Welcome to the online presence of the Butler Children's Literature Center, housed in Dominican's SOIS (Crown Library room 214). Here, we celebrate the best in books for youth and those who delight in sharing them. For Summer 2026, BCLC will offer collection access to the Dominican community and general public during posted open hours: Monday 9am-noon, Tuesday through Friday 9am-4pm, and by appointment with the Curator. Contact Jen Clemons at jclemons@dom.edu to make arrangements or you can still reach us at butler@dom.edu.
Friendships can be hard to navigate during middle school. These middle-grade novels from our Butler Center Children’s Fiction collection represent challenges students face and how they face them. This week’s feature pick is Roohi and Nate are Not on the Same Page by Supriya Kelkar and Jarret Lerner. Studious Roohi and rebellious Nate couldn’t be any more different, and they don’t consider themselves friends when they join their school Lunch Bunch. As they spend more time together, and when they learn the school librarian’s job is on the line due to budget cuts, Roohi and Nate put their differences aside and work together to save what they hold dear.
Roohi and Nate are Not on the Same Page Supriya Kelkar and Jarret Lerner ABRAMS/Amulet Books Available now!
Camp Big Top Alexandra Diaz Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Beach Lane Books Available now!
The Unlikely Aventuras of Ramón and El Cucuy Book 2: Don’t Eat the Birthday Boy! Donna Barbara Higuera Illustrated by Juliana Perdomo ABRAMS/Amulet Books Available now!
When Tomorrow Burns Tae Keller Random House Children’s Books/Random House Books for Young Readers Available now!
The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks Kate Kirby Random House Children’s Books/Random House Books for Young Readers Available now!
The Continuation of Summer Dillon Sarah Everett HarperCollins Children’s September 15, 2026 Age 8-12
What would you think of a replica android replacing your sibling? What if you were the replica? That’s how Summer 2.0 came to join the grieving Dillon family after their 11-year-old daughter’s passing. With downloads of Summer’s memories and mannerisms, she is not meant to replace, but to continue Summer’s life. That is, until a glitch in her code has Summer 2.0 developing her own likes (the color turquoise), dislikes (oatmeal-yuck), fears (being recycled), and a “forever plan” with dreams for her future—gaining her family’s love, becoming the perfect Summer, growing old, and visiting the Grand Canyon.
This middle grade, science fiction novel is an exploration of what makes us “us,” what makes us human. Sarah Everett’s characters embody all the joys and heartbreaks of life (for both humans and androids), with themes of grief, love, friendship, and individuality. She handles tough subjects delicately and with an 11-year-old’s worry about their place in the worlds of school and family. Fast prose, brief paragraphs, and journal-like footnotes addressed to Summer 1.0 and future Summers embody the voice of a vibrant, yet unsure young girl, with just a touch of AI omniscience. This juxtaposition poses questions about the ethics of artificial intelligence in an age-appropriate way and mirrors the changes tweens experience as they grow from childhood wants to the more complex understanding that comes with growing up. A bittersweet coming of age story to remind readers that we are all unique, we all have value, and we are all irreplaceable.
With the holiday season officially in full swing, there’s no better way to spend the day than with a good book—cozy clothes & hot cocoa optional, but encouraged. From snowy stories to Yuletide tales, whether you’re counting down the days ‘til Santa or just enjoy the cold, our early gift to you is a list full of wonderful wintertime books for all ages. As a wise, jolly old man once said, be sure to check it twice.
PICTURE BOOKS:
The Muttcracker Written by Anna Kemp and illustrated by Sara Ogilvie Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers Ages 4-8 September 9th, 2025
Biff is not like other dogs; he’d rather be in ballet than barking—pliéing than playing! When their ballet teacher assigns The Nutcracker’s roles, aspiring Sugar Plum Fairy Biff is devastated to learn he and his human have been cast as measly bonbons. But the show must go on, and the two are determined to dazzle with their fine dancing. With charming illustrations and warm-and-fuzzy words, this picture book is perfect for ballerinas, dogs, and humans alike.
Elmore and the Big Christmas Rescue Written by Dev Petty and illustrated by Mike Boldt Random House Children’s Books / Doubleday Books for Young Readers Ages 4-8 October 28th, 2025
When Santa Claus comes down with a cold the week before Christmas, Elmore the trusty moose volunteers to take over. But he’s got a big to-do list, and he’d better check it twice. Exercise the reindeer! Don’t give the elves too much sugar! Easy-peasy, right? But things go south (no, not the pole) fast, and it’s up to Elmore to save the big day. With jokes that both kids and adults can appreciate, this holiday story is sure to be a Christmas crowd-pleaser.
NON-FICTION:
Joy to the Whole World!: A Round the World Christmas Lift-the-Flap Book Written by Lucy Brownridge and illustrated by Sang Miao The Quarto Group / Wide Eyed Editions Ages 3-6 September 2nd, 2025
Whether it’s an Ethiopian feast, snowballs & sledding in Finland, or a dip in the pool for Australians, Christmas looks different all around the world. Intricate, lively illustrations are paired with liftable flaps hiding all sorts of Yuletide treasures, making this the perfect way to travel internationally this holiday season, all from the comfort of your own home.
Our Frozen Planet Written by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and illustrated by Kim Smith Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Beach Lane Books Ages 4-8 September 2nd, 2025
Bundle up for a trek through the tundra, and beyond, as tales are told of grandfatherly Greenland sharks, cuddly Japanese macaques, blubbery seals, and all of the other flora & fauna brave enough to (polar) bear the cold. With colorful pictures and a knowledgeable narrative that’s far from information-heavy, this book is apropos for aspiring Antarctic explorers. Or anyone looking to escape the snow… with more snow.
MIDDLE GRADE:
Twelve Classics of Christmas Louisa May Alcott, F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Brothers Grimm, et al. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Aladdin Ages 8+ September 9th, 2025
Forget partridges in pear trees! With short stories from the Brothers Grimm, L. Frank Baum, Charles Dickens, and many more beloved authors, this collection of twelve Christmas classics might just be the best way to count down the days ‘til December 25th.
Snow Written by Meera Trehan Candlewick Press / Walker Books US Ages 8-12 January 21st, 2025
The Snow Princess spends her days in the snow, digging for something, anything, to save her kingdom. When twelve-year-old Ela’s boring family vacation prompts her to take a walk through the snow, the two girls and their worlds can’t help but collide. With wishes and twists and magic galore, this snowy story is the perfect wintertime tale for valiant princesses and family vacationers alike.
YOUNG ADULT:
Joy to the Girls: A She Gets The Girl Novella Written by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Ages 14+ September 30th, 2025
It’s the holiday season, and Alex and Molly are madly in love, so what better way to spend their last winter break together than with a romantic getaway to a small storybook town? And how about getting their friends to fall in love, too? With Christmas and a bit of matchmaking on their minds, the two girls scheme to make this the most memorable holiday yet. This short and sweet novella nicely pairs with a warm mug of cocoa.
Fake Skating Written by Lynn Painter Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Ages 16+ September 30th, 2025
It’s been five years since they last talked, and childhood best friends Dani and Alec are now, pun intended, polar opposites. The once goofy Dani now keeps her nose quietly buried in books, and the once gangly Alec is now… a perfectly chiseled high school hockey star?! The ice rink and Minnesota snow might be frigidly cold, but when Alec and Dani begin “fake dating” to save face after a locker room mishap, things heat up. Fast. A perfectly formulaic rom-com story to satisfy all of your saccharine holiday Hallmark movie needs.
Sounds like the perfect time to bundle up with a book (or two).
Fall has officially begun, and with October just around the corner, this week’s Butler Bookshelf is all about middle grade horror stories! From fantastical mysteries to nail-biting thrillers, these books are the perfect way to kick off spooky season early. (Scaredy-cats beware!) Our feature pick this week is Cry Out Loud, a graphic novel written and illustrated by Tara O’Connor. After Irish teen Nell’s been suspended from school, her mother decides she’s going to spend her school term off on the coastal countryside, with a mysterious aunt and uncle she’s never met. There’s no cell service; it’s rainy, dreary, and the townspeople are far from friendly, but things quickly take a terrifying turn as Nell discovers her family belongs to an ancient, murderous cult. And to make matters worse, their magical ritual requires the sacrifice of a first-born daughter… one who just so happens to be Nell! Can she escape before it’s too late? Pick up Cry Out Loud to find out!
Check out some more middle grade spooky stories below!
Open Wide I.M. Eerie Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Aladdin Available now!
Stitch: Reimagining Frankenstein Padraig Kenny Candlewick Press / Walker Books US Available now!
Cry Out Loud Tara O’Connor Random House Children’s Books / RH Graphic Available now!
Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave Ally Russell Random House Children’s Books / Delacorte Press Available now!
Phantom Academy Christine Virnig Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Aladdin Available now!
Bunns Rabbit Written and illustrated by Alan Barillaro Candlewick Press Ages 8-12 Available October 7th, 2025
Although the superstitious elders of the warren fear newborn Bunns’ peculiarly small ears, thanks to the loving heart song of her mother—thump, thump, thump—Bunns feels no different than the rest of her long-eared family. But when a flutter of Monarchs lures Bunns into the deep, dark forest, she comes face to face with the fiery Spirit Fox, feared by all. Legend says the Spirit Fox has the power to grant wishes, but after seeing Bunns in its presence, the other rabbits decide that she is the “Bad Omen,” and banish her from the meadow. Determined to save her place in the burrow and stay with her family, young Bunns sets out to find the fox again, longing for the wish of, well, long ears. As she wanders beyond the meadow, Bunns befriends Bee, a gentle hummingbird, and Loon, whose cold heart she’s determined to warm. Together, the trio set off on a journey full of myth, mystery, and riddles. Filled with bravery (and a belly of clover!), Bunns is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her family and home safe.
Academy Award-winning writer & director Alan Barillaro is no stranger to the allure of a story rooted in the courage and curiosity of young animal creatures. With the adorable Pixar short Piper under his belt, it comes as no surprise that Barillaro’s new book Bunns Rabbit is just as moving; this time combining that heartstrings-will-be-tugged narrative with an action-packed fantastical journey. There are moments of despair for the trio, plenty of obstacles, and times when Bunn loses hope, but nevertheless, she persists. Complete with rich, hand-painted illustrations and some truly wonderful poetic moments, Bunns Rabbit is the perfect blend of graphic novel and parable for both children and adults; it’s a timeless exploration of family, friendship, and, most importantly, self-love. Big ears or small.
Dive Written by John David Anderson Published by Walden Pond Press/HarperCollins Publishers Ages 9-13 Available August 19, 2025
Thirteen-year-old Kass feels frustrated with her life. She and her best friend are drifting apart, and her parents’ marriage is strained by money problems. Even Kass’s safe space in the pool as a competitive diver causes her stress as she struggles to master a dive that her teammate, Amber, could perform in her sleep. Disheartened, Kass’s life changes when she finds Miles, a seventeen-year-old high school dropout, dumpster diving near her bus stop. Intrigued, Kass starts taking “lessons” from him on how to scavenge, looking for the value in discarded objects. Along the way, Kass learns the importance of looking past her assumptions to find the deeper story.
John David Anderson delivers a heartwarming story about looking past appearances to find deeper connections with the people and places around you. Through Kass’s character arc, Anderson explores what it means to test boundaries and make mistakes as a way toward self-discovery. Miles and Amber further propel Kass’s development as they teach her that her assumptions of others aren’t always true. Anderson utilizes cheeky teenage humor to bring levity to the emotional, serious situations that Kass finds herself in, like the effects of her parents’ struggling marriage. The novel is fast-paced, covering only a couple of weeks of Kass’s life, but its impression is long-lasting. Both moving and thought-provoking, Dive by John David Anderson is a mirror for many tweens and young teens trying to figure out where they land in the world.
The Queen Bees of Tybee County Written by Kyle Casey Chu Published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins Publishers Ages 8-13 Available April 15, 2025
Talented middle school point guard Derrick Chan has the perfect summer plan: go to basketball camp and practice every day so he and his best friend, JJ, can make the varsity team next year. His plan is upended when his dad can’t afford the tuition, so instead, Derrick is sent to his grandma Claudia’s in boring Heritage, GA. There, Derrick befriends roller skater Ro and queer photographer Giles. When he has an opportunity to help out with the town pageant, Derrick volunteers out of curiosity and is soon faced with an opportunity to be daring and authentically express himself to the world.
The Queen Bees of Tybee County is an emotional and heartwarming story of one middle school boy’s journey to self-discovery. Every reader will be able to understand Derrick’s confusion and anxiety, and they’ll find comfort in the safe space that his loved ones give him to be himself. Simultaneously, Chu expertly makes Derrick’s experience specific to his queer Chinese American identity. He demonstrates the diversity of expression in the LGBTQ+ community by showing the different ways Derrick and Giles express their queerness, as well as the ways that racism has affected Derrick’s family members chasing their own dreams. All told from Derrick’s perspective, his sweet and genuine personality makes the story compelling. Community is the heart of this novel, and Chu creates a comfortable safe space in Giles, Ro, and Claudia for Derrick to explore his feelings before feeling safe to come out to JJ and his dad. Although the resolution is fairytale-esque, Chu doesn’t shy away from the reality of being queer and Chinese American by showing resistance from some townspeople when Derrick competes in the pageant. This touching story of self-love and acceptance is sure to inspire upper-elementary and middle schoolers everywhere to be proud of who they are.
This week’s Butler Bookshelf is all about new fiction titles in our collection! These titles feature animal adventures, a school for time travelers, and dragons in London for readers of all ages. The featured title this week is Time Out! (Addy McBean) by Margery Cuyler and illustrated by Stacy Curtis. In this chapter book for beginning readers, math-loving Addy McBean learns how to tell time on analog clocks and how to set an alarm. Along the way, she and her best friend, Star, become convinced that their teacher, Mr. Vertex, is getting married. Working tirelessly to look for clues, they accidentally spread the rumor to their class. In addition to learning the fun of telling time, Addy learns the importance of using facts to make a decision instead of assumptions. Curtis uses quirky digital illustrations to accompany Addy’s adventures, and Cuyler includes a character glossary and a word list to help young readers remember characters and learn new terms.
Check out more fiction below!
The Doomsday Vault (Everwhen School of Time Travel (and Other Odd Sciences) 1) Written by Thomas Wheeler Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Available now
A Language of Dragons Written by S.F. Williamson Published by Harper Available now
Little Head, Little Nose Written by Yuli Yav Illustrated by Antonia Woodward Published by LITTLE SIMON Available now
Time Out! (Addy McBean) Written by Margery Cuyler Illustrated by Stacy Curtis Published by Aladdin Quix Available now
A Wolf Called Fire Written by Rosanne Parry Published by Greenwillow Books Available now
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.
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.
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