Format: Chapter Book Fiction

The 48

The 48The 48 by Donna Hosie
Published by Holiday House on September 4th 2018
ISBN: 0823438562
Pages: 382
Goodreads
three-stars

The 48

 

Did you ever imagine combining time travel with the court of the Tudors, with Henry the Eighth in all his wife-changing glory?  Donna Hosie did and has done it with The 48.  Alex and his twin brother, Charlie, are learning the trade of the 48 which means that they go back in time to alter the course of history to do away with religion, thought to be the reason for all the world’s troubles.  They meet Anne Boleyn and try to change the course of Jane Seymour’s life after childbirth.  But, what they come to learn is that people must have choices and make their own decisions.

The Tudor period was gruesome and readers are exposed to the smells of the sewer that is the Thames river, can almost feel the torture that both brothers endure on nearly every page, and will have trouble imagining how anyone lived on the maggot-filled food that was available.  It is a graphic portrayal of the period physically and emotionally as readers learn of the callous disregard in which women are held through the sections described by Margaret, a lady’s maid to Queen Anne.

There is no mention of the ramifications any decision would have made in history and Charlie and Alex seem to spend all their time being beaten, tortured, starved, and never appear as strong main characters.  What was the point when, at the end, nothing was changed in history?

This book is recommended for grades 9-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

three-stars

Finchosaurus

FinchosaurusFinchosaurus by Gail Donovan
on October 23, 2018
ISBN: 1944762558
Goodreads
four-stars

This fun story by Maine Author, Gail Donovan, tells the tale of Atticus Finch Martin, aka Finch, a 10-year-old who considers himself  an amateur  paleontologist. While digging, something he does on a regular basis though this time its in the school garden,  Finch unearths a note that has “Help” written on it. This note totally consumes him and he must know who in his 5th grade class needs his help.  Only a select few know of his quest to find the author of this note and, in the end, the author comes as a complete surprise.

Recommended for grades 2-4.

four-stars

Without Refuge: A Story of Escape From Syria

Without Refuge: A Story of Escape From SyriaWithout Refuge by Jane Mitchell
Published by Carolrhoda Books (R) on April 1st 2018
ISBN: 1541500504
Pages: 288
Goodreads

Ghalib and his family make the dangerous journey out of Syria to Europe as the civil war in Syria progresses. He leaves behind family and friends and a life that he truly wishes would return. Could be used as an introduction to understanding what refugees face and what possibilities lie ahead, if any. Could pair with Alan Gratz’s Refugee.

Recommended for grade 4-8.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School.

Shatter Me

Shatter MeShatter Me (Shatter Me, #1) by Tahereh Mafi
Published by HarperCollins on January 9th 2018
ISBN: 006274173X
Pages: 448
Goodreads
five-stars

How does it feel to  be considered a monster your whole life? Even your own parents have sent you to an asylum, because they too feel that you are a threat to society. All you want is to have a friend – someone who understands your true compassion and humanity. Juliette’s only childhood friend becomes her only ally in this dystopian styled science fiction novel. Well written with an explanation for the strike-outs and scribbles throughout the text. This is the first in the Shatter Me series. Also includes at the end Destroy Me, Warner’s (a character in the book) novella. The ending will have you wanting more.

Recommended for grades 8 and up. Great choice for Sci-fi lovers.

 

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School

five-stars

The Boneless Mercies

The Boneless MerciesThe Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke
on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 0374307067
Pages: 384
Goodreads
five-stars

Tucholke uses Norse myth and culture to create mythological fantasy novel  about  four strong young women as they search the kingdoms of Vorseland for the deadly Blue Vee Beast. Their journey along the way is filled with death, of which they long for a different life.  A wonderfully brilliant feminine retelling of Beowulf. Strong female characters that portray ruthlessness along with compassion and humanity.

Recommended for grades 8 and up. A must get for Fantasy collections. Possibility of a continuation.

 

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School

five-stars

This Is What It Feels Like

This Is What It Feels LikeThis Is What It Feels Like by Rebecca Barrow
Published by HarperTeen on November 6th 2018
ISBN: 0062494236
Pages: 400
Goodreads
four-stars

Upon graduation from high school, three friends put their differences behind them enter their band in the Sun City Originals music contest. Hanna, a recovering alcoholic, has some fences to mend with friends Jules and Dia. The narrative alternates between past events and the present to reveal conflicts that led the friends to become estranged. Dia is a strong character who works hard to support her baby daughter while Jules is trying to move on after the recent breakup with her girlfriend. The diverse characters are strong role models, especially for female readers. Themes of friendship, love and forgiveness make this a story that will resonate with teens.

Cathy Potter, Falmouth Middle School

four-stars

The Midnights

The MidnightsThe Midnights by Sarah Nicole Smetana
Published by HarperTeen on March 6th 2018
ISBN: 0062644629
Pages: 416
Goodreads
four-stars

When senior high student, Susannah Hayes’ alcoholic, retired rock musician father tragically dies during a California wildfire, the bond that they shared and her natural skill of creating lyrics becomes blocked.  Susannah must navigate a new school when her mother moves them to her grandmother’s house; a grandmother she thought was dead.  Layers of relationships, teen flirtations, garage band scenes, teens using drugs, alcohol and fragile friendships are the back drop that Susannah outwardly survives in as she inwardly fights to find her songwriting muse.  Finding closure happens on a variety of levels as heartache breaks her apart and music puts her back together.  Smetana allows her characters to be untrustworthy, confused, impulsive and immature without apology.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

In Your Shoes

In Your ShoesIn Your Shoes by Donna Gephart
Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers on October 30th 2018
ISBN: 1524713732
Pages: 336
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a sweet story about friendship for readers in grades 5-8.  Miles loves his family’s bowling alley business and it is the one place that his chronic anxious thoughts can be stilled.  Amy, who wears a wedge in one shoe,  has recently moved into her Uncle’s funeral home business.  Since her father is off training to understand the business, she is left alone to ponder her grief of her mother’s death to cancer in her story writing.  When a flying bowling shoe accidently brings Miles and Amy together, their own points of view are expanded in the areas of friendship, self –discovery and acceptance.  Gephart captures the natural ways of dialog between friends and sets up realistic family dynamics.  The one drawback is the insertion of an unnamed narrator who processes ideas about friendship a few times throughout the book.  It is presented in italics and seems unnecessary to the story.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

Drive

DriveDrive by Joyce Moyer Hostetter
Published by Calkins Creek Books on September 11th 2018
ISBN: 1629798657
Goodreads
three-stars

Told in alternating voices, the story follows the lives of twins Ellie and Ida. Even though the girls have a close relationship, they have different friends and very different interests. Ellie spends her free time watching NASCAR race while Ida enjoys writing and sketching. As they enter high schools, the girls venture in their own directions which causes conflict at times. Their father suffers from post traumatic stress disorder from his service in World War II which adds to the stress at home. Set in the small town of Hickory, North Carolina in 1952, this historical fiction novel explores themes of family, friendship and the effects of war. The characters are dealing with issues related to their high school classes and friends, yet at times they act like much younger students. However, readers who prefer character-driven stories will appreciate Drive.

Cathy Potter, Falmouth Middle School

three-stars

Storm-Wake

Storm-WakeStorm-Wake by Lucy Christopher
Published by Chicken House on July 31st 2018
ISBN: 054594032X
Pages: 320
Goodreads
four-stars

Lucy Christopher pays tribute to Shakespeare’s The Tempest in this suspenseful, middle grade fantasy novel. The story is organized into acts mirroring a play. In the first act, readers are introduced to Moss, a girl who lives on a magical island with her father. The two are far removed from all aspects of society and civilization. After a storm on the island, a boy and a horse appear on the beach and provide company to the lonely Moss. Christopher’s world building and descriptive language will immerse readers in life on the mystical island. When a boat crashes on the rocks and strands two boys from the outside world, Moss learns a shocking secret about her past, her father and the island she calls home. Middle grade and teen readers who enjoy magical realism will be drawn to this unique and mysterious story. Some readers may find the plot confusing at times, but the confusion will be cleared up in the last few chapters.

Reviewed by Cathy Potter, Falmouth Middle School

four-stars