I love this celebration of forts, the ones found in nature, to the ones you can build for yourself. Forts are for gathering with friends or being alone in this delightful picture book.
Forts by Katie Venit, (List Price: $18.99, Viking Books for Young Readers, 9780593466155, July 2025)
Reviewed by Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
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Magical and imaginative, this autobiographical picture book follows a young girl’s explorations under the sea as she observes marine life and our critical need for marine conservation. I loved that Mother of Sharks features a Hispanic woman in STEM!
Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Márquez, (List Price: $19.99, Penguin Workshop, 9780593523582, May 2023)
Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina
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I love a story of a brave and BOLD heroine combined with an ethical look at capitalistic systems we should take a closer look at. Shark Girl is outraged at the way a fishing boat overfishes and hauls up fish they can’t even use. So she makes a plan to get even! Humans are pretty greedy, but maybe not all of them are.
Shark Girl by Kate Beaton, (List Price: $18.99, Roaring Brook Press, 9781250184924, February 2025)
Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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Julia and the Shark has some of my favorite things: deep dives (pun intended) on Greenland sharks, conservation & environmentalism, and an awesome cat named Noodle who likes to ride on boat figureheads. It also has a beautiful message on mental illness and that its okay to not be okay. The heart-squish was real and my heart ached for Julia as she navigated her mom’s ups-and-downs as well as the local bullies. Courage, cold seas and starry skies, and whales more ancient than trees, this story had me by the heartstrings.
Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, (List Price: $18.99, Union Square Kids, 9781454948681, March 2023)
Reviewed by Candice Conner, The Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, Alabama
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Tyger is a breathtaking story of courage, creativity, and resistance. SF Said weaves a powerful tale of magic and change, brought to life by Dave McKean’s stunning illustrations. With themes of anticolonialism, anticapitalism, and the power of empathy, this book reminds us that young minds can shape the world, if only we let them.
Tyger by SF Said, (List Price: $18.99, Penguin Workshop, 9780593887240, July 2025)
Reviewed by Hezekiah Olorode, Old Town Books in Alexandria, Virginia
A group of friends set out to create a short film uncovering the truth about the Martha’s Vineyard phantom shark and win the youth film contest, however, they uncover some secrets that are tough to deal with. Suspenseful and heartwarming, with relatable characters, Shark Summer is a winning graphic novel!
Shark Summer by Ira Marcks, (List Price: $12.99, Little, Brown Ink, 9780316461443, May 2021)
Reviewed by Jen Minor, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Tiffany D. Jackson’s signature style transitions beautifully to middle grade in Blood in the Water. Tackling heavy subjects with the gravity they deserve while letting her characters have just a bit of fun, Jackson navigates racism, classism, and the concept of controlling the narrative.
Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson, (List Price: $18.99, Scholastic Press, 9781338849912, July 2025)
Reviewed by Carly Crawford, Novel. in Memphis, Tennessee
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The dark might seem scary, but the dark is full of wonderful, magical, important things, from night-blooming plants to nocturnal creatures. Millie Fleur La Fae loves them all, but her town of Garden Glen isn’t as keen as she is on inviting the dark into town. But, what might happen if we turn off our lanterns and join Millie Fleur in the dark of her moon garden? Millie Fleur Saves the Night is a gorgeously written and illustrated tale of embracing the wonders of the dark, from the moon to the stars, from raccoons to bats. A perfect book to pair with a full moon hike at a local park or preserve!
Millie Fleur Saves the Night by Christy Mandin, (List Price: $18.99, Orchard Books, 9781339023373, July 2025)
Reviewed by Mikey LaFave, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia
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We get to see Little Ghost Quilt in another adventure, this one during the Christmas season. I love how Little Ghost Quilt is different, and so are his ghost friends, and that is OKAY, more than normal. This story isn’t about changing to be more similar, but finding ways they can all experience the magic of the holidays. Little Ghost Quilt comes up with an idea to bring the holiday spirit to his friends.
The Little Ghost Quilt’s Winter Surprise by Riel Nason, (List Price: $18.99, Tundra Books, 9781774885376, August 2025)
Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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Jazzy the Witch is such a relatable character! She is really struggling with her identity as a witch, and realizes that she is different than everyone around her. This was such a fun graphic novel! I enjoyed the witchy sayings and phrases, and I loved that it has such an amazing message, which is that it’s ok to be who you are.
Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom by Jessixa Bagley, (List Price: $14.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665922326, July 2025)
Reviewed by Sarah Blackwell, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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This book is a treat (just look at that art!), especially for fans of Frog & Toad who are ready for a bigger adventure. Luis (the guitar playing bear) & Pablo (the grumpy mole) are an odd pair of buddies that must brave their way to The Big City to in an attempt to experience *culture* and fine dining (versus the usual catch your own meal way of the woods) and not get mugged by rough and tough city squirrels with spoons in this hilarious, pitch perfect, highbrow-lowbrow tale that will leave you singing a song and giggling all the way through.
Into the Bewilderness by Gus Gordon, (List Price: $15.99, HarperAlley, 9780063246119, July 2025)
Reviewed by Julie Jarema, Hub City Bookshop in Spartanburg, South Carolina
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Choosing a Halloween Costume is a big deal, especially to the little ones. Sometimes this is the biggest decision of their young lives. I loved learning about the why’s. Sparks creativity and decision-making skills.
This Year, a Witch! by Zoey Abbott, (List Price: $19.99, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 9781665956024, July 2025)
Reviewed by Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina
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I LOVE this book. I crawled into the head of my younger self and thoroughly enjoyed this take on a young girl named Ollie who isn’t into fashion or boys. She is growing into herself and feels alone in her insecurities (oh, to be a friend to a kid this age and have them listen). This is funny, relatable, and very timely.
Ollie In Between by Jess Callans, (List Price: $17.99, Feiwel & Friends, 9781250331342, April 2025)
Reviewed by Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina
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Part seek and find adventure and part ode to nature, this stunning tale is the perfect read-together for young nature lovers.
Where the Deer Slip Through by Katey Howes, (List Price: $19.99, Beach Lane Books, 9781665918275, June 2025)
Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina
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Margot is determined to become a real songwriter. If she does, her dad may come home. When she finds an abandoned synthesizer, she’s sure her songs will sound better with it than her ukulele. But the instrument may be haunted by a pop star from the 1980s!
Free Piano (Not Haunted) by Whitney Gardner, (List Price: $23.99, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665938136, July 2025)
Reviewed by Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
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