Format: Chapter Book Fiction

The Center of the Universe

The Center of the UniverseThe Center of the Universe by Ria Voros
Published by Kids Can Press on April 2nd 2019
ISBN: 1525300385
Pages: 512
Goodreads
four-stars

What happens within a family when one person is mystically removed?  Grace Carter and her family live this horror day by day after her mother disappears and is suspected of having been kidnapped.  The author leads readers through various paths while the police seek the truth and Grace searches for answers.  As family relationships become strained, school feels uncomfortable, and friends are reduced Grace shows herself to be strong.  Voros has provided a true teenage girl with all the ticks and issues of the time then adds a dash of inner strength and intelligence.  While the story line moves in and out the characters keep readers intend on solving the mystery.  The recipe for this book includes mystery, coming of age, and romance. 

Early high school readers may well find themselves within these pages, but might be put off by the length of the book.  YA librarians should consider this for their collections and put into the hands of girls trying to find themselves.

four-stars

Peasprout Chen: Battle of Champions

Peasprout Chen: Battle of ChampionsPeasprout Chen: Battle of Champions by Henry Lien
Published by Henry Holt & Company on January 22nd 2019
ISBN: 125016575X
Pages: 384
Goodreads
four-stars

Henry Lien is back with a sequel to Peasprout Chen: Future Legend of Skate and Sword. Peasprout is in her second year at Pearl Famous Academy of Skate and Sword where she is studying wu liu, a sport that combines martial arts and figure skating. The tensions between Peasprout’s native home of Shin and the city of Pearl are growing. Still, Peasprout must continue to prove herself to not only be good at wu liu but to be the best. With the help of her brother, some friends, and a new student Peasprout suspects may be a spy, this heroine must try to keep the school that she has grown to love safe.

Lien creates a seamless world and a plucky protagonist that will draw any reader with ambitions in.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library

four-stars

Landscape With Invisible Hand

Landscape With Invisible HandLandscape with Invisible Hand by M.T. Anderson
Published by Candlewick Press on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 0763699500
Pages: 160
Goodreads
four-stars

Set in the near future, humans are controlled by the vuvv, aliens who have monitored Earth since the 1940s. The vuvv never technically invade Earth, instead, humans surrender control and in return, the vuvv will cure all diseases and do all the work. It did not work out as planned. The vuvv have colonized Earth and the human economy has collapsed and healthcare is unaffordable for most; the rich are getting richer and the middle class is struggling to survive. Adam and his family are struggling until one day Adam and his girlfriend find a way to make money. The vuvv love the quaintness of 1940s America, so Adam and Chloe record themselves performing quaint charming romantic activities like running hand-in-hand or lying on a roof gazing at the stars. When they break up, Adam struggles with finances and how to confront the injustices of colonization. Using his unique brand of satire, Anderson forces readers to ask questions about the politics and economics of our modern world.

Recommended for Grades 10 and up.

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

four-stars

Summer of ’69

Summer of ’69Summer of '69 by Todd Strasser
Published by Candlewick Press on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 0763695262
Pages: 384
Goodreads
five-stars

Todd Strasser relives and shares with the reader his experiences as Lucas Baker, a newly graduated high school senior, who just wants to spend the summer hanging with his friends doing plenty of acid and smoking weed and best of all — Woodstock Music Festival. But as series of mishaps leads him to bad acid trips, testing his faithfulness to his girlfriend Robin, who happens to be in Canada for the summer, his parents separation and the worst of all — the draft. Vietnam was in full swing and the only way a healthy young male didn’t goto war was to be in college, which unfortunately, Lucas found out that he wasn’t accepted to college and way too late to do anything about it.When  Lucas finds this out he meets with a conscientious  objector counselor to figure out ways to avoid being drafted; other than escaping to Canada as many did, go to jail for refusing to be drafted or maim himself.

Despite the time span, many teens will relate to issues in this book — relationships and friendship, politics, families, road trips and much more and even more so for those that find the 60s interesting. Recommended for grades 10 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford, ME.

five-stars

Space Cat-astrophe

Space Cat-astropheSpace Cat-Astrophe: My Fangtastically Evil Vampire Pet by Mo O'Hara, Marek Jagucki
Published by Feiwel & Friends on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 1250128137
Pages: 192
Goodreads
two-stars

Apparently it makes sense for an evil astronaut to visit an evil summer camp but this reader found the plot and action lacking.  Groups of campers are offered the opportunity to undergo space testing to achieve their one goal, get into space.  Ever present are two pets that probably were intended to remind readers of those in Harry Potter; but not so much as the kitten is truly evil.

The text is written with a lisp that should not bother confident early readers but may pose problems for those with learning disabilities.   The illustrations are typical pen and ink that do capture the fear and malice presented in the text.  It is the storyline and level of nastiness that brings the rating down.  Written for the 2nd and 3rd grade readers there is sure to be a small audience.  Libraries can pass this two book series.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian from Scarborough, ME

two-stars

Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss

Fame, Fate, and the First KissFame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West
Published by HarperTeen on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 0062675796
Pages: 384
Goodreads
three-stars

A companion novel to “Love, Life, and the List,” this novel again brings us a light romance focusing on a teenage girl attempting to accomplish a passion of hers with love being a secondary storyline. Actress Lacey has scored the chance of a lifetime playing a zombie next to an action star for her first movie role, but she’s struggling to have chemistry with him. As their on-screen kiss approaches, she attempts to use her budding relationship with her teen tutor as inspiration. However, it becomes clear that someone is attempting to sabotage the film.  The only question is, are they sabotaging her or the whole movie? Lacey is a somewhat likeable character. She’s confident and has a great sense of humor. But she avoids her responsibilities and can’t seem to stand up for herself when it matters. There’s an interesting dynamic to her relationship with her father that West handles well. In the end, Lacey solves her problems and gets the (right) guy. Recommended for ages 13-16.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars

Fat Angie: Rebel Girl Revolution

Fat Angie: Rebel Girl RevolutionFat Angie: Rebel Girl Revolution by E.E. Charlton-Trujillo
Published by Candlewick Press on March 5th 2019
ISBN: 0763693456
Pages: 352
Goodreads
five-stars

Fat Angie:  Rebel Girl Revolution

 

Angie is horribly teased, taunted, and physically abused at school.  At home her mother wishes Angie had died instead of her “perfect” sister.  But when Angie meets her sister’s fiancée at a celebration of her life and he gives Angie a postcard with a list of the places in Ohio her sister wanted them to travel to together, Angie knows that she is supposed to go on a journey.  Going with her are her former friend, a girl called Zeke, and the best friend of her tormentor at school.  The road trip is some of the best writing and experiences ever, especially having the description of a Men’s Room at a gas station and Angie singing with a punk girl group.  Angie is depressed because of her weight, being gay, and lack of social skills.  But, after the road trip, she begins to accept herself, although her relationship with her mother never improves.  There is not a perfect ending, but it is much more realistic.  There is excellent writing which mirrors the mind of a high school student:  “too-many-tabs-open-in-her-mind”, “Feminine Female products”, and “Pinterest lies, Angie”.  It is the sequel to Fat Angie but it isn’t necessary to have read it first.  This book is recommended for grades 9-12 and for Cream of the Crop.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

five-stars

Angel and Bavar

three-stars

Angel and Bavar was first published in England as A Far Away Magic. Angel has lost her parents. They were killed by monsters. Angel meets Bavar at her new school. She is drawn to him. She describes him as a monster. He shuffles, hunches his shoulders, and has a lot of dark curly hair. At first he appears not to be interested in her, but things change. There is magic, mystery, monsters, and battles in this story of friendship and bravery. The chapters alternate between Angel’s and Bavar’s points of view. Readers who enjoy fantasy will be satisfied with this creative and modern version of Beauty and the Beast. Recommended for grades 5-8

Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

 

three-stars

The Magicians of Elephant County

The Magicians of Elephant CountyThe Magicians of Elephant County by Adam Perry
Published by HarperCollins on October 9th 2018
ISBN: 006279535X
Pages: 384
Goodreads
four-stars

A momentous event has taken place in the fictional Elephant County. This narrative is an attempt to explain what happened. The story is told in alternating chapters using the two main characters. Eleven year old Duncan and twelve year old Emma are best friends. They dream of becoming great magicians. Duncan accidently acquires a real magic wand and then the story accelerates. Using two different points of view as to what happened is clever and humorous. This novel was fun to read since it had many surprises and moved quickly. This is the author’s first novel. I highly recommend it for grades 4-7

Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

Elephant Secret

Elephant SecretElephant Secret by Eric Walters
Published by Clarion Books on August 28th 2018
ISBN: 1328796175
Pages: 352
Goodreads
five-stars

Sam lives with her dad in an elephant sanctuary. The elephants are her family. She understands them and feels an exceptional closeness to them, especially a newborn orphan, Wooly. In many ways she relates to the elephants easier than her middle school friends and her father’s girlfriend. This exceptional novel offers a wealth of information on elephant behavior, elephant management, and a look into the future. Readers will enjoy this well told story with its variety of themes. Included is an afterward, an author’s note, and a print and non-print bibliography. I highly recommend this excellent book. Recommended for grades 4-8

Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

 

five-stars