Month: January 2021

All These Monsters

All These MonstersAll These Monsters (Monsters, #1) by Amy Tintera
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on July 7, 2020
ISBN: 0358012406
Pages: 464
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A young adult sci-fi book that gets the strong female protagonist right. Clara, the main character has a strong voice and was easy to become emotionally invested in early in the story. The inclusion of dating and child abuse was done well and added a deeper emotional dimension to what could’ve just been another YA sci-fi book. “All These Monsters” does a wonderful job of including diverse characters and showing realistic friendships. The world-building was mediocre, but since the book got so many other things right, it didn’t take away from the story. Recommended for sci-fi fans ages 13 and up.

Reviewed by, Sophie Gagnon Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

Red Menace

Red MenaceRed Menace by Lois Ruby
Published by Carolrhoda Books (R) on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1541557492
Pages: 216
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

It’s 1953, and rather than focusing on the Yankees baseball season and hanging out with his best friend Connor, 13 year old Marty Rafner is instead forced to grapple with the height of the Red Scare in his own small town Kansas home. With the execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg looming in the background, Marty’s own parents are being watched by the FBI as suspected communist sympathizers. While his parents struggle to maintain their principles but also their innocence, Marty must come to terms what this means for him as their son. 

With short chapters and coming in at just over 200 pages, this is an accessible read that would make a solid addition to middle school historical fiction collections. It skims the surface of the other troubles plaguing the decade including the polio epidemic and the consequences of the Korean War. Readers get a basic understanding of McCarthyism and will undoubtedly empathize with Marty as the emotional toll of of such a serious situation starts to wear on him. 

3.5 stars

Reviewed by Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

 

 

three-stars

every little letter

every little letterEvery Little Letter by Deborah Underwood, Joy Hwang Ruiz
Published by Dial Books on August 4, 2020
ISBN: 0525554025
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
What a sweet book! In a world where each letter in the alphabet is separated by walls, one lowercase h dares to peek through a crack and meets a lowercase i. They immediately hit it off but the uppercase letters are having none of it. The lowercase letters enlist others and they all persevere and eventually win over the stubborn uppercases and, suddenly, everyone’s world becomes more loving and wonderful. This is a simple idea done well, with adorable illustrations and a lovely message.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Facts VS. Opinions VS. Robots

Facts VS. Opinions VS. RobotsFacts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 1984816268
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a good lower grade book about the difference between facts and opinions. Using endearing robots, Rex demonstrates when something is a fact (for example: this robot has 2 arms) and when it is an opinion (Which robot would you like to be friends with?). Unfortunately, there is no advice given for how to have a conversation with someone who is presented with overwhelming facts and then says “No, you’re still wrong.” But teaching first or second graders about how to process factual information and formulate informed opinions is an important step in us not having to have those conversations someday, right? Great classroom read aloud book as it is interactive and would get the kids involved.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Silverworld

SilverworldSilverworld by Diana Abu-Jaber
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 0553509675
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
This middle grade fantasy follows the normal storyline of child hero saves the world by tapping into their special powers after completing a quest or adventure.   What makes this story worth the 5 star rating is the window into the Lebanese culture that Abu-Jaber gives readers through her descriptions of Bedouin family history, memories, settings and the way the magic works in the fantasy.   American-Lebanese Samara (Sami) Washington can’t wait to be shown all the secrets in grandmother Teta’s secret charm book when she turns twelve in a few weeks.  Reacting to the family’s need to place Teta in a senior living community, Sami locates the book and unintentionally sends herself into a parallel world called Silverworld where she encounters, Shadows, Flickers and her own strength and courage as a human to protect both worlds by seeking out the evil Queen Nixie and help rebalancing the powers in the two worlds.  The book jacket illustrations seem to place the book in a slighter younger reader group than the rich, descriptive text provides.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

Cool Kid Inventions

Cool Kid InventionsCool Kid Inventions by Laura Hamilton Waxman
ISBN: 1541576993
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
one-star
As School Library Journal reviewer described: “Light on details and heavy on the superlatives.” The book begins with a very brief introduction and follows with examples of some familiar inventions, such as the toy truck, braille (Louis Braille was 15-years-old), and fidget spinners. Also included are little-know inventions, such as Boo Boo Goo (painted on bandage), Oasis (senses when bay is left alone in a hot car), and Tethys (an app that shows whether water has lead in it.) There is little explanation as to how these work. Visually appealing use of bright colors, bold layouts, large fonts, and photographs featuring a diverse cast of children. The coolest thing is a reproduction of photograph of the toy truck 5-year-old Robert Patch made with shoeboxes, bottle caps, and nails, making him the youngest American to get a U.S. patent.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

one-star

What Are Satire and Parody?

What Are Satire and Parody?What Are Satire and Parody? by Matt Doeden
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541574745
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars
The book begins with examples of satire and parody with the likes of Stephen Cobert and Saturday Night Live. Then moves on to the history of satire and parody. Ending with a section about “Spotting Satire and Parody.” Throughout are short quizzes about how to spot fake news. While this is a timely topic, some of the examples are already dated, which indicates that this may have a short shelf-life. However, I can see this being useful in a middle school English class to illustrate these two concepts.

reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Cutting-Edge Blockchain and Bitcoin

Cutting-Edge Blockchain and BitcoinCutting-Edge Blockchain and Bitcoin by Kevin Kurtz
ISBN: 1541576802
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Clear and simple explanation of this digital currency that some people have used to get rich. Describes what decides bitcoin’s value and how anyone with a fast computer can mine it. Blockchains is the technology used to make bitcoin transactions. Useful in a middle school library for those who are interested in the topic. A technology that will likely grow in the future and take over the internet.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Canadian Women Now + Then: More than 100 Stories of Fearless Trailblazers

Canadian Women Now + Then: More than 100 Stories of Fearless TrailblazersCanadian Women Now and Then: More than 100 Stories of Fearless Trailblazers by Elizabeth MacLeod, Maia Faddoul
ISBN: 152530061X
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Elizabeth MacLeod presents biographies of more than one hundred remarkable women. Some are famous, such as Margaret Atwood and Joni Mitchell, but most are lesser known. About 50 women are featured with a realistic portrait and brief biography. These highlight important dates, early influences, and struggles as well as contributions to the advancement of society. While an additional 50-plus more are recognized with a smaller portrait and brief description placed after the discussion guide and before the biography and index. I am not sure how she decided whom to feature where. A place to start but students will need to do additional research if they want a more detailed account. I am probably not the best person to review this book as I am not a fan of collected biographies.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library.

three-stars

Snow Birds

Snow BirdsSnow Birds by Jenni Desmond, Kirsten Hall
Published by Harry N. Abrams on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 1419742035
Pages: 40
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Features birds in a northern climate that don’t fly south for the winter. Hall describes behaviors of 17 bird species in mostly rhyming couplets. She begins and ends with the familiar blue jay. Sounds the birds make are featured either in the poems or as part of the illustration, making the poems fun to readaloud. Illustrations vary – some are gorgeous, such as the red cardinals on the cover, but a couple are dark and difficult to see. There is a “Meet the Birds” section in the back with factual information about each bird. A fun addition to both poetry and nature sections of the library. It will be fun to illicit kid’s interpretation of the sounds the  birds make in their backyard during Storytime.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars