Category: Book Reviews

Sweety

SweetySweety by Andrea Zuill
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 052558000X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Sweety is awkward, even for a naked mole rat with thick glasses and a head gear. She doesn’t always fit in, but with encouragement from her eccentric aunt combined with her own self confidence, she finds that being true to herself is the best way to be and the way to find true friendship. Sweety is a lovable, nerdy mole rat who will resonate with inquisitive, unique kids everywhere. Zuill’s illustrations are easy to follow and include small details that children may not catch but that adults will find humorous and endearing. This book is best for one-on-one sharing or for sharing with a small group. The overarching message of embracing individuality and being true to oneself paired with creative, funny characters and witty text make this a great book to share with a wide age range of readers. A recommended purchase for all public libraries and should be considered for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Love and the Rocking Chair

five-stars

Leo and Diane Dillon’s art is still as strong as ever. There is a lovely storytellers’ note about the traditions and history of families. The story itself is about three generations who used the same rocking chair from the young couple who first purchased the chair to the third generation who was ready to use it again. It is the story of Diane and Leo. Including losing Leo in this life, but not losing his love. This reader cried reading the simple powerful text.

Reviewed by Jeri Fitzpatrick GNGMS Gray. Recommended for cream.

 

five-stars

Not If I Can Help It

Not If I Can Help ItNot If I Can Help It by Carolyn Mackler
Published by Scholastic Press on July 30th 2019
ISBN: 0545709482
Pages: 240
Goodreads
three-stars

Willa has a sensory processing disorder which she finds very embarrassing and keeps that part of her life a secret.  Some sensations, like too tight socks or mushy foods, make Willa squirmy and physically ill at ease. She sees a therapist and is working to better handle things that she can’t control but this is not information she shares at school, even with best friend Ruby who she has known for years.  Keeping her home and school life separate suddenly becomes much more difficult when Willa’s father and Ruby’s mother announce that they have been dating. Willa goes into a tailspin and because she doesn’t want to share why she is so upset (change can be overwhelming), Ruby feels rejected and confused.  Middle school tests the best of friendships and Willa soon realizes that she needs to help Ruby understand her disorder so that the girls can help one another get ready for bigger changes to come. Once Willa opens up, she soon realizes that she isn’t the only one coping with anxiety. Pair with Guts, The Cure for Cold Feet or The Science of Unbreakable Things.  This middle school novel opens up discussion on how difficult it is to know the burdens people are carrying around.

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook

three-stars

Ninita’s Big World

Ninita’s Big WorldNinita's Big World: The True Story of a Deaf Pygmy Marmoset by Sarah Glenn Marsh
Published by Clarion Books on April 30th 2019
ISBN: 132877001X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

“Ninita’s Big World” is the true story of a deaf pygmy marmoset who was born at the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation in Florida. Written by Sarah Glenn Marsh and illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman, the book shows how Ninita was cared for at RSCF and how she became friends with Mr. Big. The illustrations are beautiful, colorful, and extremely cute. The story itself is basic, but kids will enjoy the pictures and Ninita getting brushed and cared for. The theme of kindness and happiness is reinforced throughout the book. At the back of the book there are facts about pygmy marmosets, which are pretty interesting. I wish there were more photographs of the animals included at the back of the book. Aimed at ages 4-7, this book would be an additional purchase if you have a large collection of animal picture books that go out often.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars

Shadow Scent

Shadow ScentShadowscent (Shadowscent #1) by P.M. Freestone
Published by Scholastic Press on November 5th 2019
ISBN: 1338335448
Pages: 368
Goodreads
five-stars

Shadow Scent

 

In a world governed by scent and perfumery live Rakel and Ash who, in alternating chapters, tell of intrigue, torture, murder, and giant chrysalises.  Rakel’s father is plagued with “The Rot” in his leg and is dying.  Ash is the “Shield” for the soon-to-be-ruler, Nisai, who has been poisoned.  Rakel and Ash join together on a quest to all of the provinces, not trusting each other at first, but needing to procure the ingredients to replicate the poison and then to cure it, and then save Rakel’s father.  Their journey is plagued by giant chrysalises, living bones, and engravings on a locket.  The world-building is impressive in this fantasy world.  There are many characters and, at first, it is hard to keep track.  But, during the quest, it becomes much easier.  The story ends on a cliff-hanger which will keep readers wanting to know what happens.  This story feels intelligent and having it based on scent is unique.  This book is recommended for grades 7-12 and for consideration for Cream of the Crop.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

five-stars

Bizzy Bear: Race Car Driver

Bizzy Bear: Race Car DriverBizzy Bear: Race Car Driver by Benji Davies
Published by Nosy Crow on April 2nd 2019
ISBN: 1536205591
Pages: 8
Goodreads
three-stars

“Bizzy Bear: Race Car Driver” is a board book by Benji Davies with manipulable tabs. The book follows Bizzy Bear, a bear who is taking part in a car race. The illustrations are bright and fun. All of the characters are animals and the text is short and rhymes, which will appeal to younger kids who are being read to. Tabs that turn the start lights from red to green, make Bizzy Bear drive around the track, and other actions are fun and give kids practice with finger dexterity.

Aimed at ages 2-3, this board book will be enjoyed by most kids, especially those who are into race cars. Not an original idea, but a lot of fun, this is recommended as a secondary purchase for libraries with board book collections. Bear in mind that the tabs will get a lot of use if this book is part of a library collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars

Good Enough

Good EnoughGood Enough by Jen Petro-Roy
Published by Feiwel & Friends on February 19th 2019
ISBN: 1250123518
Pages: 272
Goodreads
four-stars

Twelve-year-old Riley has anorexia and enters a rehabilitation facility to confront her insecurities about herself, her body, her family, and her friendships in this important middle-grade story.  Because Riley is telling the story through her journal entries, readers can see her inner-thinking and experience how her mindset changes over time with support from her therapists and friends from rehab.  Much of her inner-thinking is laced with rich metaphors and symbolism that will help readers with Riley’s experiences.  This book would make for good family conversations about mental health for readers ages 10-13.

Reviewed by Noelle Gallant, Saco Middle School

four-stars

The Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets

The Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne QuintupletsThe Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets by Sarah Miller
Published by Schwartz & Wade on August 27th 2019
ISBN: 1524713813
Pages: 320
Goodreads
five-stars

In May of 1934, in a small Canadian town, 5 baby girls were born into a family with 5 older siblings and became a global sensation as their lives and of their family are thrown into the spotlight. Their total birth weight was 13 pounds. Yvonne, Cecile, Emilie, Annette and Marie are subsequently removed from their home and basically raised by the government of Ontario across the street in a custom-built hospital — all of this to protect the girls from showmen and exploitation.

Respectfully written and sometimes heart wrenching story of the world’s most famous babies in a time when miracles were meant to be. Recommended for grades 10 and up. TOC, notes and indexes are available.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars

Just Because

Just BecauseJust Because by Mac Barnett
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 0763696803
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

Every parent recognizes before-bed delay tactics and Barnett captures them in his picture book in a comic look at one parent’s attempt to counter his child’s curiosity with fanciful answers that she can incorporate into her dreams. The child decides to ask tough scientific questions like “why is the ocean blue” and “what are black holes” just as her father is putting her to bed. He, in turn, answers with inventive and silly answers perfectly illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault in a palette of muted colors of mint green, coral, aqua, gold, and lavender. The best use of this book would be as a bedtime story that lead to the investigation *during the day* of the answers to the child’s very real questions; then children could be in on the joke of the playfulness of the answers.

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

four-stars

Tunnel of Bones

Tunnel of BonesTunnel of Bones (Cassidy Blake, #2) by Victoria Schwab
Published by Scholastic Press on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 1338111043
Pages: 304
Goodreads
four-stars

Tunnel of Bones once again brings the reader into the world of Cassidy Blake, ghost hunter (City of Ghosts). This book finds Cass and her ghost best friend Jacob in Paris where her parents are filming their show about haunted cities. When Cass ends up in the Catacombs beneath the city, she attracts a poltergeist. As she races to find out more about this trouble-making apparition, the ghost grows stronger and more dangerous. Plenty of eerie, atmospheric scenes, lost of fast-paced action, and a mystery tied into the history of Paris and its dark practice of burying bones beneath its city make this a page-turning novel for middle school readers and up. Recommend to readers of V.E. Schwab’s other books (though this one is aimed at a younger audience than her Shades of Magic or Villains series (adult) or Monsters of Verity or Archived series (YA)) and to readers of Ellen Oh, Katherine Arden, or the next level for Alvin Schwartz fans (Tales to Tell in the Dark).

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

four-stars