These are five books I've got on my fall TBR and hope to find time to read soon (if I can learn how to keep my eyes open past 8:00).
20 books out this month just waiting to go on your TBR!
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.
Powell’s illustrations match perfectly with the text; this would be a great addition to any library’s early chapter book collection.
A charming coming-of-age story featuring realistically portrayed children who are learning to face life’s challenges.
This intriguing fantasy, with its ecological focus and unique points-of-view leaves too many unanswered questions to fully satisfy.
A definite first purchase that can be read as a standalone or as part of its series.
A timely, heartfelt, and emotive adventure for fans of survival or dog narratives utilizing a quick pace to grip readers.
A fun mecha adventure with an animal-hero twist, this is a solid addition to collections where sci-fi/fantasy graphic novels are popular.
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...
Full of hijinks and endless energy, this is a strong additional purchase where realistic, slice-of-life graphic literature is in demand.
Beyond bold illustrations and pitch-perfect rhythm make this bio-book a great pick for the shelves.
A nearly perfect board book in tone and content. Bring it on, story hour.
Not essential, but a toddler-pleaser, and minor introduction to classical music.
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.
The pictures pull in viewers, while the text offers a direction for discussions; this could be useful for group sharing or one on one.
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.
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.
A board book for the early animal shelves, but also a text full of writing prompts at the early elementary level.
Board books are an inherently inviting form, but this title does not inspire travel, language skills, or even reading to the end.
An ideal book to acclimate kids of all ages to the notion of clean-up; this book could not be more cheerful.
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.
This is a fun and funny book, and there may be motor skills children pick up along the way.
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.
The pigeon will count to 10 in story hours and classroom counting units; children can take it from there. Bold and funny.
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.
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.
Baby’s first football game is not a necessary purchase, but it works as an introduction to the sport.
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.
Hand this to romance and fairy-tale lovers.
Recommended as an additional purchase where contemporary romantic fiction is popular.
An intriguing graphic narrative with plenty of magical realism that will leave readers wanting more.
A must-buy for the young adult crowd; readers will be excitedly waiting for the next book in the series.
Recommended for high school libraries, especially for readers who liked McBride’s previous books.
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.
For fans of Jennifer Mathieu’s Moxie, an overall relatable and universal coming-of-age story.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoyed books like John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars or Dustin Thao’s You’ve Reached Sam.
A great sapphic romance for readers who enjoy a good will-they-won’t-they with depth and festive charm.
Deeply unsettling and absolutely perfect for those who understand the vulnerability at the root of every vicious monster.
A compelling and important addition for mature young adult collections, this novel powerfully portrays the fight for freedom and self-determination against overwhelming odds.
Meyer fans and new readers alike will find much to love in this spooky, atmospheric read. A welcome addition to any library collection.
A laugh-out-loud funny whodunit that is a first purchase for mystery fans.
This inventive and explosive beginning to a cyberpunk trilogy is a first purchase.
Readers of books in verse, romance, and music history will all be drawn to this engaging book.
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.
For fans of Kiera Cass’s The Selection, a fast-paced, The Bachelor inspired romance, going deeper with purpose for its characters.
This amazingly cool and super scary book is recommended for teen readers.
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
Important lessons on bodily autonomy, consent, diversity, and self-love wrapped up in an age-appropriate hug of a book.
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.
This an excellent book to include in units on teaching poetry.
Snow’s cinematic vision is mesmerizing; this is recommended for school libraries and older picture book readers.
Children will enjoy this sensitive and nuanced story focused on social and emotional themes.
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.
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.
A solid addition to picture book collections, best for libraries looking for quirky stories to add to their rotation.
A charming tale that will certainly be enjoyed by aunts and their loved ones.
A lovely, if difficult, title that belongs in many collections.
Fine if you need a book on the subject, but unnecessary for a robust collection.
A must-read during Women’s History Month, this is a solid purchase for every library.
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.
Attractive but not an essential purchase.
A secondary purchase for libraries serving young children.
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.
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.
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.
A satisfying story that also could be useful for discussions about our need for natural spaces or about what community means.
A joyful celebration of both individuality and community and a great purchase for public libraries, pre-schools, and lower elementary schools.
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.
Heartfelt and moving, this is an exceptional and a must-have for the shelves helping children deal with divorce and other challenges.
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.
A meaningful choice for enthusiastic five-years-olds, this will also work for students in the lower elementary grades.
Readers will enjoy this easygoing but slight story about perseverance and friendship.
A secondary purchase where folktales are popular or in need of modern reinvigoration.
A valuable resource, especially for libraries looking to expand their collections of books about North American peoples.
A fantastic purchase for libraries serving English and Spanish-speaking communities, this would also make a good choice for bilingual story time.
A good purchase for libraries serving Spanish-speaking communities or with bilingual programs, especially around the holiday.
PreS-Gr 3–A look at the immigrant experience through the eyes of a young girl named Rocío...
[needed] Perfect for ages 3-6 or anyone looking to build their Spanish/English vocabulary.
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 purchase for libraries serving Spanish-speaking communities or with bilingual programs.
A beautiful Spanish-language picture book about worries and friendship that is a great choice for children’s SEL collections.
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.
Toddler-K–Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat in id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes nascetur ridiculus mus donec rhoncus eros lobortis nulla molestie mattis scelerisque maximus eget fermentum odio phasellus non purus est efficitur laoreet mauris pharetra vestibulum fusce dictum risus blandit quis suspendisse aliquet nisi sodales consequat magna ante condimentum neque at luctus nibh finibus facilisis dapibus etiam interdum tortor ligula congue sollicitudin erat viverra ac tincidunt nam porta elementum a enim euismod quam justo lectus commodo augue arcu dignissim velit aliquam imperdiet mollis nullam volutpat porttitor ullamcorper rutrum gravida cras eleifend turpis fames primis vulputate ornare sagittis vehicula praesent dui felis venenatis ultrices proin libero feugiat tristique accumsan maecenas potenti ultricies habitant morbi senectus netus suscipit auctor curabitur facilisi cubilia curae hac habitasse platea...
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 great addition to classrooms and libraries, this SEL-focused book will charm readers and leave them wanting more adventures with Wiggler.
Writing Lena and Dimas’s story was a healing process for me. Through them, I could explore the idea of what it would be like if fate could be controlled, if it was a tangible thing that could be woven to ones will – and what that would mean to the people of the world this was possible in.
Author XiXi Tian joins us to talk about her new book, ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SUN.
articles