Month: August 2023

Picture Perfect Boyfriend

Picture Perfect BoyfriendPicture Perfect Boyfriend by Becky Dean
Published by Delacorte on May 23, 2023
ISBN: 0593569911
Pages: 384
Genres: Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

In “Picture Perfect Boyfriend” by Becky Dean, teenager Kenzie Reed is on vacation in Maui with her family. She’s been pressured by her parents to be perfect and to get them off of her back she’s lied and made up a fake boyfriend. When her made-up boyfriend surprises her at the Maui airport, Kenzie doesn’t know what is going on! She goes along with it rather than tell her parents that she’s been lying and starts to fall for him. Scenes set in Maui are now a bit painful, especially one  at the historic banyan tree now that the fires have happened. A young adult romance with humor and a mystery (who is this guy?!?) and themes about being true to yourself despite pressure and discovering who you are, this book is an additional purchase for any YA collection where contemporary romances are popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

The Luis Ortega Survival Club

The Luis Ortega Survival ClubThe Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
on May 23, 2023
ISBN: 0063060302
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Sonora Reyes, author of “The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School,” has written another excellent queer young adult novel that should be added to your library teen/YA collection. “The Luis Ortega Survival Club” features a queer and autistic female protagonist, Ariana Ruiz. After a non-consensual sexual encounter (rape) with popular student Luis Ortega, Ariana struggles to deal with her feelings. When an anonymous person reaches out to her to say that they have experienced the same thing and ask to meet, Ariana discovers that there is a group of them and she is not alone.

The author kindly includes the sensitive topics that the book covers at the beginning of the book. This novel deals with these difficult topics well, though this is a tough book to get through. As an autistic and queer author, Reyes creates believable and well-developed characters. A recommended purchase for young adult collections everywhere, especially where “The Lesbiana’s Guide” is popular. While readers may find the subject matter difficult, these topics need to be discussed, and more queer and neurodivergent representation is definitely needed.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Where the Water Takes Us

Where the Water Takes UsWhere the Water Takes Us by Alan Barillaro
Published by Candlewick Press on July 4, 2023
Pages: 208
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Where the Water Takes Us” is Alan Barillaro’s debut middle grade novel about a girl named Ava who goes to stay with her grandparents while her mom is having a difficult pregnancy. Spending time in nature in a cabin on a lake sounds idyllic, but Ava suffers from anxiety and dread while she is there. After she finds a dead bird, she feels cursed and is determined to take care of some abandoned eggs that she finds, telling herself that if she does, her mother’s pregnancy will go well. The book gives an accurate portrayal of anxiety as Ava faces other challenges and acknowledges that you can have anxiety even if you have supportive adults in your life. Barillaro clearly has a love for nature and the environment is well described.

There are beautiful watercolor pictures drawn on the edges of each page and you can watch nature scenes from the lake or landscape eventually becoming (spoiler alert) two birds that fly away. This book doesn’t break new ground, but is a good addition to middle grade collections as an accurate depiction of youth mental health. Recommended additional purchase where realistic fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie’s Place, the Nation’s First Shelter for Women

Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie’s Place, the Nation’s First Shelter for WomenSanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie's Place, the Nation's First Shelter for Women by Christine McDonnell, Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Published by Candlewick Press on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 153621129X
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Sanctuary tells the story of how Kip Tiernan created Rosie’s Place in Boston, the first shelter just for women in America. As a child during the great depression, Kip had watched her grandmother share whatever she had with strangers, from food to shoes. She practiced those values as she grew up, and in the late 1960’s, inspired by the movement for social change as well as her own personal struggles – and because at that time shelters only served men (homelessness was not considered a “woman’s problem”), she pestered officials in the city of Boston until they provided space for her proposed shelter. She imagined a space where women were safe and cared for, listened to and respected – and she achieved it.

This book is a truly beautiful homage to a woman who made a lasting difference to women in Boston, and provided inspiration for other shelters like it across the country. McDonnell’s text is simple, moving, and personal; Tentler-Krylov’s watercolor and digital illustrations evoke a pitch-perfect visual counterpoint to the written word.

Endnotes provide more historical information and context about Kip, the great depression, and the many factors that can cause or impact homelessness, allowing for more discussion with older children. This is an inspiring story that will stay with readers.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Special Delivery: A Book’s Journey Around the World

Special Delivery: A Book’s Journey Around the WorldSpecial Delivery: A Book's Journey Around the World by Klas Fahlen, Polly Faber
Published by Candlewick Press on April 4, 2023
ISBN: 1536229857
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
“It’s forty more sleeps until Jay’s birthday. At a factory far away, everyone is arriving for a busy day at work.” So begins a book’s journey, from factory to truck to ship and so on, until it arrives at a bookstore where Jay’s grandmother purchases it. Each step is simple, but personal, with names given to each person who handles the book at every stage. Digital illustrations are blocky and colorful, filling the pages. Overall, an engaging view of the process for young readers, particularly those interested in transportation. A section of Special Delivery Numbers at the end is a nice bonus, providing more detailed information about shipping statistics that slightly older kids (and grownups) will find interesting.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars

Nell Plants a Tree

Nell Plants a TreeNell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter, Daniel Miyares
Published by HarperCollins US, Balzer + Bray on January 31, 2023
ISBN: 0062865773
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American, Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Wynter’s spare, verse-like text tells the story of a pecan tree, planted by Nell, in shifting timelines from the past (Nell planting the tree) to the present (Nell’s grandchildren enjoying its mature shade and fruit). Miyares’ gorgeous illustrations use pen and ink, gouache, and collage to fill each page with color and space, evoking a warm Southern afternoon in changing light. All characters are Black. Notes from both the author and illustrator at the end of the book discuss how personal this story is for them, growing up surrounded by family pecan trees – experiences which certainly played a large role in the development of this warm, beautiful story that will no doubt be popular with parents and children alike, and maybe inspire them to plant a tree of their own!

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Work with What You Got: A Memoir

Work with What You Got: A MemoirWork With What You Got: A Memoir by James S. Hirsch, Zion Clark
Published by Candlewick Press on April 11, 2023
Pages: 240
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Zion Clark was born without legs due to a medical disorder, but that hasn’t stopped him yet. An elite wheelchair racer, mixed martial artist, and wrestler, “Work with What You Got” is Clark’s memoir. Focusing on his life in the foster care system and afterwards, Clark shows his resilience in life, despite the many challenges he faced in his foster care situations. This is an honest look at his time in the foster care system and Clark does not shy away from the abuse and poverty he faced. Defying the odds as a Black boy and disabled survivor of the foster care system, readers will learn from his journey and his advice. His drive, helped along by a few supportive members of his life, is impressive and he is only in his mid-20s, so I’m sure he has much more success to come. Written by Zion Clark and James S. Hirsch, this young adult memoir is a recommended purchase for YA biography collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Fake Dates and Mooncakes

Fake Dates and MooncakesFake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee
on May 16, 2023
ISBN: 0593569954
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Fake Dates and Mooncakes” by Sher Lee is a young adult realistic fiction/romance novel featuring two Asian-American teens  whose lives come together due to a Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake competition. Dylan is determined to win the competition for his mother and to improve business at his aunt’s Chinese restaurant, while Theo needs a date to a family wedding and is willing to donate a large amount to the restaurant to get Dylan to be his date (the title’s “Fake Dates”). Themes of embracing your values and being willing to be yourself are clearly shown in the narrative. The teen characters felt realistic and well developed by the author. The ending is easily guessed, but still a worthwhile read. A recommended purchase where LGBTQIA + YA romances are popular. Good for fans of Heartstopper.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

Trees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves

Trees: Haiku from Roots to LeavesTrees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves by Sally M. Walker, Angela McKay
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536215503
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars
A collection of haiku that touches on the importance of trees with topics such as In Times Long Past, Seeds, Peeking Inside, and Treetops. Bold, beautifully patterned artwork is paired with the poetry. This is a book that gets more enjoyable upon subsequent readings. The haikus are well executed, but Walker missed an opportunity to explain the format of haiku poetry so that the reader could have the enjoyment of counting the syllables! There is a timeline in the end pages as well as a detailed narrative about each subject. The book would be a nice addition to a unit about trees or forms of poetry.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work

Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines WorkOperation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work by Bambi Edlund
Published by Kids Can Press on October 3, 2023
ISBN: 1525306677
Pages: 44
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
I’m not sure whether to call this fiction or nonfiction as it is a combination of both. Ginger and Mac, a couple of clever mice,  on a quest to get a cupcake off the counter and do so by introducing   six simple machines. Edlund has created a fun way to teach the basic concepts of mechanical physics. Ginger and Mac’s adventure story is told in panels with dialogue boxes, while the science behind how simple machines work is explained throughout the story in fully illustrated sections.. This is a highly entertaining book that gives readers a clear and easy-to-understand overview of the six simple machines – inclined plane, lever, pulley, wheel and axle, screw, and wedge. The cartoon-like illustrations add to the fun. This is an excellent choice for teaching elementary school students  physics and to inspire inventors.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars