Hoops

October 10, 2023October 10, 2023

Hoops: A Graphic Novel by Matt Tavares
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536231959
Pages: 224
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Inspired by a true story, this graphic novel dramatizes the historic struggle for gender equality in high school sports. A resourceful art teacher moonlights as the girls’ basketball coach and takes this high school girls basketball team to the 1976 Indiana state championships. They have to practice at the elementary school and the girls put their numbers on white t shirts with electrical tape. They play to empty bleachers. Both the art and the plot are spare but highly effective. The depiction of the challenges the girls faced was perfect as was the artist’s use of skin tone and hair texture to suggest racial diversity. This book will appeal to upper elementary and middle school students, especially girls but boys should be encouraged to read it, too.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth

September 28, 2023

One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth by Nicola Davies, Jenni Desmond
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

An ideal book to put on display for Earth Day, this gorgeous over-sized picture book uses the device of children traveling around the world to see what is happening at the exact same moment. At one minute to midnight on April 21 (the minute before it changes to April 22, the day that Earth Day is celebrated), two sisters from London, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) 11:59PM, witness that same minute across the globe. Focusing on natural scenes like turtles in India and pollinators in California, Davies’ clear prose highlights the flora and fauna at each location. Jenni Desmond’s beautiful, mixed-media illustrations fill each page and readers will delight in finding the sisters as they interact with the scene. Notes at the end of the book offer further insight into the book’s concept and defines climate change as well as suggesting actions readers can take to help preserve all of the wondrous sites and vulnerable plants and animals mentioned in the text. A well-crafted, thoughtful, and beautiful book.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

The Many Fortunes of Maya

September 13, 2023

The Many Fortunes of Maya by Nicole D. Collier
ISBN: 0358434645
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

12-year-old Maya Jenkins is determined to get recruited to the Chargers soccer team–the elite team her dad was a part of during his youth. She also is secretly still practicing her flute because while she loves it, she doesn’t believe she can focus fully on soccer if she gives her music the attention she’d like to. Add in her parent’s separation, her now strained relationship with her best friend and swimming lessons, and this summer is not turning out the way Maya was hoping. Using her wheel of fortunes as a compass, Maya tries to navigate the muddy waters of being true to herself under the weight of others’ dreams.

Maya’s struggle to remain loyal to her parents while trying to decide where her true interests lie will be relatable to many middle-grade readers. Surely grappling with parents on the brink of divorce will be familiar territory as well. Her emotional turmoil is honest and each problem is resolved realistically even if predictably. Each chapter is tagged with one of Maya’s collected fortunes which adds an interesting plot device as the story moves along.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

The Puttermans are in the House

September 12, 2023

The Puttermans Are in the House by Jacquetta Nammar Feldman
ISBN: 0063034433
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Twins Sammy and Matty have always done everything together but when Matty walks away during their baseball game, Sammy realizes she no longer has the same telepathic link to her brother she has always had. After Hurricane Harvey floods their neighborhood and they are forced to kayak out with their dog and parents, they move in with their Aunt and Uncle – now the Puttermans total 9 (including Bubbe and Papa) plus their neighbor and her cat. Will all the Puttermans be able to live together and possibly reconnect under one roof? Will anyone pay attention to cousin Becky’s bat mitzvah when their hometown Houston Astros are on the verge of winning the World Series? This is a great coming-of-age story, complete with the big feeling of adolescence and a feline social media star. This book touches on many topics – climate change, the lack of out gay baseball players, the importance of staying connected to family, contemporary Jewish life, and one character even mentions wanting to vacation in Maine. A book perfect for middle grade readers.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

Northranger

September 12, 2023September 12, 2023

Northranger by Bre Indigo, Rey Terciero
on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 0063007398
Genres: Romance
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
Cade Muñoz is a Texas teen who lives vicariously through horror movies in order to avoid the horror of his own life. He does not feel he can come out to his blended family about the fact that he’s gay. Much to Cade’s chagrin, and to make extra money for his cash-strapped family, he and his stepfather spend the summer working at a horse ranch owned by the stepfather’s former military commander, a rigid, demanding boss and father. Cade and the owner’s son, Henry, hit it off and eventually admit they really like each other, leading to a whole new set of problems. Not only is Henry’s father deep in denial about his son’s homosexuality, but Cade becomes unjustifiably suspicious of Henry because of his reluctance to talk about his dead mother. Cade has definitely watched too many horror films. Ultimately, Cade comes out to his family, sorts things out with Henry (who is only guilty of attempting to kill one person – himself), and even overcomes his fear of horses.

The author’s afterword explains that this semi-autobiographical book is based on Jane Austen’s classic novel Northanger Abbey. Terciero grew up in Texas during a time when coming out could not only have gotten him bullied, but might also have endangered his life. He intentionally chose to give Cade an easier time than he experienced in real life and he does an admirable job it. Northranger deals with coming out, coming of age, the impacts of loss and economic insecurity, all with a gothic flavor. Indigo’s sepia-tone illustrations add to the mystery and tension.

I highly recommend this book for teen / young adult collections.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine – Gorham Campus Library

Shermy & Shake: The Not-So-Nice Neighbor

September 7, 2023

Shermy & Shake: The Not-So-Nice Neighbor Shermy and Shake, the Not-So-Nice Neighbor by Kirby Larson, Shinji Fujioka
Published by Candlewick Press on May 9, 2023
Pages: 96
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
five-stars
A story of an unlikely pair of friends; Shermy and Shake are polar opposites in every way. Shermy is the bookworm, Shake is the get-out-and-go type of kid. Shake is visiting for the summer and time moves quickly with the storyline highlighting the moments where they just don’t understand each other. As the summer progresses, they find more and more in common. This is a good story about finding ways to make friends and finding commonality with those around you. It has an easygoing prose and a nice smattering of illustrations, and any young child will resonate with some of the frustrations (and hunger) that the two main characters feel!