Very Rich

Very RichVery Rich by Polly Horvath
Published by Margaret Ferguson Books on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 0823440281
Pages: 304
Goodreads
three-stars

In the vein of Roald Dahl, Very Rich transports readers into the magical story of ten year-old Rupert Brown. Rupert leads a dreary existence. His parents have so many children, they can’t remember all of their names. There isn’t enough food or clothes for everyone, and older children sleep on the floor. Rupert’s life changes forever when he encounters a wealthy classmate, Turgid Rivers, and his eccentric family. Rupert shares Christmas dinner with the Rivers family. After dinner the family plays party games, and Rupert wins piles of presents before he loses everything in the final game. Over the next few weeks, members of the Rivers family whisk Rupert away for a series of adventures involving time travel, magical meals that make people float and jewel heists. Hyperbole, humor and magical realism blend together to create an entertaining story for middle grade readers. Recommended for grades 4-6.

Reviewed by Cathy Potter, Falmouth Middle School, Falmouth, ME

three-stars

My Life Uploaded

My Life UploadedMy Life Uploaded by Rae Earl
Published by Imprint on August 14th 2018
ISBN: 1250133785
Pages: 256
Goodreads
four-stars

Prepare to seriously guffaw as Mille Porter narrates the ups and downs of school, friendship, first crushes and family drama all with a dash of embarrassing escapades and a pinch of hilarious British slang.  Millie is a sensible and introspective teen who launches her career as a vlogger as a way to deal with just how crazy her life can be. The school diva, Erin, seems to have it out for Millie, her best friend’s parents are going through an ugly divorce, and most importantly Millie is opting to live with her father for the first time since her parent’s long ago divorce.  Millie’s vlog starts out with cute cat exploits but soon becomes more serious and deals with issues of body image, being honest and genuine, and what it truly means to be a friend. Attacked by trolls and taunted by Erin, Millie quickly realizes that speaking out can make you an easy target on social media. Told in Millie’s self-deprecating voice, readers are introduced to her truly zany cast of family members including her grouchy grandfather, her unreliable but lovable father, her larger than life auntie and her mother’s hyper-clean live-in boyfriend.  Through it all Millie manages to steal the new guy away from Erin, improve her relationship with her mother and begin to cope with her ever-present anxiety. Readers will be eager to jump right back into Millie’s world in its sequel.

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook

four-stars

Eliza Bing Is (Not) A Star

Eliza Bing Is (Not) A StarEliza Bing Is (Not) a Star by Carmella Van Vleet
Published by Holiday House on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 0823440249
Pages: 256
Goodreads
four-stars

Eliza Bing Is (Not) A Star

 

Eliza Bing has decided to try out for the middle school play to be with her best friend, because that’s what BBFs do.  What she doesn’t expect is to be really talented in acting, especially improv.  She is fitting in her Taekwondo and makes it through to being a Gold Belt.  Besides her many activities she has ADHD, but she is able to control it and it’s not an impediment.  But with middle school life there are emotions and arguments between even the best of friends.  There is also humor and some jealousy but all works out well in the end and the play, even with some unexpected lines, is a success.  This book is cheerful, has a strong family dynamic, and has a sweet pre-romance where pinky fingers are all that touch.  It is recommended for students in grades 4-7.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

The House That Lou Built

The House That Lou BuiltThe House That Lou Built by Mae Respicio
Published by Wendy Lamb Books on June 12th 2018
ISBN: 1524717940
Pages: 231
Goodreads
five-stars

Lucinda Bulosan-Nelson loves houses. She  particularly tiny houses, and she loves building and making things, so it is only natural that she would want to build her own tiny house. Lou has been left a plot of land by her father, who died before she was born,  and she is determined to build a tiny house on that plot of land, especially once her mom starts talking about taking a new job in another state. Lou feels that once her mother sees the tiny house and how important it is to Lou, there is no way she will move them. This middle grade book explores the bonds of family and the importance of creating a legacy through the eyes (and hands) of one determined, creative, resourceful, handy girl. Readers who like strong characters on a mission and who want to read realistic stories about friendship and family will enjoy following Lou on her big quest for a tiny place to call her own.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

I Spy at School

I Spy at SchoolAt School by Spencer Brinker
Published by Bearcub Books on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1642802190
Pages: 16
Goodreads
three-stars

Simple text on every page and nice clear photos make this a good choice for new readers. The I spy game is known to many young children so playing the game while reading this book will be fun. Some of the pictures were more relevant than others (I am not sure how many young readers will know what a dictionary is). Still, the repetitive text will be well received by young readers.

three-stars

In the Barn

In the BarnIn the Barn (Farm Charm) by Pearl Markovics
Published by Bearcub Books on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 164280200X
Pages: 16
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a terrific early chapter/reader for new readers. The text is large and appears in colored bubbles making it stand out from the photos. The photos are crisp, clear and close up so it’s easy for new readers to figure out what the text is referring to- great visual clue. The text repeats itself just enough to help readers figure out their meaning but still be fun. The inclusion of animal sounds, even though the words might be challenging for a new reader, can be figured out thanks to the photos. Nice key word section in the back with photos for easy identification and reinforcement of newly learned words. A super choice for libraries or schools looking for books for young readers that will last.

Cream

Grades: preschool and up

Reviewed by Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport Maine

five-stars

Shadow State

Shadow StateShadow State by Elyse Brayden
Published by Imprint on July 3rd 2018
ISBN: 1250124239
Pages: 288
Goodreads
three-stars

Brynn Caldwell can’t remember why her friend isn’t talking to her, why she’s getting weird messages, and why she knows about bombs.

Brynn is a very smart high school student who works on STEM projects. She’s planning on going to MIT. She broke up with her boyfriend and is getting over a deep depression. Her mom is also a scientist who works for a big drug company. She has developed a new drug that can help soldiers get over PTSD.

Brynn is getting strange messages that are counting down the days. What she doesn’t remember is slowing coming back: she was kidnapped, she was given drugs, she built a bomb. Will she remember enough to stop it?

Great story with a lot of readers speculation. Good for upper middle school and higher.

Reviewed by teacher Jeri Fitzpatrick, GNG Middle School, Gray 

 

three-stars

Ascent, A Peak Marcello Adventure (#3)

Ascent, A Peak Marcello Adventure (#3)Ascent (Peak, #3) by Roland Smith
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on May 8th 2018
ISBN: 0544867599
Pages: 240
Goodreads
five-stars

Ascent is the adrenaline-filled third book in Roland Smith’s Peak Marcello Adventure series. Set in exotic Myanmar, Peak along with his climbing support team decided to tackle the illusive Hkakabo Razi to prove that is indeed the highest peak in Southeastern Asia.  Peak’s character is relatable and real but the reader will be curious about what has happened in the previous titles. They are sure to contain valuable tidbits about the story. Peak’s Hkakabo Razi climb team includes a local guide who is suspected of murder, a dangerous pack elephant, the daughter of the French ambassador, her bodyguard, and even a mountain climbing Buddhist monk.  Alongside the non-stop action, readers are versed in mountain climbing terms, bits of botany, and some culture of Myanmar.

Ascent would appeal to middle school and high school students, especially those who love the outdoors. This title would benefit any library needing to add adventure series to their young adult collection. I recommend Ascent to be reviewed for Creme of the Crop.

Reviewed by Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public Library

five-stars

Impostors

ImpostorsImpostors (Impostors, #1) by Scott Westerfeld
Published by Scholastic Press on September 11th 2018
ISBN: 1338151517
Pages: 407
Goodreads
five-stars

Scott Westerfeld has done it again! With a cliffhanger ending, this has to be the first of a new series set in the author’s “Uglies” universe. Frey and her twin sister are inseparable — in private. Rafi (Rafia) is the face of her kingdom and the presumed heir to their domineering father. Frey has been trained to fight to protect her sister from assassination and as a body double. (An heir and literally a spare!) Frey is sent as Rafi to visit a neighboring city-state and quickly realizes that she is being sent as a hostage to insure negotiations between her father and the Palafox family go as planned. When Frey’s father leaves Frey for dead, she joins forces with Col Palafox to get back to her sister. A page-turner set in a future world of hoverboards, crash bracelets, and spy dust. Sure to be a hit with fans of Divergent and other fast-paced dystopian series.

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

five-stars

The Eleventh Trade

The Eleventh TradeThe Eleventh Trade by Alyssa Hollingsworth
Published by Roaring Brook Press on September 18th 2018
ISBN: 1250155762
Pages: 304
Goodreads
four-stars

Sami and his grandfather, Baba, are refugees from Afghanistan who have recently been relocated to Boston after journeying (for over three years) through Iraq, Greece, and Turkey before finally making it to the US. Baba earns money by playing his rebab — a traditional Afghani stringed instrument at a nearby “T” stop. While Sami is holding the rebab, a teenager rips it out of his hands and runs off with it. Sami is devastated at causing such pain to his Baba that he works out a solution to getting the rebab back through a series of trades with the help of his new friends. The depiction of a traumatized child refugee is so real and painful and the Afghani cultural references ring true. The author pulls her punches a little on the depiction of the bullies and criminals that Sami encounters. While the hateful language of the bully was cursorily dealt with by authorities, that storyline feels unresolved. The bully would probably not simply walk away. Perhaps the author will write a follow-up (please!) and explore this relationship a bit more.

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

four-stars