Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Astrid the Unstoppable

Astrid the UnstoppableAstrid the Unstoppable by Maria Parr, Guy Puzey
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on November 13th 2018
ISBN: 1536200174
Pages: 320
Goodreads
four-stars

This book has a couple of themes. One theme is friendships come in different ages. Another is when families separate it’s never the children’s fault. People can love one another from far away and over time.

The first is Astrid is growing up in the Norwegian mountains. She is the only child in her village. Her best friend is her godfather and he is in his 60/70s. He is a grumpy old man who plays the violin. Astrid keeps him in line.

There is a retreat run by Mr. Hagen who hates children (They are not allowed at his campground). His place is located between Astrid’s farm at the top of the mountain and Gunnvald’s farm. Getting to her godfather’s is more of an adventure on some days than others.

Gunnvald falls and breaks his leg in 2 places. He is laid up in the hospital and rehab for weeks.  This is when Astrid learns that the whole town had lied to her. Gunnvald has a daughter who plays the violin for the world, and she has been gone for 30 years! Now she is back and plans to sell the farm. Gunnvald and his daughter have not spoken in all that time. Astrid’s own mother is away for months at a time because she works in Iceland tracking the disappearance of the ocean. What if her mother had asked her to leave the mountain, would she leave her dad behind?

Reviewed by Jeri Fitzpatrick, GNG Middle School, Gray

four-stars

Dust Storm

Dust StormDust Storm! by Terry Lynn Johnson
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on November 6th 2018
ISBN: 0544970985
Pages: 128
Goodreads
four-stars

 

Do not panic! Again, do not panic! That’s the best advice to anyone caught in an emergency, such as in this book about getting caught in a dust storm.

In this volume of the “Survivor Diaries,” the story unfolds as sixth-grader Jen describes her experience to a reporter. She and competitive classmate Martin learn that their personal strengths can be used together to increase their chances of survival, and that their personal weaknesses need not be hidden or be ashamed of. They also learn to accept each other’s differences.

Back matter is full of useful information: actual survival strategies from the New Mexico Search and Rescue, list of wilderness travel essentials, and author information that lends authenticity to the series.
There’s are online games that parallel each book in the series, and if the player makes all the “right’ choices, s/he survives.

Occasional illustrations in grayscale hint at the reduced visibility one would experience in a dust storm.

This lacks the realistic details and intense drama of Paulsen’s “Hatchet” or Tarshis’ “I Survived” series, but could be an additional purchase for survival fans who are younger or less experienced readers.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Island War

Island WarIsland War by Patricia Reilly Giff
Published by Holiday House on October 23rd 2018
ISBN: 0823439542
Pages: 208
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Told in alternating chapters, Izzy and Matt form an unlikely alliance in an effort to survive and outwit invading soldiers during World War II.  Izzy’s father has recently died and Izzy’s mother, a bird lover, has delayed a family trip to the Aleutian Islands to study migration. Though hesitant to leave without her husband’s guidance and support for such a long trip from Connecticut, she and Izzy soon leave by boat for the island.  Matt and his father are making the same journey from Long Island though Matt’s father’s intentions are much more secretive and dangerous. Through a misadventure on the ship Matt and Izzy get off on the wrong foot and their relationship only worsens on the island. Though both are attending the same small island school, they avoid each other and Matt especially projects hostility toward Izzy.  Suddenly war is declared on the Japanese and within days, the island is taken over by Japanese soldiers. Every person on the island is loaded onto a ship and taken away yet Izzy and Matt have remained hidden. Next begins a tense time of staying out of sight of soldiers, keeping warm and fed, and finding a way off the island. Matt and Izzy come to depend on each other and ultimately will find their way home.  This novel could have benefitted from a map of the Aleutian Islands which could give readers a sense of clarity as to how far away from the United States this story was taking place. Overall a good middle grade historical fiction by a consistently reliable author but for students looking to learn more about World War II, this lacks breadth and depth.

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook

three-stars

Next Best Junior Chef: The Winner Is…

Next Best Junior Chef: The Winner Is…The Winner Is . . . by Charise Mericle Harper, Aurélie Blard-Quintard
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 0544991443
Pages: 192
Goodreads
two-stars
In this , the third book in the Junior Chef series there are a few twists and turns in the story. The kids are down to the final week of the Next Best Junior Chef show and there are just 2 competitors, Rae and Caroline left. Or is there? To add some excitement to the contest the directors of the contest have invited two previously eliminated players back to rejoin the competition . The standards are higher and the challenges more difficult. Who do you think will win?

The first 2 books were interesting and fun to read, and kept a readers interest. This third book isn’t quite to that level.

Reviewed by: Melissa Madigan- Orr’s Island Library, Orr’s Island (volunteer)

two-stars

Intergalactic P.S. 3: A Wrinkle in Time Story

Intergalactic P.S. 3: A Wrinkle in Time StoryIntergalactic P.S. 3: A Wrinkle in Time Story by Madeleine L'Engle
on February 6th 2018
ISBN: 0374310726
Pages: 112
Goodreads
two-stars
This new chapter book by Madeleine L’Engle will ring familiar with readers of A Wrikle in Time and A Wind in the Door as many of this books characters are from those stories. I feel that the reader will have a greater understanding of the story and get more enjoyment from reading it if the reader has already  read the original series.  This story simple starts with a discussion around the dinner table about the youngest child Charles Wallace and if he’s ready for school and if there is a better school that he could be attending.                                It felt as though the story was starting in the middle, and I found it difficult at time to follow.

Reviewed by: Melissa Madigan- Orr’s Island Library, Orr’s Island (volunteer)

two-stars

Inkmistress

InkmistressInkmistress (Of Fire and Stars, #0.5) by Audrey Coulthurst
Published by Balzer + Bray on March 6th 2018
ISBN: 0062433288
Pages: 400
Goodreads
three-stars
Asra is a demi-god in a world full of magic. She has never known her parents and lives alone on the mountain away from humans who would want to use her for her power. Asra’s power comes from her blood which can be used to write the future. When the village below her mountain is destroyed, her mortal lover, Ina, vows revenge on the King who did not send protection. At first, Asra uses her powerful magic to help Ina, but this help is not accepted well from Ina. Throughout this hero’s journey, Asra feels betrayed by everyone that she has ever loved, so much so that she begins to wonder if she has ever really been loved. After acquiring the Fatestone, Asra’s magic becomes more powerful and she must choose to use her power to change the past or to control the future. This fantasy story set in the same world as Coulthurst’s Of Fire and Stars and is a strong choice for its female characters and nuanced, diverse love stories. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

three-stars

Ogre Enchanted

Ogre EnchantedOgre Enchanted (Ella Enchanted, #0.5) by Gail Carson Levine
Published by HarperCollins on October 16th 2018
ISBN: 0062561219
Pages: 352
Goodreads
four-stars
Gail Carson Levine returns with a prequel to her Newbery Honor Book, Ella Enchanted. Evie is a fifteen year old girl who wants to become a healer and is focused solely on furthering her medical knowledge and career. When her best friend, Wormy, unexpectedly proposes, she gently tells him, no, she’s far too busy to marry. Unfortunately, Lucinda, a fairy known for her… challenging gifts overhears and curses Evie to become an ogre. She has sixty two days to agree to marry someone or she’ll be stuck as an ogre forever.

Evie tries to make the best of her situation, especially when a deadly disease starts to spread through the kingdom, but she experiences a lot of prejudice along the way. In the end, no real lessons seem to be learned about others’ differences–ogres are not granted a better position or more understanding in the long run– though Evie becomes more confident and aware of her capabilities.

Levine’s stellar writing and character development is on display, as always. She has a gift for crafting interesting, original, and empowering takes on fairy tales that are a pleasure to read. As a long time fan of Ella Enchanted, part of the enjoyment of the book was spoiled by Levine twisting an element of her original creation. Ella’s parents are characters in the book. Ella’s father, who originally comes across as weak-willed but good at heart, is shown to be more deceptive and self-serving. Ella’s mother is shown to be even lovelier than we realize in the original book, but her suffering is doubled when another of Lucinda’s spells means that she will always love for her husband, but he will never be able to love her in return–a cruel fate for a character who already dies early.

Still, this book will be in high demand wherever fairy tale retellings, adventure stories with strong girls, and Gail Carson Levine are in high demand. Recommended for grades 4-8.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

four-stars

The Misfits Club

The Misfits ClubThe Misfits Club by Kieran Mark Crowley
Published by Macmillan on June 1st 2017
ISBN: 1250079268
Pages: 320
Goodreads
three-stars
The Misfits Club tells the story of five kids in modern-day Ireland. Brian, Hannah, and the twins, Sam and Chris, created the Misfits Club when they were eight in order to solve mysteries. Now, it’s time for the club to disband, but they’ve still never solved anything. The club members persuade the new girl, Amelia, to join as they give it one last go over the summer holidays. They convince her to investigate a spooky old house and are shocked when they find a real mystery inside.

Humorous and serious in turns, this story fulfills many of the mystery/adventure/gentle spook wants for the middle grade group. Though the characters aren’t always the most developed and pop culture references may be hit or miss, this book will be popular where these genres are in high demand.
Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.
three-stars

A Parade of Elephants

A Parade of ElephantsA Parade of Elephants by Kevin Henkes
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 0062668277
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars
This gentle, clearly defined picture book is perfect for one on one sharing with the youngest readers.  Five elephants, each a different pastel color, go round and round, march in a line, go in and out, over and under and finish the day by blasting stars from their trunks to populate the night sky.  The layout of large font, repetitive text and simple sentences lends itself well to new readers practicing their reading skills.  Unsure if a return read will be elicited, but generally, as younger readers feel accomplished they move on to the next book, this may not be a problem.    Henkes keeps the same elephants for all the spreads and the placement of text changes per the action on the page. Useful for preschool circle times about elephants, opposites or colors.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library, Springvale

four-stars

Wed Wabbit

Wed WabbitWed Wabbit by Lissa Evans
Published by David Fickling Books on February 27th 2018
ISBN: 1338185276
Pages: 256
Goodreads
five-stars
This fantasy, adventure story for readers in grades 4-6 may start as a realistic, grief story, but quickly throws the reader into a whimsical, yet dark world that conjures up a mix of Wonderland, Willy Wonka, Candyland and the bubbly, brightly colored Teletubbies.  Ten-year-old Fidge, short for Iphigenia, has tried to support her mother in watching her 4-year-old sister Minnie since their father died two years ago.  As they are packing for a vacation trip, her patience wears thin.  Fidge kicks Minnie’s beloved stuffed bunny, Wed Wabbit, into traffic and her sister is hit by a car trying to retrieve him.  Minnie is rushed to the hospital and Fidge is sent to her Uncle’s family to wait where her dotted- on agoraphobic, germophobic cousin Graham pushes her to the breaking point.  And then the lightning strikes and the children find themselves in a world resembling Minnie’s favorite book “The Land of Wimbley Woos” where all the color coded Woos speak in rhyme and Wed Wabbit is soaking up all the colors.  As Fidge and Graham identify the problems in Wimbley land and try to escape back home, they learn how to help each other, identify the strengths of others (the Wimbley Woos, of course!) and see their situations in a different way.  Evan’s comic timing is just right and the characters are ones you would want to have as your friends.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library, Springvale

five-stars