This is book four in the series. James’ Dad is going to marry his friend, Christina, from the museum. They have asked James to be the best man. He’s nervous about many things, Where will they live. Will Marvin come with him? At the wedding, the ring falls through a drain. and Marvin helps save the day.
Reviewed by Jeri Fitzpatrick GNGMS Gray
This is a good story series for beginning readers.
The book is a how-to make paper mache art. It’s part of the Wild Arts Projects series… Amazing Animal Art, Rad Recycled Art, and Super Scary Art. Table of contents gives tips, materials, and methods along with eight different monsters. Dinosaur, magnets, mates, greedy garbage monster, moon light, bugs, toad, and mummy in the closet. This would be good for four-year-olds with help to adults.
Reviewed by Jeri Fitzpatrick GNGMS Gray
Voyages in the Underworld of Orpheus Black by Marcus Sedgwick, Julian Sedgwick, Alexis Deacon 
Fans of The Book Thief and Slaughter-House Five will thoroughly enjoy Marcus Sedgwick’s hybrid novel of war torn London and the mythical underground world of Orpheus, a Greek poet. Harry Black is at odds with his family during WWII — Harry is a Conscientious Objector and helps with the Fire Force to protect London during the bombings, whereas his brother, Ellis, is in the trenches. He sketches what he witnesses through the bombings to help him cope, but one afternoon when he leaves the local bar, leaving his brother inside, a bomb is dropped and Harry makes it his mission to find Ellis. Hence, the story is Harry’s search, knowing that Ellis is alive and how Harry must save him.
Inter-dispersed among the wonderfully created graphics are poems/songs written and/or sung by Orpheus as Harry begins to locate Ellis. An interesting combination of war stories and mythology that will urge readers to continue on. Recommended for grades 9 and up.
Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.
On Edge by Raelyn Drake Trevor and Micah decided to blow off school and go hiking and rock climbing for the day — just as long as they are home by their normal time — everything should be okay. Almost to the top of the climb, the rope breaks and Micah falls and severely injures himself. To make things worse, once Trevor gets Micah comfortable and they figure out to get out safely — Trevor gets bit by a rattlesnake. Now it is a race to save Trevor’s Life.
A fast paced story of friendship and survival that will keep the reader going to find out how it ends. Recommended for grades 7 and up and will be a great addition to shelves.
Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.
The Island by D. A. Graham Ethan desperately wants to win the Teen Wilderness Masters reality show challenge — the Grand Prize is $50,000. He wants to help pay off bills that his parents accrued while his dad was sick. He shouldn’t have any problems — was raised by research biologists, taught how to live off the land, find edible plants, make clean drinking water and to love nature. But, when he and nine other teen contestants are dropped off on an uninhabited island with no technology or other resources available to them — maybe he has bitten off more than he can chew.
A great survival/competition story that all will enjoy — especially those that are fans of reality tv shows like Survivor. Recommended for grades 7 and. up. Well written and easy to follow.
Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.
Cracking the Bell by Geoff Herbach Isaiah was saved by football. His life prior to the sport was utter chaos and he was constantly in trouble. His parents gave him an ultimatum — play football or go back to the group home. Football was his savior, but now he has to decide whether to continue playing.
College recruiters are watching him, giving him offers that he can’t resist, but a series of severe concussions has left him struggling to cover up what is happening to him. What should he do — football has been his life, but is it worth the chance of him dying.
Recommended for grade 8 and up. With concussions being a hot topic with student athletes, this novel puts the dilemma that many have to face in perspective.
Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.
Castle of Lies by Kiersi Burkhart Thelia, as Princess Corene’s closest companion and cousin, has her sights set on taking the throne. Bayled, a foreigner and raised in the castle, is the heir to the throne and is in love with Corene, but Corene is set to marry another to secure two lands from fighting. Unfortunately, all plans are thrown aside when the kingdom is invaded by elves. From there the plot drags and is inconsistent with its plot and character development. There are sexually diverse characters and a considerable amount of mature content.
Recommended for grades 10 and up.
Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.
Shatter City (Impostors, #2) by Scott Westerfeld In the sequel to Westerfeld”s “Imposters”, Frey and Rafi have traded places with the intent of Frey killing their father. Frey, Rafi’s twin sister and body double, is set to marry Col with the intention of bringing peace to their two nations. Things don’t go as plan and Frey along with Col’s help escape to Paz, an app happy city where the citizens use apps to control their emotions. Frey tries to warn the city of Paz (actually an IA) to their upcoming doom, but was too late and the battle continues to eliminate the twin’s evil warlord father.
Action packed, fast paced and lovers of Scott Westerfeld will continue to eat this story up. It helps to have read “Impostors” for the back ground story of Rafi and Frey. Recommended for grades 8 and up.
Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.
Hello, Crabby! (A Crabby Book #1) by Jonathan Fenske Crabby lives on the beach and he’s not happy! The sun is in his eyes, and salt and sand are also irritating Crabby, they are in his teeth and his shell, making him a very grumpy crab! Crabby’s friend Plankton tries to cheer Crabby up. Plankton tries many methods – he even bakes Crabby a cake! The end papers also include directions kids can follow to draw their own Crabby! A fun and engaging read for the early reader.
Reviewed by Melissa Madigan
A Good Team: An Acorn Book (Unicorn and Yeti #2) by Heather Ayris Burnell, Hazel Quintanilla In this early reader graphic novel style book the reader learns the story of how a Yeti and a Unicorn figure out how they can play together. Through a series of trying different games to play with each other they finally discover they can both enjoy ice skating! This is a good series for the beginning reader.
Reviewed by Melissa Madigan