Category: Book Reviews

Lurid London

Lurid LondonLurid London by E. Merwin
Published by Not Avail on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1684026709
Pages: 24
Goodreads
five-stars

Creepy pictures and scary text will send chills through young readers looking for a ‘scary’ book. They might not even care what ‘lurid’ means, but that’s OK. The text is minimal but descriptive, and the photos and drawings will invite younger and middle elementary readers to look for the grossest image to share with their friends.

This slight book provides the necessary non-fiction access features, including a map of London identifying the locations mentioned with a United Kingdom map inset on top of a world map.

Librarians looking for books to add to their ‘scary’ shelves for young readers should consider this and/or one of the seven other titles in this “Tiptoe Into Scary Cities” series.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

Sealed with a Kiss

Sealed with a KissSealed with a Kiss by Beth Ferry, Olivier Tallec
Published by HarperCollins on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 0062475770
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

How do you make new friends? Do you go out and introduce yourself or do you wait for them to welcome you to your new home? Seal’s feelings are crushed when she tries to say hello but is rejected by the animals already living at her new zoo home. “Zey zink I stink!” she laments in her French voice. They finally realize their mistake and write a poem to apologize, offering a peppermint shrimp so her breath won’t stink.

Full-color cartoonish illustrations have some background details but mostly white to keep the reader’s attention on the animals and action. Many of the animals have the same oblong odd shape but are distinguishable by the markings and colorings.

This book could be used as an introduction to homonyms, rhyming, alliteration, color words to describe feelings, making apologies, making new friends, zoos, and a discussion on whether it’s a good idea to grab and kiss a stranger. In this case, the seal was only doing what was culturally appropriate for her, and given it’s her new home and she’s trying to introduce herself and make new friends would add to the conversation. Perhaps a more important discussion about this story is how we react when meeting someone new and they have very different customs and appearances AND smells!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Earth-Friendly Earth Day Crafts

Earth-Friendly Earth Day CraftsEarth-Friendly Earth Day Crafts by Veronica Thompson
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1541524209
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

 What better way to recognize Earth Day than using repurposed items for crafts and learning how to revamp everyday objects? This slim craft book (only 9 crafts are offered) starts with how to choose and clean reused materials, and a reminder to stay safe. The use of a blender, hot glue gun, and oven and several other tasks instruct the crafter to have adult assistance. The book also suggests using a little creativity to repurpose common items, such as plastic jugs, bags, and egg cartons. 

Each craft is described on a two or three-page spread with bright full-color photos for each step. Most have 3-7 steps.QR codes are included for each craft. These offer a few better photos for each craft but no additional instruction or ideas.

This “Green STEAM” book could be used in an Earth Day discussion to help describe the difference between repurposing, reusing, recycling and reducing materials.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

three-stars

Slime Sleepers: Parrotfish

Slime Sleepers: ParrotfishSlime Sleepers: Parrotfish by Ellen Lawrence
Published by Not Avail on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1684026970
Pages: 24
Goodreads
four-stars

“Slime” in the title will attract early and middle elementary readers, but they’ll stay for the vibrantly colorful and clear photographs which include labels and fact-bubbles. The most striking feature of this book is the close-up images of various parrotfish. Who knew there were so many different kinds of parrotfish?

Simple format lends well to use as research or entertainment. Each colorful double-page spread has a heading in large letters and black text is in easy-to-read font that adequately explains but doesn’t overwhelm the reader. Backmatter includes Science Words, index, books and online sites to read, plus a Science Lab activity where youngsters can make and explore slime bubbles.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Me, Toma and the Concrete Garden

Me, Toma and the Concrete GardenMe, Toma and the Concrete Garden by Andrew Larsen, Anne Villeneuve
Published by Kids Can Press on May 7th 2019
ISBN: 1771389176
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

What do young friends do with a box of dirt balls in the city? Toss them into an empty lot just for fun, and be surprised when plants sprout from them! And also be surprised when they attract butterflies and neighbors, including Mr. Grumpypants!

Cartoonish illustrations start out mostly in very pales shades which bloom as the garden grows. However, even in full-color, the colors are a bit subdued, and may not hold listeners’ attention. Small text lends itself better to a read aloud rather than an independent read for younger elementary. The last line, “We’re going to see what else we can grow.” leaves the reader with an opening for insights about friendships, patience, gardening, and serendipitous situations.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

You Owe Me A Murder

You Owe Me A MurderYou Owe Me a Murder by Eileen Cook
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on March 5th 2019
ISBN: 1328519023
Pages: 368
Goodreads
four-stars

Kim is stuck on a group trip to London with her ex-boyfriend, Connor, and his new girlfriend. Their flight is delayed and with no friends in the group, Kim’s wait in the airport is interminable. Then along comes Nicki. At first, Nicki is the friend and confidant that Kim needs to get over Connor. Nicki is an independent and ambitious Londoner but she has her own issues with her alcoholic mother. When Nicki jokes that they could help each other out by committing murder, Kim laughs it off. Then the trip has barely begun and Connor is killed. Kim believes she saw Nicki there just before it happened. In fact, Kim begins to see Nicki everywhere and she begins to wonder if Nicki was really joking about committing murder. Not only that, but Kim’s admission that she sometimes lies to make herself more interesting adds even more to this twisty plot. Readers will not know if they can trust Kim’s version of the events. Cook’s fast-paced, suspenseful novel is the YA equivalent of a Patricia Highsmith and Gillian Flynn book. Readers should be advised to settle in with a snack when they start this book because they will be unable to put it down! Recommended for Grades 8 and up. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School 

four-stars

My Happy Year

My Happy YearMy Happy Year by E. Bluebird by Paul Meisel
Published by Holiday House on March 12th 2019
ISBN: 0823438376
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

My Happy Year by E. Bluebird written by Paul Meisel is a narrative nonfiction told in the chirpy voice of the young bluebird. Part of  A Nature Diary series, this book is highly recommended as a read aloud to children and classrooms who are open to nonfiction that is illustrated with acrylic  paintings. With just a sentence or two entry for each of the 19 days scattered throughout the year June 1 egg cracking to the following June 4 next generation of eggs, the book combines facts with colorful, large paintings. Children will ask, “Is it real?” Yes, this is what a bluebird’s first year is like. No, a bluebird does not speak English. But oh what a fun way to be introduced to this colorful bird. The voice of this happy little bird will draw readers and listeners into her world and into science. Many additional facts and glossary are tucked onto the back and on the endpapers. Highly recommended by Margy Soule, Coffin Elementary School Brunswick, Maine

five-stars

A Question of Holmes

A Question of HolmesA Question of Holmes (Charlotte Holmes #4) by Brittany Cavallaro
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 5th 2019
ISBN: 0062840223
Pages: 287
Goodreads
three-stars

The fourth book in the Charlotte Holmes series is a nice end to what has been a fantastic series. The book feels like a footnote or long epilogue to the trilogy as this book does not focus on the mystery, but more on the relationship of Holmes and Watson and on Charlotte’s desire to find her place in the world. This is natural since her place has thus far been largely defined by her lineage and her relationship with the family Moriarty. In this book, Holmes and Watson are looking forward to the normal college life and to exploring their relationship, but when they get involved with the production of Hamlet, they find a cold case and new death. Charlotte can’t let it go, but the mysteries feel secondary and are, in fact, solved in an expedient fashion near the end of the book with little fanfare. Fans of the series will enjoy seeing Holmes and Watson in the real world and should feel great closure upon reaching the end of the book. Those new to the series will want to start with Book 1 as not reading the first three books will strip away the full impact of revelations in this book. It will also lessen the meaning of the deepening and complex relationship between Holmes and Watson. There are mentions of drug use, implied sexual activity, some strong language, and a complexity of language and writing craft that make this book best for readers in 10th grade and above.

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

three-stars

Gems

GemsGems by Claudia Martin
Published by Qeb Publishing -- Quarto Library on January 1st 2018
ISBN: 1682973255
Pages: 24
Goodreads
four-stars

Gems by Claudia Martin is an inviting nonfiction work for children ages 5 through 8.  Colorful, sharp photographs reveal the beauty of the gemstones. Every two-age spread is a chapter with a few very brief facts on a different subtopic. This provides just enough information to introduce  primary students to gems while the photos provide the wow factor. Teachers will like the table of contents, index, bold topic headings, and glossary. recommended by Margy Soule, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, Maine

four-stars

Honeysmoke

HoneysmokeHoneysmoke: A Story of Finding Your Color by Monique Fields
Published by Imprint on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 1250115825
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Simone is a biracial girl who wonders what color she is. She asks her parents and friends and explores her world, looking for just the right color to describe herself. Simone is given in the space to explore her question and is not laughed at or dismissed. She is empowered to find her own word to describe how she looks to herself and maybe the world. Lovely, gentle art work by Yesenia Moises accompanies Fields’ words as Simone draws on her own family stories to come up with her definition and description of her honeysmoke skin. A wonderful own voices book that one that belongs in all public library collections because representation matters.

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

four-stars