Category: Book Reviews

All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah

All-of-a-Kind Family HanukkahAll-Of-A-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins, Paul O. Zelinsky
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on September 11th 2018
ISBN: 039955419X
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

Emily Jenkins takes inspiration from Sydney Taylor’s classic chapter book series, All-of-a-Kind Family, which follows the life of a jewish family in the Lower East Side, beginning from a time when they had five daughters. Jenkins uses the characters at the age they are at the start of the chapter series and writes from the perspective of youngest daughter, Gertie. This allows Jenkins to give the reader many details about the holiday that would otherwise feel forced, as Gertie is reminded of details she has forgotten since the year before. Many children will relate to the excitement of a holiday and the frustration of not being able to help out in the same way that everyone else can.

Zelinsky’s illustrations give character to each of the different sisters, making them stand out even with such a small amount of text. The digital paintings give historical details and a homey feel that compliment the text. The back of the book includes a glossary, a note from the author with historical context and additional information about Hanukkah, a note from the illustrator, a bibliography of the original series, acknowledgements, sources, and a website that gives additional information and a latke recipe.

Recommended as a beginner’s look into Hanukkah or an introduction to a great, classic series.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

four-stars

The Cardinals Caper

The Cardinals CaperThe Cardinals Caper (Ballpark Mysteries, #14) by David A. Kelly
Series: Ballpark Mysteries #14
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on February 6th 2018
ISBN: 1524767514
Pages: 112
Goodreads
four-stars

Number 14 in the Ballpark Mysteries series hasn’t lost any of the power to invite a young reader into Kate and Mike’s world to try to solve the mystery with them. This book finds the cousins at Cardinals’ stadium in St. Louis with its Clydesdale horses and its storied baseball history. When a dog goes missing, the duo must act quickly to find the pup, considered lucky by the Birds’ number one hitter, in order to avoid ending a historical hitting streak. The books include baseball lingo, but Kelly does a nice job explaining each concept so any reader can follow along. At the heart of the story is a mystery and two observant and quick-thinking kids who work together to save the day – a solid entry in Kelly’s engaging, accessible series. Includes Dugout Notes at the end with additional information about the St. Louis Cardinals.

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

four-stars

The Dragon and the Nibblesome Knight

The Dragon and the Nibblesome KnightThe Dragon and the Nibblesome Knight by Elli Woollard, Benji Davies
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on August 21st 2018
ISBN: 1250150205
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

When Dram, the smallest dragon, takes off on his own for the first time, he splashes down into a lake. James, a knight, takes off his armor and wades in to help Dram, who was injured in the fall. Thanks to the circumstances of their meeting, Dram thinks that James is a lad, and James thinks Dram is a duck. Neither realizes that the other is their sworn enemy until after they are friends when they meet at Sports Day. They are expected to fight, but can’t help but hug instead. Their friendship inspires change in the dragons and knights around them, resulting in (mostly) peace between the two former enemies. Elli Woollard writes in a humorous rhyming style, accompanied by Benji Davies’ cartoon style. Though a few stretches are required (that James would mistake Dram for a duck, that the problems between the dragons and knights would be resolved so quickly), young readers who love fantasy fare will enjoy this story.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

three-stars

If Wendell Had a Walrus

If Wendell Had a WalrusIf Wendell Had a Walrus by Lori Mortensen, Matt Phelan
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on April 17th 2018
ISBN: 1627796029
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

If Wendell Had a Walrus is the story of a young boy with fair skin and red hair who sees a cloud shaped like a walrus and decided that he simply must have a walrus as a pet. Unfortunately, the pet store doesn’t seem to have any in stock, so Wendell writes a letter asking for a walrus to come be his pet, places it in a bottle, and throws it into the sea. While there, he meets Morrell, a boy with brown skin and curly brown hair, who is throwing a bottle into the ocean in attempt to get a whale as a pet. They decide to spend time together while they wait and become friends. Mortensen has written a sweet story full of gentle humor and good friends. Phelan’s pencil and watercolor illustrations perfectly capture the soft, friendly nature of the story and include funny jokes for readers to catch. Recommended.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library. 

four-stars

Making Friends

Making FriendsMaking Friends by Kristen Gudsnuk
Published by Graphix on July 31st 2018
ISBN: 1338139215
Pages: 272
Goodreads
four-stars

Readers of realistic, friendship-themed graphic novels will be drawn to this title. Once the book is in their hands, they will find a fantastical twist to the plot, and while the twist doesn’t diminish the message and shouldn’t turn any readers away since it is really well-done, it does push the book into the fantasy genre.

Who wouldn’t want the power to draw the perfect friend? Dany is struggling with the adjustment to middle school. Her two best friends from elementary school are not in any of her classes or her lunch, so Dany feels isolated and alone; bully Nick is not helping matters. When Dany’s great aunt dies, Dany inherits a sketchbook, but it is no ordinary sketchbook. When doodling the head of her favorite character, evil Prince Neptune from the show Solar Sisters, causes the head to pop off the page and into Dany’s life, she realizes that she might have found the magical key to her loneliness. She will draw a new, perfect best friend, one who is attractive, witty, and programmed to love and support Dany, thereby making Dany cool and attractive by association. The problem is the characters created by the notebook are as real as any natural-born humans with minds of their own. Madison doesn’t appreciate being plopped into the world with no story and no family. And Prince Neptune can’t abandon his evil thoughts and his need for power at the expense of human lives (he absorbs their energy to bolster his own power). When things go horribly wrong, Dany has to rely on other people, people who are not only willing, but happy to support and route for her. The messages that we have more people in our lives who like us and that you have to be a friend to make a friend are well-drawn and are important for middle-school-aged readers to hear/read/see over and over.  Gudsnuk’s full-color, bright illustrations are eye-catching and all of her characters are distinct and easy to identify. The magic in the book works well with the plot and sets up a sequel for Dany and her now-magical friends should Gudsnuk have more adventures in mind. Add this to any school or public library.

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

four-stars

Dungeons & Dragons Endless Quest: Big Trouble

Dungeons & Dragons Endless Quest: Big TroubleDungeons & Dragons: Big Trouble: An Endless Quest Book by Matt Forbeck, Various
Published by Candlewick Press on August 7th 2018
ISBN: 1536202444
Pages: 128
Goodreads
three-stars

In a new series of choose-your-own-adventure-style books, Matt Forbeck writes the Endless Quest series that take middle school readers through actual Dungeons & Dragons content in an adventure filled quest. In Big Trouble, the reader is an elven druid whose family home is attacked by hill giants. They must make choices about if they will stay and fight, flee, or hide to try to save themselves and their little brother. There are many twists and turns that lead to success or failure. This series of books is particularly good for kids who are already hooked on D&D, kids who love this style of book, or both. It may be an excellent way to introduce readers to Dungeons & Dragons if they haven’t heard of it before, or to get those who are into D&D reading more books. Purchase wherever either is popular.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

three-stars

Dungeons & Dragons Endless Quest: Into the Jungle

Dungeons & Dragons Endless Quest: Into the JungleDungeons & Dragons: Into the Jungle: An Endless Quest Book by Matt Forbeck, Various
Published by Candlewick Press on August 7th 2018
ISBN: 153620241X
Pages: 128
Goodreads
three-stars

In a new series of choose-your-own-adventure-style books, Matt Forbeck writes the Endless Quest series that take middle school readers through actual Dungeons & Dragons content in an adventure filled quest. Into the Jungle follows a dwarven cleric charged with finding a legendary adventurer, Artus Cimber, and the Ring of Winter he carries. The reader, as the cleric, must find their way through a jungle, racing against frost giants and zombies to find their quarry before the jungle gets them… There are many twists and turns that lead to success or failure. This series of books is particularly good for kids who are already hooked on D&D, kids who love this style of book, or both. It may be an excellent way to introduce readers to Dungeons & Dragons if they haven’t heard of it before, or to get those who are into D&D reading more books. Purchase wherever either is popular.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

three-stars

My Fangtastically Evil Vampire Cat

My Fangtastically Evil Vampire CatSurvival of the Furriest: My Fangtastically Evil Vampire Pet by Mo O'Hara, Marek Jagucki
Published by Feiwel & Friends on March 6th 2018
ISBN: 1250128110
Goodreads
three-stars

A humorous spin-off of O’Hara’s My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish series, My Fangtastically Evil Vampire Pet brings crossover characters Mark, Geeky Girl and Fang, the sneakiest and most treacherous kitten around, back for another misadventure.  Away at “Eco-Camp” (secretly “Evil Camp”) Mark is looking forward to an epic summer of wielding his evil genius and honing new skills with his best friend Sanj. Despite a strict no pets allowed policy, Mark brings Fang along. Mark expects to team up with Sanj to win the summer Certificate of Evil but that is when all his plans fall apart.  Sanj double crosses Mark and steals their Evil Plans Notebook while teaming up with another camper. Mark is left to work with Geeky Girl and despite constantly ignoring her ideas or not giving her credit for clever traps, Geeky Girl continues to save Mark and Fang from getting kicked out of camp. Mark soon realizes that best laid plans often go awry and that new friends can be found in the strangest of evil places.  An extremely funny middle grade story that will draw readers in with its hilarious cover and ridiculous plot.

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook

three-stars

Here Comes Trouble

Here Comes TroubleHere Comes Trouble by Kate Hattemer
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on May 1st 2018
ISBN: 1524718467
Pages: 320
Goodreads
five-stars

Soren Skaar is a master prankster.  His exploits in his Minnesota elementary school are legendary.  Soren is at the top of his game and then the unthinkable happens.  His partner-in-crime and best friend Alex moves away at the same time that Soren’s New York City-slicker cousin Flynn comes to live with Soren’s family for a year.  Completely adrift without Alex, Soren starts the school year in a funk, only made worse when Flynn becomes instantly well-liked and popular. Even Soren’s two-year old tyrant of a brother Ivan loves Flynn.  While video chatting with Alex and reliving past glories, Alex suggests that Soren find a new pranking partner. Soren’s neighbors and classmates, triplet girls, are quickly enlisted and the practical jokes are once again underway.  Mix in hilarious dialogue among the Skaar parents, Ivan the Terrible’s epic outbursts, Soren’s sassy sister Ruth and her min pig Jim Bob and a homicidal rooster named Martha and you have all the makings for a middle grade book full of humor and heart.  Through it all, Soren learns that pranking has its time and place and that sometimes playing it straight can be more rewarding than a roomful of laughs.

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook

five-stars

Inside the US Army

Inside the US ArmyInside the US Army by Jennifer Boothroyd
Published by Lerner Publications on August 1st 2017
ISBN: 1512433918
Pages: 24
Goodreads
three-stars

Part of a new series of high interest nonfiction by Lerner, Inside the US Army, offers glossy color pages with large font to explain the basics of joining up and working in the military.  The photography captures the action and intensity of life in the service though the brevity of pages keeps the details to a minimum.  Readers looking for more in-depth or personal accounts of soldiers will be left wanting. Written at a 2nd or 3rd grade level, upper elementary readers will also find this quick and appealing.  The books include a useful appendix to demonstrate the type of normal gear worn while in service, a history of the US Army and a glossary. A good addition to nonfiction collections in need of more variety and appeal for emergent and new English language learners as well as students with an interest in the military.  

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook

three-stars