Category: Book Reviews

Be, Bold Baby: J.K. Rowling

Be, Bold Baby: J.K. RowlingBe Bold, Baby: J.K. Rowling by Alison Oliver
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 1328519937
Pages: 20
Goodreads
two-stars

Be Bold, Baby! is a series of board books that feature famous women such as Oprah and Michelle Obama and lists some of their attributes along with quotes.  This entry in the series features J.K. Rowling.  Most of the two page spreads have a piece of advice, i.e. “Be a Rebel” followed by a Rowling quote that emphasizes that point.  Page two is an illustration that features a young girl in a situation that is supposedly showcasing that point, with a heavy Harry Potter fan vibe. Some of the quotes are quite awkward, grammatically, leaving me wondering if there weren’t better quotes that could have been used.  The final page is a mirror that says “Be You!” On the inside back cover is a short biography of Rowling.

This book (and series) has a great premise and means well, but it doesn’t quite meet its goal of encouraging girls to be strong and independent.  Not worth purchasing. For ages 1-4.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

two-stars

The Starlight Claim

ISBN: 9781536202649
five-stars

Tim Wynne-Jones took so long to write his sequel that his original character from The Maestro written in 1995 is now the dad. This was a great psychological thriller. Nate wants to go back up to camp where his best friend, best friend’s dad, and little brother have drowned in the frozen lake.  Nate lies to his parents and tells them he is going to take the train, get dropped off along the tracks, hike in the few miles with a friend. There is no friend. When he arrives at the campsite on the deserted winter lake, he finds that someone has broken into the family camp. He goes to his friend’s camp to try to figure out who broke into his camp. He realizes it’s the criminal who broke out of prison a few days before. One is a killer, one is a follower, and one is the grandfather that he has never met. Things keep getting worse. Hard to put this one down. High school and older will enjoy this book. Many pieces are based on a true story.

Reviewed by Jeri Fitzpatrick teacher GNG Middle School Gray.

 

five-stars

My Box-shaped Heart

My Box-shaped HeartMy Box-Shaped Heart by Rachael Lucas
Published by Feiwel & Friends on August 20th 2019
ISBN: 125013000X
Pages: 224
Goodreads
three-stars

Holly and Ed have a chance meeting at the pool and are instantly drawn together.  What they don’t know is that they are both struggling with trauma in their lives.  Holly’s mom is a hoarder and recently injured herself, so Holly is playing the parent role while taking care of her.  Ed’s secretive about his past, but he and his mom are in hiding from his abusive father. They both go to the pool to escape, and in the end, find each other.  This story is just okay. It doesn’t showcase the reality of the hoarding issue at all. In the end, someone comes to clean up the house and her mother just miraculously allows it and is okay.  Teens wanting to read stories that feature trauma and recovery from trauma would be better served reading one of Laurie Halse Anderson’s books. For ages 13 and up.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

three-stars

Code Like a Girl

ISBN: 9781524713898
four-stars

Recommended for girls and boys, some of the marketing such as color choices might be aimed for girls, but the information is great for all kids. The table of contents contains Start-up, Chapter 1: Starting to code with scratch, chapter 2: Make your own computer with raspberry pi, chapter 3: Coding with python, chaper4: Tinkering, Chapter 5: Build, tinker, hack, code, Girl Tech world, glossary, acknowledgments, and an index. This equals 200 pages of fun ideas and information. What to do when you hit Frustration pg. 74. Lists of special supplies you need for projects. How to make your own smartphone gloves pgs. 124 &125. “Ask questions even if you feel stupid. Don’t worry about what everyone else or imagine they’re judging you. You’re on a mission to get what you need…”

Review by Jeri Fitzpatrick teacher GNG Middle School Gray. Informational Text

four-stars

The Friendship War

The Friendship WarThe Friendship War by Andrew Clements
Published by Yearling Books on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 0399557628
Pages: 208
Goodreads
three-stars

Fads come and go, but what happens when all the hype challenges a long time friendship? Grace accidentally starts a fad of collecting and trading buttons that takes over her entire school, most of her life, and eventually reaches a breaking point with a long time friend, Ellie. Grace is a quirky, science-minded, borderline OCD with some hoarding tendencies kid who will resonate with many young readers, and students everywhere will connect with school fads and the difficulties of friendship dynamics. This is a fun, lighthearted read for 3-5 graders. Clements does not disappoint, per usual.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Briar and Rose and Jack

Briar and Rose and JackBriar and Rose and Jack by Katherine Coville
Published by Clarion Books on June 11th 2019
ISBN: 1328950050
Pages: 368
Goodreads
one-star

Briar and Rose are twins — Rose is beautiful, Briar is not, and their parents decide to raise them as friends so Rose, the second born, may be heir to the throne. Together, and with other friends, they form a group with plans to slay the local giant who demands unrealistic amounts of food, riches, and livestock from the entire village. This book is a retelling of several stories — Jack and the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty, and likely more. It isn’t well done. The beginning is dreadfully slow, the entire book is too wordy, and the vocabulary is beyond the intended audience. The latter could potentially be viewed as a benefit for challenging young readers to expand their vocabulary. This book is a second purchase where this genre is especially popular with middle grade readers.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

one-star

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