The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Juvenile Fiction

Fox and the Mystery Letter by Alex Griffiths

, , ,
Fox and the Mystery Letter by Alex Griffiths
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

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

Fox and the Mystery Letter by Alex Griffiths Read More »

Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman

, , ,
Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

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

Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman Read More »

Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe

, , , ,
Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

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

Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe Read More »

Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain by Juan E. Zambrano

, , , ,
Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain by Juan E. Zambrano
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

I loved this story so much! A young boy, Pacheco, is enamored by magic and the witches who have the gift for it on the mountain. But he’s a fisherman’s son, and he’s also a boy – both of which keep him from magic. This all changes when he meets Doris, a rogue witch who does things differently. At its heart, this is all a story about making space for what’s different, of questioning our traditions and way of doing things. I loved it!

Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain by Juan E. Zambrano, (List Price: $12.99, Andrews McMeel Publishing, 9781524892180, June 2025)

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

Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain by Juan E. Zambrano Read More »

Graciela in the Abyss by Meg Medina

, , ,
Graciela in the Abyss by Meg Medina
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

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

Graciela in the Abyss by Meg Medina Read More »

The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer

, ,
The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

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

The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer Read More »

A Smart, Smart School by Sharon Creech

, ,
A Smart, Smart School by Sharon Creech
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

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

A Smart, Smart School by Sharon Creech Read More »

The Yellow Bus by Loren Long

, , ,
The Yellow Bus by Loren Long
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

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

The Yellow Bus by Loren Long Read More »

The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes

, ,
The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

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

The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes Read More »

Recess by Lane Smith

, ,
Recess by Lane Smith
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

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

Recess by Lane Smith Read More »

Miss Camper: A Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo

, ,
Miss Camper: A Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

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

Miss Camper: A Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo Read More »

Everything Grows in Jiddo’s Garden by Jenan Matari

, ,
Everything Grows in Jiddo's Garden by Jenan Matari
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

This beautiful picture book, inspired by the true story of the author’s grandfather being expelled from Palestine during the Nakba, is a true honoring of Palestinian culture and a celebration of love, belonging, and connection to the land. The gorgeous illustrations and story about discovering who you are through the land made me cry into my coffee. A truly wonderful book that belongs on every child’s shelf!

Everything Grows in Jiddo’s Garden by Jenan Matari, (List Price: $19.95, Crocodile Books, 9781623716110, September 2025)

Reviewed by Candice Huber, Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Book Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana

Everything Grows in Jiddo’s Garden by Jenan Matari Read More »

The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall

, , ,
The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

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: $20.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780525579052, August 2025)

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

The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall Read More »

I Got You by Derrick Barnes

, ,
I Got You by Derrick Barnes
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

Derrick Barnes captures the magical relationship between brothers in a celebration of both big brothers and little brothers. From learning everything you know from your big brother to realizing that as he gets older you might not spend all your time together, >I Got You is the perfect book to read with siblings — or children expecting a new addition to the family, too. A thoughtful, beautiful story.

I Got You by Derrick Barnes, (List Price: $18.99, Nancy Paulsen Books, 9780593111451, July 2025)

Reviewed by Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

I Got You by Derrick Barnes Read More »

Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic by Kara LaReau, Ariane Moreira (Illus

, , , ,
Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic by Kara LaReau, Ariane Moreira (Illus
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

Grab your beach cruiser and join Blue as they make the daily bakery deliveries around the community. Along the way, they’ll create a little havoc with their untamed magic abilities, but are always there to help clean up the remnants of the spells. Perfect for young witches-to-be who like cooking, helping their community, and want to start their own coven.

Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic by Kara LaReau, Ariane Moreira (Illus, (List Price: $15.99, Random House Books for Young Readers, 9798217025855, August 2025)

Reviewed by Jenny Gilroy, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic by Kara LaReau, Ariane Moreira (Illus Read More »

Scroll to Top