Month: August 2020

Instant Karma

Instant KarmaInstant Karma by Marissa Meyer
Published by Feiwel & Friends on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 1250618819
Genres: Fantasy, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Prudence does not like her lab partner, Quint.  She finds him lazy and irresponsible.  Quint finds her unwillingness to truly see him frustrating.  One night, Pru hits her head and wakes up with the ability to enact instant karma on anyone.  With a tightening of her fist, that angry, rude customer is escorted out by the police.  While Pru has  no idea why the universe has granted her with this power, she happily accepts the ability to give karmic retribution whenever she thinks she’s witnessed a wrong.  However, it doesn’t always work out the way she thinks it should,  especially in relation to herself and Quint.  As Pru is forced to work with Quint over the summer, she starts to see the truth about him and why he’s often late to class.  As they get closer, a mystery abounds and Pru is forced to take the blame, incurring Quint’s wrath.  While the mystery is quickly resolved, it does provide a much-needed tie-up for the end of the book.  Not Meyer’s strongest work, but it should be loved by her fans as well as other fans of YA romance.  Recommended for grades 9+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

It Only Happens in the Movies

It Only Happens in the MoviesIt Only Happens in the Movies by Holly Bourne
Published by Usborne Publishing on October 1, 2017
ISBN: 1474921329
Pages: 410
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

On the surface, this book is about love and zombies.  But once you look below the surface, you find themes of divorce, trauma, sex and women, mental health, and substance abuse.  Audrey hates romance and all of its tropes.  Setting out to write a project for her media studies class about it, her life seems to be going another direction.  She ends up falling for her co-worker, Harry,  against her better judgement.  As she helps Harry film his zombie movie, he starts to break down her walls and helps her to get over some of her past sex-related trauma.  However, she’s also dealing with her family’s trauma and Harry is not the perfect boyfriend.  In the end, she stands up for herself and gets to a place where she’s ready to move on in her life and not focus so much on the past.  Each chapter starts with a section of her report, and is a clever way to tie the story and her report together.  Recommended for ages 15+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

Brown Girl Ghosted

Brown Girl GhostedBrown Girl Ghosted by Mintie Das
on March 24, 2020
ISBN: 0358128897
Goodreads
three-stars

Rated 3 Stars

Being different in  high school is a harsh reality for lots of students.  This book may open some eyes in terms of racial bias and sexual exploitation but its unique fantasy mystery story line will be surprising to many.   Violet is a likable teen who possessed special abilities but the supporting cast of characters do little to enhance the story line.   At times the plot feels lost and the teens just muddle along as Violet gets deeper into her personal reality or lack of reality.

For this reader the story is not compelling enough to place in media center or public library collections.

There will be an audience so Brown Girl Ghosted needs to be on book store shelves

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

three-stars

Five Fuzzy Chicks

Five Fuzzy ChicksFive Fuzzy Chicks by Diana Murray, Sydney Hanson
Published by Imprint on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 125030122X
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Five baby chicks are determined to have some fun before bed in a rhyming farm story with counting elements.
It's time for bed, but these five chicks are full of energy!
They race out of the coop to visit all of the other animals. But the dog is so snuggly and the hay is so comfy, and these five fuzzy chicks can't help but fall asleep one by one.
Before long, the sleeping chicks are scattered all over the farm! What will Mama Hen do?

The animal faces in this bedtime story are the high point of the book.  Each farm animal appears angelic and curious about the five little chicks and each is willing to share their space for a nap.  The story line is simple and repetitive, perfect for a concept book intended for the preschool audience.   Hanson has followed the rhyming text and brought the characters to life.   The mixed media of pencil and watercolors adds dimension to the pages.  This reader is reminded of the wonderful pig illustrations by Chris Van Dusen in the Mercy Watson series.   Parents and grandparents are bound to enjoy sharing this bedtime book with the little ones in their lives.  Preschool – grade 1 teachers will find the text perfect for some of the budding readers in their classrooms as the font is clear and the type size is acceptable.

Add this to rural and city public libraries, include in early classroom collections and gift to toddlers who run from bedtime even when tired.

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

four-stars

Frozen Beauty

Frozen BeautyFrozen Beauty by Lexa Hillyer
Published by HarperTeen on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 0062330403
Pages: 368
Genres: Mystery, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Frozen Beauty is a mystery that reveals itself slowly as the reader becomes acquainted with the three Malloy girls.  The story line is embedded in deep relationships and loving sisterhood yet secrets are held tight to the chest.  The book is beautifully written using prose and poetry to unravel the past and present.  Character development is strong yet readers may not be able to predict situations or actions. Each of the three sisters reveal their individuality and in good time their stories coincide enough to solve the mystery.  Hillyer deals effectively with love, loss, fear, eating issues and abuse while writing a story of betrayal and death.  It appears that the new YA focus is on teen crime, this is an excellent example of the genre.

Add this to all public libraries and to High School media center shelves.  Gift to teen girls who love mysteries and romance novels.  Readers will find it difficult to put this book aside, it is recommended as an all-night read.

 

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

five-stars

Going UP!

Going UP!Going Up! by Charlene Chua, Sherry J. Lee
Published by Kids Can Press ISBN: 1525301136
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An elevator ride to a birthday party turns into a shared experience bursting with joy in this multicultural story about community, togetherness and the special feeling of belonging.
Today is Olive's birthday party, and Sophie and her dad have baked cookies. Sophie's dad holds the platter so Sophie can push the elevator button for the tenth floor. But on the way up, the elevator stops to let the Santucci brothers get on. Then on the next floor, Vicky, Babs and their dog, Norman, get in. And as the elevator ascends, it keeps stopping, and more neighbors squeeze in to the crowded space: the Habibs, the Flores family, Mr. Kwan, Vi Tweedle with her Chihuahua, Minx. Everyone is going to the party!
Playfully combining the excitement and anticipation of a party with children's universal love of riding in elevators, Sherry J. Lee's picture book story is ultimately about community and a sense of belonging. With characters from many cultural backgrounds, it showcases the everyday diversity that many urban children experience. Charlene Chua's illustrations provide loads of funny details and visual narratives that aren't in the text, making for a multilayered reading experience. The book's tall, narrow trim size adds to the effect of the rising elevator.

Receiving a birthday invitation, a father and daughter prepare by baking cookies.  The surprise for rural children will be the elevator ride as a means of transportation, but wait there is a bigger surprise in the end.     The story line is simple and easily identifiable by all ages but the illustrations bring the magic of city life to young readers.  A little magic may be sprinkled into the text and illustration as this reader believes the elevator becomes larger as it makes its way to the 10th floor.  Character development is not the intent but Sophie is one of the many charming neighbors who vary is size, age and appearance.  Certainly, the two-page spread of the 8th floor is a winner but wait till they all reach the 10th floor.  The illustrations alone tell a large part of this bright and happy story.  Look for all the live and illustrated animals on clothing pieces.

Such a good birthday book that includes diversity, friendship and celebration.   Prepare for a surprise ending.    Add to public libraries and gift to a loved one on their birthday.

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

four-stars

If These Wings Could Fly

If These Wings Could FlyIf These Wings Could Fly by Kyrie McCauley
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062885022
Pages: 400
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Being a HS senior with a huge goal is stressful enough for any young person but Leighton is also faced with domestic violence, two scared siblings, a budding romance and a somewhat magical home.  While her community is concerned about the huge influx of crows our heroine is busy juggling life at home and in school.   McCauley knows and treats the subject of domestic violence with tender care, it is obvious that the father has a problem, the three sisters are in no way viewed as weak or complacent.    The boyfriend is perfectly written into the story, his gentle and loving attention is an exact opposite to the violent father.   Teen readers are going to adore Liam, stand by Leighton, respect strong Campbell and Love sweet Juniper.

Each character has been well developed and yet readers will wonder why the mother does not stand her ground.  That is not easily answered and remains the question in many domestic violent situations.  Oh, and the crows, so many crows but there is one very special one named Joe who almost resembles an angel.   The author uses the crows to drive the inner story of Leighton’s love of writing while tying it into the overall plot.   This is a coming of age story that blends part magic, love, relationships, and to a large degree courage.   Add to HS and middle school media centers and to public libraries who collect YA.

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

 

four-stars

The Peacock Detectives

The Peacock DetectivesThe Peacock Detectives by Carly Nugent
Published by HarperCollins on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 0062896709
Pages: 288
Genres: Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This story takes place in Australia. Cassie, the girl telling the story, lives with her parents and her fourteen year old sister Diana. The novel begins with the neighbor’s peacocks escaping and Cassie starting to write this story. Cassie is eleven years old and good at noticing things. She found her neighbor’s peacocks when they escaped the last time so she is ready to do it again. Cassie’s father is a high school English teacher who has given her many tips about writing. Cassie shares these writing tips throughout her story. Jonas is her best friend and helps her try to find the missing peacocks. He is very good with science and math facts. Cassie knows a lot about reading and writing. In many ways they are opposites. Cassie notices that her family is changing. Diana has become a vegetarian and is interested in Buddhist meditation. Her mother starts cooking differently, her father is acting strangely, and her interaction with her grandfather has been altered. There is much more to this story than finding the missing peacocks. The variety of themes in this book include adoption, mental illness, bullying, friendship, death, family and marriage issues, etc. Although some of these are heavy topics, the book is written in a charming and sensitive manner. I highly recommend this well written novel for young readers 10-12 years old. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

The Good Hawk

The Good HawkThe Good Hawk by Joseph Elliott
Published by Walker Books US on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 9781536207187
Pages: 368
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This fantasy is told in two voices. Agatha, the heroine, is fifteen and has Down Syndrome. Her job in the clan as a “Hawk” is to guard their wall and watch for attackers. She is very proud of her role. Jaime is also fifteen and an “Angler.” He does not enjoy his position and would rather build boats than be on them. Their clan lives on the Isle of Skye. The book is divided into three parts: Skye, Scotia, and Norveg. When disaster strikes their clan circumstances dictate that Agatha and Jaime must cross Scotia to Norveg to rescue their people. Agatha has the gift of communicating with animals including her pet vole, Highland bulls, and more. Part of the plot also deals with the plague. This well written fantasy is action packed, full of mystery, has touches of humor, and magic. Having the story told in two voices adds much to the depth of the characters and the interpretation of what takes place in the story. This is the first in the Shadow Skye trilogy. I highly recommend it for ages 12 and up. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

A Delayed Life: The True Story of the Librarian of Auschwitz

A Delayed Life: The True Story of the Librarian of AuschwitzA Delayed Life: The True Story of the Librarian of Auschwitz by Dita Kraus
Published by Feiwel & Friends ISBN: 9781250760895
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This memoir of Dita Kraus is about her life in Prague before WWII, her survival of the Terezin ghetto and Auschwitz, forced labor in Germany, and her survival and liberation from the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. It follows her life after the war up to the end of this memoir at age 89. The title refers to the time she was in the Kinderblock at Auschwitz. At the age of fourteen and a half she was appointed by a fellow prisoner to watch over the dozen or so books that had been taken from the luggage of other prisoners. The Nazis were not aware of this small collection of books. This is explained in a couple of paragraphs in one of the chapters about Auschwitz. Dita Kraus was the subject of the historical fiction novel, the Librarian of Auschwitz, by Antonio Iturbe that was published in 2017. This book refers to that title, though has very little about that experience as a “ librarian,” yet this memoir covers a wide range of places and people. Dita Kraus has an incredible memory for details. Her descriptions are vivid and truthful. It is an inspiring and powerful book. I recommend it to high school students and adults who are interested in a complete story of someone who has experienced the horrors of the Holocaust first hand and lived a full life following her liberation.

Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars