In these three novels, the pace and proximity of small-town life play a vital role in characters’ disparate journeys that are ultimately bids for safety, recognition, and belonging.

Chu, Kyle Casey. The Queen Bees of Tybee ­County. 320p. HarperCollins/Quill Tree. Apr. 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780063326958.
Gr 6 Up–It’s the “Summer of Yes” for ­seventh grade Chinese American Derrick Chan. As a strong basketball point guard with a best friend in fellow player JJ and basketball camp on the horizon for summer, everything seems to be aligning for Derrick. Unfortunately, Dad can’t swing the tuition, and the trajectory of Derrick’s summer takes a drastic turn. Sent to spend the summer with estranged Grandma Claudia in small town Heritage, GA, he’s certain that summer will be dull. But then Derrick meets Ro and Giles, two friends with whom he feels like he can really be himself, even painting his toenails and enjoying make up. Grandma Claudia’s organization of the town’s pageant allows Derrick to sub in for some of the absent dancers and explore some of the beautiful dresses Claudia creates for the girls. Throughout the summer, Derrick learns more about his mom, prior to her death from breast cancer, and what it means to be a drag queen. Characters are well developed, and readers will find the relationship challenges teens often face to be relatable. Learning the importance of true friendship and risking it all to be true to oneself are major themes of this engaging novel. VERDICT An important book for middle school shelves, and for any reader seeking a positive role model demonstrating courage and strength in the face of challenging situations—even when it’s family who might pose the biggest ­obstacle.–Tracy Cronce

Colossal, Eric. Ghost Town. illus. by Eric Colossal. 256p. Abrams/Fanfare. Mar. 2025. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781419745843.
Gr 5 Up–Lily Cole loves the town of Crater, even though it’s weird and run down. But it’s the place where she grew up and where all her friends live, so she’s definitely not ready to move away at the end of the summer. Lily’s life takes an unexpected turn when she’s forced to take a volunteer job at the local library, and things get even stranger when she and her friends discover that their town is haunted by thousands of ghosts. Filled with excitement, action, and humor, this story will have readers cheering for Lily and her pals as they overcome their fears to save their town. Along the way, the kids learn about the identities of these ghosts and help them resolve the unfinished business they left behind. Plenty of scenes are set in the library, where Lily deals with the ongoing struggle of keeping the collection shelved neatly, and where the whole gang learns how to do research on the town’s former residents. The artwork is teeming with visual humor and comical, exaggerated reactions from characters. The panels are filled with bright, glowing colors that will grab and keep readers’ attention. VERDICT Brimming with luminous artwork, this coming-of-age graphic novel is a perfect pick for fans of Ghostbusters, Stranger Things, and other paranormal stories that feature unlikely heroes.–Andrea Lipinski

Donnelly, Rebecca. Chess Club: The ­Winning Move. illus. by Isabelle Duffy. 208p. Farrar. Jun. 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781250328588.
Gr 5 Up–In the small town of Upton Falls, NY, sixth grader Halima dreams of having a real-life chess partner. While her cousin Abdi in Kenya helps improve Halima’s game over video chat, virtual chess is just not the same as the real thing. Encouraged by her best friend Jem, Halima bravely suggests starting a chess club at their middle school. As Halima and her new companions become more adept at playing chess, they find themselves growing stronger in their friendships, as well. This engaging, early middle grade story revolves around the game of chess both in its design and in the narrative itself. Told from multiple points of view in the third person, the plot develops from several angles and offers readers insight into each character’s motives and emotions. Occasional ­illustrations are incorporated throughout the novel, and these images serve as both a visual respite and a guide for learning the fundamentals of chess. Several of the illustrations are diagrams of specific moves on a chess board, which enhances understanding of plays that are detailed in the narrative. Though relatively brief, this story is robust in depth and thoughtful in delivery, chronicling the development of a group of friends through the lens of chess. Diverse characters and positive role modeling may mean that this book resonates with youth and adults alike. VERDICT This is an uplifting addition to library collections for newly confident middle grade readers.–Mary R. Lanni