Category: Book Reviews

Nell Plants a Tree

Nell Plants a TreeNell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter, Daniel Miyares
Published by HarperCollins US, Balzer + Bray on January 31, 2023
ISBN: 0062865773
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American, Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Wynter’s spare, verse-like text tells the story of a pecan tree, planted by Nell, in shifting timelines from the past (Nell planting the tree) to the present (Nell’s grandchildren enjoying its mature shade and fruit). Miyares’ gorgeous illustrations use pen and ink, gouache, and collage to fill each page with color and space, evoking a warm Southern afternoon in changing light. All characters are Black. Notes from both the author and illustrator at the end of the book discuss how personal this story is for them, growing up surrounded by family pecan trees – experiences which certainly played a large role in the development of this warm, beautiful story that will no doubt be popular with parents and children alike, and maybe inspire them to plant a tree of their own!

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Work with What You Got: A Memoir

Work with What You Got: A MemoirWork With What You Got: A Memoir by James S. Hirsch, Zion Clark
Published by Candlewick Press on April 11, 2023
Pages: 240
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Zion Clark was born without legs due to a medical disorder, but that hasn’t stopped him yet. An elite wheelchair racer, mixed martial artist, and wrestler, “Work with What You Got” is Clark’s memoir. Focusing on his life in the foster care system and afterwards, Clark shows his resilience in life, despite the many challenges he faced in his foster care situations. This is an honest look at his time in the foster care system and Clark does not shy away from the abuse and poverty he faced. Defying the odds as a Black boy and disabled survivor of the foster care system, readers will learn from his journey and his advice. His drive, helped along by a few supportive members of his life, is impressive and he is only in his mid-20s, so I’m sure he has much more success to come. Written by Zion Clark and James S. Hirsch, this young adult memoir is a recommended purchase for YA biography collections.

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

four-stars

Fake Dates and Mooncakes

Fake Dates and MooncakesFake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee
on May 16, 2023
ISBN: 0593569954
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Fake Dates and Mooncakes” by Sher Lee is a young adult realistic fiction/romance novel featuring two Asian-American teens  whose lives come together due to a Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake competition. Dylan is determined to win the competition for his mother and to improve business at his aunt’s Chinese restaurant, while Theo needs a date to a family wedding and is willing to donate a large amount to the restaurant to get Dylan to be his date (the title’s “Fake Dates”). Themes of embracing your values and being willing to be yourself are clearly shown in the narrative. The teen characters felt realistic and well developed by the author. The ending is easily guessed, but still a worthwhile read. A recommended purchase where LGBTQIA + YA romances are popular. Good for fans of Heartstopper.

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

three-stars

Trees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves

Trees: Haiku from Roots to LeavesTrees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves by Sally M. Walker, Angela McKay
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536215503
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars
A collection of haiku that touches on the importance of trees with topics such as In Times Long Past, Seeds, Peeking Inside, and Treetops. Bold, beautifully patterned artwork is paired with the poetry. This is a book that gets more enjoyable upon subsequent readings. The haikus are well executed, but Walker missed an opportunity to explain the format of haiku poetry so that the reader could have the enjoyment of counting the syllables! There is a timeline in the end pages as well as a detailed narrative about each subject. The book would be a nice addition to a unit about trees or forms of poetry.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work

Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines WorkOperation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work by Bambi Edlund
Published by Kids Can Press on October 3, 2023
ISBN: 1525306677
Pages: 44
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
I’m not sure whether to call this fiction or nonfiction as it is a combination of both. Ginger and Mac, a couple of clever mice,  on a quest to get a cupcake off the counter and do so by introducing   six simple machines. Edlund has created a fun way to teach the basic concepts of mechanical physics. Ginger and Mac’s adventure story is told in panels with dialogue boxes, while the science behind how simple machines work is explained throughout the story in fully illustrated sections.. This is a highly entertaining book that gives readers a clear and easy-to-understand overview of the six simple machines – inclined plane, lever, pulley, wheel and axle, screw, and wedge. The cartoon-like illustrations add to the fun. This is an excellent choice for teaching elementary school students  physics and to inspire inventors.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Cookie Queen: How One Girl Started Tate’s Bake Shop

Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
four-stars
This is the story of Kathleen King, a girl who worked hard to perfect the chocolate-chip cookie, and grew-up to found the world-renowned Tate’s Bake Shop. At 11-years-old, she started out by selling cookies she made at her father’s farm stand. She experimented many times and never gave up in her desire to make the best chocolate chip cookie. One has to admire her determination and attitude. When she grew up, she started Tate’s Bakery using the same recipe she developed when she was eleven. King is an impressive role model for kids wanting to start their own business. The book is appealing in its clear, straight-forward style and colorful illustrations. And there is a lot of information about cookies and the ingredients that go into them! My one criticism is the recipe in the back, which was an inspired addition, is for a molasses cookie when the whole story was about creating the perfect chocolate chip cookies. Is the recipe so secret that she cannot share it? Perhaps she intends for the reader to create their own?

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

See the Ghost

See the GhostSee the Ghost: Three Stories About Things You Cannot See by David LaRochelle, Mike Wohnoutka
Published by Candlewick Press on July 25, 2023
Pages: 64
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
five-stars
Book 3 in the “See the Cat” series. The Geisel Award–winning creators of See the Cat and See the Dog return for a comical new spoof of three stories about things they cannot see: ghost, wind, and fairy. Playful and colorful characters. This beginning reader makes use of repetition and  context clues. The speech bubbles add comical commentary from the dog and cat characters and from characters you cannot see. Recommended for all Easy Reader collections.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Vivi Loves Science: Wind and Water

Vivi Loves Science: Wind and WaterVivi Loves Science: Wind and Water (I Can Read Level 3) by Kimberly Derting, Shelli R. Johannes, Joelle Murray
Published by Greenwillow Books on January 10, 2023
ISBN: 006311660X
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
This story opens with main character Vivi fascinated by a strong storm one evening. The following morning over breakfast, her parents tell her that the local park ranger needs help cleaning up the beach. After picking up Vivi’s friend Graeme, they all head over and get to work. The two children are surprised to see not only trash and debris, but a changed landscape. The ranger teaches them about erosion, and when they see their teacher assisting with the cleanup, they excitedly share what they have learned. The following day at school, Vivi and Graeme’s teacher has them perform a science experiment for the class so they might share this important information. The experiment involves pouring sand into different containers and using poured water and air blown through a straw to illustrate the effects on a smaller scale. In the back of the book there is a step-by-step guide to replicate the experiment at home, including a variation using rocks and plants to learn about how they help retain the shape of the soil.

Children ages 4-7 will appreciate this early reader, especially those who are already interested in science.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name?

Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name?Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name? (I Can Read Level 3) by Melissa Iwai
Published by HarperCollins on January 3, 2023
ISBN: 0063208091
Pages: 31
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
four-stars
This early reader has it all: likable characters, an interesting plot, life lessons, and cultural references. Gigi decides one day that her nickname is “a baby name”, and that she’s ready for something a bit more grown-up. The adults in the story (her parents and Ojiji, her Japanese grandfather) respect her choices, even as they change. Following a series of events, Gigi realizes that her name really does suit her and feels best after all. Along the way, readers learn a bit of Japanese, see Gigi’s excitement over visiting her public library, and follow along as the characters work their way through a scenario that may feel familiar.

Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name is an excellent pick for libraries looking to bulk up their early reader collection.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

Don’t Worry, Little Crab

Don’t Worry, Little CrabDon't Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton
Published by Candlewick Press on April 25, 2023
Pages: 46
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars
Chris Haughton’s picture-book-turned-board-book will be well-received by parents and their children. Out on an adventure with Very Big Crab, Little Crab scuttles across rocks, tidepools, and seaweed, with excellent use of onomatopoeia. This part of the journey has Little Crab feeling confident, until they reach the edge of the ocean and increasingly large waves begin to head their way. Little Crab feels fearful. Very Big Crab is a great model of a parent who reassures those fears while gently encouraging Little Crab to take small steps toward overcoming that fear. Eventually, they dive beneath a wave and Little Crab finds a whole new world to explore.

With bold illustrations and a recognizable author, this book is sure to circulate and would be a good choice for libraries interested in adding to their board book collection.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

three-stars