Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Witchycakes: Puddles and Potions (Book 3)

Witchycakes: Puddles and Potions (Book 3)Witchycakes #3: Puddles and Potions by Ariane Moreira, Kara LaReau
Genres: Family, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Witchycakes is back with its third book: Puddles and Potions. Little Blue is trying to help their mother in the bakery to prepare their booth for the Spring Festival. While Mama Moon is preoccupied, witch-in-training Blue notices a special bottle labelled, Perfect Potion. She borrows the bottle without asking and goes about her errands. When she encounters tricky moments throughout her day, she spritzes the potion to make things go smoothly. When she admits to her mother that she used the whole potion bottle, Mama Moon has a surprise to share of her own: maybe the bottle wasn’t so magical after all. A great ending suggesting that confidence and a shift of mindset can change your day–no magic required.

Another great original story from the Witchycakes series featuring Blue with they/them pronouns and their trusty sidekick seagull, Gully. Bright, colorful illustrations on each page makes this a great early chapter book series for new readers.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop. 

Review by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Unicornia: The Cupcake Contest (Book 3)

Unicornia: The Cupcake Contest (Book 3)Unicornia: The Cupcake Contest: (A Magical Chapter Book for Kids Ages 5-7 about Friendship, Fairness, and Solving Sweet Challenges) by Ana Punset, Diana Vicedo
ISBN: 1536241024
Genres: Adventure, Children's Beginning Readers, Fantasy, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

In the third book of the Unicornia series, Claudia is determined to master the tricky art of baking with magical ingredients. Her passion for cooking is quickly derailed when her experiments with the recipe ingredients get completely out of hand. The butter bounces away and the frosting foams all throughout the kitchen. She enlists the help of an experienced friend named Sasha, and together they sign up for the Cupcake Contest. At first they can’t agree on anything, but Claudia realizes that they both have something to learn from the other. When things don’t go to plan during the Cupcake Contest, it might have been the best mistake yet! Again, Diana Vicedo’s illustrations are on almost every page and work harmoniously with Ana Punset’s engaging writing style.

Another fantastic addition to the Unicornia series. Kids who are new to reading chapter books will want to (literally) eat this up. Ages 5-8.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Jo Jo Makoons: The Super-Scary Sleepover

Jo Jo Makoons: The Super-Scary SleepoverJo Jo Makoons: The Super-Scary Sleepover (Jo Jo Makoon, #5) by Dawn Quigley, Tara Audibert
ISBN: 0063315629
Genres: Cultural / Native American, Family, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Super-Scary Sleepover is book 5 in Dawn Quigley’s JoJo Makoons series. The series follows JoJo, a spunky Ojibwe first grader who loves her cat, her family, and her friends. In this illustrated chapter book, JoJo proves to herself that she is brave when she is invited to her first sleepover. JoJo is afraid (or as it is described in the book, her “eyebrows are up”) because one of her friends told her that puppets steal children’s eyes at night. That combined with being away from her cat and her family would be enough to shake most kids, but JoJo’s Kokum (grandmother) tells her that being afraid is an opportunity to be brave. When she is scared by something at the sleepover, all of her friends come together to share their fears and be brave together.

Quigly does a great job of introducing Native American culture and story telling to a chapter book audience. JoJo is a very funny and relatable character who effortlessly introduces readers to Ojibwe and Michif words while sharing her life on the reservation. The illustrations of her shenanigans by Tara Audibert greatly add to her characterization as well. Throughout the story there is a fluid blending of past & present and a mixing of tenses that will be familiar to adults who read Native literature, but may be a little confusing to young readers. The Super-Scary Sleepover could function as a stand alone, but is a recommended purchase for libraries who already have the rest of the series or are looking for more diverse chapter books.

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

Unicornia: A Magical Birthday (Book 2)

Unicornia: A Magical Birthday (Book 2)Unicornia: A Magical Birthday: (A Magical Chapter Book for Kids Ages 5-7 about Friendship, Surprises, and Enchanted Birthday Fun) by Ana Punset, Diana Vicedo
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536240982
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

In Book 2 of the Unicornia series, Claudia, Pippa, and Sara are preparing for Pippa’s birthday. There are so many magical, exciting things being planned for the special day, but when something goes drastically wrong. Pippa cancels the party and the girls are heartbroken. Sara and Claudia refuse to let their friend wallow on her birthday, and take her to the Enchanted Falls Theme Park to cheer her up. Will the day be saved after all?

This book does a fantastic job of showing how to navigate a friend’s experience with sadness and how to support them through the ups and downs of their feelings. This beginner chapter book has eye-catching illustrations on each page to keep readers’ attention and the writing is very interactive. Kids will literally want to gobble this book up with all the mentions of magical sweets. Who could resist magical flying unicorn rescues and fantastical rollercoasters? Best for Ages 5-8.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Cinderella and the Beast, or Beauty and the Glass Slipper

Cinderella and the Beast, or Beauty and the Glass SlipperCinderella and the Beast (or, Beauty and the Glass Slipper) (The Princess Swap) by Kim Bussing
Series: The Princess Swap
Published by Random House on January 7, 2025
ISBN: 0593708032
Genres: Fairy Tale
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Ever since Ella’s father died, she’s been the servant of her step mother and one of her step sisters, a life so terrible she sleeps in the fireplace so she can look at the stars at night and dream of adventures.  One morning she wakes up in bed in a castle, which is home to an ornery beast, Neesa.  She befriends Neesa, who she realizes is a girl about her age, trapped by a curse in a beast’s body.  The curse is about to become permanent, so Ella and Neesa try to figure out the riddle that will break the curse before it’s too late.

Meanwhile, Belle wakes up in Ella’s fireplace and is forced to become a servant.  She desperately wants to escape so she can win the Revel of Spectacle games and earn favors from the prince.  Belle’s father runs the family trading business, but it’s not doing well, so she plans to win and ask for fast ships and skilled sailors to restore the business.  In her quest, she befriends Amir, Ella’s friend, who is the prince of Reverie who is on a quest of his own, to find his missing sister

Told in alternating chapters, elementary school readers will enjoy seeing how these young women pursue their quests, using their intelligence and showing kindness along the way.  Eventually readers will see how the characters’ lives and stories are connected, beyond mixed up magic that swapped their bedrooms one evening.  This is a fun read with enough action to keep readers interested, especially at the end when time is running out for Neesa and Ella participates in the Revel games. The ending is very satisfying and shows readers that happy endings aren’t always how we planned them.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Bibsy Cross and the Time Capsule

Bibsy Cross and the Time CapsuleBibsy Cross and the Time Capsule by Dung Ho, Liz Garton Scanlon
Series: Bibsy Cross #4
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 7/8/25
ISBN: 0593644530
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Bisbsy and her best friend, Natia, are back in this fourth Bibsy Cross book.  This time, the girls are struggling to complete the fourth grade project of making a time capsule.  The girls don’t know what to put in their capsules, not sure they want to preserve their childhood for the future.  However, when Nanaberry, Bibsy’s beloved grandmother, comes to live with Bibsy’s family, she is able to help the girls view their projects in a new way.  The friends are now able to complete their projects and are proud of their work.

This book is great for young readers who are beginning to read chapter books.  There isn’t much text on the page and there are many almost black and white pictures of various sizes to add interest while breaking up the text.  The chapters are short and can be read in one sitting.  The themes of the story are also relevant to kids this age, as the characters explore events that create more than one feeling at the same time, which they call sweet and sour.  Bibsy also has the realization that Nanaberry won’t live forever and will be gone, just like her grandmother. Kids who have experienced the loss of a grandparent will no doubt relate to Bibsy.  Libraries that have the other Bibsy Cross books will want to add this one to their collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

The Life I’m In

The Life I’m InThe Family I'm In by Sharon G. Flake
ISBN: 1338573209
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

John-John is into nerdy things like archery and Star Wars, and he is desperate to see his crush on Ashley turn into something more. His father, Big John, wants to see his son be more like him- a ladies’ man with a successful business and a big reputation. John feels like he will never be able to live up to his father’s expectations and struggles to connect with his dad’s new wife. Meanwhile, his best friend Caleb is struggling too. Ever since his father, Mr. P, suffered a brain aneurysm, Caleb has been working nonstop to help support his family. As various stressors intensify and the obligations stack up, both boys must reconcile with who they want to be and what it means to be a man. 

An excellent coming-of-age story with an intense examination of the relationship between black fathers and their sons. The chapters are short and the characters and their challenges are relatable, making this both an accessible and rewarding read for teens. Readers who have yet to pick up Flake’s companion novels, The Skin I’m In and The Life I’m In, will be sure to seek them out to dig deeper into the backgrounds of Maleeka and Char, who play significant roles in this story as well. 

Grades 7 & up

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

All Paths Lead to Paris

All Paths Lead to ParisAll Paths Lead to Paris by Sabrina Fedel
ISBN: 0593900278
Genres: Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“All Paths Lead to Paris” is a young adult romance novel by Sabrina Fedel. Aurie is a teenage fashion influencer in Paris with an American dad and a French mother. Aurie has had a lot of success as an influencer, but her manager wants her to fake date another of the manager’s clients, Remy, a Paris musician. The book is quick and fun, especially if you enjoy fake-dating premises and love triangles, and the setting is beautiful, but the characters feel a little thin. Overall a cute, quick read. An additional purchase for YA fiction collections where romance is popular.

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

three-stars

My Mother the Mermaid Chaser

My Mother the Mermaid ChaserMy Mother, the Mermaid Chaser by Jamie Jo Hoang
ISBN: 0593643003
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“My Mother the Mermaid Chaser” is a young adult historical fiction novel by Jamie Jo Hoang. It is a sequel to the book “My Father the Panda Killer,” but can be read as a standalone. The book switches between the son, Paul, and his mother, Ngọc Lan, who walked out on their family over a decade ago, leaving Paul and his sister to deal with their abusive father. In this book, Paul goes to Vietnam to learn about their mother. Chapters switch between Paul and his mother, as they both experienced Vietnam in different ways.

The book deals with a lot of trauma and difficult topics. There is a content warning at the front of the book and a list of resources at the back of the book. Themes about family relationships and mental health make this book a good, but challenging read. Recommended for YA fiction collections where historical fiction is popular.

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

four-stars

Let’s Get Together

Let’s Get TogetherLet’s Get Together by Brandy Colbert
ISBN: 0063092484
Genres: Family
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Let’s Get Together” by Brandy Colbert is a loose retelling of the 1961 film, The Parent Trap. This is mentioned at the end of the book in the Author’s Notes, but it was a joy for this reviewer to figure this out while reading the story. The book, for ages 8-12, tells the story of two 11-year-old identical twin girls, Kenya and Liberty, who reunite after being separated as babies. Kenya Norwood lives with her father and grandmother, while Liberty Perry resides with her new foster mother, Joey. Kenya and Liberty butt heads at school. Kenya enjoys being the center of attention and resents having a look-a-like around.  Kenya’s father takes a paternity test which confirms that Liberty is in fact his missing daughter and Kenya’s twin sister, Kalilah.  They also learn that the twins’ mother is dead.  While Liberty is happy to have found her biological family, she doesn’t want to leave the life she’s built with Joey. So, the girls bond while scheming about ways to get Dad and Joey together.

Kenya is pretty horrible to Liberty for a while, which makes it difficult for the reader to sympathize with her as she learns and processes the truth about her family. Fans of The Parent Trap will definitely appreciate the similarities between the book and that film.

4 stars

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

four-stars