Category: Book Reviews

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

Between Us and Abuela

Between Us and AbuelaBetween Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border by Mitali Perkins, Sara Palacios
on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 0374303738
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

This charming picture book illustrates a family’s dedication to their history and their grandmother, who lives in Mexico, across the border from San Diego, California. 

 It’s Christmas time, and the children are busy making gifts for their grandmother Abuela, who they haven’t seen in 5 years. We travel with them by bus to Border Field State Park in San Diego, where they gather with others to visit their loved ones across the fence in Mexico.  Border patrol officers direct them in groups to visit for 30 minutes.  Maria and Juan have made simple gifts for their grandma, but rules forbid any items from going through the fence.

 This story is a wonderful introduction to another culture and their struggles, love and simple miracles.  The book explains very simply the celebration of Las Posadas, a nine- day festival celebrated throughout Mexico which remembers the birth of Jesus, and La Posada Sin Fronteras (The Inn Without Borders), celebrated one day during Las Posadas along the border.

 This picture book is a wonderful read aloud, with simple, easy- to- follow illustrations that match the text perfectly.  An unusual Christmas book for a library collection, it will enhance the diversity and love the holiday entails.

 Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

five-stars

Super Potato’s Galactic Breakout

Super Potato’s Galactic BreakoutSuper Potato's Galactic Breakout by Artur Laperla
Series: Super Potato #2
Published by Graphic Universe (TM) on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1512440221
Pages: 56
Goodreads
three-stars

In the second book of this comedic graphic novel series aimed at readers in grades 2-4, Super Potato is minding his business, flying along, when he is captured by Zort the Third, the Slug King, an alien who is collecting one specimen per planet. Unfortunately for Zort, he picked the wrong Earthling! Once aboard Zort’s ship, Super Potato hatches a plan to free himself and all of the other captive aliens. Using the programming of Zort’s dutiful Robot against itself, Super Potato soon has command of the situation though he didn’t take into consideration that not all aliens get along peacefully. In the end Super Potato is returned to Earth with the promise of future adventures. With humor, wham-bam action and appealing colorful, cartoonish illustrations, Laperla should continue to get fans for his superhero spud extraordinaire.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

three-stars

The Love Letter

The Love LetterThe Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise, Lucy Ruth Cummins
Published by HarperCollins on October 8th 2019
ISBN: 0062741578
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

This charming picture book is about a love letter found in the forest.  Each time a little creature finds it, they believe it was written for them, and become remarkably more cheerful and loving.

 The author was inspired to write this story based on the many notes she and her daughter wrote for each other.

 The illustrations are charming, with relaxing colors and simple drawings.  Nothing is hidden or bright or surprising, just nice.  This book would be a very sweet read aloud at night or at storytime.

 Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

five-stars

Hack Your Cupboard: Make Great Food with What You’ve Got

Hack Your Cupboard: Make Great Food with What You’ve GotHack Your Cupboard: Make Great Food with What You've Got by Alyssa Wiegand, Carla Delgadillo
Published by Zest Books (Tm) on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 1541578546
Pages: 168
Goodreads
five-stars

Recommending for cream consideration.  Perfect for high schoolers who will be living on their own either in the dorm or with a roommate.  The cookbook is divided into four sections:  First kitchen, Dorm Room Dining, First Apartment and first Solo Kitchen.  The table of contents clearly explains what to expect in each section.  The focus of the cookbook is providing helpful hints or “hacks” that any seasoned parent wants to convey to their teen about cooking, financial tricks and basic cooking skills.  Learn how to set up to cook in a dorm room (brownies in a mug), when to dispose of smelly dishes, roommate etiquette and transforming those magical staples….Ramen Noodles.  Simple popcorn flavors to more sophisticated cooking like Brie, Goat cheese Salad and Herb Braised Pork are included.  Most recipes and the knife kitchen skills presented for each section are accompanied with large, clear photos.  A conversion chart for measurements and temperatures are provided as well as an index.  Reviewed the sturdy, hardcover edition.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

five-stars