Format: Chapter Book Fiction

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

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