Month: June 2021

Of a Feather

Of a FeatherOf a Feather by Dayna Lorentz
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on February 9, 2021
ISBN: 0358283531
Pages: 336
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Reenie’s mother struggles with addiction and mental illness and is in and out of treatment facilities, and when Reenie is sent to live with an aunt she’s never met, she’s less than enthused about the ordeal. Reenie’s Aunt Bea mentions that she “keeps birds” in her dining room, but what she doesn’t mention is that the birds she keeps are falcons. Aunt Bea is both a wildlife rehabilitator and a falconer. When Reenie shows interest in the sport of falconry, Bea agrees to teach her, and they set a trap to catch a migrating hawk. When they catch an injured and starving Great Horned Owl instead, things change drastically. Reenie and the owl form an instant connection, and they simultaneously teach and learn from each other—about courage, life, trust, and more.

This book is told from alternating perspectives—that of Reenie and that of Rufus, the Great Horned Owl. This is a wonderful young middle grade book with lots of adventure, science, and nature thrown into a coming of age story. It seamlessly touches on parents struggling with mental health issues and addiction and how that complicates things for the children caught in the fray. Well written and paced, this book will delight fans of realistic fiction and animal-led fiction. Hand this book to nature and wildlife fans. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Glitter Gets Everywhere

Glitter Gets EverywhereGlitter Gets Everywhere by Yvette Clark
Published by HarperCollins on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 0063034484
Pages: 320
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Kitty’s mother died on an “inappropriately sunny Tuesday.” Life hasn’t been the same since, and she’s struggling to find her way without her mom. What she doesn’t expect is that she, her dad, and her sister will move from their cozy and familiar corner of London all the way to the hustle and bustle of New York City. Kitty’s trying to fit in to this new city and school, and she’s also struggling with grief and anger over her mother’s death. Along the way, she makes an unexpected friend, and together they discover who they are inside. This is a sweet coming of age story that tackles the many facets of grief. Kitty has so many emotions and she’s never shamed for any of them. They’re real, they’re raw. She has a couple therapists throughout the book, and it’s refreshing to see a positive (and sometimes humorous) representation of therapy.

This book is a bit hard to read at the beginning as Kitty is really struggling. As she settles into her new life and city, she still struggles, she just has worked out coping strategies and support systems to help her move through her different emotions. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Don’t Breathe a Word

Don’t Breathe a WordDon't Breathe a Word by Jordyn Taylor
Published by HarperTeen on May 18, 2021
ISBN: 0063038889
Pages: 352
Genres: Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Eva’s family has sent her to Hardwick Preparatory Academy, a boarding school that is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of NYC to which she’s become accustomed. She feels like an outsider until she’s recruited by a secret society called The Fives. Desperate for friendship and belonging, Eva does some things for The Fives she could never have imagined before. She is also recruited by the cross country team, and there she meets and befriends Erik. Erick comes from a long line of Hardwick alumni, and when he tells Eva of a family member who tragically dies while at Hardwick, the two decide to investigate a little further. What they uncover goes is far deeper and more sinister than either of them could ever have imagined. Their quest to reveal the truth threatens their futures at Hardwick and beyond.

This book is told in alternating perspectives—that of present day Eva and of 1962 Connie, one of the Hardwick students caught up in the middle of a Stanford Prison Experiment-esque plot that leads to the tragic death of Erik’s family member. This book is part coming of age, part subtle romance, and part mystery. It is entertaining, and the plot is easy to follow and flows well. Some parts are a bit predictable and it buttons up a bit too neatly and quickly at the end. It is still a fun read. Recommended for readers 8th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Carpenter’s Helper

Carpenter’s HelperCarpenter's Helper by Camille Garoche, Sybil Rosen
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on March 16, 2021
ISBN: 0593123204
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Renata is a young brown skinned girl, and she and her Papi are remodeling their bathroom. They’re just about to install windows when a wren flies through and builds a nest in the unfinished space. Papi and Renata watch as the wrens build the nest, incubate the eggs, and then rear the young chicks. Once the chicks have fledged, they know it’s safe to finish work on the bathroom. This is a tender story about compassion for all creatures. It is a wonderfully positive representation of a father/daughter relationship as well with no mention of another parent. The illustrations are colorful and full of little details that really help bring the story to life. This book is a welcome addition to most collections, recommended for readers 3 and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls

Cece Rios and the Desert of SoulsCece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera
on April 13, 2021
ISBN: 0062947559
Pages: 352
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Folklore
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Cecelia (Cece) Rios lives in a remote town in the desert, and at certain times of the year, criaturas roam the land and threaten humans. When Cece’s sister is kidnapped by a powerful criatura, Cece is determined to do whatever it takes to get her back—even if that means becoming a bruja. Brujas have the power to capture and control criaturas, but their powers aren’t look upon highly by the community, and if caught, Cece will be punished. This is a well-written, engaging middle grade fantasy. Cece loves her family and her sister, and she’s willing to risk her life for them. This book tackles family and cultural dynamics very well, and expands fantasy and folk to different cultural realms. Cece is funny, smart, and determined, and young readers will relate to her tenacity as well as her insecurities. Hand this book to fans of Rick Riordan. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Sylvie

SylvieSylvie by Sylvie Kantorovitz
Published by Walker Books US on February 9, 2021
ISBN: 1536207624
Pages: 352
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

In this graphic memoir, author Sylvie Kantorovitz recounts many aspects of her childhood in France. She was born in Morocco, and kids at her school tease her about this. She lives in an apartment at the end of a hallway of classrooms. She isn’t the kid her mom wants her to be, but her father is supportive (although quietly) of her eccentricities. Sylvie finds herself in art. This memoir is interesting albeit a bit directionless at times. Sylvie is delightfully awkward, quirky, and real. Kids will relate to her struggles and her conflicts with both friends and family. The art is simple and cartoonish but conveys Sylvie’s emotions well. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Escape at 10,000 Feet

Escape at 10,000 FeetUnsolved Case Files: Escape at 10,000 Feet: D.B. Cooper and the Missing Money by Tom Sullivan
Published by Balzer + Bray on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 0062991523
Pages: 104
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a new graphic nonfiction series about unsolved cases, and it begins with the only unsolved skyjacking in American history. In 1971, a man boarded a plane, requested money and some parachutes, then jumped out of the back of the plane. He has never been seen since. This is a fun series that will delight young sleuths. The text is interspersed with many images of actual evidence as well as extra sidebar bits of information about the time period or the nature of the crime. This series is sure to be a hit. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Mel Fell

Mel FellMel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
Published by Balzer + Bray on February 2, 2021
ISBN: 0062878018
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

One day, Mel, a blue and orange bird, decides she’s ready to try flying. Her siblings are hesitant and ask her if she’s afraid. Mel says she’s afraid but isn’t going to let that stop her. Mel leaps from the nest, and falls. She falls and falls and falls—past other animals all afraid for her fate. And then—SPLASH! Mel lands in the water, catches a fish, and emerges! She flies up and up and up back to her nest and her mom’s encouraging words.

This is a fun book about perspective and confidence. The colored pencil and acrylic paint illustrations are full of motion and emotion and really keep the reader engaged. The only downfall is that the book is a little difficult to read aloud as it begins in one orientation and flips to another midway through the book. There is an author’s note at the end about kingfishers and how they catch fish. Recommended for fans of humorous fiction and books with animals as the center. Recommended for readers 3 and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Case File: Little Claws

Case File: Little ClawsCase File: Little Claws (The Animal Rescue Agency, #1) by Eliot Schrefer
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 0062982338
Pages: 176
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Little Claws, a young polar bear cub, finds himself separated from his mother and floating dangerously far from shore on a small ice floe. His predicament wasn’t accidental, however, it was part of a more sinister plot concocted by humans to capture Little Claws and put him in a zoo. When an animal is in danger like this, there’s only one option—The Animal Rescue Agency! Esquire Fox and her chicken sidekick, Mr. Pepper are on the case, and they’re determined to save Little Claws no matter how dangerous or zany their strategy.

This is the first in a new early chapter series with animal characters that are full of wit, humor, adventure, and intrigue—there’s also a chicken wearing a tea cozy. This easy to read and fun story will delight young independent readers and giggles will abound. Some of the jokes may be lost on the youngest readers, but the story doesn’t suffer without them. Recommended for readers 2nd–4th grade.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Root Magic

Root MagicRoot Magic by Eden Royce
Published by Walden Pond Press on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 0062899570
Pages: 352
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Folklore
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Almost 11 yr old twins Jezebel and Jay are in for some big changes. It’s 1963 in South Carolina, and Jez and her brother are about to start school with a whole suite of new kids thanks to school integration. The local police won’t stop harassing Jez’s family about insignificant things, and Jez’s grandmother, the family matriarch, has just passed away. The biggest change comes when Doc, the twins’ uncle, tells them he’s going to begin training them in rootwork. They’ve always been fascinated by this African American folk magic and its long ties to their family, but things run much deeper and much darker than Jez or Jay expected.

This is a well-written and engaging historical ghost story with a side of magic. The writing is poetic, colorful, and really allows the reader to visualize the environment and feel the creepiness in the marsh on that foggy night. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up and for readers who enjoy a little fantasy and not a lot of scare.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars