Month: January 2019

Last Pick

Last PickLast Pick by Jason Walz
Published by First Second on October 9th 2018
ISBN: 1626728917
Pages: 224
Goodreads
four-stars

Aliens have invaded and everyone between the ages of 16 and 65 has been “scooped” up and removed from Earth. Life is hard for those left behind. The Aliens are rationing the dwindling food supply, while the questions about the future of the Earth are growing. Twins, Sam and Wyatt, lost their parents to the Alien invasion and must rely on each other to survive. Sam is the feisty one who braves the Aliens and steals food to share with others. Wyatt is a talented engineer who can fix anything but is not so good relating to other people, but he might just be the key to figuring out the alien technology. When the “scooper” returns to take any remaining humans of the appropriate age, Sam and Wyatt are being hunted by the “scooper.” The twins must rely on their wits, their natural talents, and the help of some renegades to help them survive. This graphic novel is full of action, but not at the cost of character development. Through flashback scenes depicted visually in gray, we learn about Sam and Wyatt’s past and the importance of their relationship. The action is represented with bold colorful panels that will appeal to both middle school and high school students. The aliens are drawn in a cartoonish style and are not scary. This is a solid addition to graphic novel collections. Recommended for grades 6 and up.

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School Library

four-stars

Magnificent Birds

Magnificent BirdsMagnificent Birds by Candlewick Press, Narisa Togo
Published by Candlewick Studio on September 4th 2018
ISBN: 1536201693
Pages: 32
Goodreads

The title says it all,the small hummingbird , the largest species of parrot, the bar-tailed Godwit which makes the longest non stop flight of any bird and  the red crowned crane, one of the rarest birds in the world are all included in this book. Ms. Togo introduces the reader to fifteen of the world’s most interesting birds. Each is introduced on a two page spread with muted linocut illustrations. Each is identified by its genus and where it is found. Paragraphs explain all sorts of facts and interesting pieces of information in language readers can understand. This is STEAM at its best- science and art in one volume. Lots of science and beautiful to look at!  With many books on birds to choose from, this one should be given serious consideration.

grades 1-6

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public  Library

Our Car

Our CarOur Car by J.M. Brum, Jan Bajtlik
Published by Roaring Brook Press on January 1st 2018
ISBN: 1626722463
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

The narrator is so excited about his dad’s car and passes that excitement along to the reader. In simple text, the reader learns that the car is red, when it rains the roof must be put up, when it runs out of gas, it must be pushed and at the end- the reader is offered a surprise! Simple and direct text with simple cartoon style illustrations make this a fun book for the car enthusiast. Use with units about vehicles and pair it with selections such as: Byron’s My Car and My Bus.

grades pre-k -2

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library

three-stars

There’s a Dinosaur on the 13th Floor

There’s a Dinosaur on the 13th FloorThere's a Dinosaur on the 13th Floor by Wade Bradford, Kevin Hawkes
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 0763686654
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

Mr. Snore checks in to the Sharemore Hotel for some much needed rest. But each room he is given, already has an occupant. Mr. Snore meets his various roommates- mouse, pig, spiders, and giraffes and requests a different room each time and each time is confronted with yet another surprise guest. As he moves up the floors the guests get more challenging until the 13th floor holds the most challenging! Will Mr. Snore ever get the rest he needs?

Author Bradford’s text and Maine illustrator Kevin Hawkes illustrations make this a fun book to read, a fun book to listen to and a fun book to look at. This is a book for all and a must for Maine libraries.

grades pre-k – 3

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public library

four-stars

Ballet Shoes

Ballet ShoesBallet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on November 6th 2018
ISBN: 0525578617
Pages: 304
Goodreads
two-stars

This reprint of the 1937 story about three orphan sisters who become a family under a boarding house roof and train for dance and theater only sports a new book cover done by Danielle Kroll.  This new art gives the books a flat, matte, retro look that may not provide the desired results of new interest in the “Shoe” series.  The book’s copyright was renewed in 1965 and it was published again in 1993 and then again in2007 when the movie version was released.  Although a favorite of this reviewer in the early 1970’s because of the ballet and performing story line, the rereading for this review did not inspire a return to the story series. The British setting and the time period feel outdated, and the various character’s minute details of their day, which seems to be similar to homeschooling and focused on training at the academy, is the center of the action .  There are even pages of a theater script within the body of the story that the older sisters are required to learn.  Easy to skip this section.  The readership will most likely be girls in grades 4-6 who are interested in dancing or theater.  Libraries looking to replace an old copy will find this one serviceable.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library, Springvale

two-stars

Hello Winter

Hello WinterHello Winter! by Shelley Rotner
Published by Holiday House on October 16th 2018
ISBN: 0823439763
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

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How to describe and define winter to our youngest readers is done in simple text and lots of photographs by author Shelley Rotner. With text that supports photos of children in boots, jackets, scarves, and hats that show children enjoying sledding, skiing, building forts, drinking hot chocolate and looking forward to the holidays. This selection is a bit different from the “text book” books on the seasons in that it shows the reader other children like themselves . Whether winter is your favorite season or not- this book makes winter fun. Use this with other picture books about winter: First Snow by Mark Bomi, Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming, Snowmen at Night by Mark Buehner to name a few. Discussions with your youngest readers on what is their favorite part of winter  can lead into what they do in winter, what animals are seen in winter and what if winter isn’t their favorite season. This is a solid addition to any collection.

grades pre-k-3

submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library

four-stars

Carols and Chaos

Carols and ChaosCarols and Chaos by Cindy Anstey
Published by Swoon Reads on October 9th 2018
ISBN: 1250174872
Pages: 328
Goodreads
two-stars

This is the fourth installment of Anstey’ regency romance series.  The copy reviewed is in paperback and suitable for readers in 9-12 grades.  This title features the footmen, valets, butlers, cooks and maids to the characters from Anstey ‘s “Suitors and Sabotage”.  It is 1817 during the yuletide season in England.  Matthew and Kate have their respectable positions with the specific responsibilities to the families that are visiting Shackleford Park for the holidays.  Their immediate attraction to each other bonds them together when it is found that a counterfeit coin scheme has influenced one of the staff.  Predictable danger, multiple characters and the time period’s societal rules make for a safe, light holiday romance story.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library, Springvale

two-stars

The Thank You Book

The Thank You BookThe Thank You Book by Mary Lyn Ray, Stephanie Graegin
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on September 4th 2018
ISBN: 0544791363
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a deceivingly simple book, a basic title, a small, slim volume that speaks volumes. Ms. Ray reminds us what “thank you” means and the many times the reader could use it if only it was thought of. Saying thank you is  good manners, but it should be used for a beautiful day, the world and everything in it, swings, slides, glue, parades to mention just a few. Simple text, that young readers can relate to, explain the use of these two simple words. The pencil and watercolor illustrations are simple yet give meaning to “thank you.” This little book with its cozy pictures can be used to begin a discussion on what we are thankful for. It is a book that demonstrates kindness and civility in a world that could use such a reminder.

five-stars

Inkling

InklingInkling by Kenneth Oppel, Sydney Smith
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on November 6th 2018
ISBN: 152477281X
Pages: 272
Goodreads
five-stars

Recommending this for Cream Consideration.  Oppel’s begins this realistic drama, suitable for grades 4-6,  with a splat of inky magic from the point of view of Rickman the family’s cat.  Rickman discovers the ink splotch that escapes Dad’s sketchbook and devours written print to learn how to communicate with the family.  Sixth grader Ethan finds the ink splotch, Inkling, first and Sarah, his younger sister with Down Syndrome, is immediately enthralled by Inkling’s ability to make the shape of a dog.  Inkling becomes a likeable and driven character.  It absorbs books, literally, and provides the family members, as well as readers, energy, inspiration and comical relief as the inquisitive splotch takes on the vernacular of whatever it “tastes”.   Anne of Green Gables, The BFG and Twenty Leagues under the Sea are some of the many titles that readers will be inspired to explore further.  Deeper themes bubble to the surface as the Inkling becomes helpful to Ethan and his father.  Grief, honesty, being yourself and friendships can be found in the ever changing dynamic that is presented as Inkling becomes known to others outside of Ethan’s family.  The design of the book, with ink splats on every page and comic illustrations, by Sydney Smith, liberally place throughout makes this a complete package.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library, Springvale

five-stars

Zola’s Elephant

Zola’s ElephantZola's Elephant by Randall de Sève, Pamela Zagarenski
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on October 9th 2018
ISBN: 1328886298
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

A new girl moves in next door to our narrator – another little girl.Thus the begins the back and forth conversation between our narrator and the reader. Our little girl tells us that her neighbor has an elephant, who eats toast, takes baths , plays hide and seek and other fun things. that is the reason the two girls will surely never meet and be friends. As each reason they should not meet is imagined, Zagarenski in her signature style shows the reader on the facing page what is really happening. Eventually, they meet and of course, become friends. The text is sparse and direct, as someone making an excuse for not meeting a potential friend might say, the truth is in the illustrations. This is a picture book where the illustrations support the text. Zagarenski creates thru color and atmosphere, beautiful, fanciful imaginative illustrations that the reader can pour over. Her signature images of bees, foxes, crowns and wheels are included in her message of friendship.It is a beautiful book for its story and its art.

grades pre-k- 3

submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library

five-stars