Category: Book Reviews

The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in Pictures

The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in PicturesThe Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in Pictures by Noelle Stevenson
Published by HarperTeen on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062278274
Pages: 208
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads

The Fire Never Goes Out chronicles eight years of the author’s young adult life in the form of sketches and text.  As the years progress, so does the author’s self-portraits and experiences. She discovers herself through good times and bad, professional successes and defining her independence, many times in letters that she has written  to herself. This book is a National Book Award Finalist.

Fans of Nimona, will love this memoir and those looking to relate on self-understanding and approval. Recommended for grades 10 and above.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

Girl, Unframed

Girl, UnframedGirl, Unframed by Deb Caletti
Published by Simon Pulse on June 23, 2020
ISBN: 1534426973
Pages: 357
Genres: Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Sydney is leaving her comfortable existence with her friends and her grandmother to stay with her moviestar mother for the summer in  San Francisco.  Her mother, Lila, is more like the child when they’re together, and Sydney loves her but can’t handle the stress.  As usual, Lila’s got a new boyfriend, and he seems like trouble.  It’s clear from page one that something has gone very wrong, as evidence logs appear at the start of each chapter.  Sydney is weaving the tale of what happened for the reader.  You find out right at the end what exactly happened.  The themes of this book are very much the burgeoning sexuality of a sixteen-year-old as well as the problematic male gaze.  Sydney struggles with these as she navigates a nearby construction site and a new boy in her life, as well as her mother’s boyfriend.  It also features domestic abuse and illegal activities.  The end wraps up fairly quickly and it’s not necessarily a happy one for Sydney.  There’s also a mis-fire with an impending sense of doom from Sydney that is incredibly awkward and doesn’t connect to the storyline well.  Overall, it’s another fair entry from Caletti and will be loved by her fans.  Recommended for ages 15+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman

four-stars

Happy Hair

Happy HairHappy Hair by Mechal Renee Roe
Published by Delacorte Press, Doubleday Books for Young Readers on October 22, 2019
ISBN: 1984895540
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

I loves this book, it shows all the different hair styles of African American people. Even though it is published in 2014, it is very relevant in today’s world. A new law is even being considered regarding this topic of beauty and hair in this culture. Great book!

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

four-stars

The Lucky Ones

The Lucky OnesPublished by Delacorte Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction

A tale of how surviving trauma can be painful and emotional. This book follows two teens dealing with the aftermath of a school shooting. I felt that the topics of violence and survivors’ guilt were dealt with in an age-appropriate manner. There is also a romantic plotline that I didn’t feel the book needed but in the end, it didn’t take away from the books’ serious topics. I would recommend this for ages 15-19. It’s a timely addition to any young adult book collection

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library

Instant Karma

Instant KarmaInstant Karma by Marissa Meyer
Published by Feiwel & Friends on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 1250618819
Genres: Fantasy, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Prudence does not like her lab partner, Quint.  She finds him lazy and irresponsible.  Quint finds her unwillingness to truly see him frustrating.  One night, Pru hits her head and wakes up with the ability to enact instant karma on anyone.  With a tightening of her fist, that angry, rude customer is escorted out by the police.  While Pru has  no idea why the universe has granted her with this power, she happily accepts the ability to give karmic retribution whenever she thinks she’s witnessed a wrong.  However, it doesn’t always work out the way she thinks it should,  especially in relation to herself and Quint.  As Pru is forced to work with Quint over the summer, she starts to see the truth about him and why he’s often late to class.  As they get closer, a mystery abounds and Pru is forced to take the blame, incurring Quint’s wrath.  While the mystery is quickly resolved, it does provide a much-needed tie-up for the end of the book.  Not Meyer’s strongest work, but it should be loved by her fans as well as other fans of YA romance.  Recommended for grades 9+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

It Only Happens in the Movies

It Only Happens in the MoviesIt Only Happens in the Movies by Holly Bourne
Published by Usborne Publishing on October 1, 2017
ISBN: 1474921329
Pages: 410
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

On the surface, this book is about love and zombies.  But once you look below the surface, you find themes of divorce, trauma, sex and women, mental health, and substance abuse.  Audrey hates romance and all of its tropes.  Setting out to write a project for her media studies class about it, her life seems to be going another direction.  She ends up falling for her co-worker, Harry,  against her better judgement.  As she helps Harry film his zombie movie, he starts to break down her walls and helps her to get over some of her past sex-related trauma.  However, she’s also dealing with her family’s trauma and Harry is not the perfect boyfriend.  In the end, she stands up for herself and gets to a place where she’s ready to move on in her life and not focus so much on the past.  Each chapter starts with a section of her report, and is a clever way to tie the story and her report together.  Recommended for ages 15+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

Brown Girl Ghosted

Brown Girl GhostedBrown Girl Ghosted by Mintie Das
on March 24, 2020
ISBN: 0358128897
Goodreads
three-stars

Rated 3 Stars

Being different in  high school is a harsh reality for lots of students.  This book may open some eyes in terms of racial bias and sexual exploitation but its unique fantasy mystery story line will be surprising to many.   Violet is a likable teen who possessed special abilities but the supporting cast of characters do little to enhance the story line.   At times the plot feels lost and the teens just muddle along as Violet gets deeper into her personal reality or lack of reality.

For this reader the story is not compelling enough to place in media center or public library collections.

There will be an audience so Brown Girl Ghosted needs to be on book store shelves

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

three-stars

Five Fuzzy Chicks

Five Fuzzy ChicksFive Fuzzy Chicks by Diana Murray, Sydney Hanson
Published by Imprint on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 125030122X
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Five baby chicks are determined to have some fun before bed in a rhyming farm story with counting elements.
It's time for bed, but these five chicks are full of energy!
They race out of the coop to visit all of the other animals. But the dog is so snuggly and the hay is so comfy, and these five fuzzy chicks can't help but fall asleep one by one.
Before long, the sleeping chicks are scattered all over the farm! What will Mama Hen do?

The animal faces in this bedtime story are the high point of the book.  Each farm animal appears angelic and curious about the five little chicks and each is willing to share their space for a nap.  The story line is simple and repetitive, perfect for a concept book intended for the preschool audience.   Hanson has followed the rhyming text and brought the characters to life.   The mixed media of pencil and watercolors adds dimension to the pages.  This reader is reminded of the wonderful pig illustrations by Chris Van Dusen in the Mercy Watson series.   Parents and grandparents are bound to enjoy sharing this bedtime book with the little ones in their lives.  Preschool – grade 1 teachers will find the text perfect for some of the budding readers in their classrooms as the font is clear and the type size is acceptable.

Add this to rural and city public libraries, include in early classroom collections and gift to toddlers who run from bedtime even when tired.

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

four-stars

Frozen Beauty

Frozen BeautyFrozen Beauty by Lexa Hillyer
Published by HarperTeen on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 0062330403
Pages: 368
Genres: Mystery, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Frozen Beauty is a mystery that reveals itself slowly as the reader becomes acquainted with the three Malloy girls.  The story line is embedded in deep relationships and loving sisterhood yet secrets are held tight to the chest.  The book is beautifully written using prose and poetry to unravel the past and present.  Character development is strong yet readers may not be able to predict situations or actions. Each of the three sisters reveal their individuality and in good time their stories coincide enough to solve the mystery.  Hillyer deals effectively with love, loss, fear, eating issues and abuse while writing a story of betrayal and death.  It appears that the new YA focus is on teen crime, this is an excellent example of the genre.

Add this to all public libraries and to High School media center shelves.  Gift to teen girls who love mysteries and romance novels.  Readers will find it difficult to put this book aside, it is recommended as an all-night read.

 

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

five-stars

Going UP!

Going UP!Going Up! by Charlene Chua, Sherry J. Lee
Published by Kids Can Press ISBN: 1525301136
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An elevator ride to a birthday party turns into a shared experience bursting with joy in this multicultural story about community, togetherness and the special feeling of belonging.
Today is Olive's birthday party, and Sophie and her dad have baked cookies. Sophie's dad holds the platter so Sophie can push the elevator button for the tenth floor. But on the way up, the elevator stops to let the Santucci brothers get on. Then on the next floor, Vicky, Babs and their dog, Norman, get in. And as the elevator ascends, it keeps stopping, and more neighbors squeeze in to the crowded space: the Habibs, the Flores family, Mr. Kwan, Vi Tweedle with her Chihuahua, Minx. Everyone is going to the party!
Playfully combining the excitement and anticipation of a party with children's universal love of riding in elevators, Sherry J. Lee's picture book story is ultimately about community and a sense of belonging. With characters from many cultural backgrounds, it showcases the everyday diversity that many urban children experience. Charlene Chua's illustrations provide loads of funny details and visual narratives that aren't in the text, making for a multilayered reading experience. The book's tall, narrow trim size adds to the effect of the rising elevator.

Receiving a birthday invitation, a father and daughter prepare by baking cookies.  The surprise for rural children will be the elevator ride as a means of transportation, but wait there is a bigger surprise in the end.     The story line is simple and easily identifiable by all ages but the illustrations bring the magic of city life to young readers.  A little magic may be sprinkled into the text and illustration as this reader believes the elevator becomes larger as it makes its way to the 10th floor.  Character development is not the intent but Sophie is one of the many charming neighbors who vary is size, age and appearance.  Certainly, the two-page spread of the 8th floor is a winner but wait till they all reach the 10th floor.  The illustrations alone tell a large part of this bright and happy story.  Look for all the live and illustrated animals on clothing pieces.

Such a good birthday book that includes diversity, friendship and celebration.   Prepare for a surprise ending.    Add to public libraries and gift to a loved one on their birthday.

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

four-stars