Category Archives: courage

Deceiving Appearances: A Review of Selkies & Skeptics

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Selkies & Skeptics 
Elias Cold 
Page Street YA, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers 
Ages 13+ 
Available November 17, 2026 

Sixteen-year-old Luella didn’t mean to send a letter she wrote about selkies to the “Society for the Protection of Faeries,” but her greedy and cruel father had other ideas. Luckily, once the Society arrives at their lighthouse, she does manage to fabricate evidence. In return, the Society, along with the kind delivery ferryman Murphy, help the adventurous Luella escape her father’s clutches. As she takes in the outside world, Luella loves her newfound freedom and friends, especially Enoch, a transgender boy and the Society’s founder. However, this new life comes with a price. Winifred, who’s fiercely protective of the Society, knows Luella fabricated her evidence, and she’s suspicious of Luella’s intentions. When her lies catch up to her, Luella leaves her friends to confront her isolating past. In her journey, she builds enough courage to rejoin the Society and hopes to fix what’s been broken. Cold presents an intriguing parallel with Luella and Winifred. They both are escaping abusive situations, but while Luella is optimistic and kind, Winifred is more distrusting and cynical. Their interactions cause suspense and excitement in the story. Cold’s vastly different characterizations of the male characters create dramatic tension in the plot as well. Luella’s father only sees value in her when she dives in and steals from the shipwrecks. His physical threats and guilt tripping will have readers understand Luella’s motivation to leave and her need to keep her past secret. Murphy and Enoch provide a stark contrast to the father’s violent nature by valuing her autonomy. Their respect for Luella’s decisions make them more admirable characters. Cold also portrays emotionally realistic consequences when friendships are built on false pretenses. When Luella reveals her con, the group feels betrayed, and Enoch feels especially devastated. The melodrama is so ferocious that readers will feel heartbroken when the guilt-ridden Luella felt she had no other choice than to leave the Society to confront her father alone. However, there is reconciliation, a touching reunion, and a promising budding romance that gives the reader optimism for everyone else’s futures. The story features neurodivergent, gay, and transgender characters. Selkies & Skeptics is a genuine, thrilling romantic fantasy that will spark readers’ fascination for magical creatures.

Butler Bookshelf

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With October around the corner comes the creepy, kooky, mysterious, and spooky season known as Halloween. There are at least two kinds of scary in youth literature. Some books feature uncanny but cute stories and characters, that make the season less scary, especially for younger readers. The middle-grade novels featured in this week’s Butler Bookshelf lean more toward eerie, unsettling, and downright frightening. This week’s feature pick is a new adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel Little Women: Little Monsters by Máire Roche. Meg March and her younger sisters, Jo, Beth, and Amy, have more to worry about than being children in foster care. The March sisters are monsters. To make matters worse, a mysterious creature has been terrorizing their new town, and Meg can’t always remember where she is when she transforms. Will the March sisters find their way while still keep their real identities a secret, or will it all come crashing down?

Check out this and other monstrous titles:

Little Monsters
Máire Roche
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/ALADDIN
Available now!

Kiki and the New Magic (Kiki’s Delivery Service Book 2)
Eiko Kadono
Random House Children’s Books/Delacorte Press
Available now!

Remember Me, Daphne
Celia Krampien
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Atheneum
Available now!

The Doll House
D.W. Gillespie
Random House Children’s Books/Delacorte Press
Available now!

The Replay Trap
Juliana Brandt
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/ALADDIN
Available now!

Superb for the Job: A Review of Sheba the Alley Cat

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Sheba the Alley Cat 
Lauren Fornoles 
Illustrated by Natalia Gubanova 
Little Leaflet Press 
Ages: 4+  
Available: October 6, 2026 

When Sheba, a black cat, sees a job opening in the Meow Times for a ‘friend and travel companion’ for Hilda Broomwick (who seems nice and is totally not a witch), she finds an opportunity to see the world outside her humdrum alley. She packs her things and makes her way to the address listed in the paper: a house covered in cobwebs and has only one lit window. Despite her lack of travel experience, Sheba’s enthusiasm and bone-collecting skills might land her the job of a lifetime. Natalia Gubanova’s use of dark blue sky, pumpkins outside Hilda’s house, bats flying all over the place, and Hilda’s overall witchy appearance create a gentle Halloween theme. The hand-drawn look of Gubanova’s digital illustrations and muted colors generate a serene and charming atmosphere. Lauren Fornoles’s positive phrasing about Sheba’s excitement for the job complements Gubanova’s cute-spooky drawings. When Sheba reads “Welcome” near the front door, she fails to see the bottom text that reads, “if you dare,” creating depth to the story’s humor. The underlying message of being appreciated for one’s unique traits adds an emotional layer to the otherwise whimsical text. Sheba feels discouraged when she tells Hilda she hasn’t had a lot of travel experience. However, when Hilda mentions she needs special bones for her spells, Sheba realizes she can make a personal contribution, and her confidence returns stronger than ever. In short, Sheba the Alley Cat is a sweet seasonal story with a dash of social emotional learning, great for a Halloween collection or story time. 

Determine Your Own Destiny: A review of Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo

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Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo
Philippa Leathley
Illustrated by Brie Schmida
Clarion Books/HarperCollinsChildrens
January 28, 2025
Age 8-12

Born to a family of magical bent and eccentric names, Meticulous “Metty” Jones yearns for her tenth birthday and the receipt of a hand tattoo that will tell her fate—as a magical murderer. Hidden away for a year because of it, 11-year-old Metty finds her stoic father (Captain Moral Jones) missing and her unconventional Aunt Mag (Magnificent Jones) whisking her off to the magical, ink-fueled city of New London just ahead of the mysterious Black Moths that are searching for her. Along with a motley crew of friends, brave and curious Metty is determined to find her father, evade the dreaded Moths that pursue her, and change the fate she does not accept. Learning she is meant to bring life, instead of death, sets her on a path in opposition to the Black Moths, who would use her gifts for their own questionable purposes.

Leathley skillfully blends dark humor and mystery, with prose reminiscent of classic children’s literature in this first in a new series. Metty’s will to fight her fate is a journey of self-determination within a larger story of ethics—of our choices, of government power, and of how citizens choose to respond. Each in the diverse cast of characters is well-developed, sympathetic, and realistically flawed, so while Metty is clearly the protagonist, strong secondary characters ground these big questions in thoughtful dialog. When Aunt Mag tells her, “You are whatever you decide to be. Nobody controls your actions. Nobody but you.” (p 161), she is both encouraging Metty’s choices and attempting to protect her from her self-doubt.

Full of complex and creative world-building, a propulsive plot, and fierce friendships, it promises to draw readers looking for a Harry Potter-like combination of magic, adventure, danger, and community.

*Review based on ARC with no art included.

Survival of the Bravest: Wolf Girl: Into the Wild

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Wolf Girl: Into the Wild
Anh Do
Illustration by Jeremy Ley and Annie Ji
HarperCollins
March 18, 2025
Age 8-12

Pulled from bed and forced to escape home in a war zone, Gwen and her family flee to the mountains where they’re separated during an attack. When she finds herself alone in the forest, she sets off to find her parents and discovers that everyone—all humans—seem to be gone. A fall into a raging river, and rescue by a ragtag pack of dogs, sets her on a path to discover her survival skills and inner strength as she learns to live in the wilderness with a found family. Sighting an aircraft, a first indicator that she’s not alone, sparks harrowing a journey to find her family and other survivors.

Inspired by the author’s own traumatic family flight from post-war Vietnam, this tale of perseverance reads as an adventure with some powerful undercurrents of fear and loneliness, in a departure from his usual comedic work. Flashbacks to earlier childhood act as reminders of Gwen’s emotional strength and intelligence—connection to family, hunting lessons, and her father’s advice to “follow [her] instincts” (p. 8). Time jumps in the narrative have this quick read covering three years and the dual maturation of both Gwen and her “puppy” into a brave and resilient girl and a full-grown wolf. Do’s simple yet descriptive language, comfort derived from her animal family, and the inclusion of slightly anime-like illustrations position the text for a younger MG audience. Themes of war, survival, and isolation skew older, and might require caution for more sensitive young readers. The dramatic cliffhanger of an ending sets the stage for more adventures to come. Do’s new-to-the-US series for middle grade readers already has 12 installments published in Australia. A thrilling, yet warm tale of survival and the importance of family, both the one you’re born to and the companions we find when we need them most. 

The Strength in Being Seen: A Review of Deer Run Home by Ann Clare LeZotte 

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Deer Run Home 
Written by Ann Clare LeZotte 
Scholastic Inc/Scholastic Press 
Ages 10-14 
Available October 1, 2024  

Effie Pappas is Deaf and linguistically isolated from her family, who don’t speak American Sign Language. Effie and her sister, Deja, are sent to live with their father at the end of the summer. When school starts, Effie’s ASL interpreter, Miss Kathy, begins to suspect that something is wrong with Effie’s home life. After Miss Kathy visits Effie’s home and sees the neglect, she is awarded temporary custody of Effie. Now that she finally has a safe home and a budding friendship with a new girl at school named Cait, Effie starts to open up about her experiences with her family. Miss Kathy eventually petitions for and wins permanent custody of Effie, giving her the security and family she never had. 

Ann Clare LeZotte’s Deer Run Home is a touching story that exposes the reality that d/Deaf children can experience growing up in hearing families without ASL. LeZotte draws on the real-life court case this novel is inspired by to thoughtfully depict the neglect that Effie experiences because her family won’t learn her language, as well as the difficulty Effie has with speaking up about the sexual abuse she endures at the hands of her stepfather. The sexual abuse happens before the novel begins and is thoughtfully described only once, but it serves as one of the obstacles Effie is able to overcome when she finds kindness and support from Miss Kathy and other adults at school. LeZotte takes advantage of the verse format to mirror ASL grammar and storytelling styles at some points. The verse is poignant and moving, and every word is intentional. Readers are drawn to Effie’s character, feeling every bit of her joy, sadness, fear, and loneliness. LeZotte also ties in a plotline of habitat loss for the local deer population, drawing parallels between the displaced deer and Effie’s feelings of loneliness and being lost. At once heartbreaking and empowering, Deer Run Home shows the healing and growth that comes with discovering your voice. 

Cracking the Code of Middle School: A Review of Talia’s Codebook for Mathletes

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Talia’s Codebook for Mathletes
Marissa Moss
Walker Books
June 13, 2023
Ages 8 to 12

Talia loves cracking codes and doing math, but can’t seem to solve the puzzle that is middle school. Joining the mathlete team was supposed to help with her transition, but as the only girl on the team, the boys make her the outcast. When her mathlete best friend, Dash, gets too embarrassed to be best friends with a girl, and wants to hide their friendship, there’s only one thing Talia can do—make her own all-girls mathlete team! With her new friends by her side, Talia becomes determined to bring their team to victory, get her friend back, and figure out the social rules of middle school.

The comic diary form gives a personal touch to the feelings, actions, and reactions Talia has to daily life as a middle school student. The book is broken down into observations, deductions, quizzes, and puzzles, which act as chapters. With this style, readers get a fast-paced book with no breaks in the plot. The illustrations are meant to look like doodles in a diary but are still expressive with the use of postures and facial expressions. The colors are bright with the use of watercolors and gouache with ink to give definitions to characters and objects. The overarching themes of friendship, discovering a sense of self, and finding the courage to do something outside the norm make this book perfect for readers entering middle school. Talia evolves in her social development, starting as self-centered and refusing to see her friend’s perspectives then becoming conscious of her actions and how they affect other people’s feelings. Talia’s friends and family don’t have major character developments during the book, but they do support and encourage her on her journey through middle school. Talia’s Codebook for Mathletes is a STEM-oriented book that teaches young readers, especially girls interested in math or science, to be courageous and forge their own unique path in middle school.

Revenge or Mercy?: A Review of The Secret Battles of Evan Pao

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The Secret Battle of Evan Pao 
Wendy Wan-Long Shang 
Scholastic Press
Ages 8 to 12
June 7th, 2022 

Evan Pao and his family just want to start fresh, away from his father’s infamy and neighbors’ stares, and a small town in Virginia seems like the right place. But, Haddington, Virginia has its own Southern traditions and views that the Pao family and Evan don’t fit into, especially since Brady Griggs has it out for him as the only Chinese American boy in town. When Brady commits a hate crime against the Pao family but isn’t punished, Evan faces the choice of getting revenge or being a bigger person and having mercy.  

Told from multiple points of view from family, friends, and people around Haddington, these different perspectives reveal themes of racism, bullying, sexism, and their prevalence in the community. Shang treats grave and demeaning topics with realism and care, and a tone of hope that lends an uplifting feel to the weighty subjects. Although Evan knows he and his family don’t fit into the small town, he strives to show that some town traditions do relate to him and that Asian Americans have a legacy in the American South, just like everyone else. In the beginning, Evan struggles through many of the town’s prejudices that impact him and his family, and when it seems like he could give in to hate and subjugation, Evan overcomes these ‘secret battles’ within himself to reveal that forgiveness and mercy are vital for healing all wounds. Although the novel focuses on Evan as the main male protagonist, other characters are depicted as slowly adjusting their racially insensitive biases and worldview based on Evan’s influence. Evan proves that it only takes one brave person to break a cycle of hate and racial stereotyping in order to make a difference in the community. This deeply moving novel highlights the struggle young people have with self-identity, and how hard fitting into a new place can be, but that taking the initiative and being brave has its rewards.  

Add a pinch of belly button lint: A Review of Boo Stew

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Boo Stew
Donna L. Washington
Illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler
Peachtree
Available September 1, 2021
Ages 3-7

Curly Locks, the most disgustingly imaginative cook in Toadsuck Swamp, just hasn’t found the right audience for her culinary creations. When a group of spooky Scares (one larger than the last) make their way out of the swamp and into the mayor’s kitchen, the townsfolk are scared silly. Only Curly Locks knows what to do—cook for them! She whips up the best batch of Boo Stew east of the Mississippi and lures the Scares right back to the swamp with promises of feasts to come and satisfaction at finally finding those that appreciate her cooking.

In this twist on the Goldilocks tale, Washington’s background as a traditional storyteller shines through in the structure, repetition, and the Southern vernacular that bring the inhabitants of Toadsuck Swamp to vivid life. Her heroine breaks the mold of the most Goldilocks’, with a bolder personality, grand self-confidence, and belief in her ability to make a difference. The text is based on an oral telling from her 2006 recording Angels’ Laughter. Jeffrey Ebbeler has created a diverse cast of hilariously terrified townsfolk that help to highlight Curly Locks’ gumption and bravery, further setting her apart from the often insipid traditional Goldilocks. His sepia toned illustrations and shadowy, bear-like Scares lend a suitably spooky setting and some Southern gothic flare to this fine addition to both folktale and Halloween collections. 

Destination India: A Review of Word Travelers: The Mystery of the Taj Mahal Treasure

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Word Travelers: The Mystery of the Taj Mahal Treasure
Raj Haldar
Illustrated by Neha Rawat
Sourcebook Kids
October 5, 2021
Ages 7-12

When best friends Eddie and MJ’s Super Saturday Sleepover goes from blanket forts and movies to magic books and teleportation, they are totally up for the adventure. At mom’s suggestion, they open Eddie’s etymologist grandfather’s Awesome Enchanted Book (AEB). Whisked away to India by the AEB, they help Dev, grandson of the maharaja of Jaipur, find a hidden treasure and rebuild the local school. Using creativity, curiosity, and the AEB, they race a comically sinister mustache-twisting villain to solve the maharaja’s clues and find the treasure before the school is replaced with a department store.

This fast-paced and adventure-packed early chapter book (first in a series) is equal parts Magic Treehouse and National Treasure. Raj Haldar (No Reading Allowed: The Worst Read Aloud Book Ever) brings his signature wordplay with a twist—exploring the derivation of some common (and not so common) words. The Mystery of the Taj Mahal Treasure focuses on Indian origins (Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Marathi), while future installments will explore other places and languages. Some holes in the plot and inconsistencies between the text and art are minor enough not to detract from the fun. Neha Rawat’s delightful and architecturally detailed illustrations, coupled with a map and full glossary of highlighted words, make for a well-rounded adventure, sure to appeal to word nerds and world travelers alike.

Review based on Advanced Reader’s Copy.