Category: Book Reviews

Wander in the Dark

Wander in the DarkWander in the Dark by Jumata Emill
on January 30, 2024
ISBN: 0593651855
Genres: Psychological thriller, Suspense
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Fans of Emill’s debut, The Black Queen, will enjoy this tense thriller about a Black teen accused of killing a white classmate. Amir and Marcel Trudeau are half-brothers with a tense history due to a childhood secret they share.  When Amir is accused of killing Chloe Danvers, who was Marcel’s best friend, the two must reconcile their differences and prove Amir’s innocence.

While the murder mystery will appeal to fans of the genre, the book offers more in the shape of great characters, interesting family dynamics, and a look at the racism that persists within our schools and the lengths administrators and parents will go to protect their kids and students from consequences for reprehensible behavior. This will be easy to recommend to fans of thrillers as well as those seeking social justice books.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten free Library, Bath

four-stars

Sinner’s Isle

Sinner’s IsleSinner's Isle by Angela Montoya
on October 31, 2023
ISBN: 059364333X
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
two-stars

A mysterious isle, a powerful witch, and a clever pirate.  These are the ingredients that make up this romantic fantasy.  Women gifted with powers by the goddess Xiomara, known as majestics, are labeled evil by the church and are exiled to Sinner’s Isle.  Once the women come of age, they are subjected to a bonding ritual in which they are linked with a nobleman of the kingdom and become controlled by them.  Rosalind, the most powerfully gifted amongst them, is expected to bond with the young newly crowned king.  Her domineering mistress, Doña Lucía, has other plans.  Trying to take her freewill back, while also stopping an unjust system, she and her best friend attempt to escape.  In a twist of fate (or magic), Mariano, the son of the most notorious pirate of the kingdom washes up on the isle.  Mariano’s mother was killed by a majestic, and wants nothing more than to get off the isle.  When he meets Rosa, an immediate love connection known as a “heartsong” pulls them together and he becomes determined to escape by her side.  

All the ingredients of this novel suggest an epic romantic adventure: magic, pirates, princes, kings, good versus evil.  The two “lovers” only have a few scenes together.  The novel remains set on the isle for the entire book, even with the idea of piracy being quickly introduced.  The reader must experience Rosa’s inability to have any control over her own fate and constantly being viewed as an object of men’s longing and desires (possibly the author’s reaction to political issues, as she alludes to in her author’s note).  The idea of a heartsong makes one think of the imprinting phenomenon portrayed in the Twilight novels or mating bond in A Court of Thorns and Roses.  One must question if that is actual love. This novel may provide adolescent readers with unhealthy models of relationships.

The book is appropriate for ages 14 to 18.  The intended audience is those who enjoy fantastical or supernatural romances.  Mostly Latino and many LGBTQ+ characters make up the cast.

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.

two-stars

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library: the Graphic Novel

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library: the Graphic NovelEscape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: The Graphic Novel by Chris Grabenstein, Douglas Holgate
Published by Random House Graphic on November 7, 2023
ISBN: 0593484851
Pages: 249
Genres: Adventure
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
two-stars

A graphic novel adaptation of the wildly popular prose series. This book mostly follows the original storyline with direct text from the novel. For those kids who prefer and delight in a visualization of a story, this one may disappoint. Though the illustrations are rendered by Douglas Holgate of the Last Kids on Earth series, they are far too cartoonish for the depth, nuance, and detail that the original source material requires. Many of the illustrations are blown up, showing close-up faces; this was jarring and didn’t allow for the characters to move in the space of Lemoncello’s extraordinary library. And Luigi Lemoncello himself had no panache or dignity instead coming off as a cartoon character similar to the 70s PSA cartoon Timer who “hankered for a hunk o’ cheese.”  It never felt like the library was a character in the GN the way it did in the book.

Readers love graphic novels and if this edition draws in new readers who might not read a lengthy prose series, or if it inspires readers to check out the original Grabenstein books, then it is a success. But as a whole, it is a disappointing endeavor that does not enhance anything that readers of the original material might love.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

two-stars

Slugfest

SlugfestSlugfest by Gordon Korman
ISBN: 0063238098
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Slugfest” is a middle grade novel by Gordon Korman. Main character, Yash, is stuck going to summer school for physical education (“Slugfest”) even though he is great at sports due to one missing PE credit. Ugh. He meets several other kids at Slugfest and form an unlikely band of friends (from different cliques). The characters are well-written and feel like real middle schoolers. A familiar underdog-style sports story with a lot of heart and humor, the group of friends become a team by the end. Written for ages 8 to 12, this is a recommended purchase where humorous middle grade fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Club Kick Out: Into the Ring

Club Kick Out: Into the RingClub Kick Out!: Into the Ring (Club Kick Out, 1) by Stephanie Mided
ISBN: 0063116464
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Club Kick Out!: Into the Ring” is the first in a new series of graphic novels written and illustrated by Steph Mided. Sasha is nervous and excited to start seventh grade. She might even try to become the president of the gaming club! Unfortunately the new principal declares that there will be no more extracurricular clubs besides sports due to budget problems. After getting randomly placed into a group of students for an English class project, Sasha and her new friends end up trying to start a Pro Wrestling Club since it would count as a sport. Sasha and friends deal with bullying, anxiety, friendship troubles, and overparenting and come out as champs in the end. Bright and colorful illustrations and overall humor and kindness make this a fun and enjoyable read. Aimed at ages 8 to 12, this is a recommended purchase for any middle grade graphic novel collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Biology’s Beginnings

Biology’s BeginningsDiscovering Life’s Story: Biology’s Beginnings by Joy Hakim
Series: Discovering Life's Story
Published by Penguin Random House on September 12, 2023
ISBN: 1536222933
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Volume one of author Joy Hakim’s Discovering Life’s Story series, designed to explore human discovery as it applies to our own existence, as it was understood though the ages. For readers familiar with the format of her previous series’, they will find it similar and comfortable; chock full of colorful, relevant illustrations, sidebars that range from detailed and informative to irreverent (but still informative!) Hakim’s narrative style is conversational and always engaging. Chapters, and the sub-sections with them, are short enough to hold the interest of the reader, but long enough to give a satisfying amount of information. Source notes, bibliography, and a list of resources for further reading are all included.

Written for older middle grade readers and teens, this is an excellent and highly recommended addition to a library collection.

5 stars/cream

Reviewed by: Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

A Study in Drowning

A Study in DrowningA Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
Published by HarperTeen on September 19, 2023
ISBN: 0063211505
Pages: 378
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore, Magical Realism
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Ava Reid’s YA debut is an atmospheric, dreamy fantasy that dances the line between what is real and what is believed to be real.

Effy Sayre is one of the highest scoring students ever to enter the Llyrian University, but, as a woman, she is not allowed to study literature, so she ends up in the Architecture college instead. Lonely and unhappy, she seeks solace in her well-worn pages of Angharad, Emrys Myrddin’s epic masterpiece about the love between a mortal girl and the bewitching – but malicious – fairy king. When Myrddin dies, a contest is announced to redesign his estate. A contest which Effy, a first-year architecture student, inexplicably wins. She travels far south, to the most distant reaches of the land, where she finds herself isolated by geography, superstition, and land-swallowing storms. Her host is the son of Myrddin, and it is clear he is harboring a dark secret. Effy’s only ally is a fellow student from the university, there with his own secret mission, of proving Myrddin a fraud. Together they peel back layer upon layer of the mystery behind Angharad, and, in turn, Effy herself, who it turns out had her own brush with the Fairy King as a child, and has been stalked by him ever since.

Drowning is in turns creepy, desolate, disturbing, deeply magical, and fascinating. Two threads to be aware of: there is an oft-referred to incident of abuse at the hands of a professor that happened just before the beginning of the story. Also, Effy’s mother believes she is mentally unstable and forces her to take meds to control her visions and anxieties – both of which she ultimately discovers to be real, and the result of her lifelong entanglement with the Fairy King.

Perfect for fans of fantasy that draws on dark magical themes while having one foot in a recognizable world, such as Melissa Albert’s Hazel Wood. A great addition to library shelves.

5 stars

Reviewed by: Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Three Tasks for a Dragon

Three Tasks for a DragonThree Tasks for a Dragon by Eoin Colfer, P.J. Lynch
Published by Candlewick ISBN: 1536229997
Genres: Fairy Tale
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Upon his father’s death, Prince Lir’s evil-villain of a step-brother Delbayne neatly tricks him into undertaking a dangerous quest, sure that Prince Lir will perish in the process, and the kingdom will be his. The studious and caring young prince has been tasked with – he believes – saving a hapless maiden from a fearsome dragon. In truth, Delbayne has sent the maiden to the dragon’s island as bait, and magicked the dragon into compliance.

But things do not go as planned – the maiden is no helpless girl, nor is she discontented with her lot on the dragon’s island. And the dragon, while truly fearsome, has resisted full enchantment by Delbayne. Prince Lir invokes his right, as a Questor, to perform three tasks for the dragon to win the maiden, rather than fighting to the death, and the dragon, intrigued, agrees.

The three tasks are done; the dragon is pleased; Lir and the girl, Cethlenn, have become friends. Delbayne hears that his plan has failed and launches a second attack, which is foiled by the three allies, at considerable cost. But all does not end there; dark years pass before the poignant and beautiful ending of this tale.

A gorgeously illustrated, wholly original fairy tale with a subtle but pleasing feminist slant. Language and storyline are middle grade; this book might need some hand selling due to it presenting like a (very thick) picture book at first, but the author’s fame will help to promote it.

Highly recommend. 5 stars, cream.

Reviewed by: Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Frank and Bean: The Stinky Feet Monster

Frank and Bean: The Stinky Feet MonsterFrank and Bean: The Stinky Feet Monster by Bob Kolar, Jamie Michalak
Series: Frank and Bean
Published by Candlewick Press on 09/23/24
ISBN: 1536225460
Genres: Humor
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Frank and Bean are back in this funny early reader/early chapter book.  Frank is on the hunt for the Stinky Feet Monster, which Bean doesn’t believe is real.  They follow Frank’s map through the woods and into a cave, singing a song to try to attract the monster.  Instead they find a friendly family of monsters who run a cheese shop.  Young readers will enjoy the last chapter when they learn that Bean is actually the Stinky Monster!  The colorful and fun illustrations enhance the humor of the story and help move the plot forward.  There are other books in this series, but this book definitely works as a stand alone and would be a fun addition to any collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Tethered to Other Stars

Tethered to Other StarsTethered to Other Stars by Elisa Stone Leahy
Published by Quill Tree on October 3, 2023
ISBN: 0063255480
Pages: 313
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Wendy just wants to keep her head down as she starts her new school. Her family has moved because many of their friends – including her best friend and her brother’s girlfriend – were recently detained by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents. Unfortunately, Wendy finds it hard to stay invisible between her friend Etta who wants to loudly protest for human – and immigrants’ – rights and becoming the target of bullies. With a woman seeking sanctuary in the church next door and the charming bully stealing her science fair project, things begin to heat up. Wendy starts to question her family’s desperate need to lay low as her brother starts attending rallies. While at times challenging and disturbing to read – especially reading about the mistreatment immigrants face in our country – it is nonetheless hopeful. This middle grade novel is timely and may be of interest in our Maine communities welcoming New Mainers. While well-written and engaging, it does not quite rise to the level of cream of the crop.

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

four-stars