Category: Book Reviews

Pinkalicious and the Robo-Pup

Pinkalicious and the Robo-PupPinkalicious and the Robo-Pup by Victoria Kann
Published by HarperCollins on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 0063003767
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a Level 1 “I can read book” for grades 1-3.  Pinkville is holding a pet contest.  Pinkalicious and her brother Peter enter their new robot puppy that their mother created.  None of Pinkalicious’ friends are interested in what robo-pup can do because they are all interested in the live animals.  When Alison’s new puppy Bella gets spooked and runs away, Robo-pup comes to the rescue and finds the puppy.  There are four and five short sentences per page with many quotes, exclamations and other punctuation marks.  Vocabulary words include: trophy, ordinary, listening, loudspeaker and congratulations.  Fans of the PBS show and the picture books will recognize the computer generated illustrations that show static expressions of smiling or “oo” ovals on all the characters.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

three-stars

The Titanic

The TitanicHistory Smashers: The Titanic by Kate Messner, Matt Aytch Taylor
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers ISBN: 0593120434
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a paperback version and the second installment in the new narrative non-fiction series by Kate Messner and illustrated by Matt Aytch Taylor called History Smashers.  They are suggested for 3-6 graders.  Messner breaks down the rumors and the facts, as scientists and historians have accumulated over the last –years since the Titanic sank. Using a mix of narrative, lists, historical photographs with captions and graphic novel inserts, Messner will keep readers engaged and challenge Titanic enthusiasts to look beyond the rumors and film created drama to investigate the tragedy from a historical lens. Real newspaper articles are evaluated by Messner providing the reader with examples of how to critically think through headlines. Quotes from eye witnesses are shown to be different and the boat building industry is placed securely in a larger historical context to illustrated how rumors were easily believed. Messner identifies how some of the survivor’s lives were influenced by unfair reporter accounts of the sinking. Back material include a timeline, suggested books and online resources, bibliography, image credits and an index.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

Julius Zebra: Grapple With the Greeks

Julius Zebra: Grapple With the GreeksJulius Zebra: Grapple with the Greeks! by Gary Northfield
Published by Candlewick Press on June 8, 2021
ISBN: 1536215147
Pages: 320
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Julius Zebra:  Grapple With the Greeks

 

What a fun way to learn about the ancient Greeks!  In this fourth book in the series of ancient civilizations, Julius Zebra and his friends are in for a series of adventures as they search for King Midas and a golden apple and Julius’s missing brother.  Each page has excellent drawings which totally fit with the text.  In the end there is a section explaining the planets, how to dress up as an ancient Greek, the art of Greece, and a Glossary including words from Hades to the Trojan horse to Zeus.  There is humor throughout and it is a very fast read.  The characters act goofy, which will draw in readers.  It will be popular with middle grade readers.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Miles Morales: Shock Waves

Miles Morales: Shock WavesMiles Morales: Shock Waves by Justin A. Reynolds, Pablo Leon
Published by Graphix on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 1338648039
Pages: 128
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

The first in a new line of original graphic novels, a new collaboration between Scholastic and Marvel, Miles Morales: Shockwave brings us another new tale of the Spiderman we all fell in love with in the Spiderman: into the Universe movie. This story finds Miles struggling to balance school work, family, and wrangling criminals. When new student Kyle shows  up, Miles is intrigued by her artistic and techie talents. Kyle’s father goes missing from the same  company that Miles is looking into related to  a string of crimes. Are they related? Is Kyle’s dad missing or involved in the nefarious missions? While Miles is as fun and snarky as ever, this book also showcases the talents of his friends. Ganke, his bestie, provides tech support as always. And Squirrel Girl and Kamala  Khan (Ms. Marvel) help him with research. We also learn the three of them are training with the Avengers. Artist Pablo Leon uses vibrant detail-filled panels. Ariana Maher’s lettering is easy to read and follow. This is a must buy for comic collections. Recommended for ages 8+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

Sisters of the Snake

Sisters of the SnakeSisters of the Snake by Sarena Nanua, Sasha Nanua
Published by HarperTeen on June 15, 2021
ISBN: 0062985590
Pages: 512
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Sisters of the Snake” by Sarena and Sasha Nanua (twin sisters) is a loose fantasy retelling of “The Prince and the Pauper” with two identical twins, Ria and Rani, separated at birth. Rani grows up in the palace as the princess while Ria lived in an orphanage and now survives life on the streets. The rulers of this land are snake speakers and have the magical ability to speak to snakes and share thoughts with a snake familiar. There were other magics in the past, but those have seemingly disappeared. Ria and Rani unexpectedly meet, switch places, and both discover secrets about themselves and their society.

A young adult fantasy adventure based in Indian culture, readers will enjoy this book for its themes of finding oneself and defying fate. The chapters switch between the two sisters’ viewpoints and is done very well; you can definitely tell that each sister is a distinct and separate person. The story seems a little slow at first and I wish that the magical history of the land was explained more, but this book is clearly set up for a sequel so hopefully this will be addressed in the future. For ages 12-17, this book is recommended for Young Adult collections where fantasy is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars

Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo: The Battle of the Bards

Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo: The Battle of the BardsRickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo Book 3: The Battle of the Bards by Ben Costa, James Parks
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on April 27, 2021
ISBN: 0399556206
Pages: 256
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

I have to admit: I was a little lost with what was going on in this graphic novel as it’s the third in a series and I have yet to read the first two. I got the sense that there was a lot of back story that would have been helpful but, to its credit, it was fun to read anyway! Rickety Stitch is a skeleton with a lovely singing voice who travels with a tiny glob of gelatin named Goo (my favorite character). In this book, they’ve teamed up with a group of actors and musicians and will be competing in the Battle of the Bards. Evil forces have other plans, though, and an unlikely cast of characters must work together to defeat them. This series is popular and is a good choice for middle and high schoolers.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski. Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

A Donkey Called Mistletoe

A Donkey Called MistletoeA Donkey Called Mistletoe (Jasmine Green #10) by Ellie Snowdon, Helen Peters
Published by Walker Books US on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 1536222453
Pages: 160
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A Donkey Called Mistletoe

 

When the donkey, Mistletoe’s, owner must go into an assisted living facility our young heroine, Jasmine, volunteers to add Mistletoe to her menagerie.  This is another in the Jasmine Green Rescues series and Jasmine continues to take excellent care of her animals as readers learn the proper way to care for a donkey.  But actually letting a donkey into a health facility seems a bit strange.  Another thing that annoys me is using the expression “me and —” when the rest of the text is in proper English.  There are excellent illustrations which add to the text.  Animal-loving children will enjoy this series.  There is also a quiz at the end to see how much knowledge has been retained.  This is a fine series, but it’s not Cream worthy.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

three-stars

Ducks Overboard!

Ducks Overboard!Ducks Overboard!: A True Story of Plastic in Our Oceans by Markus Motum
Published by Candlewick Press on September 28, 2021
ISBN: 1536217727
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Ducks Overboard!

 

In 1992 a container ship filled with plastic bath toys was buffeted by waves and lost at sea.  This added to what was already a horrific problem of plastic waste.  In Markus Motum’s picture book a little lost yellow duck describes what he sees:  sea turtles stuck in fishing nets, a route that goes to Japan, Hawaii, South America, and the United States, and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch which is approximately twice the size of Texas!  But, in the end there is hope with beach cleanup days and petitions to sign.  This book sheds a light on the problem of single-use plastic waste and how this problem must be attacked.  The illustrations are excellent.  What did concern me was that while many of the words are regular picture book size there are other informational words which are tiny and not very easy to read.  It is a book with a strong message.

 

Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Sakamoto’s Swim Club

Sakamoto’s Swim ClubSakamoto's Swim Club: How a Teacher Led an Unlikely Team to Victory by Chris Sasaki, Julie Abery
Published by Kids Can Press on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 1525300318
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Sakamoto’s Swim Club

 

In the Hawaiian sugar plantations there are irrigation ditches in which children swim to cool off.  When a teacher, Soichi Sakamoto, sees them he sticks up for them using the ditches and soon becomes their coach.  Even without a pool they practice and train until a pool is built for them.  Soon the Olympics of 1948 arrives in which their own Bill Smith wins a gold medal and sets an Olympic record.  These swimmers were not well known, so this picture book is very valuable.

All the resources in the list included were from hawaiiswim.org which also shows that the so-called Three-Year Swim Club needs to be read about and shared over a large area.  The illustrations are vibrant and excellent.

 

Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Never, Not Ever!

Never, Not Ever!Never, Not Ever! by Beatrice Alemagna
Published by HarperCollins on July 13, 2021
ISBN: 0063076497
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is an adorable book about a young bat’s refusal to go to school. Pascaline watches as all the other animals head off to the first day off school while insisting that she will never, not ever go. In a twist a magical realism, Pascaline’s emotions shrink her parents who she then hides under her wings and, feeling newly confident, brings them along. Once there, Pascaline realizes she wasn’t the only bat who was struggling with the first day, although she is the only one with tiny parents secreted away who embarrass her all day and force her to see that maybe physically toting your parents along isn’t the best tactic to take. This is a funny, beautifully illustrated book that would be great addition to any collection and would be perfect in a display of first day of school/back to school books.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars