There aren't many books that can leave you wishing you were an orphaned magical child feared by the rest of the society. But the beauty of The House in the Cerulean Sea is that it makes you want to be a part of this island’s deadly-but-adorable extended family. A fascinating, funny and incredibly uplifting story—the perfect read for the start of a new year...or any time.

One of the funniest and most imaginative middle-grade novels I’ve read in a long time. Kind of a LatinX “Ferris Bueller”—only with multiverses, a lot more heart, and better food.

Mia Tang is what we all need right now: hope, strength, perseverance and generosity! Those qualities helped her build a better life in FRONT DESK. Now in THREE KEYS she stretches far beyond family to help friends, enemies, even people she's never met. A great story with a timely focus on immigration issues.

There was so much to love about SHATTER THE SKY: a smart, brave, complex hero, lots of dragons, bi romance, and a page-turning plot. I *so* did not want it to end. But now, STORM THE EARTH has rewarded my (very limited) patience with the best sequel possible. If you're a fan of the first book, you're going to be very happy with STORM THE EARTH. And if you're new to the series, you are very lucky, because now you can stay up all night and read the entire duology at once.

One of my favorite graphic novels of the year! A funny, sweet story of a young orphan dropped into the custody of two aunts she's never met. They're all unhappy about the arrangement, until Effie discovers her aunts are witches, and the aunts start to realize maybe Effie is, too! Perfect for graphic novel lovers of any age.

I loved Amari and the Night Brothers! A fresh, edge-of-your-seat joyride of magic and mystery, it takes fantasy out of cold English castles and sets it squarely in the hot American South--Atlanta, Georgia no less. And Amari’s the kind of hero every reader wishes they were—brave, clever, passionate. If you’re not totally in love with her by the end, you’ll need to get your heart checked.

A riveting mash-up of Native American mythology, vampires, murder and mystery, with a kickass main character who likes to play fetch with her ghost dog when she's not chasing down supernatural killers. Loved it!

A sweet, moving and aptly titled story of 2 girls from different (and the same) cultures wrestling with many questions about each other, their parents, and their lives. Sakina's mix of anger, curiosity and hope really make the story, painting a picture of a girl who knows her place and future are very harshly defined but still takes great pride in herself, her family and her culture. And Mimi's ability to forge friendships around her even when her own family is split apart in so many ways makes her a very sympathetic character. Highly recommended!

You know how you always kinda wished you were a twin? This book is NOT going to cure you. Such a sweet, funny, and utterly compelling story--not just about being a twin, but about sisterhood, friendships, school and family. Perfect for fans of  Svetlana Chmakova's Berrybrook Middle School series and Jerry Craft's New Kid.

I loved this book. A brilliantly drawn story of a young Jewish girl using her camera to find kindness and hope as she and her schoolmates are fleeing the Nazis. Based on the author’s mother’s own experiences in World War II.

A Wish in the Dark is the book every kid is going to be reading in the dark, with a flashlight, way past their bedtime. A beautiful, exciting new fantasy no one will want to put down. And what a gorgeous cover!

Take 5 orphans, put them in an old mansion, add a mysterious key, a few fires and explosions, and a shadowy figure with a sword prowling around at night and you have the perfect recipe for a great middle-grade mystery. April's a wonderful character and the mystery at the heart of Winterborne Home will keep readers guessing right up to the end. Bottom line: A fun, fun read, especially for kids who like stories without magic or fantasy.