Category: Book Reviews

The Doll House

The Doll HouseThe Doll House by D.W. Gillespie
Published by Delacorte Press on July 28, 2026
ISBN: 0593814924
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Suspense
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Garrett and his mother are poised to receive an inheritance from Garrett’s deceased, estranged grandfather, an eccentric writer whom he knows nothing about. But there’s a catch: they have to spend one week in his now empty, enormous, Gothic house. Seems easy enough, until Garrett starts exploring and uncovers clues about his mother’s family’s past which may or may not  have something to do with the alarming number of random doll parts he keeps finding.  As Garrett feels more driven to discover who his grandfather was, his good-nature and sense of self-preservation take a back seat to whatever mystery lurks in the shadows of the mansion.

This middle grade horror takes a while to get into, in part thanks to Garrett being somewhat unrelatable, but the last fifty pages or so move quickly. While it’s primarily a Gothic grief-horror, it also includes insect-imbued Frankendolls, a possessed typewriter, and some difficult family secrets, so there’s something for everyone. This will be a hit with many, particularly those who are into creepy dolls, but the pacing will make it a struggle for others. Suggest to fans of R.L. Stine, Katherine Arden, or Ellen Oh.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

The Big Sleepover

The Big SleepoverThe Big Sleepover (Bubblegume Shoes #2) by Goldy Moldavsky
ISBN: 0593813804
Genres: Mystery
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Big Sleepover (Bubblegum Shoes # 2)

Author: Goldy Moldavsky

This mystery novel for ages 8-12 is the second in the Bubblegum Shoes series. The Bubblegum Shoes Detective Agency is comprised of a group of 4 seventh grade girls at Marlowe Middle School in Hillside, New Jersey: Maya Mendoza, Jordan Freedman, Ava Agarwal, and Clementine Steffin-Paller. The girls are looking forward to enjoying The Big Sleepover, a night where the students spend the night in the school gymnasium and enjoy a Battle of the Bands. One of the contestants in the band battle is Hunter Holloway, an eighth grader and rising YouTube star from England who moved to Hillside when he started middle school. Hunter is being blackmailed by someone who wants him to drop out of the Battle by threatening to post a supposedly AI-generated unflattering deep fake video of him. Hunter enlists the help of the Bubblegum Shoes to find out who the culprit is.

The girls form a suspect list including: Arnie Arancielo (AKA “Papercut,” school bully known to be taking bets and suspected of fixing the Battle), Kaylee Krudd (Hunter’s toughest competitor in the Battle of the Bands), Angelina Chimichurri (Hunter’s ex-girlfriend and Clementine’s bitter rival), and Andrew Koi (a self-described computer geek deemed the only one capable of producing the blackmail video). The plot thickens when Hunter receives a threatening message using a voice changer app, and the girls find Hunter’s lucky leather cuff (which was previously stolen from his locker), in Kaylee’s art installation. As they start to eliminate suspects, they wonder if the blackmailer might in fact be one of their very own detectives. Or is the whole plot a publicity stunt?

The book contains several surprises to keep the reader engaged and guessing. While maintaining light-hearted humor, it touches upon tween-relevant themes of communication, friendship, honesty, and jealousy.  The diversity of the characters is a plus, but the large number of characters are difficult to keep track of.

4 stars

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

four-stars

The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story

The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the StoryThe Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story by Brian Biggs, Kate Messner
ISBN: 0063372622
Genres: Animals, Humor, Informational, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a unique picture book that can be read from front to back, and then back to front. On the first reading, the Whale’s character is humorously boasting true facts about whales in comparison to otters. When you reach the end of the book, it instructs to read it backwards to hear the Otter’s side of the story. The text cleverly turns the boasted information around to make the Otter’s facts appear in favor to the Whale.

This wordplay makes this a fun read-aloud to kids, who will also learn real facts about both species. However, the wordplay makes the actual read-aloud somewhat stilted, and ruins any sort of fluidity of story-telling. Overall good, children will enjoy the humor. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Insectarium

InsectariumInsectarium: Welcome to the Museum (An Illustrated Junior Entomology Guide to Wild Bug Species, Biodiversity, and Nature Conservation for Kids Ages 8-12) by Dave Goulson, Emily Carter
ISBN: 1536241148
Genres: Animals, Informational, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The Welcome to the Museum collection is back with a new installment all about Insects. This oversized non-fiction picture book is a work of art with its highly detailed illustrations and research straight from the Royal Entomological Society in the UK.

The book is organized in a way that children will be able to understand by first introducing insect evolution and the parts that make up an insect vs. a bug. The book divides itself between climates and the types of insects that are often found there. The book includes: Cicadas, Praying Mantises, Cockroaches, Dragonflies, Grasshoppers, Bumblebees, Fireflies, Lice, Ladybugs, Moths, Ants, and more. The book is unusual in the way that the illustrators have taken a subject matter that is often reviled and has made it astoundingly beautiful. Recommended for all ages. This series could circulate well in upper elementary, middle school, and YA collections. (Published in 2025)

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

The Language of Birds

The Language of BirdsThe Language of Birds by Jon-Erik Lappano, Zach Manbeck
ISBN: 0593806654
Genres: Animals, Nature, Realistic Fiction, School
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The Language of Birds is a touching story about Mira, a girl who has since birth, loved birds. In contrast to the busy and chaotic word around her, her gentle nature and soft bird sounds attracted doves, starlings, and other little songbirds. Her gift allowed her to understand birds completely, but made it more difficult to relate to the other children around her.

When Jad, a new boy at her school, has difficulty speaking, Mira wishes she could be brave enough to try to start a conversation. She loves watching him draw trees with chalk at recess. Together, their love of birds and trees merge harmoniously, without the need of words. Mira draws birds in Jad’s chalk trees and he smiles at her contribution.

This is a special story about two kids with individual differences who find each other amidst the trickiness of everyday social life. Zach Manbeck’s illustrations really make this a beautiful story with his use of earth-tones and warm chalk-style art. Recommended for ages 4-8 and school and public library picture book collections. (2025)

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

four-stars

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