A strong choice for libraries needing books to support scientific nomenclature for young readers.
Pleasing illustrations offer a visual introduction to the Golem of Jewish folklore but is less successful as an SEL title.
A strong purchase for middle grade collections. Both a captivating coming-of-age tale and an introduction to Eleanor of Aquitaine’s legacy, this novel will appeal to historical fiction fans and readers drawn to stories of courage, growth, and navigating destiny.
Magaziner’s (“The Mythics” series) is recommended for listeners seeking a dynamic story mixing action, adventure, and friendship in a futuristic setting.
Young readers who feel that they too are not being seen (or heard!) will respond strongly to this confident and visually bold declaration of selfhood.
A propulsive, entertaining read about wealthy teenagers behaving badly and trying to survive high school and friendships.
A romp in the British countryside leads to harrowing adventures for the students involved in an engaging mystery, enjoyable regardless of previous knowledge of Sherlock Holmes lore.
A must-purchase for any high school library’s YA romance collection; this book will resonate with many readers, particularly fans of Quindlen and those struggling with their identity.
A strikingly unique and deeply intimate ruminative journey through a teen’s innermost feelings.
Bledel’s narration of a much-loved tale taps into older listeners’ nostalgia while also providing a beautiful, fresh introduction for new audiences. This is a treat.
With themes of friendship, loyalty and persistence, this would be a good companion to I Must Have Bobo by Eileen Rosenthal.
This funny story is perfect for young readers who love stories about dogs, food, and families. A great addition to early reader sections.
Purchase where magical realism and stories set in New York City do well.
A well-intentioned concept bogged down by trite, inauthentic execution.
Purchase where the “Lolo and Birdie” series and bilingual books circulate well.
An audiobook that blends unique storytelling with an exceptional vocal performance. This is a recommended choice where Hartman’s books are popular. Watt adds depth to each character, crafting a performance that has earned well-deserved critical praise and listener admiration.
Not an essential purchase, but a fun addition for collections serving families who love folklore, cryptids, or anything just a little out of the ordinary.
A highly recommended, warm, funny, and meaningful addition to holiday and multicultural collections.
Adler’s (Going Bicoastal) coming-of-age romance features strong themes of self-discovery, strength, and forgiveness. This audio will speak to those on the cusp of significant change, making it a strong choice for any YA audio collection.
Modern and relatable, this series opener will delight horror and suspense readers.
Add the latest volume of the publisher’s adorable board book biographies to collections lacking Latinx representation.
A clever reboot, well imagined and well executed.
Readers who love Holly Jackson, Karen McManus, and E. Lockhart will find this book difficult to put down.
A lightly humorous tale for fans of James Dashner and Carl Hiaasen.
A sweet, soothing take on a familiar daily ritual, not necessarily for the library shelves.
Fans of Jenny Han and S. K. Ali’s smart, thinking heroines will enjoy Indy’s love story.
A lively, culturally rich holiday tale that blends folklore, language, and inclusivity; a recommended addition to library shelves.
This book will appeal to upper high school and new adult readers seeking an engaging romance that is as sweet as it is steamy.
With a great mix of humor, action, and heart, this book packs a punch as a great choice for collections everywhere.
The ABCs can appeal to younger readers and the detailed information about atypical tools will keep older readers engaged, too.
Horror fans will devour this book.
Integer eleifend facilisis justo a laoreet. Nunc sollicitudin tempus ex.
A highly recommended cozy read. Hand this one to fans of Aiden Thomas and Becky Albertalli.
With its enchanting take on “Beauty and the Beast,” Lim’s (Her Radiant Curse) latest is recommended where fantasy and immersive folklore are popular.
A thematically rich story for all its seeming simplicity, excellent for shared reading and reflection around the December holidays or any other time.
With mystery, adventure, and being historical fiction, this book is an easy sell for a wide range of readers.
A fantastic depiction of the upside of boredom
This book is great for all ages and should find a home in every public library and school library setting.
Librarians would be wise to add this novel to their collection, not only for its representation of people with so many beautiful differences, but because it’s a fun, angsty, poignant, and yet fast-paced story that will speak directly to all teens.
A first purchase. This is similar to other rom-coms that readers can’t get enough of.
This is a natural choice for bedtime collections, toddler story hour, and board book shelves; what could be more delightful than simple, rhythmic bedtime with whimsical art.
This is charming Korean retelling of a familiar story is refreshingly adapted, and will have listeners in story hours clamoring for more.
Rich vocabulary and a hilarious water-hating cat make this a stellar choice for all collections. Highly recommended and highly enjoyable.
A well-constructed thriller for mature teens that will keep readers guessing.
An irresistibly witty look at modern parent-child dynamics, sure to delight at read-alouds.
For burgeoning romantasy collections, this one has a little less romance and a lot more intrigue, but it lays the groundwork for the volumes to come; hold space for all three.
Teens who enjoy strong female characters and stories of survival will not want to miss this gemstone.
A messy, magnetic exploration of queer identity, desire, and parental rejection that veers into supernatural melodrama. Best for older teens comfortable with dark themes and complex relationships.
A fun, summer novel for readers who love animals and romance.
Recommended where historical romance, LGBTQIA+ stories, and authors like Mackenzi Lee are popular.
Hand this mythological-fantasy dystopia to readers who enjoy found families and moral ambiguity.
An uneven read, purchase this for larger YA collections.
A suspense-filled hit for YA thriller readers. This whodunit won’t remain on the shelves for long.
A great historical fiction addition for libraries needing more books for reluctant readers.
Fans of books with politically active protagonists, such as A.S. King’s Attack of the Black Rectangles and any of Jewel Parker Rhodes’s novels, will love the new and emboldened Paul Fisher.
Highly recommended, especially for collections where horror is often requested by young readers.
With an uncomplicated plot, this pleasant sports novel will appeal to every young reader who loves football and thinks they know the game from watching it on television.
A quick read that’s sure to find an audience, and a solid purchase for collections seeking stories centering diverse representations of ability.
Purchase this must-read Spanish-language adventure series for tween collections.
There can never be too many Halloween books! Check out these recently reviewed board books and picture books to round out Halloween displays and programs.
For fans of the works of Alan Gratz and Nathan Hale, as well as Lauren Tarshis’s “I Survived” series.
A unique perspective on social justice fatigue with a magical realism element that will have readers run the gamut of emotions. A necessary purchase for young adult collections.
A must-have for all collections serving young people, this tale pairs a brilliant sense of humor with great comedic timing. This instant classic will have children pondering their own fortunes as well as those of their friends.
This book is everything children need in a book: smart, funny, relevant, and surprising
The game is afoot! Give these chapter book and middle grade capers to fans of whodunits and thrillers.
There’s not a dull moment in these transitional books for the main characters and their siblings!
An appealing title that touches gently on the Japanese immigrant experience in the United States.
This book is a suitable gift for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day but is long-winded and lightweight for library collections.
Appealing only to children who want to understand the process of preparing a guide dog, this book creates considerable confusion around an important issue.
Find room on the shelf for another abecedarium! Most collections will want to add this silly and fresh spin on a classic genre.
Full of speech bubbles and humorous scenes, this very silly story has a great underlying thread for both kids and adults about listening and trusting each other’s abilities and knowledge. Sure to be a favorite.
Place this on the shelf next to Jon Klassen’s The Skull and recommend it to readers who love mythology, dogs, and books that break the mold.
This first installment in a series of sports novels for emerging readers is a well-intended, well-designed start.
Recommended where body horror and the author are popular.
A touching yet humorous novel adaptation of a Webtoon-turned-graphic-novel that feels fresh, exciting, and fun.
Great for readers who enjoyed Becca Fitzpatrick’s “Hush Hush” series, those who prefer quick reads, and individuals who enjoy supernatural elements in their books.
A feel-good stand-alone for fans of time travel and romance, with an entertaining blend of science, humor, and feminist themes.
With its blend of romance, humor, and heartfelt moments, this book is perfect for those exploring the intricacies of relationships and personal growth. A great addition to a high school library.
A serviceable romance, but librarians with smaller YA romance collections will want to skip this one.
Those who love Jane Austen or mysteries will adore this version of the beloved couple Lizzie and Darcy. A superb addition to any library.
An emotionally rich exploration of the burdens, expectations, and realities for young women that will resonate with many, especially readers who also connected with Tiffany D. Jackson’s Grown.
This one is a can’t miss for fans of Shusterman.
This melodramatic romance that could use some trimming.
A fast-paced, queer political fantasy. Consider for larger collections.
Atmospheric and relevant. Recommended.
Readers who liked Octavia Butler’s Dawn, Mira Grant’s Parasite, or M.R. Carey’s The Girl with All the Gifts will enjoy this book. A recommended purchase.
High school readers drawn to the K-pop aesthetic and an inclusive cast will enjoy this homage to Pride and Prejudice.
There’s a lot to unpack and explore within this text, so it’s great for book clubs or classroom use. A must-have for teen collections.
The deeply nuanced, complex plot of legacy versus choice easily crosses into adult readership, but the richly developed characters and a quick-moving plot make it a perfect teen read.
This is a secondary purchase but may appeal to fans of Korean graphic novels.
Gamers and non-gamers alike will enjoy this one; hand to those who enjoy Brittney Morris’s Slay and Eric Smith’s Don’t Read the Comments.
A riveting story, sure to please fans of historical novels.
A great addition to collections, as the cross-genre will appeal to a variety of young women on their journey to find themselves.
Recommended for readers who enjoy Norse mythology, fantasy, coming-of-age stories, and books with a strong sense of place.
A delightful winter adventure and a thoughtful exploration of emotions and empathy; a great pick for readers looking for heart, humor, and a little bit of magic.
Fans of Dungeons & Dragons and the “Captain Underpants” series will enjoy this light, playful book.
A fun and fresh take on traditional fantasy and witchcraft; highly recommended.
Recommended for those who enjoy character-driven novels, fantastical settings, and elaborate alternative histories.
A charming, tender story about making friends, sisterhood, and the importance of family and community.
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