Category: Book Reviews

Monster, Monarch, Maiden

Monster, Monarch, MaidenMonster, Monarch, Maiden by Rae Carson
Published by Greenwillow Books on August 25, 2026
ISBN: 9780063244207
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Since BookTok (re)discovered titles like  A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Cruel Prince, and Fourth Wing, it seems everywhere you turn there’s a new enemies-to-lovers romantasy with bad men and the morally dubious women who fall in love with them. And, while there’s always space for those stories, it makes this one—the story of two people who show a genuine kindness and consideration for each other and those around them—refreshing by contrast.

The cast of this novel is very small with most of the time spent between the two love interest protagonists. Our main character, Bria, is a hardworking innkeeper’s daughter. She’s been gifted the power of turning things cold. Titus, a prince on both sides of his family, has two royal gifts: transformation into an ice cat, and healing. The two of them meet after Titus frees Bria from enslavement and she, determined to survive in the wilderness, pledges herself to his service. The two of them slowly learn to trust each other as they make their way to the royal city to complete Titus’s closely guarded quest. Lengthy conversations lead to Titus and Bria’s slow burn romance feeling deeply earned.

The world around them is dark and at times gruesome, but Titus and Bria hold onto optimism that they can make it a better place. The contrast makes the story feel grounded, not trite. There are quite a few genre staples packed in here, including “there’s only one bed” and a fantasy ball, but it’s overall tame (they only share a couple kisses, nothing more). The plot starts to feel a bit rushed in the back half, but ends with a good payoff. I hope Carson will reconsider making this a standalone story, but I’m sure if she doesn’t there will be plenty of fanfiction.

A novel with a big heart, perfect for readers of romantasy who are looking for a story where the guy is nice to the girl for a change. Recommended for grades 9+.

Four stars.

Reviewed by Kristin Arsenault, Mountain Valley High School, Rumford.

four-stars

Saguaro

SaguaroSaguaro by Gaby D'Alessandro, Laekan Zea Kemp
Published by Neal Porter Books on 10/13/26
ISBN: 0823459748
Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this picture book, Abuelo teaches a boy about the miracle of the saguaro cactus, the giants on the family ranch that started as a small seed.  Readers are transported to the desert by the prominently peach and pink digital illustrations, the intermittent use of Spanish words, and the mixture of folklore and scientific facts about the saguaro cactus.  As Abuelo shares interesting facts about the saguaro, the unnamed boy starts to understand the connection he has with his family through these plants that have seen multiple generations.  Just like the cactus, the boy and his family have been on this land for a long time and are continuing to grow and thrive.  Backmatter includes more information about the saguaro cactus, including the importance to the local indigenous people.  This book would be a great addition to any library serving elementary students, as it offers a glimpse into the beliefs of those living in the Sonoran Desert as well as cool facts about the saguaro kids will enjoy learning.  This book is also available in Spanish.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Tu Caballo

Tu CaballoTu caballo: (Un libro de cartón con ilustraciones minimalistas que explora la imaginación, la amistad y el compañerismo para niños de 2 a 5 años) (Tus Cosas) (Spanish Edition) by Jon Klassen
ISBN: 1536255351
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Tu Caballo” is the Spanish translation of the board book “Your Horse” by Jon Klassen, translated by Ana Izquierdo. The narrator of this board book tells you about your horse, What color it is, or could be, what horses can do, and how you can tell them a secret and they won’t tell anyone. This funny book with simple art has a lot of text and is definitely funnier for adults, but kids old enough to think about how silly it is for horses to keep secrets will laugh. A suggested purchase for Spanish board book collections.

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

four-stars

Mira a la gata

Mira a la gataMira a la gata: Tres historias acerca de un perro: (Un libro divertido para lectores principiantes y niños de 4 a 8 años) (See the Cat) (Spanish Edition) by David LaRochelle, Mike Wohnoutka
on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 1536255297
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Mira a la gata” is the Spanish translation of “See the cat” written by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka, translated by Melanie Cordova. This book is aimed at ages 4-6. A dog breaks the fourth wall by reading the titles and text in the book that they are in. When they see that the book is supposed to be about a cat, they are confused and get angry. While some pages have few words, others have quite a few, so this is not a great choice for a beginning reading without adult help, but it is extremely funny and the illustrations are bright and humorous. A recommended purchase for Spanish language collections for children.

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

four-stars

Rebel Heiress

Rebel HeiressRebel Heiress (The Diamonds Book 3) by Amalie Howard
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

It’s her fourth season in the ton, and Lady Rosalin Chen has no interest in a love match anytime soon. She would rather focus on intellectual pursuits than finding a suitable suitor. So, when her cousin goes on a tour across Europe, Rosalin schemes the perfect plan and takes his place as a student at Cambridge University. How hard is it to really be a gentleman? And what happens when she finally finds a suitable suitor…while in disguise?

Rebel Heiress is a YA historical romance by Amalie Howard. It’s an entertaining read, but it also explores the realities of classism and sexism in the Regency era. This makes Rosalin easy to root for given the circumstances. Her friendships, especially with the Cambridge boys, are one of the book’s best parts. The romance is good, but not trailblazing. Because of how the plot is set up in the beginning, all that matters is Rosalin finding someone at her level, and not her partner’s character. So, it was nice that she found someone who was her equal and was also not in the ton. Fixing the plot’s inconsistent pacing could help with this issue.

That said, Rebel Heiress would be a great recommendation for Bridgerton fans. Recommended for Grade 7 and up.

Reviewed by Kristen Simmons, Medomak Valley High School

three-stars

Rolls and Rivalry

Rolls and RivalryRolls and Rivalry (Gaming and Romance, #3) by Kristy Boyce
on May 5, 2026
ISBN: 0593899229
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

It’s Hazel Buchanan’s senior year, and she has plans: lead her color guard team to superior ranking, win the MVP award, and even start her first Dungeons and Dragons game. But when her childhood best friend, Max, transfers back to her school, her plans quickly come crashing down. They quickly begin a rivalry when Max joins the drum section in the marching band. Their overbearing parents even coerce Max into Hazel’s D&D game. Will the game bring them closer together? And will their rivalry turn into something more?

Rolls and Rivalry by Kristy Boyce is a cute rom-com that’s easy to read and perfect for reading slumps. It’s very relatable to teens as it embodies the high school experience. From teenage angst to complicated relationships, this story has realistic and multidimensional characters who are likeable. Hazel especially goes through a lot of character growth as the protagonist. Watching her journey from becoming a strict perfectionist to an empathetic friend is incredibly gratifying as the reader. Of course, Rolls and Rivalry is a romance at its core. And, there’s no doubt that Hazel and Max’s enemies-to-lovers romance brings butterflies to your stomach. But, Rolls and Rivalry is also a coming of age story. That’s what makes it special and worth putting on the shelves. Recommended for Grade 7 and up.

Reviewed by Kristen Simmons, Medomak Valley High School

 

four-stars

Science Encyclopedia: Atom Smashing, Food Chemistry, Animals, Space, and More!

Science Encyclopedia: Atom Smashing, Food Chemistry, Animals, Space, and More!National Geographic Kids Science Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition: Atom Smashing, Food Chemistry, Animals, Space, and More! (NGK Encyclopedias) by National Geographic Kids
Published by National Geographic Kids on 8/11/26
ISBN: 9798217224845
Genres: STEM
Format: Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Upper elementary and middle school science fans will love National Geographic’s Science Encyclopedia.  It is full of experiments kids can do with materials on hand, interesting photographs and diagrams, and information about real scientists who contributed to the topic being discussed.  The encyclopedia is organized into topics related to physical science, space and earth sciences, or life science and includes sections on forces and machines, the universe, and the human body.  Each page is a little different, but they all include a brief explanation of the topic, photographs, and colorful text boxes.  Some include jokes, experiments, and definitions of important words.  While this encyclopedia doesn’t go into great detail, it does provide enough information to explain how or why things work and would be a good jumping off point for kids to read further on topics they find interesting.  Nonfiction features include a table of contents, index, and thorough glossary.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Shadow Reaper

Shadow ReaperShadow Reaper by Lynette Noni
Series: Shadow Reaper #1
Published by Penguin Random House on 2026
ISBN: 979-8-217-0334504
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Goodreads
five-stars

In Aravell, children turning fourteen sacrifice their magic to the Obelisks, towers that keep the deadly blackmist away.  Reapers steal their magic, and hunters try to stop them. Seventeen year old Viridia is a talented hunter whose parents were murdered by the Reaper Priest seven years ago.  To make matters worse, her brother Braeden and best friend Reeve became reapers that day.  When Reeve is arrested, Viridia uncovers a sinister plot to destroy the Obelisks that involves stealing children. She breaks Reeve out of jail and joins a crew of Reapers working to stop the Reaper Priest before that happens.  Viridia begins to remember hidden memories of the day her parents died that turns her life upside down.  Will she and Reeve manage to save the children and all of Aravell?  

This is the first in a duology and ends on a major cliffhanger. The book is a romantasy but skews more toward fantasy. It is clear that Viridia and Reeve are fated to be together, but that is not the main focus of the book. Their stories intertwine in a shocking plot twist that kept me reading more. Sleep was lost. The supporting characters are just as compelling and interesting as the main characters. This copy includes a beautiful map as well. 

Reviewed by Jaime Beal, RSU 40

five-stars

The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten

The Day My Mom Came to KindergartenThe Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten by Maureen Fergus, Mike Lowery
on March 1, 2013
ISBN: 152531565X
Genres: School, Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

This is a paperback reissue of a 2013 title. A humorous spin on the important social emotional learning that happens in kindergarten. Our narrator is a kindergartener who loves school, but things take a zany turn when she invites her mom to join her in the classroom for the day. And while you might think that a kindergarten alum like a mom would know just how to behave, it turns out that this mom has forgotten the basics: she speaks out of turn, cuts in line, and runs inside in her outdoor shoes, among other embarrassing transgressions. Our narrator is horrified, but gentle in her corrections of Mom’s behavior: “I’m sorry, Mom, but…” or “Don’t worry. Everyone makes mistakes at first.” After a quick check in with her teacher, the two decide to give Mom a bit more time to get used to the kindergarten rules, and she does make some improvements by the end of the day. Ultimately, though, Mom decides to stick to a job that plays to her strengths. Our narrator has a kind suggestion: “you’re really good at being a mom, Mom.” Lowery’s child-like illustrations amplify the humor, and select typography emphasizes Mom’s wrongdoings. VERY EMBARRASSING! A fun Freaky Friday where the kid gently and kindly guides the parent through their misbehavior. Main characters read as white.

Reviewed by Carolyn Gallmeyer, Lithgow Public Library, Augusta

Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Graphic Novel: Titanic

Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Graphic Novel: TitanicMagic Tree House Fact Tracker Graphic Novel: Titanic by Jomike Tejido, Mary Pope Osborne, Meika Hashimoto
ISBN: 0593705920
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Graphic Novel: Titanic

Young readers in grades 2 through 5 (possibly even older depending on level and interest), especially those who like graphic novels, will love this one! Even many adults will learn a thing or two about the Titanic through this engaging graphic novel. Readers will appreciate how the author takes us through the events before, during, and after the Titanic’s voyage and sinking. Readers will love how the illustrations help them further understand the text and give them a sense of how grandiose everything about the ship was. Teachers will appreciate that larger vocabulary words are defined, making the text more accessible and educational for students. Librarians will appreciate that, like the other books in the series, readers are encouraged to learn more about the book’s topic and consult a library and librarian for help with further research. Any reader who appreciates learning about history, non-fiction, graphic novels, or books about the Titanic will absolutely love this one. Strongly recommended for libraries serving elementary-aged readers or those with a particular interest in the Titanic. This was a four-star read for me.

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

four-stars