The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Juvenile Fiction

Fatal Glitch: Camp Zero by Erin Entrada Kelly

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Fatal Glitch: Camp Zero by Erin Entrada Kelly
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A little bit Holes, a little bit Hunger Games, a little bit Minecraft. Sofia’s parents send her to a dystopian camp straight out of her favorite video game, Sandbox. At first, this seems like a great thing, especially the 1 million in-game credits that she has the chance to win at the end of camp! But things quickly turn dark as mechanical vultures begin snatching up campers and a terrifying game master pits the campers against one another. Sofia is a complex character, and things are not at all what they seem. This series opener will definitely leave you wondering what the next volume of the series has in store!

Fatal Glitch: Camp Zero by Erin Entrada Kelly, (List Price: $14.99, Stonefruit Studio, 9781464241048, July 2026)

Reviewed by Amanda, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, AR

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Story Rug by Sophie Blackall

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Story Rug by Sophie Blackall
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The braid craze has not only taken over the students in Story Rug, but also me! A story that blends community, culture, and fabric scraps, the art of craft and storytelling that is shown in this is just remarkable. Blackall’s gentle voice with humor looped in, paired with Wahl’s daydreamy, folky illustrations, makes this an unbeatable children’s book. New top contender for a picture book I wish I could live in, and I can’t wait to show this to anyone who has ever questioned my rag collection.

Story Rug by Sophie Blackall, (List Price: $18.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316535380, July 2026)

Reviewed by Grace, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA

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Sneaks by Amy Tern

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Sneaks by Amy Tern
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A street-smart, sticky-fingered Valory teams up with piano-prodigy, agoraphobic Rook to solve the mystery of the empty apartment across the alley, which is suddenly filled with mysterious music and eerie doll parts. It’s Only Murders in the Building for tweens about how friendship can bring out the best parts of you.

Sneaks by Amy Tern, (List Price: $18.99, Holiday House, 9780823461622, July 2026)

Reviewed by Candice, The Haunted Book Shop (C) in Mobile, Alabama

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Toad on the Go by Jashar Awan

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Toad on the Go by Jashar Awan
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I loved the colorful pictures of Toad on the Go, a book about making mistakes and realizing that it’s okay and that all of us make them. Simple story that can help kids admit their mistakes and feel safe… a useful skill in this day and age.

Toad on the Go by Jashar Awan, (List Price: $18.99, Tundra Books, 9781774883501, June 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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Today We’ll Be Eaten by Alan Barillaro

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Today We'll Be Eaten by Alan Barillaro
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Today We’ll Be Eaten is NOT as scary as it sounds! Two best friends, Ladybug and Dragonfly, get into an unfortunate accident and decide this is the end of the road. However, they end up making unlikely friends and learn that the journey is wayyyy more important than the designation!!

Today We’ll Be Eaten by Alan Barillaro, (List Price: $19.99, Rocky Pond Books, 9798217004362, June 2026)

Reviewed by Jennifer, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Casting April by Wendy Lu

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Casting April by Wendy Lu
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April has always dreamed herself under the bright lights of a Broadway stage, but after spending her whole life navigating the wrong kind of attention for her tracheostomy tube, does April really want to put herself in the spotlight? Will anyone else be able to look beyond her disability to the talented actor in front of them? And when April knows she has been treated unfairly, can she find the confidence to speak up? An endearing story about not being afraid to go after what you want, and not being afraid to ask for what you deserve. Readers will love April’s heart, passion, and grit.

Casting April by Wendy Lu, (List Price: $17.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9798217030286, June 2026)

Reviewed by Morgan, E. Shaver, Booksellers in Savannah, Georgia

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Axolotl-Ella by Kate Messner

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Axolotl-Ella by Kate Messner
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A fun retelling of Cinderella featuring a very empowered Axolotl. What’s not to love? Perfect for the rebel little princess in your life. The book is also filled with interesting facts about these magnificent amphibians!

Axolotl-Ella by Kate Messner, (List Price: $18.99, Ten Speed Young Readers, 9780593837993, June 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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All That Chandni Knows by Khushboo Patel

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All That Chandni Knows by Khushboo Patel
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I truly love a good novel written in verse, and this one is no exception. Chandni’s character carries the burden of a deep secret that she shouldn’t even have to carry. The emotional depth shines as she balances the weight of this secret and the everyday issues of being a middle schooler. Filled with honesty and heart, a great read.

All That Chandni Knows by Khushboo Patel, (List Price: $18.99, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 9798217004485, March 2026)

Reviewed by Jess, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Miles Ahead by Minh Lê

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Miles Ahead by Minh Lê
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This book is so adorable. First, seeing Miles pack for his road trip was absolutely adorable, especially when he packs books instead of clothes… I feel seen! The story is just so sweet and sends a great message when it comes to giving. Highly recommended, especially for baby showers.

Miles Ahead by Minh Lê, (List Price: $18.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780593569207, April 2026)

Reviewed by Erika Patoni, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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The Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer

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The Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer
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Who doesn’t love a good story featuring UNDERWEAR? This book will make you laugh out loud, and it will be the perfect gift for that kid in your life who starts giggling at the sound of certain words… like underwear! A laugh-out-loud book, perfect for Halloween but also a book that can be enjoyed all year round.

The Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer, (List Price: $19.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665955584, May 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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A Door Is to Open by Kyo Maclear

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A Door Is to Open by Kyo Maclear
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This delightful book is also a door–to story, imagination, possibility, inspiration, and a bit of magic in the everyday! This one is perfect for adventurous readers to visit classrooms, warm homes, whales underwater, and more, but readers will also feel rewarded knowing they were curious enough to have opened this book in the first place.

A Door Is to Open by Kyo Maclear, (List Price: $18.99, Tundra Books, 9781774887448, April 2026)

Reviewed by Julie, Hub City Bookshop in Spartanburg, SC

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A Pack of Your Own by Maria Nilsson Thore

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A Pack of Your Own by Maria Nilsson Thore
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This heartfelt story made for kids can easily deeply resonate with anyone who has ever felt out of place or alone. It beautifully captures the longing to find a friend, especially when you don’t quite fit into the spaces around you. It’s sweet, comforting, and visually delightful.

A Pack of Your Own by Maria Nilsson Thore, (List Price: $10.99, Pushkin Children’s Books, 9781782695325, March 2026)

Reviewed by Jess, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Opting Out by Maia Kobabe

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Opting Out by Maia Kobabe
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Opting Out portrays the usual middle school woes of puberty, friendship drama, crushes, (mutual) bullies, but through the alienated perspective and feelings of 7th grader Saachi, who is agender and aromantic/asexual and doesn’t want to take part in any of those aspects typically associated with growing up and doesn’t want anything to change. Told with deep understanding and groundedness, Opting Out shows positive family relationships during tumultuous times, and how writing and new friendships can offer places to make sense of the world and yourself.

Opting Out by Maia Kobabe, (List Price: $14.99, Graphix, 9781339012247, May 2026 )

Reviewed by Julie, Hub City Bookshop in Spartanburg, SC

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Wildspeak by Sangma Francis

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Wildspeak by Sangma Francis
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Cora and Ada are excited to embark on a wonderful expedition of the nature surrounding them and make up playful words to describe their amazing experiences. Now it’s up to you, the reader, to see what amazing words you can create!

Wildspeak by Sangma Francis, (List Price: $18.99, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 9781464261299, April 2026)

Reviewed by Judith, Octavia Books in New Orleans, LA

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The Outermost Mouse by Lauren Wolk, Kristen Adam (illus.)

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The Outermost Mouse by Lauren Wolk, Kristen Adam (illus.)
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I was a few pages into this story, and I knew I would have ended up crying. What a beautiful story based on a real house in Cape Cod that stood in the sand dunes for half a century, then was taken away by a storm. I will keep on dreaming that the little mouse landed on a safe place and was able to still enjoy the house, and they had a lot of fun adventures. A tale of the power of Mother Nature and how fleeting possessions are.

The Outermost Mouse by Lauren Wolk, Kristen Adam (illus.), (List Price: $18.99, Dutton Books for Young Readers, 9780593407776, May 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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