Source: MSL Book Review

Maisy Loves Birds

Maisy Loves BirdsMaisy Loves Birds: A Maisy's Planet Book: A Maisy's Planet Book (Educational Board Book About Birds in Springtime - For Toddlers and Kids Ages 1-3) by Lucy Cousins
Series: Maisy's Planet
Published by Candlewick Press on February 4, 2025
ISBN: 1536236624
Genres: Animals, board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Maisy is looking into her curiosity about all kinds of different birds. She looks at the birds in her own yard and what makes them unique from other animals. She explores bird families like birds of prey and birds that don’t fly. She looks into what birds need and how they make their homes and families and then Maisy and her friends go bird watching!

This book has the same simple text and bright colors that make Maisy approachable, comforting, and easy to learn with.

Ages 1-3
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

Stronger Than

Stronger ThanStronger Than by E B Lewis, Nikki Grimes, Stacy Wells
ISBN: 0063264773
Genres: Cultural / Native American, Family, History
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Dante is a Black Choctaw boy living in Oklahoma. At 8 years old he dreams of being old enough to play stickball but also still struggles with nightmares. His mother comes to comfort him and tell him how to work through his bad dreams. She tells him how his great great grandmothers face daymares with the Trail of Tears and The Tulsa Race Massacre, how if they were strong enough to endure those real life struggles he could calm his mind enough to persist past his nightmares.

The next day his uncle takes him to the public library to read up on those two events and how they shaped his family and his community, how their experiences made him stronger and more unafraid, “we come from people stronger than fear”,

Notes from the author and historical backmatter is included.

Ages 5-10
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

A Good Hide

A Good HideA Good Hide by Karina Iceberg, Natasha Donovan
Published by Heartdrum on January 13, 2026
ISBN: 006325493X
Genres: Cultural / First Nations, Cultural / Native American, Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Fall in Alaska is moose season. This is cause for celebration among the community. The story takes us through the process of how the entire group participates in what it takes to tan the moose hide for use in clothing, hunting gear, and cultural regalia. From the cleaning to the stretching and scraping and making the brain stew to spread across the hide this is a joyful step by step look into the tradition.
The book includes back matter from the author as well as a letter from the curator of the Heartdrum imprint.

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

four-stars

Magick Hoodoo Child

Magick Hoodoo ChildMagick Hoodoo Child by Amber McBride, Violeta Encarnación
Published by Harper on January 20, 2026
ISBN: 0063395401
Genres: Cultural / African American, Family, Folklore, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Juniper is one way at school; quiet, shy, trying to stay out of the bullies’ way with the help of her tiny mojo bag. She is just trying to get through until the wonderful day her Mama helps her pack up her empty mason jars to take to her Grandma’s house for the summer.
At Grandma’s she wanders barefoot through the Southern woods and thrives under the tutelage of her grandmother in the learning of ancestral rootwork. She communes with the plants and the work of her ancestors from Africa, in gratitude for all of Nature’s gifts.
As she packs to head back to the city her grandma reminds her that this is who she is, she is a hoodoo child, following in the footsteps of her ancestors. This is a beautiful story of self discovery and self love.

Ages 4-7
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

five-stars

Lou with the Band

Lou with the BandLou with the Band by Alexandra Leigh Young
on October 7, 2025
ISBN: 1536230111
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Lou with the Band” is a young adult novel by Alexandra Leigh Young. Lou is a recent high school graduate who gets a job working as a roadie for a famous musician along with her uncle. Lou sees this as an opportunity to travel while making money for college and hopefully becoming the person she wants to be. When she gets into a relationship with one of the musicians, things seem great, until the relationship turns toxic and creates even more problems for Lou and her family. A suggested additional purchase for YA collections where realistic fiction is popular.

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

three-stars

The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar

The Golden Boy’s Guide to BipolarThe Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar by Sonora Reyes
on September 16, 2025
ISBN: 0063358409
Genres: Realistic Fiction, LGBTQ+
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar” is a young adult novel by Sonora Reyes. Cesar is a high school student with plans to get back together with his ex-boyfriend, Jamal. Cesar is going to therapy, taking his medication, and things seem to be going well, until things aren’t anymore. Readers will root for Cesar to come out on top as he deals with his mistakes, made worse by internal Catholic guilt. Lots of difficult topics are handled well (and realistically) by Reyes, including suicidal ideation, sexuality, homophobia, and mental health. I really enjoyed Cesar and Jamal’s characters. A recommended purchase for YA collections, especially those where Reyes’ book “The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School” is popular.

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

four-stars

Exquisite Things

Exquisite ThingsExquisite Things by Abdi Nazemian
on September 23, 2025
ISBN: 0063339684
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, LGBTQ+
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Exquisite Things” is a young adult historical romance by Abdi Nazemian. Two gay teens (Shahriar from 1890s London and Oliver from 1920s Boston) meet up and are given eternal youth through a wish. Readers follow as their lives intertwine across decades, dealing with not being accepted (even as the years go by) by society, cruelty, and bleak historical events. The description of real historical events was interesting, but occasionally felt like it slowed the novel down too much. The characters were very believable and I felt invested in their story. An epic historical queer romance, this is a suggested purchase where Nazemian’s books are popular.

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

three-stars

Reasons to Hate Me

Reasons to Hate MeReasons to Hate Me by Susan Metallo
on September 2, 2025
ISBN: 1536240354
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Reasons to Hate Me” is a young adult novel by Susan Metallo. Jess is an autistic theater kid who writes a blog to her bullies listing reasons that they should hate her. There is a lot of drama going on in their high school (and not just in theater), relationships, cheating, figuring out sexuality, consent, etc. I enjoyed the neurodiverse representation in the novel, and the constant drama made it a quick read. At times Jess is a bit difficult to like, but she is a well-developed character. An additional purchase where YA realistic fiction is popular.

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

three-stars

The Magician Next Door

The Magician Next DoorThe Magician Next Door by Alice McKinley, Rachel Chivers Khoo
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536241970
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Callie, a ten year old girl, feels homesick and alone in a new house in remote Northern Ireland. Her mother lost a battle to cancer, and her father is burying himself in work. One night, when Callie feels full of despair for her former life, her mother, and friends in London, she discovers a mysterious woman and an upside-down house have appeared in her backyard–but then quickly disappear. What is happening? With the help of her new friend and neighbor, Sam, they help Winnifred Potts set her house right side up again. What Callie doesn’t realize, is that she needs to find her place in the world too. Seems like this is the only the beginning of more adventures in this fantastical Irish landscape.

A sweet chapter book geared towards elementary readers. Slim, with wondrous illustrations and lovely British sayings. Would definitely recommend this for introductory fantasy readers. Ages 7+

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Gray Squirrel Loses It!

Gray Squirrel Loses It!Gray Squirrel Loses It! by Cassandra Federman
on October 21, 2025
ISBN: 059389748X
Genres: Animals, Humor, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Calling all squirrel enthusiasts! This picture book really captures the squirrelly nature of these acorn-loving creatures. Grayson T. Squirrel interrupts the narrator’s tour of the temperature deciduous forest because he has an emergency: he has lost his nut. Though the narrator tries to move on, Gray Squirrel rudely will not stop until his acorn is found. Will our forgetful squirrel learn his lesson?

Lots of speech bubbles and exclamations makes this a fan favorite among books like The Pigeon or Mother Bruce. Pre-K – Upper Elementary is the right age group.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars