A truly uplifting read for anyone, but especially for those who have ever felt alone and unheard by being new, different, or othered. Highly recommended for any library serving youth.
A highly recommended work that will have kids wanting to learn more about robotics.
An approachable, comprehensive guide to empower kids to find their passion and make a change. A must-purchase for all libraries.
This book is especially recommended because it not only explains the growth of a successful writer, but it also can stimulate discussions of the ways in which reading and writing enrich our lives.
A stunning book and essential purchase, stuffed with ideas, poetic musings, and more than one reason to connect with rocks wherever they are found.
An outstanding choice for biography and science classes, women’s history studies, and Black history studies.
Answering deep questions, this book will encourage meaningful, grounded discussions and will be an important part of the elementary library collection.
A fantastic resource for introducing children to robotics. This book educates and inspires, making it a valuable addition to any children’s library.
A lovely addition to more traditional biographies of van Gogh, with particular appeal to younger readers. This will inspire discussion, and perhaps an art lesson or two.
Required reading for independent spirits
Debut author Mepani pulls from her own childhood experiences to capture a single Saturday gathering full of family, friends, and joyful chaos. An important book for every growing library collection.
This charming book will have children holding love in their hands; a must-have for any social-emotional collection.
This delightful picture book allows Indigenous children to connect with and feel pride in the abundance of powwow participation, and gives all readers a great counting book full of cultural imagery.
A fun and imaginative story to read aloud with young children.
A plea for peace that younger readers will clearly hear, pointing no accusatory fingers, but shining with steady resolve to endure.
The sensitive treatment and outstanding illustrations warrant a recommended purchase; this is a loving story with beautiful artwork for a broad audience on the importance of grandparents and memory.
A priority purchase for fans of the first book and any collection with teens in search of their post–“Percy Jackson” obsession.
An insightful and empowering graphic novel about the complexities of 1980s South Korea, featuring young people’s pursuit of justice and freedom of thought despite the risks.
Equally heartbreaking and uplifting, this recommended book reminds readers that a forgotten past is irreplaceable, and the present is a gift.
A first purchase for upper elementary and middle school library collections.
A story that needs to be remembered, this works equally well as an introduction to Anne Frank as it does as a fictional supplement to readers already familiar with her diary. Adult support of readers’ questions and emotional responses to the book may be needed.
A compelling and strong addition to middle grade graphic fiction collections.
A heartfelt must-read story for any kid who has felt “othered” in their life, with the hope that they find support and community.
Magical and fresh, this is easily one of the best graphic novels of the year.
A beautifully told novel in verse about family and community. Recommended for all middle grade collections.
With laugh-out-loud humor, rich cultural details, and eye-catching illustration, this series opener will have readers clamoring for the next installment. An essential first purchase.
Highly recommended for purchase in all collections.
Contemplative, joyful, and informative, this book is recommended for school and public libraries.
A fantastic addition to holiday book collections.
Amid many holiday book options that retell the same stories, Stickler stands out as a fresh expression of Christmas spirit.
This sweeping embrace of winter and fall celebrations is a visually stunning addition to holiday book collections.
A heartwarming story celebrating Hanukkah that is both cheerful and informational.
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Indigenous literature and culture, and for those looking to expand their perspectives of the holiday season. It is an easy read-aloud and would be a wonderful addition to any library.
A feel-good holiday story that will warm hearts for Christmases to come. Holiday collections will welcome this gift.
A delightful tale and a great addition to any children’s library collection.
Visually stunning and funny, this is recommended for all libraries serving children and has potential to be used in language arts classes beyond elementary as a prompt for writing projects.
This is an artistic masterpiece introducing readers to centuries of artistic movements, while reinforcing the strengths and merits of being one’s authentic self.
An utterly compelling narrative of a woman who was integral to the fight for Civil Rights and mostly overlooked by history. Colorful and engaging, it is a reminder of how much women sacrificed to fight for equality. Strong first buy.
A must-have for all elementary collections.
This story of a teen’s life with a single mom fighting addiction is often harsh and tense, but it remains honest, believable, and quite engaging.
A perfect queer and spooky addition to YA collections.
This beautiful anthology of Jewish tradition that emphasizes empathy, small kindnesses, and hope is the perfect read for all students.
A first purchase for collections.
A poignant debut, this book with diverse representation and wide appeal updates the holiday story.
These Spanish-language titles are perfect for school and public library early reader collections.
Glorious illustrations and the constant refrain of chants and noises draw readers into Bineshii’s powwow through sound, sight, and movement. Strong first buy and a good addition to story time materials.
An instant YA horror classic. Highly recommended.
This timely and timeless selection is a perfect fit for every school library.
This book belongs in all middle school libraries; it deftly discusses important histories and hot topics facing young readers today.
Reading this book on more than one level makes it a must-buy for the elementary school library; its appeal crosses grade levels, which is unusual, but it never stops being perfectly timed silliness that even very young children will love.
This is a wonderful look at how immigrants have changed a community for the better. It would be an excellent book for a lesson on how communities evolve over time. A first choice for libraries needing books about communities, immigration, and changes over time.
With a wide range of skin tones and clothing, this is a welcome addition to the story hour roster.
A phenomenal occult thriller. Give this to fans of lesbian Wicca and they will be over the moon.
A rollicking book for story hours or independent reading, this title is fun to share and a must for collections aimed at emerging readers.
An earnest romance that strikes the perfect balance of hope and resilience while challenging readers to consider a world outside of their own. Purchase this title.
Definitely a worthy purchase for library shelves.
This graphic novel tackles mental health topics and includes strong overtones of resilience that make it a worthy addition to any middle grade collection.
Subtle, beautiful, and detailed, this gem is recommended for all collections.
An unforgettable tale of triumph. The message is perfect for readers of all ages, but the book itself works for first through fifth grades, and deserves to be in all collections.
Artists, lovers of art, and those curious about the human drive to mark time on this planet through creative expression will all appreciate this profoundly beautiful and informative book; highly recommended.
For fans of Emma Lord or Nicola Yoon, this hopeful romance that follows two teens through times of grief and joy will resonate with many readers.
A powerful addition to all middle grade library shelves highlighting a time in history that has been hidden and often forgotten in both Canada and the U.S.
Another magnificent outing from this creative team, filled with the warmth of family and the laugh-inducing high jinks; this is for all picture book collections.
This is a worthy book for budding scientists and kids who appreciate slimy details. Fact mongers will be inspired.
With countless uses and a resonant story, purchase this for all picture book collections.
A nuanced and inspirational story with warm and heroic characters who successfully bring a powerful historical event to life.
This swashbuckling, supernatural adventure into the land of Ghanian mythology will have all readers (and especially fans of Rick Riordan Presents titles) craving more. Highly recommended.
Making the decision to add this to your collection should be as easy as isa, dalawa, tatlo.
A lyrical and powerful addition to any collection. Recommended.
This LGBTQIA+ novel is essential to every collection serving teens and offers a fine choice for book discussions.
An important choice for library shelves.
A whimsical and charming play set cleverly as a picture book to engage children who are comfortable with the Spanish language.
Informative and inspirational without veering into sentimentality, this title is useful across curricula and will have readers rethinking the value of items that appear seemingly worthless. Highly recommended.
As an important work in combating mob mentality and misinformation, this is a good purchase for libraries to connect historical events to today’s current issues.
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.
This graphic novel is undeniably unique and worth young readers’ time.
This highly readable verse memoir beautifully portrays the internal anguish of growing up and adapting to life in a new country.
Those familiar with Hunsinger’s moving New Yorker comic story “How to Draw a Horse” will be thrilled with this beautiful, heartfelt, longer work. A must-have for any library serving middle and high school students.
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.
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.
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.
Lukoff models good behavior for kids (and, let’s face it, adults) without being lecturing or preachy. A must-have.
An adorable and hilarious picture book that teaches readers the magic of the very low bar.
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.
A emotionally rich and complex coming-of-age story. Amélie is a well-written character teenagers will understand and will want to root for.
With broad appeal to both WWII and mystery enthusiasts, this highly recommended title is a first purchase for all libraries serving tweens and teens.
This healing slice-of-life graphic novel lights a bright path for LGBTQIA+ romance plots by including characters with intersectional experiences. A must-have for all collections.
A must for all collections, this four-generation saga of Filipino fathers and sons will resonate with teenagers of all cultures.
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 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 vital resource for tweens and teens embarking on the tumultuous journey of self-discovery, offering guidance, understanding, and empowerment in equal measure.
A marvelous primer for learning about nature and developing curiosity about the natural world in a playful way.
An excellent choice for a book report and a good addition to a children’s nonfiction collection.
Highly recommended for collections serving high schoolers.
Young readers will love this book. Purchase at least two copies
An appealing and beautifully illustrated biography, this book deserves a place on all library shelves.
The fictional construct of a girl staring at the sky is hardly necessary; lively language and gorgeous illustrations make this an excellent introduction to astronomy for a wide audience of primary grade readers.
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