If You Get Lost

November 7, 2023

If You Get Lost by Deborah Marcero, Nikki Loftin
ISBN: 0593375319
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

A few years ago I was searching for books to read at Story Time about being lost and practical advice about what you should do if you get lost. I was hoping that this book would be a solution, but alas it was not what I was hoping for. Perhaps this disappointment colored my impression of the book. It begins with a brown-skinned, dark hair girl holding a stuffed rabbit out the car window on the way to a camping trip. The bunny is lost in the woods and then reality and fantasy blur. It seems to come to life accompanied by esoteric language about being “lost” -…find one thing, one place, one smile, one friend. “If you get lost and you might get lost you could get lost – let go of lost…” At the end of the book, the bunny is rejoined with the girl and accompanied by the wild animals around a campfire. The accompanying brightly-colored watercolor-and-ink illustrations ground the story. The illustrations truly are lovely but not sure if they are enough to carry the obscure text. I am not sure who would be the reader for this book – perhaps someone with depression or anxiety issues.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

At the Poles

November 7, 2023

At the Poles by David Elliott, Ellen Rooney
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536205990
Genres: Animals, Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Following his other poetry books, “At the Pond,” “In the Woods,” and “On the Farm,” Elliot takes readers from the Antarctic to the Arctic in this beautifully illustrated book of fifteen poems about creatures that inhabit the North and South poles. There are the commonest oceanic and land animals, such as penguins and walrus, to some lesser known ones, such as krill, Antarctic shag, tardigrade, and Greenland shark. The poetry is clever and humorous at times but always shows respect for the featured creature. Rooney’s accompanying digital and patterned-paper collage portraits of the animals are beautiful and depict the sparseness of the landscape. In comments at the end, the author expands on the animals in the verses. This book will compliment a unit study about polar regions and perhaps serve as a model for students to write their own poetry.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Mine!

November 7, 2023January 17, 2024

Mine! by Candace Fleming, Eric Rohmann
ISBN: 0593181662
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

“Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!” by Candace Fleming is one of my favorite books to read-aloud. “Mine!” may be a close second. This rhythmic read and the repetition has the makings of a storytime classic. Greedy animals have their eyes on a single red apple that hangs at the “tip-tippy top” of a tree, poised to fall at any moment. The mouse, rabbit, fox, deer, and bear all declare the apple to be “MINE!” when it falls. This is followed immediately by different descriptions of how each animal hides. Clever phrases, such as Mouse “zippety-eeked” beneath a leaf to wait, Hare “hoppety-boinged,” and fox “waggety-dashed,” along with Rohmann’s colorful, uncluttered art make this an ideal read-aloud for preschoolers. In the end, none of the greedy animals end up with the apple. It lands with an opossum who is not unhappy that the apple has a worm in it!

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Bears Are Best!: The scoop about how we sniff, sneak, snack, and snooze!

November 7, 2023

Bears Are Best!: The scoop about how we sniff, sneak, snack, and snooze! by Joan Holub, Laurie Keller
ISBN: 0525645330
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

It was difficult to decide if this should be classified as fiction or nonfiction, but there is a lot of factual information about bears so decided on nonfiction. This tongue-in-cheek introduction to the bear family follows a similar design as I Am the Shark (2021) by the same author and illustrator. Each bear believes it is unique but discovers there are other species. Readers will meet a brown bear, a polar bear, an American black bear, a sloth bear, a spectacled bear, a sun bear, a giant panda, and an Asiatic black bear and learn about their distinguishing physical features, habits and habitats, and favorite foods. Finally, a bear-masked octopus tries to join the group, which leads to them discussing bears’ many similarities. The author concludes with a summary of the eight species and reminders that bears can be dangerous but are also threatened around the world. Lighthearted illustrations feature cartoon animals with large eyes and makes use of a fair amount of speech bubbles. This book will appeal to ages 5-9 who like information with a dose of comedy.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Rivka’s Presents

November 7, 2023

Rivka's Presents by Adelina Lirius, Laurie Wallmark
ISBN: 0593482077
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This moving historical fiction book is likely one that will appeal more to adults than children. During the flu pandemic of 1918, Rivka can’t start school because her father is sick, so she trades for chores with the grocer, the tailor, and an elderly neighbor in exchange for lessons. It is a charming and beautifully illustrated story and a lovely addition to a unit study about immigration for elementary-aged students. Rivka’s determination to learn despite her adversity is admirable even if the extremely well-behaved little sister she is minding is a tad unbelievable. There are Author Notes and Glossaries for English and Yiddish works in the back.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Call Me Adnan

November 6, 2023November 6, 2023

Call Me Adnan by Reem Faruqi
on June 13, 2023
ISBN: 0063284944
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Adnan loves playing table tennis and dreams of becoming a champion. When he wins a local competition, he is excited to qualify for a championship tournament in Florida. His family decides to turn the trip into a “cousin vacation” and to spend Eid with their family while traveling to the tournament. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes the family in Florida and Adnan gives up table tennis. The author uses the analogy of flight (thrust, weight, drag, lift) to tell Adnan’s story. Poignant and heartbreaking, this middle-grade verse novel is a story of grief and the power of family and friends.

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

The Ghost Job

November 3, 2023November 3, 2023

The Ghost Job by Greg Van Eekhout
Published by HarperCollins ISBN: 006325333X
Genres: Horror
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
“The Ghost Job” by Greg Van Eekhout is a thoroughly enjoyable middle grade novel for fans of ghost stories and heist fiction alike. When seventh grader Zenith and her three best friends are killed in an unfortunate science class lab experiment gone wrong, they’ll do anything to try to get out of the afterlife (basically the school auditorium), even if it means stealing a magical device from a very evil, very alive necromancer. Pooling the talents they had when they were alive, and the new powers they find themselves with as ghosts, they pull off a series of heists in preparation for the biggest job of their undead lives. Witty dialogue, snarky humor, delightful side characters (both living and dead), and a few poignant moments between the friends make this a really solid choice for a middle grade collection. This book has universal appeal for all types of readers, and the humor, friendships and bittersweet emotions of the kids make what could be a scary premise a really fun read.

Recommended for grades 5-7.

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York