Category: Book Reviews

The Gone Away Place

The Gone Away PlaceThe Gone Away Place by Christopher Barzak
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on May 15th 2018
ISBN: 0399556095
Pages: 295
Goodreads
four-stars

An engrossing, eerily atmospheric novel about a teen who survives when a cluster of tornados destroy her high school, killing her boyfriend and most of her friends.

Ellie and her boyfriend Noah have an argument the morning of the tragedy, prompting Ellie to drive away to a secluded spot to cool her head. While there, she witnesses the storms approaching and is briefly knocked unconscious. When she comes to and returns to town, she is horrified to see the damage and her grief swallows her in the coming weeks, until she begins to see people — her neighbor, one of her best friends — who she knows were killed that day. Through talking with a therapist and with others, she learns she’s not the only one seeing ghosts. 

This quiet and meditative novel reflects realistically and honestly on the emotional impact of this mass tragedy, but also tinges into an appealingly darker territory, as Ellie learns that some of the ghosts of people she knew can possess other living things and resist leaving the in-between world in which they are stuck. Most of the story is told in Ellie’s earnestly vulnerable first person narration, but as she begins to interact with more of her friends’ spirits, many of them tell their own stories in chapters from their specific point of view.

Gently paced and expansive in telling the backstories of its many characters, this will best appeal to strong readers who enjoy grappling with psychological and philosophical questions — perfect for older middle school and high school aged teens who enjoy authors like Neal Shusterman, Adele Griffin and Nova Ren Suma.

Reviewed by Brooke Faulkner, McArthur Public Library, Biddeford

four-stars

Summer Constellations

Summer ConstellationsSummer Constellations by Alisha Sevigny
Published by Kids Can Press on May 1st 2018
ISBN: 1525300431
Pages: 264
Goodreads
three-stars

 

As summer romance novels go Summer Constellations is somewhat above the middle.  Julia is a perfect heroine, she is fully invested in the family business and is supportive of both her mother and brother. The story-line connects all of the characters around one issue, selling (or purchasing) the campground owned by Julia’s family.  The book has barely started when Julia realizes that last year’s love interest is otherwise connected and a replacement seems to appear one dark night on the dock.   Generations of lost family members are united with the living while searching the sky for stars.

The progress of the new relationship feels unnatural and the interactions are somewhat strained.   Supporting characters are not fully developed but their existence is necessary to make the plot creditable.   In the end there is a little surprise but readers know something would save the campground.

Add to public library collections where censorship is not a problem and summer romances are in demand.

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

three-stars

Water Land:Land and Water Forms Around the World

Water Land:Land and Water Forms Around the WorldWater Land: Land and Water Forms Around the World by Christy Hale
Published by Roaring Brook Press on May 22nd 2018
ISBN: 1250152445
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

From the colorful and active cover to the fold-out world map this concept book is a winner for pre-school to grade 1 students.   Printed on card stock Water Land is sturdy while the large format and cut out sections are inviting to young readers.  For each body of water the land environment is shown and celebrated by a very creative author/illustrator.  The images change as needed, what is a leaf on one page becomes an open fire on another.  Early readers can easily sound out the simple text as they learn the names for the water forms and land forms.  A positive feature is the addition of a wide variety of water and land animal in their nature habitats.  Blue, green and yellow come alive  as the birds fly through the air, the marine life swims along the shore, and the local people go about their daily business.

Add this book to prep-K and K classrooms and place a copy on the concept book shelves in public libraries.

four-stars

Go To Sleep, Little Creep

Go To Sleep, Little CreepGo to Sleep, Little Creep by David Quinn
Published by Crown BFYR on July 24th 2018
ISBN: 1101939443
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Some of the most adorable monsters in picture book history inhabit this rhyming picture book by Quinn and Spires. Perfect for a Halloween read-aloud or any old bedtime where a good baby monster is appreciated. Quinn’s rhyme is a bit cutesy, but it works in a story aimed at lulling listeners at the end of the day. And Spires takes the text to the next level with fantastic touches in her illustrations like pictures on Baby Godzilla’s wall of buildings aflame and a portrait of Uncle Igor hanging in the home of the Frankensteins. She even manages to capture a feeling of diversity within some of the monster families (the werewolves and zombies). The page of terrible things baby monsters dream of is worth the price of the book. There are many bedtime books out there and many Halloween-themed books, but if you have the funds to pick this one up for your library, it should circulate as often as a baby monster looks at its father with a book in its hands and says, “again?”.  

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

The Third Mushroom

The Third MushroomThe Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on September 4th 2018
ISBN: 1524719803
Pages: 240
Goodreads
four-stars

Ellie is back in this SciFi sequel to The Fourteenth Goldfish and while you don’t need to read TFG before this book, it makes for a richer read if you do.

Life has returned to normal for Ellie after time-bending grandpa Melvin revealed his secret and took off for adventures away from town. Now Melvin is back, having learned that life is difficult for a fourteen-year-old boy on his own. Ellie is delighted at his return and in order to lift his spirits, she hooks him into partnering with her on a Science Fair project. Luckily for Ellie and Melvin, a package arrived while he was on the road. This package contains a sample of another jellyfish, but this is not of interest to Melvin; instead, the mutated axolotl is the focus of his excitement. The two prepare a science project using fruit flies and the mysterious axolotl and learn that it does, indeed, have power, that of regeneration. The two attempt to use their knowledge to change circumstances with both positive and negative results. The book peppers Ellie’s typical middle school life with information about real scientists working in the 1600-1800s and includes short biographical sketches of those mentioned in the book at the end. The book also offers a strong message about the benefit of failing, particularly when it comes to experimenting with scientific theories, though Melvin is also able to relate the scientific process to Ellie’s personal life, which won’t always work but which does offer clarity in determining whether to take her friendship with best friend Rav to the next level. This book offers an older and wiser Ellie and is a welcome addition in MG literature with themes on STEM, loss, and coming-of-age (even when you’re in your late fifties).

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

Stickmen’s Guide to Your Brilliant Brain

Stickmen’s Guide to Your Brilliant BrainStickmen's Guide to Your Brilliant Brain by John Farndon, Venitia Dean
Published by Hungry Tomato on August 1st 2017
ISBN: 151243213X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

As the newest release in the Stickmen’s Guides to Your Awesome Body series this title is more than serviceable.  Released in the UK last year there is much information contained that is sure to win approval of the USA intermediate and young middle school American student.   The brain is studied and illustrated using the five senses and sections of the brain.  Information is presented in short segments which provide highlights of the functions of the brain.  Human anatomy is rarely this much fun, certainly the colorful graphic illustrations will draw in 8- 12 year old students interested in  science.

Intermediate schools will want this book among their science collection.  Public librarians may be interested but are apt to find the price steep for their budget.  Future scientist and medical personal will want this on their personal shelves at home.

 

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME.

three-stars

No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader GinsburgNo Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Kathleen Krull
Published by HarperCollins on February 27th 2018
ISBN: 0062560115
Pages: 48
Goodreads
three-stars

The latest picture book biography in a string of books about the fiery, level-headed Supreme Court Justice who always keeps civil rights and equality at the heart of her decisions. While the tone of the book is admiring, and while there cannot really be too many books about RBG, this book falls flat. There is a lot of text on each page and the emboldened words on many of the pages feels forced. The catchphrase of the title is true in the same way that there is no ‘i’ in ‘team’, but RBG has fought for equality and justice, and those are different concepts than “truth” which can seem subjective and situational.

The opening of the book places RBG among many other courageous, strong, influential women, but to blankly state that women are not still treated unfairly today is a gross overstatement. I would definitely prefer that the message our young readers/listeners hear be that women are valued today, but there was other more careful, positive language that could have been used to emphasize Ginsberg’s important place in history.

The biography emphasizes how much Ruth’s childhood and adolescent experiences impacted her life path. Being both Jewish and a female, Ginsberg was discriminated against time and again. She had to fight harder for everything that she achieved. The book hardly mentions her personal life except in a strange montage about some of the activities in which she partook (parasailing, horseback riding, water skiing), instead focusing on how her righteous indignation led to some of her biggest court cases (and dissenting arguments). The list of these hard-won moments of fairness are included in the end papers as is the process by which the Supreme Court has a case land on its bench. Not an essential purchase.  

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

three-stars

The Three Little Superpigs

The Three Little SuperpigsThe Three Little Superpigs by Claire Evans
Published by Scholastic Press on July 31st 2018
ISBN: 1338245457
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

The Three Little Superpigs by Claire Evans begins where the Three Little Pigs classic fairy tale ends. The Big Bad Wolf has been put in prison to serve his time and Fairyland has promoted the swine siblings to superhero status. While the Pigs are fighting crime and enjoying their new found fame, the Big Bad Wolf stews in “Happily Never After Prison” plotting his revenge. The unexpected escape of the canine criminal throws Fairyland into a fear-filled frenzy. Will the Superpigs be able to capture the Big Bad Wolf and retain their “superhero” status?

The silly circumstances that follow will cause the reader to laugh-out-loud while learning the importance of hard work and ingenuity.

With Clare Evans’ vibrant, action-packed illustrations, witty wording, and engaging storyline, The Three Little Superpigs is sure to become a new favorite. The flavor of the overall book is reminiscent of authors Jon Sciezka and Rob Scotton. The content is best suited for a target audience of ages 4 to 7 years of age and would enhance any early-elementary picture book collection.

 

Reviewed by Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public LIbrary

four-stars

Damsel

DamselDamsel by Elana K. Arnold
Published by Balzer + Bray on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 0062742329
Pages: 312
Goodreads
four-stars

In the kingdom of Harding, before the prince can become a king, he must slay a dragon. He may not have any knowledge of how to do so beforehand, but once he does, he will be rewarded with a damsel. The damsel is a beautiful maiden with no family to miss her and no memories beyond her rescue. She comes back to Harding, marries the king, and bears one son, for the cycle to continue. This is the way it has been, this is the way it will always be. The damsel, named Ama by Prince Emory, her rescuer, is plagued by unease of not knowing, by vague memories that confuse her, and by the actions of the prince as he picks apart her wild bits one by one until she has begun to tame. Damsel is a stunningly unique and feminist approach to the fairy tale. Arnold causes readers to feel, viscerally,  Ama’s discomfort, defeat, and triumph as she unravels masterful world building to reveal the layers of her lore. Enthralling. This title is best suited for high school and college aged readers.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

four-stars

What If It’s Us

What If It’s UsWhat If It's Us by Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera
Published by HarperTeen on October 9th 2018
ISBN: 0062795252
Pages: 437
Goodreads
four-stars

Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera team up on What If It’s Us, a story that splits perspective between Arthur Seuss and Ben Alejo. Arthur is a nice Jewish boy from Georgia and in New York for the summer with his lawyer mother. Ben is a Puerto Rican Catholic boy spending his summer repeating classes with (unfortunately) his ex-boyfriend. Arthur and Ben have a nearly perfect rom-com meeting, but leave without each others names or numbers. They spend some time figuring out how to find each other and manage it through another bit of rom-com magic, but it’s there that the illusion ends. Each boy is bringing history and baggage, likes and dislikes, to the table and their first date is pretty terrible. Their second first date isn’t much better. As the boys work to make things smooth between them, outside influences threaten to make it even more difficult, and the end of the summer (and Georgia) looms.

Albertalli and Silvera have turned out an novel that impressively subvert the rom-com trope at all the right moments. Despite the novelty of the difficulty of their first date, the story took some time to get going in a way that hooks the reader. The short chapters that flip back and forth between the two boys make it difficult to build an idea of who each one is. Strangely, for a book written by two different authors together, Arthur and Ben didn’t have much in the way of distinct voices. Because of this, some of the actions sometimes feel out of character and, as a reader, it’s more difficult to accept bad behavior from the character, because it feels somewhat out of left field. It seems as though each author had to temper their individual style to write a cohesive novel, and the result was somewhere in between.

Despite these points, What If It’s Us has many great points that out weight its detractions. Positive, light-hearted fiction about two male characters falling in love is still rare, and especially one where the main characters’ parents, both demonstrably religious, are fully and freely accepting of the boys. The story does draw the reader in, though it takes a bit longer than one might like, and, by the end, the novel says a lot of important things about teenage relationships, both platonic and romantic. Recommended strongly.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

four-stars