Category: Book Reviews

Hiders Seekers Finders Keepers: How Animals Adapt in Winter

Hiders Seekers Finders Keepers: How Animals Adapt in WinterHiders Seekers Finders Keepers: How Animals Adapt in Winter by Jessica Kulekjian, Salini Perera
Published by Kids Can Press on October 4, 2022
ISBN: 1525304852
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This nonfiction picture book has an interesting format. The main text is poetic: “When days grow short, flowers fade and colors crumple to the ground … all the hiders hide.” The information in the inserted circles is informational, describing the many ways animals face the challenges of winter — some hide (hibernate and related terminology) while others seek (migrate) and finders keep (adapt to cold by growing extra fur). Two sections in the back describe the tracks the animals make in the snow. Throughout the book, a father and daughter, both of whom have brown skin, hike through the forest. The supplements add much of the interest to the book. Back matter contains an author’s note and a list of resources. This is a unique presentation and life science teachers could use this as an introduction to a sorting and classifying lesson. It can also be used to read aloud one-on-one as there are a lot of details in the illustrations. Recommend for grades K-4.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

The Bird Feeder

The Bird FeederThe Bird Feeder by Andrew Larsen, Dorothy Leung
Published by Kids Can Press on October 4, 2022
ISBN: 1525304836
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

When Grandma gets sick and comes to stay at her grandchild’s house, she brings her bird feeder. The child loves the time they now get to have together, watching the birds, drawing pictures, and talking. Grandma’s health declines, and she moves to hospice. Hanging Grandma’s bird feeder outside the window there makes things better. Eventually, grandma dies but the child hangs a bird feeder out the window to remember her by. This book has a sweet premise but there were a few plot points to consider before purchasing or sharing with a class or read aloud group: the grandmother is taken to hospice while the child is at school and the child comes home to find grandmother gone. Although the pictures convey what happened, that grandmother has died, it is never addressed in the text, “I’m glad Grandma saw the baby birds. I’m sad she won’t see them leave their nest.” This picture book could be useful to parents of children whose grandparent has died, but they should be prepared to further discuss the topic with age-appropriate vocabulary.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Love & Other Great Expectations

Love & Other Great ExpectationsLove & Other Great Expectations by Becky Dean
Published by Delacorte Press on June 14, 2022
ISBN: 0593429427
Pages: 371
Genres: Adventure, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This book may not be a literary masterpiece, but it does a beautiful job of weaving classic British literature into its plot while giving readers a front-row seat to an adorably wholesome romance.

Britt finds her dreams of playing soccer for UCLA dashed away after a serious knee injury, followed by an even more serious medical diagnosis. When her English teacher presents her and four other classmates with a chance to win $100,000, she finds herself ready to embark on a unique journey. To win, she must let a literature-inspired scavenger hunt lead her across Great Britain, while she interprets the clues given to her and writes about her experiences.

The most surprising part of the trip? Meeting Luke; a smart, kind, adventurous, and slightly mysterious guy who ends up traveling along with her. As with any good YA novel, the characters end up learning a bit (a lot) about themselves.

If you have teens that enjoy romance stories, this would most certainly circulate. Recommended for middle and high school students.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

three-stars

The Shelterlings

The ShelterlingsThe Shelterlings by Sarah Beth Durst
Published by Clarion Books on June 21, 2022
ISBN: 0358350395
Pages: 256
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In this middle grade fantasy novel, Sarah Beth Durst tells the story of a group of animals who live together after being rejected by wizards. Told they are a mistake and unwanted because their magical powers are defective (like turning to stone or turning one hat into another), the shelterlings live together in their own shelter of misfits. When a former shelterling returns with a spell to help correct everyone’s magic, they are eager to help collect all the necessary ingredients. They use their unusual magic to their advantage as they go on dangerous quests to collect the items, but their biggest challenge will be to try to stave off some unexpected foes who have betrayed them. This middle grade novel is filled with exciting adventures and unique characters and would make a great read aloud. It ultimately is a story of self-acceptance and friendship, told by Holly, a loveable squirrel who conjures only pastry, but more importantly helps others see the best in themselves.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Story Booth: The True & Amazing & Heartbreaking & Inspiring Stories of Real People

Story Booth: The True & Amazing & Heartbreaking & Inspiring Stories of Real PeopleStorybooth by Storybooth
Published by HarperTeen on July 19, 2022
ISBN: 006305793X
Pages: 208
Genres: Short Stories
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Story Booth is a compilation of teen experiences, ranging from a sentence or two to several pages in length. The topics don’t seem to have any discernible theme or organization, with the exception that they are overwhelmingly negative.

Readers might be interested in reading the firsthand accounts of teenagers sharing experiences like their boyfriend committing suicide, having one’s nude photos posted online without consent, having a bad reaction to taking diet pills, and struggling with a range of mental health issues. This reviewer is a big supporter of providing readers with accurate information, along with autobiographical accounts, on mental health and other tough topics that affect teens. The biggest problem with this book is that there never seemed to be a positive side, or any type of suggestions regarding what to do when struggling. In the very back of the book, there is a short list of resource organizations that readers can reach out to, but the inclusion of this information felt very much like an afterthought.

This book is intended for high school students, but is not recommended as a worthwhile addition to library collections.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Library

two-stars

Lou

LouLou by Breanna Carzoo
Published by HarperCollins on July 12, 2022
ISBN: 0063054051
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Lou is a fire hydrant. Throughout their life, they believe they’re only meant to be a dog toilet, but they feel like they have more to offer the world. One day, a store catches fire, and Lou is finally able to realize their true and full potential.

This books is slightly funny and a little gross with all the dog pee everywhere. Lou is likable and readers will find themselves rooting for Lou when the fire starts. The digitally rendered illustrations are high color and simple but help complete the story and show emotion. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Chickadee Criminal Mastermind

Chickadee Criminal MastermindChickadee: Criminal Mastermind by Monica Silvie, Elina Ellis
Published by Kids Can Press on June 7, 2022
ISBN: 1525303384
Pages: 36
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This humorous picture book is about a criminal mastermind chickadee that is terrorizing the forest and the residences around the forest. There is a short educational piece at the end of the book that offers fun facts about black-capped chickadees. This book is great for kids ages 4 – 8 or grades K-4. The illustrations complement the plotline and go between full-spread and word-bubbled text. This book would be a great addition to in-class libraries and an excellent animal book for both public and school libraries.

Reviewed by Brandon Dyer, Auburn Public Library

three-stars

Anglerfish: the Seadevil of the deep

Anglerfish: the Seadevil of the deepAnglerfish: The Seadevil of the Deep by Elaine M. Alexander, Fiona Fogg
Published by Candlewick Press on April 5, 2022
ISBN: 1536213969
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This books follows the life of a female anglerfish from the moment she hatches to the moment she lays her own eggs. It’s a fascinating exploration of this cool animal from the deep. The text is sparse enough to keep kids interested but includes enough information to still be educational. The digitally rendered illustrations are beautiful and help show the fish’s life. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Little Houses

Little HousesLittle Houses by Kevin Henkes, Laura Dronzek
Published by Greenwillow Books on May 24, 2022
ISBN: 0062965727
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A young light-skinned girl and her grandmother are combing the beach. They find lots of shells and talk about how the shells are actually little houses. The girl wonders about the colors and designs on the shells and of who possibly lived there before. She then wonders about what lies out of sight under the ocean, around the world, and in the minds of animals.

This is a gentle story about the bigger world around us and how we fit in the world. The young girl contemplates some big questions but in a completely age-appropriate way. The acrylic illustrations are deeply colorful, detailed, and really enliven the story. This is a great story for one-on-one sharing perhaps followed by more discussion about the questions raised within. Young readers will certainly have interesting speculations about the way things are. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

The Blanket Where Violet Sits

The Blanket Where Violet SitsThe Blanket Where Violet Sits by Allan Wolf, Lauren Tobia
Published by Candlewick Press on August 30, 2022
ISBN: 076369665X
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Told in cumulative rhyme, in the vein of “This is the House that Jack Built,” this picture book introduction to the universe begins on a blanket in the park where Violet and her caregivers (one who is brown-skinned) are enjoying a picnic of “a sandwich, an apple, and chips.” As the sky darkens, the headlamps and telescope are brought out. Violet gazes up at the solar system, imagining a rocket ride to another galaxy, but the cumulative rhyme always brings her back to her cozy red blanket. Tobia’s drawings create inviting scenes of a loving family outing and mind-expanding pictures of our universe. Fun read for a preschool-aged story time.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars