Month: October 2020

Grown

GrownGrown by Tiffany D. Jackson
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on September 15, 2020
ISBN: 0062840355
Pages: 384
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The cover of the book begs you to pick it up; it is stunning and it pulls you in. Once you crack the book, the opening does not disappoint. You are instantly dropped into a scene out of a horror film – a room covered in blood, our protagonist stumbling and confused not remembering what happened. The book alternates between “Now” and “Then”, backing up to tell you the story of how 17-year-old Chanty got in that blood-stained room. Her story is compelling. It is also tough to read as she is preyed upon by a man, a famous singer who promises to make her dream come true. This book is hard to put down once started. It is an important book as it illustrates how girls/women can be manipulated and controlled and conveys that there is still so much awareness to raise. The end of the book fell apart a little, losing its tight control over the narrative and veering off in too many directions. The issue of the existence of the best friend, the recovery and aftermath of the abuse, and the solution to that blood-stained room were too much to hold onto the clarity of message that was established in the beginning of the book. I would still recommend this book because it is an important entry in the #ownvoices canon and may open the reader to an examination of how abuse can silently creep into a woman’s life and where black girls fit into the world of abuse victims. Due to sexual content and mature situations, recommend for readers in Grades 10 and up.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

Hilo. All the Pieces Fit

Hilo. All the Pieces FitAll the Pieces Fit (Hilo, #6) by José Villarrubia, Judd Winick
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 0525644067
Pages: 224
Goodreads
five-stars

This is the final installation of the Hilo/Razorwark/Izzy story arc and it’s fantastic. DJ and Hilo have gone through a portal back to Hilo’s home planet Jannus leaving Gina and company on Earth to face the truth of the identity of Dr. Horizon. As Hilo comes to terms with the betrayal of Izzy and heads back to Earth with DJ, the group led by Gina and Polly fight off government agents and Razorwark’s army of robots set to go through a portal and attack Jannus. Hilo must come to grips with who and what he is, more than a robot, not quite a human, and he must let go of Izzy and trust her when she explains that “this is how the pieces fit.” Book 6 continues to celebrate the integrity of actions for the greater good and the power of friendship. There is a satisfying conclusion and the promise of another book, this time starring Gina. The series is a must-have for any library.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

My Favorite Memories

My Favorite MemoriesMy Favorite Memories by Julie Völk, Sepideh Sarihi
Published by Blue Dot Kids Press on May 12, 2020
ISBN: 1733121242
Pages: 30
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

If you had to move to a different country and you could take one suitcase in which to pack your favorite things – what would you take? this is what faces a small girl when her parents present her with a suitcase and tell her to pack her most favorite things. How do you pack your favorite tree, your favorite bus driver,  the wooden chair your grandfather made you, your aquarium and your best friend!                                                                                                                                                                            So, she packs what she needs and sets out to putting her other treasures into bottles and tosses them into the ocean- that is both where she lives now and where she is going to live. they haven’t arrived yet, but she can wait!                                                                                                                         We can’t always “carry ” things with us physically, but through our memories we can take our favorite things with us wherever we go. Illustrations are simple, straightforward, detailed in grays with some color to accent an item or feeling support the simple text .                                                          Use this quiet, thoughtful book with discussions on what you would carry in your suitcase if you had to move and what you would “carry” in your heart and soul.                                                                    Gr K-4                                                                                                                                                                                       Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray, Maine

five-stars

The Day Saida Arrived

The Day Saida ArrivedThe Day Saida Arrived by Lawrence Schimel, Sonja Wimmer, Susana Gómez Redondo
Published by Blue Dot Kids Press on September 15, 2020
ISBN: 1733121250
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Saida, newly arrived from Morocco doesn’t speak and a classmate and potential friend thinks she has lost all her words. She tries to look for them so that Saida’s tears and silence go away. So, slowly the two of them seek and find ways to communicate – through drawing a hug, a heart, a camel, palm trees, through  patience, and the sharing of their languages, word by word. Slowly, bridge is built and two girls from very different places become friends. With lyrical text and words in both English and Arabic the reader begins  to understand what immigration is about.  Lush illustrations handpainted with  acrylic paint and crayon convey the feelings that words may not.   Blue Dot Kids Press offers books that invite the reader to experience a sense of wonder and empathy that connects them to the global community.  A new approach to the immigration experience, this should be used in units about immigration, feelings and friendship.                             Gr K-4           ( consider for cream)                                                                                                                                  Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray Maine

 

five-stars

Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in Nature.

Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in Nature.Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in Nature by Freya Hartas, Rachel Williams
Published by Harry N. Abrams on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1419748386
Pages: 128
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This volume invites the reader to “slow down” and enjoy 50 nature moments- each told like a story. Some take place over a period of time – a butterfly from a chrysalis, mama bird and her growing new babies, and some shorter – formation of a rainbow or cloud, or a bat catching dinner. Each story consists of a simple act of nature we might miss is our haste.

Each snippet of nature is presented on a double page spread and is rendered in pen and ink and is accurate, detailed with a clear general text and small more detailed text around the illustrations.    The  author presents these simple workings of nature in hopes that  the reader will go out and experience some of the ones found in the book and finding new ones to experience. It invites the reader to take a breath, listen, look, and feel the nature all around you.  There are additional pages suggesting further reading and a selected bibliography in the back of the book.

Use this  with environmental and nature  units, art units and discussions on what we see, hear and see each day.                                                                                                                                                              Gr K-4                        Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray Maine            (  cream)

five-stars

If You Come to Earth

If You Come to EarthIf You Come to Earth by Sophie Blackall
Published by Chronicle Books on September 15, 2020
ISBN: 145213779X
Pages: 80
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A little boy writes an open letter to a perspective space visitor, telling said visitor what to expect upon his visit. First, where we ae located in the solar system, how to spot our planet from the others – the brown and green are land and the blue is water, where we live – big cities, towns, small villages and out in the middle of nowhere, what we look like,  what  our families are like, what we do, what we value, what is important to our species. Page by page, we get a glimpse of what our earth offers, from the birds that fly, the animals that hop, walk, swim, crawl, what we can see and what is invisible. Ms. Blackall uses sparse text supported by illustrations in muted colors that are clear, calm and detailed. She said the idea for this book came from visits to one room classroom in Bhutan where she asked the children to draw the things they thought were important  to them : families and food, school and home.

This is a book that asks us to think of about what is important to us and in turn, what we need to do to ensure that good care is given all we hold dear.                                                                                          Use this in units on nature, the environment and discussions on what and who we hold important .            Consider for cream                                                                                                                                                                 Gr K-3

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray, Maine

 

five-stars

In The Shadow Of The Sun

In The Shadow Of The SunIn the Shadow of the Sun (In the Shadow of the Sun, #1) by E.M. Castellan
Published by Feiwel & Friends on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 1250226023
Pages: 352
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A true blend of historic fiction, romance and fantasy work well together in this 17th century story about a British princess and a France prince who are thrust into marriage.  Henriette is a talented source who is capable of enhancing a magician’s power yet she prefers to establish a relationship with her new husband.  The story line is full of historical fact but it veers into fantasy and becomes a story about a young wife who feels cheated and lonely.   Henriette is a strong female who finds ways to enhance her position even as her spouse has eyes for another.  Strong characterization and interpersonal moments help to reveal who the characters truly are.  The use of magic makes the story more appealing to middle grade readers.  Sexual images emerge but they may not be what is expected by the audience.

Probably intended for the middle school student this is a book that may create some problems with schools; it does however have an interesting plot.   Purchase for public libraries where historic fiction is trending.

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

three-stars

Little Baby’s Busy Day

Little Baby’s Busy DayLittle Baby's Busy Day: A Finger Wiggle Book by Nick Sharratt, Sally Symes
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536212784
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Several babies are indeed busy but it is probably Mom or caregiver who is tired.  This board book is interactive and very touchable for babies and toddlers.   Older siblings will enjoy reading the book as they use fingers to act out the activity with baby sister or brother.  The children illustrated are diverse and large placed against colorful backgrounds.  Although the level of color is overwhelming to infants the toddler crowd will enjoy the totally recognizable daily events.  Each sentence starts with the same three words which will soon be repeated by the intended audience.

Good gift book but perhaps not a necessary purchase for libraries as the finger holes may become encrusted with food left from baby’s meals.

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

three-stars

All the Pretty Things

All the Pretty ThingsAll the Pretty Things by Emily Arsenault
Published by Delacorte on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 1984897055
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

 

Summer for Ivy is spent working for her father at his amusement park.  From the start the theme of this book is mystery and loss, all of it associated with the park.  Her folks have divorced, her brother is staying at college for the summer, a work associate is found dead and now her best friend is hospitalized.  Not a classic who “done it” but a clever presentation that blends mystery with long standing relationships.  At times Ivy seems to wane, her character flows from clear to confused.   By far the most interesting character is her father who only seems to care about Fabuland and carries secrets of his own. Grade eight readers and up who enjoy mysteries may well find this book satisfying.   There are secrets however which could have been treated with more insight and compassion.  A missed opportunity that would have been useful on library shelves and in school social worker or guidance offices.

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

three-stars

Only A Tree Knows How To Be A Tree

Only A Tree Knows How To Be A TreeOnly a Tree Knows How to Be a Tree by Mary Murphy
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536214701
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Using child like illustrations adds enormously to the attractiveness of this picture book by Mary Murphy.  She employs children, trees, birds, dogs, and fish as well as the planets to show diversity and self-understanding.   Readers will be charmed by the human and animal characters who are being themselves and living their dream.   The book is hopeful and captivating as it reveals some of nature’s most precious living things.   Although some pages are full of creatures there is never a cluttered feeling.  Individual children are shown doing their thing on full pages with lots of white space in the background.  Color is used to its full advantage and movement is highlighted.  The text tells about the wonders of this earth in which creatures and plants coexist and support humans.

Excellent book for families, children’s programs in churches and a must for public libraries.

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

Review submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars