Category: Book Reviews

We Are Big Time

We Are Big TimeWe Are Big Time by Hena Khan, Safiya Zerrougui
ISBN: 0593430484
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Sports
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

This middle-grade graphic novel features an all-girls Muslim basketball team in Wisconsin who learn what it means to be part of a team. Aliya is the new girl and has to figure out how to fit in at school, on the team, and in her family. Readers will relate to Aliya’s challenges of being the new kid and dealing with her family’s pressure to prioritize grades over sports. The descriptions of attending an all-Muslim school and the pressures the team faces over their wearing of hijabs and conservative clothing are portrayed realistically. When the team starts winning, the “gotcha” journalist try to trip up Aliya and her teammates but they quickly learn how to gracefully field questions from the public, especially those questions about how they dress. This book is a great companion volume to Hoops by Matt Tavares.

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

four-stars

Mapmakers and the Flickering Fortress

Mapmakers and the Flickering FortressMapmakers and the Flickering Fortress: (A Graphic Novel) by Amanda Castillo, Cameron Chittock
ISBN: 0593172957
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

Third and final book in the Mapmakers graphic novel trilogy finds Alidade and her Memri, Blue, trying to find other mapmakers while her friends set out on their own in other directions across the Plains. They learn that the Night Coats have been trying to claim all the land by altering maps. Fans of the previous books will be clamoring for this one. The art is top-notch and the muted color palette works well with the story. With themes of community and nature, readers will cheer from Alidade and her friends to prevail. A satisfying conclusion to the series.

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

three-stars

Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate

Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of FateFarrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate by Deeba Zargarpur
on July 2, 2024
ISBN: 0593564413
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Farrah’s father visits her one day each year and her parents steadfastly refuse to explain why she never can visit him or why they only see each other annually. During his latest visit, they spend time rock-climbing and hiking. After the hike, her father hands her a box containing a ring and asks her if she would make a wish if she knew an object gave her the power to make the wish come true. When she holds the ring she is thinking about her father and her family and he suddenly disappears. Evidently Farrah’s wish causes her father to become trapped in the ring. This allowed a boy to escape from the ring and with the boy’s help, she embarks on a journey to rescue her father by traveling to his jinn world. Her journey is also one of self-discovery where she finally learns more about who she is. This is a terrific middle-grade fantasy novel that deftly balances the real world with the world of the jinn. The book may be a little long for some readers and the ending will leave readers wanting more. Hopefully a sequel is in the works.

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

four-stars

Katie the Catsitter 4: The Purrfect Plan

Katie the Catsitter 4: The Purrfect PlanThe Purrfect Plan (Katie the Catsitter #4) by Colleen A.F. Venable, Stephanie Yue
on October 8, 2024
ISBN: 0593570405
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars
In the fourth installment of this popular graphic novel series, Katie the Catsitter and her superhero neighbor continue to tackle some of New York City’s biggest issues. As always, there is a focus on animal rights, but The Purrfect Plan focuses mostly on corporate greed through gentrification. These topics are handled appropriately for the target audience, but the way they choose to combat them (breaking & entering, large scale protest, and stock market manipulation) don’t offer any tangible solutions to readers who may be facing these real world issues.

Overall, The Purrfect Plan is a bridge novel where many side plots from the previous stories (friendship dynamics, the relationships of the adult characters, various other heroes and villains) are brought up and put back down without resolution. With many heavy topics being discussed, there was a need for more comic relief from the 217 cats, but the colorful characters and their quippy dialog did add a nice balance. Readers who love the other graphic novels in the series will be eager to read this one, so it is worth adding to the collection, but it will most likely just make them excited for the next one.

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

three-stars

Ten-Word Tiny Tales of Love

Ten-Word Tiny Tales of LoveTen-Word Tiny Tales of Love by Baljinder Kaur, Beth Suzanna, Bob Graham, Diane Ewen, Fiona Lumbers, Fruzsina Czech, Heather Kilgour, Jarvis, Jim Field, Jon Klassen, Joseph Coelho, Katherine Child, Katie May Green, Ken Wilson-Max, Mark Janssen, Mini Grey, Myo Yim, Natalia Shaloshvili, Rikin Parekh, Steve McCarthy, Sydney Smith, Victoria Turnbull
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536241296
Genres: Short Stories
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Following up on Ten-Word Tiny Tales to Inspire and Unsettle, this book focuses on love, warmth, and adventure. Each page features a ten-word story with a complimentary page designed by a different illustrator. While the text is just a fragment of a story, it allows for imaginative expansion by the reader. The illustrations are lovely (check out Jon Klassen’s ghosts!!), and the coziness of the book could lead to some wonderful bedtime reading. There are directions in the back to help the reader create their own stories,  which would translate well into a storytelling lesson for younger students.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Beti and the Little Round House

Beti and the Little Round HouseBeti and the Little Round House by Atinuke, Emily Hughes
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536225185
Genres: Adventure, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Beti and the Little Round House

Words by Atinuke

Illustrated by Emily Hughes

This book is a collection of four illustrated short stories, one for each season, about a young girl named Beti who lives with her family in a roundhouse in Wales. Young readers who dream of building forts in the woods from found materials in nature will be inspired by Beti’s home; her round house is constructed from thick earth walls, with tree trucks holding up the grassy roof. Beti’s family lives simply- growing and foraging their food, filling water jugs from the nearby stream, and caring for their chickens and horses. Beti, often accompanied by her baby goat, Naughty, turns everyday chores into adventures. Even though Beti may live differently than us, she still has many experiences to which young readers can easily relate; she gets into trouble with her friends, faces consequences of her mistakes, and confronts her fears. The author includes book recommendations for those who wish to learn more about roundhouses, or maybe even attempt to build one. Reading age: 7-9 years, grade level: 2-4.

3 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

three-stars

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic

Narwhal: Unicorn of the ArcticNarwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic by Candace Fleming, Deena So'Oteh
ISBN: 0593377788
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
At first the second person narrative seems a bit jarring, but the reader soon settles into what life as a narwhale might be like. Rich in facts making the book both lyrical and informative. So’Oteh’s spectacular artwork seems to jump off the page, complimenting the immersing text. This book will be popular with animal lovers or as a companion book to the Narwhale & Jelly series. This book not only informs but takes you on an adventure!

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library
Nominated for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree

Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas TreeEverett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree by Fanny Berthiaume, Freddy Wexler
Published by Random House ISBN: 0593567943
Genres: Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Everett Green is a plastic palm tree who dreams of becoming a Christmas tree so he packs up and heads to New York City. After his bird friend helps him thwart TSA workers, he settles in to wait for his flight and is crushed when he finds out that it’s cancelled and he’ll be stuck in the airport on Christmas Eve. With the help of some strangers, Everett pulls it together and creates a magical evening for his fellow stranded passengers, realizing that he doesn’t have to become a Christmas tree to help spread joy.

A brightly illustrated but somewhat frantic holiday story. Not an essential addition to a holiday collection, but it will circulate in December.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

three-stars

Maisy Goes to the Eye Doctor

Maisy Goes to the Eye DoctorMaisy Goes to the Eye Doctor: A Maisy First Experience Book (Maisy First Experiences) by Lucy Cousins
Series: A Maisy First Experience Book
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536237876
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
It is unlikely that Maisy needs an introduction as she is quite popular with preschoolers. This book has the typical thick, black lines and eye-catching colors of all Maisy books by Lucy Cousins. When Maisy’s friend Ella has trouble seeing numbers on the board at preschool, the two go together to Dr. Flamingo the optometrist’s office to have their eyes tested. This book does a particularly good job of describing what a visit to an optometrist might be like and could be very helpful to read and discuss with a young child prior to their visit to an eye doctor. I anticipate checking out some of the other Maisy First Experiences books since this one was so well done.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Dancing Dumplings for My One and Only

Dancing Dumplings for My One and OnlyDancing Dumplings for My One and Only by Eva Wong Nava, Natelle Quek
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536238791
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
First-person narrative of a young child who enjoys doing tai chi and making dumplings with her grandmother. When her grandmother gets sick, she is scared, but Grandma recovers and both, noticeably changed by time, return to tai chi and dancing dumplings. The child, grandmother, and mother are East Asian and depicted as a family. The lovely illustrations are full of movement and color that portrays their family life through the seasons. I feel as this story is a bit redundant and told better in other books.  The author missed an opportunity by not including their recipe for dumplings and perhaps some tai chi movements to make the culture more relatable. Children will relate to the situation of an aging and  very sick grandmother. This book could be paired with other books about Asian culture or for celebration of the Lunar New Year.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars