Review

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Zoboi, Ibi. (S)Kin. HarperCollins/Versify, 02/2025. 400pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0628-8887-7. GRADES 9–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL.     Narrated by two half-sisters who discover each other in the course of this novel in verse, (S)KIN explores themes of magic, [continue reading]

Lacika, Jenny. Cesar’s Cerulean Surprise. Laura Sandoval Herrera, Illus. Storytelling Math. Charlesbridge, 10/2025. [30]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-439-3. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.         Cesar’s younger sister Gabi’s birthday present is a new box of sixty-four crayons, [continue reading]

Gaddy, Kristina R. A Most Perilous World: The True Story of the Young Abolitionists and Their Crusade Against Slavery. Dutton, 06/2025. 354pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0593855522. GRADES 8–Adult. OUTSTANDING.     Thoroughly researched and packed with historical [continue reading]