Category: Book Reviews

Amelia Fang and the Memory Thief

Amelia Fang and the Memory ThiefAmelia Fang and the Memory Thief by Laura Ellen Anderson
ISBN: 0593172477
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Amelia and her friends are participating in a cooking contest, and the winners get to visit Pumpkin Paradise Park — the best theme park around! To win the contest, they must create a delicious cookie recipe, and the one who sells the most cookies wins. Something seems amiss when the creatures of Nocturnia are unable to remember anything, including their own names! What’s causing the memory loss? Can Amelia help? She doesn’t even know her own name!

This is a fun and quirky book for young readers. Fans of fantasy and vampires without the scare will like it as it’s whimsical and funny instead of scary and creepy. There are black and white illustrations throughout, though they really just break up the text more than add to the story. They will, however, make the book more appealing and accessible to younger readers. Recommended for readers 2nd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Cassandra Animal Psychic 2: Out on a Limb

Cassandra Animal Psychic 2: Out on a LimbCassandra, Animal Psychic by Haelaene Canac, Isabelle Bottier, Norwyn Mactyre
ISBN: 154154398X
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
two-stars

Cassandra can speak with animals, and in this second installment of this series, she is trying to find a new home for the dog of an elderly friend. Amidst that plot line, she’s also nervous about a first date, and things seem doomed on that front after it doesn’t go as she imagined it would.

The illustrations in this graphic novel are colorful and in a style typical of many graphic novels right now. The story is underwhelming and not all that engaging. The plot seems confusing in that the pet story line seems more geared towards 2nd-3rd grade readers, but the first date plot line is more appropriate for older readers. I’d give this book to kids no younger than 4th grade because of the dating plot line (which eventually involved kissing).

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

Becoming Kid Quixote: A True Story of Belonging in America

Becoming Kid Quixote: A True Story of Belonging in AmericaBecoming Kid Quixote: A True Story of Belonging in America by Sarah Sierra, Stephen Haff
Published by HarperCollins on April 21, 2020
ISBN: 006294326X
Pages: 224
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Goodreads
two-stars

This book follows the life of Sarah Sierra, a middle schooler from Brooklyn as she participates in a drama production called The Traveling Serialized Adventures of Kid Quixote. The title of this book is a bit misleading. I didn’t find this to be about belonging in America at all, rather it’s a chronicle of the author’s experiences with the drama production. It does touch on some aspects of immigrant life, but that isn’t really the focus of the book. This book is written by an 11-yr old, and it is obvious. There are plenty of memoir/biographies written by young kids that are better edited and more interesting reads. It reads mostly like a young person’s blog/diary, and I just didn’t find it particularly engaging. The writing is pretty simple, so it would be fine for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

Escape from Hat

Escape from HatEscape from Hat by Adam Kline, Brian Taylor
Published by HarperCollins on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062839977
Pages: 176
Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Every person has good luck and bad luck, but few realize it’s because of a rabbit and a black cat that follow them everywhere intervening to outdo the other. When Cecil Bean’s rabbit, Leek, is taken by a magician with questionable skills, things change drastically. Leek is put into the magician’s hat, and he disappears. The only problem is that the magician has no idea how to make the rabbits reappear from the hat. The hat is actually magical, and within its depths, there are tons of missing rabbits as well as many many more sinister things. With the help of some other rabbits, Leek is determined to escape the hat and get back to Cecil, but their journey will be far from easy. And will they ever be able to actually escape?

This debut novel by acclaimed screen writer, Adam Kline, will delight fantasy fans and will be a hit with those who like a little bit of a darker tale. It’s very well written with complexities and nuances that you never expect until they’re right in front of you. Amidst the sinister and dark plot, there is abundant humor — dry, subtle, and quirky, but it’s there. There are some beautiful illustrations throughout, and they really help to bring the story to life. They are simultaneously cartoonish and dark, and fit the tone of the book perfectly. Recommended for 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

The Boreal Forest

The Boreal ForestThe Boreal Forest: A Year in the World's Largest Land Biome by Josée Bisaillon, L.E. Carmichael
ISBN: 152530044X
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

I really liked this book. It takes you through a year in the boreal forest — the world’s largest land biome. The book is broken into the four seasons, and each section has information about plants and animals found in different countries within the boreal forest. The illustrations are striking and really bring the animals to life. After all four seasons are explored, there are several pages with further scientific information: the water cycle, the carbon cycle, and information about the effects of climate change on the boreal forest. There is also a glossary as well as resources for further reading and study. Recommended for 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

A to Z Mysteries Super Edition 12: Space Shuttle Scam

A to Z Mysteries Super Edition 12: Space Shuttle ScamA to Z Mysteries Super Edition #12: Space Shuttle Scam by John Steven Gurney, Ron Roy
ISBN: 0525578900
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Dink, Josh, and Ruth are back for another mystery — this time, they’re visiting a space museum in Florida. They get to see lots of fun space stuff, but there’s someone lurking around Alice’s Space Museum and house. Why? Can the kids solve the mystery in time?

This is the 12th book in the A to Z Mysteries Super Edition series, and it follows the same rough format of the rest of the book. The writing and plot are appropriate for the intended audience, and fans of the series won’t be disappointed. The illustrations bring little to the story, but they add a fun twist to the book. Each illustration has a hidden letter, and when all the letters are found, there’s a message for the reader. Kids will love looking for these throughout. Recommended for readers 1st grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

The Infamous Ratsos Camp Out

The Infamous Ratsos Camp OutThe Infamous Ratsos Camp Out by Kara LaReau, Matt Myers
ISBN: 1536200069
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

The Ratsos and the rest of the Big City Scouts head out on their first camping trip, and they’ve got Grandpa Ratso as their guide. There’s a clause in their motto that says they can’t ask for help, and this makes camping exceedingly difficult. Luckily, an unexpected guest sets them straight about what their motto really means.

The story in this book is good, but I was really disheartened to see blatant bullying in the text. Kids are outright called nerds in a derogatory way, and multiple times, things are referred to as being “for chumps.” I just can’t support this sort of language and behavior for the age group that this series targets. The books are written for 1st-3rd grade readers.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

Beginners Welcome

Beginners WelcomeBeginners Welcome by Cindy Baldwin
Published by Quill Tree Books on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 0062665898
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Annie Lee’s dad died 83 days ago, but his records keep playing, there’s shaving cream in the sink every morning, and his continued presence is making it impossible for Annie Lee and her mom to be anything but sad all the time. Annie Lee is starting a new school, and she makes new friends in unexpected places. This doesn’t go along with her plan to be invisible, however, and she’s afraid she’ll get hurt when they leave her like her old friends did. When Annie Lee’s new piano teacher and friend, Ray, goes missing, she risks everything to find him.

This is a heartwarming and touching novel of friendship, loss, family, and more. Annie Lee is compassionate, kind, and has many of the fears typical of middle school kids. Readers will connect with her desire to fit in and stay hidden at the same time. I love the connection to music and finding one’s own voice throughout this book. There’s a touch of magic, but not enough to turn off those who don’t like fantasy. Recommended for 4th-8th grade, this book will be great for fans of Rebecca Stead, Kate DiCamillo, and the like.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

TURBO Racers: Escape Velocity

TURBO Racers: Escape VelocityTURBO Racers: Escape Velocity by Austin Aslan
Published by HarperCollins on February 25, 2020
ISBN: 0062741071
Pages: 352
Genres: Adventure, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Mace Blazer is the world’s hottest TURBOnaut — he drives and flies faster and takes more risks than anyone else out there. When he suffers a near fatal accident, however, his confidence is shattered. Can he overcome his fears and race again? It seems his racing career is over until he discovers two of his best friends have gone missing, and there’s a seriously sinister plot behind the whole thing.

This is the second book in the TURBO Racers series, and fans of the first won’t be disappointed with this sequel. It is fast paced, includes a lot of action, and the ending leaves room for a third book. Recommended for 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

The New David Espinoza

The New David EspinozaThe New David Espinoza by Fred Aceves
Published by HarperTeen on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 0062489887
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

David is tired of being picked on for being scrawny. When a video of him getting bullied goes viral, he decides to change his life. He joins a gym and begins lifting weights on a regular basis. As his obsession with getting bigger and bigger takes over, he enters the world of steroids and body building. The more he spirals down into steroid abuse, the more he begins to realize that his addiction may cost him everything.

This own voices novel is raw and, at times, very hard to read. David’s obsession with his body and getting bigger is all consuming. It really gives a clear picture of what happens with body dysmorphia, and the pull of drug abuse. The mental battle displayed in this book is real. The book does seem to wrap up a little too quickly for me, but overall, it’s a good and important read. Recommended for 9th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars