Category: Book Reviews

What Lane?

What Lane?Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
five-stars

A book to introduce Black Lives Matter to middle-grade readers. Stephen, who is bi-racial, enjoys hanging out with his best friend Dan, who is white. Stephen starts to notice how people treat them differently; they treat Stephen with suspicion even when Stephen and Dan are doing the exact same thing. Stephen wears a bracelet that says “What Lane?” and tries to figure out which lane he will take through life. This is a brief chapter book that would be great for a read-aloud and discussion.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars

Beast: Face-To-Face with the Florida Bigfoot

Beast: Face-To-Face with the Florida BigfootBeast: Face-To-Face with the Florida Bigfoot by Watt Key
ISBN: 0374313695
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Adam sets off into the Florida swamp to find answers after his parents’ disappearance following a late night car crash. Did Adam see some kind of creature just after the accident? Did he encounter a Bigfoot? What happened to his parents? This adventure and survival story will have you on the edge of your seat!

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

four-stars

Like Nothing Ever Happened

Like Nothing Ever HappenedLike Nothing Amazing Ever Happened by Emily Blejwas
Published by Delacorte Press on April 14, 2020
ISBN: 1984848496
Pages: 224
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Middle-schooler Justin is trying to come to grips with his father’s death — did the damaged Vietnam vet take his own life or was it just an unfortunate accident? Set during the Gulf War, this is a story about resilience, family, and the long-term impact of war. Also, the author includes a lovely description of the power of librarians “…but the librarian calls some librarian friend somewhere and gets the spelling, which makes me picture the map of the United States crisscrossed not by a bunch of highways but by a network of librarians, all calling each other on the phone during critical moments like this one.” (p. 147)

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars

We are all his creatures

We are all his creaturesWe Are All His Creatures: Tales of P. T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman by Deborah Noyes
on March 10, 2020
ISBN: 0763659819
Genres: Historical Fiction, Short Stories
Goodreads
four-stars

A series of linked stories about the world around Taylor (P. T.) Barnum, his family, and his many “creatures.” The story describing how General Tom Thumb came  to join his act and was trained in Barnum’s home while playing with Barnum’s young daughters gave some insight into what life in Barnum’s family might have been like. The Jenny Lind story illustrates how an adored act might grow weary of the crowds and the routine. Through these tales, his daughters grow up, his museum and home burn down multiple times, and he remarries after the death of his first wife. At the end of the book, Barnum still remains an enigma. Was he really a better parent to his performers than to his own family? Was he the greatest showman or the greatest huckster? Those interested in Barnum and his curiosities will enjoy this book. The drawings and photographs at the top of each story are not to be missed. For middle grade readers and up.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

four-stars

Dictionary for a Better World

Dictionary for a Better WorldDictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z by Charles Waters, Irene Latham, Mehrdokht Amini
ISBN: 1541557751
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Goodreads
five-stars

Poets Latham and Waters have collaborated on their 2nd book of poetry (Can I Touch Your Hair: Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship) that is perfect for 2020 and those exploring diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. From Compassion to Equality to Love to Laughter to Mindfulness, there is a poem for each word written in poetic forms from cinquain to free verse to haiku. The authors add personal stories for each word and include famous quotes and a suggested activity, e.g., try writing a gratitude list. Includes bibliographical references, recommended books, poetry resources, and an index to the poetic forms found in the book. This will be a wonderful addition to libraries and classrooms, especially for middle grades.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars

Redemption Prep

Redemption PrepRedemption Prep by Samuel Miller
on April 14, 2020
ISBN: 0062662031
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Students at Redemption Prep are the best of the best and have been carefully hand-selected to attend the school in remote Utah from all over the world. When Emma goes missing after evening mass, her schoolmates try to find her. The story is told from the alternating viewpoints of her jock boyfriend Aiden, her science wiz roommate Neesha, and her stalker Evan. They quickly learn that something is not right at Redemption Prep. Will they solve the mystery? Will they find Emma? Readers will enjoy the time period (mid-nineties) and reading about early searches on the world wide web.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

three-stars

The Ocean in Your Bathtub

The Ocean in Your BathtubThe Ocean in Your Bathtub by Isabel Greenberg, Seth Fishman
ISBN: 0062953362
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
two-stars

 

I’m not exactly sure who I would recommend this book to. It has lots of short facts about the ocean but it comes across as scattered to me. It skips from water cycle to geographical factoids to phytoplankton to pollution, etc. with a new topic on each page.  The length of the facts implies that it would be for smaller children but then it incorporates words and concepts that would be more appropriate for 4th or 5th graders. In their defense, though, it does go into further detail for a few of the concepts (phytoplankton, aquifers and the water cycle) at the end but I think all three of those things would benefit from more information. If a child or class is interested in learning about our oceans parents or teachers could find alternatives to this one that would be more engaging and informative.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

two-stars

Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell

Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni MitchellJoni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell by Selina Alko
Published by HarperCollins on February 25, 2020
ISBN: 0062671294
Pages: 48
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
This picture book biography is beautifully written and illustrated. The illustrations consist of acrylic paint, collage, found objects, and wild flowers. They are full of detail drawing the reader in so as not to miss anything. Joni’s story begins in a small town in Canada. As a child, Joni painted, played piano, danced, and then contracted polio. She recovered and was encouraged by a teacher in junior high to look deep inside herself. Later, her music took her to many places. She connected and worked with a variety of other musicians. She created the artwork of many of her own album covers. She experimented with different types of music. Her life story is an inspiration to budding musicians and artists. The author’s note relates her personal connection to Joni Mitchell. A discography and bibliography are included.

Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

The Nut That Fell From the Tree

The Nut That Fell From the TreeThe Nut That Fell from the Tree by France Cormier, Sangeeta Bhadra
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1525301195
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
This cumulative rhyming story is inspired by “The House That Jack Built.”  The first line “This is the house where Jill plays” shows her in a treehouse in an oak tree. An acorn falls and then the journey begins. Various woodland creatures get a hold of that acorn until its cycle is completed. It grows into an oak tree that holds a treehouse for Jack. The colorful and cheerful illustrations are rendered digitally. Many of the illustrations are full page. It’s a pleasant story that children will enjoy and learn about the life cycle of an oak tree.

Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

Finally, Something Mysterious

Finally, Something MysteriousFinally, Something Mysterious by Doug Cornett
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on April 14, 2020
ISBN: 1984830031
Pages: 256
Genres: Adventure, Humor, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Paul Marconi lives in the small town of Bellwood. He and his two friends call themselves “The One and Onlys.” They like to solve mysteries. The story takes place in the summer before they enter the sixth grade. Hundreds of yellow rubber duckies suddenly appear in a neighbor’s yard. No one seems to know how they got there. Finally, it looks like they have a real mystery on their hands. There is an upcoming contest called  “The Bellwood Bratwurst Bonanza.” It is very competitive and adds to the fun of the story. A wildfire is burning outside of their town. Signs are appearing around Bellwood with the slogan, “The Conquistador is Coming.” There’s a lot happening in this humorous adventure filled mystery. Middle grade readers will enjoy this delightful and suspenseful story.

Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars