Category: Book Reviews

The Loop

The LoopThe Loop (The Loop Trilogy, #1) by Ben Oliver
Published by Chicken House on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 133858930X
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A government uses teens for their own needs and experiments, the teens come together to get out and survive. Inmate Luka Kane, 16, a Regular who was imprisoned for an undisclosed crime, is the protagonist who also narrates this first installment of a Sci/fi trilogy. The author does a wonderful job world-building this dystopian future with the use of detailed descriptions of the society’s culture. The book is action-packed and will hold the reader’s attention from start to finish. This is a great choice for a reluctant reader. The book ends with a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting the next installment. Recommended for ages 14-18.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library

three-stars

Under Shifting Stars

Under Shifting StarsUnder Shifting Stars by Alexandra Latos
on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0358067758
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Fraternal twins Clare and Audrey begin to separate and grow into their own after the death of their older brother, Adam. Audrey is having trouble coming to terms with her neurodivergence and Clare is figuring out her gender and sexual orientation all while dealing with a crush on a nonbinary student.
The writing was well done and easily brings the reader back to the uncertainness of growing up. The harassment of queer and neurodivergent students is not sugar-coated but does sh0w that being bullied in high school is not the end of the road to finding happiness. This book did a great job of shining a light on characters that tend to be kept in the background. Recommended for ages 14-18.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidmpha Public Library

three-stars

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, #0) by Suzanne Collins
Published by Scholastic Press on May 19, 2020
ISBN: 1338635174
Pages: 517
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy provides fans with how the pageantry of the games evolved and an insider look at President Snow’s past. The storyline focuses on eighteen year old Coriolanus Snow and his struggle to balance his loyalty to the Capital and his new found relationship with a District 12 tribute named Lucy Gray.    This will be the 10th reaping, and at this point, the games are a no frills, gladiator type violence event in a stadium setting with the tributes being treated like animals in a cattle car without food and water.  Capital born Coriolanus has been chosen to be among the first group of student mentors to the tributes in a way to bolster viewership.  He is goal driven while trying to uphold the “honor” that his family name once represented.  Coriolanus helps institute sponsoring a tribute, uncovers behind the scene power struggles and navigates the games rules to have Lucy Gray win.  All that comes at a personal cost for Coriolanus as it sends him away from his destitute family to become a peacekeeper in District 12.  Fans will find this prequel more introspective about control and war then the trilogy and more graphic in the violence.  Those interested in the evolution of mockingjays will be intrigued.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

Lord Help Me Inspiring Prayers for every day

Lord Help Me Inspiring Prayers for every dayLord Help Me: Inspiring Prayers for Every Day by Brenda Figueroa, Emme Muñiz
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0593120086
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a picture book, for pre-3 grade,  features a young girl who prays throughout her day.  Written from the point of view of a child, inferring that it is Emme’s voice, she asks the Lord to help her with basic daily tasks that a young person may encounter.  Getting ready for school when you feel rushed, paying attention in class, telling the truth, caring for her pets and getting along with her brother are simply stated and clearly illustrated on each two page spread.  The text or prayer then extends to a world view by saving sloths, flips back to the personal of being grateful and then switches to taking care of the world.  The prayer ends, as the girl ends her day, with a standard thanks to Jesus and a request for calming to fall asleep easily.  The end papers includes the standard “Now I lay me down to sleep” prayer and a note from Emme, who is twelve and the daughter of celebrity parents, about why she wrote this book.  Figueroa’s illustrations provide a few extra details to the topic by adding a sloth or two on most pages.  Although the book does not have a stand out quality, it will be useful for discussions about prayer in various Christian settings due to the honest portrayal of various child struggles.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

three-stars

Jane Goodall: Champion of Chimpanzees

Jane Goodall: Champion of ChimpanzeesJane Goodall: A Champion of Chimpanzees by Gustavo Mazali, Sarah Albee
ISBN: 0062432796
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Goodreads

This I Can Read selection looks at the life of Valerie Jane Louise Goodall. Using a straightforward, easy to understand text,  novice readers are given a look into the early life of Jane Goodall and how she rose to become the spokesman and expert on chimpanzees. Large, colorful illustrations support the text with photos and more information about Goodall can be found at the end of the book. For the  emergent reader, this is an excellent introduction to one of  Dr. Leakey’s “trimates.”

Pair this with many picture books about Jane Goodall: Jane Goodall: Protector ofChimpanzees – Virginia Meachum, I am Jane Goodall-Brad Meltzer, Me…Jane- Patrick McDonnell, and The Chimpanzees I Love: Saving Their World and Ours – Jane Goodall

consider for cream

grades K-3

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray Maine

Among the Beasts & Briars

Among the Beasts & BriarsAmong the Beasts & Briars by Ashley Poston
Published by Balzer + Bray on October 20, 2020
ISBN: 0062847368
Pages: 352
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Folklore
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Royal gardener’s daughter sets off on a quest to save her kingdom.
Cerys, the gardener’s daughter, had been living a very boring yet peaceful life. She knew that she would take over the royal garden once her father retires and she was fine with that fate. There’s one problem though, Cery has a magical gift that makes her stand out in all the wrong ways. When the coronation of Princess Anwen, one of Cery’s only friends, is disrupted by the woodcurse Cery and her fox friend rush into the Wildwood to try and break the curse. Haunting, dark, and descriptive writing creates an oppressive atmosphere that is the perfect setting for all the twisted creatures Cery and her fox must come into contact with. The romance in this book takes a back seat to the relationships between friends. One drawback is that all characters are white. Recommended for ages 13-18

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha public library

four-stars

Escape This Book! Race to the Moon

Escape This Book! Race to the MoonEscape This Book! Race to the Moon by Bill Doyle, Sarah Sax
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on November 10, 2020
ISBN: 0593119258
Pages: 192
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is the third book in the Escape this book series most suitable for readers in grades 4-6.  In the style of a choose your own adventure story, this maker gem is a hands-on,  doodler paradise.  Readers are instructed to add themselves to the story, literally, by drawing their face in the empty space helmet.  The challenge requires the reader to take on a position of responsibility.  The three different positions are Mission Commander, Moon Buggy Driver or Flight Director.   Following the instructions is essential to making it through the various adventures as readers are instructed to “draw here” and “tear and fold back the corner page” and go to a specific page.  Many facts about NASA, space travel and historical events are intertwined with drawing activities, brainteasers and quick to end challenges.   Buzz Aldrin, Alan Shephard and Katherine Johnson all make appearances, as well as other individuals, some real, some fictional and a gopher named Amicus.  The book design has been meticulously constructed to allow information to appear after a page is torn and folded upwards in the book.  Sarah Sax is the illustrator, who resides in Portland, Maine, and it’s obvious that she wants to foster creativity in readers.  Although this will be a difficult book to add to the library collection, young makers will have a blast working through the missions.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

Ghost Squad

Ghost SquadGhost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega
Published by Scholastic on April 7, 2020
Pages: 288
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Lucely’s family runs a ghost tour business in their town, but ghosts are also just a part of her everyday life. She has a jar of firefly spirits that are directly linked to a tree near her family’s house. She’s not afraid of the ghosts, she seeks their counsel, and the loves them. When Lucely and her friend Syd accidentally cast a spell that unleashes evil spirits, Lucely’s firefly spirits (as well as her town) are in danger. Lucely and Syd team up with her grandmother, Babette, to fight off the evil spirits and reverse the curse.

This is a fun lower middle grade novel that deals with many issues of family, self esteem, friendship, and more. It is well written, fast paced, and at times, funny. Hand this to fans of light fantasy and those who enjoy a quick read. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

A long road on a short day

A long road on a short dayA Long Road on a Short Day by Elizabeth Stickney, Eugene Yelchin, Gary D. Schmidt
Published by Clarion Books on November 10, 2020
ISBN: 0544888367
Pages: 64
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Samuel and his father set out in search of a dairy cow for Samuel’s mother. They begin their journey on this cold and snowy day with two tin lanterns and hope to spend the day trading up until they can get a milk cow.

This is a short and sweet story about family and community. Samuel and his father meet many familiar community members along the way. They spend time connecting with friends and find themselves working their way home just about in the dark. Samuel is funny, witty, and relatable even though he’s living in a different time period. There are illustrations throughout, and they’re colorful and detailed and will help keep younger readers engaged. Recommended for readers 2nd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Slow Samson

Slow SamsonSlow Samson by Bethany Christou
Published by Templar Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1536215473
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Samson is a sloth, and he has a lot of jungle friends. Samson gets invited to a lot of parties, but he never seems to make it to them before they’ve ended. Along the way, he stops to settle arguments, just to chat with friends, or to lend a helping hand. His friends decide they need to do something to help Samson make it to a party on time. They send him an invite and get to work. When Samson does finally make it to a party, he’s overjoyed and surprised by what he finds.

This is a wonderful story about slowing down, making time for people, and frienship. For a time, Samson decides to rush to the party instead of helping his friends along the way. He still doesn’t make it, and now he realizes he was rude to his friends for no reason. The text is simple, straightforward, and easy to follow. The illustrations are colorful and help to bring the emotion of the story to life. This is sure to be a hit with sloth and nature lovers alike. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars