Smith, Niki. Midsummer Sisters. Niki Smith, Illus. Scholastic /Graphix, 06/2026. 272pp. Graphic. Trade $14.99. 978-1-5461-2894-6. GRADES 4–7. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Stepsisters Kenzie and Quinn spend a magical summer with their grandmother, while wondering if their sisterhood [continue reading]
Bad Kid Review
Szamosi, Sofia. Bad Kid: My Life as a “Troubled Teen.” Little, Brown, 03/2026. 385pp. Graphic. Trade $25.99. 978-1-5235-2738-0. GRADES 9–12. ADDITIONAL. As the very apt title says, this autobiographical memoir illustrates the author’s difficult teen [continue reading]
Marie’s Magic Eggs Review
Wallace, Sandra Neil. Marie’s Magic Eggs: How Marie Procai Kept the Ukranian Art of Pysanky Alive. Evan Turk, Illus. Astra/Calkins Creek, 02/2026. 48pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-16626-8069-4. GRADES Kindergarten–4. OUTSTANDING. A worthy tribute to the art of pysanka and the commitment of one woman, Marie Procai, who [continue reading]
Doe Review
Barrow, Rebecca. Doe. Penguin Random House / Nancy Paulsen, 06/2026. 368pp. Fiction. Trade $20.99. 979-8-2170-0633-5. GRADES 10–Adult. HIGH ADDITIONAL. The girls on the cheerleading team come from disadvantaged backgrounds and carry a lot of anxieties, but as long as they have Coach’s tough love and [continue reading]
When Twilight Comes Review
Atkins, Marcie Flinchum. When Twilight Comes: The Animals and Plants that Bring Dawn and Dusk to Life. Michelle Morin, Illus. Chronicle, 03/2026. 48pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-7972-1679-9. GRADES Kindergarten–2. OUTSTANDING. The book presents a selection of the crepuscular plant and animal species found in North America, such [continue reading]
Home Away From Home Review
Akbari, Nazneen. Home Away from Home. Rashin Kheiriyeh, Illus. Barefoot, 02/2026. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 979-8-88859-896-2. Paper $9.99. 979-8-88859-945-7. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL. When Nuha travels from the U.S. to Oman to see her grandma (Jadda) for the first time in three years, she is introduced to the [continue reading]
That Bird Can Draw Review
Adamson, Ged. That Bird Can Draw. Ged Adamson, Illus. Nosy Crow, 06/2026. [30]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 979-8-88777-236-3. GRADES Kindergarten–1. ADDITIONAL. A beret-wearing girl with pale skin and purple hair enjoys creating art. Dismay sets in when her grandpa’s new pet bird, Vera, begins creating seemingly better, [continue reading]
Lions’ Run Review
Pennypacker, Sara. Lions’ Run, The. Jon Klassen, Illus. Balzer + Bray, 02/2026. 288pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-2503-9281-7. GRADES 3–6. OUTSTANDING. Pennypacker delivers action, suspense, and emotional tension in her historical fiction, set in Nazi-occupied France [continue reading]