25 Stars for 2025 (so far)
Here's a look at LQ children's and YA books that have garnered starred reviews so far this year.
★ “Humorous, charming. A brilliant use of anthropomorphic animals, serving up facts and entertainment." – Kirkus (starred)
★ “Irreverent text nails the mood of a classroom discussion in free fall, while mixed-media sketches offer stylish visual contrast to the comedic chaos." – Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “Riveting...receptive readers will effortlessly absorb practical advice about researching, organizing, and delivering effective oral presentations of their own." – Booklist (starred)
★ “Between the eye-catching art and the chatty, accessible format, this makes a breezy invite for recently-solo readers to engage with a scientific text without being overwhelmed by jargon and overwrought details. Both teachers and parents should have this on hand.” – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred)
★ “Vivid portrait of a migrant family’s travails blends motifs and imagery from Mesoamerican mythology, with dazzling, affecting results. Grounded in compassion, this is a richly layered tale that will linger with readers. A gripping, thought-provoking migration saga. – Kirkus (starred)
★ “Together, word and image work richly together to describe a suspenseful journey of 'many things, terrible and magnificent.’“ – Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “Unique in its cadence, representation, and execution, this book deserves careful attention and contemplation.” – Booklist (starred)
★ “Mansour’s evocative, image-rich language is expertly translated in the English edition, and echoes the cadence of a timeless folk story. The illustrations, created in the style of Mesoamerican codices, are colorful and ripe with symbolism and iconography. Readers of varying ages will find countless opportunities for engagement with these thematically multilayered and stunning works. Highly recommended for picture book collections.” – SLJ (starred)
★ “Delicate and raw...a meditative graphic novel that twines the joys of living and the pain of loss into one indistinguishable braid.” – Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “Takes on aging and death—topics many authors flinch from—with a rare mix of respect, tenderness, and candor… Themes of familial love and loss will pierce readers’ hearts while also offering them both windows and mirrors into Korean culture. An achingly lovely work laced with profound truths on love, death, and grief.” – Kirkus (starred)
★ “This sweet, poignant tale deserves to be appreciated by all audiences, particularly adults with aging parents. Queue the (cathartic) ugly tears, though, and prepare with plenty of tissues. Heartbreakingly glorious… stupendously affecting.” – Booklist (starred)
★ “Go’s finely detailed illustrations in pencil and watercolor are as sweet as her words, especially when depicting her grandparents’ affection for each other… a beautifully rendered remembrance of grief and loss, and a moving meditation on the bonds of family and the power of everlasting love.” – BookPage (starred)
★ "Delves into themes of creating a future of balance and community with the natural world, while a slow, rhythmic tone and loose-lined illustrations emphasize saving what’s most important." – Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “Saunders’s understated prose alludes to traditional ecological knowledge passed down by women elders… Blackwood’s illustrations combine warm, earthy tones with deep verdigris teals and sea-glass greens, saturated details with soft-edged blending. Luminous...magical.” – Horn Book (starred)
“Bjerkeland’s writing is beautiful. A quick, enjoyable read.” — New York Times
★ “Chilling… short chapters and taut prose set a frantic pace. Beasts combines the timelessness of a fairy tale with the stark immediacy of contemporary dystopian fiction.” — Foreword (starred)
★ “Bjerkeland’s propulsive tale is sleek and elegant. Every sentence is direct and brief, vivid with eventfulness, uncertainty, and Abdi’s deep sense of responsibility for his sister… The story’s brevity and abrupt forcefulness, and the characters’ stalwart courage and love, make this tale unusually compelling." — The Horn Book (starred)
★ “Zeller artfully exposes the tender underbelly of locker room posturing, presenting a subversive, experience-informed interpretation of toxic masculinity. An intersectionally diverse cast helps the protagonist forge her own path and blaze a trail for others in this necessary debut.” – Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “Grace’s journey through senior year is portrayed with nuance… Grace grapples with the challenges and transphobia of rural proximity, but this experience is thoughtful and well balanced… Zeller speaks well to her roots as a native Western New Yorker, Bills fan, and trans woman. A standout first work, setting a high bar for the blooming subgenre of queer sports fiction.” – Booklist (starred)
★ “Grace is a wonderfully well-rounded character whose depiction goes beyond challenges she faces as a trans girl. At the same time, Zeller writes Grace with an eye to the discomfort and othering that trans folks endure even in mostly welcoming spaces. One of the Boys is an amazing feel-good read for any teen (or adult!) who loves football. A standout work of YA fiction, as inspiring and illuminating as it is funny and relatable.” – BookPage (starred)
★ “Irresistible… Garza Villa makes Gabi’s coming-out/coming-of-age both moving and inspiring as he finds the courage to buck expectations and live life on his own terms. There’s plenty of heartfelt wisdom—and thrilling soccer matches—along the way, but it’s the sweetly sexy romance between Gabi and Vale that really makes this shine. It’s a winner.” – Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “Heart-piercing… Babak’s palpable love for his sister emphasizes the novel’s suggestion that there is power in kindness, even in the face of tragedy. Lush details and taut plotting distinguish this immersive, profound offering.” – Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “The artfully detailed setting and strong values depicted through Babak’s endeavor to teach others will leave readers inspired. A powerful novel about an often-forgotten region and era that highlights the power of education through shared communication to create bonds.” – School Library Journal (starred)
★ “Gripping… a remarkably intimate story of a neutral nation caught between warring powers, seamlessly integrating philosophical questions about God, family, and cross-cultural understanding and suggesting that truly listening to those different from us can be a sacred and transformative act… A compelling testament to the power of education and empathy to light the way in even the most perilous circumstances.” – Kirkus (starred)
★ “Startling… cannot help recalling van Gogh, though these blooms are never confined to a vase. Gorgeous.” – Kirkus (starred)
★ “Thomas’ cogent text and her focus on emotional intelligence will resonate with caregivers, while Fong’s quietly comic pictures will tickle everyone. A winning blend of crisp design, child-appealing illustrations, and positive messaging about self-expression.” – Kirkus (starred)
