Month: November 2018

Mapping Sam

Mapping SamMapping Sam by Joyce Hesselberth
Published by Greenwillow Books on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 0062741225
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

An endearing story about a nocturnal cat quickly becomes an educational opportunity in Mapping Sam.  Sam does more than go out for a nighttime walk as she tours the neighborhood sniffing flowers and star gazing.  Her exploration turns a picture book into 32 pages of STEM worthy scientific observations.  Readers will view and learn about the compass, maps, graphs, skeleton, the solar system and blueprints.

While the storyline is well done it is the illustrations that make this title a contender for Cream.  Sam herself is beyond huggable, each page shows her inquisitive and charming personality.  The use of multi shaded background colors add depth to the illustrations and make the movement flow.   Both the map of Sam and the graph measuring the depth of the pond are outstanding illustrations.

Add to all libraries that serve grade K – 3 students and gift to your favorite budding scientist.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

To Be Honest

To Be HonestTo Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin
Published by Swoon Reads on August 21st 2018
ISBN: 1250183154
Pages: 304
Goodreads
five-stars

Martin’s new book is so much more than the cover reveals.  Although the heroine is a teen who does not fit the stereotype size 6, she is a strong and confident individual who knows what is important.  The author had offered readers a character who is dealing with abandonment issues after her sister has left for college and her mother is experiencing a weight related crisis.  The storyline deals with several psychological issue that are not commonly addressed even in YA literature.  While the mom’s behavior is scary and a new boyfriend has emotional baggage, Martin’s character is able to identify her needs and addresses them head-on.

This is a book that goes deep into family dynamics and mental abuse.  Public libraries and high schools should have this title on their shelves.  To Be Honest  stands up to eating disorders as it offers a sweet romantic read.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

The Truth About Dolphins

The Truth About DolphinsThe Truth About Dolphins: Seriously Funny Facts About Your Favorite Animals by Maxwell Eaton III
Published by Roaring Brook Press on May 8th 2018
ISBN: 162672668X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

This book has adorable, colorful drawings of dolphins and some cool facts. It has a graphic novel like style on many of its pages with a more traditional style on others. This can actually be a bit confusing at times to know where to read for the real facts. There are lots of speech bubbles with humorous ideas or quips and this can make it  harder for a young reader to figure out what is real and what is not unless an adult is there to explain that.

Reviewed by Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

three-stars

We Love Dinosaurs

We Love DinosaursWe Love Dinosaurs by Lucy Volpin
Published by Nosy Crow on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 0763699594
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Simple rhyming text and colorful dinosaur drawings will make this a big hit with very young children, especially those that like dinosaurs. The inside covers have drawings of dinosaurs with their official names but the text of the book does not go into that. Great way to read about dinosaurs for those that don’t know their dinosaurs but also info for those that do. The text itself gives a piece of info on each dinosaur in easy to understand sentences. The last page does bring up the word extinct which might be tricky for young ones, but the book is still terrific. Ages 2 and up.

Reviewed by Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

Resist

ResistResist: 35 Profiles of Ordinary People Who Rose Up Against Tyranny and Injustice by Veronica Chambers, Tracy Turnbull
Published by HarperCollins on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 0062796259
Pages: 224
Goodreads
four-stars

Resist – 35 Profiles of Ordinary people who rose up against tyranny and injustice, is a collection of short biographies of various people who fought for what they believed in. Each story/bio is only a few pages long, includes a quote from them at the beginning of the chapter and ends with a “#Resist Lesson” that sums up one aspect of this famous person’s resistance that kids can take away from it. The bios are fairly diverse, including Sojourner Truth, Emiliano Zapata, Sitting Bull, Malala Yousafzai, Mohandas Gandhi, Hedy Lamarr, and many more. The book begins with a great foreword by Senator Cory Booker and an afterword by one of the survivors of the Parkland school shooting. The only negative about this book is that because the bios are so short, they tend to gloss over many aspects of each person’s history. This is a good addition to a middle grade biography section.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

Miss Newman Isn’t Human

Miss Newman Isn’t HumanMiss Newman Isn't Human! (My Weirdest School, #10) by Dan Gutman, Jim Paillot
Published by HarperCollins on February 13th 2018
ISBN: 0062429396
Pages: 112
Goodreads
three-stars

The 10th book in the My Weirdest School series, Miss Newman Isn’t Human features a local meteorologist (Sprinkles Newman) who doesn’t seem to be able to think for herself when Luke, her cue card holder, gets struck by lightning! Students A.J. and Andrea have their typical arguments and rivalry, but when they end up in a hot air balloon together in the middle of a sandstorm, they  manage to pull together!

Dan Gutman does a really good job keeping your interest and is a good choice for reluctant readers. This wasn’t my favorite of the series, but it’s still funny and exciting. Is Miss Newman a robot? Can she think without needing to read off of cue cards? Is Luke going to be okay after being struck by lightning? What is a “haboob?” All of these questions will be answered! Suggested reading level is grades 1 – 5. Recommended for libraries who already have the My Weirdest School series or a lot of beginning chapter books.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars

Mr. Wolf’s Class

Mr. Wolf’s ClassThe First Day of School (Mr. Wolf's Class #1) by Aron Nels Steinke
Published by Graphix on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 133804768X
Pages: 160
Goodreads
four-stars

Mr. Wolf’s Class  by Eisner Award-winning author Aron Nels Steinke follows a teacher (Mr. Wolf) and several of his students on the first day of fourth grade. This is the first in a series (second book is coming out February 2019) and it’s a great start! We see Mr. Wolf setting up his classroom the day before and most of his students going to sleep. I appreciated the fact that Steinke shows all of the kids in various sleeping situations; yes, most are in beds, but some are on couches, on mattresses on the floor, one is being kept up by a crying baby, and one is asleep while riding in a car. Mr. Wolf’s class is also diverse, with one main character wearing a hijab and kids who work and learn in different ways. Overall, Mr. Wolf manages to survive a missing kid, a stapler-stealing coworker, and his first day of teaching. The illustrations are simple, colorful, and very funny. The kids in the story are realistic, diverse, and keep you interested. I would suggest this book to kids who like Cucumber Quest and for libraries that carry middle grade graphic novels. Recommended for grades 2 – 5.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

The Turnkey of Highgate Cemetery

The Turnkey of Highgate CemeteryThe Turnkey of Highgate Cemetery by Allison Rushby
Published by Candlewick Press on July 24th 2018
ISBN: 0763696854
Pages: 256
Goodreads
three-stars

Stopping a Nazi spy before he can share his devastating plans with his German leaders is no small feat for a twelve year old.  Take into account that Flossie is also a ghost further complicates the matter but Flossie is a determined Turnkey, the keeper of one of London’s major cemeteries.  It is her job to keep her “residents” calm and dormant in their death. When Victor Brun catches Flossie’s attention, she comes to realize that he is a Twilight, someone who is not fully dead and at rest but rather someone who can continue to communicate with the living.  With the help of many of her other ghost friends and her fox Advisor, Amelia, Flossie begins to unwind Victor’s ambitious plans of how to conquer London. With references to World War II, readers may find this an interesting, alternative historical fiction. Despite the very strangeness of this story (ghosts who work in cemeteries, why Turnkeys have Advisors, how Turnkeys can simply close their eyes to move around the world), Flossie is a very likable character and readers will root for her to succeed.  

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook

three-stars

The Little Snowplow

The Little SnowplowThe Little Snowplow by Lora Koehler
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 1536203408
Pages: 30
Goodreads
five-stars

How can  you teach a young child that being different doesn’t mean you are not a part of the team? Lora Koeler’s The Little Snowplow gracefully addresses the problem of difference. With the beautiful illustrations from Jake Parker, the reader is drawn into the plight of the small truck.

“He drove forward and back. Then he raised and lowered his plow ten times. Fast!” This was  the Little Snowplow’s response to being made fun of by the other members of the Mighty Mountain Road Crew. When he is called on by driver Will to help in the big blizzard, the Little Snowplow ends up saving the day. This endearing book inspires readers to work hard, do their best, and be a team player.

The board book is large enough to hold during a class storytime or enjoyed one-on-one with caregivers.  Font size and shape are clear enough for young eyes to distinguish text. Children 0 – 4 years of age will ask for it to be read over and over.

Review by Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public Library

five-stars

Bella Broomstick Magic Mistakes

Bella Broomstick Magic MistakesBella Broomstick #1: Magic Mistakes by Lou Kuenzler
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on August 14th 2018
ISBN: 1524767808
Pages: 208
Goodreads
three-stars

Belladonna Broomstick is an utter failure as a witch.  Not one spell or hex goes right, there are no warts on her face, and she doesn’t like to bath in the swamp. Bella does have the ability to understand and speak to animals and dreams of the Sellwell Department Store catalog.  After being thrown out of Creepy Castle School for Young Witches and Wizards, Belladonna’s Aunt Hemlock is at her witts end. Exiled to the Person World, “Bella” is forbidden to use magic.

What happens next develops into a story of a young witch finding her place in the human world. This book is a comedic reminder to stay true to yourself. It also addresses loss, rejection, frustration, bullying. Each situation that is presented resolves itself with positivity, love and a little bit of magic.

The art is intentionally juvenile and placed as if Bella has doodled on the pages. Bella Broomstick Magic Mistakes will be enjoyed by advanced early readers ages 7 through older reluctant readers.

Review by Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public Library

three-stars