Hawking

HawkingHawking by Jim Ottaviani, Leland Myrick
Published by First Second on July 2nd 2019
ISBN: 1626720258
Pages: 304
Goodreads

Jim Ottaviani has teamed up with Leland Myrick to put together this biographical graphic novel of one of the greatest minds ever to exist in the scientific community. Written in a first person narrative, the graphic novel discusses Hawkings’ earlier years and the struggles that he faced in choosing his profession and the  degenerative muscular disease that rapidly took over his body. There is a lot of scientific discovery written into the text, which unfortunately does make the reading a tad bit boring for those who aren’t into the physics field. Despite the scientific jargon and information, anyone interested in Stephen Hawkings life might find this a doable read.

The illustration are detailed and quite colorful and easy to follow along. Recommended for grades 10 and up, but would also considered to be an adult read.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

Old Souls

Old SoulsOld Souls by Brian McDonald, Les McClaine
Published by First Second on June 25th 2019
ISBN: 1626727325
Pages: 256
Goodreads
five-stars

Chris buys lunch everyday for a homeless man and is uncertain to why he feels obligated to do so. Eventually he understands the connection between he and the homeless man and it is unnerving. With his discovery, Chris enters into a world that leads him to his previous lives that maybe he should not have revisited. There is a previous life that needs closure in order for him to live in the present, can he do it or will his present life crash? This paranormal tale makes the reader think about how reincarnation may play within one’s life

Illustration are mainly black and white with minimal coloring. Easy to follow and a little  unsettling to read. Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars

Raccoon Rescue

Raccoon RescueRaccoon Rescue by Kama Einhorn
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 1328767051
Pages: 160
Goodreads
four-stars

Raccoon Rescue tells the adventures of four baby raccoons rescued in California when only two weeks old.  Their story is dictated through the eyes of one of the babies, Mr. Green. Mr. Green describes the process of the Fab Four from rescue to release.  Pictures are on nearly every page assisting the reader in visualizing the story. Examples of x-rays, an intake exam form, and a growth chart are included also.  The book is written in large clear font with bullet pointed lists teaching the reader a great deal of information about raccoons. A bibliography, glossary, index, letter from the author, and a “how you can help” section are all located at the back of the book.  Einhorn does an excellent job of sending the message that wild animals are not pets and describes the extensive steps it takes to get baby raccoons from rescue through rehabilitation to release. Readers 8-12 with an interest in raccoons, animal rescue, or just enjoy looking at pictures of baby raccoons will find this book appealing and may also be interested in the other “True Tales of Rescue” books in this series. Some readers may struggle with reading a book written from the perspective of a baby animal, but still find relevant information for research.

Reviewed by Heather Hale, Easton School District, Easton

four-stars

The Pennypackers Go On Vacation

The Pennypackers Go On VacationThe Pennypackers Go on Vacation by Lisa Doan, Marta Kissi
Published by Roaring Brook Press on June 25th 2019
ISBN: 1250154111
Pages: 272
Goodreads
three-stars

Charlie Pennypacker feels his dreams are finally realized when his penny pinching father agrees to take them on a Disney cruise. When Charlie sets his eyes on the old fishing boat labeled Wisney Cruises, he embarks on an unexpected adventure involving his former best friend (now enemy) and scary looking men (maybe involved with the mob).  Charlie ends up saving the day learning about friendship, forgiveness, teamwork, and second chances along the way. Doan has created a novel filled with eccentric characters, humor, mystery, and adventure.  From the six year old troublemaking sister to a chef who only prepares eggs each meal readers will find something to giggle about. Line drawings interspersed throughout the book assist the reader in visualizing the text.  Teachers and parents may find the mystery to quickly and easily wrapped up and characters relatively static. Readers 9-12 will enjoy this summer read while trying to solve the mystery and being glad they are not on vacation with the Pennypackers.

Reviewed by Heather Hale, Easton School District, Easton

three-stars

Pumpkinheads

PumpkinheadsPumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell, Faith Erin Hicks
Published by First Second on August 27th 2019
ISBN: 1626721629
Pages: 224
Goodreads
five-stars

Pumpkinheads might be a romance, but there is quite a bit more to this graphic novel. It is about 2 friends, Josie and Deja, and their friendship. They decide, or more like Deja decides for the two of them, that they are going to try silly and fun things on their last night at their summer job before they head off to college. Yea, it’s high schoolers, but there is nothing in here that a 5th grader couldn’t read. And the sweet romance piece at the end is just right for 5th graders starting to want a book with a bit of romance in it but not too much for others. Love that the characters are not exactly what you’d expect. Great addition to all graphic novel collections.

Cream. Reviewed by Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

House of Salt and Sorrows

House of Salt and SorrowsHouse of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
Published by Delacorte on August 6th 2019
ISBN: 1984831925
Pages: 416
Goodreads
three-stars

Annaleigh is the daughter of a duke, actually she is one of 12 daughters. Well, there were 12 daughters, but several have died so now there are only 8 left. Some folks on the island they live on think there is a curse but Annaleigh thinks someone has murdered her sisters. This fantasy which has similarities to The 12 Dancing Princesses fairy tale  is filled with dancing at balls, evil gods, good half-gods, maybe-an-evil-stepmother, passionate romantic moments and some creepy almost horror like scenes. Even with all of this going on it was hard to become attached to the characters and care about what was going to happen to them next because it took so long to get the exciting part of the story.

three-stars

Tree of Dreams

Tree of DreamsTree of Dreams by Laura Resau
Published by Scholastic Press on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 0545800889
Pages: 336
Goodreads
four-stars

Coco and her once best friend Leo enter the same dessert contest. They both make a chocolate creation and they tie for the first prize- a trip to go to the Amazon. Coco wants nothing to do with Leo (her former best friend), she only wants to find the treasure she hears whispered to her by the Ceiba Tree deep in the Amazon rain forest. Bits of magic, lots of chocolate chemistry, eating lots of chocolate (really eating a lot of chocolate) and Amazon destruction run throughout the story. I did get a bit tired of the chocolate descriptions and found the treasure a bit hard to believe. But the Amazon deforestation and it’s impact on the people and animals that live there was interesting and something that isn’t often written about in stories for children.

Reviewed by Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, Maine

four-stars

Only Ashes Remain

Only Ashes RemainOnly Ashes Remain (Market of Monsters #2) by Rebecca Schaeffer
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 1328863557
Pages: 432
Goodreads
four-stars

Only Ashes Remain

 

This book is a gritty horror story with extremely gruesome details.  Nita has killed many; most for the reason of keeping herself alive.  Her best friend/boyfriend, Kovit, feeds on people’s suffering, the more horrific the better.  He must have this in order to live, a fact that Nita has a hard time accepting.  Nita is searching for Fabricio throughout the book and attempts to kill him many times.  Fabricio had revealed Nita’s whereabouts to people and creatures on the Dark Web who kidnapped her, and Nita is filled with animosity towards him.  This book is the second in a trilogy and I found it somewhat hard to keep abreast of what was happening, even though explanations were given.  I’m not sure that this book stands on its own.  For horror fans and those who want to read about vampires, unicorns, (not the pleasant creatures one might be expecting), kelpies, and zannies, I would suggest reading the first book, Not Even Bones, and then continuing on with this one for an inordinate dose of horror.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Dr. Esperanto and the Language of Hope

Dr. Esperanto and the Language of HopeDoctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope by Mara Rockliff, Zosia Dzierżawska
Published by Candlewick Press on March 12th 2019
ISBN: 0763689157
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

This picture book biography about Leyzer Zamenhof and his invention of Esperanto is well written and has charming illustrations. Zamenhof was born in 1859 in a Polish town with many different groups of people speaking their own languages. He decided at a young age that he would make up a universal language that would help people understand each other and live in peace. As an adult he shared this language in a book and signed it Dr. Esperanto. Although, Esperanto hasn’t become a universal language, it hasn’t disappeared. There is an annual international meeting called The Universala Kongreso for people interested in pursuing Zamenhof’s dream. This fascinating book will delight readers. The author included more information about Esperanto and Zamenhof at the end of the book. There is also a bibliography of print sources. Grades 2-4, Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

Silver Meadows Summer

Silver Meadows SummerSilver Meadows Summer by Emma Otheguy
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on April 30th 2019
ISBN: 1524773239
Pages: 240
Goodreads
three-stars

Eleven year old Carolina has moved with her mother, father, and younger brother to upstate New York from Puerto Rico. They moved in with her aunt, uncle, and older cousin, Gabriela. Carolina and Gabriela are in summer camp together on a farm. Carolina is an artist. She doesn’t feel close to Gabriela at first. Gabriela seems too concerned about being popular. Carolina develops a friendship with another girl at camp whose father is an artist. This story about family relationships, friendships, and cultural heritage has well developed characters. The characters in the story grow and learn from each other with the choices they face. The author weaves in poetry from Robert Frost and two Spanish poets to enrich the story. At the end of the book there is information about these poets. Grades 3-5, reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

three-stars