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A standout among early readers. Every library should have a copy of this one on the shelves.
A sophisticated blend of science and realism for readers who enjoyed the time-travel mystery of Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me or the intergenerational depth of Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon. A strong addition to those seeking diverse speculative fiction with emotional resonance.
A generous view of the phases of the moon, written with great care, pacing, and illumination.
A lovely homage to Matisse’s life and work, this is a positive addition to nonfiction biography collections for young readers, and it is especially well-suited to reading aloud.
An immensely engrossing historical story, perfect for introducing elementary readers to past visionaries and locations.
Van Ness gloriously elevates these pages into empowering, enlightening entertainment.
A heartwarming, hilarious gem that young readers will return to again and again. A must-have for any collection serving young readers.
Gibson single-voicedly transforms an already electrifying read into a polyphonic marvel.
This book is a fine choice for supplementing and supporting studies of plants, animals, and natural settings. It is also useful for examining how written text and illustrations can work successfully together to inform and surprise readers.
Recommended for lower elementary grades where fearless books on difficult topics, here masterfully captured in wordless form, are collected and lauded as required viewing.
A virtuoso trio (with ending identifying credits!) connects then and now with gratifyingly healing results.
Sanderson gifts readers with a brilliantly distinctive, hair-raisingly convincing performance of Mackay’s brilliant debut.
A highly recommended Christmas story that captures the magic of friendship, this title has something for the young at heart of all ages and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
For patrons looking for a heartwarming, comforting Christmas tale, this is perfection.
An exceptional choice for libraries that cherish the stories of unsung, exceptional American people.
A must-purchase for Spanish-language YA collections, this first volume in a planned trilogy will draw readers in from the start.
Another excellent title from Fitzharris. Recommended for all middle schools.
An essential addition to middle and high school libraries, this graphic novel is a green how-to manual for 2025.
A skilled author of popular Australian children’s books takes on issues of suicide and serious illness with love and care in her first YA novel.
A highly recommended read for fans of young adult psychological thrillers and Jackson’s previous works.
A gritty story of trust and betrayal, Lucy’s life absorbs readers and leaves them wanting more. A definite first buy.
Every library, especially those looking for more LGBTQIA+ representation on their shelves, should have this on the shelves.
This tale has an unusual ecological theme that makes seed preservation not only an essential task, but sacred one. A must-have story for all libraries.
A gift made of childhood recall, wrapped in the making of a Persian rug, an act of creating “precious memories out of everyday chores.” A solid purchase for most libraries.
With its lilting text and gorgeous artwork, this is the rare book that amplifies the ferocity and the necessity of fire in nature, employing the ecology of the sagebrush.
An excellent choice for social studies units dealing with geography, as well as integrated studies showing how art and social studies can work together to create meaning. This is a beautiful, fascinating, and uniquely told book.
A must buy for every library, fostering curiosity for cultures throughout the world, and bringing balance to such Eurocentric works as the Opies’ landmark titles.
Highly recommended especially for collections with fans of collected biographies such as Vashti Harrison’s “Leaders & Dreamers” series and Robin Stevenson “Kid Legends.”
With its manageable and impactful subject matter alongside engrossing illustrations, this is a valuable handbook for learning about the objects that surround readers every day
Readers will discover a wonderful role model and a perfect message: be true to yourself and do what you love. A touching and wonderful tribute to a real star, and a first purchase for all libraries.
A powerful addition to the genre of teen fighting competition novels, and for fans of The Hunger Games.
This feel-good magical fetch-quest-style adventure will do well in libraries with diverse young fantasy readers who love a cozy tale.
A first purchase for libraries building collections around Jewish history, refugee experiences, and stories of resilience for young readers.
An overall rich narrative, this book covers an important but underrepresented Indian tradition of gifting mithai boxes, making it a necessary purchase or read.
A great purchase for nonfiction resource collections serving upper-elementary and middle school readers.
With a compassionate tone, accurate information, and thoughtful design, this book is easily one of the best resources available for young people navigating adolescence.
Recommended first purchase for all library collections. Ideal for read-alouds or independent readers.
An absolute winner with comic touches and tenderness that will speak to a generation of readers who are part of families that are “on the go” and yet looking for an alternative to the pace of modern life. Highly recommended.
This celebration of food and family is a perfect addition to picture book collections.
A joyful romp that celebrates toddlerhood’s grandest adventures, this is a strong addition to collections serving the youngest readers and their copilots.
Sparrow is suitable for young readers exploring emotions and change, and the end notes provide valuable context for older readers interested in history, culture, and language.
A sweet, heartwarming tale that celebrates the universal language of friendship and understanding. A recommended choice for sharing one-on-one or in small group read-alouds.
Educators and caregivers alike will love sharing this title, an excellent book for all.
Firmly rooted in Wyeth’s childhood this title will appeal to budding artists as Wyeth’s story is one that offers a path for those who find their passion for the world best expressed through art. Recommended.
Highly recommended for librarians who are looking for new and fresh ideas on youth programming, but struggling to connect their brainstorming in a cohesive, marketable series of events.
Highly recommended. An excellent, perspective-expanding resource that challenges readers to critically examine youth literature through an ethnic studies lens.
In every way, this title is hard to put down, difficult to forget, and unequivocally needed in all collections as buried stories of marginalized groups are brought to the forefront through the refreshingly accessible graphic novel format.
This touching, heartrending work will inspire young people to action. With so many curricular tie-ins and as a powerful choice for aspiring activists and artists, and striving readers, this is a must-purchase for all collections.
A must-purchase for any school library with lovers of fantasy, this novel hits all the right notes and will have readers eagerly awaiting the rest of the series.
A rare sequel that not only surpasses its original but creates a unique LGBTQIA+ standalone story, masterfully told in an accessible verse novel format.
An excellent read that thoughtfully approaches the discussion of grief and its complexity. Highly recommended.
This fantastically thrilling ghost story will have readers flinching at all the little noises that go bump in the night. Selectors should pick up multiple copies, as this won’t stay on the shelves long.
Best suited to an elementary school-aged audience, this narrative nonfiction picture book engagingly introduces young readers to a lesser-known WWII hero.
A must-have for educators and librarians looking to inject creativity into their classrooms. Rodari provides a thoughtful, informed approach to how imagination and play can foster critical thinking.
This is a first choice for any library seeking picture books about the fascinating origins of “We.”
This would be a first choice for any library looking for new nonfiction picture books. The artwork and the story are inspiring and beautiful.
Destined to become a cherished read-aloud in classrooms everywhere, this title is a first choice for picture book collections.
An unusual sensory exploration that plants readers alongside Lewis, offering them a blueprint of sorts for listening closely for their own personal soundscapes.
This vibrant and heartwarming tale is an exceptional addition to every school and classroom library. Not only is it fun and exciting, but it also delivers a powerful and necessary message about recognizing the value in everyone’s abilities, affirming that each individual is important and necessary.
Author and illustrator, one working with a spare palette of barely expressed emotions, and one creating nakedly realistic, beautiful scenes of boyhood, deliver a story of bonding that is so very much greater than the sum of its parts.
There are no mistakes in these pages, just an SEL lesson writ large, delivered with perfect comic timing. A must.
A funny, well-written book that is a recommended purchase for classrooms and schools that celebrate Halloween, particularly with children who might frequently get anxious about new and unfamiliar things.
Full of constant twists and turns of love and terror, Alice/Belle’s life is made up of decisions big and small that shape her anger into action and ends on a very ambiguous note. A very strong first buy.
This is a must-purchase for all libraries. Finn’s journey from loss to gain is both breathtaking and deeply satisfying.
A meditative, charming delight for readers who appreciate stories of found family and quiet transformation. A solid purchase for elementary fiction collections.
This book is straight up O.G. and brand new; children will scream, "Just right!" at story hours and envy Bear and his louche life among human objects.
Engaging and informative, these compassionate poems will resonate with readers, and together with the exquisitely crafted illustrations, will bring the important story of Harriet Tubman to life. Highly recommended for all school and public libraries.
Younger audiences, as well as teachers and librarians on the lookout for quick indoor stretches that are fun and safe, will go bananas.
A must-have for early reader collections and an excellent continuation of the series.
A rich and visually layered book that encourages readers to see their voices as part of the American story.
This story of one of the most pivotal engineering accomplishments in U.S. history, told from diverse perspectives, is highly recommended for middle and high school collections.
An important and compelling work that belongs in all high school and public libraries.
A real humdinger of a story told by master storyteller; this title will appeal to tweens seeking high-stakes, high-fun realistic fiction.
Enhancing a classic and empowering readers to better understand complex imagery, this faithful and beautiful adaptation is a must purchase for all graphic novel collections.
Birdsall is so adept at magical realism that after finishing this book, readers will likely keep an eye out for fairylike creatures the next time they visit a museum or library. An essential purchase for all middle grade collections.
Stunning illustrations coupled with a thrilling plot make this a standout title that belongs in all YA graphic novel sections.
Brimming with heart and humor, this poignant and thought-provoking graphic novel is perfect for fans of awkward romantic entanglements with fantastic twists.
A beautifully written and compassionate story of healing set against the horror of a brutal generational ritual.
A vibrant bilingual addition ideal for libraries growing early literacy collections.
An essential, empowering addition to early literacy, SEL, and identity collections.
A visually striking and conscientiously crafted counting book that elevates early concept shelves.
A beautiful reflection on the wonders of a found family, and an important book for the shelves; blended families, chosen families--all will find succor in this volume.
A vibrant, affirming addition to picture book collections that centers cultural pride, self-love, and intergenerational wisdom. Highly recommended for libraries looking to support diverse and inclusive storytelling.
A strong first buy. This stellar combination of poetry and art draws readers into the wide experiences of being Black.
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