Category: Book Reviews

Turning Twelve

Turning TwelveTurning Twelve by Kathryn Ormsbee, Molly Brooks
on October 29, 2024
ISBN: 0593650069
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Turning Twelve” is a middle grade graphic novel written by Kathryn Ormsbee and illustrated by Molly Brooks. This is a sequel to their graphic novel, “Growing Pangs.” Katie is heading into seventh grade and her best friends are temporarily moving away to help with an ill family member and could be gone for months! How will she deal with seventh grade without them? We follow Katie as she makes a new friend in theatre and then begins to wonder if she has a crush on a girl? Set in the early 2000s, Katie tries to cope with her potential crush, the thoughts of her church, youth group, and just being 12. We follow Katie as she tries to accept herself amongst all the expectations and pressures of seventh grade. Katie wrestling with her internal thoughts and figuring out who she is will likely resonate with middle school readers. A must-buy for middle grade graphic novel collections.

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

 

four-stars

Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot

Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled ParrotNate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot by Andrew Sharmat
Published by Delacorte Press on June 11, 2024
ISBN: 0593805550
Pages: 60
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Nate and his dog, Sludge, run into their friend, Pip and his pet parrot, Prattles, who are desperately searching for his drone parrot, Penelope, who went missing in the recent wind storm. Nate agrees to take the case of the missing drone in hopes of finding it before they are due to sing the national anthem at the annual 4th of July picnic in two days time.

The next day Nate’s friend, Claude comes round needing Nate to help find his missing drone parrot, Baxter. The similarities start adding up and Nate and Sludge are on the case!

Through a series of oftentimes confusing misadventures and round about clues Nate is able to solve the mystery and save the day for Pip and his parrots, both real and drone.

Suggested age: 6-9

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, ME.

three-stars

Riot Act

Riot ActRiot Act by Sarah Lariviere
Published by Alfred A. Knopf ISBN: 0593479955
Genres: Historical Fiction, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Riot Act” is a YA historical dystopian novel by Sarah Lariviere. Set in 1991 in an alternate history, Americans are living under an authoritarian government that prohibits anti-American thought. We follow two teens who are dealing with the death of their friend as they get a group together to put on an illegal underground Shakespeare performance. There is death and romance, queer representation, and a lot of punk rebellion. The use of an unusual narrator was interesting, but also seemed to hinder readers from fully engaging with the main characters. With shades of 1984, this story of teenagers rebelling through art against a repressive government will likely resonate with theater kids and teens disenchanted with the current political world. A suggested additional purchase for YA collections, especially where dystopian fiction is popular.

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

three-stars

The Color of a Lie

The Color of a LieThe Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on June 11, 2024
ISBN: 0593118804
Pages: 336
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Color of a Lie” is a young adult historical fiction novel by Kim Johnson. Set in 1955, Calvin is a Black American whose family is able to pass for white, so they have been. When the family moves from Chicago to a small segregated community in Pennsylvania it is even more important that they pass. The high school Calvin goes to integrates a Black student, Lily, and Calvin is forced to face the danger of racism and discrimination. Characters are believable and compelling and Johnson has captured the feel and details of the Jim Crow Era and the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. The end of the book contains a list of additional resources for those wanting more information. A recommended purchase for YA collections, especially where historical fiction is popular.

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

four-stars

Aisha’s Colors

Aisha’s ColorsAisha's Colors by Nabila Adani
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235407
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Aisha’s Colors

Nabila Adani

 

Aisha’s Colors is a picture book about a young girl from Jakarta, who takes an annual family trip to her grandmother’s village in the Indonesian countryside. Meanwhile, Aisha’s friends are going on exotic and exciting vacations to new faraway destinations; Aisha wants to feel snow, swim in a pool, and visit an aquarium just like they do. Soon after she arrives at Grandma’s house, Aisha stops worrying about what she is missing and starts cherishing the time with her family.

This is a beautifully- illustrated story about recognizing and appreciating the beauty of familiar surroundings as well as the family members that dwell in them. The fear of missing out is universal. This would make a nice read-aloud about being grateful for our blessings instead of coveting others.

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

four-stars

Practical Rules for Cursed Witches

Practical Rules for Cursed WitchesPractical Rules for Cursed Witches by Kayla Cottingham
on August 27, 2024
ISBN: 0593813979
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Practical Rules for Cursed Witches” by Kayla Cottingham is a YA fantasy novel about a witch attempting to break her curse. Delilah is a witch born to a cursed family where if anyone falls in love with them, they will forget everything about them. Delilah decides she is going to try to break the curse while on a quest for her “calling,” where she will try to break the curse on a dying wealthy man and she only has six months to do it or she will lose her magic forever. The book follows Delilah as she goes on her quest and meets Kieran who needs to find his lost twin.

Characters become well developed and are interesting. The world building is great and well done, though more information about the lore at the beginning of the book might have been helpful. A fun queer fantasy romance, this is a recommended purchase where YA fantasy does well.

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

four-stars

Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever!

Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever!Best Christmas Ever! (Pizza and Taco #8) by Stephen Shaskan
Series: Pizza and Taco #8
Published by Random House on 10/01/24
ISBN: 0593703499
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Young readers will enjoy this installment of the popular Pizza and Taco series.  In this graphic novel, Pizza and Taco are preparing for Christmas.  They carefully make lists of all the toys they want.  They also try to out-do one another in being nice because they know Santa Slaw is watching.  On Christmas morning, they are initially disappointed because they didn’t receive everything they asked for, but then they realize that the best present is their friendship.  This book is ideal for any library that serves newer readers in Kindergarten or 1st grade.  Most of the pictures are simple yet humorous, especially the facial expressions,  and there isn’t much text on each page.  Libraries that already have books in this series should consider adding this graphic novel to their collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

How to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big Feelings

How to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big FeelingsHow to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big Feelings by Allan Wolf, Keisha Morris
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536223476
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

How to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big Feelings

Allan Wolf

 

This picture book for ages 3-7 provides strategies for readers during times when they feel a tantrum coming. Whether there is too much noise, or too much light, or the day just isn’t going as planned, the escalation of small feelings into big overwhelming feelings is a universal experience. Wolf offers kid-friendly suggestions to cope, such as taking deep breaths, doing a silly dance, or seeking out a quiet space. The illustrations, constructed with tissue paper collages, feature inclusivity and diversity among the book’s characters. The rhyming feels a bit forced at times which may detract from the book’s quality as a read-aloud.  However, all readers could benefit from this lovely reminder to pause, take a breath, and count to ten.

3 stars

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

three-stars

Ruffles and the Cold, Cold Snow

Ruffles and the Cold, Cold SnowRuffles and the Cold, Cold Snow by David Melling
ISBN: 1536237663
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Ruffles and the Cold, Cold Snow

David Melling

This picture book for preschoolers is the latest in the series featuring Ruffles, a playful puppy. While Ruffles loves many things- howling, scratching, eating, fetching, and running- he does NOT love snow. It is simply too cold and too “slippy” and too “sinky.” Ruffles’ friends, the five teeny tiny kittens, love the snow! However, the snow is too deep for the kittens, and they need Ruffles’ help.  Even though Ruffles fears the snow, will he be brave enough to rescue the kitties? Ruffles learns that maybe playing in the snow isn’t so bad, as long it’s “not-too-deep.” This is a lovely winter picture book about friendship and courage.

4 stars

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

four-stars

Zodiac Rising

Zodiac RisingZodiac Rising (Descendants of the Zodiac, #1) by Katie Zhao
on October 8, 2024
ISBN: 059364641X
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Zodiac Rising” is a young adult modern fantasy/heist novel by Katie Zhao. The story opens with the emperor of the Middle Kingdom being punished by the gods for his greed. The gods release monsters called wrathlings to destroy everything. One god relents and provides 12 warriors who are descendants of a magical animal from the Chinese zodiac. The warriors fight back and win. Many years later, the heads of the animal statues are stolen and the descendants’ powers are removed, with many of them being transformed into supernatural creatures like vampires and werewolves. They cannot return to their original selves until the statue heads are returned.

The book mostly takes place in present time with the descendants who are left attending a special hidden school, which was the part that really took me out of the story because I couldn’t understand why the centuries old descendants were essentially in high school with actual teen descendants. Several of the characters go to faerie land to pull a heist and get back the statue heads, which I found the most interesting part of the novel. The characters were fleshed out and believable and I enjoyed the trust building.  A recommended additional purchase for YA collections where modern fantasy novels are popular.

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

three-stars