Category: Book Reviews

Picture Day

Picture DayPicture Day: (A Graphic Novel) (The Brinkley Yearbooks) by Sarah Sax
on June 27, 2023
ISBN: 0593306880
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Middle-schooler Viv just wants to be noticed. She’s now using her middle name because there are so many Olivia’s in her school and she is desperate to be featured on her fellow schoolmates popular social media posts. On picture day she is not looking forward to another ho-hum picture with a home-made sweater from her Mom and her usual boring braid. Just before her picture is taken, she heads to the bathroom with a pair of scissors and hacks her braid off and ends up with a crazy hair-do. Finally she starts getting the attention she craves, however, her best friends are feeling left out and worry that Viv is not worried about any consequences. They’ve been working on a skating routine based on their favorite show for an upcoming Con. Viv has been so distracted that she ends up embarrassing her friends by not being prepared. Viv eventually learns the lesson that friends are more important than likes and works to repair her relationship with her “bffs”. Hopefully this graphic novel – by a Maine writer – is the start of a new series. Picture Day should be popular with fans of Raina Telgemeier and Svetlana Chmakova.

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

four-stars

Camp Sylvania

Camp SylvaniaCamp Sylvania by Julie Murphy
Published by Balzer + Bray on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 006311402X
Genres: Horror, Humor, Supernatural
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Middle schooler Maggie can’t wait to go to summer camp with her best friend and is devastated when her parents let her know, last minute, that they’re sending her to a fat camp instead.  Camp Sylvania turns out not to be so bad, especially since Maggie immediately makes some new friends, but what’s up with the suggested blood donations, the creepy counselor who only comes out at night, and the all-red “revolutionary wellness diet” the campers are being fed?

This book is a delight. The vampires will satisfy horror fans (though it’s gentle enough to work for non-horror fans) and it’s funny and charming enough for adults and teens. The comparison of predatory wellness influencers to vampires is not only clever, but a great way to get kids thinking critically about social media messages. Julie Murphy deftly deals with the theme of weight, and the kids are inherently body-positive, even though their parents and the counselors have different ideas.  Weight can be a difficult topic to address but the size of the kids and Maggie’s weight-stressed relationship with her mother are carried out with nuance and respect. Other than the vampires and their familiars, who really are horrible, the characters are relatable and likable; even the ghost of a camper has a sense of humor. An excellent choice for summer reading!

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

From Shore to Ocean Floor

From Shore to Ocean FloorFrom Shore to Ocean Floor: The Human Journey to the Deep by Gill Arbuthnott, Christopher Nielsen
Published by Big Picture Press on May 2, 2023
ISBN: 1536229741
Pages: 80
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
This unique nonfiction picture book explores many aspects of human knowledge and exploration of the ocean. Infographics, timelines, comics, and maps cover an array of topics such as ocean myths and legends across cultures, marine biologists, shipwrecks, and biodiversity. The topics are varied, but all revolve around how humans increased their understanding of the oceans and what they learned as they explored the ocean depths. The distinct illustration and text style add to the book’s cohesion. The textured hand-drawn illustrations have a retro style and color palette and the use of color and shading reflect the information described in the text. While graphics dominate this book, there is a little narrative text sprinkled throughout. The book includes a short table of contents, but there is no glossary or index. In addition to engaging illustrations, another strength of this book is the diversity of perspectives that are included, such as contributions from ancient civilizations, and male and female modern scientists from all over the world. After showing how amazing and important the oceans are, the book ends with a kid-friendly call to action to help care for the oceans. This book would be a great addition to any elementary or middle school library.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Not An Easy Win

Not An Easy WinNot an Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers ISBN: 0593175212
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Things seem to be going from bad to worse for Lawrence. His dad isn’t around and his family is forced to move in with his granny in her small house. Granny doesn’t have much sympathy for him, especially when he is expelled for getting in too many fights as a Black kid at his mostly white school. In order to get out of the house, Lawrence starts helping out at a local rec center. After a rough start, he begins to make friends and learns how to play chess. He is motivated to learn chess, not only because the girl he likes is the best at the rec center, but also because there is a chess tournament in Charlotte and the three best players from the rec center will get to go. Lawrence would love to go home to the city he loves, but first he must really study and learn the game of chess. While doing this, he also learns that some of the strategies involved in chess can also help him in life. Middle grade readers will enjoy this story of self-discovery, friendship, and redemption. Lawrence is a great example of someone who takes control of the story of his life in the face of many challenges.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

A Bit of Earth

A Bit of EarthA Bit of Earth by Karuna Riazi
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 0063098660
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
In this contemporary retelling of The Secret Garden, Maria finds herself moving from house to house after the death of her parents. She finally lands on Long Island, far away from Bangladesh where she was born. Prickly all her life, Maria is cautious and distant, not wanting to become too attached before being inevitably sent away again. Things start to change for Maria when she feels drawn to a neglected garden and works to restore it with the help of some neighborhood children. Maria doesn’t realize that she is breaking her own rules by letting herself get close to others, becoming friends with her neighbors and a role model for the people she is living with. This middle grade novel is mostly prose, but readers will enjoy the many chapters that start with a segment of novel in verse. Maria, despite being guarded, is fiercely independent and is a character readers will cheer for. She hangs onto her Muslim roots and Bangladeshi/Pakistani culture which are present throughout the book, and shows readers the importance of having a safe space to plant roots to grow and bloom.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

Twenty Questions

Twenty QuestionsTwenty Questions by Mac Barnett, Christian Robinson
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536215139
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
This is a book all about imagination. The text of Twenty Questions is simple, twenty open-ended questions, as advertised. Fun for ages 3 and up to imagine different scenarios based on the simple illustrations shown. Christian Robinson uses cut paper, stamps, and sharpie to create a jumping off point for kids’ creativity. This book can be used for a chat with children, or as writing prompts for elementary student. Some of the questions are really fun, but the ones with people feel a little bit like profiling.

Overall, this is a creative and fun read for one-on-one reading or groups.

Reviewed by Katie Drago, Rockland Public Library

five-stars

A Smart, Smart School

A Smart, Smart SchoolA Smart, Smart School by Anait Semirdzhyan, Sharon Creech
Published by Harper ISBN: 0063059614
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
A companion picture book to Creech’s bestselling A Fine, Fine School. In this story, beloved Principal Keene is struck down with a burst appendix and taken to the hospital. The following week Mr. Tatters comes in to take his place. Suddenly, instead of art and singing and reading, students are testing, testing, testing! By Friday teachers can think of no more questions to ask, and student’s brains are “empty, empty, empty!”

Teachers and students go to the hospital on Saturday with a banner, cards and a song for Principal Keene, and he happily recovers enough to return to school on Monday, when things return to jolly normality.

This is a lovely book about the importance of creativity and joy at school, and of educators who instill a love of learning. Semirdzhyan’s digital illustrations are bold, colorful and perfectly in line with the spirit and words of the text. Written by a beloved Maine author, this will be a popular book in classrooms and libraries.

Reviewed by: Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Friday I’m in Love

Friday I’m in LoveFriday I'm in Love by Camryn Garrett
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on January 10, 2023
ISBN: 0593435109
Pages: 269
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Instead of a Sweet Sixteen party like her best friend Naomi had, Mahalia wants to throw a coming out party – a chance to tell the whole world at once that she’s queer, proud, and, oh, by the way, is really into the Siobhan, the new girl at school. The problem is, she has to save enough money from her part time job in addition to helping her single mom with bills. Also, well – her mom doesn’t exactly know she’s gay.

Mahalia is a realistic teenager with family responsibilities, financial insecurity, best friend complications, and a desire to be seen and liked for who she is. She deals with discrimination at school, where she is one of the few Black kids, and in her mom’s homophobic church community. In fact, the coming-out conversation with her mother, when she finally has it, is a hard one. Her mother isn’t terrible, exactly – but she’s very clearly distressed and unhappy, leaving Mahalia upset and feeling very alone.

But – this is a rom-com, and eventually, the girl gets the girl, mom is accepting, and things end in a fun and satisfactory way. Teens will enjoy Mahalia’s relatable shortcomings and self-doubts, while rooting for her to succeed. A good addition to shelves, particularly if you are trying to build up inclusivity in your collection. Also, the cover is beautiful and very eye-catching!

Reviewed by: Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Stranger Danger

Stranger DangerStranger Danger (Underlined) by Maren Stoffels
Published by Underlined on May 2, 2023
ISBN: 0593647440
Genres: Psychological thriller, Suspense
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars
In order to prepare for high school exams with zero distractions, Nova and her boyfriend, Vin, rent a farmhouse in another state for a week. Lotus, Nova’s best friend, is invited and is nervous about Nova’s “no phones, no internet” rule.  She goes anyway, as she has trouble saying no to Nova, and is immediately aware that they are not alone.

What starts out as a taut, tense thriller quickly dissolves into a slurry of morally reprehensible people (teens and adults), who only feel guilt about their actions when they realize they’ve been caught. It becomes a blizzard of finger pointing and crying with no acceptable resolution. Stranger Danger feels as though it comes from a different time,  from sexual acts almost always being described as ”kissing” no matter what they are (even having an affair with an adult teacher), to mixed messages about eating disorders.  Not recommended.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

two-stars

Imposter Syndrome and other Confessions of Alejandra Kim

Imposter Syndrome and other Confessions of Alejandra KimImposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim by Patricia Park
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on 02/21/2023
ISBN: 0593563379
Pages: 295
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Alejandra Kim isn’t sure who she is or where she fits in. She is the daughter of Korean Argentinian immigrants, with a Latina first name and a Korean last name and face. She’s a poor kid from Queens with a New York attitude whose father has just died, and a highly intelligent scholarship student at a super exclusive prep school in Manhattan. Things are tense at home with her mom, and all she wants to do is keep her head down and graduate, and move on to attend an elite, quintessential New England liberal arts college far away in Maine. But after a microaggression from a teacher at school, and an eye opening elective class she takes, Ale must decide once and for all who she really is and what she wants to stand for. Ale is a thoroughly entertaining character and this book is a fun read despite the serious topics addressed such as self esteem, code switching, passing, privilege, and inclusivity. The book also delves into the psychological ramifications that immigrants often face after leaving their home countries and cultures. A must have for every YA shelf.

Recommended for grades 8-12.
Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

five-stars