The Intergalactics written by Erik Jon Slangerup and reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: The Intergalactics follows Brinx, a gene-spliced, lab-grown mutant who has spent his entire life on Base Lab 9 undergoing survival tests. Created by the HyperHelix corporation, Brinx is a Featherbone, a hybrid designed with webbed hands and the ability to jump abnormally high and far. His existence has been defined by a single goal: completing one thousand survival challenges to earn the right to travel to Havenport, the mysterious Graduation Center. Living in poor conditions with constant fear of death, Brinx's only source of hope is his best friend Jang, an older-generation Featherbone who has helped him survive. When both boys finally complete their thousand challenges and board an armored transport vessel bound for Havenport, disaster strikes. A meteor shower destroys the ship, crash-landing Brinx and the other survivors in the Driftlands, an uncharted, hostile region teeming with monstrous flora and fauna designed to kill. Separated from Jang during the crash, Brinx must band together with other survivors, including Goz, a skilled Griplock warrior, and Rigel, a vulnerable Allseer whose ability to read situations proves invaluable. As the group fights through relentless predators and deadly plants, they discover a hidden base that transforms their understanding of their world and their possible fate.

Straight Talk for Librarians: Fans of dystopian sci-fi adventures will love The Intergalactics.  The non-stop action keeps thrill-seekers on the edge of their seats, barely giving readers a chance to catch their breath before the next danger arrives. Bloodthirsty giant vines, relentless scavengers, and terrifying Shankwyrms create an atmosphere of constant peril that makes survival feel genuinely uncertain.What sets this novel apart is its richly imagined universe populated by diverse hybrids, each with unique characteristics and abilities. Notably, the characters cooperate rather than infight, a refreshing departure from many dystopian adventures where internal conflict undermines the group's chances.The worldbuilding is imaginative and distinctive, featuring a universe unlike Earth where genetic material from around the cosmos creates a myriad of colors, shapes, and abilities. Young readers seeking fresh, exciting sci-fi adventures with themes of friendship, teamwork, and belonging will find exactly what they're looking for in The Intergalactics.  I was not expecting so many characters to die, or the plot twists!  It was definitely a roller-coaster ride and I had to finish the book in one sitting.  I think this would make for a good book club book and it would be a fun addition to a "Mutants & Hybrids" book display.

Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery written by Ally Carter and reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: April is back with her four fellow orphans—Sadie, Violet, Colin, and Tim.  It's a few weeks after the first book and they are living at the sprawling Winterborne House under the care of reclusive billionaire Gabriel Winterborne. Secretly, Gabriel is the Sentinel, a sword-wielding vigilante whose hidden chamber and legacy of crime-fighting fascinate the children. When caretakers leave and a social worker arrives, supervision unravels; Gabriel’s sudden disappearance leaves the household vulnerable. A masked intruder in Sentinel costume attacks, secrets surface, and April leads the squad on a dangerous hunt to find Gabriel and protect their found family. Along the way, April confronts unsettling truths about her birth parents and wrestles with deep fears of abandonment. The group navigates break-ins, chases, injuries, and betrayals while piecing together decades-old mysteries tied to the Winterborne legacy. Tension escalates through twists, revelations, and emotional reckoning as April discovers that loyalty, chosen family, and courage may matter more than blood. Action-packed and emotionally charged, the sequel deepens character relationships while expanding the series’ mysteries.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is a series where you definitely have to read the first book.  As soon as I finished the first one, I dove into this one.  There were so many twists and turns in this continuation, along with a few new characters.  The characters are quirky -- Gabriel's grumpiness will make readers laugh out loud.  There are quite a few dangerous situations, which will get your heart pumping.  The kids work to unravel the Winterborne family mystery.  April learns about her birth parents (crazy twists) and the bonds between this found family keeps growing.  It does not seem like there is a 3rd book in this series.  I think the ending is resolved, but with some possibility for a future book???

This title supports curricular and social-emotional goals: it encourages critical thinking (solving clues), ethical reflection (right vs. wrong in vigilantism), and empathy for children in care. Its accessible middle-grade voice and fast pacing engage reluctant readers and foster sustained reading stamina. The book connects to several IB Learner Profile attributes: Inquirers: characters investigate mysteries and ask questions. Thinkers: the children analyze clues and plan rescues. Caring: the found-family theme models compassion and responsibility for others.  I think it's a great choice for middle school library collections.  There are some content notes about themes of abandonment, injury and depictions of violence so we can guide some sensitive readers.  Overall, super fun!

The Thirteenth Cat written by Mary Downing Hahn, reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Twelve year old Zoey is excited to spend the summer with her Aunt Alice in her beautiful new house next to the overgrown forest. She quickly makes friends with local girl Lila and both girls become convinced that the mean neighbor Miss Dupree is a witch. Miss Dupree has bunches of mean cats as well but one sweet and friendly kitten. When Zoey sees the kitten being bullied by the other cats and sees how malnourished it is, she becomes determined to rescue it and keep it. But Miss Dupree is not about to let the cat go. Using her witchly powers, she turns Zoey and Lila into cats! Now Zoey and Lila must figure out how to outsmart the witch and the other cats to return to human before they lose their human memories. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Books by Mary Downing Hahn are generally a popular choice in upper elementary school and lower middle school for horror fans. Fans of Erin Hunter's warrior cat books will also love this story, especially the parts where Zoey and Lila navigate being cats. 

Miss Dupree makes her money as a fashion designer. She uses her magic to transform the cats into girls at night, forcing them to work in a sweat shop creating the designs (which themselves are stolen from one of the other cat-girls). As such, educators could tie in lessons about sweat shops and the fashion industry.

You Owe Me a Murder written by Eileen Cook and reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Kim finds herself in an unexpected predicament during a school trip to London with her ex-boyfriend, Connor, and his new girlfriend. After their breakup, Kim is less than thrilled about the trip but hopes to make the best of it. On the flight, she meets the daring and adventurous Nicki, who listens to Kim vent about her heartbreak. In a moment of dark humor, Nicki suggests they create a list of reasons to kill each other's tormentors: Kim's ex-boyfriend and Nicki's controlling alcoholic mother. Initially brushed off as a joke, the situation escalates when Connor is mysteriously killed shortly after their arrival in London. Nicki, who appears to have a sinister agenda, blackmails Kim into fulfilling their "deal." As Kim navigates the suspenseful twists and turns, she grapples with trust, morality, and the lengths one might go to escape their problems. The story blends psychological suspense with an unreliable narrator, keeping readers guessing about the truth behind the events. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book could be a good choice for a book discussion group and there is plenty to talk about on themes of morality, trust, and the consequences of actions. This book would lend itself to a writing workshop where students craft their own suspenseful narratives, inspired by Kim and Nicki's story. This book could be a part of a display incorporating elements of psychological suspense or thematic reading lists. This book not only promotes literacy but also engages students in meaningful discussions around real-life issues. This book is an excellent choice for readers seeking an engaging and suspenseful murder mystery that will keep them on the edge of their seats. It's a good purchase for a high school library.

When Mimi Went Missing written by Suja Sukumar, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: In this gripping YA mystery, the fractured relationship between Indian American cousins Tanvi and Mimi takes center stage. Raised as sisters after the tragic death of Tanvi's parents, the two girls grow closer until Mimi becomes friends with Beth, Tanvi's biggest tormentor. When Tanvi captures an incriminating photo of Mimi and Beth at a party, things take a dark turn. The next morning, Tanvi wakes up with injuries and no memory of the previous night, only to find that Mimi is missing. As the investigation unfolds, Tanvi grapples with her fragmented memories and questions the intentions of those around her, including Mimi's shady boyfriend and the manipulative Beth. With dark themes of bullying and mental health woven throughout, Tanvi must confront her past and the possibility that she may have played a role in Mimi's disappearance. The story’s unreliable narrator adds suspense and keeps readers guessing until the very end, making it a haunting exploration of betrayal, family, and the search for truth. 

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This book can be used to address themes of bullying, mental health, and the complexities of relationships among adolescents. It can serve as a springboard for discussions on the impact of peer pressure and the importance of supportive friendships. Librarians can organize book clubs or reading circles where students can engage in thoughtful discussions about the characters’ motivations and the consequences of their actions. Additionally, teachers can incorporate creative writing assignments where students explore alternate endings or character perspectives, enhancing critical thinking and empathy. By connecting the book's themes with real-life scenarios, educators can foster a safe space for students to discuss their experiences and feelings, making the story not just an entertaining read but a valuable educational tool in understanding and navigating complex social dynamics and mental health.  This book is written by a local Detroit area author.  Once you start reading it, it's hard to put down.  The story is quick-paced.  Lots of action, suspense, twists and thrills.  The story is a bit darker, but I feel like that is popular with teens right now.  I think this book would be a popular choice in any high school library.