Month: March 2026

Animal Heroes: Supersquads!

Animal Heroes: Supersquads!Supersquads!: Animal Heroes by Heather Lang, Jamie Harper
ISBN: 1536217980
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is the latest in the series after the popular Super Moms and Super Dads books. In this one, we get to see how groups of animals (or squads) work together and use skills like communication to accomplish super things. The illustrations are stunning and engaging, just like the other books in the series, and the information is high-quality, engaging, accessible, and humorous. This will be a great fit for readers in grades K-4 and could apply to upper grades as a model for writing engaging non-fiction or sharing information about animals or other research topics. I would strongly recommend adding it to any collection that serves elementary-aged readers. This was a five-star read for me.  Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

five-stars

How to Hatch: A Gosling’s Guide to Breaking Free

How to Hatch: A Gosling’s Guide to Breaking FreeHow to Hatch: A Gosling's Guide to Breaking Free by Galia Bernstein, Sara Holly Ackerman
ISBN: 0593811062
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

How to Hatch: A Gosling’s Guide to Breaking Free by Sarah Holly Ackerman

How to Hatch is about the hatching process for goslings and balances scientific facts with beautiful and engaging pictures and manageable chunks of the process. Readers will appreciate learning about the process while also getting an inside peek into the inside of the shell. This would pair especially well with a biology unit, a unit on animals, or as a model for engaging non-fiction. This is a must-have book for libraries serving readers in grades 1-5 and is a five-star read for me.  Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

five-stars

To Walk the Sky

To Walk the SkyTo Walk the Sky: How Iroquois Steelworkers Helped Build Towering Cities – A Beautifully Illustrated History of Mohawk Skywalkers and Their Legacy by E B Lewis, Patricia Morris Buckley
on January 28, 2025
ISBN: 0063046970
Genres: Cultural / Native American, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Native Americans are widely known for their powerful connection to the Earth, however, this book sheds light on a different skill; their historical connection to the sky, and the man-made, steel structures that stretch up to meet it.

The book takes us through the history of a land deal made between the Mohawk tribe and the Dominion Bridge Company in exchange for the opportunity for Mohawk Natives to take jobs working for them. To the construction bosses’ surprise, the Mohawk Natives appeared comfortable atop the tallest beams and even delighted moving among them like tightrope walkers. These daredevils became famously known as Skywalkers.

This picture book is an important homage to the Skywalkers and the pride in their unique ability to defy gravity. It includes the devastating collapse of the Quebec Bridge in 1907 and the tragedy of the Twin Towers in NYC. These tragedies did not defeat their passion to walk among the clouds and we have a long list of important structures throughout the United States that are still standing strong and continue to be built today. E.B. Lewis’ watercolor illustrations add to the beauty of the book’s message. A great addition to any library’s non-fiction section. Recommended for ages 6-12

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

four-stars

Your Crown Shines

Your Crown ShinesYour Crown Shines: For Ketanji Brown Jackson and You – A Poetic Love Letter and Picture Book Celebrating Black Women Pioneers by Dare Coulter, Jessica Care Moore
ISBN: 0063311399
Genres: Inspiration, Biography/Autobiography, Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Biographical/inspirational picture book, Your Crown Shines: for Ketanji Brown Jackson and You, by jessica Care moore, lights a fire under girls of color to dream big and reach high. We are reminded that “Being the first isn’t the easiest thing to do when there is no one else who looks like you.” True enough, but while the message is a crucial one, the text falls short of the glory the author wishes to convey upon Ketanji Brown Jackson. Some pages rhyme, some are free verse, and some prose, leaving the reader a bit uncertain on how to read each page. The illustrations are vibrant, featuring a young KBJ interacting with her family, her heroes, and lots of books. Most of the pictures include an element of text from the body of KBJ’s work in the Supreme Court, which is a nice touch.
The text and style of the book suggest it’s meant for ages 4-8, but they may need a brief explanation of KBJ’s accomplishments for the connection between “Ketanji Brown Jackson and You” to make sense to that age group. School and classroom libraries might consider adding it to their collections, especially for units focusing on the accomplishments of BIPOC, women, and others overcoming obstacles to achieve amazing things.
Reviewed by Beth Almquist, Lewiston Public Library
three-stars

Twin Tides

Twin TidesTwin Tides by Hien Nguyen
on December 9, 2025
Genres: Horror, Mystery
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
three-stars

Vietnamese-American 18-year-old identical twins Caliste and Aria are completely unaware of each other’s existence. Unfortunately, they are brought together under tragic circumstances–identifying the body of their mother, who disappeared 14 years ago. Caliste and Aria get swept up in a tangled web of family secrets, betrayal, and generational trauma as they seek to solve the mystery of their mother’s death.

The story starts out strong with a promising premise and interesting main characters, including a river ghost bent on seeking vengeance against nefarious men. However, the dimension of said ghoul ends up falling flat, which pulls away a piece of the story’s tension. The dynamic between Caliste and Aria is sweet, although a little unrealistic–they trust and rely on each other quite quickly. There are also some unfinished and rushed plot points that I wish had been fully realized. However, the glimpse into Vietnamese culture and the immigration experience, in particular stemming from the Vietnam War, is appreciated and well done. The character development of Caliste and Aria overall is solid, and there are some genuinely chilling moments, which may be enough for mystery/horror fans to see past the book’s flaws. 

Grades 8 & up

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

three-stars

The Summer I Remembered Everything

The Summer I Remembered EverythingThe Summer I Remembered Everything by Catherine Con Morse
ISBN: 0593711424
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
three-stars

After being grounded for the summer for a bad grade, Emily Chen-Sanchez is not sure how she is going to survive, considering her best friend Heather is overseas, and she hasn’t spoken to her other best friend Matt in two weeks. Add in her mother’s thyroid cancer diagnosis and the fact that she can never live up to the standard set by her older sister, Emily is desperate to get out of the house. So when she sees a job posting to be a companion to an elderly woman, Emily jumps at the chance. The only problem is that Mrs. Granucci is showing signs of Alzheimers. When she accuses Emily of stealing a piece of jewelry, everything changes. 

Emily’s struggle to feel at home with her overbearing family and a sister who can do no wrong will be relatable to many teens. Undoubtedly, seeing an older person succumb to the tragedy of Alzheimer’s will be a scenario readers may be familiar with. Emily’s decision to reach out to Mrs. Granucci’s family about her illness, even though she promised not to, reminds teens that sometimes doing the hard thing is the right thing in the end. A gentle coming-of-age story with Asian-Latine representation. 

Grades 7 & up

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School. York

 

three-stars

Rica Baptista: The Box of Possibilities

Rica Baptista: The Box of PossibilitiesRica Baptista: The Box of Possibilities by Gladys Jose, Janet Costa Bates
Series: Rica Baptista #3
Published by Candlewick Press on 11/11/25
ISBN: 1536227676
Genres: Family, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
Rica Baptista is back and this time, she and her friend Laini, are impatient to find out what’s in the box that Uncle Moose sent.  Their imaginations run wild, with creative ideas like a polka dotted unicorn, lava from an erupted volcano, and a variety of superpowers.  While the girls imagine endless possibilities, Rica worries about her cousin, Serenity, who is staying with them.  Serenity’s brothers are camping with their dad, and Serenity is feeling left out.  Rica and Laini try to cheer her up with their antics and by just being there for her.  At the end of the story, Uncle Moose returns from his vacation in Cape Verde and reveals what’s in the box and Serenity’s dad clears up a miscommunication with Serenity and she returns to normal.  There is a big porch party, celebrating being together as a family.

This book is part of a series but would work as a standalone.  It is ideal for newer readers to chapter books.  The font is big and there is a lot of space between the lines.  Some pages are full text, but others include black and white drawings.  The story doesn’t have a lot of action, but young readers will still enjoy the balance of silliness with more serious topics like Serenity’s feelings.  Rica’s family is black and that is evident in the illustrations and Cape Verdean culture is mentioned, especially in relation to a meal that is served.  Serenity’s parents are divorced, but Serenity’s dad is still a welcome part of the porch party at the end of the book.  There is a religious component as Rica writes a couple of letters to God.  This is not overly done in any way and is more just a mechanism for readers to learn Rica’s inner thoughts.  This would be a good addition to a library looking for early chapter books with diverse characters and experiences.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

All the Way Around the Sun

All the Way Around the SunAll the Way Around the Sun by XiXi Tian
on September 30, 2025
ISBN: 0063086077
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
“All the Way Around the Sun” is a young adult realistic fiction novel by Xixi Tian. The book follows Stella Chen as she looks at colleges. Her brother passed away unexpectedly while at college months ago and she is still grieving. Her parents need to go to China to help family, so Stella visits the colleges with her ex-best friend, Alan. The book switches in timelines between Stella’s years with her Nai Nai and brother and her life now. Tian handles the high emotional stakes in this coming-of-age story deftly, dealing with family dynamics, identity, and grief. A suggested purchase for YA collections.

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

four-stars

The Princess Swap: Rapunzel and the Sea Witch or The Little Mermaid and the Tower

The Princess Swap: Rapunzel and the Sea Witch or The Little Mermaid and the TowerRapunzel and the Sea Witch (or, The Little Mermaid and the Tower) (The Princess Swap #3) by Kim Bussing
Series: Princess Swap #3
Published by Random House on 11/11/25
ISBN: 0593708113
Genres: Adventure, Fairy Tale
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
In this third installment of the Princess Swap Series, Rapunzel and the Little Mermaid switch places.  Before being swapped, both princesses felt trapped. Rapunzel was forced by her mother to stay in a locked tower and Hana, the Little Mermaid, felt a pull towards land and humans and felt trapped by being in the ocean all of the time.  Now that their locations have been switched around, both princesses find themselves in danger.  There are evil forces trying to gain control of the merpeople and war looms over land and sea.  Rapunzel and Hana, along with their friends, put their lives on the line to confront the dangerous people with bad intentions.

This story is great for elementary readers who like fairytale mashups with a little bit of adventure.  There is a lot of action in this novel and readers will no doubt want to see how these characters get themselves out of trouble.  The two princesses learn about the power of their magic, but more importantly, they discover the power of their voices and their ability to make their own decisions.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

The Obsession

The ObsessionThe Obsession by Natasha Preston
Published by Delacorte Press on December 2, 2025
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
two-stars
Though a widely popular author of teen thrillers, Preston’s latest may ultimately be a hard sell due to its predictable plot and unlikeable main character. 

Connie is tired of constantly living under a magnifying glass, as the daughter of a popular family vlogger who spares no detail: no matter how personal. But what happens when those eagerly watching her move from online to in real life? 

This book has a promising premise of addressing the dangers of having your entire life online. However, the main character is painfully oblivious in a way that can frustrate the reader and make the “plot twist” no surprise at all. It is definitely still a fast-paced book that will entice readers initially, but overall if you’re on a tight budget there are better thrillers for young adults out there. 

Reviewed by Hannah Doktor, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

two-stars