Category: Book Reviews

Blood Scion

Blood ScionBlood Scion (Blood Scion, #1) by Deborah Falaye
Published by HarperCollins US on June 1, 2022
Pages: 432
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Sloane, a fifteen year old who is searching for her mother’s body in the outskirts of her village, has just been drafted to become a child soldier for the enemy Lucis; she also happens to be a Scion. With ancestral magic coursing through her veins, she has no choice but to try to control the fire that burns within her – for if she fails she will be executed. Based on Yoruba-Nigerian folklore, this book is heavy on world building, violence, betrayal, vengeance and perseverance.

The plot initially sounds intriguing, but the world building is at times confusing, the pacing seems rushed, there was little background or character development for some of the major supporting characters and the ending left me even more confused. Most reviews list the grade range for this book as 8-12. Really though, this book reads more like an adult novel, and probably not a good use of funds as a purchase for a young adult section.

Reviewed by Lee Remick, York Middle School

two-stars

Where You’ve Got To Be

Where You’ve Got To BeWhere You've Got to Be by Caroline Gertler
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 0063027054
Pages: 288
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Where You’ve Got to Be is a lovely middle grade novel that introduces us to Nolie, a rising sixth grader who lives with her mom, dad and older sister Linden in a small, New York City apartment. The summer has ended on a bad note when the cousins’ week at her Grandma’s beach house is cut short due to her older sister Linden, a picture perfect ballet star, insisting on going back to the city early for a workshop. To make matters worse, when she tries to reconnect with her best friend Jessa, it seems another girl has seemingly taken her place, and they’ve moved on to another level of maturity that Nolie doesn’t feel comfortable with. When her sister Linden gets the starring role in the NYC Ballet’s Nutcracker, Nolie really starts to feel invisible. So she starts to take things that don’t belong to her, including a family heirloom from her Grandma’s house – telling herself it’s just temporary to make herself feel better. But it starts to spiral out of control and Nolie finds herself in an uncomfortable position of her own making.

This is a great middle grade book about navigating growing up, old and new friendships and sibling dynamics. Another great theme throughout the book is Nolie and Linden working to understand their Jewish faith, when Linden makes some hard choices while facing anti-Semitic comments at ballet.
Recommended Grades 5-7
Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Lee Remick, York Middle School

four-stars

Fenris & Mott

Fenris & MottFenris Mott by Greg Van Eekhout
Published by HarperCollins US on November 3, 2022
ISBN: 0062970631
Pages: 208
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Mott has experienced too many broken promises, so when she makes a promise, she vows to keep it. Things go terribly wrong when she promises to keep an abandoned dog safe. The problem is that Fenris is a wolf, not a rescue dog, and he is trying to end the world by eating the moon. Fenris is cute and cuddly at first but then quickly becomes destructive and violent and Mott can see the danger he poses. Mott teams up with Thrudi, a Valkyrie from Midgard, and together they try to stop what the prophecy has proclaimed is inevitable- that the world will be destroyed and Fenris will play a key role. 4th- 6th graders will enjoy the fast-paced plot that Greg Van Eekhout creates and will appreciate the creative ideas Mott and Thrudi come up with to try to survive all of the unexpected challenges they face. This book offers a combination of action and suspense that will keep readers engrossed.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Catch That Chicken!

Catch That Chicken!Catch That Chicken! by Atinuke, Angela Brooksbank
Published by Candlewick Press on October 11, 2022
ISBN: 1536228044
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

Catch That Chicken by Atinuke and illustrations by Angela Brooksbank is the story of a young girl named Lami who is the best chicken-catcher in her compound. But when one chicken proves too fast and too tricky to catch in her usual way, Lami must learn how to catch chickens by outsmarting, and not merely outrunning, them.

This book is dynamic and full of repetitive phrases to call out as Lami runs past family members to catch her chickens. The illustrations are dynamic and the reader’s eye is naturally drawn to the path of Lami as she chases her way through different scenes of her home life. All walks of life are included in this adventure, as well as a myriad of animals and not just chickens. A solid addition to any collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars

Snow: A Lift-the-flap book about animal families

Snow: A Lift-the-flap book about animal familiesAnimal Families: Snow by Jane Ormes
Published by Candlewick Press on October 4, 2022
Pages: 14
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Snow: A lift-the-flap book about animal families is a walk through different mammals and what their cubs are named, using lift-the-flap interactivity to reveal the baby animal at the end of each sentence. The book only describes four animals which is sparse, even for a board book. The illustrations are lovely, with patterned and whimsical natural backgrounds as well as endearing animals. A solid addition to a collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

three-stars

My Poet

My PoetMy Poet by Patricia MacLachlan, Jen Hill
Published by HarperCollins US on November 30, 2022
ISBN: 006297114X
Pages: 32
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

My Poet is the story of a young girl and an older woman. This young, unnamed protagonist follows an older woman through the natural world, learning what it means to be a poet and observe the world around her. A beautiful lyrical look at the poetry of Mary Oliver and a young Patricia MacLachlan’s slightly embellished relationship with the poet.

The words are reminiscent of Mary Oliver, simple and clear while still resonant with the beauty of nature and our relationship to it, showing the reader how anyone can be a poet and an artist if they pay enough attention. The pictures are easy to follow and support the story incredibly well. A worthwhile addition to any collection.

A Cream of the Crop nominee.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

five-stars

Lost

LostLost by Sam Usher
Published by Templar on October 4, 2022
ISBN: 1536226645
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Lost by Sam Usher is about a boy and his grandfather unsure of what to do for fun when the snow begins to fall. The grandfather convinces the boy to build a sled with him and once done, they go out and happen upon a sign for a lost dog. The search is on and the reward is cake, adventure, and a few wolves, dog included, along the way.

This book’s illustrations are art. The line work and subtle snowfall that weaves in and out of focus throughout the story, as well as the detailed line work, create a beautiful story- with the text doing the work of supporting rather than becoming the main focus. A worthwhile addition to any collection, look for the second book in the series: Found.

A Cream of the Crop nominee.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

five-stars

Misty the Cloud: Friends Through Rain or Shine

Misty the Cloud: Friends Through Rain or ShineMisty the Cloud: Friends Through Rain or Shine by Dylan Dreyer, Rosie Butcher
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 0593180429
Pages: 40
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Clare, a human child, and Misty, a cloud child, are each having birthdays and need to compromise with their younger brother and sunbeam counterpart, respectively, to find a way to still have a good birthday even if their parties don’t go exactly to plan.

This book is a solid continuation of the Misty the Cloud series, and has pretty and engaging illustrations with text that while heavy on the weather-related puns, also has some solid problem-solving tips woven throughout the story. This is always a helpful addition to a collection. Good for independent readers, K-1st.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

three-stars

This is Not My Hat

This is Not My HatThis Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
Published by Walker Books on September 5, 2019
ISBN: 1536228052
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
five-stars

Jon Klassen’s book, This is Not My Hat works well in board book format. A story of a small fish who steals a big fish’s hat for themselves, sure that they will not be caught. The illustrations are stark against the dark background and the expressions of the animals involved in the plotline are all engaging and humorous. When the words stop, the pictures continue to tell the story, allowing the reader to decide how the book ended. Good for a slightly older picture book audience, the board book format might turn off the readers who believe they’ve grown out of board books, but the topic is definitely suited for kids more tuned into inference.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

five-stars

Symphony for a Broken Orchestra: How Philadelphia Collected Sounds to Save Music

Symphony for a Broken Orchestra: How Philadelphia Collected Sounds to Save MusicSymphony for a Broken Orchestra: How Philadelphia Collected Sounds to Save Music by Amy Ignatow, Gwen Millward
Published by Walker Books US on October 11, 2022
ISBN: 1536213632
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Symphony for a Broken Orchestra is a story about finding beauty in broken things. This picture book tells the tale of a symphony written for a public school in Philadelphia and their collection of broken instruments. The prose is sprinkled with instrument sound effects, telling the story effectively and dynamically to keep young readers and listeners engaged. The illustrations are bright and joyful, adding to the message of the story effectively. Good for ages 5-7.

A Cream of the Crop nominee.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

five-stars