As always, a list of five is only sharing a tiny bit of what’s new this month. Check your local library for other new releases!
How do we make the world safe for all of us to express our emotions? To begin with, we need to stick together as we cry and laugh our way through the world.
These titles with book banning and censorship themes are good to share with students and patrons of all ages during Banned Books Week and all year round.
How GUAVA AND GRUDGES Pays Homage to the Golden Age of YA Romance, a guest post by author Alexis Castellanos
When I started working on my novel A Second Chance on Earth, I wanted to capture, in verse, the beauty and complexity of a Colombia that I love so intensely.
Lisa Fipps returns to talk about her latest book And Then, Boom!
I’m thrilled to share the Team Canteen kids with this next generation of readers and hope the members of The Baby-Sitters Club would choose to sit with them in the mess hall.
These titles include the background for the current state of book banning, as well as ideas to help librarians respond proactively and reactively. Turn to these titles for information and inspiration for the fight.
This is well-crafted narrative nonfiction. Purchase where more coverage of the artist is needed.
Recommended for general purchase for all nonfiction collections; there are impossibly few resources available to this readership that take on this topic and cover it in such depth.
Recommended only for research or where presidential biographies are in demand or need updating.
An excellent resource that is a recommended addition to any school library.
A highly recommended work that will have kids wanting to learn more about robotics.
A great addition to any collection, as it builds an influential bond between readers and nature’s call to aid in its rejuvenation.
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.
This is a powerful and accessible invitation for readers of all ages to embrace and support the freedom inherent to all.
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 informative biography that highlights the importance of making difficult decisions and helping others, and an inspiring read for young audiences.
In the books for new siblings space, this is a very thoughtful and thorough approach.
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.
An excellent purchase to help readers learn about the importance of the brain, and a great addition to Gravel’s other nonfiction titles.
A compelling set of stories that will fascinate animal lovers, and a recommended purchase.
A compelling story of a young girl remaining true to herself, this will inspire readers and athletes of all faiths.
Words and illustrations provide an excellent introduction to how one woman brought her love of fine Chinese food to the United States.
Required reading for independent spirits
Positive, straightforward, and useful, this appealing graphic novel is a solid choice for youth collections.
This is a joyful but meaty take on the celestial beings that surround Earth. It delivers solid SEL as well: in an argument between good friends, sometimes all that’s needed is a little perspective.
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.
A beautiful love letter to Latinx culture celebrating the importance of family culinary traditions.
This charming book will have children holding love in their hands; a must-have for any social-emotional collection.
This can be enjoyed with or without acknowledging the Neanderthal/Homo Sapien subtext, but either way it should be read aloud to make the most of the poetic text. A good choice for most libraries.
Make story hours that contrast this "Three Little Pigs" with other more traditional tellings, and watch Ruby, again, come in first, but with grace.
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 positive and uplifting book with a generous circular ending that young readers will love.
An odd interactive introduction to the concept of local resources and problem-solving but not entirely relatable for the intended audience.
A fun and imaginative story to read aloud with young children.
An uplifting story that celebrates the idea of “extraordinary,” which includes the story’s heroine, one’s friends, and Japan’s gift of cherry trees to the nation’s capital.
A fun fantasy about finding one’s own place as well as respecting that in others.
An easily digestible morsel of life advice, not too heavy on the moralistic sauce, but tweaked with a dash of cleverness.
A gentle invitation to young readers to explore the joy and possibility of reading.
A moody book about adventure and one’s place in the world, this isn’t essential but will find receptive readers.
A plea for peace that younger readers will clearly hear, pointing no accusatory fingers, but shining with steady resolve to endure.
For the construction shelf, for story hours, for busy toddlers to pore over, this is one rescue that everyone will want in on.
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.
This is a pleasurable read-aloud for intergenerational pairings, as well as a book younger readers will want to reread often.
At around 200 pages, this standalone book doesn’t feel overwhelming and would be a good choice for reluctant readers and those who enjoy pop culture.
The opening chapters are powerful enough to pull in reluctant readers, but later chapters require much more diligence. A secondary purchase for libraries in need of beefing up their horror/supernatural offerings.
While this graphic novel will inevitably bring to mind other paranormal romances, its great art, identifiable characters, and interesting plot and conflict will make it a hit with readers.
Despite some moments of heavy exposition, this blend of magical elements, family drama, and murder mystery wraps up neatly, providing a satisfying standalone read.
A fine graphic novel that navigates tumultuous historic events, this is a good choice for book reports and readers who can't get enough of WWII stories.
Hand this to readers who enjoy supernatural adventures involving bonds between the living and the dead.
A priority purchase for fans of the first book and any collection with teens in search of their post–“Percy Jackson” obsession.
This story is touching, heartbreaking, and poignant. A must for readers who enjoy complex emotional journeys.
A moving portrayal of a teen confronting the world and himself. Recommended.
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.
This beautiful Slavic reimagining of “The Little Mermaid” will appeal to fans of fairy-tale retellings and queer romantasy adventures.
Equally heartbreaking and uplifting, this recommended book reminds readers that a forgotten past is irreplaceable, and the present is a gift.
Hand this title to fans of Tracy Smith’s First Lady of Jamestown and Lauren Groff’s The Vaster Wilds. A general purchase for high school libraries.
This graphic novel is sure to be a hit for fans of Paper Girls, Stranger Things, and Unbeatable Squirrel Girl.
Readers will find themselves drawn into the dark story of this small town. With only some violence and brief description of dead bodies, it would be acceptable for younger teen readers.
A modern take on horror for fans of Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Jordan Peele films that falls short due to a lack of clarity.
Part fast-paced adventure, part poignant coming-of-age romance, Full Shift is recommended for all teen collections and pairs well with Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle’s Squad.
A fun romantic adventure with a bit of magical realism. Great for fans of the film The Mummy and novels like Holly Rose’s Until the Stars Fall.
Storm and the art team beautifully weave a story about culture, heritage, family, loss, and grief in a tight-knit package.
This book will delight readers with its dark comedy, but also provides enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing. A perfect release for the upcoming spooky season.
Both a nuanced look at the complexities of being trans in our current landscape and a thoroughly enjoyable horror thriller, this book is sure to appeal to teens who love Jordan Peele films or Tiffany D. Jackson.
Hand this to any young student (and sci-fi fan) trying to find their place in their community.
General purchase for libraries needing quick realistic fiction reads.
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.
This graphic novel leaps onto the stage as a great option for those who enjoy team sports manga.
Even those with no previous knowledge of the band will be fully immersed in Tegan and Sara’s backstory, thanks to their own narrative skills and the support of a fine visual artist who is fully onboard.
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 fresh new fantasy for readers who enjoy feisty, brave protagonists doing what they feel is right with heart and humor.
A beautifully told novel in verse about family and community. Recommended for all middle grade collections.
Despite the temptation to skip certain longer sections, readers will find the imagination and creativity throughout make this a worthwhile addition to any library.
A well-rounded title that will appeal to fans of the titular god and Norse mythology, and readers looking for an action-packed story. A great purchase for libraries where O’Connor’s work circulates well.
Fans of mystery and the paranormal will enjoy Danica’s adventures; a debut that leaves readers wanting more.
Friendships, classroom dynamics, and extracurricular interests get complicated for many, and eighth graders will delight in finding mirrors for their increasingly self-aware lives.
Meyer and Levy bring warmth and depth to the classic separated-at-birth trope with this gentle story. Recommended for tween fiction collections.
Just as endearing as the first book, this follow-up is sure to leave readers eager for the next volume. Enthusiastically recommended for libraries everywhere.
This funny, fast-paced celebration of horror movies will appeal to fans of “Goosebumps” and similar series.
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.
This book will resonate with readers who are navigating the trials of adolescence and the difficulty of embracing the unknown, as well as those interested in space and mythology.
Highly recommended for purchase in all collections.
A book sure to delight sports and historical fiction fans. Highly recommended for upper elementary and middle school collections, and where sports and historical fiction are in high demand.
This middle grade graphic novel with heaping amounts of humor and heart gives readers what they want.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, but make it horror; this title is sure to be a hit with middle grade readers.
This hilarious, action-packed tale of friendship hits the middle grade sweet spot. A recommended first purchase.
A unique addition to a Christmas book collection that is sure to be enjoyed by older children who appreciate cheeky humor and a foil to more wholesome Santa classics.
An appealing picture book about a Jewish family gathering to share stories, cook traditional recipes, make new memories, and celebrate an ancient miracle.
An overdue, modernized approach to Kwanzaa that informs young people about this holiday in easily understood text with relatable, engaging illustrations.
Fans will welcome this nice addition to the series.
Contemplative, joyful, and informative, this book is recommended for school and public libraries.
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