Month: March 2019

Eliza Bing Is (Not) A Star

Eliza Bing Is (Not) A StarEliza Bing Is (Not) a Star by Carmella Van Vleet
Published by Holiday House on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 0823440249
Pages: 256
Goodreads
four-stars

Eliza Bing Is (Not) A Star

 

Eliza Bing has decided to try out for the middle school play to be with her best friend, because that’s what BBFs do.  What she doesn’t expect is to be really talented in acting, especially improv.  She is fitting in her Taekwondo and makes it through to being a Gold Belt.  Besides her many activities she has ADHD, but she is able to control it and it’s not an impediment.  But with middle school life there are emotions and arguments between even the best of friends.  There is also humor and some jealousy but all works out well in the end and the play, even with some unexpected lines, is a success.  This book is cheerful, has a strong family dynamic, and has a sweet pre-romance where pinky fingers are all that touch.  It is recommended for students in grades 4-7.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

New Kid

New KidNew Kid by Jerry Craft
Published by HarperCollins on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 0062691201
Pages: 256
Goodreads
five-stars

Jordan’s parents send him to a new middle school that they feel will be terrific for him academically and socially. But Jordan doesn’t want to go, he’d rather go to art school. Once Jordan gets there he finds that because he is Black , teachers mix him up with other black students not seeing him for who he is. And that’s just one of the problems he has. There is actually quite a bit of humor in here (like the black and white sketches of Jordan going to and from school that showed the changes he made in his persona to fit into the different settings). I agree with a Goodreads review I read that it is great to have a book that exposes racism but still manages to have humor. Also, I liked Jordan. Is his character realistic? Maybe not, but he’s the kind of kid that you hope is out there. Humor can be such a good way to see things when done in the right way, and I think this novel does get it right.

Cream

Ages 9 and up. Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport,ME

five-stars

The House That Lou Built

The House That Lou BuiltThe House That Lou Built by Mae Respicio
Published by Wendy Lamb Books on June 12th 2018
ISBN: 1524717940
Pages: 231
Goodreads
five-stars

Lucinda Bulosan-Nelson loves houses. She  particularly tiny houses, and she loves building and making things, so it is only natural that she would want to build her own tiny house. Lou has been left a plot of land by her father, who died before she was born,  and she is determined to build a tiny house on that plot of land, especially once her mom starts talking about taking a new job in another state. Lou feels that once her mother sees the tiny house and how important it is to Lou, there is no way she will move them. This middle grade book explores the bonds of family and the importance of creating a legacy through the eyes (and hands) of one determined, creative, resourceful, handy girl. Readers who like strong characters on a mission and who want to read realistic stories about friendship and family will enjoy following Lou on her big quest for a tiny place to call her own.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

I Spy at School

I Spy at SchoolAt School by Spencer Brinker
Published by Bearcub Books on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1642802190
Pages: 16
Goodreads
three-stars

Simple text on every page and nice clear photos make this a good choice for new readers. The I spy game is known to many young children so playing the game while reading this book will be fun. Some of the pictures were more relevant than others (I am not sure how many young readers will know what a dictionary is). Still, the repetitive text will be well received by young readers.

three-stars

In the Barn

In the BarnIn the Barn (Farm Charm) by Pearl Markovics
Published by Bearcub Books on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 164280200X
Pages: 16
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a terrific early chapter/reader for new readers. The text is large and appears in colored bubbles making it stand out from the photos. The photos are crisp, clear and close up so it’s easy for new readers to figure out what the text is referring to- great visual clue. The text repeats itself just enough to help readers figure out their meaning but still be fun. The inclusion of animal sounds, even though the words might be challenging for a new reader, can be figured out thanks to the photos. Nice key word section in the back with photos for easy identification and reinforcement of newly learned words. A super choice for libraries or schools looking for books for young readers that will last.

Cream

Grades: preschool and up

Reviewed by Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport Maine

five-stars

It’s a Narwhal!

It’s a Narwhal!It's a Narwhal! by Mari C. Schuh
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 151248282X
Pages: 24
Goodreads
three-stars

This is an ok introduction to narwhals for young readers. The text is simple and each page has only a few sentences. There are photos on every page but some are a bit grainy. A few questions are asked of the reader but no answers are provided, which might be frustrating for a  young reader.

Recommended for kindergarten and up

Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarian Freeport Community Library

three-stars

Shadow State

Shadow StateShadow State by Elyse Brayden
Published by Imprint on July 3rd 2018
ISBN: 1250124239
Pages: 288
Goodreads
three-stars

Brynn Caldwell can’t remember why her friend isn’t talking to her, why she’s getting weird messages, and why she knows about bombs.

Brynn is a very smart high school student who works on STEM projects. She’s planning on going to MIT. She broke up with her boyfriend and is getting over a deep depression. Her mom is also a scientist who works for a big drug company. She has developed a new drug that can help soldiers get over PTSD.

Brynn is getting strange messages that are counting down the days. What she doesn’t remember is slowing coming back: she was kidnapped, she was given drugs, she built a bomb. Will she remember enough to stop it?

Great story with a lot of readers speculation. Good for upper middle school and higher.

Reviewed by teacher Jeri Fitzpatrick, GNG Middle School, Gray 

 

three-stars

Everybody’s Welcome

Everybody’s WelcomeEverybody's Welcome by Patricia Hegarty, Greg Abbott
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on October 23rd 2018
ISBN: 1524771651
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

“Everybody’s Welcome” is a picture book written by Patricia Hegarty and illustrated by Greg Abbott. The book starts with a mouse who wants to build their own house. Frog arrives in tears because his pond has dried up and now he has no home to go to. Mouse invites Frog to build the house together because everyone is welcome here. The book continues with many other animals that are now without homes and Mouse invites all of them to build together. Each animal brings its own strengths to building the home.

The illustrations are beautiful and give the book a classic feel. The font size is a little small, but definitely readable. The theme that “everyone is welcome” and “everyone has value” is clearly displayed through the illustrations and text. The only downside to the book was that there are different size pages throughout (almost like flaps), which occasionally made it a bit more difficult to turn to the correct page, but this is a minor issue. Aimed at children aged 3 to 7, “Everybody’s Welcome,” is a beautiful and friendly book. I would not call it a must-buy, but would still recommend it for purchase for families who are moving or for teachers to read in a classroom setting.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars

Coming Home

Coming HomeComing Home by Michael Morpurgo, Kerry Hyndman
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on October 23rd 2018
ISBN: 1536200425
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

“Bring me home, my beating wings, Bring me home, my beating heart.”

The picture book Coming Home by Michael Morpurgo is deceptively emotional and intense. The robin is lost and faces many perilous situations in his flight home. The lovely prose is balanced well on the pages, surrounded by gorgeous illustrations from artist Kerry Hyndman.  In my opinion, Coming Home would be best suited for students second-grade and older. Educators should expect discussions about predator versus prey, the effects of weather on migrating birds, and how humans can care for injured wildlife.

I recommend this book for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

Ascent, A Peak Marcello Adventure (#3)

Ascent, A Peak Marcello Adventure (#3)Ascent (Peak, #3) by Roland Smith
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on May 8th 2018
ISBN: 0544867599
Pages: 240
Goodreads
five-stars

Ascent is the adrenaline-filled third book in Roland Smith’s Peak Marcello Adventure series. Set in exotic Myanmar, Peak along with his climbing support team decided to tackle the illusive Hkakabo Razi to prove that is indeed the highest peak in Southeastern Asia.  Peak’s character is relatable and real but the reader will be curious about what has happened in the previous titles. They are sure to contain valuable tidbits about the story. Peak’s Hkakabo Razi climb team includes a local guide who is suspected of murder, a dangerous pack elephant, the daughter of the French ambassador, her bodyguard, and even a mountain climbing Buddhist monk.  Alongside the non-stop action, readers are versed in mountain climbing terms, bits of botany, and some culture of Myanmar.

Ascent would appeal to middle school and high school students, especially those who love the outdoors. This title would benefit any library needing to add adventure series to their young adult collection. I recommend Ascent to be reviewed for Creme of the Crop.

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

five-stars