Category: Book Reviews

Shadowghast

ShadowghastShadowghast (Malamander, #3) by Thomas Taylor, Tom Booth
Published by Walker Books US on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 1536208604
Pages: 352
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The familiar cast of characters from the Grand Nautilus Hotel in Eerie-on-Sea is back for a third installment in this fantasy series. A professional magician has arrived in town to perform the story of the Shadowghast—a legendary shadow-stealing monster that lurks around Eerie on Halloween (or Ghastly Night for the locals). This magician reveals a secret connection to Herbert Lemon, and things quickly begin to unravel. Herbert and his best friend Violet are caught in the middle of a real-life legend that is threatening the entire town. Those who enjoyed the previous two books in this series will enjoy this book, though the plot is much darker and more sinister. It has all the makings of a great read: friendship, mystery, magic, and danger. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

The little butterfly that could

The little butterfly that couldThe Little Butterfly That Could (A Very Impatient Caterpillar Book) by Ross Burach
Published by Scholastic Press on April 6, 2021
ISBN: 1338615009
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The butterfly from the end of The Very Impatient Caterpillar is back, and they’re struggling to make it through the arduous migration to the wintering grounds. The illustrations are high color, high contrast, and add a lot of motion and emotion to this funny story. The text is presented in thought bubbles making this a good opportunity for young readers to practice the skill of navigating graphic novel formats. This book is asking for someone who does voices to read it aloud. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

From here to there

From here to thereFrom Here to There: Inventions That Changed the Way the World Moves by Gilbert Ford, Vivian Kirkfield
on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 1328560910
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This book will delight transportation fans of all ages. From balloons to computer operated vehicles, this book chronicles the inventions that change the way the world moves. The front pages include a more inclusive timeline of locomotion — from canoes to rollerskates. Each chapter focuses on a different means of locomotion and the person or people who were heavily involved in its development. The watercolor illustrations are colorful, bring life to the story, and help depict the challenges of new inventions. Recommended for readers 8 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Climate Action

Climate ActionClimate Action: What Happened and What We Can Do by Seymour Simon
Published by HarperCollins on February 23, 2021
ISBN: 0062943316
Pages: 48
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

What is climate change? What is it doing to our planet, and what can we do about it? These are the questions tackled in this short, picture-book format nonfiction book. The book is filled with real images of the effects of climate change as well as a lot of text exploring the different ways we can help alleviate the effects of climate change. Throughout, there are profiles of young people taking action, from Greta Thunberg to lesser known kids, young readers will relate to their desires to make a change. Recommended for readers 7 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Before they were artists

Before they were artistsBefore They Were Artists: Famous Illustrators as Kids by Elizabeth Haidle
Published by Etch/Clarion Books on April 20, 2021
ISBN: 1328801543
Pages: 64
Genres: Arts, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a collected biography of famous illustrators, and it chronicles their lives before they became famous artists. The artists depicted represent diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic styles. The book is laid out somewhat like a graphic novel, but includes a fair amount more text than typical graphic novels. Every artist profile begins with a two-page spread that includes beautiful watercolor illustrations and a timeline of the artist’s life at the bottom. Recommended for young readers and artists ages 8 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

100 Animals

100 Animals100 Animals (lift-the-flap padded board book) by Steve Jenkins
Published by Clarion Books on February 23, 2021
ISBN: 0358105455
Pages: 14
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a board book with 100 animals displayed and named. Each two page spread features a different habitat—underwater, underground, treetop, etc. Each page has one flap that lifts to display a different drawing of the same animal. This book is simply listing and picturing the animals, there is no information about them. As a board book, it is good for babies who love flaps and different colors. Recommended for readers newborn to 2 yrs.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

The Delusionist

The DelusionistThe Delusionist by Don Calame
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on October 12, 2021
ISBN: 0763696897
Pages: 304
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“The Delusionist” by Don Calame is a young adult novel about Quinn, a high school student who performs magic shows with his best friend, Perry. They receive invitations to the Masters of Magic Fantasy Camp, but will have to perform separately. This is the first wrench in their plan. The novel follows Quinn as he navigates Perry’s romantic issues, a new magical challenger who is talented, funny, and attractive, and his own feeling of inadequacy., all while trying to learn the ultimate magic trick from a washed-up magician/charlatan.

The book’s themes of accepting yourself and the importance of friendship are emphasized through Quinn’s emotional struggles. There are times when Quinn does very frustrating things, but he is a teenager and figuring out who he is/wants to be. “The Delusionist” is fairly funny, with humor geared towards high schoolers. Not a bad book, but not a must-buy. Purchase if Teen/YA humor novels are popular in your library collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars

Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales

Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous TalesBeasts and Beauty by Julia Iredale, Soman Chainani
Published by HarperCollins on September 21, 2021
ISBN: 006265263X
Pages: 336
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Fans of fractured fairy tales will be intrigued by these classic stories with more modern twists. Chainani includes topics of race, immigration, and LGBTQ relationships along with other current issues within familiar stories such as “Snow White”, “Beauty and the Beast”, and “Sleeping Beauty.” While these stories are intense, they are also refreshing. Many readers will rejoice as the Sea Witch tells the Little Mermaid the honest truth: That she does not know the name of her supposed true love, nor ever spoken to him, yet she is willing to mutilate herself when for all she knows “he could be a psychopath or a philanderer or a prince who prefers the company of men.”

There is a noticeable absence of quotation marks, which could throw some readers off a bit but is not enough of a hindrance to interfere with comprehension. 

Black and white as well as color illustrations adorn the pages throughout. 

Recommended for grades 6+

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

Dogs at Work

Dogs at WorkDogs at Work: Good Dogs. Real Jobs. by Margaret Cardillo, Zachariah OHora
Published by Balzer + Bray on June 22, 2021
ISBN: 0062906313
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

What if dogs were the ones to go to work each day while the humans stayed home? “Dogs at Work” explores this very idea while also featuring some very real jobs that dogs do for us every day!

There are times when it is difficult to tell whose perspective the text is coming from–human or dog, but overall this is a cute introduction to working dogs that will invariably lead to lots of discussion and further investigation. The end of the book contains information about the real dogs who complete the jobs mentioned throughout as well as resources for more information. The illustrations have a very classic, vintage feel to them which will delight young and old readers alike.

Ages 4-8

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School. York

three-stars

Stealing Home

Stealing HomeStealing Home by David Namisato, J. Torres
Published by Kids Can Press on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 1525303341
Pages: 112
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars
Baseball loving Sandy and his family are living in Vancouver, British Columbia when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. It isn’t long before they are ripped away from their everyday life and sent to an internment camp. Sandy has difficulty adjusting to life at the camp and struggles to maintain a relationship with his father. Playing baseball brings back a sense of normalcy and camaraderie to an otherwise helpless and depressing situation.

Formatting this story as a graphic novel helps make this content accessible to the younger age group it is meant for. And the illustrations provide a stronger portrayal of the emotional impact of the discrimination and injustice faced by Japanese Canadian citizens (and their United States counterparts) than would be had by words alone. While the story seems to end a bit abruptly, it is nonetheless an important story to tell and a purchase that will add value to historical fiction collections in both school and public libraries. 

Grades 3-6

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

three-stars