Category: Uncategorized

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Ghoul: An imaginary friend… or not?

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Ghoul, by Kasey Iris, (May 2026, Top Shelf), $19.99, ISBN: 9781603095839

Ages 13-17

Growing up, Lyn and her best friend, Megan, swore to be friends forever; that all changed when Megan died at age 14. Lyn and her family move into a new apartment, but Lyn is overwhelmed by the gossipy new neighbors. One night, a ghoul climbs out of her comic book while Lyn sleeps and introduces himself to her the next day, and the two embark on new adventures to discover the secrets of the building, particularly the rumors surrounding Mr. Gray, who may or may not be behind the disappearances of his wife and son! A new twist on the imaginary friend tale, Iris explores themes of grief, gossip, and family. The two-color art is bold, often chaotic, and incorporates a mystery with comedic and supernatural elements. Filipino elements run throughout the story, including words in Tagalog throughout (translated). A bonus comic – the comic that Lyn was reading at bedtime – is part of the back matter, as is a playlist, Tagalog glossary, and notes from the author.

 

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Kat and Mouse plan a sleepover

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Hi, all, been a while. But I’m here, and I’m posting reviews that I started but never got a chance to hit “publish” on. Let’s start!

 

As I continue wading through Mount TBR, I’m sharing some recently published books that are great summer reads. Today, I’ve got some easy readers, starting off with the newest in a fun Easy Reader series.

Kat and Mouse: Let’s Have a Sleepover!, by Salina Yoon, (March 2026, Bloomsbury Children’s Books), $12.99, ISBN: 9781547612451

Ages 5-7

Kat and Mouse return in a new adventure: this time, the friends plan a sleepover. While Mouse is looking forward to reading, Kat wants to dance and snack. Will the two friends get on each other’s nerves, or can they work together to create the best sleepover ever? Organized into graphic novel-type panels, with easy-to-read word bubbles and boldly outlined illustrations, this is an easy reader that appeals to Elephant and Piggie fans. The two friends explore comprimise and creative thinking to come up with a fun evening that both enjoy. A fun read that emerging readers will read again and again. Get this fun new series on your shelves if you haven’t yet.

 

 

Posted in Fiction, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Uncategorized

Dan Santat does it again with Sashimi!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Sashimi, by Dan Santat, (Apr. 2026, Roaring Brook Press), $8.99, ISBN: 9781250360007

Ages 8-12

Yes, I am one of those readers that will pick up anything with Dan Santat’s name on it, but can you blame me? Beekle? Are We There Yet? The Cookie Fiasco? Then you have A First Time for Everything and The Aquanaut… trust me, I can go on and on. My point is, Dan Santat is one of the most versatile author-illustrators out there, and I love everything he creates. His newest graphic novel, A Fishboy Named Sashimi is another home run for me. The town is Barnacle Bay, and they have their own cryptid: The Beast of Barnacle Bay. When new kid Sashimi shows up at the school, he befriends Joey, whose grandfather – GASP – has been hunting The Beast for years. Which poses a big problem for Sashimi, who’s in Barnacle Bay trying to find the Beast, because he wants to find others like him. Filled with laugh-out-loud moments and sight gags aplenty, this is a great “fish out of water” story (ugh, I’ll show myself out) with a lovable main character. Highlights include Sashimi trying Mouthbomb, a soda outlawed in three states for its sugar content, and Sashimi befriending a little octopus named Tako… in a supermarket. Endearing, fast-paced, and with the promise of two additional adventures, this is a must-add to collections. It’s going to fly off the shelves. Promise. A Fishboy Named Sashimi has starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist.

Thanks again to Roaring Brook Press, who also sent me this awesome water bottle, assuring that I finally drink water while I’m at work!

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Read Black KidLit: Black Hair Can by Sylvia Rodriguez

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Black Hair Can: The Roots of Our Roots, by Sylvia Rodriguez, (Sept. 2025, Charlesbridge Publishing), $17.99, ISBN: 9781623545901

Ages 4-8

Black hair is a symbol of identity and a strong tie to Black culture. Here, Rodriguez observes the history of Black hair: a connection to history and a way to honor ancestors; a sign of social status; “a symbol of power, pride, and freedom”. Beautiful and bold digital illustrated spreads feature faces from the African diaspora, sporting hairstyles including dreadlocks, Bantu knots, Fulani braids, and natural Afros. A haunting spread shows a group of enslaved Africans, their hair shorn, the passage reading, “Black hair can be individual and still taken away”. Rodriguez closes with a description of the Crown Act, a campaign to keep women safe from discrimination over their hair’s style or texture. Back matter includes information about the Crown Act and more detail about each of the featured hairstyles. A moving and strong choice for collections.

 

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Who’s Ready for Summer Scares 2026?

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

I know we’re all getting our paleontological/archaeological books ready for Summer Reading (if you’re part of CSLP, that is), but don’t forget about Summer Scares!

If you have readers who like life on the spooky side, Summer Scares is for them (and you, if you enjoy that sort of thing. I do). This year’s picks are phenomenal:

For the grown-ups:

A Botanical Daughter, by Noah Medlock (Titan, 2024)

Never Whistle at Night, ed. Shane Hawk & Theodore C. Van Alst (Vintage, 2023)

Maeve Fly, by CJ Leede (Tor Nightfire, 2023)

For the teens:

What We Harvest, by Ann Fraistat (Delacorte Press, 2022)

Gorgeous Gruesome Faces, by Linda Cheng (Roaring Brook Press, 2023)

Our Shadows Have Claws, ed. Yamile Saied Méndez & Amparo Ortiz (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2022)

For the tweens:

Garlic and the Vampire, by Bree Paulsen (Harper, 2021)

It Came from the Trees, by Ally Russell (Delacorte Press, 2023)

This Appearing House, by Ally Malinenko (Harper, 2022)

The guide will be up on the site by March 1, and there will be a series of free webinars with featured authors speaking with committee members throughout March. Who’s excited?

I was considering adding a “Summer Spookies” element for the littles, just so they’re not feeling left out. What do you think? Here are the books I was thinking of:

Poesy the Monster Slayer, by Cory Doctorow/Illustrated by Matt Rockefeller (First Second, 2020)

Take a Breath, Big Red Monster!, by Ed Emberley (LB Kids, 2025)

How I Met My Monster, by Amanda Noll/Illustrated by Howard McWilliam (Flashlight Press, 2019)

What are some of your Summer Scare suggestions? Let’s create virtual displays together!

Posted in History, Middle School, Teen, Uncategorized, Young Adult/New Adult

A powerful history of the Armenian genocide: Armaveni by Nadine Takvorian

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Armaveni: A Graphic Novel of the Armenian Genocide, by Nadine Takvorian, (March 2026, Levine Querido), $18.99, ISBN: 9781646146536

Ages 12-18

Nadine Takvorian’s semi-autobiographical graphic novel, Armaveni, is a powerful story of the Armenian genocide of 1915 and its reverberations to this day. High schooler Nadine wants to know more about her family’s Armenian and Turkish history, but it’s too painful a subject for her parents, whose families were directly affected, to talk about. When her parents finally decide it’s time to tell their families’ stories, Nadine and her brother, Sayat, want to know more. They join a church group visit to Armenia and book a side trip to visit family in Istanbul, where they learn the true horror of the genocide. Fundamentally changed, Nadine returns home and confronts her teacher’s prejudice. Takvorian tells her family’s story in a strong voice that moves between history and contemporary – the novel is set in 2001 – to give readers a full historical document. The mythical phoenix is a symbol running through the story that describes for both Nadine’s awakening to herself as an Armenian-American with a full understanding of her history and the history of the Armenian people. As put by Nadine herself, “Armenians exist.Welcome home.” Back matter includes photos, an author’s note, a glossary, and resources for further reading. Armaveni deserves a place on graphic novel memoirs including Persepolis, Maus, and March. A recommended first purchase.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads, Uncategorized

Celebrate Passover in Argentina: The Passover Pet Surprise by Ana María Shua & Ángeles Ruiz

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Passover Pet Surprise, by Ana María Shua/Illustrated by Ángeles Ruiz, (March 2026, NorthSouth Books), $19.95, ISBN: 9780735846081

Ages 4-8

Jordanita and her family live in Miami, but head to Argentina to spend the Passover holiday with their family. Jordanita loves spending time with her Argentina family, Uncle Ariel, Aunt Verónica, and cousin Ilán; they have a big garden with plenty of places to play hide-and-seek, and they have so many pets! There are two dogs, a cat, two turtles, and two parrots named Tic and Toc. Who could ask for more? As the family spends time together, Jordanita notices Tic and Toc are in a cage while the other animals roam freely. After listening to the Passover story and her family talk about freedom, she decides that all living things should be free. A story of love, family, and faith, Shua’s writing is filled with warmth; Jordanita’s innocent mistake is based in a desire to do good. Ruiz’s illustrations bring an explosion of joyful color on each spread. The English language version of the book includes some Spanish vocabulary. A delightful story that also carries lessons on caring for pets. A recommended purchase for holiday collections.

The Passover Pet Surprise has a starred review from School Library Journal.

Posted in picture books, Toddler Reads, Uncategorized

Read Black KidLit: Beautiful Black Boy by Sophia Robinson & Ken Daley

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Beautiful Black Boy, by Sophia Robinson/Illustrated by Ken Daley, (Apr. 2026, Orchard Books), $19.99, ISBN: 9781338864649

Ages 3-7

Beautiful Black Boy is a celebration of Blackness, inspiring young Black boys to feel confidence and pride. Each spread is an explosion of joy, with affirmational wording to fill readers with positivity: “Beautiful Black Boy, / You are strong. / You can do anything you set your mind to”; “Beautiful Black Boy, / You are full of hope. / Always live your life with an open heart and mind”. Powerful words, like strong, hope, resilient, and leader are bolded for emphasis; each spread incorporates the page’s verse into the illustration, building the words into the background. Bold and bright colors show a full range of active Black children smiling, their gazes turned upward; expressions of wonder and elation on their faces. Robinson’s words pair with Daley’s beautiful illustrations to show children they are seen, appreciated, and loved. A recommended first purchase for picture book collections.

 

SOPHIA ROBINSON was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. She has been an elementary school teacher for over 20 years, where she shares her love of picture books with her students.

KEN DALEY is an award-winning artist/illustrator and veteran educator for over twenty years from Tillsonburg, Ontario. His art and illustrations are inspired by his African-Caribbean heritage, and he has exhibited his work in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. Ken has illustrated numerous children’s books and has received an Américas Award Honor Book and a Kirkus Best Picture Book for Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings.

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Rock Star: A salute to geologist Ursula Marvin

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

How Ursula Marvin Mapped Moon Rocks and Meteorites, by Sandra Neil Wallace/Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter, (Oct. 2025, Simon & Schuster), $19.99, ISBN: 9781534493339

Ages 7-12

While women were being told to stay home and learn to cook, Ursula Marvin was breaking barriers in science. The future geologist was told exactly that by a male professor when she attended college in the early 1940s; luckily for all of us, she disregarded the “advice” and went on to pursue a degree in geology, eventually earning a master’s and Ph.D. in the field. She believed that meteorites were the key to unlocking the solar system’s origins; it was a belief that “revolutionized how scientists saw the solar system”. She travelled to Antarctica to continue her research, facing bitter temperatures and project setbacks to become the first woman to search for meteorites at the bottom of the world, where Antarctica’s mountains held rocks “blasted from asteroids and maybe even the moon”. She fought sexism and broke barriers throughout her career and was responsible for forming foundational theories in planet geology. Wallace’s writing is informative and accessible, concentrating on details for readers to increase their interest: the process of setting up camp on the “oldest ice in the world”; the 50 pounds of clothing Marvin had to pack to keep warm; the moments of self-doubt, and the excitement of studying the first lunar meteorite, located in Antarctica while she was recovering from an injury back at home. Rock Star has a starred review from Kirkus.

See scans of Marvin’s journal from Antarctica at the Smithsonian’s website.

 

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Cozy mysteries for the elementary schooler: The Agatha Case Files

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Agatha Case Files: Welcome to Kittyville!, by Paul Martin/Illustrated by Camille Roy, (Sept. 2025, Twirl Books), $18.99, ISBN: 9791036381447

Ages 5+

Agatha has moved to Kittyville with one goal in mind: to become a detective! The first case begins as she gets off the train: someone has stolen a scientist’s briefcase! Newly emerging readers and more confident, chapter book readers will love this fun, illustrated book containing eight mysteries. Each mystery contains a setup and an illustrated spread with clue prompts for readers. Readers can check and see if their investigation proved correct at the end of the book. Readers who enjoy I Spy books will be well practiced for this one: there are a lot of details to catch! The cartoony illustration is bold and bright, and the writing provokes thought and attention to details. Agatha Kitty (I don’t know if that’s her last name, but that’s what I’m calling her) is an Agatha Christie for the Cam Jansen set. Give this fun book a try where readers like seek-and-find and puzzle books.

Sharpen your detectives’ skills with some free seek-and-find printables at Highlights, or offer some paper-based escape room activities at Lock Paper Escape: there are some free ones available to download.