Source: MSL Book Review

Where Shadows Bloom

Where Shadows BloomWhere Shadows Bloom by Catherine Bakewell
Published by Harper on February 11, 2025
ISBN: 0063359081
Genres: Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Shadows – deadly monsters that move silently in the night – keep Ofelia little more than a prisoner in her well-guarded home. One of those guards is Lope, who has trained her entire life to be a knight defending Ofelia. Over the years, as their friendship has grown strong, other feelings have grown between them as well, though the difference in their stations prevents Lope from acting on those feelings, and Ofelia from understanding them.

Only the king’s palace offers a safe refuge from the Shadows. Driven by the increasing danger, Ofelia’s mother agrees to go there to ask for shelter for herself and Ofelia. But when she doesn’t return, Ofelia and Lope set out after her. When they arrive, they find her mother has mysteriously disappeared. Revelations unfold; Ofelia learns she is the daughter of the king himself, and he lays claim to her affection while promising her mother is safe. At first she believes him, but Lope, left to her own devices, begins to uncover strange inconsistencies in the king’s highly controlled and madly festive court. The Shadows, she realizes, originate from the palace itself. The king is not the protector of the land, chosen by the will of beneficent gods; he rules because of a deal struck with the Lord of the Underworld and is, in fact, the villain.

Now Lope is trying to protect Ofelia from herself, and the power-hungry king, as well as from the Shadows. Ofelia refuses to believe Lope’s assertion that the king is behind the world’s evil, causing a rift between them. Finally – though now apart – both realize the deadly truth behind the king’s illusions, and that the only way forward is into the underworld, where they might be able to save the other, if not themselves. But a whole new adventure awaits them there, and it is soon clear that sacrificing their lives is not what will change the world above.

Bakewell’s magical, atmospheric novel builds in intensity as the protagonists begin to more deeply understand both the world they exist in, and the depth of their feelings for one another. Unexpected twists allow the reader to get lost in the sometimes dreamy, fairy-tale quality of the story as well as to appreciate the thoughtful world-building and hopeful resolution. Will appeal to readers of sapphic romance, dark-ish fantasy, and satisfying endings.

– Jenny Martinez, Maine State Library

five-stars

Wednesday Wilson: Looks on the Fright Side

Wednesday Wilson: Looks on the Fright SideWednesday Wilson Looks on the Fright Side (Volume 4) by Bree Galbraith, Morgan Goble
Series: Wednesday Wilson #4
Published by Kids Can Press on 9/2/25
ISBN: 1525311573
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Budding entrepreneur, Wednesday Wilson, is back in this fourth installment.  This time, she is trying to figure out how to encourage people to trick or treat at her house.  The past few years, Wednesday’s two moms have given out weird treats and now no one wants to go to her house.  Wednesday and her friends decide that giving away slime would be perfect because kids will love the free slime and will want to buy more later.  Wednesday is a little sly and throws a Halloween party at a nearby house that some locals believe is haunted, without getting definitive permission.  Even though three mean girls try to ruin the party, the party is a success!

This book is the fourth in a series of early chapter books.  The font is big and there are lots of black and white drawings to break up the text. Wednesday gets herself in and out of trouble, which young readers can relate to.  There is diversity represented in the characters, some described in the text, like Wednesday having two moms, and other examples are evident just in the illustrations.  For example, Wednesday and her friends have different skin colors and a couple of the characters use wheelchairs.  Libraries who have the other books in this series will want to add this Halloween book to their collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

The Beautiful Layers of Me

The Beautiful Layers of MeThe Beautiful Layers of Me by Ruchi Mhasane, Sophia Payne
ISBN: 1536242896
Genres: Cultural / African American, Emotions & Feelings, Family, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Ameena is so excited, because today is her Auntie’s nikah, or wedding. Because of the special occasion, she is gifted with her first ever salwar kameez, and she loves the soft layers of floaty fabric. But, when her next-door neighbor Emily accidentally compliments Ameena’s “pajamas”, Ameena feels embarrassed and worried. Ameena goes to her room, fidgeting with her outfit, and accidentally picks a hole right through her kameez. Without time to spare, she changes into her favorite dress, only to regret the outfit change when seeing how beautiful her cousin Lisa looked in her matching salwar kameez. Saving the day, Babu repairs Ameena’s kameez right before the ceremony, and Ameena feels proud to wear it, and of her heritage. The illustrations are full of colorful, soft, and flowy layers, just like Ameena’s salwar kameez. This relatable tale would resonate with any child feeling embarrassed about being “different”. The writing also beautifully weaves in words of the Author’s Indo-Caribbean heritage. Recommended for ages 5 to 7 (Kindergarten to 1st grade).

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

four-stars

Quentin Blake’s Fantastic Journeys: Fanciful Drawings & Surprising Situations

Quentin Blake’s Fantastic Journeys: Fanciful Drawings & Surprising SituationsQuentin Blake's Fantastic Journeys by Quentin Blake
ISBN: 1536245089
Genres: Arts
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Join beloved illustrator, Quentin Blake, on a journey through this fun collection of illustrations. The illustrations are grouped into themes such as “Trip Hazards” and “Deliveries from Elsewhere”. While not creating a storyline, this collection of quirky sketches and illustrations is sure to bring delight to readers of all ages. The style of Quentin Blake’s illustrations is also inspirational for artists at all ability levels, demonstrating that you can spark joy, create movement, tell a story, and elicit emotion without being “perfect”. Recommended for ages 7 to 9 (2nd to 4th grade).

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

four-stars

Girls to the Front: 40 Asian American Women who Blazed a Trail

Girls to the Front: 40 Asian American Women who Blazed a TrailGirls to the Front: 40 Asian American Women Who Blazed a Trail―Boldly Illustrated Biographies of Inspiring Changemakers by Nina Mata
ISBN: 0063216280
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, LGBTQ+, Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This book contains a collection of 40 inspiring biographies and portraits of trailblazing Asian American women. The stories in this collection span a wide range of time periods, with women representing many different countries of ancestry within Asia. It covers how many of these women experienced racism and discrimination, with brief explanations of the historical context as appropriate, and how these women overcame their circumstances and became noteworthy. It could be read straight through as inspiration, or used as a launching pad for a more in-depth research project. Some of the women covered in the book are already household names, but many are lesser-known noteworthy characters that were on the sidelines of the history books focusing on their male counterparts. These trailblazing women have done it all, so any reader is sure to find an inspiring story that speaks to their interests. Also included is LGBTQ+ representation, with the motivational biography of Geena Rocero, a transgender model and activist. The portraits dedicated to each woman are stunning and represent each woman in her prime.

For a nonfiction book, the order in which the women are presented is confusing (not chronological or alphabetical), though there is a table of contents at the front. The glossary at the back provides some basic definitions and context for various historical terms/events. However, the glossary also includes some terms that may not be necessary, and ultimately water down the more important definitions (for example “Japanese American Internment Camps” and “Junior Olympics Program” are both included and given similar lengths of definitions in the glossary).

Overall this would be a lovely, inspiring, and inclusive addition to any nonfiction collection. Recommended for ages 8 to 12 (3rd grade to 6th grade).

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

four-stars

Bad Creek

Bad CreekBad Creek by Peyton June
on June 3, 2025
ISBN: 1324082933
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Suspense
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Bad Creek brings a chill to its summer setting, full of superstitions in the spirit of campfire stories and societal horror against a conservative town’s backdrop. 

Iris is not excited to return to Bad Creek after the death of her older sister the previous summer: something she doesn’t believe was accidental. However, when her friends don’t believe her gut feeling that something sinister is at play in the small, religious town, they come to find that the real evil forces are often human… 

This book is great for students that love mysteries but perhaps haven’t quite dipped their toes into horror yet. Its well-paced story line remains engaging as it builds feelings of dread in the reader and ultimately concludes with an unpredictable yet extremely satisfying twist. Bad Creek also offers reflections on privilege, identity, and handling grief, with trigger warnings for family death and homophobia. Recommended for 8th grade and up.  

Reviewed by Hannah Doktor, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a Shape

The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a ShapeThe Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a Shape by Amy Alznauer, Anna Bron
Published by Candlewick Press on March 4, 2025
ISBN: 1536229474
Genres: Arts, Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction, STEM
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This is the remarkable story of Marjorie Rice, an amateur mathematician who solved a complex pentagon math problem from the desk of her ordinary life. Rice was endlessly interested in shapes and patterns in nature as a little girl and wanted to study them further–but was discouraged and instead became a secretary and a mother to five children. After reading an article in a magazine, she realized that mathematicians were trying to find the other five-sided shapes that fit together perfectly. She spent her days scribbling on notes in her kitchen, or drawing while stirring dinner, and discovered THE undiscovered shape. She sent her papers to the geometry scientists and they confirmed, yes!, she had found a tessellating shape no one had ever seen before. Rice spent the rest of her life writing letters back and forth to professors as she discovered more complex pentagon shape patterns. Now she is widely recognized as being the person to have solved the ancient mystery of pentagon puzzles.

This book is a feast for the eyes. The graphics of Anna Bron and Amy Alznauer’s words work together so harmoniously that this particularly long picture book goes by in a flash. The back matter includes a rich author’s note and more information about geometry and drawing and discovering shapes that is really inspiring. For ages 7+.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story

So Many Years: A Juneteenth StorySo Many Years: A Juneteenth Story – A Radiant Picture Book about Black Resilience and Joy for kids (Ages 4-8) by Anne Wynter, Jerome Pumphrey
Published by HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks ISBN: 0063081148
Genres: Cultural / African American, History, Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A masterful picture book celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. Anne Wynter and Jerome Pumphrey together have created a joyful celebration of a book that explains why Juneteenth is so important, for everyone, but especially Black Americans.

“How would you dress after so many years of mending your clothes with rags? 

How would you sing after so many years of writing in code? 

How would you eat after so many years of making your meals from scraps?”

There are not many lines in this book, but they are stunningly poetic and powerful. The colors of the acrylic paint brushstrokes are bright and celebratory. The pages do not shy away from the history of enslavement, however they are not too harsh for young readers. A must buy for picture book collections. Ages 4-8.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Black Diamond Kings

Black Diamond KingsBlack Diamond Kings: Heroes of Negro League Baseball (Sports Royalty) by Adrian Brandon, Charles R. Smith
ISBN: 1536225355
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Poetry, Sports
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Black Diamond Kings is a necessary ode to twelve of the greatest players in the Negro Leagues in American baseball history. For each of the players, Charles R. Smith Jr. has created an array of differently formatted poems for each. These are poems rich with vocabulary and imagery that make you feel in the game. Adrian Brandon’s illustrations are striking with interesting, exaggerated style.

Back pages include small biography paragraphs of each player; and further back matter explains the history of the Negro American League and how they are now finally being recognized in the Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 2024–long overdue since the players are some the of the best to ever play the game.  Recommended for ages 8-12.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Dream For the Land

Dream For the LandDream for the Land by Laekan Zea Kemp, Leo Espinosa
ISBN: 0593710304
Genres: Animals, Family, Farm Life, Folklore, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Dream For the Land is a powerful”slice-of-life” moment on a farm in West Texas based on the author’s experience watching climate change create a mega-drought in the land she grew up in. Our main character is an unnamed girl who is chasing the bunnies from the crops and watching them droop from lack of rain. She sees the lines of worry on her Má and Pá’s faces, but they ease up with smiles when they find a little horned toad in the vegetables. She kisses the toad and makes a wish for the land to be as it once was when her grand-grandfather tilled the soil and made it their home.

This is a simple, but poignant book about a family who desperately need rain for their ancestral lands to be rich and fertile again. Almost too-sad for early children’s literature, but it makes up for it with storytelling and sweet illustrations and the fantastical magic wish of the horned toad. There’s a nice Author’s Note in the end pages that explains her connection to the story, and how we can take action for indigenous lands to be protected. For ages 4-8.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars