Stunt Performers

September 13, 2023January 17, 2024

Stunt Performers by Clara Cella
Series: Dangerous Jobs (UpDog Books ™)
Published by Lerner Publications on January 1, 2023
ISBN: 1728475570
Pages: 24
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

The Updog Books is attempting to offer books in high-interest areas, but this title misses the mark. The age range is listed as grade 4-6 but there are very few words in the book opting instead to use large photographs. None of the photos are labeled with captions even when referred to in the text. For example, “A 1903 movie had the first stunt performer. In the 1920s, many comedians were stunt performers.” There are two photographs accompanying this text and neither is captioned so the reader is left to guess which movie and which comedian, the ones in the photos? And this page also has a box with a definition of the word comedian, which feels unrelated to stunt performers. The other defined terms: “modern,” “entertainment,” and “martial arts,” are simplistic and don’t do much to further the reader’s understanding of stunt performing. Every photograph features a male stunt performer or actor, then the “Meet a Stunt Performer” page has one woman, who is former gymnast and the photo is of her performing gymnastics, not stunts. This is the one and only place where the text mentions that the business is mostly white and male, so this Black, female stunt performer is a nod to diversity. It feels performative instead of representational. This title could have been great for those reluctant readers, but it is thin in both information and representation. Only very large libraries with big budgets might purchase this series to fill a need for books about non-traditional jobs.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

Meesh the Bad Demon

September 13, 2023

Meesh the Bad Demon (Meesh the bad demon, #1) by Michelle Lam
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on March 21, 2023
ISBN: 0593372875
Pages: 304
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

Meesh is a demon who dreams of a different life. She is supposed to be dark and demon-y, but she dreams of being more like her favorite tv star from the fairy realm Princess Nouna. When demons start turning to stone in her town of Mount Magma due to a green goo in the lava, Meesh is determined to visit Plumeria City in the fairy realm to seek help from the magic ruby. Partnered with her nemesis Xavier (who was tricked into releasing the goo into the lava by a shadowy and nefarious figure) and the runaway fairy princess Nouna (who is WAY better on tv), Meesh is able to save the day, rescue her family and friends, and show that demons and fairies aren’t that different after all. A story that hits the idea that though we’re different, we have more in common trope pretty hard. It will be an enjoyable read for upper elementary and middle school kids. The artwork is bright and bold and appealing and has an anime feel. There are distinctions between characters and the text doesn’t overwhelm the story. This is book one and ends on a cliffhanger that will definitely leave the reader wanting book two. A solid addition to a library with an established graphic novel collection.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

The Many Fortunes of Maya

September 13, 2023

The Many Fortunes of Maya by Nicole D. Collier
ISBN: 0358434645
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

12-year-old Maya Jenkins is determined to get recruited to the Chargers soccer team–the elite team her dad was a part of during his youth. She also is secretly still practicing her flute because while she loves it, she doesn’t believe she can focus fully on soccer if she gives her music the attention she’d like to. Add in her parent’s separation, her now strained relationship with her best friend and swimming lessons, and this summer is not turning out the way Maya was hoping. Using her wheel of fortunes as a compass, Maya tries to navigate the muddy waters of being true to herself under the weight of others’ dreams.

Maya’s struggle to remain loyal to her parents while trying to decide where her true interests lie will be relatable to many middle-grade readers. Surely grappling with parents on the brink of divorce will be familiar territory as well. Her emotional turmoil is honest and each problem is resolved realistically even if predictably. Each chapter is tagged with one of Maya’s collected fortunes which adds an interesting plot device as the story moves along.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

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