A shy student begins a friendship with a popular werewolf in this fun manga.
20 books out this month just waiting to go on your TBR!
"I live in a sea of lemon trees." In a time when Mexicans and Mexican-American suffer at the hands of our government, we talk about this National Book Award nominee and a historical moment of one injustice rectified.
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
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
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.
Recommended where horror is popular.
Readers will enjoy this easygoing but slight story about perseverance and friendship.
The idea for this book is a good one, but the execution doesn’t hold up. Purchase other magic books instead.
Good intentions can’t turn this into an essential purchase, plus there is a fill-in page that caps the usefulness of this book in libraries.
Not an essential purchase, but a work that will add to WWII collections.
This is a tender, culturally rich story that belongs in every school and community library. A touching celebration of culture, honesty, and family that inspires young readers to cherish their roots.
Full of hijinks and endless energy, this is a strong additional purchase where realistic, slice-of-life graphic literature is in demand.
Recommended for purchase for nonfiction collections in both school and public libraries. This is a perfect nonfiction text for reluctant readers who may need some lighthearted humor.
For fans of Kiera Cass’s The Selection, a fast-paced, The Bachelor inspired romance, going deeper with purpose for its characters.
A secondary purchase where folktales are popular or in need of modern reinvigoration.
Powell’s illustrations match perfectly with the text; this would be a great addition to any library’s early chapter book collection.
A valuable resource, especially for libraries looking to expand their collections of books about North American peoples.
This amazingly cool and super scary book is recommended for teen readers.
Recommended for all libraries, as it will prove popular with both series fans and those new to it.
A queer slice-of-life romance that acknowledges the rocky reality, while the creators work through their own artistic bumps. By the end of Volume 1, this is a solid graphic novel.
Recommended for fans of gothic fiction, horror books, and anyone who enjoyed C.J. Drews’s Don’t Let the Forest In or Lauren Kate’s Fallen.
Highly recommended for libraries serving older teens
A laugh-out-loud funny whodunit that is a first purchase for mystery fans.
Poring over the details and finding themselves in the pages makes this a mirror-and-window board book with reach beyond the usual preschool demographic.
Succinct text, audacious facts, and vibrant imagery make this nonfiction text a good selection for preschool-aged readers with an interest in animal adaptations.
The pigeon will count to 10 in story hours and classroom counting units; children can take it from there. Bold and funny.
A timely, heartfelt, and emotive adventure for fans of survival or dog narratives utilizing a quick pace to grip readers.
An accessible title to both educate and show readers they are not alone. Reviewer: Amanda Borgia.
While touching on familiar themes of growing up and the journey through adolescence, Bermudez’s refreshing YA memoir deftly broaches topics of family, loss, grief, and forgiveness with openness and a nuanced understanding of change.
A meaningful addition to school and public libraries, as well as a lovely choice for readers to take home, where they can consider their own neighborhood’s history.
A compassionate and workmanlike story, lacking important nuance.
A fun mecha adventure with an animal-hero twist, this is a solid addition to collections where sci-fi/fantasy graphic novels are popular.
Lots of photographs and surprising information about lizards make this book both appealing and informative; this book could help launch student inquiries into a wide range of animal life.
This inventive and explosive beginning to a cyberpunk trilogy is a first purchase.
A strong purchase. Add this to your collection, especially if your science section could use a little star power.
This book offers a unique and engaging blend of fictional storytelling and scientific education, making it an excellent addition to school library collections. It celebrates themes of self-identity, bravery, and understanding scientific concepts in a fun, accessible way, making it valuable for young readers and for social-emotional learning.
Gr 3-7–GR 4 - 8: Seventh grader Luna Juniper Wright-Evans is less than thrilled when her father announces they’re leaving California for Washington, D...
An early reader with an appealing story line. A secondary purchase.
A satisfying story that also could be useful for discussions about our need for natural spaces or about what community means.
A good choice for fans of the “Little People, Big Dreams” series, this biography will help inspire young athletes and bring much deserved attention to women’s sports.
A beautiful Spanish-language picture book about worries and friendship that is a great choice for children’s SEL collections.
This is a useful tool for introducing concepts of empathy, belonging, and peaceful problem-solving to young children, addressing important SEL concepts without being preachy.
A pleasant, bite-sized reverie on the meaning of love, this can be added judiciously to the holiday shelves.
Board books don’t always come with an “essential” stamp, but this one is.
A joyful celebration of both individuality and community and a great purchase for public libraries, pre-schools, and lower elementary schools.
A nice biographical introduction of an amazing woman and a good selection for a well-rounded collection.
This may be the story that sends readers off to research other ancient stories from China. And Treelings certainly feel like a merch moment waiting to happen.
This may acclimatize children to the names of great books, if it holds their attention.
A simple, charming stroll will inspire lapsitters and emerging readers alike to get out into the wind and look around.
A must-purchase for libraries looking for books on algorithms, bias, and media literacy.
A driving call to dream big
Informative and engaging, this is an important addition to nonfiction library collections for elementary school-aged readers. Grades K-3
Heartfelt and moving, this is an exceptional and a must-have for the shelves helping children deal with divorce and other challenges.
Baby’s first football game is not a necessary purchase, but it works as an introduction to the sport.
A heartfelt and inspiring story and a strong choice for library collections, especially where bilingual titles and stories about perseverance and the arts are valued.
A great addition to classrooms and libraries, this SEL-focused book will charm readers and leave them wanting more adventures with Wiggler.
Readers of books in verse, romance, and music history will all be drawn to this engaging book.
This simple yet highly effective early reader will greatly help new readers. A first purchase for all early reader collections.
A great choice for an Earth Day story time, this book is applicable all year round. Readers will enjoy the colorful illustrations and strong message Morales delivers.
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A meaningful choice for enthusiastic five-years-olds, this will also work for students in the lower elementary grades.
A recommended purchase. Young readers interested in exploration will enjoy learning of these intense expeditions that occurred without modern winter gear and technologies.
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.
Meyer fans and new readers alike will find much to love in this spooky, atmospheric read. A welcome addition to any library collection.
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.
A fun read for vehicle-obsessed toddlers and anyone who appreciates the magic of childhood imagination.
Attractive but not an essential purchase.
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