Award-winning middle-grade author Young (Diné) makes his YA debut with this story set at a prestigious boarding school.

Fifteen-year-old Derrick Hoskie is moving from New Mexico to Connecticut’s Sagefield Academy, leaving behind everything he’s ever known, including his best friends and his extensive multigenerational family. In this classic fish-out-of-water tale, Derrick needs to figure out how to balance his old and new lives. Off the Navajo reservation, he’s suddenly become a minority, thrust into the spotlight and facing questions and comments from people that are based on stereotypes; Indigenous readers will recognize the fatigue of having to educate others. As a scholarship kid and competitive wrestler, Derrick feels pressure to perform in both the athletic and scholastic realms. Encouraged by his Sagefield history teacher, he becomes interested in recording his great-grandmother Másání Mildred’s Indian boarding school stories before she passes, but she has no intention of talking about those experiences. His assignments are piling up—and he sees that his classmates have found other ways to work the system, such as cheating or abusing ADHD medication. Derrick is a realistic teenager who makes good and bad decisions and has to deal with the consequences. The story, with its well-drawn school setting, has strong pacing that will keep readers engaged. Young’s author’s note describes his own time as a New England boarding school student dealing with show more culture shock.

A superlative, culturally relevant coming-of-age story. (glossary, note from Cynthia Leitich Smith) (Fiction. 13-18)

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A joyful and inclusive introduction to jazz dance and other modern dances by world-renowned early childhood educator and performer Dr. Rekha S. Rajan.

Can anyone be a modern dancer? Yes! From tap dance to swing, this board book celebrates the expressive, energetic world of jazz and modern dance. Young readers are introduced to a variety of styles from around the world and encouraged to dance freely, however and wherever they choose. Whether twirling alone or grooving with friends, kids will be inspired to move their bodies with joy, confidence, and creativity.

-Amazon description

Despite the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding Appalachia, the region has nurtured and inspired some of the nation's finest writers. Featuring dozens of authors born into or adopted by the region over the past two centuries, Writing Appalachia showcases for the first time the nuances and contradictions that place Appalachia at the heart of American history.

This comprehensive anthology covers an exceedingly diverse range of subjects, genres, and time periods, beginning with early Native American oral traditions and concluding with twenty-first-century writers such as Wendell Berry, bell hooks, Silas House, Barbara Kingsolver, and Frank X Walker. Slave narratives, local color writing, folklore, work songs, modernist prose―each piece explores unique Appalachian struggles, questions, and values. The collection also celebrates the significant contributions of women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ community to the region's history and culture. Alongside Southern and Central Appalachian voices, the anthology features northern authors and selections that reflect the urban characteristics of the region. As one text gives way to the next, a more complete picture of Appalachia emerges―a landscape of contrasting visions and possibilities.

-Amazon description

Awkward, prickly teens find deep first love in 1980s Omaha.

Eleanor and Park don’t meet cute; they meet vexed on the school bus, trapped into sitting together by a dearth of seats and their low social status. Park, the only half-Korean fan of punk and New Wave at their high school, is by no means popular, but he benefits from his family’s deep roots in their lower-middle-class neighborhood. Meanwhile, Eleanor’s wildly curly red mane and plus-sized frame would make her stand out even if she weren’t a new student, having just returned to her family after a year of couch-surfing following being thrown out by her odious drunkard of a stepfather, Richie. Although both teens want only to fade into the background, both stand out physically and sartorially, arming themselves with band T-shirts (Park) and menswear from thrift stores (Eleanor). Despite Eleanor’s resolve not to grow attached to anything, and despite their shared hatred for clichés, they fall, by degrees, in love. Through Eleanor and Park’s alternating voices, readers glimpse the swoon-inducing, often hilarious aspects of first love, as well as the contrast between Eleanor’s survival of grim, abuse-plagued poverty and Park’s own imperfect but loving family life.

Funny, hopeful, foulmouthed, sexy and tear-jerking, this winning romance will captivate teen and adult readers alike. (Fiction. 14 & up)

-Kirkus Review

Aquietly moving graphic novel explores a teen girl’s experience with friends, suicide, cliques and love. Both overweight and of mixed ethnicities, Kimberly Keiko Cameron—also known as “Skim” because “she’s not”—is slowly moving through high school with her best friend Lisa. Both sharply witty and incisive, the two girls dabble in various forms of self-expression and exploration, like dressing with Gothic flair and trying Wicca. The two girls come to an impasse when Lisa gets an unexpected chance to join the popular clique. Coupled with her tumultuous friendship, Skim also harbors a crush on a female teacher, which leads her to begin to question herself and her desires. Long, languid lines portray Skim’s turmoil and angst with pitch-perfect resonance and show how, for teens, time seems to be so drawn out. While Tamaki’s faces are sometimes unsettling, the reader has the distinct impression that they should be uncomfortable. Recommend this to fans of Daniel Clowes’s Ghost World, who have been waiting for another graphic novel of teen angst and suburban ennui. (Graphic novel. YA)

-Kirkus Review

Thoughts and reflections from an Episcopalian bishop who has drawn the ire of the current Presidential administration for remonstrating with its tone and values.

Boiled down only a little from the most recent edition of Budde’s How We Learn To Be Brave (2023, 2025), this version for younger audiences calls on literary examples like Frodo and Harry Potter, along with biblical and historical ones from Esther and Eleanor Roosevelt to Martin Luther King Jr., to show courage in action, but most of the discourse’s more rarefied intellectual foundations remain intact. While meditating on topics such as the central importance of persistence, of (as a chapter head puts it) “Stepping Up to the Plate,” and of accepting the reality of suffering and failure in the course of our personal “courageous journey,” the author draws insights from not only her own experiences but, to pick a few, Ignatian spirituality, the interracial ministry of Howard Thurman, and womanist theologian Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas. It’s heavy going, but an emphatic foreword from Bliss, himself a theologian, and an eloquent opening plea to honor “the inherent dignity of every human being” in the face of a burgeoning “culture of contempt” may provide enough impetus for serious and concerned readers to stay the course.

Not easy reading, but certainly timely, and as compassionate as it is cerebral. (end notes) (Nonfiction. 11-18)

-Kirkus Review

Photographs of religious and cultural celebrations.

This board book in the We Are Little Feminists series spotlights religious holidays like Ramadan and Obon, as well as family celebrations like adoption day and preschool graduation. The rhyming text progresses across page turns so that only a few words of a longer phrase appear on each. Bright, full-color photographs from a variety of contributors (listed toward the end) accompany the text. People depicted are diverse in terms of family type, race, and religion. Two young Jewish children wearing yarmulkes celebrate Passover, a Black family lights candles for Kwanzaa, and a North American Indigenous child participates in a powwow. Love, joy, and wonder are palpable in all of the images of ceremonies and celebrations. A helpful glossary, arranged by page number rather than alphabetically, identifies each celebration and names the related religion or culture as it applies. While this does make for a clunky back and forth if little readers ask questions along the way, it does streamline the look of each page. Additionally, the useful note for adults and “Family Discussion Questions”—broken down by age group to foster meaningful dialogue—will encourage conversation and curiosity. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Warmly celebratory and inclusive. (Board book. 1-4)

-Kirkus Review

An intentionally diverse collection of stories about “everyday heroes” that kids come across in their daily lives, people who are heroic in ways that don’t involve “special powers.”

In Juana Medina’s “Los Abuelos, Two Bright Minds,” young Juani spends the day with her grandparents, who inspire her with their loving connection and tales of immigrating from Bogotá, Colombia, to the United States. Stevie, the young hero of the story “Thrown,” by Mike Jung, is autistic and has just been promoted to the teens-and-adults aikido class; the special treat of this change is that his new sensei is also autistic. In “Home,” Hena Khan’s protagonist, Aleena, gets a new adopted brother, Hakeem, whom she and her parents pick up from an orphanage in Morocco. Soon the realities of a new little brother show her how annoying a younger sibling can be, but it’s Aleena who teaches Hakeem the true meaning of home. Compiled by Rhuday-Perkovich in partnership with We Need Diverse Books, the collection offers a vivid and vibrant assemblage of authors, experiences, and constructions of heroism. Other contributors include Lamar Giles, Ellen Oh, Joseph Bruchac, Cynthia Leitich Smith, R.J. Palacio, William Alexander, Rita Williams-Garcia, Ronald L. Smith, Linda Sue Park and her daughter, Anna Dobbin, and Suma Subramaniam.

A stellar collection that, in celebrating heroes, helps readers find the universal in the specific. (Short stories. 8-12)

-Kirkus Review

“With effusively inclusive rhyming language...this affectionate volume imbues a classic 'be yourself' narrative with gender-expansive affirmations, positioning guardians as partners in their children’s journey to 'find what’s authentic & true.'” —Publishers Weekly

Quiet and loud, soft and strong. You being you, there’s no way to be wrong…

Every day, parents come home from the hospital with a brand-new human being. What if we made vows to our babies to love them no matter what? What if the world didn't rush in to judge our little ones and instead made them feel truly seen and supported.

With bright, vibrant illustrations and exuberant rhythm and rhyme, Whoever You Are is the ultimate vow every baby will love to grow up hearing.

-Amazon description

Agame between father and child goes from silly to sweet.

The two are on their way out the door, Daddy’s arms filled with items. Daddy stops and, offering a water bottle, shares a simple request: “Hold, please.” The tot grabs the bottle and asks to hold more. “Hold Speedy?” The stuffed sloth is followed in quick succession by a toy dino and the family’s startled gato. (That last draws a sigh from Daddy that will resonate with frazzled parents the world over.) But the fun’s just begun. Arms full of treasures, the child calls for the seemingly impossible. “Hold tree?” Concise and spirited, Ribay’s structurally simple text mines a range of vibes from page to page as each request gets bolder and sillier. Similar in scope, Peña’s richly lined artwork centers father and child against unembellished backgrounds, zeroing in on distinct facial expressions and firm body movement to elicit humor and affection. Utterly enchanted, the youngster asks to hold rain, a plane flying overhead, and a truck rumbling down the street. Then, Daddy gets an idea. Back at home, he carefully places miniature replicas of what’s possible (sans rain, natch) into the child’s arms. Soon enough, his little one learns that too much stuff can be hard to hold, but holding on to Daddy is always easy. Father and child are cued Latine.

Delightfully tender. (Picture book. 4-8)

-Kirkus Review

Aportrait of the refugee experience, seen through the eyes of children.

Leaving a highland home in Tibet, a youngster hugs a grandmother goodbye. A Syrian child bids community members goodbye and sets out through fields of cotton. A third child flees a Ukrainian city amid the “loud BOOMS of war.” For each, the journey away from home is hard and exhausting. All find themselves at refugee camps, and when they finally leave, they’re filled with hope and relief—but also fear. The three travel to the same new country (which goes unnamed); differences are everywhere in this new land. “Still, you gather up your courage,” and isn’t long before they find familiarity and belonging. Classmates share smiles, laughs, and even a snack; recess and play make connections. “Day by day, little by little… / the new becomes known.” Writing in second person, directly addressing the displaced children, Sheth compassionately acknowledges the heartbreak they’ve endured and underscores their resilience. Carozzi’s soft and detailed digitally enhanced graphite illustrations evoke the tenderness of Sheth’s text. Shifting perspectives through wide shots and close-ups reinforce an idea of shared and personal experiences. The final spread of a child swinging against a blue sky (with the help of another, as shown on the previous page) emphasizes the hope and community support that are so crucial as young refugees build new lives.

Comforting and uplifting. (Picture book. show more 4-8)

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A graphic edition of historian Timothy Snyder’s lessons for surviving and resisting America’s arc toward authoritarianism, featuring the visual storytelling talents of renowned illustrator Nora Krug

“Nora Krug has visualized and rendered some of the most valuable lessons of the twentieth century, which will serve all citizens as we shape the future.”—Shepard Fairey, artist and activist

Timothy Snyder’s New York Times bestseller On Tyranny uses the darkest moments in twentieth-century history, from Nazism to Communism, to teach twenty lessons on resisting modern-day authoritarianism. Among the twenty include a warning to be aware of how symbols used today could affect tomorrow (“4: Take responsibility for the face of the world”), an urgent reminder to research everything for yourself and to the fullest extent (“11: Investigate”), a point to use personalized and individualized speech rather than clichéd phrases for the sake of mass appeal (“9: Be kind to our language”), and more.

In this graphic edition, Nora Krug draws from her highly inventive art style in Belonging—at once a graphic memoir, collage-style scrapbook, historical narrative, and trove of memories—to breathe new life, color, and power into Snyder’s riveting historical references, turning a quick-read pocket guide of lessons into a visually striking rumination. In a time of great uncertainty and instability, this edition of On Tyranny emphasizes the show more importance of being active, conscious, and deliberate participants in resistance.

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life of courageous activism unfurls in Quezada Padron and Salinas’ biography of an unsung Latina labor organizer.

Like other children of migrant workers, young Jessica Govea Thorbourne toiled in the fields under the hot California sun alongside her family, enduring horrific conditions and subsisting on paltry wages. Cesar Chavez’s arrival in her town spurred her parents into joining la causa, and as they organized in their community, the budding activist learned to hone her own leadership skills. Weaving in the Delano grape strike of the late 1960s, led by Chavez and fellow labor leader Dolores Huerta, Quezada Padron ingeniously ties Jessica’s developing social consciousness to the emergent U.S. farm labor movement, underscoring a pivotal moment in the fight for labor rights. This focus, however, reduces the contributions of Filipino labor leaders and farm workers to a passing reference. As the grape strike led to an increasingly effective, widespread boycott, Jessica stepped into a prominent role in the United Farm Workers Union, eventually spearheading boycott efforts in Canada. Salinas’ vivid depictions of Brown communities working to effect change enhance the narrative, and Quezada Padron helpfully supplements this truncated spotlight on Thorbourne with a brief addendum about the activist’s life, a quick exploration of crucial words like union and pesticides, a short call to readers interested in organizing, and a timeline of the UFW.

A rich and much-needed show more portrait of a brilliant activist. (Picture-book biography. 4-8)

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Meet community organizer Dolores Huerta, who travels from poverty to political victory, becoming only the second Mexican-American woman in history to be honored with a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

A biography for the times, Brill’s narrative tells the story of a farm laborer’s daughter born during the Great Depression. Raised in Stockton, California, where her father, brother, and nearly everyone she knew picked vegetables and fruits for a living, Dolores lamented the poverty and the brutal conditions under which her community was forced to labor. Her sense of injustice only grew when the excellent work she did at school earned her an accusation of plagiarism. Spurred to action by her life experiences and a desire to help her people, Dolores joined forces with César Chávez to start the United Farm Workers Union. Borrowing Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent protest, they set out to change the way their people were treated with a successful grape strike that gained them nationwide sympathy. Weaving in quotes from Huerta and others, Brill paints a vivid picture of her subject and calls attention to a civil rights leader who was often overshadowed by her male counterpart even as she fought sexism in her own community. A helpful timeline, glossary, and “Did You Know?” sections in each chapter serve as aids in this historic biography. An excellent read for anyone hoping to believe one person can make a difference.

Young readers will recognize Dolores show more Huerta’s rallying cry “Yes, we can!” even as they are inspired by her vision for a better world. (Biography. 7-14)

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At last! The long-awaited graphic version of the multi-million copy bestselling corrective to American history myths—adapted by the famed National Book Award–winning artist behind John Lewis’s March trilogy

Named one of the Best Art Books of the Year by Hyperallergic

Winner of The Society of Midland Authors "Children’s Reading Round Table Award" for Children’s Nonfiction

Since its first publication in the 1990s, Lies My Teacher Told Me has become one of the most important and successful—and beloved—history books of our time. As the late Howard Zinn said, “Every teacher, every student of history, every citizen should read this book.” Having sold well over 2 million copies, the book also won an American Book Award and numerous other commendations and prizes and was even heralded on the front page of the New York Times long after its first publication.

Now, the brilliant and award-winning artist Nate Powell—the first cartoonist ever to win a National Book Award—has adapted Loewen’s classic work into a graphic edition that perfectly captures both Loewen’s text and the irreverent spirit of his work. Eye-popping illustrations bring to life the true history chronicled in Lies My Teacher Told Me, and ample text boxes and callouts ensure nothing is lost in translation. The book is perfect for those making their first foray past the shroud of history textbooks, and it will also be beloved by those who had their worldviews changed by the original.

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young Pakistani girl harbors big dreams.

Aspiring doctor Hafsa secretly applies to the Bukhari Summer Science Camp for girls. Her enthusiasm over being accepted is tempered by the exorbitant fees and her conservative parents’ objections. Hafsa has a stroke of good luck when her brother-in-law offers to cover her expenses, and her sister suggests she stay in their home in Lahore, near the camp. Hafsa is disappointed to learn this year’s program is about climate change; the medical course will take place the following summer. At home, she notices her sister being roped into working on the family’s charity project at the cost of her own aspirations. At camp, she feels like an outsider when other girls mock her rural background. A brief encounter with a local zoo elephant sparks events that threaten Hafsa’s resolve, but she puts aside her fears and channels her learning into action. This companion to Amal Unbound (2018) and Omar Rising (2022) highlights challenges that girls face in traditional households. Hafsa’s persistence and advocacy help her overcome her insecurities, and meaningful interactions create moments of introspection and understanding. Inspired by a real-life story from the Islamabad Zoo, this is a timely story. Readers familiar with the setting may find some elements seem framed in ways that accommodate Western readers, but the story nevertheless effectively blends climate change, wildlife conservation, and the tug of cultural expectations.

An show more inspiring story showing the power of one person’s voice to make a difference. (author’s note, resources) (Fiction. 9-13)

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Asnake on the loose sparks some school-wide sleuthing.

Carter Rogers is on the case. His specialty? Looking into deceased and missing class pets. After his class pet, a naked mole-rat named Mr. Pebbles, mysteriously died, Carter teamed up with the snarky rodent’s disembodied spirit to find out why. Now Carter must track down a reptile gone rogue. A milk snake named Milkshake, Carter’s older brother JJ’s classroom pet, fled her enclosure while JJ was preparing her lunch (a frozen baby mouse). Although skeptical of Carter’s spirit connections, JJ nonetheless enlists his assistance. With the help of a magical necklace, Carter speaks with Mr. Pebbles and Rootbeer (a spectral snake and Milkshake’s former tankmate) to uncover Milkshake’s whereabouts. Their search leads them to the cafeteria, to the teacher’s lounge, and finally to a warm bowl of chicken soup. Compared with the first installment, this title features slightly less mystery and far more sibling rivalry—in particular, Roberts draws effective parallels between Carter and JJ’s relationship and Rootbeer’s bond with Milkshake, her adopted sister. The tale also provides ample hallway adventures and slapstick silliness, brought to life by Roberts’ lively cartooning. Carter, JJ, and Lester, an interloping classmate who wants in on the spirit conversations, are Black; the supporting cast is diverse.

A goofy, entertaining mystery certain to engage young readers. (Graphic fiction. 7-10)

-Kirkus Review

In 1986, 13-year-old Yasha and his parents relocate from New York City to New Jersey just weeks before his bar mitzvah.

In their old neighborhood of Brighton Beach, they were surrounded by Russian culture and language. In Rockwood, there’s a large Jewish community, but Yasha quickly learns from his new peers’ reactions to suppress his Russian heritage. He changes his nickname to “Jake,” hides his gold chain (standard attire in Brighton Beach), and switches lunches from stuffed cabbage to PB&J. The main bright spot in his life is his bar mitzvah project—he visits a grumpy senior citizen named Bernie, who speaks with a Russian accent. They bond over their shared love of the Mets, and the story follows both Yasha’s first few months navigating new friendships and the Mets’ 1986 World Series run. Yasha’s world feels lived-in and specifically drawn, right down to the empty cottage cheese container used as a family piggy bank and the horrible dread Yasha experiences when his mother obliviously brings a Russian dessert for his new friends. Gurevich renders Yasha as a thoughtful, appealing teen, believably malleable in the face of social pressure and justifiably frustrated with his parents. The novel culminates with Yasha’s bar mitzvah and World Series Game 6, unlikely successes occurring on the same day. If the resolution feels overly rosy, the baseball is historically accurate, and readers will welcome a decisive social win for Yasha. Characters are cued white.

A show more loving, carefully delineated portrayal of growth. (author’s note) (Historical fiction. 9-13)

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In 1999, a Gujarati girl shoulders the heavy burden of a family secret.

The Indian government has a family-planning slogan: “Hum do hamare do”—literally “two of us, two of ours,” or “[Mom + Dad] + [Kid 1 + Kid 2].” So why does 12-year-old Chandni’s household number five, with Diya Masi, her maternal aunt, living under the same roof? Neither Chandni nor her older brother, Suraj, ever asks; the subject seems to be off-limits. As this novel in verse unfolds, the answer to that question confirms the troubling suspicion Chandni has long held—one that soon becomes too heavy to bear. She was an A+, prize-winning student; now her grades slip, her focus wavers, her health suffers, and even her friendship with bestie Ramya becomes strained under the weight of all she’s holding inside. Stirring further emotions is Rohan, the boy Chandni longs for; due to cultural expectations and school rules, she must keep this secret too. Her inner turmoil threatens the prestigious boarding school opportunity she both craves and fears. Are her family’s bonds strong enough to endure the forces tearing at them? In Patel’s debut, Chandni is a resilient and realistic tween character, who’s drawn with authenticity—caught between determination and desperation and tormented by what she knows. While the work doesn’t exhibit the most effective use of verse, the format still adds moments of heightened tension and drama.

A poignant, character-driven exploration of fraught show more relationships centering on an appealing protagonist. (Verse fiction. 10-14)

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The girls of PAWS have a bone to pick with a group of rival dog walkers in the fifth book of this heartwarming and hilarious graphic novel series that is the Baby-Sitters Club for pets!

It's been seven whole dog years of PAWS (or just one if you're a human), and business is at an all-time high! But after a regrettable run-in with Gabby's arch-nemesis, Leo, things take an unfortunate turn. The two have an argument and Leo leaves the girls with an ominous message: "You're not the only one who can walk dogs..."

It's not long before the girls notice flyers advertising a new dog walking business, SCAMPS. Sure enough, Leo and friends Brandon and Nolawi are behind it. And when Gabby and Mindy take some not-so-righteous retribution on these PAWS copycats, what could just be a little healthy competition turns into an all-out turf war.

In the midst of it all, Mindy gets stuck doing a group project with Brandon, bringing her face to face with the enemy. But is it possible they have more in common than not? As the battle between the two groups escalates, and neither side is playing fair, the girls are forced to reconsider who the true villain of this story might really be.

-Amazon description

Ayoung woman struggles mightily when her best friend disappears during a massive earthquake in this debut set in a near-future San Francisco.

Celeste has been best friends with brilliant, determined Nicky, who’s gay, since they were 3-year-olds; the friends, who are cued white, are now high school seniors. The inseparable pair were born on the same day and have long shared a fascination with space—they even planned to study at MIT and work at NASA together. As the dust settles from the quake and Nicky remains missing, his mother and Celeste’s family begin to lose hope, but Celeste remains convinced he’s alive. Chapters labeled “Before” punctuate the intense third-person narration, highlighting Celeste’s memories of the events leading up to the Big One. In the present day, a heartrending story unfurls in chapters that indicate the number of days that have elapsed since the earthquake, expanding into a tale that’s as much about grief-stricken Celeste’s search for herself as her quest to locate Nicky. Along the way she meets, falls hard for, and is helped by a kind boy named Meo, who’s Mexican American and whose Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration status forces him to live precariously. Celeste has Type 1 diabetes and her service dog, Ursa, a Newfoundland, is a vivid, endearing character. Celeste’s palpable anxiety and complex feelings about her future will be well understood by many teens.

A wise, gripping, and poignant tale of a teen show more finding her way. (Fiction. 14-18)

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In this series opener, a neglected horse becomes the lifeline an 11-year-old didn’t know she needed.

Harper is reeling: Her parents decided to divorce after she discovered her father’s affair with her best friend Cat’s mom. Now Harper and her mother have relocated to cramped quarters in rural Sommer Springs, Tennessee, next door to a riding barn that Harper initially wants little to do with. Then a starved, neglected horse is abandoned right in front of Harper, and something shifts. She names the animal Phoenix, and their mutual rescue begins. Bradley deftly weaves humor into even the darkest moments—an image of dead chickens on a clothesline becomes both absurd and laden with meaning—while never minimizing the genuine pain of divorce, betrayal, and starting over. What emerges is a compelling portrait of how life’s gifts arrive unbidden, even amid catastrophe. The barn community feels authentically diverse and welcoming: Miss Chelsea, the barn owner, is Black; Dante, Harper’s first friend, is Puerto Rican; Night, another rider at the stable, uses they/them pronouns; and Harper is presumed white. Bradley captures what divorce and infidelity steal from children—trust, stability, the sense of a coherent world—while demonstrating how connection, human and equine, can help us rebuild what’s broken. The horse care details ring true without overwhelming the emotional arc.

A potent, heartrending story about surviving upheaval and discovering that some rescues show more work both ways. (Fiction. 10-14)

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Aship captain will stop at nothing to destroy a mysterious whale that’s traversing deep space and to avenge her dead crewmates.

Eighteen-year-old Ishara Ming is the only survivor of the Essex, a ship she swears was attacked by a strange Mech-Operated Bio-Integrated Spacecraft that’s still roaming the skies. While Ishara’s time on the Essex is a hazy blur, thanks to her head injury, she’s sure the Ballena is real and has vowed to destroy it. With the help of first mate Quinn Martinez, Ishara acquires the old whaling ship the Dorado and a motley crew—including Augustus, who has some odd skills and a secretive air. He helps Ishara track the whale, forcing her to contend with the consequences of her choices—even those she can’t remember. Based on Moby Dick but charting new territory, this is a story of facing mistakes and finding the good (and bad) in oneself and others. Ishara is queer and comes from the Tian Tan System, which is part of the Asian Islands Alliance Federation. The characters’ speech is peppered with words resembling an alternate Spanish. As a character, Ishara breathes new life into the story of a driven captain with a singular quest. While some aspects of the MOBIS are left underexplored, Ishara’s humanity shines through in her attempts to grapple with her past traumas and her relationships with the ones she loves.

A worthy debut offering a cosmic tale of found family and space ventures. (Science fiction. 13-18)

-Kirkus Review

ATibetan refugee’s courageous tell-all memoir takes on Chinese occupation.

This passionate account of standing up against injustice traces Dolma’s journey from the Tibetan village where she grew up to the capital city of Lhasa, following her to Amherst, Massachusetts, by way of refugee camps in places including Kathmandu, Nepal, and Varanasi and Dharamsala in India. At age 12, Dolma’s father began speaking of marriage for her, but she didn’t want to stuff herself “into a life that was two sizes too small.” Focused on getting an education, she determined to become a Buddhist nun like her great-aunt; at a nunnery, she’d learn to read. This dream came true, leading Dolma to ask herself, “What good was an education if I didn’t use it?” For supporting the cause of a free Tibet, she was imprisoned and sexually assaulted by Chinese authorities. Debut co-authors Dolma and Hsieh recount the Chinese government’s violent crackdown on Buddhists’ religious freedom. The book also highlights misogyny in Tibet, where early marriage was framed as protective for girls. Dolma felt “the obvious solution was to teach boys” respectful behavior. Tragically, when she turned to a childhood friend for help, he attempted to rape her while she slept. Portraying Dolma as a fighter rather than a victim, this work shows the power of prayer and the kindness of strangers when facing horrifying circumstances. This powerfully and accessibly written story puts a human face on show more complex, ongoing issues.

Chilling and memorable; a must-read. (authors’ note) (Memoir. 14-18)

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts comes an empowering story about friendship, community, and the power of teamwork to achieve the greatest goals.

Jalen is so excited for the new school year because this is the year he’ll finally get to try out for the football team! But when he arrives at school, he learns the unthinkable—that the football team has been cut. He and his friends are devastated. But Jalen isn’t ready to give up, and with some advice from some friends, maybe—just maybe—they can save the day.

Better than a Touchdown is a love letter to the power of community, being there for one another, and how a piece of good advice can change the course of a day. Told with Jalen’s signature wisdom and gorgeous art by Nneka Myers, Better than a Touchdown carries a message we can all learn from: that by working together, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.

-Amazon description

groundbreaking troupe takes center stage in this empowering true story.

In 1970s New York, ballet dancers defied convention by founding an all-male company where performers donned tutus and pointe shoes to dance both traditionally male and female roles. McGrath chronicles the formation of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo with infectious enthusiasm, celebrating these artists who merged technical precision and irreverent comedy. The narrative pulses with determination as dancers endure blisters, skeptical critics, and jeering audiences while perfecting their craft. Mostov’s illustrations, created with pencil, paper, and Procreate, employ arresting compositional choices that amplify the story’s themes of courage and self-expression. Large, dynamic figures diverse in skin tone dominate the pages, as do rich purples and pinks, colors traditionally associated with femininity. With facial hair and hairy legs on full display, these performers celebrate their authentic selves rather than attempt to conceal them—an effective visual metaphor for the company’s revolutionary ethos. Angular shapes create tension during scenes of struggle, while curved, flowing bodies in tutus convey grace and liberation. The backmatter—including a history section, an author’s note about McGrath’s personal connection to the Trocks, and resources for further exploration—enriches the narrative by contextualizing the company within the broader LGBTQ+ rights movement.

This dazzling show more tribute to artistic bravery deserves applause; readers will leave inspired to leap boldly toward their dreams. (Informational picture book. 7-10)

-Kirkus Review show less

In this literary debut from a Grammy-winning hitmaker, a girl’s great-aunt introduces her to the magic of classic pop music.

This work from Rae, best known for a song that shares the book’s name, centers on Bea, a Black girl with Caribbean ancestry. During one of Bea’s weekly visits to her great-aunt Portia, the girl announces that she wants to do something she’s “never done before.” So Portia leads her to a room that contains objects that Bea can’t identify (“What are these?”): Portia’s record collection. Bea selects one with “a smiling man on the cover,” and the pair groove their way through the song and three others by different artists, sparking Portia’s observations about music’s salvific aspect (“Finding a song you love is like finding a new friend who shares your feelings”). Though the tone is uplifting, some readers may wish that the book had more of a plot; they may also wonder if another music medium might elicit the same emotions as records. (Another medium can, but why kill the book’s winning retro vibe by acknowledging this?) Portia never tells Bea what they’re listening to, but keen-eyed readers will spot each song’s corresponding record jacket (among them Henry Mancini’s “Baby Elephant Walk” and Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds”) floating around the room, as if carried by sound waves. While images can’t capture a song’s vibrations, O’Mara comes close with her digitally tweaked fairy light–accented show more paintings in lava lamp colors.

A feel-good hymn to fine music and intergenerational bonds. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)

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An enslaved sailor successfully commandeers a Confederate ship and sails it to freedom.

Robert Smalls was a 23-year-old enslaved deckhand on the Confederate ship the CSS Planter when he devised a plan to emancipate himself and 15 others, including his wife and children. Smalls’ work on the ship allowed him to learn the navigation and codes needed to move through the blockaded waters surrounding Charleston, South Carolina. It was also how he discovered that the Union would accept those fleeing from slavery as contraband. Against military orders, the captain of the ship allowed White crew members to spend the night away from the ship, entrusting it to the Black sailors. Seizing the opportunity, Smalls led a dangerous escape through Confederate checkpoints by acting as the White captain. His daring resulted in the freedom of those aboard and the capture of a ship and arms for the Union. The epilogue gives more examples of Smalls’ efforts to improve the lives of his people after the Civil War, including as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. This graphic depiction of Smalls’ story successfully captures the determination of enslaved people to secure their own freedom. The colorful panels fully express the taut drama of the venture. This is the latest in the Tales of the Talented Tenth series by graphic storyteller Gill, presenting little-known tales from African American history.

An inspiring saga of a real-life hero. (bibliography) (Graphic biography. show more 10-16)

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Navajo boy and his masaní (grandmother) team up to buy a computer for his virtual education in Vandever’s picture book.

When a youngster and his grandma receive notice that his school is switching to at-home learning, the boy becomes concerned. So far, the family has relied on his phone for their internet needs; now they’ll need a computer. His grandmother reminds him, “We weave to get what we need….It’s how we’ve always survived.” She shears a sheep, cleans the wool, collects plants, makes dyes, and weaves “in prayer.” When the deadline approaches, the boy uses technology to help her get the word out, so they can sell the rug in time. The book refreshingly models generational harmony, demonstrating a future in which children can hold on to sacred traditions while using tech for good. Vandever and illustrator Mitchell effectively aim to teach many young readers about the significance of weaving to the Navajo people and present images of weaving tools. In addition, there’s a section on the importance of using parental controls and monitoring how one’s children use the internet. Amid beautiful full-color illustrations, the text employs easily digestible words and short sentences, which will be helpful for younger children.

An intergenerational tale that shares traditions, teaches history, and embraces technology.

-Kirkus Review

Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the fifth volume of the much-loved Heartstopper series, featuring gorgeous two-color artwork.

Nick and Charlie are in love. They’ve finally said those three little words, and Charlie has almost persuaded his mum to let him sleep over at Nick’s house. He wants to take their relationship to the next level... but can he find the confidence he needs? And with Nick going off to university next year, is everything about to change?

By Alice Oseman, winner of the YA Book Prize, Heartstopper encompasses all the small moments of Nick and Charlie’s lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.

Contains discussions around mental health and eating disorders, and sexual references.

-Amazon description