Category: Book Reviews

Jay’s Gay Agenda

Jay’s Gay AgendaJay's Gay Agenda (Jay's Gay Agenda, #1) by Jason June
Published by HarperTeen on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 0063015153
Pages: 368
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Jay is the only out gay boy in his whole town. But his life changes in a big way when his parents announce their move to Seattle. Jay is so excited to meet other gay boys that he creates his own Gay Agenda full of experiences he can’t wait to have. Number one is meet another gay kid. Number eight is to lose his virginity. Upon starting school there, he is immediately taken under the wing of genderqueer Max and becomes the Vice President of the school’s Queer/Straight Alliance. Max decides to become Jay’s Gay Guide and help him accomplish his list. Jay throws himself into his new experiences a little too quickly, and drama ensues. However, Jay and the other characters get their happy endings. This is June’s first young adult book and he clearly had fun writing these characters. However, many of the characters feel more like caricatures than well-developed characters. This whole book takes place during about 6-8 weeks, ending right after homecoming, which feels incredibly rushed for all the plots to have taken place. All in all, it’s a fun read, particularly for those in the LGBTQ+ community. The book features lots of sexual acts and kissing, but it’s not graphic. Best for ages 15+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

three-stars

Franklin Endicott and the Third Key

Franklin Endicott and the Third KeyFranklin Endicott and the Third Key: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume Six by Chris Van Dusen, Kate DiCamillo
Published by Candlewick Press on June 8, 2021
ISBN: 1536201812
Pages: 112
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A delightful addition to the Deckawoo Drive collection. DiCamillo and Van Dusen can do no wrong together. The story is gentle and literary and lovely, and the illustrations are a triumph.

The story revolves around Frank and his growing list of worries; his literal list of worries as he writes them down in his notebook. When his worries threaten to completely overwhelm him, he seeks help from a rather unlikely source: Eugenia Lincoln. Frank is calmed by Eugenia’s no-nonsense approach to worries: find a way to be productive and you will quiet those worries. It might have worked if she hadn’t taken him to the odd thrift shop where he meets proprietor Buddy Lamp and then accidentally procures the key from the title. The acquisition of this key is unsettling as Frank is unsure what it’s for and what to do with it. His list of worries grows. The plot is an ode to the calming power of stories and reading.  Mercy Watson takes a role as a therapy pig and though she doesn’t quite nail the part for Franklin’s purposes, she does snuggle up with Stella and she is quite an attentive listener when being read to.  “But to sit in the kitchen and read to someone he loved and to push back the darkness with a story–that was a wonderful thing.” Wonderful indeed. Recommend for all libraries.

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

five-stars

The Anthropocene Reviewed

The Anthropocene ReviewedThe Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
Published by Dutton on May 18, 2021
ISBN: 0525555218
Pages: 304
Genres: Non-Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Many John Green fans have been awaiting his next novel since the publication of Turtles All the Way Down in 2017. However, this is not a novel, instead, The Anthropocene Reviewed is more in the vein of his Crash Course work (in fact, I wondered while reading if some of these stories came from his research, but just didn’t make the final cut). As a collection, these essays explore our humanity and our connection to the Earth and some individual essays that could be great additions to classroom reading, such as “Our Capacity For Wonder” which explores the background of The Great Gatsby. The chapter titled, “Velociraptors” would is an excellent example of why we shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that Hollywood movies are teaching tools; this could be used in either a science or history class. And, “Canada Goose” would be an interesting conversation starter about our impact on the planet in an environmental science class. If fans had been listening to his podcast “The Anthropocene Reviewed,” they might find many of these chapters familiar; about half seem to be from the podcast, and readers can’t help but hear Green’s compelling, fast-paced voice in their head as they are reading. With a nod to the book, I give The Anthropocene Reviewed four stars. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

four-stars

Allergic

AllergicAllergic: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd, Michelle Mee Nutter
Published by Graphix on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 1338568906
Pages: 240
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars
An engaging and heartwarming graphic novel that tells the story of a girl, her love for animals, and the allergies that keep them apart. Maggie dreams of having a pet. When her parents agree to let her get a dog, her dream is close to coming true. But, in addition to finding her perfect pup, Maggie discovers her raging allergies to all things furred and feathered. She tries other pets from lizards to turtles to tarantulas (seriously?), but none of these quite fit. Resigned to allergy shots (which will lessen but not eliminate her allergic reactions) and a pet-less life, Mia is devastated. When a new neighbor, Claire, moves in next door, Maggie is thrilled to have a new friend to take her mind off of her dog-free life. In a typical coming-of-age story, things go wrong as Claire makes a decision that deeply hurts Maggie; Maggie attempts to thwart her own allergies; and a shift occurs in Maggie’s family dynamic that causes her to reassess her views. Lloyd’s story is well-crafted and Nutter’s cozy illustrations perfectly capture the turmoil and melodrama of the thoughts and feelings of a middle grader. The design of the book is clean with plenty of white space and an uncluttered flow. Fans of RainaTelgemeier and Jennifer Holmes will gravitate to this book, but all lovers of graphic novels will gobble it up.

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

five-stars

The Initial Insult

The Initial InsultThe Initial Insult (The Initial Insult, #1) by Mindy McGinnis
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on February 23, 2021
ISBN: 0062982427
Pages: 370
Genres: Horror
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
An intense, suspenseful young adult novel that is the first book in a duology. Filled with references to Edgar Allen Poe stories and characters, this is a deep dive into revenge gone horribly wrong. When Tress Montor decides that she’s had enough bullying. and that she finally needs to know the truth about the disappearance of her parents, she takes it out on her former best friend Felicity Turnado by chaining her in a basement and threatening her with a good, old-fashion entombment Amontillado-style. But like a good Poe story, there are twists and turns as they two young women recall their shared history in an effort to determine where their friendship went wrong and what Felicity knows about the dark night when Tress’s parents went missing. The plotting is fraught with things unsaid and actions unforgiven, or unforgivable. This has sex, drugs, violence, gore, and torture – sure to draw readers of other dark series like One of Us is Lying and Truly Devious. The book is a page-turner and the ending will have readers clamoring for Book 2. Recommend for grades 10 and up.

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

four-stars

The Shrinking of Treehorn

The Shrinking of TreehornThe Shrinking of Treehorn (50th Anniversary Edition) by Edward Gorey, Florence Parry Heide
Published by Holiday House on October 27, 2020
ISBN: 0823447030
Pages: 80
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
I love that Edward Gorey is in right now and this book by Florence Parry Heide is a perfect companion to his illustrations. I originally picked this up because of Gorey but the book is hilarious and I’ll be reading more by Heide. It’s the story of Treehorn, a small child who is becoming smaller. And smaller. He’s shrinking and as obvious as it is to him, none of the adults in his life notice it, until they finally do, and then they dismiss it as unimportant. The book took a risk in that it could have come across as an indictment of all adults and our obliviousness to children’s concerns, and even though there’s definitely an element of that, it reads as more surreal than straightforward judgement. It’s laugh out loud funny and would be a great read aloud book for ages 8-12.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

The Sea in Winter

The Sea in WinterThe Sea in Winter by Christine Day
Published by Heartdrum on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 0062872044
Pages: 250
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Maisie Cannon loves ballet — it’s what she loves doing most. When a knee injury stops her dancing, she feels hopeless and lost. She’s not at all looking forward to her family’s winter road trip up the coast near the Makah community where her mother grew up. She loves learning about her Native history, but she’s struggling to keep a strong face on when inside she’s full of turmoil and anxiety. A potential reinjury of her knee while hiking on their trip sets her over the edge, and all her emotions come spilling out. She reconnects with her family, and finds some wonderful coping strategies to help her through this difficult time.

This is a beautiful book about family, depression, anxiety, and finding oneself when what that looks like seems to be changing. Maisie has many of the same struggles that middle schoolers have, and kids will relate to that. The story is well written, engaging, and easy to follow and includes some education about Indigenous Cultures as well. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

The Last Bear

The Last BearThe Last Bear by Hannah Gold
Published by HarperCollins on February 2, 2021
ISBN: 0063041073
Pages: 288
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
April’s father is a scientist, and he suddenly springs it on her that they’ll be moving to remote Bear Island in the Arctic. April isn’t thrilled about being alone on the island with just her father for 6 months, but she hopes it will give them more time to spend together not distracted by his constant work and the emotional tolls of losing her mother. April is told very early on that there are no more bears on Bear Island because the sea ice is too thin and sparse for them to make it to the island. When April spots what appears to be a bear on the island, she has to investigate. What she discovers is a lone polar bear who is hungry, scared, and alone. This story weaves together a tale of science, conservation, and friendship. Environmentally inclined young readers will love the education about the fate of real polar bears and the included author’s note about the real Bear Island. Though the story mostly is realistic, there are several very hard to believe plot lines—most notably, the one where a young girl befriends a wild and very hungry polar bear. Nevertheless, it is a heartwarming and engaging story to read. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

The Last Rabbit

The Last RabbitThe Last Rabbit by Shelley Moore Thomas
Published by Wendy Lamb Books on February 9, 2021
ISBN: 0593173538
Pages: 288
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
On the magical island of Hybrasil there lives a magician and four rabbit sisters. The sisters were not always rabbits, and one by one, they’re leaving the island with a boy and his boat. When the boy comes for each sister, he will take them wherever they want to go, and they have the choice one whether to remain as a rabbit or turn back into a girl. After all her sisters have left, Albie is the last rabbit on the island, and she does not want to leave. She must leave, however, because the island is sinking. Before choosing where to go, Albie visits all of her sisters—one in a circus, one on a pirate ship, and one at the family’s home in Cork. With twisting and turning adventures along the way, the story comes full circle to embrace family and its unconditional love and forgiveness.

This is a book that takes many different directions and is, at times, hard to follow. The characters are loosely developed and not overly engaging. This book will be popular with fans of light fantasy and animal character driven stories, but there are certainly stories that do it better. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Many Points of Me

Many Points of MeMany Points of Me by Caroline Gertler
Published by Greenwillow Books on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 0063027003
Pages: 352
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Georgia’s father was a famous artist, and she had to share so much of him with the world. Since he died, she’s been unsure of so many things in her life—if she even wants to pursue art, who she is, and where she belongs in the world. When she discovers what she believes is a sketch outlining the last painting in a series her father never finished, she wants to keep this one thing for herself. The sketch shows that the painting was to be of her, after all. When her best friend, Theo, submits the sketch to an art contest thinking it was one Georgia had drawn, she’s forced to tell her mom everything—how she’s had the sketch all along, how Theo lied on the submission form, and all of the things she’s been struggling with since her dad’s death. Though Georgia is terrified of coming clean, it turns out to be something really good. In sharing this bit of her father’s voice with the rest of the world, she’s able to find her own artistic voice again in a way that connects her to both her past with her father and her future without him.

This is a wonderfully written story about grief, friendship, family, and of course, art. Many readers will find Georgia’s turbulent and confusing relationship with Theo relatable as they begin to navigate middle school and changing emotions and priorities. The seamless weaving of art and color throughout the text connects the literary and art worlds beautifully and brings a new depth to the story. Hand this one to fans of Rebecca Stead and Kate Messner. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars