Source: MSL Book Review

The Life I’m In

The Life I’m InThe Family I'm In by Sharon G. Flake
ISBN: 1338573209
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

John-John is into nerdy things like archery and Star Wars, and he is desperate to see his crush on Ashley turn into something more. His father, Big John, wants to see his son be more like him- a ladies’ man with a successful business and a big reputation. John feels like he will never be able to live up to his father’s expectations and struggles to connect with his dad’s new wife. Meanwhile, his best friend Caleb is struggling too. Ever since his father, Mr. P, suffered a brain aneurysm, Caleb has been working nonstop to help support his family. As various stressors intensify and the obligations stack up, both boys must reconcile with who they want to be and what it means to be a man. 

An excellent coming-of-age story with an intense examination of the relationship between black fathers and their sons. The chapters are short and the characters and their challenges are relatable, making this both an accessible and rewarding read for teens. Readers who have yet to pick up Flake’s companion novels, The Skin I’m In and The Life I’m In, will be sure to seek them out to dig deeper into the backgrounds of Maleeka and Char, who play significant roles in this story as well. 

Grades 7 & up

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

Bear and Bird: The Secret and Other Stories

Bear and Bird: The Secret and Other StoriesBear and Bird: The Secret and Other Stories (Candlewick Sparks) by Jarvis
Series: Bear and Bird
Published by Candlewick on 10/7/25
ISBN: 1536247405
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Bear and Bird are best friends readers will see in these four short stories how funny it can be when two friends sometimes accidentally mix things up.  The misunderstandings are easy to make and readers will no doubt see the subtle humor in the various situations.  For example, in the last story, “The Tree”, Bear and Bird are playing hide and seek and find a great hiding place in a tree…only to realize after hours of waiting together that Bear forgot the rules of the game and that no one was looking for them.  Bird only got a tiny bit mad, but they had such a fun time together in the tree that they decided to spend the rest of the day there.

This book is a Sparks Book for new readers and would be great for kids who are building their reading stamina.  Some of the pages are full text, but there is a lot of space between the lines.  The table of contents lets readers know that there are four Bear and Bird stories in this book.  The pages are off white and most of the illustrations are a muted color.  There are pops of color to add visual interest and the expressive illustrations of the character are sure to draw readers into the story.  This book is one of many Bear and Bird stories by Jarvis, which do not need to be read in any particular order.  They would be a great addition to collections serving new readers.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Enchanted Beach

Enchanted BeachEnchanted Beach by Emma Chinnery, Esther Freud
Published by Candlewick Press on 2025
ISBN: 1536243620
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

For families with a magical place they return to again and again, this book will resonate. Enchanted Beach is a  story of a year in the life of a young family as they gather at the beach and appreciate big and small moments. Told in simple rhyming couplets — sometimes lovely (“Listen to the seabed roar, flutes and bells below the shore”) and occasionally clunky ( “Next year,” Mom says, “when you’re bigger.” “Next year,” Dad says, “in the summer.”) as the family celebrates and enjoys activities at Enchanted Beach through all the seasons.

The mixed media (watercolor, gouache, crayons) line drawings are charming and reflect the action in the text. The multi-generational family with grandparents, mother, father, and older sister, is pale skinned. The narrator is a small boy with light brown hair, wearing a red baseball hat or knit cap, depending on the season.

Not recommended as a story time read-aloud but Maine families will connect with the idea of visiting the shore no matter the weather and will appreciate the family’s seaside activities (crabbing, polar bear plunges, flying kites, etc) depicted in the appealing illustrations.  For story times celebrating a life’s big and small moments, read A Year of Everyday Wonders (2020) by Cheryl Klein.

Recommended for school and public libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

four-stars

The Peddler of Puddles

The Peddler of PuddlesThe Peddler of Puddles: A Heartwarming Story About an Inventor, Friendship, and Home for Children (Ages 4-8) by Beth Ferry, Tom Lichtenheld
Published by HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks on April 8, 2025
ISBN: 0063318342
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The Peddler, an affable looking turtle,  pushes his puddle-making machine (equal parts wheelbarrow and Rube Goldberg contraption) along, creating puddles that become homes and play areas for delighted animals in the forest and children wherever he goes. Everyone he assists is left happy and fulfilled and it seems the Peddler is too, sporting red rain boots, a fetching straw hat and a friendly smile.

The Peddler has many friends but a nomadic life that seems an unremarkable part of his job (peddlers  seldom “(stay) in one place very long”). Then one day, the Peddler makes his way to the seashore, and is astonished by the sight of the ocean. There he meets a little girl with brown skin and brown hair  in a polka dot swimsuit. She is sandy from head to foot, and the Peddler tries to assist. His puddles all disappear into the sand but no matter, the new friends go down to the water’s edge and enjoy the wonderful experience of playing in the waves.

When it’s time for the little girl to leave for home, the Peddler is despondent with the knowledge that he does not have a place to call his own. Ferry’s description and Lichtenheld’s illustrations work well together here to share the Peddler’s overwhelming feeling of being untethered and alone, as he tries and fails to push his puddle-making cart through the sand.

The Peddler has given up and sits defeated in the sand, when all the animals with whom he has shared his marvelous puddles, appear at the shoreline. They help him move his machine through the sand, and lead him back to the forest, where they have dug a large hole just right for a puddle-making contraption to turn into a pond and a home.

The Peddler dismantles the machine and converts it into a charming cabin, and the pond becomes a place for the Peddler and all his friends to share. Maine families will appreciate this sweet story that ends with the Peddler and all his friends swimming, playing cards,  etc.  at a pond and cabin that will remind many of “camp”. A gentle reminder that sometimes our friends might need something they don’t know they’re missing.

Recommended for school and public libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

four-stars

Elephant Bowling and Other Animal Play

Elephant Bowling and Other Animal PlayElephant Bowling and Other Animal Play (Animals Do What!?) by Richard Haynes, Stephanie Laberis
on August 26, 2025
ISBN: 1536230901
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Using a playful, conversational tone Haynes compares the way animals play in the wild to the games humans play (hide-and-seek, keep-away, etc.)  in this picture book full of  interesting, lesser- known facts about creatures we may think we know fairly well.

Haynes arranges the text by the purpose of the “games” (Part I focuses on activities that hone survival skills), then breaks those activities into games readers will easily recognize, such as King of the Hill and Tug-of-War. For each game, Hayne shares descriptive narratives for different animal species that play versions of that game. Who knew that so many kinds of animals (polar bears, ravens, and river otters) enjoy sledding?  The descriptions also include lots of quantitative data (i.e.  patas monkeys  can reach speeds of 33 mph in three seconds) that will appeal to fact collectors. The conveyance of information feels casual but is supported by research.

The cute, cartoonish (all animals appear to be smiling)  illustrations carry that same sense of fun. The anthropomorphic illustrations may cause a bit of a disconnect for readers expecting. more realistic illustrations (or photos) in their nonfiction texts. For others, the smiling animals will make it that much more engaging.

This may appeal to middle grade students looking for interesting nonfiction books about animals. Teachers looking to compare different kinds of nonfiction may find it useful for the many nonfiction features it contains: illustrated world map; table of contents; glossary;  bibliography; index, headings and subheadings). A small quibble: there are many interesting words in the glossary readers will want to learn but those words are not bolded in the text, making it difficult to see the words in context.

Recommended for purchase for public libraries and elementary school libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

four-stars

I Can’t Even Think Straight

I Can’t Even Think StraightI Can't Even Think Straight: A Young Adult Novel in Verse About Queer Identity, Love, and Coming Out by Dean Atta
on May 6, 2025
ISBN: 0063158035
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“I Can’t Even Think Straight” is a young adult novel in verse by Dean Atta. Malachi (“Kai”) is a gay teen who wants to come out, but his best friend, Matt, worries that if Kai comes out, Matt’s religious parents will react badly. The book reads like it’s Kai’s journal, with first-person narration. We watch as Kai navigates being a closeted person of color along with the other challenges that come from just being a teenager. At times Kai seemed a bit unlikeable, but I think it was true to teen behavior. A recommended purchase for YA collections especially where novels in verse are popular.

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

four-stars

Outsider Kids

Outsider KidsOutsider Kids: A Parachute Kids Graphic Novel (Parachute Kids #2) by Betty C. Tang
ISBN: 1338832719
Genres: History, Immigrants, Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Outsider Kids” is the sequel to the middle-grade graphic novel “Parachute Kids” but Betty C. Tang. The story continues with the Lin siblings, who are “parachute kids” (kids brought to a country by their parents for safety while the parents have to go back and forth depending on their situation). They are living mostly on their own and have mostly settled in at school, but when their snooty cousin arrives, things are shaken up. The story focuses mostly on Ann’s experience, while Jason struggles with romantic feelings towards his friend, and the family pulls together when challenges arise.

The characters in the book are well-developed and readers will empathize with them. This is an interesting look into a situation that I was unfamiliar with. Illustrations are bright and colorful and add to the humorous parts of this difficult setting. A must-buy for middle grade graphic novel collections.

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

four-stars

The Transition

The TransitionThe Transition by Logan-Ashley Kisner
on September 30, 2025
ISBN: 0593814789
Pages: 326
Genres: Horror
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Transition” is a young adult horror novel by Logan-Ashley Kisner. Hunter is a transgender boy who survives a werewolf attack. When he starts to change into a werewolf himself, he and his friends go after the werewolf to hopefully cure Hunter. We watch Hunter go through gender euphoria and disphoria as his body changes, along with lots of difficult thoughts and situations, like bullying. In the author’s note, readers are informed about anti-trans bills as well as a general difficult topics warning. For more detailed trigger warnings, the author has a list on his website. This is a tough book to read, but a needed one. The world-building around werewolves was a little confusing at times, but that’s the only critique. A recommended purchase for YA horror collections.

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

four-stars

All Paths Lead to Paris

All Paths Lead to ParisAll Paths Lead to Paris by Sabrina Fedel
ISBN: 0593900278
Genres: Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“All Paths Lead to Paris” is a young adult romance novel by Sabrina Fedel. Aurie is a teenage fashion influencer in Paris with an American dad and a French mother. Aurie has had a lot of success as an influencer, but her manager wants her to fake date another of the manager’s clients, Remy, a Paris musician. The book is quick and fun, especially if you enjoy fake-dating premises and love triangles, and the setting is beautiful, but the characters feel a little thin. Overall a cute, quick read. An additional purchase for YA fiction collections where romance is popular.

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

three-stars

My Life as an Internet Novel

My Life as an Internet NovelMy Life as an Internet Novel, Volume 1 by A Hyeon
ISBN: 0593901282
Genres: Romance
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“My Life as an Internet Novel” is a YA fantasy romance graphic novel by Han-Ryeo Yu and illustrated by A Hyeon. This is a webtoon adapted into a graphic novel. Dani, a middle school girl, wakes up and finds that she has been transported into an internet novel as the best friend of the main character and surrounded by very attractive boys. It is funny to watch Dani realize and anticipate the tropes of the internet novel that she is in, as well as learning that people are not as simple as they appear. A fun and interesting series that will appeal to teens who like romance mixed with a lot of humor. A recommended purchase for YA graphic novel collections.

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

four-stars