Drawing Deena by Hena Khan - ADVISABLE

Drawing Deena by Hena Khan, 240 pages. Salaam Reads, Simon and Schuster, 2024 $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SEVERAL 

12yo Deena is an artist. She loves to draw, especially sketches of her family and friends. Her parents seem to have money problems (she hears them arguing at night) and she's worried she is part of the problem. Her dentist has recommended she get an expensive mouth guard because she grinds her teeth at night and every morning she wakes up feeling sick, some days it carries over to school - she even threw up in the restroom. Deena wants to help her mother's boutique be more successful, so she suggests making a website for her, and getting her cousins and friends to help model the clothing. One of her sketches even ends up on the website, but nothing she does seems to make her feel better. 

I love how Khan writes for the Pakistani community but her books appeal to readers outside that culture as well. Anxiety like Deena's is experienced by more and more young people, and I loved reading about not only her concerns, but how her parents reacted to her feeling sick as well. Readers will see both the subtle signs of anxiety and avenues for help which are available even at school. Deena and her family are Pakistani 

Lisa Librarian 

Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill - OPTIONAL

Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill, 383 pages. Delacorte Press, 2024. $20 

Language: R (100 swears 67 'f');  Mature Content: R (reference to sex and drug use); PG-13 Violence received PG-13 because there was murder and some fighting, including blood being mentioned, but none was described in graphic detail. There was also discussion of owning enslaved people. 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

17yo Amir does not want a relationship with his half-brother 16yo Marcel and the tension between them runs deep, but he shows up to Marcel’s birthday party only because Marcel’s friend Chloe, who is white, invited him and he thinks she might be interested in him. That night, Amir and Chloe hang out together and Amir passes out after doing some drugs. He wakes up in the early morning hours to find Chloe dead and he panics. The police and community are quick to place the blame on Amir: the black boy seen fleeing from her house. In spite of Amir pushing Marcel away, Marcel is determined to prove Amir’s innocence before he is indicted. His investigations reveal a dark trend of racism at their private school and the truth Chloe was fighting to bring to light. 

While this book got off to a slow start for me, I was totally sucked in and wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next! It is a great read for anyone who loves a good murder mystery mixed with elements of social justice, but mystery readers may find the ending to be too neat and the motive for murder less compelling. The main downside of this book for me was that it had some instances of feeling didactic because it overexplained racism at times and had the characters unnaturally using therapy terms; however, it didn’t detract too much from the plot. After the story got going, I became really invested in both Amir and Marcel. Not only was I rooting for them to overcome the systemic racism and injustice that Amir experienced and, of course, to solve the murder, but I also cared about their family relationships and the storyline of healing their family relationships. This book went many layers deep and did it all effectively, from divorce trauma to the pain of finding out that your friends aren’t really your friends to the issues of racism in the justice system. But, wow, there was a lot of drama and so much slang, which may be off-putting to adult readers, but felt right for a teen audience. Amir is black. Marcel is black and gay. Chloe is white. 

Marinda, librarian 

Ready, Set, Dough by Kelly J. Baptist - ADVISABLE

Ready, Set, Dough by Kelly J. Baptist 165 pages. Crown, 2023. $17. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G; 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

When her teacher announces a cookie dough sale, 6th grader Zoe is desperate to win, because first prize is a brand-new laptop. Zoe desperately needs one, but her parents can’t afford it. She’s even willing to neglect her friends to achieve her goal.

I liked this book. Zoe is spunky and not afraid to go after what she wants. She is positive and happy, but she really wants to win. She has to win. It was good to read about a child who knew what they wanted and set out to get it. It does not specify

Ellen-Anita Librarian

What is the Story of Jurassic World by Jim Gigliotti and Dede Putra - OPTIONAL

What is the Story of Jurassic World by Jim Gigliotti illustrated by Dede Putra, 108 pages. CHAPTER BOOK NON-FICTION Penguin Workshop, 2023. $8. 9780593383483 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SOME 

The author takes us into the story of the Jurassic World movies. He begins by providing background information on paleontology and the Jurassic Age. He mentions early books and exhibitions about dinosaurs. The rest of the book is a summary of each of the Jurassic Park/Jurassic World movies. I found it interesting that Michael Crichton found his inspiration for the Jurassic Park books from reading Arthur Conan Doyle's book, The Lost World. The background chapters were very interesting. The rest of the chapters, which summarized the movies, were less interesting. However, if you have a student who loves Jurassic World they will enjoy this book. The book includes a bibliography and timeline. 

A. Snow 

Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley - OPTIONAL

Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley, 400 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2024. $20. 

Language: R (64 swears 11 'f'); Mature Content: PG (References to weed, scary situations) Violence: PG-13 (Bloody beatings with some significant injuries, zombies attacking people, battle scenes with weapons resulting in injuries and deaths) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

17 year old Sid Spencer grew up feeling self-conscious as one of the only Asians in town, but also feeling rather ordinary and inconsequential, especially in a town that is extraordinary. Tourists from all over come to her town of Wellsie for the magic that seeps out of the old faultline that runs through town. The magic has been sealed underground for generations, protected by the Guardians who have both magical abilities and a key that can unlock a section of the faultline. Sid’s life has been consumed by normal high school girl issues until one night a huge earthquake hits town and the magic bursts out, along with an army of the undead. Only one thing could have caused it, a rupture of the faultline. Now Sid and a rag-tag group of allies must find the stolen key and reseal the faultline before their town and everyone they love is destroyed. As the search continues, Sid discovers how extraordinary she actually is. 

I actually really liked this book. Sid is a well-written character who is funny and full of teen angst and awkwardness that is endearing instead of annoying. It’s well-paced and exciting with a few interesting twists. It also has a sweetness and a warmth that makes it more than just an adventure story. I will say, the magic took me a while to figure out and the villain is a little underdeveloped. At its heart, this is a love story, but explores all kinds of love, not just romantic love. The characters are all motivated by the bonds of love and friendship and in the end, that’s what helps them win. Sid and her non-blood related brother Matty were adopted from Korea by a white family, Shandy is Japanese and LGBTQ, Daisy and Hyacinth are black, and Angel is Mexican and LGBTQ 

Andrea R reviewer 

The Darkness Rises by Stacy Stokes - OPTIONAL

The Darkness Rises by Stacy Stokes, 336 pages. PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers, 2024. $20 

Language: R (79 swears 13 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (underage drinking) Violence:  PG-13 (school shooting mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY:  HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SEVERAL

17yo Whitney sees a dark cloud forming over people who are in danger and can be helped by her. Her grandmother has the same ability and gave Whitney three rules to follow; rules that are meant to keep Whitney safe and free from the guilt of saving someone who ends up harming others. This happened last year when she saved Dwight from jumping off a building. He then instigated a school shooting. Whitney blames herself for everything that Dwight did. Someone else blames her too and when the harassment starts, it’s only the beginning of the vengeance to come. 

I enjoyed the character development and the mystery surrounding the main character. The relationships are fleshed out well. I appreciate the many resources the author included at the end of the book for bullying, child trauma, suicide prevention, mental health, mental illness, and grief. The author’s note is exceptional as a call for all of us to let our voices be heard and vote for leaders that we believe reflect our values and ambitions for our country and communities. I also appreciate the content warning at the beginning of the book. Ethnicity is predominantly white 

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian

Unbreakable, the Spies Who Cracked the Nazis' Secret Code by Rebecca E. F. Barone - ADVISABLE

Unbreakable, the Spies Who Cracked the Nazis' Secret Code by Rebecca E. F. Barone 272 pages. NON FICTION Macmillan Publishing Group LLC, 2022. $20 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G;  Violence: G;

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

The war over codes during the Second World War began in Poland with a group of men especially selected to help protect their country from German aggression. Marian Rejewski, Henry Zygalski, and Jerzy Rozycki, cryptology students at Poznan University, risked their lives and dedicated their time to unraveling the Enigma machine and codes. Many brilliant men and women joined them as the aggression became war. Later in the war, much of the work took place as Bletchley Park in England. May directors and decoders kept their Enigma secrets to themselves, thus jeopardizing the war effort. Eventually, the codes were broken, lives were saved, and the war ended thanks to all the brave souls who participated in this unimaginable effort. 

Barone writes with clarity and candidness about the heroism and frailties of those involved in the Enigma decoding. The story line intrigues the reader to continue in a tale that could bore with details. Glimpses into the personal lives of the coding heroes moves the story along. Somehow, Barone artfully weaves immense detail to hold the reader's attention throughout the book. She ends with biographies of the major players and a timeline of events which add to the clarity of her book- an insightful read. Most characters are white and educated. 

Michelle McKnight-FACS teacher 

There Was a Hole by Adam Lehraupt illustrated by Carrie O'Neill - ADVISABLE

There Was a Hole by Adam Lehraupt illustrated by Carrie O'Neill PICTURE BOOK Sleeping Bear Press, 2022. $18. 9781534111226 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

Lily has a hole in the middle of her chest. Nothing helps it, and it just keeps growing. Then, Lily stops trying. She stops playing with her friends, and stops trying in school. That's when Thomas tells her he has a hole like hers too, but he has patches to help repair it. Soon Lily learns to make her own patches by going outside, playing with her dog, and spending time with friends and family. She doesn't want it to be fixed completely, but the patches help.

Includes tips at the end on "how to make a patch." This would make a great addition to an SEL collection. I liked that it showed big feelings of sadness and loss in a realistic, tangible way for kids. Lily does not have a mom in this story which could allude to divorce, the death of a parent, or a non-traditional family. Lily and her dad have dark hair. The other characters are ethnically diverse. 

Rachel, Elementary School Library 

Hearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer - OPTIONAL

Hearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer, 336 pages. PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2024. $15 

Language: R (75 swears 7 'f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing, mention of underage drinking); Violence: R (repeated bloody violence and deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY:  HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SEVERAL 

Apocalyptic USA! The Tick is rampant and turning people into zombies but there’s a new medicine that turns the effects around, as long as it’s taken consistently. 17 yo Mara has turned and then been given the medicine so she’s now considered one of the Altered. The Altered are coherent and human acting while taking the medicine consistently but if they miss a few doses, they can turn and become dangerous. Mara is brought back to her godparents since her parents are dead. The community doesn’t trust the Altered but circumstances change quickly when a human makes decisions that are deceptive and dangerous. 

Archer has created an interesting world. The dystopian premise and zombies will intrigue young adult readers. I enjoyed the suspense that came along with the mystery of the killings. The ethnicity falls to white with a brown skinned side character. 

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian

Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage by Lisa Rogers and Il Sung Na - ADVISABLE

Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage by Lisa Rogers, illustrated by Il Sung Na PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Anne Schwartz Books (Random House), 2024 $19.00 9780593646625 G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO AVERAGE 

Born in 1912, John Cage thought that all sounds were beautiful - not just the sounds of a professional orchestra, but also city sounds, country sounds - and the sounds heard in silence. Many people did not have his quirk of imagination - audience members and even orchestras were known to walk out of his performances, but he persisted. 

Listening to a John Cage piece is an experience you will never forget - whether you share in his vision or not. Music teachers with avantgarde attitudes, or those willing to explore what music means, should enjoy sharing the book and then Youtube videos of the performances with their students. John is white. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Running Past Dark by Han Nolan - ADVISABLE

Running Past Dark by Han Nolan. 324 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2023. $20 

Language: PG-13 (28 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Addiction, alcohol abuse, and rape); Violence: PG-13 (Physical attack, sexual attack,-reference, not graphic) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME

17yo 12th grader Scottie O'Doul suffers emotional abuse from the citizens of her hometown after a fatal car crash that took the life of her twin, Cait, and the head football coach. The town blames her sister for the accident as a murder/suicide and Scottie for declaring that the coach had raped Cait. During her grieving process, Mr. Senda, a teacher, encourages Scottie to run ultra marathons as a way to focus and move forward. As Scottie tries to unravel all that she knows about her twin and the incidents leading up to her death, persecutions and trauma continue in her life. Scottie holds tight to mentors and friends that support her as she learns the awful truth and finds ways to overcome her circumstances. 

Han Nolan deals thoughtfully with the sensitive subject of sexual abuse by a trusted teacher. She provides hope for those abused by showing how her heroine, Scottie, learned to follow her psychologist's advise, to trust other caring adults in her life, to focus on developing her skills, to trust herself and forgive others, and to find strength in friends and family. The ending of the book draws an optimistic outcome for all involved in the tragic tale, thus giving hope to those who have suffered similarly. Scottie is a white female. 

Michelle McKnight- FACS teacher 

Beastly Beauty by Jennifer Donnelly - ESSENTIAL

Beastly Beauty by Jennifer Donnelly, 336 pages. Young Adult Scholastic Press (Scholastic), 2024. $19 

Language: R (75 swears, 0 "F"); Mature Content: PG (robbery, implied seduction) Violence: PG (peril)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS, ADULT - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

Arabella has been told all her life how to live it: what to say and what not to say, to be the perfect future bride. But Arabella want so much more. Her wildest hopes and dreams come to a screaming halt when her attempt to control her emotions brings a curse on herself and those around her, trapping them in their castle. Enter a handsome thief named Beau who also has a troubled past. Those in the castle are hopeful he will be the one to break the curse. 

Jennifer Donnelly writes that this book isn't for heroes or princesses but for the screw-ups and the courage it takes to choose hope over despair. Beautifully written, it carries a message of hope to those who may be lacking it and reminds us that sometimes the cruelest prisons are the ones we build ourselves. This take on Beauty and the Beast will appeal to almost anyone and is a book I would reread and underline. The main characters are European. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Something Kindred by Ciera Burch - OPTIONAL

Something Kindred by Ciera Burch, 304 pages.  Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)/Macmillan, 2024. $17 

Language: PG-13 (32 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Mention of sex, and underage drinking); Violence: PG (mention of domestic abuse) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SOME 

17yo Jericka travels with her mother to her hometown of Coldwater, Maryland to see her dying grandmother. Jericka’s grandmother left her children when they were young and her mom hasn’t seen her since; she’s still extremely hurt and angry but willing to help her own mother deal with her situation. Coldwater has a history, and a not-always-believed legend of Echoes, ghosts that project their grief onto the living that make women want to leave the town. These ghosts are from the schoolhouse for freed slaves being burned many years ago due to prejudice. While Jericka deals with her family, boyfriend, new friends and the mysterious town, she learns a lot about herself and what she wants in her future. 

I expected the book to be more spooky. Jericka wants others to be open, honest, and straightforward but she isn’t that way with others. I enjoyed getting to know Jericka’s family. The mysterious echoes add an interesting element to the story. Jericka and her family are Black and the community of Coldwater is mixed with Black and white people. 

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian

Alterations by Ray Xu - ADVISABLE

Alterations by Ray Xu, 238 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Union Square, 2024. $25 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

Kevin is in middle school and is struggling to fit it. He is one of the few Asian kids at his Canadian school and he thinks his grandmother, who has just recently arrived from China, is weird. Kevin's single mother is struggling to make ends meet, his older sister resents him, and he is picked on in school. Kevin thinks he might be able to make things better at the class trip to the local amusement park. 

Kevin is a believable character, based off the author's childhood. Most readers will be able to relate to the common issues he faces, such as family issues, bullying, and finding one's place. While all of Kevin's problems don't magically go away, the book ends on a positive, realistic note. Kevin is of Chinese descent. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

The Thieves Gambit by Kayvion Lewis - ESSENTIAL

The Thieves Gambit by Kayvion Lewis, 364 pages. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2023. $20 

Language: PG-13 (29 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (underage drinking, mentions of sexual topics, and drugging of a character); Violence: PG-13 (characters getting beaten up and shot; some mentions of blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

17yo Rosalyn Quest has been trained since childhood to be an expert thief by her family of thieves, who dominate the North American crime world. In a heist gone wrong, her mother gets kidnapped just as Rosalyn planned to leave the family business. To save her mom, Rosalyn enters the Thieves Gambit, an exclusive competition for thieves she was invited to compete in. If she wins, her prize is the fulfillment of any wish. With her desire to rescue her mom in mind, she is desperate to win and faces challenges not only to her abilities as she faces off with the best teen thieves in the world but also to the beliefs that her mother has instilled in her about herself and the world. 

The Thieves Gambit was gripping from the beginning and had great action, twists, and excitement throughout.  I read it in a day because I couldn't put it down. The characterization and emotional journey of Rosalyn was realistic as she deals with real-life struggles—not just ones connected to her thieving lifestyle—and these elements were integrated well into the fast pace of the book. Sometimes Rosalyn gets in her own way, which is annoying, but also felt true to her age. The side characters come from around the world and were delightful, and I only wished that we had been able to have more from them. My only slight negative was that some of the physical descriptions of the action were confusing to me, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. The book resolved, but it was left open for the next in the series, which I'm looking forward to reading! Rosalyn is black and from the Caribbean. Devroe is black and from England. Noelia is from France. 

Marinda, librarian  

Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill - OPTIONAL

Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill, 400 pages. Random House Children's/Delacorte Press, 2024. $17 

Language: R (154 swears 64 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (drugs, underage drinking, talk of hooking up); Violence: PG-13 (bloody death and violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SOME 

17yo Amir is accused of murder and his 16yo brother Marcel is determined to prove Amir’s innocence. One of their classmates was murdered in her home and Amir has been placed under house arrest under suspicious circumstances. Living in New Orleans, Amir and Marcel both attend a private school because their family wants the best for them. Being Black, they’re a minority in their mostly white, rich high school. When the girl is murdered, the white community immediately blames Amir but when horrible secrets are revealed, the tables turn. 

The bad grammar representing the local community in the book is annoying but necessary to the setting of the story. I like the strong loyalty between the brothers, Marcel and Amir. The mystery was enjoyable to read. The ethnicity is a white and Black community. 

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian

Unstuck by Barbara Dee - ADVISABLE

Unstuck by Barbara Dee, 272 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2024 $18.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

7th grader Lyla is so glad to be in Ms. Bowman's class because she's getting to work on her fantasy novel in Creative Writing! (Last year her teacher was all about 5 paragraph essays - ugh). She is full of ideas, but can't seem to get anything down in her notebook, except a list of names, a "family tree" and a map. She's got a lot on her mind this year, her best friend went to a different school, her parents and her sister seem to be always fighting, and she hasn't yet made any real friends - just Journey, who she really only eats lunch with. She's stuck; her teacher calls it writers block and has lots of suggestions to break it, but Lyla thinks they won't work. She wants to have something to enter into the library's writing contest but so far she has only a great first sentence. 

I really love Barbara Dee's stories. Lyla drives me crazy, always so hard on herself, but not accepting any help or trying new ideas. I know some kids who can relate. There's also a subplot about figuring out her friend situation and dealing with some problems at home that keep the book moving. Not full of tough topics as some of Dee's recent works have - Anxiety (Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet), Bi-polar - (My Life in the Fishtank), Sexual Harassement - (Maybe He Just Likes You). The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

A Pocketful of Stars by Aisha Busby - ADVISABLE

A Pocketful of Stars by Aisha Busby, 236 pages. Carolrhoda, 2019. $20. 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Struggling to connect with her mom, 13yo Safia chooses to live with her dad post-divorce, facing frequent arguments during weekend visits with her mom. Cultural differences between her Kuwaiti mom and English dad exacerbate their conflicts.  After a severe argument, Safia discovers her mom has had a stroke. Dreaming, she learns about her mom's youth in Kuwait, believing that sharing these memories could help her mom recover. Despite a dire prognosis, Safia dedicates hours at her mom's bedside, sharing stories.

I really enjoyed this book and it made me think about how we treat our families and those around us. We should always be kind.

Ellen-Anita Librarian

I'm Trying to Love Germs by Bethany Barton - ESSENTIAL

I'm Trying to Love Germs by Bethany Barton. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Viking (Penguin), 2023. $19. 9780593326725 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

With the help of a talking germ, learn all about microbes and pathogens and the ways they can harm or help us. 

 Barton's 5th book is as cute and informative as the rest of them. I would buy any of the books that correlate with the curriculum at your school. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Skybound! by Sue Ganz-Schmitt and Jacopo Bruno - ADVISABLE

Skybound! Starring Mary Myers as Carlotta, Daredevil Aeronaut and Scientist by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Jacopo Bruno. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY Calkins Creek (Astra), 2024 $19. 9781635928150 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Mary Myers had her head in the clouds - literally! She dreamed of flying and worked with her husband on the science of aeronautics - even helping create a new fabric for balloons, even though it was dangerous to formulate. It isn't until she is 30 that she finally goes up in a balloon of her own - on her own - and doesn't ever stop. 

How fabulous! I love that Ganz-Schmitt and Bruno have brought Mary forward from the fringes of history and back into the limelight she so deserves. Our 9th graders build hot air balloons with tissue paper every spring, so I am very excited to be able to share this with them. The main text is exciting to read and view. The back matter is a great supplement, with a few photographs and artifacts of "Carlotta" and her exploits. Carlotta is white. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS