Fart Boy and Reeky Dog

November 10, 2025

Fart Boy and Reeky Dog by Joan Holub, Rafael Rosado
ISBN: 0593434307
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Humorous
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads

Fart Boy and Reeky Dog are about superheroes from another planet who come to save Earth from Perfume Lady. This had the makings of a story I could see 1st through 3rd graders loving: superheroes, potty humor, and a big battle, but alas I found the execution lacking. There was very little character development, and the action, while there, was slow and dragging. Even my six-year-old, who loves humor and superheroes, was bored after a bit and never asked to read it again (and he does not forget about the things he enjoys). I would not recommend it for purchase, but, if it did find its way into your collection, I would hand it to 1st to 3rd graders who are looking for humor or superhero stories. This was a one-star read for me.

Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

Night Chef

November 7, 2025

Night Chef: An Epic Tale of Friendship with a Side of Deliciousness! (A Graphic Novel) by Mika Song
ISBN: 0593303156
Genres: Animals
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Night Chef by Mika Song

Night Chef is a graphic novel with charming illustrations that will delight 1st through 4th graders. Night Chef is about a squirrel who lives next to a restaurant and watches the chefs through the walls. Each night, Night Chef emerges to cook with what the chefs leave behind. One night, she decides to make ramen and scurries about to find supplies. She discovers an egg, but before she can cook it, it hatches! Suddenly, Night Chef finds herself trying to get the hatchling, who she names Ichi, home to her family. Along the way, they discover more animals who need help, and they have a suspenseful adventure. Readers will love the engaging illustrations and the suspense of if Night Chef can help Ichi and the other animals or not. Early readers will love that there are several sections told exclusively through pictures, which changes up the pacing and adds intrigue and excitement to the story. Readers who love Song’s other books, such as Apple of My Pie, Donut Feed the Squirrels, or Pizza My Heart, will enjoy this title just as much, if not more. This would be a great addition to any library serving patrons who love graphic novels, heartwarming stories, or animals, especially those of elementary age. This was a five-star read for me.

Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur: A Graphic Novel Based on a True Story

November 3, 2025November 3, 2025

The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur: A Graphic Novel Based on a True Story by Allan Wolf, José Pimienta
on October 7, 2025
ISBN: 1536217433
Format: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Companion of sorts to Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom. This middle-grade graphic novel tells the true story of Lake Peigneur and the day it suddenly drained when an oil drill met an underground salt mine. Thankfully no one was hurt but a lot of lives were upended as a result. In 1980 a Texaco oil drill in the middle of Lake Peigneur hit the active underground salt mine below the lake and water quickly rushed in. All the miners were able to evacuate the mine just in time because the (very slow) elevator could only hold so many men at a time. The lake drained over a period of 3-5 hours and refilled within 48 hours leaving a path of devastation. Give this to readers after they’ve read Junius Leak so they can learn more about the real story of Lake Peigneur.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

Cry Out Loud

November 3, 2025

Cry Out Loud: (A Graphic Novel) by Tara O'Connor
ISBN: 0593125533
Genres: Horror
Format: Graphic Novel, Young Adult
Goodreads
five-stars

This graphic novel is set on a remote island in Ireland and the illustrations perfectly complement the creepy horror story. When Nell is suspended from school, her mother ships her off to distant relatives in Northern Ireland whom she’s never met. Nell soon learns that there is a long-time ritual sacrifice being planned to keep Banshees at bay and she is at the center of everything. Nell meets a ghost and somehow travels back in time. She learns about (and meets) more family members – including her mother as a young girl. She also learns why she is at the center of a family ritual to keep banshees at bay. Will Nell find a way to break the cycle? This suspenseful graphic novel is perfect for mature middles schoolers and YA readers.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

Magic Tree House (The Graphic Novel): Midnight on the Moon

October 17, 2025

Magic Tree House (The Graphic Novel): Midnight on the Moon Midnight on the Moon Graphic Novel (Magic Tree House Graphic Novels) by Jenny Laird, Kelly Matthews, Mary Pope Osborne, Nichole Matthews
ISBN: 0593706056
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Fiction, Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars
Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House The Graphic Novel: Midnight on the Moon

Adapted by: Jenny Laird

Illustrated by Kelly & Nichole Matthews

This book is the eighth in the series of graphic novels adapted from the Magic Tree house chapter books. Jack and Annie are siblings who have a magic tree house in their backyard. The tree house whisks them away to the moon in the future on a mission to save Morgan. Jack and Annie must find the fourth M thing to break Merlin’s spell which transformed Morgan into Peanut the mouse. This book does not do well as a stand-alone, as the reader never learns how Jack and Annie met Morgan. The end of the book contains an excerpt from the accompanying Fact Tracker: Space, which explains some of the science behind the astronomy covered in the novel. This is a quick read for reluctant readers and would serve as a nice stepping stone to the chapter book, which has the same plot. For ages 6-9.

3 stars

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

Fresh Start

October 14, 2025April 14, 2026

Fresh Start by Gale Galligan
Published by Scholastic on January 7, 2025
ISBN: 1338045849
Pages: 271
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars
Galligan, whose drawing style is easily recognizable by young readers as the illustrator of some of the Babysitters Club graphic novels after Raina Telgemeier stepped down from the franchise, has a hit with her second original graphic novel. The main character, Ollie, is a middle school-aged diplomat’s kid and in a twist on the trope, moves around all the time and actually likes it. She looks at each move as a do-over, a fresh start. When the family lands back in the US, in Virginia, and Ollie has messed up socially, she is ready to move again. Curve ball, her father has taken a new job and intends to keep the family in one spot so his daughters can finish their schooling in one place. Ollie’s love of anime draws her into a group of girls who adore the format, but who aren’t quite ready for Ollie’s brash personality. Ollie’s younger sister, Cat, gets pulled into a group of popular kids who end up using her and getting her in trouble with her parents.Staying in one place causes both Ollie and Cat to realize that making friends is easy, but sticking around and cultivating friendships, that is tough. They also find that they can rely on one another, which leads to a great moment at the end of the book. Galligan draws on her own experiences of moving around as a kid, of growing up part Thai (her mother’s side) in worlds where she was too-Thai or not-Thai-enough, and of being an awkward middle schooler. Readers will enjoy this story and clamor from more from Galligan.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

Hikaru in the Light

October 10, 2025

Hikaru in the Light! Vol. 1 by Mai Matsuda
ISBN: 1546140980
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
“Hikaru in the Light” is a middle grade manga by Mai Matsuda. Hikaru is a middle schooler who loves to sing while working in her family’s bathhouse. Her friend Ran became a singer in a pop group and Hikaru dreams about doing the same. When she runs into Ran, her friend asks her to try out with her for a new singing group, but does Hikaru have what it takes?

Hikaru is a very likeable character, and readers will enjoy following her attempt to become a singing idol. Readers will relate to Hikaru’s anxiety while she pushes to make her dream come true. Grit and friendship are clearly major themes in this book and will appeal to readers, especially middle graders. A suggested purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections where manga is popular.

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

I Wanna Be Your Girl

September 20, 2025

I Wanna Be Your Girl, Volume 1 by Umi Takase
Published by RH Graphic on April 12, 2019
ISBN: 0593902939
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, LGBTQ+, Romance
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars
Hime and Akira have been inseparable best friends since childhood. Now in high school, Akira is ready to show the world what Hime has know for years: Akira, while known formerly to be a boy, is actually a girl. The change is hard for some classmates to accept, but Akira has Hime to defend her no matter what. When Akira makes a new friend, Hime must confront her complicated emotions about her best friend, and decide how to support Akira while staying true to her own feelings. Hime’s protection of Akira comes from a deep well of love, and future volumes promise to show Hime exploring the changing nature of that love and what it means for their friendship. Manga romance fans will tear through this.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

Sea Legs

September 15, 2025

Sea Legs (Sea Legs #1) by Jules Bakes, Niki Smith
on February 4, 2025
ISBN: 1338835866
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
“Sea Legs” is a middle grade graphic novel by Jules Bakes and Niki Smith. The book is loosely based on Jules Bakes’ time spent traveling on a boat with her parents as a child. In the book, Janey is a middle-schooler who is leaving her school to travel with her parents on their boat, “The Merimaid.” She leaves behind her best friend and since this is set in the early 90s, it will be a long time that she’ll be out of touch. The story follows Janey going to new places and learning new things (and teaches the reader about the different parts of the boat), and eventually making a friend (?) in Astrid, a girl on another boat.

Readers will see Janey learn about making friends and having empathy, and finding out that you don’t always know what others are going through in their lives. The book was a bit heavy at times, but felt appropriate for middle school readers. A recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections.

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