Category: Book Reviews

Adam, Mine

Adam, MineAdam, Mine. by K. Ancrum
on September 8, 2026
ISBN: 0063449021
Pages: 378
Goodreads

When a schoolyard bet turns into a kidnapping, Victor Frankenstein goes on the run, hoping to undo a terrible curse before his creation catches up to enact his revenge. This dual-perspective reimagining of the beloved classic takes readers on a whirlwind tour of Victorian Europe through the minds of two broken boys.

Adam, Mine is a powerful love letter to the readers and the original story by Mary Shelley, full of tender and brutal moments. Filled with commentary on the consequences of your own actions, the pressures of family and peers, and the impact of showing a little empathy. Moral ambiguity and queer representation take center stage only to rip the reader’s beating heart out in a show of love & devotion. From the start, the ending is clear, but with each train ride to a new location, readers hope for redemption for everyone. This bittersweet tale acts as a love letter to a classic and a break-up letter to the reader.

The only deterrent for readers would be the occasional vivid description of body horror on mutilation and medical procedures. However, what horror story is complete without a lasting discomfort lodged deep in the heart of readers? It is something to be aware of so as not to be taken aback during the story. It does not occupy the majority of the story, but merely drives home the horror of Victor’s selfish choices and the direct consequences of his actions. 

Let this story be a warning to the curious mind. It is healthy to challenge the status quo. While our actions may not rise and chase us down, that does not mean they are without the power to slowly strip away our humanity, leaving us as a brittle shell of the person we once were.

Reviewed by Antyna Gilbert, Medomak Middle School.

There Are Ghosts Here by Adrienne Tooley

There Are Ghosts Here by Adrienne TooleyThere Are Ghosts Here by Adrienne Tooley
on August 11, 2026
Genres: Grief, Mystery, Supernatural
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
three-stars

There Are Ghosts Here by Adrienne Tooley is an atmospheric, gothic mystery with a great message, but its slow plot holds it back. The main character, Willa, is a troubled teen who arrives at Dorsey House with nothing but vague memories of a fire and the impression that she was sent away for starting it. With the two other girls in the house, Caroline and Ivy, she tries to solve the mystery of Dorsey House. Why are they there? Why can’t they remember? And most importantly, how do they get back home? Dorsey House is described in classic gothic fashion. It’s an old mansion on a tall sea cliff surrounded by fog. The house’s caretakers, The Dorsey’s, are a secretive elderly couple who make the girls do chores when they are not in Margaret’s odd “therapy” sessions which send the girls into flashbacks with a touch of her hands. Willa begins seeing the ghost of a drowned woman in these sessions and believes that she is being haunted by her.

Tooley’s flowery writing will make or break the reader’s experience. Willa describes her relationship with Caroline and Ivy as “a triangle, it is an isosceles – their two sides of equal length, mine a diminutive third”, frequent metaphors paired with long descriptions of the house and grounds adds to the slowness of the story. The mystery is stretched over so much of the plot that readers may feel underwhelmed with the big reveal. The overarching idea of Dorsey House as a place for girls to make peace with their past traumas is effective. But the methods of memory recovery and acceptance, like therapy and journaling, are obvious and aren’t respected by the characters in the story.

The stunning cover art will probably get readers interested, but 257 pages for a simple metaphor for trauma and recovery may be a big ask for readers who don’t already love gothic literature.

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

three-stars

Starman: The Cosmic Voyage of David Bowie

Starman: The Cosmic Voyage of David BowieStarman: The Cosmic Voyage of David Bowie by Matthew Cordell
Published by Neal Porter Books on September 1, 2026
ISBN: 0823451550
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Cordell’s talent as a Caldecott Medalist is evident in this creative biography about an iconic pop star. Rather than stating facts about Bowie’s life, Bowie is depicted as a traveller journeying through space to discover who he is meant to be. Each place he ‘lands’ is a new phase in his musical career with a new alter ego, beginning with his blastoff as Major Tom and ending with him returning to the stars after he passed away. The story narrative mixes traditional prose with poetic line breaks and indentations at certain points. Though it is a non-fiction biography, the creative narrative structure reads like a fantasy or science fiction adventure.  

As someone who is vaguely familiar with Bowie’s discography, I found this to be a good introduction to his artistry, both for adults as well as children. Fans of Bowie will love the frequent song references. Some figurative language may go over some younger readers’ heads, which is why this is ideal for an upper elementary school or lower middle school age group. 

As stated on the verso page, the art is “created in the same spirit that Bowie created—in lots of different ways” using various mediums to achieve different visual effects and evoke different moods. At times the illustrations are sketchy and cartoonish, but vibrantly colored. In other sections, the pictures are flat, monochromatic, and dismal. All of the art flows well with the text and will keep readers engaged. 

The ending of the story asks the reader a question: “who are you?” It is not just for a name, but they are as a person. What will they aspire to? Will they reach for the stars as David Bowie did? Cordell leaves the reader with a Beginner Bowie Playlist to inspire the next generation of innovators and artists. There are many unique elements to this biography, making it a wonderful selection for a children’s/youth library collection! 

Reviewed by Jada Gastia, Williams Elementary School, RSU #18

five-stars

The Moonlit Spiral

The Moonlit SpiralThe Moonlit Spiral: A Graphic Novel (A Fantasy Adventure About Treasure Hunting, Magic, Friendship, and Family for Kids Ages 8-12) by Mike Maihack
Published by Candlewick Press on October 6, 2026
ISBN: 1536224480
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

An emotional cold open  leads to an absolutely delightful fantasy adventure in this middle grade to teen graphic novel. Rion, who is an adventure skeptic, and his friend Zyla, an adventure enthusiast, are thrust into a quest led by a journal written by Rion’s late parents. Joined by an inquisitive fox creature posing as a human named Quill, and making friends along the way like the adorable glob critter Mango, the friends explore and trek their way into a deeper understanding of Rion’s family history.

Fun, engaging, and all-around nice, this will be a hit with those who have aged out of the Hilda series or who enjoy classic adventure literature. The creatures are endearing (those illuminating blume snails!), and the entire tone is gentle thanks to some redemptive character arcs. This is an easy recommendation for all age groups.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Stone by Stone

Stone by StoneStone by Stone: A Rock's Journey Through Time by Melissa Koch, Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Published by Holiday House ISBN: 0823456730
Genres: Nature
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This thoughtful picture book examines the rocks around us and asks us to consider the lifetimes they have been through. Told in short, rhythmic bursts, it looks at the various possibilities of how a stone might have contributed to human civilization through structures or art. The watercolor illustrations are peaceful and flowing, almost quilt-like at times, and help turn this into what might be a surprising yet effective bedtime story. Back matter includes information about stones and a brief description of the structures shown in the book. This will appeal to elementary aged fans of both fiction and nonfiction.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

five-stars

Los Momokis En La Nieve – The Smushkins In The Snow

Los Momokis En La Nieve – The Smushkins In The SnowLos Momokis en la nieve (Spanish Edition) by Claudia Rueda
ISBN: 1536255289
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Smushkins in the snow” or the Spanish version “Los Momokis en la nieve” by Claudia Rueda features the Smushkins/Momokis having silly fun in the snow. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and funny, and the book is well-made. You do not have to be familiar with the characters to enjoy the book. A good additional purchase for board book collections, especially for places that get snow!

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

four-stars

The Brunch Shift

The Brunch ShiftThe Brunch Shift by Adrienne Thurman, Mags DeRoma
ISBN: 0593808177
Genres: Family Life
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Saturdays may evoke warm thoughts of sleeping in, playing with friends, relaxing… but not for our protagonist. She tags along every week with her mother, who “can’t afford to miss” working the brunch shift. We follow the unnamed narrator as she and Mama take the early morning crosstown bus, spend the day at the diner, run an errand, and make their way back home after a long day. At the diner they are overseen by Mr. Wong, who is neither a complete villain nor an ally, interrupting fun to keep Mama on task, but also slipping our narrator a stack of blueberry pancakes “just the way I like it.” Throughout the day, Mama leans into imaginative play, teeing the pair up to be brave knights on the bus, art detectives catching thieves at break time, gold miners while doing dishes, Olympic sprinters rushing to the bank after work, and astronauts getting a rocket fuel snack on the way home. Despite all the fun that Mama creates, our protagonist ends the day tired and wishing that she could have “somebody else’s Saturday.” But Mama has one last surprise on the way home to make this day feel special.

Mags DeRoma’s mixed media illustrations have a childlike quality that the effectively parallel the mix of imagination and realism in Thurman’s text. Both visually and thematically, this would be a great pair with Oge Mora’s Saturday, another story of the precious time a daughter and her working mother share.

Reviewed by Carolyn Gallmeyer, Lithgow Public Library, Augusta ME

three-stars

Homesick

HomesickHomesick by Audrey Vernick, Daniel Miyares, Liz Garton Scanlon
ISBN: 0823457141
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Family Life
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

With School’s First Day of School (2016), Adam Rex and Christian Robinson helped readers to see a new experience through the eyes of a building. Liz Garton Scanlon, Audrey Vernick, and Daniel Miyares take up this theme in Homesick and allow readers to see: just as you might miss your house when you’re away, your home misses you.

We open on Poppy, a girl who is zooming with excitement over her upcoming first sleepover at her grandparents’ house. Juxtaposing this warm first illustration of Poppy is a stark counterpoint: the cool colors and remove of Home, who is not looking forward to this separation and the quiet that Poppy’s absence will bring. As we see Poppy leave home and enjoy the adventure of a sleepover, Home is given equal consideration, and we learn how forlorn, “almost… sick” Home is without Poppy. Waking up in a new place, Poppy starts to share Home’s sickness, until grandma reminds her that Home is waiting for her while she has adventures. “Poppy thought she’d better have some adventures then.” The sleepover is a success, and the reunion of Poppy and Home is sweet.

The real star of the show are Miyares’ illustrations, created with gouache and ink on paper, with warm yellows and oranges capturing the excitement of Poppy, and cool blues showing the corresponding emotional state of Home. Miyares makes great use of these simple color palates and of white space to show the discrepancies in experience of our two main characters, but also ways in which emotions are blended, combine, and ultimately shift. A fresh take on a first sleepover, with ample visual treats to explore.

Reviewed by Carolyn Gallmeyer, Lithgow Public Library, Augusta ME

four-stars

What Lies Beneath the Flowers

What Lies Beneath the FlowersWhat Lies Beneath the Flowers by Natasha Diaz
on July 14, 2026
ISBN: 0593124340
Genres: Mystery
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“What Lies Beneath the Flowers” is a young adult mystery by Natasha Diaz. This is a feminist remix of Dickens’ “Great Expectations.” Juniors Pippa and Bidi are sucked into a mystery when Pippa sees popular student Estella get kidnapped. A fast-paced thriller that confronts gentrification, racial inequities, and more. The book skips back and forth in time and between narrators. Readers will enjoy the surprise twists and turns. A suggested purchase for YA collections.

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

three-stars

Insatiable

InsatiableInsatiable by Erica Ridley
Published by Delacorte Press Genres: Horror
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars

After mischievous faeries grant a wish carelessly spoken aloud by Catriona’s brother, Catriona is granted admission to Floodbane Academy, a traditionally all-male school. Eager to leave her stifling home, Catriona moves in with five other female students who have also been newly accepted, and the six commit to their studies while suffering some truly reprehensible behavior exhibited toward them by both students and staff. Catriona is singled out and assaulted while some cruel wishes are uttered by her attackers, and once again, the faeries oblige, this time turning Catriona into a baobhan sith, a frightening Scottish Highland creature that is part faery witch, part vampire. Absolute carnage ensues.

Earning a firm spot in the growing list of the “Good For Her” horror subgenre, Insatiable is a gore-filled exploration of revenge and the network required to stand against the oppression that threatens to diminish women’s lives and desires. A solid YA recommendation for Gaelic folklore fans with stomachs strong enough to handle the numerous—and detailed—mutilations.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars