Month: September 2025

I Wanna Be Your Girl

I Wanna Be Your GirlI Wanna Be Your Girl, Volume 1 by Umi Takase
Published by RH Graphic on April 12, 2019
ISBN: 0593902939
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, LGBTQ+, Romance
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Hime and Akira have been inseparable best friends since childhood. Now in high school, Akira is ready to show the world what Hime has know for years: Akira, while known formerly to be a boy, is actually a girl. The change is hard for some classmates to accept, but Akira has Hime to defend her no matter what. When Akira makes a new friend, Hime must confront her complicated emotions about her best friend, and decide how to support Akira while staying true to her own feelings. Hime’s protection of Akira comes from a deep well of love, and future volumes promise to show Hime exploring the changing nature of that love and what it means for their friendship. Manga romance fans will tear through this.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks

The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie BrooksThe Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby
on March 18, 2021
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks

Author: Katie Kirby

This book, for ages 8-12, is the diary of an almost twelve-year-old girl, Lottie. She lives in the UK with her parents, younger brother Toby, and two pet hamsters. It is the first book in an eight-book series. Lottie’s best friend, Molly, moved away to Australia, so Lottie is having to navigate new friendships. She forms a bond with Jess, and together with two other girls- Amber and Poppy- the foursome forms a group called the Queens of Six Green. When Jess and Amber have a falling-out, Lottie is forced to choose sides and learns the real meaning of friendship. Lottie also struggles with body image, crushes, and all the accompanying stress of impending puberty and trying to fit in. Lottie’s mistakes and anxieties are universal ones to which all tween girls can relate.

While some of the UK references will be lost on American readers, this is a funny and poignant book about the struggles of growing up and being true to yourself. Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets Are you There, God? It’s me, Margaret.

4 stars

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

four-stars

Dead Happy (HappyHead #2)

Dead Happy (HappyHead #2)Dead Happy (HappyHead, #2) by Josh Silver
on May 2, 2024
ISBN: 0593812069
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Horror, LGBTQ+, Mental Health, Psychological thriller, Suspense
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Dead Happy picks up directly at the end of the first book in this YA duology, HappyHead, with the chosen ten teens regaining consciousness on a flooding boat approaching Elmhallow. Seb has no choice but to fake a relationship with Eleanor as the teens are forced to complete increasingly disturbing and violent challenges for bloodstones under the rule of a perfectly reformed HappyHead couple. When Seb finds out that Fin is also on the island they decide to escape no matter the cost.

Dead Happy is a dark survival drama in the vein of Squid Games and the Hunger Games series with elements of horror such as torture, animal death, gaslighting, and homophobia. The romance between Seb and Fin continues to be the backbone of the duology and remains strong throughout the second novel. Dead Happy moves at a relentless pace, keeping the reader on edge throughout the novel as did HappyHead. Recommended for all teen collections where survival stories or romance are popular genres.

Reviewed by Sarah Hartje, Lewiston Public Library, Lewiston Maine

five-stars

HappyHead (HappyHead #1)

HappyHead (HappyHead #1)HappyHead by Josh Silver
Published by Rock the Boat on March 16, 2023
ISBN: 0593812026
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Horror, LGBTQ+, Mental Health, Psychological thriller, Romance, Suspense
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

When 17-year-old Seb is offered a place on a radical retreat designed to solve the national crisis of teenage unhappiness, he is determined to change how people see him and make his parents proud. When the assessments at HappyHead get increasingly more disturbing and dangerous, Seb finds himself wondering what is really going on and how far he’s willing to go to be ‘happy.’

This first novel in the HappyHead duology by debut author, Josh Silver, features strong character development, a well-developed plot, suspense, horror elements, LGBTQ+ relationships, and steady pacing. The HappyHead series is recommended for fans of Squid Games and the Hunger Games series and features similar elements of survival in extreme circumstances. This series is recommended for YA readers.

Reviewed by Sarah Hartje, Lewiston Public Library, Lewiston Maine

five-stars

Feeling Your Feelings: The Head-to-Toe Science of Emotions

Feeling Your Feelings: The Head-to-Toe Science of EmotionsFeeling Your Feelings: The Head-to-Toe Science of Emotions by Phil Nicholls, Tanya Lloyd Kyi
Published by Kids Can Press on 10/07/25
ISBN: 1525311271
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Feeling Your Feelings provides an introduction for how our bodies experience emotions, from head to toe.  Each page covers a different part of the body with interesting scientific facts or historical perspectives, especially if the science isn’t conclusive.  There is a table of contents and human body diagram at the beginning so readers know where to find specific information.  Right from the start, readers are invited to either read the book sequentially or to go to the part that interests them.  At the bottom of each page, the author tells readers which page they can turn to in order to read about a topic that connects to the page they just read.   

This book is ideal for upper elementary students.  The information isn’t too scientific for kids to understand, but new vocabulary words are introduced in bold and included in the glossary.  Each page also has colorful and fun illustrations and there is humor sprinkled throughout the text, all which will appeal to readers and will help make the text more engaging and accessible.  

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Today at School with Yesterday and Tomorrow

Today at School with Yesterday and TomorrowToday at School: With Yesterday and Tomorrow by Jessica Young, Renee Kurilla
ISBN: 0593812751
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Today at School with Yesterday and Tomorrow

Author: Jessica Young. Illustrator: Renee Kurilla

 

This charming picture book for ages 4-8 tells a heartwarming story about the first day of school, told from the perspective of two sisters- Yesterday (a bear), and Tomorrow (an owl), who have very different feelings about the upcoming first day of school. Yesterday prefers to take her time and reflect, while Tomorrow is excited to make new big plans. They meet a new friend, Today (a fox), who helps the sisters be present and enjoy the “now.” This is a lovely and encouraging story, particularly useful for children encountering a new and unfamiliar experience.

4 stars

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

four-stars

That’s Not Funny, David!

That’s Not Funny, David!That's Not Funny, David! by David Shannon
ISBN: 1546123180
Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

That’s not Funny, David!

David Shannon

This picture book, for ages 3-7, is the newest and sixth in the No, David series. Youngster David is committed to getting laughs out of everyone, although some folks don’t find his antics funny at all! Some of the hijinks shown in Shannon’s recognizable vivid illustrations include doing cannonballs into a pool, messily slurping his spaghetti, and telling jokes at school. Unfortunately, David learns the hard way that sometimes he goes too far; we see David crying at the doctor’s office when he gets a peanut stuck up his nose. His mischievous, fun-loving nature is what makes David who he is. This book is both a celebration of -and a warning to- class clowns everywhere.

4 stars

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

four-stars

Strong Like Me

Strong Like MeStrong Like Me by Kelechi Okafor, Michaela Dias-Hayes
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536241849
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Strong Like Me

Author: Kelechi Okafor. Illustrator: Michaela Dias-Hayes

 

This picture book for ages 3-7 tells the story of Karama, a girl whose physical strength makes her stand out from others. At first, Karama is proud to be strong; she can give piggyback rides to her older brother and climb trees with ease. Kamara hopes to fun faster than anyone else and beat her classmate, Benji, in the annual Big Race. Benji accuses Kamara of showing off, but Karama’s friend Josie tries to reassure her that he is just jealous. Auntie Lynda give Kamara advice everyone, especially young people, should hear: “Your friends will shine in different ways, so don’t dim your own light just to please them.”

This story inspires kids to embrace their gifts and be secure in who they are, while also teaching the importance of grace and compassion. It also highlights the importance of different kinds of strength.

5 stars

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

five-stars

A Forest Song

A Forest SongA Forest Song by Evan Turk, Kirsten Hall
ISBN: 0593480368
Genres: Nature, Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A Forest Song

Kirsten Hall & Evan Turk

This picture book is a lyrical cento poem, created from a combination of lines and phrases written by late poets including Robert Frost, Edgar Allen Poe, Emily Dickinson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and many others.  It brings the reader on a multi-sensory journey through the woods, exploring different animal inhabitants, a forest pool, and a meandering path through rustling tree branches. The end of the book includes instructions and guidance for readers wishing to write their own cento poetry. This book was written for ages 4-8 and will inspire readers to explore the forest in their own neighborhoods. It would also be a useful resource for instruction in creative writing.

4 stars

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

four-stars

New Shoes for Leo

New Shoes for LeoNew Shoes for Leo by Lauren Agra Deedy, Susan Gal
ISBN: 1338770217
Genres: Family, Immigrants
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

New Shoes for Leo

Lauren Agra Deedy

This picture book is a debut written by Cuban-America author, Lauren Agra Deedy, for ages 4-8. It tells the story of an immigrant family packing a box of supplies and necessities to send to their relatives back in Cuba. Mami gives young William a very important job- Cousin Leo has outgrown his shoes and needs a new pair. By trying to locate a spare pair of shoes for his cousin, William learns that although they have never met, he has lots in common with Leo, including freckles and a love of baseball. In the end, William’s selfless generosity shows his love for his family, even though they live far away. A useful and instructional glossary of Spanish words is including following the story.  This story is a nice reminder that it is often better to give than to receive.

4 stars

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

four-stars