Month: May 2019

The Tomb

The TombThe Tomb by S.A. Bodeen
on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 1250055555
Pages: 256
Goodreads
three-stars

What if the world you knew was just a mirage? Kiva thought she was growing up in ancient Egypt, but really she has been asleep in deep space on a ship that houses some of the remaining humans. The Earth was hit by a meteorite that led to an impact winter causing humans to flee to space. Now that Kiva is awake, she must grapple with her new reality and help Seth find a much-needed part to their ship. When they encounter other survivors, they begin to realize that “stranger danger” is applicable in space as it is on Earth. This middle-grade sci-fi, post-apocalyptic, survival novel also manages to weave in a little romance. The action will keep the readers engaged in the story, even if the characters feel a little flat. Although this is not Bodeen best book, her fans will want to read it and the cliffhanger ending will bring readers back for the sequel.

Recommended for grades 6 through 9.

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

three-stars

The Vanishing Stair

The Vanishing StairThe Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious, #2) by Maureen Johnson
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on January 22nd 2019
ISBN: 0062338080
Pages: 384
Goodreads
five-stars

The story begins with a cozy fire in a common room at Ellingham Academy in 1936, the year of the Truly Devious kidnappings. The next chapter transports readers to the present day where, after making a deal with the devil, Stevie’s parents have agreed to let her return to Ellingham Academy after last year’s murder. Stevie returns with even more resolve to solve the murder of her housemate and the Truly Devious kidnappings. Like an Agatha Christie novel, this mystery contains a cast of characters (from the past and present) with secrets to hide. This second book in the series does not disappoint. Johnson expertly reveals just enough answers to satisfy readers, but she also leaves them with burning questions. Where is Alice? How many more people will have to die before the mystery is solved? Will readers be able to wait for the next book for the answers to these questions?

Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

five-stars

Witch Born

Pages: 313
four-stars

Alyce’s is hiding in a crawl space while her mother is being burnt as a witch. Her mom gave her a letter and a mission to deliver the letter for her safety.  A witch hunter is trying to track her down. She gets thrown into a mental institution, but escapes.

A young boy finds her and brings her to the Swan Inn to recuperat her health. She  must find the man her mom told her about.THis is when she discovered that it’s not just witches who are being burned, but a whole supernatual war going between the living and the dead.

The prose is well done, “She must have managed to drop off somehow, because the next thing she knew she was surrounded by chattering voives and thumping feet.”

The suspenseful tale would be good for middle school and up.

Reviewed by Jeri Fitzpatrick, GNG Middle School, Gray

four-stars

A Few Red Drops

A Few Red DropsA Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 by Claire Hartfield
Published by Clarion Books on January 2nd 2018
ISBN: 0544785134
Pages: 208
Goodreads
four-stars

2019 marks a century since the Chicago Race Riot of 1919.  In that summer of 1919, 38 people died and 537 were badly injured over the course of several days of rioting.  Two-thirds of the victims were African-Americans. Despite this type of violence as categorized blithely as a “southern problem,” this marked a huge wake-up call that the North wasn’t as open minded as they liked to believe.  Historically, Chicago was both opportunity and oppression to recently transplanted African-Americans and new immigrants in the early 20th century. African-Americans were fleeing post-Civil War prejudice, lynchings and poverty of the deep South.  Europeans, especially those from famine-ridden Ireland, were desperate to find work and hope in America. The Midwest appealed to so many with its easy access from the train lines and with the chance to work in any of the large industries, which in Chicago was the meat-packing plants.  Bosses looking to keep wages low, crime lords looking to keep the nationalities in check and union laborers hoping to make a difference all clash throughout the early 1900s with the poor day wager caught in the middle. African-Americans were treated particularly poorly and often the most unskilled immigrant could get a job ahead of a black worker.  Even after heroically serving in World War I, African-Americans were still mistreated and disrespected. Tensions and hostilities in Chicago were at a fever pitch in the Summer of 1919, coinciding with an oppressive heat wave and the tragedy that befell the city brought tremendous shame to politicians, police and industry owners for so badly mismanaging the escalating violence.  The riots brought about needed changes in hiring policies and did help overall conditions between whites and blacks, but as current events demonstrate, Americans are still struggling to offer equality, civility and dignity to one and all. Text includes black and white photos, cartoons from newspapers and an extensive bibliography. An excellent addition to any middle and high school library, particularly where civil rights are taught as part of a curriculum.  Grade 7 and up.

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook, ME

four-stars

The Black Coats

The Black CoatsThe Black Coats by Colleen Oakes
Published by HarperTeen on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 0062679627
Pages: 376
Goodreads
five-stars

The Black Coats are secret organization of women that was founded to exact a vigilante type of justice upon men who have abused women. Thea is grieving the murder or her cousin, her best friend when she receives an cryptic clue that leads her to The Black Coats. She joins to seek closure to her grief, but discovers that things aren’t exactly as they appear to be.

Action packed with an air of gothic mystique and romance. Excellent and strong female characters with a powerful message on justice. Recommended for grades 8 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford, ME.

five-stars

The Field Guide to the North American Teenager

The Field Guide to the North American TeenagerThe Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe
Published by Balzer + Bray on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 0062824112
Pages: 372
Goodreads
five-stars

In steps Norris Kaplan straight off the plane into the Austin, TX  air. Not that a boy from Canada would complain much about the heat and humidity that is by the way — not to be found in the land of the North. Norris’s mother got a professorship at the University of Texas and as far as the eye can see  — it Longhorn country!

Norris is cynical and way to smart for his own good. Many times he has been warned about what comes out his mouth and sure as shootin’ the first day of his new high school is well — against him. Norris has a way of cataloguing everyone that he meets as a way to amuse himself. Things do change though when his mother posts a “friendship” flyer on UT’s campus and in walks Liam who helps steer Norris into a better place.

A great guy read. Witty and quite humorous. Each chapter is set up as you would see it in a field guide with  identifying characteristics, habitat, mating habitat, etc. Recommended for grades 7 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford, ME.

five-stars

The Illiad

The IlliadThe Iliad by Gareth Hinds
Published by Candlewick Press on March 12th 2019
ISBN: 076368113X
Pages: 272
Goodreads
five-stars

In this exceptional graphic novel, Gareth Hinds showcases Homer’s epic story.  The book starts with an illustrated cast of characters on both sides and a prologue to set the stage for the last year of the Trojan War.  Hinds’s artwork shows the anguish and emotion of the mortals and gods throughout the battles, and his footnotes support the breadth and the reach of the story while also showing the extent to which he researched.  Each page artfully combines images and text to tell the story of the Trojan War. This book would be an excellent companion read with The Odyssey in high school classrooms.  Recommended for grades 7-12.

Review by Noelle Gallant, Saco Middle School

five-stars

Two Can Keep a Secret

Two Can Keep a SecretTwo Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus
Published by Delacorte Press on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 1524714720
Pages: 336
Goodreads
four-stars

Twins Ellery and Ezra move in with their grandmother in small-town America when their mother can no longer care for them due to her crippling addictions.  Ellery soon realizes she’s in for an interesting ride when she learns more about the town’s history, including the deaths of several homecoming queens. She starts to wonder who she can trust, especially when she finds herself surprisingly nominated for homecoming court.  No one really knows her, so who would have nominated her?  A thrilling read that’s easy to devour in a few sittings. Recommended for grades 8-12.

Review by Noelle Gallant, Saco Middle School

four-stars

On the Come Up

On the Come UpOn the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Published by Balzer + Bray on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 0062498568
Pages: 447
Goodreads
five-stars

Set in the same neighborhood where readers met Starr from The Hate U Give, On the Come Up tells the story of Bri – an aspiring rapper waiting for her chance.  Bri’s father was a rising star when he was fatally shot in a gang-related incident when Bri was a toddler, leaving Bri along with a mother who struggles to make ends meet and a brother who is determined to end up anywhere else but in a gang.  After a rap battle victory in “The Ring,” Bri feels like this is her chance, not only to help her mother pay the bills, but also to make it as the star her father never became.

Angie Thomas masterfully shares Bri’s inner thinking, especially scenes in which Bri brainstorms, crafts, and raps off the cuff, and readers will delight in the audiobook version of this text to hear the lyricality of Bri’s music. On the Come Up is a story of overcoming obstacles, and fighting for what’s right, persevering, with a creative ending that will leave readers turning the page and imagining with Bri.  Recommended for grades 8-12.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Review by Noelle Gallant, Saco Middle School

five-stars

Pay Attention, Carter Jones

Pay Attention, Carter JonesPay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt
Published by Clarion Books on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 0544790855
Pages: 224
Goodreads
three-stars

Carter Jones doesn’t have it easy.  His father is stationed overseas, his younger sisters are on his nerves, and his mom is trying to keep life together despite the tragedies and secrets enveloping the Jones family.  In comes Mr. Bowles-Fitpatrick, the English butler, to pick up the pieces and tie up the loose ends for Carter and his family. The butler establishes his ground rules and sets his expectations, which causes much chagrin at first until Carter, his siblings, and his mom see that Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick is just what they needed to heal.  Pay Attention, Carter Jones is a bit of a Mary Poppins story; the foreign child-minder enters to save the family from itself.  For lovers of Gary D. Schmidt, this book might not hit the same high bar as Orbiting Jupiter or Okay for Now, and many readers might find themselves lost in the long descriptions of rugby – the sport Carter ends up playing and Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick adores.  Recommended for grades 4-6.

Reviewed by Noelle Gallant, Saco Middle School

 

three-stars