Shusterman, Neal. Rising Thunder. First Blades. Simon & Schuster, 12/2026. [560]pp. Fiction. Trade $24.99. 978-1-6659-7208-6. GRADES 7–12. OUTSTANDING. Fans of the award-winning Arc of a Scythe series (2016-2019) will delight in a prequel series, while new readers will be captivated by Shusterman’s cinematic scenes, dramatic pacing, [continue reading]
Melissa McAvoy
That You Are Here Is No Small Thing Review
Todd, Traci N. That You Are Here Is No Small Thing. Vashti Harrison, Illus. Viking, 09/2026. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-35302-8. GRADES Kindergarten–3. OUTSTANDING. Three dark-skinned girls go on a dream journey to remember where their ancestors came from. Flying across the universe, they encounter their [continue reading]
Last Boy Above Ground Review
Reyes Rico, Rodrigo. Last Boy Above Ground, The. Rodrigo Reyes Rico, Illus. Lerner/Graphic Universe, 09/2026. 212pp. Graphic. PLB $31.99. 978-1-7284-9302-2. Paper $17.99. 979-8-7656-7137-5. GRADES 4–7. ADDITIONAL. Elias and Anna live very different lives in Mexico City, a place hit hard by a dangerous pollution cloud that sent everyone to [continue reading]
Flash Floods Review
Robeson, Teresa. Flash Floods. Discover Now: Level 1. MIT Kids, 10/2026. 32pp. Nonfiction. Trade $16.99. 978-1-5362-4345-1. Paper $6.99. 978-1-5362-4346-8. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL. What are flash floods and how can you be safe from them? These questions are explored in this non-fiction title for beginner readers that features short [continue reading]
Heart on Fire Review
Lower, Jan. Heart on Fire, A: Quaker Benjamin Lay’s Fight for Equality in Colonial America. Carlyn Beccia, Illus. Calkins Creek, 12/2026. 40pp. Biography. Trade $19.99. 978-1-6626-8097-7. GRADES 2–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Born in England in 1682, Benjamin Lay’s Quaker convictions propelled him through life despite a hunched back [continue reading]
Rialto Review
Milford, Kate. Rialto. Clarion, 04/2026. 480pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-3284-6691-4. GRADES 4–6. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Milford, the author of the Greenglass House series, returns with a new mystery aimed at older middle-grade readers. Sisters Ivy, age [continue reading]
Mina and the Monster Review
Andres, Silvia Romeral. Mina and the Monster. Silvia Romeral Andres, Illus. Charlesbridge, 10/2026. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-664-9. GRADES Kindergarten–1. ADDITIONAL. The storyteller’s tale of the monster in the forest does not scare Mina, [continue reading]
Mind vs. Machine Review
Sheinkin, Steve. Mind vs. Machine: The Chess Match that Changed the World. Thien Pham, Illus. Addl. Creator Maurice Ashley. Roaring Brook, 09/2026. 240pp. Graphic. PLB $22.99. 978-1-250-33477-0. Paper $14.99. 978-1-250-33476-3. GRADES 4–9. HIGH ADDITIONAL. For [continue reading]