Category: Book Reviews

In the Dark

In the DarkIn the Dark: The Science of What Happens at Night by Josh Holinaty, Lisa Deresti Betik
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1525301098
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This book is a great introduction to what happens to our bodies, some plants, and some animals at night. It has some really fun and interesting tidbits and could definitely be a launching point for further research. The illustrations are dark with bright accent colors but do little to enhance the book. The quality of the illustrations lowers the quality of the book. This is a good book if you need more books on what happens at night for readers in the 3rd grade level.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Sherlock Bones

Sherlock BonesSherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery by Renee Treml
Published by Etch/HMH Books for Young Readers on September 22, 2020
ISBN: 0358311853
Pages: 272
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
two-stars

Sherlock Bones is the fossil of a Tawny Frogmouth (an Australian bird species) that comes to life after dark in the natural history museum. Along with his pal Watts, a stuffed bird, they are on the case when the most valuable gemstone in the world goes missing from the museum.

The idea behind this story is cute, but the execution isn’t the best. It’s unclear why the skeleton of a bird comes to life but the stuffed version of a different bird doesn’t. There’s also a live raccoon in the museum who provides comic relief, but the majority of the book is a one-way dialog between Sherlock Bones and Watts. The illustrations are black and grey, and help move the story along but aren’t anything to rave about. The humor is cute and appropriate for the age range, though the size of a lot of the text feels small for the young target audience. There are better graphic novels out there. Appropriate for 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

Emergency Kittens

Emergency KittensEmergency Kittens! by Dave Mottram, Jody Jensen Shaffer
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on January 7, 2020
ISBN: 1984830082
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Got a problem? Maybe you need a superhero, or maybe you’d be better off with — EMERGENCY KITTENS! This book pokes fun at traditional superheroes and finds that a cartoonish squad of emergency kittens is much more helpful than someone with superhero strength who may also be wearing tights. Kids will enjoy the silly nature of the story and the high contrast, cartoon-like illustrations will keep them engaged. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

How We Got to the Moon

How We Got to the MoonHow We Got to the Moon: The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science Behind Humanity's Greatest Adventure by John Rocco
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 0525647414
Pages: 264
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This book is phenomenal. The book takes the reader from the very idea of landing on the moon all the way to lunar landing and the journey home. The level of research that went into writing this book is evident in the vastness of what’s covered as well as the detail with which it’s presented. Add to the astounding amount of information the gorgeous and detailed illustrations, and this book really has it all. It is definitely for a more advanced reader and someone who is really interested in space. However, even if the reader doesn’t read every word, the illustrations alone are enough to keep interest and increase knowledge. The back pages have more information about the timeline and the lunar mission. It’s worth noting that People of Color and women were given appropriate credit throughout and their efforts, contributions, and necessity were definitely not overlooked. Recommended for readers 10 and up and recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Nothing in Common

Nothing in CommonNothing in Common by Corinna Luyken, Kate Hoefler
ISBN: 0544774787
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Two neighbors have nothing in common until they notice they both like to watch an old man walking his dog. They still have nothing else in common, but one day they both notice the old man doesn’t have his dog anymore. They both take on a quest to find the dog, and in the process, they find they have much more in common than they previously thought.

This is a sweet story of friendship that reminds us how we’re all connected more closely than we believe. The story is a little metaphorical at times but not so much that kids will be lost. Corinna Luyken comes throught will beautiful and colorful illustrations, per usual. The overall theme of the book is blue and red, and the combinations of those two colors throughout bring the commonalities of the two friends to the forefront. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Imaginaries

ImaginariesThe Imaginaries: Little Scraps of Larger Stories by Emily Winfield Martin
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 0553511033
Pages: 80
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is presented entirely as one sentence per page. Each sentence is handwritten on a scrap of paper, old envelope, etc., and each is accompanied by an illustration that may pair well with the sentence. The sentences aren’t related, and they are a great launching point for letting imaginations run wild. The illustrations are beautiful and really bring the quips to life, though as a writing or art exercise, it would be fun to present the sentences without showing the art. Recommended for readers 4 and up, though this book may be lost on young audiences. Even the youngest readers, however, will love the beautiful pictures.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

If You Were Night

If You Were NightIf You Were Night by Kelly Pousette, Mượn Thị Văn
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1525300148
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

If you were night, what would you do? This book asks the reader a series of questions about what might happen if they were the night. The text is poetic and lyrical, and the paper cut illustrations are beautiful. The entire book has a dark feel to it (color-wise, not dark sinister) which plays perfectly with the night theme. The book is gorgeous but the overall concept will be lost on some younger readers. It does allow for fun conversations that invoke imaginative play. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

The Nest That Wren Built

The Nest That Wren BuiltThe Nest That Wren Built by Anne Hunter, Randi Sonenshine
ISBN: 1536201537
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This rhyming book takes the form of “The House that Jack Built” and follows the planning, building, and nesting of Carolina Wrens. The text is informative and biologically accurate without being overly detailed or heavy. The illustrations really make the book. The text is good, but the illustrations are gorgeous. The beautiful detail in the line work and the careful use of blended colors really makes this book shine. Recommended for purchase and for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Izzy in the Doghouse

Izzy in the DoghouseIzzy in the Doghouse by Caroline Adderson, Kelly Collier
Published by Kids Can Press on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 1771387327
Pages: 168
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Izzy and Zoë are best friends, but when Izzy’s behavior gets both of them sent to the principal’s office, Zoë stays mad at Izzy for a long time. In fact, it’s like they aren’t friends at all. Will getting a new dog from the shelter help Izzy win her best friend back?

This is the first book in an early chapter book series from the author of the Jasper John Dooley series. Izzy is quirky and fun, and is very particular about things. Her adoptive mom works full time, so Izzy spends a lot of time with a nanny. The story is a sweet one, but it’s just missing that wow factor. There’s nothing particularly wrong with it, it just isn’t amazing. Kids will find Izzy and her friend troubles relatable, and what kid doesn’t want a puppy? It was nice to see an adoptive family and a family adopting a pet from the shelter. Recommended for readers 2nd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Vanderbeekers Lost and Found

Vanderbeekers Lost and FoundThe Vanderbeekers Lost and Found (The Vanderbeekers, #4) by Karina Yan Glaser
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on September 15, 2020
ISBN: 0358256194
Pages: 351
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

It’s fall on 141st Street, and everyone is working to help get Mr. Beiderman ready to run the NYC marathon. Additionally, they’re ensuring the mysterious person who is sleeping in their garden shed gets enough food and is comfortable, but when the identity of this person becomes clear, things get more personal and really helping feels urgent.

This is the fourth book in the Vanderbeekers series, and fans of the previous books won’t be disappointed. All the favorite characters are there, and the plot flows well. This volume does get a bit more into bigger social issues like economic inequality, family dynamics, adoption/foster care, and it does so with grace. It isn’t necessary to have read all the previous books in the series to understand this one, but the characters and their relationships will be much more developed if one has read the previous books. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars