Category: Book Reviews

Leaf It to Dot

Leaf It to DotLeaf It to Dot by Andrea Cascardi, The Jim Henson Company
Published by Candlewick Press on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 1536202614
Pages: 48
Goodreads
three-stars

Dot, her friend Hal, and her dad are going on a scavenger hunt. Dot’s dad is dismayed to see Dot and Hal using a tablet to complete their scavenger hunt. Over the course of their hike, Dot and Hal learn the advantage of just looking with their eyes, while their dad learns that technology has it’s advantages, too.

A solid choice for libraries looking for more STEM reader titles. Dot is adapted from a Randi Zuckerberg book and a tv series, which can make some of the text feel stilted. Readers will enjoy the pictures lifted from the animated series.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library. 

three-stars

Mighty Truck: Zip and Beep

Mighty Truck: Zip and BeepMighty Truck: Zip and Beep (Mighty Truck #5) by Chris Barton, Troy Cummings
Published by HarperCollins on December 4th 2018
ISBN: 0062344730
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Mighty Truck: Zip and Beep is an I Can Read! book from the Mighty Truck series. It features a beat-up pickup truck named Clarence who needs a day off. His boss, Hattie (a road roller), tells him she has cousins coming into town, and Clarence offers to watch her cousins for the day. Zip and Beep turn out to be two tiny bulldozers who are fast and rambunctious. They play all day, including when Clarence turns into Mighty Truck, a superhero-like monster truck, until they finally take a nap in the sandbox. Hattie comes to pick up her cousins and offers Clarence the day off again tomorrow to watch more cousins. Clarence declines, saying that days off are too much work!

This book is cute, with easy-to-read text and bright cheerful illustrations. Young readers in preschool through second grade will find the playground games of Zip and Beep familiar and fun. A worthy addition to a reader collection.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

four-stars

Dreaming Darkly

Dreaming DarklyDreaming Darkly by Caitlin Kittredge
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 0062665626
Pages: 368
Genres: Horror, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Ivy’s mother’s death means that she will be living on an island in Maine with an uncle she never knew existed.  She and her mother had always gotten by stealing, grifting, and lying.  Now, though, Ivy must use all the skills and courage she has to navigate an island community which is separated between her Bloodgood family and the Ramseys who have a son, Doyle, with whom Ivy has begun a friendship.  Between Ivy being drugged, a hidden treasure map, Ivy’s joining the track team, and being attacked by both her and Doyle’s families, she must be always alert and on guard.

This book is a combination horror/mystery book with years’ old skeletons being unearthed, silver bars being discovered, Ivy learning that her uncle is really her father, and a friendship not yet turning into romance because Ivy knows that she isn’t ready for anything more yet and knowing the value of friendship.  It is recommended for grades 9-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

The First True Thing

The First True ThingThe First True Thing by Claire Needell
Published by HarperTeen on April 23rd 2019
ISBN: 0062360523
Pages: 256
Goodreads
two-stars

The First True Thing tells the story of Marcelle, a 16 year old who had been struggling with alcohol abuse. After having a bike accident as a result of the alcohol struggles, Marcelle has gone to an after school rehab and group therapy program. The book tells the story of Marcelle dealing with her friend, Hannah disappearing after getting involved with cocaine and Marcelle going through rehab for her alcohol abuse.

There were some flaws to this story’s messages but the writing was well done. There were problems with how the therapy group was set up and it did not give a realistic well researched depiction of how group therapy works. I think the story could have done well with a non substance abuse tied story-line in the mix for balance.

This would be a title for advanced high school readers to to the content matter. The subject matter would be for audiences who are interested in psychology and like the interpersonal components of the story. This could be hard to read for some audiences.

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

two-stars

Now What? A Math Tale

Now What? A Math TaleNow What? a Math Tale by Robie H. Harris, Chris Chatterton
Published by Candlewick Press on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 0763678287
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

A cuddly little puppy is the speaker in this math concept book.  Although readers do not know his/her name they may enjoy helping the puppy to construct something using a set of blocks.  Identification of the shapes, and using numbers to count are necessary within the story.   There is however no real plot or action that will pull young readers/listeners into the slight storyline.  The illustrations are line drawing that highlight the puppy and block but is devoid of any environment or background.

Now What? A Math Tale fits into learning results and the common core; it will be useful in a kindergarten classroom. Early grade schools and some nursery schools should consider for their collections but it is not a necessary purchase for public libraries.  For preschool children who love dogs and math, this would be a good gift book.

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

three-stars

What We Buried

What We BuriedWhat We Buried by Kate A. Boorman
Published by Henry Holt & Company on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 125019167X
Pages: 304
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Liv has lived the life of beauty pageants and reality television for as long as she can remember. Her life has been about performing and looking beautiful. Her brother, Jory, born with partial facial paralysis, has spent most of his life staying out of the spotlight. They have grown apart over the years, but yet as siblings their lives have always been intertwined. When Liv sues for emancipation from their parents, Jory thinks that is just another publicity stunt, but then their parents mysteriously disappear: one moment they are there and then they are not. This is the first clue that reality may be unstable. In an attempt to find their parents, Liv and Jory set out on a road trip that twists and turns their world upside down. As they drive in circles that seem to make no sense, Liv and Rory are forced to confront their memories and search for the truth. Told in alternating chapters by Liv and Jory, this book will keep readers guessing until the end. Recommended for fans of Lauren Oliver’s Before I Fall and Broken Things. This book will be of high interest to readers looking for intense, psychological thrillers. Recommended for Grades 8 and up. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

 

three-stars

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