Category: Book Reviews

Cress Watercress

Cress WatercressCress Watercress by David Litchfield, Gregory Maguire
Published by Candlewick Press on March 29, 2022
ISBN: 1536211001
Pages: 224
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Cress Watercress is a rabbit who lives with her family in a cozy warren. When her father doesn’t return home one night, her mother assumes the worst and makes the difficult decision to move Cress and her baby brother to Mr. Owl’s apartment tree, the Broken Arms. Cress has adventures with the Oakleaf family of squirrels and learns to avoid predators. This humorous and gentle animal tale is beautifully illustrated. By the author of Wicked. 

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day

Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King DayAin't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day by Kathlyn J. Kirkwood
Published by Versify on January 4, 2022
ISBN: 0358387264
Pages: 128
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Kirkwood had a front-row seat to the civil rights movement growing up in Memphis in the 1960s. She marched for the striking Sanitation Workers, mourned after the assassination of the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., and traveled to Washington D.C. to join the Poor People’s Campaign. Even as she started her career and family, she worked tirelessly to have a national holiday declared in honor of Martin Luther King. Written in verse with historic photos, this middle grade memoir includes a section on how a law is enacted and bibliographical references. A lot of information is packed into a quick read! Really good – but perhaps not quite cream?

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

five-stars

Baby Moses in a basket

Baby Moses in a basketBaby Moses in a Basket by Caryn Yacowitz, Julie Downing
Published by Candlewick Press on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 1536206091
Pages: 32
Goodreads
An age old story from the time of the Pharaohs , about a loving mother who saves her son by tucking him in  a basket and setting him afloat on the Nile river. This creative retelling utilizes poetic/rhyming text along with sumptuous watercolors and rich vocabulary.  The watercolor illustrations are lush , rendered in a rich palette with amazing details that draw you into each page. The pacing is spot on with the short stanzas that maintain a slow easy pace that allows readers to experience each curve of the Nile and root for the baby along with the protective animals watching over the child.

This timeless story  will appeal to children from ages 3 to 8.  A book that lends itself for a lap reading with a young child or as a transition into quiet time.  A strong introduction to our natural world with delightful visuals of unique animals in the world. Also, an overarching theme of love and comfort and the kindness and support of the natural world bringing the story to a satisfying conclusion.   A strong purchase for libraries.  Four stars

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library

Art of protest: Creating, discovering , and activation art for your revolution

Art of protest: Creating, discovering , and activation art for your revolutionArt of Protest: Creating, Discovering, and Activating Art for Your Revolution by De Nichols, Diana Dagadita, Diana Ejaita, Molly Mendoza, Olivia Twist
Published by Big Picture Press on November 16, 2021
ISBN: 1536223255
Pages: 80
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
This thought provoking handbook takes the reader into an in-depth look at protest art from around the world. The text is packed with how-to activities and historical references.  Each piece of art is explored in-depth to explain how color, symbolism and techniques weave together to make a collective, strong visual impact.  The book is filled with bold, colorful images that utilize a variety of art styles that include collage, screen printing, woodcutting to painting.  A beautiful book filled with inspiration to move readers to make art to make a positive difference in themselves and the world they live in. Source notes and image credits are included in the back pages.  This book is a recommended purchases for both school and public libraries appealing to teens, teachers and civic minded artists interested in the topic of social justice.  Four stars.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library

The Legend of Brightblade

The Legend of BrightbladeThe Legend of Brightblade by Ethan M. Aldridge
Published by Quill Tree Books on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 0062995537
Pages: 208
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars
Aldridge, author of the beautiful Estranged duology, is back with a stand-alone graphic novel perfect for the elementary or middle grade fantasy reader. Prince Alto has heard stories of his heroic mother, Lady Brightblade, and he longs for an adventure of his own. Secretly practicing his bardic skill, he decides to venture out into the world to seek his fortune and prove that he can make it on his own. Like all good adventure stories, there is a crew of villains (using magic against people), a band of heroes (a couple of outcasts looking to prove themselves), and a quest to find answers that will lead to growth and empowerment for our hero. All of the tropes are there, but the addition of dueling lutes and bardic songs make for a satisfying read. The illustrations are bright and well-drawn and offer excellent differentiation between the villainous and the heroic songs (think red and green lasers in Star Wars). Readers of Amulet and fans of Lord of the Rings will gobble up this tale and clamor for more. Hopefully, this is not the last we see of Alto.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

All That’s Left In the World

All That’s Left In the WorldAll That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown
Published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 0063054973
Pages: 352
Genres: Adventure, Romance, Science Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Set in a post-Covid times, the world has experienced an even more devastating pandemic that has wiped out about 90% of the population. Andrew is all alone and traveling through the woods when he accidentally steps in a bear trap. He somehow manages to hobble his way to a nearby cabin, where he meets Jamison. The two boys are the same age, but very different in most other ways. 

Andrew and Jamie are fast friends, and they quickly come to depend on one another. Each struggles with internal battles; Andrew holds a dark secret about choices he’s made to stay alive, while Jamie is struck with the realization that his feelings for Andrew run deeper than he initially realized. As they travel down the east coast, with evolving goals along the way, they share experiences and meet people that change their lives as well as their connection to each other. 

For high school-aged fans of post-apocalyptic fiction, All That’s Left In the World will be a huge hit. Other themes include gay romance and adventure.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American

Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese AmericanMessy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese-American by Laura Gao
Published by Balzer + Bray on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 0063067773
Pages: 272
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Gao shares her experiences in this timely and riveting coming-of-age account of moving from Wuhan to Texas. She faces lifelong challenges with racism, homophobia, and navigating her relationship with her parents. As with so many immigrant children, she tries to balance her new life with finding ways to honor her heritage. 

As a young child, Gao was raised by her grandparents alongside two cousins. The trio ran through rice paddies and lily pad ponds, made mischief and savored traditional foods. Suddenly uprooted once her parents completed graduate school in the United States, Gao moved to Texas to begin life as an American. Soon after, her little brother was born, and she gained an ally for life.

As is the case for many preteens, adolescents, and young adults, Gao’s developing sense of self often conflicted with her parents’ and society’s expectations. Recommended for high schoolers, this book will resonate with all kids in some ways, but provides an important voice for today’s Asian American youth.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Somewhere

SomewhereSomewhere by Armando Mariño, Robie H. Harris
Published by Candlewick Press on February 8, 2022
ISBN: 1536207357
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Somewhere is a book about a relationship between father and daughter, with brightly colored illustrations and simple text interspersing Spanish words throughout, it is a story about adventure and independence as well as the familial connection that tethers us to one another. 

The text tries to capture the cadence of a small girl and does so well enough. The pictures are where the book shines, with bright splashes of color and a whimsy in the way the girl encounters the natural world, this would be a fun book to read to someone sitting on the reader’s lap. It is unclear how much of the book is meant to be metaphor versus an actual journey the protagonist went on before returning to her father, but a good story nonetheless. 

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Children’s Librarian, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

Sneaks

SneaksSneaks by Catherine Egan
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on January 18, 2022
ISBN: 0593306406
Pages: 336
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
 

What starts as a family and relationship story soon goes way beyond when aliens are introduced as Sneaks.   A friendship developed between three somewhat reserved student when a classroom assignment tosses them together.  Egan focuses on the strong points and weakness of each character as she challenges their relationships and loyalties while they try to save the earth.   Someone that hovers above the ground, a man who is summoned from a tree and watches that run in the hall are only some of the minor events that take place during this riveting middle grade reader.

Readers should be prepared for unexplained action and be open to the power of forgiveness.     Librarians in grades 3-6 and 6-9 schools should look at this fun filled joy ride.  Public youth services librarians will enjoy putting this book into the hands of many mystery and fantasy middle grade readers.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

Why Not You?

Why Not You?Why Not You? by Ciara ., Ciara Wilson, JaNay Brown-Wood, Jessica Gibson, Russell Wilson
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 0593374401
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
All grade k-3 children will benefit from reading Why Not You? as it promotes self-esteem and tells them to dream big.  The simple rhyming text is complimented by cute technology produced art work that is appealing and inclusive.    Adults are always asking children what they want to be when they grow up but not everyone listens, supports those dreams, and encourages the children to keep trying.  Readers  will at first be attracted to the colorful illustrations but the realization that they can achieve a goal may well leave a lasting impression.  Children of all nationalities, abilities and disabilities are equally encouraged and recognized

This accomplished duel can now add author to their personal achievements which goes to show that everyone has dreams.  Add this book to primary school media center collections and to public library shelves for all children to access.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars