Bright Red Fruit

February 15, 2025

Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo
on February 6, 2024
ISBN: 0593381238
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
five-stars

Samira has spent her whole life trying to escape a reputation she doesn’t deserve–one caused by a rumor started by a boy many years ago. Now sixteen, the aunties of her Sudanese American community continue to hold this reputation against her while her mother does nothing to come to her defense. Samira dreams of escaping from her mother’s tight grip, moving to New York, and becoming a poet. After being grounded for the entirety of her summer, Samira turns to sharing her gift of poetry in an online forum. There she meets Horus, an older guy who showers her with compliments and makes her feel special. But Horus is not what he seems, and Samira must gather her courage to break free from his manipulation and expose him for who he truly is.

This novel in verse includes a nod to the myth of Persephone, something that seems to be popping up quite a bit in Young Adult Literature. As such, it will certainly appeal to teen girls who are struggling to find themselves, are weighed down by expectations, and may be tempted to seek validation and freedom through a relationship with an older partner. Hand this to fans of The Poet X and those who enjoy coming-of-age novels.

Grades 9-12

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

Near Misses and Cowboy Kisses

January 30, 2025

Near Misses & Cowboy Kisses by Katrina Emmel
on July 23, 2024
ISBN: 0593708148
Genres: Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
“Near Misses and Cowboy Kisses” is a YA romance by Katrina Emmel. Riley Thomas is 17 and dealing with moving from California to Nebraska due to her parents’ jobs. Beyond that, she also has to go on an Oregon Trail-themed family vacation (yes, involving wagons). While there, she meets Colton Walker, an 18-year-old cowboy working for the Oregon Trail Adventure. He is quiet and she is angry. Their awkwardness turns into friendship and then more. This is a slow-moving cowboy romance that at times is frustrating due to the main character’s miscommunication and assumptions. A suggested purchase where YA romances are popular.

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

A Queen’s Game

January 30, 2025

A Queen's Game by Katharine McGee
on November 12, 2024
ISBN: 0593710703
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
“A Queen’s Game” is the first in a new YA historical romance series by author Katharine McGee. The three main characters are all based on actual historical women from 19th-century Europe. Alix of Hesse is expected to marry Prince Edward, but she has fallen in love with Russian prince Nicholas. Former French princess Helene d’Orleans meanwhile meets up with Prince Edward and falls for him. And lastly, May of Teck wants to marry royalty to get away from her family.

There is a lot of drama, political twist, and romantic scenes, so readers who enjoy a twisty historical romance will like this one. It reads a bit like a Victorian Gossip Girl at times. It unfortunately ends on a cliffhanger, so readers will have to wait for the sequel. This is a suggested purchase where YA historical romances are popular.

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

Blame My Virgo Moon

January 30, 2025

Blame My Virgo Moon (Never Trust a Gemini, #2) by Freja Nicole Woolf
on May 2, 2024
ISBN: 153623530X
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
“Blame My Virgo Moon” is the second book in the “Never Trust a Gemini” YA series by Freja Nicole Woolf. Cat is 15 years old and very into astrology. She is an Aquarius. Since the end of the last book, she has a girlfriend, Morgan, who is a Gemini. Cat is having trouble integrating Morgan into her friend group. Cat also ends up in the school play as a lead, so she has to deal with stress there as well.

A funny high school novel that seems a bit foolish at times (I don’t know if teens actually exclaim “gooseberries” all that often) and has a lot of rom-com tropes, this is an additional purchase for YA collections where astrology books are popular.

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

Legend of the White Snake

January 22, 2025

Legend of the White Snake by Sher Lee
Published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins on October 15, 2024
ISBN: 0063327198
Genres: Fantasy, Folklore, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Prince Xian’s mother is near death. The cause of her slow demise is that of a snake bite she received many years before. After searching for the elusive white pearl cure, Prince Xian had it in the palm of his hand, until Zhen, a white snake, consumed the pearl becoming a spirit snake, able to transform into a man. Seven years later, an oracle has foreseen the white snake drawn near the kingdom and Prince Xian sets off on a quest to find it and the cure.

On his quest, Xian encounters a charming young man named Zhen. They are drawn together until each other’s pasts become clear; both have to battle some inner turmoil to hopefully find their “happily ever after.”

This novel is a modern take on the Chinese folktale of the same name. There is a nice mix of fantasy and romance. Lee expertly portrays Chinese culture and LGBTQ characters. Like many fairy tales, the characters fall in love at first sight and in this novel they do have a sexual relationship (not overly detailed) which not all young readers may be ready for. Overall, it fits well within the YA folktale retelling formula that finds success.

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.

The Girl With No Reflection

January 7, 2025

The Girl with No Reflection by Keshe Chow
Published by Delacorte Press on August 6, 2024
ISBN: 0593707508
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Romance
Format: Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
An arranged royal marriage to the egotistical, cold, and indifferent prince is the last thing princess Ying Yue wants. Escape arrives when Ying discovers a magical world living in the mirror. Her reflection self asks to trade places with her. In the reflection world, Ying finds the reflection Prince to be kind and compassionate, leading to the love story she had been dreaming of. Like most fantasy stories, dreams are never what they seem to be. Monsters, mystery, secret plots, and a war are what begin to unfold. Ying must untwist a prophecy and try to put a stop to the horrible path she put into play when she started traveling between the real and reflective worlds.

This YA novel is a mix of fantasy, romance (romantasy), mystery, and a little horror. The author begins with a note stating that inspiration was taken from cultural elements of Imperial China, but are a work of fiction, not historical fact. The confusing task of determining who are the “good guys” is a huge driving force of the plot. The mirror world feels like an enticing concept for this fantasy story, but the characters and plot just don’t live up to the expectation.

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.

The Glass Girl

January 2, 2025

The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow
on October 1, 2024
ISBN: 0525708081
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
“The Glass Girl” is a teen/YA realistic fiction novel by Kathleen Glasgow. Bella is a fifteen-year-old with an alcohol problem. She started drinking at age 11 and has gotten very good at getting adults to purchase her alcohol outside liquor stores. She thinks that drinking is the way to deal with her past traumas, but when she ends up in the hospital for alcohol poisoning, her mom sends her to an outdoor rehab program.

This story obviously contains heavy topics like addiction, emotional trauma, and rehab. Bella’s character is very well crafted and will make the reader hope for the best. Lots of setbacks, but an overall message of hope, this is a recommended purchase for YA collections where realistic fiction is popular.

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

Gentlest of Wild Things

December 13, 2024

Gentlest of Wild Things by Sarah Underwood
on August 15, 2024
ISBN: 0063234521
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
“Gentlest of Wild Things” is a young adult fiction spin on Greek mythology. The story focuses on twin sisters Eirene and Phoebe, who have managed to avoid being struck with Desire, a magic spell from Leandros (descendant of Eros) that brainwashes women to do his bidding. Unfortunately, Leandros now has set his eyes on Phoebe. Eirene makes a deal with Leandros where she will complete four tasks and marry him instead of Phoebe. Meanwhile she meets Leandros’ hidden daughter Lamia and begins to fall for her.

An interesting read with themes of sisterhood and feminism. Those who are more familiar with Greek mythology may enjoy the book’s twists and reimagining more. A suggested purchase for YA fiction collections where Greek myth retellings like “Lore” are popular.

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

The Brightness Between Us

December 13, 2024

The Brightness Between Us (The Darkness Outside Us, #2) by Eliot Schrefer
on October 1, 2024
ISBN: 0063343762
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
“The Brightness Between Us” is a young adult science fiction novel by Eliot Schrefer. The book is a sequel to Schrefer’s “The Darkness Outside Us.” Ambrose and Kodiak have managed to set up a small settlement on the planet Minerva. They have two teen children grown from embryos: Yarrow and Owl. Yarrow is about to turn 16 and when he does he begins acting out in violent and unexpected ways. The family needs to figure out how to help him, while also preparing for a potentially deadly comet strike.

The story is told from different points of view that tie up together in the end. We get to see how Ambrose and Kodiak handle parenting and how their little family manages. Past actions of humans involved in the project to get Ambrose and Kodiak to the exoplanet are revealed and we see how they react and cope. A must-buy for YA science fiction collections that have the first book.

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

Adventures of Mary Jane

December 13, 2024

Adventures of Mary Jane by Hope Jahren
Published by Delacorte Press on June 25, 2024
ISBN: 0593484118
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
“The Adventures of Mary Jane” is a young adult historical fiction novel by Hope Jahren. Mary Jane is a teen living frontier life in Minnesota in the mid-1800s, when she is sent down the Mississippi River on a riverboat to help her aunt. Jahren is a scientist and clearly has done her research into the history of the time. The book’s setting feels real and accurate. Mary Jane is a smart, funny, and adventurous girl who showcases girl power in the best way. The book includes a map, suggested reading for more information, and a note from the author about the history in the text. A very well written and exciting novel that will keep readers interested. A recommended purchase for YA fiction collections where historical fiction is popular.

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