Month: December 2020

Everybody’s Tree

Everybody’s TreeEverybody's Tree by Barbara M. Joosse, Renée Graef
Published by Sleeping Bear Press on September 15, 2020
ISBN: 1534110585
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

How does a small spruce seedling get to be the centerpiece of the city square on Christmas? This seasonal book describes 3 phases in points-of-view from the boy who first planted it, to the workers to select, transport, and set it up, and lastly, the tree speaks to the reader.

Overall it is a narrative, but in free-verse form with some rhyming, lots of descriptive words and phrases. Some of the phrases lack rhythm, but other places build anticipation and energy: “We creak around the corner, we chug up the hill, we’ll make it to the city-we will! We will!” Full color illustrations perfectly match the text. Bonus: the dust jacket glows in the dark!

Great addition to the holiday section, and could be used for descriptive language, adjectives, and to answer a youngster’s question, “How did that tree get here?”

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Be Not Far from Me

Be Not Far from MeBe Not Far from Me by Mindy McGinnis
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062561626
Pages: 240
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Living near the Smoky Mountains has created a love of the forest for 17-year-old Ashley.  She’s even taken survival training, which gets tested when she becomes lost, injured, and disoriented in the woods.  She’s attending a camping party with her friends one night when she finds her boyfriend cheating on her with his ex.  Ashley takes off running in the dark and ends up falling down a ravine and crushes her foot beneath a rock.  Completely disoriented and majorly hurt, Ashley begins trekking through the forest, at first in hopes of finding her friends, but then in hopes of finding any sign of humanity.  Trusting her survival skills, including plant identification and direction finding, she works her way through the dense forest, reevaluating her life along the way.  This is a harrowing and dark tale, but ultimately hopeful as Ashley proves what you can accomplish if you never give up.  This is a page-turner and a must read for fans of Hatchet and Lost on a Mountain in Maine.  Recommended for ages 14+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

Constitution Illustrated

Constitution IllustratedConstitution Illustrated by Robert Sikoryak
on July 28, 2020
ISBN: 1770463968
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

I picked this up thinking it would be graphic novel about the constitution but it isn’t; it’s a graphic novel of the constitution. Famous comic characters (Scooby-Doo, Dennis the Menace, Calvin and Hobbs, etc.) are used to illustrate the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the additional amendments. The result is fun, but for the most part, the characters used are ones Gen-Xers and older would recognize, although it does have pages in the style of Dog-Man, Adventure Time and Saga. It would still be useful for a classroom and might be enjoyed by anyone into vintage comics.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Ashlords

AshlordsAshlords by Scott Reintgen
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 0593119177
Pages: 368
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Exotic horses that are as strong as they are handsome, who burst into flames at sunset and are born as new at sunrise make for a compelling story.  Reintgen has provided readers with an alternate world of fantasy where a competitive race is the center of human existence and magic is cultivated.   Eleven young riders enter yet only three are followed from preparations to the conclusion of the race.   Although the storyline is mostly concerned with the actual race a glimpse of background is provided about the riders.  Characters are seen only by their abilities and talents that relate to the competition.  Readers do not learn much about the overall society other than the waring classes and a constant need for violence.

Readers of “Hunger Games” will be attracted to the competition and the violence it encompasses. Young adults may be somewhat disappointed by the lack of connection between riders and the shallow view of society.  These readers will be looking for more background concerning the gods and social motivations in the sequel.  Place in public libraries where YA fantasy is collected and gift to grade 7-10 fantasy and adventure readers.

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

four-stars

Catherine’s War

Catherine’s WarCatherine's War by Claire Fauvel, Ivanka Hahnenberger, Julia Billet
Published by HarperAlley on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 0062915606
Pages: 176
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars
This beautifully illustrated middle grade graphic novel personalizes the experiences of World War II. A book of historical fiction, the lead character of Rachel (who must change her name to Catherine in order to stay unnoticed by the Nazis) is based upon the author’s mother. The paired text and artwork allows for a glimpse into the unfathomable fear, disruption, and sadness experienced by Rachel and her community in France during the war. Entrusted with a camera from one of her teachers at the Sèvres Children’s Home, a passion for photographic documentation is ignited. Rachel’s love of photography grounds her, and provides Rachel with purpose; it is a constant for her during a time of persistent upheaval and uncertainty. Fauvel’s illustrations are wrought with emotion, and she fills the pages with courage, strength, fear, sadness, and hope. End pages include photographs taken at the Sèvres Children’s Home, an author’s note, and answers to questions the author received from readers. A powerful read that celebrates the strength of the human spirit.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

four-stars

All the Pretty Things

All the Pretty ThingsAll the Pretty Things by Emily Arsenault
on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 1984897055
Genres: Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Returning home from a trip with her mother, Ivy discovers that during the week she was gone, one of her co-workers was found dead and her best friend who found him is not handling it well.  But no one will tell Ivy what happened, so she begins her own investigation, asking everyone who had contact with the dead boy or her best friend.  Each person seems to provide a tiny piece of information, but it’s not until closer to the end that answers start coming.  However, that’s where the story starts to fall apart.  In an attempted effort to create a left turn at the end, too much new stuff comes out of the woodwork, complicating the mystery and leaving an unsatisfying ending.  Best for ages 14+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

three-stars

Solar System: By the Numbers

Solar System: By the NumbersSolar System: By The Numbers by Steve Jenkins
ISBN: 1328850978
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Thanks to this book I just learned what an AU, or astronomical unit, is; that it sometimes rains diamonds on Jupiter; and that in 1991 America launched a jellyfish into space. I love infographics and I think they’re a terrific tool for young visual learners. Solar System: By the Numbers is concise and interesting and the graphic design works well with the facts. To keep it sparse, words highlighted in blue are defined later in a glossary.  A perfect book for anyone interested in facts about our solar system.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Inheritance Games

The Inheritance GamesThe Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games, #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1368052401
Pages: 384
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Avery Grambs is a girl with a plan. She will graduate from high school and get a degree in actuarial science from a state college (the most practical and employable degree) and make enough money to live comfortably. Avery is a junior and is a chess whiz and a decent poker player. She lives with her half-sister, who took Avery in when her mom died, though there are nights when she sleeps in her car and showers in the gym at school. When Grayson Hawthorne shows up and announces that Avery must attend the will reading of Tobias Hawthorne, she is perplexed, to say the least. Tobias was the 6th richest man in America, the richest man in Texas, and has plenty of heirs to whom to leave his money. Avery does attend the will reading where she learns that Tobias Hawthorne has left quite a lot to her; this from a man Avery is sure she has never met. Tobias also happened to be a lover (and creator) of puzzles, and he has four accomplished, deserving, competitive, competent, not to mention good-looking, grandsons who are equally perplexed by the inheritance to this random girl. The premise is fantastic, but it gets bogged down by its own cleverness. One of the characters says “traps upon traps” and this is apt for the plot. The will, the house, the family, plus Avery and puzzles could have been enough. The second half of the book takes a left-turn with the addition of a plot involving a girl who dies and instead of feeling like a worthy mystery, feels like an unnecessary distraction. However, there are puzzles to solve in the book,  a murder attempt, and lots of tension between Avery and a few of those handsome, brooding Hawthorne boys, so this one will be gobbled up by readers. With some language, mentions of domestic abuse, and a steamy kissing scene, this one is recommended for readers in grades 7 and up.  A second book is planned for 2021.

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

four-stars

Strong Voices: Fifteen American Speeches Worth Knowing

Strong Voices: Fifteen American Speeches Worth KnowingStrong Voices: Fifteen American Speeches Worth Knowing by Cokie Roberts, Eric Velásquez, Tonya Bolden
Published by HarperCollins on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 0062572040
Pages: 128
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
This boldly illustrated book highlights fifteen speeches that were influential in the discussion and shaping of the ideals of the United States. From Abraham Lincoln’s well-known Gettysburg Address, to the lesser known I Question America by Fannie Lou Hamer, this anthology offers an inspirational reflection from historical figures of our country. Each speech is preceded by a double spread of contextual information to help frame the influences inspiring the orations. Highlighting the historical context provides readers with a richer depth of understanding than if the speeches were presented independently. The timeline at the end of the book is a helpful visual representation of when these speeches occurred in relation the large events that mark the history of our country. A visually beautiful and inspiring anthology, celebrating the work of advocates for justice, and encouraging readers to contemplate the work that lies ahead. Recommended for children 10 -14 years.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

four-stars

Go with the Flow

Go with the FlowGo with the Flow by Karen Schneemann, Lily Williams
Published by First Second on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 1250305721
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars
When new student Sasha has the blood from her period soak through her white pants at school, three friends come to her rescue. As they enter the girls’ bathroom, they come to find that the menstrual product dispenser is empty (again). This event spurs the four high school friends become advocates for equality and access to female health products. The main characters are inclusive and diverse, representing different skin colors, sexual orientations, body types, and personalities, and allow just about any reader to see a glimpse of themselves in at least one of the characters. The monochromatic red illustrations are eye catching and engaging. Author’s note and informative pages about menstruation and activism are provided at the end of the book. Go with the Flow is an empowering book that aims to destigmatize menstruation. Highly recommended for all, regardless of one’s identified gender. Recommended for ages 10+.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

five-stars