For burgeoning romantasy collections, this one has a little less romance and a lot more intrigue, but it lays the groundwork for the volumes to come; hold space for all three.
Teens who enjoy strong female characters and stories of survival will not want to miss this gemstone.
Fans of books with politically active protagonists, such as A.S. King’s Attack of the Black Rectangles and any of Jewel Parker Rhodes’s novels, will love the new and emboldened Paul Fisher.
A messy, magnetic exploration of queer identity, desire, and parental rejection that veers into supernatural melodrama. Best for older teens comfortable with dark themes and complex relationships.
For fans of the works of Alan Gratz and Nathan Hale, as well as Lauren Tarshis’s “I Survived” series.
A fun, summer novel for readers who love animals and romance.
Highly recommended, especially for collections where horror is often requested by young readers.
This book is everything children need in a book: smart, funny, relevant, and surprising
Recommended where historical romance, LGBTQIA+ stories, and authors like Mackenzi Lee are popular.
With an uncomplicated plot, this pleasant sports novel will appeal to every young reader who loves football and thinks they know the game from watching it on television.
Hand this mythological-fantasy dystopia to readers who enjoy found families and moral ambiguity.
Purchase this must-read Spanish-language adventure series for tween collections.
A quick read that’s sure to find an audience, and a solid purchase for collections seeking stories centering diverse representations of ability.
A must-have for all collections serving young people, this tale pairs a brilliant sense of humor with great comedic timing. This instant classic will have children pondering their own fortunes as well as those of their friends.
An uneven read, purchase this for larger YA collections.
A unique perspective on social justice fatigue with a magical realism element that will have readers run the gamut of emotions. A necessary purchase for young adult collections.
A suspense-filled hit for YA thriller readers. This whodunit won’t remain on the shelves for long.
A great historical fiction addition for libraries needing more books for reluctant readers.
There can never be too many Halloween books! Check out these recently reviewed board books and picture books to round out Halloween displays and programs.
The game is afoot! Give these chapter book and middle grade capers to fans of whodunits and thrillers.
There’s not a dull moment in these transitional books for the main characters and their siblings!
An appealing title that touches gently on the Japanese immigrant experience in the United States.
This book is a suitable gift for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day but is long-winded and lightweight for library collections.
Appealing only to children who want to understand the process of preparing a guide dog, this book creates considerable confusion around an important issue.
Place this on the shelf next to Jon Klassen’s The Skull and recommend it to readers who love mythology, dogs, and books that break the mold.
Find room on the shelf for another abecedarium! Most collections will want to add this silly and fresh spin on a classic genre.
Full of speech bubbles and humorous scenes, this very silly story has a great underlying thread for both kids and adults about listening and trusting each other’s abilities and knowledge. Sure to be a favorite.
This first installment in a series of sports novels for emerging readers is a well-intended, well-designed start.
Recommended where body horror and the author are popular.
A touching yet humorous novel adaptation of a Webtoon-turned-graphic-novel that feels fresh, exciting, and fun.
Great for readers who enjoyed Becca Fitzpatrick’s “Hush Hush” series, those who prefer quick reads, and individuals who enjoy supernatural elements in their books.
A feel-good stand-alone for fans of time travel and romance, with an entertaining blend of science, humor, and feminist themes.
With its blend of romance, humor, and heartfelt moments, this book is perfect for those exploring the intricacies of relationships and personal growth. A great addition to a high school library.
A serviceable romance, but librarians with smaller YA romance collections will want to skip this one.
Those who love Jane Austen or mysteries will adore this version of the beloved couple Lizzie and Darcy. A superb addition to any library.
An emotionally rich exploration of the burdens, expectations, and realities for young women that will resonate with many, especially readers who also connected with Tiffany D. Jackson’s Grown.
This one is a can’t miss for fans of Shusterman.
This melodramatic romance that could use some trimming.
A fast-paced, queer political fantasy. Consider for larger collections.
Atmospheric and relevant. Recommended.
Readers who liked Octavia Butler’s Dawn, Mira Grant’s Parasite, or M.R. Carey’s The Girl with All the Gifts will enjoy this book. A recommended purchase.
High school readers drawn to the K-pop aesthetic and an inclusive cast will enjoy this homage to Pride and Prejudice.
There’s a lot to unpack and explore within this text, so it’s great for book clubs or classroom use. A must-have for teen collections.
The deeply nuanced, complex plot of legacy versus choice easily crosses into adult readership, but the richly developed characters and a quick-moving plot make it a perfect teen read.
This is a secondary purchase but may appeal to fans of Korean graphic novels.
Gamers and non-gamers alike will enjoy this one; hand to those who enjoy Brittney Morris’s Slay and Eric Smith’s Don’t Read the Comments.
A riveting story, sure to please fans of historical novels.
A great addition to collections, as the cross-genre will appeal to a variety of young women on their journey to find themselves.
Recommended for readers who enjoy Norse mythology, fantasy, coming-of-age stories, and books with a strong sense of place.
A delightful winter adventure and a thoughtful exploration of emotions and empathy; a great pick for readers looking for heart, humor, and a little bit of magic.
Fans of Dungeons & Dragons and the “Captain Underpants” series will enjoy this light, playful book.
A fun and fresh take on traditional fantasy and witchcraft; highly recommended.
Recommended for those who enjoy character-driven novels, fantastical settings, and elaborate alternative histories.
A winning mix of history, humor, and high-stakes sleuthing for returning fans of the series or new readers.
A stellar companion novel about one tween’s struggles and ambitions that can stand alone but will have newer readers sprinting to the rest of the books in this excellent series.
A historical fiction adventure that is highly recommended.
A solid purchase for soccer players and fans who are looking for middle grade books about their favorite game.
A tearjerking realistic fiction read about love and loss that should be added to all middle grade collections.
Time-traveling fans will devour this humorous tale that shows how humans are all connected.
A novel that handles heavy topics with a light touch; recommended for upper middle grade.
An eye-opening window or mirror story for collections that need more stories involving Ojibwe beliefs, relationships, and a touch of the supernatural.
Perhaps this is best for the shelves intended to help grandparents seeking to connect with the young generation.
This title is one any pair of sisters can relate to and encourages being honest with familial frustrations. A recommended general purchase for picture book collections.
A warmly illustrated, heartfelt resource that combines comfort with information, this is an essential purchase for libraries serving young families.
Though not for every collection, this bright and inclusive board book celebrating the value of family and community is an ideal selection for Jewish families welcoming a newborn.
Lilting prose and textured collage visually and lyrically represent big feelings in this powerful title. Highly recommended.
A lush, spooky page-turner perfect for readers of Arndt’s other novel, Together We Rot, or Stephanie Garber’s Once Upon a Broken Heart.
A powerful novel about family, friendship, love, and the indigenous culture of the Sámi people. Young adults living between multiple cultures will appreciate the rawness of self-discovery throughout.
This is a must-read for fans of folklore, horror, monsters, and LGBTQIA+ fiction.
Recommended for collections where fairy romantasy is popular.
This book is inviting, making it appropriate for young adult mystery collections.
Strongly recommended for fans of Greek and Roman mythology, particularly feminist retellings such as Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne or Madeline Miller’s Circe.
A charming, tender story about making friends, sisterhood, and the importance of family and community.
National Geographic books are a trusted favorite for a reason: kids love them, parents and educators rely on them, and the learning happens almost effortlessly. This one is a must for home, classroom, or library shelves.
A thoughtfully designed book for adults to share with children or for young readers to explore on their own, with plentiful, stunning images of many African animals, sparse text, and helpful scaffolds for engaging with nonfiction works.
A general realistic fiction purchase that may require hand-selling.
Whether it's the latest book in a favorite series or the next great read, librarians will find plenty of options to keep their most voracious patrons satisfied.
Bright illustrations, silly situations, and a sense of continuity and rigor in skill-building are the hallmarks of this season's decodable series.
These picture book series offer a sweet escape into education or entertainment.
The gentle stories in this collection of early readers feature warm, inviting illustrations and focus on navigating family and friendships.
A chill is in the air, and there is no better time to be immersed in a juicy middle grade series.
These hi-lo titles have all the adventure, intrigue, romance, and drama that will engage striving readers.
Adam Fisher, Lane Libraries, Butler County, OH, Emilia Packard, Bloomington, IL, and Alexandra Quay, Chandler School, Pasadena, CA,
Oct 02, 2025
Wild adventures, goofy characters, and candy-colored illustrations dominate this collection of graphic novels.
The books in these YA series serve up a generous dose of big feelings.
Hidden identities, action and survival, and, of course, true love can be found in these new and ongoing manga series.
These cheerful chapter books span a wide range of reading interests and genres and are a bastion of diverse stories and characters.
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.
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.
articles