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A sensitive portrayal of a family working through grief together. A must-have for every library.
Here is a small selection of twenty books which score 8/10 or higher on my personal "Fear Factor" grading used in The YA Horror 400.
A strong entry in the family and friends graphic novel genre. Give this to fans of Raina Telgemeier, Shannon Hale, Varian Johnson, and Nathan Fairbairn.
Fans of “Hilda and Twig” will love this fantastic new outing, which also works perfectly as a standalone or an introduction for those new to the series.
PREMIUM
Millie Magnus Won’t Be Bullied
A cute social-emotional read for kiddos. Pair with Doreen Cronin’s “Chicken Squad” series for more lively fun.
This tender and introspective graphic novel is full of hope and is a great choice for fans of Raina Telgemeier.
PREMIUM
A Tricky Kind of Magic
A promising and unique addition to juvenile graphic novel sections, perfect for kids looking for something reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland or for those trying to find a way to manage their own grief.
PREMIUM
Dog Trouble
A successful story of overcoming challenges with compassion and patience, and a recommended purchase for libraries, especially for those who can’t seem to have enough graphic novels for their patrons.
This gut-wrenching story of hope and resilience needs to find its way to all readers’ hands.
PREMIUM
The Firelight Apprentice
While a bit sad throughout, this graphic novel builds toward a high note thanks to a cast of goodhearted characters and will be a hit with young fantasy readers.
PREMIUM
Taco Tuesdays: A Wish Novel
This fast-paced book with relatable characters will appeal to readers and parents alike, especially those interested in food, cooking, and family-run businesses. Highly recommended for collections.
The perfect realistic read for readers pursuing family, friendship, and hope.
This book’s historical significance and poignant narrative offers a realistic, empathetic understanding of the impact of war. A compelling addition to libraries.
A poignant and honest look at the trials of racism that defined the historic land rush; a must-buy for all libraries.
PREMIUM
Swimming with Spies
Nuanced characters and brisk pacing add interest to a novel focusing on historical events that are now current events and rarely written about in middle grade fiction.
PREMIUM
The Ripple Effect
A charming multiple-perspective novel featuring character growth and the power of community; a great addition to larger libraries.
PREMIUM
My So-Called Family
An affecting story of persistent trauma that leaves the door open for eventual healing.
PREMIUM
The Mystery of Mystic Mountain
A great read for all fans of mysteries, puzzles, true love, and friendship.
Overall, this novel is a queer-friendly, heartwarming exploration of identity, communication, and acceptance, making it a must-read for young readers seeking an authentic and relatable story.
The novel is a must-read for those who appreciate lyrical storytelling with emotional depth.
Perfect for students who may not care to read a book cover to cover, but who can open these books and fall into the weird and wonderful worlds of discovery.
While this is a fun book to page through, get lost in, and find inspiration, the careful organization and index welcome readers across grade levels to explore and study the worlds we know and the ones we don’t know
Readers who are fascinated with dragons and lore will surely be entertained.
A good reference guide to a difficult subject that neither oversimplifies nor neglects essential facts regarding the horrors of the Holocaust.
A solid reference book for curious and astute high school students.
This provides a compelling and visually stunning overview of the prehistoric past.
Purchase for reference collections. These powerful women will inspire young people, especially girls of color, to reach for their dreams.
PREMIUM
Timelines of Extraordinary Lives
A fascinating update on the 2020 edition. Purchase where that volume has proven popular.
A good choice where Shakespeare and women’s studies are part of the curriculum.
Trivia lovers and fact hounds will hungrily pore over this. A strong purchase for reference and nonfiction collections.
An essential purchase for high school libraries and public library collections.
PREMIUM
Romans
As with previous “Factology” titles, Dinosaurs and Romans are visually engaging and well-researched nonfiction titles that will serve school projects and capture the imagination of kids who devour series such as “Eyewitness” and “Who Would Win?”
Readers will have to look elsewhere for a comprehensive history of baseball; nonetheless, this overview is a good option for most collections.
This reference book would be useful for high school students with an interest in the topic.
This example of science writing at its best is highly recommended for middle and high school library collections.
The technical information on parasites presented in this book is accessible through the use of humor and illustrations, making it a solid choice for libraries serving middle grade students.
A great resource for readers with enough background knowledge to truly understand the material.
A glorious and filling book that will leave readers well-satisfied.
PREMIUM
London: A History
Despite some missing elements, this book’s delightfully effective partnership of visual and textual storytelling makes it a solid choice for upper elementary and junior high school collections.
A fascinating and important tale of one scientist’s dedication to ocean conservation and community that will inspire many to follow in her footsteps.
While the soft yet dynamic and detailed illustrations are the stars of this book, the lyrical writing combined with solid scientific information make it a must-have for upper elementary and middle school library collections.
PREMIUM
The Library Mule of Cordoba
A good purchase to add to libraries that aim to support book discussion groups and classroom learning that coincides with true events, past and present.
PREMIUM
Thief of the Heights
The dramatic narrative asks thought-provoking questions about class and mobility under repressive systems. The murkiness of the art sometimes gets in the way of engaging with the story, but the text carries it through.
PREMIUM
Leap
A sweet, queer coming-of-age story about listening to one’s self and navigating the complex world of friendships and romance. Recommended for purchase.
Though not for the faint of heart, this touching, gripping, and heartbreaking historical graphic novel doesn’t shy away from the dark sides of the true events it’s based on, while still offering a ray of hope for the genuine good out there.
Fans of Shinkai’s previous works, such as your name or Weathering with You, will be at home here too. Purchase where epic adventure-fantasies are popular.
Featuring an entertaining, captivating narrative, this series opener is a pot of intrigue that is sure to boil over in ensuing volumes.
A standout graphic novel that belongs in every collection for artful storytelling, beautifully expressive imagery, and a heroine who is admirable and fully human.
PREMIUM
Tank Chair, Vol. 1
While far too violent for younger readers, this first volume ostentatiously highlights disability representation through outrageous fun action, laying the groundwork for a promising series where anything is possible.
PREMIUM
Heart-Shaped Lies
An additional purchase where thrillers involving social media are popular.
PREMIUM
Snow Drowned
This YA horror novel is perfect for fans of Kendare Blake, Rin Chupeco, and Madeleine Roux. The narrative is fast paced, with plot twists to keep readers intrigued and wanting more.
PREMIUM
Where the Library Hides
A singular historical romance destined for all YA collections. These characters will have a hold on readers long after the last page.
PREMIUM
Perfect Girl
An exhilarating thriller; fans of Karen M. McManus and Holly Jackson will devour it.
PREMIUM
A Queen’s Game
This wild, romantic gallop through a fascinating moment in history will delight both history buffs and readers looking for high society escapism.
PREMIUM
Fortune’s Kiss
An ardently macabre and unique horror-fantasy mashup with strong appeal for the rabid and eager fans of V.E. Schwab and Stephanie Garber who are ready to go darker.
PREMIUM
Streetlight People
Recommended for older readers, as characters partake in drinking parties and sexual relationships; a good choice for those seeking atmospheric magical realism.YA Graphic Novels
PREMIUM
Darkly
Creative and unique, this is a special treat for readers who wish Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s The Inheritance Games had been set in the world of Jumanji.
PREMIUM
Here Goes Nothing
A feisty queer retelling of a classic, perfect for a teach-along or lesson enhancement.
PREMIUM
Thanks for Listening
Gr 10 Up–Horan’s second contemporary queer YA novel is a fantastic and much-needed ace romance...
PREMIUM
If You Can Hear This
Recommended for collections where titles like Tom Ryan’s I Hope You’re Listening or Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder circulate well.
PREMIUM
Midnights With You
An emotionally gripping debut novel that shines with hope, even through its traumas and trials.
A timely and engaging read for all ages, sure to be popular with teens and adult readers of YA.
Highly recommended and appropriate for all YA collections, especially where diverse romance stories featuring women of color are popular.
An excellent purchase for school and public library collections.
A professional purchase for most school libraries.
A good resource that offers detailed insights and practical examples on how to strengthen advocacy and collaboration through ecosystem thinking.
A necessary purchase for elementary professional collections; the read-aloud experiences included provide a wealth of ideas to utilize across content areas and grade levels.
PREMIUM
Tove Jansson: Life, Art, Words
The love of the work and artist is evident, but the magic is lost in translation.
School libraries will find this a helpful addition to a well-used professional collection.
PREMIUM
The Band in Our Basement
A lovely purchase, this warm bedtime story is laced with love of music and close family feelings.
PREMIUM
Milo the Knight
A sweet tale about overcoming fears that uniquely merges the insect and medieval worlds. Recommended for picture book collections.
PREMIUM
Vanishing Act
Compelling as this is in concept, it misses the mark and is not recommended for purchase.
PREMIUM
A Face Is a Poem
A thought-provoking and beautiful discussion about what makes up a face, but an optional purchase for most libraries.
PREMIUM
A Voice in the Storm
Highly recommended; this is a compassionate look at how to support a friend overwhelmed by emotions.
PREMIUM
Like This
This sweet and charming book shows children how to connect emotions and memories through simple, repetitive language and softly colored illustrations.
PREMIUM
The Sorry Seeds
A story with a clear message about owning up to one’s mistakes that is sure to inspire discussion.
PREMIUM
Chloe and the Fireflies
This hopeful work on a subject treated all too infrequently in picture books would be a sensitive and welcome addition to any library.
PREMIUM
Leo and the Pink Marker
A wonderful book that showcases what the imagination can do, and to shelve right next to Crockett Johnson’s original.
PREMIUM
Brown Girl, Brown Girl
This gorgeously illustrated poem celebrating and elevating brown girls is a solid choice for picture book collections.
PREMIUM
Hummingbird/Aamo-binashee
A stunning book, this may have difficulty finding the right audience; a limited first buy.
A lively look at opposites that is a useful teaching tool and an examination of the many animals in a busy forest. A recommended purchase.
PREMIUM
Four Fallen Eagles
In charming and expressive imagery, readers will find a journey that requires courage, reasoning, and newfound maturity. A worthwhile purchase.
A breathtaking trip through one boy’s imagination, this beautiful picture book is highly recommended for school and public libraries.
PREMIUM
Emilio Sloth’s Modern Manners
A gentle reminder that everyone possesses the golden commodity of time when it comes to showing courtesy, compassion, and care for others.
PREMIUM
Alpacas Make Terrible Librarians
A twist on the animal-in-the-library story that is both perfect nonsense and informative.
PREMIUM
The Spark in Me
A great introduction to the wonderful world of science, this book can be used across many grade levels.
PREMIUM
Vietnamese Folktales for Children: Stories of Adventure and Wonder in Vietnamese and English
Recommended for communities with Vietnamese families and for building out collections of folktales from the world.
PREMIUM
Challah, Challah for You and Me
A quick yet joyous read, this is a sweet addition to libraries looking to expand any inclusive picture book section.
This combination of cheerful drawings and omniscient narrative, plus joyful dogs, will appeal to young readers. The book works for both story time or independent reading. A strong first buy.
The detailed illustrations and the dual layers of text make this a versatile and informative addition to collections.
Despite the playful presentation and the problems inherent in a “tear-out” section in a library, this is polished nonfiction; irreverently fun and informative, it’s an excellent selection.
A wonderful volume that gives insight into the powerful source of joy and intention; Powder’s dedication to her teachings extends into the next generations with every turn of the page.
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