Category: Book Reviews

A voice in the storm

A voice in the stormA Voice in the Storm by Karl James Mountford
ISBN: 1536238880
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

The story begins, “The air had been heavy all day . . . . “ and sets up the foreboding that Rat, the main character, carries with her. Rat runs from the concern of her friend, Jackdaw, and her own feelings, into the danger of the growing storm.  There are more perils than just the storm, however, and Rat’s feelings of helplessness and hopelessness make her vulnerable. In the middle of the storm, she runs into Bear (literally), and Bear gently encourages Rat to seek shelter and understand that letting someone help takes worlds of courage. 

Rat’s pain is visceral and Bear’s soothing presence is a balm. The illustrations are visual expressions of the crushing weight of Rat’s sorrow, and as she is able to set down that burden, the palette and the cloud cover lighten. 

This is a powerful story to share with anyone, but especially children struggling with expressing deep sadness, and those needing guidance in how to help them. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

Deanna Contrino, K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough

Mauntie and me

Mauntie and Me by Nadia Alam, Rajani LaRocca
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536229415
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Priya’s Poornima Auntie is “Mauntie” (My Auntie). Priya’s relationship with Mauntie is blissful. In Priya’s house,  she is “too young” to play with her older siblings and the cousins who arrive every Saturday, along with the aunties and uncles. Who needs cousins when Mauntie is there to play games, style hair, and tell riddles? And then cousin Aditi arrives from far away and Priya has to share Mauntie. 

Mauntie’s riddles provide a throughline for Priya’s emotional rollercoaster as she struggles with overwhelming feelings of jealousy toward Aditi, and being on the outs, because Aditi is just enough older to make Priya feel like she’s too young to understand. Eventually, Mauntie asks the riddle, “What grows when you share it?” Once Priya figures that out, things get better.

The illustrations in Mauntie and Me cleverly reflect the story through depictions of an extended South Asian family, with generations of relatives on the pages, and peeks into family traditions. Readers will enjoy detailed pictures that show characters of many different skin tones filling Priya’s house at family events.

LaRocca’s picture book contains a story many readers will identify with, if they’re lucky enough to have a “cool” aunt who dotes on them and makes time and space to give that child their full attention. The resolution is satisfactory, if predictable, and allows for growth and understanding on Priya’s part, without too much sacrifice.

Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

 Deanna Contrino, K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough 

five-stars

Box of Dreams

Box of DreamsBox of Dreams by Christine Almeda, Faith Kazmi
on May 7, 2024
ISBN: 0063251361
Genres: Family, Immigrants
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The title refers to a balikbayan box, and the young Filipino-American girl narrating the story learns from her mother that balikbayan means “return to home”. Through the gifts and practical items (school supplies, jeans, swim goggles) packed in the large cardboard box, the narrator learns more about her relatives’ way of life in the Philippines. The prose is simple; Filipino words are used in context to connect the reader with the narrator and her story of immigration and connection to Filipino culture.

The colorful illustrations connect the young girl to her family in the Philippines and the reader to the main character through everyday objects (slippers, baby photos displayed on the wall) and happenings.

This story culminates in a trip to the Philippines with the accompanying balikbayan box, and family reunion is beautifully expressed through the illustration. Box of Dreams offers the Filipino perspective on the immigration story, and the family that remains in the Philippines. This story could be used as a springboard to discuss what readers would put in a box for a family far away and lead to finding similarities to other immigration stories about leaving one’s homeland for opportunity, and sharing with those who stayed behind. 

The author’s note explains reasons for Filipino emigration to escape economic hardship, as well as her own family’s emigration story. Meant as a read-aloud for children ages 4-8. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

Deanna Contrino, K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough

five-stars

Eight sweet nights: A festival of lights

Eight sweet nights: A festival of lightsEight Sweet Nights, A Festival of Lights: A Hanukkah Story by Charlotte Offsay, Menahem Halberstadt
ISBN: 059380872X
Genres: Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Sweet traditions (old and new) of Hanukkah are celebrated in brief, poetic prose. Every page features an inset containing brief explanations for those unfamiliar with Hanukkah and its customs. This picture book’s focus is on the desserts eaten during Hanukkah, and the illustrations expand on the text, telling the story of a multi-generational family gathering to observe the beginning of the holiday as they make and eat latkes, sufganiyots (fried doughnuts filled with jam), and other sweet treats while spinning the dreidel. The characters present with diverse skin tones. Families looking for a light story to read around Hanukkah will enjoy this. 

Recommended as a supplemental purchase for library collections where Hanukkah picture books with diverse characters are needed.

 Deanna Contrino, K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough

three-stars

Love is hard work: The art and heart of Corita Kent

Love is hard work: The art and heart of Corita KentLove Is Hard Work: The Art and Heart of Corita Kent by Dan Paley, Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536220329
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this picture book biography, the reader is immersed in the Pop Art movement through the life of Corita Kent, known familiarly as Sister Corita. The narrative starts at the beginning, with Frances Elizabeth Kent’s interest in art as a young girl in 1930, and follows her through her studies, her life in the Order of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, her evolution as a nun, artist and teacher seeking to make social change in the world through her audacious serigraphs and watercolors, to her dispensation of her vows in 1968, to leave behind the restrictions placed upon her as a religious woman by the Roman Catholic Church.

Paley’s book emphasizes how Kent used the power of the written word within her visual art to open viewers’ minds to the injustices in the world. Paley is particularly successful at giving Kent’s life context within the historic events happening all around her. Kent is seen as a product of and a revolutionary against this backdrop. The text within the book incorporates striking elements, such as bold, capital letters in red, that mirror her style. The illustrations (created with watercolors and digital tools) are vibrant, and graphic – much like Kent’s art. Her work and life after 1968 are encapsulated in a couple of pages.

Audiences in New England may know Sister Corita through “Rainbow Swash”, the common name of the multi-colored design painted on the side of the Boston Gas tank in 1972, that instantly became a landmark for anyone driving through Boston. (This artwork is not referenced in Paley’s book.)

Love is Hard Work could serve as a middle school text demonstrating the importance of Pop Art on culture and the influence of historic events on Pop Art, through the lens of Corita Kent. The story and illustrations are captivating. As a nonfiction narrative, it would benefit from thumbnails of her art works in the back matter to provide more information about the specific pieces of art referenced in the text and illustrations in the body of the book.

Recommended for public libraries and school libraries where picture book biographies are popular.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MILS
Scarborough K-2 School Librarian

four-stars

The Kite Collector

The Kite CollectorThe Kite Collector by Zoey Abbott
Published by Kids Can Press ISBN: 1525312529
Genres: Babies/Infants, Emotions & Feelings, Family, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

James loves kites. He has a collection of them in his closet, and after earning enough money from walking his neighbors’ dogs, he goes to the store and buys another one to add to his collection. His baby sister GG discovers the closet of pristine, unused kites and has other ideas of how they should be played with. After a moment of panic and anger, James remembers that his sister is learning all kinds of new things and repairs their relationship. As a gift, James buys GG her very own pirate kite. He panics again when she asks to fly it. It could be tangled! Torn! Lost in the wind! But after watching his new octopus kite flutter a bit in the wind, he chooses to be courageous enough to open his mind.

Together, James and GG enjoy an afternoon in the park, flying GG’s pirate kite and James learns to be brave. This one’s a special story about sibling bonding and repair, and how to navigate a new baby in the house.

Review by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

four-stars

Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation (Sloth and Squirrel, 2)

Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation (Sloth and Squirrel, 2)Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation (Sloth and Squirrel, 2) by Cathy Ballou Mealey, Kelly Collier
Published by Kids Can Press ISBN: 1525312561
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Emotions & Feelings, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In the second in a series of Sloth and Squirrel, the friends are now boarding up their pickle stand and deciding to take a much needed vacation. After much deliberation, they decide to book a trip to Paradise Park Resort where there is, “something for everyone.”

Sloth wants to relax, whereas Squirrel wants to try every single activity they offer. Squirrel’s attention is humorously derailed at every turn. He starts by rock-climbing and then spies people on kayaks. “OOH Paragliding!” he exclaims. While Sloth is napping on the beach, Squirrel remembers to find his friend. Although they are different, they share a treat together on the beach and remember why they love spending time together. A great read for kids who are learning how to navigate friendship. Great for fans of Duck and Goose and the like.

Ages 4-7

Review by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

School Dance

School DanceSchool Dance (The Brinkley Yearbooks, #3) by Sarah Sax
Published by Random House Graphic on August 26, 2025
ISBN: 0593306961
Pages: 288
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The third book in the Brinkley Yearbook series does not disappoint. Sax masterfully embodies the fears and awkwardness of the middle school years. In this third installment, Milo gets his book as he looks to conquer the dreaded school dance. He is convinced that anytime he dances, bad things happen; thus, he and his dancing are cursed. He has some anecdotal evidence, but like most young people, he believes that his actions, alone, cause something to happen. When his abuela moves in with him, he is happy because she knows him better than anyone. However, she also loves dancing and feels a natural inclination toward it. With his very supportive friend group, and his very sassy and persuasive abuela, Milo finally is able to let go of the judge in his head and let the music find his feet. Sax’s illustrations are crisp and bright, and her prose is not overwhelming. Fans of realistic graphic novels will eat this up and look forward to book 4 in the series.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

five-stars

Dear Manny

Dear MannyDear Manny by Nic Stone
Series: Dear Martin #3
Published by Penguin Random House on 2025
ISBN: 9780593308011
Pages: 199
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Dear Manny is the third installment in the Dear Martin series, following Yale student Jared Peter Christiansen as he reckons with his privilege as a wealthy, white, male running for Junior Council President on a platform of equity and inclusion.

The minute Jared encounters John Preston LePlante IV, a multi-generation legacy student who “doesn’t believe in DEI because they didn’t earn it”, Jared knows he must run against him for Council President to better represent the whole student body. When a surprise third candidate enters the race ready to question how committed Jared is to his beliefs (while simultaneously stealing his heart), Jared starts to worry. Though he considers himself quite socially aware after LOTS of unlearning, he is increasingly unsettled by how similar his background and outward appearance are to John Preston. To cope, Jared starts to write letters to his deceased best friend Manny (a black boy killed by an off duty white cop) but only more questions arise: What’s the best way to bring about change? How do you get ahead while acknowledging you have a significant head start?

Of the three books in the Dear Martin series, I think this is one that would appeal best to Maine student demographics. It examines privileges that some students may take for granted with real time counterarguments, while also showing that there can still be love and growth in our current political climate. The writing style will also have high appeal with its multiple formats (texts, play-style conversations, etc.), short chapters and humor sprinkled amidst the hard conversations. I’d recommend this to 9th graders and up, especially in classes where current events and lively discussions are encouraged.

Reviewed by Hannah Doktor, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Murder Between Friends

Murder Between FriendsMurder Between Friends by Liz Lawson
Published by Delacorte Press on April 22, 2025
ISBN: 059330103X
Genres: Mystery, Suspense
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
three-stars

Ally, Henry, and Grace were once a trio of friends, but a series of tragic events pushed Grace out, despite the love Henry had come to feel for her. First, Ally’s father died, leaving her feeling isolated from Henry and Grace. Then, a beloved teacher was murdered, and a piece of testimony given by Grace helped convict Henry’s older brother Jake.  Grace begins to question what it was she saw the night of the murder, and the three of them have to overcome their past differences to get to the bottom of what really happened.

Told through the point of view of all three characters, Murder Between Friends moves quickly. The end is no surprise but mystery fans will enjoy the sleuthing the three of them get up to while repairing their tattered relationships.  Recommend to mystery readers, Riverdale watchers, and fans of Holly Jackson or Karen M. McManus.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars