The Strongest Heart

April 10, 2025April 10, 2026

The Strongest Heart by Saadia Faruqi
Published by Quill Tree Books on March 4, 2025
ISBN: 0063115859
Pages: 384
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The story of a Pakistani-American family that is living with the fallout of a mentally unstable parent. Mo’s dad has moods that shake the house; his mother has had enough and takes a job in another country, leaving Mo to navigate his father. The two move to Houston to live with Mo’s aunt and cousin. This heartfelt story, taken from Faruqi’s personal experiences in childhood, explores what it’s like to cope with a parent’s mental illness while trying to find your place in the world. Mo finds escape in desi folktales, boxing, school, and newfound family relationships. A heartbreaking, but ultimately heartwarming novel that does not shy away from the hard truths some young people live with. It will appeal to readers in upper elementary and middle school.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

On the Block

April 9, 2025

On the Block: Stories of Home by Ellen Oh
ISBN: 0593648447
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“On the Block: Stories of Home” is a collection of short stories about kids living in an apartment building and their different cultures. Edited by Ellen Oh and featuring stories written by many popular middle grade authors, each chapter in this book is about a different kid living in the building and their various situations. All of the stories are interesting and the characters are very realistic. The only critique is that the stories didn’t really feel like they were all set in the same apartment building, but each chapter is great on its own. A must-buy for all middle grade fiction collections.

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

The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond

April 9, 2025

The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond by Christyne Morrell
on September 17, 2024
ISBN: 0593707605
Genres: Adventure, Supernatural
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond” is a middle grade paranormal fiction novel about Charlotte, a girl who is forced to move with her dad from New York to a small town in Florida. Their new house is creepy and supposedly haunted by ghosts. There is supposed to be a cursed diamond hidden in the house and Charlotte wants to find it and sell it to move back to New York.

The point of view of the book switches between Charlotte and the ghosts. Kids who have reluctantly had to move will empathize with Charlotte and her single-minded desire to go back “home.” A funny and not really frightening story, this is an additional purchase for libraries where paranormal fiction is popular.

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

The Daggers of Ire

March 28, 2025

The Daggers of Ire by J.C. Cervantes
Published by HarperCollins on May 3, 2024
ISBN: 0063312077
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Daggers of Ire” is a middle grade fantasy by J.C. Cervantes. Esme is a 12-year-old dealing with the aftermath of her mother’s death. Her father is grieving heavily and all Esme wants is to fix things. As a bruja (a witch) with chaos magic, Esme is not supposed to use her powers, but when all the witches in the town suddenly disappear, she must go on a quest to get them back.

The book does a lot of worldbuilding in the beginning and eventually becomes a fast-paced fantasy adventure. Esme and her friends are funny and readers will enjoy as they fight to save their town against evil. A recommended purchase for middle grade fantasy collections, especially where Cervantes’ books are popular.

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

The Creepening of Dogwood House

March 24, 2025

The Creepening of Dogwood House by Eden Royce
Published by Walden Pond Press on July 30, 2024
ISBN: 006325140X
Pages: 257
Genres: Horror, Suspense
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

An atmospheric Southern Gothic horror novel for middle grade readers. Roddie has lost his mother in a car accident and is bereft. He has been remanded to the state to wait for his mother’s next of kin to claim him. This happens to be his mother’s sister, Aunt Angie along with her husband Erik. The two become his guardians and who move him to his mother’s childhood home Dogwood House, which has been vacant and is in disrepair. Roddie never heard his mother mention this house or that she fled from it when she was a young woman. But something is definitely not right in this creepy place. With a deft hand, Royce takes us along with Roddie as he is pulled into the dark horror of the creature who feeds off hair and takes over the memories of those it steals from. Strong adult characters who care for and listen to Roddie, along with a strong sense of place, make this hoo-doo-infused narrative a satisfyingly chilling read.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

Love Requires Chocolate

March 20, 2025March 20, 2025

Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield
on August 20, 2024
ISBN: 0593571541
Genres: Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

“Love Requires Chocolate” is a YA romance novel by Ravynn K. Stringfield. Whitney is a Black American teen who is doing a semester abroad in Paris. She has a huge list of must-dos while she is there, as well as creating a play about her idol, Josephine Baker. Things aren’t shaping up the way she pictured: her roommates are standoffish and her French tutor, an older French teen, Thierry, is grumpy and only doing it to end his suspension from the soccer team. They strike a bargain where Thierry will help her with her list and she will give him a good review to have him reinstated. Lots of fun scenes where we learn about Paris. I enjoyed Stringfield’s attention to the Black history of Paris. Some parts of the plot seem a bit rushed, but the book is a happy and engaging romance. An additional purchase for YA romance collections.

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

Louder Than Hunger

March 19, 2025March 21, 2025

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu
Published by Candlewick Press on March 5, 2024
ISBN: 1536229091
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Eighth-grader Jake is tormented by The Voice in his head who tells him to eat less, exercise more, and that he is unworthy of love and undeserving of anything good. He enters an inpatient treatment program at Whispering Pines Hospital where he refuses to participate in therapy sessions and resists treatment, continuing to rely on The Voice. In addition to anorexia nervosa, Jake is also diagnosed with depression and OCD and he finds himself in a one-step-forward, two-steps-back recovery cycle set in the late 90’s. The story ends on a hopeful note as Jake truly begins healing and sends The Voice packing.

This is a powerful, heart-wrenching novel-in-verse. Reading about Jake’s struggle as he goes back and forth between progress and regression is tough, but realistic. His issues with bullying, relating to his parents, self-esteem, as well as his close relationship with his grandmother will all be points of recognition for many middle school readers. This is a book that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

A letter from the author checking in with his readers and recounting his own experience with anorexia is included along with resources on eating disorders.

Grades 6-8

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

The Girls of Skylark Lane

March 18, 2025

The Girls of Skylark Lane by Robin Benway
Published by Harper on 10/01/2024
ISBN: 9780063311596
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
Twelve year old twins Jac and Aggie move with their dads to Skylark Lane in Los Angeles. The girls quickly befriend other neighborhood girls their age, including a girl they later learn is transgender. They join their unofficial softball team, even though drama often prevents them from practicing. Things are going well for Jac and Aggie, but they start to realize that they don’t have as much in common as they used to. They both have loving relationships with their fathers who are able to offer each twin advice and comfort. This strong family bond helps them when they are forced to suddenly evacuate due to fires. When they return, the neighborhood girls and their families rally together to support their friends who lost their home.

This coming of age novel is told in alternating points of view of each sister. This story will resonate with 4th-6th grade girls who are going through puberty and experiencing first crushes. The friendships the twins make are strong, and though there are misunderstandings, there are also apologies and forgiveness. This sweet and satisfying story is one of resilience, family, and friendship and would be great for any public or school library.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

Maven Takes the Lead

March 10, 2025

Girl Scouts: Maven Takes the Lead by Yamile Saied Méndez
ISBN: 0063317818
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
Maven is nervous to start 5^th grade. Her best friend, Gemma, recently switched schools and now they only get to see each other at Girl Scouts. All of the other kids seem to start the school year boasting about fancy vacations they took, while Maven is self-conscious about spending all Summer entertaining her younger brother and cousins. Maven quickly befriends a new girl, Sylvie, and invites her to Girl Scouts, where Sylvie and Gemma hit it off (perhaps a little too well, leaving Maven feeling left out). In the classroom, Maven has volunteered to lead a robotics competition, which she does not feel prepared for (she’s more of a creative type, and definitely not an expert in robotics). She quickly gets overwhelmed with the competition, spending late nights reading robotics books she checked out from the library and fussing over robotics kits. Even worse, while the class is supposed to be a united team, it has unraveled into a petty competition of boys versus girls (and Maven refuses to let down the girls in her class). Obsessed with the competition, Maven starts neglecting her relationships. With a good look in the mirror, and some honest conversations, she works to repair her relationships, bring her team together, and be proud of who she is. An optional purchase, especially good for areas with active Girl Scout troops or if looking for series similar to the Baby-Sitters Club. Recommended for ages 8-10 (3^rd to 5^th Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

Desert Echoes

March 6, 2025

Desert Echoes by Abdi Nazemian
on September 10, 2024
ISBN: 0063339633
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
“Desert Echoes” is a young adult fiction novel by Abdi Nazemian. The book switches between freshman year and junior year for Kam, detailing the start of his relationship with his eventual boyfriend Ash, and when his boyfriend goes missing, and then years later, facing the disappearance and accepting his emotions. Kam has amnesia as to why Ash disappeared. The book seemed like it was going to be more of a mystery, but it is mostly an emotional rollercoaster of Kam’s past relationship and tugging at your heartstrings as more facts come to light. At times the switch from present to past seemed confusing, but it was an interesting way to set up the novel. The book deals with a lot of difficult topics, like grief, abuse, and racism. A suggested additional purchase where Nazemian’s books are popular.

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