What Goes Up

What Goes UpWhat Goes Up by Wen Baragrey
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on October 30th 2018
ISBN: 1524765813
Pages: 224
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a sweet coming-of-age book about Robyn (named for Shakespeare’s famous fairy Puck) who lives in an eccentric town with an eccentric fairy-obsessed mother (her mom’s business is hosting fairy-themed toddler birthday parties in her fairy-themed house dressed as a fairy) and her not-quite-as-eccentric grandmother. Even Robyn’s house is eccentric (in addition to the fairy decor). The roof attracts — almost magically — all kinds of frisbees, balls, kites, and even the occasional skydiver. One day Robyn and her family learn that a NASA satellite is falling to Earth and she is convinced it will be the next item to land on her roof. While watching the news, she learns about a family from a nearby town with several Albino children and becomes convinced she must be related to them. Anxiety over the falling satellite combined with the discovery of this nearby family, inspires Robyn to search for her absent father. While the author has thrown a lot of things into this book, at its heart it is a sweet story about a girl just trying to find her place in the world.

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

 

 

four-stars

Team Fugee

Team FugeeTeam Fugee by Dirk McLean
Published by Lorimer on February 1st 2018
ISBN: 1459412281
Pages: 136
Goodreads
four-stars

Ozzie and his sister Rebecca live in the Scarborough section of Toronto in Canada with their adoptive parents. Ozzie learned to play soccer in his native Nigeria while living in an orphanage and forms a soccer team of fellow Nigerian students at his new school. The Ozzie United team must share the practice field not only with the school’s flag football team but also with another immigrant soccer team led by Victor from Syria. To drum up interest and support for an official school soccer program, the two teams are asked to play a demonstration match. The match is so successful that the teams are then asked to join forces — as Team Fugee (refugee) —  to play the regional champs. This high interest/lower reading level book is not only a great sports story but also a light story about friendship and family. Part of the Soccer United series focusing on refugee children adjusting to life in North America.

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

 

four-stars

Jordin Tootoo: The Highs and Lows in the Journey of the First Inuk to Play in the NHL

Jordin Tootoo: The Highs and Lows in the Journey of the First Inuk to Play in the NHLJordin Tootoo: The Highs and Lows in the Journey of the First Inuk to Play in the NHL by Melanie Florence
Published by Lorimer on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1459413024
Pages: 104
Goodreads
four-stars

This biography tells the story of recently retired National Hockey League player Jordin Tootoo from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut (located just below the Arctic Circle in Canada). Tootoo was the first Native Canadian Inuk (an Inuit person) to play hockey in the NHL. He overcame several obstacles in his quest to play professional hockey. Although not the largest of hockey players, Tootoo was known as a fierce competitor and learned to fight hard from his father and older brother. Just as his career was beginning to take off, his brother died of suicide. This high interest/lower reading level book should appeal to hockey fans.

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

 

 

 

four-stars

Nick the Sidekick

Nick the SidekickNick the Sidekick by Dave Whamond
Published by Kids Can Press on April 3rd 2018
ISBN: 1771383550
Pages: 48
Goodreads
four-stars

This elementary-level graphic novel tells the tale of Nick who has super large ears (which leads to much teasing) and super hearing. Superhero Super Fantastic Guy recruits Nick to be his sidekick (or as Nick prefers: superhero assistant). This is a true underdog story because Nick is often the one who saves the day and Super Fantastic Guy always take the credit. It’s a fun story and the illustrations are top-notch.

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

four-stars

Stick Dog Crashes a Party

Stick Dog Crashes a PartyStick Dog Crashes a Party by Tom Watson
Published by HarperCollins on March 6th 2018
ISBN: 0062410962
Pages: 240
Goodreads
three-stars

Stick Dog and his gang return for an 8th adventure in this book. While hanging out in a parking lot one night hoping for food, the gang sees a familiar old face. Stick Cat has returned! They overhear that Stick Cat will be at the park the next night with a buffet and make plans to join him. The usual chaos ensues but all ends well as the dogs finish the story with full bellies. Printed as usual on lined paper with illustrations throughout and large text, these books are great early readers. While you won’t have needed to have read the others in the series first to understand this book, it will help you figure out the characters that much more quickly. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars

Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper

Jane Austen: Her Heart Did WhisperJane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper by Manuela Santoni, Matteo Benassi
Published by Graphic Universe (TM) on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1541523660
Pages: 96
Goodreads
two-stars

This graphic novel, originally written in Italian, imagines what Austen’s impetus for her love of reading and writing may have been, along with her one failed relationship that we know of, all from her letters to her sister Cassandra. The illustrations are all black and white and very simplistic, making it at times difficult to tell characters apart. The timeline begins at her deathbed, then moves to her teen years, through her adulthood, and back to her deathbed. The back matter includes factual information about Austen’s time and her novels, along with a timeline of her life.

Particularly since this is not a factual accounting of Austen’s life, the audience for this book is incredibly narrow, its audience laying mostly in ardent Austen fans. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

two-stars

A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women’s Rights

A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women’s RightsA Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women's Rights by Kate Hannigan, Alison Jay
Published by Calkins Creek on February 20th 2018
ISBN: 1629794538
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

This picture book biography is very well written and beautifully illustrated. Belva Lockwood believed in equality, not just for women, but for all people. As a young school teacher she saw that she was not paid the same as male teachers. When she taught in schools around New York she saw that girls were not allowed to speak in front of the school or participate in physical activity like the boys. She worked with Susan B. Anthony to push for teaching public speaking to boys and girls. She eventually moved to Washington D.C. to apply to law school. She faced obstacles along the way, but through determination became a lawyer and was able to argue cases in front of the Supreme Court. She was the first woman to appear on the ballot as a candidate for president of the United States, though women did not have the right to vote at that time. The layout of the book is excellent. The artwork is done with a type of oil paint and a crackle varnish making the full page illustrations appear as old paintings. The author’s note offers more information about Lockwood’s achievements such as her work with the Cherokee Nation concerning The Trail of Tears. There is an extensive timeline, bibliography, and source notes. I highly recommend this fascinating biography to young readers. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

five-stars

My Name is Victoria

My Name is VictoriaMy Name Is Victoria by Lucy Worsley
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on May 8th 2018
ISBN: 076368807X
Pages: 372
Goodreads
four-stars

This historical fiction novel is about the young Queen Victoria of England. Victoria was kept in a safe and secluded environment as a child. All the characters are based on real people. The story is told from Miss V.’s point of view. She was the daughter of Sir John Conroy, an advisor to Victoria’s mother. Miss V. was sent to play with the young Victoria. The two girls shared the same name. The author imagines they may have shared some secrets as well. This is an intriguing story based on fact, but with a unique twist. The author presents what life was like at this time for the young Victoria in Kensington Palace through Miss V.’s eyes. The author is well acquainted with the setting since she is the curator for England’s historic royal palaces. The story will engage readers with its drama and eventual imagined outcome. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

Spooked!: How a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America

Spooked!: How a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of AmericaSpooked!: How a Radio Broadcast and the War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America by Gail Jarrow
Published by Calkins Creek Books on August 7th 2018
ISBN: 1629797766
Pages: 144
Goodreads
five-stars

The author gives the detailed steps to the broadcast that shook the world and how the story was delivered that had listeners believing that unbelievable was truly happening. The way the broadcast was delivered had many feeling that considerable time had elapsed, when in actuality it had only been mere minutes. Jarrow also explains why this broadcast was so famous and some of the changes it brought to radio and the people that became famous because of it. Further discussion later in the book, covers hoaxes of the past  and how this should be a lesson with today’s forms of communication.

Well documented and the illustrations portray the story  of an alien invasion and are strategically placed throughout. There are also photos of Orson Welles and the members of the Mercury Theater and other important individuals that are  mentioned. Also included are snippets of some of the telegrams that were sent to either CBS or the FCC  after the broadcast   — some are damning and others are quite humorous.

There is a TOC, index, extensive bibliography and source notes. Good addition to the stacks for reference and fun. Recommend for grades 7 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School

five-stars

House of Dreams: the Life of L.M. Montgomery

House of Dreams: the Life of L.M. MontgomeryHouse of Dreams: The Life of L. M. Montgomery by Liz Rosenberg, Julie Morstad
Published by Candlewick Press on June 12th 2018
ISBN: 0763660574
Pages: 352
Goodreads
five-stars

This biography of the author of the Anne of Green Gables books is absolutely excellent. It is well written, insightful, and inspiring. Entries from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s personal journals offer an intimate look into her complicated life. She preferred to be called Maud without an “e.” Her mother died when she was young and she spent her childhood with her grandparents. Maud’s great imagination and perseverance served her well as a person and an author. She experienced incredible joys and deep tragedies. The author presents Maud’s experiences in such an engaging way that I found this book difficult to put down. An epilogue, source notes, and bibliography are included. Black and white sketches enhance each chapter. I would highly recommend this moving biography to readers whether they are familiar with the author’s works or not. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

five-stars