Category: Book Reviews

Out of This World: Star-Studded Haiku

Out of This World: Star-Studded HaikuOut of This World : Star-Studded Haiku by Matthew Trueman, Sally M. Walker
Published by Candlewick Press on April 12, 2022
ISBN: 1536203564
Pages: 48
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Walker has created haiku poetry about constellations (three stars in a row/Orion fastens his belt/ready for the hunt), the beginning of the Universe, stars, our solar system, eclipses, and asteroids. The poetry is excellent and the accompanying illustrations are stunning. This works well as a picture book with poetry. It’s a little overwhelming though for those who might want to reference this as a nonfiction source about the solar system and space as the “further explorations” section is quite dense and not reader-friendly. I wish the author had included a brief note on the structure of haikus.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

White Smoke

White SmokeWhite Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 006302909X
Pages: 384
Genres: Psychological thriller, Horror
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Terror, ghost, haunting and teen mental health issues abound in this new novel by Jackson.  A teen struggling with past addiction and a newly blended family is challenged when that family moves to a haunted house in a strange town.  Mari is a HS student who is trying to keep her anxiety at bay.  Her internal fears and external behavior reflect how the past has formed her and to what extent the noise and visions within the new house affect her very soul.  Readers will feel fear, as their hearts beat faster with each page turned.  Mari’s brother Sam is well defined but her step sister is somewhat of a mystery.

As a psychological thriller this book will appeal to many high school readers and may find a place among adults who appreciate horror books.  Jackson has provided another good read that is sure to satisfy.  Add to HS media centers and to YA collections in public libraries.

four-stars

Barakah Beats

Barakah BeatsBarakah Beats by Maleeha Siddiqui
Published by Scholastic Press on October 19, 2021
ISBN: 1338702068
Pages: 288
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
A tender story about a Muslin girl who starts attending her local public school after years of religious education.  Any middle school student suffers the typical emotional ups and downs and Nimra is no exception.  She struggles with making right decisions relating to her faith and family expectations while trying to fit in.  The existence of an eight-grade band adds dimension and challenges the character.  This is a story about a strong girl who knows herself and finds a way to demonstrate her values.

Readers will be drawn to well defined characters and to the inclusion of music in the storyline.  The use of some technology adds realism without making the story dependent on emails.  Barakah Beats provides an old-fashioned approach to friendships.  Add to intermediate and middle grade media centers and to juvenile collections in public libraries.

five-stars

Fergus And Zeke And The 100th Day of School

Fergus And Zeke And The 100th Day of SchoolFergus and Zeke and the 100th Day of School by Heather Ross, Kate Messner
Series: Fergus and Zeke #4
Published by Candlewick Press on December 14, 2021
ISBN: 1536213004
Pages: 56
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
five-stars
Fergus And Zeke And The 100th Day of School is the fourth in an excellent advanced easy reader series.  Messner had previously introduced readers to these two talented mice;  this book will satisfy those who follow Fergus and Zeke.   These charming and well-developed animal characters capture the interest and provide humor to readers.  Although the text is written in nearly chapter book level the font is large and clear for advanced grade 1 – 3 readers.

Illustrations created by Ross are full of action.  Rats and children express emotion as they progress through normal school activities including art and gym classes.  The color pallet is simple and plenty of white space is used.

Add this book where easy readers are collected in libraries and classrooms.  When thinking of gifts for this age group, Fergus and Zeke stories make excellent selections.

five-stars

While You’re Sleeping

While You’re SleepingWhile You're Sleeping by John Broadley, Mick Jackson
Published by Pavilion Children's on September 3, 2020
ISBN: 1843654652
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
This picture book takes readers through what happens when most of us are fast asleep. There are people working throughout the night baking, cleaning public transit, and driving delivery trucks. Doctors and nurses are taking care of the sick and firefighters are keeping us safe. Babies are up needing to be fed, animals are out and about. And when we wake in the morning to begin our day, the night time workers are headed off to sleep.

The pen and ink illustrations in this book steal the show. The soft color palette and dot and line patterns are mesmerizing and offer an incredible amount of detail. Some British terms such as “lorries” may need to be explained to young readers.

Ages 4-7

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

three-stars

Frankie and Amelia

Frankie and AmeliaMcGovern Mid Grade #3 by Cammie McGovern
Published by HarperCollins on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 0062463349
Pages: 304
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Maine Coon Cat Franklin, accidentally separated from his humans, is in need of a new home. With the help of a friendly therapy dog, Gus, (who readers may recognize from McGovern’s Chester and Gus), Franklin becomes the pet of Chester’s classmate Amelia, who struggles with anxiety and social relationships. Franklin bonds with Amelia as he sees some of their commonalities, and they develop a sort of psychic connection which he uses to help her work through her problems at school and home.

This is a sweet story featuring neurodivergence, friendship, family, and the partnerships between humans and animals.

Grades 3-6

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

three-stars

Defiant: Growing Up in the Jim Crow South

Defiant: Growing Up in the Jim Crow SouthDefiant: Growing Up in the Jim Crow South by Wade Hudson
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on October 12, 2021
ISBN: 0593126351
Pages: 272
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Cultural / African American
Format: Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars
This is an excellent autobiography by Wade Hudson, who was born in Louisiana in the mid-1940s and grew up during Jim Crow. The book begins with Hudson hearing an announcement over the radio that there is an active search for him and a warrant for his arrest. He has done nothing wrong but his friends convince him to turn himself in to avoid more trouble.

The book then goes back to his birth and childhood and is a detailed and affectionate memoir of his neighborhood and what it was like to grow up Black in the south in the Jim Crow era. Hudson was a gifted student and excels in school which leads him to college. Along the way, he is constantly wondering about the treatment of Black Americans compared to white and is determined to help work toward a solution to the disparity.

Defiant takes a little while to get going but I think by the fourth chapter or so most students won’t be able to put it down. The memories he has of his family, church, neighborhood, his family’s Christmas meal (!),  and school are a captivating and informative look at the life many Americans led in the 50s and 60s. Every school and library should have this.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Battle of the Bands

Battle of the BandsBattle of the Bands by Ashley Poston, Ashley Woodfolk, Brittany Cavallaro, Eric Smith, Jasmine Warga, Jay Coles, Jeff Zentner, Jenn Marie Thorne, Jenny Torres Sanchez, Justin Courtney Pierre, Katie Cotugno, Lauren Gibaldi, Preeti Chhibber, Sarah Nicole Smetana, Sarvenaz Taghavian, Shaun David Hutchinson
on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 1536214337
Pages: 320
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance, Short Stories
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Battle of the Bands is a clever idea for an anthology; fifteen high school age bands are competing to be the best in a New Jersey high school auditorium. Each band, or more accurately, a band member from each band has story to tell and they intertwine as we get glimpses into other stories. The book is inclusive and full of (mostly) likable characters. Unfortunately, most of the stories revolve around romantic entanglements. I wanted to know more about  the music, and while some of the stories did focus on it, overall the bands  and music were outweighed by all of the relationship drama. Even my favorite chapter, one about the people running the sound and lighting, had to awkwardly include a crush sub-plot.  Not a must-have, but it will probably circulate.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Me and Ms. Too

Me and Ms. TooMe and Ms. Too by Laura Ruby, Thi Hanh Dung Ho
Published by HarperCollins US on June 1, 2022
ISBN: 0062894331
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Molly and her Dad were happy living alone together before Ms. Too came to live with them.  Ms. Too was the Children’s Librarian;  Molly’s father fell in love with her and they got married.  Molly has to adjust to living with her now and sharing Dad.  Suddenly, everything  has changed, the house, the alone time with Dad.  Life is now different. Molly can not find anything  good about this situation.

However, one day, Ms. Too asked for her help to bake cookies.  This was the moment that Molly realized that Ms. Too was okay after all. The  threat of sharing her Dad disappeared and all it took was a  heart shaped cookie and a loving affirmation.

This is such a good story for a child dealing with the situation of a parent remarrying and feeling left out and dealing with adjusting to a new life and household.

The pictures are charming and detailed and the story is realistic.

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook 

 

four-stars

Who Are Your People?

Who Are Your People?Who Are Your People? by Bakari Sellers, Reggie Brown
Published by Quill Tree Books on January 11, 2022
ISBN: 0063082853
Pages: 32
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
An excellent addition to any school or library bookshelf, Who Are Your People is an uplifting tool for understanding how collective past and ancestry help shape the experiences of today.  The writing is geared toward smaller children but older kids might be interested as well and might enjoy recognizing the figures who appear in the illustrations. The book is inclusive and gentle while not shying away from the difficult experiences of Black Americans. It ends on beautiful note, with a multi-generational family picnic and images of dreams, love, and support  for children.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library

four-stars