Banned Book Club

November 3, 2020November 3, 2020

Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju, Ryan Estrada
on May 19, 2020
ISBN: 194582042X
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

This graphic novel tackles a piece of South Korea’s modern history. Set in 1983, under a military regime that uses censorship and torture as forms of control. This book is a compilation of real-life student experiences blended into one and told through the eyes of a new college student, Kim Hyun Sook. On Hyun Sook’s first day at university, she must walk through a protest to get to class and she encounters a protest for the first time. As a literature major, Hyun Sook joins a book club, only to find out it is a banned book club and that she could go to jail and lose her scholarship if the club is discovered. The rest of the story follows Hyun Sook’s awakening from a timid observer to an active participant in the political struggle for democracy in South Korea. Many teen readers will respond to the relevancy of this graphic novel given the parallels to the Black Lives Matter protests in our current society. The art is done in black and white sequential panels. This book is a solid addition to any young adult graphic novel collection. Recommended for grades 7 and up.

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

Field Notes on Love

November 3, 2020

Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith
on March 5, 2019
ISBN: 0399559442
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
British high school graduate Hugh has big plans: traveling across the USA with his girlfriend, Margaret. He finds himself in a bit of a nonrefundable, nontransferable ticket pickle when she breaks up with him before the trip. As one of a group of septuplet children, he decides he really needs some time away, and sets off to find someone who shares Margaret’s name to accompany him on the trip. Also a recent graduate, Mae (Margaret) is looking to experience more life before she heads to college. She answers his ad and away they go on a train trip across the USA. They end up on a real coming of age journey, with both coming to grips with parts of themselves that they’d been avoiding. It’s a lovely light romance with a brilliant supporting cast of relatives for both characters. Best for grades 7+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

Punching the Air

November 2, 2020

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi, Yusef Salaam
Published by Balzer + Bray on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0062996487
Pages: 400
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Punching the Air, written by American Street author Ibi Ziboi and Yusef Salaam, one of the Exonerated Five, belongs in all libraries serving young adults. The novel-in-verse is inspired by Salaam’s experience of being wrongly convicted and unjustly incarcerated. Like Walter Dean Myers’s Monster, Punching the Air covers both the court experience and time incarcerated of a black boy assumed to be guilty because of the color of his skin. The main character, Amal, is a student at a diverse art school where students seem to appreciate differences but he is still considered “disruptive” by his teachers, one of whom even testifies against him at his trial. Punching the Air will appeal to fans of Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Jason Reynolds, Jacqueline Woodson, and readers of Ziboi’s other work. Put this book in the hands of any student interested in social justice or the power of art as self-expression and healing. Librarians be prepared to guide students to learn more about Yusef Salaam and the Exonerated Five after they read this book. Recommended for grades 8 and up.

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

Nick and Nack Build a Birdhouse

November 2, 2020

Nick and Nack Build a Birdhouse (Highlights Puzzle Readers) by Adam Record, Brandon Budzi
ISBN: 1684379849
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
Nick and Nack have popsicles. What can they do with the popsicle sticks? Make a birdhouse, of course! This Level 1 early reader is a great addition to any public library. There are many repeated words to help build confidence in new readers, but there are also some more challenging words to help expand vocabulary. The illustrations are colorful and fun, and several of the pictures include a search and find aspect. This may help to keep some kids engaged, but it may also serve as a bit of a distraction. Recommended for purchase for libraries needing to expand and update their early reader sections. Recommended for kids 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

Hostile Territory

November 1, 2020November 1, 2020

Hostile Territory by Paul Greci
Published by Imprint on January 28, 2020
ISBN: 1250184622
Pages: 352
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Greci is an accomplished author and wilderness expert who has provided older YA readers with an intense futuristic adventure. While attending a wilderness summer camp four older teens find themselves alone on a mountain following a catastrophic earth quake. From here the action never falters making this an intense adventure. Readers will appreciate the authors knowledge of the landscape and wildlife residing in the mountain far from civilization. Josh is the most invested character; without him the others may not have survived. Unfortunately, the character development is not as complete for the other members of the overland hiker’s group. Readers will be challenged by the wilderness descriptions, animal encounters, and the ultimate test of their ability to work together. Not all action is limited to the woods as a larger danger looms but that is best left for the reader to discover

Add to public libraries and high schools were YA adventure is collected and appreciated by teens.

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

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

November 1, 2020November 3, 2020

Old MacDonald Had a Farm: Sing Along with Me! by Nosy Crow, Yu-Hsuan Huang
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536212180
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars
Little is new in this edition of the traditional nursery rhyme “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”. This long-loved rhyme/song is a basic for any toddler’s book collection making this a recommended purchase for those without a copy. The original text copyright date is 2015 but it is the illustrations done by Yu-hsuan Huang in 2015 that make it so attractive for little ones and families. Four farm animals are highlighted in this version with cute pull outs or movable features for each. Even without white space the illustrations are appealing and colorful for toddlers to enjoy. The Sing Along with Me series offers a barcode which links to the song presented in the board book. Pages are thick and the overall book is heavy but it should last longer than previous editions of this classic.

Good baby shower or new arrival gift that babies will grow into. Not a necessary purchase for public libraries unless other editions of the title are in poor shape or missing.