Category: Book Reviews

Winnie Zeng Unleashes A Legend

Winnie Zeng Unleashes A LegendWinnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on April 26, 2022
ISBN: 0593426576
Pages: 288
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Winnie Zeng is an overachiever, an eleven-year-old Chinese American entering middle school. She thought the first day couldn’t get any worse until she spotted David, her archrival. Winnie approaches David with a bet that she can make more money through the school’s Fall bake sale. She finds her Lao Lao (Grandmother’s ) old family cookbook and decides to make moon pies. If only Winnie knew that baking and eating the moon pies would open another realm to the spirit world thereby releasing evil spirits and her Lao Lao, and give her Shamanic powers. Winnie, along with another unexpected Shaman, needs to save not only her town but the world from the chaos that awaits.

Winnie Zeng is the first book in the series. It is a sassy, adventurous, heroic, courageous, and fun read. Contains Chinese mythology, history, and recipes. Great for anyone in grades 4-7.

Reviewed by Patricia Szczechowicz, D.A. Hurd Library

five-stars

A Pandemic is Worldwide

A Pandemic is WorldwideA Pandemic Is Worldwide by Sarah L. Thomson, Taia Morley
Series: Science, let's read and find out
Published by HarperCollins on February 22, 2022
ISBN: 0063086263
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This nonfiction picture book takes the reader through the history of pandemics starting with the bubonic plague up through Covid 19. It describes the differences between an outbreak, an epidemic, and a pandemic. It also talks about steps people can take to keep germs from spreading and ending a pandemic. This book is informative and timely. It would be a good addition to your shelves. Recommended for grades 1-4.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75

three-stars

The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything

The Astronomer Who Questioned EverythingThe Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell by Laura Alary, Ellen Rooney
Published by Kids Can Press on May 3, 2022
ISBN: 1525303481
Pages: 36
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This biographical picture book tell the story of Maria Mitchell who was one of the most important women in astronomy. It talks about her childhood and how her father taught her. It shows how she grew up to discover a comet all the barriers she broke following her passions. The illustrations work well with the text. This would be a good addition to any elementary biography section.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75

three-stars

The Little Bad Book

The Little Bad BookThe Little Bad Book #1 by Magnus Myst, Thomas Hussung
Published by Delacorte Press on June 28, 2022
ISBN: 0593427610
Pages: 128
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Humor
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

The Little Bad Book is the interactive story of a book that has aspirations of being truly evil and needs a young reader’s help to achieve its goals. The choose-your-own-adventure setup leads the reader through puzzles, stories, riddles, and peer pressure. It’s an emotional roller-coaster that provides encouragement on one page and trickery on the next.

Some kids will love this but the target audience is a little unclear; the humor is coarse and the challenges and riddles would be difficult for the age group that would appreciate the grossness of the jokes and stories. There is a lot going on and could be overwhelming for young readers. If there are choose-your-own-adventure fans in your library they’ll most likely enjoy this but others will have a hard time finding their footing with it.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

two-stars

Global Ocean

Global OceanThe Global Ocean by Natasha Donovan, Rochelle Strauss
Published by Kids Can Press on May 3, 2022
ISBN: 1525304917
Pages: 36
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a nonfiction book that presents information about the interconnected nature of the world’s oceans. It’s loaded with information about sea life, ocean currents, climate change, and more. It looks like a picture book from the outside; however, the text inside is so dense only older readers will be able to stick with it. The information presented is good, the format just isn’t ideal for kids. It would have served its audience better as a longer book with more infographics and broken up blocks of text. Recommended for readers 5th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Trucks on Trucks

Trucks on TrucksTrucks on Trucks by Nik Henderson, Sorche Fairbank
Published by Greenwillow Books on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 0062842099
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Truck fans rejoice! This is a fun and quick read for those who love all things truck. “…Red truck on blue truck. Old truck on new truck.” The rhyming text pairs perfectly with the illustrations that convey the stacked trucks. It makes a great read aloud as the text is simple with just one sentence per page, and kids will love seeing all the different kinds of trucks. The mixed media art will delight readers and is full of bright colors and whimsical details. Recommended for truck lovers ages 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Jasmine Green Rescues a Foal Called Storm

Jasmine Green Rescues a Foal Called StormA Foal Called Storm (Jasmine Green #11) by Ellie Snowden, Helen Peters
Published by Walker Books US on April 26, 2022
ISBN: 1536222712
Pages: 144
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Jasmine Green is back for the 8th installment in this early middle grade series. This book follows the format typical of previous books where Jasmine and her friends find an animal in need. In this case, it’s a young foal injured and separated from it’s mother. Jasmine and her friend Tom work together to heal the foal and figure out who owns it. They’re also trying to take care of a bunch of other animals, so they really have their work cut out for them.

This is a fun, lighthearted, and gentle series for early middle grade readers. It’s the perfect length and difficulty level for those ready to move on from early chapter books but who aren’t quite ready for heavy hitting content. Fans of the previous books in the series will not be disappointed in this latest, and those who haven’t read any of the previous books do not need to do so in order to enjoy this book. Recommended for readers 7 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Clark the Shark: Friends Forever

Clark the Shark: Friends ForeverClark the Shark: Friends Forever by Bruce Hale, Guy Francis
Published by HarperCollins on June 7, 2022
ISBN: 0062912593
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
three-stars

Clark the Shark is back for another early reader story of friendship and understanding. Clark is super excited for the drawing contest — he REALLY wants to win the prizes. He’s so focused on what he needs and wants, he doesn’t notice his good friend Joey is super upset. After chatting with his mom and stepping back a bit, Clark realizes his friend needs a friend. This is a good book to teach kids about empathy and thinking of others. Fans of Clark the Shark will enjoy this latest book, though it is less humorous than previous Clark books. Recommended for new readers ages 6 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Birds

BirdsLittle Kids First Board Book: Birds by Ruth Musgrave
Published by National Geographic Kids on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 1426371446
Pages: 26
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a National Geographic board book part of a series perfect for budding naturalists. Each two-page spread features a full color photograph of one bird species. There is one sentence in large text perfect for reading aloud to babies, but there is also an additional piece of information about the bird in smaller text. Read some of the words, read all of the words, or simply let baby marvel at the brightly colored birds. The ratio of text to picture is perfect for board book readers. Recommended for babies up through new readers.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Just Joking Science

Just Joking ScienceJust Joking Science by National Geographic Society
Published by National Geographic Kids on March 22, 2022
ISBN: 1426371519
Pages: 208
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a National Geographic book of jokes camouflaged as something scientific. Per usual for National Geographic, there are gorgeous photographs throughout the book, but there is minimal science. Each page features a handful of jokes written as speech bubbles coming out of animal mouths. Some jokes are nature/science related, and some are not. There are small snippets of scientific information on some pages that relate to either the picture or the joke, but the text is much smaller and science buffs may find themselves fishing for more facts. In reality, this is a joke book and not a science book. Fans of slapstick and knock knock jokes will enjoy it though younger readers may not actually understand some of the puns. Recommended for readers 2nd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars