to-one experiences, this purchase is for collections needing wry humor and a funny treat for all to enjoy.
A charming story with a unique point of view that will have children thoroughly connected to the human and non-human characters alike. A highly recommended tale of friendship.
With humor and whimsy, this book is a good read, but may not stand out as particularly exceptional compared to other food-related books.
A great addition for any community. This is a story about love and loss of extended family from a child’s perspective where difficult realities are faced, but it still ends on a hopeful note.
A sweet, heartwarming tale that celebrates the universal language of friendship and understanding. A recommended choice for sharing one-on-one or in small group read-alouds.
A great read for anyone who has been newly prescribed eyewear, and a valuable addition to any collection focused on fostering self-confidence and celebrating individuality.
An excellent addition to any library.
Educators and caregivers alike will love sharing this title, an excellent book for all.
A somewhat saccharine, fall-themed bedtime story with lovely watercolor and pencil illustrations.
This loving and enjoyable picture book is a strong choice for preschool collections.
A delightful addition to picture book collections, perfect for snuggling up and sparking imagination.
This lovely refugee story of perseverance drawn from the author’s experiences is a great purchase for picture book collections.
This book can fill a collection development gap in libraries that seek to address the use of electronic devices, but has limited interest for a general audience.
This silly and funny pet story is sure to find an audience.
A great introduction to Filipino culture.
Jarvis has turned out another winner in this highly recommended early reader series.
This book that introduces the members of The Creature Cases team will be enjoyed by young readers who enjoy animal adventures similar to Zootopia.
Another winner for the early reader shelves.
An additional purchase for readers who have exhausted the back catalog of fairy-tale retellings.
Romantic and fun, give this to Gilmore Girls fans and aficionados of autumn-spiced stories. Recommended for most middle and high school romance collections.
This will capture readers not just with the fantasy video game aspect, but also with the friendship of the L.O.V.E. Club and the well-crafted world. A purchase for all.
A dark fantasy for fans of The Phantom of the Opera and Erin A. Craig’s House of Salt and Sorrows. Recommended for collections where this genre is popular.
This star-crossed romance heavy with historical allegories is a secondary purchase for collections looking for diverse romantic fantasies.
The character development is noteworthy in this highly romantic fantasy, but the book’s structural problems are too big to ignore.
This fantastically thrilling ghost story will have readers flinching at all the little noises that go bump in the night. Selectors should pick up multiple copies, as this won’t stay on the shelves long.
An interesting examination of racism, classism, and misogyny wrapped up in a supernatural mystery that spans generations. Purchase where supernatural horror and queer romances are popular.
A fast-paced thriller that will keep readers questioning who to trust right up to the very end.
Harris’s novel offers a modern take on the slasher setting, resulting in a quick, deliciously dramatic read for teens.
This book with a mostly Cuban cast of characters is about family and teenage problems, yet is still light and enjoyable and deserves a place in the young adult section of any library.
A tender story of the strength of friendship and the power of a dream, this page-turner captures the heart.
A compelling tale, this has appeal for younger readers due to the art, but the dark themes are meant for older ones. A solid general purchase.
Hand to fans of unconventional sports stories. Recommended for purchase where Bowling’s other works circulate well.
McNicoll has crafted another wonderful story representing tween neurodivergence. Teachers and librarians who want to showcase neurodivergence at an individual and family level will want this on shelves.
A great read and intended take on A Little Princess that pushes readers to think about who they are, with or without all the riches life offers.
A warmhearted tale about growing up and the animals we love on the way, this book will speak to those who love deep feelings in their stories.
An appealing male protagonist facing tough choices makes this a compelling selection for most libraries.
An easy pick for readers who enjoy some fantastical elements in an otherwise realistic story; recommended.
A must-purchase for any school library with lovers of fantasy, this novel hits all the right notes and will have readers eagerly awaiting the rest of the series.
With a ghoulish plot and some niche interests (magic minerals and funeral home procedures), this story will be a thrilling read for young mystery enthusiasts who appreciate the macabre.
A rare sequel that not only surpasses its original but creates a unique LGBTQIA+ standalone story, masterfully told in an accessible verse novel format.
A good secondary purchase for libraries where books like Ali Benjamin’s The Thing About Jellyfish are popular.
A heartwarming read that will be requested on repeat in libraries.
A fantastical story about a child’s friendship with a monster is sure to elicit thoughtful laughter and suspenseful page turns, and while it’s not a must, it may fill a hole in collections.
A sweet, uneven story of a girl’s love for nature and community. Recommended for patient, nature-loving readers.
While it has faults, this start to a planned duology is an action-packed swords and sorcery adventure.
This wonderful celebration of Ghanaian weaving culture will be welcome in all library collections.
Destined to become a cherished read-aloud in classrooms everywhere, this title is a first choice for picture book collections.
With sing-song cadence, spritely pacing, and a positive message, this text could be included in read-aloud lineups, but, with limited storyline or character development, this may only be of use during lesson-driven story times. Additional purchase only.
An unusual outing, problems specific to the setting while the lesson is universal, and the warmth of family all combine in a compelling story of expectations defied, with amazing results.
A warm look at turning disappointment into an opportunity for creativity. Recommended for holiday shelves where the series has been popular.
Add this lovely tale that teaches the history of a favorite winter tradition to library shelves and winter displays.
An unusual sensory exploration that plants readers alongside Lewis, offering them a blueprint of sorts for listening closely for their own personal soundscapes.
A delightfully imaginative approach to phonetic awareness that will prompt giggles and smirks.
A magical, innovative retelling with heart and humor, this book is a visually rich twist on a familiar tale. The details are perfect for story time with expressive characters to captivate readers.
A funny, well-written book that is a recommended purchase for classrooms and schools that celebrate Halloween, particularly with children who might frequently get anxious about new and unfamiliar things.
This vibrant and heartwarming tale is an exceptional addition to every school and classroom library. Not only is it fun and exciting, but it also delivers a powerful and necessary message about recognizing the value in everyone’s abilities, affirming that each individual is important and necessary.
With comic foils and Shakespearean pratfalls, this small, funny volume offers big laughs and wisdom, too.
Vibrant illustrations and poetic text make this story of family relationships well-suited for one-on-one reads or for group settings with room for Q&As.
Author and illustrator, one working with a spare palette of barely expressed emotions, and one creating nakedly realistic, beautiful scenes of boyhood, deliver a story of bonding that is so very much greater than the sum of its parts.
There are no mistakes in these pages, just an SEL lesson writ large, delivered with perfect comic timing. A must.
This wonderful picture book about topics of culture, familiar foods, and acceptance is a grand addition for picture book collections.
A highly recommended purchase for classrooms, especially for schools and classrooms looking for project-based learning opportunities that cover cartography and for school counselors looking to highlight the power of flexible and positive thinking.
A delightful and timely addition to the series, perfect for Halloween and budding entrepreneurs alike.
A sweet and satisfying choice for a story hour about imagination, or to introduce an elementary school unit on creative writing. This title is a solid purchase for any picture book collection.
A delightful read-aloud, perfect for celebrating the changing seasons and introducing young learners to the wonders of nature through rhythm, repetition, and rich illustrations.
A strong purchase for libraries.
An intensely emotional read. Highly recommended for high school collections.
Not essential but a fun addition to the YA romance genre.
An excellent read for those who love to love or simply love their fandoms.
A high-interest mystery with broad appeal for existing Korman fans; an easy addition to shelves where his titles are popular.
Those interested in the history of the Dust Bowl and tales of resilience will enjoy diving into this novel exploring a difficult and harrowing historical period.
Why should Christmas in July get all the summer holiday glory? This list of Halloween board books and picture books is perfect for those who want to get into the spooky spirit despite the summer heat.
A fun fairy-tale mash-up with dark undertones, the story will resonate with many tweens navigating school and friend woes.
A Christmas must-purchase for this creator’s many fans.
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