Sardà, Júlia. Witch in the Tower, The. Júlia Sardà, Illus. Candlewick Studio, 09/2025. 64pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-1-5362-4301-7. GRADES 4–7. OUTSTANDING. Carmela feels left out and sad that her new friends and older [continue reading]
Joy Shioshita
Rose Bargain Review
Peyton Smith, Sasha. Rose Bargain, The. HarperCollins, 02/2025. 385pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-337252-8. GRADES 8–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL. To save her sister from a mysterious rose bargain with the cruel fairy queen, Ivy Benton joins a [continue reading]
Graciela in the Abyss Review
Medina, Meg. Graciela in the Abyss. Balbusso, Anna and Elena, Illus. Candlewick, 07/2025. 256pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-1945-6. GRADES 4–7. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Newbery-award-winning author Medina enters the fray of fantasy in her latest middle-grade novel. [continue reading]
Call Me Gray Review
Larsen, Andrew. Call Me Gray. Tallulah Fontaine, Illus. Addl. Creator Bells Larsen. Kids Can, 10/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $21.99. 978-1-5253-1135-2. GRADES Kindergarten–4. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Every winter Gray and their dad create an ice rink, [continue reading]
CeeCee Review
Keller, Shana. CeeCee: Underground Railroad Cinderella. Laura Freeman, Illus. Charlesbridge, 08/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-62354-389-1. GRADES 1–4. UNSATISFACTORY. Keller presents a tale that is neither a Cinderella story nor an effective depiction of [continue reading]
Science of Dragons Review
Kaiser, Brianna. Science of Dragons, The: A Field Guide. Dragon Field Guides. Lerner, 08/2025. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765669303. Paper $10.99. 979-8765684009. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Dragons Among Us: A Field Guide [continue reading]
Dragon Folklore Review
Kaiser, Brianna. Dragon Folklore: A Field Guide. Dragon Field Guides. Lerner, 08/2025. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765669327. Paper $10.99. 979-8765683972. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Dragons Among Us: A Field Guide by Taylor [continue reading]
Dragons Among Us Review
Fenmore, Taylor. Dragons Among Us: A Field Guide. Dragon Field Guides. Lerner, 08/2025. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765669334. Paper $10.99. 979-8765683989. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW: Series nonfiction titles explore various aspects of dragons, which [continue reading]