(3) 1-3 Life and Times of Birdie Mae Hayes series. In this series-opening chapter book, Birdie's comfortable life in small-town Alabama is disrupted when she begins to have visions about bad things happening...and the visions come true. But Birdie's grandmother, who has the same ability, teaches her how to use it for the greater good. Birdie's conflicted feelings about her "gift" are realistically portrayed. The black-and-white illustrations capture the warmth and energy of Birdie's community.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) YA In this sports romance, sixteen-year-old Harper, an Australian tennis pro, is dropped by her harsh coach. In crisis mode, she simultaneously falls for her sister's ex-boyfriend and is attracted to Colt, her new training partner, who harbors secrets from his past. Harper is a likable character, and her conflicting emotions, struggle to navigate the high-pressure world of professional sports, and ultimate perseverance will resonate with teens.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Swirl series. This season-themed series serves up relatable middle-school dramas involving a crush kept secret from a friend (Pumpkin), a crush on a friend (Peppermint), and having to cooperate with a frenemy (Cinnamon). But there are also richer community-focused subplots, such as saving an animal shelter from closing in Cinnamon. These quick novels invoke warm-and-fuzzy feelings, just like their namesake treats. Review covers these titles: Cinnamon Bun Besties, Pumpkin Spice Secrets, and Peppermint Cocoa Crushes.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Truth Trendon blames "gravity, the force pulling everything (my spine included) toward the earth" for her scoliosis. Truth hides her brace from classmates as she starts junior high, and her deception leads to some funny moments and eventually to a predictable message about self-acceptance; some peers have secrets as well. Truth's first-person narration often sounds like an adult voice in this light problem novel.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) YA Myriad storytelling formats (narrative prose, documents, emails, etc.) are woven into an epic story about true love and reincarnation. Sixteen years after the events in The Next Together, Clove Sutcliffe searches for her missing relatives, Kate and Matt, who seem to appear and disappear throughout different eras. Blending historical fiction and sci-fi, Clove's quest through time is entertaining and absorbing.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(3) 4-6 As twins Tempest and Tally approach their thirteenth birthday, traveling with their grandfather's carnival for the summer, something is pulling them apart--not just figuratively but literally. Tally tries to combat this destructive magnetic energy alone but discovers that she must rely on Tempest's strengths, too, if there's hope of preserving their relationship. The story's magical realism blends well with the sisters' complicated bond.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) YA Markus's psychological thriller builds in mystery and suspense as Emily, a passionate scholar of Emily Dickinson, struggles to unravel the links between her own history and an unsolved murder that occurred on the grounds of her small, unstructured girls' boarding school. The strong, smart, and emotionally vibrant characters are intriguing, especially for fans of Dickinson's life and poetry.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) YA Grieving his sister's death by suicide, proud grammar-nerd Nick is sent by his parents to "Jesus camp," where he encounters a variety of preposterous tactics and regulations--and the pesky ghost of Jack Kerouac. Nick is a sympathetic character, and although the camp and staff are portrayed in a broadly satirical way, Nick and his fellow campers' struggles are depicted with intimacy and compassion.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) YA In the sequel to Timekeeper, Danny Hart and fellow clock mechanic Daphne Richards are sent to India to investigate a series of destroyed clocktowers. Meanwhile, Danny's love interest Colton, a clock spirit, uncovers secrets about his own past. Though the plot gets a bit convoluted, a diverse group of characters and swoony same-sex romance add appeal to the imaginative steampunk adventure.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson. In this sequel to Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella, Harper and her friends discover the whimsical Circus of Dreams, suspended in the sky by balloons and populated with an array of quirky characters. Treacly prose creates a world filled with sparkly magic but not much emotional resonance beyond wonder and awe. Tidy grayscale illustrations play up the fanciful.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) YA Illustrated by Linnea Gear. Broody McHottiepants, the amalgam of YA male leads behind the @broodingYAhero parody Twitter account, explains how to be a dazzling, mysterious, center-of-attention character. An intentionally thin plot is composed of occasional "narrative interludes" featuring "evil ex-girlfriend" Blondie DeMeani. The cartoonishly illustrated book is funny and perceptive about YA tropes but has to stretch to find enough material.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) 4-6 The Japanese attack on nearby Pearl Harbor shocks and frightens twelve-year-old Rosie. Then her parents (of German descent) are imprisoned as "enemy aliens." Shunned, displaced from their Honolulu home, and staying with resentful relatives, Rosie and her brother can only wait, hoping for their parents' release. Erwin has crafted well-written historical fiction on a lesser-known aspect of World War II internment. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Daniel Rieley. A clever layout and engaging illustrations invite readers into Arthur's world, where his autistic brother's needs and unpredictability make Arthur feel nearly invisible. An enormous polar bear named Mr. P. turns up at his door to help Arthur learn patience and understanding--and is a lot of fun to boot. A sweet story likely to start always-welcome conversations about differences and acceptance.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) 4-6 The perfect snapshot sixth grader Sunny has formed in her mind of her family--Mom, Dad, sister Autumn, and herself--fades when her mother leaves the man Sunny considers her father and Sunny discovers the truth about her unconventional family. Sunny is a likable protagonist, and this story of change, resilience, and reconstructing family relationships strikes a realistic chord.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 In this take on "Mary Had a Little Lamb"--told wordlessly except for blackboard writing and the like in the illustrations--a lizard stows away in a contemporary girl's backpack and makes a mess at school. The lizard's antics create some humorous moments, but the art over-relies on frequent close-ups, off-kilter perspectives, and exaggerated facial expressions.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) YA Sixteen-year-old Nathaniel grew up in a violent white supremacist compound; at fourteen, he killed his father, The Fort's notorious leader, in self-defense. As Nate tries to adjust to life outside The Fort, he finds it difficult to leave his past behind. A wrenching and disquieting read--brutal at times in its unflinching portrayal of violence, racism, and hate--but one that feels authentic and honest.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 4-6 Swirl series. This season-themed series serves up relatable middle-school dramas involving a crush kept secret from a friend (Pumpkin), a crush on a friend (Peppermint), and having to cooperate with a frenemy (Cinnamon). But there are also richer community-focused subplots, such as saving an animal shelter from closing in Cinnamon. These quick novels invoke warm-and-fuzzy feelings, just like their namesake treats. Review covers these titles: Cinnamon Bun Besties, Pumpkin Spice Secrets, and Peppermint Cocoa Crushes.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) YA Beyond the Red series. Alien Kora plays new royal-political games, backing "half-blood" (human and alien) Eros for the world's throne. Even with unexpected help from human rebels and from a former-prince bounty hunter, Eros must first convince himself that he wants the title. This second book of a trilogy (Beyond the Red) is a sensitive and poignant exploration of discrimination and the search for one's place in the universe.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(3) YA High-school senior Bailey Holzman was mortified when a risqué video of her and twelve of her classmates went viral; but she's terrified now that those classmates have started disappearing and she's led on a deadly scavenger hunt to find the missing girls. As Bailey questions every relationship she has, tension abounds in this thriller with timely undercurrents about cyber-permanence and -toxicity.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) 4-6 Swirl series. This season-themed series serves up relatable middle-school dramas involving a crush kept secret from a friend (Pumpkin), a crush on a friend (Peppermint), and having to cooperate with a frenemy (Cinnamon). But there are also richer community-focused subplots, such as saving an animal shelter from closing in Cinnamon. These quick novels invoke warm-and-fuzzy feelings, just like their namesake treats. Review covers these titles: Cinnamon Bun Besties, Pumpkin Spice Secrets, and Peppermint Cocoa Crushes.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes