C introduced The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland, the first book in the Wings of Fire series. She explained how Clay and his fellow dragonets—destined to end a long-running war—must leave the cave where they were raised and face dangerous queens, shifting alliances, and questions about power and destiny. This series is perfect for readers who enjoy fantasy worlds, dragons, high-stakes adventure, and stories where friendship and family shape courageous choices.

L presented Duet by Elise Broach, a heartfelt animal fiction story told from the point of view of Mirabelle, a music-loving bird who lives in the yard of a retired piano teacher. When a talented but reluctant piano student named Michael arrives to prepare for a Chopin festival, Mirabelle forms an unexpected musical connection with him, leading to a story filled with friendship, family, and musical history. This book is a wonderful fit for readers who enjoy animal narrators, emotional stories with surprises, and books that focus more on feelings than nonstop action.

Z shared The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, an action-packed survival story about a robot named Roz who wakes up alone on a remote island in the future. After accidentally destroying a nest of eggs, Roz chooses to raise the lone surviving duckling, Brightbill, and must learn how to survive—and belong—among animals who initially fear and reject her. Readers who love animal stories, fast-paced adventure, survival dilemmas, and big emotional moments will be especially drawn to this book.

All student Book Talk slides can be found here. Families are encouraged to scroll through the slides together and use them as inspiration when choosing your next read!

A presented The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin, a fantasy adventure set between the human world and a magical stone spirit world. She explained how Jin, a young stone spirit lion, accidentally traps himself in the human world after kicking the Sacred Sphere through a gate in anger. Alongside Lulu and a wise dragon (who happens to be in worm form!), Jin must find the Sphere and decide whether to save both worlds – even if it means making a difficult personal sacrifice. A highlighted themes of bravery, growing up, and taking responsibility for your choices. Readers who enjoy magical quests, stories rooted in Chinese folklore, and characters who grow through tough choices will especially appreciate this book.

S shared belly up, a fast-paced mystery set in a famous Texas zoo called FunJungle. She described how Teddy, who has grown up around animals, teams up with Summer to investigate the suspicious death of Henry the hippo. What begins as boredom quickly turns into a dangerous investigation filled with twists, suspects, and even an escaped animal. S emphasized the humor, suspense, and teamwork that make this book especially fun for readers who love solving mysteries. This book is part of the FunJungle series, and its author, Stuart Gibbs, has written many other beloved book series, including Spy School.

P introduced Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne, an adventure story that kicks off the beloved Magic Tree House series. She explained how siblings Jack and Annie discover a mysterious tree house that transports them back to the age of dinosaurs. Faced with a towering Tyrannosaurus rex and unsure how to return home, the two must stay brave and work together. P highlighted the excitement of time travel and how books can make readers feel like they’ve stepped into another world. Readers who enjoy adventure, time travel, dinosaurs, and feeling “transported” into a story will love this exciting start to the series.

All student Book Talk slides can be found here. Families are encouraged to scroll through the slides together and use them as inspiration when choosing your next read!