Month: August 2019

King of Scars

King of ScarsKing of Scars (Nikolai Duology, #1) by Leigh Bardugo
Published by Imprint on January 29th 2019
ISBN: 1250142288
Pages: 514
Goodreads
five-stars

This page-turner is another chapter in the Grishaverse for Bardugo. This book, the first in a new duology that is set about 6 months after the Six of Crows/Crooked Kingdom duology, centers on three characters (told in alternating chapters), Nikolai Lantsov, king of Ravka, Zoya Nazyalensky, the king’s general and a powerful Grisha who fought against the Darkling, and Nina Zenik, a Grisha spy fresh off her adventure with Kaz Brekker and looking for closure after the loss of her beloved. There is plentiful action and a fair share of soul-searching as the three characters confront their greatest fears and attempt to stop those that would destroy the world. The book covers themes of loss and family and honor and duty. There are plot twists and a chilling cliff-hanger ending and lots of lovely prose. Bardugo has built a fantastic world and then populated it with complex and engaging characters, leaving readers wanting more. Fortunately, there is a sequel. Recommended for grades 9 and up.

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

five-stars

Speak

SpeakSpeak by Laurie Halse Anderson
on January 15th 2019
ISBN: 0374311250
Pages: 224
Goodreads
five-stars

The twentieth-anniversary edition of this powerful, exquisitely-written novel is not a must-buy if you already have a copy, but if your original copy is wearing out and needs replacement, this is a lovely edition to add to any library. The cover is stunning with an image of a human-shaped tree with black tape over its mouth and there is added content like a new forward by Ashley Ford, a poem by Anderson, and an afterword by Jason Reynolds addressed to his Young Brother. All boys should read this book as should all girls who have been or who might know someone who has been put into a position of powerlessness as should all parents of adolescents who will struggle to navigate the pitfalls of sex and consent and the social dynamics of high school. Melinda, who called the cops at the first party of the year, is shunned by her classmates for her entire freshman year. She falls into silence turning to art to try to reclaim her voice. When Melinda is threatened again she finally finds the courage to speak. Highly recommend for all teen collections.

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

five-stars

Nico Bravo and the Hound of Hades

Nico Bravo and the Hound of HadesNico Bravo and the Hound of Hades by Mike Cavallaro
Published by First Second on April 23rd 2019
ISBN: 1250196981
Pages: 192
Goodreads
four-stars

This graphic novel has all of the elements of a surefire success: familiar characters from mythology, action, humor, and fantastic illustrations that bring it all to life in vivid style. Nico, along with Lula the Sphinx and Buck the unicorn,  works for Vulcan in a shop catering to all manner of mythological beings. When an adventurer walks in with a penchant for monster slaying and sets her sights on Cerberus, Nico realizes that slaying the one creature keeping all of the shades IN Hades would have a disastrous effect on the world above (zombies on the loose!). The first book in what is sure to be an entertaining and much-sought-after series follows Nico and that ambitious adventurer, Eowulf, into the Underworld and beyond as one attempts to fulfill her destiny and the other tries to prevent chaos. A twist at the end of the book will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment. Highly recommend for graphic novel collections.  Grades 2 and up.

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

four-stars

Beware the Night

Beware the NightBeware the Night (Beware the Night, #1) by Jessika Fleck
Published by Swoon Reads on March 12th 2019
ISBN: 1250154758
Pages: 320
Goodreads
three-stars

Beware the Night

 

Life is not easy for Veda.  She is with the impoverished Basso group who worship the sun and are at the lowest level, being below the Dogio group.  She has always believed that those who worship the dark and the moon are the evil forces, until she meets Dorian and learns that she may be the Lunalette for whom everyone has been waiting.  Nico has always been her best friend but he is now with the attacking Imperi forces who are at the top.  This book reminded me very much of The Hunger Games with battles, training on weapons, and people being sacrificed.  But even when there were evil plans being made and when Veda’s grandfather, Poppy, had just died Veda’s thoughts were with the Nico and Dorian triangle and the “butterflies” in her stomach as she tried to decide which man was for her.  This book is recommended for grades 7-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

three-stars

Babysitting Nightmares: The Phantom Hour

Babysitting Nightmares: The Phantom HourBabysitting Nightmares: The Phantom Hour by Kat Shepherd, Rayanne Vieira
Published by Imprint on January 29th 2019
ISBN: 1250156998
Pages: 224
Goodreads
three-stars

“The Phantom Hour” is the second book in the Babysitting Nightmares series by Kat Shepherd. Four best friends have already visited the Nightmare Realm and defeated the evil moon queen, but the supernatural still won’t leave them alone. Clio takes a babysitting job at an old house in town and starts being harassed by a ghost! She gets locked in the pantry after checking to make sure it was unlocked, hears mysterious thumps, and sees a picture fly in the air and smash in front of her. Clearly, something is going on!

Clio, Tanya, Maggie, and Rebecca work together to solve the mystery of the menacing ghost and find a way to get rid of it. Reminiscent of the Baby-Sitters’ Club Mystery series, four girls from different backgrounds use friendship, science, and research to defeat the supernatural. Aimed at ages 8 to 11, this book is a recommended purchase if you have a reader who enjoys mysteries, the supernatural, and strong girls.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars

Sparks

SparksSpark by Sarah Beth Durst
Published by Clarion Books on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 1328973425
Pages: 320
Goodreads
four-stars

Preteens living in Alorria are tasked with caring for and bonding with an egg as they wait for the storm beast to hatch.   Within this society it is the young people and their dragon storm beast who control the  beautiful weather.  Readers will learn of political and environmental barriers to the truth as the well-defined characters  face both social injustice and climate change.  Twelve year old Mina is a fascinating youth, although shy Mina is intuitive and strong.   Relationships between students and one special teacher are tight, the characters respect each other and take pride in their own abilities and those of others.

Spark stands up for the somewhat quiet and exposes one girl’s journey to self-awareness.  Young readers will learn from the cast of characters as they enjoy a rollicking good read.  Public and middle school librarians will want to add this new title to their collections.  Gift to strong but quiet readers and fantasy lovers.

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

four-stars

Dress Like a Girl

Dress Like a GirlDress Like a Girl by Patricia Toht, Lorian Tu-Dean
Published by HarperCollins on January 22nd 2019
ISBN: 0062798928
Pages: 32
Goodreads
two-stars

“Dress Like a Girl” purports to be sending a girl power message, telling girls to dress how they want, but the text actually tells girls that they DO have to follow the rules, they can just do so in their own way.  It goes on via text to state what the fashion “rules” are and via the illustrations shows young girls dressing up in ways that sort of meet that rule but in an unexpected way, such as wearing a white space suit for the “crisp white” on a hot summer day rule.  The book’s refrain ends with, “Make your own rules in this big wide world. Set your sights high and…dress like a girl!” and shows all the girls in various outfits from the earlier pages with signs that say “my own hero”, etc. It’s clear what the author was reaching for with this book, attempting to send the message of empowerment to girls, but she really misses the mark here.  The text sends two very different messages, making it very unclear. Are we to live within the rules or do what we want? Not recommended.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

two-stars

The Weight of the Stars

The Weight of the StarsThe Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum
Published by Imprint on March 19th 2019
ISBN: 1250101638
Pages: 384
Goodreads
four-stars

The Weight of the Stars

 

Friendship is everything to the rag-tag group of students who have joined together under the leadership of Ryann.  So, it is no surprise when one of Ryann’s teachers asks her to befriend a new girl, Alexandria, who is prickly and hard to get to know.  When Ryann and her friends come to Alexandria’s house and see her staring at the stars from her roof, there is a series of events that ensue including Ryann being hit in the head and Alexandria falling and breaking her arm.  Ryann learns that watching from the roof is to try to communicate with Alexandria’s mother who is on a space mission that she undertook before she knew she was pregnant with Alexandria.  The girls become friends and then start a relationship.  What impressed me the most with these characters was their kindness towards each other.  They stick up for each other and understand their motivations.  Ryann has a brother who brought home his baby to live with him and Ryann and this is accepted.  Throughout most of the book the brother, James, doesn’t speak but his and Ryann’s love for each other is always there.  This book is recommended for grades 9-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Pippa’s Passover Plate

Pippa’s Passover PlatePippa's Passover Plate by Vivian Kirkfield, Jill Weber
Published by Holiday House on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 0823441628
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

This rhyming holiday book is sure to please Jewish families with preschool age children.  Families who follow other religious traditions will appreciate this enchanting story that offers an introductory fictional  tale about Passover.  Librarians and parents will enjoy reading the text aloud, there are many tongue twisting sentences that will tickle the funny bone of young listeners.  In spite of her shivers and shakes Pippa approaches less than friendly animals to help her find the special Passover Plate.  A little fright adds to the storyline making the book more fun than most holiday books.

The illustrations add charm, each page has several small surprises with lots of detail.  Preschoolers and K students will love to search for all the animals; some of which stand out using color while others almost melt into the environment.  Add this new Passover book to public library collections and gift to early education programs and K classrooms.

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

four-stars

The Rabbit The Dark, and the Cookie Tin

The Rabbit The Dark, and the Cookie TinThe Rabbit, the Dark, and the Cookie Tin by Nicola O'Byrne
Published by Nosy Crow on March 12th 2019
ISBN: 1536205761
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

“The Rabbit The Dark and the Cookie Tin is a clever, fun, and intriguing story for children ages 4-8.  Rabbit does not want to go to bed.  “I don’t wan t to go to bed, “said Rabbit, (with an attirtude) “and if it doesn’t get dark, I won’t have to.”  Then Rabbit has a very clever idea. He grabs a cookie tin,  containing the last cokie, and ” storms”  outside to find the dark.  The dark, which is  personified, reaches out with one dark hand to snatch the cookie, and “SNAP,” the dark is captured.   Will the dark ever be able to convince Rabbit to let him/her go free?

This book portrays  cleverness and a very playful imagination – just what  many teachers love to see in young children.  The way in which  these three very different  elements , – a cookie tin, a rabbit, and the dark,  interact  to serve up  a simple and delightful story is amazing.

This is a book to read just for fun or/and to provoke the use of imagination. Appropriate for any season of the year.  The animals in the story are expressive and brightly colored,  standing out nicely from a mostly white background. The predominantly white background  sets up a nice contrast for when an  “explosion” of dark erupts from the cookie tin.  Young children will find this story to be intriguing and surprising.

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

 

five-stars