This debut is a heartrending coming-of-age story of loss, self-discovery, and self-acceptance that will be enjoyed not only by derby fans, but those who are derby-curious, or are just looking for a story with some emotional depth and featuring LGBTQIA+ characters.
A gritty story of trust and betrayal, Lucy’s life absorbs readers and leaves them wanting more. A definite first buy.
While seemingly formulaic at times, what good romance novel isn’t? Give this one to any lover of the genre.
Recommended for those who enjoy romances, a historical setting, and supernatural narratives.
This page-turner is an ode to slasher films and funny ghost stories. A great, twisty introduction to horror for teens.
Fans of unsettling and propulsive realistic fiction will welcome this gripping addition.
A skilled author of popular Australian children’s books takes on issues of suicide and serious illness with love and care in her first YA novel.
This flawed but fast-paced novel will be of interest to teens who enjoy romance and music. The diverse racial and ethnic cast of characters also adds to the book’s appeal.
If the names were changed, this could be the origin story for the Scooby Gang. Wood has reimagined Mystery Inc., for a whole new generation.
A secondary purchase for high school collections, recommended for libraries where Courtney Gould is popular.
Feel free to highly recommend this young adult read.
A highly recommended read for fans of young adult psychological thrillers and Jackson’s previous works.
Guron creates a spiral of twists and turns, truly unpredictable and sure to engross readers as the full story unwinds.
A sweet and spicy gay Goth romance.
Yun’s intent to help readers live with grief is well-executed as she reminds readers of the importance of facing it. Recommended.
Entering portals requires bravery and hope and the willingness to see what happens, which are generally good things to apply to living life in general.
A seasonal crowd-pleaser for the shelves, best suited for libraries looking to boost their Halloween board book offerings.
A fun revisiting of the story of Scrim and the city of New Orleans, while indulging in the spirit of Christmas with festivity and flair that only the bayou can bring.
An uninspired attempt to capitalize on an existing franchise, this book struggles to function as a narrative.
A thoughtful choice for children’s collections.
Perfect for readers who wonder about the Chinese zodiac, and specifically the characteristics of people born in the Year of the Horse.
Make room on the shelves for this and other “Dave Pigeon” books.
Not recommended for purchase. Although the initial set-up is clever, the glib treatment undermines its emotional resonance, turning a potentially rich topic into a one-note joke.
Purchase for libraries for a whimsical take on evolution, which is also a great read-aloud.
A gift made of childhood recall, wrapped in the making of a Persian rug, an act of creating “precious memories out of everyday chores.” A solid purchase for most libraries.
A strong choice for collections seeking to broaden cultural representation while connecting to familiar themes of childhood independence and inclusion.
This delightful book is a perfect holiday read-aloud, capturing the magic, impatience, and joy of the season through a child’s eyes
A mild whodunnit to add it to picture book collections.
A perfect simple, nonreligious Christmas book featuring beautifully illustrated polar bears and friends. Recommend for all children’s sections.
This is a story that reassures readers we all forget things at times, but when people work together, the day can end on a positive note and be memorable.
This pleasant offering will appeal to dancers and will resonate with anyone who has ever had to overcome disappointment.
A useful addition to collections in communities welcoming immigrants and refugees, especially with its celebration of inclusivity.
A must buy for every library, fostering curiosity for cultures throughout the world, and bringing balance to such Eurocentric works as the Opies’ landmark titles.
A wonderful multigenerational beach story, perfect for all libraries for summer reading hours, or for classroom units on family.
A great story for libraries looking for representation of Chinese culture, of intergenerational relationships, and of trying new things; it’s also something of an ode to the fact that grandmothers were once young.
PreS-Gr 2–“We take the groove wherever we go...
Kids interested in developing their sleuthing and French skills will benefit from encountering Bea’s journey in this series debut. A general purchase for the fiction shelves.
A timely purchase for all middle grade collections with a reassuring message kids need to hear
A heartfelt and empowering coming-of-age story that will resonate with tweens navigating identity, ambition, and digital spaces.
Rom-com fans will root for these two to win it all, and just give in to the chemistry. A good addition for libraries with readers who enjoy wickedly funny, realistic romance.
A powerful addition to the genre of teen fighting competition novels, and for fans of The Hunger Games.
A must-have for all YA collections.
This is likely a supplemental purchase for young adult collections.
This feel-good magical fetch-quest-style adventure will do well in libraries with diverse young fantasy readers who love a cozy tale.
This love story is sure to please fans of Tobias Madden’s Wrong Answers Only and Loan Le’s A Pho Love Story.
A first purchase for libraries building collections around Jewish history, refugee experiences, and stories of resilience for young readers.
A lovely, affirming addition to picture book collections, offering both a sweet intergenerational story and meaningful cultural insight.
The soft turkey feet that hang off the book won’t last long out on the shelf of a public library, but this would be a cute addition to most story time collections.
An overall rich narrative, this book covers an important but underrepresented Indian tradition of gifting mithai boxes, making it a necessary purchase or read.
Fans of Kayla and Kugel, as well as libraries looking for basic Rosh Hashanah picture books for the youngest readers, may welcome this new addition.
For fans of her other romances and those by Kasie West, Sophie Gonzales, and Emma Lord, this boarding school friends-to-lovers story is a delight.
Purchase for classroom use or to bolster collections with adventurous readers.
A young adult novel that delivers it all: betrayal, ambition, heart, heat
A surreal emotional journey for any teen seeking validation in shared experiences. Recommended for most collections.
An optional purchase where teens are impatient to move into YA books.
An illuminating, must-have purchase for every library.
Highly recommended for those seeking a story that is heartwarming and thought-provoking.
A good blend of action, magic, and surprises will entertain readers despite some uneven plotting. A solid purchase.
A secondary purchase for collections with fans of books with mythology and video game themes.
With Clueless vibes for a new generation, this rom-com of disastrous meet-cute to happily ever after will brighten any reader’s day.
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.
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