Sunrise Nights (Jeff Zentner and Brittany Cavallero)

February 28, 2025

Sunrise Nights by Brittany Cavallaro, Jeff Zentner
on July 9, 2024
ISBN: 0063324539
Genres: Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Sunrise Nights is a young adult romance uniquely told in prose and verse. Main characters Florence and Jude meet at an art summer camp where on the last night campers have a “sunrise night” where they can roam freely around the town as long as they make the check-ins until sunrise. Florence and Jude meet on a sunrise night and decide on a whim to spend it together and then not talk to each other again, leaving their connection in the hands of fate. Florence is faced with losing her sight and Jude is struggling with big changes in his family. In one night they become close with lots of “will they / won’t they” tension— but then they part ways when the sun comes up. Throughout the next year we follow Florence and Jude as their lives continue and they think about each other. As the book unfolds between sunrise nights and the year apart, prose and verse, Florence and Jude, we are pulled along on the characters’ journeys to discover each other and themselves. I’d recommend this for any secondary collection that’s looking for more romance and especially for those who like novels in verse. While only sections of it are in verse, those sections draw readers in and help change up the pace in an engaging way. This is also great for those who don’t want much physical intimacy as the most that happens between the characters is kissing (though there is mention of a side character and teen pregnancy). I really enjoyed what felt like realistic twists and turns between the two characters and how they developed individually and in foil to each other. The book captures the feeling of summer, possibility, all-nighters, and young love. Four stars.

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

Songlight

February 28, 2025

Songlight (The Torch Trilogy, #1) by Moira Buffini
on September 3, 2024
ISBN: 0063358212
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
Elsa lives each day with a life altering secret. She possesses the power of songlight. The ability to connect telepathically with others holding the gift. Unfortunately, in the dictatorship of Brightland, those with the gift are ruled “Unhuman” and people are rewarded for turning in torches, those with songlight. Once discovered, torches are marked for a procedure rendering them into a thoughtless state of servitude. The only other person to know of Elsa’s secret is Rye, who shares the same gift and also a blossoming relationship.

Everything falls apart when Rye is betrayed, sparking a chain of events in Elsa’s life that puts not only her life on a dangerous path, but the entire path of societal authority. In her state of grief, Elsa cries out with her songlight only to “harmonize” with Nightingale, a girl hundreds of miles away. Both girls benefit from the dangerous connection, but Nightingale also has a secret. Her father is the head of a government group in charge of rooting out Unhumans, and he doesn’t know about his own daughter’s gifts.

Buffini’s first book in what will be a trilogy introduces great notes of fantasy, dystopian society, star crossed lovers, danger at every corner, adventure, human rights, and so much more. There are diverse characters and multiple viewpoints. The book does contain sexual assault, adult relationships, and is heavy on the cursing, making it more appropriate for a mature YA audience.

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

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge

February 22, 2025February 22, 2025

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge by Matthew Hubbard
on April 30, 2024
ISBN: 0593707176
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars
Ezra’s self-esteem has been ripped to shreds through his secret relationship with closeted football player, Presley. After Presley cheats on him and Ezra’s best friends Lucas and Finley also find themselves breaking up with their boyfriends, they each devise a plan to get revenge on their exes. Through the use of an anonymous TikTok account, Ezra sets his plan into motion. Soon enough though, the social media presence takes on a much larger purpose–exposing their Alabama school district’s “Watch What You Say” policy that seeks to silence queer voices.

One of the most endearing elements of this story is Ezra’s relationship with his Dad, who is delightfully supportive and encouraging. His Dad’s determination to get him to love himself as he is gives the story an extra injection of heart. This book will appeal to teens not just because of its LGBTQ+ themes and its dash of romance, but because it reminds them that they have the power to make significant change no matter who or where they are. The way that Ezra and his friends use civil disobedience to fight back against an administration that continually gaslights them by claiming they are on their side, threatens them, and uses the tired argument that the district’s mission is to protect family values is inspiring. There are consistent reminders to queer students throughout the book that they are enough and that they must continue to fight for visibility no matter who is trying to push them back into the closet. A call to action in our present times indeed.

Grades 9-12

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

A Place for Vanishing

February 21, 2025February 21, 2025

A Place for Vanishing by Ann Fraistat
on January 16, 2024
ISBN: 0593382234
Genres: Horror
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
five-stars

After a stint in the hospital following her attempted suicide and a new bipolar III diagnosis, sixteen-year-old Libby has moved into her mother’s childhood home along with her family. Known as Madame Clery’s House of Masks, this long abandoned house known for its seances has a storied past including a long history of disappearances, most notably that of her mother’s parents back when she was a young child. Libby tries to make the best of this adjustment, knowing that voicing her concerns about the house will only drive a deeper wedge between her, her mother, and her thirteen-year-old sister, Vivi. But the bug infestations, mysterious masks, odd decor, strange noises, and unsettling blue roses adorning the property are too much to ignore. Noticing the hold the house seems to have over her mother and a change in her behavior that gets creepier by the day, Libby works to uncover the house’s secrets before it’s too late. It will take all the strength she can muster, including asking for help from her infuriatingly cute neighbor, Flynn, to save her family and herself from the same fate suffered by so many before them.

A Place for Vanishing is a deeply atmospheric tale with mental health at its core. Libby’s inner turmoil of fighting her triggers and searching to find the strength within to keep herself from falling into the despair that makes her wish she could disappear is a direct link to Madame Clery’s masks and her belief in human metamorphosis. While obvious, the weaving of the supernatural with Libby’s struggle is very well done. This page-turner offers plenty of spine-tingling, disquieting, and flat-out frightening moments, body horror, and a tiny bit of romance. Fans of gothic horror will undoubtedly gobble this one up but those with a fear of insects will want to stay far away!

Grade 8 and Up

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

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.