Month: November 2018

Birds of a Color

Birds of a ColorBirds of a Color by Elo
Published by Candlewick Studio on May 8th 2018
ISBN: 1536200638
Pages: 20
Goodreads
five-stars

Each two page spread in this board book contains one black and white bird.  The shape and size of the bird and the background colors make this a winner without even viewing the minimal text.  Each bird’s flap exposes one word, the color visible when the flap is lifted.   Simple concept married to excellent illustration makes this a stand out board book for very young readers.

Add this treasure to the concept area of public libraries or shelve with board books.  Birds of a Color is perfect for the pre-reader and would be well received in day care centers and nursery schools.  Give at baby showers or as a first birthday gift.  The intended audience are toddlers and grandparents who love to read to little ones.

Consider for Cream.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired children’s services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

All That Was

All That WasAll That Was by Karen Rivers
Published by Farrar Straus Giroux on January 16th 2018
ISBN: 0374302464
Pages: 384
Goodreads
three-stars

All That Was—Book Review

 

Piper is the best friend no one should ever have.  She forces her will on her BFF Sloane by belittling her, forcing her to lose her virginity to a stranger while being filmed, telling Sloane that even though she said No to the rape that she really meant yes, and cutting Sloane’s hair in the same style as Piper’s after the sex.  Sloane has been interested in a boy named Soup since they were in 4th grade, but when she expresses her feelings to Piper that is all it takes for Piper to go after Soup and become his girlfriend.  Piper is murdered by the boy who raped Sloane and the story is told in the past and present, showing the guilt Sloane and Soup feel about their part in her death.

The writing style is excellent in a stream of consciousness manner.  Readers first only hear Sloane’s thoughts and her emotional problems are front and center.  Towards the end we read Soup’s thoughts which adds a great deal to the story.  This book should provoke discussions about the hazards of peer pressure, when No means No, and the emotional stress which so many young adults feel.  It is recommended for grades 9-12 young adults.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

 

 

 

 

three-stars

Neon Leon

Neon LeonNeon Leon by Jane Clarke, Britta Teckentrup
Published by Nosy Crow on July 24th 2018
ISBN: 0763699152
Pages: 24
Goodreads
three-stars

Neon Leon is a sad chameleon who is in search of a place where he fits in.    Clarke and Teckentrup  reveal his struggle in this most appealing and bright picture book.   Being the wrong color and unable to change like his mates creates huge problems that must be overcome.  Together the author and illustrator  take readers for a walk through several habits till a satisfying ending is achieved.

The story line will reassure children who find social situations challenging while the illustrations will lighten their hearts.  Being one of the crowd, just like everyone else, and finding your group are heavy issues for primary school students.   Leon will resonate with K- 2nd graders who strive for the right balance.  The brimming colors and large illustrations are sure to please and will bring smiles to small faces.

Add to primary grade media centers and to public libraries which serve children.   This is an excellent book to purchase for children who are searching for the right balance in social situations.

 

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

three-stars

Where I Live

Where I LiveWhere I Live by Brenda Rufener
Published by HarperTeen on February 27th 2018
ISBN: 0062571095
Pages: 352
Goodreads
four-stars

Ruffener has presented a heart wrenching story of courage and resilience in her first novel.  Readers slowly learn what makes Linden tick and how she survives in her new environment.  The plot goes deeper as the pages turn revealing a variety of issues facing a homeless teen.   This is a book that reveals a social issue that many readers are unable to imagine.   Her need of warmth and comfort goes beyond the lack of a place to sleep, the author exposes hardships of the body and spirit.

There are moments when the story seems to lag but the overall product is very well done.  Readers will learn about a social issue they may never have encounter in high school.    While there is romance within the pages that is not the focus.  One has to ask: how can a girl be so invisible when she is hiding in sight of the entire school and community?  Other issues surround this story line; we see bulling, physical abuse, sexual identity, as well as the use of addictive products within the pages.

Consider for middle school media centers, add to high school shelves and to public library YA collections.

 

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, Maine

four-stars

A Werewolf Named Oliver James

A Werewolf Named Oliver JamesA Werewolf Named Oliver James by Nicholas John Frith
Published by Arthur A. Levine Books on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 1338254332
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Oliver James has to be home by six for dinner. What he didn’t plan was for people to run away from him yelling werewolf, only to find out he’s the werewolf. It’s a fun read that’s perfect for Halloween or just kids who enjoy spooky fantasy stories with a message of ‘it’s okay to be different’. It’s perfect for 2nd and 3rd graders due to the fact younger readers might not fully grasp the meaning of the story, but they’ll still enjoy the illustrations and the basic idea of it. The story was great at capturing emotions of someone young who might not be scared of what they are, but excited about these new powers only for them to question it when other’s their age is frightened. The illustrations are simple shapes with simple colors following a six-color theme throughout the book, some on top of others to add depth, which works well for this story in adding another spooky layer to it. The flaw is that the message is something you don’t really think about reading unless you’re looking for it. A great Halloween read with a great message that any library would love to have.

Reviewed by Cherise Letourneau, Auburn Public Library, Auburn

four-stars

How to be a Lion

How to be a LionHow To Be A Lion by Ed Vere
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 0525578056
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Leonard the lion is not your average lion.  Instead of being fierce and chomping things like the rest of the lions, he likes to writes poems and visit his thinking hill. One day he meets a duck named Marianne and she helps him write his poem, and they become friends.  They spend all their time together watching stars and being happy.  Until one day when the rest of the lions show up and demand to know why this duck has not been chomped.  Leonard defends her, but the other lions tell Leonard that there is only one way to be a lion and that he must be fierce and chomp her.  Leonard and Marianne return to the thinking hill while Leonard ponders whether he must truly change.  They return to the other lions with a message about being yourself.  A pretty heavy-handed message picture book, Vere delivers a story about being yourself and not caving to peer pressure.  Other reviewers have read it as a take on masculinity and an example of a positive male role model.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

Surviving Adam Meade

Surviving Adam MeadeSurviving Adam Meade by Shannon Klare
Published by Swoon Reads on August 14th 2018
ISBN: 9781250154378
Pages: 244
Goodreads
three-stars

Claire starts a new high school her senior year because her dad took a job as the new football coach.  She’s forced to leave behind her friends and an ex-boyfriend who she thought she’d be with forever but who dumped her when she moved.  When school starts, she meets Adam, the womanizing quarterback, who she wants nothing to do with, but can’t seem to avoid.  Adam always gets what he wants until he meets Claire, who doesn’t immediately fall at his feet like all the other girls.  While reluctant to believe it, eventually, they realize that they need each other.  While it does feature seniors, it could easily be read by younger teens, as it doesn’t feature any sex or illicit substances.  This book doesn’t bring anything new to the romance genre, but it’s a satisfyingly sweet high school love story.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars