Category: Book Reviews

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

Fearless: The Story of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Defender of Free Speech.

Fearless: The Story of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Defender of Free Speech.Fearless: The Story of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Defender of Free Speech by Gattaldo
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 1536219185
Pages: 32
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

While the story of Daphne Caruana Galizia is absolutely one that needs to be told, it might have to be handled a little more delicately than it is in this book. Galizia was a journalist in Malta whose bravery and refusal to be silenced, both through her peaceful protests and her journalism, eventually led to her death. This book reads as though it is written for young children and, while I firmly believe small kids can handle most anything when it’s explained well, the book is very vague and frightening (although sometimes the fright works; there is a phenomenal illustration of the men in power as a Hydra). There are almost no details about what Galizia was fighting so hard to uncover and report but there are details such as her dog being killed in retaliation against her.  It doesn’t mention her untimely death unless you read an additional section in the back, and if you do, my worry is that the message is that fighting for free speech can potentially lead to the death of your pets and, ultimately, a bomb being placed under your car. Galizia was amazing and her story needs to be known and shared but the book’s tone just isn’t quite right for its intended audience.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Wutaryoo

WutaryooWutaryoo by Nilah Magruder
Published by Versify on January 25, 2022
ISBN: 0358172381
Pages: 48
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Wutaryoo was a unique little creature that had been asked all her life “What are you?”.  She did not look like any other creature, with her large ears, fluffy tail, and horns. There were no others like her. She did not even know her name or where she came from.  When asked the question “What are you?” she was never able to answer and began to feel sad and quite alone.  All the other creatures were able to tell her who and what they were and where they came from.

One morning she decided to start walking to find the answers to her existence. Perhaps, she thought if she searched far and wide, she would discover her own story as well.  Her journey took her to many amazing places, and she met many strange creatures along the way.  She walked until she found herself right back to where she had started from.  Upon her return her friends surrounded her and instead of asking the same old question, they inquired if she was alright and where and what she had seen. Her tale was so wonderous to them  just as their life stories were to her.  Wutaryoo alone had created her own history and now she also had it to share.

A wonderful book for any library collection and story time. The theme in this story of finding your own story is important and valuable to any child that may feel different or alone.

 

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

I Will!

I Will!I WILL!: A Book of Promises by Juana Medina
Published by Versify on October 12, 2021
ISBN: 0358555590
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Children make promises to take care of themselves, others, and to do what they can to make the world a better place.

This is a sweet, simple, colorful book reminiscent of Todd Parr. Affirmations such as “I will problem solve!” “I will be kind to myself!” and “I will love others”  with  accompanying illustrations adorn each page spread. Great for social-emotional learning and conversation starters. 

Pre-K-Gade 1

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

Everything Within and In Between

Everything Within and In BetweenEverything Within and In Between by Nikki Barthelmess
Published by HarperTeen on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 0062976907
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Everything Within and In Between

 

Ri wants to know her mother but she believes that her grandmother is keeping them separated after finding a photograph from the past.  Her grandmother has always tried to separate Ri from her Hispanic culture, thinking that the more “American” Ri appears the more she will be accepted.  This causes secrets and lies and a brush with cocaine.  In the end Ri and her grandmother reconcile with no more lies between them.

There are many Spanish words and phrases interspersed which add to the authenticity.  This book is recommended for grades 7-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland 

four-stars

Amber & Clay

Amber & ClayAmber and Clay by Julia Iredale, Laura Amy Schlitz
Published by Candlewick Press on March 9, 2021
ISBN: 1536201227
Pages: 544
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Folklore
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Set in ancient Greece, “Amber and Clay” by Laura Amy Schlitz crafts an epic tale of two children from very different worlds. Rhaskos is born into slavery by his captive Thracian noble-born mother and has fire-red hair. Melisto, the child of a wealthy Athenian, is despised by her mother for her plain appearance, untamable spirit, and curiosity. In a twist of fate, Rhaskos’ slave mother is sold to a new owner and becomes Melisto’s personal slave. Now motherless, Rhaskos finds comfort in the stables. His time with the horses reveals he has a gift from the gods for art. Melisto is sent to serve the goddess Artemis. As the characters develop and grow, they face numerous challenges including abuse, neglect, and death.

As the story weaves back and forth, the stories of the children become intertwined in surprising ways. Throughout the book, there are historical facts about Greek artifacts, commentaries from the gods, and Rhaskos even develops a friendship with Sokrates.

“Amber and Clay” is thoroughly engaging and should be considered for Cream of the Crop.

Best suited for ages 10 and up.

Reviewed by Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public Library

five-stars

City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm

City of Dragons: The Awakening StormThe Awakening Storm (City of Dragons #1) by Jaimal Yogis, Vivian Truong
Published by Graphix on September 21, 2021
ISBN: 133866042X
Pages: 240
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars
This middle grade graphic novel is action-packed and filled with heart. The novel starts with an intense bullying scene and the loss of a dad, so these could be triggers to a reader, then fast-forwards three years. The protagonist, Grace, has now moved from the US to Hong Kong with her mother and stepfather, who works for a cutting-edge health research company (delightfully suspicious construct). Grace is newly enrolled in a private international school and meets a few kids, an interesting, motley crew consisting of a local Hong Kong native, an Aboriginal student, and an Indian student. When Grace is gifted an unusual egg during a field trip, and a small blue dragon hatches from that egg, the story takes off. Centered around Chinese mythology and dragon lore, and filled with villains who would do anything to steal the power of the secrets contained within a dragon, the book is a great start of what is sure to be further adventures. That Grace grapples with issues of friendship, self-acceptance, and family offers heart to the story. Readers will feel for her as she struggles to find peace with being part of two worlds, as she digs deep for the courage her father believed was in her, and as she watches a trusted adult make a dangerous choice. There is an intensity to the end of the book as adults brandish tranquilizer guns and a human man turns into a monstrous being. Give to fans of action graphic novels, Dungeons & Dragons, mythology, and dragons.

Age range: Grade 4 -7; ages 10-13

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

five-stars