Category: Book Reviews

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

Missing! Mysterious Cases of People Gone Missing Through the Centuries

Missing! Mysterious Cases of People Gone Missing Through the CenturiesMissing!: Mysterious Cases of People Gone Missing Through the Centuries by Brenda Z. Guiberson
Published by Henry Holt & Company on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 1250133408
Pages: 240
Goodreads
four-stars

These biographies of famous and not so famous people are informative and well written. The cases explored still have many unanswered questions surrounding their disappearances. The people included are Jimmy Hoffa, D.B. Cooper, Barbara Follett, Amelia Earhart, William Morgan, and the two princes in the Tower of London. Each story is well researched and when possible information about the person’s childhood is included. The black and white photographs and drawings add interest. The author’s choice of people is a good variety and will be read for pleasure and research. There is an extensive bibliography and index. Grades 5-9 Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

Secret Soldiers

Secret SoldiersSecret Soldiers: How the U.S. Twenty-Third Special Troops Fooled the Nazis by Paul B. Janeczko
Published by Candlewick Press on April 23rd 2019
ISBN: 0763681539
Pages: 304
Goodreads
four-stars

This is the story of the Twenty-Third Headquarters Special Troops. Their goal was to deceive the Nazis into believing that the sights and sounds they were experiencing were real. Camouflage tactics and sound engineering were created by a variety of people specially chosen to be a part of this elite “Ghost Army.” Artists, set designers, actors, sound engineers and others working together were able to accomplish their goal with inflatable tanks, guns, false radio broadcasts and other tactics. The author provides detailed information about the troops and their work that military buffs will enjoy. There are numerous black and white photographs and maps. The book is well written and informative. I found the highlighted sections within the chapters awkward. Stopping midsentence to read a highlighted area was cumbersome. An introduction, epilogue, source notes, extensive bibliography, image credits, and comprehensive index are included.  Grades 9-12, adult . Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away

The Owls Have Come to Take Us AwayThe Owls Have Come to Take Us Away by Ronald L. Smith
Published by Clarion Books on February 19th 2019
ISBN: 132884160X
Pages: 224
Goodreads
three-stars

Twelve year old Simon believes that he was abducted by aliens while on a camping trip alone with his parents. Simon is obsessed with aliens and UFOs. He loves playing video games that involve role playing. His brother’s girlfriend introduces him to a group who also believes in aliens and UFOs. Her father is a member of that group. Simon’s father is in the Air Force and appears disappointed in Simon. Simon’s mother thinks Simon has mental health issues. Bullying, bi-racial families, and life on a military base are all a part of this unique action packed novel. The story is told from Simon’s point of view. A fantasy story that Simon is writing is a part of the novel. The characters are well developed and believable. There are many layers in this suspense filled novel. It will keep readers guessing right up to the end. This novel will appeal to readers with an interest in aliens and UFOs. Grades 5-7 Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

three-stars

Good Dog, McTavish

Good Dog, McTavishGood Dog, McTavish by Meg Rosoff, Grace Easton
Published by Candlewick Press on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 1536200581
Pages: 112
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a story of a rescue dog that rescues the family that adopts him. Ma Peachey has decided that since she gets no help from the rest of family with the household chores she is giving up as a mother. She decides to pursue her interest in yoga. McTavish and eight year old Betty work together to get the Peachey family back on track. The charming black and white illustrations add to the humorous text. This short chapter book will delight readers with descriptions of the family members and how McTavish’s clever plans develop.  Grades 2-5  Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

Spy Runner

Spy RunnerSpy Runner by Eugene Yelchin
Published by Henry Holt & Company on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 1250120810
Pages: 352
Goodreads
four-stars

Jake is twelve years old and lives with his mother near an Air Force base. It is early in the 1950s during the Cold War. His father was declared Missing in Action during World War II. Jake’s mother decides to rent out a room since they could use more income. The renter is Russian and works in photography which greatly concerns Jake. He thinks the renter is a spy and feels he has to find out more about this situation. Jake’s best friend’s dad who is a major in the Air Force becomes involved. This novel is action packed and will keep readers guessing right up to the very end. The numerous black and white grainy and out of focus photographs add to the mystery.  Grades 3-6        Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

Clackety Track

Clackety TrackClackety Track: Poems about Trains by Skila Brown, Jamey Christoph
Published by Candlewick Press on March 12th 2019
ISBN: 0763690473
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Climb aboard to the perfect train poem in this non-fiction picture book by Skila Brown.  The poems are written in a variety of forms that set the tone for the variety of trains depicted.  The welcoming jaunt of the railroad yard, the anticipation that tracks must feel, the “sleek and slick” Bullet train and the calming rhythm felt in a sleeper car come alive with the right mix of words and illustrations.  Snow Plow trains, the Zoo train and the Underground Subway Train are all represented.  The digitally rendered illustrations cover each two page spread with the train as the center piece showing movement, details and a diverse group of people. The poems are brief enough to share the whole book during a train story time.  Young engineers can learn more facts to supplement the poems in a Train facts spread in the back.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

Autumn is Here

Autumn is HereTractor Mac: Autumn Is Here by Billy Steers
on August 20th 2019
ISBN: 0374309205
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

This is the twenty- first picture book in the Tractor Mac series.  Young Fergus the calf was born in the spring on Stony Meadow Farm and does not like the changes that autumn is bringing to the farm routine.  One fall day, the changes seem too much and Fergus runs and hides.  Tractor Mac knows just where to find him, the root cellar.  Tractor Mac tries to ease Fergus into autumn by explaining the changes and the storing of corn, hay and the falling leaves.  Fergus stubbornly holds onto what he likes, but slowly gets use to frolicking in the fall with his friends.  Those new to the series may not be able to know who some of the characters, who have dialog, are by name until half way through the story.  The illustrations provide a complete look at the farm.  Questions about farming such as how corn gets into the silo and what items would be stored in a root cellar are answered.  This is a perfect story for fall themed preschool activities or before a trip to the farm for a hay ride.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

 

four-stars

Horse and Buggy Paint it Out!

Horse and Buggy Paint it Out!Horse & Buggy Paint It Out! by Ethan Long
Published by Holiday House on June 11th 2019
ISBN: 082344256X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

This is an easy reader in a picture book layout for late Kindergarten and early First grade readers.  Horse has his paint brush, bucket and a French beret all ready to start a mural.  Buggy is asking him about his plan but Horse thinks he can do without a plan or help.  After a few messy steps, Horse finally agrees to hear Buggy’s plan.  The text is all interactive dialogs between Horse and Buggy in white dialog bubbles.  The layout consists of full page and half page comic style frames.  The designation of these frames is the slight change of background hue.  Since readers are new to the comic book format, solid black lines delineating the various comic boxes is suggested.  Long’s cartoon style illustrations show expressions such as frustration, smugness, and surprise that add to the simple sentence text.  The end papers show an exuberant happy dance by Horse and Buggy complete with brushes and pails.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

 

three-stars

I Dig

I DigI Dig by Joe Cepeda
Published by Holiday House on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 0823439755
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

This picture book style easy reader follows a boy at the beach.  He finds a shovel, digs a sand tunnel, interacts with a dog and lies down to see the stars in the sky.  The illustrations are full page with a shadow and brush stroke style that provides a feeling of the wind in every picture.  There is a small space of white that presents the brief text for each two page spread.  Generally there are one word, two word and three word sentences which place the reading level at very beginner reader.  The publisher has designed this as Guided reading level C for middle of Kindergarten, but it seems very basic and could be used for younger readers.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

three-stars