Source: MSL Book Review

Yippee! Rabbit

Yippee! RabbitYippee! Rabbit (Jo Ham's Rabbit) by Jo Ham
Published by Candlewick Studio on 01/25
ISBN: 1536241334
Genres: Animals, board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A board book adapted from Ham’s picture book of the same title. High contrast black and turquoise designs on a white background. Simple text, one or two words per page, follow the antics of an adventurous rabbit. Delightful, simple and engaging. Toddlers will love this, and their readers will be likewise charmed.

Highly recommend.

5 stars, cream

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

True Life in Uncanny Valley

True Life in Uncanny ValleyTrue Life in Uncanny Valley by Deb Caletti
Published by Labyrinth Road on March 18, 2025
ISBN: 059370861X
Pages: 401
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Sixteen-year-old Eleanor and her older sister Ros were raised by a single mom. Their father, billionaire tech genius Hugo Harrison, lives in the same city but a world apart, and they have no contact with him. Despite this, or maybe because of it, Eleanor finds herself drawn to his glittery, famous, wealthy world. Accidentally (sort of) she bumps into Aurora, the young, gorgeous social media influencer stepmother she’s never met – and finds herself being offered the position of live-in nanny for her two-year-old half-brother. Eleanor provides a false last name and finds herself catapulted into a summer of secrets: not telling her mother or sister who she’s really working for, and not telling her father’s family who she really is.

As the weeks progress, one thing becomes clear: nothing in this family is as it seems from outside. The idyllic life portrayed on social media and followed by millions isn’t real. As Eleanor digs deeper into the secret of what Hugo Harrison is developing – his next huge, world changing tech reveal – she is horrified to discover both what it is, and how her young half-brother has been being used in the development of it. The titular “Uncanny Valley” is a reference to the instinctual revulsion that humans feel when faced with lifelike AI beings that are undefinably “off” – and ultimately it’s that confrontation that that will define Eleanor’s summer, by challenging the very idea of how humans connect to one another, and what the role of family – most especially parents – really is.

This is a great novel on many levels; Eleanor is a realistic and sympathetic character trying to find her place in a confusing world as a teenager, navigating family drama, a budding romance, and a (one sided) experience of trying to connect with father’s family. It is also a searing look at tech, social media, and AI – both the good, and the bad. Caletti looks hard at tech: both the way new advances are touted publicly, but also the impact on a personal level, and she does this in a highly readable, hard-to-put-down way. Secondary characters are thought out and three dimensional, adding substance and grounded reality to the story.

Highly recommend! Widespread appeal given multiple themes of tech, family dynamics, teenage coming-of-age themes and light romance.

5 stars/cream

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

The Boy Who Lost His Spark

The Boy Who Lost His SparkThe Boy Who Lost His Spark by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, Maggie O'Farrell
Published by Walker Books on 4/1/25
ISBN: 1536233935
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
Jem is not happy that he and his family have moved from the city to a small village.  His younger sister, on the other hand, loves it, and believes that noukas, little fluffy creatures, live in the hill in their village.  These ancient creatures cause mischief throughout the village, but Jem is too unhappy to believe in them.  He instead believes his teacher who says the village hill used to be a volcano and contains nothing but rock, and is adamant that nothing lives there.  However, Jem starts to believe in them when he turns in his volcano assignment at school and his teacher discovers drawings of little creatures that Jem definitely did not draw. Slowly Jem notices things and starts to believe, even meeting one of the cute kitten-like creatures.  Around the nouka Jem feels settled, able to be calm and in control.  Sensing it is lonely, and believing that noukas love fire, Jem and his family build a fire in what used to be the crater of the volcano.  

Jem wants to repay the noukas for all the favors it has given the people of the village.  It is at this first fire that Jem feels like he belongs and doesn’t want to move anywhere else. This fire soon becomes a tradition in the village, a way for the community to come together and celebrate the little creature living in the hill, who creates mischief to bring happiness.

This book would be ideal for public libraries.  It is a perfect read aloud for children who are no longer as interested in picture books, but might not be ready for a longer chapter book.  This book has classic looking illustrations of various sizes on most pages, adding a little whimsy to the story.  Occasionally the illustrations are full spreads or a striking color to emphasize the content of the story.  Readers will also notice faded Gaelic text at the bottom of most pages, tying into the Gaelic poem and song found at the end of the story.  The heavy book and shiny pages also makes this a good book to give a child as a gift.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Pizza and Taco: Draw Your Own Comic!

Pizza and Taco: Draw Your Own Comic!Pizza and Taco: Draw Your Own Comic!: Stickers Inside! [An Activity Book] by Stephen Shaskan
Published by Random House Children's Books ISBN: 0593814576
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Humorous, Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Shaskan created a gem with this quick and interactive read. Beloved characters, Pizza and Taco, take readers on a journey to learn all about comics and how to make their own. Graphic novels fans will learn important terminology (did you know the space between panels is called the gutter?), and how to use different elements to convey different meanings to readers. Shaskan also covers important topics like character develment, setting, and story creation.

The end of the book is a series of guided blank panels that encourage readers to create their own comic. No detail is overlooked: children can remove the book’s jacket to create a new cover, adding their own art, subtitle, and byline.

The only reason this book received four stars instead of five is because it is not suited for library shelves. This book literally begs to be drawn in. It would be a great gift for any child who likes comics or creating their own stories and would work very well as a giveaway to complement a library workshop on the topic.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta

four-stars

Taylor Swift: Superstar!

Taylor Swift: Superstar!Taylor Swift: Superstar! (Step into Reading) by Shana Corey
Published by Random House on 2/25/25
ISBN: 9788217031535
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
Taylor Swift: Superstar! is a Step Into Reading  biography about Taylor Swift.  Early readers will enjoy learning about Swift’s upbringing in Pennsylvania, her move to Nashville, and her rise to superstardom.  Taylor Swift had big dreams and readers are encouraged to follow their big dreams, too.  The font is large and there are no more than three sentences on a page.  This book is ideal for readers who still need some support as they learn how to read.  The colorful illustrations will appeal to young Swifties and this is a fun way to introduce readers to the biography genre.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

The Unlikely Heroes Club

The Unlikely Heroes ClubThe Unlikely Heroes Club by Kate Foster
Published by Candlewick Press on 4/1/25
ISBN: 1536239046
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Oli is spending his spring break at Hero Club, a weeklong program for autistic children to learn social and self care skills.  On the way to his first session, Oli sees a dog that needs rescuing, but he freezes in the moment and doesn’t help the dog.  The guilt stays with Oli and he tries to think of ways to help the dog.  He is relieved to find out that other kids in the Hero Club have also seen this dog.  None of the adults believe the kids, so they decide to come up with a plan to rescue the dog on their own, before the building it is living in is demolished.  It’s a risky plan, especially for Oli, but he does not want to disappoint his new friends.

This chapter book is a great mirror/window book about neurodiversity.  Readers will enjoy the suspense of the Heroes trying to rescue the dog, but the backdrop of the book are the sessions where the kids work hard to learn about things autistic people often struggle with such as identifying emotions, making and keeping friends, and quieting their minds and bodies.  All of the main characters are neurodiverse, so they don’t stand out negatively in any way.  In fact, each character is celebrated for the unique skills they contribute to the dog’s rescue.  Oli also has a supportive and loving family, and his relationship with his sister is sweet to witness.  This book is highly recommended for any school or public library that has 3rd-5th grade readers.  

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Cicely Tyson

Cicely TysonCicely Tyson by Renée Watson
Published by HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks on November 5, 2024
Pages: 48
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Cicely Tyson’s story shines in this celebration of her life and accomplishments. Written in verse this picture book biography showcases her life from childhood in New York City through her career and up to her death in 2021. Her story is synonymous with Black History and culture in the United States.
The corresponding illustrations are as vibrant as the text and tell the story in equal measure. This book is a beautiful look into the life of a strong and loved Black figure in the United States.

Ages 6-9

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

five-stars

Freya and the Snake

Freya and the SnakeFreya and the Snake by Fredrik Sonck, Jenny Lucander
Published by Kids Can Press on June 3, 2025
ISBN: 9781525313721
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
two-stars

Freya and her family are working in their garden when her brother, Hugo, sees what he believes to be a worm. It’s actually a snake that Freya names Snakey. Mom and Dad are very worried about Snakey living in the rocks in their garden and the possibility that it could bite and hurt one year old Hugo. They hatch a plan to catch Snakey to rehome him far away but he proves more elusive than they can handle and Dadmakes the tough decision that he needs to kill the snake instead to keep his family safe. Freya is very angry at her father and calls him a murderer while we watch her navigate her emotions as she comes to terms with what her father had to do.

This book is the translation from its native Finnish.

Ages 5-8

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

two-stars

No, Nancy, No! A Dog Chase in New York

No, Nancy, No! A Dog Chase in New YorkNo, Nancy, No! A Dog Chase in New York by Alice Tait
Series: No, Nancy,
Published by Walker Books US on December 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781536232714
Pages: 24
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Third in the No, Nancy, No! series, A Dog Chase in New York is a fast paced romp through the highlights of busting New York City. Nancy and her dachshund, Roger, see the star of the musical Dogs: The Musical, Candy. Anxious to meet her, they approach only for Candy to run off! Nancy and Roger are right on her tail, trying to bring her back.
The lift-the-flap features of this story create the pace moving the reader along, looking forward to the action hidden in them while poor Roger hollers, “No, Nancy, No!” after her with each new situation. The story is a great introduction to the sites and pace of New York City with its action-packed illustrations. It’s bright, colorful, detailed, and downright exuberant in styling from beginning to conclusion. This book is simply a load of fun!

Ages 4-8

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

The History of Everything

The History of EverythingThe History of Everything: A Graphic Novel by Victoria Evans
Published by Harper Alley on February 18, 2025
ISBN: 0063268892
Format: Graphic Novel, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
This graphic novel is a tender look at how friendships evolve when they are challenged by big moves and new partners being introduced.

Best friends Agnes and Daisy are excited to finally be on summer break, when Agnes’ mom drops the bombshell that they will be moving 12 hours away come August. Together, the friends resolve to complete a summer bucket list of all their favorite activities to go out with a bang. Plans change when Daisy starts dating the new kid in town, as she struggles to balance the excitement of her first boyfriend with hanging out with Agnes. Daisy assumes Agnes will always be there for her, but with the cross country move rapidly approaching is that really still true? This graphic novel would be appealing to both younger and older teens, as it accurately portrays common themes of moving away from old friends, staying true to yourself and how difficult it can be to process and address change. Overall, a great recommendation for those moving on from the Baby Sitters Club graphic novels to deeper insight on friendships and the ups and downs they might undergo. 

Reviewed by Hannah Doktor, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta

four-stars