You Can Make a Friend, Pout-Pout Fish! by Deborah Diesen, Dan Hanna 
Pout-Pout Fish is feeling sad as he doesn’t think he has any friends, and he feels like he doesn’t know how to make friends. To his surprise some of the undersea creatures, help Mr. Fish to see that there is nothing to be afraid of in getting to know someone new and making friends.
This is a wonderful book for the Beginning Reader.
Reviewed by Melissa Madigan
The Changeling King (Estranged, #2) by Ethan M. Aldridge 
The second book in the Estranged series is as beautifully illustrated, engaging, and action-packed as the first. The boy changeling Edmund Carter has been returned to his human family and the Fay Cinder has been returned to the World Below to rule as king. When there is a threat to all magic in the World Below, Cinder must call upon his family and his friends to help him solve the problem. Plot twists, battles, magic, and family allegiances are part of this sweeping, dense, engaging graphic novel. The ending hints at a third volume to tie up a loose end from this book and it would be very welcome. Give to readers of the Amulet series or Gregor the Overlander series. Recommended for more sophisticated upper elementary readers and then middle school and up.
Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth
The Impossible Crime (Mac B., Kid Spy #2) by Mac Barnett 
Mac B. is back and the Queen of England needs him to help keep her Crown Jewels safe. She has had a threat referring to an old feud and promising revenge and she is sure that her jewels will be the target. Written in a conversational style that is engaging and hilarious, Mac brings the reader along with him as he travels from the US to England to help stop a crime before it happens. Unfortunately, Mac’s presence doesn’t prevent the predicted threat and the jewels are stolen but from a LOCKED ROOM with Mac and a guard in it! The book would make an excellent mentor text/introduction to tropes and characteristics of this subset of mystery books, the locked room mystery. The conversations between Mac and the Queen are sure to crack up any audience if read aloud (the difference between pants and trousers in British English and American English is fantastic and is riffed on throughout). Filled with humor, riddles, travel, suspense, and even some British history, this second book in the series will delight fans or hook new readers to the series as it’s not totally necessary to have read book 1 to appreciate this one. The artwork rendered in black, orange, and green is vibrant and appealing; it contains movement and perfectly accompanies the text. The ending promises another adventure, so there is more fun in store. Hold on to your trousers!
For grades
Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth
Horses: The Definitive Catalog of Horse and Pony Breeds by Scholastic Inc. A stunningly photographed catalog of the more than 150 horse and pony breeds in the world, this book is a horse-lover’s dream. The book starts with a history of the relationship between humans and horses and explains the variation of size and category of horses. The book separates out horses into Light Horses, Ponies, and Heavy Horses and ends with a section on caring for horses. It is jam-packed with facts and cultural tidbits. There is an extensive glossary, a fantastic table of contents, and an index. The biggest drawback of the book is its size. It is printed in a large format, which could be difficult for little hands, but since this allows for more and larger photographs, this is not really a ding against the book. A wonderful addition to any public or school library collection.
Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth
Frost Friends Forever (Diary of an Ice Princess #2) by Christina Soontornvat Book two in the Diary of an Ice Princess series finds Lina having her first sleepover at her cloud castle with her best friend Claudia. She is very excited and has everything ready. Of course, nothing goes as planned and the two girls end up lost and alone in a blizzard where they have to use their creativity and science skills to signal for help. The concept of this book is good – an ice princess (think Elsa but with a more normal life) who is navigating her powers, friendship, and the pitfalls of testing her boundaries in a normal kid-like way (with some STEM-type action thrown in). And the fact that Lina is Asian and her best friend is Black is great; it’s awesome to see faces of color on books aimed at princess-loving readers without the story being about the color of their skin. But the story falls flat. Lina and Claudia make decisions that seriously endanger their lives and then they really don’t get any consequences for their actions because everyone is so glad that they are found unharmed. Not every book needs to teach a lesson, but there could have been a little more in the way of owning up to the giant risk that Lina takes without permission. There is a lot of emphasis on acting “like a princess,” but many of the qualities are what any human should exhibit. The artwork is in grey scale with touches of blue and a cartoonish quality; the lists peppered throughout are nice and support the diary-style structure of the book. This book will have high appeal and should circulate well. For ages 7-9/grades 1-3.
Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth
The Root of Magic by Kathleen Benner Duble Getting lost in a snow storm is scary but almost landing in a cold river following a sliding incident is totally frightening. This book just started to introduce the characters when the life altering scene begins a huge spiral. Willow’s family are saved by strangers in a small magical feeling town in rural ME. Many questions face the reader: how will they get home and how do residences of Kismit seem to know the future? Most important, what has been making Willow’s younger brother ill?
The story is entwined like the plants in Cora’s house but several characters seem limp. Our heroin and her new friend are provided some introduction time but the reader never clearly sees Willow’s Mom or the town folks. The imagery of the disappearing bridge is perhaps the highlight of the novel. Consider purchase where fantasy for intermediate grades is popular.
Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME
Little Monsters of the Ocean: Metamorphosis Under the Waves by Heather L Montgomery Intriguing, alluring, compelling and instantly satisfying, Little Monsters of the Ocean is bound to become a favorite of young budding marine biologist. The text is composed of scientific terminology yet there is humor that will please intermediate and middle level students. Using the scientific theory, Montgomery asks questions throughout the book which make the students think deeper. Those students who possess an interest in microscopic animal life will dive directly into the introduction which identifies the six small monsters.
Full page illustrations are amazing while the specific color background selected enhances each animal. Text blocks offer information which may be viewed as gross or as seriously interesting. Life cycle charts are helpful and the life stages chart is a valuable inclusion. Unfortunately, several of the bibliography items are older but the list of scientists who contributed is impressive. Add this to intermediate and middle grade media center and consider for public libraries.
Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME
Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration by Bryan Caplan, Zach Weinersmith In this graphic non-fiction book, economics professor Bryan Caplan teams up with cartoonist Zach Weinersmith to demonstrate why open borders are the best way to handle immigration, both scientifically and ethically. With a clear cartoon style and a wealth of graphs, Caplan walks the reader through objections to immigration, ultimately showing how open borders benefit the United States specifically and the world as a whole, while walking the line between political sides that can often be highly contentious.
Fantastic for middle school, high school, and even adult patrons, Open Borders will be in high demand wherever graphic non-fiction is popular.
Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.
Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc by David Elliott Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc is a verse novel that strives to show the trial of the historical figure often called Joan of Arc. Elliott combines poems written from the point of view of Joan, her friends and family, objects such as her sword or the fire, saints, and even concepts such as virginity with actual quotes from the trial. An author’s note before the text gives the reader context for the emotional journey to follow, and a second note after gives additional information about Joan of Arc and the various poetry styles used within.
Though Elliott captures the unfairness of Joan of Arc’s situation and her fierce, unbreakable spirit, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact right audience for this novel. Give to readers as a fantastic school project book or for those who find great joy in historical figures and poetry. Recommended where similar novels are popular.
Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.
The Mad Mage's Academy (Dungeons & Dragons: Endless Quest) by Matt Forbeck, Various Continuing his series of choose-your-own-adventure-style books, Matt Forbeck writes the Endless Quest series that take middle school readers through actual Dungeons & Dragons content in an adventure-filled quest. In The Mad Mage’s Academy, the reader is an elven rogue tasked with stealing the spellbook of Halaster the Mad Mage by posing as a student at the magical academy. There are many twists and turns related to the choices the reader makes that can lead to success or failure. This series of books is particularly good for kids who are already hooked on D&D, kids who love this style of book, or both. It may be an excellent way to introduce readers to Dungeons & Dragons if they haven’t heard of it before or to get those who are into D&D reading more books. Purchase wherever either is popular.
Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.