Category: Book Reviews

American Royals

American RoyalsAmerican Royals (American Royals, #1) by Katharine McGee
Published by Random House LCC US on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 0593123913
Pages: 438
Goodreads
three-stars

In McGee’s reimagining of American History where George Washington becomes America’s first king rather than its first president, Washington descendant, Beatrice Washington, is in line to become America’s first female monarch. Set in an America remarkably similar to our own present-day, Beatrice has always handled the weight of this responsibility well until her parents suggest it is time for her to marry. Along with her twin siblings Samantha (who feels very familiar to Britain’s Princess Margaret) and Jeffrey, Beatrice begins to challenge the strict protocols and expectations that come with being a “royal.” What comes next is forbidden love, betrayal, and ball gowns. This is a great read-alike for readers finished with Kiera Cass’s The Selection or Crazy Rich Asians and, of course, there is an obvious connection for viewers of the Netflix series, “The Crown.”  There is a planned sequel to this book which readers will be anxious to get their hands on. For grades 9 and up. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

three-stars

The Confusion of Laurel Graham

The Confusion of Laurel GrahamThe Confusion of Laurel Graham by Adrienne Kisner
on June 4th 2019
ISBN: 1250146038
Pages: 288
Goodreads
three-stars

The Confusion of Laurel Graham

 

Since Laurel Graham is an engrossed birder, and since a confusion is a group of warblers, and since Laurel is confused about many aspects of her life, the title is apropos. 

Laurel is extremely close to her grandmother and not close to her mother.  When Laurel’s grandmother is severely injured by being hit by a car, Laurel blames herself because she had seen her gran in an unsafe location beside the road, tried to get her to leave, but had not been able to change her grandmother’s mind.

Laurel is a knowledgeable birder and works at a nature conservancy.  She is obsessed with entering a contest for nature photography and with finding a strange bird that may be her grandmother’s spirit. 

Besides all this her mom has become engaged to a man she has just met and Laurel is beginning a relationship with a girl she had always regarded as an enemy and saboteur of her previous contest photograph. 

Along with all the angst in Laurel’s life the corrupt city government is pushing for new schools to be built on the Conservancy land which is wetlands and not at all suitable.  It is time for a protest!

This book uses much gratuitous language which is not necessary for the story.  It doesn’t fit.  Finding a book about bird lovers, a gay relationship, a very believable mother who has had too many boyfriends, in Laurel’s opinion, and all the corruption in local politics is unique. 

It is recommended for grades 8-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

 

 

three-stars

Worth the Wait

Worth the WaitTractor Mac Worth the Wait by Billy Steers
on August 20th 2019
ISBN: 0374308187
Pages: 24
Goodreads
three-stars

 

Perfect gift book for little ones who just love tractors.   Farmer Bill introduces early readers to growing watermelon. Unfortunately, some farm animals go beyond helping. The text is simple, the font large and the illustration are appealing to pre-school children. There are stickers on the front page and diagrams on both the front and back inside covers.   Gift at birthday parities.

three-stars

Peg Up a Tree

Peg Up a TreePeg + Cat: Peg Up a Tree: A Level 1 Reader by Jennifer Oxley, Billy Aronson
Published by Candlewick Press on November 12th 2019
ISBN: 1536209708
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

While not usually enamored by TV show inspired books this level 1 reader is a satisfying read. Really a math concept reader the story of Peg stuck in a tree shows v\creative thinking. Both Cat and Ramone develop concreate steps to rescue Peg. Even when their attempts fail the small group continues to work together till they find a solution.

A good easy reader featuring modern illustrations and bold font.  K and first grade teachers will welcome this for their classroom collections. Primary school media specialist will want to add this and other titles in the series.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

The Candle and the Flame

The Candle and the FlameThe Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad
Published by Scholastic Press on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 1338306049
Pages: 391
Goodreads
five-stars

Fatima lives with her adoptive sister Sunaina in the city of Noor along the Silk Road. She and Sunaina and their adoptive grandmother are the only humans to have survived a vicious attack by the Shayateen, who are djinn known for creating chaos, that killed their parents. Noor is in the country of Qirat which is ruled by the human Maharajah Aarush. Aarush works closely with the Emir of Noor, Zulfikar who is an Ifrit. The Ifrit live their lives to protect humans. Fatima has grown close to an old bookseller, Firdaus, and when Firdaus is attacked, Fatima becomes Fatima Ghazala when she takes on some Ifrit fire. When rebel forces team with the Shayteen and traitors at the highest levels to overthrow the Maharajah, it is up to Zulfikar and Fatima Ghazala to stop the rebellion and prevent another Shayateen slaughter. The author weaves in several Middle Eastern and Muslim traditions and handily includes a glossary of terms used. A stunning debut.

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

five-stars

An Anatomy of Beasts

An Anatomy of BeastsAn Anatomy of Beasts (Faloiv, #2) by Olivia A. Cole
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on April 16th 2019
ISBN: 0062644246
Pages: 432
Goodreads
four-stars

Octavia must choose between the colony N’Terra, the only home she’s ever known, or the humans who live with the Faloii on the planet Faloiv. She has come to the realization that the rocket that brought her family to Faloiv also brought some of the evil that led to the destruction of the “origin planet.” There is urgency in Ocatvia’s quest as the planet itself is shifting because of the changes wrought by the humans. The sequel to A Conspiracy of Stars — be sure to read the prequel first. (Faloiv #2)

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

 

four-stars

How the Light Gets In

How the Light Gets InHow the Light Gets In by Katy Upperman
Published by Swoon Reads on August 6th 2019
ISBN: 1250305675
Pages: 336
Goodreads
four-stars

Callie has given up on school and swim team and started smoking marijuana since her sister died. Her parents aren’t doing much better and in an effort to make things better they offer her a summer at wilderness camp or visiting and helping her aunt fix up her house. Choosing her aunt’s house means reliving her sister’s death as it happened the previous summer while both sisters were visiting. Callie is desperate for some kind of closure — would her sister ever forgive her for her betrayal? Callie senses ghosts in the house and hopes to connect with her sister’s spirit. Along the way, she connects to a boy her aunt has hired to work on the yard and discovers that he is looking for his own answers.

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

four-stars

Wildfire: A Novel

Wildfire: A NovelWildfire by Rodman Philbrick
Published by The Blue Sky Press on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 133826690X
Pages: 208
Goodreads
five-stars

Philbrick — Maine author, Lupine award winner, Maine Student Book Award nominee, and Newbery honor book writer — has done it again. A wildfire in Maine — inspired by the Great Fire of 1947 — sweeps through Sam’s summer camp.  As Sam is about to board an evacuation bus, he remembers he left his cell phone in his cabin. In an all-too-believable scene, Sam runs back to his cabin for his phone and in an instant is cut off from the buses when the fire flares up. Suddenly, he is in survival mode. Along the way, he meets up with Delphy who got separated from her summer camp and together they race to escape the fast-moving flames. This short chapter book is a fast read — chapters are short and the action never lets up. Philbrick includes brief sections on the recent increase in wildfires and survival tips at the end of the book. Talk about a page-turner!

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

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Daddy-Sitting

Daddy-SittingDaddy-Sitting by Eve Coy
Published by Clarion Books on May 7th 2019
ISBN: 1328489892
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

This book is a sweet ode to an adorable father-daughter relationship. From the perspective of the child, she is the one caring for her daddy all day, and it is her responsibility to meet his needs (much like How to Babysit a Grandma/Grandpa). The illustrations are colorful, easy to follow, and support and enhance the story. This book will be enjoyed by young kids and their fathers, but it’s missing that wow factor. It’s a cute story, I like that it features a stay-at-home dad, but it’s not a unique story line, and there’s nothing that really grabs me about it. It would be best shared with kids ages 3-6, and could be used for a Father’s Day story time.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Chocolate Me!

Chocolate Me!Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs, Shane W. Evans
Published by Feiwel & Friends on May 7th 2019
ISBN: 1250207851
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

Chocolate Me follows a young, dark-skinned boy from being ashamed of his chocolate skin to him embracing and celebrating the way he looks. It is a charming story that will help kids learn to love themselves just as they are. As a picture book, this would be great, as a board book, it misses the mark. There are too many words on the pages for kids who read board books, and so it gets three stars only because this isn’t the right format. This book would be best shared with kids aged 5-7 in a one-on-one setting or in a small group read aloud.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars