Octopus Moon By Bobbie Pyron New York : Nancy Paulsen Books, 2025. 310 pgs. Octopus Moon follows ten-year-old Pearl, a perceptive and sensitive girl navigating the challenges of fifth grade. Pearl loves running, skateboarding, and visiting the aquarium where her mother works, especially to watch the octopuses and loggerhead turtles. She feels a special connection to the octopus, whose arms are highly sensitive and experience the world intensely—much like she does. When everyday life begins to feel overwhelming, Pearl’s parents take her to therapy, where she is diagnosed with depression and begins learning strategies to manage her emotions. One particularly meaningful element of the story is Pearl’s practice of setting small mental health goals and marking each attempt with a bead on a string. Each bead represents effort and gradual progress, reminding readers that trying is just as important as succeeding. This book offers an authentic and compassionate portrayal of childhood depress...
Princess Academy: The Graphic Novel Written by Shannon Hale Illustrated by Victoria Ying New York: Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2026. Comic. 288 pages. In this new graphic novel edition of the beloved Shannon Hale novel, Princess Academy , Miri's story of courage and hope is brought to life in full color. Miri Larendaughter is a girl living in Mt. Eskel, a village high in the mountains where the residents make their living mining in the quarry. When a royal messenger arrives to let the villagers know that the royal priests have declared Mt. Eskel the home of the future princess, Miri and all the other eligible village girls must travel to attend a princess academy. At the academy, they learn important lessons about friendship, loyalty, and trusting their instincts. This is a beloved story for a reason- the pacing is quick, the characters are vibrant, and the lessons are plentiful. The graphic novel did a great job at holding true to the original whil...