Category: Book Reviews

Somadina

SomadinaSomadina by Akwaeke Emezi
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on April 15, 2025
ISBN: 0593309073
Pages: 300
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Somadina” is a young adult fantasy novel by Akwaeke Emezi. Somadina and her twin brother, Jayaike, inherit great magical powers which causes a hunter to kidnap Jayaike and Somadina decides to go after him. This West African inspired fantasy world is very well developed and will immerse readers in Emezi’s novel. Somadina faces danger, abuse, and other trauma, and being othered. The novel feels a little short at just under 300 pages and I could have read more. A very interesting and well-written YA fantasy. A suggested purchase for all YA collections, especially those who have Emezi’s other novels.

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

four-stars

Kill Creatures

Kill CreaturesKill Creatures by Rory Power
on June 3, 2025
ISBN: 0593302311
Genres: Suspense
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Kill Creatures” is a dark young adult thriller novel by Rory Power (author of “Wilder Girls”). Nan’s three friends disappeared on a hike a year ago and suddenly one of them shows up alive. Nan was sure that she murdered all of them and doesn’t know what happened. Nan is a super unreliable narrator with dark thoughts and and stalkerish tendencies. The book contains several trigger warnings for the reader. An additional purchase for  YA collections where dark thrillers or true crime are popular.

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

three-stars

Lady Knight

Lady Knight (The Diamonds #2) by Amalie Howard
on April 1, 2025
ISBN: 0593705068
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Lady Knight” by Amalie Howard, is a young adult period romance novel set in the same world as her previous novel “Queen Bee.” This novel can be read as a standalone. Lady Zia is tired of having to live up to other’s expectations of her. She becomes part of a secret group of Lady Knights, acting as Robin Hood and exploring her love of music. When her older brother’s friend, Rafi, discovers her secret, he agrees to keep quiet. Strong themes of empowerment and self-esteem, with a slightly predictable plot, this is a suggested purchase for YA historical romance collections.

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

four-stars

Amelia, if Only

Amelia, if OnlyAmelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli
Published by Harper on June 10, 2025
ISBN: 0063045923
Pages: 295
Genres: Humor, LGBTQ+, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Amelia might have a parasocial crush on Walter Holland, the somewhat famous bisexual teenage star of his own YouTube channel, whose coming out video made her feel seen properly for the first time. But really, her friends don’t have to make such a big deal of it, right? After all, it’s not like he took her up on her singing Instagram post inviting him to prom (cringe!)

But then Walter announces he’s going to be doing a live meet-and-greet at nearby(ish) Blackwell College, and Amelia rallies her three best friends – twins Mark and Natalie, and Zora – to take a pre-graduation long weekend road trip. Because surely, if she could just meet him for real, it would be obvious how perfect they’d be together.

Except…Walter might not actually be the person causing the butterflies in Amelia’s stomach. It is possible he has been a fun distraction for her real feelings for Natalie. And now that Nat’s on-again-off-again girlfriend is out of the picture, Amelia might just be facing those feelings head on.

Albertalli’s fans will not be disappointed in her latest rom-com starring a group of queer teens. Four of the five primary characters identify as bisexual, one as lesbian, and a minor character is nonbinary; Amelia and the twins are Jewish, Zora is Black. Amelia describes herself as “medium fat” but in a way that indicates overall feelings of body positivity. Social media plays a large role in the teens’ lives, and there is ample discussion about both the positives and negatives of that; time is spent looking at the big picture of online fandom, and how impactful it can be for both influencers and followers.

Those who enjoyed Imogen, Obviously will recognize the setting of Blackwell College and a few familiar characters who make a cameo. Amelia is an endearing protagonist coming to terms with her feelings for her best friend, and secondary characters are well rounded. An easy book to recommend for teens looking for a charming and fun read relevant to the times.

5 stars, cream nominee

– Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

Area 51 Files: Way Off Base

Area 51 Files: Way Off BaseWay Off Base (The Area 51 Files) by Julie Buxbaum, Lavanya Naidu
Series: Area 51 Files #4
Published by Delacorte Press on 7/8/25
ISBN: 059389944X
Genres: Humor, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Sky and her group of human and alien friends are back in this next installment in the humorous mystery series, Area 51 Files.  In this novel, Sky and her friends are determined to help her Uncle Anish figure out who the whistleblower who wants to expose Area 51, which would lead to the end of Area 51 and break up the peaceful community where aliens and humans co-exist.  On top of that, a 700 pound UFO goes missing, right before some dignitaries were supposed to see it.  Time is running out for Sky and her friends to investigate without getting into trouble or found out by the visiting politicians who don’t know that aliens are living among the humans.

Readers who enjoyed the previous books in the series will no doubt enjoy this one as well, but this is still a fun book for those who haven’t read others in the series.  The funny drawings and potty humor continue in this book and allow this mystery to not be too intense or suspenseful.  This is an entertaining read, great for upper elementary students.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

The Haunted Scavenger Hunt

The Haunted Scavenger HuntThe Haunted Scavenger Hunt: A Spook-tacular Storybook: (A Halloween Haunted House Adventure with Engaging Rhymes and Surprising Twists - For Toddlers, Preschoolers, and 1-2 Graders) by Roland Garrigue, Steve Patschke
Published by Templar Books ISBN: 1536235237
Genres: Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Four delightfully disobedient children encounter a box that contains explicit rules for them to follow. They immediately break them, which leads to a series of additional rules that they have no intention of following. Suspense starts to build as the friends disappear, one at a time, until one child remains. In the dark. On Halloween night.

In addition to being a terrific read-aloud book, this picture book is an excellent introduction to the horror genre. It’s fun and has a great rhythm to it, and after things start to get a little uncomfortable, the upbeat ending sheds a new light on the entire story. Just read it in plenty of light,  not due to the scare factor, but because there is a lot of squint-inducing dark text on dark backgrounds.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free  Library, Bath

 

four-stars

Seven Little Ducklings

Seven Little DucklingsSeven Little Ducklings: (An Adorable Counting Book for Kids Ages 2-5) by Annette LeBlanc Cate
Published by Candlewick Press on January 7, 2025
ISBN: 1536235741
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Seven Little Ducklings is a sweet and comical counting book featuring mama duck and her seven eggs. She awakes one more to find her ducklings have hatched while she was asleep and she leaps to action to gather her wayward offspring. As she finds some and rescues others from calamities she adds other young animals to her brood. When they get back to the nest that night she finds she has thirteen and not her original seven. A mother’s love knows no bounds and she settles them all under her wings for a good night’s sleep.

Gorgeous watercolor illustrations set the scene on each page with clarity and focus.

Ages 3-7

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

The Girl Who Tested The Waters: Ellen Swallow, Environmental Scientist

The Girl Who Tested The Waters: Ellen Swallow, Environmental ScientistThe Girl Who Tested the Waters: Ellen Swallow, Environmental Scientist (Curious Minds) by Junyi Wu, Patricia Daniele
Published by MIT Kids Press on February 4, 2025
ISBN: 1536230057
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Ellen Swallow was born in 1842 with a love for all things in the natural world. Her family valued education and made sure she received not only a high school diploma but went on to college. Ellen then became the first woman ever admitted to MIT where she studied chemistry. She withstood the trials this brought to her and became a revered member of the student body and was offered the opportunity to study Boston’s water looking for environmental contaminants that were making people sick. From her results a water treatment plant was developed, the first of its kind which led to the water treatment facilities we all encounter in our daily lives.

The book’s content is highlighted with gorgeous illustrations and wrapped up with extensive back matter.

Ages 4-9

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

Ice is Nice: All About the North and South Poles

Ice is Nice: All About the North and South PolesIce is Nice! All About the North and South Poles (The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library) by Aristides Ruiz, Bonnie Worth, Joe Mathieu
Published by Random House on August 10, 2010
ISBN: 0375828850
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Facts about the earth’s poles are presented to the reader in classic Seussian rhyming styling that creates the flow through the information. Readers are provided facts about the makeup of the poles, life on the poles, arctic animals, and the earth’s axis and its impact on the poles. The main characters are the familiar Cat in the Hat and Thing One and Thing Two.

This book is chock full of information that is a great general introduction to polar basics in a relatable format. This is an updated version of a 2010 publication.

Ages 4-9

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

Unnaturally Blue

Unnaturally BlueUnnaturally Blue by Byron Eggenschwiler, Dorson Plourde
ISBN: 1525311336
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Supernatural
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
In a busy community pool, a girl who used to “swim in perfect patterns,” struggles to find joy in this deeply symbolic book about finding yourself. With stunning, magical illustrations, and overly poetic text, the unnamed main character feels as if there is no room for her tears in the community pool. She dives down the the depths where she is able to pull the plug and swim down the drain. She finds peace in the quiet of the swampland she discovers, and transforms into an amphibious girl/sea-creature. When she swims up, she notices that all the children from the pool have transformed into other creatures as well, and there is joy in the chaos of being wild together. She is happy in the ability to be herself in the end, and she is pictured getting out of the pool and talking with friends.

While this book is undoubtedly fascinating, it’s also difficult to follow. The writing will take turns complimenting the illustrations, but then will overwhelm the reader with its bravado. It will certainly connect with some readers, but not all. Recommended for upper elementary kids, or even YA.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars