Category: Book Reviews

Confessions of a Candy Snatcher

Confessions of a Candy SnatcherConfessions of a Candy Snatcher by Phoebe Sinclair, Theodore Taylor III
Published by Candlewick Press on August 15, 2023
ISBN: 1536213683
Pages: 336
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Jonas and his buddies have a tradition of snatching candy from unsuspecting trick-or-treaters.  This year, one of Jonas’ victims fights back and Jonas injures her.  The guilt of this sticks with Jonas and it gets worse when someone leaves notes for him in his locker.  The harassment escalates when signs and balloons are plastered at school saying “JONAS DID IT” causing Jonas to get in a fight with one of his friends.  Another friend, Concepcion, tries to help Jonas process what he did through a zine she is writing.  On top of all this, Jonas’ parents are separated and living in different homes but their boundaries are blurry which is frustrating for Jonas and confusing for his sister.  Middle grade readers will enjoy the unique writing style of this novel which is broken up by drafts of the zine Jonas and his friend are working on.  At times the pace of this story is slower, but it matches the contemplative mood of the book as Jonas wrestles with difficult issues such as peer pressure, consent, bullying, and friendship. The end of the novel moves quicker, bringing readers to a somewhat surprising and very satisfying ending.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

The Cricket War

The Cricket WarThe Cricket War by Sandra McTavish, Tho Pham
Published by Kids Can Press on October 3, 2023
ISBN: 1525306553
Pages: 160
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Based on the author’s life, this is the story of the Vietnamese “Boat People” escaping Vietnam after the fall of Saigon. It’s a short and compelling story. After Pho’s best friend and older brother were smuggled out by their families, it was Pho’s turn. His mother took him to his aunt’s house – an all-day bus trip – where he was taken by small boat to a larger boat. As if enduring seasickness, crowded conditions, and little food and water wasn’t enough, Pho’s boat was attacked by pirates on a daily – and sometimes more than daily – basis. He decided to hide on a pirate ship after one raid and helped the pirate fish until they passed him off to a fishing boat. Finally, after weeks at sea, he was rescued by a German rescue ship, the Cap Anamur, and eventually taken to a refugee camp in the Philippines. After writing to his family, he heard from his brother who had made it to Canada; eventually Pho was invited to move to Canada as well. I can’t help but wonder if this powerful story would reach a wider audience as a verse or graphic novel. I also was hoping for a longer historical note and photographs.

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

 

three-stars

Once in a Blue Moon

Once in a Blue MoonOnce in a Blue Moon by Sharon G. Flake
ISBN: 0593480988
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

James Henry can’t bring himself to leave his house ever since that night at the lighthouse with Ma. He lives in the south during Jim Crow with his twin sister and his Gran. Gran and his sister Hattie Mae encourage him to face his fears during the upcoming night of the blue moon. When James finally works up the courage to leave the house with Hattie and her new friend Lottie, they encounter the Baker brothers who bully them, have a near-miss with white supremacists, and encounter a few kind strangers on their trip back to the lighthouse to make sense of the event that changed their family. A powerful story told in verse.

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

four-stars

House Party

House PartyHouse Party by Justin A. Reynolds
ISBN: 0593488156
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“House Party” is a young adult novel edited by justin a. reynolds. The setting is the biggest house party of the year and the chapters focus on different characters (“The Popular Girl,” “The Influencer,” “The New Girl,” etc.) and are written by various acclaimed YA authors. Each character is dealing with their own problems, which occasionally intersect with those of other characters. There is plenty of drama, romance, and humor and unlike most high school house parties, this one ends with most stories tied up neatly. It is occasionally a little confusing to jump from one character’s point of view to another in each chapter, but the characters feel genuine and the drama will keep readers wondering what will happen by the end. Characters learn to be true to themselves and what is truly important in life. Written for teens, this book is a recommended addition for all teen/YA collections.

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

four-stars

Starlings

StarlingsStarlings by Amanda Linsmeier
Published by Delacorte on June 27, 2023
ISBN: 0593572335
Genres: Fantasy, Horror
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
After Kit loses her father, she discovers that the grandmother she thought was dead is very much alive and wants to meet her. She and her mother visit Agatha Starling in the idyllic town of Rosemont where Kit instantly feels like a celebrity. As she pieces together the dark history behind the reason she and her family are so revered, she becomes increasingly uncomfortable with the upcoming rose festival everyone is so excited about. When her mother goes missing, Kit knows she must find her and escape the town or be cursed to live there forever.

This is an entertaining dark fantasy that shades into folk horror. Picture Harvest Home or The Wicker Man but much less traumatizing. Kit is very likable and the claustrophobia of being in Rosemont makes for a tense read. Fans of horror, fantasy, and folklore and will enjoy this one!

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library

four-stars

Picture Perfect Boyfriend

Picture Perfect BoyfriendPicture Perfect Boyfriend by Becky Dean
Published by Delacorte on May 23, 2023
ISBN: 0593569911
Pages: 384
Genres: Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

In “Picture Perfect Boyfriend” by Becky Dean, teenager Kenzie Reed is on vacation in Maui with her family. She’s been pressured by her parents to be perfect and to get them off of her back she’s lied and made up a fake boyfriend. When her made-up boyfriend surprises her at the Maui airport, Kenzie doesn’t know what is going on! She goes along with it rather than tell her parents that she’s been lying and starts to fall for him. Scenes set in Maui are now a bit painful, especially one  at the historic banyan tree now that the fires have happened. A young adult romance with humor and a mystery (who is this guy?!?) and themes about being true to yourself despite pressure and discovering who you are, this book is an additional purchase for any YA collection where contemporary romances are popular.

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

three-stars

The Luis Ortega Survival Club

The Luis Ortega Survival ClubThe Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
on May 23, 2023
ISBN: 0063060302
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Sonora Reyes, author of “The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School,” has written another excellent queer young adult novel that should be added to your library teen/YA collection. “The Luis Ortega Survival Club” features a queer and autistic female protagonist, Ariana Ruiz. After a non-consensual sexual encounter (rape) with popular student Luis Ortega, Ariana struggles to deal with her feelings. When an anonymous person reaches out to her to say that they have experienced the same thing and ask to meet, Ariana discovers that there is a group of them and she is not alone.

The author kindly includes the sensitive topics that the book covers at the beginning of the book. This novel deals with these difficult topics well, though this is a tough book to get through. As an autistic and queer author, Reyes creates believable and well-developed characters. A recommended purchase for young adult collections everywhere, especially where “The Lesbiana’s Guide” is popular. While readers may find the subject matter difficult, these topics need to be discussed, and more queer and neurodivergent representation is definitely needed.

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

four-stars

Where the Water Takes Us

Where the Water Takes UsWhere the Water Takes Us by Alan Barillaro
Published by Candlewick Press on July 4, 2023
Pages: 208
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Where the Water Takes Us” is Alan Barillaro’s debut middle grade novel about a girl named Ava who goes to stay with her grandparents while her mom is having a difficult pregnancy. Spending time in nature in a cabin on a lake sounds idyllic, but Ava suffers from anxiety and dread while she is there. After she finds a dead bird, she feels cursed and is determined to take care of some abandoned eggs that she finds, telling herself that if she does, her mother’s pregnancy will go well. The book gives an accurate portrayal of anxiety as Ava faces other challenges and acknowledges that you can have anxiety even if you have supportive adults in your life. Barillaro clearly has a love for nature and the environment is well described.

There are beautiful watercolor pictures drawn on the edges of each page and you can watch nature scenes from the lake or landscape eventually becoming (spoiler alert) two birds that fly away. This book doesn’t break new ground, but is a good addition to middle grade collections as an accurate depiction of youth mental health. Recommended additional purchase where realistic fiction is popular.

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

three-stars

Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie’s Place, the Nation’s First Shelter for Women

Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie’s Place, the Nation’s First Shelter for WomenSanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie's Place, the Nation's First Shelter for Women by Christine McDonnell, Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Published by Candlewick Press on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 153621129X
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Sanctuary tells the story of how Kip Tiernan created Rosie’s Place in Boston, the first shelter just for women in America. As a child during the great depression, Kip had watched her grandmother share whatever she had with strangers, from food to shoes. She practiced those values as she grew up, and in the late 1960’s, inspired by the movement for social change as well as her own personal struggles – and because at that time shelters only served men (homelessness was not considered a “woman’s problem”), she pestered officials in the city of Boston until they provided space for her proposed shelter. She imagined a space where women were safe and cared for, listened to and respected – and she achieved it.

This book is a truly beautiful homage to a woman who made a lasting difference to women in Boston, and provided inspiration for other shelters like it across the country. McDonnell’s text is simple, moving, and personal; Tentler-Krylov’s watercolor and digital illustrations evoke a pitch-perfect visual counterpoint to the written word.

Endnotes provide more historical information and context about Kip, the great depression, and the many factors that can cause or impact homelessness, allowing for more discussion with older children. This is an inspiring story that will stay with readers.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Special Delivery: A Book’s Journey Around the World

Special Delivery: A Book’s Journey Around the WorldSpecial Delivery: A Book's Journey Around the World by Klas Fahlen, Polly Faber
Published by Candlewick Press on April 4, 2023
ISBN: 1536229857
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
“It’s forty more sleeps until Jay’s birthday. At a factory far away, everyone is arriving for a busy day at work.” So begins a book’s journey, from factory to truck to ship and so on, until it arrives at a bookstore where Jay’s grandmother purchases it. Each step is simple, but personal, with names given to each person who handles the book at every stage. Digital illustrations are blocky and colorful, filling the pages. Overall, an engaging view of the process for young readers, particularly those interested in transportation. A section of Special Delivery Numbers at the end is a nice bonus, providing more detailed information about shipping statistics that slightly older kids (and grownups) will find interesting.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars