Month: October 2021

Wild Survival: Crocodile Rescue!

Wild Survival: Crocodile Rescue!Adriana vs. the Crocodile (Wild Survival #1) by Melissa Cristina Márquez
Published by Scholastic Paperbacks on February 2, 2021
ISBN: 1338635050
Pages: 240
Genres: Adventure
Goodreads
four-stars

Wild Survival:  Crocodile Rescue!

 

Adrianna, her brother Feye, and her parents operate Sacred Sanctuary and Zoological Park where they rehabilitate wild animals.  They are also featured in Wild Survival which has really taken off and is now a TV show.  At this time they are in Cuba in search of a wounded American Crocodile which is Vulnerable in the threat category.  There is adventure with Adrianna’s leg being bitten by a giant crocodile, poachers, and thirty baby crocodile eggs needing to be saved.

What I wondered about was why Adrianna and Feye didn’t report the fact that they had seen two infamous poachers.  Also, one of the film crew appeared sketchy, but nothing came of it.

Every so often there would be an illustrated page describing an animal, bird, or turtle.  These were very helpful.

This is the first book in the Wild Survival series which will have a wide readership in the 4th-7th grade age range where animal lovers live.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Zeus the Mighty: The Trials of Hairy-Clees

Zeus the Mighty: The Trials of Hairy-CleesZeus the Mighty: The Trials of Hairy-Clees (Book 3) by Crispin Boyer
Published by Under the Stars on August 3, 2021
ISBN: 142633897X
Pages: 192
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Zeus the Mighty:  The Trials of Hairy-Clees

 

At the Mount Olympus Pet Center there live a lively assortment of animals who, when it is night-time, come out as the ancient Greek creatures they firmly believe they are.  Zeus, a golden hamster, functions as the leader.  Hermes, a “lady chicken” wants to join a group and, by accomplishing a series of trials, she is successful.

This is a creative way to learn about the Greek gods and goddesses who are very endearing as their animal nature fits into their roles from ancient times.  At the end there is a section called “The Truth Behind the Fiction” where heroes, myths, and the ancient Greek characters are described.  Heracles, or Hercules in Roman history, is a main character, and his description goes along with that.  The illustrative drawings add so much to the text.

This book is the 3rd in the Zeus the Mighty series which should appeal to 2nd to 5th graders.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Welcome to Your Period

Welcome to Your PeriodWelcome to Your Period! by Dr. Melissa Kang, Jenny Latham, Yumi Stynes
Published by Walker Books US on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 1536214760
Pages: 176
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book teaches young readers about menstruation, and it does so in a fun light-hearted way. It includes loads of information from how to prepare for your first period to more environmentally friendly options for period management than the traditional disposable pads and tampons. This book uses very inclusive language for different genders, sexual orientations, and is culturally diverse.

Recommended for readers 8 and up. Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Her Epic Adventure

Her Epic AdventureHer Epic Adventure: 25 Daring Women Who Inspire a Life Less Ordinary by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Salini Perera
Published by Kids Can Press on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 1525301101
Pages: 64
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a collected biography of 25 women who overcame adversity to do something amazing. The book is separated into sections based on where the feats occurred—sky, peaks, ice, land, and water. There are some familiar women included (Amelia Earhart, Zora Neal Hurston, etc.) but there are also many lesser known women profiled here. The representation of cultures and abilities is wide and inclusive.

Recommended for readers 8 and up. Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

It’s Perfectly Normal

It’s Perfectly NormalIt's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, Gender, and Sexual Health by Michael Emberley, Robie H. Harris
Published by Candlewick Press on May 18, 2021
ISBN: 1536207209
Pages: 128
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is the newly revised and updated version of this classic book about puberty, sex, health, and growing up. This new edition is much more culturally diverse, and it includes a much more inclusive cast of people with different gender identities and sexual orientations.

Recommended as a replacement for the old and outdated versions. Recommended for readers 8 and up and their parents. Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Time for school, Little Blue Truck

Time for school, Little Blue TruckTime for School, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, Jill McElmurry
Published by Clarion Books on June 22, 2021
ISBN: 0358412242
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Little Blue is back with all the farm friends of previous books. This time, a pig misses the school bus, and Blue helps get the piglet to school in time. The illustrations are colorful and in the same style as previous Little Blue Truck books.

Recommended for wide purchase where previous Little Blue books are popular. Recommended for readers 3 and up. Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

1, 2, 3, off to school

1, 2, 3, off to school1, 2, 3, Off to School! by Marianne Dubuc, Yvette Ghione
Published by Kids Can Press on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 1525306561
Pages: 24
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Pom is so excited to start school, but they don’t start kindergarten for another year. So Pom spends the day visiting the schools of various forest animals throughout the day to see what their schools are like.

As with Dubuc’s previous books, this one is full of detail and can be read over and over with new discoveries each time. The illustrations are colorful, busy, and full of whimsy. Read this with kids who love to explore.

Recommended for readers 4 and up. Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Prehistoric pets

Prehistoric petsPrehistoric Pets by Dr. Dean Lomax, Mike Love
Published by Templar Books on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 153621714X
Pages: 30
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a pop-up book that explores the relationship between common pets and their prehistoric ancestors. From snakes to guinea pigs to dogs, this book includes many of your favorite pets. Each two page spread begins with information about a common pet, then the pop-up flap opens up another two page spread of information about the prehistoric animal. The digitally rendered illustrations are full of color and are more cartoonish than realistic in nature. The pages are thick like a board book, but this book is so packed with information, it’s recommended for readers 7 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Before We Stood Tall

Before We Stood TallBefore We Stood Tall: From Small Seed to Mighty Tree by Jessica Kulekjian, Madeline Kloepper
Published by Kids Can Press on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 1525303244
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a beautifully illustrated book about the life cycle of trees. It deviates from the standard seed-to-tree structure and presents a more cyclical approach to tree growth. It incorporates the relationships trees have to everything around them including animals, other trees, and us. This would be a great classroom books for younger kids and it’s soothing to read aloud. For those wanting more information about trees there is a, interesting, detailed author’s note at the end.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski. Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Lost Things

Lost ThingsLost Things by Carey Sookocheff
Published by Kids Can Press on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 1525305441
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a sparse book, both in text and illustration, that helps kids think differently about what it means to lose something. It follows a few items, like a bear or a ribbon, and shows what becomes of them when they’re left behind. It’s very calm and would be helpful for kids who are upset about a lost item. Even if they’re not though, it’s a nice way to think about the many lives of things and the connections they can draw between people or animals, even if we don’t know it.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars