Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Hazy Bloom and the Mystery Next Door

Hazy Bloom and the Mystery Next DoorHazy Bloom and the Mystery Next Door by Jennifer Hamburg, Jenn Harney
on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 0374305013
Pages: 176
Goodreads
three-stars

Hazy is convinced her summer will be boring until she has a tomorrow vision and suspects there is a ghost in her neighbor’s house.  Figuring out what each vision means while trying to find the ghost occupies Hazy’s thoughts despite her babysitter, Aunt Jenna, trying to provide her with surprises (gardening two hours a day) and a Fantastic Day of Fun (which wasn’t).  Hazy’s tomorrow power surprises her with a vision predicting the next day’s events. These visions are simple (a crinkled yellow circle) and often lead to a normal event (deflated balloon). Only Hazy’s best friend, Elizabeth, knows about her power and possibly her aunt.  Hazy figures out how to navigate these powers, be patient with her theater obsessed best friend, and enjoy summer while solving the mystery. Illustrations break up the text and add to the humor and story line.  Readers will find Hazy likeable, funny and may learn from her as she changes her opinion about an annoying classmate and a teacher.  Friendship and patience are the major themes.  Recommended for ages 7-10.

Reviewed by Heather Hale, Easton School District, Easton

three-stars

Jake the Fake Goes For Laughs

Jake the Fake Goes For LaughsJake the Fake Goes for Laughs by Craig Robinson
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 0553523554
Pages: 176
Goodreads
three-stars

This second book in the series finds Jake working on his comedy routine after achieving success in front of an audience.  Struggling with self confidence, Jake pretends he is far more talented than he is capable. Jake knows he is being arrogant and unkind, but cannot seem to stop himself.  Jake’s insightfulness and observing how his sister handles her fame eventually leads to the healing of both his and his mentor’s friendships. Friendship, the value of a mentor, learning from mistakes, and authenticity are themes in the book.  Illustrations adorn nearly every page breaking up the text and adding additional humor to the novel. Readers will encounter a wordsearch, a maze, matching, and even funny chicken names (Hen Solo) while reading. Some readers may enjoy the humor in this book, but others may not understand the many puns and cultural references.  Teachers and librarians will enjoy being able to offer fans of Big Nate and Diary of a Wimpy Kid an alternative featuring a main character of color.  Recommended for ages 8-12.

Reviewed by Heather Hale, Easton School District, Easton

three-stars

The Wild Lands

The Wild LandsThe Wild Lands by Paul Greci
Published by Imprint on January 29th 2019
ISBN: 1250183588
Pages: 384
Goodreads
four-stars

Travis and his younger sister Jess live in remote interior Alaska near what used to be Fairbanks. Set in the future, the Alaskan oil fields have run dry and the United States has abandoned — and burned — much of the former state. Travis and his family decide to stay and try to live off the land until the 2nd wave of fires made it impossible to grow anything and the salmon stopped returning. They set off north for the Arctic sea to try to find civilization. After a violent encounter trying to cross a river, they end up heading south and join fellow travelers along the way. Will they make it to civilization? Will there be civilization? Does the United States still exist? Will they ever stop worrying about where to find food, water, and shelter? This page-turning YA book will appeal to middle school readers as well.

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

four-stars

All is Fair

All is FairAll Is Fair by Dee Garretson
Published by Swoon Reads on January 22nd 2019
ISBN: 1250168694
Pages: 288
Goodreads
four-stars

Her ladyship Thomasina Thretheway, aka Mina, receives a mysterious telegram from her father, Lord Thretheway, a high-ranking official in the Foreign Office. When Mina returns home, she discovers an Lord Andrew, an old family friend needs her to help map out a German village she used to visit as a child to help with a top-secret mission. Andrew is working with a dashing young American and they all soon realize that the Thretheway family manor has a spy in the midst. This page-turning, historical mystery features a strong female protagonist and some funny moments along the way. YA, for middle school/high school.

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

four-stars

Match Me if You Can

Match Me if You CanMatch Me If You Can by Tiana Smith
Published by Swoon Reads on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 1250168716
Pages: 288
Goodreads
three-stars

Mia has a lot to worry about — will the school newspaper survive budget cuts? Will she land a scholarship so she can go to journalism school? How can she get soccer-star Vince to notice her and ask her to the homecoming dance? How can she get annoying Logan to stop flirting with her? Mia’s best friend Robyn runs a matchmaking business and when Mia hacks into Robyn’s account to set herself up with Vince she sets a lot of drama in motion that leads to fistfights, food fights, feuds with best friends, school suspensions, and community service. Will Mia make it to homecoming? Will she end up with Vince? YA romance readers will enjoy this light-hearted rom-com.

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

three-stars

The Beauty of the Moment

The Beauty of the MomentThe Beauty of the Moment by Tanaz Bhathena
on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 0374308446
Pages: 368
Goodreads
three-stars

Classic trope romance of star-crossed lovers set in a Canadian high school. India-born Susan has moved to Ontario for her senior year of high school from Saudi Arabia. Her father has stayed behind and she’s not sure what is going on with her parents’ relationship. Her parents are dead-set on her becoming an engineer or a doctor but her passion is art. Enter bad-boy Malcolm and the story takes off. YA romance lovers will enjoy this romp.

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

three-stars

Goodbye, Mr. Spalding

Goodbye, Mr. SpaldingGoodbye, Mr. Spalding by Jennifer Robin Barr
Published by Calkins Creek Books on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 1684371783
Pages: 272
Goodreads
five-stars

Take me out to the ballgame, to any ball park, in any city and this reader is happy.  Barr’s first middle age novel is a winner for any age reader who loves baseball and especially for those who appreciate the history of American’s favorite sport.  All of the characters show their love of the game but more important is their place within the family and community.   Jimmy and Lola have a friendship that is built on mutual respect and caring, something not frequently found in a relationship of a 12 year old boy and girl.  Relationships of family members, neighbors and classmates feel honest and valued.  This book brings to life some of the issues during the Great Depression and how it affected those who loved the game of baseball.  The old photos and Author’s Notes are an added bonus.

Add this to all middle school media centers and to public library collections.   Goodbye, Mr. Spalding is an excellent choice for students assigned the genre of historical fiction.  It is also going to gain a following with preteen boys and girls who adore our favorite American pastime.

 

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

five-stars

Juana & Lucas: Big Problemas

Juana & Lucas: Big ProblemasJuana and Lucas: Big Problemas by Juana Medina
Published by Candlewick Press on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 1536201316
Pages: 96
Goodreads
four-stars

This is the second book in the Juana and Lucas series by Juana Medina. Juana is a girl who lives in Bogota, Colombia with her Mami and her dog/best friend, Lucas. In this story, Juana has been spending a lot of time with her abuelos (grandparents) and neighbors because Mami has a new friend! Juana meets Luis, who is actually her Mami’s boyfriend. Juana worries about if they will get married and what that will mean for her.

The illustrations are simple and colorful and really funny. There are so many illustrations that this book could almost be considered a graphic novel. Readers will enjoy following Juana and Lucas on their adventures and finding out what will happen next. Aimed at ages 5 through 8, this is good book for kids who have a parent that is getting remarried.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars

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