Month: December 2021

Wutaryoo

WutaryooWutaryoo by Nilah Magruder
Published by Versify on January 25, 2022
ISBN: 0358172381
Pages: 48
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Wutaryoo was a unique little creature that had been asked all her life “What are you?”.  She did not look like any other creature, with her large ears, fluffy tail, and horns. There were no others like her. She did not even know her name or where she came from.  When asked the question “What are you?” she was never able to answer and began to feel sad and quite alone.  All the other creatures were able to tell her who and what they were and where they came from.

One morning she decided to start walking to find the answers to her existence. Perhaps, she thought if she searched far and wide, she would discover her own story as well.  Her journey took her to many amazing places, and she met many strange creatures along the way.  She walked until she found herself right back to where she had started from.  Upon her return her friends surrounded her and instead of asking the same old question, they inquired if she was alright and where and what she had seen. Her tale was so wonderous to them  just as their life stories were to her.  Wutaryoo alone had created her own history and now she also had it to share.

A wonderful book for any library collection and story time. The theme in this story of finding your own story is important and valuable to any child that may feel different or alone.

 

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

The Last Loose Tooth

The Last Loose ToothThe Last Loose Tooth by Tyler Clark Burke
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0593121449
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Where do baby teeth go once they fall out? Lou doesn’t know and he sure isn’t in a hurry to find out! One by one his friends fall out, until he’s the last baby tooth left with all of the “boring adults”. The teeth all have unique costumes and personalities, related to their type and position in the mouth. The Last Loose Tooth by Tyler Burke is whimsical and funny, with witty dialogue and lovely watercolor illustrations. 

This book would be perfect for younger kids who are apprehensive about losing their teeth, or change in general. The message that it will be okay is affirmed in the end when Lou joins all his old friends in the “Land of Teeth”, a sort of baby tooth nirvana, where everyone is happy to see him. Although narrated from Lou’s point of view, because multiple “characters” are speaking on each page in dialogue bubbles, it would be hard to do this as a read aloud for a large group. This book is better suited for a one on one.  A fun read for both kids and adults alike.

Recommended for ages 3-7

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

five-stars

I Will!

I Will!I WILL!: A Book of Promises by Juana Medina
Published by Versify on October 12, 2021
ISBN: 0358555590
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Children make promises to take care of themselves, others, and to do what they can to make the world a better place.

This is a sweet, simple, colorful book reminiscent of Todd Parr. Affirmations such as “I will problem solve!” “I will be kind to myself!” and “I will love others”  with  accompanying illustrations adorn each page spread. Great for social-emotional learning and conversation starters. 

Pre-K-Gade 1

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

Everything Within and In Between

Everything Within and In BetweenEverything Within and In Between by Nikki Barthelmess
Published by HarperTeen on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 0062976907
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Everything Within and In Between

 

Ri wants to know her mother but she believes that her grandmother is keeping them separated after finding a photograph from the past.  Her grandmother has always tried to separate Ri from her Hispanic culture, thinking that the more “American” Ri appears the more she will be accepted.  This causes secrets and lies and a brush with cocaine.  In the end Ri and her grandmother reconcile with no more lies between them.

There are many Spanish words and phrases interspersed which add to the authenticity.  This book is recommended for grades 7-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland 

four-stars

Amber & Clay

Amber & ClayAmber and Clay by Julia Iredale, Laura Amy Schlitz
Published by Candlewick Press on March 9, 2021
ISBN: 1536201227
Pages: 544
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Folklore
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Set in ancient Greece, “Amber and Clay” by Laura Amy Schlitz crafts an epic tale of two children from very different worlds. Rhaskos is born into slavery by his captive Thracian noble-born mother and has fire-red hair. Melisto, the child of a wealthy Athenian, is despised by her mother for her plain appearance, untamable spirit, and curiosity. In a twist of fate, Rhaskos’ slave mother is sold to a new owner and becomes Melisto’s personal slave. Now motherless, Rhaskos finds comfort in the stables. His time with the horses reveals he has a gift from the gods for art. Melisto is sent to serve the goddess Artemis. As the characters develop and grow, they face numerous challenges including abuse, neglect, and death.

As the story weaves back and forth, the stories of the children become intertwined in surprising ways. Throughout the book, there are historical facts about Greek artifacts, commentaries from the gods, and Rhaskos even develops a friendship with Sokrates.

“Amber and Clay” is thoroughly engaging and should be considered for Cream of the Crop.

Best suited for ages 10 and up.

Reviewed by Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public Library

five-stars

City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm

City of Dragons: The Awakening StormThe Awakening Storm (City of Dragons #1) by Jaimal Yogis, Vivian Truong
Published by Graphix on September 21, 2021
ISBN: 133866042X
Pages: 240
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars
This middle grade graphic novel is action-packed and filled with heart. The novel starts with an intense bullying scene and the loss of a dad, so these could be triggers to a reader, then fast-forwards three years. The protagonist, Grace, has now moved from the US to Hong Kong with her mother and stepfather, who works for a cutting-edge health research company (delightfully suspicious construct). Grace is newly enrolled in a private international school and meets a few kids, an interesting, motley crew consisting of a local Hong Kong native, an Aboriginal student, and an Indian student. When Grace is gifted an unusual egg during a field trip, and a small blue dragon hatches from that egg, the story takes off. Centered around Chinese mythology and dragon lore, and filled with villains who would do anything to steal the power of the secrets contained within a dragon, the book is a great start of what is sure to be further adventures. That Grace grapples with issues of friendship, self-acceptance, and family offers heart to the story. Readers will feel for her as she struggles to find peace with being part of two worlds, as she digs deep for the courage her father believed was in her, and as she watches a trusted adult make a dangerous choice. There is an intensity to the end of the book as adults brandish tranquilizer guns and a human man turns into a monstrous being. Give to fans of action graphic novels, Dungeons & Dragons, mythology, and dragons.

Age range: Grade 4 -7; ages 10-13

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

five-stars

Lights Day and Night: the Science of How Light Works

Lights Day and Night: the Science of How Light WorksLights Day and Night: The Science of How Light Works by Ellen Rooney, Susan Hughes
Published by Kids Can Press on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 9781525303197
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Book 2 in “The Science of How” series. Kid-friendly introduction to the science of light. A young girl and her cat on a journey of scientific discovery during a summer to find the answers to these questions: Where does light come from? How does it work? What is it made of? Discusses aspects of light, including natural and artificial light; the many uses of light; how light can be absorbed, reflected and refracted; the meaning of opaque, translucent and transparent; how the eye sees light; and why some animals need less light to see than humans. The graphics are appealing. The book includes a glossary and instructions for a shadow puppet show. A recommended book for early learners as the information is presented in an easy to understand manner and  applies real life examples. I plan to get the first book in the series Sounds All Around: The Science of How Sound Works, too. Similar to the “Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1” series so unsure if you want both.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Wanda’s Words Got Stuck

Wanda’s Words Got StuckWanda's Words Got Stuck by Lucy Rowland, Paula Bowles
Published by Nosy Crow on May 18, 2021
ISBN: 1536217190
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Wanda is a shy young witch who, despite wanting to, can’t quite get her words to come out. She makes friends with a new witch in her class named Flo who doesn’t mind that Wanda doesn’t speak much. When Flo’s spell during the school magic contest goes awry, Wanda finds her voice and a way to save the day!

This sweet rhyming story will appeal to children ages 4-7 and may spark conversations about how to find your own voice and help peers find theirs too. The illustrations are delightful, featuring teal, pink, and gray. This is a title that can be featured outside of Halloween displays despite its witch-centric storyline.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

three-stars

Strange Creatures

Strange CreaturesStrange Creatures by Phoebe North
Published by Balzer + Bray on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 0062841157
Pages: 544
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Phoebe North’s “Strange Creatures” is dark, realistic fiction intertwined with bits of fantasy that centers around the impact of all too real trauma in a modern day family. Jamie and Annie are siblings born exactly a year apart, inseparable when they are young, creating their own fantasy world called Gumlea. Jamie is clearly the golden child in the family, Annie seems to be the perpetual sidekick. As they reach middle school age, Jamie draws further and further away from Annie, under pressure from his father to engage in more “normal” teen boy activities. He copes by making new friends, self medicating and becoming involved with a girl, Vidya, although his struggle with his sexuality is alluded to early on. Jamie disappears without a trace, and the book focuses on the aftermath in the years following, including the impact on not only Annie (who believes he is somehow still alive in Gumlea) but Vidya and his parents as well.

This story is told from the alternating perspective of Jamie, Annie and Vidya. In addition, the book’s narration switches between real life and the fantasy world of Gumlea. The majority of the characters in the book present as white, with the exception of Vidya, and all of the pov characters are LGBTQ.

This book is unnecessarily long, and the transition between the fantasy narrative and realistic is often confusing. This is marketed as YA, with several reviews mentioning a comparison to “Bridge to Terabithia” and I’ve seen the recommendations for ages 14-18, but I’d say this novel is better served in the adult section. 

Would not recommend even as a secondary selection.

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

three-stars

Sharks at Your Service

Sharks at Your ServiceSharks at Your Service by Mary Cerullo
on July 1, 2021
ISBN: 1943431639
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Sharks at Your Service combines fiction and non-fiction elements to present facts about sharks and show how they are helpful to the ocean ecosystem. We follow Marina as her dad takes her to the aquarium and she interacts with various aquarium staff who share shark factoids with her. On her way home, she imagines the ways that sharks have jobs in the ocean just as people do in the human world and what could be done to protect them.

This book provides some interesting facts about sharks and their role in the ocean and does garner empathy for the species. However, the formatting of the book has some issues. The juxtaposition of the illustrations with the photographs is off putting. There are large walls of text on many pages which may possibly work for the 3rd-6th grade age group this book is supposedly targeted for, but not for the age group I think would be most interested in it. Marina’s thought experiment on her drive home doesn’t quite make the impact it was attempting. Overall, good information, unsuccessful execution.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

 

three-stars