Category: Book Reviews

Gloria’s Promise: A Ballet Dancer’s First Step

Gloria’s Promise: A Ballet Dancer’s First StepGloria's Promise: A Ballet Dancer's First Step by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman, Robin Preiss Glasser
on March 21, 2023
ISBN: 059318100X
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Young ballet dancers looking for a story that reinforces their dreams of breathing in the rarefied air of the American Ballet Theatre will enjoy this book. The reader follows Gloria who is auditioning for the summer program of the ABT school. The “promise” of the title is defined as talent by one of the ballet teachers, who states that all the auditioners have talent. Gloria hopes that she possesses enough of the other qualities necessary to gain a spot in the program: persistence, practice, and determination. 

The illustrations are charming and pretty, showing Gloria and the other dancers in lively, dynamic action. Gloria appears to be white with a diverse cast of fellow dancers. Readers will appreciate Gloria’s determination and immersion in the world of ballet, and root for the (promised) happy ending. A solid story and a solid marketing tool for the American Ballet Theatre.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS Young School Library, Saco ME

four-stars

Little Daymond Learns to Earn

Little Daymond Learns to EarnLittle Daymond Learns to Earn by Daymond John, Nicole Miles
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on 2023
ISBN: 0593567277
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Daymond John of Shark Tank fame has written a children’s picture book about entrepreneurship and financial literacy.The protagonist of the story, Little Daymond, doesn’t have enough pocket money to purchase a desired poster of a pop star at a street fair. With advice from his mother about earning more money (“Think about what you’re good at and how you can use that to solve a problem!”) and with help from his friends, Little Daymond comes up with a solution that enables him to earn the money for the poster. 

The illustrations are engaging, showing Little Daymond and his diverse group of friends having fun as they work together to solve the money problem. Most numerical sentences are illustrated in a way that makes the math accessible to younger readers. (If Little Daymond only has four dollars, he is shown with four one-dollar bills in his hand.) 

The back matter includes “Little Daymond’s Guide to Money” with a simplified five-step checklist for starting one’s own business  and “What is Money”, showing readers how they can use their money. In addition, there is a URL for education games and activities around financial literacy.

You are never too young to learn about how money works. Children can always use helpful books asking questions about earning money and what that money can buy, in (mostly) realistic situations.Sometimes the writing feels clumsy but the language and vocabulary is age appropriate to teach readers ages 4-8 about aspects of financial literacy. Recommended for collections where financial literacy picture books are desirable.

four-stars

My Name is Henry Bibb: A Story of Slavery and Freedom

My Name is Henry Bibb: A Story of Slavery and FreedomMy Name Is Henry Bibb: A Story of Slavery and Freedom (-) by Afua Cooper
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2009
ISBN: 1525310852
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

My Name is Henry Bibb: A Story of Slavery and Freedom is a fictional first-person account of historic figure, Henry Bibb, born into slavery in 1814. Henry grows up to become a famous autobiographer and orator, escaping to freedom in Canada, and founding its first Black newspaper. Cooper tells the story of Henry’s life as an enslaved child. 

In a time when some states’ curriculum standards state that Blacks “benefited” from slavery, we are reminded of all that Henry endures and suffers as an enslaved person. The writing is compelling and Henry is a powerful character. This book would have benefitted from a timeline, as well as an author’s note explaining where she gathered her facts for this book.

Recommended for library collections looking for middle-grade appropriate historical fiction to discuss the reality of enslavement in American history.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS Young School, Saco

four-stars

My Name is Phillis Wheatley: A Story of Slavery and Freedom

My Name is Phillis Wheatley: A Story of Slavery and FreedomMy Name Is Phillis Wheatley: A Story of Slavery and Freedom (-) by Afua Cooper
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2009
ISBN: 1525310860
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

My Name is Phillis Wheatley: A Story of Slavery and Freedom is a fictional first-person account of historic figure, Penda Wame, renamed by her enslavers. Wame, a Senegalese child learning to become a griot (poet and storyteller in oral tradition), is stolen from her village and placed on a slave ship where most of her fellow villagers die on the harrowing journey. When the ship lands in Boston, she is enslaved by a merchant family that educates her (though not any of the other enslaved peoples). She is exceptionally bright, and absorbs lessons in English, Ancient Greek, rhetoric, etc. They discover her talent as a poet and publish her work. She gains renown and fame even as some discredit her, in the belief that an enslaved person could not create the poetry she writes. This obstacle does not prevent her from writing poetry that brings her international recognition and an audience with the queen of England.

In a time when some states’ curriculum standards state that Blacks “benefited” from slavery, we are reminded of all that Phillis (Penda) lost and what was taken from her as a person and as an artist. The writing is compelling and Phillis is a powerful character. This book would have benefitted from a timeline, as well as an author’s note explaining where she gathered her facts for this book.

Recommended for library collections looking for middle-grade appropriate historical fiction to discuss the reality of enslavement in American history.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS
Young School Library, Saco ME

four-stars

When Clouds Touch Us

When Clouds Touch UsWhen Clouds Touch Us by Thanhha Lai
Published by Harper on May 9, 2023
ISBN: 0063047004
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This sequel to Newbery Honor Inside Out & Back Again continues the story of Hà and her family as they struggle with life as refugees from Vietnam.  Hà is just getting comfortable in Alabama when her mom moves their family to Texas for better opportunities, hoping to be able to save enough money for a down payment on a home.  Once again, Hà struggles to make friends and fit in at her new school.  She also misses her mom who works a lot and her father who was captured years before during the Vietnam War. This middle grade novel is written in verse.  The sparse yet rhythmic language captures the strong thoughts and emotions of the characters. This story of hope, resilience, and family is a pretty quick read, but it does leave the reader with a lot to think about.  Readers who enjoyed the first book will no doubt enjoy this well written sequel.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Cinderella and a Mouse Called Fred

Cinderella and a Mouse Called FredCinderella and a Mouse Called Fred by Deborah Hopkinson, Paul O. Zelinsky
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on 08/15/2023
ISBN: 0593480031
Pages: 1
Genres: Fairy Tale
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This fun new version of Cinderella is told by Fred, a mouse Ella befriended one day when she was gardening. This story loosely follows the original fairytale until the ball where Ella absolutely does not fall in love with the prince. Her glass slippers hurt her feet so badly she throws them at a lamppost and the prince does not discover her when he visits the home of her stepsisters. The ending takes another surprising twist when Ella does fall in love- with a fellow female gardener who she beat in a pumpkin growing contest. It is a fairytale ending and the backmatter even includes information about the fairytale pumpkin. Children will enjoy the humor found in the text and in the illustrations, especially in the facial expressions of the characters. This would be a great addition to the fairytale section of any library.

four-stars

Is This the Bus For Us?

Is This the Bus For Us?Is This the Bus for Us? by Harriet Ziefert, Richard Brown
Published by Red Comet Press on June 20, 2023
ISBN: 1636550584
Pages: 30
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Ziefert takes a simple concept, colors, and adds a fun and silly twist that will entertain and engage young readers. A family waits for their blue bus at the bus stop. As each bus pulls up, Leo wonders if this is their bus, but not only is it the wrong color, it also is full of passengers who provide a hint about where it’s going. The first is red and filled with animals — going to the farm. Another is green and filled with dinosaur bones — going to the museum. The book acknowledges the long wait and the patience exhibited by young Leo, and when his bus finally arrives, its parts are labeled, it’s destination is revealed, and an invitation is extended to the reader to go along to the park (perhaps a second book?). The end papers aren’t wasted as the front jump right into the story by showing the front end of an orange bus and the back encourages the reader to draw a bus and think about the buses they might take. Fans of vehicles, concepts, and fun twists will enjoy this picture book.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

four-stars

Frank and Bert

Frank and BertFrank and Bert (Frank and Bert, 1) by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
Published by Nosy Crow on February 3, 2022
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Frank the fox and Bert the bear are friends who enjoy playing hide-and-seek, and though they love it, Bert never wins. Finally, Bert asks for more time to hide and Frank, of course, complies. The book invites readers to count to 100 with Frank so that Bert has plenty of time to find the perfect hiding spot, but unbeknownst to him, his scarf has unravelled and left a trail for Frank to follow. When Frank gets to the end of the yarn, he could easily find Bert, but recognizing that Frank’s happiness is more important than winning, he calls for Bert to come out, that he has won! Then it’s Frank’s turn to hide and Bert has his own secret, which he shares with the reader with a wink. A large enough book for story time with pleasing illustrations and a delightful message about friendship and good sportsmanship.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

four-stars

Bravey (Adapted for Young Readers)

Bravey (Adapted for Young Readers)Bravey (Adapted for Young Readers): Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas by Alexi Pappas
Published by Delacorte on 08/22/23
ISBN: 0593562747
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Mental Health, Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Brave (Adapted for Young Readers) is a motivating memoir by author, film writer, actor and Olympian, Alexi Pappas. Pappas describes some of the most meaningful moments in her life as she shares valuable insights to help young readers, especially girls, become brave and chase their dreams.  Important lessons include seeking out mentors, changing can’t to maybe, and how to deal with mental and physical pain.  Despite her success, life has been hard for Pappas, and she doesn’t shy away from discussing difficult these challenges, starting with her mother’s suicide when she was four. Pappas also struggles with significant mental health challenges and details this personal journey as well.  Middle school readers, especially those interested in self-improvement or chasing big dreams, will enjoy this book.  Each chapter starts with an inspiring quote or message and ends with bullet points of what readers can take away from each section.  While the tone of this book is generally upbeat and optimistic, the part about her mother’s self harm and suicide is a bit graphic and might be hard for some young people to read.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library, Orono, ME

four-stars

Moon’s Ramadan

Moon’s RamadanMoon's Ramadan by Natasha Khan Kazi
Published by Versify on February 28, 2023
ISBN: 0358694094
Genres: Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Since the Islamic calendar is based on a lunar cycle, this large picture book centers the moon as a character as it peeks on on practices and celebrations of Ramadan and Eid around the world. The moon has a delighted expression as it travels to different countries to watch as people fast, clean their spaces,  and perform acts of kindness and charity. Foods and traditions are highlighted. Muslims of all sizes and skin tones and ages are shown, some with head coverings, others not. With a color palette of rich purples and golds, the illustrations offer details about the types of acts practiced as the phases of the moon progress. The book is useful for teachers who want to introduce the holiday and for public libraries who would like to diversify their holiday offerings.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

four-stars