Source: MSL Book Review

Shim Jung Takes the Dive

Shim Jung Takes the DiveShim Jung Takes the Dive by Julia Riew
Published by Quill Tree Books on 4/28/26
ISBN: 0063294079
Genres: Fantasy, Folklore
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

This middle grade novel combines South Korean folklore and fantasy to tell Jung’s story of grief and growth.  Every twelve-year-old girl on Haemin Island participates in a diving ceremony, but ever since her mother disappeared in the water, Jung has been afraid of the water.  Jung freezes and doesn’t make the dive.  Later, still upset, Jung has an accident and is swept away in the water, but she doesn’t drown.  Instead, she ends up in the water realm of the Dragon’s Queendom, trapped with all the other palace girls kidnapped by the queen.  Forced into servanthood, Jung focuses on escape, a pursuit that could be deadly.  She befriends Prince Jae who is planning to escape his death and run away. Instead, they team up to escape together.  They face many dangers, the most lethal being Jae’s mother.  But with the help of a little red dragon, they are able to strip the queen of her power and survive.

The journey to freedom has changed Jae and Jung.  Jae has become more aware of the negative impacts his mother has had on people’s living conditions and the responsibility that comes with being a ruler.  Jung has become more confident and braver, and more willing to share her fears with her friends and father.  When Jung returns to Haemin, she takes these lessons with her, though she and none of the freed palace girls reveal what actually happened while they were missing.

This novel is ideal for upper elementary or middle grade readers, especially those who are interested in folklore or who like fantasy.  There is plenty of action to keep readers hooked and Jung’s voice as a narrator is fun and authentic.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

You’re the Boss, Gracie Wei

You’re the Boss, Gracie WeiGracie Wei #2: You're the Boss, Gracie Wei by Basia Tran, Kristen Mei Chase
ISBN: 0593813006
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Family, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Gracie Wei is back with her cast of amazing friends – and this time, they are ready for summer vacation! Gracie and her friends have decided to form the “Summer Club of Awesome” – meeting together every day for fun activities. Gracie, who is hosting activities at her house, is determined to plan every last detail and schedule every activity. But her friends keep suggesting they do other activities than what she had planned! Worst of all – they want to go biking, and Gracie hasn’t gotten on her bike since she last fell off. Can she be the boss and direct them to other activities instead? Or will she learn to be flexible and face her fears? Like the first story, this early chapter book is full of good lessons, sweet friendships, and diverse characters. The black-and-white pencil and graphite illustrations are thoughtfully placed throughout the text and perfectly depict the emotions of the characters. Recommended for ages 7 to 9 (2nd to 4th Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

four-stars

You’re a Winner, Gracie Wei

You’re a Winner, Gracie WeiGracie Wei #1: You're a Winner, Gracie Wei by Basia Tran, Kristen Mei Chase
ISBN: 0593812964
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Family, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Gracie Wei knows for certain that she is going to win the Grapevine Elementary Fourth-Grade Class Spelling Bee. She knows because her teacher says “practice makes perfect,” she’s pretty sure that perfect people win spelling bees, and because she has practiced (a lot!). When Gracie wins the spelling bee, she will finally have something of her own displayed on her family’s “Wei Special Wall” of awards and prizes. She is the only person in her family that hasn’t gotten an award yet (including her toddler brother who got one for going potty at school!). However, when she gets to school, it looks like Gracie has competition – Elena Yarberry has also practiced, and is ready to win. When they take the stage, Elena panics and leaves the auditorium. Worried, Gracie follows Elena to see if she is OK. Gracie helps Elena to feel better, but both end up missing the spelling bee! How will Gracie Wei make it onto the Wei Special Wall now? This early chapter book is full of good lessons, sweet friendships, diverse character representation, and descriptive cultural details. It includes black-and-white pencil and graphite illustrations, which nicely break up the text and provide depth and emotion to the storyline. Recommended for ages 7 to 9 (2nd to 4th Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

four-stars

Life on the Moon

Life on the MoonLife on the Moon by Matthew Swanson, Robbi Behr
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 4/14/26
ISBN: 059370472X
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Leo Brightstar is a twelve-year-old boy who joins his dad stepmother, Sally, to live on the first colony on the moon. Shortly after arrival, Leo’s dad and Sally disappear and Leo breaks all sorts of rules to find them, including stealing a talking rover.  While searching, Leo discovers that the Moon is full of life, even though he was told several times there is no life on the Moon.  Leo starts to question the truth of everything he has been told since his arrival, especially after becoming friends with some Valrootens, and then watching the Hortle eat his rival, Bobby. Leo does find his dad and Sally, and discovers they, too, had been eaten by the Hortle.  He saves them but then needs to find a creative way to prevent them from getting in trouble with the Constable, who happens to be Bobby’s dad and the leader of the group trying to suppress the truth about life on the Moon.  Bobby is also rescued and has been changed by his experience and becomes Leo’s ally.  They both love the Moon and its creatures and will do anything to save them.  Previous colonies have failed and life on the Moon is threatened, but Leo and Bobby are determined to do their best to save them.  Their plan is risky, but they are motivated, so Bobby returns to Earth to tell the people about the Valrootens and Leo is intentionally eaten by the Hortle, who is not the evil villain he was portrayed to be.

On the surface this book seems like a fun science fiction book, which it is.  It is full of adventure and imagination and plenty of action to keep readers hooked.  There are black and white illustrations throughout the text, and some pages are written with white text on a black background, reflecting the dark atmosphere of the moon and the caves that the characters find themselves in.  This book, however, is also much more.  Leo asks tough questions about life and friendship, tackling important issues like belonging and purpose, not only regarding himself, but also for his mother who is struggling on Earth.  More importantly, he learns what it means to be human and wants to share what he has learned with others, so they too, might become better versions of themselves.  Middle grade readers who like to think deeply about big questions will enjoy exploring what Leo has learned.  Readers will be left with a lot to thing about after reading this book.  This is a great addition to public and school libraries serving 4th-7th graders.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

The Big Bang and Beyond

The Big Bang and BeyondA Comic Book History of the Big Bang and Beyond by Anna Claybourne, Rikus Ferreira
Published by Kids Can Press on May 5, 2026
ISBN: 152531503X
Genres: STEM
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The Earth was born 4.5 billion years ago and this book allows us to follow along until the extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Formatted in comic book, graphic nonfiction styling with funny yet on point speech bubbles throughout, this book is highly accessible and easy to read. The quick bits of informational text and highly-detailed, colorful illustrations enable kids, and adults, in the evolution of Earth including how our solar system formed including the sun and moon, the beginning of lifeforms on Earth and the dinosaurs.

Backmatter includes a comprehensive glossary and an index.

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

five-stars

Lulu Didn’t Want a Dog

Lulu Didn’t Want a DogLulu Didn't Want a Dog by Laurel Molk
Published by Random House Studio on March 17, 2026
ISBN: 059370908X
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Like oil and water cats and dogs are things that often don't mix well. Lulu is a cat who likes things a certain way and likes her time alone to enjoy them. When the news comes her family will be welcoming a rescue dog, Gus, into the family she is highly apprehensive and downright displeased.
Gus arrives loud and boisterous, disturbing Lulu’s much prized peace and quiet. Lulu spends her day trying to get away from Gus to be able to have her time alone. When she finds a place where she can be all alone she also finds herself in trouble and it is Gus to the rescue.
This story is a wonderful look at how to overcome as well as celebrate differences.

Ages 4-8
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

The Faraway Inn

The Faraway InnThe Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst
Published by Delacorte on March 31, 2026
Pages: 372
Genres: Fantasy, Magical Realism, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Sixteen-year-old Calisa’s perfect NYC summer plans are derailed when she catches her boyfriend cheating. To escape the city, her moms send her off to help Mom Kate’s Auntie Zee, who owns a bed and breakfast in the deep woods of Vermont. They haven’t visited Auntie Zee in years but Calisa has fuzzy childhood memories, and pictures her destination as the perfect place to recover from heartache.

However, when she arrives, she finds not the cozy B&B she was expecting, but a run-down inn in the middle of the forest. Her aunt is cantankerous and eccentric, and makes it clear that Calisa is not welcome. The single employee is a (very cute) teenager named Jack, and the few guests are…different. Despite the lack of warm welcome, Calisa is determined to stay. The last thing she wants to do is return to the city and watch her ex flirting with his new girlfriend.

In a bid to prove her worth to Auntie Zee, Calisa throws herself into long-overdue cleaning projects, bakes cakes to reinstate a defunct teatime tradition, and generally makes herself indispensable. Auntie Zee grudgingly gives her three days, but lays down the rules: No opening doors, and no asking questions.

Calisa agrees, but then opens the bathroom closet looking for cleaning supplies (oops!) and a very large winged “lizard” tumbles out. Jack is evasive about answering her questions. Guests act in inexplicable ways and arrive in the most unexpected manner. Then Auntie Zee disappears, and the truth of the magical nature of the inn finally becomes clear to Calisa. It’s equally apparent that only she has the power to find her aunt and save the inn.

A super fun story with one foot in the real world and one foot in the enchanted. Calisa is a relatable heroine with a character arc that brings her from standard-issue Brooklyn-dwelling teenager to one that discovers she is the youngest in a line of witches, and readers will enjoy both the magical world-building and the slow burn romance developing between her and Jack. Diversity is present in secondary but important characters; Calisa has two moms, and the various inn guests are magical creatures, generally human-adjacent in appearance, who visit via portals to different worlds; one couple is coded as gay. All stay at the inn as it is understood to be a safe, protected space from the larger world.

Aesthetically, the book cover is an eye-catcher with gorgeous sprayed edges. This is a great purchase for a YA collection, especially for anyone curating shelves aimed at younger YA, where readers enjoy fantasy and magical adventure with a romantic sub-plot.

5 stars

– Jenny Martinez, Maine State Library

five-stars

We’re a Bad Idea, Right?

We’re a Bad Idea, Right?We're a Bad Idea, Right? by K.L. Walther
Published by Delacourte Romance on March 31, 2026
ISBN: 0593904796
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

In the opening to her acknowledgements, Walther writes: “Every time I read this book, I laugh. Not because it’s funny (it is), but because it’s fun. These characters and their shenanigans are so much fun!” …and that’s a great way to describe this realistic (sort of) but always effervescent novel.

It’s the summer after senior year, and Audrey has been accepted into a great college program, but she’s also been accepted into a prestigious glass blowing fellowship that she has her heart set on. Her parents, however, have refused the tuition for the one-year fellowship, insisting she enroll in college right away. When they leave for the summer, her best friend has an idea: renting out the small guest apartment above the carriage house on her parent’s estate as a high-end vacation rental to earn the money for tuition.

Audrey and a small group of friends work together to pull off the scheme without her parents finding out, renting to a steady stream of odd and often demanding guests. Hijinks ensue – one couple accidentally gifts Audrey pot brownies, another appear to have checked out and taken some family heirlooms with them. As her parents’ return date looms and she still hasn’t earned all the money she needs to, Audrey takes the ultimate gamble: renting out her family’s mansion to a group of friends attending their 10-year college reunion and requesting to use her home for an after-hours party – the night before her parents are due to arrive home.

While all this is going on, Audrey has also agreed to help her best friend, Henry, win back his former girlfriend by embarking on a fake dating scheme. This storyline sticks a little more to the friends-to-fake-dating-to-lovers trope, but despite the lack of surprises rounds out this entirely fun read in a satisfying way.

There is not a lot of diversity in this story about teenagers set in a wealthy suburb of New York City, but most of them hold summer jobs at a local catering outfit; Henry is half Asian and lives with his mother and stepmother.

A thoroughly enjoyable summer read, attractively packaged, that will be popular in YA sections of libraries.

5 stars

-Jenny Martinez, Maine State Library

five-stars

The Mighty

The MightyHilo Presents: The Mighty (Hilo Presents, #1) by Judd Winick
Published by Random House Graphic on February 3, 2026
ISBN: 0593305302
Pages: 220
Genres: Humor, Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A new graphic novel in the new “Hilo Presents” series. Winick’s familiar illustrating style, sense of humor, and storytelling finesse are all on display in this book. The star is Miranda, an ordinary kid who feels like everything is getting out of control, from family issues to bullying at school to crime in her city. There does happen to be a legend about a mythical creature who keeps the city safe, but it’s just a story, right? Miranda thinks so until she starts growing magenta hair all over and acquires super strength. Turns out she is the hero that her city needs and the responsibility that started off feeling like a curse becomes a gift that she can use to help people. Readers of the Hilo series will gobble this up, but so, too, will any reader of action-packed, funny graphic novels.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

five-stars

Loch Ness Monster’s Unbelievable Science

Loch Ness Monster’s Unbelievable ScienceLoch Ness Monster's Unbelievable Science by Anne Appert
Published by Kids Can Press on May 5, 2026
ISBN: 1525312537
Pages: 62
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

With a catchy title and graphic novel approach, this book will be popular with the younger elementary readers. The Loch Ness Monster (call them Ness) explains how puffins got their red beak. However, Ness uses a story as an explanation and when confronted by an actual puffin learns that a story is not an actual scientific fact. The format is cute and playful and throughout the book Ness learns that in order to explain a fact about a bird, research is needed and scientific facts matter more than what you want to believe because it’s fun or cute. A fantastic book that uses humor to explaining the need to conduct research and consult multiple sources before spouting off “facts” about a topic. Back matter includes additional resources and a glossary.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

five-stars