Month: November 2022

The Daredevils

The DaredevilsThe Daredevils by Rob Buyea
Published by Delacorte Press on August 9, 2022
ISBN: 0593376145
Pages: 240
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

School is out for the summer and twins Waylon and Loretta are preparing to start middle school. Loretta feels the need to toughen up her brother as she won’t be with him all day to offer the protection she thinks he needs. The duo starts sneaking out in the middle of the night (with their new friend, Louie) to complete rites of passages that will help them grow spiritually and physically.

The book is narrated by both Waylon and Loretta and, while it could have been a touching story about growing up and growing apart, it becomes a slow-paced and out-of-touch (an adult bully is repeatedly described in fat-shaming ways; a grieving, depressed woman is made the center of one of the rites of passage; the visits to the woods revolve around one act of cultural appropriation after another) tangle of issues.

Not recommended for classrooms or libraries; The Daredevils feels dated when so many new books are doing such a great job moving ahead with diversity and inclusivity.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

two-stars

Show Us Who Your Are

Show Us Who Your AreShow Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on October 25, 2022
ISBN: 0593562992
Pages: 304
Genres: Psychological thriller, Realistic Fiction, Suspense
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Twelve year-old Cora is neurodivergent  and feels isolated from most people, especially after losing her mother to an illness. She meets and immediately becomes best friends with Adrien who has ADHD. Adrien’s father works as a CEO for a company called The Pomegranate Institute which is creating a virtual program that will allow grieving people to visit holograms of their lost loved ones. Cora is taken with the project, and in particular, the scientist developing it, Dr. Gold. It takes a tragedy for Cora to find out why Adrien is so apprehensive about it.

This book is terrific and has wide appeal. Elle McNicoll is neurodivergent and has created a novel in which neurodivergent readers will feel represented and neurotypical readers will develop further understanding of neurodiversity. All readers will be wrapped up in the tense unraveling of the clandestine AI eugenics being performed at Pomegranate. Recommended for middle grades but could also be enjoyed by older readers.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

The Boy Who Loved Maps

The Boy Who Loved MapsThe Boy Who Loved Maps by Kari Allen, G. Brian Karas
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on July 12, 2022
ISBN: 1984852302
Pages: 44
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A young boy absolutely loves maps. He enjoys collecting them, studying them, and making them in his tree house. A little girl comes to visit the young mapmaker and requests a most unusual map. Her map must represent the perfect place! Her descriptions of the place leave the mapmaker perplexed. He does not know of anyplace that is a match. The young girl suggests they go exploring and they begin an adventure around the town — from the library, to a bakery to a park, ending up at her cozy home. The soft, gentle palette done in gouache and pencil is in keeping with the gentle story of the wonders of home and the importance of appreciating our own surroundings. The back pages contain an editor’s note, glossary, more information, map-making instructions and map activities. The story will be of special interest to children who like to draw and may inspire them to make their own maps.

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

three-stars

Little Bat Up All Day

Little Bat Up All DayLittle Bat Up All Day by Brian Lies
Published by Clarion Books on July 12, 2022
ISBN: 0358269857
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

As the sun is rising one morning, Little Bat is curious about what daytime is like. His mother says that it’s very similar to the night, just noisier and brighter. She explains that animals that sleep at night just live their lives in the daytime as the bats do at night. Little Bat is intrigued and wants to stay up and experience day and perhaps meet new friends. Little Bat finds daytime very confusing and scary and just in the nick of time, meets a friendly squirrel who saves him. Rusty the squirrel shows Little Bat around and introduces her new friend to many new things, all the while Little Bat struggles to stay awake. Finally, Little Bat can no longer stay awake and the two sadly say goodbye. How can the two friends stay in touch when they live their lives at different times? The story has an satisfying ending when the two become pen pals leaving notes for each other on leaves. The friends are brought to life with the amazing illustrations done with acrylic and watercolor paints and colored pencils. The illustrations of the two friends swinging on the swing together and another of the squirrel ski jumping off a chair are especially charming. The text is spot on — easy to read with perfect pacing set off again the white pages and illustrations that jump off the page. An excellent addition to all libraries. A recommended read for children ages 4 to 6.

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

four-stars

Bee

BeeBee by Charlotte Voake
Published by Candlewick Press on July 5, 2022
ISBN: 1536220450
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A little boy enjoys spending warm spring days watching honeybees fly in and out of their hive. He wonders what they do in the hive and also what they do when they are not in the hive. The adventure begins when he hears tiny voices talking. Two honeybees have appeared with a tiny bee suit that includes wings on the jacket. With a stroke of magic, the little boy is suddenly wearing the outfit and is the size of a teeny-weeny honeybee. He can now accompany the bees into the hive! Inside, the hive is dark, hot, and smells of honey. Busy bees are everywhere — cleaning, building, feeding bee babies, and brushing the Queen bee. One bee is even doing a waggle dance showing the other bees where to find the flowers. Next, the boy and his bee friends leave the hive and go off to find the flowers and sweet nectar. The story ends with the little boy planting lots of seeds and flowers to help his bee friends. The artwork consists of cut paper collages with black ink embellishes. The color palette is warm with deep, rich shades of yellow, blue, and orange. The story is imaginative and whimsical yet also includes some basic information about honeybees. A pleasing read that would work best coupled with a non-fiction bee book. A solid addition to any library.

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

three-stars

Hiding in Plain Sight

Hiding in Plain SightHiding in Plain Sight by Jorge Cham, Daniel Whiteson
Series: Elinor Wonders Why #2
Published by Kids Can Press on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 1525306197
Pages: 40
Format: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is part of a new graphic novel series based on the popular PBS series — Elinor Wonders Why. The graphic novel format works well to bring the characters to life and is a successful book adaptation. There is currently a second book out in the series, with two more books to follow in June of 2023.

The main character is a curious and spunky bunny rabbit named Elinor who goes on STEM-based adventures with her two friends, Ari, a jokester bat, and Olive, a bookish elephant. The three of them ask lots of questions throughout the story. Their questions are answered within Let’s Find Out! panels that pop up throughout the story. The graphics are colorful and the textblocks pop out on the pages so children will be able to clearly follow the story.

On a field trip to the mountains of California, the characters explore a forest of sequoia trees and learn many facts throughout the story. The back pages include an experiment that children can do to figure out how to measure trees without leaving the group and a section that includes more observations for children to record. A solid STEM-based book series that will especially appeal to pre-schoolers who watch the program, but will also be interesting to those who do not. A strong addition to both public and school libraries.

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

four-stars

There is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me

There is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling MeThere Is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me by Alice Walker, Queenbe Monyei
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on June 14, 2022
ISBN: 0063089912
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This perspective-bending picture book for young children is written with a poetic and repetitive cadence that will work well for read-alouds. Bold, colorful illustrations are in keeping with text. Combination of text and pictures provide a sense of being connected to the world, which is reassuring and even empowering for young people. Recommend for ages 4-8.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

four-stars

Well, That Was Unexpected

Well, That Was UnexpectedWell, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Published by Delacorte Press on September 27, 2022
ISBN: 0593433971
Pages: 352
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A fun Crazy-Rich-Asians-style novel written for a YA audience.

Sharlot and George are two teens in Jakarta, Indonesia (she’s an Indo-American visiting family for the summer, he’s from a super-wealthy Indo family) whose parents – his dad, her mom – unknowingly catfish each other on a dating app on behalf of their respective teen. Their efforts to impress each other by boasting of exaggerated traditional virtues do not represent either teen, so neither looks forward to meeting the other. When they do meet, however, they are attracted to each other – though that attraction is complicated by them each believing the other to be also different (and less likeable) due to their (parent created) online persona. Neither is honest with the other, fearing rejection. Ultimately, an ambitious reporter exposes all in a cringe-worthy reveal that finally brings the only dragging plot point (constant looping thoughts from both characters about what would happen if they were honest) to a close.

The novel, told in alternating POV from both Sharlot and George, has laugh-out-loud moments, and also tackles some high interest topics that teens all over the world deal with: social media; double standards for boys and girls (even in the same situation); insecurities; family dynamics in a media-obsessed (and accessible) age. The book is set in Indonesia, so there is also plenty of scenery, food, and culture to soak up – I felt a little like I was on a mini-vacation while reading it. Great for teens who like lighthearted realistic fiction. Ages 14+.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

Dark Room Etiquette

Dark Room EtiquetteDark Room Etiquette by Robin Roe
Published by HarperTeen on October 11, 2022
ISBN: 0063051737
Pages: 512
Genres: Horror
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Sayers Wayte is kidnapped by a man who informs him that the life he’s lived so far is a lie. Locked in a room with no hope of release and very little information about why, Sayers must figure out a say to survive and hold onto his sanity. What starts out as another YA novel about a privileged high school student turns into a thriller.

Sayers has everything going for him yet he becomes drawn into a horrific situation that is bound to make readers uncomfortable. Roe’s character is confident in his ability to influence people and to manipulate his surroundings until he is unable to control anything. Other characters introduced in the first 80 pages are less defined until readers meet Caleb. Horror, cruelty and absence of reality account for the turn this novel takes. While the plot does truly thicken it is the alternate reality that makes this psychological thriller an emotional read.

Although not a book for all students this deserves a place in any collection where YA thrillers are appreciated. Young adult and adult Stephen King readers will enjoy this survival story of a resilient teen.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, Retired Youth Services Librarian

four-stars

Camp Scare

Camp ScareCamp Scare by Delilah S. Dawson
Published by Delacorte Press on August 2, 2022
ISBN: 059337326X
Pages: 288
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Suspense
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Inspired by the author’s own traumatic week at sleepaway camp in 1988, Camp Scare is a tense, unsettling book about the lasting effects of bullying. After a bullying incident is recorded and goes viral at her school, 12 year-old Parker is given a scholarship to Camp Care, a summer camp which prides itself on being bully-free. Her excitement  to make new friends is quickly extinguished by the discovery that one of her bullies from back home is in her cabin and is determined to ruin Parker’s chance of having a fun, normal week of camp. Parker then turns to another outcast camper, who, unbeknownst to her, is a vengeful ghost.

The ghost plot, while important, is secondary in this book, which is mostly concerned with bullies. The adult characters are infuriating in their inability to recognize and intervene with Parker’s tormentors.

This book is decent, but cynical enough so that it would maybe be better off in a teen room. However, the characters are twelve so it’s clearly meant to be middle grade. The bullying that the ghost experienced is really horrific and involves a death that is reported as a suicide (which is a misunderstanding of events). The book is bleak and the resolution between the two main characters is forced; it seems as though the bully would never have had a change of heart if she hadn’t had her life threatened by the ghost. Older R.L. Stine or Christopher Pike fans might enjoy it, but it’s not the intro to the horror genre it appears to be at first glance.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars