Picture Books | Beginning Readers and Primary Grades | Middle School | High School

Intermediate

Suggested grade level for all entries: 4–6

Sea Legs by Jules Bakes; illus. by Niki Smith (Graphix/Scholastic)

After third grade, Janey’s family moves onto their schooner to sail the Caribbean islands. Janey befriends Astrid, an older, more daring boat kid, and discovers the value of leaving your comfort zone. This heartfelt graphic novel integrates ideas of belonging and gratitude and uses the ocean and weather as metaphors for personal growth. Smith’s colorful illustrations reflect the ocean’s — and the protagonist’s — ever-changing moods. 256 pp.

When Sally O’Malley Discovered the Sea by Karen Cushman (Knopf)

It’s 1894 in central Oregon, and plucky orphan Sally heads off on a journey west to discover the sea. Along the way, she deals with dangers and challenges, comes out of her protective shell, and learns to trust other people and her own strengths. The jaunty narrative strikes a balance between danger and refuge as readers cheer Sally on to her happy ending. 240 pp.

The Flicker by H. E. Edgmon (Feiwel)

In this near-future dystopian novel, a solar flare has left a fraction of humanity alive. Millie and her stepsister, Rose, set out from their Appalachian bunker with their baby brother to find Millie’s grandma, a Seminole elder in South Carolina — though Rose also hopes to find the Sanctuary, a coalition of survivors fighting the mega-rich. Edgmon, who identifies as Indigenous and trans/nonbinary, has written an anti-capitalist, intersectional cautionary tale accessible to a middle-grade audience. 256 pp.

Is It Real?: The Loch Ness Monster by Candace Fleming (Focus/Scholastic)

A prehistoric monster was sighted in Loch Ness! People say they have seen it. Newspapers have reported it. But does it really exist? In the untangling of this famous mystery, reader-sleuths learn the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence, and between evidence and proof. Fleming lets readers in on the tools of historical detection and narrative nonfiction writing — of which she is a master. 160 pp.

Oasis by Guojing (Godwin/Holt)

Siblings JieJie and Didi trek across a vast wasteland toward the “paradise” city of Oasis, where their mother works in a factory. They stumble upon the remnants of an abandoned, obsolete AI robot, which they activate and develop a loving relationship with. This graphic novel’s story of perseverance marked by hope against all odds unfolds cinematically; softly shaded panels create a bleak, atmospheric mood, with occasional bursts of vibrant light. 160 pp.

All the Best Dogs by Emily Jenkins; illus. by Manuel Preitano (Delacorte)

Jenkins presents a cadre of overlapping dog-lovers’ stories set in a Brooklyn neighborhood. Finely attuned to the stresses and changes of sixth-grade friendships and family dynamics, the third-person narrative deftly conveys each character’s experience. The sundry group of dogs (whose thoughts appear in italics) get themselves and their owners into trouble along the way. Black-and-white illustrations bring the diverse cast to life in this humorous and heartwarming tale of mischief and misunderstandings. 208 pp.

Beware the Dragon and the Nozzlewock: A Graphic Novel Poetry Collection Full of Surprising Characters! by Vikram Madan (Wordsong/Astra)

This humorous collection features twenty-five story-poems presented in an innovative comic format. Zany cartoon characters (ghost guppies, a salesmoose) star in the wildly colorful digital illustrations full of vivid purple, orange, and lime green. They tell their intersecting stories in continuous rollicking rhymes with plenty of wordplay, hyperbole, and deadpan humor. Madan plays with the panels on the page, with shifting perspective and countless, thrilling tiny details to discover in the illustrations. 128 pp.

Jax Freeman and the Phantom Shriek [Jax Freeman] by Kwame Mbalia (Freedom Fire/Disney-Hyperion)

Twelve-year-old Jax is unexpectedly enrolled in a class for the children of families that can summon magical powers through their ancestors. He makes allies and confronts powerful adversaries, all while attempting to balance his magical training with the challenges of everyday life in Chicago. This well-crafted speculative tale, filled with adventure, heart, and humor, captures the complexity of family and friendship bonds and the difficulty of finding and accepting one’s true self. 480 pp.

The Long Way Around by Anne Nesbet (Candlewick)

Sisters Vivian and Amy and their cousin Owen plan a late-summer overnight trip alone in the wilderness of Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks while their grownups camp nearby. When an earthquake triggers a rockfall, the resourceful, determined children must take an uncharted path to safety. Moments of excitement are interwoven with heartwarming scenes of bonding and introspection. The plot is fast-paced (but never too harrowing) and rich in setting. 256 pp.

On the Block: Stories of Home edited by Ellen Oh (Crown)

This We Need Diverse Books anthology of twelve stories by different authors is organized by apartment number in a New York City building. Each tale is narrated by a young person from one of the building’s immigrant families. Multifaceted, multidimensional immigrant experiences connect the stories, which coalesce in the closing scene: a building potluck party. An engaging, thought-provoking collection that can be read from front to back or savored by dipping in and out. 208 pp.

The Snips: A Bad Buzz Day by Raúl the Third; color by Elaine Bay; coloring by Eleonora Bruni; lettering by Rob Leigh (LB Ink/Little, Brown)

In this wacky, entertaining graphic novel, superhero-barber team the Snips invent hair-related gadgets and formulas and travel the world to discover “hairstorical artifacts.” The story culminates in a hilarious, thrilling showdown between the Snips and rivals the Bad Buzz Boys, putting all the hairdos of Scissors City at stake. The dynamic illustrations are jam-packed with action shots, references to classic comics, and clever details that merit multiple looks. 128 pp.

The Tontine Caper by Dianne K. Salerni; illus. by Matt Schu (Holiday)

Three families gather at the Precipice Inn to dissolve a contract awarding a vast fortune to the last survivor. Eleven-year-old orphan Nico Lombardi, the hotel’s bellhop, has regretfully turned to a life of crime; meanwhile, the guests begin to reveal varying degrees of deceit. Hilarious hijinks and cartoonlike spot drawings are sprinkled throughout this farce and feisty puzzle mystery, which registers surprise after surprise until the heartwarming ending. 208 pp.

Lola by Karla Arenas Valenti; illus. by Islenia Mil (Knopf)

Lola, ten, lives in a Mexico City house built around the magically protected Tree. When gray splotches on the Tree spread to her brother and make him ill, Lola sets out to save the Tree and Alex. This leads her to the kingdom of Floresta, now afflicted with the Stillness — where “the cycle of life and death simply stops” — and in need of saving itself. Valenti skillfully incorporates magical realism into this captivating, hopeful journey. 256 pp.

From the April 2025 issue of Notes from the Horn Book: Summer Reading. For past years’ summer reading lists from The Horn Book, click on the tag summer reading.