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she/her there will be reviews and such discussing and evaluating popular books for youth that have been published over the last ten(ish) years

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Books I will try to reviewing throughout 2026:

The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans (ebook)

Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood, Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III, Foreword by Jason Reynolds

A Song For You and I by K. O'Neill

It Came from the Trees by Ally Russell

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller

Ablaze by Jessica Lawson, Illustrated by Sarah Gonzales

Alebrijes by Donna Barba Higuera

The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor

Masks by Margaret Rae and Brian Nathanson, Illustrated by Beck Kubrick (ebook)

For a Girl Becoming by Joy Harjo, Illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia

Four Eyes by Rex Ogle, Illustrated by Dave Valeza, Colors by Ash Szymanik

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat

Speak Up! by Sarah Burgess

Dinosaurs at the Ends of the Earth: The Story of the Central Asiatic Expeditions by Brian Floca

They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems by David Bowles

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora

Spider in the Well by Jess Hannigan

Ashes of Gold by J. Elle

The Deep Dark by Lee Knox Ostertag

Icarus by K. Ancrum

Wynd, Book Three: The Throne in the Sky by James Tynion IV, Illustrated by Michael Dialynas

The Poison We Drink by Bethany Baptiste

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Baby & Soto by Lisabeth Posthuma

A Phở Love Story by Loan Le

Displacement by Kiki Hughes

*The second half of 2025 got the best of me, so I'm going to try a more relaxed approach and review when I have time throughout this year*

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The Worst Ronin by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Art by Faith Schaffer

This young adult graphic novel follows a historical fantasy plot with fun additions of modern-day technology. Chihiro begs her parents to let her go to a village and defeat a demon in order to prove herself to her them and to the academy she desperately wants to attend to learn to be a proper samurai. Her parents won't let her do it alone, so Chihiro hires Tatsuo, an ill-mannered, female samurai who abandoned her duties, to be her partner on this adventure.

This book has been on my TBR since I found out about its release, but it also has positive reviews from places like Publishers Weekly and StoryGraph. It seemed like a great YA graphic novel for teenagers. This book was chosen to fulfill the category of graphic novel.

The illustrations in this book were fun but also could pack a punch. I love the big cells of color on every page, and pairing it with thick, dark lineart truly makes the bright colors stand out without the pages drowning in color. There is also a lack of the color red throughout the graphic novel, with the exception of violent intentions, blood, and (spoilers) the main antagonist. It proves that Schaffer had a clear vision in mind about how to properly show the cruelty and death in this book without it detracting from the comedic almost buddy-cop story we have with Tatsuo and Chihiro. Also at the end (spoilers again) when Chihiro is confronting the daimyo, her side profile is drawn identical to Tatsuo's, with a scar to match. It's just well-done.

It's hard to place a specific genre on this book because of how unique yet distinctly recognizable the setting is. It takes place in an alternative Japan, where modern technology like smartphones and email still exist, but samurai and feudalism dominate the land. From an article both Mirimoto and Chihiro read, it states that the daimyo "is still best known for defending Japan from invasion in the year---" (Tokuda-Hall, 2024, p. 265), implying that this Japan is an isolated nation like it used to be. This alongside the fantasy element with the existence of spirits and yamauba, demons that were previously human and consumed by harrowing emotions, makes the setting imaginative and mystical but still grounded in a kind of reality. All this said, I chuckled out loud seeing Chihiro go off into the dark, scary forest only to see telephone lines span the hillside (Tokuda-Hall, 2024, p. 40).

The language and dialogue in this graphic novel is probably my favorite aspect of it. Chihiro turns 16 during the events of the novel, and Tatsuo is 19. They are young, brash and violent, so it makes sense that their dialogue will be brash and violent. It's honestly refreshing to see teenagers cuss, because they do. Often at the library I see YA books placed in the adult section for cursing and foul language, so seeing this book continue to be marketed to teenagers thrills me. If I'm being honest, nothing tops the antagonist cussing at Tatsuo just for the pottymouth to respond, "Such language" (Tokuda-Hall, 2024, p. 306)!

Overall, I gave this book 4.25 stars on Storygraph and would recommend this book to those who enjoy sword-wielding manga series like Kagurabachi and Hell's Paradise, but also to those who want something that shares a similar humor to graphic novels like Bunt!: Striking Out on Financial Aid or Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong.

References and Links:

Shen, P. (2021). Nothing can possibly go wrong (F. E. Hicks, Illus.). First Second.

Tokuda-Hall, M. (2024). The worst ronin (F. Schaffer, Illus.). HarperAlley.

Ukazu, N. (2024). Bunt!: striking out on financial aid (M. Rupert, Illus.). First Second.

The Worst Ronin by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Female samurai with cell phones and Wi-Fi turn feudal Japan upside down in this humorous, genre-bending graphic novel by Tokuda-...

*originally posted 02/08/2025*

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The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar, Narrated by Priya Ayyar

This YA sapphic romance is as sweet as the culinary creations the characters make on the fictional Junior Irish Baking Show. Shireen has a bad breakup with her girlfriend Chris, the daughter of her parents' rivals, and quickly receives news that she and her ex will be competing in this reality baking show. And the competition is fierce and playing with Shireen's heart, with competitor Niamh slowly winning her over whilst she is still lingering on Chris.

This book has been on my TBR since its release, and I just never got around to it. It's my favorite kind of romance: wholesome. I have also listened to another audiobook by Jaigirdar, A Million to One, a historical fiction of four teenage girls attempting a heist on the Titanic, which also helped me in my decision to choosing this book. I chose this book to fulfill the category of romance.

The style and language in this book is delightful but possibly too niche. There are loads of puns regarding all the main characters being bakers, with every chapter title having a different sugary title that alludes to the events of the next few pages. However cute this is, this also might be a hindrance to those who aren't that familiar with baked goods or cuisine in general. There is a specific audience Jaigirdar is writing for, and while I think the average person can consume this book and enjoy the plot just fine, there is a level of understanding and context the author seems to be expecting from the reader. Also given the fact that I listened to the audiobook, I can't read a term or phrase I don't recognize and look it up; it's all auditory. All this said, I am familiar with these terms and techniques and thoroughly enjoyed all the fun wordplay and language of this book.

This is a fairly well-rounded book considering the two main plots are romance and the Junior Irish Baking Show. Despite this rather restrictive and niche concept, a lot is done with this story. The actual competition is held to a higher standard than the romance for the majority of the book but that is because that is Shireen's mentality throughout the novel. The conflicting feelings for Chris and budding ones for Niamh make the audience feel as if they're listening to a separate reality show play out. I genuinely thought Shireen would (spoilers) end up with Niamh before the betrayal, but from the beginning, there were hints that Shireen wasn't sure of Niamh and her instinctual hesitancy to grow close to the competition. It was well-rounded and satisfying as a fresh donut.

The believability of this book is one of the best aspects of the audiobook. The reality TV elements of this book are hilarious but accurate. Things will be played up and other things will be cut out entirely to favor a particular contestant or relationship the show wants to push for. Hearing Shireen struggle with her talking about the show during her confessionals felt so real, especially with how she didn't want the show to gain more gossip with her and her ex competing with one another. The characters also felt like teenagers, who mess up and get jealous and don't always make the right decision. It is always refreshing to see main characters actively mess up or not be upstanding individuals that don't take away from them being main characters. Take Niamh who (spoilers) sabotages Shireen because she believed she was getting special treatment because Shireen is Bengali and one of the judges is Indian, and is never forgiven and fully believes she did the right thing. Letting teenagers be teenagers means letting them make mistakes, even in fiction.

I gave this audiobook a solid 4 stars on StoryGraph with its fun banter and enjoyable characters and schemes of reality TV. Café Con Lychee by Emery Lee has a similar concept of teens of rival food businesses falling in love, the protagonists achillean rather than sapphic. Jaigirdar's other romance books are also good recommendations.

References:

Jaigirdar, A. (2022). A million to one (S. Kapila, Narr.). [Audiobook]. HarperTeen.

Jaigirdar, A. (2023). The dos and donuts of love (P. Ayyar, Narr.). [Audiobook]. Dreamscape Media.

Lee, E. (2022). Café con lychee. Quill Tree Books.

*originally posted 02/08/2025*

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Funeral Girl by Emma K. Ohland, Narrated by Jess Nahikian

This fantastical queer YA audiobook follows Georgia and her hectic week of trying to fix an initially bad decision. Georgia lives and works at her family's funeral home, and ever since her grandmother passed away, possesses the ability to awaken ghosts. When she awakens the ghost of a recently deceased classmate, Milo, she goes on a journey of self-discovery and grief with her new friend in tow.

I wanted to choose a queer book that discussed identities not done often, and I knew this book had an asexual protagonist, so I thought it'd be a great option. The author is also attending a book event near me soon so I wanted to have read their work before then. This book was chosen to fulfill the LGBTQIA+ book category .

While not the main focus of the novel, two of the main characters are queer, with Georgia's asexuality and her best friend, Amy, being nonbinary. Georgia's asexuality is addressed as a part of her anxiety with her perceived parental expectations and fear of disappointing them by not having a partner in the future. Georgia being ace is not thoroughly discussed outside of this, and it's also not the focus of the novel. Queer characters can exist in fiction outside of discussions of queerness, like coming out stories and transitions, and it's nice to see queer people simply existing in fiction.

The big questions of grief and the necessary actions of moving on without forgetting the deceased are well-explored for such a short novel (eight hour audiobook, 257 pages physically). Seeing Milo so scared of being a ghost and being dead to a few days later begging to die a second time by going back to death are such heartbreaking scenes because Georgia knows just as little as Milo. Neither of them should be familiar with death like that, and yet they are and must be, with Georgia meant to carry on the family business and Milo actually just dying that young. The big questions of how do we handle grief and death are serious and don't hold back for the book being for younger audiences, which is refreshing but also poignant in that it's just the same for the protagonists.

Believability is something that YA books can often struggle with; making teenagers feel too much like adults or too perfect and mature in their decisions happens in media and can be frustrating seeing a child two years out of middle school handle situations like an adult with a 401k. Only a couple of times I thought were a bit out of character for a high school sophomore, when Amy exhibits a seemingly very high EQ. Towards the end of the novel, Amy says they see a therapist, which makes that make sense and I didn't have an issue with that following. When focusing on the protagonists, the teenagers' struggle with death feel real, with Georgia's constant anxiety on the subject and distrust in herself handling it physically with the ghosts and Milo unable to process his death properly because he is a ghost and was so young. The problems the teenagers face, even the ghost ones, feel like teenagers are dealing with them and it's great.

If I'm being completely honest, I cried multiple times listening to this audiobook. I resonated with the protagonist for various reasons, like her anxiety about death and her inability to wrap her head around such an early death as Milo's. I would recommend this book to anyone, but with a warning label. I gave this book 4.5 stars on StoryGraph for its incredible discussions of grief and believability of all the characters involved in the big questions of death. Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger is a great comparative recommendation, following an ace protagonist with the ability to raise ghost animals solving the mystery of her cousin's murder.

References:

Little Badger, D. (2020). Elatsoe (R. Cai, Illus.). Levine Querido.

Ohland, E. K., (2022). Funeral girl, (J. Nahikian, Narr.). [Audiobook]. Dreamscape Media.

*originally posted 04/06/2025*

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Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo, Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller

This queer historical romance takes place in the mid-1950s in the Bay Area of San Francisco, California, following World War 2 and the rise of McCarthyism in the US. Lily is trying to get through her senior year so she can study rockets when budding queerness and a new friend named Kath disrupt Lily's plans of remaining her family's good Chinese daughter. It's a patient and honest bildungsroman full of life and newly discovered joy alongside poignant discussions of sexuality and intersectionality.

I bought this book back before it was awarded the Michael L. Printz Honor. It also won the National Book Award, the Stonewall Book Award, and the Asian/Pacific American Award for Youth Literature. I only know I bought the book prior to these prestigious awards because my copy has no such details of its prominent success. This novel is extremely well-regarded and for good reasons. I ultimately chose this book because of the Printz Honor and the fact that I had this book on my shelf. The timing couldn't have been better because I recently got this book back from a friend who took it with her to college and returned home only months ago. I listened to just about a third of the audiobook, and then finished it physically. This book was chosen to fulfill the Michael L. Printz Honor requirement.

The big question of queerness, specifically lesbian identity, is explored with such ferocity, full of bouts of tension and the physical need to be close to another; and yet so much care, with both Lily and Kath never pushing a boundary and constantly being so aware and careful with one another. This big unanswerable question for Lily shows up in the first chapter where Lily tears the ad for Tommy Andrews, male impersonator, out of a newspaper, stashes the image, and then frantically washes her hands of the evidence (Lo, 2021, p. 17). Immediately there is this internal turmoil with the protagonist, understanding there is a reason for her behavior, but unsure what it could be. There's a great final line to the second chapter: Lily looking at her amassed images of more masculine women and feeling "a hot and restless urge to look--- and, by looking, to know" (Lo, 2021, p. 23). There is little doubt what the question is, and as the story progresses, the more unapologetic Lily feels about her queerness, even while she remains ever-anxious about being seen by residents of Chinatown while she's attending the Telegraph Club or with Kath. She's letting herself be herself, even while scared. Even when everything falls apart and Lily is being sent away, she tells her family very plainly "'[she] didn't make a mistake'" (Lo, 2021, p. 376). The big question of what queerness is to Lily is deeply intriguing in the way Lo tells the story, with tons of historical details and with a clear look into Lily's lovestruck and frantic mind.

The setting is one of the most impressive aspects of the novel. There are timelines throughout the book's parts, dictating exactly when in history the plot's events are occurring. It is genuinely difficult to explain just how much detail and research clearly went into this novel. The "Author's Note" section (Lo, 2021, pp. 397-405) is paragraphs of information of the era this book takes place in, alongside the "Select Bibliography" with books, articles, and documentaries Lo used in her research (Lo, 2021, pp. 407-408). I have never seen a fictional novel with this much presented research, and I find it awe-inspiring and downright incredible. Amongst the pages of the actual novel, long lists of region-specific Chinese cuisine with specific addresses, locations, and clothing engulf the book in such an atmosphere of the era, and it feels perfect.

This is an extremely well-rounded piece of literature. Even if the reader isn't a fan of one aspect of the story, there is so much more that the reader can pull from. There is the political climate threatening Lily's family, particularly her father, and her need to avoid anyone who is affiliated with communists. There is the romance between Lily and Kath, starting from nothing and slowly blossoming into something bigger than they could've imagined. There is the historical lens on queer culture and how those who were out and attending public queer spaces were operating during this moment in history. There are the cultural struggles of Lily being a person of color in 1950s America. The amount of elements and concepts presented thoroughly and carefully make this novel well-rounded and full of potential discussion.

I gave this book 4.25 stars on StoryGraph because the romance is adorable and done well inside this beast of a historical fiction teaming with life and character. A great recommendation I can provide is The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake is a coming-of-age novel about protagonist Violet attempting to find a historical shipwreck that haunts her family whilst also attempting to navigate her queerness.

References:

Drake, J. (2019). The last true poets of the sea. Hyperion.

Lo, M. (2021). Last night at the telegraph club. Dutton Books.

Lo, M. (2021). Last night at the telegraph club (E. W. Zeller, Narr.). [Audiobook]. Books on Tape.

*originally posted 04/17/2025*

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Wings of Ebony by J. Elle

This fast-paced YA fantasy rooted in the real world follows protagonist Rue, who immediately after the murder of her mother was taken by her father to the land of New Ghizon, where people have magical onyx stones they can wield. A year later, Rue tries to contact her sister, Tasha, but everything goes wrong. In order to save her and her neighborhood of East Row, Houston, Rue must take down the ruling powers of New Ghizon.

I got the duology (the second book is Ashes of Gold) secondhand about three years ago, and never got around to reading it. Recently, I got to hear the author at an event and decided it was finally time to read the books. Also, I've mentioned in other posts, I have a physical TBR reading goal that I am trying to achieve this year, and this book counts. This novel fulfills the fantasy category.

The pacing is very fast-paced for being the first book in a series of two. I was expecting more things to be drawn out or different antagonists initially, but the pacing works. The Big Bad cannot be touchable until the second book, so his second-in-command makes much more sense to be the antagonist in the first book. I will say, the romance that begins to blossom towards the end of the book felt a bit rushed, but it is still enjoyable. The reason the book keeps its pace but retains the audience is the the setting shifting frequently, with Rue being transported back and forth between New Ghizon and East Row. The plot remains throughout the various places, so the steady increase of plot doesn't slow or falter. It's been a while since I've read such a fast-paced prose novel, and I really missed that feeling of tearing through a book.

The style and language in this book is interesting and realistic. The people in New Ghizon speak a language other than English, and the fictional language is presented well while not being overbearing. I've read some fantasy or science fiction novels where the fictional languages dominate conversations and make scenes hard to interpret and understand. There is a decent amount of invented language in this, and yet it's most often translated by a native speaker or translated in real time by Rue. It makes the fantasy of magical lands feel more real without being overbearing or too much considering a lot of the plot also takes place in Houston. The language used by Rue and her Houstonian peers is also well-done, with AAVE and other colloquial slang typical of an American teen. The way they talk feels real not not like the author is trying to seem younger by being "hip" or "cool," which happens sometimes in YA.

Speaking of feeling real, the believability in this novel is great. Fantasy tied with modern times is hard for me to get into for of two reasons: 1) when I look for fantasy, I like high fantasy or historical fantasy loosely based on myths and 2) I am more of a fan of literary fiction when it comes to contemporary novels. I get nitpicky when the modern elements don't seem right, but then get upset when the inconsistencies are simply explained away with magic when that isn't the issue. This book has a clear separation between the events in New Ghizon and the events in East Row whilst being interconnected, and it makes the reading experience more believable for me. And of course, having teenagers act like teenagers is always a plus.

I gave this book 4 stars on StoryGraph for its intriguing execution of a concept I typically avoid and just being a good and enjoyable fantasy novel. I plan on reading the second book over the summer and hope to enjoy its conclusion. Another book that I liked that feels similar to this one is The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon. It's the first book in a duology (the second book I also haven't read yet, whoops) that follows Wyatt, a transmasculine witch who ran away from his home after he lost control of his magic. He must return to the fae's realm in order attempt to quell the political turmoil occurring due to his absence and undissolved betrothal to the fae prince.

References:

Edgmon, H.E. (2021). The witch king. Inkyard Press.

Elle, J (2021). Wings of ebony. Simon & Schuster.

*originally posted 04/25/2025*

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The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons, Narrated by Jamie K. Brown

This heartfelt sports romance follows transmasculine teen Spencer as he attempts to go stealth at his new school. Unexpectedly, he gets drafted to try out for the boys' soccer team and learns the cute guy he interacted with his first day, Justice, is the vice captain. After joining the team and making new friends, obstacles fall in his path as he navigates community and love in the face of discrimination.

I believe I bought this novel soon after it came out. While not hearing a ton of buzz about it, I was recommended it and wanted to have this book on my shelf. I still have my goal of 40 books off of my physical TBR by the end of the year, and this one made 33! This novel fulfills the romance category.

The believability of YA novels is a big indicator on whether or not I'll like it, and this novel delivers. Surprisingly, Spencer's parents and brother were among the most believable and fleshed-out characters in the book. Yes, they are incredibly important to the story as a whole, but it has been a good while since I've read a YA book where there are such developed adults who are not directly involved with the majority of the plot. It is refreshing to see the teenage main characters make honest and real mistakes, but then having the parents of said characters do the same and discuss how to best handle the situations? Incredible. They were probably my favorite characters in the book, if I'm being honest. Needless to say, the complex components that make up this book, from financial situations to queerness, really sell this book as lived-in.

The major dramatic question of Spencer's transness is heavily discussed and explored throughout this novel, both internally and externally. It is the driving narrative of the plot, with Spencer wanting a fresh start with no one knowing explicitly of his transness, but also going into every situation hesitant and nervous about whether people's perceptions of him would be if they ever found out. This was a big deal in both major plotlines: with Spencer having to be benched from soccer games because his birth certificate had the wrong gender on it, and with Justice coming from a conservative, religious family and the fear of harm that could come from developing a friendship, and quickly, a romantic relationship with him. Spencer figures out how much of his identity revolves around him being transgender and, while scary, being open about it could lead to change and positive outcomes if he surrounds himself with the right community. His ultimate decision in the climax to publicly address the discrimination he faced because of his gender was a huge moment for Spencer, considering at the beginning of the book he didn't even feel comfortable enough discussing that during a GSA meeting.

This novel is well-rounded in terms of how much is covered in just under 300 pages. There is the main conflict of Spencer's transness, and his queerness at times. There is the romance blossoming between him and Justice, who is very closeted and comes from a bigoted family, adding another layer into the complexity of the situation. The sports element of Spencer going against his parents' wishes by joining the soccer team is probably the most developed part of the story. Additionally, there are discussions of race, transphobia in the queer community, neurodiversity, and so much more. Everything was handled with care and honesty and I thoroughly enjoyed the various aspects the plot had to offer.

I gave this book four stars on StoryGraph for its compelling sports plot and blossoming queer romance, all while being a poignant story about what it's like being young and trans in rural America. A good recommendation, while a middle-grade novel, is Obie Is Man Enough by Schuyler Bailar, which I read earlier this year. It has a similar sports focus (on swimming rather than soccer), but follows an out transmasculine boy trying to navigate transphobia in his sport and at school. There is also a wholesome romance in that book.

References:

Bailar, S. (2021). Obie is man enough. Crown Books for Young Readers.

Fitzsimons, I. (2021). The passing playbook. Dial Books.

Fitzsimons, I. (2021). The passing playbook (J. K. Brown, Narr.). [Audiobook]. Books on Tape.

*originally posted 09/14/2025*

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It Came From the Trees by Ally Russell

This middle-grade horror novel follows a standard cryptid story. A young black scout named Jenna watches her best friend, Reese, get snatched from their tent by the Beast of Backcountry, local cryptid. Determined to save Reese, Jenna goes on another camping trip and unknowingly enlists the new troop into facing the Beast.

I have seen this book checked out many times at the library I work at. It seemed popular (which I later learned was because it's a Texas Bluebonnet book), and I adore cryptids, so this was right up my alley. I chose this book to fulfill the Texas Bluebonnet requirement.

The main conflict is blatant, with the cryptid showing up within the first thirty pages, taking Reese and making Jenna's only current motivation to find and save Reese. As the plot progresses, the protagonist's goals shift to include the new troop of scouts she befriends on her rescue mission, but the conflict remains the same. The Beast of Backcountry is after her, and it knows her name. The external and main conflict is a single creature hunting down this (while capable) vulnerable girl in its own domain. It is simple in execution but is additionally complex because of the internal conflicts of Jenna. There's the complications of having an entire troop with her while she is the target of the Beast's intentions. There's the very real possibility that Reese is already dead, this rescue mission taking place weeks after her capture. It's all done in a way that keeps the audience intrigued by the main conflict of the Beast and also the internal conflicts faced by Jenna.

The setting of this novel is something to behold despite its seemingly obvious presentation. It's a forest in New England, nothing dramatic or frankly, unusual. However, the manner in which it is presented is incredible. This place that has always been a comfort to Jenna is now the place of all her nightmares. There is the added issue of Jenna not being accompanied by Reese, who was knowledgeable about all the things she wasn't. The setting has genuinely turned against her, all of the descriptions slowly becoming into gruesome and horrifying rather than just a bit apprehensive. Additionally, there are signs of advanced intelligence and technology appearing in what is supposed to be nature, pure and untouched. Altering the setting so strikingly following the repeated interactions with the Beast is the clear indicator that the setting is and will no longer be the same place Jenna wants it to be. It's again, blunt and effective.

The believability is what truly sells this book for me. Even though the characters are dealing with a cryptid, a monster, they act in ways I would expect children to react to a real-life monster. The sheer intent Jenna has to get Reese back and to take the time to plan everything is impressive, but understandable with her experience. Despite her being rather pragmatic about this situation, she rushes into the rescue mission and lacks the foresight to think about the other campers with her, as I'd expect a tween to act. Once everyone begins interacting with the Beast, the characters really come off of the page, the teenager especially. Jenna makes a point to acknowledge that she is also a child, but also needs to act with some authority after the adult guide gets injured. Despite all the characters' experience, they were still scared beyond belief, and it made the story feel real to me, despite it being a creature feature.

I gave the book 4 stars for the engaging story and love for cryptids. I've always been a fan of them, specifically the Loch Ness Monster, so I was excited seeing that this was an original cryptid horror novel. While not similar plot-wise, my recommendation is a story that has similar intense horror elements and a focus on survival. ND Stevenson's Scarlet Morning follows two young teens leaving their desolate island and joining a crew of seamen, definitely not pirates, for safe passage to civilization, but things go wrong quickly and lore begins to unfold.

References:

Russell, A. (2024). It came from the trees. Delacorte Press.

2025-2026 Texas Bluebonnet Award List Released - Texas Library Association

The Texas Library Association’s (TLA) 2025-2026 Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA) List was announced at the Texas Book Festival in Austin on Satu

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Big by Vashti Harrison

This heartfelt picture book follows a young girl growing up, but not in the way society would like her to. As she grows bigger, her personality and self-worth dwindles, the concept of "big" no longer seen as a good thing. She learns to make room for herself, but at a cost.

I see this book checked out all the time when I'm at work, so I thought I'd see what all the hype was about. It also won a plethora of recognitions and honors: the 2024 Caldecott Medal, a 2023 National Book Award finalist, and the 2024 Coretta Scott King Author Honor. This book is to fulfill the Coretta Scott King Award requirement.

The main conflict of this book is the misconstrued concept of growing up and getting "big." The protagonist becomes, in the eyes of society, too big, and feels ashamed of it despite being unable to control it. Her being too big begins when she gets stuck in a swing seat and is shamed for even considering getting into it (Harrison, 2023). Following this event, the protagonist gets bigger and bigger, visually becoming too large for even the books pages (Harrison, 2023). This act of growing and having no way of stopping it is a brilliant way to show how it actually is for a young child. They have no control, and the words and actions of those shaming her are cruel and unjust It's an external conflict turned inward, and it's done very well.

The art in this book is incredibly effective. There is a lot left to interpretation, but in a constructive way for the audience. One of the best uses of art is done at the climax, when the protagonist makes space for herself where others would not. The book has additional pages that open to make space for the child, and it is probably the best method artistically Harrison could have used (2023). Physically having the audience opening up and making the space for the young girl speaks volumes, and clearly presents the effectiveness of the art and illustrations in this picture book.

The setting in this book is interesting in that it shows the conflict shifting from an external one to an internal one. The first chunk of the book has easy-to-see places and people, establishing a basic, tangible setting for the protagonist. After the child internalizes that she is too big, the setting becomes less tangible until the child is left in a blank space, confines in the empty pages of the book that she is much too big for. Using the setting to visually present the conflict shifting is a smart technique to get the audience to understand the feelings the young girl is feeling: her world only revolved around her size and nothing there to help her.

I gave this book 5 stars on StoryGraph for the clearly demonstrated the conflicts children who grow too "big" for what society deems normal have to endure and, sadly enough, need to grow from in order to mature beyond those who think the size of someone determines their worth. Another hard-hitting picture book that discusses physical differences and having to move forward despite society's beliefs is I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith.

References:

Harrison, V. (2023). Big (V. Harrison, Illus.). Little, Brown, and Company.

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We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang

This science fiction picture book follows the Li couple taking care of these creatures that "are DEFINITELY human" (Fang, 2024) fix their vehicle. The book is full of fluorescent colors and soft illustrations to tell this adorable story of helping strangers in need.

I picked up this book when the library I work at got it a few months ago. I skimmed it back then and finally decided to sit down and read it. The picture book is also the recent 2025 winner of the Ezra Jack Keats Award. This is to fulfill the Texas 2x2 list requirement.

The illustrations in this picture book were absolutely delightful. Fang used graphite pencil and colored digitally to look like colored pencil. The colors throughout the book make a clear, visual distinction between the visitors and the humans of the Li couple and their town. The visitors are all bright, fluorescent colors that are honestly harsh on the eyes at times. As a contrast, the Li home and fellow townsfolk are enveloped in warm earth tones. These visuals show the obvious difference between the visitors compared to the residents of Earth despite the conflicting words of those who "are DEFINITELY human" (Fang, 2024) repeatedly declaring their humanity. Having this in the picture book allows the reader to visually read and question the validity of the visitors without being explicitly told.

The pacing of the book was something I wasn't expecting to like so much. Often in picture books, the pacing is fast in order to convey the story in under 50 pages with illustrations. The visitors crash down in the Lis' yard and Mr. Li offers to help them, but only after resting and collecting necessary supplies. Fang's book takes its time establishing the Li couple and the visiting trio, giving them their own quirks and even involving the town in the repair of the vehicle. The audience gets a chance to look into the life of the Lis while also having the story continue to progress and the visitors to return on their journey in space. I'm a big fan of more slow-paced picture books, and this one is no exception.

The main theme of this book is told on the penultimate page of the book, with the visitors expressing gratitude for the "kind humans" and to follow in their footsteps and "offer help to those in need" (Fang, 2024). Despite the visitors not actually being of Earth, they were helped as if they were, and were presumably believed and trusted despite the less-than-believable behaviors and words from the trio. Helping those in need is an inherent part of being human, regardless if who you are helping is a stranger. It's a great message and it is presented in a way where the help is never questioned or ridiculed; and it is executed on the Li couple's own terms. Help where you can, however you can.

I gave this book 5 stars on StoryGraph for its adorable imagery and wholesome theme of helping everyone, including, and especially, strangers. Another great picture book I recommend about a community coming together and the ultimate goal of helping those in need is Miles Morales Spider-Man: Through a Hero's Eyes by Denene Millner, illustrated by Mónica Paola Rodriguez.

References:

Fang, X. (2024). We are definitely human (X. Fang, Illus.). Tundra Books.

Millner, D. (2023). Miles Morales Spider-Man: Through a Hero's Eyes (M. P. Rodriguez, Illus.). Random House/Marvel.

Ezra Jack Keats Foundation - EJK Award

EJK Award is given annually to an outstanding new writer and new illustrator by the EJK Foundation in partnership with the de Grummond Child

Current List - Texas Library Association

Collection Development Statement The 2×2 list is not designed to support any particular curriculum. Librarians are not required or expected

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Books I will be reviewing over the next few months (Fall 2025):

The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans, Narrated by Jamie K. Brown

Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood, Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III, Foreword by Jason Reynolds

A Song For You and I by K. O'Neill

It Came from the Trees by Ally Russell

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller

Ablaze by Jessica Lawson, Illustrated by Sarah Gonzales (ebook)

Alebrijes by Donna Barba Higuera

Big by Vashti Harrison

The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor

We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang

EDIT: Time got away from me this semester and while I read some of these books, I never got around to writing up my reviews. I will continue this effort into the new year :) More to come!

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Obie Is Man Enough by Schuyler Bailar

This sporty contemporary middle-grade book tells the story of Obie, a transgender boy trying to make it to the Junior Olympics for swim while also navigating transphobia, friendship struggles, and young love. It's full of love and written with genuine care for the characters.

I picked up this book secondhand a while ago and thought it would be a great option to read for a queer middle-grade novel. Many books have characters who are queer and the plot is separate from their identity, but this book is very much about Obie's transness, hence why I decided to read it to fulfill the LGBTQIA+ category.

The style and language in this book are perhaps the most important element of the novel. Slurs are used against Obie and his friends and it is never seen as a normal thing to do and is always taken seriously and handled properly. There is even an instance where a fellow teammate of Obie's explains to Obie and another friend where a specific slur comes from and why it is significantly worse than they think. Everything is explained and handled with such care to where the intended audience of younger children have a clear understanding of what is okay and not okay when discussing queer, and specifically trans, people. Having this language as a young person is important, regardless if they are queer or not, and the style in which it is delivered is poignant and clearly by using the proper terms.

There is a clear conflict throughout this book with Obie's transness being an issue to his transphobic ex-coach and ex-friend, who are father and son. Obie is physically attacked by his ex-friend, Clyde, while in the bathroom and it causes multiple issues following this day: Obie needing stitches and not being able to swim for weeks, Clyde's expulsion making him more aggravated, and Obie's other friend, Lucy, not really listening or paying attention to him. Obie knows he is right and that Clyde and his old coach are wrong, but he can't help but question why his identity is such an issue and whether or not things are worth it. It's an engaging conflict that is both internal and external, with Obie constantly thinking about himself but also how he should confront people about his transness and when is a good time to.

This is a well-rounded piece of fiction despite it heavily involving the question of Obie's identity and how he fits into the world. There is the budding romance between Obie and his favorite restaurant's new employee, Charlie. There's obviously the sports element with Obie competitively swimming in multiple tournaments. There's the troubles of adolescence and trying to grow up but also be a kid at the same time. There's so much packed into these 319 pages with additional resources and readings for those who wish to know more about this kind of story and identity.

I gave this book 4.25 stars on StoryGraph for its compelling story about a trans athlete full of the messiness and hilarity of adolescence and growing up. While it's a YA book, Stay Gold by Tobly McSmith is a good recommendation in which follows Pony, a transmascuine teen attempting to blend in and stay stealth at his new school until he begins falling for a cheerleader.

References:

Bailar, S. (2021). Obie is man enough. Crown Books for Young Readers.

McSmith, T. (2020). Stay gold. HarperCollins.

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Everything Comes Next: Collected & New Poems by Naomi Shihab Nye, Art by Rafael López, Introduction by Edward Hirsch

This book of poetry is full of well-known and new poems by this beloved poet. There are multiple parts that take on various themes and notions presented in their titles, like "People Are the Only Holy Land" (Nye, 2020, p. 111) discussing and focusing on human nature and the impact particular humans had on Nye. It's a great collection that never holds back.

Initially, I thought reading what would be my first Shel Silverstein collection would be great, but then I remembered he wrote primarily in the late 20th century and not in the last decade. After realizing this, I admit I chose one of the first books of poetry for children listed in my local library's catalog. What is impressive is I learned after checking the book that the poet was doing a poetry reading local to me. I sadly couldn't attend because of work, but after finding out a bit more about Nye and having that arbitrary connection to her, I became very excited to read this collection. This book fulfills the poetry requirement.

The style and language of this collection are perhaps the most vital elements with this book being entirely poetry. Poetry thrives on details, both mundane and extravagant, and effective language, often utilizing flowery and unique language techniques to create new ideas or perspectives of specific experiences. However, with this book's demographic being children, there cannot be excessive complex words or concepts that muddle the intent of the poem. Despite these supposed limitations (as some would see it), the collection is forward and beautifully written. There is the popular phrase "less is more," and Nye exhibits the idea so well. "Torn Map" is one of my favorite poems in the collection, and it has only one three-syllable word, "crookedly" (Nye, 2020, p. 183); and with this, it packs a way harder punch than overly-detailed poems I've read in the past. The language is incredibly effective, which is what it needs to be in this context. Nye's blunt but gentle style and direct storytelling truly stand out.

The collection is well-rounded even with it containing various poems across different times in the poet's life. The amount of questions and messages presented and explored in this 228 page collection is simply shocking. And with it being a collection and not one continuous story, the reader can pick and choose what they would like to read without feeling restricted to less appealing poems or topics. There are very short poems, like "Come With Me" (Nye, 2020, p. 11) and "Lying While Birding" (Nye, 2020, p. 183). There are various prose poems that are written into paragraphs and fill the page with imagery and questions, like "Museum" (Nye, 2020, pp. 54-57) that tells the embarrassing but touching childhood mistake Nye and her friend made. As a whole, it is a triumph of words and they made me feel a spectrum of emotions.

As I said before, this is a collection of wildly different poems, but I think it's safe to say they tend to focus on the themes of love and perseverance, and the title Everything Comes Next really reflects those notions. The phrase comes from the poem "Jerusalem" with the final line stating: "It's late but everything comes next" (Nye, 2020, p. 108). Sure, people make mistakes, and will continue to make mistakes. There will be consequences and there will continue to be serious effects of these actions. However, even though it may be too late to fix anything, there is still an infinite number of possibilities available. Everything is still possible despite all the mistakes; "everything comes next" (Nye, 2020, p. 108).

I gave this book 4.25 stars on StoryGraph for being a fulfilling collection of digestible poetry. I have not read much poetry for children, and cannot provide a great recommendation in that regard, but I think the middle-grade books by Kate DiCamillo encompass similar themes and storytelling techniques that Nye uses in her poetry.

References:

Nye, N. S. (2020). Everything comes next: Collected & new poems (R. López, Illus.) (E. Hirsch, Intro.). Greenwillow Books.

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Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee

This fantastical middle-grade graphic novel is one of the cutest books I have read this year. It follows twelve-year-old Lora and her struggles with not wanting to grow up when all of her peers are obsessed with it. While playing, she hosts a séance tea party and Alexa, this ghost girl who lived decades ago, shows up and they become quick friends. Lora and Alexa both navigate the stigmas of growing up alongside one another and it's simply a delight.

I bought this book secondhand at least two years ago and never got around to reading it until now. As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a goal to read 40 books off of my physical TBR this year, and this book makes eight so far. It fulfills the graphic novel requirement.

I cannot stress enough how much I adore the art in this graphic novel. The colors are bold and routinely take up the entire page rather than simply filling a panel. While this book does use panels to tell a lot of the story, a large chunk of the illustrations flow across and down the pages freely and it makes the reading experience so much more engaging and interesting with these various methods utilized to tell the story through visual art. Also, all the letting in the book was done freehanded as well, and Yee can add more character to the text in a simple way of almost drawing emotions as fonts. Overall, the graphic novel does not skimp on the illustrations in any way and presents a brilliant array of characters and settings in the art.

The big question of growing up is a question that is constantly discussed in youth literature, especially middle-grade when children are typically hitting puberty and it all becomes a very real endeavor the child must process. With the two main characters, there are two different points of view on this matter, and both are important to discuss with children. Lora does not want to grow up because it scares her, but she ends up growing up without even realizing it and enjoys it after a bit, but remains ever-scared of losing her childhood magic. Alexa, a ghost, cannot grow up, and will never grow up, and she needs reminders that even if someone grows up, they can keep their childhood whimsy and magic forever. Both play a crucial role in each other's process of answering what it means to grow up: Lora, by accidently pushing Alexa aside for her new friends and activities, realizes she might have lost her last connection to childhood, and Alexa by befriending her old friend, now an abuelita and whimsical children's author, can remind Lora that she can never not be magical. It's a great answer to this daunting and heavily explored question in children's literature, and it's well-done without being too simplified.

The protagonist of Lora is especially interesting to me, with her desire to be a stagnant character in her own story. She wants to be a kid forever; she doesn't want to grow up. It's scary. Not against her will, but almost inevitably, she does grow up, not in a negative way, but she does grow up and do things that "grown-ups" do. And in growing up, she becomes a dynamic character by changing and developing as the story progresses despite doing everything at first to remain the same. Lora feels so reminiscent of myself in middle school, not understanding the hype of boy bands and growing up at first, but inevitably doing so by the time I went to high school. And it scared me. The character of Lora portrays such a believable child fearing the future, but following its path regardless of her initial intentions.

I gave this book 4.5 stars on StoryGraph for its gorgeous art and even more compelling and touching storytelling. A recommendation that I think would suit readers who enjoyed this book is The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines by Mo Netz. While it's a prose novel and not a graphic novel, it's a similarly fantastical bildungsroman about Jerry and her new life in a weird motel and dealing with magical beasts and creatures in the woods just beyond it.

References:

Netz, M. (2024). The lumbering giants of windy pines. Clarion Books.

Yee, R. (2020). Séance tea party (R. Yee, Illus.). RH Graphic.

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Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen, Colors by Lark Pien

This contemporary graphic novel is full of self-acceptance and identity and heart. The story revolves around an eleven year old named Mia, who is preparing for her bat mitzvah. However, she has conflicting emotions about her religion because she is a member of the Muscogee Nation from her father's side and never gets to see him with her parents being separated. Without telling either of her parents, she sneaks off to Oklahoma to see her father and learn about this part of her identity.

This book has been on my radar for a while. The library I work at bought a couple copies and I got to see them processed and thought the book looked interesting. Later learning it was a Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee, I thought it'd be a great option to read. This book is to fulfill the requirement of a Texas Bluebonnet book.

This graphic novel is full of colorful and made up mostly of clean-cut rectangular cells. The art style reminds me a bit of how French comic artists make their work, with large cell colors in the background and a more cartoon-esque stylization of people. The few times this the illustrations break from this mold are in the portions where stories are being told to Mia, where the cells blocks have a wavy border and are in a sepia tone to convey the past or different time period. It's a simple idea executed well and it's a clear distinction from the main plot without breaking the story.

The style and language used in this book is accurate yet articulated well for children. When discussing specific religious terms, they aren't simplified or changed to try to make them easier to understand. When topics are discussed that are more complex or more niche for the community, there is a quick explanation or breakdown of the origin or story of the topic, not breaking up any of the ongoing plot, but still informing the reader of these important aspects of Mia's identity.

The major dramatic question surrounding what exactly is Mia's identity is quick to emerge and remains prevalent throughout the book. At the beginning, she is questioned by one of her Jewish classmates about her being Native American, and she realizes she doesn't know much about that part of her, and feels different from her Jewish peers at school. Throughout her time in Oklahoma, she attempts to learn as much as she can about the Muscogee Nation attending a powwow and enjoying lots of different food. Mia also processes how her Jewish traditions relate to her Muscogee ones, complicating this big question in an interesting way. The graphic novel does a great job exploring the two different cultures in tandem and presents the ultimate question of Mia's identity in a complex yet clear manner.

I gave this book 4 stars on StoryGraph because it tells this story with attention to detail and a lot of heart. Mia messes up, and learns from it using her new knowledge. It's well-done and definitely worth a read. A similar and great recommendation is Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol. The graphic memoir is an Eisner Award Nominee that tells a similar story of not feeling fit in one's culture at a sleep-away camp.

References:

Bowen Cohen, E. (2023). Two tribes (E. Bowen Cohen, Illus.) (L. Pien, Colors). Heartdrum.

Brosgol, V. (2018). Be prepared (V. Brosgol, Illus.). First Second.

2024-2025 Texas Bluebonnet Award List - Austin Public Library

2024-2025 Texas Bluebonnet Award List by AustinPL_CentralYouth - a staff-created list : These titles are librarian recommended for grades 3-

Be Prepared

"Beautifully drawn, brutally funny, brilliantly honest. Vera is such a good cartoonist I almost can’t stand it.” —Raina Telgemeier, author o

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The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri, Art by Daniel Miyares

This middle grade historical fiction is about Omar, a boy bought by Samir, the Seller of Dreams, and the frequent assassination attempts made on his master throughout his journey on the Silk Road. The book has an illustration at the beginning of each chapter to set the scene and present the characters pertinent to the story.

I actually got to see the author give a talk about this book when it initially released back in 2023 and bought a signed copy at the event. This book won a Newbery Medal Award Honor in 2024, that being the reason I ultimately chose to read this story. A bit more selfishly, I have a challenge for myself to read 40 books off of my physical TBR this year, and this counts towards that goal. This book is to fulfill the Newbery Medal requirement.

The illustrations are full-page paintings of the characters and places important to the chapter, and they are simply delightful. These are especially fun alongside the chapters detailing the various assassination attempts on Samir, like the aerial shot of the ablutionist and Samir playing shatranj for chapter 11 (Nayeri, 2023, p. 144). The image of Samir and Gracus Ghuldor for chapter 10 is one of my favorites because of how perfectly it encapsulates Samir's pushy personality and the harsh views of others towards him, even those a tad more fond of him than the average person (Nayeri, 2023, p. 138).

With this story being historical fiction, the setting is incredibly important to establish because if the setting is not well-done or properly researched, the story becomes unbelievable. Nayeri clearly has put in the work to make the Silk Road an almost magical path full of thrills and churning with life. There are tons of people and places and food thoroughly explored and artfully described that the reader gets a clear and beautifully clustered images of markets and nights spent under the stars.

The protagonist of Omar grows slowly as a character throughout of the book, in the beginning constantly berating the merchant internally for his misdeeds and the lies Samir sells as dreams. As their journey progresses, Omar develops more positive emotions for Samir and having to get more inventive on ways to save Samir from oncoming assassins. Having consistent references and callbacks to Omar just before joining Samir like the "six bolts" and being "stoned to death" (Nayeri, 2023) shows the audience just how much Omar has changed since then. With almost nonstop berating and criticizing about Samir, Omar's actions of rescue and care for the older man are necessary to show his dynamic character growth.

I gave this book 4 stars on StoryGraph for its inventive journey down the Silk Road full of engaging details and inventive characters. While this is historical fiction, it almost reads like a fantasy book with all of the mystical places and people Omar and Samir, the Seller of Dreams, meet along the road. Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. Nielson is also follows a boy attempting to break free from slavery and create a new life for himself, and feels like a decent recommendation. Its differences from Omar's story come from the setting (prominently in Rome) and it being historical fantasy, but it feels like a good comparative recommendation.

References:

Nayeri, D. (2023). The many assassinations of samir, the seller of dreams (D. Miyares, Illus.). Levine Querido.

Nielson, J. A. (2015). Mark of the thief. Scholastic Inc.

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I Am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon by Baptiste & Miranda Paul, Art by Elizabeth Zunon

This informative nonfiction picture book details the life of Farmer Tantoh, a Cameroonian man who changed the water and farming infrastructure of the local villages in his nation and his efforts to continue his work. As a result of his efforts, these villages thrive and he holds the title of Farmer with pride.

This book was recommended to me through Libby when I was looking for juvenile nonfiction books online. This one had no holds, which meant I could renew it if need be, and seemed like a great match. In all honesty, it was the most convenient digital book for me to choose and it ended up being a great book. This book was chosen to fulfill the informational category requirement.

The images and illustrations in this book were unique and so entertaining with the use of mixed media done by the contributors. The two authors took all the photos, which populate the beginning and end of the book to add more context and visuals to exactly what Farmer Tantoh accomplished. The illustrator, Zunon, used real-life photos of crops and nature in a form of collage alongside watercolor and colored pencils, and the result is this almost chunky feel with bright blockings of colors with the illustrations and the details of the images being cut into fun shapes to represent something adjacent to the image or to simply be itself. The stylization used with this collage method is incredibly fun, like how the water is this multi-colored stone instead of an actual image of water like some of the other elements of the illustrations. I am such a fan of this almost selective collage style used by Zunon and can't wait to find more art by this illustrator.

The setting in this book is incredible important, with how drastic of changes Farmer Tantoh made in order to make the villages more agriculturally viable and accessible to clean water. Establishing on the opening pages what northwestern Cameroon is like, full of life and yet lacking something crucial. And then at the end showing the same landscape, still alive and green, but now full of people and agriculture. This dichotomy of the before and after of Father Tantoh's impact, while the region never lacked life and greenery, clearly shows how important his work affected said region with the sheer amount of people and crops present.

The style and language used in the writing is poignant and exact, necessary for a nonfiction piece, but incredibly important when remembering this is a book for children. Not cutting corners and using the accurate words to describe the events is refreshing; like how Farmer Tantoh "contracts typhoid" (Paul & Paul, 2019, p. 23) rather than simplifying it to something like "gets sick." Using the phrases and terms of the people in these villages is also a way to present to these younger audiences the languages of faraway places without overwhelming them. A phrase here and there is digestible but also important acclimating children with different languages. A final point on only referring to Farmer Tantoh with his title of "Farmer" following him claiming that name is also such an important detail.

I gave this book 4 stars on StoryGraph for its engaging story about one man's impact on his region and the inspiring life he lives. I would definitely recommend this book regardless of the season, but I think it'd be especially impactful alongside a discussion of Earth Day or subsequent matters.

References:

Paul, B. & Paul, M. (2019). I am farmer: growing an environmental movement in cameroon (E. Zunon, Illus.). Millbrook Press.