Category: Book Reviews

Confessions of a Class Clown

Confessions of a Class ClownConfessions of a Class Clown by Arianne Costner
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 0593118707
Pages: 288
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Jack is the class clown. He’s always looking for that next joke, sketch, or video that’s going to get him more likes, follows, and interaction on social media. Despite having thousands of followers on his accounts, Jack finds himself with no real friends. When a prank video takes it too far and hurts a potential new friend, Jack realizes there’s more to life than likes and follows.

This is an engaging story about friendship and school social dynamics. There is a good deal of discussion about the role social media plays in the lives of middle schoolers and how the number of likes something gets really doesn’t matter. This is an easy read for fans of realistic fiction and would be great for more advanced younger readers.

Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Max and the Midknights: The Tower of Time

Max and the Midknights: The Tower of TimeThe Tower of Time (Max and the Midknights, #3) by Lincoln Peirce
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 0593377893
Pages: 272
Genres: Adventure, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Max is back for the third installment in this fun illustrated series. Max’s evil twin is public enemy #1, and she and the Midknights are trying to find her before time runs out. This highly illustrated book falls into that crossover area of not quite a graphic novel, but more graphic novel-esque than most middle grade books. Lincoln Peirce’s characteristic humor and illustrations will draw in fans of his previous work. The story is funny and action packed and sure to keep young readers wanting more. Hand this series to fans of Big Nate, Dog Man, and the like.

Recommended for readers 2nd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Weird But True: Rocks and Minerals

Weird But True: Rocks and MineralsRocks and Minerals by Michael Burgan
Published by National Geographic Kids on February 1, 2021
ISBN: 1426371837
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Rock and mineral fans, rejoice! This fun and comprehensive National Geographic book will delight readers with new and interesting facts. Each two page spread features a type of rock or mineral or some significant geological formation or event. There are high quality photos as well as graphics with additional information. The text is pretty small, and the book is loaded with information, so this one is best for older rock explorers.

Recommended for readers 5th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Sunlight on the Snow Leopard

Sunlight on the Snow LeopardSunlight on the Snow Leopard by Ag Ford, Mary Pope Osborne
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on January 4, 2022
ISBN: 0593177509
Pages: 112
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Jack and Annie are back for another adventure, and this time they’re headed to Nepal in search of the Gray Ghost. They’re not sure what that actually means, but they meet kind and adventurous people along the way who help them solve the mystery. The typical Magic Tree House story line holds here, a new area of the world is explored, and cultural customs are explained. Fans of previous books in this series will not be disappointed.

Recommended for readers 1st grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Falling Short

Falling ShortFalling Short by Ernesto Cisneros
Published by Quill Tree Books on March 15, 2022
ISBN: 0062881728
Pages: 304
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Isaac is a star basketball player, and Marco is super short and into robotics. Despite these differences, they’re best friends. When Marco decides to win his father’s approval by making the basketball team, Isaac is there to help his friend hone his skills (or lack thereof). Meanwhile, Isaac is struggling with his schoolwork, and Marco is determined to help keep his friend afloat. That’s how it’s always been—they hold each other up. Some new challenges of middle school change certainly change things but their friendship and their support for each other remains constant.

This is a great middle grade book about family dynamics, friendship, school and social dynamics, and sports. Easy to read, Marco and Isaac are both relatable characters with unique quirks and humor. Hand this to fans of realistic fiction and books tackling social themes—this book deals with addiction, familial separation and struggles.

Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?

Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? by Leslie Connor
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on February 15, 2022
ISBN: 0062999362
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Aurora and Frenchie are best friends. Aurora has a lot to say, Frenchie has never spoken a word. When the two friends encounter a piebald deer, Aurora feels compelled to follow it, and she gets this compulsion every time she sees it. Both Frenchie and Aurora are creatures of habit, and when Frenchie doesn’t make it to first period at school one day, Aurora immediately knows something is up. The entire town helps to search, and it seem impossible that no one has seen him.

At it’s core, this is a story of friendship between two neurodiverse kids who experience the world in very different ways. It is a story of finding one’s voice in unexpected and tumultuous times. It is well written, and the character development leaves you rooting for both Frenchie and Aurora. Leslie Connor’s ability to give voice to the voiceless is unparalleled, and like with The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle, this story will not disappoint. Hand to fans of realistic fiction and those looking for a feel-good read.

Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Emile and the Field

Emile and the FieldEmile and the Field by Chioma Ebinama, Kevin Young
Published by Make Me a World on March 15, 2022
ISBN: 1984850423
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

I realized over the past few years how powerful a simple, calming, picture  can be. I’m always on the lookout to have some suggestions on hand when there has been a tragedy or a high stress time, and I’ll add Emile and the Field to my mental list. It’s a gentle, lyrical story of a child named Emile and his relationship to a field throughout the seasons. The text is sparse and the illustrations capture that one-ness with nature we get to experience as kids (and adults if we’re lucky).  This book would be great for a classroom and as a way to open a discussion about places in nature that are special to students.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

four-stars

FGTeeV: The Switcheroo Rescue

FGTeeV: The Switcheroo RescueFGTeeV: The Switcheroo Rescue! by FGTeeV, Miguel Díaz Rivas
Published by HarperAlley on April 5, 2022
ISBN: 0063093006
Pages: 208
Genres: Adventure, Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
one-star

This  graphic novel is based on a family of YouTubers. The story is essentially a Freaky Friday type plot but somehow they made it baffling. It involves  Duddy (the dad) switching bodies with a young neighbor and then after all sorts of crazy hijinks like bungling a date and releasing a video game ghost, the family must come together wearing Voltron suits and put a stop to it all.

There are a couple of major problems with this book. First, everyone screams everything leading to a heightened state of anxiety. Second, there is an on-running joke about anaphylaxis, which families of people with food allergies will probably not find funny. Third, all of the characters, but especially the female characters, are only used as a springboard for Duddy’s jokes and behaviors. It’s all about Duddy and how wacky and zany he is. It’s uncomfortable but fans of 80s sitcoms might enjoy it.

There are some terrific graphic novels about video games out there; this one is not a must-have for a collection.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

one-star

Joy Ride

Joy RideJoy Ride by Sherri Duskey Rinker, Ana Ramírez González
Published by Candlewick Press on April 26, 2022
ISBN: 1536207748
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

On Joy’s third day of summer vacation, Joy’s mother tells her to visit her Grandad. Joy and her Grandad decided to fix an old bike that Joy can ride. She is thrilled to show off her new bike that she and her Grandad worked on to the neighborhood kids. Sadly, Joy gets teased by the neighborhood kids about her bike and Joy must process these strong emotions independently. Author Sherri Duskey Rinker provides a relatable character that all readers can empathize with. Rinker’s bully scenario can definitely happen in the age group the book is ideal for, and it is resolved in a positive manner. The illustrations were drawn digitally, but the illustrator Ana Ramírez González uses bright colors throughout the book which are appealing to the eye. The intended audience is Kindergarten through 3rd grade. This book would be a great addition to any public/school library collection, classroom library, and on a counselors book shelf.

Brandon Dyer, Auburn Public Library

three-stars

Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness

Being a Dog: A Tail of MindfulnessBeing a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness by Maria Gianferrari, Pete Oswald
Published by HarperCollins on April 5, 2022
ISBN: 0063067919
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness” is a picture book about being in the moment. Written by Maria Gianferrari and Pete Oswald, the book is written in a bright and fun style, almost like a collage. The book uses the concept of being a dog to introduce kids to the idea of living in the moment and how to express our emotions and stay mindful. The story uses simple words and flows from one illustration to another. The end of the book has instructions for going on a mindful walk, but it crams a lot of words in and the flow is less smooth than the rest of the book. Useful as an introduction to mindfulness, this book is not necessarily a must-buy for your collection, but kids aged 4 to 8 will enjoy pretending to be a dog and the fun illustrations by Pete Oswald (illustrator of “The Bad Seed”).

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library

three-stars