Month: April 2019

Seeing Into Tomorrow

Seeing Into TomorrowSeeing Into Tomorrow: Haiku by Richard Wright, Nina Crews
Published by Millbrook Press (Tm) on February 1st 2018
ISBN: 151241865X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

The photographs may be the first thing to draw your attention to this book, but you will soon stay for the haiku, and the story behind them. The individual parts each deserve attention and recognition, but the sum of the parts is even more important.

African American author Richard Wright was not known for his haiku during his lifetime, but this volume will bring much attention to his life and his work. Some of these are literal, some are figurative, some are both.

Nina Crews uses photographs in a unique way to illustrate the twelve poems. Instead of a single photograph, each page has a series of small photographs that combined show an image reflecting the haiku on that page.  Each spread includes a young African American boy exploring or experiencing the theme or topic of each haiku. Each poem is spread across a double page spread in a variety of colored fonts. The last page offers much hope of “seeing into tomorrow” with the boy posed as looking toward the future.

Could be used in elementary and middle school units about not only haiku, but photography, nature, the Great Migration and prejudice through the African American experience.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School.

five-stars

Orcas on the Hunt

Pages: 32
three-stars

How do orcas work together to hunt? Where do they live? How are they different in different parts of the world? These are a few questions answered in this informational book.

Some of the phrases could be clearer. One page explains how the orcas work together and charge the ice flow to create a wave that will wash a seal off so they can eat it. A fact box on the same page says the wave is created by the orcas diving under the floe. Some places could use more information, such as what is an EQ score? The way it is used in the text implies the reader knows what it is.

The backmatter includes an index, glossary, Learn More list, Fact File and a Food Chain diagram of 4 animals, but they aren’t named and they are all pictured as being the same size.

Younger elementary students may enjoy the photographs, but the text would be more accessible to middle elementary ages.

 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town.

three-stars

All Are Welcome

All Are WelcomeAll Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on July 10th 2018
ISBN: 0525579648
Pages: 44
Goodreads
five-stars

With simple, rhyming text and bright illustrations, Penfold and Kaufman have created a diverse, welcoming, harmonious school setting in which children of all skin colors and abilities and cultural backgrounds can learn and share. This is the world that we wish our children lived in and should be a goal of all adults working with and reading to youngsters. The book does include a double-page fold out which will need to be handled carefully, but the reveal is so joyous, it is worth buying once and then again if it ever rips. From the end pages to the cover, every detail is thought through. A wonderful read-aloud and essential for all library collections.

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

five-stars

This Tiny Perfect World

This Tiny Perfect WorldThis Tiny Perfect World by Lauren Gibaldi
Published by HarperTeen on February 27th 2018
ISBN: 0062490079
Pages: 304
Goodreads
four-stars

This Tiny Perfect World

 

Penny lives in Christmas, Florida and, yes, there is really such a place on the outskirts of Orlando.  She loves her dad, the café that was her mother’s family’s, her best friend, and her boyfriend, Logan.  Up until the summer after her junior year, these have been enough.  But Penny applies for a drama camp, is accepted, and realizes that there is more out there for her to explore.  Through new friends, Sam, Chase, and Jackson, realizing her dad has a new boyfriend, and being cast as the understudy to the character of Laura from The Glass Menagerie, Penny realizes that, while she may end up satisfied to be back in Christmas, there are so many more challenges in the world to be met and conquered.  The author has written a book that is universally readable as young adults wrestle with the question of whether to remain in the safety net of home and the familiar, or to go forth into whatever is out in the world.  This was a fast read and enjoyable.  It is recommended for grades 7-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

What’s Your Favorite Bug?

What’s Your Favorite Bug?What's Your Favorite Bug? by Eric Carle
Published by Henry Holt & Company on July 31st 2018
ISBN: 1250151759
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

“What’s Your Favorite Bug?” by Eric Carle and Friends is a beautiful and short picture book where various illustrators and authors describe their favorite bugs. Each artist does an artistic representation of their favorite bug in their own style. Eric Carle describes how he used to not enjoy caterpillars, but they’ve obviously grown on him. Molly Idle, Eric Fan, Denise Fleming, and other awesome artists all let us know that they like bees, peacock spiders, praying mantises, and other bugs!

There isn’t a story to follow along, since it is just each artist telling the reader about their favorite bug, but it is fun and sparks discussion with kids about what their favorite bug is. You can also discuss the different styles of art used. Aimed at children ages 4 through 8, this book is a must-buy for any fans of Eric Carle or libraries with a large Carle collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars

Fire & Heist

Fire & HeistFire and Heist by Sarah Beth Durst
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on December 4th 2018
ISBN: 1101931000
Pages: 304
Goodreads
four-stars

Durst has written a fantasy that will appeal to male and female middle school readers.  Characters are fun but not shallow, determined to achieve personal goals, and exhibit special talents.   Sky is a teenage were-dragon who is often overshadowed by three older brothers yet she digs deep and finds her personal strengths.  All is not on the up and up as the Hawkins are part of a criminal community where worth is shown by the degree of difficulty associate with stealing.   A budding romance is treated gently and adds to the overall appeal and tension of the book.

Although the protagonist is female this fantasy will be enjoyed by all.  Middle and Junior High School media specialist will want to order this title as will public libraries where YA fantasy is collected.

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

four-stars

Purrmaids; Seasick Sea Horse

Purrmaids; Seasick Sea HorsePurrmaids #3: Seasick Sea Horse by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on February 13th 2018
ISBN: 152470167X
Pages: 96
Goodreads
three-stars

Purrmaids; Seasick Sea Horse is the third in a series of six early readers about the adventures of kitten/mermaids in Kittentail Cove.  This paperback title tells the tale of Shelly who cares for and loses the class pet, a sea horse.   Though the storyline is slight primary grade female readers will be intrigued by the cute kitten/mermaids.  Black and white line drawings help to depict the action and express emotions of these adorable fantasy animals.  The cover illustration alone will incite readers.

Placed in an early classroom or collected by public libraries this book and the other five titles in the series will be a success.  They are good second level readers that have satisfying stories and docile adventures.  Collect where easy reader paperbacks are circulated in public and school libraries.

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

three-stars

Very Rich

Very RichVery Rich by Polly Horvath
Published by Margaret Ferguson Books on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 0823440281
Pages: 304
Goodreads
three-stars

In the vein of Roald Dahl, Very Rich transports readers into the magical story of ten year-old Rupert Brown. Rupert leads a dreary existence. His parents have so many children, they can’t remember all of their names. There isn’t enough food or clothes for everyone, and older children sleep on the floor. Rupert’s life changes forever when he encounters a wealthy classmate, Turgid Rivers, and his eccentric family. Rupert shares Christmas dinner with the Rivers family. After dinner the family plays party games, and Rupert wins piles of presents before he loses everything in the final game. Over the next few weeks, members of the Rivers family whisk Rupert away for a series of adventures involving time travel, magical meals that make people float and jewel heists. Hyperbole, humor and magical realism blend together to create an entertaining story for middle grade readers. Recommended for grades 4-6.

Reviewed by Cathy Potter, Falmouth Middle School, Falmouth, ME

three-stars

The Sun is Kind of a BIG DEAL

The Sun is Kind of a BIG DEALThe Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal by Nick Seluk
Published by Orchard Books on October 9th 2018
ISBN: 1338166972
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

The author uses humor, fun illustrations and facts to explain the  Sun’s role in  keeping our solar system together. Without the sun we couldn’t exist- it keeps us warm, gives us day and night and so much more, and that’s a really big deal! This a great read for kids K – 3rd grades. Many great discussions are started as each page is read, and starts to pique interest in some kids in seeking further information about our solar system.

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan retired Youth Services Librarian

five-stars

My Life Uploaded

My Life UploadedMy Life Uploaded by Rae Earl
Published by Imprint on August 14th 2018
ISBN: 1250133785
Pages: 256
Goodreads
four-stars

Prepare to seriously guffaw as Mille Porter narrates the ups and downs of school, friendship, first crushes and family drama all with a dash of embarrassing escapades and a pinch of hilarious British slang.  Millie is a sensible and introspective teen who launches her career as a vlogger as a way to deal with just how crazy her life can be. The school diva, Erin, seems to have it out for Millie, her best friend’s parents are going through an ugly divorce, and most importantly Millie is opting to live with her father for the first time since her parent’s long ago divorce.  Millie’s vlog starts out with cute cat exploits but soon becomes more serious and deals with issues of body image, being honest and genuine, and what it truly means to be a friend. Attacked by trolls and taunted by Erin, Millie quickly realizes that speaking out can make you an easy target on social media. Told in Millie’s self-deprecating voice, readers are introduced to her truly zany cast of family members including her grouchy grandfather, her unreliable but lovable father, her larger than life auntie and her mother’s hyper-clean live-in boyfriend.  Through it all Millie manages to steal the new guy away from Erin, improve her relationship with her mother and begin to cope with her ever-present anxiety. Readers will be eager to jump right back into Millie’s world in its sequel.

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook

four-stars