(2) 4-6 Bea Bellerose Mystery series. Twelve-year-old Bea Bellerose (from New Jersey) is spending her summer vacation in Paris. Bea longs to explore the city's landmarks, but, alas, she is confined to Aunt Juliette's apartment while her aunt works long days. The only place Bea is permitted to go is her grandmother's antique store, the titular House of Found Objects. When a sketch of her great-great-grandfather drawn by a young Henri Matisse goes missing and a clue to its whereabouts appears under her aunt's door, Bea decides to take up the case. She and her French cousin, Celine, stealthily travel all over Paris, from the Jardin des Plantes to Sacre-Coeur, searching for mysteriously placed clues and solving puzzles. Though they are hardly friends at first sight, Bea and Celine learn to work together to find the missing heirloom. The story is lighthearted and entertaining, with the sweetness of self-discovery sprinkled throughout as Bea becomes more confident and more proud of the person she's becoming. Readers with an eye for puzzles and a knack for code-cracking will enjoy this first entry in a projected new mystery series.

Reviewer: Hill Saxton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(1) 4-6 Hardinge and Gravett pair up again (Island of Whispers, rev. 7/24) in a short, atmospheric tale told through Hardinge's skillful fairy-tale prose and Gravett's art, which intertwines, illuminates, and sometimes takes over pages altogether. The tale evokes mystery and danger, this time amongst humans whose stature is now comparatively tiny next to the surrounding wilds. Feather and her community live inside the Wall, a decaying stone structure that snakes away from their home in two directions. Their enemy is the Forest, "pushing forward like an army" with its rampant, savage growth and the hazardous creatures it hosts. It's Feather's task as a gatherer to forage outside the Wall; when a stranger steals the community's valuable spyglass from her, she embarks on a quest to retrieve it. Her discoveries of other settlements along the Wall alert her to the possibilities of cooperation, trade, and shared technology. In this quasi-post-apocalyptic story, a travelogue of sorts, nature is the enemy more than the provider, threatening to invade, dismantle, and subsume humans and their hard-won homes. Softly shaded illustrations emphasize the natural world's overwhelming magnitude to Feather, sometimes in close-up views of insects and birds; sometimes opening out to expansive vistas; sometimes dissolving into impressionistic flecks of light and greenery.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) 4-6 Eleven-year-old Bevvy, a quiet sixth grader more comfortable with kittens and fantasy novels than with her peers, finds herself drawn to a mysterious new girl, Cat. After Cat provokes a confrontation at school and disappears, Bevvy is left bewildered -- until Cat returns, pursued by shadowy forces. Fleeing through the woods, the girls leap through an opening in the air and into the kingdom of Lorelkey. The land is in chaos: the king is dead, and war looms between wielders of wild magic and a dangerous villain with dark powers. As Bevvy and Cat are reluctantly swept into the resistance, Bevvy discovers she has a gift that connects her to Lorelkey's natural forces. She begins to understand why she was brought to Lorelkey -- and what's at stake. Knudsen successfully weaves elements of classic fantasy -- portal travel, hidden royalty, a heroine who must grow into her unexpected destiny -- with themes of friendship and bravery and an emphasis on moral complexity and emotional intelligence. Her world-building is immersive, and the story balances action and magic with deeply felt emotional stakes. Bevvy and Cat's friendship is tested and strengthened through their adventures, and the novel's ensemble of magical characters adds warmth and nuance to the plot. Recommended for readers who dream of other worlds -- and wonder if they could be brave enough to face what lies within them.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) 4-6 Following their mother's death, thirteen-year-old Gwen, her younger siblings, and stepfather Henry move to Gloam Island to live in the children's late grandmother's house, which seems spookier than when Grandma was alive. Because Henry has to get a job on the mainland, he hires a strangely captivating babysitter; Gwen immediately distrusts Esme, but no one else in the family can see how manipulative and cruel she is when they're alone. Then a cat leads Gwen to the old willow tree Grandma used to talk to, and the willow divulges Esme's true nature and the lengths to which she will go to feast on the children's fears. The tree also gives Gwen a key that holds the secret to defeating Esme -- if the children can keep it out of her grasp. The nightmare fuel that Mackay brings to bear against each of the children draws brilliantly on phobic triggers and the terror of the unknown. A focus on the nature of courage ("It is impossible to be brave if you are not already afraid") and the tendency of adults to disbelieve children's lived experiences make the story highly pertinent. Machinations around the key give the book an easily grasped structure, but it's the atmospheric effects -- an old house, childhood fears not quite outgrown, sibling dynamics exploited by a malevolent force -- that will keep readers up at night.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) 4-6 As a Trapper, Rosa Coelho, twelve, works tirelessly with her avo (grandmother) to rid the community of monstros and mystical pests that harm citizens. The Coelhos are licensed to use trapping magic, but licenses come at a steep cost. Secretly, Rosa wants to follow in her lost father's footsteps and become a Keeper, a magic user licensed to create and open magical locks. When the Ministry declares that her avo owes an exorbitant debt, Rosa "auditions" for and joins a group of thieves. Mendonca has crafted a dystopian fantasy with familiar tropes -- a hierarchy of magic users, abuses of the magic system by the government to keep some people oppressed in poverty, and clashes with monsters -- to please middle-grade and middle-school fantasy fans, with Portuguese words and cultural influences included. Pretending to be a licensed Keeper, Rosa is a pleasantly imperfect protagonist, a strong-headed girl capable of making selfish decisions but still caring deeply for those she loves. Mendonca assembles a lovable band of child thieves who all have something to hide, which adds an undercurrent of tension throughout. A thrilling twist at the end will make readers eager for the next installment in the projected series.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) 4-6 O'Connor takes readers back to Colby, North Carolina, in this standalone companion to Wish (rev. 11/16). Eleven-year-old Idalee Lovett, descended from a long line of musicians, stars here. An aspiring country songwriter, Idalee lives with her mother in their family home, now converted into a boardinghouse whose lodgers include several distinct and well-developed secondary characters. When Joey's All-American BBQ Shack announces a song-writing contest, with the winning song to be performed on the radio by a rising country singer, Idalee is all in. She figures her chances of winning would be better if she could purchase a guitar. Without the funds to do so, Idalee enlists Charlie and Howard (who will be familiar to readers of Wish) as well as temporary boarder Odell to find her grandfather's bounty, rumored to be hidden somewhere in her home. The treasure turns out to be a collection of never-published, and terrific, country songs, which fill Idalee with self-doubt about her own skills and present her with a moral dilemma: perhaps she could just enter one of these gems. But such a move would belie her song, "Dream," in which Idalee eschews gold and riches for life's everyday pleasures. In a leisurely narrative that reflects the small-town atmosphere of Colby, O'Connor gives readers much to ponder.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) 4-6 Rubin's novel explores friendship, identity, and technology in a fully connected, near-future world. Twelve-year-old Zed Moonstein isn't great at making friends, but he's never needed more than Rishti, his best -- and only -- one. Living in MonoTown, the company town for tech giant MonoLyth, has its perks: Zed's mom works there, granting their family early access to the latest Mono devices and apps. But middle school brings unwelcome changes for Zed. He and Rishti are no longer in the same classes, and her attention has turned to a new, cooler friend -- and to fame as a MonoVid influencer. Feeling left behind, Zed stumbles upon a confidential prototype app on his mom's work computer: MonoFriend. He downloads it and meets Matt, an AI companion who seems to understand him better than anyone else does. At first, Matt feels like the perfect friend. But as Zed learns more about the technology, he begins to question what it means to be truly known and accepted. Zed's first-person narration balances humor with introspection, capturing many of the nuances of early adolescence. The novel deftly critiques tech dependency without veering into didacticism, instead posing complex questions in a relatable, age-appropriate framework. A compelling, character-driven narrative that is both a cautionary tale and a celebration of human connection, the story may spark meaningful conversations about AI, identity, and what it means to connect in an increasingly automated world.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(1) 4-6 Tiph is a child who is pulled in many directions. She loves her younger half siblings but is fed up with the chaos of a house with babies. She appreciates that her stepmother is doing her best but prefers the company of the old woman who employs her as a dog walker. Worst of all, she is paralyzed with guilt over two instances of shoplifting. In this deep and wide-ranging narrative, Schlitz takes an innovative approach to storytelling, looping back at the end of many scenes to tell them again from a different point of view. This technique creates suspense and mystery and implies a world where a pet's or a doll's take on a situation is given the same weight as a human's. Doll stories frequently raise issues of power and agency, and this one explores that territory with freshness and respect for the seriousness of children's emotions. It's also funny, particularly for those who wonder how dogs view the world or what a cat and a doll would discuss if they got together to figure out the weird ways of adult humans. A great choice for readers who like dollhouses, English bulldogs, and the intriguing possibility of fantasy worlds that hide in plain sight.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) 4-6 Julia on the Go! series. Illustrated by Julie Kim. Picking up right where Swimming into Trouble (rev. 3/24) left off, the story finds Julia Nam, having recovered from her ear infection, back in the water, preparing for a regional swim meet. When Coach Marissa takes a leave of absence because of a family health emergency, a new coach steps in. Julia is sure that Coach Nathan "was the angriest, shoutiest swimming coach that the Vancouver Vipers had ever had." His harsh and commanding coaching style, bitter tone of voice, and sour facial expressions cause several swimmers to leave the team, including Julia's best friend. She becomes closer to Olivia, who she previously thought was unfriendly but now realizes is a lot of fun. Julia suspects that she needs to look differently at things she doesn't like and ultimately realizes that she jumped to negative conclusions about Coach Nathan. Black-and-white illustrations help bring the swim team, coach drama, and friend dynamics to life. A lighthearted story that challenges readers to look deeper and see what's beneath the surface.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Jerry Craft. Two fifth graders vie to win their middle school’s annual creative storytelling contest. Both are already experienced storytellers: J illustrates books without words, and K writes stories without illustrations. In real life, Craft and Alexander have a lively friendly rivalry on display in social media posts and joint school visits, and this highly illustrated novel (cartoonlike black-and-white drawings appear throughout; final art unseen) is the perfect playground for their fictional ­counterparts—and for themselves, as both authors interject regularly with notes. Ever competitive, J and K try undermining each other’s chances for winning the contest by giving bad advice: draw with your nondominant hand, write what you don’t know, write in “sixth person.” Readers will soon suspect that J and K will join forces to write a book together, combining their talents, and indeed they enter the contest with their frog story collaboration, “Croak and Swagger: The Most Ribbiting Story Ever Told.” The culminating award ceremony, related with suspense and humor, isn’t the final word. Not only are readers told “To Be Continued…” but Craft and Alexander also offer “more fun…with this QR code” and write each other’s author bios with more of their trash talk.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(2) 4-6 Atkins (Hidden Powers, rev. 5/22, and others) continues uncovering stories of real women of science who have made unsung contributions to their fields. Here, her focus is on (Mary) Agnes Chase (1869–1963), who rose to the position of senior botanist at the ­Smithsonian Institution despite receiving no formal education beyond eighth grade; and Marguerite Thomas Williams (1895–1991), the first African American to earn a PhD in geology. This novel in verse goes back and forth between the two women as their childhoods and early schooling set the stage for their fascination with rocks, rivers, grasses, and nature. Atkins weaves together important historical details with spare, lyrical verse that is descriptive and illuminating: “Once they were girls whose dreams, / dark and rich as good earth, / were invisible even to them.” We learn of their struggles and their hard-won successes, as both women uplift those who come after them and will inspire young readers today. Helpful back matter includes an author’s note, a timeline of major events in each woman’s life, and short biographical entries that serve as a “who’s who” of the scientists and artists in their respective circles.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(2) 4-6 Peter Nimble and Sophie Quire (Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard and Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes) are on a rescue mission: Hazelport, Peter’s home, is in trouble. But when they mistakenly crash a royal wedding, Sophie and Peter discover that the threat to Hazelport is more insidious than they’d thought: Sir Cuitous of the heinous League of Maps, with his calipers and notebooks, has been “taking the measure of things” and draining the magic from Hazelport’s protective flora and fauna. Auxier’s thoughtful departure from the good/bad, hero/villain paradigm shows Peter and Sophie aligning themselves separately with those they once considered opponents. Sophie responds to the wonders of scientific inquiry pursued by the League of Maps; Peter begins to understand the stories behind the Rooks, deadly child warriors. The tale is chock-a-block with characters and places old and new, but most of all with ideas political, psychological, literary, and fantastic. Engaging with ideas is “like picking a lock…When you crack an idea open, it’s like a door. It reveals new paths within. New questions.” There’s much to feed the mind and heart here (such as that choice is the “oldest and most powerful magic”), and, in a suitable paradox, Auxier closes his story in a move both unexpected and time-honored.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(2) 4-6 Jazzy, this graphic novel's protagonist, dreads the upcoming flying parade that will be held in honor of a supermoon. All the other witches in her family and community assume she'll embrace her magical abilities, but she has a secret: bicycle racing is more her speed. As the big day approaches, her best friend, Aggie, helps her covertly but tries to steer her toward flying and witchcraft; "boring traditions," says Jazzy, and thus begins a rift in their friendship. Dynamic digital illustrations in a palette heavy on purple reflect the swooping fun of flying and complement the story's amusing witchy details (a wisecracking bat familiar, rhyming spells, oatmeal that may or may not contain pond scum). Amid the magic, this is a community-expectations-versus-individual-interests tale told with nuance, much of which Jazzy discovers along with readers. Witchcraft hasn't always come as easily to the adults in her life as she thinks, and her interests don't have to be all or nothing. Cozy family scenes with Mom, Mama, and Granny Titch, who along with Jazzy are depicted with varied dark skin tones, are a highlight and bring elements of real-world traditions into this magical world (e.g., Mom and Mama recall jumping the broom at their wedding). Cartoon instructions for making broomsticks -- and spore prints, because Aggie finds an interest of her own -- are appended. Add New series title: Jazzy the Witch

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Niki Smith. This heartfelt graphic novel explores the uncharted waters of growing up, friendship, and self-discovery. Soon after Janey finishes third grade, she and her family move onto their red-sailed schooner to live and to sail the Caribbean Islands. Janey misses her home and wishes for an ordinary life with a "Normal House" and "Real School" rather than "Fourth Grade in a Box" (what Mom calls homeschool). But then she befriends Astrid, another boat kid who is older and more daring. Janey finds herself both drawn to and frustrated by her new friend's unpredictable personality until she learns that Astrid harbors her own secrets and wishes. Janey discovers the value of leaving your comfort zone as she is forced to confront fears, examine boundaries, and understand what it means to trust others. Bakes's narrative effectively integrates ideas of belonging and gratitude and uses the ocean and weather as metaphors for personal growth. Smith's colorful illustrations reflect the ocean's -- and the protagonist's -- ever-changing moods. Inventive panels that showcase handwritten letters, maps, and annotated sketches further immerse readers in Janey's world. An appended author's note explains connections to Bakes's childhood.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) 4-6 Banks weaves mystery, history, and heart into a fast-paced adventure. Twelve-year-old Zeus is the only one who still believes in his grandfather’s incredible stories about the Harlem Renaissance, including tales of a legendary magazine called Burn!!! and a lost ancestor and hidden treasure. When Zeus stumbles upon a page from Burn!!! stashed in a toaster, and his grandfather mysteriously disappears, the lines between myth and reality blur. Zeus and his friends are thrust into a high-stakes race, following a treasure map filled with riddles, clues, and long-buried secrets. The narrative does an excellent job connecting young readers to important elements of Black history and the Harlem Renaissance, while puzzles and surprises add an interactive element. Beyond the action and mystery, the story explores themes of family, identity, and the power of legacy in shaping the future. As readers cheer for Zeus as he navigates the dangers and discoveries that come with chasing a legend, they will be delighted by engaging characters, an irresistible plot, and a breathtaking cliffhanger ending.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(2) 4-6 Eighth grader Finn Katz's mother says that if a wildfire ever threatens their small California town, they should be sure to save the black-and-white photograph above the fireplace of Finn's great-grandfather Phineas Katz, a Jewish immigrant. It will "remind us of what is important / where we've come from, and what we've been through." Though readers learn little about Phineas beyond what he stands for, Mrs. Katz's words prove prophetic: a fire does come; the family must flee their house (with the photograph); and ordinary middle-school life quickly turns into a survival tale amidst an apocalypse. Baron's verse novel successfully takes readers into Finn's world, from daily life with family, friends, and school to their frantic escape from the "fires everywhere." As the fires gather power, so do the poems -- with active verbs, short lines, white space, and propulsive energy. When it's safe to return home, the poem "Hope" sets another tone in its elegant simplicity, speaking to the essential theme: finding hope "once everything in your life has changed." As Finn ultimately realizes, a spark can start a fire, but it can also ignite change. The novel ends with a return home and a commitment to roots, rebuilding, and the environment. An author's note describes Baron's real-life experiences with wildfires fueled by climate change and overdevelopment.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) 4-6 Montgomery Bonbon series. Illustrated by Claire Powell. Bonnie Montgomery, the protagonist of this romp, is an ordinary ten-year-old English girl with best-friend problems, a fear of heights, and a kindly grandfather. However, in her alter ego as a (rather short) detective, she is Montgomery Bonbon, complete with false moustache, trench coat, and a French-adjacent accent. In this, her second case (following Murder at the Museum), she travels to Odde Island, where she tackles the recent murder of a lighthouse keeper. Another suspicious death complicates matters. More cerebral detective than action hero, Bonbon uses logic and clever fact-gathering to sort out who is keeping a secret, who is lying, who has a motive, and who’s smuggling onions onto the island (they are banned). But it’s not all little gray cells either, as a final scene has Bonbon confronting the murderer at the top of the lighthouse during a thunderstorm. Silly in the best British sense, this adventure provides the reader with many treats, chief among them an unrelenting series of epic similes. “‘Whaddya want?’ rumbled a voice like a sackful of gravel in a tumble dryer.” The book design—with its caricature-rich illustrations, page decorations, and a variety of dapper typefaces—suits the wacky, parodic, genially satirical tone to a T.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Matt Phelan. Eleven-year-old Gwen MacKinnon -- neglected, unwanted, shuttled between self-centered parents -- has been sent to stay with her great uncle Matthew near Boston. There she discovers that the town's library is named for an ancestor. "Nothing in Gwen's life had suggested there could be a building named after a MacKinnon -- they weren't that kind of family." Even more surprising, Gwen learns from the preschooler who lives upstairs that the library is home to a large clan of Lahdukan, eight-inch-tall, winged creatures who emigrated from Scotland with the original MacKinnon and have since thrived under the care of generations of MacKinnon girls initiated to be their Qalbas, or caretakers. Gwen learns that the library building is set to be remodeled, and so the Lahdukan will lose their home. With the help of a former Qalba, Matthew's grown daughter Nora, Gwen moves the MacKinnon Lahdukan to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, where they join up with another clan. Gwen's role in this grand plan requires both diplomacy and physical bravery, but the rewards are great. With the help of her understanding uncle, an exemplary children's librarian, and the Lahdukan themselves, Gwen learns that she is worthy of love and respect. Birdsall's endearing fantasy features loving and lovable new friends both human and Lahdukan, with Phelan's winsome black-and-white illustrations interspersed.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(3) 4-6 Young German girl Marta and her papa are passengers on the Lusitania during WWI. They both survive its sinking, but Papa is captured and imprisoned. Marta, taken in by an Irish family in England, hides her German identity, aided by her acting skills and facility with accents. The appealing heroine’s arc is set within an engaging adventure, though readers may be quicker than Marta and others to grasp the novel’s messages against prejudices tied to war. An author’s note adds historical background.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(2) 4-6 It's June 1941 in West Branch, Iowa, and twelve-year-old Peggy's summer becomes marked by two secrets. The first is that she's fallen for Gunther, who is handsome, older (sixteen), and, most importantly, from away. A German Jew, Gunther is staying at a local refugee hostel run by Quakers. The second secret, involving Peggy's cousin and close friend, Delia, is more complicated. Delia has leukemia and has at most six months to live, but this reality is being withheld from the sick girl, who believes that she's simply anemic. The events of the summer and fall -- first love, revelations at the hostel against a background of war -- all play out within the context of Peggy's guilt, anger, resentment, confusion, preemptive grieving, and doomed determination to "fix" her cousin. By the end of six months, she has confronted the difficult truth that the distinctions among stories, lies, and history are not as clear as she had assumed. Bouwman's (Gossamer Summer, rev. 7/23) writing is crisp and specific, painting a convincing picture of rural life of the period, and she stays firmly in the consciousness of her spirited, questing, analytical, mathematically inclined heroine.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025