Medicine Wheels

Medicine WheelsMedicine Wheels by Byron Graves
on June 2, 2026
ISBN: 0063160420
Genres: Cultural / Indigenous, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Medicine Wheels” is a young adult realistic fiction novel by Byron Graves (Ojibwe and Lakota) about Bryce, an Ojibwe teenager who is dealing with the death of his father and his mother’s subsequent incarceration for drug possession. He is staying on the Reservation with his grandparents in his father’s old room and reconnects with old friends while learning how to skateboard. Graves does an excellent job at making the reader feel invested in the story. The characters are interesting and believable and readers will also learn a lot about issues that Indigenous people face. This is a must-buy for YA fiction collections.

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

four-stars

The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay

The Great Disillusionment of Nick and JayThe Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay by Ryan Douglass
on January 27, 2026
ISBN: 0063312484
Genres: Historical Fiction, LGBTQ+
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay” by Ryan Douglass is a reimagining of the Great Gatsby with a queer romance. Nick is a young adult who is forced to leave Oklahoma after his father is killed in the Tulsa Race Massacre by white supremacists. He tries to find his place in Harlem and gets a scholarship to West Egg Academy, where he meets Jay Gatsby, Jr. and starts to fall for him. The premise is interesting and fits a lot of history into it, but at times the characters felt a bit thin. A suggested purchase for YA collections, especially where historical fiction is popular.

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

three-stars

Clock Hands

Clock HandsClock Hands by Marieke Nijkamp, Sylvia Bi
on April 21, 2026
ISBN: 0063027135
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Clock Hands” is a middle grade graphic novel set in the world of “Ink Girls,” but can be read on its own. The author is Marieke Nijkamp and the illustrator is Sylvia Bi. In this world you have to pay to become an apprentice in a guild and many cannot afford to. Vale wants to be a metalworker, but cannot afford it until Maestro Giuseppi moves in and asks Vale to help him build an astronomical clock. The guilds don’t like this and retaliate.

The book is beautiful and does a good job showing how societal classes keep the lower classes down. This is an emotional story with difficult themes, but it is an important one. A recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections, especially those that have “Ink Girls.”

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

four-stars

Katie the Catsitter: Villain Con

Katie the Catsitter: Villain ConVillain Con (Katie the Catsitter #5) by Colleen A.F. Venable
on June 30, 2026
ISBN: 0593570413
Pages: 218
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Villain Con” is the 5th book in the middle grade graphic novel series “Katie the Catsitter” written by Collen AF Venable and illustrated by Stephanie Yue. In this book, Katie is helping her mentor Madeline run for Mayor of NYC, but when the current mayor bans super heroes, everything is thrown off! A fun mix of adventure, humor, and middle school friendship issues. The illustrations are bright and add to the humorous nature of the book. Animal lovers will get a kick out of the different cats’ personalities.

This book is a recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections, especially those that have the previous books.

four-stars

Our Wicked Histories

Our Wicked HistoriesOur Wicked Histories by Amy Goldsmith
on July 30, 2024
ISBN: 0593703952
Genres: Horror, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship, Mystery, Psychological thriller, Suspense
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Our Wicked Histories opens with none of Meg’s popular friend group, led by the Wren twins, having talked to her since she was suspended from school for an incident Meg can’t fully remember. Depressed and tired of being alone, Meg decides to accept a surprise invitation to the enigmatic twins’ ancestral vacation home in the Irish countryside for Halloween. Meg thinks she is willing to do whatever it takes to mend her friendships, but this vacation will have her questioning who her friends really are and if being accepted by her peers is worth sacrificing her character and possibly her life.

This immersive YA novel is full of plot twists told by a cast of unreliable characters, including Meg and the Wren twins, in an isolated gothic setting. Our Wicked Histories is a successful addition to the dark academia trend and is a recommended purchase for collections serving youth in 8th grade and up where dark academia, horror, and/or gothic novels are in demand.

Reviewed by Sarah Hartje, Lewiston Public Library, Lewiston

four-stars

Who’s All Going (to Die)?

Who’s All Going (to Die)?Who's All Going (to Die)? by Lisa Springer
ISBN: 059390057X
Genres: Horror, Psychological thriller, Suspense
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
two-stars

Who’s All Going (to Die) is a YA novel about a group racially diverse largely affluent teens who have been invited to “The Dream,” a new luxury wellness resort on a private island off of Bermuda. There are multiple red flags starting upon the teens’ arrival to the resort, such as being encouraged to drink and engage in drug use during an island-wide party the first night. The situation escalates in danger upon the teens’ meeting guru Juniper Moon, the face of the wellness resort. Moon doses the teens with psychedelic mushrooms without their knowledge or informed consent, performs shock treatments, and encourages the teens to offer up their possessions to her under the guise of uncluttering their lives.

Two-thirds of the way through the novel there is a drastic increase is deadly “accidents” leading up to a Lord of the Flies-esc escalation in violence, mob mentality, and gore. This sudden shift from the slow pacing and lack of suspense featured throughout most of the book is jarring for the reader. Who’s All Going (to Die)? also could have benefited from a more succinct beginning.

The book is an optional purchase for libraries looking to expand their collection of YA novels featuring influence culture or horror. Recommended for youth in 8th grade and up.

Reviewed by Sarah Hartje, Lewiston Public Library, Lewiston 

two-stars

Be My Brave Sunflower

Be My Brave SunflowerBe My Brave Sunflower by Kathryn Simmonds, Rosalind Beardshaw
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235431
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Vernon is a cautious, anthropomorphized sunflower seed who prefers the safety of his cozy soil to the big, wide world. He watches his friends—Mel, Gloria, and Bernice—successfully sprout under the care of young schoolchildren, but Vernon remains fearful of perils like slugs, birds, and thunderstorms.
His patient gardener, Carla, a pale-skinned girl with blonde braids, grows worried when her caregiving fail to yield results. Her supportive teacher Miss Okoro, who has brown skin and a mass of curls, reassures Carla, and Carla delivers a loving pep talk on bravery to Vernon. Motivated by her reassurance, Vernon eventually discovers that the outside world is also filled with wonderful things like sunshine and stars, giving him the courage to sprout in the garden alongside his peers.
The story’s plot is predictable and lacks deep narrative complexity, but it remains a sweet, highly empathetic choice for children facing major life transitions. The inclusive, diverse human cast is welcoming and reflective of a modern classroom. Charming digital illustrations mimic a vibrant marker-and-ink medium, effectively enhancing the story’s warmth and visual appeal. This title serves as a companion to similar social-emotional learning picture books on bravery, such as Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall and The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson.
A heartening and recommended addition to school and public library collections, perfect for an early-autumn or beginning-of-the-school-year read-aloud, when everything feels new and perhaps, a little scary.
Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Public Schools
four-stars

The Very Noisy House

The Very Noisy HouseThe Very Noisy House by Gosia Herba, Sally Nicholls
ISBN: 0593518632
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Welcome to the very, very noisy house. Open the gate with a “squeeeeeeek” and ring the door with a “DING DONG!”. This interactive picture book is packed to the gills with all the noises that can be heard as the reader travels through each room of the noisy house. While the story text is simple, imitating or reading aloud all of the noises shown may be overstimulating for some readers. The fun illustrations are chock-full of bright colors and characters corresponding to each noise. Appropriate for ages 2 to 5.

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

three-stars

The World’s Game

The World’s GameThe World's Game by Andrés Landazábal, Yamile Saied Méndez
on June 2, 2026
Genres: Cultural / Latin America, Inspiration, Sports
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

One ball, two teams, and a whole lot of fans – what can bring the world together like a soccer match? This fun picture book, timed perfectly for the 2026 World Cup, celebrates a game like no other. A game where people of all cultures, from all around the world, come together to cheer on their teams. This story shows all perspectives of the game – from the action on the field, to the chants in the stands, and even the family feuds while watching the game on the couch at home. The photoshop illustrations depict diverse characters and multiple languages, and the inside cover includes flags from all around the world. A wonderful addition to any picture book collection. Recommended for ages 3 to 7 (Preschool to 2nd Grade). Nominated for cream of the crop.

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

five-stars

First There Was Me, Then There Was You

First There Was Me, Then There Was YouFirst There Was Me, Then There Was You by Aurore McLeod, Yvonne Sewankambo
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536239003
Genres: Family, Family Life, Nature, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

First There Was Me, Then There Was You is a heartwarming story about the special bond between an older sibling, and the arrival of a new sibling in the family. Yvonne Sewankambo and her illustrator, Aurore McLeod’s combined talents show all the different stages. These include: a parent experiencing pregnancy, an infant sibling arriving, watching his sister grow, and finding things in common. The older brother rolls up his sleeves and embraces the responsibility and joy of sharing a childhood together.

However, there are growing pains in the household. This includes the monotony of a baby’s routine, (crying, sleeping, eating, changing), tantrums, and squabbling between siblings. But overall, the tone is very sweet and loving with the intention of fostering connection in a family’s household. The main characters both have dark skin, for picture book collections adding diversity to their shelves. Ages 2-6.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars