Category: Book Reviews

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Getting Ready for KindergartenGetting Ready for Kindergarten by Vera Ahiyya
ISBN: 0593809483
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A well done first experience picture book that will help prepare a child for a first school experience. Vera Ahiyya has taught Kindergarten and first grade for 16 years which is evident in how she approached this book from getting on the school bus to eating lunch in the cafeteria. The 5-year-old has big feelings throughout the day, both ups and downs, and she navigates them all. The unnamed girl has dark skin and her new friend wears a headscarf. The teacher has long dark curly hair and brown eyes, perhaps Hispanic, and the other children and adults vary in their depiction. Definitely a good choice for parents and their children who will be starting kindergarten as there is much fodder for discussion and reassurance. Great example for what this book is meant to be, but I would not call it great literature though. So I did not recommend it for Cream of the Crop. There is a “I’M READY FOR KINDERGARTEN” sign in the back of the book meant to be held for the first day of school photo.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Socks

SocksSocks: A Kid's Christmas Lament by Anika Orrock, JD McPherson
ISBN: 1536237027
Genres: Holiday, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

I really like getting socks for a Christmas present, but this boy does not. This book is based on songwriter JD McPherson’s Christmas song, “Socks.”  A young boy sneaks down the stairs early Christmas morning and launches into a funny rant when he discovers socks in his package. But when his family joins him all wearing the same type of socks he realizes that perhaps there are more important Christmas gifts than what’s inside the packages. Cartoonist Annika Orrock adds humorous illustrations which enhances the story. IMHO there are much funnier and better Christmas books available, but it’s not awful.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Pau: The Last Song of the Kaua’i ‘O’O

Pau: The Last Song of the Kaua’i ‘O’OPau: The Last Song of the Kaua’i ‘o’o by Mackenzie Joy, Tony Piedra
Published by Candlewick Press on September 17, 2024
ISBN: 1536219495
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Pau is an ecological history of the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i focusing on its now extinct songbird, the ‘O’O. We follow through the book with sparse and lyrical text over the course of 5.1 million years. Gorgeous illustrations carry the reader as we discover how the island was created and then became inhabited by animals, including the ‘O’O, and plants over time. As changes came to the island so did effects on the population of the ‘O’O. Scientists studied the bird until there was only one and then none.

Each page is listed with the time period it covers and there is extensive back matter providing information on other animals and how they came to the island. While simple in text this book gives a thorough and beautiful look at a serious topic in a poignant manner.

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian, Lewiston, Maine.

five-stars

Virus Hunters: How Science Protects People When Outbreaks and Pandemics Strike

Virus Hunters: How Science Protects People When Outbreaks and Pandemics StrikeVirus Hunters: How Science Protects People When Outbreaks and Pandemics Strike by Amy Cherrix
Published by Harper on 09/10/2024
ISBN: 0063069547
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Virus Hunters is a narrative nonfiction book describing the work of scientists who solved the mysteries of pandemics throughout history.  These scientists tracked outbreaks and pursued cures that would save countless lives.  This book focuses on six different outbreaks, including cholera, small pox, and Covid-19.  Readers will discover how experts approached learning about each outbreak, often building on research of other scientists.  One strength of this book is the author’s inclusion of the contributions of Native Americans, women, and people with HIV/ AIDS in the pursuit of scientific progress and justice.  These contributions are woven into the narrative, so readers can see the importance of these groups to the medical history in the United States and beyond.

This book reads like a thriller and readers will enjoy its fast pace as doctors and scientists worked quickly to investigate real life scientific mysteries, facing challenges and setbacks along the way.   Readers can feel the suspense, wondering when and how a cause or a cure would be discovered.  This book is ideal for libraries with middle grade readers, especially school libraries.  There is a table of contents, bibliography, and an index, which can help readers access information contained in this book.  Black and white photographs are scattered throughout the book, helping to provide historical context for readers.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge

The Last Boyfriends Rules for RevengeThe Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge by Matthew Hubbard
on April 30, 2024
ISBN: 0593707176
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars

Ezra’s self-esteem has been ripped to shreds through his secret relationship with closeted football player, Presley. After Presley cheats on him and Ezra’s best friends Lucas and Finley also find themselves breaking up with their boyfriends, they each devise a plan to get revenge on their exes. Through the use of an anonymous TikTok account, Ezra sets his plan into motion. Soon enough though, the social media presence takes on a much larger purpose–exposing their Alabama school district’s “Watch What You Say” policy that seeks to silence queer voices. 

One of the most endearing elements of this story is Ezra’s relationship with his Dad, who is delightfully supportive and encouraging. His Dad’s determination to get him to love himself as he is gives the story an extra injection of heart. This book will appeal to teens not just because of its LGBTQ+ themes and its dash of romance, but because it reminds them that they have the power to make significant change no matter who or where they are. The way that Ezra and his friends use civil disobedience to fight back against an administration that continually gaslights them by claiming they are on their side, threatens them, and uses the tired argument that the district’s mission is to protect family values is inspiring. There are consistent reminders to queer students throughout the book that they are enough and that they must continue to fight for visibility no matter who is trying to push them back into the closet. A call to action in our present times indeed. 

Grades 9-12

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

A Place for Vanishing

A Place for VanishingA Place for Vanishing by Ann Fraistat
on January 16, 2024
ISBN: 0593382234
Genres: Horror
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
five-stars

After a stint in the hospital following her attempted suicide and a new bipolar III diagnosis, sixteen-year-old Libby has moved into her mother’s childhood home along with her family. Known as Madame Clery’s House of Masks, this long abandoned house known for its seances has a storied past including a long history of disappearances, most notably that of her mother’s parents back when she was a young child. Libby tries to make the best of this adjustment, knowing that voicing her concerns about the house will only drive a deeper wedge between her, her mother, and her thirteen-year-old sister, Vivi. But the bug infestations, mysterious masks, odd decor, strange noises, and unsettling blue roses adorning the property are too much to ignore. Noticing the hold the house seems to have over her mother and a change in her behavior that gets creepier by the day, Libby works to uncover the house’s secrets before it’s too late. It will take all the strength she can muster, including asking for help from her infuriatingly cute neighbor, Flynn, to save her family and herself from the same fate suffered by so many before them. 

A Place for Vanishing is a deeply atmospheric tale with mental health at its core. Libby’s inner turmoil of fighting her triggers and searching to find the strength within to keep herself from falling into the despair that makes her wish she could disappear is a direct link to Madame Clery’s masks and her belief in human metamorphosis. While obvious, the weaving of the supernatural with Libby’s struggle is very well done. This page-turner offers plenty of spine-tingling, disquieting, and flat-out frightening moments, body horror, and a tiny bit of romance. Fans of gothic horror will undoubtedly gobble this one up but those with a fear of insects will want to stay far away!

Grade 8 and Up

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

five-stars

Take it From the Top

Take it From the TopTake It from the Top by Claire Swinarski
ISBN: 0063321734
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Take It From the Top

Claire Swinarski

This middle grade novel for ages 8- 12 is set at Lamplighter Lake Summer Camp, a residential musical theater camp for those with Broadway aspirations, and follows the friendship evolution of two girls over the course of six summers.

Eowyn Becker comes from a privileged family and has an older brother who performs on Broadway. Her father is often too busy managing her brother’s career to attend her performances. For her, camp is a place where the pain of her mother’s death is eased and she gets to reunite with her best friend, Jules Marrigan. Jules comes from a family that struggles financially, but her parents provide her with unwavering support for her dreams. This summer’s end-of-year production is Wicked, the girls’ favorite musical, and Eowyn and Jules earn leading roles as  Elphaba and Glinda.

But when Eowyn arrives at camp, everything is wrong. Jules will barely even look at Eowyn, let alone talk to her, and Eowyn does not know why.

Told in a series of alternating chapters that flashback to past summers, the girls’ story reveals how wealth, class, money, and privilege can adversely affect a friendship. The story contains frequent references to musicals and songs, which feels a little isolating and exclusionary to readers unfamiliar with the theater world.

4 stars

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

four-stars

Bright Red Fruit

Bright Red FruitBright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo
on February 6, 2024
ISBN: 0593381238
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
five-stars

Samira has spent her whole life trying to escape a reputation she doesn’t deserve–one caused by a rumor started by a boy many years ago. Now sixteen, the aunties of her Sudanese American community continue to hold this reputation against her while her mother does nothing to come to her defense. Samira dreams of escaping from her mother’s tight grip, moving to New York, and becoming a poet. After being grounded for the entirety of her summer, Samira turns to sharing her gift of poetry in an online forum. There she meets Horus, an older guy who showers her with compliments and makes her feel special. But Horus is not what he seems, and Samira must gather her courage to break free from his manipulation and expose him for who he truly is. 

This novel in verse includes a nod to the myth of Persephone, something that seems to be popping up quite a bit in Young Adult Literature. As such, it will certainly appeal to teen girls who are struggling to find themselves, are weighed down by expectations, and may be tempted to seek validation and freedom through a relationship with an older partner. Hand this to fans of The Poet X and those who enjoy coming-of-age novels.

Grades 9-12

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

five-stars

Clouds in Space: Nebulae, Stardust, and Us

Clouds in Space: Nebulae, Stardust, and UsClouds in Space: Nebulae, Stardust, and Us by Diana Renzina, Teresa Robeson
on August 20, 2024
ISBN: 1536225371
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Nebula means “cloud” in Latin, but these little-known astronomical phenomena are different from Earth’s clouds. This book compares this astronomical feature with clouds using stunning illustrations, including a variety of photos, and informative text, especially the back matter. However, I was disturbed by the anthropomorphism with nebula taking on human characteristics. Overall, this is a good introduction to a difficult-to-understand concept. Add it to your astronomy section of the library.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

The Midnight Panther

The Midnight PantherThe Midnight Panther (A Poonam Mistry Fable) by Poonam Mistry
ISBN: 1536238716
Genres: Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
The outstanding feature of this book are the gorgeous illustrations! In this fable, Panther feels he is not special like the other big cats in the forest. He doesn’t have stripes like Tiger, a mane like Lion, or spots like Leopard. Panther despairs until Moon encourages him to embrace his blackness which sparkles in the dark like the night sky. Inspired by her Indian heritage, Mistry creates the most stunning artwork. The story is not all that original but takes on a folkloric quality of a pourquoi tale and one can always use a reminder of seeing the beauty in oneself. This book can be used as a Story Time readaloud but children will want to examine the illustrations more closely in an intimate setting.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars