Category: Book Reviews

Different for Boys

Different for BoysDifferent for Boys by Patrick Ness, Tea Bendix
Published by Walker Books US on March 14, 2023
Pages: 104
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Patrick Ness’ “Different For Boys” is short, but it manages to hit its points hard and leave you thinking about it long after you’ve finished reading. Anthony Stevenson, “Ant,” has been sexually exploring with his male classmate Charlie, but they’re not gay, right? When Charlie and Ant are paired together in class with Jack, a gay classmate. This forces Ant to examine his relationship with Charlie and do some heavy introspection. A book that manages to express the angst and confusion of high school boys navigating relationships, with limited (and often stylistically censored) text and scratchy pencil and line art, “Different For Boys” is not to be missed. A must-buy for young adult collections everywhere.

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

five-stars

Doe’s Dandelions

Doe’s DandelionsDoe's Dandelions (Woodland Friends, #4) by Laura Renauld, Jennie Poh
Published by Beaming Books on March 7, 2023
ISBN: 1506485685
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

The fourth book in a series of picture books by author/illustrator duo Renauld and Poh. With alliterative titles and the same cast of woodland creatures, this book follows Doe as he deals with dandelions creeping into his bed of daffodils just before Doe needs to get his flowers ready for the Petal Parade. When he sets off to warn his neighbors of the invasive plant, he learns that not everyone sees dandelions as a nuisance and that different perspectives can offer a wider view of a thing you originally thought was a problem. In the end, Doe learns about all of the positive things a dandelion can be, and he and all of his friends incorporate the sunny flower into their bouquets for the Petal Parade.

The illustrations are a done in soft colors and all of the animals have a distinct look. The illustration where Doe speaks with Squirrel mentions a sign in Squirrel’s area and the illustration does not show a sign; later in the book, during the petal parade, Squirrel does have a sign. The font and size in each sign could be a lot bigger.  The back matter offers steps for holding your own Petal Parade.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham

three-stars

The Black Queen

The Black QueenThe Black Queen by Jumata Emill
on January 31, 2023
ISBN: 0593568540
Genres: Mystery, Suspense
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

High school senior Nova is her high school’s first Black Homecoming Queen, and her polarizing coronation quickly becomes a tragedy when she is found murdered after the Homecoming dance. The top suspect is Tinsley McArthur, a popular white student who has made no secret of her resentment of Nova. Can Duchess, Nova’s best friend, prove Tinsley did it? Tinsley is adamant that while being guilty of terrible behavior, she is innocent of murder. What if she’s telling the truth?

Told in the alternating points of view of Duchess and Tinsley, the twists and turns in The Black Queen make it super readable and hard to put down. The story is tight and fair to its characters and it works well that we get to know Nova a bit before she is killed. It manages to incorporate a surprising number of racial, sexual, and social issues. The one drawback is the dialog sometimes feels forced and unnatural. Suggest it to fans of Riverdale or contemporary thrillers or mysteries.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Eb & Flow

Eb & FlowEb & Flow by Kelly J. Baptist
ISBN: 0593429133
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Eb (short for Ebony) and Flow (nickname for De’Kari) find themselves suspended for 10 days after an altercation in the cafeteria. Eb accidentally tripped (she says) over Flow’s new sneakers and scuffed them. Flow did not react well and when Eb’s friends egged her on to pretend to spill bar-b-q sauce on Flow’s sneakers, things quickly de-escalated when she accidentally (she says) spilled the sauce on his sneakers. He reacted and shoved (not hit) her (he says) and she may have shoved him back. This novel-in-verse takes place during the 10-day suspension in a series of back-and-forth poems in the voices of Eb and Flow. Interestingly, the reader learns that Eb and Flow have a lot more in common than they realize – including the fact that both have absent fathers and that their families are worried that they are both very close to expulsion and possibly derailing their future plans. The last day of suspension is an In-School-Suspension where Eb & Flow are given an opportunity for reflection. An authentic middle grade story of family, school, and the challenges kids face from peer-pressure to viral videos to absent parents.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Taking the Blame

Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Taking the BlameLoki: A Bad God's Guide to Taking the Blame by Louie Stowell
Published by Walker Books US on May 9, 2023
Pages: 288
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Volume 2 in the hilarious adventures of the trickster God Loki’s time in Midgard (where humans live) learning how to live as a middle school student. He is being punished by Odin for cruel tricks he played on the Goddess Sif. Along with “twin brother” Thor, “mother” Hyrrokkin, and “father” Heimdall they must learn to join forces as a family to defeat the evil Frost Giants. Will Loki be able to put his selfish ways aside and help his friends and pretend family when he needs to? Includes delightful illustrations and funny dialogue between Loki and his diary.

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

four-stars

Harboring Hope: The True Story of How Henny Sinding Helped Denmark’s Jews Escape the Nazis

Harboring Hope: The True Story of How Henny Sinding Helped Denmark’s Jews Escape the NazisHarboring Hope: The True Story of How Henny Sinding Helped Denmark's Jews Escape the Nazis by Susan Hood
on March 21, 2023
ISBN: 0063214482
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

While not quite as action-packed as Lifeboat 12 or Alias Anna, this is another historical story of an unsung hero facing off against the evils of Hitler and the Nazis. Henny Sinding – just 22 years old – couldn’t sit by and watch Germany invade her beloved Denmark. She helped over 300 Jewish people escape Denmark by hiding them in the hold of her boat and ferrying them to Sweden. She worked with the Danish resistance movement until she too had to escape to Sweden. She was able to return to Denmark after the war and resumed her life of helping others and sailing. This novel in verse is told mostly through free verse. Hood also incorporates other poetic styles throughout the book and she includes a note about the poetry and the different styles she chose (ode, concrete, cinquain, triolet, etc.). Includes extensive notes and photographs.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

Mapmakers and the Enchanted Mountain

Mapmakers and the Enchanted MountainMapmakers and the Enchanted Mountain: (A Graphic Novel) by Amanda Castillo, Cameron Chittock
ISBN: 0593172914
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Alidade, the newly-minted mapmaker and her friend Lewis, set off with the magical memri Blue to complete the map of the enchanted mountain region. There they meet Cado who is trying his hand at mapmaking to find the memri of the mountain and to cure the sickness that has left many mountain people sick. When they inadvertently bring a monster to life, they have to figure out how to complete their map properly to bring the mountain memri back. This clever graphic novel is the second in a series and sets up what will be a highly-anticipated third volume.

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

four-stars

Too Small Tola Gets Tough

Too Small Tola Gets ToughToo Small Tola Gets Tough by Atinuke, Onyinye Iwu
Series: Too Small Tola #3
Published by Candlewick Press on March 21, 2023
ISBN: 1536229466
Pages: 96
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
In the third book of the series, the coronavirus has come to Lagos, Nigeria and is affecting Tola’s world. Ordinarily, Tola lives with Grandmommy, sister Moji, and brother Dapo, but because of lockdown Moji and Dapo are living elsewhere. Food is also scarce, so when Tola gets the opportunity to work at a fancy house where she will get enough to eat and earn some money to send back to Grandmommy, she swallows her fears, holds her head up high, and takes the job. This early chapter book is a gentle way to talk about how people in places other than the US dealt with the pandemic. It shows the sacrifice and hardship through the relatable character of Too Small Tola, who is like any kid anywhere; she loves school, particularly math, and wants to be safe with her family. Eventually, Tola’s math skills bring her recognition and a small income that will allow her to return home to her beloved Grandmommy. This series is a wonderful addition to any public or elementary library.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Baxter Memorial Library

five-stars

Calling the Moon: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC Authors

Calling the Moon: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC AuthorsCalling the Moon: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC Authors by Aida Salazar, Christina Soontornvat, Elise McMullen-Ciotti, Emma Otheguy, Erin Entrada Kelly, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Hilda Eunice Burgos, Ibi Zoboi, Leah Henderson, Mason J., Nikki Grimes, Padma Venkatraman, Saadia Faruqi, Susan Muaddi Darraj, Veeda Bybee, Yamile Saied Méndez
Published by Candlewick Press on March 28, 2023
Pages: 368
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Short Stories
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Calling the Moon is an expansive collection of coming of age short stories written by BIPOC authors all focusing on girls getting their first period. The authors effectively capture the anxiety/excitement/embarrassment that girls often experience at this time in their lives, as well as the physical pain and mood swings. These short stories also explore the various complex relationships between mothers and daughters and include one story where the mother had died and the father is now the one to buy pads at the grocery store. Many of these stories focus on the cultural or religious traditions surrounding a girl getting her first period- from shame and secrecy to beautiful celebrations and ceremonies and are written by authors readers might already be familiar with. This book would be perfect for middle grade girls going through puberty or who are preparing to. The openness of the authors in writing authentically and directly about these experiences and the sheer number of stories in this collection (16) will help break down barriers that prevent this topic from being discussed and/or written about. Young readers will undoubtedly connect with these characters in profound ways as they see their questions and experiences reflected in girls from cultures all around the world.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

This Is a Story

This Is a StoryThis is a Story by John Schu, Lauren Castillo
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
This Is A Story is a sweet, quiet, simply worded book about a child finding a seahorse story at the library after flying a seahorse shaped kite. Most of the story is told through the illustrations, which are digital drawings painted in watercolor. The book has a gentle and encouraging message about the importance of libraries and books, and is sure to warm the reader’s heart.

This book will shine brightest with adults who will recognize many of the real picture book covers that are included in the illustrated library. The book is a love letter to libraries, finding connections, and imagination and would be lovely in a library story time.

Note: the dust cover of the book can be removed to become a poster that says, “Happy, Happy Reading!”

Reviewed by Katie Drago, Rockland Public Library

four-stars