Category: Book Reviews

Practical Rules for Cursed Witches

Practical Rules for Cursed WitchesPractical Rules for Cursed Witches by Kayla Cottingham
on August 27, 2024
ISBN: 0593813979
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Practical Rules for Cursed Witches” by Kayla Cottingham is a YA fantasy novel about a witch attempting to break her curse. Delilah is a witch born to a cursed family where if anyone falls in love with them, they will forget everything about them. Delilah decides she is going to try to break the curse while on a quest for her “calling,” where she will try to break the curse on a dying wealthy man and she only has six months to do it or she will lose her magic forever. The book follows Delilah as she goes on her quest and meets Kieran who needs to find his lost twin.

Characters become well developed and are interesting. The world building is great and well done, though more information about the lore at the beginning of the book might have been helpful. A fun queer fantasy romance, this is a recommended purchase where YA fantasy does well.

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

four-stars

Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever!

Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever!Best Christmas Ever! (Pizza and Taco #8) by Stephen Shaskan
Series: Pizza and Taco #8
Published by Random House on 10/01/24
ISBN: 0593703499
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Young readers will enjoy this installment of the popular Pizza and Taco series.  In this graphic novel, Pizza and Taco are preparing for Christmas.  They carefully make lists of all the toys they want.  They also try to out-do one another in being nice because they know Santa Slaw is watching.  On Christmas morning, they are initially disappointed because they didn’t receive everything they asked for, but then they realize that the best present is their friendship.  This book is ideal for any library that serves newer readers in Kindergarten or 1st grade.  Most of the pictures are simple yet humorous, especially the facial expressions,  and there isn’t much text on each page.  Libraries that already have books in this series should consider adding this graphic novel to their collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

How to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big Feelings

How to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big FeelingsHow to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big Feelings by Allan Wolf, Keisha Morris
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536223476
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

How to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big Feelings

Allan Wolf

 

This picture book for ages 3-7 provides strategies for readers during times when they feel a tantrum coming. Whether there is too much noise, or too much light, or the day just isn’t going as planned, the escalation of small feelings into big overwhelming feelings is a universal experience. Wolf offers kid-friendly suggestions to cope, such as taking deep breaths, doing a silly dance, or seeking out a quiet space. The illustrations, constructed with tissue paper collages, feature inclusivity and diversity among the book’s characters. The rhyming feels a bit forced at times which may detract from the book’s quality as a read-aloud.  However, all readers could benefit from this lovely reminder to pause, take a breath, and count to ten.

3 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

three-stars

Ruffles and the Cold, Cold Snow

Ruffles and the Cold, Cold SnowRuffles and the Cold, Cold Snow by David Melling
ISBN: 1536237663
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Ruffles and the Cold, Cold Snow

David Melling

This picture book for preschoolers is the latest in the series featuring Ruffles, a playful puppy. While Ruffles loves many things- howling, scratching, eating, fetching, and running- he does NOT love snow. It is simply too cold and too “slippy” and too “sinky.” Ruffles’ friends, the five teeny tiny kittens, love the snow! However, the snow is too deep for the kittens, and they need Ruffles’ help.  Even though Ruffles fears the snow, will he be brave enough to rescue the kitties? Ruffles learns that maybe playing in the snow isn’t so bad, as long it’s “not-too-deep.” This is a lovely winter picture book about friendship and courage.

4 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

four-stars

Zodiac Rising

Zodiac RisingZodiac Rising (Descendants of the Zodiac, #1) by Katie Zhao
on October 8, 2024
ISBN: 059364641X
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Zodiac Rising” is a young adult modern fantasy/heist novel by Katie Zhao. The story opens with the emperor of the Middle Kingdom being punished by the gods for his greed. The gods release monsters called wrathlings to destroy everything. One god relents and provides 12 warriors who are descendants of a magical animal from the Chinese zodiac. The warriors fight back and win. Many years later, the heads of the animal statues are stolen and the descendants’ powers are removed, with many of them being transformed into supernatural creatures like vampires and werewolves. They cannot return to their original selves until the statue heads are returned.

The book mostly takes place in present time with the descendants who are left attending a special hidden school, which was the part that really took me out of the story because I couldn’t understand why the centuries old descendants were essentially in high school with actual teen descendants. Several of the characters go to faerie land to pull a heist and get back the statue heads, which I found the most interesting part of the novel. The characters were fleshed out and believable and I enjoyed the trust building.  A recommended additional purchase for YA collections where modern fantasy novels are popular.

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

three-stars

Molly, Olive, and Dexter: The Guessing Game

Molly, Olive, and Dexter: The Guessing GameMolly, Olive, and Dexter: The Guessing Game by Catherine Rayner
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536234141
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

The second in a series by Catherine Rayner is Molly, Olive, and Dexter: The Guessing Game. This is a charming picture book in Rayner’s series that focuses on the theme of friendship. Each book is a different game they play together. The Guessing Game is reminiscent of an “I Spy” game one might play with friends.

Rayner’s stunning illustrations are shiny and colorful with beautiful watercolor-brushed animals including: Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox. The story goes back and forth to each of the animals trying to guess what item the other animal is thinking about. Olive the owl is thinking about two things that are lovely, and Molly and Dexter are frustrated! They cannot guess what it might be. Then they realize that Olive is owl is thinking about Molly and Dexter!

“This game is lovely,” says Dexter. “It’s the loveliest game in the world,” says Molly. Albeit a bit too saccharine at times, a child will find these characters to be cozy nonetheless. A great addition to a sweet and gentle series that also includes, Molly, Olive, and Dexter Play Hide-and-Seek, Molly, Olive, and Dexter: You Can’t Catch Me! (2025), and Molly, Olive, and Dexter: Who’s Afraid of the Dark? (2025).

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

The Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War II

The Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War IIThe Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War II by Michael Rosen
Published by Candlewick Press on 08/20/2024
ISBN: 1536236217
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this short memoir, children’s author and poet Michael Rosen describes his search for answers about family members who died in the Holocaust.  The sparse and simple text is appropriate for kids in upper elementary school as the information is presented in a straightforward manner without being graphic.  Rosen also includes his poetry that captures the thoughts or mood of what people were experiencing.  The memoir also includes maps, photographs, and letters that enhance the narrative of Rosen putting together clues about his family’s past.  As he wraps up his memoir, Rosen connects what happened to Jewish people during World War II to the racism and xenophobia present right now, highlighting the role of governments that separate families and legalize discrimination.  Though the topics covered in this memoir are tough, Rosen ends with a poem of hope.  In addition to a detailed index, the backmatter includes many options for those who want to read more about the Holocaust, refugees, and displacement.  This book would be great for elementary or middle school libraries who are looking to add something new to their World War II/Holocaust collections.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

The Everybody Experiment

The Everybody ExperimentThe Everybody Experiment by Lisa Moore Ramée
on August 27, 2024
ISBN: 0063039478
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Everybody Experiment by Lisa Moore Ramee

This middle grade novel for readers ages 8-12 focuses on the protagonist and self-described crybaby, Kylie, who worries that her friends will leave her behind for being too babyish and immature. Therefore, she embarks on an experiment in the summer before seventh grade to prove she is just as mature as her friends- Kylie vows to do everything that her friends do. Kylie’s struggle between being true to herself and wanting to fit in is one that everyone can relate to, especially middle-schoolers. Kylie encounters moral dilemmas, such as when her friend Naomi lies and steals, and Kylie is forced to choose between protecting her friendship and demonstrating integrity. This novel also touches upon how hidden personal struggles can impact one’s behavior. Kylie learns that maturity can have multiple forms- physical, emotional,
social.  Kylie, who endearingly refers to her mother as “Momma,” is a character for whom the
reader will cheer as she learns to be true to herself.
 4 stars
Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay
four-stars

The Goblin Twins – Too Hard to Scare

The Goblin Twins – Too Hard to ScareThe Goblin Twins: Too Hard to Scare by Frances Cha, Jaime Kim
ISBN: 0593480260
Genres: Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

The Goblin Twins: Too Hard to Scare is about two creatures from Korean mythology who move to New York and attempt to play tricks on people. However, they didn’t anticipate how impervious New Yorkers would be to their scare attempts. It turns out the adjustment to New York was harder than they thought it would be. In order to cheer themselves up they try and try to scare those around them. Ultimately while they’re unsuccessful in their attempts to strike fear into the hearts of those around them, they do become closer and learn to lean on each other as they learn to adapt in their new home. I would recommend this for patrons who are K-3 and libraries where the first book (The Goblin Twins) is popular, Halloween/scare books are popular, or you have a lot of people who move to your town. Three stars.

Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

three-stars

My Olive Tree

My Olive TreeMy Olive Tree by Hazar Elbayya
ISBN: 0593810228
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
A young Palestinian girl learns all about olive trees from her grandfather; how they connect so many people in their community, how the olives are used in so many ways, and how they have come to represent peace, connection, and resilience. She decides to plant some seeds to grow her own olive tree, but it is unfortunately stomped on as soldiers pass through her town.The girl’s grandfather encourages her not to lose hope and tells her he will share the story of her tree with others. Not long after, the child comes upon a new grove of olive trees planted by her friends and neighbors.

Lovely, muted illustrations grace the pages of this incredible book. Elbayya’s author’s note gives readers more context, as well as a sense of the resilience and desire for peace. A timely selection, the hopeful messaging in this picture book is highly recommended for all libraries, although the text is intended for grades 1-2.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta.

five-stars