“A vulnerable and encouraging school drama.” — Kirkus Reviews

“A relatable story about a shy, awkward kid coming out of his shell and finding his crowd, this is also a bit of a love letter to the community and camaraderie of youth theater.” — Horn Book Magazine

A compelling depiction of teenage uncertainty. — Kirkus Reviews

A story about kids learning to feel good about themselves on their own terms is no small thing, and Jay is a low-key, lovely protagonist. Greene’s simple, bubbly color illustrations are friendly and accessible, matching the content perfectly. An earnest exploration of adolescence, recognizable and relevant to middle schoolers coming into their own. — School Library Journal

Jay’s arc is distinct and refreshing, and the story’s emphasis on friendships and body image issues is likely to resonate with any reader who has wished to jump out of their skin. — Publishers Weekly

Greene’s use of color, line, and composition in his comic-panel layouts enhances the humor and angst of this particular slice of adolescent life. — The Horn Book

Supported by expressive, well-drawn, and colorful illustrations, this compelling graphic novel will appeal to fans of middle-grade graphic memoirs. — Booklist

'A radiant palette of warm, sun-drenched pinks and oranges underscore the vibrant community of care and support that envelop Indu. Reminiscent of Le Petit Prince, this lustrous debut graphic novel signals a much brighter future for its protagonist and those who relate to him.' — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

'This luminously illustrated graphic novel offers readers a lovely story of change, understanding, identity, and belonging. Stellar: both heartbreaking and heartwarming.' — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

'A fresh, empathetic tale of a transmasculine moon-boy’s journey toward understanding one’s space and the space that’s sometimes necessary to give others. An expansive, organic palette with pastel pops of trans-flag pride, all with inclusive and friendly character design that leaves readers feeling dipped in sun/moonshine.' — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

'An exciting, honest, and hopeful tale that speaks gently and clearly to kids’ fears and needs. It urges them to value their own experiences, reassures them that it’s OK to be angry when they’re left to pay for the mistakes of adults, and reminds them that kindness must guide us, even when we’re afraid. A wonderful story for all the scared people doing the right thing because nobody else will.' — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

'Boasting rich, confident worldbuilding and complex interspecies relations in a starkly rendered setting, this stirring middle grade debut from Mix (The Ones We Burn) passionately explores the courage it takes to lead with empathy and to become a hero in the face of older generations’ failures.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

'This lovely, moving novel in verse combines beautiful language with emotional honesty to create a resonant story of identity and growing up. A heartfelt examination of queer identity through the lens of one lovable kid.' — Kirkus Reviews

'Imagery is sensory and engaging while Murray’s voice is accessible.' — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

'Told in verse that flows like the waves in the ocean, this queer-friendly, open-hearted look at what it means to find yourself should find fans among readers who like the works of Jasmine Warga, Alex Gino, and Lisa Fipps.' — Booklist

“Sweet and sincere.” — Kirkus Reviews

“A fun and affirming coming-out story with relatable characters.” — School Library Journal

The Truth about Triangles is sure to satiate middle-grade readers hungry for good old-fashioned sibling rivalry, lighthearted best-friend fights, entertaining entrepreneurial insights, and exceptional LGBTQIA+ representation. — Booklist

“Satisfying.” — Kirkus Reviews

“A warm, engaging coming-of-age tale with a sprinkle of magic.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Confident, candid, and immensely endearing. Destined for the spotlight.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

'Warm and hopeful.' — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Lyrical and full of country twang. Cline is a relatable tween protagonist who shows readers what it takes to live authentically and be true to yourself.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“Offers readers an inspiring combination of self-awareness, bravery, and passion” — Horn Book Magazine

“Readers looking to broaden their LGBTQIA+ middle-grade romance collections with a witty, offbeat voice should loop back around to this title.”   — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

“Cheeky prose narrates 16-year-old Rosamund’s hasty escape from the overeager prince . . . into an unknown world. . . A lighthearted modern take on the adventures of fairy-tale princesses.” — Kirkus Reviews

“A fresh twist on several classic Western fairy tales.” — Booklist

“London’s lively take emphasizes not just individual agency but the effects our choices have on the people around us. . . . A quick, enjoyable read with a gentle intro to some of the ways a princess (or prince) might not fit into their prescribed, often normative Happily Ever After.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Fairy tale–based messages of empowerment come through loud and clear in this fun yet thought-provoking adventure. . . The narrative’s emphasis on the power of embracing change and standing together against adversity provides a solid foundation for an engaging, lighthearted adventure.” — Publishers Weekly

'In the immersive world of McKinney’s Thornfield Hall, Jane and Bertha are thoroughly vivid and compelling. A deeply satisfying companion and a highly accessible entry point for a contemporary audience [...] L. L. McKinney breathes new life into a well-worn tale, and the novel's originality shines brightly, yielding surprises for those familiar with Brontë’s version or not.' — Booklist (starred review)

'Thrilling, compulsively readable novel.' — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

'A sinister gothic romance revamped.' — Kirkus Reviews

'A swoonworthy sapphic-tinged YA romance highlighting the beauty of women working together.' — School Library Journal

'Shared narration between Jane and Bertha separates this from its inspiration, allowing Bertha to be a richly developed character, and her growing romantic relationship with Jane provides a lovely ray of light in an otherwise (appropriately) dark story. McKinney successfully deploys Gothic tropes to make Thornfield Hall utterly menacing while maximizing the tension of its oppressive atmosphere.' — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Intriguing. A solid exploration of the meanings of love.” — Booklist

“Make(s) a powerful emotional impact.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

'An excellent sequel. There is much to love in this plot-rich novel. Depictions of polyamory are still few and far between in YA, and happily, Ford handles his material deftly and populates the book with fully realized, empathic characters. For readers who have been around since the beginning as well as those new to Jeff's story, this is a splendid sequel that dramatically answers the question: What happened to Jeff?' — Booklist (starred review)

'The queer joy throughout is the highlight.' — Kirkus Reviews

“Ha puts a queer and feminist twist on the origins of the Fox Maiden from Korean folklore in this fantastical graphic novel. Across cleanly rendered, digitally illustrated panels with starkly highlighted hues in reds, blues, greens, and yellows, Kai tenaciously attempts to change her fate, encounters a familiar face on a parallel journey, and finds compassion and love along the way.” — Publishers Weekly

“Ha employs a limited but versatile color palette to create a world that feels grounded in real history yet imbued with magic. The inkbrush-like digital illustrations are evocative of traditional Asian art and contrast poignantly with the book’s contemporary treatment of nonconformity, queerness, and intergenerational trauma. A lushly illustrated fantasy that feels ancient and modern at the same time.” — Kirkus Reviews

'Ha’s magnificent storytelling reclaims, reveals, and honors [Korean women's] strength.' — Booklist (starred review)

'A worthy addition to the canon of myths retold through the female lens that will appeal to any who enjoys the monster’s backstory.' — School Library Journal

'An absorbing, plot-driven, skin-crawling thriller.' — Kirkus Reviews

'A thrilling new mystery. Relationships are at the heart of this novel, and Tyndall excels at depicting the nuances of character development as well as the intricacies of personal motivations in interpersonal relations with a cast of diverse characters. VERDICT Hand to fans of Ellie Marney’s None Shall Sleep and Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s 'The Naturals' series.'
— School Library Journal

This deeply relatable exploration of finding oneself and of giving oneself grace when the journey takes longer than expected is ideal for fans of Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer. — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Across cool-toned pages blotted with highlights of pink is a palpable message that safety, self-love, and pride comes with defiantly building one’s sense of gender and self, an idea applicable to trans, nonbinary, and questioning youth, as well as any child impacted by cis/heteronormative expectations of gender. — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

An accessible, affirming story that models how anyone—cis or trans—can take steps toward self-knowledge and gender freedom. — Kirkus Reviews

Overall, an earnest and intimate portrait that adds nuance to any collection of queer nonfiction. — Booklist

The portrayal of gender identity as a journey with no set destination is affirming and reassuring, and this hopeful tone will appeal to teens. Recommended for ­purchase. — School Library Journal

“Searing honesty and deft wordplay create a vivid impression of this enormously talented and multifaceted writer and performer. Teens will relate to Keith's story and celebrate his conquering of the Boogeyman: his own doubts and fears.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Keith offers a vulnerability within these pages that’s reminiscent of George M. Johnson’s All Boys Aren’t Blue (2020) and Candice Iloh’s Every Body Looking (2020) and will especially speak to young people who are dealing with similar educational, familial, and interpersonal pressures. An emotionally honest and self-reflective debut.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Keith’s love of poetry and language—and the power of wielding both—radiates from the pages. . . . Teens will find solace in his survival and flourishing as well as obtaining a glimpse of a fascinating time gone by.” — BookPage

'In this smart and edgy debut, Chum, per an author’s note, gives Soma space to be “clumsy, complex, and, yes, contradictory at times,” channeling a protagonist whose uncertainty in the face of her future and the model minority myth feels fresh and radical. Via Soma’s sharp, first-person voice, Chum mixes humorous insights with forthright interrogations of colonialism, immigration, and racism.' — Publishers Weekly

'Reading this close first-person narrative is like being happily nestled inside Soma's brilliant and introspective little head. Chum's writing itself is mesmerizing from the jump with its wit and flow, a stunning prelude to Soma's killer verses. Informative in its depiction of Cambodian foods and customs (both inherited and often hilariously invented) and with smooth dialogue, and a friendship for the ages, Chum's debut is absolutely magnetic.' — Booklist (starred review)

'Chum offers readers an education in Cambodian history, the Khmer people, and their Lowell community throughout this heartfelt family drama. His cultural respect and humor amplify the book’s strong sense of place. An empowering coming-of-age story with genuine character growth.' — Kirkus Reviews

'The high school theater backdrop adds fun and pizzaz to this queer Pygmalion retelling that includes a welcome dash of self-awareness.' — Kirkus Reviews

'Kennedy has written an engaging rom-com with just the right amount of drama. His characters are highly empathetic, and Wade and Elijah’s developing relationship is well-handled. Take a bow, kids.' — Booklist

'A delightfully cozy revamp of a classic tale.” — School Library Journal

'Impressively balances the sweet and the suspenseful. Queer Black boy joy at its juiciest.' — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

'Miller’s debut is laudable for its intimate portrayal of a Black community combatting systemic violence by creating their own institutions of support. Moreover, Miller sketches a panorama of queer Black characters who, even under threat, not only survive but thrive. ' — Publishers Weekly

'Miller offers a vivid narrative, shining light onto the complexities of queer Black boyhood. This book’s metaphorical layers celebrate the beauty and hardship of growing into adulthood.' — Booklist

'The sparse prose in this unconventional, must-read of a trauma-infused borderline thriller is packed with emotional breadth.' — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

'Beautifully written...Psychologically acute, subtle, and sophisticated.' — Booklist (starred review)

'Via lyrical language that winningly captures the magic and dreamlike aura of young love, Ancrum (Murder of Crows) expertly weaves together brief, propulsive chapters brimming with riveting action, powerful emotion, and deeply felt romance. In this intimate poetic reimagining of the Icarus myth, Ancrum crafts a subversive triumph that is a love letter both to healing from trauma and to the importance of connection and empathy.' — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

'In her extraordinary fifth novel, Icarus, K. Ancrum performs a confident high-wire act, balancing the weighty manifestations of connection, desire and contradiction.' (starred review) — BookPage

“Gradually, many secrets are revealed, suspense builds, and the romantic tension between the characters ratchets up—all of it enhanced by the vivid prose in this refreshingly succinct novel.” — Horn Book Magazine

'Both romance and thriller fans will likely be gripped by this memorable love story, tinged with mythology, built around a mystery made up of bitter secrets between the two families' — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

'A coming of age in the wake of the coming-of-age party. Impossible to put down.' — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

'Crespo has created a narrative that celebrates a world where found family comes together with blood family to create a vibrant, enthusiastic community fully supportive of Joaquin's entire self.'
— Booklist

“Assan’s uniquely affective art style complements a story beautifully devoted to subtextual queerness and the imaginative space fandom provides queer teens. Every glance, bit of dialogue, and scene transition is imbued with meaning, using visual storytelling to its absolute highest potential, and warm cloud-puffs and wordless panels in tones of coral and salmon give Rotem’s imaginings of the books a sense of both whimsy and yearning.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

“A charming LGBTQIA+ coming-of-age story that captures the ordinary angst of teenagers. A recommended purchase for libraries with demand for inclusive graphic novels.” — School Library Journal

'A textured high school rom-com that serves up a lot of heart.' — Kirkus Reviews

'Characters with affable personalities, endearing self-confidence, and a proud fat teen put a positive spin on this enemies-to-lovers romance.' — Publishers Weekly

'Miller serves a perfect setup for high-school drama in this charming rom-com.' — Booklist