Category: Book Reviews

The Oregon Trail – Calamity in the cold

The Oregon Trail – Calamity in the coldCalamity in the Cold by Jesse Wiley
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 0358040590
Pages: 160
Goodreads
three-stars

In this choose-your-own-trail story, you’ll be traveling all the way from Florida, heading west to the Oregon Trail. Your goal is to make it to Oregon City!

It’s 1845 and your family is setting out from  Florida with hopes of getting a fresh start out west. Can you make the right choices in your route and make it to the Oregon trail?
The book includes a map and useful tips on how to survive the Trail.                      Good for 2nd – 4th grades

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan

three-stars

The 117-Story Treehouse

The 117-Story TreehouseThe 117-Story Treehouse: Dots, Plots & Daring Escapes! by Andy Griffiths, Terry Denton
Published by Feiwel & Friends on September 24th 2019
ISBN: 1250317207
Pages: 384
Goodreads
four-stars

Fans of the 13-Story Treehouse illustrated chapter book series will be clamoring to see what the next thirteen stories of the treehouse hold in store for young Andy and Terry in this ninth installment of the super-silly series, while those new to the series can still delight in the absurdity of this story as a stand-alone tale. The book follows their tried-and-true formula, which involves treehouse-dwelling Andy and Terry, accompanied by their animal-loving friend Jill, running around in ridiculous hi-jinks while trying to finish their next book assignment. Illustrator Terry decides to take a crack at authoring this time, and they end up in hot pursuit of the Story Police for “crimes against storytelling”. Similar to Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series, there is also plenty of parody of actual literature within the story as the kids try to outrun the Story Police and find themselves within the pages of other stories, such as “Where the Filed Things Are”, Dr. Moose, and…The Tales of Beatrix Potty.

Adults may find themselves sighing at the absurdity but the kids will be laughing all the way to the end, and they’ll likely want to find out what happens when the treehouse adds its 130th floor. The illustrations are doodle-like and a bit frenzied, but the style lends itself well to the wackiness and breakneck pacing of the story. Be sure to pick this new one up for collections already containing the series. For those that haven’t, consider this one to recommend alongside Dav Pilkey and Jeff Kinney for ages 7-11.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

four-stars

Hawks Kettle, Puffins Wheel: And Other Poems of Birds in Flight

Hawks Kettle, Puffins Wheel: And Other Poems of Birds in FlightHawks Kettle, Puffins Wheel: And Other Poems of Birds in Flight by Susan Vande Griek, Mark Hoffmann
Published by Kids Can Press on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 1771389958
Pages: 36
Goodreads
three-stars

Poetry and science coalesce in this nonfiction picture book for elementary school readers that showcases a dozen unique birds found in North America, ranging from the more ubiquitous, like crows and hummingbirds, to lesser-known varieties like gannets and wood-pewees. Each two-page spread features a poem and a paragraph with a few distinct tidbits about each bird. For example, courting bald eagles will lock talons and cartwheel in the air. The illustrations are dynamic and engaging, with sweeping brush strokes and lettering that help bring the birds to life. While not deeply profound, the poetry is straight-forward and evokes a bit of each bird’s essence, such as puffins circling or a hummingbird hovering in flight. Some of the poems also feature creative text layout, like a V-formation for the Canadian goose, or a swooping angle to capture the drama of a peregrine falcon in descent. 

Additional information can be found at the end of the book, including further descriptions of each bird, a glossary of terms, and a feather identification guide that might appeal to the young collector, but overall, the information presented is introductory and brief. This book would likely roost best in an elementary classroom or school library, as this science and poetry crossover could work its way into either curriculum as a creative supplement.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

three-stars

Frank and Bean

Frank and BeanFrank and Bean by Jamie Michalak, Bob Kolar
Published by Candlewick Press on October 8th 2019
ISBN: 0763695599
Pages: 48
Goodreads
three-stars

Frank is quiet, serious, and solitary. Bean is loud, gregarious, and social. When Bean suddenly arrives in Frank’s space, it seems like the two might never be able to get along! This mild and humorous fare from Jamie Michalak takes an odd couple pair similar to the classic Bert and Ernie and adds a dash of Captain Underpants funnies (Bean is very musical after all). A good addition to most early reader collections.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library

three-stars

Starworld

StarworldStarworld by Audrey Coulthurst, Paula Garner
Published by Candlewick Press on April 16th 2019
ISBN: 0763697567
Pages: 342
Goodreads
three-stars

Sam Jones and Zoe Miller are both seniors in high school, struggling with their lives in different ways. Quiet, artistic Sam feels invisible and separate from everyone around her. Pretty, popular Zoe doesn’t let anyone actually see her true self. After a chance encounter brings them together, Sam and Zoe begin to create Starworld together, an imaginary respite from their lives, even as things seem to fall apart around them. But when Sam realizes that she’s starting to fall for Zoe, it threatens the world they’ve created together.

Authors Audrey Coulthurst and Paula Garner have collaborated on a novel for high school readers that depicts the quiet dramas that many are experiencing. Sam and Zoe grapple with personal problems with heart and truth. While other characters are less fully developed, many readers will be moved by the authentic and natural way that Coulthurst and Garner write about adoption, unrequited crushes, popularity, families with developmental disabilities or mental illnesses, and how people’s lives look different from the inside.

Characters are assumed white. Resources are provided in the back for additional information on many of the topics brought up in the novel. Recommended where “issue-driven” books are popular in young adult collections.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

three-stars

Saving the Tasmanian Devil: How Science is Helping the World’s Largest Marsupial Carnivore Survive

Saving the Tasmanian Devil: How Science is Helping the World’s Largest Marsupial Carnivore SurviveSaving the Tasmanian Devil: How Science Is Helping the World’s Largest Marsupial Carnivore Survive by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on August 20th 2019
ISBN: 0544991486
Pages: 80
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

When author Dorothy Patent caught up with college friend , Jenny Marshall Graves, she was shocked to hear that the symbol of Tasmania- the Tasmanian Devil is on the verge of extinction! Graves, a respected geneticist in her home country of Australia, told her she was part of a group of scientists, including a cancer researcher, ecologist, and a graduate student in genomics that are in a race against time to save this Australian symbol from a fatal disease known as Devil Facial Tumor Disease – DFTD.  Where did it come from, how is it transmitted, is it viral or bacterial She was invited to join the group in Australia to see first hand the what is being done to save these animals.

This new addition to the Scientists in the Field series introduces the reader to the plight of the Tasmanian Devil and the people, from the government down to volunteers in the field in their search for a cure or a vaccine that may save this species. In the meantime, scientists have captured healthy devils and put them into “insurance populations” where they will be monitored and hopefully kept safe until they can be reintroduced into the wild.

This addition has all of the qualities that has made this series a must for libraries. The material is presented in a manner that can be understood by the average reader with  photographs and information boxes to support the information. It is STEM at its best!

Reviewed by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray Maine

five-stars

Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas

Piranhas Don’t Eat BananasPiranhas Don't Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey
Published by Scholastic Press on July 9th 2019
ISBN: 1338297139
Pages: 24
Goodreads
five-stars

Though the title will make you want to mispronounce piranha so that it rhymes, this story is a rollicking good time for toddlers.  The front of the book defines piranhas as South American meat-eating fish who will eat anything, even “little children who’ve actually been pretty good.”  Brian the piranha offers his friends a number of different fruits and vegetables to try, but they insist that they won’t, and instead share a part of the body that they love to eat that happens to rhyme with said fruit or veggies.  Peas vs. knees. Plums vs. bums. Brian won’t give up and finally convinces his friends to try some fruit. In the end, though, they still prefer their meat. This book has many chances for audience interaction and using fun voices.  Perfect for a toddler storytime. It would also work well for parents trying to get their kids to try something new. Recommended for ages 3-8.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman,  Maine State Library

five-stars

This Book Just Stole my Cat!

This Book Just Stole my Cat!This Book Just Stole My Cat! by Richard Byrne
Published by Oxford University Press on September 24th 2019
ISBN: 1250206677
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Byrne is back with another hit.  This story finds Ben from “We’re in the Wrong Book!” back and having a similar experience to Bella in “This Book Just ate my Dog!”.  He’s taking his cat for a walk.  Suddenly the cat disappears! It has been swallowed up by the gutter of the book. Many people try to rescue the cat, but they all disappear too.  Finally, Ben receives a note from the void telling him that if he tickles the book, it will sneeze and let them all back out. The book encourages interaction by asking the children to tickle it in several places.  Ben finally gets his cat back, but there’s a surprise! Fantastic as a solo or group read-aloud. Combine with “Stuck” by Oliver Jeffers for a storytime about unexpected results. Recommended for ages 3-7.

five-stars

We’re Going on a Treasure Hunt

We’re Going on a Treasure HuntWe're Going on a Treasure Hunt by Kelly DiPucchio
on April 16th 2019
ISBN: 0374306419
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

We’re Going on a Treasure Hunt is a pirate themed animal adventure structured just like the song Going on a Bear Hunt.  There’s a chorus that remains the same for kids to chant alongside you. Brightly colored animals embark on a treasure hunting adventure. The animals reach the treasure and are afraid of one animal, causing them to return back through all their adventures to where they started.  Generally speaking, this would make a fun storytime read-aloud. Just be sure to read ahead so that you don’t have trouble with the spot where the rhyme pattern falls apart. Recommended for ages 3-7.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

When Birds had Teeth – a Dino Sphere book

five-stars

This simple hardcover book explains very precisely and simply how birds evolved from dinosaurs.  Using limited large font text, it speaks intelligently about dinosaurs, using wonderful illustrations and simple pictures of their fossils to help explain the similarities and differences of modern birds with their prehistoric cousins.

The amazing illustrations are simply labeled, with pronunciation guides as needed.  The fossil prints have wonderful detail, showing what the birds ate, their tail feathers, wings, toes, etc. There is a simple glossary, index, and more sites and books to read in the back of the book.

I would highly recommend this dinosaur book to libraries and parents.  Readers will be able to quickly grasp the connection between our birds today and of the birds of 150 million years ago!

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

five-stars