Month: April 2019

Eventown

EventownEventown by Corey Ann Haydu
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 0062689800
Pages: 336
Goodreads
four-stars

Twins Naomi and Elodee and their family are moving to a perfect town, Eventown, to help them forget. But once they get there something happens and Elodee realizes forgetting might not be the way for them to heal. The way the twins complete each other was really interesting and the stress that Elodee felt from that was very real. Also Eventown seems perfect at first but once Elodee and the reader begins to see it in a different light, that “perfect” town image begins to disappear. An interesting twist on the losing of a sibling and the way a family copes with it.

Grades: 3 and up, Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

four-stars

Me and Me

four-stars

Lark is living the dream. She is going to the beach with her boyfriend, Alec, on her birthday. Annabelle, a little girl that Lark babysits for is there with her mom. The dream turns into a nightmare when Annabelle gets caught up in the weeds. Lark and Alec both jump in to save her. Alec gets hurt in the dive and Lark has to decide which one to save.

Chapter one starts with Annabelle being in the hospital in a comma. Alec and Lark try to hang out together, but things are a bit off. The days run from day one to day thirteen. In chapter two, the days run from day one to day thirteen. The days are quite similar, only this time Alec is the one that Lark didn’t save. He is in a comma.

The story continues on in the same fashion wherein one chapter its Annabelle who may be having life support turned off, or it may be Alec.

Each chapter is very vivid, you wonder if Lark is losing her mind because of that one choice of who she really helped.

Lark’s mother died of cancer. She is being raised by her dad. Who suffers a mild heart attack and he’s in the hospital. Lark’s mom wrote her songs and letters for her birthdays, that her dad gives her one every year.

The story has great teenage angst. It’s timely with parkour (Alec is teaching Lark), texting, music Lark’s in a band, and love.

The end has a very interesting twist.

Reviewer: Jeri Fitzpatrick, GNG Middle School, Gray

four-stars

We Regret to Inform You

We Regret to Inform YouWe Regret to Inform You by Ariel Kaplan
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on August 21st 2018
ISBN: 1524773700
Pages: 345
Goodreads
four-stars

Mischa Abramavicius is a scholarship student at an elite private school. She has top grades and has curated her activities to create the perfect resume. So when Admissions Day for the Ivies and other top schools comes, Mischa expects to be just as jubilant as everyone else when her phone pings with acceptance emails, except it doesn’t. Mischa does not get into to Princeton, Harvard, Georgetown, Williams, or Virginia Polytech. Then when her safety school, Revere, does not accept her Mischa knows it cannot just be the A- she received in PE freshman year. After bursting into the Revere Admissions Office, Mischa suspects her information has been hacked. In the wake of the recent College Cheating Scandal, this book was even more interesting to read. Readers will question what it takes (both ethically and unethically) to get into a top college.

Recommended for grades 9 and up (just not for Seniors in the middle of the college application process!).

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

four-stars

The Soul Keepers

The Soul KeepersThe Soul Keepers by Devon Taylor
Published by Swoon Reads on August 28th 2018
ISBN: 1250168309
Pages: 288
Goodreads
four-stars

The Soul Keepers

 

Rhett and his parents have died in a terrible car crash for which Rhett feels enormous guilt in the afterlife.  But Rhett hasn’t just died and moved on in the usual way, he has become a “syllektor”, one who keeps the souls of the dead safe.  He is working with a team of teenagers and when he feels a strong push he knows that his team is being called into service.  But, against the syllektors are the psychons, bent on evil.  The space ship Harbinger is an amalgamation of many types of ships and is the home base of the syllektors.  There are many battles, souls being eaten, and, even though they are no longer alive, the crew can still feel pain.  This book gives a peek into one view of what happens after one dies, which is a universal question.  It is a creative book which is sure to hold the interest of science fiction/dystopian lovers.  It is recommended for grades 7-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

The Lost Girl

The Lost GirlThe Lost Girl by Anne Ursu
Published by Walden Pond Press on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 0062275097
Pages: 368
Goodreads
four-stars

Iris and Lark are twin sisters. They have always been together and support each other in ways that balance each sister out. But when they are forced to be in different classes at school, something shifts. Iris stops telling Lark things and she is not sure why. But the antique collector knows, and if he has his way, Iris will become part of his magic. The bond between the 2 twins is complicated and well done. And the ending was a page turner with some great twists. I did think it took awhile to get to that point though and the ending seemed to bit rushed and the friendships a bit unrealistic for what the friends do for Iris.

Ages: 10 and up. Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

four-stars

The Great Rhino Rescue

The Great Rhino RescueThe Great Rhino Rescue: Saving the Southern White Rhinos by Sandra Markle
Published by Millbrook Press on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1512444367
Pages: 48
Goodreads
five-stars

This book looks at the Southern white rhino and what is being done to save it. It discusses why they are in danger and includes amazing facts about the rhino. One that stuck in my mind is that baby rhinos weigh @150 pounds at birth! The photos in the book are beautiful and give the reader a solid feel for what rhinos look like as well as what happens when they are attacked by poachers. The back of the book has a nice glossary and includes websites where readers can go to to find out more about rhinos (including a video of the sounds they make). Fascinating book that would be a great addition to any library.

 

Ages: 8 and up. Cream. Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

I Spy At School

four-stars

This early reader has readers “spy” things on each page and then gives a description of the item. The print is large and easy to read. The sentences are short and highlighted in speech bubbles. The repetition will make it easy for new readers to follow. All of the items, except perhaps the dictionary, are things that a young reader would easily recognize from their classroom or school setting.

Ages 4 and up. Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

four-stars

The Great Rhino Rescue

The Great Rhino RescueThe Great Rhino Rescue: Saving the Southern White Rhinos by Sandra Markle
Published by Millbrook Press on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1512444367
Pages: 48
Goodreads
five-stars

This book tells the heartbreaking reasons behind the near extinction of the Southern white rhino. The text is straightforward and is enhanced with incredible pictures. Along with the reasons for their near extinction, are amazing facts about rhinos. Did you know that rhinos can weigh over 5000 pounds? Or that their babies can weigh 150 pounds when they are born? And these are just a few of the things you will learn about rhinos when you read this book. The back of the book has a glossary explaining terms and a page offering websites for more information (including one for a YouTube video about rhino sounds). The only flaw is that the reserves where the rhinos are now living aren’t specifically shown on the provided map. Still, this is a terrific book for anyone wanting to learn about the rhinos.

Ages: 8 and up. Cream.  Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

The Unteachables

The UnteachablesThe Unteachables by Gordon Korman
Published by Balzer + Bray on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 0062563882
Pages: 288
Goodreads
four-stars

Kiana accidentally ends up in the class everyone calls The Unteachables. each student in the class is deemed a loss cause, even their burned out teacher feels the same, at first that is. But as the class gets to know each other and their teacher gets to know them, both begin to change. it was kind of hard for me to believe that no one ever noticed (including her parents) that Kiana was in the wrong class and that no one had helped Parker with his reading problem before. I did like Elaine (rhymes with pain) and all of the stories that swirled around her, rumors can get so blown out of proportion. Also liked the inside look at the school administration. Powerful stuff can happen there. Liked it but not as well as some of Korman’s other books.

Ages: 9 and up. Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library

four-stars

Mia Moves Out

Mia Moves OutMia Moves Out by Miranda Paul, Paige Keiser
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 16th 2018
ISBN: 0399553320
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Mia Moves Out,” is a picture book for ages 3-7 years.

Mia’s new room is all her own, until – she has a new baby brother. “The room became half as big, and half as bright, but it also became TWICE as much fun. Sharing isn’t so bad,” Mia said.  This was until “growing happened,” and Mia declared that she was moving out. There were just too many toys, too many holidfay gifts and birthday gifts. . She tries to find another spot in her house that is just right; however, after a while she is lonely.  Her brother then discovers he is lonely and decides to move out of his room.   In the end, they discover that they can both be friends and enjoy each others company again in a large tent out of doors!

A fun book to read that many children will identify with.  How many children have threatened to move out or to run away only to find out, after all, that they really do miss and need the comfort of a sibling.  The illustrations are expressive,  cartoon like and are balanced nicely with the text.

Reviewed By Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME 

three-stars