Category: Book Reviews

Too Small Tola

Too Small TolaToo Small Tola by Atinuke, Onyinye Iwu
Published by Candlewick Press on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 1536211273
Pages: 96
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
four-stars

Tola is a fresh face, she will be welcomed by early readers.  Three stories within this book tell of Tola’s dedication to her family and community.  Yes, she is small but she is also strong and smart, things girls should be known for.  Though the stories take place in Nigeria young readers around the world will identify with the character’s desire to be helpful.   This is a book that will appeal and endure a lasting following.  Readers will want more books about Tola, her family and community.   The  digital illustrations add context to the text and provide a glimpse into Tola’s environment.   Add to primary school media centers and donate to classroom collections.

four-stars

Muddle School

Muddle SchoolMuddle School by Dave Whamond
Published by Kids Can Press on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 1525304860
Pages: 144
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Graphic novels are frequently the best genre to attract reluctant readers, Muddle School will not disappoint intermediate and middle students.  The text includes the hope, concerns, and fears which dwell in the heart of most grade four students.   Our lovable character appears to resemble the author in his past, at the very least Whamond is familiar with the situations and emotions contained in this very humorous graphic.  As the protagonist develops more confidence and exhibits a positive attitude his year improves.   Typical subjects are included in the dialog; bullies, first crush, making friends and strange family members all own a spot in the storyline.

My only critic is the use of only blue on white in the illustrations.   The book would have been more appealing if there existed some additional colors.  Add this to intermediate and middle school graphic collections and persuade public librarians to purchase Muddle School for their shelves.  Students will be looking for more graphic novels by this author.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

An Emotion of Great Delight

An Emotion of Great DelightAn Emotion of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi
Published by HarperCollins on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 0062972413
Pages: 256
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Written with excellent prose and character development, this book is a definite winner.  Mafi offers readers the opportunity to view what life was like for a teenage Muslim American girl following 9/11.

Shadi experienced societal stress and discrimination as well as surviving overwhelming family drama and sorrow.   Her story is told mostly in 2003 but it shifts over a year as she slowly loses her connections with family and friends.  Readers are led to an approaching emotional breakdown that is beyond understandable.  And yet, the protagonist has a strong sense of self and walks herself back to her family.  Teens will cheer for a romance which is integral to the storyline but it takes a back seat to the family interaction.

Purchase this book for all high school media centers and public libraries which collect YA fiction.  An Emotion of Great Delight would make an excellent choice for mother/daughter book groups.

Recommend for Cream of the Crop

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

The Upper World

The Upper WorldThe Upper World by Femi Fadugba
Published by HarperTeen on December 7, 2021
ISBN: 0063078597
Pages: 368
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Upper World” by Femi Fadugba is a young adult science fiction novel that not only explains time travel to its readers but uses math and physics to do it in a way that is understandable. The book starts with one of the main characters, Esso, a teen in London who is on the verge of getting expelled and caught up in gang violence. During a few harrowing moments in his life, Esso seems to briefly travel into the future and see what is going to happen but is unable to change things.

The other main character, Rhia, is also a London teen, but she lives 15 years in the future from Esso’s time. When adult Esso shows up in her life as a math tutor, she discovers that he knew her missing mother and that he needs her to understand time travel. But why?

The novel is compelling and keeps you guessing about what is going to happen. The math sections about the speed of light and time travel are well explained, but still took me one or two times of rereading before I really understood it. Fadugba is a former science tutor with a master’s degree in physics from Oxford. The characters use British slang which may throw off American readers, but it’s understandable enough with context. A must buy for your young adult section if science fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars

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