Month: February 2020

Deadly Aim: The Civil War Story of Michigan’s Anishinaabe Sharpshooters

Deadly Aim: The Civil War Story of Michigan’s Anishinaabe SharpshootersDeadly Aim: The Civil War Story of Michigan's Anishinaabe Sharpshooters by Sally M. Walker
Published by Henry Holt & Company on July 30, 2019
ISBN: 1250125251
Pages: 304
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

Deadly Aim is a fascinating book about the Anishinaabe Native Americans that fought bravely, with many losing their lives, in the Civil War. Because of their hunting skills and precision marksmanship, the Odawas, Potawatomis and Ojibwes people decided to fight — was it for their freedom, potentially becoming enslaved themselves or to obtain equality no one is sure, but no matter their reason, the Anishinaabe felt that it was their duty and honor.

Well documented with time-period photos, copies of articles and military orders that follow through with the text. TOC, glossary, muster roll and appendices support the information and accessibility of this title.

Great reference book and general read for anyone interested in the Civil War and the Native Americans  involvement. Recommended for 7th grade and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

A Dream So Dark

A Dream So DarkA Dream So Dark (A Blade So Black, #2) by L.L. McKinney
Published by Imprint on September 24, 2019
ISBN: 1250153921
Pages: 416
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In the continuation of a Blade so Dark, Alice hasn’t fully recovered yet from her last battle in Wonderland, when she must journey back and defeat the Black Knight once and for all. But to do this, Alice must face her fears and the ones she loves.

 An action packed novel explores the intensity and strength of women and the excellent retelling of a beloved favorite. Must read the first to get the backstory of the characters and how they integrate with exciting new ones. Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

four-stars

Fear of Missing Out

Fear of Missing OutFear of Missing Out by Kate McGovern
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on March 19, 2019
ISBN: 0374305471
Pages: 313
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Sixteen-year-old Astrid is on round two of her brain tumor and the outcome doesn’t look promising. There is a new clinical trial that she could try, but again, there aren’t any promises that it will succeed. But, Astrid is willing to look at alternatives, despite the questions her mother, her boyfriend and best friend have. Cryogenics sounds promising and she wants to make a field trip to Arizona and check out a facility that offers maybe a promise.

Well written, character driven and extremely emotional story of what questions are brought out about dying and the quality of life that is the primary focus. Recommended for grades 9 and  up.

Fans of The Fault in Our Stars and Everything, Everything will love this book. Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

Dreams From Many Rivers: A Hispanic History of the United States Told in Poems

Dreams From Many Rivers: A Hispanic History of the United States Told in PoemsDreams from Many Rivers: A Hispanic History of the United States Told in Poems by Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez, Margarita Engle
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on October 8, 2019
ISBN: 1627795316
Pages: 208
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Margarita Engle has once again come up with a wonderful book of poetry that describes the Hispanic History In this country. Divided into six parts that tracks the movement of the Hispanic people and their impact on colonization along with the impact the Spaniards had in coming into their world. At the start of each section is a brief introduction of the poetry that is within. Illustrations are black and white drawings that compliment the sections of history.

Recommended for grades 6 and up and a well addition to poetry and history shelves.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

The Secret Commonwealth: The Book of Dust

The Secret Commonwealth: The Book of DustThe Secret Commonwealth (The Book of Dust, #2) by Philip Pullman
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 3, 2019
ISBN: 0553510665
Pages: 633
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The second book of The Book of Dust series jumps to twenty years after the first was written. Lyra is now a young woman in her twenties. Pan, her daemon, witnesses a murder, while he was away from her and now their are involved in a plot that could destroy the world as they know it. The quest for the origins of the mysterious rose oil and why those searching for it are disappearing lead Lyra, Pan, and Malcolm on adventures throughout  the Middle East.

Need to read the first in the series to have the background history of the main characters and some of the new characters that are introduced. Interesting plots and political twists  that will leave many teens behind. Recommended for advanced readers and adults. Stay tuned though for a third book.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

four-stars

The Rookie Trap

The Rookie TrapThe Rookie Trap by Chris Kreie
Published by Darby Creek (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541556844
Pages: 120
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Molly has moved again and is thrilled to make the varsity soccer team in her new hometown. Midfielding is her dream and plans on being the best. Coach asked her before practice to go to the equipment shed and grab something for her and it was the scare of Molly’s life. Guess what — her new teammates forgot to warn the new girl of the team’s curse.

Well written, an easy read for those reluctant readers. Has a good combination of sports with a little bit of the paranormal thrown in. 

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

Star-Crossed

Star-CrossedStar-Crossed by Loren Bailey
Published by Darby Creek (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541556909
Pages: 112
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Androids have just become legalized as humans. Now schools and neighborhoods are being integrated. In their Junior year, everyone is required to take the Android/Human Relations class. Alyssa, human, and Reid, Android, are paired up to do an assignment on getting to know each other and their cultures. Definitely isn’t starting very well, with neither of them talking to each other, but soon things change, that makes Alyssa and Reid do a lot of thinking.

Grades 6 and up. Great easy read that will interest even those determined not to read. 

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

Stripes of the Sidestep Wolf

Stripes of the Sidestep WolfStripes of the Sidestep Wolf by Sonya Hartnett
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) ISBN: 1536208825
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Satchel’s world is dying and he refuses to admit it or even leave it. When his only friend, Leroy, moves out of town, that leaves Moke, Satchel’s dog, and Chelsea, Leroy’s sister who is an emotional wreck, as his only remaining friends.

Believing that Satchel has seen a Thylacine or Tasmanian Tiger that has been extinct for hundreds of years, Chelsea tries to convince him that this could be their way out of their dying worlds. Together they both discover what is right for themselves and the directions they must go.

Well written with the setting in Australia. Represents the dying rural towns that can be found all around and the decisions that the people of these worlds have to make in order to survive. Recommended for grades 10 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

Topside

TopsideTopside by Harry Bogosian, J.N. Monk
Published by Graphic Universe on October 1, 2019
ISBN: 1512445894
Pages: 200
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Jocelyn was raised below the earth in the Core. She works as a maintenance worker who helps maintain and keeps their world functioning. When she makes a huge mistake and finds out that there aren’t enough resources to fix it, she decides to go topside to find what she needs. Hooking up with a couple of not so savory characters, their quest to find the resources leads into depths unknown.

Illustrations are multicolored with different darkness levels of the illustrations sometimes making it difficult to see and follow. Storyline is adventurous and does go with the illustrations. Those interested in sci-fi and strong female characters will enjoy this graphic novel.

Recommended for grades 8 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

four-stars

Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of the “Children’s Ship”

Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of the “Children’s Ship”Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" by Deborah Heiligman
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on October 8, 2019
ISBN: 1627795545
Pages: 304
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

During World War II, England had a program called the CORB (Children’s Overseas Reception Board) that took children away from the bombing to live in Canada, to return when the war was over. On September 13, 1940, 100 children with adult chaperones and other paying customers boarded and set sail on the SS City of Benares for Canada. Four days later, during the night when the children were asleep, a German U-Boat torpedoed the Benares. 258 people on board lost their lives; of the 100 children on board heading for safety, only 13 survived.

Very interesting and heart wrenching. Would be a great addition to World War II books that could be used for personal reading and research. Well documented with a list of passengers, crew and other essential personnel that perished/survived, TOC, a section about the survivors and their lives afterward, bibliography, endnotes and index.

Recommended for grades 7 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

 

 

five-stars