Category: Book Reviews

Grandmas are Greater than Great

Grandmas are Greater than GreatGrandmas Are Greater Than Great by Derek Desierto, James Solheim
Published by Greenwillow Books on February 9, 2021
ISBN: 0062671235
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“What was it like when YOU were a little girl, Grandma?”  This picture book offers a quick trip through modern history from pioneers, one-room schools, wall-mount crank phones, streetlights, to today by describing each generation of grandmothers.

Colorful illustrations by Derek Desierto mostly support the text by focusing on one event described for that generation. 

Through all these events, there were several wars, but only WWII is included here. Many of the activities described could have happened in any generation, such as a baby’s first feel of rain on its face. 

Great book for showing one’s ancestry and the historical era in which each grandmother lived. Readers might wonder about their grandfathers and what their lives and work might have been like. This could also be used to make a time-line, and to show multiple meanings of words, such as ‘great’. 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

The Ice Monster

The Ice MonsterThe Ice Monster by David Walliams, Tony Ross
Published by HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks on November 6, 2018
ISBN: 000816469X
Pages: 496
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Ten-year old orphan Elsie stumps authorities as she helps bring the newly discovered wooly mammoth back to life and organizes a trip with a collection of misfits to return it to the North Pole, then must face Queen Victoria upon her return. 

Cockroaches for Breakfast – chapter one’s title, will grab readers’ attention, and they will be quickly drawn into London in 1899. Lots of action and characters add to the adventure. Wide-space lines and font size help younger elementary readers access the story.

Recommended purchase!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

The Last Windwitch

The Last WindwitchThe Last Windwitch by Jennifer Adam
Published by HarperCollins on April 13, 2021
ISBN: 0062981307
Pages: 448
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The definition of ‘high fantasy’ (involves noble people involved in great events which will greatly affect the world created by the author) is a perfect description of this book. Brida thinks she’s an orphan and is grateful to be taken in as an apprentice to Mother Madgi, a hedgewitch, but struggles to learn the craft. Instead, she is drawn to another type of magic that Mother Madgi avoids discussing. Mysterious events multiply until Brida finds out her mother is alive (predictably the white dove frequently hovering), Madgi is her aunt, and their third sister is the evil queen destroying the realm. Most importantly, Brida discovers her own magic is that of a Windwitch and in true hero humility, turns down the offer to become the rightful queen to fully develop her strengths.

Wonderful coming-of-age, suspense, and mystery story woven as carefully as the magic of Fenwood Reach.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

Love in the Library

Love in the LibraryLove in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Yas Imamura
Published by Candlewick Press on January 25, 2022
ISBN: 1536204307
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and illustrated by Yas Imamura is the love story of two Japanese-Americans who were placed in internment camps during WWII. It is honest in its portrayal of the injustice suffered among our citizens, while also portraying the hope and humanity that allowed these two characters (based on real people) to find love and miracles within one another during a terrible time in our not-so-distant past. The story weaves the words, miracle, human, throughout and reminds us again and again what it is to be truly resilient. The illustrations are warm, emotive, and evocative and add the final layer of beauty to this story, with a muted and tender color palette that helps ground the reader in a 1940’s timeframe.

It’s a hard story, but a necessary one. It leans toward the older picture book readers, but anyone would benefit from this story of the full moral spectrum of humanity. 

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, ME.

five-stars

This Way, Charlie

This Way, CharlieGenres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
five-stars
Inspired by a real animal friendship at the Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Oklahoma, this picture book describes the challenging friendship between Jack, a goat, and Charlie, a horse. Jack likes his own space until Charlie arrives one day. Jack discovers Charlie is progressively growing blind, and they each realize they can change their attitudes as they find ways to help and protect each other.

Charles Santoso creates soft illustrations that set the mood, including how dark things are growing for Charlie. Author’s note describes the rescue center. I’m not sure why the cover shows the title in lowercase letters.

The author reads this book on her website: https://www.caronlevis.com/

Dig out a space on your animal-lovers’ shelves right after you dig out a tissue!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

 

five-stars

D&D Dungeon Academy: No Humans Allowed

D&D Dungeon Academy: No Humans AllowedDungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Academy: No Humans Allowed! by Madeleine Roux, Timothy Probert
Series: D&D Dungeon Academy #1
Published by HarperCollins on November 2, 2021
ISBN: 0063039125
Pages: 204
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
This Dungeons & Dragons-themed chapter book is best put into the hands of upper elementary/early middle school readers who are already familiar with and enjoy playing the role-playing game as the author assumes knowledge of the world of D&D and doesn’t do much to explain things to an unfamiliar reader. This first book drops the reader into Dungeon Academy where Zelli, a human, attends school under cover of being a minotaur (her adoptive parents are Minotaurs) since humans are reviled in the world of monsters. Zelli loves standing up for any monster that is bullied and can’t keep her opinions to herself. This has made Zelli a target by other monsters, but it has also drawn a few monsters to her, like Hugo the vegan owlbear and Bauble the shapeshifting mimic.  When she see a picture of human warrior Allidora Steelstrike in her History of Horrible Humans class, she is struck by the resemblance and wonders if it could be her mother. When a group of students goes missing and Allidora is the suspected culprit, Zelli, along with her oddball group of friends, decides to find the students and confront the truth about her family of origin. The theme of belonging and chosen family is strong. Great illustrations though they do not always mesh with the action in the story. Note: The world of D&D centers around maps and dungeons; this book missed a chance to offer a map of the world of Zelli and her fellow adventurers.

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

three-stars

Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away

Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
four-stars
Evelyn and her best friend make the most of their last hours together, hiding in their favorite place, holding hands and spinning in circles in the now-empty room, and, yes, crying when the time comes to part. They remain friends for years as the last scene shows Evelyn reading a letter with a number of letters scattered on the floor.

Colorful illustrations by Sonia Sȧnchez capture their feelings and help tell the story.

Any friends who have ever been separated will recognize the emotions, but would today’s children actually write letters or would they use online methods of staying in touch?

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

The Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom

The Oboe Goes Boom Boom BoomThe Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom by Colleen A.F. Venable, Lian Cho
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 22, 2020
ISBN: 0062494376
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
How does an oboe make a boom boom sound? It doesn’t, but that doesn’t stop Felicity from interrupting Mr. V, the band director, as he introduces common instruments to students trying to choose the right instrument for them.

Delightful fun with fictional characters based on real musicians, whose short biographies appear in the back.

Lian Cho’s comical illustrations display large colorful sound words spreading right off the page as each instrument is introduced, and lines of sheet music appear at the button of each page. 

A must purchase for reading aloud and helping students find the perfect instrument for themselves!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

The Thirteenth Cat

The Thirteenth CatThe Thirteenth Cat by Mary Downing Hahn
Published by Clarion Books on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 0358394082
Pages: 240
Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Instead of camp this summer, Zoey has come from New York to spent summer vacation with her Aunt Alice in her new home in a  quant Vermont town.  Little did she know,  that the town rumor is that a witch lives next door to them.  Her dilapidated house is deep  and hidden in the dark woods.  She  is never seen and the only company  that she ever gets is when  a strange old- fashioned cab pulls up and leaves with the driver carrying out boxes.

Could being a witch explain why there are always a slew of black cats outside her Aunt’s house? They are always lined up and  watching  what Zoey is doing when she is outside.   One day, one of them  befriends Zoey and refuses to leave her and decides it wants to live with Zoey and her Aunt.  This is when the trouble starts. The old woman next door comes over to get her cat back but is denied. The cat is scared of Miss Dupree and hides away from her, this enrages her and she vows to get revenge.

Could there be more to the story of all of these cats?  Is Miss Dupree really a  horrible witch?  One day Zoey and her new friend, Lila from across the street decide to go into the woods to investigate more. This becomes a terrible mistake and the mystery of  all the black cats becomes known.  Zoey and Lila become way too involved and reach a point of no return literally.

This is a captivating story that is scary, mysterious and keeps the reader on edge. Mary Downing Hahn does not disappoint the reader in her latest book. A definite good addition for  any juvenile collection.

 

Reviewed by, Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

Time for Kenny

Time for KennyTime for Kenny by Brian Pinkney
Published by Greenwillow Books on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 0060735287
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Kenny is a busy little boy. This story follows him throughout his busy day. He starts with putting on the proper clothes and getting dressed in the morning then taking Granddaddy to the bus. Next back home,  he encounters the big, scary vacuum cleaner which he does not like.   It roars and eats up all of the food on the floor.  Could it eat him up!?

His sister teaches him how to play soccer  which takes him awhile, but he eventually learns how to play and score a goal. Finally, it is the end of the day and it is time to get ready for bed. The problem is that he is not the least bit sleepy. Until he finally is, but not too tired to be  read a story to.

This is a great book to read to a child since it gives the repetitiveness and routine of a day, something a small child learns and needs. It is broken into four little snippets of stories. The illustrations are colorful and can tell the story without the text.  It is a book that shows the love and support of a family as well. A nice addition to a collection.

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars