Month: February 2021

Smashy Town

Smashy TownSmashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman, Dan Yaccarino, David Clemesha
ISBN: 006291037X
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Smashy Town…you mean…like…? Yes! It IS the long awaited follow-up to 1999’s Trashy Town. Those who loved Trashy Town will be delighted to see that Mr. Gilly is pretty much the same except that now he controls a crane and wrecking ball and has traded in his rats for pigeons. These books are great, with their refrains that end in yelling “No!” and their unique illustrations by Dan Yaccarino. Really, there’s not much to delve into here; Mr. Gilley wrecks a building and we all get to sing and yell about it and it’s really fun to read out loud. If you’re a fan of the original book, you’ll love this one too.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Cece Loves Science: Push and Pull

Cece Loves Science: Push and PullCece Loves Science: Push and Pull by Kimberly Derting, Shelli R. Johannes, Vashti Harrison
Published by Greenwillow Books on February 25, 2020
ISBN: 0062946099
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

How to explain the science of “push and pull” to young readers is often not as easy as it sounds. In this emergent reader – one that offers a more complex plot , more complex text but in a simple  volume that has illustrations to support the text , the reader meets Cece, a girl who loves science and asks those how, why, what if questions. Cece and her classmates explore the forces of “push” and “pull,” how they work , what is the difference between push and pull and how to demonstrate  these forces through experimentation. Readers enjoy class doing a science experiment and begin to understand how these forces work- there is even a dog in the story.

With STEAM becoming more and more a part of the school curriculum, it is good to have these early readers to promote science to our youngest reader

five-stars

Glory on Ice

Glory on IceGlory on Ice: A Vampire Hockey Story by Mark Fearing, Maureen Fergus
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 1524714518
Pages: 40
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This fun picture book combines a vampire and hockey, what young reader in Maine wouldn’t like it?! Vlad has lived a long time and he needs a new hobby. He tries a few things before overhearing the words “pound” “crush” and “destroy”; he has to know what hobby involves these things. Hockey, of course. So Vlad signs up, get the gear, watches a lot of hockey, and then shows up for his first day. Parents who have participated in hockey will appreciate the ogrelike smell of the locker room and the mom tying skates, and kids will giggle at Vlad’s attempts to move. On ice! With blades on his feet! Vlad is not great, but he has fallen in love with the game so he is determined and persistent . In the end, his team plays a tough opponent and he gets to use some of his vampiric skills (cunning and courage), but it is not enough to win. Luckily, there is always next time. Fearing’s illustrations have movement and color and Fergus clearly enjoys writing about this beloved winter sport. This will make a great read aloud and should fly off the shelf.

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

four-stars

Jane Goodall: A Champion of Chimpanzees

Jane Goodall: A Champion of ChimpanzeesJane Goodall: Champion for Chimpanzees (Rookie Biographies) by Gustavo Mazali, Jodie Shepherd, Sarah Albee
Published by Children's Press on September 1, 2015
ISBN: 0531214265
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This emergent reader introduces the reader to the life and accomplishments of Valerie Jane Louise Goodall. In text that is informative yet not overwhelming, readers meet a young Jane and follow her as her love of chimpanzees leads her to Dr. Leakey who sets her on the path that changed her life forever. Large, colorful illustrations support the text with photos of Jane and more information about her to be found in the back of the book. This slim book is a great introduction to this scientist who changed the way we look at animals.

submitted by Kathy George

Gray Public Library , Gray Me

cream

five-stars

Wondrous Rex

Wondrous RexWondrous Rex by Emilia Dziubak, Patricia MacLachlan
on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 0062940988
Pages: 88
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Grace lives next door to her Aunt Lily and spends a great deal of time with her as her parents, both doctors are often busy. Aunt Lily is a writer and Grace loves that writer’s world, the words her aunt has introduced to her, the stories her aunt has shared with her, her aunt’s writing group even the snacks served at writer’s group. With her vocabulary, Grace’s teacher urges her to use those words in a story, but Grace feels she is no writer, her journal remains empty.  When Aunt Lily falls prey to writer’s block, she puts a notice in the post office, the grocery bulletin and online- “wanted, an assistant, a coach, a helper, for inspiration and a bit of magic.” a magician appears the next day with Rex- his dog also in need of something new. Rex changes their lives.

The story invites the reader into a simple, magical story of the love of words and stories, and that each of us has a poem or story that needs to be written even if we don’t think we have it in us.

It is a  good story that brings a smile to the reader, you want to live next to Lily and Grace and share in their love of story and Rex.

Patricia Maclachlan has again offered a story to be enjoyed by readers of all ages but is especially for those readers new to the chapter book format. As she did in the Poet’sDog, My Father’sWords, Waitingfor Magic, and Word After Word After Word, she has written a bit of magic for us to share.

submitted by Kathy George

Gray Public Library, Gray Me

Cream

five-stars

The Radium Girls: The Scary but True Story of the Poison that Made People Glow in the Dark (Young Readers’ Edition)

The Radium Girls: The Scary but True Story of the Poison that Made People Glow in the Dark (Young Readers’ Edition)The Radium Girls: The Scary But True Story of the Poison That Made People Glow in the Dark by Kate Moore
on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 9781728210346
Pages: 408
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a young readers’ adaptation of Moore’s book The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women, which came in at a page count of over 600. This adaptation reduces that to just over 400 pages, so while easier to digest, it is still a meaty book so it might be best for readers in grades 7 and up. Filled with personal stories, primary sources, and copious notes and an extensive bibliography, this is a well-researched and well-sourced book. The story is heartbreaking and tragic. Moore brings to life all of the women affected by the duplicitous radium companies who might have had an inkling that radium was dangerous and yet did nothing to protect their young, female workers in their quest for increased profits. Some of the descriptions of the ailments and illnesses are tough to read, so if a reader is sensitive to gore, these sections can be skimmed. But the writing and the story are gripping;  this is narrative nonfiction at its best.  And the message is necessary; radium plants were still in operation with some harmful practices as recently as 1978 and cleanup from all of the radioactive industrial waste is ongoing as of 2019. Recommend for cream of the crop.

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

five-stars

The Great Gatsby: A Graphic Novel Adaptation

The Great Gatsby: A Graphic Novel AdaptationThe Great Gatsby: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by F. Scott Fitzgerald, K. Woodman-Maynard
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 1536213012
Pages: 240
Genres: Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

A graphic-novel adaptation of The Great Gatsby that does justice to the original novel. The illustrations pair perfectly with the period in which the story takes place, bold lines, simple facial features, and splashes of color help pull you into the story. While there are minor changes to the text the graphic novel remains true to its source material. After reading the author’s note at the end Woodman-Maynard discusses the exhaustive research she undertook to make sure her illustrations depicted accurately the time and place of The Great Gatsby. This graphic novel adaptation could be used as a companion to the novel or an introduction to a classic for reluctant readers. I would recommend this book for 7th grade and up.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Library

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
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A survival story that ranges from adventure to near horror.   What is different is that the surviving protagonist is a teenage girl who has the ability and spunk to survive.  The big question is who is responsible for her current situation of being injured, lost, and alone in the woods?

Readers will wrestle with why Ashley is in this position and how will she survive without any camping equipment, food or water.  McGinnis raises the emotional pitch making the readers into a cheering squad for Ashley.  A well written story that will appeal to teen girls and perhaps some guys.  This is a story about failed relationships and personal inner strength. Be Not Far from ME is intended for an older teen audience but belongs in public library YA collections.

 

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired youth service librarian in Scarborough, ME.

five-stars

Overground Railroad

Overground RailroadOverground Railroad by James E. Ransome, Lesa Cline-Ransome
Published by Holiday House on January 7, 2020
ISBN: 0823438732
Pages: 48
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Beautifully presented historic fiction story of a family migrating north via train.  The term Overground Railroad may be new to many readers. Lesa Cline-Ransome tells the story using short lyrical poems as readers share the journey through the eyes of young Ruthie.  Hope and trust in the future are within these pages for more than one family moving north.  This is American history full of dreams and painful memories.

Each page is informative and engaging with illustrations that superbly assist the storytelling.  Intended for early grade students this book will find its way into middle school history classes and in art classrooms. It belongs on the shelves of all primary school media centers and in public library collections.

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

five-stars

The Witches of Brooklyn

The Witches of BrooklynWitches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse
Published by Random House Graphic on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0593119274
Pages: 240
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

This graphic novel, the first in a new series about a family of witches in Brooklyn, is delightful. The illustrations are lush and colorful and the aunts, Selimene and Carlota, are fantastic (yay for older queer representation). When Effie is dropped on their doorstep upon the death of her mother, a much-younger step sister of Selimene, the two women are surprised, but they roll with the new addition to their family. Effie is seamlessly woven into the lives of these supportive women. And Effie, surrounded by magic, sees her own magic awaken. It is refreshing to see adults support a child and take her seriously and answer her questions. They also give her  space to try things and to problem solve.  When a beloved pop-star appears on the aunts’ door with a magical problem, they attempt to fix the curse. Working together, they get to the bottom of the curse and counter the ancient magic (a book from the aunts’ extensive library points the way to the cure). Effie makes new friends, whose stories will hopefully be explored further in future books, and she learns that she can appreciate the work of an artist without liking the artist herself; an interesting side note to the story. Readers of Okay Witch or Witch Boy will fall in love with Escabasse’s witchy family as will readers of more realistic graphic novels. This is a book to savor and will be a much-circulated series.

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

five-stars