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September 29, 2026 by Clarion Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In 2099, Tessa and her family are living in a society strictly regimented by the Koziris regime, and mourning the disappearance of her twin brother, Theo. The society is very carefully structured, with people having to retire at 100 (although Koziris is over that limit and won't step down), being allowed ten year marriage contracts where they can renegotiateWhen their 135-year-old neighbor, Miriam Allison, is slated to be sent to Elder Care (with no previous warning, even though she is in good health), Tessa is sad. Miriam gives Tessa a key and tells her to look for something in the closets before she is taken off to the facility. After the cleaners wipe the entire house clean, Tessa sneaks in and unlocks a closet, where there are three cardboard boxes hidden. Her mother, a security person, is appalled, especially since there are illegal books. The books are so illegal that Tessa doesn't even understand the concept of stories, but is enthralled by snippets of Little Women, Charlotte's Web, and Hansel and Gretel. She eventually tells her father, just as Miriam has told her to do. Tessa's father is X-Cogni-Superior but since Theo's disappearance has been checked out, and doesn't stop Tessa's mother from turning in one book to the authorities, even though it has direct ties to Theo's disappearance. Tessa has heard Theo's voice; as twins, they had developed a shared language they called Whisperspeak, so Tessa knows the voice she is hearing is her brother's. He is wet and cold, and has somehow gotten sucked into a book. This means that to save him, Tessa and her parents must travel to Building 903, where the contraband books are being held, and are going to be destroyed in two days. Once there, they talk to Oskar, who is fairly helpful, considering that his working at the building is a life sentence. Without the title of the book, it is hard to locate it, and Tessa has to track down Miriam in Elder Care and get the title. She finds some interesting connections while talking to her neighbor, but manages to get the book. There is a note from Miriam that ends up being page numbers, and Tessa decodes the message. She instructs Theo about what he needs to do to escape the book, but will it be enough?
Strengths: Lowry's work has several generations of fans; her The Giver is frequently used in language arts classrooms. With all of the challenges that children's books have been facing during the current US administration, teachers and librarians everywhere will adore this story about a world where there are no books, and once Tessa finds out about books and her imagination, it is absolutely magical. There are all manner of tiny world building strictures, like Pun-Tats that list crimes people have committed right on their arms, museums, churches, and libraries shuttered and abandoned, people being sent to Elder Care without any electronics so they can "rest" that make Tessa's world seem vividly bleak. There is also a lot of fantasy, with Theo being sucked into a book. The message is good, and the book isn't too long. I can see a lot of people using this as a companion to The Giver.
Weaknesses: Lowry is 89, and a legend in the world of children's literature. If any other author had written this, it would have been considered heavy handed. The name "Koziris" in Lithuanian translates to "Trump", and the parallels are definitely there. Saving Theo requires "illegal" activity that is, again, rather heavy handed, and the conclusion to the story is extremely happy, but rather deus ex machina. I never felt connected to any of the characters except for Miriam (after all, she was born the year before I was!), and we don't see much of her. I really wanted to like this more, since I have been a big fan of Lowry's work since I read her first book, A Summer to Die, when it first came out in 1977.
Weaknesses: Lowry is 89, and a legend in the world of children's literature. If any other author had written this, it would have been considered heavy handed. The name "Koziris" in Lithuanian translates to "Trump", and the parallels are definitely there. Saving Theo requires "illegal" activity that is, again, rather heavy handed, and the conclusion to the story is extremely happy, but rather deus ex machina. I never felt connected to any of the characters except for Miriam (after all, she was born the year before I was!), and we don't see much of her. I really wanted to like this more, since I have been a big fan of Lowry's work since I read her first book, A Summer to Die, when it first came out in 1977.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want dystopian novels that draw on current sociopolitical themes, like Lucas' The Vanished Ones, McBride's Gone Wolf, Lu's Legend, or Farmer's The House of the Scorpion.
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Sword and Backpack: The Three Companions
September 1, 2026 by Penguin Workshop (paperback)
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
September 1, 2026 by Penguin Workshop (paperback)
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Not quite as goofy and Monte Python-esque as Morris' The Squire's Tale, but felt very classic. Begins with a map, well developed medeivalish world, adventures. This could do well with fans of Prineas' The Magic Thief, Flanagan's The Ranger's Apprentice, or Blackwood's Jinx. It's not terribly long, but the language is very rich, so strong readers will appreciate this more. It is a purported trilogy.
From the publisher:
Embark on an epic journey with three unlikely companions in this rousing tale of friendship and adventure in book one of a fast-paced, action-packed middle grade fantasy trilogy.Calling all young Mages, Rogues, and Knights—grab your swords, grab your backpacks, the Grand Age of Adventure is…over. It's over.
In the once-blazing city of Lanternport, the College of the Three Companions was an esteemed institution, but now, for nearly a century, it's stood abandoned. Elsewhere in the city, young Archivist Apprentice Ehmett is fascinated by the College and is determined to discover what knowledge has been lost behind its walls. By chance, or more likely by fate, Ehmett's solo mission to infiltrate the school soon becomes a team endeavor when he is joined by Barten, a sneaky crook with a knack for lock picking, and Kellis, a skilled warrior determined to carry on her family legacy of sword wielding.
After unknowingly binding themselves together, Ehmett, Barten, and Kellis must embark on their Wanderyear—a months-long "study abroad" journey that will take them away from Lanternport and into a world filled with magical creatures and ancient lore, on a quest to revive their city's lost spark.
Friendship and the promise of exciting times of old await in this thrilling first book of a fantasy trilogy. Perhaps the Grand Age of Adventure is just beginning…
Witchward Bound: A Butter and Owl Adventure
September 1, 2026 by Disney Hyperion
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
When a witch leaves her home and doesn't tell her two familiars where she is heading, the two set off on an Odyssey inspired adventure to find her and bring her home. This reminded me a bit of Avi's Poppy and Rye books, but is probably best for elementary school students who enjoyed books like DiCamillo's The Norendy Tales. I did love Bow's Stand on the Sky but will pass on this one for middle school (grades 6-8).
From the publisher:
Once upon a time there was a pair of witch's helpers: a cat named Butter and a raven named Owl. The cat knows he is destined to be a great hero—just ask him. The raven wouldn’t recognize destiny if she flew into it beak-first. They do not get along.
But then their witch vanishes, and Butter and Owl must quest to find her. To reunite their family, they’ll have to outwit sirens and cyclops, gods and ghosts—and hardest of all, they’ll have to learn to work together.
Humorous and heartfelt, the story of Butter and Owl’s first adventure shows what it means to be a great hero—and what it takes to be a good friend. With enchanting illustrations by New York Times best-seller Kelly Murphy and sparkling words written by beloved, Newbery Honor–winning author Erin Bow, this tale is a classic in the making—a whimsical, witty, and warm story worthy of reading again and again.
DiTerlizzi, Tony. The Wump
September 29, 2026 by Dial Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
I love that DiTerlizzi wrote the book that he wanted to read when he was young. TImothy faces problems both at home (where his mother is a self-involved real estate agent who is upset that her son sleeps in the garage with his insects, but doesn't really do anything about it) and at school, but things get even worse when the Wump appears. The illustrations are very appealing, but I'm not sure my students are going to pick up this dark fantasy title. Perhaps the goofiness will appeal to younger readers?
From the Publisher:
"Timothy’s grandpa has a the best way to deal with bullies is to wump ‘em. But Timothy would never hurt a fly—and not just because he genuinely loves bugs. He’s always been a good kid…until a shadowy monster appears and begins feeding on his darkest thoughts. Facing bullies both at home and at school, Timothy cocoons himself in the monster’s shadows, where he is consumed by a desire for revenge. But how much of himself can Timothy give up before he is completely transformed?"
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