Category: Book Reviews

Nell of Gumbling

Nell of GumblingNell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life by Emma Steinkellner
ISBN: 0593570669
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life” is a middle grade graphic novel by Emma Steinkellner. The main character, Nell, is a normal seventh grader in the magical city of Gumbling. All seventh graders get assigned an apprenticeship and instead of getting to intern with a famous artist, Nell ends up apprenticing under Mrs. Birdneck, the city archivist. Nell ends up needing to use her archival skills when two adults show up wanting to completely change Gumbling into essentially a theme park.

Written as if we are reading Nell’s journal (complete with her many illustrations), the book alternates between large amounts of text and more standard graphic novel comic style. The illustrations are colorful, bright, and silly. If you pay attention to the details, you’ll find a lot of little jokes that are easily missed. Recommended for ages 8 to 12, this book is a recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections everywhere.

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

four-stars

The 21: The true story of the youth who sued the U.S. government over climate change

The 21: The true story of the youth who sued the U.S. government over climate changeThe Twenty-One: The True Story of the Youth Who Sued the U.S. Government Over Climate Change by Elizabeth Rusch
Published by Greenwillow Books on August 8, 2023
ISBN: 9780063220850
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
This narrative nonfiction explores the ground breaking case, Juliana v. United States, where 21 young people sued the national government over its actions contributing to climate change. The book introduces readers to the 21 plaintiffs from around the United States who have each been negatively impacted by climate change and walks readers through the legal process of this case. The way this book is structured is exceptional. It is broken into 4 large sections, but each section contains many small chapters. The small chapters allow readers to easily digest the rich amount of content covered. Some of the chapters focus the mindset of the youth and their lawyer at different points throughout the trial. The narrative text reads like fiction, so readers will be familiar with the style as they learn a lot of new information. Other chapters focus on the legal aspects of the case. The author does a great job of explaining the legal process, so while the focus of this book is the environment and the impacts of climate change, readers will also learn some important civics concepts as well.

This young adult nonfiction book would be great for older students who are passionate about helping the environment and are interested in learning about young activists. High school teachers might use this as part of a science or social studies curriculum, but outside of these niche audiences, this book, despite being well written and compelling, probably has limited broad appeal.

four-stars

Stickler Loves the World

Stickler Loves the WorldStickler Loves the World by Lane Smith
Published by Random House on 08/22/2023
ISBN: 0593649834
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Stickler is a uniquely optimistic woodland creature, who sings the praise of all the overlooked & underappreciated wonders of the world, especially – you guessed it – sticks! Brown ones, knobby ones, and knobby brown ones alike!

While eagerly heading to show its jaded friend, Crow, some particularly impressive sticks, Stickler comes across a tin-can wearing alien, who must be freshly arrived on Earth and unaware of the beauty it contains! With gusto, Stickler takes on the challenge of showing its new friend the marvels its world has to offer – from the sunshine beaming down, to the wind rushing by, the flowers, the ocean, rocks and fish, the colors of the sunset – and of course, sticks! After Stickler’s tour de force, it’s revealed that our alien was Stickler’s good friend Crow stuck in the can all along. Stickler is afraid it has bored Crow by showing them things they’ve already seen, but Crow was thrilled to see the magic of the world as viewed by Stickler.

Natural, flowing illustrations don’t just jump off the page, they reach out and invite the reader to step into the story to take this journey right alongside Stickler and Crow.

An enchanting story with a wonderful message to enjoy the world around us ferociously & never stop sharing our enthusiasm, this book will be adored by preschoolers, elementary schoolers, & adults alike. Another must have from Lane Smith!

Reviewed by Paiten Price – Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, ME

five-stars

Monstrous

MonstrousMonstrous by Jessica Lewis
Published by Delacorte Press on September 12, 2023
ISBN: 0593434811
Genres: Horror, Supernatural
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars
Monstrous by Jessica Lewis is undeniably a page turner. The main character, Avie, is a confident, snarky, star athlete about to set off for college who is stuck living with her aunt in a strange Southern town run by a powerful religious cult. When she is sacrificed by the cult to a giant snake that lives in the woods she is able to save herself by making a deal to help the snake escape in exchange for her life, special powers, and the safety of her cousin and her crush.

This book is in the female revenge genre like award winning, The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson, but I never found myself rooting for Avie like I rooted for Jackson’s lead Maddy. In order to get the plot moving the author sacrifices the tension and character development needed to feel like a “good for her” horror novel. As a result, Monstrous had the pace of a thriller, the tone of a rom com and the complexity of a middle grade mystery.

There needs to be more Black, queer, female leads in the horror genre and the premise of this book is so original and interesting that I was really rooting for it, but ultimately this isn’t a necessary addition to a YA collection.

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

two-stars

Mercy Watson is Missing!

Mercy Watson is Missing!Mercy Watson Is Missing!: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume Seven by Chris Van Dusen, Kate DiCamillo
Genres: Animals, Humor, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Mercy Watson is Missing!” is the seventh book in Kate DiCamillo’s “Tales from Deckawoo Drive” series, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. In this beginner chapter book, the titular character and fan favorite, Mercy Watson (a pig), has gone missing. The Watsons don’t know where she could be. They try the police, who are no help, so they seek the help of a private detective. Percival Smidgely, the ineffective private eye, luckily has help from his pigeon friend, Polly. With lots of fun words and amusing characters, readers will enjoy following along as (spoiler alert!) the family finds Mercy in the end. Black and white drawings are mixed in with full color illustrations by Van Dusen. Artwork adds to the silliness of the story.

Written for ages 6 through 9, this is a recommended purchase for all libraries where beginner chapter books are popular, and wherever the previous series titles have done well. 

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

four-stars

Ready, Set, Dough!

Ready, Set, Dough!Ready, Set, Dough! by Kelly J. Baptist
ISBN: 0593429184
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Zoe is an aspiring writer and loves her journalism class. She has so many good ideas for future news stories that she needs a reliable computer. She dreams of owning a new laptop especially when the family computer keeps crashing. When she learns the top seller in the cookie dough fundraiser will receive the laptop of their dreams, she becomes a selling machine. Unfortunately, her selling tactics come at a price – she neglects  her best friend and misses his state championship swim meet, she only sees her brother as someone to give her a ride and not someone with his own dreams and aspirations, and most importantly, she doesn’t realize something is going on with her father’s job until after he loses his job. This realistic fiction book will appeal to upper elementary readers. The author conveys an important message about empathy and selfishness in a gentle and at times humorous way. Readers will find the fundraiser a little over the top but it is really just a vehicle to show the growth of Zoe’s character as she learns to pay attention to her family and friends. While not quite in league with the author’s other 2023 middle grade title (Eb & Flow), younger readers should enjoy this book.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

three-stars

Land of Broken Promises

Land of Broken PromisesLand of Broken Promises by Jane Kuo
ISBN: 0063119048
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Anna is a middle schooler growing up in Southern California in the 1980s. She and her parents are from Taiwan and her parents own a fast-food business. When Anna discovers a cabinet full of mail that her father has ignored – partly because he struggles to read English – the family discovers that they are “illegal.” Their visas have long since expired and they are now officially undocumented. When her parents consult an attorney, they realize they need money for the attorney’s fees so Anna’s mother moves to San Diego for the summer to work in a friend’s bakery under the table to raise the funds. When her best friend’s father loses his job, Anna realizes that she is not alone worrying about her family and eventually finds the courage to confide in her friend. This verse novel is based on the author’s life and while technically a sequel, this reads like a stand-alone novel. This is a tenderly told glimpse of the immigrant experience in America. A good choice for younger readers as the author downplays the harsher realities of the immigrant experience in America. Family is at the center of this story.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

four-stars

Project F

Project FProject F by Jeanne DuPrau
on October 10, 2023
ISBN: 0593643801
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Project F is set in a simple world that no longer uses fossil fuels. People live in cities and only travel when necessary via steam trains. Power is used sparingly and turned off at night. People travel via carts – there are no more automobiles and no airplanes. When Keith’s aunt and uncle are killed, he is tasked with taking a 2-day train ride to pick up his young cousin Lulu who has been orphaned. An quirky guy named Malcolm takes the seat next to Keith and tells Keith he is working on a secret engineering project called Project F. Malcolm then disembarks at a small station in the middle of nowhere. When Keith arrives at the Inn that night (because trains must stop to reload their wood supply each night), he realizes that he and Malcolm have accidentally switched bags. Keith’s curiosity is piqued by papers in Malcolm’s bag that depict strange drawings. Is this Project F? After Keith picks up Lulu, he and Lulu stop at the small station near Project F to swap bags and learn more about the mysterious project. But what is Project F and will Keith find himself caught up in something he doesn’t understand? With a simple yet slightly off-kilter look at what life on Earth might be like without our reliance on fossil fuels, DuPrau has created a dystopian world that is not menacing but is, in fact, rather drab. Could this be enough of a warning to climate change naysayers to change their ways? From the creator of The City of Ember, this upper elementary novel also Includes the not-so-subtle message that paying attention in school can save a lot of trouble.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

three-stars

How Does Santa Go Down The Chimney?

How Does Santa Go Down The Chimney?How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Jon Klassen, Mac Barnett
ISBN: 153622376X
Genres: Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
This holiday book by wonder duo Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen is just as delightful as everything else they’ve teamed up on. Between Barnett’s deadpan text and Klassen’s funny yet beautiful illustrations (those string lights!), this is a must have for any school or library and would be perfect for a read aloud. It starts with a timeless question and offers multiple ridiculous solutions. Be sure to look out for the reindeer’s hoof slipping Santa through a mail slot like a letter.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Hatchet Girls

Hatchet GirlsHatchet Girls by Diana Rodriguez Wallach
Published by Delacorte Press on October 10, 2023
ISBN: 0593643410
Pages: 336
Genres: Horror, Psychological thriller
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
When Tessa convinces her family to move to Fall River, Massachusetts after the sudden death of her father, she has no idea how many horrific secrets and curses the area holds.  It’s also the town in which the Lizzie Borden Murders were committed a hundred years ago. History repeats itself and Tessa’s brother, Vik, is arrested after being found holding a bloody axe over his wealthy girlfriend’s parents’ bodies. Tessa is convinced that Vik is innocent and enlists her friend Phil, an expert in Fall River history, to help her prove that her brother is not a murderer.

What starts out seeming like a crime book about classism quickly morphs into a tense witchcraft thriller with some folk horror vibes. It has a nice cover and an interesting section in the back which describes the places mentioned and their haunted histories in more detail. A quick and fun read that will appeal to both horror and true crime fans.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars