Category: Book Reviews

Blood City Rollers

Blood City RollersBlood City Rollers by Tatiana Hill, V.P. Anderson
on April 9, 2024
ISBN: 0593485696
Genres: Supernatural
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Blood City Rollers” is a middle grade graphic novel written by V.P. Anderson and illustrated by Tatiana Hill. Mina is a middle schooler who injures herself badly in figure skating and makes a deal with vampire roller derby team to play for them as their jammer in exchange for healing of her injury. Mina learns to accept what she wants to do and makes new friends along the way. At times it felt like there were a few too many subplots going on, but the dialogue is humorous and the illustrations are bright and colorful. A recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

The Monstrous Kind

The Monstrous KindThe Monstrous Kind by Lydia Gregovic
Published by Delacorte Press on September 3, 2024
ISBN: 0593572378
Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Lydia Gregovic weaves a fantasy world loosely based on Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.  Merrick Darling believes she has escaped the world of grief her mother’s passing has thrust her into when she moves to London.  Unfortunately, her father’s sudden passing a mere four months later pulls her back to Sussex and Norland House to bury her father and support her older sister Essie’s rise to Manor Lord.  What she finds is a sister who is floundering and a land being swallowed up by the fog.  The fog holds dark monstrous creatures who will turn people into phantoms.  Her high born family blood makes her immune to the fog.  Merrick must attempt to aid her family while keeping this secret from the public.  When her sister goes missing, she must unravel the mystery of who to trust and she’s not sure where to turn for help.

This fantasy with a romantic subplot has many twists and turns.  One never is quite sure who is a reliable character and who has devious plans afoot.  It will hit the spot for young adult readers who enjoy the popular gothic romantic fantasy genre.  Jane Austen fans will also recognize many allusions woven throughout the plot, just be prepared for some monsters and horror as well.  This is Gregovic’s debut novel.  

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.

four-stars

You Can’t Say That!: Writers for young people talk about censorship, free expression, and the stories they have to tell.

You Can’t Say That!: Writers for young people talk about censorship, free expression, and the stories they have to tell.You Can't Say That!: Writers for Young People Talk About Censorship, Free Expression, and the Stories They Have to Tell by Leonard S. Marcus
Published by Candlewick Press on September 16, 2021
ISBN: 1536232971
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

In this nonfiction collection, thirteen popular authors are interviewed by Leonars S. Marcus with a focus on their experiences with their writing being challenged.  How they felt about the challenges and how it shaped their future writing are common threads.  Challenges run the breadth of race, sex, LGBTQ matters, and the always contentious “course language.”  Authors that are interviewed include: Matt de la Pena, Robie H. Harris, Susan Kuklin, David Levithan, Meg Medina, Leslea Newman, Katherine Patterson, Dav Pilkey, Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, Sonya Sones, R.L. Stein, and Angie Thomas.  The forward is written by Levar Burton.  The format of the book is that of a chapter per author starting with an introduction to the author’s background followed by what feels like an informal chat/interview between the author and Marcus.

The intended audience of this book should be those out there who feel the need to protect young readers by restricting what they read.  Those who are facing these challenges (librarians, educators, authors, literary fans) are more likely the ones to pick up this book and read it.  It’s informative and a real eye opener for those not in the thick of dealing with challenged books.  It’s packed full of powerful quotes for those wanting to support the first amendment.  

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.

five-stars

Too Small Tola Makes it Count

Too Small Tola Makes it CountToo Small Tola Makes It Count by Atinuke, Onyinye Iwu
Series: Too Small Tola #4
Published by Candlewick Press on 9/24/24
ISBN: 1536238155
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

In this installment of Too Small Tola, Tola, her family, and neighbors return to their apartments after the  COVID-19 lockdowns.  This early chapter book is broken into three separate sections.  In the first, Tola is being ridiculed by classmates who don’t believe she worked as a house girl for a famous Nigerian singer during the pandemic.  As she deals with this disappointment, she devises a creative solution to help her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Shaky-Shaky, who no longer has the strength to climb the stairs to her room.  The second chapter describes the vacation Tola and her gram take to a litter-strewn beach.  The final chapter pulls everything together when the famous singer releases a song with Tola’s name in it!  Tola has learned about friendship and making mistakes and prepares to forgive her peers who apologize, though she is careful not to be too trusting of them in the future.  

Like the other books in this series,  this book addresses important and relevant topics in a straightforward, kid-friendly way.  Poverty, the pandemic, and aging are mentioned, but they are not the focus of Tola’s story.  Instead, themes of love, community, and resilience emerge and will stay with the readers long after they finish reading.  This book would be great for elementary schools or public libraries, especially if they already have the other books in this series. Black and white drawings break up the text, making it ideal for new chapter book readers.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry HallPublished by Harper Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
four-stars

Middle-schooler Rami spends a lot of time at the Penelope museum. Not only does his mother work there, but he doesn’t have a lot of other hanging out options since his friends ditched him when middle school started. When a painting is stolen and suspicion falls upon his mother, Rami teams up with a classmate to get to the bottom of the theft. The two new friends find help in the forms of an amnesiac ghost and an artistic turtle and realize how emotionally meaningful art can be.

Mystery fans will enjoy the twists, but this could also easily be recommended to supernatural readers, or even animal lovers thanks to the reptilian artist, Agatha. There are a lot of elements here, and it can feel a little jumbled at times, but it all evens out and culminates in an undeniably touching denouement.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

four-stars

Turning Twelve

Turning TwelveTurning Twelve by Kathryn Ormsbee, Molly Brooks
on October 29, 2024
ISBN: 0593650069
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Turning Twelve” is a middle grade graphic novel written by Kathryn Ormsbee and illustrated by Molly Brooks. This is a sequel to their graphic novel, “Growing Pangs.” Katie is heading into seventh grade and her best friends are temporarily moving away to help with an ill family member and could be gone for months! How will she deal with seventh grade without them? We follow Katie as she makes a new friend in theatre and then begins to wonder if she has a crush on a girl? Set in the early 2000s, Katie tries to cope with her potential crush, the thoughts of her church, youth group, and just being 12. We follow Katie as she tries to accept herself amongst all the expectations and pressures of seventh grade. Katie wrestling with her internal thoughts and figuring out who she is will likely resonate with middle school readers. A must-buy for middle grade graphic novel collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

 

four-stars

Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot

Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled ParrotNate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot by Andrew Sharmat
Published by Delacorte Press on June 11, 2024
ISBN: 0593805550
Pages: 60
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Nate and his dog, Sludge, run into their friend, Pip and his pet parrot, Prattles, who are desperately searching for his drone parrot, Penelope, who went missing in the recent wind storm. Nate agrees to take the case of the missing drone in hopes of finding it before they are due to sing the national anthem at the annual 4th of July picnic in two days time.

The next day Nate’s friend, Claude comes round needing Nate to help find his missing drone parrot, Baxter. The similarities start adding up and Nate and Sludge are on the case!

Through a series of oftentimes confusing misadventures and round about clues Nate is able to solve the mystery and save the day for Pip and his parrots, both real and drone.

Suggested age: 6-9

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, ME.

three-stars

Riot Act

Riot ActRiot Act by Sarah Lariviere
Published by Alfred A. Knopf ISBN: 0593479955
Genres: Historical Fiction, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Riot Act” is a YA historical dystopian novel by Sarah Lariviere. Set in 1991 in an alternate history, Americans are living under an authoritarian government that prohibits anti-American thought. We follow two teens who are dealing with the death of their friend as they get a group together to put on an illegal underground Shakespeare performance. There is death and romance, queer representation, and a lot of punk rebellion. The use of an unusual narrator was interesting, but also seemed to hinder readers from fully engaging with the main characters. With shades of 1984, this story of teenagers rebelling through art against a repressive government will likely resonate with theater kids and teens disenchanted with the current political world. A suggested additional purchase for YA collections, especially where dystopian fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

The Color of a Lie

The Color of a LieThe Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on June 11, 2024
ISBN: 0593118804
Pages: 336
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Color of a Lie” is a young adult historical fiction novel by Kim Johnson. Set in 1955, Calvin is a Black American whose family is able to pass for white, so they have been. When the family moves from Chicago to a small segregated community in Pennsylvania it is even more important that they pass. The high school Calvin goes to integrates a Black student, Lily, and Calvin is forced to face the danger of racism and discrimination. Characters are believable and compelling and Johnson has captured the feel and details of the Jim Crow Era and the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. The end of the book contains a list of additional resources for those wanting more information. A recommended purchase for YA collections, especially where historical fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Aisha’s Colors

Aisha’s ColorsAisha's Colors by Nabila Adani
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235407
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Aisha’s Colors

Nabila Adani

 

Aisha’s Colors is a picture book about a young girl from Jakarta, who takes an annual family trip to her grandmother’s village in the Indonesian countryside. Meanwhile, Aisha’s friends are going on exotic and exciting vacations to new faraway destinations; Aisha wants to feel snow, swim in a pool, and visit an aquarium just like they do. Soon after she arrives at Grandma’s house, Aisha stops worrying about what she is missing and starts cherishing the time with her family.

This is a beautifully- illustrated story about recognizing and appreciating the beauty of familiar surroundings as well as the family members that dwell in them. The fear of missing out is universal. This would make a nice read-aloud about being grateful for our blessings instead of coveting others.

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

four-stars