Format: Middle Grade Fiction

Clock Hands

Clock HandsClock Hands by Marieke Nijkamp, Sylvia Bi
on April 21, 2026
ISBN: 0063027135
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Clock Hands” is a middle grade graphic novel set in the world of “Ink Girls,” but can be read on its own. The author is Marieke Nijkamp and the illustrator is Sylvia Bi. In this world you have to pay to become an apprentice in a guild and many cannot afford to. Vale wants to be a metalworker, but cannot afford it until Maestro Giuseppi moves in and asks Vale to help him build an astronomical clock. The guilds don’t like this and retaliate.

The book is beautiful and does a good job showing how societal classes keep the lower classes down. This is an emotional story with difficult themes, but it is an important one. A recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections, especially those that have “Ink Girls.”

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

four-stars

Casting April

Casting AprilCasting April by Wendy Lu
on June 16, 2026
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Casting April

Author: Wendy Lu

This middle grade novel for ages 8-12 is about a sixth-grade girl named April Xue, whose grandparents were Chinese immigrants. April, who has a tracheostomy tube due to bilateral vocal cord paralysis, has developed a love of theater since seeing Hamilton. Her parents own an Asian fusion restaurant called Modern Dragon. April auditions for the lead role of Daisy in the school play called Finding Primula, which is about an astronaut lost in space whose ship explodes. Unfortunately, April is assigned to be a stage assistant and learns that Ms. Rooney, the theater director, did not cast April in the play because of her trach tube. April is determined to prove to Ms. Rooney that she deserves the role. April eventually discovers that there may be a personal reason behind Mrs. Rooney’s decision, the same reason Mrs. Rooney’s Broadway career was cut short.

April’s singular focus on the play starts to negatively affect her friendship with her best friend, Ruby, who feels left out when April forms a friendship with Zahra, a Muslim girl who landed the role of Daisy. After the performing arts center is vandalized, the cast, crew, and community band together to find a way for the show to go on, while also finding a way for April and Zahra to share the spotlight.

The inclusion of a non-binary teacher, Mx. Bruener, feels unforced and encourages empathy. The references to Hamilton are non-obscure; since a performance of the musical is readily accessible and can be streamed, it is likely much more familiar to readers than another play would be. Even though April’s disability is quite rare, her struggles about feeling different and being unfairly excluded are universal, especially during the middle school years.

 

5 stars

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

five-stars

Rootbound | A Tangled Novel

Rootbound | A Tangled NovelRootbound: A Tangled Novel by Margaret Owen
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on July 28, 2026
ISBN: 1368101046
Pages: 316
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This charming but muddled story picks up a month after the action in Disney’s 2010 movie Tangled. Rapunzel and Eugene are trying to adjust to their new roles, relationships, and expectations when they are summoned to an isolationist country on a suspicious diplomatic mission. Accompanied by a strict and fussy palace official, the pair must unravel a tantalizing mystery whose many loose ends touch celestial magic, a foreign country’s decline, a fraught royal family, and even Eugene’s own past. Unfortunately, the main storyline reaches a climax that is rather, well, tangled; the magic battle is overwhelming and confusing, while Rapunzel’s role in its resolution undermines her excellent character development up to that point. 

New and old side characters and animal hijinks keep the tone light, but the book’s real magic is its depiction of Rapunzel and Eugene not just as the lovable, spunky duo from the film but moreover survivors of difficult childhoods with relatable anxieties about their place in the world. Disney princess and Tangled fans will come for the nostalgia and hopefully stay for the uplifting character growth, magic aside.

Reviewed by Emily Ender, Oxford Hills Middle School Library, South Paris

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

Mystery of Macaw Mountain

Mystery of Macaw MountainMystery on Macaw Mountain by Maria Jose Fitzgerald
on March 10, 2026
ISBN: 0593488741
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Mystery
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Mystery on Macaw Mountain

Author: Maria Jose Fitzerald

This mystery novel for ages 8-12 takes place in Copan, Honduras. Nico and Tessa Paz-Murcia, brother and sister whose parents, Mercedes and Feliz, are separated, host a visit with their cousins, Jackie and Emilio. Mercedes is an archologist whose supposed new boyfriend, Frank, had his small bird sanctuary flooded so had to move eight macaws into temporary enclosures. The plan to re-introduce the birds in a new sanctuary among archaeological ruins is thwarted when the birds are found missing. The four cousins are determined to solve the mystery of the missing macaws, especially after the authorities assume that the birds simply escaped.

The list of suspects is long: Natalia (Frank’s helper who cares for the birds), Nando (neighbor and park guide), Anges and Diego (young archeologists who work with Mercedes), Josefina and Felipe (neighbor/baker and her son), professional wildlife traffickers.

The cousins uncovered much evidence: Natalia’s locket was found in the woods near the enclosure, and Agnes and Diego were seen taking something into the temple and coming out with 2 bundles. The cousins found a suspicious note from Nando on Mercedes’s desk. Emilio secretly records a concerning conversation between Nando’s wife, Olga, and Natalia. Then, one of the birds is found dead and delivered to Frank’s. Will the 4 kids manage to solve the crime and avenge Napoc’s death?

This is a lovely story that reminds readers that people are not always as they seem, everyone makes mistakes, and people sometimes do wrong things for seemingly good reasons. It addresses controversial practices of relocating, smuggling, and stealing valuable artifacts and relics. While this story is fiction, the Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve is a real place in Copan, which helped restore the population of free-flying scarlet macaws to the park in 2011.

This reviewer found the sheer number of characters overwhelming and confusing. Today’s young readers may be unfamiliar with some of the antiquated technology used by the characters (iPod, tape recorder) and find the frequent inclusion of Spanish words and phrases obfuscating (to young monolingual English readers) and the Mayan culture foreign and unrelatable.

3 stars

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

three-stars

Forbidden Mountain (Guardians #1)

Forbidden Mountain (Guardians #1)Forbidden Mountain (Guardians #1) by Brandon Mull
Published by Random House on April 14, 2026
ISBN: 0593712048
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

 

Forbidden Mountain is the first in the new Guardians series by Brandon Mull. Anoran children are matched with a spiritual guardian when they turn 14 years old.  Mako hopes to become a great warrior like his father.  When he matches with an Accursed, a guardian of destruction, he hopes to wield his new powers for good.  Across the kingdom, Arden has a mysterious gift of knowing when someone is telling the truth.  She hopes to use her gift to find her friend Kiko, who disappeared after joining a gang.  When she double-crosses the boss, Arden and her family must run for their lives.  Eventually, Mako and Arden’s paths cross when they both join Anoran Warmaster Rojan’s crew.  Are Mako and Arden ready for epic adventures, battles, and conspiracies?   

This book sets the stage for future books in this series.  The pacing is slow with occasional action and predictable characters and plot lines.  Students interested in epic world-building sagas may enjoy this one, but it is not necessarily written for your average middle/high school reader.

Reviewed by Jaime Beal, RSU 40, Waldoboro

three-stars

Sprout

SproutSprout by Taylor Tyng
Published by Random House Children's Books Genres: Fantasy, Magical Realism
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Middle schooler Sprout has ‘plantlers’, which is how she describes the woody growths protruding from her head that burst into bloom when she can’t control her emotions, so being out in the public eye seems out of the question. She generally keeps to herself, though she longs to go to public school and be able to be outside without a hat. After meeting a new friend named E.B. at her therapist’s office, the two set out to discover why Sprout is the way she is, and whether their New England town might be responsible for it.  This would be tricky enough, but Sprout has a few run-ins with a creepy man who seems to know a lot about her, and soon she and E.B. are simultaneously working to solve their mystery and fleeing from a sinister trio of men who want to capture her.

There is a lot going on and the story is a bit frantic, but middle grade fantasy fans who might be a little young for Stranger Things or Jeff Lemire’s Sweet Tooth will enjoy the magical realism of Sprout’s world. While it’s frightening that Sprout is being pursued, the book is ultimately an exploration of loving self-acceptance.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

The Second Life of Snap

The Second Life of SnapThe Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly
Published by Greenwillow Books on May 12, 2026
ISBN: 0063485958
Pages: 164
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Erin Entrada Kelly creates a plausible, if bluntly drawn, near-future dystopia in The Second Life of Snap: Working-class residents of Barren, Texas, live to serve their corporate overlords in nearby Bountiful while suffering deprivation of every kind. But don’t be deceived by the bleak setting or the sharp class contrast: This book is full of hope, nuance, and reverence. 

Eleven-year-old, Filipina Zuzu lives with her widowed dad and runs with the Valleycats, a foursome of “stray” kids in one of Barren’s subsidized camps. When her laid-off dad brings home his severance, a factory-reset robot, Zuzu worries the Secure Network Android Processor will babysit her, and worse, snitch on her and her friends for playing in the off-limits local scrapyard. As Zuzu gets to know the device she dubs Snap, both are transformed: Zuzu sheds her black-and-white thinking while Snap develops what appears to be sentience, feelings, and even loyalty. 

“Do you think it’s possible to change the world?” Zuzu asked. “No. Everything’s already ruined,” Elias said… “I don’t think it’s ever too late to change things,” said Zuzu.

A different story would have gone down a number of tired, well-worn paths, but Kelly gives her young audience more credit: No one saves the world, no one starts a revolution, no one comes back from the dead (battery) just the same as before – and all for the better. In the end, changes for good do occur, but they unfold subtly and gently, just like Kelly’s themes: community, change, and the interconnectedness of things. Key offscreen actions are wisely never spelled out in detail, which might frustrate some readers used to more literal storytelling. The ending is likewise not resolved tidily and predictably, going out not with a bang but a whisper – of hope.

What to love: Intersectionally diverse, endearing characters; moral complexity; taut, straightforward writing; real-life problems portrayed relatably – from best-friend envy to climate anxiety and despair; and, dare we say, snappy humor. A book for our times. 

Reviewed by Emily Ender, Oxford Hills Middle School Library, South Paris

five-stars

Donutella Hamachi and the Library Avengers

Donutella Hamachi and the Library AvengersDonutella Hamachi and the Library Avengers by Kim Chi, Stephan Lee, utomaru
Published by Candlewick Press on September 5, 2025
ISBN: 1536236705
Pages: 183
Genres: Humor, Inspiration, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship, LGBTQ+
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Jae Han, a 12-year old Korean immigrant loves the time he spends at this library. While he’s there he plays video games, practices his English, hangs out with other outcast kids, and works on his comic book centered around drag superhero Donutella Hamachi.
When the mayor plans to close the library to create a parking lot Jae Han springs into action, recruiting the librarian and friends to come up with a fundraising plan to help keep their much loved home away from home open and available to them.
This is a modern story of empowerment for young people showing exactly the power that young people with passion hold in this world.

Ages 8-12
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave

Mystery James Digs Her Own GraveMystery James Digs Her Own Grave by Ally Russell
Published by Delacorte Press on September 16, 2025
ISBN: 0593896912
Genres: Horror, Supernatural
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Mystery James is 13, very smart, fond of spiders, and devoted to Tía Lucy, who found Mystery as an infant and has been caring for her ever since. Tía Lucy runs a funeral home, which Mystery helps her with, and after a cherished heirloom goes missing from a recently buried prominent town member, the future of the funeral home, and Mystery’s relationship with Tía Lucy, is threatened. Fortunately, Mystery has her wits, her best friend Garrett, and a spider named Coffin who lives in her hair to help her find out what happened to the heirloom, and how to clear her aunt’s name. Easier said than done, since Mystery soon discovers an elaborate plan to keep a malevolent spirit attached to a cemetery that has failed due to the grave robbing her aunt has been blamed for. Mystery finds herself wrestling some complicated emotions in a Faustian bargain that will solve her aunt’s trouble, but will allow a truly despicable, vampiric menace to escape its eternal entrapment.

With the exception of the vampire and his familiar, the grave robber, everyone in this book is so relatable and reasonable; Mystery is a wonderful kid, torn between some hideous choices and the chance to do right by her Tía Lucy. This is a step up in scares from many other middle grade horror titles, and will be a great transition into scarier YA books. Readers will be left wanting more, and as luck would have it, they’ll be able to get it with the sequel being released later this year.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars