Source: MSL Book Review

I Am Kylian: The True Story of an International Soccer Champion

I Am Kylian: The True Story of an International Soccer ChampionI Am Kylian: The True Story of an International Soccer Champion by Faro, Kylian Mbappé
Published by Rodale Kids on 6/9/26
ISBN: 9798217445844
Genres: Sports
Format: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this graphic memoir, readers will learn how Kylian Mbappé became one of the world’s greatest soccer players.  This memoir starts with Mbappé as a young child obsessed with soccer, dreaming of becoming a great soccer star.  Although gifted, Mbappé struggled in school and his parents had to work hard to help him become successful.  Mbappé also had to learn some hard lessons in soccer as he rose through the ranks, but he could always rely on his amazing speed and intelligence.  His humor, drive, and strong family relationships run throughout this graphic novel, both in the text and the graphics.

This graphic novel is best suited for upper elementary or middle school readers.  Most of the layouts contain a lot of text and illustrations, so readers will need to be able to process large amounts of information.  Readers who love soccer, or sports in general, will enjoy this graphic novel, because it really captures Mbappé’s full journey to becoming a soccer superstar.  Libraries looking to capitalize on the recent World Cup frenzy or want a quality nonfiction sports option should consider adding this book to the collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Can I Do It?

Can I Do It?Little Critter: Can I Do It? (I Can Read Phonics): A Heartwarming Phonics Story about Friendship and Teamwork for Beginning Readers by Mercer Mayer
Published by HarperCollins on 6/2/26
ISBN: 0063473143
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Can I Do It? By Mercer Mayer is a Level 1 Phonics early reader featuring Little Critter, Frog, and Dog.  The story starts with the main character falling off his bike and being sad that he can’t ride his bike.  Dog is sad that he can’t play with his toy like he would like too, but then Dog is able to and is happy!  Similarly, Frog has a hard time hopping up the stairs and his sadness turns to happiness when he is successful.  At the end, Dog and Frog encourage Little Critter to try again and Little Critter is successful, too!

This is a great yet simple story of friendship and perseverance that new readers will be able to relate to.  Additionally, the illustrations are fun and colorful and will be appealing to that age group.  Caregivers will also appreciate this book because at the beginning, before the text even starts, there is a list of short vowel words, consonant blends, and high frequency words found in the story, with explanations of what those terms mean.  Adults can review these words with children before reading, building on skills they are working on or introducing them to new words.  This will help young readers build confidence and fluency while reading this story.   This would be an excellent addition to any library serving young children or new readers.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Styx and Stones

Styx and StonesStyx and Stones by Gary D. Schmidt, Ron Koertge
Published by Clarion Books on 5/5/26
ISBN: 0063380978
Genres: Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Simon has been in the Underworld for thousands of years, despite frequent attempts to escape.  When he finally does escape, he finds himself naked in a middle school bathroom in St. Paul, MN.  Luckily for Simon, Zeke discovers him and helps him become acclimated.  Zeke is bullied often and Simon becomes his first real friend. Zeke and the other kids (and a teacher) at school quickly realize that Simon is different- kinder and wiser than other kids his age.

Meanwhile, Hades is furious that Simon escaped and his wife, Persephone, is trying to figure out how he escaped.  Hades sends someone to capture Simon, wreaking havoc on the weather and putting Simon’s friendship with Zeke to the test. There is a battle and Simon does end up leaving St. Paul, saving Zeke and Zeke’s biggest bully in the process.  After Simon returns to the Underworld, Cerberus, the dog he was able to tame, ate the evil Hades. Suddenly the landscape was restored, and a new world was ready to be created.  In St. Paul, Zeke grieved Simon’s absence, but he grieved with his new friends who also missed Simon.  Zeke and Simon were forever changed by their brief friendship.

Readers who enjoy fantasy and mythology will enjoy this middle grade novel.  There is a touch of humor and plenty of action to keep readers hooked, especially when demons from the Underworld arrive in Minnesota.  Readers will relate to the drama and bullying in this story and will appreciate the growth and friendship between the main characters.  This story of grief, friendship, courage, and kindness will stick with readers long after they turn the last page.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Pete the Cat and the Family Tree

Pete the Cat and the Family TreePete the Cat and the Family Tree (I Can Read Phonics): Learn to Read with Pete the Cat in a Phonics-Based Story for Beginning Readers (Ages 4-8) by James Dean, Kimberly Dean
Published by Harper ISBN: 0063350491
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Designated by the publisher as a Level 2 early reader focusing on long vowels and consonant digraphs, this decodable Pete the Cat title prioritizes phonetic pattern practice over complex plot.

The straightforward storyline follows Pete as he builds a family tree, learning about his relatives’ hobbies and connecting them to his own through his imagination. While the narrative serves strictly as a vehicle for decoding practice, emerging readers will benefit from the highly controlled vocabulary, short sentence structures, and predictable text patterns.

Dean’s signature bright, cheerful art style remains highly appealing and provides  visual scaffolding for decoding unfamiliar words. Because the confidence boost of independent reading successfully offsets the minimal narrative action, this title is an excellent tool for families seeking high-interest, familiar characters to extend at-home practice. A valuable addition to school and public libraries building out structured literacy and decodable text collections.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough School District

four-stars

RV There Yet?

RV There Yet?RV There Yet? by Suzanne Nelson
on May 12, 2026
ISBN: 0593567056
Genres: Adventure, Family
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Cricket, Flossie, Parker, Newt, and Darwin are new step-siblings preparing for summer vacation when their newly-wed parents show up with a rundown RV and plans for a familymoon – a honeymoon for the whole family.  Along with their dog, Archimedes, and a stow-away snake, the family heads to Yellowstone National Park to explore the park.  As with any road trip, things don’t always go as planned.  Cricket, the oldest sibling, is upset about missing her writing camp and resents having to look after the other four mischievous children.  When Flossie runs away and a bear shows up, everyone must learn to bend and compromise for this new family to work together.  

This book will appeal to upper elementary students who like humorous, cozy stories.  While all of the events fit together, many of the events are shorter which might help students who are building their reading stamina for longer story arcs.  

It also tackles issues about blending a family, without being too serious.  There are some nice geography and travel connections for teachers looking to make content connections to ELA and social studies.

Reviewed by Jaime Beal, RSU 40, Waldoboro

three-stars

I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea

I Hear the Snow, I Smell the SeaI Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea by Chris Raschka, Jan Milusich, Janice Milusich
Published by Random House Children's Books on October 7, 2025
ISBN: 0593308174
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This extraordinarily rich picture book is a sensory feast told from the perspective of Nevaeh, a young, blind girl with light brown hair and blue eyes. Drawing on her experience as a teacher of the blind and visually impaired, Milusich takes readers on a journey through the seasons. Nevaeh serves as an expert guide, illustrating how the year smells, feels, sounds, and tastes: spring smells like hyacinths, summer feels like floating in the ocean, fall sounds like the “Honk, honk, honk” of migrating birds, and winter tastes like fresh snow.
Nevaeh lives a rich, full life, enjoying the same seasonal milestones as her sighted peers. Her mindful awareness and joy are perfectly captured as she jumps into leaf piles, smells spring blossoms, and builds a snowman. Raschka’s watercolor and oil pastel illustrations strike a beautiful balance between representation and abstraction, giving sighted readers a luscious understanding of the world experienced through non-visual senses.
This title serves as an excellent mentor text for discussing how a character’s unique perspective shapes a narrative. Highly recommended for public and school library collections.

 

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

five-stars

Wombat Waiting

Wombat WaitingWombat Waiting by Katherine Applegate
on 5/5/26
ISBN: 0063221179
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Wildfires have struck California and Henry and his family, like many others, are evacuating to a shelter.  Animals, too, are fleeing to safety, but Wombat, a stray dog, is hearing a message to go towards the fire, not away from it.  Wombat ends up at the shelter, trying to determine who his destiny is.  He stays on the bench outside but doesn’t allow any people to get close to him. Eventually Wombat realizes that his destiny, her human, is Henry.   Wombat quickly learns that Henry is afraid of dogs and she works hard to show Henry that she is actually friendly and loving.  It takes some time, but Wombat finally finds who she belongs with, and she waits at the shelter with Henry, his moms, and sister, until they find a new place to call home.

Fans of Katherine Applegate will love this sweet novel in verse about belonging, community, and perseverance.  It’s not easy for Wombat to trust, but she learns to trust her instincts, especially when it comes to Henry.  Henry loves animals, but a previous incident has caused him to be afraid of dogs.  As he heals after the loss of his house, Henry opens himself to Wombat, who helps.  This book would be a great addition to libraries serving elementary students.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Galaxy Mapper

Galaxy MapperGalaxy Mapper: The Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Hélène Courtois by Allie Summers, Sian James
on November 18, 2025
ISBN: 1536228974
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
If readers haven’t already heard of Hélène Courtois and her marvelous contributions to astrophysics, this picture book biography illuminates her amazing life. This picture book, through mit Kids Press, starts at Courtois’ early years mapping her French countryside and onto her experiences being a woman in the sciences. Allie Summers writes a compelling tale of how she discovers Laniakea in 2013, a special supercluster of galaxies that includes our Milky Way.

This is a great contribution to any picture book biography section. The graphic design illustrations are bright and eye-catching and the writing is full of new science terms for kids to learn in tandem with Courtois’ life story. End papers include her Timeline, a Glossary of Galactic Terms, “Other Fiercely Intelligent Women in Astronomy,” and a guide to putting your telescope in the right location. Recommended for Ages 5-9.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

El Toro & Friends: Tough Times

El Toro & Friends: Tough TimesTough Times: A Graphic Novel―A Funny Lucha Libre Wrestling Story with Spanish words for Kids (Ages 6-10) (World of ¡Vamos!) by Elaine Bay, Raúl the Third
ISBN: 0063396289
Genres: Cultural / Latin America, Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Humorous, Sports
Format: Graphic Novel, Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
El Toro & Friends is back with another installment of luchadores stories. In Tough Times, we learn about what El Toro was like when he was starting out as Kid Toro and how he rose to the top. Raul the Third illustrates how Kid Toro was defeated time and time again and how he wonders if he’ll ever win a fight. His hero pulls him aside and reminds him that he also had to lose many times before he became a champion. Renewed in his determination to get to the top, Kid Toro beats Al “The Crane” Scorpio and remembers to have fun, too!

Another great release from Raúl the Third’s world of El Toro & Friends. For multilingual readers, these books are excellent at blending English and Spanish in world bubbles. These books can be shelved as graphic novels, picture books, or early readers which checks a lot of boxes for different readers. Recommended for Ages 6-10.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

four-stars

Bing’s Cherries

Bing’s CherriesBing's Cherries by Julia Kuo, Livia Blackburne
Published by Random House Children's Books Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
A new American tall tale about Ah Bing has been created by Livia Blackburne and Julia Kuo. This story is inspired by the real-life Chinese Immigrant horticulturalist who dedicated much of his life cultivating the popular Bing Cherry in Oregon. Blackburne’s story is about a father and daughter eating dark red cherries in their backyard in July. “At night, after I’ve washed the cherry juice off my hands, I imagine Ah Bing’s life.”

She imagines Ah Bing is larger than life walking through the San Francisco shore. The gentle giant is given a bag of seeds to plant in the ground. As he sings of the sadness of being a Chinese Immigrant in America, a giant tear falls from his face into the ground where he planted the seeds. From the ground sprouts the most magnificent cherry saplings with snow white blossoms and beautiful dark cherries. Bing’s cherries will forever be remembered.

A well-written and eye-catching folktale picture book based on a real Chinese American immigrant to read alongside stories such as Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyan. Ages 4+

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars