A good choice for classrooms where projects are in the works.
This strong SEL title is a perfect addition to any library with dinosaur lovers and children who are new to the school environment.
A lovely back-to-school story that a growing number of children will find relatable and that will encourage empathy in others.
A solid addition to any library’s school-themed picture book collection.
A sweet reminder that although school might initially appear to be challenging, with the support of parents and friends, learning will be fun.
A valuable addition to any library or classroom collection.
A first purchase. This is a great title for sharing with children to encourage vocalization of feelings, especially those related to the experience of going to school for the first time.
A sweet and useful way to empower young readers to have ownership over the supplies that will help them reach their dreams.
A lively read-aloud for preschool classrooms or home, with detailed illustrations that beg for close examination.
A beautifully written love story to the Australian coast meets a coming-of-age saga with mixed success. An additional purchase.
Cherokee writer Reno crafts a powerful debut centering an important issue affecting Indigenous women and families; a strong purchase for all middle schools.
A sensitive and powerful look at grief with the uplifting reminder that even with all the bad crowded in, there is still room for joy and happiness. Highly recommended.
This highly readable verse memoir beautifully portrays the internal anguish of growing up and adapting to life in a new country.
Tales within tales create a modern Jewish-based fairy tale, to be purchased where reimaginings and fractured fairy tales are popular.
A lightly comical tale of fifth grade that fans of Diary of Wimpy Kid and similar books will enjoy.
This is sure to be a hit with fans of the X-Men franchise, but Baptiste’s inclusion of real-world topics is the story’s true superpower.
This is a story that will resonate with many readers, especially those who enjoy fantasy and coming-of-age stories.
A quintessential fantasy that will delight readers of all ages who can handle intense storylines; this will circulate well in public and school libraries alike.
Encourage readers to push through early chapters for a character-driven fantasy series opener with tons of adventure. Recommended for most collections, especially those serving fans of Jennifer Nielsen or Kate O’Hearn.
Recommended for readers of fantasy, this novel incorporates diverse perspectives, including exploration of LGBTQIA+ and immigrant identities.
This coming-of-age debut featuring a beautifully flawed queer-identifying protagonist endeavoring to succeed in a largely underrepresented sport will likely be enjoyed by readers beginning their roller derby journey or those who can’t get enough of it, as well as those curious to know more about derby culture.
An important addition to YA collections, to be enjoyed by any readers who like coming-of-age books and especially those who are looking for relatable stories about queer, aro-ace, or disabled teens.
A candy bar of a book readers will want to devour in one sitting. Recommended for purchase.
A fun, thrilling mystery than spans almost a century, and a must-read for mystery fans.
A searing and suspenseful debut.
A convincing and darkly romantic YA, even if slightly scattered.
Finch’s debut is perfect for readers of other myth-based books, such as “Percy Jackson,” and fans of the Marvel cinematic universe who want to learn more about traditional Norse mythology.
A emotionally rich and complex coming-of-age story. Amélie is a well-written character teenagers will understand and will want to root for.
A new guardian rises and tensions build in this action-packed second installment.
With broad appeal to both WWII and mystery enthusiasts, this highly recommended title is a first purchase for all libraries serving tweens and teens.
Recommended. Readers who like a challenging mystery tied up with the trials of growing up, love, jealousy, and the importance of family will find much to like here.
When the world seems to be collapsing, living can be the hardest challenge to overcome. A first choice for collections serving older teens.
Readers will be invested in Phoebe’s transformation into a more empowered and confident teen, and Phoebe and Jess make a compelling and fun-to-watch pair. A recommended purchase for libraries where teen romances circulate well.
This coming-of-age cozy fantasy is recommended for all YA collections, but especially any collection lacking queer-inclusive titles.
A LGBTQIA+ romance wrapped in wishes, self-discovery, and roses. Hand to older teens who like their romance with a healthy dose of angst.
A must-buy for YA collections.
A sweet, enjoyable read recommended for young adult collections.
Yang creates an extraordinarily rich cultural background in this beautifully written work. Recommended.
This generation’s Anna and the French Kiss, give it to fans of Emily in Paris. Highly recommended.
A must for all collections, this four-generation saga of Filipino fathers and sons will resonate with teenagers of all cultures.
An additional purchase where suspenseful murder mysteries and sapphic romances are popular.
An upbeat read, despite the serious themes, that will hopefully inspire teens to fight for a cause that affects their own lives.
Fresh and important while also being comforting. This book highlights themes and sentiments that all readers can relate to, regardless of identity or orientation.
A tantalizing summer thriller, recommended for romance fans looking to try something new.
A wickedly good time, stock where the first installment has readers. Recommended for purchase.
Recommended for YA collections.
A thoroughly engrossing novel, with a satisfying plot and enough mystery to stay up all night reading, sure to cause goosebumps.
Written in true Hopkins style, these verses pack a punch with low word count. This story is highly accessible and will be devoured by realistic fiction readers.
This long-awaited follow-up to I'll Give You the Sun is well worth the wait.
A recommended read for enthusiasts of coming-of-age novels and historical fiction, especially those of real people overcoming struggles and strife.
Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House meets the rage of Xiran Jay Zhao’s Iron Widow in this romantasy. Recommended for those with a taste for dark academia and morally gray enemies-to-lovers.
A welcome, diverse spin on royalty rom-com and coming-of-age tropes.
This fast-paced and exciting reflective story on sportsmanship and overcoming self-doubt provides concise representation into Cherokee cultural activities while keeping the story relatable to many growing readers.
Filled with extraordinary art, this picture book is a necessary addition to shelves on culture, image-positivity, and SEL, in a wonderful ode to the beauty of Black hair.
An affirming family story featuring a smart young woman showing off her solid map skills.
Sure to be a popular book for dog lovers and a fresh addition for teachers to use when teaching about colors.
A meaningful take on grief and loss that will fill a hole in many collections.
A perfect, calming story for afternoon story hours, or to fill out curricula on the experience of night across various locations.
This beautiful celebration of Black women and girls is a perfect addition to every collection.
Illustrations and minimal text convey a deeply felt story that will provide rich opportunities for children to extend the storytelling and perhaps tell their own survival stories. Beautifully presented.
This funny picture book about a clueless, acornless squirrel is a solid purchase for collections.
There are not enough mysteries aimed at this age group, who love being in on the puzzle and helping figure it out. This is a safe choice for the shelves.
Lukoff models good behavior for kids (and, let’s face it, adults) without being lecturing or preachy. A must-have.
A thematically unique nursery rhyme board book to add to bilingual collections. Recommended.
An adorable and hilarious picture book that teaches readers the magic of the very low bar.
A unique story that celebrates queer love and Chinese folklore, and a distinctive addition to the LGBTQIA+ shelves.
A recommended and useful introduction to the democratic right to protest, this title could be tidily included across curricula for sharing with children before they attend a march or to help build understanding for the role of common citizens in making positive change and speaking up for important causes.
A thoughtful offering for SEL units as well as an upbeat lesson on resiliency in nature; this is also a great choice for sharing one-on-one.
This update on popular experiments is a welcome addition to most middle grade science classrooms and public libraries looking for STEM programming ideas.
A highly recommended purchase for libraries looking to add to their habitat and endangered animal collections.
A great choice for school libraries and caregivers looking to take the fun of learning science outside the classroom, literally.
A safe and fun introduction to hiking on trails for children and families that would be at home on public library shelves.
Purchase this educational and beautiful series where nature programs and field exploration are popular and where there’s a need for more artistic nature guides.
A great and useful tool for SEL collections, families, and children who are experiencing hardship or having trouble expressing their emotions.
An excellent choice for those looking to explore the physical aspects and cultural impacts birds have had across cultures while also building their bird word knowledge.
A novice, friendly approach to stargazing without equipment year-round that would circulate well due to ease of use and the creator’s connected “Learn to Stargaze” YouTube channel.
This highly recommended book stands out not only for its unique focus on fishing but also for its excellent writing and design. It’s a valuable addition to any collection, not just for its rarity, but because it is truly outstanding.
A highly recommended purchase based on the variety of easy projects and the appealing graphic design.
A perfect choice for homeschooling, programming, boredom busters, and all-out fun.
A recommended purchase for younger readers learning about the science of rainbows from an interactive book.
Exploring the sky by both day and night, this is a novel approach to learning about the interdisciplinary aspects of the world above that would be a welcome addition to science classrooms.
A marvelous primer for learning about nature and developing curiosity about the natural world in a playful way.
An interactive aquatic story that folds in environmentalist themes in a fresh way for early readers.
Developing readers will enjoy the spreads, short sentences, and the Kratts, making this a good choice for early reader shelves.
Active and funny, Pencil and Eraser’s adventures are good for a giggle and cute to boot.
Update or add to early reader paperback collections with this LEGO double feature.
This sweet friendship story from the perspective of an enthusiastic first grader is a must for most libraries.
Old-fashioned in inviting ways, this graphic novel is an amiable hang-out for elementary readers.
This graphic novel is undeniably unique and worth young readers’ time.
Fearsome fun for bold, reluctant readers.
A top-drawer recommendation, pun intended.
A fitting book to set a positive tone for the first day of school, and a fabulous story for homes, classrooms, and libraries.
This book validates feelings that many children experience and reassures with simple solutions.
An adorable set of tales to ease jitters and empower small children to welcome new experiences with open arms.
A respectful, nicely paced early reader, and a natural fit for elementary school libraries.
An adorable set of tales to ease jitters and empower small children to welcome new experiences with open arms.
Readers who like friendship stories, food novels, and new-kid books will want to pick this one up. Recommended for library collections where friendship stories are popular.
A good choice for school and public libraries, though this series may appeal more to adults who appreciate the author’s effort rather than to the young readers themselves.
This winning book is certain to be a bedtime favorite, alongside Jane Yolen’s How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? and Rhiannon Fielding’s Little Dinosaur (Ten Minutes to Bed).
Recommended for emergent readers collections and fans of My Little Pony.
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