Category: Book Reviews

Bloodsworn

BloodswornBloodsworn by Scott Reintgen
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on February 16, 2021
ISBN: 0593119223
Pages: 400
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Many of the riders from the phoenix-horse races in Ashlords are back. The rebellion hinted at in Ashlords has become a war between the ruling Ashlords (and their Gods), the Dividians, and the Longhands. The action is just as scorching as Ashlords but readers may miss the focus on the horses. (Ashlords 2)

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

four-stars

An Occasionally Happy Family

An Occasionally Happy FamilyAn Occasionally Happy Family by Cliff Burke
Published by Clarion Books on May 18, 2021
ISBN: 0358325676
Pages: 224
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

 Theo is off on a family vacation with his dad and older sister to Big Bend National Park in western Texas. It’s been two years since his mom died and this is their first vacation without their mother. Theo’s dad awkwardly reveals that the real purpose of the vacation is to introduce his new girlfriend to the family which prompts Theo to finally face his grief. This is a touching and humorous upper-elementary/middle-grade novel. With Theo and his family stuck in their grieving, the secondary characters shine a little more. Theo is an artist working on a graphic novel and he uses his writing to process his feelings.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars

Ghosted

GhostedGhosted by Michael Fry
Published by Clarion Books on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 035826961X
Pages: 272
Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

With cartoon drawings and humor, Fry tackles grief for young children. Larry is struggling to process the sudden death of his best friend Grimm when Grimm shows up in his treehouse as a ghost. Larry and Grimm assume that Grimm must have unfinished business to complete before he can move on so they set out to tackle their “Totally To-Do List” with hilarious results. A good introduction to death and grief for elementary age children who enjoy chapter books with lots of illustrations.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

four-stars

Erik vs. Everything

Erik vs. EverythingErik vs. Everything by Christina Uss
Published by Clarion Books on August 3, 2021
ISBN: 0358126711
Pages: 288
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Erik is the youngest of Sheepflatteners, son of Inge and Thorfast, brother of Brunhilde and Allyson, and Viking through and through. Except for the part where he suffers anxiety and is fearful of all the fierce, exciting things his family does. Erik and his sister Brunhilde spend the summer with their Minnesota cousins and Brunhilde takes on Erik’s fears as her summer project, starting with a trip to the library to check out the Big Book of Fears and the Art of War. Although Erik would much rather hide under his bed, he does indeed face some of his fears and even takes up mountain biking. A creative and humorous tale about anxiety and finding your place in your family.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

 

five-stars

Katie the Catsitter

Katie the CatsitterKatie the Catsitter by Colleen A.F. Venable, Stephanie Yue
Published by Amistad, Random House Books for Young Readers on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 0593306325
Pages: 224
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Katie wants nothing more than to join her friend at summer camp but her Mom simply can’t afford it. Katie tries her hand at various odd jobs in her building to earn money but fails at all but cat sitting. Her neighbor Ms. Lang hires her to take care of her 217 (yes, 217!) cats each evening while she heads out to work. Meanwhile, the superhero Eastern Screech (as in owl) is trying to track down the identity of the villain Mousetress. As the summer progresses, Katie hears less from her friend at camp and starts to make new friends while trying to figure out what it is that Ms. Lang does each evening — and what are those 217 cats up to?

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

four-stars

VIP: Dr. Mae Jemison: Brave Rocketeer

VIP: Dr. Mae Jemison: Brave RocketeerVIP: Dr. Mae Jemison: Brave Rocketeer by Heather Alexander
Published by HarperCollins on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 006297808X
Pages: 128
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Dr. Mae Jemison

 

Dr. Mae Jemison had always loved science and space travel.  But, being an African American woman, there had been roadblocks.  She became a medical doctor and a Peace Corps volunteer, besides being an astronaut.  What was especially interesting was learning what astronauts must learn and be tested in to become a space traveler.

She learned to scuba dive, be ejected from a plane, and get used to wearing a three-hundred-pound space suit.  She finally had her moment in space in 1992.  There are interesting quizzes and questions and most pages have illustrations.  The facts are presented in an educational manner for personal knowledge and reports but the writing quality isn’t as high as I would expect.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

 

 

four-stars

Walking for Water

Walking for WaterWalking for Water: How One Boy Stood Up for Gender Equality by Nicole Miles, Susan Hughes
Published by Kids Can Press on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 1525302493
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Walking for Water

 

In Malawi when girls reach eight years old they leave school in order to carry buckets of water five times a day for their family.  Victor and his twin sister had always attended together but now she must leave.  Victor’s teacher talks about inequality and this spurs Victor to share the duties with his sister.  They alternate days and each benefits.  The solution came very quickly and I feel there would have been push-back in the community.  But this wasn’t included.  The illustrations were excellent and groups concerned with water and food resources were added for those wanting more information.  It is an excellent picture book.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Bruno the Beekeeper

Bruno the BeekeeperBruno the Beekeeper: A Honey Primer by Aneta Františka Holasová
Published by Candlewick Press on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 1536214612
Pages: 80
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The subtitle of the book is A Honey Primer, and it is completely accurate. This is a long picture book that is full of information about honeybees, beekeeping, and bees in general. The book is separated into the four seasons and features information about what the bees and those who keep them do in each season. The watercolor illustrations are simply gorgeous and elevate the already wonderful nature of this book. Recommended for wide purchase and for readers of all ages. Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Pete the Cat Rocking Field Day

Pete the Cat Rocking Field DayPete the Cat: Rocking Field Day by James Dean, Kimberly Dean
Published by HarperCollins on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 0062974084
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Pete and friends are back for another adventure. This time they’re participating in field day at school. Pete really wants to win first prize, but throughout the day, he learns that winning isn’t always the most important part. Familiar characters and illustrations will make this one an instant hit. As with most Pete the Cat books, this one focuses on a positive message, fun, and humor. Recommended for readers 5 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

So you want to be an owl

So you want to be an owlSo You Want to Be an Owl by Jane Porter, Maddie Frost
Published by Candlewick Press on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 153621521X
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Welcome to Owl School! Professor Olaf is here to help you determine if you have what it takes to be an owl. Great vision? Silent feathers? Sharp ears? See if you really want to be an owl afterall.

This whimsical and comical book about many characteristics of owls will educate and entertain at the same time. The illustrations are cartoonish and help keep the story from being too overwhelmed with information. There is a LOT in this book — lots of text, lots of information, and lots of fun. Hand this one to kids who love humor, birds, and owls. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars