Author Archives: pslamediaselectionreview

YA – Under the Same Stars

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Bray, Libba. Under the Same Stars. Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2025. 978-0-374-38894-2. $24.99. 471 p. Grades 7-12.

With a deft hand, author Libba Bray reveals her characters and their respective stories, over three time periods, linked by a metaphorical folk tale of the Hare and the Deer, then intertwines these stories. Best friends Sophie Mueller and Hanna Schmidt are teens residing in Kleinwald, Germany, at the start of World War II. Despite their opposite personalities–Sophie is bookish and optimistic while Hanna is dramatic and caustic–they share a devotion to the myth of the Bridegroom’s Oak in the nearby forest, where smitten people deposit their love letters in the hope of receiving a perfect match. With the infiltration of the Nazis into their cozy village, their friendship ebbs and flows; but ultimately, a series of events leads the pair to join the Resistance, entitled Die Eichel (acorn), and participate in subversive acts, culminating in their disappearance on winter solstice, 1941. In 1980, the reader meets Jenny who comes to Germany from Dallas, Texas, when her father takes a lucrative job in West Berlin. Raised with the expectation to be a perfect lady, Jenny’s desire to resist this conventional way of life takes shape when she meets and falls in love with  punk rocker, Lena, who introduces Jenny to her friends in the squat they share and invites Jenny to join their band, Sophie Scholl. Jenny also befriends a neighbor, the mysterious but affable Frau Hermann, who insinuates more questions than answers in the tales she weaves about her past. When the band gets a chance to play on the other side of the Berlin Wall, Jenny is unwittingly involved in Lena’s illegal activity, putting Jenny and her family at risk. Finally, contemporary Miles suffers the pandemic going to Zoom school from his Brooklyn home, while his two mothers are stranded away from home by their jobs. Miles’s friend and secret crush, Chloe, persuades him to help her investigate the life of her Mormar (grandmother), an immigrant who survived World War II. Miles’s research uncovers the links chaining all three stories together. Besides being an intriguing read, Under the Same Stars benefits from the incisive and expressive writing talent of Bray, who delves into the mindset of Sophie, Jenny, and Miles with authenticity, pathos, and, in the case of the latter, humor. Not to be missed, too, is the message underscored in the fairy tale. This young adult novel messages self awareness as well as global awareness and resolutely affirms the strength of hope.

THOUGHTS: This beautifully written novel touches different kinds of love, self-identity, and people’s inhumanity to people. It poses questions like, how do we stand up against oppression? How does what affects the least of us, affect all of us? Resistance and rebellion are themes, but also love and hope. Bray does have Jenny and Lena make love and also Sophie and Karl, but the descriptions are vague and not graphic. Students may want to read some other resistance nonfiction like, The White Rose by Kip Wilson and The Bieliski Brothers: The True Story of Three Men Who Defied the Nazis, Built a Village in the Forest, and Saved 1,200 Jews by Peter Duffy.

Historical Fiction

Told in alternating points of view, this historical mystery unfolds in 1940’s Germany, 1980’s West Germany, and 2020 New York City.  In Germany during World War II Sophie and Hanna are best friends in the small town of Kleinwald. Sophie is caught up in the magic of the Bridegroom’s Oak, a tree in the nearby forest that believers write to in order to hear back from their one true love. As the war makes its way into their small town, Sophie and Hanna learn how to fight back for the greater good. In West Berlin in 1980 Jenny is trying to find her place after moving from Dallas, Texas. In an effort to escape her strict parents and their conservative ideals, she becomes friends with Lena, a local punk rock girl, and becomes involved in the punk rock scene. Jenny begins to truly understand what the wall means and how it affects her newfound community, as well as who she really is. In spring of 2020 in New York City, Miles and Chloe are trying to navigate the end of their senior year during Covid when Chloe receives a mysterious package from her grandmother. Fascinated by its contents, the package leads Miles and Chloe to investigate a mystery from 80 years ago when two teenagers went missing under the Bridegroom’s Oak. This story is expertly told by Libba Bray, and the three time periods and stories are intricately woven together to create a suspenseful tale that also highlights the importance of fighting for justice and what is right.

THOUGHTS:  This story was so thoughtfully written and does an excellent job blending all three viewpoints and time periods together. The theme of social justice is woven throughout the story and is a great example for students of why it is important to stand up for what is right even if it is difficult.  It was particularly interesting to read the chapters set in the 1980’s and during the beginning of Covid in New York City – both time periods are not often reflected in YA literature.

Historical Fiction
Mystery

Elem. – Fireworks: A Sizzling Picture Book about Summer in the City―A Perfect Fourth of July Read

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Burgess, Matthew. Fireworks: A Sizzling Picture Book about Summer in the City―A Perfect Fourth of July Read. Illustrated by Cátia Chien. Clarion Books, 2025. 978-0-063-21672-3. $19.99. 44 p. Grades PK-2.

A perfect summer day in the city with family and friends is depicted in this gorgeous new picture book. Burgess creates this brilliant summer day using onomatopoeia to highlight the many sounds, tastes, and sensations of playing in an open fire hydrant, or biting into a wedge of watermelon, or dancing to street music. When night falls and dinner is cooked, the family climbs to the rooftop to delight in a fireworks display. Just when you question whether the fireworks are over, an absolutely brilliantly timed vertical gatefold is added to make young listeners gasp in recognition of the fireworks finale. Illustrations by Cátia Chien are stunning in their color and tone. A summer must-purchase for kids of all ages.

THOUGHTS: Younger readers will love the bright illustrations and amusing onomatopoeia of this marvelous selection. This book will also make a strong mentor text for teaching onomatopoeia with older students.

Picture Book

Elem. – Desserts from Around the World

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Hansen, Grace. Desserts from Around the World. DiscoverRoo/Abdo, 2025. $23.95 each or $143.70 for a Set of 6. 32 p. Grades 2-5. 

Cakes from around the World. 9781098247096.
Cookies from around the World. 978-1-098-24710-2.
Custards from around the World. 978-1-098-24711-9.
Deep-Fried Desserts from around the World. 978-1-098-24712-6.
Frozen Desserts from around the World. 978-1-098-24713-3.
Pastries from around the World. 978-1-098-24714-0.

This reviewer read Cookies From Around the World. The first chapter is an overall history of the dessert, followed by 3 other chapters covering cookies from Europe; the Americas; and Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Colorful photographs and ingredient descriptions are sure to inspire one’s appetite. A list of more cookies from around the world along with a world map can be found towards the back. There also are “making connections” questions and a glossary. Online resources are available by scanning a barcode to see different videos, puzzles, and games, or by visiting the provided URL on the copyright and last pages.

THOUGHTS: This will surely be a popular collection for students interested in history and baking. The books and activities would also be fun to include in lessons that celebrate different foods and cultures.

641.86 Desserts

Elem. – Papilio

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Clanton, Ben. Papilio. Illustrated by Corey R. Tabor and Andy Chou Musser. Viking Juvenile, 2025. 978-0-593-69325-4. 48 p. $18.99. Grades PreK-2.

Three author/illustrators collaborate to bring us the life cycle of Papilio, a black swallowtail butterfly. Clanton opens the story with Papilio as a caterpillar (“and a bit of egg time too”) where she bulks up before “turning into jelly.” Tabor tackles Papilio’s hilariously adventurous time in the chrysalis. Musser covers her adjustment to butterfly life. Each section is unique in style, and yet they blend seamlessly together to form a fun and sweet story about believing in oneself and finding inner strength.

THOUGHTS: I can’t tell you how enjoyable this picture book was to read multiple times with my child. He loved finding different details in the illustrations, and we both laughed at the silly situations Papilio finds herself in throughout her journey. This is a fantastic addition to libraries serving young readers and could be used in the classroom as an introduction to life cycles and metamorphosis.

Picture Book

YA – No Place Left to Hide

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Lally, Megan. No Place Left to Hide. Sourcebooks Fire, 2025. 978-1-728-27014-2. 272 p. $12.99. Grades 8-12.

Brooke Goodwin has been on her best behavior ever since “the incident” at her family’s lake house, an incident that still haunts her. Since her father is in the running for a high-profile judge position, Brooke must toe the line and keep her nose clean. When Brooke receives news that she’s been accepted to Yale, she lets her guard down for one night, joining her best friend Jena at a beach party, especially when she learns her longtime crush, Dylan, will be there. But Brooke is hiding a secret: she’s been the target of anonymous messages accusing her of lying about what really happened at the lake house. As Brooke and Jena drive home from the party along isolated, wooded roads, a Bronco appears behind them and begins aggressively tailgating, eventually forcing their car off the road. Stranded in the woods and desperate to find help, Brooke and Jena begin to uncover long-buried secrets about what really happened the night of “the incident.”

THOUGHTS: In Megan Lally’s second thriller novel, each chapter alternates between the night of the incident and present day, adding complex layers to the story. The shifting timelines keep the tension high and the pages turning. Readers will enjoy this thriller filled with tension and shocking twists.

Mystery

Elem./MG – Unboxing Libby

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Cherrywell, Steph. Unboxing Libby. Little, Brown and Company, 2025. 978-0-316-57709-0. 310 p. $17.99. Grades 4-7.

Max was designed to be cheerful, sweet, and always agreeable, just like every other Libby model in the A.I.Cademy Girl line of lifelike social robot dolls. But Max doesn’t always feel sweet and agreeable. In fact, she doesn’t feel like a Libby at all. Everything went off-script the day she came online. She yelled at her assigned mom, shattered her favorite snow globe, and tried to befriend a Roxanne. And everyone knows Libbys never mix with Roxannes because they are troublemakers. Libbys follow the rules, especially on the Mars colony where Libby and the other human-made android dolls are expected to be perfect little droids and run simulations in the colony before the human inhabitants move in. But Max’s so-called malfunctions let her do things no other android can, like cross forbidden Boundaries. As she starts questioning why she doesn’t fit the mold, Max uncovers troubling secrets behind their picture-perfect community. With the looming threat of being scrapped, Max must defy her programming and embrace her real identity to protect her friends and herself.

THOUGHTS: Cherrywell’s heartfelt, thought-provoking novel is American Girl Dolls re-imagined with a futuristic edge. Blending social insight with the journey of a self-aware AI tween, the story explores identity, friendship, and defying expectations. Faux ads and commercials sprinkled throughout add a layer of satire, poking fun at consumer culture while furthering the narrative and rounding out characters. A must-read for middle grade students who love stories about friendship, courage, and breaking the mold.

Science Fiction

Elem./MG – Snoop

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Korman, Gordon. Snoop. Scholastic Press, 2025. 978-1-546-12608-9. 208 p. $18.99. Grades 4-7.

Twelve-year-old Carter Peregrine’s ski trip takes a disastrous turn when his brother accidentally breaks both of Carter’s legs. This is all thanks to his divorced parents’ plan to get him off screens and into the great outdoors. Now stuck at home in North Carolina for two months, Carter initially treats recovery like a vacation. But boredom sets in fast, especially after his mom takes his phone away, and soon he’s hacking into public security cameras to secretly watch his classmates, especially his crush, Lacey. What starts as spying turns into secret acts of kindness as Carter uses tech to stop trouble and help people. However, things get even weirder when Carter starts spotting endangered animals like a red panda and a swift fox in town. The police don’t take him seriously, so Carter sets out to uncover the reason behind the animals’ appearance by himself, all while keeping a close eye on his friends and the rest of the community.

THOUGHTS: Gordon Korman once again delivers a middle grade novel that is fast-paced, quirky, and laugh-out-loud funny. In a world where screens rule and privacy isn’t guaranteed, Korman’s novel delves into digital responsibility and the challenge of doing what’s right, even when you’re stuck at home on the couch. This book is a solid addition to middle grade libraries.

Adventure

MG – Rebellion 1776

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Anderson, Laurie Halse. Rebellion 1776. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2025. 978-1-416-96826-9. 405 p. $19.99. Grades 5-8.

It’s the spring of 1776, and thirteen-year-old Elsbeth Culpepper wakes to the sound of cannon fire. The Siege of Boston has begun, and her city is now a battleground. Her father is missing, and since he is the only family she has left, Elsbeth is suddenly on her own, struggling to survive in a war-torn city while avoiding the dreaded orphanage. She is left at the mercy of the rich family she works for, hoping that they will continue to shelter her as a servant. Just as the fighting intensifies, smallpox sweeps through Boston, adding a new layer of fear and urgency. Panicked crowds beg for risky inoculations and others reject them outright. Elsbeth, who is immune from a childhood bout with the disease, remembers (not too fondly) her mother and siblings’ battles with the illness before it took their lives. Yet she steels herself to care for the sick children in the wealthy household. With her loyal friend Shubel Kent by her side, Elsbeth searches for her missing Pappa during what little time she has off all while Boston is overwhelmed by a surge in smallpox cases and political upheaval surrounding independence. Elsbeth navigates threats to her safety, from the Pikes’ hostile housekeeper to a shady figure from her father’s past. In a city where not everyone can be trusted, Elsbeth must stay true to herself.

THOUGHTS: Rebellion 1776 is another standout book from Anderson. Fans of her Chains trilogy will see similar themes in both books (protagonists must survive on their own, care for others, and learn who they are in a fractured, dangerous world). Students will find parallels between smallpox vaccinations and recent debates about COVID-19 vaccines. This is a must-buy for any middle grade historical fiction collection.

Historical Fiction

Laurie Halse Anderson takes us back to the Revolution in Rebellion 1776. Elsbeth lost her mother and siblings to smallpox and has moved from Philadelphia to Boston. She’s tall and strong for 13 and can easily pass for 16, which helps her get work as a maid, but she dreams of being a seamstress. The large Pike family moves into the house where she was working. In addition to the Pike’s many children, the household also has a bossy housekeeper, and Hannah, a mischievous girl who they are caring for who is close in age to Elsbeth. After Elsbeth hides from her father during the Siege of Boston, she can’t find him, which means the Overseer of the Poor may send her to an orphanage or to the country to work on a farm. Elsbeth is fighting battles in the chaotic household with Hannah breaking the rules of society, the kids’ constant bickering, endless chores, and the housekeeper plotting against her. There is also chaos in Boston, which is trying to break from the redcoats, full of thieves, and is getting ready to shut down for smallpox inoculations. Elsbeth is smart, funny, and caring, and readers will enjoy her insights.

THOUGHTS: Rebellion 1776 is a well researched book that will transport readers to 1776 Boston and teach students about the Revolutionary War, rights of women (or lack thereof), and the smallpox outbreak while making these historical events of almost 250 years ago feel  important to the reader. Readers will learn about the early formation of the US government as well as the vaccine efforts. Like Chains and Fever 1793, Rebellion 1776 has likeable characters and conflict that will keep readers interested. At 416 pages, I still wanted to read more. This will make a wonderful addition to middle school historical fiction collections. Huzzah!

Historical Fiction

YA – All Better Now

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Shusterman, Neal. All Better Now. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025, 978-1-534-43275-8. 528 p. $21.99. Grades 9-12.

In a post-COVID world, a new virus called Crown Royale kills a small percentage of those infected. However, those who do survive are filled with overwhelming happiness and empathy. As the virus spreads, its desirable side effects lead some to seek it out intentionally while others seek to eradicate the disease completely. Mariel Mudroch, who lives in a car with her mother and is naturally immune to the virus, finds her life intertwined with Rón Escobedo, a wealthy teen battling depression who becomes an alpha-spreader after recovering from the illness. Rón and Mariel go on a mission to save humanity by infecting others since Rón sees himself as a force for good. However, 19-year-old Morgan Willmon-Wu, an ambitious girl chosen by the powerful Dame Havilland to inherit her fortune, has a different plan. She is on a mission to destroy Crown Royale forever, as this was a stipulation set by Dame Havilland. If Morgan doesn’t cure the disease, she will lose her inherited billions. Morgan soon discovers that Mariel’s immunity to Crown Royale could be the key to a cure. But destroying a virus that brings happiness is no easy task, and all three teenagers find themselves intertwined in a high-stakes battle between personal freedom, global well-being, and the true meaning of what it means to save (or even change) humanity.

THOUGHTS: Shusterman once again delivers a story concept that is both thought-provoking and emotionally complex. Each of the three teens represents a different worldview (survival, purpose, and control) with their stories, challenging readers to explore ethics, power, and what humanity truly values. High school students will find this especially timely coming off the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Science Fiction

A new virus is causing fear across the planet, and as it spreads and people see its unusual effects, some are eager to be infected. For many this virus is actually a blessing, because it releases survivors from pain and suffering, as if they have become enlightened by their sickness. For those who wish to preserve the world as it is, this is a nightmare scenario. How will the global market endure if nobody cares about making money anymore? For survivors, the virus is a path to a blissful life that they wish everyone could experience. Caught in the middle of this growing tension are two teenagers who find themselves pulled together by tragedy, while also navigating two very different approaches to existence.

THOUGHTS: This is such a fascinating concept that asks us to consider if we would want to be infected by a virus that will leave us without a care in the world. It is a perfect story for a high school book club and will generate very interesting conversations about existential questions. Its length is its only downfall, but in the end the story is enough to pull the reader through the slow parts, and leaves us anxious for the next installment in the Crown Royale series.

Science Fiction

YA – Upon a Starlit Tide

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Woods. Kell. Upon a Starlit Tide. Tor, 2025. 978-1-250-85251-9. 414 p. $28.99. Grades 10-12.

In Saint-Malo, Brittany, 1758, Lucinda “Luce” Leon is one of three daughters in a wealthy and esteemed ship building family. But something has always felt off for her, whether it’s the constant pain in her feet, or her unwillingness to conform to the role she is supposed to play as a young woman of a respectable family. She feels most at home on the sea, preferably in a boat with her best friend Samuel. But then Morgan de Chatelaine literally rolls into her life from a stormy ocean, and she is compelled to face new feelings, and a rising sense of her own place in the world. Is he the man for her? Or is she destined for something much more adventurous and powerful?

THOUGHTS: This is such a fun and well-written retelling of many old stories wound into one. Part Cinderella, part Little Mermaid, and part historical fantasy, this book has something for many kinds of readers. There are a few fleeting moments of sexuality, but mostly this is a rollicking good time that will make many swoon and dream of walking the sand along the Brittany coast.

Historical Fiction
Romance