Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Running on Empty

Running on EmptyRunning on Empty by S.E. Durrant
Published by Holiday House on September 18th 2018
ISBN: 0823438406
Pages: 200
Goodreads
three-stars

A.J. loves running and has fond memories of attending the London Olympics with his parents and grandfather where they met Usain Bolt. After A.J.’s grandfather dies, A.J. takes on more responsibility by helping his disabled parents read, write and perform household tasks.  A.J. is fearful that child services will take him from his home if anyone find out that he is helping his parents. When A.J. joins the school cross country team, he is disappointed that success does not come easy. With the help of friends, neighbors and teachers, A.J. learns to be an athlete. The 1st person narrative will help readers see the story though A.J.’s eyes as he navigates his complicated world of school and home. The book deals with themes of grief, overcoming obstacles and acceptance. Readers will cheer for A.J. throughout the story, and many will take away a sense of compassion and empathy for others.

Reviewed by Cathy Potter, Falmouth Middle School, Falmouth

three-stars

Stick Pick

Stick PickStick Pick by Steven Sandor
Published by Lorimer on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 145941263X
Pages: 128
Goodreads

After Janine scores the winning goal in the ice hockey championship she is involved in a serious car accident, which leaves her paralyzed. Janine is overcome by anger after the accident and loses hope of ever playing hockey again until a friend introduces her to sledge hockey, a game played on sleds on the ice. This slim sports fiction book is sure to be popular with sports lovers despite the predictable plot. There are some formatting issues (word spacing on the page) that may pose issues for readers.

Reviewed by Cathy Potter, Falmouth Middle School, Falmouth

One True Way

One True WayOne True Way by Shannon Hitchcock
Published by Scholastic on February 27th 2018
ISBN: 1338181726
Pages: 224
Goodreads
four-stars

Allie’s life is turned upside down when her parents separate, and Allie and her mom move to North Carolina. On her first day of school at Daniel Boone Middle School, Allie has two goals: join the school newspaper and make a friend. Within minutes of arriving at school,  Allie meets a charismatic girl named Sam The two girls become fast friends and spend all of their free time together. Soon Allie and Sam realize they have feelings for each other, which poses a problem for Sam’s conservative parents. Set in 1977, this coming of age story eloquently deals with issues of sexual identity, homophobia and religion. The story, told from Allie’s perspective, sets just the right tone. Hitchcock presents readers with complex issues and points of view without becoming didactic.

Reviewed by Cathy Potter, Falmouth Middle School, Falmouth

four-stars

Whatshisface

WhatshisfaceWhatshisface by Gordon Korman
Published by Scholastic Press on May 8th 2018
ISBN: 133820016X
Pages: 240
Goodreads
four-stars

While trying to adjust after a move to the town of Stratford, Cooper Vega discovers a sixteenth century ghost living in his new phone.  The ghost, Roddy, causes multiple problems with Cooper’s phone and claims to be the original author of Romeo and Juliet.  Cooper eventually becomes friends with Roddy and they help each other adjust to their new situations.  Roddy encourages Cooper to be more assertive with bullies and his love interest. Cooper strives to help Roddy find and accomplish his purpose as a ghost.  All of this while the seventh grade is preparing to perform Romeo and Juliet for Mr. Wolfson, a Shakespearean billionaire and enthusiast.  Multiple details about Shakespeare and the sixteenth century are scattered throughout the text.  Teachers will appreciate the prolific use of Shakespearean language and readers may find Roddy’s sixteenth century way of speaking and phrasing (despite being in the twenty-first century) humorous.  Parents may not approve of the lack of consequences Roddy and Cooper receive after making poor decisions (purposefully causing a bike crash, trespassing, stealing), but appreciate the fact that Cooper does have a conscience.   Whatshisface addresses bullying, young love, trying to fit in, and striving to be noticed.  Readers in grades 4-7 will enjoy the highs and lows Cooper experiences on his journey from “whatshisface” to Cooper Vega while being introduced to the world of Shakespeare.  

Reviewed by Heather Hale, Easton School System, Easton

four-stars

Super Human Mind Over Matter

Super Human Mind Over MatterMind Over Matter by R.T. Martin
Published by Darby Creek Publishing on January 1st 2018
ISBN: 1512498327
Pages: 112
Goodreads
three-stars

Super Human is a part of the series Mind Over Matter, Now You See Me, Picking Up Speed, Stretched Too Thin, Stronghold, and Take To The Skies. The age range would be grades 4 through 6. It is a good read for kids who would like to be able to trip up bullies with their minds. There was a typo on page 38 Chapter Six: “But he every time he paused to check an equation or research something online…”

Reviewed by Jeri Fitzpatrick, GNG Middle School, Gray

three-stars

Not Even Bones

Not Even BonesNot Even Bones (Market of Monsters, #1) by Rebecca Schaeffer
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 4th 2018
ISBN: 1328863549
Pages: 368
Goodreads
four-stars

Nita has always helped her mom dissect dead monsters or “Unnaturals” that she brings home to sell the sought after parts on the black market.  Dissection is Nita’s thing or ingrain need.  Up until now they have kept under the radar of the International Non-Human Police (INHUP).  Their status changes and their system is dangerously jeopardized when her mom brings home a live boy and expects Nita to dissect him.    Nita helps him escape and then finds herself kidnapped and placed in a cage on a deserted island in the South American jungle as part of a “live” part monster trade.  Fortunately, Nita is not human and is able to heal herself and negate responses from her pain receptors.  Unfortunately, there is a market for her special skin.

Schaeffer provides minute to minute action and one dangerous situation after another intertwined with Nita’s personal budding self-awareness of the “rules” she wants to live by that guides her monster-ish needs.  The content of cutting up bodies and monsters (human and non-human) that have a psychopathic  need to cause pain, dissect bodies, and eat parts of bodies is graphic and slightly disturbing, a horror reader’s dream.  Envision a monster “Dexter” for the mature high school reader.   There is a cliff-hanger ending which will have reader’s holding their breath until the next installment.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library, Springvale

four-stars

Pip Bartlett’s Guide to Sea Monsters

Pip Bartlett’s Guide to Sea MonstersPip Bartlett's Guide to Sea Monsters (Pip Bartlett, #3) by Jackson Pearce, Maggie Stiefvater
Published by Scholastic Press on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 0545709326
Pages: 176
Goodreads
two-stars

This is the third installment of the Pip Bartlett’s series on different monsters and magical creatures.  The focus and setting of this story is the seaside and creatures associated with the sea.  Pip and her older cousin Callie are spending a seaside vacation with Pip’s best friend Tomas and his family.  Pip’s ability to understand non-human creatures helps assist the small town and it’s aquarium as it becomes the target of vandals and bizarre happenings.   The theme of missing family and “being homesick” runs through the human and sea creature story lines.

The book layout is similar to the others in the series, with short chapters interspersed with illustrative pages representing a sea monster guide that shows various sea monsters, corresponding to the story that provides sizes, personal habits and other fun facts.  There was an abrupt transition of scene and setting between Chapters 4 and 5 that proved jarring.  It also seemed unclear what the actual ages of Tomas’s triplet brothers were throughout the story.   Fans of Pip Bartlett won’t be deterred from this seaside mystery by those few quibbles.

 

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library, Springvale

two-stars

The Lost Causes

The Lost CausesThe Lost Causes by Alyssa Embree Schwartz, Jessica Koosed Etting
Published by Kids Can Press on September 5th 2017
ISBN: 1771388447
Pages: 344
Genres: Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A small group of high school kids is tricked into taking a drug by the FBI. This drug enhances their psychic abilities.  They are the loses of the high school, no friends, parents don't care about them, and teachers have given up on them. The FBI needs them to help solve a murder mystery and find the missing drug that causes their new psychic abilities. 

The action is stronger than the character development, but it is a fun fast moving story with many twists. 

A small group of high school kids is tricked into taking a drug by the FBI. This drug enhances their psychic abilities.  They are the loses of the high school, no friends, parents don’t care about them, and teachers have given up on them. The FBI needs them to help solve a murder mystery and find the missing drug that causes their new psychic abilities.

The action is stronger than the character development, but it is a fun fast moving story with many twists.

Reviewed by Jeri Fitzpatrick, GNG Middle School, Gray

three-stars

Spy Penguins

Spy PenguinsSpy Penguins by Sam Hay, Marek Jagucki
Published by Feiwel & Friends on September 18th 2018
ISBN: 1250188385
Pages: 240
Goodreads
four-stars

Best friends Jackson and Quigley desperately want to be FBI (Frosty Bureau of Investigation) agents and are out to prove their value.  Alas the bureau does not hire young penguins and more disturbing, they do not even listen to these two inspired and creative youths.  When fish go missing from an aquarium the buddies make use of Quigley’s tinkering creative talents.   The storyline is more humor than mystery but it is a quick and humorous read.  Black and while sketches enhance the text.

 This reader has a copy with missing pages, the story ended on page 200 with no resolution.  The next 25 pages plus title and index of a young adult book where included within the cover pages.   Certainly this was an accident as student readers will want to read how the friends’  story ends.   Add this to intermediate schools media centers as grade 3-5 students will enjoy the humor, sketches and mystery. Librarians beware, ask if the books available from your distributor are complete.

four-stars

Girls can’t Hit

Girls can’t HitGirls Can't Hit by T.S. Easton
Published by Feiwel & Friends on April 18th 2017
ISBN: 1250102324
Pages: 288
Goodreads
three-stars

“Girls can’t Hit” is by T. S. Easton, the author of “Boys don’t Knit.” It is not a direct sequel, but is a kind of spiritual successor. In this story, Fleur is a British teenager who has two parents who argue often. Her mother is extremely overprotective, to a ludicrous degree. When Fleur decides on a whim to try out boxing, her mother and father are both upset. Fleur finds out that she really enjoys the way that boxing makes her feel powerful and alive, even though her parents, friends, and longtime boyfriend do not understand.

There is a decent amount of British slang, which may throw off American teens a bit, as well as a lot of teen drinking, since British teenagers can drink in pubs. But other than that, it has very relatable moments for all readers. There are feminist themes as Fleur discovers who she wants to be and the book handles difficult issues with realistic humor. I would recommend this book for YA readers of realistic fiction, especially if they enjoy British fiction. I may not have loved all aspects of the book, but by the end I was seriously considering trying out boxing.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars