Perhaps this is more certain to be a treasured gift for new or expecting parents; an additional purchase for picture book collections.
This title enticingly captures the imagination and creativity of a lonely girl who finds friends and joy in her community garden.
A beloved classic fairy tale with a new twist, this is frightfully fun and novel.
A great purchase for libraries for showing persistence, patience, and acceptance; additionally, this book shows a single-parent family.
An optional title for public libraries and preschools looking to expand their nonfiction animal collections.
A warm and welcome addition to collections.
This heartwarming reminder of self-love is a perfect purchase for any library’s picture book collection.
Children won’t need a lesson on the history of rock to join this celebration of intergenerational love.
A concept that might seem complex at first glance is rendered accessible for readers young and old, and this title featuring a diverse cast of characters will be a welcome addition to classrooms and libraries alike.
Friends are simply strangers we have yet to meet; the endearing beast and a message will encourage readers to learn and engage with new things other than react with dread. For all collections.
Invite children to join in Squirrel’s joy over fall and all it brings to this group of friends.
With rich language and a complex subject matter deftly touched on throughout, this is suitable for intermediate students; it’s no fairy tale, but a retelling that amplifies courage and perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
A great narrative nonfiction purchase on a topic that is rarely discussed.
Shelve with Aida Salazar’s Jovita Wore Pants and its Spanish-language edition Jovita llevaba pantalones.
Art and text are a perfect match that all picture book lovers, especially young children, will continuously enjoy.
This simple book shares complex ideas, teaches an important prefix, and engages young readers through lovely, approachable illustrations.
Worth a peek for adult fans of this colorful personality, as well as older elementary readers seeking validation, even if from imperfect sources.
A lovely look at fox and human families as they enjoy the changing lights and nature. Perfect for cozy bedtime stories.
A book that motivates young readers to learn more about tending the land, growing food, and the impact of human overdevelopment on the environment.
An unusual and useful book that uses imagination, storytelling, and ecology to connect readers to the Louisiana bayou.
This sweet, simple story about the human-nature connection will be a pleasing addition to library collections.
Combining cartoony illustrations and the eternal crowd-pleaser that is peekaboo, this is guaranteed to be a hit with the toddler crowd.
This is a darling, diverse addition to the bath shelves or just for a fast and funny read-aloud with toddlers.
The animals glow in the illustrations, drawing readers into their magical world while reminding them that facing fears with good friends makes everything better. A recommended purchase
A sweet and deceptively simple story offers readers a new lens for looking at those they are familiar with as well as those who are different with an open heart
A sensitive and honest story dealing with the illness of a sibling. Strong first buy.
A stunning story of family history and heritage, identity, and the power of protest, this is highly recommended purchase for all collections.Danticat, Edwidge. Watch Out for Falling Iguanas. illus. by Rachel Moss. 32p. Black Sheep. Jul. 2025. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781636142326. Gr 1-3–Leila is happy to get to wear her winter coat, since she rarely needs it in Miami. Then, as she’s leaving for school, Leila is surprised when Grandma Issa tells her to “Watch out for falling iguanas.” As they drive, her mother suggests perhaps it’s chickens crossing the road or peacocks on the sidewalk that Leila is supposed to watch out for, but Leila knows what she heard. When she sees an iguana fall from a tree, no one else does. Papa asks if it was a cat and her friends tease her about thinking the sky is falling, per the story of Chicken Little. Leila is vindicated when her teacher takes the class for a walk to show them some fallen iguanas and to explain why they are on the ground. Moss’s realistic illustrations do an excellent job of depicting the substance of Danticat’s plentiful text, which is nicely integrated into the illustrations. VERDICT Use of thought/speech bubbles, the variety of half-page and full spreads, and highlights of a falling iguana make the illustrations a delight, especially with facts along the way.–Catherine Callegari
A surreal fantasy like this will do well in collections for teens who enjoy reading about serious themes in magical settings.
Emezi’s latest novel will help readers see beauty in the void. Fans of their work or Nnedi Okorafor’s “Nsibidi Script” series will doubtlessly gravitate to this one.
A testament to how folklore, craftsmanship, and visual elements can come together to create an unforgettable reading experience.
Engaging characters convey kindness, loyalty, and the price of honesty in this relatable portrayal of school and family life suitable for intermediate and middle school readers.
What starts off as a strong commentary about immigration, socioeconomic status, and healthcare in the U.S. falls flat by the conclusion.
Highly recommended, especially for those who grew up in a less-than-magical world.
Cassie’s eventual confrontation with the various parts of her life and the impact of her decisions make this book the perfect addition to any well-rounded YA collection.
Completely charming and pithy, with laughs galore, this romance should be in all middle school and high school collections.
A fine choice for collections where thrillers are in high demand.
For fans of Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen, Hamilton offers a thrilling fantasy that takes a critical look at the corrupting influence of power and the fight for a more equitable society.
Between the slow pacing and heavy 1990s references, this one will need to be hand sold to teens.
A cautionary tale wrapped in a vivid slice of contemporary life, recommended for high school collections.
A breezy summer romance that celebrates friendship, forgiveness, and Black cinema.
This YA fantasy has it all: a well-developed mythos, engaging emotional journeys, and captivating romance.
This may be a fun series for art students but might not have broad appeal for the everyday manga reader. Recommended for larger collections with students interested in art or in collaboration with art classes.
A mesmerizing ode to poetry, art, and love that stands the test of time, Selznick’s first title for young adults is recommended for all collections.
Full of heart and a depth of understanding of young girls battling the forces of hormones, responsibilities, and social media, this is a must-read for fans of YA romance and queer romance.
10 Things I Hate About You meets Love & Basketball for Gen Z.
An explosive start to a promising new series that deserves a place on library shelves.
A stellar debut about ignorance and privilege and the abuse of it that resonates beyond the final page.
Recommended for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Stranger Things, and Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s The Inheritance Games who relish conspiracy theories, weird phenomena, slow-burn romances, and tearful family reunions.
For avid YA romance readers or casual readers with an interest in LGBTQIA+ experiences, this book provides a heartwarming and relatable overview of a teenager’s life.
A tour de force trilogy for all collections. This final installment of the “Little Thieves” trilogy makes every page count as Vanja’s character arc comes to a close, grappling with forgiveness and restitution.
A good purchase for libraries looking for more romance with physical disability and queer rep.
A profoundly beautiful, strange, and introspective love story, at turns soothing and scalding. Recommended for every collection.Bayerl, Katie. What Comes After. 416p. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen. Apr. 2025. Tr $21.99. ISBN 9780399545283. Gr 9 Up–Waking up dead is shocking enough, but this version of the afterlife—with its forced positivity, kale chips, and yoga—proves to be even more unsettling. All Mari, 16, wants is to make peace with her mother (who is also in purgatory), move on, and reunite with her beloved grandparents. If she could remember how she died that would be great, too, but something sinister is lurking beneath the surface of Paradise Gates. Souls are disappearing, mysterious agencies are scheming, and then there’s Jethro
A fast-moving coming-of-age tale that will appeal to teens who enjoy realistic graphic novels with a touch of science fiction.
A book that gets readers in its clutches and refuses to let them go; many will want to consume it in one sitting.
A recommended purchase for educators seeking to enhance community building through purposeful and engaging discussions.
The author’s friendly, inviting writing style and the abundance of links to sources, videos, and examples of teaching materials make this an invaluable guide for all teachers.
This adaptable title addresses the specific concerns of school librarian professionals and is a recommended purchase for those interested in developing a new manga collection or improving and promoting an existing one.
A recommended purchase for school libraries with dynamic professional collections, especially where titles such as Vickie F. Echols’s AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload and Focus on What Matters and Dave Durand’s Leading Giants: A Leader’s Guide to Maximum Influence are popular.
A useful and encouraging resource for educators seeking to promote advocacy, civic engagement, and social action among students.
Recommended for schools looking to expand or update their professional resources on media literacy instruction; consider using in conjunction with a pedagogically focused text to more effectively teach the included examples.
An excellent resource for librarians, educators, and parents, this is recommended for school, public, and academic libraries.
School librarians, technology specialists, and administrators interested in fostering digital literacy and exploring future-ready skills may find value in this book’s insights, though they might need additional resources for deeper implementation.
Readable, supportive, and well-organized, this offers necessary information for making, interacting with, or carrying out video streaming decisions for anyone tasked with developing a library video streaming program.
A must-purchase text for recent and aspiring library science grads, career planning collections, and anyone exploring career changes in academic and public spheres.
This is a novel piece of nonfiction that is fully entertaining for older elementary students.
A nice addition to beginner graphic novel books for young readers; children will enjoy the details of the classroom and the controlled chaos that often accompanies a group of enthusiastic students.
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