Category: Book Reviews

The Beautiful Struggle: A Memoir: Adapted for Young Adults

The Beautiful Struggle: A Memoir: Adapted for Young AdultsThe Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Published by Delacorte Press on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 1984894021
Pages: 176
Goodreads
three-stars

This is an adaptation of Coates’s adult memoir The Beautiful Struggle (2008). The book focuses on Coates’s relationship with his father, Paul, and the lessons he taught his sons.  It is a coming of age story and one that proceeds in a fluid, stream-of-conscious style that makes for dense pages. The setting is Baltimore and the writing is woven through with slang and allusion and a writing style that is not for the reluctant or hesitant reader.  Adaptations are hot right now and for those teens, grades 10 and up, interested in #ownvoices stories and the Black Lives Matter movement, this may have appeal, but I am not sure why a strong reader, interested in Coates and his writing and his story would not just read the original book.

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

three-stars

Milo Imagines the World

Milo Imagines the WorldMilo Imagines the World by Christian Robinson, Matt de la Pena
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on February 2, 2021
ISBN: 0399549080
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Young Milo and his sister ride the subway together in anticipation of something exciting. To pass the time Milo draws pictures of the other subway riders and what he imagines their lives are like. The lives vary; some are troubled, some are amazing. When they reach their stop Milo notices another subway rider going to the same destination he is and realizes that you never know what we might have in common with other people. This causes him to reevaluate the lives he has envisioned for the others.  This is an excellent book for not only kids but for all of us that need to be reminded that you never know what someone might be struggling with and that we might have more common ties than we realize to complete strangers. Illustrated as wonderfully as ever by Christian Robinson.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick

five-stars

My Day with the Panye

My Day with the PanyeMy Day with the Panye by Sara Palacios, Tami Charles
Published by Candlewick Press on March 16, 2021
ISBN: 0763697494
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Vibrant colors, descriptive language and a true sense of community make this a good read for     K – gr 3 readers.  Mother and daughter lead readers through a colorful and rich tour of Port-au-Prince in Haiti.  The text points out cultural traditions, relationships and the vibrant presence of women within the community.  Like all girls Fallen is in a hurry to grow up; for her carrying the panye on her head to market would indicate maturity.  Mother and daughter pass through the country side, by the tap-tap bus, and arrive in the city where market is held. Palacios’ illustrations enhance the storyline bringing the physical environment to life and revealing the look and feel of the market.  French language signs dot the cityscape where mostly women are conducting business.

This lovely book would make a great addition to media center and public library collections.  The diverse content may prompt classroom discussion and raise awareness of young readers.  Although children live in different lands they have more in common than not.

Kisses and Croissants

Kisses and CroissantsKisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
Published by Delaware Press on April 6, 2021
ISBN: 0593375882
Pages: 320
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Teen ballerina Mia is attending a prestigious summer program in Paris, France. Much to her chagrin, not only is her rival attending, but they’re roommates. Mia, as several of the matriarchs in her family before her, intends to dance with one of the great ballet companies. The program is performing Swan Lake this summer, and Mia snags the role of the black swan. That means she’ll be focused only on practice and classes. That is, until she runs into a charming, cute French boy named Louis. Instantly intrigued, Mia can’t say no to him and starts to lie to everyone about where she’s spending her free time. Unfortunately, that has an effect on her ballet, and the director tells her that she needs to choose ballet or a social life. What will Mia do? The characters are not very well developed, even the main characters, who are assumed white. However, Paris is itself a character that will leave you dreaming of patisseries and museums. Best to read this with a croissant. You’ll want one. Recommended for ages 13+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

The Way of the Hive

The Way of the HiveThe Way of the Hive: A Honey Bee's Story by Jay Hosler
Published by HarperAlley on April 20, 2021
ISBN: 0063007363
Pages: 160
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Originally published as a series of comics called Clan Apis (2000), this nonfiction graphic novel has been collected and colorized for a fresh and beautiful update. Hosler,  a biology professor by day, is a stellar storyteller when it comes to things that creep and crawl and buzz. This is the story of a very curious, but cautious, bee named Nyuki; in fact, each of the bees in the story has a name that is the word for ‘bee’ in a particular language. Using the story of Nyuki (Swahili), Hosler offers the full story of a bee’s life from larva to death (in a heart-tugging scene). The book reads like an adventure and infuses storytelling into the mechanics of the lives of these fascinating, and necessary, pollinators. Budding entomologists, those interested in apiculture, fans of the Science Comics series and of Hosler’s  previous graphic novel Last of the Sandwalkers (a quest graphic novel starring beetles) will enjoy this book. Copious notes at the end provide additional information about all of the scientific concepts and bee functions touched upon in the book. A stellar addition to a NF graphic novel section.

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

five-stars

Ten Beautiful Things

Ten Beautiful ThingsTen Beautiful Things by Maribel Lechuga, Molly Beth Griffin
ISBN: 1580899366
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Lily is moving across Iowa to live with her grandmother, leaving everything she has ever known. As they begin their journey, Gram suggests they look for ten beautiful things. To Lily, there is nothing beautiful in big, empty Iowa! But as  they travel along, a beautiful sunrise, a wind farm, a red- winged blackbird, a thunderstorm, the list grows. When they arrive at the farm, nine beautiful things have been seen and Gram declares number ten is them, the life they will have and the love between them. Though we don’t know the circumstances of the move, this heartfelt story will resonate with readers dealing with their own journey and how being open to the little things of nature can ease that journey.

The reader can see Lily’s feelings of sadness, defiance and anxiousness through Maribel Lechuga’s illustrations done in Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint with added watercolor textures. The journey begins at night – in the dark- but gives way to the sunrise of the morning and by the time they arrive at the farm, there is a lightness that lets the reader know all will be well.

A selection to be added to books such as In a Jar – Deb Marcero, One Good Thing About America -Ruth Freeman, Florette – Walker, Tiny Perfect Things – MH Clark, My Favorite Memories – Sarihi.

Grades K-3

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library , Gray Maine

five-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: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

Williamina Stevens  Fleming, a woman whose love of the stars and determination to study them is the focus of Kathryn Lasky’s latest book. Fleming , daughter of a Scottish photographer was fascinated by her father’s work and the stars. She worked in the household of Professor Edward  Pickering, director of the Harvard College Observatory, and became his student. With her background in photography, she was able to identify the chemical elements of each star that was photographed. She was  ultimately  able to create a map of the universe.  Pickering, so impressed, hired more women to compute the light of stars at a time when women were not even permitted to look through the lens of a telescope. In 1898, she was appointed curator of astronomical photographs , the first woman to be given an official title at Harvard University. Her work and that of her fellow “human computers” paved the way not only for women but for the advancement of astronomy.

Lasky introduces Williamina’s story  with text easily understandable and that text is supported by bright , inviting illustrations done in pencil and watercolor. She has also included a time line, author’s note and glossary.

Use this in units about astronomy, women in science and Women’s History Month

grades 3-6

submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray Maine

Consider for Cream

 

The Stanley Cup Playoffs: The Quest for Hockey’s Biggest Prize

The Stanley Cup Playoffs: The Quest for Hockey’s Biggest PrizeThe Stanley Cup Playoffs: The Quest for Hockey's Biggest Prize by Matt Doeden
Published by Millbrook Press (Tm) ISBN: 1541578384
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Author Doeden presents the history and glory of the Stanley Cup, the ultimate championship played at the end of the season in the National Hockey League. Hockey fans will love reading about the greatest games and upsets, and the moment that make the game so thrilling. There is a short concluding chapter about the future of the game and the controversy of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) due to repeated trauma to the head, which occurs with repeated concussions. End matter includes Stanley Cup Champions list, Source Notes, a glossary, bibliography, and index. The titles in this Millbrook Press series are high interest and well-done. For grades 2-5.

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

four-stars

All Along the River

All Along the RiverAll Along the River by Magnus Weightman
Published by Clavis on May 19, 2020
ISBN: 1605375187
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Fans of Where’s Waldo and Richard Scarry will enjoy this pretty book following a rabbit’s quest to find her beloved duck toy. Each page has the duck hidden somewhere for the reader to find. There is a sort of prologue page describing all the characters and what they’re up to so you can read this book at least 13 times and follow the different stories. Kids will enjoy finding everybody and its illustrations are sweet and calm.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick

four-stars

Girl on the Line

Girl on the LineGirl on the Line by Faith Gardner
Published by HarperTeen on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 0063022303
Pages: 352
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Gardner offers readers the opportunity to look inside the thinking processes of a suicide survivor.  Her choice of name given to the protagonist reveals a path to the future.  Journey is a High School senior who we meet after she ingest pills and wakes in the local hospital.  The storyline moves powerfully forward revealing information concerning mental illness.  Journey’s dedication to helping others dealing with mental health is inspiring.    Her struggle to blend in and her notes to her future self are heartbreaking.  A revealing coming of age story that offers a positive path and hope for the future.

Gardner’s newest YA novel is well written and pleasing to the grade 8-10 reader.  Adults who work with or have teens at home are advised to give Girl on the Line a read.  The author addresses a difficult subject effectivity, one that needs to be shared with teens and adults.

Add this book to public library shelves.  School librarians will want to make this title available to high school students and staff.

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

four-stars