Format: Chapter Book Fiction

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

Courageous: A Novel of Dunkirk

Courageous: A Novel of DunkirkCourageous by Yona Zeldis McDonough
Published by Scholastic Press on November 27th 2018
ISBN: 1338226851
Pages: 192
Goodreads
four-stars

The story begins with Aiden having a nightmare about drowning. Aiden has lost a brother in the war whose ship was sunk by a German U-Boat. His surviving brother is in France, part of the British troops that need to be evacuated because they are surrounded by Nazi forces. Aiden and his friend Sally want to take part in the dangerous attempt to rescue British troops. All available boats are needed to cross the channel from England to France and bring home the soldiers. This includes small fishing boats that families rely on to make a living. Aiden’s mother and father forbid him from taking part in the rescue operation, though Aiden is determined to save his brother. Having a family who has lost one son and has another serving in the military brings a personal approach to the story. This fast paced historical novel will appeal to younger readers and older reluctant readers. It is well written and informative. The author includes as glossary, brief history of WWII, timeline of the evacuation of Dunkirk, and bibliography. Recommended for grades 4-10.

Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

The Waking Forest

The Waking Forest by Alyssa Wees
Published by Delacorte Press on March 12th 2019
ISBN: 0525581162
Pages: 304
Goodreads
three-stars

The Waking Forest

 

In a fantasy story that begins from two points of view:  Rhea’s and the Witch of the forest, readers are sent on an often confusing ride to know what is true.  Rhea is one of many sisters, who are hard to keep straight at first, and readers aren’t sure if her parents are alive or dead or who is related to whom.  A fox follows Rhea around keeping her safe until the end when the fox is revealed to be a person.  In the end Rhea is shown to be the Witch of Wishes and also the Witch of Words or stories.  Varon keeps Rhea safe on her journey and is someone who is very special to her throughout the book.  Fantasy fans may enjoy this with witches, magic, darkness, a princess, and a Fox who is not a Fox but, to me, it was often confusing.  In her first book Alyssa Wees often uses poetical and elegant language.  This book is recommended for grades 7-12.

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

three-stars