Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Queso, Just in Time

Queso, Just in TimeQueso, Just in Time by Ernesto Cisneros
ISBN: 0063092247
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Queso, Just in Time” is a middle grade science fiction novel by Ernesto Cisneros. Queso is a 12-year-old boy who is still grieving the death of his father two years ago in an armed robbery. After making a wish on a moonbow that he wishes he could see his dad once more, he time travels back to 1985 and meets his father as a child! Queso soaks in seeing his father and beloved grandparents and wonders if he can somehow change their future. This emotional and beautiful book is a must-buy for middle grade fiction collections.

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

four-stars

Call of the Dragon

Call of the DragonCall of the Dragon by Natasha Bowen
ISBN: 059389815X
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Call of the Dragon” is a young adult fantasy novel by Natasha Bowen. In the land of Kwa, the people are protected from evil by two dragons who hold up the earth and sky. Moremi is a teenager forced to pledge to the dragons, despite her lack of piety. She is surprisingly marked by both dragon gods, which is unheard of. When the king tries to take the gods’ power for himself, the dragons leave and Moremi must get them back. The world uses a magical system based on West African traditions and myths, which is very interesting and I wished it was described more. The characters fell a little flat, but the premise is very interesting.  A suggested purchase for YA fantasy collections.

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

three-stars

Ambrosia Lee Drops the Mic

Ambrosia Lee Drops the MicAmbrosia Lee Drops the Mic by Patricia Park
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Ambrosia Lee Drops the Mic” is a young adult coming-of-age novel by Patricia Park. Ambrosia has been acting since she was young, but she is now considered “too fat” to get roles and struggles with the rejection. She goes to a stand up comedy show and meets a Korean American stand up comedian who suggests that she try it herself. The story is a compelling look at racism, fat-shaming, and growing up Asian in America. A recommended purchase for YA fiction collections.

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

four-stars

Holloway

HollowayHolloway by Elana K. Arnold
ISBN: 0062990888
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Holloway” is a young adult fiction novel by Elana K. Arnold. Set in 2021, Nora is an autistic Jewish teenager dealing with the death of her mother (who held anti-vax beliefs and died from COVID-19). She goes to France to spread her mother’s ashes when she gets lost in a forest, running down a dark holloway, and is suddenly transported back to 1946. She ends up in an asylum and meets others who help her navigate and understand her past trauma. A moving novel with a very interesting plot. A recommended purchase for YA fiction collections.

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

 

four-stars

Medicine Wheels

Medicine WheelsMedicine Wheels by Byron Graves
on June 2, 2026
ISBN: 0063160420
Genres: Cultural / Indigenous, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Medicine Wheels” is a young adult realistic fiction novel by Byron Graves (Ojibwe and Lakota) about Bryce, an Ojibwe teenager who is dealing with the death of his father and his mother’s subsequent incarceration for drug possession. He is staying on the Reservation with his grandparents in his father’s old room and reconnects with old friends while learning how to skateboard. Graves does an excellent job at making the reader feel invested in the story. The characters are interesting and believable and readers will also learn a lot about issues that Indigenous people face. This is a must-buy for YA fiction collections.

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

four-stars

The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay

The Great Disillusionment of Nick and JayThe Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay by Ryan Douglass
on January 27, 2026
ISBN: 0063312484
Genres: Historical Fiction, LGBTQ+
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay” by Ryan Douglass is a reimagining of the Great Gatsby with a queer romance. Nick is a young adult who is forced to leave Oklahoma after his father is killed in the Tulsa Race Massacre by white supremacists. He tries to find his place in Harlem and gets a scholarship to West Egg Academy, where he meets Jay Gatsby, Jr. and starts to fall for him. The premise is interesting and fits a lot of history into it, but at times the characters felt a bit thin. A suggested purchase for YA collections, especially where historical fiction is popular.

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

three-stars

Styx and Stones

Styx and StonesStyx and Stones by Gary D. Schmidt, Ron Koertge
Published by Clarion Books on 5/5/26
ISBN: 0063380978
Genres: Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Simon has been in the Underworld for thousands of years, despite frequent attempts to escape.  When he finally does escape, he finds himself naked in a middle school bathroom in St. Paul, MN.  Luckily for Simon, Zeke discovers him and helps him become acclimated.  Zeke is bullied often and Simon becomes his first real friend. Zeke and the other kids (and a teacher) at school quickly realize that Simon is different- kinder and wiser than other kids his age.

Meanwhile, Hades is furious that Simon escaped and his wife, Persephone, is trying to figure out how he escaped.  Hades sends someone to capture Simon, wreaking havoc on the weather and putting Simon’s friendship with Zeke to the test. There is a battle and Simon does end up leaving St. Paul, saving Zeke and Zeke’s biggest bully in the process.  After Simon returns to the Underworld, Cerberus, the dog he was able to tame, ate the evil Hades. Suddenly the landscape was restored, and a new world was ready to be created.  In St. Paul, Zeke grieved Simon’s absence, but he grieved with his new friends who also missed Simon.  Zeke and Simon were forever changed by their brief friendship.

Readers who enjoy fantasy and mythology will enjoy this middle grade novel.  There is a touch of humor and plenty of action to keep readers hooked, especially when demons from the Underworld arrive in Minnesota.  Readers will relate to the drama and bullying in this story and will appreciate the growth and friendship between the main characters.  This story of grief, friendship, courage, and kindness will stick with readers long after they turn the last page.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

RV There Yet?

RV There Yet?RV There Yet? by Suzanne Nelson
on May 12, 2026
ISBN: 0593567056
Genres: Adventure, Family
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Cricket, Flossie, Parker, Newt, and Darwin are new step-siblings preparing for summer vacation when their newly-wed parents show up with a rundown RV and plans for a familymoon – a honeymoon for the whole family.  Along with their dog, Archimedes, and a stow-away snake, the family heads to Yellowstone National Park to explore the park.  As with any road trip, things don’t always go as planned.  Cricket, the oldest sibling, is upset about missing her writing camp and resents having to look after the other four mischievous children.  When Flossie runs away and a bear shows up, everyone must learn to bend and compromise for this new family to work together.  

This book will appeal to upper elementary students who like humorous, cozy stories.  While all of the events fit together, many of the events are shorter which might help students who are building their reading stamina for longer story arcs.  

It also tackles issues about blending a family, without being too serious.  There are some nice geography and travel connections for teachers looking to make content connections to ELA and social studies.

Reviewed by Jaime Beal, RSU 40, Waldoboro

three-stars

The Cat Prophecies: Claw Quest

The Cat Prophecies: Claw QuestClaw Quest (The Cat Prophecies #1) by Jorge Enrique Paz, Nik Korpon
Published by Labyrinth Road on June 9, 2026
ISBN: 0593906284
Genres: Adventure, Cultural / Latin America, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Set in modern-day Colombia, this story is a fun revamp of a classic plot structure about a young teen boy struggling to fit in, only to discover, with the help of other outcasts (and a cat), that he may be the chosen one destined to defeat the forces of evil. Ideal for upper elementary and middle grade readers, Claw Quest stands out for its celebration of Latine culture and its dual use of Spanish and English. The bilingual text should not dissuade non-Spanish readers from enjoying it, as most Spanish words and phrases are translated in context of the story. It is clear that the authors put care and effort to make this story accessible to a vast audience while remaining faithful to Colombian culture. 

The writing is fluid, well-paced, and engaging. Characters feel well fleshed-out with their own uniquely identifiable traits. The main character has Tourette Syndrome, and is an empathetic representation of children with disabilities or neurological conditions who struggle with being bullied. The Juaica, warrior cats whose bodies transform when in their realm of Iguakay, are a fun magical element. However, a weakness of the writing is the description of the Juaica in their magical form. It is hard to tell if the author intended for them to move like humans with cat-like features, or simply like oversized, muscular cats. Either way, this detail likely won’t detract from the readers’ enjoyment of the book’s message that anyone may be the ‘chosen one’ if they choose kindness and embrace their individuality.

This book would be a wonderful addition into a library’s Fantasy Fiction section. The vibrant cover would also look great on a book display! 

Reviewed by Jada Gastia, Williams Elementary School, Oakland, ME 

four-stars

Wombat Waiting

Wombat WaitingWombat Waiting by Katherine Applegate
on 5/5/26
ISBN: 0063221179
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Wildfires have struck California and Henry and his family, like many others, are evacuating to a shelter.  Animals, too, are fleeing to safety, but Wombat, a stray dog, is hearing a message to go towards the fire, not away from it.  Wombat ends up at the shelter, trying to determine who his destiny is.  He stays on the bench outside but doesn’t allow any people to get close to him. Eventually Wombat realizes that his destiny, her human, is Henry.   Wombat quickly learns that Henry is afraid of dogs and she works hard to show Henry that she is actually friendly and loving.  It takes some time, but Wombat finally finds who she belongs with, and she waits at the shelter with Henry, his moms, and sister, until they find a new place to call home.

Fans of Katherine Applegate will love this sweet novel in verse about belonging, community, and perseverance.  It’s not easy for Wombat to trust, but she learns to trust her instincts, especially when it comes to Henry.  Henry loves animals, but a previous incident has caused him to be afraid of dogs.  As he heals after the loss of his house, Henry opens himself to Wombat, who helps.  This book would be a great addition to libraries serving elementary students.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars