Category: Book Reviews

Being Frog

Being FrogBeing Frog by April Pulley Sayre
ISBN: 153442881X
Genres: Animals
Goodreads
four-stars

Have you ever looked at a frog and wondered “What is it like to BE a frog?”? This book assumes that you have or, at least, that you should, and then takes it from there. I got a kick out of this book. It seemed as though it would just be a simple rhyming book for preschool age children but it works in philosophical questions like “How does time move for frogs? Fast? Slow?” and “Does a frog remember its childhood?”.  It also rhymes “Spelunks” with “Glunks” and I admire that. The photography is beautiful and it’s clearly written with an adoration of frogs. Perfect for pre-schoolers or even a little older as there is a nice author’s note with anecdotes, frog information and sources for learning more about amphibians and their conservation.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Cut Off

Cut OffCut Off by Adrianne Finlay
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on August 11, 2020
ISBN: 0358006457
Pages: 384
Genres: Horror, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
This Sci-fi thriller for readers in grades 10-12 provides page turning suspense and thought provoking outcomes.  Recommending for Cream of the Crop consideration.   The newest entertainment is a 24-hour live streaming game show called “Cut Off” that takes the “Survivor” type reality show premise to an extreme level through a 3D Virtual Reality experience.  Four young adult contestants are left after an earthquake knocks out their communications with the producers of the show and they must work together to survive and try to be rescued.   At first it seems like the earthquake is the issue, but hour by hour they are faced with ever increasing life threatening situations that seem to come from within each contestant’s own worst fears.   Is it real or a hallucination?  Can they find their way back home or will they all die?  Finlay intersperses action chapters with producer’s files and contestant audition interviews that fuel the page turning suspense of the story.  There are many twists and surprise connections that send the ending to an unsuspecting conclusion.    There is action, suspense, danger, technology and a bit of romance in this suspenseful, Sci-fi/Horror mashup.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

The Spirit of Springer

The Spirit of SpringerThe Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca by Amanda Abler, Levi Hastings
Published by Little Bigfoot on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1632172127
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The Spirit of Springer might be exactly what I needed today. It’s a gentle and interesting reminder that there are good people everywhere, people that have dedicated their lives to helping others, human or otherwise.

When orphaned, two-year-old orca Springer is found 300 miles from her home it’s up to scientists to reunite her with her pod. It’s not easy; Springer is malnourished and lonely and is more interested in befriending boats than eating. Through perseverance they rebuild her strength and take her back to where she can find her family.

Straightforward and nicely illustrated, The Spirit of Springer would be great for reading aloud to a classroom learning about orcas, animal rehabilitation, or kindness. Or for a classroom (or family) just looking for an enjoyable book to read.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

By The Book

By The BookBy the Book by Amanda Sellet
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on May 12, 2020
ISBN: 0358156610
Pages: 384
Genres: Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
By The Book, a Book of Prose and Cons is a new contemporary young adult romance. The classic literary references in this book were enjoyable. The main character, Mary, is someone you will either love or hate but it was nice to read about a character who doesn’t mind being herself. The vocabulary used in the book makes me suggest it for older advanced teens. Other than that I found it to be a heartwarming read that would be a nice addition to any young adult collection.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library

three-stars

The Willoughbys Return

The Willoughbys ReturnThe Willoughbys Return by Lois Lowry
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0358423899
Pages: 192
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
In this absurd and comical story for readers in grades 2-5, Lowry brings back the characters from “The Willoughbys” (2008).  Two catastrophic situations happen simultaneously in the world.    In the United States, Congress bans candy and in the Swiss Alps a couple, who were frozen for 30 years, thaw out (thanks to global warming).  The couple is Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby who had traveled to the Swiss Alps in the first book.  They are now faced with missing out on 30 years of complaining about their children, being displaced and strangers to all the technological advances.   Tim, the oldest of the Willoughby’s children, is a Millionaire candy maker who is faced with being poor since candy is banned.  His son, Richie, doesn’t want for anything (ordering everything on Google), is lonely.  Their next door neighbors, aptly named Poore, are so destitute that they reuse tea bags, Band-Aids and have never had candy. Winnifred and Winston (a Win-Win situation), the Poore children, hire themselves out as Richie’s companions.  In a few missteps and unlikely situations the characters converge and everyone’s perspectives and living situations are changed.  The chapters are short 2-3 page gems that flesh out the darkly comical, Dahl-esque story line that fans of the first book will enjoy.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

The Suitcase

The SuitcaseThe Suitcase by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0358329604
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
A stranger arrives in town, and he’s carrying a suitcase. Everyone asks him what’s in the suitcase, and he tells them of grand things that couldn’t possibly fit inside one suitcase. Do they trust his word or do they attempt to break into his suitcase while he naps? They decide on the latter, and find the stranger was grossly exaggerating the contents of his suitcase. What the friends decide to do for the stranger before he wakes will warm your hearts and restore faith in humanity.

When first reading this book, I was shocked the animals decided to break into the suitcase. What comes of it, however, touches on friendship, compassion, and how we treat others in need. This is a wonderful book for sharing empathy and teaching kids that there is always room for kindness. The illustrations are simple and colorful. The animals are depicted in a cartoonish way that will resonate with younger readers. The text alternates colors to match the color of the individual speaking. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Where Happiness Begins

Where Happiness BeginsWhere Happiness Begins by Eva Eland
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on August 25, 2020
ISBN: 0593127706
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Sometimes it’s easy to feel happy. Other times, happiness can be a bit elusive. This book reassures kids that even as happiness comes and goes in life, it’s never too far away.

The simple line drawing illustrations are offset by bold color choices. Throughout the book, happiness is depicted as a neon orange anthropomorphized blob (not sure how else to describe it!). The bright color allows readers to find happiness throughout the book, but there are many other aspects of the book that are neon as well. It’s nice that happiness is described as something that isn’t always there. The end of the book focuses on happiness being something that originates from within. This could be reassuring for some but also worrisome for children battling depression. Overall, however, the message and presentation of the book are good. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Mad About Plaid

Mad About PlaidMad About Plaid by Jill McElmurry
ISBN: 0358172446
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
I was excited to see a new book from the creator of the Little Blue Truck series, but this one just misses the mark for me. A young girl finds a plaid purse in the park, and soon the plaid begins to spread over her body and throughout the town. Everything is plaid! She turns the purse inside out to show its blue interior, and soon the entire town is blue! She begins singing and being silly in order to “cure the blues” bringing the town back to its typical multicolored way of life.

The illustrations are fun, whimsical, and bring out the humor of the book. The story, however, isn’t the best. The plaid spreads like an infectious disease so this book could either be helpful or cause kids more anxiety during the Covid pandemic. The ending seemed to come out of nowhere — all of a sudden, the girl knows just what to do to fix it without any lead up or explanation about why she suddenly knows. An additional purchase for larger libraries though demand may be higher because of the author’s notoriety. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Speak Up

Speak UpSpeak Up by Ebony Glenn, Miranda Paul
Published by Clarion Books on July 7, 2020
ISBN: 035814096X
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
This is a great resource for helping kids find their voice. The book features a very diverse school group, and encourages kids to “speak up” in many different ways. I enjoyed that it encourages kids to speak up about positive things as well as things that seem bothersome or unjust. A solid purchase for libraries needing more books like this but not necessary if you already have many books on the subject. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Puppet’s Payback and Other Chilling Tales

Puppet’s Payback and Other Chilling TalesThe Puppet's Payback and Other Chilling Tales by Mary Downing Hahn
Published by Clarion Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0358067324
Pages: 192
Genres: Horror, Short Stories
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
This collection of 10 scary stories from acclaimed author, Mary Downing Hahn will delight fans of the creepy and unnerving. From ghosts to the unexplained to a puppet with nefarious intentions, this book has it all. It isn’t too over the top scary, so it’s perfectly age appropriate. The writing is clear and easy to follow, and many of the stories feature completely unexpected twists. Hand to fans of RL Stine, Hahn’s previous works, and anyone looking for a spooky read. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars