The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun's Tomb written by Candace Fleming and reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: The author follows the history of Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter as they looked for, found, and excavated King Tut's tomb. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Some professional reviews place the book from grades 3 and up but length and textual complexity (vocab such as pervaded, lustrous, sanctuaries, embalmers, and necropolis are given without definitions) make this a better fit for upper middle grade and high school. Between chapters are inserts on dark colored paper that detail the different rumors of curses related to the tomb. These help break up the story and bring in the sensationalist drama that readers are often looking for in regards to this topic. Black and white photographs also break up the text every page or so. Fleming puts heavy emphasis on how Carter differed from other Egyptologists of the time because, despite his lack of formal education, he was meticulous in his documentation. This could easily become a class discussion about showing your work. Fleming also discusses the tensions between Great Britain and Egypt as Egypt fought to gain independence and to keep their artifacts in Egypt. This could open up deeper discussion and research on the topic, as well as open up discussions about similar historical and on-going debates related to the ownership of historical artifacts. Finally, Fleming briefly touches on the ethics of the mummy's unwrapping--that it meant permanently destroying the mummy and whether it was ethical to treat human remains in this manner.

Big Choo written and illustrated by Stephen Shaskan and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: A young train is ready to prove to his Dad that he can do the hard work of pulling a line of freight cars on the main line while his Dad cheers his efforts. When he topples off the track on an incline, he is encouraged by his father, and they get to celebrate a day of hard work, determination, and bravery together. This book allows students to see hard work and support from adults in such a beautiful way. The engines are adorable and the story is so very sweet. Stephen Shaskan offers a nod to celebrated illustrator and author Virginia Lee Burton both in the style of his illustrations and on the last page of this book. I look forward to sharing this book with my junior kindergarten and kindergarten students. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: As a teacher, the story of the little engine that could is referenced often when we talk about books or about writing. Determination, perseverance, and effort are goals for all of us of any age. I welcome a new hero into my library collection! My teachers are going to love this one as much as I do. Perseverance, self-confidence, and recognizing that growing up takes time and each step forward is worth celebrating are wonderful concepts for young children. I highly recommend this book for preschool and elementary libraries.

It Came from the Creek written by Amy Sarig King and reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: Set in 1980, the story follows Katy and her best friend, Joel, as they investigate a mysterious and troubling problem in their hometown, Lorane Creek has become contaminated. The water smells terrible, looks strange, and is making people sick. Joel can't stop getting sick, Katy's eyes burn, and the toxic backup is even making her grandmother's home unsafe. As Katy and Joel document the strangeness and discover a sinister man deliberately dumping pollutants into the water, they realize the problem mirrors the bullying they face at school. The bullies, both the man polluting the creek and their classmates, operate because they believe they can get away with their actions. As the contamination threatens to ruin the creek and the community, Katy, Joel, and their neighbors must find the courage to stand up to these bullies before it's too late. Woven throughout are excerpts from a school assignment Katy is working on that describe a future readers will recognize as contemporary, drawing connections between past, present, and future. The author layers multiple important themes: environmental justice, classism, corruption, sexism, and upstanding, into a narrative that feels both nostalgic and empowering.

Straight Talk for Librarians: King has a remarkable gift for tackling tough, real-world topics in ways that feel age-appropriate and authentic for middle grade and young adult readers. The dual storylines, the environmental mystery at the creek and the social conflicts at school keep readers engaged and curious about what will happen next. The characters of Katy and Joel are sympathetic and relatable; they're independent young people who also maintain supportive relationships with their parents and teachers, making them feel genuine and grounded. The 1980s setting provides rich historical texture, from references to the Phillies' historic World Series run to period-specific details woven throughout, giving the story nostalgic charm while remaining relevant to contemporary readers. There are a lot of themes here: environmental protection, consent, patriarchy, and social responsibility. I really thought it was just going to be about environmentalism and pollution.  Adding all the extra social justice issues is a lot for a middle grade reader.  The mystery itself is engaging, with genuine suspense that builds throughout, and the emphasis on friendship and collective action offers an affirming message about the power of standing together. Readers will find themselves invested in whether Katy and Joel can reclaim their creek, their homes, and their place in their community.

Freedom Swimmer written by Wai Chim, reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Summary: Ming lives in a coastal village in China during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. He is an orphan after watching his mother die of hunger during the Great Leap Forward. His father had drowned years before after trying to swim to freedom in Hong Kong (a “freedom swimmer”). As part of the Communist re-education program, a number of city boys are sent to villages to learn the work and share their knowledge, including Li, who Ming quickly befriends. The two boys have little in common, but bond over evening swims and their shared labor in the fields. As life becomes increasingly difficult, and suspicions about Li’s family at home arise, the boys begin to ponder a better life elsewhere. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This novel, based heavily on the lived experience of the author’s father, paints a picture of a historical time period that is not often represented in YA literature. The concept of “freedom swimmers” is both interesting and compelling and could be a strong addition to collections featuring historical fiction or international history. The prose is stark and spare, a fitting tone for a story that features so much loss, lack, and difficulty. This may make the book feel slow to some, but an astute reader will feel the tension and intensity that fuels these characters’ lives. Curricular applications abound in social studies as topics studied in government, world history, and connections to current events like refugeeism and global politics are included throughout the narrative. Freedom Swimmer is a quick read with two sympathetic main characters that will provide plenty of conversation for a bright, engaged teenager.

Over the Moon written by Natalie Lloyd and reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Twelve-year-old Mallie lives in Coal Top where the boys work in the mines and the girls work as servants for the families down in the valley. With Pa injured, the family in debt, and Mallie's beloved younger brother in danger of being sent to the mines, Mallie jumps at the chance to earn the money to save her family in a dangerous competition, even if it means braving the monsters in the forest, the Dust which covers the sky and makes people emotionally sick, and the rich town bully. Mallie also becomes embroiled in dangerous secrets behind the town's leadership and the origins of the Dust itself. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The mining town setting works well for a fantasy novel and invites educators to make comparisons with the real history of what life was like in a mining town. The main character Mallie uses a prosthetic. This is not the focus of the story but Mallie does discuss issues such as how people condescend to her, pity her, how her old prosthetic doesn't fit right anymore, or the color of the prosthetic itself. This could open up conversations about accessibility. The fantasy world building was vivid and engaging.

Things We Couldn't Say written by Jay Coles and reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Summary: Gio’s life is tough. His dad drinks too much and disapproves of both Gio’s love of basketball over church and his coming out as bisexual. His grades are poor partially due to near constant racism within his classes. And his birth mom, who abandoned him and his brother when Gio was nine, has unexpectedly reached out and asked to see him. Fortunately, Gio has support in his stepmom, his two best friends, Ayesha and Olly, and his new basketball teammate and neighbor, David. As Gio and David become closer, romance begins to blossom, but Gio isn’t sure he can handle anything new while he is trying to navigate his feelings about his mom. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: There is a lot to unpack in Things We Couldn’t Say, which at times made the narrative feel cluttered and slowed the pace of the novel. Gio is a likeable character, and his problems at home and school are depicted with sensitivity and realism, but there were times that the book felt more like a list of issues than a story. Gio’s new-found relationship with his mom, in particular, was understandably fraught with tangible emotion, but missing narrative components that helped the reader understand Gio’s intense reactions. Consequently, Gio’s decision about his relationship with his mom at the end of the story may feel confusing or abrupt to readers. The bright spots in this book were definitely in the friendships and romance. Ayesha and Olly were excellent side characters, and display the devoted and honest friendship that we wish for all kids. David joins this circle of friends, eventually becoming a love interest that helps Gio to balance his feelings and find some joy in his life. The sensitive and heartfelt way that they relate to each other as they go through challenging moments is a high point of the story and a beautiful model for teens navigating first love. A possible addition to collections where books heavy on social issues and trouble at home are popular.

Dear Dumb Diary (Deluxe) #19 Dumbness is a Dish Best Served Cold written by Jim Benton

Summary: Jamie Kelly returns in this super-deluxe, full-color edition of the "Dear Dumb Diary" series, bringing her trademark humor and quirky observations to life at Mackerel Middle School. In this installment, Jamie, along with her friends Isabella and Angeline, embarks on a mission to make money through a food-related venture. Despite their initial struggles with ideas like smart nutrition plates, they eventually strike gold with a unique salad dressing that captures attention and earns them some cash. The book is filled with Jamie's hilarious thoughts, colorful illustrations, and relatable middle school drama, including themes of friendship, financial awareness, and overcoming challenges. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Middle school students will enjoy this book for its humor, engaging illustrations, and the relatable antics of Jamie and her friends. The lighthearted narrative tackles real-life issues, such as financial struggles and the importance of creativity in problem-solving, making it both entertaining and educational. The diary-style chapters, though presented in a novel format, maintain a fun and easy-to-read flow, appealing to fans of similar series like "Dork Diaries" or "Diary of a Wimpy Kid." The vibrant illustrations enhance the storytelling experience, capturing the attention of young readers. Overall, Jamie's adventures and her humorous take on middle school life resonate with students aged 10 and up, encouraging them to embrace their own challenges with laughter and creativity.

Crimebiters! #2: It's a Doggy Dog World written by Tommy Greenwald illustrated by Adam Stower, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: Jimmy loves his dog, Abby, despite the damage she does to his Mom's shoes and his family's yard. His Mom and Dad tell him he must take her to obedience school. Jimmy agrees only to save her from being returned to the shelter where they got her. The lead of the class is from the dog shelter and he has goals of tricks and commands for this course. Abby takes a liking to a St. Bernard in the class as they are both rambunctious and silly. Jimmy is frustrated by the changes he sees in Abby after a short time and worries her crime solving skills will be lost as she appears more docile and calm. The obedience class is not the only thing distracting Jimmy. His friend in his group (who was not a friend in the last book) plays lacrosse and convinces Jimmy to join the team. Surprisingly Jimmy is a good goalie and begins to have conflicts with his group over time spent at practice and games. When Jimmy approaches the club members about the weird accidents at his lacrosse practices and games, the group bands together to solve yet another mystery. This story is definitely relationship driven and the characters are believable throughout the book. I found myself laughing and connected to the characters and loved the way Greenwald closes with an Epilogue for the characters. I believe my students will appreciate that as well. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: If your school does mystery studies, this is a nice addition. My district has many schools with school dogs and they have requested more books with dogs as characters. This is as much a book about getting along with others in life as about the mysteries Abby and her owner, Jimmy Bishop, have solved with his friends in the group they named Crime Biters! I will add this series to the elementary schools in my district.

Slacker #2: Level 13 written by Gordon Korman reviewed by Amanda Davies

Summary: Cameron Boxer has decided to take his love of video games into the streaming world. When Cameron discovers that the local beaver loves watching him play, his stream takes off. Cam's obsession with streaming causes complications with his friends and classmates, though. Will Cameron be able to maintain his friendships, the Positive Action Group he founded, and the video game stream? 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Gordan Korman's books are super appealing, especially for middle school boys looking for humor and somewhat ridiculous situations. Librarians looking to expand their humor sections should buy most of what Gordan Korman writes, and the Slacker books (this one and the first one, Slacker) are no exception. While it's the second book in the Slacker series, it can also stand alone without prior context.