Month: January 2026

I Can’t Even Think Straight

I Can’t Even Think StraightI Can't Even Think Straight: A Young Adult Novel in Verse About Queer Identity, Love, and Coming Out by Dean Atta
on May 6, 2025
ISBN: 0063158035
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“I Can’t Even Think Straight” is a young adult novel in verse by Dean Atta. Malachi (“Kai”) is a gay teen who wants to come out, but his best friend, Matt, worries that if Kai comes out, Matt’s religious parents will react badly. The book reads like it’s Kai’s journal, with first-person narration. We watch as Kai navigates being a closeted person of color along with the other challenges that come from just being a teenager. At times Kai seemed a bit unlikeable, but I think it was true to teen behavior. A recommended purchase for YA collections especially where novels in verse are popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Outsider Kids

Outsider KidsOutsider Kids: A Parachute Kids Graphic Novel (Parachute Kids #2) by Betty C. Tang
ISBN: 1338832719
Genres: History, Immigrants, Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Outsider Kids” is the sequel to the middle-grade graphic novel “Parachute Kids” but Betty C. Tang. The story continues with the Lin siblings, who are “parachute kids” (kids brought to a country by their parents for safety while the parents have to go back and forth depending on their situation). They are living mostly on their own and have mostly settled in at school, but when their snooty cousin arrives, things are shaken up. The story focuses mostly on Ann’s experience, while Jason struggles with romantic feelings towards his friend, and the family pulls together when challenges arise.

The characters in the book are well-developed and readers will empathize with them. This is an interesting look into a situation that I was unfamiliar with. Illustrations are bright and colorful and add to the humorous parts of this difficult setting. A must-buy for middle grade graphic novel collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

The Transition

The TransitionThe Transition by Logan-Ashley Kisner
on September 30, 2025
ISBN: 0593814789
Pages: 326
Genres: Horror
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Transition” is a young adult horror novel by Logan-Ashley Kisner. Hunter is a transgender boy who survives a werewolf attack. When he starts to change into a werewolf himself, he and his friends go after the werewolf to hopefully cure Hunter. We watch Hunter go through gender euphoria and disphoria as his body changes, along with lots of difficult thoughts and situations, like bullying. In the author’s note, readers are informed about anti-trans bills as well as a general difficult topics warning. For more detailed trigger warnings, the author has a list on his website. This is a tough book to read, but a needed one. The world-building around werewolves was a little confusing at times, but that’s the only critique. A recommended purchase for YA horror collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Lolly on the Ice

Lolly on the IceLolly on the Ice by Sarah S. Brannen
Published by Random House ISBN: 0593711815
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Sports
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

As much as Lolly loves ice skating, the minute she gets in front of a crowd she shuts right down. After working up the muster to try out for a skating show,  Lolly is disappointed that she gets cast as an unmoving snowman.  When another skater hurts her ankle, Lolly steps up and gets her chance to shine as the skater she knows she can be.

Setting aside the discomfort of Lolly’s opportunity appearing thanks to another child’s injury, this book would be helpful for children who are feeling any kid of performance anxiety, or are worried about attempting something new.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

All Paths Lead to Paris

All Paths Lead to ParisAll Paths Lead to Paris by Sabrina Fedel
ISBN: 0593900278
Genres: Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“All Paths Lead to Paris” is a young adult romance novel by Sabrina Fedel. Aurie is a teenage fashion influencer in Paris with an American dad and a French mother. Aurie has had a lot of success as an influencer, but her manager wants her to fake date another of the manager’s clients, Remy, a Paris musician. The book is quick and fun, especially if you enjoy fake-dating premises and love triangles, and the setting is beautiful, but the characters feel a little thin. Overall a cute, quick read. An additional purchase for YA fiction collections where romance is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

My Life as an Internet Novel

My Life as an Internet NovelMy Life as an Internet Novel, Volume 1 by A Hyeon
ISBN: 0593901282
Genres: Romance
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“My Life as an Internet Novel” is a YA fantasy romance graphic novel by Han-Ryeo Yu and illustrated by A Hyeon. This is a webtoon adapted into a graphic novel. Dani, a middle school girl, wakes up and finds that she has been transported into an internet novel as the best friend of the main character and surrounded by very attractive boys. It is funny to watch Dani realize and anticipate the tropes of the internet novel that she is in, as well as learning that people are not as simple as they appear. A fun and interesting series that will appeal to teens who like romance mixed with a lot of humor. A recommended purchase for YA graphic novel collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

My Mother the Mermaid Chaser

My Mother the Mermaid ChaserMy Mother, the Mermaid Chaser by Jamie Jo Hoang
ISBN: 0593643003
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“My Mother the Mermaid Chaser” is a young adult historical fiction novel by Jamie Jo Hoang. It is a sequel to the book “My Father the Panda Killer,” but can be read as a standalone. The book switches between the son, Paul, and his mother, Ngọc Lan, who walked out on their family over a decade ago, leaving Paul and his sister to deal with their abusive father. In this book, Paul goes to Vietnam to learn about their mother. Chapters switch between Paul and his mother, as they both experienced Vietnam in different ways.

The book deals with a lot of trauma and difficult topics. There is a content warning at the front of the book and a list of resources at the back of the book. Themes about family relationships and mental health make this book a good, but challenging read. Recommended for YA fiction collections where historical fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Oh No, Ojò

Oh No, OjòOh No, Ojó! by Alaba Onajin
Published by Random House Studio on July 15, 2025
ISBN: 0593805720
Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Ojò loves to draw and his mama thinks his drawings make their home a more beautiful place. Ojò needs to learn where he can color and where he can’t when his Papa brings him a new set of markers and Ojò thinks the walls make a wonderful canvas for his art and he draws everywhere in and around their home!
In their search for a solution big sister Oge brings him a pad of paper and Mama can hang his art on the walls.
Based on the author's own childhood.

Ages 4-6
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

The Boy, the Troll & the Chalk

The Boy, the Troll & the ChalkThe Boy, the Troll & the Chalk by Anne Booth, David Litchfield
ISBN: 1536243973
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

The Boy, the Troll & the Chalk

Anne Booth. Illustrated by David Litchfield

 

This picture book for ages 3-7 is about a big fierce troll who lived in the cave.
“Leave me alone!” it yelled. And everyone did leave the troll alone, except for a red-headed boy who brought some chalk up to the mouth of the cave and drew a flower with every petal colored in but one. The boy leaves the chalk behind and next day, he finds that the flower has been completed. Day by day, the troll finishes the boy’s drawings, until they each draw self-portraits holding hands. The boy tells the troll that he isn’t a big scary troll at all, but rather a boy just like him. The two boys start drawing together and soon all the other children gather to join in and draw with chalk. Everyone forgets that there was a troll inside the cave. This is a sweet story about patience, friendship, and the power of shared art. Unfortunately, the reader never learns why the “troll” was so isolated and despondent, which detracts from building empathy and understanding.

3 stars

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

three-stars

How to Say Goodbye in Cuban

How to Say Goodbye in CubanHow to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on September 30. 2025
ISBN: 059356829X
Genres: Immigrants
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Carlos and his family live in the Cuban countryside in 1958. They are hardworking, loving, and happy together. One day his Papi wins the lottery and they are able to build a new home and woodshop in the city. They leave their beloved countryside and grandparents behind, much to Carlos’ dismay.
This all happens in the midst of the Revolution when Fidel Castro overthrows the government and creates an alliance with communist Russia. Carlos’ family life is thrown into chaos. Tempers are short and Papi is often away from home. Carlos and his siblings don’t know where he goes or what he is doing but they are scared and unsure.
This heartfelt story is in graphic novel format with chapters of Carlos’ family life separated by brief non-fiction historical material. With the illustrations we are drawn into this story which is not only that of a young boy and his family but an excellent introduction to this point in Cuban history.

Ages 8-12
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

five-stars