LIBRARY GIRL, by Polly Horvath, Margaret Ferguson Books, Sept. 10, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 9-12)

A girl learns that the real world is not as perfect as the stories she’s grown up with in Library Girl, a middle-grade novel by Polly Horvath.

Essie has grown up in the public library, raised in secret by the four librarians who found her abandoned as a baby in the children’s department. With four mothers and miles of books to read, Essie has always been very happy living there.

But now that she is eleven, Essie longs for a little more freedom . . . and maybe a friend her own age. She seems to get her wish when her moms let her go by herself to the mall. On her second trip there, she meets G.E., a mysterious boy who looks so much like her she can’t help but think they may be twins. Maybe he was raised by four dads in the appliance section of the department store. Maybe his story is intertwined with hers, and their happy ending is as one big family. But as she gets to know G.E. better, she learns that nothing is as simple as it seems in her stories — not even her own past. —Synopsis provided by Margaret Ferguson Books

First things first: If you are a reader, or your kid is a reader, then you/they will immediately be drawn to Library Girl, both for its cover and title. And the content inside lives up to the cover.

Library Girl is a whimsical story that teeters on the edge of possible.

At the center of the book is Essie, a girl who is very much a product of her rearing — four moms and a library full of books have opened multiple worlds of possibilities. But the world beyond the library is as unexpected as one found in a new book, and Essie learns she must be the protagonist in her own life. Essie is bright and curious and a joy to get to know.

The plot of Library Girl is unexpected, especially a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. Author Polly Horvath’s writing is warm and inviting. And her own love of books sings throughout. This gentle adventure is a lovely story about what makes a family and discovering where you fit in that family and the world at large.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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ALL THE WAYS TO GO, by Jessie Janowitz, Sourcebooks Young Readers, Sept. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

A chess prodigy struggles to tell his mom he wants to quit the game in All the Ways to Go, a middle-grade novel by Jessie Janowitz.

Milo Bloom, chess prodigy, has a secret: he doesn’t want to play chess anymore. So, he blows a major tournament on purpose instead of telling anyone. If no one knows he wants to quit, then no one can be disappointed.   

The problem is, winning that tournament was a ticket to chess camp, and the loss means his summer plans are shot. Enter Roxie, a girl he’s never met, who shows up at his door to tell him he and his mom will be spending the summer at her house…what? 

Surprise! Before Milo knows what’s hit him, he’s living at Roxie’s house, where creepy cats rule, meat products are banned, and Roxie, who doesn’t seem to understand the concept of personal space, won’t give him a second alone.  

 But when Milo and Roxie stumble across two people playing a fascinating game they’ve never seen before, they become determined to learn the ancient game of Go. Between late-night library adventures and creating a Go club at their camp, Milo and Roxie form an unexpected friendship, but none of that matters if Milo can’t face his fears and tell his mom how he really feels. —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks Young Readers

Sometimes you’re really good at something, but your heart isn’t in it. Maybe you started out loving it, but something changes, making it a chore rather than a passion.

That’s what happens to Milo in All the Ways to Go. Milo’s life used to revolve around chess — the strategies, being in the zone. Chess is what defined him. Now, not so much. Milo’s predicament is relatable — both to kids and adults.

Milo is smart, likeable kid with a great dislike of cats. Roxie is the kind of kid that would get labeled “odd.” She doesn’t understand social cues and has a great love for cats. The two of them make for a compelling pair. And though Milo is the star of All the Ways to Go, Roxie is as equally well developed. There’s a large cast of supporting characters that really round out the story, providing humor and heart.

Go becomes a metaphor for real life as Milo and Roxie progress, learn and teach the game. I’d never heard of the game before, but author Jessie Janowitz explains it in such a way that it’s easy to follow.

All the Ways to Go is a quieter contemporary fiction novel. There are no explosions or magical wizards. Janowitz, however, creates a kind of magic of her own with a story about friendships, family and choosing your own path.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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A girl’s pesky little brother inspires her to fight climate change in Gracie Under Waves, by Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park.

Inspired by her own experience, author Linda Sue Park tells the story of a girl learning how to impact a cause she cares about while navigating the ups and downs of a sibling relationship and turning disappointment into opportunity.   

Gracie loves snorkeling! She loves it so much, she convinces her parents to let her plan a family vacation to Roatán, Honduras, where they can all snorkel together. She even makes a new friend there. Now, if only her irritating little brother would leave her alone, everything would be perfect. Then Gracie hurts her leg, and all her carefully made plans start to come apart. Worse still, she learns the reef itself is in serious danger. Gracie wants to help the reef . . . but she’s just a kid. What can she do to make a difference? Fortunately, her new friend has a few ideas!  —Synopsis provided by Allida

Gracie Under Waves is a warm novel with themes of climate change, family, friendship and sibling dynamics.

Gracie is a spunky main character who knows what she wants and goes after it. She’s got flaws, and a little brother who gets on her nerves, both of which will endear her to readers.

One of the book’s biggest draws is the snorkeling element, and Linda Sue Park does a great job transporting you to the ocean floor. Park incorporates a lot of science/environmental issues here that many readers will find fascinating and would work well with different units within school curriculums.

Gracie Under Waves is a fairly short novel (176 pages) that moves quickly. It will particularly appeal to kids that enjoy a good story without all the tween drama/angst.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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KAREEM BETWEEN, by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Sept. 10, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

A seventh-grade Syrian American boy navigates middle school in Kareem Between, a novel by Shifa Saltagi Safadi.

Seventh grade begins, and Kareem’s already fumbled it.

His best friend moved away, he messed up his tryout for the football team, and because of his heritage, he was voluntold to show the new kid—a Syrian refugee with a thick and embarrassing accent—around school. Just when Kareem thinks his middle school life has imploded, the hotshot QB promises to get Kareem another tryout for the squad. There’s a catch: to secure that chance, Kareem must do something he knows is wrong.

Then, like a surprise blitz, Kareem’s mom returns to Syria to help her family but can’t make it back home. If Kareem could throw a penalty flag on the fouls of his school and home life, it would be for unnecessary roughness.

Kareem is stuck between. Between countries. Between friends, between football, between parents—and between right and wrong. It’s up to him to step up, find his confidence, and navigate the beauty and hope found somewhere in the middle. —Synopsis provided by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Kareem Between has been longlisted for 2024 National Book Awards, Young People’s Literature. And there’s good reason. Author Shifa Saltagi Safadi is a talented storyteller. Her main character loves American football. That’s what motivates him. It’s a sport I just don’t care about. But in Safadi’s deft hands, I cared about Kareem. I cared about his life. I cared about his story so much, that my apathy toward football fell by the wayside. That’s what good writing can do.

A novel in verse, Kareem Between, moves quickly. Safadi deftly explores friendship, community and family. Kareem is straddling that line between childhood and young adulthood where everything feels possible and impossible at the same time. His growth throughout the novel is beautiful to watch unfold.

Kareem Between is the type of book that you want your kid to read. It would be an excellent classroom resource, as well as appealing to independent readers.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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WEIRDO, by Tony Weaver Jr., Jes Wibowo and Cin Wibowo, ‎First Second, Sept. 17, 2024, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 10 and up)

An awkward teen struggles with mental health issues and self-doubt in Weirdo, a middle-grade graphic novel memoir by Tony Weaver Jr.

Eleven-year-old Tony Weaver, Jr. loves comic books, anime, and video games, and idolizes the heroic, larger-than-life characters he finds there. But his new classmates all think he’s a weirdo. Bullied by his peers, Tony struggles with the hurt of not being accepted and tries to conform to other people’s expectations. After a traumatic event shakes him to his core, he embarks on a journey of self-love that will require him to become the hero of his own story. —Synopsis provided by First Second

Tony Weaver Jr. explores the painful experience of bullying and ostracism in Weirdo. This heartfelt and heartbreaking graphic novel celebrates differences and confirms that there’s a place for all of us.

Weirdo honors all the little quirks that make us who we are, and the joy that comes when we find “our people.”

Weaver’s story is deeply personal, and some parts — attempted self-harm — are difficult to read about. That’s not to say Weaver goes into great detail. In fact, this section of his book is incredibly emotional due, in part, to all the elements he leaves out. It is not graphic, but given the suggested reading age, parents should be aware and ready to have conversations.

On its face, Weirdo sounds like an unhappy story. And part of it is. But the bigger part is one of survival and self-acceptance. It will especially appeal to readers who find themselves on the “fringes” of the social hierarchy.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE WITCHING WIND, by Natalie Lloyd, Scholastic Press, Sept. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Two girls wonder if an unusual weather phenomenon has anything to do with the upheaval in their lives in The Witching Wind, by Natalie Lloyd.

Eleven-year-old Roxie was excited to start sixth grade… until a mortifying incident at a pool party turns her into a middle school laughingstock. Roxie can’t imagine enduring a full year of bullying and body shaming, so when her country music star Granny invites Roxie to join her on tour, she jumps at the chance to leave her troubles behind. But then Granny—who’s been struggling with memory loss—goes missing, leaving Roxie without an escape plan… and without her best friend.

Grayson doesn’t mind being sent to yet another foster home. Her older sister, Beanie, is about to turn eighteen, which means she’ll be able to become Grayson’s guardian. It won’t be long until they live in the same house again. It won’t be long until they get to be a real family. But when Beanie’s birthday finally arrives, she doesn’t show up to collect Grayson. She doesn’t respond to calls or texts. It’s almost like she’s just… vanished.

Roxie knows Granny would never leave without saying goodbye. And Grayson is certain Beanie would never abandon her. So, when the new friends learn about the Witching Wind that “steals” what people love most, Roxie and Grayson are certain they’ve discovered the truth. Granny and Beanie didn’t just disappear—they were taken. And it’s up to Roxie and Grayson to outwit the Witching Wind before it’s too late. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

Author Natalie Lloyd (Hummingbird) is known for the magic she infuses into her stories — both in her writing and in the stories she weaves.

The Witching Wind is no different. A special kind of wind that takes things away, but also carries them back. It’s a great setup.

The wind itself almost becomes a character. But it’s Grayson and Roxie who steal the show. Told through alternating voices, you are given a front-row seat to their hopes, fears and even dreams.

While it might seem as if the Witching Wind is central to this story, it’s more the framework that carries Lloyd’s story of family and friendship and how those bonds motivate actions.

The Witching Wind is a fast-moving middle-grade read that will appeal to fans of magical realism.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE SHERLOCK SOCIETY, by James Ponti, Aladdin, Sept. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (Ages 8-12)

Four kids and a grandfather set out to solve a decades-old mystery in The Sherlock Society, the first book in a new middle-grade series by James Ponti.

Siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock take their last name as inspiration when choosing a summer job. After all, starting a detective agency has to be better than babysitting (boring), lawn mowing (sweaty), or cleaning out the attic (boring and sweaty). Their friends Lina, an avid bookworm, and Yadi, an aspiring cinematographer, join the enterprise, and Alex and Zoe’s retired reporter grandfather offers up his sweet aquamarine Cadillac convertible and storage unit full of cold cases.

The group’s first target is the long-lost treasure supposedly hidden near their hometown Miami. Their investigation into the local doings of famed gangster Al Capone leads them to a remote island in the middle of the Everglades where they find alarming evidence hinting at corporate corruption.

Together with Grandpa’s know-how and the kids’ intelligence—plus some really slick gadgets—can the Sherlock Society root out the conspiracy? —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

I love a good mystery. And one that includes some old-fashioned journalistic research is even better. Add in themes of family, friendship and independent and group thinking, and you’ve got the recipe for a page-turning read.

The Sherlock Society is one such book.

The story is told from Alex’s point a view, but Zoe, Lina, Yadi and Grandpa are equally as well realized. Each has their own quirks and talents, and Grandpa is a hoot.

The thing that makes The Sherlock Society really work is author James Ponti’s story feels completely realistic. His use of history, geography, science, technology and the five Ws (who, what, when, where and why) is compelling. And it’s not inconceivable that a grandparent would foster this kind of summer project.

The book is set in South Florida, and offers a wealth of information along with adventure, making kids want to keep reading. It’s fast-paced and engaging from beginning to end. This would make a fun classroom read and will appeal to a large cross-section of readers. I look forward to more books in this series.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE TOTALLY NOT BORING BOOK OF FEELINGS, by Jolie Taylor and Brandon Dorman, Shadow Mountain, Sept. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $22.99 (ages 6 and up)

Explore 40 poems about big feelings and emotions in The Totally Not Boring Book of Feelings, by Jolie Taylor and Brandon Dorman.

From the minds of Brandon Dorman, renowned illustrator of Goosebumps, Land of Stories, and Fablehaven, and Booktok creator Jolie Taylor comes a whimsical illustrated collection of poems about feelings for newly independent readers.

This book of 40 short stories in rhyme ranges from a dragon’s fiery bursts of boredom to the gentle tones of an older sister’s love for her sibling with Down syndrome. This collection of tales is not only a resource for children who are fostering a lifelong love of reading—it’s also a portal for them to understand and celebrate the richness of human emotions. —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain

As parents, one of the things my husband and I have focused on is fostering emotional intelligence. And it’s not as easy as you’d think. That’s why books like The Totally Bot Boring Book of Feelings are such a great resource.

I had my 10-year-old read the book on a recent trip. Here’s what she had to say about it:

At the start and end there’s optimistic/pessimistic poems that make you want to read the book, which is like a graphic poetry book instead of graphic novel.

My favorite poem is Torn

I want to be an angel; I want to be so good.
I want to be a rebel, do nothing that I should.

I like Torn because it’s two parts of a feeling — you want to be doing two different things at the same time and it’s conflicting.

The Totally Bot Boring Book of Feelings helps you understand of a lot of different types of feelings. For example, sad, there’s lots of types of sad.

This book is quite easy to read. The poems aren’t too long, and it’s a pretty short book. I’d give it to other kids, because it would help them understand their feelings.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE SECRET DEAD CLUB, by Karen Strong, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Aug. 20, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

A girl discovers she’s not the only one at her new school who can see ghosts in The Secret Dead Club, by Karen Strong.

Wednesday Thomas sees ghosts. But that doesn’t mean she has to talk to them.

After a terrifying experience in an Arizona state park with a wicked ghost, Wednesday and her mother Olivia sell their RV and move back south to the family home in Alton, Georgia. Wednesday’s determined not to use her gift anymore—until she meets a group of girls who also know about the spirit realm.

There’s free-spirited Miki Okada and Southern belle Danni-Lynn Porter who seem to know about the ghosts who roam the school’s hallways, popular girl Alexa Scott who tells Wednesday to stay away from Miki and Danni-Lynn and not draw attention to herself, and mysterious neighbor Violet Delgado who died last year but still haunts the house across the street. Wednesday feels these girls have some kind of shared history, but it isn’t until Miki gives her an official invitation to the Dead Club that she starts to understand there’s a lot more going on with the ghosts in Alton and the girls who can see them.

And when another malevolent ghost threatens to harm Wednesday, it will take the help of new friends both living and dead to save her and banish the evil being to the spirit realm where it belongs. —Synopsis provided by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

With a name like The Secret Dead Club, you know kids are going to be drawn to Karen Strong’s new book about friendship, fitting in, and the mysterious forces that control the afterlife.

Strong balances the mysterious with mundane daily life and does that against the backdrop of kids figuring themselves out. In fact, Strong’s writing style reminds me of one of my childhood favorites — Mary Downing Hahn. Wait Till Helen Comes, anyone?

Where Strong excels is balancing the creepy with lighter notes, creating a spooky atmosphere without making things too scary for readers. This balance comes from various sources — extended family, new friends, spirits with unfinished business.

Strong’s writing is clear and inviting. She sets the stakes early on, and makes readers want to keep reading.

As we enter the Halloween season, The Secret Dead Club is the perfect novel to set the tone.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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NOT NOTHING, by Gayle Forman, Aladdin, Aug. 27, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

A boy is forced to volunteer at a retirement home and learns to confront his own past in Not Nothing, by Gayle Forman.

Alex is twelve, and he did something very, very bad. A judge sentences him to spend his summer volunteering at a retirement home where he’s bossed around by an annoying and self-important do-gooder named Maya-Jade. He hasn’t seen his mom in a year, his aunt and uncle don’t want him, and Shady Glen’s geriatric residents seem like zombies to him.

Josey is 107 and ready for his life to be over. He has evaded death many times, having survived ghettos, dragnets, and a concentration camp—all thanks to the heroism of a woman named Olka and his own ability to sew. But now he spends his days in room 206 at Shady Glen, refusing to speak and waiting (and waiting and waiting) to die. Until Alex knocks on Josey’s door…and Josey begins to tell Alex his story.

As Alex comes back again and again to hear more, an unlikely bond grows between them. Soon a new possibility opens up for Alex: Can he rise to the occasion of his life, even if it means confronting the worst thing that he’s ever done? —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

I love multigenerational books because they provide perspective in a natural way. And Gayle Forman is an expert at making this happen.

At the center of Not Nothing is Alex, a kid that fits squarely into the “fell through the cracks” category. His life has been anything but simple, and not that it excuses his actions, but it’s no surprise that his temper finally got the better of him. Alex is a complicated character whose layers are explored as Forman teases both his and Josey’s stories forth.

In fact, with the exception of those on the periphery, all of Forman’s characters feel as if weighted in reality.

Of course, Josey and Alex’s stories are the ones that keep the pages turning. Forman makes you want to learn more. You become invested, and feel edified after finishing Not Nothing.

Not Nothing is a moving story of the human experience. With themes forgiveness, acceptance, friendship, fortitude, and love, it’s well worth reading.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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