Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Into the Wild Magic

Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
four-stars

“Into the Wild Magic” is a middle grade fantasy novel by Michelle Knudsen. Bevvy is a sixth grader who is used to being bullied. She loves fantasy books. She meets Cat, a new student, at her favorite tree and wonders if they could be friends. Cat is brusque and doesn’t plan on making any friends. Cat has magical powers and creates a magical portal to an alternate world called LorelKey. The world-building in the story is well done and interesting. I liked the themes of believing in yourself and your own strengths and that a person’s identity doesn’t make them a bad person; their actions do. A suggested purchase where middle grade fantasy is popular.

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

four-stars

Run Away With Me

Run Away With MeRun 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

four-stars

Meet me at Blue Hour

Meet me at Blue HourMeet 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

four-stars

The Winter of the Dollhouse

The Winter of the DollhouseThe 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

five-stars

The Magician Next Door

The Magician Next DoorThe Magician Next Door by Alice McKinley, Rachel Chivers Khoo
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536241970
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Callie, a ten year old girl, feels homesick and alone in a new house in remote Northern Ireland. Her mother lost a battle to cancer, and her father is burying himself in work. One night, when Callie feels full of despair for her former life, her mother, and friends in London, she discovers a mysterious woman and an upside-down house have appeared in her backyard–but then quickly disappear. What is happening? With the help of her new friend and neighbor, Sam, they help Winnifred Potts set her house right side up again. What Callie doesn’t realize, is that she needs to find her place in the world too. Seems like this is the only the beginning of more adventures in this fantastical Irish landscape.

A sweet chapter book geared towards elementary readers. Slim, with wondrous illustrations and lovely British sayings. Would definitely recommend this for introductory fantasy readers. Ages 7+

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Hattie Mae Begins Again

Hattie Mae Begins AgainHattie Mae Begins Again by Sharon G. Flake
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 1/13/26
ISBN: 0593650344
Genres: Historical Fiction, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
In this companion book to Once in a Blue Moon, Hattie Mae is sent up north to Philadelphia to an elite boarding school during the great migration.  She doesn’t fit in with most of the rich girls at the school and finds herself getting in trouble and contemplates leaving the school entirely.  From day one she doesn’t get along with Lisa, and once Lisa finds out that Hattie is related to the headmistress, she blackmails Hattie into doing chores for her.  Eventually everyone finds out that Hattie is attending the school for free and several of the girls are pulled from the school.  The school receives bad press, and protesters gather outside the school.  Hattie Mae steps up and pulls together the remaining students and her friends from the local neighborhood and they work together to help save the school.

This historical fiction novel in verse would be great for elementary-aged readers.  Hattie Mae grows a lot throughout this book, learning from her many mistakes.  She builds confidence and emerges as a leader among the students. She stays true to herself and her roots while also having big dreams for herself.  Readers who enjoy books with happy endings will enjoy how this novel concludes with a successful campaign to save the school and an improving relationship with Lisa.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Rica Baptista: The Box of Possibilities

Rica Baptista: The Box of PossibilitiesRica Baptista: The Box of Possibilities by Gladys Jose, Janet Costa Bates
Series: Rica Baptista #3
Published by Candlewick Press on 11/11/25
ISBN: 1536227676
Genres: Family, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
Rica Baptista is back and this time, she and her friend Laini, are impatient to find out what’s in the box that Uncle Moose sent.  Their imaginations run wild, with creative ideas like a polka dotted unicorn, lava from an erupted volcano, and a variety of superpowers.  While the girls imagine endless possibilities, Rica worries about her cousin, Serenity, who is staying with them.  Serenity’s brothers are camping with their dad, and Serenity is feeling left out.  Rica and Laini try to cheer her up with their antics and by just being there for her.  At the end of the story, Uncle Moose returns from his vacation in Cape Verde and reveals what’s in the box and Serenity’s dad clears up a miscommunication with Serenity and she returns to normal.  There is a big porch party, celebrating being together as a family.

This book is part of a series but would work as a standalone.  It is ideal for newer readers to chapter books.  The font is big and there is a lot of space between the lines.  Some pages are full text, but others include black and white drawings.  The story doesn’t have a lot of action, but young readers will still enjoy the balance of silliness with more serious topics like Serenity’s feelings.  Rica’s family is black and that is evident in the illustrations and Cape Verdean culture is mentioned, especially in relation to a meal that is served.  Serenity’s parents are divorced, but Serenity’s dad is still a welcome part of the porch party at the end of the book.  There is a religious component as Rica writes a couple of letters to God.  This is not overly done in any way and is more just a mechanism for readers to learn Rica’s inner thoughts.  This would be a good addition to a library looking for early chapter books with diverse characters and experiences.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

The Princess Swap: Rapunzel and the Sea Witch or The Little Mermaid and the Tower

The Princess Swap: Rapunzel and the Sea Witch or The Little Mermaid and the TowerRapunzel and the Sea Witch (or, The Little Mermaid and the Tower) (The Princess Swap #3) by Kim Bussing
Series: Princess Swap #3
Published by Random House on 11/11/25
ISBN: 0593708113
Genres: Adventure, Fairy Tale
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
In this third installment of the Princess Swap Series, Rapunzel and the Little Mermaid switch places.  Before being swapped, both princesses felt trapped. Rapunzel was forced by her mother to stay in a locked tower and Hana, the Little Mermaid, felt a pull towards land and humans and felt trapped by being in the ocean all of the time.  Now that their locations have been switched around, both princesses find themselves in danger.  There are evil forces trying to gain control of the merpeople and war looms over land and sea.  Rapunzel and Hana, along with their friends, put their lives on the line to confront the dangerous people with bad intentions.

This story is great for elementary readers who like fairytale mashups with a little bit of adventure.  There is a lot of action in this novel and readers will no doubt want to see how these characters get themselves out of trouble.  The two princesses learn about the power of their magic, but more importantly, they discover the power of their voices and their ability to make their own decisions.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

The Peach Thief

The Peach ThiefThe Peach Thief by Linda Joan Smith
Published by Candlewick Press on March 4, 2025
ISBN: 1536237787
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Scilla, a hungry and desperate workhouse orphan, risks sneaking into an earl’s walled garden to get a peach. Caught and mistaken for a boy, she’s given a job washing garden pots to work off her crime. Finding the food better and the bed softer than she’s ever had, Scilla hopes to stay. She learns about gardening and discovers she has a passion for it, but unfortunately she cannot pass as a boy forever. The situation is complicated by a handsome, young troublemaker,  a housekeeper from India, and the head gardener, and others. Beautiful, detailed descriptions of an 1850s English estate and its gardens.

(I have not yet finished this book so may adjust my opinion after I have finished it.)

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

four-stars

Snow

SnowSnow by Meera Trehan
Published by Walker Books on January 14, 2025
ISBN: 1536219258
Pages: 304
Genres: Adventure, Fairy Tale, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
This is a smart modern fairy tale about the friendship between a strong princess and a modern-day Indian American girl in the kingdom of Mistmir. This story combines science and magic to create a moving setting with charming, detailed worldbuilding that’s tinged with eeriness and sadness. There is a good bit of humor in the book, as well. An enjoyable read that I have been vacillating between a rating of a 4 or 5. Reading age 8-12 years.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars