It Happened to Anna

December 17, 2024December 17, 2024

It Happened to Anna by Tehlor Kay Mejia
on August 6, 2024
ISBN: 0593647033
Genres: Horror, Supernatural
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Scary middle-grade story about Sadie who is cursed by a ghost. The ghost was responsible for what happened to her best friend Anna. Sadie and her dad have moved to leave the ghost – and bad memories – behind. Sadie keeps to herself at school because the ghost seems to have caught up to her and causes minor disturbances like exploding light bulbs. When Sadie makes a new friend, Mal, she dares hope that the ghost will leave her and Mal alone. Sadie starts to question her allegiance to Mal when Mal suggests Sadie prank their classmates and the pranks become meaner and meaner. Readers may be annoyed at some of the typos and will see the big twist coming, but this doesn’t make the story any less scary. Sadie does have suicidal thoughts (thanks to the ghost of course) which may be upsetting for some readers.

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

Gentlest of Wild Things

December 13, 2024

Gentlest of Wild Things by Sarah Underwood
on August 15, 2024
ISBN: 0063234521
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
“Gentlest of Wild Things” is a young adult fiction spin on Greek mythology. The story focuses on twin sisters Eirene and Phoebe, who have managed to avoid being struck with Desire, a magic spell from Leandros (descendant of Eros) that brainwashes women to do his bidding. Unfortunately, Leandros now has set his eyes on Phoebe. Eirene makes a deal with Leandros where she will complete four tasks and marry him instead of Phoebe. Meanwhile she meets Leandros’ hidden daughter Lamia and begins to fall for her.

An interesting read with themes of sisterhood and feminism. Those who are more familiar with Greek mythology may enjoy the book’s twists and reimagining more. A suggested purchase for YA fiction collections where Greek myth retellings like “Lore” are popular.

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

The Brightness Between Us

December 13, 2024

The Brightness Between Us (The Darkness Outside Us, #2) by Eliot Schrefer
on October 1, 2024
ISBN: 0063343762
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
“The Brightness Between Us” is a young adult science fiction novel by Eliot Schrefer. The book is a sequel to Schrefer’s “The Darkness Outside Us.” Ambrose and Kodiak have managed to set up a small settlement on the planet Minerva. They have two teen children grown from embryos: Yarrow and Owl. Yarrow is about to turn 16 and when he does he begins acting out in violent and unexpected ways. The family needs to figure out how to help him, while also preparing for a potentially deadly comet strike.

The story is told from different points of view that tie up together in the end. We get to see how Ambrose and Kodiak handle parenting and how their little family manages. Past actions of humans involved in the project to get Ambrose and Kodiak to the exoplanet are revealed and we see how they react and cope. A must-buy for YA science fiction collections that have the first book.

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

Adventures of Mary Jane

December 13, 2024

Adventures of Mary Jane by Hope Jahren
Published by Delacorte Press on June 25, 2024
ISBN: 0593484118
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
“The Adventures of Mary Jane” is a young adult historical fiction novel by Hope Jahren. Mary Jane is a teen living frontier life in Minnesota in the mid-1800s, when she is sent down the Mississippi River on a riverboat to help her aunt. Jahren is a scientist and clearly has done her research into the history of the time. The book’s setting feels real and accurate. Mary Jane is a smart, funny, and adventurous girl who showcases girl power in the best way. The book includes a map, suggested reading for more information, and a note from the author about the history in the text. A very well written and exciting novel that will keep readers interested. A recommended purchase for YA fiction collections where historical fiction is popular.

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

Too Small Tola Makes it Count

December 3, 2024

Too Small Tola Makes It Count by Atinuke, Onyinye Iwu
Series: Too Small Tola #4
Published by Candlewick Press on 9/24/24
ISBN: 1536238155
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
In this installment of Too Small Tola, Tola, her family, and neighbors return to their apartments after the COVID-19 lockdowns. This early chapter book is broken into three separate sections. In the first, Tola is being ridiculed by classmates who don’t believe she worked as a house girl for a famous Nigerian singer during the pandemic. As she deals with this disappointment, she devises a creative solution to help her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Shaky-Shaky, who no longer has the strength to climb the stairs to her room. The second chapter describes the vacation Tola and her gram take to a litter-strewn beach. The final chapter pulls everything together when the famous singer releases a song with Tola’s name in it! Tola has learned about friendship and making mistakes and prepares to forgive her peers who apologize, though she is careful not to be too trusting of them in the future.

Like the other books in this series, this book addresses important and relevant topics in a straightforward, kid-friendly way. Poverty, the pandemic, and aging are mentioned, but they are not the focus of Tola’s story. Instead, themes of love, community, and resilience emerge and will stay with the readers long after they finish reading. This book would be great for elementary schools or public libraries, especially if they already have the other books in this series. Black and white drawings break up the text, making it ideal for new chapter book readers.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall

December 3, 2024

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall Published by Harper Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
four-stars
Middle-schooler Rami spends a lot of time at the Penelope museum. Not only does his mother work there, but he doesn’t have a lot of other hanging out options since his friends ditched him when middle school started. When a painting is stolen and suspicion falls upon his mother, Rami teams up with a classmate to get to the bottom of the theft. The two new friends find help in the forms of an amnesiac ghost and an artistic turtle and realize how emotionally meaningful art can be.

Mystery fans will enjoy the twists, but this could also easily be recommended to supernatural readers, or even animal lovers thanks to the reptilian artist, Agatha. There are a lot of elements here, and it can feel a little jumbled at times, but it all evens out and culminates in an undeniably touching denouement.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot

December 2, 2024December 2, 2024

Nate 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.

Riot Act

November 25, 2024

Riot 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.

The Color of a Lie

November 25, 2024

The 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.

Practical Rules for Cursed Witches

November 22, 2024

Practical 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.