(S)kin

(S)kin(S)Kin by Ibi Zoboi
on February 11, 2025
ISBN: 0062888870
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“(S)KIN” is a YA fantasy novel in verse by Ibi Zoboi. Marisol is a Black teen girl and a soucouyant, a being from Caribbean that sheds its skin during the new moon and feeds on the energy of their enemies. Genevieve is a mixed-race teen living with her white father and white stepmother, but has dreams about her mysterious Black mother. Both teens meet and their stories begin to intertwine. The themes of colorism, mother-daughter relationships, and figuring out who you want to be are well done and readers will enjoy the quick story filled with secrets. A must-buy for YA fiction collections where Zoboi and novels in verse are popular.

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

four-stars

Love Unmasked

Love UnmaskedLove Unmasked by Becky Dean
on July 15, 2025
ISBN: 0593647874
Genres: Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Love Unmasked” is a YA romance novel by Becky Dean. Evie is a student visiting Venice, Italy with her art and architecture class. She is a hug fan of a book series set in Venice called “Elven Realms.” When she hears rumors about a secret Elven Realms club in the city, she decides to try and find it. The story is a fairly predictable romance, but fans of YA cozy romances, gentle mysteries, and travel will definitely enjoy this one. The pacing was good, and a lot happens considering this all takes place within a week. This is an additional purchase for YA collections where cozy romances and travel fiction are popular.

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

three-stars

The Lost Women of Science

The Lost Women of ScienceThe Lost Women of Science by Karyn Lee, Katie Hafner, Melina Gerosa Bellows
Published by Bright Matter Books on 8/19/25
ISBN: 0593896718
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Inspired by the Lost Women of Science podcast, this nonfiction book explores how ten different women contributed to various scientific fields.  The women highlighted are not famous and the authors are using their platforms to give these women the credit they deserve for their important accomplishments.  Although these women excelled in different fields, such as astronomy, medicine, and engineering, most faced some type of discrimination or were not given credit due to their gender.  

The inside flap lists each woman and their accomplishments and the table of contents gives the page numbers. At the beginning of each section, there is a quick snapshot of why they are important, including any scientific “firsts” they achieved.  This is followed by several pages of narrative, including photos or other graphics that go into detail about the women’s background and how they worked hard to pursue their scientific endeavors.  Many sections also include supplementary information related to the field of study that offers background information for the reader.  This would be a great addition to any library serving fourth thru sixth grade students.  Budding scientists, especially young women, will enjoy reading about those who paved the way in a typically male dominated field.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Predatory Natures

Predatory NaturesPredatory Natures by Amy Goldsmith
on July 8, 2025
ISBN: 0593814312
Genres: Fantasy, Horror
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Predatory Natures” is a YA horror novel by Amy Goldsmith. The main character is a teenager, Lara, who is taking a break from school after doing badly on her exams and working a short-term job on a luxury train. Surprisingly an old friend that she had a falling out with is also working on the train. There are also some mysterious twins, Gwen and Gwydion who are supposedly transporting scientific samples, and staff are told to stay away from them. What is really happening on this train?

Lots of descriptive passages, with intermingled flashbacks helped build the tension and atmosphere, but occasionally were a little confusing. We learn about Lara’s past abusive relationship through these flashbacks. Meanwhile the plant samples take over the train and control others (similar to Lara’s abusive boyfriend). An interesting YA horror with a lot of darkness, this is a suggested purchase where YA horror (especially psychological) is popular.

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

three-stars

Elena Camps (Elena va a acampar)

Elena Camps (Elena va a acampar)Elena Camps/Elena va a acampar: A Dual Edition Flip Book by Juana Medina
ISBN: 1536234052
Genres: Animals
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Elena Camps/Elena va a acampar” is an early reader with one side in English and then flipped over to read in Spanish, written by Juana Medina. Written for ages 4-6, the story follows Elena, the elephant, as she tries to go camping, but has trouble getting the tent up. She gets frustrated and tries different ways to get it up. The bright silly illustrations and funny sound effects will delight young readers. A recommended purchase for early reader collections, especially those where Spanish books are popular.

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

four-stars

Ruffles and the Bouncy, Bouncy Ball

Ruffles and the Bouncy, Bouncy BallRuffles and the Bouncy, Bouncy Ball by David Melling
ISBN: 1536241385
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Ruffles loves playing and doing all the things that dogs love to do; but his favorite activity is playing with his blue, bouncy ball. However, he cannot find it anywhere. He looks in all the places a bouncy ball could possibly be. When his friend Ruby comes over, they remember it could possibly be in the park. They look everywhere a bouncy ball could possibly be…in the park. They determine that the bouncy ball is lost forever. Ruby helps Ruffles find other ways to play, and they discover a sock to play tug-of-war with.

This book is the seventh in a series of Ruffles books where the dog encounters situations that many preschool children encounter. This one is the situation where toys are sometimes lost, and actually lost forever. Sometimes a friend can help us remember that it will be ok. The Ruffles series are visually attractive with primary colors and sweet illustrations.

Recommended for Ages 2-5.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Hikaru in the Light

Hikaru in the LightHikaru in the Light! Vol. 1 by Mai Matsuda
ISBN: 1546140980
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Hikaru in the Light” is a middle grade manga by Mai Matsuda. Hikaru is a middle schooler who loves to sing while working in her family’s bathhouse. Her friend Ran became a singer in a pop group and Hikaru dreams about doing the same. When she runs into Ran, her friend asks her to try out with her for a new singing group, but does Hikaru have what it takes?

Hikaru is a very likeable character, and readers will enjoy following her attempt to become a singing idol. Readers will relate to Hikaru’s anxiety while she pushes to make her dream come true. Grit and friendship are clearly major themes in this book and will appeal to readers, especially middle graders. A suggested purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections where manga is popular.

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

four-stars

Shoes off please

Shoes off pleaseShoes Off, Please by Helena Ku Rhee, Myo Yim
Published by Random House Children's Books on June 17, 2025
ISBN: 0593649621
Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Mina and her mom have a household policy of removing their shoes when they enter their house. When Mina’s friends come over they don’t like the hassle of taking their shoes off and Mina and her mom have to clean up the floors after they leave, having a heartfelt conversation about their own cultural traditions, their importance to their household, and how to explain this to her friends. Once she does this her friends are more than happy to respect their house and their traditions.

4-9 years old

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

four-stars

Daisy Rewilds

Daisy RewildsDaisy Rewilds by Kerascoët, Margaret McNamara, Sébastien Cosset
ISBN: 0593125673
Genres: Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Daisy Rewilds” is a picture book written by Margaret McNamara and illustrated by Kerascoet about a girl named Daisy who grows up loving nature. As a baby she composted her own baby food, as an example of her environmentalism. She starts to sprout greens in her hair and eventually grows into a whole wild garden. The book is fun and beautiful, but some of the words seem a little big for the intended audience. A suggested additional purchase where nature picture books are popular.

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

three-stars

Maisy Loves Butterflies

Maisy Loves ButterfliesMaisy Loves Butterflies: A Maisy's Planet Book (Educational Board Book About Nature - For Toddlers and Kids Ages 1-3) by Lucy Cousins
Series: Maisy's Planet #5
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on May 20, 2025
ISBN: 1536240397
Genres: board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Our long-loved friend Maisy loves butterflies! This board book is a mix of a fictional story with Maisy interacting with butterflies and basic, clearly illustrated facts about butterflies. We finish our visit with Maisy in her carefully planted butterfly and moth-friendly garden.

Ages 1-3

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

four-stars