Month: February 2021

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London

The Left-Handed Booksellers of LondonThe Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on September 22, 2020
ISBN: 006268325X
Pages: 416
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Folklore, Humor, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Recommending for cream consideration for High School readers.  Seventeen year old Susan has arrived in 1983 London from the country earlier than her school schedule to seek out the father she has never met.  What happens next changes her view of reality, mythical tales and booksellers as she watches a left-handed bookseller disintegrate the only man she believes could help her with a hatpin.  Susan is immediately catapulted into the magical underworld of Old World beings that continue to collide with her everyday human life in action packed, richly descriptive, dangerously magical and sometimes romantic ways.  With the assistance of Merlin, the seventeen year old left-handed bookseller, who is charming, gender questioning, magically manipulative, and a little hot, and his right-handed bookseller sister Vivien, Susan survives Goblin fairs, meetings with the Ancient Ones, some normal London police action and revelations about her lineage.  Nix spins a fast-paced fantasy that bestows ancient powers and fascinating responsibilities to booksellers, explores unknown myths and sets it all in an alternate London that feels authentic and desirable.  Lovers of fantasy, folklore, everything British and romance will find this book a winner.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian

five-stars

Everything I Thought I Knew

Everything I Thought I KnewEverything I Thought I Knew by Shannon Takaoka
Published by Candlewick Press on October 13, 2020
ISBN: 1536207764
Pages: 320
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Senior, Chloe Russell, is in the beginning of what is to be a fulfilling year with AP courses, track and extracurricular activities that would look good on a college resume. Then she passes out a track practice only to find that her heart is failing and the only chance is a new heart. Which only means that someone else has to die in order for her to survive.

After being whisked away in the middle of the night, when the phone call came in to say her new heart is on the way to the hospital, Chloe awakes to realize that she is breathing better, she can feel her hands and feet and that she is thankful to be alive. Then the dreams start coming of blood, and crashing, seeing people that she thinks she knows, but not sure how and the places she remembers even though she has never been there before.

An outstanding book  on a topic that isn’t discussed often — organ transplants and the questions that are asked about how life is fragile, the aspects of death and the possibilities of memories/experiences that might be carried on from donor to recipient.

Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars

It Wasn’t Me

It Wasn’t MeIt Wasn't Me by Dana Alison Levy
Published by Yearling Books on November 13, 2018
ISBN: 1524766461
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Victim: Theo, middle grade student whose photography that was on display in a common area at Shipton Middle School was vandalized by unknown suspects.

Suspects: Molly (Overachiever Extraordinaire), Andre (the Invisible Man), Erik (Jockstrap), Alice (Class Weirdo) and Jax (Annoying). All have the same line “It Wasn’t Me”.

This is a middle school version of “The Breakfast Club” where their teacher creates a Justice Circle during school break instead of them being disciplined by the principal. The story is mostly written in Theo’s viewpoint, but scattered throughout the book are Q & A’s that the “suspects have answer through out the week of sitting in the Justice circle. As in the “Breakfast Club” these six students find out more about each other and realize that what happened to Theo’s photos was wronged and a mistake and that neither of them had caused to do so.

Fans of a “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “The Popularity Papers” would enjoy this book. Recommended for grades 5-8.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars

Field Notes on Love

Field Notes on LoveField Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith
on March 5, 2019
ISBN: 0399559442
Genres: Humor, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Hugo’s girlfriend, Margaret Campbell, just dumped him. They had planned a trip across the pond to take Margaret to school in California in the fall. She feels bad and tells him to keep the tickets, but the there is only one problem — everything from plane tickets, train tickets and hotel rooms are in her name. So what is Hugo to do? He puts out an Internet search for a Margaret Campbell contest to see if he can locate a new Margaret Campbell

In steps, Mae, aka Margaret Campbell, who was just rejected from USC’s film school and is being encouraged by her grandmother to enter the contest, because you only live once and life is full of experiences that you shouldn’t pass up. She wins the contest based on her video she submitted on why she would be the best Margaret Campbell. Their journey will begin in New York, with many stops in between on their way to California.

Neither Hugo or Mae’s parents know they are travelling with complete strangers. Hugo’s think he is travelling alone to experience life as one person not one of six.Hugo happens to be one of the Surrey Six (sextuplets and are famous in the UK by they own right). His siblings are putting their two  cents worth in from the UK. Mae’s fathers thinks she is travelling with her new roommate to get to know one another.

Needless to say, this book is humorous, awkward, and with young romance abound.

Recommended for grades 9 and above.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

 

five-stars

All Because You Matter

All Because You MatterAll Because You Matter by Bryan Collier, Tami Charles
Published by Orchard Books on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 133857485X
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This book is gorgeous, heartfelt, hard, and important. The author notes that she wrote the book for parents as a starting point for discussions with children about the racial climate in the world right now. She also wrote it for the kids from marginalized communities as a reminder that, no matter what, they matter.

The book follows a young brown skinned child into adolescence, but the text is really a letter to children everywhere about how they matter. It covers many situations where kids may think that their worth is lost but reminds the readers of how this isn’t true. It encourages kids to always see the good in themselves. The artwork in this book is realistic, gorgeous, and really builds the story. The portraits of children and their families are life-like and full of emotion. Recommended for all readers. Highly recommended purchase and recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol

The Hanukkah Magic of Nate GadolThe Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol by Arthur A. Levine, Kevin Hawkes
Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 0763697419
Pages: 40
Genres: Fantasy, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a new, exciting story that puts a spin on the tradition of presents for Hanukkah.  The magic of the great spirit, Nate Gadol, helps those who pray when things need to last.  He helped the oil last for eight days and nights and continues to do big and small things as needed.  The story focuses on how Nate Gadol extends a small bit of chocolate, saved for a holiday, when the Glaser family emigrates from Europe to America.  The family then extends the good will they feel toward their less fortunate neighbors the O’Malley family.  During the bad winter of 1881, Nate Godol steps in to better the meager situations all the families by assisting Santa Claus, whose sleigh has lost some of its magic, resulting in shiny wrapped presents for all.  Hawkes provides period details in larger than life illustrations of Nate Gadol and the variety of settings depicted.  A brush of gold, Nate’s magic, extends throughout the book and adds to the magical excitement.  Levine provides an author’s note in the back to explain the mix of holidays.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian

 

five-stars

Superhero Gran

Superhero GranSuperhero Gran by Joe Berger, Timothy Knapman
Published by Nosy Crow on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1536214426
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Every child who idolizes their grandma will be in good company with this new book in Knapman’s series that showcases family members.  This third edition to the series highlights a black family.    In bright colors and energetic positions, girl and boy siblings are dropped off by their father to their Superhero Gran’s house for a day of dress-up, make up for disguises, games like tickle monster, treats, sweets and an invitation for a sleepover.  There is variety in setting.  Dress up takes place in the attic, make up in the bedroom, treats in the living room and hide and seek in the garden.  Although time is depicted by the various activities the family does, the book presents more as an illustrated listing of what the children love about their gran and how much she loves them over a story line.  The text does have a bouncy rhythm that may inspire repeat readings.  The book reviewed is a reinforced trade edition that has a cut out in the middle of the front cover, consistent with the other books in the series.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian

three-stars