The Real History of Juneteenth

September 13, 2023

The Real History of Juneteenth by Elliott Smith
Series: Left Out of History (Read Woke ™ Books)
Published by Lerner Publications on January 1, 2023
ISBN: 172847583X
Pages: 32
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In partnership with Cicely Lewis, the Read Woke Librarian, Lerner is publishing a “Left Out of History” series. This book, aimed at grade 4-6, offers the history of Juneteenth. Using plenty of archival and contemporary photographs, author Smith provides the background for the holiday, the rise in popularity of celebrating the day, and then brief profiles of the change-makers who advocated for a state-wide holiday (Texas) and finally a national holiday (signed into law by President Biden in 2021). There are also questions for reflection throughout the book that make this a fantastic resource for a classroom teacher. This is a succinct and useful book though the “Read Woke Books” logo on the cover could be a trigger for challenges in the current fraught political climate.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

B My Name Is Boy

September 13, 2023

B My Name Is Boy: A Song of Celebration from Australia to Zimbabwe by Dawn Masi
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on May 16, 2023
ISBN: 0593487125
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Dedicated to her son, this multi-cultural, inclusive picture book is a follow-up to the author’s G My Name Is Girl. Following the English alphabet, Masi takes readers on a world tour from Australia to Zimbabwe via the name game. For each letter, a boy, a friend, a country, and a favorite pastime is presented. One of my favorites is “L, my name is Lauris, and my teacher’s name is Ludis. We come from Latvia, and we can Lend”, which is, of course, in a library.

The full-page, muted illustrations enhance the gently encouraging text, reminding every boy of every ability that they can be and do so many things. Recommended for readers in first through third grade.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine – Gorham Campus Library

The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story

September 12, 2023September 13, 2023

The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story by Glenda Armand, Corey Barksdale
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on May 2, 2023
ISBN: 0593567463
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

As the family gathers together to hear Grandmother’s annual retelling of the story of Juneteenth, author Armand channels Clement C. Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas” to convey the excitement and promise the day brought to their ancestors. Freedom is a gift and like the coming of Christmas morning, the people of Galvaston, Texas anticipated the joy it would bring. With beautiful, flowing illustrations done in an expressionistic style, illustrator Corey Barksdale evokes movement and highlights the colors and emotions the family experienced on Juneteenth and after. An author’s note offers a clear historical explanation of Juneteenth and explains Armand’s homage to Moore’s meter and original subject matter (the coming of Christmas). A lovely addition to a holiday or history section in a school or public library.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

The Puttermans are in the House

September 12, 2023

The Puttermans Are in the House by Jacquetta Nammar Feldman
ISBN: 0063034433
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Twins Sammy and Matty have always done everything together but when Matty walks away during their baseball game, Sammy realizes she no longer has the same telepathic link to her brother she has always had. After Hurricane Harvey floods their neighborhood and they are forced to kayak out with their dog and parents, they move in with their Aunt and Uncle – now the Puttermans total 9 (including Bubbe and Papa) plus their neighbor and her cat. Will all the Puttermans be able to live together and possibly reconnect under one roof? Will anyone pay attention to cousin Becky’s bat mitzvah when their hometown Houston Astros are on the verge of winning the World Series? This is a great coming-of-age story, complete with the big feeling of adolescence and a feline social media star. This book touches on many topics – climate change, the lack of out gay baseball players, the importance of staying connected to family, contemporary Jewish life, and one character even mentions wanting to vacation in Maine. A book perfect for middle grade readers.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

Northranger

September 12, 2023September 12, 2023

Northranger by Bre Indigo, Rey Terciero
on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 0063007398
Genres: Romance
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
Cade Muñoz is a Texas teen who lives vicariously through horror movies in order to avoid the horror of his own life. He does not feel he can come out to his blended family about the fact that he’s gay. Much to Cade’s chagrin, and to make extra money for his cash-strapped family, he and his stepfather spend the summer working at a horse ranch owned by the stepfather’s former military commander, a rigid, demanding boss and father. Cade and the owner’s son, Henry, hit it off and eventually admit they really like each other, leading to a whole new set of problems. Not only is Henry’s father deep in denial about his son’s homosexuality, but Cade becomes unjustifiably suspicious of Henry because of his reluctance to talk about his dead mother. Cade has definitely watched too many horror films. Ultimately, Cade comes out to his family, sorts things out with Henry (who is only guilty of attempting to kill one person – himself), and even overcomes his fear of horses.

The author’s afterword explains that this semi-autobiographical book is based on Jane Austen’s classic novel Northanger Abbey. Terciero grew up in Texas during a time when coming out could not only have gotten him bullied, but might also have endangered his life. He intentionally chose to give Cade an easier time than he experienced in real life and he does an admirable job it. Northranger deals with coming out, coming of age, the impacts of loss and economic insecurity, all with a gothic flavor. Indigo’s sepia-tone illustrations add to the mystery and tension.

I highly recommend this book for teen / young adult collections.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine – Gorham Campus Library

Elena Rides

September 12, 2023

Elena Rides by Juana Medina
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
Pages: 24
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
four-stars
With its joyful cover and positive message, Elena Rides is a great addition to an emerging reader collection. Elena the elephant attempts to ride her bicycle. She rides and wobbles and falls. She rides and tries and falls. She cries. She gets back on and glides and flies and falls. She is about to give up when a little encouragement from a friend sets her upright again, and off she goes. Short and to the point, this book has large, clear illustrations, some fun onomatopoeias, simple, but engaging text, and a relatable message: we try things and we fall, but we get back up and try again. The glee evident on Elena’s face while successfully riding her bike is infectious and listeners will want to hear this one over and over.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

Chaos Theory

September 11, 2023

Chaos Theory by Nic Stone
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on February 28, 2023
ISBN: 0593307704
Pages: 288
Genres: Mental Health, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
This young adult novel by Nic Stone delivers a raw, honest look at the lives of two teens dealing with serious issues. Andy is trying to move past the death of his younger sister and an increasing disconnect from his demanding, distant mother and turns to alcohol to numb the pain. And Shelbi has bipolar depression and has self-harmed to cope with the overwhelm that she experiences. When the two have a chance text exchange, thanks to a wrong number, they form a cautious friendship. Shelbi’s voice is fantastic, as a character she is clear about her boundaries and is honest and unapologetic about where she is in her mental health journey. The friendship is a slow-burn toward a romantic relationship though not without its serious bumps. There could be triggers for certain readers, but Stone knows this subject well and has written an authentic and gripping story. Recommend for mature 8th grade readers through grade 12.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

Spellbinders: The Not So Chosen One

September 11, 2023September 12, 2023

Spellbinders: The Not So Chosen One Spellbinders: The Not-So-Chosen One by Andrew Auseon
ISBN: 0593482719
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Ben is having a tough time after his parents’ divorce forces him to move away with his mother, making it difficult for him to stay in touch with his RPG friends. To cope, he throws himself even harder into role-playing and constantly writes new ideas in his trusty notebook. Will his years of playing RPGs help him when he is suddenly whisked away to a magical realm where, as the Chosen One, he must save civilization?

Middle grade fantasy readers will enjoy this book. It’s very long, but the end pays off with some complex character development that had been missing throughout the first three quarters of the book. It might also be a good recommendation for readers who like books with a sense of humor. Not essential for a collection, but would make a good addition.

(One note: Spellbinders contains a lot of references to “disgorging”. Not a great choice for kids with emetophobia.)

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

Fergus and Zeke for President

September 10, 2023January 17, 2024

Fergus and Zeke for President by Kate Messner, Heather Ross
Published by Candlewick Press on May 23, 2023
Pages: 56
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Fergus and Zeke are pet mice that live in Miss Maxwell’s class. Though the humans in the story don’t seem to notice, the mice like to join in with lessons and projects. This is the fifth early chapter book featuring this cast of characters.

Miss Maxwell talks to her class about the role of the president in the United States. She talks about presidency prerequisites, some of the early and more influential presidents, and asks her students what they think it takes to be an effective leader. The children (and mice) visit the school library to research the presidents and begin a project of their choosing.

An interesting subplot includes Zeke acting as president of the mouse cage and bossing Fergus around. Eventually, Fergus tires of being mistreated and says, “You don’t get to be president just because you say so. And you weren’t acting like a president anyway. Presidents work hard and listen. They care about everyone’s ideas. You were not doing any of those things, Zeke.” Zeke apologizes, and the two work together to complete a project of their own.

It should also be noted that the children in the story ask their teacher why a woman has never been president. The teacher responds with a frank answer addressing the unequal distribution of rights in our nation’s history, including the rights of women, African American people, and Native people.

Highly recommended for libraries that serve an early elementary population.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

Sari-Sari Summers

September 10, 2023

Sari-Sari Summers by Lynnor Bontigao
Published by Candlewick Press on April 11, 2023
ISBN: 1536226149
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Each summer, Nora visits her grandmother (her lola) in the Philippines. Lola runs a small convenience store, and Nora is finally old enough to help out there. Upon her arrival, Nora notices how large the mango tree out front has gotten, and how it is laden with large, green fruit.

Nora has fun restocking, sorting, and measuring dry goods for customers, and it is clear that she and her grandmother adore spending time with each other. One hot day, no customers arrive, and two days stretch into three, four… Lola tells Nora it’s just because of the excessive heat, so Nora suggests they make ice candy. A mixture of the now-ripe mangoes, sweetened condensed milk, and a few other ingredients, the blended liquid is poured into long, thin, plastic ice pop bags and frozen. The pair advertise their new treat, and the customers return. For the rest of the summer, Nora and Lola create various flavors of ice candy, and locals stop by for a cold treat and whatever other daily necessities they might want or need.

This picture book gives readers a small, joyful glimpse into a culture that most Mainers are likely unfamiliar with, but can relate to nonetheless. A recommended purchase.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta