Tethered to Other Stars

January 31, 2024January 31, 2024

Tethered to Other Stars by Elisa Stone Leahy
Published by Quill Tree on October 3, 2023
ISBN: 0063255480
Pages: 313
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Wendy just wants to keep her head down as she starts her new school. Her family has moved because many of their friends – including her best friend and her brother’s girlfriend – were recently detained by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents. Unfortunately, Wendy finds it hard to stay invisible between her friend Etta who wants to loudly protest for human – and immigrants’ – rights and becoming the target of bullies. With a woman seeking sanctuary in the church next door and the charming bully stealing her science fair project, things begin to heat up. Wendy starts to question her family’s desperate need to lay low as her brother starts attending rallies. While at times challenging and disturbing to read – especially reading about the mistreatment immigrants face in our country – it is nonetheless hopeful. This middle grade novel is timely and may be of interest in our Maine communities welcoming New Mainers. While well-written and engaging, it does not quite rise to the level of cream of the crop.

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

Gnome is Where Your Heart Is

January 31, 2024January 31, 2024

Gnome Is Where Your Heart Is by Casey Lyall
ISBN: 0063239825
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Lemon decides this is the summer she will make contact with Gnemo, the gnome-like alien that her grandfather met thirty years ago. If only she could find Gnemo and also figure out how to evade the nurse guarding the door at her grandfather’s nursing home. When she discovers Gnemo and her crew have actually crash-landed in the woods, she must convince her friends to help her make contact. Reminiscent of Leonard, My Life as a Cat, this science fiction gem explores family relationships – especially when family members are stuck in their ways and beliefs. The author also tells a poignant story about grief and loss – especially when families are dealing with Alzheimer’s. This book is perfect for middle grade readers, especially readers who profess not to like science fiction. While delightful and innovative, it does not quite rise to the level of cream of the crop. The mushroom storyline was a little confusing and the gnome joke spread out over an entire novel verged on the silly.

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

The Queens of New York

January 29, 2024

The Queens of New York by E.L. Shen
on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 0063237954
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Queens of New York” is a young adult novel by author E. L. Shen. The book follows three Asian-American best friends going off and doing different things for the summer. Chapters change between Jia, Ariel, and Everett as each experience the summer in New York City, San Francisco, and Ohio. Shen believably portrays the teens and themes of friendship and personal growth. The three teens face pressure, racism, and grief, but their friendship helps them persevere. A recommended purchase for library Teen/YA collections where realistic fiction is popular.

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

AlphaBot

January 22, 2024January 22, 2024

AlphaBot by Vicky Fang
Published by MIT Kids Press ISBN: 153622653X
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

AlphaBot is a fun and interactive book comprised of 26 separate flaps, one for each letter of the alphabet. Readers can mix and match to create 729 possible robots. This book is inviting with playful and bright illustrations and interesting sounding robotic terminology on each flap. It’s also a great vocabulary builder with terms such as LED, yaw and tread. Each term has a simplified definition that’s easy to understand for both children and adults. Sturdily constructed with reinforced carboard and a spiral binding this book is sure to get a lot of use. It would be a great STEM themed addition to a library or classroom for children ages 3-7.

Reviewed by Emily Stowers, Maine State Library, Augusta

How to Babysit Your Grown-Up

January 22, 2024

How to Babysit Your Grown-Up: Activities to Do Together (How To Series) by JaNay Brown-Wood, Jean Reagan, Lee Wildish
Published by Alfred A. Knopf ISBN: 0593479238
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

If you’re looking for creative and engaging ideas on what to do with kids, then this book is a great resource to have! Although the title includes the words, “how to babysit your grown-up” this book is for both kids and adults to use the next time somebody says, “I’m bored!”

This book contains a spread of 44 activities complete with supply lists and a step-by-step guide as well as charming, kid-friendly illustrations of adults and kids interacting with each other and of the activity.

There is a good mix of crafts, STEM projects, snack recipes, outdoor activities and games. All the activities require a short list of common household supplies that take minutes to gather and set up. Additionally, there is a checklist on the last page of all the activities so you can keep track of which ones you have or have not completed. This book seems to be written for families with young kids or for a grandparent or babysitter charged with entertaining a child, but many of the activities are easily transferrable to a classroom setting or a library program. This book is excellent for ages 4-8.

Reviewed by Emily Stowers, Maine State Library, Augusta

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall

January 18, 2024

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish
ISBN: 0063275570
Pages: 310
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Arthur hadn’t known what he had set in motion the afternoon back in Edinburgh… One never knew where one’s choices might lead. All one could do was make the right choice in the moment.” A chance encounter between a young Arthur Conan Doyle and a mysterious man begins this adventure tale of mystery, secret societies, science fiction, and a little fantasy. Arthur is whisked off to a secret school for brilliant young minds called Baskerville Hall. Together with a familiar crew of friends (and enemies) he must follow the clues to keep the truth from falling into the wrong hands.

This novel is one that keeps readers guessing right up to the end. Those familiar with the Sherlock Holmes series and characters will truly appreciate the creativity that went into weaving this tale, while those not acquainted with the world of Holmes could become lost. Standish has partnered with the Conan Doyle estate for the creation of this series. Fans of Harry Potter and The Mysterious Benedict Society will enjoy this multilayered historical mystery filled with intricate details and nods to Doyle’s real life childhood. Recommended for readers aged nine to fourteen.

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School (ESVM Library), Rockport, ME.

Peep and Ducky: It’s Snowing!

January 18, 2024

Peep and Ducky It's Snowing! by David Martin, David Walker
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536233285
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

Peep and Ducky are excited to play in the snow. They go sledding and build a snowman together, but things don’t always go as planned. They begin kicking snow at one another and yelling in anger, until their parents arrive to give them hot chocolate and cookies.

While there was a great opportunity in this board book to teach about positive conflict resolution, it unfortunately fell short and was a bit problematic. This book is not recommended as a good model for young children.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

The Labors of Hercules Beal

January 17, 2024

The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt
Published by Clarion Books on May 23, 2023
ISBN: 0358659639
Pages: 352
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A heartwarming, genuine, miraculous middle grade novel that will nestle its way into your heart. When the Beal brothers lose their parents in a car accident, life is shaken up. Older brother Achilles abandons his job traveling the world to write for magazines, returning home to run Beal Brothers Farm and Nursery, and 12-year-old Hercules must leave public middle school to attend the Cape Cod Academy for Environmental Sciences, which is much closer to home. Both characters are struggling with grief and loss, but the book is told exclusively in Hercules’s voice as he navigates the new normal. When Hercules’s teacher Mr. Hupfer, a retired marine lieutenant colonel, creates a full-year assignment specifically designed for each student in his class, Hercules is, naturally, assigned the 12 labors of the mythical demigod.

Perplexed about how he can possibly complete the labors in a mortal world, Hercules proceeds slowly. This is where Schmidt’s masterful plotting steps in. As Hercules lives his life and faces challenges that are presented to him, he finds connection with one labor after another, but not in a completely obvious way. Mr. Hupfer requires that each student write a reflection on their project as they complete steps and tasks. These short reflections followed by the feedback from Hupfer are the heart of the book. The reader travels with Hercules, watching as he recognizes his inner strength, accepts help from his community, and gains insight into his brother’s life and heart. He also learns to let go of the intense survivor’s guilt and find peace. A beautiful book with moments of heart-stopping action, humor, sadness, sweetness, and light.

Recommend for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

If I Have To Be Haunted

January 17, 2024

If I Have to Be Haunted by Miranda Sun
Published by Harper Teen on September 14, 2023
ISBN: 0063252767
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Sixteen year old Chinese American Cara Tang is a ghost speaker – which means she can see and talk to ghosts, and even help them to pass on – just like her grandmother, Laolao and her mother. Only her grandmother is in fact a ghost, and her mother doesn’t want anything to do with her powers. And she would prefer Cara keep her head down, focus on school and forget about her powers as well. Which becomes impossible when she finds the body of her nemesis, Zach Coleson, under a tree in the woods behind her house. They’ve been sworn enemies since they were little, but Zach has been bitten by the Signet Snake, a monster of chaos determined to end the world, and Cara is the only one who can save him. After a brutal fight with her mother, and with a little help from Laolao, Cara and Zach’s ghost set off on a quest to find the antidote in seven days before it’s too late for Zach to be resurrected. This is a great fantasy YA read with its snappy dialogue, lush world building, romantic tension, magic and monsters. Cara’s struggles with self acceptance and growth, especially as it relates to growing up with a Chinese tiger mom is another highlight of the story. A solid pick.

Recommended for grades 7 – 12

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

Creeping Beauty

January 17, 2024

Creeping Beauty by Andrea Portes
Published by HarperTeen on August 22, 2023
ISBN: 0062422472
Pages: 336
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Fiction
Goodreads

In the retelling of the fairy tale classic, Creeping Beauty by Andrea Portes introduces us to Bitsy, who is most definitely not your typical princess. She is not beautiful or patient, but she is smart. She doesn’t believe in the class system, and prefers to either hang out with her servants, or read her books in peace. Having to do anything related to being the daughter of the king annoys her, especially having to spend time with the men her father wants to marry her off to. An attempt to flee from one such suitor leads her to a room in the castle she’s never seen before, complete with a spindle. She pricks her finger and finds herself waking up in an alternate world. This is where the story starts to fracture and the plot goes awry. The story line becomes hard to follow, the world building falls flat and we are introduced to ill defined characters who disappear without another mention. The book also flipped back and forth between reading as an adult book then back to juvenile fiction. This unfortunately isn’t anything I would spend any book budget money on.

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York