Category: Book Reviews

Read Something Else

Read Something ElseRead Something Else: Collected & Dubious Wit & Wisdom of by Lemony Snicket
Published by HarperCollins on April 16th 2019
ISBN: 0062854216
Pages: 176
Genres: Humor
Goodreads
three-stars

Every page of this book is a treasure trove of quotes, illustrations, and fan art. Fans of Lemony Snicket will devour this collection of “dubious wit and wisdom.” There are references in words and art to his Series of Unfortunate Events, as well as musings on topics such as adventure and friendship. Some pages will make you laugh out loud and others will inspire a more quiet meditation. It is a book that once devoured, readers will want to dip back into once in a while. It would make a great gift book, but it is hard to see its place in a library. Although, it must be noted that there are a lot of wonderful quotes about librarians in this book. So might I suggest that this would make a great gift for your favorite librarian? Recommended for Grades 4 through Adult. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

 

three-stars

Captain Rosalie

Captain RosalieCaptain Rosalie by Timothée de Fombelle, Isabelle Arsenault, Sam Gordon
Published by Candlewick Press on June 11th 2019
ISBN: 1536205206
Pages: 60
Goodreads
four-stars

The illustrations are the first thing that will draw readers into this quaint novel set in France during WWI. Rosalie is at home with her mother and her father is a soldier fighting in the war. Five-year-old Rosalie creates her own secret mission; she is a Captain protecting her village from the enemy. She spends her days at the local schoolhouse being looked after by the school teacher so that her mother can work in the factory. In the evenings she sits with her mother and listens as her mother reads letters from her father. When Rosalie begins to read on her own, she finds out there are more letters that her mother has hidden from her. The illustrations are done with pen and neutral backgrounds, while the splash of color on the characters makes them alive on the page. Translated from French by Sam Gordon, this quiet tale of loss is powerful. Recommended for grades 5-7. 

 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

 

four-stars

The Race to Kangaroo Cliff

The Race to Kangaroo CliffThe Race to Kangaroo Cliff by Alexander McCall Smith, Iain Mcintosh
Published by Delacorte Press on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 039955405X
Pages: 240
Goodreads
four-stars

The Race to Kangaroo Cliff is a book in the School Ship Tobermorny series but it can be read independently. Some themes of the story are using individuality to solve problems and standing up to peer pressure. This tells the adventures that the students of School Ship Tobermorny have on their way to Australia and during a sailing race. They go on adventures through the outback and make friends while there. Students encounter a lot of difficulties along the way and a lot of learning opportunities about safety, ocean life, global warming, sailing and boats are provided throughout the book. One of the weaknesses of the story is that it shifts between the school of characters so you don’t get to know the students in the story.

Graphic novel style illustrations with panels are provided every few pages to complement the text and explain scenarios. The illustrations also help to introduce the characters.

This book would be appropriate for upper elementary through middle school students. The captivating adventures and explained vocabulary make for the story appropriate for a wide array of audiences. The Race to Kangaroo Cliff and the School Ship Tobermorny series would be great to get students interested in science and geography as it provides a fun environment to introduce these topics. There is some non-fiction information in the back of the book including a glossary that could be used to prompt discussion.

Reviewed by Kathleen Powers, Winslow Public Library, Winslow, ME

four-stars

From an Idea to Disney

From an Idea to DisneyFrom an Idea to Disney: How Branding Made Disney a Household Name by Lowey Bundy Sichol
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 132845360X
Pages: 112
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a non fiction book that goes in depth into Disney as a business. It starts with a background on Walt Disney and moves though a history of the company including movies and the parks. Terminology is defined on the pages to make it more accessible to children reading it. There are also fun facts spread throughout the text that spin off from the main text and inspire additional research. Disney style cartoon-like illustrations are provided to complement the text and engage readers.

This would be a great beginning non-fiction book for reading cover to cover. Children will be drawn in by the art of things like Cinderella’s castle on the cover, things like Mikey throughout and the subject matter exploring a favorite theme.  It would be appropriate for lower to middle elementary aged children. If a reader likes this book then the author has others she has written of similar style and reading level. These titles can inspire an interest in business and how it works.

Reviewed by Kathleen Powers, Winslow Public Library, Winslow, ME

four-stars

What If…? Then We…

What If…? Then We…What If...? Then We...: Short, Very Short, Shorter-than-Ever Possibilities by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Fred Koehler
Published by Boyds Mills Press on February 19th 2019
ISBN: 1629799092
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

This book explores a series of imaginary scenarios in which a lot are used to demonstrate making the best of difficult scenarios. Scenarios include being far from where you are from and not having means of telling time. These scenarios are demonstrated through two polar bears in the ocean. The illustrations have a lot of detail beyond the polar bears to challenge the children to notice. Some of the pages provide clues to what is going to happen on the following pages as well as references to previous pages. The illustrations are pastel with bold accents.

I would recommend this book for kindergarten and above or curious children. I think a younger audience may get confused by the scenes changing so quickly and moving all over the place even though the text is simple. This book could be great for encouraging children to ask questions, curiosity and keeping a positive mind. It helps children to think about answering their own questions. I think this would be a great way to introduce fantasy concepts as these are unrealistic scenarios demonstrated through real things.

Reviewed by Kathleen Powers, Winslow Public Library, Winslow, ME

three-stars

Bear’s Book

Bear’s BookBear's Book by Claire Freedman, Alison Friend
Published by Templar Books on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 1536205710
Pages: 34
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a story about a bear who loves to read who decides to write his own story. He is stuck on what to write so he goes out for a back scratch on a tree and a series of interactions with friends which inspire him creatively. He goes to the different animals as he takes the time to think about what story to write. The text includes “Bear’s Story” as a two page spread that folds out with different coloring.

The illustrations in this story are very soft with muted colors. They show full detailed scenes to accompany the text. These are thick pages with matte paper.

The theme of this story could be that inspiration for creativity could come from anywhere. I would compare story to Winnie the Pooh with how the bear acts bumbling about and the scenery. The book would be appropriate for upper preschool to kindergarten as it is wordy but the subject matter fits younger children. It would be useful for early school age children who are beginning to write and tell their own stories.

Reviewed by Kathleen Powers, Winslow Public Library, Winslow, ME

four-stars

Honor Bound

Honor BoundHonor Bound by Rachel Caine, Ann Aguirre
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on February 19th 2019
ISBN: 0062571028
Pages: 467
Goodreads
three-stars

Savvy criminal turned skilled Leviathan pilot Zara Cole finds new friends and clashes with bitter enemies in the second book of this action-packed series from New York Times bestselling authors Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre that’s perfect for fans of The 100 and The Fifth Wave.

Zara Cole was a thief back on Earth, but she’s been recently upgraded to intergalactic fugitive. On the run after a bloody battle in a covert war that she never expected to be fighting, Zara, her co-pilot Beatriz, and their Leviathan ship Nadim barely escaped the carnage with their lives.

Now Zara and her crew of Honors need a safe haven, far from the creatures who want to annihilate them. But they’ll have to settle for the Sliver: a wild, dangerous warren of alien criminals. The secrets of the Sliver may have the power to turn the tide of the war they left behind—but in the wrong direction.

Soon Zara will have to make a choice: run from the ultimate evil—or stand and fight.

Science Fiction can be amazing especially when the characters take various forms.   Many fascinating aliens make appearance within this second book of the Honors series but there is not a tie that binds the first to this second title.   Readers will find the action exciting as they view the hostile behavior and wonder what preceded the urgent need to fight.  Silver is a captivating setting for a science fiction,  there appears to be a trap behind every door.   What is confusing for anyone who did not read the first novel in this new series is the ship/pilot relationship that almost approaches a sexual level.  Although relationships do become clear the first chapter could have provided more hints to newly introduced readers.

This book cannot stand alone.   Libraries who have Honor Among Thieves will want to purchase this sequel for their YA collection.   Science Fiction readers should be directed to the first title.   Followers will anxiously await for the third title in the series.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarboroough, ME

three-stars

Ruby in the Sky

Ruby in the SkyRuby in the Sky by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo
on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 0374309051
Pages: 304
Goodreads
five-stars

Two stories of grief entwine throughout this emotionally-charged story of finding the courage to once again have faith in people and hope in the future.  Ruby Moon Hayes has recently lost her father from a tragic and senseless shooting. Ruby’s mother, in a desperate attempt to cope with their loss, has been moving Ruby around the country searching for their “forever home.”  Ruby has had enough and this most recent move to a small town in Vermont has only worsened Ruby and her mother’s relationship. Against her mother’s expectation to stay away from the old woman down the street, Ruby and her dog Bob are drawn to The Bird Lady, the townspeople’s cruel name for this strange woman who lives in the shed on her property.  Slowly and tentatively, Ruby and Abigail form a sweet and powerful bond that pulls Ruby out of her tightly wound isolation while Ruby offers Abigail a chance to finally share the terrible loss she harbors which prevents her from stepping foot back in her home. While Ruby is an angry and withdrawn teenager, her friendships with Abigail and her ever-forbearing classmate Ahmed, a recent Syrian refugee, keep her from fully shutting down and she proves to be an immensely compelling survivor.  Told through Ruby’s perceptive and intelligent perspective, this is a story that will stay with readers long after they finish. Pair with I love you, Michael Collins and Hidden Figures.  Highly recommended for all middle school collections.

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook School, Westbrook

five-stars

No One Here is Lonely

No One Here is LonelyNo One Here Is Lonely by Sarah Everett
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 0553538683
Pages: 352
Goodreads
four-stars

No One Here is Lonely

 

Eden is in a pit of sadness.  Her potential, possible boyfriend, Will, has died in a car accident and her best friend, Lacey, wants her own space and not to always be doing everything together with Eden.  But, when Eden talks to Will’s mom, she learns that she has found a website to which Will has uploaded his emails, texts, and his voice just in case something were to happen to him.  Eden feels like she has Will back.  She calls Will all the time and leaves the phone on for hours to feel like they are together. Finally, Eden gets a job as a grocery cashier and meets new people, as well as reuniting with Lacey’s twin, Oliver, who has always had a crush on Eden.  She finally learns that Will’s real girlfriend was Lacey, Eden’s mother had an affair, and that Eden can go on by herself.

This book seemed odd with what appeared to be a realistic fiction plot with a science fiction element plopped down in the middle with the words from those who have died.  Why, also, was not everyone else using the site?  The intended audience is grades 9-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Dreaming in Code

four-stars

Interesting life story of a woman from the 1800s. Great for high school and women studies.

Ada  Byron Lovelace the daughter of Lord Byron was the first computer programmer. In the 1800s Ada Byron Lovelace had a strict divorced mother and poet Lord Byron for her dad. She spent a lot of time alone but was tutored in math problems, mental puzzles, and the scientific discovery method at a time when the industrial revolution was at its hight. When Ada was 17 she met Charles Babbage, an inventor, who she collaborated with. They worked on concepts that were the foundation for computers two hundred years before they became common.

Reviewed by Jeri Fitzpatrick, GNG Middle school, Gray

four-stars