LibraryAware October 2025

Recent Releases

Dear Jackie
by Jessixa Bagley; illustrated by Aaron Bagley

Jackie and Milo have been best friends since they were babies. Now that they’re in sixth grade, though, Milo is spending more time with his soccer teammates -- and is joining in when their classmates criticize Jackie for dressing “like a dude.” Humor and honest emotions make this graphic novel about friendship and self-expression a good choice for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft. (Ages 8-12.)

The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze
by Derrick Barnes

At age 13, Black football phenom Henson is already treated like a hero by his sports-worshipping, mostly white hometown. He loves the attention, but when an act of racist violence causes him to choose justice over the game, his fame turns sour fast. Readers ready for serious realistic fiction won’t want to miss this multi-layered book. (Ages 10-13.)

Let's Get Together
by Brandy Colbert

When foster kid Liberty and popular girl Kenya meet in sixth grade, they’re shocked to discover they’re identical twins. Family secrets are revealed, and the two very different girls grapple with surprise sisterhood. Read-alike: Finding Ruby Starling by Karen Rivers, another thoughtful, modern spin on The Parent Trap. (Ages 8-12.)

Berry Parker Doesn't Catch Crushes
by Tanita S. Davis

As far as seventh-grader Berry is concerned, romance -- whether it’s her best friend’s annoying crush or her divorced parents dating other people -- only leads to change, and change is bad. The smart thing to do is avoid feelings entirely. Right? Read-alike: The Love Report by Beka and Maya. (Ages 9-13.)

Busted
by Dan Gemeinhart

Twelve-year-old's Oscar and Natasha assist an ex-mobster retiree bust out of his retirement community in exchange for money to help Oscar and his grandfather to stay in their home. (Ages 8-12.)

Moonleapers
by Margaret Peterson Haddix

At first, Maisie’s excited to get her own phone, even if it’s a hand-me-down from ailing Great-Aunt Hazel. But then weird texts start arriving, and Maisie realizes that she’s inherited Great-Aunt Hazel’s role with the Moonleapers, a secret organization that influences the past and future to change history. For fans of: the thoughtful and moving take on time travel in Erin Entrada Kelly’s The First State of Being. (Ages 8-13.)

The Poisoned King
by Katherine Rundell

Ever since his first excursion, Christopher has been longing to return to the Archipelago, a hidden realm of mythological animals. So when he’s summoned by a dragon, Christopher is thrilled to follow it into a mystery involving a sphinx, a spreading poison, and a small girl bent on revenge. This exciting, illustrated sequel will be most fun if you’ve already read Impossible Creatures. (Ages 8-12.)

Scarlet Morning
by N.D. Stevenson

Abandoned in the boring town of Caveat, orphans Wilmur and Viola trade their only valuable possession -- the mysterious Book -- to pirate captain Cadence Chase in exchange for a voyage on the high seas. But the secrets they uncover on the journey might have deadly consequences. Packed with complex characters and swashbuckling adventure, this illustrated fantasy from the creator of Nimona kicks off a new series. (Ages 9-13.)

Contact your librarian for more great books!