The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Juvenile Fiction

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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The Wish Switch by Lynn Painter

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The Wish Switch by Lynn Painter
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The Wish Switch is a sweet transition by Lynn Painter into books meant for a younger audience than her popular YA novels. The story follows Emma Rockford and her friends as they rely on her late grandmother’s instructions to gain four wishes, while following her very specific instructions. However, something happens to make Emma’s wish become seemingly switched with her brother’s best friend’s, leading them to form an alliance to figure out what had happened. A sweet tale that will entertain young readers for a pleasant afternoon.

The Wish Switch by Lynn Painter, (List Price: $18.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316578585, May 2025)

Reviewed by Molly Reinhardt, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

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How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persico

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How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persico
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Zoe Persico so beautifully captures the feeling of grieving alongside the realities of life continuing to move forward. In many situations, our friends and people we love might not have the words to tell us what they are going through, but often when we pay attention we can see the signs. Much like caring for plants. This story weaves both these ideas into a beautiful world filled with magical realism, talking plants, family dynamics, new friendships and healing. Beautifully illustrated, I can’t wait to see more from this author/creator.

How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persico, (List Price: $13.99, Tundra Books, 9781774883143, April 2025)

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

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Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment by Anna James

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Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment by Anna James
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What a fun beginning for Anna James’s new series! The beautiful seasonal magic system, nefarious plotting, and adventure at Thistledown Academy were reminiscent of some of my favorite series growing up, while still surprising and delighting me every step of the way. I can’t wait for the next wave of young fantasy readers to get their hands on this one!

Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment by Anna James, (List Price: $9.99, Flamingo Books, 9780593691915, April 2025)

Reviewed by Tori Finklea, Union Avenue Books in knoxville, Tennessee

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