Category: Book Reviews

Alex’s Field Guides: But Where Do Sea Turtles Live?

Alex’s Field Guides: But Where Do Sea Turtles Live?But Where Do Sea Turtles Live? (Alex's Field Guides, 3) by Elina Ellis
ISBN: 1525306766
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An exciting third book in this series, Alex and her friends generate questions and answers in an exploration of sea turtles. Ellis carefully blends storytelling elements with informational pages presented as a journal. While this approach has the potential to create an abrupt and disjointed book, segues are masterful, and everything makes perfect sense in the order it is presented.

Illustrations reflect racially diverse characters, and science-loving readers will devour the fascinating information about sea turtles. A charming, solid read. Recommended for all libraries serving children in grades 1-2, especially those looking to add to their nonfiction picture book selection.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta.

four-stars

Fairy Door Diaries: Eliza and the Flower Fairies

Fairy Door Diaries: Eliza and the Flower FairiesFairy Door Diaries: Eliza and the Flower Fairies by Lenny Wen, Megan McDonald
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536201421
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Young Eliza rushes home from school to dive into an imaginary world of fairies, magic, and adventure. After crawling through a tiny door beneath her stairs, she discovers a group of fairies, each named after a different flower. After tumbling through a forbidden hedge, she is faced with a curse cast by a pair of witches and must hurry to find a solution.

The creator of the Judy Moody series brings us a new option to replace or renew early chapter series about fairies. Wen’s charming illustrations are the star in this book, with whimsical and botanical elements gracing the pages. The text itself is sometimes captivating: “Magic is not loud. It is soft, like the fur of a rabbit. Or a whisper.” At other times the wording is somewhat flowery and may be confusing for the targeted age group.

Recommended for libraries who are looking to replace older fairy titles in their first chapter section. Grades 1-2.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta.

three-stars

The Most Magnificent Team

The Most Magnificent TeamThe Most Magnificent Team (Most Magnificent, 4) by Ashley Spires
ISBN: 1525312952
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Most Magnificent Team

Ashley Spires

This picture book for ages 4-8 is the latest in the Most Magnificent book series by Ashley Spires. It is about a girl and her dog who are ready to build something.   After she gathers her tools and supplies, she finds that her neighbor, along with her cat, not only had the same idea but also chose the same space in which to work. The girls decide to work together, but tensions start to rise when they quickly discover that each one has very different ideas and methods.

This book captures the rewards and challenges of working collaboratively as a team. It provides functional strategies to resolve conflicts that arise from teamwork.  It would therefore be an excellent addition to classroom libraries.

4 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

four-stars

The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (and Other Mysterious Creatures)

The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (and Other Mysterious Creatures)The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers: And Other Mysterious Creatures by Jami Gigot
ISBN: 1525312634
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (and Other Mysterious Creatures)

Written and illustrated by I. M. Furry with help from Jami Gigot

 

This picture book for ages 4-7 tells the story of an unlikely yet serendipitous friendship between Anna, a young camper, and Bigfoot.

To Bigfoot, the most fearsome and dangerous creatures in the forest are human campers. They’re invasive, loud, smelly, and messy. Thankfully, Bigfoot has ten simple guidelines to ensure that everyone is kept safe from them. However, after failing to adhere to Guideline #2 – “Never EVER allow yourself to be seen by a camper.” – Bigfoot can’t help but ignore his own advice. Perhaps he’s had the wrong idea about campers all along?

The text gives advice about what not to do, which is a playful juxtaposition to the illustrations that often contradict it! I laughed out loud reading this book. This book playfully encourages readers to reconsider any preconceived notions about what makes a good friend. It also reminds us that what we fear is often more afraid of us.

5 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

five-stars

Innovative Octopuses, Half-Brained Birds, and more Animals with Magnificent Minds

Innovative Octopuses, Half-Brained Birds, and more Animals with Magnificent MindsInnovative Octopuses, Half-Brained Birds, and More Animals with Magnificent Minds (Extraordinary Animals) by Christina Couch, Daniel Duncan
Series: Extraordinary Animlas #3
Published by MIT Kids Press on January 14, 2025
ISBN: 1536229725
Pages: 160
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Part of the “Extraordinary Animals” series, this title uses animals to relate to and explain different neurological systems in the body. Octopuses have stellar brains and Couch ties that to neuroscience both in the animal and in the human brain, showing how neurons and reflexes give the octopus the ability to innovate. Parrots used in therapy for soldiers living with PTSD are tied to the way that the human brain reacts to and processes fear. In five sections, all separated by colored borders and illustrated with photographs and illustrations by Daniel Duncan, Couch offers an exploration of the similarities between species and the ways in which we can better understand the human brain by studying the animal world. Each section concludes with an interactive experiment so readers can see the brain process in action. Includes extensive back matter. Young readers who love science and animals will find a wealth of information in this book. 

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

five-stars

All the Best Dogs

All the Best DogsAll the Best Dogs by Emily Jenkins
Published by Delacorte Press on 11/05/24
ISBN: 0593650433
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

All the Best Dogs is a fun book about a group of kids from the same Brooklyn neighborhood…and their dogs.  There’s a lot for readers to keep track of, so fortunately the novel starts off with a labeled picture of the people and their dogs and a map of their neighborhood.  Readers learn right away that the book centers around a wild weekend in June that ends happily.  The story follows four kids, their families, and their dogs. Ezra and Kaleb have a strained friendship and aren’t speaking to each other and then Ezra’s dog goes missing. Jilly is living with her aunt and starting a new and easier life while her mother is in rehab.  And May-Alice is in the school play, but is very nervous and struggles to be understood by her classmates.

What ensues is a fun story, sometimes told from the perspective of the dogs, focusing on the common struggle for sixth graders to navigate their relationships with their peers, while also dealing with family life at home.  This book is perfect for elementary school readers.  The plot is fun and relatable and the chapters are relatively short.  There are black and white illustrations throughout the book that really show the emotions of the characters while breaking up the text.  Although some difficult topics are mentioned, it is done in an age appropriate way that won’t upset sensitive readers.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

The Strongest Heart

The Strongest HeartThe Strongest Heart by Saadia Faruqi
Published by Quill Tree Books on March 4, 2025
ISBN: 0063115859
Pages: 384
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The story of a Pakistani-American family that is living with the fallout of a mentally unstable parent. Mo’s dad has moods that shake the house; his mother has had enough and takes a job in another country, leaving Mo to navigate his father. The two move to Houston to live with Mo’s aunt and cousin. This heartfelt story, taken from Faruqi’s personal experiences in childhood, explores what it’s like to cope with a parent’s mental illness while trying to find your place in the world. Mo finds escape in desi folktales, boxing, school, and newfound family relationships. A heartbreaking, but ultimately heartwarming novel that does not shy away from the hard truths some young people live with. It will appeal to readers in upper elementary and middle school. 

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

five-stars

On the Block

On the BlockOn the Block: Stories of Home by Ellen Oh
ISBN: 0593648447
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“On the Block: Stories of Home” is a collection of short stories about kids living in an apartment building and their different cultures. Edited by Ellen Oh and featuring stories written by many popular middle grade authors, each chapter in this book is about a different kid living in the building and their various situations. All of the stories are interesting and the characters are very realistic. The only critique is that the stories didn’t really feel like they were all set in the same apartment building, but each chapter is great on its own. A must-buy for all middle grade fiction collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond

The Curse of the Dead Man’s DiamondThe Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond by Christyne Morrell
on September 17, 2024
ISBN: 0593707605
Genres: Adventure, Supernatural
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond” is a middle grade paranormal fiction novel about Charlotte, a girl who is forced to move with her dad from New York to a small town in Florida. Their new house is creepy and supposedly haunted by ghosts. There is supposed to be a cursed diamond hidden in the house and Charlotte wants to find it and sell it to move back to New York.

The point of view of the book switches between Charlotte and the ghosts. Kids who have reluctantly had to move will empathize with Charlotte and her single-minded desire to go back “home.” A funny and not really frightening story, this is an additional purchase for libraries where paranormal fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

Is This a Tiger?

Is This a Tiger?Is This a Tiger? (Alex's Field Guides, #2) by Elina Ellis
Series: Alex's Field Guides #2
Published by Kids Can Press on September 3, 2024
ISBN: 1525306758
Genres: Animals, Nature
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Alex, who knows everything about tigers, is going to show one to Atticus, who has never seen one at all. However, Alex is stingy with her details, only divulging one at a time to poor Atticus. When Alex says tigers are stripy, Atticus comes back with a zebra and some lemurs. When she tells him tigers have big teeth, he comes up with a walrus and a shark! Then she divulges that tigers are nocturnal, so he visits with bats and, unfortunately, a stinky skunk.

Interspersed with all the potentially life-threatening (occasionally unpleasant) hints, the reader keeps seeing pages from Alex’s Tiger Journal which does provide important facts about tigers. For example, there are various species of tiger and the remaining ones are endangered. In the end, Atticus finally combines all the clues and finds a real, live tiger. The final colorful, humorous illustration is of Alex pulling her friend to safety. The end of the book includes a guide to the non-tiger animals they met along the way, as well as a list of Resources including ways we can help and where to find additional information about tigers.

This book is recommended for 4-8 year-olds. I think it would make for an uneven read-aloud since the journal pages contain much more information and smaller illustrations than the rest of the book. However, the main story with the two kids is humorous, colorful, and lively.

Recommended by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

four-stars