Format: Chapter Book Fiction

We Regret to Inform You

We Regret to Inform YouWe Regret to Inform You by Ariel Kaplan
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on August 21st 2018
ISBN: 1524773700
Pages: 345
Goodreads
four-stars

Mischa Abramavicius is a scholarship student at an elite private school. She has top grades and has curated her activities to create the perfect resume. So when Admissions Day for the Ivies and other top schools comes, Mischa expects to be just as jubilant as everyone else when her phone pings with acceptance emails, except it doesn’t. Mischa does not get into to Princeton, Harvard, Georgetown, Williams, or Virginia Polytech. Then when her safety school, Revere, does not accept her Mischa knows it cannot just be the A- she received in PE freshman year. After bursting into the Revere Admissions Office, Mischa suspects her information has been hacked. In the wake of the recent College Cheating Scandal, this book was even more interesting to read. Readers will question what it takes (both ethically and unethically) to get into a top college.

Recommended for grades 9 and up (just not for Seniors in the middle of the college application process!).

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

four-stars

The Soul Keepers

The Soul KeepersThe Soul Keepers by Devon Taylor
Published by Swoon Reads on August 28th 2018
ISBN: 1250168309
Pages: 288
Goodreads
four-stars

The Soul Keepers

 

Rhett and his parents have died in a terrible car crash for which Rhett feels enormous guilt in the afterlife.  But Rhett hasn’t just died and moved on in the usual way, he has become a “syllektor”, one who keeps the souls of the dead safe.  He is working with a team of teenagers and when he feels a strong push he knows that his team is being called into service.  But, against the syllektors are the psychons, bent on evil.  The space ship Harbinger is an amalgamation of many types of ships and is the home base of the syllektors.  There are many battles, souls being eaten, and, even though they are no longer alive, the crew can still feel pain.  This book gives a peek into one view of what happens after one dies, which is a universal question.  It is a creative book which is sure to hold the interest of science fiction/dystopian lovers.  It is recommended for grades 7-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

The Lost Girl

The Lost GirlThe Lost Girl by Anne Ursu
Published by Walden Pond Press on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 0062275097
Pages: 368
Goodreads
four-stars

Iris and Lark are twin sisters. They have always been together and support each other in ways that balance each sister out. But when they are forced to be in different classes at school, something shifts. Iris stops telling Lark things and she is not sure why. But the antique collector knows, and if he has his way, Iris will become part of his magic. The bond between the 2 twins is complicated and well done. And the ending was a page turner with some great twists. I did think it took awhile to get to that point though and the ending seemed to bit rushed and the friendships a bit unrealistic for what the friends do for Iris.

Ages: 10 and up. Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

four-stars

The Great Rhino Rescue

The Great Rhino RescueThe Great Rhino Rescue: Saving the Southern White Rhinos by Sandra Markle
Published by Millbrook Press on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1512444367
Pages: 48
Goodreads
five-stars

This book tells the heartbreaking reasons behind the near extinction of the Southern white rhino. The text is straightforward and is enhanced with incredible pictures. Along with the reasons for their near extinction, are amazing facts about rhinos. Did you know that rhinos can weigh over 5000 pounds? Or that their babies can weigh 150 pounds when they are born? And these are just a few of the things you will learn about rhinos when you read this book. The back of the book has a glossary explaining terms and a page offering websites for more information (including one for a YouTube video about rhino sounds). The only flaw is that the reserves where the rhinos are now living aren’t specifically shown on the provided map. Still, this is a terrific book for anyone wanting to learn about the rhinos.

Ages: 8 and up. Cream.  Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

The Unteachables

The UnteachablesThe Unteachables by Gordon Korman
Published by Balzer + Bray on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 0062563882
Pages: 288
Goodreads
four-stars

Kiana accidentally ends up in the class everyone calls The Unteachables. each student in the class is deemed a loss cause, even their burned out teacher feels the same, at first that is. But as the class gets to know each other and their teacher gets to know them, both begin to change. it was kind of hard for me to believe that no one ever noticed (including her parents) that Kiana was in the wrong class and that no one had helped Parker with his reading problem before. I did like Elaine (rhymes with pain) and all of the stories that swirled around her, rumors can get so blown out of proportion. Also liked the inside look at the school administration. Powerful stuff can happen there. Liked it but not as well as some of Korman’s other books.

Ages: 9 and up. Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library

four-stars

Max & the Midknights

four-stars

Max wants to be a knight, but when folks find out Max is a girl they tell her there is no way that can happen. But Max doesn’t give up. She and her friends, the Midknights team up to save her uncle from the evil King and the spell that has encircled all of Byjovia. The medieval setting, the dungeons and knights, the wizards and dragons all add up to make for a quirky story that readers will like. Lots of illustrations, plenty of silly humor, botched magic and fun friendships. Humorous for sure, but not quite as good as Big Nate.

Ages: 8 and up. Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library

 

 

four-stars

Hearts Unbroken

Hearts UnbrokenHearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Published by Candlewick Press on October 9th 2018
ISBN: 0763681148
Pages: 304
Goodreads
four-stars

Hearts Unbroken

 

Lou is a member of the Muscogee Creek nation and lives with her extremely supportive family in Kansas.  This book epitomizes Kansas and its history.  Besides receiving excellent grades, Lou is a features reporter on her school newspaper.  Her brother, Hughie, will be playing the part of the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz.  Being Kansas, a non-white person playing the Tin Man is a very big deal.  The major conflict involves discrimination, bias, and people speaking without thinking of how their words can hurt.  Readers learn that L. Frank Baum wrote editorials speaking against the native peoples and wishing they were all dead.  When Hughie learns this, he withdraws from the play.  Lou and her boyfriend, Joey, have a huge fight when she tries to compare her family heritage to his and only ends up voicing stereotypes to him.  It was excellent to read of the conflict that Native people have suffered in order to make readers more sympathetic to their trials. But I never quite bought into Lou and Joey’s relationship.  It didn’t quite ring true.

This book is recommended for grades 9-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

This Tiny Perfect World

This Tiny Perfect WorldThis Tiny Perfect World by Lauren Gibaldi
Published by HarperTeen on February 27th 2018
ISBN: 0062490079
Pages: 304
Goodreads
four-stars

This Tiny Perfect World

 

Penny lives in Christmas, Florida and, yes, there is really such a place on the outskirts of Orlando.  She loves her dad, the café that was her mother’s family’s, her best friend, and her boyfriend, Logan.  Up until the summer after her junior year, these have been enough.  But Penny applies for a drama camp, is accepted, and realizes that there is more out there for her to explore.  Through new friends, Sam, Chase, and Jackson, realizing her dad has a new boyfriend, and being cast as the understudy to the character of Laura from The Glass Menagerie, Penny realizes that, while she may end up satisfied to be back in Christmas, there are so many more challenges in the world to be met and conquered.  The author has written a book that is universally readable as young adults wrestle with the question of whether to remain in the safety net of home and the familiar, or to go forth into whatever is out in the world.  This was a fast read and enjoyable.  It is recommended for grades 7-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Fire & Heist

Fire & HeistFire and Heist by Sarah Beth Durst
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on December 4th 2018
ISBN: 1101931000
Pages: 304
Goodreads
four-stars

Durst has written a fantasy that will appeal to male and female middle school readers.  Characters are fun but not shallow, determined to achieve personal goals, and exhibit special talents.   Sky is a teenage were-dragon who is often overshadowed by three older brothers yet she digs deep and finds her personal strengths.  All is not on the up and up as the Hawkins are part of a criminal community where worth is shown by the degree of difficulty associate with stealing.   A budding romance is treated gently and adds to the overall appeal and tension of the book.

Although the protagonist is female this fantasy will be enjoyed by all.  Middle and Junior High School media specialist will want to order this title as will public libraries where YA fantasy is collected.

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

four-stars

Purrmaids; Seasick Sea Horse

Purrmaids; Seasick Sea HorsePurrmaids #3: Seasick Sea Horse by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on February 13th 2018
ISBN: 152470167X
Pages: 96
Goodreads
three-stars

Purrmaids; Seasick Sea Horse is the third in a series of six early readers about the adventures of kitten/mermaids in Kittentail Cove.  This paperback title tells the tale of Shelly who cares for and loses the class pet, a sea horse.   Though the storyline is slight primary grade female readers will be intrigued by the cute kitten/mermaids.  Black and white line drawings help to depict the action and express emotions of these adorable fantasy animals.  The cover illustration alone will incite readers.

Placed in an early classroom or collected by public libraries this book and the other five titles in the series will be a success.  They are good second level readers that have satisfying stories and docile adventures.  Collect where easy reader paperbacks are circulated in public and school libraries.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton,  retired youth service librarian in Scarborough, ME

three-stars