Month: July 2024

Book Buddies: Roger Takes a Chance

Book Buddies: Roger Takes a ChanceBook Buddies: Roger Takes a Chance by Cynthia Lord, Stephanie Graegin
Series: Book Buddies #4
Published by Candlewick Press on 6/11/24
ISBN: 1536213578
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Cynthia Lord’s sweet Book Buddies series continues in Roger Takes a Chance.   Roger, a chick stuffed animal, and his mother Olive, are donated to a local library, where children can check out stuffed animals to read to them.  Roger yearns for adventure away from his mother and gets his big chance when 8 year old Liam accidentally drops him at the airport.  Roger realizes adventure isn’t all it’s cracked up to be as he is picked up by a dog and later almost gets stuck in an escalator.  Finally winding up in the airport’s Lost and Found, Roger feels lonely, until he meets Emmie, a penguin.  Liam and his family eventually check the Lost and Found, only to find Roger attached to Emmie with Velcro.  Liam takes Olive, Roger, and Emmie back to the library, where Emmie permanently joins Roger and Olive, showing children that there are different kinds of families.  This chapter book has black and white drawings on almost every page, which complement the simple text. This book is ideal for young readers who are just beginning to read chapter books independently.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

With Twice the Love, Dessie Mei

With Twice the Love, Dessie MeiWith Twice the Love, Dessie Mei by Justina Chen
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on 5/7/24
ISBN: 0063306522
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Dessie Mei is not thrilled to be starting middle school for a second time, after her parents move from central Washington to Seattle mid-year in order to take care of Dessie’s ailing grandmother.  When Dessie arrives at her class, she is shocked to meet a girl who looks exactly like her, with the same taste in music, who can converse with her using no words.  Like Dessie, Donna was born on the same day in China and comes from the same orphanage. They secretly soon learn they are identical twins!  Eventually the truth comes out and Dessie and Donna and their families experience ups and downs as they navigate their new reality.  Dessie and Donna also face typical middle school challenges with friendships and bullies, especially in their class that is learning what it means to be part of a community. Themes of family, racism, and identity are woven throughout this middle grade novel.  This book addresses topics pertinent to today’s readers without being overwhelming and would be a great addition to any school or public library.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Moonstorm

MoonstormMoonstorm (Lancers, #1) by Yoon Ha Lee
on June 4, 2024
ISBN: 0593488334
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this thrilling first entry in the Lancers series, Hwa Young dreams of becoming a Lancer pilot after being rescued by one of the giant mech-suited soldiers as a child during the destruction of her home world. Now Hwa Young is a citizen of the very empire her family fought against. Hwa Young vows that she will become a Lancer pilot in order to never feel as powerless as she did the day her home was destroyed. After a devastating attack on her new home planet, Hwa Young is swept into the complex and violent world of interplanetary warfare even as she finally realizes her dream of becoming a Lancer pilot. As Hwa Young and her squadron of fellow pilots adjust to their new roles, they discover that all is not as it seems in the empire. They must make a devastating decision between betraying their values or betraying the empire. 

The world building and character development in this book are intriguing and give the author lots to play with in future entries in the series. The main character, Hwa Young, is complex and her sense of duty to the empire and longing for a true family shine, giving heart to what otherwise would be considered an action-forward novel. 

This book is a must read for young adults who enjoy sci-fi, especially the Star Wars universe. Readers who enjoyed the sci-fi elements of The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer will also enjoy this unique space opera.

Reviewed by Rebecca Duquette, Pittston Randolph Consolidated School, Pittston 

four-stars

The Notes

The NotesThe Notes by Catherine Con Morse
on April 30, 2024
ISBN: 0593711386
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“The Notes” is a young adult novel by Catherine Con Morse. Claire Wu is a Chinese American piano student at a prestigious music boarding school. When a renowned piano teacher, Dr. Tina Li, joins the faculty, Claire wants to impress her. Things seem to be going well when Claire begins to receive mysterious notes telling her to be careful of Dr. Li and not to fall under her spell. The book does a good job of accurately portraying the pressures of high school and the difficulties that Claire feels about not being “Asian enough” and falling below her high expectations of herself. Some plot points don’t seem to get resolved, but readers will still enjoy Claire’s growth. A recommended additional purchase for YA collections where realistic fiction and mysteries are popular.

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

three-stars

What’s Eating Jackie Oh?

What’s Eating Jackie Oh?What's Eating Jackie Oh? by Patricia Park
on April 30, 2024
ISBN: 0593563417
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“What’s Eating Jackie Oh?” is a young adult realistic fiction novel by Patricia Park. Jackie is a 3rd generation Korean American high schooler living in NYC. She attends a science school and her parents are pressuring her to be perfect and get good grades so that she can go to an IVY League college, but Jackie actually enjoys cooking. While helping out at her grandparents’ deli, she is scouted for a teen cooking show. Jackie is able to find her own way and learns who she wants to be as the book goes on.Serious topics like hate crimes, undocumented immigrants, and food insecurity are handled briefly, but really well. Jackie is a likeable and smart character and readers will enjoy following her journey. Recommended for YA fiction collections.

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

four-stars

What’s a Germ, Joseph Lister? The Medical Mystery That Forever Changed the Way We Heal

What’s a Germ, Joseph Lister? The Medical Mystery That Forever Changed the Way We HealWhat's a Germ, Joseph Lister?: The Medical Mystery That Forever Changed the Way We Heal by Daniel Duncan, Lori Alexander
Published by Clarion Books on 2023
ISBN: 0358538173
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This is an intriguing look at the life of Joseph Lister, born near London in 1827, and his dedicated work to discover germs and implement practices that ultimately saved countless lives throughout the world. By integrating a fascinating, sometimes gruesome history of doctors, surgeons, and hospitals of the time, the author gives a lively account of Lister’s childhood education and his decision to become a surgeon. Upon starting work at a hospital, he became obsessed with the alarming death rate of his patients (nearly 50%!) in spite of fully successful operations and started researching the problem on his own. Eventually, by combining his own experiments guided by the scientific method, and utilizing information gleaned from other contemporary medical publications, he came to the conclusion that germs were causing infections in the patients who were dying. His recommendations for sanitizing surgeries, including simple activities that we take for granted today such as handwashing and instrument cleaning, took a long time to become widely accepted. Lister’s tenacity should serve as an inspiration to budding scientists and doctors.

This book is recommended for 8-12 year-olds and includes a timeline, glossary, notes, bibliography, index, and color illustrations throughout. It is a biography I would suggest to readers interested in medicine, the scientific method, and the history of 19th Century medical practices.

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

four-stars

Bumps in the Night

Bumps in the NightBumps in the Night by Amalie Howard
Published by Delacorte Press on February 20, 2024
ISBN: 0593645871
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Folklore, Magical Realism
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Middle schooler Darika Lovelace has been sent to Trinidad to stay with her grandmother for the summer. She’s had a little trouble at school, has some feelings to sort out about her stepmother and half-siblings, and is nursing the wound she suffered when her mother left, so a summer with Granny might be what just she needs. As Rika settles in she realizes things might not be exactly as they seem and her family history is much more complicated than she thought. Her iguana friend can talk? Her friends can practice elemental magic? She comes from a line of witches? Her mother is in Trinidad and in danger!?

Caribbean folklore is colorful and terrifying, as fans of Tracey Baptiste’s The Jumbies will attest to. Rika is a strong character, the monsters are legitimately creepy, and the descriptions of the local cuisine is mouthwatering. Hand to fans of magic, mischievous creatures, the movie Labyrinth, and Skittles.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Gorgeously Me!

Gorgeously Me!Gorgeously Me! by Jonathan Van Ness, Kamala M. Nair
ISBN: 0593622847
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Gorgeously Me! is a sweet picture book from Jonathan Van Ness, star of Netflix’s Queer Eye. Using a simple rhyming scheme, this story reinforces the idea everyone is perfect just the way they are, no matter how they appear or what they love to do. Even when things are a struggle – for example, when you’re feeling sad, nervous, or made a mistake – you’re the best version of yourself when you’re living authentically. 

The illustrations in this book focus on showing kids of all different skin, clothing, and body types, so readers will find someone to relate to right away. Each subsequent page shows these children bright, happy, awash with color as they celebrate the things that make them happy. 

This book is best suited for younger readers, a quick and easy read with a message that resonates. It would be perfect for an SEL lesson on self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-acceptance. 

Reviewed by Amie Martin, H.B. Emery Jr. Memorial School, Limington, Maine

three-stars

The Wonderful Wishes of B.

The Wonderful Wishes of B.The Wonderful Wishes of B. by Katherin Nolte
ISBN: 0593565142
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Magical Realism
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars
The Wonderful Wishes of B. Katherin Nolte

This novel is about a 10-year-old girl named Beatrice. Bea has experienced much grief and loneliness lately- her beloved grandmother Glad passed away, her father is absent from much of her life, and her best friend moved to another state. Her mother is also struggling to keep Glad’s barber shop in business. Beatrice believes that if she transforms into the Tin Man, she will no longer feel sad and forlorn. She makes a handful of wishes, but wishing in fountains proves unsuccessful. An unusual new boy in town, Caleb, claims that his grandmother is a witch with magic powers. Beatrice makes a deal with the witch, which predictably goes awry.
This book, targeted for ages 8-12 (grades 3-7), had some plot inconsistencies which left the reader with questions. For example, we are led to believe that Caleb’s grandmother (the witch) stole money from a store. If she indeed has magical powers, what is her motive for the robbery? The reader never finds out if she is caught for the crime.  Beatrice has 8 rescue cats, named after the planets. The cats accompany her to school, sit at the table for meals with Bea, and go into stores with her. The inclusion of the cats in the story was largely superfluous, especially if we are to believe that Bea and her mother can barely afford to feed themselves. Bea’s loneliness would have been more profound and relatable without the inclusion of these farcical feline companions.
While this book may be a good fit for children of divorced parents or children experiencing grief, Bea felt quite unrelatable as a result of the magical realism that was absurd at times and distracting from the narrative. Bea receives a written message from her deceased grandmother, one word at a time, in the pocket of doll.  Bea’s father does make a brief appearance before predictably leaving again, but not before Bea gives him an expensive family heirloom to help his fraudulent money-making scheme. Bea is naively trusting for a character we are made to believe is smart and discerning. The dialogue of the young characters also felt unrealistic.
Two stars.
Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay
two-stars

The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice

The Wishkeeper’s ApprenticeThe Wishkeeper's Apprentice by Rachel Chivers Khoo, Rachel Sanson
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536231207
Pages: 227
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Ten-year-old Felix Jones’s biggest problem at the moment is loneliness. His best (and only) friend has just moved away, and his big sister, who is seven years older, finds him annoying. Then he spots the strange little man fishing pennies out of the wishing fountain in the square. The man explains that he is the town Wishkeeper, and that he is collecting wishes. More importantly, he is invisible! He cannot explain why Felix can see him, but he does offer Felix a job as his apprentice.

In fact, Rupus Beewinkle is a Wishkeeper with a problem, and in desperate need of the help an apprentice could provide. His wishes are hitting snags at an unprecedented rate, and he can hardly keep up with the fixes. Some are going up in flames (literally!) He is afraid there is only one explanation: a Wishsnatcher, thought to be extinct, has moved into town. Wishsnatchers feed on hope, and if it catches Rupus, it will reverse all of Rupus’s granted wishes. That will spell the end of all that is good in the town of Whittlestone.

Things heat up for Felix when he accidentally discovers that Rupus broke a law of magic a decade ago and granted a wish that never should have been allowed. Seven-year-old Rebecca Jones had wished for a little brother, which means that Felix himself…is a wish. Suddenly, defeating the Wishsnatcher is more than just helping Rupus – it becomes a fight for Felix’s very survival!

A gently suspenseful transitional chapter book that will appeal to younger readers who enjoy magical tales and are ready for a longer text and more complex plot, without being overwhelmed. Grayscale pencil/digital illustrations enliven the text and round out the storyline.

4 Stars. A great addition to library shelves. Easy to offer to eager readers transitioning to middle grade books.

– Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars