Category: Book Reviews

Time Dogs: Seaman and the Great Northern Adventure

Time Dogs: Seaman and the Great Northern AdventureTime Dogs: Seaman and the Great Northern Adventure by Helen Moss, Misa Saburi
Published by Henry Holt & Company on June 4th 2019
ISBN: 1250186358
Pages: 144
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A new series that is essentially the Magic Tree House series with dogs instead of kids. The old dogs time travel in an old van – and turn into puppies – to help real-life famous dogs. In this adventure, the dogs travel to 1805 on the Missouri River where they help Seaman, the legendary dog of explorers Lewis and Clark. I enjoyed this one less than the first in the series, Balto and the Race Against Time, but perhaps I was just finding the whole premise tiresome. Better books about these events are available. Author’s Notes at the end describe the historical event and the liberties the author takes in the story.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library, Liberty

three-stars

Queer: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens (2nd ed.)

Queer: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens (2nd ed.)Queer, 2nd Edition: The Ultimate Lgbtq Guide for Teens by Kathy Belge, Marke Bieschke
Published by Zest Books (Tm) on October 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541578589
Pages: 208
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A useful and informative guide for teens that deal with important questions that they may face such as self-identity and dating. Well written and comfortable with sidebar excerpts from the authors’ own experiences. Excellent resource section available in the back of the book listing organizations, religious websites, and books that teens will find useful. Full index and Table of Contents.

Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

 

 

five-stars

Hazel’s Theory of Evolution

Hazel’s Theory of EvolutionHazel's Theory of Evolution by Lisa Jenn Bigelow
Published by Harper, HarperCollins on October 8, 2019
ISBN: 0062791176
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Hazel is at a new school and making friends is tough. On top of that her moms are expecting a baby. Her mom has lost 2 babies before so she is so terrified of it happening again. So she decides it is just better to pretend that it isn’t happening so she won’t get her heartbroken again. The second half of the book is much more compelling than the first half. The start of the book kind of dragged. It did seem strange that her two mom’s that loved her and knew her so well hadn’t spoken to her sooner about her issues with the new pregnancy/baby or got help for her about what was happening.

three-stars

Undercover Ostrich

Undercover OstrichUndercover Ostrich by Joe Kulka
Published by Carolrhoda Books (R) on April 2, 2019
ISBN: 1512497878
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Preschoolers to 1st grade will laugh at the funny ways this sneaky ostrich tries to camouflage himself with a woodpecker or as a person on the subway or other silly antics. This book reminds me of “It’s a good thing” by Steve Zukmann (1987) with the humor and animals.  I read this book to 3 groups of children and they enjoyed it a lot. It has large, beautiful illustrations and a surprise ending which will delight listeners. Great for story time and read aloud.

 

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Children’s Librarian, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner  ME

five-stars

Where’s the Narwhal?

Where’s the Narwhal?Where's the Narwhal? by Ingela P. Arrhenius
Published by Nosy Crow on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 1536209503
Pages: 10
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

Where’s is the turtle? Here it is! Where’s is the Narwhal? Here it is! This colorful board book with felt flaps will engage children with sea creatures under the bright colored flaps. The flaps should last longer that the paper flaps and give babies and toddlers a soft texture to feel. These series of books end with a mirror for little ones to see themselves. Toddlers will have these memorized and it will give them great joy.

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Librarian, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner   ME

four-stars

All Your Twisted Secrets

All Your Twisted SecretsAll Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban
Published by HarperTeen on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 0062908219
Pages: 390
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

WOW this first novel is truly amazing, the plot is rooted in pain and teen angst.  Just as the title indicates the story line is full of slowly revealed twisted secrets and relationships.  Amber struggles to be normal but truly has only one friend.  This character is so well portrayed, her secrets are deeply hidden but her heart is on her sleeve.  As a musician she can put on the earphones and escape reality until everything changes. Each character is introduced in their own time so that they become truly necessary to the story.  The genius of this book is the way past secrets are revealed leaving readers waiting for more.

Assuming this was influenced by the escape entertainment movement it may go a little to far.  All Your Twisted Secrets is recommended for HS media centers and public libraries but it may be challenged due to the group and individual behaviors during the last 30 minutes.  It is also a good read for adults who enjoy mysteries and thrillers.  Looking forward to seeing more by this new author.

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

four-stars

Thank You, Mr. Panda

Thank You, Mr. PandaThank You, Mr. Panda: A Board Book by Steve Antony
Published by Scholastic Press on December 26, 2019
ISBN: 1338312766
Pages: 26
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Thank you, Mr. Panda is appealing to all of Antony’s young fans in the larger hardcover edition.  As a board book however, it is somewhat confusing for the baby and toddler audience.  The black, white and yellow color choices are perfect for the younger children and like all the previous books the illustrations are delightful.   Some of the illustrations lose their charity in the small format.  This reader finds the gift sequence to be a problem especially the underwear that does not fit.  Although the message is right on for pre-K and K children little ones may be challenged by the content.

Public libraries are better served with the full size picture book.

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

three-stars

You Are Ready! The World is Waiting

You Are Ready! The World is WaitingYou Are Ready!: The World Is Waiting by Eric Carle
Published by Harper ISBN: 0062953524
Genres: Animals
Goodreads
four-stars

Cover and pages alike are ablaze with typical Eric Carle colorful illustrations.  The bold illustrations surrounded with vibrant empty space are perfect for very young early readers.  Perhaps the best audience would be 4 and 5-year-old children entering pre-K and K.  Parent child animal interaction speaks to new experiences, providing encouragement and expressing love.  Comforting text in large font mirror the adorable critters making this a winner for early readers.   Certainly, there are other uses, perhaps gift to a recent graduate or purchase for a baby shower.   Public libraries will want to add this Carle title to their collections.

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

four-stars

Coo

CooCoo by Kaela Noel
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062955977
Pages: 432
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

If there was a genre called charming fantasy, Coo would be the first novel on the list.   A girl rescued and raised by pigeons seems to be an unlikely plot, but then again, why not?  Readers will be delighted with the story line as they learn about pigeon lifestyle and human compassion.  Noel gently introduces readers to a wild child with descriptive words that express Coo’s loyalty and exposes her heart of gold. What is intensely interesting is that Coo cannot speak a word of English and therefor is unable too communicate with humans. Another central character is equally treated well in the text; Tully’s love of birds is well defined and her understanding of human behavior saves the day.

Although 407 pages are daunting the large font accounts for easy and fast reading for grades 4-6 students.  This title would make a wonderful family read aloud for younger readers and is recommended for parent/child book groups.  Librarians will want to place this new author’s work on the shelves of public and intermediate school libraries.   As a first novel this is a memorable read that is sure to lead to future titles.

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

four-stars

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: Sound Book

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: Sound BookWe're Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury, Michael Rosen
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) ISBN: 1406357383
Genres: Adventure
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
one-star

This variation of a wonderful classic just does not reach expectations.   The illustrations almost remain unchanged but a considerable amount of story line is truncated. This reviewer prefers the full-length book as much content and many illustrations are  lost in the press-and-listen edition.   About the sound, it did work the first time but when this reader went through a second time, the sound was quieter.

Some may be tempted to purchase for baby gifts but it is recommended to obtain the full-length version. The size is nice for little hands, but due to the sound box this is a heavy book for little ones.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth service librarian in Scarborough, ME

one-star