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The first of the six Newbery criteria is interpretation of theme or concept. Without a doubt, this year our most common thing is coping with grief and loss. Today Steven and Emily take a look at different titles addressing these themes and compare them.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews the recently released YA thriller THIS IS WHERE WE DIE by Cindy R. X. He
PREMIUM
Maya’s Big Question
A must-read during Women’s History Month, this is a solid purchase for every library.
Deeply unsettling and absolutely perfect for those who understand the vulnerability at the root of every vicious monster.
Informative and colorful, this biography is a great book for libraries, especially those paying attention to kaiju in manga, graphic novels, and other media.
A compelling and important addition for mature young adult collections, this novel powerfully portrays the fight for freedom and self-determination against overwhelming odds.
Gr 1-4–Using a friendly tone and speaking directly to readers, this book explains how a carbon atom that is now in a human might once have been in the body of a dinosaur...
Great for fans of Annette Leblanc Cate’s Looking Up! Birdwatching in Your Own Backyard, this is a delightful addition to any elementary library and a fun introduction to ornithology.
A good purchase for libraries serving Spanish-speaking communities or with bilingual programs.
This is a delightful and highly recommended picture book that celebrates imagination, communication, and the power of forming new friendships. It supports social-emotional learning (SEL) by encouraging openness, curiosity, and embracing unexpected connections, making it ideal for school libraries.
PREMIUM
The House Saphir
Meyer fans and new readers alike will find much to love in this spooky, atmospheric read. A welcome addition to any library collection.
PREMIUM
Peek & Boo Day at the Zoo!
A simple search-and-find that also carries a warm message of friendship, this board book works for large groups and one-on-one readings.
PREMIUM
Vroom, Baby Driver, Zoom
A fun read for vehicle-obsessed toddlers and anyone who appreciates the magic of childhood imagination.
This is not compelling as a collection of stories as implied by the title, but it’s a serviceable addition to nonfiction collections.
PREMIUM
Don’t Draw in This Book!
This is a fun and funny book, and there may be motor skills children pick up along the way.
PREMIUM
The Naming of Aki
Regardless of flaws, this book is a welcome addition. It’s a a beautifully illustrated and gentle retelling that will remind young people of the duty to care for the planet.
Beyond bold illustrations and pitch-perfect rhythm make this bio-book a great pick for the shelves.
Cassidy excels in making history personal in a way that middle grade readers will connect to and feel empowered by and lets young people know they too can be creative, break down barriers, and help their communities.
PREMIUM
Most Valuable Player
Recommended as an additional purchase where contemporary romantic fiction is popular.
A thoroughly researched, visually appealing, and reader-friendly title that brings the hidden world of fungi to life
PREMIUM
Body Beautiful
Important lessons on bodily autonomy, consent, diversity, and self-love wrapped up in an age-appropriate hug of a book.
PREMIUM
The October Girl Vol. 1
An intriguing graphic narrative with plenty of magical realism that will leave readers wanting more.
A fantastic purchase for libraries serving English and Spanish-speaking communities, this would also make a good choice for bilingual story time.
This merits wide readership as a triumph in the fight for civil rights that may well be new even to better-read students of the era.
PREMIUM
Benjamin Grows a Garden
This touching story of a mother and son planting vegetables for the season would be a great addition to any library’s nature or gardening collection.
A lovely look at the seasons, an excellent choice for story time, that shows the sensory experience of a child who is never depicted as anything but whole.
The predictable, lesson-y nature of the story will likely keep young listeners from returning for additional readings.
PREMIUM
Los seis que buscaron la Navidad
A good purchase for libraries serving Spanish-speaking communities or with bilingual programs, especially around the holiday.
PREMIUM
A Pond, a Poet, and Three Pests
This an excellent book to include in units on teaching poetry.
PREMIUM
We Always Had Wings
Snow’s cinematic vision is mesmerizing; this is recommended for school libraries and older picture book readers.
In picture book format, a light historical look at women who bucked societal conventions to wear athletic gear that allowed them to be faster and better. Good purchase for most libraries.
PREMIUM
Hot Pot Night!
Classroom hot pot, anyone? A book that will leave readers and listeners hungry, but the whole family will want to institute hot pot nights.
A sweet look at Dora’s home, as upbeat as she is, with illustrations that closely resemble the show.
PREMIUM
Glitter Kittens
A solid addition to picture book collections, best for libraries looking for quirky stories to add to their rotation.
[needed] Perfect for ages 3-6 or anyone looking to build their Spanish/English vocabulary.
PREMIUM
Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! I Love You!
As a gentle bedtime or bonding read, this fits the bill, but it lacks any deep emotional layers to keep children coming back after one read.
This bilingual book about children pursing their dreams is a buy for libraries with a large Latinx community and an additional purchase for those with a smaller Spanish children’s collection.
A good textbook for classroom use, or as a resource for reports.
Messner’s newest entry in the massively popular “History Smashers” series is accurate, entertaining, and compulsively readable–a must-purchase for library and classroom collections alike!
PREMIUM
Why We Need Aunts
A charming tale that will certainly be enjoyed by aunts and their loved ones.
PREMIUM
Asterwood
This intriguing fantasy, with its ecological focus and unique points-of-view leaves too many unanswered questions to fully satisfy.
PREMIUM
Hello Little Ones
A board book for the early animal shelves, but also a text full of writing prompts at the early elementary level.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoyed books like John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars or Dustin Thao’s You’ve Reached Sam.
PREMIUM
Baby Go!: France
Board books are an inherently inviting form, but this title does not inspire travel, language skills, or even reading to the end.
A definite first purchase that can be read as a standalone or as part of its series.
PREMIUM
Messy or Neat
An ideal book to acclimate kids of all ages to the notion of clean-up; this book could not be more cheerful.
PREMIUM
I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
A great sapphic romance for readers who enjoy a good will-they-won’t-they with depth and festive charm.
PREMIUM
Stella and Roger Are on the Move
Fine if you need a book on the subject, but unnecessary for a robust collection.
PREMIUM
The Wildest Dreams Bookshop
A must-buy for the young adult crowd; readers will be excitedly waiting for the next book in the series.
PREMIUM
The Leaving Room
Recommended for high school libraries, especially for readers who liked McBride’s previous books.
For collections in need of more diversity in their political leader sections, this book will make a great addition.
PreS-Gr 3–A look at the immigrant experience through the eyes of a young girl named Rocío...
Not essential, but a toddler-pleaser, and minor introduction to classical music.
PREMIUM
Rain and the Reading Horse
Children will enjoy this sensitive and nuanced story focused on social and emotional themes.
This engaging and informative starter look at soil and the wide variety of the flora and fauna that live there is a solid purchase for all libraries.
This plot-your-own-story title is recommended for its unique format and accessibility to reluctant readers, and is a great choice for collections looking to expand offerings that feature unicorns and dragons.
A lovely version of such childhood classics Runaway Bunny and an improvement over I’ll Love Your Forever, this certainly belongs on early childhood shelves.
PREMIUM
The Secret Astronomers
A heartwarming tale about connection, grief, and challenging assumptions, this will be well-received by fans of graphic novels like Samuel Teer’s Brownstone or other epistolary YA novels like Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian.
This is a perfect fit for SEL lessons about owning up to one’s mistakes and asking for forgiveness. A must-buy and ideal read-aloud for all libraries.
This is a brief introduction to some of the world’s museums but doesn’t provide detail beyond a cursory level. Recommended purchase for larger collections or those looking to expand their nonfiction holdings.
Potentially confusing for many readers and without an anchoring demographic, this is an unnecessary purchase for most libraries,
PREMIUM
Making Plans for Nigel Binty
A charming coming-of-age story featuring realistically portrayed children who are learning to face life’s challenges.
PREMIUM
Feelings Come, Feelings Go
The pictures pull in viewers, while the text offers a direction for discussions; this could be useful for group sharing or one on one.
An educational tool in an accessible format, and an excellent buy for librarians who collaborate with English teachers.
PREMIUM
Fade into You
For fans of Jennifer Mathieu’s Moxie, an overall relatable and universal coming-of-age story.
The topic is well worth exploring, but whale falls are not haunted and the elegance of how they function within the ecosystem is anything but spooky.
PREMIUM
Miss Search and Mr. Find
Fans of more challenging search-and-find books will enjoy the intricate artwork and the visual challenge this title delivers; upper elementary students may enjoy the hunt as well.
Szamosi’s memoir sheds light on how labels can shape societal views and treatment, the struggle of shedding those brands, and the methods that can help break the cycle
PREMIUM
Red as Royal Blood
Sure to be popular with students seeking an exciting and emotionally rich read, this deliciously romantic and intricate adventure is a highly engaging addition for young adult collections.
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