The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Juvenile Fiction

Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson

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Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson
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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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Millie Fleur Saves the Night by Christy Mandin

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Millie Fleur Saves the Night by Christy Mandin
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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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The Little Ghost Quilt’s Winter Surprise by Riel Nason

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The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise by Riel Nason
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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 in Broom Doom by Jessixa Bagley

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Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom by Jessixa Bagley
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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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Into the Bewilderness by Gus Gordon

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Into the Bewilderness by Gus Gordon
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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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This Year, a Witch! by Zoey Abbott

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This Year, a Witch! by Zoey Abbott
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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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Ollie In Between by Jess Callans

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Ollie In Between by Jess Callans
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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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Where the Deer Slip Through by Katey Howes

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Where the Deer Slip Through by Katey Howes
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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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Free Piano (Not Haunted) by Whitney Gardner

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Free Piano (Not Haunted) by Whitney Gardner
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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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Blue by Suzanne Kaufman

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Blue by Suzanne Kaufman
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A fantastical bedtime story of a young boy and a blue heron. It is simple, whimsical and comforting as we get to see this pair travel, separate, but remain connected.

Blue by Suzanne Kaufman, (List Price: $18.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316311663, June 2025)

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

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The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown

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The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown
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The Wild Robot on the Island is colorfully illustrated, depicting the earth‘s seasons along with the gentle message of “helping others.” It’s an early stepping stone to the original Wild Robot Series.

The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown, (List Price: $19.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316669467, June 2025)

Reviewed by Judith Lafitte, Octavia Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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On Guard! by Cassidy Wasserman

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On Guard! by Cassidy Wasserman
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Very cute and sweet! Happy ending that wasn’t fully resolved but going in the right direction for the main character.I learned a lot of facts about fencing, which was fun. This was a debut. I will definitely be checking out their future works!

On Guard! by Cassidy Wasserman, (List Price: $21.99, Random House Graphic, 9780593649985, June 2025)

Reviewed by Stephanie StJohn, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

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Outside Mom, Inside Mom by Jane Park

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Outside Mom, Inside Mom by Jane Park
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I think this is a picture book that a lot of kids will relate to. It’s natural for people to be their true selves — their “inside” selves — while in the comfort of their own homes. I think many parents will identify with the mom in the story as they examine the ways in which they also have inside and outside selves to get through their days. I love how gently the author wrote this, full of love and completely absent of judgment. The child is empathetic to their mom, and I think it’s important for adults to see that, too, and know that kids are perceptive and pick up on a lot more than we give them credit for.

Outside Mom, Inside Mom by Jane Park, (List Price: $19.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665929509, March 2025)

Reviewed by Jamie Southern, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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The Aliens Do NOT Want to Go Home by Adam Gustavson

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The Aliens Do NOT Want to Go Home by Adam Gustavson
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There’s something so fun about playing with your friends, I wouldn’t want to go home either! These silly aliens do such a good job at illustrating a kid’s big feelings about going home. So if you have a squirmy, crabby, playtime-loving alien, try reading this book with them.

The Aliens Do NOT Want to Go Home by Adam Gustavson, (List Price: $17.99, Charlesbridge, 9781623544942, June 2025)

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

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Good Boy by Andy Hirsch

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Good Boy by Andy Hirsch
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I’m really excited for this boy and dog graphic novel readers looking for something after burning through Dogman. With adventure, a real-life challenge, and some gross-out humor, this one’s sure to be a hit for summer reading.

Good Boy by Andy Hirsch, (List Price: $14.99, First Second, 9781250291950, 2025-05-20)

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

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