Teen-age troubles, insect outings, and stunning illustrations mark these new books of interest to Maine children. A special note: Look for the illustrating debut of Brewer School Superintendent Perry Jordan.

THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE MISTY DAY, by Jackie French Koller (Atheneum, 154 pages, $13.94, ages 9-13), is the tale of a 14-year-old girl reeling from the unexpected death of her father and an abrupt move from Manhattan to Phinney’s Island, Maine. Stubbornly refusing to attempt to make friends in this “godforsaken lump of an island clinging by a string to the coast of Maine,” she instead becomes intrigued by a mysterious elderly sea captain on nearby Little Hog Island. An adept understanding of teen-age attitudes and emotions, along with strong and suspenseful writing mark Koller’s handling of this story.

LADY BUGATTI, by Joyce Maxner, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (Lothrop, Lee and Shepherd, 32 pages, $13.95, ages 5-8), is the telling, in rhyme, of the story of an evening on the town led by an elegant Lady Bug for her insect companions. Full-color paintings by Portland resident Kevin Hawkes beautifully capture the essence of sophistication and distinction of these musical aficionados.

Maine artist Marlow deChristopher’s stunning oil paintings create a 15th century pastoral atmosphere for his new retelling of the French tale, GREENCOAT & AND THE SWANBOY (Philomel, 32 pages, $14.95, ages 5-8). The text is magical, and the illustrations a visual feast. Look for this book to be of long-lasting value.

From the same household comes THE MOUSE BRIDE, retold and illustrated by Linda Allen (Philomel, 32 pages, $14.95, ages 5-8). Allen’s soft pastel watercolors depict perfectly the precious mouse bride of this Scandinavian folk tale.

A first for both author and illustrator, HIGH ISLAND TREASURE, by George E. Gjelfriend, illustrated by Pam DeVito, with additional vignettes by Perry Jordan (Windswept House Publishers, 125 pages, $12.95, ages 8-12), is a mystery set on fictional High Island off the coast of Maine. Not wishing to indulge in the ploy of several mystery writers who use an “expert” at the end to divulge heretofore unmentioned but critical facts, author Gjelfriend of East Orland presents a mystery where the reader has the “perfect information” — all the facts the main characters needed to decipher the puzzle. While most of the illustrations were done by Windswept’s artist in residence, Pamela DeVito, the back cover and an additional inside drawing were done by Jordan, Brewer’s superintendent of schools, who hopes to co-produce future children’s books with his wife, Beckett. A good read with a genuinely surprising ending, it is hopefully the first of many literary contributions by author and illustrator alike.

Judy Eyerer is a free-lance writer who resides in Bangor.