Month: March 2026

Run Away With Me

Run Away With MeRun Away with Me by Brian Selznick
on April 1, 2025
ISBN: 1339035529
Genres: LGBTQ+, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars

 

Boy meets boy in 1986 Rome.

While his mom works the summer away as a book conservator, American Danny spends his time exploring the city. Lured by a voice and a hand-drawn map, Danny meets the mysterious Angelo and his world is turned upside down. The two fall for each other quickly, embarking on a whirlwind romance. During their days together, the boys discover various love stories throughout history similar to their own, in eras where such love needed to be secretive but still endured over time.

Selznik’s signature illustrations comprise the first 90 and final 20 pages of the book and are striking as always. Each chapter is a countdown to the end of the summer, when Danny will leave and his relationship with Angelo will have to come to an end, which helps add some urgency to the story. Messages of identity and the timelessness of love, no matter what barriers or struggles exist, abound. The book reads quickly, though the writing is flowery and poetic so it will likely appeal to a specific audience, not necessarily your average YA reader. 

Grades 9 & Up

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York ME

four-stars

Meet me at Blue Hour

Meet me at Blue HourMeet Me at Blue Hour by Sarah Suk
on April 1, 2025
ISBN: 0063255189
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars
Speculative fiction with a bit of romance. 

Told in alternating perspectives, Yena and Lucas have both traveled to South Korea to visit the Sori of Us clinic–Lucas to try to get his grandfather into a trial to help restore his memories lost to his worsening Alzheimer’s, and Yena to connect with her mom, Dr. Bae, the clinic’s founder. This clinic is not only running trials to help restore memories, but it also originally developed the technology to erase unpleasant ones. Once upon a time, Yena and Lucas were best friends. That is, until Lucas moved away and went radio silent. So when the two cross paths at Sori of Us, Yena is shocked to run into the boy she hasn’t heard from in four years, only to find out he has no idea who she is. 

Reminiscent of the movie, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” Meet Me at Blue Hour grapples with the ethics of meddling in memories–those we are hoping to keep and those we want nothing more than to forget. The controversy of erasing and restoring memories will give readers a lot to chew on and make for great group discussions. Throughout the book, we hear from the perspective of a lawn mower, a wind chime, and various other inanimate objects whose sounds were recorded to help erase Lucas’ memories and allow us to learn more about Lucas and Yena’s friendship–a neat storytelling technique. 

Grades 7 & Up

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

The Winter of the Dollhouse

The Winter of the DollhouseThe Winter of the Dollhouse by Laura Amy Schlitz
on September 2, 2025
ISBN: 153623608X
Genres: Magical Realism
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Eleven-year-old Tiphany is enchanted by her town’s dollhouse store and would love to own a small antique doll, named Gretel, for her own. Tiph is longing for a friend and wishes she could feel more at home with her family as she tries to connect with her stepmother and young half-siblings. After helping an old lady named Szilvia from collapsing on the street, she lands a job walking her dog. Come to find out, Szilvia is actually planning to restore an old dollhouse from her childhood. During a visit to the dollhouse store, Tiph shoplifts Gretel while Szilvia purchases another doll named Red, only for Tiph to lose Gretel somewhere in Szilvia’s house. From there, while Tiph holds the guilt of her shoplifting secret and continues to bond with Szilvia, the two dolls hatch their own plans to have the lives they’ve been dreaming of.  

The escapades of Gretel and Red as they try to navigate the human world and find their own fulfillment are endearing. Each doll has its own distinct personality, and the longing to belong and be loved by a child mirrors Tiph’s own desires to be understood and seen. The inclusion of older and younger generations making close connections is lovely, and the development of our flawed main characters is well done. A warm, sweet, emotional story exploring mistakes, forgiveness, loneliness, friendship, and the complexity of family–blended, found, or otherwise. 

Ages 9-12

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

five-stars

Lou with the Band

Lou with the BandLou with the Band by Alexandra Leigh Young
on October 7, 2025
ISBN: 1536230111
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
“Lou with the Band” is a young adult novel by Alexandra Leigh Young. Lou is a recent high school graduate who gets a job working as a roadie for a famous musician along with her uncle. Lou sees this as an opportunity to travel while making money for college and hopefully becoming the person she wants to be. When she gets into a relationship with one of the musicians, things seem great, until the relationship turns toxic and creates even more problems for Lou and her family. A suggested additional purchase for YA collections where realistic fiction is popular.

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

three-stars

The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar

The Golden Boy’s Guide to BipolarThe Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar by Sonora Reyes
on September 16, 2025
ISBN: 0063358409
Genres: Realistic Fiction, LGBTQ+
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
“The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar” is a young adult novel by Sonora Reyes. Cesar is a high school student with plans to get back together with his ex-boyfriend, Jamal. Cesar is going to therapy, taking his medication, and things seem to be going well, until things aren’t anymore. Readers will root for Cesar to come out on top as he deals with his mistakes, made worse by internal Catholic guilt. Lots of difficult topics are handled well (and realistically) by Reyes, including suicidal ideation, sexuality, homophobia, and mental health. I really enjoyed Cesar and Jamal’s characters. A recommended purchase for YA collections, especially those where Reyes’ book “The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School” is popular.

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

four-stars

Exquisite Things

Exquisite ThingsExquisite Things by Abdi Nazemian
on September 23, 2025
ISBN: 0063339684
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, LGBTQ+
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
“Exquisite Things” is a young adult historical romance by Abdi Nazemian. Two gay teens (Shahriar from 1890s London and Oliver from 1920s Boston) meet up and are given eternal youth through a wish. Readers follow as their lives intertwine across decades, dealing with not being accepted (even as the years go by) by society, cruelty, and bleak historical events. The description of real historical events was interesting, but occasionally felt like it slowed the novel down too much. The characters were very believable and I felt invested in their story. An epic historical queer romance, this is a suggested purchase where Nazemian’s books are popular.

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

three-stars

Reasons to Hate Me

Reasons to Hate MeReasons to Hate Me by Susan Metallo
on September 2, 2025
ISBN: 1536240354
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
“Reasons to Hate Me” is a young adult novel by Susan Metallo. Jess is an autistic theater kid who writes a blog to her bullies listing reasons that they should hate her. There is a lot of drama going on in their high school (and not just in theater), relationships, cheating, figuring out sexuality, consent, etc. I enjoyed the neurodiverse representation in the novel, and the constant drama made it a quick read. At times Jess is a bit difficult to like, but she is a well-developed character. An additional purchase where YA realistic fiction is popular.

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

three-stars

The Magician Next Door

The Magician Next DoorThe Magician Next Door by Alice McKinley, Rachel Chivers Khoo
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536241970
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Callie, a ten year old girl, feels homesick and alone in a new house in remote Northern Ireland. Her mother lost a battle to cancer, and her father is burying himself in work. One night, when Callie feels full of despair for her former life, her mother, and friends in London, she discovers a mysterious woman and an upside-down house have appeared in her backyard–but then quickly disappear. What is happening? With the help of her new friend and neighbor, Sam, they help Winnifred Potts set her house right side up again. What Callie doesn’t realize, is that she needs to find her place in the world too. Seems like this is the only the beginning of more adventures in this fantastical Irish landscape.

A sweet chapter book geared towards elementary readers. Slim, with wondrous illustrations and lovely British sayings. Would definitely recommend this for introductory fantasy readers. Ages 7+

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Gray Squirrel Loses It!

Gray Squirrel Loses It!Gray Squirrel Loses It! by Cassandra Federman
on October 21, 2025
ISBN: 059389748X
Genres: Animals, Humor, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
Calling all squirrel enthusiasts! This picture book really captures the squirrelly nature of these acorn-loving creatures. Grayson T. Squirrel interrupts the narrator’s tour of the temperature deciduous forest because he has an emergency: he has lost his nut. Though the narrator tries to move on, Gray Squirrel rudely will not stop until his acorn is found. Will our forgetful squirrel learn his lesson?

Lots of speech bubbles and exclamations makes this a fan favorite among books like The Pigeon or Mother Bruce. Pre-K – Upper Elementary is the right age group.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave

Mystery James Digs Her Own GraveMystery James Digs Her Own Grave by Ally Russell
Published by Delacorte Press on September 16, 2025
ISBN: 0593896912
Genres: Horror, Supernatural
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Mystery James is 13, very smart, fond of spiders, and devoted to Tía Lucy, who found Mystery as an infant and has been caring for her ever since. Tía Lucy runs a funeral home, which Mystery helps her with, and after a cherished heirloom goes missing from a recently buried prominent town member, the future of the funeral home, and Mystery’s relationship with Tía Lucy, is threatened. Fortunately, Mystery has her wits, her best friend Garrett, and a spider named Coffin who lives in her hair to help her find out what happened to the heirloom, and how to clear her aunt’s name. Easier said than done, since Mystery soon discovers an elaborate plan to keep a malevolent spirit attached to a cemetery that has failed due to the grave robbing her aunt has been blamed for. Mystery finds herself wrestling some complicated emotions in a Faustian bargain that will solve her aunt’s trouble, but will allow a truly despicable, vampiric menace to escape its eternal entrapment.

With the exception of the vampire and his familiar, the grave robber, everyone in this book is so relatable and reasonable; Mystery is a wonderful kid, torn between some hideous choices and the chance to do right by her Tía Lucy. This is a step up in scares from many other middle grade horror titles, and will be a great transition into scarier YA books. Readers will be left wanting more, and as luck would have it, they’ll be able to get it with the sequel being released later this year.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars