The personification works to great effect in this addition to the series and libraries should definitely give Venus her well-deserved spot on the shelves. Highly recommended.
Rich vocabulary and a hilarious water-hating cat make this a stellar choice for all collections. Highly recommended and highly enjoyable.
A masterpiece about the circle of life through the eyes of one so seemingly small will resonate with readers and provide hope to triumph over some of the most difficult parts of life.
A must-purchase for any high school library’s YA romance collection; this book will resonate with many readers, particularly fans of Quindlen and those struggling with their identity.
An ethereal collection of masterfully rendered original folktales to remind readers of the reverence and wariness that nature deserves.
A strikingly unique and deeply intimate ruminative journey through a teen’s innermost feelings.
Bledel’s narration of a much-loved tale taps into older listeners’ nostalgia while also providing a beautiful, fresh introduction for new audiences. This is a treat.
A solemn and respectful reminder to younger readers of what was paid and what is owed
A highly recommended, warm, funny, and meaningful addition to holiday and multicultural collections.
Add the latest volume of the publisher’s adorable board book biographies to collections lacking Latinx representation.
Readers who love Holly Jackson, Karen McManus, and E. Lockhart will find this book difficult to put down.
A lively, culturally rich holiday tale that blends folklore, language, and inclusivity; a recommended addition to library shelves.
Give this humorous and modern Shakespeare retelling to fans of Molly Horton Booth’s “Arden High” series or any reader looking for a humorous graphic novel.
Skillfully interweaving sports history with critical social and political contexts, this is an invaluable resource for students interested in American history, civil rights, and the enduring power of sports. An excellent and insightful historical non-fiction work and a must-have addition for school libraries.
This Spanish-language biography brings to light the incredible life and contributions of Luz Jiménez and is highly recommended for all Spanish children’s collections, especially where there are gaps in Mexican artist representation.
This accessible introduction into young detective Korobá’s world is both narratively efficient and visually exquisite; a promising start to a planned series of graphic mysteries.
Horror fans will devour this book.
A thoughtful, beautifully crafted title that honors a literary classic on the eve of its centennial and introduces “the Best Bear in All the World” to a new generation.
A highly recommended cozy read. Hand this one to fans of Aiden Thomas and Becky Albertalli.
A fantastic depiction of the upside of boredom
A suspense-filled hit for YA thriller readers. This whodunit won’t remain on the shelves for long.
Fans of books with politically active protagonists, such as A.S. King’s Attack of the Black Rectangles and any of Jewel Parker Rhodes’s novels, will love the new and emboldened Paul Fisher.
Highly recommended, especially for collections where horror is often requested by young readers.
Young biologists, thrilled with the photos and fun facts, will not want to put this one down. An excellent choice for browsing and research.
A unique perspective on social justice fatigue with a magical realism element that will have readers run the gamut of emotions. A necessary purchase for young adult collections.
A must-have for all collections serving young people, this tale pairs a brilliant sense of humor with great comedic timing. This instant classic will have children pondering their own fortunes as well as those of their friends.
This book is everything children need in a book: smart, funny, relevant, and surprising
For fans of the works of Alan Gratz and Nathan Hale, as well as Lauren Tarshis’s “I Survived” series.
Recommended for those who enjoy character-driven novels, fantastical settings, and elaborate alternative histories.
An unforgettable, fast-paced survival story written in language that is both accessible and authentic. A must-purchase for middle-grade collections where adventure, resilience, and true survival tales are in demand. Perfect for Hatchet fans looking for their next read.
A landmark work in the “kids love poop” genre, this is a must-buy for every collection.
A charming, tender story about making friends, sisterhood, and the importance of family and community.
A stellar companion novel about one tween’s struggles and ambitions that can stand alone but will have newer readers sprinting to the rest of the books in this excellent series.
A historical fiction adventure that is highly recommended.
A tearjerking realistic fiction read about love and loss that should be added to all middle grade collections.
Lilting prose and textured collage visually and lyrically represent big feelings in this powerful title. Highly recommended.
This is a must-read for fans of folklore, horror, monsters, and LGBTQIA+ fiction.
Strongly recommended for fans of Greek and Roman mythology, particularly feminist retellings such as Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne or Madeline Miller’s Circe.
An important and well-done title that teachers will want to explore with their students.
At a time when Messi biographies are in abundance, this one stands out for its celebration of the phenom’s dedication and resilience in the face of childhood struggles. A first purchase for school and public library biography shelves of an admirable role model.
With vibrant visuals and an incisive narrative, this compelling new look at the Age of Exploration is a first purchase for children’s nonfiction collections.
A remarkable tribute to those who made space travel possible in unexpected ways, this is a highly recommended STEM purchase to inspire a new generation of women.
Poring over the details and finding themselves in the pages makes this a mirror-and-window board book with reach beyond the usual preschool demographic.
The pigeon will count to 10 in story hours and classroom counting units; children can take it from there. Bold and funny.
Board books don’t always come with an “essential” stamp, but this one is.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoyed books like John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars or Dustin Thao’s You’ve Reached Sam.
Deeply unsettling and absolutely perfect for those who understand the vulnerability at the root of every vicious monster.
A compelling and important addition for mature young adult collections, this novel powerfully portrays the fight for freedom and self-determination against overwhelming odds.
This inventive and explosive beginning to a cyberpunk trilogy is a first purchase.
Highly recommended for libraries serving older teens
A must-have book for educators and libraries about the importance of medicine.
Gr 1-4–Using a friendly tone and speaking directly to readers, this book explains how a carbon atom that is now in a human might once have been in the body of a dinosaur...
Succinct text, audacious facts, and vibrant imagery make this nonfiction text a good selection for preschool-aged readers with an interest in animal adaptations.
Informative and engaging, this is an important addition to nonfiction library collections for elementary school-aged readers. Grades K-3
Cassidy excels in making history personal in a way that middle grade readers will connect to and feel empowered by and lets young people know they too can be creative, break down barriers, and help their communities.
For collections in need of more diversity in their political leader sections, this book will make a great addition.
An educational tool in an accessible format, and an excellent buy for librarians who collaborate with English teachers.
Messner’s newest entry in the massively popular “History Smashers” series is accurate, entertaining, and compulsively readable–a must-purchase for library and classroom collections alike!
A must-purchase for libraries looking for books on algorithms, bias, and media literacy.
A lovely look at the seasons, an excellent choice for story time, that shows the sensory experience of a child who is never depicted as anything but whole.
This is a perfect fit for SEL lessons about owning up to one’s mistakes and asking for forgiveness. A must-buy and ideal read-aloud for all libraries.
A nearly perfect board book in tone and content. Bring it on, story hour.
This is a delightful and highly recommended picture book that celebrates imagination, communication, and the power of forming new friendships. It supports social-emotional learning (SEL) by encouraging openness, curiosity, and embracing unexpected connections, making it ideal for school libraries.
This book offers a unique and engaging blend of fictional storytelling and scientific education, making it an excellent addition to school library collections. It celebrates themes of self-identity, bravery, and understanding scientific concepts in a fun, accessible way, making it valuable for young readers and for social-emotional learning.
Heartfelt and moving, this is an exceptional and a must-have for the shelves helping children deal with divorce and other challenges.
This simple yet highly effective early reader will greatly help new readers. A first purchase for all early reader collections.
This is a tender, culturally rich story that belongs in every school and community library. A touching celebration of culture, honesty, and family that inspires young readers to cherish their roots.
A definite first purchase that can be read as a standalone or as part of its series.
A timely, heartfelt, and emotive adventure for fans of survival or dog narratives utilizing a quick pace to grip readers.
Young readers will be motivated to engage with science in the latest edition of this series.
This would be an excellent addition to any children’s biography collection, especially those needing stories about health care workers or rural communities.–Debbie Tanner
A must-have title that brings the wonders (and challenges) of Antarctica vividly to life.
Above all, this essential book provides a unique perspective by showing how communities can enjoy the experience of watching animals that live nearby and assist them as needed so that they continue to live satisfying lives.
Will picture book readers take up the message in this dazzling display of artistic versatility, that art is something they can make themselves as well as admire in books and on museum walls? Of course they will.
A funny yet realistic glimpse into the lives of young adults struggling with mental illness as they strive towards brighter futures by trying to connect with the world around them and finding understanding friends.
With language guaranteed to tickle any middle grader’s funny bone, this book makes learning about the endocrine and exocrine systems fun and engaging. Recommended for every middle school library.
This novel is as much about courage and redemption as it is about folklore and danger. Dark, lyrical, and unforgettable, it lingers long after the final page. Fans of haunting myths and richly drawn characters will find much to savor here.
A first purchase, especially where thrillers and historical fiction are popular.
Timely and immediately engaging, this is a clear first purchase for all middle grade and YA collections
Bittersweet and emotional, this title is perfect for graphic novel and memoir shelves and as a curricular tie-in.
This tender story about empathy, war, and family is a must-buy for libraries with readers who already love Applegate’s dynamic repertoire.
Readers should get ready to laugh and cry as they spend the summer helping Glory and Gus solve the mystery of belonging.
This guide is a smart, accessible blueprint for youth and caregivers interested in making positive changes in their communities by providing sound advice and plans, moderated by the reality that creating change can be challenging. A great first buy for all libraries.
Hand this collection to any reader who is looking for a place made for them; they will find it between these pages.
A fantastic purchase for YA collections.
From the informative bilingual poems to the incredible artwork, this title is a great choice to learn more about these important peoples. A must-have for children’s book collections.
A deeply affirming portrayal of sibling dynamics and growing up. Highly recommended for collections exploring family, emotional resilience, and love in all its quiet forms.
This gorgeously illustrated picture book about sisterhood is a must-purchase for all collections.
For story hours and read-alones, this is for dinosaur lovers and all readers
Gentle and loving, this is a ghost story for readers who are looking for something beyond the traditional scary ghost story for a tale of everlasting connection. Wistful and wish-fulfillment personified: What reader has not hoped that a loved one long gone is near?
For nonfiction that elicits an emotional investment from readers, this is an excellent purchase for all libraries.
A must-purchase biography that illuminates both an important American innovator and the origins of a timeless art form.
A strong first buy for its explanations and examples of how to become an ally, while clearly explaining that it is ongoing and personal work.
A superb effort for enthusiasts who want the latest technological advances in dinosaur research. Perfect for libraries, classrooms, and research.
This powerful tale of race and American culture and history seamlessly weaves a popular middle grade topic, football, with crucial lessons about justice and humanity for tween and younger teens. This is Barnes at his best and is a required purchase for middle school libraries.
Fans of Jasper Rabbit will love this new addition to the popular series.
Lovers of historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy this novel, which is recommended for all junior high and high school collections.
A strong addition for library collections looking to expand their Sapphic sports and rom-com offerings.
A middle grade must-read highly recommended for fans science fiction and books like A Wrinkle in Time.
A skillful tale of family lost and found, one that skillfully weaves discussion of heavier and relevant topics into a comedic plot.
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