Told from the perspective of a neighbor who witnessed the event, this fictionalized graphic novel by Kraatz (the Space Runners series) and illustrator Jayme gives a gritty true crime spin to the real-life story of the 1892 Borden murders. In Fall River, Mass., 14-year-old Charlie Churchill lives next door to the wealthy Borden family. He grows wary of the Bordens after eavesdropping on a tense conversation late one evening between Borden daughter Lizzie and her father. Several nights pass, during which he spies on the Bordens through his window. The morning after surveying what he believes is someone attacking an unknown figure with an axe, he learns that Mr. and Mrs. Borden have been murdered. As citizens are embroiled in the ensuing investigation, Charlie embarks on his own inquiry, gathering clues and dodging encounters with the police, his relatives, and Lizzie. Jayme’s inked illustrations, rendered in a limited, blue-gray palette, give a contemporary feel to the historical happenings while dynamic facial expressions—paired with Kraatz’s conversational yet period typical dialogue—approachably relay the gruesome events. The result is a spine-tingling murder mystery adventure that recalls the I Survived series and will appeal to fans of the genre. Ages 8–12. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 03/07/2025 | Details & Permalink

Orphaned youth Sally hits the road with an empty belly, a few coins, and not much else in this evocative historical novel by Cushman (War and Millie McGonigle) that follows one girl’s search for belonging and lauds the healing power of human connection. In 1894 Oregon, there’s no going back to her job at the River Hotel and Mineral Spring after the establishment’s ruthless owner dismisses Sally like “chewed-on chicken bones.” An early stop for provisions prompts Sally to begin an epic journey “West. To the sea.” She soon begrudgingly accepts a ride on a mule-powered wagon from an older woman named Major and her protective pup, Sarge; the small wagon grows even more crowded when Major later agrees to transport a spoiled eight-year-old to his relatives. As they progress, the motley crew faces sweltering summer heat, a dastardly highwayman, a terrifying river passage, and a tragedy. Immersive period details capture the smells and sounds of Oregon’s developing cities, while old-timey vernacular (“Thunderation!” “Goldurn it!” “Gee whillikers!”) heightens humorous antics and buoys emotional scenes. At the heart of it all is tough-as-nails Sally, whose boundless curiosity and capacity for empathy despite ongoing trials and tribulations will have readers clambering to hitch a ride on this entertaining and gratifying adventure. Ages 8–12. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 03/07/2025 | Details & Permalink

Seventeen-year-old Vietnamese American Nhung—or Noon—and Noon’s mother live on their boat Wild Things in Mercy, La., where a sinister red algae bloom has mutated the wildlife in the aftermath of a deadly hurricane. Though Noon is desperate to leave Mercy, Mom refuses, certain that Noon’s father and brother—whose bodies were never recovered following the storm—are “out there somewhere, reincarnated and waiting for us to rescue them.” They make their living catching and selling mutated sea creatures to Jimmy, Mercy’s de facto ruler. When people start disappearing, including a scientist studying the bloom, Jimmy threatens to repossess Wild Things unless they find the monster he believes is responsible. Along for the hunt is his daughter, white-cued lesbian 17-year-old Covey, who is also searching for her missing mother. As the trio scour the contaminated waters, Noon contemplates issues of gender identity, struggles to process a previous sexual assault, and contends with inexplicable body changes. While fluid prose occasionally makes for murky, complex plotting, it simultaneously conjures surreal and harrowing atmosphere through which Tran (She Is a Haunting) weaves a pulsing-pounding climate disaster thriller. Ages 14–up. Agent: Katelyn Detweiler, Jill Grinberg Literary. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 03/07/2025 | Details & Permalink

In this brash and irreverent novel, Voris (Every Time You Hear that Song) employs comedic energy to critically outline one bisexual teen’s relationship with religion. Seventeen-year-old theater kid Riley Ackerman faces suspension after she slaps a classmate for shaming her older sister about her abortion. To avoid administrative punishment, which would result in her removal from her high school musical production, Riley elects to write an essay on the seven heavenly virtues and spend her spring break at a Baptist church youth camp, despite having avoided church for the past year: “I don’t want to sit in a musty chapel and listen to Pastor Young talk about all the different ways I’m going to hell.” At camp, she grapples with childhood insecurities surrounding her congregation’s teachings, catches feelings for the pastor’s daughter, and endeavors to “prove Pastor Young wrong by committing all seven deadly sins.” Conversations regarding the effects of Riley’s predominantly white Midwestern Baptist community’s ideals on morality and her sense of self are handled with verve via incisive prose and the protagonist’s acerbic, self-assured narration. Ages 12–up. Agent: Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 03/07/2025 | Details & Permalink

An action-packed journey through the Underworld centers grief and personal transformation in this fantasy adventure debut. Twelve-year-old Senka spends her days assisting Charon, the Ferryer of the Underworld, in guiding souls to their afterlives. When Poppy, a Living girl, arrives in search of her dead younger brother Joey, Senka decides to prove herself capable of doing the job on her own by leading Poppy back to the realm of the Living, or else risk Poppy’s losing her memories and life force. Before Senka can begin her task, however, both girls become lost in the wilderness of the Underworld, known as the Underwild. There, they must navigate memory-stealing kakodaimons, imprisoned gods, and a terrifying dragon chimaera that seems to be stalking Senka. The deeper they travel, the more secrets Senka uncovers—including some being kept from her by Charon himself. Targosz’s inventive setting proves a fertile backdrop for nuanced depictions of how loss can guide actions and shape memory. Employing a memorable cast that includes a cheerful psychopomp and a nonbinary shape-shifting fox child, Targosz touches on themes of friendship, loyalty, and love, making for an exciting and promising series launch. Ages 8–12. Agent: Andrea Morrison, Writers House. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 03/07/2025 | Details & Permalink

It’s a classic case of opposites attract in this spirited romance by Teerdhala (The Boyfriend Wish). Indian American Maya Sastry, a freshman at Neadham University, is on the lookout for love. When her first shot at romance with white-cued playboy Thomas ends in heartbreak, she endeavors to revamp her life and approach to love by joining a dating app and volunteering with her school’s Hindu Student Association to plan an epic Holi celebration. She’s soon appointed as the event’s co-planner alongside upperclassman Nishant Rai, aka DJ Nish, who insists on turning the festival into an EDM rave. After Thomas plays a malicious prank that results in Maya getting banned from her dating app, Nish volunteers to set her up on dates himself if she agrees to help plan Holi his way. Yet even as Maya meets new romantic prospects and she continues to butt heads with Nish, she starts falling for her matchmaker. While Nish aims to add contemporary flair to the “old-fashioned Holi dance party,” Maya finds value in the “nostalgic and traditional” celebration. Romance tropes abound, making for a satisfying and upbeat rom-com bursting with charm. Ages 12–up. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 03/07/2025 | Details & Permalink

Eighteen-year-old Maria Faith Castillo attends Ellery West, a magical international school off the coast of Washington, where she learns how to control her powerful fire magic after having been recruited from the Philippines. Ellery West is the place Faith feels most at home—until she and best friend Sydney enter the surrounding forest together, and only Faith returns. Suspected of Sydney’s death, Faith is regarded as a social pariah, marked by a red stripe on her uniform that designates her as a student on probation, one who’s too dangerous to attend classes with the rest of her classmates. Her senior year was supposed to be spent preparing for graduation and aiming for entrance into prestigious magical societies; instead, she’s haunted by nightmares of a figure in the forest and sudden bizarre happenings befalling her peers. When she realizes these events may be tied to Sydney’s vanishing, Faith and her fellow Red Stripes must uncover the truth about that night—before the forest comes for Faith, too. Though this dark academia thriller by Bonnin (Stolen City) treads familiar ground, chilling atmosphere sows terror and found family dynamics add emotional weight. Ages 14–up. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 03/07/2025 | Details & Permalink

Queer and gender-fluid 17-year-old Cassiopeia Jane Smith—CJ—lives in Satterville, Ohio, with her mother, 13-year-old brother Orion, and six-year-old twin siblings Leo and Lyra. Satterville is also known as Slaughterville, the setting of horror novels by Moon Satter, an anonymous writer whose works feature fictionalized accounts of murders committed by still-at-large serial killer, Wolf Man. Though CJ’s father survived the first attack in 1996, he was killed in a second one six years ago—an attack that CJ survived. Now their mother trains the children in self-defense in case the Wolf Man should ever return. It’s an event that seems unlikely, until an unpublished Moon Satter manuscript arrives at CJ’s door. Mixing tongue-in-cheek references to horror classics like Scream and Friday the 13th with an engaging meta premise, Winans (Wishbone) delivers a cheeky adventure thriller. Via CJ’s dry and humorous first-person POV, the author injects fun into this original novel, which features gruesomely violent murders alongside heartfelt character interactions. The Smiths read as white; supporting characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 14–up. Agent: Patricia Nelson, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 03/07/2025 | Details & Permalink

A recent high school graduate must relive the same tumultuous visit to Disneyland in this warm and fuzzy Groundhog Day romp by Matson (The Ballad of Darcy and Russell). Eighteen-year-old Cassandra Issac doesn’t do goodbyes. Growing up with two fathers who flip houses for a living, Cass has attended 16 schools and left behind countless friends. So when her dads announce that they’ll be moving from California to Oregon, Cass endeavors to go out on a high note. Having recently graduated from Harbor Cove High, Cass is excited to attend Disney Grad Nite with her best friend Bryony, whom she neglects to inform of her impending move. But uncomfortable run-ins with former friends interfere with her plans and sour unexpected bright spots, including Cass’s meet-cute with British musician Freddie. When her attempt to leave the amusement park results in her entering a time loop, Cass struggles to gain clarity on what she must do to break the cycle. Across five distinct sections, Matson chronicles Cass’s emotional state as she rights perceived wrongs and gradually comes to terms with how her past—and current—decisions hurt others. Characters are racially diverse. Ages 12–up. Agent: Emily Van Beek, Folio Literary. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 03/07/2025 | Details & Permalink

It’s been six months since 12-year-old Brooklynite Mimi Perez’s father was deported to the Dominican Republic, forcing her and her mother to move from their family home. Now sharing a single bedroom in a neighbor’s house, Mimi—who used to get straight A’s and spend time with her cousin, Jada, and their friends, Benny and Los—has begun skipping school to earn money by fixing broken electronics, hoping to save up for a lawyer and bring Papi home. When her school is invited to participate in a major robotics competition that promises a cash prize for the winner, Mimi’s friends persuade her to compete with them. The tweens’ plans are derailed by the arrival of Dot-E, a robot from outer space that needs their help reuniting with its family. Then Dot-E attracts the attention of federal agents; their presence unnerves Mimi’s mom, who worries for the family’s safety and future. Reports peppered throughout detailing the federal investigation feel somewhat forced. Even so, using endearing third-person prose, Ortega (the Witchlings series) and debut author Rodriguez grapple with grief, belonging, and contemporary attitudes and policies surrounding immigration through a compassionate sci-fi lens. Characters are described as having varying skin tones. Ages 8–12. Agents: (for Ortega) Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary; (for Rodriguez) Richard Abate, 3Arts Entertainment. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 03/07/2025 | Details & Permalink