Category: Book Reviews

Strong Voices: Fifteen American Speeches Worth Knowing

Strong Voices: Fifteen American Speeches Worth KnowingStrong Voices: Fifteen American Speeches Worth Knowing by Cokie Roberts, Eric Velásquez, Tonya Bolden
Published by HarperCollins on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 0062572040
Pages: 128
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This boldly illustrated book highlights fifteen speeches that were influential in the discussion and shaping of the ideals of the United States. From Abraham Lincoln’s well-known Gettysburg Address, to the lesser known I Question America by Fannie Lou Hamer, this anthology offers an inspirational reflection from historical figures of our country. Each speech is preceded by a double spread of contextual information to help frame the influences inspiring the orations. Highlighting the historical context provides readers with a richer depth of understanding than if the speeches were presented independently. The timeline at the end of the book is a helpful visual representation of when these speeches occurred in relation the large events that mark the history of our country. A visually beautiful and inspiring anthology, celebrating the work of advocates for justice, and encouraging readers to contemplate the work that lies ahead. Recommended for children 10 -14 years.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

four-stars

Go with the Flow

Go with the FlowGo with the Flow by Karen Schneemann, Lily Williams
Published by First Second on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 1250305721
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

When new student Sasha has the blood from her period soak through her white pants at school, three friends come to her rescue. As they enter the girls’ bathroom, they come to find that the menstrual product dispenser is empty (again). This event spurs the four high school friends become advocates for equality and access to female health products. The main characters are inclusive and diverse, representing different skin colors, sexual orientations, body types, and personalities, and allow just about any reader to see a glimpse of themselves in at least one of the characters. The monochromatic red illustrations are eye catching and engaging. Author’s note and informative pages about menstruation and activism are provided at the end of the book. Go with the Flow is an empowering book that aims to destigmatize menstruation. Highly recommended for all, regardless of one’s identified gender. Recommended for ages 10+.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

five-stars

Outside in

Outside inOutside In by Deborah Underwood; Cindy Derby
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on April 14, 2020
ISBN: 1328866823
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Recommending for cream consideration.  In an ode to nature and being outside, Underwood weaves descriptions of how the Outside influences us in everyday ways enhanced and nuanced with the beautiful watercolor wash illustrations by Derby.  Following a dark haired girl from the car into the house, The Outside beckons  her (and us) with flashes through the window, “tap-taps on the roof” and smells.  It feeds us, clothes us, provides a natural clock and steals inside with the help of spiders, bugs and snails.  The illustrations demand more than one reading to see the changes in space, details and the emotion within each scene.  Underwood uses the simple amount of text to entice readers to think about how the outside calls to us and the girl goes outside to nature in the end.  Satisfying, thought- provoking and art inspiring.  Suitable for readers in prek-3.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

 

five-stars

Flash and Gleam

Flash and GleamFlash and Gleam: Light in Our World by Khoa Le, Sue Fliess
on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 1541557700
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is deceptively rich. The rhyming text is so sparse, albeit well done, that it would be easy to blow through it as a read aloud for bedtime or a classroom. It deserves some lingering, though, as each page not only shows the way light is used but also the way it unites us. Families marvel at natural light phenomena and celebrate the Fourth of July, Yi Peng, Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas with luminous and textural illustrations. While the book seems to focus on the relationship between humans and light, there is a page and a half about the science behind it in the back making this a good classroom book.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

I Love Genetics

I Love GeneticsI Love Genetics: Explore with sliders, lift-the-flaps, a wheel, and more! by Allison Wortche, Steve Mack
ISBN: 0358169011
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars
This board book is an early introduction to the vast and fascinating world of genetics. How tall will you be? Why do some cats have short hair and others are super fluffy? Do you like broccoli? These are just some of the questions asked in the book. The only answer given is that we’re made of cells and our cells have genes. This level of information is appropriate for young readers. The illustrations are cartoonish and the flaps will keep young readers engaged and interacting. If you read this to slightly older kids, be prepared for bigger questions about what genes are and how they function because those questions just aren’t answered in the text. Recommended for readers 2 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

The List of Things That Will Not Change

The List of Things That Will Not ChangeThe List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead
Published by Wendy Lamb Books on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 1101938099
Pages: 224
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
10 year old Bea splits her time between her mom and her dad who lives with his boyfriend.  She has acclimated well to the split and gets along well with her new family members.  However, she seems to have some anger issues that she’s seeing a therapist for.  Her therapist helps her to accept her faults and learn that good people can do bad things, and that doesn’t make them bad.  Between dealing with her eczema, her anxieties and the changes in her life, she sets a good example for how to make it through the tween years.  Stead’s characters are incredibly authentic, and even the secondary characters are pretty well developed.  Recommended for ages 8-12.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

Creature Features

Creature FeaturesCreature Features by Natasha Durley
ISBN: 1536210439
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars
Introduces children to an assortment of common and strange animals. “Most of the time, they are grouped into big families, like all the birds together and all the fish together. But there are other ways you can group them—like those with big noses and those who have antlers!” There are eleven categories of anatomical adaptations illustrated with about 25 different species per physical trait presented throughout the book. (Good thing that it is a large 9” x 12” format.) Slight text prompts reader to look for a specific animal, e.g. “Which animal also has webbed feet?” I predict 3-year-olds will find this book engaging and their caregivers will find it grueling.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

This Is Your Brain on Stereotypes: How Science is Tackling Unconscious Bias

This Is Your Brain on Stereotypes: How Science is Tackling Unconscious BiasThis Is Your Brain on Stereotypes: How Science Is Tackling Unconscious Bias by Drew Shannon, Tanya Lloyd Kyi
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1525300164
Pages: 88
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Two Canadian authors define bias, discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes, and then relate how minds are trained to have certain beliefs. It uses science and relatable examples to explore these uncomfortable topics in an age-appropriate and engaging way. This book would make for good discussions in middle school classrooms and help young adults make sense of why we classify people, and how we can change our thinking. I particularly liked the Conclusion and the things we can do as individuals. My one criticism is that at times I felt the authors were a tad biased in their opinions.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer

four-stars

Rescuing the Declaration of Independence: How We Almost Lost the Words That Built America

Rescuing the Declaration of Independence: How We Almost Lost the Words That Built AmericaRescuing the Declaration of Independence: How We Almost Lost the Words That Built America by Anna Crowley Redding, Edwin Fotheringham
ISBN: 0062740326
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Maine author, Anna Crowley Redding, brings to life the little known but true story about the lowly clerk who saved the Declaration of Independence from being destroyed by the British army in the War of 1812. As a clerk for the State Department, Stephen Pleasonton spent his days immersed in paperwork until the day his boss, then Secretary of State James Monroe, sent an urgent message that the British were on their way to destroy Washington, D.C. and he should “Remove the records.” If he had not succeeded, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Articles of Confederation, and the Declaration of Independence would likely have been destroyed. Fotheringham’s drawings have the look of old-time editorial cartoons. This book would be a captivating readaloud for a U.S. Government unit or for homeschooled students as it brings history to life. (Chowder Rules! is another book by this author.)

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

In Search of Safety: Voices of Refugees

In Search of Safety: Voices of RefugeesIn Search of Safety: Voices of Refugees by Susan Kuklin
on March 27, 2020
ISBN: 0763679607
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Five refugees recount the struggles that led them to flee their homelands and resettle in Nebraska. Representing Afghanistan, Myanmar, South Sudan, Iraq, and Burundi, these refugees give testimony on the brutalities of war, abduction into sex slavery, torture, and loss that can be difficult to read. Each person tells their own story with some supplemental commentary and photographs by the author. The readability of this book varies as it moves from one individual to another. Overall, it is an important book for high school students to gain empathy and understanding of what people in other parts of the world have endured in a time when immigration has been disparaged. The end of the book includes information about how a refugee attains that status and what the citizenship process is like for those who resettle in the United States. Pair with Call Me American: A Memoir by Abdi Nor Iftin.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars