Category: Book Reviews

The Rookie Trap

The Rookie TrapThe Rookie Trap by Chris Kreie
Published by Darby Creek (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541556844
Pages: 120
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Molly has moved again and is thrilled to make the varsity soccer team in her new hometown. Midfielding is her dream and plans on being the best. Coach asked her before practice to go to the equipment shed and grab something for her and it was the scare of Molly’s life. Guess what — her new teammates forgot to warn the new girl of the team’s curse.

Well written, an easy read for those reluctant readers. Has a good combination of sports with a little bit of the paranormal thrown in. 

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

Star-Crossed

Star-CrossedStar-Crossed by Loren Bailey
Published by Darby Creek (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541556909
Pages: 112
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Androids have just become legalized as humans. Now schools and neighborhoods are being integrated. In their Junior year, everyone is required to take the Android/Human Relations class. Alyssa, human, and Reid, Android, are paired up to do an assignment on getting to know each other and their cultures. Definitely isn’t starting very well, with neither of them talking to each other, but soon things change, that makes Alyssa and Reid do a lot of thinking.

Grades 6 and up. Great easy read that will interest even those determined not to read. 

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

Stripes of the Sidestep Wolf

Stripes of the Sidestep WolfStripes of the Sidestep Wolf by Sonya Hartnett
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) ISBN: 1536208825
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Satchel’s world is dying and he refuses to admit it or even leave it. When his only friend, Leroy, moves out of town, that leaves Moke, Satchel’s dog, and Chelsea, Leroy’s sister who is an emotional wreck, as his only remaining friends.

Believing that Satchel has seen a Thylacine or Tasmanian Tiger that has been extinct for hundreds of years, Chelsea tries to convince him that this could be their way out of their dying worlds. Together they both discover what is right for themselves and the directions they must go.

Well written with the setting in Australia. Represents the dying rural towns that can be found all around and the decisions that the people of these worlds have to make in order to survive. Recommended for grades 10 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

Topside

TopsideTopside by Harry Bogosian, J.N. Monk
Published by Graphic Universe on October 1, 2019
ISBN: 1512445894
Pages: 200
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Jocelyn was raised below the earth in the Core. She works as a maintenance worker who helps maintain and keeps their world functioning. When she makes a huge mistake and finds out that there aren’t enough resources to fix it, she decides to go topside to find what she needs. Hooking up with a couple of not so savory characters, their quest to find the resources leads into depths unknown.

Illustrations are multicolored with different darkness levels of the illustrations sometimes making it difficult to see and follow. Storyline is adventurous and does go with the illustrations. Those interested in sci-fi and strong female characters will enjoy this graphic novel.

Recommended for grades 8 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

four-stars

Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of the “Children’s Ship”

Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of the “Children’s Ship”Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" by Deborah Heiligman
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on October 8, 2019
ISBN: 1627795545
Pages: 304
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

During World War II, England had a program called the CORB (Children’s Overseas Reception Board) that took children away from the bombing to live in Canada, to return when the war was over. On September 13, 1940, 100 children with adult chaperones and other paying customers boarded and set sail on the SS City of Benares for Canada. Four days later, during the night when the children were asleep, a German U-Boat torpedoed the Benares. 258 people on board lost their lives; of the 100 children on board heading for safety, only 13 survived.

Very interesting and heart wrenching. Would be a great addition to World War II books that could be used for personal reading and research. Well documented with a list of passengers, crew and other essential personnel that perished/survived, TOC, a section about the survivors and their lives afterward, bibliography, endnotes and index.

Recommended for grades 7 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

 

 

five-stars

Truckus Maximus

Truckus MaximusTruckus Maximus by José Garcia, Scott Peterson
Published by First Second on October 15, 2019
ISBN: 1596438142
Pages: 288
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Alternate history setting, the Roman Empire is alive and well and instead of having the gladiators in the arena, there is high-octane auto racing. Truckus Maximus is only a few races away from winning his freedom and that of his team mates, but with ever changing race rules , hazards and the Empire making the calls, he and everyone on team Apollo are on edge.

Illustrations are sketched, inked, colored and lettered in Photoshop, which are anime inspired. They are bold and eye catching and stay along the theme of the text. Action packed and fast paced, fans of anime, racing and Roman history will find this graphic novel exciting.

Recommended for grades 8 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

Unpregnant

UnpregnantUnpregnant by Jenni Hendriks, Ted Caplan
Published by HarperTeen on September 10, 2019
ISBN: 0062876244
Pages: 320
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

What do you do when the pregnancy test comes back positive, the school weirdo is the one that knows your secret and to top it off, Kevin, the wonderful boyfriend, already suspected that you were pregnant, because he put holes in the condom for what reason — he didn’t want her to go to Brown in the fall!!

All of thing leads into a hilarious road to trip from Missouri to New Mexico, where Veronica can get an abortion and be back before her parents are any wiser and Bailey, she justs wants to Roswell. This novel wonderfully brings up topics that are difficult with a sense of humor and the respect of individual rights. Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford high School, Biddeford.

 

Cream of the Crop

 

five-stars

Samuel Morse, That’s Who!: The Story of the Telegraph and Morse Code

Samuel Morse, That’s Who!: The Story of the Telegraph and Morse CodeSamuel Morse, That's Who!: The Story of the Telegraph and Morse Code by El Primo Ramon, Tracy Nelson Maurer
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on June 25, 2019
ISBN: 1627791302
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Samuel Morse is most often associated as being the inventor of the Morse code.  However, this biography shares with us how much more he accomplished. His first forays into inventing were failures, so he turned to his other love: art.  During his time in Europe, he noticed the telegraph system in France and spent his return voyage sketching out his own telegraph system. Early versions were not successful, but he finally got a working device.  Not only did he invent the code, but he created the means for it to be used as a communication tool. This book is a very approachable tale of this story, which makes connections to current day. Back matter includes a timeline of Morse’s life, additional facts, a bibliography, and an author’s note.  Recommended for ages 5-8.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

Michigan vs. the Boys

Michigan vs. the BoysMichigan vs. the Boys by Carrie S. Allen
Published by Kids Can Press on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 1525301489
Pages: 304
Goodreads
four-stars

This book faces many issues associated with team sports in the high school environment.   Although not subtle Allen outlines some of the more frightening aspects of competition.  Michigan is a skilled ice hockey player on her girl’s hockey team but the high school just cut that team.  In spite of harassment and taunting she joins the boy’s team where the situation gets more difficult.  This book goes beyond a typical sports book, it delves into serious issues of bullying and sexual intimidation.

Michigan vs. the Boys is well written as it depicts situations that no athletic director wants to see in their school.   Coaches should be made aware of this title and librarians will want to included it on the shelves of high school media centers.  Gift to both female and male athletics.

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

four-stars

My Jasper June

My Jasper JuneMy Jasper June by Laurel Snyder
Published by Walden Pond Press on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 0062836625
Pages: 304
Goodreads
four-stars

Summer arrives but Leah is bored and lonely since she is not going to camp this year.  Enter a refreshing new girl to the community who emits self-confidence and exhibits a sense of personal freedom.   This book is powerful as it goes beyond typical teen friendship to reveal some serious situations.  Readers will be surprised twice by twist that are not expected even as they are enchanted by the quality of real friendship.  The only weakness is the under development of Leah’s parents.

My Jasper June does have a magical quality and will appeal to mostly7th and 8th grade girls.  Public and middle school librarians will want to add this book to their collection.  School social workers may find the runaway and family loss themes helpful for their students.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars