The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Children

Ghost Circus by Adrienne Kress, Jade Zhang (Illus.)

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Ghost Circus by Adrienne Kress, Jade Zhang (Illus.)
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Ghost Circus has beautiful illustrations! I loved the characters in the Circus and I hope we see more of the creepy girl and find out more about her and her memories! I am also super excited her friend Casey gets to come back and see her more and they can uncover more of the mystery of the creepy girl!

Ghost Circus by Adrienne Kress, Jade Zhang (Illus.), (List Price: $24.99, Union Square Kids, 9781454948285, August 2025)

Reviewed by sarah dimaria, Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, Louisiana

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The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall

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The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall
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Gwen MacKinnon has spent much of the eleven short years of her life feeling unwanted, but it only takes two weeks in a small Massachusetts town–plus one unruly dog, an enthusiastic four-year-old, the coolest older cousin, the corniest uncle, some love and attention, and an entire clan of tiny, winged creatures convinced she is destined to be a hero–for Gwen to understand that home isn’t just a word. This new book by Jeanne Birdsall is absolutely worth the wait (tbh I needed the time, I’m still recovering from The Penderwicks in Spring), full of Birdsall’s signature heart and community love, with some very unique world building for the lore of the Lahdukan. Gwen is a delightful character to join on her journey of fate, discovery, and courage.

The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall, (List Price: $17.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780525579045, August 2025)

Reviewed by Morgan Holub, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

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A Spoonful of the Sea by Hyewon Yum

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A Spoonful of the Sea by Hyewon Yum
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A quiet, warm tale of seaweed soup, of haenyeo divers, of birthdays, of mothers and daughters. Hyewon Yum’s story and illustrations are a celebration of motherhood and the deep connection between women and nature, all through the tradition of birthday miyeokguk. A Spoonful of the Sea is perfect to share on birthdays, between mothers and daughters, and amongst families for whom mealtime is the most important part of the day.

A Spoonful of the Sea by Hyewon Yum, (List Price: $18.99, Norton Young Readers, 9781324053699, September 2025)

Reviewed by Mikey LaFave, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

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War Games by Alan Gratz

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War Games by Alan Gratz
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Loved this one. A heist, a girl, international characters and some insight into what was going on before the war. And I learned about Black Sunday!

War Games by Alan Gratz, (List Price: $18.99, Scholastic Press, 9781338736106, October 2025)

Reviewed by Wilson Robbins, Novel. in Memphis, Tennessee

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A Snow Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead

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A Snow Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead
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Amos McGee is back in this winter picture book! Amos is so excited about the first snow, so he knits all of his animal friends various accessories to prepare for the cold. A delightful and heartwarming read that I can’t wait to read to my kids for winters to come!

A Snow Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, (List Price: $19.99, Roaring Brook Press, 9781250324733, September 2025)

Reviewed by Claire McWhorter, River & Hill Books in Rome, Georgia

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Fox and the Mystery Letter by Alex Griffiths

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Fox and the Mystery Letter by Alex Griffiths
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I love the illustrations in this story, and getting to follow Fox as he tries to solve a puzzle with clues along the way was so fun! At its heart, this story is one about forgiveness. It is easy to get angry and have disagreements with friends and those we care about. Sometimes these things pull us apart, and it is a huge loss! This book shows us how to come back together and continue the journey.

Fox and the Mystery Letter by Alex Griffiths, (List Price: $18.99, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 9781836001102, September 2025)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman

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Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman
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You know what I love? Puns and Axolotl’s! Filled with vivid pictures and a cute story about siblings who are so different but tease each other and make some silly, silly moves. Axolotls are so popular right now that I know this will be a one-of-a-kind book to share with storytime.

Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman, (List Price: $14.99, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 9781464237904, July 2025)

Reviewed by info page158, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe

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Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe
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Lovely illustrations and wonderful tale of a girl’s trials living in a haunted house with a ghost who never follows her rules.

Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe, (List Price: $19.99, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 9781534478206, August 2025)

Reviewed by Alissa Redmond, South Main Book Company in Salisbury, North Carolina

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Graciela in the Abyss by Meg Medina

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Graciela in the Abyss by Meg Medina
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Gorgeous cover and super intriguing premise. Sea ghosts? Absolutely yes. But Graciela is unlikeable in a very unlikable way. From the very beginning (it’s not a spoiler because, hello, sea ghost), she dies because she’s trying to spite her older sister. Her sister nicely cautions her away from the cliff. Graciela is like, “Stop bossing me around,” and she falls off the cliff and dies. Then when she reawakens as a sea ghost, she’s still jealous, disagreeable, and spiteful. Kinda like a Mary Lennox. But then there’s Jorge, who you immediately wrap your heartstrings around because he has the unfortunate fate to have horrible parents (and ancestors, which plays a big part in the plot of the dangerous enchanted harpoon) when all he wants to do is make toys instead of weapons at his family’s forge. He’s kind, thoughtful, resourceful, and brave, and is the perfect foil to Graciela. The underwater ghost-characters and world-building were super cool and inventive. I thoroughly enjoyed this upper-middle-grade novel!

Graciela in the Abyss by Meg Medina, (List Price: $18.99, Candlewick, 9781536219456, July 2025)

Reviewed by Candice Conner, The Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, Alabama

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The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer

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The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer
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I love a story where an “outsider” helps those around them to see themselves in a new and hopeful light. School can be hard, and the first day is hard enough, with all the doubts that we can have about ourselves. This is a reminder that we each have something worth celebrating inside of us. Sometimes it just takes Nobody to notice.

The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer, (List Price: $18.99, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 9781665940429, June 2024)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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A Smart, Smart School by Sharon Creech

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A Smart, Smart School by Sharon Creech
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A Smart, Smart School by Sharon Creech is the perfect book for students, teachers and administrators to read and reread throughout the school year. It serves as a very important reminder that test scores aren’t everything, and that there is SO much more that matters when building up the morale of your school. Great storyline and beautiful illustrations too!

A Smart, Smart School by Sharon Creech, (List Price: $19.99, HarperCollins, 9780063059610,June 2023)

Reviewed by Barb Rascon, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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The Yellow Bus by Loren Long

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The Yellow Bus by Loren Long
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Trucks, tractors, yellow buses, they all have jobs to do, and they just might have stories to tell. In the hands of the amazing Loren Long, those stories just might surprise you! Perfect for back-to-school tables and for an anytime read-together, The Yellow Bus might just leave readers wondering just what other vehicles have surprising stories to share.

The Yellow Bus by Loren Long, (List Price: $19.99, Roaring Brook Press, 9781250903136, June 2024)

Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina

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The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes

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The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes
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The Queen of Kindergarten had new braids, a sparkly tiara, dresses, and a chariot (well, a pickup truck) to take her to school on the first day. She is caring and kind and brightens every room she enters. The first day will be a breeze for the Queen of Kindergarten! This wonderful little book should be required reading for every new kindergartner!

The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, (List Price: $18.99, Nancy Paulsen Books, 9780593111420, May 2022)

Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina

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Recess by Lane Smith

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Recess by Lane Smith
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Another SPECTACULAR entry from Lane Smith, all about our favorite subject, recess! Its colorful imagery and interactive elements make this the perfect back-to-school read for elementary school classrooms.

Recess by Lane Smith, (List Price: $19.99, Harry N. Abrams, 9781419776892, July 2025)

Reviewed by Jamie Kovacs, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Miss Camper: A Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo

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Miss Camper: A Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo
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It’s Sue’s first time at summer camp, and she is so excited! She knows exactly what she wants to do and can’t wait to do it all with her best friend. She soon finds that things don’t always pan out the way we plan, but sometimes that can lead to something better. Miss Camper is a fun, enjoyable read full of adorable illustrations. It is an all-around fun-filled adventure you won’t want to miss!

Miss Camper: A Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo, (List Price: $24.99, Graphix, 9781338535600, July 2025)

Reviewed by Keeshia Jacklitch, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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