Month: August 2020

Spindle and Dagger

Published by Candlewick Press Genres: Folklore, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
three-stars

A great premise but poor execution. I wanted to love this book so much! It has strong female lead characters and takes place in Wales, 1109. unfortunately, I wasn’t a fan of the main character’s inner monologue. She struck me as an unlikeable person from the first chapter. Also, the world-building seemed somewhat flat. I’ve read other books by other authors set in this time and place and they made it feel alive for me. This did not. This book appropriate for ages 15 and up due to rape references throughout the book.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha public library

three-stars

Solstice

Published by Imprint Genres: Horror, Humor, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
two-stars

Tagged as a “tropical, horror, comedy” this book is a definite beach read. loosely based on the Fyre Festival that became a national sensation after not producing what they promised to the ticket purchaser. This book takes those publicized problems and adds a few dead bodies and a sea creature. The writing was fine but I felt the main character started off likable and went downhill from there. This book is appropriate for ages 13 and up but I wouldn’t waste my money on it.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha public library

two-stars

Up Cat Down Cat

Up Cat Down CatUp Cat, Down Cat by Steve Light
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536210315
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

Another well done board book is offered to toddlers by Steve light.   Two cats, one black and one white spend their day together doing just the opposite over six two-page illustrations.   As a concept book this is educational while it is busy being cute.    Back ground colors are brightly intense making the board book attractive to toddlers and their adult readers.  The large font size and simple text offers an opportunity for early readers to share with younger siblings.  Youngsters will enjoy searching for the mouse on each page.   They may also wonder why the wet white cat resembles a dog.

Add a copy to public library collections that include board books and gift to young toddlers.  Especially offer a copy to any cat lover with small children.

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

four-stars

Mission: Python

Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
three-stars

A very basic intro to the coding program Python. This short book offers a brief explanation of coding and how it works. It also includes a few “hands-on Python” activities that were very easy to follow. The audience for this book is 3rd to 6th grade. It’s a fine addition to a Junior non-fiction section but there’s probably a book that covers more ground so that may be a better addition.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library

three-stars

The Wide World of Coding: The People and Careers Behind the Programs

Published by Twenty-First Century Books (Tm) Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
four-stars

A great overview of the “Wide World of Coding.” This simple and easy to understand manual gives a brief overview of jobs that are available in the coding industry. In addition, it also encourages the reader to try coding themselves. Letting them know that all they need is a computer and patience. I would recommend this for any young adult collection ages 12 and up.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

Yes No Maybe So

Published by Balzer + Bray Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
four-stars

A great example of a cross-cultural romance between two young adults trying to find themselves. The romance in this novel is somewhat of a slow burn, which I prefer when compared to an insta-love romance that can be found in YA novels lately. In addition to a sweet romance, this book highlights teens becoming active in local politics while overcoming personal insecurities. I would recommend this book for ages 13 and up.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

Peppa Pig: Story Treasury

Peppa Pig: Story TreasuryPeppa Pig Story Treasury by Candlewick Press
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536213381
Genres: Adventure, Short Stories
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Peppa Pig is a popular character in the age 2 – 5 circles, this book holds lots of excitement for pre-school children as there are six stories included within.  The hard cover is a good choice and the binding appears to be worthy of potential loving abuse.  The price for this collection is a plus as individual copies of the stories would be higher.   Each story  is simple and the illustrations colorfully sweet.

Not a fan of books that follow a TV series I have to admit that a special little one in my life loves Peppa Pig.   Although a good choice as a gift this may not be the best purchase for a library.  Young audiences are more apt to want individual titles that are easier to hold and carry around with their favorite stuffy.    Libraries and K classrooms may prefer paper copies that can be shelved with other books in the same reading level.

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

four-stars

The Village Blacksmith

The Village BlacksmithThe Village Blacksmith by G. Brian Karas, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
ISBN: 1536204439
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Longfellow’s timeless poem about a blacksmith working for his community and through his loss is brought to life with beautiful illustrations. The illustrations have a modern and understated feel to them, but the use of color to highlight the blacksmith’s work is very effective. Emotions are expertly conveyed despite the simplicity of the drawings. Recommended for children 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Who Will You Be?

Who Will You Be?Who Will You Be? by Andrea Pippins
Published by Schwartz & Wade on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 1984849484
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is a celebration of family. It asks the reader, who will you become? Will you be like your daddy, your cousin, your grandma, and so on. Even if children are adopted, this book will resonate because it focuses on personality traits and not physical attributes. Will you be curious, bold, compassionate, grateful?

The illustrations are simple, colorful, high contrast, and compliment the story well. The family depicted is diverse racially as well as in familial make up giving the book a more inclusive feel. It mentions more family members than the traditional family unit. Recommended for children 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring

Goodbye Winter, Hello SpringGoodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak
Published by Henry Holt & Company on February 18, 2020
ISBN: 1250151724
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is another installment in the series of books by Pak examining the shift in the seasons. Here, a boy and his dog explore the many ways that things change from winter to spring — snow melts, mud appears, the light is warmer, etc.

It is a sweet exploration of the natural world around us, and a welcome addition to library collections, especially if the previous books like this circulate well. Pak’s illustrations are subtle but effective. I love his use of color and how it becomes much warmer as the book moves more towards spring. Recommended for children 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars