Month: November 2021

Where’s Waldo?: Santa Spotlight Search

Where’s Waldo?: Santa Spotlight SearchWhere's Waldo? Santa Spotlight Search by Martin Handford
Published by Candlewick Press on September 24, 2021
ISBN: 1536220132
Pages: 16
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

This is the third in the “Spotlight Search” series, which tucks a wand into the front cover for readers to use to highlight the image on each page. Pictures are printed on acetate and then put against a black background – the wand is black with a white spot and must be used to highlight the images on the acetate. Since “Where’s Waldo” books are gimmick books, it could make sense to try this, but it’s not a necessary deviation from the original books and any book with a part that detaches is a risk for a library. This is a better gift book for kids who have exhausted their Waldo books though with only 6 pages of searches, and more puzzles on the pages rather than in the Waldo pictures, this one can be skipped.

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

two-stars

The Visitor: A Graphic Novel (Animorphs #2)

The Visitor: A Graphic Novel (Animorphs #2)The Visitor: A Graphic Novel (Animorphs #2) by Chris Grine, K.A. Applegate, Michael Grant
Published by Graphix on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 1338538373
Pages: 202
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

I have not read the first Animorphs graphic novel and I’m not at all familiar with K.A. Applegate’s series but that didn’t matter; this book was really fun. Middle grades will enjoy the tense action, great dialog, and relatable characters. A group of young teens, the Animorphs, are able to change into animal form for a limited amount of time and are using this skill to help save the world from an alien race who are turning community members into their puppets and spies. The characters are complex and engaging and the illustrations are always interesting, especially as the kids turn into or out of animal form.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Spellbiding episodes of Phoebe and her unicorn

The Spellbiding episodes of Phoebe and her unicornThe Spellbinding Episodes of Phoebe and Her Unicorn: Two Books in One by Dana Simpson
Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing on July 27, 2021
ISBN: 1524869813
Pages: 352
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads

A deluxe bind-up featuring all the comics from two different Phoebe and Her Unicorn books: Unicorns vs. Goblins and Razzle Dazzle Unicorn.
In these spellbinding adventures, nine-year-old Phoebe Howell and her unicorn best friend, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, explore the possibilities of friendship, summer camp, the holidays, and even founding their own detective agency. These entertaining, visually dazzling stories are a wonderful reminder to young readers that being weird is much more fun than being normal. 

This book is a special collection that combines all the comics from two earlier books – Unicorn vs. Goblins/book 3 and Razzle Dazzle Unicorns/book 4.

What do you get when you have a somewhat awkward, socially challenged 9 year old girl who has a vain, quirky, mythical beast for a best friend? Well, you get many tales of  give and take, enduring friendship and spellbinding adventures.  Summer camp is a

In the back pages, there is a More to explore section that includes information on how the writer makes her comics. She shows how she gets an idea and roughs it out, then runs it by her editor. Then once it is approved she does the artwork on her computer. First adding in the letter then adding in the pencil lines in light blue, then the black lines, ending with various shades of gray The colorist then does the coloring.

Also included in the back pages is a glossary of 15 words that younger readers may not have understood the meaning of.

This book is a solid addition to both public and school libraries that will appeal to readers who are fans of unicorns and Phoebe!

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

3 1/2 stars

Clarinet and Trumpet

Clarinet and TrumpetClarinet and Trumpet by John Herzog, Melanie Ellsworth
ISBN: 9780358107477
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Clarinet and Trumpet are friends but their friendship falls flat when a new woodwind, Oboe,  garners Clarinet’s attention. Trumpet is jealous and the brass section faces off in a musical duel. The main feature of the book is  a music-making shaker built into the book, which will likely appeal to toddlers and preschoolers. However the pun-filled text is likely to be over-the-head of that audience. Cartoonish musical instruments with faces are featured throughout.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

two-stars

A Donkey Called Mistletoe

A Donkey Called MistletoeA Donkey Called Mistletoe (Jasmine Green #10) by Ellie Snowdon, Helen Peters
Published by Walker Books US on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 1536222453
Pages: 160
Goodreads

What better time than the Christmas season for aspiring vet Jasmine to find a new home for her elderly neighbor's gentle donkey?
When Jasmine and her best friend, Tom, visit their neighbor Mr. Hobson to help him with some chores, they discover that he is selling his farm and moving to a nearby assisted living facility. Because Mr. Hobson won't have a home for his beloved donkey, Mistletoe, anymore, he is planning to send him to a faraway sanctuary. Jasmine doesn't want to see them separated, so she hatches a plan to keep Mistletoe at Oak Tree Farm, where Mr. Hobson could visit him whenever he liked. But caring for a donkey is lots of work (as Jasmine's parents often remind her), especially with her mischievous younger brother around. When the school nativity play encounters a mishap, though, Jasmine realizes she may have the perfect understudy right in her backyard. From author Helen Peters and illustrator Ellie Snowdon, this latest book in the Jasmine Green Rescues series offers a heartwarming tale of multigenerational friendship and holiday spirit.

A Donkey Called Mistletoe

 

When the donkey, Mistletoe’s, owner must go into an assisted living facility our young heroine, Jasmine, volunteers to add Mistletoe to her menagerie.  This is another in the Jasmine Green Rescues series and Jasmine continues to take excellent care of her animals as readers learn the proper way to care for a donkey.  But actually letting a donkey into a health facility seems a bit strange.  Another thing that annoys me is using the expression “me and —” when the rest of the text is in proper English.  There are excellent illustrations which add to the text.  Animal-loving children will enjoy this series.  There is also a quiz at the end to see how much knowledge has been retained.  This is a fine series, but it’s not Cream worthy.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

Beauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn Monroe

Beauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn MonroeBeauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn Monroe by Carole Boston Weatherford
Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 1536206296
Pages: 192
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

In this verse novel, the author leads us from Norma Jeane’s cradle with an unfit mother to a string of foster homes that she never fit into. As a teenager, age 16, she married a family friend, so that she wouldn’t have to go back to the orphanage after her guardian left her alone again.

Her story brings about unknowns such as her love of books, her business sense, and many deep, dark secrets that seem to unfold as the novel progresses. Well written and easy to follow as you get wrapped up in Marilyn Monroe’s life.

Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

In Search of Safety: Voices of Refugees

In Search of Safety: Voices of RefugeesIn Search of Safety: Voices of Refugees by Susan Kuklin
on March 27, 2020
ISBN: 0763679607
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Five refugees recount the struggles that led them to flee their homelands and resettle in Nebraska. Representing Afghanistan, Myanmar, South Sudan, Iraq, and Burundi, these refugees give testimony on the brutalities of war, abduction into sex slavery, torture, and loss that can be difficult to read. Each person tells their own story with some supplemental commentary and photographs by the author. The readability of this book varies as it moves from one individual to another. Overall, it is an important book for high school students to gain empathy and understanding of what people in other parts of the world have endured in a time when immigration has been disparaged. The end of the book includes information about how a refugee attains that status and what the citizenship process is like for those who resettle in the United States. Pair with Call Me American: A Memoir by Abdi Nor Iftin.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane

The Lonely Heart of Maybelle LaneThe Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O'Shaughnessy
Published by Random House LCC US on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 9781984893833
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Maybelle has panic attacks. Her mom worried and about her and tries to help her with them but she can’t always be there. She wishes her daddy (she has never met him) was there to help too. Then she hears his voice on the radio and decides she is going to find a way to meet him. The start of this story is a bit slow but if the reader sticks with it, they will be rewarded. Maybelle’s journey and her friendships that blossom between a class bully and strict teacher will make you tear up, laugh and root for her to find what she is looking for.

 

Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

four-stars

Little Smokey

Little SmokeyLittle Smokey by Robert Neubecker
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1984851047
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Beautifully told and illustrated children’s book about a small forest fire fighting airplane who earns its name. Great lesson about size and how all sizes are important. Wonderful resources at the end will inspire children to learn more.

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

five-stars

A to Z Mysteries: Space Shuttle Scam

A to Z Mysteries: Space Shuttle ScamA to Z Mysteries Super Edition #12: Space Shuttle Scam by John Steven Gurney, Ron Roy
Published by Random House ISBN: 0525578900
Pages: 132
Genres: Adventure, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A fun mystery book that tells of the adventure of 3 children at the Space Museum. Also contains a hidden message in 26 of the illustrations that spells out the message. Children should enjoy trying to solve the mystery before the end.

For ages 6 to 12

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

four-stars