Month: July 2020

The Little Blue Cottage

The Little Blue CottageThe Little Blue Cottage by Jessica Courtney-Tickle, Kelly Jordan
ISBN: 1624149235
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The little blue cottage by the sea waits each year for summer and the girl to arrive. Each summer the girl grows until one year she doesn’t come. The cottage is left waiting and empty season after season until the girl returns with her children. This book has lovely illustrations, reminiscent of Barbara Cooney. The writing is lyrical, but I could not decide whether the text was supposed to rhyme or not. The book will be special to summer residents.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

When Lightning Strikes

When Lightning StrikesWhen Lightning Strikes by Katie Peters
Published by Lerner Publications, Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541558383
Pages: 16
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Dramatic photos and a simple text make this book an easy read for children who are just starting out. A simple weather book that some young readers will enjoy.

Preschoolers to 1st grade

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

three-stars

The Camping Trip

The Camping TripThe Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536207365
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Ernestine is invited by her aunt and cousin to experience her first camping trip.  From the cover pages of The Camping Trip  a realistic job of expressing a true outdoor adventure is offered.  Readers view an illustrated listing of necessary equipment before the story even begins.  Within the content a personal equipment list is incorporated and new experiences are explored.  Aunt Jackie and cousin Samantha are supportive and compassionate as Ernestine grows to love this new experience.   The art work is done in comic style panels that are fun and colorful.  This reader appreciates how one of the early two-page spreads is almost identical to a later illustration in the same spot.  All ages will enjoy this adventure and perhaps it will influence some families to go camping for the first time.

Bring on the s’mores and purchase this book for both primary school and public libraries.  Gift a copy to families who are interested in taking their first camping trip.

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

five-stars

Nessie Quest

Nessie QuestNessie Quest by Melissa Savage
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 0525645675
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
It is necessary to reveal the spoiler first, this reader has been to Loch Ness and looked for Nessie.   All the same the character of Ada Ru is compelling and her interactions with other characters are enlightened.  Perhaps the fact that her mother is a therapist helps Ada Ru stay in touch with her feelings but it is her desire to learn and to become involved that move this book forward.  Other characters are equally exposed in terms of their weaknesses and loyalties but perhaps the most definitive individual is Hamish Bean better known as Captain Green Bean.  Not only is this an enchanted mystery for intermediate and middle school readers but there is pre-adolescent romance budding as well.  Lots of twist and turns risk blindsiding the reader making the end satisfactory to all readers.

It is recommended that middle school media specialist and public librarians find room on their shelves for this title.  There may be classroom teachers that would find this an appropriate read aloud as it reveals Scottish traditions, local language and geography.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

Not So Pure and Simple

Not So Pure and SimpleNot So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles
Published by HarperTeen on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 0062349198
Pages: 304
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Edgar Award-winner and founding member of We Need Diverse Books, Lamar Giles, steps away from mystery to write a YA romantic comedy; however, readers should not expect a typical love story. Giles takes the classic boy-gets-girl trope and tackles toxic masculinity and societal expectations to create an original love story that is fresh and honest. Del has a reputation as a ladies’ man, so when the girl he has a crush on volunteers to be part of the purity pledge group at Church, he shocks everyone by joining too. Del works under the false assumption, that if he is nice, girls will owe him something; so when that doesn’t work, Del is confused and angry. Luckily, Del has friends and family who will be brutally honest with him. As he begins to listen to their assessments of his behavior, he begins to be more honest with himself. At times it reads like a much-needed, how-to-manual for teen boys. Girls will shake their heads in recognition and laugh at the humor, but there will not be any revelations for them. Boys will be able to laugh along with Del and possibly even at themselves as Giles tackles serious coming-of-age themes. This book should be on the shelves of all libraries working with teens! Recommended for grades 8 and up. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

five-stars

The Blunders: A Counting Catastrophe!

The Blunders: A Counting Catastrophe!The Blunders: A Counting Catastrophe! by Christina Soontornvat, Colin Jack
Published by Candlewick Press, Candlewick Press (MA) on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 153620109X
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A funny story about the Blunder children who never can seem to get things right. Mother sends them out to play with instructions to come home at a certain time. when it is time, they count heads, only to find one missing! Will they find the missing child in time? A really cute story which incorporates learning to count for younger ones.

Preschool to 1st grade

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

five-stars

Elmore and Pinky

Elmore and PinkyElmore and Pinky by Holly Hobbie
Published by Random House, Random House Books for Young Readers on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 1524770817
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An endearing story of two separate animals, both with certain hardships, who go out looking for a best friend. Along the way they have several adventures and in the end, they find each other. Beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming story.

Preschool – 1st grade

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

four-stars

Bent Heavens

Bent HeavensBent Heavens by Daniel Kraus
Published by Henry Holt & Company on February 25, 2020
ISBN: 1250151678
Pages: 291
Genres: Horror, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
It has been a long time since a book made me wonder about aliens, but this sci-fi, horror story not only had me thinking, aliens infiltrated my dreams. Local high school English teacher and Drama advisor, Mr. Fleming, begins to act erratically, claiming to have been abducted by aliens, just before he disappears. After his disappearance, his daughter, Liv, is embarrassed and confused. She tries to rebrand herself as a popular athlete, but these changes are superficial and do not resolve Liv’s anger and sorrow. Her friendship with her childhood friend, Doug, is both her savior and her undoing. They still check the alien traps her father left in the backyard every Sunday. When an alien is caught in one of the traps, Liv must confront the fact that her father might not have been crazy. The story turns haunting when, in their fear and distress, Doug and Liv torture the alien. Both teens become increasingly angry when torture does not produce any answers. As Maya Angelou explained, “There’s a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure the truth.” As the truth is revealed, readers will question who is the real “monster” of the story. The plot of the story stays fast-paced, upsetting until the very end. Recommended for grades 9 and up. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

five-stars

Bathtime with Ducky Duckling

Bathtime with Ducky DucklingBathtime with Ducky Duckling by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 1536209651
Pages: 8
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book, Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

It's just ducky! In a waterproof format, this irresistible Lucy Cousins character makes a splash at bath time, high-chair time, or anytime.
Join Ducky Duckling for an adventure in the pond! Her brilliantly colored friends are all there -- ducks, fish, and leaping frogs. Soft, squishy, and sturdy, this waterproof, wipe-clean book is perfect for the littlest readers, whether in the bathtub, at the table, or on the go.

Bathtime with Ducky Duckling is a truly immersible book that will make bath time more fun for toddlers.  The large illustrations are from the original full format book and serve the intended audience well.   This librarian wishes there was some white space on each page making the illustrations more visible for babies.   The book is made of all new materials which is good as it certainly will become a chew toy.

Older siblings will enjoy reading aloud about Ducky Duckling’s antics to their smaller siblings.   This is a cute addition to any baby shower basket but not recommended for public libraries as it will be used in the bath or play pool.

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

four-stars

To the Moon and Back for you

To the Moon and Back for youTo the Moon and Back for You by E.G. Keller, Emilia Bechrakis Serhant
Published by Random House ISBN: 0593173880
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars
A mother’s joy is alive in the lovely text and the illustrations are amazing.   Certainly, any mother who has under gone medical assistance to become pregnant can identify.  While Kleenex may be needed to read the content, the pictures are bright and cheerful and will make the reader smile.  I only wish that lesbian mothers were included, perhaps in the Author’s Note where parents are described as mothers and fathers.

This is not a book that school media centers would purchase but it belongs in public libraries in the parenting collection.  A copy of To the Moon and Back for You would be an excellent gift for any mother who has undergone IVF procedures.

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

three-stars