Jade Armstrong’s graphic novel Scout Is Not a Band Kid is incredibly fun, with an abundance of jokes throughout the charming panels and a story that dives into the messy world of eighth-grade friendships. Review by Kaileigh Funnell. … More Scout Is Not a Band Kid by Jade Armstrong
Susan Juby’s Me Three is a daring and refreshing exploration of 11-year-old Rodney’s coming-of-age in the midst of his father’s sexual assault allegations, the displacement of his family, and his subsequent loss of direction and identity. … More Me Three by Susan Juby
Review by Kaila Johnson. By intertwining her struggles as a teenager with her life as an activist, Robinson reminds readers of her vulnerability and the weight that racism unjustly places on children’s shoulders. … More Child of the Dream: A Memoir of 1963 by Sharon Robinson
Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket is a novel of philosophy, mystery, and adventure.
Review by Ayşe Lara Yildirim … More Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket, illus. Margaux Kent
But then, the summer before middle school begins, Uncle Roderick dies. And the ghosts aren’t just cold spots and strange noises anymore: There’s a new ghost — one who seems to have an urgent message for Bug. Too Bright to See is the debut novel from librarian and children’s author Kyle Lukoff. … More Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff
Review by Claudine Yip
The anthology Once Upon an Eid celebrates the Muslim holiday of Eid. … More Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices, ed. S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed
Review by Micah Killjoy
Should Calvin and Hobbes endure as art 30 years later? Spoiler: yes, but it’s never simple. … More The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book by Bill Watterson
Review by Shyamala Parthasarathy
From narrative essays to how-to-guides to poetry and illustration, the book offers a wide range of fat writers directly addressing fat teens on topics from fashion to self-acceptance. … More The (Other) F Word, ed. Angie Manfredi
Review by Jocelyne Gregory
There’s no better way to spend a rainy day than with a good detective story. Super Detectives by Cale Atkinson is just that. Meet best friends Simon—a ghost with an obsession for writing detective novels and watching classic detective movies—and Chester—a young human who seeks adventure. … More Super Detectives by Cale Atkinson
Review by Logaine Navascués
magine a circus where words are the most exotic animal. A space where writers play with language to perform bizarre tricks and tame it into unusual yet sophisticated forms. Welcome to Alphamaniacs, a collection of mini biographies of 26 outstanding storytellers who found their own, unique ways of writing with wit and creativity. … More Alphamaniacs: Builders of 26 Wonders of the Word by Paul Fleischman, Illus. by Melissa Sweet
YOUNG ADULTING 