Category: Book Reviews

Let Me Fix That for You

Let Me Fix That for YouLet Me Fix That for You by Janice Erlbaum
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on July 23rd 2019
ISBN: 0374308101
Pages: 304
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Gladys is a fixer. She spends her school lunch periods helping her peers come up with excuses and cover ups for their problems. But now Glad has a personal issue that needs her attention– putting her family back together. Between home and school, the situations become more complicated and Glad might just find that she needs some help herself.

Perfect for 5th-8th grade readers, this book shows the complications of middle school life and the difficulties of fitting in, making friends, and being yourself. The story is relatable and funny and moves along at a steady pace. Most importantly, it shows that consequences are not avoidable forever and the best thing you can usually do is own up to your mistakes and learn from them.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

From an Idea to Google – How Innovation at Google Changed the World

From an Idea to Google – How Innovation at Google Changed the WorldFrom an Idea to Google: How Innovation at Google Changed the World by Lowey Bundy Sichol
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on July 9th 2019
ISBN: 1328954919
Pages: 128
Goodreads
three-stars

This non-fiction book  is a look into the history of Google and the 2 friends who developed it. There are many  black & white illustrations throughout with definitions of key terms and fun facts where the reader will learn about the company and how it earned the catchphrase: Google it!
The reader will also learn where the name “Google” came from. (Hint: It involves a LOT of zeros! )
A very interesting read great for a range of kids and adults!

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan

 

three-stars

The Library of Ever

The Library of EverThe Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander
Published by Imprint on April 30th 2019
ISBN: 1250169178
Pages: 191
Goodreads
four-stars

This time-travelling fantasy novel is reminiscent of such classics as A Wrinkle in Time or The Phantom Tollbooth, but will delight the younger reader with its whirlwind pacing that whisks young Lenora to wildly different worlds in seemingly every chapter. After stumbling through a mysterious archway in her local library, Lenora is suddenly thrust into a new position as an apprentice librarian in the most fantastic library within imagination, with vast corridors and passageways that transcend time and space. The fanciful imagery will transport the reader to all corners of the imagination. Whether its resetting the calendar in a futuristic kingdom in the year 8000 or shrinking to help a tardigrade blast off into space, Lenora is there to save the day with mighty answers to requests for information. Meanwhile, there are dark forces conspiring against knowledge itself, and Lenora must be brave and steadfast to defend truth and save the library.

Avid book lovers and anyone who feels that unmistakable sense of wonder and awe within a library will enjoy this quick but fun read. There are interesting and random facts throughout the story, and readers young and old will make new discoveries alongside Lenora’s quest for knowledge, including this old reader who now knows that the highest point on Earth is not Mount Everest but in fact, Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador. Recommended for ages 7-10.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

four-stars

The Magical Unicorn Society: A Brief History of Unicorns

The Magical Unicorn Society: A Brief History of UnicornsThe Magical Unicorn Society: A Brief History of Unicorns by Selwyn E. Phipps, Aitch, Oana Befort, Rae Ritchie, Zanna Goldhawk, Harry Goldhawk
Published by Feiwel & Friends on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 1250251877
Pages: 128
Goodreads
four-stars

The Magical Unicorn Society has resurfaced to reveal another mystical offering of short tales for the unicorn devotee, with eight accounts of unicorn encounters that span time and place, from Ancient Chinese lore to pirates in the Mediterranean to modern Central Park. Since its likely that at least a few of these devotees reside in your classroom, library, or home, you’ll need to assist them in this ancient quest to understand and protect these magical creatures by offering them this book. Eight unique types of unicorns are presented, along with a short story about different people interacting with each of them. The stories are brief but distinctive and engaging, making them great classroom or bedtime reading fare. At the end of the book, readers can take a personality quiz to find out what type of unicorn best represents them, study their profiles and traits, and discover what it takes to become a member of the Society themselves. Charming pastel illustrations and a pink and glimmering gold foil cover will likely prove irresistible, and young fans will be clamoring for it. Recommended for ages 6-10.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

four-stars

Fish Everywhere

Fish EverywhereFish Everywhere by Britta Teckentrup
Published by Big Picture Press on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 1536206253
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

The shimmering fish swimming across the cover of this delightful non-fiction picture book lure the young reader to pick it up and glide through its vibrantly colorful pages, which contain introductory information about types of fish, habitats, feeding, raising young, etc. Each two-page spread features a topic and a concise paragraph, which lend well to being read-aloud, while further captions and diagrams offer additional facts. There are also a few “Can You Find It?” challenges that invite the reader to comb through the detailed pages, such as locating the small bristlemouth hiding within the book, which should offer some additional glee.

The gorgeous digital illustrations and creative design layout are what really make this book shine. Recommended for 1st-4th grade readers. Put this one on display and watch it swim right out the door.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

four-stars

Coding With ScratchJr

Coding With ScratchJrCoding with ScratchJr by Aalvaro Scrivano, Sue Downing
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1541538757
Pages: 32
Goodreads
two-stars

This short ScratchJr primer will get younger elementary-age kids coding within minutes of downloading the ScratchJr app by walking them through four very simple projects with quick but satisfying results, such as importing their photo into an astronaut that lands on the moon, or animating a cat that can play basketball. Caregivers and educators will also likely be thankful for this introduction as well, as the book is also well-suited to adults and younger children working together to figure out where to begin with this introductory programming language targeted at children ages 5-7. However, those seeking information about coding fundamentals and programming concepts explained easily for children will need to seek elsewhere, as the only real purpose of this book is to provide a very basic overview of the app’s interface and illustrated step-by-step instructions for the four basic projects. There are also random “Did You Know?” facts about space, castles, sports, etc that are somewhat haphazardly thrown in because they relate loosely to the project themes, but they clutter the pages more than serving the text. There is a glossary and a very brief “Further Information” page at the back of the book, which only contains two links and two additional books to explore, which felt lacking.

This book might be a worthwhile addition to a library seeking more up-to-date print content about coding for kids, but like any other tech manual, note that the inevitability of upgrades or changes to the ScratchJr app interface could possibly render this one obsolete.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

two-stars

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