Month: January 2026

An Embroidery of Souls

An Embroidery of SoulsPublished by Knopf Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Young Adult
four-stars

Jade, a thread speaker, has the rare skill of being able to control souls using embroidery. A remarkable talent, but one she is reluctant to use given the consequences it can have. Lukas is trying to do right by his family after the deaths of his father and sister, and is wary of thread speakers due to a family tragedy. When these two meet and find themselves working together to track down a mysterious murderer whose modus operandi involves eye gouging, they find that their histories are as intertwined as the colors Jade sees in human souls.

Inspired by German and Mexican folklore, An Embroidery of Souls is a YA romantasy with a touch of pirate adventure. The romance is slow-going, but the mystery stays intriguing, and the kaleidoscope of emotions and attributes that Jade can see in the human soul is beautifully inventive. Romantasy fans will enjoy this but those looking for more action might find themselves tuning in and out.

Note: Probably best not to recommend this to those with emetophobia.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

History Smashers: Ancient Egypt

History Smashers: Ancient EgyptHistory Smashers: Ancient Egypt by Kate Messner
Series: History Smashers
Published by Random House on 10/07/2025
ISBN: 0593902335
Genres: History
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Kate Messner is back to smash more myths, this time focusing on ancient Egypt.  This engaging nonfiction book will educate readers on topics like King Tut, mummies, the pyramids, and hieroglyphs.  Readers will learn about ancient Egypt as a whole including what life was like during different time periods under different rulers and how the rulers came to power.  Messner also discusses how different artifacts were discovered and explains why many of the artifacts are in museums outside of Egypt.

This nonfiction book is perfect for elementary students who want to learn about ancient Egypt. Primarily narrative nonfiction, this text is broken up in fun and interesting ways.  There are photographs of ancient artifacts, like the Rosetta Stone and King Tut’s trumpet and some content is in panels like a graphic novel. This book includes a table of contents and an index to help readers quickly find information as well as a timeline and bibliography, perfect for readers learning about nonfiction text features. This book would be a great addition to nonfiction collections in school or public libraries.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

Punch!:A Story About Kindness

Punch!:A Story About KindnessPunch!: A Story About Kindness – A Funny Picture Book About Empathy and Bullying for Kids (Ages 4-8) by Michael Hall
Published by HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks on 2025
ISBN: 0062866214
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Before the story even begins, readers may find themselves wondering why the author titled  a story about kindness, “Punch!” The inside front cover directs the reader to “look at the pictures very carefully” and notes, “Some words have more than one meaning.” The copyright pages shows Badger and Snaily sharing good times in a  series of snapshots .

Badger, the main character, bursts onto the first page of the story, “looking for trouble”, angry and red in the face. Pulling a wagon carrying among other things, a shovel and pitchfork, he  proceeds to physically hurt Elephant, Bear,  Frog and Moose, without provocation or explanation.

The blocky cut out characters on a white background, allow us to focus on the animals’ facial expressions and the undercurrents of what is left unsaid. The friends are understandably bewildered and make a three-part plan to “teach (Badger) a lesson”.

In Part 1, as Badger digs a hole,  Bear approaches  him with “Punch!” (to drink); in Part 2, Badger smooths a pile of dirt and is surprised by Moose and Frog, who give Badger a “Belt!” and “Sock!” (to wear). Part 3 shows Badger placing flowers on a gravestone for his friend Snaily and Elephant “really let(ting) Badger have it” . . . .  a “Slug!” (to care for). Readers will enjoy the way the story plays with the double meaning of the action words that turn into symbols of tenderness and empathy, even as they feel distress at understanding that Snaily has died.

As Badger accepts the compassion his friends are showing him, and allows them to support him in his grief over losing Snaily, something in him loosens and allows Badger to return the kindness.

This would be a positive  story for families to read together to discuss empathy and an  important life lesson:  sometimes we lash out when we’re in pain and friends can choose to respond in kind, or with kindness.  Punch!may  need an immediate second reading for young readers to synthesize the story’s words with its images and message.

Recommended for public school libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

four-stars

The Baby who Stayed Awake Forever

The Baby who Stayed Awake ForeverThe Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever by Sandra Salsbury
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers ISBN: 0593805879
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This  funny, relatable story for families with new babies, is perfect for bedtime. Follow along hour to hour as Mom, Dad and big sis try everything to get the baby to sleep, from good night kisses to pacifiers to cuddles. Nothing works.Even Mr. Neighbor wonders if the baby is going to stay awake forever.

Using humor that older siblings and parents will relate to,  the reader is privvy to baby’s thoughts. Her master plan is to stay awake forever, exploring the wonders of the universe, jumping “fifty times in a row. Or one hundred times. Nobody knows, because babies can’t  count.”

The illustrations are playful and alternate through full-page spreads, vignettes, panels and close-ups of Baby and family as she flings binkies, probes Papa’s face, and revels in her nighttime hijinks.  Baby’s eyes are wide and round as saucers as  everyone else’s eyelids get heavier and heavier.

This would be a delightful addition to a public library collection.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

 

four-stars

The Dysfunctional Family’s Guide to Murder

The Dysfunctional Family’s Guide to MurderThe Dysfunctional Family's Guide to Murder by Kate Emery
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on October 21, 2025 (USA)
Genres: Family, Humor, Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

When Ruth’s step-grandmother is found dead – murdered! – on the very morning that everyone is meant to head home after a long weekend at the remote family ranch, she knows it’s time to turn all her crime-reading hours into crime-solving expertise.

Teaming up with her too-cute-for-comfort and newly sort-of cousin Dylan as the Hastings to her Poirot, Ruth begins her investigation. Of course, the fact that the likely murderer is someone in the house – and therefore family (or family adjacent) is less than ideal. But Ruth doesn’t let that stop her. The real problem, she explains to the reader, is that there will be a second body before the end.

This younger YA/older middle grade Agatha Christie-esque whodunnit set in Western Australia is a lot of fun, and perfect for middle grade readers who enjoy a twisty mystery with an engaging, tell-it-like-it-is heroine. While there are two dead bodies, it avoids any goriness that might put some readers off and (spoiler alert!) in the end it transpires that neither death was actually murder – both were accidental. However, that plot point cleverly unfolds in a way that allows for a happy resolution, without disappointing the reader or feeling anticlimactic.

Highly recommend; an excellent addition to library shelves. 5 stars.

– Jenny Martinez, Maine State Library

five-stars

Where Shadows Bloom

Where Shadows BloomWhere Shadows Bloom by Catherine Bakewell
Published by Harper on February 11, 2025
ISBN: 0063359081
Genres: Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Shadows – deadly monsters that move silently in the night – keep Ofelia little more than a prisoner in her well-guarded home. One of those guards is Lope, who has trained her entire life to be a knight defending Ofelia. Over the years, as their friendship has grown strong, other feelings have grown between them as well, though the difference in their stations prevents Lope from acting on those feelings, and Ofelia from understanding them.

Only the king’s palace offers a safe refuge from the Shadows. Driven by the increasing danger, Ofelia’s mother agrees to go there to ask for shelter for herself and Ofelia. But when she doesn’t return, Ofelia and Lope set out after her. When they arrive, they find her mother has mysteriously disappeared. Revelations unfold; Ofelia learns she is the daughter of the king himself, and he lays claim to her affection while promising her mother is safe. At first she believes him, but Lope, left to her own devices, begins to uncover strange inconsistencies in the king’s highly controlled and madly festive court. The Shadows, she realizes, originate from the palace itself. The king is not the protector of the land, chosen by the will of beneficent gods; he rules because of a deal struck with the Lord of the Underworld and is, in fact, the villain.

Now Lope is trying to protect Ofelia from herself, and the power-hungry king, as well as from the Shadows. Ofelia refuses to believe Lope’s assertion that the king is behind the world’s evil, causing a rift between them. Finally – though now apart – both realize the deadly truth behind the king’s illusions, and that the only way forward is into the underworld, where they might be able to save the other, if not themselves. But a whole new adventure awaits them there, and it is soon clear that sacrificing their lives is not what will change the world above.

Bakewell’s magical, atmospheric novel builds in intensity as the protagonists begin to more deeply understand both the world they exist in, and the depth of their feelings for one another. Unexpected twists allow the reader to get lost in the sometimes dreamy, fairy-tale quality of the story as well as to appreciate the thoughtful world-building and hopeful resolution. Will appeal to readers of sapphic romance, dark-ish fantasy, and satisfying endings.

– Jenny Martinez, Maine State Library

five-stars

Let’s Get Together

Let’s Get TogetherLet’s Get Together by Brandy Colbert
ISBN: 0063092484
Genres: Family
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Let’s Get Together” by Brandy Colbert is a loose retelling of the 1961 film, The Parent Trap. This is mentioned at the end of the book in the Author’s Notes, but it was a joy for this reviewer to figure this out while reading the story. The book, for ages 8-12, tells the story of two 11-year-old identical twin girls, Kenya and Liberty, who reunite after being separated as babies. Kenya Norwood lives with her father and grandmother, while Liberty Perry resides with her new foster mother, Joey. Kenya and Liberty butt heads at school. Kenya enjoys being the center of attention and resents having a look-a-like around.  Kenya’s father takes a paternity test which confirms that Liberty is in fact his missing daughter and Kenya’s twin sister, Kalilah.  They also learn that the twins’ mother is dead.  While Liberty is happy to have found her biological family, she doesn’t want to leave the life she’s built with Joey. So, the girls bond while scheming about ways to get Dad and Joey together.

Kenya is pretty horrible to Liberty for a while, which makes it difficult for the reader to sympathize with her as she learns and processes the truth about her family. Fans of The Parent Trap will definitely appreciate the similarities between the book and that film.

4 stars

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

four-stars

Wednesday Wilson: Looks on the Fright Side

Wednesday Wilson: Looks on the Fright SideWednesday Wilson Looks on the Fright Side (Volume 4) by Bree Galbraith, Morgan Goble
Series: Wednesday Wilson #4
Published by Kids Can Press on 9/2/25
ISBN: 1525311573
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Budding entrepreneur, Wednesday Wilson, is back in this fourth installment.  This time, she is trying to figure out how to encourage people to trick or treat at her house.  The past few years, Wednesday’s two moms have given out weird treats and now no one wants to go to her house.  Wednesday and her friends decide that giving away slime would be perfect because kids will love the free slime and will want to buy more later.  Wednesday is a little sly and throws a Halloween party at a nearby house that some locals believe is haunted, without getting definitive permission.  Even though three mean girls try to ruin the party, the party is a success!

This book is the fourth in a series of early chapter books.  The font is big and there are lots of black and white drawings to break up the text. Wednesday gets herself in and out of trouble, which young readers can relate to.  There is diversity represented in the characters, some described in the text, like Wednesday having two moms, and other examples are evident just in the illustrations.  For example, Wednesday and her friends have different skin colors and a couple of the characters use wheelchairs.  Libraries who have the other books in this series will want to add this Halloween book to their collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Immortal Consequences by I.V. Marie

Immortal Consequences by I.V. MarieImmortal Consequences (The Souls of Blackwood Academy, #1) by I.V. Marie
on July 29, 2025
ISBN: 059389880X
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars

Immortal Consequences is a dark academia fantasy about a group of students in school at a magical academy in the afterlife. Each of them is responsible for finding souls who can’t pass on for some reason and helping them move on to their afterlife. Every ten years there’s a Decennial where a student is chosen to be the next ascended. Ascended students have special magic and help manage the school. However, as the students start the Decennial, it turns into a competition, and the dark secrets of the school and each of the contestants start to come to light.

This book has a lot of elements that other popular YA novels have: a competition, a magical academy, elements of suspense and mystery, alternating points of view, and young adults realizing that they’re actually living in a dystopia. Though this is fantasy, there are plenty of realistic elements — suspense, mystery, friendship and romance dynamics, feeling good enough, etc.—that would appeal to those who don’t love fantasy. A few of the characters are in love with each other, which will appeal to romantasy lovers, but, since it’s not the main storyline, it also won’t deter those who aren’t looking for romance.

This book was solidly four stars for me: Though it was engaging and fast paced in some parts —and I really appreciated the twists and turns, especially the ones I didn’t see coming—some other parts felt slow and over-explained or overly complicated. On the whole, though, this would be a great purchase for any library that serves young adults, particularly those who like romantasy, dark academia, competitions, or alternating points of view.

Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

four-stars

Legendary Frybread Drive-in: Intertribal Stories

Legendary Frybread Drive-in: Intertribal StoriesLegendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories by A.J. Eversole, Andrea L. Rogers, Angeline Boulley, Brian Young, Byron Graves, Cheryl Isaacs, Christine Hartman Derr, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Darcie Little Badger, David Alexander Robertson, Eric Gansworth, Jen Ferguson, K.A. Cobell, Karina Iceberg, Kate Hart, Kaua Māhoe Adams, Marcella Bell
on August 26, 2025
ISBN: 0063314266
Genres: Short Stories
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars

Legendary Frybread Drive-in: Intertribal Stories edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith

This is a series of short stories connected by the location of the frybread drive-in, which seems to have a mystical quality to it — it’s there whenever Indigenous people need it, regardless of the space-time continuum. The stories are well-written and engaging, but it may be hard for some readers to access or stay engaged with, as the stories keep changing. On the other hand, this could be a good fit for a teacher looking for a few short stories or for a student who likes to dip in and out of a book without having to remember earlier parts of the book. 

This was a four-star read for me: The Indigenous representation and authorship are so valuable, and the stories are enjoyable for teens and adults alike — but a collection of short stories often struggles to find an audience, and I think readers, like myself, may struggle to stay engaged with changing characters and plots. This would be a good addition to any library serving readers in grade 8 and above. 

Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

four-stars