An enjoyable, if unnecessarily incomplete, picture book biography.
This is a heartwarming Sapphic love story with a gauzy heist plot for cozy-fantasy lovers and art fans.
Shen and Bell provide a healing read/listen.
A fine foray into canonical poetry for young learners.
Add either print or audio—or better, both!
While there are other preschool materials addressing these topics, this is well-paced and engaging, recommended where the characters are already popular with patrons.
Overcomplications are many, but true love waits at book’s end. Avachat and Kishnani delight.
Perfect for fans of the Choose Your Own Adventure format and enthusiasts of fantasy and adventure.
Highly recommended for all collections serving elementary students, this is a fantastic journey into bug land.
Hancox’s relatable portrayal of anxiety is ultimately encouraging, and while the graphic novel is a continuation of his previous work, this book stands alone as a recommended purchase for any library serving teens.
A simple well-crafted story, as text and illustrations depict activities familiar to children everywhere as well as showcase language and facts about life in Kenya.
Put this book of poems in the hands of talented science teachers.
Definitely good for those living in tsunami-prone areas in explaining to students what happens and how to prepare for safety. For all others, it’s equally informative, but perhaps not immediately relatable.
This book is especially suited for school libraries in the Pacific Northwest or any collection expanding its Indigenous collections.
Continental Drifter offers honest, sometimes painful, insight into growing up as part of two cultures and will help anyone who has ever felt lonely in their own family, or even with friends, process the emotions that come with trying to fit in.
Hand to reluctant readers seeking narratives with more mature issues
Strongly recommended for juvenile nonfiction collections.
True to its title, Karate Prom creates a joy-filled story about two teens who want to be together so badly, they are willing to fight for it. A tale for lovers and fighters alike.
Fans of Diana Wynne Jones’s Howl’s Moving Castle or Catherine Bakewell’s Flowerheart may enjoy this one, but it’s not recommended for general fantasy readers.
A great resource for students, parents, teachers, and anyone who needs a friendly, understandable introduction to the game of chess. Every library should have this book.
A must-have for tween and teen libraries.
A heartwarming and nerve-racking poem that accurately portrays one family’s emotional roller-coaster, told in the voices of its feline and canine companions, and a must-have for libraries.
This fun title may inspire conversation between current teens who openly love anime and manga, and their otaku parents who had similar journeys to Megumi's.
A recommended purchase that will find a satisfied audience among tweens and teens researching food or American history.
An uplifting title for all libraries.
Distance does not diminish the love of family. This is a wonderful book that will be highly relatable to many families. A must-have for any picture book collection.
Themes of misinformation on social media, cultural appropriation, and critical thinking make this debut from poet Feinstein one to give older teens looking for a unique, relatable issue- and character-driven book.
A captivating look at ants that is also a story of learning to be a true friend; great for future entomologists, graphic novel readers, and those who love buddy narratives.
This informative book about flutes can educate children about one specific musical instrument while providing a glimpse into other instruments that are part of an orchestra.
An interesting collection of basic poop information with illustrations that will engage young readers wanting to know more.
Libraries may want to choose audio over print in adding to their collections.
Khan integrates all manner of teen topics—social media dangers, school challenges, stereotypes, parent/child dynamics, and cultural differences
Striking a balance between whimsical adventure and wistful contemplation, this title underscores the beauty and fragility of life on our planet. A first purchase for youth graphic novel collections.
Readers will enjoy this spooky middle grade mystery featuring an endearing cast of characters.
A story with a strong moral that represents a wide range of social and cultural talking points. Purchase where there is a need for beginner graphic novels, or for students who love any animal duo.
A moving story about family, faith, hope, and resilience through trying times and experiences.
Author and narrator complementarily celebrate tenacity with vivacity and charm.
The perfect family vacation story, complete with mummies, newfound friends, and (eventually) sibling cooperation.
Although the protagonist is a college student, middle and high school readers will relate to the universal experiences of love, loss, and family tradition. Recommended, especially for libraries that serve the AAPI community.
A decent start to a series about a silly duo.
The concept of worldwide changes to better support urban wildlife is told through exquisite rhymes wrapped around big, bold blossoms of color that, along with the plentiful learning resources, will captivate readers. A must-have poetry book worthy of close attention.
An essential purchase to help children embrace their own uniqueness or tackle complex emotions.
Covering one of the most important topics related to teenagers, this helpful guide is a must for all libraries.
A narrative that is at times almost overpoweringly emotional; an intense story, gorgeously told. With World War II books perennially in demand, especially Shoah stories, this one is highly recommended for elementary and middle school libraries.
A solid addition where realistic graphic fiction is in demand.
An absolute bloody blast and a fantastic choice for readers looking for the horror of Adam Cesare's Clown in a Cornfield and the deadly single-winner competition of The Hunger Games.
A highly recommended realistic fiction title that deftly explores classic tween themes of summer, friendship, and coming of age.
A great book that touches on many timely, sensitive topics teens will want to read about. A good purchase.
For those who enjoyed the series “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” and are looking for something less bittersweet, this healing isekai manga of unlikely friendship is one to recommend.
A heartfelt and humorous middle grade title shining a spotlight on the realities of living with ADHD.
A well-done portrait of one woman’s quiet act of wartime courage, recommended for larger collections.
A must-have for teen libraries. Fans of espionage, romance, and magic will love this one.
Purchase where teens are looking for a heartfelt romance series like “In the Clear Moonlit Dusk” by Mika Yamamori or “Ao Haru Ride” by Io Sakisaka.
Mariachi, family, and pan dulce are the ingredients for this perfect middle grade novel. Highly recommended for all middle grade collections.
Great for reluctant readers who love Pokémon.
Truth and reality continue to diverge, leaving audiences craving more.
This early reader showcasing a tasty treat offers children the opportunity to hear rhyming words, associate sounds and text, and practice early literacy skills.
This combination of poems and planets is a fun way to introduce readers to both. An excellent purchase, though the full-page gatefolds may limit shelf life.
Children and teachers will thoroughly enjoy this well-organized, beautiful book about rocks and where they come from. Recommended for wide adoption.
Everyone’s a winner in this fast-paced match between canine and fruit, recommended for both public and school libraries.
Tweens will enjoy the fresh approach to the Loch Ness Monster phenomenon; instructors seeking engaging, unconventional books on the topic of fake news will find this an excellent fit.
A well-paced narrative that works for story hours or to have on the SEL shelves.
Graphic novel fans are going to devour Eowulf’s first solo adventure, and likely ask for seconds.
This great blend of nonfiction with narrative and amazing illustrations will engage readers in the life of bees and their significance to the Gitxsan Nation. A solid general purchase.
A wonderful teen rom-com adventure reminiscent of Rachel Cohn and David Levithan’s “Dash & Lily” series and Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon.Wilkinson, Lili. Deep Is the Fen. 416p. Delacorte. Apr. 2024. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780593562703. Gr 8 Up–Wilkinson builds a mysterious world infiltrated by good friendship and dark magic. At 17, Merry is trying to navigate the world without her mom, who was a cursed witch. She protects and relies on her best friends, Teddy and Sol. When Teddy chooses to join a secret society, The Order of the Toadmen, which uses dangerous magic that is considered illegal, Merry knows that she must act to save him. Teaming up with Caraway, who has proven to be her academic competition, she sets out to learn more about the society by attending a toad ceremony. Merry learns plenty about her friendship, herself, dark secrets of the society, and Caraway
A validation of self through historical heroes to engage readers in the classroom and at home. This book allows young readers to see that real-life heroes find the ability to make a difference by speaking their minds and letting their truths be known.
This sweet uplifting story is recommended for purchase by school and public libraries.
An insightful and solemn yet hopeful memoir that will hook readers. Fans of Ji-Li Jiang’s Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution will find this memoir just as remarkable.
O’Clover’s second novel captures the sweet revelations of young love. A good choice for all collections.
This appealing book celebrates family values passed along through cooking and culture. Great for sharing, it should have a wide audience.
Fans of romantic Gothic fantasy mixed with Polish folklore will appreciate this novel. Recommended.
Not essential; steer readers who are in search of LGBTQIA+ graphic novels to Mike Curato’s Flamer or Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper.
An entertaining, heartening reminder to young readers to never “feel bad for being good at something.”
This is a great choice for libraries looking for realistic fiction about dealing with divorce, as well as those seeking stories about the healing power of nature.
Oh and Park make an indubitable dynamic duo.
This graphic novel will fit nicely into the collection that already has graphic novels with LGBTQIA+ characters and where the previous volume is popular.
Magical and reflective; a first purchase for stronger readers.
An excellent addition to poetry collections, this volume will excite and engage, and—most importantly
A great example of an escape room thriller, tailor-made for a teen audience. Not only will it “escape” your library shelves often, but it may lead to a desire for escape room programming.
Interesting illustrations crawling with bugs will be enjoyed by budding entomologists.
A humorous middle school graphic novel featuring a strong-willed protagonist who won’t stand for anyone to define her solely by her disability.
Informative and eminently readable, this book has a graphic format that makes the topic approachable and is sure to engage young readers.
For all sports/Black history/LGBTQIA+ shelves, this book is a must, but supplement it with historical resources.
Not a necessary purchase for a school library.
An endearing graphic novel that will appeal to readers who enjoyed Moonstruck, Lumberjanes, and Heartstopper.
Learning to stand tall and live their truths are lessons all teens need; this glimpse into a world of music and friendship will resonate with many readers searching the library for unique stories to fit them, or suit anyone who desires to express themselves, but finds the challenges of life getting in the way.
The tension in this easy reader is low stakes and easily resolved, but the warmth of a loving family and the beautiful, colorful vegetable imagery stands out.
A book that starts simple and ends with complicated notions of identity, scaled to children’s own questioning, ever-evolving minds. Perfect.
A fast-paced journey through STEM and WWII history.
A power-up that keeps the action going while holding just enough back to whet appetites for the next book.
A riveting, unique, and delightfully queer adventure. Recommended for all libraries.
A solid addition to libraries serving tweens.
Tender and affectionate, with enjoyable illustrations and lovely figurative language, this book will bond caregivers to children and make story hours a riot.
Recommended, especially where action manga is popular.
A powerful graphic novel memoir that gives readers an authentic account of life with OCD; for collections that include Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosoczka and A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner.
Recommended as a read-aloud for preschoolers and a warm introduction to one joyful aspect of Jewish life.
Fans of Enola Holmes, Agatha Christie, and Stuart Gibbs will love this engaging text that is a blend of mystery fiction and gumshoe how-to.
An eccentric conversation about self-identity, recommended for school and public libraries.
A powerful presentation about courage in the face of childhood autoimmune disorders is juxtaposed with fantasy elements that fail to develop. Purchase where handselling as a contemporary title can overcome mixed marketing.
This attractively illustrated picture book about bravery is a secondary purchase for most collections.
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