(3) 4-6 Since Pippa and Jack's mother died last year, it feels like they lost their father, too. He's almost never around, and it turns out he's been keeping secrets, including the fact that his car dealership has failed. Pippa and Jack's alternating first-person narratives help the reader get to know the fully realized characters, all with their own reserves of sadness and resilience.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) 4-6 Anxious twelve-year-old Wren has never felt brave, and she's never felt less significant than next to her fearless cousin, Silver. After her mother suffers a breakdown, Wren stays with Silver's family, and together the girls discover that Wren is far braver than she thinks. With honest portrayals of mental illness and courage, this is a poignant, intimate story of family and healing.

Reviewer: Anastasia M. Collins

(4) YA Cassie becomes possessed while attempting to summon the spirit of her dead grandmother. Marin, who was there for the ritual--and who can see others' pain, including the pain the demon causes Cassie--is guilt-tripped into helping plan an exorcism by Cassie's cute brother, Dominic. Marin's ability sets up an intriguing premise, but, disappointingly, she moves passively through much of the story.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Little Wings series. Illustrated by Kristi Valiant. All cupids in Nimbus have unique flying friends. Still, Willa Bean is excited to show off her owl, Snooze, to her Cupid Academy classmates. When the new girl has a bigger and stronger owl, Willa Bean loses sight of what makes Snooze special. Though they're almost too cute, the airy and expressive black-and-white drawings complement the relatable if saccharine story.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Little Wings series. Illustrated by Kristi Valiant. When young cupid Willa Bean's baby brother loses his favorite toy, she does whatever she can to get it back, even if it means nearly ruining her first school "cloud trip." Willa's experiences are relatable, and the simple plot will benefit those transitioning to chapter books, but overall the story borders on cloying; black-and-white drawings are also cutesy but fittingly ethereal.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Little Wings series. Illustrated by Kristi Valiant. Willa Bean doesn't mind being different from most cupids: she has freckles, purple wings, and wild, curly hair. What really worries her is that she has never flown, and her first day at Cupid Academy is fast approaching. Encouraged by her family and best friend, she succeeds. Willa's got pluck, but some readers will find her cutesy interjections ("Ring-a-ding-doodad") annoying.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Due to a troubled home life, May lashes out at the world, including her eighth-grade English teacher, Miss Movado. When Miss Movado takes the girl under her wing, May begins to find more positive outlets for her frustration. Revealing journal entries give readers greater insight into the protagonist's character and will draw them into this poignant story.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) YA Julia has just finished high school as valedictorian, with her future mapped out to perfection. But when her unstable older sister, Sophie, appears on the scene offering a new plan, Julia begins to question everything she knows about her family, her choices, and the rest of her life. Galante draws readers in with atmospheric details and well-cadenced dialogue.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(3) 4-6 When her mother's new job forces eleven-year-old Lily to move to Riverside Heights and a different school, it seems like nothing is going right. However, she soon finds some unlikely friends--class nerd Gina and Nate, an adult with Down syndrome--who teach her important lessons about life, loyalty, and forgiveness. Strong characters and an engaging plot make for an enjoyable read.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) YA Agnes and Honey have lived on a religious commune their whole lives. Being exposed to the outside world for the first time tests their friendship and forces them to confront the values of their old community and the adults around them. Skillfully told through the two perspectives of Agnes and Honey, this debut novel is a gripping read.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot