Month: August 2020

Vote! Women’s Fight for Access to the Ballot Box

Vote! Women’s Fight for Access to the Ballot BoxVote! by Coral Celeste Frazer
Published by Twenty-First Century Books (Tm) on August 6, 2019
ISBN: 1541528158
Pages: 120
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is a great overview of the history of women’s suffrage. It touches on women’s rights in general and gives a lot of background about how women won the vote. One thing I really liked was the recognition given to racial injustice surrounding suffrage. This book also covers a lot of the current struggles for equity in access to the ballot for minorities, the elderly, poor, and more. It includes historical and current photographs of protests, marches, ballots, and the people who influenced women’s right to vote.

Recommended for 4th grade and up, this is a great addition to any collection, especially in light of the 100 year anniversary of women’s suffrage.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Nature All Around: Plants

Nature All Around: PlantsNature All Around: Plants by Carolyn Gavin, Pamela Hickman
ISBN: 1771388196
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Another great addition from the Nature All Around series, this book combines beautiful and colorful illustrations with factual information about many different kinds of plants. It includes information about how animals interact with plants, how plants survive and thrive in different seasons, how to grow plants, and a bit on which plants to avoid. This book is definitely a launching point for young naturalists to further explore the wonderful world of plants. The illustrations are vibrant and provide context for some of the plants mentioned. That being said, I always prefer actual images of the real plants when discussing the science. Images provide a more accurate representation of the parts of the plants. Recommended for 3rd grade and up and a recommended purchase for most libraries.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Water Bears

Water BearsThe Water Bears by Kim Baker
on April 21, 2020
ISBN: 1984852205
Genres: Fantasy, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Newt Gomez lives on an island, and he survived a bear attack. He still has dreams about the attack, and he’s still physically healing as well. When he and a friend find a bear statue on the beach, and when the statue appears to grant wishes, things get interesting. Newt is ready to move on from island life, but the lessons he learns from his friends (and their interactions with the bear) may change his mind.

A little bit of magic, a lot of frienship, and a food truck with a giant rooster on it make this an all around entertaining read. The story felt a bit slow at times, but the plot, character development, and overall message are good. It also does a great job of exploring the challenges of overcoming trauma. A gentle coming of age story with a hint of magic, this book will appeal to a wide audience. Recommended for 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver

The Secret Garden of George Washington CarverThe Secret Garden of George Washington Carver by Frank Morrison, Gene Barretta
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 0062430157
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is an adorable non-fiction picture book of the young life and development of a celebrated botanist, early environmentalist, humanitarian and voice for racial harmony.  The pictures are colorful and delightful.  The text is simple but very informative.

The last words in the story are splendid, “Regard Nature, Revere Nature, Respect Nature”.  The book ends with a timeline, bibliography, and further reading suggestions.

I would highly recommend this book to all libraries, and to teachers and parents as a great read aloud.

I would rate this book a 5.

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

five-stars

THUMP GOES THE RABBIT, HOW ANIMALS COMMUNICATE

THUMP GOES THE RABBIT, HOW ANIMALS COMMUNICATEThump Goes the Rabbit: How Animals Communicate by Fran Hodgkins, Taia Morley
Published by HarperCollins on January 7, 2020
ISBN: 0062491016
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Level 1 Science, Let’s Read and Find Out

This simple non-fiction picture book explains simple communication used by a variety of animals.  The illustrations are cute, very child friendly, the text informative.  I was pleasantly impressed that the facts in this series are checked for accuracy by experts in the relevant field; in the case of this book, Dr. Fred Wasserman, Associate Professor of Biology at Boston University.

I especially liked the end of the book, with instructions to children on how to make observations just like a scientist.  Very simple, but wonderfully engaging, and very doable for children.

The author, from Rockport Maine, has written a very lovely, simple, beginning science book.  I would recommend this book to libraries looking to expand their collection of beginner science books.

I would rate this book a 4.

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

four-stars

How Submarines Work

How Submarines WorkHow Submarines Work by Walt Brody
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541555686
Pages: 24
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This very short non-fiction picture book has very engaging photos and facts about submarines.  It includes a history of submarines, parts of a sub, and some facts on the current and future uses of subs.

This book is part of a series of books, Military Machines, so this book only describes military submarines.  There is no mention of submarines used in any other venture.

A glossary, suggested further reading sites, and index are in the back of this 24 page book.  Children interested in military submarines will thoroughly enjoy this beginner book.

I would rate this book a 3.

three-stars

Middle School Bites

Middle School BitesMiddle School Bites by Mark Fearing, Steven Banks
Published by Holiday House on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 0823445437
Pages: 304
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a very fun, easy to read, almost 300 page chapter book.  The story line is charming and the illustrations are simple but very cute.

Eleven year old Tom wants to start middle school invisible.  But after a visit to his adorable hippie grandmother living in the woods, he returns bitten by a vampire bat, scratched by a zombie in a traveling circus, and nipped by a werewolf.  Will his friends and family accept his new features?

This funny read would be a wonderful addition to a library’s humorous juvenile chapter books.  I cannot wait to read the 2nd book in this series, due out in September of 2020.

I would rate this book a 4.

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

four-stars

Stella Diaz Never Gives Up

Stella Diaz Never Gives UpStella D�az Never Gives Up by Angela Dominguez
Published by Roaring Brook Press on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 1250229111
Pages: 208
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a story about a shy Mexican-American young girl who gets involved in trying to save the oceans from pollution.  There are frequent conversations with her mom in Spanish, but with limited translation.  I found it difficult to understand, and lost interest in trying to decipher the conversations. With some experience with the language, this would be a charming read.

I would rate this book a 3.

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

three-stars

SUSAN B. ANTHONY, Her Fight for Equal Rights

Susan B. Anthony: Her Fight for Equal Rights by Maike Plenzke, Monica Kulling
ISBN: 0593119835
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This beginning picture non-fiction book tells the story of Susan B. Anthony and her lifetime fight for the right for women to vote. In very brief, but informative text, and accompanied by simple but very clear illustrations, the story explains a simplified history of women’s rights.

This would be a good first read for parents and teachers wanting to expand the knowledge and background of their students/children.  It will certainly begin the conversation of the evolution of women’s rights, and help children understand that these rights we have today were not always available.

I would rate this book a 4.

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

four-stars

We Unleash the Merciless Storm

Published by Katherine Tegen Books Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
four-stars

A dystopian YA novel that fell flat in book two. What started as a refreshing take on a dystopian future world became a repeat of old ideas in the second novel. Mainly fighting the government. The writing is good and if held up against other YA dystopian novels I think it could hold it’s own. This book includes LGBTQ characters and people of color as central characters. A fact I liked. I would recommend this for ages 13-20.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars