Month: July 2025

Otto and the Story Tree

Otto and the Story TreeOtto and the Story Tree by Vivien Mildenberger
ISBN: 0593710789
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Everyone has a story to tell but finding someone to listen is sometimes a struggle. Otto is a “cranky” anthropomorphized stork who never bathes, cleans his apartment, or opens a window because he doesn’t see the point of any of it. Children might describe him as lonely; adults might identify Otto as melancholy, or even depressed.

Things start to change when a little seed falls from his dinner plate and onto the floor. He leaves it on the floor because he doesn’t see the point of picking it up. Later, Otto sees that seed as an audience for his reminiscences of his many adventures. The muted, shadowy illustrations capture the emotions that Otto doesn’t share. The apartment is unkempt and in disrepair but the attentive reader will notice curious objects in the apartment that relate to each of Otto’s stories. Following each revelation is a wordless, two-page spread depicting his exploits. 

As the seed sprouts and grows, Otto shares more and more stories, until it becomes an enormous tree that bursts through the roof of the building, inviting  in the sunlight and more listeners. This provides a satisfying ending for the reader. Readers who enjoy using illustrations to make up their own stories to suit will enjoy this book.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MILS
K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

three-stars

Very, Bad at Math

Very, Bad at MathVery Bad at Math (A Very Graphic Novel #1) by Hope Larson
Published by Harper Alley on January 21, 2025
ISBN: 0063311283
Genres: Learning Disabilities, Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Humorous
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Verity “Very” Nelson is an overachieving 8th grader who cheerfully and enthusiastically succeeds at everything she does. Almost. She wins her bid for re-election to class president and all seems to be going well until the principal calls her in to tell Very she will have to step down from the post if she doesn’t improve her math grade. Embarrassed, Very goes out of her way to hide the fact she’s failing math and having to take special tutoring during study hall, rather than trusting her family and friends to understand and support her. When the tutoring doesn’t seem to be helping, things get worse, causing Very to stress out and mess up a fundraising order for t-shirts. Amazingly, that mistake provides an important clue her math tutor needs to finally realize Very has dyscalculia. Similarly to dyslexia, people with dyscalculia mix up numbers, rather than letters. Once her learning disorder is properly diagnosed, Very gets the help she needs and trusts those closest to her with the truth, vastly improving her life at school and at home.

This graphic novel does a beautiful job of portraying the anxieties that may surround learning disabilities and the many ways family, friends, and learning professionals can be supportive. Suggested for ages 8-12 years old.  Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

five-stars

Over in the Garden

Over in the GardenOver in the Garden by Janna Matthies, Tisha Lee
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on 2025
ISBN: 059380936X
Genres: Counting Books, Gardening, Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

A gardening-themed counting book that focuses on a diverse group of children tending a community garden. The rhyming text is inspired by an old country song called “Over in the Meadow”. The colorful, mostly full-page illustrations depict enthusiastic young gardeners amongst a verdant landscape.

This fun read-aloud teaches basic counting (1-10) and basic gardening concepts (such as planting, watering, and composting) to 3-7 year-olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

four-stars

Steve, A Rare Egg

Steve, A Rare EggSteve, a Rare Egg (Steve the Horse graphic novels, #2) by Kelly Collier
Published by Kids Can Press on 2025
ISBN: 1525313002
Genres: STEM, Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Humorous
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Steve, a goofy free-roaming horse, wanders through a picnic area and finds the remains of a birthday party, including a bright red balloon. Steve, his raccoon friend Bob, gopher and hare all try to figure out what he has discovered. Through a series of questions, loosely reminiscent of the scientific method, the horse decides he has found an egg that he names Eggbob. The other animals are dubious, but Bob really gets concerned when Steve declares he’s going to sit on the “egg” to hatch it. As anticipated, Eggbob pops, leaving the inquisitive animals to conclude that it wasn’t really an egg after all. Ultimately, Steve congratulates himself on being a “very good scientist, indeed!”

This children’s graphic novel, intended for 6-9 year-olds, is a humorous, slightly wacky introduction to the process of testing scientific theories. It follows Steve’s first book, Steve, A Pretty Exceptional Horse.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

three-stars

The Jade Bracelet

The Jade BraceletThe Jade Bracelet by Hà Dinh, Yong Ling Kang
ISBN: 0593711785
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Family, Immigrants
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

 

The Jade Bracelet

Ha Dihn and Yong Ling Kang

This picture book for ages 4-8 is about a young Vietnamese girl, Tien, who receives a jade bracelet for her birthday from her mother following the death of her grandmother, Ba Ngoai. At first, Tien does not like the bracelet; she would prefer a brand-new popular sparkly bracelet like the ones worn by her classmates. Embarrassed, Tien tries to hide her simple jade bangle and then flings it to the floor after school. Rather than getting angry, her mother shows sympathy.  Tien realizes that the bracelet is not just a green rock, but rather a symbol of the spirit of Tien’s family members who have also worn them. She decides to wear her jade bracelet proudly as a reminder of her late grandmother and embrace her family’s tradition and heritage.
The Jade Bracelet is based on the author’s own experience of wanting to blend in with her peers, something to which all children can relate.

4 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

four-stars

The Assassin’s Guide to Babysitting

The Assassin’s Guide to BabysittingThe Assassin's Guide to Babysitting by Natalie C. Parker
Published by Candlewick Press on January 7, 2025
ISBN: 153623009X
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A fun, high-tension, high-thrill novel set in a shadowy Kansas City where a society of Talented people lives alongside – and unnoticed by – regular humans. Tru is the most unusual type of talent, most of whom fit into one of four groups based on the special skill they are born with (strongarm, wingtip, bullseye or bombshell). She’s a bastion, which means she can’t be easily hurt. Her parents were killed protecting her secret, and she was raised by a former assassin who taught her how to hide. The action kicks off when Tru is on what appears to be a normal babysitting job, and masked intruders break in, demanding the one-year-old she has been watching. Tru escapes with the baby (also being targeted for being a bastion, she later discovers), but in the skirmish her secret is discovered. Her guardian is killed protecting her and she and her band of three friends are suddenly on the run from assassins. Tru and her friends work to keep themselves and the baby alive, and to figure out who they can trust while being pursued by talented bounty hunters. Readers will enjoy worldbuilding, excellent character development and suspense paired with an original plotline. A subtle subplot builds in the second half of the book with a budding romance between Tru and her friend Sage’s older sister Lila, one of the bounty hunters chasing the friends down. Snappy and fast paced, this is a hard book to put down.

5 stars

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Like a Curse

Like a CurseLike a Curse (Like a Charm #2) by Elle McNicoll
Published by Random House on February 2, 2023
ISBN: 0593649524
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this follow up to Like a Charm, Ramya has been sent to Loch Ness to learn to control her magic from her grandmother and Aunt Opal. But Ramya is impatient: having discovered that she’s a witch, she has no use for lessons – she’s ready to do – especially since the evil siren, Portia, is gaining control over the humans in Edinburgh and beyond. She and her cousin Marley befriend a dryad, a dragon and a siren in their quest to first get out of the house, and next, to save the hidden people and humans of Edinburgh.

This will be most enjoyed by readers who started with the first book in the series. Ramya and her aunt Opal are both neurodivergent, and that plays a significant role in Ramya’s life and how she interacts with the world, which many readers will appreciate. A great addition to library shelves that also have the first book. 4 stars.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars

The Misfits: A Copycat Conundrum

The Misfits: A Copycat ConundrumA Copycat Conundrum (The Misfits #2) by Dan Santat, Lisa Yee
Published by Random House on January 7, 2025
ISBN: 0593564227
Genres: Adventure, Humor, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship, Mystery
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This second book in the Misfits series by Lisa Yee will please young readers who enjoyed the first. Olive and her friends are back at the Reforming Arts School on Foggy Island when a string of strange happenings kick off: their friend Zeke starts getting threatening letters, odd earthquakes are shaking up San Francisco, a treasure trove is discovered deep beneath the school and goldrush-era legends are cropping up in unexpected places. Stranger yet, all these things seem to be connected.

Dan Santat’s black and white drawings enliven Yee’s text. Chapters are short and will keep readers engaged. A great choice for middle grade readers who enjoy zany characters, imaginative tech, madcap adventure and a good mystery thrown into the mix. An easy purchase for libraries that already own the first book, A Royal Conundrum. 4 stars.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars

Where the Heart Should Be

Where the Heart Should BeWhere the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan
on 2025
ISBN: 0063384914
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

“It is hard to tell a love story

and also the story of a people

being torn apart.

 

But this is what was happening in 1846:

I was falling in love

when everything 

around me was 

falling

down.”

 

The opening of Crossan’s historical fiction novel in verse has the whole novel’s theme quite beautifully laid out.  Young Nell and her family are living in Ireland at the height of the potato famine.  Nell is lucky enough to get work in the landlord’s kitchen, a job that provides barely enough money for her family to survive.  Her father appreciates his daughter’s contribution, but is also deeply upset that he is unable to provide for his family.  The truly maddening way that the English “haves” blatantly refuse to assist the Irish “have nots” leads to actions that have unjust consequences.  Amongst all this, Nell falls in love with the English landlord’s heir, Johnny.  A relationship that must be kept secret due to its forbidden nature.

Crossan has written a YA, historical fiction, novel in verse.  The verse not only makes this a quick read, it also adds so much to the mood and tone of the novel in a very powerful way.  The relationships between Nell and her family are so well written and readers pull for them all.  Johnny is a perfectly placed character to have Nell try to educate on the ruthless behavior her community experienced at the hands of the landlords.  This is a devastating yet beautiful story perfect for readers 13+.

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.

five-stars

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom

The Scorpion and the Night BlossomThe Scorpion and the Night Blossom (The Three Realms, #1) by Amélie Wen Zhao
on March 4, 2025
ISBN: 0593813847
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao

This fantasy novel is based on Chinese mythology. A battle between the Kingdom of the Night and the Kingdom of Rivers has been raging for years.  Àn’yīng’s mother was attacked by one of the demonic creatures that have multiplied within the mortal realm and now Àn’yīng plans to enter the Immortal Trials to save her mother’s soul.  Àn’yīng has been trained by her warrior father, who was killed by one of the creatures many years before. She goes into the trials, as she believes, well prepared to survive and be gifted immortality (which she will use for her mother).  She meets a handsome young warrior and although she knows in her gut she can trust no one, she starts to find herself breaking down her mistrustful walls.  Within the twists and turns of the plot, things do not go as expected and everyone has a secret or two that they are guarding.  

With good vs. evil, a quest, a love triangle, a reluctant hero, an underdog story, a mysterious mentor, magical objects, demonic creatures, and more, Amélie Wen Zhao has worked in everyone’s desired tropes into the plot of the novel.  For those who can’t get enough of this, the book is easy to get swept up in.  Frustratingly, the protagonist is extremely biased or discriminatory in that she judges others based on their birth, and while the reader expects that is part of a greater lesson to be learned or flaw to overcome, it doesn’t quite feel like it’s resolved.  The novel is the first of a duology.  The YA novel is best suited for the 14+ audience. 

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.

four-stars