Month: March 2020

Stand on the sky

Stand on the skyStand on the Sky by Erin Bow
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on March 5, 2019
ISBN: 1328557464
Pages: 330
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Aisulu and her brother, Serik live in Mongolia with their Kazakh nomadic family. Aisulu breaks tradition by becoming an eagle hunter since Serik’s fate has been drastically altered. Aisulu raises and trains an orphaned baby golden eagle. She has much to learn about eagle hunting with her horse. She is helped by her extended family and determined to help her own family that moves to the city because of her brother, Serik’s illness. Winning an eagle hunting competition that offers prize money will allow the family to continue their nomadic way of life. Aisulu is determined to win. The author completed extensive research and lived with a family of eagle hunters. The descriptions of the eagles, animals, people, clothing, landscape, traditions, food, and dwellings are colorful and rich. The story moves quickly from the first page to the ending. The blend of traditional and current modern lifestyles is fascinating. There is a glossary consisting of terms and phrases, family members and others with the meaning of their names, and an author’s note. I highly recommend this novel for reader for ages 10 and up. The second sentence of the book has a typo. Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish
Recommend for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Banjo

BanjoBanjo by Graham Salisbury
Published by Wendy Lamb Books on October 8, 2019
ISBN: 0375842640
Pages: 224
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Danny is a twelve year old rodeo star who lives with his father, older brother, and his border collie, Banjo on a ranch in Oregon. Banjo is shot and wounded by neighbor boys who accuse him of attacking their sheep. Danny knows that Banjo would never do this. The father of the boys who shot Banjo informs Danny and his father that Banjo must be put down. Danny and his father know this is what must happen when a dog attacks livestock. Danny has to make a heartbreaking decision. Another character in the book is Meg. She crosses Banjo’s path and eventually Danny’s path. The story is told by Danny and Meg. This realistic story about the bond that people develop with animals is engaging. It is heartbreaking and heartwarming. It is about trust, loyalty, and determination. The author makes the setting come alive with descriptions of rodeos and life on a ranch. The characters are well developed and grow with the story.
I highly recommend this book for ages 10-14. 5 stars Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish
Recommend for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

The day the world stopped turning

The day the world stopped turningThe Day the World Stopped Turning by Michael Morpurgo
Published by Feiwel & Friends on July 9, 2019
ISBN: 1250107075
Pages: 288
Genres: Historical Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This historical fiction novel takes place in the Camargue, a region in southern France. Vincent Montague travels from his home in Watford in search of where Vincent Van Gogh painted a picture that has significance to Vincent and his family. Vincent becomes ill during his travels in the Camargue and is taken in by an old couple, Kezia and Lorenzo. Through Kezia he learns what took place in this area during World War II. Kezia’s family were Roma and ran a carousel in the nearby village. Lorenzo is autistic. He has always had a very unique relationship with animals and birds, especially the flamingos that live in the salt marshes. When the Germans occupy the village everyone’s lives are changed forever. A German official, the Caporal, plays an integral role in this story. I highly recommend this book because of the incredible characters, the descriptions of the setting, and the beautiful way the story is told. For ages 10 and up. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish.

four-stars

Nazi saboteurs Hitler’s secret attack on America

Nazi saboteurs Hitler’s secret attack on AmericaNazi Saboteurs: Hitler's Secret Attack on America (Scholastic Focus): Hitler's Secret Attack on America by Samantha Seiple
Published by Scholastic Nonfiction on December 3, 2019
ISBN: 1338259148
Pages: 224
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This non-fiction World War II account of German saboteurs in the United States is fascinating. It focuses on George Dasch who came to the United States at age nineteen and after twenty years returns to Germany. The plan of this Nazi plot, Operation Pastorius, was to attack factories, disable transportation lines, and commit other acts of sabotage in the United States. The individuals selected had all lived in America before returning to Germany. The teams traveled to the United States by submarine. As soon as the first team landed on a beach in Long Island, New York there were problems. This riveting story sounds unbelievable at times since so much went wrong. There are black and white photos throughout the book including photographs and descriptions of each of the eight saboteurs. The epilogue ties this plot with the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the fate of those captured. There are extensive sources including declassified government documents, newspaper and magazine articles, photo credits, and a thorough index. I highly recommend this well researched account for ages 10 and older. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish.

four-stars

Warrior of the Wild

Warrior of the WildWarrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller
Published by Feiwel & Friends on February 26, 2019
ISBN: 1250189942
Pages: 329
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This Viking inspired fantasy is told through Rasmira’s eyes and thoughts. She is eighteen years old and the youngest of six daughters. Her father is the leader of the village and has planned that Rasmira will inherit his position. She is the only female being trained as a warrior and when the final test takes place she is betrayed. She is forced to go into the Wild to complete an impossible task. The Wild is full of monsters, the god that she must slay in order to redeem herself, and others she is surprised to find there. It is rapidly paced and full of adventure. There is humor, romance, and some gore. I highly recommend this for readers 14 and older. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

Dog Driven

Dog DrivenDog Driven by Terry Lynn Johnson
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on December 3, 2019
ISBN: 1328551598
Pages: 240
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Fourteen old McKenna is competing in a sled dog race from Sault St. Marie to White River, Ontario to commemorate the early postal carriers from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Her sister, Em, has a degenerative eye disease called Stargart’s. Em wants McKenna to run this race to help raise awareness about her disease. McKenna knows the signs of this disease and is well aware of what is happening with her own failing vision, but is keeping it a secret from her parents. McKenna is very apprehensive about this race in the Canadian wilderness, but is determined to compete. The race is difficult and dangerous. The characters are well developed in this action filled novel. The descriptions of the sled dogs and their handling is informative and engaging. This story about perseverance, friendship, sacrifice, and trust will appeal to a large audience. It would work well as a classroom novel. There is an author’s note that explains that many of the elements of the story are based on historical events. The author is a very experienced musher and lives in Ontario. I highly recommend this exciting and enjoyable book for ages 10 and up. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish.
Recommend for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

You Are My happy

You Are My happyYou Are My Happy by Hoda Kotb, Suzie Mason
Published by HarperCollins on March 5, 2019
ISBN: 0062887890
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a sweet book about the love of a mama or dad or grandparent and their cub or grand cub. Beautifully illustrated and simply told, children will fall in love with this story of the things in life we all share that make us happy.

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Children’s Librarian, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner,  ME

four-stars

Lalani of the Distant Sea

Lalani of the Distant SeaLalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 0062747274
Pages: 400
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Lalani lives on an island and all of the folk living there are terrified of Mount Kahna and all it holds. No one goes there, it is actually forbidden to do so. But when Lalani ends up on the mountain, she finds something wicked there and makes a deal with it help save her village. The cost is more than she could possibly imagine. There are many names in this story and keeping track of them can be hard, but so worth it. It is a fantasy and has interesting creatures and people with powers that will surprise the reader. Even though this is a fantasy, it reads like a survival and adventure story as well. The drawings and book borders match the mood of this fantasy quite well. Cream. Ages 9 and up.

Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME 04032

five-stars

Blood Mountain

Blood MountainBlood Mountain by James Preller
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), Feiwel & Friends on October 8, 2019
ISBN: 1250174856
Pages: 240
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Siblings Grace and Carter get lost while hiking Blood Mountain when their dad falls behind and has a heart attack. Left alone with only their dog to help them they try to find their way back to civilization. Unfortunately, their dad made them leave all technology behind so they have no way to contact help. On top of that, a mountain man that has been living hidden in the wilderness and an escaped mountain lion are tracking them. I thought the beginning description of the squirrel killing and skinning was a bit gruesome and made the book take on a bit of a horror feel. The book’s title definitely added to that feeling. Some solid survival stuff in here but parts of it were a bit hard to believe. Ages 10 and up

Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport ME

 

four-stars

The Rambling

Published by Harper Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Folklore
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
five-stars

“The Rambling” is an eerie, intriguing, suspenseful and unique Middle Grade novel. It is a story of a boy’s self discovery in a very imaginative river country setting with  unmatched voice.

Buddy Pennington is headed off to river country to find his daddy who he feels he’d be better off living with.  His daddy is  a meandering soul who just happens to be a whiz at the card game,  Parsnit.   Parsnit is a mysterious card game of magic, chance and storytelling.  As soon as Buddy locates his dad, some of his Pop’s old adversaries arrive to take him away.  And,  Boss Authority, the magical crime lord who has terrorized the river country for years,  stands ready to collect on an old debt owed to him by Buddy’s  dad!  Thus Buddy sets out on a dangerous mission to save his dad and along the way must learn to play Parsnit with the best of them.

And  in this game your only as strong as the story you tell!

An adventure story at its best!  A  hard to put down tale that both boys and girls will become quickly engaged in.

 

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

five-stars