Magick Hoodoo Child

April 8, 2026

Magick Hoodoo Child by Amber McBride, Violeta Encarnación
Published by Harper on January 20, 2026
ISBN: 0063395401
Genres: Cultural / African American, Family, Folklore, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Juniper is one way at school; quiet, shy, trying to stay out of the bullies’ way with the help of her tiny mojo bag. She is just trying to get through until the wonderful day her Mama helps her pack up her empty mason jars to take to her Grandma’s house for the summer.
At Grandma’s she wanders barefoot through the Southern woods and thrives under the tutelage of her grandmother in the learning of ancestral rootwork. She communes with the plants and the work of her ancestors from Africa, in gratitude for all of Nature’s gifts.
As she packs to head back to the city her grandma reminds her that this is who she is, she is a hoodoo child, following in the footsteps of her ancestors. This is a beautiful story of self discovery and self love.

Ages 4-7
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

Looking at the Sky

April 6, 2026

Looking at the Sky: How Dr. Janusz Korczak Fought for Children's Rights by Abigail Rajunov, Amanda West Lewis
Published by Kids Can Press ISBN: 1525310240
Genres: Historical Fiction, History, Informational
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Based on a first-person account of a student’s experience with Dr. Janusz Korczak, but using fictional characters, Looking at the Sky is the story of the Polish doctor’s influence on the children in his care during the first half of the 20th century. His approach to education and child development used storytelling as a way to build morality, and he respectfully allowed children to fully occupy the realm of adults in order to make sense of their surroundings. They were encouraged to work hard, respect each other, and even serve as judges that would determine both verdict and punishment when problems arose. The book uses muted and subtlely expressive illustrations to follow one small boy, whose sisters raise the money for him to attend Korczak’s school, resulting in his chance to leave Poland before it was invaded by Germany. The rest of the characters are not so fortunate, which leads to an unflinching and emotional end. Don’t be deterred by the sadness; the book passes along Dr. Korczak’s messages of hope, respect, and joy clearly and lovingly, making this an essential addition to a library collection.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

Mama Loves It

April 6, 2026

Mama Loves It (Raffi Songs to Read) by Patricia Pessoa, Raffi
Published by Knopf Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Perennial favorite Raffi is here to remind us once again that it is just as acceptable to sing books out loud as it is to read them. This time it’s a song about helping out with chores and how much it means to family members when everyone chips in (can confirm). Happily illustrated and good-natured, this is a solid choice for story times, or for delivering an essential message about how it takes a whole family to keep things tidy. Song lyrics and notated music included.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

Seven Million Steps

April 2, 2026

Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory's Run for the Hungry by Christian Gregory, Derrick Barnes, Frank Morrison
ISBN: 0063357526
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, History, Inspiration, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory’s Run for the Hungry

Written by: Derrick Barnes and Christian Gregory

Illustrated by: Frank Morrison

This non-fiction picture book for ages 4-8 tells the story of activist Dick Gregory’s remarkable 1976 Food Run- his two-and-a-half month run from Los Angeles to New York City to raise awareness about the epidemic of hunger and poverty in America. Mr. Gregory underwent this run while sustaining himself with only water, juice, vitamins, and some seeds. His goal was to raise attention and compassion to those who go days without food. The end contains a direct quote from Dick Gregory, as well information about the persistent reality of hunger and food insecurity today. Although the author mentions that individuals can support organizations like Feeding America and No Kid Hungry, inclusion of practical and child-friendly strategies (i.e. giving to a local food pantry, volunteering at soup kitchens) is lacking. This may have helped inspire activism and volunteerism in young readers by providing ideas for small and meaningful ways they can impact their communities. The underlying issue of wealth inequality remains relevant and deserving of attention.

3 stars

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

Because of a Shoe

April 2, 2026

Because of a Shoe by Julie Fogliano, Marla Frazee
ISBN: 0593707400
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Because of a Shoe

Julie Fogliano & Marla Frazee

This picture book for ages 2-5 is the story of a toddler’s epic tantrum due to an ill-fitting shoe, just when the child’s mother is in a rush to get out the door. The child’s raging frustrations are clearly depicted in the illustrations, as is the mother’s building exasperation and anger. This lovely story is one to which all parents of young children can easily relate. Everyone loses their temper at times, especially with those we love the most. Neither the mother nor the son wants to be loud and yelling. After the meltdown, the mother and son remember that they are not their maddest faces and their angriest eyes: “We are still us (funny sweet us) and you still love me and I still love you and nothing will ever change something like that.” It is a lovely book to share with a child after the inevitable tantrums and subsequent fallout. The dark and stormy pictures during the fight emphasize the strong emotions and serve as a stark contrast to the bright, colorful pictures of the following calm and peace. It is a tender reminder that unconditional love between mother and child is not without conflicts and moments of regret.

5 stars

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

Maya’s World

April 2, 2026

Maya's World by Andrea Pippins
ISBN: 0593814991
Genres: Arts, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Maya’s World

Author-Illustrator: Andrea Pippins

This picture book for ages 4-8 is about a young girl named Maya who loves to draw and is eager to share her colorful artwork with her classmates. However, her drawing of a rainbow causes confusion among her peers; Pia states, “It doesn’t look like a rainbow.” Another student says, “Rainbows don’t have patterns or those colors.” Maya overcomes self-doubt and inspires others to use their imaginations. While the reader never gets to view Maya’s drawing in its entirety, the pages show the children interacting with elements of Maya’s artwork through bright and vivid illustrations, once she starts explaining her piece to the class. Maya inspires her friends to use their individual imaginations and creativity to create a beautiful masterpiece together. It is a lovely celebration of art as self-expression. It’s validating to young artists to hear that there is no right or wrong way to draw what you feel.

5 stars

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

Run Away With Me

March 29, 2026March 29, 2026

Run Away with Me by Brian Selznick
on April 1, 2025
ISBN: 1339035529
Genres: LGBTQ+, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars

Boy meets boy in 1986 Rome.

While his mom works the summer away as a book conservator, American Danny spends his time exploring the city. Lured by a voice and a hand-drawn map, Danny meets the mysterious Angelo and his world is turned upside down. The two fall for each other quickly, embarking on a whirlwind romance. During their days together, the boys discover various love stories throughout history similar to their own, in eras where such love needed to be secretive but still endured over time.

Selznik’s signature illustrations comprise the first 90 and final 20 pages of the book and are striking as always. Each chapter is a countdown to the end of the summer, when Danny will leave and his relationship with Angelo will have to come to an end, which helps add some urgency to the story. Messages of identity and the timelessness of love, no matter what barriers or struggles exist, abound. The book reads quickly, though the writing is flowery and poetic so it will likely appeal to a specific audience, not necessarily your average YA reader.

Grades 9 & Up

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York ME

Meet me at Blue Hour

March 28, 2026March 28, 2026

Meet Me at Blue Hour by Sarah Suk
on April 1, 2025
ISBN: 0063255189
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars
Speculative fiction with a bit of romance.

Told in alternating perspectives, Yena and Lucas have both traveled to South Korea to visit the Sori of Us clinic–Lucas to try to get his grandfather into a trial to help restore his memories lost to his worsening Alzheimer’s, and Yena to connect with her mom, Dr. Bae, the clinic’s founder. This clinic is not only running trials to help restore memories, but it also originally developed the technology to erase unpleasant ones. Once upon a time, Yena and Lucas were best friends. That is, until Lucas moved away and went radio silent. So when the two cross paths at Sori of Us, Yena is shocked to run into the boy she hasn’t heard from in four years, only to find out he has no idea who she is.

Reminiscent of the movie, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” Meet Me at Blue Hour grapples with the ethics of meddling in memories–those we are hoping to keep and those we want nothing more than to forget. The controversy of erasing and restoring memories will give readers a lot to chew on and make for great group discussions. Throughout the book, we hear from the perspective of a lawn mower, a wind chime, and various other inanimate objects whose sounds were recorded to help erase Lucas’ memories and allow us to learn more about Lucas and Yena’s friendship–a neat storytelling technique.

Grades 7 & Up

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

The Winter of the Dollhouse

March 28, 2026March 28, 2026

The Winter of the Dollhouse by Laura Amy Schlitz
on September 2, 2025
ISBN: 153623608X
Genres: Magical Realism
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Eleven-year-old Tiphany is enchanted by her town’s dollhouse store and would love to own a small antique doll, named Gretel, for her own. Tiph is longing for a friend and wishes she could feel more at home with her family as she tries to connect with her stepmother and young half-siblings. After helping an old lady named Szilvia from collapsing on the street, she lands a job walking her dog. Come to find out, Szilvia is actually planning to restore an old dollhouse from her childhood. During a visit to the dollhouse store, Tiph shoplifts Gretel while Szilvia purchases another doll named Red, only for Tiph to lose Gretel somewhere in Szilvia’s house. From there, while Tiph holds the guilt of her shoplifting secret and continues to bond with Szilvia, the two dolls hatch their own plans to have the lives they’ve been dreaming of.

The escapades of Gretel and Red as they try to navigate the human world and find their own fulfillment are endearing. Each doll has its own distinct personality, and the longing to belong and be loved by a child mirrors Tiph’s own desires to be understood and seen. The inclusion of older and younger generations making close connections is lovely, and the development of our flawed main characters is well done. A warm, sweet, emotional story exploring mistakes, forgiveness, loneliness, friendship, and the complexity of family–blended, found, or otherwise.

Ages 9-12

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

Lou with the Band

March 27, 2026

Lou with the Band by Alexandra Leigh Young
on October 7, 2025
ISBN: 1536230111
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
“Lou with the Band” is a young adult novel by Alexandra Leigh Young. Lou is a recent high school graduate who gets a job working as a roadie for a famous musician along with her uncle. Lou sees this as an opportunity to travel while making money for college and hopefully becoming the person she wants to be. When she gets into a relationship with one of the musicians, things seem great, until the relationship turns toxic and creates even more problems for Lou and her family. A suggested additional purchase for YA collections where realistic fiction is popular.

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