Month: February 2021

A Polar Bear in the Snow

A Polar Bear in the SnowA Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett, Shawn Harris
Published by Candlewick Press on October 13, 2020
ISBN: 1536203963
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

It starts with a blank page and builds to following a polar bear on adventures in the arctic. The text in this book is really sparse and simple, but the illustrations really make it. The paper collage art is so texturally pleasing, it begs to be touched (even though the book itself isn’t textured). Kids will delight in the art, and trying to predict what the polar bear will do next. Recommended for wide purchase and for readers 2 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Secret Life of Sam

Secret Life of SamThe Secret Life of Sam by Kim Ventrella
Published by HarperCollins on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0062941186
Pages: 272
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Sam’s dad recently died in a car accident, and he has been shuttled to Oklahoma to live with his long-lost aunt. Quite by accident, he encounters a mangy looking cat who leads him to a hole in a tree that turns out to be a passageway to the past. When he enters the portal, which is only open for short times, he can see his dad and his mother (who is also deceased). The visits to his past in the bayou become more and more strange, and things he once knew to be true seem cloudy. Sam is desperate for a way to stay with his father in the past, so he hatches a plan to stay within the portal after it closes. That, however, proves to be more difficult than planned. This book tackles grief, addiction, family feuds, and more, and it does so with grace and, at times, humor. The characters in this book are well developed and you want to learn more about them and their family history. This is a great book for kids who like realistic fiction with a little dose of magic. Really, the time travel aspect is the only departure from reality. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

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

three-stars

Serena Says

Serena SaysSerena Says by Tanita S. Davis
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062936972
Pages: 272
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Serena’s best friend JC just had a kidney transplant, and when JC returns from the hospital, Serena finds herself outside of JC’s inner circle. Feeling lonely, Serena focuses her attention on vlogging and working up the courage to actually post one of them online. She struggles to find the strength, wit, and courage she uses on her vlogs in real life. This is a funny and heartwarming tale of friendship and of finding your own voice. The plot moves well, and the story is a quick read. The entire book, however, is essentially middle school girl drama. There are certainly better books about finding your voice and confidence that skip the drama. Recommended as a second purchase and for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Rembrandt Conspiracy

Rembrandt ConspiracyThe Rembrandt Conspiracy by Deron R. Hicks
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on December 1, 2020
ISBN: 0358256216
Pages: 272
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Art Hamilton has grown up around art his entire life, and he still spends most of his free time in the museum where his dad works. With a really big exhibit in the works, Art and his best friend Camille are excited to see so many famous portraits all together at once. Because Art spends all his time in museums, when something seems off, he notices. Convinced that someone is planning to steal a bunch of portraits from the exhibit, Art enlists Camille to help him foil the plot. Is someone actually trying to steal the paintings, or is Art making something out of nothing? Will the two sleuths be able to stop the thieves in time? This is the second installment in the Lost Art mystery series. The characters are likeable enough, and the plot definitely moves along well. There are twists and turns and Red Herrings, and who doesn’t love a good art heist? It is an entertaining read, but there isn’t anything overly amazing about it. It’s missing that wow factor. One bonus is the included material at the end about the real art heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum in Boston. An additional purchase for larger collections or where middle grade mystery is really popular. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Arlo & Pips King of the birds

Arlo & Pips King of the birdsKing of the Birds (Arlo & Pips #1) by Elise Gravel
Published by HarperAlley on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 0062982214
Pages: 64
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Arlo is a crow and Pips is a small yellow songbird. Arlo goes on and on about how crows have huge brains and are the best birds in all the animal kingdom. Pips isn’t having any of it. Pips isn’t afraid to tell Arlo when they’re being annoying and calls them out on their exaggerations. The combination of witty humor and factual content about crows and other birds works really well in this new young graphic novel series. The illustrations are simple, cartoonish, and characteristic of Gravel’s previous works. Young readers will find this series easy to follow and fun. Hand to fans of Chick and Brain, Dog Man, and the like. Recommended for readers 7 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Pete the Cat: Super Pete

Pete the Cat: Super PetePete the Cat: Super Pete by James Dean, Kimberly Dean
Published by HarperCollins on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0062868535
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

When there’s trouble in town, it’s up to Super Pete to save the day. He has a fancy watch, a fancy vehicle that changes with the touch of a button, and can catch a speeding boat with a rope. This is a Level 1 I Can Read book, so it’s a good early reader for kids who are already reading sentences. It can also be shared as a read aloud for younger readers. There’s nothing particularly wonderful about the story, but kids will gravitate toward Pete the Cat for his familiarity. Most Pete the Cat stories have some redeeming message about friendship or the like, but this book is simply good vs. bad. There are better early readers out there, but this will definitely circulate well because it’s Pete the Cat. Recommended for read aloud for kids 3 and up and for independent reading for readers 6 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

Chemistry for Kids

Chemistry for KidsThe Kitchen Pantry Scientist: Chemistry for Kids: Homemade Science Experiments and Activities Inspired by Awesome Chemists, Past and Present by Liz Lee Heinecke
ISBN: 1631598309
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book takes science experiments-at-home books a step further by including a one page biography of chemists before each experiment. It also has some unique experiments (elemental precipitation!) which is refreshing as a lot of these books have the same type of experiments over and over again (slime!). It would probably be best for older elementary to middle school students as some of the experiments are involved and take a while to complete. My only complaint with it is that it is part of the Kitchen Pantry Scientist series which implies that the supplies would be things one would have in their kitchen but some of the experiments require things that nobody has in their kitchen (118 small, clear containers with lids). Odd supplies aside, though, it has some exciting lessons and the bios are varied and interesting.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Starcrossed

StarcrossedStarcrossed by Julia Denos
on October 7, 2020
ISBN: 0358153956
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Eridani is a student of the stars, and Acamar is made of stars. The two friends long to be in each other’s worlds, and when they’re given the opportunity to wish for it, they both jump at the chance. Things, however, have an unexpected outcome.

This book is a really sweet and heartwarming story of friendship regardless of differences. The illustrations are very colorful and busy. At first glance, the cover was a bit off putting, but after reading the story, it seems less so. The illustrations really make the story come alive, and the story wouldn’t unfold in the same way without them. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Whale of the Wild

Whale of the WildA Whale of the Wild by Lindsay Moore, Rosanne Parry
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0062995928
Pages: 336
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Vega and her family of Orcas thrive on salmon, and Vega is learning how and where to find the salmon. After a big earthquake and tsunami, Vega and her brother Deneb find themselves separated from the rest of the pod. Vega has to use all her navigational skills to find and guide her younger brother back to their family. They encounter many treacherous things along the way, sharks, hunger, pollution, and more.

This is a engaging and adventurous story of family, confidence, friendship, and survival. It also touches on climate change issues and the effect they’re having on the ocean and the creatures within it. The back pages include additional information about the selective and regional hunting strategies employed by specific Orca pods. Hand this book to anyone who loves a good animal adventure. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Find Fergus

Find FergusFind Fergus by Mike Boldt
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 1984849026
Pages: 36
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book starts with a list of things to find — Fergus is the only thing on the list. It turns out Fergus isn’t very good at hiding, but his skills pick up throughout the book. This book is just fun. Kids will love Fergus’s antics and trying to find him as his hiding skills get better. The highlight of the book is the double fold-out full page flaps where Fergus is actually quite hard to find. The added bonus is on the back pages. There’s another list: Fergus’s List of Other Things to Find on the Huge Fold-out Page. This book will definitely be popular and is recommended for purchase. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars