We create the place we live in, but it also creates us, and it’s impossible to tell where one influence starts and the other begins.
These 12 recent YA titles celebrate romantic Black love in many forms, in different periods of history, and in real and fantasy realms. They include humor, queer love, and paranormal/sci-fi encounters, expanding the much-needed diversity within the romance genre.
Most people can’t imagine a world without the worst of human nature because that would be the purview of a different species: a post-miserable humankind.
This thoughtful collection rewards repeat readings, begs to be shared or read aloud, and will resonate with a wide audience of readers and educators.
A solid addition to any collection, providing a pairing of arts and STEM.
A visually stimulating counting book that engages young children both in small and large group settings.
A visually stunning and unique addition to poetry collections.
Sure to be read and enjoyed again and again, this is a highly recommended addition for all library collections.
A recommended addition to library and classroom collections.
Add to collections in need of updates, but catalog it with the joke books rather than poetry to reach the right readers.
A handy tool for extending skill with poetry and word play. While it seems unlikely that most children able to both read and do the writing would be attracted to the cheerful animal stories, the clear and well designed writing and thinking exercises could build poetry interest and ability in the early grades.
An excellent introduction to our awesome planet for novice geographers and poets alike.
A beautifully designed addition to biography collections, spotlighting a singular female artist.
An excellent physics primer and inspiration for young engineers who enjoy creating their own machines to perform simple tasks.
Purchase several copies. Your dinosaur fans will hate returning this one.
The beautiful, smooth illustrations accompany this simple yet stunning story that encourages readers’ curiosity to find the beauty in the natural world.
This deeply felt coverage of the inflection points for so many communities is a must-have for all libraries.
A first purchase for all libraries desiring an interesting and beautiful story about this important prairie ecosystem contributor. Highly recommended.
A light introduction, intended to supplement other titles about Rumi.
A fascinating and accessible story about whales and the water they live in. Great for a read-aloud, especially for Earth Day.
An excellent choice for any nonfiction collection.
This is a highly approachable book on mathematics, recommended for all libraries.
Although adult assistance will be required for some recipes, this fun and eye-catching cookbook will be a tasty resource for STEAM programs.
A must-have for middle schools, high schools, and public libraries that support maker clubs and other youth-driven innovation groups.
Recommended for most collections, especially where personal accounts of neurodivergence and LGBTQIA+ identities are in demand.
Budding scientists and animal lovers will keep this stellar title in full circulation as they learn the mysteries and history of octopuses, from their biology, habitats, habits, and threats to their future.
Hand this book to a favorite elementary or middle school art teacher.
A well-formulated biographical overview, highlighting talented athletes who don’t fall into molds easily. A general purchase.
An excellent book that truly combines empathy and compassion as well as wisdom and practical advice in a way that feels helpful as well as empowering.
A fun, interactive addition for any library.
A worthy title to add to a library’s early chapter book shelves, especially those featuring neurodiversity among young people.
New readers are about to start a long and wonderful friendship with this impeccable new series.
Elementary school readers and their teachers will delight in this laugh-out-loud narrative lesson on poetry writing, or even pick it up just for fun. A recommended purchase for school and public libraries.
A recommended purchase for libraries expanding their early reader sections.
This volume may encourage young readers to expand their knowledge of naming words while engaging in picture hunt visual acuity exercises.
A richly imagined story to help children find balance when they are afraid, this is highly recommended for all collections.
Silly, sweet, and achievable stories for beginning independent readers.
Readers who like realistic fiction, doing good, humor, and friendship stories will want to pick this one up. Recommended for library collections where early chapter realistic fiction is popular.
Fun and irreverent mysteries with relatable humor fill this charmer that highlights the value of friendship and being yourself. Highly recommended.
A good addition to early reader graphic novel collections looking to add more books that feature stories about the power of friendship.
A gentle and wholesome title for growing early readers.
This book has everything: diverse characters, a funny and entertaining plot, and a stand-out, memorable main character. An essential purchase for all.
A fun, quirky read that will entertain young readers. The series promises more zany adventures, making this a solid choice for most collections.
Through authentic and likable characters, readers will learn much about the Holocaust and antisemitism, as well as the importance of leaning on friends and family for support.
A great choice for tweens who already enjoy or are looking to get into mysteries.
With broad appeal beyond baseball, this is a delightful coming-of-age story with humor, honesty, and heart.
A necessary mirror for middle grade Muslim readers, and a tremendous window into the customs of Ramadan for peers and educators to learn more about Islamic traditions.
Historical realism blends with thrilling sci-fi to deliver a story that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. It’s a timely and excellent choice for readers in a world that continues to struggle with both war and identity.
Readers who love mysteries, along with singing and dancing, will enjoy this clever story that opens an intriguing window into theater history.
This graphic novel is a must-have for libraries serving upper elementary and middle school readers, blending history, artistic passion, and a timeless message of determination.
Fans of the series will enjoy the humor, mischief, and heart at the core of this story.
A powerhouse team-up from two of comic’s very best creators. Young readers who have an interest in making comics or who love to read them will benefit from understanding the process behind the format.
Beautifully written and accompanied by a glossary and a map of the island, this is a book to be shared again and again. Highly recommended for all libraries.
A classic action story filled with character-driven lore that will entertain middle graders and older readers, too.
Hand to fans of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s The War that Saved My Life and Kate Albus’s A Place to Hang the Moon. A first purchase for all libraries.
An absolutely delightful and touching family story with wonderful art, and a must-have for all shelves.
A heartrending story of grief and resilience with a surprising depth despite a brief page count. A recommended first purchase for all collections serving teens and tweens.
A simple, charmingly written story about a vacation to Guatemala that lacks the cultural depth and plot to add gravitas.
There is no denying that this is a fun read for young readers looking for more Spider-Man adventure.
A fascinating contribution to the pantheon of informational wordless books.
This ode to hip-hop and rap is a perfect partnership between music and literature; a great purchase for your library’s picture book collection.
A heartwarming story that will enrich any collection.
A fascinating look at a lesser-known field for working dogs and a surefire hit for a fictional tale that has uses for both cross-curricular connections and young dog enthusiasts.
A good read-aloud for elementary children, this tale covers how life can become a bit more hopeful with a little help from one’s friends.
A heartfelt story of time shared with family, this story will encourage imagination and exploration with elementary and primary aged children.
A beautiful and worthwhile addition to any collection.
A gratitude-enriched lesson for children that everyone has a different purpose, this book has a quiet but lasting impact for lessons on being true to oneself.
An additional purchase for most school libraries.
For public libraries, this book is an essential resource to celebrate diversity, promote positive representation, and engage readers in meaningful conversations about identity, joy, and the power of self-belief.
Children will love and relate to the arc of Bernard’s story as he patters from job to job; this is a quiet lesson on finding one’s place, big or small, night or day.
Few stories capture the joy of playing pretend in such a simple, direct way as this immensely charming book, perfect for reading aloud or independent exploration.
Pair with the original book for a heartwarming set of stories about a unicorn who is just the right size.
An inspirational instance of people spontaneously coming together to help out in the wake of a natural urban disaster.
A gorgeous and uplifting tale that will find a home in all collections. Highly recommended.
It’s hard to imagine an audience that wouldn’t be inspired by Ruthie Rose’s idea or a setting that wouldn’t be improved by implementing it.
This is a great volume for bringing an authentic First Nation voice to a historical period.
By introducing readers to themes of love and loss while fostering an appreciation for wildlife, this stunning book is sure to inspire curiosity and empathy.
What a joyful way to impart information, complete with a female-heavy group of workers, and make children rethink what they know about tools.
A tale of feminine magic, power, and strength. A must-purchase and a wonderful read.
A perfectly lovely picture book for the owl obsessed.
An exuberant love letter to all sorts of bellies and the people they belong to. Highly recommended for all collections.
There are many stories about standing up to an overbearing friend, but the fanciful twist on this one makes it stand apart. Recommended for most collections.
A heartfelt book that will resonate with families familiar with the struggles that come with chronic illness.
Taylor’s debut is recommended for most teen collections.
An affirming and nuanced graphic novel about a queer teen’s journey from fear to acceptance.
A page-turning story about high school drama, emotions, and mental and physical health that is sure to resonate with teenagers.
A deliciously heart-wrenching romantasy.
Considering this series’ fresh take on dystopian fiction with themes of mental health and eugenics, it is a must-have for library collections worthy of its place next to Lois Lowry’s The Giver and Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games.
A cutthroat boarding school story recommended for purchase where murder mysteries are particularly popular.
A strong entry point into dark academia fantasy, recommended for all libraries serving YA readers.
Sharp and satisfying, this duology belongs in all teen collections.
A fun, feel-good romance about a sports star falling for a book nerd. Recommended for libraries looking for entertaining romance graphic novels.
Recommended as a purchase for libraries seeking more stories with queer characters, or for those who want lighter sci-fi.
A treacherous, seaworthy tale full of adventure.
This unputdownable adventure is highly recommended for all collections and perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab’s “Shades of Magic” series.
The amount of sexual innuendo, dangerous situations, and strong language make this work for older teens and adults, and otherwise not an essential purchase.
A great pick for thriller fans who enjoy slasher horror movie vibes as well.
Recommended, this is a strong addition to YA mystery offerings.
An essential book for any middle school and high school collection.
Fantasy lovers and art lovers alike will make this graphic version of the classic novel a highly sought-after addition to library shelves, though it should be in addition to the original, not in place of it.
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