Month: November 2020

Condor Comeback

Condor ComebackCondor Comeback by Sy Montgomery, Tianne Strombeck
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on July 28, 2020
ISBN: 0544816536
Pages: 96
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This middle grade nonfiction book is loaded with information about the California Condor. From the capture of the last wild bird in 1987 to the release of wild pairs and the monitoring of the current wild population, readers will enjoy learning about all the steps along the way. The text is a bit wordy and includes a lot of superfluous information. There are stunning photographs of wild and captive birds including chicks and nests, etc. Even if kids don’t read it cover to cover, young naturalists will delight in the pictures and facts they do glean from the text. It would be better suited for kids with the addition of some quick facts or sidebars in the margins. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

AAAligator!

AAAligator!AAAlligator! by Andrea Stegmaier, Judith Henderson
Published by Kids Can Press on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 1525301519
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

There’s a boy who likes to walk in the forest, and one day, he comes across an alligator. The alligator is stuck in a twisty vine so the boy brings the alligator food. Once he’s able to free the alligator, it comes to his house in the night because it’s lonely. The boy and the alligator become friends and eventually, the townspeople warm up to him too….except the mayor.

This is a sweet story of community, friendship, and how we treat those that are different from us. The story is a bit long so it’s better for a bit older readers, and there’s the implication that the mayor gets eaten. Sensitive kids might find that part scary. The illustrations are colorful, detailed, and will engage young readers. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Dot, Unplugged

Dot, UnpluggedDot Unplugged by Randi Zuckerberg, The Jim Henson Company
Published by Candlewick Press on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 153620983X
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Everyone in Dot’s family is busy and plugged in — video games, circuit board building, computer work, etc. No one has time to play with Spark, the dog — then the power goes out. Dot and her brother are lost as to what they can do without power. Their parents suggest they find some games to play that don’t require electricity. They end up having a great time and enjoying each other’s company and creativity.

This book is a great reminder to unplug devices and check in with people. The diverse family plays a game similar to charades, and my only complaint is that most of the things they make or do revolve around things that *do* require electricity. The text is easy to follow, the illustrations are high contrast color and will keep kids engaged. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME.

three-stars

Why Do We Cry?

Why Do We Cry?Why Do We Cry? by Ana Sender, Fran Pintadera
ISBN: 1525304771
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A boy and his mother sit on a park bench, and she notes he’s been quiet all morning. The boy then asks, “…why do we cry?” His mother takes him through a litany of reasons we all cry: sadness, anger, injury, and eventually happiness.

This is a wonderful book for kids learning to process emotions. I love that throughout, tears and crying are seen as cathartic and healthy. Never is crying shamed or perceived as a negative thing. The illustrations are colorful and really help bring the emotions and situations associated with crying to life. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Kit and Kaboodle Take the Train

Kit and Kaboodle Take the TrainKit and Kaboodle Take the Train (Highlights Puzzle Readers) by Michelle Portice, Mitch Mortimer
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

In this Level 2 early reader, Kit (a cat) and her friend Kaboodle (a mouse) want to visit Sillyville, but they’re not sure how to get there. They ask the reader to discover how by giving hints as to what sounds they may hear in Sillyville. They prepare, pack, and head off on their journey. This is a great book for new readers. There are simple sentences with a few more tricky words thrown in to help push reading development along. Throughout the book, the colorful and detailed illustrations double as search-and-finds which will help keep new readers motivated to keep going. Recommended for readers 5 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Lucky Caller

Lucky CallerLucky Caller by Emma Mills
Published by Henry Holt & Company on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 1250179653
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

High school senior Nina is taking a radio broadcast class purported to be the most fun elective to finish off her high school career. While her dad is a deejay in another state, Nina knows nothing of the radio business. As it turns out, a childhood friend is also taking the class. The problem is that we discover early on that something has caused friction in Nina and Jamie’s relationship.  As luck would have it, they end up in the same group.  Through working together on the show, Nina comes to terms with her past poor behavior. The group has struggles but eventually gets themselves an unlikely public following–fans of a 90s metal band. They get themselves into a bind but it ties itself up nicely by the end, through very little effort on the part of the characters.

Nina’s family is also dealing with an absentee father and an incoming step-father. Interpersonal strife is abundant. By the end, Nina is in a much better place with most of them. While all the major characters are high school seniors, the tone of the book feels much younger.  Recommended for ages 13+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

Girl, Unframed

Girl, UnframedGirl, Unframed by Deb Caletti
Published by Simon Pulse on June 23, 2020
ISBN: 1534426973
Pages: 357
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

As if growing girls and teens do not face enough challenges Caletti has given readers a riveting story that goes unmatched.  Sidney returns to her mother’s house for the summer and finds that everything about herself, her environment and her mother has changed.  Mom is a Hollywood star who has a new somewhat shady boyfriend.  The character has left childhood behind and is struggling to find her way as a young woman; her internal desires and ultimate choices are not surprising.   This novel contains social and family problems that plague our world and may help some readers who suffer such situations.  The storyline is part mystery, part thriller and definitely a coming of age tale.  Family loyalty, abusive behavior, and sexual awareness are reoccurring issues that may not be totally resolved.

Relationships with Sidney’s best friend and a love interest add to this compelling story.  High School libraries and public library YA rooms need to have this book added to their shelves.  Fans of the author will be delighted with this novel.

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

five-stars

Lubaya’s Quiet Roar

Lubaya’s Quiet RoarLubaya's Quiet Roar by Marilyn Nelson, Philemona Williamson
Published by Dial Books on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 0525555552
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A sensitive and gentle story that depicts current events in society.  A quiet girl, Lubaya is a budding artist who sees and listens to others without contributing verbal comments.  Her response to negative historic events is to draw what is within her heart.   The story offered by Nelson is powerful even as the protagonist is quiet and the illustrations stretch the storyline.  Each page is covered in intense colors implying the magnitude of the subject matter.  This is a story about a family who are aware of current events and takes part in peaceful demonstrations.  There will be readers who have their eyes opened to some of the reasons individuals and families take to the street in protest of American society.

Add Lubaya’s Quiet Roar to primary school media centers and to public libraries.    Consider purchase for places of worship and as a gift to families who advocate for social justice.

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

four-stars

Window

WindowWindow by Marion Arbona
ISBN: 1525301365
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book grew on me from beginning to end. I was impressed with the illustrations immediately but I wasn’t too drawn in and neither were my kids. By the end of it, though, we were all really excited to see what was behind each window and the discussion of each page got more enthusiastic. Each page is a window that opens up to reveal what a child is imagining lives behind it. The final page combines all of the previous pages and we were excited to go back to make more connections and find things we had missed.

It’s wordless, black and white, and will definitely appeal to fans of Edward Gorey. This might be a great book for kids who enjoy the I Spy or Where’s Waldo series. It doesn’t ask you to find anything but you just can’t get help it.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Copycat

The CopycatThe Copycat by Wendy McLeod MacKnight
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 10, 2020
ISBN: 0062668331
Pages: 432
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Seventh grader Ali comes from a long line of copycats, people who can change into other living beings.  It’s her Sloane family secret and up until now only Digger, her father, and Gigi, her Great grandma, are the copycats in her family.  For some, it’s a magical ability while others it’s a curse.  When Ali and her parents move into her father’s birth home to help Gigi, Ali changes like copycats do for the first time.  Unfortunately, she is at school when it happens.  Readers intrigued by the copycat phenomena will be left with questions about why only the Sloane families are copycats.  Is it DNA?   How do their clothes change too?  Why does the boring book about fog become readable by the copycats?  The story line provides themes of friendship building, family forgiveness and grieving in the context of the school setting and the chaos in Ali’s family life.  Suggested for readers in grades 4-6 who enjoy some magic in their school routine.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

four-stars