Month: February 2019

Max & the Millions

Max & the MillionsMax and the Millions by Ross Montgomery
Published by Wendy Lamb Books on March 13th 2018
ISBN: 152471884X
Pages: 272
Goodreads

Max is a lonely orphan shunted off to boarding school by his great aunt. He’s also deaf which isolates him even more. His only friend is Mr. Darrow, the school janitor. Max and Mr. Darrow share a love of model-making. Mr. Pitt, the evil headmaster would like nothing more than to get rid of Mr. Darrow and when Mr. Darrow disappears, it is up to Max to find him. When Max returns from summer break, he discovers a miniature world come to life in Mr. Darrow’s room. Max and his roommate Sasha must save the tiny people and entertain Sasha’s baby sister and her summer campmates while keeping Mr. Pitt away from Mr. Darrow’s bedroom. A fun — and funny — fantasy.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

My Father’s Words

My Father’s WordsMy Father’s Words by Patricia MacLachlan
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 0062687697
Pages: 112
Goodreads
five-stars

Beautiful story of the power of finding something to care for to help overcome grief. Fiona tells the story of the summer after her father dies suddenly in a car accident. He had swerved to avoid hitting a child and was hit by a truck. Fiona, her brother Finn, and her neighbor Luke begin walking and reading to dogs at the local dog shelter. Finn takes on helping a depressed dog whose owner has died. This is a gentle book about grief and unearthing buried memories of your loved one. Oh, and the power of dogs. From Newbery Medal winner Patricia MacLachlan.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars

Science Comics The Brain

Science Comics The BrainScience Comics: The Brain: The Ultimate Thinking Machine by Tory Woollcott, Alex Graudins
Published by First Second on October 16th 2018
ISBN: 1626728011
Pages: 128
Goodreads
four-stars

Two sisters selling cookies door-to-door split up to double their sales. The older sister is kidnapped by an evil brain and a zombie and to keep the evil brain from stealing her brain, she asks him to explain how the brain works. But the fictional story is just a set-up for this otherwise non-fiction graphic novel explaining how the brain works and covering all kinds of topics from the evolution of the brain, to defining cells and neurons, to senses, to the parts of the brain and nervous system, to different types of intelligence. It includes an extensive glossary and would have been even better with the addition of chapter headings or an index.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

four-stars

The Bad Guys in Alien Vs. Bad Guys

The Bad Guys in Alien Vs. Bad GuysThe Bad Guys: Episode 6: Alien vs Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
Published by Scholastic Paperbacks on March 27th 2018
ISBN: 133818959X
Pages: 144
Goodreads
three-stars

Another addition to the popular series of unlikely superheros, the Bad Guys (Wolf, Shark, Snake, “Fish,” and Legs the Spider). In this adventure, they are trying to escape their alien captor and return to Earth to celebrate their recent heroism. The alien will appeal to children who like silly creatures – this alien is made of lots of teeth and butts — too many butts! Sure to be a popular addition to elementary collections. Bad Guys Graphic Novel Book 6.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

three-stars

The 48

The 48The 48 by Donna Hosie
Published by Holiday House on September 4th 2018
ISBN: 0823438562
Pages: 382
Goodreads
three-stars

The 48

 

Did you ever imagine combining time travel with the court of the Tudors, with Henry the Eighth in all his wife-changing glory?  Donna Hosie did and has done it with The 48.  Alex and his twin brother, Charlie, are learning the trade of the 48 which means that they go back in time to alter the course of history to do away with religion, thought to be the reason for all the world’s troubles.  They meet Anne Boleyn and try to change the course of Jane Seymour’s life after childbirth.  But, what they come to learn is that people must have choices and make their own decisions.

The Tudor period was gruesome and readers are exposed to the smells of the sewer that is the Thames river, can almost feel the torture that both brothers endure on nearly every page, and will have trouble imagining how anyone lived on the maggot-filled food that was available.  It is a graphic portrayal of the period physically and emotionally as readers learn of the callous disregard in which women are held through the sections described by Margaret, a lady’s maid to Queen Anne.

There is no mention of the ramifications any decision would have made in history and Charlie and Alex seem to spend all their time being beaten, tortured, starved, and never appear as strong main characters.  What was the point when, at the end, nothing was changed in history?

This book is recommended for grades 9-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

three-stars

Finchosaurus

FinchosaurusFinchosaurus by Gail Donovan
on October 23, 2018
ISBN: 1944762558
Goodreads
four-stars

This fun story by Maine Author, Gail Donovan, tells the tale of Atticus Finch Martin, aka Finch, a 10-year-old who considers himself  an amateur  paleontologist. While digging, something he does on a regular basis though this time its in the school garden,  Finch unearths a note that has “Help” written on it. This note totally consumes him and he must know who in his 5th grade class needs his help.  Only a select few know of his quest to find the author of this note and, in the end, the author comes as a complete surprise.

Recommended for grades 2-4.

four-stars

Without Refuge: A Story of Escape From Syria

Without Refuge: A Story of Escape From SyriaWithout Refuge by Jane Mitchell
Published by Carolrhoda Books (R) on April 1st 2018
ISBN: 1541500504
Pages: 288
Goodreads

Ghalib and his family make the dangerous journey out of Syria to Europe as the civil war in Syria progresses. He leaves behind family and friends and a life that he truly wishes would return. Could be used as an introduction to understanding what refugees face and what possibilities lie ahead, if any. Could pair with Alan Gratz’s Refugee.

Recommended for grade 4-8.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School.

Shatter Me

Shatter MeShatter Me (Shatter Me, #1) by Tahereh Mafi
Published by HarperCollins on January 9th 2018
ISBN: 006274173X
Pages: 448
Goodreads
five-stars

How does it feel to  be considered a monster your whole life? Even your own parents have sent you to an asylum, because they too feel that you are a threat to society. All you want is to have a friend – someone who understands your true compassion and humanity. Juliette’s only childhood friend becomes her only ally in this dystopian styled science fiction novel. Well written with an explanation for the strike-outs and scribbles throughout the text. This is the first in the Shatter Me series. Also includes at the end Destroy Me, Warner’s (a character in the book) novella. The ending will have you wanting more.

Recommended for grades 8 and up. Great choice for Sci-fi lovers.

 

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School

five-stars

Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules

Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of HerculesDelilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules (Delilah Dirk, #3) by Tony Cliff
Published by First Second on August 7th 2018
ISBN: 1626728046
Pages: 249
Goodreads
five-stars

Meet the female version of Indiana Jones, but set a half of century earlier. This is the third in the Delilah Dirk series and is filled with adventure. Delilah is portrayed and illustrated as a strong in independent female. The illustrations are realistic and well detailed carrying the story line well. In some of the cells there are speech bubbles that depict various forms of mumble that the reader is not retelling told but can imagine the conversation.

Recommended for grades 6 and up and for anyone that enjoys a good action packed adventure.

Review by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School.

five-stars

The Boneless Mercies

The Boneless MerciesThe Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke
on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 0374307067
Pages: 384
Goodreads
five-stars

Tucholke uses Norse myth and culture to create mythological fantasy novel  about  four strong young women as they search the kingdoms of Vorseland for the deadly Blue Vee Beast. Their journey along the way is filled with death, of which they long for a different life.  A wonderfully brilliant feminine retelling of Beowulf. Strong female characters that portray ruthlessness along with compassion and humanity.

Recommended for grades 8 and up. A must get for Fantasy collections. Possibility of a continuation.

 

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School

five-stars