Category: Book Reviews

Shark and Bot: Epic Roller Coaster Ride!

Shark and Bot: Epic Roller Coaster Ride!Shark and Bot #4: Epic Roller Coaster Ride!: (A Graphic Novel) by Brian Yanish
ISBN: 0593485378
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

“Epic Roller Coaster Ride” is the fourth book in the Shark and Bot graphic novel series by Brian Yanish. Best friends Shark (a shark) and Bot (a robot) are excited about going to a theme park and riding the roller coasters, but end up getting stuck bringing Bot’s little sister with them. Shark and Bot show how to be responsible and the importance of honesty (when Shark admits to Bot that he really doesn’t want to go on the biggest coaster and is afraid) in friendship.

The illustrations are funny and bright and add to the book’s humor. Aimed at kids ages five through eight, this is a suggested purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections in all libraries.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

What Stalks Among Us

What Stalks Among UsWhat Stalks Among Us by Sarah Hollowell
on September 12, 2023
ISBN: 0063251817
Genres: Horror, Psychological thriller
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

When Sadie and Logan skip their senior trip in favor of exploring an abandoned corn maze, they immediately realize that this is no ordinary roadside attraction. Before long they find Logan’s corpse, then Sadie’s, and soon they are swept up in a speculative time-travel nightmare that forces them to question themselves, their surroundings, and everyone they encounter within the maze.

While the action is slow-coming, What Stalks Among Us gives us two endearing characters. Sadie is complicated and is nursing some internal wounds from an emotionally abusive relationship. Logan is a supportive best friend who accepts Sadie’s idiosyncrasies with calm affection.  It’s worth sticking out a long build-up as the story eventually morphs into a healing process for domestic abuse, and winds up surprisingly positive.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski. Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Lost Galumpus

The Lost GalumpusThe Lost Galumpus by Joseph Helgerson, Udayana Lugo
Published by Clarion Books on January 10, 2023
ISBN: 0358415225
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

During the biggest blizzard in memory, a possum named Gilly is given the daunting task of returning a creature none of the animals in Theodore Wirth Park have ever seen before to his unknown home. While making plans to help the lost creature they’ve named a galumpus, the group encounter a teaching robot from the future. The robot informs the animals their galumpus is a wooly mammoth from the past who was mistakenly pulled through a time portal, and that time is limited before the portal they were transported through closes permanently. To further complicate matters, the mammoth is being hunted by three cavemen from his home as part of a prehistoric coming-of-age ceremony. The story follows the group’s challenges as they attempt to guide the time-traveling visitors back to the portal.

The simple black ink drawings throughout the book add an engaging visual element that contrasts with an otherwise overly complicated story. Although Gilly is a charming narrator, the slow pacing, disjointed storytelling, and repetitive arguing between the characters may turn away readers interested in other fantasy titles of similar length. Overall, this is an average tale for readers between the ages 8-12 who enjoy prolonged fantasies featuring animal narrators with mild conflict.

Reviewed by Sarah Hartje, Lewiston Public Library, Lewiston

three-stars

Shakti

ShaktiShakti by S.J. Sindu, Nabi H. Ali
Published by Harper Alley on May 23, 2023
ISBN: 0063090139
Pages: 248
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Shakti is a young Indian American girl who has moved around a bit. Now, rooted for a few years while her mom completes a phD, Shakti is hoping to make friends. When she meets Xi, things start looking up. However, her middle school has three mean girls named Harini, Emily, and Kelly (HEK) who seem to have the entire school under their sway.

Sindu’s world is one in which magic is accessible to many and is incorporated into the flow of life. Shakti is a descendant of the goddess Durga Ma and has access to ancient Indian magic. Durga Ma is a goddess of light and strength, but she is tied to her twin Kali Ma, the goddess of death and destruction. When one wields the power of Durga Ma care has to be taken not to also awaken Kali Ma. When Xi and Shakti attempt to stop a powerful spell being cast by HEK, they not only tap into Durga Ma’s power, but they bring forth Kali Ma, who proceeds to spread illness and destruction across the town, including to Shakti’s own mother who is about to have a baby.

Each page contains just a few panels and the illustrations are bright and dynamic. Readers will be drawn to the fiery title on the cover and to the topics of witchcraft and magic. The story is well-crafted with interludes to explain the two forces that are Durga Ma and Kali Ma. Readers will be drawn into the action and will route for Shakti as she races to undo her clumsy spell. A book that explores the challenges of growing up and being ready to handle things with real-world consequences. Highly recommend for any middle grade graphic novel collection.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

four-stars

Dear Rosie

Dear RosieDear Rosie by Meghan Boehman, Rachael Briner
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on July 11, 2023
ISBN: 059357186X
Pages: 208
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Mental Health
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Millie, Florence, Claire, and Gabby are the best of friends. The trouble is, they are missing Rosie, who tragically died in a car accident. Each of the middle schoolers deals with their grief in very different yet equally profound ways. Gabbie and Florence begin to bicker and lash out at one another, Claire tries to find a new connection with a stranger online, and Millie buries herself in an attempt to figure out the meaning behind a symbol she thinks was connected to Rosie. As time passes, they slowly grow concerned for one another, and along with the help of supportive adults, find ways to redirect their grief in healthier ways.

Although the subject matter is quite serious, this book is written in a way that is very accessible and relatable to kids. Each of the characters is a beautifully illustrated (anthropomorphized) animal that is native to Maryland, where the story is set. The color used in the panels and on the pages makes it easy for readers to transition between the present and the past. 

Grief is an important topic that is rarely dealt with so directly while remaining relatable in modern children’s literature. Dear Rosie is an important book to add to collections, and is highly recommended for libraries that serve students in upper elementary and middle school.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Actually Super

Actually SuperActually Super by Adi Alsaid
ISBN: 0593375807
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Actually Super” by Adi Alsaid is a young adult fiction novel. Protagonist Isabel is a high schooler who is depressed by how things are going in the world. She hears about potential “superheroes” that exists and decides to leave school to find them and see if they are using their powers to help solve the world’s problems. Her friends Sam and Chio agree to meet with Isabel in a year in Mexico, but when Isabel doesn’t show up, they start looking for her. The book switches between Isabel during her yearlong search for supers and Clio and Sam looking for Isabel in the present.

Themes of good and evil versus a more grey and nuanced reality will resonate with teens and young adults as Isabel meets up with potential superheroes and discovers their truth. Plot moves a little slowly at times and the switching of narrators and time is occasionally confusing. A recommended supplemental purchase for young adult collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

The Do-Over

The Do-OverThe Do-Over #1 by Rodrigo Vargas, Coni Yovaniniz
Series: Do-Over #1
Published by Clarion Books on May 23, 2023
ISBN: 035839404X
Pages: 218
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
An appealing middle grade graphic novel centered on friendship and hairstyling. After the death of her mother, Mariana and her father, a hair stylist, move from California to Ohio. Mariana desperately misses her old friends and would love to make new ones, but her anxiety and quiet nature make it hard to approach other kids. There is also a boy who targets Mariana, saying unkind things. When two girls come to the shop of Mariana’s dad to sell their newly-invented hair dye that washes out in three shampoos, Mariana is intrigued. She sees the girls again in school and is determined to introduce herself. When she is finally able to do so, the three become fast friends. Inspired by their hair dye, Mariana proposes that they open their own salon to help people refresh their look through a new hair style.

All of this is a set-up for the heart of the story. With a lot of help from Mariana’s abuela and hard work from the girls, the three do set up a mobile hair salon. They all play a part in the business: one cuts and styles hair, one mixes the dye, and one is the front-end person passing out tea and panetone. There are early successes and then hiccups that threaten the new friendship.

There are some plot points that ask for a suspension of disbelief on the part of the reader: Mariana does not tell her father that she is starting a hair salon despite the fact that his expertise could be useful. Nor does her abuela  tell Mariana’s father about the salon, which seems unlikely since they are close and her abuela is proud of Mariana’s efforts. Mariana’s abuela happens to have an old food truck that she gifts to three middle schoolers to start a mobile hair salon, and those three middle schoolers have enough capital to convert the truck and paint it and have money for panetone and tea and hair dye materials.

On the whole it’s a feel-good story of facing fears, positive personal growth, and relying on community and family support. It is a solid addition to a graphic novel collection where realistic fiction stories about friendship and finding your voice are popular.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

three-stars

Two Tribes

Two TribesTwo Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen
Published by Heartdrum on August 15, 2023
ISBN: 0062983598
Pages: 245
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
A middle grade graphic novel centered around a girl who is both Jewish and Native and who is struggling to honor both sides of her heritage. Mia lives with her mother and stepfather and they want her to embrace and focus on her Jewish heritage, immersing her in the culture and language of Judaism. But Mia’s estranged father is Muscogee and Mia wants to know more about his side of the family and how Native culture informs who she is, especially since she looks different from all of the other kids at her Jewish day school.

Mia knows that her father lives in Oklahoma with his new family, so she devises a plan to go see him and get much-needed answers about who he is, and therefore who she is. Using her bat mitzvah money and with the help of her best friend covering for her, she takes a bus from California to Oklahoma. Mia does get a window into her indigenous heritage, but she has lied to her mother about where she is and when the truth comes out, Mia has to reckon with her dishonesty. She returns home to California where she must attend Torah study with her rabbi, and while he is helpful in illuminating the impact and weight of her dishonesty, Mia also defends her need for agency and knowledge. The openness of the rabbi and his willingness to learn from Mia at the same time that he is teaching her is refreshing.

The book does a nice job explaining what it’s like to be of two worlds and the ache that comes from not being allowed to ask questions or celebrate a heritage that is important to you. The artwork is clear and engaging. The book is broken into sections separated by single-page drawings and a title like “The Seeds” and “Home on the Range”. The narrative is well-plotted and the conclusion is satisfying showing that when people are open to forgiveness and to change, relationships can be mended. A worthwhile book to put in any school or public library collection.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

five-stars

Window Fishing

Window FishingWindow Fishing by D.K. Dyson, Rudy Gutierrez
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on August 1, 2023
ISBN: 059342901X
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Sometimes the smallest interactions with virtual strangers can make all the difference – you never know what someone else is going through, and how big of an impact you may have on them. Window Fishing dives into one of those relationships between Rudeday, a working artist who is in a slump, and Amir, a young boy stuck at home with an illness. Rudeday feels that his work is routine/meaningless and hopes to be a famous artist. One day, Amir goes “window fishing”, lowering a string and paperclip out his apartment window. Rudeday notices the “fishing line” as it goes ‘tap tap tap’ on his window, and sketches a fish to put on the paperclip and send back. A relationship forms, and a new hobby of window fishing brings these two strangers together, while also bringing positivity to their individual situations. When Amir is recovered, he brings window fishing out into the greater community, therefore, bringing recognition to Rudeday. This book is set in the city with diverse characters, and celebrates food and music of many cultures. The illustrations are unique and bold, but can feel disorienting at times. As an adult reader, I found the protagonist (Rudeday) to be moderately relatable (who doesn’t get tired of their day job from time-to-time?), but I found his quest for fame to be a bit shallow. I would expect a child audience may relate even less to Rudeday. Nonetheless, this is a sweet story, and this book would be a solid and diverse addition to your library picture book collection. Recommended for ages 4 to 7 (Pre-K to 1st Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

 

three-stars

The Homecoming War

The Homecoming WarThe Homecoming War (Underlined) by Addie Woolridge
ISBN: 0593568664
Genres: Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
The Homecoming War by Addie Woolridge is a heartfelt, grounded high school romance. When rival schools are forced to merge – chaos ensues, and it is the responsibility of the school’s respective junior high presidents (Meg and Chris) to unite the schools. Their chemistry is undeniable from the start, but if they move too fast the fragile truce they have built between the schools could crumble…

The diverse cast of lived-in characters fit perfectly in their central California setting. The escalating pranks were at times far-fetched, but everything else about the plot, characters, and setting were refreshingly authentic. This clean romance (only kissing) was a slow burn that was well worth the wait, but the real treasure at the emotional heart of this novel is what it has to say about grief. The Homecoming War’s themes of letting go, having fun, and prioritizing your happiness are perfect for all current and former overachievers. If you have a lot of romance readers in your library, this is a great addition!

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars