Month: August 2022

Just Right Jillian

Just Right JillianJust Right Jillian by Nicole D. Collier
Published by Versify on February 1, 2022
ISBN: 0358434610
Pages: 224
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

In this novel, debut author Nicole D. Collier introduces readers to Jillian, a 5th grader who needs to find her voice. Jillian knows she is shy, but after letting her rival win a competition because she is afraid of attention, Jillian realizes she isn’t just shy, she is hiding. With the support of her parents, teacher, classmates, and the memory of her late grandmother, Jillian slowly learns to overcome her fears as she realizes she is just right. She begins following her heart and refuses to blend in with the other students and even takes a risk by participating in the school-wide Mind Bender competition. In her quest to gain self-confidence, Jillian makes the connection that she might be just like the chicks hatching in her science class. While this connection could have come across as forced or obvious, Collier instead does a great job weaving together Jillian’s science project and her personal growth as a way to enhance the themes of the story. Collier writes this novel from Jillian’s perspective, drawing readers in as they get to know this smart, thoughtful, creative girl. She creates a likable, relatable character readers can’t help but cheer for. This book is appropriate for 4th-6th graders, especially those who might need a strong example of the rewards that come from learning to speak out loud what’s in your heart.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

Celia Planted a Garden

Celia Planted a GardenCelia Planted a Garden: The Story of Celia Thaxter and Her Island Garden by Gary D. Schmidt, Melissa Sweet, Phyllis Root
Published by Candlewick Press on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 1536204293
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This beautiful picture book tells the story of Celia Laughton Thaxyer, a poet and nature lover who spent much of her life bouncing between the mainland and Appledore Island. It begins with her childhood where her father was a lighthouse keeper, and follows through her married life where she spent much of her time longing for island life while raising a family on the mainland. She’s most famously known for her poem about gardens and her love of flowers, and the wildlife they attract, is the focus of this book. Melissa Sweet’s colorful mixed media illustrations really bring movement and life to the story. Each two page spread also features a some of Thaxter’s own writing artistically rendered. The story is text heavy so not recommended for the youngest readers. It is best for one on one sharing, perhaps followed by a walk through a garden to spot flowers and wildlife. Recommended for readers 5 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Glass Slippers

Glass SlippersGlass Slippers (Sisters Ever After #2) by Leah Cypess
Published by Delacorte Press on April 5, 2022
ISBN: 0593178874
Pages: 272
Genres: Fairy Tale
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

The protagonist of this book is Tirza, a third and much younger stepsister whom Cinderella takes to the castle with her when she gets married to the prince, after banishing the two elder stepsisters.

Writing style is straightforward. Unfortunately, a promising fractured fairy tale premise (Cinderella is evil! Stepsisters are good!) gets unnecessarily arduous in the second half, ping-ponging back and forth and ultimately disappointing the reader by being confusing and anticlimactic. Most of the relationships between characters are negative and emotionally manipulative – between Tirza and Cinderella, between Cinderella and her stepfamily (okay, that one sticks to the original) and, later, between Tirza and her sisters as well as the fairy godmother figure. Tirza herself is not particularly likeable, which doesn’t help – in the end she has not grown, changed, or learned much at all, just had a really confusing few weeks not knowing who to trust – which has pretty much been her life up to that point anyway.

There are lots of readers (including myself) who enjoy reading revamped fairy tales – there’s so much opportunity for fun, good humor, and reinventing strong female characters, but this book falls short. If your library has a large budget and reader base eager for every retooled fairy tale that comes along, or if there was great enthusiasm for the first book, then you could consider a purchase. It’s fine as a stand-alone as well.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

two-stars

Camp Famous

Camp FamousCamp Famous by Jennifer Blecher
Published by Greenwillow Books on May 10, 2022
ISBN: 0063140683
Pages: 272
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Abby describes herself as “normal.” She’s just a typical kid, and she’s always wanted to go to sleepover camp. When her parents finally decide to let her go to camp, she’s thrilled. What she doesn’t anticipate, however, is that she’ll be going to Camp Famous—the summer camp where all the famous kids go. She already struggles to fit in at school, how is she going to fit in among a star-studded group of kids? It turns out to be easier than she anticipates, and she learns a lot about herself and friendship along the way.

This book is a fun, lighthearted read perfect for fans of realistic fiction without a ton of drama. Abby’s struggles and insecurities are typical, and readers will immediately identify with her. At first, she tries too hard to impress the famous kids (with some deception about her own famousness), but by the end she realizes that famous kids are just like her. They just want true friendship and to be loved. This is a gentle read great for advanced 2nd and 3rd graders.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Drifters

DriftersDrifters by Kevin Emerson
Published by Walden Pond Press on May 10, 2022
ISBN: 0062976966
Pages: 592
Genres: Adventure, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Jovie’s best friend, Micah, has been missing for 4 months, and all the search parties have been called off. Even stranger, no one seems to remember that Micah ever existed at all. When Jovie and her new friend Sylvan start digging into this mystery, they discover a more sinister side to their town’s history. They also learn that Micah isn’t the only person to have mysteriously been forgetten, and many of these people continue to exist in an alternate realm.

There is so much to this book, and overall it is well done. The plot is quite complex and, at times, a little hard to follow so I wouldn’t recommend this book for young readers (who may be put off by its length anyway). Readers who enjoy mystery with a touch of scifi will really enjoy this read, and the ending definitely leaves the door open for subsequent books. The science fiction aspects of the plot aren’t so over the top so readers who typically don’t choose scifi may still enjoy this book. Recommended for readers 5th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Inheritance: A Visual Poem

Inheritance: A Visual PoemInheritance: A Visual Poem by Elizabeth Acevedo, Andrea Pippins
Published by Quill Tree Books on May 3, 2022
ISBN: 0062931946
Pages: 48
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

***A note on format: this could probably best be described as a “picture book in verse”***

Elizabeth Acevedo is best known for her acclaimed novels in free verse (The Poet X, Clap When You Land), but she is also an award-winning spoken word poet – and her talents shine in Inheritance, a newly illustrated edition of one of her poems which crackles with energy and power even from the printed page. The volume could be described as a love letter, in the best possible way: a declaration of love for the hair which she is far too often told to “fix,” and of pride in her culture and history. At once a scathing critique of Eurocentric beauty standards and a celebration of self-love, this ode to hair as a symbol of identity is both deeply personal and fiercely political. Andrea Pippin’s accompanying art is bold and evocative, a perfect compliment to the text. Inheritance is appropriate for all ages, from children to adults.

As a note, the poem was originally called “Hair” and is available as a spoken word performance on YouTube; I would highly recommend providing a link to Acevedo’s reading, with a note on the book itself for patrons who might borrow it – both reading and watching it creates a stunningly multilayered and powerful experience.

Highly recommended for all libraries and for the Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

Don’t Worry, Murray

Don’t Worry, MurrayDon't Worry, Murray by David Ezra Stein
Published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen on June 7, 2022
ISBN: 0062845241
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Mental Health
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Murray is a nervous dog. He doesn’t want to go out, he doesn’t want to meet new dogs, he doesn’t really want to do anything. With the encouragement of his person (never pictured), Murray tries many new things throughout the course of the day. The book concludes with the narrator telling Murray they’re proud of him for trying new things.

This is a gentle book for nervous kids. It recognizes real fears that kids may have, and it helps them realize things aren’t always as scary as they may seem (even though scary things do happen). The mixed media illustrations really convey Murray’s emotions and his fears. The illustrations also show Murray’s thoughts so without them, the story would fall flat. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Franz’s Phantasmagorical Machine

Franz’s Phantasmagorical MachineFranz's Phantasmagorical Machine by Beth Anderson, Caroline Hamel
Published by Kids Can Press on May 3, 2022
ISBN: 1525303252
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Franz has always dreamed of inventions. He knows he wants to make something, but he doesn’t know what. As an adult, he finally begins to tinker and build a magical machine that grows to over 20 feet long. What does the machine do? This is the question that everyone asks, but simply existing and amazing is what the machine does.

This is a true story of Franz Gsellmann of Austria. In the early 1900s he built a fantastical machine that whizzed and spun and whirred but didn’t “do” anything in the traditional sense of the word. The digitally rendered illustrations are high color, and bring the complexity of Franz’s machines to life. This book is a little longer so recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

A Wizard in the Wood

A Wizard in the WoodThe Wizard in the Wood by Davide Ortu, Louie Stowell
Series: Kit the Wizard, book 3
Published by Walker Books US on May 24, 2022
ISBN: 1536214957
Pages: 224
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The Wizard in the Wood is the third book in the Kit the Wizard series by Louie Stowell. A cleverly done recap before the story begins gets readers up to speed, even if they haven’t read the first two books. In the magical world Stowell has created, librarians are wizards, dragons sleep under libraries, dreaming of the stories that they are read; and books are portals to other worlds (libraries). Kit, a newly minted wizard, who loves to play outdoors and her bookish friends, Josh and Alita, must protect a dragon egg from evil wizards who want to remake the world (and not in a good way). Though the threat feels real, Stowell interjects humor throughout: “For someone who wants to keep her friends safe, you’re pretty free and easy with the flammable magic,” complained Josh (p. 148). This is also part of the book’s theme: friends help each other get stronger, rather than sheltering them from all harm. Stowell quietly alludes to a diverse cast of character that Ortu depicts in the digitally created illustrations. Future dragon minders will appreciate the “Guide to Baby Dragon Care” at the back of the book.

The Wizard in the Wood is fast-paced, funny, and rollicking. Readers who enjoy the “Dragon Masters” series and are ready to move on from shorter chapter books but not quite ready for Harry Potter, will appreciate the magical world Stowell has created here. Teachers and librarians will revel in the way multiple genres (poetry, comics) are given props, reinforcing the message that reading is reading, whether it is prose, poem, or picture.

This is a great story to read to any dragon sleeping under the library.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

five-stars

Poo-dunit: A Forest Floor Mystery

Poo-dunit: A Forest Floor MysteryPoo-dunit? A Forest Floor Mystery by Katelyn Aronson, Stephanie Laberis
Published by Candlewick Press on June 21, 2022
ISBN: 1536216372
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Mouse wakes up one morning and notices a distinct poo odor wafting into his home. He sets out to find who would dare to poo right outside his house. He asks many forest animals who all describe how their poo differs from the poo left at Mouse’s house. In the end, the culprit is discovered, and what the animals do with the poo just may surprise you.

This is an informative and funny book that young readers will love — who doesn’t love a poop book? The rhyming text adds to the story and makes for an easy and fun read aloud. The digitally rendered illustrations convey humor, emotion, and poo. Recommended as a read aloud for all kids 3 and older.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars