Category: Book Reviews

Dreams From My Father

Dreams From My FatherDreams from My Father (Adapted for Young Adults): A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama
Published by Delacorte Press on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 0385738722
Pages: 320
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Dreams From My Father

 

Barack Obama has adapted his biography, first published in 1995, for Young Adults.  In it he explores his roots, especially his meeting with his many relatives in Kenya.  These were at the core of his personality and were a major influence for his future endeavors.  There are a number of photographs included, which add to the appeal.  Adding this information, one can see how complex Barack Obama’s life was, and the feeling of responsibility he felt for others, and how this will affect his life as the President.  He was especially affected as a Black man with the injustices and racism he endured.  The major emphasis was on his visit to Kenya, but it also covered his time in New York, Indonesia, and his time as a social organizer in Chicago.  I kept waiting for the book to extend to his political career, but it still stopped just before his time at Harvard.  For those wanting to know what Barack Obama’s life was like as a child and want to get to know the people that influenced his formative years, this book works.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

three-stars

Rise to the Sun

Rise to the SunRise to the Sun by Leah Johnson
Published by Scholastic Press on July 6, 2021
ISBN: 1338662236
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Recommending for Cream of Crop consideration.  Romance and self-realization are the focus of this satisfying queer Black romance novel that takes place over three days at an open air music festival in Georgia.  Olivia and her best friend Imani are first time attendees with a promise to put their friendship first during the weekend.  Almost immediately, this promise is put in jeopardy when Olivia meets Toni and her best friend Peter, who are veterans to the festival and plan to win The Golden Apple contest so Toni can perform with the weekend headliner.  The romantic sparks fly between Olivia and Toni and the week end becomes a fun, musical adventure that dives deep into each character’s difficult life situations, reactions to each other and the heart realizations that transpire in the old and new relationships. Told in alternating chapters from Olivia and Toni’s point of view, their blossoming relationship will have romance fans swooning while issues of gun violence, nonconsensual image sharing and losing parents are interwoven in each other’s backstories in realistic ways.  A beautiful celebration of love and music.  Suggested for readers in grades 10-12.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

With You All the Way

With You All the WayWith You All the Way by Cynthia Hand
Published by HarperTeen on March 30, 2021
ISBN: 0062693190
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

With You All the Way

 

At the start of this book it seemed to be all about sex and “first times”, but at continued reading it was broadened to be relationships between:  sisters, friends, parents, step-parents, and colleagues.  Ada is the main character who, at sixteen, is concerned that her beloved step-father may be leaving the family and that she may never experience sex.  Her family is heading for a conference of thoracic surgeons where her mother will be presenting an award and the family will get a vacation in Hawaii.

The author had been to a similar conference and it was easy to relate to.

Throughout Ada believes that her mother is having an affair, (not true).  There are misunderstandings throughout.  I especially loved that when Ada said “No” to sex to both her former boyfriend and friend Nick they both respected her decisions.  The characters were well-defined and their interactions were believable.  I especially liked Ada’s many preparations for first-time sex.

This book is recommended for older YAs.

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Battle Dragons: City of Thieves

Battle Dragons: City of ThievesCity of Thieves (Battle Dragons #1) by Alex London
Published by Scholastic Inc. on September 21, 2021
ISBN: 1338716549
Pages: 272
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Battle Dragons:  City of Thieves

 

Abel is a 7th grader who has always felt that he is less than his older brother and sister.  They are more successful in school and in their scores on the admission test for the academy, and in their interactions with the dragons, which have been subdued and are now ruled by the humans.  However, the dragons have formed gangs, called kins, which are always ready to do battle.

Abel has never been involved until his sister tells him a secret and he is joined to a stolen dragon.

Abel is a hard worker as he trains in dragon riding and fighting and, before he knows it, he is involved in a battle with the other kins, and with his brother and sister, who are quite unlikeable characters.  However, Abel has good friends who are there for him and his relationship with his parents develops positively as he learns to be honest and depend on them.  This book is for dragon-lovers and for adventure readers who believe that hard work will pay off and friends should stick together.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

 

four-stars

Ivy Lost and Found

Ivy Lost and FoundIvy Lost and Found by Cynthia Lord, Stephanie Graegin
Published by Candlewick Press on September 28, 2021
ISBN: 1536213543
Pages: 80
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Early Reader
Goodreads
five-stars

The first in a Book Buddies series; this book follows a doll named Ivy who has spent years in a box, after her owner grows out of the doll phase of her childhood. Years later she is unboxed and brought to a library program by her owner, who is now a librarian, to be lent to young children who want to take a stuffed animal home with them as a Book Buddy.

Ivy meets a cast of stuffed animal characters who talk about their experiences being borrowed. The point of view shifts to the girl, Fern, who ends up taking Ivy home. Ivy, the other dolls, as well as the humans in the story all learn a valuable lesson about growing up and showing kindness toward one another.

This book is a good early chapter book for a confident reader,  has good talking points for showing boundaries out of love, for caring for one another and trying new things. It would also make a lovely read aloud, a chapter or two a night. Overall, it is accessible for kids ages 7-9.

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

five-stars

The Robber Girl

The Robber GirlThe Robber Girl by Franny Billingsley
Published by Candlewick Press on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 0763669563
Pages: 416
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Franny Billingsley offers up to readers a riveting tale that involves mystery,  trauma, violence, affection,   bulling and social injustice.  Robber Girl is both a heroine and victim who’s closest relationship is with an inanimate object, a dagger.  Following years of depended on a criminal for daily needs Robber Girl selects a new name, befriends a judge and begins to transfer her trust.   The story line is full of changes often sprinkled with surprises and deep emotional trauma.  Several themes are entwined into this wild west  tale of fantasy yet most prominent is the strength exhibited by a young girl  who finds her place and voice with the aid of a doll house.

Billingsley is a fantastic author who clearly has the ability to make a poor orphaned young girl grow in this unique coming of age story.   Add to middle school media centers and to public libraries.  Librarians will want to recommend this title to young teens as well as to adults.   Book groups for teens and adults will find this a great selection.

Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

This is a clear 5 stars  title and could be recommended for Cream of the Crop.   Suggested reading for other committee members.

five-stars

Garlic and the Vampire

Garlic and the VampireGarlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
Published by Quill Tree Books on September 28, 2021
ISBN: 006299509X
Pages: 160
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

The lush illustrations of this quirky graphic novel by debut author Paulsen may make you hunger for a salad. Set in a world in which a witch has imbued certain vegetables with life magic causing them, in return, to work in her garden growing more vegetables for the farmer’s market is a strange concept, but it works. The star of the book is Garlic, an anxious bulb who can’t seem to be on time for the market and who frets about all things. When it is presumed that a vampire has moved into the castle on the edge of town, the vegetables fear for the townspeople and, spurred on by grumpy Celery, nominate Garlic, with her natural defenses against things vampiric, to go to the castle and vanquish the monster. Garlic finds that things are not as they seem and a lesson is learned by all to not judge people by their reputations. The earth-tones of the illustrations, created in photoshop and procreate, the clean design and uncluttered pages, and the relatability of the unsure yet courageous main character will make this book a favorite of upper elementary aged graphic novel fans.

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

five-stars

Zoe Rosenthal is not Lawful Good

Zoe Rosenthal is not Lawful GoodZoe Rosenthal Is Not Lawful Good by Nancy Werlin
Published by Candlewick Press on April 6, 2021
ISBN: 1536214736
Pages: 352
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Zoe Rosenthal discovers the world of cons when she sneaks off to Atlanta for the Dragon Con convention so she can screen a sneak preview of the new season of her favorite show, Bleeders. Bleeders has a small but dedicated (fanatical?) fanbase called Bloodygits. Zoe ends up meeting other Bloodygits and meets up with her new friends at more cons throughout the year. They start a campaign to save the show that includes writing fan fiction and Zoe contemplates where she would fall on the character alignment chart from good to evil and lawful to chaotic. The problem is that her boyfriend is super serious, focusing on his college applications and super-important job on a political campaign. Things get complicated when his sister realizes what Zoe is up to and forces Zoe to bring her along. Will Zoe finish her college applications? Will she and her boyfriend go to college together? YA readers will enjoy this hilarious romp.

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

four-stars

She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: Astronomer

She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: AstronomerShe Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: Astronomer by Julianna Swaney, Kathryn Lasky
Published by HarperCollins on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 0062849301
Pages: 34
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a great biography about Williamina Stevens Fleming, an exceptionally bright young Scottish woman who, through her persistent curiosity and question-asking, would end up becoming the first woman given an official title at Harvard and, in 1906, the first woman elected to an honorary membership in England’s Royal Astronomical Society. Wow!

Fleming was supported in her quest for knowledge from the time she was an infant. Her constant questions got her a job working for the director of the Harvard College Observatory (after she started as his maid). She was young, widowed, and expecting and she eventually worked, raised her son,  and argued that his female employees should be paid as well as the male employees were. AND she discovered the Horsehead Nebula.

This is one of those biographies I read and think “Why didn’t I know about her?!” It’s a great read for her story alone, but I also love the emphasis on lots of question-asking being a sign of intelligence; I hope it encourages more and more questions.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the Night Before ChristmasTwas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, P.J. Lynch
Published by Candlewick Press on October 26, 2021
ISBN: 1536222852
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

While the text in this copy of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is the same classic poem, the illustrations are really beautiful which makes this a great contender for a second library copy or a replacement for a worn out one.  Each page is warm and cozy, making this a perfect read aloud book for a classroom, library, or home.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars